Chapter XII: " Weekend"

" Moshi-moshi."

Kogure clutched the phone tightly in his right hand. " May I please speak to Ruona?"

The voice on the other end of the line sounded thoughtful. " Gomen, but Ruona is training right now."

Kogure raised his eyebrows. " Oh." He positioned his hand over the flash button. She's not home yet.

" Demo," the voice on the other line went on. Kogure could only guess that she was the mother of Ruona. " May I know who this is, please?"

Kogure swallowed. " Kiminobu Kogure."

" And what is your business with my daughter?" Kogure's guess was right; she was the mother. A quite defensive mother.

" I am to interview her for a school project," Kogure finally replied. " I called her up today as to ask a few more questions." He took in a deep breath, and didn't let it out.

The line was silent for a moment. Finally, the mother replied. " She can be found at the local gym in Yokohama. She is finishing up by this time; if you are to interview her, you can go there and intercept her."

Kogure exhaled, relieved. " Thank you."

He could have sworn there was a smile in the woman's voice. " You are most welcome."

Kogure hung up on the line, and set the phone down gently. Sighing again, he ran a hand through his ruffled hair.

" Well," He muttered to himself, " Guess I better get going on the next train to Yokohama."

~*~

" Can I go with you?"

Sendoh raised his eyebrows as he glanced at his sister. " Why?"

Raiyuu smirked. " It's always good to have a second opinion," she commented as her brother rose from the table to clear the dishes. Standing up, she joined him. " What will ever happen if you pick the wrong color for your shoes?"

" Absolutely nothing." Sendoh swiped away Raiyuu's empty dish. " Color doesn't really matter; it's more of the type of shoe I'm after."

" Yeah, but design helps," Raiyuu wheedled. She turned to face her father, who was watching the scene between the two amusedly. " I can go with oniichan, right, dad?"

Sagara-san glanced at his daughter for a moment, then looked away. " Yes--"

" Yatta!" Raiyuu triumphantly made a fist in the air.

" But," her father continued, " Akira will have to decide too."

Raiyuu glanced at Akira. " Oniichan." she began pleadingly.

Sendoh sighed. " Fine, fine. You go with me, you help me out, you don't complain." He stopped in front of his little sister, carrying a pile of dishes.

Raiyuu smiled. " Thanks!"

The next thing she knew, Sendoh had dumped about half the dirty dishes he had in her arms. " You also help me out in clearing the table and washing the dishes."

Raiyuu sweatdropped. " You enjoy making deals, don't you, oniichan?" she mumbled as she exited into the kitchen.

Sendoh draped an arm around Raiyuu's shoulders affectionately, leaving only one hand to tend to the dishes he carried. " What do you think big brothers are here for, then?"

Akira's mother had just stepped into the kitchen. " Akira!" she began warningly. " Don't drop the--"

CRACK.

" Dishes." She finished, staring at the pile of broken dishes on the floor.

Akira grimaced. " Sorry."

Akira's mother sighed as she stared at the broken dishes. " I heard you two are going to the mall." She turned slowly to the two siblings. " For what?"

Raiyuu had began scrubbing the dishes that had been spared in the sink. " He says he needs to buy basketball shoes and stuff."

" Oh?" The older woman raised her eyebrows at her son. " So soon?"

Sendoh flinched. " I'm paying for this," he assured his mother.

" Well, good." His mother nodded satisfactorily. " And since you're so rich today, maybe you could also pay for some new." her voice trailed off as she glanced at the floor, or rather, the broken plates.

Sendoh sighed. " Fine, will do." He waved his hand dismissively.

His mother smiled. " Very well." She patted Raiyuu, who was still rinsing the dishes, on the back. " Take good care of your sister."

" I don't have to," Sendoh muttered under his breath as he joined his sister and mother at the sink. " She's already in the good hands of another. By the name of Miyagi Ryota." He was answered by a sharp jab in the ribs. " Watch it!"

" Huh?" the puzzled mother turned to her children. " What?"

Sendoh and Raiyuu both ducked their heads.

" Nothing."

~*~

Kogure entered the huge, air-conditioned gym. It was already nearing noon; he watched as college-aged students played four-on-four in the court provided inside. Kogure sighed and increased his pace as he went on the look for the silent freshman. He would get tempted to join the game if he stayed in that area any longer.

He stopped short as he passed by a large room. From the inside, he thought he could hear voices speaking.

