Sakura steps into the quiet hallway with her sketchbook and belongings packed away. Sana follows beside her, carrying only the performance folder and keeping a respectful distance.
Sana’s friend remains near the Craft Clubroom, giving them privacy as the door eases shut behind her. Evening light lies in pale rectangles across the polished floor.
Sana Matsumura
So, uh... did you have anything planned after this? Besides going home, I mean.
Sana glances over, then quickly faces forward again. Her shoes make small, even sounds in the empty corridor, leaving space after the question.
Sana Matsumura
You don’t have to answer if you’re tired. I’m still figuring out how to talk normally without making everything weird.
Sana Matsumura
The gate’s not far. We can walk together, or I can give you more space. Either is fine.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a small mutual friendship ritual with Sana
Director's note
Sana should still be keeping a respectable distance, but is also making a small effort to get to know Sakura a little better. She should be a little pushy according to her extroverted personality, but not mean. Sana's personal goal is to get Sakura out of her shell, slowly.
“"Is she asking me out?" Sakura thinks to herself. "She already knows where I live, so she could walk home with me..." Sakura continues monologing internally. She realizes she's being too quiet and coming across as rude, so she speaks the first thing that comes to her mind. "No, I don't have plans!" Leaving the answer open-ended.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Sakura Yamamoto
Is she asking me out? She already knows where I live, so she could walk home with me...
Sakura Yamamoto
I’m being too quiet. I must seem rude.
Sakura Yamamoto
No, I don’t have plans!
The answer pops into the hallway louder than Sakura intended. Sana Matsumura slows half a step, then looks over without moving closer, the performance folder tucked against her side.
Sana Matsumura
Oh. Okay, good to know. I wasn’t trying to trap you into anything.
Sana Matsumura
I was thinking maybe we could walk toward your place together, if that’s okay. Or we can split at the gate. Seriously, your choice.
She lifts one hand in a small, reassuring gesture and keeps the distance between them. The corridor ahead remains empty, brightening toward the school entrance.
Director's note
The dialog between the two should be careful, cautious, as the two of them are trying to gauge where they are in their friendship in relation to each other, trying to discern each other's true intentions.
“I guess I don't mind if you walk home with me...”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -1)
Sakura Yamamoto
I guess... I don't mind if you walk home with me.
Sakura’s quiet agreement settles between them. Sana’s eyebrows lift, but she keeps her distance and matches Sakura’s slower pace toward the entrance.
Sana Matsumura
Okay. Then I’ll walk with you. Thanks for telling me clearly.
They pass through the nearly empty entrance hall. Sana keeps the performance folder tucked against her side, leaving Sakura’s bag and personal space untouched.
Sana Matsumura
I won’t interrogate you or anything. We can talk about normal stuff. Like hobbies, or food, or whatever doesn’t feel weird.
Sana Matsumura
Don’t rush her. She said yes, so just make this easy.
Outside, the evening air carries the faint smell of pavement and cooking from nearby homes. Sana walks beside Sakura toward the neighborhood streets, close enough for company but never crowding her.
“Can you start? I'm no good at conversations...”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -3)
Sakura Yamamoto
Can you start? I'm no good at conversations...
The words come out louder than Sakura intended. A cyclist—a lean young adult man with wind-tossed brown hair, a narrow face, and a bright yellow jacket over dark cycling clothes passing the sidewalk glances over, and Sakura’s fingers tighten around her bag strap before she looks ahead again.
Sana Matsumura
Yeah. I can start. No big deal. Let’s see... what do you usually do when you get home?
Sana keeps pace without closing the gap, her voice settling into an easy rhythm. She watches the street instead of Sakura, making the question feel less like an examination.
Sana Matsumura
You can give me the boring answer, too. Homework, dinner, staring at the ceiling. I won’t judge. Well, I might tease you a little.
Sana Matsumura
She asked me to carry this, so don’t fill every silence. Let her choose what to share.
Sana Matsumura
Or I can tell you mine first. I usually text my friends, watch whatever everyone’s talking about, and complain that I’m hungry until somebody suggests food.
“Sakura gives a little smile at Sana's last sentence. She's starting to understand just a little better. "That's kind of funny, the thing about waiting for someone to suggest somewhere to eat." Sakura, realizes she was thinking out loud, quickly tries to save herself from embarrassment. "Uh, I mean, what do you usually watch? Watch any anime?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Sakura gives a small smile at Sana’s comment, the expression appearing before she can hide it. The evening street carries them past quiet houses and clipped hedges.
