*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEE-CLICK*
A gentle slap of a hand is enough to turn off the digital alarm. The sleepy blonde girl groggily wakes up from her slumber, trying her best to open her resisting eyes. Alas, she then rubs her eyes hard to open them. She then tries to make sense of her surroundings, even though she isn't that focused yet. Followed by a small but hard yawn that she had forced her mouth shut with her left hand.
It took her a moment to realize the day was, in fact, still at midnight. The digital clock states that it's already at 02:00. There is a couple of strangeness that struck her mind. The first was that she never changed the alarm at that exact time or, at least, touched it. The second is, Himawari is nowhere in her futon. Looks like that bluenette had recently left the room.
"Hm… she's probably going to the bathroom."
She scans the room once more from her cabinet until to the left towards the desk, before she returns to-
Wait…
Sakurako turns her head back at the desk again. Her Walther pistol is on the desk. She could have ignored that, but… That wasn't supposed to be on the desk.
Sakurako then turns at the door with such alarm before immediately getting off her bed. She goes for the gun and checks the mag to see it is fully loaded. The blonde carefully approaches the door and opens it, little by little. By now, it would be evident that Himawari would be horrified, or at least, angry that Sakurako has a gun. But deep inside her heart, something is going on in the house, but she can't tell what it is.
She exits the room and checks both ways before heading for the stairs. Along the way, she refrains herself from calling out, considering it's in the dead of night, and might wake up someone in the house. But that's not the case. There's something else going on, and she hopes she's just paranoid.
When she reaches the stairs, she could hear loud noises below. The sounds came from men and…
"Himawari!?"
The armed blonde wastes no time running down the stairs. She could hear the horrified screaming of her childhood friend. The blonde comes into the hallway in no time when suddenly-
*DOR*
Sakurako was shot in the back. The girl shrieked in pain and fell but was able to turn around to see the attacker.
*DOR-DOR* "Aukh-aagh!"
She didn't have the time to aim but shoot it enough to neutralize or at least incapacitate her attacker. Despite that, the sharp pain in her back was so unbearable, figuring that it hits in the middle of her upper back. The girl can hardly move or even try to stand up. She grits her teeth and supports herself against the wall beside her.
"SAKURAKO!"
Sakurako aims forward with all her might. What comes next in view was the two thugs armed with pistols. The girl widens her eyes at a quick realization that these are the two same thugs, the afro guy and the pixie-haired man. Her shaky hands aim the gun forward. But she wished she could pull the trigger.
Another thug, the leader, recognized from his scar on his cheek and his silver earring. One gun in his hand, and the other one… contains a struggling Himawari. Red scars all over her face, and a slick trail of blood runs from her mouth.
"Hi-Himawari!"
"Sakurako! HELP ME!"
"Wha- shit!" the afro guy spotted the blonde, and the two exchanged fire.
*DOR-DOR-DOR*
The blonde managed to hit his shoulder, but she had to receive another single shot to the stomach. The pain was sudden, and she clutches onto the wound while the gun slipped off her hand. By such sight alone had Himawari panicked and scared as she struggles against the bondage of her captors without success. The thug leader tightens his arm around her neck, warning her to stop struggling.
"Come on!"
"What about that kid?" the pixie-haired man asked.
His boss snorts. "Forget her. She'll rot to death. C'mon!"
Himawari gradually gets dragged away, her arms trying to reach the downed blonde. "Sakurako!"
A pool of blood slowly forms beneath her as she can do nothing else but to watch her beloved friend taken away. "H-Himawari…"
"SAKURAKO!"
Her plea slowly becomes an echo. Not long after, her vision starts to blur, and her strength is weakening. The blonde's head finally dropped after mere seconds, and her vision turns black. She could see nothing… and could feel nothing…
Her eyes immediately slung open at such distress in mind. The sleepy eyes quickly blink many times to refresh the sight she's seeing. The blonde slowly turns her head left and right, feeling a bit dizzy despite being still on the bed. What is the first thing she sees? It is the small streak of light above her bed.
She slowly gets up from the bed and looks around the room. The clock aside her shows that it's 06:30 in the morning, too early by her standards. And the next thing she noticed is that Himawari is already up as well, currently tidying up the futon. Sakurako rubs her eyes again as soft as she can, adjusting to the brightness in the room. She looks back at the desk; the same whiskey bottle is still there, untouched.
So… it was just another nightmare after all.
"Oh, Sakurako."
The blonde turns at her. "You're up early. That's a new sight."
"Um…" Sakurako looked back at the clock. "Did the alarm go off?"
"Actually, you forgot to set it up."
"Ah… I see…"
It's either she forgot it, or she just didn't need it. At least, she doesn't have to slap the clock.
"How are you feeling?"
Sakurako holds onto her forehead. "I'm still feeling a bit dizzy, but I'm fine."
"Hmph," Himawari smiled. "That drink really helped you that much. Of course, you better not drinking it too often."
"Yes, Himawari," Sakurako nodded.
"Now…" the bluenette stood up. "I'm going to the bathroom. Be ready for the day, Sakurako."
"Hai."
The bluenette leaves the room, leaving Sakurako on her own. The blonde only blankly stares as she lets out a sigh. Good thing though, she didn't want to bother Himawari about her nightmare. Still, she's feeling a bit distressed after the experience, especially when she felt herself die in a dream. Does it… really feel like that? Empty… cold… tasteless…
No matter. She should get herself refreshed. There's a long day ahead.
15:30 PM. Wazuka Café.
"What do you think about this café?"
"I really like the atmosphere. But I still prefer Cocodes."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, but I might add this café as one of my favorite."
"Well, wait until you get the menu, Saa-chan."
Yui had brought Sakurako along to a bit of trip to the café for who knows how long. It was also a nice change for them, especially for Sakurako, who rarely walked with Yui. She likes it more when they don't have to change clothes after school. But the reason was that she wanted to do a little homework with Yui with the recently given homework. It somehow bothers the blonde a little because Himawari wasn't with them.
Wazuko café's uses a nature theme. The walls are entirely made of wood and natural rocks shining glamorously. The transparent windows are painted beautifully with flowers, leaves, and trees. Hey, in her opinion, the natural theme really makes her feel like sitting on the hill. Although, she still breathes in the cool air from the air conditioner.
Also, a bonus for her, Kyouko didn't tag along. Saves them some trouble from her annoyance.
They sit themselves at a table by the window, one that's available for four people. The place was a bit packed than she hoped for, but the atmosphere was so lively that it fits her taste. It seems Yui is a bit bothered by the atmosphere, but she doesn't mind at all. A waiter happens to come by and gives them the menu.
