Shiko takes Erika to her room. On the way; Erika walks with crossed arms, with an unsure face and eyes wondering around as if she's doing something wrong. Shiko isn't really one to know of small talk so they're mostly silent until they get to her room. They get in, Shiko shows her bed in case Erika wants to sit. So she does. She's averting her eyes from Shiko's. Shiko thinks for a bit and sits besides her. She hesitantly decides to break the silence
Shiko: Nagisa... did win the competition yes... but she didn't play fair... she puts her hand on Erika's leg, Erika looks at her Kuro wanted to help you too... He is kind but doesn't make friends easily... she averts her eyes Not that I'm much different... but we wanted you to be free... so I'd want to be your friend... she slightly lowers her voice No matter what happened in the past... Erika looks away, feeling bad and hesitantly opens her mouth
Erika: This might feel small- But... it's hard for me to say... Shiko looks at her I'm... sorry... and maybe... I'll try being your friend but- getting to know what kind of person I am might take a while... Shiko slowly nods
Shiko: That's alright...(!) Take your time... she lightly smiles, Erika looks at her and feels a bit more guilty, Shiko lightly flicks her forehead, for a sec Erika looks annoyed again
Erika: H-Hey...! Shiko lightly giggles
Shiko: We are restarting this.... I don't want you to feel bad.. Erika hesitantly nods and takes a breather to calm herself When you're being yourself, I'm sure you can make a real friend from Haru.. Erika lifts her eyebrows Kuro might take a while but you need to earn his trust... she thinks a bit Aiko might be a little harder... She also has anger issues and you were a part of who manipulated her and threw blind insults now and then... Erika looks away Wether she forgives you or not will be up to her.. Erika slowly nods
Erika: Haru I already act familiar with HaruHaru... but I guess that never was my authentic self... she thinks for a bit and let's out a laugh like breather, feeling pathetic There's no way Kurosaki would trust me... and- she stops a few seconds to remember her name Aiko...?-San has anger issues...? She looked stupidly determined to be a part of the mean bitches.. Shiko falls silent for a bit with an expression that gives off "we've got a lot of work to do...". Erika noticed what she said Sorry- umm... I don't know if she'd trust me... but I guess.. I want to apologize maybe? Shiko lightly nods once
Shiko: That's- a start... she notifications on her phone and checks it after lifting her finger to say "one second" to Erika. It's messages from Kuro
Kuro: "I'll be in the student council room for a bit. Aiko and Haru are in mine and Haru's room."
"＼＼\Ù©(à¹'^'à¹)Û¶//ï¼ï¼"
Shiko lightly giggles after seeing the messages and the message, Erika looks at her with the corner of her eye. Shiko types back
Shiko: "Alright... I'm talking to Erika in my room. She apologized to me. I'm glad I'm doing this..."
"Though- don't let me keep you from- work? ^^" Maybe I'll bring Erika to you guys's room and we'll meet there when you're done...?"
