AUTHOR'S NOTE: Amaya: And now here's the second half of what was supposed to be our sixth chapter! ...Increased by 200%.
Shiro: Don't cha mean 1000%? Eh? Eh? *nudge nudge*
Amaya: ...Quiet you.
Shiro: ...No! Anyways, enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: We do not own Uta Pri
Warning: Depending on your level of tolerance for sappiness, you miiiiight wanna leave. The fluff is strong in this one. Also, long chapter is long.
Chapter 7
~~~~~~~~~~That next morning~~~~~~~~~~
"Mew! Mew!"
"Eh?" Shiro opened her heavy eyes to see her two new kittens pawing softly at her face. "No, not now," she groaned. "I'm sleepy." Shiro rolled over on her side and got a good look at the clock. The late hour caused her to scramble desperately out of bed. "Shit! Amaya! Wake up!"
"Huh?" Amaya stirred and lifted her head from her pillow, yawning as she did so.
"We overslept! We're gonna be late!"
"What?!" Amaya too sprang from her bed and rapidly started to get dressed. "We cannot get detention on top of everything else or we'll be screwed!" she cried.
Within less than a panic-filled minute, both girls were good to go. They rushed out the door, not even bothering to shut it behind them.
They arrived in class not a moment too soon, for the bell rang the moment they sat down in their seats.
"Made it!" Amaya gasped exhaustively.
"Yea," Shiro panted in return.
"Mew! Mew!"
"Eh?" Shiro looked down to see her kittens doing figure-8s with her feet. "What?! Mitsuki! Shintsuki! How did you get here?!"
"Crap, we didn't close the door to our room!" Amaya realized.
"What are those cats doing here?" a femmy but stern voice scolded abruptly.
"R-Ringo-sensei!" Amaya jumped back in surprise. Must he always do that?
"I'm sorry, sensei! They followed me here!" Shiro explained, nearly bawling.
Masato covered his mouth discreetly as he watched the hilarious spectacle. There was a glimmer of concern for Shiro within him, but he couldn't help but laugh.
"Pets are not allowed in the main building," Ringo-sensei reprimanded. "I'm going to have to ask you to take th-"
"Mew! Mew!"
"Eh?" Ringo-sensei looked down to see both kittens looking up at him with their bright blue orbs, as if pleading him to let them stay. He picked one of them up and held it before his now beaming face. "Aww! How cute!" A moment later, he set the kitten on Shiro's desk. "Alright, they can stay. But for this morning's class only! I don't want to see them again, or I'll give you both another additional assignment!"
Amaya's eye twitched in horror at the thought as her exhaustion tugged at her muscles. Oh God please no.
"Yes, Ringo-sensei," Shiro surrendered.
Ringo-sensei confirmed the deal with a nod and smile before walking away. But then he stopped again. "Oh, and Amaya?"
"Huh?!" Amaya's spine stiffened at the sound of her name. We're already treading thin ice, what now?!
"Don't forget your hat next time."
"Huh?" Amaya reached up, but found that the hat Ringo-sensei had given her was not sitting atop her head as it should be. Crap, we were in such a rush this morning I must have forgotten it. "Yes, Ringo-sensei," she too surrendered with a sigh of relief. Amaya glared accusingly at Masato. Thanks for your freaking gift, Prince Charming.
Throughout the rest of that morning's class, Shintsuki crawled into Shiro's bag to take a nap while Mitsuki playfully batted at her pencil as she wrote. "Stop it, Mitsuki!" Shiro whispered desperately. "Mommy's trying to work."
"Mommy?" Amaya asked as if she didn't know whether to laugh or gag.
"Shut up," Shiro hissed.
Amaya shrugged, tore off a strip of paper from her notebook and scribbled something on it. She rolled it into a tiny ball and flicked it to Masato. He gave Amaya harsh glare as the paper bounced off his face. But Amaya simply gestured to the scrap of paper with a mischievous smile.
Reluctantly, Masato unrolled the paper in his hand.
I guess that makes you Daddy, it read.
Masato's face flushed instantly and completely, quickly dropping the offending paper as if it were on fire.
Shiro spotted his expression in her peripheral, wondering what could have caused such a reaction. She looked accusingly to Amaya.
But Amaya simply continued writing class notes as she hid the huge grin behind her palm.
Shiro shook her head and continued with her own notes. That is, until Mitsuki took another bat at her pencil, causing yet another stray mark. Shiro headdesked in frustration. Damnit Mitsuki.
When the morning class ended, Shiro and Amaya headed off to take the kittens back to the dorm room.
"I can't believe your damn cats almost got us into more trouble!" Amaya snapped.
"Don't insult my kittens!" Shiro defended.
"Hey, I like cats, but if they get us into anymore trouble-!"
"Don't you hurt my babies!" Shiro growled threateningly.
"Sheesh, I'm not going to hurt them!" Amaya assured her. "But if we get anymore work we're going to be dead by the end of the week!"
"True," Shiro agreed tiredly. "Anyway, we might as well catch up on our work when we get to the dorm."
"Yea, I guess," Amaya sighed in defeat.
