A/N: Hey everybody! This is a LONG overdue story about Kinu's (OC) birthday party two days after the last chapter of Dark Silk. New readers that haven't gone through dark silk, please don't be put off at the OC part, and feel free to check out the original. It starts slowly and a bit corny, but develops well after a few chapters. This story was all Noniebee's (4352183) idea(s), like the Kamui continuation of Army rose. SO, without further adieu, please enjoy!

Birthday parties were never really Takasugi's thing. Most of his were spent with one, maybe two people, and not much of a party as much as they were an excuse to drink and wreak havoc on unsuspecting restaurants or bars. A night to drink and receive a few small gifts, but without the standard singing, cake and candles, and whatever else could be wrapped in the bow of social norms.

Despite not doing much for himself in that department, a coming of age and mark of legality was more than enough to convince him that Kinu's birthday should be different. Special. Nothing extravagant, but a small get together, whether she liked it or not. Rather, claimed that she didn't need one, yet exhibited signs of entertaining the notion in her head. Why she couldn't just admit that she wanted him to arrange one was beyond him, but he took the hint well before mentioning it.

If the fact that she'd forgotten her own birthday didn't let on that it wasn't a large occasion to her, he didn't know what did. Two days before it, at that. After finding her present, a small adjustable ring in the shape of a cat, she'd had the audacity to accuse him of having another woman's jewelry in his home. Even when he'd dropped the major clue of asking whose birthday was literally two days away, she'd recoiled and puffed out that she didn't keep up with him and all of his women. Brat.

Long story short, his gift had been discovered and thrust into his face after she'd so generously uncuffed him and narrowly managed to avoid being strangled. Or drowned. Whichever worked.

They'd barely returned from a run to the store, in which he'd treated her to her choice of necessities to mark her transition from living with her parents to moving in with him, and Kinu tried to sneak under his radar and to the kitchen counter. Presumably to cry over how expensive his food was, and claim that she'd never be able to eat crackers that cost as much as she spent on those terrible shoes he'd made sure to "lose" when helping carry her things into his apartment. They were cheap and ugly. She'd be better off without them.

"What, exactly, are you doing?"

At the smoldering voice behind her, Kinu paused and stared down at the knife and spring onions in her hands. The cutting board in front of her. Caught red-handed. She slowly turned to peer at the raven haired man to her left; leaning against the edge of the wall. Frowned, but didn't say a word. Instead, the girl held up her offending items, and Takasugi clicked his teeth.

"You're not cooking today. Go fill out that application." They both knew that he was referring to the college that Kinu had been eying. Robotics; a basic mechanic class that would take her watch repairs to another level. But Kinu had been hesitant since he'd found the pamphlet yesterday, even when he'd encouraged the idea.

"But the bills-"

"I'm fully capable of affording this place alone. I did before, and I will after you get into that class. Go fill the paperwork out." The man waited, only a moment, to see if she would relinquish her endeavor, yet when she didn't move, he brushed her aside and replaced the items himself. Didn't allow her to form a defense or reason with him. The small stretch of kitchen was abandoned as Kinu was ushered towards the hall. Takasugi had a few things to do before guests arrived, and he knew that she was growing suspicious.

The girl squinted back at him as he guided her down the hallway, like the fine guidance counselor that he was, and when they reached the bedroom, she turned back to him and scrunched her face.

"You're being weird."

"Coming from you, that could almost be an insult." Takasugi smirked down at the girl as he spoke. "Almost." At the last bit, the girl's mouth curved into a suppressed grin. She tried to fight it with an glare that didn't convince Takasugi in the slightest, and a roll of her eyes. Kinu reached to his kimono. Gingerly tugged at the edge as she stepped back; a clear indication for him to follow. He allowed himself to be lead another step into the room as Kinu averted her gaze.

"Let's sleep."

It was a tempting offer. It would have been the end of the day if he hadn't already made plans.