Kuro: "Perfecto (à¹â¹Ïâ¹à¹)"
Shiko lightly giggles again and close her phone. She looks up to see Erika smirking at her. She gets a little pink and looks around not knowing what to say
Erika: It was your senior lover boy wasn't it?~ her smirk somehow seems real right now, Shiko gets a bit more pink and quickly sits next to Erika
Shiko: W-We are just friends...! She averts her eyes, Erika looks around innocently, not convinced
Erika: Wellll, you would be real cute together? She lightly giggles, Shiko feels herself sinking into where she's sitting, not knowing what to say and getting a bit embarrassed. After looking at her and smiling herself, Erika notices the moment and her expression faded away This... shouldn't be that easy...? How can I talk so casually with you... She falls silent, Shiko snaps out of it and looks at her, she slowly shucks her shoulders once
Shiko: I... don't know? But I think your true self is someone that I'd want as my friend... so I feel comfortable..? I can't say why, but... I trust you. She smiles lightly. Erika looks into her eyes and speaks hesitantly
Erika: And... it's really okay...? Her eyes feel a bit sad, asking for approval. Shiko lightly smiles again and nods
The two girls chat for a bit in Shiko's room. Shiko tells her about what Kuro changed in her, how he deals with her family, what they did whenever Tripple Trouble Caused Problems, how they prepared for the Karaoke competition, what type of person Haru and Aiko really are and more. Of course she left out the YNTK, Yami being Kuro's cousin and everyone's private pasts completely. She had started Erika but those weren't hers to tell. They thought over a lot together, giggled about things, started actually getting to know each other and Shiko didn't know when the last time she talked to someone for so long was besides Kuro, Aiko and barely Haru. Erika also told her about her dreams of wanting to become a singer, her trying to deal with her anger issues with a smile as a mask and how she was seeking the fake safety of Tripple Trouble. After a bit, Shiko tells Erika that they can go to Haru and Aiko now if she'd agree. Though hesitant, she does. They get out of Shiko's room and head towards Kuro and Haru's. On the way, this time Erika looks more distracted rather than overthinking. After they get in front of the door, Shiko looks at Erika who looks somewhat nervous and puts her hand on her shoulder
Shiko: I... think you have places where you could relate to all of us.... Erika looks at Shiko and takes a deep breath, she puts on a smile, Shiko presses into her cheek and shakes her head no. Erika sighs and nods in agreement. Shiko knocks on the door. After a few seconds, Haru opens with a blank expression and looks at Erika up and down. He looks at Shiko and back at her. Erika hesitantly speaks
Erika: Hey- Haru-kun...? She smiles a little nervously. Shiko points at Erika with her eyes, asking for Haru's help, Haru breaks and starts smiling
Haru: Heya Shiko, Erika-Chan!~ he steps aside and shows the way in with her hand Welcome Welcomeee!~ Kuro told me we could maybe have an extra visitor He giggles. Shiko's face shows relief as she lightly pushes Erika's back so they get in. Aiko who's sitting on Haru's bed looks at Erika and her face falls blank
Aiko: What is she doing here?. She looks ticked, Erika averts her eyes. After a few seconds of silence she looks at Haru Did you know she was coming?. Haru hesitantly nods yes. Aiko gets up and goes to her bag to take it and leave, Shiko takes a step forward and hesitantly speaks
Shiko: C-Can we hear her out first... Aiko....? Aiko throws her bag down and looks at Shiko, a little surprised and angry. She starts to yell
Aiko: Why Shiko!? Did you forget she called me names with her two "friends"? She looks at Haru and then back at Shiko who seems to really be struggling with keeping her eye contact while seeing her friend yell They called me names, made me feel worse than I did about my weight with UNORIGINAL insults and lied to me! They Manipulated me into hurting you! Erika doesn't look into her eyes and stays silent. She knows she can't blame Aiko
You know- I'm glad they lied to me. Otherwise I could be like them. What I wanted then but those total ASSHOLES could never make me feel as great as you guys do... Haru also averts his eyes. Shiko looks down a bit
Did you forget SHE she points at Erika was probably the one who almost made you drown!? Are you REALLY gonna forgive her!? Would you just befriend anyone after all!?? Erika takes a step further towards Aiko and looks into her eyes. She speaks with enough volume to not yell over Aiko but get her point across
