It's a well-known fact that Shoko Ieri is not like most girls.
Despite Utahime and Hado's best efforts any and everything regarding the girly girl lifestyle has somehow managed to miss her.
She doesn't like shopping, she hates the color pink, she despises everything about social media, and she's never even tried to walk in heels.
Unless you count that one time she slipped on Uta's to get the groceries out of the trunk.
Okay, the five times she slipped on Uta's to get groceries out of the trunk.
Whatever, anyway, that's not the point.
The point is most girly aspirations have never really inspired or plagued her. She's never really wanted much of what other women want. She honestly stopped looking at what other people had as a kid.
So it's no surprise that as every woman ( and Hado) swoons and smiles at her desk of flowers, she can't help but frown.
"Fix your face, they're cute", Hado chuckled, pausing just the slightest to run his cold fingers over Shoko's furrowed brown brows. They both were currently on their first break of the day, a godsend during rush hour. Usually, her best time to catch a 30-minute catnap. Usually, the time she would be enjoying a catnap.
Instead, she's having a staring contest with a bouquet.
"I just can't figure out his angle", Shoko murmurs, fingering the left tulip with a bit of petulance.
One month. For one whole month, Mimiko Geto's father had sent her purple tulips. Every day they arrived at her desk early in the morning, more than a dozen wrapped in a pretty white ribbon. Never with rubberbands, never with a card. But always with a brief thank you message written on the wrapping.
And always from him.
Beside her Hado laughed, "You saved his daughter's life I don't think there is an angle. Think he may just be thankful Sho".
"Okay sure, but for a month", Shoko asked, exasperated more than anything.
It's not that she was ungrateful. The flowers are beautiful and coincidently her favorites. But, she's never been great with anyone spending money on her. Especially if they're doing it out of the 'goodness' of their heart.
Besides Uta, she's never had anyone truly spend money on her out of the goodness of their heart.
She's grown to learn humans are selfish creatures.
They always want something.
She's almost sure Suguru Geto is no different.
But what could he possibly want from her? What does a guy like that want from a girl like her?
She doesn't have much to offer.
As if he could read her mind, Hado plucks one of the flowers out of her hand and places the bud behind her ear. "Hey cut that out, he's not doing it for something in return. The guy donated half a mil to the hospital, don't think there's a single thing in the world he can't buy. Besides the flowers are probably his only way of knowing you still work here, ya know since you keep disappearing every time he calls".
And again Shoko sighed, it's not like Hado was lying, from what she'd heard about Suguru Geto, money definitely wasn't an issue. The guy probably had everything in the world right at his beck and call. And despite the higher-up's best efforts, she has been avoiding any interactions with him.
Just yesterday she barricaded herself in Mrs. Whitmore's room for an hour. She even resorted to changing the woman's bedpan and watching reruns of Golden Girls.
Pathetic she knows.
Okay, so maybe Hado was right. Maybe Suguru Geto didn't want anything, maybe he just wanted to talk. Maybe she should stop avoiding his calls.
Maybe even call him?
She does have his number, and she is on break. She sighs, grabs her cell phone, and begins to scroll for the weekly number she has been ignoring.
But just as she was about to cut Suguru Geto and herself some slack, a nasal voice bangs across her ears, "Ieri and Shuzou slacking off again, why am I not surprised"
Ugh, Shelby Mibin.
Doctor Shelby Mibin to be specific. Head of Pediatric Care. House Supervisor. And major pain in the ass.
"Hello, Dr. Mibin. Nice to see you today", Shoko muttered, her teeth already gritted into the most forced smile as she shoots her unmanicured hand out and waves. It's more than clear that she doesn't really want to be in the doctor's presence let alone talk to her. Unfortunately between Hado and herself, she was the most hospitable to the witch.
She was the only one who could be hospitable.
Like clockwork, as soon as Mibin came into Hado's view his entire body deflated. A frown etched itself on his face and his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Ugh, Mibin, how he hates this bitch. She is the epitome of high-stung, mean, and rude. A bully he just can't help but bully back.
