Yuki played her ocarina from the window, her eyes closed as her lips brushed the mouthpiece ever so delicately.
There was a melody that was a part of my fragmented memories... Even now, it's hard to forget it all... It's hard to remember all of it, too...
She continued playing, though the black witch sighed a bit into the instrument.
There was a comfort that I felt, and it extended beyond my memories that held Saiki-kun within them... I never really understood any of it... But...
The black witch paused in the melody, removing her ocarina as she shook her head with another heavy sigh.
Maybe... I really am just a selfish child...
She looked down at her ocarina in a melancholy manner and looked up at the starry night sky.
But... Calmness is not happiness... Is it?
Yuki smiled ruefully at the thought, sighing yet again.
But my happiness always has some sort of bittersweet feeling to it... Perhaps that's just the way things are, aren't they? I really do wish... Well...
Her eyes glimmered as her grip tightened on her instrument, her lips parting in the slightly cool air.
I...
"Saiki-kun..." Her volume was barely above a whisper.
I really wish things were different...
(Note: NEW OPENING~! I figure that ten chapters are enough, so I'm changing it! The song now is "Little Wish -Lyrical Step-" by Yukari Tamura. Enjoy~!)
Make a little wish koron dari mayottari suru keredo
(Make a little wish, I was stumbling and losing my way on my journey)
(Footage: Yuki pops up with a grin in her blond form before turning into her ebony-haired form, and she soon gives the audience a sad smile.)
Anata ga ite kureru kara
(But since you were there)
(Footage: She soon reaches out happily towards the screen and gestures for someone to follow her.)
Watashi wa egao de imasu genki desu
(I was able to continue smiling and stay happy)
(Footage: The rest of the Ojamajos pop into the screen around her and they soon crowd around and grin, Yuki holding up a cheerful peace sign. A heart soon grows from the center and expands to fill the screen as the Ojamajos' majoshikons circle around where the Tomo-DACHI logo pops up.)
Ah SEROFAN no umi wo koe mori wo koe
(Ah, beyond the cellophane sea and forest...)
(Footage: Moriko is seen shielding her eyes from the sun while tending the flowers, Akemi and Kurumi helping, each of them holding a vase of gardenias, beaming at the other. Aiko and Onpu quickly join them, respectively holding blue and white hydrangea with wide grins.)
Gin no kaze wo nukete tarinai mono sagashiteta
(The silver wind was searching for two who were lacking something)
(Footage: Hazuki brushes back some of her hair in the wind, Momoko beside her with her hands on her shoulders as Hana rushes on them from behind and tackle them in glee. As they're all laughing, Doremi and Yuki are seen watching with confused expressions before turning to smile at each other.)
Ah JIORAMA no machi de tada naiteta no
(Ah, I was just crying in our city that there's nothing more than a diorama)
(Footage: Yuki is now seen wiping her eyes from a side view and holds her heart close, a memory of Doremi's smile on the side, making the black witch perk up.)
Ano hi sashidasareta atatakai te ni au made
(Looking for your warm hand, you held it out to me that day)
(Footage: Yuki reaches out desperately and grasps onto someone's hand, and a raindrop falls on the top of her hand as the image becomes some sort of silhouette.)
Yureru tsukihi no naka de manazashi wo kanjiteta wa
(In the ever-swaying years, it felt as if you were gazing at me)
(Footage: In the FLATS 5 household, Saiki looks curiously out the window as if someone had called him and is quickly pulled back by Akatsuki, who seems to be urging him to do something with the other wizards. Saiki simply blushes, a little embarrassed.)
Ne himitsu no kagi wo yatto yatto mitsuketa no
(And then I had finally, finally found that secret in the sky)
(Footage: Kazuki stretches outside and suddenly rushes inside to pull Majoren out with him, his other three friends following in confusion. The navy-haired boy seems to be exclaiming something and points to the sky and the boys all gasp in pleasant surprise as Majoren giggles and we skip to a back view where we see that a star has sprung up in the sunset-colored sky.)
Make a little wish remon iro no tsuki no shizuku atsumete
(Make a little wish; gather the lemon-colored drops of the moon)
(Footage: Yuki spins around as she transforms into witch form to fly around playfully, waving at the screen all the while. The other witches soon join her, including an exasperated Majorika with Lala and a beaming Meme. They all wave and soon poof away.)
Atana no yuku sonomichi wo yasashiku terashiteitai
(I want to tenderly walk down the same pathway you're walking down)
(Footage: Yuki steps onto a light path with a shadowed background and soon dashes down as she is seen waving towards someone with pure happiness as we pan up as she smiles brightly.)
Make a little wish chiisakute mo
(Make a little wish, even if it's small)
(Footage: A sparkle falls down as Yuki catches it, and she smiles tenderly as we fade to a closer view of her face.)
Dekiru koto ga nai kara
(If you say you can't do anything)
(Footage: Doremi shakes her head, mouthing the words 'don't ever give up' as she smiles and vanishes.)
Anata ga ite kureru kara
(But since you were there)
(Footage: Yuki is seen again smiling as we pan out from around her, showing all the other magic users around her standing on the edge of a grassy hill, all seeming peaceful.)
Watashi wa egao de imasu genki desu
(I was able to keep smiling and staying happy)
(Footage: The blond smiles brightly as she turns to Doremi-tachi, who all simply nod and then to Saiki, who simply sighs as the rest of the FLATS 5 grin, earning her to close her eyes with a wide grin herself and faces the screen, and clasps her hands together in a prayer, mouthing some unknown wish. She then slowly opens her eyes to look up again and closes her eyes in joy as the song fades.)
X~x
Whoo. New chapter of the next ten! Let's have fun with it!
I don't know quite what to think of this chapter, but let's just have fun with it anyway. Yay~!
...WOW I NEED TO REALLY UPDATE MORE. DARN IT. I-I'm so sorry, everyone~! (But the deal with line breaks...)
X~x
Ojamajo Doremi Tomo-DACHI:
Lessons in Friendship –
Takoyaki Is The Way To Make Music!
Lesson: Sometimes it's the silliest of things and hobbies that bring two people together. But no matter how cliché or childish it is; always remember to be grateful and happy with it!
"My closet sucks, Meme."
"Oh, Yuki..."
"I have too much stuff..."
"Yes you do."
"I..."
"Yuki?"
"I-I can't even see it anymore..."
Meme perked up in confusion as her owner shivered dejectedly, staring at her floor covered in junk that came from her closet, sniffling.
"S-Saiki-kun's probably suffocating down underneath it all..."
"You know, you really need to stop with the dolls of people you like, Yuki... It's actually a little creepy."
"Shut up, Meme! I can have my own weird habits if I want to; it's a free world!"
The cat groaned, batting away a sock. "Either way, if I find that plush before you do and my claws get tired and I get bored..."
"NO!" Yuki nearly screamed, swatting Meme into the wall as she dove into the pile of her clothes and began searching frantically, her top half submerged in said pile as her feet kicked desperately about. "T-There's no way, no WAY! I'LL SAVE YOU SAIKI-KUN! YUKI'S COMING FOR YOU!"
"I-I was kidding!" her fairy groaned as she reverted to her usual form, rubbing where she hit her head. "Yuki, that was seriously way too much! You know I'd never touch any of your things, no matter how much that said thing resembles someone that I don't like!"
The black witch popped out of the batch, confused. "Don't like...?"
