Hidden Candy: Extra Bites

Chapter 0: Late Night Fate

Author's Note: Well, after a few necessary months of absence I'm back! My excuses are endless but I've been going through quite a few things, college classes is the mere minimum of it. There's been a ton of irritation, stuff at home, businesses with banks, etc this and etc that. So for anyone still willing to put up with me, I offer these side stories which I wanted to include in the original story but for some reason I had a rather anal obsession with keeping it around 100,000 words so a lot was cut out.

Hopefully these can tide you over until I finish up the last chapter, writing these side stories will help me get back in Hidden Candy mode as well. After I upload the last chapter in the original story there will be epilogue chapters here that will depict the events afterwards, the glorious events.

Eight o' clock, much later than usual, Konata thought to herself as she found herself adjusting to the new work schedule. She continued towards the tables, placing the silverware on the small metal cart and scraping the leftover food into the waste bin on the side. The cosplay cafe was finally closing for the night and all that remained between the hard working girls and their homes were a few minutes of clean up, changing clothes and hopping on a train. Sojiro would routinely await for his daughter at her stop and take her home afterwards, a task fueled by nocturnal paranoia and a hypocritical suspicion towards other males despite Konata's supernatural physical strength and cautious outlook.

He was troubled by Konata's increase in overtime at the cafe but couldn't find any reason to oppose it. It allowed her to earn more money, she always seemed relaxed and it didn't really cause any stress as she clearly enjoyed working there most of the time. Maybe he just missed her eating at the dinner table with him.

"I don't know how you can work so late so frequently," commented Chiaki, a coworker who had just slipped out of her Yuki Nagato cosplay, revealing a more delicate autumn brown bundle of hair and her gentle face, uncannily matching the character she played. Irony had given her the last name "Nagato" and the first name "Chiaki", both emotionally collected and beloved anime characters of their respective series. Born and raised in Japan, she eventually picked up an interest for anime when her name caused a commotion amongst otaku on a message board. In the heat of her cosplay love came Konata who she met in Akiba while searching for a job, eventually leading to the cafe that existed as their meeting ground and foundation for their blooming friendship.

Konata continued putting away the dishes and moved on to the next table, thinking of what to say. The sudden conversation pulled her away from her thoughts. "I sorta need to work right now," Konata said, chuckling lightly. "The atmosphere has been helping me out a lot lately."

"Money troubles?" That soft voice always tickled Konata the right way, so concerned and nice!

"Oh no, nothing like that. Just been thinking about something lately. If I stay at home I would just end up walking all over the house and freaking everyone out. Besides, there is that new yuri game coming out on the 17th. I suppose I've been subconsciously saving up for that."

"Well, as long as you're okay. I'll see you later then. Good night Konata."

"Good night Chiaki."

That new yuri game coming out, now that Konata thought about it it did seem rather important that she buy it as quickly as possible. The studio that produced it was rather new but revered for its attention to detail and realism though the source of their knowledge remained unknown-probably for legal reasons. "Love Love Teacher." Calling out the name seemed to shout out the importance it held more so than pondering about it-a dating sim that revolved solely around wooing a female teacher unless you chose to go after the seme teacher, then you were wooed instead. Konata heard about it from the list of favorited websites she checked on daily but didn't pay much attention to the trailer uploaded months ago. Now it felt more important than ever, like it would help settle the uneasiness and excitement in her head.

Picking up the last cup off the table, she placed it behind her only to feel another cup tap it from below. The cart could no longer hold anymore dishes, forcing Konata to take it to the kitchen for the cafe's only cook to clean. "Last load," Konata announced as she slid the belly high vehicle into the small, silver kitchen.

"Those piggly sons of bitches," growled the middle aged woman. She walked-almost stomped-her way to the cart and grabbed the handles, crashing it into the counter near the sink. "Sorry you got to hear me cuss like that bluey."

"It's okay. I wonder why they even order food anymore, we should just start forcing tips for watching us dance and leave it at that."

"Then I would be out of a job and how would I pay for my cooking classes?" The grim reality was that she was never fit for this kingdom of geeks. The cook was more like the kind of person an anime fan would show a tentacle game to just to freak them out and hear them swear about the perversions of society. Her position in this cafe existed only due to her being related to the owner, a small favor for a family member but Konata found a friend inside the matured woman and a rather unpleasant look on life along with it.

"Never guessed you would end up working for a bunch of otaku huh?"

