thirdbeauty | Holly Heights: Mailbox

[Inside the mailbox, she finds one carefully wrapped present. It contains two identical scarves and jars of hot chocolate mix, neatly labelled as "peppermint", "vanilla", and "strawberry" along with a card written in Veronica's loopy cursive.]

Dear Natsuru,
May your Christmas be merry and wonderful. I have taken the liberty of choosing a matching scarf for you to wear with your wife, I hope it is to both your likings.
Sincerely,
Veronica

[ Asuka is going all out this year. She likes giving presents, and she likes Natsuru, so it makes for a great combination.

So starting off, in a big box, Natsuru will find a few other, individually wrapped gifts. The first thing is a box with a few bath bombs perfect for the season. In the next one there is a jar full with things good about Natsuru. A lot of them are embarrassing. The third is oneof these, of your choosing. The last and final thing comes with a note that says "To Natsuru-chan & Sayaka-chan." But with the right names and dates, of course.

Of course, there's also a card. ]

Merry Christmas, Natsuru-chan! Sorry I couldn't help myself, I had a really fun time picking gifts for you. I'm glad you're my best friend.

-Asuka

Edited (theeeere! :)) 2014-12-27 10:36 (UTC)

[If only Asuka could see how flustered Natsuru got at that card. Somehow, despite the incredibly sappy note she'd written for Asuka to send with her gift, and despite the fact she'd been acting like it for months now... she'd never actually considered the term 'best friend'.

Embarrassed as she is, she has to respond while it's still fresh. A quick text should do it...]

Thank you for the gifts, Asuka-chan! I'm glad you're my best friend, too.

[W o w, how is this making her so embarrassed and happy at the same time?! It's almost as bad as when she and Sayaka finally started dating after dancing around their feelings for months. Obviously, it's not the same, but it's close! She's never had a best friend before...]

[ Starting off with something only mildly inappropriate, though we start to get there eventually. Because this is it.

Happy wedding, Natsuru, all the luck in your marriage! Not to mention the wedding night. ]

[ The first thing that she might figure out when she finds the package on her kitchen table is that it's clothes. Because in an envelope, there's a card that says

Merry Christmas to the happy couple.

Don't forget the ribbon when you model this to your wife, Natsuru.

- Yukihina

and if she looks deeper in the envelope, she'll find a long, blue ribbon.

Inside the package itself, there are the things he tells her to wear. ]

Could I ask you to take care of a thing of mine? I don't want Hiyori to get her hands on it.

[Whoa, a text from Yukihina? ... What's this all of a sudden?]

A "thing"? What kind of thing?

[Not sure whether to trust or not but it's Yukihina, so she'll give him (or her, not sure which it is at the moment) the benefit of the doubt.]

[ No need to be suspicious, kouhai. It's nothing incriminating. ]

A photo album.

Edited 2014-12-27 23:32 (UTC)

That's it?

[Somehow, she was expecting something a little closer to incriminating.]

I guess that's okay, but what's so important about it?

That's it.

[ Seriously, Natsuru. If he wanted to blame you for a crime, he wouldn't tell you about it. ]

Things that has yet to happen to her. I don't want her to ask about it.

[ Not the entire truth - far from it - sine a lot is his past and he doesn't want to explain to Hiyori why there are pictures of Code:Breakers or pictures over a century old in it. ]

[Fair point. She still has the good sense to be a little suspicious, at least.

But that seems a pretty sensible explanation.]

Oh! She's from your world?

I could hang on to it. Kinda surprised you're asking me, though.

[Doesn't he have, y'know... friends?]

She's sort of my daughter. One of them.

[ Friends? Not really. Not many. And they're bound to be nosy. ]

Never mind that now. Do you have the time to pick it up at the ice rink or should I drop it off?

[She's kind of curious if he means the 'sort of daughter' part purely in the Holly Heights sense, but she'll let that go for now.]

It's okay, I can come pick it up on my way home. Are you there now?

[ It's just a matter of adoption. ]

Yes, I am.

I'm almost done here. It'll be about half an hour.

[And that's the point she stops checking her phone so she can finish up what she's doing. It's a little longer than half an hour before she actually does arrive, but not by much.]

[ and he doesn't bother replying so that's of no consequence. Instead, he'll just check the stock and place some orders. ]

[And while he's doing that, she arrives as promised! (More or less... it took a few minutes longer than she said.)]

Yukihina-san?

[He can probably hear the click of her heels on the floor, too. She's still dressed in the red silk qipao and black tights that make up the Cloudberry Jam uniform, just with a winter coat on over it. Because some people actually do feel the cold.]

[ He doesn't move from behind the computer he's by, instead just finishing filling out the form he was in the middle of. ]

Over here.

[ There are some shelves in the way but he's not far in. ]

[Those footsteps move closer, in a steady, uncertain stride. She glances around a little even as she peeks around those shelves to see Yukihina.]

Hey...

[A beat.]

... I don't think I've ever been here before.

[Should she feel bad about that? He might have never visited her restaurant or club either, but it still feels awkward that this is her first visit to this place.]

[ He pauses in his computer-work and gives her a long look. ]

Young lady-man, do you never read?

[ So he might not need to eat, or drink, but that doesn't stop him from visiting food establishments. He takes coffee every lunch break. ]

[Why did he have to put it like that?! Couldn't he have just stuck with 'young lady'?! (Wait, how is that better? Crap, now she's confused...)]

Th-That's not it! I don't... get a lot of time, with everything else...

[She's mostly been reading fashion magazines lately, too. Blame Nonon.]

[ You know Yukihina, Natsuru. It's the way he is. Has to make it confusing and awkward for others, any time he feels like it. ]

Perhaps you should make some time for it. You might learn something.

[And she just had to give him that ammunition. Though she did try her best to hide it... he was just far too perceptive (and experienced) to be fooled.

Oh well, now that he's just lecturing her like usual, she gives a small sigh.]

I guess Veronica-chan would agree...

[He must know her. She's always reading. She'd be surprised if Veronica didn't come here often.]

Didn't you want me to pick up something?

[ Perhaps she just ought to keep her mouth shut.

He nods. He's aware of who that is. ]

Ah, yes.

[ He heads for the counter, where he's hidden his photo album from view underneath it. ]

[Huh. He really did call her over here over a photo album.]

Is... there anywhere I should keep it, or...?

[She supposes she could just stick it in a drawer somewhere. Maybe next to that regain coupon she's still waiting to cash in.]

[ He did, yes. He'll call her over to mess with her some other day. ]

Somewhere where Hiyori won't get her hands on it.

[ That's the most important part. ]

[Okay, so stuffing it in a drawer somewhere sounds like a good plan. She doesn't think Hiyori would ever get a chance to look there... if it's who she's thinking of...]

Hiyori... that's the girl that's staying with you, right?

[Maybe he should introduce Natsuru to his daughter sometime. Because that would clearly be a fantastic idea, look at how much they have in common. They're both young. They're both girls. ... More or less.]

[ Hiyori is nosy though which is why he's going through the lengths of making sure it's kept somewhere out of his properties. ]

Yes. She's my youngest daughter.

[ Adopted. Unofficially adopted, even, since they just picked her up and took her in, without filing any papers. But people who don't exist can't really do things like file adoption papers, anyway.

That would be interesting to see, that meeting. ]

[Something about the way he said that gets her attention...]

So... you mean... not just here?

[She knew you were really old, Yukihina, but somehow she never saw you as a parent!]

[ What's so surprising? ]

Yeah. Me, Kouji, Rui and Seeker adopted her, so she has three and a half dads and half a mom.

[ Yukihina might not be a man all the time, and while Rui was born woman, that kid of theirs (damn that bleedy hearted Kouji) she happened to be identifying as a man more than half the time. Damn gender-fluid child. ]

Huh...

[This is an unexpected thing for Natsuru, okay? Admittedly, she's probably imagining something much closer to 'normal' than Yukihina actually means.]

That must be tough, being the only mom.

[She... assumes. Why else would he say 'half'?]

[ Yukihina gives her a long look of "are you serious?" because seriously? What makes her think that a family that he's part of would seem that close to normal? ]

I'm not only talking about me.

[ Please, Natsuru. ]

So... there's more than one half-mom?

[How does that make sense?!]

Wouldn't that make one whole mom? Kind of?

Rui's the one who is always biologically female in our group.

[ He flips through the album and finds a spread. ]

She's brutal.

Huh...

[... Yeah, somehow, she gets it now. Sort of.]

So you're both kind of the mom but not?

[How confusing. Not that she can talk.]

Yeah, pretty much. I guess it can be a bit complicated [ weird ] when you look at it from the outside.

[ Within blue gift-wrap lies one very special book for Natsuru. Of all his presents, this may have the least fanfare of all, even in the note.

"Good luck.

- Makoto" ]

[Left for Natsuru is a bracelet. Attached is a note.]

Dear Natsuru,

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday. May the hummingbird be the messenger of happiness this year for you.

With love,
Serenity

[left on the maizono-senou doorstep are two packages. one is wrapped in blue paper with a white ribbon, and the other is pink paper with a baby blue ribbon. it's easy to tell which one is for natsuru. inside are a few things-- a black robe with "mrs." embroidered on the left side, red and black lacy lingerie (guess who now has everyone's measurements since the wedding~), and a shirt that says "Holly Heights Official Party Crew Member". there's also a note, written in that bold milly handwriting, that reads--]

MERRY CHRISTMAS, NATSURU!!!

Sorry, I've been so sparse lately-- I didn't realise wedding recovery would take so long!! Point is, I'm okay now, and that means that you two have to come over for Christmas dinner! No excuses! (If you wear the shirt, that would be greatly appreciated.) I hope you and your lovely, lovely wife enjoy your gifts!

With much love,
Milly Ashford

GUESS WHO JUST GOT A DATE WITH AIKURO "HOT TEACHER" MIKISUGI??????

i'm very proud of this one

Mikisugi? That's the high school teacher, right?

[The music group is still technically affiliated with the high school, so she still runs into teachers and students there from time to time.]

the very handsome one. yeah. he teaches science.

id really like it if he taught me about anatomy B)

[Girl. Girl. Your baby sis is just barely not a virgin (wow this is actually a thing that's true), she's not ready to join in this kind of talk!]

Does he visit the club too? I think I saw him there last time I went to see you.

[Five seconds later...]

Oh, but that's really not important! I hope it goes well!

[Natsuru will find, on her doorstep that morning, a full bouquet of flowers, from roses to gardenias of white and yellow. These are not related to the event, mind you. Indicated by the full basket of sweets and pastries attached.

The card reads:
Natsuru,
Enjoy these all cuddled up and close, enjoy the smooze of the day.
Your friend,
Rahzel]

[ With a cute gift card, of course this is what Natsuru is given from Asuka. ]

Hello! It's Kotori Minami from the other day!! (*＾ワ＾*)
I hope i have the right number and name....
I wanted to talk more about what you all do as fellow idols here since i would enjoy showing you some of the songs that muse performed!!
Oh! Also some of your songs!!! i Forgot to put that in there oops!!!

Oh, hello Kotori-san!

What kind of things did you want to talk about? It's been a while since we've really met as a group, since Sayaka and I live together. So we can just discuss things whenever we want. But when we used to have more members, we'd meet for practice and organize a few small performances. We all supported each other with ideas, too.

Maybe you could tell us more about what you did with your group as well, if you're interested in helping out? I'm afraid I don't know much about things professional and school idols actually do in places with a real industry yet! I always counted on everyone's support, and I'm still learning a lot.

