Friday was supposed to be a day off.
Though she intended to spend the morning after the taisō cleaning the place and maybe reading a little Sōseki, whose works she had come to adore, it didn't come to pass.
Instead, the door slammed open like a bomb going off.
Atago, as subtle as a wrecking ball, burst inside, throwing the door open so hard she feared it would snap off its hinges.
"En-ty-chan! It's a nice day out there, darling, and I still think you need to get out more!"
Atago's ears were twitching, and if she had a tail, it would've been wagging furiously. She was definitely dressed to impress in that blue dress, and her hair and makeup were flawless, and her sunny smile made her look like a magazine cover coming to life.
But who did she want to impress?
"Atago, can't we do this another time?"
"Oh, no, no. I happen to be free, and you happen to have the day off, and you also happen to be looking quite fetching. We can sneak up on Zui-chan as she's whipping the kids into shape—and she's really into it—bug Takao-chan, and even meet the cute munchkins Shou-chan is taking care of. They are so precious, Enty-chan, I could just eat them up. You will love them, I'm sure."
"But I was thinking of cleaning, and maybe—"
"Oh dear, you can always clean tomorrow. You are not going to open today, are you?"
"...No, I'm not."
The grin that stretched across Atago's face was positively devilish now.
"Well, then, come on. No need to get yourself pretty, darling; we can take care of that later. For now, we'll just run."
When did her hand slip into hers? She barely noticed it.
"Run?"
"Well, not literally, I mean—unless you want to? But I'm wearing heels, and sweetheart, that would be painful, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"
"No, of course not."
"Soooo, are we going or what?"
The sigh escaping her lips was brief.
"Give me a minute."
"Sure thing, darling!"
It was only to let Grim loose for the day. Eagles, after all, shouldn't be cooped up all the time.
Watching him fly out from the windows upstairs had her realizing, though—
Wasn't it the perfect weather for a flight?
***
From Ueno, they took the Toden to Koishikawa. The streetcar clattered at a leisurely pace, swaying slightly with the weight of its passengers along the way, and the air was cool. It was crowded, as usual, but Atago had been quick to grab seats for both of them. Houses with laundry hanging from the windows stood side-by-side with concrete apartments and blocks of shops and offices on the other side.
As they rode, the crowds thinned until the only passengers left were an elderly couple, a student reading his textbooks, and a salaryman sleeping on his seat.
She leaned against the window while Atago hummed a tune she recognized as "Furimukanaide" by The Peanuts.
"I haven't ridden the Toden in a long time," Atago remarked. "I forgot how nice and quiet it is."
"I usually take the buses."
"Buses are fine, too. But it can't compare to the charm of the trams."
"Charm?"
"Yep, charm. There's just something about the way they run along the tracks. And who knows? Maybe they won't last. I'd like to remember these things. Wouldn't you?"
"...Yeah. Yeah, I guess so."
They soon got off and continued on foot. Koishikawa was quaint, quiet. More known for gardens and parks, and a few shrines and temples here and there. Popular during cherry blossom season, but there wasn't much going on the rest of the year.
It wasn't long before they stopped in front of an unassuming high school. A custodian was sweeping the front.
"Why are we here, exactly?"
"Zui-chan works here. She teaches physical education, you know?"
No, she didn't know. She knew her self-proclaimed rival certainly had a day job, but one she never brought up.
"Oh. She didn't tell me that."
"Which is why we will surprise her," Atago giggled into her hand, her ears twitching again. "Not that she's embarrassed about it, but I think she thinks you wouldn't really care about that little detail."
"I do, now."
"Good," Atago skipped over to the custodian, who gaped at the sight of her. "Hello, sir. We are here to see Zuikaku-sensei."
"I see. But, uh, you know, she's busy right now, ma'am, and, well, you are not supposed to be here unless you have—"
"Sir, sir, we're sisters, and I just need to deliver something to her real quick."
