Renjiro flinches slightly and rubs his shin against his other leg. "The pork is very crispy."
"You're impossible." Mako rolls her eyes and scoops up a huge bite of dark chocolate pudding.
The afternoon hours drag on endlessly.
Then, the final bell of the day rings. It is exactly three-thirty in the afternoon.
Grabbing his bag off the desk, Renjiro turns toward the door with the full intention of marching straight back to the boys' dormitory to secure a four-hour nap.
Before his hand even touches the sliding door of the classroom, Mako intercepts him.
"Keyaki Mall," she announces cheerfully and steps directly into his path. "We are going right now."
He sags his shoulders and lets his bag hang loosely by his side. "I have to unpack my suitcase."
"Your suitcase can wait, Renji. We need to buy room supplies."
She grabs his sleeve and pulls him forcefully down the crowded corridor. They step out of the main academic building.
The afternoon sun beats down on the concrete walkways, casting sharp, distinct shadows across the grass. The air feels much warmer now. Cicadas buzz loudly in the distant trees and create a constant, rattling hum that fills the empty spaces between the buildings.
Keyaki Mall sits entirely separate from the academic zone. It is a massive, multi-story commercial complex enclosed completely in glass and steel.
Automatic doors part with a quiet hiss as they step inside. Cold, conditioned air washes over Renjiro's face, providing immediate relief from the heavy humidity outside.
The interior looks nothing like a school facility.
Tall escalators crisscross between the floors, carrying students up to higher levels.
Brightly lit storefronts display brand-name clothing, high-end electronics, and expensive cosmetics. Soft instrumental music plays from hidden speakers mounted in the high ceiling. It looks exactly like a premium shopping district in the middle of Tokyo.
Renjiro drags his feet. His shoes squeak lightly against the polished white tiles. He keeps his head down and ignores the lavish displays in the glass windows. Walking requires continuous physical exertion and every single step drains his limited stamina reserves.
Mako walks with a wide, hurried stride. She turns her head constantly and takes in every single store with wide, excited eyes.
"They have a real movie theater on the top floor!" Mako points upward toward a large neon sign. "And an arcade! This is amazing!"
"It is very big," Renjiro mutters. He stops walking and leans his weight heavily against a cold metal railing. "I'm tired. Let's go home."
"We just got here." She grabs his arm again and tugs him forward. "Supermarket first. We need soap and toothpaste."
They ride the escalator down to the basement level. The supermarket occupies a big chunk of the floor plan. Rows of fluorescent lights hum softly overhead, casting a bright white glow over the spotless aisles.
Renjiro grabs a plastic shopping basket from the stack near the entrance. He carries it loosely by his side and follows a few steps behind Mako as she marches directly down the personal care aisle.
She tosses three bottles of expensive floral shampoo into the basket. The heavy plastic bottles land with a loud thud against the bottom.
Then, she adds two bottles of conditioner, a pack of premium bath towels, and a handful of brightly colored bath bombs. The weight of the basket increases rapidly. Renjiro switches the handle from his right hand to his left and flexes his fingers to keep the circulation flowing.
"Do you need anything?" Mako asks, looking back at him over her shoulder.
"A pillow."
"They don't sell pillows in the grocery aisle, Renji."
They turn the corner and move into the food and pantry section. Renjiro looks at the lower shelves. At the very end of the row, tucked away near the bottom rack, he spots a small section marked with a plain cardboard sign. Free Items for Students.
He stops walking.