[It's been a while since she's properly had to play the role of leader here, forgive her if she seems a little uncertain! She doesn't want to pressure Kotori into officially joining, either... she wants it to be her decision. As much as it'd be nice to have a growing group again.]

I just wanted to discuss things about if you all performed or not and !!!! if you needed help with any of your outfits for shows!! ^_^
I would enjoy meeting both of you actually since i havent met Sayaka-san in person! If you're still learning about idols I'm not really much help??? Too bad Hanayao-chan or Nico-chan isn't here since they are the experts but hmMMmmm!!!
Wellllllllllllllllll oops too many ls lol!!!!!(・◇・)
Umi-chan wrote most of our songs....Maki-chan did the musical part of them...I designed all of our outfits and made them!! Even the ones we wore for the lOve Live! Other than that we just practiced and on our off days we hung out to get to know each other better?? Does that helop??

Well, we perform sometimes! Usually at the welcoming parties every month! We haven't been doing much else for performances since the other members left.

You design and make outfits too?! Chieri-chan used to do that for us when she was here. If you're really okay with helping, that'd be great! ^_^

Ah, and you had people who wrote songs? We had someone who did that once a long time ago, but he wasn't here for long. We mostly looked around at music stores for new songs, or studied AKB songs with Chieri-chan. (She knew a lot!) We practiced a lot too, but we didn't hang out a lot outside of meetings. Not the whole group, at least. Do you think stuff like that is important for idols?

Oh, and I could talk to Sayaka about meeting sometime! I'm sure she'd love to meet you too! ♥

OOOoOoh!!!! You should definitely perform at the welcoming parties! I think it would be fun to do one for next month if you wanted? ヽ(^◇^*)/

I do! I actually had an offer to go to a boarding school just for fashion since i enjoy doing it so much! i Would be more than happy to make some for the two of you!

Umi-chan wrote all of our song lyrics except a few??? I wrote them for one actually but Umi-chan is much better at it than I am! I don't think i could help with writing any new songs but i can teach you some of Muse's??? I do think seeing each other every day made us bond more as friends than just as idols actually!! I think it's important to want to get to know your friends and group members even more...at least i think???

Yay!!! I would like that very much, Natsuru-san! I'm a bit nervous meeting another famous idol though.

Sure, that all sounds great! If you want, we could teach you some of the songs we know too!

[She's surprising herself with how much she missed having other idols in town besides just her wife ~~and herself~~.]

You don't have to be nervous about Sayaka, either... she's really nice! But I guess I was kind of nervous about meeting her at first too...

[That was for different reasons, though.]

I would enjoy that very much, Natsuru-san! Is there any particular day that would be good for you?!
When is the next...party? Do you think there is time to put on a show for that?

Im sure she is real ly nice!! It s just a lot to think about since iM meeting a famous idol that ive heard of befor e!!!!!

We're actually kind of... unexpectedly busy this month? The next party's this Friday, but we didn't have anything prepared and we have new people assigned to our house. It's even our six-month anniversary soon...

[She debated deleting that last part, but she hit send before she could. Whoops. There's another message that follows in quick succession, though.]

Anyway, I can talk to Sayaka about arranging a time you can come over! You can meet her and we can all talk about songs and what we can do for next month's party!

[Sounds good, right? And it gives Kotori time to get a little more settled!]

Whaaa the party is so soon?!?? we can wait until the next month then if that works out better for you!! I don't mind at all! :D oH anniversary?!?? for what?

i Would like that very much! would it be okay if I mention this to Umi-chan and Rin-chan? Theyr e from mUse too!!! we could have maybe 5 people performing!!! :O

[Oh... she thought it'd be obvious...]

Well... it's a wedding anniversary. We got married six months ago.

I mean, we were already married like everyone else is married here! But we were dating for real too, so we had an actual wedding in November.

[Wow, this got embarrassing. She should probably just move on to the other half of the message.]

Anyway, that's definitely okay! The music group was founded so anyone who's interested can join if they want. And even if you don't all join, you can still perform. I think Rise-chan would want us to share the stage with other performers!

:O like a real wedding!! Thats so exciting Natsuru-san!!!! i bet it was a r eally pretty wedding!!!

I will let them know!!! i m excited to be able to perform ummm!!! also!!! Should we work on performing together o r focus on solo or duet songs first???

Yeah, it was! I even have some pictures.

Don't you think solos and duets would be easier at first? It can be hard to coordinate a full group, depending on how long we have to practice.

I guess we could start practicing together if everyone's interested, but save the real performance for when we've had plenty of time to work on it...

[Wait, why did she say the thing about the wedding pictures? Now Kotori might want to see them! But it's too late, she's already pressed 'send'.]

awwwwwww i would love to see them if you don t mind!!! I bet you both looked super pretty too!!! :D

oooooo youre right! we could work in smaller groups while we also try to coordinate for a big group song??? :O we have until next month rigGHT??

yes! mahybe we could put up flyers just in case there are ohters interested in supporting us or joining??? since maybe there are other idols out there that i dont know about!

[Yep, she knew it! But as embarrassed as she is, she's also kind of proud of that wedding, so... she'll send some pictures along as a first reply. They're all of her and the shorter Maizono looking very much the happy couple in their wedding gowns. A shot of Maizono on Natsuru's arm, one of them dancing together, and a couple of posed pictures with a blonde woman about Natsuru's height and build, a blue-haired boy with eye-covering bangs, and a regal-looking woman in white.

After a moment, she'll also send a text reply.]

Those are the ones I have on my phone.

Anyway, that all sounds good! We've put up fliers at the high school a year ago, while most of us were still going there, but we've never put them up around town! I wasn't sure anyone would be interested anymore after we didn't get any new members for so long...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GSOHHNEDS!!! YOU BOTH LOOK SO GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! you look so happy!!! im so happy for you btoh!!!! thank you for sharing these!! (★^O^★) _{[ calm down, baby bird. ]}

oooh what about at the party thing each month?? we could dress up cutely and hand things out!!!! i Can se if Umi-chan and Rin-chan will come too!

Thank you! I'm glad you think so.

[That's all she can think to say, but gosh is she flustered now. Kind of proud, but embarrassed too. She can't even say it wasn't that big a deal, because it was the best day of her entire life!]

Oh, right! We usually did something like that, but I don't think we ever thought about handing things out! So like... information about the group and any shows we're planning, maybe? That seems like a really good idea...

of course!!! youre both so pretty and i m so glad i got to see these pics!!!!

oooh yes!!! and like what the group is about??? maybe??and the concert next month!!!
:O natsuru-san we have to get people to come and advertse for it!!!
we could wear cute outfits that will get attention!!!

Thank you.

[You already said that, you dork.]

Yeah, that's exactly it! We could perform on some months and just advertise on others, so we have more time to rehearse. But we could always have cute outfits to wear.

[She missed having actual group activities like this!]

thats arly good idea!!! we could make cute fliers for this montnh?? and i can make some summery oustfits!!! and we could even maybe have more people performing since i think Umi-chan would be interested if she saw how organized we are!!!

_{[ they are not organized just yet, Kotori. Give it more than 5 minutes. ]}

She's a school idol too, right? If she's interested and can make the practice schedule once we figure that out, she could definitely join in.

[And even if not, there's always next time...]

i think i can convince her since she was in mUse!! i will go ahead and make her a cte outfit too just in case!!

speakin g of outfits what kind should i make?? do you or sayaka-san have any suggesitons?

I don't know. Something cute and summery? It'll probably be pretty warm...

Does that give you any ideas?

[She'll ask Sayaka for her input if it doesn't!]

_{[ She had already been jotting down a few ideas as they were texting. ]}

it does!! i think i haev an idea?? im need 2 know how comfortabel u 2 are with wearinfg shorrter outfits or maybe even bikinis????

[Bikinis...? What now?!

But... well... that's nothing she hasn't done before...]

That should be fine! I don't think Sayaka would mind, either.

[Obviously, they'll discuss it more between now and the then, but she sees no reason to object.]

^_^ yay!! i will get 2 deisnging and then sow u both picures of what i make before i go further????

_{[ bikinis it is then. ]}

NAT

NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT NAT!!!!!!

youll never believe what happened to me. never. i dont even believe it. oh god, i think i dreamt it up.

[Did you have to write one "Nat" for every year of her age, Milly?!]

What? What is it?

[Not sure if good or bad... she thinks it was probably good? Definitely keeping her phone out for the reply, though.]

[WHOA didn't even plan that. illuminati confirmed.]

guess! you have to guess because if i speak it so soon, i might jinx myself or itll stop being true!!!

do you want a hint to get you going?

Edited 2015-05-12 16:04 (UTC)

I can't just guess out of nowhere!

What's the hint?

you could guess! what could put me in a good mood like this, huh?

but! do you remember aikuro?

[Hey, Natsuru might be less innocent than she used to be, but Milly is pretty much always hyper perky? So this question isn't as easy as you'd think!]

The high school teacher?

[Wait...]

Did you do something with him?!

[but not THIS perky. this is Exceptionally Perky.]

thats the one! the extremely handsome, incredibly charming high school teacher...

[slow down, milly. the fun will be spoilt before it even begins.]

perhaps~ i mightve done nothing with him. i mightve done everything. its up to you to guess!

wait, but how much is everything?!

*everything*. the homerun. that kind of everything.

you went that far already?!

[Does that count as a guess?]

[THAT DOESN'T COUNT...................]

i didnt say that. i said that would be *everything*. maybe i did, maybe i didn't. maybe we did something else entirely.

this isn't fair, i didn't make you guess about sayaka!

[Well, they were already married at the time, so it's not like it was a big secret, or anything...]

there was nothing to guess! newlyweds cant keep their hands off each other, anyway.

so, come on. GUESS! you only have to guess once, and ill be nice enough to tell you after that. but you better put your all into this!

[She's blushing so hard right now, but she's not going to let this get to her!]

OKAY FINE. so you definitely kissed, then!

[She's such a coward when it comes to these things. She's pretty sure it was more than that.]

we definitely kissed, yes. a lot. so much...

[AND IT WAS DAMN GOOD.]

would you like to add to that, or is that your final answer?

no i don't want to add to it! that's it!

[She doesn't know what else to say.]

im disappointed, but you get half points for being technically right.

[and it shouldn't be so hard to say, but when was the last time she gossiped about a lover? it's been years, probably. so it takes her a minute or so before she sends--]

i slept with him. I HAD SEX WITH AIKURO MIKISUGI!!!!

[Well, of course she knew Milly probably wouldn't have stopped at kissing, so the question is how far she did go. Not that Natsuru's about to as-]

WAIT YOU REALLY DID IT?

yep! went the whole mile! a couple times, too...

[YEAH THEY CLIMBED THAT WHOLE SEX MOUNTAIN...]

hes. really good.

that's... good? that he's good, i mean. i'm happy for you!

[She's trying here. Maybe Milly won't go into any of the really embarrassing detail?]

[she's... doing way better than sayaka so far.]

i think "really good" is an understatement because im prety sure i felt things ive never felt before.

[also don't mind milly, she's just sending natsuru a picture of herself, from her nose to her breasts, and GOOD LORD that's a hickey on the throat. and then a bunch of little baby marks all over her chest.]

also, he made me art. LOOK AT THAT. LOOK!!!

[OH GOD WHAT]

WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME?!

because i think i look hot. and his handiwork deserves to be shown!!

i tried covering all of them up with makeup but theres just... so many...

okay, fine, but still...

how does that even happen anyway?! didn't it hurt?!

