"Ladies and Gentlemen watching from inside your homes, the government has issued a strict curfew policy due to todays abnormal weather forecast," the news report read the news ark, "I'll let scientist and weather expert Dia Kurosawa and Mari Ohara to explain this phenomenon."
"Thank you!" Mari smiled as the camera panned to her face, "We would-." the tv switched off, Honoka tossed the remote aside.
Today was her birthday and she wasn't about to let some typhoon or snowstorm ruin her night. She had order a cake before hand and the store owner had promised to remain open until she picked up the treat. A grin was plastered on her features as she got ready, her hands reaching for the umbrella just in case it were to pour before she made it home. The streets were bare as she walked to the bakery. It almost felt unnatural that no other living soul was outside especially because their was still plenty of sun. Ignoring the gut feeling of running home she pushed forward and finally arrived at the bakery.
"What are you doing here?" the owner asked bewildered, "Get home quick!"
"I came for the cake mister," She smiled and the baker looked horrified.
"Here pay me tomorrow just gets," shaken hands handed over the cake, "Tonight ain't a night you want to be stuck out here you hear."
Back on the street she found that every business was closed. All lights were turned off except for the street lamps and car signals. Honoka felt like she should have taken the warning seriously as she began to jog home. The clouds above her roared as thunder cackled. Honoka took sheltered underneath a bus stop, her hands trying to unfold her umbrella. Before she knew it the storm had begun. From underneath the shelter Honoka stuck out her hand to feel the water, an old habit she kept from her younger days,and was surprised when the liquid decorating her hand was green.
"What is this?" she examine the droplet before another voice resounded beside her.
"Don't worry about it nya!" Honoka snapped to her left to find an orange haired woman standing next to her, "Let's get you out of this rain ok?"
"Uh ok," she said as the other unfolded the umbrella.
"Here, the names Rin by the way nya," she smiled as she held the portable device over the ginger's head.
"What about you?" but Rin shook her head.
"It's more important that you stay dry!" she urged the ginger to keep the umbrella to herself.
"But-" Honoka was pushed forward. The umbrella only covering her as the other girl was being soaked by the green rain.
Feeling a bit guilty, Honoka moved over a bit. Her shoulder getting wet as she pulled Rin toward the center, "No!" Rin tried to undo the damage but it was too late.
A voice mimicking a failed buzzer came from her other side, "Looks like Rin couldn't keep you dry, but let's see if I can?"
Arms encircled her arm which had managed to get wet, "W-Who?" Honoka blushed as soft blossoms engulfed her with warmth.
The new arrival smiled, "My name is Nozomi but introductions can wait until we get you home."
"No!" Rin pulled Honoka's other arm into a similar hold, "Rin can do it by herself nya!" Truth be told Honoka felt much more warmer with Nozomi holding her close. Honoka's hand struggled to keep the cake out of harm's way but being pulled toward opposite directions was making her lose the strong grip over it. It wasn't long before Rin noticed the ginger was self consciously leaning towards Nozomi and in a frenzy of panic, she pulled the ginger with full force.
"The umbrella!" Nozomi gasped. During Rin's aggressive counter strike she had dropped the plastic water shield.
Honoka's head was getting caught up in the green slob coming from the sky. Rin quickly picked up the umbrella and held it above her head but it was far too late.
"Really now?" everyone turned around to find a black haired short woman, "You guys are useless!" her eyes glaring at the two woman causing Rin and Nozomi to look away from the bit of shame at being lectured, "Hand it over!" she commanded. Rin looked at Honoka and then at Nozomi before giving the umbrella to the new arrival. The newcomer smiled as she took the umbrella and tried to shield the ginger from behind, "Just leave it to big sis Nico Nico Nii, ok?" she cooed but no one was believing her innocent persona.
"So Nico Nico Nii," Rin commented as they began to escort the ginger to her home, "Are we supposed to be bending downward?"
