“Right,” Aoi mutters, unimpressed but slightly amused.

Kota peers from behind the counter, blinking, a small smile creeping up to his face. “Morning, Ayane.”

“Morning, Dad...” She groaned, slowly pushing herself up, and brushed off the bread rolls now scattered around her.

Aoi exhaled softly, one brow still raised as her eyes lingered on the brown-haired girl before her. “She’s your daughter?” she asked, her tone flat, yet laced with curiosity.

Kota chuckled under his breath, clearly amused. “Yup, that’s right. And she’s in the same year as you.” Aoi blinked, glancing at him briefly before turning her gaze back to the girl. So, this is the younger one, she thought, observing as the girl gave a flick of her hair tied into a ponytail and smoothed out her navy-blue skirt that barely brushed her thighs. With a dramatic sigh, the girl looked like she'd stepped out of a teen drama.

“So much for dramatic entrances…” she muttered.

Aoi gave a side eye, “If your goal was to be remembered, it worked.” Ayane finally looks up—and freezes when she meets Aoi’s lavender eyes.

“Oh. You’re… new.” she blinked.

“You’re... clumsy.” Aoi replied, as Kota gave a gentle laugh.

“How're you doing, sweetie?" he greeted again, earning the girl's attention.

“Hey, dad!” she laughed, rushing over to hug him over the counter. Stepping back, she spread her arms out like a kid, twirling a bit before posing with a peace sign. “Check my new Sayonaki uniform! Looks pretty good on me, doesn't it?” she grinned with her eyes closed.

“It sure does. Glad you got it before the big entrance exam.” he replied with a smile.

“Mmh-hmm! Sorry i couldn't help with opening the store today. Had to take care of grandma first.”

“It's fine.” he answered while Aoi watched the two converse, her eyes taking in the girl's uniform as she took a good look. Her form wore the Sayonaki jacket with a white shirt, dark navy-blue skirt that barely brushed her thighs, black socks that stopped inches below her knees and black combat shoes. Other than anything else, she looks like a regular high school girl. Is she really serious about attending Sayonaki? She looks pretty average and weak to me, Aoi mused, her eyes glancing at Ayane's turquoise's orbs as she animatedly talked with her dad. She blinked then turned to Aoi who stared back at her, as Kota turned to his daughter's gaze on the blue-haired girl.

“Ayane, meet Aoi Sakuraba. She’s the one who helped me yesterday.” He introduced. Ayane’s face lights up as she smiled.

“Wait—you’re that girl? The one who beat up the robbers?” She chimed with stars in her eyes. Aoi turned forward, her eyes closed.

“They started it.” she answered as she sipped a spoonful of miso soup.

“You're kinda cool, you know that?” Ayane grinned.

“I've been told worse.” Aoi shrugged, looking back to Ayane who zipped her bag properly.

“I heard there was a commotion on this part of town yesterday. I called big sister, but she told me it had already been handled. I asked her to give me the full details but she said she was tired and would talk to me at school.” Ayane said, her eyes looking back to her father as he wiped a glass.

“Yeah, you know how busy she is. She'll talk to you when she has free time.” he said with a smile as Ayane turned back to Aoi with a huge smile.

“I also heard it was a stranger that stopped them before the Nightingales arrived, and it seems you're also a student.” She pulled out a pen and notebook from her bag, walking closer to Aoi, “A first-year, right? You even got the cropped version of the Sayonaki uniform jacket but I’ve never seen you before. Did you move here from out of town or something?”

“I guess you could say that,” Aoi replied, biting into her tamagoyaki roll.

“Whoa...” Ayane exhaled as she leaned close to Aoi's side, her turquoise eyes meeting Aoi's lavender ones.

“Yeah, what?” Aoi asked, clearly uncomfortable.

“Whoa, amazing. Your eyes resemble the blue storm rose.” she said as she scribbled on the book, causing Aoi to blush.

“What the... why does everyone keep saying that?!” she asked, startled.

“Huh?” Ayane blinked in confusion.

“You're the second person who's told me that. What's up with this blue storm rose anyway?” Aoi sighed, turning back to her food.

“Oh, well, the blue storm rose is an artificial flower, you see. They're rare, but quite a few number of people breed them. I even heard once from big sister that the co-leader of Sayonaki; Reina Hoshizuki told the tale of the founder and first leader of Sayonaki High had subtle lavender eyes, similar to the blue storm rose. So, because of that, she was given the nickname other than just the leader of Sayonaki.” Ayane explained.

