Tabane's daydream from 1st person POV. A slightly more snarky Ichika here for a more balanced romance compared to the previous chapter.

Ichika POV

It was dark. No scratch that, it was pitch black. I couldn't see two feet in front of me since the only source of light's the electricity that arcs every now and again. If I focused my ears hard enough, I can hear laugher echoing from inside, but that's about it. Huh, why do I feel like a hero in an RPG?

The roof could be barely seen. Not just because it was dark, oh no, it was because it was so high up that you'd need 10 ladders to even touch it. I never did get why it was made so high. Guess I'll never understand scientists.

"...Not again." My face fell and I had to resist the urge to turn around and run right back home with my tail between my legs. The evil laughter echoing from the depths of the place really wasn't helping things. Still, I wasn't going to fight an evil overlord or some kind of monster bent on world destruction.

No. What I was going to see was much, much worse.

"Hello, anybody here?" I paused and waited a few seconds, waiting to see if anyone was going to reply, "If no one's going to answer I'm going to leave..." I called out again.

"..."

Of course she didn't answer, she never takes that threat seriously. She knows I'm going to go in there, I'm going to listen to her explain another experiment that makes no sense, ask (more like demand till I say yes) me to participate for who knows what reason, say no till she pulls off that annoying and not cute at all pouty face, then I'm gonna say yes and end up regretting it five days later when Chifuyu-nee's yelling at me.

Isn't this a great life? I call it the five-step process. Happens every time.

Steeling myself and taking a deep breath, I slowly walked in, ignoring the fact that the door slammed behind me and locked itself automatically. No, that wasn't scary or mysterious at all. It's not like it never happened before.

Well, no turning back now.

I continued to walk down the hallway, taking note of the various experiments and gadgets that lined the walls. I grabbed the flashlight I always bring with me and turn it on. Finally some light, I thought I was going blind.

"Hmm, looks like the Mark 3 prototype's doing well." I stopped and looked at the claw like...thing that was hanging on the wall. The Mark 3 was supposed to be a prototype longitudinal device that could pierce different matrices through the use of extreme vibration.

...

Okay, I have no idea what the heck I'm talking about. I'm pretty I'm at least halfway...no, 10% right about...whatever the heck that thing is. She did mention vibration at some point, so...maybe? Ah, it doesn't matter, it's probably just another failed experiment or something that never got completed.

I shook my head and shone the light on another object on the wall. This one looked like some kind of... laser gun? She called it the Euclid's C-finder. No idea what this one does, but I really don't want to find out. Maybe it's some kind of orbital destroyer or something. She did say you could level a city with this thing.

I shivered and looked at the second to last thing hanging. Now, this thing was interesting. She called it a "Time Machine". I've seen enough movies to know what it was, but the fact that she built one is downright impossible. Of course it didn't work. Why would it? She keeps insisting an alternate version of her managed to make one and brought every one of my possible kids back to the past, but I don't believe that? Who would?

"Alright, lets look at the last thing." I couldn't see clearly, but this one looks like a doll? It looked really lifelike for some reason, "Huh, this is new." I reached my hand out to touch the chest covered in a white dress, "It's warm and really lifelike..."

Without thinking, I squeezed it.

"...I would appreciate it very much if you released my chest..."

"Uwaaah!" I screamed and fell back, the flashlight clattering on the floor next to me. What the hell was that, some kind of demon doll? I thought she was into science, not the supernatural!

"Oh, Ichika-san." The "Doll" landed on the floor with a dull thud, "It's nice to see you again, I'm sorry for startling you." She...it(?) held a hand out to me, beckoning me to take it.

"T-Thanks." Trying to calm myself, and ignoring the fact that maybe taking her/it's hand was a mistake, I let her/it help me up.

Wait, what did she mean by again?

I grabbed the flashlight rolling on the floor and shone it on her. Silver hair bunched up into three tails was the first and only thing I needed to see. There was only one person I knew who wore her hair like that.

"Kuu-san, w-what are you doing here?"

She didn't answer and just looked away, her pale face turning red. Was that a blush I just saw? Wow, I didn't think it was April fools already. Okay guys, you can come out here and tell me I got punked. Go ahead.

"Tabane-sama is in one of her...moods. It seemed unwise for me to stay there."

"Alright, so..."I scratched my head. How do I ask her? Arrgh, I'll just go out and say it.

