Archer the Sorcerer Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Days of Our Lives - Part II

After the days, came the nights.

The night was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of insects outside the small duplex. The streetlights cast a dim glow through the window, flickering slightly with the hum of electricity.

Inside, the scent of simmering broth filled the modest kitchen as Shirou Gojo stood at the stove, stirring a pot absentmindedly.

He exhaled through his nose, his mind drifting as he worked. Nights like these felt a little empty without Tsumiki around. She was the glue that held their little home together, the one who always made sure things were in order—who made sure they were in order.

With her out for the night, the house felt… quieter. Not that Megumi was the chatty type, but her absence left an odd space between them, one Shirou Gojo wasn’t sure how to fill.

He glanced over at the table. Megumi sat with his arms crossed, his usual scowl in place, though it lacked its usual bite. His eyes were locked on the table, clearly deep in thought, though he didn’t seem keen on voicing whatever was on his mind.

“You’re gonna burn a hole in the table if you keep glaring at it like that,” he remarked, tossing a bit of seasoning into the pot. “What’s up with you?”

Megumi scoffed. “Nothing.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Nothing’s got you acting all broody tonight?”

“I always look like this,” Megumi muttered, shifting his posture slightly.

“Yeah, yeah, but it’s different when you’re pissed about something.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed as he studied Megumi. “Let me guess… Tsumiki?”

Megumi didn’t immediately answer, which was answer enough.

“She went to that ‘test of courage’ thing, huh?” Shirou continued, stirring the pot absentmindedly. “Didn’t think she’d actually go through with it.”

“She said she didn’t want to,” Megumi admitted. “But she still went.”

The one cooking hummed. “Typical Tsumiki. Always putting others first. I bet she’s just making sure no one freaks out too much.”

Megumi clicked his tongue, shifting in his seat. “It’s stupid.”

Shirou chuckled. “That’s rich coming from you. What, you think it’s dangerous?”

“It’s not about being dangerous,” Megumi muttered. “It’s pointless. People scaring themselves for fun, acting like it means something. It’s a waste of time.”

He smirked. “Not everything people do has to mean something, you know. Sometimes it’s just about having fun.”

Megumi scoffed but didn’t argue.

He went back to cooking, letting the silence stretch between them. He understood Megumi better than most. The kid was sharp—too sharp for his own good sometimes. He saw the world in lines of right and wrong, good and bad. But there were things in between, things he didn’t quite grasp yet. Like why Tsumiki did what she did. Why people cared about things he found meaningless.

“You know,” he said after a moment, “Tsumiki probably knew you’d get like this.”

Megumi frowned. “Like what?”

He shrugged. “Sulking.”

“I’m not sulking.”

“Uh-huh,” he turned off the stove, pouring the finished soup into a couple of bowls. “Anyway, I doubt anything’s gonna happen. If she was worried, she wouldn’t have gone. You know how she is.”

Megumi was silent for a long moment before muttering, “That’s the problem.”

The one that cooked placed a bowl in front of him and sat across the table, blowing on his own soup. “What do you mean?”

“She always puts herself in these situations.” Megumi poked at his soup with his spoon. “She always goes along with things because she doesn’t want to cause trouble. Even when she doesn’t want to.”

He watched Megumi carefully. “And that bothers you.”

Megumi didn’t answer right away, but eventually, he let out a quiet, “Yeah.”

He exhaled, resting his chin on his hand. “You’re not wrong. But that’s just who she is. And honestly? I think that’s what makes her stronger than either of us.”

Megumi looked up, eyes narrowing slightly. “How?”

“Because she cares,” he said simply. “Even when she doesn’t have to. Even when it’s inconvenient. That takes more guts than beating up some bullies.”

Megumi looked down at his soup, his expression unreadable. Shirou let the silence settle between them again, knowing better than to push further. Eventually, Megumi picked up his spoon and took a bite.

“…It’s not bad,” he muttered.

The cook smirked. “High praise coming from you.”

The night stretched on, the hum of cicadas filling the warm summer air. The soup had long since been eaten, the dishes rinsed and left to dry in the sink. Shirou sat at the small dining table, absentmindedly drumming his fingers against the wood, staring at the dim reflection of the overhead light on its polished surface.

Megumi had retreated to his room, his usual grumbles muffled behind a closed door, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Tsumiki.