Unable to help himself, the man snickered under his breath and took hold of the hand on his chest.

"Not today, Kitten." He pried the girl's fingertips from his kimono as she tilted her head and sighed. Clearly thought that pouting would get her way. Instead, Takasugi instructed her to stay put. Alluded to the possibility of punishment if she didn't abide by his rules, and tried to close the door. Tried.

He thought he'd had the girl under control, but she pulled the door back open and snagged his pipe from his hand. Knew exactly what she was doing when she closed the door again and started across the bedroom. As though Takasugi would let that go. When he entered the room behind her, Kinu peered back at him and showed no sign of remorse. In fact, she was grinning. Knew that he'd fall for her trap.

Takasugi started towards the girl and she backed away. Like there was another exit, or chance to avoid what was to be expected for taunting him. With an arched brow, and all the dignity in the world, he advanced, and Kinu turned to the bed. Thought she could round the side and crawl over before he caught her, but she was mistaken. The moment she tried, she was snagged from behind.

"No!" A squeal escaped her as Takasugi turned the girl around and his pipe was snatched away. Though the motion was abrupt, the man was unable to help the lopsided grin that had taken him, and in turn, Kinu loudly laughed. Knew that she was in the wrong. The opportunity she'd created was taken to latch onto the man and pull him down with her in a haphazard attempt at canceling everything that Takasugi had spent time arranging.

They collapsed onto the bed and his pipe was hardly the focus after landing. It was pushed away to be long forgotten in favor of a more personal persuasion technique. More specifically, his tongue against her throat, and her clothes being dragged in all the right directions to quell her disobedience.

She'd been so close to escaping, but laughing and being put in her place was far more fun than victory.

Time was lost, but spent wisely; in a way that deprived them of breath, but left them far too satisfied to care. As Takasugi resituated his kimono, Kinu made no attempt at finding or replacing her clothes. Finally took notice of the plain white box on the other side of the bed and leaned up to pull at its edge.

"What is this?"

Finally retrieving his pipe, the one eyed man sparked his tobacco and took to his feet. He rounded the bed and pulled the top off of the box as Kinu looked on in silent fascination. Under a layer of modest white gift paper, gray fabric came into view. A sea-foam green box of pocky was pulled from the container and tossed to Kinu, and she caught it with a clap of her hands. Takasugi didn't lift the material from the box. Just released a stream of smoke as he met the girl's eyes.

"Something colorful. Put it on." With that, he turned on his heel and let himself out of the room, but not before sharply eyeing the girl from the crack of the door. "And stay here."

Frowning at the closed door, Kinu remained still. Waited to see if he was serious about not letting them sleep all day; apparently he was. She sighed to herself, and nervousness tugged at the edges of her mind as she peered down at the pocky. It didn't sound like he was doing anything horrible, or backhandedly cordial. Usually, it was safe to assume that Takasugi was up to no good, but if that had been the case, he'd have shown some sign of assholery or at the very least, a devious warning for her to not be upset with him when it came to light.

The tab was ripped from the mint pocky, and the girl pushed one of the biscuit sticks into her mouth as she glanced over the box again. Takasugi was definitely up to something, though. Taking hold of the gray material, Kinu pulled it into her lap. A dress. It was a dress that she hadn't seen before. It wrapped around her like a robe and tied in the middle; reached her ankles with stretchy breathable material that Kinu tugged at and playfully swept up. Colorful. Right.

Her wrapped arm stuck out like a sore thumb, but the dress was pretty; smooth, yet lightly abrasive against her skin. She had no objections.

Turning, the girl watched as the dress puffed at the ends and easily withstood her curious toying at the edges. His one eye was a good one, she'd give him that. The bed was straightened and she took time to smooth her hair out after realizing that it hadn't been able to maintain under Takasugi's grasp, not like he ever went easy on her or cared to preserve her hair when they fooled around, but without a comb and the mirror, her efforts were hardly enough.

