Shiori's Dilemma. An Unexpected Response?

Shiori is then drooped down while sitting at a bench under an umbrella. 

Shiori "I can't do it…"

She moans as Chizuru and Lucy sit before her. Chizuru happily chews on a sandwich as the other two still have yet to touch their sandwiches. 

Lucy "Well hey, think of it this way. At least you're finally getting to the point of actually asking, right?"

Shiori sits up with a disappointed look on her face. 

Shiori "A lotta good that's gonna do me if I never actually ask him.."

She says under her pouty breath. Chizuru swallows the bite of her sandwich before speaking.

Chizuru "I don't know what's your hold up. You already know he likes you so just go for it."

She says casually before biting into her sandwich again. Shiori gets a frustrated look.

Shiori "I don't know that and neither do either of you! For all I know, I could be like a sister to him."

Lucy "Nah, come on. You only live together, fight all the time, fight crime together. … Oh, I see your point."

She says with her hand on her chin as Shiori drops her head onto the table.

Shiori "This isn't helping me…"

Chizuru "But what about all the kissing? Haven't you guys kissed like five times now?"

Shiori looks up a bit with an embarrassed and flustered look.

Shiori "Yeah, I guess…"

Chizuru "That would be pretty weird to kiss your sister like that."

Shiori sighs and rubs her head.

Shiori "Yeah but those were all accidents. Either he thought I was some badass vigilante lady or didn't mean to kiss me."

Lucy "Well aren't you a badass vigilante lady?"

She says, raising her eyebrow. Shiori is surprised before blushing a bit. 

Shiori "I guess.. I am. Huh."

Lucy smiles at her as Chizuru gets an excited look with crumbs on her cheek.

Chizuru "Speaking of vigilantes! What did you guys do with Alice?? You have to tell me what happened!"

Shiori "Oh yeah, that.."

She sweats a bit before thinking back to that night. 

Shiori "At first we tried to say it was a misunderstanding but she quickly nerded out and put it all together. There was no stopping her at that point so we just told her to keep it a secret and that it was super important."

Lucy sighs and leans on her hand.

Lucy "And of course, she didn't keep it a secret."

Chizuru laughs awkwardly with a sweat drop.

Alice rushes to the extended group of Touma, Suiyoubi, Hisana, Kitaro, Tsuki, Milo and Riley along with the others who knew already in the clubroom.

Alice "GUYS! You're never gonna believe this! Shiori and Hikigaya are Watchdog and Fullsky!"

She says with an excited look as the others stare at her. 

Kitaro "In that order?"

He asks while not looking away from his game. Tsuki and Milo's jaws are on the floor as Touma shakes his head.

Touma "Makes sense to me."

Alice sweats a bit before getting a frustrated look.

Alice "Come on! I can't be the only one who finds this to be crazy!"

She says before a finger taps on her shoulder from behind. She turns around and sees Chizuru with a smile on her face.

Chizuru "Can you give us a moment?"

Suddenly, Haru, Sugawara and Lucy tackle Alice to the ground in a scuffle to tie her up and gag her so she stops spewing out their secret.

Back at the bench, Lucy rubs her head in frustration.

Lucy "Now the whole group knows your secret… Who knows who they might tell."

She stresses as Chizuru finishes her sandwich.

Chizuru "Well, they're some of the most trustworthy people I've ever met so I think it'll be okay."

Lucy looks at her before softening her expression and giving Chizuru a soft smile.

Lucy "You're right. I'm still surprised Alice would out you guys like that."

Shiori "It's fine I guess. I expected it, she was excited."

Chizuru "And I doubt she'd tell anyone outside of our group anyway."

She says with a soft smile before getting a sharp glare and smile.

Chizuru "Now, back to the topic at hand."

Shiori looks at her surprised for a moment before getting a worried look.

Shiori "No no no. We're done talking about that. It's not gonna happen."

Chizuru "Oh come on Shiori! There's no better time to tell him! It's our last summer vacation, what have you got to lose?"

Shiori "A lot believe it or not. My dignity, our friendship, the idea of getting turned down by a stupid, dumb.. dumb cutie like him…"

She trails off softly as a blush runs across her face. Lucy and Chizuru look at each other before looking back at her.

Lucy "You have to tell him."

Shiori looks up at them softly before it fades back into their house. Shiori sits downstairs on the couch bouncing her leg with her hands folded in front of her mouth. She thinks intensely as she sweats a bit. She gets a nervous look before falling back onto the couch letting out a frustrated sigh.