"Its Nico for you peasants!" she barked back but she still investigated what she had said. Nico peered over to find that all three woman in front of her were ducking their heads. Honoka was docking to stay inside and Nozomi and Rin were ducking to not get hit by the metal rods pointing outward.
"Maybe I should hold the umbrella?" Honoka offered but Nico couldn't let her pride take that hit.
"I got this!" Nico thought as the best way to provide her with shelter popped into her head. She knew it was for the greater good that she should mount Honoka from behind.
Sensing what she was about to do Nozomi looked at Nico with a serious expression, "Don't do that," but Nico ignore the warning.
Jumping on the gingers back came as a shock to Honoka as Nico gave no warning to what was to come. Jerking forward, Nozomi helped Honoka remain in balance while Rin caught the cake that was launched out of her hands. The green liquid that was on Nico's clothes touched the ginger's back as Nico set up the umbrella shelter.
"I swear I'm surrounded by idiots," all four turned to find a bluenette woman looking rather tired, "Come on this won't do," she motioned the group to take shelter under a business sunblocker, "We'll be safe here for a while," she turned to face Honoka, "My names is Umi and yours?"
"H-Honoka," she blushed as she got a better look at the new figure. Her yellow hazel eyes made Honoka melt and she tried to play it off coolly. An action Umi found quite amusing.
"Why don't I find us a better way to get home?" Umi smiled as Honoka nodded.
Seeing the reaction between the two only annoyed the three forgotten members. Nico having enough of their lovey dovey mood barked in, "Nico," she introduced herself with a menacing smile at Umi. Nico had wiggled her way in between them, an action Umi frowned upon.
"I guess I should be thankful," Umi turned to face the rain, "Afterall it was your careless action that brought me here."
Nico felt a blood vessel pop from her forehead. She was just about ready to start a verbal war when Rin and Nozomi jumped in.
"My name is Nozomi," the purple haired woman smiled and the hyper cat impersonator followed, "Im Rin nya."
Umi nodded in recognition before putting her attention to the cake holder who was now all the way in the back. Peering around the other's, Umi's jaw dropped when she found the ginger being cuddled by a silver haired woman.
"Honoka you're so strong," she cooed as she continued to rub herself all over the ginger.
Honoka laughed nervously. Her eyes trying their best not to look at the other with any bad intent, "T-Thank you. I try my best to work out when I can," she blushed lightly as the other wowed in amazement.
"A strong Honoka is the best but," she leaned over, her hand now rubbing the ginger's stomach, "A chubby Honoka would be too adorable."
"SHAMELESS!" Umi roared and all eyes were now on the pair behind them.
"Unhand her you succubus!" Nico ran in between them but before Nico could push them apart the new figure voluntarily let go.
"We got caught," she laughed as she stuck out her tongue cutely, "I wish we could have more time to ourselves," she winked and Honoka blushed.
"Name yourself nya!" Rin ordered and the figure did.
"Im Kotori and I love Honoka," she smiled.
The group was getting careless. They all knew Kotori probably arrived when they had unknowingly pushed Honoka toward the back and into the rain. Nozomi pulled Honoka toward the center of the shelter before anymore guest could arrive.
"Honoka," Nozomi pulled her in close, "Stay close to me for now on ok? Lets try to keep you out of this rain." Honoka could feel herself warming up as her mouth dried. Nodding an agreement, Nozomi smiled pulling her more into her and the ginger blushed.
"Ok let's think of a plan to get her home asap!" Nico groaned ignoring the fact that Nozomi was holding Honoka. Afterall jealous was getting none of them anywhere in fact it only managed to make the matters worse. All they could do was ignore the situation for now and focus on getting the ginger home.
"If a store was open we could have just bought a larger umbrella," Umi peered along the rows and rows of empty shops.
"How far from her do you live Honoka?" Nozomi asked trying to incorporate her into the conversation.
"From here we only need to go a couple of blocks ahead," she pointed toward the direction of the apartment complex, "It's a short trip if we run."
