After concluding her meeting with the student council, Shirley left to attend her morning classes. Lelouch was again absent, as was their other classmate Kallen Stadtfeld. This coincidence had happened before; combined with other incidents led her to suspect Kallen had feelings for Lelouch. Recent events had been causing her to doubt this but after witnessing him kissing a mysterious green-haired girl, her mind started considering all sorts of outlandish scenarios.

During her history teacher's lecture, Shirley began imagining Lelouch had skipped school with Kallen and the green-haired girl to go to the massive casino Babel Tower. In this wild scenario, he engaged in high stakes gambling with a girl on each arm. Kallen wore a revealing pink bunny girl costume, while the green-haired girl wore a red, white and black gothic-Lolita outfit. She imagined Lelouch wrapping his arms around both of their waists, pulling them close to him-

"No! He wouldn't!" The fantasy abruptly ended as Shirley shouted while leaping to her feet with a jolt. Her chair shot back slamming into the desk behind her. The sudden outburst interrupted the instructor and drew the entire class's attention. Shirley became keenly aware of the other student's stares as the teacher chastised her for interrupting. Turning red from embarrassment, she apologized and returned to her seat.

The rest of the morning went on without event, aside from the occasional comment about her bizarre behavior. After lunch Lelouch reported to classes, stating he was late due to oversleeping. Shirley immediately suspected this was a result of his late night gambling. The earlier daydream resurfaced in her mind but she suppressed it, believing Lelouch was not that depraved. Throughout the remaining classes, Shirley stole glances at him, eventually resolving she would question him after school.

At the end of the day's classes, Shirley steeled her resolve and walked over to Lelouch. With each step, her determination faltered, by the time she was near him she was sweating profusely. Finally, in a low quivering voice, she asked him. "Um, Lulu, can I talk to you?"

Lelouch gazed at her quizzically while packing his books into his bag. "Sure Shirley, what do you need?"

The last of Shirley's resolve evaporated as she struggled to answer. "Um, do you… know a girl with long green hair and amber eyes?" As soon as the words left her mouth her chest tightened in nervous anticipation of the answer.

Lelouch paused for a second before responding, "Um, well I'm not sure. Do you know her name? What's this about?"

Perspiration formed on Shirley's forehead as she scrambled for an answer. "Uh, you see, I, err…" After several seconds of stumbling inspiration struck her. "Oh, I saw her drop something! I wasn't able to catch up to her and wanted to return it to her." The plausible lie slipped from her mouth before she knew what she was saying.

Lelouch stopped packing his books and looked away briefly before responding. "Oh, I see. Well maybe you should give it to me; I'll turn it into the lost and found."

"No, that's alright. I want to return it personally."

"I see. May I ask what it is?" Lelouch sounded nervous as he persistently questioned Shirley's story.

Shirley realized her over-elaborate story was spiraling out of control and scrambled for an answer. "Oh, it's nothing, just a schoolbook." She flashed a fake smile, attempting to end further questioning.

"Schoolbook?" Lelouch sounded skeptical as he resumed packing his books.

"Uh, yeah. Well, I gotta go. See ya, Lulu." Shirley almost sprinted out the door as she desperately extracted herself from the difficult situation she created. Oh my god, why did I say that!