Disclaimer: All rights to the name "Lucky Star" belong solely to Kagami Yoshimizu. I neither own this franchise nor do I profit from the writing of this story.
Author's Note: Well the holidays are over and the New Years has past. After some much needed rest from the fandom I think I'm ready to continue this story now. Shout out to all those who have continued reading. Anyway here's the next chapter.
Kagami's brow furrowed in frustration as she watched her selected character on the screen give a cry of pain before falling to the ground not moving.
"SLASH!"
Konata looked over at her friend and grinned. She could practically feel waves upon waves of anger and frustration coming from the twin tailed girl's form. Any normal person would attempt to placate their distraught friends, or consel them and make them feel better.
But Konata loved seeing a salty Kagami, especially when it concerned video games, and the pint sized otaku could not help but fan the flames of Kagami's anger even more.
"Seriously Kagamin, there is no way that your little Dizzy can hope to match my Potemkin. You might as well give up right now. You're hopeless at this game." said Konata.
Kagami growled in anger as she heard this. She knew that she had this coming but the thought of being bested by Konata, even in video games, just irked the twin tailed girl to no end.
"Let's try again! I know that I can beat that hulking beast of yours. I just have to stay away is all." said Kagami through gritted teeth.
"That's what you said half an hour ago and look what happened." responded Konata with a sing song voice.
"GAH! Quit talking and let's play!" said Kagami as she selected her character, Dizzy, once more. Konata smirked as she selected Potemkin and once again they were at it.
Poor Kagami, if only she knew just exactly who she was up against. Though mostly an online gamer, Konata did get very adept at some fighting games, one of them being Guilty Gear. She was actually one of the more highly regarded gamers at the local arcade and had her share of first place victories.
It also did not help that Kagami had to choose one the hardest characters in the game to use properly, not to mention the fact that Dizzy had a glass figure that would break at the slightest contact.
So it was that Kagami futilely tried to keep Konata's Potemkin at bay, throwing axes, fish and ice spires all over the place. For a while it looked like she would win.
But then Kagami would make one mistake. A mistimed jump, a fool hardy air dash, or perhaps a wiffed attack, and Konata would come and make Kagami pay for it.
Kagami could only look helplessly as Potemkin had, once again, got his huge meat hooks on her character and proceeded to jump in the air and slam poor Dizzy on the ground at breathtaking speeds. The resulting loss of the remaining third of her life bar made Kagami throw the controller on the ground and proceeded to grab her hair in frustration.
"Ahh! That's no fair!" cried Kagami loudly.
"Tsk, tsk Kagamin. Just concede defeat already and let Tsukasa actually play for once." said Konata.
For a moment Kagami looked like she was going to protest, to cry out at the unfairness of it all. Why did she have to work so hard when Konata had to do so little? It was like some sort of terrible conspiracy that threatened to thwart every attempt that Kagami made to defeat the blue haired otaku at this game.
But Kagami's rage soon fizzled.
"Stupid game. I'm done playing already." said Kagami as she then grabbed the thrown controller and gave it to Tsukasa.
The meek twin had watched the entire time and though she was concerned about Kagami's outbursts she could not help but smile. Today had been proving to be a real success. Kagami was acting as normal as she could be and her anger over a fighting game seemed to be quite the blessing. It meant that, for the moment, Kagami could forget her pains, whatever they happened to be.
Tsukasa felt a nagging push on her shoulder and she snapped out of her thoughts to see a mentally drained Kagami trying to get her attention.
"Here you go. You can try to play this game but I still think its so silly. Why do they have to make the men in this game so powerful? Its like they don't even consider women in the same league or something." muttered Kagami.
Tsukasa could only smile blankly at the statement before turning to Konata.
"So umm...how do I play?" asked Tsukasa meekly.
Konata quickly gave a crash course on the controls of the game and soon they were both on the character select screen. As usual Konata chose Potemkin and Tsukasa, wanting a cute character, chose Jam.
"Yet another little girl that will feel my wrath." boasted Konata.
The first match was a completely one sided affair as Konata completely stomped Tsukasa. Kagami could not help but feel angry at this and soon cut in.
"Hey! Tsukasa has never played before! Try to take it easy will you?" said Kagami hotly.
"I can't help it Kagamin. I always play to win." whined in Konata.
