In an elementary school yard, the kids dance around and play to their hearts' content during their recess. While the kids play, one child sits alone on the swingset. She gently sways back and forth while she stares at the ground, no particular expression on her face. It is little Shiori. She sits on the swing and softly pushes herself as she looks up to the sky.
Shiori "The sky is a little cloudy today."
She says to herself as a slight smile comes across her face.
Shiori "At least I know the clouds are happy!"
She says happily. Suddenly, she is pushed into the dirt by a couple bigger kids. They laugh and call her names as they walk away. Shiori props herself up on her hands and knees. Her things scattered about around her. She reaches for her binder when a droplet hits her hand. She pauses as one by one, more and more droplets begin to fall from the sky. It begins to gently rain on her. She sits back on her legs and just stares at the ground for a moment before she hears a couple footsteps come in front of her.
Child "Here, let me help you."
A little hand reaches out for her to help her up. She begins to look up but before she can see who it is, Shiori opens her eyes. She is back in her bed laying on her back, her phone alarm going off. She rolls over and hits the button showing it is eight in the morning. She makes a face as she rolls back onto her back and rubs her face. She drops her hands to her sides and lays in bed for a moment.
Shiori 'Why was I dreaming of that again?..'
She thinks to herself before getting out of bed. It is now about half way into summer break. Shiori rubs her eye as she looks into the mirror sleepily. She steps out of her room, still in her pajamas, and heads across the hallway into the large bathroom. There, Hikigaya is brushing his teeth. He spits and looks at Shiori with a smirk as she yawns and stretches walking past him.
Hikigaya "Good morning Shiori. As cheerful as ever this early in the morning."
Shiori "Shut up. It's too early to hear your voice."
She says as she closes the door to the toilet behind her. Hikigaya rinses his mouth as he smirks knowing full well Shiori thinks this is like any other normal day.
Hikigaya "I hope you're ready to go because we're leaving in like an hour."
She suddenly swings the door open with a panicked look on her face.
Shiori "Wait! That was today?!"
He smiles and nods at her. She scrambles out of the room and back into her room. Eventually, everyone makes their ways downstairs and to the van Asami owns. Takanou and Asami pack the trunk with luggage and bags while Hamasaki buckles in Riku to his booster seat. Hikigaya is making his way to the car all ready to go when Shiori, panting and out of breath, catches up behind him.
Hikigaya "That was fast. Sure you didn't forget anything?"
He asks sarcastically.
Shiori "It's still too early.."
She says out of breath as she walks past him to the van.
Takanou "Good morning sweetie. You all ready to go?"
She nods as she hands him her bag.
Hamasaki "I hope Hikigaya woke you up early enough."
Shiori "He what?"
Asami "Yeah, I told him to make sure you were up a little earlier than usual in case you forgot."
She says while putting Hikigaya's bag in. Shiori slowly turns to look at Hikigaya.
Hikigaya "Oh yeah, I was supposed to do that. Guess it slipped my mind."
He says while shrugging. Shiori then punches him in the leg, hard. He shouts 'Oof!' As he holds his thigh and falls over.
Hikigaya "Oww! What was that for?!"
He shouts while wincing in pain as Shiori climbs into the van.
Shiori "It's for making me rush this morning. Now come on, you're being over dramatic."
She goes to the backseat where Ace is sitting on her phone. She looks up and gives a thumbs up with a smile to Shiori. Shiori giggles a little and sits in the middle. After Hikigaya climbs in, whining about his legs under his breath, Hamasaki gets in behind Takanou next to Riku as Asami gets in the passenger side. Before Takanou starts the car, he turns back to face everyone.
Takanou "Alright, everyone got everything?"
Ace "Wait, I think I forgot my-"
Asami "And we're off!"
She says enthusiastically as she points forward. Hamasaki giggles as Takanou starts the car and begins their journey.
After a couple hours in the car, the families eventually come to a large convention center. Shiori leans over Hikigaya to stare out the window in awe.
Shiori "Wow… I've never been to a convention before."
Takanou "Sorry we've never taken you to one before, but truth be told, neither have I.."
He says kind of embarrassed to Asami who gives him a playful smile.
