"A Love Story" Kaede and Shuichi

Chapter 17

Kaede's POV

After spending some time with Shuichi, we decided to leave the unsettling scene of the cage we were in. After one last glance at the wall behind us, I turned to see Shuichi's gleaming face, his soft straight hair, and gentle face. He looked ahead with an almost neutral expression, as if he was in deep thought. Gazing into his eyes, so unique. Almost like a lighter, crocodile green. His pale cheeks, showing his blushes so quickly when he was flustered. I felt a skip in the beat of my heart when he turned to look at me. I couldn't stop studying him. He peered into my eyes with a smile, a slight wrinkle around his cheeks. I slid my arm behind his, entwining our fingers and leaning up against his arm. I wrapped my hand around his arm and shined with happiness up at him.

"What are you looking at?" Asked Shuichi with a sweet, calming tone.

"Just how handsome you are, that's all," I grinned.

A blush crept across his face, causing a sheepish dart of his eyes across the ground. He adjusted his hat before gazing back at me, gaining his composure, smiling.

"Y-You're too sweet, Kaede," I gave him a little giggle.

"Well, thank you." His grin didn't leave his face and he gave my hand a squeeze.

"You're welcome, now, let's go..." He thought to himself. "Where are we going?"

"Um, maybe we can go meet up with some friends? We can just walk around, see what everyone's up to."

"Okay," and with that we started our walk back towards the school, hand in hand. It felt weird to be so close to someone who was practically a stranger, but there was a spark between Shuichi and I that couldn't be ignored.

We strolled together through the familiar surroundings of the courtyard and found Kaito and Maki sitting together. Kaito was rambling on about something. Maki seemed slightly amused.

"Hey guys! Whatcha talking about?" Kaede greeted, Shuichi giving them a wave.

"Hey! I was just telling Maki about some of my training for space, some of the hardest training in the world y'know."

Maki grinned. "Hardest? Hm, we should complete some of my training together, Kaito."

"Deal! Get ready to watch the Luminary of the Stars in action!"

"Really? Okay, let's start right now then. Kaede and Shuichi, would you like to join us in training?"

"Sure! What about you, Kaede?" Shuichi asked me.

"Okay! But just so you know, I'll probably be lagging behind. The only workout I do is working out these piano fingers!"

"That's fine, Kaede. I appreciate your guys' enthusiasm. Now, to begin, let's start off small, 300 sit ups, 200 squats, and then a run around the courtyard, let's say, 5 times." Maki explained. Shuichi and I sat with our mouth's agape. Kaito didn't seem too surprised.

"Okay, Maki Roll! This is gonna be one heck of a workout!"

"Maybe workout to you, but this is just a warm up for me," Maki added.

"Wh- a warm up?! Goodness!" I exclaimed, heart starting to race. "Uhh.. yeah this is gonna be embarrassing."

"..Yeah um, this is gonna be really hard, Maki," Shuichi said.

"It's okay, guys! Just try your best and have fun, that's what it's all about!" Kaito cheered with a thumbs up.

"Don't worry, I only have high expectations for Kaito," Maki stated.

"Me?"

"Yes, you said that your training was hardest in the world, correct?"

"Well, I did say that.. alright let's start! Bring it on, Maki Roll!" Maki hid flustered cheeks at his nick name he gave her but brushed it off.