"Running isn't a bad idea," Umi thought but Kotori cut in, "If she runs then she'll splash that liquid around her!"
"Then we have no choice but to walk," Nico sighed.
Rin then just had an idea, "maybe if two of us walk ahead and two of us walked behind we can minimize the liquid impact on Honoka!"
"That's not a bad idea," Umi looked over everyone, "Ok Kotori and I will lead the way from the front. Nozomi and Rin will follow from behind and Nico will carry the cake so Honoka can protect herself from the rain."
They put the plan into motion with a lot less complaints than anyone would have like to admit. Honoka held the umbrella close as Nico walked alongside her holding the birthday cake. Nozomi and Rin were in the back having a bit of their own chat while Kotori and Umi walked in silence.
"So today's your birthday huh?" Nico said and Honoka smiled brightly.
"Yeah!" she nodded, "So are you guys going to spend the day with me?"
Nico scuffled at the limit, "Don't be ridiculous!" she smiled, "I don't know about those dorks but I'm certainly going to spend my whole life with you."
"Your whole life with me?!" Shock was the birthday girl which only ticked off the shorter woman.
"Is that a problem?" she glared.
"No!" Honoka shook her hand to empathise her feelings, "It's just… Isn't it too sudden to want to spend your life with me?"
Nico looked seriously at the ginger before realizing a sigh, "I've known you all your life idiot," her red eyes now looking softly at the cake, "I know everything about you since the day you were born to this moment right now."
"Eh?!" Honoka's gasped made the others look toward them.
Seeing that everything was alright they resumed their own conversations. Or at least made it look that way, the truth was they were all now paying attention to the ginger. Her next words would weigh heavily on everyone and none of them wanted to miss out on her opinion.
"Don't you know anything about us?" Nico asked and Honoka sheepishly grinned, "Figures you human's love to make things about yourselves all the time. Well to make a long story short we are organisms that take shape of any animal we sample."
"So you're like an alien?" Honoka asked and a few giggles came around her from Nozomi and Kotori.
"Aliens?!" Nico almost trip over herself before shaking her head, "We were the first living organisms on this planet! When the world began to give life it was our mission to provide a means of reproduction for all living beings. We were created to provide all animals with a chance to live."
"Hmm I don't quite get it," Honoka said and Umi had to hold back a laugh, "But what you're saying is that your people help keep the balance for all animals right? So how does that work?"
Nico thought for the best way to explain it, "When the world is in danger of losing a species we are reintroduce into the environment. If we touch an animal, we read their thoughts and memories before taking shape of that same animal. Of course once we have taken form we can no longer read their thoughts and memories but we would have enough info to be their mate."
"Oohh," Honoka disguised the information, "So if I was a dog you would have been a dog?"
"Yup," Nico nodded.
"So if you guys help endangered species repopulate then why did you chose a human? Aren't we too many already?" Honoka asked a bit concern she might have caused an error on their part.
"Yes, it's a shame but we are now stuck with you," hearing a new voice they turned to find a blonde woman walking along side them, "Sorry didn't mean to scare you," she smiled warmly, "My name is Eli."
"Honoka," but the blonde raised up her hand.
"I know," Eli walked alongside them, "Not only did you ignore a government order to stay inside. You've also caused many of my comrades, including myself, to be stuck as a human."
Feeling guilty, Honoka didn't have the guts to look at the blonde arrival anymore. Her blues eyes looked down as her body tried to stay close in the center of the umbrella.
"Eli!" Nico growled but the blonde continued.
"You humans destroy and kill many living things all for the purpose of satisfying your own greed. Are you happy with yourself now? Your selfishness to go get yourself a birthday cake on such an important day caused you to misguide six of us," Eli looked ahead as she followed the herd.
"Leave Honoka alone nya!" Rin intervened as she shoved Eli forward causing the blonde to splash the liquid all around her, "She didn't know so don't blame her!"