[hurt? oh, natsuru, you sweet summer child.]

no! no, it didnt hurt at all! it was the exact opposite. it felt so wonderful, like he was absolutely eating me up, and he just couldnt get enough. he kept kissing me and those marks are absolutely proof we did something amazing. like he wanted people to see that he had me. which is SO HOT.

[WOW THAT IS WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION... except if she thinks about it with her and Sayaka instead, it actually is kind of hot...? Except no, that kind of thing is private!!!]

but isn't it embarrassing if you can't cover it up?

[She's trying to deflect the conversation away from things she's too embarrassed to talk about! ... As if that'll work with Milly...]

[someone has to learn how to give the dirty deets. and the only way for milly to teach this is by doing it herself!]

it could be. most people think hickies are a little bit trashy, but i like them. theyre totally badges of honour from a night well spent! i wouldnt want the students to see, but thats what a good button up is for.

and then you take it off and its like showing off a dirty little secret!

who would you even show something like that to?!

[You know... aside from your sister, apparently.]

someone you want to make jealous, maybe. so they know someone else had you and wants you and itll spur them into action.

for me, ill just show aikuro. maybe. just a peek of them as a reminder. he might get all hot and bothered again.

[Oh, that's right, they were talking about her and Aikuro...]

AH ITS OKAY I DONT NEED TO HEAR ABOUT AIKURO-SAN

[Natsuru...... you should know there's no avoiding this.]

:(

well, no one really NEEDS to hear about anything, if you really think about it. but i bet you want to hear all about it!!

[jaws theme plays softly... it's going to happen.]

but you have to be patient! i have other things i kind of want to talk about... theyre a little more serious.

how did you know you wanted to be with sayaka?

[Well... she'd be lying if she said she wasn't at least a little curious on this subject. But it's not for the reasons anyone would normally assume, and she's perfectly willing to let the subject shift happen instead.]

Um... well, it all kind of happened really fast! Like, when we met she was really beautiful and sweet and nice and we made a friendship promise. And then that Christmas we got gifts from the Landlord that made us think we were in love, except I kind of already liked her. It was a little disappointing when it wore off...

But later it turned out we really did like each other. So I guess it was sometime after we started dating that I knew I wanted to be with her as long as we could. And then after we were assigned together, I wanted to make it as real as it could be. So even if we don't get to be together after we leave this place, we'll be together for the rest of our lives here.

It's like... the more we've spent time together and gotten to know each other, I just want to be with her even more.

[Did that really answer the question? Probably not. But Milly got her to spill her feelings, and that is an accomplishment.]

[she's actually never heard the story of how they got together, nor would she have expected it to be kind of cute. she expected so much more of a disaster. where is the screaming? where is the terror? this is not natsuru and sayaka. this seems too easy.

but perhaps it was a sign. that maybe her own dilemma could be so easily resolved...]

thats so sweet! you two really do love each other... when i grow up, i want to be like you two. ;)

but it was easy, wasnt it? it seems like you both jumped in and never stopped doing your thing. did you ever worry about it, though? before going for it? that maybe you werent right for each other? or did you feel that you were perfect for each other from the start?

Well, it was... complicated, for a while. We knew we liked each other, but we had some secrets and things we needed to talk about.

[This is getting dangerously close to That Thing she's been wanting to talk to Milly about but hasn't had the chance to actually bring up.]

I was pretty sure I didn't deserve her! But I think she thought the same thing about me too.

isnt that how it always goes? the deeper you fall into like or love or anything, the more your past likes to say hello. or you can never talk about it. always a good choice.

though, you two deserve each other!! i dont think i know two people who should be together more than you two. keep the love up, okay? someone has to.

Thanks... I still can't believe how lucky I've been here.

[Though, something about this message seems off...]

Actually, I'm glad we talked about everything. Keeping secrets like that just makes it harder to have a real relationship.

[Huh... that's basically the gist of what Jam told her over a year ago, isn't it? No wonder she's felt so awkward about not having told Milly or Makoto...]

Well, it turned out she already knew, because of something that the Landlord did. It showed "secrets" about us above our heads, but some of them were true and others weren't. I didn't think anyone would actually believe mine.

[She's trying to build to actually saying it! But still kind of doesn't want to derail the conversation...?]

well we havent talked about everything, but weve talked about a lot! and im glad we have. sometimes its easy to forget that we have people who want to help us when we need it, and will listen.

i dont know if keeping secrets make a relationship any less real. it just makes who you are a bit of an enigma, and everyone is entitled to their own share of mystery. besides, learning about someone in pieces is fun. you wouldnt keep me around if you knew everything in one go.

[of course, if she knew everything about natsuru from the get-go, she would've loved her all the same.]

oh landy! always pulling some stunt. i have to wonder what mine would be! [probably "i'm still in love with my world's dead emperor and was for seven years because we were best friends lmao". LMAO..........] but *ill* believe yours!! so spill!

[She so would keep Milly around if she knew everything in one go! But then, she's overly trusting of people in general.

And she's quickly distracted from that by the last part of the message.]

Um... well, the thing is, I didn't really want anyone to believe it! I don't want it getting out to everyone! I just wanted to tell you because you're kind of my sister, and I think you should know. I wouldn't want you to be upset if you found out some other way...

[That sure is a lot of dancing around this! She wanted to tell her, but now it's like being put on the spot! Still, she... shouldn't let that get in the way, should she?]

The thing is, I had these powers back home, and when I came here they were taken away. I was still transformed into my Kämpfer form, but I couldn't change back. So, what that means is...

[This isn't a pause between messages for dramatic effect. This is her steeling her nerves and figuring out how to say it, while sending what she has written to give herself no chance to back out, erase all of this, and tell Milly some other dumb secret instead.]

Back home, I used to be a guy. I was chosen as a Kämpfer, and Kämpfer have to be girls, so this is what I looked like when I transformed to fight.

That's why I wanted Sayaka to know, before we got serious! If she only liked me because I'm a girl, I couldn't promise that I'd always stay this way. But she said it didn't matter, and that's when we started dating I guess.

Actually, I've been staying like this by choice for a while now. Since everyone knows me as a woman here, I think it's just easier not to have to worry about being two people and hiding a secret like that. And I don't mind it so much anymore. I kind of like being your sister... so I hope you won't be mad.

[Wow, that sure was an essay full of feelings.]

[this was not even close to the secret she was expecting. honestly, she doesn't even know what she was expecting, but it wasn't that. powers? transformations? that's a little bit irrelevant.

natsuru was a boy, though. and that's shocking. but only for a moment. it's not like she's losing anything, it's not like their relationship is going to change. it's just adding something. knowledge like that colours any relationship, but who is to say that the colour added ruins the painting? milly believes that it adds a new shade of brilliance to what they have.]

if you had told me you were a boy from the start, i mightve hit on you sooner! ;)

[but joking aside...]

natsuru, i could never be mad. surprised? yes. curious? that too. but not mad. im happy you told me, because thats something huge to tell someone! and im honoured you trust me with something like that. i will protect this for you, i promise.

i love having a sister, but i love having you around more. so i dont care if youre my sister, or my brother, or my dog, or anything else. so no matter what happens or what you become, ill be here. thats what love is, you know? staying with someone through the good and the bad, and accepting them for who they are.

id be glad to know you as my brother, because i am glad to know you as my sister. so if that time comes, if landy ever decides to make you a boy again, well still be siblings. alright?

[She's glad Milly can't hear her half-nervous, relieved giggle. She knows Milly well enough to know she's not serious, at least. And with how nervous she was about revealing this, that being Milly's first reaction just drains every bit of tension away.]

Thank you. I love you too...

[She's almost deliriously happy, that went so well! Raw emotions are just going to be spilling out here for a while, sorry.]

I got most of my powers back already, so the girl me isn't going anywhere even if I do get my original body! I'll still be your sister sometimes, no matter what else happens. ♥

[So no stealing all her clothes if she does change back!]

[she didn't say she loved natsuru, but milly is glad she knows that she does. the feelings are never so difficult as the words are.

that same mentality extends beyond love, though. it applies to her curiosity as well, but questions can wait.]

i look forward to being with you, no matter what happens to either of us! and youll still be dragged into fun with me either way. my kind of fun is genderblind.

BUT! as an act of sisterhood, and to stop thinking about possible transformations and men who are far too attractive for their own good, i cordially invite you on an ice cream date! right now!

[It's true Milly didn't actually say it, and Natsuru kind of just assumed... but at least she was right this time. Won't stop her from being embarrassed when feelings stop gushing out unbidden, if she actually thinks through the conversation. But the implicit agreement is good enough for her right now, and maybe forever...

She's half tempted to make a teasing comment about Makoto when she reads the first part of the message, but then the rest of it catches her off-guard.]

Eh?! Right now?

Where do you want to meet?

[That's right, no flustered awkward stumbling, she's on board right this second!]

[but when ISN'T natsuru embarrassed? the real questions.

the fact that her sister agreed so quickly and without any comment other than "okay" surprises her, but in a good way. even before she sends her own text in return, she's slipping her shoes, and grabbing her purse.]

ill meet you outside of honeybee, if thats alright with you! but if not, thats just a starting point. we can go anywhere you like!

No, that's perfect! I'll be there in a few minutes.

[Guess who else is slipping on some shoes and grabbing her purse at the same time. Are they sure they're not really related?

Also when she arrives, it seems she's dressed extra cute today. Because that's how fortune seems to go for Natsuru. She just rolls with it by now.]

[they're absolutely related. separated at birth... but perhaps it's for the best they didn't live together as kids.

milly's dressed in her millyish manner, in a dress with a shorter hem, but she's got an extra accessory-- an artfully draped scarf. guess what's under it... but the moment she sees natsuru, she throws herself at her in a giant hug, and laughs.]

There you are! Looking as cute as ever, I see!

[For once, Natsuru can match her sister perfectly, throwing herself into the hug with equal enthusiasm.]

Thanks! You too...

[After a moment, she pulls away, though she doesn't even bother to try putting much distance between them. Actually, she's a little more physical with her affection today, lightly touching Milly's arm and staying close. And of course, her smile is practically glowing.]

[oh! this is good! they've made a breakthrough! milly can't help but press a kiss to her sister's cheek, revelling in the affection.

but they've got things to be, people to do! or, wait... anyway, milly opens the door into honeybee, and bows rather dramatically as she does it.] After you!

[Aww... she does blush a little at the sisterly kiss, but it's a happy blush. Not a flustered dying-of-embarrassment blush. And she giggles at the dramatic bow, as she nods and steps inside first.]

I thought it was supposed to be ladies first, not little sisters first...

[Well. She is a lady too, she supposes. Technicalities aside.]

Good thing I went second then. [it's a small jab at herself, a sly smile on her lips as she straightens herself and readjusts her scarf. as the door shuts behind them, she waves to whichever one of their friends is behind the counter, and pulls natsuru into a booth.]

Order anything you'd like. It's on me!

[Oh... she smiles at that little joke too. No amount of awkward thinking can kill her good mood today.]

Okay.

[This is a small town where everybody knows everybody at least a little... she probably has a brief conversation with the staff while ordering. There's a sundae with chocolate and mixed fruit that she's been wanting to try.]

Did you want to share?

[she considers natsuru's choice, and then decides on sundae as well, but hers is with caramel and little bits of toffee sprinkled on top.]

