Our Secret Signal

Mm, the shrimp ones are good. How are you doing with the mushroom and edamame ones?

They taste amazing! I can’t choose which of the Ward 2 speciality shumai I like best…

Thanks for the help, Chief. Seeing your smile warms my heart. It’s like a bamboo steamer full of shumai…

(Uhhh… I guess that’s a compliment?)

Okaaay, there’s absolutely no need to be that close. Step back, please and thank you.

Kafka, could you do a taste test for us too? We also have shumai filled with spinach, squid, and octopus… Do you have ideas for other fillings we could use?

Kafka, that’s not true. I’m helping because I want to.

Oh, really? Then I guess I should help too!

Huh? But you don’t know how to cook.

It can’t be that hard. You just take the wrapper…

…Urk.

(It’s a complete mess… Kafka’s really not cut out for this…)

It’s okay, Kafka. You just got out of the hospital, so don’t beat yourself up about the smashed shumai.

(I don’t really see the correlation there…but whatever. If I say that, I might stir things up…)

I only messed up once! I’ll do better next time… Agh.

The squashing is almost artistic.

You’re trying to insult me, aren’t you? Damn, one more try…

Kafka… To think you would work so hard for my sake… My heart is filled with brotherly love…

I am absolutely not doing this for your sake. How are you so positive all the time…?

…It’s been a while since we all got together like this. This is so fun.

…As long as you’re having fun, I’m glad.

Yeah. Chief’s smile is just like a bamboo steamer full of shumai, don’t you think, Kafka?

What is wrong with you?

Mm, looks like we’re all done. The Ward 2 shumai are good for now.

Ugh, I’m so annoyed. Whatever. Having a specialty dish for the ward is a good thing.

Chief, do you want to name them? I’d like you to do the honors.

Huh, are you sure?

I think you’re the best one for the job, Chief. This guy over here called your smile a bamboo steamer full of shumai. Can you really trust him to name things?

Ah, ahaha… I’ll give it a try then…

How about… Yukikaze-Style Shumai…?

Amazing… It’s as perfect as shumai wrapping and meat coming together.

Yukikaze’s opinion aside, I think it’s great!

We should let everyone else in the dorm try them.

But Renga and Ten are out today.

Right, they messaged us about that this morning. They’re having dinner together.

Yeah, I know they go out to eat together sometimes. It’s great that they’re such good friends.

…Hmm, I don’t know if I would call them friends.

Hm?

…But I guess it’s fine as long as Renga doesn’t get hurt.

Things happen sometimes, but it doesn’t matter as long as it all ends well. I’ll wait and see how things go.

Renga-san, what’re you so nervous for?

I-I’m not nervous…! It’s not like I’ve never been invited to a friend’s house or anything…!

Welcome! Oh, you’re Ten’s friend, right? Order whatever you want, it’s all on the house.

We’ve heard so much about you. We have plenty of fresh fish, so eat as much as you’d like.

Ah, i-it’s so nice to meet you…! T-Ten-kun’s been a very wonderful friend to me!

Chill out, chill out. Dad, give us whatever you recommend. Oh, and Mom, could you bring out some of our fancy sake?

Ten, you’re just using Renga-san’s visit as an excuse to drink, aren’t you? I can’t believe you!

Heheh, c’mon, a little drinking here and there doesn’t hurt anyone. Right, Renga-san?

Ah, if there’s anything I can do to help…

Ahaha! Your friend here was raised right, Ten. But you’re our guest today, so don’t worry about it.

That’s right, it’s so rare to see Ten bringing his friends over. Here’s some of our best cold sake. Have a drink!

The sushi and sake here are so good… Your place is amazing.

Right? I really wanted to show you, since you’re my friend and all.

I’m your friend…

There’s only one other person in my life who’s called me that…

Just telling the truth. ♪ C’mon, have another drink. I want some more too.

‘Kay… *gulp, gulp…* Pwah, damn, that’s good!

Mmmh, s’ then, like…Kafka’s gettin’ shooo good at dancin’… He’s shuper smart, ‘n’ he learns sho fast… Cool, right?

Mhm, it must be because you worked so hard to help him by visiting him every day. You sure are amazing.

Heheh, dunno ‘bout that… ‘n’ Yukikaze was sho awesome talkin’ t’ his father… I wan’ be like that too…

I wan’ be honest wiff my feelin’s too…

Ooh, I gotcha. You can be honest with me any time.

Ten!

Woah… What’s up?

Tell me if somethin’s botherin’ you, ‘kay? I know you’re good at a lotta shtuff, but…

……

‘Cuz you called me y’friend… I wan’ help you…

Aha, alright. Hmm, but you’re helping me out a ton already.

Man, nah ‘m not… You help me s’ much, but I…

I’m being serious. You help me just by being around.

Your whole job search thing’s g’na get busy soon right…? I’ll help take care a’ that plant y’got…

…Huh?

I’ve been learnin’ how t’ take care a’ plants lately… Th’ one you got’s your friend, right…?

…Nah, I dunno about that…

Haha, but I mean, sure, if I ever need help.

Mm, I can do it… You’re a really…good friend…t’ me… I only got two in th’ whole world…

…Oh, yeah, who’s that other friend you keep talking about? Have you seen him lately?

Mmm… Nah. I can’t meet ‘im in pershon… I reaaaaally wanna…but I can’t…

Hm, why not? You’re friends, right?

Mm… There’s thish big…thing…

Maybe I should…go shee ‘im…

…Where would you go?

Well… Mm… He shaid it’s a shecret…

Zzz… Zzz…

…Renga-san?

*sigh* Again? Whatever. I got what I needed.

You kept walking around calling the guy gullible, but it took you quite a bit of time. Are you losing your touch, Ten?

You’re too soft. Getting someone drunk takes at least 30 minutes. It could’ve been done faster if you drugged him.

Hey, I wanted to take a load off and drink a little too. All of this work’s got me exhausted.

…He looks like an angel when he sleeps. Your hair’s really silky, Renga-san.

*sigh*

(Why’s a dumbass like this going around getting in other people’s business?)

…Huge pain in my ass.

I just need one strand of hair, okay?

Ugh… My head hurts… This hangover’s killing me…

(He invited me over to meet his parents, but I had to go and pass out drunk… Aghh, I’m so stupid!)

(But…when I woke up, Ten let me borrow one of their futons and said that he wanted to take care of me as a friend… Heheh… He’s such a nice guy…)

Um… Nobody’s around, right?

(I haven’t been here in a while. I hope it’ll be okay.)

…The sun I drew on it is facing up. He’s here to see me…

I’m doing well. I’m waiting for you, so…come home already.

(Ugh, my head still hurts like crazy. I should go back to the dorms and lie down…)

(He said he was gonna meet up with him, but… Hm.)

I guess this is how they talk to each other… It probably wasn’t Nishizono Renga’s idea. He wouldn’t think about being so careful.

Gotta attach the coordinates…

Ah, well if it isn’t my honored client. I got the info you were looking for.

C’mon, I don’t make rookie mistakes. I also sent off the strand of hair you asked for.

Thank you kindly. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.

Phew, man that was a dangerous gig…

……

Sorry ‘bout this, Renga-san. Don’t hold it against me.