330 Chapter five, 2017, defeat: 9 (1/2)

Early July brought an end to the raining and a sudden increase in temperature along with an acceptance of a new daily routine.

Noriko got used to her sailor uniform, to the new route to school and to a school that was smaller and more silent than Himekaizen.

While the students at Irishima High on average got higher grades she still stood out. The main difference from Himekaizen was that no one here expected her to have much in the way of free time, well apart from the group who joined the Himekaizen Cultural Exchange Club. Which in its own was was hilarious as it still sported the name of the school that had expelled so many of them.

She didn't, however, get used to not seeing Urufu and Kuri on a daily basis. The latter had hit her hard since early this spring when Kuri's job stole more and more of her time. Now chances were Noriko saw her staring down from a billboard or a magazine ad rather than meeting her for real.

Once or twice a week Kuri showed up at the Stockholm Haven café, but when there she was tight lipped about what happened in their old school.

Urufu, well he was more outspoken, but a hardness grew in his face, one Noriko recognised from her father when he ran into problems. It wasn't the face she wanted to see on the boy she loved, but it was a reminder that the adult world would bring more changes to her than she cared for.

Today Urufu looked like a boy though. Carefree and with his smile opening up into the mischievous grin that made Noriko's heart jump.

”Good news?” she asked him when he caught up with her on their way to the café. Walked up to her where she demonstratively stood waiting for him might have been a better description.

He just nodded.

”Spill!”

Urufu rolled his eyes, and by the time he finally spoke more than a few of the club members stood waiting for his words. ”Graduates incoming,” he said cryptically.

'Graduates?' They were at the end of their first trimester. ”And explain,” Noriko added.

”We're having a few club members from our sister club in Sweden visiting. Or former members.”

Noriko ran the information through her head. Sweden finished their school year early June, so it made sense. Then what Urufu had really said finally registered with her. ”They're here? The people we Skype with?”

Urufu grinned again. White teeth shone in the sun, and to Noriko his face bathing in sweat looked better than ever before. ”Some of them.”

”Including my brother,” a voice said from Noriko's right.

She turned and met Ai-chan's eyes. ”Your brother?”

”Yep,” Ai-chan said and smiled. ”He went chasing skirt last autumn.”

'Ah, yes, I remember.' ”And?” Noriko said.

”And he's bringing his girlfriend,” Ai-chan offered in return. ”I want to meet her. I'm curious about anyone who made my brother move to Sweden.”

”Rika's coming as well,” Urufu said, ”together with her friend and his friend.”