The girls dived back into their notebooks as soon as they got back to their dorm room, emergency snacks on standby. The two kittens play-fought on the floor as they studied.
However, Amaya was only able to write out a few notes before her head began to throb. "Ugh, this is too much to do all at once," she groaned. "Work all night, and all morning! I need a break of some kind." She stood up and stretched her weary muscles. "Maybe we should get some actual lunch today. We don't want to push ourselves too hard. We'll overload ourselves if we keep working continuously like this."
"Okay, I guess you're right," Shiro agreed as she too stood up.
On their way down the hall, Amaya caught the sight of a textbook under Shiro's arm. She sweatdropped. "Uh, Shiro. That's not considered taking a break."
"I'm not writing, I'm just reading," Shiro explained flatly. "By the way, can I borrow your glasses?"
Amaya facepalmed and handed the thin frames over to Shiro. "At least you asked this time," she grumbled.
Luckily for them, the lunch line had already diminished greatly. Yet despite this, Amaya did not join Shiro in line. "I thought you wanted to come in here to get lunch," Shiro said.
Amaya laughed at her friend's naïve connotation. "Oh please. Good luck with your studying!" She gave Shiro a brief wave before quickly making her way towards the unsuspecting blonde boy.
Syo poked unenthusiastically at his food. He had been more than happy that Amaya was permitted to stay at the Academy, but he still inwardly cursed Shining for giving her that double work punishment. His patience had never been as strong as his determination, and four days was sounding like an awfully long time. Especially after that kiss. And to think, if he had only turned his head just a little...
Stop thinking about it, Syo commanded himself. If Natsuki sees my face red again, I'll hear about it for the rest of the day.
Speaking of which. "Come on, Syo-chan, you should eat," Natsuki spoke up, temporarily pulling Syo from his thoughts. A lighthearted chuckle escaped him as an amusing thought came to mind. "Then again, if you don't eat maybe you'll stay smaller and cuter longer!"
"You're bringing that up now?!" Syo shouted in vexation, practically stabbing his fork through his plate.
"Syo-kun?"
Syo froze. "A-Amaya!" He exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here? I thought you said you had work to do."
"I do," Amaya confirmed with a short laugh. "But it was getting to be a little much, so I took a break." She leaned in closer and flashed him a wink. "Besides, do you honestly think I could have waited until the weekend to see you?"
A gracious smile spread across Syo's face. Guess she's not much of the patient type either, he thought with a light chuckle.
"So cute!" Natsuki gushed, shattering the enchantment of the moment. "The two of you are so cute together! Especially the way Amaya-chan has to look down to be eye-to-eye with you, Syo-chan!"
A vein in Syo's head pulsed in irritation. Does he always have to point out my height just to tick me off? He thought as he held back his rage.
"Um, just a suggestion," Amaya whispered, an edge of embarrassment in her voice. "But maybe we should go somewhere less...open." And somewhere with less Natsuki.
"Uhh, right!" Syo agreed with a blush. "See ya later, Natsuki," he said quickly before rushing off with the purple-haired girl.
"Aww, so cute! Good luck, Syo-chan!" Natsuki continued to rave as they hurried away.
They both groaned.
~~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~~~~~
Shiro glared disbelievingly at Amaya's back as she made her way to Syo. Oooof course. After gathering her tray in her hands, Shiro caught sight of Masato, who was surprisingly enough sitting next to Ren. She walked over to them casually, taking care to never look into Ren's eyes. "May I sit here?" she asked Masato impassively.
"Of course," he answered tonelessly.
Without another word, Shiro took her place across from Masato and opened her book, alternating between eating and reading.
Ren looked back and forth between the two, as if expecting something to happen. But as the silence lingered, he shook his head in disbelief. He looked to Masato with a condescending smirk. "You really don't have any experience with ladies do you?"
The drinks on the table rattled as Shiro stood up and slammed her fist down. "Don't you dare insult Masato-sama-I mean Hijirikawa-san like that!" she snapped.
"Masato...sama?" Masato echoed aloud. An amused smile crept across his face and a low chuckle rose from within his throat.
Ren looked at his childhood friend in awe as Masato erupted into full-blown laughter. Unable to suppress his own amusement, Ren was quick to join him.
A rose-like hue clouded Shiro's face, she sank back in her chair and set her book up to hide her face. Shut up, she thought feebly.
When Masato recognized Shiro's distress, he immediately silenced himself. He turned a harsh glare upon Ren, who was still laughing. "Stop that. You're making her upset."
Ren chuckled for a few seconds longer before claiming in a guilt-provoking tone, "You laughed first."
Masato reddened indignantly. He looked down and away as if ashamed of himself.
"It's okay," Shiro stated flatly as she eased her book back onto the table. "I would have laughed at me too."
"All the same, please forgive me," Masato pleaded, still not looking up at her.
"There's nothing to forgive," Shiro murmured into her book.
Ren gave another brief chuckle as he watched the awkward pair. "You two are hopeless," he said as he stood up from his seat.
Both Masato and Shiro glared daggers at the womanizer.
"Ren-sama!"
