Going out to eat, going shopping together, going for a walk; these normal things were like a balm on her sanity. This was what normal teenagers did. This was how they were supposed to spend their time. It made her almost dread having to face the reality of what was happening to her right then. Even if she couldn't keep it, she wanted desperately to hold onto this one precious moment in time.

The compliment that broke the silence between herself and Niikura caught her off-guard. She smiled, unable to help herself. What a smooth-talker he was, just like her own Shou. She pulled her ponytail over her shoulder, running her gloved fingers through her hair. "Thank you. And, thanks for the ribbon and bow, too."

She didn't have anything to offer him other than her thanks, but something told her that he didn't care for things. He seemed quite content, actually. Another reason she wished time would stop.

She sighed, looking out over the abandoned park. "They're going to take us back soon, aren't they?"