In a café, a group of middle-school girls are eating desserts together.

MIE: (eats a piece of cake) Mmm...

AKI: How is it?

MIE: (happily chewing) Sho... good...

SORA: Right? I heard about this place from Ren-san. He said his sister used to work part-time here.

MIE: Iff I can eat delichious shweets like thish, I'll work here fworever...

KAORU: I don't think that's how it works. And seriously, why would you want to eat sweets forever?

MIE: (takes another bite) Mmm... becaush ish so delichious...

KAORU: (annoyed) I guess sugar is the only thing your brain is made out of.

MIE: I'll be a SLAVE if I have to!

SORA: Now, now... don't get yourself worked up, Mie.

MIE: Aki-chan, here! (gives a piece a cake)

AKI: Ah, Sawai-san, that's too much...

MIE: Don't worry, don't worry. Say "Ahh" ... (feeds Aki)

AKI: ... mmm... sho fluffy...

MIE: Ahhh! You're so cute when your mouth is full!

AKI: (blushes)

MIE: Can I have some of your chocolate cake?

AKI: (nods)

MIE: Thank you!

KAORU: (whispers) Pst... Sora?

SORA: Hmm?

KAORU: Why did you invite her?

SORA: Oh, well... Aki said she never went to a café before, so I thought I would-

KAORU: No, not her. Her! (glanced at Mie)

SORA: Oh, Mie-chan? We're members of the Calligraphy Club since last year.

KAORU: It doesn't mean she should come.

SORA: She helped me out a lot when I was in trouble, so I owed her this much.

KAORU: I get that, but... why is it gonna be her? (turns to Mie)

MIE: Come on. Aki-chan! I want you to feed me like a baby.

AKI: Umm... you want me to what?

MIE: Feed me! Like a BABY!

AKI: Are- are you sure?

MIE: I'm a fat widdle baby. Baby want FOOD! (opens her mouth wide)

AKI: (confused, feeds her a piece a cake)

MIE: Mmm! Thank you, Mommy! (hugs Aki)

AKI: Umm... mommy?

KAORU: (annoyed) How could you be in a club with her?

SORA: She's actually nicer than you think.

KAORU: I don't care if she's nice. I just can't stand her being... her.

SORA: Well, you'll get used to it...

KAORU: (scoffs) I hope not.

Kaoru, arms crossed, watches Mie playing with Aki.

KAORU: (clears throat) So, Sawai Mie-san...

MIE: Oh! Ah, yes, Ashikaga-san! Want me to feed you?

KAORU: That's alright.

MIE: You want to feed me?

KAORU: (eye twitches) ... no, thanks. I have heard you're really talented in your calligraphy skills.

MIE: (scratches head) Eheheh, I'm not that good. Sora-san mentioned you won first prize last year.

KAORU: (smiles) Hmmph! Of course. My skills are not to be trifled with.

AKI: But you're not in the Calligraphy Club, Ashikaga-san?

KAORU: There's no need. My talent has been passed down for generations. I was born for the art of the brush. So, I thought it would be nice to try my hands on contemporary art.

AKI: Wow, Ashikaga-san! I knew you were an amazing artist, but I didn't know about your calligraphy skills.

KAORU: (chuckles proudly) Well, there's a lot you don't know about me.

AKI: I always admire your paintings, Ashikaga-san. They're always so deep and beautiful. (looks down) I wish my art was as good as yours...

MIE: (pats on Aki's shoulder) Aki-chan! You're a great artist! Just because your art isn't the same as others, doesn't mean you should feel bad for it.

AKI: Umm... but, you haven't seen my art...

MIE: I don't have to! Your love for art is enough for me to know that you can do great things, Aki-chan. (holds both Aki's hands) Never let go of that love, Aki-chan. Because I won't!

AKI: (blushes) Ah... Sawai-san... (smiles) thank you...

MIE: Call me when you have your own art gallery, Aki-chan. I'll pay to get in. FULL PRICE!

AKI: Uh... I don't think that's how it works... but, I'll make sure to have cakes waiting for you.

MIE: (eyes sparkles) Huh?! Really?! (hugs Aki tightly) AKI-CHAN! I LOVE YOU!!!

