A freshly made cup of cocoa, still steaming, was brought up to the bunny mascot's mouth. In the early chill of winter, just watching the white vapor swirl above the rim made one imagine the warmth it would bring to one's palms.
"Gulp."
Yet Ichinose Honami didn't accept it right away. Flustered, she turned around, pretending not to hear. She moved off to the side, continuing her flyer-distributing task, as if trying to escape both Kitagawa Ryo and the cup he offered.
As a temporary part-timer here, Ichinose Honami was well aware of the price of that cocoa. Her instincts immediately weighed the cost against other necessities and reached the conclusion that it wasn't worth it. Spending that much just to warm up? Absolutely unnecessary—especially when it was Ryo offering it.
Though he probably hadn't recognized her, considering her whole body was hidden inside the mascot suit.
"Ah, sorry—I forgot it's hard to hold things with that suit on."
Ryo scratched his head, stuck a straw into the cup, and stepped closer to her again.
"It just looked like you were having a tough time working in this weather. I used to do this kind of job during winter too, handing out flyers outside—it's really cold."
"Since I've gotten through the hardest part of my life, I want to help others now."
Recalling his own mindset back then, Ryo softened his tone.
"I don't know who you are, so you don't need to worry about rumors or awkwardness."
"It's just cocoa. If you feel indebted, then when you're able, just buy a cup for someone else someday."
Moved by his words, Honami leaned forward slightly. Ryo smiled and slipped the straw into the gap beneath her bunny suit near her neck.
"Thank you,"
she replied.
She didn't want to remove her bunny headgear, so she just tilted her neck up slightly and took a big sip. She didn't seem fazed by the heat—gulping down a mouthful with such force that Ryo could almost hear the swallowing sounds.
"You used to do this kind of work too?"
Honami looked at Ryo through the transparent film covering the eyes of her suit. Just like all the times they had locked eyes before, his dark pupils were clear and gentle, filled with a warmth that made everything seem beautiful.
"Yeah. Just like you, I wore a mascot suit and handed out flyers in the cold. The snow was way heavier than today's."
Ryo answered, still holding the cup. Knowing she was drinking through the straw he held somehow gave him a strange sensation—like feeding a cute bunny a carrot.
Today's snow wasn't that heavy. Just a few scattered flakes danced in the wind, dusting the noses of passing pedestrians.
"So, did anyone give you a free cup of cocoa back then?"
"No."
Caught off guard by her sudden question, Ryo shook his head honestly.
In truth, he had been asked to play Santa's messenger trudging through the snow that day—and ended up with only a cold, watered-down cocoa.
"I see."
Unsurprised, Honami nodded slightly. She gently pushed the half-full cup back into his hand, then leaned close and whispered near his ear in a voice even sweeter and softer than when she was distributing flyers:
"Hey... it's cold—how about a cup of hot cocoa?"
Even the fixed smile on the bunny's face seemed warmer with that playful tone.
"Eh?"
"Didn't you say you were giving me the whole cup? Then giving you back half seems totally fair, right?"
And with that, the now-mischievous bunny skipped off.
"Let's just say—someone once handed you half a cup of cocoa when you were handing out flyers too."
"Sharing warmth together—it warms both people up, right?"
Looking down at the damp straw and the remaining cocoa, Ryo let out a soft chuckle.
He still had no idea who she really was, but the way she responded so cautiously even to kindness made him feel oddly familiar with her.
Plus, there was something inexplicably nostalgic about her.
As he pondered this, Ryo returned inside. He had no intention of drinking the rest. Instead, he asked the front counter staff to hold onto the cup and returned to his seat with warmth still lingering in his palms.
"Where did Onii-chan go? You were gone forever."
Hotaru, lazily resting her chin on her arms, pouted slightly.
Ichinose Maki, sitting nearby, cast a worried glance at Ryo.
Though Hotaru hadn't noticed, Maki had been watching closely. She had seen Ryo speak to the bunny outside.
Maki didn't feel ashamed about her sister's part-time job—she understood it.
But...
Under the table, her hands were clenched tightly, slick with sweat.
She just didn't want her friends to find out. And that wasn't something anyone should blame her for.
Sensing her discomfort, Ryo didn't say anything. He casually answered Hotaru:
"Just went to give that bunny outside a cup of cocoa."
"Ohh! Bunny-senpai is really cute and kind!"
"Lots of people in class are talking about her. I think she's helped make this café popular."
Hotaru nodded excitedly.
"So, did she accept it?"
Straightening up, Hotaru watched him expectantly. Ryo dabbed at her mouth with a napkin as he muttered:
"So you were sneaking sweets while I was away."
"Wha—I thought I wiped it clean! Maki, you said you couldn't tell, right?"
Flustered, Hotaru turned to her friend.
"Uh... maybe your brother was just bluffing?"
"Onii-chan, you're so mean!"
Watching her feigned pout and teary eyes, Ryo couldn't help but wonder if Hotaru had a natural talent for acting.
"So—did she drink it?"
Hotaru leaned in again.
"She drank half. I left the rest at the front."
Thinking about bunnies, Ryo ruffled Hotaru's hair as she happily leaned in.
"Onii-chan is such a gentle person, huh."
Maki relaxed visibly, relieved her sister's identity hadn't been discovered.
"A brother who doesn't listen to his sister isn't really that gentle."
Hotaru puffed out her cheeks.
"I told him I wanted to live with him too, but he won't let me."
