Disclaimer: Lucky Star and its characters are not my legal property. In return for saying so, I'd like more Megami scans suggesting that Konata and Kagami are secret lovers. Thanks.

Author's Notes: Thank you to everyone who read this far. This is the final chapter, but it's a very long one so you should all be happy. HEY. I see some of you hitting the back button there, reading is good for you so don't run away just because it's a few extra pages. For this one, we would REALLY like to hear what you guys think. Some parts of this were very difficult to write. Let us know please? Also, for this chapter take note that Christmas in Japan is not the same as it is in America. To them, it's a little bit more like Valentine's Day. So let's quit screwin' around and start!

Chapter 7: High Score

Her lips had been soft... softer than she'd have imagined. Their warmth was significant against the Winter chill, and her kiss had filled Kagami's senses with the same feeling that a warm cup of tea would have. Her face had been sincere, sweet; almost beautiful as the doors closed in front of it. There was something genuine there, in her smile and in whatever words she was mouthing... but she couldn't hear her! The train carried her away! Konata had set everything up so that there would be no immediate repercussions. She had run away. Kagami pounded on the train windows.

"Konata! Get back here! Get back here and tell me what you said!"

THUD. Kagami woke as her chin made painful contact with her desk. A pencil fell from her hand. As her eyes refocused and her schoolwork came into view, the pigtailed girl swiftly recalled that she was supposed to be studying for her final. She had drifted off yet again. She took a glance at the clock, and saw that it was already past 9:00 PM. She had hardly advanced at all.

"Nn...this is all her fault. I can't stop thinking about her... I'm screwed if this keeps up." She brushed some hair from her eyes. "No, I can't give up... gotta stay awake tonight."

The week had not gone smoothly. Kagami had been staying awake later than usual to study, which had become increasingly difficult due to her stress with Konata. Unaccustomed to sleep deprivation, many aspects of her school life suffered. She had caught a scolding from her teacher for spacing out. She nearly dozed off multiple times. To top things off, Konata had continued to act completely neutral to the events of the previous week and Kagami had continued to be too frightened to confront her.

That evening, Kagami found herself feeling far more unprepared for tomorrow's final than she had ever wanted to. No choice, she had thought, I've gotta pull an all nighter. Even in the early hours of her all-night stretch, Kagami had been slipping in and out of consciousness. She felt her temper slipping as well.

"I love you..."

Konata's playful exclamation from the previous month echoed randomly in her head. Had that perhaps been what she had said as the doors closed? No, how cliché. Konata would have said something much more idiotic if she were confessing love. What had she said? Why did she kiss her? Why was she acting as if it had never happened? Kagami's fists clenched.

This is all some kind of joke, isn't it? The greatest one she's ever played on me! It was just to get some kind of reaction, just like everything she does! She wasn't serious at all!

She pounded her fists onto her desk, staring angrily down at the notes which seemed to be doing nothing more than mocking her. A few seconds and a few thoughts passed, and with them came a gradual softening of the girl's fury.

It's my own fault... for being so immature. Her head hung remorsefully. But I can't help it. I tried, I really did. Damnit, Konata. I do love you... even though I sorta want to kill you right now.

As if allowing herself to admit it had eased a part of her mind, Kagami stretched her arms and got back to her notes. But I can do that -after- the test.

Finals came and went. Kagami's persistence had paid off with a decent grade, though not as high as she had hoped. Her friends had also passed. Konata congratulated her for giving the all-night cram a valiant try, much to Kagami's chagrin.

Vacation started. Days grew colder and Kagami had grown the same way in regard to the phone call from Konata that would not come. It was better if she distanced herself a little and got some relaxation before exposing herself to Konata again. With the way she was feeling over the test, who knew what she might say to her. Keeping alone to her books for a while was a better choice.

"Kagami?" Inori's voice came from the other side of Kagami's door, along with a soft knock. "The phone is for you. It's Konata-ch--"

The door was open and the phone was whisked away in under a second. The door shut again in the baffled Inori's face.

"Hello?" Kagami pressed the phone to her ear.

"Ah, Kagami!" Konata's voice sounded on the other end. "You know Miyuki-san's leaving on a trip really soon, right?"

Kagami nodded, despite being on the phone. "Yeah."

"We should all get together to hang out once more before she leaves. It's our last Winter break together, after all." Konata didn't give Kagami much room to speak, much less protest seeing her again. "Hnn... I've got some pretty good plans already..." the otaku continued, and Kagami could easily imagine her mischievous smile. "Are you and Tsukasa in?"

"I..." Say no, say no! I... I can't say no! "Yeah, sure. We'll come. Tomorrow's weather will be okay, is that when you were thinking?"

"Sure was! It might snow a little, but nothing big. I'll text you a meeting place or something."

"Okay. Hey Konata, I--"

"See you then!" Click.

Kagami sighed. Okay, Konata. This'll be your last chance.


The day of the outing was a very typical Winter's day. The air was still and chilly, with many a pale grey cloud hanging over the sky. Through the chill, the Hiiragi twins made their way to the bus stop designated by Konata. Fortunately, they saw that Miyuki and Konata were already there waiting for them.

"Yo." Kagami greeted, a wisp of vapor breezing from her mouth. Tsukasa stepped from behind her sister and waved. Kagami glanced up at the bus stop sign. Silently, she wondered what immediate activity Konata had planned for them. "We didn't keep you waiting, did we?"

Konata said yes at the same time that Miyuki said no.

"Oh, Miyuki-san," Konata crooned, "You're just so nice. You make me feel bad. Here, I'll fix it!" The midget cleared her throat, "It's no problem, and we didn't have to wait long." She spoke in a sugared tone.

"I'm sorry, Izumi-san. I didn't mean to make you feel bad." Miyuki bowed her head politely. "I was actually almost late myself, because I had written down the bus stop numbers in reverse, and I had been waiting at the wrong stop for a while. I do apologize."

The backdrop grew dark, save a pink light surrounding Miyuki. Konata stood in the darkness with an amazed little triangle mouth, Khhhaaaaaaaaaa! She's just too pure!

Tsukasa likewise marveled at Miyuki's aura. "Pink..."

