17 - Aftermath

Shinobu slapped herself five times with both hands before screaming into her pillow

It had been three days since that faithful night, but Shinobu has been doing this every morning

She remembered what happened, how weak she was, how easy it was for Giyu to grab her back. She couldn't believe it

What's worse is that she was the one who kissed first, too

Now, Shinobu didn't know what to do. Giyu was with his family. She didn't want to bother him

This was what she said to herself, even though she could never really approach Giyu anyway

Was it embarrassment? Shame?

Whatever the reason, she did not want to interact with Giyu right now

On the other end, Giyu sighed. He checked his phone, and again, no messages from a certain someone

He understood why, but it was disappointing. The always passive Shinobu was doing it again

Shinobu hated looking weak, and maybe messaging first would make her look weak, Giyu thought

"Don't be weak, Shinobu" She told herself before her door cracked open. Shinobu glanced, and it was Kanae

"Shinobu" Kanae said with a cheeky smile. Her little sister could only roll her eyes

"Come on, tell me what happened" Kanae sat on the edge of Shinobu's bed while Shinobu was sitting against the backrest

Shinobu was about to be dismissive again, but then realized maybe she can ask for advice

"Don't make fun of me" Shinobu warned. Kanae lightly snickered and nodded

"Me and Giyu..." Kanae leaned in closer

"We may or may not have..." Kanae deadpanned at the pause

"Just say you kissed!" Kanae exclaimed, surprising Shinobu "It's obvious already. And don't get me started on your messy shirt and hair when he brought you home" Kanae shook her head

"Was it that obvious?" Kanae nodded

"So, what's the happenings now?" Kanae cheekily smiled again. Shinobu had a look of guilt as she rubbed her left forearm

Kanae could only deadpan again

"Idiot"

"Hey!"

"Shinobu, have you not learned anything?" Kanae asked, intriguing Shinobu

"It can't be Giyu initiating again. You know what happened last time" Kanae sat closer and held Shinobu's left hand

"I understand why you have this hard exterior, but please. Let's not repeat history, okay?" Shinobu softly smiled at her older sister

"Okay. Thank you" Kanae stood up and patted her little sister's head before leaving the room

Shinobu looked at her contacts. She sighed before clicking it

Giyu heard his phone ringing and immediately picked his phone up. He smiled before picking up

"Hello?" Shinobu couldn't see his smile over the phone "Hey" Shinobu said with a stiffer tone than intended

She faked a cough before continuing

"When you get back home, go to the house. The two want to see you" Giyu chuckled

"Just say you want to see me" He teased

"Dumbass"

"You didn't deny it"

"Alright, alright. You got me. Jeez"

Giyu looked at his phone in disbelief before smiling softly. Seeing Shinobu being even a little vulnerable was refreshing

"Okay, see you"

"Yep" Giyu looked at his phone and laughed after Shinohu abruptly ended the call.

~

Giyu looked around the lobby. He pretty much just finished unpacking and taking a bath, but he didn't even rest because of Shinobu's request.

Eventually, he spotted his ex. Shinobu had a pout on her face while scrolling on her phone

The usual stoic Giyu smiled. A subtle yet noticeable one. A smile that only her presence can produce

Giyu shook his head in disbelief. It is crazy that she still had this effect on him. It is crazy how he still sees the valley of gold in her eyes

Giyu slowly approached, and when he got close, turned off her phone. Shinobu gasped before looking up at Giyu, who had a small mischievous smirk

"Ha ha very funny" Shinobu said before crossing her arms and turning away. Giyu just laughed before grabbing her arm softly and dragging her to the elevator

"Hey!" Giyu stopped "You can't just grab me like this!" Shinobu protested yet not giving any resistance. Giyu shrugged before continuing to walk to the elevator

"So..." Shinobu said as they entered the elevator. "Hm?" Giyu pushed the button to the parking lot

"What did you do there?" Giyu raised a brow at Shinobu suddenly being curious about him "Nothing much. Went to tourist locations, took pictures, walked around" Giyu said, not being too specific,  looking at his hand still holding her forearm

"How about you?"

I thought about you

Shinobu shook her head.

"Really just lazed around. Watched a series" Giyu nodded before sighing, making Shinobu turn to him and tilting her head

"Why? Do you disapprove of what I did"

"No. I just thought you'd be honest and say you thought of me" Shinobu's mouth went agape as her cheeks flushed red

"What are you talking about!!" Shinobu screamed as the elevator door opened, revealing two people who went wide-eyed

"Sorry" Shinobu fake chuckled before they exited, letting the people enter. Shinobu looked at Giyu with her eyebrows furrowed. Giyu just laughed softly at her

"Why did you have to shout? Is it not true?" Shinobu's stern exterior faltered for a second before she composed herself again

"I mean, of course I thought of you..." Giyu's cheeks flushed red. He didn't expect such honesty from his usually closed off ex

"With everything that happened in the resort you know..." Shinobu stammered while fiddling with the hem of her shirt. Giyu smiled softly as he looked at Shinobu trying her best to be a little open

Shinobu looked up and Giyu was looking at her like she was a fire, and he was a moth. Like he was enchanted by her

"What's with that stupid face!" Shinobu said lightly shoving Giyu's face, making him laugh "Let's just go to your car! Where is it anyway!"