After that conversation, nothing really changed for the Shunkan family.
If anything, they were even more casual and closer than before.
If there was a "change," it was that Isshun could now casually practice and use his Teleportation at home. And now that teleporting was an option, there really wasn't much reason for him to move around at all.
Before, he had to go downstairs to grab juice and then come back up. Now, he could just teleport the carton straight into his hand, pour it into a glass, and teleport it back.
How convenient.
Genzai had noted that the conversation had only enabled Isshun to become even lazier than usual, a sentiment Kako wholeheartedly agreed with.
Kako was even more grateful to Nejire now, because while Isshun used to leave his room to do chores or handle small tasks, he now only emerged if Nejire called for him, or if they had to leave for school or the dojo.
With the sole exception of going out to buy snacks.
"Shun-chan, should we get melon-flavored popsicles, or wasabi-flavored popsicles?"
And what a coincidence, it seemed Nejire was already at the convenience store at the same time Isshun had decided ice cream was a perfectly acceptable snack.
With the weather warming up and summer break approaching, it felt justified.
Isshun inwardly recoiled at the second option.
'Why does that even exist?'
Unfortunately, his thoughts and his mouth were in sync.
"Why does that even exist? Obviously the melon-flavored ones."
Isshun reached into the freezer and grabbed his usual choice—vanilla—before something else caught his eye.
'A summer special Blueberry Vanilla Ice Cream, only available for three weeks…?'
That actually sounded good.
While Nejire had enthusiastically named their future team "Blueberry Vanilla," neither of them had ever actually eaten blueberry vanilla ice cream.
It wasn't a common flavor in convenience stores; blueberry cheesecake usually took its place instead.
After quickly calculating the amount of money in his small wallet and deciding it was worth it, Isshun took one of the Blueberry Vanilla ice creams as well.
"Blueberry Vanilla?" Nejire echoed, peering at the unfamiliar wrapper before reaching in and grabbing one herself, only to put both the melon and wasabi popsicles down.
"Why'd you even ask about melon or wasabi if you weren't going to choose either?" Isshun deadpanned.
"Ehe~" Nejire grinned, giving him a completely thoughtless smile. "Your ice cream just looked tastier!"
"We can just share if you're curious," Isshun said, gesturing toward the ice cream she'd dropped.
"Oh yeah!" Nejire slapped her forehead. She bent down and picked up both the melon and wasabi popsicles.
'...Both?'
"I hope you know that if you eat the wasabi one and don't like it, I'm not finishing it for you."
That stopped her cold. Nejire hesitated, then sheepishly put the wasabi-flavored popsicle back.
'…Maybe eating her vegetables for her has been enabling this', Isshun mused. "Now that I think about it, Nejire, I won't eat your vegetables anymore."
"What!?" Nejire whipped her head toward him at lightning speed.
--<>--
After hurriedly apologizing to the cashier for the sudden outburst and paying for their ice cream, Nejire followed him outside. "Why?!"
Isshun sat down on a nearby bench beside a small park—really just a square patch of grass where elderly people gathered for radio calisthenics in the mornings.
"Because," Isshun began calmly, "it isn't healthy to not eat vegetables."
"Aww…" Nejire dragged the sound out dramatically, shoulders slumping as she plopped down beside him. "But they're bitter sometimes. And you always eat them like it's nothing."
"That's because they're food," Isshun replied flatly as he peeled open his vanilla ice cream.
"That's not convincing at all," Nejire puffed her cheeks, poking at her melon popsicle before taking a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up. "Oh! This one's really good!"
Isshun hummed in acknowledgment, already halfway through his vanilla. The Blueberry Vanilla ice cream remained unopened in his other hand.
"Are you saving that one for later?" she asked.
"Maybe." He glanced at it. "It's limited edition. If it's good, I'll buy more next time."
Nejire leaned closer, squinting at the wrapper with intense focus. "Can I have a bite?"
