"What are your plans for summer break?" Zero locked the dorm room door and sat at her desk. Turning her face toward the small mirror, she took off her earrings and placed the two sapphire drops side by side on the desk.
"G-going home." Lu Mingfei swallowed, wondering whether Zero was sending him some kind of signal.
"I'll go back with you." Zero looked at Lu Mingfei in the mirror. "To meet your family. Is that all right?"
"What family do I have?" Lu Mingfei said without thinking. His parents in Japan were on an Antarctic expedition, which was pretty much the same as not having any. He was much like Shinji and Asuka-an orphan, more or less.
"Didn't you used to live with your uncle and aunt? Since your parents aren't around, they'll have to stand in for your family. I remember that meeting the parents is part of the process for you. I want to see where you used to live."
Zero felt around the side of her neck, trying to undo her necklace, but the tiny clasp was hidden beneath her hair, and she couldn't find it. She glanced at Lu Mingfei in the mirror.
"Help me undo my necklace."
Zero lowered her head and swept her hair to one side, exposing the necklace clasp at the back of her neck.
"Oh, that's the family you meant." Realizing he had gotten the wrong idea, Lu Mingfei walked behind Zero. The silver clasp was hidden beneath her pale blond hair. He lowered his head and brushed her hair aside, his fingertips touching the nape of her neck. "I meant I'm going to Japan. Hakone."
The first time was awkward, the second came easily. He undid the necklace without trouble, but just as he was about to take it