Hitomi came down from a cab and hurried down the front yard and through the front door of her house.
Strands of her were sticking to her tear-damp cheeks, her textbook clutched like a lifeline under in front of her bouncing D-cups , her pastel blouse rumpled from nervous fidgeting.
She'd been crying ever since Renji left her in the art room. Even the cab driver's nice words of encouragement couldn't do anything.
She was too heartbroken to be cheered up.
Inside the house smelled of fresh-cooked rice and miso.
It was a comforting aroma, but it did nothing to lift the weight crushing her chest. She kicked off her shoes haphazardly, one tumbling into the corner, and called out in a wobbly voice, "Mom… I'm home…"
Principal Akemi Suzuki emerged from the living room.
Since it was a Saturday, she didn't look anything like her strict self.