Shoko really can't tell if it's a good thing Mibin started talking before he could.
"Oh Ieri forced pleasantries are unnecessary", the witch starts, instantly typing on her beloved iPad, pretending she has an email she must address at that very moment. When enough awkward time has passed, she then turns to the two and says, "Can you please explain why you both are sitting at Ieri's little love desk".
This time Shoko deflates. If there is one thing Mibin has hated this month, it's Shoko's newfound liberties. The woman constantly groaned about how Ieri should've lost her job, how the hospital was trying to cover up a medical case, and how that stupid office was a gift from Suguru Geto.
The man Mibin swears Shoko is sleeping with. Another reason she's been avoiding Mr. Geto's calls.
It is strictly forbidden to have a physical relationship with a supervisor or patient. She could lose her license on top of her job. Even if his daughter is technically Bayer's patient, Shoko doesn't put it past Mibin to somehow find a loophole.
Shit, the bitch has wanted to fire her since she started five years ago.
Still, Shoko forces the smile back on her face, as she carefully picks apart Mibins insult filled question.
"My desk is strictly a work desk please reference it as such", Shoko starts, her voice professional and calm. She then pauses and gestures to the staff room monitor, the screen already illuminated by the color-coordinated nursing schedule Mibin herself created. "We both just finished working a triple, it's our designated break time".
"Was your designated break time", Mibin snaps, once again fractically typing as if she's on some stupid deadline, none of them are privy to. When neither Shoko nor Hado moves, she rolls her eyes and argues, "Schedule changes during rush hour, we need all hands on deck. And before you ask yes, that means you and Glitter Boy".
"Oh fuck off", Hado mutters, again never the best when it comes to playing nice with Shelby.
Thankfully the witch didn't fully hear him, instead of shouting the portly woman narrowed her eyes. A sure enough longer and more irritating insult on the tip of her tongue. One so mean Hado's bound to forget he's in a work setting. He's bound to get suspended for his retaliation, again.
Before that could happen Shoko intervenes. Almost immediately she grips Hado's hand and rushes out of the room, a lie about Kokun's SOS message quickly spilling out of her mouth. A sure enough loophole to make sure they atleast don't get written up too badly.
is about the only person Mibin is kind to.
When they are no longer in the west wing, Shoko drops Hado's hand, catches her breath, and calms her heart.
Hado, doesn't even bother calming his, "Ugh, I don't know if the bitch needs to get fucked or fucked up. Like seriously what is Mibin's problem" he complained, his eyes furrow with his ever-present 'fuck you' frown.
Shoko chuckles, "She's only been your House Supervisor for a year, count yourself lucky you're not on year three", she sarcastically quips. Annoyed more than angry at this point.
It's Shelby Mibin after all, it would be weird if she wasn't a mondo bitch.
Hado groans, he clearly hasn't graduated from IDGAF University yet. He so badly wants to waltz up to Mibin and give her a piece of his mind. "Seriously Sho I think the bitch wakes up purely to torment us."
"We're not that special she wakes up to torment everybody", Shoko hums, finally looking at her surroundings as she explores the full beauty of the east wing. God, it's really pretty over there, all plastic planty, and clean. Organized like some feng shui Buddhist temple.
A beautiful touch left by one summer.
Speaking of Bayer, "Well, well, well if it isn't my favorite dynamic duo Shoko and Hado", a smooth, jazz-like voice exclaimed.
Bayer. Dr. Jon Bayer. Head surgeon in over five fields, enthusiastic yogi, big movie fan, self-taught baker, and great friend.
Almost immediately Shoko smiles, "Hey Bayer. How are you feeling", she said after giving him a quick hug. Her nurse eyes already racking over the man as if were a child coming back from a fight.
Bayer notices instantly, shoving her off with an equally as quick laugh, "Much better, thank you. First day back and I see you Sleepy bags have become to talk of the doc. Your own office, medical school. You're doing the damn thing' Ieri".
His praise was honest but it wasn't something Shoko was used to.
