Shiko's nervous smile grows a bit more as she slowly looks down to the food she's making
Shiko: Well- she averts her eyes from Kuro as he goes to get his stuff from by the door, brings it back and puts it on an empty seat of the table. He plugs in his phone Haru only said you needed your pill box and he didn't want to wake up early- and... to not tell anyone? Oh- and I made sure I wasn't followed! She smiles proudly for a split second. Kuro goes by the table and looks at the seats where one has food and the other is on the way. Not knowing which to sit at. Shiko looks down I figured that you were probably avoiding rest and didn't get enough food since the last time I told you.... So.. Shiko shows the two chairs Kuro's looking at with her hand Sit at whichever you want- warmer food is on the way, but...-
Kuro doesn't wait for her to finish and sits down, he immediately starts eating. Slowly, but without saying anything. Shiko lightly smiles and soon after making her plate, joins Kuro who's Just about finishing up. He puts his hands together
Kuro: Thanks for the meal.... Shiko giggles and nods once. Kuro starts looking at the window on the other side of the living room from where he's sitting. He lightly sighs It had been so long since I had a non-lonely breakfast in this house....... He slowly looks at Shiko and gently smiles Thank you Shiko.... Shiko nods once again and just as she's about to smile, Kuro reaches to his pillbox on the side of the table. Shiko stops him
Shiko: You probably couldn't have a proper rest... Let's talk..... then you can take a nap- no need for pills, you can deal with this.... Kuro takes a moment to think and slowly nods, he takes his hand away. Shiko lets out a sigh of relief and starts eating after hesitantly asking; So...? Did something happen after the day I met Ryuko-San....? She continues to eat, all ears for Kuro. Kuro averts his eyes
Kuro: No... or- it didn't have to do with my aunt at least. Nin sort of slipped up and some things got a bit messy... I can't really openly speak on further...... he sighs the issue is dealt with anyway.. Shiko slowly nods with a partially blue expression Plus- Kuro slowly looks in Shiko's eyes I told you already, I don't know how much further I can let you be involved in my life- I don't want you to get hurt.... Shiko swallows and takes a deep breath I want to protect you... they fall into each others eyes and a few seconds pass in silence before Shiko takes a deep breath and looks around
Shiko: I- ... Know you said I'm not too far in yet... but I'm in your life because I want to be and you're doing your best to teach me how to protect myself anyway... Kuro sighs and also looks around a bit before his eyes fall back in Shiko
Kuro: But that's not- Shiko interrupts him
Shiko: Enough?.... Kuro doesn't reply and averts his eyes. Shiko slowly nods and takes a deep, shaking breath Maybe but I'm trying..... We are going to make a change... she blinks a few times, almost getting a bit teary I believe this Kuro..... she hesitates as she speaks of the unsure future they dream of Thanks to you, I feel like we can really change the school for the better..... she reaches and puts her hand on Kuro's. Kuro quickly pulls his hand away from instincts. Shiko's eyes slightly widen with a bit of surprise. Kuro's eyes widen as well and he quickly looks back at Shiko
Kuro: I- ..... let me... explain what else you missed..... Shiko takes a deep breath and nods as Kuro tells her all about his mother's situation and her coming over, the investigator she hired, what she asked of him. Shiko silently listens and nods now and then. Kuro doesn't tell her about any details regarding Yamada. Slowly, Shiko finishes her meal and puts both the plates aside, on top of eachother. She turns back to Kuro who's just about done explaining everything.
