Demonic Ruler/Câu chuyện

## Đại học Seiho

 **Aoi:**Hmm...

 **Aoi:**It's almost the time we agreed on. I don't see Hiiro around yet, though.

 **Aoi:**(Well, classes just ended. I'm sure she'll be here soon enough.)

 **Aoi:**(Still, I wonder... Is Hiiro really okay with going?)

 **Aoi:**(I just remembered after I got home yesterday. Hiiro, she...)

 **Hiiro:**Hi, Aoi-kun.

 **Aoi:**Huh? Oh, hi Hiiro.

 **Aoi:**When'd you get here? I didn't even notice you were behind me.

 **Hiiro:**I just got here. I thought I'd stay quiet until you noticed.

 **Aoi:**Why? You should've just said something.

 **Hiiro:**I couldn't help myself. Seeing you glancing around was just so adorable♪

 **Aoi:**Oh, really.

 **Hiiro:**Teehee♪ Well, I think I'm satisfied now.

 **Hiiro:**Tsubaki-chan and Nagisa-chan should be here soon. What should we do to pass the time?

 **Aoi:**Good question. We won't have the time to sit and wait at the campus cafe.

 **Aoi:**EHmm...

 **Hiiro:**How about this/ We could grab some drinks from a vending machine, then wait on the benches.

 **Aoi:**Sound like a plan. We can't miss them then.

 **Hiiro:**That settles that. I'll go buy us some drinks. What would you like, Aoi-kun?

 **Aoi:**I think I'll have a... Wait a minute, Hiiro. I just need to ask you a question first.

 **Hiiro:**Hm? What is it?

 **Aoi:**Are you really okay going to the movie theater?

 **Hiiro:**...

 **Hiiro:**So you remembered. That I'm...claustrophobic.

 **Aoi:**Well, yeah. You mentioned that the first time we met.

 **Aoi:**How could I forget?

 **Hiiro:**Oh my. You really have a way with words.

 **Aoi:**Hahaha, thanks.

 **Aoi:**It seems like such a long time ago. It was one of our first sets as a duo, no?

 **Aoi:**Yeah, when I was just learning the ropes. That's why I'll never forget it.

 **Aoi:**The moment I saw you, Hiiro--hunched over next to a wall, struggling to stay calm.

 **Hiiro:**I can't forget it, either.

 **Hiiro:**Not only did I get scouted as a VJ, but claustrophobia hit me on my first night, too.

 **Hiiro:**It's so strange, there's no specific trigger...

 **Aoi:**As I recall, what happened that night was...

 **Hiiro:**Aoi-kun, you came to me first. Asked if I was okay, could I walk to a place where I could rest up.

 **Aoi:**You could barely answer, you were so nervous. It made me nervous, too.

 **Hiiro:**Oh, were you? I couldn't tell. You were so kind and confident while helping me.

 **Hiiro:**It was so calming to feel you hand gently holding mine, as you helped me walk.

 **Aoi:**Heh, yeah. I was so focused on getting you help that I couldn't even think about anything else.

 **Aoi:**I'm sure I just looked more confident and all because you were feeling so unwell.

 **Hiiro:**I don't think so at all.

 **Hiiro:**Why, you even changed the whole set list. Made it all soothing, calming music. Just for me.

 **Hiiro:**Right before we went on, too. You really went the extra mile to help me.

 **Aoi:**Heh, I think that's more because I was new. No experience, no fear, all of that.

 **Aoi:**...Hey, wait a minute. Didn't I tell you about the set list switch before?

 **Hiiro:**No, but Masaki-san told me about it later.

 **Aoi:**Oh, okay.

 **Aoi:**So, back to the question. Are you really okay going to the movie theater?

 **Hiiro:**Yes. I'm better at handling my claustrophobia now. The theater's larger than the nightclub, anyway.

 **Hiiro:**...At least, I think I'll be fine.

 **Aoi:**If you say so. You sure you don't need to hold my hand again?

 **Hiiro:**Thank you, I appreciate the gesture. But then Tsubaki-chan wouldn't be able to focus on the movie.

 **Hiiro:**If I need a hand to hold, I'll ask Nagisa-chan.

 **Aoi:**Fine by me, but... What does Tsubaki have to do with this?

 **Hiiro:**Oh, Aoi-kun... You can be so slow to catch on. Never change.

 **Aoi:**???

 **Hiiro:**Teehee♪