The days start forming into a routine. However changes are okay. Kuro, Shiko, Haru and Aiko are all in the cafeteria in the morning for breakfast. Oddly enough, even though Haru was writing in his new notebook for the first time, the whole night; he was there and WOKE. Aiko decided to have the male meal just like Kuro, Haru and Shiko. They all seem comfortable up close. However many things are on Shiko's mind. Even when they first came out of their rooms, whoever saw Shiko would just start whispering and talking behind her back while giving her either disgusted or "proud" looks. She resumes her old ways to ignore and look down. She believes that there are more important things to think about.
For example, what Kuro messaged her about people possibly making fun of him? She wanted to ask him when she got the time but with Aiko and Haru joining the breakfast, she wasn't too comfortable. She knew Kuro wouldn't easily open up with multiple people around. She didn't feel special to him nor did she want to... but she did feel that they were more open to eachother compared to other people even though they haven't known eachother for long. Kuro snaps his finger a few times in front of Shiko's eyes to snap her out of it. Shiko looks up from the cafeteria table, kinda startled.
Shiko: H-Hm? Aiko giggles at her
Aiko: You were lost in thought. Deep too. Did you even hear anything we just said? She says with a slight smirk. Shiko looks at Haru and sees him puff his cheeks. Then, she looks at Kuro to see a small smile form on his face. She gets even more confused
Shiko: N-No... I'm sorry.... I guess I was daydreaming..? Or just thinking.. she says hesitantly, Kuro giggles very lightly and smiles slightly as if he's looking at a child and ruffles Shiko's hair a little
Kuro: Don't worry. It was nothing really important. We were just talking about clubs and interests. Casual no-point talk. He rolls his eyes with a slight smile, Shiko frowns
Shiko: N-No... It's not pointless! I wouldn't want to miss getting to get to know you three better... she says without thinking which makes the three of Kuro, Haru and Aiko smirk a little. Shiko blushes slightly but doesn't look away.
Aiko: Heh. Shiko, you're sweet~ she giggles
Haru: We talked about this and that. Many things that clubs and stuff were only a part of! But Kuro totally repeated that part intentionally!~ he giggles, smirking at Kuro, Kuro shucks his shoulders
Kuro: Well... I knew we could get a cute reaction like that soo... he looks away and faces the side for a bit, Haru and Aiko look surprised as Shiko's face gets really red, she finally looks down
Haru: A-AH! Y-You said that!? Did I hear wrong!? Did YOU call a girl CUTE!? He says kinda loudly, Shiko feels as if she's gonna disappear into her chair because of the embarrassment and regret from when she called Kuro cute herself.
Shiko: "H-He's totally getting back at me....I-Is that what he meant by making fun...?" She gulps. Kuro looks at Haru with deadly eyes after few people in the cafeteria look at them because of how loud he was
Kuro: Tone. It. Down. I said... cute reaction.... I was talking about her reaction. I'm trying to figure out human nature and I was right, thinking she'd feel kinda embarrassed. He averts his eyes and lowers his voice slightly
That's why.... he says, speaking seriously but there is a barely visible pinkish tint to his face.
Shiko takes a deep breath and looks back up. She lightly slaps her face a couple of times with both of her hands at the same time, to collect herself. After doing so, she looks towards Kuro.
Shiko: You are human too. Kuro slowly looks at her, kinda confused
Remember? Other worldly talk. She giggles cutely, Kuro lets out a breather and collects himself too
Kuro: I... guess it's a habit after all. He ruffles the back of his hair.
Aiko and Haru look at them for a while and look at eachother after
Haru: Ugh... it's like there is a wall between them and us. Do they even remember we are here? He puffs his face. Aiko nods and sighs
Aiko: Even tho I hate to admit... we are on the same page. You've been friends with Kuro-Kun for a while now and they seem to have a connection stronger then you two.~ She smirks, Haru looks at her kinda annoyed
Haru: Hey! Don't remind me.... ALSO, I thought you were gonna try to get to know me before all the hate! He puffs his cheeks a bit and hugs Aiko a little from the side, being overly friendly
You are being meaaaan~ he says with a cutesy tone, Aiko pushes him away a little, making him let go
Aiko: Oh don't you get sticky! I'll think about it but you should know your place! 1; I don't like people touching my body. Especially guys, specifically overly flirty guys like you. 2; You can't be overly touchy with any women! She pushes him on the forehead a lil
I'm not your toy! Nor is any women or human! Hmph! She looks away after a short sassy hair flip
Haru: Heh, Preeeech!~ he giggles
I'll think about it if you think about me~ he says with a slight flirtiness in his tone, Aiko looks at Haru and sighs after a while
Aiko: Ugh. You are unbelievable... she rolls her eyes
But fine. I'll try to get to know you. She hesitantly smiles. A smile barely visible. Haru giggles with a big "Yay!~" expression on his face.
Kuro suddenly coughs a little to get their attention. They both quickly look in his direction to see both Kuro AND Shiko smirking at them. Haru looks proud of himself as Aiko just seems to be startled to see them looking
Shiko: Hehe... Maybe it was you two in a world of your own. She giggles a little. Kuro keeps smirking
Kuro: We didn't really forget you were here but maybe you forgot about us? We were watching the whole time. I think it's fair though since you two were the ones staring before. Haru ruffles the back of his hair with a big smile as Aiko just seems to be starting to look uncomfortable. Kuro lightly claps both of his hands together and gets up.
Kuro: K. Time to go. I don't want to miss Literature Class! Haru starts grunting and murmuring
Haru: Nooooo... I cant take literature so early in the morning!!!~ Should I go back to the dorm...? He says, thinking out loud as he gets up. Aiko rolls her eyes.
Aiko: Why did you even come down here in the first place if you weren't gonna get to class? She says with a sigh and gets up. Haru stops murmuring complaints and looks at her with a big smile
Haru: Fooor, you?~ he giggles, Aiko sighs and flicks his forehead.
Aiko: Yea sure... idiot. She rolls her eyes but can't help but giggle very shortly. Shiko gets up.
Shiko: What class do you have Aiko? She says with a slight smile. Aiko smiles back when she faces away from Haru (lol)
Aiko: Mathematics. I'm actually pretty good at it. The teacher doesn't care to teach us well enough obviously but I still enjoy the class.. she looks at the time as her eyes widen slightly
O-Oh. We lost track of time guys! I'll be going. Bye! She speedwalks away, waving behind. Kuro looks at Shiko.
Kuro: And what's your class? Shiko smiles and takes out a book from her bag. The book "History of the Night"
Shiko: Heh... Reading!~ I gotta catch up to you~ Also it's the perfect lesson because the carefree teachers don't have to do anything anyway!~ she giggles. Kuro slightly ruffles her hair with a small smile.
Kuro: Well then. You best get going. One minute late and they will surely write you down as absent. Shiko nods and runs off, waving at both Kuro and Haru. Kuro looks at Haru.
Didn't really change many things about how you act towards her, did you? He rolls his eyes, Haru gets next to him as they start walking
Haru: Of course!~ If I did, she would know I'm into her!~ Not gonna say I like her yet... but I am into her I suppose. It's a low key crush!~ he giggles, Kuro slowly nods, slowly understanding what he means
Kuro: I suppose I don't know anything about crushes and so on. I may need to learn that side of our nature. Haru smirks and puts his arm on Kuro's shoulder as they walk. Just as Haru is about to talk, Kuro speaks again
FROM somewhere more reliable that you. He says with a slight mean-ish smirk and pushes Haru's arm away. Haru puffs his cheeks and shucks his shoulders
Haru: Your loss... he rolls his eyes as they get in class and sit down.
Meanwhile, right before Aiko enters class, she is stopped by Lucy and Erika. She looks at them as anger slowly fills inside her.
Lucy: Would you look at that~ If it isn't our one and only little piggy~ she giggles
Erika: Little? Oh god Lucy! That's too funny to be considered cruel!~ she annoyingly laughs a little. They lean on each other with big smirks on their faces
Lucy: Heh, True! On the other hand thoughhh... Our old buddy here has gotten into a group perfect for her!~ She's made some little frieeends~ she says with a mocking, annoying voice with a big smirk on her face. Aiko looks kinda pissed off now that she has a different look on popular girls thanks to Shiko. She clenches her fists.
Aiko: What do you two want?. I have to get in class. She says with a serious tone, as if like a different person compared to how she originally acted to them
Erika: Oh Nothiiing!~ We just wanted to congratulate you! You did find yourself a perfect group that you fit right in, after all!~ she giggles and smiles innocently, Aiko seems a little surprised for a bit
Lucy: Yup! You are officially with the losers now!~ They both giggle. Aiko takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm, she keeps doing so for a bit while closing her eyes
Erika: O-Ho~ Look!~ The Pig is getting mad!~ Maybe she was a wild boar all along? She definitely looks like one!~ she giggles innocently. Aiko lets out one last breather and opens her eyes
Aiko: Actually, The general term is hog. Boars are male. The female hogs are called Sows. She says in serious tone, Erika and Lucy's expression turns confused as they look at eachother and not know what to say for a bit. Aiko smirks very slightly. Lightly panicking, Erika looks back at Aiko
Erika: Y-Yea! You'd know that wouldn't you! S-Since it is your own kind! She says, kinda unsure of herself. There is an awkward silence for a bit. Aiko breaks that.
Aiko: Excuse me.. she squeezes herself through them and sits down in class. Lucy and Erika look at eachother dumbfounded and walk off to their own classes with ruined moods.
Aiko looks towards the window as the teacher starts speaking.
Aiko: "W-Wow! That felt really powerful!~ I didn't lose myself and get mad! I didn't talk smack about myself or be the one on the lower end of the conversation!~ Heh! I gotta thank Shiko for this courage in the lunch break!~" she giggles silently and starts to focus on the lesson.
Time slowly Passes and after four lessons, it's the lunch break.
Kuro looks at Haru who immediately rushes out of the class as the lunch recess bell rigs.
Kuro: "Hmm... I guess when you have a crush, you always want to see them?" He shuks his shoulders
"Well. Not like I have anything to do, so I guess I'll go to Shiko's classroom." A small smile appears on his face as he gets up and head towards class 11-C, he gets inside to see Shiko sleeping on her desk next to the window, after the physics class. He giggles slightly and sits on the desk in front of her, facing towards her. He slowly pets her hair.
Kuro: "She's weird... I guess I'm acting normal around her? She's... my friend after all. But I don't even recognize my personality anymore... since when do I care enough to give time to people, knowing it will only tire me in the end...Plus the fact that she is a girl... but... she's stronger than her...different from her..."
Shiko slowly wakes up. When Kuro realizes she's waking, he takes his hand away. Shiko tiredly looks up and sees Kuro. Kinda startled, she immediately sits up straight.
Kuro: Hey.. he says with a light smile
Shiko: I-I fell asleep?! She says, looking down on her desk at the writing exercise on her table. Realizing she slept through both the physics classes, Kuro giggles slightly and looks on her desk
Kuro: Hm? What's this?~ he picks the writing exercise paper up and looks at it. Shiko's eyes open wide and she immediately tries to take it back. But Kuro holds it above himself. Since Shiko is shorter, she can't reach even if she jumps
Shiko: G-Give that back! T-That's just a draft story I made up during writing class! I-It's bad!! She says jumping up to reach it
Kuro giggles, continued with a smirk. He puts his hand on Shiko's chest (chest, not boobs) and lightly pushes her towards her seat. He sits back on the desk in front of Shiko and holds her hands from her wrists that are reaching to the paper with one of his hands
Kuro: Heh, stop that!~ I'd wanna see~You know how I am with literature and stories~ I'll read unless it's... too private. he says with a light smirk. Shiko sighs and gives up. She puts her head on her desk as Kuro lets go of her hands. He looks at the paper and gives it a read. After a minute or two, Shiko lifts up her head
Shiko: ...How Bad is it..? She says hesitantly, Kuro slowly nods while reading as if he understood something, he looks her with an empty yet accidentally cute expression like â¢-â¢
Kuro: It's... unique. It's like reading a musical battle even if there isn't a song between lines. Especially since the story is between a Cellist Guy and a Drummer Girl. He very lightly smiles warmly.
