Disclaimer: Oh stop it already, I don't own the series.

Author's Notes: OKAY, this is a long one. That's part of why it took longer to get out. That and I had work, and cleaning, and...life. Anyway. I'd like to note that I know NOTHING about the Japanese public transportation system. I wasted about an hour trying to find out if the train would stop at Satte first and Washimiya second. No avail. So, I just said to hell with it and made it so that Satte, Konata's town, is a stop before the twins. It's just a minor detail right? I really didn't have to drive myself insane with it, RIGHT?? This chapter is mostly dialog-driven, and the conversation was a little hard to twist and turn in the direction we wanted. I hope that the result will finally pay off.

Chapter 3: Awkward Arrangements

Saturday classes were dismissed. The usual relaxed wave of students poured out of the doors and into the chilly November air. Making their way casually down the hall, Konata, Tsukasa, and Miyuki were discussing the comfortability of a seifuku compared to that of Tsukasa's miko garb. Tsukasa was tangled in the minor multitasking struggle of trying to get her arms through her coat sleeves while maintaining a decent explanation of wearing the miko's robes. She was glad to interrupt herself when she spotted her sister further down the hall.

Tsukasa trotted happily up to her older sibling and gave her the usual greeting. Kagami helped her sister to button her coat, and Konata watched with a typically inappropriate smirk as Miyuki adjusted her oversized scarf. Once everyone was suitable for the autumn chill, they headed home.

The three Saitama residents bid farewell to their Tokyo-bound friend as their train pulled into the station. As they boarded, Kagami noted that Konata had not gone to work this afternoon. Didn't she work today? Maybe her schedule changed.

The length of the train ride stretched on. Kagami gazed out the window, her eyes darting subconsciously back and forth as they followed the rapidly passing scenery. She sighed a bit.

"It's nice that the week's finally over.."

Konata sighed as well. It was contagious, after all. She wore one of her usual expressions; eyes were closed and her mouth resembled an overturned number three.

"It is nice," She agreed. "even if I'll have to catch up on homework all weekend."

Kagami smirked sardonically at her friend. "You say that almost as if you mean it."

"I do." The little otaku wore a grin that implied some devious secret.

Kagami raised a brow, her smirk fading. "Wait, you're not actually serious, are you?"

"I've never been more serious in my entire life." She answered in her typical, not-at-all-serious tone of voice.

"Hey now, don't start acting weird about this-- and HEY, isn't this your stop?? The doors are closing!" She pointed swiftly to the train's exit.

"That's not my stop." Konata calmly replied.

"...eh?"

"It wasn't my stop."

Tsukasa was looking nervous. She seemed to want to interject, but couldn't find the right words or opportunity to do so. Ooh, she knew she'd forgotten something!

Kagami put her hands on her hips, bending to Konata's level in order to give her an indignant look. "Okay, are you gonna explain yourself here?"

"I'm going to your house."

"What? I don't remember inviting you ov--"

"S-sorry!" Tsukasa suddenly gushed. "I invited her for a study session a few days ago and forgot to tell you!"

Konata looked all too pleased with herself. Tsukasa's weaknesses had been to her advantage yet again.

Kagami's negative attention turned to her sister. "Tsukasa!" She scolded. "This is something you should've told me about!"

The girl bowed her lilac head and squinted her eyes shut, taking on the stance of a guilty puppy, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Ah, Tsukasa was right...Kagami is being scary." Konata commented almost-quietly.

"You be quiet." Kagami shot her a look. She then heaved her shoulders and let out a huge sigh, lifting the tips of her fingers to her lowered forehead. "Honestly...I need a warning before I'm going to see you for extended amounts of time."

"Why's that? So you can prepare yourself for how awesome it will be?"

The pigtailed girl gave a subdued glare. "No."

The train came to a halt, and the doors opened at Washimiya station.

"Well come on, if you're really coming over you'd better get moving."