" No, no." A woman seemingly in her mid-twenties was speaking to a young girl whose long, jet-black hair was tied up in a bun. Kogure's eyes widened. Ruona!

" Your legs are too close together. They should be spread more apart, like this."

The woman got into a position which Kogure knew he would never be able to do in a million years-" And your toes should be pointing outwards."

She glanced at the door where Kogure stood, then looked back at her student. Apparently they were used to visitors and people watching. Ruona glanced at the door too, but gave no reaction to seeing Kogure watching her.

" Well, Ruona," the older lady began, clapping her hands together. " Let's see you do it properly."

Ruona gracefully shifted from her earlier position to the newer one her coach had asked her to do. Kogure's eyes nearly bugged out at the sight. And I thought I was agile.

The instructor nodded, satisfied. " Good." She clapped her hands together once more as Ruona stood up. " We'll meet again tomorrow for more."

Kogure waited patiently as Ruona picked up her training bag and strode slowly to the door. It was only when Ruona reached the door and was face to face with Kogure she did speak. " My mother told you where I train."

Kogure shrugged. " You're good, anyhow." He was wondering why else Ruona would say something like that.

Ruona just raised her eyebrows in reply.

Kogure cleared his throat as he began to speak. " Well, shall we continue what we were discussing yesterday?"

" Later," Ruona said almost disinterestedly. " I have to change first."

Kogure was surprised. " Well, okay." he watched as Ruona strode off down the hall, practice bag in one hand. Shrugging to himself, he took off in the opposite direction.

He knew it might take a little while before Ruona would be done dressing.Guess I'll head off to the court and see if there's still anyone playing.Kogure nodded firmly. Yes, that was exactly what he would do.

When he got there, however, the court was deserted, except for this random girl dribbling a ball carefully. The college students he had seen earlier had gone.Kogure sighed. There's nothing to do around here.he settled on a wooden bench nearby as he watched the girl lazily.

There was more to the girl than what met the eye, though. After about dribbling several times with her eyes on the ball, she suddenly started dribbling it fast and furious, her eyes never locking with the ball even once. She faked, then dashed to underneath the hoop for a smooth lay-up shot. Kogure's eyes widened, impressed. Well, maybe there is something I could do here.

Pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose, he approached the girl cautiously. " Excuse me?"

She turned to face Kogure. " What?" she was still dribbling the ball.

Kogure held up a finger. " May I play with you? One-on-one?"

The girl glanced at him for a moment, and smiled. " Sure." She tossed it to him in a chest pass. " Your ball."

Kogure smiled, and began dribbling the ball slowly. The sound reverberated throughout the court. He watched the girl closely, trying to read her movements. Her deep green eyes, however, revealed nothing.

He studied her for another moment, then decided. Kogure's mind whirled as he faked to the right, then ran over to the left. Fast break!! The girl had fallen for his fake; this would surely be an easy-

Game. Kogure froze as he realized that the ball was no longer in his hands. Instead, it was with the girl, who was dribbling it as she ran towards the basket. She had been so quick in regaining her ball once more. Kogure was amazed. This girl has a good defense.very nice form.

He watched as she tossed it up in the air gently for a lay-up shot. However, it bounced off the rim. Kogure shook his head. Too much exertion.he jumped up for the rebound.and got it, his height being an advantage over his opponent's. He did a jumper-and the ball went in.

Kogure landed gently on his two feet as the ball rolled away slowly. He turned to face his opponent, and smiled sheepishly. " You have a good form."

The girl however, shrugged. " Thanks." She picked up the ball which had come to rest at her feet. " No, wait. I have good form?! You have good form." She smiled up at the senior. " You're awesome."

Kogure could feel himself turning pink. " Of course not." He rubbed the back of his head. I wasn't as good as her when I was about her age. Which is. " In what year are you?"

The girl seemed surprised at his question. " I'm a freshman."

Kogure's mind worked quickly. If she's a freshman, she's around.fifteen.Same as Rukawa.

" Kogure-san."

Kogure turned around to see Ruona standing at the other end of the court, calling to him. She had changed out of her practice wear and was now wearing.well, clothes that were definitely not for practice. She had also let her long hair loose, only held back by a simple hairband.

" Right," Kogure mumbled to himself. Well, let's go.

He turned back to the other girl, and bowed slightly. " Ahh, gomen," he said, grinning, " But I have to leave now."

