Seeing that the hour was growing late, Tsushima Kagami and the others concluded today's study gathering.
Tsushima Kagami took the money everyone had pooled together for the bill and went to the counter, looking at Shimizu Nayotake.
"Shimizu-san, check please."
Shimizu Nayotake accepted the money and began to make change.
"Shimizu-san, exactly how many part-time jobs do you work?" Tsushima Kagami asked curiously.
Looking at Shimizu Nayotake, she was clearly an introverted and reticent person, yet how did she always manage to find so many part-time jobs? Was it acceptable to work without speaking or smiling?
Seeing Tsushima Kagami's curious expression, Shimizu Nayotake merely offered a faint smile.
Well, that was certainly better than when they first met, when she would only keep a straight face.
Tsushima Kagami took the change. After exchanging goodbyes with Shimizu Nayotake, as well as Ijichi Seika and Hiroi Kikuri who were cleaning up, he walked to the store entrance.
"Bye-bye, Senior."
"Goodbye to you too, PA-san."
After speaking, Tsushima Kagami joined the girls who were waiting for him.
"Well then, we'll be heading back first."
"Bye-bye, Kagami-kun, Shizuku-chan~"
After Kosaka Akane, Machida Sonoko, and Sayuri said their goodbyes and left, Tsushima Kagami looked at Yukinoshita Shizuku.
"Let's go back too."
Tsushima Kagami had taken just one step when Yukinoshita Shizuku tugged on his sleeve and pulled him back. She then pointed toward the shopping mall Sayuri had mentioned wanting to visit earlier.
Yukinoshita Shizuku first satisfied her cravings at the claw machines and gachapon dispensers on the first floor. Then, she brought Tsushima Kagami to the gift section on the second floor.
Tsushima Kagami simply stayed by her side, accompanying her as she browsed around.
It wasn't until Yukinoshita Shizuku reached a counter selling fountain pens that she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Hello, please let me see this one."
The shop assistant bowed with a smile, then lifted the fountain pen Yukinoshita Shizuku had selected from the display cabinet with both hands, presenting it before her.
"Please, take a look."
Yukinoshita Shizuku took the pen. Examining the Pilot fountain pen with its milky-white barrel and gold nib, she seemed very satisfied.
The assistant then took out a sheet of manuscript paper and placed it in front of Yukinoshita Shizuku.
"You may try writing with it. I guarantee this model will not disappoint you."
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded. On the paper, she wrote the words: "We are young, newlywed, sunshine is free." Watching the two of them, the assistant suddenly covered her mouth, revealing a knowing, motherly smile.
"You try it too."
Yukinoshita Shizuku handed the pen to Tsushima Kagami.
Tsushima Kagami took it and wrote on the paper: "Winter passes and spring comes. Spring is incomparably wonderful. Once spring arrives, whether it is me, her, or the cat, we are all relieved of our burdens."
"How does it feel?" Yukinoshita Shizuku asked, looking at Tsushima Kagami.
"It definitely works much better than the one at home."
"Please wrap it in a gift box for me."
"Certainly. Including the gift box, the total comes to 235,600 yen."
The shop assistant skillfully placed the fountain pen into the gift box and wrapped it, finally presenting it to Yukinoshita Shizuku with both hands.
Yukinoshita Shizuku opened her shoulder bag and took out a thick envelope. From it, she carefully counted out twenty-four Fukuzawa Yukichis and handed them to the assistant.
"Your change is 4,400 yen. Thank you for your patronage."
The assistant smilingly placed the change into the tray.
"Thank you."
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded and put away the change. Then, she directly handed the freshly wrapped fountain pen to Tsushima Kagami.
"For me?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded.
"Didn't I say back then? Once you became an official author, I'd give you a surprise. It's just that I only recently saved up enough money."
Tsushima Kagami weighed the exquisite gift box in his hand. He didn't know much about fountain pen brands or quality, but he understood how many timecards Yukinoshita Shizuku had to punch to save up those twenty-four Fukuzawa Yukichis.
