Sanae smiled as she scanned the younger man's behavior. It only caused her lips to press into a slightly larger smile. Mizukami Ayumu seemed rather awkward, but despite that she was happy to be able to introduce herself to a customer - a student from the same school her daughter Nagisa attended no less. The way he was gaping almost caused a soft fit of laughter to pass her lips, yet she contained it. Sanae simply stood there awaiting Mizukami's reply to her question.

"Uh-- I'm--- Mi-Mizukami."

Mizukami: A name that she would remind herself to remember. For a moment, she was slightly entertained by how Mizukami was acting. From his stammers to the shifting of his body it was quite obvious that he was nervous, yet the woman would attempt to make him feel welcome nonetheless. The questions of his presence here did linger in her mind, but the answer to the questions would reveal themselves in due time. For now, she would keep her attention on the 'customer'.

Before she could speak up, Mizukami introduced himself once more. Coming off as rather formal nonetheless even after his previous introduction proved to Sanae that he wanted to make a good impression it seems. The way he spoke to her, and how he tried to fix his appearance, did not go unnoticed. The facts had made the woman keep her genuine smile despite how he was being unnecessarily formal.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you Mizukami. My name is Furukawa Sanae, and it is very nice to meet you!"

Sanae had bowed to Mizukami, introducing herself as she had done so, before straightening herself. The next question asked by the student nearly caught her by surprise.

"Are you, ma'am... Furukawa-senpai's sister?"

The very question had caused a laugh to emit from Sanae's mouth. It was a bit flattering how most would ask and/or assume that she was Nagisa's elder sister. It was something that Sanae accepted as a compliment; something that she also liked to hear. At the very least it let her know that she still appeared young, and that she still had a good number of years left before she would possibly start developing slowly into the stages of elder hood. "Well, I-" Pausing in her sentence, a voice interrupted her own as Nagisa had entered the room. A kind warmth greeted her at the sight of her daughter, and clasped her hands together beaming at Nagisa. "It's nice to see you up and running around, Nagisa!" Sanae chimed as she rubbed the top of her daughter's head in a gentle manner before shifting her attention to Mizukami, not even having to answer his previous question anymore. Nagisa had already answered it for her.

"I don't think I see very much of you outside of school, what brings you out this way?"


Sanae had intervened after Nagisa had asked the question. "Well, I believe it has something to do with you, dear. This nice young man was asking for you after all." she presumed with a soft smile gazing to the young woman, and then Mizukami himself.

"I apologize though for intervening. What brings you here to the Furukawa Bakery, Mizukami?"

Anzu had hit the 'nail on the head' as the fellow classmate thought. Kazue had enjoyed such a novel ever since she was little. Despite the occasional drama and depressing moments the story held, it carried one thing that she was always fascinated with: The bonds of friendship each of the characters shared. The world was so different from reality - as always - and developmental changes for each and every character. No matter who they were they still learned at least something from whatever they came across no matter how big or small it was. It fascinated her, and it caused her to dream if she could ever find such bonds of friendship.

Maybe even love.

"The Climb. That's a rather philosophical title, I think. What's it about? I'm curious how you can keep reading it."

Kazue seemed to relax her shoulders slightly as she held her book. The question of what said novel was about seemed to reach her. Obviously the girl seemed to relax ever so slightly, and if one could tell, a small glimmer of light surfaced in her eyes. This was one thing that Masumi cherished dearly; this very book.

The way Anzu had smiled seemed to at least help with evidence that she was interested. This classmate didn't appear to be holding ill will, but Kazue still wouldn't bother even considering to let her guard down. It was just the way she was. She couldn't trust anyone easily, nor could she make friends easily.

Though in these circumstances it was different. Anzu seemed generally interested to say the least.

"Alright... I'll tell you. The... story is mostly revolving around the possibility of the many forms of love, another world fictionally beautiful... in my opinion at least... and the bond of friendship."

Slightly embarrassed the freshman hugged her book close to her, and shoved a hand in her pocket while looking away. One could tell that Kazue didn't even need to think twice about the story itself overall. It was something she memorized by heart. This story held a deep meaning of importance to her; a type of importance that no one could take away from her she believed.

It allowed her to dream a more happier life.

Well, not everyday that someone says something like that. There was something about being complimented by her that made him happy, even if he still was not so sure how his meager self could have made her day (and she was the one who ended up paying, to boot). Perhaps... doing this once in a while wouldn't be bad.

He reflexively scratched his head. "Hm... that might be good. Although I might be a little embarrassed with karaoke..." he confided, sheepishly. They were just finishing, and they were already making plans for the next one! It was taking him all of his temperance to keep from thinking about the unresolved paradox of Fuukami-san. Her smile feels like another compliment. Maybe I'm allergic to compliments or something. In a good way... maybe?

"Very well then. Again, goodbye."

He watched her retreating figure, the pink-haired girl with the double tresses, vaguely wondering if he should walk home or stay a little more... he wondered if he should have offered to come, even part of the way, even if she did expressly say it was not required... he wondered... what she thought of this little meeting.

Maybe only later on will I find... if this was a date or not.