" Aa," the girl said in reply. She was also grinning. " I understand."

Kogure backed away slowly, towards Ruona. " Thanks for the game," he called out.

" Sure. No problem." The other girl called back. Turning away, she started dribbling the ball and shooting baskets once more.

Ruona and Kogure began to proceed outside the gym silently. Kogure's mind, though, was still on the amazingly talented girl he had met awhile ago.

" Hey," he asked Ruona, " Do you know that girl from awhile ago?"

Ruona glanced at him before replying. " Yes."

Kogure raised his eyebrows in surprise. " Oh?" She's probably a gymnast, just like Ruona.he recalled the agility and speed the girl had shown in their brief game.

" She's my classmate in English," Ruona went on. " She's also in homeroom 1-3."

Now that surprised Kogure. " She studies in Shohoku?"

Ruona blinked once. " Yes." Her tone, however, indicated that it was obvious from what she had been saying already. Kogure knew it was best to keep his mouth shut from that point on.

Neither spoke until they reached the corner. It was only then Kogure realized that neither knew where to go.

" Well," he began, " I guess we should get down to the interview."

" But not here, in the middle of the street," Ruona said matter-of-factly.

Kogure cleared his throat. " Uhh, right."

Glancing around, his eyes landed on something. Someplace.big and air- conditioned.

Kogure's eyes gleamed. " Why don't we go on to the mall, and find a place there to stay in for a while?"

~*~

" He stole the ball-a fast break-then began off down the court. It was zone defense.number 7, 10 and 9."

Raiyuu glanced disinterestedly at her brother and his friends, who were talking about some random basketball game. As usual, her brother was deeply into it.

And as usual, Raiyuu had no interest for it.

Raiyuu yawned slightly and shoved into her mouth what was practically left of the ice cream she was eating.

She and Sendoh had been in the mall for practically two hours already. They picked out some new basketball shoes-after much arguing over the color- and also some wristbands.

The two had just come out of another store in where they bought plates when they ran into some of Sendoh's teammates from Ryonan. Raiyuu kind of knew them by face; Koshino, a rather good-looking guy, and Ikegami, who looked like someone Raiyuu would not like to cross. They had all greeted each other, and not another second passed before they started talking about basketball once more. Well, Sendoh and the other two did. Raiyuu started wandering away slowly ( But still within her brother's sight.)

Now Raiyuu was bored, and had absolutely nothing to do. Sighing, she shifted her weight from her right foot to her left foot.

She frowned. The plates were getting kind of heavy.Raiyuu shifted the package to her other hand. If she wasn't careful, they might have to end up going back to the store to buy some more.

Raiyuu stifled a yawn as she tried her best not to look bored. Tilting her head to the right, she tried to stretch her now almost-stiff neck muscles.

Just then, out the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a flash of brown hair pass by.

Raiyuu's head snapped immediately to her right. She watched as a person with curly brown hair walked just around the corner.

Hey. Wait a minute.Raiyuu raised her eyebrows. Miyagi?

She couldn't help but satisfy her curiosity. She crept away slowly, with the intent to find out who that person really was.

To be stopped by a huge wall. A huge wall that was her brother.

" Where are you going?" Sendoh's question was directed at his sister, though he was still facing his teammates. He turned to Raiyuu, arms crossed.

" Umm." Raiyuu took one step backward. She bit her lip. She should have known he wouldn't let her get away with it.

" I.have to go to the bathroom..." Raiyuu said uneasily. She smiled faintly at her brother. " Please?"

Sendoh quirked his eyebrows at her. " Oh?"

Raiyuu gulped. " Yes."

Sendoh relaxed. " Fine, go." He turned back to Koshino and Ikegami.

Raiyuu sighed in relief and made to go. As she ran around the corner, she heard Sendoh shouting on after her. " And no funny business!!"

Raiyuu scowled and made a fist. Oniichan!!

Now wasn't the time to get all angered up about that, though. Raiyuu slowed down her walking and sighed.

She peered into a shop window-and was surprised to see Miyagi inside, seemingly purchasing a shirt.

Raiyuu smiled. Found him! She stepped inside the store, and tapped Miyagi on the back. " Hey."

" Wha--" Miyagi turned and jumped in surprise. " Raiyuu!"