Riku "What's going on?"

Her little brother asks. Shiori looks over to see him staring at her with a slightly worried look. She smiles at him softly.

Shiori "Nothing Riku. It's okay. I'm just… nervous."

His face relaxes as he sits next to her with an inquisitive look.

Riku "Oh. Why are you nervous?"

Shiori "Well… Today I'm gonna ask Hikigaya a big question."

Riku looks at her with a super excited face.

Riku "You're gonna ask him out??"

He asks loudly. Shiori freaks out for a moment before slamming a pillow in his face.

Shiori "Not so loud you moron!"

Riku squirms under the pillow before she lets him go.

Shiori "Sheesh, when did you learn about these things?.."

Riku lowers the pillow.

Riku "Well I am going into fifth grade. Kids talk."

Shiori "Well you better keep your nose clean kid or I'll make sure you stay young and dumb forever."

Riku "No way! You can't do that to me! That's not fair!"

He says while jumping up on the couch. 

Shiori "Wanna bet?"

She asks menacingly as Riku gets scared.

Riku "W-well I'm gonna tell Hikigaya how you feel!"

He threatens. Shiori sweats before sighing.

Shiori "Fine, you got me."

Riku exhales in relief before sitting back down.

Riku "So does this mean I'm getting a new big brother?"

He asks softly. Shiori blushes before looking away.

Shiori "Maybe… I guess it might…"

She turns back to Riku and puts her finger to her lips in a shushing manner.

Shiori "But you can't tell him, it has to be me."

Riku smiles widely and salutes her.

Riku "Roger!"

He then hops off the couch and runs into another room. 

Riku "Moms! I'm gonna get a new brother!"

Shiori hears from the other room before drooping over. She turns to look at the stairs leading to their rooms before sweating a bit. 

Shiori "Okay, this is it."

She says quietly before getting up and going up the stairs. She timidly approaches his door before lifting her hand to knock on the closed door.

Hikigaya "Yeah, I got that mismatch eyed freak wrapped around my finger."

She hears his muffled voice from behind the door. Her eyes widen as her hand hovers over the door. She begins to shake.

Shiori "What..?"

She says with a shaky voice. She slowly steps back as tears begin to form in her eyes. Suddenly, the door opens as Hikigaya begins to step out but is surprised to see Shiori standing before him.

Hikigaya "Shiori? What are you doing here?"

She doesn't answer and only stares at him for a moment before turning away. She begins to walk away before Hikigaya grabs her shoulder.

Hikigaya "Wait, are you okay-"

Before he can finish his question, she pulls her shoulder away forcefully. Hikigaya is shocked as she begins to cry and glare at him.

Shiori "Keep your filthy hands off me, got it?"

She says coldly. Hikigaya's eyes are intense but far more confused. 

Hikigaya "Shiori.. What-"

She turns and tries to run down the hall and down the stairs but before she can get far, Hikigaya grabs her wrist to stop her.

Hikigaya "Shiori, wait! What happened?"

He asks, concerned as Shiori struggles to get away from him. In an instant, she teleports out front of the house down the sidewalk a bit. She stumbles and collapses to her knees as she was mid pull from Hikigaya's grasp. She looks at her hands confused for a moment before tears start rolling down her cheeks. Chizuru and Lucy quickly notice her and look at her in confusion and surprise. They're both holding signs and confetti poppers with 'Congratulations!' on them.

Chizuru "Shiori! What happened?"

She asks as they make their way to her. She quickly gets up and begins to walk away from them. 

Shiori "Nothing. Just leave me alone."

Lucy "Wait, did he turn you down? Talk to us!"

She says as Shiori starts to wrap her arms around herself before sobbing.

Shiori "I-I don't need you! Leave me alone!"

She shouts between sobs before her wings burst out from her back and she takes off into the sky at high speed. Lucy and Chizuru stare at her with worry and confusion as Hikigaya comes running out of the house. He looks around before noticing Chizuru and Lucy. He runs towards them with a worried expression.

Hikigaya "Where did she go?"

They turn to him with confused looks.

Chizuru "We don't know, she just took off."

Lucy "Did you really say no?"

Hikigaya rushes past them with a frustrated and worried look.

Hikigaya "Say no to what??"

He asks hurriedly as he attempts to chance her down. Hours pass as the sun eventually begins to set.