Windows of the Soul: Part Thirty-Seven

On length. I dislike stories that stop immediately after a confession or a romantic resolution, as if nothing interesting could happen thereafter. I also dislike stories that rush into a romance without proper development.

The intelligent reader will immediately appreciate the degree to which I am backing myself into a corner...

When I woke, I was in someone's arms. That was surprising enough in itself, so even though I was tired to the bone and could barely see or think, I forced my eyes open. A surprising face looked down at me. "Tou… sama?"

"Honestly, you've developed strange habits while you were away," Otousama said shortly. He carried on walking down the corridor, carrying me as if one was a child again. "You aren't what I'd expect to see in my dojo at this time of the morning."

"Where's Natsuki?" I asked instinctively. I remembered a lot of last night in a single moment, and fell abruptly silent. But it wasn't a bad feeling, either.

"She was sleeping with you. I'll take care of moving her after this, more carefully. She's still wounded, after all." Otousama frowned. "Perhaps I should just wake her up…"

"You could have done that with me," I replied automatically. "This is… a little…"

"You should sleep without worrying about anything." Otousama looked down the corridor, frowning slightly. "And I have your katana, as well. You should be more careful."

Some kind of normality began to reassert itself. "I'm sorry, Tou-sama," I said. "I have troubled you rather a lot."

Otousama grunted. "Rather, indeed. You know, you're not a slender child any more, and I'm not as young as I used to be."

Though he kept his face even and composed, that is probably the closest he normally comes to affection. "That's certainly true," I admitted sleepily. "It's rather childish…"

"Adults sleep in their beds."

"You're very cruel." I tried to focus, but there wasn't much to focus on except the continual, low pain in my legs, and the fact that the left side of my body was numb. Presumably from sleeping on hard wood, and it was hard to remember why that had seemed like a good idea at the time…

"We only have one guest, and she's implicated as well. I'll forgive you." Otousama reached what looked like the door to my room, and stared at it with a serious impression. "Shizuru, grab onto my kimono."

"Yes," I replied uncertainly, taking hold of the dull blue cloth.

He released his grip from my shoulders, supporting my upper body with his arm as he reached out and opened the door. He shifted his hand back and stepped through, laying me down on the futon. A moment later, he turned away, pulling my sheathed katana from his obi and holding it up with both hands. "I'm putting this back in its proper place, Shizuru." He returned it to my daisho's stand. "You should take care of the rest."

"Yes," I said slowly, catching his meaning. "I'll do that."

"Good. Don't worry, I'll take care of Kuga-san. An account of this can wait, but I'll tell Viola when she's up. You shouldn't do things that might trouble us unduly, Shizuru."

"I'm sorry," I repeated quietly. "What time is it?"

"Five thirty-five," Otousama replied, glancing down at me. "You should sleep some more. Take it easy again."

"Yes, Otousama." Was that four hours asleep? Three? I lost track of time, but it wasn't long enough. I didn't need a watch to see that, I could barely see.

"Well, then. Later." He nodded at me briefly and left, closing the door behind him. A moment later, he opened it again, and left it like that without a word.

For a few moments, I tried to fix my mind on what had happened last night, but it was almost too large to deal with. Certainly too difficult a subject for my half-awake self in the murk of a very early morning.

So I waited for Otousama to return with Natsuki, instead.

I was really very tired, and glad to crawl under the covers. I was cold, as well, because there weren't any blankets, and sore in many places, and tired as death, and very glad to return to warmth and comfort. Despite that, I remained awake.

Watching Otousama walk in carrying a sleepy and extremely vocal Natsuki was certainly a reward for my efforts. That is a scene I shall remember.

When I woke again, someone was looking down at me, rather closer than I would like.

"Good morning, Natsuki-chan," Saaya remarked amicably, smiling down at me.

I blinked then pushed myself up, forcing her to stand properly. "You, too? I'm not letting you carry me!"

Saaya gave me an ambiguous smile, while someone behind me giggled. "Good morning, Natsuki."

I turned my head rapidly, glancing at her. "Good morning, Shizuru." And then I remembered, and flushed. "You saw it, didn't you?"

"Saw what?" Shizuru asked innocently.

