Mirrors Of The Soul

The sun rose on Saturday morning, casting a crisp autumn glow over the quiet streets. Shika woke up earlier than usual, a flutter of excitement in her chest. She spent extra time choosing a comfortable yet cozy outfit, smoothing her hair, and adding just a touch of gloss to her lips. Today was the picnic with Sota, and though she didn't quite know why she was so nervous, she felt a strange sense of anticipation.

When Shika arrived at the park, she immediately spotted Sota near a small clearing surrounded by tall oak trees with leaves of red, orange, and gold fluttering gently to the ground. He had already spread out a neatly arranged picnic blanket, complete with a basket of food and drinks. The sight of him, relaxed and cheerful as he waved at her, sent her heart racing.

"Hey, Shika! You look lovely," Sota greeted, his warm smile lighting up his face. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Shika felt a blush creeping up her cheeks but managed a smile. "Thank you, Sota. You did a great job setting this up. It looks amazing."

They settled down on the blanket, and the easy rhythm of their conversation began. They talked about school, their favorite books, and even shared embarrassing childhood stories. Shika found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, her worries melting away under the soft autumn sunlight and Sota's playful banter.

As they were enjoying sandwiches Sota had packed, dark clouds rolled in, and the first raindrops began to fall. Sota immediately shrugged off his jacket, holding it out to Shika.

"Here, Shika, take my jacket. It'll keep you dry," he said, his voice calm despite the sudden turn in weather.

Shika hesitated, touched by his thoughtfulness. "But you'll get soaked—"

"Don't worry about me," Sota interrupted with a grin. "I can handle a little rain."

Relenting, Shika slipped on the jacket, its warmth and faint scent of his cologne oddly comforting. The two quickly packed up the picnic, laughing as they ran toward the nearest shelter—a small wooden bus stop just outside the park. By the time they reached it, both were a little wet but still in high spirits.

As they caught their breath under the shelter, Shika looked at Sota, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for giving me your jacket and making sure I stayed dry," she said softly.

Sota shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "No problem. Plus, getting caught in the rain made this picnic unforgettable, don't you think?"

Shika chuckled, shaking her head. "You're right. It's definitely a day to remember."

As the rain continued to pour, they stayed under the shelter, their conversation flowing seamlessly. Shika felt an unfamiliar warmth in her chest—a quiet joy in simply being with Sota.

---

The next morning, Sota woke up feeling a little under the weather. His head pounded, and his throat felt scratchy. Reluctantly, he decided to stay home and rest, missing school for the day.

At school, Shika was packing up her books when Ryoku approached her, a friendly smile on her face. "Hey, Shika! I was supposed to drop off Sota's homework, but Heizen invited me to hang out, and, well..." She trailed off, a sheepish grin appearing. "Could you take it to him for me?"

Shika blinked in surprise. "Me? But I don't even know where he lives."

Ryoku quickly pulled out her phone and sent Shika Sota's address. "There, problem solved. Just drop it off and make sure he's okay. Thanks, Shika—you're the best!"

Before Shika could protest, Ryoku was gone, leaving her holding Sota's homework and feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity. With a resigned sigh, she made her way to the location Ryoku had sent.

---

When Shika arrived, she paused, looking up at the high-rise building. The sleek glass exterior gleamed in the autumn sun, and for a moment, she wondered if she had the wrong address. It looked more like a luxury hotel than a home.

Steeling herself, Shika entered the building and approached the reception desk. "Excuse me," she began, her voice uncertain. "I'm looking for Sota. Could you tell me which floor he's on?"

The receptionist smiled politely. "Sota lives on the 15th floor. You can take the elevator right over there."

Shika thanked them and walked to the elevator, her heart pounding slightly as she pressed the button. As she ascended, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

When she reached the 15th floor and entered Sota's apartment, her breath caught in her throat. It was a penthouse, spacious and luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The modern decor was elegant, with clean lines and minimalist furniture in neutral tones accented by warm lighting.

"This is... where Sota lives?" she whispered to herself, feeling as though she had stepped into a different world.

---

Sota answered the door looking pale and groggy. Before Shika could even greet him, his knees buckled, and he fainted right into her arms.

Panicking, Shika helped him to the couch and grabbed a towel, soaking it in cool water. She placed it gently on his forehead and checked his temperature, her concern growing.

"You really should've called someone to take care of you," Shika scolded softly, brushing damp hair from his forehead.

Sota stirred and blinked up at her, his voice weak but teasing. "Didn't know you were a nurse, Shika."

"Don't joke," she said, her tone stern but her eyes soft. "You need to rest."

When Sota tried to sit up, Shika handed him a cup of water. In his weakened state, the cup tipped, spilling water all over him.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Shika exclaimed, grabbing tissues to clean up the mess. "Let me help you take off your shirt so it can dry—"

"I'm fine," Sota interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. But Shika was already moving to help, her hands reaching for the buttons of his damp shirt.