I would love to share! Yours sounds pretty interesting. Though, if they don't serve it with a little paper umbrella, I'll be disappointed. [she gives natsuru a wink, and places her hand on the table, palm up. it an offer, of course.]

[She doesn't really get it, but she giggles regardless. Look at your little sis today, Milly, she's all smiles and radiance!

... She's not sure what to make of the offered hand, though? Should she... take it? After a moment, that's the conclusion she seems to arrive at, and she gently places her hand on top of Milly's. Time for a slight blush to accompany that bright smile again. Sister bonding is a special thing...]

Apparently, you're moe.

Edited 2015-06-17 02:01 (UTC)

Huh?! Who said that?

Your wife.

Oh... well, of course she thinks so.

[Sayaka, did you really?]

I'm sure she thinks a lot of things. But how can someone see you as "moe"? You're more "weakling" in my eyes.

I don't care what YOU think about it!

[She'd be even more bothered by this if he did think she was moe.]

You don't? And here we considered forcing you to learn a thing or two.

[ There's no "we" in it.... ]

[Yeah, she doesn't believe that "we" for a second. Not with Sayaka involved.]

Oh really? Like what?

[Of course, she's still dumb enough to ask questions when the answers might shatter her defenses and send her right back to flustered and awkward. Which is always a risk with Yukihina.]

[ Oh Natsuru.... ]

How to not be a defenseless little wimp.

What am I supposed to be defending against, anyway?

Any eventual danger? For example.

I can handle myself in a fight, if something ever happened.

Prove it.

I've never had to!

Ask Asuka-chan if you need proof.

[She's seen her powers in action, at least.]

It's a "what if".

I'd rather see for myself.

[ Not her powers. ]

Edited 2015-07-06 21:58 (UTC)

Is that a challenge?

I don't really want to fight anyone here, though.

It definitely is.

I'll set a date and you'll face me in the sport center.

Fine, whatever.

[She doesn't want to fight anyone. But maybe fighting him will make her feel better.]

Good. Give me a few minutes for my calendar, then I'll put in a perfect date.

[ ~~Perfect to make the floor sparkling red with her blood.~~ ]

July 18th, 18:30. If you don't show up I'll double your humiliation.

Fine, but don't blame me if the Landlord does something weird to either of us.

[She's seen so many plans fall through because ~~of RP events~~ the Landlord decided to pull something. ~~Also someone already signed her up for an event that might end up conflicting with that date, whoops.~~]

You' think he'll do that? For a pounding?

[ ~~It'll just get postponed and put soon after they're back home. No problem.~~ ]

Who knows? He's weird.

[The "Like you." will remain silently implied in her head.]

[ He knows Natsuru too well to not hear that implied "like you". ]

We're not the least alike.

[ Of course, it's suddenly in their house. On the morning, there is a package, addressed to Natsuru. And one for Sayaka.

You should recognize the handwriting, but it's signed "from your dear senpai".

It's all Natsuru's fault. ]

Edited 2015-07-09 02:59 (UTC)

[Dammit, Yukihina...!

The worst part is, he has pretty good taste. Sayaka will probably like these. And therefore, Natsuru will probably wear them.

Well, if there's a plus side to this, it's Yukihina spending his money on this so they don't have to. Silver linings and all.]

nat, can i come hang out with you for a little bit?

[Normally, this would be a no-brainer, but the timing of this has Natsuru a little worried. Does this have anything to do with Mafuyu...?]

Sure. Is something wrong?

[Fortunately, it's easier to avoid seeming hesitant over text. She really doesn't want Milly to think she's not welcome, because she absolutely is.]

[might be a little bit of mafuyu, might be a little bit of sayaka, might be a whole lot of gin.]

yes

no

i dont know. i might be overreacting. but is it okay if its now? i dont want to be a bother, but my house is. well, you know.

Yeah, that's fine. I'll leave the door unlocked.

after reaidng the packet im on the blue team!! wats ur team color so we can all help our teasm?!?

Mine's purple! It looks like Sayaka got pink. I don't know how many colors there are yet.

ooooh ya im talkin 2 her but!! i think erhetes like every colros of the rainbow!!!

Really?! We have blue and yellow in the house too, and I think Asuka-chan is on black, but I haven't seen any others yet.

ive actually seen them all now i thignk!!! idk how menay tehres suppsoerd to be but??? its ok i think i got hem all!

Okay, good! I'll let you know if I see any others, just in case.

[Who cares if they're on different teams, idoldaughter is too precious to not help.]

thank u so much!! ill elt u know if i find others on ur team 2!!

Thanks! I hope both of our teams do well! ♥

[Yes, she ended that text with a heart. Kotori has earned it.]

Hello, hello! I hope you're having a good day, and also that I'm not interrupting anything! In any case, I was wondering what team you might be on? I'm on black, for future reference. :)

It's OK Kanbaru-san, I don't mind.

I'm on purple, if that means anything.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not disturbing you too much! But unfortunately, it would seem we are on rival teams... I hope you won't disappoint as my competition, Natsuru-san.

You're not disturbing me at all.

I guess I'll try my best, though? I hope the Landlord's not planning anything too terrible this time...

Well, if he is planning something like that, I hope you would please come to me if it requires the cooperation of a rival team. I would be happy to assist you in that aspect.

... Any aspect, really. But that's the aspect most relevant right now.

[What a good helper!]

Thank you, Kanbaru-san.

It might be hard to tell what he's planning until it's already happening, though. Hopefully nothing bad happens to the losing teams when it's over.

Oh? You've been here longer than me, I'm assuming, so please forgive my ignorance of the subject. You think he would punish all of the seven other losing teams?

Probably not all seven, but at least whoever comes in last. Maybe even more than one team, too.

Hmm. I see, I see. Well, I'll make you a special deal, Natsuru-san:
Should you suspect your team to be in last place at any point, please consult me. (More details will then be to follow. It's an in-case-of-worse-scenario kind of deal.) After all, of all the teams it wouldn't do to have yours be the one punished, after all.
It's simply not something I can permit.

[Kanbaru...! She has no idea why you care so much, but this is kind of overwhelming!]

Alright... thank you.

[She probably won't contact her even if her team seems to be losing, but. It's a nice thought.]

I don't know how I could help if your team is last, but I don't want anything to happen to you either.

Hahaha. The sentiment alone is enough, I think.

I don't want to brag, but black team seems to have quite the formidable array of characters. You have nothing to be concerned about. If our team does, by some minuscule chance, end up in last... Then I think that's probably just.

[ So at some point in the day Natsuru's going to notice a pink box sitting on her bed - and when she opens it, she'll find this inside with a note. ]

Natsuru~! I hope you like this!

I actually found this in a store a while back and wanted to give it to you as a surprise gift, since autumn will be here soon... then this event happened and it gave me a perfect excuse to give it to you a present! Sorry if the occasion's no good at all, but I promise I'll make it up to you next time!

May the best team win! Don't be afraid to ask me for help with any tasks if you need to, though, okay?

-Sayaka Maizono

Tell me what team you're on.

[ There's an implied "or else" there if you care to notice it. ]

[Okay fine, she doesn't see a reason not to.]

Purple. Why, what's yours?

Seriously? Me too. That's hilarious!

[... Oh no.]

You're not going to sabotage us, are you?!

That depends.

If we get punished for losing, you get punished too!

Yes, I am well aware of that.

Just making sure you don't forget.

[This won't stop him from using one of the punishments on her, though.]

Got it.

[ She wanted points, right? Which is why Yukihina suddenly grabs her off the street and throws her over his shoulder. Although of course, points is not the only reason. ]

My house or your house or a shop?

Edited 2015-09-04 13:33 (UTC)

Wha-?!

[Being a very tall girl, Natsuru tends to not be the target of this sort of thing. But here she is, being thrown over some guy's shoulder and carried off.

The worst part is that it's Yukihina, and she knows from experience he's strong enough to handle anything she could do to escape.]

F-For what?! What are you doing?!

[ Shush, Yukihina is like thetallest in his canon. And he would treat her this way even if she was tallerthan him. ]

I'm going to harrass you.

[ Well, there's that too, but that's not the main part. It's just more fun to phrase it that way.

He decides to head to her home. ]

[He is taller than her! As long as he stays in male form.

And just because she can't do anything about this doesn't mean she won't try. Even if it's ineffectual kicking and shouting.]

Y-You're not taking me to my house like this!

[Well, would you rather he kidnap you to his house, Natsuru? None of the options are really good.]

[ And he has no intention to change gender right now. It would defeat the point.

He stops, and gives her a mock surprised look. ]

Why not?

Because it's embarrassing!

[She's too flustered to not be honest.]

Huh? No, it isn't? I'm just going to steal your clothes for the day.

[ And of course he says that with a straight face. ]

Wh-What do you want my clothes for?!

[She's not thinking about the team tasks for today, mostly because she can't stop focusing on the being carried over his shoulder part.]

Put me down!

[Like he'll listen. But if he's going to carry her off somewhere, she'd at least prefer him not doing it in front of her family...]

Because I'm going to put them on, obviously.

[ Has she not read the tasks? Pathetic. ]

No. Not yet.

[Wait, what.]

... A-At least take me somewhere else!

Why?

[ Completely missing the point. ]

Because I don't want you carrying me into my own house!

Why not? Oh! Okay, I get it! You want to get changed right here in the middle of the street.

You know that's not the reason!!!

[Could he just forget about that time she was walking around in her underwear? It was for a really good reason!]

Eh? [ Surprise-face. ] I do?

[ Nope, he'll never forget it. ]

[Ugh...]

What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone this time?

You just have to change clothes with me for a day. Simple, right?

Fine! But... let's do it somewhere else.

Are you picky for some reason?

Does it matter?! I said I'd do it!

[Such attitude! She's learning...]

Of course it matters. [ Of course it doesn't matter. ]

Ugh. Whatever.

[She gives up. If there's nothing she can do to stop him, why bother trying?]

Then let's get changed. It's super easy.

[ Besides, he has a good fashion sense, you know? And not only when it came to women's clothing. ]

Sure, whatever. Just as long as we go somewhere private first.

[And she's not changing in front of him, even if it isn't anything he hasn't seen on himself before!]

Do you have problems with nudity?

When it's in public, yes!

You're such a silly child, Natsuru.

[ But alright; he'd just bring her inside the closest NPC house, he just has to make a key out of water and the door is open. ]

[Huh... she's actually never seen the inside of the houses no one important lives in. The realization, after the flash of panic at being taken into a stranger's house, distracts her for a second. A brief second.]

You can put me down now!

You sure?

[ But he puts her down, none the less. And then just starts to strip. ]

Yes. ... Thank you.

[It's not long after she's expressed her grudging appreciation for finally being put down that she immediately turns around. No need to see Yukihina stripping, she's traumatized enough today.]

I'll, um... be in this room over here! You just leave your clothes outside the door.

[And in the room she goes! She's not sure if she trusts Yukihina enough, but she still starts to undress behind the closed door.]

[ Why would it be traumatizing to see him strip? He's got a great body. It's also covered in a lot of bandages, but. It's still very visible that he's got a great body. ]

You're being ridiculous, Natsuru.

[ He's down to only underwear and bandages soon, neatly folding them out of habit. ]

[She is not. While she's a woman, she's not changing in the same room as him. ... And probably not even if she ever changes back again in this place. She wouldn't want to change in the same room even if Yukihina were in his Lost form right now.

The door to the room she's in does open in a few minutes though, and she leaves her clothes outside the door. And while she's at it, she looks for his.]

Did... did you leave them here?

