Sis's shoes weren't in the entryway when Makoto got home, as usual. She seemed to be starting early and working late more often over the past year.
Makoto took off her boots, set down her bag, and took out her laptop. If Sis was still working, she might as well too.
Then again, maybe a web novel would take her mind off of things. It had been over a day and Eiko's 'Keep telling yourself that,' was still echoing in her mind.
Makoto's child self had thought she would be all settled by now. Of course, her child self also imagined she would have a senior-level position, a spouse, and her own place right out of university. Everything past high school was rather vague to her at that age.
It wasn't like everyone she knew had settled down anyway, even if most of her current colleagues had. Eiko hadn't. Half her circle from university hadn't. And from high school…
Well, she wasn't sure.
Makoto picked up her phone and scrolled several screens to the old group chat. They had kept in touch pretty well for the first year or so, but then things had slowed. The last message had been over a month ago—Ren announcing he was interviewing for a new job.
A four-leaf clover emoji sat beneath with the number '3' next to it.
She clicked it, watching the number increase to four.