"Why were you hanging on the wall...?" Did she just blush again? Wow, I didn't think it was that serious. And what did she mean by one of her moods? The only mood I've ever seen her in is hyper.

"I...did not want to be found..." She took a few breaths before continuing, "Tabane-sama is...re-evaluating her life due to her age. It appears this is a common aspect for many women of her age."

What the heck did she mean by-Oh. Oh, that's...not good. Was she having her coming of age crisis yet? Chifuyu-nee warned me this day would come. She always thought it would happen the minute she saw Kuu working at the lab one day. She said it happened to her too ever since she I became 13.

She was looking looking for a relationship now that she had a kid.

Not good. This is really not good.

Last time she thought she needed a kid she locked Houki and me in the same room and started telling us to "act natural". I swear I could've died of embarrassment at that point. Looking back on it, it was a good thing we were both 12 at the time or things would've gotten even more tense.

Good thing Kuu came along not long after that.

Wait, there's till hope. Maybe Kuu's just exaggerating things and I'm worrying too much. No need to think it's gotten that bad yet. Still, just to be safe, I'm going to take down the Orbital Destroyer. Don't want any accidents happening if it can be prevented.

"Kuu, what exactly do you mean by moods." I asked slowly.

Please, please, please say she's just bored. At least then we could try to fix it rather than have to deal with another locked in the room problem.

"She has not left her room and seems quiet as of late." She looked really sad. Good, I'm freaking terrified right now, "When I ask her what is wrong she just starts hugging me and says she is lucky we are together."

Okay, that didn't sound promising at all. This doesn't sound like she's in the mood for experiments. Experiments can be fixed at least. This sounds like the crisis Chifuyu-nee told me about.

"A-Anything else."

She put her finger on her chin, "Yes. She seems to be trying to make some kind of new...mixture. I believe the label said "Lovu Lovu Max.".

That...sounds even worse. Okay, try to calm down Ichika. You can handle this. Just because Chifuyu-nee's off doing her work and won't be back for months doesn't mean you're doomed. You still have Rin and Houki to call if you need help.

"Right, well...I'm going to go see her, see if I can help or...something."

I dusted myself off and prepared to enter her room before I felt a soft tugging on my sleeve. Looking down, I saw that Kuu was staring up at me with her closed eyes. She never opened her eyes much, I don't even know what her eye color is.

"Be careful...I hope you don't die."

Why does that make me feel even more nervous than before? I didn't bring any extra underwear, Kuu, I hope you're aware of that. I wouldn't want to make you take responsibility for any accidents that happen if you go and say stuff like that whenever you want.

"I'll be careful" I smiled down at her, but I don't know if she saw it, "Tabane-san'll be back to normal before you know it."

I couldn't really catch it, but I swore her mouth tilted upwards ever so slightly before letting go.

"Hello...Tabane-san? I'm here to visit."

The room I was in was brightly lit, and extreme opposite of the hallway that led up to it. I guess you need a lot of light for experimenting.

The room looked different from any other room I've been in. Instead of a bed there was some kind of spherical chair you could lay down in. A holographic screen replaced any T.V and the room was filled to the brim with blueprints, metallic parts, and pictures.

The only other person in the room was sitting on the sphere chair, looking bored out of her mind.

"..."

"Ah...Tabane-san? Are you alright?" I called out.

"..."

She didn't answer, big surprise there. No really, I'm not being sarcastic. Usually she'd be saying pointless things right now about how her latest experiment went and "ask" If I wanted to help her. On the bright side of things, it looks like I'll be skipping the 5 step process.

"Oh...Ik-kun, I didn't notice you were there." She looked up and I had to stop myself from gasping out loud. Was this really the same Tabane-san? She sounded so...normal. No yelling out loud or saying she made the next best thing since sliced bread. It sounded odd.

No, it sounded wrong.

"Tabane-san, are you alright?" I took cautious steps towards her, making sure to keep it slow. No need to startle her or anything.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just looking back on my life now that I have the time." I took the chance to sit next to her on the sphere chair. Okay, now that I'm here, I can restrain her if something goes wrong.

Looking back on your life? Tabane-san, you're 24 years old and you look even younger than that. There's really not much to look back at this point jut yet. Of course I didn't say this out loud. Tact is the first thing a gentleman should know.

"She grew up so fast, I just couldn't believe it. One day she's helping me calibrate things for the Akatsubaki and the next she's building her own lasers with her eyes closed."

