12:30 P. M.: Kaede and Miu choose different cafeteria tables with their backs an arm's length from each other's. Kaede always offered her a smile and nod. Miu would pout and try to ignore her, but Kaede appreciated the dusting of pink on her cheeks. A creature of habit, Kaede thought, noting the same meal from Miu day-by-day: fried cauliflower, an apple, and grilled chicken.
The day after Miu's lab opened, she didn't show.
Kaede did what was natural.
She snuck into the lab and left Miu's routine meal near the Ultimate Inventor. Silently, Kaede left her to her work.