"So, this is her house?"

"I think so."

"You think so, or you just don't know how to use GPS?"

"Are you doubting me?"

"Do you know why I doubt you?"

"Huh, I guess that's enough reason why."

Around the hours of the afternoon, two such girls are standing in front of a house. The current neighborhood they're inside is relatively peaceful, yet lively with children playing around at the nearby houses. Playing tags, hide-and-seek, hula-hoops, and such. Although, what was notable was the lush verdure around the neighborhood, which the bluenette recounts as something absent of her neighborhood. The air is fresher in this neighborhood, and the sight of trees and flowers at each house is nothing more than a luxurious comfort for those with a green thumb.

Sakurako herself likes the sight of the greenery but isn't looking forward to having one at her house, except for the front yard. Maybe her laziness or she just didn't like to have leaves and flowers dropping like flies around the house. As for her front yard, it existed as a way to cool down the house, or so, according to her mother. Can't even understand how does that works.

Anyway, the house that stands before them is a second-story house. The house is colored in apricot, whereas the roof and the frames of windows and a door are copper. Unlike the other houses with walls, this one has an iron fence guarding the yard and is frankly still open for visitors. Small trees lined up on their right, four potted flowers behind the fences, and a balcony of bushes for each window on the first floor. The path towards the house was a straight cemented pathway, which was disappointing on Sakurako's part, for she had expected cobblestones for the path, fitting to the greenery nature around the house.

"The front yard looks beautiful," the bluenette spoke. "It's a shame that I get to live in an apartment."

The blonde stays silent and then rolls her eyes to the side. "You don't like the apartment?"

"It's not like that," she replied. "But I like my home decorated with flowers."

"Didn't you have one in your room?" Sakurako asked her.

"Yeah, but I like to have more," Himawari then turned to her. "Don't you want flowers around your house?"

"Hmm…" Sakurako turned her eyes forward. "No."

"Heh," the bluenette pouted and looked away. "I'm not surprised you're that lazy."

"It's not that I'm lazy."

"I don't believe you."

"I know," Sakurako looked down to her GPS on the phone. "But I don't mind having a lawn."

Himawari gives a curious and questionable look to the blonde. "You do realize you have to cut the grasses when they are tall."

"Doesn't bother me much."

Himawari sighs, then shuts her eyes. "You don't want flowers because that's a lot of work to take care of them, correct?"

"No," Sakurako replied lowly. "I don't want to watch flowers and leaves falling out on the lawn."

Without letting Himawari reply, the blonde steps forward through the fence, which the bluenette followed suit. After climbing a couple of steps, they stand by the door, and Sakurako presses the doorbell. They could hear a beautiful chime of rhythmical bells by the door, higher the tone than the usual they heard from the school. Sakurako pockets her phone and corrects her handbag. A couple of seconds passed before they could hear a voice.

"One moment!"

The footsteps soon get closer, and then the door opens, which reveals a thin woman with the dark purple hair. Her hair is straight and reaches the length of around her shoulders. However, her eyes being rude on Sakurako's part, she noticed her bust was… almost the same as Himawari's. The woman's face is so gorgeous that one would bet she can win the Miss Universe competition.

"Hello, dear," the woman replied. "Is there something you need?"

"Um, sorry for intruding," Sakurako bowed. "But is this Misaka-chan's house?"

"Ah, you must be Sakurako-san, and Himawari-san," the woman replied. "I'm her mother. We've been expecting you."

"It's great to meet you, okaa-sama," Sakurako nodded with a small smile.

"Me too. Please come in," the mother shifted as they entered the house. "And please, take your shoes off."

Sakurako kneels one of her legs to open a shoe and then does the same for the other foot. On the other hand, Himawari wears off her shoes while standing. Thankfully, they don't have to bother putting down their bags first. They step barefooted upon the wooden floor; it possesses the same texture as the one back at Sakurako's home.

"Where is she?" Himawari asked the mother.

"She's upstairs in her room with a couple of friends," she responded. "After taking the stairs, go right and take the first room on your left."

"I see," Himawari nodded but also widened her eyes. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"By the way," Himawari corrected her bag. "Who are these friends?"

"Oh, they are Furoda-san," the mother then paused, scratching her head. "And… I think her name was Ayano."

"Eh?" the two girls turned at her.

The mother exchanges her looks of surprise. "You know her?"

"Ayano from Nanamori school, right?" Sakurako asked, didn't look in her direction.

"That's correct," the mother raised an eyebrow. "Is she your classmate?"

"Our vice student council, actually," Himawari answered.

"Woah, is that so?" the mother then giggled with delight. "She must be fun to work with."

"She's a pretty hard worker," Sakurako then turned around. "Sometimes, I wonder if she's tired to do all that."

Himawari sighs. "If it wasn't for Kyouko's club, she'll be tired all day long."

The blonde gives a longing look at her friend, then nods. "I doubt she gets some sleep if she was to play with them."

The bluenette sighs again with a hint of irritation. "Then I guess I could question how come she became energetic when she was supposed to be tired."

"Um, by the way," the girls looked back at the concerned mother. "Do you want tea or juice?"

"Tea," the girls said simultaneously without realization.

"Ok then," the mother then left. "Go on ahead upstairs."

The bluenette takes the lead, with the blonde trailing on her tail. Following Misaka's mother's directions, they reach the said door and turn the doorknob. Before them is a room bathed in chocolate; even the furniture and the walls are as brown as the natural wood they would find from a cabin. The chocolate walls are decorated with hand-made paintings, an owl clock, and shelves. There is a large flat TV on one end of the room, still turned off, in front of the bed.

In the middle of the room is a table, gathered by three specific individuals—first, the dark purple-haired Misaka. Second, the petite Furoda. And lastly, the tsundere vice student council, Ayano. The Nanamori student council looks so surprised by the arrival of these two girls. As for Misaka and Furoda, they brighten up their smiles like they just met their grandmother.