The older woman grabbed the back of her long black hair and tied it into a ponytail before slipping on the rubber gloves. "Not for a single second of my life. Enjoy the time you got now Izumi-chan, youth only happens once and then it dies somewhere between the late terms of college and getting an actual full time job."

Konata's eyebrows peaked. "So I should take some risks eh? Especially with romance."

"Nothing too dangerous."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for the tip."

"Thanks for not bringing in anymore dishes. It's the only good part about watching you leave my kitchen."

With her final good nights, Konata grabbed her coat and left the cafe, keeping the lights on for the cook and her boss, her boss who she began to believe inhabited the place after hours and watched anime till the wee hours of sunrise. Definitely an interesting path she believed, to own an anime-related business that had cute girls dancing and smiling all day while being able to live in your own office and wake up to realize you live in Akihabara every single day, the New York City of anime goods. "But that would only satisfy me," she thought, taking one step down the stairs at a time. "I wonder how Kuroi-sensei would react if I told her something like that."

"Kiss my ass!" shouted the blonde teacher, hot and foul puffs of breath accompanying each word. "Kiss. My. Asssssssssssss!"

"Cut that out!" Yui shouted, pulling her friend back into the seat. "I'm not going to keep bringing you here if you're going to get this drunk Nanako." In actuality, it was the first time Kuroi was like this but it was going to be the last if Yui had anything to say about it. Enough people were already staring at them and when even the casual drunks looked with disapproval there was an issue.

"You're just mad you're single! Come on, let out all your frustrations! All your loneliness clears right up with some good ol' swearing!" Kuroi helped herself to more of the meat grilling in the center of the table, dipping a small piece of beef into the sake- a first for the woman. It was payday Friday again and although it was a friendly tradition for the two to meet and go drinking, it wasn't routine to act so rambunctious. Why was she drinking so much tonight, the cop wondered. As a patrol officer Yui could hardly turn off her suspicious nature and found herself speaking Kuroi's words to herself. One word flashed back instantly.

"I hope you're not just drinking because you're feeling lonely." she said with warning.

"And what if I am? You gonna take your top off or not?! I'm your friend!"

Yui nervously let out a chuckle. "I'm married you know."

"You're what now?"

"Never mind. I think you've had enough to drink."

"No way. You're not naked yet!"

"You're going to regret this in the morning."

"Oh yeah, you're right. My head's gonna be thumping real hard right? Better prepare some more sake to make me feel better when I wake up!"

"That's it, I'm taking you home." Yui rose from the table. "Come on, get up. I'll help you walk."

"Fine, fine. An old lady needs her rest right?!" Kuroi yelled that last part much louder than her other rants, pumping the veins in people's heads as they tried their best to ignore her and enjoy their payday celebrations

After paying for the meal and apologizing to the waiter with furrowed brows and an attempted joke, she inserted her shoulder beneath her friend's arm and headed outside into the night. Only a long walk through the streets greeted her, conversation became impossible as Kuroi seemed occupied already chatting with the nighttime air about her day. "How come there's no cabs passing by? Are there more Nanakos tonight than usual?"

She then felt a vibration in her pocket and gently placed the teacher down against the cold wall of a restaurant, making sure to keep an eye on her friend as she reached for her pocket for her cellphone. Yui checked the caller ID and gasped with excitement. "Kiyotaka?!"

"Hey honey, I got Satoshi-kun to cover my shift tonight. Are you still out with Nanako-chan?"

"Y-yeah, but I'm getting her a ride home. I'll be home in a few minutes!" It had been a week since they had could find a night to be together and luckily for them the deep black sky was still young. Yui pressed the END button on her phone and held the speed dial. After two rings Konata picked up.

"Konata? It's me, Cousin Yui. You just got off work right?" she quickly whipped out.

"Yeah..." Konata replied, looking at the window displays of a game store as she walked down the sidewalk. "Just left work a minute ago. What's up?"

"Kiyo just called me and he got off work early so I need a favor. Could you take your teacher home please? I'll pay for a cab and everything."

"Kuroi-sensei? Oh...sure...no problem." Konata felt a pause crawling up her throat. She'd be left alone with Kuroi and the storm in her head grew stronger, the thunder rumbling above her senses. "Is she wasted or something?" Konata asked, attempting to sound as unaffected as possible.

"She's not like that." Yui looked back at the woman who bounced her heels against the ground in rhythm until she lost the beat and got frustrated. "Well, she is tonight but don't go around thinking she's some sort of drunkard."

