They reached the summit in a single push, stopping only once at a rest hut along the way.

Alan checked the time. 13:14.

They had started around ten-thirty, nearly two hours of slow climbing, pausing to catch their breath, stopping for photos.

Honne had come thoroughly prepared. Her tote bag held makeup, sunscreen, bandages, even a proper camera.

Photos weren’t allowed at the shrine, so Alan took pictures of her by the waterfall and on the bridge instead.

At the summit stood a sign proclaiming "One of Kanto’s 100 Best Views of Mount Fuji." Unfortunately, thick clouds hid the mountain completely. Bad luck. Even so, Alan snapped several shots of Honne against the layered ridgelines stretching into the distance.

The Akari sisters both photographed beautifully, though in entirely different ways.

Hojo carried a serene, mature elegance, even her accidental softness felt deliberate, almost reverent.

Honne, on the other hand, was petite and radiant, her charm playful and bright, sharpened by sunlight.

Alan dared a single glance, pressed the shutter, then handed her the camera.

Her eyes lit up. She pursed her lips in exaggerated satisfaction.

"Not bad, Alan. I knew you’d come through."

Ignoring the jab, he turned toward the ramen stand.

"Hungry? After lunch, we’ll take the cable car down."

"Cable car? Already?" Honne scrunched up her nose.

Alan glanced at the sweat beading her forehead, at her slender legs, and said nothing.

She caught the doubt instantly and tapped his shoulder with a tiny fist.

"Meanie. You’re always underestimating me..."

She couldn’t bring herself to hit hard, it came out more like a girlfriend’s playful shove.

Grumbling, she dragged him toward the ramen shop.

"My treat. It’s my birthday." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Alan glanced at the menu board.

Chashu ramen—¥950. Extra toppings—¥100.

Peak-season prices. Daylight robbery.

"Expensive noodles," he muttered. "Did you win the lottery? And shouldn’t I be the one treating you today?"

She didn’t answer, stepping up to the counter.

"One tonkotsu clear, one chashu with chicken thigh. No scallions on the chashu, please."

After paying, she tugged him to a corner table.

"I’m not rich," she said quietly, "but spending money on you makes me happy. Making me happy is your job today, right?"

She blinked at him with misty eyes, an impossible look to refuse.

Then she flushed, lowering her voice.

"And... I’m being a little selfish. I want you to remember the good parts of me. So you’ll never forget my birthday."

She pouted. "You only ever remembered Big Sis’s. That wasn’t fair."

Alan’s throat went dry.

He swallowed and nodded.

"After that speech, I won’t forget."

"Perfect!"

***

After lunch, Honne insisted on taking the open-air gondola so she could snap selfies with Alan suspended above the valley. Afraid her phone might slip and vanish into the trees below, she fired off a rapid burst of photos instead.

She laughed the entire ride down, but the moment her feet hit solid ground, the mountain chill caught up to her. She wrapped her arms around herself, teeth chattering.

Alan frowned, reaching out to press the back of his hand against her forehead. No fever. He exhaled, then his voice hardened.

"Are you going to behave from now on?"

"I-I’m not cold," she insisted, rubbing her goosebumped arms.

"...Sure."

Giving up, Alan pulled her toward the car and cranked the heater to full. As warmth seeped back in, Honne quieted, gazing out the passenger-side window.

"So," he asked, glancing at her profile, "where to next?"

She turned to him, cheeks still pink, smiling sweetly.

"To your place."

"...What?"

"I live alone," Alan reminded her. "There’s nothing fun there."

"Oh, come on." She pointed at the paper bag on the back seat. "I need somewhere to change."

Her eyes narrowed playfully.

"And besides, even if it’s boring, I want to see your apartment. I’ll need to get used to the atmosphere if we’re getting married someday."

Then her smile vanished.

A sudden thought struck her. Her brows pinched into a sharp V, fists tightening.

"You haven’t... started living with someone, have you?"

Alan flicked on his turn signal and merged into traffic.

"What if I have? Couples do that all the time. Saves on rent."

Honne’s pupils shrank. She bit her lip and turned away.

That shameless woman... moving in already?

Jealousy burned like acid in her chest.

How could Hojo be so clueless, living together and not even knowing?

She spun back toward him.

"Y-you can’t do that!"

"Why not? Plenty of couples—"

"You just met her!" Her voice trembled. "You don’t even know what she’s like! I’m not saying she’s bad, but you should be careful!"

"You said yourself she’s after money! What if she drains your savings and disappears? And if there’s an ’accident,’ you’ll be stuck forever—!"

"If rent’s the issue, you could’ve told me! I’d borrow from Big Sis! If she refuses, I’ll get a part-time job—"

The more she spoke, the smaller she felt. Her voice cracked.

"How could you move in with someone so easily...?"

At a red light, Alan glanced over. Seeing her on the verge of tears, he decided the teasing had gone far enough.

"But Honne," he said calmly, "I never said I was living with anyone."

"...Eh?!"

Her sob froze mid-breath.

"Then what you said earlier—"

"You brought it up yourself," he replied. "I never claimed anything. And were you really planning to support me?"

Her face flushed crimson. She turned away sharply.

"Jerk. I’m ignoring you."