Shima's Light

Chapter 4

     Shima hesitated, "well you need a summoning circle and some of your blood...but we can get more into that later. I'd wait until after you've learned the basics about demons and exorcists before you go trying to summon demons." He scratched the back of his head nervously for a moment before lowering his arm again and continuing. "There is one particular question I want to ask you though..." he paused as his eyes grew serious.

     Akari stiffened slightly, unsure if she was ready for the question. 'What kind of question could it be if he's giving such a serious look?' 

     Shima suddenly broke the serious look, closing his eyes and grinning as he asked the question in a humming voice. "Are your eyes naturally so brightly colored?"

     Akari hesitated, slightly flustered by the question as she processed what he had asked. She blinked a few times as she sat back in the seat and gathered her thoughts. "N-no, they are not naturally this color..." she reached up with both hands, taking out one contact in each hand. She creased her brow as her gaze turned incredibly blurry and darkened. "I was nearly blinded on the night I received my temptaint." She looked up at Shima to show him her naturally brown eyes, though the pupils were slightly clouded. "Due to what happened...Mephisto Pheles appeared and saved my life...later he gave me four pairs of contacts; two for daytime and two for nighttime. He ordered that they never be out for longer than five minutes or my eyesight will get worse." She frowned, slightly irritated that she couldn't see Shima's reaction. She looked down as she put them back in. When she looked back up, she could see the shock and confusion mixed in Shima's eyes.

    Shima leaned forward, "So you nearly died by your temptaint..." his gaze darkened slightly as he looked down, "no wonder you don't want to talk about it..." he muttered then looked back up, "....but contacts can't help with blindness...only clarity..."

     Akari sighed, giving a slight smile, "I got them from Mephisto...we shouldn't question it."

     Shima paused then smiled softly, "heh, I guess you're right." He fell silent for a moment, "well, I like your natural eyes better. They suit you more than the bright blue." He closed his eyes and grinned.

    Akari's eyes widened and she could've sworn her heart skipped a beat. She flushed slightly and quickly took a sip of her tea to gather herself. "Thanks..." she spoke softly, still slightly nervous.

     Shima opened his eyes and smiled. He glanced at a clock in the diner and paused, "it's getting late, maybe we should get going." He took the last few sips of his cream soda. 

     Akari paused then glanced at her watch, "oh, I guess you're right." She sighed inwardly, 'but he was starting to open up to me a little...' she shook the thought away and finished her tea. "Thanks for the drinks, Mr. Hakura." She called to him as she made her way to the exit with Shima following.

     Mr. Hakura grinned, "thank you for the service, Akari. I'm glad you enjoyed."

     Akari smiled and went out to the Main Street. She paused to look at the sky as it continued to grow darker. 

     "So, which way's your home?" 

     Akari stiffened slightly and turned to look at Shima, "huh?"

     Shima smiled, "what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't walk you home?"

     Akari could've sworn that Shima was blushing just a bit in the darkness. She paused then snickered, "what? And give you the knowledge of where I live so you can stalk me?" She muttered in a teasing tone.

     Shima looked offended, "wah! What makes you assume I'd do something like that?" His voice had a whining ring to it.

     Akari laughed softly as she gave him a gentle nudge on the shoulder, "I'm kidding! But you really don't have to walk me home." She smiled and looked up at him.

     Shima relaxed and shrugged, he must've known she was joking at least a little. "No, I insist." He gave a nod then looked at her. "Demons get more powerful in the dark, after all."

     Akari hesitated, 'He said that so seriously but his eyes are still casual. I can't tell if that was a warning or not.' She blinked away her thoughts and turned down the street, "alright, my home is this way." As she started to walk with Shima at her side, her mind seemed to relax for the first time in forever. She ignored the coal tars and other low-teir demons the best she could, silently wishing she couldn't see them again. 'But then I would have never met him...' she glanced at Shima then looked down. They walked most of the way in comfortable silence. Shima was clearly relaxed with his arms raised up behind his head as he walked. Akari ignored the feeling that he kept glancing her way.

     As they neared her condo, she slowed her step a little. It was so slight that Akari herself hadn't noticed. She only realized that she had slowed when Shima mentioned it, "What's wrong?" He smirked a little and looked at her, "do you want me to stay longer." He spoke in a slightly teasing voice.

     Akari narrowed her eyes slightly and couldn't help but blush, "t-that's not it...I-I'm just lost in my thoughts is all." She stammered, slightly flustered.

     Shima hummed and looked away, "no shame in it..." he said softly.

     Akari forced herself to relax as she stopped at her door, "This is it." She looked up at Shima as he stopped next to her.

     Shima looked at the front of the condo and smiled, "it looks nice." He turned to face Akari and met her gaze with a soft look.

     Akari paused then gave a small nod, "It suits me." 

     Shima hummed and grinned, "I enjoyed tonight, we should do this again sometime."

     Akari's eyes widened slightly then she relaxed and smiled, "yeah, I'd like that." She looked at his face for a moment before speaking again, "I'm...really glad I met you, Shima."

     Shima paused then smiled softly. He took a step forward and hugged her, "please, call me Renzou..." his voice hummed as he hugged her.

     Akari stiffened, 'What? Already?' She blinked a few times then relaxed a little in his arms, "then call me, Akari...Renzou" 'What am I saying?' 

     Shima pulled away and looked at her in surprise, "r-really!?" His voice was higher-pitched in surprise.

     Akari blinked at him, "something wrong?" 'What am I saying?' She asked herself again.

     Shima quickly gathered himself and scratched the back of his head nervously, "I-it's just...no girl has ever gave me permission to call them by their first name before..."

     Akari hesitated, "yeah, well don't make me take it back!" She smirked as she teased him. 

     Shima took a step back in shock then waved his hands in front of him, "t-there's no reason to do that!" He paused when Akari started to laugh again then began to laugh a little with her. "Well...I don't want to keep you any longer...besides, the sooner I get to sleep tonight, the sooner I get to see you again."

     Akari cut her laughing short as she heard what he said. She swallowed then gave a kind smile, deciding to ignore the flirt. "Goodnight, Renzou."

     Shima smiled softly, "goodnight, Akari." He hummed as he spoke.

      Akari glanced into his eyes one last time then turned and unlocked her door. She walked in and waved to Shima as she shut the door. Once the door was shut, she let go of the handle and gently pressed her forehead to the wood, closing her eyes and sighing softly. 'How am I supposed to handle a guy like him?'