“You must be very passionate about your music, Uede-san.” Tsubaki had said in her soft tone when Kosuke told her of his decision to leave his job to play for the drama club. “I will still work at my parents’ bakery part-time, but it will not interfere with my work for the drama club.”

Mina’s laugh pulled Tsubaki’s gaze from Kosuke at her side. She herself giggled at the sight when the guy beside her shook his head. Tsubaki thought Mina’s behavior typical for the girl that she’d known of for many years. In a way, she wished that she was as comfortable around people as Mina. But, then again, she’d adjusted her demeanor at a young age to not be disliked. She leaned over to stage whisper to Kosuke, her eyes on Sho. “I would feel bad for Fujimoto-san, but I think he enjoys the attention despite his complaints.”

“What kind of guy likes being hassled for a free meal, eh?” Sho said he ran a hand through his hair in mock frustration, glaring at Mina for just a moment before the smile split his face at her suggestion of making this a tradition. He was about to say that he couldn’t handle being pestered by a girl he wasn’t dating for food on a regular basis when Kosuke surprised him by not entirely committing, but showing interest. Sho dramatically hung his head, but lifted it when the same question was proposed to Tsubaki.

She seemed to consider it for a little bit, tapping a finger against her cheek as her eyes looked upward in thought. Of course she’d just been drawing it out, as her face too stretched into a small smile and she nodded. “It sounds like fun.”

When Mina dashed inside, Sho shoved his hands into his pockets and trudged off behind her, letting the door swing in his wake. Tsubaki caught it and held it open for Kosuke in a friendly gesture. Once inside the small shop, Tsubaki marveled at the place, appreciating the quaint décor and adorable designs on the menu of little cartoon onigiri. When Mina pressed Sho for an answer, her eyes shifted to the red-head. With a sigh, he averted his gaze and begrudgingly said. “Alright, alright.”

Though his tone said one thing, he had smiled. He liked the idea of hanging out downtown with a group of people on a regular basis. It would be a nice change for his last year of high school. “Let’s eat!”