[She can't find them...]

[ He sighs; he still thinks that she's being ridiculous. ]

Yes. [ But he's really close to the door. ] You don't have anything I haven't seen before, you know.

Edited 2015-10-08 11:34 (UTC)

And neither do you, but that's not the point.

[She pulls in what clothes she can through the cracked-open door, and immediately starts to put them on.]

Then what is the point?

[ He starts to pull on her clothes. They would fit him much better if he was a woman at the moment. ]

The point is I don't want to see. And I don't want you to either!

[Right back at him in reverse on how these clothes fit. She's actually never even attempted to wear men's clothing as a woman... it's really making her appreciate properly fitting clothes a lot more.

At least he's bigger than her in a general sense, so it's probably a little easier.]

You're silly, child.

[ He is, yes. She might be tall for a woman but he's still taller.

He also has no problem wearing women's clothing despite being a man. ]

[She has a slight problem with this, because he'll probably stretch her clothes out. But aside from that, it's not too terrible. She wishes she could be a guy again for the day, if she has to wear clothes like this, though...

Once she's fully dressed, she finally comes back out.]

There. Good enough?

[ He's pulling his hair free of the collar of the top he's wearing when she's stepping out. ]

I suppose so.

NATSUSRU PICK UP THE SPONE WE HAVE AN AEMERBGECNY ON OUR AHANDS

I JUST FAOLLOWED KOROTRICHAN TO A VACFE AND SHE"S TMEEITNG WITH SOEM GUY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

WHATS LGOING ON IDID SE H TELL OUY ANYTTHING DTELLL ME WHAST YOU KNOWS THS INSTANT PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

attachment: 100892314-08-18-2015-001.jpg

[ MAIZONO CALM YOURSELF would Natsuru even be able to read any of this, or what... ]

wait is that shinomiya-kun?!!! he just joined the music group this month!

[Voice of reason here, but she's still concerned because Kotori.]

where did you see them?! does it look like a date? i didnt even know they met yet!

Wait, did he...? I thought he looked familiar...

[ MAIZONO... ]

Ah, but that's not the most important part! The most important part is that they're at the Honeybee Cafe right now and they just went in together???

Really?!

How close does he look with her?!

[No one, not even a music group member, is getting that close to Kotori so suddenly on her watch!]

I don't know, that's the problem! They went somewhere private so I can't see anything?

[ GODDAMMIT SHINOMIYA-KUN WATER U DOING TO THE INNOCENT BIRB-CHAN, YOU BEST NOT BE MAKING HER INTO A SIN-NAMON ROLL... ]

THEY DID?!!!!

[Good job, Maizono, now you've got Natsuru in on the freaking out.]

Does Nozomi-chan know?! We have to find out what's going on!

Who do you think I texted first? The both of us are outside the cafe trying to watch them!

[ Y e p . . . ]

So far we got a whole lotta nothing.

I think I can get out of work, if you need help.

[THE MOM SQUAD. (Natsuru, don't get pulled in on this, it'll only lead to embarrassment...)]

Will you be able to, though? I wouldn't want to get you in trouble at your workplace and all...

[ DO IT, NATSURU, JOIN THEM IN MUCH EMBARRASSMENT AND HAZUKASHII DESU... ]

It's fine! I can't get in trouble with myself!

[Because she kind of owns the restaurant she's working at right now. She'll still check with Asuka to make sure she's okay handling things for a while, but everything should be fine.]

You're near Honeybee, right?

Yes. Watching from the flower stall across the street, actually.

[ Oh, hopefully that won't be too much of an issue, leaving Asuka to her own devices... ]

We'll still be there if you decide to join us.

hey natsuru-chan, are you buying a swimsuit too? lets do it together!

You're buying one too? Sure!

When do you want to go?

yep i think like everyone got that thing, badr-san got it too. hayato-san too, but we're on the same team

how about in 10 min?

So everyone has to get one for their team color? At least I don't have a purple one already.

[She'll end up with quite a collection of swimsuits by the time she's done here, at this rate...]

Alright, I'll meet you at the shopping gate!

[She's already on her way!]

you could have gotten a one piece if you had a bikini or the other way around?

[ Asuka's gonna be there first! Well, she was supposed to go running anyway, so she's wearing workout clothes when they meet up. ]

Oh yeah, I guess that could work too.

[Guess who doesn't own a single one-piece suit yet? This girl.

Also she's stepping up to the gate already by the time Asuka gets that message. She is most definitely not wearing workout clothes. Does anyone remember when she used to wear pants? ~~The correct answer is no. And in her defense, it's like a billion degrees this month.~~]

Oh my god, that dress is so cute, is it new?

[ It really is cute though. Don't mind that Asuka's work out clothes are basically tiny little shorts and a crop top because yes, it is hot. ]

Ah, yeah, kinda! I just got it a little while ago. Thanks...

[She doesn't mind. She might have considered wearing tiny little shorts and a crop top too, if she had them.]

[ Maybe they should go buy that too when they're done with their tasks for the day. ]

Cool. It looks very good on you.

[ She hooks arms with Natsuru and starts to walk toward the shop with the biggest selection of swimwear. ]

[If anyone (besides her wife) could talk her into it with minimal effort, it's Asuka. Maybe she'll need more things to wear over her several two-piece suits?

Anyway, she's blushing a little at the compliment as she follows along. It doesn't take her long to realize which shop Asuka was planning on heading to. She's spent a lot of time shopping for clothes in the past two years.]

So what kind do you think you're getting, Asuka-chan? I'm not really sure yet, myself...

Hmm, I don't know yet, I kind of like bikinis, but I have more of those than onepieces.

[ More clothes shopping is a thing that will happen for sure. When they enter the shop Asuka heads right for the swimming section. ]

Yeah, me too.

[Her voice is thoughtful as she walks along with Asuka, already checking out some of the swimsuits on display. It takes a second before she realizes...]

... How many do you have?

Ummm, seven? I like to switch it up since I go swimming pretty often.

[ She does work out every single day. ]

Really?

... I only have three. But I guess you wouldn't want to wear the same ones all the time.

[Lucky for her she's getting another one, then?]

Mhm. I mean I love working out, but it's kind of a special feeling when you're wearing something new when you do it.

[ She looks through the pieces to see what black ones there is to choose from. ]

You think so? I... don't really work out much, but I guess it makes sense...

[She can understand the appeal of wearing something new, at least. Especially when it looks and feels nice. (Yep, she's been a girl way too long.)

While Asuka searches for black pieces, Natsuru's focus is on purple. There's this one... and this... are there any one-pieces in purple?! ... She'll keep looking.]

Maybe I should bring you to the gym with me.

[ She's only half joking. She is serious about her spots.

Hmm, this one is cute, but she was looking for a one-piece. ]

I wouldn't mind trying it! If you wanted to go together...

[Asuka should know Natsuru can actually be pretty surprisingly athletic by now. Even without her powers, to a much lesser extent. Idol training can get pretty intense.

Back to the swimsuits, though.]

... Are there any in purple? What do you think of these, Asuka-chan?

[She's not finding any one-pieces (not in purple, at least), so she's asking for an opinion on the various bikinis she's searching through instead, for now. Among the others are the first two she found, and this rather bold number.]

[ She does, but it's always fun to have more people to work out with. ]

Yeah, I think it could be fun.

[ She grins, and then looks over the bikinis she's showing. ]

Ooh, sexy! You should totally try those!

... All of them?

[She was hoping you'd narrow down the choices, Asuka! You'd think she would have learned by now that only trying on what you intend to buy is hardly the full shopping experience.]

What about you?

[Meaning has she found enough options yet...]

Of course!

[ Narrowing it down is impossible. ]

I was thinking maybe one of these? They're kind totally cute.

Yeah, those all look really cute!

[She has a bias or two, but she's keeping them to herself until she's seen them actually on Asuka. After a little more searching, she seems to settle on her already gathered pile of purple bikinis for now.]

I guess we should try some on first...

[Stating the obvious to delay the inevitable is kind of a defense mechanism for her. Even when she's not really opposed to a thing much, or at all. It's just force of habit sometimes.]

Right?

[ She does as well, but trying something on can be crucial. ]

Hey, why don't you try on a one-piece too? It didn't say you had to get just a purple one, right?

Oh... yeah, that's a good idea!

[It means she'll have to try on a bunch more, but hey. They're already shopping, why not?]

What kind should I try, though?

[She muses out loud, while lightly browsing through options ranging from modest and cute to somewhat more daring pieces.]

Gosh, that first one is so cute! But you pull off sexy so well too...

[ Asuka is gonna look and see what other ones she might get too. ]

You think so? I don't want to overdo it!

[She feels like every swimsuit she owns is way more on the 'sexy' side, but at the same time... she doesn't really pull off 'cute' in the same way as Asuka and Maizono do, does she? Some cute things really suit her, sure, but is this one of them?]

I know you pull off sexy really well, but maybe you should try some cute ones too.

[ Seriously, she's sure Natsuru would pull that one off too. ]

Alright, sure. Guess it won't hurt to try them all on...

[Well, that decides it. She's gathered up quite a collection of swimsuits to try on already, so she'll head on over to the changing areas. Is Asuka coming along or staying behind?]

Right?

[ She'll come with, just picking up a few more for herself first and then she'll be right behind her. ]

[Natsuru steps inside and immediately sets to finding places to hang or set all the various swimsuits she'll be trying on. She hasn't given any thought to whether Asuka would want to share the fitting room, but there is plenty of space and she hasn't drawn the curtain yet.]

[ Well, sharing is caring, right? Sort of. And it's easier to just share one if they want to show each other, so she steps right in. ]

[And when she turns to close the curtain, Natsuru blinks, slightly surprised to see Asuka just walking in. But... it's Asuka, so she doesn't get too worked up or flustered. She just looks a slight bit on the shy, embarrassed side once they're both in and the curtain is drawn.]

Ah... l-let's see... I should try the purple ones on first, I guess...

[She angles herself away from Asuka just out of respect for whatever privacy she might want (as if that's even a factor here), and starts to undress. But it's not long before the advantage of sharing the fitting room comes up.]

Um, could you help with the zipper, Asuka-chan?

[Not that she can't get the zipper in the back of her dress by herself in a pinch, but it's always so much easier with help.]

[ It's not like they're going to be completely naked, anyway. Bras have to go of course, but you're not allowed to take off your panties, are you? That can't be a swedish thing so I'm assuming. ]

Yeah, probably, since those are the must-have.

[ Asuka herself is already out of her clothes and standing in her underwear by the time Natsuru asks for her help. ]

Of course.

[ Vrrrrt, and it's unzipped! ]

[That is absolutely not just a Swedish thing, so yes. They'll only be mostly naked together. Which is nothing new for them, really.]

Thanks...

[Off comes the dress, and then her bra soon after. ... She probably should have picked which suit to try first before she was standing there in just her underwear, but instead it takes her a moment to decide on the simplest one first.]

Ah... the top feels a little tight.

[A problem she's all too familiar with now. It looks okay for the most part, but she's not sure she'd want to squeeze into this for long periods of time.]

[ Asuka is getting into a simple black one-piece, about to get her arms through the holes when Natsuru speaks up about her problem.

She looks over. ]

Yeah, I mean, it's totally hot on you, but comfort is very important.

It's too bad... I kinda like this one.

[Mostly because it's the least revealing, or at least that's what she tells herself. Oh well, she doesn't want that top squeezing her boobs much longer, so she starts to take it off.