Konata grunted a little as she lifted her overstuffed bag. It was crammed with clothes and materials for copying large amounts of homework. Kagami lifted her own, much smaller bag. "No wonder you overstuffed that thing today."

Konata's left eye sparkled in response. She slouched a little due to the weight of her schoolbag, but kept her small head lifted as she looked around at all the tall trees in the twins' neighborhood. Fall had descended beautifully on Saitama prefecture. A palette of vivid colors danced over their surroundings. When the wind blew, it would take bits of color off of the large patches and scatter them about. A particularly crimson maple leaf fluttered past Konata's nose. She hoisted her bag a little and turned to her friends.

"Ne, Tsukasa, what kind of cookies are you making this time?"

Tsukasa smiled sweetly. "Oh, I was thinking of trying a new recipe with raspberry filling this time."

"Mm, Sounds good."

Kagami raised her brows. "It sounds like you're more ready to goof off than to study..."

The younger twin placed a hand behind her head. "I can't help it. Whenever I have guests, I get an urge to bake something!"

"Does that mean your favorite part of baking is making people happy?" Konata asked, smiling at the girl.

"Eheh, well I do like eating what I make also..."

"Tsukasa's just one of those people who loves getting any excuse to bake." Kagami remarked, wearing a small smile toward her sister. "I don't usually get an urge to make anything unless it's a holiday or something.."

"Well Kagamin, that's because you're the lazy selfish type that only wants to bake when you run out of snacks, right?" Konata covered her little mouth with the tips of her fingers, pretending to stifle a laugh.

"What exactly makes you think that I'd only cook things for myself?" Kagami's tone grew two levels of irritation.

"Simply because no one would want to eat Kagami's cooking when they could easily choose Tsukasa's."

"What was that??"

Konata responded with a small cough-like sound, but it may have just been because she was trying to adjust her bag to a more comfortable arrangement.

"Some people bake competitively, like a sport." The shorter girl remarked.

"Really...like a sport?" Tsukasa was no doubt getting an incorrect image.

"You mean like 0000 Chef?" Kagami queried.

"Yeah, I guess that counts, but I was thinking of something more intense."

"Intense?"

"You know, the thrill of coming up with new ways to bake, better and faster than everybody else. Learning from rivals and defeating jerks with the power of Solar Hands!" Konata's eyes sparkled. She would have held fists up by her chin if she wasn't weighed down by her bag. The leather on the handle squeaked a bit as she kept fidgeting to try to relieve the ache on her fingers.

Kagami rolled her eyes a little, another sardonic grin gracing her lips. She couldn't believe that Konata had managed to make a reference there...or maybe she could. "She's already off in another world..." The girl blinked over at Konata after her statement, noticing that her tiny friend was having difficulty.

"Hey, let me help you with that." Kagami reached over and grabbed the handle of Konata's bag with her left hand.

Konata blinked a moment, but didn't let go entirely. She kept one hand scooted up against Kagami's. Her free hand went to her mouth to cover up an obvious smile and slight blush, "Ooh, Kagami-san...just like a couple..."

Kagami reddened instantly, casting Konata a gruff look that didn't do much to hide it. "Oi, don't get any perverted ideas or you won't get any help."

"Perverted ideas? This is kids' stuff. Does this give you perverted ideas?"

"I don't wanna know what your idea of 'kids stuff' is!" Kagami shouted, the bag shifting a little. Glancing at it, she noticed the flap of the bag lifting up a little and showing a few of the contents. "...you brought clothes?"

Tsukasa took another turn at looking sheepish. "Oh yeah...I'd told Kona-chan that we could do a late-night study session and have a sleepover..."

"So now she's sleeping over??" Kagami looked a little more taken aback than one might expect.

"Well yeah. We have so much homework, I can't copy it all in one evening."

Kagami groaned in response.

That Tsukasa...I can't believe she didn't tell me about this! She's spending the night? ...I'm overreacting again. It's not like this is the first time.

