Thank you very much!

*Sigh*
We can check off the meeting for that radio program now.

The producer seemed like such a nice person too. They did a wonderful job of explaining everything and answered our questions thoroughly.

Yeah, we have a much better idea of what they want us to do and how we need to prepare for it now.

Speaking of which, do you have notes ready for Haruka and Minori?

Yes, they're ready. I'm glad we split the work by having you talk and me jotting everything down.

Oh, but I would like you to take a look at them later to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Sure thing... Hmm... Next, we're supposed to have a meeting at a cafe with the people from that magazine...

We're probably gonna get there pretty early now, but we could look those over while we wait...

Oh...

Is something the matter, Airi?

No, um... It's just...
That Japanese confectionary shop caught my eye...

Let's see... “Adorable animal confections now on sale”...?

Oh, wow! Airi, look...!
They have cats, dogs, rabbits and all these other little animals! How cute!

Yeah, I can see that. I see them, but...
We still have work to do. We don't really have time for this right now.

So, we're not going...
That's just that.

Airi...

(She looks so eager to go...)

Um, Airi? Didn't you just say that we'd have a lot of time on our hands if we went over to the cafe now?

Well, yes...

And wouldn't it be better to look over my notes now as opposed to after we got to the cafe?

T-True...

See? So, why don't we stop by this shop? They even seem to have a seated porch area that looks very nice.

Grr... I was trying to resist that temptation...

Thanks, Shizuku. Then, let's look through your notes over some Japanese sweets.

Great!

Thank you for your patience.
Here is your matcha and sweets set.

Thank you very much.

Oh, Airi, the kitten manju you got looks so cute.

I know, right? After I saw those little round eyes looking at me, I couldn't not order it!

But it needs to be eaten...
Oh no, I'm becoming more attached to it by the second.

Hehe. You did spend quite a long time deciding which one to get.

Yeah...
But the rabbit daifuku you got's also really cute, Shizuku.

Yes, I particularly like how the mochi really makes it look like a fluffy rabbit. The red eyes are also a wonderful touch.

...

Aren't you gonna eat yours, Shizuku...?

I could ask you the same thing, Airi...

Then, we've just gotta do it...!
Hiya!

Oh no...! Your cat's face! It's been split in half...!

Nom...
Mmm... Sho good!

Then, I'll... I'm so sorry, Mr. Rabbit... Forgive me...!

Mmm...!
This rabbit's so delicious!

Don't say that! Say you're eating a daifuku! Imagine if someone heard you saying that out of context!

Hehe. Yes, you're right.

Still, I didn't realize you could turn Japanese sweets into such cute animals...

Yeah, and a huge variety of them too. What else was there...? Bears, chickens and...

Pandas...and penguins.
Hehe. I'm sure Haruka would've chosen that one if she were here.

Definitely! Oh, what about Minori? A dog?
But it was a Shiba... Would she not choose it since it's not a Samoyed?

Hmm... I wish she could've been here with us. Then we would know.

But she probably has class right about now...

It's a little lonely without the others...

Yeah...

Um, Airi...?
How would you feel about us buying some souvenirs for them?

Huh...?

The next time we see them, we can give them some sweets along with our notes.

We could say that you spotted this Japanese confectionary shop when we were on our way to a meeting...

And how we began wondering which animals they would've chosen if they were also there.

Telling them about not just work but also what we discovered and talked about would help include them and remedy this feeling of loneliness.

I agree. I'm sure they also feel a little guilty about not being able to work because of school...

Having some of these adorable sweets should help cheer them up.

Exactly!

Hehe. Then, let's buy some that we think they'll really enjoy on our way back.

But first, we're taking a look at those notes you just took!

Okay♪