"Click..."

Closing the door, Miyamura Shizuka asked Akira a few simple questions before returning to the kitchen to continue preparing dinner.

Akira changed his shoes, walked into the living room, and found Daiki sitting there watching a comedy variety show. He joined him on the sofa, and the two watched together until Shizuka's call rang out:

"Dinner's ready!"

They turned off the TV and headed to the dining room.

At the table, Shizuka mentioned the newly moved-in Uzaki family, and Akira learned that the neighbors were a family of five. He didn't pay much attention though, quietly eating until the topic shifted.

"Akira, what time should parents arrive for your graduation ceremony tomorrow?" Shizuka asked.

He swallowed his food before replying. "Between nine and nine-thirty. They'll gather at the auditorium, and the seats are already labeled by class."

"Are there any dress requirements?" Daiki asked.

Akira recalled what the teacher had said. "Nope. Casual wear is fine. Students just need to be in uniform."

"Alright." Daiki nodded and continued eating.

"Really? No dress code?" Shizuka raised her brows. "Back in my middle school, boys wore black uniforms, and girls wore dark suits or kimonos."

Akira smirked. "Mom, wasn't that ages ago? Besides, you went to a private school, right?"

Shizuka's glare shot daggers at him. That comment had clearly crossed a line.

"...I didn't mean anything by it," Akira muttered, shaking his head.

Dinner stretched on with easy chatter. Akira ate less than usual—he'd snacked earlier while shopping. Shouko, however, ate heartily, explaining her afternoon to everyone.

Yaeko Nishimiya stayed quiet, lips faintly curved in a hidden smile. Kei offered cheerful congratulations, while Yuzuru pouted.

"Shouko, you went to eat without me?!" Yuzuru complained, even tattling to Hachiko afterward.

"Don't be mad, Yuzuru. I'll bring you something good tomorrow," Shouko promised with a weary smile.

"Really?"

"Really. You're coming to my graduation too, right? Once it's over, Takagi-chan and I will take you out. We won't bring Akira, how about that?"

Yuzuru hesitated for a moment before nodding. Of course, she already knew—even if her sister said that, she'd still bring something back for Akira later.

—

That night, mist crept over the rooftops, noren swayed outside the izakaya, and drifting cherry petals caught in a patrolman's flashlight.

"Click…"

"Akira, what are you doing…?" Shouko peeked through his door.

Half a month ago, he would've been writing or sketching. Now, it was anyone's guess.

"Shouko, you should knock first," Akira said, exasperated. "What if I was doing something embarrassing? Like… push-ups shirtless?"

"How bad would that be for both of us?" he added under his breath.

"I forgot! Next time for sure, hehe…" Shouko stuck out her tongue, tapping her head playfully.

She sat beside him and peered at his tablet. "Didn't it already pass review? Why are you still drawing illustrations?"

"These are for the next volume. I'm not in a rush this time—I want to add more drawings."

"Hmm, makes sense. Wait here, I'll grab mine too."

She dashed off, returning moments later with her tablet. "So, Akira, what should I draw?"

He took her tablet, smiling. "Not so fast. You've probably forgotten, but your main task now is to pick your illustrator name."

"..." Her silence was proof enough.

"I'll decide before the graduation ends tomorrow, okay? Let's just draw for now."

Akira nodded. If she couldn't choose, using her real name would be fine. Fame could come later; for now, it was about being together.

The two worked side by side, chatting until it grew late.

"Good night, Akira."

"Good night. Go to bed early."

"Okay."

The door clicked shut. Akira cleaned his desk, got ready for bed, and sent her a message.

Good night.

Her reply popped up almost instantly:

Good night, Akira

(Kiss.jpg)

The sticker vanished a second later, withdrawn in embarrassment. But her "good night" remained.

Moonlight spilled across his room, the vending machine's glow mixing with the aroma of oden and plum wine carried by the night train's wind.

"Beep… beep… beep…!"

The alarm jolted him awake the next morning.

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