"Stop being so stubborn," she said, her tone firm but filled with concern. "You're burning up, and now you're soaked. Just let me help you."

Sota hesitated but eventually sighed in defeat. "Fine," he muttered, leaning back slightly to allow her to work.

Shika knelt close to him, carefully unbuttoning his shirt. Her hands were trembling slightly—not from nervousness about the task itself, but because of the unexpected intimacy of the moment. As she tugged at the last button, her eyes unintentionally locked with his.

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The tension in the room thickened as they stared at each other, both too stunned to speak. Sota's eyes were softer than she'd ever seen them, and Shika felt her heart race uncontrollably.

Before either could process what was happening, the front door swung open with a loud thud, breaking the spell.

" I'm back home!" Tenshi's cheerful voice echoed through the apartment. She bounded into the living room, her pigtails bouncing, only to stop short as her wide eyes took in the scene.

Hot on her heels was Sota's aunt, who froze mid-step. Her gaze flicked between Shika kneeling in front of a shirtless Sota and the awkward expressions on their faces.

"WHAT is going on here?!" the aunt exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and disapproval.

Shika scrambled to her feet, her face crimson as she waved her hands frantically. "I-I was just helping! He's sick, and his shirt was wet, and I thought—"

The aunt raised a skeptical eyebrow, her arms crossing as if waiting for a better explanation.

"I wasn't doing anything weird; I swear!" Shika stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her bag and bolted for the door. "I-I should go! Feel better, Sota!"

The door slammed behind her, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.

Sota's aunt turned her sharp gaze to him. "Well? Care to explain what that was about?"

Sota groaned, leaning back against the couch with a weak smile. "Nothing happened. She was just worried about me."

His aunt didn't seem convinced. She marched over, grabbed him by the front of his damp shirt, and gave him a light shake. "You scared that poor girl away! I can't believe you'd make her cry. Don't you know how to treat people with kindness and respect?"

"Auntie," Sota mumbled, his voice barely audible. "You're overreacting."

But before she could continue her scolding, she noticed his flushed cheeks and glassy eyes. "Oh no, you're burning up again!" she exclaimed, immediately shifting gears. She helped him lie back down, fussing over him as she brought fresh towels and medication.

---

The next day, Sota returned to school, looking much better but still a little tired. He stepped into the classroom just as Heizen was in the middle of a dramatic meltdown.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Heizen muttered, pacing in circles. His hands were buried in his hair, and his face was a mix of panic and confusion.

"What's going on?" Sota asked, dropping his bag onto his desk.

"Heizen thinks we have an oral exam today," Shika explained, barely suppressing a smile as she organized her notes.

"I don't think we have an oral exam. I know we have one!" Heizen shot back, waving his notebook like a flag.

"Actually," Luna chimed in, smirking, "it's pronounced oral presentation. And it's not today—it's next week."

Heizen stopped in his tracks, his face falling as the realization hit him. "So... you're telling me I did this entire book report for nothing?"

Shika couldn't help but giggle. "Well, at least you're prepared for next week."

Before Heizen could respond, the teacher walked in, holding a stack of papers. "Alright, class," she announced, her voice cheerful in a way that immediately put everyone on edge. "We're going to start the day with a pop quiz."

The groans were unanimous, with Heizen's being the loudest.

"Pop quiz?" Heizen whispered frantically to Sota as the papers were being handed out. "What's this quiz about?!"

Sota shrugged, flipping over his paper. "No clue. I was too busy being sick to study anything."

Heizen's groan was almost loud enough to echo.

---

The next day, the results of the quiz were handed back. As usual, Shika scored the highest in the class. Luna wasn't far behind, her confident smile showing she had expected her good grade.

Rio, Motohiro, Sota, Maemi, and Ryoku all breathed sighs of relief as they saw they had passed, their grades respectable if not stellar.

But Heizen...

"What?" Heizen muttered, staring at the glaring red "F" on his paper as though it were a personal insult.

"You okay there, buddy?" Sota asked, trying and failing to suppress a grin.

"I failed," Heizen said flatly, his voice filled with disbelief.

Sota leaned over to get a better look at his paper. "Yup, you sure did. Looks like I beat you this time."

The teasing tone in Sota's voice made Heizen narrow his eyes. "Don't get cocky, Sota. This isn't over. I'll get you next time."

Ryoku chimed in with a gentle smile, "Don't worry, Heizen. You'll bounce back. Besides, we all know Sota just got lucky this time."

Heizen's lips twitched into a determined grin. "Thanks, Ryoku. And Sota? Consider this a fluke. Next quiz, I'm coming for that top spot."

The group burst into laughter, the light-hearted banter easing the sting of Heizen's disappointment.