Asher took the last bite of the sandwich Mei had given him. The rooftop wind was soft now, almost still. He glanced sideways at Mei, who sat quietly beside him, her gaze resting somewhere far off, lost in thought.
"Raiden," Asher called gently.
Mei turned to him, blinking. "Hmm?" She tilted her head.
"Lunch break's about to end," Asher said, standing up and brushing crumbs from his uniform.
"Oh! I almost forgot," Mei said, quickly getting to her feet.
The two walked back to class together, the rooftop silence replaced by the noise of students trickling into the hallway. Asher could feel it the moment they stepped into the room—sharp gazes drilling into him like invisible arrows. A few familiar faces from earlier were among them, watching him with forced smiles and barely concealed hostility.
He ignored them.
Asher made his way to his desk and sat down, resting his arms across his chest. He didn't bother glancing around. He could already hear the whispers.
"She was with him?"
"What were they doing?"
"Why would Mei-san even talk to someone like that?"
He looked toward Mei—back now at her desk, surrounded once again by her usual circle of friends. Some of them were already leaning in, questioning her, probing. She answered with a smile, calm and composed, but didn't point fingers or seem bothered.
Asher simply shook his head and closed his eyes, waiting for the teacher.
------------------
Classes ended. The bell rang.
[3:20 PM.]
Asher gathered his things slowly, slipping his notebook into his bag. By now, most of the students were either heading to club activities or already on their way home. Asher belonged to later group. He just preferred to leave.
Walking down the hallway, he paused near one of the large windows. Outside, on the training field, he caught sight of Mei—alone, swinging a bamboo sword in practiced arcs. Each motion was deliberate, precise. There was grace in it, but also something heavy beneath the surface. Discipline. Maybe even... frustration.
He watched for a moment longer, then turned his gaze forward again and headed for the exit.
Outside Chiba Academy, the street was still warm with the afternoon sun. Asher looked down at his hand and murmured quietly to himself.
"Friend, huh…"
The word felt unfamiliar on his tongue.
He never expected her to call him that.
Asher moved with the flow of students, most of them chatting or laughing, their bags bouncing behind them. But his mind was elsewhere—still lingering on Mei's words.
"Aren't we friends?"
He didn't know what to make of it.
He never thought someone like her, from a different world entirely, would ever see him that way.
Eventually, he arrived at the local grocery store. A small, quiet place tucked between two old buildings. The bell above the door jingled softly as he walked in.
He moved through the aisles grabbing bread, instant rice, some canned food, eggs, and a few vegetables.
Still, he caught himself staring at the shelves longer than usual. Thinking.
-----------------------------
On the way back to his apartment, Asher slowed his pace.
A soft sound—barely a whimper—reached his ears. A quiet, broken cry.
He stopped and looked around, then followed the sound.
A few steps later, he spotted a little girl sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, her tiny shoulders trembling as she cried alone. There were no adults nearby.
Asher approached carefully and knelt in front of her.
"Hey, kid… what's wrong?" he asked gently.
The girl sniffled and glanced up at him—then immediately burst into louder sobs.
Asher sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Are you lost? Did you get separated from your parents?"
The girl nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her small hands clutched the edge of her dress tightly.
"I'll take you to the nearest police station, okay?" he offered, trying to keep his voice calm and friendly. "They can help you find your mom and dad."
The girl looked at him through watery eyes, then shook her head.
"Mom said… don't talk to strangers!" she hiccupped, voice high and panicked.
Asher froze.
"…Seriously?" he muttered under his breath, brows twitching. "Even when you're crying in the street?"
This wasn't good. If someone saw him trying to help a crying child, it'd look... bad. Suspicious, even.
Just as he was wondering what to do, a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Ash?"
He turned around.
Mei.
Asher sighed in relief. Perfect timing.
"Raiden," he greeted with a small wave.
Mei stepped beside him and looked down at the little girl. "What's going on?"
"I heard crying, came to check, and found her alone here," Asher explained. "Tried to help, but she won't stop crying the moment I speak."
Mei smiled gently and knelt beside the girl.
She reached out and softly patted her head. "It's okay, sweetie. Big sister is here now. I'll help you, alright?"
The girl looked at Mei for a moment—then slowly nodded, her sobs easing.
Asher watched the scene unfold, arms crossed. "Seriously?" he muttered. "Double standards, huh…"
Mei look back and smiled.
Then she turned to the girl. "Why were you crying when this big brother was just trying to help you?"
"Because… because Daddy said all men are bad people!" the girl said, rubbing her eyes.
Mei nodded. "It's good to be careful. Your parents were just trying to protect you. But not all men are bad, you know? This big brother here," she pointed at Asher, "was trying to help you. He's a good person."
The girl turned to Asher slowly, her expression apologetic.
"I'm sorry, big brother."
"It's fine, kid," Asher said, waving his hand dismissively. "No harm done."
Mei stood up and took the girl's hand.
"Come on. Let's go to the police station so they can help you find your parents, okay?"
The girl nodded again, and the two started walking off together.
Asher stood there, about to turn around and head home, when Mei suddenly looked back.
"Ash, you're not coming?"
He blinked. "Ah… right."
What was he even thinking? Letting Mei walk alone to a distant police station with a child? That'd just be irresponsible.
He quickly tucked his groceries deeper into his bag and caught up with them, walking beside Mei.
