Raika Suga and Shizuku Shinomiya

See you later, ma'am~!

Sorry, Shizuku! I've been stopping to talk to so many people.

Why are you apologizing? It's amazing that someone stops to talk to you every few steps.

It's not amazing. Everyone's just so nice!

Oh, here it is! This is the store I wanted to visit today!

They sell toys, clothes, and books here too... What kind of store is this?

Hmm, a store that has a little bit of everything! I guess you'd call it a variety store. They have unusual snacks too, so I'm sure you'll like it, Shizuku!

Oh...!

I knew you were excited! Want to buy lots of snacks?

Yes. But did we come all this way just to buy snacks?

Hehe... Actually, there's another reason we came~♪ My Family love might even make you cry, Shizuku!

Today's main event is...! Drumroll, please! We're buying matching cups for the Familyyy!!

But don't we already have plenty of cups at the dorm?

The ones we're using now were handed down from Granny and others, right? So I thought it would be nice to have some that are ours!

Matching cups will make Family meals twice as fun! And they'll bring us even closer together!

I see. Then let's buy cups for everyone.

Mm-hmm! Come on, Shizuku! Let's find the perfect cups for our Family!

Hey, Shizuku, what about these!? They're shaped like crowns! Isn't that fun?

Yes. It looks like we'd need to practice not spilling when we drink from them.

That's true...! Then what about the others... Oh, look!

There's one with a serious-looking face, and one shaped like a muscular body! Those are fun too, aren't they?

That face... It looks like a portrait of Beethoven.

Oh, really? Do you like him, Shizuku?

I've played his music often... But I'm not sure whether I like him or not.

I see... So, Shizuku, which cup do you like?

What I like...

I'm sorry. I still don't know which one I should choose.

You don't have to say sorry! And you don't have to choose right now.

We'll take our time finding the things you can say "I like," Shizuku.

Yes... Thank you.

But I really, really want matching cups...! Shizuku, which would you pick: the serious-looking face or the muscular body?

You mean which one would suit the Family better...?

Whichever one stands out to you, Shizuku! Even if you don't love it, just pick the one you think is kind of nice!

I...

...

Th-That's your face when you don't know how to answer~!

Sorry I couldn't help. What if we choose them with everyone next time?

Yeah... Maybe that's best!

But before we go, let's check out the snack aisle!

! Oh, yes...!

Shizuku... Are you ready?

I am.

All right, time to meet him~! This is our vacuum, Vacuumy-kun!

Vacuumy...? What is that?

That's Vacuumy's name! Today, we'll help you get along with him, so you can practice vacuuming on your own, Shizuku!

Get along with the vacuum... Understood.

Good day, Vacuumy. I'm Shizuku Shinomiya.

Yep, that's a lovely greeting~ Wait... why?

Hm? I thought speaking to it was how you activate it.

Ah! That's not what I meant by "getting along."

Vacuumy's kind of old and delicate. That's why it's important to show him some love!

I see... Could you explain in more detail?

Sure. First, the plug!

Pull out the cord, plug it in, then flip the switch... There!

You give the main unit a good thump like this. That gets it going.

Is it okay to hit it that hard? That seems less like friendship and more like a fight.

Hmm, let's see... Vacuumy's kind of like Yomogi. He gets discouraged easily, so he needs a Cherie-style love slap!

I see. This vacuum needs encouragement too.

Exactly! And now it's all ready!

Now you just run it wherever you want to clean!

Shizuku, hold it here. Okay, let's give it a gooo!

All right. I'll give it a try.

That's it, you're doing great! Pull it back now and then... That's it!

Whoa... The dust is getting sucked in.

Good, good! Now try making a lap around the room!

Understood. Oh...?

Raika, the vacuum stopped. It seems to have gotten discouraged.

Ah~ You sucked up the edge of the cushion.

It can't suck up anything too big. When that happens...

Should I encourage it?

Nope, don't make it overdo it. Just gently free it~

Like this...?

That's it! You're amazing, Shizuku! You're really getting to know Vacuumy now~!

Mm. Next, I'll vacuum the floor by the window.

Ah, wait...!

I'm sorry... I was too late. I knocked the trash can over.

No, I'm sorry I noticed too late! The cord got caught on something~

I've created more mess to clean. It seems it'll take more time to get along with the vacuum.

That's okay. Let's take our time getting along with him! You'll be spending a lot of time together, after all!

You're right... Thank you, Raika and Vacuumy.

Let's set the trash can back upright, then try again from here!

All right. First, I need to encourage the vacuum.

Raika, I'm out.

Did you enjoy your bath?

I did. I'm getting used to getting ready and bathing by myself.

You're amazing, Shizuku~ You get the hang of everything so quickly!

It's thanks to everyone teaching me.

You're welcome!

All right, let's dry your hair. Shizuku, sit in front of me~

All right.

Okay, time to dry your hair! Hair dryer on!

Raika... could I ask you something?

Your hair is so pretty, Shizuku~

Raika?

We use the same shampoo, but yours is so much fluffier somehow, Shizuku!

She can't hear me... *Inhales*...

Raika. Could I ask you something?

Hmm? What is it~?

Why do you dry my hair every day?

Huh? Why...?

You're right... Why do I?

Sorry for making you stop. It's something I've been wondering about.

Whenever there's something I've never done before, you teach me how.

But you've never taught me how to use a hair dryer because you always dry my hair for me, Raika.

Hmm, I guess it's not that there's a reason... It's just something I started doing...

I've been letting myself rely on you, too. Nanny always used to dry my hair.

Your way of doing it is different, but they both make me sleepy sometimes.

Ah, I know! I've fallen asleep while Granny was drying my hair too!

I'd sit on the same cushion you're on now, with my head between Granny's knees, just like you, Shizuku.

I see.

Yeah. That warm, cozy feeling after a bath... and the way she'd ruffle my hair. It just felt so nice...

Ah, that must be why!

What do you mean?

I liked having Granny dry my hair. Or maybe I just liked this time together.

We'd talk about what happened at school, or sing together loud enough to drown out the hair dryer.

And sometimes fall asleep...?

Exactly! It was so comforting.

It felt like I could feel Granny's love in the touch of her fingertips on my back.

I think that's why I wanted to do it for you too, Shizuku!

...!

Now that I know why, I feel so much better~!

Okay, back to drying! Hair dryer, switch on!

I'll put aaaall my love into making your hair soft and silky, Shizuku~!

Thank you... Raika.