I'm still trying to flex my skills, so I ought to experiment with the way the narration works. This chapter will switch between past and present tense between paragraphs. Just so you know.

"Ummmm, mama?" Ruby's voice brought Ai back to reality, making her wonder if the little girl was now uncomfortable with the position they were in. "Everything okay?"

"Yes. Why?" Ai lifted her face from the girl's head to reply, only to put it back a moment later. Having forgotten to ask if she wanted to move.

"Nothing… It's just, ummm, you've been nibbling on my head for a while now." Indeed, Ruby spoke the truth. Ai had taken her kids and kept on 'playing' with them while she processed her thoughts. Letting them watch TV and use the phone, so they wouldn't get bored, while she took their warmth. But it seemed like that bothered her, and probably her brother, now.

"I am borrowing your genius for a moment, don't mind me." Ai turned to look at Aqua's face. His cheeks were moving in accordance to Ai's fingers, drawing circles with her thumb and index, making lines, pulling on his cheeks to make him smile… He had his eyes closed, but didn't look bothered or worried. In fact, it looked like he was close to falling asleep in her arms… How could a little boy be so cute without doing anything?!

"Oh, okay." The little girl seemed to accept the answer, but it still crossed Ai's mind that maybe she'd hurt her. Maybe her motion wasn't as restrained as she thought, and she'd actually bitten the little girl's soft head.

"Do you want to switch with Aqua?" Ai didn't want to ask directly, however. She didn't want to hear a yes. She didn't want to think she'd hurt Ruby even slightly, not at that moment. So she chose the next best thing: Giving her child the option of having Ai stop.

"No! You don't need Aqua's mind! Keep using mine instead!" Ruby lifted her face, and Ai instinctively pulled back.

Her body remembered what being headbutted on the chin felt like. And that, even if it was Ruby's child-like size, would've hurt.

It was still sensitive, after all.

"I will! Tell me if it becomes uncomfortable, okay?" Ai kissed Ruby on top of the head and kept on nibling to think. The small action fooled her body into thinking that she was moving, and that helped Ai concentrate without worrying her children by passing around the apartment like a caged animal.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You too, Aqua." Ai placed her cheek on top of Ruby's head to look at the little boy struggling to hold himself upright.

"Mmmmkay…" Oh, he was indeed sleepy. How cute!

And speaking of the boy…

"Aqua?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll be pure eye candy when you grow up. So, make sure not to toy with girls' hearts too much, okay?" It was important to let him know, right? It was her responsibility as his mom to set him straight since very early on, so he wouldn't turn into a twisted guy that didn't explain his relationships properly. "Make sure to let girls know exactly what their position in your life is from the get-go, for mama."

The little boy opened his eyes and slowly turned to look at Ai with puzzlement in his face.

"…" They held their stares like that, not saying anything. That is, until Aqua relented and continued to enjoy having his face massaged. "Okay."

"What's up with that expression?" Ruby looked at her brother, probably with a frown, though Ai couldn't see her face from her position on top of her head.

"Well, it's just…" Aqua didn't bother giving Ruby a look or anything. He just let Ai play with his face with his eyes closed. "I will be quite the looker."

Hehehe… Of course! And with Ai by his side, he'd be a happy boy as well!

…

With Ai by his side, hopefully…

"You did what, now?" In retrospect, Yui should've known better than to open her mouth and mention Iroha's name while the idols checked the first batch of candidates. People have a tendency to blow stuff out of proportion when it's something gossip-worthy in their job.

Given how much time people spend in the office/work space/training room/etc.; and how the people they work with are the ones they spend the most time with.

Hikki would've added a "for better or worse". But there are good places and bad places, pleasant people and annoying people, when it comes to jobs. Oftentimes, it's better to be stuck with pleasant people in a bad place; rather than being in a good place with awful people. Because, no matter how light the work or easygoing the atmosphere; the moment someone chose to ruin everyone's day, everything crashed down.

"Ehehehe… Things escalated a bit, huh." Kyun tried to look at Yui from her position, stretching on the floor, but the pink-haired girl was almost on top of her. Helping the idol by pushing her further to try and reach her toes with her hands, so that didn't happen.

"You think?" Normally, Yui wouldn't employ sarcasm in her conversations. That had always been more of a Hikki and Yukinon thing. But, given the things coming out of Kyun's mouth, Yui couldn't help it.

Like, what the heck? They went on a trip to Chiba and found Hikki with Iroha? Why? How?