She was supposed to fill out the application, but she still wasn't sure. The idea of living off Takasugi and not contributing to the household money didn't sit right with her. Even with her parents, she hadn't been able to live like that, and she was still going to help them out despite moving.

Just as the girl eyed the application on Takasugi's desk and nibbled on another pocky stick, a scratch at the door stole her attention. She paused; releasing the edge of her dress. The material fell over her legs and licked at her ankles as she walked to the door and pulled it open; completely forgetting college. At the first opportunity it had, a white kitten attempted to dash past her. It's legs scampered and paws slid among the hardwood as all of its might failed it, and the lack of traction caused him to flop onto his side, where he fell still. Just laid there, staring up at Kinu with her black ribbon still fixed around his neck. Didn't even greet her with a meow.

"Kirin..." Blankly staring at him, Kinu stooped down. She picked him up. Propped him over her shoulder as she tiptoed towards the living room. Beyond the end of the hallway, she could hear Takasugi. Doing something in the kitchen. He was speaking softly, possibly on the phone, and Kinu weighed the chances of sneaking up on him against whatever punishment he would come up with for her if she did.

Probably something crazy and impossible to guess. Like kneeling on uncooked rice until he was satisfied. Maybe he'd set a timer and make her stare at the seconds as they ticked by, or make her sit there until he finished cooking or whatever he was doing. Occasionally slip her a piece of food, while he smirked down at her.

But she'd guessed that. Something harder to guess than that.

In the car, just before they'd started back towards the apartment, he'd given her a notebook and told her to write in it every day. List any issues, or things that she particularly liked so they could review them together at the end of each week or month; the exact times hadn't been decided yet. That was her responsibility, from how he'd presented it to her, to ensure that the relationship was smooth and that they were communicating efficiently instead of jumping to conclusions. He wanted a book about how terrible and amazing he was, and had given her a chance to bring up anything she wouldn't tolerate from him as well. His rules for her were already clear enough, but she would write them in the front of the book. Just to remind herself when needed.

No cutting was a big one, but he'd mysteriously forgotten to forbid her from smoking a joint every now and again.

A short trip to the bathroom was enough to right the tangles in her hair. He'd nearly mixed the black and blonde together with the way he'd raked her dark bangs back. And she still needed to touch up her roots.

"Not strawberry. She hates strawberries." Murmuring into the phone, Takasugi leaned back against the short counter of the kitchen. Kirin had scampered off the moment he stopped giving the kitten beef. On the other side of the line, Kawakami chuckled.

"Is that why you traded her all of your kiwi?"

"I didn't want the kiwi." Snapping back at the deaf man, Takasugi crossed his arms. "Just get the cake." He sighed under his breath as Kawakami laughed again. Nearly felt the desire to push more of his buttons radiating through the speaker, though the deaf man didn't broach the topic further. Cake was necessary for a birthday, and he hadn't been able to grab one with Kinu at his side, hence, Kawakami. Kinu may have thought that her birthday started and ended with breakfast with him and the deaf man, but the entire time that she had been people watching, they had been strategizing. Kawakami distracted her while Takasugi grabbed a few things like her dress, and he slipped the deaf man a list of phone numbers, people, and odds and ends to gather.

Out of the corner of his eye, Takasugi caught sight of an odd white blob at the edge of the corner. He turned towards it, still holding his pipe to his lips, and found himself staring into the face of a white kitten that was unnaturally high off of the ground. Frowning, the man leaned off of the counter and the kitten was further pushed into view; circled by a pair of hands. Ever so slowly, a single cerulean eye appeared over the cat.

"What are you doing?"

Kinu squinted at his question. Didn't loose the cover of the hallway, possibly knowing full well that Takasugi had a mind to kill her. At the very least make good on his spanking threat from so many nights ago.

"You're being suspicious." The words were barely audible, and would have escaped Takasugi if he hadn't grown accustomed to the girl's constant murmur.

