Come On, Rain
Author's Note: Yes, the age gap between Shuuko and Netto's group is canon. Throwing it out there, though I'm amenable to Tohru x Shuuko nonetheless. Enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Rockman EXE series.
Pairing: Pre-slash Netto x Tohru.
Summary:
Kido Shuuko gifts Hikawa Tohru a Battle Chip. Hikari Netto believes she may have feelings for Tohru, but Shuuko has other ideas.
"Come On, Rain?"
"Mm. Aquaman found it in a stack of excess chips while reviewing inventory, and Shuuko-san said I could have it."
It wasn't a particularly powerful or overtly rare buy. The neurotic he was, Higure-san would've kept the data storage device for himself otherwise. Supply issues aside, it didn't come markedly cheap either.
"A free Battle Chip? I think Shuuko-san likes you." Hikari Netto jabbed with his elbow.
His doubting friend, Hikawa Tohru, couldn't tell whether he was joking. "Netto-kun, that's not funny! She's at least seven years older than me!"
Truthfully, they never bothered to crunch the exact numbers. Every boy who valued his masculinity knew it impolite to ask a woman her age. Especially when that woman was Kido Shuuko, Akihara Town's self-described "super evil girl," whose chronic bad luck shuttered businesses and made schoolchildren flunk their tests.
Not that Tohru missed her positive qualities. She simply had a full plate working as a sales clerk and sporadic maid at Higureya to provide for her younger brothers', Atsuho and Taichi's, college tuition. Her perpetually downcast mood, droopy pigtails, barefaced thirst for money, and depressing labour to stay fed also didn't do her any favours.
"My mistake!" Netto retracted the faux pas. "I thought you were into older women, considering how much time you spend hobbying it up with Mariko-sensei!"
The accused spat the sparkling mineral water he was drinking.
"Hahahaha! I'm not serious, Tohru-kun!" He smacked him on the back.
"Could've fooled me!"
"Anyways, we need to find you someone our age."
"I'll get right on that." Tohru ran a rag over the spill, then cupped his chin and repined by the cash register. He knew his pal was just trying to be supportive, but if television and books taught him anything, it was that girls tended to seek outgoing types.
Netto conformed to this model of manhood in which ladies placed their interest.
He sighed, taking a fresh sip from his straw. Seeing the saddened bubbles he blew into the bottle, Netto realized he'd rubbed a sore spot he shouldn't have.
Shuuko, who'd been eavesdropping, hied ahead of the lad's aborted attempts at excusing his nosiness, instigating a speedier, more awkward resolution. "Tohru-kun, I think Netto-kun likes you."
Eyes met momentarily. Breathing hitched. Friendship turned to blush.
All that misunderstanding over a little pitter-patter of rain.
"You're not…uncute," Netto coughed out.
Tohru searched hectically for an appropriate objection, yet choked and mouthed off the first compliment that came to mind instead.
"You too."