the door creaks open-- slow, slow, slower than slow, just enough to allow a sliver of light right through it. and in the midst of it, is a needle-like shadow that precedes a miniature unicycle. well, an improvised unicycle; it has been clumsily put together with the help of a large button and a wire. unoccupied, too. how odd. / surprise chu-chu, for shinobu!
As a general rule, Shinobu Yaguchi hated being interrupted. The so-called cold prince of Ohtori Academy seldom had a minute to herself, so the evenings where she could brew a cup of coffee for herself in the small, abandoned cafe beneath her special lodgings were sacred. No girls imposing upon her, no boys itching for a fight, and always the sound of bells muffled and drowned out. As such, when they heard the front door creak from their position at the counter, french press in hand, it was Shinobu's instinct to flash an intimidating glare.
Instead, as she realized what exactly had been pushed through her doorway, her sharp expression softened. "Ah, is that Miss Himemiya's little friend?" Whether he qualified as a pet or not, she wasn't sure, but from the time she'd spent as Anthy's partner, he'd left quite an impression. In some faint way, he reminded her of the fish in the pond at her family's estate - always excited whenever she went to feed them, and vying for attention that she might rest her hands underwater and allow them to nuzzle against her. How long had it been since she'd last seen them?
A properly-made cup of coffee required deliberate timing, such that they nearly missed the proper window by daydreaming. With careful, practiced motions, Shinobu plunged the top of the french press and poured herself a cup, then left it to cool to her desired temperature on the counter. After that, she stepped towards the door, a curious expression on her face. She knelt down, stabilizing the unicycle with one hand so that it wouldn't fall when she gently pushed open the door with the other. "Chu-Chu, isn't it? You can come out, if you're there."
