11 What is love

--- 10 minutes after Akiyama left ---

Shuuko and Shouko were still sitting in the kitchen, opposite each other.

"Mom, what is love?", Shouko asked. Is the feeling she had in Akiyama's vicinity love? Or is it something different?

Shuuko already assumed that this question would come up someday.

It took a minute, until Shuuko came up with an answer.

"Shouko. Love is complex and comes in various forms and flavours. But the usual form of love is when your heart races around him, it's when you want to stay as long as possible with him, when you spend a lot of your free time thinking about him, when he makes you laugh easily, when just talking to him makes you happy.", Shuuko replied in uncharacteristic seriousness.

"This is about Akiyama, isn't it? You think you love him, right?", Shuuko added. Now that she has seen what kind of person Akiyama is, she supported her daughter in coming together with Akiyama. She believed Akiyama would take good care of Shouko, that he'd always act in her best interest.

"...", the blushing Shouko nodded.

"And you don't know how to act around him, right?", Shuuko continued.

"... Yes.", Shouko replied.

"You know, Shouko, I think you don't have to do anything.", Shuuko said.

"Shouko. Just follow what your heart tells you, there's no need to rush. You still have at least 3 years to sort out your feelings.", Shuuko finalized. In terms of romantic relationships, she believes there is not much room for parents to meddle in. She'll give her advice sometimes, but won't actively meddle. This is something every person has to discover for themselves.

"... I understand.", Shouko said in similar seriousness.

And with that, the red-faced Shouko went up to her room. Lying down in her bed thinking about Akiyama, 'So I really do love him, huh.', she thought.

The rest of the evening was spent researching the complex topic called 'Love', trying to figure out how to act in Akiyama's vicinity, and more importantly, how to make someone fall in love with her. Poor Shouko has yet to realize, that Akiyama also harbours feelings for her.

--- Akiyama's flat ---

As Akiyama entered his flat, he took of his shoes and switched into his home clothing.

Akiyama, who entered the kitchen, prepared to switch his bandages and apply some ointment on his left hand.

"It does look awful after all, doesn't it?", he muttered.

The scar stretched oblong of his palm, spanning a total of 7 centimetres. His entire palm red, the scar itself swollen, protruding from his palm, the stitches still very much visible.

'Ren really meant business, huh?', he thought with a wry smile. That evening could very well have been his last.

'The past days were really hectic, huh? Meeting Shouko at my new school, getting almost killed by my classmate-to-be, and being introduced to Shouko's mother', he thought.

'And there is still more to come, I still haven't fixed my money shortage.', he added, sighing.

So, Akiyama took out his mobile-phone and searched for nearby part-time jobs. Preferring a job at a convenience store, where he has to do physical work, but not hard enough that it'd detriment the healing of his hand.

And so, the day ended, Akiyama's head filled with thoughts of uncertainty. And Shouko's head filled with thoughts of Akiyama and an equally filled dream.

--- Next day, Itan Private High School, Class 1-1 ---

Komi was already in the classroom, sitting next to Tadano. Surrounded by Najimi and Agari.

Akiyama entered the room and was immediately waved over by Najimi.

"Yahoo~ Akiyama, come on over.", Najimi said.

Once Akiyama reached their table, Najimi immediately had to ask, "Akiyama, we wanna go for ramen after class today, wanna come with us?".

"Sorry, I'll have to decline, I'm planned out for the afternoon.", Akiyama answered. He was planning on checking out some convenience stores near his home and school, looking if anyone is searching for a part-timer, his online search last night turned out to be fruitless. Not even mentioning that the funds he's living on get shorter each day, ramen from an actual ramen-shop is nothing he can afford right now.

Shouko was disappointed, and curious as to what he had planned.

Tadano, on the other hand, was happy, happy to have some time with Komi without Akiyama butting along. Poor guy, still believed he had a chance with Komi, believing that he'd be able to separate Ying and Yang, that he'd be able to split the oceans. Someone was bound to be disappointed at some point...

Whilst nobody dared to ask what Akiyama was planning on doing the afternoon, Najimi wasn't such a lenient person, "What are you planning on doing? Don't tell me you're planning on picking up some girls now that you're new in town, eh~", Najimi asked, elbowing Akiyama on the chest. The former part of the question being genuine, and the latter more intended to poke a response out of Komi.

Komi, hearing the latter part, perked up, looking like a feral cat ready to rip Akiyama to shreds should he really try to pick up girls.

Akiyama, seeing Komi expression, hastily explained, "No no no, I'm just checking out nearby convenience stores for a part-time job.".

"What, that's all? How boring.", Najimi dismissed.

Hearing Akiyama's explanation, Shouko's jealousy died down. Now she wasn't sure what to do, should she go eat ramen with Najimi, Agari, and Tadano, or should she follow Akiyama on his pursuit for a part-time job?