Experienced some schedule slip. I apologize.

Makoto was confident enough to ignore the stares coming from what was doubtlessly a rising number of people. All that mattered was the boy she was following and keeping the tourist magazine she had hastily bought high enough to hide her face. She was admittedly unfamiliar with Kichijoji aside from the few trips for darts Akira had invited her for. Sure, there was a guide near the entrance to the large area, but she didn't have time to ask for directions. She'd just have to settle for keeping an eye on Akira. He never got lost.

...Probably.

He had been wandering rather aimlessly down one of the main streets when a tantalizing aroma filled the air. Makoto couldn't blame her stomach for growling in response. Are those buns…?

As if he had heard her, Akira suddenly swerved to the origin of the smell. He must have been a regular, if the way the owner grinned at him was any indication. Akira indicated one of the items on display and raised his hand. "One, please."

"You got it. One for the road?"

"Ooh, sure. Discount for your favorite customer?"

"Don't be cheeky. Here you go."

"Thanks. Ow, that's hot."

Akira handed over the proper payment and bobbed his head lightly in thanks, wasting no time in taking a bite from one of his newly acquired snacks. He made to head towards the temple, taking one step before seemingly reconsidering and pivoting into the nearby alleyway. Makoto raised an eyebrow at the odd change in direction, but set out in following him nonetheless. Do I smell incense?

That wasn't the point. Where was Akira? Makoto's head darted left, right, down the alley. As she pondered over just where he could have gone, she walked further down the cramped backstreets.

Did I lose him?

...Something about this feels familiar.

"Pepper bun?"

"AAH!"

The magazine she dropped made a soft clatter as its spine hit the ground, giving way to silence as suddenly as Akira had appeared. The smell of spices wafting around the bun in his hand and the one he was biting into made Makoto briefly wonder just how he had managed to hide in the first place. "Makoto?"

"How do you keep doing that?"

"Have fun? I dunno, I just kinda go with the flow."

"That's not what I-...never mind."

"Cool. So what's up?"

He really wasn't kidding about going with the flow. Dropping the subject as fast as he did left Makoto stumbling to answer his admittedly simple question. "I, um, uh…"

Akira simply observed her for a scant few seconds before raising his hand again. "Pepper bun?"

"No."

Makoto honestly wasn't sure why she refused. Perhaps it was a knee jerk reaction to having been caught off-guard so easily. "You sure? It's good."

At least Akira didn't seem to mind. "...Fine, give it."

"Gladly."

He handed it over with little fanfare and distracted himself with his own snack so she wouldn't think he was staring. "So what's been bugging you?"

"Huh?"

Akira led her out of the backstreets and moved to the promenade, taking their time walking down the street. "You only tail me when you're suspicious about something. And given that you could just ask me what I'm up to nowadays, I assume you were trying to see if I was doing something you didn't like."

His observation was remarkably on point. Makoto could only wonder how well-trained his third eye was. "You make it sound like I'm a stalker."

"You can stalk me anytime."

That got a laugh out of her. Akira smiled as she punched his shoulder lightly. "That's awful."

"Little bit."

Akira looked at the temple at the end of the road and glanced once more at Makoto. "...Seriously, though. Something on your mind?"

"No, nothing like that. I finished with my work early and heard from Ann that you were coming here today, so…"

Makoto's cheeks were a little red as she cleared her throat and looked pointedly away from Akira. "I was free and…"

Akira leaned a bit closer when she didn't immediately continue. She noticed the closed distance with a deeper blush and finished her sentence. "...a little curious."

Makoto tore off a bite of the snack in her hand and chewed thoughtfully, pointedly looking straight down the street as she contemplated the taste. "How is it?"

"...Hmm."

She was about to take another bite when she noticed Akira was staring rather intently at her. Rather than get flustered, she simply said, "I know that look. Don't ask me to explain."

"I didn't say anything."

"Grr…"

"Hehe."

"Don't you snicker."

Akira relented, leaving Makoto to her devices and letting a comfortable silence settle over the two. After a moment, he chanced a quick glance at Makoto and tried his best to hide his worry as to whether or not she was enjoying herself. That was all he needed to assuage his fears. Makoto had a happy smile on her face, barely masking how much she was enjoying the food and the company. Akira chuckled lightly and turned his gaze forward - it had an unorthodox start, but it would seem his little excursion had taken a turn for the better.

A new chapter for Notice Me is in the works, and I have some drafts for this story going through some brainstorming.

I hope this story finds you well. Stay safe, and see you next chapter.