Chapter 301: Hiroi Kikuri Playing Dumb and the Peculiar Sayuri (Patreon)

PA-ko walked forward two steps, then noticed no one behind her, and turned around.

"What's wrong?"

Kikuri stood where she was, looking at the streetlamp beside the road. The light flickered dim then bright a few times.

"Hm?"

"Senior..."

Kikuri lowered her head, looking at PA-ko. Her eyes didn't look like the usual, always-giggling Hiroi Kikuri.

"She hid him away because of Seika, didn't she?"

PA-ko's eyebrow twitched slightly. She looked at Kikuri, silent for a moment. Then she laughed.

"So you're not actually drunk."

"Don't make it sound like I'm some kind of alcoholic!"

Kikuri puffed her cheeks indignantly, a trace of grievance in her voice.

"You obviously are one."

PA-ko laughed, covering her mouth.

"I only drank... half a can."

"You went red after one sip."

"That's just my constitution! A constitution thing!"

Kikuri stomped her foot, then quieted down again. She leaned closer to PA-ko, and the two of them walked side by side again.

"When did you find out?"

PA-ko asked, her tone casual.

"When I went to the bathroom in the middle..."

Kikuri's voice grew a little smaller.

"I said I wanted to use the bathroom, remember? On the way, I passed the laundry room and saw the dryer light was still on."

"Seika probably forgot to take the dried clothes out because we came over."

"I thought I'd take them out for her, and then..."

"And then?"

PA-ko tilted her head to look at her. Kikuri pressed her lips together, as if hesitating over whether to say it. In the end, she said it anyway.

"It looked like Senior's clothes were in the dryer."

"That T-shirt I saw Senior wearing a while back, and... well, you know, the kind guys wear."

Kikuri didn't spell it out too clearly, but the meaning was obvious enough.

"What?"

PA-ko looked at Hiroi Kikuri, puzzled.

"That thing, that thing!"

"What thing?"

Hiroi Kikuri's face turned red for a long moment before she finally said it.

"Underwear, too!"

Having finally spoken the forbidden word, it seemed all restraint dropped away. Hiroi Kikuri suddenly changed her expression and said, all pleased with herself.

"Never thought Senior was a boxer-briefs guy!"

"I've suddenly got inspiration—I'll call the song 'Ballad of the Boxer Briefs'!"

"Heh heh heh~"

It had been a somewhat serious topic just a moment ago. But somewhere along the way, Hiroi Kikuri had turned a little lecherous...

PA-ko's footsteps faltered for a second. PA-ko blinked, stunned, then laughed softly.

"Then why didn't you just ask outright back at Seika's place?"

PA-ko asked, a note of surprise in her voice.

Kikuri looked up and glanced at PA-ko. There was an unusual seriousness in her eyes.

"I'm not stupid either."

she said quietly.

"Saying it out loud right then would've been so awkward."

"If Seika hid him away, she must have her reasons."

"Maybe she was embarrassed, maybe she hadn't found the right time to tell us, maybe..."

She paused.

"Maybe she hasn't even figured it out herself yet."

"If I'd just blurted it out like that, what would Seika even say?"

"'Yes, he's in the bedroom, we're dating'?"

"Or 'No, you're seeing things'?"

"Either answer would've been strange."

PA-ko listened quietly, saying nothing. Kikuri kept talking, her voice growing softer and softer.

"And... that song."

"'17.'"

"Senior wrote it for Seika, right?"

PA-ko nodded.

"Yeah."

"Seika said she wrote it a few days ago, but it clearly still had fresh marks from being written..."

Kikuri trailed off. The two of them fell silent at the same time.

"Kikuri."

PA-ko suddenly spoke.

"Hm?"

"Do you think... how long have they been together?"

"No idea."

Kikuri shook her head.

"But given how flustered they were today..."

"Could it be that it just happened today, and we just happened to catch them?"

PA-ko laughed softly.

"You're not as dense as you look, Kikuri..."

"You even noticed that."

"I'm not completely clueless, you know!"

