當杜若回到家時，夜已經深了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwRkApHOib
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQsVNaHZw2
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsjwAm9TlA
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGWi59AFkb
　　「怎麼這麼晚？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV9y5PPbpx
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jjI3gjRlT
　　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：354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvODZnlmpWE
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFvF9ByhWm
　　「和朋友在鎮裡玩過頭了，不小心就拖到現在了、嘿嘿。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTRSqXkdXf
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVxgGcbU0Z
　　這樣……應該不算是說謊吧？354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd9Rg85NSz
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbeQMswTIO
　　「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。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD5ajo323G
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWmal3dA5l

　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZpIdhQuEr
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAzrFesnU7
　　「當然吃了，我才沒有忘記喔！」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYaEo0sWfj
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9hazABveo
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfgo22W49t
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cMEVHlq8J
　　「但我還是要吃！」杜若精神奕奕地舉高手繼續說道。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9tKWfkyOi
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUODhGuHOd
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli64HWS8rG
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV8dndRKUj
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuj9R9zB5x
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQm6Jl235d
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT7fQoFDDd
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0JKnkSwbe
　　「「感謝神今天也賜予我們豐厚的一餐。」」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SaGESe9wi
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMt5lK0pg6
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdazmJLVCy
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26lW94hllj
　　「朋友是鎮裡的人嗎？」嚥下一口後，陶壺叔隨口地問。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSFPqdllmM
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pVnDH8I8f
　　「嗯，是一個在鎮裡長大的女孩子喔！」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfND7QM5oiW
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG890CN3zym
　　「喔？是個怎樣的女孩子呀？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFJNaimbrF
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3aeHDTFaU
　　杜若的腦袋中立刻浮現了紫藤那總是板著的臉。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyNOEECASQ
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHfTLx2gYE
　　「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。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmfVGZZQEI
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNXail9GlV
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPithMyjid
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RLbtc1es1
　　「哈哈哈！那可還真是辛苦人家了。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNc94ZXxMg
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV8j1LKZGR
　　「咦？為什麼嘛！」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyjo8vctkR
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch80FgyGrN
　　陶壺叔沒有回答，只是繼續大笑了幾聲後又喝了口湯。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdonWIk2h7
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN89fUGBLBO
　　「……可不要給人家添麻煩了呀。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Y3NBTT0t
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvz6WZJOo9
　　「才——」

　　正要回答時，紫藤按著胸口乾嘔的畫面卻在腦海中浮現。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPJuDjODfK
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2yAInV9x
　　「才不會咧……」杜若心虛地別過了頭。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv1UuMvzBR
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6YCMlKIJC
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEmwLHubpa
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ8pytoWzv
　　「好啦、趁著水還熱著趕快去洗澡睡覺吧。我也要休息了。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHYQRnzPPp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCbZPADjk0
　　「嗯……好。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfHQaqFBLF
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW6kcQoNBU
　　說完，陶壺叔就站起身離開了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwIRf0QGEY
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh562WAcmIn
　　……自己有給紫藤添麻煩嗎？354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0lfPj41Pr
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56xK4Jz0nb
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7NKuPlzqj
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90Bnke0y5p
　　「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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZfpVwMst
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3dUpgCyLB
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dyTHmZZX0
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1XS5NSX8h
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAk3uLjkVn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2tRQEvbLB
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiCdkOumAR
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyOrbwY5Xl
　　就連這麼任性的要求，陶壺叔也都笑著接受了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Ezhceo2W
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU7viPcv1w
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy5jX1mZjR
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4juPKWss3N
　　對於這樣的陶壺叔，杜若就算說再多次謝謝也不足夠。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRKeVTptm0
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE8aVHPme0
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFD93cBr34
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwn0aVv2qv
　　但即使如此……也輪到自己幫助陶壺叔了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHauK1ut2N
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf8wXqheUy
　　「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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQufWCJ36l
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrtfq3vhud
　　『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。』354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rJPPoQKhJ
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYrLjuOHCc
　　「可是……我也很擔心陶壺叔啊。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrQv2cgcUM
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Nz8AnsOk
　　『那杜若又為什麼不問問陶壺叔呢？』354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUGUGWSkwF
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZHFhUlVT
　　「那是因為……」杜若頓時被問得說不出話了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjleCrHh3V
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bAvzO4ZAh
　　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？354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ugcFdHmmW
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0hT6XnpYK
　　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？354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HOPYXyz3E
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2P8zvB6Ge
　　「……我不知道啦。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BTRteKkeL
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfk4KAPe2Y
　　杜若鬧彆扭似地瞥向一旁，卻在這時候想起了紫藤的臉。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC9RlxkEpv
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRg6o77fik
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrst7K7O8Tp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslWwOcNxqx
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vr30hvaFX
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrW72Q3q2w
　　但就算卑鄙也好，杜若也不想要再孤身一人了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGPQYS3Q7V
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNUzV9svhP
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3uNxC2kqM
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNtu9L1dbU
　　「……可以告訴我到底要怎麼做嗎？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbMjTkIQAm
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VeJAZmXtv
　　杜若抿緊了下唇、像是在尋求解答似地轉過了頭。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTSqVzgV1x
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRDHIiUAZr
　　「爸爸、媽媽。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OvekimiIa
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1cltJKiAS
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD0biRCW0g
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMYEsZEBdn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEDIP7TME3
　　※354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoZz38qB4c
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wTVrvG3Zp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjs8UCjXHl
　　「紫藤……？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ck0772NAp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWQkXwnxZ9
　　一道熟悉的聲音掠過耳旁。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvY0zQHUjp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEDnWj9Wcj
　　「紫藤？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGf111SeeC
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWxqQiIUuo
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4oM2pSKWp
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezF92B05Nf
　　「紫藤！」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iBxZBdbk3
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A8N1pwb42
　　「……我在！怎麼了嗎？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T2WeXXVhx
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiVawoxgAL
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlLMtmfDNw
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouKbzjNYw8
　　「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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVlC4MW9dy
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnokVbuKzQw
　　「……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。

354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WdWv0iRMw
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM70e18oPjV
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOxkKbPit9
　　「也沒有生病、要喝點熱水嗎？」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfTcYUgpDb
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJxeXn93EQ
　　「不、不是那樣的……」紫藤甩開似地搖了搖頭，緊接著說：354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1IIDw9BMG
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ACE9ykfiV
　　「我去洗把臉就好。」354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UdwrwJFr
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wcjMdyULj
　　說完，紫藤便拉開門逃跑似地跑了出去。

354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszZTeHn069
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchxURfgmtf
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibb5EYmoli
　　鏡中映出的自己，簡直就像是剛淋了雨一樣狼狽。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1mvnSV5Bn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy5Lwhggp9
　　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？354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYfa8Uts2h
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TbSevIFWS
　　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——354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyNO1EgjSC
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnId3LSWxl
　　——到時、自己必定要親手手刃那個奪走自己一切的人。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5HuqNkxbE
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7EAaECEun
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWhLmt8uWX
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVD4hmQMZI
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7IuqIYnBb
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmxItARovA
　　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。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQUC0aV6lC
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdur0uTTfaZ
　　不能再停滯不前了。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUUsRxZ3Lz
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1NQ4iUr3
　　自己正成長著。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M4nkYKUgD
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ6ocqHQWD
　　紫藤這麼相信。354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh7QngmwHO
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRf5eNQ955