Tsukasa could sense that a possible fight was about to start and immediately intervened so as to stop it.
"It's alright sis. I know that I'm not that good at games. I'm just playing to have fun. I don't care if Kona-chan beats me." said Tsukasa with a smile.
Anything Kagami wanted to say never left her mouth. She saw that despite the beating her little sister took at the game Tsukasa looked like she was having alot of fun. Kagami's frown soon melted away and was replaced with a small smile.
"Alright, if you're okay with it then I won't bother you." said Kagami.
"Yeah, besides, its just a game." giggled Tsukasa.
Both girls heard a loud gasp and turned to find Konata staring aghast at them.
"Just a game? JUST A GAME! This is a way of life! How dare you look down upon one's way of life?" cried Konata loudly.
The twins just sweat dropped at the outburst.
"Calm down you. Tsukasa did not mean any harm from it." replied Kagami in an annoyed tone.
Soon both Tsukasa and Konata continued to play once more.
However, unlike Kagami, who was apt to get frustrated and do stupid things, Tsukasa had kept a relatively light mood and soon started to actually figure out to use her character. She found that most of her attacks linked naturally and all she had to do was press the buttons in appropriate order.
She also began to figure out some of Konata's tendencies and saw that the otaku liked to use certain attacks that, while powerful, left her character wide open if she whiffed.
By the sixth match in Tsukasa was actually putting up a consistent fight against Konata. Of course Tsukasa still had not won a match but she did manage to steal a few rounds from the blue haired otaku.
Konata was genuinely surprised to see Tsukasa pick this game up as fast as she did. There were moments that Konata actually felt like she needed to try and not do anything stupid just to win a round. And unlike playing Kagami, who would start to get angry and give up after a while, Tsukasa never complained or griped that she lost. She would simply smile and say that she would try harder the next time.
In the very end Tsukasa finally managed to reap her reward and soon managed to beat Konata once, though narrowly.
Instead of being angry Konata was pleased.
"That was great Tsukasa. You seem to be a natural at this game!" said Konata excitedly.
"Oh it was nothing. I was just having fun was all." said Tsukasa, who herself, had more fun playing this fighting game than she initially thought.
"I bet you can beat Kagami no problem now." said Konata with a wicked smile.
Kagami herself had been absolutely stunned to see Tsukasa do so well against the otaku. Not once had Kagami ever beaten Konata at a video game, not even in shooters. Kagami was naturally competitive and it irked her to no end that she could not beat Konata in video games.
To see Tsukasa do so, and on her very first series of tries, just stunned Kagami. She still simply could not believe it.
But she wasn't going to let Konata's comment slide.
"Hey I heard that!" said Kagami.
Konata regarded Kagami. She looked over at the twin tailed girl and thought of her losing to her younger twin made Konata all giggly on the inside. She could not wait to see this.
"Then how about it? You two go at it. See who is the better fighter amongst the two of you." said Konata.
Kagami instantly took the controller from the otaku's hands.
"I'm ready. C'mon Tsukasa, let's do this." said Kagami sternly.
Tsukasa nearly gulped as she heard Kagami say this. She soon picked her controller up.
"O-Okay sis." said Tsukasa nervously.
So Kagami, once again, chose Dizzy and Tsukasa chose Jam. They soon started on their first fight and right off the bat Tsukasa was getting clobbered.
Konata's eyebrow rose in curiosity and was very surprised to see Tsukasa drop her first match so quickly. The blue haired girl looked over at the younger twin and could tell that her hands were shaking and her fingers were jittery.
The second match went no better and Kagami once again completely dominated Tsukasa.
This was when Konata realized that something was wrong. Tsukasa was not playing the same way that she was before. She was playing scared and not punishing Kagami for any stupid mistakes (which were many).
"C'mon Tsukasa, its like you are taking it easy on me or something! Fight!" shouted Kagami, her competitive side getting the best of her.
At this point Konata realized that some sort of intervention was needed.
"Time out Kagamin. I need to speak to Tsukasa real quickly." said Konata.
The blue haired girl grabbed the younger twin by the hand and pulled her up. Tsukasa was nearly limp and put up no resistance to Konata's advance. Konata soon managed to bring Tsukasa outside Kagami's room and closed the door so that the twin tailed girl could not hear what they were about to say.
Tsukasa was a shivering a mess. Her eyes look strained, almost as if there were going to tear up at any moment.
"What's wrong? You look like such a nervous wreck, its like you're afraid." said Konata in concern.
Tsukasa looked over at the shorter girl and nodded her head to and fro.
"N-Nothing is wrong with me. J-Just feeling a bit chilled is all." stammered Tsukasa with a fake smile.
Konata was not buying this pathetic lie for a second. She leaned in close to the younger twin with a serious expression on her face. Tsukasa shirked from the otaku, scared that the blue haired girl was going to yell at her or something. Tsukasa closed her eyes, ready to take in any sort of rant that Konata was going to give her.
Imagine Tsukasa's surprise when she felt a small, feminine hand on her cheek. Tsukasa opened her eyes to see Konata with a look of rare concern on her face.
"I know that something is bothering you. You were having so much fun earlier and now you look afraid. Know that I'm here for you. Please, just talk to me." said Konata in a soothing, almost maternal voice.
Tsukasa could not resist and soon started to speak.
"K-Kagami has always been better than me at everything. Its like when we were kids dad would be so proud of Kagami because she got good grades while he only got mad at me for not doing good. Not only that but she is so strong and can talk to people. I only get afraid and run away when things get too rough. Kagami is also so much prettier than me. I see the boys look at her all the time and I know they want to ask her out but it seems nobody pays attention to me."
For a moment Tsukasa paused. She seemed like she was about to burst out in tears but she soon composed herself by shaking her head vigorously.
"Its no use. The only thing I seem to be better at than sis is cooking and even then everybody takes that for granted. They don't care that I cook better than Kagami because my grades are still no good. I-I sometimes wished that Kagami did not exist so that mom and dad could notice me more. I know they love me but I feel like they love her more only because she is better than me at so many things. Its like everybody just sees me as the...dumber sister." said Tsukasa in an unusually harsh, muttering voice.
Konata could not help but feel shocked by what she had just heard. She had always wondered how Tsukasa felt being in her older sister's shadow. Konata figured that Tsukasa was probably annoyed but bore it well due to her constant smiles and kindness.
Never did Konata think that Tsukasa felt so...harsh about the whole situation. It was something that Konata could never understand, being a single child. However that did not mean that Konata could not sympathize with the younger twin.
So Konata reached her arms out and soon brought Tsukasa into an embrace. Tsuaksa stiffened slightly at the contact but soon relaxed.
"I'm not going to lie. Kagami is better than you at alot of things. But believe me when I say that you have many qualities that Kagami could only dream of having. You say that Kagami is strong and that you are always afraid. Guess what? You are also strong. Strong for going out of your way to make Kagami happy today. To swallow your insecurities and put Kagami first. Kagami may have good grades but grades are not everything. If we were to grade people on their personality I would give Kagami a 'C" and you an 'A+'. I'm going to tell you a big secret Tsukasa. Can you do me a favor and not tell anyone?" said Konata.
"Of course Kona-chan. I won't tell anyone." said Tsukasa softly.
"Sometimes I feel like you are my only friend I can trust. I don't really know Miyuki-san that well so its hard for me to talk to her. And sometimes I feel like walking on egg shells when I hang out with Kagami. Its like I can only be her friend by acting a certain way sometimes. I know that that's not the case and she accepts me for who I am, but its hard to believe that sometimes when she constantly looks down on my hobbies and assumes the worst out of me each and everytime. And honestly, it hurts Tsukasa, it really does. But with you, I don't have to worry about acting a certain way. I know you won't get mad at me for mentioning an eroge, or squealing over the newest anime coming out. Or that you won't get mad at me when you lose to me at video games. You smile and accept me, all of me, without complaint. So everybody can say whatever they want about Kagami. You're you and I would not change anything about you. Even if everybody seems to ignore you know that I will always be there to acknowledge and accept you whole heartily, just like you have done for me."
Tsukasa could not help but be moved to tears by Konata's honest words. All her life she had been in Kagami's shadow, always being outshone by her older sister. While she loved her sister dearly there were times where she wished that someone could notice her for who she was. Even her parents seemed to forget that Tsukasa was her very own person, not just a dumber Kagami.
To know that Konata had always accepted her was like a huge weight was lifted from Tsukasa's back. It touched her to know that Konata looked at her as an equal, if not even better regarded, than her older twin sister.
Soon Tsukasa felt Konata pull herself away.
"C'mon. There is no reason for you to be afraid. I know that despite everything you cannot let Kagami's success rule your life. Let's go back in there and this time, just have fun like you did when playing against me and don't be afraid. Isn't that why we are hanging out for anyway?" asked Konata.
"You're right. I promise to have fun right now and not let anything ruin today. I said I was going to have sis happy today and I'm not going to ruin it because I'm feeling sad or angry." replied Tsukasa with renewed conviction.
"That's what I wanna hear. Now c'mon." said Konata as she turned to walk back inside the room. Before she could however she felt a hand grab her shoulder and stop her short. Konata turned to see Tsukasa standing there with a relieved smile on her face.
"Thanks Konata...I really mean it." said Tsukasa softly.
The utter sincerity of these words had an unexpected impact on Konata. The soft eyes and genuine smile on the younger twin's face exuded an air of such innocence and trust that Konata felt overwhelmed by it.
It was a look that Konata had only seen Tsukasa give to her older sister and Konata could not help but feel honored. To know that Tsukasa now regarded Konata on the same level as her elder twin sister. It was then that Konata knew that she staring into the eyes of a true friend, a friend that would be there to listen. A friend that would go out of her way to help. But most of all, a friend that accepted her despite her eccentric behavior and weird hobbies, a friend that accepted all of her no matter what.
Konata almost wanted to cry just thinking about this but she stayed her tears. Instead the blue haired girl put on a small smile.
"No Tsukasa, thank you."
Both girls soon entered to find Kagami on training mode, no doubt trying to find out some new things about her character. At once Konata started to laugh.
"Training mode eh Kagamin? Won't help you one bit." said Konata haughtily.
"Say what you want but I already beat Tsukasa so I'm ready for you!" said Kagami, her competitive spirit still as strong as ever.
Konata just shook her head in amusement at this outburst.
"No can do. You may have beat Tsukasa but I managed to get her head on straight with a good pep talk. Now you stand no chance against her." said Konata confidently.
Kagami looked over at Tsukasa and then over at Konata. Her face formed a frown as she spoke once more.
"Do we honestly have to do this again? Fine but once I beat Tsukasa then you're next!" proclaimed Kagami.
Tsukasa could not help but narrow her eyes at this comment. Her older sister seemed to not think that she was even worthy of consideration now. Yet she bit down on her anger and let it subside. She knew that getting angry over a game would get her nowhere. She soon smiled and looked forward to having some fun.
So once again they were at the versus screen and Kagami selected Dizzy once more and Tsukasa selected Jam.
The first round went to Kagami convincingly but Tsukasa was not deterred. She knew that even if she lost it wouldn't matter. What mattered was that they were having fun and that was all.
As such she was able to keep a light perspective on the game and suddenly managed to catch Kagami's character with a simple combo that did big damage. The second round suddenly turned the tide and Kagami lost quickly.
"What the? Why does her character hit so much harder than mine?" griped Kagami.
"Complain, complain Kagamin. Keep your eyes on the screen or you'll find yourself losing." said Konata with a cat like grin.
Kagami growled and focused her attentions on the third round.
The twin tailed girl did not even have time to blink as Tsukasa managed to wipe the floor with her and the first match went to the younger twin.
Kagami was starting to feel frustrated.
"That's it. I won't lose again." said Kagami hotly.
Tsukasa only smiled, not at all intimidated by her older sister anymore. Winning that first match had really worked on her confidence. Even if she would lose the rest of her matches at least she would know that she had bettered Kagami in one match and that alone made her feel better.
Luckily for Tsukasa she would win way more than just one match.
As the fights continued Tsukasa noticed that Kagami ALWAYS did the same strategy. She never changed her tendencies and this made her easy to read as a book. When frustrated Kagami would do incredibly unsafe things, such as 'dusting' mid screen in a desperate attempt to score major damage.
It got to the point that all Tsukasa had to do was hold the back the entire time and wait until Kagami would get frustrated and do something stupid. Tsukasa would punish with a simple yet effective combo and rinse and repeat until Kagami was defeated.
The last match ended in a perfect for Tsukasa and it was then that Kagami, her temper getting the better of her, threw the controller on the ground once more.