"Well, but, uh, I—"
"Pretty please, o handsome and gallant gentleman. It would be such a shame to leave a beautiful woman like me waiting. Please, won't you help me?"
Atago's voice became more velvety, almost husky, and her smile became positively radiant. She leaned forward ever so slightly, and the man gulped, his face turning bright red as her slender finger brushed against his chin. He swallowed and nodded quickly.
The custodian didn't stand a chance. Nobody did, when Atago decided to be Atago.
"Of course, ma'am. You can...can head on over. Just go straight, and then turn right, and you'll find the gym."
"Thank youuu~"
Atago gave him a wink and a wave, and he returned to his work, though his gaze lingered. Maybe he was hoping he wouldn't lose his job.
"See, asking nicely can get you a long way," Atago told her as they headed towards the gym.
"I...suppose?"
"Darling, what I want to say is, it's alright to ask for help sometimes. There's no shame in that."
"...I know."
***
The sun was streaming through the old sliding gym windows. The smell of polished wood floors and adolescent sweat was thick in the air. Students were in mid-exercise—stretching, tumbling, showing off way too much for this early in the day.
Nobody seemed to have noticed them yet.
One particularly confident kid decided to show off, attempting a running vault over a pommel horse...but midair, he added a flourish, a dramatic landing with one hand on his hip.
There was a beat of stunned silence, then—
"OIIIIII!"
Zuikaku's voice cracked through the building like a whip.
"This isn't some movie, Isobe! You're gonna break your neck doing stunts like that!"
The student was sheepish, and the others snickered at his expense.
"Sorry, sensei!" he stammered, cheeks red.
"Oooh, Isobe just had to show off again!"
"Trying to impress Zuikaku-sensei, huh?"
"What's next, a love letter?"
Zuikaku crossed her arms, amused, yet annoyed. A little flustered, too.
"There is only one person who can impress me, and it sure ain't Isobe, pal," she announced.
"Who is it, then, Zui-chan?" Atago finally made her presence known, and everyone, including Zuikaku, whipped around to look. She felt...naked, seeing so many pairs of eyes staring at her.
"G-G-Grey Ghost?! Wha—what is she doing here?!"
"Uh, hi. Just, er, dropping by. Sorry."
Zuikaku warily eyed the gym doors, which had been left wide open.
"You guys aren't supposed to be here! If the principal finds out, I'm toast!"
"Oh, we will leave real soon. Just want to show Enty-chan that you are doing great," Atago winked at her. Zuikaku seemed to blush at that.
"Yeah, yeah...thank you. See ya then!"
"Okay, see you later. Bye, Zui-chan!"
Zuikaku nodded and turned to her students, who had started to gather in a curious circle around the three.
"Oi, what are you lot gawking at? Get back to training! One round of the obstacle course, now!"
"YES, ZUIKAKU-SENSEI!"
Atago chuckled and paused.
"Oh, and Enty-chan, you wanna say something?"
She couldn't see her own face, but she was positive it would look like the most awkward grimace ever.
"What...?"
"You looked like you wanted to say something," Atago insisted.
"I...uh...I guess..."
"Thought so. ZUI-CHAN!"
Zuikaku almost fell forward, comically. She shot her students a look that quickly wiped any smirk off their faces.
"H-Huh? What?!"
"She wants to tell you something."
Atago nudged her, and she gulped.
"...Uh...Good job. It's...admirable. Your dedication. It's not easy shaping others. Keep up the good work."
Zuikaku's eyes went wide, and her cheeks took on a shade similar to her hair ornaments. The surprise that had overtaken her face lasted for a couple of seconds before melting into a grin, a grin so infectious she couldn't help but smile back.
"Thank you," she said simply. "See you."
"S-See you."
Zuikaku was still smiling when they stepped out of the gym. The last thing they heard from her was her yelling at the student doing the stunt to get his ankle looked at.
"See, Enty-chan, it's easier than you thought, isn't it?"
