"We're here."  

"Yeah. And there are so many people."  

"What did you expect when we came to Shibuya during a tournament everyone's been waiting for?"  

"Zombies and an underwear theft case?"  

"That only happens in anime! Wait, you watch that kind of stuff?"  

The train ride had gotten them to their destination without any trouble. Public transportation really was reliable.  

"We just need to walk a little to reach the venue, right? Or is there somewhere else we need to go first?"  

"Hey, at least answer my question first!"  

Ignoring Endou's irritation, Misaki seemed a bit more cheerful now that she was finally out of the house. Staying cooped up for so long had gotten boring, and seeing the city at night - something she rarely experienced - was surprisingly fun.  

Well... except for how crowded it was. Misaki hunched her shoulders slightly.  

Being around so many people still made her uneasy. She was still prone to panic attacks.  

"...My hands are cold. Can you hold them?"  

As her breathing grew uneven from the crowd, Endou reached out with a small smile. Misaki knew he was just trying to help without saying it outright, so she took his hand.  

"Hmm, maybe I should've reconsidered bringing you to watch. Was I being too selfish?"  

His fingers were bare and cold, but Misaki could still feel them through her gloves, so she tightened her grip. Endou, secretly embarrassed, tugged at his collar before leading her forward. Walking around with Misaki like this was exactly why he hadn't brought Raphael along in the car. So far, his plan was working.  

"What do you mean? I wanted to see my student show off his hard work. That's why I came."  

"Ohh, my apologies, Master."  

Their usual ridiculous banter made it seem like the start of a romantic outing...  

"Or not at all."  

Endou muttered under his breath.  

"Did you say something?"  

"No, I was just asking if you wanted to walk around first. We've still got about an hour before the tournament starts."  

He smoothly changed the subject.  

"If that's the case."  

Misaki agreed, happy to explore a bit. The nightscape of Shibuya was lively - office workers heading home, street musicians performing, students still in uniform hanging out. There were even couples kissing in public, which made Endou blush.  

"For someone who gave Onii-chan adult magazines, you're awfully shy about people kissing. Your pervertedness is weirdly selective, Endou."  

Misaki teased.  

"Hey, you're still holding that against me? Besides, kissing should be private, not out in the open like this. Wait, you didn't feel embarrassed watching them?"  

Most teenagers would fluster over something like that, but Misaki just tilted her head.  

"Why would I? It's not like I was the one being kissed."  

Endou sighed. "You're weird in so many ways."  

"What's weird to you might be normal for others. Everyone's different."  

Her reasonable answer left him with no rebuttal.  

"Fine, you win. Now I'm the weird one."  

"Hmm? Aren't you always weird?"  

"Enough bullying! I give up!"  

Misaki laughed - exactly the reaction she'd wanted.  

Eventually, they entered a building (Endou paid the entrance fee, of course) and rode the escalator up. When they reached the top, Misaki's eyes sparkled.  

"This is my first time at Shibuya Sky. The view is incredible."  

The entire city stretched out below them, neon lights glowing like scattered stars.  

"Yeah, worth the trip."  

Endou smiled, watching her enjoy the scenery.  

"Let's take a picture." He pulled out his phone.  

"Okay!"  

They posed together - goofy, cute, playful. Endou hadn't expected Misaki to be so enthusiastic, but she seemed determined to get the perfect shot. Unbeknownst to him, she wanted to send the photos to her worried friends later.  

"Move closer. Yeah, like that."  

"Uh, sure."  

Their cheeks pressed together, making Endou's face heat up. Misaki, oblivious, just smiled. His gaze flickered to her lips - soft, slightly parted, like ripe cherries. What would they-  

"Endou, smile. My face is getting stiff."  

"O-Oh, right."  

It took a few tries before he managed a natural smile.  

"Perfect! Say 'cheese'!"  

"Cheese!"  

The camera clicked. Misaki cheered as she reviewed the photos.  

"Hehe, maybe I have a talent for photography."  

"I'd believe you'd become a mad scientist before a photographer... Let me see."  

The picture showed them smiling against the glittering cityscape, the lights blurred into a dreamy haze. Endou secretly loved it. He was definitely printing this later.  

"Too bad I don't have a phone. I'd ask you to send these to me."  

"Want me to buy you one?"  

Misaki shook her head. "Onii-chan would throw it at your face. Besides, I don't really need one."  

"You should get one. You never know when it'll be useful."  

He didn't say it, but he worried about her safety.  

"Maybe soon."  

"Good. Using a landline in this day and age is ancient."  

"Ugh... Is it really that outdated?"  

She had been left out of class group chats...  

"Let's go down. I'm getting hungry."  

"Sure. Can't have you starving mid-tournament. You might start chewing on the monitors."  

"What do you think I am, a rat?"  

"A capybara."  

"..."  

--- 

Until we meet again