"Arigato, waiter-san," Yui thanked before the waiter left wordlessly. "So… what's your pick?"
"Well…" Sakurako flipped to the list of drinks. "Azure… Shells… I'll pick this drink."
"Huh, I half-expected you'll pick something simpler," Yui smiled.
"The drink seems interesting," Sakurako replied. "It won't hurt a try."
"If you say so, Sakurako," Yui said as she read through the menu.
"So you've been here often?" Sakurako asked with a raised brow.
"For a few times," Yui shrugged and looked at her eyes. "This place calms my inner heart."
Sakurako stares at her for a moment. "I'm guessing Kyouko-senpai doesn't know you're here."
"Well, that's actually my second reason to come here," Yui gritted her teeth a little. "I don't want to suffer her pranks antics every day."
"That's a good thing then," Sakurako nodded. "She won't be much of help with our homework either."
"Hm," it's Yui's turned to raise her eyebrow. "That's an interesting answer from someone who doesn't like to do homework."
"As long it's not math," Sakurako added.
"Really?" Yui tilted her head. "What about kanji?"
Sakurako wearily sighs. "Please, don't start with that."
"Sorry," Yui looked back to her menu momentarily. "You know I have to wonder."
"Hm?"
"Why didn't you ask Himawari for help?"
Sakurako wasn't so surprised by the question, but she continued to stare.
"N-now, don't get me wrong," Yui awkwardly added. "I'm happy that you decided to come here with me. But isn't she the first person to always help you out with homework?"
"Yes, but I just don't feel like bothering her right now," Sakurako replied. "She already has other plans for today."
"Ah, Akarin did say Himawari is going to Chinatsu's house," Yui put down the menu. "What for, though?"
"Chinatsu wants Himawari to teach her how to make a doll."
Yui deadpans at her. "Wait, Himawari-chan can make a doll?"
"Yes, even though it's not as good as a teddy bear," Sakurako said as she rubbed her neck.
"I think that's still good, Sakurako," Yui smiled as she closed the menu. "I'm sure Chinatsu can learn that from her."
"That's what I'm worried about."
"Eh?" Yui furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't get why you should be worried about it."
"Yui-senpai," Sakurako paused, showing nothing more than a poker face. "We're talking about Chinatsu right now."
A breeze of relief sweeps onto her face when Yui finally shadowed her face. "O-oh… I see what you mean."
"I'm not even sure if I want to see what kind of doll she makes," there's a tone of shiver in her words.
"Hey, even if it's like that, it would be ungrateful if we refuse her gift," Yui replied.
"I know, but sometimes it's better to refuse if we really don't want it," Sakurako suggested with a frown.
"Ah, well…" Yui gave an awkward smile. "There's some truth in it."
The waiter happens to come over in time. "So, what do you want to order?"
"Mango Sunlight and Shawarma," Yui then looked to the blonde. "You?"
"Azure Shells and Soup Mushroom Pie," Sakurako replied as the waiter wrote them down.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, that is all," Yui responded.
"Alright, please wait for your order," the waiter said before he left the two alone.
"That was a good pick, Sakurako."
The said blonde turns to her. "What do you mean?"
"The soup mushroom pie is the best in this café," Yui happily replied. "I ever ordered one before, and it's so delicious."
"Seriously?" Sakurako leaned forward. "Then I can't wait for it."
"Now, how about we start our homework?" Yui asked as a reminder.
"Ah, right," Sakurako then put out her books. "Let's get started then."
The homework unfolded before them. And the current homework for the day is… science. Now that reminds her of something.
"Yui-senpai."
"Yeah?"
"Remind me to make flashbang when we leave this café."
Yui is already horrified for a start. "Wha- are you still mad at me about that day?"
"No," Sakurako simply shook. "I'm just almost running out of flashbang."
"How many are you even planning to make?!" Yui, as far as she can tell, was pretty concerned about her following action.
"Five, at least," Sakurako was so oblivious to her friend's fear.
"Eh-what?" Yui asked with a tilted head. "I'm sure you aren't that paranoid."
"I never said I'm paranoid," Sakurako replied as she opened her book.
"Well, I'm just saying," Yui shook her head as she looked over her homework. "It's not like you need that much not to get robbed."
Sakurako looks up to her for a moment but then looks back to her homework. Yui didn't feel obliged to continue the conversation as well. Both of them begin to work on their homework as they wait for the menu.
"Ah, Sakurako?"
The two girls look up to someone who happened to pass by them, someone that the blonde recognized.
"Konbawa, Kurowa-sama," Sakurako greeted with a smile.
"Konbawa, Sakurako-san," the man greeted back with an open palm. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Not at all," Sakurako shook her head. "We're just about to do our homework."
"Really?" his chubby face made a genuine smile. "You just got out from school?"
"Yes," Sakurako answered a couple of questions in her book. "What are you doing here, by the way?"
"Ah, well," Buro pointed at a corner of the café. "I'm meeting up with a friend. I just got off from my work."
Sakurako stares at him for a moment. "How is the store doing?"
"Oh, it's doing great then you could imagine, Sakurako," Buro gave a thumbs up.
Sakurako lets out a hum. "I can guess finding people to help you manage the store is pretty hard."
"Well, that won't be possible if you had not led the detective to me," the man raised an index finger. "I tell you what, the next time you come over to my store, you'll get a 20% discount on everything you buy."
"Erm…" Sakurako awkwardly replied. "Isn't this too early to tell me?"
"Don't think about it much," Buro waved her off. "I'll leave you to it then."
"Likewise, Kurowa-sama," Sakurako nodded before the manager left the two girls alone.
Yui watches the adult man leave for a few seconds before looking back at her companion. "You… know him?"
"Yes, he's a friend of mine," Sakurako still focused on her homework. "He's the current manager of Bakimura Store."
Yui almost looks back to her work, giving a poker deadpan at the blonde. "Wait, you mean 'that' store?"
"Yes," Sakurako looked away for a moment. "It's not that surprising, you know?"
"Not surprising?" Yui raised her tone. "You do know what happened back there, right?"
"I heard the news," Sakurako tilted her head. "Buro-san also told me what happened."
Yui looks over the blonde, who is gradually shaking her head. The tomboyish girl doesn't like the upset face Sakurako's been giving. "Are you alright, Sakurako?"
"Nothing, I'm just…." Sakurako paused, then shook her head. "Don't mind me."
