Bread and Butterflies: Reprise [Nagisa, Sanae]

[Mizukami Ayumu]

This happened on May 12, at 3:00 PM. Certain (large) portions have been appropriated from the original, discontinued Bread and Butterflies, because I am a lazy bum. I'm sorry for it being so long X.X I tried to divide it into chunks to lessen the wall-of-text effect XD

I'm retconning Ayumu's earlier visits to the Furukawa Bakery as not having happened; this is his third first visit XD

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She eluded him. He had sought her in that forlorn clubroom, and at times, her classroom; he had not been able to talk with her since the school trip.

He had been quick to dismiss that as no fault of her own. Perhaps he just had the worst sort of timing, or that he just did not know of enough places where she may be in. There were other things that may factor in, things that were yet hidden from him, like the extent and frequency of her sickness, her activities as a repeating student, and as a daughter... he had accepted, slightly sorrowfully, that there may be many reasons why he could not reach her.

He wondered if she would elude him again, this time. Perhaps she would... but he had to try.

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Is this it?

It was a bakery; and he had been looking for a bakery. An establishment that sold bread and pastry, overlooking a park. That was Furukawa-senpai's home, her place, at least from how he remembered it, how it had been described to him.

He wasn't sure who had told him about it, maybe one of the Akasakas, probably in one of their half-joking sessions, but he was sure in the veracity of the directions. After all, the two would probably be happier to find the Mizukami and the Furukawa interact in the latter's turf. Even if they weren't here now.

He had known the location for quite a while, and of course he had been tempted to visit it, but in the same vein from which his urges came from, doubts also sprouted. And so it would be his first time to approach the house of the person he liked; quite the momentous occasion.

The place was quaint; glass doors barred the entry of the body, but not of the sight, and showed different edible goods, some the likes of which Ayumu recognized, and some which he was not entirely sure of; perhaps those were specialties, or something. Neatly they were arrayed, and he spied a little farther the register, and something that seemed to be a passage to the inside, to the more private parts of the establishment, he assumed.

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Now, at the threshold, he was again seized, by that familiar hesitation that had, every time he had sought to interact with his upperclasswoman, toyed with him, plagued him, constrained him. He almost felt like calling it off, running away... but he had a reason... a promise, to himself, and to her, whilst her back was turned.

He came here to give two things... two gifts.

The first was the plushie of the meatball character that she liked, that he had won in that crane game in the hot springs... he carried it now in his hand, concealed in a cloth bag. It gave him a bit of courage.

The second was the message that he wanted to bring to her, that he had reached a decision, that he would join the drama club. He had thought about it a great deal. Perhaps there would be a limit to the good things one can reap with certain ulterior intentions... he had promised to himself that if his selfish presence beside her became an obstacle, then he would remove himself. But he had to try, even for a while, just once...

The uncertainty remained, but... he could only move forward.

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Belatedly he noticed that the doors were not exactly closed; gingerly he rapped at the panes, but failed to produce a good enough noise, much to his chagrin. He guessed he should announce himself more audibly.

"Hello?"

"Anyone home?"

Her face, turned to the direction of the familiar song that seemed to be sung by her daughter, seemed to lighten up at the sound of the voice. The oven closed as fingers graced the dial setting the temperature. Sanae's face was dirtied with powder on her cheeks and forehead, yet her face was still a darker shade of a fragile milk crystal with a soft and constant light in it. The pat of an apron was quick and she relieved the gloves that was on her hands when she fixed the bread until an unexpected voice greeted her ears; it was almost as if it was a whisper.

"Hello?"

"Anyone home?"

The woman felt her heart race faster at the very thought of a visitor and a line drew on her lips as she began to appropriate herself to present herself to said customer. The woman patted her face to try and clean any bread powder from her face, yet she revealed herself even if she missed a few splotches that still attached to her being.

The pattering of her footsteps might be heard against the wooden floor, and she spoke as she slid her feet into the wooden sandals that was neatly placed on the lower area of the floor that revealed the bakery. Neatly assorted bread decorated tan and gray colored tray's with name plates placed on said tray's to give character and information. Though some held an unlikely surprise if the customer were to eat a sample.