"Hey, girls have to have their fun. Y'know." Kyun shrugs, or tries to, while making it sound like it's no big deal. "Besides, I've never seen Ai-chan so unguarded since… Ever."

So… All of this to get a reaction out of Ai-chan? Really?

Instead of answering, Yui turns around and sits on Kyun's lower back. Forcing her all the way down.

"Ow, ow, ow! Ummm, hello? Manehama-san? This is a bit…"

"Why are you girls like this…?" Yui asked, more for her own sake than to continue the conversation. "Like, what's the big deal? Just talk to Ai-chan like a normal person…"

"You wouldn't get it! And you're going to break me! Please, you're not as light as you think…!"

"Rude! I'm eating properly nowadays too." Yui pouted, feeling Kyun's trembling due to the strain she was put under. It probably wouldn't hurt her permanently, but Yui held some of her weight with her legs. Just in case. "Hikki didn't tell me anything either..."

"Isn't that a good sign…?" Kyun still sounded under distress, but on a lesser degree.

"No, Hikki's just that kind of guy." Yui sighed.

"Well, that sucks. Can you get off now?"

"But you're kinda comfortable…"

"Please, Manehama-sama! Management won't believe me if I say that I blew my back by pissing you off!"

"I'm not mad, though…"

"Then get off me!"

"I want to know why you girls thought that was a good idea." If she doesn't understand that much, there was a good likelihood of misunderstandings popping up sooner or later. And Yui would rather not have to deal with any of that if possible.

It's not like Hikki benefits from these breaches of trust either. If nothing else, this looks like the best way to start a chain reaction of half-stated intentions that would result in a big blowback. All because everyone assumed the wrong, worse, options possible.

"Ai-chan suggested it…! We just played along…!" Hmmm, is that it? But why?

"I wonder what you were curious about. Because I don't think this is the kind of 'plan' you simply agree to. Unless you weren't thinking, but…" Yui wasn't someone that liked to accuse people of anything. Much less stupidity.

Again, that was more of a Hikki thing to do. Not really Yui's style.

"Manehama-swuam~! Pwease~!" Kyun's voice gets distorted, and Yui can feel her body struggling more and more.

She pushed herself a bit against the idol, feeling something in the hips pop, to stand up and let her rest.

"Ichigo-san wants everyone in his office after lunchtime. Don't be late." Alright. The other girls might be staring through the room's huge mirror planted on one of the walls, but Yui doesn't really mind. She hasn't done anything wrong, yep.

"O-Ogei…"

With that said, what next? Yui hadn't meant to stay around B-Komachi for long, even though Kyun and the others usually made a couple minutes of small talk. Being told about their little "trip" had shaken Yui's mental list of items to fulfill. Which was bad, she was liable to forget things, so she should probably get going. Having passed the boss' message, then the next task should probably be going to—

"Hey, sorry about that." Ai-chan suddenly came into Yui's field of vision, needing for the pink-haired girl to take a step back while the idol smiled at her. Hands behind her back and donning a loose t-shirt and sweatpants. "It was my idea. So please take it out on me, Kyun and Ari were just trying to keep me out of trouble."

"I'm not angry about it, though." Yui tried to circle around the girl, just so she could get out of the room, but Ai fallowed her. Not changing her expression.

Hmmm… Yui can't change her tasks, but Ai can probably do as she pleases. So it should be alright to have the idol tagging along, as long as Yui's allowed to work, right?

"Then?"

"Then what?" Yui walked slower than usual, keeping in mind Ai's height and the fact that the girls were finishing their first round of practice. She might've sounded a bit forceful, but it just felt like those times were Hikki or Yukinon would make a jump in their conclusions without hearing someone out.

Yui wasn't mad, but she could get mad. And getting mad at work would be problematic. So she'd rather avoid that.

"Was sitting on Kyun just a prank?" Ai asks innocently enough, but the question is weird. Yui isn't sure if she understands it, actually. Like it could have a secret meaning that she didn't catch.

Ai did elaborate, so maybe Yui's just too distracted? Wouldn't be the first time.

It always the here and now that she keeps in mind. It has been a while since things that matter stretched far enough into the future to be a priority. Keeping tabs on her friends, looking out for Sable's health, and other small things always had people to help out Yui sort them out. Her relationships had kept her more or less in touch with the real world, outside the four walls of those shops with no windows or natural light coming.

