Marionette

Skies, Chapter Forty Nine - Kaihi shimasu [回避します]

The summer break had begun - Two days ago, in fact.

In terms of her friendship with Karma, things had gone right back to normal once school was out.

He randomly turned up when he felt like it, back to inviting himself inside like this was his home instead of the apartment across the road. Most particular, it was within minutes of her returning from her training with Shigure over the past three days, which made it feel like he'd been waiting for her to come back.

That was impossible, though.

At least, in Amaya's head, it was.

It was Tuesday morning now, and Amaya had been roused from bed by none other than the overly energetic Reiko.

The girl had done away with the alarm-clock while Amaya was asleep, ensuring an impromptu sleep-in.

Which on one hand was appreciated, but on the other, really, really wasn't.

'Come on, Amay~! Come eat breakfast!' Reiko called out, running from the kitchen towards the ambling girl just emerged from the passageway. 'I have to go soon, so don't go back to sleep just yet!'

Amaya could only blink sleepily as she was grabbed by the wrist and tugged towards the dining table, where a particularly recognizeable plate sat.

Oh, yay...

Reiko made onigiri swimming in molasis-like sweet soy sauce again - She had thought she could smell something sickly sweet from her room.

Well, there was no sense prolonging the wait for the inevitable.

So Amaya sat down, casting a glance over at the large pink and orange travel-case propped up along the wall of the living room.

Well, it looked like Reiko had gotten herself organized in excess. This was very much like Reiko, but that wasn't really a problem.

The fact that she could over-pack meant that she had everything plus extra for the trip.

'Hope you like it, Amay~!' Reiko sung out as she picked up her onigiri with relative ease.

'Thanks ... it looks good...'

If one was addicted to sweet things, it looked good.

Koro-sensei would probably eat this in an instance if Reiko made a plate of it for him.

Tentatively, Amaya managed to lift her sugar-onigiri without breaking it, and took a bite.

If possible, this was made a lot sweeter than the last time – Which was quite a feat, considering that at that time, Amaya felt certain nothing could possibly be more sugary.

Keeping a straight face was turning into a difficult feat.

And then the worst possible thing happened - She heard the front door open.

'Morning Karma-san!' Reiko called out cheerfully, waving past Amaya towards the front door.

Damnit, his timing when it came to her bemusement was impeccable as always!

'Heh, you're in a good mood.' Karma's drawling voice echoed clearly as he kicked off his shoes, all the while Amaya did her best to pretend he wasn't here right now.

Which was even harder than keeping a straight face right now.

'I have a school trip today to Hokkaido, then I'm going to Osaka with Mako's family with Yuta for a week and I made breakfast!' Reiko sung happily.

Reiko was certainly a busy girl, this year.

Amaya was surprised Shigure had given the okay for Yuta to go. But then again, it was summer break, and ten out of fourty days wasn't all that much.