"And you're being troublesome." Snapping his phone shut, the man moved to the edge of the hallway. Kinu shrunk behind the corner, as if he'd forget she had disobeyed his command, and he snickered under his breath as the girl came into sight; warily frowning up at him. Weirdo. He'd already arranged everything. Sneak as she may, he was a step ahead of her this time, and all the snooping in the world wouldn't uncover any clues.

Silence took the hallway as he eyed the girl and she raised the cat. As though that was an actual defense. Sadly, he didn't have the pleasure of breaking through her challenge. A knock at the front door interrupted them, and Kinu's eyes snapped to the source of the noise as Takasugi relieved her of their kitten. Tucked it into the pocket of his Kimono; just behind his arm.

"Get that, will you?" He started past the girl as she nodded. Still on the defensive, yet focused on the door as if it was part of his inevitable revenge. Ever so slowly, Kinu moved to the front door. Behind her, somewhere in the apartment, Takasugi could be heard fiddling with something. Kinu did as he asked. Pulled the door open, and was greeted with a loud pop.

"Surprise!" Jumping back, the girl nearly tripped over the genkan as rainbow confetti gently landed on her head and shoulders. Beyond the doorway, a small collection of people were grinning at her. Still pulling the strings of confetti cannons and aiming for her face. The next stream smacked into her eye, and she swiped her hand at the silver haired teacher, grimacing away.

"Onii-Chan-" Ginpachi stepped into the apartment and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Crushed her as he squeezed the girl into a hug.

"What kinda greeting is that?"

"You nearly took my eye out!" Kinu's case was lost in the man's laughter. As she was pulled back into the apartment, her mother softly chucked and stepped around them.

"Now, now, you two. If you want to rough house, take it outside!"

"Ginpachi, ya might not wanna choke 'er out bafore tha gifts." The familiar voice was Kinu's salvation, and she was released as Tsukuyo slipped her shoes off and stepped into the apartment. Drawing in a deep breath, Kinu glared up at Ginpachi as he grinned back at the literature teacher.

"Aw, Tsuki, I was just saying happy birthday. We're always like this!"

The most certainly were not, and Ginpachi was still harboring negative emotions after Kinu moved out, apparently. It had only been a day. Kinu couldn't expect much more. The blonde teacher apologetically glanced at Kinu and smiled. Quietly asked her to excuse her idiot of a brother, but it was only natural that Kinu did. He just needed time. And a good ear wringing that her mother would hopefully provide. Beside her, a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders and she turned to her mother. Ai softly smiled and murmured as Kinu hugged her back.

"Happy birthday, Sweetie."

"Hm. Thank you..." Unable to help but grin back, Kinu squeezed the woman close. She'd be lying if she claimed not to be worried about her mother after leaving the household. But her father wasn't with them. No Riku to fuck up her birthday and be as dramatically rude as possible. He was probably getting drunk at the house, or passed out. Whatever it took for him not to hop in the passenger seat and declare a voyage to the liquor store when Ai got in the car.

As everybody settled into the apartment, Kinu turned back to the door at the last two people.

Sarutobi was worriedly smiling at her, gift in hand, and at her side, Matako stood with her arms crossed. Eyed Kinu. Neither of them moved, and Kinu drew in a breath that must have let on how anxious she felt just seeing her... friend? Old best friend... like... person?

"Takasugi-Sensei called this morning." Sarutobi was the first to speak, and Kinu turned to the purple-haired girl. Tried to ignore Matako's eyes as they bored a hole in her head. "I brought Matako-Chan. Maybe you two could..." Glancing between the two, Sarutobi frowned. Talk? Was that what she was going to say? Because Kinu desperately wished that they could, but she didn't know what to say. There wasn't anything that could justify what she had done, and she knew it. Matako knew it. But if there was any chance, even a tiny one, she wanted to salvage their friendship. "I hope it's okay." Sarutobi finished. Skipped over whatever she had been implying as she motioned to Matako.

