AN: I'm late again. STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES... and so may impatient readers, eh? :D I was and still am very busy, sorry.
In case some of you were wondering about Yui's words before: Fear is like a mushroom. If you're afraid of your own nature(Mio afraid of being attracted to girls) and not let the truth/love(sunshine) shine into your soul, then your heart(strawberry) will rot away. All clear?
I hope you all ENJOOOOOY the new addition to the story and forgive me for the long wait. x)
That silly grey cloud kept dabbing at the sun, not quite managing to obscure it. There was a stray ray of sunlight shining down upon Earth. Right into her face.
No matter how hard she squinted, the light still found it's way into her eye, turning russet irises into the striking redness of blood.
Something bad was about to happen.
Azusa could feel it.
The way Yui gorged down that pack of sweets she got from Ui ("Onee-chan, make sure you share it with your friends!") was a sure sign of impending doom.
After all, what was more annoying than Yui?
Yui on a sugar high.
The little kouhai shivered.
Her, the brunette and Mugi were walking down the street in relative silence. Yui was too busy munching on her prey, Azusa kept contemplating the consequences of Yui munching on said prey, and Mugi's mouth opened and closed several times, like a fish. She probably wished to initiate a conversation but was too shy to do so.
'Is it okay to disturb this special silence between friends? Isn't it sacred?'
Finally, she gathered her wits together and opened with a rather unusual topic.
"I was bored once so I decided to look up animals that display homosexual behaviour on wikipedia."
There was a moment of silence.
Azusa looked to be in shock, whereas Yui had something else too in her expression which could pass for admiration.
"Wow Mugi-chan, you study biology in your free time too? "
This earned her a slap on her shoulder.
"Don't sound amazed!" The kouhai reprimanded.
Mugi was openly beaming and decided to continue, for the fate of casual conversation rested in her hands now. Too bad her sense of 'casual' did not probably match that of the average person.
"It turns out that male giraffes indulge a lot in that sort of behaviour. They have a special activity called necking. They basically rub their necks against each other's as a way to pleasure themselves."
'And she said all that with a straight face.' Thought Azusa with a deadpan expression. After hearing Mugi's exotic piece of information, she decided to be wary of not only Yui and her potential sugar high, but also of Tsumugi, who was turning out to be more and more like those ridiculously polite and filthy rich people who always indulged in a bunch of eccentric hobbies when no one was looking.
After all, who has been into the Kotobuki mansion? Was it even a mansion? It could be a palace, or a castle or –God forbid- even a country.
And who could honestly guess at what secrets it contained? For all she knew, the keyboardist could be secretly breeding ferrets in her basement because she enjoyed tickling their tummies.
The little guitarist paused with a frown, then shook her head. 'Nah, that would be more like Mio-senpai.'
The keyboardist, of course, remained unaware of the fact that some of her pastime activities may arouse suspicion in the eyes of any normal citizen. Citizens like Nakano Azusa, for example. Naturally, Yui did not qualify into any group which contained the word 'normal ' in it.
So while the kouhai kept squinting her russet eyes at Mugi in a vain attempt of trying to figure her out, Yui remained as amazed as she had been a few seconds earlier.
"Mugi-chan! You sound like a professional!"
Azusa tenderly pinched the bridge of her nose and slowly massaged it.
'Yui-senpai, you're not getting the point.'
"You should narrate in the National Geographic channel! Shouldn't she, Azunyan? Shouldn't she? She'd be so good at it! Ne, Azunyan? Ne?"
The brunette latched onto her favourite kouhai (Ui would weep if she knew this, for she was also the underclassman of her sister), and decided to shower her with undivided attention the way only a three-year-old could.
"Heeey, why aren't you answering me? Azunyaaan."
She also got just as whiny as any three-year-old would when being ignored. Little did Yui know that Azusa did not bother to respond because she was busy trying to remain sane under the current circumstances.
The task proved to be surprisingly difficult when there was a mentally deranged, sugar-fueled mass holding onto her and emitting annoying sounds in an equally sugary voice. Not to count the blond ojou-sama, who was simply something that could not be identified. And people always were wary of things they were unable comprehend.
"Azunyaaaaan! Are you ignoring meee?"
'Patience. When dealing with Yui-senpai, one must possess patience.'
"Oh my gosh, you are! Bad Azunyan! Bad!"
The kouhai's eyebrow twitched. She kept repeating her mantra, using it as a shield to block out the brunette. Mugi was still frozen in a state where she could do naught but beam from Yui's compliments regarding her possible career as a documentary narrator.
