Track 2

Cough cough… That’s weird… Where did I even catch this…cough.

The tea that cures all ailments should be here somewhere….. Shall we drink it together, Uu-chan?

This is undoubtedly an abnormal situation. I’m sure there were urban legends about similar cases in the past… To think I’d experience it myself–

(Looks like I’ll have to leave the shop to him tonight. Ah… My body feels unbearably hot–)

…..

Eh!? Everyone’s sick…?

Yeah. The people here are fine, but it looks like everyone else has come down with a fever…

Actually, Anisama is going through the same thing. I was just on my way to get him some water.

Living together really is tough…

Could it be that Gii is a carrier as well? Peh, peh—

I feel perfectly fine for now, but…if it turns out that I’m actually incubating something, sorry in advance. If that happens, I will offer my deepest apologies as the source of its creation.

It’s true that it has been cold lately, but for so many people to fall ill all at once… It does seem kind of strange.

…..Ah.

Soooo you’re saying it might not be an illness, but something else's causing this?

Hmm… Nothing specific comes to mind though……

The five of us here haven’t caught anything, right?

Kinari’s fine too. He went out to buy medicine and supplies just now.

….Oh. So everyone’s here.

! Nanaki!

Are you okay, Nanaki-kun? How are you feeling?

Um, my appetite’s coming back a little. I figured I should eat something to take my meds, so I came downstairs…

In that case, I’ll make some rice porridge and bring it up to you guys.

Eh…Th-Thank you very much.

(Ch-Chief’s homemade rice porridge…!?)

Are you doing okay, Nanaki-kun? Your face looks even redder…?

I-It’s just your imagination, Toi-san.

Cough… Then I’ll take you up on your offer and head back with some water first. Please don’t overdo yourselves either, everyone.

Yeah. Take care, Nanaki-kun.

I hope Anisama’s appetite comes back too…

……

…Let’s do it.

Do wha?

Everyone, huddle up. This emergency calls for us to work as a team and face this crisis together.

A team?

I hereby name it: Operation Cure HAMA House.

Cure…HAMA HOUSE….!

I think proper care is essential for a speedy recovery…. Everyone probably has things they want or need to do, too.

I see! So the five of us can split up the work, right? I think that’s a great idea!

ME, ME!!! I’m 100% in! I’ll give it everything I’ve got!

Me too! I want Anisama and everyone else to get better as soon as possible…!

It’d be no fun if everyone just stays all wiped out. I shall help too!

Thanks. Let’s combine forces and get through this crisis.

Alright. If that’s settled, let’s start by dividing into teams. We need to bring medicine and care supplies to everyone, as well as make meals for them, and…

Also, since they’re probably sweating, it’d be good to change their clothes, towels, and sheets.

Let’s split into ‘Pelican Supply Team,’ ‘Iron Chef Cooking Team,’ and ‘Sonia Laundry Collection Team.’

For laundry… I guess Nagi-kun will be in charge of that?

Then I’ll handle the cooking. I promised Nanaki-kun I’d make him some rice porridge too.

Then I shall join you! I’ll cook with Doudou~!

Thennn I’ll haul the supplies! I’ll carry and carry all of them!

With Nagi-kun on the laundry, he’s more than enough on his own! I think I’ll join Akuta-kun and help deliver supplies to everyone!

Looking forward to working with ya on the Pelican Team, Toi-san!

Yeah! Let’s do our best, Akuta-kun!

Okay! Seems like the teams are settled?

Looks like it! We’ll have the Pelican Supply Team wait for Kinari-kun to get back. In the meantime, let’s get started on cooking and the laundry!

A'ight! // Okay.

Ummm— ….Toi-san. There’s something I want to talk to you about… You go’a moment?

? Yes, of course!

—Soooo long story short. I kinda broke the sacred rope on an Iwakura by crashing into it.

Uwah, that’s an impressive Shimenawa…..

(But it really is torn in half. Did this really happen because Akuta-kun crashed into it?)

So like this whole pandemic-level emergency thing might actually be my fault!

The god of the Iwakura got suuuper mad, and instead of punishing me, they dropped divine punishment on the ENTIRE HAMA HOUSE~~~!?

Or something like that…

C-Calm down, Akuta-kun.

That must have startled you, having it suddenly snap like that. That scared you, didn't it?

But…it’s okay now! Thank you for depending on me.

To-Toi-san…..

Give me a second. I’m going to take a look now.

Oooh…So it’s true you can see spooky ghosty stuff! That’s awesome…!

(I feel…a pure, cleansing power from the rope. And–)

(A faint presence of something strange…..?)

…..

Toi-san?

(I can’t do it. I've had too many big fortune-telling jobs lately, so I’m dizzy from how tired I am… I don’t think I can see into it any further for now.)

And? Did you figure something out…???

…I’m sorry. I can’t say for sure whether this rope is the cause of everyone getting sick.

(But… Even though it's faint, there really is a strange presence clinging onto it. It might be dangerous for Akuta-kun to keep this on him.)

I-I see…

Things like this are often meant to protect sacred spaces.

So… I’ll take care of it!

Ri-Right!? Alrighty, I’ll zoom off and—

WHAT!? You’ll take care of it!? Alone!?

I’ll handle this! Don’t worry about it, Akuta-kun! It’ll be okay!

But… Isn’t there anything I can help with!? If you need materials, I’ll speed there on my bike! If you’re gonna pray, I’ll pray SUPER hard right next to you!

Mmm… I think…

YOU THINK!?

(...Akuta-kun really wants to help me from the bottom of his heart…)

(But I can’t let him get involved in this matter…. If something goes wrong, he could get hurt.)

....Toi-san?

…I-I don’t have anything for you...

DUNNNN…!!

(I’m sorry, Akuta-kun. But I appreciate the offer…!)

I’ll hold onto this Shimenawa! And I’m going to check on Anisama real quick too!

For now, let’s focus on taking care of everyone. Let’s do our best!

Eh… Ah, yeah!

………………..Ehh…….