"Surprise!" The door swung open before Akira even had the opportunity to press the doorbell. In front of him was a pale blonde wearing a short shirt that stopped above her midriff and denim shorts. In seconds he was subjected to a bone-crushing hug, which he quickly reciprocated. After five seconds, "Okay! Okay! You give tighter hugs! Lemme go!"

Akira laughed, releasing Ann from her torment. Even despite that, Ann was still smiling from ear-to-ear. "God, it feels like forever since Golden Week!" Ann exclaimed.

"Let him in, Ann." Ann glared behind her before stepping aside. Akira took off his shoes neatly and followed Ann to the living room, where on a table surrounded by cushions was a large assortment of food.

"Whoa…"

"Right!? Shiho made all of this herself! Look at that cake! Ohh…"

"That's a lot of whipped cream…"

"I just want to stuff my face in it…"

"And those cupcakes…"

"So adorable!"

"Are you two going to stare all day?" They turned around to see Shiho approach them, holding plates and utensils and was wearing an apron covered in a lot of different coloured splotches. Some dry and old, some clearly new.

"Of course not!" Right as Ann was about to grab a plate from Shiho, Akira's bag shook. A black blur jumped out of it and collided with Ann.

"Lady Ann!"

Ann reacted barely in time to catch Morgana and not fall on the floor. "Ah! Morgana!? Don't scare me like that! Jeez!"

"I've been taking good care of Akira and Shiho."

"Uh-huh. I'm sure they've been up to a lot of trouble. Thanks Morgana."

Shiho turned to Akira. "Is she talking to your cat?"

Ann looked up from Morgana. "Oh, right, you can't understand him."

Shiho's eyes widened. "You can understand cats, Ann!?"

"Not just me, Akira too." Ann gestured towards Akira.

Akira shrugged. "She's just crazy."

"Wha-Hey!"

"Wait, what!? Who spread the rumours!? Who!? I'll make them pay!"

"It's okay Ann, Akira helped me sort it out."

"Not really, I just watched. Shiho did everything on her own."

"Having you there was reassuring though."

"I feel like I'm getting a sense of déjà vu…"

"Ann, are you sure you should be eating that much?"

"What are you trying to say!?"

"That you'll get fat."

"Shiho!"

"She's not wrong."

"Akira!"

"Don't worry, Lady Ann, no matter how much you grow, you'll always be beautiful in my eyes."

"Morgana!"

"There's no more cake!"

"Yeah, I barely had any thanks to you."

"…Ohh Shihooo! Mind if I have a slice?"

"You've had enough!"

"Just a liiiitle bit!"

"What's a 'little' bit to you?"

"Quiet Akira!"

"Is Morgana allowed to eat sweets?"

"No."

"Why do you always have to stop me from enjoying the qualities of life, Akira!?"

"Relax Morgana, Akira doesn't want you to end up sick."

"And there's more for me."

"She really does speak cat…"

"Ann, you have some frosting on your face."

"You too, Shiho."

"But you have some… all over your face."

"You do resemble a snowman."

"Lady Ann, I'll happily clean you."

"Morgana, that's the creepiest thing you've ever said. Please never say it again."

"Wha- I didn't- I'm not a lowly perv like Ryuji!"

"I'll happily help, Ann."

"…Please don't. I don't think my heart can handle it."

"Why does he get a pass!?"

"Mm, frosting's so good…"

"Shiho!"

"Oh, I'm stuffed…" Ann was laying down on her back, her hands running over her exposed stomach. "I want more… but I don't…"

"You really knocked it out of the park, Shiho." Akira said, placing his hands firmly on the mat behind him as he leaned back.

Shiho shot him a gracious smile. "Thank you. I worked really hard on this. Remember all those times I made cookies for you?"

"Oh, those were tests for today?"

Shiho nodded and Ann groaned even louder. "You got to test-taste Shiho's cookies? Luuuucky."

"Will she be able to get to the station on her own?" Akira asked, amused.

"I hope so. I've got to clean up before my mother comes back." Shiho stood up and Akira followed.

"I'll help."

Shiho put a hand over her heart and gave him a relieved smile. "Thank you. I wasn't sure if I'd manage by myself. Ann was right, you really are a glutton."

Akira could feel his face burn so he tried to laugh it off. "Ann, you better go before you miss the train. Morgana, take care of Ann."

"Leave it to me!"

Suddenly, both Akira and Shiho were enveloped in a hug from behind. "I'm gonna miss you guys."

Akira smiled. "We'll be visiting soon. Summer vacation is right around the corner."

"I can't wait. Everyone's already so excited."

"I'm excited too." Akira closed his eyes, imagining himself back in Tokyo with all his friends surrounding him. And this time, the girl next to him was there as well.

