Three days after the celebration banquet, a light rain fell over Tokyo.
Fine threads of rain tapped against the windowpane, washing the whole city clean.
Tsushima Kagami stood on the balcony, staring blankly at the street below.
"What are you thinking about?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku came up from behind him, holding a notebook crammed with tiny handwriting.
"Nothing."
Kagami turned around, and seeing the notebook packed with writing in her hand, raised an eyebrow.
"What's all that written in your notebook?"
"A shopping list."
Yukinoshita Shizuku sat down across from him and spread the notebook open on the coffee table.
"I made a list of everything we need for the start of university. Take a look and see if I've missed anything."
Kagami leaned over to look, and then fell silent.
The notebook was organized from A to Z, with detailed sub-items under each category.
Stationery, textbooks, daily necessities, electronics, documents... it even included "spare face mask for the entrance ceremony."
"This is..."
Kagami paused, weighing his words carefully.
"Isn't this a bit too detailed?"
"Is it? I actually think it's not detailed enough."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said it as though it were self-evident.
"This is university, not high school. Forgetting something would be a real hassle."
"Fair enough."
Kagami nodded and sat down across from her.
"Go ahead then, I'm listening."
Yukinoshita Shizuku picked up her pen and began checking off items one by one.
"First, documents. Letter of admission, transcript, health certificate, a copy of your Certificate of Residence, photos... do you have all of these ready?"
"All ready."
Kagami took a document folder out of the drawer and set it on the table.
"Sorted it out yesterday."
Yukinoshita Shizuku opened the folder, checked through everything item by item, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
"Next, stationery. Notebooks, loose-leaf paper, folders, pens, markers, sticky notes..."
"We already have all of that at home."
Kagami cut her off.
"Besides, there's a convenience store near campus. We can buy whatever we're missing anytime."
"That's true, but..."
Yukinoshita Shizuku thought it over, then put a checkmark in the notebook anyway.
"We'll hold off buying it, then, and see how things go after we start."
"Mm."
"Now, electronics. Haven't you been wanting to buy a laptop?"
"That one, let's see when the time comes."
Kagami had originally wanted to buy a laptop, but laptops of this era simply weren't portable enough.
He didn't really have that much need for one anyway.
So he'd just kept putting it off.
"What about a voice recorder?"
"A voice recorder?"
Kagami blinked.
"What would I need that for?"
"To record your lectures, of course."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said it matter-of-factly.
"The University of Tokyo's coursework is heavy, and some professors talk fast. If you record it, you can listen again later."
"Yukinoshita Shizuku... you really think of everything."
Kagami said it with genuine admiration.
"Of course."
Yukinoshita Shizuku let a rare flicker of pride cross her face, but quickly reined it back in.
"And a school bag."
"You've used that bag of yours for two years now. Want to get a new one?"
"No need, I think."
Kagami glanced down at the two-year-old backpack he was carrying.
"It still works fine."
"But..."
Yukinoshita Shizuku hesitated for a moment.
"The zipper on that bag doesn't slide well anymore."
"I'm just kind of sentimental about old things."
"I'm used to it."
"If I switched to something new, it'd probably feel strange."
"Hmph."
"If only a certain someone felt the same discomfort about switching to something new in other areas too."
Kagami: "...?"
How had the topic suddenly swerved into this?
"Ah, actually, I suddenly think getting a new one sounds great."
"You pick it out for me, I don't know much about this kind of thing."
"Okay."
Yukinoshita Shizuku glanced at Kagami.
The corner of her mouth curved into a small smile.
She really ought to torment him more often when nothing else was going on.
There were already plenty enough girls hovering around him as it was.
If she didn't keep a close watch once they were in university, he might end up with a whole string of them — that simply would not do.
Mm...
She really should get Sayuri and Nayotake to keep him occupied at school as much as possible.
Leave him no time to meet new women.
This wasn't possessiveness — it was preventing Kagami from causing some scandal down the line.
It would be terrible if he suddenly turned up with an illegitimate child someday.
Yes, exactly.
As the head of the Tsushima household, your thinking is entirely correct.
You can do it, Yukinoshita Shizuku!
Yukinoshita Shizuku wrote another line in the notebook, her handwriting noticeably lighter and quicker than before.
"And clothes."
Yukinoshita Shizuku went on.
"You need formal wear for the entrance ceremony. Do you have any?"
"I have two suits."
Kagami thought about it.
