So sorry for such long wait. I seriously think I should lock the door to my room. But then I don't wanna get questioned about what I'm doing that leads to having the door locked.
No incidents to report this time . . . except maybe when I chopped off -twice- almost half my finger nail while cooking. Or when I got my entire arm stuck in the TV -seriously now, how did I end up stuck like that?- I was just trying to fix the screen from the inside, so I kinda opened it and got my arm inside to reach the little thingy that needed fixing; next thing I know I couldn't pull back.
But anyways, here's chapter 7 and once again, sorry for the delay. I hope it's of your liking, enjoy!
Chapter 7: What's the Difference?
Okay, sure enough that was an unexpected answer coming from Konata; maybe weird like usual, but unexpected. So even though no one spoke under those agonizing two minutes of silence, the other three girls were thinking -in their own way- about the same thing.
The blue-haired's height.
Kagami was sort of panicking at the moment, with a few sweat-drops here and there, along with a tint of pink on her cheeks. It might had been because of the current state of mind in which Kagami was in, but she was definitely going a bit -if not totally- over board with her ideas.
Konata driving a minivan? . . . Konata driving a minivan? . . . oh, no! This is not good! . . . she could . . . she could get arrested! . . . she'll get pulled over by the cops, and they'll take her away thinking she's a grade scholar who took her Dad's van as an attempt to drive herself to the nearest playground! . . . wait, can they arrest grade scholars? . . . she might get sent to those juvenile jails . . . oh God, what am I thinking?
Miyuki was more calmed -as usual- but she did look a bit surprised.
Oh dear, I hope I'm not been rude to think this but . . . I wonder if Konata-san's legs are long enough to reach? . . . ah, but then there are those vehicles that can be adjusted to meet the driver's commodities; so I guess her height won't be a problem there . . . and even in her own thoughts, she always seemed to find answers to whatever dilemma came to mind.
Tsukasa, on the other hand, more than thinking she was imagining how Konata would look driving. What came to mind was a rather smaller Konata climbing into an exaggerated bigger van. However, once there the only thing from Konata that was visible enough to anyone who passed by to notice, was her ahoge sticking up.
Out of nowhere, the younger twin burst into hysterical giggles -making the others startle- as she replayed the cartoonish mental image of a tiny Konata driving a monster van.
I don't even want to ask whatever it is that she's thinking about, something told Konata that if she did asked the answer wouldn't please her.
Miyuki and Kagami just stared perplexed as the short-haired girl tried to return to her senses little by little.
"S-sorry . . . I d-didn't . . . mean to . . . l-laugh . . ." panted Tsukasa trying to get her breathing back to normal.
"Yes, umm . . . " although a bit bemused by Tsukasa's sudden giggles, Miyuki went back to Konata. "So you're getting your own car? That's great news! Having your own transportation now a day is very convenient, and it will make your commute from home to college much easier. Don't you think so, too, Kagami-san?"
The twin-tailed girl's pensive eyes danced from Tsukasa's amused, cheesy expression; to Miyuki's passive and calmed smile, and finally ended their route at the mischievous and wicked blue-haired that kept grinning from ear to ear.
Kagami knew what that girl always leads to: trouble.
"Don't get yourself arrested," scolded Kagami, narrowing her eyes to the short girl.
"I'll try not to."
"Well trying is not good enough. I don't want to get a wake-up call from you in the middle of the night asking me to bell you out of jail cause they caught you speeding," . . . or for other reasons.
"What if it's an emergency?"
"That would depend on the emergency," then Kagami had the sudden thought of picking on the short one. "But anyways, Why do you want to get a minivan for? If you ask me, a van seems too much for you; somehow I can only picture you in one of those mini cars, the ones for just two people. Do you know any, Miyuki?"
"Let's see," tapping her chin, the pink-haired entered wiki mode. "Here in Japan, there's the Daihatsu e:S, which stands for 'eco & smart', it's equipped with a conventional mini vehicle engine fitted with a combustion control system developed by Daihatsu and an EGR. Daihatsu also has the Tanto Exe, its roomy interior can comfortably accommodate four adults, while offering a dynamic and stylish design. There's the Honda EV-N concept, which is powered entirely by electricity, and does sport photovoltaic cells on its roof to aid in recharging a lithium-ion battery pack."
"Mmm, I don't know any of those . . . I was thinking of the one that came out in the commercials when they were promoting the new Nintendo Wii."