Out of the blue, a small flock of girls approached Ren as if he were some kind of god. "Ren-sama, it's been so long since you've spent any time with us!" one of them whined.
"Yes, please join us!"
"Come with us, Ren-sama!"
Ren looked back to Shiro once more. It was infinity clear now that she only had eyes for Masato. Across the room, he spotted Amaya, who was fully and blissfully fixated on Syo as they snuck off together. It's not worth my time anymore, he decided. "Of course ladies," he answered at last, giving that customary red-hot smile of his. "It is unforgivable that I have abandoned you for so long. But I have returned, and I am here to stay."
"KYAAAAA! REN-SAMA!"
"Man whore," Shiro muttered as both she and Masato glared at Ren.
Ren glanced back in annoyance just in time to see Masato nodding in agreement. But he nonchalantly shrugged it off and walked away with his adoring flock.
The awkward pair locked eyes with each other only for moment before turning their concentration back to what was in their hands.
Come on, say something, they both mentally begged each other.
~~~~~~~~~~Outside~~~~~~~~~~
"You're roommates with Natsuki, right?" Amaya asked. Her and Syo now walked side by side in the courtyard, headed towards the shore of the lake, her second favorite spot on campus.
"Yea," Syo answered with an exasperated sigh. "He's a nightmare to live with, but he means well."
Awww, he cares about his creepy friend, Amaya thought as she stifled a giggle. How sweet.
"KYAAAAA! OH REN-SAMA!"
Both Syo and Amaya flinched at the sudden assault on their eardrums. They glanced back to see Ren walking contently with a small crowd of girls trailing after him. They couldn't hear exactly what he was saying, but whatever it was, it only made the girls scream louder.
"Looks like he's back to normal," Syo commented irritably. He gave a soft chuckle. "And to think...,"
"Hmm?" Amaya perked up in curiosity.
"I actually thought you and Ren were together."
"What?!" Amaya blurted, recoiling in horror at the thought. "Oh no no no no... no! Syo, sweetie, Ren is...disgusting."
A pause hung in the air as they stared at each other blankly for a few heartbeats.
But the silence was gone as quickly as it had come as both of them burst into laughter at seemingly the exact same moment. The pair didn't stop even as they reached the lake. Syo was on the verge of doubling over, having to hold onto his hat to prevent it from toppling off his head. When he finally calmed himself, he wiped away a beaded tear, turned to Amaya and said "It's only been a few minutes, and you've already made my day."
"I could say the same," Amaya replied sweetly as her own stream of giggles ended. "But you make my day just by being you, Syo-kun."
Syo repressed another laugh. It was a corny sentiment, but her words made his heart swell nonetheless. He leaned in a bit closer toward her, a hopeful glimmer in his heavens-hued eyes."So, are you going to come here every day this week?"
Amaya's shoulders slumped. "I want to, more than anything. But I just have so much work to do! I shouldn't even really be here now but...I just needed this one day." She sighed and stretched her weary muscles. "Especially after being up all night, I was so tired and in a hurry this morning that I even forgot my hat."
Syo paused for a moment, contemplating what to say. Then for whatever reason, he found himself removing his own hat. Coincidentally, it was the very same one that Amaya had almost ran off with on the first day of school. Without a second thought, he placed it upon Amaya's head.
"Huh?" Amaya looked up at him in question with a light blush on her face. "Syo-kun, what-"
"Keep it," he intervened, smiling softly. "If we can't see much of each other this week, I at least want you to keep something that reminds you of me."
Amaya wanted so badly to embrace him right then that she almost proclaimed, "To hell with black-listing!" But she restrained herself, grasping her own shoulders as warm cheerfulness spread from the core of her heart and all throughout her body. "Thank you, Syo-kun," she replied instead. "This will definitely help get me through the week." A giggle bubbled up within her despite her efforts to hold back.
"What's so funny?" Syo asked in amusement.
"Looks like I got your hat after all," Amaya teased.
They both erupted into another fit of lighthearted laughter.
The smile remained on Amaya's face, but her brow creased in slight guilt. "I only wish I had something to give you in return."
Syo glanced over his shoulder watchfully, finding that no one in particular was nearby. His own smile became a devious grin. "Hmm," he contemplated aloud as he tapped his cheek suggestively. "I'm sure you'll think of something."
Amaya got the message almost instantly. "Really now?" she inquired playfully as she leaned in closer.
"Mm-hmm," Syo uttered as he tilted his head to one side and glanced away coyly. "I don't know what, but I'm positive of it."
The purple-haired girl leaned in closer and pursed her lips just as she had yesterday, her intentions clear...
But then, at the very last instant, Syo took the opportunity he had missed last evening. He turned his head towards towards her, causing their lips to meet.
They both knew that they should make this quick, given their circumstance. But they took a risk, freezing themselves in that wonderful kiss for a few good, long moments.
When they finally pulled away to catch their breath, not particularly a result from the lack of air, they held each others' gaze in silence. Though their eyes said everything they needed to know.
I hope no one saw that, Amaya thought cautiously. But her worries seemed lost as she felt Syo's gentle breath against her face. But...Who needs a big name agency anyway?