"Ah, Sakurako, Himawari!" Misaka raised a hand. "Afternoon!"

"Afternoon to you too, Misaka-chan," Sakurako then turned to Furoda. "Furoda."

"Hello," greeted back the petite girl.

Then looks at her vice student council. "And Ayano-chan."

"It's nice to see you both again," Ayano greeted warmly, then turned her smile flat and raised both eyebrows. "But I didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same to you, vice prez," Himawari responded.

"I'm guessing you came over for homework?" Ayano raised a pen.

"And also to play with you," Sakurako added before the girls then sat down at the table. "Heh, I hope we can finish the homework quickly."

"You're really desperate to play, huh?" Furoda flipped a page on her book.

"Not really," responded the blonde. "I just don't want my homework to keep bothering my mind."

"Just make sure you don't answer every query with carelessness, Saa-chan," warned the bluenette.

"I know," Sakurako was about to grab her book, then stopped. "Huh, that reminds me."

Everyone watches with wonder, especially Furoda and Misaka, who is eager to know what she's talking about. Soon, Sakurako pulls out each item from the handbag. Imagine the surprise the two Nagibara students had when there lay few assortments of souvenirs, mostly food, upon the table.

"Eh, what are these, Sakurako-chan?" Furoda asked, holding her only braid.

"Souvenirs I got from the trip to Kyoto," Sakurako responded flatly. "I figured you would be happy with these kinds of presents."

"Ah, I remember," Misaka interrupted. "You said you were still at Kyoto when I called you that day."

"Wait, when you called her?" Himawari leaned forward.

"I got her call when you were sleeping, Hima-chan," Sakurako replied, pushing the souvenirs to the two Nagibara students.

"But these seem a bit a lot," Ayano then narrowed her eyes to the blonde. "You did buy some for your sisters, right?"

"I did," Sakurako countenanced with a flat face. "I just brought a lot of money at the time."

"What the-!" Ayano quickly kneeled on both legs, stating out her repine doubt. "How rich are you?!"

"Huh?" Sakurako blinked, noticing anyone else had the same preposterous look, including the bluenette. "I'm not that rich."

"Did you keep winning the lottery again?" the bluenette descried questionably.

"I did. Why?"

"My," Misaka remembered that time on Sakurako's birthday. "You must be on a lucky streak to get that much money."

"I guess so," Sakurako shrugged. "It's nice to have a lot of money. Just in case."

"Jeez," Furoda lazily landed her cheek on her fist. "I'm so jealous of you. Do you think you can spare some of your luck for me?"

"I… don't think I can," Sakurako then pulled out another. "And here's a bowl for you, Misaka-chan."

"Eh?!" Misaka staggered herself but acquiesced to her gift. "S-Sakurako, you don't have to give me something like this, you know."

"You're welcome," Sakurako responded flatly.

"Aren't you listening to me?" responded the dark-purpled student council, her right ponytail swaying about.

"I am."

"Now, now," Furoda took one of the souvenir foods. "It would be a shame to refuse these presents. Gifts from Kyoto, nonetheless."

"Man, wished we could afford to go there as well," Misaka shut her eyes and let out a sigh. "I always wanted to see Kiyozumi-dera."

"So…" Ayano turned to Himawari. "What did you buy back then?"

"I bought some plates and glasses for my home," Himawari then raised her eyebrows. "That said, didn't you buy a Bokutou back there?"

"Ah, yes, I did," Ayano replied. "The wooden sword looks awesome."

"Huh," Sakurako furrowed her eyes and bowed her head. "I don't recall you're the type who likes samurai."

"So what?" Ayano then crossed her arms, letting out a huff. "It's not like I want to play slashing-Kenshin and stuff."

The blonde and Misaka giggle at the pun. Himawari had taken a few seconds to realize what pun she was referring to. While Furoda turns her eyes left and right, indecisive on how to respond.

"Hmm, slashing-Kenshin," the blonde took a deep breath and let it out. "By the way, didn't Kyouko also buy Bokutou as well?"

"A-ehm," without any reason, the maroon-haired girl immediately flustered. "W-what about it? I bought it because I want it. It doesn't have anything to do with Kyouko."

"You know, I remembered Chitose said something about Bokutou pair," Sakurako scratched her hair. "But I'm not sure what she meant about it."

"W-what?!" Ayano stuttered, her face redder than a strawberry and her eyes whitened than a ghost. "N-n-n-no, she was just talking silly nonsense. It's not like I'm looking for a pair!"

"Um…" a sweat clambered down the side of her forehead. "Are you having a fever-? Oh…"

Too slow, huh? The bluenette continues to glare at her, deep inside sighing that she realized something. Misaka and Furoda had shed sweat for the poor Nanamori's vice student council, although they are somewhat bothered by the former lazy girl's flavorless face. They can't tell if she understands what Ayano meant, but thankfully she's not the kind of girl to tease someone off until one's pride is broken. Well, especially in Himawari's case.

"O… kay…" Furoda digressed at the blonde. "What did you buy at Kyoto, aside from these treats?"

"And a bowl," Misaka added.

"A couple of books, other treats, a Kokeshi doll, and a baton."

"Oh, ni-," Furoda immediately wrinkled her eyes. "Wait, what was the last one?"

"A baton."

Each girl looks at the other to see if any of them misheard her words. An unnerving silence overtakes the room, and they don't yet have any grasshoppers. Ayano has the most suspension of disbelief, seeing from her slightly pale eyes.

"Hang on, where did you buy that baton?" Ayano durst to ask.

"At that same gift shop."

"You've gotta be kidding," Misaka tightened and furrowed her eyes. "Isn't it illegal to carry that thing around?"

"I was wondering the same thing," Himawari sighed with eyes closed. "Then again, why was that gift shop allowed to sell batons?"

"Hmm…" Sakurako bowed her eyes. "I remembered the employee asked me to keep quiet about it."

