Chapter Text
It starts out as a dull throb at the back of her heel. Just a small thing. Sumi had worked herself too hard again after a particularly complex routine for the qualifying rounds. With pain comes growth. It will come and it will go.
But when she and her team hiked and prayed at the shrine on Mount Mitake for victory, the pain reared its ugly head, this time coupled with stiffness that she had to mask completely from her teammates on their way back.
The next day, when she completed a couple of her routines, she stumbled at the last twirl of her feet. She chalked it off as just a lingering effect of the strenuous hike the previous day, but it didn’t escape the sharp eyes of her coach, apparently.
So one rainy afternoon, a week before her high school graduation, Coach Hiraguchi offered her a ride home. Instead of driving her back to her house, she took Sumi to the hospital, where her parents were already waiting.
This was serious. Since Kasumi’s accident, her parents had refused to step inside a hospital if they could help it.
“Achilles Tendinitis,” the physician says, handing them the results of the X-ray. Her father’s hand tightens on her shoulder, offering support as her coach gives a barely perceptible nod.
“Based on the imaging tests, we detected swelling spreading along the Achilles tendon, which may lead to non-insertional tendinitis.”
Coach Hiraguchi is steady as a rock. Sumire can only focus on her voice as the ebb and flow of a noiseless tide surrounded her. “And the treatment?”
“We’re seeing about six to twelve months’ worth of recovery.”
She wouldn’t be able to participate in the Qualifying Tournaments. The grip on her father’s shoulder tightens even more.
“I see,” is all Coach Hiraguchi said before giving Sumi an assuring smile-- tight, but still a smile.
She can’t look her coach in the eye. Instead, she fixes her eyes on the floor, hands curling into fists on her lap. “E-excuse me… Is there a way to shorten the recovery time?”
“S-Sumi-chan…” Her mother beside her clasps her hand.
“Please,” she bows instead.
The doctor looks unsure for a moment until Coach Hiraguchi steps in. “Injuries like these should not be taken lightly,” she says, eyes fixed sternly on Sumi. “I understand that you are preparing for the Qualifying Tournaments this year, but pushing yourself too hard with this injury might lead to severe consequences.”
“But Coach, I—”
She feels her father’s grip on her shoulder, more firm than comforting this time. “Coach Hiraguchi is right, Sumi. Please listen to her. There will always be next year.”
“But Dad… this is my shot at the Qualifying Rounds!” Can’t they understand that representing Japan at the Olympics… this was her and Kasumi’s dream?
“Enough!” Her father rarely raises his voice, so when he did, Sumi involuntarily reels. “You will take your shot next time, once you’ve recovered.” He turns to Coach Hiraguchi and the doctor, bowing profusely. “I apologize for the commotion. Coach Hiraguchi, we shall leave Sumire under your care.”
“Certainly.” Coach Hiraguchi’s eyes are full of sympathy. The last time she saw it, it was during Kasumi’s funeral. Sumi hates it. “I was thinking, once Sumi is done with her graduation ceremony, of sending her to a sports rehabilitation camp in Kamakura. A renowned professor who specializes in sports therapy is based there, and she’s a dear friend of mine—an old teammate, so to speak. I can trust her with Sumire’s recovery.”
As the three adults discuss among themselves, firing questions at the doctor every now and then, Sumi tunes them out, heart pounding against her chest. It wasn’t fair, she wanted to cry out. This year was supposed to be her year. She had promised Kasumi. She had promised her teammates. She had promised Senpai and her friends. How could she ever face them?
If she hadn’t pushed herself so hard, maybe she could have prevented this. If she had acted more like Kasumi—been naturally gifted like Kasumi, with a body so agile and lithe—maybe… just maybe.
Stop it, Sumi. She shakes her head and pats her cheeks. Snap out of it!
She could never be anyone other than Yoshizawa Sumire. She couldn’t betray herself again.
