Tamako University

S-say ahh

Chapter 13: S-say ahh.

"You know, this'll probably be the last time we'll be able to do stuff like this together before we head off to Tokyo."

"Why is that?"

"With my youtube channel, working on the music video, and helping out with the mochi shop, I'll probably be lucky if get 8 hours of sleep a day."

"Hang on, if you'll really be that busy, I could help out! I help out at my own shop all the time, so I can take over your share of work."

Mochizou let out a dry chuckle before taking another slurp of ramen.

"Heh. I don't think my mom would be too happy about me not doing my work."

"I'd bet she'd understand if you told her why!"

"She wants me to become a film maker or director. She said that I had a lot of talent for it, which I guess is fair, but I really want to make content, and I'm good at it too! She's ok with it as long as it doesn't interfere with anything, so I can't really let her know how much work I'll have."

Tamako gave Mochizou a disheartened look.

"So is there anything I can do to help?"

Mochizou looked up for a bit, then leaning back and taking another slurp of ramen. When he swallowed, he spoke.

"I'm... not sure. There isn't really much you can do during the editing process... hm..."

Mochizou went back to his ramen bowl while Tamako began to eat her own. After several minutes, Tamako tapped Mochizou on the shoulder and held out her own bowl of ramen towards him with some ramen being held in her chopsticks.

"S-say ahh."

Mochizou turned slightly pink, but obliged, albeit averting his eyes. As he slurped, Tamako gave him a light smile.

"If I can't help you very much directly, then just talk to me whenever you're feeling really tired. Meanwhile, I'll try to learn more things about running a mochi shop from you dad. We can keep each other company and if one of us wants a break from life, then the other will be there."

Mochizou looked shocked for a moment before pulling Tamako into a deep hug.

"Thank you, Tamako."

"M-Mochizou? We're... uh..."

"Ah! Sorry! I..."

Mochzou quickly let go of her and the 2 of them finished their ramen and began to head back to film.

###

"M-Mochizou? Are you feeling alright?"

"..."

"Mochizou?"

The day was over and they had already finished the filming session. Unfortunately for Mochizou's sanity, there was plenty more to do such as helping out at the mochi shop that day, making the instrumental music, editing everyone's voice to the right voice for the acapella parts, etcetera, etcetera. Mochizou, therefore, had fallen asleep without much thought.

Tamako for her part had been learning how to do taxes from Mochizou's dad. He'd been implanting thoughts of marketing and seasonal design choices into her mind. After several hours of learning, she too headed to bed.

"Oh... Heh. You really work too hard, Mochizou."

Mochizou was slumped on the bed, his laptop somehow still in his lap. He was lying down on his side, the blanket and pillows all forgotten. Tamako simply smiled at him, saved his work, put away his laptop, plugged it in, then tucked him into bed. Afterwards, she sat down on the side of the bed, carressing his hair, then his cheek.

"God really made you too cute, Mochizou."

Tamako turned and lay down in bed to face Mochizou, snuggled up against him and slowly drifted off to sleep.

###

"Uh... Mochizou?"

"I'm so sorry! I... uh... Please ignore-"

"Don't be... Natural reaction and all that... You told me about it a few days ago..."