One was from his own entrance ceremony, and the other Mrs. Yukinoshita had bought him later for a banquet.
"Try them on, then, and see if they still fit."
"Now?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Of course not."
Kagami sighed and set down Yukino, whom he had just been holding.
He got up, went to the closet, and took out the suit.
A dark gray suit, white shirt, navy blue tie.
Once dressed, he stood in front of the mirror while Yukinoshita Shizuku stood behind him, looking him up and down.
"It's a little tight across the shoulders."
She reached out and pinched the fabric at his shoulder.
"Did you grow taller again recently?"
"Guess so... a bit, maybe."
Kagami wasn't entirely sure himself.
"Then this one's no good anymore."
"Well, I have another one."
Kagami took off the suit and changed into the other one.
He stood in front of Yukinoshita Shizuku.
"This one feels too formal."
"It doesn't suit your style either."
"Well, my mother bought it on short notice back then."
Kagami added.
"Then we'll need to get you a new one."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said, picking up her pen to write in the notebook again.
"Also leather shoes — the soles on yours are badly worn, so we'll get you a new pair too."
"Okay."
Kagami didn't argue.
He knew there was no point arguing with Yukinoshita Shizuku about things like this.
Once this woman decided to do something, she'd see it through.
"Then tomorrow we'll go shopping."
Yukinoshita Shizuku closed the notebook and looked up at him.
"We'll leave at nine in the morning. First Ginza for the suit and shoes, then Ochanomizu for stationery, and if we have time left, we'll look at bags too."
"You've even planned out the route?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded, still looking as though this were only natural.
"I looked it up last night. This is the most time-efficient route."
Kagami fell silent for a moment, then laughed.
"What?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku tilted her head at him.
"Nothing."
Kagami shook his head.
"Just thinking it's really nice having you around, Yukinoshita Shizuku."
"Well, obviously."
Yukinoshita Shizuku's expression was matter-of-fact, as if she'd long since grown immune to these little everyday sweet-nothings.
"Just like a mom. Can I call you 'mom'?"
Kagami said suddenly, grinning.
"Honestly, you—!"
Yukinoshita Shizuku shot him a glance.
"In that case, I'm going to go play games with Komoe-sensei and the others."
"You're not allowed!"
"Well then, Mom, I'm hungry. What should I do?"
Kagami said this while shamelessly sidling up next to Yukinoshita Shizuku.
Then he pulled her into a hug.
Yukinoshita Shizuku froze for a moment, then lowered her head, a flush spreading slowly from the tips of her ears to her cheeks.
"...Don't say things like that."
"Why not?"
"No reason."
She stood up, hugged the notebook to her chest, and headed for the kitchen.
"I'll go make dinner. Wait here."
Kagami watched her retreating back, unable to keep the smile off his face.
At nine the next morning, the two of them set out right on schedule.
March in Tokyo still carried a slight chill, but the sun was bright and warm against their skin.
Kagami wore a navy blue coat, Yukinoshita Shizuku a light gray trench coat, and the two walked side by side down the street.
"We'll take the subway to Ginza first."
Yukinoshita Shizuku glanced at the map on her phone.
"About twenty minutes."
"Okay."
They entered the subway station, tapped through the gates, and waited on the platform.
Since it was the weekend, the platform was fairly crowded.
Kagami stood beside Yukinoshita Shizuku, occasionally glancing at her.
She'd put on light makeup today, a thin coat of lip color giving her lips a faint sheen in the sunlight.
"What are you looking at?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku noticed his gaze and turned to look at him.
"Nothing."
Kagami looked away, turning toward the tracks.
"Just thinking you've got a really nice vibe today, Yukinoshita Shizuku!"
"Honestly, you!"
Yukinoshita Shizuku glared at Kagami.
Then she glanced at the other people around them.
Then she leaned in and whispered by his ear.
"How can you be so lewd even outside in broad daylight!"
"Lewd?"
"It's just that when a flower is blooming so beautifully, not admiring it would make me the tasteless one."
"Have you been drawing weird things again lately?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku's voice sounded calm, but the tips of her ears reddened again.
"No."
Kagami shook his head, smiling.
"Just speaking the plain truth."
"Besides, these days whenever I see you, my head just fills with filthy nonsense, Yukinoshita Shizuku."
"And that's entirely your doing, spoiling me like this."
"Or really, it's you who's trained me this way."
"My whole head's shaped like you now."