“Sumi.” She opens her eyes to see Coach Hiraguchi peering down at her with kind eyes. Behind her, her parents were still busy talking with the doctor. “I know this is hard for you. I saw how hard you worked to prepare for the Tournament, but an injury of this scale could cost you heavily in the long run. This happens even to the greatest athletes. This is nothing but a temporary setback, alright?”
“I… understand, Coach. I’m sorry for insisting earlier.” Her voice falters. “It’s just that, I really thought I could make it this year. I don’t want to disappoint you and everyone.”
Coach Hiraguchi had particularly paid close attention to her, creating a personalized regimen and staying up late for practice once a week to watch her routine. Now, it was all a waste.
“Don’t think you’re stopping,” Coach Hiraguchi assures her, the ends of her lips turning up. “You will still train, just under a different program. We’re just going to take it easy now, okay? Then you can finally go all out next year.”
Sumi tries to return her coach’s smile, but it only came off as weak and empty. “Yes, I understand, Coach. Thank you… and I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you saying sorry?” Coach Hiraguchi shakes her head. “You’re gonna get through this, alright?”
White noise fills her ears as soon as they left the hospital—the silent ride back home, the even more silent dinner, her grandmother’s gentle prodding after dinner, her father gently comforting her before guiding her back to her room, her mother telling her she’d start the bath so she could rest. Even the throb in her left ankle, dulled by the painkillers her doctor prescribed, seemed to beat in the same rhythm as her heart.
She didn’t cry that night, or the nights following it. Her old self would have. Instead, she opens her phone and checks the Phantom Thieves group chat buzzing with life. Even after two years, with all of them leading separate lives, the group remains as close-knit as ever.
At that point, they are discussing the Graduation Ceremony. She and Futaba would finally graduate from Shujin that coming March, and the group was planning a reunion to celebrate.
Futaba: i already told Sojiro and he said yes, leblanc is ours for the whole day!
Makoto: Thank you, Futaba. Please tell Boss how thankful we are.
Ann: I’ll catch the earliest flight to Tokyo the day before. Shiho will arrive in town on train the same day.
Ann: I’m so excited!
Ryuji: hey, ann, is it ok with Shiho to return to Shujin? Would be cool to see her again.
Ann: you’re one to talk when I haven’t seen you for over a year!
Ryuji: sorry, been busy the past few months. you’ll see.
Haru: hmm, sounds mysterious, Ryuji-kun
Ryuji: heh! just you wait. ‘nyway, you up on that date, Renren?
Ren: i’ll be there. can’t wait to meet everyone.
Futaba: I asked him if he’s okay with the date already, Skull. He’ll make it. Don’t twist your knickers
Ryuji: Just making sure.
Ryuji: I’d be taking the same train to Hakone on the same day, tho since training is about to start too.
Ryuji: What about you, Yusuke?
Yusuke: I will always have time for Boss and Ren’s curry. As much as I love Kyoto and its refined culinary offerings, no curry dish here can compare.
Futaba: good to know curry’s your priority and not us beating the school dungeon, Inari
Yusuke: Why would I be surprised? I’ve always had faith in you and Violet’s abilities
Sumi scrolls down the conversation, her thumb hovering on Senpai’s photo, a picture of Morgana-senpai’s paw. But before she can go to the private conversation with him, Ren-senpai already beat her to it.
Ren: Hey sumi. I saw you’re online.
Ren: Sorry for being rowdy in the group chat.
Ren: Party at leblanc after your grad ceremony? no pressure if you have any plans.
Her vision begins to swim as tears fill her eyes.
Sumi: good evening, Senpai! Sorry for not being active in the chat recently.
Sumi: i’m sorry but my family and I already have plans.
Sumi: I’d love to see you and the others for real that day though.
Ren: yea, don’t worry about it. it’s cool.
Ren: i remember you’re aiming for the qualifying round this year.
Ren: just let us know your match so we can cheer you on.
That’s her Senpai. He may no longer be the leader but he’s always eager to carry the burden of others. Still, as much as she wants to unburden her heart, Sumi knows she has to bear this alone. At least, for now.
She wipes a single tear away from her cheek before replying with a quick “thanks!”