Shiko: That's.... a lot to take in...... I'm sorry you had to go through that Kuro... she says with a gentle tone. Kuro slowly nods and lets out a breath like laugh
Kuro: Heh.... Tell me about it. Like- "Softcake"? It was pretty hurtful yes. He averts his eyes while a smile that is somewhat blue. Shiko shakes her head no and reaches to Kuro's hand again. This time, he doesn't pull away. He hesitantly looks back into her eyes
Shiko: I think... it's cute...? She lightly smiles nervously for a second and her expression turns blue after I know you were more vulnerable as a child but... You're sweet.... You're kind.... Seems you always were, and I can see that through that childhood nickname.... Even if it was used as a sham... she moves to the seat next to Kuro and starts lightly petting his back, he averts her eyes. Shiko slowly looks down You didn't deserve that....... A few seconds pass in silence. Kuro then slowly nods once and takes a deep breath. He looks back at Shiko
Kuro: I don't think of my vulnerability as a weakness when I'm with you...... I know you can really understand me... he slowly looks down The empathy that caused people to pity me before is something I know everyone needs to have now..... his eyes slowly widen, he quickly looks at Shiko. She looks back, confused That's it!!.... Empathy. Shiko's confusion grows a bit, she stops petting Kuro's back
Shiko: What... about- empathy?- Kuro gets up and starts walking around a bit with a big smile like he's solved something
Kuro: Something that can help the school stir to the right direction a bit! He says excitedly. Shiko takes the empty plates and gets up to put them in the kitchen while listening to Kuro. Kuro sits down at a couch in the living room and Shiko joins him after she places the plates in the dishwasher Empathy!!... I can somehow host a conference about empathy with Zero on stage- or something- it can really turn some students around.... Shiko's eyes light up a bit, Kuro is looking ahead and a bit down while thinking I have to- figure out how I should go about it... but I can get Yami to approve of this. The one thing that Zero lacks the most is empathy. He looks into Shiko's eyes You think this could work...?- Shiko quickly nods a few times with a warm smile
Shiko: It's... great to see you excited again Kuro... she lightly giggles, Kuro gets very lightly pink and looks away, he puts his hand on his heart and takes a deep breath, surprised he lost himself again within ease
Kuro: I didn't mean to- ahaha... and here I was, thinking I should lessen how close we are to protect you.... Shiko flicks the side of Kuro's head, he looks at her to see she's gently smiling
Shiko: I.... Don't want that.... She averts her eyes and starts speaking somewhat more hesitantly, her expression falls a bit Last night.... I was picked up from school later than usual.... I had a lot of time to think and write down my thoughts a bit.... I kept thinking about what I should do..... what I should say until- I got Haru's text telling me what you told him. Kuro slowly looks down I wanted to at least get a few thoughts straight before talking to you... she puts her hand on Kuro's which was on his lap. He looks at her and Shiko starts telling him all about the dream she had. Despite mentioning it before, she tells it all this time. Kuro silently listens before Shiko takes a deep breath and says;
So when I thought I lost you... made me want to say something about your confession of interest... no matter how it could end... I- Kuro interrupts her
Kuro: I told you- you......... he averts his eyes You don't have to give an answer just yet.... I already feel bad about getting you too involved- I- Shiko shakes her head no and cuts back in
Shiko: I like you....... Kuro looks at her. Their eyes meet and a few seconds which feels like minutes, pass in silence. Slowly, Shiko averts her eyes, getting pinker and pinker. Kuro takes a deep breath
Kuro: We.......... I..... he looks around not knowing what to say, they both notice Shiko's hand is still on Kuro's. She quickly pulls her hand away and looks more to the side, embarrassed.
Kuro looks towards the window and takes another deep breath, letting the moment pass a bit more before speaking
I.... Don't know what to say. Shiko slowly nods even though they're both looking at opposite directions Erika said "many students have crushes on me" or whatever but- I'm not used to this at all..... he slowly looks forward
Shiko: Neither am I............ Shiko adds extremely silently. Still pink. She slowly looks at Kuro. Kuro looks at her, even he is somewhat pink
Kuro: Should we...- suddenly Shiko's phone rings and they both snap out of it. Their eyes widen. They both look away. Shiko looks at her phone to see it's her mother? She shows it to Kuro and picks up. It's Hikari. Shiko puts it on speaker
Hikari: "Shiko-Nee!!!~ I was going to ask you something in the morning but you left so can I please ask now...?" Shiko and Kuro both smile lightly
Shiko: S-Sure!~ What is it...? She lightly giggles nervously
Hikari: "Is Kuro-Nii thereee? I hope he iiiis..." she seems a bit in thought. Shiko's smile grows a bit as a light surprise appears on Kuro's face. Shiko hums to confirm, a few excited claps come from the other side of the phone. Shiko lightly giggles.
"Perfect!!!~ Can you invite him to my birthday next saturdaaay? It's gonna be at home and Mom said it was okay and I really want him there and so I want him to come and- and-..." Shiko slightly smirks at Kuro. Kuro leans over to the phone
Kuro: You've got it princess. As you wish he says in a gentle voice. Hikari squeals in excitement and giggles a bit before lightly fake coughing once
Hikari: "Ehem, Splendid!~ Hehe... Yay!~ Thank you thank you thank youuu!!~" shortly after that, they close to phone. Shiko puts her phone away and looks back at Kuro
Shiko: S-So-... You were saying....? Kuro's eyes open a little bit when remembering what they were talking about before
Kuro: O-Oh... I was saying- Should we... continue this- or... that conversation later...? Shiko quickly nods many times with a nervous smile
After their awkward moment passes a bit, Shiko hesitantly gets up and gets her stuff. They say their goodbyes and Kuro thanks Shiko for coming. She slowly takes her leave. They'll both have to go to the school later that night anyway. After Shiko leaves, Kuro gets his computer and writes a bit. More energized. He sets his computer on the living room dining table for a difference rather than his desk in his room. He works a bit, writes a bit and plans how he could approach an empathy conference a bit. After that, he looks over at his newly charged phone and lightly smiles. He texts Haru
Kuro: "Thanks man." Haru who's almost always online immediately replies
Haru: "Hehe Seeeee?~"
"My laziness does come in handy some tiiimes~"
Kuro: "Perhaps..."
Haru: "But...?â"
Kuro: "But I did tell you to not tell anyone so I'm coming for you later"
Haru: "NOOOOO- I DON'T WAN'T HEAD SMACKS ANYMOREEEE!"
Kuro: Heh...
"Too bad dumbass"
He closes the phone, gets up and puts his necessary stuff back in his bag before getting out to return to the school in about an hour.
After returning to his dorm room that night, he puts his spare key back where it was and first aid/pill box back under his bed. He works a bit more after explaining his idea of the conference to Haru. Haru sets up a group chat in their message app with himself, Kuro, Shiko, Aiko and Erika. He explains Kuro's idea as Kuro continues his work. Time flies and soon, It's nighttime.
In the group chat, goodnights are said. Meanwhile Shiko thinks as she lays in her bed. She sighs
Shiko: "Today was... a lot.... I'm glad I got through to Kuro...." She lays on her side
"I wonder what will become of us when we actually talk about what we're avoiding..." she gets a little pink, lightly smiles and shoves her face in her pillow
"Aaaaah.... I'm excited... I never felt like this before...." She leans over, closes her lights, faces up and shuts her eyes
"Everything is going to be alright...." She takes a deep breath and slowly doses off. Finally, with a clear mind
In the Morning, Shiko hears her alarm, gets up and checks the time. It's almost time for Kuro to be at her door. She quickly gets ready but when the time comes, Kuro doesn't. Confused, she messages him
Shiko: "Kuro? Will you be coming or is there a problem...?"
She looks at her message and takes a deep breath, starting to get a bit worried. About 10 minutes pass before Haru texts her a selfie of himself with a sleeping Kuro in the back. Shiko's eyes widen. She lets out a sigh of relief and lightly giggles. Haru sends another message
Haru: "Come getcho maaaaan Shiko" Shiko giggles again and gets a bit more pink before replying
Shiko: "I don't think he'd enjoy you calling him that XD"
"But I'm on my way heh..."