AKI: (chuckles) yes, yes...

KAORU: ... hmm... well... if you need lessons, I would be glad to give you some.

AKI: Huh? Really, Ashikaga-san?

KAORU: Of course. It would be a waste if I don't share my talents.

MIE: REALLY?! Aki-chan, isn't that great? You'll be a part of the Ashikaga family!

KAORU: ... no. That's... not what I mea-

MIE: ASHIKAGA-SENSEI! (bows to Kaoru) Please, take care of her!

KAORU: (glance sideways) ... yeah, sure.

MIE: (quickly stands up, holds up her hand) SECONDS!!!

KAORU: Hey, what do you think this place is?!

The rest of the girls laugh. Mie smiles and scratches her head, slightly embarrassed.

...

Two middle-school boys are walking together in town.

KOUGA: Come on, Jiro. Help me decide...

JIRO: Isn't it still too early to choose a high school?

KOUGA: That's why we should think about it now! We're wasting our time being in the moment, that we forgot to think about the future.

JIRO: Always "take a leap", huh?

KOUGA: My number one motto! Glad it's catching on to you.

JIRO: Because you always spit it on my face since elementary school.

KOUGA: Just the way you like it. (laughs)

JIRO: Sure...

KOUGA: Hmm... but still, Kotobuki Tech is pretty enticing though...

JIRO: Then just go there.

KOUGA: Hmm... but...

JIRO: The courses are top-notch, the teachers are trained experts and the graduates get access to privileged universities, so on and so forth... what more do you want?

KOUGA: EXCEPT... for one crucial element.

JIRO: ... there aren't any g-

KOUGA: THERE ARE NO GIRLS IN THAT SCHOOL!

JIRO: Oh... the agony...

KOUGA: How could one of the best technical schools in all of Japan still hasn't accepted the idea of having female students on their premises?

JIRO: I don't know... tradition, I guess.

KOUGA: Tradition, my ass! I bet that whoever owns that school is a creepy old geezer, eyeing on young guys like us.

JIRO: Huh, that is pretty scary to think about.

KOUGA: Why can't they appreciate the beauty that women possess within them? They're remarkable human beings, don't you see? Smart, talented, creative, powerful; if it weren't for us men, women could run the world.

JIRO: Hmm, sounds familiar...

KOUGA: Us men are disgusting, ignorant, pathetic creatures. But not women. No. They're beautiful, graceful, serene, majestic angels on earth. From the tired, hardworking single mother, working in a cubicle for her sweet, innocent little daughter; to the kind, warm and welcoming old lady, feeding you delicious mochi till your cheeks explode; women... are God's greatest gift.

JIRO: It's funny that this is coming from the same guy that peeked on the girl's changing room last week.

KOUGA: That's a lie!

JIRO: That lie sure sounds like you.

KOUGA: I know... but I don't do that anymore.

JIRO: Really...?

KOUGA: I learned my lesson. The hard way. (whispers) ...the scary way.

JIRO: Wait? Did someone beat you up?

KOUGA: (silently groans)

JIRO: Woah! You gotta tell me how it happened!

KOUGA: (shuts his mouth)

JIRO: To think that someone could beat you in a fight... he's gotta be strong just to take you down.

KOUGA: ... she...

JIRO: What?

KOUGA: ... she took me down.

JIRO: What?! Seriously? I need to meet her.

KOUGA: You shouldn't. She'll punch you just for admiring her.

JIRO: Come on, Kouga. You gotta let me- Oof!

Jiro fell to the ground, pushed down by a group of walking delinquents.

KOUGA: Jiro! You okay?

JIRO: (rubbing his shoulder) ... yeah. I'm fine...

KOUGA: (looks at the group) HEY! YOU!

TAKU: (turns around) Huh?!

KOUGA: You knocked my friend down!

TAKU: ... so?

KOUGA: You should apologize to him.

TAKU: Maybe he should be apologizing for being in my way.

KOUGA: What did you say?!

Kouga walks straight to Taku, facing him. They're both staring at each other.

TAKU: (smiles) What are you gonna do, little man? You want me to say sorry?

Taku's men surround Kouga and Taku.

