Summer. Beautiful, like spring. Was home always like this? Or he maybe he just didn't notice. Somehow, it felt different, in a positive way. Either way, Zachary was home. From the airport he rode the bus down to the vicinity of his neighborhood, at a local bus stop near his former high school. The bell tolled indicating the lunch period had ended, the shouts of students as they corralled back into the building brought a sense of nostalgia to him. He missed it dearly.

From there he ventured down the sunlight street and around the corner towards his house. Muscle memory worked its magic and before he knew he stood in front of his childhood house. The quiet, happy home where he lived, loved, and laughed throughout his days up until Graduation. Zachary ventured his way through the garden gate up the brick path to the door.

"Hey!" A woman's voice pierced the peaceful silence.

"You can't go just wander into people's homes! Who do you think you are? I'm calling the cops!"

The young man paused and leaned around to a familiar sight. Short amber hair, red ribbon tied into a neat bow, petite medium-height figure complete with the brightest blue eyes anyone could witness.

"Now is that how you treat an 'old friend'?" He smirked.

The young lady stepped back, taken by full surprise of the man she witnessed. "Z-Zachary?" He chuckled before dropping his olive-green duffle bag. The woman practically flew over the fencing and jumped into him in a burst of joy and bewilderment. "You're here! You're real?! You're here!"

"Yes. Yes. I'm here Sayori. I missed you too." He returned her embrace with a tender one of his. Her excitement broke into vociferous sobs. If he struggled, she held firm with an iron grip. Two friends, who hadn't seen nor heard from one another in years finally reunited, and on such a bright beautiful summer day.

Sayori looked up at Zachary with misty eyes. he jerked his head indicating he desire to go inside. She jumps back and laughs in embarrassment as her friend creaks the door open. Key still works. Inside, it's almost as if time itself had stood still. The same marble countertops, the same wooden floors with those same scratches he and the Club made during one of their crazy at home adventures. The pleasantry of it all was like a warm hug to a child from his mother.

Zachary pulls up a chair and sits at the well-kept kitchen table. Everything still in its place, as if he never left.

"I-I uh.." Sayori starts to say as she hauls the massively heavy bag through the entry. It hits the floor with a massive thud that shakes the structure. "Ah!" She flinches. "That's too heavy!" She pouts, though Zachary doesn't seem to pay attention.

"Zack?" She says as she sweeps around to the opposite end of the table. "You okay?"

He blinks and shakes his head, snapping out of the sudden trance. "Yeah I-I'm fine. Wow. The place looks...like how I left it." Sayori puffs her chest out and pats it triumphantly. "That's right! Someone had to look after it! It's your home after all!" He chuckles and casually wraps his knuckles against the surface.

The presence of her old friend brought back a piece she felt had been missing. Or maybe it was always there. She wasn't sure. Just that she couldn't stop staring at the guy. It was just all so surreal that he was here. Him, here, in this place, with her, now. She smiles, a light blush crossing her cheeks. Zachary stares right back at her, wondering if he suddenly broke her. "Hello? Sayori? You still there?" He snaps his fingers just inches from her face. She blinks, mentally playing off her silly behavior. Food you fool! Sayori nods to the air and scrambles through the cabinets for something her dear friend could eat. Such a long journey he must be famished she thought. She decided her own cravings were as important has must be and whips out a box of cereal and two bowls. Zachary raises a brow at her movements.

"Really?"

"Well, if I had known you'd be home, I'd have prepared something for this special occasion!" She giggles and twists her petite frame around as she fills the bowls followed by the milk. Sayori casually slides one to him. With a smile as bright as ever she begins to dig in. Zachary follows suit with the bountiful feast his friend provided. Same old. Same old. He laughs to himself and consumes his food in a matter of seconds.

Sayori stops to gaze upon her friend as he ate. Her chest fluttered and tears welled up as her smile quivered. He catches her expression from his peripherals. "What's wrong Sayori?"

She shakes her head and forces back her urge to cry, "Welcome home Zachary."