People's perception of time can really be messed up when there's no other indicator of its movements other than a clock on the wall, after all.

"Eh… I mean, maybe I was a bit annoyed?"

"That sounds like a question." Ai points out, making Yui scratch her cheek.

"I don't know. Feels like it's not real." Yui tilted her head, looking up while walking even slower just so she wouldn't bump onto anything. "Like, something you hear your friends gossip about after school. Y'know."

Ai doesn't react for a brief moment.

"Ah, okay."

Yui couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her.

"Come to think of it, do you need anything?" Is this idol going to follow Yui around? If so, she might as well make sure that she's not missing something important. Yui is in a lower position, after all. The likelihood of Ai herself being scolded is… Pretty dim, according to the other employees.

"I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page, is all." The purple-haired girl smiled with her eyes closed. Making Yui's heart skip a beat from how cute she was. "Wouldn't want someone having the wrong idea about my intentions."

"Your intentions, huh…" Yui isn't that good retorting. But she's pretty sure that her friends would have something smart ready for that.

Ai seemed like an easy target for barbed comments heading her way, even to Yui's perception.

"I know, I know. What happened is completely different. But intention is also important, right?"

"Well, yeah! If you do someone wrong, you apologize. And letting them know that it was an honest mistake is important too." What a nice girl! She didn't wait for Yui to confront her, but instead went out of her way to tackle the topic as soon as possible. It might've looked like she was trying to cover her failings to someone else, but Yui really appreciated that she had no real time to make her own uninformed idea of what happened.

Not that she knows why or how things turned out, but still.

"Exactly! I'm glad you get it." Ai nodded vigorously; hands balled in front of her. It reminded Yui of an excited little kid, and she had to fight back the impulse to hold the idol and pat her head.

"With that said, what happened really? It's kinda weird that you'd head to Chiba to meet Hikki with your friends in tow."

Ai didn't reply for a moment, looking ahead seemingly lost in thought. Yui gave her the time, as she knew what it feels like to simply lose the notion of time.

"We're more like coworkers right now." Ai replied just as Yui was about to start dissociating too. "But, ummm… I just didn't know what to do."

Yui takes a couple of seconds to re-center her sight and understand what it's being said.

"Eh?"

"Like, I wanted to hang out with them. But I've never done that. So, I didn't know what plan to suggest, and the topic of the birds was on top of my head so…"

Yui stopped in her tracks, forcing the idol to do the same after a couple of extra steps. The pink-haired girl blinked once, twice, and then took a lungful of air through her nose.

She started laughing.

"Ummm…"

"Sorry, sorry… It's just…" Yui covered her mouth. It'd been a while since she had laughed so heartily. She could've choked like that, but that thought didn't bother her. She just bent over, holding her stomach.

Ai had no choice but to wait for Yui to get a hang of herself.

"Haaaah… Oh, man! You're so cute, Ai-chan."

"I know." Ai blinked, expressionless. "Why do you mention that?"

"Awwww…" Yui stops holding back now, and takes the idol between her arms. Enveloping her and placing her cheek on top of that purple head. It felt a little cold, especially since Ai took a moment to return the hug. Even though Yui hadn't expected her to. "I know people that are like that too. Actually, Hikki's one of them. Always needing a 'good enough' reason to hang out. Never did it cross his mind that 'hey, let's hang out and see if something happens' is totally valid! It's just so cute, I couldn't bear it."

"…" Ai moved her head from side to side for a moment, seemingly trying to motorboat Yui like Hina did from time to time, startling the pink-haired girl. But after a moment, the idol managed to lift her face against Yui's embrace, looking at her even more cutely. "Really?"

"Really."

"Really, really?"

"Really, really." Yui pats the idol's head, her inner battery suddenly all charged up and ready to keep up with her tasks. "It's just adorbs, for real."

"Don't you think it's weird?"

"Well, it is. But that's just how people are." Yui released Ai, and the idol didn't let go immediately. Taking a few moments more to release Yui back, just like it happened with her hugging Yui back. "Everyone's a little weird one way or another. No way around it."

"Is that so? But, if everyone's weird, then what is 'normal' would always be just as weird. Right?"

Yui narrows her gaze, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"If a weird person does something normal, then that normal becomes weird." Ai seemed to be reciting something from memory. Not looking at Yui, but instead looking at the air. Like she could see the lines traced in her heart. "That's why acting can be so difficult to someone like me."

