Note: Inspiration – Writing a science report, relating it to Aidou being extremely smart and incredibly foolish. Voila.
44) Science Project
Date :April Fool's, April 1st
Name: Aidou, Hanabusa
Aim: To make Shiki angry.
Hypothesis: Based on information provided from Ichijou-san, the vice-president, it is very difficult to rile the passive brunette. Apparently, the best bet to make the test subject angry would be if something precious of his is stolen. Further research is required.
Disclaimer: Akatsuki notes that this experiment is not the smartest decision, but what does he know? Akatsuki also says curiosity killed the cat, but that was a cat.
Research: Observations made on the subject are stated below:
Shiki does not seem to possess many material objects. Nothing deemed of value.
Shiki is always with Rima.
Shiki is very protective.
Method: Rima will be henceforth known as the catalyst. The test subject's reaction to the catalyst will be observed.
Apparatus: Something ingenious. Of course.
Data Collection:
Shiki picked up the heavy envelope left underneath his bedroom door. He ripped the expensive paper without thought and stared. He read the sentence again, hoping his eyes were deceiving him.
"You are cordially invited to the engagement party of Aidou Hanabusa & Rima Touya."
What!?
Data Processing:
By the end of the day, Shiki couldn't stand it anymore. Why was no one talking about the invitation they had received? Were they engaged? How had he not known about this? Why hadn't Rima ever mentioned anything? Why Aidou?
He felt a vein throb in his forehead. What really bothered him was how Aidou was suddenly so close with Rima. He had been hanging around her all day, talking to her, trying to make her laugh, even flirting with her.
Conclusion:
"Rima? What do you want for your birthday?" Shiki overheard Aidou asking. There was too much chatter in the classroom, but Shiki heard the end of her reply.
"-you."
Now that was the last straw. He stood up, stormed over to where Rima was and pushed Aidou away from her. Everyone stared.
"Aidou-san. Don't even think about it." He warned, a blaze in his normally cool blue-grey eyes as he stared daggers at the blonde vampire. There was a hard edge to his voice Aidou had never heard before.
"Shiki!" Rima protested, but he grabbed her hand and dragged her outside. He didn't notice the amused reactions of the bystanders and the amazed expression on Aidou's face.
Success!
Evaluation:
"Shiki! You're hurting my hand!"
"Rima." He said, stopping suddenly and turning to look at her.
"What?"
"Is there something going on between you and Aidou?" Shiki has never been one to digress.
"What? No!" The stunned expression on her face confuses him.
"Then what about the invitation I received this morning?"
"What invitation?"
"This." Shiki holds up the scrunched up, crumpled card he had been keeping in his pockets. Rima stares at it.
"Shiki. It's April Fool's Day. It must be Aidou's idea of a joke."
"But when he asked you about what you wanted for your birthday..."
"I said nothing from you..."
"Oh." There was a long pause. "I'm sorry."
"You're jealous." She comments, sounding quite pleased. She should thank Aidou.
Addendum:
"I'm sorry! It was a joke! Really!" Aidou protests, his turquoise eyes wide and innocent.
The rest of the class looks on warily. Aidou has always the trouble maker. Akatsuki sighs but holds back from saying "I told you so." Hanabusa never listens.
"Shiki..." Takuma says warningly. Though he found the whole thing hilarious, he didn't want to explain to Aidou-dono how his precious son had died.
"Aidou-san, she's mine." Shiki says, his eyes still narrowed in great dislike.
Rima blushes uncharacteristically.
Aidou gasps, Ichijou squeals and Ruka grins.
Even Akatsuki smiles.
They've always known that.
Except this was the first public declaration.