°˖✧Gaijin✧˖°

°˖✧STONE OCEAN✧˖°

[Author's Note: Haha get it because Stone Ocean... Aquarium... Jotaro's a marine biologist. Haha. Okay I'll see myself out]

Realistically, Ari knows that she probably shouldn't be nearly as nervous as she is. Here she is, mulling over her appearance over and over again in preparation for meeting Shigeo's friend and fellow esper, Hanazawa Teruki. She was reassured again and again that he's a nice guy, which she doesn't doubt, but meeting new people always freaks her out.

"You don't have to worry so much. You look cute," her mom's voice makes her pause. She looks over and finds her in her doorway, leaning her shoulder on the frame. An amused smile graces her features when she sees how she's styled her hair today. "You never used to do anything like that with your hair. You must really like this guy."

She blushes, her hand instinctively going to one of the bubble braids she tied her hair up in. She's not going to deny that she likes Shigeo, because there's no point when her mom knows how to read her like a book. "I-I didn't come up with it myself... Chiitan gave me the idea. She said she found it in a magazine or something," she stammers.

Her mother hums and walks into her room. Wordlessly, she reaches out and begins tying the little ribbon on the sleeve of her sweater, which had loosened at some point. "Why are you freaking out so much anyway? It's just another kid. Who gives a shit what he thinks?" She asks, always so crass with her word choice and attitude about others.

"I give a crap, mom."

"Hey, his parents loved you. What more could you ask for?" She finishes up with the ribbon and pats it a couple of times before straightening her back. "But, I want you to think about something. Do you really think a kid like Shigeo would be friends with someone that would give you a hard time?"

She thinks for a moment. She does have a point there... though it seems like she's always got a point, which is both a relief and a total annoyance. "I mean... I guess not..." She mumbles. She trails to the corner of her bedroom and picks her bag up before slinging it on her shoulder. "I guess I just want approval just in case we... you know..."

"Arianna. He's smitten with you."

"He is not! He likes Tsubomi Takane - I've told you a million times!"

"Tsubomi Shmubomi," she waves her hand, rolling her eyes.

There's a tentative knock on her door, which alerts her that Shigeo is here. She sighs, soothing her sweater down before she hurries out of her room, down the stairs, and to the front door.

She opens the door, beaming at the sight of Shigeo. He offers her a small smile and a wave before he immediately kneels down. As always, her French Bulldog, Bubba, is on his way to greet him. He runs over and sniffs him excitedly, his little nub of a tail moving from side to side. "He really likes you, you know," she says fondly.

"I like him too," he replies, petting him behind the ears.

"Hey, Shigeo. Be good to my little girl, okay?" Her mom strongly suggests, crossing her arms over her chest. Despite her stern tone, Ari can tell by the way she stifles her laugh when Shigeo flinches that she's not completely serious.

"Y-Yes, ma'am," he squeaks out. He quickly stands back up to his full height and peeks over at Ari. "H-Hanazawa-kun should be at the station soon..."

"Ah, okay." She looks over at her mom and smiles, giving her a wave. "Bye, mom. Love you!" She chirps before they're on their merry way. She's happy to be by his side, just like she always is, but the nerves persist. She absentmindedly fiddles with the ribbon on her sleeve as the two of them walk to the train station.