Chapter Eight

Shizuo sat on his chair, staring dispassionately through the window, not paying attention to class today. Three seats in front of him is where Shinra sits, and five seats to his right is where Noelle sat. His pencil tip-tapped onto his quiz paper, not minding to finish it. His thoughts wandered elsewhere, until he caught on what was bothering him.

It's the Valentine's Day. A day where he would love to sleep through the whole time. Just seeing those couples in and out of school is enough to piss him off greatly. He just can't stand it. All of those stupid jerks look so foolish to his eyes, acting all lovey-dovey to each other in a day. He sighed as the school bell rang and their teacher called forth their papers. Dismissal time. He better get home before he could see even one of those sickening couples making out or something or he himself might do something stupid.

The blonde just sat there on his seat, oblivious to his friends' calling to him. "Shizu-chan? Are you okay?" He finally saw a hand waving in front of his face. Snapping out if his daze, Shizuo followed the hand to the source, and his state relaxed to see Noelle and (unfortunately) Shinra. The bespectacled young man gave him a carefree grin as he rubbed the back of his head. "You alright, pal?" He joked, but seeing the tired look from the blonde caused his grin to falter.

"What's wrong, Shizuo?"

"…Nothing." His flat reply came as he stood up from his spot and gathered his school bag. The brunette girl stared at him with wide green eyes when he finally turned to her. "Let's…just get home…" He said as his eyes shifted uncomfortably from her mysterious green ones. He can't feel shy and introverted in front of her now. The day is giving him a headache…

"Oh, o-okay…" The three went to the shoe racks to retrieve their shoes. Shizuo's locker is beside the brunette's while Shinra's on the other side. They took off their slippers in silence, the taller man unaware of the situation. He's lost in thought as he slipped on his leather shoes when suddenly, Shinra came to him with an apologetic smirk. "Er, sorry. But I got to go now." He chuckled nervously when he didn't reply. "Celty needs my help on something today so," The potential doctor twiddled with his thumbs. "You make sure Noelle gets home, 'kay? Well, bye!" He abruptly said as he ran off, leaving the two in stunned stillness. Noelle looked over to where Shinra ran off to, a confused look etched on her face. While she looks like that, Shizuo's eyebrow ticked.

"That bastard…" He muttered angrily as he stuffed his slippers inside his locker and slammed it shut. The slam made the doll jump as she turned to face him, her face soft yet unreadable. "I-it's okay, Shizu-chan. I-I-I can walk h-home by myself…" She mumbled quietly while she unconsciously fiddled with her red ribbon. Although Shizuo would love to leave now, he can't just possibly leave her out, since there's a lot going around the streets. A cute- er, nice girl like her would get picked on if he's not present. The blonde turned to her as he unknowingly and affectionately patted her head with a tiny grin. "Let's go home." The girl looked up to him as she smiled warmly, earning him an embarrassed, flushed face.

The two walked out of school as they casually talked and chatted. He was surprised to know that she lived near his place and that she lived with her older twin brother, a student council member and an honor student named Noel Strife. They don't usually see each other very well because he's from a different class and that he is too busy with his duties as a member of the council. He learned from her that they are orphans yet they both work very hard to earn enough money. Hearing that from her, he can't help but feel pity for the girl. She may have the face and the body of a child, but her mind is that of a diligent and mature person. He has to admire her for that.

They stopped at Ikebukuro West Gate Park, the sun beginning to set. Oddly, there are a few couples there that Shizuo felt his brow raise in puzzlement. Isn't the Park good enough for them? He thought to himself when suddenly, Noelle took his hand and guided him to sit by the fountain. "Wha-! H-hey..!" He sputtered as he sat down next to her. Facing him, the doll opened her bag and produced, what look like a glass bottle filled to the brim with chocolate milk. She smiled at him as she handed it the blonde, who stared at it uncertainly. "Don't worry it's chocolate milk. Since it's Valentines' Day, I'm pretty sure you won't like chocolate. So I got you this." She showed him the bottle proudly yet he didn't take it. He continued to stare at it. At this, Noelle's smile disappeared and was replaced by an indecipherable face.

"You…don't like it..?"

Shizuo's coffee brown eyes then turned to gaze at her sad emerald eyes. He didn't say anything while he didn't see that she withdrew the bottle. "I-I see…Sorry…" She began to put it back inside her bag and leave when a hand shot to hold hers. She looked surprised as she faced him. She felt arms wrapping around her petite form as he brought her into a gentle hug, his chin resting on her soft brown hair. The girl remained silent as her head leaned onto his chest, calmly listening to his beating heart.

"I love it…" He whispered to her as he held the brunette tightly yet gentle enough for her to breathe. "Sorry I was like that. I never get gifts…" The excuse was lame, but he knew she believed it. Noelle is a kind person. She is beautiful, fragile, and innocent like a flower, childish like a doll, gullible like Hansel and Gretel, and pure hearted like a princess. He can't say nor did doubt that she's like a goddess, purifying every dark soul she encounters. Maybe he could say 'thanks' to Shinra for leaving them alone at this time. After all, she was the only one who could see through the monster he is.

He liked her for it. No, he…

He loved her for it.