(Kazuto's POV)

I woke up, groggy. I got home late, which I felt a bit guilty about, making Suguha worry.

I sighed. Shino didn't end up transferring. I got up and got dressed in my school uniform and walked out my room, to see Suguha eating her breakfast.

"Didn't convince Shino to transfer yet?" Suguha munched on her toast. I shook my head. She got up and patted my shoulder.

"Try after school," she reassured before she got her backpack, and stared at me.

"What?" I questioned.

"Take me to school," she responded. I took a piece of toast and walked out the door, with Suguha following, getting on my motorbike.

After I dropped off Suguha I went to go see if I could pick up Shino, and take her to her school.

When I got to her apartment building, I saw Hikari rush out.

"Oh hi Hikari," I waved politely. She smiled and waved back, running towards me, out of breathe.

"Hi, Kazuto," she replied, taking deep breathes.

"You okay?" I questioned, placing my hand on her shoulder. She just smiled and shrugged.

"I-forgot-something, so-I-ran back-to-my-apartment," she said, taking a deep breathe between each word.

"All the way from school?" I exclaimed. She laughed then began to have a coughing fit.

"You sure you're okay?" I questioned. Not to be rude but she looks like she's going to drop dead.

"Eh, I'm fine," she replied. I nodded. I gave her some time to take a breather.

"So Hikari, is Shino still home?" I asked, not forgetting why I came.

"No, she left after I did, that was a while ago," she frowned.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"No its okay, totally not your fault," I reassured. She kept staring at me like she was hungry, and I was a nice good looking sandwich. Now I'm hungry... Now I want a sandwich...

"Uh, yes Hikari?" I asked uncomfortably.

"It's just I'm so tired. And you have a motorcycle. And well, we go to the same school," she mumbled, still out of breathe. Hinting.

"Uh, want a ride to sch-" I was quickly interrupted.

"Let's go," she declared, already on my bike. Damn, that was quick, wasn't she fatigued?

With that said I took us to school.

***

Class after class, my thoughts were on Shino. She must be getting dirty looks. Or worse.

But it can't be that bad. She goes to a decent school. I'll just pick her right after school as planned. Just like last time. She'll be so surprised. Her school would be too. I smiled at the thought.

The bell rung, and now it was time for lunch. I walk out, to meet up with, awkwardly, Asuna, Keiko, and Rika. Suguha too.

***

"Shino didn't transfer, did she?" They all questioned. I shook my head in disappointment.

"I'm sure she'll turn around," Asuna reassured. This is a strange turn of events. Usually Shino would say something like that. And Asuna would've been the one I'd be thinking about. Just proves how life can take a drastic turn of events.

"Yeah, I'm planning to pick her up after school," I mumbled. Suguha sighed.

"There goes my ride," Suguha pouted.

"Klein is taking me home after school," Rika declares.

"Its Tsuboi," Suguha mumbled.

"Right," Rika replied. I just shook my head.

"Why don't you carpool with Tsuboi and Rika," I suggested. Strange enough, Suguha squirmed in her seat.

"I don't want to intrude," Suguha mumbled. Rika raised an eyebrow.

"You won't be intruding," Rika reassured.

"Alright then," Suguha mumbled. Huh, weird...

***

I was now in my last class and I was staring at my watch. Time was slowly ticking by. So imagine how relieved I was to hear the bell.

Already packed I rushed out the door, down the hall, and onto my motorcycle.

I made my way to Shino's school, trying to get there before she walked out the gate, like last time.

And sure enough the students were barely walking out. I parked my motorcycle, and leaned against the wall, waiting.

This caught some attention, although I couldn't see Shino anywhere. Not thinking much about it, I dialed her number. She must still be packing.

But there was no reply. I decided to walk inside her school. It wasn't all that big.

I didn't even know her schedule. I saw a teacher walk by.

"Um excuse me, I'm looking for someone," I pleaded. The teacher stopped and stared.

"Name?" She sighed, pulling out a clipboard, with stacks of paper. Must be the students list.

"Shino Asada," I replied. She didn't even check the list. She knew this name. Wow, that's some well known reputation.

"I believe she went home early. After the lunch period," she replied, about to walk away.

"What was her last class she was in?" I questioned. I'm nor trying to think if the worst case scenario but...

"24A, go straight from here and make a left. Its the second room you'll see," she replied in monotone before walking away.

More like speed walking away, as if I were diseased. Such friendly faculty.

I followed her directions and walked in the classroom and saw the custodian inside with a broom and a mop by his side.

"You the one that left this mess?" He snapped. I waved my arms in front of me.

"I don't even go here," I replied. He sighed.

"Sorry, its just today is supposed to be my day off. But I was called to clean this up. Someone threw their lunch on the floor," he sighed some more. Please don't be Shino's.

"Oh," I mumbled.

"Not to mention they were so careless to leave that backpack here," he groaned and pointed to a backpack left aside.

"Planning to take this to the lost and found after I'm done here," he complained.

"Let me check something before you do," I said grimly. I take out my phone and was about to dial Shino's number. My thumb trembled over the screen, over her contact and finally did press it. I waited a couple seconds.

My heart stopped when I heard Shino's ringtone come from inside the bag.

"Shino..."

***
Authors note: Don't worry I'll right more. I just thought I'd save the next scene for the next chapter.

I'm sure you all know the picture I used was his expression at the very end of the chapter. If not, well, n

I like it better that way. To focus on one thing at a time then right it all in one chapter. Sorryz.

-InGameProdigy