A/N: I…I don't even know what to say about this…

First, let me begin by saying that this wasn't the chapter I had originally planned for this week. I initially wanted to release a completely different chapter, the beginning of a new day. However, I had some, let's say, 'technical difficulties', and that chapter currently has to be…touched up.

Interpret the prior explanation in whatever way you want, but either way, anticipate a new chapter soon to compensate for the difficulties (hopefully).

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"You go on ahead," Raku said to Seishirou as the duo entered through the automatic doors of the Grasmere, "I have…something I want to discuss with the Kazus."

"O-Oh, alright…" Seishirou meekly replied, still attempting to sort out everything that she was feeling.

The lobby of the Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka was once again barren, save for Nijo and Sanpei at the receptionist's desk (who appeared to be rather exhausted for some bizarre reason), whose chatter echoed off the ornate walls and floor. As far as Raku could tell from an immediate eavesdrop, they were giggling like school girls about some 'plan' that they had set up.

"I-I'll just head up to the room…" Seishirou said, again, unusually sheepish about the whole ordeal, and refusing to make her usual sassy eye contact with Raku.

Raku placed his hand on her shoulder and inquired, "Hey, are you sure you're alright?"

Feeling a euphoric shiver run up and down her spine as she locked eyes with her newfound love, she couldn't help but linger on the vision before she responded. His brazen, messy purple locks, those deep eyes of his, that subtle grin that always danced at the corners of his lips, she was completely enraptured by every detail of him. "Y-Yeah," Seishirou responded, shaking free of Raku's grasp, "the bus ride back was just really bumpy."

"Oh, yeah…I suppose it was." Raku replied as he watched Seishirou scurry away, the brilliant blush on her face radiating intense heat that he was entirely oblivious to.

'So this is what love feels like…' Seishirou lamented as she leaned up against the back wall of the elevator and collapsed, 'It completely consumes you…you feel it in every fiber of your being, and in everything that you do. You feel it overtake every action you perform when you're around the one you love. And no matter what you do, you can't get rid of it.' Seishirou ran her right thumb over her bottom lip as she remembered the kiss once more, instantly overcome by a tidal wave of emotion. 'If this is what love feels like…I never want it to stop…'

Raku waited until Seishirou entered the elevator before heaving a heavy sigh of disdain at himself. As he gazed down at his sneakers, kicking at the decorative stones, he heard a whistle from over by the receptionist's desk. He turned his head to see Nijo remove his two pinkie fingers from his mouth, then beckon him over. He glanced to Sanpei who gave a reaffirming nod, then strutted over to the desk.

When Raku reached the desk, he pulled up one of the nearby bar stools, took a seat, and slammed his head against the counter.

"Ah, the young Master is in dismay," Nijo slyly observed as he further spiked his faux hawk with a black comb he produced from the pocket of his suit vest, "wouldn't you say, Sanpei?"

"Indeed I would, Nijo," Sanpei remarked as he adjusted his glasses and pushed his green locks out of his peripheral vision, "Indeed I would."

"And pre tell, what is the cause of said dismay," Nijo inquired, "Young Master Raku?"

"Can I ask you guys a question?" Raku replied, lifting his head from the counter.

"Shoot." Nijo responded.

"But of course." Sanpei replied.

Before Raku spoke, he looked left and right, then inquired, "Wait, where's Ichinose?"

"Last I saw of him he said he was out looking for a new napping spot…" Sanpei replied, the venom in his voice was palpable.

"I think he said something about the janitor's closet on Floor 13…" Nijo mumbled to himself.

"What was that?" Sanpei remarked.

"Oh, nothing." Nijo airily replied.

"Well," Raku began, "you guys know about women, right?"

"Do I know about women-" a saucy Nijo began but was cut short by a swift blow to the side from Sanpei. "Yes, I know about women…"

"And, being the oldest," Sanpei responded, averting his grimace from Nijo, "I naturally do."

"Well, what do you do when you did something to a girl," Raku began, "and she said it was alright, but you don't know if she really meant it or not?"

"My, my, Master Raku," Nijo began as he put the tips of his fingers on his lips, "I knew you were bold, but to think that you would do something like that to Mistress Seishirou-" after yet another sharp blow to the side, courtesy of Sanpei, Nijo shut up again.

"What exactly did you do, Master Raku?" Sanpei inquired, his tone slightly giddy in nature.

"Well, we were at the aquarium today," Raku responded, "and when we were watching the dolphins, out of nowhere, we got put on 'Kiss Cam' by the crazy MC, and so I kinda kissed her…" after some murmurs from the duo, Raku continued, "She said it wasn't my fault, and that she was alright with it! But now I'm not so sure…"

"Crazy MC?" Nijo mumbled to himself.

"Well there's your first mistake." Sanpei interjected, adjusting his glasses once again.

"Eh?" Raku inquired, confused.

"When a girl says something's alright," Nijo explained, "chances are everything's not alright and that your decision was positively erroneous in nature."

"Indeed." Sanpei replied. "And if that's the case then your only hope right now is to beg for repentance. I suggest jewelry or something to that accord."

"Uh…" Raku responded, throughly confused by what had just been said.

"In the lay vernacular," Nijo replied, "you're fucked."

"Oh yeah, big time." Sanpei chimed in, patting Nijo on the back.

"Great…" Raku droned.

"However…" Nijo added.

"However?" Raku perked up. "What 'however'?

"There's always the option that she, oh I don't know, actually likes you." Nijo replied, a smug grin decorating his face.

Raku felt his heart stir at the thought of him potentially being the object of Seishirou's affections. Sanpei must've noticed, as he remarked, "Something tells me you'd prefer option number two…"

"Well, we've told you what we can," Nijo stated, "so now it's up to you to you to decide. Which option is more likely?"

"Choose, Young Master Raku…" Sanpei boomed in that chocolate tone of his.

Raku felt his emotions battling inside of him, but he found himself at a definite conclusion about something. He instantly remembered Seishirou eyeing the macarons at the airport and inquired, "Where's the closest bakery?"

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A/N: Again, my deepest apologies about the technical difficulties, and I hope you'll bear with me.

Thanks for reading and if you really enjoyed this interlude, why not write a review/favorite the story/follow the story? And even if you don't I still appreciate your time!

I'll see you soon!