By the time Reika gets home, it's already past eleven. The streets of Den-en-chōfu are silent, lined with ginkgo trees and soft yellow streetlights. Her family's house sits behind a low stone wall, western-style with wide windows and a small front garden.
Once she gets inside, she's greeted by air that smells faintly of jasmine and cedar polish. But from the living room, her mother's voice calls out with disapproval.
"Reika? You're home late again!"
Reika kicks off her shoes by the door, too tired to defend herself. "It's not that late, Mom."
"Not late? Where were you?"
"I just went to Kobe with Aki for an interview. I'm exhausted."
"Kobe?" Her mother appears briefly in the hallway, her face wrinkled. "And you didn't tell me beforehand?! You should've called!"
"I know, I know," Reika says with a groan. "I'm going to bed."
She starts up the stairs, dragging her steps a little.
