Archive of Our Own

This was originally something I published a while back on FFnet, but I've gotten a few suggestions to put it here too, and I think it's a good idea.
** it's also been brought to my attention this scenario's been tackled in one of the Extra novels - i wasn't aware initially, but after reading it i feel as though my version of events is different enough for it to be okay. hopefully

spoilers through novel 9

It was two days before my 20th birthday.

Normally, I'm not really one to celebrate... well, anything. It's not that I don't like to or anything equally angsty, it's more that I'm generally just not bothered.

So colour me surprised when Mom announced at dinner that she'd be hosting a small party to celebrate.

'...What?' Was all I could say, spoonful of soup centimetres away from my mouth.

She nodded enthusiastically. 'Yep, yep, you heard me! It's not every day my daughter turns 20, right Papa?'

Dad looked surprised to be drawn into the conversation, freezing in a similar position to my own, except with a glass of beer. He quickly cleared his throat and nodded.

'Oh, uh, absolutely. Yes. Happy birthday, Hougetsu.'

'It's in two days, Dad.'

'Oh, really? My bad.'

'You're so old, sis.'

Ignoring the comment from my not-so-little-anymore sister, I grumbled and had a spoonful before turning back to my mother. 'So? Why the sudden need for a party? We haven't done anything for my birthday in years.'

Mom laughed mischievously. 'Do I need a reason to celebrate my daughter growing up? Becoming a second year at University?'

'Spit it out.'

'You're no fun. Guess!'

'No.' I had another spoonful. It was pumpkin, one of my newfound favourites.

'Fiiiiiine. You're going to be 20! Legal drinking age! Hoorayyy!'

Dad and I choked.

I spoke first. 'I'm sorry?'

'Like I said, you'll officially be an adult! And since I know you don't have any friends at Uni, your mother is oh-so-graciously offering to pop your figurative liquor cherry in the comfort of your own home with you!'

I gaped. Dad did, too. My little sister and her still-tiny charge tilted their heads slightly, but nodded along as if they followed.

'Cherries!' Yashiro said through a mouthful. Sis copied. I frowned.

'You're notoriously bad at holding your drink. What would you gain from this?'

'It's fine, it's fine! I'll get us some nice Sake.'

'Okay, now I'm really confused. You hate Sake.' I said.

'You should invite some friends over.' She smirked. 'If you have any.'

I furrowed my brows with a questioning growl.

'Like Little Adachi.'

Mom grinned even deeper, making one of those noises. I sighed.

'Sure, whatever. It's not like I had plans anyway.'

This was probably too tiring a battle to fight. Yashiro raised a hand in a single, swift motion. Mom pointed to her dramatically.

'Yes, Yashiro!'

'Will there be cake?'

'There can be!'

'Will it be Strawberry?'

'It can be!'

'Ooooh!'

I sighed.

'...And that's the long and short of it.' I exhaled into my phone.

'Uh-huh. Okay. Sounds fun.'

'So? You're coming right?'

Adachi was nodding. I couldn't see it, but I just knew.

'Of course!'

A smile touched my lips. Adachi had calmed down the weirdness over the past couple of years, yeah, but she was still super easy to read. It warmed my heart.

'But, uh, wasn't your mum super against it when mine brought the sake over?'

'She's bad with her alcohol, apparently.'

'...Then is this even safe?'

'I have no idea.'

'Hmmm.'

There was a small pause. A sudden thought crossed my mind.

'Ah, Adachi.'

'Hm? Y-yes?'

I chuckled. 'I was just wondering when your birthday is. I don't think we ever celebrated it.'

There was a pause.

'Adachi?'

'Hm? Oh, y-yeah, umm...'

'It's not a big deal.'

'No, it's just that, ah, it already passed. It's in January.'

I physically recoiled a little.

'Ah. My bad. Sorry.'

'N-no, it's okay! I don't usually do anything for it, anyway. I actually forgot about it last year.'

