Outside, streets
Hotaru and Anon walked away. "Go back?" he asked.
Anon, mind muddled, "Where?"
"RiNG."
Recalling Rikki's words and her escape, Anon shook her head.
Hotaru nodded, understanding. "Walk around?"
Anon, embarrassed, "Accompany me…"
"Alright."
Hotaru messaged Tomori he found Anon, to return. No read receipt.
Anon grumbled inwardly at his reluctant tone, suspecting he was chatting with her classmates. They just added him!
"Who're you chatting with?" she asked.
"Telling Tomori I found you," Hotaru said.
Tomori, fine then. Anon's annoyance faded, smug that Tomori chased her.
"What're you laughing at?" Hotaru asked.
"Nothing!" Anon suppressed her smile.
They walked aimlessly, silent.
Anon kicked a stone, frustrated. Unlike Sakiko, she needed to confide. Isn't he curious why I left England, ran from RiNG?
Pouting, "Nothing to ask me?"
"I'm waiting for you," Hotaru said.
Anon, outmaneuvered, sighed. "Didn't want to perform, skills aren't good, scared of embarrassment. Rikki's right, I don't try, always run."
Hotaru nodded, understanding.
"I ran from England," Anon continued. "Couldn't adapt—rain, bad food, useless English, no friends, poor grades. Posted on SNS like I was fine. Ridiculous!"
Hotaru recalled her deleted posts. "You were alone, even on your birthday?"
Anon's mouth grew bitter, nose sore. She elbowed him. "Listening?"
"Thought British master's degrees were easy," Hotaru teased.
Anon rolled her eyes.
"Kidding," he smiled. "Continue."
"My classmates admired me for studying abroad, I boasted about university there. Can't hide it now," she said, dejected.
"My life's running away. A failure. Mock me."
Hotaru laughed.
Anon's eyes drooped, disappointed.
"That's all?" he said lightly.
"What?" she glared.
He flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" Anon clutched it.
Hotaru grabbed her hand, showing swollen, cut fingers. "I've seen your guitar effort. You worked hard in England, too. You're not just a runner. I won't mock you."
Anon, dazed, felt affirmed, tears welling. "Not like that…"
"It is to me," Hotaru said. "Cry if you want."
He released her, walking on.
Anon wiped tears, following. I'll try harder for you.
"Surveys show many Japanese students return from Europe, America," Hotaru added.
"Really?" Anon brightened.
An aquarium appeared. "Visit?" Hotaru asked.
"Feels like Tomori's place," Anon muttered, not refusing.
Hotaru headed in. Anon followed.
Sora no Mori Aquarium
Tickets: 2200 yen, annual pass 4400 yen. Two visits, worth it. Both bought passes.
Inside, a blue carpet mimicked the ocean, soft lights warmed the hall. Fish swam behind glass walls, embedded aquariums showed diverse species.
Tomori'd know their names, they thought, exchanging glances.
Kids touched starfish, adults read eco-displays.
Anon, blushing, Like a couple? edged closer.
At the central glass wall, Hotaru spotted Tomori.
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