"Argh! I hate this game!" shouted Kagami loudly.
For a moment Tsukasa wanted to say sorry for making her older sister so upset but realized that there was no reason for Kagami to be so angry. It was her older sister's fault for making such a big deal out of nothing.
Kagami had shouted so loud that the girls soon heard footsteps coming from the stairs. The door opened to show Inori coming in with a annoyed look on her face.
"What the heck is going on in here?" asked Inori.
Tsukasa felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as she saw Inori. Images of the last confrontation stood stark in Tsukasa's mind. How Inori seemed to be manhandling Kagami for whatever reason.
Then Tsukasa was too scared to anything and since she had been angry at herself for not having done more.
But now that Inori was here Tsukasa would be damned to let Inori near Kagami.
"We're fine Inori you can leave." said Tsukasa sternly.
Inori looked like she swallowed a lemon. The tone of Tsukasa's voice was very out of character for her. Inori pushed the thought aside.
"Are you guys sure. It sounded like Kagami was yelling or something and I just thought that-"
"I said we're fine. You can leave already." replied Tsukasa, this time more aggressively.
Both Kagami and Konata now noticed the open hostility Tsukasa was displaying towards Inori and both were very confused as to why.
Inori herself was confused as to why Tsukasa was acting this way. Whatever it was Inori would leave it alone for right now. It seemed that no one was hurt so there was no reason in staying, especially if she was unwelcome.
"Okay, okay. I was just checking was all. Anyway the take out mom ordered is at the dinner table whenever you guys want to eat it." said Inori as she soon left.
For a moment all was silent between the girls. Neither Konata nor Kagami could believe what they had just witnessed.
"W-What was that about Tsukasa? Inori did nothing wrong. She was just checking on us. There was no reason to mouth off at her like that." said Kagami.
Tsukasa noted her sister and could not help but feel saddened by her older sister's behavior.
Despite what she is doing to you you're defending her? No, that's not it. I bet that Inori has got you so under her control that you have no choice but to side with her otherwise she'll do something bad to you. I'm so sorry Kagami that I can't do more but as long as I'm here I'm going to defend you from her. I only wished that you could talk to me about it so that we can get mom and dad to take care of it instead of you suffering in silence.
"I'm sorry. Guess I still was feeling a bit aggressive from our games I guess." said Tsukasa in an embarrassed voice.
Kagami raised her eyebrow in suspicion at this answer and Konata knew outright that Tsukasa was lying.
However the resulting silence soon became too much and at once Konata grabbed a pillow and threw it hard on Kagami's face.
"What the hell? Why did you do that for?" asked Kagami harshly.
"Guess what guys? Pillow fight!" replied Konata as she bend down and grabbed another pillow and threw it harshly at Kagami once again.
This time Kagami was ready and intercepted the pillow, catching it in her hands.
"So you guys want to play rough then huh? Well I'll let you know. I won't lose this time!" said Kagami with a gleam in her eyes and this time used the pillow as a club and went after Konata.
"Ah help Tsukasa! Kagami-sama is angry at her loyal subject once again and is going to subject me to a hidesous punishment!" said Konata as she ran off.
Tsukasa could not help but smile at the fact that everything was getting back to normal again. She was not going to like it when Konata would leave tomorrow but at the very least she could make the most of today.
A pillow soon came and smacked Tsukasa in the face, knocking her out of her musing. She looked up and found that both Konata and Kagami were staring at her, thinking that she was going to cry or something.
Instead Tsukasa gently kneeled down and picked the pillow up. Her eyes narrowed despite having a smile on her face. The very expression alone unnerved the two other girls.
"Umm...Tsukasa?" asked Konata in a slightly frightened voice.
"What is it Konata?" asked Tsukasa in a high pitched but menacing voice.
"Kagamin...something tells me we are going to get owned and that there is nothing we can do about it." said Konata nervously.
"For once I think I agree with you shorty." replied Kagami.
The only thing the two girls saw afterwards was a total blackout followed by a cloud of feathers.
Author's Note: I really wanted to focus on these three characters right now. I hope I did not make it too boring or anything. This story is coming by slowly but I'm already more than halfway done. Things should speed up soon but just bear with me. Thanks for reading and hoped you all enjoyed.