Sora's after work plans

Sora turned her computer off, and spun on her chair towards Mel. They matched today, in terms of style both looked like they were vkei concert attendees or as if they just left a Victorian funeral. Mel’s choice was due to her melancholic uncertain future with Himari, while Sora, kind of looked like this on many occasions.

"Mel, do you want to come with us to see if Sobue is alive?" Sora’s mood was elevated, due to the recent events with Yoshio.

"I want to, but I think I might pass, I have to finish the analysis today, otherwise, there is nothing to submit for the conference."

"Oh that's a pity," Sora rotated in her office chair, gently adjusting her glasses, "I think he should be okay, right?"

"I mean, I am worried since he was not home yesterday as you said, and he is not here today. So, it's pretty clear that something is wrong, I just hope you'll find him home depressed or something."

"Yeah... I hope so too. He seemed to be better after the break-up, so I am not sure…" Sora stood up rapidly grabbing her bag. "Anyway, I have to leave now, Adachi-san is waiting!"

"Sure, sure," Mel waved her hand, "leave already, you are way too excited when there is a possibility that Sobue is dead."

"Oh, I am sure he is not! Kisses!" She flew away, making Mel chuckle.

Sora hurried through corridors, so she missed how a certain professor was watching her from his doorway. He smiled to himself and disappeared.

Outside Yoshio stood together with Maki. She felt a bit surprised but then realized that it might be better to have more people if there was any danger involved. She ran towards them, happily.

"Adachi-san, Makio-san" she bowed politely to both of them, "Nice seeing you here!"

Yoshio cleared his throat, "Why are you calling him by the name, and me by the surname?"

She straightened and looked at him, perplexed, "Isn't it a polite way to address your elders?"

"What?!" Yoshio didn't expect that response, "Do you know that Maki is 300 years old?"

"For real?" She turned to Maki, "Makio-san, are you that old? I thought you were a bit younger than that, maybe 150 years old, you know, from the vibe?" She laughed.

Maki got a slight blush on his cheeks and turned away, but Yoshio seemed disappointed. He said coolly, "Call me Yoshi from now on." He glanced at her so seriously, she was spooked.

"Okay, okay, wow, this seems very important. I will then."

"And he can stay as he was." Yoshio nodded towards Maki.

She giggled, "As you say," She paused, "Yoshi." It had been a long time since she waited for him to propose this way of addressing him, who knew it would take Makio-san to appear and change his attitude?

Maki looked at Sora, feeling both admiration of the easiness with which she was able to change, but also suspicion, due to the same reason. 

Yoshio needed a minute after hearing her call him by his name. Because no one ever did. It felt... nice. He tried keeping a straight face. "Khm. Good. Then we can leave." They started moving, and Yoshio continued, "We were here earlier, investigating whether there are other suspicious yokai around, it seems there might be a couple with resentment, but they hide it well. I will get Maki to come here some other time again."

"Wow, seems serious, but no one has tried anything, not yet at least."

"Yeah, that's concerning," Maki added. "if they have not yet tried, they are waiting for something. I don't like that."

"Me neither," Sora shivered, "sounds scary to go to work now!"

"Don't worry, you can always call me, or Yoshio-san." Maki seemed reassuring.

"Okay, as you say. We are now going to Sobue's place, okay? We can eat there if he is home."

"Why do we need to go there, if I can just teleport and check?" Yoshio turned to her.

"No, what if he is around somewhere? And it's boring this way anyway, I like talking to you, walking. No need to show off." She didn't even want to hear it.

"I can teleport instead?" Maki tried to make the best of the situation.

Sora made a face. "Makio-san, stop, I want to spend time with both of you, okay?"

"Mn, I get it." Maki felt a bit awkward, given that he kind of knew her, but not too much, and she was still an acquaintance, not a friend. He thought I wonder how Kōga would talk with her? Probably all confident and flirty? He glanced at her talking about something with Yoshio, I could never.

When Maki returned his attention to the conversation, he could see that Yoshio was trying his best not to lose the point of the story, however, it seemed to slip away. Sora was talking about a movie she had just watched recently, and the plot, well, Maki didn't get the beginning of it, so he didn't understand anyway. Seeing Yoshio in pain, he said,

"Sora-san, I wanted to ask you what manga are you reading now?"

She immediately got distracted, Yoshio glanced at Maki, eyes full of gratitude.

"Oh some there, some here. Not as much as I wanted to. I was reading Love is War recently. There is anime too, but I want to know what happens after. By the way, Makio-san, have you seen it?" "

"Em, no I don't think so."

"You definitely should! It's very comedic, and very smart too. I love it."

"Okay, I will remember to watch it then."

"By the way, Makio-san, I wanted to ask, why there is only pudding and mushrooms in your refrigerator?"

"W-what?" He switched his eyes to Yoshio.

"She had visited yesterday." Yoshio sounded mundane.

This made Maki even more confused, but he collected himself and answered, "Em, well, because I used all of the other ingredients for dinner." He stopped, "Wait, there was no bell pepper?"

"What? No, why do you ask?"

Maki glanced at Yoshio, "Did you eat a bell pepper yesterday?"

"No, I didn't even know we had one."

"That's the thing, we shouldn't have it. Because no one would buy such a vegetable. Who on Earth thought that it would be a good thing to fry and eat?"

Sora tuned in, "Oh, I hate them too, by the way, I think they are not good, and I always feel bad after eating them."

"Right?!" Maki was way too emotional about it. Yoshio frowned, losing interest.

"Wait," Yoshio noticed something, "You said we had a bell pepper?"

"Yes, it was in the fridge, before I left."

"Hm, we need to check it after we come home." Yoshio looked serious.

Sora walked and blabbered about some other foods she hated, not caring if they listened. Yoshio tilted his head, looking at her. Her rapid movement, replies to comments Maki made, her smile. She looked cute.