"You're as lively as ever, Shirona-sama."

Shirona almost chokes on her food. That would be a shame considering how this fried snowcrab is still piping hot. Akagi offers a polite smile, ushering sunlight into the cozy seafood stand. "Do you have a favorite food?" he says, gaze sweeping across the colorful trays.

"Nhomph herph." She gropes for a napkin. "No, not really. You?"

"I have no particular preference."

After Shirona pays the shopkeeper, she purchases a can of Lemonade from a nearby vending machine. Another can falls out, but he politely declines her gracious offer. "I have no particular preference" my ass.

People are bustling about under the sweltering heat. She stares, transfixed, as Akagi removes his cap. He dabs a rag to his forehead, pulling away tendrils of sticky, waxy substance from his skin.

"Gel," he remarks to Shirona's horrified expression. "I am human, I assure you." He runs a hand through the blue cotton fields. "It's quite humid today."

Shirona quickly hides her burning cheeks. Indeed it is. She chugs that invigoratingly sweet juice. "You… You look different with your hair down."

"So I've been told, ma'am." There's a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Is it a desirable difference?"

You look much younger. And fluffier. "Maybe…?"

"I see. My grandfather sees this as bed hair, however. It can be quite unruly if I don't contain it."

"Heh. I can see that." Hey Grandma, we're talking about Akagi's hair today. Wish you were here. "What does your grandpa look like?"

That question takes him by surprise. "What he… Well. To be frank, I'm not sure…"

"He's your grandpa, Akagi-kun."

"Yes, but I've never given much thought about physical appearances." He clasps his hands behind his back. Tilts his head to the side. "Grandfather is an excellent teacher, strict but fair. I can't thank him enough for all he's done. Why, if he wasn't there in time, I would've…"

Akagi clears his throat. "What of you, Shirona-sama? How is your grandmother?"

"She yells at me. It's like she knows where to find me just so she can chew my ear off." She sighs to the skies. Is it that hard to ask for a day off? "Anyway, are you working right now, Akagi-kun?"

"I just finished a commission, ma'am. I'm scheduled for another inspection later in the day."

Wow. Busy Mitsuhoney. "So you're killing time right now."

Akagi raises a brow. "Well, I was planning to purchase a new sewing needle." He holds up his sleeves, where seam lines have overrun the coarse white fabric. If she plucks that hanging thread, the whole thing will unravel. "I'll have to fix my cap too. You were right, Shirona-sama, I should make an effort in maintaining my appearance."

It's like he just sucker-punched her gut. "S-Sorry." Gotta watch this mouth of mine before it bites me in the ass.

"Heheh. It's all right." Akagi tilts his head, a nonverbal invitation for a stroll. "So," he says. "What brings you to Tobari today, Shirona-sama?"

"The food," is the timid reply. His eyes crinkle, much to her embarrassment. "R-Really. I've never seen yakisoba-stuffed taiyaki before. A-And there was the snowcrab…"

"Have you ever tried milk bread?" I mean, bread is never as good as rice. "I know a place that specializes in the yukone technique, if you're interested. After I finish delivering milk this weekend, I can introduce you to the owner."

The mental image of Akagi running around with a box of bottled milk instantly brightens her day. "Sure. This weekend for sure."

They stop at a pass on a mountain face. The city of Tobari lies below like the cluttered interior of a child's play box: mostly stone and brick with the occasional greenery sprinkled around, corners connected by an intricate railway system.

"I apologize."

"For what?"

Akagi coughs. "The air quality in Tobari is generally worse come midday. Out of all the cities in Sinnoh, Tobari is the first one to have underwent heavy modernization." He directs her attention to the thick plumes of black smoke in the distance. "That's the coal mines. Tobari's dependence of coal isn't… ahem, sustainable—ahem. My apologizes."

"Akagi-kun, you okay?"

"Yes." He's cringing as he rubs his chest. "I'm sorry." He hurries down the stairs, Shirona cautiously at his heels in case he falls. Then they're back on street level, on the other side of a drying lake.

Akagi gives a shaky sigh. "Do you know what I like most about Kannagi Town, Shirona-sama?"

"What's there to like about that dingy old place?"

"You can see the stars," he says softly. "The Gyarados and Milokaross Constellations. The North Star… And in the early morning, once can see the forests of Mt. Tengan, especially the cherry blossoms!"

