Chapter 2
After School at the Shopping Center
“Ah, right.”
“What?”
Ai suddenly started rummaging through her pocket as if she just remembered something.
“This! This is why I was late this morning.
On my way here, I cut through the park to take a shortcut and found it. Isn’t it pretty?”
What Ai pulled out was a large, glimmering, oval-shaped white pearl-like stone—too big to be a real gem.
It looked like a pendant, though the thin gold chain attached to it had broken halfway.
“It is beautiful! Look—if you hold it up to the light, it shines with rainbow colors. It’s not quite like a pearl, is it?”
It was clearly a mysterious-looking stone.
Even the texture felt strange—like it had a thin layer of soft rubber coating it.
“It’s really pretty. Maybe it’s glass? It couldn’t be an actual gem, right?
It’s weird though, it looks like glass but the surface feels kind of bouncy and soft.”
“Yeah, maybe it’s just some cheap toy after all.”
“Hey! You girls! Quit chatting and get back to cleaning!”
Startled, they turned to see the school janitor in his work clothes glaring at them.
The wrinkled old man with snow-white hair had been working there for so long that students joked about him being one of the school’s “Seven Mysteries”—no one knew why he never seemed to retire.
“Okay, okay! We’re cleaning, we’re cleaning!”
“If you were cleaning, I wouldn’t have to tell you to! Kids these days, honestly…”
Grumbling, the old man shuffled off down the hall.
“Tch! Just kick the bucket already, old geezer!”
Clicking her tongue in irritation, Ai tossed the stone back into her uniform pocket and reluctantly resumed sweeping.
The boring opening ceremony finally ended, and with the sun high in the sky, their stomachs began to growl.
The ceremony wrapped up before noon, but it still felt too early to go home.
So, the two decided to stop by a nearby shopping center for lunch.
Recently, big stores had been popping up in the suburbs, making them perfect for wandering around aimlessly.
Window-shopping upstairs before eating always helped blow away bad moods.
If only they had money, it would’ve been perfect—but the world’s not that kind.
“Maybe I’ll knit another shawl. Spring’s the perfect season for that, you know?”
As Yoko stopped in front of a craft shop, she peered through the window and sighed.
Colorful crocheted scarves and spring sweaters hung neatly on display.
Ai let out a sigh of her own and shrugged lightly.
“Good for you, Yoko. You’re so handy with stuff like that.
Me? I could never handle those tiny, fiddly crafts.
You’re beautiful and talented—I’m jealous.”
“What are you saying? You’re cute in your own way!
I like cheerful, energetic girls like you, Ai.”
Sparkle sparkle sparkle!
Ai’s eyes lit up like stars.
“You like me? Really? For real?! Ai loves Yoko the most too!”
She suddenly jumped forward and hugged Yoko tightly.
“Whoa, look at that! The lesbian duo’s hugging again!”
“Ai loves Yoko~! Mwah mwah!
Yoko too~! Smooch smooch! Gyahaha!”
That familiar teasing voice came from their male classmates.
Neither Ai nor Yoko knew it, but the boys were actually quite popular among the girls—
just slightly light-brown hair, generally well-behaved, though their mouths were sharp.
If they kept quiet, they could’ve passed for idols.
“Oh, it’s Kawahara and Yoshii.
You two are more of a gay duo yourselves! Geez, guys only ever think with what’s below their belts.”
“Ugh! You’re still as vulgar as ever, woman. Gross!”
“Hmph! We’ve decided not to talk to you guys anymore. Go on, shoo, shoo!”
Offended, Yoshii scowled.
“What the hell! Still mad about the movie thing?
Persistent much! I was this close to treating you to burgers, too!”
“Wait, what?! Really?!”
Ai’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Yoko sighed in disbelief, shoulders slumping.
“Don’t. Burgers’ll just make you fat.”
“Oh, come on! Come on!
Two lonely guys, having a sad little lunch—let us two gorgeous ladies brighten your day!”
“Who’s gorgeous, exactly?”
“Hohohoho!”
Ai was already in full burger mode.
Yoko, though exasperated, had to admit she was hungry too.
Besides, she wasn’t that angry about the movie anymore.
So with a shrug and a small smile, she followed Ai and the boys downstairs.
