I was informed that I chose the wrong language when I posted it, so that might keep away some of my potential readers...
Yes, I took Japanese in high school. But there is no way I could write a story in the language... Lol.
So, I'm taking pity on my girlfriend (who has been bugging me for weeks to read this chapter) and posting this.
But, I refuse to post the next chapter until I have 20 reviews. =]
Several Weeks Later...
Natsuki all but ran home after her classes were done. She had given Shizuru her screenname for an IM service she used and was anxiously awaiting an answer. The other girl had become more than an online penpal to her over the last few weeks. She was more like a friend now, Maybe even to a higher level than Mai.
As she waited for the computer to boot up, Natsuki considered that thought. No, she wasn't a higher friend that Mai, but she was at that level. Shizuru was just a differnt kind of friend. Exacly how, Natsuki didn't know but it didn't matter. The few people who would get close to her were precious after growing up alone.
Finally, the computer was ready and Natsuki folled the normal routine she always did lately - typing in the site, logging in, and immediately looking at her inbox. She did indeed have amessage from Shizuru waiting for her.
'Are you sure? *tease* I'm afraid you'll turn out to be a creeper. - S'
Natsuki chuckled and typed back.
'I swear on mayo that I'm not a creeper. I just don't the waiting time between messages. We communicate so often now that it just seems easier. - N'
Next thing Natsuki knew, an add friend request from her IM serviece popped up.
"F. Shizuru? Really, I thought you'd have more imagination," Natsuki teased lightly, even though the other girl couldn't hear her, before accepting.
F. Shizuru: I certainly hope you aren't lyitng. I would hate for you to try to come here and end up losing in a fight for attempting to be creepy with me.
DurantheSilver: I would never. I promis, no lies here.
F. Shizuru: As you say...
DurantheSilver: Oi! I'm not lying!
F. Shizuru: *giggles* I believe you. Now, how were your classes?
DurantheSilver: Boring, as usual. Don't tell anyone (not that they'll believe you) but I am so far ahead in my science and math classes that it's hard to stay focused.
F. Shizuru: I understand. I am the same in my fine arts electives, though my focus is usually on my work anyway. My professor has learned to let me go on my own so long as I still do the work she assigns and do well on tests.
DurantheSilver: If attendance weren't necessary I'd arrange to only attend one class out of the two a week and add another clas or two. But I tried it once and -
DurantheSilver: Fine arts? You are a business major. Why are you taking fine arts?
F. Shizuru: It's a hobby. My father allows it only because it was the only way I would choose Kyoto U. I had wanted to go to Europe to go to art school.
DurantheSilver: You should have done it, forget your father.
F. Shizuru: I didn't get the scholarship I wanted or I would have. This way, Father will pay for my schooling.
DurantheSilver: He makes no sense. He should be happy to have the chance to be around as you grow.
F. Shizuru: Don't hold it against him. It is his way.
DurantheSilver: I'll try. How were your classes today?
F. Shizuru: Not too bad. I had my Macro Economics class and third level Psychology class today, as well as three art classes.
DurantheWolf: You make me sound like a slacker, and I'm already going 2 classes over full-time.
F. Shizuru: *laughs* If you were a slacker, you wouldn't be ahead in your classes.
DurantheSilver: Still, compared to you I'm average. You must be brilliant.
*****
F. Shizuru: Sometimes he brings up my fangirls as though I've been encouraging them, but then he looks at me and remembers that I've made my preferences public recently and doesn't talk to me at all for several days.
DurantheSilver: Damn, that sounds rough. How do you handle it?
F. Shizuru: I ignore it mostly. Every once in a while he says something about it and we'll argue, but mostly I ust let things go in one ear and out the other.
DurantheSilver: You shouldn't do that, though. What if his opinions are beneficial later in life?
F. Shizuru: I doubt it. That's enough about my family. Tell me about yours.
DurantheSilver: No. I don't want to.
F. Shizuru: But I want to get to know you.
DURANTHESILVER SIGNED OUT.
Shizuru frowned and closed her laptop. Why was family such a tough topic for Natsuki?
*****
Natsuki checked her IM service out of habit as she waited for class to begin.
F. Shizuru: I don't understand, but I apologize if I have made you uncomfortable.
The timestamp was very early that morning. There was no way the other girl woke up that early, so she must have stay awake. Guilt flooded the normally stoic girl.
DurantheSilver: It's nothing to apologize for. I'll explain tonight, I promise.
*****
Shizuru was afraid to check her IM after last night, but at lunch decided she had held off as long as she could. The message from Natsuk surprised her, but she still smiled. Perhaps trust was growing.
Reito sat down.
"You won't believe it," he said, sounding a little depressed. "My younger half-sister won over Mai. I lost to my sister!"
"Lost?"
"Yeah. Apparently she expressed a desire to date her before we left Tokyo, and I spoke too late," Reito said. "Mai had already chosen Mikoto!"
Shizuru giggled. "Ara, perhaps Reito needs to brush up on his pick up lines?"
"It's not funny, Shizuru, my pride has been hurt," he pouted. However, that made Shizuru laugh. A few seconds later, Reito was laughing with her. "I am happy for Mikoto. She and Mai did seem to hit it off really well. Maybe it had been meant to be. And I enjoyed seeing my half-sister in any case. She's growing up."
"Of course she is," Shizuru said softly.
"How is your conquest of Tokyo's Ice Bachellorette going?" he teased, trying to change the topic.
"Conquest?" she queried, raising an eyebrow. "Natsuki isn't very forth coming. I believe she has many secrets, and most of them will probably go with her to the grave."
"Do you think so?"
"It feels like it sometimes."
*****
Natsuki joined Mai for dinner after an urgent text telling her to be in her dorm by dinner time. The redhead was still busy in the kitchen, so Natsui just sat and watched before signing in on her mobile IM.
F. Shizuru: I see you needed to use your phone.
DurantheSilver: Yeah, my friend told me to come to dinner with her and I got bored since she's still cooking.
F. Shizuru: You aren't helping?
DurantheSilver: Mai never lets me help anymore. Any food I touch seems to end up black and crispy.
F. Shizuru: That's not bad...
DurantheSilver: Say that all you like. Kitchens and I are polar opposites.
F. Shizuru: Surely you aren't that bad.
DurantheSilver: Yes I am. And now dinner is ready. I need to stop this now or she'll take my phone...
F. Shizuru: *laughs*
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