JIRO: Kouga, let's just go.

TAKU: Come on, little man... beg me to say sorry.

KOUGA: (stares angrily)

JIRO: Kouga... let's just leave.

TAKU: Or would you like to make me?

KOUGA: (clenches fist)

JIRO: Kouga...

TAKU: Make... me...

KOUGA: You-

JIRO: Kouga!

KOUGA: (looks back to Jiro)

JIRO: ... let's just go.

Kouga, fired up, eventually steps out and moves away from the delinquents.

TAKU: You better listen to your boyfriend, little man! He knows how to cheer you up!

They all laugh at Kouga and Jiro. Kouga looks down to the ground, feeling defeated.

JIRO: ...

KOUGA: ...

JIRO: ... I'm sorry, Kouga. I had to-

KOUGA: That's okay, Jiro. You did the right thing.

JIRO: ... hmm...

KOUGA: I... I had to go.

JIRO: W- where are you going?

KOUGA: I need to... I need to find a tree.

Kouga quietly walks away, leaving Jiro, worried.

...

In a high school library, students are reading and studying quietly.

A librarian is stacking books into a bookshelf. In the middle of the library, a group of Gyaru girls are chatting loudly, ruining many people's concentration. She noticed the noise and stops working.

KAYA: Mai, you broke up with Taku again?

MAI: He wouldn't buy me the shoes I wanted.

ERI: Aww... you guys look so cute together...

KAYA: For the third time.

ERI: Is he dating anyone?

KAYA: I heard he's going out with Sayoko.

MAI: Seriously?!

ERI: Can't believe she had a thing for men like that.

MAI: Why would Taku go for her? That idiot...

KAYA: She'll leave him, for sure.

MAI: That Sayoko... what does she have that I don't?

ERI: A moustache.

MAI: What?!

KAYA: You never noticed? She has, like, a thin moustache on her upper lip.

MAI: (laughs) You're kidding?

ERI: I bet she shaves it every night. (laughs)

KAYA: I guess Taku just wanted a moustached lady for a change. (laughs)

MAI: (laughs) Should I grow mine then?

Loud, hysterical laughter echoes throughout the once, peaceful library. One of the librarians walks to them.

TAEKO: Umm... excuse me.

They stop laughing and look at Taeko.

TAEKO: Umm... please quiet down.

KAYA: Why?

TAEKO: Umm... everyone is... busy studying...

ERI: And you think we're not?

TAEKO: Umm... sorry, but... you're supposed to be quiet... when you're in the-

MAI: Isn't this a library for students?

TAEKO: Umm... yes.

MAI: We're just using what the school gave us.

KAYA: Yeah. It'll be a waste if no one's here, right?

TAEKO: ... yes... but-

ERI: Aren't you the one that's making the noise here?

TAEKO: W- what-

MAI: We were discussing our class project together, and then you just barged in and ruined the process.

TAEKO: S-sorry, but-

KAYA: But, what... huh?

TAEKO: It... it's just-

The librarian earlier puts down the books and walks to the commotion.

MAI: What are you? The librarian?

TAEKO: Y- yes...

KAYA: Don't you have better things to do?

ERI: Yeah, like sitting quietly, not bothering anyone's work.

TAEKO: But, I-

MAI: Why don't you go back to your boring books, four-eyes?!

KAYA: Who bought you those glasses, your teacher?

ERI: I bet you cuddle up to him just to get a decent meal.

The girls laugh at her. Taeko feels powerless.

TAEKO: Um... um...

The librarian pats on Taeko's shoulder. Taeko turns to her.

TAEKO: F- Fujimaru-sempai?

TSUYUKI: Leave them to me.

Taeko retreats from the situation. Tsuyuki confronts them with cold eyes.

KAYA: Huhhh? Who is this tough-looking chick?

ERI: You can't just leave us be, can you?

MAI: You wanna bore us with your rules and stuff?

TSUYUKI: ... you should leave.

ERI: ... what?

MAI: What did you say?

TSUYUKI: I said... you should leave.

KAYA: What? You're saying we can't stay and study like the rest?

MAI: You think you can just kick us out?

ERI: Who do you think you are, huh?