Is she talking about Kuu-san? There really isn't much of a gap between those two...and aren't her eyes always closed? Strange thing to be sad about right now.

"Before you know it she'll be leaving the lab to make her own devices that'll change the world and I'll be here alone." She looked down, sad.

Okay, this is worse than he thought. She didn't want a relationship. No, she was just getting delusional! Did she forget that Houki, Chifuyu-nee, and me are here? Or maybe the fact that Kuu's 12 and doesn't attend school, so she wouldn't be leaving for a really long time?

"Listen, Tabane-san-"

"Do you think I'm old?" She suddenly interrupted.

What kind of question is that? Is she really asking me if I thought she, who didn't look a day past 20, was old? Yeah, the day I said she looked old would be the day I stopped liking older women.

...

Wait, that didn't come out right! Anyway, back to the question at hand.

"Uh...no, of course not!" I yelled, waving both hands in front of my face in a panic.

"Hmph, you're lying, you think I'm old." She did that annoyingly not cute at all pout and put her knees below her head. Geez, this is depressing.

I scratched the back of y head before I got an idea. It was a risky idea, but it might work, "Look why don't you try going out on a date or something? That should-"

"That's it!" She stood up from the sphere chair, "You and me will go on a date tomorrow morning so I can test it. If I can get through tomorrow, I'll be back to normal! Heh, I'm a genius." Ah, her hyper voice is back.

And she interrupted me again. Well, if she cheers up it'll be worth- Did she just say you and me! As in you referring to me and me referring to her! Oh no, this is bad!

"W-Well, I meant more on getting someone else you know. Kinda like an older friend." I tried to reason with her. Chifuyu-nee would kill me if she found out I went on a date with her best friend.

She didn't answer and just stared at me. Oh god, this was the stare. The stare that said 'Why are you arguing with me? You should be preparing for the experiment already.' till you caved in and said yes.

"N-Nevermind, I'll meet you tomorrow, then?" I forced a smile. This was just for the sake of cheering her up. I held no attraction to her whatsoever. I mean who cares if she has a pretty smile and that purple hair that looks really good with that-

I'll just stop now.

"Yup! I'll get us two tickets to the new park opening tomorrow. This is going to be great!" She was already skipping around all happy. I guess I did something right at least.

"Well, see you tomorrow then."

Tabane POV

"Hmmhmmhmm"

Tomorrow's going to be so fun! I mean, its just another experiment and all, but who would've thought he'd fall for that 'I'm going to be all alone' act? Kuu-chan told me he wouldn't fall for it. Guess I showed her!

"Ohh, this looks fun!" The website I was looking at was advertising the carnival that was going to open tomorrow. Looks like couples were the theme that was going to happen. Hmm, now to hack it so I can get a couple of tickets and...done.

Kuu asked me earlier why I was going through all this trouble to trick him, but it's not exactly tricking, more like...persuading. I mean, it was just to shake things up a little. The five step thing was really getting old. Why bother doing the same old thing again when this is much easier?

"Tabane-sama..."

Oh, that's Kuu. I turned around and found her staring at me with her eyes open. Uh-oh, why is she looking at me like that? She never opens her eyes like that unless she's about to say something important.

"Tabane-sama, what is the purpose of this experiment?"

"Huh? Oh, it's just something I'm curious about." I waved it off.

"Hmm, it just seemed like you've been looking at him differently since her turned 15, that's all. I wonder if you have a more personal reason for asking him for help."

It didn't have anything to do with the fact that he was really growing up into a good looking - Did I say good looking? I meant average - young man! Why would it? This was an experiment on...social interactions. Anyone would've worked, he was just the most convenient.

"Tabane-sama, why do you have a picture of him in your holo-screen?" She pointed behind me and I thanked whoever I should thank that my face didn't turn red. Why did I leave that up?

"That's Houki-chan's!" I grabbed her by the shoulders and started pushing her out of the room, "A-Anyway, I need to prepare for tomorrow, so let's go to sleep now!"

*Slam*

Sigh...this is just an experiment and nothing more.

Right?

Ichika POV

...This is awkward.

Right now I was standing at the entrance to the park, couples passing me by and giving me stares as I stood there. Tabane-san, where are you? Standing out here by myself is awkward enough already. Heck, I'm lucky I managed to hide it from Rin, Houki, and Chifuyu-nee. Hopefully none of them find out.

