"…The emotionally damaged teenager…?"
My voice came out completely flat.
Slowly, very slowly,I turned my head toward Naoko.
The movement honestly felt unnatural.
Like my soul had temporarily left my body.
Naoko was still sitting peacefully on the couch with her coffee.
Not looking at me.
But I could see it.
Her shoulders were shaking slightly.
She was trying not to laugh.
My eye twitched.
"Naoko-sensei," I said slowly, my mouth already struggling to form several violent complaints at once.
She raised her coffee calmly.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You literally introduced me as—"
The woman at the door suddenly laughed softly.
"Oh, she's adorable."
"I'm suffering…"
"That too."
The tiny white dog in her arms barked once dramatically like it agreed.
I stared at the dog.
The dog stared back with more confidence than most humans I knew.
The woman finally stepped inside elegantly, heels clicking lightly against the floor.
Everything about her looked expensive.
Her clothes.
Her jewelry.
Even her perfume smelled rich somehow.
Meanwhile I still looked like I emotionally fought a pillow before coming downstairs.
The contrast felt violent.
Naoko finally stood up from the couch and walked over casually.
"Haruko," she said lightly, "this is Kanzaki Reina."
The woman smiled brightly.
"Nice to meet you."
Then Naoko pointed toward me lazily.
"And this is Haruko."
Reina lowered her sunglasses completely now and studied me for a second.
Not in a judgmental way.
More like curiosity.
Then she smiled wider.
"Oh, you're much cuter than I expected."
I blinked immediately.
"…Expected?"
Naoko took another sip of coffee.
"I may have described you poorly."
"You called me emotionally damaged!"
"You are emotionally damaged."
"That's not the POINT."
Reina suddenly laughed loudly.
"Oh, I already like her."
Naoko nodded seriously.
"She gets angry like a scared cat."
"I tired of you…"
"No you don't," Naoko replied immediately.
The worst part was she sounded completely confident about it.
Reina walked farther into the house afterward while still holding the tiny dog.
"By the way," she said casually, "this is Mello."
The dog barked proudly.
"…Mello?"
"He refuses to answer to anything less elegant."
The dog somehow looked offended at me personally.
I didn't even know how to respond to that.
A few minutes later, all three of us were sitting in the kitchen.
Well.
Mostly.
Reina sat elegantly at the table.
Naoko leaned lazily against the counter.
And I sat there trying to survive socially.
Then suddenly Naoko opened the fridge.
"Oh right."
She pulled out a plate carefully.
A familiar chocolate cake slice sat on it.
My eyes widened slightly.
"You saved one?"
Naoko looked offended.
"Of course."
"…Why are you saying it like it's obvious?"
"Because good cake deserves preservation."
"That sounds like museum behavior."
"It basically is."
Reina blinked slowly.
"…You saved me cake?"
Naoko placed the plate dramatically in front of her.
"Try it."
Reina looked curious now.
She picked up the fork carefully before taking one bite.
Silence.
Immediately, I recognized the exact same expression Naoko made yesterday.
Reina froze completely.
Then slowly lowered the fork.
"…Excuse me?"
I got nervous instantly.
"…I-Is it bad?"
Reina looked at me like I had personally insulted reality.
"Bad?" she repeated softly.
Then she pointed at the cake dramatically.
"This tastes expensive!"
Naoko nodded proudly from the side like she made it.
"I know."
"You didn't make this," I muttered.
"I emotionally contributed."
"You emotionally ruined the first batch."
"That batch lacked vision."
Reina ignored us completely and took another bite immediately.
"Oh my god," she whispered.
Then she looked directly at me.
"You made this?"
"…Y-yeah."
"At your age?!"
I blinked awkwardly.
"…Is that weird?"
"Yes!"
She pointed at the cake again.
"This tastes like something sold in one of those terrifying luxury cafés where the desserts cost more than rent."
Naoko nodded.
"I told you she weaponized chocolate."
"That is STILL a weird sentence!"
Reina suddenly leaned forward slightly.
"Do you know how rare this is?"
