Shizune in America!
This takes place between 'Shizune in the snow: 5' and 'Shizune in the snow: Finale'
It's been sitting idle on my hard drive for a while, so I thought I may as well publish it.
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POV:
Hisao
I always hated how noisy airports are. There is always a child screaming or someone complaining about their flight is late mixed in the the natural hum of a working aerodome. This is a fact that Shizune has only just discovered, her face has been glued into a scowl ever since we checked in and began waiting. I decided to take pity and raise the hand wrapped around her neck to the hearing aid and flick the small power switch. Shizune looks shocked for a second before realizing what I've done and quickly signs her thanks, obviously having missed the idea that she can turn the thing off.
It was tough to get our professor to hand over our work for a week. Luckily we reached a compromise; he'd give me the last version of the prototype if I bought him lunch. I was quick to accept a permanent way for Shizune to enjoy the world and extend my thanks. I was able to fix most of the problems we had with that prototype rather quickly as we've already fixed them once, but Shizune was still overjoyed to hear that I'd gotten hold of it permanently, even if it's an older version.
She was very happy to hear that we're visiting Misha, and immediately asked how I was going to pay for it, she's pretty much become the accountant for our two piece family. It still feels strange to call us a family. I haven't proposed yet, we haven't even thought about it since we've both been so devoted to our studies after we both promised to get well paid jobs so we didn't have to rely on eachother
too much. I suppose that's Shizune for you, always planning for the future.
The large screen mounted above us flickers to life with a loud beep and a large message scrolls across it.
Flight 815 to America now boarding.
I shake my companion from her quiet little bubble and point her to the sign, a quick nod from both of us decides our next move of action. We stand before checking to make sure we've got all of our light luggage and then begin moving towards boarding.
---
POV:
Shizune
America is only a little different compared to what I expected. Large office buildings guard the skyline and smaller stalls selling various foods and items are scattered around the streets, much like they are during festival time in Japan, however it seems to be an all year round normality in New York.
Our plane ride was quiet; unlike the whiplash I thought it would be, but that's mostly because the...
my hearing aid died halfway through the flight. I'm sure I would have turned it off on my own, but having the choice taken away from me was rather annoying. Hisao didn't mind cuddling while I fell asleep though, so I couldn't stay angry for long.
And now here we are; a tiny apartment building that took us a half hour to find, even once we were on the right street. Usually you'd have to buzz someone to let you in, but it seems we don't have that choice here. We instead let ourselves through the large iron gate as Misha had instructed and make our way upstairs while Hisao compares his phone to the room numbers, eventually stopping at Misha's room.
[Ladies first.] He signs while pointing to the door, his hands temporarily free from the baggage he's been tugging along. I raise my hand and knock on the door as usual. I've not knocked on a door since I got my hearing aid, so I'd never realized how violent I am. Perhaps that's why Hisao always looks a little extra groggy when I have to wake him. After a second or two and the clacking of the lock, the door swings open the reveal Misha. Her sleepy, slightly dopey expression quickly turns to surprise, as does mine; The girl has lost a lot of weight. I quickly force a smile onto my face as she stands dead still, about a second goes by before she launches herself at me, wrapping both arms around me as if I'd vanish in a cloud of smoke if she let go.
She shares a few sentences with Hisao before he motions towards the door, then Misha begins shuffling backwards while still holding onto me. Hisao only offer a chuckle as he picks up the bags again and steps through the door with a grin on his face. Myself and Misha awkwardly stumble into the room while she's still hugging me as tightly as she can.
---
POV:
Hisao
I step into the apartment leaving Misha and Shizune to chat for a second before seeing that Misha has no plan to let go in the near future given Shizune's crushed expression. Misha's apartment is less of an apartment and more of a room. There is a large futon placed up against one wall, probably Misha's sleeping area, while the other side of the room is dominated by a large sofa and television set accompanied by her various game consoles from Yamaku. Behind me sits a small counter, and behind that a minimalist kitchen that seems to be made of up a microwave oven and portable stove.