"Thank you. I love it."
Tsushima Kagami did not decline; he simply accepted it.
Yukinoshita Shizuku smiled, looking a little embarrassed.
"No need to thank me, really. After all, most of it was saved because you were the one paying for our meals."
"My treating you is my treat. Your money is your money."
"Can we go back now?"
However, Yukinoshita Shizuku tugged at Tsushima Kagami's sleeve again and pointed to the clothing section on the third floor.
"I feel like my old clothes are getting a bit small..."
Tsushima Kagami suddenly realized. "You got fat."
The hand Yukinoshita Shizuku had on his sleeve immediately pinched Tsushima Kagami's arm.
"We look forward to seeing you again~"
The shop assistant watched the two heading straight for the third floor and covered her mouth, giggling softly.
"It's all because you refuse to sleep at night unless you have a late-night snack. Watching you eat makes me want to eat too," Yukinoshita Shizuku complained to Tsushima Kagami as she selected underwear.
"And you always buy a bunch of snacks you haven't tried before, and if you taste them and don't like them, you stop eating them. We can't waste food, so I'm the only one left to eat them."
"That just shows your self-control is lacking. And you don't like to exercise, that's why you got fat."
Yukinoshita Shizuku quietly moved her foot, attempting to step on Tsushima Kagami's foot.
Tsushima Kagami lifted his leg and looked at Yukinoshita Shizuku with a grin.
"I was guarding against that. Change your tactics; that move won't work if you use it too much."
Yukinoshita Shizuku ignored Tsushima Kagami and instead picked out a water-blue bra and a milky-yellow bra.
She held them up in front of Tsushima Kagami. "Which one?"
Tsushima Kagami looked at the one with underwire and the wireless one, stroking his chin as he spoke.
"I feel that girls in their developmental phase should definitely wear the type with underwire. After all, breast shape is very important."
Tsushima Kagami thought about the pair of treasure chests on Yukinoshita Shizuku's chest that were indeed growing nicely.
"Especially for a girl like you who still has plenty of room for improvement."
A rare blush floated onto Yukinoshita Shizuku's face, and she shot Tsushima Kagami another glare.
"I was asking you which color looks better."
Tsushima Kagami straightened his face.
"I don't know."
*
Chiba Prefecture. Inside that house in the "Triangle Zone."
Mrs. Yukinoshita had shed her sharp, professional business suit of an urban lady, nor was she wearing her usual plain kimono.
Today, Mrs. Yukinoshita simply had a bathrobe draped loosely over her body. Her long hair, still slightly damp from being dried not long ago, cascaded behind her. She knelt lazily on the tatami mats in her bedroom.
In her hands, she held the copy of The Setting Sun that had gone on sale today. At this moment, she had just turned to the final page.
She stared at the concluding text, lost in thought for a long time, before slowly exhaling a breath.
Only then did she close the book. She slowly stood up, paced out of the bedroom, went downstairs, and entered the living room.
She opened the cupboard to the side, revealing a Buddhist altar dedicated to deceased relatives.
Enshrined within the altar was Yukinoshita Shizuku's father.
Mrs. Yukinoshita looked at her late husband's portrait. First, she sighed, then she gave a faint smile. Subsequently, she took out a stick of line incense from the side, lit it with a lighter, blew out the open flame, and placed it into the incense burner in front of the portrait.
She then placed the copy of The Setting Sun onto the altar as well. Finally, she pressed her palms together in prayer.
"You can rest assured. The child has grown up."
____
New Story: Danmachi: But I am a God, time to make a family!
🔥 25% off something at the funeral parlor... care to take a look? 🔥
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead on every series!
✅ Unlock supporter-only perks and news!
Let's reach these milestones together:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 free chapter for all readers
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 bonus chapters for all series!
👻 Walnutchan on P...