A gentle chill lingered in the air, brushing against cheeks like a quiet warning of colder days ahead. Leaves painted the ground in amber and crimson, fluttering down with every breeze. Mornings felt brisk, breath visible for a moment. Light jackets replaced summer wear, and the sun, though still present, had softened—casting a calmer, golden glow over the city.
---
Baji Household…
"Oka-san! I prepared my birthday gift list!" Keisuke shouted, practically skipping into the kitchen, a piece of paper held high like a treasure map. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Finally! I'm going to be 11 years old too!" he grinned.
Oka-san gently took the list from his hands, scanning it with a curious smile. Then she raised an eyebrow.
"Keisuke… many of these things are already with you," she said with a soft laugh.
Keisuke pouted slightly. "But they're newer versions, Oka-san!"
She shook her head, smiling as she turned to her daughter. "What about you, Asuka? What do you want for your birthday?"
Asuka looked up from the book she was holding, thoughtful.
"Hmm… I haven't thought about anything yet," she replied calmly.
Oto-san, reading the newspaper nearby, peeked over the top with a warm smile.
"My little kids are growing up so quickly," he said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
Keisuke and Asuka exchanged a grin, then burst into laughter as they got ready to leave for school.
---
Keisuke was already buzzing with excitement—not just because of his upcoming birthday but also because he spotted Manjiro and Emma walking just ahead.
"Hey!" he called out, waving wildly.
Manjiro and Emma turned at the sound of his voice, waiting for the Baji siblings to catch up.
Keisuke was practically bouncing with joy. Asuka, on the other hand, had her nose buried in her notes, walking and studying at the same time.
"Yo, Mikey!" Keisuke greeted cheerfully.
"Yo," Manjiro replied with a nod.
"Yo!" Asuka added, glancing up.
"Yooo, bookworm!" Emma and Mikey teased in unison.
Emma leaned over to peek at Asuka's notes. "You know we have a whole month for studying, right? Why are you already at it?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Asuka shrugged. "I just got less marks in Japanese, so I'm revising a bit."
The three of them blinked at her in unison.
"Less marks?!" they echoed. "How much did you get?"
"I think… around eighty-three?" she said casually.
Their jaws dropped.
"Is she serious…?" Emma whispered.
"From which angle is that a low mark?" Mikey muttered.
Keisuke groaned and gently closed her book. "Yeah, yeah, whatever—no more studying right now!"
Asuka looked at them blankly. "Now what?"
"Nothing," Mikey said, raising an eyebrow. "I just wanna know—how many hours do you study every day?"
"Not more than two," she answered.
Silence.
The three stared at her, thunderstruck.
"Then how does she even score like that?!" they all thought.
Between chatter and laughter, they finally reached school and headed to their respective classes.
Asuka placed her bag on the desk and glanced out the window, catching sight of Manjiro… who was already watching her.
"I wanted to ask you something," he said, voice quieter than usual.
Asuka tilted her head and nodded. "Go on."
"That day… outside your house…" he hesitated.
"You mean what I did?" Asuka asked.
Manjiro nodded.
"That was to thank you—for helping me out, for being there," she said, a slight smile forming. "I was acting foolish that day."
Manjiro gave a small nod, then looked her in the eye again.
"If you need help with anything… just tell me, okay? Because when you don't, you end up doing weird, dangerous things."
Asuka smirked. "Yeah yeah, as you say… first grow up yourself, Mikey."
He rolled his eyes and looked out the window, but the corners of his lips curved up just slightly.
The teacher walked in, and the class fell silent… well, except for one student—the great Mikey, who was fast asleep with his mouth slightly open.
---
Break Time…
Asuka was soon surrounded by her friends. Chika was already talking animatedly, as usual.
"You know, we'll be thirteen soon," Chika said dramatically.
"First let's get to eleven, Chika," Asuka replied with a straight face.
"I mean… it's already November 1st. January's not far, and two years will pass like that!" Chika snapped her fingers. "And you know what?" she leaned in, whispering as if revealing a deep secret.
The others leaned in too, wide-eyed. "You… don't mean that," one of them gasped.
"I do," Chika said solemnly. "At thirteen, people can date. It's the age of love, you know?"
"So we can have boyfriends officially?!" the other girls chimed in, giggling.
Asuka blinked. "Ohh. You know… by kissing, people get pregnant," she said with a completely serious tone.
There was a pause. Then—
"You're joking, right, Asuka?" one asked, half-laughing. "That's not how babies are born!"
"Yeah," another added. "My Oka-san said a stork brings babies!"
Asuka raised an eyebrow. "I think you guys should get a brain officially before thinking about dating."
The girls stared at her, faces red with embarrassment and fury.
"You're evil, Asuka!"
"You're such an idiot!"
Asuka burst out laughing, finding their innocence absolutely adorable.
---
After School…
As students spilled out of the building, Asuka hurried home with the others.
Keisuke nudged her. "Did you think about your birthday gift yet?"
"Yeah. I did," Asuka replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Manjiro glanced her way. "What do you want?"
"That's a secret," she teased.
Emma whined. "Aww, c'mon! No hiding!"
"Blah blah," Asuka sang, sticking out her tongue and covering her ears dramatically.
---
Back at the Baji Household…
"I thought about my birthday gift," Asuka said, dropping her schoolbag.
Oka-san turned from the stove. "Hmm? What is it?"
"I want… headphones!" she grinned.
Oka-san's expression turned disapproving. "Those are for older kids. Not for you. Ask for something else."
Asuka clasped her hands together. "Pleaseee, pleaseeee Oka-san!"
Oka-san sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll talk to your Oto-san about it."
Asuka beamed, already imagining herself with shiny new headphones. "You're the best!"