Yui stares at her for seconds in silence. The tomboyish girl looks back to her homework. "But 20% discount? Sounds not bad. I'm kinda jealous about that."
"Well, you do live by your own," Sakurako added as she answered two more questions. "It must be a bit troubling to buy anything expensive."
"That kinda reminds me," Yui placed a finger on her chin. "I really wanted to buy some beef, but the one I'm looking for is expensive."
"Hmm?" Sakurako raised an eyebrow. "The Sakraf brand?"
"Yeah, that one," Yui nodded. "I was wondering if you know any alternatives aside from that brand."
"I don't think I know any," Sakurako shook her head. "But the last time I went to Sakagawa Store, the Sakraf beef is cheaper."
"By how much?" Yui asked as she wrote the formula.
"I think…" Sakurako looked down. "The big ones… 30000 yens cheaper."
Yui slightly leans her head forward. "Wait, that much?"
"Yes, that much."
Yui smiles, lazily landing her cheek on her left backhand. "That's great! It's that store near the salon, right?"
"Yes," Sakurako nodded while giving a flat smile.
"I'll buy it when I have the chance," Yui retracted her head off the hand.
"You… don't go store straightaway after this?" Sakurako awkwardly asked.
"I don't think so," Yui looked out the window. "I might buy it on my next shopping run."
Sakurako is still focused on her homework as she listens. The tomboyish girl looks over the blonde with such curiosity. Never she had seen this girl who is supposed to be trouble for Himawari to be this silent. However, she just noticed her left hand still wrapped in bandages. She furrowed her eyes at hand.
"Erm, Sakurako?"
"Yes?"
Yui points at her left hand. "How's your hand doing?"
"Oh," Sakurako looked back to her hand. "It's doing... all right… I guess?"
"Pfft! Hm-hm-hm!"
At least Sakurako could see the tomboyish girl understands the lesser kind of joke.
"Ah… I'm sorry," Yui wiped a tear from her eye. "I shouldn't laugh about it."
"No, no, it's all right," Sakurako replied again. "I meant that as a joke."
"Oh, ok-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-okay!" Yui is still trying to shut her mouth from laughing.
"It's nice to see you are laughing again for a while," Sakurako remarked as she flipped a page. "Looks like Kyouko is still bad at making jokes."
"Well, she is," Yui added with a nod. "I swear, that girl. It's like she's trying to look down on me with her stupid puns."
"I… can't imagine how she does that," Sakurako replied again with an unconfident tone.
"Yeah, anyway," Yui looked over to the blonde's homework. "You're at what number now?"
"I'm at the last two," Sakurako winced her eyes at the current query. "What's Ti again?"
Yui looks closer to get the meaning of her query. "Oh, that's titanium, Sakurako-chan."
"Arigato," Sakurako nodded, answering the current query before facing the last one. "What does alkaline taste like?"
Yui halts her work and simply raises her head with a blank stare. The blonde doesn't seem to be confused but looks like she's wondering why this is even a question.
"Is bitter would be enough as an answer?" Sakurako asked, remaining unfazed by the question.
"I think you need to describe a little what kind of bitter you're talking about," Yui suggested the blonde.
"Hmm…" Sakurako wordlessly wrote the answer in the book before finally shutting it for good. "I'm done."
"I'm almost…." Yui wrote her last answer in her homework before finally dropping her pen off her hand. "And… done."
As if in cue, the waiter comes by with a tray of menus. "Here are your orders, Mango Sunlight, Shawarma, Azure Shells, and Soup Mushroom Pie."
"Just in time," Sakurako commented, watching the waiter put the orders on their table. "Arigato, waiter-san."
"No problem," the waiter bowed. "Enjoy your meal."
The waiter then leaves to serve another customer. The food they had looked so appealing and beautiful. The Mango Sunlight is a mix of green and yellow, unblended with a piece of mango floating on the surface, while the Shawarma really resembles the original Arabian Shawarma; the crusts of both meat and bread would make a person drool. Sakurako's Azure Shells looks like a red-purplish typhoon in the glass with coconut slices strewn about and a ball of ice cream on top. And Soup Mushroom Pie looks like a giant mushroom from the outside; the top of the pie glistened by graceful light.
Both girls clasp their hands together to say a single prayer.
"Ittadakimasu!"
Yui goes ahead with the fork and the knife but notices the blonde is rubbing onto her left hand.
"Does your hand hurts?" Yui said her concern.
"No, it's just a bit itchy," Sakurako replied. "This will take time to heal."
Yui looks back at her wounded hand again. "How did you even stab your own hand in the first place again?"
Sakurako gives out a blank stare. "I was cutting vegetables when Kyouko came in."
Considering how often loud Kyouko is when she enters the classroom, Yui felt so sincere for her. "Oh… fair enough."
"Do you ever hurt yourself when you're cooking?" Sakurako asked in curiosity.
"I ever cut my finger by accident, but that's it."
Sakurako continues to stare at her, somehow looked horrified as she narrowed her eyes. "Wait, you lose a finger?"
"Lose a-No, no, I didn't cut off my finger," Yui responded immediately, followed by a shook of her head. "My finger got hit by a knife. Just that."
"Oh, that's what you meant," Sakurako changed her emotion into neutral. "Sorry…"
"It's fine," Yui nodded as she cut the Shawarma. "Himawari-chan did mention you're not good at cooking."
"Yes… on some account…." Sakurako paused, already halfway opening the pie. "Can I come over to your place one day?"
"Sure," Yui nodded. "But be sure to let me know first that you're coming, okay?"
"I'll keep that in mind, Yui-senpai," Sakurako responded, taking a spoonful of her soup. "I might bring Himawari along."
"Go on ahead; I won't mind," Yui assured her. "The more, the merrier."
Sakurako tastes the soup before her. Voila, her eyes widen to the taste in her mouth. While the sight of the soup looks like milky grey, the flavor is so mesmerizing. Not only could she taste the mushroom, but the sweet sugary aroma and flavor, rich with floral herbs. A soup one would expect to get from a well-known expensive restaurant.
"I can't believe it really tastes this great," Sakurako commented in delight, almost in a whisper. "Maybe I could try making this one day."
"You could try," Yui encouraged with a nod. "If only we knew what's the recipe is."
"Don't bother with the recipe," the blonde dismissed. "I could try to make one with Okaa-san's help."
"Or we could try to make one when you come over to my house," Yui suggested.
"Ah," Sakurako looked up to her. "That's a good idea."
