After coming out of the underpass, they could see an old-looking building by the roadside not far ahead. Outside stood two vending machines and two neat rows of capsule toy machines.
"It's been a long time since I came here."
Sato looked at the little candy store with a hint of nostalgia.
"Has it really been that long, oniichan?"
Miyauchi Renge turned and asked.
"Yeah, about a year, I think."
Sato thought for a moment before answering. Ever since moving to Chiba City, he had hardly returned to Asahigaoka, so naturally he had very few chances to come here.
Miyauchi Renge pushed open the door to the candy store. The bell above the entrance rang with a cheerful chime, followed by the sound of slow footsteps from inside.
Soon, someone emerged from the back.
Long golden hair cascaded smoothly down to her lower back like a waterfall. A single ahoge stood proudly atop her head. She rubbed her eyes as she walked out, looking half asleep, as though she had just been napping.
"Welcome... Oh, it's Ren, and Sato too. Long time no see."
Kagayama Kaede yawned as she walked out from the back room, then leaned across the counter with a smile at Miyauchi Renge and Kanna.
"So it's the little one from last time. She came along again?"
"Mm."
Sato smiled as he patted Kanna's head.
"She isn't much trouble anyway."
"Heh, don't tell me it's because you're a l𝚘licon?"
Kagayama Kaede teased him.
"I remember you used to take care of Komari and Natsumi when they were little."
Sato shrugged.
"They were just two little tagalongs. I didn't really have a choice. But..."
He looked at Kagayama Kaede with a strange expression.
"Aren't you a little too unmotivated, Kaede-oneesan?"
Ever since graduating from high school, Kagayama Kaede had never left the village, staying behind to look after her family's store.
The store's income alone certainly would not have been enough to live on, but with the various village dividends, even living this lazily forever was entirely possible.
"Mind your own business."
Kagayama Kaede rolled her eyes at him.
"Hey, Candy Store Lady."
Just then, Miyauchi Renge looked at Kagayama Kaede with bright, sparkling eyes.
Kagayama Kaede turned toward her, and even her voice softened considerably.
"What is it, Ren?"
"Come have lunch at my house today."
"Huh?"
Kagayama Kaede looked genuinely surprised.
"Why are you suddenly inviting me over for lunch?"
"This morning everyone and I dug up lots of bamboo shoots. They're all at my house now. Everyone's eating together at noon, and I want you to come too."
"Huh?"
Kagayama Kaede looked even more surprised.
"So... this invitation is from you, Ren?"
"Mm."
Miyauchi Renge nodded calmly, though a faint trace of anticipation shone in her eyes.
Faced with Miyauchi Renge's earnest gaze, Kagayama Kaede had no chance of resisting.
Or rather, she simply could not refuse anything Miyauchi Renge asked.
Looking away a little awkwardly, she mumbled,
"If it's Ren inviting me, then I'll go."
"Mm."
Miyauchi Renge nodded happily.
Seeing the exchange, Sato could not help smiling.
"Looks like you really do like Ren, Kaede-oneesan. No wonder people say she's your daughter."
"Huh?"
Kagayama Kaede drew out the word, instantly looking speechless.
"Who says that?"
"Who? Plenty of people."
After saying that, Sato noticed Kanna looking around curiously.
He glanced around the store as well.
"Kanna, is there anything you want to eat?"
"Ooh... are all of these food?"
The little blue-eyed dragon's eyes immediately sparkled as she looked around the shop in amazement.
There are so many things I've never seen before!
"Ren, do you want anything too? Go pick whatever you like. It's my treat."
"Really?"
"Mm."
Sato smiled and nodded.
Kagayama Kaede stepped out from behind the counter and watched the two little girls happily browsing the shelves. She looked at Sato with a rather strange expression.
"When did you become so generous?"
"They're just little snacks. They don't cost much."
Sato smiled.
Strictly speaking, he was not even paying with his own money.
The Hero Association sent him a sizable monthly "Dangerous Otherworldly Creature Care Allowance." Compared to Kanna's actual food expenses, that amount was more than enough.
The store carried all sorts of little snacks, the kind that cost only a few coins each. There were many different varieties, though each package contained only a small amount.
Come to think of it, there were hardly any children around here anymore. The main customers were probably just Natsumi, Ren, and the others. It was hard to say whether the store stocked these specifically for them.
Although he had told them to take whatever they wanted, after looking around for quite a while, the two little girls each chose only a handful of snacks.
"Is that all?"
"Mm!"
The two nodded in unison.
"Kaede-oneesan, how much is it?"
"Forget it. I'll treat you."
Kagayama Kaede waved her hand dismissively.
"Aren't you pretty generous too?"
Sato said with a smile.
Kagayama Kaede curled her lips.
"It's not like I make a living from this anyway."
"So you're still living off your parents?"
She scratched her somewhat messy golden hair without the slightest concern.
"If I can live off my parents, why wouldn't I?"
Sato wore a strange expression.
Well... she wasn't exactly wrong.
"But if you keep living like this, you won't ever get married, will you?"
"Mind your own business. Besides, if Kazuho-oneesan isn't worried, why should I be?"
Kagayama Kaede immediately used Miyauchi Kazuho as a shield.
At twenty-four or twenty-five years old, spending every day in the countryside with absolutely no motivation...
How was she supposed to get married?
"Kazuho-oneesan... somehow it feels like she's beyond saving."
"I completely agree with that."
Kagayama Kaede nodded in agreement, then shamelessly shifted the blame.
"It's because Kazuho-oneesan set such a terrible example for me."
Sato's lips twitched.
The group then headed back to the Miyauchi house together.
As soon as they entered, a delicious aroma drifted toward them.
"Ren, you're back. The food's just finished. Go ahead and have a seat."
"Kazuho-oneesan!"
"Kaede, you're here too. You're still as unmotivated as ever."
"Coming from you, Kazuho-oneesan, that's the last thing I want to hear!"