~~~~~~~~~~Thursday night~~~~~~~~~~
"Finally, the last night," Amaya grumbled. "But still so much to do!" Both her and Shiro had arrived back at their dorm a few minutes ago, and they gotten right to work as always. Amaya had done her damnedest to shut her heart up for the last few days in order to finish her load. Just so long as she didn't think about that Tuesday afternoon... Stop it! Bad Amaya! She mentally scolded herself as she snapped at her wrist with her pencil. You can fantasize when you're asleep! Which is technically dreaming I guess...Damnit! Focus!
"Yea," Shiro sighed. She completed one final stanza, stood up and announced, "I'm finished."
"WHAT?!" Amaya shouted. "How did you get done so quickly?!"
"Well, remember Tuesday?"
Amaya frowned in irritation, knowing the nagging that was about to proceed. She clutched the brim of Syo's hat, which she now swapped out with Ringo-sensei's hat every evening, and attempted to take a smooth, calming breath.
"I was studying at lunch that day, so there ya go," Shiro said smugly.
A vein throbbed in Amaya's temple at her friend's condescending tone. "Oh trust me, I was studying too," Amaya stated with a sly smile suddenly creeping across her face. "I was studying anatomy."
Shiro's eyes went wide in horror and disgust.
Amaya looked up at her with her brow cocked in disbelief. "What? I was kidding! …Mostly."
The white-haired girl only grew more repulsed as she recoiled from her friend.
"Tsh, you're such a prude," Amaya scoffed as she turned back to her notebook.
"Well anyway, if you would have just stu-"
"Shut up."
"I'm just saying that-"
"Shut up."
"But-"
"Shut up!"
"Okay then," Shiro threw up her arms in defeat. But then she smiled victoriously. "Well, while you're stuck in here, I'm going to go see Masato."
"Why? To have another lovely session of awkward silence and nervous flinching?"
"I can't be the one to start the conversation, he has to say something to me first! But I have something on my side this time," she gestured to the basket near the door, filled to the brim with fresh melon bread.
"Well, your melon bread is good. But Masato doesn't seem like the type to talk with his mouth full," Amaya said as she began snickering.
An angry red clouded Shiro's face. "Laugh all you want! But my date's gonna be great!"
"If you say so," Amaya gave in. "Just remember to look him in the eye for more than half a second!"
Shiro tossed her friend another spiteful glare as she slung the basket on her arm. "Come on Mitsuki, Shintsuki!" she called to her kittens. "Someone has to get their work done." As Shiro closed the door, a loud thud could be heard on the other side. Most likely a thrown book, was her best guess.
~~~~~~~~~~Masato and Ren's dorm room~~~~~~~~~~
Masato's hands fidgeted about nervously as he adjusted the collar of his shirt. His eyes became sharp as they fell upon Ren. "Don't you dare embarrass me tonight," he demanded.
"Whatever do you mean?" Ren asked with mock innocence.
He kept his seething gaze upon Ren and raised his finger as if to speak. But then...
Knock knock knock.
Masato's face instantly blazed a glowing red. Though outwardly he was quick to compose himself, inwardly he felt as if his heart were about to leap out of his throat. With a shaking hand, he somehow managed to open the door. "Shiro-san," he greeted with a slight bow.
Shiro offered him a slightly embarrassed tender smile. "Hello, Hijirikawa-san," she greeted in return. She held up the basket on her arm "I brought treats!"
"Do I get some of those...treats?" Ren inquired, adding a wink with the last word.
A deadly aura emanated from Masato, nearly filling the room.
"Well, I don't see why not," Shiro answered calmly.
All of the color drained from Masato, and his face contorted into an expression of shock.
"But I don't think you're as big a fan of melon bread as Hijirikawa-san," Shiro continued to explain tonelessly. But inwardly she shuddered. Ew ew ew ew ew ew EW!
Masato gave a great mental sigh of relief as he gestured for Shiro to join him. "Please, come in," he insisted politely.
"Mew! Mew!"
"Uh...," Shiro began apprehensively. "Sorry, I brought Shintsuki and Mitsuki with me. Amaya still hasn't finished her work for this week."
"It's no trouble," Masato soothed. "Are you enjoying them?"
"Yes, they're quite sweet," Shiro responded.
"Mew!" Mitsuki had begun to paw anxiously at Masato's leg.
Masato smiled kindly down at the tiny creature and picked it up. The kitten purred and licked his face in appreciation. The usually stoic traditionalist closed one eye and chuckled softly.
A bright crimson bloomed across Shiro's face at the sweet sound of his laugh. But then she snapped back into attention. "Wait, where's Shintsuki?" She spotted the small white kitten perched on Ren's bed, glowering and hissing at the cocky playboy.
"How cute," Ren said with a condescending smile.
Shiro walked over and lightly tapped the kitten on the nose. "No Shintsuki, you do not hiss at people. Even...er, him. Now go over to Hijirikawa-san and your sister before I put you in time-out."
Shintsuki's ears drooped in guilt and he looked down to the floor as he padded his way to Masato.
"You're quite the mother, aren't you?" Ren murmured sincerely.
