The next day, when Seiji got home from school, Haruko was in the living room, ready to go outside.
For a moment, Seiji thought she might have been waiting for him.
"Seiji," she said softly. Too softly. "Could you… come with me to the grocery store?"
Her voice was calm, but her hands were clenched together in front of her.
She isn't asking because she needs help carrying bags.
She didn't need help. She wasn't asking because she wanted company. She was asking because she needed him.
"Sure," Seiji replied, dropping off his backpack.
He saw his stepmom relax—instantly. Like she'd been holding her breath all morning.
They stepped outside together. Evening light washed the street in gold. Haruko walked slightly ahead of him, but her pace was uneven.
She kept adjusting the strap of her purse. Tucking her hair behind her ear.
Little gestures of a woman next to a man she wanted.
Seiji noticed them.
She's fighting herself. She's losing.
They walked in silence for a while. Haruko stole a glance at him—quick, guilty—then looked away immediately.
"How was school?" she asked finally.
"Good," Seiji answered. "Wrote a test today."
A few more steps.
"That's… good." Her voice trailed off into the warm air.
At the store, she hovered near him. Every aisle they moved through, she ended up beside him again. Reaching past him for items. Checking labels she wasn't reading. Her shoulder brushed his arm too many times to be considered accidental.
She didn't apologize.
She just kept doing it.
She's trying so hard to stay proper. To pretend she hasn't been thinking about those times with me.
Seiji almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
The amulet warmed against Seiji's chest.
They turned into the produce section.
And that's when he saw—
Ayame.
Standing by the vegetables, free from her school uniform—loose sweater, fitted jeans, hair tied back with a simple clip. And still, even sexier than at school.
More real.
More striking.
She was scanning the shelves, bored, idly tapping a finger against her phone.
What should I do? She doesn't want to see me. She doesn't want to see anyone.
Seiji wanted to walk by, unnoticed.
But the amulet stirred.
Just as Seiji was about to pass her, Ayame turned—and froze.
Her eyes found Seiji and locked onto him.
Not a glance.
A reaction.
Her pupils expanded, darkening her eyes.
Her breath hitched.
Her posture shifted, as if she was about to step one step forward.
Seiji paused, not sure what to do.
Why is she staring at me like this? Should I say hi? Or should I just keep walking?
Haruko didn't notice. She was picking out carrots.
Ayame blinked once. Hard.
As if she was trying to clear something from her eyes.
Then—she actually stepped toward Seiji.
Not with her usual icy grace.
Confused.
Hesitant.
Unsteady.
"Um—" Ayame started, then stopped, her forehead wrinkling. "You're… from school, right?"
Seiji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah."
She looked down at her hands, annoyed at herself, as though she couldn't believe she'd spoken first.
"I—" She swallowed. "I just finished this one… Do you need it for your report?"
She held out a small paperback book. At a glance, Seiji knew it wasn't on the list for the report. The lie was obvious.
Why is she giving it to me? What's wrong with her?
Ayame's hand trembled.
"Um… you can have it," she said, lowering her voice. "Or borrow it. I don't— I don't mind."
Her cheeks flushed. Not with shyness. It seemed like she couldn't understand why she was doing this. Why she couldn't stop.
Seiji finally took the book from her.
Their fingers brushed.
Ayame inhaled sharply. She stared at him—wide-eyed.
Then she stepped back, almost stumbling.
"Sorry," she muttered. "I— I don't know why I…"
She cut herself off, shaking her head.
Seiji noticed Haruko finally was back by his side.
"Hello. Are you Seiji's classmate?" she asked politely.
Ayame flinched. "Y-Yes. Sorry for… interrupting. Good evening."
She bowed stiffly, then quickly walked away. Almost fled.
At least she's not literally running away…
She didn't look back.
Haruko continued shopping as if nothing had happened.
When they reached the checkout line, Haruko finally spoke again.
"Thank you for coming with me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I… I feel better when you're here."
Seiji nodded.
He wasn't helping. He wasn't a delivery boy.
He was making her feel better.
The amulet hummed.
Haruko was slipping.
And she didn't even know how far she'd already fallen.