The following evening, the four of them strolled along the stone-paved path to the banks of the Kamo River.
The breeze swept across the river, carrying moisture and the dry fragrance of grass. It brushed their cheeks with a cool dampness, just enough to dispel the lingering heat of the day.
Satoru Gojo walked at the front. He leaned over the wooden railing and looked down for two minutes, then quickly grew bored with sitting around.
He glanced about and spotted a matcha ice cream stand downstream, below the embankment. Its blue-and-white parasol stood out in the sunset, and a moderately long line had formed.
His eyes instantly lit up. Grabbing Suguru Geto by the arm, he tugged him that way, his voice as excited as a child's:
"Come on, come on! Let's get ice cream! If we're late, they'll only have vanilla left. I want double matcha with red beans!"
"What's the rush? Nobody's fighting you for it." Suguru Geto laughed as Gojo dragged him a couple of steps. Passing Qingxiao, he deliberately slowed and gave him a knowing look.
He lowered his voice. "We'll buy a few extra. You two take your time here. No need to hurry over."
Even after taking a couple of steps, Satoru Gojo remembered to turn around and wave at them, not caring that his sunglasses had slipped to the tip of his nose:
"We'll be right back! Don't sneak off without us!"
Before he had finished speaking, he was already bounding down the steps, his white hair gleaming in the sunset.
As the two figures gradually receded, the riverbank suddenly grew quiet.
The breeze carried up the sound of flowing water. The surrounding voices seemed distant, leaving only the wind rushing past their ears and the soft lap of river water against