She was always on his mind in some way or another, but tonight, it was different. There was a strange weight in his chest, an unease that didn’t settle no matter how much he tried to dismiss it.

He told himself he trusted her. He told himself she could handle herself. But even so, something about her being out there, in the dark, with a group of kids treating the supernatural like a game, made his skin crawl.

He knew Megumi felt the same, even if he wouldn’t say it outright.

Tsumiki had a way of making people care about her, even the people who tried their hardest not to.

She was the one who took care of them, in ways they didn’t always recognize. Making sure they ate, making sure the house was clean, checking in on them in her quiet, unobtrusive way. Even though he and Megumi were plenty capable of handling themselves, she never stopped worrying.

And yet, she rarely let them do the same for her.

He leaned back in his chair, tilting his head up to stare at the ceiling. It was stupid. There was no real reason to be worried. It was just a test of courage, a bunch of kids daring each other to walk through some old site that probably wasn’t even haunted.

Probably.

His stomach twisted.

He knew better than anyone that the world didn’t operate on ‘probably.’

He had seen things—things that made superstition feel a lot more like reality. Cursed Spirits were real, even if most people couldn’t see them. Even if Tsumiki couldn’t see them. And while it was unlikely anything would happen, it wasn’t impossible.

He sighed, rubbing his eyes.

It wasn’t just the spirits that bothered him.

Humans could be just as bad. He’d heard the stories—the way these kinds of tests of courage could be an excuse for all kinds of things. A place to push boundaries, to see what people were willing to do when they were afraid, when they thought no one was watching. He didn’t like the idea of Tsumiki being there, even if she was the type to shut down anything too stupid.

He sat there for a long time, staring at nothing. His fingers twitched against the table.

Then he stood up.

He wasn’t going to be able to sleep like this.

Grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair, he shrugged it on, adjusting the fit over his shoulders. He didn’t make a sound as he moved toward the door, slipping on his shoes and checking his phone for the time. Late. Not so late that everyone would be home yet, but late enough that the test of courage was probably in full swing.

He could still catch them.

He didn’t bother leaving a note. Megumi would probably figure out where he went, and even if he didn’t, it wasn’t like he was planning on being gone long. He just needed to check. Just needed to make sure.

The night air was thick with humidity, the pavement still holding onto the heat from earlier in the day. The neighborhood was quiet, the occasional distant laugh or chatter from open windows the only sign of life.

He walked quickly, his steps light and even. The site of the test of courage wasn’t far— the base of Yasohachi Bridge.

The massive stone structure loomed over the dark waters of the Koinokuchi Canyon, its weathered surface telling stories of time, tragedy, and fear. It was infamous—a place where the desperate came to leap, where whispers of lost souls carried on the wind. And now, it was the site of Tsumiki’s ‘rite of passage.’

His gut twisted with unease. He’d told himself he wouldn’t interfere, that she’d be fine, but something about this place gnawed at him.

Curses, disappearances, ghostly figures glimpsed in the dark. Most of it was probably just rumors, but Shirou knew enough to take rumors seriously.

It didn’t take long before he started hearing voices.

Distant, echoing laughter. The occasional shout, followed by giggles. A group of kids gathered just outside the shrine grounds, some with their phones out, others standing in nervous clusters. Flashlights flickered in the dark, beams of light bouncing off the worn stone steps leading up to the canyons around the bridge.

He slowed his pace, stepping off the main path and into the trees, moving with practiced ease as he scanned the crowd.

Tsumiki wasn’t immediately visible, but that didn’t mean much. She could already be inside.

His jaw clenched.

Why did he feel like something was off?

Maybe it was the way some of the kids were glancing around, nervous. Maybe it was the way a few of them stood closer together, whispering to each other in hushed voices. Or maybe it was just that same feeling in his gut that had driven him to come here in the first place.

He exhaled through his nose, adjusting his jacket. He could leave now. He could turn around, go home, and try to sleep. Tsumiki would probably roll her eyes if she found out he’d come all the way here just to check on her.

But he wasn’t leaving.

Just a quick look. Just to make sure.

----

She wasn’t scared, far from it.

Tsumiki walked through the dense woods below Yasohachi Bridge, the faint glow of the moonlight filtering through the thick canopy above.

The air was cool, carrying with it the scent of damp moss and old stone. She had never been particularly superstitious, but she understood why people feared this place. It was infamous, after all—stories of suicides, eerie whispers, and shadowy figures lurking in the darkness.

