Comparatively to a person who is not Honoka from Root, the early hours of evening is a time for relaxation with friends, family and comrades.
But Honoka's circadian rhythm works in mysterious ways. The village lights and babbling of crowds does not bode well with the desperate urge to lock herself in the comfort of her own home - or the laboratory. Whichever is closest in proximity.
However, her new friend, Shisui, is completely oblivious to the radiating energy of her sleepiness. Yet her mind and body does little to discourage his eagerness for this so called 'art exhibition.' And when they stand before a deserted little house that clearly signifies that the doors will not open for another fifteen hours, the confusion strikes Honoka hard.
"Excuse me, but why are we standing before a closed shop?" She asks.
"I wasn't intending to take you here in the first place. It was the first thing I thought of," Shisui breathes.
He is looking weary, but something in his demeanour indicates allayment of an invisible pain.
"Why did you bring me here specifically?"
Shisui gives a brief wave of airiness.
"No, no, nothing to do with this place in particular. I just had to get you out of a sticky situation."
She stares inquisitively.
"I wasn't covered in anything sticky," she says.
For a transient moment, Shisui returns her comment with an unfathomable look, as if there is a feature of bewilderment and he is frenetically looking for the simplest words to use.
But his expression softens.
"I meant, get you out of a bad situation…or rather an awkward one," he answers waveringly.
They were in a bad situation? It must be her lack of social awareness again.
"I see. Then I sincerely apologise as I was unaware of the situation," she replies contritely.
When Shisui gives her a small smile and places a comforting hand on her shoulder, she instantly feels a wave of reassurance.
"Don't worry, you are still learning after all. Izumi and Itachi aren't a couple," he pauses, as if there is a hidden smirk beneath his sentence and he is restraining himself, "I'm wondering what made you think that?"
"I overheard you several weeks ago saying they were on a date," she replies promptly.
Then she rummages through her bag and drags a thick colourful book from the very bottom.
"It says in this book," she flicks through the pages, "this chapter here…that if someone is on a date, it means they are either a couple or will be a couple. I assumed that if they were not already a couple on that date, I would give them several days before they would become one. It would therefore give me some leeway, just in case."
Even as she explains, the look on Shisui's face indicates his judgment on her rather than her explanation. And the strange silence saunters through, as if Shisui is still deciding on how to comment on her statement.
"You must have listened in that day," he says slowly.
"My apologies, I did not mean to eavesdrop,"
"No, no it's fine. Happens all the time," he waves quickly, "but I spoke out of sarcasm."
"Sarcasm? So it was untrue then?"
He nods feverishly.
"The use of irony. I see. That is something I find difficult to comprehend," she ponders contemplatively.
"Why were you at the training grounds tonight anyway?"
He surveys her curiously, as if determining whether she was up to something sketchy.
"I was trying to reinforce our friendship," she answers truthfully.
When Shisui continues to stare in confusion, she takes it as a cue that he did not understand what she meant. She has learnt that silence and a baffled look may call for further explanations.
And without awaiting his response, she rummages through her bag and pulls out a second, thick book.
"This book say friends would often greet each other if they see them around town. Friends would also come and have a conversation or observe what the other may be doing and then discuss about it. I haven't really seen you around town, so I thought I would go find you and try and reinforce our friendship by observing and then talking to you thereafter."
At the completion of her exposition, Shisui's face is slightly blank, perhaps out of disbelief together with a hint of amazement.
"Honoka, you only do that out of coincidence, not deliberation," Shisui corrects.
He is still gazing at her in pure astonishment, but Honoka's lack of social cues cannot process such signals.
"Is that so?"
She does not understand. Perhaps she should have stuck by the book instead of trying to change things on her own.
The thought sends a funny sensation of cramping through her chest. She is uncertain of its significance, but the gloomy feeling resonates in the same way when her laboratory comrades deride her for no valid reason.
"I apologise then. I've read that friends who do not see each other may drift apart, especially in the early stages. I didn't want that to happen so I thought I would read up on finding a way to reinforce the friendship."
"Honoka," Shisui comes close and puts another reassuring hand on her shoulder, "You don't need to force yourself to such extent. The missions have been taking a lot of my time lately so I am not in town most days. If it is easier for you, we can work on a schedule."
"Do friends do that?"
"Of course."
"I see. Well then, I will accept that suggestion."
And with incredible speed, she draws out another book - a notebook - and begins the onerous task of documenting.
"Honoka?" Shisui stares hesitantly, "What are you doing?"
"I am writing all this down. I have not come across the advice you spoke of earlier in any of the books, so I need to note this for later, just in case a scenario like this happens again," she answers without looking at him.
And so for the next couple weeks, Honoka finds the scheduled meeting a relief.
Perhaps it is something she is familiar with, something to look forward to. But more importantly, she now has a friend (according to the book).