She also turns away from the mirror enough to catch a glimpse of Asuka getting her first swimsuit on. She really is a lot cuter than she thinks she is...

... And she means that as a friend, of course!]

Yeah, it' cute.

[ Well, if Natsuru wanted to be able to wear it for a longer amount of time, she should probably get one that fits her right.

She turns around a few seconds later showing off the one she's wearing now. ]

How about this one?

It looks great!

[She actually has zero reservations about this! It's modest and tasteful with just a little bit of extra skin. Even if it weren't Asuka, she wouldn't feel awkward about seeing other girls in that suit. Or herself, for that matter...]

I'm kinda jealous, you found some really good ones...

[Implying hers aren't. Actually, she's in the process of getting into her next one as they speak. With zero concern for Asuka seeing her boobs while she's facing her, because it'd feel kind of silly being concerned about that the dozenth or so time it's happened.]

[ It's not like boobs are shocking anyway, even if Natsuru's are bigger than Asuka's. ]

Like you didn't, you look cool in that one!

[They were for Natsuru until about a year ago! Ever since arriving here, she's been on a long journey of learning how normal girls are supposed to act about things, boobs included. ~~At least she can still appreciate her wife's! And Sayaka can even make her really appreciate her own...~~]

Eh? Really?

['Cool' is not a description she ever expected to be applied to her in a situation like this! Turning to the mirror, she gives herself a quick look at a couple of angles. This one fits much better than the first comfort-wise, so it's at least a possibility...]

[ Good Natsuru. Boobs don't get less amazing just because you have a pair of your own. ]

Yeah. You're cool.

[ Natsuru is always cool, cute or sexy, but in this one she's cool. ]

[Nope, you just develop a love/hate/indifference relationship with your own. At least, that's her experience.

What she has yet to learn how to handle is how readily Asuka compliments her. It makes her blush, but she tries to focus on the swimsuit part for now.]

Hm, I'm not really sure! But it fits okay, so maybe...

[She has others to try though, so off it comes.]

It's great if it fits! But if you're not sure you've just got to try more!

[ Asua strips as well, putting on one that... isn't her team colour, but she likes it. ]

I know it's not black, but isn't it cute?

[Natsuru contemplates trying one of the pink ones instead, but she figures she might as well get the last of the purple ones over with. It's not much in the fabric area, but of course it's the one out of the three that actually fits the best.

When she turns to glance at Asuka though, her mixed feelings about the bikini are chased away by a soft giggle at the pattern Asuka's wearing.]

Yeah, it's cute! Someone might pretend to be lost just to check it out, though.

[And by check it out, she means check you out, dear bestie.]

[ Too bad Asuka doesn't realize what she's implying. Of course. ]

Yeah, right? I thought so too.

[ Then back to Natsuru's bikini. ]

Oh, sparkly! It's hot!

[Oh, Asuka. How is it that you can possibly be even more clueless than Natsuru at times?]

It feels pretty good, but... you don't think it's showing too much?

[She's clearly conflicted as she looks over her reflection from a few angles.]

Um, which one do you like best so far?

[She doesn't have any purple ones left to try.]

Um... You look super cool in the last one. Sparkly boobs and all!

[ It's not really too revealing, it's a swimsuit, they're allowed to show huge amount of skin in those, right? ]

[Well... yeah, that is kind of how it works...

And now Asuka gets to see Natsuru all flustered at the 'sparkly boobs' part. She was kind of trying not to notice!]

Ah... even cooler than the other one?

[Truthfully, she wasn't all that keen on the one-shoulder thing with the top, but it's a choice between that and more skin with sparkly boobs, so... she's debating.]

Hmm... yeah, I think so.

[ She starts to strip out of the one she's in and into a black one. That one she's gonna get later but I lost the link. ]

Compromise and get a one piece in a different colour?

[She's too easily influenced by her bestie. That and the thought that Sayaka would very much approve of how she looks in this. She... supposes she could choose this one for her purple swimsuit? And pick one of the others to get as well.

As she gets out of the skimpy two-piece, she turns to see Asuka's next choice. ~~Pretty sure that's the right one, at least.~~]

Oh! That's really pretty!

[She's never seen a swimsuit quite like that before. And it looks really good on Asuka!]

I think that one's definitely the best so far!

[Meanwhile, she gets into the cuter, more modest option of the one piece swimsuits she'd brought in with her. The pink version, since she already has blue and green and now purple covered. Naturally, with her figure there's quite a bit more cleavage, but it covers practically everything compared to the skimpy string bikini she'd just changed out of.]

[ That's the one, thank you very much for keeping better track of Asuka's things than her mun does.

Asuka does a little twirl. ]

You think? I kinda like it a lot.

[ She watches Natsuru get into the latest swimsuit with enthusiasm. ]

Oh god, you're totally cute in that!

Edited 2015-09-24 21:37 (UTC)

[I cheated and dug it out of your plurk. Like I've been looking back in this thread for Natsuru's.]

Yeah, it's really cute!

[She even giggles softly at the little twirl Asuka does. Only to blush again when the praise quickly turns back on her.]

Eh? Really?

[She's actually smiling along with the blush this time, though. The other one was 'sexy' and 'cool', so it wouldn't hurt to go for 'cute' this time, right?]

I... kind of like it too...

[Yep, she's completely in the girl zone now. Asuka and Sayaka and all her friends over the past two years just keep bringing it out of her.]

[ Playin' dirty~~ ]

Hmm, I think I'll go for this one. Should I get the map too?

[ It's going to be strange whenever she turns into a boy again, isn't it? ]

You should totally get it.

[A little, but she'll adjust. She'll have to keep being a girl sometimes though, otherwise what will she do with all these cute clothes? Not to mention all the songs and choreography she's learning as a girl... ~~and the things she's learning in the bedroom with her wife...~~]

Sure. That one was cute too.

[Yep, she's checking out this swimsuit in the mirror one last time, and it's definitely growing on her. It's certainly different from any other swimsuit she owns.]

Yeah... I think I'll get them both.

[Shopping success! Now she can change back into her regular clothes and go out and buy these. Then that'll be one less team task she'll need to do to keep her team from losing.]

[ Well the bedroom will be the biggest change, won't it? ]

Great! More points for us!

[ She starts to change into her own clothes again too. ]

I'll totally beat you, you know.

You mean the team thing?

[As expected, Asuka sure takes her competitions seriously.]

I'm not really trying to win, or anything! I just don't want our team to end up last.

Yeah.

[ She does. She's competitive to the core. ]

Hehe, I'm going to do my best to make my team win.

Good luck, then! For your teammates, too.

[She genuinely means it! If it's important to Asuka, then she hopes it happens.

Also now that she's dressed, she can put the rest of those swimsuits back and head to the counter to pay for the ones they'd ultimately picked.]

Thanks!

[ With a happy grin Asuka follows her to the counter to pay for her own stuff. ]

You've got to take this competition seriously, Natsuru-chan.

I'm serious about not losing!

[She's just not serious about winning.]

What about winning?

[ Winning is important too. Well, as long as it's fun too, and she's having a lot of fun. ]

Oh, I'll try my best! It's just... there's some things they've asked us to do already...

[Which is the real reason she's not trying as hard as she should. Because she just can't bring herself to do some of the tasks.]

What things? I've skipped out on a few too, but I've done most of them.

[ Some she literally can't do because she's been everywhere already. ]

Well, me too so far! But publicly insulting someone... or pushing a friend to the ground...

[Asuka would have gotten different tasks for her team, though. Including 'wear a pair of high heels for a day' instead of the public insult one. Which, if Natsuru had gotten it, would have been a breeze. She does that all the time for work (and sometimes not for work) anyway.]

Mm, yeah, some of them are a bit weird. Wouldn't the insult be fine if you said sorry right away?

I don't know, it still feels weird.

[Grabbing the shopping bag with her purchases inside now.]

It'd be easier if it didn't have to be public...

Yeah, I guess so.

[ Asuka's turn to pay, and it goes pretty smooth. ]

Got any more left for today?

I'm not really busy today, if you wanted to hang out some more.

[A brief pause, and... oh yeah, she could have meant something more specific, huh?]

Um... I wasn't really going to do the other team things. I'd have to push a friend to the ground for one, and the other is give a friend a massage.

You could give me a massage.

[ That sounds like a good idea, right? ]

Oh... I guess so!

[It is certainly an idea!]

Um... I don't know if I'd be any good at it...

[Yes, that's actually her biggest concern. Because it's Asuka. If she were going to feel comfortable about this with anyone she's just friends with, it's her.]

That's totally okay, I don't think I'd be very good at it either.

[ Paid and done. ]

[And here they go out of the store!]

Oh... was that one of yours too?

[Probably not, but the way Asuka said that made her curious.]

Nope. But I haven't really done it much before.

Yeah, me neither. But I guess it'd be okay to try...

[Zero resistance. If they weren't both so oblivious, there would have totally been a love triangle with Maizono by now.]

Yeah. Even pros start somewhere, right?

[ Think of what they could be and weep. ]

[Better idea: if OT3 doesn't happen, think of what they could be and meme it.]

Sure.

[So that's a thing that's going to happen now, maybe. But first...]

... Is there anywhere else you wanted to stop while we're here?

[Since when have she and Asuka gone shopping and only made one stop, after all.]

How about shoes? I know it's not heel day anymore, but you know.

[Okay, that actually makes her smile. It reminds her of the first time she went shoe shopping with Rahzel. She still doesn't quite understand why they're so important... or so she tells herself. Even as she wonders if she could use a few different styles herself...]

Sure!

... Did you need any? Or just looking?

Just looking. Considering getting a pair that's higher than I usually wear, to practice.

Oh? How high? Like the stuff I wear...?

[Because she's not tall enough already, apparently. ... No, it's actually because Rahzel gave her 'princess lessons' back when she was still attending high school and got her used to 7 to 10 cm heels. Not that she doesn't wear flats anymore - she is now! But easily half or more of her shoes are heels of varying heights and styles.]

Yeah, something like that.

[ She doesn't know how high hers are in centimeter or anything. ]

[Rahzel taught Natsuru well, but even she doesn't always know exactly how high her heels are.]

Ah- Have you been to this store over here? Sayaka and I shop here sometimes.

[And Maizono needs the heels more than Natsuru does.]

Yeah, but it was a while ago. Think they've gotten in anything new?

[ She's been seriously everywhere by now. ]

Probably! I always find new stuff every time.

[That's partially because Natsuru is a derp and can't possibly keep track of all the varied styles of women's shoes. But also they're always getting new stuff in from time to time.]

Then we'll go there! Let's go~

[ She hooks arms with her, and leads her right into the store. ]

[In they go! There was once a time when Natsuru would be embarrassed to be in a place like this. But it's been long enough by now, all she notices as they go in is the various new and familiar styles on display.

Actually, she wonders...]

Do you have any favorite styles, Asuka-chan?

[Just curiosity about her best friend's tastes, no other real reason for asking. She's pretty sure they've never talked about this before.]

Cone heels. I totally like those. And wedges. Oh, and platforms!

[ There's nothing embarrassing about stores like these, silly Natsuru. Cute. ]

What about you?

Ah, I've never tried platforms! They seem like they'd be a little much for me.

[Not because they're too high, because she's too tall. She already grazes the 180 centimeter line in heels as it is, depending on the shoe. She's pretty sure she doesn't need to add even more! (There may be a slight misunderstanding as to just how much of a platform it takes to classify shoes as platforms.)]