Isshun didn't answer right away. He finished his mouthful, then peeled open the Blueberry Vanilla and held it out toward her.
"Sure, go ahead. Only one bite though."
"I'll be gentle!" Nejire promised immediately.
'I don't know how one's supposed to be gentle with ice cream, but sure.'
She took a bite, then froze.
"…Oh." Her eyes widened. "Ohhh. Shun-chan, this is really good."
"I know."
"How did you know?"
"I read the label. If it's a limited edition, it has to be somewhat decent. That's normal marketing tactics."
"That's amazing." She stared at the ice cream with open envy before reluctantly leaning back. "Maybe I should've gotten that one instead…"
Isshun took a bite himself, satisfied.
Nejire sighed contentedly, swinging her legs. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence as a light breeze passed through the park.
"…Hey, Shun-chan," Nejire said suddenly.
"Mm?"
"My mom said we're going back to Akita during the break to visit my grandparents."
Isshun paused, ice cream halfway to his mouth, before continuing to eat.
"...And?"
"Well—!" She hesitated. "I wanted to ask if you wanted to come too!"
'Why? I don't even know your grandparents.' Isshun thought. "Why?"
"Um… because we'll be separated for a whole month…?"
Saying it out loud only made her more downcast.
Back then, when she lived in an old-timer neighborhood without kids her age, a month apart wouldn't have mattered.
But now, being separated from her bestest friend for the longest time so far felt… depressing.
She had asked her mom if Isshun and his family were going as well. Shiori had shaken her head, echoing Isshun's own thought, 'Why invite a friend to visit your grandparents?'
Shiori gently explained that the Shunkan family probably had their own plans, and that it wouldn't be right to intrude on another family's vacation.
Feeling deflated, Nejire had gone out to get ice cream to cheer herself up—only to spot Isshun entering the convenience store shortly after. Her mood had instantly brightened.
And now, remembering why she'd gone out in the first place, she decided to take her chance.
Nejire looked at Isshun nervously as he hummed in thought, finishing the last bite of his Blueberry Vanilla.
'I've lived in this neighborhood my whole life', Isshun reflected. 'And my parents have never mentioned extended family once. So either they're dead, or we're estranged.'
Isshun wasn't particularly attached to vacations.
All he really needed was entertainment, food, and a place to sleep.
A remarkably low-maintenance human.
If going with Nejire made her happy, and he didn't care either way, then why not?
'Well... maybe I might be a bit lonely.' Isshun added.
His bigger concern was what the Hado family would think, letting their daughter's friend tag along on a family trip. Even if the two families were close enough to eat together four or five times a week.
Kako and Genzai probably wouldn't mind, as his shut-in habits had exacerbated after the 'Teleportation Talks'.
If anything, they'd be more worried about inconveniencing the Hado family than about Isshun himself.
"Well…" Isshun finally said, glancing at Nejire's half-hopeful, half-puppy-eyed expression. "I don't really care if I go."
"Yay—"
"But you'll have to convince my parents."
"Aww…"
Well, what did she expect?
A top-class lawyer and a first-class friend?
He wasn't going to do everything for her just cause she was his friend.
--+--
A/N: This chapter was mainly to set up a somewhat of a small/short event, so its kind of like a filler, so sorry about that.
Also, just to clarify, Isshun's currently 6 and Nejire is 8. I put in a typo noting that Isshun was 7 when first grade only just started, which i fixed later.
Also, we actually hit 2000 powerstones before the week ended.
Color me surprised like im actually so thankful.
Additionally, I also have a patreon, but don't sub right now cause i don't have additional chaps as of now. Its my username, [email protected]/Cypresss.
I'll probably finish setting it up today and write one or two additional chapters later today for patreon with the goal of 5-8+ additional chaps in the end. (for money is the best motivator for a broke ahh college student)
Once again, thanks for all the support!
Thanks for reading!
--+--
2000 PS - Complete
4000 PS - Not Complete