Chapter 63

When I was dropped off at home, Mizuno was there.

Or rather, in the garden?

She was playing with Kuro and Shiro.

"Huh? Mizuno, are you off work today too?"

"Yeah. By the way, what were you doing, Ichino? The teacher seemed a bit off too. Oh, this is the class notes. The teacher prepared them specially, so I was asked to deliver them."

Wow, did the teachers give in to government pressure?

What should I answer if the teacher asks me tomorrow? If they tell me not to cause trouble, maybe I shouldn't ask anything at all.

Still, it's quite a setup.

My wish for Danpon turned into pressure on the government, which then turned into pressure on the teachers, and now Mizuno has come to my house to deliver the notes.

"Kind of like a part-time job? Thanks for the notes."

"No, I wanted to see Shiro and Kuro too."

Shiro, of course, and Kuro are already fond of Mizuno.

"I bought some senbei. Do you want to eat them together?"

"Sure, I'll eat them."

"Then, wash your hands first."

"Okay. Auntie, I'll use the bathroom."

And Mizuno told my mother and went to the bathroom.

"Mom, you and Mizuno became friends on your first meeting?"

"Yes, we had a great time talking about Mai and Kuro and Shiro."

Mizuno's name is Mai.

I remember, that's her name.

Usually, I can't remember people's names if I only call them by their last names.

Aoki... yeah, Aoki is Aoki.

There's no need to remember.

"She's a good girl. She praised the handmade coasters I made."

"The top-grade cursed object you make every week? Maybe your glasses need adjusting."

"Taira, I'll reduce one dish for dinner tonight."

Mom says it with a smile, but it's scary.

Even though I'm past my growing years, the value of one dish for a high school student's dinner is immeasurable.

I apologized sincerely and managed to get her to forgive me.

Mizuno came back after washing her hands, and we ate the senbei.

But, as always, these senbei are hard.

Are they harder than stone?

"This hardness is good, but the unique flavor of sesame and green nori is also great."

"Yeah, I get it. This could be a side dish for dinner instead of a snack."

Mizuno, you're not serious, right?

Even I, who love senbei, would suspect my parents of neglecting their duties if this was served for dinner.

It would be neglect if I were a child.

"Oh, I forgot to prepare drinks."

"I have a water bottle, so it's fine."

"No, in our house, we always have milk with senbei. Try it, Mai, just to see."

"Okay, I'll try it—delicious!? The milk dissolves with the senbei and it's like a new drink. And this milk is really good."

"Do you understand? It's really good. I have so much that it turns into yogurt at home, so I'll give you some later."

"Thank you. My brother and sister will be happy too."

"I'm glad you said that. Hey, Taira."

Mom looks at me and says that.

Ah, I get it.

She wants me to take Mizuno home and bring the milk.

I'm being held hostage by one less dish for dinner.

I'll accept her request.

I'll also give her a bunch of unspent umaki mushrooms.

We walk to Mizuno's house, pushing our bicycles.

The milk is in a water bottle.

"Does Ichino's family raise cows as well as mushrooms?"

"We don't actually raise cows."

"The milk was as fresh as just-milked milk. I've never had just-milked milk before."

"We have a source. Like the mushrooms, it's as abundant as water, so I'm actually grateful you're helping me consume it."

"Right! I could try making yogurt from the milk."

"Really? Can a layperson make yogurt easily? You're not taking Mom's joke about milk turning into yogurt seriously, are you?"

Milk turns into yogurt through fermentation, not spoilage.

"Of course, I know it's a joke. I learned the method from my mother a long time ago—"

And she explained how to make yogurt.

It's quite a bit of work, but it can be made at home.

"This is my house. Well, it's also a factory. The entrance is this way, so come in."

"No, I'm fine here."

"What are you saying? I'll at least offer you some tea and snacks."

She pulls me in.

At the entrance, two children, a boy and a girl, who look like they're in third or fourth grade, are playing in front of the house.

They seem to be Mizuno's younger brother and sister.

"Sis, you're back!"

"Who's that guy? Your boyfriend?"

"It's Ichino from my class, whom I told you about."

"Oh, the donut guy!"

"He's the donut guy!"

As soon as they hear my name, the children point and smile.

I'm called the donut guy here?

"Hey, it's Ichino! And no pointing!"

Mizuno scolds them.

They reflect and apologize,

"Ichino, I'm sorry. The donuts were delicious."

"Ichino, I'm sorry. I want to eat donuts again."

"Hey!"

They are scolded again by Mizuno.

Ha—well, if the donuts I couldn't finish and would have wasted brought such joy, I'm glad I gave them away.

"Do you want some senbei?"

"Yay!"

They take the senbei.

"Hey! Say thank you!"

Her third scolding is even louder.

"Thank you, Ichino! We'll eat it!"

The younger brother and sister are eager to eat, so I tell them to wash their hands first.

"Ha... I'm sorry, Ichino."

"It's fine. It's normal for kids their age. Still, Mizuno, you're a good big sister at home."

"Of course."

As Mizuno says this, a man comes out of the house.

He looks like a craftsman, wearing work clothes, and is around forty years old.

He holds an envelope, presumably containing money, and a bank card.

"Mai, you're back."

He says this in a gruff voice.

"Dad, that's money, right? Where are you taking it? You usually pay the factory in the morning, right?"

"Kids, don't meddle in factory affairs."

"Meddle? What are you saying! The factory's operating funds are almost gone. And that bank account is mine, right? What are you planning to do?"

"There's nothing to do. Let go of my hand!"

Mizuno grabs his arm, but her father shakes her off and tries to leave on the bicycle parked in front of the house.

"Wait!"

I grab the back of the bicycle.

I probably shouldn't interfere, but I can't stay silent.

"Mizuno—Mai is crying. As a parent, you should say something."

"What about you?"

"I'm Mai's friend."

"I see. A good friend... Mai, you have a good friend."

What is this guy?

Why can he look so gentle even when doing something so despicable?

"But don't meddle in other people's affairs."

He pedals hard.

I let go of the bicycle's back to prevent him from falling.

He rides away.

"Ichino, I'm sorry. You saw something strange."

"No, but—"

Taking the company's operating funds and even Mizuno's bank account.

Is he going to gamble in a fit of despair?

"Right, let's tell Mizuno's mother and have her talk to him. She's at the factory, right? We can still catch him."

"No, it won't work. I think Mom is probably the same as Dad."

What!?

So, both of Mizuno's parents take their children's money?

I thought her parents were kind because Mizuno is so bright and her younger siblings are so honest and good, but it's completely different?

Mizuno sits at the entrance and looks down.

"I loved watching my working parents."

"......Yeah."

"I knew the factory was struggling. So, I helped with household chores..."

"......"

"I even worked part-time and secretly put the money I saved into my parents' wallets."

"......You're amazing......Huh?"

Wait, then what's in Mizuno's bank account—

"Dad, he's probably going to deposit my money into the bank again..."