Ren:

Mmh…

Koujaku:

Right~! And if we lift this… My lady, it’s done. How do you like the finished product?

Woman 1:

Aah! What a lovely hairstyle! It’s definitely different when you cut it, Koujaku-san!

Koujaku:

I’m grateful that you’d say something like that. Please come again.

Woman 1:

Yes, definitely!

Beni:

Tch. Each an’ every one of them’s setting their sights on Koujaku, not their hair. Ah?

Koujaku:

Then, the next guest.

Woman 2:

Yes~!

Beni:

(flying up) Hey, Koujaku! Ain’t that Ren?

Koujaku:

Oh? Oh…you’re right.

Ren:

(approaches) Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Yo, Ren. What’s wrong?

Ren:

I’m sorry for interrupting your work.

Koujaku:

No, I don’t mind, but…are you alone? Aoba’s…at work, huh?

Ren:

Yes.

(AllMate Ren barks)

Koujaku:

Oh! You too? Ren, huh? What’s up?

Ren:

I bring him along when I’m out on my own. He enjoys it as well and it helps to alleviate some of my nerves at acting alone. (Ren barks)

Koujaku:

Hm, is that right? What’s his name?

Ren:

As it was. It hasn’t changed.

Koujaku:

Well, it would feel a little out of place to change his name so suddenly, so that’s for the best, right?

Ren:

Yes. Koujaku…I’m well aware that you’re busy now, Koujaku. But beyond that, could I ask for just a little bit of your time?

Koujaku:

Did something happen? Well, it’s perfect timing. I was just thinking about taking a break. After the next guest’s done I’m free.

Ren:

Yes. I’m truly sorry.

Koujaku:

It’s fine. Then, you can chat with Beni while you wait. Here. (he tosses Beni)

Beni:

Aahhh!

Ren:

(catches Beni)

Koujaku:

Sorry to keep you waiting. Now then, what sort of cut would you like today?

Beni:

Geez, just chucking me over like that. Just who does he think I am?!

Ren:

Hm…

Beni:

Ren, you don’t seem well. You all right?

Ren:

Yeah.

Beni:

Since you turned human there’s a lot to worry about, right? It’s different circumstances from being an AllMate, huh.

Ren:

That’s true.

Beni:

Well, if something bad happens hurry up and come to us, okay? If y’need someone to talk to I’ll listen! (he taps Ren with his wing)

Ren:

Beni…

Beni:

Hm?

Ren:

Thank you.

Beni:

Cut it out! If someone like you’s saying that so formally to me it’s way too stiff! (he flies off, Ren chuckles)

~interlude~

Koujaku:

I see how it is. And then you couldn’t hold tight at home so you came to see me.

Ren:

I knew that it would disturb your job…I’m sorry.

Koujaku:

It’s fine. Anyway, it’s evening, I was going to close up before too long. Then, for you no matter what you can’t trust this Takumi guy .

Ren:

Yes. I said that to Aoba as well, but…I couldn’t convey it well. Yesterday we fought a little over it.

Koujaku:

Hmm…well, it’s a difficult spot. In the end it’s just a bad premonition, right? He didn’t actually say or do anything?

Ren:

That’s…what Aoba said as well. For Aoba, he said he didn’t have that bad of an impression of Takumi.

Koujaku:

I see…well, certainly, without any concrete proof having someone call off their plans is a little difficult.

Ren:

Mmh…

Koujaku:

This Takumi’s an old friend of Aoba’s right?

Ren:

Yes.

Koujaku:

It’s right when I was off the island so I don’t know much about him either.

Beni:

Hey, Koujaku. Just whose side are you on anyway?

Koujaku:

Oh?

Beni:

Ren came all this way on his own! Even though that gets him flustered!

Koujaku:

Ah, of course I know that. It’s just this isn’t something you can settle by force of will.

Ren:

It really is…difficult.

Koujaku:

Hm?

Ren:

Since I became human…I’ve…been unable to clearly decide my own feelings. I waver with unease. It was something unthinkable when I was an AllMate. Even though within my consistent fixed personality I had rude expressions, there was no time when I wouldn’t have an answer.

Koujaku:

Hm…

Ren:

In this situation I’ve caused Aoba trouble. If I’m not more capable of making prompt decisions… I feel that way, but…it’s hard. It really is.

Koujaku:

Hm. It’s fine, just like that.

