Two days later.
As usual, Teiichi arrived at the flowing somen shop with a spring in his step.
Unlike usual, however, the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen at the entrance. Teiichi stood by the door and looked around, but saw no sign of the girl on the road.
So he pushed open the door and entered.
The shop was as clean and tidy as ever, its wooden tables neatly arranged.
Manager Yamamoto was busy preparing ingredients. Hearing the door open, he raised his head, about to offer his usual warm greeting. When he saw that it was Teiichi, he asked in puzzlement:
"Aren't you going sightseeing today, Mr. Teiichi?"
Teiichi walked over to the counter, found an empty seat, and sat down before replying:
"I came a little early today, and Rena isn't here yet, so I thought I'd come in and sit for a while. What, am I not welcome unless I'm having a meal?"
Manager Yamamoto burst out laughing at Teiichi's words and waved a hand. "Hahaha, of course you are! Never mind that it isn't mealtime-even if it were, I'd welcome you with open arms!"
"By the way, where has Rena taken you?"
Time slipped quietly by as they chatted.
About half an hour later, another clear sound of the door opening broke the shop's quiet. They looked toward it and saw Rena walk in. There was a trace of apology on her face, and she looked somewhat tired.
"Yamamoto..."
"Cough, cough..."
"Uncle Yamamoto."
Rena greeted Manager Yamamoto first, then said to Teiichi:
"I'm so sorry, Teiichi. I'm late!"
"Cough, cough..."
"Has your cold gotten worse again?"
Noticing that Rena's voice was a little hoarse and that she kept coughing, Teiichi asked with concern.
Rena nodded slightly, but tried to mask her discomfort with a lighthearted tone:
"It has gotten a little worse, but it's fine. Today's the last day, isn't it? I just need to hang in there. It won't affect your sightseeing, Teiichi."
Teiichi looked at the girl before him. A resolute light shone in her eyes, as though nothing could shake her determination. He sighed deeply, knowing how stubborn Rena was and how hard it was to change her mind once she had decided something.
"I'm not worried about you affecting my sightseeing. I'm worried about your health," Teiichi said earnestly.
Rena smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry. It's only a cold. Once today's over, I'll rest properly for a couple of days. I'll be fine after that."
Teiichi gazed at the girl. After spending several days with her, he had a fair idea of how stubborn she could be, and knew how difficult it was to change her mind once she had decided.
So he could only nod slowly, agreeing to her decision.
Night fell, stars dotted the sky, and Aomori City lay in peaceful silence.
Teiichi slowly escorted Rena home. After a full day of sightseeing, Rena's coughing had grown more frequent. Almost every three sentences brought on a couple of coughs, making Teiichi regret letting her continue as his guide that day.
They arrived at Rena's door.
Suppressing her discomfort, Rena forced a weak smile at Teiichi and said softly:
"Teiichi, why don't you come in and sit for a while? Have some tea."
Teiichi shook his head and declined:
"No, go in and get some proper rest. Here's your pay for the past few days."
With that, he took two thousand in cash from inside his clothes and handed it to Rena.
Rena accepted the money and counted it carefully, then held out the extra two hundred to Teiichi and said:
"Teiichi, you calculated it wrong. Three days as your guide at six hundred a day comes to eighteen hundred."
Smiling, Teiichi gently pushed Rena's small hand back and said tenderly:
"Just think of it as a little something from your big brother. Remember to get some proper rest."
Rena looked at the boy before her, a flicker of emotion crossing her eyes. Her lips parted, but in the end she said nothing and only nodded silently.
Seeing that the girl before him had finally accepted it, Teiichi breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been worrying that she would refuse even the two hundred.
Seeing Rena finally accept his gesture, Teiichi breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that she would refuse even the extra two hundred. He smiled at the girl before him and said softly:
"I've had a wonderful time with you showing me around these past few days, Miss Rena. Thank you very much for your company!"
At Teiichi's thanks, Rena could not help breaking into a radiant smile. But then she thought that this might be the last time they saw each other, and sadness crept onto her face. She asked softly:
"Teiichi, are you leaving Aomori City tomorrow?"
Teiichi considered for a moment, then answered slowly:
"Well, I probably won't leave tomorrow. I might stay in Aomori City for another couple of days, but I probably won't go sightseeing during that time. I'm just planning to get some proper rest."
A trace of disappointment flashed in Rena's eyes at his words, but she soon asked again, "So you'll leave in two days?"
Looking at the sorrowful girl before him, Teiichi seemed to be affected by the mood as well. He gave a slightly sad smile, then reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll definitely come and say goodbye before I leave, Rena."
At this unexpected answer, Rena could not help responding with a happy "Mm!"
Teiichi smiled at the girl before him, then said, "All right, then. Remember to get some proper rest when you go in!"
"Mm. Goodbye, Teiichi!" Rena replied with a smile as well.
"Goodbye!" With that, Teiichi turned and headed toward the inn.
Rena stood in the doorway, watching Teiichi leave. Only when his figure had completely vanished from sight did she slowly turn and enter the house.
In the early hours two days later, dawn was not far off.
Only the sound of Teiichi's sleeping breaths filled the quiet hotel room.
Suddenly, a rapid knocking-"tap, tap, tap"-broke the silence and startled Teiichi awake.
Teiichi rubbed his sleepy eyes, frowned slightly, and got up to walk to the window. He opened it to find a snow-white pigeon perched on the sill.
"What brings you here again?" Teiichi asked White Feather outside the window, somewhat puzzled.
White Feather flapped his wings and flew lightly into the room, landing at the head of Teiichi's bed. He nodded slightly and said in a clear voice:
"A new mission, of course."
"So soon this time?"
Hearing that there was a new mission, Teiichi could not help being surprised.
White Feather nodded and explained:
"Yes, it's just outside Aomori City. Good thing you haven't left yet, or you'd have to come all the way back."
"Oh, just outside Aomori City, huh? I was wondering why another one had been assigned so soon."
"When are you planning to set out?" White Feather asked.
Teiichi lowered his head and thought for a moment. "Tomorrow afternoon, I suppose. I need to say goodbye to someone tomorrow morning."
White Feather nodded at that. "All right. Make your own arrangements."
With that, White Feather flew onto Teiichi's bed, found a comfortable spot to lie down, and closed his eyes.
At the sight, Teiichi could not help laughing.