When they finally stepped back outside, the sun had shifted higher, and a mild breeze passed through the street.
Tomoe lifted her hand and indicated across the road, her attention already fixed on the storefront beyond the street. "Look," the word came out lightly as she extended her arm. "There's a bakery over there. Let's go take a look."
Before he could answer, her fingers caught the edge of his sleeve and gave a brief pull, guiding him a step forward. Tetsuo's stride paused, his lips parting slightly as his eyes settled on her hand resting there.
The bakery carried the scent of fresh bread and sugar, warm air lingering near the counter. Behind it, Naomi stood beside her mother, both of them arranging cakes in the display case.
Naomi's eyes moved over the empty tables as she paused in her work. "It's pretty quiet today,"
Naomi's mother let out a tired breath as she adjusted one of the trays, her hands slowing for a moment. "Yeah," the sound left her quietly. "Business hasn't been very good lately."
She glanced toward the counter, then back to the display. "It feels bad that your friend still came out to help, especially on her day off."
Naomi straightened, the earlier heaviness easing from her posture as she looked toward her mother. "It's fine," her voice carried a steady optimism. "People will come."
She turned then, her attention shifting to Sachiko wiping down a nearby table. "Right, Sachiko?" The corners of her mouth lifted as she spoke. "At this rate, we'll probably sell out before we know it."
Sachiko smoothed the front of her apron, her hands pausing briefly as she looked up. "Yeah… we will," her reply came out soft but certain.
The bell above the door rang as it swung open, the clear sound cutting through the quiet of the shop. Naomi's shoulders lifted as she turned toward the entrance, her expression brightening at once. "See?" the words came out with quick satisfaction. "I told you."
Behind the counter, her mother glanced up and gave a small motion toward the front. "Sachiko," her voice followed calmly, "can you take care of them?"
Sachiko drew in a short breath, her shoulders settling as she moved toward the counter. "Alright," the reply left her quietly as she took her place, her expression smoothing into something practiced. "Good afternoon, welcome to Nakamura Pastries and—"
The words stopped partway.
At one of the tables sat Tetsuo. Across from him was a girl, her back angled toward the window. Sachiko halted in place. After a brief pause, she turned away before his gaze could settle on her face and headed back toward the counter, her steps short and rigid.
Naomi leaned closer, lowering her voice as she noticed the hesitation. "What's wrong?" Her eyes flicked toward the table, then back again. "Did you not get their order?"
Sachiko leaned closer and spoke under her breath, her fingers catching lightly at Naomi's sleeve as she drew her attention toward the dining area. "Just… look."
Naomi shifted her weight and leaned out just enough to see past the counter. Her eyes widened a fraction as she took in the scene. "Oh…" A brief pause followed before a hint of interest crept into her voice. "Well. Do you know her?"
Sachiko kept her gaze lowered, her answer coming after a short beat. "No."
Naomi tilted her head as she continued watching from behind the counter, one elbow resting lightly against the surface. "Hmm. That might explain why he's been leaving class so fast lately." A quiet breath followed before she added, "His girlfriend, maybe."
She leaned back, folding her arms loosely. "Honestly, she's cute. Though… she's got that same blank look he does." The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. "I guess that's his preference."
Heat gathered at Sachiko's cheeks as she drew her arms closer to herself. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of her apron as she spoke, her voice kept low. "I… I can't go out there," the words came unevenly. "Not like this."
From the table, Tetsuo lifted his head and directed his voice toward the counter, his tone steady and unraised. "Hello? Is anyone here?"
When no answer came, he rose from his seat and walked over to the display case. His steps slowed as he stopped in front of the glass, his eyes moving across the rows of cakes.
Maybe they stepped away for a moment, the thought passed quietly as his attention settled on one section. His gaze lingered on the cheesecake. These look good. Usagi likes this kind.
Naomi watched from behind the counter, a teasing look forming as she leaned slightly closer to Sachiko. "You're the one who offered to help out today," her voice came out light, edged with amusement. "You can't back out now."
Sachiko hesitated, her lips parting without any sound.
Naomi let out a short laugh under her breath, her eyes narrowing with playful scrutiny. "You were the one looking so down when he wouldn't pay attention to you before," she added quietly. "Now you are on first name basis, and you're the one hiding."
Sachiko's voice dropped as the heat in her face refused to fade. "This isn't funny," the words came out tight, her jaw set as she kept her eyes turned away.
Naomi pressed her lips together, a faint shake passing through her shoulders as she tried to hold it in. "I'm not laughing," she replied, though a hint of amusement still lingered. After a brief pause, she added, "It's just that… your expression right now is pretty cute."
Sachiko's head snapped slightly in her direction, the color on her cheeks deepening. "I'm not jealous," the denial came quickly, her tone sharper than before as she crossed her arms.
Naomi kept her voice low. "If you're really not bothered," she continued evenly, "then there's no reason to avoid him." A brief pause followed. "Go take the order. We can't afford to turn customers away."
Sachiko's hands tightened once, then relaxed. A quiet breath slipped out of her. "…Alright."
She returned to the counter and faced the display case. "Good afternoon. Welcome to Nakamura's Pastries and Cakes." After a short pause, she continued, keeping her tone steady. "What would you like today?"
