當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1PO0F3Z3z
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt54Wua6s0b
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQkgxeWOec
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU5HwQZRxg
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKGZZ0JSAw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgQvn0FMzh
　　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：393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvtpRExzSI
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA3tA8kcVc
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea2c01txDD
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtgHLf3YoQ
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3QQWoZUFA
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFHfVd9e7g
　　「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。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGv3552Vfp
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqq3zwKpjy

　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMFsuvsDwJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbk9qzxmiN
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwTtFL8xvO
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR1tJH9vke
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtvZeCUytl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREv4l0Da1Q
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaMoxJNrzX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3xHY3L5MS
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaqPIXwT9C
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYJWZfhKsH
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FcMcPitfS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2jj3Yg9z1
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg4OHJ6XN8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCkp6866cE
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQqBTAC4rT
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWwZfulpwf
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzl3JwImPU
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Z61sa1ZC
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbws8HLclt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh4T7pByaD
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zaagkih9O
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsYb9c2G4c
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrTyYn7u4E
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qf5fpJsLx
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRpRmQryJa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQtxSKgGQA
　　「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。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKNBk8DcGz
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunHmVmxQGp
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY8BK7LEH1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5jYU2FzzV
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMYNUSo3P6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52BYpebxcq
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqwVcXIHlr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oBqTId5Ky
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhZaoFsq8I
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFCNVEKziQ
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNFD8i0GzO
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mot1EJlAk
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnkwkgcy6m
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTqKc6PhW5
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4uHZWVMFg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Z62yUZyK
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8ZXfGL0KZ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXctkvUS3B
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTtmO40a2U
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDUQu4jRAH
　　「嗯……好。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfxJHdVli6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd89DOoW7u
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz0zEiZfbM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqHQt83QhO
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9cLwJ50pj
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzK9ev3qAU
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqr6NvKNoJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhvXaLWrfh
　　「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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwMNbfzryz
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fm5IgufH1
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nRVxgJieB
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNYdzUHwr0
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE8pHVqdZH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMDgpX5ofW
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3yrsTTRWn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMSPSoKlp0
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgQIndchhX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrtcXr5KUr
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxEhOImHGn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcsUdQriAA
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSjmmZqBrR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3VpwYlzdx
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfGhwp3JLA
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsooDRFN4m
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Fab4m6GU
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7yCuzX9iP
　　「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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oYtxC0rfI
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj15LfFG8DQ
　　『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。』393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxWIN8ucFs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfitgJ35F1l
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhac7j5sMl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r0GZWCou1
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWPfMYUVW5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj51fpXKQcf
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0se5EP7iaa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBqAfKmOSb
　　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？393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdcCeZfzSv
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPIdD9SmVi
　　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？393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ899s5PGTuk
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Yk0LLylw
　　「……我不知道啦。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Wpv0YMap
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27e5k67lMw
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxikkhS2QK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFfYAdLhke
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel3FDMIwxL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQMS9ePqIS
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZDbOxtxN
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvFAYt0FYn
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0yq9kSTaE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xcusNbAeG
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXyTJKqyOc
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kh6ktiF62
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4zihlRDMM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZBqxzS5zw
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbes4sAHln
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAni7fg4bgr
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFiL0ISDkB
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAndyHXpNI
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5zSjtcJoF
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD0Xh7J0xX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T2o8ht0Fc
　　※393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUYJyfdeC3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0rPfpzQuD
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoRsIfG92Z
　　「紫藤……？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NeFrxRiL2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXbiF9WR1g
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GzYy0LtSN
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0glmlyz13
　　「紫藤？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelWAb5ACcm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKPLTtcVuq
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gc1Mdscol
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0TfCKgJKg
　　「紫藤！」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAuAxzGrHl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hJOgle7L
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6DJAJGIwt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9R3NwALQG
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8GFUTSBH8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqgS41ky4O
　　「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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UKhw31ZXn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LvVaplEU6
　　「……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。

393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwnPliN9zd
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gTFogHbXH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iHRi0hbK5
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNcGqhuglg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RhkFp0z28
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFx1ilJDCX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGooxGXa36
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ldRPSCyb1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWPagzScp0
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbEx3DtIcv
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7c4mYQSdf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTe7xWjwb9
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aZJSPLW3m
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQj5qbl9K2
　　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？393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsSPVxvPAx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39xMhlWUWG
　　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——393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FHSrvhiX9
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmbcGBKPzc
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cU6k2O9G5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wj7szkIt
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmzJLpuRQr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8SiMWFBjB
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowD1y62zy7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCs1DqYxoB
　　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。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7dDvjJp5I
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWL7BOg48c
　　不能再停滯不前了。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe9mYJQTxa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFUelXZ8s8
　　自己正成長著。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjSoapi6ne
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mI4cCP0NT
　　紫藤這麼相信。393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQahAqBrFZ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHLbXDedJj