As the school day ended, Shampoo strolled toward the gates with Sayuri and Yuka, their chatter light and carefree. The peaceful atmosphere was abruptly shattered when Mousse appeared out of nowhere, clutching a piece of paper and fumbling with his glasses.
"Shampoo, my dearest love!" Mousse began, his voice overly dramatic as he read aloud a sappy poem he had clearly written himself. Shampoo sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Mousse, Shampoo not in mood," she said dismissively, walking faster, but Mousse persisted, tailing her like a determined shadow.
Ryoga, who had been a few meters behind, found himself growing irritated for reasons he couldn't fully understand. His gaze flickered from Shampoo to Mousse, and an inexplicable frustration churned within him.
"Mousse, stop following Shampoo," she said sharply, her patience wearing thin. But Mousse, oblivious to her tone, continued reading his poem, even louder this time.
Ryoga clenched his fists, his annoyance reaching its breaking point. He picked up his pace, closing the distance between them, and without a word, he delivered a solid punch to Mousse, sending him flying into the horizon.
Shampoo blinked, startled, as she turned to see Mousse disappear into the distance. She then glanced at Ryoga, who looked equally surprised at his own outburst.
"Pig-boy, why you punch Mousse?" Shampoo asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Ryoga scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze. "He was annoying," he muttered.
Shampoo smirked slightly, but instead of teasing him, she simply said, "Thank you, Pig-boy."
Ryoga's heart skipped a beat at her words, and he quickly looked away, his inner conflict intensifying. What's wrong with me? Why do I care so much about what happens to her?
Shampoo, meanwhile, continued down the street with a small, satisfied smile on her face, her thoughts lingering on Ryoga's unexpected action.
Shampoo glanced back at Ryoga, a mischievous grin forming on her lips. "Pig-boy knows way home?" she teased, her tone light but playful. She had always found his hopeless sense of direction amusing, and now was no exception.
Ryoga stiffened, his face turning red as he scowled at her. "Of course, I know the way home!" he snapped, crossing his arms defensively.
Shampoo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Oh? Then why Pig-boy always lost?" she asked, tilting her head innocently. "Maybe Pig-boy need map... or Shampoo to guide him."
Ryoga groaned, his frustration bubbling over. "I don't need your help!" he insisted, though the embarrassment in his voice only made Shampoo smirk wider.
"Sure, sure," she said, walking a little closer to him. "If Pig-boy get lost, Shampoo not coming to rescue."
Ryoga stopped in his tracks, glaring at her. "I won't get lost!" he declared, his face bright red.
Shampoo laughed lightly, the sound carrying through the quiet street. "We see about that," she said, turning back around and continuing down the road.
Ryoga followed, grumbling under his breath. Despite his irritation, he couldn't help but notice that Shampoo's teasing felt... different. It wasn't cruel or condescending; it felt more like playful banter. And for reasons he couldn't quite figure out, it made him feel warm inside.
As they reached a fork in the road, Shampoo stopped and turned to face Ryoga. "Pig-boy better not get lost now," she teased, her red eyes sparkling mischievously.
Ryoga sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I won't," he muttered, though the doubt in his own voice was obvious.
Shampoo giggled, stepping back toward her path. Before she walked off, she stuck out her tongue with a playful smile. "Bye-bye, Pig-boy," she called over her shoulder, her tone light and teasing.
Ryoga watched her for a moment, his lips curving into a small smirk despite himself. Then, with a rare moment of boldness, he stuck his tongue out at her in return.
Shampoo glanced back just in time to catch his gesture, and her laughter echoed down the street as they both turned to walk their separate ways.