Ah, this is my first fanfiction, so please take care of me! I absolutely ADORE Love So Life and LOVE ShiharuxSeiji! I've written Seiji as Matsunaga-san because that's what everyone knows him as... Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Love So Life. This is just a fanfiction written for fans by a fan.

It's not a Date!

'Hey, Shiharu, what's that?' Rio peeked over her best friend's shoulder. School had just ended and she had packed her bag, ready to leave.

'Movie tickets…' Shiharu whispered. 'I…I took part in a lottery and won two tickets,' Shiharu looked up, her eyes wide. 'Do you want to go together, Rio?'

Rio peered at the tickets. 'This Sunday? No can do, Shiharu. It's my dad's birthday so we're going out…' she trailed off, biting her lip. Shiharu was an orphan, and Rio didn't want to upset her. 'Say, why don't you take Matsunaga-san with you?' she piped up.

'Ma…Matsunaga-san?' Shiharu squeaked, her face reddening. Strange, why did she feel like this? It's because I don't have experience with older men! she tried to convince herself. Turning to Rio, she smiled. 'You mean the twins, right? Matsunaga-san has a day off on Sunday, so he should rest!'

Rio knew better. She knew exactly why Shiharu was acting this way, but she merely shook her head.

'No, I meant you and Matsunaga-san. But I guess you can't leave the twins… Plus, it says two adult tickets. You're over sixteen, so technically you have to go as an adult. So it will be like a date!'

'The twins will be there!' Shiharu defended, getting up. 'I…I need to go!'

'Have fun on your date,' Rio called out, a cheeky grin playing on her lips.

'It's not a date!'

'Welcome back!'

Shiharu smiled as she heard the familiar voices chime in the hallway. She came out of the kitchen to see Matsunaga-san lying on the floor, Aoi-kun on his leg and Akane-chan on his arm. He slowly got up, carefully removing the toddlers.

'I'm home,' he muttered, looking up. He visibly brightened when he saw Shiharu there, although she looked away. 'Is something wrong?' he asked, concerned.

'Ah, no… Well, I got these movie tickets for next Sunday and…'

Matsunaga-san nodded. 'You want a day off? Sure, I'm home anyway –'

'I was wondering if you would come with me!' she blurted, her head lowered. What's wrong with me? It's fine. Why is my heart…?

Matsunaga-san swallowed. 'To…together?' Is she asking me…?

'Ah, with the kids, of course! If you're not too busy,' Shiharu looked up. Did he misunderstand?

'Of course! I didn't think it as any other way!' Matsunaga-san smiled, although for some reason, he felt slightly disappointed.

'We can choose from three movies,' Shiharu fished around in her pocket and pulled out the two tickets. 'I don't know which ones are showing, but we can choose once we get there! I'm afraid that I don't have passes for the twins…'

'That's okay,' Matsunaga-san said. 'Are you sure you don't want to go with anyone else?' Do you have someone you want to go with?

'Rio is busy, plus I really wanted to go with you…and the twins! It's fun with you guys,' she rubbed her head. 'Where should we meet?'

'I'll pick you up at ten,' Matsunaga-san picked up one of Aoi-kun's toys to distract himself. 'Don't come to my place that day. Is that okay?' This is beginning to sound a lot like…

'Okay!' she agreed meekly, a slight blush on her cheeks. 'I…I'll get the twins food ready!' as she scurried out, she felt herself getting excited. But what's so exciting about this?

Matsunaga-san sighed, loosening his tie. Why am I getting so flustered? It's not a date!

Knock, knock.

Shiharu took the pin out of her hair and replaced it with a ribbon. She was using a small compact mirror Rio had given her a few months ago. What looks better? No, I think the pin keeps my hair out of my face…but the ribbon matches…

KNOCK, KNOCK.

She checked in her pockets for the tickets, then checked herself again. But…why am I so conscious about what I'm wearing? I mean, it's just Matsunaga-san. The second she thought that, her face flamed.

'Shiharu!' a male voice exclaimed. 'What's going on in there? I'm coming in!' the door flung open.

'Nao-kun!' she shouted, surprised. 'What are you doing? You should knock first!'

'I did!' he fumed. 'You just didn't…' he stopped midsentence. 'You…why are you dressed like that?'

'Like what?' she looked down at the pale pink frilly top and denim shorts.

'Where are you going dressed so fancily like that? I don't like it! Plus, don't you have work?'

Was it really that fancy? And Nao-kun didn't like it? Shiharu looked up at him and opened her mouth just as the doorbell rang.

'Shiharu! Matsunaga-san is here!'

'What's he doing here?' Nao-kun asked, shocked. 'Don't tell me…?'

'Bye,' Shiharu dashed past him, too fast for him to grab her.

Matsunaga-san smiled when he saw her. He was wearing normal attire, his black coat matching his scarf and his glasses shining in the sun.

'Shiharu-tan!' the twins jumped on her and she giggled. 'Movie!' they yelled.

'You look very cute today,' Matsunaga-san beamed. She licked her lips. He was just praising her out of kindness, so there was no need to be nervous!

