Meanwhile…
As Lucy walked with Mira and Hiley toward the cafeteria, the lively chatter of students filled the air.
"Lucy, how about we have an overnight party on the first day of winter?" Hiley suggested excitedly.
"Yeah!" Mira added with sparkling eyes. "We can play in the snow, watch horror movies, and do a lot of fun stuff! Doesn't that sound exciting?"
Lucy blinked, slightly surprised by their enthusiasm.
"Uhm… sure, I like that idea! Where should we do it?" she asked.
Without hesitation, the two answered in unison—
"At your place!"
Lucy froze.
"H-Huh? That's not allowed at our house… and uhm… I'm actually just staying there temporarily," she said awkwardly.
"Then let's do it at your place instead," she added quickly.
Mira shook her head.
"That won't work either. Our house is too small."
"Same here," Hiley sighed. "My mom doesn't like noise, and an overnight isn't fun if we can't be loud, right?"
Lucy crossed her arms lightly.
"Then maybe we should just not do the overnight for now."
"Come on, pleeease!" the two begged.
"But—"
She was cut off by a familiar voice from behind.
"It's fine if you do it at our place."
They all turned.
It was Ken.
Mira and Hiley looked confused.
Lucy, however—
Her cheeks instantly flushed red.
She quickly moved closer to Ken and whispered hurriedly,
"What are you doing?! They can't find out we're living together!"
Ken scratched his head casually.
Meanwhile, Mira and Hiley exchanged suspicious glances.
Something felt off.
Lucy used to hate Ken—
So why were they suddenly this close?
"Sorry, it's really not allowed," Lucy said quickly. "Maybe I'll try asking permission at home."
Mira and Hiley looked disappointed.
They slowly walked away, clearly sulking—
But there was a strange look on their faces.
As if they were planning something.
Lucy sighed.
"Ugh, those two are really a handful," Lucy muttered.
"Why not just let them? You have your own room anyway."
Lucy turned away, still blushing.
"I just don't want them to find out I'm staying at your place… and that we live together."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Ken replied.
After School
As Lucy and Ken walked home together—
Unbeknownst to them…
They were being followed.
From a distance, Mira and Hiley hid behind walls and corners, carefully watching.
After getting off the bus—
"Look at them… aren't they acting like a couple? Or is Ken actually Lucy's boyfriend?" Mira whispered, hiding behind a wall.
"Lower your voice!" Hiley hissed. "But yeah… it does look like it."
Minutes passed.
"Why aren't they separating?" Mira frowned. "Do they even live near each other?"
"Hmmm…" Hiley muttered.
Then—
They saw it.
Ken and Lucy stopped in front of a gate.
Ken pressed the doorbell.
The gate opened.
Lara appeared.
From their hiding spot—
Mira and Hiley watched closely.
Lucy smiled… and bowed slightly.
They even heard her words—
"We're home."
The two girls froze.
Then slowly turned toward each other.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Hiley whispered.
"They're living together," Mira replied, eyes wide.
Moments later—
Both of them started grinning.
"So that means… they're really a couple?" Mira said, barely containing her excitement.
"Most likely!"
Hiley suddenly clapped her hands softly.
"Since tomorrow's Saturday… why don't we surprise them and come here?"
Mira's eyes lit up.
"Let's do it!"
The Next Day
Ding dong.
The doorbell rang.
Lara opened the gate.
"Good morning. Who are you?" she asked politely.
"Good morning! We're Lucy's friends," Hiley replied. "Does she live here?"
Lara smiled warmly
" Yes, she does. Come in."
They stepped inside—
And were immediately captivated.
A beautiful cherry blossom tree stood gracefully in the garden.
The traditional-style house radiated warmth and elegance.
"Thank you," Hiley said.
"Does Ken live here too?" Mira asked.
"Yes, he does," Lara answered.
"Come in. They're preparing food right now, so make yourselves comfortable."
Inside the house—
"Lucy, someone's here for you," Lara called.
Lucy's heart skipped.
She felt uneasy.
What if they find out…?
Meanwhile—
Mira and Hiley immediately noticed—
Ken and Lucy were indeed together.
They bowed respectfully.
"Sorry for the intrusion," Mira said. "We just wanted to talk to Lucy."
"We also brought some fruits for you," Hiley added.
She handed over a basket filled with assorted fruits.
Ken's mother smiled warmly.
"Thank you very much. Come, have a seat. We're preparing food."
"T-Thank you…" Mira said shyly.
"Don't be shy, just sit down," Luna added gently.
Mira and Hiley couldn't help but notice—
Luna and Lara looked exactly the same.
It was almost unsettling.
"By the way, let me introduce myself," Ken's mother said cheerfully.
"I'm Mary Kuronuwa, Ken's mom."
"I'm Luna Kuronuwa, Ken's aunt," Luna added, smiling.
"And I'm… Luna… I mean, Lara Takahashi," Lara stammered nervously, nearly revealing her real name.
"I'm Ken's grandmother," she added proudly.
The girls smiled and bowed politely.
"I'm Hiley Katao," Hiley introduced herself.
"And I'm Mira Koro," Mira said.
"We're glad to meet you. Please, sit down," Luna said.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen—
Lucy and Ken were preparing food.
Lucy's face was red.
Her hands slightly trembling.
Back in the living area—
"We were wondering if Lucy could join us for an overnight on the first day of winter… if that's alright," Mira asked politely.
"That's fine," Mary replied with a smile. "Why not have the overnight here instead?"
Both girls stood up instantly.
"Really?!" they said at the same time.
"A-Ah, sorry! We got too excited," Hiley added quickly.
Mary chuckled.
"That's perfectly fine."
During the Meal
Everyone sat together.
But Lucy was unusually quiet.
Her body slightly trembling.
After Eating
Lucy pulled Mira and Hiley outside.
"How did you find this place?!" she asked.
"Uhm… we followed you yesterday," Mira admitted.
"Lucy, you didn't tell us you and Ken were living together!" Hiley teased.
Lucy's entire face turned bright red.
"Ughhh, you two!!"
The two girls laughed and ran—
Lucy chased after them in embarrassment.
From a distance—
Ken watched everything.
A small smile formed on his lips.
Later That Afternoon
Lucy sighed.
"Fine… I agree. It's just one day anyway… and there's nothing I can do now that you already know I'm living here."
Mira tilted her head.
"But how did you even end up here?"
Lucy paused.
Then smiled—
But there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I'll tell you… when we have the overnight. So we'll have something to talk about."
Mira and Hiley exchanged excited looks.
"Okay!" the girls replied, their excitement unmistakable.
And just like that—
What started as a simple plan…
Began to unfold into something much deeper.