Yikes.

'Is that really okay?'

'It is! It's, uh, totally normal.'

'Mmm, okay. If you say so. But seriously, sorry.'

Adachi smiled. Through the phone, but I'm sure she was.

Ah.

'Wait. Does that mean you're 20 already?'

'Hm? Uh, yeah, I suppose.'

'Okay y'know, now I just feel really bad.'

'Don't! It's okay, really!'

'I've decided. We'll celebrate both our birthdays.'

'Ehh - '

'Belated, but humour me.'

'W-wait, that's -'

'Nope. That's final. Be at mine at 7.'

'But -'

'Nope. Hanging up now. Love you.'

And I did so, a little smirk on my face.

I should get her a present.

The wonderful thing about having your Mom suggest a party is that you don't have to do any preparations yourself.

Well, for the party itself. Mom had been pretty forceful about that. The only thing I had to do was figure out if, or rather what, I should get for Adachi's birthday gift.

We'd been dating for three years now. Close to it, at least. And I had to say, it'd been turning out a lot better than I could of ever initially thought. Adachi was someone who had told me she loved me, and had actually acted on it. It was honestly pretty humbling, and I could confidently say that I had grown to reciprocate her feelings.

I still hadn't really acted on it, though.

These thoughts floated around in my head as I walked to the only mall in town. I wanted to get her something, but I didn't know what. Another boomerang? No, I had a feeling that wasn't the move.

Hm.

Even after three years, I didn't really feel like I knew what Adachi was into. Besides me, of course. I had to pinch myself to stop the stupid grin that would definitely creep onto my face at that. Thank god Adachi wasn't here to see it.

The shopping mall was the same as ever. The same few shops lined the walls, the same decorations indicating the april season, and the same people as ever. It felt kinda fun, looking at all the students in uniform and thinking back to when that would have been me. It felt so distant.

With my new idle thoughts, I mused back to the topic at hand – Adachi's gift.

She didn't have many interests. She was financially secure, so money was out. I racked my brain and furrowed my brows as I strolled around the various shops, hoping that something would just pop out and beg to be bought.

As you might expect, there was no such luck.

'Gifts are pretty hard, hm.'

With a sigh, I decided to just get some snacks and head home. I'd think of something when I got there – maybe I could even ask Mom. She seemed to really like Adachi, and she was pretty good with people, begrudged as I was to admit. Why couldn't she be that considerate to me?

I heard a shrill jingle as I exited the building. For whatever reason, I had wandered to one of the side exits, close to the road. The sound was high pitch, and came very erratically, the person making it yelling something at a couple not paying much attention to the road.

A bike bell.

And then it hit me; Adachi used her bike to get around everywhere. I could get her something for her bike – it'd be something she'd actually use. I felt another one of those silly grins coming on, but this time I didn't fight it down. Sometimes I surprised myself with my ideas.

Chiming at exactly 7pm, the doorbell rang.

Smiling at the Adachi-ness of her punctuality, I opened the door to quite the sight.

Adachi stood, not rigid but quite stiff, in a cute green sweater and shorts. Her eyes, a deep green and as pretty as ever, stared directly past me with a grim determination. But what really caught my attention was the massive backpack slung over her shoulder.

'Are you moving in?'

'What? O-oh, hah-hah, uh, no.'

I almost laughed. I waved her inside.

'Welcome home.'

'I-I'm back!'

Deja vu?

Eh, whatever.

'Oh, Adachi's here already? On time, as always. Take notes, Hougetsu. Welcome, welcome!'

Mom poked her head out of the kitchen and down the hall, smiling widely before tilting her head slightly at the massive bag. Adachi noticed, and quickly stood straight.

'I didn't want to inconvenience you, so I brought a change of clothes and some other things.'

'Adachi, how many times have you stayed over now?' Mom stepped out of the kitchen, a very serious expression laid across her face. 'Honestly, we should just convert the study into a bedroom for you at this point. Not like this one ever uses it to study anyway.'

