Homura Bakery![]
Of course, everyone in µ's gravitates to Honoka.
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Story 1 |
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Honoka: Whaaat?! I have to work in the bakery for a whole week?! 
Honoka's Mother: That's right. And no sneaking out! Honoka: Aww, come on! We've got rehearsals scheduled every day this week. Yukiho: We’re always pitching in at the store. We have to work over summer vacation, too? Honoka: Oh, I’ve got an idea. I’ll get µ's to help! There’re eight of them, so if one of them comes to help every day… Honoka’s Mother: You’re the one I asked. Don’t push my request onto the others. You’ll use up whatever trust you’ve built with them. Honoka: *Wince* Honoka’s Mother: I’ll be counting on you this week! Yukiho: Guess we’ve just gotta grin and bear it. Honoka: *Sniff* I wish I was in the club room… Yukiho: Huh? Nozomi: C’mon, Hanayo. Give it up already! Hanayo: C-C-Cut it out… Honoka: Nozomi, Hanayo! What’s wrong? Nozomi: We heard the Kosaka sisters were stuck at work this week so we dropped by to hang out! Honoka: Yay! I’m so happy to see you. Come in, come in. Nozomi: One sweet bun for each of us, please. Hanayo: No… um… No red bean paste for me! Yukiho: You don’t like red bean paste? Hanayo: I like it a lot… but I’ve been eating ice cream every day for so long, I’m blowing up like a sumo wrestler! Honoka: S-Sumo? Hanayo: That’s why I’m swearing off ice cream and red bean paste for summer break. Honoka: I gotcha. Hanayo: Honoka, Yukiho, please don’t take offense, but I won’t be eating anything today. Nozomi: Hanayo, do you realize you’ve been glued to the display case the whole time you were making that speech? Hanayo: It all looks so scrumptious… Hanayo: The sweet buns… The ohagi rice balls, perfectly mixed with red bean paste and lightly dusted with flour… Hanayo: Then again, I can always start over again tomorrow… Hanayo: One… no, two… three ohagi rice balls, please! Honoka: H-Hanayo! You’re gonna eat three ohagi by yourself?! Hanayo: Yes! Three ohagi, please! Hanayo: Homura ohagi are the most exquisite treats. You all should join me and have some too! Nozomi: *Gulp* Hanayo: Ahh, sweet ohagi, how I love thee… Honoka: Th-This is torture. Hanayo: How can such a simple treat taste so good? It must be the rice. Hanayo: Looked so satisfied eating her treats… Nozomi: We all ended up eating three ohagi apiece. Hanayo: The way they glistened, the sweetness… What a delight! Yukiho: I’ve never seen anyone enjoy ohagi that much. Nozomi: Ah ha ha… Well, eating three of them definitely blew the caloric budget for the day. Hanayo: Oh… Oh my gosh, you’re right! Honoka: D-Don’t worry, as long as you don’t eat any tomorrow… Hanayo: I’m sure I swore a solemn oath not to eat any just today. What happened? Nozomi: Let’s head back to school, Hanayo. We’ll do a dance lesson. Hanayo: Yes! I have to burn off at least a few calories! Honoka: Wait a sec! Honoka: How’s a lowly bakery employee supposed to burn off excess calories? Yukiho: You’d better be careful not to pack on the pounds this week, sis. Honoka: Eh… Heh heh… I might have already put on a couple… |
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Story 2 |
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| Yukiho: Hey, sis...