-----------------
Turns out, she’s able to meet the group at school after the graduation ceremony. Upon hearing that she wouldn’t be able to meet with them for the party, the group decided to meet earlier than expected at the Shujin front gate.
“Ugh, my cheeks are beginning to hurt,” Futaba whispers, a stiff smile plastered on her face as cameras flash around them. Both she and Sumi are carrying bouquets of flowers and gifts from their fellow graduates and juniors.
“Hang in there. Just a littleee bit more,” Sumi whispers back, her smile more natural with her years of experience in front of cameras. Adjusting her hold on her gifts, she puts her free arm around Futaba’s shoulder for support, tight and familiar, to make Futaba relax.
“Annnnd that’s it,” Boss calls out happily, his warm eyes shining with pride as they settle on his daughter. Futaba has done far greater things even before she stepped inside the gates of Shujin, but for the old man, nothing can be greater than her graduating high school with kids her age. “Sorry, I had to figure out how this new phone works. I say I took a nice picture, don’t you think?”
“Boss, can I see?” Ann-senpai huddles near Sakura-san as she peers at the phone. “Yup, it’s better than before. At least none of their limbs are out of the frame this time.”
The group dissolves into laughter. Sumi stares fondly at her friends—at Yusuke, Makoto, and Haru-senpai discussing the new branch of Tatsumi Textile that opened in Kyoto; Ann and Shiho-senpai gushing about the photos they took when they toured Shujin earlier, reminiscing about their old haunts; Sakura-san teasing Futaba about how unnatural she looks in the pictures; and Ren-senpai standing alone a few meters away, talking with Morgana, who is inside his shoulder bag as usual.
Sumi frowns and turns to Ann. “Ann-senpai, where is Ryuji-senpai?”
At this, Ann grimaces while Shiho beside her deflates a bit. “He bailed on us this morning! Can you believe that guy? Said something about an emergency but didn’t tell why. You’d think he’s the one more excited about this than you guys.”
“I was hoping to see Ryuji-kun, too.” Shiho sighs. Sumi only met her a couple of times, but she quickly developed an instant connection with her, being a fellow athlete and all. “You know, he helped me a lot during my rehab and when I transferred schools. The best part is, Ann had no idea, and he didn’t want me to let her know.” She turns to Ann with a mischievous grin. “Says you’re going to tease him about it.”
“Well, that’s Ryuji for you. Doesn’t want anyone to think that he’s a big softie inside -- but we all know it.”
The word rehab makes Sumi’s stomach churn. None of them seem to notice that she’s wearing an ankle brace under her school doll shoes, snugly tucked away by her socks.
“I just hope everything will be okay.” Sumi makes a mental note to send a quick text to Ryuji-senpai later, until her attention snaps to Ren-senpai walking toward them, hands perpetually in his jeans pockets and gray eyes dancing with warmth behind his glasses, real glasses this time.
“Congratulations again, Sumi.”
Sumi blushes almost immediately. “Oh, thank you, Senpai!” she bows quickly so she can hide her flaming cheeks. “Uh, it’s good to see you. You’re looking well.”
“Hey, what about me?” Morgana’s small head shoots out of Ren’s bag.
“You’re looking great as well, Morgana-senpai!” Sumi pats the cat’s head gently, and he purrs in response under her ministrations.
Ren regards her studiously. “So, how’s the preparation for the qualifying rounds?”
At that, she visibly startles, and it doesn’t escape Ren’s sharp eyes. He, however, waits for her to say anything.
“That—well, I hit a little bit of a snag.” This time, some of the former Thieves have started crowding around her but still giving her enough space to breathe. “I’ve hurt myself just recently and… well, Coach advised me to take it easy for a while until my injury heals.”
The surprised yelps and sympathy from her friends are just as expected, but Sumi suddenly feels tired dealing with all of it. Makoto and Haru-senpai have the most questions, but they quickly notice how unwilling she is to talk about it and immediately stop. Futaba throws her arms around Sumi’s shoulders and offers silent support, which Sumi returns gratefully.