TSUYUKI: Let's be clear...

MAI: What are you-

TSUYUKI: None of you are reading. None of you are studying. You're simply lounging around with your feet on the table, talking out loud, and typing on your phones. Nothing you do is proper etiquette for any library. None of you belong here.

MAI: What did you sa-

TSUYUKI: For the sake of the other students, you should continue doing your usual business elsewhere. Leave.

MAI: (gets up, stares at her) Do you think you can just do that to us? You think you have any power to take us out?

TSUYUKI: ...

MAI: Just because you're a librarian, it doesn't mean you own the place.

TSUYUKI: ... that makes both of us.

Mai glares at her with a hateful flare. Tsuyuki stares back. Her eyes are still dead cold.

MAI: (clicks tongue) Let's get out of here.

ERI: What? Why are you-

MAI: Let's go!

Mai walks away from Tsuyuki. The rest followed. Before leaving the library, she glares back at Tsuyuki.

TAEKO: F- Fujimaru-sempai. Th- thank you. That was-

Tsuyuki ignores Taeko, walks back to her post, and resumes her duties.

...

The girls are at an arcade. Sora is playing a mini-bowling game.

*STRIKE!!!*

AKI: (claps) Incredible, Abe-san!

MIE: Woohoo! Way to go, Sora!

SORA: Heh, I didn't win third place for nothing.

MIE: You got to bring us to a bowling alley sometime.

AKI: I would love to see you play, Abe-san.

SORA: (grins) I can bring you guys to my practice session this weekend.

AKI: Really?!

MIE: YAHOO! You're the best, Sora-chan!

KAORU: (annoyed) Can we get outta here? I'm tired of all this noise.

SORA: Relax, Kaoru. Aki hasn't played a game yet.

KAORU: (sighs vexingly) ... fine. Just one more game.

AKI: Oh, that's okay, Abe-san. I don't mind-

SORA: Don't worry. Just find any game you wanna play.

MIE: Yeah, Aki-chan. Take your time.

KAORU: (grunts)

AKI: Well, I don't really know what to play.

SORA: Just look around. There's a lot of different games that we can do.

MIE: Racing? Fighting? Shooting? Fishing? Dancing? Eating?

AKI: Oh? What's that?

Aki sees a hammer arcade game with flashing lights. A small TV screen displays a cartoon elephant with a hammer.

MIE: HITTING!

SORA: You never played this one? You just have to lift the hammer and hit that base there.

AKI: Looks fun.

KAORU: (grunts impatiently)

SORA: Let me show you.

Sora grabs the hammer, lifts it high, and hits the base. The ball moves up on the pole. The TV screen starts flashing.

*400 POINTS!*

SORA: What? That's it!

AKI: You did your best, Abe-san.

SORA: Here. (hands hammer to Aki)

AKI: Uh... me?

SORA: Yeah. Give it a try.

MIE: Come on, Aki-chan. You can't hide those muscles forever.

AKI: Uh... um...

SORA: Just do it.

AKI: O- okay...

Aki carries the hammer with both hands, drags it to the machine, slowly lifts it up, aims carefully for the base, and hits it.

*100 POINTS!*

AKI: ... oh.

MIE: (side hugs Aki) Don't worry, Aki-chan. I know you'll do better next time.

AKI: Uh... yeah...

KAORU: She's done, right? Let's go now.

MIE: Hey, I wanna play too!

SORA: Come on, Kaoru. Try having some fun with us.

KAORU: There's nothing fun in this loud, stupid place. (walks away)

AKI: Ashikaga-san...

SORA: Don't worry, Aki. She doesn't mean it.

MIE: (grabs hammer) Ashikaga-san may look like a tiger, but I bet her heart is sweet as jelly.

KAORU: (stops walking, turns around) ... what did she call me?!

Mie readies herself in front of the machine. Kaoru angrily walks back to them. As Mie lifts the hammer up, she grabs it out of her hands.

MIE: ... eh?

Kaoru lifts the hammer up and hits the base as hard as she can.

*700 POINTS!*

Everyone looks at her in awe. Even Kaoru was surprised at her own feat.

AKI: A- Ashikaga-san!

