You could call it that. But... think about it. ...I just simply want animals not to suffer unnecessarily. Even that heart... do you call that rationalization?

The butcher shop? ...Yes. But it's a job someone has to do. ...And I'm the one handling it directly. Because it's not like it's wrong.

Do you know how the meat that ends up on your table is made?

...I'm not trying to criticize you. It's just... the depth of responsibility is different. Do you think the person who performs the slaughter directly and the person who only consumes the result carry the exact same weight? ...I wonder. Just because you push an uncomfortable truth onto someone else doesn't mean it never happened. You can't cover the sky with your palm.

...So, are you not going to buy anything?

...As for me. I don't care whether anyone eats meat or not.

Ah, ...actually, ...I do care. There's someone who visits often. What was their name... ...Ah. Since I've never asked, it's correct that I don't know. What kind of meat they like... I remember all their preferences. Sometimes they want something different from what I expected... In a day that repeats every day, that person is about the only interesting thing.

...On days when I'm... in a good mood, I've given them free service, ah, ...I'm always in a good mood when they come. So... maybe I've given it every time. ...Is that so important? ...If my efforts are drawing their footsteps even a little bit closer...

...It wouldn't be so bad.

It looks like it's going to rain soon. I wonder if... they'll come today.