I even dressed up for today: A black long sleeve shirt with a zipper on the right shoulder that can be used to loosen the chest area along with some gray pants and black shoes. Not really formal, but more than the casual shirt and baggy jeans I usually wear.

"IIIIKK-KUUUUN~"

"Oh no, that doesn't sound goo-"

The next thing I know I'm at the ground, looking up at Tabane-san's smiling face looking down on me. Hey, why am I on the ground? Man the floor is cold.

"Sorry I'm late, Ik-kun, I had to find a babysitter for Kuu-chan while we're out. Can't leave her along, right?" She stood back up with a smile and dusted herself off.

Kuu? Needing a babysitter? Yeah, more likely chance of the babysitter running away in terror after the first hour. I've seen what she can do when she's bored. It's...not pretty.

"It's fine, Tabane-san." I stood up too. Great, now everyone was staring at the two of us. This isn't a good start, "Who did you get to watch Kuu-san?" I hope she got someone who can deal with attacks to their sanity.

"Oh, I got Clarissa-san and her boyfriend to do it. They were visiting Laura-san and they were free for the day." She waved of my concern...Wait, did she say Clarissa-san? By herself she was crazy enough with her...odd idea's on Japanese culture, but Joshua-san was even weirder.

Clarissa-san was harmless on her own, thought she tended to give odd ideas to Laura-san that caused me a lot of trouble. I still remember when Laura snuck into our house when Clarissa told her something wrong she read from a manga. It took a while for me to convince Chifuyu-nee that I didn't need to use protection since nothing happened.

Joshua-san, on the other hand, was the weirder but more stable of the two. His weirdness extended mostly to his physical appearance. He looked kind of like a Bandage Mummy and he always wore some kind of police uniform with a vest. He was nice enough, but he always thought violence was the best solution to things. I heard a rumor that he was set on fire and thrown off the Grand Canyon, but I really doubt that's true.

"Well, Ik-kun, how do I look?" She did a twirl and did a peace sign pose. Well, apart from the fact that she was attracting a lot of attention, I think she looked good. She replaced the old Alice in Wonderland outfit she usually wore for a semi long sleeve light gray jacket with a white collared undershirt, some light blue pants, and a pair of boots.

I guess she looked pretty? The fact that she was wearing anything apart from her usual attire was more surprising to me more than anything.

"You look...okay?" I managed to blurt out. She pouted slightly and I felt my face heat up. I just hope she didn't see.

"Well, let's go, Tabane-san." I walked forward before I felt my arm getting pulled back and something soft pressing down on it. Wait, this sounds familiar.

"T-Tabane-san, wh-what are you doing?" She was hugging my arm right now and I could feel something soft digging into it. The thin fabric really didn't help things.

"We're on a date right, Ik-kun? We should stick together~" She smiled and dragged me inside, ignoring my protests. When did she get so strong? I don't remember her being able to drag anyone that wasn't willing with her.

No...she's just strong now, that's all.

"Oooh, oooh, let's ride that first!" She finally let go of me and started jumping around excitedly, pointing at the large rollercoaster. Why the rollercoaster? I hated going fast distances unless they were waterslides.

"A-Are you sure Tabane-san? Maybe we could take something else." I pleaded.

"Ehhhhhh~ But I really wanted to ride this today." Oh great, she was giving me the pout again? Does she know how annoying not cute it is for me? This is getting tedious.

."...Fine, let's go."

My heart kept pounding every step, going faster and faster as the line shortened. Why is this line so fast? I thought people would be ahead of us more.

"Ready, Ik-kun?" She smiled even wider as we buckled in.

No, I'm not ready! Didn't you notice me shivering? I've been shaking since we got in this line. You couldn't have ignored it, my arm was shaking too and you were hugging that the entire way through.

*Tok Tok Tok Tok*

We're getting high- Is that a bird! How high are we going? Oh man, we just passed the bird and we're still going higher! I have a bad feeling about this!

"Here it comes!"

Okay, we're at the top now. Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down.

"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"I am never doing that again!" Okay, that's it, that pout's never going to affect me ever again! Oh man, I shouldn't have had a large breakfast this morning. It tastes worse going in than it does going back out.

"But it was fun~ Don't you think so, Ik-kun?" Oh yeah, I just love staring at my breakfast a couple of hours after I ate it. It was 'fun', alright.

"Ooooh, oooh, let's go on that next!" Against my better judgement, I actually looked up and saw what she was pointing it.