...but I wonder where she'll sleep...I could suggest that we study in my room so that-- or I could just stay the night in Tsukasa's room and--

Kagami made a short gasp and shook herself out of her thoughts. Oh god, I'm thinking just like she expected me to! Let her sleep wherever! Don't think about it!

Konata was staring at Kagami with a knowing expression. "You alright, Ka-ga-miiiin?"

"Of course!!" Her answer was a little too intense.

"Ho-ho!" Konata chuckled as they approached the Hiiragi family's doorstep.


The evening went pretty much as Kagami had expected and Konata had no doubt planned. Despite the older twin's light protests, the others had decided on taking care of the baking first. A minimum of two hours had to be dedicated to the cookies. Tsukasa was trying a new recipe, so she was a bit slower than usual. Konata insisted that she be present for the process, in case Tsukasa were to trip and spill anything on herself and was in need of a commentator. There was time needed for preparation, cleanup, and arranging the little cookies into heart and flower shapes. Another 30 minutes were needed for baking, which were absolutely required to be spent chatting about all things unrelated to schoolwork. Kagami attempted to distance herself and concentrate on work, but in the end gave in to her desire to be included.

Eventually, the group hustled into Tsukasa's room, cookies in tow, and attempted at studying. As she had expected and Konata had planned, Kagami did nearly all of the work. Tsukasa made multiple attempts, but her tendency to become easily distracted was only encouraged by Konata's complete disregard for her responsibilities. Thankfully, Kagami asserted some forceful one-on-one study time with her sister before the stretching hours of the night took their toll on the sensitive girl. Konata was ordered to do whatever she wanted as long as she kept her mouth shut for a while, so the blue-haired geek gladly resigned to her DS before cracking down and copying Saturday's homework.

Though a bit of progress was made, Tsukasa did not last much longer. Anything past 10:00 was already "late night" for her, and by the time the clock struck midnight she was curled up on her bedroom floor, snoozing in a manner not very different from that of a puppy.

Konata was busily click-clicking the stylus of her DS with a concentration that academics never saw. The relative peace and quiet was very suddenly broken by an outburst of "OBJECTION!" as Konata raised her arm in the air and pointed at the studious Kagami.

Kagami nearly leaped out of her seat.

Konata blinked a moment and then smiled, "Hnn."

"Jeez, don't scream like that!" The pigtailed girl scolded, holding one hand over her heart.

"Standard courtroom procedures, Kagamin."

Kagami, now successfully wrenched from her studying, took a look at the clock.

"Ah! It's already past midnight?"

"Yeah, still pretty early." Konata had gone back to click-clicking at her game.

Kagami glared. "It's plenty late by normal standards." Her eyes glanced about the room and noticed her slumbering sibling on the floor. "Ah, Tsukasa!" She exclaimed, voice softening instinctively. Kagami got up and moved over to her sister. Gently, she placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a few delicate shakes. "Tsukasa...oi, Tsukasa. C'mon, you can't sleep on the floor."

Tsukasa needed more than a little nudging before she began to sit up and rub her eyes a little, "Oneechan...?"

"Oh wow, I actually got her up-- I mean...it's time for you to get to bed. You should change into your pajamas and tuck yourself in, okay?"

Tsukasa nodded a little bit, and then leaned against the bed and began to doze off again.

"Hey-!"

"Tickle her." Konata clicktapped.

"Like I'm going to take your advice on handling delicate situations...Hey, Tsukasa!" Kagami shook her palm against her twin's back. Tsukasa flopped like a rag doll. Kagami, getting impatient, placed both of her hands under her sister's arms and stood up, attempting to lift her into a stand. "Tsu...ka...sa!"

Tsukasa was jolted awake just long enough to stand for herself and crawl into bed. There wasn't much hope of her actually getting ready for bed. She snuggled into her pillow and was gone again within 30 seconds, only muttering something which may or may not have been sleep-talking. "C'n you stay'n heer neechan, konach..."