Erika: Look- she thinks a sec for Aiko's name again Aiko-San.... I'm sorry for things we did and said to you I guess but I was also just trying to protect myself. Aiko looks like her anger is building up but Erika doesn't let her speak Not like we'd have any place else that was as comfortable as Nagisa's side. She rolls and averts her eyes I know some things I said to you were over the line too and you don't have to forgive me but I guess I really am sorry...? Aiko stomps her feet on the ground once. Shiko, Haru and Erika all look in her eyes
Aiko: NO! If you're gonna keep saying "I guess", then YOU DON'T MEAN SHIT. Erika gets mad and takes a few steps closer to Aiko. She stops in front of her and also starts to yell
Erika: HEY! I'm TRYING my best here! I DO mean what I say but DO YOU HAVE, ANY FUCKING IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO APOLOGIZE TO PEOPLE I DIDN'T JUST NOT CAR ABOUT, BUT UNJUSTLY DISLIKED UNTIL AN HOUR OR SO AGO!? Aiko pushes her a bit, Erika pushes back
Aiko: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO FIT IN WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE ME!? OF COURSE NOT! CUZ YOU PRETTY BITCHES ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO GET POPULAR AND FIT INTO THE GOOD PEOPLE SOMEHOW. JUST LIKE HOW YOU'RE FORCING YOUR WAY INTO SHIKO'S LIFE- Erika cuts her off and keeps yelling back, Shiko and Haru look at each other and back at them as it happens so fast
Erika: SHE FORCED HER WAY INTO MINE! I- Aiko charges at Erika's hair and she charges back, Haru immediately gets between and separates them and holds their arms
Haru: LADIES- LADIES- let's take a breather and- Erika and Aiko both look at Haru and yell at the same time
Aiko & Erika: SHUT UP DUMBASS!!. They notice what just happened and slowly look at each other in surprise. Before anything else escalates, Shiko gets near them and puts her hand on Aiko's arm
Shiko: Ai-Chan.... Please give her a chance to speak.... I promise it's going to be alright.... Aiko looks into Shiko's eyes and after a few seconds of silence, she lets herself go, Erika does the same. As a few seconds pass as everyone collects themselves, Haru breaks the silence
Haru: Ouch-
Shiko lightly giggles. Aiko rolls her eyes annoyed and Erika averts her eyes. Shiko sits everyone down and Erika starts explaining how her "friendship" with Erika and even Lucy was like. Tells the others a bit about her mental health and anger issues. Though Aiko hates to admit it, she relates a lot to her. So does Haru to an extent. She tells the others about how she wants to be a singer, how she wants to learn who she really is and that it's hard to admit, she does feel bad. After she's done explaining, silence falls. Until the door is opened and Kuro comes in, everyone looks at him in thought and silence as he walks in and looks back. He looks into Shiko's eyes and sees that she's been fighting to keep everything alright. He smiles lightly and puts his hands in his pockets
Kuro: Well what do we have here?~ Erika averts her eyes and speaks under her breath
Erika: Oh please don't make me re-tell my life story for the third time today... Aiko looks at her, sorta ticked off. She looks back Sorry- the attitude will stay a while... I'll try my best not to cross any lines... Aiko sighs and mumbles
Aiko: You better try damn hard.... Kuro sits next to Shiko, besides them and first looks at everyone, then at Erika again
Kuro: Don't worry, I know what I have to. I won't say I trust you but I have hope you can be better than the face you'd put on. He says somewhat seriously. Erika slowly nods
Erika: Yes... Kurosaki-Kun.... Kuro smirks slightly
Kuro: Thank Shiko for opening me up but Kurosaki is enough. If you want that is. Haru, Shiko and Aiko can call me Kuro but you'll have to earn my trust... Shiko lightly gets pink and smiles, Aiko smirks at her and Haru whistles innocently
Haru: I can call you Kuro-Chan too~ Kuro smacks the back of his head, one of Haru's eyes closes from impact as he says ow. Shiko and Aiko lightly giggle. Erika looks around and smiles lightly, genuinely
Erika: This... is nice.... It feels different than how Nagisa would make me and Lucy feel... Haru looks over at Erika
Haru: Because we are friends. We aren't here for gains and stuff. We all got close this year but we work through things so here we are!~ he smiles gently, Erika looks him up and down
Erika: I never saw you look so mature before Haru-Kun... he cutely does a *awhh shucks!~* pose. Erika flicks the side of his head, he goes "ow!" Again. Shiko giggles and Kuro lightly smirks. Aiko averts her eyes
