――Shanhaijing, Downtown area

"It just won't stop raining."

I said, slowly bringing the tea to her lips. The rain had turned the world outside the window into grayscale. The streets filled with people putting up umbrellas seemed like another realm when viewed from the quiet interior of the teahouse. Maybe it was the sound of the rain that created that effect. The faint chill creeping at our feet signaled the temperature difference between the outside and the interior.

I gazed down at a stack of copy paper on the table in front of me. "Everyone has days when they want to blend into the hustle and bustle, like a lamb in the herd," I mumbled.

"That's true... But I still like this city," she replied.

"What do you want to do in this city?" I asked.

"I just want to save a little order from the chaos... Huh. I'm also trying to save chaos."

"Police! Run!"

"!?"

My loud outburst startled her, and her eyes widened. "Sensei, that line comes later!"

"Oh, right... Sorry, I got carried away."

"Please, only you can help with this..."

"Alright, let me see... 'But you'll still uphold justice, won't you?'"

"Yeah, that's right..."

She quickly resumed her languid pose and recited the script, displaying remarkable agility, as if she had practiced it many times. "You're a righteous one."

"It's because I don't know any other way to live... Huh."

"Sensei, what about dessert after the meal? Can I bring it now?"

Rumi, carrying a tray, asked as she passed by.

"Wait a moment. I'm still with Mina..."

"Huh."

Mina smirked as she chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" Rumi voiced my inner thoughts.

"Well, maybe it's because she's so engrossed in her own world that she can't handle Rumi suddenly entering."

"Shall I take over, Sensei?"

"She insists that only I can do it..."

"Sigh. Because of you, Sensei, people are giving us strange looks. Please wrap up at a good stopping point."

As Rumi walked away, Mina continued to chuckle in her nihilistic way. "Huh."

We continued the conversation based on the script that Mina had prepared.

"Even my tainted blood... this rain will cleanse it."

As if signaling the end, silence fell.

Did the rain intensify a bit? Colorful umbrellas bloomed outside the window, casting their varied shadows on our table and then departing. They looked ephemeral and beautiful, almost like lanterns.

"That's the end. Good job," I said.

"Huh."

Mina took a sip of her tea. The atmosphere had calmed down considerably, but the corners of her lips twitched as she restrained a triumphant smile.

"Mina, I know you're lost in catharsis, but..."

I slowly began to speak.

"May I give you my honest thoughts on the script?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"I think this story might be too complex for the kids at Plum Blossom Garden."

"!?"

This time, Mina's jaw dropped.

"What... What was wrong with it!? It was a perfect script!"

"Well... don't you think the kids at Plum Blossom Garden might not understand the intricacies of Mafia honor and the police power structure?"

"Is that so...!? Sensei, what do you think...? It's interesting, right?"

"Well, I kind of like it, I guess..."

"So, that's it!"

Reijo, who brought a plate of sesame dumplings, muttered, "You're an idiot," as she walked away.

"..."

"Uh, I think it might be difficult for the kids to understand, but..."

Mina clenched her fist, and her trembling body growled.

"Ugh... The world of Noir, the world of honor... They should have universal values!"

"Well, maybe making it more understandable, like turning the enemies and allies into animals, and incorporating themes familiar to the children, like friendships and food preferences..."

I suggested a few ideas as a last-ditch effort, and surprisingly, Mina listened calmly.

"Hmm, I see..."

She seemed to consider my suggestions seriously. Her desire for the kids to enjoy the play appeared to be genuine.

— On the way back. This time, we became just another pair of shadows in the crowd, walking with umbrellas.

"Sensei, thanks for today. I'll deliver a token of gratitude from The Xuanlong Office later."

"...Let's do it after watching the actual performance."

Although we had to do a significant rewrite, it should turn out fine. The police would be represented by a dog officer, and the Mafia by a rough but justice-driven bear. It would probably be less boring than the original script.

We arrived at the bus stop and closed our umbrellas. A few passengers disembarked from the arriving bus.

"Sensei, take care."

"Yeah, see you later. I'm looking forward to it."

I extended my hand to Mina.

"Sensei?"

"Uh, well... Did the atmosphere of Mina's script rub off on me? In the world of the Mafia, don't they confirm their connection with a handshake?"

"...! Hehe."

Mina blushed and cast down her eyes, revealing an unexpectedly girlish smile.

"Sensei, sometimes you say embarrassing things."

I felt a slight warmth through her gloves.

"If you say embarrassing things with a straight face, people might think you're a weirdo. You should be careful about saying embarrassing lines in public."

Mina closed her eyes and smiled, her cheeks tinted.

"..."

I was left speechless for a while.