By the time I've taken a look around, Shizune has freed herself and ushered Misha back into her apartment. Shizune flops down into the sofa shortly followed by Misha. If you were an outside observer you would have guessed that these two were a couple. I quickly unzip my backpack and pull out the four pack of canned coffee that I brought for the plane trips but never had a chance to open. Lightly placing them on the coffee table, I sit myself down on the small cushioned chair placed opposite the sofa, where I see that Shizune has moved to face Misha, crossing her legs in front of her.
"Nnnice to... s-see...
you again." Shizune speaks softly, her voice barely registering over the rooms natural sound while doing her best to keep her hands in her lap to stop her from signing, something I had been trying to get her to do that seems to have stuck. Misha tilts her head to the side in confusion before bursting into laughter, much to Shizune's disappointment. I make sure to give her a thumbs up before returning my attention to Misha.
["It's great to see you too~"] Misha exclaims, laughing wildly. ["And you as well Hisao!"] She turns to me, her eyes glittering slightly.
["And the same to you, Misha"] I respond while leaning forward to grab myself a can of coffee. Misha quickly notices and jumps from her seat before skipping towards the kitchen and returning with three glasses, each holding a couple of ice cubes in the bottom. She slams them down and cracks open a can of coffee before emptying in into the cup.
["Iced coffee!"] She exclaims, still pouring the drink.
[Like Iced tea?] Shizune signs, holding back a laugh. I, on the other hand, have completely failed to hide my amusement.
["It's a real thing here!~"] Misha defends, now filling the other glasses with coffee. Don't knock it till you try it right? I take a tentative gulp of the coffee and find that It's actually pleasant in a way, at least more pleasant that room temperature coffee.
["Not bad."] I chuckle, having expected it to be awful.
[I agree.] Shizune adds her approval stamp before placing the glass back down, freeing both her hands for high speed communication. [So how are things?] Shizune asks, I'm sure she knows since they speak often enough, but hearing it in person must be nice.
["Pretty crazy; I've been working my butt of studying International and American sign for the last couple of months, that and working as a waiter has stolen all my free time, so It's nice to have a break."] She speaks, as she finishes she leans back into the sofa.
[You got time off work?] Shizune continues her interrogation.
"Mhmm" She nods ["I told my boss that some friends from Japan were coming hoping for a day or two off, then he gave me the whole week since you guys have come from so far!~"] She smiles, her finger swinging wildly in the air. ["So it's time!~"] She springs from her seat energetically before trotting over towards the TV and frantically messing with a tangle of wires.
["Time for what?"] I chuckle nervously, shooting glances to Shizune who seems to be just as lost as me given her exaggerated shrug.
---
POV:
Hisao
Misha's alarm clock blares out intently, waking me from my rather uncomfortable sleeping position against the sofa. After a couple of seconds Misha's arm emerges from below her sheets and begins to swing around, eventually finding her bedside table and connecting with her clock.
SMASH
"Augh..." I slowly open my eyes and bring my hand to my face. "Did you just throw your alarm clock at me?" I chuckle, now rubbing at the dull pain residing in my forehead.
"
Ohmygodi'msosorry! Are you okay?" Misha explodes. How can she be so energetic after just waking up?
"You're a good shot." I chuckle.
"Did I really hit you in the head?" She chortles in a rather un-ladylike fashion.
"Uhuh." I shrug. "I don't think you did any permanent damage." I shake my head and release a short laugh,
what an interesting way to wake up.
"Where's Shicchan?" Misha questions, causing me to look down at my lap to find that it's currently less Shizune-d than it was during the 'super video game battle royale' we had last night.
"I think she's making breakfast." I retort while taking a deep breath, smelling early morning cooking. I stretch out and reach for the clock that Misha so thoughtfully provided, reading the time at just a little past eight am.
"Breakfast?" She mirrors, now rubbing at her eyes. After slowly standing and stretching out my back, I spin around to look into the kitchen; Just behind the counter is Shizune, doubled over and attempting to hide her amusement.
[I can't believe that just happened.] She giggles silently behind her hand. I take a deep breath and realize the hilarity of the situation and releasing a laugh of my own, it feels just like our time at Yamaku all over again.
---
["Thanks for the food!"] I bow my head forward and take in the aroma of the large traditional Japanese feast that Shizune has prepared for us.