Kagami placed an impatient hand on her hip, "Okay, that's all fine, but are you going to tell us what's on our schedule today?"

"Why would we want a schedule on a day meant for fun?" Konata chided with a shrug and a shaking head. She sighed and then put her hands on Kagami's shoulders. Her head rose to allow her large green eyes to stare into Kagami's. "Let's be free, Kagamin. Can't we be free?!" Her voice was full of mock emotion.

"This from someone who'd been bragging about her 'plans' for today..." She trailed off. Kagami, having locked eyes with Konata in jest or not, was immobilized by them. An awkward silence ensued.

"Pardon me, but I believe the bus is approaching." Miyuki gently broke said silence, gesturing with a mitten-clad hand.

"Y-you are going to have to tell us where we're getting off you know, -if- you have anything planned like you mentioned yesterday." Kagami insisted, freed from the moment.

"Oh my, such a troubled girl you are." Konata mocked the frowning tsundere as they boarded the bus.


The bus ride wasn't a very long one. Tsukasa snuggled against her sister for some additional warmth during the ride. Kagami couldn't help but glance over to the next seat to see if Konata was doing the same with Miyuki. Out of simple curiosity, of course. Konata was merely playing her DS.

They arrived at their destination, instructed to exit the bus by Konata. Stepping off, the girls' eyes widened slightly at the sight of their goal.

"A skating rink?" Kagami stated the obvious.

"Doesn't it fit the season?" Konata gushed.

"Well sure, it's just..." Kagami glanced around. "...some of us may not have the same skill that you do at this sort of thing, you know, and..."

"All the more moe-points. Skating is great because it's fun, it's a great way to trigger flags, and you either look cool or moe doing it!" Konata eyed her friend. "But you...you might be an exception," she said with concern.

"Don't start with me!" Kagami huffed. "I was only worried for Tsukasa's sake!"

"Don't worry about me, Oneechan," Tsukasa interjected nervously. "Besides, I heard that Yuki-chan is a good skater and I've always wanted to see her in action."

"Oh my." Miyuki blushed some. "I'm certainly not on a professional level..."

Konata's eyes sparkled, "But I heard you could do a double-axel!"

"Really, Yuki-chan?"

"Oh, it's really not so impressive..." Miyuki's modesty did not falter.

"Well, we're never going to find out if we stand out here and stare at the place any longer." Kagami interrupted her friends, having given up protesting and resigned to wait until it was over with. "Are we going in or not?"

Konata nodded and shuffled the group inside.

Kagami leaned on the side rail of the rink, watching the other skaters. Like much of the city, the rink was decorated with multiple flickering seasonal lights and other decorations. There were several posters on the walls advertising romantic hotel or restaurant specials for couples. Normally, these were things that Kagami would scoff at and shrug off as typical commercialism. This year, however, they left the girl with a pang of heartache. It's almost Christmas... this is really fitting for the season, she thought idly. A young man and woman skated past her, holding hands. Kagami lowered her eyes. Yeah, really fitting...

"Hey!" Konata returned, carrying four pairs of rental skates with her. Kagami counted the pairs and gulped.

"H-hey now, I thought I told you that I was just going to watch this time," she protested.

"Don't you remember our freedom talk, Kagami?" Konata asked, holding up a small fist. "Or are you afraid that you'll break the ice? I know you've been snacking a lot, but I don't think you're that heavy yet..." She did nothing to hide a lewd smirk.

"Shut up! This just isn't my thing!"

"Oneechan, you could skate with me." Tsukasa spoke up. "I-I was actually a little afraid of falling down, and I was hoping you might be there to catch me or something..."

Kagami faltered. It was easy to argue with Konata, but turning down the pleas of her clumsy sister was often another story. "I guess you would sorta be a mess out there," she commented while Tsukasa giggled some. "Alright, just give me a moment to get the skates on."

Konata turned to Miyuki, a devilish grin spread over her catlike mouth. "I have a gift for you, Miyuki-san."

Miyuki blinked innocently. "Oh? For me?"

"Yeah. It's that big box you helped me carry here. It was for you all along, but I wanted you to open it here," Konata said with her most charming smile.

"Oh my, Izumi-san, how kind of you. My birthday has already passed, so you didn't need to go to any trouble."

"It was no trouble at all. I only have one thing to ask-- please do wear it now," Konata chided sweetly. As the suspiciously generous otaku finished her sentence, Miyuki finished unwrapping the present... revealing a fluffy white ballerina dress and shoulder cuffs, a feathery white hairpiece, small metal crown and a peculiar winged pendant. Miyuki pinkened at the sight of it.

"O-oh... you want me to wear this now, Izumi-san?"

Konata gave a firm nod. "Just be sure you don't say, 'Quack,' okay?"

"Oh? Is it bad luck?" The pink haired girl asked, her naivety shining brilliantly.

Kagami was frowning from where she and Tsukasa stood wobbling on their skates. "For someone who doesn't like to cosplay casually, you sure are pushy with your friends!"


"Tsukasa, are you ready to let go of the rail yet?" Kagami asked her sister, whom she had been following very slowly around the borders of the skating rink.

"N-not yet... I still don't know if I have the hang of these things ye-ET!" The short haired girl slipped for the thirty-sixth time, spilling backwards onto her rear. "Ooow! It's so c-cold!"

"Honestly," the older twin chided as she reached her gloved hand down to help the younger up. "You're still so childish sometimes. You'll never learn how to keep your balance if you just stay glued to the walls the whole time." While speaking, Kagami kept her own right hand firmly on the rail, trying her hardest to keep her feet from wobbling on the ice.

"Yeah..." Tsukasa smiled embarrassedly, "I'm just a slow learner, I guess."

"Well, come on." Kagami asserted when she was sure her sister was back on her feet. "We're here, so we might as well keep attempting to enjoy ourselves." She glanced off to the center of the rink where Konata and Miyuki were skating. "Like those two."

Although the costume was a bit extravagant, it actually looked rather nice when Miyuki was figure skating. Her skill came together with the costume to give off a picturesque feeling, rather than an awkward loser-cosplayer vibe. When Miyuki twirled, onlookers would clap. Before long, there was a crowd just watching.