But she couldn’t look at them right away, and so she gives herself a moment to gather all her strength before meeting Ren’s eyes—especially his.
Ren’s smile is kind, understanding. “You’ll be okay. We’re right here.”
“That’s right,” Morgana-senpai joins in. “You’re a Phantom Thief who rises above any challenge. We believe in you, Violet.”
“As Ren said, we are right behind you,” Makoto-senpai says with steel in her voice.
“We will be cheering you on no matter what!” Haru-senpai exclaims.
“I can share with you some of the drills I did during my rehab,” Shiho-senpai says, stepping forward. “You can share this with your coach to see if this will fit you.”
“Yeah, we’re with you 100% of the way! If you need anything, I’m just one call away. Don’t think of the time zone!” Ann-senpai winks as she puts an arm around her for a half-hug.
“You have overcome far greater challenges. I’m sure you will conquer this as well.” Yusuke-senpai places a firm hand on her shoulder.
“Leblanc’s always open for you, kid,” Sakura-san says. “And I have no doubt these guys will come running for you should you need a shoulder to cry on or a friend to talk to.”
Sumi nods firmly, heart brimming with gratitude as she looks at each one of them.
And it is Sumire, not Kasumi, who says, “Thank you, everyone!”
---- ------------------------------------------------------------------
That night, as she had finished bathing, her phone blares to an incoming call.
Ryuji: yo, Ryuji here
Sumi: Hello, Ryuji-senpai!
Ryuji: you free to talk right now? i know it’s pretty late…
Sumi: Yup!
Ryuji: sorry for not meeting you guys earlier.
Sumi: oh, you don’t have to explain, senpai
Sumi: I hope everything is alright now in your end?
Ryuji: yeah, nothing to worry about.
Ryuji: Listen…uh
Ryuji: sorry, im not good with this shit but
Ryuji: i heard about your injury from Renren and Ann
Ryuji: it sucks
Ryuji: sorry
Sumi: thank you, Senpai. Don’t worry, I get what you mean
Sumi: i’m still processing all of it, to be honest.
Sumi: but my coach and teammates have been supporting me since
Sumi: I’m still going to push through, no matter what.
Sumi: I have you and our friends’ strength to help me after all
Ryuji: uh…yeah that’s what i wanna say too
Ryuji: we’ll be right here, sumi
Ryuji: you can count on me whenever
Sumi: thank you, Senpai!
---- -----------------------------------------------------------------
The day she leaves for Kamakura, her teammates send her off at the train station just like how one of them would be sent off to a tournament: a Jagariko party of all flavors, each cup bearing a sticky note message from each member of the team. Coach Hiraguchi is also there, and she promises Sumi that she will meet up with her next week to formally begin her special training.
Sumi’s luggage is sent ahead of her arrival at the Rehab Facility. Last week, her father also inspects the institute to make sure she’ll be comfortable in every way. “It’s fine,” he reports. She has her own bedroom, the staff and the rest of the residents are nice, but as he prattles on, Sumi can’t help thinking that this unnecessary reporting is probably for the benefit of her mother and grandmother to calm their nerves.
This is the longest Sumi has ever been out of the house. Her longest gymnastics meet usually only lasts for a month at most.
Her parents initially decide against having her own place. Kamakura, after all, is still relatively close to Tokyo and manageable by daily commute. However, Coach Hiraguchi manages to convince them that her left foot would stand to gain if she avoids unnecessary stress on it. She lives within the Institute, and even her day-to-day meals are taken care of.
Anyway, even if Sumi decides to quit gymnastics for good and go to college like Ren-senpai, she’ll eventually need a place for herself. Maybe it’s time for her parents and grandmother to accept that she’ll have to leave the nest sooner or later, no matter how painful that goodbye will be following that moment in their lives when Kasumi is taken away from them.
The train ride from Tokyo to Kamakura only takes one hour through the Yokosuka Line. In her view in the window, the city’s stark buildings gradually turn into a vista of peaceful neighborhoods and rolling green hills from a distance. By the time Sumi nibbles the last Jagariko stick of her first cup, the train finally rolls into the Kamakura station.