"…Cake?"
"No. Talent."
The way she said it made me pause slightly.
Reina rested her chin against one hand thoughtfully while studying me.
"You know," she said slowly, "most people who try baking only follow instructions."
I stayed quiet.
"But this?" she continued while pointing at the cake, "this tastes emotional."
Naoko immediately pointed at Reina.
"THAT'S what I said!"
"You said it could heal depression."
"It probably can."
Reina laughed softly.
Then she looked back at me again.
"…How long have you been baking?"
I looked down at the table slightly.
"…Since I was little."
"With your mother?"
I nodded once.
Something softer crossed Reina's expression briefly after hearing that.
Not pity.
Just understanding.
"That explains it," she murmured quietly.
"Hm?" I looked up slightly.
She smiled gently.
"Food made with love always tastes different."
The sentence made the kitchen quieter for a second.
Even Naoko stopped joking briefly.
Reina took another bite before speaking again.
"So," she said casually, "Naoko told you about my bakery idea already, didn't she?"
My body stiffened slightly.
"…A little."
Naoko immediately interrupted.
"She's pretending she's not interested."
"I'm not pretending!"
"You looked at the cake like it personally gave you life direction."
"That's not true!"
Reina laughed again.
Honestly, her laugh felt different from Naoko's.
Naoko's laughter always carried unpredictability.
Reina's felt warm.
Loud.
Confident.
Easy.
"You really are cute," Reina said while wiping a small tear from laughing too much.
"I feel bullied in this house."
"You ARE bullied in this house," Naoko corrected casually.
"WHY ARE YOU ADMITTING IT?!"
The conversation somehow kept going for almost another hour.
Mostly because Reina talked enough for three people combined.
At some point, she had completely taken over the kitchen table while Naoko listened with the exhausted expression of someone who had known her for too long.
"…And then she told me the bag was 'limited edition,'" Reina said dramatically, "so naturally I bought two."
"Of course you did," Naoko muttered.
"One for fashion. One for emotional support."
"That is not what bags are for."
"Says the woman who emotionally supports herself through murder documentaries."
Naoko looked offended.
"They're educational."
I sat there quietly eating another small piece of cake while watching them argue.
Honestly…
It almost felt nice.
Weird.
But nice.
Then suddenly,
Reina leaned back in her chair thoughtfully.
"You know what's been interesting lately though?"
Naoko hummed lightly.
"The Area 23 case."
The moment those words left her mouth…
My body froze.
Completely.
The fork in my hand almost slipped.
I lowered it slowly, trying to act normal.
Naoko didn't react at all.
She simply took another calm sip of coffee.
Reina rested her cheek against one hand.
"The whole town keeps talking about demons and ghosts again."
I stayed silent.
"That place has always been creepy," Reina continued casually. "But honestly?"
She shrugged.
"I don't think monsters are killing those people."
My stomach tightened instantly.
Naoko finally spoke lightly.
"Oh?"
Reina nodded immediately.
"Mhm. I think someone's killing people and dumping the bodies there."
Silence.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
Because she was right.
Completely right.
And the killer was standing three feet away calmly drinking coffee.
I glanced toward Naoko nervously.
But she looked completely relaxed.
Almost interested.
"Hm," Naoko said thoughtfully. "I've considered that too."
I stared at her in disbelief.
How was she so calm?
Reina pointed dramatically.
"Exactly! Think about it. If actual demons existed, wouldn't the killings be way messier?"
Naoko slowly lowered her coffee cup.
"…That depends on the demon."
Something about the way she said it made me nervous instantly.
Reina continued anyway.
"And the bodies are always found in places easy enough for humans to reach."
Naoko nodded lightly.
"Reasonable observation."
Meanwhile I was sitting there mentally collapsing.
Because this conversation somehow felt like watching a detective casually interview the murderer over cake.
Then suddenly—
Reina grinned.
"…Although."
Naoko raised an eyebrow slightly.
"If it is a serial killer…"
She leaned back dramatically.
"I hope they're hot."
I blinked.