"Welcome to The Furukawa Bakery! How may I help you?"

Sanae's voice chimed with happiness as she was revealed from the shadows of what lied beyond, her brown colored hair bouncing as she ran in and presented herself. Fingers gently caressed against one another as they slid her fingers stiff as they were crossing their paths from one hand to another. A line plastered her lips as her smile seemed to reveal a warm and welcoming feeling. Auburn colored eyes seemed ever so bright behind every blink Sanae had made.

The Furukawa awaited patiently nonetheless with a most welcoming smile on her face and the small powder splotches that decorated her features.

[Mizukami Ayumu]

OC: Nagisa, whenever you come by, you can jump in after this... well, I guess that's obvious... unless Miyu wants Sanae to react first?

He was... well, not exactly surprised, but... how do you call it when you were surprised by something you were expecting? He expected someone else to answer the door, to answer his perhaps too-silent announcement of himself, but he did not expect the individual who came.

She was beautiful, perhaps youthful, even, though she definitely looked slightly older than... a slightly more mature Furukawa-senpai... perhaps it was the eyes, or the grace in her movement. She looked like she had been baking... at least from her apron, the very slight traces of powder that she had been getting rid of as she rushed to meet him... although, of course, he knew just as much about baking as the average slacking high-schooler. Still, the startling, brilliant likeness... that removed his doubts... this was the right place... at the very least, Furukawa-senpai had to be related to the owners of this bakery.

"Ah..."

He allowed himself to step in. He had seen the breads and the baked treats from outside, but entering, and smelling them... it felt more... bakery-like, perhaps even homey. Of course, it helped that Mizukami Ayumu liked eating, and even if he did not necessarily feel the urge to consume pans and pastries at the moment, the presence of the food, somehow, one way or another, was reassuring him.

Furukawa-senpai had said something about that before, had she not? She would say a food she want to eat, a food that she would eat, if she would accomplish an endeavor... he almost wondered if it was applicable to this situation, that little cheering ritual of hers... although it would be slightly ironic, that his endeavor would be meeting her, and promising to help her. Officially. He had made little oaths behind her back...

He gathered his courage, drinking air.

"Is... is this where Furukawa-senpai lives?"

[Furukawa Nagisa]

Frustration wasn't one of her strong points -- she wasn't even positive she could reach that point like most others could. It'd feel weird, being angry at nothing, like a waste of effort that could be spent fixing the actual problem at hand as opposed to grumbling at it. She didn't like the thought of it, but this.. it made her so flustered. A question she'd never expected, one that felt nearly impossible for her to answer. Which one of The Big Dango Family did she like the most?..

"It's.. just too cruel."

She sighed in defeat, she couldn't possibly favor only just one, could she? There was so much to like about each and every one, qualities that made them unique and loveable, that made them memorable to begin with, it'd ruin the point of it all to just prefer only a single one. It'd be like picking whether she loved her Mother or her Father more; at least to her, there was most likely some people out in the world who'd have no issue pushing aside their moral standing and consideration for others to answer such a simple question, at least they were free from this insanity.

"It's just not fair, how could I possibly.. Mm."

A small sigh left her at the end, it wouldn't do any good to get worked up over it either. She didn't have an answer, and as much as she didn't like leaving things in that way, she could live with it this time. Already a smile began to creep over her features upon realizing just how much time she'd been spending disputing with herself over it, but at least it proved to be rather entertaining and.. somewhat productive? Well, maybe not productive, but it was something to do on a Monday afternoon. She slowly tilted herself back until she lay upon the floor to her room, letting her eyes drift shut for a moment in a peaceful collective of calm emotions. Slowly she breathed in deeply, taking in the familiar scent of the bakery below. After a few moments she exhaled, and rid herself of most of her worries.

She blinked for a moment, thinking that she'd heard voices below. Another customer? Taking a moment to stretch her arms up and over her head, she soon after pressed herself up to a sitting position, and than eventually a full stand. She toddled over to toward the small stairwell that led to the bottom floor. Curious, she began to gently step her way down. She was always happy to offer help, or do something, anything to make her day just a little brighter.

"Ah..."

