當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf8HLKz8pf
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPSYz7o8TT
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32O6V9oIXX
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW8aHUNJYr
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8wA2giF0N
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dFbLVWgrp
　　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：373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnPpTFqqgt
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBay4wD1eRl
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PoQ1sbPPS
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk97weefPg
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2PEX77MNS
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrb93MgG1l
　　「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。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1RhNyXU0S
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGafrQXTWzm

　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P5wgEbqpz
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQo6KaedZU
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegcWcDGCWd
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZIzid7w4Y
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS5TgABwBm
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtDE8fAzaR
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fri87j4cF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnALcfvWQn3
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm8ZqTooSd
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHXyMrqz8q
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIHmBSefWG
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5flg6Z2C6d
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJzishIAPq
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeUwEKYOe2
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s9dfrHXAj
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFLGG30TWQ
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyniwonodB
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdc6eUmaNG
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMJBZErMl8
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe29vqLjXhk
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj0vOEllpU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmE93OYHNu
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzzM3StMKr
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BqXOEPfxe
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI15AUcE4z
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXNrvjT8ZW
　　「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。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsCIcuMUXK
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ4HdP4RIT
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoVnTM9CMn
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFqW2gKquN
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqFhusEuaj
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNacJIdofe3
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWB3JXNH6q
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhGkg9a2w
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeSEC0FDUl
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzk7xaGCew
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFljg0r2NC
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxsixIpwH4
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmLiuBvp2m
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm1qjAw4kb
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88d2jLbieo
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtil3zuZcvb
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLThzhnqcwT
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fiN61bQ2n
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdBSmYoXH2
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovuXdNMEMa
　　「嗯……好。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgj8eXTs0k
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbcOcuumeQ
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu1B5sJ54a
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslKBvFJX97
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLnQtR2vLU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30OnkmTlop
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CfMqmFf2f
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYhP4mzo3A
　　「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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uynmWYdp0
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzigFYAdkQ3
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6itTLK6IU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNajVHXSCWP
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jLZXUeJeF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fl0jQsNGB
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCw1hqbMTm
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHclR8WVJ7U
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkvarkXcn0
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvwzZNdkOs
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgKxoh0Mf2
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmtndzh7K3
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWLpi9tfIx
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCeaNpQzhx
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtXIkIDZRk
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpnV1gXWD9
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlyIzagDnU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5B8sDpjws
　　「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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MPBdkuIOw
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HuAoxS0CU
　　『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。』373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz8qCvtPkI
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6L5knP9E0
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb57kzhexnh
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tSUPZ9vxf
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKUlD6J7HB
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO7c16kvB8
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LIKXZy0K8
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdb1nfPo2z
　　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？373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq5vq1QtOJ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeKC5ZkVNv
　　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？373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZEIz4PRQH
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxecSJuoJB
　　「……我不知道啦。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNAV8rDh4y
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnztrxJfJFy
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAoulPDY37
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyRPfkAqYP
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiaGq4V11F
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1bdWWpR9b
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSueNAhBFpb
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpR9zwX7JX
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzsZIBwadE
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnme542VObw
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XG8ittZZa
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3hWzRoyzm
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN15CVrINe
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjUQXYzBWW
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAB52dN0mb
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQTer8SPgH
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbQ2IbB443
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1EpR6aHdr
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO5E0G3ebl
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW3qAF28uF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFaOnekyUs
　　※373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSgLNfJOOF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlvkb5IooY
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyImeKuQGkT
　　「紫藤……？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucTnCE85Gp
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspotqJfVrl
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi9CVXHUmw
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHpT5rqkkM
　　「紫藤？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrYnzZvBnr
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnX9AdqI8p
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp033vhZPU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQNyH3WMiz
　　「紫藤！」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eQsuFFeVP
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNot9dMDSr
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRtpjfHHox
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsUiPiFsmD
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rumqdTJdl
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBdxgMchi0
　　「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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IHLBvjuKM
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBImPJOeVKD
　　「……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。

373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y6pozcauC
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcbGrAP5M5
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32yrgH4jK1
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr5RJpNsOX
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYpec9cjzV
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJaZPC4tcz
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pGjWtPU4v
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwd8lTq09B
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg71BFHPAGU
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVeHJMqUdM
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeMidwo3WG
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPyW5RgRDs
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbMC5fyJTF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO72uDjvLxa
　　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？373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSzw1LKxwX
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFMx4wVGB4
　　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——373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHjr78eN71
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfg0CnGJKG
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZkq6kylfv
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqx8z2PCag
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIFbOxhXtV
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuhzHyTvRB
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ6wVdNd1D
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw237gUUbj
　　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。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8vihKWUSr
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJWK88U89h
　　不能再停滯不前了。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0X4YDikLO
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupNyoIcbsR
　　自己正成長著。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafsEknSrTo
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxK0mobTre
　　紫藤這麼相信。373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H919NWqYa
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaiKOaPzc9