How We Met Again

Chapter 8: After The Cold, There's Warmth

As Itsuki and I stepped inside, Ichika and Miku were on the couches on their phones, and Yotsuba was perched on a chair at the table watching us come in, her ribbon trembling. Nino was nowhere to be seen -- I could only presume that, with dinner finished, she had decided to wash her hands of the entire affair.

As soon as I stepped into the warmth of the apartment, leaving the frigid balcony behind me, I was hit by a sudden wave of fatigue. I wasn't sure if it was emotional or physical, but regardless, I was ready to go home.

"Is... Is everything alright?" Yotsuba asked timidly as she looked back and forth between us, her bow shaking nervously.

That thing really does have a life of its own, huh?

I nodded.

"Everything's fine. I really need to go home though -- I'm absolutely exhausted."

"Oh! Oh, uh, right! I... I guess that makes sense," Yotsuba said, and I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Are you alright? You're stuttering like crazy."

Yotsuba pouted. "I am not stuttering! I've got perfect control over-- hey, wait! I was asking about you!"

I snorted, and then took off my shoes and picked them up to carry them to the door. I glanced at the clock on the wall, and then frowned.

"I've got to head down now. If I remember the schedule correctly, my bus comes in seven minutes, and the next one isn't for another thirty after that. I don't want to miss it, so I'd better hurry."

I turned back towards the balcony door.

"I'll see you on Monday, Itsuki. Take care."

She nodded. "You too, Uesugi-kun."

I turned back around to see Yotsuba, Ichika, and Miku all staring at us in shock. Ignoring their confusion in the name of haste, I walked through the apartment to the front door, and slipped my shoes back on to leave.

"Wait, Uesugi-san!"

I turned back around to look at Yotsuba, who had her hand stretched out.

"Yeah?"

"...I'll walk you to the bus stop."

"Huh? Oh, sure. Thanks."

Yotsuba got up from the table, hurried over to the door, and grabbed her coat and her shoes. As she was getting ready, I turned back to the apartment, where Miku and Ichika still had looks of disbelief on their faces.

"I guess I'll see you both around. It was nice meeting you, Miku."

"Uh... likewise," she said, distractedly watching Itsuki go up the stairs.

"Could one of you tell Nino I said goodbye?"

Ichika turned to look at me. "Sure, I'll tell her. It might be fun to see her reaction. See you, Fuutarou-kun."

Yotsuba pulled on my sleeve, and I turned to see that she was ready. Then, we were out in the hall, the door swinging shut behind us, and waiting for the elevator. The entire time we stood there, Yotsuba didn't say a word. After what felt like an eternity, the metal door opened, and we stepped in. Somehow, the marble floor didn't feel nearly as intimidating this time.

Maybe after being in that apartment all day, I've become desensitized to it?

I pushed the button for the ground floor, and the elevator began to descend. We stood there in silence for a few more moments, and then Yotsuba said, uncharacteristically quietly, "So... what happened out there?"