Kuro: "This is really bad... If this was a normal school we could just report this to the student council, teachers or the principal... but in here, nobody could possibly care..." he looks at Shiko
Shiko: What am I going to do.....? She says silently, stuttering
Kuro gets near Shiko and stands her up slowly
Kuro: The bathroom looks fine... you should go wash up a little... I'll stay near the door so nobody comes in. He says looking to the side
"This isn't really my business but i can't just leave her alone like this. That would be too cruel. I'm not like my family."
Shiko: B-but.... what could i wear after... practically everything is gone... she looks around trying to find clothes to wear, she finds one single white jeans but doesn't even look at it much, trying to look for other stuff. Kuro lifts up the jeans and looks at it.
Kuro: What's wrong with this? It looks like nothing happened to it? He says while looking at the completely fine and unhurt Jeans, Shiko looks over
Shiko: My mother bought it for me few moths ago because my sister thought it would look nice.. But no girl in this school ever wears pants... no matter how tomboyish they are. I don't want people making fun of me more than they already do... Plus they would just look funny on me.. she averts her eyes
Kuro holds the jeans in front of Shiko
Kuro: Hmmm, I think they would suit you?~ he smiles a little unconsciously
Shiko blushes a little and takes it from him
Shiko: W-Wouldn't matter. I still don't have a shirt.. she says silently
Kurosaki thinks for a second
Kuro: Oh, I think I have some shirts from freshmen year in my dorm. I'm sure some would fit you... looks at Shiko up and down
Well, fit you enough at least? He giggles slightly
Shiko hesitantly pushes Kuro a little and Puffs her cheeks slightly
Shiko: N-not funny..! She looks away
Kuro's eyes open wide
Kuro: You are opening up! That was friendly! He says with surprise
Shiko blushes a little gets in the bathroom, taking the jeans with her
Kuro giggles and speaks to the bathroom door
Kuro: Not that it works, but I'm gonna close the main door temporarily and go see what shirt I can find that you could wear. It won't take long, will you be fine by then? He says from the other side of the door
Shiko: Umm... S-sure. Take you time... she says with slight worry
Kuro leaves and closes the broken door as convincingly stable as he can, he goes up to his room to find something for Shiko while Shiko takes a shower.
Shiko: "Are we....friends..? Is that what it is...? I've, never had a friend before..." she falls in thought while washing herself
She shakes some water off and leans on the wall
Shiko: "No.... he saved me many times since we met. There has got to be a catch. What does he want? What can I even give to him? Why did he even pick me to do... whatever he is trying to do..!?" She turns the water off and takes a deep breath
Shiko: I am just so confused... What people say about him don't match up with how he behaves... she starts to talk to herself out loud.
Shiko: Could this all really be just an act...? I didn't expect Haruka-San to be a bully but he kinda is I...think..? Could Kurosaki-kun be the same...? She says silently to herself
Kurosaki comes back in the room wearing different and dry cloths while holding a clean and small-ish black t-shirt/top. He hangs it on the bathroom's door and starts tidying up the room a little
Shiko opens the hairdryer and starts drying her white, smooth, hair, her body wrapped in a big towel
Kurosaki makes the bed and puts all of the ripped and painted clothes in a basket and starts cleaning the broken glass shards around, silently with a blank expression
Kuro: "Nothing could simply prevent this from ever happening again. It's not like we can get rid of the people who do these things either.. What could we do... What could I do?"
He slowly finishes cleaning the broken things and starts picking up the books from the floor
Shiko opens the door and sees the top that Kuro brought. She takes it inside and re closes the door immediately. After a minute of two, she gets out of the bathroom.
Kuro turns to her.
She looks... different. She is wearing white jeans and a plain black oversized-ish shirt that is only slightly big on her. It's a little loose on the shoulders and too long at the bottom of the shirt. The jeans still fits perfect tho.
Kurosaki's eyes widen, he grins.
Kuro: Wow... I was right! Pants do suit you!~ he smiles a little and puts the books he's holding on the bed
Shiko blushes slightly and looks at the shirt
Shiko: I...am really grateful... It's just that it's a little loose.. she averts her eyes
Kuro: Hmm... Wait, give me a sec he gets a little closer but Shiko backs off a little out of instinct
Shiko: W-What are you gonna do?