"Eh?" Kagami blinked, then smiled a little, wiping her brow. "I guess she still wants her sleepover.."

"Seems that way. Got some extra mats for us?"

"Yeah, we've got more than enough."

"Go fetch!" Konata pointed to the door. Kagami lowered her brows at her friend, who still did not give her the courtesy of looking up from her game. She rolled her eyes and stepped out, returning a moment later with two spare sleeping mats and pillows. Kagami was already changed into her loose flannel pajamas by the time she returned.

Unexpectedly, she walked in on Konata putting on her own night clothes - a tank top with the SOS logo and yellow shorts - but she hadn't quite finished changing. At all. Parts that swimsuits would normally cover were a bit visible.

Kagami froze in her tracks and let everything plunk to the floor.

Konata looked up and smiled. "Welcome back."

Kagami lowered her head to the floor. "H-hey, finish changing!"

"Hm? What's the big deal? We're both girls." She resumed changing anyway.

Eh, she's right...we've bathed together before, it's not like it's anything I haven't seen before. Ugh, I really need to get a grip!

"Y-you just caught me by surprise, that's all. I'm not...used to walking in on something like that, you know." Kagami gathered up the dropped mats and pillows while speaking, hoping she could find a little of her dignity with them.

"Kagami's blown away by my stunning beauty, is that it?" Konata pretended to giggle.

"Shut up. And 'stunning' isn't the word I'd use."

In a few moments, both girls had finished laying out their sleeping areas. Deliberately or not, Kagami had arranged herself at a rather significant distance from Konata, who was relatively close to Tsukasa's bed.

"Hey hey, don't sleep over there." Konata gestured toward her friend.

"Hm?"

"We should honor Tsukasa's wishes and have a slumber party--even if she's asleep."

"Oi, that's what we're doing, isn't it? We're in the same room."

"In what sense do we have a party if you're way over there?"

Kagami gave a heavy sigh and picked her things up again, moving closer to the insistent Konata. Once her mat was spread out and she was laid down comfortably, she propped her head up on her hand. "Konata, it's past midnight. There's no time for a party now."

"It's barely morning, don't be such a stick in the mud."

"I guess school is the only thing it'll take to get you tired, huh?" Kagami smirked.

"Nope."

"Oh? What else then?"

"Bad sequels." Konata wore a very serious expression and raised a finger.

Kagami placed her hand to her forehead. "It figures...Anyway, I was working for most of the night, and I happen to be tired. You're welcome to stay awake if you can stay quiet." The pigtailed girl pulled the ribbons from her hair, letting it spill over her back. She placed them beside her pillow.

"How long are you going to keep wearing pigtails? You never see college students or grown ups with pigtails."

Kagami sighed through her nose. She wasn't in the mood to be questioned. "Did you hear anything I just said? I'm tired now."

"Fine, fine. So boring, Kagamin." Konata rolled over and picked up her DS again.

"Good night, Konata."

"'night, Kagamin."


Kagami fell asleep soon enough, and remained in a contented state for a few hours...within those few hours, however, a sort of subconscious restlessness settled upon her. Perhaps it was the unfamiliarity of sleeping in another room, or perhaps it was her proximity to a certain shorter girl, but regardless of the cause, something was wrenching Kagami from her sleep. Her eyelids tensed and clenched, mouth twisted into a small frown, and a moment later her eyes were open.

Where am I...?

Kagami looked up at the ceiling.

Oh yeah, the sleepover.

Suddenly feeling a tad too uncomfortable laying on the side that faced her toward Tsukasa's bed, Kagami flipped onto her other side to face the rest of the room.

Her breathing stopped when she saw Konata's sleeping face only a few inches from her own.