Konata was skating easily around the edges of the rink with a cup that had the word, "TIPS" scrawled out on it. It was filling up fast.

"Is that even legal?" Kagami wondered with flattened brows. Though she told herself it was only to make sure that things didn't get carried away, Kagami locked her eyes onto Konata. She was extremely graceful, completely effortless. Kagami was sure that the blue haired midget thought very little of her talent, but she was nice to watch none the less.

"Oneechaaaan! I'm speeding uuuuuup!" Tsukasa called out. Whipping her gaze back to her sister, Kagami saw that she had gotten a burst of confidence and released the guide rail. Naturally, she had immediately lost control.

"Tsu-Tsukasa!" Kagami also let go of the rail, instinctively pushing herself forward and revealing her own ice-bound clumsiness in order to help her floundering sibling. Completely out of her element, Kagami's body did not do as it was told. Although she had projected herself forward, her feet were too fast for the rest of her and the twin-tailed girl made a sudden backwards lurch. "Ah!" She gave a sharp cry as she spilled toward the ice.

As if right out of the pages of a Shoujo-B00t title, a blue blur whisked in and caught Kagami right before her head met the ice. A tiny belt of warmth held her waist tight and guided her back to the rail. It was very warm. Her rescuer was very warm. Kagami's heart did not slow, even as she was delivered from her collision. It didn't take her long to figure out who had caught her. Though her eyes were shut, there was no mistaking Konata's distinctive scent. The lilac haired girl kept her eyes shut intentionally, very likely to spare herself the embarrassment of having to look at Konata after such a scene... or perhaps enjoying the moment. Slowly, she allowed one eye to open... only to see a haughty, mocking grin plastered across her hero's face. It looked like those kitty-lips were barely holding back a comment.

Still slightly dumbfounded, Kagami stammered. "Th-thank you..." she then frowned at the smug face above hers, "...b-but I never said you could grab me like that!"

Konata looked down at Kagami, a novelty perspective she seemed to enjoy. "Would you rather hit the ice? There's no other way to catch you. It wasn't exactly easy, you know. A clumsy, flailing, heavy tsundere is hard to save."

Kagami flustered intensely. "What did you--Ah! Tsukasa! Where is she? Why the hell didn't you help her first, Konata?" Konata jerked her head back and to the side in response. Her other arm lead down to a hand that grasped the back of Tsukasa's collar. Tsukasa had been rescued from a hard impact to be gently lowered to the ground as Konata had raced towards Kagami, saving both twins at once. The timid girl was still recovering, oblivious to the cold ice under her butt.

Kagami let out a relieved sigh upon seeing her sister safe. Her attention then returned to her complexion, which was more than just rosy with the cold. "You... you can let go of me now." She said to Konata, her voice lowered slightly.

"Are you sure you'll be able to stand without my help?" Konata patronized.

"Yes, now let me go!" The tsundere insisted.

"Are you sure you want me to?" Konata's eyes were casting an unwavering gaze on Kagami.

Kagami burned as if to melt the ice. "Wh... Of course I want you to! Don't say such weird thi-INGS!" Konata released Kagami as per her request, and she stumbled backward onto her bottom. "Ow..." the pigtailed girl muttered, casting an indignant look up to the smirking girl above her.


"Shouldn't the movie that we see be up to Miyuki, since you said you were doing this for her?" Kagami spoke with crossed arms, glancing dubiously at the title Konata had chosen for them at the theater.

"It's a fun family experience. Who could argue?" Konata replied calmly.

"This isn't a family movie, and you're being really rude to Miyuki, not to mention the rest of--"

"Oh, I really don't mind." Miyuki smiled sweetly. "I'm willing to do whatever will keep everyone happy."

"That's the spirit, Miyuki-san!" Konata said, securing a childish snow cap on her head in order to help procure a child's price ticket.

"Miyuki, people like Konata are going to walk all over you if you don't stand up for yourself now and then..." Kagami remarked, exasperated.

"I'm not particularly opposed to these kinds of films," the bespectacled girl still reassured.

Kagami merely sighed. "I didn't even see the first K-men Ri0er..."

"You should come over sometime and watch it," Konata chirped.

"M-maybe I will..." Kagami's heart skipped a beat at the offer. The simple little sentence was better than anything Konata had offered her since the train. Maybe... maybe I judged her a little too quickly. Maybe it wasn't a joke? Huh, I'd better not get my hopes up.

In the theater, Kagami was seated between Tsukasa and Konata. Tsukasa wanted to be near her sister for the frightening and violent scenes, and Konata had merely sat next to her by chance. Or had she? Kagami found herself missing a good deal of the film due to her constant glances in Konata's direction. She's been acting a little warmer with me... just barely. I'm pretty sure she just invited me to her house sometime. Oh, but what if I'm reading too much into this? She hasn't looked my way once so far. Kagami's fingers began to fidget on the armrest. Unexpectedly, they brushed Konata's.

"Ah... sorry." She said, moving her hand. Konata merely nodded.

This is so cliché. It's almost sad. I wish I had a clue about what she's thinking during times like these. Kagami watched Konata's face from the corners of her eyes. The smaller girl's attention was consistently fixed on the screen. Whatever media is flashing itself in her face is probably the only thing that's ever on her mind... As if triggered, Konata turned to Kagami, breaking her concentration.

"You shouldn't miss this part, Kagami. It's really cool, so pay attention, kay?" She smiled a sweet little kitten-smile at Kagami, her deep green eyes sparkling with the moving reflections of the picture on the screen. For an instant, Kagami could see the same face that had kissed her and spoken the mysterious goodbye that night. The tsundere smiled back at her.

"Kay." She answered with her own hint of sweetness, giving her attention back to the movie.


Stepping out of the theater a couple of hours later, the group was bombarded with a surprise. The 'little bit' of snow had turned out to be a heavy but brief storm. Though it was all but over by the time the girls had finished the movie, it had left a significant blanket over the streets and sidewalks.

"Ah, wow!" Tsukasa looked thrilled.

"Aw jeez, now we're going to have to trudge through this before anyone can shovel it!" Kagami groaned and put a hand over her eyes in frustration. "That weather report can be so unreliable!"

