The walk to school was quiet, at least until Josh reached the corner near the bakery. That's where Aki always waited for him.
As usual, she was leaning against the bakery's window, nibbling on a warm cheese roll, her backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. She wore her hoodie even though it was already getting warm, her dark hair tied in a loose braid. When she saw Josh, she grinned and waved the roll in the air like a flag.
"You're late," she said.
Josh raised an eyebrow. "I'm five minutes early."
"Exactly. You're late for being early. I've been standing here for seven minutes already!"
Josh laughed. "You're so dramatic."
"I'm theater material, Josh. You should know that by now."
They fell into step together like they always did. The sidewalk was familiar—same cracked tiles, same barking dog behind the rusty gate two blocks down, same old man sweeping his yard while humming.
Josh glanced at her. "So, you're really gonna try out for the school play?"
"I am the school play," Aki said confidently. "I read the script last night. I'm thinking lead role, obviously."
"Obviously," Josh echoed with a smirk. "Do I need to prepare for your acceptance speech?"
"Better yet, you should audition too."
Josh nearly tripped on the sidewalk. "What?"
"Come on," Aki said, nudging him with her elbow. "You could be the funny sidekick. Or the love interest."
"Yeah, no thanks," Josh muttered, trying to hide the heat rising to his face.
Aki laughed, clearly catching his reaction. "Aw, come on. Scared of a little stage fright?"
"I'm not scared. I just... don't like attention," he mumbled.
"Liar. You sang a whole Bruno Mars song at karaoke last summer."
Josh groaned. "You dared me to."
"And you nailed it!"
They reached the school gate just as the bell rang. Students rushed past them in waves—shouts, laughter, hurried footsteps. Josh sighed. "Another long day."
"Think positive," Aki said. "Math is before lunch today. That means you suffer first and reward yourself after."
"Or," Josh said, "I suffer and starve. Because someone always forgets the snacks."
Aki reached into her bag and pulled out a small plastic container. Inside were bite-sized chocolate muffins.
"I made these last night," she said, smiling. "Because I'm the best."
Josh stared at them like they were treasure. "You are the best."
"I know," she said, tossing him one.
He caught it easily. "You know," he said quietly, "it's weird."
"What is?"
"That we've known each other since, what, Grade 1? And you've never gotten tired of me."
Aki looked at him, her smile softening just a little. "Who says I haven't?"
Josh grinned. "Rude."
"I'm kidding," she said, bumping her shoulder into his as they walked toward their classroom. "You're not that bad, Banas."
He didn't say anything for a moment, just walked beside her, the chocolate muffin still warm in his hand.
And even though the bell had already rung, and the hallway was chaos, Josh felt weirdly calm.
Because walking beside Aki?
That always felt like the best part of his day.