Shiko takes a deep breath in her home after a rough School week before she hears a giggling getting close to her, It's Hikari, She runs to Shiko and hugs Shiko's legs through her giggles and smiles
Hikari: Shiko-Nee~ Welcome back!~ Shiko looks at her with a warm smile and pets her head. She lowers herself to Hikari's length
Shiko: I'm home Hikari... she puts her forehead on Hikari's, they giggle, a light cough is heard from the side. It's Shiko's father. Laurance. Shiko gets up and lightly smiles at her father. They hug for a couple seconds and let go.
Laurence: Welcome back dear. Your Mother said we'll be sitting for dinner in an hour. I'll be returning to the kitchen with her until then. You two can catch up in your room for a bit. You'll have your second hour after Dinner and I'll get her out of your room when your time is done. He says with a light smile as if everything is A-Okay. Shiko silently nods. Hikari holds her hand as they head up.
About 10 Minutes later, Shiko has washed up a little and gotten into her room with Hikari.
They sit on the bed together facing eachother and start chatting about small things a bit before the topic of school comes up
Shiko: Oh Hikari... I have so much to tell you~ she lightly giggles, Hikari is smiling brightly as always
Hikari: Tell me everything Shiko-Nee! I might not understand everything... but I want to know!~ she giggles and ruffles her own hair
Tell me about that friend of yours I saw! He was like a cool prince!~ she giggles as if she's swooning over a cartoon character
What kind of a person is he??~ Do you love him!? Are you going to be like mom and dad? She gets close as her eyes glisten, Shiko gets red and shakes her head no while giggling a little
Shiko: N-No no... we are just friends.. she takes a breather
Okay, so we "met" on the night of the opening ceremony... He got on stage and basically said all the freshman made a mistake for coming to our school... she sighs, Hikari looks at her with her bright shiny eyes, confused
Hikari: Hm? Why? It's big and nice... she says, not knowing about the bullying and cruelty going on in the school. Shiko hesitantly says..
Shiko: It's.. a good looking school... but most the students are not good people... Hikari looks to be confused, Shiko tickles her a few seconds and make her giggle
They are mostly angry and unresponsible, they should take a few lessons from you to be nice!~ She smiles slightly, Hikari giggles
Hikari: But Shiko-Nee.. Is Kurosaki-San also like that..? She looks at her with the cutest puppy dog eyes, Shiko shakes her head no with a small smile
Shiko: He... is very nice... he's thoughtful, empathetic, poetic, kind, hard-working, disciplined and playful..? she giggles a little
I think he really liked you when he saw you on the day you came with Mother... she starts petting Hikari's hair
He helped me be more confident... I never used to enjoy school, but now I kinda look forward to it... I never spoke properly and was super shy! Unlike you... she boops Hikari on the nose with her fingertip and giggles slightly, Hikari looks at her with glistening eyes
He taught me that I could be strong. That I could stand up for myself... he got me out of my comfort zone and now I actually have 3 real...ish; friends... Hikari giggles and hugs Shiko
Hikari: I can tell you look happy!~ she giggles again and shoves her face in Shiko's chest, she lifts her head up after a few seconds and looks at her
I'm proud of you Shiko-Nee!~ she smiles brightly as Shiko gets slightly teary through her smile
Tell me more!~
Shiko rubs her own eyes slightly and nods
Shiko: He... reads books similar to mine. He has heard of and read my favorite book "The Dark Side of the Moon" even though it's underrated... He also likes my favorite book series and is even further ahead in it than me!~ she giggles
He's gonna give me the next few volumes of the book when I catch up.. she smiles and thinks a bit
We... generally spend time in one of our rooms or outside.. There is a beautiful place in the backyard where we just like going out and think or talk... Hikari looks to be listening with a smile, trying to understand. I mean... she is four years old after all.
H-He even started teaching me self-defense! She giggles, Hikari looks at her with big confused eyes
Hikari: Self...defense...? She looks to have not understand so Shiko thinks a bit and gets up from the bed and in the middle of the room, Hikari watches her, sitting on top of the bed. Shiko takes fighting position.
Shiko: Well... it's to protect myself... Hikari looks at her with curiosity and confusion, Shiko giggles
From... monsters and bugs...? She rolls her eyes with a smile, Hikari nods as if thinking "OH OF COURSE!" Shiko does a few kicks, punches and dodges that she learned from Kuro.