“Huh. I see now.” Aoi muttered as Ayane squealed, holding the book close with one hand, her other hand clenched into a determined fist.

“Sayonaki High is so much different from any other high school. Its members and leaders; both genders came together to protect the town. All newcomers admire their upperclassmen, who helps the community. Their given name; The Nightingales, spread fear among the gangs in town, mostly to those in gray areas. They're all so cool, and it's really such an honor that i decided to join Sayonaki. I can't wait!” she chimed as Aoi watched her animatedly talk.

“You sure seem excited.” Kota said to his daughter then turned to the blue-haired girl, “And i'm sure you are too, Aoi.”

She blushed and looked away, “You don't get to say stuffs like that,” she muttered shyly. Ayane walks over and plops herself down on the stool beside Aoi, already smiling like they’re long-lost friends.

“Let’s be friends, okay?” she said, earning a blush from Aoi.

“…W-What?!” Aoi stuttered.

Kota chuckled as he looked at them, “She moves fast. Good luck.”

Ayane swivels on the barstool beside Aoi and leans forward with a glint in her eye. “So, what are you eating? Looks kinda fancy.”

Aoi stared at her bowl, “Just miso soup. Some rice. And grilled salmon.”

Ayane sniffed the air, her eyes shining with stars in delight, “Waaaah, I can smell the dashi from here... Dad, can I get the ‘hero of the day’ special?”

Kota let out a small laugh at the name, “Only if you stop calling it that. Coming right up.” He sets a fresh tray in front of her: fluffy white rice, warm miso soup, a neatly grilled piece of salmon, and a tamagoyaki roll. Ayane’s eyes sparkle.

“Ooooh, jackpot!” She claps her hands together and bows slightly over the tray. “Thanks for the food!” She digs in with impressive speed. Aoi watches in mild amusement, her brow slightly raised.

“You eat like you haven’t seen food in days.” Aoi spoke mid-bite.

Ayane turned to her with her mouth full, “It’s ‘cause I skip breakfast to sleep more. Priorities, y’know?”

“Unbelievable…” Aoi muttered, shoving a bite of rice. Ayane tilts her head, watching her.

“So, where're you from?” she asked.

“Urban Tokyo.” Aoi replied calmly with her eyes closed while chewing.

“I see, it's not every day you get to see people moving here. Then, how long have you been in this town?” Ayane pressed further, chewing on her tamagoyaki roll.

“Pretty long enough.” Aoi shrugged.

“That didn't quite... answer the question.” Ayane added, tilting her head in confusion.

“You talk too much.” Aoi sighed softly.

Ayane grinned, “You need someone who talks too much.” she said as Aoi looked at her. “You’ve got this whole mysterious, lone-wolf vibe… Like a samurai in a school uniform.”

Aoi snorted lightly at the comment, hiding the flicker of flattery in her eyes. She shoved a spoonful of food in her mouth and spoke through it. “And you look like some regular high schooler. You sure you can fight? You don’t look like much to me.”

Ayane paused mid-bite, smiled at her plate, then glanced up. “You say that, yeah... but when I heard someone fought off a whole gang yesterday, I didn’t expect to meet a delicate princess.”

Aoi’s cheeks turned red as she glared at Ayane. “Huh?! What’d you call me?!” Kota burst out laughing, wiping tears from his eyes.

Ayane glanced at the clock. “Oh no!” she gasped, suddenly shoveling food into her mouth as she stood. “I’m running late! I'm running super late!”

“Why? What's the matter?” Kota asked, watching confusedly as she hung her bag properly over her shoulder.

“I promised big sister I’d help her with Tenkawa's delivery today. It's her shift this morning, but she had some other things to take care of, so i volunteered I’d go in her stead.” she replied with a smile.

“Aww, that's really sweet of you, Ayane.” he added, mirroring her smile.

“Hey, you and i aren't done yet.” Aoi reminded, an irk mark visible on her temple.

“I know, but we'll meet up back at school to finish our chat, i promise!” she said, jogging to the door.

“Hey!” Aoi called after her as she jogged toward the door, then paused and looked back with a smirk.

“It was nice meeting you, Aoi! I really hope we become friends! Thanks again for the food, dad! See you later!” she waved, opening the door as she nearly bumped into an in-coming customer.