As they continued walking toward the police station, the little girl suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Mei noticed first. "What's wrong?" she asked gently, crouching a little to meet her eyes.
"I'm hungry…" the girl said, rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her dress.
Asher looked around, scanning the street—then spotted a familiar red and yellow sign just a few blocks ahead.
"There," he pointed. "Let's take a short break. There's a McDonald's nearby."
Mei nodded, and the three of them made their way to the fast-food restaurant.
Inside, the bright lights and warm smell of fries filled the air. The little girl's eyes lit up at the sight of colorful menu boards and kids' toys displayed on the counter.
Asher stepped forward and looked down at her. "Do you want a Happy Meal?"
The girl quickly nodded, her face beaming with excitement.
"One Happy Meal, please," Asher said to the cashier, then turned to Mei. "You want anything?"
"Ah…" Mei looked up at the menu, visibly confused. It was clear she wasn't familiar with fast food chains.
She shook her head. "I think I'm fine."
But at that exact moment—grrrooowl—a soft rumble echoed from her stomach.
Mei's eyes widened. She immediately turned away, flustered and embarrassed.
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Wait… don't tell me that sandwich earlier was your only lunch?"
"Um…" Mei gave a tiny nod.
He sighed and shake his head.
Turning back to the counter, he added, "One set double cheeseburger, please."
"Anything else?" the cashier asked.
"That's all," Asher replied, paying for the food.
Mei opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a word out, Asher had already picked up the tray and was heading to a nearby table.
She followed quietly, sitting across from him.
Asher handed the Happy Meal to the little girl, who lit up with joy as she pulled out a small toy and began munching on the chicken nuggets.
"Thank you, big brother!" she said cheerfully.
Then he slid the cheeseburger toward Mei.
She blinked. "This is for me?"
"Yeah. Go on, eat," Asher said.
"But—"
He cut her off gently. "It's my treat, so don't worry about it. Looks like it's your first time eating fast food, right?"
Mei hesitated, then smiled slightly. "Then… let's share."
"You eat first. If you can't finish it, then I'll help," he said with a shrug.
She opened her mouth to protest again, but when she saw his relaxed smile—the way he wasn't expecting anything in return—she simply smiled back.
It felt… genuine.
Not the kind of smile people gave her because of her name. Not out of obligation or social expectation. But because he wanted to.
Slowly, she unwrapped the burger.
Then she took a bite.
Her eyes widened slightly as she chewed. "It's… actually good."
"Told you," Asher said. "Sometimes junk food is comforting."
Mei chuckled softly.
---------------------
As Asher watched the little girl and Mei eat, his gaze drifted toward the window beside them. Outside, the world seemed to slow down—soft clouds drifting by, people going about their day.
Then a voice pulled him back.
"Ash."
He turned. Mei was looking at him, her hand stretched out, holding half of the burger.
"You eat too," she said gently.
He blinked. "You go ahead. I already told you, it's for you."
But Mei kept insisting, pushing the burger closer to his face until he had no choice.
With a sigh, he gave in. "Fine, fine."He leaned forward and took a small bite.
"There. I ate," he said, handing the burger back.
Mei took it, but her eyes lingered on the spot where he had bitten.A moment passed—then a flush crept across her cheeks, turning her face red.
Before anything could be said, the little girl chimed in cheerfully, "Big brother, me too!" She offered a small pile of fries with both hands.
"Thanks, kid," Asher said with a soft smile, taking the fries and popping one in his mouth.
Mei stayed unusually quiet for the rest of the meal, avoiding eye contact with Asher.
Outside the McDonald's, they continued their walk toward the police station. The sun had begun its descent, casting a warm orange glow across the buildings and pavement.
Asher glanced sideways at Mei, who still hadn't said much.
"Raiden-san," he began, cautious, "did something happen?"
Mei flinched slightly. "...Bite," she mumbled under her breath.
"What?"
"Ah! Nothing—nothing!" she said quickly, waving her hand, her face flushed again.
Asher looked at her for a moment, then simply nodded. "Alright."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the police station—only to hear voices and a bit of a commotion inside.
"MOM! DAD!" the little girl shouted as she suddenly broke into a run.
"Mia? MIA!" a woman cried out in relief.
They watched as the little girl threw herself into her mother's arms, tears of joy on both their faces. The reunion was loud, emotional—her father knelt beside them, holding both of them close.
Mei watched silently. Her eyes softened, and her expression shifted… distant, almost lonely.
Asher noticed. He didn't say anything at first—but then changed the subject, gently.
"Looks like she found her parents. I'm glad."
Mei blinked, as if shaken out of her thoughts. "Mm… yeah. Me too."
Moments later, the girl's parents approached both Asher and Mei, bowing and thanking them profusely. The little girl waved excitedly at them before walking away hand-in-hand with her mother and father.
Silence returned.
The sky was deeper orange now, fading slowly into violet at the edges. It was getting late.
Asher turned slightly toward Mei. "Raiden—" he began, but was cut off.
"Mei," she said firmly, her purple eyes meeting his. "Call me Mei."
Asher was quiet for a moment, then nodded with a small smile. "Alright, Mei."
A real smile—warm and bright—spread across her face.
"You want me to walk you home?" he asked. "It's getting dark."
Mei looked surprised, then nodded. "Sure."
Side by side, they started walking again.