It's a sweet story. He giggles a little while averting his eyes
And definitely cute for a class draft.. Shiko's face suddenly becomes pinkish. She slams her face into her books, lightly embarrassed. Kuro looks at her confused
Kuro: What... are you doing..? Shiko hesitantly lifts up her head
Shiko: I....don't know... she says very silently, looking at Kuro
Just... the word "cute"... feels embarrassing... I-I guess I did like my story...? B-But I couldn't possibly write it seriously... it's not like I could write a book or whatever... nobody would even read it anyway probably... she uncomfortably giggles but sounds really fake. Kuro sighs a little and ruffles her hair
Kuro: That's no way to think now, is it? It's intriguing so why not try writing online or something? If you do end up being successful, I'm sure people could want a book... he says with a calm and kinda light, mature voice
And hey, maybe cutesy is your thing? He ads hesitantly and looks away towards the window in thought.
Shiko hesitantly looks at him. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she speaks.
Shiko: H-Hey... I actually wanted to talk to you about a few things... she takes her story paper and puts her books and that back in her bag. Kuro looks at her confused as if waiting for her to say what she has to.
In the cafeteria? The lunch break is passing away after all.. she sighs and gets up, Kuro nods. As they start walking, Shiko takes a look around the corridor. Everyone seems to be looking first at them, then looking away and whispering to eachother. Shiko looks down, slowly filling with anxiety
Shiko: "They are talking about us... about the lies... about how I supposedly am using everyone... how I'm cruel and heartless..."
she gulps
"I bet they are wondering why Kuro is here...next to me, After attending that horrid lie of a Show and Tell... Even if he knows the truth that all of that was nonsense, even I still wonder, why is he here...? Why is he really besides me..."
her eyes get kinda teary
"I don't deserve to be here... I don't deserve to be friends with him or whatever I am..! I don't deserve him..."
She slowly holds her own two wrists and squeezes a little, her eyes squint a little in pain
O-Ow... Kuro looks at her as she looks at her wrists. There is a red holding mark, Kuro looks surprised. They don't stop walking even when looking at Shiko's surprisingly red-ish marks.
Kuro: W-Wha? Did I...do that while I was holding you to read to paper...? Shiko looks at where she was squeezing before, knowing she was really doing it hard and realizes that it really wasn't the exact spot anyway. So, Kuro's guess was actually right. He accidentally hurt her..
Shiko: I-I guess so... they stop on the side of the corridor before entering the cafeteria
Kuro: I... was just holding though... Are you really that paper sensitive? Shiko suddenly realizes a possibility of Kuro seeing something he isn't supposed to. So she thinks about pulling her hands away. But for some reason, she doesn't. Kuro hesitantly holds her hands with both of his and turns them around to see something he didn't expect. He squints his eyes.
Kuro: Hm? What are these...? He hesitantly touches some scars of some previous cut marks here and there going from Shiko's inner wrist up to her forearm. They look a little old but not too much. He looks at Shiko's face, seeing her avert her eyes. She's always been one to stay quiet before but she'd try to avoid lying at all costs. So, she couldn't really say anything. Kuro sighs. Shiko takes a deep breath
Shiko: It's..- Kuro cuts her off.
Kuro: It's Fine. He lets go of her her wrists and looks at her face with a slight smile like nothing happened
Aren't you hungry yet? Let's get in. We'll talk over whatever you wanted to during lunch. K? He lightly ruffles Shiko's hair for a few seconds before turning his back and getting in the cafeteria, going towards the food line. Shiko looks behind him, confused
Shiko: "....what.... just happened..?" She looks around to see a few people looking at her and whispering so she quickly takes a deep breath and gets in the cafeteria to catch up with Kuro
-15 Minutes Later-
Kuro and Shiko are sitting a few tables away from Aiko and Haru and most of the crowd. Not wanting attention.
They finish their food over simple chat and now it's time to actually talk.
Kuro: So, What did you want to talk about? He says with a light smile. Shiko takes a deep breath and smiles slightly
Shiko: Well... first of all. You said, nobody called you cute before unless they were making fun of you.. she says with a very light blush on her face. Kuro nods with agreement.
I-I... was wondering if that meant you ever got bullied...? She asks hesitantly. Kuro takes a sip of his water
Kuro: Well I was always made fun of for not attending any friend meet-ups. And people always said how I was a loser with no friends. When simply, I couldn't bother with friends. He sighs
In elementary school I was a coward and people used to beat me up. Shiko closes her mouth with both her hands as of meaning "oh nooo" XD
But as long as I was seen beaten up, other people would do it again as "punishment"?. I probably would have been just as crazy over the system as Pres Zero if not for my dad also being so into it.. he rolls his eyes and looks in another direction in thought with such a smile on his face which makes him look like he pitied himself. Shiko silently keeps listening, feeling sad for him.
