Shima's Light

Chapter 7:

     Akari woke up to her alarm and got ready as if it were a normal day. She wasn't surprised to hear the doorbell as she made her way downstairs. She hesitated then walked over and opened the door.

     "Gooood morning, Akari!" Shima called in greeting as the door opened.

     Akari smiled softly and stepped aside for him to come in, "do you greet everyone like this?"

     Shima stepped inside and glanced around, "No, only special people...but isn't it nice?" He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

     Akari paused then shut the door and went to make her breakfast, "yeah, it is...but what about Bon and Koneko? Won't they be missing you?"

     Shima leaned back against the counter, "nah, they don't mind. In fact...I think Bon is happy that I spend so much time with you."

     Akari blinked in surprise and glanced at him, "why's that?"

     Shima looked down, "well, it's like...I think he enjoys seeing Koneko and I branching out from our trio. And he also likes getting everyone involved and making friends. So he's glad to see me including you and hanging around you." He looked back at her.

     Akari met his eyes for a long moment then nodded and looked away, "yeah, I can see him having a harsh shell but inside he's soft. Sometimes that brings out the best in others." She paused and looked down, "people the other way around are hard to get close to..." her voice died down as she stared for a moment before breathing in and blinking. She shook her head slightly and began to eat. She felt Shima's eyes locked on her but she didn't meet them. 'Did he tense a little just now?' She finally turned and leaned back against the counter as she ate, seeing him look away and shift his bag on his shoulder.

     "Well, did you read over the final page from last night?" Shima changed the subject and looked at her.

     Akari looked up, "huh?" she paused then shook her head, "Er, no I didn't..." She finished the last bite of her breakfast and walked to her bag, pulling out the papers and flipping to the back. She blinked in surprise, "Mr. Okumura wants me to try summoning a demon already?"

     Shima smiled and nodded, "it would've taken too long to set up last night, so Bon told me to guide you through it tonight. I'll get a few summoning papers from teach today." He paused and glanced around the room, "but we'll need to clear some space...demons can get pretty big and who knows what you might summon."

     Akari's eyes lit up with excitement, "that's not a problem, we can move the furniture out of the way." She tucked the papers back into her bag and stood up straight, 'I really get to summon a demon tonight...' She smiled at Shima as she pulled her bag over her shoulder and grabbed her keys, "let's get going." She picked out the right key and unlock the door to the cram school.

     Shima nodded and walked over to join her, "it's good to be excited...I hope you'll be able to summon something. You definitely have the potential." He winked at her then raised his hand behind his head in his normal position.

     Akari glanced at him as they walked down the hallway, 'is he still trying to flirt?' She looked away, 'it must be a pretty strong habit for him...I hope he's not only looking for people to trust him...those begging for trust cannot be trusted.' She peered at him from the corner of her eye, 'but...what could someone like him possibly be hiding?'

     "Is something wrong?" Shima suddenly asked.

     Akari broke out of her thoughts and blinked in surprise as she noticed he had looked to meet he gaze. "N-no...sorry...I tend to get lost in my thoughts." She lifted her wrist and rubbed it subconsciously.

     Shima watched her for a moment longer then looked forward again, "just don't lose focus like that during class...you might miss something important."