"Oh wait, granny only scolds the dog like that. How do you scold a cat? Mugi-chan?"
"You spray water on it." The blonde supplied cheerfully.
"Okay! ...But wait, how can I do that?"
Yui squinted her eyes in deep thought. She then blew her mightiest, wettest raspberry at Azusa, showering her in spit.
'When dealing with an excited Yui-senpai, one must possess even more patience. More. Patience. I am the mountain of peace. I stand strong and silent. I am the mountain of peace . Oh my God, did she just spit at me? I'm going to kill her. I don't care if she grins cutely or hugs me. It won't work...okay, well maybe. If it's that tiny sheepish smile. That one's my favourite. ...-Whoa, I did not just admit that. No way. I don't care about such things. I am the mountain.'
Unbeknownst to her, she said the last sentence out loud.
"What? You're the mountain?" The brunette asked.
The kouhai rolled her eyes. She could go along with this. Sure,why not? The damage was done anyway.
"Yes, Yui-senpai. I am the mountain. I stand strong and calm." She answered, words heavily laced with sarcasm.
Yui took a deep sigh, as if preparing to chastise a child.
"Azunyan, just because the mountain looks strong, it doesn't mean it is. It may seem that the mountain can brake the waves, for example, but actually the many waves will slowly but surely defeat the mountain."
"...What?"
On a second note, deciding to humor her senpai was a stupid idea.
Hirasawa Yui was a mess. Like a ball of yarn. One that little kittens always get tangled into.
Yui pinned the kouhai with a 'duh!' expression. "Waves, Azunyan! Waves!"
She made sure to enounciate her words with waving arms. To make it more authentic, the brunette also made sure to crash into Mount Nakano, just like in her metaphor.
"Can you feel it now, Azunyan? Can you feel the waves slowly chipping away at you?"
Mugi, seeing the rapidly darkening look of the small guitarist, tried to deliver a subtle hint to Yui. "Ano, Yui-chan, I think she understands now."
"Oh? Can you really, Azunyan?" Even though the brunette felt she should've stopped by now, she still couldn't help but deliver a few more waves against the mountain. It was just the amount needed to make the other snap.
"ENOUGH!"
Azusa latched onto Yui's shoulders and began to shake her wildly.
"I got your point! Get it? I got it!"
"Azunyan, mountains are not supposed to move!"
"GAH!"
"Azusa-chan, you're hurting her!"
"That's the point!"
Mugi bit her lip nervously. Not even she could mistake the current events for affection.
'Well, unless we're speaking about BDSM roleplaying...'
But no, that was not fit for her dearest, innocent bandmates. She had to stop them somehow.
'What to do...what to do..a topic that raises interest! What did we talk about with Father this morning? Hungary's controversial new media law?'
Somehow she doubted her friends found politics as interesting as she did.
The blonde was starting to panic. Nothing worthwhile seemed to come to her mind.
'Think! Think!'
"Umm, um, MIO LIKES RITSU!" Mugi blurted out.
It worked, as Azusa stopped trying to asphyxiate her fellow guitarist. "What?"
Yui seemed indifferent. "I already knew that."
Rusty eyes fixated onto her.
"...What?" 'Am I the only one who didn't know this?'
The brunette pinched one cheek of the kouhai affectionately. "Don't worry, Azunyan. Mio didn't know it either."
"She didn't? But then how are you so sure?"
Mugi let a small giggle escape, glad that her distraction had worked and excited about the new topic. "Oh, I talked to Mio-chan not long ago. Ricchan was clearly on her mind, even if she didn't realize it yet."
Yui puffed her chest out with pride. "She should know it by now. I gave her my Sagely Advice."
Tsumugi's interest perked up at that. "Oh, what did you tell her?"
The kouhai waved it off. "It wouldn't make much difference, Mugi-senpai. I doubt Mio-senpai would get enlightened by whatever thing Yui-senpai has to say. If anything, it probably made her even more confused."
"Aww Azunyan, you can be so harsh sometimes. Luckily I know that all of this is an act, and that underneath your grumpiness there is nothing but love for your senpai!"
Azusa froze.
"Azusa-chan, are you alright?" Asked a worried Mugi.
"Azunyan? Azunyan! Are you playing mountain again?"
"...You baka."
"She's back!"
"Welcome back, Azusa-chan." Mugi greeted pleasantly with a smile.
"I didn't go anywhere!"
Yui poked the kouhai's forehead. "You sure went to 'la-la land' for a second there, Azunyan."
