Nagisa and Tsubomi were the last ones in the living room, not quite sure what to do. They eyed each other speculatively.
"I guess we should go somewhere else", Nagisa said after a few minutes. "I don't think we can stay here for the hour."
"You're probably right. So let's go and find a comfortable room." Tsubomi took the lead as they left the room.
After climbing two flights of stairs, they reached an obviously empty room and entered, Nagisa dropping on the couch, Tsubomi settling on the bed.
"So, what do we do now?" Tsubomi asked Nagisa expectantly.
Nagisa looked at the Spican. She had to remind herself how young Tsubomi was. She was Chiyo's age. But Tsubomi always seemed much older because she was so self confident, always so forthright. And because of her relationship with Yaya.
"Well…I don't really know…" Nagisa answered haltingly.
Tsubomi thought for a moment. "Let's play 'Truth or Dare'."
"Okay…" Nagisa wasn't really convinced.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun. Okay, truth or dare?" Tsubomi asked.
"Truth?"
"Have you ever had sex with anyone except Shizuma?"
"No, I haven't."
"Your turn." Tsubomi swept a strand of pink hair behind her shoulder.
"Okay. Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Do you or did you have a crush on Hikari?"
Tsubomi thought for a moment. "Yes, I did. At the beginning of the school year. But she didn't want me." She smiled sadly, but perked up after a moment. "My turn! Truth or dare!"
"Truth."
"Okay. Was there anything between you and Tamao?"
"No." Nagisa answered quickly. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"When did you fall in love with Yaya?"
Tsubomi thought for a moment. "I don't really know. When it became obvious that Hikari was in love with Amane, she seemed so sad, so lonely. So I started spending more time with her. I was sad because of Hikari myself, so I could really understand Yaya. And somewhere along the way, we fell in love…I think I fell in love with her first. But she made the first move." The pink-haired girl grinned. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Is it true that you passed out the first time you ever saw Shizuma-sama?"
Nagisa blushed a deep crimson. "Yes. But I was new at school, I was late, everything was so overwhelming, and then I saw her. I think it was just too much. Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Why did you join the choir?"
It was Tsubomi's turn to blush. "Because of Hikari. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. But I stayed because of Yaya. It's great to sing with her. She has such a beautiful voice." She paused. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"What's it like to be Shizuma's girlfriend?"
"It's wonderful. I love her and she loves me." Nagisa smiled.
Tsubomi looked at her thoughtfully. "You know, I'm not completely convinced."
"What do you mean? I meant what I said. It's great."
"Yeah, I heard what you said, but you don't sound blissfully happy."
The two girls sat in silence, pondering what had just been said.
"Why did Shizuma invite everyone to this pick-up party?" The olive-eyed girl finally asked.
"I don't really know. I got the invitation and she told me she'd gotten one as well. I didn't know she was the mysterious host until we all found out. And after that, I didn't have a chance to talk to her. Why do you ask?"
"Because I've been wondering. I mean, if you're happy in you relationship, why should you have a party where no relationships exist?"
"But maybe she just had the idea and wanted to try it and after this weekend, everything is as it was before." The redhead sounded unsure. She looked questioningly at Tsubomi. "Do you really think she's unhappy?"
"No. You're right, she probably just wanted to try her idea. Don't worry." Tsubomi said quickly. Too quickly.
Nagisa didn't seem to be listening, she was lost in thought. Had Shizuma seemed unhappy lately? Maybe bored? Had she said anything lately? But they hadn't been together all that long. In Nagisa's opinion, they were still growing into their relationship.
Tsubomi looked at her, worried. Nagisa suddenly seemed so upset. The younger girl wished she hadn't asked the question. If there were problems between Nagisa and Shizuma, then it was their own business and definitely not Tsubomi's.
"Nagisa?" The Spican laid a hand on her friend's arm. "Nagisa?"
The Miatorian turned to face her friend. "What?"
"I didn't mean to upset you. Let's talk about something else, okay?"
They started a forced conversation about school, teachers and classmates, without much success. An hour later, they gave up.
"I'm really tired, Tsubomi. I think I just want to go to bed."
"Good idea, I'm beat myself. You take the bed, I'll crash on the sofa. Good night."
Nagisa slipped off her clothes and slipped under the blankets while Tsubomi made a bed on the big sofa, settling in a little while after the Miatorian.
"Good night!" The younger girl called, before turning her back on the room.
"Good night." Nagisa said quietly. She lay in the dark for a long time, listening to Tsubomi's breathing as she slipped off into sleep. For Nagisa, sleep didn't come for hours while she pondered her relationship with Shizuma.
