The sun began to set over Tokisadame. The Amusement Club and the Student Council boarded the same train car. A spot of blood had already splattered on the window. Chitose caught Kyoko showing Ayano the photographs from the trip, and her imagination went wild.
Nishigaki and Rise were the last to board. Rise looked out the window and called out something to the Professor. Everyone they'd met in Tokisadame had come there to say goodbye, asking them to visit again. Yui stared at everyone, asking them to settle down. Chinatsu asked if they were missing someone.
Akari Akaza, this story's star, jumped up the steps of the train station. Her bag was under her arm. She'd left it back at the Shinonome Labs. She didn't want to miss the train, and knowing her luck, there was a very strong possibility she would. The doors closed and the train started to shake, departing just as Akari approached the platform.
She skidded to a halt and gave a heavy sigh. In an instant, there was a heavy feeling on her back. Someone taller than her, with a familiar scent, was hugging her tightly. Akari looked behind her.
"Sis!" she said.
"Yoshino, this is my little sister, Akari," said Akane. "Looks like she missed the train. Don't worry. My car's a short walk from here. How'd you like to ride home with your big sister for the first time in a while?"
Akari could only nod.
"See ya, Akari," said Yoshino, placing her wooden sword over her shoulder, "There might be something for you in your bag."
"I heard that Yoshino has a little sister too," said Akane, "Did you meet her on your journey?"
"You could say that," said Akari, looking at Mio and Yoshino walking out of the train station together. Mio was giving her older sister doubtful looks.
Akari zipped open her bag. That haiku she'd found at the labs, all of her personal belongings, it didn't look tampered with. In between her leaves, she found a bishop shogi tile. On the reverse side of the wooden tile was a single word.
"Background."