The first thing I would come up with is that he would just want to talk to Kirino, but well, you were right ...

Chapter 11: A Night Together

Shindou gazed at the shape in front of his bed. He wasn't sure if this was reality or just a dream. But Kirino's question made him sure that it was the last one. It couldn't possibly be reality.

"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" The pink haired boy asked timidly.

For a moment Shindou wondered about his friends question, just starring at him. Kirino really looked different with his hair open, he tried to remember the last time he had seen Kirino like this, but it must have been a long time ago since he couldn't remember. It looked soft in the moonlight and the former Raimon captain couldn't help but wonder how it would be to touch it.

As Shindou didn't reply the other boy got insecure. "You know, I can't sleep, there is just too much troubling me, but in your nearness I feel more relaxed, so I thought it might help me to get some sleep … ", he added hastily. His voice was nothing more than a whisper and Shindou wasn't sure if he heart right.

"Of course, Ranmaru", he answered calmly with an inviting gesture, which, he realized after, Kirino couldn't see since it was dark. "Come in."

His bed was big enough for two people, but for Shindou it felt too small. He laid himself on the other side, as far as he could possibly lay without dropping out after Kirino had entered, because he felt a sudden unease.

Soon after Shindou could hear Kirino's silent breathing, he had fallen asleep quickly.

The former Raimon captain still laid at the edge, in a rather uncomfortable pose, but he didn't dare to move, too afraid to even look at his friend on the other side of the bed.

He didn't know why he felt so nervous with Kirino next to him. The pink haired boy had been his friend for a long time now and he had always felt relaxed in his presence. Why was tonight different?

After some time passed – maybe minutes, maybe hours, Shindou risked a glance at the sleeping Kirino, trying to figure out his facial expression, but it was too dark to identify. However he noticed his friends light open mouth, surrounded by his soft lips. Oh yeah, they really were soft …

Shindou closed his eyes and remembered the moment he had kissed his friend. It had been an impulsive act and to short to get more than a basic idea how his lips felt … Watching them in the moonlight shining into his room made him want to do it again. To kiss. But Shindou also remembered Kirino's negative response. He had been frightened … and it tore his heart apart to see his friend frightened or worrying or crying or anything else. So kissing Kirino again was something he wouldn't do. Maybe kissing was not befitting for friends …

Hour after hour passed and Shindou laid awake in his bed. He still didn't dare to move, afraid Kirino would wake up.

###

The next day in school Shindou had problems to stay awake in class, since he hadn't slept at night at all. But at least Kirino had got some rest, which he had been in dire need of. Shindou smiled thinking of his friends, who had still been asleep when he had went to school at the morning. The former Raimon captain was wondering if Kirino still would be there when he would return from school. After all the pink haired boy had said it would be only for one night …

…

Almost certain that Kirino would be gone, Shindou returned home at late afternoon. Feeling bad because he had avoided his teammates all day and even went to another place at the Riverbank to play soccer with the kids instead watching his former Raimon teammates playing. All they would do would be accusing him for Kirino's absence, Shindou still wondered why they were thinking that all was his fault – although this was partly correct, since he felt guilty for not being able to help his friend.

"Where have you been?" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts as he had entered his home.

Kirino – he had stayed. And in addition the pink haired boy seemed to be in a good mood – unusual for him lately.

"School? You know some people actually visit that place." Shindou smiled while kicking his school bag away. Normally he was more tidy, but today his bag was the thing he cared least about.

"Oh, I forgot … ." Kirino was also smiling, although only short. His facial expression became more serious when he continued. However Shindou it was enough to make Shindou a bit happier. "Didn't you practice with the other today? Have they said anything about me? I feel so bad, because I'm too much of a coward to tell them anything … ."

"You aren't a coward, Ranmaru." The former Raimon captain did unconsciously call his friend by his first name as he came closer. Unintentionally he planned to hug his friend, but then got aware of his action and only put his hand on Kirino's shoulder. He didn't want to scare him again. "Everything is alright. They're all worrying about you, but I told them that you will be back soon."

"Will I?" Kirino asked unbelieving.

Great. Now he had wanted to cheer his friend up, but reached quite the opposite. And in addition, he had lied to him …

"I'll go out for a while now." Kirino informed him and Shindou noted that he had his black wig in his hand. "Your mother told me that I could stay a bit longer, if you don't mind that is", he added hastily looking at Shindou.

"Of course!" The former Raimon captain couldn't hide how happy he was to hear that. Then he hesitated, not sure how to tell Kirino what he had in mind. "I'll leave my door open for you."

The other boy was just glancing at him and Shindou wasn't sure if he had got the message, but he didn't dare to say more.

I'm sorry the second part wasn't planned - I didn't know why I actually wrote it ... Now it's somehow like filler ... The next chapter will be more interesting, it's about Kirino ^^

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