當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNxZf7h7QE
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VtjivpsAF
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMc6A2J0JS
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR2Qrdz9ex
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZvDgjDvY
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tPt03dnWm
　　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：348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e0pFMwEXB
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLU4xEY0Wy
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8PNmgXdko
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y5SmVhbhP
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLbpue1QTr
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGHlnLdom2
　　「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。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEDke79CbF
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPacVBlzrv

　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXtAI75uyY
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCh64YixkS
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5ejHjMJY4
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZw3gtM8Qf
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OXglQincz
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmUkFPeePG
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcjx0G6Msh
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk3KpTPXz9
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp9EfkOskQ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvMKv6MbSf
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LkCwnSIGa
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTASIFDWAq
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuabeDT8MD
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrMvtXndBF
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcooATxA00c
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGgfs93b26
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLinhOVrkE
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCmioOQ8Lf
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YTiWqGbWu
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqwsmLkFeu
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkDPzSMdjq
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xUDuH33XU
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWFFwX93nb
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd2uKGKoS9
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxs7WZHY1X
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXIKAKADCI
　　「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。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoFOqGo3pI
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVCoL3vvDC
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXb31iiX3D
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis3VFQea0H
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPCE3J0yaR
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1SzlWZ3oI
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycP8gcqYq4
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgama1tUxE
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJR14Boeps
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjoWF2oBEn
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV7Eb1c4cg
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgRaKujWH1
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZm94QUlUO
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboo9fh3NJE
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGP6ETXo91
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIyYwoD2sG
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiQSsv7KET
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NJHfZYxGg
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vjadIIbhM
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbsZ8MwVDY
　　「嗯……好。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1KoLcjeza
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs1wCF1n73
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKKdD2Aen
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5LtpbTDIg
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmhhU6SfVO
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Anhf1HRgL
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFv9vltTMG
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTCzmiaJ0M
　　「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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDif6NqgwN
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fh2ey79qv
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUTy7JYBL
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjpTUMou1l
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RMd61vfwo
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Z4Ff7DFV
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJjduyiGbZ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz1EZdMxnC
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuV2GXFsTz
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdSN1ly1Yl
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWgEXWBEtk
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWX6fKno4V
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcPsbzGZdf
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmCgqq2yek
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFPe3T4KEw
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UbRSNhc2n
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsjO743Z4M
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEct6DzoLo
　　「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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0YJXx238d
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOaU3Qzm4S
　　『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。』348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVFoKxmWLJ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgZkFels7n
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCroWk0iEXY
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh58Ao5FCzq
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9B6YzP9po
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo4YgjZE7y
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZk3rvMDvA
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrsBJSHCom
　　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？348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup58EveupZ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxu7EE4ua9
　　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？348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrQyndi60v
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXP020HS4a
　　「……我不知道啦。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy768umx79w
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GzW5L2uGA
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3dc891Izi
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xKm9tGYUB
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xELNVrGdX
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQcRjjtF49
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfK5mAorDi
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hImg1XjmI
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWGW58X2V9
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2oQeXppt
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WWtOKgEh9
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K7uJkaiRt
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgNPJ9WQlh
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPTc8JdOIv
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5pF8Rdqur
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBABLrsedCe
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7QQRne4U6
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV9fNzHnBv
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eOWOzm8Se
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJP1I6agvS
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4FOSzmPBV
　　※348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE6GRqqRRk
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KPp8gRG8I
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAkupU2VSZ
　　「紫藤……？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmnL9LiLTp
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxwjGtKBvd
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIzHYIgsO0
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAC9sr6Y7Z
　　「紫藤？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j78J8cwzR
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ194ZMZSwt9
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24Itf99aQr
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtrTpg4RD9
　　「紫藤！」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9ytnnzOJB
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbou8C3oRh
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1ASTQsbvc
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3TPr3vQ5H
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKKC90G1Mb
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe4afgeLEk
　　「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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ6ShPRie0
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaidE4uNdi
　　「……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。

348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhitkMuRd8H
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZwt52xNnU
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuAUwMF8BB
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDVHDDEaiD
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsnD4zM68u
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgstpE7WNdJ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mn7NqHsu0
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdU8MNmQzc
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9wFYNl9gc
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIUtSA8GvQ
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvndIg18HV
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTkqyDlMnR
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywqhoukVjt
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNLCIZsYQm
　　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？348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqquHoG6DC4
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWdRIa06Kd
　　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——348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkMyWVJXAI
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1R9cfdi3e
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0LSOhR3vb
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw1MT2Mtvo
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bgPyvK9gT
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GmTRzcfJU
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWYKwxYMgM
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcclmZ3Sy5
　　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。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX7aihQyvE
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOONLHakmVZ
　　不能再停滯不前了。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OrX50adKj
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUCraGe4py
　　自己正成長著。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eYpNqoUvZ
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQSosENO5U
　　紫藤這麼相信。348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pSHxl8QbK
348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Gruxt6g7