"I did not go to 'la-la land'!"
"Aww, you're so cute when you're childish!"
"I am NOT childish!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
The blonde watched their exchange with smiling eyes. Could this day be any better? Mio was beginning to realize her affections for Ritsu, Yui and Azusa were practicing verbal foreplay-
'My my, I shouldn't be thinking such inappropriate thoughts!' The keyboardist giggled lightly. Her two comrades stopped their verbal forepla- ehh, banter, and turned to look at her, fascinated by the sound bubbling out from her throat.
'Wow, Mugi-chan's laugh is so pretty.' The brunette thought in awe.
'If that isn't the epitome of innocence, I don't know what is.' Azusa couldn't be more off the mark...
Yui noticed a tiny shining spot on the corner of Mugi's lips and grinned.
"Mugi-chan, you're drooling!"
Tsumugi wiped at her mouth with a cashmere handkerchief, embarrassed. "Ah sorry, I must've gotten too engrossed in my daydream."
The brunette wore a sympathetic look upon hearing that. "Yeah I know how you feel. Cakes are impossible to resist."
A ringtone cut through the silence. Mugi answered it, her expression slowly morphing into one of displeasure as the conversation progressed. Once she finished and put away her mobile, she addressed the other two girls with a sad look.
"I'm sorry, but something urgent has come up and I must go now. How about we meet up at the park in an hour?"
"Of course. It's no problem, Mugi-senpai." Azusa reassured her, Yui's head bobbing up and down behind the kouhai to show her agreement.
"Great! See you later then!"
'R-Ritsu?'
She wasn't sure how to handle this. Or to be more precise, she wasn't sure how to handle Ritsu. Ever since the drummer landed into her life with nothing short of an explosion, Mio has found herself facing a multitude of situations set off by the smaller girl.
Right, her life had been so peaceful before meeting their drummer. Up till then, Mio had lived like a contented house cat, enjoying the simple pleasures of an uncomplicated life in a comfortable home or spending time with her friends, none of which were too rowdy or anything. Yes, all had been calm and well. Just the way she liked it.
Then Yui had introduced them Ritsu.
If Mio was a domestic house cat, then Ritsu was a lion.
At first, she had been irritated. Ritsu barged into her life with the confidence and arrogance of a king, a lion roaring all the way as if she owned everything. This behaviour made Mio's hackles rise and she wasn't hesitant to show her own claws. The two of them bickered constantly during their early days together.
And yet, she couldn't help but grow closer to Ritsu at a frighteningly fast pace. Couldn't help but come to admire the smaller girl. But at the same time, the bassist also felt intimidated. Those amber eyes were always shining so boldly.
Just like a lion. Like a predator.
But now? The drummer seemed to have lost that edge of confidence. She appeared harmless. Standing there and looking so delicate, so fragile, so deliciously vulnerable.
And that affected Mio somehow. She couldn't help but react accordingly. Something stirred within her, making the tall girl raise her head just a tad bit higher and search for Ritsu's gaze intentionally instead of avoiding it like she usually did, her feelings of fear evaporating at the sight. At the sight of this new phenomenon.
Their roles have reversed.
Ritsu was the shy, domestic kitten waiting to be petted.
And Mio was the panther. The predator.
Grey eyes glinted dangerously, hinting at the storm brewing within.
Mugi was walking down the street at a leisure pace. Everything seemed to be well around her, but there was something nagging in the back of her mind.
She had successfully finished her business and was now on her way to the park. A bit early, but that's how she liked it.
The hair on her nape prickled and Tsumugi stopped in an instant. She knew to trust her instincts, which were always precise and accurate.
Her instincts, which were trying to make a point. Of what, she wasn't quite sure.
But there was something in the air.
'Hmm.'
The blonde paused and took a sniff into the crisp afternoon breeze.
Yes, there was decidedly a disturbance in the atmosphere.
Should she ignore it? Or try and figure it out?
'Wait a minute-'
Her senses started tingling, finally able to recognize the anomaly and thus unravel the mystery.
'There is yuri nearby.' She thought to herself.
The bushes rattled a bit as Detective Tsumugi followed the trail of yuri scent with admirable resolve. For a split-second she took notice of the neighbourhood which seemed quite familiar, but she payed no further attention to it and instead pressed on.
Her eyes flickered about suspiciously, not letting any detail escape their careful vigilance. By chance, the two clear-blue irises settled on a board that had the name of the street on it. Suddenly, it clicked together.
Ritsu lived in this street.
