"No need to go early. School starts on April 1st. I'll just drive you both that morning."

Miyamura Shizuka extended her hand toward Akira, palm open. The meaning was clear.

Akira obediently picked a grape from the coffee table and placed it in her hand. But before he could say a word, her tone shifted to mock-complaining:

"I'm going to have to wake up early to pack your lunch, and I haven't even said a word of protest yet."

She popped the grape into her mouth, chewed, and lightly tapped Akira's forehead with her finger.

"Auntie, aren't we just reporting to the classroom and collecting our books?" Shouko asked, pausing mid-head rub on Akira.

Shizuka swallowed the grape and replied, "That was how it worked in elementary school. Now, once you find your classroom, classes will start right away."

She added reassuringly, "But don't worry. The first day's usually short—just orientation and some reminders. You'll probably be out by two or three."

"Then I'll need to tell Grandma when I get back," Shouko said softly.

Shizuka, reading between the lines, smiled and waved it off.

"No need. I'll make your bento too. Let Granny Nishimiya sleep in."

"But…"

Shouko hesitated. Her grandma was always up by 5 or 6 anyway, making breakfast and watching TV in the living room. Asking her to prep a lunch wouldn't be a big deal, right?

"No buts. It's settled."

"A-Alright then… Tha—"

Shizuka raised a clenched fist in warning. Shouko swallowed the "thank you" she'd nearly blurted out.

"Okay, I'm going to visit Yaeko," Shizuka announced, switching off the TV and standing from the tatami.

"Mom, it's still raining."

"It's just a few steps. I'll take an umbrella." She ignored his concern and walked out of the room.

As soon as the front door closed, Shouko let go of Akira's head and pulled out her phone, rapidly tapping at the screen.

"Texting someone?" Akira asked.

"Mhm. I forgot to ask if Miu and the others are going to the same school as us."

"Oh…" Akira didn't ask more. He pulled out his phone and opened up his favorite pixelated Tetris game.

Three or four minutes passed. The blocks were falling faster. Akira leaned closer to the screen, eyes focused.

Then—smack! A hand hit his arm, causing him to drop his phone. When he picked it up again, the "Game Over" screen was already up.

He slowly turned to look at the culprit, half-smiling.

"What was that for?"

If she didn't give him a good reason, he was going to teach her the true meaning of "revenge."

"They're not going to the same school," Shouko said, cheeks puffed. "I'm annoyed."

"What about the rest? Did you ask them too?"

"Yeah. Nobody's going to our school. Just us two."

Akira looked at her sulky face, briefly tempted to poke her cheek. He resisted. The last thing he needed was a finger bitten off in retaliation.

He exited the game screen and casually offered,

"It's alright. We'll make new friends. And besides—don't you still have me?"

Shouko blinked.

She realized he was right. If she could choose anyone to go to school with, she'd still pick Akira. Seeing him after school at home was already part of her daily rhythm. Having him in school too? That was just a bonus.

Seeing her quiet, Akira quickly added,

"Okay, okay. Don't pout. How about a competition? Let's see who gets the highest Tetris score."

And just like that, the two spent the entire morning playing Tetris and Snake on their phones in the living room.

The Next Morning

Knock, knock, knock…

No answer.

"Akiiraaa~ are you up?" Shouko called out, knocking a little louder.

Why was she knocking? Because a few days ago, Akira had declared that they were both "grown-ups now" and needed to respect each other's privacy. Knock before entering. No response meant you could go in.

Shouko hadn't fully understood the logic, but she followed it anyway.

She knocked again. "Hellooo? Akira?"

Still no reply.

She turned the doorknob gently and peeked inside.

There he was—curled up like a caterpillar under his folded blanket, snoring softly.

"Get up, you lazybones!" she said, walking straight to his bed and shaking him by the shoulders.

"I know, I know," he groaned, catching her hand before sitting up. "We're just checking out the school and the route today. What's the rush?"

He regretted agreeing to this.

Yesterday, his mom had casually mentioned they could go visit the school early, find their assigned classrooms, and get familiar with the place. She'd even said it wasn't necessary.

He was ready to decline—until Shouko instantly nodded and agreed, dragging him into the plan before he could object.

Hence: this moment.

"Rush? It's already nine-thirty! Look!" Shouko thrust the alarm clock right in front of his face.

Akira rubbed his eyes and squinted at the clock.

"…Fine, fine." He yawned and began slowly unbuttoning his pajama top.

Shouko, seeing what he was doing, calmly returned the clock to the nightstand. Without saying anything, she turned to leave and wait for him downstairs.

But before she made it out the door, she glanced back—and froze.

Akira, now shirtless, reached for the clothes he'd placed beside his bed. He caught her staring.

"…Shouko," he said, voice half-sigh, half-tease. "You've had your 'first-half' show for free. But the 'second half'—I charge for."

"I have money—"

"Pfft— Just go already!" she blurted out, turning red and quickly slamming the door behind her.

Downstairs, Miyamura Shizuka sat eating breakfast at the dining table. Hearing the quick patter of feet descending the stairs, she didn't even need to look up.

"Shouko, is that slacker awake yet?"

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2 chapters Every Saturday and Sunday

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