Stop It Shinnosuke!

Chapter 52

The next week at school was uniquely full of surprises for everyone.

For Nene, the week offered an infuriating insight into Ai and Masao's newly formed friendship that she just couldn't understand for the life of her. It didn't help that Masao seemed to keep himself distant from her. Speaking of unusual stuff, Kazama and Shinnosuke were acting weird.

It wasn't anything too noticeable that caught Nene's eyes at first. It was even more unusual considering all of Nene's attention was occupied by Masao that she even observed the little interaction between Kazama and Shinnosuke. The former was doing a workbook like any other day. The latter was annoying him similarly. But the way Kazama chose to ignore his teasing, and even laugh, stood out to Nene. 

That was the start.

The actions between them slowly appeared to grow more and more affectionate as each day passed. Or it was Nene's brain doing tricks. She wasn't sure anymore. What she did see, though, was as clear as day. The playful touches here and there, very different from the usual clinginess Shinnosuke showcased around Kazama, and the lack of scoldings and yelling from Kazama's side. All of this, combined with the soft laughs that she heard from Masao and Ai talking in the corridor, made no sense at all. What was going on?

Well, aside from all of this, atleast Bo was still the same. Nene guessed that was a reason enough to not go absoulutely ballistic on everyone and just wait it out.

Or so she thought.

"Guys, can we go to the movies this weekend?" she announced more than she asked one afternoon to everyone.

"Sorry, I have to pass," Kazama was the first one to decline, "My dad's visiting this weekend."

"Skip it?" Nene's voice gave away that she wasn't entertaining the idea. 

Kazama fell silent and blinked. Soon he said, "It's my dad. You know I can't do that."

Nene cringed at herself, "Yeah, sorry. I know her visits rarely."

Then, she turned to the others for an answer but the look on their faces told her exactly what she was dreading to hear.

"I will be locked up in my room finishing the final draft. They still need atleast a volume worth of chapters before they can check with the publication, so," Masao spoke timidly, though the fluency of his words showed his excitement. It didn't make Nene feel good.

"Have to take Hima for her dance recital," Shinnosuke pouted, "Would've given you guys an invitation if she wasn't such a jerk about it."

"What happened?" Kazama asked.

"Well, she doesn't want anyone seeing her dance on stage, other than us," he replied with a big sigh, "And it's fine and all since it's her first dance recital, but she doesn't need to throw a whole fit for it."

"She is still a kid, after all," Masao chuckled, "Record a video and send it to us."

"I am free for the movie," Bo spoke all of a sudden, reminding everyone of the origin of the conversation at hand. For Nene, it wasn't enough.

"Never mind. Thanks Bo-chan," she mumbled and got up from here seat, "See you all on Monday."

Others saw her leave in a hurry.

"Is she mad?" Masao asked, to which Kazama replied, "Of course she is. We have been cancelling plans for forever now."

"When did that happen?"

"I don't know, probably when she asked us to go to that Wednesday book fair?"

"Or the time she asked us to go to the cafe?" Shinnosuke interjected.

"I didn't know about the cafe," Masao spoke dumbfoundedly.

That struck a chord in Kazama.

"Wait," he frowned, "That day we saw you sit in Ai-san's car. What happened?"

"Oh my, is Masao finally making the first move?" Shinnosuke cooed.

"No, no, no," Masao said under a breath, eyes wide open, "It's not like that! You remember the other day? The editor of that publishing company I told you about is a family-friend of Ai-chan. She helped me set up a meeting with him. That's it!"

Shinnsouke rolled his eyes sarcastically, "Okay lover boy, no need to get all defensive all of a sud- Ouch!" Kazama smacked him, after what felt like days. If Nene was there to witness that, her minor suspicion would've been erased.

"It's still cool that you guys are on good terms now," Kazama smiled.

"Yeah," Masao smiled too, though it was an awkward one, "I hope all of us can hang out some other day, with Nene-chan."

Shinnosuke nodded, "I have been so wanting to go to that new theme park that opened this year."

"Should we?" Masao suggested, "And how about we surprise Nene-chan? It would be super fun!"

"Sounds like a nice idea," Bo agreed with a nod.

"Next week, then," Kazama said as he packed his stuff, "Let's go."

.

Kazama and Shinnsouke walked together. It was somewhat of a new tradition now, walking each other home, though often times it was Shinnosuke walking Kazama back than the other way around. They soon reached his apartment but before going in, Shinnosuke called,

"Kazama-kun."

"Hm?"

He stole a kiss as soon as Kazama turned to face him.

"Shinnosuke!" Kazama stopped walking and held his hand up to cover his mouth belatedly, looking around to see if anybody saw them, "Not in front of my house!"

"Anywhere else is fine then?" Shinnosuke gave a smug grin, "Will keep that in mind!"

"Shinnosuke!" Kazama yelled as Shinnosuke jogged away quickly while glancing back at Kazama with the same grin. It made Kazama unable to stop a smile himself.

"Idiot," he mumbled as he watched Shinnosuke disappear around a corney and went inside his apartment.