Shiro was taken aback by the unusual gentleness of the womanizer's voice.
But he was quick to regain his true colors. Ren took Shiro's chin in his hand and tilted her gaze up to his. "I can only imagine how you would handle real children," he purred suggestively.
Masato stiffened, seeming as though he were ready to rip Ren limb from limb.
Trembling slightly, Shiro reached up and pushed Ren's hand away. "I guess you'll just have to find out through the media someday." Oh god, it hurts to grow a spine.
The words calmed Masato, but a trace of red still lingered on his face.
At last, Shiro returned to stand before Masato. "So what did you have planned this evening?"
"Uh...," Masato hesitated, his mind still a bit clouded. "I...made dinner for us."
Shiro looked down at the kotatsu table adorned with grilled fish, miso soup and rice. All resting upon fine flatware.
The rest of the night went relatively smooth despite the occasional snide comment from Ren and the two kittens' attempts to steal their fish. As the night ended, Shiro was saying her farewells before heading back to her dorm. "Uh...g-goodnight, Hijirikawa-san," she stuttered.
"Goodnight, Shiro-san," he replied, still slightly quivering himself.
Shiro glanced over Masato's shoulder to make sure Ren wasn't looking. She clutched the collar of his shirt and pulled him down for a quick kiss on the cheek. Then she high-tailed it down the hall, leaving Masato with a pleasantly stunned expression as he touched his cheek.
Upon arriving back at the dorm, Shiro seemed to stare off aimlessly into space. "I'm back," she announced in a hollow tone.
"Uh-huh," Amaya replied casually, for once far too invested in her work to take much notice of her friend.
Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Shiro made a dash for her bed, diving face-first into her pillows and squealing happily.
For moment, Amaya looked up from her papers in shock. But then she quickly lowered her gaze back to her sheet music, shaking her head. No, that sound couldn't have come from her, she decided. That's what I do.
~~~~~~~~~Next morning~~~~~~~~~~
For the first time all year, Shiro actually arrived in class after a majority of the students, her face adorned with modest, flattering make-up. She spotted Amaya in the back, tirelessly attempting to finish her assignments. Without bothering to greet her busy friend, Shiro simply made her way to her seat. As she began unloading her essential notes onto her desk, her eyes suddenly met with Masato's.
Expectantly, both of them flushed bright red.
Ohcrapohcrapohcrapdon'tfaint! Shiro told herself.
Amaya, suddenly sensing the tension in the air, at last looked up. When she saw the mortified expression on Shiro's face, she smiled slyly. "Saaaaaaaay I never did ask...what 'cha do last night?"
"N-n-nothing unusual for typical dates!" Shiro stumbled helplessly over her words.
"Does that include the goodnight kiss?"
Shiro internally shattered.
"I thought so," Amaya teased in a sing-song voice. But then she returned to her work as quickly as she had turned away from it.
"If you had gotten your work done, you would have had the exact same night, if not better," Shiro countered with a cruel grin.
The tip of Amaya's pencil snapped beneath her fingers. "SHUT UP! I KNOW WHAT I WAS MISSING OUT ON! DON'T RUB IT IN!" she shouted in defiance as she threw a string of school supplies at Shiro.
The grin did not leave Shiro's face as she held up her binder to shield herself, her tail wiggling mischievously.
Masato watched it all from the corner of his eye as usual, trying his best not to laugh too loudly.
~~~~~~~~~~In the library, during lunch hour~~~~~~~~~~
The pulse in Amaya's veins grew quicker as she came close to the end of her grueling paper-lined journey. She looked over the strokes of red that were scattered all throughout the page, where all the changes had been made. And now, with one final stroke, those changes had been made perfectly.
"I'm...finished," she muttered to herself as she slowly lowered the sheet music back onto the table. "I'm finished!" she cried triumphantly.
Those near to her shushed her in annoyance.
"Sorry," Amaya whispered. She glanced up at the clock on the wall, her heart skipping a beat as she realized that there was only a few minutes left until lunch ended. "Crap!" she whisper-cried in panic. As quickly as her hands and feet would allow it, Amaya gathered up all of her belongings and rushed from the library, determined to make it to the lunch room in time. Luckily, it was so late into the hour that nearly everyone had taken a seat, meaning there were few walking about to block her vision. "There!" she cried when she spotted him, his back facing her. Resisting the urge to draw attention to herself by running or calling his name, she walked over to him as quickly as her caution would allow.
But unfortunately, when she at last reached him, the bell for class sounded, echoing off the walls as if to taunt the defeated Amaya. "Damnit," she muttered.
Syo's eyes widened in surprise as he stood up and turned around, nearly crashing into her. "Amaya! What-"
"I finished my work!" Amaya blurted out. Her head dropped in shame as she added, "Though apparently not fast enough."
Syo smiled at her as they joined the flow of bustling students. "It's okay, we're still on for tonight right?"
Amaya nodded, smiling hopefully back at him. "Right!"
"Great, I'll see you then!" Syo promised before rushing off to class.