This isn’t her first time in Kamakura. When Kasumi is still with them, her parents often take them on weekend trips outside Tokyo. One of her fondest childhood memories is running after Kasumi by the beach, the fine sand warm beneath her soles as Kasumi’s laughter spreads around her like the sea foam.
“Please watch over me, Kasumi,” Sumi places a hand on her heart, just like she does whenever she’s about to start a routine.
Walking through the station, filled with more tourists than locals milling about, she wonders dimly if this is what Ren-senpai must feel when he steps into Tokyo for the first time at the start of his probation. Everything feels so unreal that the thought of spending a life here even for as short as a year hasn’t settled yet, and she can only peer at the experience through the eyes of someone watching her make her way out of the station, her inexperience and unfamiliarity with her surroundings so magnified and palpable through a stranger’s eyes.
After sending a quick text to her parents that she reaches the station safely, Sumi navigates out of the station where she should be picked up by a representative from the Institute. Coach Hiraguchi makes sure she gets the proper contacts and the right people to reach should she encounter any problem on the road. Thankfully, when she exits the station, she quickly spots a yellow van bearing the logo of Kamakura Sports Institute.
What catches her by surprise is the sight of a young woman with light-brown hair and a friendly smile quickly jumping out of the driver’s seat.
“Hello! My name is Satonaka Chie,” she holds out a hand to Sumi. “I’m sent here by the Institute.”
“Nice to meet you, Satonaka-san. My name is Yoshizawa Sumire. Uh, from the Japan Gymnastics Committee.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m here to fetch you!” Satonaka-san shakes her hand firmly. Just by the grip of her hand, Sumi can tell this young woman is a proper athlete too.
“Uh, then I’m in your debt, Satonaka-san.”
“So stiff and formal.” Satonaka shakes her head good-naturedly. “Geez, you’ll be staying with us for a long time, so better shed off that skin quickly. We’re all athletes here.”
“Yes..!” Sumi nods. “I’m sorry!”
Satonaka chuckles. “Wow, you’re a real total opposite of someone I know. You’re from Shujin too, right?”
“Too?” Sumi looks at her curiously. But then again, she hears that some Shujin students are also sent to the Institute before—particularly volleyball players who are also victims of Kamoshida’s abuse. She wonders if some of them are staying there still.
“You’ll see.” Satonaka grins. “Let’s get going!”
The Shonan Kamakura Sports Institute is a unique decade-long project initiated by a Buddhist who is said to be a track star as well. His descendants are said to have founded the Kamakura General Hospital, a renowned sports science and therapy center in Japan. Athletes from other countries even pay lots of money to stay here, but admission is very strict, with Japanese nationals being the priority.
The Institute itself sits at the foot of Mt. Kamakura, big enough that it could rival the facilities of Ajinomoto Sports Institute. Aside from serving as a sports camp and host for various sports festivals, it’s also a prestigious rehabilitation facility closely working with the General Hospital. And so, it has a unique approach by serving both as a rehab facility with state-of-the-art equipment and a temple for athletes at the same time. “A place where both body and mind can take refuge,” as its brochure proclaims in clear bold letters. The Institute is already home to dozens of young athletes like her and Satonaka-san.
Satonaka is seven years older than Sumi. As she happily informs Sumi through Kamakura’s quaint roads, her original plan back in high school is to become a police officer. She has just begun attending police academy until a particularly nasty leg injury during training takes her out of commission. Her Master advises her to take it easy by recommending this institute, and the rest is history. What’s unexpected is that she finds staying here more enjoyable than she thought, and it also makes her consider some things in her life.
“Besides, I’m only twenty-five,” Satonaka candidly says. “The world is full of possibilities, and thinking about all your choices can be overwhelming, so you find yourself sticking to your original plan without even thinking about other options available to you.”
Sumi can relate. A gymnast’s career is as short and fragile unlike any other normal profession. Her coach also reminds them to start thinking about their future too. For Sumi, who can’t imagine a world outside rhythmic gymnastics, she herself isn’t so sure of what’s in store for her once she achieves her and Kasumi’s dream.