"Oh." Shirona laces her hands. Simple things get him so excited. "I guess."

"Heh, you needn't humor me, ma'am." Akagi secures the cap on his head. "My grandfather tells me I tend to ramble on the most childish things…

"Anyhow. The Tailor Shop should be around the corner. Her wares may be of interest to you."

The Tailor Shop is a small, unassuming house with a plain wooden sign that reads "Tailor" next to a gnarled red oak. A tinny bell rings upon entering the door. The air is thick with musty cloth fibers, but it's not as city air.

"Shirona-sama, look."

She sees it: the rainbow near the window. Vivid colors of glimmering cloth. A hakama with the gradient of autumn, ceremonial furisode, tabi socks made of the finest Merriep wool.

"I didn't know people still wore geta," Shirona remarks of the unappealing, oversized clogs.

"Some people do. Mainly older folks."

A pointy red head pokes between the young man and woman. "Hiya!" A heart-shaped face with eyes like liquid honey. "You interested, Missy?"

"Um… no."

"That's fine." Her accent isn't like Akagi's. It's stronger, yet oddly familiar. "Feel free to look around. Akagi-sama, you need a new shirt?"

Shirona's jaw drops. "Akagi-sama?"

"Very observant, Mars." He removes his cap. "No, I need a new sewing needle. And a spool of white thread."

"This is like, the tenth time."

"My apologies. Juppeta swallowed my last needle when I tried to repair its stomach."

"You spoil that thing too much, Akagi-sama. See, that's why you shouldn't bring back things on the street! Especially if it's sitting in a box in the rubbish bin." The tailor swivels around. "So. You're his client?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm Shirona."

"Cool, the universe decided to bless my shop today." She curtsies. "I'm Mars. You better treat Akagi-sama with respect, Missy, or I'm coming for you—"

"Mars."

"Akagi-sama, you sound like a dying Hasubrero." She runs into the back, reappearing with a glass of iced tea. "Someday you're going to cough out a lung, and I won't know how to put it back. You're not a machine."

"Ma—"

Mars shoves the iced tea into his chest. "Shirona-sama!" Said woman jumps. "Let me show you my very newest collection. Have you ever tried a western dress? Black looks great on you."

Shirona holds up the garment. It's a short-sleeve black dress with white buttons and a tapered waistline. She holds it up to the mirror, above her kimono.

"Give it a spin." Mars gestures to the changing room. Shirona had never ran so fast to try on something. When she returns, there appears to be a heated one-sided argument in the corner of the room.

"You know, if you're not taking care of yourself, I'm telling Ju—" Mars spins around. "Oooh! Look at you, Shirona-sama! Akagi-sama, LOOK at her!"

The dress barely reaches her knees. But it feels much, much lighter than that bulky kimono. Shirona does a small twirl, giggling in delight as the checkered helm flares like a halo. "Akagi-kun, what do you think?"

That cap is yanked off his head. "It's… different." He's staring at his half-empty iced tea. "Do you like it?"

"Does it make my butt look big?"

"No," Mars says. "You have the perfect figure for western wear. Are you sure you're from Sinnoh, Missy?

"So!" Mars is already behind the counter. "For you, that dress is only 9000 Poke!"

Akagi blanches. Shirona peers at the mirror again for the longest time. I mean, this will be my first-ever dress. A woman's gotta keep up with the times.

"Great!" Mars looks genuinely happy. "Your receipt. I'll wrap this up for you to take home."

"Your handwriting's very neat."

"Thanks… Anyway, I've attached the instructions of care with the dress. Thank you very much for your patronage!"

Shirona glances around the cozy interior. "You have a lovely shop, Mars-chan."

"I know right? Akagi-sama fixed this place up for me." Mars beams at the man, the latter looking away. "He comes by to check if everything's working properly, and he often recommends this place to his clients…. If I find out you've been bullying him—"

"Mars," Akagi grunts. "My needle."

"Sure, sure." Mars plucks a tin can on the shelf, all while wiggling her eyebrows at Shirona. "I've included a seam ripper for you too."

"Thank you." Akagi digs in his pockets for the Poke. "Do you mind if I borrow that chair?" With that, he launches into deep concentration mode.

"How many layers does he wear?" Shirona murmurs.

"I don't think he sweats," Mars mumbles back. Actually he does, surprisingly enough. The two women lapse into peaceful contentment with watching those nimble fingers dance with thread.