When she lowered her hand, it gave way to the sight of Konata running towards her with shining eyes and sparkling, flowing hair. She could have sworn her surroundings were pastel clouds and bubbles.

"Ka-ga-miiin!" Konata called in a childish voice.

Kagami let her mouth hang open a bit. One of her brows quivered as Konata prepared to bombard her with doubtless weirdness. "...what's wrong with you?" She stared.

"I want taiyaki!" she squeaked as she grabbed onto Kagami's shirt a little.

"What?" Kagami leaned back a little, secretly admiring Konata's eyes at the same time. "How old are you, huh?"

Konata almost seemed to have sprouted some chubby wings while she struck a cute pose, "Uguuu!" she protested in a sickeningly adorable manner.

"N-..." Kagami blushed behind a cloud of vapor. "Knock it off, already." She swiftly turned her head off to the side. "What else did you have planned, anyway?"

Konata's sugary facade crumbled instantly and returned to her usual glazed stare, "Well, I thought we could go eat somewhere."

"I would enjoy that." Miyuki smiled. "I am a bit hungry after the movie. And you, Tsukasa-san?"

Tsukasa looked up suddenly from the tiny snowman she had been constructing in the middle of the sidewalk. "Eh? Oh, yeah! A place with hot chocolate would be great!"

"Oh, that's a good idea Tsukasa-san," Miyuki praised enthusiastically.

Konata nodded with her eyes closed and arms folded, as if it had been purely her own idea. "I know of a good place nearby."

"Well let's get going," Kagami replied impatiently. "It's freezing out here."

"Kagamin just wants to stuff herself," Konata quipped. This earned her a glare from her friend, upon which she took off down the sidewalk, kicking up snow as she went.

"Get back here, you little runt!" Kagami gave chase, a small smile forming at the edges of her mouth.


Oddly, Konata had not selected any sort of unconventional establishment for eating. Rather, she had chosen a nice eat-in bakery. The girls had settled comfortably into a table for four, and conversation bloomed easily. Kagami seemed to be in a better mood, though her eyes' constant darting towards Konata would not go unnoticed by a careful watcher.

"It was covered in this weird stuff, and it really smelled bad!" Konata finished a story to a chorus of giggles from her friends.

"Here are your drinks, ladies." The waiter announced, setting down a tray of four mugs.

"Hey," Konata spoke after a second. "I wanted a hot chocolate, not a tea." She pointed to her mug.

"Ah! T-terribly sorry ma'am, I'll bring you a replacement right away!" The waiter bowed and scampered toward the kitchen. Before he made it to the door, a flying clipboard struck him on the head. An angry pink-haired hostess had chucked it at him.

"Quit pissing off the customers!" She growled. Hers and the waiter's continued exchange faded into the background as Kagami took a sip from her own hot chocolate.

"Hey, you were right. This is really good." She commented, and looked up from her steaming cup to the blue-haired girl sitting across from her. It didn't take a very observant eye to notice that Konata was staring rather longingly at Kagami's drink. The pigtailed girl was put on the spot. She hesitated only a moment before giving in to Konata's blatant begging. "...you wanna try?"

"Really?" Konata's face lit up. She didn't hesitate to leap from her seat and scoot in close to Kagami, much less politely argue. Personal space didn't seem to be a concern for her either, because her thigh and shoulder were brushing against Kagami as she stole a sip from the cup that her friend was still holding. Kagami's face immediately began competing with her hot chocolate for high temperatures. The feeling of Konata invading her space caused her legs to fidget.

"H-hey, be a little more polite!" She scolded, watching Konata drink.

Her mouth's on my cup. Is this... and indirect kiss? Kagami winced at her own thoughts. Oh come on, how pathetic am I, thinking like that? Sharing a drink is completely normal... yes. Completely.

Konata downed half the cup while Kagami contemplated. Finally, she took her seat again and sighed contentedly, "So tasty...thanks Kagamin. Y'know, I'm surprised you let me have some."

Konata lowered her voice so that Miyuki and Tsukasa would not hear, "It's kinda like an indirect kiss."

Kagami's heart leaped to her throat and inhibited her speech. Steam rose from more than just the cups on the table. "Wh-wh-what did you say??" She stammered out.

Konata took a deep breath and began talking very loudly, "I said, It's li--"

The tsundere swiftly plastered her hand over her friend's tiny cat smile. "Shut up!" She hissed.

Miyuki and Tsukasa, distracted from their own banter, looked over.

"Oneechan?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Of... of course." Kagami removed her hand from Konata's smug face and leaned back into her seat, glaring at her.

Konata just smiled back at her friend. For a moment. Suddenly smile began to fade into an intense, pensive stare. "Kagami..."

Kagami blinked in rapid succession as the shorter girl addressed her in an unexpected manner. The stare and mention of her name did nothing to kill the tsundere's blush. She did her best to appear casual, lifting her much lighter cup to her mouth.

"Yeah?"

The waiter returned sporting a few bruises on his head. He slid a mug in front of Konata. "My apologies, ma'am." Konata didn't seem to notice that she had received her own cup of the drink she had craved moments ago. Her eyes just rested on Kagami.

Her mouth opened hesitantly, "I...I need to tell you something. In private."

Kagami, who had been burning up through most of the conversation, now felt everything inside her freeze up. Tellmesomethinginprivatewhat?? She intently glanced over Konata's features to ascertain that there were no traces of jest to be found. From what she could see, there were none.

"I-in private?" She parroted, then cleared her throat and attempted at keeping her cool. "What... what exactly do you have to say that you can't say out here?"

"I can't say it out here," Konata reiterated simply, and began to scoot out of the booth they were sitting in. "We'll be right back," she said to her friends as she pulled Kagami along by the sleeve.

The frazzled girl had no chance to explain herself to her sister and friend as the little geek dragged her off. Kagami felt her heart accelerate uncontrollably.

Sh-she's taking me off alone...! Right after talking about a kiss... she must be--! OhmygodOhcrapWhatdoIdo? S-stay calm... this is what I've been waiting for. She's finally going so say something. But... I can't believe she's done all of this to me! She's driving me crazy! What's she going to do now?

