29-71

EP.71 The Snack Shop Lady, Honoka 

After walking a short distance behind Akari, we arrived at a quaint little building. The sun-faded wooden sign read “Sato Shop.” As we slid open the door, the sound of a bell and the sweet scent of candy greeted us. 

Inside, the shop was filled with all kinds of old-fashioned snacks and colorful candies. Nostalgic toys lined the walls, and in one corner, a cluster of dust-covered machines sat together. 

“It hasn’t changed at all in three years. Whenever I got pocket money from my parents, I’d come here and blow it all. I wonder if those machines still work?” Akari looked around the shop, reminiscing about her childhood. 

Her gaze naturally drifted to the empty counter. “But there’s no one here. Did they go out early?” 

Just then, a commotion came from beyond a door that seemed to lead to the living quarters. 

“Welcome~. Oh?” 

“Honoka-nee?” 

A woman with striking red hair came rushing out, her shirt rumpled and breath coming in gasps. She was none other than Sato Honoka, the third and final heroine of AneNatsu. 

“So it was you, Akari? The kids told me you were back. But you haven’t changed much, have you?” Even after three years, Honoka approached Akari and gave her a friendly tap on the shoulder. This easygoing nature is part of her charm-aside from her looks, of course. 

“You haven’t changed at all either, Honoka-nee. So you’ve officially taken over the shop?” 

“Yeah, pretty much. I didn’t have anything else I wanted to do. As soon as I started working here, both of them left on a trip like they’d been waiting for the chance. They don’t care at all about their precious daughter.” 

“Haha… I know the feeling.” Akari laughed at Honoka’s pouting. 

“So? How’s college life treating you?” 

“It’s nothing special. Just study, assignments, study, assignments, over and over.” 

Akari shrugged, and Honoka waved her hands in disgust. “Ugh, I can’t stand that stuff. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.” 

“It’s way more fun than this boring town, though. I barely have time to be bored.” 

“Well, I’m bored out of my mind here. No matter how great the city is, come visit sometimes. The town is full of snot-nosed kids-there’s nothing fun.” 

“Honestly, I wasn’t planning to come this time either, but my parents begged me.” 

“Hmmm~. So how long are you staying? Not just a day or two, right?” 

“About a month. I figured I’d stay for the festival.” 

“The festival? Oh~ planning to make some hot memories with your boyfriend?” Honoka teased, and Akari’s face turned red. 

“It’s already a rumor?” 

“It’s a small town. So, how far have you gone with this boyfriend? Held hands? Kissed? Or even more…?” 

“Why are you asking that?! There’s a kid here, you know!” Akari swatted Honoka’s elbow as she poked her, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. 

“Ow, ow. Hehe. So then, who’s the kid with you?” 

“It’s a long story…” 

“Wait, let me guess.” Honoka cut her off, stroking her chin like a detective. “Maybe… you brought your husband instead of your boyfriend?” 

“What are you talking about?!” 

Akari’s exasperation echoed through the shop. Honoka is as blunt here as in the original, but with that kind of punch, even I’d have to tease her. 

After things calmed down, Akari explained everything to Honoka, just as she had to Fumika. Meanwhile, I sat on a chair, sipping the ice cream Honoka had given me. Being small has its perks. 

“What? You turned into a kid?” When Akari finished, Honoka raised her voice in disbelief-so loud the snacks in the shop seemed to shake. Honestly, Fumika’s calm reaction was the odd one; Honoka’s was normal. 

“Your voice is too loud, sis.” 

“How can I not be surprised? You’re not just getting back at me for teasing you earlier, are you?” 

“No, it’s not that. We just came from the shrine, getting an explanation from Fumika-san.” 

“If Fumika said it, it must be true. She’s always had a mysterious side.” Accepting the explanation, Honoka turned to stare at me. 

“So this really is Yuu?” 

“It’s hard to believe, right? Me too,” Akari sighed. 

“Yeah. Lately, he just buys things and leaves without a word. Was he always this cute?” Honoka ruffled my hair, her touch softer than I expected. 

“Hey, kid. Do you know who I am?” 

“Honoka-nee, of course. You always called me ‘Snot-nosed Yuu’ and teased me, even though you used to cry all the time too.” I stuck out my lip, recalling a childhood memory just like reading from a script. 

