Kokoro gazed at his expression and felt the weight of his words. And she remembered how at the food court with her mother she’d scanned the walkway, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of them. How she was waiting for someone to round a corner and she’d be able to wave to them. How she was fantasizing about it – how great that would be.

‘So it wasn’t advice you wanted, but our help,’ Subaru said. He gave an exaggerated shrug and waved the voucher card Masamune had given him. ‘Is this Christmas present a bribe, then? To convince all of us to help you?’

Masamune looked at Subaru stiffly. ‘I know I have a lot of nerve asking this,’ he said curtly, ‘but …’

‘OK. I’ll go,’ Subaru said. ‘I’ll be waiting in the classroom on the appointed day.’

Masamune’s eyes widened hopefully.

‘I’m in Classroom 3 in Third Year. If you go to your classroom and you feel you can’t take it, you can come to mine. I haven’t been at school for a while, but I might score some points if a younger student starts to suck up to me.’

‘I might not be able to stand going back into a classroom,’ Aki said. Her tone was sharp as usual, though it didn’t sound like she was angry. ‘Though if it’s only to the nurse’s office …’

‘I think it’ll be fine if you hide out there. The teachers should allow it.’

‘Me too,’ Kokoro burst out.

Mum and Dad will be so happy if I tell them I’m going to school, she thought. They’ll warn me not to overdo it, but I know they’ll be relieved. With Sanada-san around, I’ll skip the classroom and go straight to the nurse’s office. Actually, my parents might feel better if I do that.

Above all, the thought of meeting the others outside the castle made her jump with joy.

She knew how Masamune was feeling. I feel so sorry for those loners! Sanada-san had said about her. The words still smouldered inside her. She wanted to show them she was no loner. I too have friends. And in other years. These kids are all my friends!

And Masamune must feel the same way.

I might not have any friends in my class, Kokoro thought, but because all of us are supporting each other, I can go into school.

‘Then I’ll go to the nurse’s office too,’ Fuka said, as if completing Kokoro’s thoughts. ‘When is the opening ceremony at school? What day should we go?’

‘January the tenth,’ Masamune said quickly, as if half afraid of the date and half anticipating it. His eyes looked even more tearful.