Ignoring the jab, I thought about the study. Adachi's room? Somehow, the thought made me feel...fuzzy. Hm.

Adachi went red. Not as red as she would've before, but still very red. It was cute. She didn't answer, so I, naturally, decided to be the wonderful girlfriend that I am. And tease her.

'Oh, good idea. I can get access to the great thigh pillows whenever I want.'

'Scandalous!' Mom said, a hand raised to her mouth dramatically. Adachi was red for a moment more, before forcing a small smile to her lips. This was her new solution to these situations – and honestly, I thought it was more adorable every time I saw it.

'Anyway!' Mom said, clapping her hands together. 'Take your stuff upstairs, and then come to the dining room. We'll have some food, and then cake.' She grinned. 'Then, we can pop your cherry.'

'W-what?!' Adachi's head seemed to explode. I shot a glare at my mum.

'Don't be weird, mom. She means the Sake. Sake. Ignore her, Adachi.'

Mom stuck her tongue out at me, smiled warmly at Adachi, and then turned back into the kitchen.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. She had no tact. Well, whatever. I turned to Adachi apologetically.

'Sorry about her.'

'D-don't worry.'

'Should we put your stuff upstairs? I didn't know you planned to stay the night.'

Mild panic crossed her face, and I immediately regretted my phrasing. I waved my hands in front of me, shaking my head.

'Wait, wait – I mean it's cool, I just didn't know. Probably a good idea, though. Can you handle your alcohol, Adachi?'

She looked at me quizzically as we climbed the stairs. 'I wouldn't know. We've never drank before. What about you, Shimamura?'

'Hmm... Dunno. Guess we'll find out, huh?'

'Then, uh, let's find out together!' She raised her free arm in a weird victory pose. I snorted, then replicated the gesture.

'You betcha.'

'Yacchi, don't stand so close to the candles, you'll burn yourself.'

Yashiro pouted, but stepped back the tiniest bit. My little sister gave her a glare, and Yashiro moved just a little further back. And then the process repeated.

Rolling my eyes, I stood over the cake that Mom had bought. It was pretty small, all things considered, but it was pink and fluffy, reasonably tall and coated with fanciful berries and little bursts of whipped cream. On the top was flowery writing that spelled out 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOUGETSU + ADACHI' in bright, white lettering. The ADACHI portion of that had been scribbled in much smaller font, and in clearly different handwriting – and now that I took a closer look, the colour was a little off too. I smiled down at it. Mom had probably done it herself.

I shot a glance at Adachi, who stood next to me. Her expression was decidedly neutral, but a subtle tinge in her cheeks communicated that she was feeling happy. To avoid the flush that would surely sneak up on me, I turned back to the cake and clapped my hands together.

'Okay! Let's do this thing!'

Yashiro and my little sister whooped, and Mom blew a small party popper. My Dad raised his mug of beer in cheers.

I turned to Adachi with a grin, and she returned a small smile. I grabbed a small-ish box I had laid on the table earlier, and pushed it towards Adachi.

'Happy birthday, Adachi.' I said.

'Happy birthday, Shimamura.' She said. She took the box with a slight blush, and handed me a smaller little envelope back. On the front, SHIMAMURA was written in very careful print.

'Let's open them together later.' I said.

Adachi nodded fervently.

'Blow out the candles! Make a wish!' Little sis said. Yashiro nodded rapidly.

'I want to see this "wish" up close.'

'Ah, before you do anything, you two should blow the candles out together! Since we're celebrating both of you and all.' My mom added.

To Adachi, I asked; 'Shall we?'

She nodded with a smile. 'Okay.'

'Make a wish!'

We blew out the candles together. We missed one, actually, but I quickly covered up the mistake with a swift puff. Sis whooped again, but Yashiro was staring at us intently.

'So? So? What did you wish for?'

I chopped her on the head. 'It's bad manners to reveal a wish, you gremlin.'