Nodding, Kinu pushed the door further open and stepped back.

"Of course." She glanced back towards Matako, but the dirty look she found herself on the receiving end of averted her eyes. The two girls entered the apartment. Sarutobi patted Kinu's shoulder, and Matako stared her down the entire time. Made a point of making it known. But as she passed, Kinu picked her head up and met her gaze. This was bound to be interesting. But this was Kinu's home now, and nobody was going to make her feel ashamed of her relationship; taboo as it may have started. Just as the girl started to close the door, a last form slipped into the house in a flash of navy blue and carrying a few moderately sized boxes.

Kawakami offered a nod as he moved towards the kitchen, and Kinu finally let the door go.

Again, it was pushed open, and the girl drew in a breath; unable to help but frown. How many people were there?! She was sure she didn't know anybody else! Had Takasugi invited the entire school?! Was Otose next!? The principal would just love to sink her teeth into this. Especially after discovering Takasugi with Kinu's mother, of all people.

Much to Kinu's relief, Otose did not step through the door. To her dismay, A sandy haired sadist from the disciplinary committee did.

"Ki-Chan." The boy patted her head as he stepped by her, and Kinu scrunched her face at him. Sneered behind his back and stuck her tongue out as Sougo joined the small crowd. She'd never forgive him for that pocky incident at the festival. Never. And he still had her book!

Seeing that was the last of them, Kinu forcibly shut the door. Showed that anybody else wasn't welcome, even if they were invited and running at the door full speed. There were nearly ten people in the room. That was far more than enough, and Kinu could feel the anxiety bubbling in her throat as she turned back to the room. As she started back over the genkan, she nearly walked into Takasugi. The man stared down at her, and a smile teased the corners of his lips as he offered Kirin back to her. As a safety net, if she had to guess.

Taking the kitten, Kinu stepped up to the man's side and his fingers raked through her hair, dragging strings of confetti off of the girl as she grinned up at him.

He knew she wanted a party. If her stupid face wasn't enough to prove it, the way she nudged him with her shoulder was. His hand fell to the small of her back as he guided the girl towards the overly enthusiastic crowd, and Kinu sank into his side with the kitten perched in her arms. Ready to attack if need be, though they hadn't trained him to, yet. As they approached, the room fell moderately quiet and the group turned towards them.

"I'm correct in assuming everybody knows... Right?" Takasugi's eye skimmed over the guests, only to settle on Sougo. He narrowed his eye at the deadpan boy. Locked onto his target for the night. If that boy stepped out of line one time, Takasugi would handle him. He hadn't invited Sougo, or Matako for that matter, and if anything, they stuck out as a sore, separate pair. Sougo for everything he had been trying to pull, and Matako for... well, the scene in his office, slapping Kinu, and her flagrant disregard of Takasugi's denial.

He was met with mostly gracious nods. His palm wandered to Kinu's side as he eyed Sougo and pulled the girl further against him. As if she wasn't close enough.

"I wouldn't want to have to hold back in my own home." He stated, and the edges of Sougo's lips nearly hinted at a curve of amusement. Acknowledgement of the clear warning.

Ginpachi scowled at the pair as Ai grinned. Kinu uncomfortably shifted her weight at the sight of Matako turning her head and blinking off to the side. Sulking at the hardwood. And Sarutobi peered up at Ginpachi with all of the admiration in the world.

This was just great.

"Sh- Shinsuke-" Wiggling away, Kinu was pulled back into the man's side as he eyed Sougo. Reasserted his ownership of the girl and made sure it was clear that the sadist was gambling at the wrong table and he would chop his hand off and steal all of his chips if he so much as breathed wrong.

