Hard Paper

-Chapter 33- •Unwelcome Guest•

It's morning. Kuro and Shiko are in the cafeteria and eating with Aiko and Erika while Haru slept in. The way from Shiko's room to the cafeteria was- an awkward walk with Kuro. Though Shiko tried to be as her usual self, he couldn't help either stutter more or get pink and whenever Aiko and Erika asked about it, changed the conversation. Lucy walks towards them and looks at Erika up and down with a somewhat disappointed expression. Erika looks up at her

Lucy: I can't believe you're seriously gonna hang out with these losers... Kuro raises an eyebrow, Lucy looks at him and back at Erika I guess besides Kurosaki-Kun.... Erika lightly smirks

Erika: Actually, it's pretty fun!~ I'm actually feeling surprisingly comfortable and they are- actually not losers!~ Aiko rolls her eyes, Shiko nervously smiles and Kuro starts to ignore Lucy. Continuing to eat his food

Lucy: Ugh- she looks up and rolls her eyes, annoyed. Nagisa yells at her from the side

Nagisa: LUCY! Are you deaf!? Or just stupid!? Get away from those losers and come here!~ she starts speaking with an annoyed voice that gets all cutesy as people pass by. Lucy lightly sighs and smiles at Nagisa's direction.

Lucy: Coming Nagisa-San...!~ she goes over to her. Nagisa and Erika's eyes meet for a split second. Erika feels like a knife passed through her. She looks away and down at her food. Shiko hesitantly puts her hand on Erika's arm

Shiko: Are you... sure you just wanted to get the female student meal...? You can try whatever you want served and... we... can protect you if anyone says anything... Erika looks at her and lightly smiles. She shakes her head no. Kuro lightly smiles as well

Erika: Maybe another time... they all continue to eat. Haru also joins them a bit after and they start chatting a bit more

Erika and Shiko share a class while Kuro and Haru do too. So after their meal, Haru drops Aiko off at her class and everyone goes to their own. The classes flow by one by one. As Shiko is now friends with one of her classmates, she feels less like an extra. By the end of the day, many students are already chatting about Erika's little change of heart. Surprisingly, she isn't bothered or going back to being fake. Shiko just feels- relieved...
When the school day is over, Shiko tells Erika she has some things to do and leaves to meet up with Kuro to go to the Student Council Room.

-Half an hour later-

Ningyo, Tsubasa and Yami are in Yami and Zero's dorm room that's connected to the side. Door closed. And in the seating area are four small one person couches facing each other.
Yū, next to Clade, next to Kuro(?!?), next to Shiko. Shiko is confused how they got into this situation, she hesitantly whispers to Kuro

Shiko: I- thought you guys were supposed to be out of here...? Kuro whispers bask

Kuro: Yami asked for me because I'm still family- Now he owes me which is somewhat good... They look at each other confused. Shiko looks at Yū and Clade.
Yuu looks very feminine and young. He has blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes. He seems to be looking away and seems a bit shy. While Clade looks to be averting his eyes looking somewhat bothered or annoyed at something. He has dark grey, somewhat long hair, brushed to one side and a side shave. Plus an eyebrow and lip piercing. His eyes are similar to Ningyo's. Brown in such a tone that it almost looks red. Clade looks at Shiko

Clade: You gonna stare at us all day or start talking? Shiko gets somewhat surprised and looks around, not knowing what to say. Kuro jumps in

Kuro: Well let's just play along with Nin's game for now- I just hope it's gonna be worth it. Clade averts his eyes

Clade: I guess I don't doubt that... So fine. He seems to force himself to go along. Yū gulps and decides to go first with introducing himself