'Ooooh, I see, I see. Very well.'

She nodded in that mysterious way of hers, and I rolled my eyes again. To Adachi, I gave a small smile. She returned it, face red.

Yeah, no way was I telling her my wish.

'Okay!' Mom began cutting the cake into pieces. 'If there's leftovers, it's free game. But just one to start with, Yashiro.'

Yashiro pouted.

The rest of the cake-eating portion of the party proceeded pretty normally. I didn't have much prior experience to draw on, but I figured this was pretty nice. We sat around the table, eating cake and talking. Even Adachi, who usually despised such group contact, joined in with small and short responses here and there. Baby steps.

Before long there was no cake left. True to herself, Yashiro had devoured the remainders of the cake, leaving one more piece for my sister. She wasn't happy about it. The two looked at each other tensely for a moment, before bursting into laughter and going to our room to play. I guess the sugar rush was hitting them.

Giggling to herself, Mom took this as a perfect opportunity to get up and plop two large – and I mean huge – bottles onto the table. One of them was unopened and full, but the other was maybe halfway finished. Even my Dad recoiled. Adachi was likewise stunned. Mom just grinned.

'I never got to finish the bottle your mother brought over, Adachi, but I didn't want to only use old booze, so I bought another one.'

I don't think that was a good explanation. And judging from Adachi's puzzled face, she didn't think so either.

Mom didn't notice, though, and set out four small cups in front of her. They almost looked like the dish we used for soy sauce, but a little deeper in it's incline and a little taller on it's sides. My eyes widened. I'd heard about this.

Shots?

Uh oh.

Maybe sensing my worry, Mom just...grinned at me.

Yeah, this wasn't going to end well.

Stealing a glance at Adachi, she seemed to be a lot less concerned than I. In fact, she seemed pretty...excited? Huh. Whaddya know.

Mom whistled as she poured some of the drink into the cups. When she finished, she handed one to Dad, then another to each of us. She raised her dish with a smile. I stared down at the liquid. It smelled – sniff – sweet?

It was also really clear.

'Looks like water, huh, Adachi?' I laughed to myself.

Adachi hummed. 'I suppose.'

Mom raised her dish. 'Happy birthday, Hougetsu. Happy birthday, Adachi, my fourth daughter!'

'Cheers!' Dad said, then drank his cup in one go. Mom looked at him in mock horror.

'Dear! You're supposed to sip!'

Oh.

'Oh. My bad.' Dad said, picking up his glass of beer. He raised it towards Adachi and I. 'Happy birthday, you two.'

I smiled, weakly though. I was a little scared, to be honest. I mentioned before, but I'd never really tried this kind of thing. Mom smiled and raised her dish to mine. She gestured for Adachi to join in, who slowly put her dish and mine together.

'Cheers!' Mom said, clinking our cups. With that said, she put the dish to her mouth, and downed the drink in one go. I gaped, and so did Adachi. Her eyes fluttered between her cup and Mom's. I also looked to her.

Noticing, she laughed.

'You don't have to drink it at once, you two.'

Adachi and I shared a look. I shrugged and took a tentative sip. Adachi did the same.

'..Bleh!'

'Oh -?'

...It was so bitter. Was bitter the right word? No, actually, it was more smooth? Smooth, but bitter, and somehow also metallic? Um...

I grimaced.

'Bleh.'

'This is pretty good.' Adachi said.

I turned to her, eyes narrowed. 'Traitor.'

She tilted her head at me slightly.

'Don't like it, Hougetsu? I have some juice in the fridge.' Mom said.

I glared at her.

'Do you like it, Shimamura?'

'Hm?' I looked to Adachi. She had finished her cup already. I gaped at her. 'For real, Adachi?'

'It's pretty nice.'

'...You like the strangest things.'

She smirked. 'You should know that by now, yeah.'