"Oh, you must mean the Daimler AG Smart, it's a European micro car manufactured in Hambach, France."
"Yes, that one! The Smart car," grinning, she turned to Konata. "You should get a car like that, it fits you perfectly. Just the right size I'd say."
Of course, Konata got ticked off and wasn't really enjoying any of this; she stared back at Kagami with a frown and sour expression as the topic of her height was brought out. She kept sending threatening sparkles to the twin-tailed.
But the tension broke once they heard muffled chuckles coming from Tsukasa; apparently a second mental image of Konata -now driving a chibi car- came to mind, and who can blame her, it's kind of funny.
Now I really don't want to know what she's thinking, thought Konata before turning back to Kagami.
"Hey, just because I'm short, doesn't mean I can't drive big cars!" growled Konata like a little kid.
There were very few occasions in which Kagami had the chance to turn the tables around and tease Konata. Whenever that happened, she would do it to get pay back -if just a little- from the small otaku that practically teased her for a living.
Although, this time she picked on Konata for other reasons. On the outside, she wore a not so cruel, yet mocking smile just to keep her act together, but on the inside she was thoroughly enjoying Konata's expressions, squealing like a high school girl who's spying on her crush.
Darn it! . . . even the faces she makes when mad are kinda cute, too . . . I need to control myself . . . I think my own face is warming up!
Indeed it was, although her cheeks only had a light pink glow on them. Resting an elbow on the table, and half her face covered by her hand, she turned to the side to hide her spontaneous blush.
"I'm not saying you can't drive them; I'm just saying that a smaller car, or even a regular one would fit you better. So, why the minivan, then?"
This, been the million dollar question, brought back the other girls' attention, too. Miyuki -been the intellectual one- was quite interested in knowing of Konata's reasons to pick that kind of model in particular. Tsukasa -been . . . Tsukasa- was just curious to know as well; so she composed herself, wiped off a tear from laughing and tried to focus on her friend.
Now been the center of attention once again, Konata went back to her usual self.
"Because of the space, of course! There's nothing better than to have a car with lots of space!"
"I have a bad feeling and don't want to ask, but . . . supposedly that's good because?" asked Kagami uneasily.
"Just image how much manga I can bring back home when we go to Comiket! I'm gonna load up that baby to the top with as much as I can get my hands on!" Konata sure was overly excited about this.
"Yeah, I figured it had to be something like that," . . . so, only something like that can motivate her to actually study? Sure is impressive how passionate she gets, though, sighed Kagami, but then remembered something. "Wait a minute . . . what do you mean by we? Who said anything about going back to Comiket with you?"
Up on hearing this, the younger twin turned kind of pale and sweat-dropped at the thought of going back.
"Oh, c'mon Kagamin, you know you had lots of fun, too!"
"Who in their rightful mind would have fun in a place like that?"
"Wow, s-so you know how to drive now, Kona-chan? That's amazing! Right, Yuki-chan?" Tsukasa wanted to avoid anything related to her last experience at Comiket, so she managed to change the subject.
"Yes, it's quite impressive, Tsukasa-san."
"Yeah, about that . . . I still don't really know how to drive, actually," scratching the back of her head, Konata smiled at them silly. "Oh, but my Dad is gonna teach me during the summer!"
"What about Narumi-san, she's a police officer, right? Wouldn't it be better if she teaches you?"
"Kagami, do you really think it's best to let Yui-neesan teach me how to drive?"
Once again, just hearing this made Tsukasa shiver and her face turned into a pale, blue-ish color. Noticing this made Kagami recall their previous -and somewhat traumatic- experience with Konata's cousin the previews year when they went to the beach.
"You're right. Never mind I asked."
Tsukasa calmly sighed getting back to her color, but flinched afterwards as she heard a strange noise. It sounded like faded, rhythmical murmurs, but they were hard to comprehend.
"I think I'm hearing something," she said, thoughtfully trying to recognize whatever the sound was. Tilting her head, Konata looked at the short-haired as she held her chin in an attempt to hear the sound, too.
"Oh, I can hear it, too," added Miyuki as she slowly turned her eyes across the room. "I think it's coming from Konata-san's closet."
The girls turned to that direction as the sound was getting louder by the second, until it was finally recognized by the twin-tailed.
"Is that . . . music?" said Kagami raising an eyebrow in total confusion.
