[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mLQPYVl.png[/img][/center][hr]

[color=eb46e5]"...Huh?"[/color]

Shivers ran up Shizuku's spine as the other girl told her she could hear Cross' voice. [color=eb46e5]"I-... I didn't..."[/color] she stammered out, at a loss for what to say in the moment. However, when the other girl began lamenting about how she wouldn't be able to beat Shizuku, a different feeling took the place of that fear: Understanding. This girl must have been the same as her. [color=eb46e5]"Ah... I see,"[/color] Shizuku said. [color=eb46e5]"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly when I approached you."[/color]

Giving Fujiko a sad smile, Shizuku opened up her bag again. She reached into it, taking out her cellphone to slip Cross out of his confinement. Holding the card in front of herself, the boy briefly glanced at Shizuku from inside. He then closed his eyes and turned his head away. [color=eb46e5]"His name is Cross. He's usually like this,"[/color] she giggled, turning him around to face Fujiko.

[color=b32eff]"She wouldn't battle you even if she could,"[/color] he replied in a dismissive tone. [color=b32eff]"Shizuku's been refusing every chance she got, ever since entering this game."[/color]

Shizuku couldn't refute that one, as it was all too true. Wanting to move on from the topic, she said: [color=eb46e5]"Um... you're the first person I've met who's also an architect. Maybe... if it would be okay with you, would you want to come to a card shop with me after school?"[/color]