In a flash of blonde, the keyboardist sprinted away, no longer having to guess where the source was.
She knew perfectly well just where to go.
Mugi ran faster than she has ever had before. Actually, it was not that fast, since the ojou-sama never really got into situations that required athletical prowess. P.E. was her one great weakness when it came to achieving perfect grades. But now, she pushed herself harder. She put her heart into it. And even though her run looked far too delicate and leisurely, like an autumn leaf being blown along by the soft current, it had all the passion of a professional Olympic sprinter.
She could already spot the fence of the Tainaka household. Mugi gradually slowed down and continued the rest of her journey in a crouch, mindful of not letting herself be spotted. It didn't help that her pale gold tresses reflected sunlight similar to a mirror, making her hair shine like a beacon of hope, innocence and other idealistic notions. Like a halo.
Saint Tsumugi was nearing.
Granted, she was nearing in a weird crouching position with an indescribable expression on her face that was most definitely unsaintly, but she was nearing nonetheless.
Tremble, foolish mortals.
An old lady looked out her window and spotted the blonde girl with a glowing head.
Inexplicably, she was struck by the urge to write poetry.
Sapphic poetry(1).
How curious.
Meanwhile, Tsumugi decided to take cover behind one of the many bushes next to the fence of Ritsu's house. From her position she had a perfect view of the porch.
Lo and behold! There stood Akiyama Mio, wearing an expression that was a strange cross between anxiety and ..hunger? Mugi wouldn't dare hope yet, it looked too good to be true. The door of the house was open, Ritsu being the person standing in the doorway, of course. Mugi would have a heart attack if the one on the receiving end of Mio's quasi-lustful look was Satoshi or worse yet, Ritsu's parents. The blonde shuddered.
But this, this setting was just perfect for interesting things to occur. Not to mention the drummer's appearance. Fascinating.
Mugi recalled Yui's words and felt like one of those Natural Geographic channel reporters, lying in wait behind the bushes and observing exotic species in Africa.
'Mating season's early this year.'
She thought of necking giraffes, and had to hold back a snicker. Kotobukis don't snicker, and now that she thought about it, Mugi even doubted her vocal chords could perform such an action.
The sun shone teasingly from the corner of her eye, reminding her of her previous engagement with Yui and Azusa.
Right, she should be heading over to the park soon to meet her bandmates.
She should.
'And miss this golden opportunity? I know something will happen. I can feel it.'
She could also feel the guilt that came from disappointing your friends.
'What to do, what to do?'
Mugi's eyes lit up. She took out her mobile and dialed a number. The blonde then spoke with hushed whispers, mindful of Ritsu and Mio's close proximity.
Oh yes, she could hit two birds with one stone.
Mio's words have just registered in the drummer's brain.
'Ritsu, I'm a giraffe, and I don't want my strawberries to be covered in mold? What the heck does that mean?'
She had an inkling feeling that she should be laughing right now, but she just couldn't get the joke. In this case, there were two available options for her. The drummer could either: a) fake a laugh or b) tell the bassist that a career as a comedian would not be advisable for her.
Well, honesty is the best course to take between friends...or whatever they were. If Ritsu went through with her plans, they wouldn't be friends anymore, one way or the other.
Anyhow, the drummer made up her mind.
"Mio, I think you would suck as a comedian. Sorry."
Ritsu, albeit feeling naked without her headband, risked a glance at the other's eyes-
-and had to do a double take.
Mio seemed lost in her own world and clearly did not process what the other just said. No, the bassist looked rather hungry...and this unnerved the short girl for some reason. Ritsu gulped and scratched her neck nervously. The taller girl's fierce gaze set off alarm bells in her head, something along the lines of 'SHE'S GONNA TEAR A CHUNK OUT OF YOU!' and yet instead of running away she stood in place frozen, noting the distinct heat of arousal creep through her body.
'Okay, today is definitely one of those weird days...I mean, I dress up like a girl and then coincidentally Mio turns up. She tries to tell me some lame joke, which she has never done before, then stares at me like I'm some damned Happy Meal. I could run back into the house and lock the door, but I'm getting turned on instead. How sad. Sounds like some cannibalism fetish, which I absolutely do NOT have...'
There was a sudden flash of hesitance in Mio's eyes. Ritsu noticed it immediately- she had been staring at the bassist's face for the past minutes or so, after all.
Uncertainty.
Just this small gesture of Mio was enough to turn everything upside down again –or in this case- back to their original roles.
The black haired girl looked ready to flee. 'I-I can't-'
A sudden grip on her wrist halted her thoughts.
