當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIoxH78JTB
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnav3fI7ap9
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxJPSgaleD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhbuHiFdg6
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWtLZwsCBa
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebkv1OhZ7u
　　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：404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfADp0p0C2i
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2S3LfKhzJ
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNPgYGEETt
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLKTDSwxEC
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKgf4C0cNU
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD6oJS9RhK
　　「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。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZX5uR6iYD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGawK7zWKb

　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtvuXYXdQ9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvIFABrIkz
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyit5Pau3NN
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4h5W1IbrY
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JyPldVKeC
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRBMBJ1AFq
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOT52juH06
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16GfmlOZ2M
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMPQCKfCV
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM6evTTlsg
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL9wI4ICe0
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDpPn7Dup4
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmV3TklIBJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey2kstKfMT
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIgRapUcHD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51zoiIpzsb
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7GKldwF0U
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbTQ3vwuBS
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt83NBLbugl
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9SI4vQvmS
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5ZF9ykkt0
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL9fDQ4wqq
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShkzU6rO4O
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqvvwc8wFZ
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ667SSgPZgJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV4KU7R0b5
　　「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。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHs3bCMwqk
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRxuql8ZpA
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpXpMKP4p6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYdLMeBIlZ
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyZLSqSGmG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ACH1GWTtB
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFozzccDN
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRSWc9fOl1
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBR5awA863
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy2W1Y5qvt
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXMRPTF0sA
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejqlKEjYF8
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ695SbrThP8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2IQgEoGVW
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhjzFBE1cw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA2do2kIBy
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZVRWY0HWa
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg78XpiLWT
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6am5tbWVR9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMnAcQ1Vg9
　　「嗯……好。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgP81nEECd
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bgiHVCR81
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhKoQTsS9Q
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RAl7Mxq1f
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQTL4VLJZo
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyteEGTFXS
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCHORAbByT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ifKpAdj1
　　「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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR05C0AAbeO
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJmwLsie7p
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKYJ5czwLi
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9gBjpz1rJ
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuKY6nCpN6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ckokZ4GAU
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyDFm6gYPI
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAfq8urjYM
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQjbV1Me8D
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAXxNaWkw3
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUha7uBGryY
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmTAstR6vj
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupmjrjZDmJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fmoge13df
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGoD1Rmtn6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ocK8hjV4
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgtR4Fx9E6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSKZZHF4rQ
　　「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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGVALcO9pM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJmKtdL9jd
　　『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。』404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76WENqxhQ6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA3G9KzNqo
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat5hFLHFLi
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nk3IZ1vyU
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC0AuISVCA
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJgfUu0Apc
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoibyEY5tw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjHexeZaA
　　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？404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnNNlHuzAU
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IgNwRRKe6
　　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？404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrJRFQddSS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheSYRN8jga
　　「……我不知道啦。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A2rXZ36gf
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlskNs4rhnR
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKry8qhQR2
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ479XJWZ5Bx
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKBKVctszT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrMnbf0xWR
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2C1ZD2V2A
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHz1TSwWwq
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IMtlxYIvP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TpZxxlOsp
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNnlqEB8jK
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtNzpf29Ej
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD4pVWRmNG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYwAMnZfci
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1w9q4CTQh
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2xHq1OSzW
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwK12rwwkA
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5unGeAD7Y
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGaHg9mlOq
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbrk5J8zhK
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqZ6rHwE6p
　　※404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3V471WQKM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8atVocRxyR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNusaF9qh0
　　「紫藤……？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZkDCnxGgS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfHnoauzxJ
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9p8Y7WiB8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAdSklxnTT
　　「紫藤？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerRkn6XmVi
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm6ucIqIbv
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7qIc51knu
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx5cA48vkK
　　「紫藤！」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lp17v4omY
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWyWPCVlLJ
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgp5uWAOZ0
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqtQwHQeTs
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIgUXEjSyL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvyFWZcZa1
　　「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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1C0ql4wM6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7u4tiDyCr
　　「……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。

404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmz7VBRMx6
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfOqgjvWIY
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhOuFZC1xa
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi44LcRC4R
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnNEQv0iY5
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYstHfhh71c
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQzryCYb5B
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCm4XtITJK
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPzDATSxuc
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjN5wBnO15
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH98q3h37m
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFOJbzJgHv
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7GHiRCSyU
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OsoD9NQKI
　　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？404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34nGxTimdS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvCVgrKesr
　　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——404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZawY5CeRl8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErUAby3Top
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGR6OqtYki
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bxKLIdfbb
　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34MII7DH2j
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　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldwAsdqqm5
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　　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。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630TNnptWa
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　　不能再停滯不前了。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZSvlYUi6I
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　　自己正成長著。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqwNEhHf1M
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　　紫藤這麼相信。404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRDYl8cHeS
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