“So what are you considering after police academy, Satonaka-san?”
“I’m actually thinking of sports science.”
“Sports science?”
“Well, I’m a big fan of martial arts movies to a fault. I collect all Trial of the Dragon movies like crazy back in high school.” Satonaka smiles fondly. “Heh, when I was a kid, I pretend to be this legendary and mysterious kung fu master who has this secret hideout near the mountain by Yuk—by my best friend’s house. Martial artists all over the world would fight each other to be my student.”
A martial artist and someone who wants to work under law enforcement. Sumi is immediately reminded of Makoto-senpai. But unlike Satonaka-san, Makoto-senpai’s focus is getting inside PubSec, and so, she’s taking extra college credits to beef up her credentials and increase her connections too.
“What about you, Sumi-chan? Hey, is it ok to call you that? You’re my cute junior after all.”
“No problem at all, Satonaka-san!” Sumi quickly replies. “Anyway, I…I’m afraid I don’t have plans yet. At this point, all I want is to represent Japan in rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics.”
Satonaka lets out a loud whistle. “Yeah, I hear. Wow, putting things into perspective, I’m talking with a future Olympics champ at this very moment. My folks back home would flip!”
Sumi feels herself flushing. “Ah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“I’m declaring it.” Satonaka’s knuckles tighten around the steering wheel. “I’ll have to be more careful and focus on the road instead of yapping away.”
“How do you find Kamakura so far, Satonaka-san?” Sumi decides instead to change the topic.
“Hm? I’ve only been here for like a year and a half, but I love it! It’s a heck lot different from Inaba, that’s for sure.” She shakes her head, chuckling. “Kamakura’s pretty near Tokyo, but it has its rustic feel to it, like being here is having a life straight out of a children’s storybook. Sure, tourists flock here from time to time, but it still manages to retain its small-town charm… Oh yeah, I better get you a Tourist Trap Map…”
Watching the blanket of sea by the side, Kamakura is indeed a wonderful place, and Sumi can understand why it’s a favorite day tour spot for both local and international travelers. She takes in the salty breeze into her lungs and feels herself relaxing bit by bit.
“You can take a nap if you want,” Satonaka says. “It’ll take us about an hour and a half to reach the Institute. It’s on the outskirts after all.”
“I’m good. I rest for a bit during the train ride,” Sumi replies. Besides, it’s rude to fall asleep on a new acquaintance, especially when she is doing her the courtesy of driving her to her new temporary home. “Besides, I’m fond of the view leading up to the mountains.”
The conversation soon meanders to the city’s hidden spots as Satonaka-san eagerly points out to her the best ramen in town or basically gives a rundown of the tenants in the Center.
As they reach an intersection leading up to the mountains, a car suddenly cuts across them, and Satonaka has to hit the brakes hard to prevent a potentially disastrous collision. Sumi puts her hands on her mouth to stifle a gasp at the sound of the tires screeching.
Suddenly, the dashboard compartment opens, and with it comes a deluge of Satonaka’s things falling to the car floor.
Satonaka almost emerges out of the window from her seat. “Hey, watch where you’re going, you bonehead!” she yells at the top of her lungs at the speeding car as Sumi hurriedly gathers all the things that fall on the floor.
Satonaka flashes Sumi an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Kamakura may be a small city, but it has its share of bad drivers too. It’s not far from Tokyo anyway,” she says. “Oh, you don’t have to pick all that!”
But Sumi’s interest is already piqued. Or rather, she just needs the distraction.....anything to calm her pounding heart.
While her father’s compartment is properly stacked with scrapped scripts, contracts, and emergency eyeglasses, Satonaka’s is a chaotic pile of photographs, brochures, food stubs, a pair of compression bands, headbands, and brochures.
“Hehe, sorry for the mess. Goodness, what kind of senpai am I for being so sloppy?” Satonaka chuckles wryly. Sumi waves her off as she begins putting all the stuff back into the compartment, trying not to recall the lurch of the car earlier, the seatbelt painfully digging against her shoulder.
