Yui Yuigahama, nicknamed Dango.
Today, she overslept and missed breakfast. She wanted to grab a sandwich, but now, drawn by the alluring scent of steamed buns, Dango followed her instincts and hurried closer.
The closer she got, the more the glistening buns tempted her, making her feet heavy.
So fragrant.
Unconsciously, she found herself joining the line, completely forgetting about her imminent tardiness for class.
Those who managed to get their hands on the buns had already started devouring them.
A bite, and it was as if countless particles danced alive in her mouth – the egg dough, the preserved egg sealing the bun. The crab roe filling. The three eggs harmonized perfectly, each bite a fresh explosion that made her tongue tingle.
Another round of exaggerated expressions followed.
...
Dango swallowed, her eyes fixated on those yellow and black buns. Watching them disappear one by one, she prayed for her turn to come soon.
Finally, as if hearing her prayers, heaven answered.
"Two buns left. You want both?"
"Yes!"
Dango frantically handed over 1000 yen. These buns might be pricey, but she felt they were absolutely worth it. She feared that if she moved any slower, the people behind her would snatch them away.
"No more queuing for today, all the buns are sold out..."
Those who waited for half an hour and missed out: "???"
"Boss, please, we were almost next."
"Just, just, Boss, conjure up a few more!"
In an instant, wails of despair filled the air.
Summer could only hold up his empty steamer as proof that he was truly out.
The few unlucky souls who missed out looked at each other, their eyes finally settling on Dango, the last one to grab the precious buns. Their resentment was deeper than any ghost.
"Huh??"
Dango, as if startled, forgot about eating, and rushed into the school with her buns clutched in her hands.
"Close call, those uncles were so scary."
She sprinted past the school gate before stopping, patting her own dango in fear.
Just then, the school bell rang for class.
Dango looked at the buns in her hand and was torn.
The morning sun shone on the preserved egg, reflecting a black, oily gleam. The buns emanated warmth, their aroma tempting her to indulge.
Being late, so be it.
With a determined grunt and a stomp, Dango picked up a bun. Ignoring the heat, she took a big bite.
In that instant, Dango felt transported into the ocean of life, with countless lives bursting open in her mouth.
"Delicious, so delicious, uwu~"
She always thought "delicious to tears" was an exaggeration, but now, she couldn't help it. The searing hot crab roe on her tongue, the warmth of the three-flavor egg filling, it was all so good, it brought tears to her eyes.
She devoured both buns in one go, her lips involuntarily curling upwards.
.....
Meanwhile,
With the buns sold out, and a farewell from the Milk Man, Summer packed up his stall.
He had been open for an hour, selling 200 buns, netting him 20,000 yen.
"Charcoal, time to go home."
Little Bichou-tan, perched on the seat, looked at the world with utter disbelief. The workday was already over? Only one hour of work per day, and that comes with three meals included?
She didn't even feel like she was working. Just setting up chairs, taking money, this job was too easy.
"Brother, we aren't selling buns this afternoon?"
"No, no one comes in the afternoon, we'll go home."
Hearing Summer's words, Little Bichou-tan felt a daze.
Home? It had been so long, so long that she couldn't remember who had said that to her. Grandma probably said it, yeah... she must have.
Home,
This feeling of returning home together, it was so good.
"Okay, Brother, let's go home."
"Mm, let's buy some things and head home."
Of course, after closing shop, it was time to get Little Bichou-tan a pair of shoes.
Riding his tricycle, Summer headed for the nearby mall, money in hand, he had no worries.
After parking the tricycle, he held Little Bichou-tan's hand and said, "Charcoal, hold onto your brother's hand, don't get lost."
The bright, spacious mall filled Little Bichou-tan with curiosity.
Their small town had nothing like this. Her face beamed with delight.
Her big, expressive eyes darted everywhere. ?
She had never seen such a lively place.
Even when they set up their stall at the town festival, Little Bichou-tan had never seen so many people.
The bustling energy excited Little Bichou-tan. She loved the lively feeling, especially the sense of security from having her hand held.
Summer, walking with such a cute little girl, had a sky-high 回头率 (huitou lü - rate of people turning to look).
Little Bichou-tan, with her adorable, innocent look, seemed to have stepped right out of an anime.
"Kawaii! This little sister is so cute and adorable!" a girl exclaimed to her friend.
"Yeah! The charcoal hair accessory on her head is so cute too..."
"That accessory is so realistic, just like a real Bichou-tan..."
Summer: "..."
That's not a hair accessory, it's literally Bichou-tan.
Some cosplayers, emboldened, approached for a "stamp" (heying - photo together). "Little sister, are you cosplaying a character? It's so cute."
Ignoring them, Summer pulled Little Bichou-tan towards the third floor.