The meal was surprisingly pleasant.
Sesshoumaru had assumed that he would resent having their evening interrupted, but the kit turned out to be a strategic conversationalist, considering his age.
Once his stomach was full, which took several servings, Shippou was much more equipped to return to his studies, Kagome helping to spread out his flashcards on the table. After his tenth correct question, she told him he was overreacting and to put them away.
"You're going to be fine, Shippou. It's just nerves."
"If you say so," he mumbled, slipping the cards into his backpack.
"Why don't you have Souten reward you for getting a high score?" she asked mischievously.
Shippou turned as red as his hair. "She already said she would."
Kagome snorted. "No wonder you were freaking out. Tell Souten I approve."
He shook his head. "No way! She was ready to kill me when she made the offer as it was!"
"But she still made it, didn't she?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him, and the kit groaned, adjusting the straps of his bag.
"Thanks, Kagome. You're a lifesaver."
She waved him off. "I told you I'd help no matter what. Call me when you get the results. Well, maybe a few days after, so you've had time to recover." Her laughter followed him out of the apartment, his ears still red when he stepped onto the elevator.