I had to fight the blush, and knowing I would lose, I tensed my body and brought the cup to my lips. Then I downed it. Adachi laughed a little. Mom woo'ed.

'Cherry, popped!' Mom exclaimed. They weren't present, but Yashiro and Sis whooped in my mind.

Grimacing, I put the cup down on the table. Wooo, indeed. Taking a small sip of it and I already didn't like the taste, drinking down the whole cup – well, it wasn't that big, to be fair – but man, that was gross.

At least I didn't feel anything yet. Did alcohol work fast? Was I just a real heavyweight? Maybe, maybe. How many of these cups would it take? I didn't want to get as drunk as I'd seen Mom in the past.

Either way, Mom gestured Adachi and I to hold our cups forward. We did so, and Mom refilled them. She offered to Dad too, who quietly shook his head as he took a deep swig of his beer. He looked content.

Adachi, having found a new drink she liked, took a sip with a little grin. I eyed her with genuine confusion.

She noticed, and turned a little red.

That was cute, but I still don't get it, Adachi.

Well, whatever. I suppose I should just finish the one Mom poured for me and then have something else.

We'd done what we'd set out to do.

Blurry.

My head felt a little lighter. Was that normal? Yes. I was feeling perfectly normal.

Mom hadn't let me stop at two, pouting at me like a kid. Being the steel-hearted woman I am, I caved immediately and had a couple more.

I still grimaced as I put down the cup, but it didn't taste as bad anymore. It almost tasted good.

Almost.

I glowered at Adachi, who was happily sipping away at her...fifth? Sixth? I dunno.

She gave me a puzzled look. 'You okay?'

I pouted at her.

Mom made a weird giggling noise. I pouted at her too. She fixed me with a smile.

'Someone's feeling it quick.'

Who? Adachi? I turned my head to look at her – my girlfriend, heh – and focused on her face. It was a little difficult. Adachi was so pretty.

I stared for a few moments, after which Adachi just...laughed.

I continued to pout.

'What?'

She replied with the tiniest shake of her head, an equally tiny grin tugging at her lips. 'Nothing, nothing. How do you feel?'

Pout. 'Normal.'

'Are you sure? Your face is a little red there, Hougetsu.' Mom's eyes sparked with childish mirth. Wait, was my face red? I lightly touched it with my fingers. No, it wasn't hot.

'I'm fine. What's the big deal, anyway? Why're you guys talking to me like I'm a kid?'

'Oh, she's definitely feeling it,' Mom laughed, and took my cup away, placing it next to her own. She finished the liquid in hers, then filled it with what was left in mine. Then, she patted me on the head.

'I think that's enough for you, Birthday girl. Here, have this for now.'

She handed me some water in a clear cup.

Not quite getting what she meant, I went ahead and took a sip from it, sitting down.

'Sakura? Can you help me with something real quick? It's in the back room.' Mom said, seemingly satisfied with my compliance.

Adachi jumped up, nervous and surprised, clearly finding it hard to say no. 'U-uh, ah -'

'Don't worry, don't worry, I don't bite. Just for a moment.' Mom winked. Without waiting for Adachi to respond, she disappeared into the pantry. With a look of what could only be described as genuine terror, Adachi followed.

And so, I was left alone in the kitchen, water in my hand.

It was quite nice.

Everything looked just a little...I don't know, submerged? Delayed? Totally normal, though.

My eyes eventually landed on the cup Mom had taken away from me. I'd had some water now, maybe I should have another bit of Sake? I wanted to see why Adachi would ever willingly drink this stuff.

Yeah, for Adachi, I could do this.

I stood – and paused at the apex of the movement. Dizzy. When it passed, I walked carefully around the table to where she'd placed the cups. The floor was a little bit unsteady, it seemed; It's a good thing I had an excellent sense of balance. Probably from my basketball days.

I located the cup. Which one was mine again?

Eh, whatever.

Carefully gripping a cup in my hands – the cup seemed to be a little unsteady, too – I brought it to my lips and drank.