His presence and rather (one might say) awkward disposition made the mother only smile. Indeed he was looking for something - that much she could tell. Sanae took time to analyze this individual before her curious about him. Many strange people have visited the bakery with their own stories. Each story reflected them, whether sad or happy. With Ayumu it seemed to be quite a challenge. His white colored hair had a grey tint to it which seemed to capture the bread maker's attention. Blue colored eyes seemed to hold a questionable past, and his posture seemed to hold a shy disposition.

Head tilting slightly Sanae could vouch Ayumu seemed rather plain at first glance, but if one took the time to observe him closely he held more than what was on the outside.

Nevertheless the same soft smile was still on her features her auburn colored eyes giving off the same comfortable feeling. Looking down at her dirtied apron the Furukawa began cleaning her hands, wiping away any left over splotches of flour left over from preparing the bread. With Akio away playing baseball with the other children Sanae wanted to fix more bread especially since some sections were running low.

"Is... is this where Furukawa-senpai lives?"

A surprised expression graced her features her smile faltering into an innocent parting of her lips at the question. It took a moment or two for her to comprehend which Furukawa he could mean. By the indication of his school uniform a wave of excitement seemed to flow through her veins at the question. With a nod of her head she spoke softly to Ayumu ignoring her dirtied appearance as she still attempted to appear formal in front of him.

"Yes."

With a calm tone in her voice she continued her hands clamping together slowly as she spoke. "May I ask, what is your name?" she questioned as the soft pattering of footsteps hadn't quite occurred to her. Little to her knowledge those footsteps neared closer and to their location.

[Mizukami Ayumu]

At first glance she had seen the likeness between the beautiful stranger and his appreciated upperclasswoman; at second glance, now that her appearance, like a missive, had reached her as much as hers reached him, he realized that she was, well, as she had already noted, beautiful; perhaps it was how her sweet voice, asking for his name, fit so snugly to the image she presented, or how her long hair made him wonder how Furukawa-senpai would look like with a similar streaming crown, or how she made her feel welcome with just so few words and actions... again, yes, she was similar to his senior, and then different, though in no unpleasant ways. She was surer of herself, more 'floating', as opposed to Senpai's 'warm'...

He must have been gaping, he realized, and he quickly tried to make up for this fact. He decided to do something, like actually answering the question posed to him, specially when the kind bakery-tending person had answered the question he had posed to them... "Uh-- I'm--- Mi-Mizukami." Well, stammering was bad form, but something that fell short to standard was better than nothing, or at least his futile reasoning dictated.

For a moment, he entertained the doubt that Furukawa-senpai did not actually live here, probably just some really close lookalike or namesake... how would the bakery-person know which Furukawa-senpai he was talking about? Were there other Furukawas who were seniors who were going to their school? He was being needlessly anxious again.

He sighed, and then tried to compose himself a little more. Ayumu might not be the sort of person who strived to keep his reputation shiny and sparkly, and he sort of liked being slightly enigmatic, but he at least didn't want to come across as a fumbling fool... well, not so much, even if sometimes that perfectly described him. He straightened himself out, at least as much as his slack posture, which he often ended up going into, allowed him.

"Mizukami Ayumu. That's my name, ma'am." he intoned, hoping that repeating the introduction a little more properly negated the stumbling form og the previous one. He bowed, as was customary. Perhaps he was being a little too formal, but that did not occur to the youngster just yet.

"Are you, ma'am... Furukawa-senpai's sister?" he asked, for lack of anything else to follow up with; and in any case, it was something he had been wondering as well... although he had never heard from Akasaka that Furukawa-senpai had any siblings... perhaps a cousin? That still sometimes counted as an oneesan, an aneue... he hoped he was not being too intrusive... wait, shouldn't he be asking about Furukawa-senpai in the first place? Small talk had its uses, but... so much for not seeming scatterbrained...

"Uh... is she... Furukawa-senpai... here, ma'am?"

Maybe he should ask something about the breads... after all, this was a bakery, and it might be a little too shameless to just go in to visit... or was it? But he should wait for her reply first, since discussing cinnamon rolls might be small talk, too...