"Yes, Yuki. I hate to inform you but there are people—and fairies—in this world that don't think too highly of this Saiki guy."
"You've never even personally met him before though, Meme."
Meme huffed as she floated up, hands on hips with a scoff. "But I've seen the way he treats you, and let me say. I'm not too impressed of someone like him messing with my Yuki."
"The way someone like him...treats me?" She tried them in that order and they sounded natural but still strange and confusing. "I-I don't get it..."
What a lie. I understand completely. Just not how Meme takes it... She's incorrect... She doesn't know about Saiki-kun either...
"Must I explain? His speech and posture is haughty and arrogant, and his expression is always cold and indifferent... He's always scolding you... Not to mention he acts like his brother is the only person in the world! He's just no good, Yuki!"
"Meme, that doesn't make any sense. 'Indifferent' and 'always scolding' don't go together. Nor does 'cold' and 'arrogant'... At least, I don't think so... I may be mistaken..." The black witch bit her lip as she turned away from her fairy, continuing her now half-hearted search. "And Saiki-kun... The Saiki-kun I know... The Saiki-kun I love isn't completely like that... Though you may be more or less on the mark with his feelings towards Akatsuki-kun..."
"But I'm mostly right though!" Meme frowned and pouted, shaking her fists. "I-I just don't have a good feeling about him, and I don't want my Yuki to be hurt by Saiki's cruel words!"
Me...hurt by Saiki-kun? That... That's just...
A slight smile tugged at her lips as she shivered.
Stupid...
"H-Ha... That's so silly... That's such a joke... That... That... That is..."
Meme blinked and then her owner was laughing so hard that she was almost having a seizure as she clutched at her stomach, the laughter supposedly sounding joyful but laced with bitter hysteria, the sound surprising the pre-adult fairy before she snapped out of the momentary shock, shouting at the Shinoya girl.
"YUKI! I wasn't trying to joke! Meme was just being serious! Don't laugh! It's so mean!"
Yuki's laughter choked off as she didn't stop shaking with continued paroxysm, her face flushed as hot tears trickled down her cheeks and she quickly covered her face with one of her pink blouses, masking the sudden proof of sadness and dejection with a few giggles.
"S-Sorry, Meme... What you said... It just really surprised me... Saiki-kun... Saiki-kun hurting me... I'm okay with that... As long as I can be with him... The only real way Saiki-kun can truly break me apart is if..."
If he hated me...
The black witch pressed her face deeper into the clothing, nearly suffocating herself from holding in the sobs that were building up in her throat. If she didn't hold it in now, she'd certainly be bawling...and Shinoya Yuki couldn't cry. Shinoya Yuki was a sunny girl who never cried. Crying was a no-no.
Saiki-kun... Saiki-kun's the only one who's seen me cry...and it should stay that way. So bear it... I can't... I can't let the tears show now!
"Sorry... I'm sorry..." She removed the blouse and smiled serenely and thankfully at Meme, all traces of saline gone. "I really do adore you, Meme..."
Meme blushed and let out a flattered giggle.
"Well, you're my cute Yuki and I'm Meme~! Of course, of course!"
"Thanks." Yuki stood up and shook her head. "But I think you're wrong about Saiki-kun. You've never seen him smile before."
"Smile?" Now Meme was the confused one. "He knows how to do that?"
"He doesn't do it often. But when he does, it's really nice... It gives me this wonderful warm feeling that I still can't quite get... It's this feeling..." The black witch smiled warmly, covering her heart. "It's probably just what proves my feelings for Saiki-kun... Yes, this is the spicy kimchi of my heart that's telling me just how much I love Saiki-kun!"
Meme had to smile before she sighed in exasperation.
"Yeah, Yuki-chan... You probably mean kimochi, not kimchi."
Shinoya flustered at that, squealing.
"Ah~! Meme's right! I meant kimochi for feelings! Not kimchi for kimchi! Forget I said anything! I-I'll get back to searching!"
Her hands weaved through the miscellaneous objects, her fingers searching until one of her digits brushed against something soft and almost like a little arm.
"Aha!" She yanked her doll out of the mess, smiling victoriously. "Saiki-kun, I found you!"
"Good to see you found it." Meme groaned in annoyance, landing on one of Yuki's penguin plushies on her desk, sighing. "But what exactly do you plan on doing for the rest of the Sunday, Yuki?"
"Oh, I don't know…" Yuki pressed the doll close against her cheek, smiling happily. "But at least I found my cute little boyfriend-to-be…"
She soon stepped forward only to trip, falling and harshly hitting her side, still desperately clutching her Saiki plushie.
"O-Oomph…"
"Yuki!" Her fairy flew up to her owner, tugging on her big red ribbon. "A-Are you okay? Answer me!"
Yuki forced her eyes open as she pushed herself up with her free hand, placing her doll on her desk tenderly before rubbing her ankle where she tripped.
"Ouchies…"
"You should probably clean up this mess before you get even more hurt… I'll go help!" Meme flew off into the hallway, and the black witch sighed before crawling back and uncovering the box she tripped over, raising an eyebrow.
"Hn?"
She popped off the lid of the lid, only to see a neat little stack of more mementos, starting with a faded white rabbit holding a small, dusty blue ocarina in its lap. The bunny was scruffy from age and too many hugs, and had a dark blue ribbon tied around its neck. The ocarina, in comparison only collected dust over the years, though the mouthpiece was a bit worn.
"Usa-chan!" Yuki recognized the rabbit, scooping it up and laughing. "It's been so long! I forgot that I put you in the cherished memory box! I wish I found you when I was playing with Kururu for Amu-chan though!"
She hugged her treasured doll, though coughed from the dust, sighing heavily. "That fragrance… It's gone now…"
The black witch tenderly set her Usa-chan on the side and picked up her ocarina, staring at it hardly as if trying to remember why she even had it.
"I put this in there too… But these memories aren't supposed to have anything to do with Saiki-kun, right? That's supposedly why they're in the box to begin with…"
Yuki shrugged and perked up upon noticing something crisp and frilly folded into her memento container, her eyes widening in surprise.
T-That is…!
Her hands jolted out to take the fabric, her breath quickening. "This is…my dress…I wore this once and only once."
Yuki's eyes skimmed the small gown in her hands, frowning at the rather Lolita-like style it was before groaning.
"Okaa-sama's friend was a designer and I was supposed to wear this cute little thing... How did this even end up in my cherished-"
The memory flashed through her mind, making her eyes shoot wide with remembrance before her eyelids lowered, same eyes going blank.
"Oh... That's right... Because I thought it was cute back then... Yeah I was an idiot. I'm shocked... I always thought I was a smart idiotic person... Maybe it was just a stupid mistake made by a currently stupid child?"
Well, worrying about this sort of nonsense will really do no good for me right now...
The black witch nonchalantly re-folded up the child's dress, and her hand found her old ocarina yet again.
"Ah..." Her fingers wrapped around the small woodwind instrument as she pulled it close, staring at it.
Can I still play this? Is there really any chance of that at all...?
Yuki tentatively brushed her lips against the mouthpiece before blowing out a whistling note, her eyes slowly closing.
"Yeah... It still works..."
The black witch smiled sadly, setting it down on her desk as she closed the mementos box, scooting it underneath her bed as Meme soon returned in, carrying cleaning equipment with a bright grin.
"Yuki, I'm back! Here! Meme will help you clean for sure!"
