Dagashi Kashi (だがしかし)

So what are you doing here, Kokonotsu?

Well... Um... It started snowing when I was heading home.

So... I'm waiting for the train to resume running.

I see... Then maybe I'll wait with--

May I have your attention, please?

Due to the snowy conditions, all delayed trains have been canceled.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

This isn't good.

It really is Hotaru...

I can't believe I ran into her in a place like this.

There were so many things that I wanted to say to her, but...

But... why...?

Um... Um...

What... What were you doing?

There's something I need to take care of, so I was on my way there by train.

I didn't mean that. What have you been doing since then?

Well... all sorts of things.

Like helping the family business... I've been pretty busy.

I bet you were able to do a lot of things while I was gone, too.

I'd love to hear all about it!

I went to the shrine and the bus stop.

I went to other places, too.

But no one was there.

I even began to wonder if you ever really existed.

I had irrational thoughts like that.

Why didn't you say anything?

Kokonotsu...

I did a lot of things while you were gone.

Our shop was in trouble. There are more people around now.

Just when I got used to things and started to find it fun...

...I realized that I had forgotten about my dream... and I totally panicked.

I had my manga reviewed at a review event today.

It was the first time I had someone take a serious look at my manga.

But it was a total disaster.

I started thinking that... maybe I should just give up.

Dammit! This isn't what I wanted to say.

All I'm doing is taking things out on her!

I just wanted her to see that I'd changed when we met again.

And now that we meet after all this time, I...

I know how you feel.

I've got just the thing for the distressed Kokonotsu I see before me!

This lead-in... Is she gonna start talking about dagashi?

Its name is Super Mario-kun Comic Gum!

"Super Mario-kun Comic Gum"

See? I knew--

Wait, S-Super Mario-kun?!

"Super Mario-kun Comic Gum"

Not only do you get to enjoy some tasty gum,

but also a chapter of the Super Mario-kun manga!

There are ten chapters in total,

and moreover, one of those ten chapters hasn't been published anywhere else!

Whoa...!

And if I do this... Whoa! It really became a manga!

"Super Mario-kun"

Having to assemble it makes it seem like a model, which is exciting, isn't it?

By the way, it's put out by Top Seika, the same manufacturer who makes

Super Scary Story Gum.

"Super Scary Story Gum"

Makes sense, doesn't it?

Oh? What's the matter?

Ah, nothing.

It almost makes too much sense.

Hm...? Ahhh!

I'm sorry! I'll stop right away!

You're able to stop crying on demand, Kokonotsu?

I'm sorry.

I think all sorts of feelings I had bottled up started pouring out as tears.

I'm glad...

...that you had time to seriously think about what you like.

Well, it's not my place to tell you whether you should give up or not.

What's important is that you made your decision after trying it and thinking carefully about it.

But the Kokonotsu that I see before me now...

...doesn't appear to have completely given up yet.

I'm not sure about it myself.

But... maybe I just wanted to feel down for now.

I'm sure that's also important.

Kokonotsu...

Hm?

I'm sorry that I disappeared on you so suddenly. And...

...I'm back. So once again, it's been a while, hasn't it?

W-Welcome-- What?! Then...

At any rate, it's cold.

Y-Yeah...

Oh, that's right! If I remember correctly, I have that in my suitcase.

"That"?

Would you like to have some...

"Buta-men"

...Buta-men with me?

Wh-What's with that suitcase full of Buta-men?!

That's the only thing you took with you?

Now, let's put some snow from outside in the kettle to make boiling water...

...and have some Buta-men!

We won't be able to leave here until the first train in the morning anyway!

I-It's cold...

Let's hurry up!

Things I wanted to tell her... Things that I wanted to ask her...

-Hotaru!

--I thought I had a lot more, but... --Hotaru!

--I thought I had a lot more, but... --It really is cold, isn't it, Kokonotsu?

-It really is cold, isn't it, Kokonotsu?

"Buta-men" "Distinctive Flavor of Rich Soup"

Well, I guess...

...I can ask her some other time.

Hm?!

It's already morning.

Hota... ru...?

Hotaru!

Good morning. What're you doing?

Ah, well...

Good question.

More importantly, Kokonotsu, the trains are back in service!

What?!

Now...! Let's go back to Shikada Dagashi!

I'm back!

Ko...

Co...

Coconuts!

Were you okay? Did the trains stop?

Yeah. I'm sorry for worrying you guys.

You really did! We came here today only to find you still hadn't come home!

We couldn't even reach you via cell. Right?!

What?

Whoa! The battery is dead!

Kokonotsu...

Welcome back.

Thanks.

Hajime... It was a total disaster.

After everyone went to all that trouble to help me...