Kuro: Heh, don't worry. I don't bite, I'm just gonna fix you up a little. he giggles a little as he rolls his eyes, Shiko silently nods and hesitantly looks away
Kuro pulls the upper sides of the shirt parallel to Shiko's shoulders so it's like a shoulderless shirt. He pulls a little from the bottom and ties the two sides of the shirt in a knot so it becomes shorter and more fashionable. He backs away and smiles a little with pride. He opens the closet door to show Shiko a mirror, Shiko looks in it and her eyes glisten.
Shiko: T-this looks great! How did you...- she stops, realizing that she wouldn't know how to finish the sentence
Kuro giggles slightly
Kuro: It's just a few things I saw on TV, nothing much. Just thought it would come in handy some day I guess? He rubs the back of his neck, smiling a little
Shiko looks around the room, seeing that it's around half tidied up, she lets out a small gasp and walkes further in the room, past Kuro
Shiko:Â Y-You didn't have to do this... it's not your responsibility... she says silently
Kuro looks at her
Kuro: My apologies that I did this without asking, I suppose I was simply doing it out of habit? I'm the one cleaning around the house at my home... so, yea... he looks around in the room
Shiko takes a deep breath
Shiko: Well, I appreciate your kindness.. But could you not help me out so much? I don't like being in debt... I have nothing to give you and I feel bad when you help me so much and I don't do anything... she says silently
Kuro thinks for a sec
Kuro: Let's talk about this, after a little tidying shall we? He says trying to keep a calm and steady mood, he smiles very slightly,
Shiko looks at him and silently Nods. She starts putting the books on the shelves with an order while Kuro fixes the nightlights.
Kuro: You're gonna need new light bulbs. I may have some in my room. If you want, I can give them to you tomorrow.. he says without giving it much thought, Shiko silently hums in agreement.
With the corner of his eyes, Kuro sees a book under the bed, seems to have slipped away from the other ones on the ground
Kuro: Oh, we missed this. He bends and looks under the bed. There is a book called "History of the Night", a locked notebook that seems to be like a diary and a violin case
Hm? He takes out the diary and the book. Shiko turns to him and sees the diary, her eyes widen slightly
Shiko: U-Ummm, Please don't open that... she says silently
Kuro smiles slightly and gives her the diary without looking, his eyes on the book, Shiko looks confused. She gets closer.
Shiko: Is... something wrong..? She first looks at the book, then at Kuro, He smiles lightly
Kuro: Heh, I love this book!~ he giggles a little, Shiko looks surprised
Shiko: W-What? Are you...sure you aren't confusing it with a different one? This one is a part of a tragic drama-romance series... it's not that popular either...
Kuro: rolls his eyes and giggles Nope, I'm sure! I bought the fifth book of the series last week actually... he ruffles the back of his hair
Shiko: F-Fifth? The one your holding is the third book! Y-you are further in than me? She says in surprise still kinda silent for a person who's shocked
Kuro: I guess so he takes a look around in the book
Shiko: I couldn't find the forth book so I'm stuck... she frowns a little and looks away
Kuro: Oh, if you want, you can come over to my room to read some time? Or I can just let you borrow. He closes the book and puts it next to the others on a shelf
Shiko hums with agreement and returns to tidying. She puts her diary  in a drawer and locks it
Shiko: "I couldn't come over. That would be... dangerous. Why am I even opening up to him so much. He keeps calling me an acquaintance anyway.. So that means we aren't friends. Not that I would know what that's like..."
Kuro sits on the bed and looks at the basket of ruined clothes in the corner of the room
Kuro: What are you planning on doing with those clothes? Most of them don't look like they could be fixed or cleaned.. he says while looking at them from afar with a blank expression
Shiko finishes what she's doing and goes near the basket to look at them closer, she sits on her knees, next to them
Shiko: You.... may be right... in fact, I feel like none of this could be undone.. she sighs and looks down
Kuro gets close and sits next to her, looking at the basket, he goes through some of the clothes, Shiko looks at him
Shiko: D-Don't...! Don't even bother.. I'm just gonna throw all of these away. she says silently
Kuro takes out the dress that Shiko wore the night of the yearly announcement ceremony thingy. It's ripped all over but doesn't have any paint on it. Shiko looks at the dress and gets teary.