"My cell-phone!" Konata shouted as she leap from her spot and rushed to the closet, rummaging through her clothes until she found the small device that now played a very audible Hare Hare Yukai.
"It's my Dad!" announced Konata flipping the phone open. "Hey, Dad! What's up? Shouldn't you be getting on your plane by now?"
Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed the disarray of items that had been dispersed behind her after the pursue of the unknown source of sound.
"Oh, really? That's too bad . . . well, I guess there's nothing you can do about it . . . " holding the phone to her ear with one hand, she stood up and began gathering one by one the items that had been tossed around just moments ago. "Yu-chan? Yeah, Minami-chan came over to pick her up . . . . I know, I know, it's kinda obvious . . . . ha-ha-ha, I'm pretty sure Hiyorin is going to enjoy the view," chuckled Konata as she kept talking.
How can she talk like that? Has she forgotten that we're still here? thought Kagami while staring at the bluenette. Not that it actually mattered, since both Tsukasa and Miyuki were now talking about something else.
"Of course I've been studying! You know I never back down from a deal. No matter how difficult this quest ends up being, I will reach my goal!"
Right, so now studying has become a quest, huh? Kagami kept thinking without realizing that she was still staring at Konata.
"No, not yet; why do you ask? . . . . you want me to do what?" Konata had finished tossing everything back into the closet and was now heading back to the table. It was until then that Kagami had awaken from her gazing and took her eyes away before Konata had noticed.
Once she had kneeled on her spot, the other girls returned their attention to her. Except maybe for Kagami, since she pretty much was the only one that was paying attention to her just seconds ago, so now she opted to busy herself by nervously scribbling on her notes.
"Sorry Dad, I don't think that's possible . . . . well, it's not that I wouldn't do it, but I'm pretty sure I won't be allowed to . . . . 'cause Kagamin will most likely smack me on the head again . . . . yeah, she already hit me not too long ago . . . . "
Say what? the girl been mentioned lift her gaze suspiciously. Konata wore her usual smirk with eyes closed, but it disappeared and now she seemed a bit uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"I rather not talk about that . . . because . . . yeah . . . I know . . . when you get back, I promise . . . 'kay, Dad . . . bye!" she closed the phone, and gave a small sigh before returning to her known grinning.
Well that was weird, thought Kagami raising an eyebrow with curiosity. I wonder what her Dad said to make her shift moods that quickly.
"Is your Father not coming home from his trip tonight, Konata-san?" asked Miyuki.
"He said they found something wrong with the plane -a problem with the smaller wings or something like that- so they had to cancel the flight. And since it's getting kinda late to look for another empty seat back home at the moment, he's gonna wait 'till tomorrow morning to come back."
"I guess it's better than coming home late at night," said Tsukasa.
"I thought so, too," continued Konata, but then her smile curled into a grin. "But then again, now I don't have to bother bout telling him not to sneak into my room while we're studying."
The comment, although disturbing, was no surprise to the other girls, but it did made them sweat-drop just remembering how Konata's Dad loved having high school girls around.
"Hey, why did you told your Dad that I might end up smacking you on the head again?"
"Well . . ." the short otaku thought for a moment, trying to decide whether it would be safe to tell them about what her father had asked for. She told them, anyways. "You know my Dad . . . "
Yes, of course we know your Dad, Konata. What kind of creepy thing did he wanted now? thought Kagami awaiting for Konata to answer.
"He wanted to know if we were already on our pajamas, and if I could take pictures of the sleep over," she finished nonchalantly.
" . . . . "
Perturbed by what Konata's Dad had asked for, the girls stared in unison at the blue-haired with a mix of a perplexed and uncomfortable look.
"Okay, I'll take your silence as an inevitable no," sighed Konata, but then grinned back at them with an idea. "Can I at least take pictures to keep for myself?"
"No!" as always, Kagami responded immediately to such suggestion.
"C'mon! I won't be showing them to Dad," pleaded Konata with her fake puppy-dog eyes.
"I-said-NO!" finished Kagami as she waved a clinched fist at the short fellow, making her back away a little and holding her hands open in front as a shield.
"Okay, okay . . . whatever you say, Kagami-sama," smirked Konata.
"Quit calling me that! And it's because of the disturbing things you say that I end up hitting you!" this went back to Konata's unexpected blurt of the word 'sex' just earlier.
"Oh, now that you mention it," Konata had remembered it, too, and turned to Miyuki and Tsukasa. "What do you guys think it's the difference between having sex and making love?"
