It hadn’t been even ten minutes and she was already complaining. In truth, he couldn’t blame her, given the silence between them. He found it both comforting and a little bit awkward, as if there was a rift. How was he supposed to face her now or even later in their career?
“In part, yes. If you’d rather study together instead of going to bed, I would be happy to oblige. I am not fatigued… yet. But you are, so I won’t force you into this longer than I already have.” His initial plan might have been a failure after all.
Silence can be comfortable. This one isn’t. Maybe it’s because she’s thinking of the future, of which is currently obscured by fog, too dense to peer through. Maybe it’s because she didn’t want to wake up at 3 AM to study for something she already knows. The reasons aren’t particularly important now, though.
“I’ll have to call it a night. I’m still exhausted.” She gathers up her materials, tucks in the chair at the desk, but before she goes, Naoto lingers in the doorframe, one hand against it. Failure to understand her own brother. What would their parents think?
“If you wanted to spend time with me at this hour, there’s a detective show that usually plays at this time.” All of the more fascinating, but still inaccurate detective shows air at this time. It’s hardly appropriate for children, after all. “Good night, Seiji.”
“I see. I suppose I don’t mind.” All his camera roll had were pictures of some of his friends, cats and sometimes only himself if he felt like it. “I brought you coffee. Would you like to… take a picture together, Naoto?” For the memories and to hold her close if she allowed it.
Best to avoid any unexpected photography in the future. Just in case.
She does smile—brief, fleeting and barely noticeable, just like a ghost. ‘You remembered?,’ she’d say, but that is her usual beverage of choice.
“I don’t mind. It is something… couples do.” Which they are.
“Phone calls aren’t enough! I like hanging out with you!” She huffed and puffed in a childish manner, but it didn’t last for long. She knew how important Naoto’s job was and willing to let it slide. Momentarily.
With a long sigh that let out her cold breath hanging in the crispy air for a while, she let it go and glanced at her, wanting to object. Both of them were stubborn, after all. “Hmm…”
“Fine, fine… see you at lunch then.” Their first morning conversation was a productive one and she was close to achieving her goal. Smiling to herself, she entered the school grounds, changed her shoes and waved Naoto goodbye before eagerly heading to her class.
The wave Naoto returns is less eager, in part because attending classes is a chore. So is looking over files she knows will give exactly zero pieces of new information, but that isn’t important. It doesn’t help that she knows half of the things that are being taught. She hadn’t become the top of the class for nothing.
The signal that half of the day was over rings, Naoto takes a controlled leap out of her seat and loiters by the bulletin board in the hallway until Rise arrives. There are no good places to schedule a meeting and Naoto isn’t the type to barge into a classroom she is not a part of.
“I believe it’s on the third floor.” At least it’s away from the cold.
