Chapter Five: Insecurities
Hinata sat next to Shinra on the couch, playing her PSP.
"You know that kanji could read saika." Shinra said, making Hinata look over after pausing her game.
[As in wealth?] Celty asked.
"I'll take a look at it later. In the meantime," he puts his coffee down on the coffee table, "you got a job. It's from Mr. Shiki with the Awakusu. So it's not entirely on the level. Do you still want it?"
[More transporting?]
"Yep, exactly. But you got to get this object back before you deliver it. Now I didn't ask him what it was. I'm guessing it's best for both parties if I don't know."
[I gotcha.]
"Great." He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "And about the goods… Seems the guy who has it keeps moving. We've got good info on where he likes to lay low. So finding him shouldn't be an issue, okay?"
[Got it.] Celty stood up from the arm of the couch.
"There've been more spotting of the Slasher lately. Be careful out there."
Celty puts her helmet on before nodding.
"…Slasher?" Hinata asked, making Shinra look at her.
"I don't really know what it is, but someone has been hurting people. So I need you to be careful too."
Hinata paused when she saw the look in his eyes.
He was serious…
Hinata slowly nodded. "I will…"
Shinra smiled at her. "Good."
Hinata slightly smiled back.
"It's that weirdo…"
She paused before she looked down.
Weirdo… She was always called that at school.
Hinata looked up at her purple bangs before she signed. "…Shinra?"
"Yeah?"
"Am I…never mind." It doesn't matter.
"What is it, Hinata?" He gently asked. "You can tell me anything. I won't think any less of you!"
He was always so kind to her.
Him and Celty.
Is there a limit to their kindness?
"Am I…a weirdo?" She mumbled the last part.
But he heard it. "A weirdo?"
She nodded, not saying anything.
"Why do you ask?"
"N-No reason…"
"Hinata. I know you. You wouldn't ask unless you had a reason."
Hinata looked at him to see sharp grey eyes.
He always seemed to notice everything. He rarely missed anything.
It must come with being a doctor.
"It's just… I don't look normal. My hair is purple…a-and my eyes are different from others… I know that…that it's a family trait but…" She trailed off, looking down.
"I'm probably more of a weirdo than you are."
"Huh?" She looked at him in confusion.
He gently ruffled her hair. "So what if you don't have the same hair and eye color as most people do? I like that about you. You're different. Celty is different too. And does it really matter? I like you and Celty for who you are."
Hinata stared at him with slightly widened eyes.
It didn't matter? But…
Then again, Celty was his roommate, so she shouldn't be surprised…
Hinata looked away from him, feeling tears in her eyes. "…Thank you…"
"Besides, your purple hair and your eyes make you cuter!"
She flushed in embarrassment. "S-Shinra…"
He always talked about her being cute.
That was probably something she had to get used to.
"I-I'm going to get started on my homework!" She got up from the couch, running to the table to hide her blush.
Shinra laughed.
She was always so bashful.
Hinata managed to finally calm down and focus on her homework when Celty came back from her job.
"You heard a voice come from your wound?" Shinra asked.
Hinata looked over from her homework, confused.
Was Celty hurt?
[It said that I was a monster.]
"Well now that's just rude! I prefer enchantress, personally."
Wha…
[What was it?]
Shinra looked at her in surprise as she typed another message.
[What if it was some kind of alien?]
Shinra blinked at her. "Celty… Was that supposed to be a joke?"
Huh? Hinata shook her head before she got off her seat, walking over to them. "Celty?"
The dullahan jumped, turning to her before typing on her phone. [Oh, Hinata! Is something wrong?]
"Are you hurt?" Hinata asked. She didn't quite understand Shinra's words when he spoke about Celty's wound.
"Celty's okay, Hinata." Shinra assured her, making her look at him. "Her injuries heal quickly."
Quickly? Is that because she wasn't human?
"Oh… Will you be okay?" Celty seemed oddly upset from how Shinra spoke to her.
[I'll be fine, Hinata.] Celty assured her.
"Mother?"
"…I'll be fine, Hinata." A soft smile, despite the pained look in her eyes.
Hinata slowly nodded before she turned away. "I'm…going to go to bed."
"Hinata?" Shinra looked at her in confusion. "What about your homework?"
"…I can finish it in the morning. Goodnight…" She headed to her room before she closed the door behind her, resting against it.
Why did she think about her?
She softly signed to herself.
"…Mother…"
I hope everyone likes this chapter. Please review!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
