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The Garage

HotaruHello... Oh, Nagi-san?

NagiYes, yes, it's fine. No, really, it can't be helped.

Hotaru...?

NagiOkay, tomorrow. Got it. Please take care. Bye.

NagiPhew... Oh, Hotaru? Were you here?

HotaruSorry. You were on the phone.

NagiIt's fine. It was just my job calling. They asked if I could come in tomorrow.

HotaruOh... That was rather sudden.

NagiThe owner threw out their back and needs to go to the hospital. Good thing I was free tomorrow.

HotaruI see... That sounds difficult.

HotaruCome to think of it, where do you work, Nagi-san?

NagiAt a bookstore. A small independent one.

HotaruOh... Really?

NagiHaha. Is that surprising?

HotaruNo, that isn't what I meant...!

NagiIt's okay, it's okay. People I know say that a lot too.

NagiIt's actually a pretty good arrangement. It's never too busy, and I can read when things are quiet.

HotaruJobs like that exist?

NagiSometimes I have to pick up extra shifts at short notice, like this time. But I do get paid properly for it.

HotaruHmm... I want to be able to work soon too.

NagiHuh? Why?

HotaruFor live fees and meals, everyone always pays a little extra for me, don't they?

HotaruI need to start earning money soon, so I can pull my weight too.

NagiHaha. Listen to you, talking big for a middle schooler.

NagiYou're the youngest one of us. You should let everyone spoil you while you can.

HotaruNo, I can't do that!

NagiYou're serious about this, huh? By the way, is there anything you'd want to do?

HotaruHuh? Um...

NagiHaha. You haven't really thought that far ahead, have you?

HotaruMaybe... working at the Café we all go to so often...

NagiOh. I've heard food service can be rough, though. Mahoro looks completely wiped out sometimes.

HotaruIs that so...? If even Mahoro-san finds it difficult, then I...

HotaruOh... I could transcribe piano music by ear!

NagiTranscription...? You mean writing music down as sheet music? You can do that? That's impressive.

HotaruYes. I feel like I've heard there are jobs like that...

NagiHmm... I just looked it up, and it seems like that kind of work isn't always available.

NagiThe pay varies from project to project, too... It might be hard to keep it going consistently.

HotaruIs that so... Working really is difficult, isn't it...?

NagiHaha. I guess so.

NagiWell, you don't need to worry about it yet. When you do start working, you can treat all of us to a meal.

HotaruYes...! Leave it to me!