『aren't you going home yet?』

『... remi-nee.』

『yes?』

『what's it like... being famous? being the one and only higashi remi?』

akeno's fingers curled around the mug of cocoa in her hands, and konomi smiled, tired, but just as warm as their morning drink.

『i see. you want to be in my place.』

『wha― that's not what i―』

『i understand, akeno. and it's okay. it's a normal thing to feel.』

akeno's face sunk down her scarf, unable to retaliate.

it was frustrating when someone you haven't seen in so long could still read your mind.

『see? it's true.』remi laughed softly. 『you see, i also want us to switch places.』

『why? don't you have everything? why switch with a total nobody like me?』

what, was she making fun of her?

even remi?

『akeno... i lost my youth to the spotlight.』

her melancholic smile was all it took to silence the room.