Sharing the Gift

Ready?

Huh?! I can't hear you! Louder!

ARE YOU READY?!

Commencing the sacred ritual!

Safety!

Good! Let's get to work!

Huh? What's with all the ruckus this early in the morning?

Didn't you hear? That girl and the Captain are fixing houses for free.

Huh? Just like that? Sure, the homes in our neighborhood are old, but still...

It's not like we're paying them or anything. Why are they helping?

Not sure. From what I overheard...

There was a deal, I guess?

Captain! Foam concrete, nail gun, six-meter metal pipe!

What's the frame's condition? Does it need fixing?

...The center post is rusted?

Got it, I'll check it myself!

All right, repairs are done!

She fixed that almost-collapse-ready house in under twenty minutes...?

That's amazing! Hey, can you do our house too?! I'll pay you!

No need, save it.

We're fixing every house in this area today, so just wait your turn.

Captain, got your tools? If you're ready, let's move on to the next one.

Hmph! Quit whining. Here.

Special carrot juice, made with ten types of carrots. You thirsty?

...Hmm?

Why am I suddenly helping people? Hah! I already told you.

This is a deal.

We wear Petra Construction logos and fix people's homes. What do you think happens?

Every time they eat or go to bed, they'll remember Petra Construction.

Pretty clever, huh? Solid advertising, right?

So this isn't charity. It's a business move!

Huh?! What? You got a problem?!

And well... there's one more reason...

My house used to be just like these ones.

In winter, we had to sleep huddled together to stay warm.

I know better than anyone how hard it is living in a rundown house.

Just sayin'.

Pfft!

*Cough* *Cough* Y-you punk...!

This again?! You did this before, you know?

Stop spouting sappy stuff when I least expect it! You're dangerous, you know that?!

Is this a new kind of attack?! Huh?! You trying to start something?!

Miss!

Hmm?

I heard you fixed our house. Is that true?

U-uh...

Come on. You wanted to thank her in person, right?

U-um... th-thank you.

...Hah.

How old are you?

One, two... I'm five!

You close with your brother?

Uh-huh! Super close! Hehe!

Is that so? What about you, kid?

Hehe, of course we are.

I'm the oldest, so I get along with all my siblings.

...Good for you.

Here, take this.

Huh? Why are you giving this money...?

I'm not just giving it to you.

It's a deal.

A deal...?

When you grow up, take care of your parents and siblings.

Once you're out in the world, you'll have hard times.

You'll want to give up sometimes.

But you're the eldest. The future head of the household.

Be someone who keeps your home warm in winter... and cool in the summer...

Be the kind of person your family can count on.

It won't be easy. It'll be tough.

But you're the eldest. You have to do it.

Can you do that?

Miss...

I can't hear you! Is that all you've got?!

LOUDER!

Ngh...! YES, MA'AM!

I'll do it! I swear I will!

...Ha-hah! That's the face I wanted to see!

Good. Then we've got a deal!

Take care of your family.

By the way...

Huh?

You and the person next to you seem really close. Like me and my brother.

Are you two dating?

...HUH?!

Wh-wh-wh-what?! Me and Captain...?!

D-dating is for people who've got everything in life, okay?!

M-maybe if things ever calm down for me... but right now...

...Hmm?!

Really...? That's surprising. You seem so close!

R-really? That's unexpected...

What?! That's...! I did say that, but...!

Sure, I act like I hate it, but—Kgh... I hate that you're so considerate about stupid things...!

Y-yeah...

That's right... Totally...

Hmm?

Hehe! My tummy's growling. I'm hungry.

It's about dinnertime. Let's head home.

Bye! See you later! Let's meet again!

I'll keep my promise! Thank you!

Y-yeah! Get home safe.

...Yeah.

Tch!

Oh! You were there?

Sorry, sorry. I thought I was kicking the air!

...HRAAAAH!!