The sensei gave them a warm smile. 'You look so great together. Enjoy your date!'

Both of them blushed, simultaneously stating 'It's not a date!'

'The first choice is Safe-house. A thrilling, action packed film about a man running away from the mafia and the police because of a crime he didn't commit,' Shiharu read off the poster. 'We can't watch that with the kids!'

Matsunaga-san walked to the next poster. 'Choice number two is a documentary on how to grow different kinds of plants. I think all of us will fall asleep in that one.'

'Last one is…' Shiharu blinked. 'The Blue Butterfly…the heart-warming, romantic story of a single father with a rebellious son who seeks the help of a nanny… I don't think the twins would be interested in that one!' she laughed, trying to hide the wobble in her voice. What a weird movie! It certainly doesn't suit us…

'That situation is a lot like ours, isn't it?' Matsunaga-san mused. After getting no reply from Shiharu, he looked at her. She was avoiding his gaze. Oh, did I do something wrong?

'No movie?' Aoi-kun mumbled. 'Let's go see movie!'

'Movie, movie!' Akane-chan yelled.

'Ah, what should we do? There aren't any good ones…' Shiharu looked agitated. 'They were looking forward to it so much!' And so was I.

Matsunaga-san tugged at his scarf. 'Um, can I see the tickets again?'

'Here,' she handed them to him. He inspected them, turning them over. 'Ah, Nakamura-san! Look! On the other side, there are tickets to go and watch an ice-skating show. It starts in half an hour, so we can still make it. What do you say?'

Shiharu's expression brightened. 'I can't believe I didn't see those. So we can either watch a movie or this? Look, Aoi-kun, Akane-chan. Ice-skating!'

'Aish skeitin?' they tried to say. Shiharu nodded, picking one up while Matsunaga-san picked up the other. 'Let's go!'

Matsunaga-san felt relieved seeing the three happy again. They couldn't watch a movie, but at least this was something. Although, it was feeling more and more like a… He shook his head. What was he thinking? We're just going outside and enjoying ourselves. It's not a date!

'Wow!' Akane-chan's eyes shone as she stood up on Matsunaga-san's lap, watching as the two skaters glided across the ice. 'Fairies!'

Shiharu chuckled. 'Yes, they're like fairies, aren't they? So pretty!'

Aoi-kun hadn't seemed very interested and had already fallen asleep, his small body rising and falling gently with every breath. Shiharu patted his back. He was so adorable. He was also warm, and the air in the ice rink was chilly. In her rush to get out of the orphanage, she had forgotten to take her jacket. But she couldn't possibly show how cold she was to Matsunaga-san, lest he give up his scarf or coat. He had an important job as an announcer, so it was essential that he stay in good health. The twins had also come padded in matching jumpers. It was her fault anyways. Matsunaga-san shouldn't suffer because of me.

The music was as gentle as the dancers' movements, and it had made her start to feel drowsy too. They were indoors, but every gust from the air-conditioners sent a jolt through her. She was enjoying herself, although she was a little uncomfortable.

'Is Aoi-kun bothering you?' Matsunaga-san asked after she shifted her position for the fifth time. 'Do you want to swap?'

'Ah, no!' Shiharu shook her head. 'I'm alri–'

Before she could finish her sentence, Matsunaga-san had already removed his scarf and wrapped it around her. This seemed to have become routine. 'Please, Matsunaga-san, you will get cold!'

'How long were you going to hide this from me?' he scolded lightly. 'I just saw you shivering! And your hair is coming in your eyes…' his fingers brushed her cheek as he delicately pushed the strands back. 'Nakamura-san, your face is all red! Are you feeling well?'

Shiharu jerked away from his touch, her heart thumping against her chest. Why was this happening to her? Relax, he was just pushing my hair back! So why do I feel so hot when seconds ago I was shivering?

'I should have noticed sooner,' Matsunaga-san looked worried. 'Do you want to go back?'

'No, I'm really fine,' Shiharu buried her face in the scarf. 'I'm warm now, thank you.'

Matsunaga-san didn't seem convinced, but Shiharu looked away. Suddenly she was pulled to his side as he draped half his coat over her and Aoi-kun while the other half was still on him. He had removed his arms from the sleeves so that he could use the garment as a blanket. He was looking straight ahead, a faint pink tinging his cheeks.

Shiharu felt her heart climb into her throat and she moved her gaze forward too. It's so warm…and this scent…this is Matsunaga-san's… She placed her head on Matsunaga-san's shoulder, pulling Aoi-kun closer to her. I feel so strange. I feel so very comfortable, so safe…

As her eyes grew heavy, she overheard someone speaking softly behind her.

'Aw, look at that cute couple! It looks like they came here on a date. They look so young that I feel like cheering them on!'

She wanted to turn and say 'It's not a date!' but…

Was it really wrong to think of it as one?

Well, that's it. I hope I got them in character and the ending was satisfying! Constructive criticism is welcome. It's how I can improve! Thank you so much for reading this. It means a lot to me. :D