"I won't. Just tell me the stop and I'll take the train there."

"Thanks Konata! I'll make it up to you later okay? Now listen carefully."

Konata felt lucky, Yui was only two stops away and the train ride over carried quite a few of her "kind". When the Akiba addicts took the train it was always a visual buffet of weirdness and a varied assortment of real life moe, something truly entertaining to please the fans Konata would say, fans like her who appreciated moe blending into reality. If she were more fortunate she would even manage starting up a conversation with someone, pleasantly surprising them with her occupation. Today, however, she rather be left alone.

Keeping herself in the corner of a bench, she closed her eyes and peered into that brewing chaos flying about below her sea of hair. Her teacher, Nanako Kuroi, was going to be-was already-drunk and tonight it became her duty to take her home safely. Were there any possible routes? The otaku couldn't help but think of that first, like a reflex. So many times did she ponder this with a particular selection of her friends, hoping for a small path to open up for romance-a side of her she doubted the others could believe in, like ghosts or aliens. Besides, the target of her affection-the very person that busied her thoughts every day-would be the very woman she was to escort, the very intoxicated and maybe even lonely woman.

Konata dealt with a drunken Yui before, constantly being petted and hugged, watching in awe as her grown cousin did the stupidest things and even teased her about her flat chest, and of course the awkward session of crying where the officer confessed her marital woes. It was the one time in Konata's life where she couldn't take such tears seriously and just wanted to comfort the person so they could go to sleep or leave, but it was fun. Yui really did sweeten up quite a bit in that sort of hazy, warm mood. "Ah well," the petite girl sighed out. "I'll just have to handle whatever comes. Should probably build up my resistance so I don't take advantage of Kuroi-sensei. Wait, what if she tries to take advantage of me?! Should I let her? No. No is the right answer right?"

The train's arrival at its second stop felt like a wedge being stabbed in her train of thought, bringing everything to a halt as her priorities switched. Now she had to focus on making certain of her cousin's location, exiting the locomotive as quickly as possible. Only a few of her fellow anime companions joined her in leaving, assuring the otaku that her people were spread far and wide across Japan. Deciding to quickly put that aside, she climbed up the stairs and felt the chilly night air sting her uncovered hands, forcing them to retreat to her pockets. "Geez, it sure got cold real fast."

It was the middle of winter yet it had taken so long for its brisk air to follow and tonight would be the first warning of it. Konata could help but feel set up by a greater power. What was next, Yui discovering she has no money left for even a taxi?

Konata waited for her body to adjust, rising and lowering on the tips of her toes to warm herself up. "Okay, let's go!" She flipped open her cellphone and dug through the message inbox, displaying instructions sent by her cousin that started from the train stop. Keeping an eye on every street sign, she pressed on until the smell of alcohol and the sounds of tired, youthful workers celebrating their mundane accomplishments of another day's work warmed the air. Someone as bright eyed and small like her quickly became the center of attention for passing couples and groups, reminding her that a battle could ensue at anytime.

She was beginning to doubt the instructions were even necessary, it might have been possible to just follow the trail of drunks and flushed face people to the establishment they just exited-or perhaps got kicked out of-and end up reaching her destination. A part of her could only think of Nyamo and Yukari. As she walked down the cold streets, like a car crash or an ambulance on the side of the road, Konata's stature couldn't help but entice whispered conversation. The comments were hardly any different, just more discernible since everyone around her was pumped with relief from the work week, alcohol or too much fun from their extravagant Friday night ventures.

"What a small little girl."

"Isn't she too young to be around here? Where's her parents?"

"I think...I think that's a midget."

Konata chuckled. The comments used to bother her as a freshman, since Sojiro allowed her to start going to more "mature" places like the grocery store by herself. Eventually time dulled them and she couldn't help but find amusement in the remarks, it made her feel like a rare delicacy. "But how many people would actually like me?" Another deep thought bubbling to the top of her head.

Turning the corner near a dance studio, she noticed a green haired woman standing next to a blonde woman against a building, inches away from a street lamp's surely warm glow. Konata quickly ran up to the two, wishing she hadn't hinted at her carbonated excitement. "Ah, Konata! You made it!" called out Yui.

"What do you expect from the daughter of Suzaku and Lelouch? I've got both muscle and smarts."

"You sure do. How was work?"