Aiko: He does that some times..... she looks at Erika, looking a bit determined But don't get any ideas...(!) I know your act familiar with him before too.... Don't actually fall for him now...(!) she says with a lightly annoyed voice. Haru, Kuro and Shiko look at her kinda confused. Erika lightly smirks and looks at Aiko up and down
Erika: Oooo!~ Lil Ai-Chan really feeling the "Ai" huh?~~ (Ai means love in Japanese) she giggles lightly. Aiko looks annoyed
Aiko: You don't get to call me that just yet. She says seriously and averts her eyes, still speaking with determination and what if I am?. Haru looks at Kuro and Shiko excited with a huge smile and back at Aiko, Erika takes a breather
Erika: Of course, I'd stay out of your way... she smiles lightly, Aiko looks at her confused I'm sorry for using the nickname without asking I gue- she stops herself no... I really am sorry... but if you like HaruHaru, good for you. It'll probably work out she giggles lightly and points at Haru who has a huge smile like an idiot on his face, Aiko gets a little pink. Shiko giggles too. Aiko pushes Haru's face towards the side lightly with her hand till he flops to the ground comedically. Haru springs back up with a happy go lucky smile after a few seconds
Aiko: Good to know you won't be a problem... and Aiko is fine... Erika lightly smiles and nods. Aiko looks down and starts looking bothered, Shiko looks at her a little worried
Shiko: Aiko... Are you okay...? She asks sort of hesitantly, Aiko let's out a light sigh and looks up
Aiko: I know you guys just want me to accept this or whatever... she looks at Erika but is she ready to? Erika looks down and her face falls blank After being by Nagisa and Lucy so long, do you think she can just give up that "power" and just act like one of us? Without trying to put up a front in front of the other students...? Has she even talked to the other two? I doubt it... a few seconds pass in silence, Kuro smirks lightly
Kuro: I can be besides her as she talks to Nagisa. The other students most likely wouldn't stare at her without Nagisa being around either. His expression disappears as he looks into Erika's eyes. Similar to how Yami's eyes become. Erika looks at him and gulps How she treats us in public will be up to her. But would defeat the purpose if she isn't being herself... Haru puts his arm around Kuro and ruffles his hair from the side. Kuro's expression comes back but he looks at Haru sorta playful annoyed
Haru: Cmooon Kuro-Chan!!~ We just said friendship shouldn't have a direct purpose or whatever!~ Kuro smacks Haru away from himself and Haru flops to the ground in a *knock out* pose again. Kuro rolls his eyes with a light smile. Aiko and Shiko lightly giggle under their breaths. BErika raises her voice for a sec
Erika: I- everyone looks at her, she lowers her voice a bit promise(!) I'll try my best to be and discover myself... I might- struggle now and then and say things I shouldn't... so please warn me when that happens... she lowers her head a bit, Aiko sighs and reaches over to flick Erika's forehead. Erika goes *ow*. Shiko lightly smiles
Aiko: Thanks to you guys- I guess... I had to go through my guilt of hurting Shiko before as we got close... I will forgive you- some day... Don't be so closed in now though, it's creepy.. Erika averts her eyes, slightly annoyed Now just go talk to your two "ex-friends" Erika nods slowly, Shiko holds out her two fist like *you got this*, Kuro gets up with Erika and looks at Haru, Aiko and Shiko sitting down. He lightly smiles
Kuro: Shiko... I leave the other two to you... he lightly pets her hair. She gets a bit pink and nods, Haru sulks, Kuro smirks at him and Aiko lightly giggles. Him and Erika get out and close the door. Few seconds pass in silence before Erika breaks it
Erika: You sooo like her~ she says with a light smirk, Kuro fixes up his close casually
Kuro: I don't know what you're talking about. he says with neutral expression and starts walking. Erika holds her hand on her back and walks besides him while holding her smirk
Erika: Oh come onnn!!! You definitely have a crush on her, it's too easy to see!~ And she clearly likes you too so why don't y'all just go out already!!!!?~ Kuro looks at her with the corner of his eye
Kuro: I... don't really understand crushes.. Erika puffs her cheeks and glances away But I don't think you've got it right... Shiko is simply not used to friends. Nor am I and I don't like you prying so much either.. Erika crossed her arms and sighs as they approach Lucy who's looking at her phone on the corridor of the girls dorms, next to a door. She seems a bit tired.