Kikuri mumbled, hitching her instrument case up higher. PA-ko glanced sideways at her but said nothing. The two of them kept walking slowly toward the subway station.

"PA-ko."

"Hm?"

"Seika must really like Senior."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because she told so many lies today."

The two of them looked at each other and laughed at the same time. Their laughter carried far down the quiet street. It startled a car alarm nearby into wailing a few times before it stopped.

"Come on, we're going to miss the last train."

PA-ko tugged at Kikuri's sleeve.

"Okay!"

Kikuri answered and trotted a couple of steps to catch up. The two of them walked side by side toward the subway station, their shadows stretching and shrinking under the streetlamps. They hadn't gone far when PA-ko spoke up again.

"Kikuri."

"What now?"

"What you said just now... did you really think it through and decide not to say anything, or were you just too drunk to?"

Kikuri tilted her head, thinking.

"Bit of both, probably."

PA-ko sighed helplessly.

"Honestly, I can't tell if you're actually dumb or just playing dumb."

"Heh heh."

Kikuri laughed twice, then hurried ahead of PA-ko, turning around to face her and walking backward.

"What about you, then?"

"What about me?"

"Didn't you notice Senior's shoes too?"

PA-ko didn't deny it.

"Yeah."

"Then why didn't you ask Seika about it directly?"

PA-ko was quiet for a moment, lowering her eyes to the road beneath her feet.

"Because... that's Seika's business."

"Not mine."

She said it very calmly. Kikuri looked at her, slowing her steps.

"PA-ko."

"Hm?"

"You, you know..."

"What?"

"Sometimes you're so considerate it's almost painful to watch."

PA-ko blinked, then laughed.

"You're calling me the one who plays dumb, but I think you're the sneakiest one here~"

Hiroi Kikuri teased.

"Come on, we're going to miss the train."

PA-ko didn't respond to that, instead walking faster and passing Kikuri. Kikuri stood watching her back for a moment, then trotted after her. Their figures grew smaller and smaller, finally disappearing at the subway station entrance.

---

Inside the apartment.

Seika crouched by the door for a good while. Only once the heat in her face had finally faded did she stand up and turn around. The living room still looked the same as before. Scattered snacks, two teacups on the coffee table that hadn't been cleared away.

Then she turned to look at the shoe rack. She walked over, crouched down, and stared at the shoes for a few seconds. Then she reached out, picked them up, and put them in the shoe cabinet. Once they were inside, something felt off, so she took them back out and turned them the other way, toes facing in.

Still wrong.

She took them out again and lined them up neatly side by side. Staring at the sneakers in the cabinet that clearly didn't belong to her household, she suddenly found her own behavior a little funny.

What was she even hiding them for?

Everyone already knew.

She took a deep breath and walked to the bedroom door. Then pushed it open. The bedroom light was still on.

Tsushima Kagami sat on the edge of the bed, in an odd posture. His legs pressed tightly together, upper body leaning forward, face twisted. When he saw Seika come in, his eyes lit up.

"She's gone?"

His voice sounded strained. Seika Ijichi blinked, then replied.

"She's gone."

The moment she finished those two words, Tsushima Kagami sprang up from the bed. He practically flew out of the bedroom, dashing toward the bathroom at the end of the hallway. Seika followed behind him, watching him disappear behind the bathroom door, then heard it close. Then came a long stretch of indescribable water sounds. She stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall, and waited.

With the sound of a flush, the bathroom door finally opened again. When Tsushima Kagami stepped out, he looked completely at ease.

"Back from the dead."

He let out a long breath and walked to the living room. He dropped onto the sofa, sinking into it, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.

"I thought I was going to wet myself!"

Seika followed him over and stood beside the sofa, looking down at him. Tsushima Kagami noticed her gaze and turned his head.

"What's wrong?"

Seika pressed her lips together and sat down beside him.

"PA-ko... found out."

As soon as she said it, the tips of her ears started turning red again. Tsushima Kagami looked at her expression and laughed.

"That's what I told you."

"Told me what?"

"That you didn't need to hide."

"Happy now?"

"Ugh, I panicked in the moment, okay."

