Meeting Noguchi right after dreaming about him leaves Ryoma strangely unsettled. He does not believe in omens, yet the timing feels too precise to ignore.
Before he realizes it, he is actually considering Noguchi's offer. The thought follows him all the way home, distracting him enough to stop watching his surroundings for the first time in days.
In fact, he walks right past his mother's barbershop and continues toward home without noticing.
"Oh, Ryoma... how are you doing today?"
Ryoma slows and turns his head.
"Ah, Shimizu-san?"
Shimizu blinks once. "You look a little lost. What's wrong?"
Ryoma does not answer immediately. Instead, he glances around the street, then over his shoulder, before finally letting out an awkward laugh.
"Yeah, exactly..." He rubs the back of his neck. "I was supposed to stop by my mom's place first."
Ryoma shakes his head at himself, then turns around and starts heading back the way he came.
"See you later, Shimizu-san."