"What is it, Kitten?" The name sounded more like a threat, and Kinu turned her head as the man scooped her side up and sank dangerously close to her neck. Ginpachi's eye started to twitch, and if Matako pouted any harder, her lips were going to fall off. The hand on her side started to slide up, and Kinu smacked at it to pulled away from the display of dominance. Shocked by the opposition, Takasugi straightened himself. The one eyed man started to sneer down at the girl, but an ivory kitten was thrust into his face, and Kinu peeked at him from behind it; scowling.

A light mew cut into his annoyance, and he tilted his shoulders and sighed. Okay. Maybe that wasn't appropriate. He'd have kicked her out for that very strain of defiance if he didn't like the sight of her contorted in his bed and taking up too much space when she fell asleep before he did. Idiot.

"You want some cookies?" Beside Ginpachi, Ai offered a small gift box up to Tsukuyo. The woman sparked her tobacco and shook her head, fondly looking down at the stranger.

"No." She stated, but despite the answer, the box of cookies got closer to her face, and Ginpachi turned to her wide eyed beyond the grinning brunette's shoulder. "Oh, okay then..." Her brow drew into a tight line as she accepted the woman's offer and carefully eased one into her mouth. Still looking at Ginpachi's frantic nod. Denying the cookies was forbidden, apparently. Ai continued to smile up at her, and seemed unaffected by her initial refusal.

"These are..." Shoving the rest of the treat into her mouth, the blonde reached for another. "Really good- Holy-"

"So are you a teacher?" Still smiling up at the woman, Ai lowered the box of her specialty as Tsukuyo finished her second.

"Mm, yeah, literature-"

"Kinu likes writing and reading." Nodding, Ai offered a third cookie, which was accepted without hesitation.

"I can tell... You 'er mom?"

"And Ginpachi's."

"Ah- yeah... O- of course. How could I forget?" Shoving the rest of her cookie into her mouth Tsukuyo brought her pipe to her lips. The conversation had resumed around her, and all seemed to sink into comfortable mingling, but she hadn't fully anticipated being face to face with the woman that had naturally adapted the roll of Ginpachi's mother after the incident with his actual parents. Not that he ever spoke of it.

"So, are you seeing any-" Before Ai could complete the question, Ginpachi's arm dipped over her shoulder and into the box of cookies.

"Hey, Ma, so glad you came! Ohh, cookies!" Stepping around the woman, Ginpachi took an handful of the aforementioned baked goods and shoved them into his face. With a full mouth, he turned to the brunette that had been dangerously close to unearthing a private relationship and took to Tsukuyo's side. "Mmm, Good! Just like always!"

Glaring at his makeshift mother, Ginpachi silently reprimanded her line of questioning. Conveyed that he was perfectly capable of finding his own women; thank you very much. The blonde grabbed hold of his arm and he paused. Ai smirked up at him and her narrowed eyes let on that he was already done for. She already knew. The silver haired teacher glanced over at Tsukuyo and was fully aware of the frown etched into her features. He had no choice. He was actively being cornered by both of the women, and just a few more centimeters would seal his fate and finally give title to the questionable activities that had been taking place in the abandoned classrooms. And the janitor closet. And the parking lot, but that was one time and Tsukuyo hadn't given him much say in it!

Rapidly blinking away from the solid stare that the blonde had victimized him with, Ginpachi sighed. He tilted his head back to her, still finding himself the object of both women's gazes and without choice. Fine. But Tsukuyo needed to prepare herself for this and he made it clear with the sharp nod and glance that he spared before turning back to his mother.

"Actually, Inoue-San, Me and Ginpachi..." Still eyeing the man, Tsukuyo waited for a response. He kept his crimson eyes on Ai, and she found herself doing the same. Waiting as an unnatural silence took the conversation and the woman's brown eyes scanned over them again. Then Ai turned to her silver haired son, frowning.

"Gin!" He perked up at his name and Tsukuyo found herself doing the same. He'd been right! This was far more intense than she had imagined! "Why didn't you tell me yourself?! It's been darn obvious since you two walked in! Are you ashamed of this lovely girl?!" The finger of justice was pointed and presented at Ginpachi. Wagged at him as Ai scolded him and while Tsukuyo breathed a sigh of relief, he remained on edge.