Seika Ijichi said, sounding somewhat regretful.

Tsushima Kagami lay back down, resting his head on Seika Ijichi's lap. Then continued, laughing.

"The shoes were sitting right out in plain view, of course they'd notice."

"And..."

He looked up at Seika.

"Kikuri probably figured it out too."

Seika blinked.

"No way. She was drunk, and her head's not exactly..."

"Not exactly sharp?"

Tsushima Kagami finished the sentence for her. Seika opened her mouth to protest, but realized that was pretty much what she'd meant.

"Don't underestimate Kikuri."

"I think she's actually pretty sharp."

"No worse than PA-ko."

"When I came out of the bathroom just now, I went to get the dried laundry."

"Ah!"

Seika's head snapped up. She looked toward the dryer in the direction of the bathroom.

"You forgot to take your clothes out!"

"So how do you know Kikuri saw them?"

Tsushima Kagami smiled smugly.

"I heard it from the room—sounds like Kikuri went to the bathroom in the middle too."

"And then I saw the dryer had already been opened by someone."

"So it must've been Kikuri who noticed."

Seika Ijichi's expression froze.

"So..."

"Kikuri actually already knew too."

"Exactly!"

Tsushima Kagami pointed at her.

Seika Ijichi's lips trembled slightly. Her mind raced back through everything that had just happened. Kikuri saying she needed to use the bathroom. That must have been around then. And when Kikuri came back, she hadn't said anything, hadn't asked anything. Still smiling and giggling as usual, holding her bass and playing along. As if she hadn't noticed a thing at all.

But she'd noticed everything.

Seika Ijichi slowly leaned forward, as if all her strength had been drained out of her. Finally she went completely limp on the sofa, burying her face in the cushion. She let out a moan tinged with tears.

"It's over..."

"It's all over..."

"PA-ko found out..."

"Kikuri found out too..."

"They must think I'm... I'm..."

She couldn't finish the sentence. Watching her like this, Tsushima Kagami couldn't help laughing.

"You're laughing!"

Seika Ijichi glared at Tsushima Kagami lying on her lap. As if venting her frustration at being caught by her friends without even realizing it. She rumpled his hair into a mess.

"I told you, you didn't need to hide."

"Shut up!"

"If you hadn't insisted I hide, they wouldn't have thought twice about it!"

Tsushima Kagami found her flustered, embarrassed state both adorable and rare. So he kept teasing her, refusing to let it go. Seika Ijichi just started arguing back stubbornly.

"That's because you showed up at my place first!"

"That's because you invited me."

"That's because... because..."

Seika couldn't finish. Because it really had been her who first asked, "Are you going home tonight?" She buried her face in the cushion again, letting out a longer, more despairing moan.

"How am I supposed to face them now?"

Watching her curl up on the sofa, her golden hair spread over the dark cushion like a crumpled ribbon of silk—he suddenly thought she was really, really cute. The usual cold-faced, sharp-tongued Seika Ijichi who never took anyone seriously. Now flustered like this just because she'd been found out with him.

He reached out and tucked the stray strands of hair off her cheek behind her ear. Seika's body stiffened slightly, then slowly relaxed.

"Actually..."

Tsushima Kagami's voice went soft.

"Even if they know, it's not really a big deal, right?"

Seika didn't move, didn't speak.

"We haven't done anything to be ashamed of."

"We already have."

Seika's muffled voice came from the cushion.

"What's done is done, no point saying that now."

Tsushima Kagami laughed.

"Well, there you go."

"What do you mean, 'there you go'!"

Seika suddenly lifted her head, her face red enough to look like it might bleed.

"What will PA-ko and Kikuri think of me!"

"They're your best friends, your best juniors—what else could they think?"

"Obviously they'll wish you well~"

Tsushima Kagami paused, his smile softening.

"So really, there was never anything to worry about."

"But by hiding, you basically confirmed there was something to hide—isn't that ironic."

Seika froze completely, as if struck by lightning. She opened her mouth, eyes wide.

"You... why didn't you say so earlier!"

