Hikari thought she saw disappointment flit across Ryuu's face, despite how well he hid it. Still, even though she hated to disappoint him, her answer remained the same. She waved goodbye with a small smile before heading off down the road. After her encounter with Hotaru and Rin interrupted her journey home, she continued on her way, walking down the streets at a casual pace rather than taking the quick way home. She didn't know why she chose to take her time and walk the streets, perhaps she had some hope that he would come home and she'd run into him, or perhaps she was simply preoccupied with her thoughts, but whatever the reason, here she was.<br/><br/>She strolled down the streets, her mind wandering back to what Hotaru had said before, wondering what she had meant and if it was really true. She knew she was a little different, there was no denying that, but was it really that noticeable? If it was... if she was really that different, that happy that it was noticeable, was it really okay? Was it okay to let herself be so happy? Was it okay to change after all this time? She had no real answer to any of these questions, so she sighed lightly to herself, shaking her head to rid herself of the thoughts, since wondering wouldn't really do her any good.<br/><br/>Just as she was about to head home the quicker way she noticed something up ahead. A figure dropped from the rooftop and approached a girl, who freaked out before walking away quickly. She felt a hint of annoyance at what little she'd heard, even before she saw who it was. She hated the harsh words people often threw around towards people they didn't know or barely knew. The annoyance she felt spiked for a brief moment when she realized who it was that the girl had been talking to, but it was quelled in an instant by the happiness she felt at seeing him. For some reason, hearing him say her name like that caused her heart to beat a little faster and she froze for a moment.<br/><br/>After a moment a bright smile spread across her face and her face lit up despite herself. "Kuro!" She greeted him as she neared him, her voice sweet and happy. Without even thinking she pulled a very Hotaru-like move once she'd quickly covered the remaining ground between them, throwing her arms around him and hugging him without really having time to stop or even slow herself down. It probably wasn't the wisest move, given that he had blood splattered on his clothing, but it didn't bother her. Honestly, it was the last thing on her mind.<br/><br/>She felt her cheeks grow somewhat warm as the reality of her actions sank in and she started to move away just a little, in case he wasn't okay with the embrace. "Sorry. I guess I got a little carried away." She apologized with a smile, her cheeks still holding a faint pink. "You weren't home earlier so I didn't think you'd be back tonight." She admitted. "I guess I was just a little surprised." She continued, pausing a moment before adding. "But I'm glad you're back." She smiled,<span style="font-style: italic">If that wasn't obvious after I practically jumped into your arms without thinking.</span>She thought the latter to herself but didn't speak it aloud.<br/><br/>She wouldn't mention the festival, since he'd not seemed interested before. She didn't want to pressure him into anything. Honestly, right now she was just happy to see him. Still, it occurred to her that he seemed to have been looking for her, as the girl he'd approached before had a similar appearance to her, and he seemed to have only just returned from his mission, given that his heart was still beating faster than normal and he was still wearing his mission attire, complete with accents of blood. Had he...rushed back from his mission... for her? She shook her head lightly to herself. No, that was a silly thing to hope for. Right?<br/><br/>She snapped herself back to reality, focusing on him and tilting her head ever so slightly as she looked up at him. "Did you... want to hang out tonight... maybe?" She asked, more timidly than was necessary before slapping herself for doing so. "You can change and shower first if you'd like, of course." She added in a more happy, joking manner. She was serious, of course, but her tone carried more of a joking air to it, trying not to be so serious after her timidness a moment before. She fought back her natural instinct to add something like 'if you don't want to, that's okay, too" to the end of her sentence, or fidget nervously while she waited for an answer. She wouldn't be mad if he declined, although she would, admittedly, be a bit disappointed. She would understand if he wanted to just get some rest. She wanted him to know that she really did want to hang out with him, despite how timid she'd been when she'd asked.<span style="font-style: italic">Please say yes.</span>She whispered to herself in her mind, trying not to let her face show exactly how hopeful she was that he would give her the answer she wanted.