Um... I guess I like chunky heels on boots. But usually I wear stuff like stilettos more. Oh, and those strappy sandal kinds are good for when it's a little warmer too!

[Blame Maizono and Rahzel for like... all of this. Not even just half or a good portion, all of it.]

Don't worry about that, just wear whatever you want.

[ Besides, everyone's tall next to Asuka. She picks up a pair of shoes with subtle platforms. ]

Wanna try them on?

Huh? Those? They're platforms...?

[Oh, well those are actually really nice. Why not?]

Um, sure, I guess.

[Asuka doesn't even need to try to talk her into things, it just works. Only she and Maizono have that power.]

Of course they are, silly.

[ She hands them over to Natsuru. ]

You're so cute, you didn't know?

Well... I knew they had a platform! I just thought it had to be higher for them to... actually be platforms...

[She's defending her knowledge of women's shoes. What has her life become.

Saying any more would just get her foot even deeper in her mouth. And she needs her feet to try on these shoes, so she quietly finds a place to do so. The size sounds about right, so they should fit pretty comfortably.]

What's so cute about that, anyway?

[She doesn't even sound upset.]

I don't know, it just is. But you're cute all the time, so it's just like you... level up?

[ She picks up a pair of high heels, kind of wide and with a platform to give better support. ]

Y-You're just as bad as Sayaka!

[Relentlessly calling her cute. What monsters!

Well, as embarrassed as she looks, she actually seems kind of happy too. It's kind of hard not to be, when thinking about how cute her wife seems to think she is.]

Huh... these aren't bad...

[She checks out those heels she'd just tried on from some different angles, and experimentally rises to her feet to see how they feel standing up.]

Thank you.

[ She bows. ]

Right?

[Of course Asuka would answer like that. Even though she's still embarrassed, Natsuru can't help but chuckle at that.

Also she's working those heels when she starts walking to test them out. She might be awkward sometimes, but the girl knows how to strut. (Thanks again, Rahzel. Honestly, she doesn't even realize she's doing it, it's become so ingrained.)]

[ Oh, she really does. She's really good at walking in heels by now.

Asuka straps herself into a pair of stilettos that are a few cm higher than her regular ones. ]

Look how tall I am!

[It's a shame this isn't the game she's getting modeling experience in, she might have cocked her hip and given a little hair toss when she turned to face Asuka. Er... not that she has any hair to toss, given it's all tied up in her usual ponytail thing.

But nope, she just turns normally, softly giggling at Asuka's declaration.]

Not bad! How's it feel?

[ she whips her hair back and forth she whips her hair back and forth

She will apparently never be taller than Natsuru though. She needs sky high heels for that. ]

Feels good. A liiiittle bit wobbly, but I'll just need to get used to the feeling.

[You and most other women, Asuka. Especially Japanese ones.]

You're sure?

[She just remembered Asuka saying she wanted to get used to higher heels.]

If you need any help at first...

You mean you'll hold my hand on the way home?

[ Cuz that's the only thing she can think of. ]

Uh, sure... if you need me to.

[Slightly awkward, but not the most embarrassing thing Asuka's ever suggested. Natsuru can live with it.]

Okay!

[ Let her try walking in them first. ]

They're pretty comfortable.

[Natsuru will keep a close eye on her. In fact, she steps in a little closer, just in case.]

They feel okay to walk in?

[ She walks around the aisle for a little while, testing out how they feel. ]

Yeah, they do. They're pretty cute, and feel okay.

Good!

[Apparently her services as a balance grip aren't needed, so Natsuru ~~struts~~ walks over to where she left her own shoes, to change back out of the ones she's trying.]

If you can walk in those okay, you'll probably be able to get used to most heels, I think.

That's the plan!

[ She gives her an enthusiastic smile and thumbs up before making a turn. She wobbles, but regains her balance by stretching out her arms. ]

[Natsuru looks about ready to rush in and help, but Asuka seems to catch her balance. Which makes Natsuru giggle a bit. She can't help it, she's been there too...]

Careful! Don't rush yourself.

[ She rests her weight on one foot, trying out her balance and what the shoes will let her do without wobbling. It's going better by the minute. ]

It's okay, I won't lose to a pair of heels!

You'd better not! You wouldn't want to let me out-girl you, right?

[Not mentioning the whole being a former boy thing out loud, but she's not above hinting at it with someone who knows. Besides, it's weirdly fun being on this side of the heels training.]

Totally not.

[ That's so cute, Natsuru. ]

[She has no idea what a high bar she just set for Asuka's girl levels.]

Good! You're doing great so far.

[ Natsuru has been a girl so long she doesn't even realize. ]

I know, right? Think I should get something even higher right away so I can just switch later?

[They won't even know what to do together once Asuka meets boy!Natsuru. Assuming Natsuru ever does bother to regain that ability, like she'd been debating for at least a year now.]

Even higher? ... I guess if that's the goal you're going for...

[ They could... buy more dresses? She has... bought high heels with boys before. ]

Yeah, it's the goal! Wouldn't it be cool if I could run a marathon in high heels?

[It's a thought, but we all know that'd devolve into Natsuru transforming to try something on sooner or later. It'd be inevitable.]

It'd be pretty impressive! I don't think I could do that...

[And Asuka's seen her pull off some acrobatic stunts in heels before.]

[ Does Natsuru even remember how to do dirty things as a boy? ]

I don't know if I could either yet, but I've got to try.

[Did she ever know how to do dirty things as a boy is the question. She was as pure as the driven snow when she came here!]

Of course.

[She smiles, amused but not at all surprised at this being one of Asuka's goals.]

Let me know if you need someone to practice with! I guess...

[ Hmm, you've got a point. In other worlds, would she have any idea how to make her wife feel as good if she turned back into a boy? ]

Of course! I'll let you know.

[ hello neighbors... the president has a dare to fulfill, so he'll be showing up at 1431's doorstep in his pajamas (consisting of an oversized shirt and flamboyant flannel pants). yes, it's the middle of the day, yes, he was too lazy to change out of them for something like this.

he pushes the doorbell: dingdong. ]

[Natsuru's similarly underdressed when she answers the door, but in her case it's more a cute and coordinated underdressed than... whatever it is he's doing. A cute cami and boxer pajama set, most likely. Given the weather lately and all.]

Eh?! .. President?

[It's the only name she knows him by, even now. And she can't even imagine why he'd be coming here all of a sudden.]

[ he's not curious as to why she would know his name; most everyone in high school knew him by that, after all, and he did have the position here once. thus, it's not questioned. ]

Yo!

[ whatever his previous (unsure)ness of the situation, he's recovered, his typical, annoying smirk in place. ]

Anyway, whoever you are— Let's cut to the case, shall we? I'm here on official team business, haha.

[Arms crossed, she glares at him. It's not too harsh a glare, but still a glare.]

Natsuru Senou. We've been neighbors for like a year.

[True, they never really spoke to each other, but he should have seen her at least once in her frequent visits when Veronica lived there.]

... What business?

[ he recognizes a glare when he sees one, despite all behavior that might suggest to the contrary. but, in a show of him finally making the connection, he claps a fist into a hand. ]

Oooh, right! You're that chick.

[ ... yeah, he's not the best with introductions. ]

You got any Nair?

[ nair, like the hair removal cream. ]

... What?

[What... does he even need that for?! Does she want to know?!]

I saaiiiid...

[ gosh, making him say it again! if it were him, he'd have heard— and just wanted to embarrass someone further by having them repeat themselves. it's okay, it's no big, he'll keep making as if this isn't slightly uncomfortable or anything. and talking slowly— ]

Do you have any Nair?

No... I mean, yes, but...

[She's so confused!]

Why are you asking?

For dare completion purposes!

[ there wasn't a stipulation he wouldn't tell her his purpose, after all... he grins, propping a hand against his hip. ]

But reaaally, whether you give it to me or not, I've still won. [ just putting that out there!! not defensively at all. he would probably just give the nair to someone else or toss it, anyway... ]

Wait... so you don't really need it?

[Still so confused.]

Nooo, not really.

[ oh, but he's skipping a step (and making this more confusing in the meanwhile, sorry natsuru). remembering this, he proceeds to clap a fist into a palm. ]

Oh! But you should get it anyway. Then meet me back here, 'kay?

O...kay...?

[What the heck is going on? But she does go in to get it... and brings it back to the front door.]

[ and when she returns the president will have his phone out. he holds it up, moves closer to her so he can be within proper selfie range. that's right, he's decided they're taking a selfie together.

throws up the victory sign. ]

Say "cheese"! Oh, and make sure that Nair's in the photo, too!

[Wait, what now?

... She can't even begin to react, so she just awkwardly holds up the bottle and forces something of an embarrassed smile.]

[ flash! ]

[ lovely. selfie successfully acquired, he quickly sends it off to rahzel before pocketing his phone again. ]

Cooool. [ that's as close to "thanks" as anyone gets... ] I'll see you 'round, 'kay?

Uh... sure...

[She... supposes she can go back inside now. What a weird thing to happen.]

natsurusa-an
i need ur help w a question
pls resposd!!! im kinda convusfsed rn????

[Birbdaughter what...]

what's wrong kotori-chan?

[Did something bad happen on her birthday? Before Natsuru could get her gifts there?!]

i textsded sayakas-snan abtou it 2 btu
iw anted 2 know what some of these cards i got emant??
they sound like dates
but idk if they are
theyre coupons???
tehres also flowers here

Cards? What kind of cards? What do they say?

['They sound like dates'? Coupons? Flowers?! Is someone propositioning Kotori? (Girl, why do you have to be so popular with boys? You're making life so hard on your idolmoms!)]

theyre rly cute one sec and ill type them out!!
ok idk if theyre in the right order but
1 says this coupon entitles kotori-chan to one girly movie from mikoto mikoshiba
then the 2nd one says the coupon entitles KOTORI-CHAN! <---lol to one walk in the park from mikoto mikoshiba

lol his handwriting is rly cute sry ok
3rd one says this coupon entitles kotori-chan to one fancy dinner?? from mikoto mikoshiba
ok then the last one says this coupon entitles kotori-chan to one karaoke date maybe from mikoto mikoshiba
then theres flowers do u want a pic?

Um, sure.

[Who is this Mikoto Mikoshiba and when did he start taking such an interest in Kotori?!]

Is Mikoto-kun a friend of yours? Someone you've been spending time with?

yes! mikoto-kun is a really good friend even if i havent seen him much later until recently!
i like him a lot! do u know him?

I don't think so...

[She'd probably recognize him if she saw him, because small town and all.]

Does he go to school here? Has he asked you to do things like this before?

i will have to introduce the two of u!!! hes really sweet
he was in his third year so not anymore! but he was!
hes kind of asked me out before but he was drunk and then didnt rly talk to me for a while i think he was busy??its ok tho! hes said we will go on date in the future but never said when so now might be the time(〃´ﾉω`〃)

[Graduated from school? Asked her out when he was drunk? This is not encouraging, Kotori.]

I'd definitely like to meet him, yeah.

[~~So she can ask what his intentions are with her not!daughter...~~]

Anyway, I was planning on a visit today! Maybe we could talk about it more then? And you can show me the cards and stuff? It'll only be a little while before everything's ready...

[She was going to go over unannounced, but since Kotori texted her first, might as well give her a heads-up. Besides, she thinks Maizono already went over there earlier?]

yay! i think youll like him a lot!
oh and dont worry he doesnt drink at all i think he was only drunk bc of a dare??
i shouldve said that first lol

oh!! i didnt know you were planning on coming overヾ(｡･ω･)ｼ
thats fine with me, sayaka-san is on her way now if u just wanted to come w her?or you can wait! whichever is fine w me

[Well, that's a relief. But she's still in caution mode over this guy!]