"I did say it, I said you didn't need to hide."

"You didn't say it firmly enough!"

"I clearly said, 'you don't really need to overthink it.'"

"You should have said, 'hiding will make it look more suspicious'!"

"I thought you understood."

"You should have stopped me!"

Seika grabbed the cushion again, furious, and threw it at him.

Fine, fine, so this is how it's going to be, huh!

Watch my secret technique: hug attack!

Tsushima Kagami caught the cushion flying at him and pulled Seika Ijichi into his arms.

"Okay, okay, it's my fault."

"It was your fault to begin with!"

Seika glared at him, but ended up unable to hold back a laugh herself. The corner of her mouth twitched, then she went completely limp against the sofa, covering her face.

"Ugh... so embarrassing..."

Watching her, Tsushima Kagami's smile deepened. Tsushima Kagami looked at Seika Ijichi's bright red ears, and suddenly reached out and pinched one gently.

"Hey!"

Seika jerked her neck back and covered her ears.

"Nothing."

Tsushima Kagami withdrew his hand, leaning back into the sofa, gazing up at the ceiling.

"I just think... it's really nice, being able to come here today."

Seika's hand slowly dropped from her ears. She turned her head to look at his profile.

"Yeah."

she murmured softly.

The two of them just sat like that. Not talking anymore, not needing to. Outside, the sound of insects had quieted at some point. Probably the night had grown late enough that even the bugs had gone to sleep.

After a long while, Seika finally stood up.

"I'll... wash the dishes."

"I'll do it."

Tsushima Kagami stood up too.

"No, sit down."

Seika pressed her hand on his shoulder, pushing him back onto the sofa.

"It was my fault for locking you in the bedroom today, so I'll wash the dishes."

"Be careful not to slip, then."

"I'm not a kid."

Seika walked into the kitchen, tied on an apron, and turned on the faucet. The water ran, drowning out the quiet of the living room. She stood at the sink, washing each dish and cup, rinsing them clean, and setting them on the drying rack. Her movements were practiced and careful. As if washing the dishes could smooth over all the churning emotions inside her.

Tsushima Kagami sat in the living room, listening to the sound of water. His gaze drifted toward the kitchen. The light traced a soft outline around Seika's back. The apron strings tied into a bow at her waist.

He remembered the first time he'd come to this house. Back then, he'd still been an outsider. Now he could just sit there on the sofa while Seika did the dishes for him.

Life really was strange.

The water stopped. Seika dried her hands on the apron and walked out of the kitchen. She came to the living room and sat down next to Tsushima Kagami. This time, there was no cushion between them.

"Kagami."

"Hm?"

"You're saying... we're together now, right?"

"What else would we be?"

"Since when?"

"Today, obviously."

"Then today is the first day of us being together."

Seika laughed.

"Then tomorrow's the second day."

"The day after that is the third day."

"The day after that, the fourth."

"So childish."

"You're not much older than me."

"Shut up."

Seika looked up at Tsushima Kagami. Her eyes sparkled in the light, as if they held an entire sky full of stars.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For '17.'"

"I told you, you don't need to keep thanking me for it."

"Because..."

Seika Ijichi thought for a moment, as if searching for the right word.

"Because you pulled the seventeen-year-old me out of loneliness."

Tsushima Kagami watched her quietly.

"Even though I'm not seventeen anymore."

"But those feelings will stay engraved in my heart forever."

"It's like..."

She paused.

"It's like there's a tiny version of me who's always lived in some corner of my heart."

"Seventeen-year-old me, holding a guitar, sitting in the practice room, waiting for someone to come listen to her play."

"Waiting and waiting, and no one ever came."

"And then..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Then you came."

"You let that little me finally stop waiting."

Tsushima Kagami said nothing. He just reached out and pulled her into his arms. Chin resting on top of her head, eyes closed. He felt her shoulders trembling slightly. He couldn't tell if she was crying or laughing. Or maybe both. He didn't want to look. He just wanted to hold her like this—hold this girl who seemed so strong, yet was softer than anyone else.

