The School Halloween Party! A Confusing Costume Choice?

Upstairs, he flops on his bed on his back with a frustrated sigh.

Hikigaya "I'm totally stressing about it…"

He says quietly while laying on his bed. He sits up for a moment before getting back up and heading to Shiori's room. There, he softly opens her door to find her asleep at her desk, laying on her work. He smiles softly with a blush on his cheeks as he adores her.

Hikigaya "She's so cute.."

He whispers before stepping into her room and picking her up in his arms. He carries her to her bed and lays her down gently before covering her in her blankets. She snores lightly as he does. He leans down and lightly kisses her on the forehead as a gentle smile spreads on her lips.

Hikigaya "You're so amazing.."

He whispers before stepping back to leave. On his way out, he looks at her book and pages on her desk and stops when something catches his eye. He reads it for a moment before getting a surprised and inspired look.

Hikigaya "A young man with bright blue hair and a scar across his face…"

He smiles a bit before thinking more about it.

Hikigaya "That actually sounds really cool."

He says, surprised before smiling and rushing to his desk. He pulls out a pencil and begins sketching on a sheet of paper under his lamp light. 

In late October…

Shiori rushes around her room, frantically looking for something as Hikigaya walks in, cautious and confused by her search. 

Hikigaya "Uh.. Shiori? You okay?.."

She stops with a sigh of frustration as she looks around.

Shiori "No, not really. I just got a text from Lucy asking about my costume."

Hikigaya looks at her confused.

Hikigaya "Costume?.."

Shiori "Yes, but that's the thing. I completely forgot about the Halloween party Ms. Samuel set up for us and forgot to get a costume for it. Did you get your costume ready?"

She asks, still slightly frantic. Hikigaya sweats and looks away.

Hikigaya "O-oh yeah! Of course I did! I prepared it right as we got home from school haha.."

He says awkwardly as she stares at him.

Shiori "You were asleep, weren't you?"

Hikigaya thinks about the day Ms. Samuel explained the costume party in class and how he slept through it happily.

Hikigaya "Yes, I was…"

He says while drooping. Shiori groans and covers her face while sitting down on her bed. 

Shiori "Ugh, what am I gonna do?.."

Hikigaya looks at her for a moment with a worried look before sitting down next to her.

Shiori "The party is in a couple hours and I have no idea what to do…"

Hikigaya "It's okay. I don't have a costume either."

He says softly as Shiori sighs and looks up.

Shiori "I love you but you're far too dumb to understand what this means to me."

A vein pops on his head a bit because of her words but the anger doesn't last long as she continues to speak.

Shiori "I… really don't want to stand out anymore… I don't want to be an outcast again. If the others are gonna dress up then I want to join them. I want to be a part of the activities."

She says softly as Hikigaya watches her. She looks at him softly.

Shiori "I finally have the chance to be a normal student, a normal friend. A part of a group bigger than just me.."

He looks back at her softly before an idea comes to mind.

Hikigaya "Hey, what about this?"

She looks at him surprised as they lean in close, Hikigaya whispering his idea in her ear. She blushes a bit with an embarrassed look before pulling away.

Shiori "That wouldn't be weird?.."

Hikigaya "Nah, I think it'd be fun. The other students should recognize it anyway."

He says casually as Shiori looks down. She sweats a bit before looking at him with a softly determined look.

Shiori "Okay but there's one thing I want to add."

She says as he smirks back. Later at school after the sun has set, the 4th year students gather in the main courtyard area, all decorated and prepared for the party. The students are all dressed up and have already begun having a good time. Ms. Samuel and Principal Ai watch the students along with a few other staff members.

Samuel "Thanks for approving this party Principal Ai. I'm sure it means a lot to the students."

Ai smiles warmly.

Principal Ai "Of course. It is their last year after all. I want them to have fond memories to look back on."

Samuel smiles and nods as they stand in silence for a moment.

Principal Ai "How are Inabi and Oshiro doing?"

Samuel "Great actually. As usual, they've been on their best behavior and keep their grades up! I've even heard around that they're dating.."

She leans in and whispers playfully as Ai chuckles a bit.

Principal Ai "Why am I not surprised?"

Samuel "Really? I am. After all the things I heard about them from you, I assumed they'd be a real handful but they're quite… pleasant."

Principal Ai looks at Samuel as she watches the students with a warm look.

Principal Ai "I'm also glad to see you've become quite the teacher."

Samuel blushes a bit in embarrassment with a surprised look.

Samuel "Me? No, I'm just doing my job."

She says with a bashful laugh.

Principal Ai "I can tell these students quite enjoy your teachings. I have a feeling they won't forget how much you've helped them grow any time soon."