"Saw that," I replied decisively, scowling at her. "I remember. You were pretending to be asleep, but you definitely peeked!"

"I'm sorry, Natsuki, it's a little early in the morning," Shizuru said, smiling apologetically. "I can't recall what you mean, offhand."

"Damnit, Shizuru," I complained. "Even if I deny it, you were way too obvious! I heard you snort with laugher, and then you muffled it in your pillow!"

"Oh, that," Shizuru said, with a feigned revelation. "You mean when Otousama was-"

"Don't say it!" I snapped, shooting daggers at her.

"Ara, Ara," Viola remarked quietly, slipping her hands into her sleeves. "A comic interlude."

I groaned, putting my hand on my head and looking around. Surely enough, Hideko was also hovering in the corner. "It's too early in the morning for so many of you at once…"

"We're very sorry for the inconvenience," Viola replied sincerely, smiling slightly at me. "You look tired. But our new guests are arriving within an hour, most likely."

I blinked. "Guests? You mean Mai and everyone?"

Viola nodded. "Shizuru will be up and presentable to them. You can continue to sleep if you like, you have no obligation as a host. But I thought it best to wake you again. If I've been remiss, I'm sorry for that."

"No, it's fine," I replied tiredly. "I'll get dressed."

"Of course, there may be a limit to how presentable we can make Shizuru-chan," Saaya remarked innocently. "I'm afraid she isn't looking her best, and her tiredness weighs heavily on her."

"Then I'm sure I am counting on you all," Shizuru replied. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled at me.

"We'll change your bandages later, darling, but I'm afraid they will have to keep for now," Viola said, moving forwards. "We don't have time for you to bathe, either. We'll just take care of your hair and clothes. Will you be wearing a kimono or casual?"

"The former would be my personal preference, in this house," Shizuru replied. "But most likely, they will be dressed casually, no? Perhaps I should put them at their ease."

"Precisely. It doesn't do to intimidate people or make them feel out of place."

"Best to go with casual, then," Saaya suggested. "And you can bathe and change into a kimono for dinner, later."

Shizuru nodded. "That sounds like a workable compromise. Perhaps white again? It does suit me."

"I've had Saaya look through what you have, and of course we brought some more. White is good, but I was considering grey and black. I think dark colours would suit you as well."

I was watching the two of them with interest when Saaya put her hand on my head. "As for this one… I'm counting on you, Hideko-chan."

Hideko bowed, folding her hands together. "As you say, Saaya-san."

"Use your own judgement," Saaya suggested happily. "I'll be looking forwards to the result."

"Hey, don't decide things on your own," I complained. "And don't do that to my head either. It's patronising."

"I'm sorry, Natsuki-chan," Saaya replied, looking sidelong at me. "I was just pushing down your bed-hair."

"I don't have bed hair," I protested. "I wasn't even sleeping in one until a moment ago."

Hideko took my arm with one of her hands, smiling at me. "If you please, Kuga-san."

I gave up and followed her quietly, feeling rather like I was under arrest. We returned to my room, and Hideko subtly directed me to stand in the middle of the room.

"I've already appraised your own clothes, as well," Hideko told me smoothly, turning to the wardrobe. "It's too bad that you could not pack a little more, as what you have chosen is to your advantage."

"What, you've been rooting through my stuff?" I asked, a little incredulous. "What? Everything?"

"Of course. We are left to wash them, after all, and we are also to discharge this function."

I frowned. "Even my bras and stuff?"

"Kuga-san has excellent taste," Hideko replied.

I flushed slightly. So that was a yes.

"In any case, only your second pair of clothes are currently ready. However, I thought it might be more agreeable for you to borrow part of Ojou-sama's wardrobe? There is plenty to spare, and your sizes are very similar."

"Can't I just wear my own clothes?" I said, a little puzzled. "That seems simplest."

"But that isn't very fun," Hideko said lightly, glancing at me and smiling. "You know, you're a little more challenging for me. Ojou-sama has always had an enthusiasm for dressing well."

"I don't dress badly," I protested.