"Stop repressing yourself, damnit!" Ritsu growled, and crushed their lips together.
Mio response was instantaneous, making her feel a bit ashamed. She absently recalled the countless romance books and manga that she so loved to read. In those stories, when the heroine got surprised by the "First Sudden Significant Kiss" from her beloved, there was always a split-second where she would stand shocked, dumbfounded and unable to respond in kind. Thus to the bassist it would've seemed more appropriate to freeze just a bit before eagerly returning the favor.
But Mio was a passionate creature, and Ritsu was spot-on- the taller girl was indeed trying to repress this side of hers, which resulted in all that energy seeking release as panic. She panicked. Just until Ritsu's touch, a welcome source to channel her passion through.
She was a storm of emotions, she felt lightning pass between them as their lips continuously sought each other in a feverish desperation.
This release, the flow of bottled up emotions finally coming free...Mio's eyes were just about rolling back into her head from the pleasure of it all.
She needed more friction, more electricity.
Her hands roamed over Ritsu's sides, feeling the soft cotton fabric of her top and clinging to it.
Suddenly, the drummer broke away for much needed air with a groan. She knew that there was something lurking underneath the shy exterior of the other, she had noticed its underlying tint in Mio's voice every time she sung. But Ritsu never would've imagined that inner ...beast of the bassist to be this-..this-
"Mio, you're-"
"Shush." Mio growled, and dove back again. She licked the drummer's lips and vaguely registered their salty taste which reminded her of hamburger steak. It clashed strangely with her own strawberry-flavoured lip balm (which she had started using about a month ago, the constant stress and frustration prompting her to chew her lips on several occasions).
At one point Ritsu pushed Mio against the doorframe, matching the bassist's passion with equal fervor. The drummer was never one to back down from a challenge, after all.
The taller girl felt provoked somehow, and did not hesitate to initiate her comeback, long fingers digging into Ritsu's scalp and latching onto honeyed tresses. This caused the other to bite Mio's plump lower lip with a purr.
'Mmm, strawberries.'
The two of them looked positively wild. Lost in their own world, they did not notice an old couple ogling them from the other side of the street, the elderly lady muttering curses under her breath and her equally old male companion smacking his lips thoughtfully.
They did not hear the sound of a glass shattering on the floor, of liquid splashing onto the carpet, nor did they see Satoshi's astonished face complete with a milk moustache.
And they most definitely did not feel the gaze of the three pairs of eyes staring at them from the nearest bush.
"And we now move onto our weather report: ohoho, the temperature is hot hot hot! Make sure you grab your musical equipment and your bandmates- now is the perfect time for a training camp by the beach!"
"Yui-senpai!"
"What?"
"The least you can do is be quiet or they will hear us! It's bad enough that we are peeking at our own bandmates from a bush!" 'How did I get dragged into this? Oh right, Mugi-senpai called us. But why am I still here?'
"Don't worry, Azusa-chan. This bush is bushy enough to provide us efficient cover." Mugi supplied helpfully.
Yui let out a giggle-snort. "Bushy bush..."
"I am serious!" Azusa whispered harshly. She seethed as Yui seemingly ignored her warning and lifted her hands to pat the kouhai's head, then play with her twintails.
"Don't worry, Azunyan. I don't think they can notice anything right now apart from each other."
Sure enough, when the little guitarist turned to sneak another look at the heated pair, she saw that they've become even more busy. A blush exploded onto her face, prompting Yui and Mugi to gush at her.
"Aww, she's adorable, isn't she!"
"How cute~!"
"Just like a kitten!"
"Nee nee, Azunyan, say 'nyan'."
'Are you on drugs?' "Are you serious?"
"Nyaaan! Come on, say it!"
'Oh God.' Azusa hoped that at least Mugi was on her side. She turned towards the blonde, only to see Mugi shape her hands into paws and claw at her playfully.
'Oh God. Mugi-senpai too.' Though she couldn't deny that the ojou-sama was quite adorable whilst pretending to be a cat.
Yui grinned mischievously. With Azusa's attention diverted, now was the perfect time to strike!
Like a bear trap, the brunette snapped her arms around the little guitarist in a bear hug. She then proceeded to nuzzle her cheek against Azusa's. The twintailed girl tried to escape, but her efforts were in vain. She saw Mugi wink at her from the corner of her eye.
'Traitor!'
Hot breath caressed her ear as Yui whispered into it. "Now, now, Azunyan. It's not nice to ignore your superior."