Besides Hado, no one in the hospital was really happy about her recent achievements. Besides Hado no one else even bothered to congratulate her.
Instead, everyone is following Mibin's example of poking prodding. Starting rumors and making accusations. Keeping their distance, but not their glares.
Hating her through and through.
Bayer pauses, his mind following Shoko's quicker than she realized. He then ruffles her hair, grabbing her attention and staling her worries, "Seriously Sho you should be proud, don't sweat the walnut gallery".
"The expression is peanut galley", Shoko snorts, pausing in her own self-sarcasm to fix another smile on her face, this one more free and honest than any other. "But I guess you're right. It's big news, crazy news. Feels like a dream", she nearly whispered. A secret she barely felt comfortable sharing.
This time Bayer smiles, his giant biceps nearly crushing Shoko as he lasso her into another big hug, "Believe it Bags, no one is more deserving", he gushes, pulling even the weirdly silent Hado into their huddle. He then looks at the clock behind them and pales, his arms already letting the both of them go, "Gotta jet, got back-to-back heart surgeries and ten interns waiting for me" he explained, moving around them to collect materials and files.
Scapels, forceps, retractors, all the big tools for a major surgery.
"Aren't you supposed to be taking it easy", Shoko quips, her eyebrow raised as she knows for a fact Bayer's own doctor told Mibin she needed to lighten his load when he returned to work.
A clear order the witch didn't follow.
Still, Bayer didn't seem the least bit annoyed by it. "Appreciate the concern Bags, but I took it easy for a month. I'm good", he replied, ruffling her hair again as she pouted once more.
It's not that Shoko didn't trust Bayer, she did. But she's not so sure she trust his heart. He was always such a calm and gentle soul, always putting others before himself. Admirable but stupid. It's one of the reasons Mibin became House Supervisor before him, he missed his interview for an emergency brain surgery. It's also one of the reasons why his wife left him last year. The woman was tired of playing second to his job.
Shoko swears it has to be the reason why he passed out too. The truth of the matter is Jon Bayer just works too damn hard.
But if knowing Bayer all these years has taught her one thing is that he's stubborn, so Shoko leaves it alone. Smiling up at him again, even though she can see a future full of tears. She simply watches as Bayer grabs a spare set of gloves on top of his medical bag, and takes off.
When he's halfway out of the room, the tall man spins around and yells,"We gotta go out to celebrate Bags. I mean it, drinks on me", he whops, excited and happy as usual, as normal.
Shoko just nods, even in her new era of medicine she is his normal and complacent assistant.
His friend, through and through.
When Bayer is out of sight, and Shoko is no longer pouting, Hado exhales loudly. His body collapsing on a rolly chair in the back, "Oh my god he's so delicious", Hado squealed, not even bothering to acknowledge Shoko's unimpressed stare.
"I still find it hilarious how you're the biggest loudmouth ever until he's in the room", she mutters, rolling her eyes simultaneously, while Hado still swoons and sways at the last few moments.
"I mean seriously did you see his fucking arms", the man adds, pausing and staring out to nowhere as a sick lovely dovey expression crosses his face.
Well-known fact, Hado has been in love with Bayer since they all started working at Kyoto General five years ago. Everyone in the hospital knows about it, everyone except Bayer.
"You should just ask him out", Shoko insisted, a proclamation she had uttered a million times before.
But unlike the other million times when Hado swore up and down, he one day will. This time Hado fixes her with a serious stare, "Okay I will, as soon as you go out Mr. Richy Rich".
Shoko has to stop herself from choking.
"You asking out our kind single friend who has known you for years is not the same thing and you know it", she starts trying and failing to appear serious and unaffected. "Besides Suguru Geto is not asking me out. He's just this rich guy who is sending me flowers."
This time Hado has an unimpressed stare. He even makes a show of slowing down his words as if Shoko is stupid, "No he's a rich guy calling you once a week and sending you your favorite flowers daily", he said, annuciating loudly on every other word.