[Furukawa Nagisa]

Step by step, she continued descending the small flight of stairs until she'd reached the bottom, her light weight and the fact that she only had socks upon her feet made sure she didn't make much noise on the way down. Not that she was entirely trying to sneak through her own home... Upon reaching that small area tucked away behind small curtains hanging from the doorway. She began to step toward it but stopped upon more clearly hearing the voices in the other room.

Mizukami Ayumu; it took only a moment to click before realization washed over her. She'd remembered the boy, especially his interest in the drama club, he seemed to be one of the few to have any what so ever. A visit to her home was a bit unexpected though, but it was pleasant all the same. She didn't want to interrupt their introductions just yet, it was a rare occasion that her friends met her Mother and were greeted by her warmth than her Father and his protective natured speculation. Come to think of it it was rare that her friends from school wandered over to the Bakery at all.

Nagisa began to shuffle toward the doorway, that is, until, she managed to trip on air alone and sent herself stumbling a little. Thankfully the wall was fairly sturdy and her sense of balance took over again, allowing her to escape the situation with little more than a soft "eep" as opposed to falling face-first. Aside from that small endeavor she stepped out into the light quite easily, nudging aside one of the hanging curtains and ducking her head through the opening as she stepped to the slightly lower level floor.

"Oh, Ayumu~"

She chimed rather sweetly, very happy to see him once more. Her hands moved to clasp together in front of her in their usual manner, a smile plastering itself over her features and a hopeful glint present in her eyes.

"I see you've already met my Mom, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

She paused for a moment to think over what she'd just said, before quickly adding -

"I-if you were waiting for me, I mean."

Nagisa felt as though she'd assumed his intentions too carelessly, what if he was just here to buy some baked goods? Or ask for directions? The possibilities were endless and even though she could narrow them down she didn't feel like it'd be polite to try to read another person like a book, she'd feel selfish if she believed that she could be the only reason he was here. The thought was nice, though, but she was probably thinking way too deeply about it.

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

She questioned with a small tilt of her head, her smile only brightening as well as her mood. Her impression of the other so far had been rather positive, he always behaved very kindly toward not just her but others as well, it was a quality she was fond of... of course, even the nicest of people couldn't escape the almost-hostile treatment any boy received from her Father when they mentioned her name. Thankfully he seemed to either be away or oblivious to the boy's presence, so she didn't have to worry about it at the moment.

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?"

[/blockquote]

[Mizukami Ayumu]

OC: Oops, it might have gotten too long.

Furukawa Sanae...

He noted the name, as her tinkling voice introduced herself. "...it is nice to meet you too, ma'am." he replied shakily, at least without stammering, this time.

He hoped the squirming pause he had allowed to fester, between the woman's pronouncement, and his answer, was but noticeable only to him. Awhile ago he had entertained the possible repercussions of this not being his planned destination... now his mind was tackling the possible problems of this being the house of Furukawa Nagisa. Had he made a good impression, or was his awkwardness painting him a fool, or something even worse? At the very least she, his host, did not look displeased, but certain people made masks of smiles, as he did with his slight frowns...

She... laughed.

Had he said something amusing? Was there an assortment of puns in the way he had structured his sentences? Was it his lingering awkwardness again (he had heard that some people found it... the sort of fumbling he was afflicted with in times such as this... amusing, but to laugh at it... still, there did not seem to be malice in the lady's giggling...) He was going through this train of thought when the circumstances threw yet another bend.

(Sentiments may pass faster than the ministrations of the world, but speed was not always the same as velocity...)

Nagisa-senpai!

It might have been just a bit since he had last seen her, and yet it seemed so long... for a moment it almost felt like he had similarly tripped on air as his upperclasswoman, for the sight of her, appearing through the veil, with the slightest sway from her cancelled accident, and the tinkling voice that was so alike to Furukawa-san calling out his name, abruptly yet gently... these sights and sounds made him staggered--- mostly mentally, but staggered, nonetheless.

Perhaps, to other eyes, not so enamored and not so fixated, it might have been simply a normal picture, and then to some, perhaps kinder, perhaps more appreciative, it would have been the entrance of a vibrant girl... but to Mizukami Ayumu it was a scene thoroughly heavenly... ethereal. And he was not exaggerating, to say the least. What was it called... rose-colored lens, or something?