Azusa hissed angrily. In terms of intelligence, the idea of Yui being superior was laughable.
"That's not a way to behave for a little kitten, is it? I'd rather hear you purr." The brunette trailed a finger down the smaller girl's spine lazily, making her shiver.
'Does she even know what this is doing to me?' Sometimes Azusa doubted her senpai was as innocent as she appeared. But that thought always disappeared as fast as it came. The notion was absurd. And scary. Yui being aware of her actions and merely toying with them under the facade of an innocent, helpless little creature? Impossible.
There was a sudden poke in her side and the kouhai squeaked out.
"NYAAAA!"
"Haha, I did it!"
Azusa quietly bubbled for 3 minutes like lava, and then erupted.
"YUI-SENPAI!"
"Mugi-chan, mission accomplished! ...Mugi-chan? Mugi-chan!"
After hearing no response, the brunette turned back to Tsumugi who lay on the floor, passed out.
"She fainted! But why?"
Perhaps such pleasant, close interactions between the two girls have tired out the ojou-sama.
They began to crawl over next to their keyboardist, but a voice made them freeze.
"Were you spying on us?"
It was Mio.
And she looked pissed.
Yui and Azusa gulped simultaneously.
The old couple was still there.
Staring at them.
The lady was still content with continuing to grumble obscenities about today's youth.
Her companion still kept smacking his lips every now and then.
Ritsu and Mio still didn't give a damn.
Both were breathing heavily by then.
"Scaredy cat." Ritsu panted into Mio's ear. 'I almost- I almost thought you'd run away from me.'
The thought caused her to panic slightly and, fearing another escape attempt by Mio once she has come to her senses, the drummer made sure to latch onto the taller girl. Using both her hands and teeth.
The bassist yelped as Ritsu bit into her neck. This was all too much, waves of sensations clashing within her. She was drowning in them. And yet she kept craving for more.
Ritsu's presence was much like saltwater- Mio drank it in to quench her thirst, but was ultimately left feeling even more parched than before.
Her fingers were still tangled in short locks, and the continued assault on her neck prompted the bassist to scrape her nails over Ritsu's scalp, dragging them down till the nape.
Their interactions were frantic. Aggressive. Each struggling to make the most of it while it lasted whilst battling the other for control.
Both were extremely stubborn individuals, neither of them backing down.
For each gasp they let escape, they made sure to coax a sigh out of the other.
Mio's fingers lightly pulled at Ritsu's hair on her nape, causing the drummer to let out a sound that was enticingly feminine and yet so primal.
Ritsu countered by dipping her fingers into the hollow of Mio's spine and caressing her skin. The bassist's sensual groan, however, was drowned out by a much louder cry that came from the direction of ...the bushes?
"NYAAAA!"
The sharp noise broke them out of their daze. Mio jumped away, her usual timidity snapping back into place like clockwork.
Ritsu scratched the back of her neck nervously then winced, her fingers touching upon the burning trails that the bassist's nails have left mere moments ago. She snuck a peek at Mio's face, fearing what she'd find there. Disgust or regret maybe?
To her surprise, the other wore an expression that was just... plain cute. It spoke of distaste, but the way the dark eyebrows hunched over gray eyes and the small wrinkle that followed the scrunched up nose was far more comical than worrisome.
The drummer wondered what she could be thinking about, to make such a face.
Mio ran her fingers through her bangs nervously. 'Oh God, I acted like a sex-crazed freak!' She wanted to bolt away, or let the ground swallow her up by some miracle.
"YUI-SENPAI!"
They were both jolted yet again by the loud cry. The bassist narrowed her eyes.
"Isn't that Azusa?"
Her companion nodded, pointing to the bushes. "There."
Mio marched towards the bush. Ritsu made to follow her, but spotted something -or someone- from the corner of her eyes, making her pause slightly.
Golden eyes narrowed at another set of similarly tinted irises.
"You were there watching us the whole time? You little pervert!"
Satoshi was still frozen in place, staring off into space.
The drummer's steps thundered against the floor as she neared her brother. Suddenly her stomps were replaced by a crunch and she halted, looking down.
"You better clean this up before mom gets home! I'd help you, but seeing that you have enough free time to ogle us making out..." Ritsu trailed off, scowling.
Her brother blinked confusedly. Clean up the what?
He looked down and saw the milk-glass swamp that had successfully swamped their carpet. Oh. When did that happen?
"And wipe that milk moustache off your face. What are you, four?"
He absent-mindedly swiped his sleeve over his mouth. His sister seemed sour. Was she on her period or something?
