Chapter 29: Nosey Friends

Airi retied her ribbon on her head. "Shino, I think we should go back now. My brother and sister are probably worried about me."

"Alright," was Shino's response. As they headed back together, Shino couldn't help but keep glancing over at the new shorthaired priestess. She was so…cheery for someone who had just cut her long hair. Oh great, these feelings are back. Aurion told me to tell her that I love her, but…I'm…scared…

Airi hummed happily and she walked by Shino's side. "What a nice day…" Yeah right it's a nice day! I'm as nervous as hell! I wanna tell Shino that I love him, but after what I said to him before, what if he doesn't love me anymore? "I'm staying at that inn over there."

"Oh, okay." They ran across the street and into the inn.

"Airi, where have you been!" Airas exclaimed. "You--!"

Aurion came into the lobby. "Airi, you there baby sis?" He froze as he looked at Airi. "…You…"

Airi titled her head to one side. "What?"

"What did you do to you hair?" Airas and Airi shouted. "It was long and pretty and you just cut it like that?"

"Hey, she's still pretty," Shino whispered.

"You guys, calm down! I loved my hair when it was long, but I need a change, so I cut it," Airi responded calmly.

"Yeah, Airi was acting a bit strange this morning."

Airi, Shino, Airas, and Aurion looked at the lobby entrance to see Hinata and Kiba walking in. "Hinata? Kiba?"

"Oh, hi--!" Hinata and Kiba stopped short as soon as they saw Airi. "Airi, what did you do? Your hair! It's-"

"Can all of you guys just calm down? It's nothing, okay? I just thought that…I'd, you know, try a new look."

"She's still herself, guys," Shino finally said. "She's just a bit different now. She changed."

"Yeah, it's no big deal."

Aurion pulled Shino aside. "He, kid, did you tell her yet?"

"Tell her what?" he asked.

"That you love her!"

"G-Give me some time, okay?"

"Shino! Come on! Quit being a little sissy boy!"

"I'm not being a sissy boy!"

"Then tell her!"

"Shut the hell up!"

"Ugh! Teenagers get on my nerves sometimes! This is why I'm twenty two!"

"Screw you!" Shino hissed.

As Airi watched her brother and secret crush, Hinata tapped her shoulder. "Hinata?"

"Airi, I know you love Shino," Hinata said.

"Wha! Blunt much?"

"You should tell him!"

"What? Here and now?"

"Why not?"

"No! I can't!" She looked at Kiba who walked over to Shino. "I wonder what they're talking about…"

"Focus!" Airas hit Airi on the head.

"Oww! That hurt!" Airi cried.

"Sis, look, we know that you have feelings for Shino."

"A-Airas! Even you? You of all people?"

"Sh-Shut up! I care about your feelings to ya know!"

"Airi, tell him!" Hinata urged.

While the girls were busy talking, Kiba nudged Shino. "So when are you and Airi gonna start dating?"

"Kiba, you too!" Shino asked.

"They won't! Shino's not man enough," Aurion said.

"Gah!" Shino rubbed his head. "You people--"

"--are so nosey!" Airi said to Hinata and Airas. "You're invading other people's love lives!"

"Airi, we care about you and we want you to be happy," Hinata said.

"That's what--"

"--they all say!" Shino exclaimed. "You just want an excuse--"

"--to stalk us and watch us kiss!" Airi pointed out.

"So?" Kiba and Aurion said. "What's--"

"--your point?" Hinata and Airas asked. "look, why don't you two just--"

"--go out for once!" And with that, Kiba and Aurion pushed Shino back. Airas and Hinata also pushed Airi back. BAM! Airi and Shino collided into each other head on. "Oops…"

"I'm sorry," Shino said as he helped Airi up.

"It's not your fault," Airi said as she dusted off her skirt.

"Uh, l-look," Shino began as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I was just wonderin' i-if you'd, I dunno like to…uh…go…go out with me…tonight…" He turned a bright red.

"Y-You wanna t-take me out t-tonight?" Airi asked. She looked up, then down. "U-Uh…okay, s-sure, I'll go with y-you." She blushed.

"Huh? R-Really?" He looked at her optimistically.

"Y-Yeah…"

"Okay, then I'll pick you u-up later t-t-tonight…" He looked away. "So be ready by six."

"I will…"

"G-Good…" They both went their separate ways as their friends laughed.

"This was too easy!" Aurion said.

Hinata giggled. "But it was fun!"