Yui continues to stare at her, keeping the same flat smile. However, Sakurako frowns a bit at what she's thinking. "Do I have to do a shopping run for that?"
"Well, didn't you say you want to make one?" Yui asked with a raised brow.
The blonde sighs in defeat. "I guess it's your house, your rules."
Yui then smiles at the defeated blonde. "Alright, don't worry about it. I'll help out on that."
Sakurako didn't reply but continue on to consume the meal they have. Yui would've thought that Sakurako ignored her but decided to leave her undisturbed for the moment. The tomboyish girl soon followed to eat her Shawarma. Both of them continue to eat with an awkward silence.
But then, the blonde's distracted by close footsteps on her side. She only gives a glance to her side to see a person sitting at the table next to them, a woman with long violet hair. She shrugs it off and returns to her fo- wait. Sakurako looks to her left side again to get a good look at the woman.
Sakurako is surprised to see her employer, who is the gun dealer, is here.
"Shiba-san?"
"Eh?" the violet woman turned at her, exchanging the exact look that Sakurako has. "Sakurako?"
Yui almost gags in her mouth, did not expect her to recognize someone else. Sakurako and Shiba turn to look at the gagged girl, watching her punching herself in the chest.
"Are you okay, Yui?" Sakurako asked with concern. "You don't have to kill yourself, you know."
"Pfft 'cough-cough-cough!'"
Shiba winces her eyes at the blonde as they watch Yui laughing in the middle of her gagging fit. That sounds more like sarcasm than someone who is pretty concerned about her health. It took her a while to stop gagging, but she's still in a fit of a laugh. She didn't laugh aloud, but she stifles them in her mouth, which makes her shoulders jump countless times.
"Wow, Sakurako," Shiba said to the blonde in a disbelieving manner. "What a joke to tell your friend who was gagging on her food."
Sakurako shakes her head to the woman, and oddly. "Wait, was I joking?"
The woman and her friend just stare back at her for a second. The words they registered are dumbfounding; at least they think Sakurako is still a little bit of a dimwit.
"Oh, you really mean it?" Yui sighed out with all the giggle she has. "That's not a good question. That's downright rude."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I just said that."
"It's fine, it's fine," Yui waved her off with a genuine smile. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Well, try to read the room next time," Shiba advised the blonde.
Which did nothing but to confuse the blonde. "Um… you mean this café? I'm not sure what you want me to read in here."
Shiba had whitened her eyes and showed her single vein on her face. For the tomboyish girl, she could only give an awkward smile.
"Man, she's still a dimwit," the two people aside from the blonde thought to themselves.
"So, who's your friend here?" the violet woman asked Sakurako.
"Matsubara-san, this is Yui Funami," Sakurako then turned at the black-head girl. "Yui, this is Shiba Matsubara-san. A former teacher at our school."
"Oh?" Yui raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? It's a pleasure to meet you, Matsubara-san."
"The pleasure is mine as well," Shiba nodded with a tilt. "And yeah, I was a teacher at your school for a year before I quit."
"You quit?" Yui found that hard to believe. "What for?"
Before Shiba could say a word, Sakurako carelessly answers. "Teaching students to do a school shooting simulation."
Shiba deadpans at her with slight annoyance. "Wha- hey!"
Yui gives a slightly terrified look, while some people around wondered if they misheard what she just said.
"Are you serious?" asked the already frightened Yui.
"I was joking," Sakurako then sipped onto her Azure Shells.
"Oh," Yui sighed out in relief as the people around them turned their heads back to their business. "Good then."
"Yeah, anyway," Shiba tilted her head, giving a smug to herself. "I quit because teaching kids it ain't for me. I resigned and looked for another job."
"You didn't resign because of Nishigaki-sensei?" Sakurako added in wonder.
"Dammit, do you have to bring her up?" Shiba gritted her teeth at the blonde.
"I think I should," Sakurako replied with a nod.
Yui watches over the two curiously, wondering what kind of relationship they have with each other. "It must be because of her explosions, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I mean- damn," Shiba received a menu from the waiter before he left. "I'm surprised she's not working with a terrorist with skills like that."
"That's not nice, Matsubara-san," Yui commented with sincerity, shutting her eyes not to feel offended about her science teacher.
"Yeah, I know, anyway," Shiba leaned against her seat. "I got a better job right now."
Sakurako winces her eyes and looks at her. "I think you work as a… consultant if I remember it right."
"Security consultant," Shiba added, happy that this lie is going smooth with the dimwit blonde. "The pay is nearly as good as a teacher, but I like my job."
"A security consultant?" Yui asked with a raised eyebrow. "So, you work as a security too?"
"If you mean working like those security jocks in front of the monitors, sometimes," Shiba added as she put down the menu. "But my job is to think and create solutions to minimize risk and strengthen security."
Yui then furrows her eyebrows. "Wait, so you can't get rid of risk?"
"I can get rid of risks, but then another kind of risk can pop up out of nowhere," Shiba replied, crossing her arms on her empty table. "Kinda a pain in the ass, if you ask me."
"I see," Yui took a bite of her Shawarma. "What kind of security?"
"Mostly VIP escorts and guarding private properties," Shiba leaned against her chair. "I mostly deal with physical security."
A waiter happens to come over and asks what Shiba wants to order. "Mixberry and Mozzarella Beef Steak, please."
The waiter writes that down and asks her to wait before he leaves for the kitchen. Shiba looks back to the girls as she waits.
"So you both have been here before?" Shiba asked the two eating girls.
"No, I haven't been here before," Sakurako then pointed at Yui. "But she has."
"Really?" Shiba then pointed over their uniforms. "You just got out from school as well? I see you're still wearing your uniform."
"Yes, we did," Sakurako replied with a nod. "Well, after I finished my thing in the office, that is."
Shiba chuckles, tugging her scarf underneath her coat. "What are you now, a teacher?"
"Actually, Sakurako-chan is one of the student councils at our school," Yui answered, pointing her knife-shaped hand at the blonde.
"A student council?" Shiba looked over to the blonde's posture; there was an uncertainty, or to be exact, unsuitability for the blonde. "That's… okay…."
Sakurako raises her eyebrows at the woman. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I didn't think a girl like you is actually a part of a student council," Shiba placed her chin on the end of her fist, on the thumb, to be exact.
"Um…" Sakurako slowly took a spoonful of soup. "What makes you think like that?"
"Well…" Shiba then looked into her eyes. "You don't look the part of it."
Sakurako looks down at her uniform for a moment, then looks back at the woman with the usual expressionless face. "That's because I'm not wearing the student council's armband."