“When did I ever cry, you brat? Still, if you remember that, you must really be Yuu.” Honoka knocked me lightly on the head. It didn’t hurt, and her loose shirt brought her chest closer to me. I wouldn’t mind a few more hits. 

“So, did Fumika say anything else? Like how to change you back, or why this happened?” 

“Nothing definite… Just that it’s probably because of the wish Yuu made at the shrine, and if that wish is granted, he might return to normal.” 

“A wish? He got younger because he made a wish at the shrine? That’s amazing. Maybe I should go make a wish and get younger too.” Honoka smacked her lips in envy, making me laugh. Luckily, neither of them seemed to notice. 

“So, what are you going to do now?” 

“Find a way to change back. I can’t stay like this forever.” 

“I think you’re fine as is. You’re cute, aren’t you?” She pinched my cheek, smelling of sweet snacks. Akari stomped her feet and puffed her cheeks in protest. 

“Sis, I’m being serious right now.” 

“Sorry, sorry. Hehe.” Honoka apologized with a playful laugh, then stretched, exposing her sweat-damp armpits under her loose shirt. 

So defenseless in front of a kid. Not that I’m complaining. 

“Well, I can’t do much, but if you need to talk, come by anytime. I’m always free.” 

“Isn’t that just a roundabout way of saying ‘come spend money’?” 

“Busted? Hehe.” 

After chatting a while longer, we bought a few more ice creams and snacks and left the shop. 

“Hey, kid!” Just before we left, Honoka called me back and whispered, “Come hang out with me sometimes. I get really bored, you know?” 

She finished with a wink. “And I know you must be confused, but take good care of your sister, okay? You’re her little brother, after all. Got it?” 

Yeah. Honoka isn’t just a lightweight character after all. 

“Okay, I got it.” 

“Hehe. Take care on your way home~.” Satisfied, Honoka grinned and went back to the counter. 

On the way home, Akari asked what Honoka and I talked about, but I insisted it was a secret. Not that Akari needs to worry-she’ll take good care of me anyway. After Akari, it’ll be Honoka’s turn, so she should look forward to it. 

I glanced back at the shop entrance before Akari led me home. 

When we got back, Daiki was sprawled on the sofa, absorbed in his smartphone game, but stood up when he saw us. 

“What took you so long? You didn’t even answer your phone.” 

How childish to sulk over such a short wait. 

“Sorry, Daichan. We stopped somewhere. I brought ice cream, so have some.” At the mention of ice cream, Daiki’s mood instantly improved. Simple guy. 

As Daiki ate his ice cream, Akari gave him the same explanation for the third time today. 

“A wish? Fulfilling a desire?” 

But Daiki scoffed before she could finish. “Akari, do you really believe that nonsense?” 

“Fumika-san, the shrine maiden, said so. It must be true.” 

“That’s just the kind of thing religious people say to fool others. Divine revelations and such, just to scam gullible people…” 

“Daichan!” Akari’s voice turned sharp as glass. 

“Watch what you say. Fumika-san is my friend. She’s not the kind of person to lie about that.” 

“That’s what they want you to think. The old ‘long-lost friend is actually a scammer’ story. Don’t you think you’re a bit too naïve for someone from the countryside?” 

Wow. I expected it, but he really self-destructed. 

Akari’s face turned cold, her cheeks losing their flush and her eyes filled with disappointment. 

“So you don’t believe me?” 

“That’s not it… Ugh, forget it.” Daiki shook his head and got up, glaring at me before leaving the room. 

I cheered inwardly but kept an innocent face. No point in getting on his bad side this early. 

Meanwhile, Akari sighed heavily, clearly hurt by the argument with Daiki. 

“Sis, are you okay?” 

She looked at me with a complicated expression, then smiled softly. 

“I’m fine. Did I scare you when I yelled?” 

“No, not really.” I shook my head, and Akari patted me as if I were praiseworthy. 

As I enjoyed her gentle touch, her hand naturally moved to my forehead. 

“Oh.” 

Her hand came away damp with sweat I hadn’t noticed. After walking in the sun for so long, I was soaked. 

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay like this. You need a bath…” 

A bath. I can’t let this opportunity slip by. 

“A bath? Then I want to bathe with you, Sis!” 

“Huh?” 

Her worries vanished in an instant, replaced by a dumbfounded look. 

Her face turned as red as a ripe apple, and I grinned at her. 

In her wide, rabbit-like eyes, my face was reflected-innocent and bright as any boy’s.