"Nini Sakurada?" Shouko froze mid-step as she changed her shoes, surprise flickering across her face.
Yuzuru tilted her head, not understanding her sister's reaction but nodding honestly.
"Yeah, she's the other girl from your kindergarten seven-person group."
Then, curiosity caught up with her: "What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing… just surprised." Shouko shook her head, slipped her shoes on, took her schoolbag from Yuzuru, and hurried to her mother's bedroom door.
"Knock, knock…"
"The door isn't locked."
Click.
Inside, Yaeko Nishimiya sat up in bed, relief softening her tired expression. "Shouko. Have you decided which training class you want to enroll in?"
Shouko slipped inside and quietly closed the door, shutting Yuzuru out.
"So secretive," Yuzuru muttered to herself, but quickly shrugged it off, grabbing Hachiko's leash instead.
"Grandma, I'm taking Hachiko out to play!"
"Be careful on the road," Kei Nishimiya reminded her calmly. "And take a bag and small shovel."
"…Oh, right." Yuzuru dashed back to grab them, then called out again, "Grandma, I'm leaving!" She rubbed Hachiko's head as she bolted out the door.
"Woof!" Hachiko barked, tail wagging furiously as he trotted after her.
"Don't be late for dinner," Kei called after them.
"Got it!"
"Woof, woof!"
"Morning, Akira."
Akira, towel in hand and hair still damp, glanced toward the dining room where Shouko greeted him.
"Did you eat yet?" he asked.
"Akira, hurry up or you'll be late!" Miyamura Shizuka's voice carried from the kitchen at the same time.
"What time is it…" Akira muttered, heading for the hairdryer.
"I'll help." Shouko's gentle voice followed him.
"…Okay, thanks."
For a moment, he allowed himself the luxury of her careful blow-drying before Shizuka herded him toward the table. He scarfed down two sandwiches, grabbed his schoolbag, and joined Shouko at the entrance.
"Auntie, I'm leaving!"
"Mom, I'm leaving too."
"Be careful on the road."
Click.
The pale lavender sky bled into gray-blue, thin morning fog softening the flicker of traffic lights. Bicycles clattered past; streams of commuters spilled out from the subway. The city's heartbeat was waking.
"Akira, should we go find Nobi after first period?" Shouko asked as they walked, glancing from the light ahead to him.
"Mm…" He stifled a yawn. "Okay. We'll talk to Nobi, then find that Art Club senpai."
He'd stayed up writing until after one to finish the last volume of Anohana. His morning jog and shower had barely kept him awake.
"What time did you sleep?" Shouko asked softly, worry in her eyes.
"After one," he admitted. "Needed to finish writing."
He reached out and ruffled her hair at the red light, trying to shake off the drowsiness. She swatted his hand away with a pout but, unable to resist, pinched his arm in retaliation.
That woke him up better than any run.
The light turned green. Students surged forward, their keychains clinking faintly against metal water bottles.
"Let's go." Akira tightened his grip on her hand.
"Okay."
Steam from thermos cups and the jingle of bag charms marked the morning atmosphere.
"You two, what a coincidence."
Before they could reply, a cheerful voice followed.
"Akira, Nishimiya-san—good morning." Nishikata jogged up with Takagi.
"Morning."
"Takagi-chan, Nishikata-san, good morning," Shouko chimed, hurrying to Takagi's side. Nishikata naturally fell in beside Akira.
"You're acting suspicious," Akira teased, narrowing his eyes.
"W-What do you mean?" Nishikata flustered, gaze snapping straight ahead.
"Come on. How long does it really take you from your old house to meet Takagi-san?" Akira pressed, voice low.
Nishikata scratched his head, sneaking a glance at Takagi, who was happily chatting with Shouko. Seeing she hadn't noticed, he whispered back:
"The renovation team finished yesterday. I went home."
"Really?" Akira arched a brow.
"Of course! Why would I lie?" Nishikata puffed up, trying to sound firm.
"…Alright, my mistake. I apologize—"
"No, no, don't!" Nishikata waved frantically, though his sheepish grin betrayed him.
"What's wrong?" Shouko asked, noticing the commotion.
"Nothing. Keep talking," Akira said quickly. Shouko gave him a look but returned to her conversation with Sana.
By the time the bell rang, the four slipped into class just in time.
Right on cue, Nobi entered with her textbook.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Class dismissed," Nobi said, closing her book and placing it on the podium. "Bathroom now, or don't blame me if you ask in the middle of class again."
A few restless students chuckled. Nobi left the room without looking back.
"Let's go, Akira." Shoko tugged his sleeve.
"Yeah." He pulled the signed Art Club form from his bag, following her out.
Nishikata and Takagi exchanged a knowing glance. Shouko had already explained their plan earlier.
"What are Shouko and Miyamura up to?" Ayumi asked, craning her neck.
"They're going to Nobi," another classmate replied.
"Ohhh… then I know exactly what they're doing."
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