MTL: Dexter, Kael
FTL(Hardest Part): KayL
TLC/Editor: Alisa
Final Editors: Kakarotto (aka G-String)
Note: We are using the Chinese Official Translation and Original Japanese Raw in our translations. Our Editors and Raw Readers (Translators) have done their best to give you the best quality English translation. We hope you enjoy reading Chiramune as much we do!
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6
As I indulged myself in my shopping spree, the three large eco-bags I had prepared was now bulging and about to burst. Saku-kun effortlessly took two of them, but they must be quite heavy with the ice packs and ice inside.
“You’ve really bought too much, haven’t you?”
In response to his exasperated voice, I offered a wry smile.
“I got carried away because they have a lot of ingredients I don’t usually see. I even bought some dried fish that you can simply grill, so make sure to have some.”
“Oh, that’s really convenient.”
We had such a conversation as we left the market. I put the eco-bag into my bicycle basket while Saku-kun hung one bag on each side of his mountain bike’s handlebars.
Although both of us usually walked to school, we brought our bicycles when we had a lot of stuff to carry during shopping.
“Well, it’s a bit underwhelming to go to the market on a mom’s bike when you’re dressed up.”
Suddenly, the embarrassment from the earlier line welled up, and I glanced at Saku-kun. Perhaps he understood the meaning behind my gaze, as he sheepishly smiled.
“Sorry, sorry. It was just a joke. If we worried about every little thing like that, high schoolers in Fukui wouldn’t be able to go on proper dates.”
Relieved by his words, I mounted my bicycle, “Saku-kun, there’s a place nearby that I want to stop by. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
And so, we set off. Well, it was only a minute away from the market that we stopped our bicycles.
“Already?!”
He exclaimed, to which I replied with a wry smile.
“That’s what I said.”
“Well, it’s fine, but what is this place, a warehouse? A factory…?”
“Huh, Saku-kun, you’ve never been here before?”
The flat and elongated building might indeed give that impression to someone who saw it for the first time.
Being familiar with it, I casually continued, “This is Ameyoko.”
Those words probably evoked images of UENO in Tokyo.
“Huh?” A puzzled expression was returned, “…Should I laugh?”
“Um, I’m not joking or anything,” I pointed to the exterior wall, “Look.”
There, a large sign bearing the words “Ameyoko” was prominently displayed.
Saku-kun exclaimed in surprise, “It’s really Ameyoko!”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
His gaze then moved to the lettering at the entrance of the shop.
“Yumegashi Ichiba (dream sweets market)…?”
“Well, let’s just go in for now.”
As I led the way and passed through the automatic doors,
“Whoa!”
Saku-kun involuntarily let out a surprised voice. For me, who came here frequently, his reaction was refreshing, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Apart from the pillars, there were no partitions, and the spacious interior had a distinct warehouse-like atmosphere, with colorful sweets packed densely all around.
There must be hundreds, no, easily thousands of different kinds.
Overall, there were many families and women among the customers.
“I haven’t checked it in detail, but I think it’s a store run by a confectionery wholesaler. You can often find lower prices compared to regular supermarkets, and they offer large packs as well. Sometimes I come here to stock up on snacks for my family.”
Especially my younger brother, who always seemed to have an insatiable appetite and finished snacks in no time. To save money, I tried to make use of this place whenever I had the time.
Saku-kun looked around curiously before speaking up, “Oh, I had no idea about this place.”
“Saku-kun, you’re not much of a sweets eater, right? Sorry for dragging you along. I’m gonna make it quick.”
“No, it actually reminds me of when I used to stock up on snacks before school trips. This is getting me excited.”
“There’s also a section for small snacks. Want to check it out?”
“Sounds good, let’s have a look.”
Seeing his face filled with innocent joy, I felt relieved that I brought him along.
As we made our way to the section filled with small snacks, Saku-kun’s face lit up with delight.
“Wow, this brings back so many memories.”
“When you were in elementary school, were you the type who spent the exact amount the teacher told you on snacks?”
“Yeah, exactly! Well, it wasn’t about satisfying my hunger or anything. It was that special feeling of being able to choose and buy whatever I wanted within that specific amount. Like, when I received pocket money before a festival, it was like filling up a cup with as many snacks as I could fit with my favorites.”
Listening to his enthusiastic voice, I nodded along.
“Ah, I remember those snack corners. They had cups of different sizes. There would be a large transparent case filled with cookies, chocolates, lollipops, gummies, and you could scoop as much as you wanted into the cup.”
It truly felt like stepping into a scene from the past, I mused.
Saku-kun had a knack for delicately gathering memories within his heart. That’s why, whenever we talked, there were moments when evanescent fragments of the past rose to the surface.
──It must have been when I was in third grade, if I remember correctly.
My mother, my little brother, and I went together to the nearby supermarket to buy snacks for a field trip. But the corner for small snacks wasn’t very big there…
Suddenly, my brother started crying.
It turned out that he had seen one of his classmates with a bag full of various snacks and had been looking forward to pick them at the supermarket, but we couldn’t get as many as we had hoped for within our budget.
No matter how much I tried to comfort him, he wouldn’t stop crying. I felt completely lost, unsure of what to do.
That’s when my mother said,
“I’ll take you to the land of sweets, dear.”
And she brought us to this place.
My brother stopped crying instantly, his eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, “Nee-chan, this is amazing!” In the end, I remember the two of us spending about two hours carefully selecting our snacks together.
Our mother watched over us without a hint of displeasure.
In fact, she even said she would buy snacks for herself with the same budget and earnestly discussed it with us. Despite usually being a calm and composed person, she was surprisingly lively that day.
“I’ll have some Young Donuts!”
“Oh, Yua, that’s not fair! Mom wants some too!”
“But we’ll go over budget.”
“Then I’ll have a Teriyaki Burger-flavored Umaibo.”
“Mom likes that too! I’m getting one!”
“Mom, you’re buying too much.”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. We won’t get caught if we just spurge a little.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Ah, how I had forgotten all about it until now? That scene of a blissful family was truly existed.
Perhaps, without even realizing it, I had been seeking remnants of those times, finding reasons to step foot in this place.
My little brother had grown cheeky, my mother was no longer here, and in her place, there was you.
Unaware of my thoughts, Saku-kun looked at me with a joyful expression.
“Hey, Yua, since we’re here, why don’t we buy some small snacks?”
I answered with a soft smile, “Sure, but let’s set a limit of five hundred yen.”
“Okay, then let’s choose together.”
“Yes!”
If someday, I pondered,
If this boy were to become a father in the future, he would surely show this kind of scenery to his children.
If only it could come true, the one who was by your side would be…
I tried not to dwell on it any further and picked up a Young Donut.
Four little rings nestled closely together.
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Plebian Translation 