Eli turned around sharply, her hand twisting the front collar of the woman who had shoved her. Her right hand coming up to punch but Nozomi pulled them apart, "Stop it both of you!" Icy dark blue glared into bright yellow eyes. The two shook off the tension before Nozomi continued her speech, "Sure we weren't here to be human but now we have a responsibility!"
"I'm not doing anything with a human," Eli spatted.
"Ok good for you!" Nico glared.
"What on earth is going on?!" Umi and Kotori had arrived.
"Honoka?" Kotori asked softly and all eyes were now on the ginger.
Her face was twisted up in pain as her bangs covered her eyes, "I-I'm sorry," she apologized over and over again as she held her head down.
Silence washed over all of them, no one knew exactly what to say to help ease the gingers suffering.
"Don't say that Honoka," a new figure came right in front of her, "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been made," Eli was about to counter but Nozomi and Rin kept her quiet. The brunette took hold of Honoka's cold hands, "You might not know me but I know you're an amazing person," smiling Honoka eyes shined with some hope, "And I know you will make my days full of joy."
Honoka nodded, "I'm sorry."
The brunette smiled, "My name is Hanayo and it's nice to finally meet you."
The seven members stood their in silence as Honoka tried to get herself to calm down. It was then Nico's turn to intervene, "Honoka I can't talk about everyone else but I want to be with you. So just for today Nico will make everyone celebrate your birthday the Nico Nico Nii way~"
Kotori jumped in, "Kotori loves loves loves Honoka!" she hugged the girl and everyone screamed in horror.
In her excitement, Kotori had forgotten she was soaked to the bone with the green liquid. She immediately let go but the damage was done.
"I can't believe you guys," a redhead came out from behind the ginger, "Hurry up and get home so we can get clean up!"
Everyone was rushed to the ginger's apartment by the redhead. Honoka had to wait in her room while the other eight members used her bathroom and her washing machine. They cleaned up every possible green liquid off themselves and the apartment. Soon it was Honoka's turn to use the bath. She was last due to the fact that any green liquid on her was useless and non dangerous compare to the ones on them. After finishing up, Honoka made her way into her living room where she found all eight women waiting for her. A bit hesitant about approaching them, Kotori signaled the ginger over by patting the space beside her.
As she walked her way to the empty space she felt a lump develop in her throat from all the eyes now on her, "So Honoka," the ginger settled down as the newest member twirled her hair, "Do I even need to ask what your plans are now?"
"Maki," Umi elbowed.
"I think what Maki means is what are we ALL going to do now," Nozomi stated, her eyes looking at all members.
"I know what I'm doing," Nico got up, "I'm going to celebrate this girl's birthday. You guys can do whatever you want," she made her way into the kitchen.
"Ill help you," Honoka went to stand but Nico placed her hand up to halt her.
"it's your birthday," Nico placed her hands on her hips, "This amount of work is nothing for this super idol!"
"O-Ok," Honoka sat back down.
"I'll help," Umi got up with Eli following behind her without a word.
"We have to decorate!" Rin leaped up excitingly, "Honoka you have to stay in your room until we finished!" she pulled the ginger to her feet.
"Eh?! But-" but her words never came out as Nozomi pushed her along.
"No buts!" she smiled, "Today is your special day and we have to make it memorable."
"But what if Honoka gets lonely?" Hanayo voiced as Honoka was already half way through the room with Nozomi pushing her further.
"I'll keep her company!" Kotori leaped forward, a giant grin on her face as she licked her lips, "I can't wait to learn more about Honoka," she grabbed the ginger's arm pulling her toward the bedroom.
"Abopabapa!" Nozomi pulled them apart, "I believe Maki will be enough company."
Kotori whined as Maki followed the ginger into the bedroom, "Come on Kotori you can helps us with decoration," Rin insisted.
