The constant ringing of the phone was the only sound breaking through the silence... now of all times, Sumireko thought...
Shetugged the phone out of her pocket and quickly rejected the call. Her parentswere staring at her from across the table, the report card still in herfather’s hands, the long row of bright red F grades visible to all… they were notimpressed, and Sumireko could tell from their scowls that the phone call hadonly made things worse.
Herfather opened his mouth, ready to yell, but the phone rang again. Sumirekojabbed at the screen, mortified, but her finger slipped and she hit the answerbutton.
Therewas nothing but white noise, and it took Sumireko a moment to realise that itwasn’t static, but the sound of flames crackling.