Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 13 Chapter 2 (section)

== 2.00 OPS3 Part 5 ==

Shiika’s nostrils were tickled by the nostalgic scent of a grassy-smelling tatami mat.

Among the tatami in the sitting room, one alone looked new based on its color. As the curious Shiika examined it, the tall old man lit his cigarette and spoke.

“That one’s had a hole in it. I replaced it the other day.”

“Grandpa, I told you not to smoke inside.”

A long-haired woman came into the room, holding a pot. The smell of the tatami was replaced by the scent of boiled vegetables and meat.

“Hotpot! Hotpot!”

A little girl, her hair bunched up in the shape of a dumpling, peeked into the pot placed on the table.

“Ah. Shiika-san, are you picky about food?”

While placing small dishes on the table after the earthen pot, the woman spoke. She was still young, but due to her frilly apron as well as her slightly wide physique, she had a strong motherly impression.

“N-no, it’s fine.”

“Good.”

The woman grinned at her.

The two-storied wooden building was worn out, with even the small scratches on the pillars covered in old dirt. As far as she saw there was no proper door and the entire house was divided by paper sliding doors. The stairs at the end of the corridor creaked loudly when the bun-haired girl came down.

“Thanks for the meal.”

The girl’s voice signaled the start of a lively mealtime.

“Teacher was angry today. Ken-kun was being mean to Ryou-chan, and then...”

“Oh, right, grandpa. Can you please pick up Meiko the day after tomorrow? I’ve had an urgent job come up.”

“Ah, well, alright. The factory’s gotten quiet anyway.”

Chicken hot pot, pickled vegetables, ''tsukudani'', and other boiled or stewed food filled the table.

As Shiika hesitated where to start, the woman loaded Shiika’s plate with the chicken hot pot.

“If you don’t eat quickly it’s all going to be gone, you know?”

Being faced with this kind smile, Shiika was confused.

“T-thank you very much.”

“No need to hold yerself back. It’s all full of yesterday’s leftovers anyhow.”

“Grandpa!”

When the woman puffed her cheeks, the phone placed between the sitting room and the kitchen started ringing.

“Hello, thank you so much for always. …Eh? Hah, is that so? Until when—I see, I understand. Right, that’s fine. Thank you.”

Placing back the receiver, the woman came back to the table. She turned to the old man with a worried face.

“Preschool’s on break for a while, starting tomorrow. Because of what happened to Akamaki City.”

“A break? Yay, I don’t have school tomorrow!”

“Really, what are they on about! Just because our neighbor’s in a lot of trouble, doesn’t mean we need to panic as well.”

“What am I going to do about Meiko… should I take the day off as well?”

Her pensive face turning to surprise, the woman looked at Shiika.

“Ah, I apologize for discussing that in front of a guest.”

“N-no, that’s fine.”

The moment the name of Akamaki City came out, Shiika tensed as well.

However, even this restless atmosphere soon retrieved its former calmness. Following the woman and old man’s example as they nodded and smiled at the incoherent conversation made by the little girl called Meiko, Shiika found herself smiling as well.

The chicken hot pot was really delicious.

A normal meal with a normal family.

How many years had it been since she could participate in such a peaceful space?

If possible, she wanted to stay there just a little more.

Right, she could pretend she knew nothing until all battles ended—

“By the way, Shiika-san, are you fine being here right now?”

Shiika gulped at this sudden question.

“Err… w-what do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean—with how things are in Akamaki City, people around here are all restless. If you go out like this, won’t your parents worry?”

Shiika relaxed at seeing the woman’s worried face.

Being there right now—

Although the woman was clearly worried for her, to Shiika it sounded as though she was blaming her.

“I-it’s alright… I’ve, err, told them already.”

“Well, that’s fine then.”

Completely unlike the woman who now seemed relieved, Shiika’s heart was racing.

Was it fine for Shiika to be in such a peaceful household at such a time?

The answer—was no.

It was obviously a mistake. She obviously couldn’t waste the precious, limited time she had on relaxing like that.

Even so, Shiika found herself having a meal in this small house.

Why had it become like this?

The reason for it—obviously lay in Shiika herself.