"Of course. But trying something new is fine, as well. For girls of your age, there's a special value in dressing attractively. At the very least, there's no harm in it." Hideko glanced at me. "I would rather like to try and surprise Ojou-sama, as well. She's probably seen you dress as you normally do, but a change might interest her."

"It's not like that's a big deal," I said cautiously. "Besides, she'd recognise her own clothes."

"Not those brought for her by Viola Ojou-sama," Hideko corrected. "There are quite a few of those."

I sighed, rubbing my head. "You just want to play dress-up with me, right? It's like everyone in the household except me is the same."

"It's just too bad, considering you have such a natural beauty and charm," Hideko offered. "Bringing more of that out can only be a good thing."

"Flattery won't help either."

Hideko walked up to me, reaching out and pushing my hair out of my face. "And I'm sure it would please Ojou-sama, as well. She shares with Viola Ojou-sama an aesthetic taste, a love of the beautiful. I'm very sure she would be grateful to you, for taking the time."

Our eyes met, and then I sniffed slightly and turned away. "Oh, fine. You're just going to go at me until I agree, right?"

"That may be so," Hideko replied, walking around me and beginning to ease her fingers through my hair. "Do you have anything in mind, Kuga-san?"

"No, but you do," I replied, closing my eyes. "What is it you suggest, then?"

"Well, blue is your colour. Especially with your hair, it's most striking." She released my hair and stepped away slightly. "Because of that, though, it's something you play on rather a lot. A more novel colour might flatter you as well. How about white? Do you normally wear white?"

"Not really," I admitted.

"I thought so. That might be good."

"There's probably a reason why I don't normally wear white!"

"Don't worry," Hideko replied. "You will certainly be able to carry it off. And perhaps your hair, as well?" She stepped forwards again, gathering it together close to my head. "Perhaps a ponytail?"

I snorted, closing my eyes slightly. "You know, you're surprisingly enthusiastic about this."

"I was chosen, in part, for my enthusiasm for good dressing," Hideko said. "That is natural for a Lady's Maid."

"Are you this assertive with Shizuru?" I asked. "Or do I get special treatment, as I'm not your boss?"

"There's no need to be vulgar," Hideko said reproachfully, letting my hair ago and stepping back again. "But Ojou-sama is normally enthusiastic, as I said. Even if it is only her school uniform, she was always a careful dresser."

"Should I be surprised?" I mused aloud.

"Touching on another note, I was very relieved," Hideko said quietly. "In spite of yesterday, Ojou-sama was not sad this morning. On the contrary, she was happier than she has been in some time."

"Is that so?" I said. "That's good, I guess. She's been worrying you as well, right?"

"A little. But I am not like Saaya-san, after all. I can only watch from the side, and that's a little hard from time to time." Hideko paused for a moment, then clapped her hands together decisively. "Now, we should begin with your hair. I'll comb it out and smooth it down first, and we can decide on anything else afterwards."

I nodded, allowing myself to be let towards the dressing table, and seated. "Honestly, being spoiled like this… I can't believe Shizuru could be used to this kind of thing."

"Please think nothing of it. I will be as fast as I can, though, we've talked for rather too long." Hideko stepped deftly sideways, beginning to sort through various brushes and combs. "You have beautiful hair, Kuga-san. Working on such a subject is a pleasure for me."

I rolled my eyes. "And go easy on the flattery, you know. I'm not like Shizuru, after all. It makes me uncomfortable."

Hideko glanced sideways, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "I'm sorry. But can I also thank you?"

"For what?" I asked, blinking.

Hideko picked up a comb and began to run a hand through my hair. "For everything. You have been helpful, as I had hoped. Please continue your good work, if that is at all possible."

I frowned for a moment. "Sure. I'll do it."

After that, Hideko chattered about different ways in which I could dress, and the different ways she'd dressed Shizuru, and things like that. Apparently an endless capacity for easy talk was another of her qualifications. And she told me to undress, blithely ignoring my embarrassment, and dressed me in turn, fluttering around me and trying this and that. Even if this was a foreshortened time, it felt long enough. And it was very flattering, to be the centre of someone else's attention in such a way. But that also wasn't entirely true, either. Indirectly, I suppose, everything Hideko was doing for me was her present to Shizuru.

