Haruka wasn't expecting to see Tomoe at the Yagami Bakery. He was dressed in skinny joggers and a white jacket with matching running shoes.

"Oh, Haruka-chan, what a surprise. Here to buy some soba bread?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"My family owns this bakery."

"Huh?!"

Tomoe laughed and escorted Haruka out of the bakery once she bought some buns. She took a bite and nearly melted from the flavors that were waltzing on her taste buds.

"This is amazing! Do you want some?"

"No, thank you; I eat enough of it at home."

"I saw a younger boy in there. Is he your little brother?"

"Yes. His name is Riku and he's currently in middle school; he's got a lot of potential in Stride."

"That's cool! So do the two of you run together?"

Tomoe's gaze fell and he turned his attention elsewhere,

"Not anymore. It's unfortunate but he lost interest in Stride. Now he just...stays home."

Tomoe seemed disappointed and Haruka felt bad for asking.

She spotted an ice cream truck and she bought two vanilla ice cream cones for herself and for Tomoe. He was confused but he accepted it, carefully turning the cone as he inspected it.

"This is…?"

"Ice cream."

Tomoe wasn't sure what to do.

"I don't usually eat things like this."

Haruka waved her hand dismissively as she ate her ice cream; she was the type of person to bite into her ice cream instead of savoring it. She winced when the coldness of the ice cream made contact with her teeth and shot straight to her brain.

"Well...thank you. Might I ask why you bought me ice cream?"

Haruka sighed,

"I can't buy ice cream for a friend?" she asked playfully, "Besides, I'm sorry for asking about your brother. You didn't seem too happy about the situation."

Tomoe smiled,

"It's not your fault, Haruka-chan. I can't force my brother to do things he doesn't like so maybe it was for the best. Thank you for the ice cream. It's been a while since I've had some."

The two of them found a bench and sat down as they ate their ice cream. Haruka found that conversing with Tomoe was different than conversing with Kyosuke. With Tomoe, the conversation flowed easily and Tomoe talked just as much as Haruka did. It was a pleasant change and Haruka enjoyed Tomoe's company, although her mind often wandered back to Kyosuke.

It wasn't long before they finished their ice cream. Tomoe looked guilty and Haruka laughed at his expression.

"I feel like I've just sinned," Tomoe sighed, "So much for my diet."

"Don't worry, Tomoe, it was just one ice cream. It's not going to ruin your body."

"You'd be surprised," Tomoe laughed, "Thank you for the ice cream. I really appreciate it."

Tomoe ruffled Haruka's hair and she gasped in surprise. Noting her displeasure with his action, Tomoe smoothed out her hair, his fingers lingering in her hair and caressing her long strands until his hand fell. He smiled and patted Haruka's head.

"Any plans for the day?" He asked.

"I'm meeting Masami around here. We're going to watch a movie."

"I see. Have fun, then."

Tomoe waved and he left, jogging towards the park.

Haruka pulled out her phone to dial Masami's number but she put her phone away when she saw Masami walking out of a store that was across the street.

"Masami!"

Masami turned around and she let Haruka hug her.

"Haruka, it's been a while."

Haruka wondered why Masami sounded weird but she brushed it off; she was probably refining her speech in preparation to inherit her father's company.

"The movie starts soon. Let's hurry to the theaters! I already bought the tickets online."

"Okay."

Haruka looped her arm with Masami's but she couldn't shake away the feeling that Masami was incredibly distracted about something.