She receives threatening glares from everyone, though she is concerned about the shop than herself. "Could be for a good reason."

"Uh-huh," Ayano half-shut her eyes, then supported her back with her arms. Then turns at her with an empty glare. "Wait… isn't Bokutou a weapon as well?"

"…." Himawari looked to her upper right, all the while scratching her right cheek. "Yes… and no… I think we could regard that as an art than a weapon."

"Oh?" the maroon-haired girl gave out a big sigh of relief. "That's good to know then. I won't be afraid of getting caught, Cologne by the law."

Misaka and Sakurako gag at the joke before taking a deep breath. With all the cakes, candies, and other treats present on the table, Misaka put them all into that bowl. The bowl is supposed to be used for soup, but enough to handle the number of souvenirs. Before putting the platter away, Misaka, Furoda, and Ayano got their hands on the candies, one for each. She places the bowl on a nightstand, saving it for later if they happen to want to get another treat.

Misaka then sits back at the table, almost made a thudding sound on the floor, and lets out an annoyed breath. "Alright, time to continue the homework."

"It sounds like you hated it," Sakurako stated.

The dark purple-haired Nagibara council leans forward, stretching her arms all the way. "Don't you hate it too, Saa-chan?"

"I do, but I don't mind it either," Sakurako then pulled out the homework.

"Oh, is that science?" asked the single-braided girl.

"Yes," the blonde responded. "About life endangerment."

"EH?"

"Sakurako!" Himawari soured her face. "Enough joking about Nishigaki-sesnei."

"Sorry," was a humble response from the former idiot blonde.

"But the joke is kind of accurate, you know?" Ayano lazily rested her cheek on her palm. "I wonder if she's immortal."

"Not you too," Himawari responded; her eyes resembled nothing more than thick lines.

"That must be an interesting teacher," Misaka replied with a warm smile.

"I don't think so…" Sakurako looked down to her left side. "Unless you count her blowing up the school many times as interesting."

Furoda then sheds a sweat on the back of her head. "That must be a dangerous teacher then."

"Don't worry, she's pretty harmless," Ayano grabbed her pen. "Just make sure to stay away from her when she's experimenting."

"I'll keep that in mind then," Misaka then flipped a page of her homework.

Before they even begin the homework, Misaka notices something on Sakurako's left hand. Not that it was dirty, but she can't get a glance at what it was. When her hand rests upon the book, could she see some kind of a marking on her backhand. A straight line marking that is paler than the rest of her skin and not in sync with the typical pattern of the skin. It seems like a scar for the Nagibara student council.

"Hey, Sakurako."

"Yes?"

"What is that on your hand?"

"Hmm?"

Misaka points. "Your left hand. Is that a scar?"

"Oh, yes it is. I had stabbed myself."

Frightened by her answer, Furoda straight up streaks an entire row of her page while Misaka continues to glare as if she was on death row. Ayano manages to suppress herself from expressing herself and instead, work on her homework, her eyebrows raised and her smile flat. There's nothing more powerful to express the aggravation Himawari had but a slow, gentle facepalm.

"You…" Misaka wished it's not because of what happened on that very day. "Did you try to kill yourself?"

"Hm?" the blonde raised an eyebrow. "I never said that."

"What she meant, Misaka-chan," the bluenette then let her hand slide off her face. "It's that Sakurako accidentally stabbed herself."

"Oh…" Furoda looked at the blonde. "Don't mislead us like that."

"I beg to differ," to see how these Nagibara students responded is nothing short of amusement for Ayano. "That's still accurate even without the context."

"Ah- Ayano-senpai!" the bluenette is a little mortified. "Don't encourage her!"

"I'm just saying, Himawari," Ayano then looked over to the blonde. "Your hand doesn't ache anymore, right?"

"Pretty much," Sakurako closed and stretched her left hand. "Hmm… how does it feel to get shot, I wonder?"

"Please don't get your hopes up, Saa-chan," a sweat procured on MIsaka's forehead, for a good reason, before turning at Himawari. "How come that happened, by the way?"

"That little to no-good Kyouko," Ayano snorted and crossed her arms. "She just barged in Sakurako's class without even knocking. Instead, she announced herself aloud in the middle of the home economics class."

"Oh…" Furoda gave a false smile to the blonde. "You were cutting vegetables, weren't you?"

"I was."

Himawari takes a deep breath and sighs out. "Maybe I should let you do the cooking next time."

"Thank you," Sakurako slightly nodded.

Playing with her wavy hair on the left hand, the blonde pulls out another book containing the answers she may find for her homework. Himawari also has the same homework as hers, but she may have finished four or five numbers if Sakurako recalled correctly. Not a bad start for her. Sakurako could've asked her for the answers, but it might be wise to find her own answers first instead of taking the easy shortcut.

It is pretty a relieving part on Himawari's account, seen from her slight sigh and a warm smile. While Furoda and Misaka are working on homework history, again, they noticed Ayano is working on English studies. Sakurako turns her head back to her homework and looks for answers. However, she had noticed the squinting eyes of Ayano.

"Hey, Saa-chan."

"Yes?"

"Your friend. His name was George, wasn't it?"

Misaka and Furoda lift their heads at the foreign name as Sakurako answers. "Yes, why are you asking?"

"Well," Ayano looked back at one of the questions. "He's an American, right?"

The blonde nods. "Yes."

The Nanamori Vice-prez smiles back. "Do you think he can teach me some English?"

"Hmm… I think he can," Sakurako nodded slightly. "But I don't think he is yet fit to be a teacher."

"I disagree, Sakurako," Himawari shook her head. "I think he is capable of teaching, even though he once worked with the army."

Now at this point, Furoda and Misaka widen their eyes. "Wait, he once a what?"

"My friend, George," Sakurako stopped writing. "He was a ranger in the American army."

"He was with the army?" Furoda mouthed an 'o.' "Wow, I didn't think you could have an adult friend like that."

