Natsume

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center, then sandwich them...)

Natsume

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center, then sandwich them...)

Natsume

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center...! I'm getting a little used to it, but this job is brutal...)

Natsume

(No... I'm doing all this for music...! It feels kind of cool, like I'm paying my dues!)

Natsume

(The pay is good, and nobody here knows me... This is where I'm going to make my money...!)

Natsume-chan, it's almost time for your break!

Natsume

! Yes...!

Natsume

Hey. Where is everyone else...?

Houka

It would appear they have not arrived yet.

Natsume

I see. There's still about an hour until we're meant to meet, so I guess that's only to be expected.

Natsume

So why are you here this early?

Houka

An appointment I had this morning ended sooner than expected. I thought I might as well come here rather than pass the time elsewhere.

Natsume

I see. That's more or less why I'm here early too.

Houka

Since we have the time, shall I prepare some tea?

Natsume

I'm good. I'll just play around until everyone's here.

Natsume

...

Houka

Natsume-san... Have you purchased another new effector?

Natsume

Hmm...? You noticed that well. Unlike Nagi, you actually pay attention.

Houka

Purely by chance♪ So, what sort of effector is it this time?

Natsume

This is a looper. The moment I step on it, it can record a phrase and play it back on a loop.

Natsume

It's limited to short phrases, but with this, I can make two sounds at once all by myself!

Houka

My. That seems to be a wonderfully versatile function.

Houka

Even so, you do have quite a collection of effectors, Natsume-san.

Houka

I am not especially knowledgeable about them, but aren't effectors rather expensive?

Natsume

Well, they're necessary expenses. You can never have too many options.

Houka

I see... You must have worked very hard at your part-time job. At the food factory.

Natsume

Gah!?

Natsume

Huh...? What are you talking about?

Houka

Oh... Was I mistaken? It may simply have been a misunderstanding on my part.

Houka

The mother of someone I know works at a food factory... She mentioned that a Minase student named Izawa works there part-time.

Houka

Apparently, she is very diligent, and although she only works on days off, she reliably takes shifts.

Houka

So I naturally assumed she must be referring to you, Natsume-san...

Natsume

N-No...! It isn't me!

Houka

My, is that so? Then please forgive my mistake.

Natsume

Exactly! I spend my days off at a Café in the morning! Working somewhere else helps me reset my mind!

Natsume

I went today too! I was in such a good mood, I had three espressos!

Natsume

Oh! I think I left something at home! I'm just going to run back and get it! Bye!

Houka

...?

Houka

She certainly is a busy one.