Konata weaved through the restaurant with an almost urgent sense of purpose about her. They closed in on the lady's room, and Konata pulled the door open. It was one of those cheerful single-toilet bathrooms with a stock painting and a button lock on the door. Konata ushered her friend in, closed the door, and pushed that button. Ka-click.

Kagami couldn't count the beats of her heart if she tried. Her mind had raced off track on the way to the rest room. She felt like a trapped rabbit, teased into a corner by a crafty little fox. The particular look on Konata's face was quite serious rather than devious, however, which only worked to unnerve the poor tsundere even more. At the same time, a boiling excitement bubbled furiously inside of her. Her days of pining and confusion were finally going to get a conclusion. It took all that Kagami had to muster an uneasy sentence.

"S-so what is it you wanted to tell me...?"

"Kagami..," Konata began, looking into the other girl's nervous eyes. "I couldn't tell you out there...but..."

"B-but... y-yeah?"

"...Your bra is showing."

Konata pointed. The taller girl's 80's reminiscent off-the-shoulder top was going a bit too far off the shoulder. Kagami's large, shining, hopeful irises immediately shrank to pencil-point dots.

"...what?"

"Right there." Konata moved her hand back and forth for emphasis. "See? Your hair was kinda covering it up, so I don't think many people saw. But I thought I'd let you know before your hair moved around too much." Konata seemed to think she was a very good friend.

Kagami's lip twitched. Something snapped. "AAGH!" She yelled. " DAMNIT!" Kagami immediately seethed toward Konata, a fiery aura erupting behind her. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Konata?? Huh?? HUH?! What are you trying to do to me?!" Konata jerked back against the bathroom sink in surprise, and perhaps a few spoonfuls of intimidation. Kagami did not relent. "Is this all some kind of gag to you? Is that the only reason you've been doing all of this? Is that all I that I am to you? A giant joke?? I'm not laughing! Why, Konata? Why would you kiss me and then ignore me for a week? Why did you kiss me and run? Why did you do it at all?" Despite her barrage of questions, Kagami's charging fury left no room for Konata to answer. Konata had tried to open her mouth once or twice, but before long, she resigned herself to the onslaught. Yeah...maybe she deserved it. "Do you have any idea what I've been through? Of course not, you insensitive twerp! You have no idea how I feel at all! I was waiting for you! I was going nuts! I could've failed my EXAMS because of you!!" Konata's eyes darted from Kagami to the floor as she felt that strange emotion seeping through her again. That weird one. It didn't happen often, but she was pretty sure it was guilt. Her fingers gripped the sink behind her a little. Kagami continued at full force. "And the sad part is that I'd probably do it again instead of pounding your face flat like I should! Why?! Why you? You're a careless, tactless weirdo who goes against everything I stand for, you spend half the time we're together making fun of me and I still love being with you! What's wrong with me?! I look forward to seeing you every day! I think about you more than any rational person ever should! I do all kinds of stupid things for you, just to see you satisfied!" Outside, those at the tables seated close to the bathroom door were curiously turning their heads toward the muffled outburst they heard from within. The noise only rambled onward. "I want to make you happy, even though you'd never even give me so much as a thank you! What the HELL have you done to deserve that?! Nothing! You stole my first kiss just so you could get a laugh! So go on and tell me what drove you to do all this!!" She sent a bit of spit in Konata's direction at the end of certain words, "Tell me what's going on in that twisted little mind of yours, you sadistic fun-sized freak! After all this crap, I deserve an answer! Go on!" The raging tsundere heaved herself in the smaller girl's face, eyes burning.

By the time the ramble was climaxing to a frantic finish, Konata was wincing and squinting her eyes shut to Kagami's punctuated words. When Kagami finished, she was subjected to a few more seconds of angry bewilderment as Konata sighed and opened her eyes.

They stared straight into Kagami's. Suddenly Kagami could see something in that valley of green that was so beautiful, it was hard to put words on. Something that she'd caught glimpses of before, but second-guessed. Something that had never been so clear and crisp before.

"Kagami..." Konata began as she pushed herself off of the sink. "You talk too much."

And their lips met.

This reaction being one of the last she expected, Kagami was promptly immobilized. Wh-what?? Her eyes fought to stay open as Konata's mouth remained on hers, and they eventually batted themselves shut. Three more seconds passed, and the pigtailed girl forced herself away.

"H-hey..." she stuttered, her rage obviously quelled a bit, "...d-don't think that'll get you out of... I-I still... Answer my question, damnit!" She pointed two frustrated fists towards the floor.

There's my dere-dere. Konata thought to herself fondly. She was filled with a sense of warmth and accomplishment. It was more than just beating a galge. It was knowing that the person she loved loved her back enough to acknowledge it. Nothing had ever felt so good. Not even finding the Laevatein could come near to matching how she felt now. This was...substantial.

Konata was genuinely euphoric, and it showed in her little kitty smile. "Of course it was funny. But I wouldn't want you if you weren't funny."

Kagami knew not whether to be insulted or complimented. She gave a small frown. "Stop being so ambiguous," she demanded, her tone still slightly subdued.

"I wanted you to confess," Konata said simply.

Kagami twitched. "...what?" Her voice began to sound a tad dangerous again.

"I...uh...wanted you to confess." Konata was preparing herself. Her fingers slipped back around the rim of the sink.

"Care to elaborate?" The lilac haired girl growled.

Konata was silent for a couple of seconds before protesting, "Well, it's not like you ever would have admitted it otherwise. I had to make you sure of your feelings so that it would be safe to approach you with mine." She held up a finger.

"So you're telling me that you did all of that for insurance?" Kagami loomed over the smaller girl. "What makes you think that you had to do all of that stupid stuff? What makes you think that I'd have never said anything on my own??"

"You're a tsundere," Konata said as if only a truly clueless idiot would be unaware of such a fact. "Tsundere can never admit their feelings to themselves, much less others. If I hadn't pushed you, you would have denied it and eventually moved on. If I had confessed without making you realize how you felt, you would have rejected me, and then we wouldn't even be friends anymore. There are too many BAD ENDS to consider, and not enough save points. I had to be careful."

