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Things were pretty quiet at Odd Jobs. No clients, no robots or cat women or old bats knocking at the door for rent. Just Gintoki, Shinpachi, Kagura and Sadaharu. Gintoki lay on the couch reading the latest Jump issue while Kagura helped Shinpachi clean.
Shinpachi had turned the television on a few minutes ago so he had something to listen to while he cleaned. Gintoki heard a familiar voice and looked up to see Ketsuno Ana reporting the weather.
“Jeez. More rain?” Gintoki sighed. “Should've stopped by now. Anymore and we'll drown.”
“That's what the street drains are for.” Shinpachi noted, maneuvering in between him and the table that was across from him with a mop.
“I was joking.” Gintoki sat up. “Why are you cleaning? I thought you did that yesterday.”
“I did, but someone forgot to take his muddy boots off.” Shinpachi snarled as he snapped his gaze towards Gintoki.
“Sorry.” He apologized.
“And take your empty glass to the sink if you're done with it. I'm tired of you leaving your dirty dishes everywhere.” Shinpachi picked up the glass that Gintoki used for his strawberry milk and handed it to him.
“I'm not done with it.” Gintoki said. He grabbed the cup from the glasses holder and got up from his seat.
He strided to the fridge and opened it. He grabbed the carton and opened it but was met with a horrific sight - there was no more strawberry milk.
“Pachi!” Gintoki shouted from the kitchen. “You're going to the store soon, right?”
“Yeah, why?” Shinpachi responded.
“I’m out of strawberry milk. Can you pick me up some while you're out? I'll pay you back.” He asked.
“Sure. Do you need anything else?” Shinpachi asked.
“Nah, I think I'm good.” He answered.
Gintoki stumbled back into the living room and sat down, picking his book back up.
“Hey, didn't they recall strawberry milk?” Kagura inserted. Gintoki shot upwards at her comment.
“Just one brand.” Shinpachi chided.
“W-Which one?” Gintoki sputtered, nervous that the thing he had drunk all these years and loved so much wasn't going to be available anymore.
“What, you don't know? It was on the news yesterday.” Shinpachi answered. He sat down across from Gintoki.
“That doesn't help me!! Which one??” Gintoki blurted.
“The one you drink.” Kagura stated.
“You can't be serious. This is a joke! This is one huge joke!! You guys are joking!!! There's no way!!!!” Gintoki nervously mumbled to himself.
“No, she's right. It is the one you drink. It got recalled because there were some weird chemicals in it.” Shinpachi noted.
Gintoki’s soul practically left his body. How was he going to get his sugar now!? Sure, he could buy some pudding or a parfait but those tend to be a bit pricey. His milk was the only thing he could enjoy that was cheap, and he didn't have to leave the comfort of his home to get it. (Unless he was out, of course.)
“But… But…. I'm fine.. It never affected me! And I've been drinking it for a while!!” Gintoki whined.
“It's not that big of a deal. I'll just get another brand for you.” He replied. “ And stop whining! It’s getting annoying.” Shinpachi barked, obviously getting upset at the grown man for crying over such a thing as strawberry milk.
“But it is a big deal!! All the other ones are too watery. That one was perfect..” Gintoki teared up.
“Do you hear yourself!? You're crying over spilled milk - literally. You sound like a child.” Shinpachi hissed.
Gintoki slumped down in his seat.
“Kagura! Put your shoes on, we're leaving!” Shinpachi called for Kagura as he stood up and started for the door. Kagura soon followed.
Gintoki was left alone with his anguish that his absolute favorite brand of strawberry milk had been recalled. It was as if he was on the battlefield and had just lost a life long comrade. It was like if a little girl let go of her puppy’s leash and it got hit by a car. The sadness he felt was real. Who cares if it was something as simple as a beverage? He still had a right to be upset. There's got to be someone else out there who feels the same way as him, right!?!?
★
Gintoki had fallen asleep while the kids were out. He awoke to the noise of Sadaharu greeting them at the door and the rustling of bags.
“Gin-chan! Gin-chan!! Guess what!!!” Kagura chirped as she sprung into the living room.
Gintoki groaned. “Shush. I just woke up.”
“Sorry… But guess what!”
“What?” He replied.
Shinpachi entered the room. “We were wrong. Your precious strawberry milk is safe.” He chucked the carton at Gintoki.
He held the carton in his hands. Was he dreaming?? Did he wake up inside of his dream?
He looked at the two. Then back at the carton. Then back at the kids, and then the carton.
He felt his face get hot. He realized the gravity of the situation. He really just tainted his reputation by throwing a fit over milk. And it wasn't even recalled in the first place. A grown man. Crying over milk. Wow. Shinpachi and Kagura must think he's a fool now.
“Thanks.” He muttered as he got up to go put it in the fridge. Totally not trying to hide from the two of them.
“...I thought he'd be ecstatic about it.” Kagura pouted.
“Don't worry about him. He's just weird like that. I bet he's happy.” Shinpachi assured Kagura as he patted her on the shoulder.