The two let go of each other's hands at the school gate to avoid the teachers' eyes, only to clasp them again once they were free after school.

"I'm back!"

"I'm back."

Shouko, changing her shoes at the entrance, was the first to step into the living room. Seeing it empty, she tilted her head.

"Auntie isn't home at this time?"

"She probably went to visit the new neighbors who moved in next door a few days ago," Akira said casually, tossing his backpack onto the sofa.

"Hmm…"

Shouko thought for a moment. Someone had moved in recently, but when they came by to greet her family with gifts, she'd been at Akira's house. At the time, her grandmother had even mentioned their family name, but she hadn't paid much attention and quickly forgot. Now, trying to recall it felt almost impossible…

"Don't think too hard. Their surname's Uzaki," Akira said, reaching over to ruffle her hair.

"Come on, let's head upstairs. We should hurry and send the illustrations to Jun-san."

Shouko pouted. "Akira, don't rub my head—I won't grow taller!"

"Alright, alright…" He withdrew his hand with a small laugh, then clasped hers again as they went upstairs.

Only someone as gullible as Shouko would actually believe Takagi's nonsense about head-rubbing stunting growth.

"Click—"

The door opened, and Shouko immediately flopped onto Akira's bed as if it were her rightful place. Akira ignored her and booted up the computer, double-checking the eight black-and-white illustrations and two colored ones they had worked so hard on.

In the past two weeks, he felt like he'd lost half his hair, but the result was worth it. Not only had they finished, he'd even drawn two more than required. A perfect completion.

"Something wrong, Akira?" Shouko asked from the bed, watching him stare at the tablet.

Akira shook his head. "No, I was just thinking."

He smiled at her, then sent the files via LINE to Jun's email.

"Jun-san, I've sent the illustrations to your email. Please check when you have time."

Ten minutes passed without a reply. He set his phone aside with a shrug. She was probably still busy at work.

"How is it, Akira? What did she say…?"

Unlike him, Shouko was already nervous.

"She's at work," he said calmly, trying to soothe her. He distracted her with homework, skillfully dodging her repeated questions—until a notification finally popped up.

"Akira, send me the second volume too. I'll help check for typos."

Both Akira and Shouko blinked at the message.

She'd already asked him for the second volume a week ago, but he hadn't sent it. Without knowing sales for the first volume, he didn't want to risk it—what if the series got cut? Besides, he suspected Jun's real motive was just wanting to read ahead.

"…Did you see the illustrations?" Akira typed back.

Another ten minutes passed before her reply came.

"I can tell they're a bit rusty…"

Shouko's shoulders tensed, but before she could be disappointed, the next message arrived:

"…But there are no real issues. I'll notify the factory tomorrow or the day after, and printing will begin."

Akira let out a breath. "Could you finish a sentence all at once?"

He'd already been preparing to comfort Shouko.

"It passed, Akira!!"

Before he could react, Shouko leapt onto him with a tight koala hug.

"…Congrats, Illustrator Shouko-sensei," Akira said dryly, peeling her off and dropping her back onto the bed.

"Ah—wait, Akira, ask her whether I should use my real name or a pen name when it's printed!"

"Hold on, hold on. Look at this first." He handed her the phone.

"Why does Jun-san know I'm the illustrator?" Shouko asked in confusion.

"I mentioned it last week," Akira admitted. "Didn't think she'd remember. Anyway, do you want to use your real name or a pen name?"

"I… haven't thought about it…"

"No rush. You can decide later."

"Mm, okay."

Relieved, Akira messaged again to confirm printing would begin the day after tomorrow. That left Shouko about a day to settle on a name.

With that matter resolved, they finally focused on homework. But this time, Shouko couldn't concentrate—she just wanted to celebrate. Eventually she dragged Akira out to a dessert shop, insisting they reward themselves. He didn't have the heart to refuse.

As dusk fell, the March wind carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms past the stone-paved streets. The warm glow of the setting sun stretched their shadows against the wall of a convenience store.

By the time they returned home, it was already past six.

"Auntie, I'm back!!"

"I'm back," Akira echoed.

The smell of fried fish drifted from the kitchen as Shizuka emerged in a black apron, wiping her hands.

"Dinner's ready. Shouko, Yuzuru came by just now to call you home for dinner."

Shouko froze mid-step, then sheepishly put her shoes back on. She waved goodbye and hurried out.

As for why Yuzuru hadn't just called her phone? Well, she hadn't been home to fetch it since school ended…

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