I immediately wished I hadn't.

"That's a bungee ride! We just rode a rollercoaster and now you want to ride a bungee cable?" I couldn't even keep it in this time. I placed my head back in the trash can and finished my business. Well, there goes the rest of my breakfast! Huh, I don't remember eating eggs this morning.

"But it'll be fun!" No, no, no! Take that pout off your face! I'm not gonna sit in a bungee table going hundreds of feet downwards, most likely spitting out the rest of my breakfast along the way, just because she's pouting.

"Please~ Ik-kun~"

Oh no she's pulling out the puppy dog eyes too. Why? Do you want to make me suffer? I was half-thinking she was faking the whole sad episode yesterday, but I don't even I'm dense enough to fall for it if it was an act.

"...Fine."

"Ik-kun, let's go get some crepes!"

I'm tired. Tabane-san made me ride the rollercoaster, the bungee cable, and then made me run around looking for something else to ride after that. It was already 2:00 right now, not much time till closing time.

"S-Sure, just let me...catch my breath for a minute...or five." I sat down, panting, on the table. Man, I was lucky I didn't throw up anymore after the bungee ride, but I think that's more on the fact that I had nothing left to throw rather than because I was getting used to it.

I waited a few seconds before I saw Tabane-san sit across from me, holding out a blueberry crepe.

"Thanks." I forced a smile even if I still felt sick and grabbed the crepe from her hand. Mmm, this is good.

"Ah, Ik-kun, let me try something!"

Before I could ask her what she was talking about, she leaned across the table, showing her ample chest...not that I was looking or anything, and took a bit out of my crepe.

"H-Hey, Tabane-san!" She pulled back smiled at me as she chewed part of my crepe.

"That vendor was right, the mixed berry crepe is delicious~" She held out her crepe to me, "Here, try some!"

I really didn't want to, but I didn't think telling her no was a good idea, so I took a bite.

"Ahnnn" I leaned forward and took a bite out of the offered strawberry crepe, "Hmmm, it's pretty good. I guess this is what Laura was talking about before." I smiled and leaned back till I noticed something.

Ah, Tabane-san, you have some cream on your face." I leaned forward and wiped it off from the side of her mouth.

"Ahhhh...thanks, Ik-kun." Her face turned red. Is she getting a fever now? It is pretty hot out here. Hope she doesn't get sick. The rest of the time eating the crepes was quiet, oddly enough, and soon we were making our way to the movie theatre for the 3 and a half hour movie.

Couples usually watched romance movies in these kinds of things. I've seen enough romance manga to know what usually happens.

"Impossible, how can you still stand!"

"The power of the core preserves me!"

...What is this? This looks like something you'd be watching at an anime convention or something. I've seen scenes in manga's where the two people slowly hold hands while watching a romantic movie, then slowly leaning in for a kiss.

...Nothing's going to happen in this movie, that's for sure. Not because it's not romantic or anything, but because we're not really a couple. It's going to be over by the end of the day and things will be back to normal tomorrow.

That's a good thing...right?

I felt something warm on top of my hand, "Tabane-san?" I looked down and saw her hand sitting on tope of mine, but she was still looking at the movie excitedly. She didn't even notice it.

Heh, some things never change.

The time's 5:30, 30 minutes till closing time. Not much time left except for one ride.

"Ik-kun, there's one more ride I wanna go on. Let's go!"

And I'm being dragged somewhere else again. I should get used to this by now. Houki and Rin do it a lot too.

I just hope it's not another roller coaster.

"This isn't what I expected..."

Right now the two of us are sitting side by side on a ferris wheel together. There weren't much people left so it was only us and a few other couples just slowly circling around. I have to admit it feels really relaxing right now.

"Look at the view, Ik-kun, it's so pretty~"

She was looking standing on her knees, looking out the window with a huge smile on her face. The light from the sunset was bathing the small cart we were in, bathing everything in a golden glow.

"Come and look, Ik-kun!" She looked back at me with a huge smile. It's moments like these that make me remember that behind all the mad experiments and the crazy idea's she's just a regular just a regular person.

Just plain old, happy go lucky Tabane Shinonono.

She can be really annoying at times, be really rude, and do things without thinking things through.

But behind all that was a woman who loved her younger sister, cared about her friends, and was generally well meaning.

"See, it's pretty, right?" She pulled me by the hand to look. I didn't even bother trying to resist this time and just laughed along.

