Intermission: Think of the Neighbors

Intermission: Think of the Neighbors

Intermission:

Think of the Neighbors

K OMARI CHIKA ADJUSTED HER RIBBONS IN THE mirror. It was still dark, just before dawn. Nearby, her little brother was still asleep. The cold fall air penetrated her blouse as she carefully slipped her blazer on, so as not to wake him.

Koto-senpai had called last night. As happy as Komari was to hear preparations had gone smoothly at school, she was also frustrated she hadn’t been there.

She glanced at her brother one last time before opening the sliding door. It was the day of the festival. And the last day the lit club would have its senpai.

Once outside, Komari locked the front door and let out a sigh. Her escape had gone unnoticed. She didn’t want to worry her family, and they certainly would have had they known how early she was leaving.

She stifled a yawn and turned. Parked in front of her house was a familiar minivan. And leaning against the car was an even more familiar bespectacled girl.

“Morning.”

Komari croaked. “S-Senpai?! Why are you here?”

“Sounded like you were scheming something over the phone yesterday. Looks like I was right.” Tsukinoki Koto pointed her thumb over her shoulder, at the minivan. “I’m not about to let my sweet, sleep-deprived Komari-chan go to school all by herself. Hop in.”

“I-I’m not sleep-deprived. I slept all day yesterday. A-and you know he’s gonna be mad if he catches you driving.”

“Eh, let him! Now let’s go, we’re burning daylight!”

Koto practically shoved Komari into the passenger seat. She took her own on the driver side, turned the key, and the engine purred to life. A voice drama of two young men passionately proposing to each other immediately blared from the speakers.

“S-Senpai…”

“Pretty good, huh? I put this baby on for special occasions.”

“T-turn it down, please. My house is r-right there.”

Koto’s expression instantly sobered up. She nodded and did so. “Right. Neighbors.”

“N-neighbors.”