Ok. This is sort of a strange hybrid A.U. (obviously it's post-festival, but not really much mental trauma, is there?) Well there's been a lot of depressing ShizNat fiction lately, so I decided to write my own fluff. :P

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I wasn't a morning person. I would always awake tired, no matter how much sleep I had gotten the night before. Today was no different. With some distinct difficulty, I opened my left eyelid to peek into my small, crowded dorm-room apartment. I grumbled at the thought of raising the other eyelid.

Once I had passed that daring trial of throwing off the sheets and sitting up, I made a quick glance to the clock.

7:45.

It took a moment for it to click in my brain. As soon as it did, I slapped my face in horror.

"Dammit...I gotta be there by 8:00," I grimaced, "or Shizuru will tease me for being late again..." I literally flung myself from the covers and into my drawers for clothes.

7:55

I fumbled out the door hastily tying my shoe. I mentally cursed myself as I ran down the sidewalk into the academy.

---

I think I almost broke the hatches to the large metal doors at the entrance to Fuuka Academy. I did not care, and so I stampeded down the hallway at full speed. I did not care whom I bumped into, and I ignored the stares and shouts. As I reached the third floor where my first period class was held, I quickly stopped to catch my breath under the clock.

7:59.

"Oh crap!" I gulped down my last breath of air, before speeding towards my class.

So close, so, so very close!

I skidded to a halt at room 106. I jiggled the handle and swung the door open. Midori was at her desk. She looked almost professional now. She wore a black suit with a tie. Her hair was tied up neatly. "So glad you made it on time," she snickered. Not so professional to her students, however.

"Yeah, heh...I guess I did huh?" I beamed, but I forgot to take in that I was still standing in the doorway.

BRIIINNNNGGG

The sound of the bell did not register with my brain. It cranked and cranked and cranked, and finally I realized: I was late to class.

"Shit!" I screamed and slammed the door with a loud thud. I stood out in the hallway, momentarily blank. I heard the whole class laughing behind it. I sighed, straightened my posture, and entered the classroom again.

"Sooo...another demerit for tardiness! I shall inform Fujino-san," She gave a wide, Cheshire-cat-like grin.

"Sh-Shizuru!" I squealed, and I felt my cheeks redden in embarressment. The whole class perked up at the sound of the Kaichou's name.

"Now, now, Natsuki-chan," She stood up from her desk, grabbing her notes, "should I give you another demerit for disrupting class?" Midori grinned again.

"N...no thanks, Midori...sensei...," I bowed, turned around, and found my usual seat near the window.

Class passed pretty quickly. My composure returned, and the pink blush from my cheeks was gone. I stared out "my" window when I got bored with class. It wasn't that I really didn't want to pay attention, it's just that I found looking at the scenery of spring at Fuuka truly more interesting "than learning about some dude who did something or other."

--

Besides what had happened this morning, the rest of the day went by smoothly. Well, up until lunch. I walked down the corridor to the exit to the park, but I was stopped by Shizuru.

"Natsuki," she smiled warmly at me. Shizuru was leaning against the wall next to the exit, "how about we have lunch together?" She raised the picnic basket in her hands up to face me.

"...Sure...," I nodded at her.

"Natsuki looks so cute today," Shizuru said as she held out her hand. She wrapped her loose fingers around mine and gave it a soft squeeze.

I felt my entire face redden in embarrassment. She just giggled.

"Shi-Shizuru!" I turn my head the other way so she couldn't look at me.

But I didn't let go of her hand.

We walked silently out of the school and down the cobble-stone pathway to find a place we could eat. Soon we found a nice secluded spot behind the school, under a tree.

"Here." I said, letting go of her hand and taking the picnic basket to lay out the food and mat to sit on.

"Natsuki is so sweet, helping me." She chortled again, and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"W-Well...y-you prepared it," I mumbled nervously, and took myself out of her reach.

I begun setting the picnic, and said nothing more. Shizuru rested herself up against the large tree.

As I laid out the food, she suddenly said, "Why does Natsuki force me away even though she is blushing?"

I don't say anything, because I don't know what to say.

"I am sorry, Natsuki."

"Don't be." I said forcefully, handing her a salad she had packed for herself. I still didn't look at her.

I picked up a bowl of ramen she had made for me, along with a huge canister of mayonnaise.

I felt a smile creep across my lips. I felt a happiness shift over me. She is the only one whom I'd ever trusted, the only one whom ever knew stupid things like what was my favorite meal.

"Shizuru." I turned to look at her. As soon as she saw my smile, she adorned one herself.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Thank you."

She smiled back, and gently stroked my head, "Silly Natsuki, what are you thanking me for? It's just ramen and mayo."

We both laughed, and I decided to keep my revelation to myself for now.

"By the way, Natsuki...," She looked at me sideways.

"Yes?" I asked pleasantly, enjoying the atmosphere.

"You have detention for being late again. Looks like you'll be spending the rest of the day with me. Oh, Natsuki, we must come up with a better punishment for you."

"Wha-what?" I jolted up and looked at her, then I remembered this morning, "Damn Midori," I cursed.

"And here I thought you enjoyed being with me. I was starting to think you were doing it on purpose. How unfourtunate."

I blinked. Even though Shizuru teased me for it, I don't really think I ever dreaded it.

I loved being with her. But that was my secret.

A.N./

One-shot for now. I probably screwed up on most of the editing, and I'll fix it later.

I haven't written fanfiction since I was like...10, so can you tell? Haha. For those who don't know, Natsuki's favorite thing is mayo, ramen was just easy for me to use in the writing. o wo;