55 - Vignette- Post-Game

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Obligatory

Neku was, admittedly, feeling slightly jittery at the thought of Shiki's arrival. She would be getting here late, which was good because it gave him some time to cool his nerves.

"Phones? Uhh...you okay?"

Well, you knew it was bad if Beat noticed you; Neku must have been fidgeting too much. Though maybe if Rhyme were here too she would have noticed earlier. Either way...

"I'm super," he replied stiffly.

"...Seriously, Phones, what's up?"

"..."

"Phones?"

"It's White Day today, isn't it?"

"Huh? Yeah?"

"I got chocolates from Shiki," Neku muttered quietly, feeling his face heat up shamefully. "Aren't I supposed to give her a reply now…or something?"

He had been putting this off for the past month now. Ever since Shiki had given him those chocolates he had been feeling nervous around her. Of course, his exterior (hopefully) hadn't given him away, but he did have a harder time than usual at keeping his poker face maintained.

And to be honest he wasn't sure what he was going to say to her, either.

They were partners, and they were friends but beyond that…he wasn't too sure himself.

"Oh yeah, me too," said Beat.

…eh?

"But I dunno. I thought we didn't have to do anything if they were just obligatory."

EH?

"Obligatory…" Neku repeated, trying to keep his voice from rising.

"Huh? Yeah? Shiki gave em' to me and Rhyme when she saw us after Valentine's Day. 'Said she'd already given yours to ya," the blond said.

Obligatory? As in friendship chocolate?

Wait. Come to think of it, Valentine's Day chocolate in a romantic sense were usually bigger than the ones that Neku got. He had forgot all about the existence of friendship chocolate, being so worked up over getting chocolate in the first place.

Ugh, I completely misunderstood. Embarrassment couldn't even cover it.

"Hey guys! Sorry to keep you waiting!" called out Shiki, approaching them. "W-whoa. Neku, you alright? You look like the soul's been sucked out of you."

"…"

"Neku?"

"…I don't want to talk about it."

"Huh, talk about what? Neku?!"

"…Let's just get going."

"Is someone going to explain to me what happened?"

"I dunno what's wrong with him!"

"I'm guessing he's not going to tell us?" Shiki sighed.

No.

And he didn't for a long time – that was a secret that Neku had kept until after they got married.

Yes, Shiki did laugh.

And yes, it was still never failed to embarrass him.


A/N: TADAA! YES I AM ALIVE. AND WELL. Sorry for not updating in...about a month. I was meant to post this up yesterday but it completely slipped my mind. I've been busy with exams and whatnot. (Not that I even got good grades but oh well). Anyway, in case some of you didn't get it, in Japan, the 14th of March is White Day, where the boy replies to the girl who gave him chocolates (or gives them chocolates too). In Japan there's 'giri' (obligatory) and 'honmei' (romantic) chocolates and sometimes girls give their friends giri chocolates as a sign of friendship. Yep.

Anyway, thanks to my reviewers: B.A.G-GOMEZ , A Paper Flower, Xerzo LotCN, RagnartheSemiGreen, ElementLegend, I'll Break Your Heart, foggraven and cutekitty5597.

- Dina (15/3/2014)