Shoko shakes her head, she refuses to be love-sick and delusional. Suguru Geto doesn't like her. He doesn't even know her. And anyways-
"It's against the rules to go out with a patient or their parent", she rushes, a realistic counter that she swears will end this argument right where it lies.
Hado doesn't even have to try, "Mimiko isn't your patient she's Bayer's", he deadpanded but Shoko isn't hearing him. She can't. She's too busy trying to convince herself that Suguru Geto isn't into her.
"It's probably not even him, probably his secretary. I bet the guy doesn't even know what violet tulips represent, let alone that he's sending them out", she hurried, satisfied when Hado didn't say more, but simply gap at her.
In hindsight that probably should've been her first warning. Hado always has more to say.
She expects him to have more to say.
But in the next second Hado is still silent, still gapping, and someone else begins to speak.
They're behind Shoko with a voice of liquid gold, "In Western philosophy, purple tulip represent royalty and elegance, as only those wealthy could afford them. In modern times, they are symbols of grace and gratitude. But in ancient Tibet, where they only grow once every ten years, they represented true admiration. A deep love that extends beyond reason and logic. I figured they'd make a great gift for the aspiring doctor who risked her livelihood for my daughter".
Shoko stills, if the words didn't give him away, she swears his voice did. It sounded like something out of some romance novel, like something out of her dreams. Smooth, yet dark. Gentle yet demanding.
She winces as she turns around.
Please don't be him, please don't be him.
"Hi, I'm Suguru Geto", that dark baritone voice purred. Its owner standing at a whopping 6ft 3 in a dark blue suit. His long dark hair perfectly pitched up into a glorious tight bun. One strand hanging free, and one hand extended out.
Again Shoko winces, just how much did he hear?
Reluctantly she takes his hand, an apology spurting out before she truly can stop herself. Suguru waves her off, saids he is used to people making assumptions about him. That he found her explanations kinda funny. That he hoped she liked the flowers, that they were his favorite.
And then, because she can't help but embarrass herself even more, Shoko decides now would be a good time to let him know they are her favorites too. That she never met a guy with a favorite flower. Especially a straight one.
Shit, she wants to die.
Thankfully Suguru is kind enough to ignore her word vomit. Instead, he smiles, and it's pretty enough to melt all the smarts out of her.
Pretty enough to make her want to introduce herself, "I'm Shoko Ieri" she said, wincing as her voice cracks just the slightest toward the end
"I know", Suguru smirks, eyeing her up and down for a second, before adding, "Mimiko can't stop talking about the pretty doctor who saved her and made her beloved doll Poi-chan".
Instantly Shoko pales, clearly Suguru Geto had a holier-than-thou perception of her fueled by his kid.
"Oh I was just doing my job- uh not my job, actually got in trouble for doing that, but you knew that…..", she rushes, sounding more like a school girl with a crush than her usual sarcastic self. She sighs, steers her emotions and her nerves back into place, "I'm sorry I'm not usually this big of a dork. I mean I'm a science dork but- I'm gonna stop talking now".
Suguru's smiles hasn't dropped, "Please never stop talking", he hummed, still eyeing her as if she was a goddamn menu special.
Did that mean he wanted a bite? Cause she certainly did-
"Ah so… you're here", Shoko rushes to announce. Hoping a new convo will atleast stop that train of thought. It's only when Hado elbows her hard, that she realizes how rude she sounded.
Fuck.
"What she means is to what do we owe your lovely visit, ya know since you usually call. You must have so much other stuff to do as COO of Gojo Inc., sponsor to the YMCA, and full-time Dad", Hado gushed, he then paled as he realized he may have said just a little too much, "Uh, not that I googled you or anything. Just ya know wondering why such a busy guy is here, talking with Sho". He tries to laugh it off but his chuckle is more awkward than anything.
Thankfully Suguru doesn't acknowledge that either. In fact, he laughs with Hado, he answers his question with no problem whats so ever.
"Well as I wanted to extend my gratitude and since you were busy every time I called I figured in person probably would be best".
Shoko sighed, ignoring his calls for a month wasn't her most well-mannered response."Yeah I'm sorry. Didn't mean to be rude I just was really swamped with…. work", she said while gesturing to the busy hospital around her.
