Author's Note: Disclaimer in first chapter. Out of all the tracks, I found this one the hardest. The context wasn't as flexible and some of the dialogue wouldn't make sense (between Rima and Shiki - at least, not in my opinion) so I had to make some minor changes.
If you like, please check out my other story: Beauty x Blood. It's a series of dribbles and themed one-shots of Shiki and Rima! (As of 2012 - I'm in the process of editing and wrapping up the stories. It's getting a bit long and I'm looking forward to starting something new.)
Like always, thank you for your previous reviews and please continue!
Take Four: Oshikari Voice ("Scolding Voice")
He doesn't usually mind going shopping with Rima.
"Hey, you're not done yet?"
It's not in his nature to be impatient but today, she's taking longer than usual. He's curious.
"No. Wait a minute." Her voice drifts from inside the changing room.
"For the dress that you're wearing to the dance, won't anything be fine? Say, something simple?"
It's not the dress, it's the wearer and you'll look beautiful, no matter what. At least, to me.
"No." She sounds amused and he doesn't understand. "What would you have me wear?" Rima asks. She wants to see what he'd choose, what he'd like for her to wear.
"You're asking me to choose? What a bother."
"Everything is a bother to you." Rima replies but Shiki silently disagrees.
You're not.
"Pastel colored clothing is adult-like..." He commented, surveying the store. "So how about a full-length dress in pastel colors?"
Rima steps out in a beige colored dress a few minute later and glances at her reflection in the mirror. "I don't think this color suits me."
"Why not? What kind of dress would you like then?"
"Something that's both cute and sexy. Elegant and of course, and if it's simple it'd be good." Rima almost laughs at the confused expression he has.
"Eh? Something that exudes a little sexiness within cuteness, but also showing elegance will do? Something casual would also be good?"
"Why not?" Rima asks teasingly, but Shiki doesn't seem to notice. Instead, he appears deep in thought.
"It's impossible to have everything." He declares after a while, "It would be fine just to look for a dress that suits you."
This time, Rima does laugh. "What dress would suit me then?"
"I think a cute dress would suit you."
He doesn't think she should wear something too revealing, it would be...troublesome. Just imagining the reactions of the Day Class Boys' irritated him.
"A cute dress?"
"How about this and this?" He hands her two different dresses from expensive brands without even looking at a price.
"I''m opening the curtain."
"Shiki!" Rima exclaims, "You can't just come in."
"Why not? It's nothing embarrassing. If I don't see then I won't be able to know."
"That's not the point. Baka!" Rima scolds, turning red.
"Gomen." He apologizes for the sake of upsetting her.
"What do you think then?" Rima asks, looking at her reflection. The light blue color emphasizes her complexion and shows her figure.
"Hmm, well, it really suits you." You're beautiful. "But the shoes are a disaster. Why are you wearing sneakers? Where are the mules that I prepared?"
"I didn't have time to change and I didn't like the height."
"You're worried about the heels being too high?" Shiki finds it strange. She's a vampire and a model, her movements embody grace. She shouldn't have to worry about falling, if the unthinkable did happen, he'd be there to catch her. "But wearing sneaksers to a dance is...something unheard off."
"I wasn't planning on actually wearing sneakers to the dance Shiki." How silly of him to think so.
"Hm...since it can't be helped, I'll look for something with a low heel. Try on the second dress."
This time he decides to wait a fraction longer.
"Have you already worn it? I'm opening the curtain."
Rima sighs as she turns to face him. There was an improvement at least, she thinks begrudgingly. At least he gave a warning.
"Why are you wearing a T-shirt underneath?"
"It might be a bit inappropriate." She comments.
"Eh?" Shiki ruffles his hair, even more confused. "It's too revealing? But you wear dresses like this all the time when you're modeling."
(A/N: The original sentence was "and you don't have the self-confidence to wear it?" but with Rima that seemed highly unlikely.)
"Not to a school event."
Shiki considers this and agrees. It's a dress fit for her, a soft, sleek silk black number that flowed to her knees, fitting her perfectly.
"Ahh, it's too troublesome. Wear whatever I choose." He says and begins sorting through the other racks, handing her random items. "This dress, this pair of sandals, and put half of your hair up. For make-up, leave your eyes as they are and-"
Rima laughs and the delicate sound rings throughout the empty store. Shiki pauses in surprise, relishing in the rare occurrence.
"Hmm? Why are you laughing?" He asks, looking quite pleased.
"Nothing."
She closes the changing room door and proceeds to change back into her original outfit. It's cute of him, really, to take this seriously. Even going so far to think of her and makeup. Their manager would be pleased with Shiki developing an eye for fashion.
"It's nothing? You're weird."
"I think I'll do the rest myself." Rima said, tiptoeing to kiss him on the cheek as a gesture of her gratitude.
"Okay then." He nods blankly, stunned by her actions.
His brain vaguely recalls Ichijou-san saying all troublesome things were worth doing because it comes with a great reward. He figures this is an example.
"I'm tired." Shiki mutters to himself, yawning slightly but is very pleased with the outcome.