In a few minutes, Shiko is out and in Kuro and Haru's room. Haru is once again shirtless. They both look down at the sleeping Kuro with a light smirk. Shiko's more on the smiling side. Haru whispers to Shiko
Haru: We know I'd get attacked if I woke him up soooo- the floor is all yours... he quietly giggles. Shiko's eyes widen, she quickly shakes her head no
Shiko: I couldn't... and put a shirt on already I said...(!) Please-...... she whisper yells. Haru sticks his tongue out and puts on the closest shirt to him. Shiko takes a deep breath and hesitantly approaches Kuro who's still sleeping in a sort of tidy way despite being so tired before
"I mean.... I guess he didn't get much rest in the weekend... it's normal that he slept in...."
She hesitantly sits on the side of Kuro's bed. He doesn't wake up. Haru gets his stuff and dances over to Shiko. He pats her back and ruffles her hair with his other hand. Shiko looks at him with wide eyes like *what are you doing?(!)*
Haru: I'd love to stick around to see this but imma rush to Aiko, gimme all details later and ta-ta~ he whisper yells and rushes off
Shiko sighs with a light smile and looks at Kuro. After another breather or two, she hesitantly puts her hand on his arm. Kuro suddenly opens his eyes wide, holds Shiko's arm and flips her onto the bed. Himself above her. Shiko's eyes open wide and she instantly gets red. Kuro then notices what he did and quickly gets off of her. He stands up with wider eyes than before, facing the other direction. His face getting sort of pink as well. He rubs the side of his head
Kuro: I- I'm sorry- I have been- really tense lately and I-...... reflexes... he stutters a few times and speaks while averting his eyes, Shiko quickly sits up straight and nods a few time. She hums that she understood. Her eyes still wide. Kuro tries to look at her but she turns her face to the side. She nervously starts to speak
Shiko: I- forgot... you reacted so much to being woken up- I shouldn't have... Umm... sorry... I got- worried that you didn't come to my door- And... didn't reply to my message... her face color slowly settles down as she takes a deep breath and hesitantly looks at Kuro
But then... Haru sent me a selfie where you were sleeping in the back so I- knew you were alright and... came here... Kuro's eyes widen, a small smile breaks on Shiko's face like she's holding a laugh
Kuro: Give- me your phone... he opens his hand Please... Shiko lightly giggles and gives it. Kuro takes the phone and looks at the selfie. He face palms and gives the phone back to Shiko
I'm gonna slap him.... Shiko lightly giggles again and slowly gets up
Shiko: Shoould we get going...? We still have to eat before heading to class....? Kuro lets out a breather and nods. He quickly tidies around a bit, gets his clothes, changes in the bathroom and nods to Shiko. In about 20 minutes, they are in the cafeteria, sitting with Haru, Aiko and Erika. They talk about Kuro's idea again and after finishing his food, Kuro takes out his laptop and starts doing some stuff. Erika raises one brow and looks at Shiko who's sitting next to Kuro, then back at Kuro
Erika: You're so protective of your stuff on there but you're alright with opening it right next to Shikooo?~ she lightly smirks. Kuro rolls his eyes, Shiko averts her eyes with a light smile
Shiko: Well- actually I've never seen what's on there either.... Kuro silently nods, Erika's eyes widen. She looks at Haru. Haru also shakes his head no with a goofy smile. Aiko shucks her shoulders
Erika: Umm- Hello!? So- NONE of you know what the hell he's been doing?!- and you all just don't question it?- Shiko, Haru and Aiko look at each other, a bit confused. Kuro sighs and replies sort of emotionlessly to Erika
Kuro: I told you already didn't I? "Curiousity killed the cat" Erika rolls her eyes and excitedly asks again
Erika: Yeah yeah but that alone sounds suspicioussss~ I wanna know... Kuro closed his laptop and glares at Erika
Kuro: You don't have to know, it has nothing to do with you. Erika jumps in
Erika: All the more reason why it should be okay for you to tell us!! Or me!!~ Kuro stands up and sighs, he fake smiles
