Chapter 9: Party
At Ayaka's mansion, the party was just starting. Konoka was waiting for her new "official" girlfriend, as she put it, quoting Setsuna's speech.
The doorbell rang shortly after all of the other guests had arrived, and Asuna opened it to see someone she didn't recognize.
"Um, hello. Are you from a different class? This party is only for the girls in 3-A…"
"Asuna! It's me…" The girl said, as if expecting to be recognized. She had wavy black hair that fell just past her shoulders and covered her left eye.
"Setsuna?" Asuna gasped in surprise, "You're so, so cute!"
"That's what everyone keeps telling me…" Setsuna blushed, half of it hidden under her hair.
"Well c'mon! You're girlfriend is waiting for you!" Asuna grinned as she dragged the other girl inside. Setsuna looked around in awe at the huge building.
"Ayaka lives in this place by herself?" she asked Asuna.
"Yup," came the simple, and seemingly annoyed, reply.
Okaaayy, Setsuna thought, What's her issue?
As soon as they entered the main ballroom, where the party itself was taking place, Setsuna had the breath knocked out of her by an unseen, but definitely heard, force.
"SETSUUUNAAA!" Konoka cried as she tackled the other girl to the floor.
"OOMPH!" was Setsuna's only reply. She hit the floor with a considerable amount of force, but only enough to leave a couple of bruises, "H-hullo, K-Konoka…"
"Hi cutie!"
Setsuna blushed again that. What is it with people lately? It's just a hairstyle, jeez…
"Did you miss me?" Konoka asked, still on top of the swordsman.
"It's only been a couple of hours…" Setsuna muttered. Konoka frowned and was about to speak when Setsuna continued, "But yes, I did miss you, very much."
Konoka grinned and kissed Setsuna gently on the mouth, right in front of the 29 other girls hanging around them. There was a collective "Aw!" at the gesture, and for once, Setsuna wasn't the only one blushing. Instead, she grinned at Konoka's glowing face.
"You guys're sooo sweet!" Ayaka's voice sounded over the crowd. She pushed through the other girls, enveloping the two lovebirds in a smothering hug.
"Ah! Class Rep!" Setsuna exclaimed, her voice muffled.
"Ayaka!" Konoka giggled, "What are you doing?"
"I am merely showing affection for my new favorite couple!" Ayaka responded, "By holding them to my motherly breast."
"'Motherly' is right!" Haruna butted in.
"Haruna-san," Nodoka muttered, "You used that joke already…"
"Well it's not my fault if I'm well-endowed," Ayaka huffed.
"Yes, but must you go forcing it on everyone else?' Yue said.
"Anyway," Setsuna interrupted, "Isn't this supposed to be a party for your 'new favorite couple'?"
"Yes, of course! Please, come this way! We have refreshments and food galore!" Ayaka waved her hand grandly over the room, elaborately decorated with streamers and balloons. After everyone had been unnecessarily introduced, the party went into full swing.
Haruna and Yue managed to push Nodoka and Negi together for a dance. Asuna looked on with mild contempt. Setsuna watched in shock as a blushing Ayaka approached the red-head and asked her something. A blush crossed Asuna's face as well as Ayaka led her onto the floor.
"Looks like we might have another new couple tonight," Konoka smiled, "C'mon Se-chan, dance with me!" She grabbed Setsuna's arm and pulled her to the middle of the dance floor. They received "aw"s and "you two look so cute together"s as they proceeded. Setsuna's ever-present blush was still on her face, and Konoka tried not to let hers show. When Konoka stopped and turned to look at her, Setsuna suddenly registered what she was wearing.
"Um, aren't those… my clothes?" she asked.
Konoka blushed and nodded.
"It's just, they smell like you, and… um…"
"That's so sweet!" Setsuna said, "A little weird, but sweet too!"
"Konoka loked down at her feet, but she was smiling. She was wearing one of Setsuna's t-shirts and her favorite red and black sweatshirt.
"Just please tell me that you're wearing your own um…"
"Yes, yes of course! Besides, yours don't fit me- I mean, wouldn't fit me- um…"
"Konoka…" Setsuna said, a little embarrassed at having this conversation in public, "Have you been trying on my, erm, undergarments?"
"Well, you just left them in my room, and, I thought they were mine! It's not like I did it on purpose…"
"Aw! You wear her clothes?" they heard Ayaka's voice from directly behind them.
"Class Rep! I thought you were dancing with Asuuuna," Konoka said teasingly.
"We were just dancing as friends!" Asuna blurted, her face turning a shade of red to match her hair.
"Sure, uh-huh," Setsuna muttered sarcastically, "Just like me and Kono-chan are friends," she turned to Konoka, wrapped her arms around her waist, and kissed her deeply on the mouth. Konoka's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected act, but quickly softened as she accepted Setsuna.
"Um, so, anyway… Hey, look! Negi and Nodoka are making out!" Asuna shouted suddenly. Everyone turned, rather doubting what she said though. When they weren't looking, she grabbed Ayaka by the hand and ran off.
"Hey, I thought we were supposed to be the favorites…" Konoka pouted.
:You're still my favorite," Setsuna assured her, taking Konoka into her arms and squeezing tightly.
"That's great Setsuna! But… You're… crushing my boobs."
"Oops!" Setsuna released her, "Wouldn't want that, now would we?"
"Um…" Konoka blushed as she looked around at all the girls staring at them, "Setsuna, now isn't exactly the best time for you to have one of your romantic moments." She laughed when Setsuna looked around as well, covering her face with her hood. She grabbed Konoka's hand and pulled her through the crowd of giggling girls to a distant part of the expansive room. As everyone els returned to the party, Setsuna pushed through a door, entering a small area that seemed to be a meeting room. She gently pushed Konoka onto her back on the long table, leaning over her.
"Setsuna?" she questioned. It wasn't exactly that she minded what the other girl was doing, just that she wasn't saying anything.
"Hm?" Setsuna threw back her hood and looked into Konoka's eyes in the darkness.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little crowded out there, that's all," she apparently changed her mind about crawling on top of Konoka and sat on the table next to her instead. Konoka was disappointed, but she didn't force Setsuna to anything. She just clutched her lover's arm and rested her head on her shoulder. They sat in silence for a while, until Konoka's breath slowed and Setsuna could hear light snores coming from her.
"You can fall asleep anywhere, can't you, my Konoka?" Setsuna whispered as she stroked Konoka's hair and lowered her head into her lap.
"Mm, Setsuuunaaa…" Konoka sighed in her sleep, reaching for Setsuna's hand. Finding it, she grasped it tightly and held it against her chest. Setsuna accidentally saw down the low neck of Konoka's shirt, but she smiled when she saw the two-wing necklace still around her neck.
No, I'm not playing tricks on you. There was a bit of NodokaXNegi and AyakaXAsuna in this chapter, but there are so many characters that I needed something else for the other characters to do, so... Anyway, long chapter, so, yay! Haha, hope Chapter 10 will be this long...