Ren:

Hm?

Koujaku:

Someone who can swiftly and promptly decide everything…well, there certainly might be people like that, but that’s hardly interesting, right? For someone like that, it’s no different from being an AllMate, is it?

Ren:

Ah…

Koujaku:

Go ahead and have lots of worries, confrontations, disagreements, injuries. When you add up everything you’ve accumulated, then sometimes you’ll find an answer that won’t come from planning things out. Right now, Ren, you’re only standing at that entrance. Don’t worry too much about being at a loss.

Ren:

Is that…how it is?

Koujaku:

Yeah. I think Aoba knows that too. That’s why if you’re lost or have concerns, it’s fine to push through without holding back. He’ll definitely accept you, right?

Ren:

Mmh…that’s true.

Koujaku:

I can’t even imagine him thinking you’re any trouble. When you were an AllMate he completely doted on you. (Ren barks) Oh, you think so too? (Ren barks) Haha. This guy…he really gets it, huh?

Ren:

Heh…

Beni:

When it comes to doting on AllMates, I wish my master’d take some pointers.

Koujaku:

Come on…I treasure you in my own way! (he baps Beni)

Beni:

Owow…Where’s that? You’re roughhousing!

Koujaku:

That’s not it.

Beni:

Tch!

(Ren laughs)

Beni:

Hey, Ren. This’s because I’m an AllMate, so I don’t really get what you mean saying you can’t find an answer. But it’s like Koujaku said, shouldn’t you just act on your feelings?

Ren:

Hm…

Beni:

It’s true that for AllMates our Master’s more important than anything else, but since you’re human that’s changed as well, right?

Ren:

Ah…no, that’s not it.

Beni:

Then you gotta move it. Your master might be in danger. What are you gonna do? Geez, if you ask me I don’t get it. You gotta keep your master out of danger. There’s no other choice.

Koujaku:

Beni…you gave some pretty good advice.

Beni:

Shhhut it! Oh, that’s right. Can’t you go along with Aoba? If you’re with him you could protect him if something happened.

Ren:

That’s certainly true…being flooded in the attention of so many people…I’m still a little afraid of it. It gets to the point that I don’t know what to do.

Koujaku:

I see now.

Beni:

Nope. You don’t see a damn thing, Koujaku!

Koujaku:

Oh?

Beni:

Hey, Ren! Toughen up! Wake up! What kinda lazy crap are you saying? Your master might meet with a terrible fate! This ain’t time to be scared!

Ren:

Beni…

Beni:

Which one’re you more afraid of? Places with lots of people or something happening to Aoba?

Ren:

That’s…

Beni:

Y’don’t need t’think that much! You said you turned human by your own will, didn’t you? Don’t get soft–

Koujaku:

(picking Beni up) Come on, Beni. That’s enough.

Beni:

Nngh…but!

Koujaku:

Honestly, you…were you going to keep going?

Ren:

No, it’s fine. It’s certainly as Beni said. Becoming human I’ve perhaps become a bit timid. If I remember the risk to Aoba…what I’ve realized about myself…it doesn’t matter at all.

Koujaku:

Ah…

Ren:

That’s why, once more…I want to try to stop Aoba.

Beni:

Yeah, that’s good.

Koujaku:

I see. Got it. Right now…it’s five, huh. He should still be at the store.

Ren:

Would it be best to go to the store?

Koujaku:

For you, you want to stop Aoba from going out for drinks no matter what, right?

Ren:

Yes.

Koujaku:

Then, if it happens that you can’t stop him you’d at least like to go along.

Ren:

That’s right.

Koujaku:

Hmm…in that case you probably don’t want to talk to him at the store. It’s not something you can settle easily, so if there’s customers Aoba would get worked up too.

Ren:

Certainly.

Koujaku:

For now you should head home. You don’t have a coil, do you?

Ren:

No.

Koujaku:

Then, I’ll send Aoba an e-mail. When he answers I’ll tell him to call home.

Ren:

I really am sorry. I’ll definitely return the favor.

Koujaku:

Don’t worry. You’d do the same for me in a bind. Do your best, Ren.

Beni:

C’mon, don’t give in!

Ren:

Thank you, Koujaku, Beni.

Koujaku:

(working on his coil) E-mail’s sent. Then, I’m back to work. Wait up at home.

Ren:

Yeah.

Beni:

Later!

(Ren leaves)