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Sweep the floor. Flip the chairs on top of the tables. Wipe down the counters. Rotate the inventory in the fridge. Close out the cash registers. Lock the doors.
It’s relaxing work. He’s starting to understand what Kyutaro saw in it.
“Papa Rei!”
Skidding around the corner in bare feet, Miri barrels into the room. She rockets into Rei’s legs like a round from a .45, hugging his knees with hands still damp from her evening bath.
He pats her soggy hair. “Brushed your teeth?”
“Eeeeeee!” She beams up at him. “Seeeeeeeee? All cleeeean!”
“Very clean.” Rei’s finished polishing the last plastic cup (glass cups and Miri don’t mix). He places it on the stack. “Where’s Papa Kazuki?”
“Playing Morio Kart!”
“Practicing, huh?” Rei scoffs. “Like he stands a chance against the Miri-Rei Alliance.”
“Yeah!” Miri cheers. “Kick his butt, kick his butt!”
“That’s my girl.”
Miri giggles, and when Rei bends down, she jumps into his arms. Unfortunately, her weight lands on the wrong side. A searing pain rips through his right arm, shoulder to elbow, and for a second everything flashes white.
“Miri-” He traps the rest of the shout behind gritted teeth. “Miri, no. Not that arm, remember?”
“Ah-” Miri steps back, curling inward. Her tiny brow twists with worry. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He scoops her up with his left arm. It’s more than strong enough to lift her. She buries her face in his shoulder, and he strokes her hair.
Nowadays, his right arm isn’t good for much besides stroking Miri’s hair. But there’s no task more important.
Approaching the stairs, he switches off the lights, and the diner is blanketed in peaceful shadow.
“Let’s go play, Miri.”
Miri nods, smile returning in full force. “Miri-Rei Alliance, goooo!”
“Goooo.”
They climb towards the light together.