…

Yeah, no. It was still bad.

Regardless, it was easier to swallow now, for whatever reason.

I felt really happy.

This was such a good idea, why hadn't we done this before? I giggled.

Adachi and Mom still hadn't returned, so I'd made the executive decision to have a couple more cups. They tasted progressively better and better. I giggled.

The world around me just looked lighter, almost as if I was floating. I leaned back in my chair, smirk on my face. When I closed my eyes, it felt just like it would if I was at the pool. No worries, no cares. It was nice.

'Shimamura? Are you okay?'

I opened my eyes and waved at Adachi and Mom. They re-entered the room...sideways? Hmmm. Interesting. I giggled.

'I'm fine, I'm fine.' I said.

Adachi tilted her head. Her face was really red.

'Hougetsu, I think you've had enough.'

I frowned. Wasn't this Mom's idea?

'No, I'm fine. We can have another. Wanna drink one together, Adachi?' I grinned at her.

She blushed. Ahhhh, so pretty. 'I, um -'

Adachi nervously glanced to Mom. Mom shrugged and gave Adachi two cups. They both had clear liquid in them. Adachi nodded.

'Here, Shimamura.'

'What's this?' I asked.

'Oh, more Sake. Mhm. Drink it.' Mom said. Her face was red, too.

'Ohhhh! Cheers, Adachi!' I said.

Adachi blinked. 'O-ohhh!'

I downed it.

Hm? This one tasted really good. It was so smooth. Now that, was a good cup of alcohol.

I raised my glass with a wide smile. 'One more!'

Adachi snorted, before hiding her blushing face behind her own cup. I shot her a questioning glance, before my Mom came and took my glass.

'I never expected you the happy drunk, Hougetsu. You're usually such a downer.' Mom said.

'I don't think you're a downer, Shimamura.'

I stuck my tongue out at Mom as she handed me back another glass. 'See? Adachi's got my back.'

Mom smiled and sat down. 'You've made a wonderful friend.'

More than my friend, you know. I turned to the girl in question. She was fidgeting with her glass.

'Cheers, Adachi!' I said again, and drank my cup down. These last two tasted a little different, but they were good.

'Um, cheers!' She said, bringing her glass to her lips. I stared at them. They were so nice...

I raised my glass again.

'Mom, drink one with us!' I said.

Mom looked surprised, but laughed. She shook her head. 'Nah, I think I've had enough. I'll leave you two to it. Sakura, you're in charge, alright? Keep her under control.'

The sound Adachi made was nothing short of heart-warming.

Mom sniggered and left. I turned to Adachi, who was smiling. Nervously, but she was smiling. I leaned closer.

'So? What do you think? Fun, right?'

She blinked at me, then melted into a smile. 'Yeah. Happy birthday, Shimamura.'

'And you, Adachi.' I giggled. 'Sakura.'

She flared red.

Adachi finished her own cup, and looked away.

'I-I'm feeling pretty tired. Should we go and get ready for bed?'

'Hm?' I looked at the clock. It was already past midnight. I pouted. 'Fine.'

'Oh! Umm,' Adachi said. She nervously brought her eyes back to me, then looked away. Red. 'Do – you want to sleep in my room as well?'

I grinned. 'So you're not as clueless as you act.'

She frowned. 'What do you mean?'

I leaned in close, eyes narrowed and smirk dancing on my lips. I must've looked pretty smooth. 'You're not getting away from me that easily. I'm going to get my Adachi-time.'

Judging from her yelp and avoidance of my gaze, I'd say it worked pretty well.

Shimamura was very drunk.

That was pretty much the only thing keeping my mind from falling into it's own state of incoherence. Not that I was far off.

As it turns out, Shimamura had long passed the point where she could walk, so I was leading her up the stairs. One arm draped over my shoulder, other on the railings, we looked like something out of a shoujo manga. Which of us would be the Hero in this situation? Shimamura was the prettier of us, so I guess I would've been the guy.