Yet, she felt nothing.

She had expected the test of courage to be scarier. A place like this, with its tragic history and chilling atmosphere, should have at least sent a shiver down her spine. But as she walked the worn, winding path, all she could think about was Megumi and Shirou.

They were hiding something from her.

She wasn’t sure what, but she had felt it for a while now—the shared glances, the half-finished conversations, the way Megumi always seemed on edge when certain topics came up. Even Shirou, who was usually so open with her, seemed more guarded lately. It gnawed at her, the feeling of being left out of something important. And the worst part was that she had no idea why.

Tsumiki sighed, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she continued walking. She should be focusing on the test, on the supposed spirits that haunted this place. Instead, her mind was trapped in a loop, running through every interaction she had with Megumi and Shirou in the past few weeks.

Had she done something wrong? Were they trying to protect her from something? Or was she just being paranoid?

The path twisted ahead, leading toward an old torii gate. It stood tall and solemn, its wood weathered and cracked, as if it had been forgotten by time. Beyond it, the finish line of the test waited—the others would be gathering there, either laughing about how easy it was or trembling from the experience.

She stepped forward, crossing under the gate without hesitation.

And then she saw him.

He stood just beyond the gate, hands in his pockets, watching her with that same unreadable expression he always had. The moment her eyes met his, something in her chest fluttered.

“You’re here,” she said, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice.

“Yeah,” he replied, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Figured I’d check on you.”

Tsumiki raised an eyebrow. “You thought I’d get scared?”

“No,” he admitted, giving a small shrug. “But Megumi was worried.”

She sighed. “Of course he was.”

He smirked. “You know how he is.”

She did. Megumi was always looking out for her, in his own gruff, quiet way. It was sweet, even if it could be a little overbearing. But Shirou being here… that was different. Megumi worrying made sense. Shirou going out of his way to come all the way here? That was something else entirely.

Before she could say anything more, the rest of the group arrived, chattering excitedly. Some looked pale, clearly shaken by the experience, while others laughed, pretending they hadn’t been scared. The atmosphere was lively, but Tsumiki barely paid attention to them. Her focus was still on Shirou.

The group began to disperse, heading back toward the town. Tsumiki fell into step beside Shirou as they walked along the quiet road, the night stretching endlessly before them. The others trailed behind, their voices fading into the distance, leaving the two of them in comfortable solitude.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The sound of their footsteps on the pavement filled the silence, along with the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. It wasn’t awkward—He had always been the kind of person she could sit in silence with—but there was something lingering in the air between them, something unspoken.

Tsumiki wanted to ask. She wanted to demand answers, to finally get to the bottom of whatever he and Megumi were keeping from her. But the words caught in her throat, tangled with hesitation.

Instead, she said, “You didn’t have to come, you know.”

He glanced at her. “I know.”

“Then why?”

He was quiet for a moment, then shrugged. “Just felt like it.”

Tsumiki frowned. That was such a Shirou answer—casual, nonchalant, as if it was nothing. But it wasn’t nothing. He had come all the way out here, had waited for her at the finish line. Even if he wouldn’t say it outright, it meant something.

She wanted to push, to make him explain, but before she could, he suddenly stopped walking.

She turned to look at him, confused. “What is it?”

Shirou didn’t answer right away. Instead, he tilted his head back, gazing up at the sky. “The stars are pretty clear tonight.”

Tsumiki blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. She followed his gaze, and sure enough, the sky above them was vast and glittering, an endless expanse of stars stretching in every direction. It was beautiful, in a quiet, understated way.

“You don’t usually notice things like that,” she said, a small smile playing at her lips.

He smirked. “I notice more than you think.”

Tsumiki felt something warm bloom in her chest. The way he said it, the way he looked at her—it was subtle, barely there, but it made her heart skip a beat.

She hated how easily he could do that to her.

For a moment, she considered telling him. Not about Megumi, not about the secrets she knew they were keeping, but about the way he made her feel. About the way her heart raced whenever he was near, about the way she always found herself looking for him in a crowd, about the way he had always been there, steady and unwavering.

But Shirou… Shirou was Shirou.

If he noticed, he didn’t say anything. And maybe that was enough.

She exhaled softly, turning her gaze back to the sky. “Yeah,” she murmured. “They are pretty clear.”

They stood there for a little while longer, side by side in the quiet of the night. And for now, that was enough.