Urgh... have I gaped again? They might think me odd or something... well, I am in certain ways odd, but... he trailed off, and then just decided to catch up. Wait... he thought, as he indeed caught up. Didn't keep waiting too long... mom?

The white-haired youth turned back to the elder Furukawa-san, who just might be much older than he had assumed from her appearance. "Ah..." he began, fraught with realization, "Fu-Furukawa-san, so you are... senpai's... okaasan... mother?" he mumbled, mostly rhetorically. He could... so that was why she laughed... he could somewhat see how that was... something to laugh about.

He... hoped he was not too disrespectful... he flushed, a subtle red, a bit. "I'm... sorry if I might have been rude in any way..." since I didn't realize sooner... He bowed, although it was not as low as when he had been introducing himself; it was at most a tip of the head, a lowering of the eyes. She did not look offended, but he thought it might be wise to play safe.

The weight of the burden of the awkwardness seemed to be compounding hurriedly... he sighed, to himself. Still, there was what he had come for, and he had gathered all his courage for this... he shouldn't be bogged down by little things like his embarrassment, as long as the other parties concerned seem well enough...

"Ah... I... was not waiting too long..." he pronounced, his attention returning to the person he had been seeking. Yes, I was waiting for you, Furukawa-senpai, he neglected to say, but the implication lay heavily in the air.

"I... Furukawa-senpai, you did not come for the field trip... to the hot springs..." he drawled, as he began to explain to his audience of two, or at least he hoped that was what he was doing... "...and I looked for Senpai a couple of times in the drama club room, but you weren't there... and I didn't manage to tell you the other times we came across each other..." (Said meetings were either entirely too short, or lacking in opportunity for bringing up the subject... or perhaps the clumsy sophomore hadn't prepared his heart and his head enough yet, those times...)

My gifts... in order.

"...um... Senpai had invited me to the drama club once, and I said I would think about it, and I have thought about it..." he continued, a little haphazardly, but he was going forward, nonetheless. Here was the tipping point, the chasm he was to jump, the line of no return.

"I... I'd like to join the drama club..." he dropped the bombshell. "...and I thought it would be best to tell Senpai, as soon as possible..." he muttered a little too rapidly, his bravado waning as quickly as it had surged. "...and Akasaka-san and Haru..." he mentioned their common friends, the siblings who were Nagisa's classmate and his, respectively, a year before, who had been the bridge that allowed him to be acquainted with Furukawa-senpai... (sadly Akasaka-san had graduated already and Haru had transferred...) "...they told me before where your house was, and I thought I might visit..." he almost-whispered, his voice and stance growing progressively smaller.

He clutched the plushie, reflexively, yet again. He still had to give it... it was his second gift, after all... but perhaps he should hear what they have to say to his announcement, before stumbling further.

"Is... is it all right?"

He hoped it would be all right to her.

[Furukawa Nagisa]

Her head tilted just slightly, enough to show her appreciation for the light rubbing on top of her head. One might be embarrassed by such a notion in front of a classmate, thought she'd never really felt that way over any affectionate behavior from her Mother; after all, it was much more calm and considerate than how her Father showed his love at times, what with being a tad over-protective. Not that she blamed him for it, he certainly wasn't the only parent in the world to act such a way.

"Fu-Furukawa-san, so you are... senpai's... okaasan... mother?"

She blinked, and couldn't help but give another smile at that.

"Did you think she was my sister?"

It was a fairly simple question, and it wasn't one that she hadn't already asked before, several others had made a similar if not the exact same mistake.

"A lot of people think the same thing at first, actually."

She said, trying her best to reassure him and hopefully rid any awkward feelings about it.

"Rude? That wouldn't be like you at all though."

Her smile only brightened from then on out, before her expression changed into more of a contemplative state. Come to think of it, she couldn't remember a time where she witnessed the other behave rudely at all, but such careful thinking was better left for another time, her attention was focused back upon him, curious of what'd brought him to her home.

"I... Furukawa-senpai, you did not come for the field trip... to the hot springs..."