"No, that's not why I say that," Shiba shook her head. "It's just that you look like you… well… it's just that you looked like you don't give a crap about what you're doing. If you know what I mean."
Yui looks like trying to be sincere with her words, but she half-understood what she meant. "You mean that Sakurako doesn't look so active?"
"Yeah, that's what I mean," Shiba nodded as she pointed. "She doesn't react much too, does she?"
"Well…" Yui rolled her concerned eyes at the poker-facing blonde. "Yes, but she's kind of serious with her work in the office."
"On what kind of work?" Shiba asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Paperwork," Sakurako flat out replied. "And doing meetings."
"Awh," Shiba then leaned to the side and lazily put her head on her right palm. "Isn't that too boring?"
"Yes, it is," Sakurako then sipped her drink. "But it's better than sitting around with nothing to do."
"I agree," Yui nodded. "Sakurako is also helpful, to be honest. Doesn't even try to annoy people."
"Wow, such a nice girl," Shiba complimented, but it sounded a bit sarcastic for Sakurako. "She must be the top student council at school."
"Well… not exactly," Yui scratched her chin before looking back to the blonde. "But I heard that you did want to be a vice student council."
"Yes…" Sakurako paused her meal, staring blankly at the tomboyish Yui. "When I ever said that?"
"Quite a long time ago, I think," Yui responded as she looked up. "Probably months by now."
Shiba smiles, taking considerable time to observe the silent Oomuro. "Hmm, why do you want to be a student council anyway?"
"To be honest, no reason."
"Aw, really?" Shiba interrogatively joked. "Not even because you want to be a good Samaritan?"
"No, I just blurted out when Himawari said she wanted to be one," Sakurako then winced her eyes. "And what's a Samaritan?"
"Samaritan is- ah, screw it, I'm not here to define words," Shiba waved off at her face. "But really, you were just impulsive to join as student council?"
"What's impulsive?"
*PLAK*
Now we are at two rows of questions that require definitions. Shiba might have left a mark on her forehead there. Yui only sits there with her eyes shut and awkwardly laughing at how such a dimwit Sakurako is. Can they continue to keep this record up?
"I forgot what a brick you are," Shiba dropped her hand off her forehead. "I'm gonna take that as a yes."
"Um…" the blonde was somewhat unsure how to respond. "Okay…"
Yui and Sakurako return to enjoy their meal. Shiba was about to go back boring herself, waiting for her order, when she noticed something on the blonde's hand. The unfriendly sight of the fresh bandage on the left hand. Almost immediately, her attention turns to the blonde's hand. There was a slight concern on her face.
"Hey, Sakurako."
"Yes?"
"What happened to your hand?"
"Oh, this? I stabbed myself."
Shiba deadpans at her, even blinks her eyes once. "You what!?"
From the woman's point of view, it looks as if Sakurako wanted to kill herself. If it wasn't because for Yui, the misunderstanding couldn't be cleared up.
"Uh, forgive her," Yui then corrected the blonde's answer. "She meant she accidentally stabbed herself."
"Huh?" Shiba was also slightly surprised. "Since when?"
"Yesterday," Sakurako simply replied.
"How bad was it?"
"Well…" Yui looked down onto the wounded hand. "The nurse said it wasn't bad, but it was a kitchen knife struck through her hand."
"What!? Not bad, my ass!" Shiba piqued her tone. "Did you visit the hospital?"
"Just last night," Sakurako replied as she unconsciously played with her spoon. "I thought George told you about me."
"No, he didn't," Shiba shook her head. "I didn't even call him for the whole day. Today's his holiday, y'know."
"I see," Sakurako nodded, then looked back at her meal. "George seems had enough slapping a man into a woman yesterday."
"PFFFTT!" Yui looked away and sealed her mouth, still chuckling like a woodpecker.
Shiba, on the other hand, sighs and shakes her head. "Damn, what kind of sense of humor is that?"
"At least, Yui-senpai laughed," Sakurako pointed her palm at the said girl. "I think my humor is stabbingly the same level as hers."
"PFFT! Hm-mhm-hm-mhm-hm-hm-hm!" Yui stifled her laugh again.
"Okay, I admit, that wasn't as good as the first one," Shiba smiled and leaned against her chair. "But not bad."
"Thanks," Sakurako nodded but didn't smile. "So you're on your own?"
"Yeah, got a break from work," Shiba then turned her head around the café. "Where's that damn order?"
"They must be busy with the steak," Sakurako then ate another spoonful of her soup. "Just wait for a little longer."
"That's pretty helpful because you are eating right now," Shiba sarcastically replied. "I'm getting hungrier."
Sakurako glances to the side. "At least, your stomach didn't make a sound."
*GRROOWL*
Shiba shamefully slams her head softly onto the table, holding onto her stomach as tight as she can. While both Yui and Sakurako awkwardly stare at her, pausing on their current meal. It was unexpectedly loud. There were only a few heads turned in her direction.
"Okay… I didn't mean that to happen…." Sakurako admitted in her usual flat tone. "I thought you had eaten something before."
"I only had bread and a tea for breakfast," Shiba rolled her head to see the girls. "And I didn't have time to get a lunch for a whole day."
"Oh," Sakurako simply turned her head at her meal. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"No, no, you don't need to apologize," Shiba then lazily leaned back against the chair; a blush still appeared on her face. "I just had a hefty job, that's all."
Sakurako only acknowledges with a hum before the girls return to their meal. The violet woman lets out a sigh as she held onto her rumbling stomach. It's not loud as before, but it's still embarrassing to hear. But that alone won't make the girls lose their appetite. It wasn't long until they hear another footstep closing onto their tables. However, the blonde pays no heed nor interest for the next person to come in view. But, in the end, she turns her head to the side of the next person.
She didn't expect to see another friend of hers, though.
"Ah, Sakurako?" the next woman was none other than Detective Sumida, dressed in her black jacket. "Konbawa."
"Konbawa, Sumida-san," Sakurako greeted back, with Yui watching and acknowledging the detective's name.
"Another friend of yours?" Yui asked in wonder.
"Yes, she's a detective, to be exact," the blonde's words slightly surprised the tomboy. "This is Sumida Oharu-san."
"I'm Yui Funami," the girl introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you."
"Me too, Yui," Sumida leaned onto Sakurako's seat. "I see you both just got out fro-"
"What?! Sumida?!"