Kagami blushed, and had an immediate urge to react angrily and tell Konata to give her some space. A brief look at her friend's peaceful expression reminded her that such actions would be inappropriate for the middle of the night, however, and instead she concentrated on returning her breathing to a normal pace.

She had never really been this physically close to Konata's face without some form of bantering going on between them. From here, she could really see the details of it...her long, heavy lashes gently covered her large eyes, and her catlike mouth formed a downturned V shape, hanging slightly ajar as she breathed rhythmically. Her deep blue bangs fell carelessly about her forehead, tickling the area around her cute little mole.

Kagami gave up on fighting the small smile that was curling her lips.

So...this is Konata's sleeping face. I guess I'd never really gotten a good look at it before, had I... Like this she seems so innocent. No sly grins or perverted remarks. She's just...cute.

Kagami sighed.

Konata...if you could hear everything I was thinking, I wonder if you'd look at me the same way?

She paused a moment to think. Eh...you'd probably only take the teasing to a new level, huh?

Kagami shifted a little, resting her face on her folded arms. It's actually nice to spend time with you like this.

"Hnnn, Kagamin looks so happy." Konata suddenly spoke. By all appearances, she was asleep. Being an expert at seeing things through her thick lashes, she was easily able to make it seem as if her eyes were closed.

Kagami's expression instantly shifted to one of slack-jawed terror as her heart took a flying leap out of her throat.

"Y-y-you're awake?!"

"It's a bit early to fall asleep."

"Early? It's gotta be 2 or 3 in the morning!"

"Yeah. Weekends are more of a 4 or 5 bedtime. 2 or 3 is for weeknights."

What's wrong with this girl?! Did she pretend to be asleep just to nab a chance to embarrass me??

"I was actually trying to go to sleep, because I beat the game, and I don't have my computer here..." Konata let out a forlorn sigh.

"Oh, you poor thing." Kagami retorted sarcastically as she felt her pounding heart finally start to calm.

"It's not so bad now that you're awake."

Kagami swallowed a little. "W-well...don't get used to it. I'm not planning on staying up..."

"You look too shaken to fall asleep again anytime soon, so why don't we talk a while?"

Crap, her night vision is too good...

"Eh...I guess I woke up because I'm not as comfortable as I am when I'm in my room. You know how when you wake up in a different room at night, you're confused for a moment and you don't know where you are?"

"Yeah, I kinda know what that's like. Like when you fall asleep playing a game, and you wake up and wonder why your bed is gone and your pillow feels so much like your keyboard..."

"That's...not exactly what I meant. Hey, do the keys leave a little imprint on your face when that happens?"

Konata smiled with very mild embarrassment. "Yeah, my face ends up looking like a big pink waffle, and then I can't help but run my fingers over it because it feels weird."

Kagami giggled a little. "I'd actually like to see that."

"It'd make you feel better over all the times I've burned you about your awkward face, hnn?" Konata paused a moment and grinned a bit deviously. "Or would you like to put syrup on and eat me up?"

"Hey, don't start talking weird again. You'd probably taste greasy and nasty anyway." Kagami flashed Konata a playful grin.

"Or delicious."

"Okay...maybe we should stop talking about that." Kagami sounded a tad disturbed.

"You'd be surprised at how popular that kinda thing is though. Not as much with syrup. It's more of a whipped cream thi--" Konata's voice muffled as Kagami reached out and mushed her palm over the odd girl's mouth.

"We should definitely stop."

Konata's tiny tongue darted out and licked Kagami's palm to remove it from her mouth. Kagami reacted predictably and retracted her hand with a squeak, blushing furiously.

"What are you, 10 years old?"

"I stick with what works." Konata gave a thumbs up.

"Jeez, you'll never change..."

"Probably not."

"Ne, Konata..."

"Nn?"

"You'd said earlier that I couldn't keep my hair the same way if I was going to be a university student...but what about you, huh? Don't your habits need to change too?"

"I dunno. My dad has those habits and he gets by fine. And I don't see why all-nighters would stop working."

