The picturesque rice cakes are delicious today

... and that's how we headed to the café. From the day I first met you, to the day after that, the teacher sometimes brought me to say, "It's very delicious except for coffee, but coffee is a bad shit shop."

It was the first time I had taken the initiative to open this door. [M] However, without any particular nervousness, he rings the doorbell and enters the store.

"Welcome... oh, you..."

When I entered the store, the master found me and winked a little. [M] Peko, I bow my head and say hello.

"...... I wonder if you were a friend of Dr. Uchin."

"Um... maybe, well, that's where it is."

Our relationship is difficult to put into one word right now, but, well, at times like these, let's say "friends." For convenience.

Are you in that case, too?

The master listened to me while looking at the cicadas and crutches on my legs. Yes, as he nodded, the master dropped his shoulders with a sore face.

"... all the good people get involved in a bad case." I still haven't realized that Professor Uchin has passed away.

Me too.

The shabby master then turned to Ishino-kai-san.

Is that your father?

"It's my teacher's uncle."

I see, do we look like parents and children?... well, isn't it strange that a father as old as Ishinomi-san should be?... even so, it's kind of ticklish and itchy to be mistaken between the person you just met and your parents and children.

"My name is Shinohai Suita. My nephew took care of me....."

"Ah, no, no, this is it... no, no, um, as for Unnan-sensei, I wonder if he has a share of [care]..."

... yeah. Well, sure. I think the teacher was somehow on the side of being cared for. In this cafe.

"And I received more than the price."... it's unacceptable that you'll never get it again. "

We responded to Master's lonely bitter smile with the same expression.

... it's a sad story, but it doesn't mean it's a completely sad face.

Even though I'm talking about the doctor, half of the ingredients on my face smile. I mean, remembering you is all fun and happy.

Hmmm... I knew you were a great person.

Then we were led to a table by the window. This is the seat where me and the teacher were always guided.

Somehow, I sat in the seat where the teacher always sat. The view is completely different. Oh, the teacher was chatting with me while looking at this kind of thing in this cafe, and it makes me feel a little fresh.

“Are you sure you want to place your order?”

"Cocoa, please. The one with marshmallows in it."

Asked for an order and answered without hesitation. Because I decided to order the menu I drank when I first brought you to this cafe. In other words, the day my teacher and I met... the one I drank that day when I was in sixth grade when I was trying to jump into the river.

"Yes, I understand." Shall I add more marshmallows? "

Please!

When he ordered cocoa at this café, he seemed to like having marshmallows added to the cocoa so that he didn't know the surface of the cocoa. Pour hot cocoa into it and enjoy the melted marshmallows and the sweet cocoa.

So, what about your companion?

When I was thinking of cocoa and was moaning a little, Ishinokai-san looked at the menu...

"Um, I... well, blended coffee"

That's what I said, even more so!

"Ah, you shouldn't do that..."

Huh?

No, I can't really explain the situation in front of the master, but... um... I'm kind of asking for coffee in this shop...!

"... Togo-kun. You can tell me. That's what Unnan-sensei used to say, right?"

However, I have received forgiveness from the master... yes.

"... Ishinokai-san"

"Ah, ahhh..."

I never said that. [M]

"This shop, other than coffee, is delicious..."

... As soon as I said that, Ishinomi-san made a strange face and the master was somewhat happy.

That's why Ishino-kai asked for milk tea. And the apple pie. If you say that the teacher ordered a combination of milk tea and apple pie, then it's a corner.

And then I ordered a gateau chocolate. Cocoa and gateau chocolate, well, it's a combination of chocolate and chocolate, but it's just fine to be too sweet on a day like this.

Eventually the order came in. Cocoa with marshmallows in white porcelain cups, no different from when I came with my teacher.

I wrap the cup of cocoa in my hands to warm it up, inhale the melted marshmallows and the sweet, sweet scent of cocoa... and drink the chicks of cocoa while remembering the teacher.

"Was Yuki ordering something like this in a place like this?" It's kind of emotional. "

Ishinokai-san also drank milk tea, and then wedged the apple pie with a fork, while for a while we became obsessed with each other's food and drinks...

"... um, Ishinokai-san is here about Sensei?"