They all immediately turn their heads to the lone violet woman beside them. There was a look of stinking anger on her face as her eyes whine and sink into her skin. Yui looks so concerned by this gradual situation, but she's more concerned with the look on the detective's face. Eyes shaded, teeth gritted, and even her fist is starting to crack. Sakurako only sits there like a statue, barely stopping herself from curse herself to forget that these two women hate each other.
"You…" – Sumida
"Bitch…" – Shiba
The blonde could see that Yui is pretty unsure how to defuse this situation. What's more was that everyone in the café, including the waiters, is staring at the two raging women. Sakurako sighs softly with her eyes close, and maybe it's not a good idea for her to eat peacefully with her friend. The blonde tugs onto the sleeve of Sumida's jacket. It was enough to distract the detective away from her nemesis.
"How about you find a seat first, detective-san?" Sakurako suggested, pacing her tone slowly. "You can't stand in the middle of the path for too long."
The detective stares at her with perplexity for a few seconds, and it takes her a moment to notice everyone is staring at herself and Shiba. The detective let out a defeated sigh before taking a couple of steps forward. Sumida sits down across Shiba, fixing her precious ponytail in the process as her nemesis watched with disgust. Even if the detective found her seat, Sakurako wearily slumped her head down. Sakurako had hoped she sits farther away from Shiba.
A waiter happens to come by with the order. "Here's your Mixberry and Mozzarella Beef Steak, miss."
"Thanks," Shiba remained unfazed, gazing still at the detective.
The waiter then asks the detective, although his voice has shown his concerns. "Um… what do you like to order?"
"Just espresso macchiato, please," Sumida responded sharply, doing the same gaze as her enemy.
"Alright, please wait for your order," the waiter left the women with haste.
The girls are almost finished with their meal but are still unnerved by the women at the table beside them. Sakurako was, at most, annoyed, to be frank. Annoyed that her trip to the new café became uneventful thanks to these women. They both could feel the heat emanating from the two. Even if Sakurako isn't an adult, she should be angry with these women. But she's already a bit tired to do so from all the homework and school day.
"Do you mind stop staring at each other like that?" Sakurako asked the two angry women.
The women then gaze at the blonde, their dangerous eyes that could strike through someone's mind. Yui was already unnerved and swore that she caught a speck of red light from their eyes, followed by a reddish aura. On the other hand, Sakurako half-shut her eyes as if she's so sleepy. That was just her way to disguise her irritation.
"Can you just talk like normal people do?" Sakurako asked again with a flat tone.
"Sakurako," Sumida called with a slight hiss. "Do you realize who this woman is?"
"My friend."
"What do you mean she's your friend?" Sumida deadpanned at her. "Do you even know who she actually-"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm your enemy, and I love to screw your head up and down," Shiba carelessly interrupted as she looked back to her meal with eyes closed.
"Oh, shut up, Shiba!" Sumida retorted at her. "You're no better than those dogs I jailed for the past two years."
"Really now? Can I know why?" Shiba asked her as she challenged her. "You're trying to amuse my friend here?"
"Hey, she's not your friend!" Sumida snorted back. "What is she, your child?"
Sakurako then raises her eyebrows. "You two are my friends-"
"Shut up."
Sakurako leans back in surprise for their retort, but now Sakurako is starting to look angry. "Look, can you break this up now?"
"Oh, sure," Sumida sarcastically responded, crossing her arms as she looked back at her rival. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't see her going out with all those men she went with."
"Hoho, do you now?" Shiba gave her a charming look, but the wrinkles are apparent on her closed eyes. "That's why you are still single? Such a shame."
"H-hey! Do I look like I have a problem with that?" the detective spat back. "You should be the one who's ashamed to do something like that, whore!"
"No, you should the one to be ashamed," Shiba responded, somewhat staying stoic for as long as she can. "Always snooping on everyone's business and making troubles. And you even stole some stuff from people, including myself."
"I didn't steal your stuff; I acquisition them!" Sumida then pointed furiously at her. "So I can put a scum like you in prison!"
"Huh, you wish," Shiba chuckled with an insulting snort. "Inky detective."
"The hell you called me!?" Sumida stood and leaned forward at her rival with her fist prepared in the air.
"Shiba-san, Sumida-san, quit it already," Sakurako reminded them again. "You're bothering other people in here."
"Maybe you try to tell her to shut up," Sumida told her.
"Oh, would you mind with your words there, detective?" Shiba mocked her. "You have a small heart."
"Try telling that to yourself, fatty," Sumida snorted again. "Your heart stinks than mine."
"Huuh…" Sakurako had had enough. "Sumida-san, your heart is smaller than her breasts."
"PFFT! Hmh-hmh-hmh-hmh-hmh!"
As Yui laughs and looks away towards the windows, both Sumida and Shiba deadpan at the blonde. Even though Sumida looked so offended by her words, the two women were also a bit disgusted at the offense despite their shaded, empty stare. Sumida did look back to her nemesis and already jealous about the size of her bust. Let's not forget to mention that two women are blushing just because of Sakurako's remarks.
"Finally," the blonde sighed out in relief. "Are you done now?"
"Is that why you insult me?" Sumida asked, unamused. "I'm an adult, y'know?"
"Not so adult with that kind of attitude," Shiba snickered, covering her mouth and staring at her enemy with mischievous eyes.
"Oh, now you're asking for a fight," Sumida towered over the gun dealer.
"That's enough, you two," Sakurako's getting angrier but refrain from showing her current expression. "Don't start a fight."
"Don't you start blaming on me! She's the one who started it!" Sumida retorted, pointing at the violet women.
"Now blaming your fault on someone else, are we?" Shiba asked with a manipulative tone.
"Shut up, hag!" Sumida sneered back. "I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face!"
Sakurako's words seem to have no effect on these 'consenting' adults. Sakurako couldn't frown more than a flat, disappointed face. Yui seems to be bothered by it a little but pretty concerned for Sakurako's friends. Alas, nothing concerned Yui more than the angry-looking Sakurako. Yui is starting to see that Sakurako is almost at the limit.
The two women continue to bicker without care for the world as Sakurako watches. Her gaze remains fixed on both women as her left hand dropped to her lap while her right hand reached for her bag. Then she procures a metal tube with a pin on it and rudely puts it on the table. The loud thud caught the attention of the women. Only one of them starts to feel afraid when a realization dawned on her.
Sumida blinks once. "Wait, what is that?"
"I-is that a flashbang, it is not?"
Sumida turns her head at the gun dealer, with the kind of surprise she didn't expect. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"I-it's not a joke," Yui assured them.