After a few minutes; she stops and gets completely red
T-This must look really stupid alone... normally Kuro helps me by going against me... she giggles as if she's made a fool of herself and comes back on the bed, Hikari giggles and applauds
Hikari: That looks like so fun Shiko-nee!~ I've never seen a girl move like that before!~ she says with glistening eyes, Shiko lets out a breather
Shiko: Even I'm surprised at myself... We get caught up in trying to be a proper girl and forget to simply be ourselves... Hikari looks at her with big eyes, confused, Shiko looks at her and giggles slightly. She hugs her from the side
Don't worry about it. You don't have to understand just yet... she looks at Hikari's face and lightly strokes her cheek
You know, you guide me through tough times at School. When I'm sad, I just think about you... and your starlight eyes brighten up my mood~ she giggles, Hikari smiles brightly
Hikari: That's because I always think of you and smile Shiko-Nee!~ she giggles and jump hugs Shiko. They giggle for a bit and start catching up more until they are called to Dinner.
They go downstairs and head to the dining room, the table is set, food is served and Lisa and Laurance are waiting in their chairs. Lisa looks as if she's in a formal dinner while Laurance is more comfortable yet still serious-ish. Hikari and Shiko let go of eachother as Hikari sits next to their mom while Shiko, sits next to their dad. They say their prayers and start eating in silence for a bit. After a while, Lisa disturbes the silence.
Lisa: So how was your first school week in general Shiko? She says without really looking at her, cutting her steak in a lady-like manner, Hikari never drops a smile from her face. She looks at Shiko. Shiko takes a breather and speaks
Shiko: I-It was the best first school week I've ever had really... since I've made a few friends for once... she says hesitantly, Laurance looks at Shiko, adjusts his glasses a bit and smiles very lightly
Laurance: That's great dear but you know you should be careful not to Studder. Your surname needs to imply confidence and grace you know.. he says and returns to look at his own meal
Lisa: Precisely. I'm curious how you even managed to get friends with that attitude and low volume.. she slowly shakes her head in a slightly disappointed manner, Hikari puffs her cheeks and looks at her mom
Hikari: But Mommy! Shiko-Nee now talks more and I can hear her better!~ she giggles and keeps eating her meal happily, Lisa looks at her and smiles warmly for a split second, then looks at Shiko more seriously
Lisa: I suppose so. We should simply thank Kurosaki-Kun tomorrow evening that he found you friends. She sighs lightly
And I suppose well done once again for making one trustworthy "friend". Shiko takes a deep breath and smiles slightly. Hikari and Laurance both look at Lisa and Shiko
Laurance: Pardon, Who is visiting tomorrow evening? He says, kinda confused, Hikari giggles and smiles brightly
Hikari: Kurosaki-San is coming over??~ Yayyy!~ she giggles once again, Lisa smiles at her and pets her head for a sec so she calms down at the dinner table, Hikari nods and continues eating happily. Lisa looks at Laurance.
Lisa: Sorry for not telling you before Darling, It was a last minute agreement in my part I suppose. He is the respectful boy I told you about that Shiko befriended at her school. He has quite similar opinions as I, Therefor I saw no problem in having him in our home over some dinner. It'll help us get to know him too after all. She says without looking at Shiko, Laurance looks at Shiko himself and smiles slightly.
Laurance: Nice to hear you managed to get a friend. If my dear Lisa approves, I look forward to meeting this young man. Shiko hesitantly nods with a light smile
Lisa: I won't pry and ask questions now. After all; there is no need for that when we'll be able to ask him ourselves. So let us continue our meal in peace and quiet. And so they do. After their dinner, Hikari rushes into her room, Lisa tells Shiko to tidy up the table since she didn't set it up and heads up to the office room with Laurance. Shiko starts tidying the table and doing kitchen chores in silence for an hour or two. She starts humming melody's while doing so. After a while; she gets a text from Kuro.
Kuro: "How's everything going on? :)"
Shiko's eyes open a bit when she realizes she didn't send a location. She quickly sends it over.
Shiko: "I-I'm sorry I forgot to send the location!"
Kuro: "Well thanks but I actually did text to ask how you were doing. Not just the location? Ù©( á )Ù"
Shiko looks at the text and giggles a little
Shiko: "Heh...sorry, just was on edge I guess."