Amaya watched him go, hugging herself in delight. "Tonight...," she sighed contently. But then a bolt of realization struck her like lightning. Wait...tonight. But when? And...where?! "Wait, Syo-kun!" She glanced around frantically, but Syo had already disappeared into the mass of students. "Crap...," she whimpered.
~~~~~~~~~~Later that night~~~~~~~~~
Amaya checked herself in the mirror again. She wore a sleeveless black dress with a cinched in waist, accentuating her curves. The camisole that she wore underneath was a deep, silky blue, matching nicely with the hat Syo had given her. A web-like black necklace adorned with cyan gems encircled her neck, and a sapphire ring that she had received for her birthday two years ago sparkled on her finger. She was dressed to the nines without knowing where to go. She paced the floor nervously, babbling on in confusion. "Damnit! How could we forget to say where to meet up?! Where should I go? What time should I leave? Should I go anywhere at all? What if he's waiting for me somewhere already, wondering where I am?! He might think I've stood him up! I don't know what to do!"
A very tired Shiro glared up at her in aggravation. "I'm sure he will remember and come get you, now shut up!"
"You're right, I should just wait...but for how long?!"
"Amaya," Shiro growled irritably.
"Well can ya blame me for worrying?!" Amaya exclaimed. "It's already pretty late, so what if he just-"
Tap tap tap.
"AHH!" Both girls cried in fearful surprise.
"Did you hear that?" Shiro asked nervously.
"Um...maybe we're just imagining things!" Amaya suggested.
Tap tap tap.
"AHH!"
"Okay, I could be wrong!"
Shiro grabbed her pen as a meager defense weapon and hid behind her bed. "Go see what it is!"
Amaya turned, eyes wide as she pointed to herself in disbelief. "Me?!" She stared hard at the withdrawn curtain that lead to the balcony, trying not to image some hideous beast on the other side. But then she clenched her fists in determination. What would Syo do? With her heart racing, she approached the balcony entrance and clutched the curtain tight in her hand. In one quick swoosh Amaya pulled back the curtain, flinching and closing her eyes as she did so. Hesitantly, she opened one eye and looked up. What she saw caused her heart to leap. But not with fear. "Syo-kun!"
Syo smiled at her, placing one hand affectionately on the glass. "I told you that I'd come to see you," he said sweetly, his voice muffled by the transparent barrier.
"How did you...did you climb up here?!" Amaya inquired with shock as s
he gestured to the edge of the balcony.
"Yes. Yes I did!" Syo confessed as he puffed out his slender chest and crossed his arms proudly. But then he made the mistake of glancing over the edge, sending chills down his spine. "Can I please come in now?!" he asked shakily, his tone on the edge of begging.
"Oh! Right!" Amaya fumbled with the lock and slid the door open, allowing Syo to immediately stumble to the safety of the room.
Syo cleared his throat as he attempted to regain his dignity, shoving his hands into his pockets and shrugging coolly. "Yea, it was no big deal. I just hope I didn't scare you."
Amaya waved her hand in defense and laughed uneasily. "O-of course not! Whatever gave you that idea? Ehehehe...," she looked over her shoulder at Shiro. "Excuse me a sec," she told Syo. "Don't move!" Swiftly, she made her across the room and kneeled down next to her friend's bed. "Listen um...please go away!" she begged desperately.
"What?!" Shiro exclaimed in anger.
"Look, I hate to ask this but... please, please go somewhere that's not here! I'll do anything you ask!"
Silence lingered between them as Shiro glared at her spitefully. "Fine...but you owe me!"
"Of course! Anything!" Amaya promised with a grateful nod. "Thank. You. So. Much!"
"Yea, yea," Shiro sighed as she grabbed her phone, keys and pillow. She slipped on a pair of shoes and headed for the door. She only paused in the doorway for a moment to say, "Take care of the kittens." And then she was gone.
When Amaya turned back to face Syo, all of her breath was nearly stolen from her. He stood in front of the now-open curtains, letting in the silvery-blue light of the night shine through. The moonlight gave Syo's already haunting eyes an ethereal, otherworldly glow.
Syo seemed just as enchanted by her. When he came to his senses again, he asked with a sly grin. "Did you really have to get all dressed up like that?"
Amaya tapped her fingers together and looked away sheepishly. "I...I wanted to look nice for you," she admitted. "I don't look that ridiculous, do I?"
"N-no! Not at all!" Syo sputtered. "That's not what I meant! I-I just...I mean, you look..." He paused to swallow his pride. "You're...beautiful, Amaya."
A smile surrounded Amaya's kind features. "You're the sweetest, Syo-kun." At last, she had gained the courage to step closer to him. Though a slight pang of guilt ran through her as she realized how high above him she stood in her three-inch heels. Maybe I should have at least worn different shoes.
But if this bothered Syo at all, he gave no sign of it. He reached out and gently took her hands, pulling her closer. "Amaya, we have this night all to ourselves."
"It appears we do," the purple-haired girl agreed breathlessly. She grasped Syo's hand tighter and pulled him towards the foot of the bed, causing it to creak softly as they sat down. "Syo-kun, I've missed you so much. I wish we could have more nights like this."
