#two things:

Delta hadn’t left the bathroom for a long while. They only did because they had spotted a spider in a corner by the ceiling. 

Delta did not like spiders. 

Now, Delta was holed up in the bedroom Pilot had oh-so-graciously provided them. Blink was currently exploring the nightstand, crawling up its side. Could it be described as crawling? Snails didn’t exactly have feet to crawl with, Delta reasoned. But it wasn’t inching and sliding made no sense. Maybe it’s climbing? But what about when it’s on the ground?

The dilemmas of an eleven year old. Somehow Delta was more concerned with the terminology for Blink’s actions than the fact that they were kidnapped and probably wouldn’t be able to talk to their dad again. 

Anyways, Delta was lying on the floor watching Blink. They were bored and didn’t want to talk to Pilot. It was okay though, Blink made great company in Delta’s opinion. How could Pilot think otherwise?

Of course, then Pilot just had to come knocking on the door, ruining Delta’s peace. 

“Hey, you in here?”

Really? Where else would I be? Delta thought. How had this guy managed to kidnap them and cross state lines afterwards?

“Yeah.” They mumbled. If Pilot was gonna act like an idiot, Delta supposed that he could also put in effort to hear what they had to say. Besides, it would matter what they said, he would’ve just come inside the room anyways. 

Speaking of which, Pilot did open the door and step inside. Delta paid him no mind and continued to watch Blink crawl. Pilot stood for a moment and Delta could feel him stare at the on the floor. It was annoying. “What do you want, Pilot?” 

“Just checking in.” He spoke too casually for Delta. They hated it. “Seeing how you’re doing.”

“I’m just peachy.” Delta grumbled. They heard Pilot chuckle and rolled their eyes. They could care less about what he thought was funny. 

“You sound like someone’s grandma.” Pilot was still chuckling slightly. 

Huffing, Delta turned and glared at him. “It’s a completely normal thing to say.”

“No it’s not.”

“Dad says it all the time.”

Pilot stiffened, not liking the mention of Mallard. Delta saw that he was holding something behind his back. Now that Delta had been officially startled (they’d seen enough moves with their dad, people having their hands behind their back never led to anything good), they sat up and scooted against the nightstand. Blink was by their head now. 

Shaking his head, Pilot started speaking again. “Here.” He threw something soft at Delta and it hit them square in the face. It was a rainbow frog about the size of a teddy bear that Mallard owned back home. “Forgot to give this to you in the car.”

Delta just looked at him, not saying anything. There was nothing to be said;no matter what Pilot did, Delta was not going to forgive him or act like everything was fine. The whole line of “just consider me your new dad” pissed Delta off to no end. 

“You like it?” He was shuffling on his feet. Out of all things to be nervous about-

“It’s cool.” Delta mumbled. It was a cool stuffed animal, but the fact that it was Pilot who gave it to them at the moment kind of ruined it for Delta. “Very soft.”

Pilot visibly lit up. “Okay, cool.” He pointed back out the door with his thumbs. “I’m gonna go bring some stuff in that I wasn’t able to get last night. Wanna help?”

They shook their head. “I’m good.” Pilot nodded and almost sprinted away, closing the door behind him. 

Blink had climbed over Delta’s shoulder and on to their arm, investigating the newcomer in Delta’s hands. It seemingly didn’t approve, climbing back up Delta’s shoulder and up the nightstand. 

While Blink was doing all this, Delta just stared at the frog and thought. There was no way they could stay here, what about Dad? And school? Delta couldn’t miss school on top of their dad, they might have to restart a grade! But Pilot wasn’t just going to take them home, he was very adamant that they were staying in the cabin in the woods. Maybe if Delta pretended to be okay with staying, then Pilot would let their dad call. Maybe even tell him where they were. 

Or Delta could just run away at night. If they waited until Pilot was asleep, he wouldn’t even notice! And they might be able to find someone to take them home. Yeah, that would work and would be a lot quicker too. 

Homare: …

Librarian: Arisugawa-san, the illustrations will be projected from over here—

Homare: Yes. I understand.

Librarian: These illustrations are lovely.

Homare: I had a friend’s assistance.

[Flashback starts]

Kazunari: Aririn, this is so neat~! The contrast between the illustrations and the text is wowzers! 

Homare: The problem is, unlike with the text, I just can’t quite get the illustrations to match the atmosphere.

Kazunari: Hm~ If I were to try to match them, I’d probably do something like this. This part right here needs a bit of a lil special something.

Homare: Oh, that is good.

Kazunari: Aririn Papi’s illustrations are nice and gentle~ I love these kinda illustrations!

Homare: … Kazunari-kun, could I have you draw the illustrations for my dramatic reading?

Homare: I would like to formally commission you.

Kazunari: Woah~ You don’t have to commission me, I can do this for—

Kazunari: Ah, I see, the value of each painting and poem is decided by each and every individual who sees or hears it, right?

Homare: Yes. That is precisely it. I am asking you exactly because I believe your art is worthy of accompanying my piece.

Kazunari: This dramatic reading must be real important to you, Aririn.

Kazunari: Okies~ I’m accepting the job! I’ll make it extra pretty for Aririn Papi too. You just leave it to me!

Homare: I will be counting on you.

[Flashback ends]

Homare: (Please watch me, Father… This is my challenge.)

Librarian: Arisugawa-san, it’s almost time.

Homare: Yes.

Child A: Are we starting~?

Child B: He won’t come if we’re not quiet.

Homare: “Ahem! Hold your tongues, please!”

Child C: Ah, there he is!

Homare: “By the way, to hold your tongue means to keep quiet. I wouldn’t want you guys to be shoving your hands in those big mouths of yours.”

Homare: “And how big your mouths are! Perhaps I could fit a few of myself in there? Maybe 3, or 4 little mes, or maybe…”

Child A: 10 of you!

Child B: 200!

Child C: That’s too many!

Homare: “Regardless, let us continue.”

-

Homare: “And so, the owl’s words transcended time and space and remained in everyone’s hearts forevermore.”

Homare: “The end.”

[Applause]

-

[Door opening]

Homare: I have returned.

Homare’s grandmother: Welcome back.

Homare’s mother: How did the dramatic reading go?

Homare: I managed to put a smile on the children’s faces.

Homare’s mother: Oh? That’s the most important part of all.

Homare: I started this because of your encouragement, but I must say, it was quite the hurdle to complete.

Homare: I can express my feelings as much as I desire, but it was not as easy to imagine Father’s emotions.

Homare: However, as I progressed with the picture book, I gradually began to feel as though I was conversing with the depths of Father’s heart.

Homare: I have realized that my silent father’s feelings were all hidden in the words he did not say aloud.

Homare: It is not necessary to put everything you feel into words… It seems I have learned something important; as a poet, an actor, and someone who often works with words.

Homare’s mother: I’m glad to hear that.

Homare: I believe I have also more or less understood why Father decided not to use his real name in this book.

Homare: Perhaps, rather than his name, what he wanted this book to be remembered for was the feelings he hid within it.

Homare: I feel that by taking my time to examine it, I have properly inherited Father’s feelings.

Homare: Thank you very much for giving me this precious opportunity.

Homare’s mother: For you to say such a thing… I’m certain your father is proud of you as well.

Homare’s grandmother: I would like to hear your dramatic reading. Would you perform it for me?

Homare: Of course.