SORA: How did you that?!

MIE: Woah! That was amazing!

She heard the others commenting behind her. She dramatically turns around, flips her hair back, and rests the hammer on her shoulder.

KAORU: (chuckles proudly) Too easy.

AKI: That was astounding, Ashikaga-san!

SORA: Didn't know you had it in you.

MIE: WOO! Way to knock it out of the park!

KAORU: Here. (hands hammer to Mie)

MIE: Alright! My tur-

KAORU: (drops it on her hands)

MIE: Oof!

Kaoru walks from the machine with her head held high. Sora notices, looks disapproving.

MIE: Alright!!! My time to shine!

Mie lifts the hammer high and knocks the base.

*600 POINTS!*

MIE: YEAH! I still got it!

AKI: Way to go, Sawai-san!

SORA: So close.

KAORU: (smiles) Not close enough.

SORA: (glances at Kaoru)

MIE: (sneakily sticks something onto the hammer's face) Aki-chan, wanna try again?

AKI: What? Oh, no. That's okay-

MIE: It's fine. I'll think you'll do better this time.

AKI: Uh... thank you, but... I already-

MIE: (hands Aki the hammer) I already believe in you. Aki-chan! Now, it's your turn.

AKI: ... uh...

MIE: (smiles cheerfully)

AKI: ... I'll give it one more go.

MIE: YEAH! That's the spirit!

Aki walks back to the machine with the hammer.

MIE: You can do it, Aki-chan!

SORA: Give it all you got!

KAORU: Why are we doing this again?

Aki lifts up the hammer as high as she can. On the face of the hammer, a small paper with a peculiar symbol is attached to it. She hits the base with all her might.

*1000 POINTS!!!*

The machine lights up, colours flashing everywhere. On the TV screen, a bunch of cartoon animals are dancing in celebration.

Aki looks up on the machine, drops the hammer, utterly surprised. Sora and Kaoru have their jaws wide open, shocked.

SORA: ... what... just-

KAORU: -happened?

MIE: (hugs Aki from behind) AKI-CHAN!!! YOU DID IT!!!

AKI: I- I did?

MIE: You did it, Aki-chan! I know you can!

AKI: (smiles) Ah... Sawai-san...

Sora and Kaoru watches Mie and Aki joyously hugging each other. The small paper on the hammer's face starts burning, slowly disappearing.

...

Kouga is lying down under a tree, panting his breath out. He's wearing metallic fingerless gloves.

A part of the tree's bark is gone, revealing the tree's inner skin. It looks wounded. Pieces of the bark are on the ground.

After moments of resting, his phone rings from his bag. Kouga turns to it, curious.

...

Mie, Aki, Sora and Kaoru are walking back together.

SORA: I did not expect the arcade to have gifts on the ready.

MIE: Why not? Aki-chan deserves it.

AKI: (holding a plush elephant, feeling happy)

KAORU: I'm never going back there again.

AKI: Sawai-san.

MIE: Yo, Aki-chan.

AKI: If it weren't for you, I... wouldn't be able to do the things I normally wouldn't.

MIE: Ah?

AKI: So, I just wanna say...

MIE: ... Aki-

AKI: Thank you, Mie-chan! (smiles brightly)

MIE: (sobbing softly) Aki...

AKI: Uh? Mie-chan?

MIE: (sniffs) AKI-CHAN!!! (hugs Aki tightly)

AKI: M- Mie-chan?

MIE: You- you called me... Mie-chan...

AKI: It- it's that okay?

MIE: (faces her) OKAY? It's not OKAY! IT'S PERFECT!!! (hugs tighter) I'm never gonna let you go, Aki-chan!

AKI: (chuckles)

SORA: (smiles)

KAORU: (annoyed)

RING RING! RING RING!

MIE: Ops! Gonna let you go now.

Mie takes out her phone, flips it open and answers it. Her face suddenly changes.

AKI: Is everything alright?

MIE: I- I have to go! (runs off) I'll see you again tomorrow! Bye Sora! Bye Ashikaga-san! BYEEE, AKI-CHANNN!!!

AKI: Bye, Mie-chan!

SORA: Bye-bye!

