“Glad you’re up — I’m heading home.”
“Aw — you’re in my room, stay longer.”
“I want to get on the post-break test prep ASAP.”
“You can study here.”
“I focus at home.”
“Big sister will teach you intensively — chance.”
(I’d planned a quick break — Kano + accidental cola-hai had blown the schedule.) She was now physically holding me back — strong grip.
The doorbell rang.
“Someone’s here.”
“Who? I’m not expecting friends. Delivery?”
(Both blank.) The bell rang again — followed by banging on the door and a voice.
“What…?”
”…Not normal.”
We exchanged looks. I peeked from the window — Ayato. Usually cool — now visibly panicked.
“Suzuno, it’s me — answer if you’re in there.”
“Wait — Ayato?!”
Kano had come up beside me. He saw us.
“Kano-san and Yuito?!”
He looked shocked but pivoted to urgent.
“Is Suzuno home?”
“No, just me and Yuito.”
“Damn — where did she go…”
“Wait — what happened with Suzuno?”
She held him back as he tried to leave.
“We were on the phone and we fought and I made her cry — went to apologize but my calls don’t go through, messages don’t get read.”
(Rapid-fire — visibly cornered.) “Tried her friends?”
“Yes — every close one. None of them have her.”
“I’ll call Suzuno too.”
Kano dialed. No answer.
“Ignoring or hasn’t noticed — no pickup.”
“I’m going to look for her.”
“I’ll help.”
”…Thanks. Genuinely.”
(Pride-Ayato never thanks me. He was that cornered.) We met him outside.
“Split up — Yuito, go with Ayato.”
“Three separate would be more efficient?”
“Ayato alone might worsen it — Suzuno will listen if you’re there.”
(He’d made her cry — alone he’d escalate. I was the buffer.)
“Call me when you find her — I’m searching that direction.”
She took off.