She says warmly as Samuel's eyes shine. She smiles softly before looking back at her students.

Samuel "I think they've helped me grow too…"

She says softly. In the party, Chizuru looks around, dressed as a doll.

Chizuru "Where do you think Shiori and Hikigaya are? They're gonna miss the whole party at this rate!"

Lucy shrugs casually.

Lucy "I dunno. Maybe they're not coming cause their costumes are so lame."

She says with a smirk as Haru high fives her, laughing. Chizuru pouts as down the hall, Shiori and Hikigaya walk with intense blushes on their faces.

Shiori "How did I let you talk me into this?.."

She whispers, flustered.

Hikigaya "What??. This was your idea!.."

He gasps back. They walk into the party as the main group looks their way with excited faces. Lucy then smirks. 

Lucy "Heh, told you, lame."

Chizuru "What's wrong with you?! They're cool!"

Sugwara "But… what's that?"

They look at Shiori and Hikigaya dressed in Fullsky and Watchdog costumes but not as detailed. The main thing catching their attention though is the addition of a collar and leash around Hikigaya's neck. Shiori holds onto it as they walk to the group. 

Lucy "Wow guys, couldn't think of anything more original?"

She teases.

Hikigaya "Yeah, well what about you and Ryuji?!"

He snaps back, blushing and angry. Lucy is dressed in a sous chef outfit with a purple wig on as Ryuji is dressed in chef attire with a tall chef's hat on his head.

Hikigaya "You guys are just dressed as your jobs!"

Lucy shakes her head while clicking her tongue as Ryuji responds.

Ryuji "Nuh uh. Check this out."

He lifts his hat to reveal a fake rat toy on his head. Haru is in awe of it.

Haru "Woah! A mouse! What's he doing there??"

Ryuji puts his hat down as Hikigaya pouts, defeated. Suddenly, Daiki and Airi approach them.

Daika "Hey, sick costumes! It's uh.. Fullsky and Watchdog right?"

They nod with surprised looks. Airi leans in a little closer to Shiori.

Airi "I like the addition.. Your idea I presume?."

Shiori nods softly. Airi smirks.

Airi "Nice. Well be a good little Watchdog and guard her all night, kay?"

She says teasingly while patting Hikigaya's head before turning to walk away.

Daiki "What were you talking about?"

Airi "I'll tell you when you're older."

She says as they walk away.

Hikigaya "That was.. Interesting."

Haru then slaps him on the back.

Haru "See? Don't sweat it! It's a party, let's have a good time!"

He says happily as the others cheer. As the night goes on, more people compliment Shiori and Hikigaya's costume choices. 

Student 1 "See? I told you I wasn't the only person who thought they were like that!"

A girl says to her friends.

Student 2 "My man!"

Another student says as he high fives Hikigaya. Eventually, Shiori and Hikigaya take a minute and lean against a wall. Shiori sighs in relief as she still holds onto the leash.

Shiori "I'm glad so many people liked our costumes. I was afraid people would think it was weird."

She says, looking at the leash in her hand. She smirks before tugging it a bit, pulling Hikigaya closer to her.

Shiori "Especially you, my Watchdog."

She says with a teasing tone. Hikigaya looks away a bit with sweat on his face.

Hikigaya "Mhm."

He hums softly in response. Shiori smiles and turns to watch the party for a moment before she feels a hand grab her waist gently but firmly. She blushes a bit as Hikigaya pulls her in front of himself, pulling her into a tight hug from behind. Shiori blushes and sweats with a surprised look. 

Shiori "H-Hiki..?"

His grip tightens around her waist as he leans his chin on her shoulder next to her ear.

Hikigaya "You're lucky I'm enjoying this."

He says softly in her ear. Her blush increases as he presses himself tightly against her.

Shiori "Y-yeah.."

She whispers before being let go. She pulls away just enough to turn towards him a bit. They look at each other for a moment, blushing before leaning in closely for a kiss. Before they can kiss, Alice slides up right next to them.

Alice "Hey hey!"

She says happily, startling them and causing them to jump back from each other in embarrassment, blushing intensely.

Alice "Check this out guys!"

They look at her as she excitedly shows off her costume.

Alice "It's my Clearsky hero costume! I made it myself! What do you think??"

She asks excitedly, obviously proud of her work. Her costume is not well put together and not very pleasant to look at. They sweat with disgusted looks before Shiori puts her hand gently on Alice's shoulder, giving her a pained look as if having bad news to deliver.

Alice "Stop looking at me as if someone died! It's a first draft, okay?!"

She yells back angrily. 

Alice "I'll have Suiyoubi help me with the second draft.."

She pouts as she looks at her cape.