She Who Goes Cloaked (Shinya)

When she said thank you, Shinya smiled and nodded. "It's true though." He said, then began noticing her actions and began to get worried that he did something wrong. "I-Is something the matter..? Did I do something to offend you?" He asked, worried that their nice little moment would be ruined suddenly.

"N-No...Um I am not used...to talking." Stuttering out a reply, Mia stopped shaking her head. Oh no he thought something was wrong! Failure, failure as a social person. She apparently needed more practice.

How could she thank him though? They could play more games, but she felt a greater debt to this young man than playing games with him could help. At least to her. Maybe she should just ask?

"H-How can I t-thank you Shinya? I-It was really kind of you..."

"O-oh, I'm sorry.. I didn't realize.." Shinya quickly spoke, mentally cursing himself for the oversight on his part.

When she asked if there was anything she could do to repay him, Shinya shook his head. "No, no need to repay me for this!" He exclaimed, then quickly quieted himself for a moment. "Besides, you already gave me what was most precious: Your friendship."

Shinya flashed a bright smile at Mia and then gestured to the machines. "So, care to go a few more rounds?"

"N-No! No sorry! I-Its okay!" Mia waved her arms, trying to show Shinya that it really was fine and that he shouldn't apologize. Still she wanted to repay him! Even if his words about the most precious thing being her friendship was making her beat red again.

Maybe by playing some fun games with him more she could repay him and have fun in his company! Nodding strongly, she laughed for the first time truly and moved quickly over to another racing game. Her voice was a bit stronger and she spoke without a shy stutter for once. "This one! Its more fun with two people, Shinya."

"Okay!" Shinya replied, joining her over by the racing game. As like before, Mia insisted on paying for the game, but he didn't fight her over it. There was no point in it as she seemed to really wanna repay him even though he said it was fine. Either way, Shinya was out to have fun with her so that's all that mattered in the end in his opinion.

The racing game was indeed very fun and Shinya greatly enjoyed himself even though he lost this time around. He did notice that her voice had become stronger and less timid, which made him happy that she was growing comfortable around him.

Mia laughed slightly, most of it contained by her shaking body though. Had she really won this round? It was odd, she wasn't expecting to win all the time... Maybe he'd want to play another game though? Still excited about having someone to play with who she didn't have to be wary of, she waved Shinya on with a smile to the next game, a two person shooter with those fake guns.

She loved those, but only played them when facing someone. Maybe today it could be a friendly competition instead?

"Yes! I love these ones!" Shinya exclaimed as he followed her over to the shooting game. He picked up the gun and hefted it into his hand for a few seconds, testing the weight of it. Once the money was inserted, Shinya waited for Mia to get ready before starting the game. This game was a fast paced shoot-em-up and the two of them were competing for points.

Shinya was having fun trying to outshoot Mia, but he knew he wasn't as good at these games as Saraiyu was. Now there's a match he had to see someday.. one between Mia and his Corona. Then again the game might explode from that much ability..

Aha! She picked right! Mia was pleased with herself for making Shinya smile like that, she was definitely enjoying making a new friend. Picking up the gun with eased practice, she pulled off her gloves with her mouth and stuffed them into the cloak. Mia would need the extra help if he was any good...

Even if she won more rounds on average, it seemed Shinya wasn't half bad and she didn't feel like lowering her playing level to enjoy it with him. He was a good sport and it made her happy to see him enjoying this just as much.

She could barely hold all her fun in as they finished, smiling and laughing more than a bit. Maybe it was the fact that she was in the living world and this was a human who didn't know her or anything that she could be be more open than usual. Mia had no idea, but she didn't seem to mind anyone else in the arcade right now. "Ah! You won that, its a good note to end on."

However her excitement quickly faded, Mia withdrawing again inside her shell. What... were they to do now? More and more games? She was quickly running out of money... Looking down she gripped her cloak and pulled it around herself more. "I-I am almost out of money... I'm sorry Shinya..."

"Then let's call it quits for today, I'd say you more than paid me back for my gift." Shinya replied as he stretched. "Maybe you'll call me sometime once you're ready to hang out again? O-or I could call you..?"

Shinya blushed a little at those words, but quickly slapped his cheeks to force the color out of them. "Umm, want me to walk you home..?" Shinya offered, unsure how she might take that. But it was the polite thing to do, right?

It was just as well that he had to leave now, he had responsibilities to take care of and couldn't be playing in the arcade all day long like he had. But he'd wait till he knew Mia was gone safely before he went anywhere. Last thing he wanted was some bastard hurting her after he left.

"I haven't..." Mia bit her lower lip briefly, her voice turning to a bit of a pout. Shinya wouldn't understand how much that meant to her, that he had done that without even stopping to think... Or teasing her about the game itself. Its contents were a bit...

Her face was as red as his, though she didn't slap hers as he did. Instead she covered her mouth and looked to the side. "Y-You...can call too. We are friends, they talk to each other and m-make plans to hang out."

"N-No! Um, you can't walk me home because..." Mia felt bad for her sudden outburst, knowing that it would come off as rude or mean but... He couldn't walk her home since she didn't live here. Quick! A lie... "I-I live outside of the city... Its a long walk. I couldn't make you, that far...since you probably have your own things to do."

Shinya smiled as she mentioned that he could call her, though he mentally filed away the note that she doesn't think she's done paying him back yet. Somehow he'd have to get her to see that a gift is a gift and doesn't need repayment. Though being unable to walk her home left him a bit sad, but he understood as his home was.. rather far itself.

"Alright, well I guess.. I guess we'll talk later then?" Shinya spoke softly as he stared at her for a while longer. He really didn't want to leave, but he had to be getting back as it was getting dark on this side of things. With one last lingering gaze, Shinya flashed a bright smile to her before turning and running off out the arcade. He needed to find a private place to return to Hueco Mundo.

"Mhm!" Mia's smile was sweet as she nodded, trying to figure out why Shinya was staring at her so much. It was making her red! As he ran out of the arcade, she waved with a grin before checking the time. Oh! It was this late already! Her hell butterfly fluttered out of her cloak and fluttered around her as she pulled the hood up.

Running out of the arcade, she headed for her usual spot in a nearby park to leave for the seireitei. She felt bad for not letting him walk with her but...how would she explain leaving like this? Well they'd see each other again! She wouldn't ever forget a friend.