"Oh, so that's how he knew first aid," Ayano then stared into a blank space, with her cheeks slightly red. "And those big muscles of his…."

Sakurako takes notice of her face. "You're not having a fever again, right?"

"E-eh?! N-no," Ayano then furrowed her eyebrows. "But why you called him a ranger? Doesn't it supposed to be a soldier?"

"He said it was a different branch," Sakurako replied. "Ranger has better fighters than the usual army, and one of their jobs focused on scouting."

"Oh?" Misaka then looked doubtful. "Don't those soldiers do their own scouting as well?"

"They do," Sakurako then looked to the ceiling. "But the rangers like to scout behind the enemy and like to get through rough paths and mountains like he said."

"Ah…" Furoda looked so blue there. "You're telling me they include hiking?"

"Yes."

"Aahh…" Furoda looked away, her eyes soured, and her mouth opens wider on the right edge of the lips. "I can't imagine doing that."

Sakurako half-lidded her eyes. "You hate hiking?"

"Yeah," Furoda replied with a sigh. "My legs are all aching from that last hike at Mount Fuji."

"Eh?" Himawari and Ayano stared at the Nagibara girls, where Ayano asked. "You went to Mount Fuji?"

"We did about a year ago," Misaka nodded, then clasped her hands together. "We didn't climb that high, but it was an amazing experience. Well, if you skip the part about carrying Furoda-san to the top on my back."

"Misakaa!" Furoda lunged onto her shoulders.

"The climb must be rough up there," Himawari commented.

"Not really," Misaka responded with a shook. "We didn't really have to climb a lot of rocks, but it was a little steep at the time."

"It was so steep for me!" Furoda protested at her face. "I can't believe you had to drag me to that mountain."

"Aren't you the one who always wanted to see that mountain?" Misaka asked back.

"I did!" Furoda got off her shoulders. "But I never said I want to climb that darn mountain!"

"When was that again?" Sakurako asked the right-ponytail girl.

"Oh, about a year ago," Misaka corrected her hair. "If we had known each other much earlier, I could've asked you to make the trip there too."

"It won't hurt, I guess," Sakurako shrugged.

"Oh, um, Sakurako," Ayano got her attention. "About George…"

"Right, do you want his number?" she asked.

"You actually have his number?" Ayano slightly leaned back.

"Um, yes," Sakurako was slow to nod. "Do you want it?"

"Oh, sure," Ayano immediately pulled out her phone and took Sakurako's. "He's not too busy, isn't he?"

"I'm not sure about that," the blonde shrugged tightly. "He's working as security right now. So I don't really know about his schedule."

"He's a security?" Ayano chuckled, then returned the blonde's phone. "That sounds like a fitting job for him."

"Hmm," the blonde played with her hair clips. "He told me he slapped a drunken man days ago."

Everyone, save for Himawari, stifles their laughs by bowing their heads and covering their mouths. Half-true and half-joke. In Sakurako's mind, she wonders if other veterans like George would laugh at her oblivious remark.

"My," Ayano cleared a tear on her left eye. "That's a joke, right?"

"The slap was a joke," Himawari replied. "In actuality, he put that man to the ground for attacking him with a knife."

"Jeez," Furoda commented as the others immediately changed their smiles to drop the edge of their lips. "I didn't see that coming. Did he get hurt?"

"It was just a scratch," Sakurako assured them. "That happened a long time anyway. He's doing pretty much fine."

"I see," Misaka warmly smiles. "I'm glad to know he's still ok like he should."

They stop chatting for a while to focus on their homework. Sakurako manages to answer at least ten numbers before she requests the bluenette's help. Occasionally, the Nanamori student council asked the girls if they know how to spell some English words, which Himawari is good at. But sometimes, Himawari was surprised at Sakurako's ability to help Ayano write English, given her unwillingness to learn long ago. Furoda and MIsaka cooperate with each other on some dates, events, and landmarks they don't know of, especially history, not of Japan.

Misaka had answered a couple of questions regarding the Edo Period, then comes across a perplexing question. "Hey, can you guys help me with this one?"

"We'll try," Himawari stopped writing and looked at her. "What's the question?"

"Let's see," Misaka looked into the question. "What was the main reason the USA sends its soldiers to Vietnam during the Vietnam War?"

The question yet again catching everyone off-guard. "This question sounds random to begin with," commented the bluenette.

"I know," Misaka sighed. "But this one turned up in our study. I can't really complain, though."

"Containment Policy."

Everyone turns their heads at the bland-looking blonde. "Say again?" Furoda asked.

"Containment Policy," repeated the blonde. "The US soldiers were sent to Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism."

The Nagibara girls widen their eyes. "Are you certain?" Misaka asked.

"Yes," she assured. "I already read it."

"Oh, thank you then!"

They waste no seconds write that long sentence, and then Misaka speaks out another question. "The tallest twin tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is known as…."

"Petronas Twin Towers."

They make the same look at the blonde again. "Have you been reading a lot, Saa-chan?" her blue friend asked.

"I just read a little," Sakurako replied as she wrote. "Petronas Twin Towers. That is what it is called."

"I see…" MIsaka is a little amazed at her knowledge. "Thanks, Saa-chan."

"Um… one more, Saa-chan," Furoda awkwardly asked, raising an index finger. "If you don't mind."

"It depends," Sakurako shrugged. "What is the question?"

"Well," Furoda read into the book. "Who is Yasuke during the 16th century of Japan?"

"Yasuke?" Sakurako looked to the ceiling. "I think I read about that somewhere…."

"That's odd…." Himawari bowed, a hand on her chin. "We've been studying history, and I never heard someone called Yasuke in that period of time."

Ayano did the same gesture, then looked at Furoda. "Are you sure your teacher is not playing with you?"

"I'm not even sure myself," Misaka admitted. "She didn't mention anything about it nor even the books."

"Ah, I remember now," Sakurako then looked at Furoda. "It can be found on the internet or the library."