Tsumiki and Shirou continued their walk in comfortable silence, the night stretching on around them. The only sounds were their steady footsteps on the pavement and the distant chirping of crickets.

The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and pine from the surrounding trees. The tension from earlier, the unspoken questions, still lingered in Tsumiki’s mind, but for now, she let them rest. For now, she just wanted to enjoy the quiet moment between them.

Shirou Gojo, as always, seemed unaffected by it all. He walked with his hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried. The streetlights cast long shadows as they moved, illuminating his face in brief flashes before plunging him back into the dim glow of the night. Tsumiki stole glances at him now and then, her heart still a little unsteady from earlier.

She wondered if he had any idea how much space he took up in her thoughts.

"You didn't have to wait for me," she said again, though the words felt almost unnecessary now.

"I know," he replied simply, not looking at her.

She sighed but smiled nonetheless. That was just how he was. He never explained himself more than he needed to, never made a big deal out of the things he did. But that was also what made him different. Unlike others who might act out of obligation or expectation, Shirou did things simply because he wanted to—because, in some quiet, unspoken way, he cared.

Their small duplex came into view, the dim porch light casting a warm glow against the dark street. Tsumiki felt a sense of relief at the sight. The night had been long, and while the test of courage had been easy, the emotions that followed had left her drained.

He stepped ahead slightly, reaching the door first. He pushed it open without much ceremony, and the two of them stepped inside.

To their surprise, Megumi was still awake.

He sat on the couch, arms crossed, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto them as they entered. His expression was unreadable at first, but Tsumiki could tell he had been waiting. Whether it was for her or for Shirou, she wasn’t sure.

"You’re still up?" Tsumiki asked, setting down her bag by the door.

Megumi scowled slightly. "I wanted to make sure you got back okay."

Tsumiki smiled at that, warmth creeping into her chest. "That’s sweet of you. But you didn’t have to worry."

"I wasn’t worried," Megumi muttered, looking away. "It was just stupid. The whole thing."

Tsumiki sighed. "It wasn't that bad."

"It was a waste of time."

He chuckled as he slipped off his jacket. "You say that, but you were sulking about it earlier."

Megumi shot him a glare but didn’t argue. Instead, he looked back at Tsumiki, his expression softening just slightly. "You’re really okay? Nothing weird happened?"

Tsumiki hesitated for a fraction of a second. No, nothing weird had happened. At least, nothing outwardly strange. But something had shifted inside her tonight—something small but undeniable.

"I’m fine," she said, offering him a reassuring smile. "Really."

Megumi stared at her for a moment longer before sighing, seeming to accept her answer. "Alright. Then go to sleep already. It’s late."

Tsumiki laughed. "Yes, yes, I’m going. You should too."

Megumi only grunted in response.

As she turned toward the hallway leading to her room, she felt Shirou’s gaze linger on her for just a second longer than usual. She almost asked if he was going to sleep soon too, but she decided against it. Whatever had driven him to come to Yasohachi Bridge tonight, whatever had made him wait for her, it was his own reason to keep.

She wasn’t ready to push for answers just yet.

As she closed the door to her room behind her, she exhaled, pressing a hand against her chest, feeling the faint, lingering tremor in her heartbeat.

He really had no idea what he did to her.

---
The soft rustling of cherry blossoms in the warm spring breeze signaled the beginning of something new. The school courtyard was packed with students in crisp uniforms, parents, and teachers, all gathered for the graduation ceremony.

The air was filled with a mixture of excitement and bittersweet nostalgia as classmates exchanged last-minute goodbyes, promising to stay in touch despite the looming changes ahead.

The atmosphere buzzed with hopeful energy, and Tsumiki found herself absorbing every detail—the scent of fresh flowers, the distant hum of city life beyond the school gates, the warmth of the sun against her skin.

Tsumiki stood among her peers, her posture as poised as ever, though a small flutter of nerves settled in her stomach. She had spent the last three years working toward this moment, and now that it was here, it felt surreal.

Adjusting the hem of her uniform, she stole a glance at the crowd, her eyes instinctively searching for the people who mattered most to her.

And there they were—her family.

Shirou Gojo leaned against the railing near the seating area, arms crossed over his chest, watching the ceremony with an easy-going smirk. He looked like he belonged anywhere but here, yet she could see the glint of pride in his usually carefree expression.