Pres Zero said my point of view of the system was cute. As if all I wanted was rainbows and sunshine's. He giggles shortly as if making fun of the stupidity in that thought
Some people called me girly and cutesy because of my likes AND because I wanted Equality and Peace. He sighs
Some just thought I was selfish and just wanted a quiet place for myself. He thinks a little
I mean, Haru sometimes calls me "cute" but always joking and I really don't like it.. he rolls his eyes with a slight smile and looks at Shiko
I guess I got more tolerable to... people. Thanks to you. He smiles a little more which slowly turns into a small smirk, Shiko gets a little pink and smiles very lightly back
Shiko: D-Didn't your parents ever call you cute..? Like when you were little...? She asks hesitantly.
Kuro shucks his shoulders unknowingly. He scratches the back of his head in thought and answers Shiko with a blank yet thinking expression
Kuro: Probably not. Dad was always either mad or drunk. Mom was always passed out, hiding, praying or crying. When It came to me, she wouldn't comment at all and tell me to go see my dad. When it came to him, he'd either call me disgusting or say things like "You think your so cute just because you're young!? Go wear something more plain!" He says with a tone as if he's speaking about something so natural and obvious
Wearing colors was a no-go and if I was really a guy, I wasn't allowed to like things like reading, singing, dancing, playing instruments besides the guitar; which I didn't do at the time anyway and... stuff like that. He finally finishes what he's saying and drinks another sip of his water
Shiko: Kuro... That's... really bad.. not normal... It seems like they never showed their love to you... She says kinda silently and looks down a little. Kuro giggles slightly
Kuro: Well yea, because they didn't have love for me. Or eachother in that matter. I was simply an unfortunate event in their life that ended up happening. A waste of their money. So they weren't gonna waste time on me either after the age of 3 he says with a light, unbothered smile. Shiko hesitantly reaches and starts petting Kuro's head a little
Shiko: I'm... so sorry... Kuro's expression falls blank. He simply can't say anything as Shiko pets him. He just doesn't know what to say.
The only unfortunate thing was that you were born in that family... It's not your fault... she says with a sad expression and light voice
Kuro: "What... are doing...?" His expression doesn't change. Simply... blank. A few seconds pass in silence
Shiko: It's not... your fault.. she says lightly. Keeping a sad expression. A few second later, she smiles
Kuro: "She...Why is she looking at me like that..." he clenches his fists
Shiko: It's not your Fault... Kuro.. she says with a big smile as she keeps petting his head
You... aren't alone anymore... she giggles slightly
You aren't an unfortunate existence... You became who you are on your own two feet... you should be proud of that... she slowly takes her hand away to see Kuro is looking down, speechless and clenching his fists. He takes a deeeeeeep breath and looks at Shiko, he forces a smile
Kuro: You... you really are something.. his smile turns genuine
Thank you... he lets out a breather
For making me feel welcome... he touches his head where Shiko was petting
But careful there... you almost made me tear up in public. He adds veeeery silently. He averts his eyes with a very very slightly pinked face. Shiko gets completely red. Kuro shakes himself a little and collects himself.
Shiko: "Geez... I wanna ask if he meant it when he called me cute... but I don't think I can anymore..." she gulps
"I-It's not that important anyway..."
Kuro: So... I wasn't gonna say anything but... he sighs, Shiko looks at him confused
Mind telling me a bit about the scars? Maybe we can talk in the back yard..? Only if you're comfortable... Shiko hesitantly looks down and nods.
They get up and head over to the backyard to see in their favor, it's empty. They sit on the swings as always and both sit in silence for a bit.
Kuro: "Damn... we are either really awkward or unnaturally open..." he smiles slightly and faces Shiko. He sits on the swing sideways
So... Shiko takes a deep breath and opens her wrist. She starts speaking while looking at her scars.
Shiko: These... are some of my most stinging memories from the past... scars of the past me who is still clinging onto her failures. Her eyes get teary, she looks at Kuro. He looks slightly surprised of how open Shiko's being as he listens. Shiko smiles slightly with tears hanging from the sides of her eyes yet not dropping down.
And... the worst part is...
I don't regret any one of them...
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