"What is it?" Furoda leaned forward. "Tell me!"

"Yasuke…" Sakurako paused for a moment. "He is an African samurai that served as a servant to Nobunaga Oda."

"Hah?!" Furoda yelped with such loud and high tone that the others are frightened by her than the answer. "He was with the Oda Clan!? Really?!"

"Y-yes…" the blonde's tone was a little awkward but firm. "He was an important figure for the clan."

"I see," Furoda wrote down the answer. "Thanks, Saa-chan!"

"Not a problem," Sakurako replied, though a small smile appeared on her face.

How smart she is, were the first words that came into Himawari's mind. She can't even believe that she complimented her brain thoughtfully, for once. No matter, the bluenette procures a bright smile and proceeds to rub on her head gently. Sakurako blinks with no expectation for the reward and turns to her with a curious look. The blonde looks staggeringly cute for the other girls, at which Ayano… it seems she has her own fantasy that Sakurako can't tell.

They went on to continue the homework. There are about a few numbers left for Sakurako to answer, while her childhood friend has exactly three numbers left before it's done. Ayano has asked Himawari if she could spell out a couple of words she has trouble with. As for Furoda and Misaka, they are exchanging answers and questions with each other, to the point when they have to look up some answers through their phone.

Sakurako reads the next question, though she halts herself for the moment. Her mind is a little distracted on something, can't say what it is. Took her twenty seconds of staring into blank space to know what's been bugging her. Not that it was pretty important. It's nothing but a harmless thought.

"Misaka-chan."

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering," Sakurako then looked at the only window of the room. "It must be quite tiring to take care of the garden."

"Oh, you mean our front lawn?" Misaka raised an eyebrow, then smiled brightly. "It sure does, but we prefer to keep it presentable."

"You have a pretty garden. I must admit," Himawari complimented with sincerity.

"It's nice to hear that, Himawari-chan," Misaka bowed with delight.

Himawari then pouts to herself. "Ow, I wished I had a lawn at home."

"Hm? Do you live in an apartment?" Misaka asked, tilting her head to the right side.

"I am," the bluenette nodded. "But I have a potted flower at home."

"May I ask what kind of flower is that?"

"A lily."

Misaka clasps her hands together and leans forward. "Really? Is it the yellow one?"

"How did you know?" Himawari kept her smile even in slight surprise.

"It's the most common lily around the country," Misaka answered. "You must be taking good care of it."

"I do," Himawari then placed an index finger on her lips. "But, do I have to use fertilizer as well to keep it blooming?"

"Not necessarily, but it's better if you do," Misaka replied. "Also, you must not overwater the soil. If it's too wet, the roots will rot."

"And that's it?"

"That's it."

"I'll keep that in mind then," Himawari gave a smile, her eyes shut.

"That being said," Ayano interjected. "Do you have some flower seeds?"

"She has a few varieties," Furoda answered on behalf of her friend. "Do you want to look over them after this?"

"Sure," Ayano then sighed. "My mom has been complaining that some of our flowers are decaying rather than blooming."

"Hmm... with that many flowers in the garden," Sakurako gave a small smile, all the while finishing a couple of numbers. "You must have love gardening."

"Ehh… not really," Misaka then scratched the right side of her head. "I don't garden that much."

"Huh? How so?" Ayano barely leaned her head back. "The garden looks way too beautiful for you to say that."

Her hands are trailing over her own shoulder of her curvy figure. Maybe Sakurako was just daydreaming, but she felt she understands what that gesture means. Misaka is about to reply, but Sakurako beats her to it.

"You hate gardening?"

Bold words that almost made Himawari instantaneously glare at her with such doom. Ayano was just taken aback by her words. But Furoda and Misaka only widened their eyes at such boldness.

"No, it's not that I hate gardening," Misaka shook both her hands and her head. "I don't mind doing it, but I just don't like it."

"Seriously?" Ayano asked with a raised brow. "Don't you usually take care of the garden?"

"No, that would be mom," Misaka shook her head. "She's a botanist."

"Oh, wow, really?" returned the bluenette; even Sakurako had to widen her eyes and barely opened her mouth. "Does she run a shop?"

"Yes, it's just down the street to the left from here," Misaka pointed where she thinks it's the left. "It's called Hana no Kuki."

"Really?!" playful tapping from Himawari, looked as if she's ready to run to that shop. "Sakurako."

"Yes?"

"Did you bring any money?"

"Give me a moment."

"Um… no need to be so excited, Hima-chan," Misaka then shed a sweat. "But I'm afraid the store is closed for today. She's having a day off."

"Ah!" the bluenette put her individual fingers on her forehead. "I forgot your mother is still here."

"Ha ha ha," Misaka humbly laughed at her expense. "Don't worry. You can pay a visit tomorrow around the late morning."

"We'll keep that in mind," Ayano then looked over to Sakurako, who's still counting her money. "Sakurako-san, you don't need to count your money right now."

"Hmm…" Sakurako then put back her wallet. "50000 yens."

The bluenette and the vice-prez have a false smile and blank eyes, alongside the sweat on the broadside of their heads. For the Nagibara girls, both dropped their jaws and glared at the blonde with shrill eyes.

"Did… did your parents gave you that much allowance?" Furoda durst to ask.

"No, not really," Sakurako gave a bored shrug. "I brought some cash from my savings."

"You're definitely asking to get robbed," Himawari could only sigh as her exasperation rotted out. "Do you even think we both would go somewhere else than this house?"

"Yes, but only me," Sakurako didn't bother to turn at her. "I just want to buy something for myself at the nearby store."

"I hope you're not planning just to waste your money on some snacks."

No matter how insulting her remarks are, Sakurako only gives a glance to her golden eyes. "I need a new pencil case, a couple of pens, a ketchup, herbs and fruits, a new comic, and other trinkets."

"Oh. If that's the case," Himawari then looked away, though, her golden eyes glued to the blonde. "I pull back what I just said to you."

