The day started...
Surprisingly normal.
"Harumi... wake up..."
Takeru's voice came from somewhere far away.
"Harumiii..."
"...I'm awake..."
She was NOT.
On the other side of the room, Mei was still a sleepy little bundle of blankets and messy hair.
Takeru sighed, picked the girl up, and carried her to the bathroom.
"Open your mouth."
Half asleep, Mei obeyed.
He brushed her teeth.
Fixed her hair.
Sat her down at the table.
Five minutes later...
"...food?"
Done.
Mei System Activated.
She was already eating breakfast, chewing at incredible speed, eyes still puffy from sleep...
Until finally:
"Good morninggg..."
"Morning," Takeru replied.
Mei jumped off the chair, suddenly full of energy.
She ran to her room.
Came back with the clothes she had chosen, a custom apron covered in crooked little drawings, and the cutest boots known to mankind.
"I'm ready!"
"You literally woke up three minutes ago."
"READY."
Meanwhile...
Harumi was still standing in front of her closet.
"This one... or this one...? Does this one look authoritative? Does this one look trustworthy? Does this one say 'please don't investigate my past'?"
From the couch:
Takeru was already dressed.
Already ready.
Had been waiting.
For a long time.
Silence.
"Harumi."
"Coming."
"Harumi."
"I'M COMING."
"Har—"
DING DONG
Both looked at the door.
Takeru stood up.
Opened it.
...
Silence.
"...Sora?"
Sora smiled.
Not wearing his school uniform.
"Yo."
"What are you doing here? And where's your uniform? Skipping school?"
"Relax," Sora said proudly. "I did the math and figured out I can skip every other week, once a week. Totally fine."
Takeru stared at him with the driest expression imaginable.
The kind that said:
You can't solve a basic equation, but suddenly you're an Olympic mathematician when it comes to skipping school.
"...And why are you here? I told you not to come today. I have plans."
"So? I can come with you."
"No."
"Come on..." Sora instantly switched to his abandoned puppy face. "I thought you were just making excuses because you didn't want me around..."
"Have I ever done that?"
"No!" Sora answered confidently.
"You have."
"..."
Sora was officially disappointed.
"But that's not what's happening today," Takeru added.
"Oh, come on, Takeru. We could hang out, get ice cream, check out that new shoe store—"
"I have a-c-o-m-m-i-t-m-e-n-t-s. I CAN'T."
"Buzzkill."
Pout.
Takeru was already closing the door.
"Where are you going?"
...
That look.
(-_-)
"I'm taking Harumi somewhere."
"THEN I'M COMING TOO!!"
Takeru took a deep breath.
A long one.
A tired one.
"It's going to be boring—"
"Still better than school!"
At that moment, Harumi walked past them.
Finally dressed.
"Come on, boys. Get inside."
Takeru closed his eyes for a second.
Acceptance.
Fate.
"Fine. Let's go."
Sora skipped inside toward...
...disaster.
I mean.
The car.
Basically the same thing.
When they got to the car, Takeru opened the back door for Sora.
Then grabbed two helmets.
Handed one over.
"Put it on."
"Aww, come on... I don't need it!"
From the other side:
"THANK YOU, SORA! I KEEP SAYING THE SAME THING!" Harumi shouted.
"You sure?" Takeru asked.
"Of course! It can't possibly be that danger—"
CUT TO:
A SHARP TURN.
A SCREAM.
THINGS FLYING EVERYWHERE.
THE CAR ALMOST ROLLING OVER.
But dramatic pause.
Because we need to explain.
They didn't actually know where they were going.
They were following...
Takeru's memories.
Which, translated into normal language, meant:
It was a disaster.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME WE HAD TO TURN HERE?!" Harumi yelled.
"I JUST REMEMBERED!!"
In the back seat, Sora was trying to hold onto a shopping bag, his backpack, his own body, and possibly his dignity.
"THIS FEELS LIKE I'M INSIDE A BLENDER!!!"
Miraculously...
They arrived.
Silence inside the car.
Heavy breathing.
Takeru tried to sound casual.
"...We don't need to get out, right? You'll be quick, Harumi?"
A very obvious jab.
"Yep, yep."
Harumi opened her wallet.
Pulled out some money.
"Here."
"What for?"
"Go get ice cream at the plaza. I'll be back soon."
"THANK YOU, AUNTIEEEE!!!"
"YOU'RE WELCOME!!!"
Harumi was already crossing the street...
BACKWARDS.
WAVING.
ALMOST GETTING HIT BY A CAR.
Brakes screeched.
A horn blared.
She didn't even notice.
She kept walking.
Determined.
Mission activated.
Inside the car, silence.
Sora:
"...Is she always like this?"
Takeru:
"...You have no idea."
The imaginary camera rises.
Harumi keeps walking toward her destination.
Takes a deep breath.
And the chapter ends.