In This Singing City - 3: Meeting Again By Chance

Rehearsal Studio

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1

Shiho

Is it that time already? I'd better get going.

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Sound Effect: Play

2

Shiho

Hm? A message...
It's from Mom.

3

Shiho

Let's see... She wants me to stop by the store?

4

Shiho

She must've forgotten to get something for dinner. Oh well, what're you gonna do...

5

Shiho

Well, I don't have any other errands, so I can get this done quickly and go home.

Supermarket

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6

Shiho

Hmm... We use a mild curry roux, right? I think I recognize this package.

7

Shiho

Now for the honey... Where would that be?

8

???

Ooh, these look so fresh...
They're not the cheapest, but I think I'll pick these.

9

Shiho

(Hm? Is that...?)

10

Shiho

Oh, it is you, Shiraishi.

11

An

Huh, Hinomori?! Who would've thought I'd run into you here!

12

An

Are you buying things for your dinner?

13

Shiho

Yeah. My mom asked me to.

14

An

Oh, then we're in the same boat. I'm here because my dad asked me to help restock.

15

Shiho

Restock?

16

An

Yup!
You know—peanuts, sugar, sandwich fillings—stuff like that!

17

An

We usually order them wholesale, but we happened to run out today.

18

An

This place always delivers on quality and the range of options, so it's our safety net when we run out of stock.

19

Shiho

There are plenty of options alright. They're so plentiful that I've been getting lost trying to find anything.

20

An

What are you looking for?

21

Shiho

Um... Honey, miso and...

22

An

Oh, those'll be on the shelves at the back, I think.

23

An

This way! Follow me!

24

Shiho

Huh? Uh, okay.

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25

Shiho

Phew...
That's everything. Thanks a lot, Shiraishi.

26

Shiho

But also, sorry. I know you're busy helping your dad.

27

An

Don't worry about it! He told me I can take my time as long as I'm back before the bar opens.

28

Shiho

Really? If you say so, then...

29

Shiho

Speaking of which, Weekend Garage is a really nice place. I think I get why people like it.

30

Shiho

Your customers are a nice crowd, and you have a really good audio setup.

31

An

Hahaha, that's Dad's high standards for you.
Also, I didn't realize you know a lot about sound equipment.

32

Shiho

Well, I work at a live house, so I'm around it all the time.

33

An

I see! I don't really know much about that stuff. I'm a singing specialist!

34

Shiho

“Singing specialist”? What's that supposed to mean?
Well, you are a really great singer in any case.

35

Shiho

(Oh yeah. Singing...)

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36

Shiho

(Why was she singing so differently the two times I heard her?)

37

Shiho

(Why, when the first time she was so incredibly powerful that my heart ached?)

38

Shiho

(Could it be that something unusual had happened the first time? If so, what could bring on something that intense?)

39

Shiho

(Maybe I'll ask her...)

40

An

Hm?
Hey, look at that!

41

Shiho

Huh, what?

42

An

Look, there's an event going on!
It says it's a “Flower Viewing Goldfish Exhibit”!

43

Shiho

A Flower Viewing Goldfish Exhibit? I didn't know that was a thing...

44

An

“Admire the cherry blossoms and goldfish on display with the theme of flower viewing picnics.” Apparently, it's an installation set up by that aquarium near the station.

45

An

Hmm... This looks like it could be interesting!

46

An

Hey! It's even free. Do you wanna check it out for a bit?

47

Shiho

Huh, like together?

48

An

Yeah! I bet it'll be more fun than going alone.

49

Shiho

(I guess a quick visit won't hurt. Mom's not in that big of a hurry.)

50

Shiho

Okay. Let's go then.

51

An

Woohoo! Off we go!

Flower Viewing Goldfish Exhibit

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52

An

Whoa, so this is what it's like! It's so pretty!

53

Shiho

I associate aquariums with dim lighting, but it's pretty bright in here.

54

An

Yeah. And there's a nice smell. It's...cherry blossom?

55

Shiho

You're right. Now that I smell that, it really feels like a flower viewing picnic.

56

An

I know what you mean! I was just thinking how nice it feels.

57

An

And there are all these types of goldfish.
Hey, let's take a look at that big tank in the middle!

58

Shiho

Sure, let's go.

59

Shiho

...
Wow. I wonder how many fish are in here.

60

An

This tank has a lot of different ones too. Some of them even have cool patterns!

61

An

Oh, Hinomori! Those fish there, look at them!

62

Shiho

“Those fish” doesn't exactly narrow it down... I wouldn't know one goldfish from another.

63

An

Whaaat? Look, those two being all buddy-buddy! Aren't they cute with their big round eyes?

64

Shiho

Buddy-buddy...? Oh, those two?
Yeah, now that you mention it, they are cute.

65

An

Hehe. It's sweet how they're so inseparable. Do you think they're a mom and her kid? Or maybe two friends?

66

Shiho

I don't know... But they do look sweet.

67

???

Oh. Shiraishi, is that you?

68

An

Oh, Ena!

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69

Ena

It is you. I didn't realize you were here too.

70

Ena

Um... Is this your friend?

71

An

Yes! We bumped into each other at the supermarket.

72

Shiho

(I recognize her. I think she was in that group photo Honami took at the kindergarten.)

73

Shiho

(Wasn't she the person who taught Honami to draw?)

74

Shiho

My name is Shiho Hinomori. Pleased to meet you.

75

Ena

Hinomori...?

76

Ena

You...wouldn't be Shizuku's sister, would you?

77

Shiho

Huh?

Next Chapter: An Intriguing Profile