"Thank you, Meme," her owner stated with a laugh as she stood up and took the objects from her fairy's grasp. "Well, that means that we should get to work right now, isn't that correct, Meme?"
"Yes!"
X~x
"Better luck next time, Leon-kun!"
"Aw, but Ai-chan!"
Yuki stopped in her tracks upon seeing the blue witch and a familiar blond-haired boy pretty much going at it...in basketball. Aiko was dribbling past him with ease and made a few good shots and baskets for measure.
The black witch blinked in surprise. Either Leon was really losing his game—and that was impossible, knowing someone who was as hardheaded as he was—or Senoo Aiko was just that good.
I never thought there would ever be someone who could beat Leon-kun before... I'm almost in awe...
In truth, the young Shinoya girl had seen him play before when she wasn't preoccupied with stalking Saiki everywhere and she always believed he was truly someone that couldn't be bested by anyone.
Until now, and he was bested by Ai-chan no less!
Then again... Ai-chan really is in good shape... It's really no surprise just how amazing she is...
Yuki walked in front of the gate separating her from their little game and gripped the metal, sighing.
I'm really clumsy compared to anyone... Yet these two make it seem like a lot of fun...
Despite the fact that while Leon was flushed and desperate and above all humiliated, Aiko seemed to be having the time of her life.
"And she shoots, she scores!" Aiko exclaimed as she shot another perfect basket, Leon panting beside her. "I guess that means that I can STILL kick yer butt any day of the week, Leon-kun. Who's the one who doesn't' know the true meanin' of sports now, hmm?"
"T-That's because I wasn't using my full power, Ai-chan... I-I'm just going easy on you because it's been a while since we played this game!" Leon shot back, earning the blue witch to stare at him in disbelief.
"Yer such a liar, Leon-kun. Oh look, we have a spectator."
Yuki perked up as they simultaneously stared at her, and she instantly flushed in embarrassment.
Ah, looks like I fail at being sneaky!
"Yuki-chan!" the blond wizard exclaimed, automatically happy. "Hey, what are you doing all the way out here?"
"Watching me kill you in sports," Aiko responded for him, earning her counterpart to sulk again as she tossed the basketball and proceeded to climb up the metal fence between them and Yuki, completely amazing the sunny girl.
"A-Ai-chan, really!" she gasped as the blue witch dropped to face her with a wide grin. "T-That was really unnecessary!"
"Ah, but I was happy to see ya!" Aiko winked and proceeded to wrap an arm around her. "So why are ya here anyway?"
"J-Just... Just passing through..." Yuki smiled softly, blushing a bit. "Um... Ai-chan, you were really amazing... I didn't think anyone could beat Leon-kun before..."
"What? That dork? Please, he's not even worth my time quite yet." Senoo flicked her wrist, sighing. "Leon-kun really needs to get his mind in the game... For some reason, I have this feelin' that he was focusin' on somethin' other than sports for a while... Don't know what, though."
The Shinoya girl flinched, immediately thinking of Saiki. "Well... I guess it's hard for him... But sometimes, I don't think other people seem to see that..."
"Eh? What's there to understand about Leon-kun?" Aiko shrugged. "He's so simple-minded..."
"I was thinking about Saiki-kun... But he is simple-minded too, so..." Yuki sighed heavily. "Saiki-kun... Saiki-kun may never realize that part of him that everyone's fascinated by... Because his true heart contradicts what he is all the time...why is that?"
"Saiki-kun? I didn't even mention that guy..." The blue witch sighed as well, pulling the black witch closer. "But it's so weird... Always thinking about that guy... Even Doremi-chan isn't this obsessed with someone new..."
"Someone new?" The blond looked confused. "Well... Saiki-kun is my true love after all... He just doesn't realize it quite yet."
Yuki suddenly beamed, grinning. "But truth be told, I actually enjoy spending time here if that means I get to be close to Saiki-kun as well... I wonder if he even thinks that we're friends... I'm sure that I'm someone he fusses over, and that is a bit comforting..."
"Ya two can be so cute..." Aiko's eyes narrowed. "But isn't it a bit unhealthy to think this much? I know! I'll make ya some of the famous takoyaki! Okaa-chan's workin' tonight but otou-chan should be back by now... This is a great opportunity to introduce ya both!"
"Nani? That's not necessary, Ai-chan!" Yuki snapped out of the blue witch's grip, waving her hands about much like earlier. "After all, I don't want to be a bother..."
"Ya won't be." The blue-haired athlete gave her a knowing grin. "After all, we're friends right?"
The black witch perked up in surprise before frowning.
Right... The image of being everyone's friend... Including Ai-chan... I can't let that image slip now, so I guess I'm stuck after all... I would call this unlucky for me, but I guess with some takoyaki, it's not all that bad and it HAS been a long time since I had some... I wonder if Ai-chan really makes some that are that good... Aw, who am I kidding? Sweet things always taste sweet if they're made with the proper feeling! That's what Akio-kun said once, right? Or was it Momo-chan? It was one of the two I think!
"I guess you're right..." Yuki went right into the smiling sunny girl everyone perceived her as. "I'd love that, Ai-yan!"
"Yan?" Aiko perked up in confusion before laughing a bit in exasperation. "Oh Yuki-chan... So ya really do come up with pet names out of the blue..."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with it!" the black witch fumed in annoyance before giggling. "Besides, picking out names is fun~!"
"I guess, I guess... Whatever ya say." The blue witch rolled her eyes. "I swear... But okay, let's get going!"
With that, Aiko took Yuki's hand and they sped off, the black witch gasping in surprise.
"Ah, slow down, Ai-chan! You're way too fast!"
"And yer way too slow!"
"AI-CHAN!"
X~x
"Well, here it is. Home sweet home. We used to live in an apartment... But okaa-chan insisted somewhere nice and modest..."
"It's really nice and modest... My house has two floors just like Doremi-chan's, but..."
"It's a lot like Momo-chan's, ain't it?"
"I-I wouldn't know! I've never been to Momo-chan's before! But I really do want to see the Asuka household someday!"
Now that I think about it... I haven't even really been inside Doremi-chan's house before either... I just pass it by when I pick her up to go to the Mahou-Dou the rare times it occurs... Doremi-chan spent the night at my house before... But that was a long time ago... The only other home I visited though and went inside was where Saiki-kun lived...
Yuki pursed her lips in thought, taking her chin.
Um... But didn't I visit Moriko-chan's house once? Or was that just the greenhouse... I'm not sure... In fact, I'm not really sure how any of these girls live...
"Well, let's head inside. I got the house key right here." Aiko smiled brightly, taking out a small key as she led the black witch to her front door, unlocking it and calling out, "Hey, I'm home! I brought a friend over!"
"P-Please forgive my rudeness!"
"Aw, Yuki-chan, don't be like that... Otou-chan will end up thinkin' yer a weirdo."
The black witch puffed her cheeks in annoyance at that before immediately removing her shoes followed by Aiko's boots as Yuki closed the door behind her.
I wonder if this is okay though... After all, there was that time I was dragged into Amu-chan's house with her grandfather before she moved... But this is Ai-chan and she's supposed to be a friend... So how can I do this without screwing up like I always do?
"Yuki-chan? Come on, don't be shy."
"O-Okay..."
Aah, this is so nervewhacking! I'm supposed to bright and cheerful so act like it, Shinoya! Don't be so awkward and stupid!
The black witch took a deep breath to prepare herself. "Alright..."