Honoka: Hmm? Yukiho: Do the two of them always act like that? They've been here talking for about half an hour. Nico: Like I said last time, our next outfits HAVE to be cotton lace! Nico: The width... should be substantial, I think. Oh, I know! What about scalloped lace? Something with lots of lovely embroidery. Kotori: The scalloped part is fine, but I don't think we have the money for embroidery lace. Nico: Then it'll be up to us to get whatever we can afford and arrange it as best we can. Hey, do you wanna do the lace in layers? Honoka: The µ's fashion experts don't waste one breath. The discussion's moving at warp speed! Yukiho: I'll say. I never imagined that making costumes went like this. Honoka: They both get deadly serious whenever the topic turns to clothing. Yukiho: All this to decide on just one type of lace. I'm kinda taken aback. Honoka: They're going to exhaust themselves at this rate. Why don't we step in and help them get a breather? Honoka: Hey, Kotori! Nico! Would you two like another cup of tea? Kotori: I think if we made the panniers out of tulle it would give a nice, fluffy look that really compliments the effect we're aiming for. Nico: We used tulle last time. We need to change everything right down to the individual types of lace, to give off a different atmosphere this time. Kotori: We're changing the entire design from top to bottom. I don't see the need to get so fixated on one thing. Nico: Of course I'm fixated on it! Lace is a key element school idol costumes! Kotori: I agree! I know how important it is. That's why I want to go with something I'm really satisfied with. Honoka: HELLOOOO! Kotori, Nico! We've got some brand-new sweets on the menu, too. Take a break for a minute! Nico: HO-NO-KA! Honoka: Y-Yes?! Nico: Kotori and I are discussing major issues that are critically important to µ's! We can talk about your problems another time! Honoka: Yes, ma'am! Honoka: Yukiho, Nico yelled at me... Yukiho: Oh, sis... Nico: Basically, you don't want to use cotton lace this time. Kotori: I agree with you that it's tiresome to use the same lace over and over again, but I feel cotton's too gentle of an effect for what we want this time. Nico: Geez... You really can be stubborn when it comes to costuming, you know that? Yukiho: Honoka, they're not gonna start fighting in here, are they? Honoka: Nah, they're fine. Honoka: You guys are fine, right? Kotori: I want the panniers to be like nothing I've ever done before. I really need your input, Nico. Kotori: Nico... Please! Nico: Urk... Fine, fine. Nico: How about this? We'll sew flowers on the hems of the panniers instead of all over the skirts. It'll be like flowers are blossoming onstage while we're dancing. Kotori: *Gasp* Nico: Feathers might be good too. We could give our panniers a totally new look if we made them gradually change color from one end to the other. Kotori: Nico... Nico, that's it! Kotori: You always think of the perfect solution whenever I'm at a creative roadblock. Nico: Heh... Only the most meticulously designed costumes deserve to be worn by µ's onstage! Yukiho: They're shaking hands! Honoka: Wowie! What a strong bond! Kotori: I see I should consult with you right away the next time I'm stumped. Nico: You're darn right you should. My door's always open! Kotori: Hooray! Now, how about we go to the craft store? Nico: I suppose I might as well guide you till the very end. Let's head out. Kotori: Honoka, can you bring us our check, please? We'll come back to hang out another time. Honoka: W-Wait, don't leave yet! Honoka: Oh well. At least I can be sure our next outfits will be super-duper cute! Yukiho: I never knew making costumes was such tough work. I've only ever seen the finished products. Yukiho: It's a little different seeing how the girls from µ's act in normal situations compared to their onstage personas. Honoka: Really? I guess you've never really seen us hanging out in the club room. Yukiho: Nope. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since you and I worked the bakery together. Honoka: Now that you mention it... we've only been taking turns lately. Yukiho: It's rough working here day in and day out, but it's fun every once in a while. Honoka: Does that mean you'll cover for me? Yukiho: Sis, you are absolutely incorrigible! Honoka: S-Sorry! |
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Story 3 |
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| Eli: How's working at the bakery going, Honoka?
Rin: We came to hang out before dance lessons! Honoka: *Sniffle* I... I can't come to dance lessons today. Rin: Poor Honoka. Eli: Don't feel sorry for her. She needs to do a good job at the family business to make her mother's life easier. Rin: Honoka! Honoka! Honoka: Hmm? What's up, Rin? Rin: Shh! Listen. Today I'll cover your shift. Don't tell your mom! Honoka: Rin! Are you sure about this? Rin: Yeah! You're gonna get rusty if you go too long without practicing. Go to a dance lesson for once. Eli: Freeze, Rin. Only employees are allowed behind the counter. Rin: I-I know. I just had the urge to see what it's like back here. Honoka: *Tiptoe* *Tiptoe* Eli: Honoka, do you have work to do outside too? Honoka: Huh?! Umm... Just getting some fresh air? Eli: Oh? I suppose it can be tiring sitting around all day. Don't worry. We'll watch the store until you get back. Rin: The perfect crime. Yukiho: I'm back from my delivery run! Honoka: Ack! Yukiho: Huh? Sis, what're you sneaking around for? Honoka: Who, me?! Umm... Honoka: Oh, I've got a delivery to make too! Yeah, that's it! Eli: I thought you were stepping out for some fresh air? Honoka: Huh?! Oh, right! Rin: We've been busted, Honoka. Eli: You weren't trying to put one over on us, were you? Honoka's Mother: Oh! What's everyone doing here? Yukiho: Get this, mom! Honoka was trying to blow off work and sneak out! Honoka: D-Don't tattle on me! Honoka's Mother: I warned you not to try and rope your friends into covering for you! For goodness sake, you're not a little kid! Honoka: I'm sorry. Honoka's Mother: Is it really so awful here that you're trying to escape? Honoka: I don't mind watching the store. I just really want to get back to the school idol club. Honoka's Mother: Honoka, I'm happy you're working so hard at your club, but that can't be the only thing you do. Honoka: Uh oh... Another lecture about grades. Honoka: I know I always pass my tests by the skin of my teeth, but everyone in µ's helps tutor me. It's not that big a deal. Honoka's Mother: I'm not talking about your grades. Honoka: No? Honoka's Mother: Honoka, you joined that club to save the school, right? Honoka: Y-Yes. Honoka's Mother: I think it's very admirable how hard you work to benefit your school. But I want that to stop being the only thing you're working for. Honoka's Mother: In other words, don't run yourself ragged for the school's sake. Honoka: But Mom, Otonokizaka High's just as important to you as it is- Honoka's Mother: It is very important to me. But not as much as you are. Honoka: Mom... Honoka's Mother: When you dedicate yourself to something, you really go all out. It's an admirable quality. I just worry you're going to wear yourself out. Honoka: So you forced me to take a break? Honoka's Mother: No, I really do need the extra help around the bakery. But I also feel it's important that you refresh yourself by focusing on something else every now and then. Honoka: I see... Honoka: You don't have to worry, mom. At first I was doing it all for Otonokizaka's sake. Honoka: But now I have so much fun I don't wanna stop! Now I'm in the club for myself more than Otonokizaka or any other reason. Honoka's Mother: I suppose that's fine, then. Just don't forget to take care of yourself, okay? Honoka: I won't. Honoka: So Mom, this means I should prioritize myself over the Homura bakery, right? Honoka's Mother: Those are two completely separate issues! You will take responsibility and finish your shift! Honoka: Th-That's harsh... Honoka: ........................ Honoka: I had no idea mom felt that way. Honoka: Just a little more work to go. Gotta finish strong! |
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Story 4 |
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| Honoka: Umi, Maki! You came to visit!
