gorb | → it will come back

Her ego's a little bruised but she's otherwise fine, don't worry.

( Nestled safely in Nanami's arms, clinging like a little koala. )

She and Nanako got into a fight apparently.

I wondered.

Nanako's been crying since we realised she'd gone. Do you know what about?

It may be my fault.
My presence seems to be disrupting your lives and routines, leaving them to wonder where they stand with you.

I'll talk to them both. But if anyone's at fault then it's my own, don't take it to heart.

( They're teenagers. Damaged ones, yes, but still kids. )

I'm not.
They're just kids.

( The faces that launched his admired senpai into a murder rage are the faces of two little girls who'd suffered unjustly at the hands of those they trusted. That's bound to leave some insecurities and anxieties. )

I don't want to overstep but perhaps we should talk to them together.

You'd want to?

( They tease him and they bully him all the time, but. They also text him random things, pictures, jokes, memes, all sorts of nonsense, and the girl trusts him enough to negotiate, barter, and finally return home with him.

It makes Kento feel... It makes him feel. )

If it's all right with you.

Ah, Nanami.

Of course it is. They like having you here. They trust you. I trust you. And it would be good to have you at my side, they might even listen to us both if we're a united front.

They'll turn into scary adults, won't they?

I hope so. The scarier the better. You'll have to hold my hand when they're too fierce, Nanami. I have a tender father's heart.

I can see where they get the dramatic streak from.

( Had he really forgotten the insufferable senpai trio's crazy antics? Not forgotten, perhaps, just tucked away. )

I'll pick up some pastries on the way. Is there anything in particular that you want?