She soon beamed and nearly tackled Aiko, completely surprising the blue witch though she continued with her act, looking around with sparkling eyes and gasps of amazement.
"Hau~! So this is the kind of place Ai-chan lives! It's so cute and so homey, I love it! Ai-chan must live a very happy and comfortable life... I bet Ai-chan's really happy with the beauty of life, yes? That's right, isn't that right? It's right yes, I wonder?"
The Kansai girl was silent before smiling softly and nodding. "Yeah... Ya can put it like that, Yuki-chan... My parents are finally livin' together after all these years..."
"Oh yes, they were divorced up until now, right?" Yuki beamed, giggling. "That's great! I'm so happy for you, Ai-chan!"
"I'm really grateful to Doremi-chan though... She's been a great friend all this time too..." Aiko sighed. "And now thanks to Yuki-chan, I can live in Misora..."
"Me?" This confused the black witch for a moment before she went back to smiling, sighing a bit. "Oh dear Ai-yan... I don't have anything to do with it... It's all thanks to Majoaku, right?"
Though in a way, now that I think about it... It is sort of my fault... But if I tell Ai-chan then she'll hate me, right? I may have wanted that with Hazuki-chan once but this isn't the right way to get it... If I force them, then it won't hurt as much, right? Though if Saiki-kun hated me... I would probably die or something along those lines...
"Majoaku ain't here at the moment!" Aiko huffed in mock annoyance before taking the black witch and giving her a playful noogie. "Don't say stupid stuff like that, Yuki-chan!"
"A-Ah, careful there Ai-chan! You're really hurting me right now~!"
"Ah, sorry." The blue witch immediately released her as Yuki rubbed where her fist was, groaning.
"I think something is ringing right now... Oh wait, that's just me."
Aiko had to snicker. "I-I said I was sorry, but really... Ya really are soft-headed for someone so damn stubborn."
"Oh, how rude!" the black witch fumed with an hmph and blowfish-like cheek puffing. "Besides, weren't we in the middle of greeting your father, Ai-chan?"
"Oh, that's right! I forgot!" The blue witch took her arm, leading her into the living room of her house. "Come on, he should still be home so I bet that ya can still meet and..."
Yuki blinked as she stared around the room, her gaze stopping on who else but none other than Senoo Kouji, napping on the couch, snoring quite loud.
"Ah, still sleepin'?" Aiko huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "Looks like otou-chan's still workin' as hard as ever... Okaa-chan would hit him if she saw him now..."
"He really looks at peace, Ai-chan. My otou-sama's always so uptight, even as he sleeps..." Yuki smiled a bit. "Otou-sama really works hard too, though..."
"Oh yeah, yer father." The Kansai girl looked at her eccentric friend oddly before just grinning. "I heard he was really strict..."
"Uptight, yes..." The black witch shook her head. "He's really annoying sometimes though..."
"Eh?"
"Forget it..." Yuki turned away with a slight blush, not wishing to dwell on the matter any longer. "It's not like otou-sama and I play together that much anyway."
Otou-sama and I... Our relationship is really strained...
"Ah... Tough... Onpu-chan's the same way..." Aiko smiled slightly. "But yer right. We got other more pressin' matters such as..."
As if on cue, Kouji let out a particularly loud snore, rolling on to his side as there was a determined gleam in his daughter's bright blue eyes.
"Gettin' this big lug to get up. Yuki-chan, first up, I suggest ya cover yer ears."
Yuki obeyed, sticking her fingers into her ears as she shut her eyes. The blue witch took a deep breath and soon hollered at the top of her voice.
"OI, AHO! GET UP AN' GREET MY FRIEND ALREADY!"
"Wah!" Kouji flipped over onto the floor with a thud as he groaned, looking up towards Aiko and Yuki, who opened one of her eyes curiously.
"V-Visitor... Aiko?"
"This is Yuki-chan. Ya know, the one I told you an' kaa-chan so much about?" The blue witch proudly snaked an arm around the black witch's shoulders again and pulled her close, clearly conveying the familiar message. "Ain't she somethin'?"
Said 'somethin' only bowed her head in accustomed politeness, her eyes closing. "Nice to meet you, Senoo-san."
"What's this? I thought ya said she was loud and cheerful, Aiko. She's way too quiet." Aiko's father grinned. "It seems she's somethin' else though with that bleached hair. Is she a former yanki, perhaps?"
Shocked and horrified, Yuki shrunk, placing her hands on the top of her head as if to settle it down. "N-No, not at all! The reason why my hair is dyed is because I didn't like it the way it was before... Please don't say such things Senoo-san! I may talk improperly and act rebellious from time to time but I am by no means any sort of delinquent!"
Saiki-kun would hate me if I was!
"Whoa, goin' a little too far there, Yuki-chan," Kouji waved his hands good-naturedly, laughing. "I wouldn't jump to conclusions like that ya know... Aiko is a good people's judge most of the time."
"Hmph." Aiko stuck out her tongue as Shinoya blinked and backed up against her, still slightly frightened and uncharacteristically timid. "Oh look now otou-chan. Ya scared poor Yuki-chan. Now I demand as apology, ya make her some takoyaki."
"Roger." Her father stood off and headed into the kitchen. "I'm on it."
Yuki just stood there like the idiot she was before looking down, shamefully flushed with her fingers still tangled in golden blond hair.
I always thought it was just Ai-chan... But her father's really loud and outspoken too... But did he really have to make that crack about my hair? I always thought it was cute...and Saiki-kun said I looked cute as well...
Realizing the thought, she shook her head vigorously, holding her fist up in determination.
No! Only Saiki-kun's opinion matters to me anyway so I gotta stop thinking about this! As long as Saiki-kun remains somewhat positive of me, then everything is all fine!
"Yuki-chan, are ya gonna get some takoyaki or what?"
"Co-Coming!"
At least... I think everything is fine... I hope so... Why do I still feel bothered anyway?
X~x
"Wow~! This is so oishii and so very yummy~!"
"See! I told ya it would, Yuki-chan!"
Yuki opened her mouth big and wide to pop in another takoyaki, her eyes going starry and lovely. "It's like happiness rolled up into a takoyaki~! This takoyaki tastes delicious~!"
"Don't speak half-hearted English like that! Damn... How much time do you spend around Leon-kun anyway?" Aiko sighed in exasperation, clearly bothered.
"Oh? Sorry... I had to learn English back in the states... I still speak it from time to time, though... Similar to Kurumi-chan's French habits..." The black witch beamed. "Perhaps, I happen to think it sounds cute whenever I say it."
"Ah, how narcissist!"
"Oh how rude, Ai-chan! That wasn't funny at all! You're no fun!"
"Now hold on." Aiko's stare turned dim and dark. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's someone who doesn't laugh at my jokes."
"I'm not laughing because it wasn't funny." Yuki puckered her lips as she gave the blue witch a threatening glare in return. "It wasn't funny at all, Ai-chan. In fact, it was so unfunny that even if you told me a really hilarious joke, I wouldn't laugh or giggle even in the slightest.
The blue Senoo girl raised an eyebrow, a mischievous gleam already flickering through her eyes as a grin stretched itself across her lips.
"Is that a challenge, Yuki-chan?"
"It could be, depending on how you interpret it, Ai-chan."
Aiko smirked as she pulled Yuki close to her, leaning over to whisper something that was unreadable in the black witch's ear, and a look of surprise rushed over the blond girl.
