There are a large number of things you expect to see whenever you come home from school. For a while, you'd expect an empty dorm, or Shinjiro-san if he didn't have a club meeting that day. More recently, Takeba-san started showing up, and it took some time, but you've gotten used to it.
Koromaru you adjusted to almost immediately, and Morgana still hasn't said anything on whether he's staying here permanently or not, but you are no longer completely blindsided by his presence.
It's not all that common for Akihiko-san to be here, though. He's sitting on the couch, and Koromaru is right by him demanding headscratches, and you don't think you're imagining the fact that the shiba's fur is more than a little frizzy right now.
This probably means that Akihiko-san is stressed about something right now. It generally does.
I mean, he's the only completely dedicated lightning user I've ever met...
"Is everything all right?" You ask. Koromaru, as if sensing that you won't randomly zap him without thinking about it, runs over to greet you with a happy bark.
Akihiko-san blinks, as though he hadn't noticed you opening the door. "Oh, hey, Ken."
"You haven't answered my question." You've gotten a feel for how this sort of thing goes. He'll avoid the topic, and it's your job to convince him that he really should talk about it. It hasn't been happening as often these days, but still enough for you to know exactly what to do. "Is something the matter?"
"Don't worry about it." That's still not an actual answer. "I've just... got a lot to think about right now." Suddenly, a thought comes to mind that you've entertained before, but never actually gotten the nerve to bring up to him.
We will never get a better opportunity to ask this.
Still... It's Akihiko-san. It shouldn't be a problem. "Is it Mitsuru-san?"
He freezes. Almost literally, which is sort of concerning when the heat's working and Mitsuru-san herself isn't home at the moment. "...Did Shinji tell you?"
You shake your head. "Maiko-chan figured it out. Back in spring." She hadn't even met him yet, so that probably says something.
"How-? I didn't even know I liked Mitsuru until a couple months ago!"
Akihiko-san, with all due respect, there are mollusks that are more in touch with their emotions than you are.
You decide not to mention Nemi's most recent comment to Akihiko-san. "I don't really remember that well... I don't think she was all that serious, actually." She just happened to be right, and you're going to have to tell her that later, you're sure she'll be amused by it. "Have you asked her on a date yet?"
He shakes his head. "She... probably wouldn't say yes, anyway..."
"You'll never know unless you try!" You point out. "Hey, Koromaru?" The dog looks at you pleadingly, and you scratch him behind his ears for a bit. "Try and get him to actually say something to Mitsuru-san, okay?"
"Arf!" You're going to take this as a yes. If he succeeds, you think you'll even give him a treat.
Koromaru deserves all the treats.
Oh, and Mitsuru-san said 'yes.' But what's important is that you have a very good dog.
It comes to mind that, with the shrine gone, you and your friends probably need to find someplace else to play. Even if it ends up being rebuilt, that probably won't be for a while.
For now, you're all just gathered in Akira's classroom because it's as good a place as any. "Hey, Maiko-chan, you were right about Akihiko-san."
"Huh?"
"You probably don't remember..." Or maybe she hasn't caught on to the character based on him. It's probably both. "But you said he might have had a crush on Mitsuru-san? They're going to go see the Christmas lights." You'd almost forgotten about the light display, even if the aftermath of last year's left... quite a bit to be desired.
Then again, that was less a problem with the display itself, and more with your choices.
"They are?" Maiko looks delighted to hear this, for all that she barely ever encounters either Akihiko-san or Mitsuru-san. "Really?"
You shrug. "Unless something changes in the next hour or so." Or if something happened with them at school. But you think it'll be fine. "I wonder if Lavenza-san is going to be out tonight." The idea sort of worries you, to be honest...
Still, you're sure Mitsuru-san and Akihiko-san can handle any problems that a small girl in blue could provide for them. Maybe.
...Okay, the idea really does scare you.
Go see the Christmas lights?
[ ] Yes.
-[ ] To stalk Akihiko-san and Mitsuru-san.
-[ ] To spend time with one of your friends.
--[ ] Lavenza.
--[ ] Maiko.
--[ ] Akira.
[ ] No, instead you'll...
-[ ] See what Shinjiro-san's doing.
-[ ] See what Takeba-san's doing.
-[ ] Walk Koromaru.