"Eh… I don't know about acting, but I think you're mixing things up." Yui tapped her chin a couple of times, trying to visualize her point before speaking.

"Oh, really?" Ai looks a bit glad to hear that. "How come?"

Guess Hikki would have to do as an example again. Yui offered a silent apologize to her friend, for exposing him like this when he hadn't done anything to deserve that.

"Normally, people have a bunch of friends. The number doesn't matter. People go to school, so they have peers, and it's a bit hard to not find someone with at least one or two interests in common. So, for someone without friends, the very idea of friendship would be skewed." Yui had come to understand this by trial and error. By seeing Hikki and Yukinon argue, exchange ideas, bounce off each other. There was a very them way in which they interacted with the world. A way in which they showed the similar scars they wore with pride and regret both. "So, if someone like that tries to make friends, it'd probably look hella weird. Ditto for someone who has never tried spicy food before trying to cook something spicy, or someone that has never seen an impala trying to draw one."

Ai blinks once.

"What is an impala?"

Oh.

Oh, damn.

"It's like… A camel?" Honestly, Yui only knew that such an animal existed because of the pieces of trivia she had retrieved from Yukinon. It wasn't like she actually knew a lot about animals. "Or, like, a giraffe. Or a llama! Yep, that's probably it."

"I see…" Ai furrowed her brows, thoughtful. "I think I get it."

"Right?" Yui chuckles awkwardly, hoping that Ai won't ask any further about the topic of animals.

"Then, in what way are you weird?"

"How should I know?" Ah! Yui answered a little too fast! It might look like she was turning defensive. "For me, everything I do is my 'normal'. So there's really no way to answer that question."

"Oh. Well, duh. Hehe…" Ah, she's so cute! Ai-chan makes it look like looking cute is so easy! "Of course that'd be the—"

Yui's phone receives a message, cutting off her attention as instincts take over and she checks if she's not being summoned by the boss or if her mom suddenly needed something urgently.

Oh, Iroha-chan…

"Sorry, sorry. You were saying?"

"Is it important?" Ai tilted her head, looking a little different from before.

"Eh, not really. I should probably go see if there's a package, though." Yui checked the time, seeing that her phone was already out. "The new designs for… I think it was an online event…? Anyway, the options for the main ads should be coming today. I gotta give it to Ichigo-san."

"Ah! Then, I should probably stop bothering you~" Ai places her hands behind her back again, becoming cuter once more.

"Haha, I don't mind! Let's, umm, let's just talk later." Something crossed Yui's mind, a moment where things were easier. When club activities ended with nothing wrong happening, with the three of them promising to see each other the next day. "Let's hang out sometime, okay? In my off day, of course."

"Sure!" Ai looks so bright! Uwah… so this is why Hina and Zai-zai are so crazy about this idol group? "I'll think of something fun to do!"

Yui scoffed again, pointing at Ai with some smugness.

The idol looked confused for a moment, before understanding came to her expression.

"Right! I'm probably overthinking it, huh."

"We can just plan it whenever." Yui shrugged.

"Right. I'll give you my number later." Ai tilted her head.

Oh, okay. Guess she wasn't that excited about it.

"Sure, whenever you're comfortable."

"I just don't know which one to give you. I'll think about it." Ai turned to face Yui with a blank expression. "Y'know, for safety concerns."

"Right! Sorry, I totally misunderstood. Of course." Gah! Why is it so difficult to talk with this girl?! Is this what guys feel when talking to someone too 'high-specs'?!

"Don't worry, that happens a lot." Ai replied brightly in spite of how sad her words were. "I'll see you around, then."

"Sure…" Yui sees the idol leave, feeling a bit weird about this whole exchange. It was like meeting Hikki for the first time all over again. Except without the resentment and distrust. If her former clubmate had gotten a bit more positive feedback, maybe he'd have turned a lot less rotten like Ai, huh.

Well, nothing to do about that. Accepting and liking Hikki with all his pros and cons was, at the end of the day, a conscious choice that people made. He was more of an acquired taste, sort of guy. Or at least, that's what Yumiko said.

"Now then…" Yui returned her attention to her phone.

What did Iroha-chan want?

"—and it was totally unfair! Like, isn't Senpai a little too subservient to these random girls? What's up with that?" Iroha-chan hadn't wanted to wait for Yui to get out of work. So she showed up during her lunch break, agreeing to meet in that small shop that the company liked to order from.

