The walk home with Mia was quiet and comfortable in the way that came from familiarity. She chattered about her day, complained about a test in English class, and made plans for the weekend that Akira half-listened to while his mind raced with everything else.
Ayame's attack on Rina. The painting becoming a beacon. The festival approaching in four days. Rina needing to feed tonight. The juggling act that was his life threatening to collapse at any moment.
"Akira? Are you even listening?"
He blinked, focusing on Mia. "Sorry, what?"
She sighed, exasperated but fond. "I said, did you finish getting the materials for the cosplay café costumes? The committee keeps asking me and I told you to help out"
"Oh. Yeah, I picked everything up yesterday. Fabric, accessories, all of it." He'd completely forgotten about that in the chaos. "I need to get them sewn though. None of us know how to use a sewing machine."
