當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kB7tWwCoN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkKAcHvJ0Z
　　雖然每次進行任務前都會先跟陶壺叔說一聲，但這次是真的不小心弄太晚了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wvpWKJRiK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s8ljjOGBu
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YlqyhhETK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPpYnI3HpZ
　　一踏進門檻，就看見陶壺叔一手拿著被燒得焦黑的鐵桿從爐房探出頭來。橫紋滿布的臉在溢出的火光下變得像是石像一樣深邃，杜若關掉了手電筒，看著陶壺叔反射著油光的鼻頭說：258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTotgBCTko
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtVFTmC7hH
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JVCXpeFiu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOeDkycp3U
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBn7zxIS14
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCT6uMf4A
　　「玩到這麼晚啊？」聽見杜若這麼說，陶壺叔的表情便瞬間因為皺起而變得像是要崩塌似的，大大地嘆了一口氣後，陶壺叔把手中的鐵棍放到了肩上。

　　「唉……妳這小毛頭也總到我管不著的年紀了啊。有好好吃晚餐嗎？剛才煮的一鍋還有剩著。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROmIx906cG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVpJNYmPEM

　　聽見後，杜若便忍不住笑了出來。這果然是陶壺叔會問的問題呢。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5h6qWCb0G
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtduXEupqvR
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMDjcpohVY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ce6TSB7v
　　也許就是因為這麼在意吃喝，陶壺叔才會跟稱號一樣有圓滾滾的肚子吧。感覺就算哪天天空掉下來了，陶壺叔也還是會在意有沒有定時吃飯。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTyQAmJFGZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3xrl4FrOP
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW7GwF7YK0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLztDCxBlz8
　　陶壺叔聳聳肩走回爐房，沒多久就小心地用兩手端著冒著白煙的小鍋走了出來。見狀，杜若趕緊上前幫忙接過。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS5LwSuXz3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNw4zGfjAE
　　這是陶壺叔的拿手料理，總而言之就是把香菇、馬鈴薯跟骨頭之類的東西通通都給丟進鍋子裡頭煮。雖然看起來很隨便又很粗魯，但吃起來可一點都不輸給黃灶巷的老闆們。杜若一直覺得陶壺叔不去鎮裡開一間店真是太可惜了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb8Y8roAp3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLAqOuUjEA
　　把熱湯盛進碗裡遞給杜若後，陶壺叔也坐了下來在自己的碗裡盛了一勺。隨後兩人同時在胸前交握起了雙手。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M4S20jmWy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ7sgVoJqK
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQTXKmnvkN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Czx8yO6cY
　　熱湯挾帶著暖意從喉嚨一路流經全身，讓人不禁想要閉上眼睛、伸直背脊。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtk70JufkN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhw63x8QAj
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLfdtXeSNd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2KjVJI6Dy
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigcKqeVF4Y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF2v30nopc
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtHo22V2ER
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIVSDVLs53
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5xGVuDjf1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUMe6B9mFS
　　「嗯……是個綁著漂亮的長長馬尾、明明長得很可愛、卻總是板著臉又很愛逞強的女生喔。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMMVRsU1QY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6NctGO555
　　杜若把一時間想到能夠形容紫藤的形容詞通通都給丟了出來，才覺得紫藤明明就很漂亮，卻老是一副很不高興的樣子真是太可惜了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW8NFCzdK0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwVF24YTFv
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc9Pk4txsP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7WkG0Ywny
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ1cxUB19B
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGXu6vA7I7
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQW8JEappU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1JFKVAoSj
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrh6LmMnIs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfyYYHYJoN
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yybf9AU3C
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2VvW799ph
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H8TDnFViO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PEpKZ5JjA
　　然而陶壺叔沒有感到懷疑，只是別有深意笑了幾聲之後，就高舉起碗將熱湯給一口氣喝個精光。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wj5asKDlr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ903dsWG2jH
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnk4PS1wcK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkvQiTjOMs
　　「嗯……好。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R4EcDsirt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfAyDlxeJa
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXabbYOXKT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeTTNKweQo
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK6yjaSPvI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQd6PJ2JPH
　　杜若搖搖頭、把那些思緒都給甩開，然後站起身走進浴室。浴缸冒出的熱氣在月光下就像是透明的火焰隨風搖曳。杜若脫下衣物放到一旁，小心翼翼地坐進了熱水當中。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY8YCFFr3d
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qxbFt9asa
　　「哈啊——」彷彿全身都要融化的舒暢感，讓杜若忍不住叫出了聲音。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylMokN7t8u
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMDPrpiCxR
　　伸直身子、靠著牆仰望夜空，便可以看到漫天的星斗在升起的白霧之間閃耀。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFIIFK3vuh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxLDQn7fwt
　　果然再也沒有什麼比像這樣泡著澡看著夜空要來得舒服了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TbNbwyevo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXJdbIgxMf
　　就算用玻璃蓋上，星空也會因為蒸氣而變得霧濛濛的，所以當初陶壺叔提議要加蓋天花板時，杜若才堅決地反對。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE3OGFPAaq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ueNpZMPb
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBr3lXUfBR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOybZza6sB
　　而且杜若也知道陶壺叔總是很早就洗澡了，所以其實根本就不是什麼「剛好熱著」，而是一直在燒著水等自己吧。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Izn4s89E
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchccOfo5Ms
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGsXTcwY9k
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vsaR9J7RV
　　只是、正因為陶壺叔是這麼善良，杜若才有預感、知道陶壺叔不可能接受那個不正常的自己。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCfR52wolT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd5EvD9FCT
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQlOG0DBJI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSwZDTHKCT
　　「只是、陶壺叔為什麼都不跟我說呢？」杜若望著夜空，喃喃地說著。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VrbvY4HdO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20D0cFzONZ
　　『一定是怕杜若擔心吧。』朦朧中，一道聲音像是在微笑般地回應了杜若：『畢竟陶壺叔就是個責任感這麼強的人呀。』258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkKGWzitdA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIwsjvX3it
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy8b6VBB8R
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtUhCmn2vD
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKHELgRDQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiCUrVlDen
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98nLliLceH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQIwAqFuRZ
　　要是陶壺叔知道了自己其實知道陶壺叔隱瞞著自己的事情，會不會就會被陶壺叔給討厭呢？258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Hg28GOyk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IqaH6yPLr
　　如果、就連陶壺叔都拒絕了自己，那自己又應該待在哪裡才好？258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWe3vw66Jf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKig28m49y
　　「……我不知道啦。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObvv1zq6L5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Np8Y8x70Q
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhujndj6srF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVinVr67aGu
　　說到底，自己也只是在害怕這點，才會就這樣答應了紫藤。就算哪天陶壺叔真的丟下了自己，也還有知道自己另一面的紫藤可以依賴。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd2isOQH1J
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9jXOdRGQz
　　雲實老師說過，狡猾的兔子會準備三個洞穴做為藏身之處，那抱著這樣想法的自己、肯定也是很卑鄙狡詐的吧。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW2NsxwLBy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWzFI3reur
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF284tjcfj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT033aBYJa
　　捧起熱水潑在臉上，使勁地抹了幾下後，杜若便蜷起身體，讓肩膀也浸入水中。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU9uO9wXYb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jCik50JXR
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx35Pwlia6N
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmFVapeccP
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyiotj6NUO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4xpCHVqXb
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPSfRjJ5qA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2oH99ft1Y
　　而在視線的彼端，只有冉冉升起的熱氣向著無垠的天空遠去。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkrVXB3Y3v
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1UCZhIY4O
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc2sAUspks
　　※258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pN1b29LUo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNZ7wGBC80
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MGclfbM1
　　「紫藤……？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaK31hyb8x
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9VT7MRkLR
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf9rUygRXA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUs7lXzEnN
　　「紫藤？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8yLtFPlwW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW5IjpIBCJ
　　那是聽起來令人舒服的聲音。就算被唸一整天也不會感到累吧。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZY4wJYb6i
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwvwSqYiOn
　　「紫藤！」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXuohBByVG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS5eMKFRn0
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymx4tL315O
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmuxab8SG5
　　被紅姐在耳旁大聲一喊，紫藤才回過神來，再次動起掃把掃起前一個客人落下的頭髮。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBkVGs7mHr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU6jGW4jhf
　　「妳今天是怎麼了？完全都在發呆喔。」紅姐用著那形狀漂亮的眼睛看著紫藤問，雖然說得嚴厲，但語氣比起責備、更多的是擔心。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaYdVxt0yo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3UapUlHYC
　　「……沒有。」紫藤故作正經地錯開視線，卻就連頭髮沒有掃到都沒有發現。