"Were you spying on us?"
"Mio-chan!"
"Mio-senpai!"
"Mio...-chan? Is that you?"
"Mugi-senpai!"
"Mugi-chaaan! You're awake!"
Mio let loose a growl to gain back the other three girls' attention. "I asked you a question."
Gulps echoed.
"Yes, yes you did! One that has a question mark at the end if we write it down on paper!"
"...Yui-senpai."
"Well, isn't it true?"
"That's not the point!"
Mio was starting to lose her patience. "I'll ask you one last time. Were you spying on us?"
Mugi let out a small, defeated sigh. "We were-"
"-doing community service!" Azusa interjected. She wasn't one for lying, but taking into consideration Mio's look...well...she wasn't one for dying either.
"Community service?" The bassist's eyebrow rose sceptically.
Yui latched onto the opportunity. "Yes! We were...serving...the community!"
Grey eyes snapped to the brunette faster than lightning. "You! I still haven't forgiven you for that weird advice you gave me!"
Azua rolled her eyes. 'I knew it. Yui-senpai's advice brings nothing but trouble.'
Tsumugi hurried to the brunette's aid, seeing that the kouhai was in no rush to do so. "She was only trying to help, in her own unique way."
Yui snickered. "And judging by the last few minutes it worked well, didn't it?"
An overall silence followed her statement, spiced only with the sounds of Mio choking on her saliva.
"What on Earth is going on here?" Ritsu yelled loudly, announcing her presence. Under normal circumstances her commanding tone would've demanded respect from the band members in an instant. But with her current appearance it was hard to take her seriously.
"Ricchan, you look beautiful!" Mugi gushed, able to voice her opinion now that she wasn't hiding behind the bush.
Yui nodded. "Oho, you look like a model!" Her lips then parted into a mischievous grin. "Maybe even a princess. Ritsu-hime!"
"It's hard to believe, but Ritsu-senpai does look like a proper girl." Azusa added in an incredulous tone.
The drummer gritted her teeth, more annoyed than pleased by her comrades' reactions. She opened her mouth to form a snappy retort but found the others already cowering in fear.
'Huh?'
It took her some seconds to notice that their gazes were not directed at her, but rather to her left- where Mio stood.
Looking over her shoulder to the source, she also let out an involuntary shiver.
Mio was giving off her most Arctic glare yet, a not so subtle warning for the others to stop teasing Ritsu.
The drummer cast a wide grin.
"Oh my! Could it be? Akiyama-sama defending the soiled honor of this delicate maiden?"
Only then did the bassist become conscious of what she was doing. A small rosy tint brought colour to her pale cheeks but other than that she did not feel remorse for her actions. Ritsu really was beautiful, and she found it unjust that the others noticed this only now.
And even when they had noticed, they did not seem to appreciate it as much as she did. Well, maybe except for Mugi. But who knew what was going on in the head of that blonde anyway?
Azusa snorted. "If you're a delicate maiden then I'm a-"
Mio's stare was as threatening as a guillotine.
"...-a guitarist." The kouhai finished lamely, then scratched her neck with slight discomfort.
"Akiyama-sama rushes to my rescue yet again? My hero!" Ritsu gushed in a faux-maidenly voice.
"Don't push it." The bassist warned.
But the drummer did just that. "Ah Romio, why art thou as cold as the leftovers in my fridge?" She sighed dramatically.
"Why, you ask."
"Why, indeed. Why, why, wh-OW! What was that for?"
"Stop being so annoying! This is all your fault anyway!"
"Aren't you being a bit childish here? I'm not the one who invited them over!" Ritsu grumbled irately, holding a hand to her now red forehead and gesturing at the trio with the other.
"And how should I know that?...It could be another stupid prank of yours!"
"What the hell? Are you bipolar? I could swear that I didn't hear you complain when your mouth was latched onto mine!"
"You're the one to speak? I wonder who left this mark on my neck then!"
The drummer was tired and frustrated of following Mio's rapid mood-changes. Her control was slipping.
"Got nothing to say to that, huh?" Mio remarked snidely.
"I THOUGHT YOU'D RUN AWAY FROM ME, DAMNIT!"
"...You what?"
"I- I was- I didn't want you to leave..." 'I can't believe I let that slip. But you get scared so easily. It's hard not to worry.' Ritsu thought bitterly.
Mio was absolutely flabbergasted. She stared at the ground, unsure. A few seconds passed by in silence before the taller girl parted her lips to whisper timidly. "I-I know it must be hard for you. I'm sorry. B-But please ...be patient with me."
