Chika was late. Why they decided to do something on a Sunday was beyond her, but she needed to keep this up for just a bit longer. She had to get closer to everyone and keep an eye on things. She rounded the corner, her long strands of purple hair flowing behind her like streamers. She glanced at her watch, nearly tripping over her own flat-heeled mary janes in the process.
Not looking where she was going, she collided with someone. The woman was tall, wearing a lavender hooded jacket over a purple and white striped shirt and capris. She was muscular, looking like she was built like a tank. Her blond hair streaked with orange was pulled back into a high ponytail. She stared down at Chika, her observant orange eyes nearly piercing through the small girl. Chika stared up at the woman, engaging in a short silent conversation. There was something about this woman that seemed off, but Chika couldn't put a finger on it.
"Chika-chan!~ " the pink-haired girl exclaimed, rounding the woman to pull Chika into a tight hug. "I see you've met Sasami-chan!"
"Um, yes, it's very nice to meet you," Chika offered in greeting. "I'm Shiba Chika."
"Chika-chaaaaaan~ !" Akemi immediately attached herself to Chika and Small Lady. "You made it! We were worried something terribly unbeautiful had happened to you~"
"Not at all," Chika replied, fighting against the extra weight of the two girls hugging her. "My sister wasn't feeling well. I had to get her some bandages. But don't worry. She'll be alright."
"From your host family?" Momoko chimed in, remembering that Chika was an exchange student. "Do you need to go home to help?"
"She'll be fine," Chika repeated, wiggling out of their grip. Small Lady had released her but Akemi was persistent.
Hotaru took the opportunity to wrap her arm around Small Lady's and possessively claim the princess as her own. "We should go before it gets too late. It's already lunch time. We should get dumplings."
Small Lady lit up. "That's a great idea, Hotaru-chan!" She practically dragged Hotaru with her as she lead the way to the mall, currently decorated with cherry blossoms and stands with food, toys, and games. She enjoyed the festivals greatly, and this time, she hoped that they'd actually be able to enjoy the festival, not have it smashed by two belligerent senshi.
The food all smelled so good, and Small Lady wanted to visit each stand, but she didn't want to separate herself from everyone else. At least she had Hotaru glued to her arm. And to further prevent getting lost, she took Sasami's hand in her own.
"Hm?" Sasami suddenly turned. "Cafe Eclipse as its own stand." She hadn't expected they'd keep one after the assault the day before, but to keep people from worrying, they had continued to keep the stand open for the festival.
"Really?!" Momoko exclaimed excitedly. "Their food is so good!"
"Ohohoho~ look who it is, Makoto-shi~" Akiko greeted the girls. She had donned herself with a traditional yukata, the sleeves tied up to keep from getting in the way of preparing food.
Makoto had taken a more modern look with a sleeveless collared shirt and an apron. She offered a friendly wave to the group. "Hello everyone! What can I get you all?"
"Don't be forced to go modern, girls~" Akiko countered coyly.
Makoto shot her a look clearly stating their rivalry was back in session. "Don't think you've gotta go traditional either. Ever had a brownie pop?"
"What's a brownie pop?" Momoko asked curiously.
"A monstrosity," Akiko answered coyly.
Makoto frowned, pushing her rival back from the booth's counter. "It's a brownie shaped like a lollipop on a stick! Pure cakey goodness."
"And there are traditional dango as well," Akiko added as she peered around Makoto. "Made with hard work and love, ohohoho~"
Small Lady pursed her lips together. "Do I have to choose? I want both!"
"Me too!" Momoko agreed.
"I want everything beautiful made with love~ !" Akemi added as she playfully slung herself over Momoko's shoulders.
"I think we have a consensus here. One of each for the four of them," Sasami decided for them, fishing yen from her pocket. "And a riceball for me."
"Ohoho~" Akiko pressed against Makoto's arm. "It seems that riceball puts me in the lead, does it not?"
Makoto frowned at her rival. "That's not fair. You have a familial advantage here. It doesn't count."
"Ohoho~" Akiko tittered as she gathered the requested dango and riceball. "I believe you're jealous, Makoto-shi~. All's fair in love and food war, isn't that what we agreed on?"
Makoto cringed. "We did."
Akiko smirked slightly and coyly. "Then I believe this is a case of 'Better luck next time.'" She handed the dango on a stick to the kids then the riceball to Sasami. "Do enjoy these~."
Makoto handed over fresh brownie pops, still warm from baking. "Have fun at the festival!"
The girls all nodded, excited to get their food. "Hey, once we're done, why don't we play some games!" Momoko suggested.
Small Lady agreed silently, having already shoved two dango into her mouth. Hotaru had busied herself with a brownie pop, and Chika continued to stare at hers.
"Just take the beautiful treats and eat them whole in the most glorious manner, Chika-chan~ " Akemi prodded their purple-haired friend.
Chika glanced up at Akemi, cracking a slight smile before pulling one of the dango from the stick. It was still warm and soft and felt a bit cakey between her fingers. Such strange food these festivals had. This sort of food wasn't prevalent at all on Aldebaran. Shrugging, she popped the dango into her mouth and chewed. "This is very good!" she noted after she'd finished chewing.
Sasami watched the girls enjoy their snacks, keeping a watchful eye on the area. Finishing her riceball, she pulled her phone from her pocket, typing out a quick text to her counterpart in the castle. "All clear at the festival, though do me a favor, Kunzite. Put a search out for someone named 'Shiba Chika'. There's something off about this girl."