Maximum 17.5
The Backpack
"So Vmon and I have been arguing about this thing for ages, and we just have to ask you to settle this."
Takeru looked up from his cleaning work. He leaned on the broom like a staff as he turned to Daisuke and Vmon. "Yes?"
"Just what do you keep in that backpack of yours? You know, that one that looks like it's been stuffed nearly to exploding?"
"Really? That's what you want to know about?" Takeru laughed. He set aside the broom, then walked over to where he had set aside his large bulging green backpack and slid it over toward Daisuke. "Here, you can see for yourself."
Daisuke and Vmon exchanged a look, then stared down reverently at the overstuff backpack like it was a holy relic that had just floated down from the sky above. Daisuke's hand shook slightly as he reached out to undo the clasp holding the top flap of the backpack in place.
"Careful," said Takeru, turning back to the broom. "It's stuffed pretty tightly, so it might spill out all at once if you open it too fast."
But Daisuke had already undone the strap and pulled at the opening with all his strength. The next moment the bag was vomiting its contents over him and Vmon. Both of them were knocked down by the sheer force of the sudden liberation.
Daisuke and Vmon found themselves on their backs, looking up at the sky. Both of them blinked, then slowly made their way back up into a seated position. They looked down at what they were covered in.
Hats.
Three plain gray bucket hats identical to the one Takeru was currently wearing. A small sturdy green hat with a small blue rhinestone decoration on the brow. Two white baseball caps with very long brims. A wide-brimmed black cowboy hat. A red baseball cap. A black grenadier's softcap. A military style green jeepcap with tinted goggles. A dark green beret with a golden crest on the front. Two fedoras, one red and one blue. A tricorn hat. A worn tophat.
Daisuke and Vmon looked up at Takeru, who was shaking his head as if disappointed. "I did warn you to be careful," he said.
Daisuke and Vmon stared back in shock. "Seriously?" they said together. "Hats?"
"What? I collect hats. It's a hobby of mine."
"Hats?"
"Everyone needs a hobby."
Daisuke and Vmon looked at each other. They looked at the pile of hats atop them. "Hats."
"Do you mind picking those up for me?" asked Takeru. He resumed sweeping. "I'm a little busy myself here."