"…Huh?"
Reina waved one hand casually.
"I'm serious! Imagine getting murdered by some ugly guy. That would be so disappointing."
I stared at her speechlessly.
Naoko looked strangely entertained now.
"Oh?" she asked calmly. "Tell me more."
The dangerous part was,
I suddenly realized Naoko knew Reina was technically talking about her.
And she looked amused by it.
Reina leaned forward excitedly now.
"No because think about it. Mysterious serial killer? Dark clothing? Hidden identity? Emotional issues?"
Naoko slowly sipped her coffee again.
"That's a concerning type."
"I'm just saying," Reina continued confidently, "if society insists on giving us serial killers, at least make them attractive."
I looked horrified.
"What kind of logic is that…?"
"The correct kind."
"No it's not-"
Naoko looked down slightly, clearly hiding amusement behind her coffee cup.
Then Reina casually continued:
"And honestly? If some terrifying men pinned me against a wall and their hand exploring my body slowly, then when they get to that part of my-"
Naoko immediately choked on her coffee.
Actually choked.
I froze in shock.
Coffee coughing.
Violent coughing.
Full system failure.
For the first time since meeting her…
I saw Naoko turn slightly red.
"…Sensei?"
Reina blinked.
"Oh my god."
Naoko coughed again while glaring at her.
"What is WRONG with you?"
Reina suddenly looked delighted.
"What did I do??"
"… There's a kid in here! Why are you talking about…"
"You're blushing."
"I'm choking."
"On WHAT?"
Naoko looked like she was considering murder again.
And somehow,
I accidentally laughed.
Just a little.
A quiet snort escaped before I could stop it.
Naoko's eyes immediately snapped toward me.
Dead stare.
Complete silence.
Still slightly red.
I instantly covered my mouth.
"…Sorry."
Naoko continued staring at me like she was deciding whether to throw a fork at my forehead.
Meanwhile Reina looked between both of us in total confusion.
"…Why does this suddenly feel weirdly tense?"
Naoko immediately looked away and fixed her posture.
"Anyway," she said flatly, changing the subject at lightning speed, "the police investigation is progressing slowly."
The transition was so aggressive it gave me emotional whiplash.
Reina narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"…You were-"
"I wasn't."
"You coughed like-"
Naoko pointed toward the cake.
"Eat your dessert."
"That's not a denial."
"Reina."
"Geez..."
Meanwhile I was still trying not to laugh again because somehow…
Somehow…
Naoko looked genuinely embarrassed for the first time ever.
And honestly?
That was more terrifyingly human than anything else I had seen from her.
After that, the conversation somehow kept going until the sky outside started turning orange.
At some point, Reina had completely finished her cake slice and was now emotionally attached to it.
"I'm serious," she said while pointing her fork at me dramatically. "If you ever disappear, I'm hunting you down personally."
I blinked awkwardly.
"…That sounds threatening."
"It's business motivation."
Naoko nodded from the couch.
"She does this."
"I support talented people," Reina corrected proudly.
Then suddenly she stood up, fixing her coat elegantly.
"Well," she sighed dramatically, "I should leave before traffic reminds me why humanity disappoints me."
Mello barked in agreement from her arms.
Before leaving, Reina looked directly at me again.
"Oh, and Haruko?"
"…Y-Yes?"
"I meant what I said earlier."
I tilted my head slightly.
"The bakery."
My chest tightened just a little.
Reina smiled warmly this time.
"I haven't designed the place yet, but once everything starts moving, I want you working there part-time."
I stared at her.
"…Seriously?"
"Very seriously."
Naoko immediately pointed toward the kitchen.
"That cake altered my brain chemistry."
"You've said that THREE times."
"And I'll say it again."
Reina laughed.
"Think about it, okay?"
Then she walked toward the door before pausing dramatically.
"And if Naoko starts acting mentally unstable again, call me."
Naoko looked offended immediately.
"Again?"
"You once sharpened knives while listening to jazz music."
"It was relaxing."
"That sentence is why you scare people."
Naoko crossed her arms.