She was giggling the whole time. If she wasn't so heavy, and my own balance wasn't on the edge of a cliff, I would've found this whole situation way too much. But I had to be the one to help her. Without me, she'd fall down and hurt herself. Such thoughts, lame as they were, kept me going.

It took almost a year to reach the top of the stairs, then another month to reach the study. Not really, but that's what it felt like. When we finally did reach it, I gently helped Shimamura down onto the single futon her Mother had set up for me. I felt a sudden panic rise -

Only one futon?

'A-da-chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii -' Shimamura said, eyes closed and mouth parted in a wide smile.

I stood up straight. 'Yes, here!'

Shimamura didn't open her eyes. She giggled. 'Come hereeeee' She thrust her arms up. Her eyes were still shut.

What to do. It's not that I didn't want to – believe me, nothing would've made me happier. But I thought about it. She was really drunk. I'd also had a lot, but I could still function normally. To an extent. That made me the responsible one by default, right?

Shimamura pouted and waved her arms around. 'Adachiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii -'

...Okay, I knew what to do.

I quickly sat down next to her. I placed my hand in hers.

'No.' She said.

'You're very drunk.' I said.

'Come here.' She pouted again. 'I want my girlfriend.'

Ahhhh. Fine.

I slowly, and carefully, lay down next to her. I could feel my heartbeat climb exponentially.

Shimamura smiled. 'See? Not so bad.' She wrapped her arms around me, and exhaled.

My mind was racing. What do I do?

This situation could go a few very dangerous directions. Both of us drunk, girlfriends, laying in bed together -

I blushed, shaking my head.

Not that I would be opposed to that kind of situation, but...

I blushed super hard at that thought. I tried to move my arms to a more comfortable position, brushing my pocket as I did. I felt a slight bulge.

Shimamura's Mother came to mind, and what she'd said.

She'd pulled me aside into the back kitchen, and locked me in with a smile.

'First things first, Happy Birthday, Sakura.' She said.

'I, uh, thank you. Shimamura, too.'

She laughed. 'You're so polite. It's great, I wish my one was that well-behaved. What a shame...'

I laughed nervously. 'Shimamura is a good person, though.'

'Hmmm. Sure.' She said. She shook her head, then fixed me with a smile. 'That's not what I wanted to talk to you about, though. Can I just be frank?'

'Um, sure.'

'What's the actual relationship between you two?'

I froze.

Oh no. What did she think? Did she approve? What if she didn't?

What if she told me to break it off?

What if she said I could never see Shimamura again...

'Wait, calm down, it's okay, Sakura.'

I looked up at her. She had concern written on her face. It faded into a warm smile.

'I thought so. I just wanted to say, I'm okay with it. I'm just glad she's got someone who makes her happy. And so -'

She reached into her pocket, and brought out a small envelope. It was adorned with a small red stick-on ribbon, and Adachi written on it. She held it out to me.

'Thank you for taking care of my daughter.' She said.

Stunned, I took the envelope, and stared. I looked back up to her. She nodded at it, urging me with her eyes.

I opened it, and my eyes widened.

Inside was a small key. That was it. Just a key, but I knew what it was.

'Honestly, I should've just given you one ages ago. But y'know, I never had the chance, I guess.'

'I...' I tried to say, but I could feel tears welling at my eyes. 'Thank you, ma'am.'

She scoffed. 'Call me 'Mom' or something. The other leech does, anyway.' She smirked.

With a smile, I placed the key into my pocket. 'Thank you, Mom.'

'Please continue to get along with my daughter.' She said. 'Shall we head back?'

And that's what had happened. I felt a new sense of duty after, and here we were.

So back to my current dilemma, what should I do? I looked down at Shimamura -

- who was fast asleep.

...

I laughed. I guess I was worried for nothing.

Gently wrapping my arms around her into a more comfortable position, I let myself drift off to sleep.