Maki: We came to check if you were slacking off or not. Honoka: I really wanted to, but in the end I stuck it out! Umi: Honoka... You're very honest with yourself. Umi: Regardless, it's been almost a week. You should be proud of yourself. Honoka: Yup! I actually had a really good time. It's important to focus on something besides the club every now and then. Umi: Well, I'm happy to hear you enjoyed yourself. Honoka: Oh, I know! You two should stick around until closing time. You don't mind, right? Since it's the very last day? Maki: We can't. Umi and I have somewhere to be later. Honoka: Aww, no fair! Umi: We're going to the library to study. You should join us next time, Honoka! Honoka: Studying... Library... Honoka: I think I'll pass. Maki: There were a couple of topics from our last lesson that I couldn't quite wrap my head around, so I thought I'd ask Umi to tutor me. Honoka: Wow, really? That's kind of surprising, Maki. I mean, you're like a total genius already, and you tend to study by yourself most of the time. Maki: You're exaggerating. I have plenty of moments where I don't understand something. Maki: Umi is in the year above me, and she's much more knowledgeable in a lot of different areas. Honoka: Hmm... So... that means Umi's the real genius? Maki: Huh?! Will you please drop the whole genius thing? Umi: She's right, Honoka. Simply being born in a different year has no bearing on who's better than who. Honoka: Born in different years... Hmm... Umi: What is it, Honoka? Honoka: Just wondering what it'd be like if everyone in µ's was in the same grade. Maki: I don't see the point of wondering about things that simply can't happen. Honoka: Do you think µ's would be any different? Maki: If we had all been born at different time, who knows if we'd all have even enrolled in the same school? Honoka: What?! So not only might there be no µ's, I might never have even met everyone?! Maki: We'd be starting with totally different prerequisites. µ's never forming wouldn't be the least bit strange. Honoka: No way... Maki: All it means is that we should be grateful for what we've got with µ's, don't you think? Honoka: Yeah... When you put it that way, it makes sense. Umi: ............................... Maki: What's wrong, Umi? You're being awfully quiet. Umi: I agree that there's a high probability that µ's might never have formed. Umi: But frankly, no matter the reason, I can't imagine where µ's doesn't exist. Umi: I think that no matter when we were born, or what kind of lives we lived, the nine of us would have found each other and created µ's all the same. Honoka: Oh, Umi! Maki: You're quite the romantic, Umi. I don't dislike that about you, though. Honoka: So... No matter where, no matter when, eventually µ's would always become µ's. Rin: Honoka, we're here! Great job this week! Honoka: Thank you, everyone! I missed the school idol club so much! Eli: *Chuckle* And the school idol club missed you just as much. Umi: I know it's been a tough week for you, but I hope you found silver linings, too. Honoka: Yup! It was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it'd be. Right, Yukiho? Yukiho: Yes. Minding the store with you really wasn't all that bad. Hanayo: Honoka, we were just about to go rehearse. Come with us! Nico: We've improved by leaps and bounds while you were out. Honoka: R-Really?! Nozomi: Ah, ha, ha... Nico-cchi's exaggerating. Our rehearsals got pretty sloppy without you around, Honoka! Kotori: It might be asking a lot when you're tired from work, but give it your best, Honoka! Honoka: You got it! Honoka: I love being a part of µ's, and I love our club, but I'm going to work hard for my own sake, too! Maki: Huh? Is that some kind of pep talk? Honoka: Hehe. Never mind! C'mon, let's rehearse! |