"Actual Japanese food..." Misha mutters to herself as she attempts to remember how to use chopsticks.
[I bet it's been a while since you've eaten
good food,] Shizune quietly giggles, seemingly predicting Misha's words, that or she knows the word 'food' already. [So we brought some things over with us.]
["There is tons of good food here!
But nothing as homey as this... Thanks Shicchan!"] Misha retorts having finally managed to hold her chopsticks correctly on the second try. After bowing her head and giving her thanks again, we all dig in. Shizune took a liking to cooking shortly after we moved to Tokyo, luckily enough for me. If it weren't for her cooking then I'd be living off convenience store food every day, much like many of the other science students. For the first month or so she only had the confidence to make 'safer' dishes like Ramen or Yakisoba, but after that she began to experiment more. Now she even has a small notebook that she keeps all of her recipes in, and intendeds to 'pass it down to our children', apparently.
["That was great!"] Misha extends her compliments and places the empty bowl in her hands back onto the table.
["No problem, we though you'd enjoy something traditional."] I return with a smile, I'm glad we managed to get most of it over the border.
[Not like you helped at all.] Shizune retorts, now also finished with her meal.
["I tried, but you said it'd be awful if I cooked anything!"] I attempt to defend my pride, but I think that's all but shot at this point.
[You're a scientist, not a cook, Hisao.] Shizune giggles, causing Misha to explode into her trademark 'Wahaha' laugh.
["What about that 'Blumenthal' guy? He's both."] I retort, remembering the show we watched where he freeze dried a bunch of ingredients to make some freaky, half science, half cooking dish.
["You two got really close, huh?"] Misha reigns in her laughter, an ability she must have gained since coming over here.
["Well we are dating."] I chuckle in return, causing Shizune to blush slightly.
["Just dating? When's the wedding?~"] Misha laughs even harder, now causing Shizune to retreat behind her hands in an attempt to hide her rapidly reddening face.
"
M-misha!" Shizune explodes, her voice cracking slightly, causing both of us to fall into silence. [You're embarrassing me!] She returns to sign as me and Misha both stare at her, jaws slack.
"Woah..." I mutter, attempting to put my thoughts in order, I've never heard Shizune's voice be that powerful. I suppose the power of embarrassment is a strong one.
[
We'll get married after we're done with our studies...] Shizune signs timidly, her blush now covering her entire face.
["You better have a good DJ!~"] Misha laughs loudly,
I had forgotten how loud she was. Shizune reaches for her aid and tweaks for a second, presumably lowering the volume down slightly.
---
{"I'll have two coffees, please."} I speak to the waiter as the feeling in my arms returns slowly, I've been the designated bag-carrier for the shopping trip today.
{"One hot chocolate for me please!"} Misha orders and the waiter gives a short nod before wandering off. ["I didn't know you were so fluent, Hicchan."]
["Yeah, lots of the science conventions we visit are mainly english, as well as all the papers I have to read."] I return with a short sigh, now stretching out my aching fingers.
["Looks like it's worth it though."] Misha giggles as she watching Shizune intently listening to the sound of the cafe.
["She gets like this a lot, she'll just zone out and listen forever if I don't stop her."] I chuckle, now able to feel my fingertips. Misha joins in Shizune's peaceful listening and we fall into silence for a second. My phone buzzes on the table, temporarily revealing the background image of myself and Shizune at the zoo we took earlier today before it's covered up by an email alert. I scan my eyes over the email and see that my professor has sent me an assignment to complete before I return to Japan. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to work while I was here, but it seems that's out of my control.
I place my phone back onto the table and look at the girl leaning her head on my shoulder, then the girl sat across the table, idly sipping on her hot chocolate. Shizune is smiling, Misha is smiling, and I find that I'm smiling as well. I'm glad we were able to visit, it's been a nice break for myself and Shizune so far, but I think the one who is getting the most out of the visit is Misha. When we arrived her smiles were forced and artificial, but each day her grin becomes more authentic. She spent almost all of today beaming like a madman, her signature laughter filled the air to the point where I started feeling tired of it.
Just like our student council days...