KAORU: Huh... I was just about to tell her to buzz off.

SORA: (glares at Kaoru, shoves her arm)

KAORU: What?!

...

After a long day, Tsuyuki grabs her bag and proceeds to leave.

TAEKO: Umm... Fujimaru-sempai.

Taeko goes to her; the rest of the librarians are chatting with each other behind her.

TAEKO: We're going to a café together. You know, just getting a cup of coff-

TSUYUKI: I don't drink coffee.

TAEKO: Oh, well... you can still join us. There is this café that makes delicious cakes-

TSUYUKI: I'm not interested.

TAEKO: Oh, then... we can go somewhere else. Is there anywhere you want-

TSUYUKI: I have to go home.

Tsuyuki walks away, leaving Taeko upset.

Tsuyuki gets out of the library and turns to her right. A few distances away, she sees the Gyaru girls hanging out outside. Mai, with arms crossed, stares down at her. Tsuyuki keeps on walking.

MAI: You think I'm done with you?

TSUYUKI: (keeps on walking)

MAI: You don't know who you're messing with, girl.

TSUYUKI: (keeps on walking)

MAI: When I tell my boyfriend, Tak-kun, about you, he'll make you pay.

ERI: Don't you mean your ex-boyfriend?

MAI: Shut up! And there's nothing you ca-

TSUYUKI: (walks past her)

MAI: H- hey! Stop!

Mai runs in front of her while the others surround her. Tsuyuki stares coldly into Mai, who is smiling wickedly.

MAI: Fujimaru Tsuyuki-chan, right? You think we don't know anything about you?

KAYA: You're the quiet girl of the school.

ERI: Looking down on us like an arrogant queen.

MAI: Who do you think you are? All high and mighty.

KAYA: To be expected from a model student, huh?

ERI: Everyone looks up to you like you're hot stuff.

MAI: Even the teachers must have like you, huh?

KAYA: Doing any favours for them?

ERI: I wonder how some of them taste like.

MAI: You must know, of all people.

TSUYUKI: ...

MAI: (clicks tongue, disgusted) You think you can just stare at me like a freaking weirdo?!

TSUYUKI: ...

MAI: (scoffs) No wonder you don't have a dad...

TSUYUKI: (eyes widen)

MAI: (chuckles) You really think we don't know bull, huh?

KAYA: We know you live alone with your mom.

ERI: No daddy, huh?

KAYA: Did he die? Jumped off a cliff?

ERI: Left you guys for a younger woman?

KAYA: I bet she's your age.

ERI: Do you miss his touch, daddy's girl?

Tsuyuki clenches her fist tightly, stares directly into Mai, with furious intent.

MAI: (chuckles) Come on, girls. We know what happened to her dad...

TSUYUKI: (seething with rage)

MAI: He disappeared... Vanished. Not even her mom re-

Without a second's thought, Tsuyuki grabs Mai's jaw, squeezing it hard, muffling Mai's cries of pain. She tries to pull Tsuyuki's hand away, but her grip is too strong.

ERI: Ah! What are you doing?

KAYA: Let her go!

Kaya tries to pull Tsuyuki from Mai, but Tsuyuki pushes her out of the way, without looking at her. Kaya hits the wall and fell to the ground.

ERI: Kaya! Why you-

Tsuyuki glares into Eri, eyes filled with fury. Speechless, Eri stands there, frozen in fear. Tsuyuki turns back to Mai who is struggling to escape.

MAI: ... ah... ah... p-

TSUYUKI: ...

MAI: ... p- ple- please...

After a few moments of suffocating her intimidator, she lets her go. Mai fell to the ground, holding her jaw, gasping for air. She looks up to Tsuyuki, her mind is filled with fear and hate.

MAI: ... you... you...

TSUYUKI: ...

MAI: (scoffs) ... YOU FREAK!

Mai quickly runs away. Kaya follows her. Eri snaps out and runs away as well.

Tsuyuki watches them fleeing the scene. She takes a deep breath, lets out a long sigh, calming herself down and proceeds to walk back home.

RING a RING RING!

Her phone starts ringing in her bag. She takes it out and flips it open.

End of Chapter 7