Hikigaya "Well you're gonna love this one."
She leans back and gives him a confused look. When he doesn't elaborate she turns and looks at Ace who just smiles ominously and looks away. Shiori sits back down in her seat normally, confused, thinking of what they could mean. After parking at a hotel and getting everything inside their two rooms, Shiori, Hikigaya and Ace in one with the parents and Riku in the other, they make their way to the main convection center. As they walk down the sidewalk, Shiori looks around at banners and signs trying to figure out what the convention is all about. It doesn't take her long to figure it out. Her eye widens with excitement.
Shiori "Ink and Lead Con!"
She looks at Hikigaya who smiles and nods. She punches him in the arm.
Hikigaya "Why didn't you tell me we were going?!"
Hikigaya "Ow! I was hoping you weren't listening so it would be a surprise!"
He rubs his arm a bit as he says his case. Shiori, still smiling, looks all around her as her excitement grows with every step to the entrance. There is a bit of a line but nothing too long. She steps next to her mother with a question.
Shiori "Mama, why are we here? I mean, I'm really really excited but out of all the conventions, why this one?"
Hamasaki "Well, this one is best for a little family getaway. Not too big but still big enough for lots of fun! That and Asami actually has a panel and meet and greet."
Shiori "What?! She's actually that popular?"
Asami "Of course I am. And I am very late so we're not waiting in this line anymore."
She gives a smirk and leads them to the entrance past the line.
Asami "Excuse me, I'm running late and need to get inside right away."
Worker "I'm sorry ma'am but you're gonna have to wait in line like everyone else."
Asami "Oh, I don't think so."
She pulls out a badge from her shirt and shows it to the worker. His eyes widen a bit after reading it.
Worker "Oh, Ms. Alljoy, please come in. You definitely are late."
Asami "Thank you."
Shiori 'Alljoy?'
She thinks to herself as they all follow her in. They walk through a hallway as Shiori stares at Asami in front of her. After a moment, without turning around at all, Asami speaks.
Asami "Keep staring at me like that and you might burn a hole into me."
Shiori realizes she's talking to her and gets embarrassed.
Shiori "Sorry… I'm just.. Why did that guy call you Ms. Alljoy?"
Hikigaya "Yeah mom, I've been thinking the same thing. Isn't your name Oshiro too?"
Asami "Of course it is."
Hikigaya "Sooo why did he call you something else? Are you scamming them?"
Asami "It's what my badge says."
She lifts her badge towards them and they read it. Ace smiles in the background.
Hikigaya"Catherine Alljoy. VIP Creator Level 4… What?"
Shiori "Catherine Alljoy… No way… You're..?"
Asami smiles and looks back a bit at her. Hamasaki and Takanou giggle to themselves while Riku looks at them confused.
Shiori "You're the Catherine Alljoy?! As in, writer of Clawless Love?!"
Hikigaya "Clawless what now?"
Shiori "Clawless Love! One of the top selling, teen romance novels for two years straight! I've read it like three times!"
Everyone stops and looks at her, surprised at her excitement. Hikigaya looks slightly adoring her. She blushes in embarrassment and shys away from what she was saying. Asami gives her a prideful smile.
Asami "Good to know you like them. Now come on, I got people to see."
Shiori smiles back softly, still embarrassed about geeking out over her. They eventually get to her stand where there are other writers besides her. She gets comfortable in her chair as Hamasaki talks to Shiori.
Hamasaki "Your brother, dad and I are gonna stick with Asami for the day. Feel free to go explore and have fun sweetie."
She gives her a kiss on the forehead.
Hamasaki "Oh and take these."
She hands her a few badges for her, Hikigaya and Ace.
Hamasaki "Asami got those for you three. They're the special kind."
She whispers to her and gives her a wink.
Shiori "Thanks mama."
She smiles at her. After the three take the badges, they begin to walk around and explore the convention. Hikigaya is minding his own business before he is punched in the arm.
Hikigaya "Ow! Why do you keep hitting me?!"
He turns to a comically angry Shiori.
Shiori "Why didn't you tell me your mom was Catherine Alljoy?!"
Hikigaya "I didn't know either! I knew that she wrote but I thought it was just a hobby."