The younger girl took a spoonful of her parfait, clearly feeling down, and only let Yui chuckle awkwardly as she released her pent-up frustration.

If someone from the company hears Iroha-chan's thoughts, they might think that Yui's slandering B-Komachi. And, although the circumstance under which she'd been hired were extraordinary, Yui really doesn't want to push her luck here.

"He probably feels responsible for this whole mess." Yui replied calmly, trying to sound understanding but still letting some nervousness leak. Unable to keep that in check. "It's just how he is."

"I know! I know… It's just…! Y'know, that. Wouldn't you be mad in my place, Yui-san?" How curious that Yui lost her 'senpai' status as soon as they'd graduated. But Hikki retained it in the girl's books. Kinda cute, kinda funny. Not something worth mentioning, anyway.

"I wonder…"

"I just don't like the cause of all of this showing up after having the bomb dropped on my lap like that…" Iroha looked away, hand holding her face, while she ate absentmindedly. "And just when I planned out how to maximize our time together too…"

Yui blinked, already knowing that Iroha felt safe saying stuff like that under her breath in front of her. But it had been a while, and it still took Yui a bit by surprise.

"Well, I mean…" Yui scratched her cheek. Wondering how to proceed now that she had a sulking (ex) kouhai delivered at her doorstep. "I was the one that told him about your audition, and he immediately contacted you. I think Hikki was really looking forward to seeing you again too."

"As he should!" Iroha puffed her cheeks. "But, really, it's pretty obvious that I'm still not a priority."

"Well, everyone has stuff going on in their lives…" Yui looked away. She didn't want to pursue that topic. She knew, better than anyone, how all-consuming work could be.

Money, she soon found out, was the true ruler of this world. Without it, living was pretty difficult. Food became scarce, and then electricity could be gone so you couldn't preserve the ones that you do have for long. Then, rent. Paying debts, buying stuff that becomes too old or damaged to be used. Doctor visits, vet visits. Even doing something nice for a friend required money. So she had to work. Work, work, and keep working. Get out of the hole where she'd fallen.

It was a sad destiny, for sure. But one that Yui had no choice but to face.

She really couldn't help Iroha here. Their problems were simply too different, their context hardly overlapping in spite of the story they shared.

"—so I wanted to do some 'scouting'. Y'know." Oh, damn. Yui was lost in thought again. What was Iroha saying now? "See what the barbarians have in store for Rome, y'know."

"I… I don't get it…"

"Well, you work with them. Right?" Iroha scoffed a little, concentrating on her food once more. "What are they like? What are their weaknesses? Some dirty secrets I could exploit to fend them off?"

"Ummmm, the girls of the group aren't really like ghosts you can dissipate with salt or anything…" To begin with, what's with that? Yui understood being annoyed, mad even. But talking about someone else like they were mortal enemies was a little…

"I know! I know. But…" Iroha sighed, pushing her parfait away and placing her chin on top of the table. "It's… It's the same thing as it was before. I feel just as helpless as when Yukinoshita-san was on the gameboard…"

Yukinon…

"Ah, so that's how it is…"

"Yep."

The silence that this little exchange created was a bit uncomfortable, but not because it bothered both of them. Instead, it was because it bothered them in wildly different ways. Because they couldn't just agree to say that it was bad, and how it was bad.

"Do you remember when we went out to the karaoke?" Iroha asked after a bit, still sounded helpless. But her annoyance was all but gone. "You'd all suck, one way or another. But that's what was fun about it. Even when we had uninvited people tag along, the mood was right. It was kind of cute to see Senpai struggle to squeak in front of a bunch of people, the duets were fun, and Yumiko-san would get competitive when she did decide to join."

Iroha scoffs, and it sounds more like she's mocking the idea of those memories being fun than anything.

"All except… Yukinoshita-san. She'd sing perfectly. She'd struggle with the otaku songs that Hina-san would sometimes slip in, but she'd do the best. Every single time, when the scores showed up, Yukinoshita-san would be the best."

Yui can't help smiling. Part of what she admired of Yukinon, at first, had been how seemingly easy it was all for her.

It was kind of dreamy, really. Having someone that could, in a heartbeat, understand and do things that looked like impossible challenges to Yui. Like training with a martial arts club, cooking, planning and working with people that they'd never met before. She might've been as socially awkward, if not more so, than Hikki himself. But, if it was a skill, Yukinon was probably good at it.