Kuro smiles lightly, Shiko looks at him
Shiko: Why........ why are you smiling..? She says with a shakey voice, Kuro looks at her
Kuro: Can I take this for a while? I promise I'll bring it back. He says and looks back at the dress, Shiko looks away
Shiko: Do whatever you want...
"even though I'm scared about what it is you're gonna do and it's kinda creepy that you'd even take the dress of someone you met two days ago... Damn it... I can't read him at all.." Kuro nods and gets up, he puts the dress in his bag and takes a look at the door
Shiko gets up from the floor and sits on her bed
Shiko: Looks like I won't be getting any sleep anytime soon... I guess some things aren't gonna change.. she says, thinking to herself out loud while looking down. Kuro looks at her.
Kuro: Come on.. Lift your head and look around the room. He sits next to her
Shiko lifts her head and looks at Kuro, she moves a little away from him on the bed while still sitting on it.
Shiko: What do you mean....? She averts her eyes
Kuro: Did you already forget how the room was when we first came here? Things might not be fixed completely but it's changing. It's better now and in a few days it may be as good as new? He slowly looks away
Try to look on the bright side...
"What am I saying........?"
We could change the door with a safer and harder door. One that wouldn't break. I'm sure nobody would care.
Then we could remove your room number from the side of the door and it would give the impression that this isn't a dorm room anymore to your bullies. You'd just have to be careful that they don't see you getting in and out of here.. he looks away after talking so much and looks down in thought.
"Why am I doing this? This has nothing to do with me and it's just extra work. One that i don't have to do! I'm not even positive myself. I may feel bad for her for being a mad victim to the system but why should I be the one to fix her problems?! Why don't I just stop!? Ugh... I've got to relax a while to think myself through."
Shiko looks at him with glowing eyes, trying to stop her hope from showing in her eyes, not really succeeding
Shiko: Y-you're right! That may actually work...! She also looks down
"I... have to ask him... about the rumors.. Otherwise how much I open up would be very limited... even if  I open unintentionally.."
Umm... thank you, for helping me fix up the room.. she says silently
Kuro messages someone from his phone and smiles slightly. He turns to Shiko.
Kuro: You're welcome. He says with a blank tone and stand up
Hey, both of us are practically missing all of our lessons today. So, you wanna go to the backyard to the small playground? He puts his hand in his pockets
Since the young classes are in their lessons, it's probably empty. It's a good place to just sit around, think and... talk.. he says while looking at the door from the side of the bed with a blank expression. Shiko looks around.
Shiko: Wouldn't it... be a bad idea though...? People could come in and...mess the room up all over again.. she says silently
Kuro: I doubt whoever did this would think that we are here and fixed it already. Even if they do come. We could fix it again. He looks at Shiko and smiles very very lightly. She lifts her head up and forces a small smile. She gets up.
Kuro: Oh, you should probably get your violin though. Seems whoever was in here didn't find it but if they do come back; would be best not to risk it. I just saw it by coincidence anyway.. walks towards the door
Shiko: O-oh! Right... she bends under the bed and takes her violin case. Kuro takes his own bag.
They both get out of the room and close the door as shut as they can. They walk down the stairs and get to the back of the school, to the small playground. Shiko puts her violin in a close corner and they both sit on the swings. The playground is small compared to the one is front of the school and it's more in the shadow rather than in open sun. It only has two swings, a slide, a seesaw and a small climbing wall.
They both slowly start swinging slightly. A few moments pass
Shiko: You're right... this does feel like a nice place to think... So silent compared to the places where students are around.. It feels...- she speaks in a soft and calm tone before Kuro cuts her off
Kuro: Safe. He says surely without hesitation. Shiko looks at him.
It feels apart from the school. Away from all the bullies... away from this messed up system. He looks down while swinging
Shiko: "That's... exactly what i was thinking...." She also looks down
Hey, Kurosaki-kun..? Can I ask you some things...?