Tetsuo looked up from the cakes, his expression unchanged as recognition settled in. "Sachiko," he spoke evenly. "I didn't know you worked here."
Sachiko shook her head. "No, I'm just helping out. Naomi's mother owns the bakery."
Tomoe glanced between them, her voice kept low. "Oh? You two know each other?"
Tetsuo answered without hesitation. "Yeah. She's my classmate. The Vice president of the student council."
Tomoe gave a small nod, her gaze returning to the cakes. "I see. Then… could I get a slice of that cheesecake, please?"
Tetsuo shifted his weight slightly. "I'll have a slice as well."
Sachiko worked in careful, practiced motions, guiding the knife through the cake and sliding each slice into its packaging. She adjusted the box lids, then held them out across the counter.
"Thank you for coming." She inclined her head in a proper bow, her lips lifting into a smile that held just a little too much tension. "Please stop by again."
As Tetsuo and Tomoe stepped outside, Sachiko released a quiet breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her shoulders eased, but her gaze remained fixed on the door long after it closed. The corners of her eyes softened, a faint trace of melancholy settling.
She finished the cheesecake on a nearby bench, brushing her fingers together once before standing. After that, they headed toward a small bookstore down the street.
Inside, Tomoe slowed, then stopped in front of a display. Her posture straightened, and her eyes focused sharply on one of the covers.
"Wow…" Her voice lifted before she caught herself. "It's the next volume of Read Between the Lines. It's a really good detective series. Lots of mysteries."
She shifted her weight, fingers curling lightly against the strap of her bag. "I didn't get a chance to buy this one yet. I should've brought more money…"
The realization set in a beat later. Color crept into her cheeks, and she looked away, clearing her throat. "Sorry," she added more quietly. "I got a little...carried away."
Tetsuo reached past her and lifted the book from the display. He turned it once in his hands, then started toward the cashier without a change in pace.
She hesitated, fingers drawing back toward her bag. "Are you sure? It's really not a big deal. I can pick it up another time." Her voice lowered at the end, cautious rather than insistent.
He paused near the register, the book resting against his palm. "It's fine. Think of it as a gift." After a brief beat, his gaze shifted back to her. "And… maybe you can lend me the earlier volumes sometime."
Her eyes widened a fraction, surprise breaking through before she caught herself. A faint smile settled on her lips. She drew in a small breath, then let it out slowly. "…Thank you."
They wandered toward a nearby residential park, their pace unhurried. As they stepped inside, a basketball suddenly bounced across the path. Tetsuo halted and caught it cleanly with one hand, fingers tightening around the rubber as his gaze lifted toward where it came from.
"I'm really sorry, mister!" A young boy hurried over, bending forward with a quick, clumsy bow.
"Yes—very sorry," a small girl added, her hands clasped in front of her as she dipped her head.
After a brief pause, Tetsuo rolled the ball once in his palm, then set it spinning on his finger. He stepped onto the edge of the small court, gave the ball a single controlled dribble, and rose into a clean shot. The ball passed straight through the hoop, the net barely moving.
"Whoa!" Several voices burst out at once, the kids bouncing in place. "That was awesome!"
One boy leaned forward, eyes fixed on the hoop. "How did you learn to do that?"
Tetsuo lowered his shooting hand and let it rest at his side. "I play basketball at Toshigawa Academy."
"That's amazing!" Hands reached for him immediately, small fingers closing around his wrist and sleeve. "Play with us, mister!"
He stopped after a step, shoulders settling as he looked over. "Uh… wait a second." His gaze shifted to Tomoe, his expression unchanged.
She covered her mouth briefly, a quiet laugh slipping out as she sat back on the bench, watching him.
For a while, he stayed on the court with them. Tomoe remained on the bench, her posture relaxed, her gaze tracking him as he moved. He demonstrated how to pass, how to set his feet, how to release the ball. Each time a shot went in, the children's cheers rose again.
When it finally settled down, he walked back over and sat beside her. They sat in silence for a moment as the air moved gently through the park.
Tomoe turned toward him, the smile on her lips lingering before she spoke. Her shoulders eased as she drew in a measured breath.
"Thank you for today, Tetsuo." She let the words settle, her eyes staying on him. "I was hesitant at first, but…" Her voice softened as she paused. "I'm glad I came. It's been a long time since I've had this much fun."
Tetsuo turned toward her. His gaze paused, registering the change before he looked ahead again. The heaviness in her eyes was now gone; it now held a quiet brightness now, steady and present. A light breeze passed through his hair as he exhaled.
"Well… I think I enjoyed it too."
Tetsuo pushed himself up from the bench, his gaze drifting toward the vending machines nearby. "I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"
Tomoe looked up at him, then shook her head lightly. "Water's fine."
He gave a small nod, already turning away. "Alright. I'll be back."
As he headed toward the vending machines, Tomoe reached into her bag and took out the book he had bought for her. Her fingers moved slowly along the edge of the cover before she opened it. Her posture eased as she read, attention settling fully on the page.
Time slipped by without her noticing. Then the light in front of her shifted, blocked by someone standing close. A familiar voice reached her from behind, low and controlled.
"…I'm back, Tomoe. Did you miss me?"
Her breath hitched. She turned at once, eyes widening as they focused on him.
"No… it can't be…"