By the time Akira stepped into the living room, only two taiyaki remained on the coffee table. He reached for one, but Shizuka stopped him with a sharp reminder.
"Eat your dinner first."
"…Okay." Akira could only turn obediently toward the kitchen.
"Remember to heat it up before eating!"
"Got it!"
He took the plates of food Shizuka had left in the fridge and headed toward the kitchen island. Honestly, if she hadn't said anything, he probably would've eaten it cold—it wasn't that big of a deal.
Pitter-patter…
Light footsteps followed him. Before he could turn, a petite figure slipped past and blocked his way.
Without a word, Shouko snatched the plates from his hands. "I'll heat them up for you."
"It's just the microwave. I can handle that—" He reached out, but she dodged, clutching the plates to her chest.
Shouko ignored him and rolled up her sleeves, carefully peeling off the cling wrap before setting the dishes inside the black microwave.
Akira hesitated, then stepped in anyway. If I can't help, I can at least keep her company.
"I'll do it, Akira. Wait outside for me. I'll bring it out when it's ready."
Her brows furrowed as she raised one hand, gently but firmly nudging him toward the door.
In the end, Akira could only sit at the dining table and pull out his phone to kill time.
Nishikata: "I'm home!"
(Safely arrived.jpg)
Akira replied with a lazy emoji before locking the screen. From where he sat, he couldn't see into the kitchen—and staring blankly felt pointless.
"Okay, Akira, hurry and eat."
Her voice brought him back. He looked up to see slender arms setting down steaming dishes in front of him.
"I'll serve your rice," Shouko added quickly, pressing him back into his chair before he could rise.
Akira blinked at her. This 'wifely' vibe of hers… is probably just my imagination.
When she returned with the rice, she also grabbed a taiyaki from the living room. The two ate together, chatting about his day and the handheld console. Akira answered her questions one by one, amused at how her lips curved into a smile each time.
Later that night, Akira lay in bed scrolling through the LINE group chat.
"Everyone, don't be late tomorrow!"
"Yes, yes, yes…"
"Miyamura, let's have an epic Pokémon battle!"
"Akira's already asleep…"
"Go to bed early, good night."
"Good night, everyone."
He set his phone aside and turned toward the girl sprawled across his bed. "…Shouko, everyone's said good night. Don't you think you should head back?"
Shouko waved lazily. "No rush. It's only ten. Besides, school starts in three days—I don't want spring break to end…" She flopped over like a drying fish.
Akira sighed. She had a point.
Three or four days from now, they'd officially begin high school. A week earlier, everyone had gone out to eat sushi at Nishikata's workplace to celebrate. Shouko had nearly teared up at the thought of them splitting paths—until she learned they'd all gotten into the same school: Ginkgo Sakura High School.
But Takagi had quickly poured cold water on her excitement, reminding her that with so many students, who knew if they'd all be in the same class.
Akira had done some digging online: two years ago, Ginkgo Gakuen High School and Sakuragaoka Girls' High School had merged into one. Originally all-girls, protests had flared at the change, but eventually died down. By now, the merger was old news—irrelevant to them as incoming freshmen.
"I don't want school to start…" Shouko mumbled, tossing her phone aside.
Akira responded to her complaints with half-hearted hums, letting her vent. Eventually, she remembered she had to wake up early and reluctantly left after saying good night.
Ayumi had arranged tomorrow's outing as both a farewell to spring break and a small celebration—both for them entering the same school, and for Akira's book sales. Everyone had agreed. Conveniently, Nishikata had the day off too.
Shouko: "Good night, Akira."
He replied the same, turned off the light, and lay down with his phone charging at his bedside.
Morning crept in as the deep blue sky lightened to gray, streaked with pale tea-colored light at the horizon.
Akira returned from his jog, showered, and sat down for breakfast. Shouko was still dozing in the living room, so he moved quietly, letting her rest until everything was ready.
When she finally stirred, she blinked and frowned at him. "Morning, Akira… Why is your hair dry?"
"What time did you go to bed last night?" he countered. "Don't tell me you were up until two, drawing again?"
Shouko rubbed her eyes. "…I went to bed after midnight."
"You promised you'd wake up early."
"I said I'd wake up early, not go to bed early."
Akira sighed, ruffling her hair. Her guilty tone made him press harder until she wriggled away, laughing and dodging his "salty pig hand."
By the time they'd finished tidying up, the sleepiness in her eyes was gone. After saying goodbye to Shizuka, the two slipped on their jackets and shoes at the entrance.
"Auntie, we're heading out!"
"Be careful!"
Click. The door closed behind them.
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