"A-Ai-chan..." She squirmed a bit as the Osakan girl continued whispering before she went blank, a very deep and noticeable blush as Aiko pulled out, looking quite pleased with herself.
"Well? Whatta ya think, Yuki-chan?"
The black witch was only silent for a moment when she burst out laughing so hard that she was almost, almost teary-eyed. The black witch quickly turned around and covered her mouth to smuggle the persistent giggling, banging her fist against the table in protest.
"Can't make ya laugh, my foot." Aiko laughed as well as Yuki finally recovered and her smile was a little brighter as she looked towards the blue with in twinkling confusion.
"Where'd you learn all that anyway?"
"That's classified but it's a joke that's really funny if ya jus' whisper it." The blue witch winked. "It's not one of my best jokes though, of course."
"Really? Tell more please!"
"Are ya sure... Earlier ya said that even if I told ya the most hilarious joke, ya wouldn't laugh." Aiko smirked and Yuki flustered, adverting her chocolate brown eyes from the Osakan girl's deep ocean blue ones.
"That was earlier... And you saw how I burst out laughing at the joke you told me before... You saw it~"
"True, true. I saw ya~" The blue witch winked again and Yuki giggled.
"Oh, oh! Ne Ai-chan, can your dad make some more takoyaki? I want seconds!"
"On it!" Aiko turned to the kitchen. "Otou-chan! More takoyaki, please!"
"Alright." Kouji walked in and placed another tray of takoyaki and set them before the two junior high girls who both quickly bowed their heads and clasped their hands in a grateful prayer and taking a bite of the takoyaki, squealing with delight.
"Delicious~!"
Kouji simply smiled as the two continued laughing as Aiko stuck another takoyaki into the black witch's mouth, making her cough a bit but swallowed it down and smuggled a giggle.
"Ai-chan... So rough, so rough. Leon-kun must be really persistent considering he's always bothering you..." Yuki soon narrowed her eyes, giving the blue witch the 'knowing' look. "Or it could be something else?"
Aiko looked flabbergasted while Kouji raised an eyebrow.
"Le...on?"
His daughter stood up quickly. "I-I'm not going to talk about that!" she exclaimed as she flustered before grabbing Yuki's arm and stalking off to her room. "Yer comin' with me, motor-mouth!"
"H-Hey, that's mean! I'm not..."
"Damatte, Yuki-chan!"
"Uguuu... How cruel..."
Senoo Kouji only blinked in complete clueless confusion.
"Now I wonder what that was all about..."
(Eyecatch: Yuki is seen fiddling with all sorts of cards, and the Ojamajos soon look behind her as she pulls up a card, and grin. The card reveals to be an image of Yuki and Aiko together with Aiko playing her harmonica while Yuki's seen holding a tray of takoyaki up high.)
"What's wrong with ya anyway?"
Yuki winced as she was unceremoniously thrown on the bed, looking up at the fuming blue witch.
"What happens between me an' Leon-kun STAYS there, Yuki-chan! There was no reason to bring 'im up when we were in the middle of a moment!" Aiko glared at her, her look nothing short of infuriated and threatening. "What were ya thinkin' anyway?"
"I was 'thinkin' that you wouldn't be too bothered, Ai-yan." The black witch puckered her lips in a pout before rubbing her rump. "You were really being too rough... What did Leon-kun do to you that was so bad anyway? Did you confess to him and he rejected you and acted like an idiot like always?"
"HAH! That was so funny I forgot to laugh!" She scoffed. "Like I'd ever like a dork like him..."
Yuki blinked before turning exasperated.
Ai-yan and Mori-pon...really are a lot alike...
"I see, I see, so forgive me."
"No worries..." Aiko waved her hand. "But really Yuki-chan... Don't ya like Saiki-kun or somethin'?"
"I-I do like Saiki-kun! That's just, uh..." The black witch looked about the room before her eyes caught the harmonica sitting on the desk, her eyes widening at the sight. "Ai-chan, do you play the harmonica?"
"Why are ya changin' the subject?" The blue witch put her hands on her hips but walked over and picked up the small metal instrument. "Yeah, I play this. What do you play, Yuki-chan?"
"I guess that would be the ocarina... But it's actually been a while..." Yuki adjusted her seat on the bed so that she could cross her legs over the end and look slightly more presentable. "A harmonica though... Those are so old-fashioned... But I guess something like that fits someone like Ai-chan really well."
"Ya think?" Aiko softly smiled, burying the childhood treasure into her pocket as she grinned towards the fake blond. "Yuki-chan, ya really are somethin' else, huh?"
"What's THAT supposed to mean?" The black witch stood up. "Ai-chan... I think my parents would worry if I stayed out any longer..."
"So let's call them," Aiko was already reaching for the door to go get the phone, though Yuki shook her head vehemently.
"I-I'll just go!" She rushed towards the exit only for the blue witch to grab her arm, looking a little suspicious.
"Whoa there. Hold on just a minute, Yuki-chan."
"A-Ai-yan, don't!" Yuki turned towards Aiko before forcing a smile, though she still felt a bead of sweat run down her cheek. "Really... I don't want to trouble you and your dad by staying the night..."
"No, it' fine... In fact, I wanted okaa-chan to meet ya too..." The blue witch frowned in obvious disappointment. "Yuki-chan, really..."
"I'm fine..." The black witch snapped her hand out of the Kansai girl's strong grip, turning the knob and stepping out. "See you at the Mahou-Dou later, Ai-chan!"
Aiko only stood there, still looking uncertain and even a bit worried.
"Sure thin'... See ya, Yuki-chan."
Yuki flinched on her way out.
X~x
"I think it's withdrawal sickness."
"Sickness? For what?" Hazuki perked up as Yuki buried her face deeper behind the large stack of books, having decided to go to the library in order to think only to oh so conveniently find the orange witch there reading some sort of book on a famous violinist.
"Maybe it's the atmosphere... I have been feeling rather gloomy lately..." the black witch muttered before sticking her nose into the book she opened for distractions' sake. "Hey, ever noticed really thick and old books smell like some kind of exotic spice, Hazu-pi?"
The soft-spoken brunette sweatdropped at the rather random comment. "I... I suppose."
Yuki-chan must really have a short intension-span...
"That's weird." The black witch shut the book before sighing again and going straight back to sulking about nothing. "This is so depressing~!"
"Oh, Yuki-chan..." Hazuki uttered in exasperation as a hand was placed on the black witch's shoulder, making her look up in confusion.
"Momo-chan?"
The yellow witch beamed, holding a sweets book against her chest with her over arm. "What's wrong, Yuki-chan?" she asked, speaking in her ever fluent English.
"N-Nan demo nai... It's nothing." The sunny girl responded, somehow feeling the desire to repeat the phrase in English as a result. "Thank you though, Momamai."
"It's nothing."
"Momo-chan..." Hazuki began only for Yuki to hop out of her seat and stick a now confused Momoko there instead, the orange witch's glasses fogging up in confusion as she watched. "Y-Yuki-chan?"
"Well, I'm heading off now~!" the black witch waved, quickly skipping out. "Have fun~!"
"...What just happened?" Momoko asked.
The orange witch shrugged.
"I don't know at all."
X~x
"Shi-no-ya-SAN~!"
"Huh? Takato-kun?"
"G-Greetings..."
Yuki blinked in confusion as Minazuki Takato dashed up to her, blushing and stuttering like he always was around the black witch.