It was supposed to be a surprise!

And yeah, she told me, but it'll still be a few minutes before everything's ready.

[...? What is she up to?]

???
everything?
what r u bringing over tho?

I told you, it's a surprise.

[Cryptic idolmom is cryptic.]

i like surprises! just let me know if u need any help with it tho?

[ As soon as Hiyori notices what's going on, she is all over the place. Raining chocolate? She's got a basket for the bars and containers for the rest of it.

And now she's eating on houses, the basket and containers next to her as she sits on Natsuru's roof to snap off pieces of the chimney. ]

Yum~!

[Natsuru's just walking home early, having closed the restaurant for the day when she saw that even there everything is affected by this weird candy land thing. Obviously she has an umbrella and poncho to protect her uniform from the chocolate rain. And she's actually doing the sensible thing (for people without cool powers that make even running and jumping in heels a breeze) and wearing flats on the walk for once.

She may not have even noticed Hiyori there if it weren't for that exclamation. But when she looks up, there she is on the roof, munching on pieces of the house.]

Ah... Hiyori-chan?!!!

[Awfully familiar way to address someone you've never met, but her being Yukihina's daughter and all... it feels like she knows her already. Even though she really doesn't.]

How'd you get up there?!

[ Hiyori doesn't care. She's covered in chocolate, a lolita dressed in sweet treats.

She looks down at Natsuru, looking perfectly calm for someone who's just been caught breaking someone else's house. ]

Sh3 cl1mbed.

[ It's not like she has a last name, so she has to call her Hiyori. Unless she gives her a pet name. ]

[Yeah, that's definitely not happening. But all things considered, '-chan' feels the most appropriate since Hiyori's so youthful looking. Natsuru's not Yukihina though, so she won't go around insisting she's her niece.]

Well, yeah...

[Obviously. Unless she went through the house and up the chimney she's gnawing on, but that still involves climbing.]

I mean, what are you doing here?

[Suddenly, she looks the tiniest bit panicked.]

Yukihina-san's not around, is he?

[ Well, Hiyori sure will go around insisting that Yukihina is one of her many dads though. Even though he's not really, her parents are dead, and she doesn't miss them one bit. ]

It l0oked yummy, s0 she cam3 up here. & he's n0t here, sh3 thinks. Can'7 feel him n3arby.

[Well, that's a relief. Somehow she feels like this girl will be less of a nuisance than him.]

You're not going around eating everyone's houses, are you? If you'd just asked, I could have gotten some sweets from inside...

[Because she and Kyoko bake them like, all the time.]

H0use is b3tter! It's a h0use! Duh!

[ She's definitely a different type of annoying than Yukihina. ]

[It's amazing how she manages to speak numbers like that. Shame Natsuru can't tell the difference. Holly Heights needs live subtitles.]

Are you sure it's a good idea, though? It might do something weird...

[Natsuru no, don't mom her. You're not ready to deal with this.]

[ Hiyori is an amazing girl like that. Just wait until she says "lol" out loud. ]

Dun c@re, it'5 c@ndy!

[ She throws a gingerbread brick at her. ]

[Does she say "omg" too?

Natsuru reacts before she realizes it, moving to swat the gingerbread brick away. It just bounces ineffectually from where it makes contact because... it's gingerbread. What a waste of good edible masonry, falling to the ground like that.]

Ah... fine. Just... don't eat the whole house, okay?

[Like someone as tiny as Hiyori could do that.]

[ Yes. ]

N0 pr0mises!

[ She giggles and bites into another brick, throwing a third one at Natsuru's head. ]

[This time, Natsuru reacts in time to catch the brick. ... It smells like normal gingerbread, mixed with the chocolate that's been raining on it. But she's not about to take a taste. Still not sure what'll happen once everything's back to normal.]

... You're sure you don't want to come in?

[If she's going to be here anyway, she'd rather have her where she can keep an eye on her instead of waiting for her to crash in from the roof after eating a hole in it.]

Only if y0u've g0t a k1ddy p00l H1yori can f1ll with candy.

[ Or a really big bucket. That can fit a 14 year old. ]

I think we have something like that, yeah.

[It's either a really big bucket or a small portable tub. But if it's a way to get Hiyori off the roof...]

G0od!

[ And she slides right off the roof, slick with chocolate to make it into a slide.

She lands on her feet and pats her skirt free of chocolate and crumbs. ]

[Goodness, she's a mess. Natsuru would offer to let her take a bath inside if she thought it would make a difference...]

Okay... just a sec.

[Does the lock on a door even work anymore in candy town? Either way, she's opening the door to go inside, letting Hiyori follow. And now she has to find that tub, which is probably made of something edible now...]

What are you even going to use it for?

[Because it's not obvious enough to her even though it'd be obvious to everyone else.]

[ It might not work. And besides, what if someone ate the handle? Hiyori looks tempted. ]

T@ke a bath, duh!

[Sheesh, this girl might eat her out of house and home in an unusually literal way!]

Well... you can just use the bathtub for that.

[She's already brought out the smaller portable tub she was talking about, though.]

N0t th@t kinda ba7h, stup1d!

[ She grabs the tub and drags it right back outside. ]

[And where exactly did she learn to speak to her elders like that?! ... Oh yeah, Yukihina's daughter. That explains everything.

Actually, it's kind of funny imagining her being that rude to Yukihina. Whether she actually is or not.]

Wh-?! What do you mean?

[Why is she dragging the tub outside?!]

[ For a while, Hiyori doesn't answer, instead just focusing on getting the tub outside. Then, when it's in the rain, she starts to fill it up with all the candy and chocolate bars on the ground. ]

Hiy0ri's always w@nted t0 bathe in candy!

I... see...

[Child, that is the opposite of bathing. Plus, it's not sanitary to just pick stuff up off the ground! (Or is it? This is candy land Holly Heights...)]

[ Hiyori just ignores her in favour of filling the tub, and then jumps right in. ]

W0ohoo!

So... now that you have candy to bathe in, do you have to be outside?

[Because this is embarrassing and she's not sure she should leave this girl unsupervised.]

Sh3'll g0 inside if U pull h3r there!

[Is that a challenge? Does she not think Natsuru can do it? Well... she doesn't look very athletic, so that wouldn't be a surprise if it is the case.

Natsuru just shrugs and plays along. She doesn't pull her inside, though. First she goes inside for a second to cover up and protect herself from the rain more. Then, when she comes back out, she outright picks up the tub and carries it into the house, candy and Hiyori and all.]

There. How's that?

[ Honestly, Hiyori didn't expect that. But when she's being lifted, she shrieks with laughter. ]

H3ll yeah!

[That actually makes Natsuru smile a bit. Is this a bonding moment? Hiyori's not as creepy as she would have expected out of Yukihina's kid.

Also the house itself is edible too, so she has no reason to worry about making a mess. Might as well set the tub down right in the living room.]

Your, um... dad's not gonna come looking for you, is he? Should I let him know you're here?

Nah h3 kn0ws Hiy0ri is a b1g girl!

[ She's actually a tiny girl but who cares?

She throws a handful of sticky chocolate at Natsuru.

Totally a big girl. ]

[She'll be a big girl next time they meet and Natsuru will be tiny, so there's a balance to these things? Or something like that.

She wasn't expecting the chocolate attack, though, and gives a little yelp as it hits. ... Fortunately, she's covered up for the rain already, so it's not ruining anything.]

Yeah...

... Isn't there less to eat if you keep throwing it at people?

U have 2 pl@y in th3 bath t0o!

[ Ao she splashes around a little, picking one of the chocolate bars up and eating it while it's still dripping with melted chocolate. ]

[Oh yes. She's definitely a big girl.]

Well, try not to splash too much.

[Not that it makes a difference, the house is ruined by candy and chocolate everywhere anyway. Hopefully this gets fixed when it's over.]

[ She sticks out her tongue at her, and demonstratively throws a handful of chocolate at the wall. ]

L1ke this?

[Siiiigh...]

Guess it doesn't make any difference anyway, with the house like this.

H1yori might 3at the wh0le house!

[ She throws another fistful over her own head, letting it rain down on her. ]

You'd probably get a tummy ache if you tried.

[Natsuru, we've talked about this. Stop mothering her, this can only lead to awful.]

Hiy0ri doesn't get tummy ach3 fr0m candy.

[ She dips her head down under the chocolate, and resurfaces like some kind of chocolate monster. ]

Yeah, well, I bet you've never tried to eat a whole house of it before.

SH3 WILL TRY H3R HARDES7 AS FUCK!

[ She's practically yelling. ]

I guess you could try...

[Natsuru is pretty sure everything will go back to normal soon. And that someone as tiny as Hiyori couldn't possibly eat the whole house before it does. So really she's just humoring her at this point.]

What about your own house, though?

Hiyori h@s chewed 0n that h0use 2.

[ She licks her fingers clean, and swipes her finger over her chocolate covered cheek. ]

Is there a house you haven't eaten...?

[Natsuru mutters that under her breath a little, but Hiyori can probably still hear it.]

A f3w! Sh3's making her r0unds.

[ Yep, she heard. ]

[Oh... whoops. Well, she didn't get offended, so she'll play it off.]

Gonna try them all, then?

Yu-huh. Wh@t if th3y tast3 sl1ghtly diff3rent?

[ No, it's not for science. ]

Wait, do they? Any of them so far?

[This is an important question. For science. ... Or Natsuru's just slightly curious now that the idea's been mentioned. Yeah. More likely that.]

N0 bu7 sh3 has 2 try all 0f them.

[ What if there's just one house that's different? ]

Even the Landlord's house?

[Because good luck with that, Hiyori. Or heck, maybe the Landlord would let her try a taste. Without causing any weird side effects.]

Ye5! OFC!

[ If anyone's house would taste different it would be his. ]

So... what flavors do you like the most?

[The girl isn't growing on her. Not at all. But... it wouldn't hurt to know some of her favorite sweets, just in case...]

ALL of th3m!

[ Seriously, if there's sugar in it she'll like it. ]

You don't have any favorites?

[Not that she's complaining, that means she doesn't have to make a note of anything in particular.]

Hiy0ri likes c@ndy fl0ss a l0t but 5he l1kes 3veryth1ng else t00!

[ Of course she likes candy floss, it's pure sugar. ]

[So the most sugary things possible, apparently. Duly noted.]

And Yukihina-san doesn't mind you eating this much?

N0pe! Hiy0ri p@ys 4 i7 hers3lf.

Oh, you have a job?

[She must to afford all the candy she seems to be able to consume...]

Hiy0ri w0rks w/ th3 pengu1ns!

The... penguins?

[Does she mean Club Penguin or... actual penguins? One of the zoos, maybe?]

Y3ah! At th3ir club!

You mean Club Penguin?

[You know, where Natsuru occasionally sings solo? That Club Penguin?]

OFC.

[ The only club where penguins reside. ]

Huh. I don't think I've ever seen you there before.

[Doesn't mean she wasn't there on a night Natsuru was singing, though.]

Mayb3 u're bl1nd.

Holly Heights: Mailbox

mailbox; December 24

doorstep, 25/12

text; later that day

belated wedding gifts? why yes, way backdated, pretend they got them at the wedding

delivery, 25/12

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Dec. 25th || Package

mailbox; christmas morning

text; 26th december

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