The store door slid open again.
The chime rang.
Then it closed behind them.
Back outside.
Cool air. Quiet street. Fewer people now.
Kai stretched his arms. "Alright, that was worth it."
"You bought five things," Ren said.
"Exactly."
"That's not normal."
"It is for me."
Airi held the drink Ren gave her.
Still unopened.
Ren noticed.
"…You're not drinking it?"
"I will."
"You said that inside."
"I'm thinking."
Kai leaned over. "You need to think before drinking something?"
"Yes."
"That's insane."
"It's not."
"It is."
Ren ignored them.
They started walking again.
Same formation.
Kai slightly ahead.
Ren and Airi behind.
Not planned.
Just how it ended up.
"…That girl," Airi said.
Ren glanced at her. "Sora?"
She nodded.
"She's quiet."
"Yeah."
"Not shy though."
"No."
Kai turned around mid walk again. "She roasted me for no reason."
"There was a reason," Ren said.
"What reason?"
"You talk too much."
"That's not a reason. That's a personality."
"That's the problem."
Airi almost smiled.
Almost.
Kai pointed at her. "You're on my side, right?"
"No."
"Wow."
They kept walking.
The street got quieter the further they went.
Less noise.
More space.
Airi finally opened the drink.
Took a small sip.
Paused.
"…It's good."
Ren nodded once. "Yeah."
Kai looked offended. "Why does he get credit for that."
"Because he picked it," Airi said.
"I could've picked something better."
"You didn't."
"…I could have."
"You didn't."
Ren let out a quiet breath.
Not quite a laugh.
But close.
They reached another corner.
A different one this time.
Slightly wider.
More empty.
Airi slowed down a little.
"…This is where I turn."
Ren stopped.
Kai kept walking for two steps, then came back.
"Already?"
"Yes."
Small pause.
Airi looked at Ren.
"…Thanks. For earlier."
"For the drink?"
"And the umbrella."
Ren shrugged. "It's nothing."
She shook her head slightly.
"It's not nothing."
Another small pause.
Then she nodded.
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Kai raised his hand. "Later."
She walked off.
Same calm pace.
Didn't look back.
Ren watched for a second.
Then turned.
Kai was already staring at him.
"…What."
"You're different."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
Kai grinned. "You're definitely different."
Ren walked past him.
"…Shut up."
Kai followed.
Still smiling.