"S-Shidoosha-kun... Er... Um... The younger Shidoosha-kun wanted me to give you this... Ah... Here..."
Shakily, he handed the memo to the blond girl, feeling a bit down at how her eyes lit up at the sight of Saiki's formal script on it.
"So Saiki-kun wrote that..." Yuki began, gulping as she flipped it open, eyes scanning through the review of problems he'd shown her earlier along with one last message.
A test is coming up so you better be ready!
She smiled before squealing, blushing while imaginary hearts flew about. My Saiki-kun is just the sweetest thing~! I really, really do love him!
Was it a love note? Takato wondered a bit miserably. Shinoya-san did say that they weren't dating but she made it obvious that she likes him... But the younger Shidoosha-kun hasn't even talked about his feelings before... H-He's normally so cold, too... How does Shinoya-san like him anyway?
"...Hey, Takato-kun?"
Minazuki automatically perked up as the black witch smiled serenely at him, immediately making him fluster at how cute she was.
"Thank you for delivering this."
"I-It's nothing... S-See you in class, Shinoya-san!" With that he dashed off, and the snow-named girl simply sighed, sweatdropping.
"Takato-kun... He's still so weird!"
X~x
"Yuki-chan? That you?"
"Kazuki-kun?"
Yuki looked confused at the sight of what appeared to be Sasaki Kazuki hiding under a desk and was about to ask when he grabbed her arm and pulled her underneath with him.
"KA-ZU-KI-KUN!" a frustrated scream tore out as the black witch spotted someone that looked an awful lot like Hakuta Kazuo stomp down the hallway, his face appearing to have all sorts of graffiti on it from a black marker, no doubt.
Uh...
"GET OUT WHERE I CAN SEE YOU, YOU JERK!" Kazuo raged on, still searching for the navy-haired wizard to no avail.
Yuki casted Kazuki a short glance and he explained simply: "I was bored."
Silence.
...He marked on Kazuo-kun's face just because he was bored? Man, this guy's a riot!
"Don't tell Kazuo-kun where I am, alright? Also, don't tell Akio-kun. He'll scold me."
"I'm not very smart Kazuki-kun, but shouldn't you have thought of that before you went and scribbled on poor Kazuo-kun's face?" The black witch wondered, earning Sasaki to just raise an eyebrow before he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"...Ah. So THAT was what I was worried about."
The Shinoya girl looked confused so he explained.
"I'm still not use to someone like Akio-kun looking out for me...even though it's been so long..." Kazuki shrugged as she crawled out from under the desk. "Forget it. That's all water under the bridge now... I wonder if Naoki-kun's out chasing Moriko-chan again... Hey Yuki-chan, can you do me a favor and make sure he's not making himself look more like an idiot than usual?"
Yuki blinked at how fast he changed the subject but nodded.
"Sure, when I'm on my way to the archery club... I can check with the club president Watari Tanpopo-chan. That okay, Kazuki-kun?"
"Oh, that's okay." Kazuki grinned though he stayed put underneath the desk for some strange reason. "Make sure to do the same thing with Kazuo-kun when Akemi-chan's around, kay?"
"Oh, so Kazuo-kun's an admirer of Akemi-chan's after all?" The black witch wasn't really surprised considering how hostile Moriko was towards Hakuta along with Akemi's usual awkwardness with her male fandom. And she wasn't oblivious to how much said glasses-wearing wizard flushed at the mere sight of the crystal witch passing right by him.
Her love-love senses were never wrong.
"...Got it."
Majoren's new students...are really weird guys... Well some of them... Mostly Kiyo-kun, anyway, are kinda cool...though Saiki-kun's still a million, no a trillion times cooler than they all are...
X~x
"Yuki-chan?"
And of course, as fate would have it, Yuki ended up meeting Aiko on the way to swimming practice, the blue witch having already donned on the navy blue middle school one-piece swimsuit. "Oh, Ai-chan... Good luck for practice."
"Thanks." The Kansai girl smiled good-naturedly. "Ya too, ya know, with Fukutaki-sempai and all."
"Arigatou." The black witch smiled back. "Urr... About what happened the other day at your house, Ai-yan..."
"Can I see yer ocarina?"
"...What?"
"Yer ocarina." Aiko shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Ya said ya played it... I wanted to see just how well ya play..."
"Oh, that is, anou..." Yuki giggled a bit, blushing a little in embarrassment. "Sure. Maybe later. That would be really nice, Ai-chan. I'd like that."
"Great! I'll see ya later then at the Mahou-Dou! Bring it on Sunday and meet me at the park at around thirteen o'clock!" With that, Aiko gave her back a friendly smack (knocking her over as a result) and jogged off to go improve in the one sport she wasn't too good at.
"...Well..." Yuki began as she pushed herself up, feeling pretty pathetic then and there. "There goes the romantic heroine's Sunday."
Natsu was sure to yell at her with her lack of performance.
And Tachibana, Nishimura, and Rika were sure to worry.
...Great. Random acts of kindness were really something to look forward to when it came to the Human World.
...In a way, it's a little discomforting.
X~x
"Yuki-chan, there you are."
"SAIKI-KUN!"
Saiki casually side-stepped out of the way as Yuki leapt (or at least attempted to) at him, crashing into the wall with a groan.
However, random acts of kindness from the darling younger prince were almost as rare as finding a four-leaf clover...in the middle of frozen tundra. Well, not really, but it sometimes felt that way.
"Yuki-chan, did you get the memo I gave Minazuki-kun to deliver to you...? Ah, he seemed really eager to give it to you, but you were still in some sort of daze during the test... Were you paying attention at all?"
Actually she got a good ninety-two on said test, but no doubt the younger Shidoosha got full points and was expecting the exact same results.
He really wants me to apply myself...
"I-I did do better than usual, Saiki-kun..." she muttered, rubbing her head where she collided into the hard school plaster. "I almost got full points~! So praise me!"
"By almost, do you mean another eighty?"
"No, actually I did better by ten extra points, so... Please praise me..." Yuki suddenly made an 'ah' sound when she realized how odd that sounded and quickly shook her head. "O-Oh second thought, never mind... Just kidding!"
Saiki stared at her dully before sighing and just patting the top of the black witch's head, earning a slight yelp. "Nice work, Yuki-chan."
The blond blushed heavily, looking up with sparkling eyes. "H... Hauuuu..."
The black-haired wizard remained indifferent and made a 'huh' sound before moving his hand to lift her chin up with his forefinger, making her flush red.
"You should know that wearing your heart on your sleeve like that isn't good, Yuki-chan."
Yuki's eyes widened at cold coal eyes dug into chocolate brown.
"It's not going to help on the long run."
He released her to pat her head again and turned away, and the black witch flinched.
"Is hiding all your emotions deep inside of you a good thing than, Saiki-kun? That's not going to help out in the long run either and you know that!"
Saiki froze, his expression clearly surprised that Yuki would say what she did though she couldn't see since he still wasn't facing her before he frowned, hair falling in front of his eyes as they darkened just a bit.
"That's not important, Yuki-chan. I'm just saying that."
"Not important? To hell with..."
"Watch your mouth." His voice was sharp and she was the frozen now at the cold glare. "Speak a bit civilly than that kind of garbage. It's disgusting."
Disgusting?
Her lips trembled, feeling the water brimming in her eyes, but no. She couldn't cry...not here. Not where someone could see her and Saiki. Not where Saiki could see her.
