"Hurry up and eat breakfast. Don't be late on the first day of school." Miyamura Shizuka left that remark behind as she walked back into the dining room without turning around.
"Shouko, do you want any more?"
"No, I'm full," she replied softly, taking the towel and hairdryer from Akira's hand before walking out of the living room.
Seeing her leave, Akira stood from the sofa and followed.
"Uncle, Auntie, I'm heading out!"
"Dad, Mom, I'm leaving too!"
"Be careful on the road."
"Akira, take care of Shouko at school!"
"Got it."
Click.
"I wonder if Yuzuru will feel lonely walking to school alone today…" Shouko murmured, watching a group of little girls chatting and walking together.
Akira glanced at her, ready to offer so comforting words—only to be interrupted by a voice from behind.
"Sis! Why are you walking so slow?"
Akira turned to find Nishimiya Yuzuru catching up to them with a younger girl in tow—a petite girl in a light sweater and skirt.
"This is my deskmate," Yuzuru explained. "She lives nearby. Her parents used to drive her to school, but starting today, she'll be walking with ."
Akira nodded politely. "Nice to et you."
"Oh—I'm Nishimiya Shouko, Yuzuru's sister," Shouko introduced herself, bowing slightly. "Please look after her at school."
The girl quickly waved her hands. "No, no—it's the other way around! Yuzuru usually looks after ."
"Hmph." Yuzuru huffed slightly, arms crossed. "Sis, I'm not a baby anymore."
Shouko laughed. "Yes, yes."
Soon, the group reached a fork in the road. Shouko pointed left.
"Akira and I go this way. If anything happens at school, rember to tell a teacher—or tell us when we get ho."
She gently ruffled Yuzuru's hair before pulling Akira along with her.
"Such a worrywart…" Yuzuru muttered, watching them walk off.
"Careful," her friend teased. "Your smile's showing."
"You too, nosy!"
Her friend laughed, then darted off toward the other road before Yuzuru could retaliate.
Akira and Shouko reached the school gate five or six minutes later. Students in uniforms and casual clothes were streaming in.
Akira glanced around and spotted the school uniforms—boys wore a black Gakuran jacket with golden buttons and dark gray pants. Girls wore sailor-style uniforms: white tops, dark red neckerchiefs, and gray pleated skirts, about ten centiters above the knee.
He blinked. Was that… short?
But this was Japan. Fair enough.
"Does it look good?" ca Shouko's voice, quiet but direct.
"Mm-hmm," Akira nodded quickly, pulling his gaze back to her. "But I like how you wear it even more."
Shouko raised an eyebrow, about to snap at him, but softened, rolling her eyes instead. "Let's go."
Akira tried to hold her hand, but she dodged.
"We're still at school. After school, okay?"
"Hmph." She wrinkled her nose and hurried up the stone steps.
Akira awkwardly scratched the back of his head and followed.
Inside, students changed into indoor shoes at wooden lockers marked with their nas and classes.
"Do we need to change shoes too?" Shouko asked, looking uncertain.
Akira lightly tapped her forehead. "Use your eyes. Kids in casual clothes are walking in just fine. We'll probably switch tomorrow when our nas are up."
"Oh," she muttered, rubbing her forehead.
They climbed to the second floor, finding their class: First Year, Class 2.
Inside, sunlight spilled through the windows onto clean, wooden desks. A few students were already seated.
Akira imdiately noticed a familiar girl in a white dress—the sa one who had approached them yesterday.
She raised her hand slightly in greeting—toward Shouko, not him.
"Let's find seats," Akira said.
Shouko nodded, her gaze briefly lingering on the girl. "How about in front of her?"
She was curious—was it really just coincidence that this girl ended up in their class?
Akira followed her suggestion. The seats were single desks with space between each.
They quietly sat down—Shouko in front of the girl, and Akira beside her.
The girl leaned her cheek on one hand, watching them silently.
"Um… do you recognize ?" Shouko turned around and asked.
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