Walking home

"You sure you don't want to stay for lunch?" Mel stood in the holding Himari's hand.

"No, it's fine, really! I want to go and spend some time by myself."

"Call me when you are home!"

"Yes, mom..."

Sora hugged Mel and Himari goodbye and stepped out of their apartment. Her roots were bright blue and purple, and her hair had a brighter red tint than before. She was satisfied with it, ready to provoke several old-fashioned professors during the conference.

This was one of those rare days when she got to travel home all alone. Since Maki has been busy, and Yoshi - she didn't even try bothering him afraid of rejection... Today she could do whatever for the rest of the day, finally. However, it still felt lonely. She shook her head, deciding to go to the manga shop where she met Maki for the first time.

Tomorrow she was to see Oshiro's cat, which she anticipated a lot. Speaking of a cat...She took her phone out and dialed Sobue. Strangely he picked up right away,

"What's up, Sora?" His voice wasn't unusual in any way.

"Wow, you were fast! I was just bored while walking to the station. Mind talking for a bit?"

"Sure, as you wish."

"How are you doing, did Kiyo write to you a lot these past days?"

"No, she dropped the act. She sends me ancient memes, it's even funny how not up-to-date she is."

"I hope you are not too disturbed by her?"

"Em," he paused, "I think it's not too bad, after all, after that day at the bar she apologized to me again. She said I was not a pig."

"Wow, so unlike her to complement a man!"

"Yeah...So, tomorrow, you want to meet at the station?"

"Yep, let's do that. Hey, Sobue-kun..."

"Mn?"

"Why have you been avoiding us?"

"I was? Kh, I think I just needed some space. But I am not against you calling me, right?"

"Sure, I will believe you this time. But it was a lot of info about your reality that I've dumped onto you, and Kiyo's backstory, I mean it's like a small anime arc."

"Yea... It took a toll on me, the whole situation. I am a bit afraid to walk on the streets, and I am paranoid that there is a bunch of ghosts in my apartment like in the Saiki-K."

"Uh, yes yes, funny, there are probably some, but since you don't see them, they won't harm you."

"Shit, I hope I am alone, I do some inappropriate things sometimes, you know... And I watch, well..."

"Yes, yes, you are a lonely man who needs his special time."

"I do. And," he raised his voice, "I do so proudly!"

Sora laughed, "You are trying to inform your ghost neighbors about your sad sexual life?"

"Well... I hope the ghost that looks at me is not some old perverted dude..."

"Totally that. I can see him drooling all over you."

"Hey, why are you doing this? I will be paranoid until the end of times because of this!"

"Uh, Sobue-kun, you are funny. I think there are no ghosts in your place, it's safe and you can continue with your twisted deeds."

"Now this is what I want to hear, but... it doesn't mean I believe you!"

"Sure. I can tell you a lie if you want me to."

He sighed audibly, "Sora-chan I don't want to be alone now!"

"Be strong, my friend, outside there are yokai waiting for you!"

"Don't!"

"I didn't know you were such a chicken Sobue-kun!"

"Oh shut up, I am still surprised at how calm you are, given your situation, I would be scared shitless if some yokai were trying to eat me alive, you know."

"Yes, yes. I know. But that's life, I don't want to fixate on that, otherwise, I would be sitting in my apartment all the time."

"I know...Hey, got any suggestions for a movie?"

"What do you wish to see? I am available with the suggestions."

"I...I was thinking something about yokai or something like that..."

"Hm, I know only several k-dramas about that, do you wish to see?"

"Yeah, no, that's too much and too long, probably...But maybe write me the titles."

"Ha-ha, Sobue-kun, if you watch one let me know, I would love to see how you sob on the dramatic parts."

"Forget it, I don't want that list."

"Oh, I will send it don't worry."

"Whatever. I think, you should be near the station by now, so I guess will talk tomorrow."

"Are you excited about the cat?" Sora was indeed next to the station, currently walking around it.

"Yeah, I haven't pat a cat for a while. Khm..."

"Me too, I am anxious to meet her, she looks so cute in the photos!"

"I see you tomorrow."

"Okay..."

He hung up, what a rude prick. I guess, it's time to go to the manga shop!

Sora's friends knew that if she were nowhere to be found, she was probably at a manga place. There were many in Tokyo, however, she chose only several ones, special to her. The one she had met Maki before was rather big, and next to it was a cafe that seemed to have fewer people than one would expect. There was good coffee, and some nice spaces to hide and read your newly purchased volume of slice-of-life manga.

Today it seemed like a plan, and later, if she stayed for too long she can always message Kiyohime to take her home. She looked at her bracelet, and said,

"Belle, you are in luck, we are walking today, so you might see some new places."

There was no answer, but Sora smiled to herself, letting the hand down. Belle was probably a tsundere, she thought. Some time has to pass before she warms up to anyone.

She stepped onto the train, thinking how in the past she managed to be alone more or less fine. Despite some frequent harassment, that she perceived as a normal part of living as a woman, she liked her life in Japan. Even though her father was overprotective in the US, where there was no way for him to over-impose on her private life anymore. Afterall, she was a grown woman now.

She thought back to her mother, and how she probably spent her youth in Kyoto, happy and free, just as she was now. And this Tuesday she too will be there, walking the streets from her mother's youth, trying to catch the romantic ambiance that Tomihiko Morimi describes so beautifully in her books.

Sora smiled again, unconsciously, it was going to be a nice trip. She liked going to conferences since there were many people she could share her interests, discuss professional opinions, and listen to new research findings from the best in the field. It bothered her a little bit that Oshiro would be the only other person from her lab there. But she seemed to be on friendly terms with him anyway, so maybe it wasn't too bad. Hopefully, it won't get awkward at any point because of her blabbering. She frowned.

Who cares? I am going there to do my job anyway.

She left the station, still a bit anxious about the trip. Soon though the manga shop appeared in the distance, wiping all her worries away.