"It's not too bad. We don't talk too much with my family and the only conversation we had during dinner was about your arrival."
"So I suppose you saved me from an awkward meal filled with silence... even if you weren't here.."
"Hikari is really exited to see you again and my father looks forward to meeting you ^^"
She looks at the messages she sent
Shiko: "Was that too many messages...?" She sighs and smiles slightly
"Maybe I just worry to much..."
Kuro: "Heh, glad I could help Ù©( á )Ù"
"Well, gotta go now. I'm spending today doing all my work load for tomorrow afternoon and the day After's morning. Therefor I'll probably be able to sleep at 4AM. Got no time to lose focus.."
"Talk to you later, stay confident..."
Shiko smiles at Kuro's messages
Shiko: "Don't overwork yourself :3"
"See you tomorrow :)"
She closes up her phone and just before she's about to get to finishing up her kitchen-work, Hikari looks in from the corner of the kitchen door
Hikari: Sh-Shiko-Nee...I can't sleep... she sniffles a little and takes a step towards Shiko. She's wearing a cute white and light pink sleeping "gown" as well as bunny slippers. Her hair's small braids are opened, making her hair fluffy, Shiko looks at her and smiles warmly. She takes a few steps towards her, gets on her knees and pets her hair
Shiko: I'm just about to finish up. I'll be in your room in just a bit, okay? She smiles. Hikari's eyes glisten, she quickly nods and runs off up the stairs energetically.
Shiko looks towards where she disappeared and giggles. Just then, Lisa gets down from the stairs and looks at her, Shiko quickly gets up from her knees and fixes her skirt a bit. Lisa gets near her with a disapproving look. She sighs.
Lisa: Done yet? She says, looking straight into her eyes. Shiko gulps and takes a deep breath not to studder
Shiko: Almost mother. I hadn't used up my two hours with Hikari-Chan yet. I'm gonna finish up right now and go to her room to try and help her sleep. She bows very slightly and lifts up her head
Lisa: That's fine i suppose. But do not go past the limit or I will of course send your father to retrieve you and locate you back in your room. She says seriously. Shiko silently nods. Lisa looks at her up and down.
Hikari picked out the dress you're wearing. What have you done to it that it's all...patchy..? She shakes her head with disapproval once again. Shiko's eyes widen slightly since she had forgotten. She quickly lifts up her head and looks at her mother
Shiko: T-The dress was completely ripped and was barely in a situation to be fixed! I couldn't have fixed it and was gonna have to throw it out with no choice... B-But Kuro-... she gulps I mean, Kurosaki-Kun... took it away and fixed it in a very short period of time... she says and slowly looks down as her voice becomes more silent
He knew this was one of my favorites... so he did it without me asking... she adds hesitantly and looks back up at her mom ego looks slightly surprised, she fixes her long white hair
Lisa: I see. That was awfully kind of him. Nice to know that he's a man that can sew. Impressive for someone in that kind of school. She looks at the dress once again but doesn't question the reason it got messed up. She looks back at Shiko.
Don't get it dirty by sitting on the floor then. Finish up here and quickly get your time done with Hikari. She says sophisticatedly, Shiko slightly bows
Shiko: Yes mother... She lifts her head up, her mother heads back up the stairs to the Office Room as Shiko turns around and finishes her work in the kitchen. After about 10 minutes, she heads in to Hikari's room. Only the night light is open in the room and Hikari is waiting in her bed, holding a puffy dog plushie, eyes wide open, Shiko looks at her and smiles warmly. She comes over and sits next to her on the bed.