Konata cocked her head past Yui's width to get a small peak of what she would be dealing with tonight and Kuroi did not disappoint. Her teacher was stuck at the midway point between absolute sloth and fatigue versus the powerful urge to do something exciting and even weird. With another drunken nod of the head she might even explode! "Work was great, same as usual. Why did Kuroi-sensei get so hammered tonight?"

"She's usually a casual drinker but I think it's because of personal matters. You'll probably be best to leave it at that." Yui gently warned. She felt bad enough for leaving such a burden on Konata but knew the chest high girl could handle it. "Anyway, I've already called a taxi to pick you guys up, he already has the address to her house but I'll tell you it anyway just in case."

"Okay." Kuroi's address? Just knowing she would forever have it excited her from the inside out. It would be more mature to just accept the information and use it for emergencies but Konata's foxy mind was already smiling in delight with all manners of possibilities, ranging from naughty to just plain mischievous. She could drop by anytime for any reason and tonight was beginning to feel more like a preview, for what, only her heart would dare mutter. "Oh, is that the cab?"

Yui turned her head back. "Yep, sure is! Here's the....uh oh."

"Don't tell me you're outta cash."

"Yeah....but," Yui left her words unfinished until she walked over to Kuroi and got one knee, digging a careful hand into her friend's pockets. "we're covered!"

"Thievery? I don't know officer, I don't think there's a warrant for that."

"It's okay, she didn't pay for her share of the drinks anyway. Here ya go, just pay what you owe the driver and a small tip, that's it." Yui said, handing the wallet only after Konata nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna go on a wild nerd shopping spree. Her money's safe with me."

"I know, you're a good girl." And with a pet on her cousin's head, Yui started jogging away from the scene. "Good night Konata! And thanks again!"

Konata waved until the officer vanished behind the same corner she took to get here, undoubtedly hoping the train hadn't already left. Now it was time for Konata to do her part and help her teacher get on two feet. Despite Yui's intoxicated intrusions at home she never had to lift her up before, Sojiro usually took care of that and he seemed to have trouble with just that. The taxi drove up to the sidewalk with the driver's face turning and staring at Konata, making her feel more rushed to figure out a solution. Walking over to Kuroi, she slid an arm around her larger back and pushed against the ground with her legs. "Whoa! You're so heavy!"

"What did you say runt?"

"I said you're heavy. Can you walk a little? It'll be much easier for me."

"I'll run just to show you how unfat I am."

"Unfat?" Konata got a flick in the head for that one. What a vengeful drunk! The physical punishment was quickly followed by a lecture based on how Kuroi was the teacher, no one can argue against teacher, even if its about a different subject they have no affiliation with. All this while her shoes were being dragged against the ground. Konata finally reached the cab, opening the door and dropping the teacher inside. Instantly, the older woman fell asleep. "Bad things are going to happen to you sensei."

Konata tried her best to slip into the seat but Kuroi had rested herself across it completely and refused to give it up an inch. "So, how much is it going to cost to take us to her house?" Konata asked the driver, finally finding the edge of the seat where her teacher's stomach was, no beer belly much to her surprise but not much leg room either. The driver handed her a receipt printed out when Yui called earlier, the total was about thirty dollars so Konata checked the wallet she was handed. "Let's see...we've got...ten....twelve....twelve dollars. Darn."

She glanced at the driver, hoping he would make an exception for such a petite, moe girl but his face remained the same, in fact it seemed rather expectant as if he wanted her to look again just in case there was more money. "It might be a bit risky but I guess I should settle for dropping her off at a hotel."

"No...." loudly groaned the woman, pressing her belly against Konata's back, making her temporary guardian sit up stiff. "Take me home. I want to go home and sleep!"

"That...that'll be a lot of trouble, you're already hard to handle and carry around." Adding to that, they were eating away at the driver's time, he could be off picking up more customers who had all their money in check. More importantly, Kuroi was beginning to fidget about and that warm stomach massaging the teen's back wasn't helping her desires much.

"Please Izumi-chan....I want to go home...my stomach hurts. My blog needs updating. My paperwork..." Konata watched the grown woman fidget about, her weary eyes seemingly lost but in some sort of pain. Her hand reached for Konata's thigh and grabbed it. "Izumi-chan...chaaaaan" And her consciousness was lost to slumber. The teen felt sorry for the woman, this was the first time she ever witness a person in such a different mode, so ragged and dependent. It was cute, she had to admit, as it was different from the usual image Kuroi gave off of someone who could at least manage on their own but putting all playfulness aside, Konata decided to restrain her slight irritation and do as her teacher suggested.