"Cowards."
I accidentally laughed again.
Reina smiled after hearing it.
Then after waving goodbye, she finally left.
The house became quieter afterward.
Too quiet.
I looked toward the front door for a second before suddenly hearing.
Buzz.
My phone vibrated.
I blinked slightly.
A message.
From the group chat.
Kei:
WE'RE GOING OUT TOMORROW
Toshio:
COME WITH US
Etsuko:
Don't say no this time.
Yori:
Kei already made reservations before asking anyone.
Kei:
THAT'S LEADERSHIP
I stared at the messages silently.
Then typed slowly:
I don't know…
Almost immediately—
Kei:
TOO LATE
Toshio:
We miss you :(
Etsuko:
You've been stuck in that house for days.
My fingers hesitated slightly above the screen.
Naoko noticed instantly from the couch.
"Hm?"
"…My friends want me to go out with them."
"And?"
"I don't really feel like it."
Naoko looked at me for a second.
Then tilted her head slightly.
"Haruko."
"…What?"
"Go have fun."
I blinked.
"…Huh?"
Naoko pointed toward me lazily.
"You've spent the last week alternating between crying, panicking, and emotionally bonding with chocolate cake."
"That sounds mean when you summarize it like that."
"It's accurate."
I looked down quietly.
"…I don't know if I can act normal right now."
Naoko's expression softened slightly.
"You don't have to act normal."
The sentence surprised me.
Then she added casually:
"Your friends already know you're weird."
"…THAT'S your comfort?!"
"Yes."
I stared at her while she calmly sipped coffee again.
Then after a moment.
"…Okay," I mumbled quietly.
Naoko smiled slightly.
"Good."
Time skip!!
When next day comes, Naoko drove me back to my apartment so I could grab different clothes.
The moment we entered, my chest tightened slightly again.
The apartment still felt wrong without my mother there.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Naoko noticed immediately.
But for once…
She didn't say anything.
She simply stood nearby while I packed clothes silently.
And somehow—
That felt kinder than forcing comfort.
About an hour later, Naoko dropped me off near the shopping district where my friends were waiting.
The second Kei spotted me.
"HARUKOOOO!"
He waved both arms dramatically like he was directing airplanes.
People actually turned to look.
I immediately regretted existing.
Toshio grinned brightly beside him while Etsuko looked relieved.
Even Yori smiled slightly.
Naoko leaned one arm against the car window lazily.
"Try not to commit crimes."
"…Why would I commit crimes?"
"You spend time with Kei."
"HEY."
Naoko ignored him completely.
Then she looked at me briefly.
"…Have fun."
The sentence sounded strangely genuine.
And before I could respond,
she drove away.
The day ended up being… nice.
Annoyingly nice.
Arcades.
Food.
Kei embarrassing himself publicly at least six times.
Toshio nearly winning giant stuffed toys for everyone.
Etsuko threatening strangers who stared at me too long.
Yori quietly fixing every problem the group created.
For a few hours…
I almost forgot everything.
The next day, they invited me out again.
And somehow…
I went again.
Little by little, laughing stopped feeling wrong.
Even if guilt still followed me afterward.
Then Monday came.
School again.
Hallways.
Voices.
Noise.
Life somehow continuing normally despite everything that happened.
I stood near my locker while fixing my bag absentmindedly.
Then suddenly,
a voice whispered beside my ear.
"Boo!"
I didn't even flinch.
Silence.
Then slowly, I turned my head.
Naoko stood there staring at me in disbelief.
"…You didn't react, huh?"
I blinked once.
"You've done this like twelve times already."
Naoko looked genuinely devastated.
"…This is heartbreaking."
"You traumatized me into adapting."
"That sounds dramatic."
"You literally broke into my room on that Saturday!"
Naoko crossed her arms immediately.
"That was character development."
I sighed tiredly.
Meanwhile Naoko narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…No. I refuse to accept this."
"…Sensei?"
"You're going to get scared again eventually."
"Why are you treating this like a personal challenge?"
"Because it is now."