A decent lie, one Suguru even accepts.
When he nods, his one hair bounces a bit on his cheek. A cute little imperfection Shoko, unfortunately, finds endearing. "I figured, medical school and a full-time nursing job must keep you pretty occupied".
"Yeah it does", she nearly yawned back, her lack of 'break nap' finally hitting her hard. A triple she had worked a triple shift, and now she was being forced to talk to Mr. Perfect.
Did the gods hate her?
Was she a bad person in her past life?
Must have been, because Suguru's next statement is something so heinous Satan couldn't have found a line more embarrassing.
"Your husband must be a strong man" he said, matter factly. A coat of disappointment coloring his tone.
Shoko hates the sound of it, "Oh I don't- I mean- I'm-
"Single, she is as single as a pringle", Hado supplies, ever the happy loud mouth he is.
Normally Shoko would be grateful, he saved her from another minute of rambling. But he also left her in the cross fires.
That jerk.
Upon hearing that info, Suguru smirks again. His dark purple eyes were smoldering and unyielding in their gaze. "Really, well then Ms. Pringle would you do the honor of joining me for dinner". He asked. Asked as if she was the one with power here.
It's such a delicious hand, that Shoko almost folds.
"I'd love to", she starts, happy enough that she doesn't seem too eager. Excited more when Suguru's smirk turns into a smile itself. He actually wants to go out with her. A guy like that actually wants to go out with her?
Shoko then pauses, reluctantly reality hits her, "But I can't. Look I appreciate the flowers really and you seem like a great guy, but I have to follow protocol", she finishes, cursing herself Mibin and whoever else made those dumb rules.
It sucks, but if she wants to become a doctor, if she wants to finish her program, its what she needs to do.
To his credit, Suguru takes the entire exchange pretty well. Offering her an extra gentle smile as well as a nod, "Understandable, but if you change your mind,I think I've left my number enough times",he jokes, and for once Shoko gives herself the permission to laugh back.
Suguru Geto. A mystery of sweetheart. Gentle in the best way, yet strong and commanding in another.
A true man, one she knows is one in a million. Probably unworthy for a girl like her.
For the rest of that week, everything goes pretty good. Shoko aced two of her most challenging exams. Bayer called her in to assist with four high-risk surgeries. Kokun let her lead two of his. Mibin even lightens up, apparently, she heard how Shoko had turned Geto down.
A respectable choice if the witches' tight good mornings meant anything.
The rest of the week was more than good, it was great.
But then the monthly Sister' Night comes up.
Sister Night was Shoko and Utahime's half-hazard attempt at keeping their sister , they still live together and yeah they text all the time. But between Uta's job at the school, Shoko's coursework, and the regular hospital bullshit, they don't see each other as much as either would like.
Since Shoko started medical school it's only gotten worse.
Now Shoko doesn't just work triples and nearly crash on the couch after a long drive home. Now she has a favorite cot at the hospital, she works two doubles and she rarely ever gets to enjoy Uta's homemade pasta.
When she started missing breakfast too, Utahime had to put her foot down.
Thus Sister Nights were born. For one night, the last Saturday of the month, neither Shoko nor Utahime can be busy. Instead, they stay at home, do each other hair, complain about their work lives, and drink silly.
Last month was the first time, it was fun and stupid and childish. The best time actually, something Shoko didn't realize she needed until it happened.
She was sure this time would be just as great, and it was. At least in the beginning. In the beginning, everything was a basic repeat of the first Sister Night. Utahime set up their small apartment like a mini hotel (typical), Hado crashed (even more typical) and Mr. Stevens from downstairs complained about the noise.
It was all so typical, so fun, so perfect.
Things only took a turn when they started playing Never Have I Ever.
To be clear whenever they play 'Never have I Ever' the target is Utahime. As the pure, modest, and kind pre-k teacher she was, most of Hado's habits are her nevers. So in an effort to get under her skin, and get the little priss drunk Hado and Shoko always choose 'never have I ever's surrounding Utahime.