"Drop us off at the subway down the street, we can at least afford to go that far."

It took about two minutes to arrive and a lot of shaking just to awaken the teacher once they got there. Kuroi stepped out of the car and leaned onto a street light for support as her student paid the small fee and followed suit. "Bleh..."

"You okay? Do you need to barf?"

"Naw...I'm fine. Just get me home so I can dance the night away...under the stars." Kuroi asked, awake enough now to rest an arm on Konata's small frame and support most of her own weight. She was beginning to realize she was drunk now after what must have been a power nap-faster than any cat nap-but the nonsense wouldn't stop popping out or stirring in her head. At least she was becoming less of a weight and admittedly more fun than before. The two slowly took every downward step on the staircase, making sure to hold onto the railings. When they arrived at the terminal, Konata quickly guided Kuroi to an empty bench so they could relax and catch their breath though her teacher seemed to be smelling the night time air more than refilling her lungs.

"I really am small," Konata said. "It's kinda the first time I felt such weight against me, really makes me feel like I'm in a hyperbolic time chamber."

"What?" Kuroi muttered in annoyance.

"Oh, not that you're fat or anything, I don't want you acting like Kagami and losing your mind about that sort of thing."

"Not that, I mean that nerd word hyperbolic...dimes."

"Oh, that's from Dragonball Z."

"You're so nice Izumi," Kuroi softly hummed, leaning her head towards the little teen with a small smile snaking beneath her reddened tip of a nose.

"Well that was sudden." That was all the student could say. Against her were eyes that seemed tired at first glance but her intuition told her to keeping looking, showing what felt like an invitation to somewhere private, somewhere dark but nice. Those draconic emeralds were dull from the booze but still shined with something, something that made Konata's chest bubble with warm anticipation yet realized. Is this some sort of illusion, the recipient asked herself.

"Let me reward you."

"Sensei?"

She felt a soft pair of lips push against her ear, setting the teenager aflame with a shot of electricity and a loss of what to do with herself.

"Whoops, missed your head." Kuroi erupted in laughter, right into the very ear she just kissed. "You're way too small!"

"Ouch. Maybe you're way too tall." remarked Konata as she covered her ear.

"Heh, you're just like a cute little fairy. What's that one called? That dizzy one?"

"Dizzy? A dizzy fairy?"

"No, no, no. You know, dizzy, that happy place!"

"Dizzy?" Konata paused and attempted to decipher the booze talk. "You mean...Disney?"

"Yeah, the Disney fairy. Tinkle."

Laughter leapt out of Konata's chest and into her throat at that word. "You mean Tinkerbell, not Tinkle!"

"Oi, making fun of me? Speaking of fairies I need to use the bathroom."

Konata suggested waiting and using the one on the train as it pulled into the terminal, at what always seemed like an unbelievably fast but smooth pace. Every time Konata watched it entered her sight she always felt like it would never stop in time. Kuroi, on the other hand, was too relaxed to react to the strong winds that followed the train, blowing her blonde hair wildly about. Long strands had hit Konata in the face, pricking at her like the tip of a grass blade against the skin. However, the scent of shampoo and boozed fatigue mixed well together, eliminating any complaint in the young girl's mind.

Once the small crowd of people exited the train, Konata once again slipped her arm underneath her teacher and served as a crutch until finally picking a seat close to the doorways, placing Kuroi next to the railing by the exit. There were few people left onboard, which was quite surprising considering the day of week it was. Entire benches were vacant and it almost gave off a feeling that the train would just keep on going and going until it hit the netherworld, that Konata had boarded the train at a special hour that existed between midnight and one. "That's the only logical explanation for such emptiness right?" she gleefully muttered to herself.

It took about a minute for the train to shut its doors and start gliding along the railing at an almost cautious pace. Konata turned towards her teacher who had rested her head against the railing, eyes opening and closing slowly. "Try not going to sleep please," Konata kindly asked. "It'll be a bit hard getting you off the train without you being able to stand on your feet."

"I can't help it midget...I'm so tired and awake. Kill me. I'll never drink again, no! I'll never drink that much again!"

"Well...if you really need to sleep you can go ahead then. I can't imagine what it's like being drunk. I'm not even sure about my own feelings half the time," Konata commented with a forced chuckle at the end, knowing what to do but stare into the moving scenery of the window across from her. The two said nothing, almost as if nothing had ever been said which gave Konata an idea. "Kuroi-sensei...do you ever remember anything after you get drunk?"