Field trip? She honestly couldn't remember it, maybe she'd forgotten for a reason, or maybe it just wasn't important enough to her to remember and regret missing it - either way, she didn't interrupt and instead allowed him to continue on despite the small pauses, though she almost felt a need to ask if he was alright due to the difficulty he seemed to be having with saying whatever he wanted to say. She'd experienced the same thing before however, sometimes it felt like it took every bit of courage she possessed to ask someone something as simply as considering joining a club. Speaking of which..

"...um... Senpai had invited me to the drama club once, and I said I would think about it, and I have thought about it..."

She perked up a little more at that. Was he.. going to accept the invitation? Would she really be that further on her way to fully restoring the club?

"I... I'd like to join the drama club..."

Nagisa could've sworn that her heart skipped a beat, it even took a few moments for the words to process through her mind before she displayed any reaction, the first of which was a blink. "R-..." She began, taking just a split second to calm herself, trying not to let the excitement and happiness she felt burst out in an awkward and embarrassing shout.

"Really? I-.. That's wonderful!~" She chimed.

Her heart was practically pounding in her chest. It was really happening... all that work, the worry, the dips of hope and hopelessness, it was worth it. If even one person accepted the offer, what would stop others from doing so as well? She'd just have to keep at it, persevere, continue to try making it something special others would want to be a part of. There was so many different thoughts and feelings all at once that she began to feel faint, but collapsing then and there wouldn't leave the best of impressions, although it may be observed as a useful talent for acting.

"Of course!"

She sounded just a bit more giddy that time, but who could blame her? She gave her signature warm and friendly smile, her hands lightly resting together in front of her, clasping together comfortably.

"I'd be happy to have you join the club, Ayumu. I'm sure we can gather even more members together~"

I'm sorry if this comes out to be short or pretty rusty. It's a little troubling typing from my phone, but I'll try my best!

---

The slight tilt of Nagisa's head was enough to let Sanae know how her daughter welcomed her love despite the presence of a classmate. The way Akio had brought upon his affections for their daughter would scare most, yet she was always there to try and brighten the situation. A usual string of happenings but it always brought happiness to the heart.

Calmly her fingers parted from Nagisa's head, and locked together with a gentle clasp of her hands as the baker turned her attention back to Mizukami. She couldn't help but to form a gentle smile; often people had mistaken her age and appearance as her daughter's sister. Several occasions danced across her mind, and each time Sanae recalled releasing small fits of laughter each time it happened. The reoccurring mistake didn't set her off - in fact she found it flattering to say the least.

Akio was an entirely different story.

Mizukami was honestly in a lucky fix that the man wasn't around now. He was outside playing baseball with the other kids of the neighborhood.

Focusing attention back onto the current conversation, Sanae noticed that Mizukami seemed to be trying his best to appear formal. In an attempt to calm him she spoke shortly after Nagisa had, and added whatever calm to the air she could to relieve the tension he must have been feeling.

"You weren't rude at all! There isn't a need to worry!"

Beyond then she remained quiet in the current conversation. Mention of the field trip to the hot springs caused the woman to tilt her head slightly in confusion. Not once had mention of the field trip come to mind. It was something that the woman couldn't recall Nagisa telling her about. Soon enough, the subject was pushed aside in the back of her mind - most likely to never be remembered again.

Then it was mentioned.

The club that she knew Nagisa was fighting so hard for. Sanae was aware of the difficulty her daughter was having recruiting members for it. In the depths of her heart she wished she could be there to help her with what she needed, but a part of her pulled her back. This was something that Nagisa needed to do on her own. No matter what happened she knew Nagisa was strong. She could make it - pull through no matter what anyone told her. But right now, at this very moment, it seemed that whatever hard work Nagisa had put in would finally pay off.

He accepted!

Sanae's heart fluttered as she could capture the moment of her daughter's reaction. Clapping her hands the woman couldn't help but let her happiness shine outward for the moment. Mizukami Ayumu was the very one that had practically made this day. It was a first step and it was something that the mother was excited for. "This is so wonderful! You have a new member for your club, Nagisa~!" she chimed with a warm smile.

Glancing to the white haired boy, Sanae let out a soft laugh with a quaint and friendly smile. "This calls for a short celebratory meal! Don't you think so, Nagisa?" she chimed to said girl before speaking to Ayumu in a friendly manner.