" Hi!" Raiyuu exclaimed cheerfully. Her smile faded away, however, when she noticed the almost trapped expression on the sophomore's face. " Something wrong?"

" Ah, no, nothing, nothing." Miyagi replied hastily. " I just, well, didn't expect to see you here."

He peered over her shoulder. " Who are you here with?"

" My brother," Raiyuu answered thoughtfully. Does he want me around? " Hey, you know, if you don't want me here, I can just leave or something."

" No, no, don't." Miyagi grinned apologetically. " It's just that.well.I don't think your brother likes me much."

Raiyuu cringed. " No, you got it all wrong. You're fine and everything. It's just the fact that.I'm hanging around you."

Miyagi raised an eyebrow. " So he doesn't like me."

Raiyuu sighed. " It's not that." she began slowly. " He just doesn't want me hanging around." As she fumbled for the word, she felt a slight blush escape unto her cheeks. " Older men." As soon as she said that though, Raiyuu wanted to slap herself. Why'd I say that?! She groaned inwardly. Older men.God.

Miyagi however, seemed to find it amusing. " Older men," he mused. Then he grinned. " Heh. I'm not that old, you know."

" I know," Raiyuu mumbled in reply. There's just something wrong with Oniichan's head.

" Anyway," Miyagi went on, tossing the shirt he got over his shoulder, " So, your brother wouldn't mind if we hung around together for a little while?" he headed towards the cashier to pay for his purchase.

Raiyuu shrugged. " I don't know. Maybe," she said honestly. " But he's being boring. He and his basketball friends are talking about basketball." She walked over to join Miyagi at the cashier.

" Basketball isn't boring," Miyagi commented as he took out his wallet. " It's interesting, actually."

Raiyuu shook her head quickly. " No. I mean, basketball is interesting in itself-the sport," she added hastily, " But the rules and plays are not that.interesting to talk about."

" Really?" Miyagi took his purchase and the two started walking out of the store. " They are, if you are more into the game. You play basketball, don't you?"

" Aa." Raiyuu shoved her left hand into her pocket. The package she carried in her right hand bumped into her right leg. Raiyuu winced.

" We should meet again sometime. I'll show you some plays and moves to make your game look nicer." Miyagi flashed a smile at the younger girl.

Raiyuu bit her lip to keep herself from smiling like a total idiot. " Okay." We're going to meet again sometime.

The two walked in silence for some time. Finally, Raiyuu spoke once more. " So." she began.

Miyagi stopped walking. " So."

The two stared at each other for what seemed like nearly a minute. Neither knew what to say next, nor what to do. Raiyuu blinked once. What now.?

Miyagi began to speak. " Raiyuu--"

" Hello, friends!"

Both turned to see Mizuyuki and Ishikawa standing beside them. Mizuyuki had the strangest smile on her face, while Ishikawa had an almost devious looking grin.

Raiyuu looked surprised. " What are you guys doing here?"

" Nothing. We just happened to drop by!" Mizuyuki chirped innocently. " And eavesdrop a bit." she murmured under her breath.

Ishikawa snickered. " I'll show you some moves.?" she clucked. " Naughty children."

Miyagi looked confused. " Friends of yours?" he asked Raiyuu.

Raiyuu nodded, sweatdropping. " Yup." She nodded her head towards the two. " The one with the big smile on her face is Mizuyuki, and the one with the big smirk is Ishikawa."

" Pleased to meet you." Miyagi nodded at them, though a bit confused.

" Same." Mizuyuki nodded back at Miyagi.

" The pleasure is all mine," Ishikawa said solemnly with a sweeping bow. " Take good care of Raiyuu for us." She was answered by a jab to the ribs. " Ow."

Miyagi smiled uncomfortably. Possibly he had found Ishikawa a bit.weird. " I know you. You're that freshman who picked a fight with Mitsui's old group, right?"

" I didn't pick a fight with them," Ishikawa snarled in reply. " They picked a fight with me."

Miyagi was a bit taken aback. " Oh."

Raiyuu cringed. " You guys?" She turned to Mizuyuki, and back to Ishikawa. " Um, maybe you'd like to." she cleared her throat and looked pointedly in the direction of the exit. " You know."

" Fine, fine." Ishikawa sighed, a hint of mock-hurt in her voice. " I see when we're not wanted." She dragged Mizuyuki away." C'mon."

Mizuyuki smiled once more. " Sorry for interrupting you two," she blurted out to the two. " With whatever you guys were doing."