The living room light bathed the two of them. Like a bubble that belonged only to them, sealing off everything outside.

---

The next morning.

Seika woke up early. When she opened her eyes, Tsushima Kagami was still asleep. Lying on his side, one hand tucked under his cheek, his breathing steady and even. Golden morning light fell across his face, gilding his already gentle features with a faint golden glow.

Seika didn't move, just lay there on her side, quietly watching him. She thought back to what she'd said last night. About her seventeen-year-old self, about that little person who'd always been waiting. Thinking about it now, it still felt a little embarrassing. She'd never told anyone those things before, not even Kikuri or PA-ko. But last night, the words had just come out so naturally. As if they'd been stuck in her throat all along, only waiting for someone she could trust enough to say them to.

Tsushima Kagami's eyelashes twitched. Seika quickly closed her eyes, pretending to still be asleep. But she could feel the person beside her roll over, then the faint bounce of the mattress. He was getting up. She squinted, peering through the slit of her eyes.

Tsushima Kagami was standing by the bed, his back to her, reaching for his phone on the nightstand. His pajama collar hung loose, revealing a stretch of collarbone. He glanced at the time, then turned around, his gaze landing on her face.

Seika quickly squeezed her eyes shut. She heard him laugh softly. Then she felt the mattress dip again. He leaned down, and his lips brushed against her forehead. Like a feather drifting down.

"I'll go make breakfast."

His voice was gentle and soft, as if he were talking to himself. But it was clearly meant for Seika Ijichi to hear.

Then came the sound of footsteps moving away, followed by the bedroom door being gently closed. Seika opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. The warmth on her forehead hadn't faded yet. She reached up and touched the spot, then pulled the blanket over herself and curled into a ball, burying her face in it. After a while, she finally crawled out from under the blanket, her face flushed, but her eyes full of laughter. She lingered in bed for a few more minutes before finally getting up.

When she walked into the living room, Tsushima Kagami was already in the kitchen. He was wearing the clothes that had been dried yesterday, with Seika's apron thrown over them. The apron was light blue, printed with a white cat. Tied around him, it was clearly at least a size too small, looking a bit ridiculous.

"Why are you wearing Nijika's apron?"

Seika walked to the kitchen doorway, watching Tsushima Kagami's puzzling behavior. There were normal-sized aprons available, yet he'd picked the least suitable one, one clearly made for a kid.

"Nijika's apron?"

Tsushima Kagami didn't turn around, his hands still busy at the stove.

"I just think this one suits my aesthetic best."

Seika Ijichi had been about to argue, but then remembered that Tsushima Kagami's logic sometimes just short-circuited out of nowhere. So she closed her mouth again. She turned and walked over to sit at the dining table, pretending nothing had just happened.

From the kitchen came the sound of frying, along with Tsushima Kagami humming a few bars of melody now and then. Seika recognized it—it was the intro to "17" from last night. She rested her chin on her hand, looking toward the kitchen. The apron was way too small, but tied around him, it looked unexpectedly cute...

Realizing where her thoughts had gone, Seika quickly looked away, staring down at the table.

After a while, Tsushima Kagami came out carrying two plates. On the plates were fried eggs, toast, and cut fruit. The edges of the eggs were crispy, the yolks just barely runny, ready to spill at the slightest touch.

"When did you learn to cook?"

Seika picked up her fork and poked at the egg. This wasn't the first time she'd eaten Tsushima Kagami's cooking. But she'd always wondered why a guy like him had bothered to learn to cook. And gotten so good at it, too.

"Would you believe me if I said I was a natural?"

Tsushima Kagami sat down across from her, sliding a cup of hot milk toward her. Seika picked up the cup and took a sip; the temperature was just right.

The two of them ate breakfast facing each other, neither saying a word, but it didn't feel awkward. The kitchen still held the warmth of the fried eggs, and the smell of toast drifted through the living room. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across a corner of the table. Seika suddenly thought this kind of morning wasn't so bad. If every morning from now on could be like this...

She quickly shook her head, tossing the thought away. What was she even thinking.

"What's wrong?"

