Raika Suga and Miku Mahashi

Hmm-hmm~♪

That should be enough rinsing.

Now, I just need to add the water...

Are you already getting dinner ready? Isn't it a little early for dinner?

Miku! We're making rice in an earthenware pot tonight~ There's a lot to get ready!

I want everyone to enjoy it, so I need to let it steam properly too...

Ah, that's too much water... Okay! Perfect!

...

What's wrong, Miku? Curious about the rice?

Not really. I just came to get some tea.

But you keep touching your ear~?

*Sigh*... I really did come for tea.

I was just thinking that cooking rice is the one thing you can actually do properly. Even if you're hopeless at every other chore.

Oh, I guess so?

(I mean, she should put the same care into other chores that she puts into the rice.)

It's pretty unusual to be able to cook it in an earthenware pot, though. You have to watch the heat, and it takes a lot of work.

Rice made with love takes time and care!

That's what your grandma used to say, right?

That's right! Granny taught me, "If you ever have a family of your own, you need to at least be able to cook rice on your own."

She said I should become someone who can always cook delicious meals for their family.

I see...

Well... I only use an earthenware pot because I enjoy it! I love the crispy rice at the bottom~

Does that make you happy, Miku? Are you looking forward to our meals now?

Why are you making this about that?

Because you'll get to have delicious meals for the rest of your life, Miku!

You'll be eating my love, and it'll fill both your heart and your stomach. Our happiness is guaranteed to last even after we're grandmas!

What!?

(Does she really not realize how embarrassing that sounds...?)

Y-You can only cook rice. What are you even talking about?

Huh? Are you mad, Miku?

If you're saying you want to feed your family delicious meals, you should at least learn to make miso soup!

Oh! You like miso soup!

That's not what I mean. Think about nutrition... Actually, never mind.

Well then, I'll see you at dinner.

Wait, wait! Tell me what you were going to say!

You wouldn't understand even if I told you.

I would! I want you to keep explaining until I understand!

Hey, Mikuuu~!

Hmm... Maybe this sounds too cluttered.

Maybe I should simplify it some more...

Miku! Was that a new song!?

Whoa! Please, knock first!

Sorry, I forgot! So, what kind of song are you working on now?

I'm not telling someone who doesn't knock!

Then I'll knock now!

There! Now let me hear it!

I can't believe you think that counts.

Miku, you're keeping me in suspense~ Does that mean you're really proud of this one?

The last song you gave us was amazing. Will this one top it? Even more love for the family!?

You really are... Never mind. It'd be wasted on you.

That wasn't a new song. I was tweaking the song I gave you all.

You mean an arrangement?

Yeah. An arrangement for live shows. A few things bothered me at our last show.

We can't just leave them like that. We're going to keep playing it, after all.

Ooh! I see~ You're right.

What's with that look?

Nope. It's noooothing.

Well, now you know it's not a new song. I can't focus with you here, so get out.

Aww, can't I stay a little longer? I promise I'll be quiet!

You? Quiet...? Don't promise what you can't do.

I want to watch you work on a song, Miku! I promise I'll be quiet. Please!

*Sigh*... Fine. You can stay if you help me fine-tune the lyrics.

Yaaay! Wait... you want to adjust the lyrics? Why!?

There are places where the syllables don't fit the melody. You crammed them in, so they're hard to sing.

They're not hard to sing. I can sing them just fine! So let's leave the lyrics as they are!

I wrote these lyrics as my answer to the song you made for the family. So...!

I'm not trying to change what you're saying.

I just think there's a way to phrase it that fits better and is easier to sing.

We're going to sing it dozens of times. Don't you want it to be the best it can be?

Mikuuu...!

Ooh, so you like these lyrics too, Miku! You could've just said so from the start!

That's not what I said.

Nope, that's basically what you said! You're sooo bad at being honest, Miku~

If you're just going to goof off, get out. You're getting in the way.

Sorry, sorry! Then tell me what you want to adjust!

Let's make it the most peaceful family song in the world!

Hehe, okay, okay. The part that's been bothering me is...

Hmm-hmm~♪

...

I'm so happy I get to walk home with Mikuuu~♪

*Sigh*... Can you just walk normally?

Huh? I am! Totally normal! I'm just happy our timing happened to line up, that's all~

You called out to me so loudly at the station. It was seriously embarrassing, you know.

You say that, but I know you were happy to see me~

Anyway, did you have fun at school today? What'd you do? Get any homework?

Is knowing all that fun for you?

Not fun exactly. It makes me happy! I want to know more about you, Miku.

Oh. Okay.

...♪

You know... you're kind of...

Oh, Raika-chan! On your way home from school?

Auntieee! I'm on my way home with my family. What about you...?

Woof!

...!

I thought so. You're out for your evening walk.

That's right. They've been making a fuss since just after lunch, wanting to go out for their walk.

Woof, woof!

You're as energetic as ever today~ Who's a good dog? Who's a good dog?

Ahaha, that tickles!

They really do love you, Raika-chan~

Um... you walk them past our dorm in the mornings too, don't you?

Oh, so you've seen us! That road is part of our regular walking route.

Have you met them before too, Miku?

No. I can see them from my room, that's all.

Woof!

Eek!!

Whoa. What's wrong, Miku? Why are you hiding behind me?

I-It came up so suddenly that it startled me a little...

Sorry about that. I think they just wanted to say hello.

R-Right... I'm sorry.

It's nothing. Don't worry about it. See you around.

*Sigh*...

Oh, really~?

What?

Nothing~ I was just thinking you're not good with animals, Miku.

I-I'm not...! I'm fine with cats and rabbits...

Big dogs just come on a little too strong for me, that's all.

You were pretty cute, though~ You actually went, "Eek!"

You and that dog have a few things in common, though.

What? Does that mean I'm too much for you too...!?

Who knows? Come on, hurry up. I'm leaving you behind.

I'm not too much for you, right!? We're family, aren't we!? Hey, Mikuuu~!