"M- Maaa!"

"Don't you Ma me, Mister! You better treat your woman good, do you hear? If I hear you've been taking after your father you'll find yourself poisoned in a hog farm and too tired to fight when they gnaw your nose and toes off!"

Mortified, Ginpachi's jaw dropped. He struggled to find the words to defend himself, yet before he could, a sharp chuckle behind him stole his attention. He turned around, only to find Kinu clinging onto Takasugi's Kimono and burying her face into the fabric as the one eyed man grasped the back of her head. Both laughing at him. Takasugi was far more open about it and made no attempt at hiding his amusement, while Kinu at least had the decency to turn away and hide her snickering.

Leave it to Ai to quote Atlantis in the Shadows. If Takasugi didn't know any better, he'd say she was on par with Kinu and her stupid, oddly worded lines that both irritated and tickled him when she used them in an argument. "This is arrant pedantry up, with which I shall not put", Kinu had said. Just the thought made him giggle when he was alone. Her and her mother... They were both nerds.

Even Tsukuyo started to chuckle and when Ginpachi turned to the woman she shrugged.

"I teach English!" That was her only defense, and the silver haired teacher found himself on the butt end of the joke and unaware of what everybody found so funny.

"Actually Ma, her drunken habits take more after pop's than mine..."

"What was that?" Arching a brow, Ai tilted her head and Ginpachi shook his. He wasn't setting himself up for another inside joke.

"Uh... Nothing." His abandonment of the subject earned a suspicious squint. Nothing more. Ai walked towards the two and pushed them together in a group hug. Peered up at Tsukuyo as she oddly fumbled into the embrace. When Ginpachi surpassed his pride and accepted the hug, Ai retreated and left him with an arm around a smiling Tsukuyo. Winked at the woman. With that, the brunette was off to offer cookies to more unsuspecting party-goers and possibly resolve their relationship issues in the span of a few seconds.

As the woman immersed herself in social activities, Kinu followed suite. Allowed Takasugi to have a moment alone with Kawakami as she braced herself and took to Matako's side. They hadn't spoken since Takasugi's office, and Matako had even taken a new seat in their classes. Made a point of avoiding her in every way. Despite that, Kinu didn't want to throw away their friendship. Even if she had practically stolen Takasugi from under the blonde and proved herself to be the worst friend in history.

Not just the class.

The only shittier friend Kinu could think of was that crazy demonic woman that decapitated and cooked the most beautiful woman in the country for social power and riches. From that Korean book Takasugi loaned her. She couldn't recall the title, but as long as she didn't do that, there was still a chance, right?

The blonde glanced up at her in silent disapproval as Kinu approached. A bright pink skirt was pulled down to her mid-thigh as Matako shifted her weight and glanced at Kinu again. Sarutobi had been at her side, but upon seeing the much needed interaction, slipped away without a single hint at helping the girls bridge the distance between them. At a loss for words, Kinu said the only thing that she could think to. Her brain wasn't working, and as far as she was concerned, Matako had agreed to bite her ear off the last time they'd spoken.

"Hi." As if the word took all of her breath, Kinu swallowed to calm her rapidly beating heart. Her brows raised with worry as Matako took her time responding. Shifted uncomfortably and glanced to the side. The blonde's lips twisted and she crossed her arms. Frowned.

"Hey..."

"I'm glad you came." Eagerly tripping over the words, Kinu took another moment to pace herself. It just wasn't working. She hugged Kirin to her chest and the cat's tail switched back and forth as she waited for Matako to say something. Anything. Slapping her again would have been better than awkwardly glancing around at everything but Kinu. When Matako didn't respond, and Kirin started to struggle against her, Kinu released the kitten. It wasn't doing much to help their conversation, anyway. Just sitting there, as awkwardly judgemental as Matako. Kinu had seen the way that cat had been staring at her.

