Ryuko trudged tiredly home from work. She sometimes wished she could work closer to the Mankanshoku household, but she did love being security for the Conglomerate, working alongside Ira Gamagoori and Uzu Sanageyama. It paid well and she got to see more of her sister than she normally would. But as much as she enjoyed it, she knew she wanted to do more.
She was still unsure what she wanted to do as a full time career. She enjoyed helping at the library and she liked working at the grocery as well but the more she spent time with Sukuyo, the more she wondered if maybe she would be better as a housewife. She sighed, it was unlikely. She did not have the best parental examples until she met the Mankanshoku family at a ripe 17 years of age. Although she was learning slowly, she worried that she may never be fully prepared to settle. Ever since she lost Senketsu she couldn't bring herself to be as pugnacious as she was when she was young and after almost three years of peace she was beginning to calm in demeanor unless provoked.
She enjoyed the peace after such a rocky childhood. Many of her friends were also glad to be at peace, especially Satsuki. Neither girl had a real childhood and the two enjoy gathering together in secret to talk about things they liked and didn't like and gossip about interesting things around them as if they were schoolgirls. The only part she didn't enjoy was when her older sister would ask about her relationship with Mikisugi. She would usually sigh and tell her sister to ask the many eyes around the city about her relationship and then would promptly change the subject.
Ryuko was shaken from her reverie by her phone vibrating. A message from Sukuyo asking her to pick up some groceries. Ryuko sighed, she was so tired and really just wanted to go home. Then again, she liked to be helpful to the other mother figure she had ever truly known. She put her phone away with a slight smile and headed towards the nearest grocery in town.
Ryuko smoothed down her work pants and grabbed a basket for her groceries. Grabbing fruits and vegetables and a couple sweets as well she powered through to retrieve everything she would need for dinner. There were many more interesting things in this store than the one by the Mankanshoku's. A colorful wrapper caught her eye. It was a brilliant cobalt blue, the shell for a bar of sea salted chocolate. Perhaps she should get it for Aikuro, a gift for letting her stay at his place without (much) hassle. It was one of his favorite colors after all, and he liked sweet and savory mixes. Just as she put it in her basket under a bunch of bananas, she heard a familiar voice say her name and she visibly jumped.
"My, my Ryuko, funny running into you here. A little far from your usual grocer aren't you?" Aikuro Mikisugi teased with a hint of worry in his eye, holding something behind his back. Ryuko nervously rubbed the back of her neck and smiled tightly.
"Oh yeah, it is. I just had to pick up some groceries for Sukuyo on my way home for work." She covertly checked to make sure that the chocolate bar was concealed, which is was, and she decided to talk.
"What brings you out here, don't I usually pick up your groceries for you?" She smirked.
"Well, yes but I, I don't know. I wanted to take a look around the place. Besides, I get my own groceries some times." He muttered indignantly. Ryuko smiled and he couldn't help but reciprocate. Her mischievous smile was contagious. It was something he loved about her.
They chatted for a while, moving along the aisles. He was sorry when she said she had to go. He waved her off towards the check out area and watched her leave. He then was able to continue his shopping. He put a couple colorful bottles into a basket and a few sweets as well. He found some candles and cake making things in the baking section and he grabbed them. When he felt confident he was done, he got out his phone and messaged Mako Mankanshoku, "Ran into target while obtaining supplies. Cover remains tight, she isn't suspicious." She responded quickly.
"4 godsake Mikisugi, it's a surprise b-day party not a top secret mission!"