***
Whoever had deemed that school would be easy had either the IQ of a genius or absolutely no interest or friends outside of the classroom. Both of those was a disturbing thought. Neither of them were truly problems for most students.
The halls were eerily quiet, save for the lone few who were unlucky enough to have a purpose in staying inside. One such student was a boy whose interest in life stemmed from machinery and the fine little details that were so incredibly fascinating. What real goal in life was there but to know the specs of the special mecha and ultimately operate one? It was hard to generate interest in other things. Even the idea of girls was... preposterous. His quiet corner was occupied so he could read his coveted articles and for once not be interrupted. At least that was the plan, and it worked wonderfully for the first little while. But it seemed that where he was concerned, that the laws of being able to do things right did not apply. He could not steal correctly, and now he could not read without having a girl stumble over him, towards him, onto him. His book went flying, and a weight larger than what he?d been holding helped him into a horizontal and very non secure position. All he heard was a squeak before being accosted by a big green bow.
?Ky... Ky... Kyouko!? he finally gasped out, completely unsure of what he was supposed to do, and blushing furiously for it.
?Shinji?! What are you doing here?? the startled girl asked as they both struggled to sit up.
?Reading. Why are you...?
?Shh! I?m taking pictures. Sousuke and Kaname should be here soon.?
?Oh.?
Shinji, for his part, had been completely oblivious to the fact that Kyouko was still in his lap, and it was obvious she was too by the intense look she was directing into the room.
The first thought he had that began to clue him in was his consideration of her softball uniform. It was, he considered, dynamically correct, giving the individual a healthy bit of figure. It was only a button looped crookedly... When he raised a finger to point it out, he came into contact with it far too quickly. That was not where his fingers belonged. And yet as he continued looking down, he realized the bright red of her shorts should not contrast nearly so well against his uniform pants. It was instant horrification on both minds as they slid away from each other like wet soap on tile.
?I?m so sorry!? they chorused, both quiet and conscientious of where they were.
She was immediately not concerned as her subject of choice entered. It was totally beyond the point that she had gotten a picture of Shinji?s embarrassed face. Totally different.
?Sousuke Sagara, just what do you think you?re trying do to now??
?What I?m always doing.?
?Driving me crazy??
?Only if you allow yourself to become so.?
Kyouko was snapping pictures as if her came would combust if she wasn?t quick enough. He would have laughed but he didn?t want to risk a glare, or for that matter a gun, in his direction, from Sousuke.
?Grabbing my hand does not constitute protection,? Kaname pointed out, exasperated but not quite so angry.
?The perpetrator had a questionable background. I could not in all honesty allow him to get close to you until further inspection.?
?He?s not even going to sneeze in my direction now, you moron!?
?All the better.?
?Just because you protect me, don?t mean you own me!?
He straightened subtly.
?I?m well aware of that fact.?
Even Shinji could see the softer look cross Kaname?s face. His attention wandered slightly until he heard Kyouko?s gasp and looked back in time to see Kaname touch Sousuke?s face.
?You have just as much of a chance as anyone else,? she said quietly.
?More,? Kyouko breathed.
?Just... I don?t know.? Kaname?s head drooped slightly.
?Understood,? Sousuke said shortly.
?Any other boys you feel the need to scare away??
?There are still several on my list.?
?You have a list. Somehow I?m not surprised. Let?s get that over with soon, ok??
?Huh??
?The quicker you feel better, the quicker I don?t have to look over my shoulder to see if you?re coming.?
?Oh.?
?You?ll be right next to me after all.?
The boy and the girl hiding in the corner watched wide eyed as Kaname pulled Sousuke out the door by the hand.
?They make such a cute couple, don?t you think?? she asked, smiling.
?But she always... and he always...?
?I know.?
Whatever part of his braid some might have called hopeless because of his obsession clicked and he understood her. The two were unique and would find something special.
?It?s just you and me, Shinji.?
He smiled, but thought... him, her, and the camera.
And maybe a couple of arm slaves.
