The school day passed in a blur of normalcy. Lessons were taught. Notes were taken. The usual rhythm of Class 2-B continued uninterrupted.
But for three students, lunch on the rooftop had become an unspoken tradition.
Yuki chattered happily about gift ideas. Hikari offered occasional grunts of acknowledgment. Kaito ate in silence, occasionally interjecting with logical observations about what constituted an "acceptable present."
When the final bell rang, they parted ways.
Riko waved gracefully. "See you tomorrow. And thank you again—for Saturday."
Yuki beamed. "We're going to find you the best gift ever!"
Riko's smile widened slightly before she turned toward her waiting car.
---
The remaining three scattered to their homes, each with a mission.
At the Sato household:
Kaito changed out of his uniform efficiently, replacing it with a simple but well-fitted casual outfit. He counted the money from his allowance—carefully saved, meticulously tracked.
Aiko appeared in his doorway. "Going to the mall?"
"Yes."
"Find something meaningful, not expensive." She smiled. "Girls remember feelings, not price tags."
Kaito considered this. It was illogical but... possibly accurate.
At the Tanaka household:
Hikari stared at her closet for a full three minutes—which was three minutes longer than she usually spent on clothing choices. She eventually grabbed a dark hoodie and jeans. Comfortable. Safe. Her.
Kenji yelled from the living room. "WEAR SOMETHING NICE FOR ONCE!"
She wore the hoodie anyway.
He sighed dramatically when she emerged but handed over some cash. "From my part-time job. Get something good."
Hikari blinked. "You didn't have to—"
"You're going out with friends. That's worth celebrating." Kenji grinned. "Now go before I get emotional."
At the Nakamura household:
Yuki's room looked like a tornado had hit it. Clothes everywhere. Accessories scattered. Her parents watched from the doorway, amused.
"The blue one," her mother suggested.
Yuki grabbed it immediately. "You're a genius!"
Her father pressed some bills into her hand. "Get your friend something special."
Yuki hugged them both. "I will! Thank you!"
---
They met at the school gate, as planned. Kaito arrived first, precisely on time. Hikari second, hoodie firmly in place. Yuki third, slightly out of breath but radiant.
"Ready?" Yuki bounced on her heels.
They nodded.
The mall was massive. Gleaming. Full of possibilities and overwhelming choices.
They wandered aimlessly for the first twenty minutes, passing stores without entering, their mission proving more difficult than expected.
"What does she even like?" Yuki wondered aloud.
Hikari shrugged. "She's Riko. She likes... being perfect?"
"Books?" Kaito suggested. "She reads extensively."
"Too impersonal."
"Jewelry?"
"Too expensive—and we don't know her style."
Stationery? Perfume? Clothes? Nothing felt right.
They continued wandering, the weight of indecision growing.
---
Near the food court, a young girl was browsing alone. She looked about middle school age, with sharp eyes that scanned the crowd with casual interest. Her hair was tied back neatly, her clothes carefully chosen—clearly someone who cared about presentation.
She wasn't looking for anything specific. Just browsing. Killing time.
Then she heard a name.
"—Kaito really thinks we should find something practical, but practical is boring—"
Kaito. She knew that name.
She turned slowly, scanning the crowd until her eyes landed on a group of three: a boy with an icy presence, a girl in a dark hoodie, and another girl radiating energy.
Kaito Sato. And... those must be the friends Riko mentioned.
Mei Aoyama smiled to herself. This was going to be fun.
She approached directly, without hesitation, stopping right in front of the group.
"Excuse me." Her voice was polite but confident. "Are you Kaito Sato?"
Kaito regarded her with his usual neutral expression. "Yes."
The girl's smile widened. "Do you know my sister? Riko Aoyama?"
Three sets of eyes widened.
Yuki gasped. Hikari's hoodie suddenly felt very warm. Even Kaito's expression flickered—just slightly.
Mei laughed at their reactions. "I thought so! Riko mentioned you all. Well, she mentioned your names. She didn't say you were coming to the mall today." She tilted her head, studying them with open curiosity. "Shopping for her birthday gift, I assume?"
Silence.
Then Yuki found her voice. "You're Riko's little sister?"
"Mei Aoyama. Third year of middle school." She grinned. "And I know everything about my sister. So..." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Want some help?"
The unseen encounter had just become their greatest asset.
(End of Chapter 63)