"So you...you..." Kagami's rage was reaching the boiling point again. The whole thing was an act to quell Konata's insecurities because of the stereotypes she'd learned from her games? She had been tortured for that? Bristling, the girl prepared for another outburst in her friend's face. Before the action could be carried out, however, realization dawned on her. All at once her harsh features softened and gave way to something startled, delicate, and very girlish. "...you like me?"

Konata sighed and tapped her fingers to her forehead before raising her hands up in the air, "Why else would I go to so much trouble?" It was a point that could not be argued. Konata had never been known to go to trouble unless she was passionate about her goal.

Kagami's face became emotional. She stepped toward Konata again, lifting her hands slightly as if she wanted to reach out and touch the smaller girl's arms. "You sure have a weird way of showing it, Konata!" Her voice nearly cracked. "You're so damn weird!"

Konata grinned proudly. The storm was settling and she knew that just this moment, she had finally, officially, and without any doubt--LEVLED UP.

"I do what I have to," Konata said as she took the initiative once again and put her arms around Kagami's waist.

Kagami tentatively returned the gesture, circling her arms around Konata's shoulders. For the first time, contact between them did not bring anxiety to the girl. This time, it was a warm, comfortable release. Kagami sighed. Konata took a deep breath. The games were right. Your one and only DID have a nice smell.

Amidst all the genuine love she was feeling, Konata's essentially otaku mind still strayed her thoughts. It'll be fun to re-watch--crap! There won't be a video of this! Oh! Maybe there's a security camera. Probably not, cuz it is the lady's room...but it couldn't hurt to ask. Aaah...I should have set my cell phone to record! Konata silently cried a river of tears as she tried to discreetly shuffle her phone out of her pocket.

Kagami's fingers brushed and began to mix with the hair draping off of Konata's shoulders. "I..." she tried to speak without sounding too shaky. Konata startled. Ah! She's going to say something. Maybe if I press the record button and hold the speaker against the inside of my pocket while she says something, she won't notice the beep. I won't be able to get a visual, but audio is better than nothing! "...I still don't entirely see why you had to go to -that- much trouble." Kagami finished her sentence. With much care, Konata hit record as Kagami said the word 'that.' Carefully, she turned the phone in her pocket so that the receiver stuck out a little.

A yellow headband suddenly seemed to randomly appear atop Konata's head. Maybe it had been in her pocket too. The face under the new accessory was emotional.

"Kagami...I had to become your enemy. So that you could kill me. I wanted you to hate me."

Kagami's face fell from emotional to utterly confused. "Huh?" She cocked a brow, then sighed. "Just what are you trying to impersonate now?"

The shorter girl didn't answer, only threw the headband off and threw on a Kyoto-accent. "I won't let you go anymore. You're all mine now." She hugged Kagami more closely, speaking a tad darkly.

"No really, please make sense." Kagami demanded flatly.

"I'm so happy..." Her odd voice continued. She then threw her hands up in the air, "BOOOM!"

Kagami jerked back at Konata's spontaneity. "Cut it out already!" She demanded. "Can't we have a serious moment for more than five minutes?"

"If you wanted that, you wouldn't be in love with me," Konata grinned.

Kagami's color shot to new levels of glowing red. "I-I wouldn't-- I-in l-l-l... shut up!" She swiftly turned away. Konata wanted desperately to take a picture, but restrained herself to a very haughty grin. Oh, and a sudden kiss.

"Mmm!" Kagami responded by flailing some, but resigned to this one faster than the other. She shut her eyes and leaned into Konata, heart flying out of control. It wasn't going to settle anytime soon either, because something soft and moist was beginning to brush over her lips.

Oh my god she's kissing me she's kissing me again I'm being kissed IS THAT HER TONGUE?! HOLY CRAP IT'S HER TONGUE! Kagami silently panicked. I can't be a lousy kisser! I've got to do it back! The poor flustered tsundere shut her eyes tight and reciprocated Konata's brazen actions. Konata was pleased, and took that as a permission to take the kiss further. It was then that their first kiss leveled up as well--to their first french kiss. Trembling but determined not to keep still and be a bad kisser, Kagami copied Konata's heightened gesture with high amounts of bounding nervous energy.

Konata's eyes suddenly popped open under downturned eyebrows. She backed up with a gasp, held her arm in front of her face, and exclaimed, "Violent! Like a beast!"

"Sh-shut up, damnit! Y-you're the one shoving your tongue into my mouth without any warning!" Kagami blurted, steaming red and pointing directly at Konata.

"You're right. I should have expected you to be like that," Konata conceded with a well-placed insult and a chuckle.

"You ever wanna be kissed again??" Kagami fumed at the grinning otaku, holding up a fist.

"Yeah, but try to restrain yourself. I know I'm awesome, and it's hard to curb your passion for me --not to mention your innate violent nature-- but I'm so little you might hurt me. And bend your knees a little next time too, kay?"

"Bend my knees...?"

"Yeah. It's kind of a strain to reach you. I'm on the very tips of my tip-toes. It's annoying."

"Fine, fine." Kagami crossed her arms. "Jeez, together for five whole minutes and you're already making demands."

Konata lifted a finger informatively, "Good relationships are built on honest communication!"

Kagami wasn't quite sure how to react beyond bewilderment at the fact that Konata had stated a wise and rational truth. "W-well yeah..." A few moments passed. Kagami could still feel every part of her racing with euphoria that could hardly be contained by the bathroom walls, yet she managed to keep it in check. Recalling the events of the past week, the girl was tickled with a hint of doubt. "Ne Konata..." she tilted her head to the floor, lifting a hand to brush uneasily through one of her twin-tails, "...do you mean it this time? Jokes aside, you really... really like me that way?"

Konata smiled up at her new girlfriend. It was one of those really sweet genuine ones again. Kagami had never seen so many of them in a row before. "I chose the Kagami route a long time ago."

Kagami felt her heart do a somersault. Deep emotion flooded her features. Though it was expressed in the geekiest way possible, Kagami knew that there was no truer way for Konata to say what she meant. She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl's frame and leaned in to kiss her again. Konata returned the gesture and embraced the tsundere fondly.

"Bend your knees," Konata whispered quickly before their lips met.