"It...wasn't so bad. I don't know if...what I said would amount to anything to her, but—"
A finger was pressed against her lips.
"You were earnest, and Zui-chan is an earnest woman who likes earnest people. Don't worry about it. Besides, she smiled, didn't she?"
Zuikaku did, and indeed, she would remember that grin for a while.
***
At Koishikawa Botanical Garden, the trees had either lost their leaves or were beginning to turn. The air was fresh, and the sunlight was filtered through the bare branches and the green canopy above, dappling the ground.
Atago's heels clicked rhythmically against the stone path, her smile unwavering as she approached a small entourage already assembled under the tall trees. A crowd no larger than a dozen was busy adjusting reflectors, securing tripods, or consulting clipboards.
"Right on time, Atago-san, I like that," the director, a woman in a snappy dark blue suit, approached her.
"Oh, of course. Thank you for having me, Konoe-san."
"I didn't know you hired an assistant."
"Wh—"
While she was busy trying not to look mortified, Atago glided over to her, her arm now linked with hers.
"Oh, no, no, this is my good friend. She's just here to keep me company."
"Ah, is that so?"
The director's gaze swept over her for a moment, as if trying to figure her out, but she simply stroked her chin for a bit before shrugging.
She expected a frown, or a glare, or even an accusatory question, but nothing came. Only a smile that seemed...conspiratorial.
"Well, well. Alright, then. I'm sure the lady knows what she's doing. So, Atago-san, the changing tent is over there. Dress up, and then we'll start."
"Got it. Enty-chan, sorry for dragging you into this; I promise it won't be longer than 15 minutes. You want to take a stroll...or maybe you want to..."
Atago was leaning closer now, and she caught the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"...Come with me to the changing tent? Maybe help me change?"
"A-Atago!"
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
The woman's giggles were loud enough to be heard by the entire crew, who looked on with smirks and grins. Some seemed bemused, and one, a young girl, seemed outright scandalized.
"Oh, I love to tease you, darling. It's just so cute!"
"Atago-san, you are incorrigible," the director chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, we're not getting anything done here. Everyone, let's get this show on the road. We're burning daylight."
The order sprang the crew into action, and Atago left her with a wave.
She wandered around the place for a while, keeping her distance from the rest of the group.
The scenery was pretty, the air crisp and fresh, enough to make her consider taking walks in the park more.
There were no birds, only the sound of shutters and voices echoing from the set.
"Atago-san, that's perfect. Yes, give us more. Good, good."
"Yes, that's exactly what we are looking for. Hold that pose, please. Now, look left. Right. Good."
Out of curiosity, she glanced back at the shoot and saw Atago posing under a tree, a canopy of leaves above her, the sun peeking through.
That burnt orange ensemble, oddly conservative considering Atago's usual demeanor, made her look ethereal—warm, elegant, and mysterious, like autumn itself. The wide-brimmed hat added to the allure.
Flashes, and then more posing, and more flashes. She shifted between poses like the wind.
"Excellent. Atago-san, can you try moving towards us? Right. Perfect. Good."
She was a professional. She made everything look effortless, in a way only someone with experience could pull off—and someone with a heart big enough to care.
"Atago-san, now, turn left. Now, look back, but slowly. Good. Very good. Hold it. Hold. That's the one."
A KANSEN who was not afraid to be seen, and who was comfortable in her own skin. She remembered having her own photo taken last week, on her launch day—no, birthday—to this day, no one else had seen it, but Jerry. She was grateful he at least shared her embarrassment.
"Perfect. Give us more of those smiles. Very good, very good. Can you hold that for a few seconds? Yes. Very nice. Now, can you put a hand on your hip, and the other...yes, perfect."
By chance, the pose had her staring straight at her, and at that time, that smile seemed like it was meant for her alone.
"Very nice. We'll wrap up soon, Atago-san. Give us one more smile."
The crew applauded when the director announced they had finished shooting.