That emitted a loud laugh from Ishikawa. Raiyuu, turning pink from embarrassment, threw a plate at the two. " Away!"

" Yes, ma'am." the two staggered away, howling in hysterics.

Raiyuu sweatdropped, and turned back to Miyagi. " Err, sorry about those two. They can be a bit." she trailed away.

Miyagi nodded slowly. " Yeah, no problem. I understand."

The two resumed their walking once more.

Raiyuu cocked her head to the side. " Are you sure you're okay?" You sure they didn't shake you up or anything? Because she knew that, if she were Miyagi, she definitely would have been shook up. By a lot.

" Yes, don't worry. Your friends are not that life-endangering." Miyagi grinned at her. " Though they are hazardous, but."

Raiyuu shrugged, and didn't say anything else . They stopped in front of a small café to adjust Raiyuu's bags. She was stuck with carrying the plates around.which were not too light, to say the least.

" You know," Miyagi began after a moment, " I can help you with those."

" No, no," Raiyuu said hurriedly. " That's okay.I can carry these by myself."

As she set her package down in front of the café for a while, she couldn't help but peer inside.

Then Raiyuu frowned.

" What the."

Ruona was inside, sitting at a table with that basketball player, Kogure.

~*~

" So," Kogure began as he and Ruona settled into their seats. " Why don't we start?"

Taking out his notebook and pen, he focused on Ruona, who didn't seem too.focused on the topic at hand.

Kogure frowned. " Tanizaki-san?"

Ruona shifted her gaze towards him. " Go on." She acted like she had been listening to him all that time.

Kogure shrugged. " Okay. Well, first of all." he cleared his throat. " When did you first start training?"

" I began at the age of three," Ruona stated clearly. " I had a private instructor."

Kogure noted that down in his notebook, nodding wisely. " And I heard that you play the violin too?"

" Yes." Ruona nodded. " I started that at the age of seven, though. Piano came when I turned eight."

" So your career in gymnastics started much earlier than those in violin and piano?" Kogure asked.

" Yes." Ruona sat back in her chair, and crossed her legs. Though she didn't really look like she was enjoying the interview, it didn't look like she was going to jump up and bolt away, either.

Kogure sighed. Ruona was giving awfully short answers.he scratched the back of his head. Well, I suppose it wouldn't do any harm if I asked her to expand a bit on them or anything.

" Um, Tanizaki-san?" he asked carefully.

Ruona raised her eyebrows at him. " What?"

" Can you, well." Kogure frowned. " Explain your answers a bit further?"

Ruona turned to glare at him. Kogure gulped.

" Because, well, this is my project, and it would help if it were a bit more." Sweating, he pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose once more. " Never mind."

Ruona shrugged, and shifted in her seat.

Kogure sighed. " Okay, next question." He glanced at his notebook once more. " So you--"

" Kogure!"

Kogure turned to see Miyagi Ryota behind him. Alongside him was a freshman Kogure knew as Raiyuu. She used to hang out in the gym often before practice.

Raiyuu looked beyond Kogure to wave at the still girl opposite him. " Hey, Ruona!"

Ruona looked bored. " Hello."

Kogure groaned inwardly, and set down his notebook. " Miyagi." He said tiredly.

Miyagi grinned. " Kogure! Didn't think I'd see you here." he glanced at Ruona, and back at Kogure, a grin forming on his lips. " .Date?"

Kogure sweatdropped. " No."

" Yeah right." Raiyuu popped out from behind Miyagi. " That looks like a date to me."

Kogure sighed, rubbing his temples. " I'd say the same for the two of you," he pointed out.

Ruona just sat there quietly, observing everything.

Miyagi and Raiyuu flinched at the same time.

" It's not a date." Raiyuu.

" We just bumped into each other, that's all." Miyagi.

" Yeah!" Mizuyuki joined in. " They're telling the truth." Somehow she and Ishikawa had managed to pop out of nowhere and surprise them all again.

" Mizuyuki's right," Ishikawa told a surprised Kogure. " We even overheard them talking when they bumped into each other. He's gonna show her some moves." She grinned deviously. " Bad ones, aren't they?"

" They should wait 'till they're older," Mizuyuki commented. " What do you think, Kogure-sempai?"

Kogure gulped, sweatdropping. " That's...nice." he glanced questioningly at Miyagi, who was turning red in embarrassment.