"I know," Syo said tenderly. "I hate that we have to hide like this. Constantly looking over our shoulders to see if anyone is watching us." He reached up and took her face in his hands reassuringly when he saw the hurt in her eyes. "But whenever I'm with you, I know without a doubt that it's all worth it." He leaned in, his resplendent eyes half closed as their lips drew closer. "Besides, tonight we don't have to worry about any of that."
"Syo-..."
Whatever Amaya had been about to say, the words were lost in another kiss. Only this one was a hundred times better. This time, here was no tension of worry or nervous anticipation. There was no creeping suspicion of unwelcome spectators. There was no need to be ready to pull away abruptly. Here alone, they were connected. They were safe. Just like their first night together on the roof.
I could definitely write a few songs about this, Amaya thought as her spirits soared. When their lips finally parted, Amaya pleaded softly, "Tell me everything."
"Huh?" Syo breathed, still slightly drunk from the kiss.
"About you," Amaya clarified. "I feel so close to you already. That night on the roof, it made me so happy that you were willing to share your fears with me. But I want to know more. I want know you better than anyone else in the world, Syo-kun."
Syo smiled and shrugged in submission. "Alright." He lured her in for another kiss. "But only if I can know everything about you too, Amaya."
Head reeling and heart racing, Amaya nodded in agreement. "It's a deal."
The glow of the moonlight shifted gracefully across the room as they talked the night away, pausing only for the (not so) occasional kiss. They talked about what life had been like for them as children, what they hoped to become after graduation, their various interests, and ideas. Syo got especially excited when Amaya casually mentioned her DVD collection on The Prince of Fighting. Their voices were cheerful and jubilant at the talk of pleasant memories, and would become more somber at their less pleasing recollections. But it did not seem to matter either way. With each new word they spoke, their hearts drew nearer to one another. They had come to know that they were different in so many ways. But so similar in many others.
When it seemed as though their voices would at last give out, they leaned on each other drowsily.
"It's getting late," Syo pointed out, his tone taking on a melancholy touch.
"Is it now?" Amaya teased with a short, sleepy laugh. Though her heart was sinking as well. The night had come to an end.
But instead of walking away, Syo only held her tighter. "I don't want to leave, Amaya," he admitted.
"Then...don't." The purple-haired girl gave him an inviting squeeze. "Why should you have to leave? Stay with me tonight, Syo-kun."
Syo paused for a moment, but honestly he could think of no glaring reason not to stay. Except for maybe Natsuki wondering where the hell he was. But, he thought with a humorous smile, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. "I will," Syo whispered back, his breath tickling the nape of her neck.
Once more, Amaya was soaring. "I'll be right back," she promised as she stood up. She walked over to her dresser and produced an old grey tank top and purple jogging shorts from it, and then headed for her and Shiro's private bathroom. After a few minutes, she had stripped herself of all fine attire, make-up and jewelry. Now she instead wore the clothes that she had grabbed from the dresser. And Syo's hat of course. She wanted to wear that until the very second before her head had to hit her pillow.
Upon walking out of the bathroom, she was greeted by a most becoming sight. Syo lie in her bed clad in nothing more than his boxers, the rest of his clothes sat in a small pile on the floor. He seemed impressively at ease until her eyes actually fell upon him. "T-this is just how I usually sleep," he explained haltingly. "I'm not trying to imply anything!"
Aww, that's too bad, Amaya thought, her inner mischief beginning to surface. But soon she too was blazing at the thought. "That's alright," she assured him shakily. She inched uncertainly to Shiro's empty bed. But she could not deny the gravitational pull. Ahh to hell with it all! She thought valiantly as she climbed into bed next to him.
Syo's heart quicked as she greeted him with another kiss.
"I'm not quite as elegant as I was a few minutes ago," Amaya sighed half-jokingly, referring to her now unmade image. "I hope it doesn't bother you."
"Hope what doesn't bother me?" Syo asked in rhetoric fashion as he smiled charmingly.
Amaya smiled back and placed her hat on the nightstand. "You always know what to say, Syo-kun," she murmured breathlessly as she settled in.
Syo reached out and pulled her in, adjusting himself so that her face could rest on his chest.
It was a wonderful feeling, even though Amaya could feel his feet brushing partway up her calf in this position. So small, but so strong, she thought as she beamed contently.
"Goodnight, Amaya," he whispered.
Warmth overcame her as she breathed in his scent and drank in the nearly foreign tenderness of his voice. "Goodnight, Syo-kun." For so long, Amaya had always tried to stay cheerful to make up for all the times she had spent in loneliness. But no joy that she had ever felt, whether it was fake or not, compared to this. I love you.
~~~~~~~~~~In the meantime, in Masato and Ren's room~~~~~~~~~~
Ren lie in bed, stripped to the waist as he twirled a dart around his fingers.
Masato wore a black silk yukata as he sat up in bed and read a book by the meager light of his lamp.
Both of them were simply winding down after another long day. But then...
Tink...tink.
"Hmm?" they both inquired at once. They stood up and walked to the balcony in curiosity, Ren for whatever reason having to wrap his sheets around his waist.