'...Is that an invitation?'
Amber eyes snapped up, filled with hope.
The two of them did not even notice that Azusa and Yui have decided to escape during their fight.
They also did not notice that Mugi merely relocated her position and was now intently observing them from another bush.
"...I'll try." Ritsu replied with a sunny grin.
OMAKE – Heroes unmasked!
Yui heard resolute purring as she ironed her t-shirt and wondered if the iron was alive.
She then left it on and sat on the sofa inconspicuously, sneaking a look at the object every now and then.
About five minutes later the iron started sighing. Nevermind the fact that it had been programmed that way to alert the user that it was on.
"Iron-san, you can't trick me. Or should I say...Iron Man? I know your true identity!" She pointed her finger accusingly at the household appliance.
"Onee-chan, who are you talking to?" Ui's question was heard from upstairs.
"Iron Man!"
"...Oh, ok. Make sure you switch off the TV when you're done!"
"Okay!"
BELATED NEW YEAR'S OMAKE (2011 is the year of the rabbit, after all!)
Counseling is now open.- The note on the door read.
The girl who had been waiting for her turn tentatively approached the white door and entered the counseling room.
"Dr. Usa-chan?" She asked in an uncertain voice.
There was no answer. She took that as her cue to continue.
"Um, my relationship hasn't been going very well. My boyfriend gets irritated with me a lot these days, and we usually end up fighting."
The girl elaborated more on her problem. Meanwhile her eyes surveyed the room. She noticed some framed pictures on the desk, all of them featuring a girl in her late teens with long black hair and grey eyes.
"...Uh...So, what should I do?"
Blank button eyes stared right back at her.
More silence.
"Oh my God, you're absolutely right! I should talk less! I always babble too much, that's probably what annoyed him! Thank you, Dr. Usa-chan!"
Edit- I forgot that one chapter note... (1) Sapphic poetry - Sappho was a greek lady who kept writing steamy poems to both boys and girls (but is more known for the latter). She lived on the isle of Lesbos, guess which term comes from there?...
AN: Well, that's it for now folks. No cliffhangers, see how merciful I am? ;P
Apparently I'm forbidden from judging my own work, so it's up to you! Hope you liked it!
Oh and seriously, I love all of your reviews. Most of them are hilarious! :D
Anon. review replies-
Gin-tan - You can flood as much as you want! :D It really does encourage me! And I like searching for signs too! ^^ Ehh, this chapter didn't have as much crack, but it did have some progress so I guess it's acceptable? xD Rrrrrespect for you too! I get too confused with string instruments...not to mention the fact that my hands are small. Yeah, somebody was in a huuuuge denial. Hopefully she's over it by now, eh? D;
hateLuv - Lol, I'm glad too that you survived. xD I'll give you a break from those nasty cliffhangers. Yeah, Yui is officially the QUEEN OF AIRHEADS! YuiAzu is on it's way, don't worry. There were some small hints in this chapter too. ;)
m - Oooh, I'm glad! xD And yeah, I agree. Yui's a risky choice as a psychologist. Unless you have Azusa there to translate. x) Yep, I guess you could say that reciprocation did occur here. :DD I'm a bit late for it to be a christmas/new year present so it's a ...uhh, February present? Valentines? Whatever... xD Yeah, you can demand all you want. x)
zxcv - HERE'S ANOTHER ONEEEEE! Late again. *sigh* And I'm glad you're glad! xD
ewan - Thank you! :D I'm not sure about the "even better" part though. ;p You play the flute too? Woohoo! *high fives back* And don't worry about the wandering eyes. I know mine do that all the time... xD
1234 - Ah yes, you were spot-on! :)
mooooo - I'm really glad you like it! Here you go! ;)
nani - More like frustrating... :DD But thank you very much!
kuso - A lot of people do that, don't they? :( I won't. ;)
liquid paper says D - Damn, I have no idea why I wrote what I did instead. Though I guess 'Give me...' works too. xD Anyway, thanks for telling me, I'll correct it!
oooo - If you think I'm slacking off again this time, don't hesitate to push meeee! Dx
iMitsu - MY GOD, ARE YOU ALIVE STILL? D: WAKE UP, WAKE UP! Here's a new chappie, don't die on me yet! :D
Chii-chaaaaaan - Dx It's here, Chii-chan(I am able to see through your anonymous disguise! ;D)! It's heeeeere! Forgive me!
mnm - Whew, you're right on time! XD Your wish is my command! ...And luckily I had the chapter done by then.