"Have a popsicle."
The attendant smiled.
"Didn't your aunt tell you..."
"Once you finish your popsicle..."
"She'll come back with her other child."
"...Mm."
The little boy took a popsicle out of the bag.
He frowned at its pink packaging, his face full of disdain.
It was a princess's popsicle.
The little boy put it back in the bag.
He took out another popsicle.
Mm.
This one was right.
The little boy tore open the wrapper and stuck out his tongue to lick the popsicle.
Brr.
The chilly sensation made the little boy shiver all over.
Seeing the little boy obediently lick his popsicle again and again...
The attendant smiled.
"Eat your popsicle here."
"If you need anything, just come find me."
The attendant left.
Aside from the customers who had already been there, quite a few more had come in because of the rain.
Some were only taking shelter.
But some felt awkward just hiding from the rain, so they bought something.
The manager was already calling for her.
The girl with slanted ponytail glanced at the rain. Without stopping, she dashed straight into it.
She had already wasted too much time.
Before she realized the child had left the convenience store, she had spent far too long inside.
That time...
Was enough for all kinds of... accidents to happen.
Now she had to race against the clock.
But after rushing out of the convenience store and into the rain, the girl with slanted ponytail felt a little lost.
She looked around.
She hoped she might miraculously spot the little girl.
Naturally, she was disappointed.
The girl with slanted ponytail wiped the rain from her eyes.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she chose a direction at random.
She called out, "Princess!"
"Princess!"
"Where