It knew she was a dirty friend betrayer.

"I..." Her mouth clamped shut as soon as she started. She didn't know what else to say. All around them, people were acting as though there wasn't an elephant in the room, and while Matako was in no way fat and didn't have a trunk, the residual tension between them fit the description to a tee. "I miss you."

As soon as she said the words she regretted it. There were so many things to say besides that. She could have asked how Matako was doing. If she had passed that stupid fitness exam in the soccer club. Asked if she'd been able to get those cute shoes from the magazine, or how she liked working with Gengai at the watch shop. Instead, the only thing that came out of her mouth was selfish. About her. That she missed having a best friend, not about how Matako felt.

"You should have thought about that before..." Matako's answer pierced her like a bullet. Made her entire body go rigid, and she damned her choice of words again. There had to be something to say. Something more than how she felt that was bigger than small talk but smaller than her stealing away the creep of a guidance counselor. Before Matako could walk away, Kinu grabbed her. Her fingers slipped around Matako's bicep and she tried to play the involuntary reaction off as intentional.

"Wait-" Matako turned back. Just long enough to hear whatever she had to say. Thankfully, not hostile, but waiting for whatever Kinu could fabricate and wrap in a pretty bow before shooting herself in the foot. "We weren't friends when it started- I didn't even realize. I didn't realize until it was too late- It was happening at the same time and it was slow. I didn't- we didn't just jump into this but by the time he told me it was already physical-" Matako started to pull away. Didn't want to hear anymore, but Kinu kept a firm grip of her arm. Pulled her back, despite tears brimming in both of their eyes and the lump that had formed in Kinu's throat.

"No- wait!" Pleading to the girl, Kinu stepped in front of her. She wanted her minute. Just a minute to explain, or tell Matako everything she could before she was hit again. The blonde had a right to know. Even if it was supposed to be a happy occasion, Kinu couldn't let her go so easily. They'd spent every single day together in school. Had gossiped, shopped together, and shared desserts. "We weren't friends at first. It was after- Shinsuke and I had already slept in the same bed. We'd already-"

"Why are you telling me this?!" Nearly shouting back at the girl, Matako snatched away from the hands that had encircled her arm. The room seemed to quiet, and Kinu glanced back, not surprised to find people looking at them. Takasugi and Kawakami in particular caught her eyes; huddled together and watching like hawks that hadn't decided whether they were hungry yet. Despite the attention, she turned back to Matako as if nothing was happening. Social anxiety be damned, she wasn't giving up yet.

"Because..." It wasn't a reason, but Kinu tilted her head as if it was. Her mouth remained open, trying to find words or an explanation. Something to reign the situation in. "I didn't do this intentionally. I never would have done this if we had already been friends. But after realizing- I couldn't tell you. This is so hard- You're the only one I could talk to about things like this, and now... And I'm so sorry-" Lowering her voice, Kinu ignored the slowly starting chatter behind herself. The last line nearly took her breath and heart again, and she grimaced at Matako. Hoped she could understand.

Instead of assaulting her, which was a perfectly viable option at that point, Matako shook her head. Her scowl faded away, and she took hold of Kinu's hand. Squeezed it, and even if it wasn't intended, it was taken as reassurance.

"Don't beg me. I still love you too. But it still hurts." The words almost brought tears back to Kinu's eyes. Matako tilted her head and offered a smile that was clouded with pain. Caused Kinu to draw in a deep breath as the blonde passed her and left her to contemplate her attempt at an explanation. It was more than she'd had before, but Matako was right. It still hurt.

She straightened herself. Forced her eyebrows to relax, and turned back to the party. It was a step forward. If nothing else, that was far more than Matako had shown her since Takasugi had demolished their friendship in his office.

Just as she started to sink into defeat, her waist was grasped and she was pulled backwards.