Ever After (Shinobu x Giyuu)

Chapter 6: Moon

"So, I'm thinking of studying abroad for college." Shinobu said while casually taking a sip of her bubble tea. She was currently walking down the street with Yoshiteru, Kanata, Sumihiko, and Toko after a long day of shopping. Toko had just come back from college to visit and her and Kanata have been lovey dovey ever since.

"What! No don't go!" Yoshiteru exclaimed as he clutched his bubble tea. "How can I brag to my friends that I'm friends with a cute ojou-sama?" This of course earned a punch to the gut from Toko. Shinobu smiled. How nostalgic, but it was different. If it was before Toko would have punched his head, but Yoshiteru grew a surprising amount over the past year. Shinobu was still tiny though much to her chagrin.

"Really? Why?" Sumihiko asked holding a majority of the bags. His athleticism was still as astounding as ever, and his coordination has improved to the point where he would never run into anyone again. He's even found a parkour buddy, someone with flaming red hair and a loud voice.

"Well, there's a researcher who wants me to work with him in America while I'm in college. And if I work with him I can get into a prestigious university with a reference."

"Why not take it then?" Kanata asked. He was taller, but he was always tired as he prepared for his entrance exams. He was aiming for the school Shinobu's family goes to, and if Shinobu also goes there, she would have to call him senpai.

"It's just. It's the other side of the world. I've never left Japan before. And if I left, I would barely see any of you if at all for the next four years." Shinobu said fiddling with her straw.

"What are you talking about? Your parents are loaded, you could definitely visit us easily. Or don't tell me that mansion is just for show?" Toko joked as she wrapped an arm around Shinobu's shoulders. "There's no way you wouldn't visit us, and we're all going to college anyways so you wouldn't be able to see any of us that much anyways." Toko grinned as she stole a sip from Shinobu's bubble tea as she had finished hers the second she got it. She frowned when she realized there wasn't that much sugar in it.

"I'll think about it a little longer, but I think you're right." Shinobu said. Toko was right. They would still be friends even after they go off to their separate ways. And it wasn't like she couldn't visit them again after. Actually, her parents would be more than willing to pay for a first class flight back to Japan for every school break.

As she was thinking, a flash of color appeared before her before knocking the wind out of her. Before she could push her off, she recognized the long smooth black hair and the red backpack.

"Shinobu-neechan! It's been so long!" Makomo squealed as she hugged her tighter. Shinobu smiled. It has been a while since she last saw her, but Makomo has gotten much taller. Now she reached Shinobu's shoulder, which still wasn't that tall but still.

Shinobu squeezed back and looked up to see two taller figures running towards her.

"Shinobu-neechan!" Sabito yelled before prying Makomo off and giving Shinobu a quick hug. Sabito was now the same height as her chin, but he still was the same adorable child she met a year ago. If Sabito and Makomo was here, that would mean...

"Kocho!" Giyuu made a move to hug her as he gave a giga watt smile before Shinobu stuck a hand out towards him. Confused, Giyuu looked at her with his head tilted.

"I only hug people who call me neechan. Handshakes are for adults." Shinobu said making everyone laugh behind her. Giyuu was also almost as tall as her, but she still reigned supreme. He got a haircut since the last time they've met making him look like the refreshing boy next door archetype; however, his baby fat still hasn't left his cheeks making him twice as adorable. Giyuu frowned and Shinobu could see the internal battle in his mind before giving up.