Kuro hums with approval and looks at her with the corner of his eye, Shiko keeps looking down
Shiko: I've heard many rumors about you and... would like to clarify..
Kuro hums with approval again
Shiko: Well, before hearing anything from anyone else, I simply knew you as a troublemaker that had mixed ways regarding the system..
Kuro: And? He says with a blank tone and looks at Shiko with a blank expression as she keeps looking down
Shiko: Well, I wasn't too far of but my personal thoughts are and will keep changing.. "probably at least.."
as for some rumors, Well.. she takes a breather and continues, trying her best not to speak too silently
I heard that you kinda... seduce people and make them fall for you, use them, embarrass them and make them quit the school after your psychological abuse................? She says with hesitation as her voice slowly fades into silence
Kuro looks at her surprised, Shiko looks at him when he doesn't say anything. Kuro suddenly bursts laughing unintentionally looking like a cute child! Shiko blushes slightly
Shiko: W-whats so funny..!? She says louder than her usual tone
Kuro: Oh! That's priceless!~ Where did you even hear that? He keeps giggling
Shiko: L-Lucy-San.... told me so... she looks on the ground, embarrassed, she keeps slowly swinging
Kuro: No-nonono-no. That was a guy in my class when I was in Freshman Year! I hated him actually. He hurt so many people... A slave above the system. Would play around with people's hearts all the time. Was kind of like the male version of Nagisa. He sighs, takes a breather and looks on the floor
You shouldn't believe in Lucy or Erika. They are kind of like her pets after all... he looks back at Shiko as she looks down. She lets out a sigh of relief
Shiko: Yea... I suppose you're right... then off to the next rumor. Takes a deep breath
I heard in sophomore year you let someone drown during a beach trip...? Even though you were the only one around...? She hesitantly looks at Kuro
Kuro first looks at Shiko and then silently at the floor
Shiko: "Please.... let this one be a lie too....... I don't know you, but i want to trust you........"
Kuro: I.... suppose it may have come out that way........... he says silently to Shiko's surprise
Shiko: W-What..........? She says with slight fear in her voice, while looking at Kuro
Kuro: I mean, sure.... I was near the shore while he was in the water. But I was not the only one around. People were even swimming near him but when they saw him struggling, they just didn't care or couldn't carry him so they just swam away. They didn't even think of it as cruel. It wasn't my place then, so I called to the lifeguard and we both went to get the struggling student. When we took him out to the shore, we both quickly realized it was too late and he was already gone. He stops his swing and silently looks down
Shiko looks at him, stops her swing and stays silent
Shiko: "Oh...... it, wasn't his fault... in fact, the people around who didn't care are way more cruel."
Shiko: Why.... do people think you let him go...? She says hesitantly
Kuro: The lifeguard was scared. Scared of losing his job. So he got up and screamed. Everyone looked at us and he just said loudly; "How could you just let him die!? You were so close yet you simply just stood there and didn't even call me! And NOW you show me this!? I would report you to the police if i didn't feel bad for you!". I couldn't say anything. I already knew not to trust any human on this trashy planet. Yet I was caught off guard. That's why his words are still in my mind. He sighs
He didn't report anything. Just made everyone scared of me. He says in a way that seems pissed of still, he even looks kinda mad.
I mean. I might as well be responsible. I was still the swimming captain even then. I shouldn't have thought about my place and rushed to save him. I probably could have even tho the lifeguard was there. Even if I didn't like the struggling student. He sighs
Remember the cruel guy from the first rumor? He was the one drowning. Because of a simple leg cramp. Karma got the best of him. But the worst part was......... I didn't feel bad for not saving him... at least not after a day or two... he slowly kicks the ground a little
I'm... the worst. He closes his eyes, mad at himself. Shiko gets kinda teary after Kuro finishes his story
Shiko: "I....I shouldn't have brought this up... I just made him feel bad... he's just been helping me non-stop and I made him feel like a murderer!......"
I'm..... sorry. She looks away, Kuro takes a deep breath, opens his eyes and looks at her
I'm sorry for bringing this up.. she slowly looks at Kuro but gets shocked for a second as Kuro starts petting Shiko's head without realizing. Shiko blushes slightly.
