With a happy smile at having his offer accepted, Atsushi starts leading the way to his 'house'. It's simple, the way all of them are, and it's close to the others, too, even if they're not exactly neighbors.

He was half expecting Mikazuki's reply, but it's so different that it's still a shock - and the blunt delivery doesn't help. If Mikazuki had seemed ashamed, Atsushi might have acted like there was nothing strange at all about not learning to read, but the lack of embarrassment is almost more of a shock than the facts are.

"Never?!" Er, okay, not never. Just until two years ago. But that's still plenty late to learn how to read, no matter what Mikazuki's exact age is! "Were there no schools where you're from?"