Hard Paper

-Chapter 36- •Catch Up•

Shiko's nervous smile grows a bit more as she slowly looks down to the food she's making

Shiko: Well- she averts her eyes from Kuro as he goes to get his stuff from by the door, brings it back and puts it on an empty seat of the table. He plugs in his phone Haru only said you needed your pill box and he didn't want to wake up early- and... to not tell anyone? Oh- and I made sure I wasn't followed! She smiles proudly for a split second. Kuro goes by the table and looks at the seats where one has food and the other is on the way. Not knowing which to sit at. Shiko looks down I figured that you were probably avoiding rest and didn't get enough food since the last time I told you.... So.. Shiko shows the two chairs Kuro's looking at with her hand Sit at whichever you want- warmer food is on the way, but...-
Kuro doesn't wait for her to finish and sits down, he immediately starts eating. Slowly, but without saying anything. Shiko lightly smiles and soon after making her plate, joins Kuro who's Just about finishing up. He puts his hands together

Kuro: Thanks for the meal.... Shiko giggles and nods once. Kuro starts looking at the window on the other side of the living room from where he's sitting. He lightly sighs It had been so long since I had a non-lonely breakfast in this house....... He slowly looks at Shiko and gently smiles Thank you Shiko.... Shiko nods once again and just as she's about to smile, Kuro reaches to his pillbox on the side of the table. Shiko stops him

Shiko: You probably couldn't have a proper rest... Let's talk..... then you can take a nap- no need for pills, you can deal with this.... Kuro takes a moment to think and slowly nods, he takes his hand away. Shiko lets out a sigh of relief and starts eating after hesitantly asking; So...? Did something happen after the day I met Ryuko-San....? She continues to eat, all ears for Kuro. Kuro averts his eyes

Kuro: No... or- it didn't have to do with my aunt at least. Nin sort of slipped up and some things got a bit messy... I can't really openly speak on further...... he sighs the issue is dealt with anyway.. Shiko slowly nods with a partially blue expression Plus- Kuro slowly looks in Shiko's eyes I told you already, I don't know how much further I can let you be involved in my life- I don't want you to get hurt.... Shiko swallows and takes a deep breath I want to protect you... they fall into each others eyes and a few seconds pass in silence before Shiko takes a deep breath and looks around

Shiko: I- ... Know you said I'm not too far in yet... but I'm in your life because I want to be and you're doing your best to teach me how to protect myself anyway... Kuro sighs and also looks around a bit before his eyes fall back in Shiko

Kuro: But that's not- Shiko interrupts him

Shiko: Enough?.... Kuro doesn't reply and averts his eyes. Shiko slowly nods and takes a deep, shaking breath Maybe but I'm trying..... We are going to make a change... she blinks a few times, almost getting a bit teary I believe this Kuro..... she hesitates as she speaks of the unsure future they dream of  Thanks to you, I feel like we can really change the school for the better..... she reaches and puts her hand on Kuro's. Kuro quickly pulls his hand away from instincts. Shiko's eyes slightly widen with a bit of surprise. Kuro's eyes widen as well and he quickly looks back at Shiko

Kuro: I- ..... let me... explain what else you missed..... Shiko takes a deep breath and nods as Kuro tells her all about his mother's situation and her coming over, the investigator she hired, what she asked of him. Shiko silently listens and nods now and then. Kuro doesn't tell her about any details regarding Yamada. Slowly, Shiko finishes her meal and puts both the plates aside, on top of eachother. She turns back to Kuro who's just about done explaining everything.