They walked to Hiashi Metro Station in a loose group.
Daiki stayed in front talking the entire way.
Something about a professor. A vending machine. An UFO he spotted last night.
Riku walked beside him with his headphones on, turning pages one-handed while he walked.
Ayame followed a step behind them with both hands in her coat pockets, occasionally looking up whenever Daiki said something especially stupid.
Kaito and Mei walked behind the others.
Their hands were still linked.
Mei had stopped trying to pull away from it after the first few minutes.
Every now and then her fingers tightened suddenly around his for no reason.
Then loosened again once she realized she was doing it.
Kaito noticed specific things.
The softness of her palm.
The nervous tension in her fingers.
The way her grip tightened whenever somebody brushed past them in the crowd.
He squeezed her hand lightly once.
Mei twitched beside him and looked up immediately.
"Stop," she whispered.
"Okay."
