---
The elementary school gates were already visible from the end of the sidewalk.
And just as I had expected—
the area had already turned into a morning social market.
Dozens of children stood in front of the iron gates.
Dozens of parents watched from behind.
Shiny leather school bags reflected the morning sunlight like a row of new cars in a showroom.
Deep red.
Black.
Expensive brown.
All identical in shape.
Randoseru.
In the middle of that crowd, Yuna's blue bag looked like a contract employee accidentally walking into an executive banquet.
---
I stopped two steps from the gates.
"From here, you go in on your own."
Yuna gave a small nod.
Her hands gripped both straps of her bag.
Tighter than before.
Her eyes darted around, observing her surroundings.
Children with expensive bags.
Parents in neat clothes.
Several mothers glanced toward Yuna's bag.
Stares that weren't exactly hidden.
Yuna swallowed quietly.
I watched her fingers squeeze the straps.