"Why don't you come in to our home, Mizukami? It'll certainly be a pleasure to have you with us. I can make some of my special bread!"

Clapping her hands together, Sanae wasn't aware of the reaction that she may have received from Nagisa at the moment. Even the occasions of Akio's words of how he told other customers to keep quiet about how her bread was terrible slipped her mind. The woman was just elated with the current situation.

[Mizukami Ayumu]

OC: We're enjoying having a lot of words, aren't we? Haha. Nagisa, Miyu, your posts were great! Not rusty at all.

They do... really act like mother and daughter... observed the clumsy visitor. It is a usual mistake? He laughed shortly, nervously at that revelation. It seems Furukawa Sanae-san really should be renowned for retaining such youthful features... I probably shouldn't ask how old she actually is, my mind would probably boggle at it, not to mention that it would be rude...

Speaking of rude...

"It is not like me, is it, senpai?" he said, slightly surprised... well, perhaps he should not be surprised at all. He might not be necessarily known for courtesy, but people did not usually find him rude, either. He tried to be unobtrusive in general situations, and he was normal enough when he dealt with other people... except Furukawa-senpai, where he was more often than not a blubbering mess. He sighed, composing himself as much as he can. Well, at the very least, it is a relief...

It felt somewhat ironic; he was scared that he displease Furukawa-senpai, or her sister, which was actually her mother, in any way, but it seemed like he was making them worry with the overly careful way I was acting... like most fears, his anxiety of how the Furukawas would think of him, it was exaggerated and unfounded... he scratched the back of his head, sheepishly; the stiffness of his movements were still there, but he was starting to relax.

Both the mother and the daughter were so warm and kind and accommodating, even to someone who was either a stranger or just a friend, an underclassman... he should not have doubted them--- well, it was more like he doubted himself, but that was not much of an excuse. It was, after all, something to get nervous about, going, for the first time, to the house of the person you-you- you get the idea, I don't have to say it, right?

And he thought that was the last of the surprises; after all, she could only accept him or refuse him; but as always, Furukawa-senpai exceeded his meager expectations, expectations of what he should receive. Perhaps she was unaware... that the sight of her, so happy over someone like him joining, it was like... what was it like? Like a firework bursting-- no, closer, brighter-- like a flower blooming-- but faster, livelier-- and he was supposed to be a writer-- like that sonnet of Shakespeare's?

He was running out of words, in thought, and on tongue; for the moment he merely nodded, smiling too, that she was okay with it, and more, even. She seemed so happy, so grateful; even if he was aware, that he was supposed to be one of many, one of others to follow, he felt disproportionately rewarded, already, almost enough for him to be guilty. If he had been able to keep the blush in his cheeks down when he had started, he was incapable of doing so, now.

He turned his eyes to a conveniently placed shelf of rolls in an effort to mitigate the embarrassment he felt welling up... well, it was not just embarrassment, but... he was happy that she was happy? That he had made her happy, even for a bit, even for a while? It felt confusing, and a little mixed up... but maybe his decision was right, or at least partly so... to attempt to accompany her... in this endeavor.

And... it seemed even her mother shared her adulation. They really were ridiculously similar, sharing that embracing sort of aura... "Uh...Furukawa-san, you don't really have to..." he hesitated. To tell the truth, he did not think that his visit should be that much of a big deal, but... he had been invited, and here, at least, he thought he knew what would be rude--- to refuse, when someone wanted to thank him, even if he thought they were thanking him for something so trivial. "...but if you insist, I will be much obliged." and so he finished. Special bread, huh? What would a bakery consider special, not just par-for-the-course?

"Um, a-and... and one more thing..." he stammered, getting embarrassed again, since he was bringing up something again, something he thought he had to. "I was talking about that trip... I got this doll there..." Now that the main event had passed, and had even turned up results better than he dreamed of, Ayumu's sense of order was overrun by a bit of frantic fervor, and so this bit of his presentation was slightly more rushed... not that there was much to it... just a gift... a more tangible one.

"Here." With that, he revealed the dango plushie. "I thought you might like it..."