Aoba:

All right, that’s it for today.

(he leaves work)

Ren:

You worked hard as always today, Aoba.

Aoba:

Mhm. Thank you, Ren. (coughs)

Ren:

How is your cold? Are you all right?

Aoba:

Mhm…I don’t know. I’ve been taking my medicine. Today I had some bad dreams so I didn’t really sleep well.

Ren:

Were they nightmares?

Aoba:

Ah? Hm…a nightmare huh… It was the same dream I always have, but it felt different this time. (coughs) It felt like someone was calling out to me but I couldn’t make it out.

Ren:

When you say “calling out”…who was it?

Aoba:

I don’t really know that either. But yesterday wasn’t the same quiet scene I’ve been seeing. Bit by bit it felt like I was being chased.

Ren:

I see.

Aoba:

It’s sort of strange. Why do I keep on seeing the same dream over and over?

Ren:

Aoba. It would be best not to push yourself.

Aoba:

Mhm. Thank you.

Ren:

Since your physical condition has not completely recovered yet, it may be best to take time off of your job.

Aoba:

But I can’t just take time off all the time. I’ve pretty much gotten used to my job, so it’s not as bad as it was before.

Ren:

It seems that you’ve gotten more used to the language of this country as well.

Aoba:

Mhm. At first I could only communicate using my coil’s translator. But now even without my coil I can understand a little bit of what’s being said. Besides, it kind of feels like other people get the gist of what I’m saying.

Ren:

I see.

Aoba:

As for the work itself, they’re leaving a lot more in my hands now.

Ren:

So your hard work has paid off?

Aoba:

At first they didn’t trust me at all. It felt like they wanted me to hurry up and get lost. But now everyone’s a lot better to me, like we’re all doing our best together.

Ren:

However, excessive work is forbidden.

Aoba:

That’s right. I’ll be careful. Right, after shopping for dinner’s done, let’s head home! (coughs) Today I’m going to attempt a pie again.

Ren:

Will you make a different pie from yesterday?

Aoba:

Yeah. Yesterday I kind of went all out so today I thought I’d make something easier.

Woman:

Oh my, are you from Japan?

Aoba:

Huh?

Woman:

Aha, I’m sorry for asking so suddenly. I couldn’t help my nostalgia.

Aoba:

Ah, no. Ah…you can speak Japanese?

Woman:

Yes. My husband was Japanese so I understand it. Although he’s no longer with us now.

Aoba:

Ah…I see.

Woman:

There aren’t many Japanese people in these parts that’s why I got nostalgic and couldn’t help but stop you.

Aoba:

Hah, I’ve only been here for a year but I’m glad to meet someone who can speak Japanese. It’s a bit of a relief.

Woman:

Oh my, did you come here on your own?

Aoba:

Yes.

Woman:

That must have been hard on your nerves

Aoba:

Yeah, a little.

Woman:

Why did you come to this country? Are you traveling alone?

Aoba:

Oh…um…I came to visit and then…I just wound up staying.

Woman:

Oh…is the person that you came to visit perhaps the one who made that hair decoration?

Aoba:

Ah? This one?

Woman:

Yes. The person who made that decoration…he isn’t a man named Mink, is he?

Aoba:

Eh? Ah…you know Mink?

Woman:

Ah…I thought it must be him.

Aoba:

Ah…

Woman:

I live in the neighboring town. The crafts that he makes, especially his hair decorations, are popular even in my town. They’re made so delicately and simply…there’s nothing else like them.

Aoba:

Is that true…

Woman:

Is Mink living in this area now?

Aoba:

Ah, yes.

Woman:

(sighs) I see… It really is terrible what happened to him.

Aoba:

(sighs)

Woman:

I was out of town when that incident happened, but I came by today to visit a friend. And now I’ve met you, and that nostalgic hair decoration, it really is quite the coincidence.

Aoba:

Ah…um! There’s something I want to ask you. Is that all right?

Woman:

Yes, what is it?

Aoba:

I…I’ve really only known Mink since recently so I wanted to know…what kind of person was Mink back then…?

Woman:

What kind of person?

Aoba:

Ah…um…just if he’s always been such a quiet person…

Woman:

Let’s see…it was quite some time ago…I only met him to ask after his crafts…certainly he didn’t speak unnecessarily. He was a taciturn man.

Aoba:

Is that so.

Woman:

But just by the way he worried about those around him nonchalantly and how he wasn’t upfront about his feelings, everyone could tell that he was a kind person on the inside. I think that’s the reason why his crafts were so popular.

Aoba:

Ah…

Woman:

He’s kind isn’t he?

Aoba:

Eh–ah…yeah.

