After leaving the Weekly Shonen Sunday editorial office, Rita saw that it was still early and did not hurry back. Instead, she bought Shiro a baumkuchen from a convenience store by the roadside, then found somewhere to pack up some fried tofu as well.
She tore open the wrapping and handed the baumkuchen to Shiro, smiling. "So, starting today... we've officially debuted. Let's work hard together from now on!"
"Mm, work hard."
Shiro nodded gently. She lightly combed through her fine, golden-sand hair dancing in the wind, raised her delicate face, and her Sakura-like eyes were calm and serene. The corners of her cherry-like lips curled faintly upward, and to Rita's surprise, she began to smile softly.
The tremble of her smile curved the corners of her eyes. Her beautiful phoenix eyes seemed even narrower, and her somewhat mature gaze now carried the cheerfulness of a little girl.
"Thank you, Rita."
She spoke softly. That illusory smile vanished, and she returned to her usual appearance—seemingly dazed, yet as if she understood everything. Lowering her head, she tore off pieces of the baumkuchen with her fingers and put them into her mouth one by one.
Rita stood beside her, quietly watching Shiro eat the cake. When she noticed crumbs lingering at the corner of her mouth, Rita shook her head and reached over to wipe them away with her fingertips.
P.S.: It made it onto Unlimited. My first time, but it feels like it'll fall off right away this issue. I can only count it as sightseeing!
Chapter 25: Unknown Woman
By a little after three in the afternoon, most schools throughout Tokyo Metropolis had begun letting out!
The various campuses grew lively and noisy, with students walking in pairs and small groups, chatting and laughing in the schoolyards and