"Hm?" the blonde gave a rather moronic look. "You can pull words?"

"Did you think I was saying that literally?!" at least, Himawari managed to refrain from using such a high tone.

"Oh…" Sakurako slowly bowed her head. "Sorry. I didn't think-"

"No, no, it's fine," the bluenette once again sighed, still astonished that Sakurako hasn't blurted out silly remarks yet. "Just forget I said anything."

"Ok," Sakurako then looked back to her homework.

There is just a sliver of silence before Misaka breaks the atmosphere. "Anyway, Sakurako."

"Yes?" she responded with a lifted head.

"That was a garden next to your house, right?" Misaka asked, tapping her opened pen to the book.

"I… guess?" Sakurako shrugged as she answered the last question. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, the last time we visit, I noticed the grasses were getting taller," Misaka stated. "And those small trees around your house were getting thicker. Do you need help trimming them?"

"Huh…." Sakurako looked to the ceiling for a moment. "I don't think any of us has ever taken care of the garden. At least, from what I remember. Did we ever call a gardener before, Himawari?"

"Your mother did," Himawari rested her chin on her hand and shut her eyes. "Now that being mentioned, I just realized it'd been a while since your mother called one."

"Well, I appreciate the help, Misaka-chan," Sakurako responded. "But I'm not sure if we have the tools to tidy up the garden."

"Hey, don't worry about that," Furoda assured her, pointing a thumb next to her. "She got the tools in the storage. Ready to work for the next 18 hours."

"Quit it, Furoda," Misaka playfully tapped on her shoulder. "It's not like I'm willing to work full time to be inside my puny garden, only to cut grasses with a nail clipper."

The blonde blinks and barely turns her head. "I don't think your mother will be happy to hear you say that."

"Oh, don't worry," Misaka waved at her. "She's not even here to hear that."

*KLIK*

They all turn their heads to the door, which slowly opens inward. A particular hand is on the doorknob, and lo, behind the door, reveals a particular person. That familiar gorgeous face and dark purple hair. It was none other than Misaka's mother. And there is an eerie sight on her face, her open un-glimmering eyes darken about and a furious smug they wished not to see from an over-possessive killer.

"O-okaa-san!?" blurted the busty Nagibara student council, her blue eyes shrunk and blended with the eyes of a ghost.

"Misaka," that mother responded in a neutral tone, though her shadowed contempt face remained a fright for the Nanamori girls. "What did you just say about our 'puny' garden?"

Misaka could only stutter as Furoda seems too frighted even to back her up. For the Nanamori girls, each shed a sweat as the back of their hairs stand up. Except for the blonde Oomuro, continuously stare at the horrifying creature by the door with such blatant, dull look. As if fear was absent from her mind.

"She said she's not willing to work in her puny garden, only to cut grasses with a nail clipper."

There's no indication that the mother shifts her face, even for the slightest. However, the girls are more than horrified at what she admitted. Outrageous can't even cut it up. While their faces are enough to meet their ancestors, Sakurako doesn't even seem at the very least worrisome of a girl's fate.

Each girl whispers at the blonde with such a 'malice' tone.

"You idiot!" – Himawari

"What have you done?!" – Ayano

"Why?" – Furoda

"Traitor!" – Misaka

As Sakurako remains unmoved, the 'nice' mother then looks at the horrified Misaka. "I see. Thank you for giving me a great idea for her next punishment, Sakurako-san."

"Ah, about that…."

The mother raises an eyebrow despite no spark of light coloring her eyes. "Hmm?"

"When do you have another day off?"

"Oh?" the mother tilted her head to the left. "I think for the next couple of days. Why?"

"Do you have any gardening tools?"

"Oh, we have a bunch of them-" the mother then halted, then narrowed her eyes at the blonde. "Wait a minute, did you just try to change the subject?"

"Not really."

"Not really?" the mother sighed out as she entered the room. "You just distracted me, so you hope that I'll forget of the insult my daughter just said."

"Sakurako," Himawari had to whisper in her ears, insisting on her. "Just stop it. You're just making things worse."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Sakurako returned her stare, one with confusion. "I was wondering if they could help me with my garden."

"Sakurako, you-" Furoda then paused, then winced her eyes. "Wait, what?"

The girls fall into the depths of incredulity, while the mother lifts her eyelids with her mouth agape a little. "Something's wrong with your garden?" the mother asked.

"I noticed my garden is getting messier before I left the house," Sakurako explained with, in Himawari's opinion, a steady tone. "I was wondering if you and Misaka could come over to my house to help us to clean up our small garden."

"Is that so?" the mother narrowed one of her eyebrows. "I hope you're saying this not because you want to defend Misaka."

"Well…" Sakurako bowed her eyes for a second. "I was considering to you the alternative for her punishment."

The girls around the table, including Misaka herself, have a rain-worth of sweat on their foreheads.

The blonde could feel the questionable look on Himawari's face. The bluenette even thought to herself. "Considering? Really? Can she even come up with something better than that?"

"Alternative, huh?" the mother then looked up to the ceiling. "You know, I like the alternative. She has something better to do than being busy with the house and the school. Besides…"

The mother then turns her dark gaze at the poor Misaka, who felt cold in her spine. "I don't want to waste some energy to chastise her myself."

"I'm glad to hear that then," while that was positive feedback, her look remained uninterested. "Also, can you please stop staring at us like that?"

"Oh, pardon me. A bad habit of mine," to watch Misaka's mother complied with the blonde's request was ironic, but it looks like the irony was lost upon the polite bluenette. "I brought some tea for you, by the way."

"Finally," commented the blonde as the mother put the tray of teas on the table. "But why did it take you long?"

"Apologies, I had remembered that I forgot to tend the garden, so my mind went there first," answered the mother.

"Don't worry about it, thank you for the tea," Sakurako maturely replied, a sight that made Himawari felt proud to see.