A figure lying in the middle of the ground, unmoving.
Sumi shakes her head to clear her thoughts. As the car begins moving again, her eyes are drawn to a couple of photographs and a brochure of a very familiar inn.
“Amagi Inn…?” Sumi reads it out loud. “I think I’ve heard this name before…”
“I’d be surprised if you don’t. That’s one of the oldest hotels in Japan!” Satonaka says. “You wouldn’t believe it, but I personally know the owner.”
“Really? That’s amazing, Satonaka-san!”
“Yup. She’s the lady on my right, that’s Yukiko. She’s a very dear friend.” Sumi notes that Satonaka’s cheeks seem to redden while mentioning her name. “And oh, the tall guy with gray hair, that’s Yuu. He’s one of my best friends. You can rely on him in a pinch. That guy on his left with his arm draped around Yu, that’s Yosuke, his partner.” Satonaka rolls her eyes but her smile remains. “He’s one of my oldest friends too, a goofball lame-o, but he can be hella smart and reliable once he puts his mind on something. I’m so happy he and Yu have each other.”
Sumi’s heart warms at how Satonaka talks about her friends. It reminds her of the best friends she leaves behind in Tokyo…
“That big lunk of a man at the back, that’s Kanji. He’s in our hometown right now taking care of his mom. That blondie on his left, Teddie. Don’t ask, but he starts as a random foreign exchange student who’s been hanging with us since… sort of.”
Sumi’s eyes soon focus on a familiar face. “Is this… Risette? You are friends with Risette, Satonaka-san?”
“Yup, the one and only,” Satonaka grins at her. “Are you a fan? She’s semi-retired now and doing some coaching for younger idols, but I can get her to meet you one of these days.”
“I was a big fan back in middle school.” Kasumi had bedn a fan too, but unlike Sumi, she tends to be a fan of many things and quickly moved on from one thing to another....unlike Sumi, who finds it so hard to jump from things she holds and loves dearly. “And this girl on her left?”
“That’s Shirogane Naoto, the Detective Prince. Well, former. She’s been traveling around the world with her grandfather, mostly staying in Germany for her studies though. She’s a junior, but she’s more put together than me.” Satonaka chuckles a bit.
“Detective Prince…” Sumi echoes, feeling a slight twinge of pain in her chest. Two years have passed since they put an end to Maruki-sensei’s reality, but she can still feel the ripples of Akechi-senpai’s sacrifice. The group doesn’t talk about it much, but Ren-senpai never really does, and no one dares to bring up his name since then.
Sumi wishes he’d bring it up one of these days. They come to rely on Ren so much, but she, along with everyone else, feels so helpless and useless at the thought that he can’t rely on them.
“Hm, something wrong?” Satonaka’s voice breaks her reverie. “You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden.”
“Nothing. Just remembering a friend,” Sumi replies with a small smile. Regardless of whatever Akechi thought of her, she will always think of him as one of her dear senpais.
“I bet you have good friends back home too.”
“Yes. I will miss them so much!”
Their conversation drifts listlessly from then on, and Satonaka eventually slows down to a convenience store, a quaint little thing with a magnificent view of the ocean. “Hang on, I’m just going to pick up something… well, someone.”
Someone…?
“What the eff, Chie-san!” A familiar voice booms as the car slows down in front of the convenience store door. Sumi’s heart jumps into her throat. “Why’d you leave me— Sumi!???”
Sumi turns to her seat, jaw slightly dropping at the sight of Ryuji-senpai, tan arms bare and coated with a slight sheen of sweat under the sun as he carries a box of bottled water on his shoulder. He’s wearing a worn-out green cap backward, revealing the darker roots of his once-blonde hair, which is now a wild spattering of yellow and black.
Shock in his dark brown eyes soon gives way to warmth as he flashes her a smile, as bright as the afternoon sun on a seaside town where everything shines and glistens, one that she can’t help but return.
“Ryuji-senpai!”