Erika: Fine fiiine... she rolls her eyes, Lucy looks up from her phone and spots Erika. She looks at Kuro and back at her as they get besides her
Lucy: Eri-Chan...? What're you doing with him? She raises one eyebrow, Erika seems to be getting a bit nervous. Kuro puts his hands on his pockets and looks away to let the conversation be. Erika takes a deep breath
Erika: Lucy... I'm- out. Lucy looks at her confused and puts her phone in her pocket I'm tired of being a side bitch to someone who just uses me... Ghostie talked to me a little and introduced me to her friends and... it's not at all like how Nagisa-San makes us feel. I know you know what I mean, you should get out of this too... I- Lucy cuts her off and raises her hand in front of her to stop Erika from talking. Her expression looks somewhat confused and annoyed
Lucy: Stop- have you lost your mind? Joining the losers? Are you asking for trouble? There's literally no way you can stay safe in this school without being Nagisa-San's bitch. People would do a lot to be in our position. She lets out a short sigh like laugh You can't possibly be serious. I know you aren't that boring or stupid. Erika clicks her tongue and averts her eyes
Erika: You're the one who's stupid. Lucy takes a step towards her, annoyed. She's taller than Erika
Lucy: What?. Erika looks into her eyes and slightly smirks
Erika: You know just as well as I do that Nagisa-San doesn't respect or care for us a SINGLE bit. She doesn't see us as friends, insults and uses us, orders us around and we just LET her. Lucy doesn't say anything I'm waking up bitch. She taps Lucy's chest once I'm. twice out. And takes a step back
And I hope you wake up soon too... maybe then Nagisa-San will see our worth after losing both of us. Lucy averts her eyes as Erika continues walking and Kuro follows. A few seconds pass in silence
Kuro: If Nagisa asks for you back and "apologizes", What will you do?. He asks kinda seriously, Erika looks at him as they walk, in thought
Erika: I... am not trying to play friends with any ulterior motives like that... I would have before but- I'm waking up. She's toxic. I wouldn't go. Kuro lightly smirks
Kuro: Good. They slowly approach Nagisa's door. Erika looks at it a bit in silence and hesitantly knocks. Kuro steps aside besides the door so Nagisa doesn't see him. Nagisa opens the door and looks at Erika up and down, she looks annoyed
Nagisa: Ugh. Where the hell were you dumbass? Erika averts her eyes Thanks to you listening to me(~), everything went perfectly and I was victorious!~ she hair flips and looks at Erika up and down and looks a bit disgusted You look like a mess, why aren't you happy? I thought you'd be over your pathetic little temper tantrum by now? Erika clicks her tongue, annoyed. Nagisa's eyebrows raise and mouth open a bit like saying *this bitch- istfg*. Kuro takes a step to the side and turns to Nagisa from behind Erika. Nagisa's face gets overcome with shock as she doesn't know how to react. Kuro smirks a little. Nagisa looks at Kuro and back at Erika
Erika?. Speak. She says as she starts getting angry. Before she says anything, Kuro does
Kuro: She deserves better than you. So she's waking up. One of us now. Nagisa looks speechless. Surprised, angry, confused
You didn't treat her like a human. You didn't treat her as your equal. This is your fault. Told you. Erika looks up at Kuro and back at Nagisa and quickly starts to speak thinking if Kuro continued, Nagisa would get more agree
Erika: I-... am tired of staying besides you and doing your dirty work... You never respected me or Lucy but Gho- she stops herself Shiko(!), despite everything, talked to me. She tried to understand why I was the way I was and showed me how STUPID I was to stick besides you when you were holding me back. A few seconds pass in silence before Nagisa starts laughing as if she's losing her mind. Erika feels her blood boil and falls silent, Kuro loses expression