"You're welcome," the mother then stood up with the empty tray. "If you need anything, I'll be downstairs."

"Of course, Okaa-sama," Ayano assured with a nod.

The girls then proceed to watch the mother leave the room until the door closed. After a few seconds of silence, as they listen, her footsteps begin to faint, with each step is a beating drum to their hearts. When the sound is gone, their 'positive' expression immediately fades. A breezy sigh of respite was heard from Misaka's lips.

"That was close…." Furoda tugged to her own chest.

"Jeez, that was scary…" the maroon-haired girl didn't dare to look away from the door.

"I can't believe that actually worked…" the bluenette could almost feel her shirt was about to be drenched with sweat.

"Huh?" the blonde turned to Himawari. "What worked?"

"Sakurako, you moron!" Misaka blurted across the table. "You almost got us killed!"

the blonde's face immediately tenses, looking between the door and the Nagibara student council. "Did she try to kill you before?"

"Dammit," Misaka's indignant face now mixed with irritation. "I was saying that metaphorically."

"Oh?" Sakurako then looked away; her blank look returned. "Then I don't have to worry."

Even being mad at her wasn't enough for the girls. Furoda looks like about to get fed up. "Are you really that insensitive?!"

Himawari shuts her eyes and sighs. "Nevertheless, you managed to avert an impending disaster, especially towards Misaka-chan. So I don't have to smack your head for it."

"Yeah, I'm thankful for that," Misaka relaxed her tone with a deep sigh. "But I didn't expect you would ask for my mother's help for your garden."

The blonde returns her gaze. "So are you telling me you rather cut those grasses with a nail clipper than helping me out?"

"Please, don't start with that," said the dark-purpled girl, her eyes shut with her right eyebrow twitching about.

"At any rate, we're almost done with the homework," Ayano digressed. "That should be enough for all of us today."

"You're right," Furoda agreed. "I can't wait to play after this."

Himawari was the first to finish the homework, with Sakurako being the second person to finish hers. As Ayano struggles to finish her English homework with Himawari's help, Furoda and Misaka had finally finished their part of the homework with absolute exultation. To see that the Nagibara student councils immediately lie on the floor tempts Sakurako to do so. But she holds back, not because it would be impolite; she just didn't want to do it no matter how lazy she is.

Nevertheless, Sakurako and the girls soon close their books and pack them back into their bags. Misaka stands up and grabs the bowl full of Kyoto treats for everyone to eat. There's a slight look of complaint, though, on Ayano's face; it seems she's wondering how Sakurako could get that much money in her pocket during that school trip. Furoda goes to the nearby shelf to grab some cards as the girls wait patiently to drink their tea.

After Furoda puts the cards on the table, Misaka decides to turn on the TV. Furoda did complain that they should play some cards first, but the dark purple-haired girl insists not to miss the evening news. Sakurako didn't know her favorite TV show is the news. The blonde likes to turn her attention to just play the game. Although… she thinks this might be an excellent chance to see if any of her crazy stunts affect the lives of the people since she didn't get the chance either due to her sisters or it didn't cross her mind.

Misaka was more than happy to have another friend watching the news with her, so she turns on the TV. That leaves Himawari, Ayano, and Furoda to play the cards together. And they didn't protest to have two of their friends watching the TV.

The first news that came up on the screen was nothing noteworthy but a calamity; a summary of a climate disaster brewing in the south of Japan centered around a massive rainstorm that flooded homes. With that said, the weather forecast said there would be heavy rain for the following day. Gotta be thankful for this kind reminder of a disaster. However, she didn't pay attention to what city was affected by the flood. Oh well.

Stepping into the second news, that's what pulled her attention. And the event that the news mentioned happened in Kyoto, her last school trip. It describes an assault, more like a hit the reporter described, to an unassuming shady part of the neighborhood. It grabs everyone's attention at the word 'Sentinels.'

Why the news didn't mention anything about a hot chase on the first day of the school trip, you ask?

It did get mentioned, but that was before Shiba has another job for her on the last night of her stay.

She could remember as clear as crystal—an isolated shootout in the public neighborhood, battling against some gangsters. Maru was there as well in his usual punk-style ego. She isn't sure whether they had completely taken out the gang, but she remembers that Maru was shot… in his butt.

"Poor Maru."

"HAACHIM!"

"What the-" his boss looked up to him. "Are you sick?"

"No, I'm not boss," Maru responded, though, awkwardly rubbing his butt. "Just a tickle in my nose."

"Well, then. Have you checked up with the goods?" the violet woman pointed to the door. "I don't wanna hear another gun that's been jammed because someone litters a gum inside the barrel."

"Ok, I'm on it," Maru walked towards the door.

"And while you're at it," she halted Maru halfway, then pointed at him. "Stop rubbing your ass in front of anyone."

"What's wrong?" Maru asked with a cheeky smile. "You wanna see the hole on my butt?"

"Jeez, that's so disgusting," even if it wasn't literal, that's still disgusting. "You wanna another bullet in your ass?"

"A'right, a'right," Maru gave a half-assed salute. "I see ya' later, boss."

The punk walks out the door, leaving Shiba by herself as she sighs out in irritation.

"Only six gangsters survived that?" MIsaka commented. "It's still a miracle those sentinels can even kill that many people."

"At this point, I have to wonder if any of those vigilantes were from the army as well," Ayano commented with a hand under her chin. "Twenty or more against three vigilantes is quite a crazy chance."

"I'm not so sure, Ayano-chan," Furoda disagreed. "I'll say the gangsters are still screwed just to have pistols to shoot at them."

"Just want to make sure," Himawari interjected. "I thought those Sentinels only exist in this city."

Sakurako leans her head a little to the back. "Maybe they wanted to travel outside the city."

"Just to find some other bad guys to fight with?" Ayano chuckled. "That sounds far-fetched unless they've been hunting these people since day one."

"And for what reason they would hunt these criminals down?" Himawari asked her vice-prez.

