Shiori Novella One-shots

Shiori's Nostalgia and Business

You’re late.

There’s a client expecting a presentation from you, but you’re already three minutes behind. This traffic definitely isn’t making it any easier. At this point, what is even the point of traveling by car when walking might be faster? Then again, it would be both awkward and costly to not even take the ride after paying for it already.

The car stops as the entire street is stuck in a tight gridlock. An audible groan of pain escapes your mouth as the seconds tick by. Suddenly, the driver steps out without a word. Before you can get a word out, a different driver in a dark suit and hat takes his place. Another figure stands by your door with his back turned towards you. The door across from you opens, and your client makes her way next to you.

“S-Shiori?!” you exclaim.

“So, there is where you’ve been,” she says with a sly smile that shows off a fang.

Is this the consequence of upsetting the Nyakuza? What’s going to happen to you?

“Well, since you’re late, I thought I would come find you instead. So, tell me, how do you intend to maximize feeding stray cats?”

For your sake, perhaps it’s time to get a bit creative.
~~~~~
You take a moment to collect yourself as the figure by your door opens the front passenger door and gets in.

There’s silence for a moment while you think about your response.

“Hm…?” Shiori leans toward you a bit, placing her hand on the seat between you to support herself as she tilts her head.

“W-Well, the first step would be to create a safe space for them,” you start. “I believe the best location would actually be nearby. So, if it’s acceptable, we could divert to visit the location? There is already a larger population of stray cats in the area…”

Your voice trails off as you feel an unspoken pressure from the front seats, but Shiori just smiles.

“Let’s go see some cats!” she responds, and the pressure disappears as if it were never there.

“There is one problem, though…” she continues, frowning a little.

“Yes..?” you ask, your voice trembling a little, unsure of where you might have messed up already.

“I know I’m your client and all, but you’re talking like we haven’t known each other for forever!” Shiori looks at you, her golden eyes glowing in the dim interior of the car. “Do you… not consider me a friend…? We used to hang out all the time…” Her expression falls, and her eyes threaten to tear up.

“No, no! We’re friends!” you panic. “I’m just… trying to keep professional life and personal life separate, is all!”

Shiori looks up at you, pouting. “Really?”

“Yes! Please keep being friends with me!” you reassure her. “It’s just I don’t want you to agree to anything, just because of our friendship, I want you to agree because it’s a good decision!”

The figures in the front seat nod approvingly and Shiori visibly cheers up, a smile gracing her face.

“Alright. I can appreciate that,” she grins gently. “Thank you for looking out for me, just like always.”

You sigh in relief. “Of course. I told you, didn’t I? I’ll always look out for you. It’s what Novelknights are supposed to do, right?” you grin at her, remembering the nickname she gave you when you were kids together.

Back then, she lived in a house that might as well have been a castle called the “Inkwell Estate”, and you were struggling with your mom in a run-down apartment. Her parents didn’t like her associating with “lower classes”, but she always slipped out to play with and feed the stray cats in, conveniently, the area around your apartment. As a result, the two of you spent a lot of time together.

“Right,” Shiori falls silent for a moment and looks down. “Hey. After this, let’s go get some tea for me, and coffee for you. My treat.”

“Huh? What brought that on?” It’s your turn to tilt your head at her.

“I just felt… nostalgic, I guess,” she looks out the window and rests her elbow on the door so she can rest her chin on her hand. “We’ve come a long way, you know… I’m… still sorry about your mom… Oh! But that’s not why I want to treat you, it’s just… I felt like it, I guess.”

She has moments like this every now and then. It’s like she’s older than she lets on, but you’re sure that can’t be the case, you grew up with her, after all. It’s like she’s experienced a lot of lives, but it just lends to her charm in the end.

“I’ve told you time and again, it wasn’t your fault. Sometimes… Death decides it’s time. That’s all there is to it. Besides, you were there for me, too. So, I’ll gladly take you up on your offer, but don’t feel obligated, ok?” you respond gently, resting a hand on her hand that’s still on the seat.

She turns to look at you in surprise, then looks down at your hand holding hers. Her arm tenses for a moment, then relaxes, leaving it there. She looks back up at you and smiles.

“Ok. I won’t,” she whispers with a slight blush. “A-Anyway! Let’s go look at the cats!”

You grin and nod. This Shiori is definitely the best, when she’s happy and smiling so brightly it’s blinding.