"Of course!" she declared. "But not when you're super, giga drunk like I am in this present time. Why, you're not going to do something weird to me when we get home?"

"You're saying some awful stuff right now sensei. Just hearing you makes me want to never get drunk." replied Konata. "Besides, I'm an honorable person. Taking advantage of person is the equivalent of cheating in a eroge. You just don't do it."

"Mmm..."

"Well, if you're not going to remember what I'm going to say then I should just say it right?"

"Sure...whatever makes you happy."

"Well, to be honest I've been thinking about you a lot lately sensei. In a lot ways." Konata stopped there, waiting for a reaction. Kuroi just kept her head pressed against the pole and began dropping her weary eyelids further and further down with every second. It was probably better this way, the otaku preferred this situation with a sleeping Kuroi, it was like confessing to a wall with an ear. "The ways I've been thinking about you...are, ya know, perverted things, romantic things, and just...being with you. I've been thinking about you so much recently ever since our trip to the beach, I can't stop but...I'm a little afraid. I'm not even sure what I'm most afraid of but there's a lot of it."

The older woman breathed lightly, wrapping her arms around the pole and using them as build-it-yourself pillows. Konata couldn't help but on a smile despite the little tremors rattling her frame, rattles the train's speeding movements could never reproduce. "My head keeps coming up with weird stuff, like when I went to the store the other day to pick up some snacks. I wanted to get my favorite piece of candy that I always get but that time, I ignored it and went for something different right behind it. To my surprise it was actually ten times better then my usual candy. It made me think why I never picked up that candy before, was I ignoring it and focusing on what I usually liked or did I just not want to waste my money on something weird tasting?"

Konata began swinging her feet, watching the round edges of her sneakers rising and falling, not noticing her teacher slowly abandoning the pole and sitting up to sleep. "It's pretty weird to think so deeply about candy right?" She turned to look at Kuroi, only to feel the older woman fall onto her shoulders immediately, snuggling between Konata's jaw and shoulder, right in that sweet, sensitive part of the teenager's neck. "But it means a lot to me. It felt like...that candy was hidden to me and that there must have been something stopping me from seeing it before. Then that really got me thinking. You're just like that hidden candy...but that's what I'm afraid of." She said no more, realizing she might be disturbing the drunk resting against her with talks about candy and confused emotions. For now, those questions were tucked away inside her once again. Questions like if what she felt for her teacher was genuine, was it unbreakable, was it the beginning of love? That piece of candy Konata started eating from the store, eventually she tired of it and went back to her old favorite, never picking up that little snack behind it ever again.

The train kept going, taking Konata closer and closer to her destination though a part of her felt like riding the train forever, at least until her thoughts, her fears wore out for the night. Kuroi's legs slided into Konata's and her nose pressed against her neck. All the teenager felt like doing was carefully placing her hand on the head of this adult, this fully developed and mature woman, this person who lived by herself and by her own rules and press her even closer hoping a small part of that life would melt into her, that certainty of desire. "Then again, if you've got me thinking like this you're already special. I like you, I like how you look and who you are. I'm not sure if this is love but even if it's not could be one day. Hidden candy huh? You've got me thinking too deeply into things and I don't even do that for literature class! I just hope you can let me taste you. Whoa...what a dirty thought that was!"

Before Konata knew it, the train had come to a stop and arrived at her teacher's district. "Oh, time to go!" Nodding her awake, Konata helped her onto her feet and off the train, strangely finding herself suddenly more capable, holding most of Kuroi's weight by herself. "Did you get stronger?" the woman asked. "I feel like I can ride your back now. Let's do that!"

"No way! A girl has limits you know, I'm still small."

"Yeah, you could probably fit under a kitchen sink."

"Or nicely into someone's arms." Konata said, smiling as the two walked down the night time roads, unaware of what their decisions in the next few minutes would start or what Kuroi would find in her bed the next morning.

Author's Note: Ah, back to writing. I've learned a lot about myself and writing in general in the past few months. I think I'm finally understanding myself more and more everyday, things I want and how I want them and why I do what I do. I've also been researching quite a bit of philosophy, ideologies and various concepts while working on numerous original stories so I've broaden my interests quite a bit as well. The world has a lot to offer and it makes me happy that people decide to focus on my stories when they could being doing something else.