"I guess you are similar enough to him already...but the work is only going to get harder and harder from here on, you know?"

"I'll be fine. When it comes down to it, I can pull through. Besides, you'll be there to help me."

"Huh? Konata, there's little to no chance that we'll wind up in the same school. Are you really being serious, here?"

"I don't know. After playing that game, being a lawyer seems like fun."

"Don't decide your career based on a video game!"

Konata didn't listen. "I'd make a great lawyer. I got through that game really fast. Also, if I can talk a scary tsuntsun like you into doing all sorts of fun things, I should be able to convince anybody of anything."

Kagami smiled beneath half-lidded eyes. "You sure are confident..."

Konata smiled and nodded, "It's the best way to be."

"So you're...you're really not worried at all, about whether or not you'll make it into a new school? Or how things will...how they'll change?" The lilac haired girl's tone of voice softened into light uncertainty.

"Not really." Konata's own complacent tone would never betray that she did in fact have a few things to worry about. At least, Kagami would never guess.

Kagami sighed inwardly. "Heh...I almost wish I could look at it like you."

The discussion ceased for a bit as the sound of raindrops bouncing off of the house gradually began to gain intensity. The two girls stared at each other through the silence, at a momentary loss for what to say next. Though the situation seemed a little uneasy, neither of them attempted to break it right away. Rather, they seemed to be seeking out the details of each other's eyes. The darkness around them eased the awkwardness of the moment a little bit. At the very least, it was masking Kagami's increasing blush.

"Konata...?" She finally decided to end the silence.

"Nn?"

"If I can't keep my hair in pigtails anymore...what...what do you think I should do with it?" Kagami cleared her throat a tiny bit. "I mean...I already know it looks bad in a ponytail, so I was just wondering..."

"Wear it down. Maybe with a headband. But not a little dogeared one like Tsukasa's. Kinda like that one you wore at Christmas. Like Chik000 from Kan000000 no M0ko, you know? It made you look more mature and elegant."

Kagami could swear she felt her face begin to burn, and prayed that Konata couldn't see it. "Eh? You really think so?" Her voice betrayed her.

"Yeah, when your face doesn't mess it up."

"Excuse me?" Kagami inserted a growl into her previously sweetened tone.

"Well, when you're scowling, you don't look so pretty...but you were so deredere a moment ago!" Konata crooned with a smile.

Kagami groaned audibly, rolling to face away from Konata again. "Ugh, forget I said anything!"

Konata's hand followed the retreating tsundere just a little, moving forward to run her fingers through the hair at the side of her head.

"Mm, sure is soft, Kagamin."

Kagami's heart suddenly felt as if it were beating faster than it ever had. Warm chills went down her spine as Konata's fingers gently combed through her hair...such an intimate action... Despite feeling an overwhelming urge to just shut her eyes and let the other girl's small hand pet and play with her hair, Kagami bowed her will to keeping up appearances yet again.

"N--...knock it off, Konata! You shouldn't touch people like that." She gently swatted her friend's hand away. Kagami felt grateful that her face was turned away at the moment.

Konata withdrew her hand and sighed, "Pff. You sure are more touchy than usual."

"And what exactly makes you say that?"

"You're all nervous and shy lately. A little scarier than usual."

Konata pondered over hear own statement for a moment, and suddenly switched modes from thoughtful to devious. She crawled quickly around the futons to crouch in front of Kagami, almost nose to nose. "Is it because of that time I said, "I looove you?" She donned a lyrical voice for the last three words.

Kagami had no time to flip herself away from the fast approaching Konata, nor did her body want to obey her mind's commands once the mischievous otaku had reduced the distance between them to a near zero. Her body shivered in place, and the poor girl's cheeks practically glowed onto the face opposite hers.

"W-wh-wh-what now?? Why would it be because of something stupid like that?!"

