The two of them continued doing homework and chatting about recent little things until Shouko instinctively yawned, bringing their time to a close.

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she noticed it was getting late and began packing her finished homework into her school bag.

Standing up with a faint smile and a sleepy face, she said, "Akira, I'm heading back now. Time to sleep."

"Alright. Good night," Akira said, seeing the fatigue on her face and not wanting to keep her any longer.

"Good night." Shouko slung her bag over her shoulder, gave him a small wave, and stepped out.

Click.

The soft sound of the door closing echoed behind her. Only then did Akira glance down at the neatly written homework she'd helped him with and nodded in satisfaction.

As she passed the living room, Shouko turned toward Miyamura Shizuka, who was mid-yoga pose, and hesitated before saying, "Auntie, I'll be joining for the water park too."

"Alright," Shizuka replied without turning around. "Remind me the day before we go."

"Okay! Good night."

"Night, dear."

The next morning, while prepping breakfast in the kitchen, Nishimiya Kei noticed her granddaughter washing up early.

"Are you making Akira's bento again today?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Morning, Grandma." Shouko walked into the kitchen, towel in hand and energy in her steps.

"Morning," Kei replied, then asked again, "So? More bentos for Akira?"

"Yes," Shouko replied with a blush. "From now on, I want to be in charge of all his bentos."

Kei said nothing more. To her, the Miyamura family next door had always been like a second family. Shizuka's help after Yaeko's divorce, Daiki's support at work, and Akira's endless care for Shouko—it all added up.

So Shouko preparing Akira's meals? She had no complaints. In fact, she might even encourage it.

Just then, Shouko paused and turned. "Ah! I forgot my notebook—I'll be right back."

Kei nodded, continuing to pan-fry dumplings.

She recalled glimpsing Shouko's cooking notebook once: detailed notes on ingredients, seasoning ratios, and several pages titled "Akira's Taste Preference Records" and "His Favorite Dishes."

Tucked inside was even that lucky four-leaf clover bookmark Akira had given her years ago.

Later that afternoon, while heading home from school, Akira and Shouko ran into Yuzuru.

"Yuzuru, why are you coming back so late?" Shouko asked instantly, concern all over her face. "Where's your friend? Did something happen?"

Akira quietly faded to the background, avoiding Yuzuru's sharp glance for backup.

Yuzuru glared right back at him, thinking, If you want to marry my sister someday, I won't make it easy for you.

"Yuzuru? Why are you glaring at Akira?"

Shouko crossed her arms.

Yuzuru quickly explained, "Sister, no fight. She had something to do at lunch and went home early."

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out two small pet collar bells. "I was late because I got these engraved."

One bell read "Akira & Shouko". Akira blinked. "Why does this look like a wedding tag?"

The others, thankfully, didn't hear that.

The second bell read "Shouko & Yuzuru."

"Why did you want to engrave these?" Akira asked.

Yuzuru shrugged. "We walked past a shop after school and I thought Hachiko would like one."

Shouko held the Akira & Shoko bell for a moment longer than needed, then handed both back to Yuzuru. "Go home earlier next time. You never know with strangers."

"Yeah, yeah. If you nag too much, Akira might dump you!" Yuzuru teased before running ahead.

Shouko glared at Akira and handed him her bag. Then she ran after her sister.

At the door, Yuzuru barely managed to pull out her key before Shouko caught up and grabbed her.

"Sis, I was wrong!" Yuzuru yelped.

Shouko held onto her sister and said in a low voice, "I'll forgive you—if you give me the Akira & Shoko bell."

Without hesitation, Yuzuru handed it over. She was young, but not dumb—she'd long figured out her sister's feelings.

Shouko removed the bell from its necklace. "I don't need the chain. Just the bell."

"I'm going to Akira's house. Call me when Grandma starts dinner," she added.

"Got it. Tell Hachiko to come by too!"

Shouko gave a wave without looking back, and with a soft smile tucked the bell into the hidden pocket of her skirt.

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