"Sorry..." Yuki's volume was barely above a whisper as she choked a bit before laughing a little. "U-Um... I'm saying that because I worry about you, Saiki-kun... I..."
She looked up, smiling sadly and comfortingly, her cheeks dusted pink. "I... I really do love Saiki-kun, so of course Saiki-kun is super important and... Well..."
"Right, right," Saiki rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I'll see you later than, Yuki-chan."
"L-Later! I'll look forward to it, Saiki-kun!"
He gave her a wave which she returned eagerly and headed on his way. Yuki waited until he was completely out of sight to dash into one of the nearby ladies' room, twisting the sink knob with a flick of her wrist. Cold water gushed out as she stuck her hands underneath, splashing the cool liquid onto her flushed face.
Okay... Okay... Calm down, Shinoya... It was just Saiki-kun after all...
She wiped furiously at the traces of saline on her cheeks, staring at her rosy-faced reflection in the mirror.
"'It's not important, Yuki-chan,'" the black witch mimicked in a heated whisper. "Not important, not important! Oh sure, watch the guy who's practically your entire world waste away! That's not important at all~! ID-I-OT!"
She slammed her fist on the wall beside the mirror though winced, quickly rubbing said abused fist. "Ite... T-That really hurt..."
But...in a way Saiki-kun is right... But he's also wrong... I'm not someone who wears my heart around on my sleeve; I'm someone who wears a façade all the time so that my true heart won't be seen... That's...
"That's normal, right?" Yuki murmured aloud to no one in general. "It's not healthy either way..."
Saiki-kun... You're such an idiot...and I really do love you.
"Yuki-chan, how come it is that I'm findin' ya everywhere nowadays?"
"A-Ai-chan~!" she abruptly squealed as Aiko walked in, wiping off her forehead with a few paper towels. She was obviously beat after practice.
"Ya really are ubiquitous, aren't ya?"
...Yada-kun's called me that before too... But that was just because I was stalking him everywhere, right? Yuki laughed at the memory. "Ai-yan, it's good to see you... Um... Hi."
The blue witch chuckled. "So, we gonna get goin' afterwards?"
"I-I don't know..." the black witch stammered slightly, rubbing at her face again with a paper towel as Aiko perked up in surprise, asking a question that made the young Shinoya girl freeze.
"Hey Yuki-chan, have ya been cryin'? Who do ya want me to beat up?"
"W-What? Ai-chan, that's not-! Oh I mean... Uguuu~!" She groaned, wiping at her forehead in exasperation. "I stubbed my toe on a table! I'm not crying at all so there's definitely no need to worry about me~!"
"Oh? I don't believe that."
"I-It's the truth! Mou Ai-chan, you're way too much!" Yuki crumbled up her paper towel, tossing it. "You're way too nosy and it's none of your business anyway!"
"Calm down. I was just sayin'..."
"Well, stop! Please just stop! I wasn't crying I wasn't! I don't cry!" the black witch shot back, beyond her patience level already. "I'm always happy, okay? I'm always happy, happy, HAPPY! I NEVER CRIED BEFORE IN MY LIFE!"
That was a lie and it was so obvious that it made Aiko feel bad.
"Yuki-chan... Ya know bottlin' yer feelin's like that isn't healthy..."
"How ironic," she laughed bitterly, before her lips pointed into a deep frown. "And here I thought that Saiki-kun was the only one that needed to know that..."
"Saiki-kun?" The blue witch wondered vaguely about him. Yes, Yuki was in love with him and Leon had actually talked about Saiki a few times before... Ah... How did he word it?
"He's someone who just knows," he had stated, looking frustrated and annoyed and excited all at the same time. "He's the kind of person that just seems to know everything... Though I'll be honest, Ai-chan. There's something about Saiki-kun that just drives people insane sometimes... I would know, he's driven me crazy a few times too. And I'm not even quite sure if those times were bad or not..."
Oh. That's right.
"Hey, Yuki-chan... It is alright if ya don't wanna tell me ya know. Just say the word when yer comfortable enough," the blue witch affectionately wrapped an arm around Yuki's shoulders, earning the black witch to yelp with surprise. "If ya ever need an ear, I'll gladly lend one, kay?"
"A-Ai-chan..." the blond complained as Aiko gave her one last wink before heading out of the restroom before Yuki finally just shouted it out. "I-I'm not coming on Sunday, Ai-chan! That meeting we planned, you can just forget about it!"
"Whatever, whatever."
The blue witch grinned while the Shinoya girl just pouted in annoyance.
That Ai-chan... I-I'm definitely not going to be visiting her anytime soon for sure! No way!
It was a lie and they both knew it.
X~x
...Yeah. It was totally a lie.
"I thought that ya weren't comin' to meet me here, Yuki-chan."
"I-I assumed that you wouldn't come since I canceled the meeting!"
"Whatever ya say... It's good to see ya, Yuki-chan."
"...It's nice to see you too, Ai-chan."
Aiko grinned as she played a few notes on her harmonica while Yuki held up the ocarina she brought after all.
"So... Ai-yan..." The blue witch stopped playing, glancing towards the black witch in curiosity. "S-Shall we just play a duet, then?"
"A duet, eh? Really Yuki-chan?"
"Y-You don't have to! I'll sing instead if you want, Ai-chan!"
Aiko perked up. "I haven't heard ya sing before, Yuki-chan... Though I heard ya were good..."
"No, I'm not... I just love singing... Ha-ha, doesn't everyone though?" Yuki laughed nervously, shrugging. "I'm sorry... I was just blurting things out without even thinking about it... Oh, silly me~!"
"Yuki-chan, then what do ya want to do?" The Osakan girl smiled slightly, shrugging. "Yer always changin' yer mind so fast that it's like a whiplash... Ever thought of just thinkin' of a plan an' stickin' to it?"
Just thinking of a plan... And then just sticking to it?
"It'll make thin's that are like this a lot less complicated, ya know."
Is that really how things are though, Ai-chan? For some reason, I'm just not so sure myself...
"Ai-chan, sometimes that's much, much more easier said than done you know, even though that doesn't make it louder since actions are always much more understandable than words..." The black witch sighed and Aiko gave her a confused look. "Ai-chan, thank you."
Finally the blue witch just smiled and played her harmonica. Yuki's smile brightened as well as she blew into her ocarina and played along.
Nothing more really needed to be said.
X~x
"So, so! I'm going to start picking up takoyaki from now on!"
"Eh? Ai-chan's really left her mark on you, huh Yuki-chan?"
"That doesn't have anything to do with it, Momo-chan~!"
"Does it?" Kurumi licked a bit of frosting off her thumb but shivered from the saccharine sweetness. Onpu merely giggled as Momoko continued stirring the batter with Yuki mixing lemonade for some weird reason. "Yuki-chan, you're such a character..."
"Mi? Really, Kurumi-chan? I don't think so at all..." she sipped the lemonade and added sugar. "It's too acidic and sour~!"
"It being acidic isn't a good thing, Yuki-chan," the yellow witch clicked her tongue with a laugh. "I wonder if the others will like this recipe Akio-kun gave me..."
"Akio-kun, huh?" Onpu grinned while Momoko snickered.
"Mou Onpu-chan, now is not really the time for that."
"Oh it isn't, Momo-chan?"
Yuki smiled to herself.
It's good to hear that everyone's doing well but in reality, this happiness has a bit of a bittersweet flavoring to it... Just like this lemonade. I really wish that things could change...