Tsushima Kagami looked at her.

"Nothing, my neck's just a little sore."

Seika lied without changing expression. She felt like she'd been lying a lot more often since yesterday...

After breakfast, Seika rushed to do the dishes. Tsushima Kagami stood in the kitchen doorway, watching her back as she washed.

"What are you looking at?"

Seika asked without turning around.

"Just thinking you look nice, so I wanted to look a bit more."

"You're insufferable..."

Seika's hands moved a little faster, the tips of her ears tinged faintly pink.

The dishes were done, the kitchen tidied up. Seika hung up the apron, turned around, and found Tsushima Kagami already standing by the entryway. He was putting on his shoes. The same sneakers that PA-ko had spotted yesterday, and that Kikuri had noticed too. Seika walked over and stood beside him, watching him tie his laces.

"Um..."

"Hm?"

"You're... leaving?"

Tsushima Kagami finished tying his laces and stood up straight, looking at her.

"Yeah, I should head back."

"Oh."

Seika responded, then had nothing more to say. The two of them just stood there at the entryway, neither moving. In the end, it was Tsushima Kagami who spoke first.

"I'll get going, then."

"Okay."

"Um... want to come over for dinner tonight?"

Seika looked up at him.

"Staying over again?"

"Who said you're staying over!"

Seika Ijichi threw a fake-angry punch at him. Tsushima Kagami caught her small fist, holding it in his hand.

"I've got things to do during the day, so I'll come by around dinnertime."

The corner of Seika's mouth twitched upward slightly, then she quickly pressed it back down.

"Okay, I'll get going."

Tsushima Kagami reached for the doorknob.

"Wait."

Seika suddenly called out to stop him. Tsushima Kagami turned back. Seika stood in front of him, her expression a little awkward, as if she were making some major decision. She pressed her lips together, then quickly rose up on her toes and pecked him on the cheek. The motion was as quick as a dragonfly skimming water. Then she stepped back, lowered her head, her ears red enough to bleed.

"Okay, you can go now."

Tsushima Kagami blinked, stunned for a moment, then laughed. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

"See you tonight."

"Okay."

The door opened, then closed again. Like a wife seeing her husband off to work. The sound of footsteps in the hallway grew fainter, until they disappeared completely.

Seika stood where she was, staring at the closed door for a long while. Then she slowly crouched down and buried her face in her knees.

"Ahh..."

Another unclear sigh escaped her. But this time, there was laughter in it.

When Tsushima Kagami stepped out of the apartment building, the sunlight outside was just right. He stood at the foot of the building and glanced up at Seika's window. The curtain moved, then stilled again. He smiled and turned to walk toward the station.

He took the subway back to the nearest station, then walked for a while before spotting the large courtyard of his own house. Tsushima Kagami walked up to the courtyard gate and was reaching for his keys when a figure caught the corner of his eye. He paused, turning his head.

Someone was standing beside the courtyard wall. It was a girl. She wore a white short-sleeved shirt and a light-colored long skirt, with canvas shoes on her feet. Her long hair hung over her shoulders, tousled slightly by the warm breeze. A black mask covered part of her face. She had her head down, looking at something, though it wasn't clear what. Her whole body leaned against the wall, looking listless.

Tsushima Kagami blinked, then recognized her.

"Sayuri?"

The person's head snapped up. The motion was so sudden it looked as if she'd been startled, and she stumbled half a step back. Her eyes went wide, like a startled little animal. But once she saw it was Tsushima Kagami, the startled look slowly faded.

"Kagami..."

Her voice was quiet, a little hoarse. And carrying a slight nasal tone.

Tsushima Kagami frowned. He stepped forward, his tone apologetic.

"What are you doing here? Why didn't you call ahead if you wanted to see me? Have you been waiting long?"

As he spoke, he pulled his keys from his pocket and walked toward the gate.

"Come on in, let's sit inside."

He took a couple of steps, then noticed there were no footsteps following him. He stopped and turned around. Sayuri was still standing there, not moving. Her feet seemed nailed to the ground. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly.

"Sayuri?"

