Chapter 5: Shino of the Forest

"How's business?" Kiba asked Airi.

"Slow," Airi replied. She rubbed her arms.

"It's pretty cold today. Do you want my jacket?"

"No, I'm fine." She looked around. "I might quit for today though." She began to lock everything up. At this rate, I won't be able to… She sighed.

"Is everything alright Airi?"

"Oh! Yes of course!"

"Come on." They walked over to a bench and sat down. "You know, I could buy another charm from you if it helps."

"That's alright Kiba. If I could stop making charms, then I wouldn't have to worry about it."

"You make your own charms, huh? Is it hard?"

"No, not really."

"Mind explaining?"

"Sure!" She began a long explanation about how to make charms, the purpose of charms, and the history behind charm making.

Kiba watched her talked, fascinated by it all. Wow, when she talks about charms, it's as if she's a whole another person. Making charms must be her passion. "That was very enlightening."

"If it was boring, you could just say so, I wouldn't mind. When I learned all of this stuff, I was bored out of my mind." She smiled.

"On no, it wasn't boring at all. I enjoyed it," he said. "And I enjoyed the way you talked about it. Your eyes are sparkling right now." He got closer to her. "You know, I still don't have you completely figured out," Kiba went on slowly, watching her. "Sometimes you're full of fire and zeal, but other times you sound almost dejected. Ever since I met you I've been trying to decide what you're really like."

Airi flushed. "I'm not that difficult to understand. I just have something that I need to do, and I'm trying to accomplish that goal as best I can. What more do you need to know?"

"I'm curious about you. You're a very beautiful girl and I can't help wanting to know more about you."

She became an even brighter red. "Kiba, I…"

"I just want to get to know the real you…."

She stood up. "Kiba, I'm sorry but I…I have somewhere to be!" She dashed off. Kiba wants to know the real me? The real…? No, he can't. No one can. She found herself wandering into the forest. "Huh? How'd I get here?" She looked around. "No one seems to be here…" She continued to walk. "…Life truly is hard…" She sat down by a tree and pulled her knees up to her chest. "All I wanted to do was please them…Please everyone..." She blinked back tears. "I-I'm so sorry everyone…" Her head shot up when she head a branch snap. "Huh? Is someone here?" Out into the distance was a person. "Oh, who is that?" She got up and walked over. "It's…" Shino was standing by himself. "Shino? What's he doing?"

A butterfly landed on his shoulder. "…Hello."

Shino's so…so mysterious. I wonder what he's like. He and I haven't talked much lately. I know he doesn't do small talk but…It's nice to…have friends… She smiled. "Hey, Shino!" She skipped over to him. "What cha doin'?"

The butterfly moved to his hand. "What're you doing here Airi?"

She put her hands behind her back. "That's not very polite, but I could ask you the same thing. What're you up to?"

"…I like coming to the forest by myself."

"Oh, you're a nature fanatic, huh?" She beamed.

"No, not really." The butterfly flew away. "Hmm…"

"Okay…" Airi played with her hair. "Shino, I know you don't talk much, but…would you like to talk a bit with me?"

He looked at her. "What?"

"You seem like an interesting guy Shino and I want to get to know you. I would like to talk with you if that's alright." She sat down. "But you don't have to if you don't want to…"

Aah, what should I do in a situation like this? She wants to talk with me but…Should I accept her offer and engage in a conversation with her? Shino sighed. "Alright Airi, let's converse." He sat next to her.

"Okay. Where should we begin…Oh! I know! Do you have any brothers or sisters Shino?"

"No."

"How about your mom and dad? Do you live with them?"

"I live with my father."

"Alright. Um, what do you like to eat?"

"Vegetable salad. But I don't like tofu balls or strong smelling foods."

"I see. Do you like quiet places?"

"Yes."

"Oh…" She sat for a while, admiring the forest. "It's really pretty here. It's calm and peaceful."

"Yes, it is." He looked at her. Girls are talkative… "Now it's my turn to ask questions."

"Oh?"

"Do you have any fighting styles?"

"Yep!"

He gave her a curious look. "Hmm? Oh really? What is it?"

"It's a secret art that's passed down by my people. It's a lost art to the rest of the world though." She held up two cards. "See these? I fight with these special magical cards. A charm is cast over them so they're useable in combat."

"Interesting."

"Here." She handed them to him so he could examine them.

"Impressive." He gave them back.

She blushed a little. "Th-Thank you."

"What are your hobbies?"

"Making charms of course! I also like…" She shook her head. "No, never mind."

"What?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Why not?"

"You'll laugh!"

"No I won't."

She thought for a bit. "Okay…I like to…I like to bake."

"There's nothing funny about that."

"Thanks, I guess."

"Do you bake well?"

"Yeah. I can bake and cook. I used to cook for my fam--" She stopped. "…Oh…"

"Your family? I haven't asked you anything about your family. Do you live with your parents? Do you have any siblings?"

She froze. My…family…

"What's wrong? Is something troubling you?"

"…My family is my business and my business alone. Do not ask me of my family."

He blinked in surprise. Just a moment ago she was happy, but now…she seems almost sad…

"Oh, I'm sorry! What I meant was that, um…In my culture, we don't talk about our families to others. Yeah! That's it. Our families our sacred, so we keep information about them to ourselves."

"I see."

"You understand, right?" She smiled at him. "Right Shino?"

He blushed. Oh, she's pretty when she smiles…And she's so close. "Y-Yes."

"You okay Shino? Your face is red…"

"It's nothing." He turned around.

"You might be getting sick." She reached out for his forehead. "Lemme just-"

"I'm fine, okay?" He spun around with his foot out. He ended up kicking Airi's arm that supported her while she was on her knees.

"KAH!" Airi fell forward onto Shino. "Oof! Ow…" She pushed against the ground and propped herself up. "Oh…" She blinked when she saw that she was on top of Shino. "Ah, oops?" Oops indeed! She blushed.

"A-Airi?" Shino was trapped under her body with her right knee lightly touching his crotch. He became redder. This seems so…so forbidden!

"I-I'm sorry Shino," she said getting up. "That was totally my fault."

"Um," he sat up, "I-I was my fault." She felt so warm before she moved…

She smiled. "Hey Shino?"

"Huh?"

"Are you blushing?"

"Wh-What! N-No! Of course not! Why-"

"I am!" She pointed to her face. "See?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, who wouldn't blush in a situation like that?"

"U-Um…"

She giggled. "You're funny Shino!"

He looked at her. What? Me? Funny? She thinks I'm…funny…?