The second meeting was brief, a short recap and second introduction to the school, though this time staff led. Upon their release, students were reminded that the rest of the week would be filled with an initial meeting at the same time followed by various events and meetings. From magic clubs to community service opportunities, students were encouraged to attend all events that they could to get a glimpse at the full scope of what the GATE Academy had to offer.
As for Shizuo and friends, they went their separate ways until meeting back up to make their way into town. They decided to go to a fancy Italian restaurant, agreeing to dress accordingly. Opal had made a point that she didn't have any formal clothes on hand yet, but Falen and Iris jumped at the opportunity to take her to the mall for the first time. Since Falen had her car already, the group had decided to just take two cars instead of the train, the girls to meet the guys at the restaurant. Before Shizuo could bring up Kane not fitting in his car, Kane promptly reminded him that he could just use a portal to get there and back, only having to step outside of the school's barrier to do so.
After a few hours, the guys had made their way to the restaurant and settled down at their reserved table, waiting on the girls to arrive. As it turned out, they had went all out and decided to get their makeup done professionally after shopping for Opal's outfit. Kane happily picked at the unlimited bread rolls set out for them, stabbing through and holding them at the end of his claws.
"I apologize if this comes off as rude, Kane, but why didn't you dress up again?" Mizu asked, taking the time to neatly spread butter onto his rolls.
Kane shrugged, "I think I look good."
Kane looked down at his black t-shirt with a tuxedo graphic printed on it.
"Damn right you do, man!" Riku reassured.
"Thanks, it beats spending hundreds on an outfit I'll probably rip out of sheer annoyance," Kane remarked.
"I can respect that," Riku added coolly, "Surprised you dressed up though, Keita."
Keita, who was still looking at the menu despite having been there for a good amount already, looked up at Riku to reply. His suit was of Ventusian origin, primarily black, with intricately woven designs of gold and silver to mimic a flow of wind with silver and small streaks of lightning with gold.
"I seldom get a chance to wear these," Keita responded, "It's nice to slip into something nostalgic every once in a while."
"Well I appreciate it, Keita," Shizuo said comfortingly, "It's good to have you around."
Keita looked back down at his menu. He didn't intend to be rude, but struggled to respond to affirmation or praise, "Thank you..."
Eloquently dressed and embellished, the girls arrived fashionably late after the boys' exchanges, being directed to their table by a host. A wave of joking complaints from the male students and deflecting remarks from the latecomers was expected, but an air of liveliness came to fill their side of the restaurant. Over an hour and a half had past between the convivial bunch, but it neared its end as Shizuo received a text from Faith.
As Shizuo glanced down to read his girlfriend's message, Keita spoke to him, a little louder than normal to be heard over the others' conversation, "Is it that time already?"
Shizuo nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket, "Yep, and I best be on my way. Wouldn't want to keep the missus waiting."
Shizuo removed the cloth napkin from his lap and placed it on the table, to which the others had taken notice and came to a respectful hush.
"Faith just texted that she's about to land, that's my cue!" Shizuo called out while rising from his seat.
"Wa-Wait! Are you guys coming back after?" Opal asked while coming off of a hard laugh from the previous conversation.
Shizuo "tsk"-ed, "Probably not. As much as she'd love to see you all again, she'd probably kill me for bringing her here without being dressed up!"
Some of his friends let out "true"s in agreement, knowing Faith's high-maintenance self. Before leaving, Shizuo remembered that he had taken out cash in case he had to leave before paying his bill. Taking out five hundred dollar bills, he set them on the table and winked up at his friends.
"That should about cover us, do what you will with the rest."
Shizuo gave a two-finger salute and turned face to head out, a gentle grin across his face. As his friends cried out thanks and other expressions of gratitude, Shizuo continued on out of the restaurant, extremely grateful that he could bless his friends as he does. It was the little things that mattered to him and he'd feel like a cheat if he didn't give back for all they've done for him.
The drive to the airport was a short fifteen minutes, but Shizuo hoped to not make Faith wait any longer than she needed to. Arriving at the the designated terminal, instead of waiting in his car, he left it at the curbside to catch Faith inside. Not five minutes had passed before a mass of people crowded their way down a set of of escalators and towards the baggage carousels, where Shizuo waited.
Shizuo started walking towards the escalators, searching the crowd for his girlfriend. Spotting her magnificently long, blonde hair peak from the crowd at the top, Shizuo's heart began to race in anticipation. As Faith's sapphire blue eyes scanned her surroundings, she soon caught the hazel gaze of Shizuo. Feeling as if his wings would sprout spontaneously out of sheer bliss, the young male smiled brightly, his girlfriend matching his visible joy.
"Shizuo!!" Faith squealed, raising and shaking her hands down at her boyfriend.
Shizuo pushed through the wave of bodies, apologizing along the way, to meet his girlfriend at the bottom of her descent. As Faith constricted her arms around Shizuo, he lifted her off the ground and stepped to the side, away from the group of people trying to exit. Faith squealed again, laughing while doing so, as Shizuo pulled her aside. Once away from the stream of people, Shizuo tightened their embrace and set Faith back on the ground.
"Faith..." he said softly, staring into her cerulean gaze.
Shizuo ran his hand up behind Faith's head and pulled her into a kiss, warm and deeply passionate, and had long since been in the waiting. In no rush, neither wanted to let the other go. Each could feel the others' heart racing through their tight embrace, each could feel the sense of ease that was brought with the other's lips. At last, they were reunited.
Shizuo was the one to break the kiss, but continued to hold onto Faith, fixing the back of her beautiful blonde hair.
"Faith..." he whispered breathily once more, his eyes trailing up from her lush, pink lips to her eyes.
Faith blushed lightly as she looked off to the side, "Don't say my name like that, Shizuo. At least... at least not here..."
Shizuo's sultry eyes cleared as he landed a quick peck on Faith's cheek, laughing lightly as he pulled away from her, grasping her hand as he led her to her things.
"I'll consider it. Now let's get your things, I've got some things to give you when we get back."
Faith's blush deepened as she squeezed her boyfriend's hand, "Shizuo!!" she gasped.
Shizuo chuckled as the pair went to grab Faith's baggage, which took two trips and filled the trunk and half of the backseat of his car. The moonlit drive back was surreal, one could even say romantic, and was passed well between the two. Staying in constant communication throughout the summer, there wasn't anything new to share between the two, so instead, they talked hopefully of the new school year. As Shizuo pulled into the parking lot of their school, Shizuo asked which back had her toothbrush in it.
"My carry-on, why do you ask?"
Shizuo singled out the bag that he recognized as her carry-on and pulled it out of his trunk, shutting it after and slinging the bag over his shoulder.
"I'm not letting you unpack tonight," he said lowly.
"Oh?" was all Faith could say before being swept off her feet by Shizuo, who carried her like a princess and into the school, where he made a beeline to his dorm instead of the office.
"Shizuo!" Faith gasped, slapping his chest as he set her down to open his door. Her expression was shocked at his bold move, but she hesitated not to let it unfold.
Less words were exchanged after Shizuo tossed Faith's bag aside and shut the door behind them. The warm aroma of long since lit candles permeated the dimly lit, red room, making it apparent that Shizuo's hungry intentions were premeditated. Shizuo had made it clear that Faith would not be returning to her room tonight, but she was not one to say no to what was to transpire.