"Oh, yeah?" Sumida chuckled at the design of the flashbang. "Seems too crude for me. Are you sure that's not a toy?"
"W-well," Yui noticed Sakurako still has the same blank expression. "It is really not a toy."
"Hoho, come on, don't be serious," Sumida smiled as she looked at Shiba. "What's wrong? Cat got ya' tongue?"
"N-no!" Shiba tried her best not to raise her voice. "That… thing seems to be real."
"Would'cha looks at that. You're a scaredy-cat as well," Sumida taunted. "I can't believe a kid's toy would tip you off."
"Sumida-san," Yui's eyes jolted back and forth on the grenade. "This is not a toy."
"Aw, come on, quit you two," Sumida waved the two girls off. "I'm sure ya' doing that to brighten my mood. You can drop the act now."
Sakurako remains quiet and unfazed for the matter. "I asked a science teacher for help, you know?"
Sumida then stares back at her, confusion on her face. "What do you mean by that?"
"Man, what an explosive day."
"Huh," Yui then looked over to the aisle. "Speaking of which."
Everyone turns onto the path to see a person, a woman for that matter, coming over. The woman with short greyish-white hair. It's the famous Nanamori's science teacher, Nishigaki-sensei. Shiba was about to look out but then halted at the voice she recognized. The violet woman slumps into her seat with a terrified face.
"Ah, Nishigaki-sensei," Sakurako greeted, still with a poker face. "Konbawa."
"Konbawa, Sakurako, Yui," Nishigaki replied as she looked away to her left. "How are you do-"
Nishigaki pauses, keep looking at the only violet woman in the café. Shiba looks so… so… scared. Her entire face shaded in shadow, and she looked down at the table. Sumida finds it a bit odd; never for once, Shiba kept that fake smile and empty eyes that long. Yui was also feeling strange as Sumida. For Sakurako, it's much of a relief than an annoyance.
"Shiba, is that you?!"
Shiba very unwillingly and slowly turns her head at the science teacher. "Y-yes, how are you… doing?"
"My God, it's good to see you again!" Nishigaki then sat next to her, much to the gun dealer's nervousness. "How long has it been, for a year?"
"So you do know her," Sakurako commented, distracting the teacher away from her.
"Wait, you know her?" the teacher asked, pointing her thumb to the agitating woman.
"She's my friend, Nishigaki-sensei," Sakurako replied.
"Really?" Nishigaki asked as she looked to the unnerved Shiba. "So you knew she's a former teacher at our school?"
"Yes," Yui answered.
"That's great! You must've-" Nishigaki trailed off when she saw the metal tube on the girls' table. "Sakurako, what are you doing with the flashbang?"
"Eh?" Sumida turned at her, Shiba did the same wordlessly. "What?"
"Shiba-san and Sumida-san were about to start a fight," Sakurako emotionlessly replied. "I warned them to keep quiet. They're starting to make me angry."
"Well…" Nishigaki can't help but feel… threatened by her poker face. "Okay then… but are you sure you want to do that with these people around?"
"Wait, that's actually real?!" Sumida almost said it out loud. "Where the hell did you get it?!"
"I helped her make that," Nishigaki replied to the standing detective.
Sumida narrows her eyes with such indignation. "You're not serious, are you?"
Yui steps in to change the subject. "Did you blow up the lab again?"
"Actually, I blew up the council's office," Nishigaki replied with no guilt.
"Again?" Sakurako tilted her head a little. "Did you develop nuclear energy?"
Nishigaki leans her head forward with furrowed eyebrows. "Hang on, I thought you said I shouldn't do that."
Yui wasn't exactly surprised by the question but indeed caught the two women off-guard. Sakurako finds Shiba's horrified face pretty cute. Sumida continues to gaze with her dark eyes, and her jaw opened. The idea to have both Sakurako and Nishigaki nonchalantly talking about that is just absurd for them.
Sakurako looks away to Yui. "Forget I asked that."
Sumida proceeds to sit down and stares at her rival, having a bit terrified of the teacher's accomplishments. Shiba there wasn't just feeling horrified, but also feels in danger. At least, for the time being, their mouths have been shut tight. A breezy wind of relief left the blonde's mouth.
"On second thought," Sumida sounded out her defeat. "Let's stop fighting."
Shiba couldn't agree more. "I know."
"Finally," Sakurako then stored back her flashbang. "Now I can finish up my meal."
"Right…" Nishigaki then looked over to the ponytailed woman. "You said you were Sumida-san?"
"Sumida Oharu," the said woman replied with a polite tone. 'I'm a police detective."
"Nice knowing you, detective-sama," Nishigaki acknowledged with a nod. "I'm guessing you knew about these girls?"
"I'm actually a friend of Sakurako's family."
"Is that so?" NIshigaki asked in surprise. "That's nice to know."
"By the way…." Sumida then pointed at the agitating and fake-smiling Shiba. "Did you say she was a teacher?"
"Yeah, for a year," Nishigaki then hugged over the gun dealer's shoulders. "Then she quit."
"Why?" Sumida is rather curious about someone who is hostile to her.
"Teaching wasn't for me," Shiba shook her head, still agitating. "The salary's not bad, but it ain't for me."
Sakurako hums an affirmative. "You're not going to mention she stripped you naked at school without consent?"
Shiba and Nishigaki blushed and were embarrassed by the question. Yui deadpans at her. Sumida, instead, had a look of disgust at the blonde.
"Pardon me?"
"With accidental explosion."
Sumida suddenly sighs out in relief but irritated at the same time. "Don't talk incomplete sentences."
"I would feel happy if you left that part out," Shiba added with her eyes closed.
"Hehehe…" Yui chuckled, though feeling a bit uncertain of this situation.
"How's your hand, by the way?" Nishigaki asked with a smile. "Is it all right?"
"Very funny."
"I mean it, Sakurako."
Sakurako looks over to her bandaged hand before continuing on her meal. "Starting to feel better. I can hold a ball tighter than before."
"It's great to hear that, Sakurako," Nadeshiko put her arms on the table as Shiba returned to eating her meal. "I reckon your hand will be in good shape for a day or two."
"Wait," the detective just noticed the bandaged hand. "How did your hand get wounded?"
"She accidentally stabbed herself."
Sumida snorts back at Shiba. "I wasn't asking you."
"She just answered your question," Sakurako assured her. "I got it during home economics."
"You were cutting vegetables?" Sumida guessed and received a nod from the girl.
"Yes."
"Huh," Sumida leaned against the chair. "I don't see how you can accidentally stab your hand, except for your fingers."
