[b]Toma Tanaka - Warakuma Streets[/b]

Toma bit his lip, going over what he had learned about Aiko's family. It had been enough to at least make him consider telling Aiko about his own brother, but he opted against that pretty quickly -- going through with that thought would completely nullify the biggest positive of moving from his old home.

Aiko had an outburst in his frustration, during which Toma stayed quiet. He eyed the other boy, trying to figure him out. Toma still wasn't sure if he was worried more about his brother, Noboru, than himself, but judging from his reactions, Toma was certain of something -- there'd be real consequences for the Yamamoto's if Noboru wasn't found.

After Aiko calmed himself down, he turned to Toma, and asked for his help in finding his brother.

Toma put on his signature smile -- slight, relaxed, and confident. "Of course," he said, bending over and picking up Aiko's wallet. "I've come this far with you, haven't I? I don't like leaving things unfinished." He flipped the wallet closed and held it out to his friend. "The mall sounds as good of a place as any to look -- we can ask around, find out if anyone's seen him."

---

[b]Warakuma Shopping District[/b]

As the pair neared the mall, a small store in the distance caught Toma's eye. A flower shop, it looked like, which meant it must have been the building where Kotori lived. Realizing that Kotori and Noboru were both in second year, he decided it was worth seeing if she was home and asking her about the missing boy.

"Hey, Aiko, before we check around the mall, I'd like to make a small detour," he said over his shoulder as he began to make his way to the store. "To visit someone in your brother's year. We can ask her if she's seen him."

---

[b]Shirohane Flower Shop[/b]

Toma opened the door to the building somewhat gingerly, poking his head in as the bell hanging above his head went off. He immediately spotted Kotori, and smiled brightly as he pushed the door fully open and stepped into the store.

"Shiro-- " he started, but cut himself off upon noticing the woman standing next to her, the two clearly related. "Oh, I didn't know you had a sister, Shirohane-san..." as he said the words, he realized, to his embarrassment, that the woman was more than likely Kotori's mother.

He also finally registered that there was a third person already in the store, and that he had just rudely interrupted their conversation.

He really should have taken an extra moment to study the situation before opening his mouth.

Feeling himself go red, he bowed - more deeply than usual to hide his face, eyes to the ground - towards the large stranger and the older Shirohane. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt." 

He cringed internally. Why was he so flustered? He never got like this. Knowing that both Kotori and Aiko were there to see him as he was just made it worse. 

Still bowing, he took a deep breath and composed himself. Tilting his head, he looked up at the trio with a sheepish grin. "My name's Tanaka Toma. I was hoping I'd be able to ask Shirohane-san a question."