Akira and Shiho were washing the dishes, Akira humming a tune and Shiho smiling contently. "Today was so much fun."

Akira glanced at his dish-partner and nodded. "It was nice to see Ann again."

"Mhm. I missed her so much. Having her back and in the flesh again was a dream come true." Akira stopped what he was doing when he noticed a tear trail down her cheek. She had put away the plate she was washing. "I was so afraid that nothing would be the same again. That our past would haunt us until the day we die. But Ann… and you proved me wrong. I'm so, so grateful."

Akira put down his plate gently in the sink, before reaching over and pulling Shiho into a hug.

Shiho returned the action, pulling him even closer. His head was above hers. The smell of a bakery with her own unique touch filled his nose. He could get used to it.

They stayed like that for a while.

"You're like a teddy bear…"

"I'm your teddy bear."

Akira lowered his head and touched his lips to her crown.

Shiho barely reacted, only her grip around him tightening. He could feel her trembling, and began rubbing circles on her back until she calmed down.

After what seemed like hours, they split apart, Shiho's face burned crimson. "U-um…"

"What's wrong?" He couldn't stop his mischievous smile from forming.

"Don't ask me what's wrong after that…" Shiho took a deep breath and stared at him directly. "But thank you."

A short silence followed before Shiho cleared her throat. "Um, does that mean we… that is, you and I… um."

"If you want."

"I-I do want… I mean, yes… I mean… Can you be…a bit more nervous?"

"I am very nervous."

Shiho didn't look impressed, but her blush still apparent. "Just help me finish the dishes."

Extra: Feeling

Shiho and Akira were sitting on their knees, side-by-side at the table in the living room. Both of them still a mess after their party. Both of their heads were bowed while across from them was a stern, older woman.

"So, you're the 'reliable friend' Shiho's mentioned."

"I guess so." Shiho elbowed him. Now was not the time for his smart answers.

Her mother looked around the place then back at them. "You did a good job cleaning up. You seem rather domesticated."

Akira nodded. "Very."

Shiho was about to elbow him again, before she saw her mother smirk. Maybe his smart attitude would help after all.

"So, how long have you two been dating."

"About an hour."

The smirk was wiped off her face, and Shiho followed through with her elbow. "We've known each other for a long time though, mom."

"Does he know…?"

Shiho never told her mother about how the entire school now knows. She didn't want to move again. Especially not now. She nodded firmly. "He knows everything. Actually, he transferred from Shūjin."

"Shūjin!?" Her mother looked at Akira in shock. "Wait, is he the boy who you testified for?"

Shiho nodded. "He was falsely accused. If I could do anything to help him after all he's done so much for Ann and me…"

"Yes, I remember." Her mother leaned back. "Imagine my surprise when you suddenly wanted to testify in court for some random boy. I can understand why you wanted to leave after that."

Shiho turned to see Akira smile, his eyes distant. It wasn't like her mother assumed at all. Akira wanted to stay, but he had to come back. For closure. Shiho understood that too well.

"Do you think this is the best idea, Shiho?" Shiho turned back to her mother.

The thoughts swimming through her head when Akira hugged her in the kitchen were chaotic. There were so many 'what ifs' that it was driving her mad. But the one thought, the one thought of being able to stay by his side, pushed through.

"Yes, I really do. He's helped me a lot, and I'm sure you've noticed."

Her mother smiled, closing her eyes. Shiho knew she was reminiscing. "You've been much more determined lately, and I had my suspicions it was this 'reliable friend'. I never knew it was a boy though. The same boy who you testified for."

She opened her eyes and looked at Akira with fondness. Shiho felt her heart beat faster. "If you were able to recognize Shiho's suffering when not even her own mother could, then who am I to stop you two?"

"Mom…" Shiho reached over the table, leaving her hand out. Her mother was shocked, and hesitantly took it. Shiho squeezed her hand.

It was the first time in over a year they touched each other.

"Only one person is at fault, and he's behind bars. Right?" Akira looked towards her and Shiho nodded.

"It's over, mom. Everything is over. It's time to move on."

Her mother was crying, and Shiho wasn't sure if she realized it. "I'm sorry. I know I've been overprotective, I know I've been giving you lots of space, I know you've been lonely… I should have just been there for you."

"It's okay mom, it's okay."

Her mom turned back towards Akira. "If you do anything to her-"

"Mom!"

She laughed. As in, laughed. Shiho couldn't remember the last time her mother laughed. "I have to give him something to be afraid of. I've cried in front of my daughter's first boyfriend… how embarrassing!"

"Even if we were to break up, I still think he'll be there for me as a friend. I trust him, mom."

"I do too."

"Me too."

Shiho and her mother both glared at him playfully, and under the table Shiho snuck her free hand into his.