And then, finally, I got to the point. No, neither this cafe nor Ishino-kai-san has somehow become a calming factor, and I don't think they were in a hurry to get into the main subject. But if you just enjoy tea forever, you won't be able to move on...

"Yeah. Well, I just came back for the funeral... I guess I'm still here for the rest of the relics."

It's hard to ask. There was a funeral, and I couldn't attend it. I've been thinking a lot and it's a little bit hard.

That house belongs to, uh, Ishino-kai-san, right?

"Oh, did you hear that story?" That's right. I was going to inherit the house after I died... but I don't think I might inherit his inheritance. "

Ishinokai smiled bitterly and drank milk tea.

"Well, that's why somehow, I can take care of the protection of the relics together with my sister... my sister is the mother of the protection."

Yeah, I heard that too.... your mother doesn't seem to be a very good person either. I remember hearing that from you.

"And for the time being, we have a two-week truce in the name of finding the keys to this house, the bill of rights, and so on."... so tomorrow evening, I will be returning to Japan. My sister doesn't know that I'm still in Japan. "

Cheng Cheng. Smart. A little teacher-like.

... well, aside from that.

"That's why you called out to me..."

"Oh, of course, I wanted to talk to you about protection."... thank goodness, we're lost among our relatives. I didn't have a busy story at the funeral, so if I had a good friend, I wanted to talk to him. So, the other one..... "

Ishino-kai made a slightly uncomfortable face and then scratched her head while listening.

"I heard that your luggage is in the guard house." And apparently, you're the one who's been in and out of that house the last time. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could help me pack a little. What do you think? "

... that's why we left the café. Much brighter than when I entered the café.

I was very happy that there was someone who could talk to the teacher. Instead of that world, I felt like I was dreaming about my teacher or something, and I really appreciated the presence of someone who could talk about my teacher.

"Well, there are many things to clean up after yourself." I don't know what to do with the work of the guardian..... "

“Then maybe you can see it by looking at the file on the counter that summarizes your contacts. If it's the name of the publisher whose work is in progress right now, maybe I can remember it by looking at it...."

"Oh, it's quick and reliable, Togo!"

We walk to the teacher's house, talking like that. [M]

... Ishinokai-san was a bit like a teacher after all. The way you talk, the facial expressions, the atmosphere. Somewhat similar... I'm a little happy and a little lonely.

"The people in the TV station... ok, looks like they're not here."

We cautioned the reporters once at the bend. There might be another TV station coming. But, well, there's no one in front of the house. Okay.

So we ran quickly, quickly walked through the gate, opened the front door with the key that Ishinokai had, went inside, and quickly closed the key from the inside...... and took a breath.

"That's it. Well, at this age, you can even catch your breath on a run..."

Ishinokai said such a thing and smiled.

"Now, what shall we do, Togo-kun?" Let's start cleaning up right away, or take it a little slower... I'll leave it to you. "

"Well... then, I'd like to get started." I feel more confused when I'm moving my body. "

Okay, let's get started.

Ishino-kai cares about me. I'm happy with that feeling, and I'm glad to be cared for like this, because I can somehow remember my teacher.

"My luggage... um, I'll take it home today, so..."

"Oh, no, no, I don't mind." You can leave it here for a while. "

When I wondered where to start, Ishinokai said in a panic.

Huh? Are you sure?

“Yeah, I'll tell my sister, she's probably only interested in gold.”

”No, um... I mean, Sensei, I'm not here anymore”

As for me, who was renting the corner of this house that the teacher rented from Mr. Ishinokai, I feel really sorry. The point is, I just met Ishino-kai today...

However, Ishino-kai laughed and said.

"It doesn't matter. I want to take care of what my dear nephew cared about."...... if you stay here, I'm sure you'll be happy, too. "

I think I'm really happy.

The teacher took care of me so much that he told Ishinokai about me like that. [M]

I'm really, really happy. You're very happy, so... that's why I'm sad that you're not here.

"You're a happy guardian, aren't you?"

Looking at me, sad and a little down, Ishino-kai suddenly said such a thing.

You care so much about protection, don't you?

Nodding, I bowed down deeply. My face was facing the floor... and a warm hand was placed on the back of my head.

Thank you, Mr. Togo.

So, my hands are like those of a teacher after all. I was happy, happy and sad, and I stayed there for a while.