TING!

"Mars!" A young man ambles into the store, a bulging sack dragging behind his lean frame. "Mars, look at the haul for today! We can finally move to someplace nice—Mars, look! Look!"

"That's Saturn," she says without lifting her gaze. Akagi is too absorbed in repairing his cap to notice the commotion. "And this is Shirona-sama."

The man named Saturn slides a hand through his slicked blue hair, a style that oddly resembles cat ears. "Shirona-san…" Those sharp eyes glisten as he curtsies. "Shirona-san, thank you for your interest in Mars's tailoring. I guarantee you won't be disappointed in your investment!"

Saturn presents a piece of shiny washi paper, the movement exposing various bangles on his wrist. "Shirona-san, welcome to our humble city. Have you stopped by the Casino? You see, I just so happen to be the CEO, and it would be my honor to present you with complimentary credit—"

"Saturn, are you soliciting advertisements on private property?"

"Whaaaaat? Nah, I'm better than that, Aka—" Saturn gasps. It's not a normal gasp by any means, more like a high-pitch squeal of a whistling kettle. "AKAGI-SAMA?!"

Mars rolls her eyes. Akagi frowns. "Saturn, you are making a scene."

Saturn turns a burnt scarlet shade. "A-A-A-Akagi-SAMA. You… you should've told me you were coming…" He's shuffling his feet, swinging his sandals by his big toe. "I… I would've gotten you something nice. Have you eaten yet?"

"Saturn." Said man stiffens. Akagi rubs his temples.

"Akagi-sama isn't too fond of the Casino," Mars explains to a baffled Shirona. "He thinks it's a waste of hard-earned money."

"But you can win big," Saturn huffs, crossing his arms. "Tobari's Casino is the fairest place of its kind. I'm telling you, Akagi-sama, Mars, with all the profit I'm making, you'll never have to lift another finger—"

Akagi stands, and Saturn clams up. "I have to go now," says the older man. "Thank you very much for the needle, Mars. Shirona-sama, have fun."

Shirona snaps from her reverie. "Where are you going?"

"I have a commission in the next city over."

"Boss-"

Akagi clicks his tongue. "Saturn, I am not your boss. Don't… Just stay out of trouble, please."

Shirona blocks the doorway. "You're going to Yosuga, right? I've been there plenty of times with friends!"

"Yosuga…" Mars gasps. "Oh, you're going to… oooooh." An arms swings over Shriona's shoulder. "Hey, stay and play with us a little, Missy. I know a really good tofu place around here!"

"My Casino has a buffet," Saturn mumbles. "It's on the house."

The fried crab from earlier is still rotting in her stomach. Shirona gives the handyman the saddest Togepy eyes this side of Tengan Bridge. It always worked on Goyo. Sometimes on Oba, rarely on Denzi, but he didn't give two Skunpuu either way.

"What a pushy client," Saturns whispers, only to get yanked on the ear. Akagi's frown hardens, but Shirona stands her ground.

"Let me go," she says.

"With all due respect, I don't think so."

"I'll file a complaint."

After an excruciating eternity of pouting, Akagi's shoulders finally slump. "Mars," he sighs. "May I borrow a hat for Shirona-sama?"

The hat has a wide brim that blocks everything above the horizon line. Shirona stays close to Akagi, one hand on his suspenders, the other dangling in open air. Mars had graciously kept the dress in storage upon their return.

"You must listen to me." Akagi's voice echoes in her brain. "When we arrive, do not look up when someone calls you. Do not make eye contact, do not wander away. Stay close to me at all times, understand?"

It's just Yosuga, fashion capital of Sinnoh! Sure, it has its fair share of petty crimes, but that's to be expected of the bigger cities. The mayor Melissa had been doing a good job keeping the rates as low as they are…

Akagi stops before a magnificent main gate. "I know," she says before he can flap his lips. For the hundredth time, I get it, Dad. Yeesh.

A stray sakura petal lands on a wooden plaque. "'Yoshiwara, the Nightless City,'" Shirona mutters. "Never been to that part of Yosuga before."

"And yet, here you are."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"Focus."

They're walking down a stretch of black cobblestone road. There's a lot of sandals. And boots, not to mention bare feet. Sweat, trees, food, and… fish? Smells mingling into a sour disharmony. Her eyes water from a sudden blast of heavy perfume.

