"So… Nozomi isn't a bitch after all," Sakura muttered casually, leaning back in a chair as if she hadn't just dropped a verbal bomb.
"Sakura!" Sato shot her a sharp glare immediately. "Could you not say that?"
"What?" Sakura shrugged innocently. "I was just saying…"
Kaito gave a small laugh, wiping the last tear from his eyes. "It's fine. Honestly… speaking it out loud has taken some of the burden off my chest. So… thanks."
His faint smile tugged at their hearts. For a moment, it felt like things were finally settling down. Then, Hikari's eyes lit up suddenly, a spark of hope flashing across her face.
"Hey! My dad's mafia has a doctor—one of the best! She's a total genius when it comes to fixing people up. If anyone can help Nozomi… it's her."
The other three froze mid-breath, staring at her with widened eyes.
"No way… is she really that good?" Sato asked, his voice laced with curiosity—and a glimmer of hope he couldn't hide.
"Yep!" Hikari beamed, puffing out her chest proudly. "One time, Jiro had his palm bent completely backwards during a fight—you know, like crack, snap, full-on nightmare fuel—and she fixed it in no time! His hand's never looked better. Honestly, it looks like it belongs on a pianist now."
Kaito's heart skipped. He crawled forward on his knees until he was right in front of Hikari, grabbing her hands with trembling fingers. His voice cracked as he spoke.
"You're… sure? You're absolutely sure she can save Nozomi?"
Before Hikari could respond, Sakura's voice cut in sharply.
"No."
The word hit like a slap. Everyone turned to stare at her in shock. Even Hikari blinked, confusion flickering across her face.
"What do you mean 'no'?!" Kaito demanded, desperation creeping back into his tone.
"Don't get me wrong," Sakura said, folding her arms and letting out a long sigh. "I have zero doubts about her skills. That woman's basically a miracle worker. But… she only treats Rokushins. No one else. You could be bleeding to death in front of her, and if you're not one of them? Forget it. She wouldn't even flinch."
Kaito blinked, stunned. "You're serious…?"
"Dead serious," Sakura muttered, her gaze darkening as she recalled something from her past. "Hikari's dad really brainwashed her into following those rules like gospel. That doctor… she's like a machine with zero emotions. Cold as ice. I should know—I've stood in front of her with my mouth bleeding after a fight. She looked at me like I was trash." Sakura's jaw tightened, her voice dropping bitterly. "Didn't lift a finger to help."
Hikari froze, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave. She turned to Kaito immediately, her face pale. "Kaito… I-I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't know. I didn't want to get your hopes up for nothing. I—"
But Kaito raised a hand gently, forcing a faint smile. "Don't worry about it. At least now I know there's some hope… even if it's out of reach for now. I'm not giving up. Not yet."
Sakura's stern expression softened. Without warning, she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled his head against her chest. "That's the spirit," she said with a grin. "Now, how about that drink you promised us?"
"C-Can't… breathe…" Kaito gasped as Sakura smirked and dragged him toward the cafeteria. Watching them go, Hikari sighed with relief… until she noticed Sato's face.
Hikari glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He was smiling—just a little—but it was there. Genuine. The sight caught her off guard. For some reason, it made her heart skip a beat.
"Hmm?" She tilted her head, walking over to him. "Do you feel special now, Sato?"
"H-Huh?" Sato blinked as Hikari leaned forward slightly, striking a playful pose. Her voice dropped to a teasing tone.
"You know… special," she whispered, her eyes glimmering with mischief.
Sato's face flushed crimson. He spun around quickly, hiding his embarrassment. "N-No! I'm just glad it's over, that's all."
"Mm-hmm." Hikari grinned like a cat who had found its new favorite toy. Skipping ahead to walk beside him, she added with a wink, "You know, we should plan our honeymoon soon."
Sato nearly tripped. "Wh-What?! What's the rush?!"
Giggling at his flustered expression, Hikari trotted ahead toward the cafeteria doors, leaving Sato to clutch his chest as if his heart might explode.
By the time they entered, Sakura and Kaito were already seated at a corner table, surrounded by trays loaded with food. Kaito waved cheerfully, his earlier gloom seemingly lifted for the moment.