Shiori "If she really writes like that just as a hobby then I stand no chance as a writer."
She instantly calms down and her mood drops a bit. Hikigaya stops rubbing his arm and notices.
Ace "She's just always been good at writing."
They both get looks of surprise at Ace's comment.
Ace "She's shown me some old scripts and ideas from when she was in highschool she wrote and they were all really good. She just has a talent for it I guess."
Shiori "I'd figure nothing less from someone of her caliber."
Ace "You should ask her to give you some tips."
Shiori "What? You think she would do that?"
Ace "Of course. We all live together after all. Besides, I'm sure she'd appreciate someone sharing her interests since we don't."
Hikigaya nods in agreement. Shiori smiles warmly at the idea.
Shiori "That'd be… really nice."
Hikigaya and Ace give approving smiles before Hikigaya's attention is taken somewhere else.
Hikigaya "Ah no way!"
He suddenly rushes past them and towards a booth. There is one man standing behind a table with books and posters on it. A few types of figures and other posters hanging up behind him. Hikigaya starts talking to the man and the man smiles and shakes his hand. Shiori and Ace step a little closer but not right behind him.
Hikigaya "It's such a pleasure to meet you Mr. Odysseas! I'm a huge fan!"
Ody "Please, call my Ody. It's always nice to see a new fan."
They talk back and forth for a moment before Hikigaya pulls his little bag from his back to in front of him. He pulls out a small black folder and opens it up revealing different character drawings. Some are colored and some are in more advanced poses. Ody looks impressed and they begin to talk about it. Shiori looks at his art and is also surprised. After staring for a moment, Ace speaks up.
Ace "Pretty good huh?"
Shiori "What is?"
Ace "His art. It's pretty good."
Shiori "Yeah, I knew he drew but I didn't realize he was already on that level."
Ace "Yeah, he doesn't like to talk about it. He says it's 'embarrassing' or whatever. I don't understand why though. He's got some incredible talent, just like our mom."
Shiori "I guess I could understand that.."
Ace "They're both so talented and incredible at what they do. Wanna know what I'm good at?"
Shiori "What?"
Ace "Nothing."
Shiori is surprised by her response and gives a confused, concerned look.
Ace "I have no talent like them. I may be in college but I have no idea what to do. I'm not good at anything."
They pause for a moment as Shiori stares at her, concerned. Ace's expression, however, isn't as sad as she thought it would be when talking like that.
Shiori "That can't be true. There's got to be something you're good at. I thought you were really good at baseball?"
Ace "Nah, I'm not that good anymore. Besides, it's not something I'm passionate about."
She leans back against a pillar.
Ace "It's just hard I guess. With everything going on, trying to figure out who I am. And seeing such talented individuals, it can get hard."
Shiori steps next to her and looks down, unsure of what to say but wanting to say something. She looks up at Hikigaya again who laughs nervously with the man. She looks for a moment before speaking.
Shiori "Well, if it means anything, I think you're a pretty good sister."
Ace is greatly surprised by her statement and looks at Shiori who is still looking forward. She blushes a bit and smiles warmly.
Ace "You know, I've always wanted a sister."
Shiori looks at her, a bit surprised. Ace leans in closer, covering her mouth and whispers in her ear.
Ace "I used to dress up Hikigaya in dresses when he was little."
Shiori "No way."
They giggle about it for a moment as Hikigaya comes back to them.
Hikigaya "Sorry about that. I hope I didn't make you guys wait long."
Shiori "Oh not at all… little dress boy."
She says with a playfully evil look as Ace giggles. Hikigaya blushes and immediately understands what happened.
Hikigaya "Ace! I thought you said you wouldn't tell anyone!"
They laugh as they turn to walk away. Hikigaya stands there embarrassed for a moment before reluctantly following them. After some steps and giggles, Ace looks at Shiori.
Ace "Hey, Shiori."
She looks at her.
Ace "Thanks."
She puts her hand on her head and rubs it a little. Shiori smiles and appreciates the head pats. The rest of the Con goes on without any complications. Asami does a few more Creator things while the others tag along with her happily and the other three do fun events and meet artists and writers along the way. Them all having a wonderful time.