<div class="floatleft">(http://oi67.tinypic.com/30rp8i0.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Shizuma Nori (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=257738.msg12729551#msg12729551)<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Cafeteria<br/><strong>Time:</strong>Flashback - a few days before school starts, a little after 7am<br/><strong>With:</strong>Taro + Open<br/><hr/><br/>"Your goals are laudable," Shizuma replied as Taro started talking about the future as he it. "I'll tell you the truth, I always saw myself going into teaching," she admitted with a crooked smile on her lips as she shared her thoughts. "I really like school and learning, so why stop, you know?" She asked shyly, knowing she sounded like a complete nerd and hoping that wasn't a bad thing in Taro's eyes. "Now though, I wonder if that will be allowed. I mean, there are enough people out there unhappy that Red Cards are tainting good students..." she sighed as she repeated some of the ugly opinions shared on the nightly news. She ran a hand through her hair and nodded adding, "I'm just as clueless. I'm going to say we should apply your rule about the past to the future, give it as little mind as possible and be who we are right now."<br/><br/>Shizuma sipped her cold coffee and grimaced at its bitterness. She smiled as Taro firmly set her straight, screwing her face up pensively and then said. "My 'normal life' wasn't anything great. I kept to myself too much to have real friends and though my parents are great they were always busy with their own lives." She chuckled and smiled apologetically as she realized that she was complaining then put up her hands and said, "even given all that, I'm happier now then I have been in a long time, Taro. I see good things happening this school year. For me, for you and all of us," she says in a hopeful and bright tone.<br/><br/>The truth of what she was saying was written all over Shizuma's face and colored her energy. She had blossomed during their conversation, unconsciously deciding it was safe here, with him, to come out of her shell. There was just something special about Taro that made it possible for her to see herself as someone with something to give to others, someone welcome and encouraged to see how far she could spread her wings and fly. Metaphorically, that is.<br/><br/>Shizuma laughed melodiously as he thanked her for her friendship and ooed adoringly as he held out his little finger to make his words a binding promise. She linked her fingers with him and squeezed it a little before shaking her hand gently and nodding as she said. "Promise accepted and returned." Something sparkled in her eyes as she spoke and she smiled so broadly she got dimples on her cheeks as she drew her hand back away from his. "If we stick to this schedule of rising early to work out, I wonder if we'll always have the cafeteria to ourselves. It looks like lots of the students here are sleeping in today, no?" She said as she looked around the room to see if anyone else had come in to eat this morning.