[Not one to show emotion himself, Matoba merely watches the boy's reaction with his unmoving, small smile, letting himself lament this a little. Ah, it wasn't good, was it... Neither to allow himself to slip into fancies of affection, or to encourage it from others. But in a way, he couldn't help being glad that Chongyun found successes in his role despite that kindness.]
[It had been the same tug of war between frustration and admiration many years ago.]
[He tears his gaze away to unpack the plastic utensils and paper plates that the employees had hastily shoved into the plastic bag, peeling a plate off for Chongyun first, and then himself.] I'd be delighted. Ah, the flavor, they said, was "birthday cake". I wonder what "birthday" tastes like?
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[Not one to show emotion himself, Matoba merely watches the boy's reaction with his unmoving, small smile, letting himself lament this a little. Ah, it wasn't good, was it... Neither to allow himself to slip into fancies of affection, or to encourage it from others. But in a way, he couldn't help being glad that Chongyun found successes in his role despite that kindness.]
[It had been the same tug of war between frustration and admiration many years ago.]
[He tears his gaze away to unpack the plastic utensils and paper plates that the employees had hastily shoved into the plastic bag, peeling a plate off for Chongyun first, and then himself.] I'd be delighted. Ah, the flavor, they said, was "birthday cake". I wonder what "birthday" tastes like?