Yukinoshita Shizuku didn't answer, just turned her face away.
But Kagami caught the faint curve at the corner of her mouth.
The train pulled in, and the two of them boarded.
Since it was a weekend morning, the car wasn't too crowded, though there were no empty seats.
They stood by the door, occasionally bumping against each other as the train swayed.
"By the way."
Kagami suddenly remembered something.
"Have you decided about the house?"
"What house?"
"The one we talked about before — buying a place."
Kagami looked at her.
"Where do you want to buy?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku thought about it.
"What do you think?"
"Anywhere's fine with me."
Kagami said.
"My University of Tokyo campus is in Hongo, and your Keio is in Mita — that's practically half of Tokyo apart."
"Yeah."
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded.
"So the key is finding somewhere convenient for both of us."
"Do you have any candidates in mind?"
"A few."
Yukinoshita Shizuku took out a map she'd prepared at some point, without him noticing, and showed it to him.
"I looked into it last night. There are a few spots that seem suitable."
Kagami leaned in to look.
Three locations were marked on the screen: Kanda, Akasaka, and Azabu-Juban.
"Kanda's fairly close to your University of Tokyo, and not too far from my Keio either."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said, pointing at the map.
"Akasaka and Azabu-Juban are closer to my Keio, but you'd have to ride a few more stops to get to the University of Tokyo."
"What about Kanda, then?"
"With Kanda, we'd both be within thirty minutes."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said.
"It's fairly balanced time-wise."
"Then shall we go check out Kanda first?"
"Yeah, though today's for shopping. We'll look at houses tomorrow."
Yukinoshita Shizuku put her phone away.
"I've already made an appointment with the agent, two o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
"You already set it up?"
"Mm-hm."
"When?"
"Last night."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said it as though it were obvious.
"With house-hunting, you have to move fast. Good places don't wait around."
Looking at the excitement and anticipation in Yukinoshita Shizuku's eyes,
Kagami couldn't help smiling.
Yukinoshita Shizuku was certainly a girl who could endure hardship.
But then, who wouldn't want a little home that was truly their own?
One they could decorate with care?
"What?"
"Nothing."
Kagami shook his head.
"Just thinking you're really efficient about things, Yukinoshita Shizuku."
"Of course."
Yukinoshita Shizuku lifted her chin slightly.
"Wasting time is shameful."
The train reached the station, and the two of them got off, walked out of the subway, and emerged onto the streets of Ginza.
In March, the shops lining the Ginza streets had already changed into their spring displays.
All sorts of fine goods were arranged in the windows.
"Where's the suit shop?"
Kagami looked around.
"Follow me."
Yukinoshita Shizuku took the lead.
The way she walked ahead made her look like a seasoned guide.
"Here we are."
Yukinoshita Shizuku stopped in front of a suit shop.
The storefront's decor was simple, with a few finely tailored suits displayed in the window.
"I already asked my mother and Akane-senpai about this place. The reviews are good and the prices reasonable."
Yukinoshita Shizuku pushed the door open and walked in.
The clerk was a man in his forties, dressed in a well-fitted suit.
He smiled and came forward to greet them as they entered.
"Welcome. What can I help you with today?"
"Hello, I need a men's suit."
Yukinoshita Shizuku got straight to the point.
"Something dark, for a university entrance ceremony."
"Of course, this way please."
The clerk led them to the suit section.
Rows of suits hung neatly on racks, in every shade from dark gray to black.
"What style would you prefer?"
The clerk looked at Kagami.
"Three-piece or two-piece?"
"Two-piece is fine."
Kagami said.
"Dark gray or navy would both work."
The clerk nodded and took a few suits off the rack, handing them to Kagami.
"Try these on — the sizes should fit."
Kagami took the suits and went into the fitting room.
Yukinoshita Shizuku stood outside, arms crossed.
Before long, Kagami came out in the first suit.
The dark gray suit fit well, giving him a much sharper look.
"How is it?"
He stood before the mirror and glanced over at Yukinoshita Shizuku.
Yukinoshita Shizuku walked over, looked him over, then reached out and tugged at the fabric at his shoulder.
"Still a bit tight through the shoulders."
She frowned.
"Try another one, then."
Kagami went back and changed into another.
This navy suit was a deeper shade, with better fabric.
"How about this one?"
he asked, standing before the mirror.
Yukinoshita Shizuku came over and checked again.
This time she felt along his shoulders and tugged at the sleeve length.