But even Yukinon couldn't salvage the unsalvageable, even she couldn't make the impossible become possible.

Even Yukinon could break, just as easily as anyone with less skills.

"You say Yumiko was competitive, but you'd always get really mad after Yukinon sang." Yui probably didn't have the right to talk about these things. She had been weak, and moment in which she couldn't do anything had probably been the reason for these ruined connections. But, even now, she wanted to keep those happy memories in her heart.

"It wasn't just singing." Iroha's tone became sourer. "I think the others thought so too. Be it cooking, or sports, or anything; Yukinoshita-san was just too good to casually enjoy. Yumiko-san might've thrived in the challenge, but that was only in tennis. It was too much."

Iroha placed her cheek on the table, and Yui couldn't help feeling a pang of annoyance at this girl that was repeating the same mistakes that had pushed people to isolate Yukinon to begin with.

"It felt like she was making me less."

"There's people that can't help be themselves." Yui muttered. "In the most raw, unapologetic fashion."

"I know that! I know…" Iroha sighed, lifting herself to sit properly. Still sour in the face. "But, given how things ended, I can't help wonder if there was no malice in there. Y'know."

Yui closed her eyes for a moment.

"I really don't."

"Ugh… Should've guessed." Iroha seemed to relent, at least for now. That attitude might have given other people the wrong impression, but Yui had been her 'confidant' before. Even her feelings toward being overshadowed were no news to Yui.

Some people just were sensitive in particular ways, and no others.

"But, it's fine. We can't really help our emotions, can we?"

"Yeah… You're right, of course." Iroha pouts, apparently calming down a bit. Which, hopefully, means that Yui will be able to eat in peace before her break is over. "It's Senpai's fault for making me feel this way."

That's…

"It sounds to me like it's less about him and, well, more about you." Yui pointed out, still waiting for the topic to get less heavy.

"I know that, Yui-san! Just give me this, okay?! I'm dealing in my own way." Iroha scratched her head furiously, screwing her eyes shut with a prolonged grunt that only ended when she threw her head back and let out a groan. "It's just so frustrating to have so much competition."

"Eh, I thought you liked to compete…"

"I like it when it's an easy win." Iroha lifts her chin proudly, making Yui chuckle awkwardly yet again. "Y'know, when you look like the underdog but you know you have it in the bag? That sort of competition is amazing."

"Ah, hahaha… I see!"

"Or, well…" Iroha sighed and crossed her arms on top of the table, resting her chin at the center of her limbs. "When it's fairer."

Yui looked up, thinking about the things she'd once wanted in life.

"Being denied what you want is pretty depressing."

"It is." Iroha agreed with a pout.

Yui looked down at her food, feeling ready to take a bite once some semblance of peace had been established.

"Senpai knows way too many girls, though." Oh, c'mon!

"I guess…"

"Doesn't that make you mad?" Iroha tilted her head, sitting properly once more. "I think it would have, before."

Yui furrowed her brows.

"I don't know."

"You don't?"

"I'm just glad to see him." Yui looked away. "But I don't have time to wonder about these things. I have to work; I have to pay the bills. I'll take what I can, while I can."

"Keeping yourself afloat can be pretty demanding, yeah." Iroha sighed like she understood. "But once you're better off… Wouldn't you like to deepen your relationships? I'm pretty sure you miss doing a lot of stuff."

"I… Kinda do." Honestly? Thinking about these things had ceased being an occurrence. She hadn't had time for it. And, now that Iroha mentioned it, made Yui realized how much she was missing out really. "But that's for the 'me' that is better off. I'll worry about the problems of today."

"Heh… So that's how it is…"

"Yeah." Yui looks at the time, being grateful that she ordered a sandwich for this. She could eat on her way back if push came to shove.

She was more used to eating while standing now, after all.

"Well, thank you for listening anyway."

"Don't worry, I get it." Yui smiled weakly. After all, helping them reconnect had made her feel better. It was too bad that it ended like this, but things were never simple with Hikki around. "But we often suffer more in our head than when things do happen."

She lifted her hand, looking for a waiter in hopes that she could be given her order for takeout.

"Excuse me."

"Excuse me."

Another hand came up on the table just behind Iroha, making the waiter coming their way stop in his tracks and look at both tables. Wondering who he should go to.

"Ah, sorry. I…"

"Go ahead, please." The guy on the table turned around and motioned to Yui with his hands. Just in time for Iroha to look back at him.