"I don't know, Kagamin. Maybe you wish a boy would say that to you?" Konata covered her mouth with her hand, failing to keep her mocking grin well-hidden.

"Huh?" Kagami answered rather helplessly, her tongue still mildly tied from a moment earlier.

"That's not it?" Konata tapped a finger to her chin. "I really though it was, because you've never been with a boy, much less been asked out..."

"Is that kind of thing even your business?!" Kagami's ability to speak was functioning again, but she was still growing more flustered by the second. What was with all of these touchy subjects?

"Well, I am you dearest friend, and this is a slumber party. Isn't this the kinda stuff you talk about at slumber parties? I thought you'd know that, but maybe you're just that socially handicapped..."

Konata feigned pity in her voice and shrugged her shoulders a little.

"Hey, who the hell said you were my dearest friend? Don't decide things like that for me!" Kagami huffed.

"I just figured because you always let me copy your homework." Konata smiled cutely under squinted eyes.

"That doesn't give you free reign to insult my social life either way. So what if I've never been asked out? You're not one to talk." The defensive tsundere glared at the smug little geek, knowing that she had a good point this time.

"I've been asked out loads of times. I even have a wife."
The smaller girl put her hand on her chest in a haughty manner.

"Yeah yeah, the wife." Kagami rolled her eyes. "Any disgusting pervert can get a girlfriend online. It's real life I'm talking about, and you're no better off than I am." She made sure to be wearing a stern, matter-of-fact expression to faster kill her never-ceasing blush. Konata only play-pouted at her.

"So it is the boyfriend thing that's bothering you." She reached out and began to pat Kagami on on the head. "Don't worry. You'll get a boyfriend in college. I'm sure of it."

Kagami was caught off guard by that statement. Her demeanor shifted. "Huh? What makes you say that?"

"Well, colleges are almost completely attended by guys, right? That means there'll be lots and lots of desperate ones!"

Kagami finally gave up on holding back and bopped Konata over the head with her knuckles.

Konata's eyes squinted shut with the impact. "Ouch!" she muttered. "He'll have to be a total masochist, though."

"I guess it's no use trying to clog up those comebacks of yours." Kagami twitched.

Another pause ensued. Before Konata could decide that she was sick of the silence and begin talking again, Kagami spoke up. Her voice was subdued, tentative.

"Hey...is it really that bad?"

Konata blinked. "Is what that bad?"

"Going through high school without a boyfriend." There was a gruff sound to Kagami's voice, one that she was obviously forcing in order to hide the sensitive nature of her speech. "I'm just a busy person...I dedicate all my time to work, and I spend my free time with you guys, and I don't want to give any of that up, so I don't have time..." She paused to clear her throat before continuing. "I mean of course I want to have a completely 'fulfilled' high school experience, and I've sorta always wanted to know what it's like to get taken on a date, but does that really make me so pathetic? I don't see why it should." Kagami averted her eyes from her friend as the amount of emotional truth that spilled from her mouth increased.

Konata did something unexpected. She made no teasing remark. There was no chuckle, no poke, no attempts made on Kagami's pride. Instead, Konata smiled. It was an unusually warm smile.

"Well, it's a pretty common situation for tsundere, so I guess it's okay. It takes somebody special to get the deredere part out after all."

Kagami smiled a little and shut her eyes, knitting her brows with a hint of exasperation.

"Konata, I'm glad that you're actually saying something nice...at least I think you are...but do you have to use geek speak at a moment like this?"

Kagami opened her eyes again and met the emerald pair that she had grown so very fond of. Konata was still smiling warmly, sweetly. The usual devious spark or perverted twist to her smile was not present. It was a rare expression and a rare show of fondness from her, and not something to be taken for granted. Kagami's heart fluttered. She returned the smile, then looked down shyly.

"I really am glad that you could say something nice..."

"Don't get used to it." The otaku teased.

"Don't worry, I won't." The tsundere reassured.

