Part 2

A quarrel…? But they were so close.

……

Ushio?

…I’ll go feed either Pensaburo or Penjiro.

Eh. But that goes against the policy you said…

This is an emergency situation. Instead of just sitting and twiddling our thumbs, we have to do something…

Ushio…

I understand. I’ll help too. I’ll feed the rest of my fish to Penjiro, so you can take Pensaburo.

…Is that ok?

I can always come back to see Penpeko again. Our priority right now is for those two to make up.

So, let’s come back together sometime, Ushio.

…Guess I gotta.

I’ll repay this favour next time. Thanks for your help.

Mm. The plan is on.

(...Even so, how do we actually get them to make up?)

(Hachinoya-san’s…)

Penjiro. I’m sure you want to make up with Pensaburo, right? Your gloomy posture is telling me you feel lonely.

(...Speaking to it. In human words.)

Standing side by side, the two of you look like veteran comedians with fifty years of experience… You’re always together, and your bond is stronger than that of family.

Finding someone like that isn’t easy. You should cherish him while you can.

It’s lonely when someone who was always by your side isn’t there, right Penjiro?

…This isn't the time for that.

(C'mon, think, what's a classic lead-up to a reconciliation—!)

Um.

Pensaburo! Look, food.

Whenever you couldn’t finish your food, you always gave it to Penjiro. The two of you were always joined at the wing.

…Gua.

Ah.

Pensaburo’s… sharing his food with Penjiro…!

Kyui…!

Kyuee!

…It looks like they’ve started eating together. That’s good, I guess they’ve made up now.

Yeah, that seems to be it.

(I guess in times like these, the memories they’ve shared together are the key.)

(Pensaburo’s usually a bit gruff, but he shows this kind of kindness only when he’s with Penjiro, and it makes me want to root for them… It’s worth being a fly on the wall for this…)

Wait, Pensaburo and Penjiro… Did these older brothers help you make up!?

Oh, I didn’t really do… If you’d like to express your gratitude, please thank this very kind high school boy.

Thank you so much…! If you don’t mind, would you allow us to include you in the relationship chart as the saviour of these two?

Huh…!? No, no…

I’ll pass on that. Getting between these two would go against my policy.

…I knew you were going to say that, Ushio.

……

I see… I understand. Thank you so much for thinking of them.

Ah, but…

This incident is an important chapter in Pensaburi and Penjiro’s history. Please add their reconciliation to the relationship chart.

Let’s come back another day to look at the updated relationship chart.

…Right. I’ll look forward to it too.