Shiko: K-Kurosaki-Kun....? What are you... doing...? She says silently as she looks down, Kuro stops for a second and looks in her eyes, he was just staring blankly a minute ago. He only then realizes what he was doing and takes his hand away
Kuro: I-I apologize... I just kinda zoned out I guess. Please, don't be sorry. You didn't do anything after all. I di- Shiko looks in his eyes and actually cuts him off
Shiko: No! You didn't! It wasn't your fault! She says in a regular tone without even thinking about it
Kuro smiles a little. Warmly...
Kuro: Wow... I can't believe how much I've cracked you in two days.. he giggles
You couldn't even utter a word not too long ago. Yet here you are, actually having a conversation with a school troublemaker, in your  words~ he smirks a little
Shiko puffs her cheeks a little
Shiko: W-would you prefer that I stayed silent like before? Hmph...
Kuro giggles
Kuro: Naah, I like this sas on you. Even tho you don't show it that much. He starts swinging a little again and Shiko joins his pace
You know, the only thing the Student Council said which was true was the one thing that people didn't pay much attention to... he sighs
He says "be at your best." But I see it as, "Be the best you, you can be." He looks over at Shiko
This school doesn't really offer you much chance to be yourself tho, does it..? He sighs with a small giggle, shiko also giggles.
Shiko: Oh you are definitely right about that~ her tone isn't really silent anymore, just calm
Kuro: Soooo, any more rumors you're curious about? He smiles innocently
Shiko thinks but shakes her head no.
Kuro: Well then, Can I have some requests of you?
Shiko stops swinging for a second and anxiety glosses over her ever so slightly, she hesitantly nods and takes a deep breath to collect herself. Kuro looks at her.
Kuro: Let me teach you how to fight.
Shiko looks at Kuro with shock in her eyes for a second and then let's out a small laugh, mocking herself
Shiko: F-fight? Me..? I couldn't possibly! Even if I wanted to... giggles, slightly making fun of herself
Kuro: No no, hear me out. I'm not gonna ask much. I've learned your reflexes are pretty good and if I teach you a few techniques you might be able to protect yourself. Which would be in your favor!~ I'm being serious.. he looks at Shiko and nods seriously
Shiko: I.... I don't know... she averts her eyes
I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. I'm not capable of such things... I'd just end up hurting myself and causing more trouble for you.. she rolls her eyes with a slight smile
Kuro: I just ask of you to give it a try. I won't force you after that. Okay..? He looks in Shiko's eyes with a silent and small smile. Shiko let's a breath out and nods.
Now, as for the second request-
Shiko: Why do you get requests while I get questions again? She smiles a little, a smile mixed with a small smirk. Surprising of Shiko.
Kuro giggles.
Kuro: Because I'm not asking for tough stuff and I saved you a few times. Now~
The second request is that you let me teach you to swim. At least a little.. Shiko looks startled
Shiko: N-no.... I can't... fighting maybe I can try but I don't want to go in water.... I'm... afraid.. she looks away
Kuro: Look, I don't know what happened to you with water. But that's a story for another time. I believe that you could  swim. Since you were alive while I found you; it proves you have a capable lung capacity! I've taught many people before. Believe me if you gave it a go you could get it in no time.. Shiko looks silent
Shiko: "W-What if I really do drown.......? This isn't really comfortable..."
Kuro looks at her closely
Kuro: I won't let anything happen to you in my watch. Believe me when I say that you can learn. It would certainly be a card less in all your bullies's hands. He smiles a little, Shiko looks at him with hesitation. She thinks for a while and takes a deep breath.
Shiko: C-could we maybe start learning in somewhere.... ummm...
More shallow than the swimming pool...? She unconsciously looks with Puppy Eyes, Kuro smiles and nods
Kuro: Now, for my currently last request...or, a question more so. he turns his head in front of himself and looks at Shiko with the corner of his eyes, he smirks very slightly
Shiko: Y-Yes..? She says slightly nervous that it may be tougher than swimming. Kuro stands up from the swings and stands in front of Shiko. She stops swinging and looks at him with curiosity
Kuro: Do you........want to be more than just acquaintances? He says with an expression between a smile and a smirk
......................