In the same way, what she thanked me for was more important to her than my beauty or my hair, and my promise was more important than my compliance. Implicitly, I knew these things. Her whole manner spoke of that, and I found it a little strange that she could be so easily and sincerely concerned for Shizuru. I'm a child of a modern age, and to me, a servant is just a servant. An employee who executes a duty. Surely in that respect any affection is just for the master's vanity?

It was probably that way to begin with. But Hideko, never Shizuru's age but not so old as to forget being twelve, and then thirteen, and then fourteen, has been around her from some time. A long time. In some ways, the longest time, people say. And watching that child grow up and become sophisticated and beautiful, popular and intelligent but also human, with her own worries and her own whims and her own affections. It would be hard not to form a bond, watching that. You'd probably call it a motherly emotion.

As far as I can tell, Shizuru has three mothers. No wonder Shinri's insecure.

In any case, Hideko finished her grand design just in the nick of time. White was featured heavily, and she did insist on a ponytail and a skirt. At least the velvet jacket thing was black, something that suited me far better. As for the rest, I'm not a skirt kind of girl, damnit. You couldn't ride a bike dressed like this.

The ponytail isn't so bad, though. I don't have to worry about my hair falling over my eyes as much.

Why didn't I think of that before?

And Shizuru was dressed in black, when the time came for the informal presentation. I suppose that was inevitable, though whether there's been a conspiracy or whether that's just fate, I'm not sure. It looked good, though, in a vaguely dangerous kind of way. Shizuru normally dresses to be classy but restrained, but black makes her look a lot more present. A lot more scary, really, and it brings out her eyes.

And we had the same bloody jacket. I don't know why she had two in the first place, but that just proves all my suspicions correct. At least hers was done up, and mine open. In that way, I can preserve the casual assumption that I am the slightly improper one. It's not like I don't think about these things, whatever Hideko might think.

"What do you think, Ojou-sama?" Hideko prompted expectantly.

Shizuru smiled at me. "She looks very beautiful, Hideko. Thank you for all your hard work."

I snorted, folding my arms. "You look you're about to assassinate someone," I said icily. "It's a little dangerous for everyday wear. In fact, where's your katana? That would complete the picture."

"Do you think? That might not be a bad idea…"

"How does Natsuki-chan look?" Viola asked quietly. "I'm sure it will be very beautiful."

Saaya rattled off one of her quick-fire descriptions with an almost absent fluency. "And very cute, too. I can assure you, they're quite a pair."

"That's good. It doesn't do to wear kimono all the time, when you're young, anyway. I only really change when I'm going to parties, nowadays, and even then I feel insecure about it." Viola smiled genteelly. "You should enjoy your youth."

I don't think it was the young who were enjoying this particular situation the most.

"You shouldn't say such things, Ka-sama," Shizuru said, folding her arms. "You're still beautiful enough, in a middle-aged way."

"That is a strikingly dubious compliment," Viola returned, giggling slightly. "But no more than I deserve by speaking like that, I suppose. In any case, they should be here shortly, if everything goes according to plan."

And that skirt. Sure, she's wearing those long black stocking things, but it's even shorter than the one on our damn school uniforms. And believe me, those uniforms are completely ridiculous. Sure, Shizuru can afford to show off her legs, but it's still weird.

I just wish I could say my skirt was much longer. How did I get talked into this again?

"It will be good to see everyone again," Shizuru remarked, even managing to sound a little like she meant it. "And you, Ka-sama? I presume you shall wait, and I shall introduce them to you at the earliest opportunity?"

"There isn't any rush. It might be better to show them to their rooms, first," Viola replied delicately. "I will be in the lounge, in any case. My sitting room isn't well-suited to a large number of people."

Shizuru nodded. "As you wish. I will see what they consider most convenient."

I looked away and folded my arms, feeling a little left out from all this planning. It was a little strange, really, because they were definitely my friends. Far more so than they were Shizuru's. All the same, the Fujino between them had everything so… organised. It's more effort than I usually ever go to, and not something I can take an interest in.

"What do you think, Natsuki-chan?" Saaya asked innocently.

"About what?" I asked, glancing at her. "When we should go where?"

