Aight, Ill be walking Shizuna home now.

Okay~. Bye bye, Shizuna-chan.

Yes, goodbye, Chisa-san.

Leaving Chisa in the room, Ryuichi took Shizuna outside.

Im jealous.

Of her staying over?

Yes. I want to stay with you, toobut we have school tomorrow.

Apparently, Shizuna was envious of Chisa who was staying over. Of course, she held back on account of the fact that they still had school tomorrow.

As for Chisa, she had her university tomorrow too, but she had more time to work with since her lectures started later in the day than Ryuichi and Shizunas.

Oh, yeah. What were you guys talking about while I was in the bath?

Ah, well

Shizuna told him what she and Chisa had talked about. She said that Chisad told her she should attack Ryuichi with different versions of herself every once in a while to excite him, so she suggested that she try her hand at some gyaru-like fashion.

Shizuna nodded her head eagerly, seemingly hoping that Ryuichi would be thrilled.

Dont.

Huh?

Youre fine just the way you are.

Just as hed said previously, Ryuichi now preferred a more quiet and docile look rather than a flashy and flamboyant one. While he considered the flamboyant Shizuna seen in the manga attractive in its own way, he still thought that her current pure and innocent appearance suited her better.

Ive already been dyed.

The Shizuna you knew no longer exists, Sohei-kun.

Fufu, my heart and body have been stolen by him.

Even now he could still recall the lewd and obscene Shizunaand it wasnt bad at all. But that wasnt Shizuna. Well, it was Shizuna, but a Shizuna that was tainted with pleasure and the very embodiment of Ryuichis desires.

You prefer me the way I am now, Ryuichi-kun?

Yeah. Dont change into anything weird. Youre totally likable as you are now.

I-I see .

She smiled happily when he told her that he liked Shizuna just the way she was. She leaned toward Ryuichi and hugged his big, thick arms in her chest.

But if youre only planning on temporarily becoming a gyaru for fun and not for reals, then Im fine with it. Sounds like itd be pretty interesting to see you different from usual.

Ah, I see

Ryuichi nodded his head, thinking Well, if its just a temporary change, its fine. However, no matter what kind of change of mind she had, he didnt want her to change from the Shizuna she was now. Thats why he vowed to watch her closely to make sure that nothing would change.

Ugh, who the hell do I think I am? Watching her closely from now on? I sound as if Im her boyfriend or something, Ryuichi quietly laughed to himself. Hed accepted Shizunas liking for him, but unfortunately he hadnt developed romantic feelings for her yet.

He knew that their current relationship was wrong in the eyes of society, but since Shizuna herself was the one who wanted it, Ryuichi couldnt be faulted for simply following her wishes.

Ugh, who the hell do I think I am? Watching her closely from now on? I sound as if Im her boyfriend or something

, Ryuichi quietly laughed to himself. Hed accepted Shizunas liking for him, but unfortunately he hadnt developed romantic feelings for her yet.

He knew that their current relationship was wrong in the eyes of society, but since Shizuna herself was the one who wanted it, Ryuichi couldnt be faulted for simply following her wishes.

By the way, Shizuna; do you know what gyarus are like?

Totally~.

There were a fair number of gyarus, or showy girls if you will, in their class. So it seemed Shizuna was trying to become one of them, but apparently Shizunas idea of gyarus was a bit dated.

Totally

Totally?

It seemed Shizuna wanted to know about Ryuichis relationship with his family. Hed already told her that his parents had died, but not how theyd spent their lives together.

For Ryuichi, it was something he didnt particularly want to be reminded of, but there was no point in fussing over it now since somebody else already knew about it, anyway.

Well, mines a bit more shitty than your average Joe. Still wanna hear it?

I want to know more about you, Ryuichi-kun. No matter what it may be. Of course, if you dont want to talk about it, its okay.

That should be my line. Im asking if you really want to hear a story thats not really nice or enjoyable to hear.

When he asked her that, Shizuna mumbled that she was okay. Ryuichi nodded and began to talk.

He told her of his childhood when his father and mother did not love him, and after their deaths, his fathers parents took him in but kept him away from them as if he were a tumor, which was why he lived alone now.

Just as Ryuichi had said, it was by no means an enjoyable story. Shizuna didnt seem to have regretted having heard it, but he could tell she was biting down on her lip, and quite painfully at that.

Hey, hey, whyre you doing that Well, I guess this is just another form of your kindness, huh. Dont make that kind of face for this bastards sob stories.

Youre not a bastard, Ryuichi-kun Youre definitely not a bastard!

Shizunas voice was loud as she denied him, shouting that he wasnt a good-for-nothing bastard. Her voice echoed loudly in the quietness of the park. Shizunas eyes were serious as she looked at Ryuichi, whose eyes were wide in shock, which made it clear that she was serious about him.

You really are light itself. It feels like youd be able to illuminate anything, no matter how dark it is. Youre one hell of a girl, Shizuna.

I just I just want to be able to illuminate you, Ryuichi-kun. Thats all that matters.

Youve illuminated me plenty enough. At least more than that dirty little street lamp over there that looks like its going to break at any moment.

Ryuichis gaze fell on a street lamp that was flickering, seemingly about to go out. Shizuna laughed at the simile, but quickly leaned in toward Ryuichi again.

Ill say this again and again, Ryuichi-kun. Ill stay by your side for as long as I can. I want to be there for you, and I wont change my mind no matter what anyone says, because Ive made that decision of my own volition.

I see.

Yes!

Almost unconsciously, Ryuichi hugged Shizunas body. Under the slightly chilly sky, the warmth of her body was comforting.This makes yet another thing shes found out about me, Ryuichi thought as he looked up at the starry sky.

Almost unconsciously, Ryuichi hugged Shizunas body. Under the slightly chilly sky, the warmth of her body was comforting.

This makes yet another thing shes found out about me

, Ryuichi thought as he looked up at the starry sky.

But this isnt enough.

Hmm?

I want to know more and more about you, Ryuichi-kun. So!

She backed away from Ryuichi and grinned and smiled as if she was scheming something. It was such a beautiful smile, but since he knew she was up to something, Ryuichi unfortunately couldnt admire it in full.

Ill be getting involved with you much more from now on!

S-Sure

Prepare yourselfokay?

Her eyes seemed to show great determination and unbridled feelings for Ryuichi. Shizunas vigor had initially caused Ryuichi to look dumbfounded as he replied, but then, grinning like Shizuna did earlier, Ryuichi uttered a suggestion.

Shizuna, got any plans for the weekend?

No, why?

Wanna go out somewhere?

Absolutely.

Her decision had come quickly, almost too quickly, but still they smiled at each other. Thus their plans for the weekend were set.

HamletJr's notes:

I may or may not have to switch to one release every other day (i.e. every two days) for the next two weeks since I've got finals coming up soon. But, who knows. Maybe I'll be able to grind my finals ezpz.

Just wanted to let you know just in case I don't post tomorrow. Thanks for reading, and sorry for the inconvenience!