She always complains and swears she's never playing with them again, but Shoko knows she doesn't really mean it. One secret fact about Uta, is she loves drinking. Her tolerance is higher than both Shoko's and Hado's combined. Seriously, it took them over ten rounds just to get her tipsy.
And the goal is to get her full-on plastered, so imagine Shoko's surprise when Hado's next 'Never Have I Ever' is not directed at Utahime.
It's directed at her.
"Never have I ever stupidly rejected a hot, smart, sexy millionaire DILF. Double shot if the millionaire bought you flowers for a month, got you your job back, helped you get into your dream medical program, and called you pretty".
Instantly Shoko glowers, her chestnut brows pitching into her infamous Ieri glare. Her most intimidating 'fuck with me or die' look.
But apparently it has little bite today, Hado basically giggled when they made eye contact.
Which is understandable.
Because at that moment Shoko's short brown hair was smoothed back with a fluffy purple bunny headband. Two slices of cucumber sits on the apples of her cheeks, surrounding them are globs of green avocado.
Ieri glare be damned, she looked as intimidating as a hamster.
But still fuck Hado.
She would flick him off but her dark cherry red nails were still drying.
So she sips her margarita instead.
To her left her sister Utahime giggles. She like Shoko was covered in the green goop Hado passed off as skin care. Her long black hair was effortlessly tied up in a thick bun with a ribbon, the flyaways held back with an identical pink bunny headband. In Utahime's hand was the cherry red nail polish that Shoko had just used.
Only as drunk as Uta was, it probably should've been left closed. "Hate to say it Sho but I think Hado has a point", Utahime chirps, nearly spilling her drink once again as she swipes another messy stroke over her toes.
"See even little Miss Prim and Proper agrees with me. As hard as you work you deserve some happiness", Hado exclaims, pausing in his tirade to snatch the nailpolish from Utahime and grab her left foot.
For once Matron Modest was on his side, he may as well make sure she doesn't continue to paint her ankles.
"You do deserve happiness ShoSho", Utahime echoes, her face nearly hurting from all her smiling. Her drunk mind wondering just when did stupid Hado get so kind and so smart. He usually gets on her ever lasting nerves.
Hado smiles back at her, he loves drunk Utahime, she is way more fun than that sober slug he normally fights with. Plus he is a bit tipsy himself, life is good at that moment. While still painting Uta's nails, he turns his attention back to Shoko, somehow the most sober of them all. "And if you can't get happiness than atleast get good dick", he shouts, wagging his finger and thrusting his hips up just the slightest.
It should be a crime how quickly that sobered Uta up.
"Don't be gross", Utahime exclaims, as she uses her unpainted foot to kick Hado away. She then turns to Shoko, the beloved nail polish back in her hands as well as her usual Utahime scowl, "Ignoring Hado's crude and stupid analogy. I do think it can't hurt to go to dinner with the guy".
Hado groans, never quite use to the strength Utahime had, "Yeah, yeah, and after dinner comes dessert, and after desert well you know what cums next-
"Nothing! Unlike you manwhore, Shoko doesn't sleep with everything she see's", Utahime chided once again using her feet to kick back at the flamboyant man.
Its nothing but luck and good tequila that her foot misses.
"We can't all be virgins, Mary Modest", Hado chuckles as he avoids yet another monster Utahime kick.
He didn't however avoid the series of sucker punchs Uta expelled after. Nor did he avoid the pillow she just threw.
Oh, this was not good.
Not wanting a repeat of last weeks Disney brawl, Shoko decides to risk her face and her new manicure as she steps in between the two.
Thankfully the duo cared more about not hitting her than hitting eachother. "Stop it" she reprimands, pushing Utahime away first.
Cause seriously as short Uta was she has this weird monster like strength.
And Hado's bound to say some shit to piss her off mid convo.
But this time Shoko doesn't give him a chance, quickly pushing the man into a seat as well, she then gestures back to her own drink, "Let's just get back to the game".