Kagami complied, and the two shared another sweet, mutual kiss. Each held the other girl gently, their young minds focused on nothing outside of each other. Theirs was the kind of feeling that no one would forget for the rest of their lives. The moment would last forever in--

Click.

The sound of the bathroom door's cheap lock failing to keep the knob from turning was heard. In an instant the girls' lips unlocked as well, and they turned around all too slowly to stop the intruder from entering.

The door creaked open, and a cheerful Tsukasa was revealed. A cheerful Tsukasa who promptly froze in her tracks upon seeing Konata and Kagami in each other's arms. For another eternity, no one moved. Then, very slowly, Tsukasa stepped backward and shut the door again.

There were a few moments of silently staring at the door through a foreboding blue gradient rather than normal vision. Konata spoke first.

"Crap."


Glancing up from her Oolong tea, Miyuki noticed Kagami, Konata, and Tsukasa all returning to the table together. "Welcome back, everyone!" She greeted. "Kagami-san, Izumi-san, you were gone for quite a while. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, we're fine Miyuki." Kagami reassured.

"But Oneechan, I never knew that you were anemic! Are you sure you're alright?" Tsukasa balled her hands into worried fists, pressing them together below her chin. Kagami twitched.

"Neither did I," Konata said seriously from behind folded arms, "But I recognized some of the symptoms because I saw them listed in an anime. It's probably because she goes on these sugar binges and then cuts herself off from sugar completely in her frantic efforts to lose weight... Since her blood is so weak to begin with, starving herself probably made it happen even though she wasn't exercising."

Kagami's aforementioned twitches increased.

"Oh my, what happened?" Miyuki asked, looking concerned.

"Oneechan nearly fainted in the bathroom! Kona-chan rushed in to help her, and I found her holding onto her so she wouldn't fall down again!" Tsukasa explained naively.

"Kagami-san, are you really alright? If your anemia is causing problems, perhaps you should see a doctor."

"Just don't let him weigh you!" Konata chirped.

"I AM NOT ANEMIC!" Kagami burst out. She once again pointed a finger at Konata. "YOU'RE AN IDIOT!!"

Konata made some hurt crying noises, letting everybody know they were fake. She didn't let everybody know that she was squeezing her girlfriend's hand under the table.


Christmas Eve arrived. Settled amidst Washinomiya Shrine, the Hiiragi household was bustling with activity. Namely, finishing off the last bits of their Christmas cake.

"Dad, the cake you bought this year was really good! Thank you!" Tsukasa praised.

"You're welcome, Tsukasa," her father answered. "It's difficult to choose a favorite for the whole family when I've got four daughters with different tastes... did Kagami enjoy it?"

Tsukasa nodded. "Yeah! She had more than one piece... huh, I wonder where Oneechan went to. She was here a little while ago." Tsukasa glanced around the table for her twin, who was nowhere to be found.

Within the confines of her room, Kagami sat cross-legged atop her bed, a half-eaten slice of cake placed beside her. She was staring furiously at the cell phone that she held in her left hand.

A full day has passed, and... she hasn't called!! Yeah it's a holiday, but it's Christmas! It's not like it's New Year's or something! She SHOULD call me! She is NOT going to do this again! I'll KILL her! The phone trembled a bit in her hand. I mean it this time, I'll really freaking--

"Kagamiii! Konata-chan is here to see you!" Her mother's voice shattered the tsundere's violent thoughts. Kagami sprang from her bed and marched to the door of her room. Upon flinging it open, she was met with a most startling sight.

Konata stood in her doorway, dressed in an... interesting getup. What she wore might have been considered a Santa suit, but it was the miniest of mini-dresses, starting just above her minuscule bust and ending a few scant inches below her waist. It was red with the typical white fluff, and a neon-pink belt around the waist. She had gloves, boots, a hat, and a little red choker to match.

Kagami's jaw hung. She wasn't even able to muster a greeting.

"San-chaaaan!" Konata cried in a more adult voice than Kagami was used to, throwing herself at the dumbfounded girl. Kagami was knocked to the floor.

"Wh-wh-WHAT the hell are you doing??" She finally blurted. "Did my family see you like that?!"

"Yeah! I told them I came straight from work, cuz they were making funny faces at my seasonal outfit, for some reason."

"How can you act like there's always something wrong with everyone else, and not you?" Kagami asked exasperatedly, sitting up. Konata remained in her lap.

"I missed you," she said, in lieu of answering Kagami's question.

Kagami immediately blushed in her fullest dere-dere glory. "You... you did?"

Kyaaa! Dere-dere! "I sure did. You probably missed me more, though."

"Hmph, get over yourself." Kagami crossed her arms, still blushing. "... shut the door behind you, kay?"

"Oohn! You want some pu-rai-va-shee with me?" She said the word "privacy" in English with a terrible accent. Her voice was lyrical and mischievous. "Things you don't want anybody to see, hnn?" she teased as she obediently closed and locked the door.

"Yeah, like that outfit of yours." Kagami skillfully dodged the accusation. "Why did you come here dressed like that? I can only imagine how many people stared at you on the way here."

"Well, I already told you, I had to wear this at work today."

"Eh... just what do they make you do in a costume like that?" Suddenly the thought of A-boys gawking at Konata in costume was bothering Kagami more than it used to. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

"I have a gift for you." Konata said with a cunning cat grin, her hands behind her back.

"Huh?" Kagami's back straightened, her eyes widened and her pigtails bounced in a very picturesque manner. "For me?"

"Yeah," Konata said as she dug around in the huge yellow backpack she had been carrying, "Here you go!" She pulled out a package that looked too big for the bag it had been in.

Kagami had assumed that her habit of blushing would die away with time now that she and Konata had admitted their feelings. To her dismay this was not so; her cheeks began to warm as she accepted the gift. "Wh-what is it?"

"You'll find out when you open it. But you have to give me a kiss first, " she grinned, pointing to her mouth.

Kagami's brows flattened. "What makes you think that you're going to have to bribe those kinds of things out of me now?"

"You don't like kissing me?"

"That's just the opposite of what I was saying!"

"Then what's the problem?"

Kagami sighed and hung her head. She stood up and moved to her bed, sitting on the edge of it. "Come over here, you brat."