"You're so irresponsible, Yuki-chan."
Irresponsible Yuki... That's me alright, Saiki-kun. Though when Ai-chan played her harmonica, and that time when I played my ocarina... I had such a strange feeling... It was... It was actually nice... A melody from fragmented memories beyond those euphoric days with my Saiki-kun... But how is that even possible? Oh, this is just so confusing...
"Yuki-chan!"
Yuki perked up as Aiko stuck her head in, happily and proudly presenting a tray of takoyaki.
"Ya done yet? Are we gonna all eat or not?"
Yuki brightened up happily, and quickly nodded as Momoko perked up and Onpu and Kurumi stared.
"Yes!"
Calmness may not be happiness... But Ai-chan and I... We still have a lot more duets and a lot more music to make in the meantime of it all!
-Lesson Learned-
(Note: And with a new opening, there's a new ending as well! The song is rather transitive and upbeat, but it really matches Yuki, I guess. It's "Renai Circulation" by Kana Hanazawa! Please listen to it~!)
Se no
Demo sonna n ja dame
(One, two
But, that's no good)
(Footage: A close up to Yuki's lips as she mouths 'se no' starts us off and we quickly skip to a scene on her back as we scan up as she twirls around and holds up a playful scolding finger with a wink.
Mou sonna n ja hora
(Look, it won't work)
(Footage: She skids in the scene and takes a thinking position as if wondering 'am I forgetting something?'.)
Kokoro wa shinka suru yo
(Our hearts will keep evolving)
(Footage: Yuki rushes into her room and picks up a framed picture in a rush, staring at it.)
Motto motto
(More and more)
(Footage: There's a flash of the picture which is a group photograph of her and the girls before we flash back to Yuki as she looks confused but quickly smiles. It then skips to a scene of her running up to meet with the Ojamajos as she's waving cheerfully and then to another scene where she walks into class with Doremi and waves cheerfully at Saiki only for him to ignore her, earning Yuki to look surprised before just puffing her cheeks in annoyance.)
Kotoba ni sureba kiechau kankei nara
(If words will ruin our relationship)
(Footage: Yuki's seen working on an assignment in class at a fast pace only to glance up quickly at Saiki.)
Kotoba o keseba ii yatte
(Then we don't need them)
(Footage: Saiki returns the glance in confusion only for her to hastily drop her gaze.)
Omotteta osoreteta
(I thought so, and I was scared)
(Footage: Yuki pops up in thinking position again before folding her arms and shivering as if in fear.)
Dakedo are nanka chigau kamo
(But wait, maybe that's not quite right)
(Footage: She then perks up and starts shaking her head like mad and soon flails her arms about in a rush.)
Senri no michi mo ippo kara
(A journey of a thousand miles start with a single step)
(Footage: It then shows her trying to take a small step only to trip into the dirt.)
Ishi no you ni katai sonna ishi de
(So I'll go on a resolution as firm as stone)
(Footage: Yuki lifts her head in annoyance from the ground only to quickly stand up and pump her fist in confidence and determination.)
Chiri mo tsumoreba yamato nadeshiko
(So if I bring together enough dust, will I get the ideal woman?)
(Footage: Random images of the Ojamajos start popping up with floral frames.)
Shi nuki de iya shinuki de
(Without the "shi" – no, even if it kills me!)
(Footage: Yuki pops up in front of the pictures shaking her head and holds up her clenched fist as if to say 'to hell with it'.)
Fuwa fuwari fuwa fuwaru
(Softly, gently)
(Footage: It shows the black witch dancing with a sunny background, small images of Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Onpu, and Momoko randomly popping up in order on the side.)
Anata ga namae o yobu
(You're calling my name)
(Footage: Yuki looks dreamy and twirls around, hearts appearing out of nowhere as she cheers for what seems to be nothing.)
sore dake de chuu e ukabu
(And just with that I float up into space)
(Footage: She then faints and her spirit leaves, appearing to have died of happiness.)
Fuwa fuwaru fuwa fuwari
(Softly, gently)
(Footage: Yuki holds her hand up in a prayer and sighs happily, small images of Hana, Moriko, Akemi, and Kurumi randomly popping up on her other side.)
Anata ga waratte iru
(You're laughing)
(Footage: Yuki's eyes are seen sparkling in happiness.)
Sore dake de
(And just like that)
(Footage: Her Saiki doll is seen tossed into the air.)
Egao ni naru
(A smile comes to my face)
(Footage: Yuki soon catches it and nuzzles the plush adoringly before just smiling brightly and childishly at the screen.)
Kami sama arigatou
(God-sama, I thank you)
(Footage: Yuki opens her clenched hands and beams, soon laughing.)
Unmei no itazura demo
(Even if it's a prank of fate)
(Footage: She's seen running towards the girls as we see Doremi waving cheerfully.)
Meguriaeta koto ga
(Because meeting you)
(Footage: There's a flash of Yuki showing a victory sign before winking and then blowing a kiss, giggling gleefully.)
shiawase na no
(Still makes me happy)
(Footage: The black witch is seen with the other girls again and they all appear to be having a good time.)
Demo sonna n ja dame
(But that's no good)
(Footage: Yuki waves her finger in a scolding manner and scoffs playfully.
Mou sonna n ja hora
(Look, this won't work at all)
(Footage: She holds up some sort of fabric and throws it away, panicking)
Kokoro wa shinka suru yo
(Our hearts will keep on evolving)
(Footage: Yuki holds her hands over her heart and smiles gently.)
Motto motto
(More and more)
(Footage: Pictures of the Ojamajos soon decorated the frame as Yuki perks up and beams at the image of Doremi's smiling face.)
Sou sonna n ja yada
(Yup, I don't want it like that)
(Footage: Yuki has her hands on her hips in annoyance before folding her arms and just booing.)
Nee sonna n ja mada
(Hey, that'll come later)
(Footage: She waves her hand crazily in a rush before blushing in embarrassment.)
Watashi no koto mitete ne
(I just want you to look at me)
(Footage: In a close up, she glances up slowly, still flustered. She soon grins and holds a finger up to her lips.)
zutto zutto
(Forever and ever)
(Footage: Her lips purse into a kiss before stretching into a smile and Yuki just laughs, now see with all the girls crowded around her.)
Next time on Ojamajo Doremi Tomo-DACHI:
Yuki: Akemi-chan, stay vigorous! You've done so well up until this point~!
Doremi: E-Eh? Yuki-chan?
Hazuki: Akemi-chan, what's this about?
Akemi: I-It's nothing!
Moriko: Mou, Yuki-chan, don't push Akemi-chan so hard!
Yuki: I don't mean anything by it! Akemi-chan, you'll teach me how to dance, right?
Akemi: NANI?
Onpu: Dance? Yuki-chan, I could teach you that...
Kurumi: What do you need dancing for anyway, Yuki-chan?
Aiko: How confusin'...
Yuki: Gracefully~! Surely Akemi-chan has a secret or two!
Hana: Akemi?
Momoko: Yuki-chan, that's just a little...
Akemi: Actually, it's true...
All Other Ojamajos: NAN DA TO?
Yuki: I knew it!
Doremi: Next time on Ojamajo Doremi Tomo-DACHI!
Yuki: The next lesson! "Waltz Your Way Into Hearts, Me!"! And remember, friendship comes before everything and always treasure it!
Kurumi: Making friends isn't easy, but don't give up!