Sakurako then imitates how she held the knife that day. "I didn't realize I was holding it like this."
"And then…?" Sumida trailed off.
"Well…" Sakurako then looked over to Yui, continuing her answer. "A friend of ours suddenly barged into her class pretty aloud. Sakurako was frightened and then…."
How Yui gradually looks over to her wounded makes it straightforward for the gun dealer and the detective.
"Ouch…" Sumida winced her eyes, with her teeth gritted at the image of the pain. "That must've hurt."
Sakurako shrugs. "It's not bad."
"Not bad?" Sumida stared in disbelieve. "Seriously?"
"Sumida-san, she didn't even scream when we were tending her," Nishigaki replied. "But… she enjoys the pain."
"Oh…" Sumida stared with oddity for the blonde. "You're a bit strange, Sakurako-chan."
"Is that a compliment?" the blonde asked back.
"Not really," Sumida shook her head. "Are you sure you didn't have low blood pressure?"
"You should be asking that to Himawari," Sakurako responded as she finished up her mushroom soup.
"Wait, she has that?" Sumida asked, then a waiter happened to come over with her coffee. "Thanks."
"Yes," Sakurako then put down her spoon downwards on the empty bowl. "Are you finished, Yui-senpai?"
"I'm still finishing up the drink," Yui said as she sipped on her Mango Sunlight. "Let's dutch this one."
"No, no, let me pay for all our meals," Sakurako volunteered as she drank her Azure Shells. "I brought a lot of money for today."
"You don't have to, Sakurako," Yui was slightly surprised.
"Don't worry, I'm feeling pretty generous for today," Sakurako assured her with a smile.
"If you say so, Sakurako-chan," Yui smiled back.
"Wait, you're leaving?" Shiba asked, looking from behind Nishigaki's head.
"Yes," Sakurako nodded with a flat smile. "You're not afraid because Nishigaki-sensei is here, correct?"
"W-what? No, I'm not!" Shiba denied, shaking her head so hard.
But Shiba shows her agitation was pretty contradicting. "Are you sure about that?"
"Hey, come on, stop teasing on her," Nishigaki then crossed her arms on the table. "We'll be having a quite fun time. Isn't that right, 'Matsubara-sensei?'"
"Hehehehe…" Shiba cannot say much but for her concerned mellow laughs.
"Okay, you can run along now, kids," the detective added, snickered at the sight of her nemesis being a scared cat. "Looks like we'll be here for a while."
"Alright, Sumida-san," Sakurako then looked at her teacher. "Have fun with your new blast buddy."
"Okay, see you later, you two," Nishigaki responded before the two girls headed off out of their sight.
"Blast buddy, huh?" Sumida asked with a raised eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"A buddy to help me out on experiments and explosions!" Nishigaki happily replied with a thumbs up.
There was a terrified look on Shiba's face, and for once, Sumida agrees with her. "Forget I just said that."
Yui and Sakurako had already left the café and are on the road. Not on their way home, but they're doing a little stop at the same game store they visited. Sakurako wasn't exactly looking for a new one, but Yui sure did. A new game pops up in the store, a game that caught Yui's interest. Sakurako takes this opportunity to see if there's something new in the store.
"What's this game you have been looking for?" Sakurako asked the tomboyish girl.
"Just some farming adventure game," Yui replied with a nod. "Are you sure you're not looking for another game?"
"My answer is still the same," Sakurako simply replied.
Yui looks over to the blonde. "Not even for a second thought?"
"No," Sakurako shook her head. "I'm already happy with the game I played."
Yui smiles, then looks back forward. "Do you really want to be a police officer?"
"Maybe not," Sakurako shook her head. "I'm probably just good at shooting people."
"Huh, I feel like we might be on the same level," Yui added.
"Level?" Sakurako asked. "We're not inside a game."
"I mean, we might think alike," Yui replied. "I'm also into shooting games as well."
"And adventure games."
"No, not adventure games."
Sakurako confusingly looks at her. "You don't like adventure games?"
"Yeah," Yui pocketed her hands in her skirt.
"Then why are you playing that kind of game?"
"Hmm…" Yui looked down at the ground. "I haven't thought about that."
Sakurako stares at her for a moment before she looks away. "I guess you're too distracted with Kyouko-senpai around."
"W-wha-?" Yui almost blushed. "I-it's nothing like that, to be honest."
The blonde just nods, don't even realize how many times she just nodded.
"Did you hear the announcement?" Yui asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, I heard it," Sakurako replied with a nod. "Azuma-sensei told my class about it."
"You know, I'm a bit surprised that your class will be coming along for the school trip," Yui replied as she corrected her hanging bag. "Kitamiya-sensei had told us that they had enough budget for my class and another couple others. I wonder what happened with the change."
Sakurako hums once, looking her head down to the ground. "Probably their budget got increased."
Yui tilts her head and stops walking, staring at the blonde at the end. "Hang on a minute, are you the one who donated money for the trip?"
"Do you think so?" Sakurako vaguely asked back, and then they continued walking.
"You don't have to talk like that," Yui smiled, even chuckled by her friend's generosity. "I'm pretty glad that you step in to help. You're really that desperate for the school trip, do you?"
"No, but I just thought this is a good opportunity for me," Sakurako corrected the collar of her uniform. "Himawari might be very happy if I don't pass this up."
"That's great!" Yui's smile then gradually turned into wonder. "That must've been a lot of money to spend. Did you ask your mother's help about it?"
"No, I didn't."
Yui was rather shocked, even stopping in her path as the blonde moves on. "Wait, then how did you spend a lot of money for that?"
Sakurako stops in her tracks, turns around, and replies to her question. "Lottery."
"Ah… is that so?" Yui left a single sweat on her head, even to the point of wondering how much money Sakurako has won.
"Are you coming?" Sakurako asked the lagged girl.
"Yeah," Yui caught up with her. "Come on. It's not that far now."
Sakurako and Yui continue on their evening journey without any future interruptions, save for a call received from Nadeshiko. But it was no bother for the two girls. Without further ado, they spend a pretty good time in the store. However, an idea came up in her mind once she enters the store. If they're on a school trip, she might get herself a way to get on her side job. She would call Shiba first before that day comes, even with her hand wounded.
For now, she enjoys spending her time with Yui before they finally separate ways to return home.
Author's note:
Looks like I'm already halfway through the story. As always, I'll be taking a break from writing and do some drawing. Let me know if you like the story so far. As always, stay safe, and have a good time reading.