"...Wow.."

The view was breathtaking, that's for sure. I could see the entire town lit in a bright golden light, buildings starting to light up as the sun cascaded down the sky slowly, signaling the end of the day. It's kinda sad knowing this is the first and last time we'll be doing something like this together.

By the way, this may sound cliché, but I can see my house from here!

"It's pretty, right?" She looked to me again. I swear my face feels like and oven right now.

"Yeah, you are." I said without really meaning to. Wait, did I just say that?

"Huh?"

"N-Nothing!" I coughed slightly and looked away from her. I really hope she didn't hear that. That was so corny!

"...Ik-kun."

I looked back at her and nearly fell back in shock. Her eyes were closed and she was leaning in slowly. Is this the climax? Am I supposed to lean in too!

"Ik-kun..."

"Argh, damn it!"

I grabbed her by the shoulders and closed my eyes before slowly leaning in. If this is the last chance I'm gonna have to do this then I'm taking it it.

Slowly, ever so slowly, our lips went closer. I could feel a breath just an inch or two from mine.

*Creaaaak*

"Woah!"

"Waaah!"

The circling of the ferris wheel suddenly stopped and we crashed into each other foreheads first. Ow, that hurt!

"We're sorry; the ferris wheel is currently experiencing problems, please wait while we do the repairs."

Wow...what a moment killer! Me and Tabane-san stared at each other before we started laughing.

"Wh-What was that!" I started laughing and sat back up, helping Tabane-san who was laughing too.

"I don't know, Ik-kun."

We both sat back in out seats and waited for the repairs to finish. We couldn't repeat what just happened, not with that interruption. I quieted down the part of my brain yelling in disappointment. Now's not the time for that.

"So, I guess this is the end of our date, huh?"

The two of us were at the entrance of the park now. The signal bell showing that the park was crossed blared all around us.

"Yup, thanks a lot Ik-kun~"

"Yeah it was really fun..." Come on you idiot just say it! Just say you wanna go somewhere else with her. Who cares if she's your sister's best friend? Just go for it!

I swallowed and took a deep breath. Alright, I'm going to do it!

"Tabane-sa-"

"Chuuuuuu"

...Huh? What's this soft feeling on my cheek? Wait, this is-

"That's all for now, Ik-kun" She leaned forward and put her hands on top of her head, like a rabbit.

"Uuuuuh...huh?" I was frozen in place. Did that just really happen? Was I getting delusional?

"If you want more, be sure to take me somewhere nice next time!" She started walking away, leaving me there, frozen in place. T-That just happened, right!

"By the way, call me Taba-chan from now on! Tabane-san's too formal."

"..."

Right, need to go home and...look for something new to do.

Epilogue:

At the bushes that sat next to the gate, 3 people sat down. A German woman dressed in a black military uniform, a 12 year old girl wearing a plain white dress, and a man covered from head to in bandages leaning against the wall reading a small book.

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Remember, O Lord, The Children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said, "Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation." O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed. How happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones."

"Joshy-kins, would you please stop reading that book now? We're doing something important right now." Clarissa complained.

"I fail to see how spying on two young lovebirds would be considered important." He didn't look up from his book and continued reading. The bandages covering his face prevented Clarissa from seeing what his expression was.

"We're not just doing that, we're watching Kuu, too." She pointed at the empty spot next to her.

Wait, empty?

"Where's Kuu-chan!" Clarissa yelled and started looking around the bush frantically, trying to search for the lost girl.

Joshua sighed and pointed at Ichika, who Kuu was talking too. How she had missed the fact that the girl was talking to him he didn't know.

"Ichika-san, do you plan to ask Tabane-sama to go somewhere again?" Kuu looked up at him, eyes open and staring at him curiously.

"Huh... Oh, yeah, I will! ...Maybe?" He didn't really know how to answer her. How could he?

"...I see." She looked confused for a second before looking back up, "Does this mean I should refer to Ichika-san as Ichika-sama from now on?"

"What?" It took him a few seconds to register what she said, "No! No, just...don't. Just call me what you want." Ichika smiled down at her.

She nodded and started walking away, a slight smile on her face.

"See you soon...Papa."

Please read and review :) My romance is still pretty bad, so I hope this is okay.

By the way, a cookie for anyone who can guess who Joshua's a reference for in this chapter.

Anyway, review on who you want next to get a chapter.