"Excusez-moi! Boy, zhe teaouze zhere?"

"La prochaine rue à droite, Monsieur."

"Oui, merci beaucoup! Bon courage!"

Shirona sneaks a peek. "Kalosian men are so tall." Akagi scowls, and that's that.

In fact, there seems to be a lot of Kalosian folks in this district of Yosuga than in the entire city. Shirona even catches some Unovan English here and there.

"Akagi-kun, you're so cool."

"Shirona-san, stay close to me. Please quicken your pace if you can."

She waits for him to turn away before sneaking another peek. Huh. They're in a busy promenade with rows of sakura trees down the middle lane. It's quite crowded, but a lot of people are also wearing wide-brimmed hats that cover their faces. Stores are manned by beautiful women showing generous portions of neck. They would invite a pedestrian in, almost always a man, closing the door silently behind them.

Most of the houses have grate-like walls. Almost like bars. Women with powdered faces stare back at the gawking Shirona, who immediately buries her face into Akagi's hip. He flinches, but doesn't say anything.

"Young man, a special seat just for you in our cabaret!"

"We have vacancy for two!"

"Complimentary tissues?"

After what seems to be an exhausting hike up Mt. Tengan, the stink of sweat clears up to the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms. Akagi stops near a pond, and Shirona plops down the bench with a sigh of relief.

"You should've stayed with Mars," he grumbles.

"Dammit, stop telling me what I should've done." Shirona wipes her forehead. Leans back to savor the refreshing spring breeze amidst summer heat. What a nice neighborhood. "So. Does your client live here?"

"Yes…" Akagi points to a gated mansion beyond the cherry trees. "She is a very respectable person, Shirona-sama."

He gently raps the dark oak doors. "She is a good person, Shirona-sama."

"I know. You literally told me that two seconds ago."

The door opens. She sees the ample bosom first, then those bright violet eyes.

"Akagi-kun!"

He bows. "Good afternoon, Melissa-san."

"Your client is the mayor?!" Shirona hisses. Akagi shoots her a look, and she throws her back forward.

"Le voilà!" Melissa shouts to the parlor. "We were just talking about you, mon loulou! What a merveilleuse coincidence!"

"How is that a coincidence?" Another tall woman enters the picture. Aruseuseu they're like models. In fact, this one looks identical to Melissa. "I called him to fix the showerhead that you broke."

Melissa makes a face. "Oh please. Zhat iz water under zhe bridge!" She smirks. "Well, I have to leave now. Au revoir, mon petit chou and your cute little friend!"

"Good riddance." Then Melissa's lookalike turns to the two. "Akagi, who's this?"

"I'm Shirona, Akagi-kun's client. Ma'am."

"Really now. I'm Jupiter. Come on in."

The "house" is unlike anything Shirona had ever seen before. Take the grandest ballroom in all of Nagisa, but add in a twist of Kalosian elements.

Akagi removes his cap and shoes, Shirona following suit. "Were we interrupting something, Jupiter-san?"

"No. She just forgot her lip balm." Jupiter measures the young man evenly with her eyes, an all-knowing gaze reminiscent of Grandma's before she starts yelling. "Sit, both of you." Shirona hops on a cushy loveseat "You two want chocolate bars?" Jupiter brings out a mini cooler. "There's also popsicle sticks. Oh, and I have pudding."

"Where did you buy all these?" Shirona marvels at a palm-sized pudding cup. What language is this?

"That pudding is popular with children in Unova," Jupiter replies, amused. "And I have my sources. Bubble gum?"

Akagi slides a stick of yellow candy into his mouth. He's chewing at it for the longest time, as if he's chomping on rubber. And to her immense shock, a bubble rises from his parted lips! "You chew the gum until you no longer taste the sugar," he explains. "Then you stretch it along the tip of your tongue."

POP! "I did it, Akagi-kun!"

"Congratulations." Jupiter smirks. "It only took him twenty minutes to understand how gum worked. Kid, spit it out this time, okay?"

Akagi's ears flush a dark pink. "J-Jupiter-san. I'm here to fix your bathroom."

"I know."

With one last glance over his shoulder, Akagi leaves the room. Jupiter crosses her arms. "So." Unlike the powdered faces of the women at Yoshiwara, her complexion is completely natural. A hint of jealously sparks in Shirona's stomach. "Shirona-chan, right? How did a nobody like him ever catch your eye?"

