Shion sighed as the bell rang, singaling that his final class of the day had ended. He heard the chair behind him groan as it was pushed back against the floor, it's occupant still seated. Shion turned in his own chair to look back. Eric was grinning smugly at him as usual. Shion wasn't even really sure himself as to why he and Eric seemed to be friends, logic told him that they weren't alike in any way. Eric loved to go to parties and his most common topic for small talk was women. Shion sighed and raised an eyebrow, he had seen this particular look far too many times.
"What?" Shion asked, not really sure if he wanted the answer.
He watched as Eric tried not to laugh at the annoyance Shion gracefully hid in his voice. Eric leaned over his desk to speak more privately, though almost all the students were gone and the teacher had been the first one out the door.
"Are you going to the winter formal?" he asked, almost as if he knew the answer. It was true that he didn't know the answer, but he definately knew what the answer would PROBABLY be. Shion rolled his eyes and stood up.
"No." he said swiftly, "I've got too many things to worry about without adding that to my list."
Eric stood up as well, grabbing his bookbag in the same motion, his features sombered as he said, "Listen, it's been almost seven months since your mothers..." he trailed off, knowing that acutally saying anything would send Shion deeper into the depression he had been living in since his mothers fairly recent passing. Shion sighed, knowing what Eric was talking about, he looked a little frustrated when he looked at Eric and said, "So? I've never gone to those, why would I start now?"
At that Eric smiled a little, "Well you see, you need to lighten up, get out there...I know you don't know the meaning of fun but you could pretend to understand. There's a whole 'nother world out there and you can't even see it. If you haven't been going becuase you don't have a date or something then that can easily be arranged since just about ALL my girlfriends think you're the cutest thing since sliced bread." Shion's brow raised at that, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Eric rolled his shoulders and started to the door, "The formal is tomorrow night, and it's a FORMAL, so dress appropriately." he finished and walked out.
Shion sighed, Eric was right, though he hated to admit it. Shion headed home, knowing that a bright smile awaited him there. The thought of Kotori cooking dinner brought a full smile to his lips as he walked down the darkened streets. She never seemed to like him walking home so late, but there was little that could be done about that. As he thought about her, he remembered how he had found out about her ability. She could speak with him...in a way. In his mind, her voice was soothing and he found comfort in that. He couldn't speak back, but at least she could express herself to him without too much trouble. She didn't do it often, he supposed she probably figured that it freaked him out or something, which would be ridiculous, but he couldn't tell her that, she'd be embarassed.
He unlocked the door to the house and walked in. He had insisted that she lock the door when she was there by herself, if not for herself than for his peace of mind.
"I'm home!" he called out as he headed to the kitchen. He heard pots hitting the counter and a lot of rummaging. He was almost to the kitchen when a flour covered Kotori ran out looking...mortified? Shion tilted his head to the side in curiousity, trying to express his confusion through body language. Kotori seemed to understand as her face relaxed. She signed to him 'It's nothing.' She turned to walk back to the kitchen but looked over her shoulder once more before entering as she spoke to his mind Don't come in the kitchen.
"Why not?" he asked, still really confused by her behavior. He heard a pan clang as if it had hit the floor and then a loud 'thwack' as something heavier hit. "Kotori?" he jumped at the sound. It sounded like she had fallen. He rushed to the kitchen to see her sitting on the floor, looking ready to pout as she rubbed her head. He looked from her to the pan next to her, a small stand was in front of the sink and it appeared as if she had used it in an attempt to pull the pan from the cupbord above the sink. He sighed and looked back down to her. He held his hand out to her in a show to help her up. She frowned and reached to take his hand. He pulled her up gently and said, "You know that wouldn't have happened had you let me just help you. What are you doing anyways?"
Kotori hung her head and signed to him 'birthday'. Shion gave her an odd look, "My birthday isn't until March Kotori, I thought you knew that." he said confused. Kotori huffed and lifted her head to glare at him. Shion winced at the look, knowing what it meant he said, "Of course it's not always about me." Kotori sighed in resignation and sat down gently in one of the cushioned kitchen chairs. Shion knelt down in front of her and sighed, "I didn't know that today was your birthday Kotori. I'm sorry, but I know of a way to make it up to you...if you like."
Kotori looked at him curious and obviously interested in what he had to say. He smiled inwardly that she was so expressive. He decided to remain knelt until he knew if he was forgiven or not.
"My school has a winter formal every year, and ours is actually tomorrow night. I wasn't planning on going, but I will, if you were to accompany me." he smiled attractively at her. He knew he had charm, it didn't take Eric telling him to realize it, it was just that there was no one else that he would even consider going with. The bright smile he was rewarded with was worth it. Kotori left the chair and tackled him in a hug. He tried to remain upright, but it was unsuccessful as he fell backwards, cushioning Kotori's fall.
Kotori began to kiss him all across his face and he laughed, feeling like he had just given a dog the worlds biggest bone and was now being rewarded with a face full of kisses. Of course, he didn't mind if the dog were a woman, and minded even less if the woman was Kotori. He knew that they had some kind of special connection, some kind of deep chemistry that had brought them together. Kotori sighed in contentment before jumping off of him and signing the word 'dress'. She still used single words for questions since she had picked up learning sign language only shortly before he had. They were both quite good, but it was easier for her to sign single words, less time meant faster answers.
"You could wear the dress I bought you last Christmas, you've still never worn it and I haven't even seen it since the day I gave it to you." he said, his voice underlined with hurt, which Kotori picked up on. She signed, 'There was nowhere appropriate to wear it and I didn't want to ruin it. Tomorrow seems like the perfect time to wear it. I really love that dress, it suits me well.' Shion visibly relaxed as he stood up.