For a second it looks like Hado is going to refuse, his face was a little bruised. But then he smirks, a sign if anything that it was going to go to shit. "Fine, truth or dare", he belts.
Immediately Shoko frowns, "That's not what we were playing".
"Yeah well I don't have the liver of fourty year old pirate, so I need a drinking break", Hado replied, eyeing Utahime and watching as the insult hits her brain.
"You are so fucking annoy-
"Dare", Shoko interupts, her buzz nearly killed at this point. That she blames on the both of them. She never understood why they had to fight so much. Sure Hado can be a bit much but did Uta have to always take his bait? Sometime she acts like his very presence annoys her.
Like right now, Utahime is practically steaming at her ears, and all Hado is doing is scrolling though Shoko's phone. That seriously can't be bothering her? All the dolts doing is looking for an embarrassing photo to post. The standard Hado Dare he always chooses.
"Any day now", Uta grumbled, not even bothering to hide her displeasure as Hado snapped a glare back at her.
Cats and Dogs, Shoko swears they are like cats and dogs.
The dog, eh Hado stops his glare match to continue scrolling, he must have found what he was looking for because his face instantly brightens. The tequila from earlier somehow makes its way back into his hand. He takes one big gulp before pressing a number.
Liquid courage for a big talk.
Shoko didn't understand, she though it was her dare.
But then a dark sleepy voice mumbles hello. But then her cellphone is thrown at her face. Luckily she catches it, a cool little reflex from her t-ball days. Unluckily she caught it, the name on the phone bright in white lettering.
Suguru Geto.
Hado fucking called Suguru Geto. Suguru Geto is on her phone?!
Immediately Shoko's eyes snap over, fuck the goop and the bunny headband, this was not fucking funny. Hado should know she is planning his murder, a painful bloody fucking murder.
"Hello", Suguru murmured again. Oh god, murmured, was he asleep? Did they wake him up? It was 2 am after all.
God, did he always sound so sexy at 2 am?
A milisecond passes and Utahime elbows Shoko. Its hard ( the standard for little miss I don't know my strength) and it intstantly brings Shoko back to reality, "Uhm hi… sorry to wake you its Shoko-uh Nurse Ieri from Kyoto General", she blustered.
Suguru's voice doesn't even dip in his tone, "I know", he saids, and Hado actually has to fist his mouth to keep from squealing. It's a delicious deja vu. One he hopes will have a different ending.
Again, Shoko shoots him a glare. Soon she gets off this phone, murder. Pure bloody fucking murder.
"Right. You probably have caller ID", she mumbles, swallowing Uta's latest shot and trying to not let her nerves shake her harder.
Calm down, calm down, is the mini mantra she says to herself. She's a grown woman after all, she can have a fucking phone call without freaking out. She's not some schoolgirl with a crush.
But Suguru's next words make her feel exactly like that, "I do" he starts muttering more about his bright ass Caller Id, he then adds, "But I'll be honest your voice kinda gave it away. It unmistakable. Pretty sure I could pick you out of a line up", he claimed, and for once nearly invisible, never noticed Shoko believed him.
This time Hado doesn't bother holding in his squeal, neither does Utahime.
"Is everything okay", Suguru instantly asked, concern lacing his tone. His background shuffling as if he moving about, getting up.
"Yeah everything is fine", Shoko rushed, wanting nothing more than to bleed into the ground. God, he must think she's a crazy person. "I'm at home thats just my stupid friend Hado. You met him earlier remember." she saids, hoping that Hado personality was enough to excuse this whole thing. She then adds, "Were not drunk calling from a club or anything. I mean I've been drinking but I'm not drunk. And it's not a prank either. Its a dare, but not a joke dare. I want to talk to you, and Hado knows I'm a punk so-"
Fuck, kill her now.
Seriously Zeus send a lightning bolt and put her out of misery.
Seconds pass once again. Suguru hasn't said anything, and Shoko, unfortunately, is still alive,
"I'm sorry that was me being a dork again", she regretful mutters, hoping once again something will end her.
Suguru laughs nearly does. It's hearty but light, a dark chuckle that she can almost feel.
