Nagi Kotohira and Mahoro Hamasaki

Hmm...

Mahoro...? Why are you glaring at your phone like that?

Mm... I need to send in my availability soon.

Availability? I thought you'd quit your job.

I haven't quit. I just took the past month or so off so I could focus on the band.

Got it. So you're going back to the family restaurant, then.

Yeah. I was trying to decide when to start back, but my manager asked if I could help out...

Apparently, a new hire who'd just started quit.

Ah...

Besides, it feels like a good time to go back. We don't have to cram in solo practice like we used to, right?

The manager must be thrilled. Their star server is coming back.

With that bright smile and impeccable service, Hamasaki-san is a hit with everyone from families to seniors.

Oh~ Nagi-chan, you're laying it on a little thick~!

Haha. You don't exactly hate hearing it.

Well, I mean... You know? How's work been for you, Nagi-chan?

Eh, it's been going all right.

Still at that bookstore? The one where that elderly lady is the only other person who works there?

Yep. She gives me candy sometimes.

This might be a weird thing to ask, but... Do you actually get customers there?

Hmm. Well, we do. About one person every other day.

Whaaat...? That few?

I mean, that's about normal.

It's independent and small. They don't carry much manga or many popular novels, either.

And that works...?

Apparently, all the books they carry are rare. So I guess there's demand for them.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as I can read when it's quiet, I'm happy. Oh, I only read books that aren't for sale.

Is that okay for someone who works there?

If the owner says it's fine, it is.

That's such a weird job.

Yeah.

Maybe I should pick up more shifts too. We'll need money for lives and stuff from now on, right?

Oof...!

You're right, Nagi-chan... We have so many expenses coming up...!

Haha. Being in a band gets expensive.

Hmm... We've just gotta work hard, right...? Okay! I'm gonna take on lots of shifts!

Nagi-chan... How about our usual thing this Sunday?

Oh...! So it's finally time... for that...

Yeah... Mom got her hands on some really good meat...!

Oh...? And might I ask what kind of meat we're talking about...?

Beef tendon.

! That's... serious.

Yeah... This one's seriously going to be something...!

Oh my... I'm trembling. Truly fearsome...

The Hamasaki Family Curry Night...!

...

Ahaha. Hehe.

What was that weird little moment just now?

No idea. What was that?

Anyway, I'll count you in, Nagi-chan. I'll let Mom know.

Thank you for having me, as always.

Not at all. I'm happy we get to do this again too.

Yeah...

Still, beef tendon... It's great fresh, but it'd be good after resting overnight too, right?

Exactly! Honestly, I'd be happy to make it a two-day event...!

Haha. You're really committed. Then I'd better get Mom to bring her A-game with the treats too.

Aww... Nagi-chan's mama always has such amazing taste in treats...

Those fresh donuts last time were so good, and so was the pudding before that...!

She says she always puts a lot of thought into them because you've all been so good to me.

So try not to eat as much curry as you did last time.

I-I'll be careful...

The treats keep well. You could always save them for another day instead of forcing yourself to eat them.

But... once you've had something savory, you start wanting something sweet, don't you...?

The separate dessert stomach.

Hmm... If only we really did have a separate dessert stomach...

Oh, right. Do you think Sis Tsuki can make it this time?

...

Hmm... I'm not sure. She's probably busy with college and work.

I don't think she'll be able to come this time either.

I see... It would've been nice to see her again, but I guess it can't be helped.

Well, if it looks like she can make it, then.

Yeah. That's true.

Ah, I can't wait! I wish Sunday would get here already. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Haha. First, you need to get through tonight's dinner.

Oh, right... I'll message you again later, okay?

Yeah, sounds good.

Bye. Bye-bye!

So... I've come full circle, and I've decided convenience store croquettes are unbeatable after all...!

Ooh, I like that. Wanna stop by on the way home today?

Croquettes, huh... I've been eating a little too much lately.

Um... Excuse me. Could you get Hamasaki-senpai for me?

Wait, that's Kotohira-san! Wow, she's so pretty~!

Nagi-chan! What's up? Need something?

This.

Huh? Oh... My gym clothes. How did you end up with these, Nagi-chan?

You handed them to me, remember?

When we got to school and were heading upstairs from the shoe lockers, you stopped to put your indoor shoes back on. You said there was a tiny pebble or something in one of them.

You handed these to me and said, "Hold these for a sec."

Oh...

Then the second you were done, someone yelled, "I'm on class duty today!" And who was it that ran off?

I'm sorry.

Haha. You're forgiven.

Hey, Mahoro, you're friends with Kotohira-san? Oh, is she the childhood friend you told us about?

That's right. We've been together since we were little.

Hi...

You should've told us sooner! Having Kotohira-san as your childhood friend is so cool~!

Geez, you guys only ever talk about Nagi-chan.

Sorry! Didn't you say you had another childhood friend too, Mahoro? Introduce her to us sometime!

Ah...

...

Hey, aren't you getting called on in math next? Shouldn't you be studying?

Oh, right! Aww, I wanted to hear more! See you later!

I'm sorry... I'll talk to her later.

No, it's okay. Thanks.

Sorry... Nagi-chan. She's only been my friend since second year, so... She doesn't know Kanata.

Well... it can't be helped. This school's huge.

Yeah...

But even after that amazing cultural festival live last year, Kanata's fading from everyone's memories.

Maybe that's just how it is with a band people don't even know personally...

Mahoro...

...!

What!?

Ow... Ahaha, you really shouldn't slap yourself.

Okay... I'm fine. As long as we don't forget, Kanata is still here. Right, Nagi-chan?

Yeah...

Thanks for bringing my gym clothes back! You really saved me~!

I'm glad I could help... All right, I'm heading back too.

Okay! Thanks, Nagi-chan~!

I'm fine...

(I have to keep going, even carrying this pain with me.)