"Huh?"

"You have very nice hands," Jupiter purrs. "The softest I've ever seen. What's your occupation?"

Shirona scoots back. "I run a publishing house with my grandma…"

"Ah. Literature." Jupiter gestures to the stuffed bookshelves. "Are you interested in Kalosian folklore? Unovan tall tales? I was fortunate enough to secure a compilation of Sinnoan fashion trends, if you're that type of girl."

Shirona's gaze wanders away to the wall of framed achromatic photographs. There's Jupiter, embellished in gold and silk, her obi tied up front, surrounded by women with similar garments. Jupiter, posing with an affluent Westerner in a parlor setting. Jupiter, with a cigarette between her ruby-red lips, a commanding arm over a uniformed man…

Then it hits her like lightning to wet, exposed skin. The reason why Akagi was so upset… And judging from Jupiter's expression, Shirona had hit the nail on the head.

"You're a p—"

"I prefer the term courtesan." Jupiter's smile is bitter. Almost… sad. She casually picks up a set of knives, tossing them in the air which she catches with two fingers. "You have a profession. I have a profession. Simple as that."

The courtesan taps a pedicured fingernail to her curling lips. "A delicate lily… a stupid, mindless flower stumbling into Yoshiwara as if shopping for property. I can't believe that boy would do something so thoughtless…"

"He says you're a good person."

Stone cracks in violet eyes. "What?"

Shirona forces the aromatic spring air into her lungs. "Akagi-kun says you're a good person, Jupiter-san. He said I should be more mindful before jumping to conclusions." Which I do. A lot. She jams her fists on her hips. "So stop talking down on yourself."

Jupiter blinks. Blinks again before throwing back her head with a strangled, snorting guffaw. "Aw hell, what do you know? Seems like I've underestimated you as well, kid."

Then her expression darkens. "You really believe him? That dusty slum trash who fixes toilets for a living?"

"Yes."

"You're killing me." But this time, it's a warm, genuine smile. Was she testing me? "Of course he'd say that… Kid, come with me."

Shirona wordlessly follows the older woman down the chandelier-lit corridors. A light breeze blows from the window, tugging at Jupiter's haneri.

Did she fall?

"Welcome to my room." Jupiter waves the curious heiress in. It's the sort of room from every young lady's fantasy. Unlike the main parlor, there's no framed pictures on the walls. "Don't worry," she says. "Clients aren't allowed inside my house. Sit anywhere you'd like."

"Do you live by yourself, Jupiter-san?" There are two pairs of slippers near the bed. Two vanities, two body-sized mirrors. Shirona spots a portrait on the counter.

Oh. They look just like their mother.

Jupiter pokes her head from the closet. She'd removed her ornate hair ornaments and kimono for a simpler star-speckled yukata. Her frown deepens when she sees the thing in Shirona's hands.

"Are you the older one?"

"No." Jupiter snatches the picture back. Pauses. Reluctantly returns it to the surprised younger woman. "Don't tell anyone."

"Why—"

"Do you really want the mayor of Yosuga to be associated with me? I thought you were smarter than that!"

"S-Sorry…"

Jupiter sighs. "Look, she's the only one who broke from the family business to pursue her dream. She doesn't need to worry about personal finances while running the city." There's something else in her tone. A clipped hint of bitterness.

Then Jupiter slams her fist against the doorway, effectively shattering the heavy silence. "Anyhow, enlighten me. Why would Akagi agree to bring you into district of lust?"

Shirona chuckles awkwardly. "Well. I kind of forced him."

"Damn, he can't say no to a client. Consider yourself lucky you've met him, kid." A wink. "You have stiff competition."

Shirona stares at her hands. Looks to the side, to the pristine glass windows overlooking a topiary garden. "You're very familiar with Akagi-kun, Jupiter-san."

"It's that obvious, huh?" The older woman leans against the wall. "Relax, I didn't do anything to him." Another wink. "Back when Mars and Saturn were this tall…"

"You know Mars and Saturn?!"

"Of course I do." Jupiter returns with another black-and-white photograph. "This was taken on her fourteenth birthday. Saturn was fifteen, and this big boy had just turned twenty. Melissa and I made hot pot."