Nagisa: Y-You really think YOU are NOT being manipulated right now!? Why the HELL would they forgive you!? She says while raising her voice and looking mid laugh, almost going crazy They would have an end goal and throw you away when they're done!~ I wouldn't take you back either!~ You think I need you!??? You'd just be alone!!~ Erika gets a bit teary and takes a step back. Kuro gets between her and Nagisa
Kuro: We aren't you. Nagisa looks at him and stays silent as her eye twitches from anger We don't work that way. He lowers himself to Nagisa's face level and smirks ever so slightly She's on our side now. Not because of me. Not because of Shiko. But because you mistreated her. He stands up straight and loses expression You've got no one else to blame. Now let's see how long your other "friend" can stand you. He looks at Erika, signals the hallway with his head and starts walking. Erika looks at Nagisa, not knowing what face to make. She quickly follows Kuro and catches up. Nagisa slamming her door is heard after a loud grunt behind them as they start walking towards the stairs to go to the boys dorms floor to return to Kuro and Haru's room. Erika walks while looking down
Erika: Thank you....... Kurosaki... Kuro looks at her with the corner of his eye and replies with a neutral expression
Kuro: My pleasure... Erika. Erika lightly smiles and they return to where they started, they get in and Haru, Aiko and Shiko who were playing a video game look at Erika. Haru stops the game. Shiko gets up and rushes in front of them
Shiko: So... how did it go...? She asks hesitantly but with hopeful eyes. Erika averts her eyes silently and Kuro smirks slightly
Kuro: She's free now... she really hang in there. Shiko's face fills with relief and she hesitantly hugs Erika. Erika gets slightly teary and slowly hugs back. Haru and Aiko get up and sit on the bed after closing up the game and lightly smile. Shiko looks at Erika who's still averting her eyes
Erika: I don't wanna look so weak in front of you guys. I don't usually cry like this... Shiko shakes her head no with a light smile
Shiko: You're feeling genuine emotions... You aren't weak... we don't have to be or feel weak... Erika looks at her You're one of us now... Kuro's smirk turns into a genuine smile. Erika hesitantly nods and goes to sit across Haru and Aiko. Kuro looks at Shiko up and down and smirks slightly again
Kuro: Look who's taking leads, forming bonds, fixing lives and talking confidently~ Shiko gets a little pink while
Smiling and averts her eyes. Kuro lightly ruffles her hair I'm proud of you... he says in a light, comforting voice. His ruffling turns into petting. Shiko lightly giggles and looks further down, feeling safe
Shiko: "I feel the warmth of his hand... it feels... nice..." she thinks, distracted. Erika whistles towards them, they look over
Erika: Ello love biiirds~ Can we get back to chatting if you two are done with your flirting? She smirks lightly, Haru puffs his cheeks
Haru: Hey..(!) I should have said something like that... Erika lightly giggles, Aiko bumps to Haru from the side while not looking. Shiko looks at them with a pink face, not knowing what to say. Kuro rolls his eyes with a slight smirk and puts his arm on Shiko's shoulder. Shiko gets more red
Kuro: We weren't flirting. Now scoot over. He brings Shiko over and sits her between Erika and himself. He takes his arm away. Erika looks around and her smirk grows. She puts her elbows on her knees and face in her hands. She playfully giggles. The others look at her, confused.
Erika: Now!!~ It's time to play Cupid!~ she says sneakily
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