She clapped, too.
***
After Atago got changed, they continued their stroll along the Koishikawa. Atago bought them both taiyaki from a street cart, after her belly began growling. She wasn't ashamed of it. Along the way, they also stopped by a dagashi shop where she bought an assortment of cheap sweets and treats.
"No, not for me," she replied when she was asked. "But I can buy you some if you want, Enty-chan."
"N-No, it's fine. I'm not really a fan of those..."
"Oh, alright. But the taiyaki was okay, right? It's tasty."
"Yeah, it is."
"Mhmmm."
A short silence followed, interrupted only by the sounds of a car passing by and Atago's delighted hum as she munched on a Morinaga bar.
"Hey, uh, Atago."
"Hmm?"
"I didn't know you did modelling, and...I just realized, I don't actually know a lot about you. I mean, you told me you do beauty consulting, but that's not the only thing you do, is it?"
Atago's response was a crisp chuckle.
"Darling, that's why we're taking a walk together today. See what we do now that there's no more fighting. And, ah, here, if you are still hungry. You can have this one."
Atago offered her another Morinaga bar. She was about to tuck it into her coat, but realized she was still feeling quite peckish, so she unwrapped the chocolate and took a bite.
They walked until the park was behind them, and they were now approaching the main streets. A small crowd was outside the cinema, waiting for a matinee. American and Japanese posters, all new and vibrant, lined the facade.
"Hey, Atago."
"Hmmmm?"
"Are you happy? Like, right now?"
"Hmmm, I'd say so. It's a good day, the sun is out, I'm with a good friend, and the chocolate tastes nice."
"And you're not afraid?"
"Afraid?"
"Of what the future might hold."
"Oh, maybe a little, but who isn't? But seeing that we all move forward, despite it, and despite knowing how things could go wrong, it's a reason to be happy. I don't think we would've gotten anywhere if we were always afraid. Dai-senpai said so, and it's all thanks to her and Nagato-sama that we could have this freedom."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Enty-chan, you don't regret coming here, do you?"
"No. Of course not."
"That's good. I'm glad. Never thought we could be friends, but here we are."
"You did kinda force yourself onto me."
"Yeah, but who wouldn't, seeing you all mopey and stuff? But I'm glad you are opening up to us. To me, and to that dashing friend of yours. He is so adorable."
Faces, smiles, and laughs were flashing through her mind now.
"He's a good guy."
"I think so, too."
"Thanks, Atago."
"No problem. And speaking of the future, here's a place where it is being made."
They stopped in front of a building. It looked almost like a house, but the sign on top was unmistakable.
"A...nursery school?"
"Yep! This is where Shou-chan works. She's very good with kids."
It didn't take a charm offensive on a hapless custodian to gain entry. A teacher was standing guard by the gates. All Atago had to do was give her name and a quick wave, and the young woman let them in.
The hallways were silent. It was naptime, apparently. Atago clearly had been there before because she had no difficulties navigating the corridors and the rooms.
The classroom they were looking for was at the end of the corridor on the second floor; the door was left slightly ajar.
Peering inside, she found little bundles wrapped in futon covers. The lights had been dimmed.
Most of the children were deep in dreamland, limbs tangled and cheeks puffed out like dumplings. But one—just one—sat upright beside a teacher in a sunny reading nook near the window.
The child's head was resting against Shoukaku's shoulder, half-awake, half-fighting the nap. A book was open in her lap. Shoukaku noticed them and raised a finger to her lips, nodding without a word. The girl tugged at her sleeve, and she smiled, patting her head before returning her attention to the book as the visitors took their seats.
It was a story about a nighthawk, a bird so ugly with a face described as having been splattered with miso, but with strong wings that made him look like a hawk as he soared. A bird nobody wanted to be friends with.
A sad story, indeed, and even the girl seemed to agree, her face scrunched up and tears welling in her eyes. But Shoukaku read on, assuring her that it would be all right.