Konata's grin began to soften. Her hand moved forward again to brush some hair away from Kagami's smiling face. Kagami, too, softened her features. As the small hand approached her face, Kagami's lips began to part. The sound of the pouring rain outside blurred into nothing more than a pleasant buzz. Her eyelids lowered and shut, and she slowly began to lean forward...until she felt Konata's fingers graze the side her neck.

At that moment, Kagami's eyes shot open. A sharp squeal leaped from her throat and she slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle an involuntary laugh. Her other hand went to cover the spot on her neck that had been touched.

Konata's eyes instantly lost their deep and meaningful gaze, and squinted into pure mischief. "Ooh, Kagami is ticklish here? I never knew!" Konata darted forward and began tickling ruthlessly.

"AH!" Kagami put up a valiant defense that consisted of kicking and flailing, and also shouting protests between laughing uncontrollably. Naturally, she fell to her back.

"N-no!"

"Very very ticklish! What about here? And here? Wow, here too!?

"N-no KonatA-HAHA! DoOON'T! Not there! I'm not tick-HAHA! Cut it ou-WOAH, not there!!"


It was about 7:30 in the morning, and light was just creeping in through the window. Gently, it crawled up the edge of the bed and washed over Tsukasa's face. Her eyes began to flutter, but it wasn't due to the light or a satisfying nights sleep. Having gone straight to sleep without any preparation, Tsukasa was now forced awake by the desperate need for the bathroom.

Ooh...I should have gotten ready last night...but I don't feel like getting out of bed now... she whined inwardly. After a brief and repetitive recital of the pros and cons of bed vs bathroom, Tsukasa sat up to get out of bed.

Promptly, she froze.

She didn't remember inviting Kagami and Konata to sleep in her room. That wasn't so bad. The particularly shocking thing about what she saw was the way that they were sleeping.

Kagami was on her back, sprawled out a bit. Konata was not only beside her, but had her upper half snuggled in the space beneath the taller girl's chin. Her arms were stretched over Kagami's torso, her right hand resting curiously atop one of her breasts. As if that aspect of their position was not enough, the cat-faced girl had her cheek comfortably nestled against the other breast. While Kagami's mouth hung open a bit, Konata wore the most contented of grins.

Tsukasa's jaw hung wide open. Oh--! W--w--what should I do? she began to fret, holding her hands up by her mouth and looking around nervously. Oneechan and Kona-chan are...

By default, the first solution that popped into her mind was, I-I know! I'll just ask Oneechan... A moment of relief washed over her until she realized just how improbable that option was. I can't ask Oneechan about this! No no, I can't! Ooooh, what should I do? I can't, ooh...Oneechaaan...

Tsukasa squinted her eyes shut and shook her head vigorously. No, it isn't a big deal. Kona-chan probably just moves in her sleep. Nothing to worry about. It's fine to get up and walk around them. It's fine. Everything's fine.

She didn't move.

It's fine. It's fine.

I-...I'll just...go back to sleep! Nn, that sounds like good idea...back to sleep...good night.

In the end, Tsukasa laid back down and stared at the ceiling for a while longer.

Footnotes: Oh man, I'm tired. I hope you all enjoyed this one. I've gotta say I'm a little uncertain about it. Mushy stuff is hard to deal with. Thank you to my co-author/girlfriend/beta again.

Next Time: Hi, this is Tsukasa! I like reading fanfiction for my favorite shows...hehe...like Keroro. There are so many creative and talented writers out there making wonderful stories. I can't help but favorite and alert almost everything I read. Eto..The problem is that there are so many stories I favorite and watch that I can't keep up with all of them! If I want to re-read a story, I can't find it again! And I get so many emails for new alerts, that sometimes I miss more important emails about school. Oneechan says that I should purge the list, but everytime I try, I can't get rid of any of them. I guess I'm just that kind of person, hehe...

Next time on Lucky Star: Mixed Intentions

O Tanoshimini!