"I only live alone because of theater training. You don't have a reason like that. Plus, someone takes care of you at home."
"Hmmph..."
She looked disappointed for a moment, then quickly perked up.
"So what do you even do all day? Just train?"
"Cooking, chess, jogging... Just normal stuff."
As they chatted idly, Hotaru yawned.
"You don't have to wait with me anymore—it's getting dark."
Maki gently spoke up again.
"No way. I promised, didn't I? And it's safer if we walk you home."
With her friend's logic flawless, Maki could only hope her sister didn't come in wearing the bunny suit, especially not holding that half-finished cocoa.
In her heart, she believed Honami must have left that cocoa for her.
She had always been like that.
This whole trip had been possible because Hotaru said she'd pay for Maki's share. And now, knowing her sister had also been offered cocoa by Ryo...
She was overwhelmed by guilt.
And just as Maki was sinking into a whirlwind of anxiety, Ryo, who had noticed her stealing glances at the bunny outside, finally pieced it all together.
He understood.
It wasn't because Maki didn't care what her closest friends thought—on the contrary, it was precisely because they were her closest friends that she couldn't bear to let them see her family's struggle.
If he was right, then that bunny outside—the one who felt so familiar—must be Ichinose Honami.
"I'm heading to the restroom."
Understanding the situation, Ryo decided to step away.
He didn't know why Honami was working here, but based on his simulations, it made sense that she didn't want to embarrass her sister in front of classmates.
Family always came first for her.
Even before herself.
At the sink, Ryo splashed cold water on his face and stared into the mirror.
There was a time he feared mirrors—after his rebirth, his reflection felt like another world. That reflection never slouched, always smiled, always sparkled.
Unlike the broken, soggy stray dog he had once been.
But now, he could look himself in the eye.
This was the self he had always longed for.
His phone buzzed. It was the theater director.
"Hey, it's Ryo."
"Remember those two kids around your age from today's event?"
"Yeah."
Well, strictly speaking, he remembered too well—he had even dated one of them.
"They're interested in acting. One of their moms contacted me, and the other's been pestering me since the show ended."
"They don't seem talented, but I couldn't say no. Thought I'd let them try."
Sensing the trap, Ryo narrowed his eyes.
"Define 'try.'"
"Simple—let them act in a test performance."
"So?"
"Well, they're kids."
The director laughed, clearly already having made arrangements.
"You're the only one around their age who can guide them. Script's in your inbox. Show's in a week."
Without waiting for Ryo to protest, the director hung up.
"...Life is pain."
When Ryo returned to the table, only Hotaru was left, twirling her hair in boredom.
"You took forever—Maki's sister came and picked her up."
Hotaru ran up, tugging his sleeve.
"Maki's sister is super pretty!"
Like a gossiping cat, she whispered into his ear.
"And I swear, her voice sounds exactly like Bunny-senpai's!"
"She even thanked me for taking care of Maki at school."
"Wait—I thought it was Maki who took care of you?"
Ryo grabbed her hand and headed for the door.
"Hmm?"
At the counter, he spotted the cocoa cup still sitting there.
"She didn't take it?"
He leaned over to ask the staff. They smiled:
"She said it was for you. Had us reheat it too. If you don't take it, we'll have to toss it."
"..."
As Ryo puzzled over her intentions, Hotaru boldly grabbed the cocoa.
"Ichinose-senpai really suits our family."
"?"
Ryo turned, puzzled by her words.
"Oww!"
Hotaru had sipped too quickly and burned her tongue. She flapped her hands and pouted.
Noticing his expression, she tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Onii-chan?"
"Nothing—just curious about what you meant."
"You mean that 'mmm' sound? Getting burned helps with that."
"No, the sentence before that."
"Ichinose-senpai really suits our family?"
"It's simple."
She held up the cocoa.
"You usually drink one cup. I can drink one and a half. She only drank half. That makes a perfect three cups."
She pointed proudly at the price board.
"The family set gets a 20% discount!"
-------------------------------------
After returning to her room, Karuizawa Kei lazily flopped onto the living room sofa. Her slender legs, wrapped in white thigh-high socks, swayed up and down as the tiny slippers on her feet tapped against the floor with each gentle kick.
What Ryo was worried about would never happen again. With memories of the future, how could someone like her ever be bullied by classmates again?
Karuizawa Kei softly hummed a cheerful tune, completely at ease.
She began reading through The Little Mermaid script for a second time.
She never expected to run into Shiina Hiyori again here—the girl who had once left her with unpleasant memories.
Almost as if fate was set on overshadowing her, even in the script for this theater group audition, Shiina was chosen as the lead role—the Little Mermaid.
But it didn't matter.
Karuizawa Kei rolled over and held the paper script high above her.
She quietly recited the lines of sorrow:
"The great bells of the cathedral began to chime, and the mermaid could only watch."
"The news of the engagement spread far and wide, and the mermaid could only watch."
"The bishop's blessings were spoken aloud, and the mermaid could only watch."
"Draped in silk and adorned with gold, the mermaid could only hold the bride's train."
"Sightless, voiceless, the mermaid could only dance in offering for the prince and princess's wedding."
The heroine gives up everything to pursue a noble, everlasting soul. No one would deny her nobility. But if a side character could spend a lifetime with the one they love...
[That wouldn't be such a bad ending, would it?]
[In the end, it was the prince and princess who stayed together.]
This time, she was the one who would stay by Ryo's side until the very end.
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