258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBSm7vex58
　　紅姐嘆了口氣後，就叫住紫藤並把手背貼到了紫藤的額頭上。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd97i4yFWMs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguHbnLVwjV
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2lyWZ0JBK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrqjSM8Pxk
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaZ9kvZj9S
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYePHOiNrh
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF0Fo99mhe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq3fF0URDw
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44jPuLGBn5
　　來到洗手台前，紫藤用力地搓著手、捧起水往自己的臉上潑去。但無論怎麼做，都還是洗不掉昨晚手上殘留的破碎觸感、與印在眼裡那張血肉模糊的臉孔。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUELHztRYc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11yeDfCq7C
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lb4XrnFGg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s7Kw75Dc1
　　但，這就是自己所希望的道路。倘若連這點程度都會感到害怕，又有什麼資格去完成復仇？258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmSRUcmVGB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvYyWR7nCL
　　沒有什麼是一開始就能夠習慣的。無論是什麼事都是如此。只要跟著杜若、慢慢地習慣後——258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mRbzIKjjn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NmXQfOiE5
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemxKhwB9J3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwklSzqcgn
　　紫藤用指尖輕輕地碰了瀏海上的紫花髮夾，髮夾便就像是有生命力似地搖晃起來。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntkYaVSNUB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ68TZH9WMX
　　連當初那被自己給嫌棄太大的髮夾，如今也顯得幼稚到有些滑稽了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRvlLfmrrd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ik4u8zZ03
　　而那天的相遇，正是使停滯的時間終於得以轉動的楔子。這副模樣、就是時間的齒輪正推移著的證明。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14SftwTROq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbwaglgkTP
　　不能再停滯不前了。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjWRhr2N03
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi8pjnQH5G
　　自己正成長著。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjZJ2gwXrK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWMBS9u2Q7
　　紫藤這麼相信。258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMJQmUlyOx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0B9BFO4dz