"Miss Shinobu, have you noticed anything strange about Kuno and Tendo?"

"Hm?" Shinobu had the hair dryer on, blowing out her hair after she had washed it. She and Shuutaro were cleaning up after a day at the pool.

"I said—"

"Huh?" Shinobu turned her head slightly to dry the other side.

Shuutaro walked over and calmed turned off the hair dryer, gently taking it out of Shinobu's hands. "I said, have you noticed anything strange about Kuno and Tendo?"

"Well... They have been staring at us a lot..."

Shuutaro's eyes went dark. "I'll kill him for staring at you."

"Mendou—"

"Please, Shinobu. Call me Shuutaro." he insisted.

Shinobu couldn't believe her ears. Was the formality really going to be dropped? If she heard him correctly, he hadn't called her Miss this time.

She was at a loss for words. Her mouth was agape, no sound coming out.

Shuutaro raised a brow. "Shinobu?"

Shinobu flapped her mouth a couple of times before she managed to string some words together. "Hand me that hair product, won't you... Shuutaro?" The corners of her mouth twitched into a smile as she said his name.

She had forgotten all about their conversation mere moments ago.


Dinner was served to them buffet style once again. Rather than ask what they wanted to eat, Aime and the staff just made a variety of foods for the teens' pleasure.

The pairs appeared on opposite sides of the dining hall. "Let us just sit over here," Shuutaro insists, pulling aside a seat for Shinobu. He wanted to avoid sitting next to Nabiki and Kuno.

Nabiki and Kuno still appeared next to them regardless. Partly to keep an eye on them and partly because Nabiki didn't want to be alone with Kuno which Kuno wouldn't have particularly minded.

Shuutaro was disappointed to say the least.

Nabiki had picked a table right next to them. Close enough to see each other, but not enough to hear very well. "Okay Kuno-baby," Nabiki had said. "Just follow my lead."

Kuno raised his brow, confused as to what Nabiki was planning. Before he knew it, Nabiki was telling him to open wide and a fork was shoved into his mouth.

If it wasn't for the fact it was already halfway down his throat, Kuno could faintly taste yakisoba.

Kuno swallowed hard and glared at Nabiki. "Could you have been a bit more ladylike?" Kuno picked up his chopsticks and held his hand underneath them so that rice wouldn't fall onto the table. "Here."

At first, Nabiki refused. "Don't hesitate now Tendo," he motioned slightly with his head. "They're watching."

Nabiki relented and opened her mouth. The things she was doing for this ruse. All because she didn't want to confess to Kuno. She'd much rather die. For now, being hand fed by him would be the substitute.

At the same time Shuutaro turns back to his plate, having to hide his distaste for their PDA. He couldn't shake the feeling that those two were up to something.

"Everything alright Shuutaro?" Shinobu asked quietly. Her head was bent down towards her plate but her eyes flickered upwards to look at him. However, he didn't return the gaze.

"Peachy."

Shinobu glanced back to see Kuno and Nabiki taking turns feeding each other. "Would you..." she slowly turned back. "Like to do that too?"

Even though hair on Shuutaro's skin bristled, he remained composed. How could he refuse? He'd disappoint her if he did.

And if he didn't, he'd make a fool of himself. He just had to pick his poison.

"Of course," he said. "Allow me." As soon as he picked up his utensil, he was met with a dilemma. Should he feed her from his plate or hers?

Shinobu waited patiently with a faint smile and wide eyes. She wasn't privy to the turmoil in his brain but the hesitation was noted.

Having wasted several seconds already, Shuutaro picked up some of his own food and brought it close to Shinobu. Slowly, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

Fortunate that her eyes were closed. Shuutaro's hand was trembling the whole time, he nearly had to hold his arm with his other hand.

Shinobu sat there with her mouth agape for nearly a minute. When she was just about to open an eyelid to see what was going on, Shuutaro finally delivered. She chewed thoughtfully and swallowed. "Your turn."

Shuutaro opened his mouth, keeping his eyes open to maintain awkward eye contact with Shinobu. He hadn't meant to, it just happened. His nervousness was odd for him. At least to this extent. Usually he was smooth with his romantical advances.

However, when it was the other way around, he folded. He cursed Nabiki and Kuno for starting this.

Shinobu was much faster in feeding him and smiled when she had done so. Her smile calmed his nerves.

Perhaps that wasn't so bad.

"Good evening everyone!"

Aime appeared in a puff of pink and sparkly smoke carrying a microphone. Speakers and a teleprompter were beside her. She was met with resounding silence. Regardless, she continued talking. "I thought you'd like some karaoke! Who'd like to go first?"

The woman looked expectantly between the two potential couples, smiling with her teeth. Again, no one had responded. That didn't damper her spirit though. "Okay! I guess I'll go first!"

Feedback from the mic to the speakers could be heard as Aime walked over to the teleprompter. As the music started, it was quite obvious she was going to sing Earth Angel by The Penguins.

As she sang, Shuutaro realized something. While Aime was a beautiful woman, he found himself not wanting to pursue her. Just like his rival, Ataru, he was a skirt chaser. But now, sitting her with Shinobu... That desire was gone.

Of course, he hadn't wanted to pursue Nabiki either. Not because she had arrived with another man, that certainly hadn't stopped Shuutaro in the past. But because he simply hadn't wanted to. The urge was not there. Perhaps this was the end of his skirt chasing? Was he ready to settle?

Tearing away his gaze from Aime, Shuutaro glances at Shinobu who was still transfixed.

Looking at her now, maybe Shinobu was the one he wanted to be with after all.