“Oops! Sorry, ma'am!” she apologized with a bow as the woman brushed it off with a smile. Aoi sighed with a sweat drop, returning to her seat.

“She really is sweet, isn't she?” Kota chimed, his eyes closed with pride and admiration.

“Just because she's your daughter? Yeah sure, she's super sweet.” Aoi said, her voice laced with sarcasm, her right eyebrow raised. “Seriously? I can't believe someone like her would be going to Sayonaki.”

“What makes you say that?” Kota asked, picking up Ayane's tray.

“Well, first off, she doesn't look like someone who can fight. She seems too... frail... too bubbly and cheerful, even. Someone like her could never survive in a place like Sayonaki High. I mean... you saw those girls from yesterday, didn't you?” she added, her mind flashing back to Reina and the others. “Those girls... they had the strength... had the power to fight. Ayane clearly doesn't have what it takes to be like them.” she said, her elbows plopped onto the counter as Kota picked up her tray. A small smile crept up to his lips as he turned to the sink.

“Well, i advise that you don't judge a book by its cover just yet. Ayane's more than you see her right now, and she's clearly got what it takes to be a Nightingale.” He said while washing the dishes.

“Huh?” Aoi breathed, lifting her weight from the counter.

“Being a student of Sayonaki and becoming a Nightingale doesn't fully depend on strength as far as i know. Why it was created and what those kids are looking for, aren't people who are strong...” He turned to her with a knowing look, “... but people who are willing to protect the town in however way they can.” His words caused Aoi to widen her eyes slightly in surprise.

“Don't be too surprised that when you get to Sayonaki, it won't be all the students who know how to fight. Some could just be energetic, determined students learning how to. Some could be carefree but talented rookies who surprises everyone with what they can offer. That being said, it's alright to be someone you want to be... as long as you're willing and determined to do so, to stand with them. That's what really matters.” He smiled; his eyes closed with a small chuckle. Aoi stared at him, his words resonating.

I hadn't really thought of it that way, she mused as Reina’s voice echoed in her mind: “We don’t need perfection. We don’t need heroes. We just need you to stop running and stand with us.” She exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting to the table, then back to the man wiping the counter with a napkin.

“Well, there's nothing to worry about. You'll figure it out once you get there.” He added, causing Aoi to stiffen at his words.

“Wait—you do know how to get to Sayonaki High, right?”  he pressed further, his eyebrow raised as he stared at Aoi staring blankly at the counter, his eyes widening in surprise.

“What?! You mean to tell me that despite a year of living in this town, you still don't know where it is?!” he shrieked in disbelief, an amused laugh escaping his lips afterwards as he held his stomach, slamming his other hand onto the counter continuously while Aoi flushed red in embarrassment.

“O-Of course i do! How could i not know?! Stop laughing, dammit! It's not funny!” she retorted, clearly red in embarrassment as he calmed down.

“Right. Sorry, sorry. I see what's going on here, you don't want to go there alone, right?” he guessed as Aoi flinched, turning her eyes sideways. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he turned back, grabbing a white bag, turned back to Aoi and placed it on the counter. “Here,” he said, gesturing over to the bag as she turned to it.

“These are some snacks i packed for you and Ayane. If you hurry, you could still catch her at Tenkawa's. Unless you don’t know where that is either.”  he teased, arching his eyebrow in amusement.

“Ha-ha, very funny, i know where the bakery is.” she said sarcastically, grabbing the bag as she stood up. Kota put out his palms in surrender.

“I was just joking!” he laughed, earning an exasperated sigh form Aoi as she walked to the door.

“Aoi!” he called, pausing her mid-walk. She let out another sigh as she turned to him.

“Yeah, what?” she turned to meet his warm smile, the gesture catching her off-guard for a moment.

“Good luck.” he wished, causing her to blush.

“Y-Yeah, whatever,” she mumbled as she held the handle of the door.

“One more thing,” he called, making her pause again. When she turned, his smile was a bit sheepish, a nervous bead of sweat rolling down his temple. “Ayane's... a bit of a hothead, she gets riled up too easily. So, please, make sure she stays out of trouble. She can be a little... bendy and edgy most times.”

“Huh?” Aoi tilted her head slightly, brows knitting in confusion, with no idea of what he meant. With a hesitant nod, she stepped outside, the door closing behind her.

What was that about...? she wondered, her steps slow, her eyebrow raised in confusion.