Ayaka and Shiriku strolled along the shaded pathways of the school campus, their steps falling in sync as they talked. Shiriku kept his hands tucked into the pockets of his uniform trousers, his shoulders relaxed and his expression calm. Ayaka walked beside him, her hands clasped lightly in front of her, her usual composed demeanor intact.
As they walked, they passed groups of students who couldn't help but steal glances at them. Whispers of admiration and curiosity floated through the air, with students commenting on how good Ayaka and Shiriku looked together. Some even playfully speculated about their relationship, adding to the buzz.
Ayaka glanced around at the students who were watching them. She gave them a polite smile but didn't pay much attention otherwise. Turning back to Shiriku, she asked, "So, Shiriku - sama, what's it like to be a 'Kami'?"
Shiriku - sama abruptly halted in his tracks, causing Ayaka to stop as well. He blinked, caught off guard by the question, his posture stiffening. Noticing his reaction, Ayaka quickly raised her hands in a dismissive gesture, her voice laced with nervousness. "Ah, sorry! You don't have to answer that. I was just curious, that's all," she said, waving her hands as if trying to erase her words from the air.
Shiriku shook his head, a hint of a smile forming on his lips as he said, "No, it's fine, really. I don't mind telling you." He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing, his tone becoming more thoughtful. "Being a 'Kami' isn't exactly what people think it is. Sure, you get some perks, but it's also a lot of pressure. Everyone expects you to be perfect, like you're some kind of role model. It's kind of tiring, you know?"
Ayaka listened intently, her gaze fixed on him as he spoke. She nodded, her expression showing genuine interest. "I can imagine. It must be hard to live up to everyone's expectations," she replied, her voice gentle and empathetic.
Shiriku shrugged, his shoulders relaxing as he grew more comfortable. "Yeah, exactly. It's like you can't make mistakes. People watch your every move, and if you mess up, it's like the end of the world." He paused, looking up at the sky for a moment, then back at Ayaka. "But hey, it's not all bad. You get to meet a lot of people, and sometimes, you find friends who really understand you."
Ayaka gave him a warm smile, her hands clasped together as she leaned in a bit. "Well, you seem to be handling it pretty well, Shiriku - sama. I mean, you don't seem like the type to let all that pressure get to you."
Shiriku chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth curling into a genuine smile. "Thanks, Ayaka. I try to stay cool about it, but sometimes it's tough. It's good to have friends like you to talk to." He glanced around at the students still watching them, then back at Ayaka. "Anyway, thanks for listening. Most people don't even ask about this stuff."
Ayaka nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "Of course. You're my friend, after all." She gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder, her expression supportive. "Just know that if you ever need to talk, I'm here."
Shiriku appreciated her gesture, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Thanks, Ayaka. That means a lot." As they resumed their walk, the murmur of students' conversations continued to follow them, but it no longer seemed to bother Shiriku as much. He was grateful for friends like Ayaka who could see beyond the 'Kami' persona and understand him as a person.
.
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2 MINS LATER:
As Shiriku and Ayaka continued walking, he glanced at her, noticing a slight hesitancy in her step. He thought back to her earlier question about what it was like to be a "Kami." Now, it was his turn to ask her something personal. "Hey, Ayaka," he started, keeping his voice low, "what's it like being the daughter of the great Kazahana family? I mean, you have all that wealth and status, but I'm sure it comes with its own... expectations."
Ayaka's usual bright expression dimmed slightly, and her eyes seemed to lose some of their spark. She tried to maintain her smile, but there was a hint of sadness in her voice. "Well, Shiriku-sama," she replied, keeping her hands clasped in front of her, "compared to you, I might have the wealth, but I don't have the freedom. I want to be just like a normal high school girl who enjoys going to school to learn and have fun with my friends. But my life is all about perfection, and I have to be the perfect daughter for my father." She sighed softly, looking down at her shoes as they walked. "Even if it means marrying someone that I don't even like."
Shiriku felt a pang of guilt for bringing up the topic. He cursed himself internally, thinking, "Damn... I shouldn't have asked that. Now I've made this walk all gloomy." He glanced at Ayaka, noticing the sadness in her eyes, and felt a surge of empathy.
"That sounds rough," he said, trying to sound supportive. "I didn't know you were dealing with all that. I'm sorry for bringing it up." He shuffled his feet, feeling awkward and unsure of what to say next.
Ayaka shook her head, her sad smile softening. "No, it's okay. It's not like I can avoid it forever, right?" She took a deep breath and tried to muster a more positive tone.
Shiriku felt responsible for unintentionally shifting the mood, as they approached a corner on the pathway, Shiriku caught a slight rustling noise coming from a nearby bush. At first, he dismissed it as just the wind, but when he saw a cardboard sign poking out from between the branches, his curiosity got the better of him.
Shiriku squinted at the sign, noticing handwritten words scrawled in bold letters: "What the heck are you doing?! Cheer up, Ayaka-sama!" He felt a pang of irritation and instantly knew who it was—Aoi.
Shiriku glanced at Ayaka, who was too lost in thought to notice the sign, then at the bush, where he could make out Aoi's silhouette. Her hair was just visible through the leaves, and she seemed to be muttering to herself while watching them. Aoi's body language was agitated, her arms flailing slightly as she shook the sign, trying to get Shiriku's attention without alerting Ayaka.
Shiriku sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course, it's Aoi," he thought to himself, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration.
Aoi, crouched in the bush with her sign, continued muttering. "What the heck are those two doing?" she thought, clearly exasperated. "The plan was just to have a nice heart-to-heart conversation, but now they're making everything gloomy." She adjusted her position, trying to get a better view without rustling the leaves too much.