It was early evening when Ryuko finished getting ready. She was excited to see the elite four again. Despite not getting along in school, after fighting together (and Satsuki ordering them to be nice to her sister) they were almost friends. Ryuko and Sanageyama still had a competitive rivalry, but they had also enjoyed friendly sparring contests and occasional lunch breaks together. Ryuko liked them because she felt more accepted after each one, and seeing Aikuro's jealous pout after telling him about her lunch date was very fun to see as well.
She was also looking forward to seeing Inamuta outside of work. He was always so calculating and intense, even if he wasn't working on something urgent. She was hoping to see a more laid back version of him, like the one Mako described after he was defeated in the naturals election.
"He was very protective of his laptop, and very snarky but he was nice... Mostly!" Ryuko laughed at the memory of her friend telling her about the elite four after their defeat.
She hurried to get ready in time to catch a ride with Mako and Gamagoori. She pulled her hair up tightly into a red streaked bun and headed outside to wait with Mako for their ride. They each sat on a crate and Ryuko smiled at her adoptive sister.
"You seem very eager, huh Mako?" She teased. Mako blushed slightly and nodded.
"I like him very much. I always respected him, as I should have, but there were always moments where there was more and some there was less. Throughout the years we have had many ups and downs but it is nice to get to see him again and to be in the same league." Mako rambled.
"I see. Well I'm glad you two seem to be getting along good." Ryuko shrugged.
"Yeah, we do. As much as we used to clash we overcame it and gave in to the true love between us! Like you and Aikuro will do eventually, I know it."
"No." Ryuko scowled.
"Yes." Mako sing-songed.
"What do you know about love, you've only been dating a week." Ryuko crossed her arms and turned. Mako frowned and Ryuko felt her own heart breaking at her cruel words.
"Mako...I'm sorry. You know a lot more about love than I do. You have a loving family, a loving man, and I know I love you too. You and Senketsu were the closest things I've ever loved and even he is gone now. You have more love than me." Ryuko looked to the ground. Mako wrapped her arms around her.
"Ryuko, you have all of those things as well. You have me, your loving best friend, and you have my family and Satsuki as a loving family. On top of all of that you have a man who loves you, and you'll learn to love him."
"Maybe... I still have a lot to learn..." Ryuko sighed, not even denying the love between them. Mako looked surprised by this but shook it off happily as Gamagoori pulled up in his car. He got out and opened the doors with a bow.
"My dear lady Mako," he smiled and she threw her arms around him and kissed him. He blushed and looked at Ryuko who smirked and got in the car.
"Let's go Ira! Off to hell!" Mako shouted.
"I thought we were going to a festival?" He murmured and shook his head as his lovely girlfriend began to sing a not so lovely song.