Yesteryear Read-Aloud

A few days later
School SEKAI

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1

Honami

Listen

Phew...
Why don't we take a quick break here?

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2

Ichika

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Sounds good.
We seem to be doing a much better job staying in rhythm during the chorus after you worked with us individually, MEIKO.
3

MEIKO

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Hehe. I'm glad to hear that.
4

Honami

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Oh, before I forget.
I brought apple pies to have as snacks, so would you all like some?
5

MEIKO

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That'd be lovely.
I was just craving something sweet.
6

Honami

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I also brought hot tea in my thermos.
Please have some if you like.
7

Ichika

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That means we get to have a little tea party.
8

MEIKO

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That reminds me. Saki and the others told me that you'd be reading a picture book for an event, Honami. Is that true...?
9

Honami

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Yes, that's right.
It's an event that my neighborhood puts on regularly.
10

Ichika

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And you get to read that story you really love, right?
11

Honami

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Yes! I'm a little worried that I won't be able to do it justice... But I'm also really excited.
12

MEIKO

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Wow, that's wonderful!
Can you tell me more about this story?
13

Ichika

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Oh, I've been meaning to ask that as well.
14

Honami

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Let's see... I thought I put it in my bag so I could practice...

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15

Honami

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Oh, here. It's this story.
16

Ichika

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“The Star-Chasing Dog”...?
17

MEIKO

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Oh, is this dog on the cover the titular character?
18

Honami

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Yes. The story begins with him living a happy life with his owner, an ever-so-kind boy.
19

Honami

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But one day, the boy becomes desperately ill.
20

Honami

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And the doctor notifies his family that there is no treatment available.
21

Honami

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So, in order to save the boy, the dog sets out on a journey all on his own to find a star which grants wishes.
22

Ichika

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All on his own...?
23

MEIKO

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He must be so worried about his owner.
24

Honami

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Yes.
And during his travels, he encounters people with wishes of their own...
25

Honami

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As the story progresses, he decides to help them out one by one.
26

Honami

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Because he believes that's what his beloved owner would do...
27

MEIKO

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So, what happens at the end?
28

Honami

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He unfortunately fails to find a wish-granting star.
29

Honami

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But all the people he helped decide to come together and repay the kindness he showed to them...
30

Honami

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And they ultimately find just the medicine the boy needed.
31

Ichika

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A happy ending.
Thank goodness...
32

MEIKO

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I was a little worried there for a second.
33

Honami

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Hehe.
I felt the same way when I heard this for the first time.
34

Honami

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This dog actually didn't feel all that brave in the beginning...
35

Honami

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But he worked up the courage to set out on a journey to save his owner, and even helped those he encountered along the way.
36

Honami

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I really love this dog's kind heart...
Which is why I found myself cheering for him the whole time.
37

MEIKO

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This dog sort of reminds me of you, Honami.
38

Ichika

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Oh, I was just thinking the same thing.
39

MEIKO

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It's uncanny, right?
40

Honami

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Huh?
41

MEIKO

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We're not talking about his appearance.
We're talking about the way you both work very hard for the sake of others.
42

Honami

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Y-You think so...?
43

Ichika

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I agree.
Every time you decide to help somebody, Honami, you always go above and beyond.
44

Ichika

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Which probably comes from this powerful desire within you to help others out.
45

MEIKO

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Exactly.
And you're incredibly kind.
46

Honami

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I never thought about it that way...
But I really appreciate you two saying that.
47

Ichika

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Also, Honami, does this book belong to you...?
48

Honami

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Yes, my parents bought it for me after I told them just how much I loved it.
49

Ichika

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I knew it.
That explains all the cute stickers on the back.
50

Honami

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*Gasp*
51

MEIKO

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Oh, look at that.
You made a star-studded sky.
52

Honami

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Y-Yes... When I was little...
53

Honami

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I had this habit of putting stickers on all my favorite things back then... And I think I wanted to give this dog the star he deserved...
54

Ichika

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I see...
55

Honami

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Haha. Now I'm a little embarrassed...
56

Ichika

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Don't be embarrassed, Honami.

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57

Honami

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Huh?
58

Ichika

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I actually really like these stickers.
59

Ichika

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Because it's a great expression of just how much you love this book.
60

Ichika

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And I have to think that the dog in this story can't get enough of these star stickers.
61

Honami

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Oh, um... Thank you, Ichika.
62

MEIKO

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Oh, Honami!
Would it be alright if I snuck over to watch you read this story at the event?
63

Honami

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What?
64

MEIKO

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If it really does mean that much to you, then I'd love to see how you present it.
65

MEIKO

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Of course, I'll make sure to stay hidden from everyone else.
66

Honami

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Okay, in that case, you're more than welcome to come watch the event, as well as my practices.
67

MEIKO

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Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it.
68

Ichika

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I hope your event goes well.
69

Honami

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Me too! I'll work hard to make sure all the children go home smiling.
Next Chapter: Much-Appreciated Assistance