"E-eeh?" stuttered Tsukasa turning a few shades of red, but she wasn't the only one. The pink-haired meganekko -muted by Konata's question- shaded a crimson red that was slightly deeper than Tsukasa's.
Although the one that won gold on color deepness was the flustered tsundere that kept her face down, as it appeared that steam was raising from all the boiling anger her blood was experiencing at the moment, making her hands squeeze and tremble with irritation.
-WHACK-
Konata didn't saw it coming, all she knew was that something of a great force made an accurate impact on the top of her head, spreading a huge deal of pain throughout her entire skull. She tightly closed her eyes as their vision became dimmed, and she could have swearer seen fireworks going off behind the obscurity of her eyelids.
"Aaaaagh!" as the bluenette laid on the floor -holding to keep it from falling apart what it felt like a shattered head between her hands- Kagami returned to her seat, painfully shaking the hand that was used as a weapon.
"Damn, Kagami! That hurt even worse than the last one!"
"Well, it serves you right!"
"There's nothing wrong with what I asked!"
"Yes, there is!"
"Kagami, you're a high school girl and you've never asked yourself that question?"
"Why would I even ask something like that in the first place?"
"I dunno . . . curiosity?" said Konata while rubbing the stingy, burning area on her head. "I'm feeling a big lump now . . . . but seriously, though, I don't think there's nothing wrong with having a conversation about it once in a while," then she tap her chin looking upwards. "Come to think of it, we've never really had one before."
There was another silence, which was used by the flustered girls -although still embarrassed- to retrieve to their natural color. Surprisingly, Tsukasa was the first to talk.
"U-umm . . . I'm not really sure about s-sex, but I think that when it comes to making love, it only involves those who are in love with each other . . . t-that's what I think," she finished facing down as she tap her fingers together, a pink glow on her cheeks reappearing again.
Kagami stared at her younger sister with eyes and mouth wide open, completely speechless.
"Actually," now it was Miyuki's turn to get some attention as she clear her voice. "I remember reading an article that talked about this subject in particular. In the author's opinion, sex without love was considered a lustful crave to satisfy a sexual need. Not thinking much about the other person but to only ease a physical yearning instead."
She fixed her glasses before continuing with her monologue. Kagami was just getting in a state of shock with what she was hearing.
"But when there's love involve, sex is a form of bonding and sharing their sexual needs with only the person they're in love with. That love can create a chemistry between two people, completely different from the sheer lust of satisfying a physical need," the pink-haired finished.
"So in another words, love making is for lovers and sex is for . . . acquaintances?" asked Konata.
"Well, I suppose you could say that. Although I'm not sure there's an actual answer for your question, I guess it depends on what people think about it."
"Hmm, who do you think would want what?"
"Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by that," stated Miyuki with a timid smile.
"You know, what boys want or what do girls want."
"Oh, I couldn't say . . . I'm not really sure," Miyuki looked down, tapping her chin while thinking about it.
"What about you Tsukasa?"
"I-I'm not sure either," the short-haired thought for a moment and then continued. "But since girls are more sensible, wouldn't they think of it in a more romantic way?"
"Mmm, that actually makes sense somehow . . ." agreed Konata crossing her arms.
They slowly were getting more into the conversation as if it was nothing -kind of like talking about a new recipe or whatever new movie was coming up- with the exception of a certain mauve-haired girl that kept herself away from the trio.
She wasn't paying much attention to their conversation now -actually, she wasn't even listening- and she hadn't said a single word. Kagami was just looking down at her notes with a lost stare, deep in thought. Somehow this subject made her realize something she didn't thought about.
What Miyuki said kinda makes sense, she thought. I think that . . . when people want to satisfy their physical needs, they would just have s-sex . . . when it comes to love, they would make love with their lover . . . . but either way, they're gonna end up sleeping with someone . . . . so what is the difference?
Her thought process stopped for a second as a possible answer appeared on her mind. Kagami wasn't a 100% sure it was the right one, but somehow it just made perfect sense to her.
Desire . . . it all depends on what you desire the most.
A/N: That's actually what I think is the difference between sex and making love. What do you desire the most?
Mini-cars: I particularly like the Smart car and the Toyota iQ -which I forgot to include in the chapter- as for the other ones, I don't really know much about 'em except for what I read. Oh, and I love the Mini Cooper, too!
Anyways, hope you liked the chapter, and sorry for the delay. Please review.
