Chapter 10: I'm Sorry

"That was my fault Shino," Airi said sadly. "I didn't know that food like that would make you sick."

"Well, I feel better now that we're outside," Shino responded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." They remained silent for a while. "Do you wanna go to the park or something?"

"Okay." They walked to the park, silent again. "Let's sit." They sat on a bench in front of a small pond. "Shino, the reason why I--" She covered her mouth and coughed.

"You're gonna get sick out in this could Airi. You should have at least worn a coat."

"I-I'm sorry."

He sighed. "Here." He took off his coat and wrapped it around her. "Now you'll be warm."

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine, don't worry about me. Now, what were you gonna say?"

She blushed. Sh-Shino…? "I-I wanted to say…I'm sorry."

"Hmm? For what?"

"For the other day. When you asked me what was wrong." She looked down. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did."

"No, it was my fault. I guess I shouldn't have been prying into your life like that…" He looked at her. "But I was just worried Airi."

"H-Huh?"

"I know that something is hurting you, deep down inside. All I wanted to do was help you by getting to know what was wrong. I don't want to be in the dark about something that hurts you."

"Shino," she looked at him, "I just…" Wh-What's wrong with me? Every time he looks at me like this… She got up. "I can't tell you or anyone else for that matter."

"So something is bothering you."

"…Maybe…Maybe not…"

"Airi." He got up and walked over to her. "Am…Am I bothering you?"

"What?" She turned to him. "Don't be…" I'm not sure what's going on, but all I know is that…I think Shino is the only person that can pull the truth from me. The way he looks at me…It's so hard to explain. "You don't bother me."

"How do I know that? Every time I'm close to you or I ask you what's wrong, you get uncomfortable."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do. I can feel it." He looked away. "But it's understandable. I mean, everyone is always telling me that I'm too mysterious or that I'm just plain weird."

She put her hand on his shoulder. "I don't think you're weird. Mysterious, yes. But in a good way."

"Airi…"

"As a matter of fact, I like you Shino."

Shino whipped around. "Y-You…like me?"

"Uh-huh." She smiled.

Shino blushed. Sh-she likes…me? Me? "I-I…"

"I mean, you're a really great friend. I like Hinata and Kiba too."

"Wh-What?"

"Hmm?" Airi looked at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"O-Oh, um, ah, wh-what a wonderful thing. T-To like your friends."

Hmmm… She smirked. "You really are something else Shino, but that's why I like ya. You're not like everyone else. You're not afraid to be an individual. You're unique and that's what I find so charming."

"A-Airi…" He looked down. "I'm sorry I made you cry."