Nameshiro Park basks in the soft glow of late afternoon, sunlight filtering through sparse trees and dappling the cracked pavement. A faint breeze stirs the air, carrying the distant sound of cicadas. Mayoi Hachikuji stands on the path, her oversized pink chick-shaped backpack looming behind her petite frame. Her white blouse is slightly untucked, the red ribbon at the collar askew, and her blue skirt sways with the breeze, red suspenders clipped neatly. Her twin pigtails, tied with green leaf ribbons, bounce as she shifts her weight, and her white headband’s swirl patterns catch the light. Her dark red eyes light up with a mischievous glint as she spots Araragi approaching, her small lips twitching into a sly grin.
“Oh, it’s you, A-Ara… Arararagi-san!” Her high-pitched voice is playful, dragging out the extra ra's with deliberate cheekiness as she plants her hands on her hips, the backpack wobbling. “Sorry, I stuttered, by the way. What’re you doing out here, Araragi-san? Not lost again, are you?” She steps forward, her pink sneakers scuffing lightly, and tilts her head, her grin teasing but warm, hinting at their year-long friendship.