Konata crawled over enthusiastically and then threw her arms around Kagami's shoulders. Kagami did her best not to give a flustered reaction. She pulled her arms free, placed a hand on each of Konata's cheeks, and drew her in.

Konata kissed her girlfriend softly but energetically. It lasted a good ten seconds before she backed up and pushed the gift towards Kagami. Kagami took a deep breath.

"H-hey, you don't have to be so intense every time." She ceased her scolding upon viewing the box again, and began tentatively unwrapping it. It was a very crisp rectangle, and when she turned it over to better pick at the seams of the SOS Brigade wrapping paper, she found that it was quite heavy. "Jeez, how did you carry this thing all the way here?"

"It's all about love."

"That's almost the first time that statement of yours has made sense." Kagami pretended that she wasn't blushing harder. She pulled off the last of the wrapping, and revealed the contents. "Ah! You... you actually got me some light novels! I can't believe it!" She lifted one from the book series inside out of the box, looking at the cover. It depicted a tall, silver-haired woman embracing a timid redheaded girl in a rather suggestive manner. Kagami sweatdropped. "Wait... what is this?"

"It's just like you said--light novels. The full set of the series so far, too!"

"I'm asking what the series is, and you know I am."

"Str--ber00 P--ic. It's Yuri."

"I thought so," Kagami hung her head, embarrassed. "Just because I'm with you doesn't mean I'm going to bury myself in this stuff like you would, you know."

"Since you've decided to be like that with me, consider it a little bit of recreational research. And I know you like light novels. You know, it's pretty rude to tear apart something I thoughtfully picked out for you," Konata pouted cutely.

"Thoughtfully picked out, huh? It couldn't just be because you want to get me to watch the anime with you, could it?" Kagami gave the smaller girl a playful smirk.

"What's wrong with that? It's nice to have things in common," Konata replied innocently.

"It is. I might give it a shot, actually." Kagami continued smiling in the same fashion, touching a finger to her chin.

"Really?!" Konata looked excited.

"Yeah." Kagami answered. "I should start doing things for you, just like you'll be doing things for me." Such sweet words bore a slightly ominous sound to Konata.

"...That sounds like a threat," Konata conjectured through squinted eyes.

"I figured it would, to someone like you." The tsundere flopped onto her back, looking up at the ceiling. She stared quietly for a moment, then spoke again. "This is going to be weird... being with another girl."

"Why's it weird? It's not like you ever got used to being with a boy," Konata reasoned, throwing in an insult for good measure. She laid down as well.

"You know -exactly- why it's weird." Kagami faced Konata, pinching one of her cheeks. "Though with you, it'd be weird even if one of us was a boy."

Konata's voice stretched with her mouth, "Iiiitaiiiiii-iitaiiiii!"

Kagami released her, smiling. "Merry Christmas, Konata. Thanks for coming over."

Konata smiled back, rubbing her cheek a little. "Merry Christmas, Kagamin. I wouldn't miss it. It's an important event." Her smile faded a little, turning to a frown, "Though..."

"...though?"

"Well, in galge, the game's over after you get the girl and see the kiss scene. There's no more after that."

"And... ?"

Konata looked a little embarrassed, for once. "I'm not entirely sure what to do now."

Kagami looked heavily exasperated for a moment. This girl... such an idiot! She sighed through her nose, deciding to give Konata an optimistic approach on her own terms. "Look at it this way. Now it's like a game where there are two players, working together to reach whatever goal lies at the end. Right?" Kagami gave her a cute smile.

Konata looked at Kagami with a critical face, "Kagami..."

"Yeah?"

"There are no two-player galge."

"That's not my point!! And I was talking about a regular kind of game, not a dating sim!"

"Oh..." Konata seemed to turn the idea over in her mind a few times. Finally, her face lit up as she put her fist in her hand. "So it's like a two-player! I like that! All of life is really just like a game!" She smiled brightly at Kagami.

"No no, listen now, it's actually the other way around." Kagami waved her hand a little.

Konata's expression was blank, "But you just said that life was like a game."

"I was using an analogy to help you understand life, not encouraging your delusion!"

"But it is just like a game! Now that I leveled up in my love stat, I have a new companion that will help me to build a fortune and defeat the forces of evil!" Konata was getting really excited, balling her tiny hands into fists and making various genki-girl gestures.

"Don't talk about our relationship like that, damnit!" Kagami just grew increasingly flustered.

"Let's strive for the top! High score!" Konata grasped Kagami's hand and shoved their two fists into the air.

"Can you stop fooling around for two seconds?!"

"I'll be the hero, and you can be the tsundere sidekick. Don't worry, I'll do most of the important stuff, but I need you to inspire me, so you can still feel useful even when you aren't actually doing anything important."

"W-wait a minute, now I'm the sidekick?!"

"The strongest one always has to be a leader, right? Don't worry, sidekicks are important, and sometimes they even get their own episodes. Also, you have the benefit of always being with me, and being my most important person. "

"You're not even hearing what I'm saying anymore, are you??"

"I love you." She said it with the same casual enthusiasm she'd been using to babble geekspeak.

"AH!" Kagami radiated a bright, glowing red. "I-I-I... y-y-you... !"

Konata saved her from forming a coherent sentence with a kiss. It was okay if she couldn't say it yet. She knew it was true. She was just dealing with a tsundere. Yes...I took the Kagamin route. She squeezed the girl she was kissing. This – she – is exactly whom I wanted.


Author's Notes: Yaaaay! Wasn't that great? …wasn't it? :ahem: As I mentioned, a lot of that mushy stuff was very difficult to write. Wasn't my Konata writer brilliant, though? A big thanks to her. She says "Zzzzz". She would comment now, but she's sleeping in like a lazy butt. We really hope that you all enjoyed this story. Thanks for the ton of reviews you guys have been giving all along too. We are planning to write a short epilogue and later a sequel to this story, both of which will be entirely lighthearted as they should be. Thank you for reading!

Next Time: Hi, this is Tsukasa. Huh… what?! There's only an epilogue left?! That doesn't need a preview?? Oooh, and I'd finally planned for what I was going to say this time…