Chapter 3
HAMA House - Balcony
…Wait.
?
Hey so, I wanted to ask you something.
Uh, let’s see, for example…
Let’s say I told you I wanted to quit baking or quit HAMA Tours. What would you do?
Eh…!?
(Kurama, suddenly saying something like that…!?)
Stop looking at me like that, you obviously misunderstood me. Look, this is just an analogy.
(An analogy… But, why all of a sudden…?)
Answer.
Ah, um…
……
If it’s something… Kurama has been… thinking about… I’d respect… that thought.
I don’t think… I’d try to… stop… you.
……!
Are you saying that as well?
Would you “believe” in me… without having a single reason to?
…Honestly, I don’t know.
But, I don’t think I’d try to stop you.
That’s why, I hope that wherever Reito-kun ends up going…
You end up finding the answer that you’re looking for.
That’s what I think as a fellow patissier.
HAMA House - Balcony
(This guy reached the same answer Ouji did…)
Ah, but… I guess you really…
Enough, I get it.
Kura…ma…?
Here, I’m lending you this to read.
???
A man…ga…?
HAMA House - Horse Room
*Typing*
…Is this really a good name for my circle?
Actually, is this a good idea at all?
But, I thought that “this has to be it” and came up with it all… And today is the deadline for applications too…
Nonono, I have to calm down… No matter how you look about it, this is an impulsive decision at best. Butー
Snore… Snore…
R-Right… I’ll feel guilty about it, but I’ll wake up Muu-chan and ask him to hear me outー
!? “The screen will timeout in 10 seconds”…!?
Uh, Ahー
…I.
…I applied. To ComiPara…
HAMA House - Entrance
We should be on our way. We’ll be late for first period.
You can borrow my old shoes if you want? I’m not sure if the size would fit you though.
……
(The talk I had with Kurama yesterday…)
Flashback - HAMA House - Balcony
Let’s say I told you I wanted to quit baking or quit HAMA Tours. What would you do?
HAMA House - Entrance
(He said it was just an analogy, but… What if he was really contemplating it… I have no idea.)
(Should I tell the Day Squad or Chief? No but, I can’t just tell them something like that…)
Uuu…
Hey.
Ah… Kurama…
If you’re finished getting ready, we’ll get to school before the others, so come with me.
……!
(Is this is about his worries from yesterday…?)
… Ok…ay.
Then… I’ll… get going…
*They leave*
Are those two having some sort of secret meeting?
That combo is pretty rare… There’s no way Kiroku’s getting blackmailed or anything, is he?
It’s aaalllll gooodddd~ Ah, Nanaki, could I borrow those shoes!?
Residential Area
…This far should be good.
……
Did you read it?
Eh?
The manga. From yesterday.
(Ah, the one he gave me on the balcony?)
Not… yet… sorr……
Ah…
(Why does he seem so scared? Now that I think about it, I might not have followed up about blowing up on Buddha Statue the other day huh…)
I’m not mad at you or anything. I even lent you my manga yesterday. I was just taking out my frustration on you that time, so…… …Could you stop acting so nervous already?
No uh… Yeah…
Also… There’s something I wanted to ask of you.
……?
I…
……
Are you really… quitting…?
Huh? Quitting what?
HAMA Tours…
Hah…? No. It’s…
I… I was thinking about… making a book… a doujinshi.
…A… Dou…?
(What is this about…? I can’t really hear him that well, but did he say a book?)
‘Cuz you… y’know, you were drawing and doing all those sketches with the dolls… for the Ward 6 tour.
Ah… Uhuh…
And I think your drawings… a-aren’t that bad… and whatnot… I actually… think they’re pretty good…
Kurama, I’m sorry… I can’t… hear yo…
S-SO…! I wanted to buy your talent for drawing!!
Eh…!? T-Thank… yo…?
(Why is he suddenly praising me…?)
And also, I thought your drawings would fit the image I had in my head…
(I actually already applied for the event so I can’t back out from this now…!)
UGHHH~ Why was I being so impulsive…!? I just clicked apply without thinking about it…!
(I don’t understand what this is about…)
Haaaaahhh~…
Basically, what I’ve been trying to say is…
Y-Yeah?
……
…Could I commission you?
Commi…ssion…?
(Wait… What…?)