After finalizing the details like helmet selection and modification parts, Miyamura Shizuka couldn't resist and rode a few laps around the test area herself.
When it came time to pay, she also purchased a full package of services: vehicle inspection, registration with the transportation bureau, tax payments based on displacement and weight, liability insurance, garage certification, and anti-theft registration.
For a new bike, these were valid for three years—but the agency fee alone cost over 80,000 yen.
Coincidentally, the total—bike plus services—was almost exactly what Akira had from his advance manuscript fee and the pocket money he'd saved. He had planned to pay for it himself, but Shizuka gently stopped him.
"Ms. Miyamura, rest assured," the clerk said with a professional smile. "All the procedures will be completed by the day after tomorrow, and the motorcycle will be delivered directly to the address you provided."
Shizuka nodded, thanked him, and drove away with Akira under the overly enthusiastic farewell of the staff.
On the way back, Akira's phone vibrated.
Shouko:Akira, when are you coming back?
(Tilting-head-in-confusion.jpg)
Akira glanced at the message, half-listening to Shizuka's words from the driver's seat as his fingers tapped out a reply.
Akira:On the highway now, about ten minutes.
Shouko:Then what about dinner for you and Auntie? Should Grandma and I prepare a bit more?
Akira sighed, looking at the time displayed on his phone.
Akira:Shouko, it's just past five. Even if Mom and I get home after six, there's still time to cook dinner.
He thought that was the end of it, but after a pause, his phone buzzed again.
Shouko:Then… what kind of motorcycle did you choose? Is it good-looking?
Without hesitation, Akira sent a few photos he had taken at the shop.
Akira:Image
Akira:Image
Akira:Image
Almost immediately, Shouko praised the bike and admitted she was eager to ride on the back someday.
In the driver's seat, Shizuka caught sight of Akira grinning at his phone through the rearview mirror. She said nothing, simply turned up the volume of the J-POP love song playing softly in the car.
After Club Activities.
By Wednesday, the school convenience store's freezer had already rotated from cherry blossom season drinks to early-summer lemon soda.
"Shouko-chan, let's head home." Ayumi packed up her brushes and turned to Shouko, who was still finishing an illustration on her tablet. For a moment, she felt a pang of envy. While she was still practicing the basics, her friend had already earned her first manuscript fee. Of course, part of that was thanks to Miyamura Akira's support.
"Coming, Ayumi-chan." Shouko smiled softly, saving her illustration before packing up.
The two greeted their seniors and left the Art Club.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the room, a boy sighed dreamily, watching them go. "You don't understand—Azegaya's just too cute…"
His friend smirked. "Right, right. But I'd say that Shouko-san is even more—"
Before he could finish, the boy's ears turned red. "M-Mind your own business! I just see them as juniors!"
"Sure you do." The other boy laughed, dodging a playful punch before running out of the clubroom.
Scenes like this were so common that no one else even looked up.
Walking toward the school gate, Shouko and Ayumi were joined by Takagi and Nishikata.
"Shouko-chan, will Miyamura pick you up today?" Ayumi asked casually.
"I'm not sure," Shouko admitted, shaking her head. "He's probably busy."
"What's he busy with?" Takagi pressed, curiosity shining in her eyes. Naturally, the first thing she thought of was the light novel.
Shouko froze, scrambling for an excuse—until Nishikata quietly supplied one. "He must be writing the second volume, right?"
"Ah—yes, exactly." Shouko nodded quickly, silently giving Nishikata a thumbs-up in her heart. "The publisher's been pressuring him, so he's busy writing."
"What's the title of his novel?" Ayumi asked, unable to resist.
After a short hesitation, Shouko decided not to hide it. "We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day."
"So long…" the three of them said in unison.
"What kind of story is it?" Nishikata asked.
"H-healing type…" Shouko stammered nervously. Back then, that's what Akira had told her—but after seeing the whole story herself, she knew it wasn't that simple. Healing… yet also heartbreaking.
The three nodded, deciding privately that once the book was released, they'd all buy a copy to support him. Even if they weren't convinced it would sell well, friendship was reason enough.
As the topic shifted toward clothes, Nishikata wisely fell silent, not wanting to be mistaken for a pervert.
Then, just as the four of them stepped out of the school gate, they froze.
Parked a short distance away was a sleek black motorcycle. And sitting on it, completely unmistakable, was someone they all knew.
--------------
Support me at patréon com/Lukas25