Next to him, Megumi sat stiffly in his seat, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, looking about as excited as one would expect from him. But even with his usual scowl, there was something softer in his expression today—something that made Tsumiki’s chest tighten with warmth.

They had come.

The graduation proceeded as expected—speeches from teachers, recognition of achievements, and finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for.

When Tsumiki’s name was called, she stepped forward with quiet confidence, accepting her diploma with a bow. A wave of applause washed over her, but one voice stood out from the rest.

“TSUMIKI-CHAN~! YOU DID IT!”

A shiver ran down her spine before she even turned around. That voice was unmistakable.

Satoru Gojo.

In his usual obnoxious fashion, Gojo towered over the seated attendees, waving enthusiastically as if she were a celebrity walking down the red carpet. His blindfold was pushed up onto his forehead, revealing his striking blue eyes, which sparkled with mischief.

Tsumiki let out a quiet sigh, though she couldn’t help but smile. Of course, he would show up unannounced.

After the ceremony, the graduates were released to reunite with their families. Tsumiki barely had time to turn around before Shirou Gojo was beside her, flicking her lightly on the forehead.

“Look at you, all grown up,” he teased, his voice laced with pride.

Tsumiki rubbed her forehead, frowning playfully. “It’s just middle school graduation. Not that big of a deal.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, ruffling her hair before she could dodge. “Still proud of you.”

Megumi, standing slightly off to the side, gave her a small nod. “You did good.”

That was the closest thing to a heartfelt compliment she was going to get from him, and she knew it. Her smile softened. “Thanks, Megumi.”

And then, Satoru Gojo appeared.

With a dramatic spin, he threw an arm around both Tsumiki and Megumi, grinning from ear to ear. “Ahh, my adorable little children are growing up so fast! Next thing you know, you’ll be getting married and having kids!”

Megumi immediately pried himself away, his glare deadly. “Don’t lump me into this.”

He snickered. “Yeah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, old man.”

Satoru gasped, feigning betrayal. “Old man?! I’m in my prime, thank you very much!”

Tsumiki shook her head, laughing. “What are you even doing here, Gojo-san?”

Satoru placed a hand over his heart as if wounded. “What kind of guardian would I be if I missed my precious Tsumiki-chan’s big day?”

“You’re barely around to begin with,” Megumi muttered.

Satoru ignored him, instead placing his hands on Tsumiki’s shoulders, suddenly serious. “Really, though. Congratulations, Tsumiki.”

She blinked, a little taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. For all his antics, there were moments like this—moments where she could see the person beneath the ridiculous exterior.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

He stretched his arms behind his head, his expression unreadable for a moment before he finally asked, “So, any idea what’s next?”

Tsumiki straightened, suddenly nervous again. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

“Actually,” she said, hesitating only for a second, “I got my acceptance letter yesterday.”

Megumi tilted his head. “To which school?”

Tsumiki took a deep breath before answering.

“---------------------”

Silence.

For a split second, none of them reacted. And then—

“You’re joking,” Megumi said flatly, his expression darkening instantly.

Satoru, on the other hand, merely whistled. “Wow, Tsumiki-chan, you really don’t do things halfway, huh?”

Megumi took a step closer, his voice lower. “Why would you pick that school? Of all places?”

Tsumiki met his gaze evenly. “Because it’s one of the best high schools in Tokyo. And because it’s a challenge.”

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You sure about this?”

She nodded firmly. “Yes.”

Megumi looked like he wanted to argue, but he held back, pressing his lips together in frustration. Satoru, ever the wildcard, simply laughed.

“Well, well, things just got interesting,” Satoru mused, his grin returning. “Guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, huh, Tsumiki?”

Her future was about to change forever.

As the realization settled in, a cool breeze drifted through the air, carrying with it the scent of cherry blossoms.

The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Tsumiki tightened her grip on her diploma, her heart pounding in anticipation. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready.

Or at least, she hoped she was.

---

The soft glow of paper lanterns illuminated the small restaurant, casting a warm, golden hue over the wooden interior. The scent of sizzling meat and fresh rice filled the air, blending with the low hum of conversation from the other patrons. It was a cozy, hidden gem tucked away in a quiet part of town, and for tonight, it was theirs to celebrate.

Tsumiki sat at the table, her graduation certificate neatly tucked away in her bag beside her. The reality of the day had settled in—the joy of her accomplishment, the bittersweet weight of what came next. She had been excited, of course, but now that the moment was here, an ache settled deep in her chest. Soon, she would be leaving for Tokyo. Alone.

