Later that night, within the confines of the Shimizu residence, Fuyumi encountered her sister's inquisitive gaze regarding the class president election. With an air of triumph, her sister probed, "So... My dear sister, how was it? Did you crush that Kami?"
Fuyumi, sporting a confident smirk, responded with a strong tone, "Yes, sister. I won." Her serious demeanor carried the weight of her victory, and she awaited her sister's acknowledgment.
Fuyumi's sister, pleased with the news, exclaimed, "Good! That's my Fuyumi. Now come here, let me hug you a little as a thank you for crushing that Kami." She extended her arms in an affectionate gesture.
However, Fuyumi, in an unexpected turn, rejected her sister's offer with a serious expression. "Sorry, sister, but I'm tired for today. Can I just save that hug for next time?" Her words were laced with sarcasm, emphasizing her weariness.
Acknowledging Fuyumi's request, her sister reluctantly agreed. As Fuyumi began to walk away, she paused and turned back to her sister. "Hey, sis, can I hang out with my Kami?" Fuyumi's voice carried a nervous tone, hinting at an unusual request.
Fuyumi's sister, angered by the proposition, responded with a firm "No," her disapproval evident.
Undeterred, Fuyumi explained, "But sister, you know Sachi, right? You know that she's my friend... And Sachi is close to that Kami. So, in order for me to remain close to Sachi, I need to try to befriend that Kami." Fuyumi presented her case with conviction, attempting to sway her sister's decision.
After a moment of contemplation, Fuyumi's sister reluctantly agreed, understanding the importance of Sachi in Fuyumi's life. Fuyumi expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you. I'll go ahead to my room now."
As Fuyumi retreated to her room, the weight of the day's events settled upon her. She entered her room and, feeling the exhaustion, immediately laid down on her bed, seeking a moment of respite. The silence of the night enveloped her, Weary from the twists of the class president election and her unexpected interaction with Shiriku, she found solace in the quiet of her room.
Lying on her bed, Fuyumi let her thoughts drift back to the rooftop conversation with Shiriku. The memory played in her mind like a vivid scene from a play, each word and gesture etched into her consciousness. Amid the quiet of her room, a flashback unfolded.
"Sister, it looks like my Kami is different from the Kami's you've mentioned. The one I have right now is somewhat weird but nice," Fuyumi recalled her own words. The sincerity of that moment resonated within her, creating a contrast with the preconceived notions she held about the Kami family.
With a thoughtful expression, Fuyumi whispered to herself, "Huh... My Kami, huh?" The words lingered in the air, carrying a hint of contemplation.
In the stillness of her room, another memory surfaced, a line uttered by Shiriku during their handshake on the rooftop. "Because I want to understand you, Fuyumi." The sincerity in his voice echoed in her mind, creating a ripple of emotions.
Fuyumi couldn't help but chuckle to herself. The laughter was light, a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Haaaahh... He really is weird," she mused, finding humor in the unexpected turn of events. The contrast between her initial perception and the reality of Shiriku's actions added a layer of complexity to her thoughts.surrounded by the quietude of her room, the emotions stirred by the day's events continued to play out in the canvas of her mind.
Time: 6:30 AM
As the sun began to cast its early morning glow, Shiroe and Shiriku arrived at the school, their footsteps echoing through the quiet surroundings. The weariness from the previous day's election still lingered on Shiriku's face, evident in a sigh that escaped him. Shiroe, his older brother, responded with laughter, offering a reassuring pat on the back. "Hang in there, little brother," Shiroe encouraged, a genuine camaraderie between them.
Amidst their exchange, Fuyumi, standing near the school gate, caught their attention. Shiriku's eyes met hers, and they shared a moment of acknowledgment. Fuyumi approached with a confident stride, greeting them with a cheerful "Good morning, Shiriku and Shiroe-senpai."
Shiriku, surprised by her presence, suggested, "Fuyumi, were you waiting for Sachi? You should go inside and wait there instead of staying out here." His words carried a slight smile, revealing a concern for her well-being. Shiroe, Shiriku's brother, observed the interaction with curiosity, noting the familiarity between Fuyumi and his sibling.
Shiroe, intrigued by Fuyumi, remarked, "Oh, so you're Fuyumi Shimizu...." His words trailed off as he observed her, and a content smile formed on his face. "You look just like her," he added, a comment that carried a hint of knowing, Unbeknownst to him, Fuyumi's reaction hinted at being ticked off, but she maintained composure, not letting her true feelings surface.
Fuyumi redirected her gaze to Shiriku as Shiroe prepared to leave. "I'm gonna go first now. Bye, little bro, and little Shimizu," Shiroe bid his farewell, leaving Shiriku and Fuyumi standing there.
As Shiriku waved goodbye to his brother, a sigh escaped him, and he turned to Fuyumi with an apologetic expression. "Sorry about my brother Fuyumi, Shiroe his—" Before Shiriku could finish his sentence, Fuyumi, with a knowing look, interrupted him. "Yeah, I know," she responded with a nonchalant tone, leaving Shiriku momentarily surprised.
"Huh?" Shiriku managed, slightly taken aback by her quick acknowledgment. Attempting to ease the situation, he chuckled awkwardly and added, "Well... I'm going now. So I guess see you." Shiriku began walking away, and to his surprise, Fuyumi followed beside him without uttering a word. The silence between them became palpable, creating an uneasy atmosphere.
Shiriku, perplexed by Fuyumi's unexpected company, thought to himself, "Huh... She suddenly starts following." He stole a glance at Fuyumi, and their eyes met briefly. Shiriku quickly looked away, feeling the weight of the awkwardness settling in. "Damn... This is really awkward... She's not saying anything... I don't even know what to say to her," he admitted to himself, a sense of uncertainty lingering.
The two continued their walk in silence until they reached their classroom. The unspoken tension between them hung in the air, setting the tone for the interactions that awaited them within the confines of the classroom.
As Shiriku settled into his chair, Fuyumi placed her bag and belongings on her own chair before purposefully walking towards him. To Shiriku's surprise, she decided to sit in the currently empty chair beside his single desk chair. Shiriku, internally puzzled, mused, "Huh? What's she doing? She just suddenly sat beside me without any reason... Well, I know I said I want to understand her, but even I don't know what to say. I hope she says something. If Sachi were here, she knows what to say, or maybe Junichi... Well, Junichi would probably think of something funny or about cats," Shiriku pondered, feeling a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Shiriku slowly moved his eyes and head in Fuyumi's direction. To his surprise, he noticed Fuyumi looking back at him. The eye contact between them added another layer of complexity to the silent exchange, leaving both uncertain about how to break the silence that surrounded them in the classroom. The air seemed charged with unspoken words and untapped potential for understanding.