𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐊𝐄𝐘 - 𝐑. 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

TWENTY-NINE
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It was finally dark with more stars visible in this part of Japan unlike where Zumi lived with her father. Multiple dots that lit up to fill minuscule portion of the space's seemingly flat image that covered the world like a sheet were presented to millions of people that barely cared enough to look up at it.

Though despite walking around the whole day and that it eventually turned night, Zumi and her mother found themselves still walking around. And she couldn't stop her mother because she felt too bad to stop her enthusiastic story-telling and that she was also actually enjoying walking around even with her legs already aching.

They stopped by at the usual place where they used to hang out when they just wanted to relax and get rid of all of the stress that's been barreled over their shoulders – and that was the small convenience store near their house.

"Keishin! I want beer! And give my daughter one as well!" Her mother exclaimed with her hands pointed towards the one behind the cashier excitedly as they walked inside the store.

Zumi raised her brows suspiciously; since when were they on first-name basis?

Ukai's eyes widened when he saw the familiar daughter of one of the usual customers that bought in their little store before saying, "Glad to have you back here, Hoga-chan." He then turned his head to her mother with a small glare, "And you, no. I don't serve alcohol to minors and you know that."

Her mother frowned before groaning with her hands clasped together, "Oh, come on... she's only here for two weeks so I want to have a drink with her. And you know that I'd give her mine just like we used to anyway."

He turned his head to look at Zumi as if asking for her approval. Zumi walked towards the seats beside the counter, looking up to see Ukai looking at her expectantly. She nodded her head though bringing her hand up to give her only one to quiet her mother down.

He sighed before walking off to the fridge wordlessly before coming back with two bottles of alcohol. There were bubbles that fizzed inside at the sudden motions as he each handed them one right after opening it.

Zumi's lips quirked up lightly as she stared down at the liquid that could be mistaken as apple juice because of its color before bringing the bottle up to her lips. The slightly intense taste pricked continuously against the interiors of her throat, feeling the little burn on her nose and the area surrounding her mouth a bit. She let out a sigh right after, placing it back down on the counter.

"You're out of practice, Zumi." Her mother said before drinking hers much confidently and a laid-back manner, while Zumi only scrolled on her phone and occasionally brought up the bottle to her lips. Ukai shook his head in disappointment and a hint of amusement as he stared down at her mother.

The sound of multiple people talking and the yells greeted the three people's ears inside the store, making them avert their attention towards the door. The bells rang when the glass doors opened abruptly, with Ukai sighing in exasperation.

"Just try not to mind the rowdy volleyball team." Ukai said, moving onto the side to talk to the students that were asking for some meat buns.

Zumi's eyes widened as she accidentally choked on the beer that was inside her mouth, forcing herself to swallow it down before looking at the people multiple people that stood right beside her. Her eyes caught all of the faces of the volleyball team that had now gone quiet and were also staring back at her with the same expression – except for the few first years that didn't know her.