Sakura Yamamoto
That’s kind of funny, the thing about waiting for someone to suggest somewhere to eat. Uh, I mean, what do you usually watch? Watch any anime?
The question rushes out after the first remark. Sakura’s grip shifts on her bag strap, while Sana glances over and catches the attempt without making a spectacle of it.
Sana Matsumura
Anime? Yeah, definitely. I watch whatever my friends are talking about, but I’ve got my own favorites too.
Sana Matsumura
Mostly flashy stuff with cool outfits, dramatic music, and characters who make terrible choices. Sometimes romance, if it’s not painfully slow.
Sana keeps her pace even and leaves the answer open rather than demanding Sakura name her own favorites. Her smile turns curious, but her shoulder stays comfortably distant.
Sana Matsumura
What about you? You don’t have to give me a whole ranking. Just one show you actually like is enough.
“"Um, well, you seemed kind of familiar with Love Live when you saw my costume work earlier. Are you into idols and stuff?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Empathy, rolled -1)
Sakura Yamamoto
Um, well, you seemed kind of familiar with Love Live when you saw my costume work earlier. Are you into idols and stuff?
Sakura’s question comes out quietly but clearly. Sana glances over, surprised for half a second, then smiles without moving any closer.
Sana Matsumura
Yeah, I am. Not in a super serious, knows-every-single-detail way, but I like the music, the performances, and all the different costumes.
Sana Matsumura
Love Live especially has some really cute designs. So when I saw your work, I recognized what you were going for. Yours was way more carefully made than most costume-shop stuff, though.
Sana adjusts the folder under her arm and watches the road ahead, giving the compliment room to settle without turning it into a demand for more.
Sana Matsumura
Do you have a favorite group or character? You can just name one. I promise I won’t make you defend your entire ranking.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find a shared interest with Sana
“"Um, Love Live actually got me into AKB48, and I was so in awe at their costumes, it made me want to learn to make them." Sakura was starting to feel a little bit more comfortable and starting to open up a little bit more.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -3)
Sakura Yamamoto
Um, Love Live actually got me into AKB48. I was so in awe of their costumes that I wanted to learn how to make them.
The explanation comes more steadily than Sakura expects. Her bandaged heel catches against the inside of her shoe, sending a sharp sting through her step, but she keeps walking beside Sana.
Sana Matsumura
Oh, that makes sense. You saw something amazing and thought, “I want to understand how they made it.” That’s actually pretty cool.
Sana glances over with open interest, then looks ahead again. She does not reach for Sakura’s bag or close the comfortable space between them.
Sana Matsumura
Was there one costume that really stuck with you? Or was it more like seeing all of them and getting completely hooked?
Sakura Yamamoto
My heel is starting to hurt more.
Sana Matsumura
You don’t have to answer fast. I’m just curious. It’s nice hearing you talk about something you’re clearly into.
Quest Complete
Find a shared interest with Sana
“Sakura's heel starts to get the better of her and she slows to a stop. She admits with some trepidation that she had hurt herself yesterday when running away. Super embarassed and unsure if she'll even say yes, Sakura asks Sana to carry her the rest of the way home.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Sakura slows until her steps stop beside a quiet hedge. Her hand tightens around her bag strap, and she keeps her face lowered while the evening traffic passes.
Sakura Yamamoto
Matsumura... my heel really hurts. I hurt it yesterday, when I ran away from school.
The admission hangs between them. Sana stops too, keeping the folder tucked under one arm and leaving Sakura the same respectful distance.
Sakura Yamamoto
Could you... carry me the rest of the way home? If you don’t mind.
Sana Matsumura
Carry you? Yeah. I can do that. But tell me if it hurts, okay? I’m not going to make you tough it out.
Sana sets the performance folder carefully on the hedge’s flat ledge, then turns her back and lowers herself into a steady crouch. She waits until Sakura climbs on.
Sana Matsumura
There. Hold on lightly, and point me toward your place. No teasing, promise. Well, maybe one tiny joke later, if you’re okay with it.
