Page 18 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Hmm.”
Akira tried a door and found it locked. Pressing his nose to the window, he squinted into the dim room beyond. “This hall must be for club rooms. I see shogi boards. Or maybe they’re for go? I can’t tell, the way they’re stacked.”
Moving along, Akira found evidence of a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. Clubs were supposed to begin rallying for members next week. He’d like to join one, but only if Suuzu was interested, too. His best friend trailed after him, not complaining—not that he everdid—but extra solemn in a way that Akira had decided was Suuzu’s version of sulking. Change was hard for him, on a very basic level. But that’s exactly why they needed to hurry up and familiarize themselves with their new home.
“Do you think I could be like him?”
Suuzu’s head came up and angled sharply. “Who?”
“Sedge-sensei.” Akira waved a hand. “He’s short like me, but he holds his head high. And everyone treats him with so much respect.”
His best friend absently rearranged Akira’s hair. “You lack his dignity. And his posture is a practical necessity.”
Sedge Daphollow was a member of one of the deer clans, as evidenced by the graceful set of antlers crowning his head. Akira supposed they did contribute to his bearing. They were probably heavy.
Suuzu’s narrow gaze hadn’t wavered. “I was not aware you craved respect.”
Akira blinked. “I don’t.”
“Whatdoyou want?”
“Usually, I want to be taller.”
His best friend’s expression faltered into bafflement. “Then why would you aspire to be like the shortest teacher on campus?”
He wasn’t sure how to explain. “If I can’t be tall, I can still be … well, I dunno. Since you saydignityis out.”
Suuzu’s soft trill was apologetic. Pulling Akira backward into his chest, the phoenix said, “Greater height will not win a greater portion of my regard.”
“Hey, no one said I was trying to impressyou.”
“Impression was accomplished nearly four years ago, at a time when you were several inches shorter.” Suuzu drooped against him. “Please, Akira. I want to go home.”
“Dorms next, then. Maybe we can hang out with Kimi some more.”
The phoenix’s grip tightened.
Akira remained still, letting Suuzu have his way. “Just us and Kimi for now. But you’ll see. Pretty soon, we’ll be friends with the whole class.”
“Hmm.”
Gently pulling free, Akira grabbed his friend’s hand and hauled him toward the closest stairwell. Because his nestmate needed him and home—two things that Akira had already learned were nearly synonymous.
Akira backtracked more slowly along the double-row of mailboxes, reading the neat labels. “Her name’s not here.”
“She may have found other, more private accommodations,” Suuzu said.
“Isla’s name’s not here, either.”
The phoenix patiently pointed out, “Isla is a child. She is undoubtedly quartered with her mentor.”
“I wanted to talk more with Kimi.”
“We are not allowed in the female section of the dormitory, nor they in ours.”
“Yeah, I know.” Akira shuffled out of the narrow mail room and into the building’s spacious student center. “But there’s plenty of places to meet down here.”
“Hmm.”