Woman:

I’m glad that he hasn’t changed. It’s heartening.

Aoba:

Ah…um…do you want to meet him? Mink?

Woman:

Oh, that’s all right. We weren’t that close after all. That’s true. But, if you could , please tell him that you met one of his old fans.

Aoba:

(sighs) Yes.

Woman:

I’m sorry for calling out to you so suddenly.

Aoba:

It’s fine.

Woman:

Then, see you.

Ren:

Aoba (he doesn’t respond) Aoba.

Aoba:

Huh, what?

Ren:

Are you all right?

Aoba:

Heh…yeah. Mhm. I’m fine. (sighs) We’ve gotta hurry up and shop for dinner then get home, right? (coughs, then walks off)

A: I’ll be leaving now.

R: Good work today, Aoba.

A: Thank you, Ren.

R: How is your cold?

A: I wonder. I’ve been taking medicine though. Plus I had a bad dream last night so I barely slept…

R: You had a nightmare?

A: Sort of… It was the same dream again, but it was different from before. Someone was trying to call out to me… I don’t really understand it myself.

R: Call out to you? What for?

A: I don’t really know… But it was not the usual happy dream like before… It felt like I was gradually being cornered…

R: I see.

A: I think something is wrong. Why would I keep having the same dream?

R: Aoba, you should stop overworking yourself.

A: I will. Thanks.

R: If you’re not recovering, maybe you should take a break from work.

A: But it’s not like I can take that much time off. Plus I’ve gotten pretty used to it. It’s a lot easier now too.

R: You have gotten used to the language here as well.

A: Yeah. At first I used the translation function in my coil, but now even without my coil I can sort of understand what they’re saying. And, they seem to sort of get what I’m saying too. They’ve started entrusting me with work as well.

R: Aoba, that means your hard work has bore fruit.

A: At first no one really trusted me, and they just wanted me out of there. But now everyone is nice to me, so it was worth it.

R: But you mustn’t overwork yourself.

A: That’s true. I’ll be careful. Well, let’s do some shopping before going home. Today I’m going to try baking a pie again.

R: A different pie from yesterday? 

A: Yup. I went all out yesterday, so I’m thinking of trying something simpler today.

Old Lady: Oh, are you from Japan? 

A: Eh?

O: Sorry for stopping you out of the blue. I just missed it so much.

A: Oh no, it’s fine. You speak Japanese?

O: Oh yes, my husband was a Japanese. He’s gone now though.

A: Oh… I see.

O: There’s barely any Japanese here, right? That’s why I couldn’t help it when I heard you. It’s so nostalgic to hear Japanese again.

A: I’ve been here for a year, so it’s nice to meet someone who can speak Japanese. I feel kind of relieved.

O: Oh, did you come all the way here alone?

A: Yes.

O: That must’ve been tough on you.

A: A little.

O: What are you doing in this country? Are you traveling alone?

A: Ah… I erm… came to visit someone here. And I sort of ended up staying with them?

O: Oh? Could the person you’re visiting happen to be the same person who made that hair accessory? 

A: Eh? This?

O: Yes. By any chance… is the name of the person who made that… Mink?

A: Oh! Do you know Mink?

O: So I was right. I used to live in the neighboring village. The ornaments from that village, especially the hair accessories made by Mink, were extremely popular in my village. It’s was so intricately and gently made that it was said there was no other.

A: Oh I see.

O: Is Mink… still living around here?

A: Yeah.

O: Ah… I see. That poor man… he’s been through a lot. After that incident happened I left, but I came back today to visit a relative. Then I met you and had a chance to see such a nostalgic hair accessory. Talk about coincidences, right?

A: Oh… Erm, there’s something I’d like to ask. May I?

O: Sure, what is it?

A: I only came to know Mink recently… I was just wondering… what kind of person Mink was like in the past?

O: What kind…?

A: Er… like, was he always so…. quiet?

O: Hm it’s been a long time, and I only spoke to him when I went to order  ornaments… but I do believe he was quite the man of little words.

A: I see.

O: But he was always caring about the people around him. He wasn’t too good at expressing his feelings, but everyone knew he had a kind heart. That’s also why the ornaments he made were so popular. He’s really kind, isn’t he?

A: Ah, yes.

O: It’s good to hear he hasn’t changed.

A: Erm… would you… like to meet him?

O: Oh no it’s quite alright. It’s not like we were that close. But I suppose… you could tell him that you met an old fan of his today.

A: I will.

O: Sorry for stopping you so suddenly. I’ll be going now. Good bye.

R: Aoba. Aoba!

A: Eh? What?

R: Are you alright?

A: Ah.. yeah. Gotta go buy ingredients for dinner and go home now.