"Glad one of us finds this funny", Shoko mutters, finally sounding more like her sarcastic and moody self. Finally sounding a bit like she isn't a rabid fan. When Suguru finished laughing, she muttered out another apology, this one sincere. She starts by apologizing for waking him up, and ends with apologizing for keeping him up. She then tries to embarasingly end the call, but then Suguru murmurs how much he wishes she would keep him up longer.
How much he enjoys talking with her. How much he likes her.
His words alone cause Uta to bite her lip, Hado to squeal again and Shoko to crack.
Fuck it, he is technically not her patient.
"Do you still want to go to dinner", she asked after another beat of silence.
Her mind practically pudding as shes never asked a guy out before.
She can only hope Suguru can't feel her nerves.
If he does, he's a gentleman because he doesn't broadcast it. Instead he proudly declares " I do". He then offers her a variety of dates and times, until finally one sticks. Next Thursday, 10 pm.
His place.
They talk for a little bit longer. It starts with a mutter back and forth on their eating preferences. It then takes a turn to their bad food combinations from childhood. When the convo shifts to childhood itself, well thats when Shoko decides to call it a night.
Best not to scare him off before the first date.
They hang up the phone, Shoko chokes Hado out, and both her sister and her best friend congratulate her on snagging a date with what sounds like a stand-up guy.
Later when both Hado and Utahime were dead asleep and the night was stronger than the stars. Shoko once again looked at her array of purple tulips.
Even as a kid she loved purple tulips. They were just so bright, so beautiful. And if you look at them long enough you realize their not just purple, but violet. They're one of the only flowers in the world that are blue, pink, and purple. A mixture of the light and dark of the sky.
Ever-changing depending on your stare.
She grins once more and grips the sofas softest pillow, a smile on her face before her eyes even close.
But maybe she should've never closed them.
Maybe she should've really got a good look at her flowers.
Then maybe she would have noticed that in each bouquet lay one flower different from the rest. This flower while a perfect violet match to all the others, was not a tulip. Instead, the petals darkened a bit at its ends. The stem was spotted with a glistened sheen. Telltale signs of a freshly picked batch of Wolfsbane.
Shoko should've noticed the wolfsbane.
For like purple tulips, purple wolfsbane does represent love, protection, and beauty.
But also, in ancient and modern times, wolfsbane represented an unparalleled, unfathomable, danger.
Hello! We are here with Chappie Number 2. Yay Yay! So excited to finally get some dialogue out in this fic lol. My last chapter was so expositioney lol.
Okay so Chapter 2 is a plot bunny chapter, kinda of setting up some character motivations and connections for further development. Really I wanted to explore Shoko's life at the hospital a bit. In my head, she would be the kind of girl to keep to herself. Kinda moody and a little standoffish. Not a tomboy but definitely not girly either. A real cool grunge girl, one most of the nurses try to steer clear of. The rumor mill has only worsen that.
In my head Shoko and Hado are two peas in a pod, totally different personalities but somehow major besties. I think Bayer is also a good balance to them when he's around. As an honest and good person, with a little oblivious ditzness to him, he's a gem to our trio.
Also wanted to further explore Utahime's character, if it isn't obvious she is a bit of a prude but also a hot head. Setting up her short temper was important to me now, because it definitely will come back into play when she meets Gojo. That interaction I personally can't wait to write. If you think she has a rivalry with Hado, lol you ain't seen nothing yet.
Finally had to get a real Suguru and Shoko interaction out there. In my head Shoko while normally very calm and collected, becomes a bit of a nervous wreck when she first meets Geto. Obviously she won't always be like that, but I did want to highlight that she's not used to male attention. Especially rich good looking caring male attention. I also wanted to highlight that while Suguru is commanding and dominating,he is patient and gentle with her. He wants to be that for her. Their relationship will change more though as Shoko begins to get comfortable around him. Now if that's for the better welp keep reading lol.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next chapter is the BIG DATE. Please comment below and let me know what you think.
Thanks again for reading.