"…"

"Ah!" Yui recognized him. This place was one she frequented, if only because the people of the company liked ordering here. And, sometimes, she saw a guy working on his laptop when she came to make orders. "It's you!"

His hair had a couple of clips to keep it from falling on his face, and his features were delicate enough to make Iroha blush when she found his face almost next to her own. Yui didn't know his name, but they'd seen each other enough times, and he looked distinctive enough, that she recognized him immediately.

"Ummm, miss costumer?"

"Oh, right! Can I get this for takeout?" Yui pushed her untouched sandwich toward the waiter, who just nodded and took the food away while Yui returned her attention to the guy on the other table. "I didn't see you there, I thought you wouldn't be here."

"You know each other?" Iroha turned to Yui, more curious than confused. And with an expression that Yui could only describe as 'blown away'.

"Not really. I just see her buy stuff and leave." The guy smiled at Iroha for a moment, before returning his attention to Yui. "Just two regular customers that come at around the same time."

"I see…" Iroha furrowed her brows at Yui, probably wondering what was up with this strange coincidence. But there was really nothing else.

Yui would just arrive, she'd notice him, wave, and do her thing before leaving. Perhaps it was because of how often Iroha thought about guys, the Service Club had met her because of that after all, but Yui had the distinctive feeling that she was reading too much into this.

"Come to think of it, I'm kind of curious. Do you work around here? Don't answer if you don't want to." Unexpectedly, the way he speaks is very gentle. Almost apologetic to take Yui's time.

She didn't imagine this would be the case. He looked like a model, or perhaps a pop star. His blond hair and features made him stand out even in a crowd, so Yui had hesitated to wave back at him when he started doing it. She would think it was for someone else, but, in the end, it never hurt to be polite. And being noticed felt nice. It was like her life wasn't as dull and boring, with random people taking notice of her when they frequented the same places.

"Yeah, a few blocks away. You too?"

An unnamed teammate, or clubmate, or costumer-mate of sorts. It was a fun, innocent thought that made Yui feel a little better about herself.

"Ah, no. I'm a student. I come here to work on my projects and concentrate." The guy chuckled it off, scratching the back of his head like he had been caught done something bad.

"Heh… Skipping classes?" Iroha changed mental gears, becoming smug as she hung one of her arms behind her chair. "That's not too good~"

"The teachers don't mind as long as your grades aren't bad. It's pretty cool, totally different from high school." The guy tilted his head, seemingly unaffected by Iroha's cheekiness.

"Eh… Yeah, sometimes it's like that." Iroha didn't look bothered by this. Instead, she opened her eyes wide and faced him again after a moment of silence. "Wait, were you listening? Have you been hearing everything I say?!"

The guy furrowed his brows, moving a bit to let the girls look at his computer while he lifted the earbuds that were connected to it.

"O-Oh…" Now, Iroha looked embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It's okay, you look kind of stressed out."

"I am, yeah." Iroha looked to the other side, actively shying away from the guy's gaze now. "Ahahaha… Yui-san, maybe we should talk later!"

"Ummm, yeah. I need to go back anyway." Yui stood up, thinking about getting her order with the person at the register.

"Ah… Did I say something wrong?" The guy looked very bothered now, like he'd seen his action blow on his face.

"No, no! I really do, need to go back." Yui checked the time again, making sure to still have some time to quickly eat before her break was over. "Iroha-chan's just being shy."

"Yui-san!"

"Ah… Well, I'm glad. Sorry if I bothered you two. I'll go back to minding my own business."

"It's okay! Really!" Yui clapped her hands together, feeling a little bad that her nameless friend had been dragged into Iroha's shenanigans. "I'm not mad or anything!"

"Ummm, yeah." Iroha also stood up. Still looking kind of nervous. "I, huh, I'll go pay."

"Get my order, will you?" Yui nodded to her before turning to the guy. "Sorry. Girls talk."

"Ah, then I won't pry." The guy lifted his hands as if he was asking for a truce. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, yeah." Yui sighed. "And if it's not, it will be."

"That's the spirit." The guy chuckled. "So… I'll see you around, I guess."

"Yeah! Don't miss too many classes." Yui gave him her most reassuring smile.

"Don't be late." The guy smiled back at her. "Good luck, uh…"

"Yui." The pink-haired girl nodded at him.

"Hikaru." He mirrored her motion once more. And it felt to Yui that he was more confident about it now. "Glad to finally put the name and face together."