Jupiter taps Mars's beaming face. "Akagi has a knack for finding lost things. One day I was planning to go to work, then he's at the door with two children. What do I look like, a caretaker?

"But I owed him a favor, after all. Mars's accent was so thick at first it was impossible to understand her. Now she's all grown up with her own shop while Saturn's running his Casino."

Shirona smiles. "You must be proud. What favor did you owe him?"

"Certainly not a sordid one. He's different from the rest of them." She chuckles softly, as if recounting a warmer memory. "The cap suits him, don't you think? It's the only thing he would accept as thanks."

A dull thump echoes in the hallway, followed by a clanking of metal.

"Come on," Jupiter says. "Let's hope it's not a concussion this time."

"Thank you for your patience. I've unclogged the drain, so the water should drain properly this time."

Jupiter peers inside the sparkling bathroom. "This is not the same room."

"It is, I assure you. The hair was quite difficult to remove, so I had to disassemble the pipes. I didn't touch anything else—"

"Let me see the bump, kid."

Akagi stops rubbing his head. "It was carelessness on my part. Now, factoring in the cost of materials, labor—"

Jupiter seizes his head. "Tch. I told her to clean up after herself, that slob. Hold on, kid. I have some green oil somewhere…"

After Akagi is all patched up, Jupiter proceeds to pay him. She shoves a handful of Poke into his hands with a stern and final "Eat something tonight," followed by a scolding before he politely mentions the noblewoman's presence.

"Wish you could stay," Jupiter murmurs. "But it's getting dark. Yoshiwara's an entirely different monster come nightfall." She walks the two out of her mansion, where the skies have indeed turned a deep indigo.

"Please stay safe, Jupiter-san." Akagi gives a deep bow.

"You too, kid. Take care of him, Shirona-chan."

As Shirona follows Akagi down the now brightly-lit streets, a loud scuffle breaks out behind them. It's Jupiter, who's towering over a panicked Westerner, barking what appears to be harsh French while a group of woman hide behind her.

Only when they've successfully left the great gate does Shirona remove her hat. "Akagi-kun," she whispers. He raises a brow. "I'm glad I got to know Jupiter-san."

"Hey, this seat taken?"

"Nope." Shirona scoots back. Saturn plops his ass down next to her.

"Wow," he says. "I can't believe you went to Yoshiwara."

"I know."

"I can't believe coerced Akagi-sama to let you go to Yoshiwara with him."

"I know, Saturn-kun."

Mars appears with a tray of drinks. "Iced Momon slush. Shame how Jupiter-san isn't coming back to Tobari. Hey, Saturn, you free tomorrow?"

The tea is extremely refreshing. And sweet. Shirona leans back in the folding chair. He's right. You can't see the stars from here. A distant jazz melody carries in the rustling trees. Hey, that's the saxophone solo!

"Where's Akagi-kun?"

"Still beating himself up on the Yoshiwara stint. More sugar?" Mars grabs Saturn's ear. "If you have a death wish, I'd recommend you stay out here with us."

"Is he really that scary?" Shirona mutters. Oh, speaking of Akagi, when did he get here?

"Please come with me, ma'am." A skeptical Crobat appears in a flash of red. "I must make amends with your grandmother."

He stiffens when she grabs his wrist. "Chill out with some Momon tea, Akagi-kun. There's still space for you to sit."

"Ma'am, you don't seem to grasp the severity—"

"Stop treating me like a child," Shirona huffs. "If I kept staying at that bubble in Kannagi, I wouldn't have seen the other face of Yosuga. I'd still be an ignorant, sheltered little girl."

Mars is sipping her tea loudly while Saturn scratches his head. Akagi hasn't blinked. Shirona giggles. "I learn something new whenever I'm with you, Akagi-kun."

The man stares at her. He glares at the other two, effectively silencing their whispering. "Is… that so?" A cough to his sleeves. The cap falls off his head, which he shakily scoops it up. "Well. Your satisfaction is the core foundation of our company…"

"It can be dangerous at night," Mars says in a sing-song voice.

"I want to ride on his Crobat," Saturn mumbles to no one in particular.

Shirona grabs her dress, packed neatly in an opaque paper bag. "Is that okay with you, Akagi-kun? Akagi-kun?"

"Erm. Y-Yes. Of course." He's about to throw his back out. "It would be my honor to accompany you home.

"All right, Crobat. Do you remember the way back to Kannagi Town?"