[quote=@Viciousmarrow]
[color=6ecff6]"Hey, it's not your fault. She's a scamp. Seriously though, thank you. You've been amazing today. It usually takes her an hour to stop moping around, but now she's all smiles."[/color] Alban responded to her, flashing the waitress a smile of his own.

[color=f49ac2]"Daddy, you should do something for her! Take her out! I really, really like her!"[/color] Lucille immediately interjects.

A look of surprise flashes onto his face and a tinge of red splashes onto his cheeks. Awkwardly, he rubs the back of his head before looking down at his now happy girl and then at Shizuka, contemplating for a moment. He hadn't gone out with anyone other than his parents or daughter in a long time. Maybe it would be a nice change of pace? 

[color=6ecff6]"Well, if you're up for it, I suppose we can do something tonight. I mean, if you really want to."[/color] 

Alban pulls out a pen and jots down his name and phone number on a nearby napkin. With a kind gaze, he turns to Shizuka and hands it to her.

[color=6ecff6]"Here. I understand if you have plans or something tonight, and I know it's kind of short notice, but I would like to show my gratitude. Call me when you get off work, and maybe we can set something up? ..Oh, and I don't think I've introduced myself. I'm Alban. You can call me Al, if you'd like."[/color] he voices, a hint of both excitement and nervousness in his voice.[/quote]

Shizuka's first impulse was to refuse, but seeing the way Lucille's eyes light up made Shizuka think twice about it.  The little girl seemed to like her, and Shizuka was afraid that if she refused, the girl might start crying again.  Shizuka already felt partly responsible that Lucille had hit her head, she didn't want to give the child another reason to cry.  Besides, this was a family dinner, it might be nice to meet Lucille's mother as well.  [color=a187be]"S-sure,[/color]" Shizuka replied, taking the napkin, [color=a187be]"Dinner sounds lovely.  It's a pleasure to meet you, Alban.  My name is Otonashi Shizuka,"[/color] this time she introduced herself more formally, different than her usual waitress greeting.  [color=a187be]"I'll let you know when I get off work, but anywhere your little girl likes to eat is fine by me."[/color]

[hr]
Later, when Shizuka has some time to herself, she sees Nick's text:

[quote=@Dynamo Frokane]
[color=0072bc][i]Youve done nothing wrong Shizuka, I'm sorry I didn't get the message sooner, I really really really like you, but I think you deserve something better than this washed up DJ right now. Stay perfect Shiz.[/i][/color]
[/quote]

Shizuka felt a pang of guilt; dating Nick hadn't even really crossed her mind.  Maybe she miscommunicated, maybe she led him on.  She wanted to text back saying that she felt he deserved better than her, but then realized, 'what would that accomplish?'  It would only give him hope where there was none, hurting him further.  She wasn't prepared to give him what he wanted and trying to figure out if she could like him back in the same way by 'keeping him around' would only ultimately disrespect his feelings.  She sent back this reply:

[color=a187be]Nick.  I am so sorry.  I was too dense to realize how you truly felt about me.  I never meant to hurt you, but that doesn't change the fact that I did.  I respect you a lot as a person, and I would hate for my ineptitude to come between what I saw as a budding friendship.  In the end, I'm not sure that we'd really be compatible, but I'd still like to be your friend.  More than that, I'd like to help you heal.  I may not know what's popular or trending, but if you need help, advice, or support in anything, especially concerning other girls, I will do my utmost.  I also understand if you need some time and some distance away from me to sort things out.  Stay strong.[/color]

Shizuka sighed, and wiped away a stray tear.  The world moved too fast for her, and in her clumsiness and obliviousness, she had helped shatter a man's heart like dropping a vase.