Miyagi growled. " Don't look at me!" he pointed an accusing finger at Ishikawa and Mizuyuki, who were currently being punched by a furious Raiyuu. " You actually believe them?!"

" Maa, maa." Kogure grinned faintly. " I wasn't saying anything."

Ruona sighed. " Baka."

Raiyuu plopped down into the chair next to Ruona's. " Hey." She greeted her cheerfully, ignoring the other two who were lying on the floor. " Why you guys here anyway?"

" It's for my project," Kogure explained as Miyagi dragged three more chairs to the table. " I was assigned to interview Tanizaki-san here."

" Oh." Raiyuu shrugged. " Cool."

" Why wasn't anyone assigned to interview me?" Ishikawa grumbled as she settled into the nearest seat from where she lay.

" That's cause you aren't important enough," Mizuyuki informed her friend.

Ishikawa winced. " Ouch." She turned to Raiyuu. " And that's not just from your punches."

" Hmm." Raiyuu settled back in her seat, deep in thought.

" Hmmm."

Now that wasn't Raiyuu. Mizuyuki, Raiyuu, Ishikawa, Miyagi and Kogure all turned slowly to face the one who had said that.

Who happened to be standing right behind them. Sendoh Akira was glaring at all of them with a not-so-nice look on his face. Raiyuu gulped.

" Um, hi, oniichan?" she asked weakly. " Uh.join us?"

Sendoh's face twitched.

" Bathroom, huh?"

Raiyuu swallowed.

Kogure looked puzzled. " Wait." he turned to face Miyagi. " Sendoh Akira is her brother?!"

" Yes!" Miyagi hissed. " I think it was kind of obvious." he nudged Kogure in the ribs to keep him quiet.

Sendoh's gaze traveled over each and every person in that table. However, when his gaze came to Miyagi, he frowned. " You."

Miyagi cringed. " What?"

Sendoh glared down at him. " Do you know who I am?"

" Uhh.Sendoh Akira?" Miyagi guessed.

Sendoh frowned. " I am Raiyuu's brother." He crossed his arms. " Get away from her."

Raiyuu groaned inwardly. " Oniichan!!"

" Stay out of this, Raiyuu," Sendoh ordered his sister.

Sulking, Raiyuu moved away to one corner.

Sendoh turned back to Miyagi. " If you even think about laying a hand on her."

" And I have no intention of doing so," Miyagi interrupted hurriedly. " So don't worry, okay?"

Sendoh raised his eyebrows. " What did you say.?"

Kogure intervened before the two could argue. " Hey, hey." he began smilingly. " We're all friends here..right?"

Miyagi and Sendoh glowered at him. Kogure's smile faltered. " Or not."

Ishikawa snickered. " Ne, Sendoh-san," she began innocently. " Do you know what Miyagi-sempai told Raiyuu awhile ago?"

Sendoh turned to look at Ishikawa. " What?"

" Well," Ishikawa said, a wicked gleam in her eye. " He said--"

" Oh, look at the time!" Raiyuu commented loudly. " It's getting late! Let's go, oniichan!!" She tugged at Sendoh's right arm. As Sendoh turned to look at his sister, Miyagi jumped on Ishikawa, ready to strangle her at a moment's notice.

" Fine," Sendoh murmured. " Let's go." Gripping his sister's shoulder tightly, the two left the café.

Sendoh turned back to look at Miyagi, though. " You," he said sharply. " Miyagi. I'll be--"

He was greeted by the scene of Ishikawa pounding Miyagi's head on the floor while Mizuyuki and Kogure did their best to restrain her. " Ishikawa!"

Ruona just sat there, doing nothing. Sendoh sweatdropped.

".watching you," he finished slowly. Shrugging, he turned to his sister. " Let's go."

" Okay," Raiyuu answered. Grimacing as she watched the ongoing brawl, she walked out of the café with her brother.

Sendoh didn't speak until they were a safe distance from the store. " So now they sell food in bathrooms."

Raiyuu ducked her head, and didn't reply.

" They've extended them, too," Sendoh commented. " And the bathroom looks suspiciously like this certain café I've seen around the mall somewhere."

" Oniichan?"

" What?"

" Shut up." Raiyuu walked ahead, glowering. She would never, ever lie to her brother again.

Sendoh just smiled in return, but didn't say anything more.