Tsushima Kagami looked at her, puzzled.

Sayuri pressed her lips together, then lowered her head, opened her bag, and pulled out a folder. She stepped forward and held the folder out to Tsushima Kagami.

"..."

Her voice was still hoarse, tinged with a nasal quality.

"This is the illustration we talked about last time... I finished it."

"Take a look, tell me if anything's wrong, and I'll fix it."

Tsushima Kagami glanced down at the folder she handed him, then looked back up at Sayuri. He took the folder. But he didn't pull out the pages inside. Instead, he looked at Sayuri. He'd noticed something.

Sayuri's voice sounded off. Her voice was much hoarser than usual, with a clear nasal tone. And she was wearing a mask today. It covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes visible. Beneath those eyes, he could faintly make out dark circles.

"Sayuri."

Tsushima Kagami looked into her eyes.

"Are you coming down with a cold?"

Sayuri's body noticeably stiffened. She shook her head quickly, then lowered it again.

"No, no... I'm just... a little tired."

"Just take a look at the illustrations."

Tsushima Kagami didn't move. He watched her, his brow furrowing deeper.

"Take off the mask, let me see."

Sayuri shook her head and took another step back. Tsushima Kagami stepped forward, reaching out to feel her forehead. The moment he raised his hand, Sayuri jerked back several steps. Tsushima Kagami's hand froze in midair. He blinked, then withdrew his hand, trying to keep his tone light.

"Worried you'll get me sick?"

"It's fine, my immune system's decent, colds aren't that contagious."

"Come inside, I'll make you some ginger tea."

"Hot drinks help with colds."

He turned to head back into the courtyard.

"Really, it's fine!"

Sayuri's voice suddenly rose. Tsushima Kagami turned back. Sayuri stood where she was, watching him, her visible eyes above the mask full of complicated emotion. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end said nothing. She simply bowed deeply. Then turned and walked away quickly. She walked so fast she was almost running. Her long skirt fluttered in the wind, her canvas shoes striking the pavement in hurried thuds.

"Sayuri?"

Tsushima Kagami called out.

She didn't look back. Her figure grew smaller and smaller, then turned a corner at the end of the alley and disappeared.

Tsushima Kagami stood at the courtyard gate, staring in that direction for a long while, not moving. He looked down at the folder in his hands. Then looked up again, toward where Sayuri had disappeared.

"This kid..."

He sighed softly.

"It's just a cold."

"Why's she being so distant all of a sudden."

Once inside, he took the illustrations out of the folder. He flipped it open and looked. The first page was a line drawing. The lines were clean, the composition pleasing to the eye. It was obvious a lot of care had gone into it. Tsushima Kagami flipped through a few more pages. Each one was done with great care; it was clear how much time and effort Sayuri had poured into these drawings.

But he wasn't in the mood to look closely right now. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had been off with Sayuri today. Maybe it was just the cold. Tsushima Kagami shook his head. It made sense she'd want to leave quickly if she didn't want to pass it on to someone else.

---

Sayuri ran out of the residential area and reached the busy main road. She didn't know why she'd run. She just felt like if she didn't run, she might not be able to hold it together. Only once she'd reached the crowded street district did she finally stop. She bent over, hands on her knees, gasping for breath. Beneath the mask, her breathing was ragged and heavy. Her eyes burned hot. Something had been welling up in her eyes the whole time; she'd tried desperately to hold it back, but couldn't anymore. Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes, tracing along the edge of the mask, dripping onto the ground.

She straightened up and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Only then did she head toward the subway entrance.

Once she got home. She kicked off her shoes and walked straight into her room. Then collapsed onto her desk. She curled up completely, burying her face in her arms. Her shoulders began to tremble slightly. She made no sound. Just tears, flowing and flowing.

On the desk lay a half-finished illustration. It depicted a boy and a cat sitting on a windowsill, watching the sunset. But she'd only gotten halfway before she couldn't continue. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't go on.

Sayuri buried her face even deeper. She wrapped her arms around her head, as if trying to hide herself away.

She thought again of what had happened a few days ago...