At Nanami's new place
"Thank you, Kitakami-kun. I'll pay you back for the cab fare."
Nanami and Yoru came out of an old apartment building, each carrying a huge cardboard box filled with items she had packed in advance.
As for Gabriel, she was too small to be of much help, so she stayed back in the apartment.
"Isn't that heavy?"
Yoru, walking behind, asked casually.
"Not really, I guess I've trained up a bit," Nanami laughed.
"Oh? And what's this black equipment?" Yoru tried to keep the conversation going—it was getting dull.
"That's my voice-acting practice gear. It helps correct my pitch," she explained.
"Voice acting?" Yoru showed some curiosity.
"I'm trying to get certified. I'm still in voice acting school," she replied.
"Must be tough, coming all the way from Kansai," Yoru commented offhandedly.
"Huh?"
Nanami stopped, surprised, her expression shy and awkward.
"Is my accent that strong?" she asked, clearly self-conscious.
"It's okay, just a bit." Yoru held up his fingers, making a gesture that would piss off a Korean man.
"Phew..." She let out a sigh of relief.
After bringing the boxes back to the apartment, they went up to the fourth floor where Gabriel was sorting things inside.
She quickly finished, then grabbed her laptop and started gaming.
Nanami and Yoru left for a second round of moving. By the time they finished, it was dark.
"Thank you, Kitakami-kun."
Nanami expressed sincere gratitude. She had received so much help.
She even felt guilty for having once doubted him. She wanted to make it up to him.
But Yoru didn't seem to need anything from her.
"I'm heading out."
Yoru waved and left the fourth floor.
He hadn't understood why she chose to live on the fourth floor—now he knew it was because she needed to practice voice acting at night without disturbing the neighbors.
Back home
Yoru made dinner.
Then he took a bath with San-san.
After eating, he rested a bit, then started on his homework and revision.
"The book Yukinoshita asked to borrow..."
He turned on the desk lamp and began studying into the night.
An hour and a half later, he stretched, headed to the living room, and started his cardio workout.
Afterward, exhausted, he took a shower and fell into a peaceful sleep.
---
The sun was hidden behind clouds.
Tokyo's weather was unpredictable.
In the morning, Yoru brushed his teeth while the weather app forecasted moderate to heavy rain in some areas this week.
He shoved an umbrella into his bag and left for school with Gabriel.
They passed by the bookstore where Nanami worked and greeted her.
---
At Shuchiin Academy
Yumiko and her popular clique were hanging out as usual before morning class.
But today, Yui noticed something was off Yumiko seemed distracted.
Last night, Yumiko had asked about her club and mentioned Yoru.
As the leader of their group, Yumiko barely spoke this morning. Before the prep bell rang, they all returned to their seats.
"Yumiko, you're acting weird today," Yuigahama said before leaving.
"Huh? Am I? Maybe I didn't sleep well," Yumiko replied, clearly startled and spaced out.
"Really?" Yuigahama didn't fully buy it, but dropped the subject.
"Tch..."
Yumiko yawned, eyes fixed on Yoru's desk.
She hadn't slept well due to what happened in the alley yesterday.
Who would've thought that disgusting fat loser Yoru would ask Yukinoshita Yukino to tutor him?
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Yumiko didn't want to mess with him anymore—not because she couldn't, but because she feared how he might react.
Yesterday really scared her.
Now that she looked back, she felt regret and even a trace of guilt.
Being forced to apologize by that fat loser—her proud, tsundere heart couldn't take it.
As she thought this, Yoru walked into the classroom, taking his usual shortcut.
"Miura Yumiko..."
First thing, he glanced at his seatmate.
He stepped over and sat down nervously.
Nothing happened.
It was as if nothing had occurred between them the day before.
He placed his bag down, took out his phone, and started reading the news.
At the same time, Nanami finished her shift and rushed to school for morning class.
Sorata couldn't hold back anymore. He immediately left his seat and went over.
"Aoyama-san, can I talk to you for a second?" Sorata asked nervously.
"Kanda-kun? Is it about the manga?" Nanami asked, holding the rice balls she made the night before.
"No. I saw you walking with Kitakami yesterday after you left the store."
"Oh, that," Nanami said, then smiled a little awkwardly. "You misunderstood Kitakami-kun. He's my friend now."
"F-Friend?" Sorata almost thought he misheard.
He and Nanami were just acquaintances who could talk now and then.
And that disgusting fat loser became her friend?
"Aoyama-san, don't you remember what I said before?"
"He's definitely up to something."
Sorata's voice trembled slightly.
He should've stopped there.
Because his words reminded Nanami of her own past suspicions—and filled her with guilt.
"Kanda-kun, maybe you shouldn't jump to such nasty conclusions about people."
Nanami spoke up for Yoru out of guilt, hoping to lessen the weight of her remorse.
Besides, one was a friend, and the other was just a classmate.
The classmate was clearly in the wrong. Who she should defend was obvious.
Gabriel was far cuter than she was—a foreigner with golden hair who had a great relationship with Yoru. If Yoru really had ill intentions, Gabriel would've been the first victim. It would never have gotten to her.