"Who knows?" Ayano then turned to the table. "Maybe they did something to make the Sentinels pretty angry to have all of them travel to another city."

"Say," Furoda added as she pointed to the TV. "Weren't those attacks happened during your time on the school trip?"

"Yeah," Himawari scratched her head. "Thankfully, those incidents were pretty far away from our hotel, so we don't really know or hear all the attack."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that," Misaka sighed out. "I can't imagine if we were to be stuck in that fight."

"I don't even dare to imagine that," Himawari seemed a bit spook.

Sakurako tightens her top and bottom eyelids as if she was tired. Having to wonder if the shootout is more tiring than having a long school trip. That being said, she doesn't feel anything different about it.

"Sakurako?"

"Yes?" she turned to Misaka.

"Let's play."

"Ok."

The TV was left on for its audience to watch. After a bit of argument, the girls agree to play memory, a game where they memorize cards and then find the same cards according to each number. It was a reasonably fun game as some girls are rushing to get more cards than their opponents. And Sakurako doesn't really bother to be in a rush.

"By the way," Ayano began, speaking to her schoolmates. "Have you heard of the announcement?"

"Hm?" Sakurako raised an eyebrow. "You mean the joint-school event starting in the next week?"

"Yeah, that one."

"Kitamiya-sensei told us about it," Himawari answered. "But she didn't tell us what other school that's also participating in the event."

"Hang on; I just remembered," Misaka interjected in. "Our school will be attending your joint-school event."

"Woah, really?" Ayano let out a wide smile. "I thought Shihoko-sensei didn't know what school is going to participate with us."

"We really are participating!" Furoda added with wide arms. "Our school principal said so."

"I can tell this is going to be fun," Sakurako then looked over to the girls. "So, have any of you check in with any contest?"

"W-well," the maroon-haired girl placed an index finger on the front of her chin. "I'm going enroll in the quiz competition."

"Wah, you must be so smart," Furoda leaned forward, lazily land her cheek on her open palm. "I hope you don't mind being my opponent."

"Well, well, be my guest, Furoda-chan," Ayano's arrogant ego returned. "I hope you don't mind me Finnish all those questions by myself."

Sakurako has to stifle her mouth to prevent herself from laughing. And then turns at Himawari. "How about you?"

"I think I'm going with poem contest," Himawari then turned to Misaka. "What about you, MIsaka-chan?"

"I haven't decided yet," Misaka replied as she grabs a matching pair of cards. "But I think either between speech or Marathon."

"You can do sports?" Himawari asked, though in such a dour tone.

"Only a little," she replied. "Some of my friends want me in the marathon because I'm the fastest person they have in our school."

"I don't doubt Yui-senpai will be competing against you," Sakurako added.

"Ah, of course, I heard Yui-senpai signed up for the marathon too," Himawari then looked at Ayano. "Didn't she get requested to join the track club back at school?"

"I heard she did, but she continues to deny them until now," Ayano looked up to the ceiling. "I guess Tsubasa-san must be so desperate to find a good runner."

Furoda then turns to Sakurako. "Hey, Saa-chan, what contest did you enroll with?"

"Short film contest."

"Eeeh?" everyone, excluding the bluenette, deadpanned with astonishment. "Short film? What kind of movie are you going to make?" asked the right ponytail-haired Nagibara student council.

"I'm going with the action theme," Sakurako flatly replied as she grabbed another pair of matching cards.

"Ooh," Ayano raised her eyebrows higher, worthy as an audience in the theater, then waved her both fists around. "There will be fighting and punching like that karate-chopping and stuff, right?"

"No," Sakurako shook her head. "I'm more focused on the shootout."

"Whaa…" Ayano trailed off. "That's an interesting proposition."

The other girls give wondering looks. However, Himawari had wondered something. "Who else will be making that short film with you?"

"Me, Yui is in as well," her mention of the second name indeed gave a surprise to everyone. "Chitose and Chizuru."

"That's a nice bunch team," Misaka complimented. "But have you also thought about the props, location, and making the videos?"

"As for that one…." Sakurako paused as she remembered. "I'll ask Shiba-san about those kinds of things."

"I see," the bluenette then blinked. "Wait, who's Shiba-san?"

"A friend of George's," her answer relaxed the bluenette. "I might be bringing him and Sumida-san along. I might need their advice to create some action scenes."

"A military man and a detective, that's a good idea, Saa-chan," Himawari then drank her tea. "So, when do you start to make that short film?"

"The day after tomorrow in the morning," Sakurako replied. "Now that being said, Misaka."

"What is it?"

"Do you have free time for tomorrow evening? I was wondering you could come with me to have a sleepover at Yui's place."

The proposition surprises her bluenette friend, but it seems MIsaka had a frown on her face. "I'm afraid I don't, nor even Furoda. But I think Saoki is free for tomorrow if you want."

"I see," Sakurako then turned to the bluenette. "Are you free for tomorrow evening?"

"I'm afraid I'm not," Himawari shook her head. "I made a promise with Kaede to go on an evening shopping."

"Ok then," it's nice to see Sakurako doesn't insist Himawari come with her.

"Sleepover…" Ayano then looked at her. "Do you mind if I come along?"

"I don't mind," Sakurako gave a warm smile. "You might have a better direction to her place than mine."

"Don't you worry about that," the vice-prez gave a thumbs up.

They then continue to play their game. Laughter fills the air as they converse with each other. Sakurako never laughed during this gameplay, but she kept her steady smile with her glamorous friends. Her mind wanders as they observe her friends play.

Then something struck her mind.

"By the way, Chinatsu-san didn't join the drawing contest, right?"

The Nagibara students appear to be relaxed, but the Nanamori students just turned into statues with false smiles and empty eyes. Those two girls didn't bother or dare to look at the blonde. Even without telling her, she knew those looks aren't good ones.

"Oh, crap."

Gotta stay away from the drawing contest when that time comes.