Aoba:

Ahh, had my dinner, took my bath, all right. (he flops on his bed) Hah…

Ren:

Aoba, your hair is still a little wet. If you fall asleep like that you’ll catch a cold.

Aoba:

Mmh. I won’t sleep so it’s fine.

Ren:

Really?

Aoba:

Mhm.

Ren:

Just to be sure you should wipe your hair with a towel.

Aoba:

Will you dry it for me?

Ren:

Yeah. So please get up.

Aoba:

Heh, yay! (he sits up) Here’s the towel. Right. (Ren starts drying his hair) Even if it’s wet, it’s just the tips, right?

Ren:

That’s not true.

Aoba:

Really?

Ren:

Aoba, you treat yourself a little roughly.

Aoba:

No I don’t, it’s normal.

Ren:

No, I’d like it if you took better care of yourself. I’m worried that someday you might get sick or injured.

Aoba:

Haha, am I a kid? But, thanks for worrying about me. (he moves to hug Ren)

Ren:

Aoba?

Aoba:

Mmh…

Ren:

Is there something on my face?

Aoba:

No. I was just thinking about how you’re becoming really reliable, Ren.

Ren:

Is that true?

Aoba:

Yeah. It’s like I’m a brat.

Ren:

I don’t think that’s it. There’s still many things that you need to teach me, Aoba.

Aoba:

I see… (he shifts against Ren) Ah…Ren…you smell good after your bath.

Ren:

You too, you smell the same.

Aoba:

Heh, of course I do. (his coil rings) Ah, it’s a mail. Ren, excuse me for a sec?

Ren:

Yeah.

Aoba:

(sits up and checks his coil) Let’s see…ah, it’s from Takumi. Oho, looks like he’s already picked a day to go out for drinks. He’s fast!

Ren:

…Aoba.

Aoba:

Ah?

Ren:

Ah…

Aoba:

What’s wrong?

Ren:

You probably don’t remember, Aoba, about Takumi.

Aoba:

Huh? I remember. It was surprising seeing him after so long.

Ren:

That’s not it. I…don’t have a very good impression of him.

Aoba:

Impression? Ren, do you know him?

Ren:

Yeah. He…Aoba…I remember that you would spend a lot of time with him when you were doing Rhyme.

Aoba:

Ah, I see. So you remember back from when you were an AllMAte.

Ren:

Yeah.

Aoba:

But when we saw him today I didn’t get the feeling that he was that bad of a guy. It’s been a while since I did Rhyme, so he’s probably grown up. I bet he’s a normal guy now.

Ren:

That…may be true.

Aoba:

Is there something you want to say?

Ren:

No, just…that’s…I was surprised. For someone you haven’t seen in so long to say he likes you…is it something you can say so easily?

Aoba:

Ahah, that? He said it himself, didn’t he? It’s in the past. He doesn’t feel that way now, so he can say it that easily. It’s just the same as reminiscing.

Ren:

Is that true?

Aoba:

Geez, you’re really earnest. You don’t have to take everything so seriously. Ah, or does that mean…could you be jealous?

Ren:

Jealous?

Aoba:

Right, right.

Ren:

Ah…in other words, envying him? Certainly…I feel that way to an extent.

Aoba:

Whoa, whoa–I didn’t think you’d agree with that.

Ren:

Aoba–when you spent time with him. Did something happen?

Aoba:

What do you mean, something?

Ren:

Something I wouldn’t have known, something beyond being friends.

Aoba:

Hah?! No way, no way, no! Anyway, I didn’t even know that he liked me! Plus I don’t even know if he was serious about that. Come on, he’s really irresponsible and easygoing right?

Ren:

That’s true, but…

Aoba:

That’s why you don’t need to worry about it that much. Right?

Ren:

Yeah…

Aoba:

Ah, that surprised me. You suddenly saying something so weird.

Ren:

I’m sorry.

Aoba:

Hehe. No. (he cuddles up to Ren)

Ren:

Ah–Aoba…

Aoba:

When you’re jealous…you’re kind of cute.

Ren:

Ah…

Aoba:

But you don’t have to worry about aaanything. I’m only yours.

Ren:

Mmh…yeah.

~interlude~

Tae:

Ren, do you have a moment?

Ren:

Yes.

Tae:

Sorry for stopping you in the middle of washing up. Could you do the shopping for dinner?

Ren:

I don’t mind.

Tae:

Here. I’ve made you a list. There’s a lot so it might be heavy, but if it’s you it’s fine.

Ren:

Yes.

Tae:

I’ll finish up the dishes.

Ren:

Sorry. Then, I’ll be off. Ah…that’s right. I should bring him along. (he goes upstairs)

~interlude~

(AllMate Ren’s panting)

Ren:

You seem happy. I’m glad. (Ren barks) This is…they sell these at that store. (he heads off) Excuse me.

Woman:

Oh my. Welcome, Ren-kun. What will it be today?

Ren:

400 grams of this meat, please.

Woman:

All right. Wait a moment, please.

Ren:

(checking his list) Enoki mushrooms? Where do I buy enoki mushrooms? I wonder if I could find them at the supermarket.

Woman:

Here, thank you for waiting. That will be 450 yen.

Ren:

Ah. Then, here you are. (he pays)

Woman:

Right. Here’s your change.

Ren:

Thank you.

Woman:

Not at all, thank you. Come again!

Ren:

I will! (he takes off) Next is…the supermarket…I’ve got to find enoki mushrooms. (someone runs into him)

Takumi:

Oh–my bad! Oh–hey, you’re…

Ren:

Mmh…

Takumi:

Ah, I thought so. You were with Aoba before, right? Do you remember me?

Ren:

Yes.

Takumi:

Right, that’s great! You’re not with Aoba today?

Ren:

Aoba’s…at work.

Takumi:

Ah, that’s right…he can’t just wander around in the middle of the day on a weekday. That’s really different from how it was…

Ren:

Nnh…

Takumi:

Where does he work? I wonder if he’s free on the weekend. He doesn’t really fool around anymore, does he? Even if it’s just sometimes.

Ren:

Nh…why do you….

Takumi:

Ah, well there’s no real reason. Hey, what? You nervous? Anyway, do you not like me? You’re…uh, sorry, what’s your name?

Ren:

It’s…Ren.

Takumi:

Ren-kun, that’s right. Aoba said that. That’s right, you’re living with him, right? Can you tell him to hurry up and reply to my invite?

Ren:

You’re…

Takumi:

(his coil goes off) Ah, sorry. Someone’s calling me. I was in a hurry so I smacked into you. Then, take care of that for me! Later! (he runs off)

Ren:

Hah… (Ren barks) Ah…that’s right. Sorry. Let’s go.