There stood Shiro in the courtyard alone, clutching a pillow to her chest, looking up at them sleepily.
Did she come to see me? Masato wondered as heat arose in his face. But why so late at night?
"Well, well," Ren purred. "It seems she couldn't stay away."
Masato scowled at the playboy and dragged him away from the balcony door by the wrist. "Don't start that now. How are we supposed to get her up here?" He paused in thought for a moment, but an idea came to him quickly. "Your sheets!" Masato exclaimed as he pointed to the sheets wrapped around Ren's waist.
A devious smile crept across Ren's face. "Alright, if you insist." He tugged at the sheets, causing them to fall, revealing the entirety of his naked body.
Masato pulled his hand away as if it had been burned by acid, his face contorting in complete disgust. "Nevermind!" he shouted frantically. "Put it back on!"
"Oh come now," Ren replied coyly as he re-wrapped himself. "I always knew you were a prude, but there's no need to shout. Besides, it's not like she can see me from here." He chuckled slightly. "How unfortunate for her."
Masato repressed his mounting rage and rushed out onto the balcony. He held up a single finger, signaling for Shiro to wait where she stood.
Shiro gave a single nod in understanding before she settled down cross-legged in the grass and began fidgeting with her phone.
Quickly, Masato rushed out of the room to find a utility closet down the hall. After a few moments of rummaging around, he was able to locate a coil of rope. He came back and tossed one end over the balcony, lowering it down to Shiro.
Shiro got up and tossed her pillow up before she began to make her way up the rope. Masato, not knowing that she could climb a rope, attempted to pull her up. As a result, she was in his arms in no time.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered gently, not yet letting her go.
Shiro looked up at him imploringly. "Amaya had a visitor, so she kinda begged me to go somewhere else," she explained. "Would it be alright if I...stay here tonight? I'll sleep on the floor if I have to."
"Of course you can stay," Masato insisted. "But there's no need for you sleep on the floor. Take my bed."
"I don't wanna kick you out of your bed, so I'll just sleep on the floor."
"I'm not letting a young lady sleep on the floor!"
"Has it occurred to the two of you that you can share a bed?" Ren cut in deviously.
The arguing couple stared at him, aghast at his suggestion.
"Tch, prudes," he muttered with a smirk as he slid back into bed.
Expectantly, a silence fell over them.
But finally, Masato spoke up. "W-would it be alright with you if we..."
"Yea. Ehh... that seems... okay," Shiro stuttered, her face growing redder with every word.
Masato lifted the cover invitingly. "After you," he said with a blush.
"Okay," Shiro squeaked. She leaned down and crawled on all fours to the farthest corner of the futon.
For a solid minute, Masato stood indecisively. I don't know if it's truly proper to be crawling into bed with her.
Shiro turned over and stared up at him in silent question.
That just makes things more difficult! He thought.
"Just lie down with her already," Ren half-chuckled from across the room.
Masato was nearly startled right out his yukata at the sound of his voice. Masato sent Ren a glare so full of fire that it cut through the darkness. But then he directed a much more gentle gaze back down at the futon, and the girl in it. Slowly and shakily, the traditionalist climbed into bed. Albeit, to the farthest possible edge from the tinsel-haired girl.
Half an hour later, Masato almost succumbed to sleep. But then he spotted Shiro, still appearing to be wide awake as she stared in frustration at the ceiling. "Is there something the matter?"
"Ehehehe...," Shiro laughed weakly. "Um... there's something I probably should have told you earlier."
"You wanted to be in bed with me?" Ren's voice echoed from across the room.
"HELL NO!" Shiro shrieked as she bolted upwards. "I thought you were asleep, you idiot! What I was going to say is that I'm an insomniac!"
Masato let in a sharp intake of breath and sat up to meet her eyes. "So...you can't sleep right now?"
"Yea, I generally only get to sleep when I pass out from exhaustion," Shiro explained wearily.
"I know a way to exhaust you," Ren taunted playfully.
"SHUT UP!" the couple shouted at once.
Ren only responded with deep throaty laughter.
Masato paused for a moment, contemplating what he could possibly do. Gingerly, he reached across the bed and pulled her close. "Since you can't sleep," he whispered, "there's something that I want you to hear."
"Eh?" Shiro looked up at him in question.
Softly, sweetly, Masato began to sing. Shiro instantly recognized the song as the same one she thought he had played for Haruka. I feel so warm...so safe, Shiro thought as her eyes began to droop. She leaned comfortably on Masato's deceivingly strong shoulders.
Once the final lyric had left Masato's lips, he found that she had fallen asleep in his arms. "Sleep well, Shiro-san," he whispered with a tender smile.
END AUTHOR'S NOTE: Amaya: See? I told you the fluff was strong in this one. The sick bags are to your left.
Shiro: And to the Ren fangirls out there... you're welcome. Hopefully that makes up for all the torture we've put him through.
Amaya: I'd say it does. Anyway, the next few chapters will most likely be more goofy and nonsensical instead of romantic like this chapter. But don't worry, we're not abandoning the sappy moments altogether!
Shiro: See ya next time!