Shiko: Well then, what might be keeping you from sleeping? She hugs her from the side and starts petting her head softly, Hikari shucks her shoulders unknowingly
Hikari: Maaaaybe because I'm exited..? She giggles slightly, Shiko looks at her kinda confused
Shiko: For what..? She says, Hikari giggles and whispers in Shiko's ear
Hikari Because I'm gonna see Kurosaki-San!~ She stops whispering and giggles cutely, Shiko smiles and lets out a breather, she continues petting her
Shiko: Maybe so.. she giggles slightly
But you want to be happy and energetic when you see him right? That's why you should sleep.. she kisses to top of her head and continues petting, Hikari puffs up her cheeks cute yet grumpily
Hikari: But... I'm always happy and exited.... they look at eachother and both giggle a bit
Shiko: But if you sleep, you have a chance to grow more, rest you body and be strong and healthy in the future~ It's good for you... Hikari snuggles up to Shiko's chest, putting the soft and puffy doggy plushie between them
Hikari: T-Then... will you sing to me...? It always helps me sleep... she says, looking up at Shiko with her big and innocent eyes, Shiko smiles and silently nods. Hikari looks down and takes a breather. She closes her eyes and after a bit Shiko starts singing
The Melody/Song She's Singing: https://youtu.be/-SDeI9o3svE
Her voice is warm and calming, Hikari feels at ease and slowly doses off into dreamland. After Shiko finishes the melody, she looks at her sweetly sleeping sister and kisses her forehead. She slowly gets out of Hikari's arms and fixes up where she was laying. She turns off the light and silently exits the room. She finds Laurance standing across the door, laying his back on the corridor wall. He smiles slightly at Shiko.
Laurance: You had 20 minutes left but I guess that's fine. Shiko slowly nods, Laurance takes a step towards her and strokes her cheek, Shiko's eyes open slightly to see appreciation from either of her parents really. Laurance takes a deep breath.
I'm so happy my dear Lisa made you take a year of speech and vocal lessons. You sounded really clean.. I'm sure you will thank your mother for this in the future... He says with love in his eyes. Yet it's love towards Lisa. Not for her daughter that he has in front of him at the moment. Shiko slowly looks down and sighs.
Shiko: "Thought so..." she looks up at her father and slowly nods. Laurance starts walking back at the office room as Shiko rushes in her room and changes her clothes. After that, she just faceplants onto her bed. It's still kinda early. Maybe around 10PM, so she's not sleepy. She looks at her phone and sighs
"I...Can't Text him... we already Texted today and said see you tomorrow... It'd be awkward... AND he's busy..." she thinks a bit and gets the idea to text Aiko
Shiko: "Hey Aiko... How are you..?^^'"
In about 15 minutes, Aiko finally replies. Shiko who's been resting her eyes quickly checks her messages
Aiko: "Sorry for the late reply... Father closed our internet for a few hours so it'd cost less and they started arguing with my mom. I'm at a cafe now so I can chat for an hour of two ^^"
Shiko looks at Aiko's message, kinda blue
Shiko: "Sorry to hear that... ._."
Aiko: "It's fine. Did you wanna talk about something? â¢~â¢"
Shiko: "Just wanted to chat? Haha..."
She thinks a bit and lights up when she thinks of something
"Your Fake Date with Haru is tomorrow isn't it?~ Did you two plan anything?~"
Aiko: "Ughhh don't remind me!"
Shiko looks at the message and giggles
"I know I'm once again judging without knowing his real past and reasonings... But I mean, this is me. He's gonna make fun of me at some point isn't he..?
Shiko looks at the message and frowns a little
Shiko: "You never know what's gonna happen. Plus you guys are just going to have some fun! Better to think with a side of hope in everything â¢^â¢"
"What have you guys planned? If you don't mind me asking?"
Aiko: "Of course not!~ Well... We are gonna meet at a cafe for coffee or something... talk there a bit, go to the cinema and to the park... He says he wants to walk me back home too but I can't let him see my family's almost run down house..."
Shiko thinks a bit
Shiko: "I'm sure he wouldn't mind... but the day sounds nice!"
"I really hope you both enjoy it and give eachother an ear to listen. If you two don't talk, you'll always have tension between eachother. Talking was what helped me and Kuro... be trusting.. :)"
Aiko: "Heh, thanks Shiko. I better go back home sleep on that... G'night!~ Z Z z z z...."
Shiko: "Night night^^" Shiko giggles and closes her phone. She looks towards the ceiling and sighs.
"Geez... now I'm not gonna be able to sleep."
She takes her book series "The History of the Night" and continues reading. After an
Hour or two, finishes the book and closes everything up to get in her bed.
She looks at the ceiling once again and takes a deep breath before finally closing her eyes.
"Tomorrow is gonna be good... it will..."
After falling asleep, she finds herself falling into an odd, uncomfortable dream. She stutters in her sleep
Shiko: K-Kuro........?
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