Finally she stepped back and studied him for a few seconds, head tilted.
"This one's better than the last."
"The shoulders fit just right, and the sleeve length's good too."
"This one, then?"
"Wait a moment."
Yukinoshita Shizuku turned to the clerk.
"Do you have this same style in a thinner fabric? He sweats easily."
"Yes, one moment please."
As the clerk went to fetch it, Kagami stood before the mirror, looking at his own reflection, then at Yukinoshita Shizuku beside him.
"I know what you're about to call me."
"Don't you dare!"
Yukinoshita Shizuku turned her face away.
"So I can say it later, then?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku didn't answer.
The clerk soon returned with another suit, and Kagami changed once more.
This time, after Yukinoshita Shizuku finished checking it, she finally nodded in satisfaction.
"This one."
"What about shoes?"
Kagami asked.
"We'll get shoes at another shop."
Yukinoshita Shizuku paid, picked up the bagged suit, and handed it to Kagami.
"Come on, next stop."
The two of them left the shop and walked on down the street.
People streamed past on Ginza's streets.
Kagami suddenly stopped.
"Are you tired, Yukinoshita Shizuku?"
Kagami asked.
"Not really."
"Why do you ask?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku shook her head.
"I'm feeling a little tired."
Yukinoshita Shizuku's brow suddenly furrowed, and she crossed her arms.
"Shopping with me tires you out that easily?"
"Who exactly are we out here for today?"
"Actually, I suddenly don't feel tired at all!"
Kagami straightened up at once, clutching the clothing bag.
Only then did Yukinoshita Shizuku smile and nod.
"We're only just getting started."
"Give me your hand."
Yukinoshita Shizuku smiled and held out her left hand toward Kagami.
Kagami obediently took it with his right hand.
"Behave yourself, no complaining."
Yukinoshita Shizuku said.
"Yes, Mom."
Kagami replied.
They bought leather shoes at another shop, then went to Ochanomizu for stationery, and finally picked out two bags at a shop in Shinjuku.
One was a navy backpack, for Kagami.
The other, a light gray tote bag, which Kagami picked out for Yukinoshita Shizuku.
By the time they finished shopping, it was already past four in the afternoon.
They found a cafe in Shinjuku to sit down and rest.
Yukinoshita Shizuku ordered a hot latte, Kagami a black coffee.
"House viewing tomorrow at two, don't forget."
Yukinoshita Shizuku took a sip of her latte, looking up at him.
"Couldn't forget if I tried."
Kagami nodded.
"What did the agent say? Any good listings?"
"I've looked into it all."
Yukinoshita Shizuku took out a small notebook and flipped it open to check the details.
"Three properties, all near Kanda. One's a tower apartment, the other two are detached houses."
Kagami took the notebook and looked over the information.
The first was an apartment near Kanda Station, a five-minute walk to the subway.
Three bedrooms and a living room, over ninety square meters, priced at 60 million yen.
It was still, fortunately, the bubble era — not the very bottom, but one of the cheaper periods.
By 2025, a place like this would already cost anywhere from 120 to 200 million yen.
The second was a detached house on a quiet lane in Kanda, two stories with a small yard.
Four bedrooms and a living room, one hundred twenty square meters, priced at 40 million yen.
This wasn't the kind of detached house an ordinary person would own.
It basically counted as a small villa.
Because detached houses had wooden structures and lost value easily on resale, even one this large with a yard still ended up cheaper than the brand-new tower apartment.
The third was also a detached house, a bit farther out, but still close to a subway station.
Three stories with a rooftop terrace, five bedrooms and a living room, one hundred fifty square meters, priced at 70 million yen.
"The third one seems nice."
Kagami studied it for a moment, pointing at the third listing.
"It's got a terrace, we could barbecue there sometime."
"All you ever think about is food."
Yukinoshita Shizuku gave him a helpless look.
"Still..."
She paused.
"I think the third one's good too."
"The third one, then?"
"Let's go take a look tomorrow first."
Yukinoshita Shizuku put the notebook away.
"Photos can look very different from reality. I won't feel settled until I've seen it with my own eyes."
"Okay."
Kagami took a sip of his coffee, looking out at the street scene.
"Kagami."
Yukinoshita Shizuku spoke up suddenly.
"Hm?"
"Do you think this will end up being our permanent home in Tokyo?"
Her voice was soft, almost as if she were talking to herself.
"Yeah."
Kagami nodded.
____
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