@lollipopsandgunshots inquired: "I think you're fine the way you are." - Uzuki, to Shoka
???—No Longer Accepting
Shoka wasn’t used to compliments. Things felt warm in the past with the Shinjuku Reapers, but it had been a while since then. All Shoka felt recently was just duty. They weren’t a family anymore, but they just had work to do. It felt almost like the Shibuya Reapers…before Uzuki took over again and made things better for them, of course. Regardless, Shoka was used to being distant and deflecting positivity with indifference. Complaining, being flippant, whatever she needed to do to remain “cool”. But…her new friends were so much kinder. It was weird, but Shoka found that she kind of liked it.
“R-Really..?” Shoka asked, an embarrassed blush upon her cheeks. She didn’t know how to handle compliments... She just wasn’t used to them. Growing up, she was criticized for expressing herself her way. Her dad complained, and she didn’t want to disappoint her mom by dressing up in dark outfits... It wasn’t until she became a reaper that she started doing something for herself. She never bothered changing herself to fit into a group, but now, she didn’t want to disappoint her friends. She just didn’t realize that friends would love her for who she is at heart.
“Th-Thanks, I guess... But none of the others in our group dress like me. I don’t want them to think I’m weird, you know?” She didn’t want Rindo to think she was weird...