Hotaru

Hello... Oh, Nagi-san?

Nagi

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

Hotaru

...?

Nagi

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

Sorry. You were on the phone.

Nagi

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

Hotaru

Oh... That was rather sudden.

Nagi

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

Hotaru

I see... That sounds difficult.

Hotaru

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

Nagi

At a bookstore. A small independent one.

Hotaru

Oh... Really?

Nagi

Haha. Is that surprising?

Hotaru

No, that isn't what I meant...!

Nagi

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

Jobs like that exist?

Nagi

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

Huh? Why?

Hotaru

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

No, I can't do that!

Nagi

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

Hotaru

Huh? Um...

Nagi

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

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

Nagi

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

Hotaru

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

Nagi

Haha. I guess so.

Nagi

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

Hotaru

Yes...! Leave it to me!