Shun and Alice looked inside Dr. Gehabich's house through the front window to see everyone working. It was a smooth process until Clara came out with a makeshift megaphone and started yelling.

"People! The sofas shouldn't block the windows in any way, because the blinds need to be closed and then opened later. Also, why is this carpet crooked?" Clara kicked the carpet a little. "Can somebody go outside to see if Shiori and what's-his-name are back with paint and primer? The walls are all bare now."

"Your aunt seems pretty strict about this. It's not like this is her house, is it?" Shun asked. "To tell you the truth, I've never really been here before."

"Well, let's just say that Aunt Clara's the type that wants to get moving, but sometimes her leadership gets in the way of function."

"I can see what you mean by that." Shun got down and sat on the rocks nearby. "Are you eight years old? You would be in third grade, right?"

"Yes, I'm in third grade. I'm turning eight soon. Right now, we're on winter break, so I came here with Aunt Clara. You?"

"We just started winter break as well. Most of my friends are on vacation with their families, but I'm stuck here doing nothing. At least you get to come here for winter break. It's better than staying at home all the time."

"I thought you told me that you went to see your father during winter break? What happened to that?" Seeing that Shun's expression went pale and blank, Alice realized that she accidentally said something she wasn't supposed to say. "Did I say something wrong?"

"It's not wrong. You're just repeating what I said before. I usually do go see my father during winter break, but that depends on what both my parents decide on. I have no idea what my grandfather is doing right now, but I doubt that he'll take us anywhere. He's more concerned about training than the holidays." Suddenly, Alice started laughing. "What's so funny about it?"

"It's just that you have a better life than me. At home, I only have Aunt Clara to take care of me. My parents aren't here anymore, while Grandfather lives all the way here in Wardington. I don't have many friends, either. Meeting you is a huge impact in my life already."

Shun looked to the side as Alice laughed again. "For me, at least I have someone to talk to during the break. Unei-nee is in high school already, so she's often busy with school work."

Alice stopped laughing and looked up. "I almost forgot. Who is Unei? I know that she's like an older sister to you, but is she like a family friend?"

"She's like an older sister to me. Whenever my mom or grandfather is out or too busy, Unei-nee always comes over to watch over me. For some reason, she's not here today. Since you're here, my mom decided to bring me here so I would have someone to talk to. That way, I don't get bored."

"Well, at least both of us aren't bored." Alice looked around. "Shun, do you know the neighborhood really well?"

"I know this part of the neighborhood like my backyard. Why?"

Alice looked around again. "Can you show-" Suddenly, a van parked in front of Dr. Gehabich's house. "I don't recognize that car."

"Clara! Where do you want us to put the paints and primers?" Shiori got off the van and unloaded the buckets. "Hi Shun. I hope you're not bored here. I'm sorry that you had to come with me here, but I didn't expect Unei to call at the last minute that she couldn't come. Very surprising and sudden, actually." She greeted Alice as well and went inside.

"See what I mean? Usually, Unei-nee is always here to babysit me no matter how tough her homework gets, but today was an exception. Maybe her homework is taking over her for the first time. By the way, what were you going to ask me earlier?"

"It was nothing. How come Unei has homework over winter break? I don't have any, and neither do you, judging by your behavior. Is Unei really busy with something?"

"Unei-nee is a ninth grader, so she has a lot more homework than us. Normally, she tends to finish everything in time, but I don't know what she's doing today. She's still my closest friend."

"Unei must be a really important person to you. It's weird how she's not here right now..."

"I know, right? Why don't we talk about you? Is there anyone like Unei that been there to help you?"

"Aunt Clara was always there for me every single time ever since I lost my parents. Then there's my grandfather. I have no idea why he would want to move here away from us, but it's his decision. Wardington and Bayview aren't that far apart from each other, now that I think about it. It was the rain and traffic that made the ride especially long."

"Lucky. My parents divorced, and my father moved to a house all the way across the bridge. My paternal grandfather stayed in Wardington to be closer to be since I'm his only grandchild. It takes five hours to get to where my father lives, and my mom gets really irritated about always having to drive me there. She thinks that my father should come over to pick me up, but I won't get into details. Where is Bayview?"

"Bayview?" Alice thought about it for a moment. "It took Aunt Clara one and a half hours to get here by truck, but there was a horrible traffic jam, so maybe it takes a lot less time. Have you been to other places other than where you father lives?"

It was Shun's turn to think for a moment. "I remember going to this forest-looking place once to go camping, but I don't remember quite well." Suddenly, the sunlight that shined on everything slowed faded. "Great. It's going to raining again."

"And going to be cold again, too." This time, Alice wore a T-shirt with sleeves only up to her elbows and capris that went halfway down to her calves. "I'll go get a jacket from inside." Just as Alice was going to go walk in the living room, a huge rush of water fell from the roof. "Ah!"

"Alice! Step back!" Shun pulled her by the hand outside as everyone stared at the leak in the ceiling. "Are you okay?"

"This is horrible! How did that leak start in the first place?" Clara stared at the drops of water. "This is going to be tougher than I thought."

Just then, somebody came running toward the house. "Shun! Shiori-san!" It was Unei carrying umbrellas in her hands. "Sorry that I couldn't come earlier. Shiori-san, Clara-san, do you want me to take the kids to my house for now? I happened to see the rush of water from the ceiling."

"Perfect timing, Unei. Take the kids away right now." Shiori replied. "I don't want them to get wet."

Unei handed Shun and Alice each an umbrella and took them to her house. "So how was today? I hope you didn't miss me."

"Not at all. Alice was here the entire time." Shun replied. Alice looked at him awkwardly, but Unei glared at him. "I'm just saying..." he whispered to Alice.

"That's nice." Unei replied sarcastically. "Well, thank goodness I came here in time. If not, then-"

"Can we hurry up? I want to make a cake when we go to your house." Shun interrupted.

"Seriously? You want to make a cake? Would you like Alice to help you instead of me?"

"I was just going to say that."

Without thinking, all three of them just started laughing. "Okay, Shun. We can make a cake when we go to my house. The vinyl tiles in the kitchen should be done installing by now." Shun and Alice followed Unei in the rain as they crossed the street.