The university's exit gate let them out onto the wide afternoon street.
Cold air slipped immediately through the gap between collar and neck. Cars rolled past in slow lines. People crossed the intersections in heavy coats with their heads lowered against the wind.
Daiki shoved both hands into his pockets.
"It's freezing."
"You say that every day."
"And every day I'm right."
Beside him, Riku pulled both headphones on and disappeared into his coat without another word.
Ayame already looked built for winter, long dark coat buttoned neatly to the top while the wind moved lightly through her hair.
Mei disappeared almost entirely into her collar until only her glasses and braids remained visible.
They walked toward Hiashi Metro Station together.
Daiki talked most of the way.
First about cafeteria bread rolls.
Then about the soup.
Then somehow about the administration building budget, at which point even he seemed to lose track of what he was arguing anymore.
