"Okay. So we can still continue even at school. Arrangements? Mmm, I already informed them though they would likely agree. At least until … yeah. See you. Thank you." Izumiko ended the call as she was nearing their school building. Phones aren't allowed inside.

It's the third week of January, exactly the 2nd week since winter break ended. Izumiko finally decided to go back to school and was greeted by everybody. They were informed of her absence and so were her teachers but there was still a lot of catching up to do. The first half of the day went very smoothly though she had this mixture of feeling happy being with her classmates and getting dizzy from all the things she needed to learn.

"Izumiko! Let's go out. Mayura and Shinko are waiting for us." Izumiko smiled and followed Manatsu. "By the way, I've been meaning to say this but something seems different about you."

"What?! Wha- What is it?"

"I don't know. I can't point a finger at it. Maybe Mayura and Shinko will be able to say."

"Izumiko! I'm sorry we didn't see each other this morning! I was called so early to the student council and I didn't want to disturb you." Mayura said apologetically as she hugged Izumiko. "What time did you arrive last night?"

"Around 11 pm? I didn't wake you up. I know you've been very tired."

"That's okay. Let's have this! I really want to have this soba with you. Do you remember the one you had in my hometown? This is it! It's the same recipe and I heard the cook learned it there too!" Izumiko was happy her friend felt the same as her about eating soba together. They found a seat and started chatting happily. "Sagara! Here!"

Izumiko stiffened at the sight of Miyuki. She was glad to see him but scared of the questions he might be asking. He seated himself in front of Izumiko and placed his food on the table. Soba. Izumiko thought, smiling. Miyuki stared at her intensely. "Truant" and continued eating.

"He- hey! I was not at school, yes, but I was studying! Just … not … physically. That is." She mumbled her last words and turned her attention to the softening noodles that had been sitting in its hot soup.

Manatsu bursted out laughing at Izumiko's defensiveness. "It's okay. I guess he was just teasing. Besides, you don't always have to be at school." Mayura glared at her brother.

"Don't take Izumiko for someone like you who skips classes without a reason!"

Miyuki stopped eating and questioningly looked at Mayura who, in turn, shook her head.

"So" Manatsu interrupted the seemingly indefinable air between Miyuki, Mayura, and Izumiko. "Since I saw Izumiko this morning, I noticed something different about her but I couldn't figure out what it is. Mayura, do you know what I mean?"

"Mmm, now that you mentioned it. Can you stand for me, Izumiko?" her expression quickly changed but returned to her usual, cheery self. "I think it's about her weight."

What?! Did I eat too much?! Sawa's cooking is so good I couldn't resist it. Izumiko thought.

"Oh! So, that's it! She lost weight! Izumiko, you don't need to go on a diet. You're already thin enough. Actually, you should eat more."

"Manatsu!" warned Mayura as she grabbed her brother's ear. "Don't be so rude! We, women, are very sensitive about weight. You don't need to give any comments …" The bell rings. "Urgh! I'll continue this later after class! Somebody needs to teach you about decency!"

"What did I do?"

"Whatever! Go to your class first!"

Izumiko, paying attention to the bickering siblings, was relieved she didn't gain weight. At least all that food didn't show in my body. I need to be careful.

"Izumiko," called Miyuki who was standing closely to her right. "Let's talk after the student council meeting."