Chapter III

Hajime opened the door for Ushio when they arrived at the drama club room. She smiled at him, and walked in to see two boys, a junior and a freshman. They both looked up at Ushio and Hajime.

"…"

"…"

The two students stood up and faced Ushio and Hajime, who led her to the center of the room.

"Sunohara, Onimashi, meet Ushio Okazaki, our newest member."

Ushio giggled.

"I already know Takeshi Sunohara!"

Sunohara blushed and looked at the floor. Hajime looked surprised, while Onimashi said nothing. He whacked Sunohara on the back of the head, causing him to cry out in pain.

"What was that for?!"

"You were annoying me," Onimashi said with a blank face.

Ushio laughed, knowing full well that they were only doing that to make her more comfortable.

"By the way, she's our new club president," Hajime said. Sunohara face-planted and Onimashi clapped slowly.

"That's Hiroshi Onimashi for you."

"Thank you for your astute observation, Hime," he said in a flat tone. Then, Hajime remembered something.

"Ushio, you should meet our club advisor!"

It turned out that the club advisor was Yukine Miyazawa. Ushio had met her back when she was a little girl, but that was years ago. She felt much better now, knowing two people in the club, not counting Hajime.

The others reassured Ushio that they were still recruiting when she voiced her concerns about being the only girl in the club. Later on, she told Yoichi about the club and she agreed to join.

"Sounds like fun!" she said.

The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully. She didn't see Hajime and the others again until school let out. She walked with Hajime, Takeshi and Onimashi to the crossing in town and went their separate ways. She was thrilled to have made so many new friends on her first day of school. Ushio couldn't wait to tell her parents.

"I'm home!" she called out when she entered their apartment. Nagisa was busy cooking dinner, but her father was nowhere to be found. Ushio felt downtrodden all of a sudden.

"Welcome home, Shio!" he mother said. Ushio smiled.

"Did you have a good day at school?"

"Yep! I was the center of attention all day, although I don't know why. It was a little overwhelming, to be honest with you."

Nagisa smiled and hugged Ushio.

"I bet it's because you're so cute!"

Ushio giggled. She was so much more comfortable in her own home.

"I made a lot of new friends today, and I saw Takeshi, too."

Nagisa was now setting the small table for dinner.

"That's great, Shio! I'm sure once people start to get to know you, you really will be the center of attention!"

Ushio beamed with joy as she helped her mother with the preparations.

"I wish Daddy didn't have to work so late," she said, feeling downtrodden again. Nagisa smiled knowingly.

"He'll be here soon, don't worry."

"I know, it's just…"

Nagisa looked at Ushio.

"What is it, sweety?"

Ushio shook her head.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to see him."

Nagisa smiled again. Ushio was so attached to her father. At that moment, Tomoya walked in, wearing his electrician's smock.

"Daddy!" Ushio exclaimed, and ran to him. Nagisa followed. Tomoya laughed and hugged Ushio, kissing Nagisa.

"Welcome home, Tomoya," Nagisa said.

"Good to be home!" he said. "Something smells good!"

"Dinner's already on the table."

Dinner was fried fish, seasoned rice, noodles and garden salad. Ushio loved every bit of it. She went to bed the happiest girl on Earth. She clutched her Dango plush with joy and instantly fell asleep. Tomoya and Nagisa stood in her doorway, smiling.

"We did good, Nagisa," he said quietly, smiling. Nagisa hugged him.

"Yes, I believe so. She turned out so beautiful, and with such a kind heart," she said.

"Stubborn as a mule, too!" Tomoya said, laughter in his voice. Nagisa smiled.

"Well, she does take after her father!"

Tomoya chuckled.

"Let's stay together forever," Nagisa said. "One big Dango family."

Tomoya looked down at her.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."