The door closed behind the duo and Honoka took a seat on her bed. Maki took a seat on the chair loosely away from the desk. An uncomfortable silence washed over them as distant sounds coming from the living room and kitchen mocked their awkwardness.
"Maki right?" Honoka gave her a small smile and Maki crossed her arms.
"So what are you planning to do?" Maki asked, "You realize what kind of situation you found yourself in right?"
"Aa kind of," Honoka rubbed the back of her neck, "Nico explained it but I still don't really understand."
Maki tsked as she folded her right leg over her left, her hand coming to rest on the other, "You have eight mates, this is already violating the rules of nature, our rules."
"Nico mentioned something like being used to help endangered species?" Honoka tried to show the redhead she was somewhat informed.
"Yeah but you've already butchered that possibility by getting yourself soaken wet," Maki eyes stayed trained on her, "We might have to kill you if we want to resume our order."
Honoka began to sweat uncomfortable at being told she might get killed, "Y-You're joking right?" Maki's serious expression said otherwise, "Can't we figure something else?"
Maki sighed. Just then Rin came bursting into the room, "Look alive birthday girl!" she ran toward Honoka, pulling her hands, "We have one heck of a surprise nya!"
Honoka allowed herself to be pulled. She left the conversation with Maki unanswered as a blindfold was placed over her eyes, "No peeking nya," Rin grinned as Honoka nervously touched the black blindfold.
The ginger's legs stumbled around the apartment. She could smell a beef stew and the vegetables that were used to heighten the flavor. Her ears were able to pick up balloons and her body bumped into items she could only assume were the other occupants. Rin abruptly stopped and Honoka collided with her, only to be steadied by other hands and seated on her couch.
"Ok take it off," Rin giggled in delight as the blindfold was removed.
Honoka's crystal blue eyes shined with moisture at the sight before her. The birthday cake was set right in front of her with candles decorating the top all lit. Balloons that read "It's a Girl" from her last occasion, celebrating her little sisters new daughter, were blown and hanged around. Paper's with no significance were cut and hanged as streamers and origami. Honoka couldn't help but hang her head.
"Did we mess up?" Kotori asked worriedly.
Honoka shook her head. Her hands went to immediately wipe the tears before she inhaled sharply. Lifting her head, her eyes shined with newfound determination and happiness. Her arms encircled the nearest bodies who happen to be Eli and Umi, "This is the best!" she gasped pulling the two girls into a tighter hug, "Thank you everyone!"
Umi smiled as she gave a small hug in comfort but Eli froze. Eventually Honoka let go and got up to engulf the other members in a tight embrace. Soon Hanayo insisted that they sang her happy birthday and the ginger soon blow her candles. The cake was sliced and eaten though Nico complained they should have eaten her stew first.
"This was the best birthday ever!" Honoka smiled at everyone, "Thank you very much everyone!"
Celebration went out throughout the night. Nico, Rin, and Honoka would play video games on her counsel. Then Honoka found herself chatting about random stuff with Nozomi, Kotori, Hanayo, and Umi. Which lead her to listen intently to Maki and Eli who were trying to teach her a few things but gave up when they realize Honoka was too happy to even listen to them.
Deciding to call it a night, Honoka excused herself, "I know some of you guys don't see me as a good person but I'm still happy you all decide to spend this day with me. It really made my day and although some of you think it was a mistake, I personally am glad I made that mistake," she placed her hands on the corner to turn into her room, "Thank you again, I will never forget this day or your faces," taking a small bow with her head, she left.
Her small speech sounded like a goodbye and they all knew it. This was technically the ginger's way of letting them go. Nozomi looked at everyone, who all began to suddenly looked around anxiously at each other, "So what now?"
...
A/N: Happy Birthday Honkers! I didn't want to let today go without releasing a story to celebrate Honoka's birthday. To be honest this story was still underdevelopment, meaning its still not finished, but I felt I had to make an exception for Honoka!
I can't promise quick updates like my last story but please feel free to follow/ favorite/ or review!