"Yo! Look what Kaito got us—so much food!" Sakura announced proudly, her cheeks puffed like a squirrel as she chewed on a rice ball.
Sato groaned, dropping into a seat. "You act like you're drunk."
Ignoring him, Sakura shoved another dumpling into her mouth as Hikari slid into the seat beside Sato. Soon, the four of them were laughing, eating, and talking like nothing else mattered.
For a brief moment, Sato found himself staring at the scene around him—the clinking of chopsticks, the warmth of shared smiles. Normally, he'd be in the classroom, eating alone in silence. He'd always wondered what people saw in this—gathering together, talking for hours, wasting time.
He still didn't fully understand it.
But for some reason… sitting here, with them… it felt nice. It felt right.
(Why does it feel… better?) he wondered silently, biting into his bread as their laughter filled the room.
"So, Sato," Sakura suddenly said between bites, "got any plans for tomorrow?"
Sato blinked, startled. "Uh… no. Not really."
"Wait, what's happening tomorrow?" Hikari asked, tilting her head.
"Oh, right—you weren't around yesterday!" Sakura explained. "The teacher announced that tomorrow's a holiday!"
"She didn't announce it," Sato corrected immediately. "She just reminded us."
"Yeah," Kaito added with a grin. "It's actually a study break. Exams start Monday, so they're giving us three days to prepare—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."
"Ah, that explains it," Sakura muttered. "No wonder I was the only one cheering. Whatever! So what do you guys plan to do on Friday?"
Sato gave her a flat look. "What part of study don't you get?"
"Oh, please." Sakura waved him off. "We've got the whole weekend for that."
"I'm in," Hikari said instantly, raising her hand with a mischievous grin. "Anything to avoid studying but to be honest I can't think of anything, I'm drawing a blanker over here."
"Well… I had something in mind," Kaito said suddenly, his voice turning dramatic as he pulled out his phone. "How about… a hot spring getaway?"
Sakura's eyes sparkled. "Ooooh, yes! After that, we can hit karaoke and sing some… lewd songs." She smirked darkly.
Sato blinked in confusion. "What's… a hot spring?"
The room fell silent.
Kaito, Hikari, and Sakura slowly turned their heads toward him, their jaws dropping in unison.
"…Huh?!" Kaito exclaimed.
"Are you telling me…" Sakura grabbed him by the collar, eyes wide with disbelief. "You've NEVER been to a hot spring?!"
"I-I've heard of them!" Sato stammered, sweating under her grip. "I just… never went, okay?!"
Hikari's grin widened. "Well, now we have to go. No way we're letting Sato's first time be boring!"
"Agreed!" Kaito declared, thumbs flying across his screen. "I'll handle the reservations and budget. Let's see… about 100,000 yen should cover it. Everyone chips in so no one feels left out."
He began listing off amounts. "Hikari—30,000 yen."
"Hai!" Hikari saluted playfully.
"Sakura—28,000."
"Sure, sure." Sakura waved, sticking her tongue out.
"And I'll cover 40,000." Kaito looked up slowly, his eyes locking on Sato. "That leaves you with… 2,000 yen."
Sato froze. "…I think I'm gonna puke."
"I can pay for him!" Hikari offered cheerfully. "No biggie!"
But Sato shook his head stubbornly. "No. We all contribute, right? So… I'll pay."
"You sure?" Kaito asked.
"…Yeah."
"Good." Kaito grinned. "Then it's settled. We'll all meet at Sato's place tomorrow morning!"
"Wait, WHAT?!" Sato yelped. "Why my place?!"
"Because it's the only one we all know," Kaito said smoothly.
"But Sakura doesn't—"
"Oh, don't worry!" Sakura chimed in, flashing a peace sign. "I'll just follow Hikari. Always wanted to check out your room. Win-win!"
Sato groaned, burying his face in his hands. Before he could argue more, the bell rang, signaling the end of break.
"Well, that's that!" Hikari hopped up. "Mission: Sato's First Hot Spring—commence!"
"No, it's NOT—" Sato tried to protest, but Sakura had already hooked an arm around his neck, dragging him toward the door as Kaito laughed behind them.