Within an empty classroom Kaito, stands at the front with a white board with huge letters written upon it spelling "How To Overcome Shyness." Mio sits at an empty desk in front of him, nervous as if shes about to take an exam she hasn't studied for.
"Okay Hanazawa we're going to go over some steps on how to help you overcome your shyness," Kaito said flatly.
Mio stammers over her words but she tries to sound pumped up. "O-Okay I'm ready!"
Kaito turns towards the white board and writes down a few words. The board reads "Step One: Self-Awareness and Acceptance"
"The first step is for you to acknowledge your shyness which you already have. The next part is to identify what causes you to become shy and to challenge your negative thoughts on whatever it is. Although I'm pretty sure you already know what the cause is."
Mio falls silent and struggles to speak up and just looks at her desk not wanting to look up at Kaito. "I-I do but I don't-"
Kaito holds his hand up to stop Mio from speaking. "Sorry didn't mean to put pressure on you like that. You don't have to explain it to me. It's fine as long as you yourself know what the cause is."
Of course I already know what the cause is but it couldn't hurt to see if she was willing enough to share the info with me. After all it's hard to know the exact feeling or the extremity of it from reading it from a manga page, Kaito thought.
Mio stared forward at Kaito with eyes full of thanks and hope. "Thank you," Mio says softly.
Kaito is so patient and considerate for someone like me. Others would've given up by now, but he's different. But even if hes different he'll just... be the same in the end won't he. Mio thought.
"Since you're already aware of everything else you just need to focus on how to get rid of the negative thoughts. Though since I don't know the cause I can at least assume it's the same as most individuals. That being the fear of social-judgement which is usually the primary drive of shyness and fear of social interactions," Kaito said flatly.
Mio nods. "That sounds about right I believe."
Kaito writes on the white board Exposure."Great, then as to help you overcome that fear you will need to step out of your comfort zone and try to force yourself into situations that you would usually avoid."
Mio hands balls into fist trembling a bit and is clearly worried about stepping out of her comfort zone.
Kaito glances at her trembling hands. "Don't worry though I wouldn't throw you into the deep end so fast. For now we'll focus on the people you already have a familiarity with talking to. That works for you?"
"O-Oh yes it does! That makes it easier than talking to strangers immediately," Mio says full of hope, but hesitant.
Kaito clasp his hands together. "Alright first order is for you to karaoke with your friends. That should be simple enough and it's a huge leap at the same time. Or is it too much for you right now?"
Mio hurriedly speaks up to reassure Kaito. "No no! I can do this.. or I at least want to try. I want to... be able to go to karaoke with my friends without worry." Mio brings clasps her hands together and brings them up to her chest.
Kaito smirks. "Alright then at the end of the day I want you to have a chat with your friends and ask them if they want to go karaoke with you."
Mio pumps her fist into the air. "I got this! I think," Mio chants.
Kaito glances at the clock and notices the time and sighs. "Alright that's all the time we have for now. You should head back I need to clean the board before I put it back."
"Oh okay." Mio grabs her bag then heads towards the door and slides it open but before she leaves she turns around to look at Kaito.
Kaito notices her hesitation and raises an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
Mio opens her mouth to speak but she hesitates to say anything until she finally speaks up. "It's nothing I just wanted to say thank you again." And with that Mio shuts the door and makes her way down the hall.
Kaito was really interesting. He was able to read me perfectly without me needing to speak my thoughts. Just like how... Hiroshi was, Mio thought.
Mio comes to a halt standing in silence as her expression changes to one of sadness and regret. She lets out a small sigh before continuing down the hall.
Meanwhile Kaito is wiping down the board in the classroom thinking to himself in silence.
Finally on a steady track. I just need to keep guiding her along this course and the rest should work itself. All I have to worry about is the Goddess.
Right on cue a smooth sultry voice spoke right into Kaito's ear. "Oh my~ I had no idea that you were so worried about my well being Sugiura."
Kaito flung his hand right next to his ear and spun around quickly. "Tsk if you think I care about you must be delusional," Kaito spoke harshly.
Aphireia floats away from his swing and plops herself on a desk as she crosses her legs. "Still rude as ever. Guess you're yet to learn your lesson."
Kaito scoffs. "What are you here for now? Here to lecture me about doing something wrong. Or maybe you grew a conscience as a goddess and came to apologize for placing me in such a ridiculous situation.
She places a hand over her mouth as she chuckles to herself with a smug look. "Keep dreaming Sugiura. But I'm actually here to see the progress you've made and I've got to say color me impressed. I really didn't think you would get this far in such a small amount of time.
Kaito rolls his eyes and sighs. "If you're so impressed then maybe you could do me a favor and answer a question of mine?"
Aphireia smiles. "I guess you deserve some sort of reward for your efforts. Okay I'll humor you Sugiura, ask away."
Kaito crosses his arms and stares directly into Aphireia eyes. "I remember you mentioning that I needed their guardian angel. So that leaves me with the question of what or who exactly am I protecting them from? As far as I know High school romance manga doesn't really have much danger inside of it. At first I just tossed it aside thinking you meant mentally, but that didn't sit right with me, because then there wouldn't have been any reason for you to bring it up.
Aphireia just laughs. "Sugiura you're really an interesting mortal I have to say. I didn't think you would pay that much attention to my words but I guess I was wrong." Her expression changes to one in thought as she places her head in hand. "Though to answer your question, I would have to say I don't really know myself."
Kaito raises an eyebrow clearly confused. "What do you mean you don't know?"
Aphireia just sighs. "Like I said I don't know myself. I mean sure I was the one who orchestrated this, but I don't control the events that take place. I might be a goddess but even I have limits to what I can and should do." She smiles innocently as if the entire situation wasn't caused by her.
"So to my understanding you're just useless then." Kaito grabs his belongings and walks towards the door.
Aphireia pouts. "Hey Ill have you know that I've worked very hard to orchestrate all of this. If you really want hints then you should take down the mask."
Kaito stops in his tracks and looks back towards Aphireia. "I have no idea what you're talking about," Kaito says flatly. He slides the door open then shuts it behind him.
Aphireia just continues to sit on the desk in silence pondering to herself. This is getting more interesting by the day. He continues to surprise me but even I remain confused as to what he's thinking. He never removes that mask of his so it's hard to tell.
Aphireia stands up from the desk and adjusts her clothing. Hanazawa I really hope you're able to crack that mask of his.
With that Aphireia becomes surrounded in pink mist and vanishes within it, leaving the room empty once more.