“Sakura embraces Sana, holding on tightly. She buries her face in Sana's back, admiring Sana's slender neck and nice smell. Not wanting to be weird, Sakura lets out a small "thank you" and directs Sana in the direction they need to go”
Sakura climbs onto Sana’s back and wraps her arms around her, holding tightly. She keeps her face tucked against Sana’s back as the evening street goes quiet around them.
Sakura Yamamoto
Thank you...
The words are muffled against Sana’s uniform. Sakura’s grip settles carefully, and the steady rhythm of Sana’s breathing makes the ride feel less awkward than standing on her sore heel.
Sana Matsumura
You’re welcome. And, hey, you’re not being weird. Just hold on however you need to.
Sana rises smoothly, keeping one hand secure beneath Sakura’s leg and the other free for balance. She retrieves the folder from the hedge and tucks it against her side.
Sakura Yamamoto
This way... straight ahead, then turn left at the vending machines.
Sana Matsumura
Got it. Straight ahead, then left. You can keep giving directions whenever you want, okay? I’m not in a rush.
“Sana, I'm curious...why are you being so nice to me? You've never done this for me before...”
SUCCESS (Superb Empathy, rolled -2)
Sakura Yamamoto
Sana, I’m curious... why are you being so nice to me? You’ve never done this for me before...
Sana Matsumura’s steps slow beneath Sakura’s weight. At the turn by the vending machines, Sakura’s bandaged heel bumps against Sana Matsumura’s side, sending a sharp sting through the tender scrape.
Sana Matsumura
Ow, okay, careful. Not your fault. I just need to adjust my grip. And... yeah, fair question.
Sana Matsumura shifts Sakura slightly higher and steadies the folder against her hip. She keeps walking, but her voice loses its usual teasing brightness.
Sana Matsumura
At first, I felt bad. I was making fun of you when you were already overwhelmed. Then I saw how seriously you take your work, and how hard you tried to help.
Sana Matsumura
You’re still kind of scary to talk to, you know? You look like you might judge me. But I wanted to do better, and you gave me a chance.
Sana Matsumura
So I’m being nice because I want to be your friend. Slowly, if that’s what you need. And because carrying you home is more useful than pretending I don’t care.
“Huh, that's...funny. I used to be scared to talk to you because I thought YOU would judge ME. Hehe, how dumb are we?”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Sakura Yamamoto
Huh, that’s... funny. I used to be scared to talk to you because I thought you would judge me. Hehe, how dumb are we?
Sana’s stride falters for half a second, then steadies. Sakura’s laugh brushes warmly against her back, while the vending machines slip behind them in the evening light.
Sana Matsumura
Wait, seriously? You thought I was judging you? I mean, okay, I was kind of judging you at first, but not for the reasons you thought.
Sana Matsumura
She’s laughing with me. Don’t get carried away and make her regret opening up.
Sana adjusts her hold beneath Sakura’s leg, careful not to jostle the bandaged heel. Her voice turns lighter, though she keeps her pace measured and her distance respectful.
Sana Matsumura
And yeah, we were both being ridiculous. You looked like you hated everyone, and I acted like I had something to prove. Pretty terrible first impressions, huh?
Sana Matsumura
But I’m glad we figured it out. Slowly, okay? I’m still going to tease you sometimes, but I’ll try not to give you reasons to run away.
“I don't mind if you tease me. Honestly, and maybe this makes me weird, but I think I would miss it if you stopped teasing me.”
SUCCESS (Superb Empathy, rolled +0)
Sakura Yamamoto
I don’t mind if you tease me. Honestly... maybe this is weird, but I think I’d miss it if you stopped.
Sana goes quiet for two steps. Her shoulders lift beneath Sakura, and the careful rhythm of her walk falters before settling again on the residential street.
Sana Matsumura
That’s not weird. It’s kind of cute, actually. Wait, no, don’t hide your face. I’m counting that as permission.
Sana’s voice brightens, but she keeps her pace gentle and her hold secure. She does not jostle Sakura or turn the confession into a spectacle.
Sana Matsumura
I’ll keep teasing you, then. Carefully. Like, just enough to make you roll your eyes, not enough to make you run away again.
Sana Matsumura
She actually wants me around. Don’t rush this. Just keep being someone she can trust.
Sana Matsumura
And if I ever go too far, tell me. I want you to miss my teasing, not my apologies.
Quest Complete
Establish a small mutual friendship ritual with Sana
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary