The classroom emptied out, and within ten minutes, Akira and Shouko had finished cleaning. Only one task remained—taking out the trash.
Akira walked over to the three bins in the upper left corner of the classroom and pulled out trash bags of different colors. After tying each bag closed, he handed the lightest one—the non-burnable waste—to Shouko.
"Here, you take this one." He kept the two heavier bags for burnables and recyclables.
(There's really no need to explain how Japanese garbage is categorized…)
Once Shouko took the bag, Akira replaced the bins with clean liners and the two of them walked out of the classroom.
"Hey, hey, hey! Wanna go diving after school today?"
As they passed Class C, they overheard an unfamiliar voice. Akira glanced through the window and saw a spiky-haired boy enthusiastically waving a broom as he spoke to two friends—one chubby, the other skinny.
In the past three months, Akira and Shouko had often crossed paths with this hedgehog-haired boy, but never learned his name.
"No way! That bridge is way too high—you'll get hurt!" the chubby boy shot back.
The spiky-haired boy clicked his tongue. "Tch… Coward."
The boy in the coat chuckled. "Shouya, you're so brave. Maybe if you jump first, the rest of us will get the guts."
Shouya?
Akira caught the name as they passed by the classroom door. He glanced back at the energetic boy—there was something familiar about him. Tea-like vibes, even.
But ultimately, it wasn't his business.
He and Shouko reached the trash sorting area, disposed of the garbage properly, washed their hands, and picked up their backpacks on the way back. Coincidentally, they passed by the same trio now heading out with their own trash.
Akira double-checked the classroom to make sure they hadn't left anything, then took Shouko's hand and they left school together.
"It's gonna rain soon…" Akira glanced up at the sky halfway home. It had been clear earlier, but now it was heavy with dark clouds.
Sure enough, the two of them got caught in a drizzle just before reaching the house. Thankfully, Shouko's books remained dry—thanks to her backpack shielding her head.
As they entered, Shizuka Miyamura stepped out of the bathroom and gently said, "Go warm up with a bath, Shouko." Akira headed upstairs to grab a change of clothes.
"You go first, Akira," Shouko offered. She had gotten less wet than him and used her bag for cover.
Shizuka chuckled, kneeling slightly and rubbing Shouko's cheek. "What's with you two? You're both soaked and still trying to be polite."
Flustered by the implication, Shouko's ears turned bright red. She mumbled shyly, "Do you… want to take a bath together…?"
Of course, it was too soft for anyone to hear clearly.
"There's an umbrella at the door. Come hang out after your bath, Shouko." Shizuka either didn't hear or chose to ignore the quiet stammer, giving her usual gentle smile.
"Y-Yes!" Shouko grabbed her umbrella, still blushing, and hurried out of the Miyamura house—completely ignoring Akira, who had just come down the stairs.
"Slow down, Shouko! Where are you rushing off to?" Shizuka called out.
Akira barely had time to react before she dashed away without even changing out of her slippers. He turned to his mom, who was now giggling at her phone.
"…Mom, what did you say to her?"
Shizuka ruffled his hair with a smile. "Nothing. Now go take a bath."
After finishing her bath, Shouko returned to the Miyamura house with her umbrella in hand. She stepped inside and spotted Akira sitting on the tatami mat, watching TV. Shizuka was nowhere in sight.
"Hehe… Akira, you smell nice." Shouko giggled, inching closer. A sweet scent—not quite shampoo, not quite soap—wafted from him.
"Why didn't you dry your hair, Shouko?"
Akira turned to see her damp bangs and frowned.
"The hair dryer at home's broken," Shouko explained, blinking her wide eyes and saying playfully, "Can you dry it for me?"
(Nishimiya Kei: Wait, since when was the dryer broken...?)
"Sure." Akira nodded immediately, without hesitation.
He brought out the dryer, tested a few temperatures with his hand, and then turned it off to ask, "How's this temperature?"
Shouko nodded with a soft "Mm," and sat on a small stool.
As Akira gently ran his fingers through her hair while blow-drying, Shouko closed her eyes in comfort. His technique was surprisingly skilled—he didn't tug or snag a single strand.
"All done. How's that?" he asked, unplugging the dryer.
Before Shouko could reply, Shizuka walked in and gave a thumbs-up.
"Way better than your dad's blow-drying skills."
Shouko yawned and finally spoke. "Yeah… super comfy."
"Don't you have exams next week?" Shizuka asked as Akira packed up the dryer and returned to the living room.
Akira thought for a second. "I guess? How'd you know?"
"Your teacher told me," she replied, stroking Shouko's cheek as the girl sat beside her.
"Then why'd you even ask me?" Akira rolled his eyes and turned back to the TV.
"Did Shouko know?" she asked softly.
Just as Shouko opened her mouth to answer, Shizuka's phone rang. She checked the caller ID—Daiki Miyamura, her husband.
"Hello? What's going on?" she asked.
His voice was urgent. "Mom fell at home. She's in the hospital now. I'm tied up at work, but I'll be over soon. Can you check on her first?"
"Got it. I'm heading over now. Don't worry."
She hung up, then turned to the two kids, who were now staring at her in concern.
"Grandma's in the hospital," she explained gently. "I'm going over to see her."
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POWER STONE!!!
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