Face The Music (A Saimatsu Story)

Book Shopping: Part Two!

-Shuichi Saihara's POV-

My best friend pulls me along through the twisting and turning streets of our town, his girlfriend following close behind us. 

"Come ON Shuichi! We have to go mid-year book shopping wether you like it or not," Kaito says, dragging me by the arm. The purple haired boy could not care less about my social awkwardness, he was always trying to get me out to do new things, and be more outgoing.

"Come on, the faster we do this, the better," Maki said, a blank expression on her face, arms crossed. She was my other friend, and Kaito's girlfriend.

"Yeah, listen to Makiroll!" Kaito said, grinning as we made our way to the shop where we had to buy new books for Hopes Peak Academy. Midterms were over and we had to get new reading material for the new semester. 

"We're here, let's not spend too long on this," Maki said, rolling her eyes. The bell in the shop made a small *ding* as we walked in. Oh no. There were a LOT of people in the store. Kaito freed my arm and I dragged my hat to cover my eyes.

"Sidekicks! Let's go to this section!" Kaito yells, turning heads. This isn't good, I hate attention... Before I know it, he's gotten my arm again and pulled me to get a LOT of books. 

"Kaito, shouldn't you stop dragging Shuichi around? It's clear he doesn't like it," Maki said, staring at him.

"I would, but he might bolt and if he does, I don't know what I'm gonna do," Kaito said, glancing in my direction.

"It's okay, Kaito. I won't run off if you let go of my arm," I tell him. He finally let go, and, true to my word, I didn't go away. We hit a few more sections and got all of our books. Just as we were about to leave, Maki pointed something out.

"Hey, who's she? She looks about our age and really new in town."

"Why do you think that," I asked her.

"It doesn't take an ultimate detective to see her small fidgets and nervous but excited face, Shuichi," Maki turned to me and said. Then she ran up to say hi.

"Hey, where'd Makiroll- oooo she's talking to the new girl?" Kaito asked, coming up behind me. For the first time, I looked at the girl. She looked relieved to see someone coming up to her. 

Kaito suddenly runs to her, grabbing my arm. Oh no. NonononononononoNO! This is NOT GOOD. I don't do well with social interaction.

"Hey Makiroll! Who's the new girl? My name's Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars!" Kaito told the girl, smiling.

"Oh, I'm Kaede Akamatsu," she tells him, smiling. Kaede Akamatsu, huh? Interesting.

"Shuichi, are you gonna talk, or are you just gonna stand there?" Kaito asked me, sort of annoyed, but in a playful way.

"I'm- I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable... you know what? I should just- go..."  she says, walking away. Before she exists, the shop, I do the unthinkable. 

"Wait..." I say, my head turned down, "You can stay. You aren't a bother at all." She couldn't see my eyes, but I'm sure I got a look of horror in them as I felt my face heat up.

"If- if you're sure..." she said, taking a tentative step back in.

"Of course," Maki said.

"So... we have our books picked out, let's find the books you need," Kaito says. 

A/N: That felt short. I don't know why, but I wanted to see the last chapter from Shuichi's POV. It'll probably be switching during chapters for a bit, unless I really want to do this again, but I quite liked writing this. Stay tuned for more :D