Kuro: No~ he looks at the others with a slightly annoyed smile Time to go no? Shiko nervously smiles and nods. Everyone gets up, now that they're done with their food. Kuro looks at Erika and don't take it personally. I know you're slowly fitting in with us but you're always gonna have to respect my privacy. Like the others. Erika sighs and nods. Her, Aiko and Haru get going ahead, Kuro holds Shiko's arm so she doesn't go with them. Shiko looks at him
Shiko: I-Is there something wrong....? She hesitantly asks. Kuro lighthly smiles and shakes his head no
Kuro: No but- I think I'll get in contact with Nin to ask about my idea with the Empathy Conference... Shiko looks confused, she looks down and back at Kuro's face
Shiko: But.... Why...? How would he know how to approach something about empathy...? Kuro slowly lets go of Shiko's arm
Kuro: He knows how to get people to react in ways he wants them to..... He might actually be of some help... Shiko slowly nods but falls confused again
Shiko: But.... You're not going to skip class again are you? I thought you really cared about that stuff and you've been... loose.... Lately.... Kuro lightly sighs and looks around at people leaving the cafeteria
Kuro: I know... I don't like that either... I was thinking about it but- he looks back at Shiko and his expression turns light again I'll message him and meet up after my classes of the day.... Shiko lets out a breather and nods with a light smile
Soon enough, they both rush to their own classes. Shiko sits next to Erika just before the class starts. Erika lightly smirks and whispers to Shiko
Erika: So- what were you two flirting about when you stayed back...?~ she quietly giggles, Shiko gets a bit pink and rolls her eyes with a light smile. She whispers back
Shiko: You know you really are too curious sometimes... heh... she averts her eyes We weren't flirting.... Erika leans over to Shiko
Erika: So you're telling me there is noooo change since I shot my arrow of looove?~ she says comedically, still keeping her voice down. Shiko's face gets a bit pinker
Shiko: I-.... He-.... She mumbled He confe- the teacher smacks the board, Shiko doesn't finish her sentence. Both her and Erika flinch. The teachers yells at them
Teacher: YOU TWO IN THE BACK. Class is starting and I couldn't give two shits about you two listening- but shut your mouth holes. I'm already annoyed I have to yap yap about math so early in the morning just cuz your "P.E. was canceled." She does air quotes Just SHUT up so I do my job and earn some fucking money. The class falls silent. Shiko averts her eyes from the teacher and looks towards Erika. Erika puts her hand in front of herself to sign *sorry*
WHATEVER. CLASS! She turns back to the board and starts class properly. Shiko nods once to Erika to say that *it's okay* and they silently listen to class. Or, Shiko does. Erika mostly lays on her desk
The day slowly passes by. Kuro, Haru, Shiko Erika and Aiko all go to their own classes throughout the day and meet up in breaks. During the lunch break, Shiko practices fighting with Kuro again after their meal. When the day of classes is finally over, everyone heads to their own room except Kuro and Shiko. Shiko stops Kuro on the stairs going up, holds his arm and catches her breath; having caught up to him.
Shiko: H....Hey-.... Kuro lightly giggles a bit and ruffles her hair. Her face gets a bit pink and she lets go of Kuro's arm Did... Ningyo....... She averts her eyes reply...? Kuro smiles very slightly
Kuro: He did... we will talk about it now, he's in the council room. But he said I had to "tone down my sass" and trust him on this one.... Shiko slowly nods, Kuro averts his eyes with a tired and light smile Tomorrow, after breakfast and the classes are over- I will head straight to my room and work a bit. You'll see the conference yourself the day after. Slight confusion appears on Shiko's face
Shiko: I can't... help...? Kuro looks into her eyes
Kuro: We'll have to see after today. I'll tell you tomorrow. I have to go now.. alright? He lightly smiles, Shiko slowly nods. Kuro ruffles her hair again and goes up the stairs. She looks behind him and lightly sighs
Shiko: "Empathy huh.....?"
She turns her back and heads to her room to write her heart out
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