°˖✧Gaijin✧˖°

°˖✧Voldemort✧˖°

To say that she was rattled about the conversation she had with Shigeo last night would be a massive understatement. She appreciated his honesty with her, and she was happy that he wasn't going to abandon their friendship, but it kept gnawing at her. What did she do that made his master dislike her? She's never even met the guy...

She silently thanks her mom for leaving a little pastry for her to have on her walk to school. Mornings can be a bit lonely since she has to get to the university early, but she still shows she cares. She munches on it as she gives her dog a couple pets, then lets herself out for another day of school.

She smiles at the sight of Shigeo waiting for her just around the corner. She's quick to catch up with him, and they begin to walk together without saying a thing. It's a comfortable silence, though. They don't have to talk to enjoy each other's company.  She rips off a piece of the anpan and offers it to him, looking at him expectantly.

He quirks his lips up and takes it from her before popping it in his mouth. He lets out a soft hum, probably at the subtle sweetness of the red bean paste. She's learned that sweets are not nearly as sweet here as in the states, but she doesn't mind. It's a nice change of pace. "Thank you," he mumbles.

"Mhm," she hums in return. She continues chewing on her little snack before she begins the conversation she's wanted to have since last night. She looks down with a little bit of a pout on her face. "You said that your master doesn't want us to be friends anymore, but he doesn't even know me. Why would he say something like that?"

His shoulders slump a little bit. She doesn't mean to make him feel bad or anything, because it's not his fault, but maybe it was unavoidable. "I don't know. He was concerned about the fact that we're working for rival companies... but I'm not the competitive type anyway, and he knows that. I don't really get it."

"I'm not competitive, either..."

But... maybe his master is that way? Maybe he didn't want her to come in and mess up the business he worked so hard to curate? That's understandable on one hand, since it's his whole life, but it also annoys her on another. More than anything, it just hurts. She would never try to harm someone's livelihood like that. Ever.

"But... don't worry about it. I promised you that I wouldn't abandon our friendship." He gives her a gentle smile. It's enough to make her feel a little bit at ease. He hasn't made her feel anything other than happiness thus far, anyway.

"I know you're the kind of guy to keep your promises," she says in turn. "I guess I just felt kind of sad at the idea of your master not liking me..."

He's quiet for a moment, but then he speaks once more. "My mom told me once that not everyone is going to like you. Sometimes, you don't even have to do anything for someone to dislike you," he explains.

That does make sense... some people just don't click. "Your mom sounds very wise."

"She is. I think she passed all that onto Ritsu. I didn't get any of it."

She snorts as they walk through the school gates, shaking her head. "You're not dumb, Shigeo. Don't sell yourself short, alright?" She requests him as she walks up to her shoe locker. She fiddles with the lock for a moment before it opens, but she finds herself surprised when she sees a letter on top of her indoor shoes. Someone must have slipped it inside...

She takes it out of the locker and carefully opens in, looking at the contents on the inside. "Is it a love letter?" Shigeo asks curiously.

Dear Ari-chan,

Please come to the art room after school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.