And indeed, the story did end well, with the bird becoming a beautiful star, shining to this day. The girl sniffled and wiped her eyes, and Shoukaku gave her a tissue.
"See, it's not all sad, is it?"
"It...it's not," the girl hiccupped. "Sensei, who is that?"
The girl was pointing at her.
"Oh, her? That's my friend."
"Her hair is as white as yours. Is she as nice as you are, sensei?"
Shoukaku laughed softly as she nudged the girl toward her.
"Go ahead and say hi, Shizu-chan."
The girl's cheeks were rosy, and her eyes were red, but there was no doubt the child was pretty, with her fluffy, light brown hair and a shy, but warm smile. She walked up to her, at first a little apprehensive, but then she bowed politely.
"Hello, onee-chan. I'm...Shizuko."
She had no idea what to say or how to respond, but she knew she had to say something. She could afford to ignore Atago's discreet snicker right now.
"H-Hello, Shizuko-chan. I'm...uh...Enty."
"En...ty...?"
"Yeah, En-ty. It's...a nickname."
"Oh...okay. Onee-chan, sensei said you are her friend. Is it true?"
She turned to Shoukaku. The woman's expression was calm, but there was a glint in her eye. Shoukaku was enjoying this a little too much, she could tell.
"Y-Yeah, we are. Friends."
"Wow. You are really pretty like her and Atago onee-chan. And you are so tall. You are not like us, but I can understand you. Are you from somewhere else, onee-chan?"
She didn't know why, but she got down on one knee, and her hand moved before she could think.
Shizuko's hair was soft and fluffy, and the girl giggled when her hand went past her head.
"I...am. From across the sea. It's called...America."
"Wooow...Ameri-ka? Papa talked about the place once. Said everything is big over there."
"Heh, yeah. Everything is big. And loud, and fast. You want to go there, one day?"
Seeing the girl's eyes widen and sparkle made her wonder how long it would take for her own eyes to do the same.
"Yes! Do you think I can, onee-chan?"
"Of course, if you work hard. And make sure to be nice to everyone."
"I will! I promise!"
She patted Shizuko's head again. The girl was all smiles, and her tiny hands reached out and took hers.
"There's a good girl," Atago piped in, fishing the sweets she bought from the plastic bag. "And good girls get presents."
"Glad to see you now have the common sense to actually wait after lunch. Last time, I had to wrangle half the class for having a sugar rush," Shoukaku whispered.
"Well, what can I say, darling? They loved me."
Shoukaku rolled her eyes and shook her head, still smiling.
"Shizu-chan, eat that after naptime, alright? Now, time to get back to sleep, or else your mum and dad won't be happy, okay?"
"Okay, sensei. Bye, Enty onee-chan, bye, Atago onee-chan. Let's play next time!"
"See ya later, Shizu-chan."
She watched as the girl scurried off and nestled herself into her futon, Shoukaku easing her to sleep by humming a lullaby.
She had no idea how to do that. She wasn't made for it.
But maybe, someday…she could be someone gentle too.
"I'll leave these sweets with you, Shou-chan dear. You can have one yourself. Just one, yes," Atago cooed as she went for the door.
"What, are you saying I'm getting fat? And besides, I'm not a child."
"Not at all, Shou-chan, not at all."
"Oh, hush, you," Shoukaku sighed, tucking the bag away. "Well then, see you later, Atago. And goodbye, Enterprise. Sorry about her dragging you around on your day off."
"Don't worry. It...was nice."
"See, Enty-chan is a good girl. She won't hold it against me. Well, goodbye, Shou-chan. See you!"
Atago practically dragged her out, and before she could process what was happening, they were back out on the streets.
"I don't remember agreeing to anything," she finally said, and Atago merely smiled.
"Ah, but you really are a good girl. And like I said, good girls get treats."
"...Thank you?" She opened her palm to see the candy Atago had slipped in.