Shou's eyes widened in surprise at the manner in which Shizuka began to panic, and he held up his hands to reassure her that everything was fine, and he wouldn't have had her head if she hadn't marked the papers (he'd have done it himself anyway worst case scenario). Romeo rested his head on her lap, blinking up at the young woman affectionately. He was, if not Shou, the receiver of most of her affections.

He smiled both innocently and nonchalantly (or was it knowingly?) over at Nick, who began to grow increasingly more fidgety. Something about the moment was peculiar, indeed, and just as he mentioned the lack of fangirls around the professor, when he went to interject, a bouncy little lady with pink hair so bright it startled Shou a little came into view.

...she was so young, he only just caught himself from asking why she shouldn't be at home this late. It was nearing 9:30, in the evening, after all. Fortunately, after a handful of seconds of staring with his mouth slightly agape at how to answer the question, it registered where he had seen her before. She was a student of a colleague of his, and often made rounds around the staff room asking for them.
[i]Ah, I...see now.[/i]

"A paper, at this hour...?" he began, glancing at the girl blankly. It was definitely odd, but for some reason, be it his politeness or otherwise, he could not have turned her down. "...I suppose I could look at it, young lady, but I'm sure Ms. Fay would be better suited to such a task. You're one of her students, are you not? I'll convey it to her tomorrow if you hand it to me."
He gave her a reassuring smile, followed by a tiny wink as he gripped the stick of the vanilla cream flavoured lollipop he was having between two of his fingers. "We'll make sure she gets it before the weekend, so you [i]won't[/i] get in trouble, little lady."

"Shizuka, I-" he turned back to the girl and upon expecting to find Nick still there, found the seat beside her absolutely empty. Romeo had gone to inspect this new girl's hand, sitting at her feet and being quite large compared to her petite frame. His tail thumped quietly against the ground.

"...I see." Shou murmured, resting his cheek in his palm and his elbow on the table. He gazed right at Shizuka, who still seemed stiff and nervous in her chair, and after a moment of hesitation he leaned in closer.
His voice in a soft, husky whisper now, he could have almost kissed her, but that did not seem to be his intention.
Incongruous with his voice, his facial features actually remained...worried?
"It's very late, Miss Otonashi. I would be gutted if I were to let anything happen to one of my students, this late. Would you allow me to walk you home, at the very least?"


[hr]

[b]Saturday, 10:30 AM.[/b]

Shou woke up with a raging headache.
...again. Fridays were those days where you'd let loose irresponsibly and inevitably regret it every Saturday. Every single Saturday.
His routine was pretty usual, but Saturdays were one of those exception days where he had the liberty to do as he wanted. After Friday night gambling and staying out way too late and a glass too many at the casino, he never thought he'd get accustomed to this feeling, but in an odd way, he did.

The morning consisted of odd jobs, like sating one's hunger with measly sandwiches and becoming more...presentable. His disheveled hair had a mixed reputation amongst his students. It was either loved or hated and noting but absolute.
This morning, he preferred to style it a little better.

After a quick shower and a lazy throwing on some casual clothes consisting of a scarf, beige turtleneck and a pair of dark jeans, and a cologne with a woody scent, he took a quick espresso before leaving the house with his car keys in tow, and two dogs well fed and left to spend the day relaxing as well.

A bad habit as it had become, he was itching for something from the Mochavine. Anything, really. It was one of those places that kept you coming back.
...and he never did see the cute barista, April, ever again. It was disheartening and he had only hoped she had moved on to something better, living a happier life.

Parking the car quite close by, he shoved his hands in his pockets and shivered against the lingering cold, before pushing the glass doors open and being met with the ever present warmth of the cafe and bar.
What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the noise.

The place looked completely packed!

He stood there, a little stunned, not finding a single table free. Frankly, that really was not in his plans.
There were lots of seats where he could join someone else, though. Many men and women occupied single tables.
Maybe he could...

[i]Perhaps I should wait for someone to seat me. I'm sure they'll have something, anything, free. If not...goodness, will I really have to sit with someone for something to...eat? What a Friday...winter must be bringing in so many tourists, too [/i]