Shirou, sitting across from her, tapped his chopsticks against the table absentmindedly. He had been uncharacteristically quiet since they arrived, a far cry from his usual playful teasing. Megumi, on the other hand, had his arms crossed, staring down at his plate with a brooding expression. It was clear he wasn’t thrilled about any of this. And then, of course, there was Satoru Gojo.

“Alright, everyone, eat up! No need to be shy—order as much as you want!” Gojo declared, grinning as he leaned back in his seat. “Tonight, we celebrate our brilliant Tsumiki-chan!”

Tsumiki smiled despite herself. “You don’t have to go overboard, Gojo-san.”

“Ah, nonsense! A big occasion deserves a big meal!” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “Besides, my wallet can handle it. I’m a very rich man, you know.”

Megumi let out a small huff. “You sure don’t act like it.”

Satoru gasped, clutching his chest as if physically wounded. “My dear Megumi, that hurts! I am a generous and responsible guardian!”

His little brother snickered. “Responsible? That’s debatable.”

“Hey now,” Satoru pouted, dramatically resting his chin on his palm. “You wound me. But back to the important part—Tsumiki, how do you feel?”

Tsumiki hesitated, glancing down at her plate. How did she feel? It was a mess of emotions—pride, excitement, fear, loneliness. She knew this was the right choice for her future, but knowing she’d be on her own in a new city made her heart feel heavy.

“I’m happy,” she said carefully. “But… I guess I’m also a little nervous.”

The mature and younger Gojo leaned forward. “Of course you are. It’s a big move.”

Megumi, still frowning, looked at her seriously. “If you don’t want to leave Saitama, you don’t have to do this, you know.”

Tsumiki met his gaze and shook her head. “I want to. I’ve worked hard for this.”

Silence settled over the table for a moment before Gojo clapped his hands together. “Well then! We can’t have our Tsumiki-chan looking all gloomy on her special night!”

She gave him a small smile. “I’m not gloomy.”

“Your energy is telling me otherwise,” he countered. “But I have a solution! A brilliant one, if I do say so myself.”

Shirou raised an eyebrow. “That’s never a good sign.”

Gojo ignored him, grinning widely. “How about we all go on a trip during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays? So, about five months from now.”

Tsumiki blinked. “A trip?”

“To Kyoto!” Satoru declared. “We’ll make a whole thing of it—sightseeing, good food, fancy hot springs… the works!”

Megumi looked skeptical. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I am! And best of all—” Satoru leaned in dramatically, lowering his voice as if revealing a great secret. “I’ll cover all expenses.”

The other Gojo let out a low whistle. “Now that’s an offer.”

Tsumiki felt a sudden rush of warmth in her chest. A trip together… before everything changed. Before the distance between them became more than just physical. It wasn’t a solution, but it was something—a promise that even though she was leaving, they wouldn’t be apart forever.

“That actually sounds… really nice,” she admitted, her voice softer now.

Satoru beamed. “That’s the spirit! A little getaway after we all are drown in responsibilities.”

Megumi sighed, shaking his head. “I still don’t trust you to be responsible.”

“You wound me again, Megumi! But don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s a trip you’ll never forget.”

He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. “I guess it wouldn’t be the worst way to spend the holidays.”

Tsumiki laughed, the sound lighter than it had been all evening. It was comforting, the idea that even though their paths were splitting for now, there was still something to look forward to.

As the night continued, their conversations grew livelier. Satoru boasted about finding the best ryokan in Kyoto, promising ridiculous luxury.

Megumi muttered something about not trusting him with accommodations, which led to an argument over whether Satoru would book them a haunted inn just for fun. Shirou, as usual, sat back and enjoyed watching the chaos unfold.

But beneath all the playful banter, there was a quiet understanding among them. Change was inevitable, but it didn’t have to mean losing each other.

Tsumiki looked around at the faces of the people who had become her family, and for the first time since receiving her acceptance letter, she felt at peace. Maybe leaving wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t an ending—it was a new beginning, and there would always be a way back to the people she loved.

Tsumiki Fushiguro held her head high as she had defeated the odds and got accepted to one of the most prestigious and high-achieving high schools not only in Tokyo, but the country, Japan.

Little did she know that it would be something that she would regret in a little more that a year.

…

…

Oh, the high school that she was about to enter; Shibuya High School.