Saaya sighed. "You're a little boring at times, surprisingly enough. I meant my work with Shizuru. Beyond the quip about ninjas, does it suit her?"

I blinked. And Shizuru's head tilted a little more pointedly away from me, ostensibly focused on her mother. "I don't know offhand how many of them know about your condition. Should I warn them, or would that be indelicate?"

"Well, it's not bad," I said cautiously, looking awkwardly away. "Different."

"Different, we were trying for," Saaya replied. "I suppose that will have to do."

"It's good," I replied, trying to sound more decisive. Actually, damnit, I liked it. Even if it was a little weird, it really did flatter her. Her pale skin, her red eyes, her body. It's not something anyone could have worn, far more so than her voluminous kimono. Some things aren't easy to say, though. "Very… Fujino-like, I guess."

"It might be best to go without explicitly stating it, that does seem crass," Viola replied. "I can assure you that I won't be offended by any minor expression of surprise. I'm well-accustomed to being strangely regarded."

Shizuru nodded. "As you say, Ka-sama."

I'm not a girl who talks about clothes. That's all it comes down to, damnit. Even if I think about image quietly in my head.

"That's good, at least. And for what it is worth, you look overwhelmingly like yourself." Saaya nodded at me. "You should wear skirts more often."

"Right. They don't suit me at all," I groused. "Trousers are more sensible."

"Is that so?" Saaya asked. "What do you two think? I think skirts suit Natsuki-chan quite well."

"They match my image of her, if nothing else," Viola replied, as gracious as ever.

"Listen, the skirt isn't important," I said forcefully. "It really, really isn't. So can we just move on and forget about it? You're making me uncomfortable."

"It's downright unnatural for someone like Natsuki-chan to be insecure about her looks," Saaya complained, looking at Viola. "Don't you agree?"

Shizuru sighed, walking over to me. "On the contrary, it's because you don't need to compliments to reassure yourself. Right, Natsuki?"

"That's true," I replied, trying to glare at Saaya. Though I suspected my idea of that sentence and Shizuru's idea were probably different.

"In any case, it will soon be time. If you'll let us go and wait, Ka-sama?" Shizuru asked politely.

"Of course. Greet them warmly, as guests of our family."

"Well, then." Shizuru tugged gently on my sleeve. "Let's go, Natsuki."

I just nodded, following her.

"Have fun," Saaya suggested, waving decorously.

"I always do," I replied, with just a hint of irony.

"I hope you aren't upset," Shizuru said, when we'd walked out of earshot. She glanced at me, her eyes concerned. "You shouldn't take Saaya's teasing too seriously. It's her way of showing affection."

"It's not like I'm bothered by that," I retorted, trying to slip my hands into the pockets of my trousers then realising I had none. I settled for the ones in my jacket instead. "I do know you, you know."

Shizuru giggled. "A fair point."

"I just don't see what all the fuss is about, that's all," I replied righteously. "It doesn't seem important."

"Skirts are always important," Shizuru said reproachfully. "But I understand your perspective. All the same, I understand Saaya and Hideko, as well." She turned and glanced at me, smiling. "Natsuki looks very cute, after all."

I flushed slightly, pouting at her. "That makes me sound like a little girl with ribbons."

"It's not really that, you know. Though I wouldn't mind seeing you with ribbons in your hair…"

"Shizuru!"

But she was smiling vivaciously when she said that, and I tried very hard not to smile back. My dignity is still my dignity, but it was good- very good- to see Shizuru look and sound a little more like her old self, and a little happier.

I guess today is a new day, after all.

And what happened next… perhaps it's best if I used my own language. My idea of us two simply waiting for them were proven to be a little naïve, as I'd forgotten the critical point. The Fujino were organised.

We were on standby at rally point alpha from eleven-twenty five, in expectation that the convoy would arrive at eleven-thirty. We were accompanied by five maids and three footmen, who stood discreetly out of our way. During the remaining time, Shizuru made small talk with me, without reference to dragons, sexual assault, crazy women with guns or skirts all the while. Perhaps she was being considerate towards the servants. At exactly eleven twenty-eight, the servants moved off according to some prearranged signal, preparing for the assault on the gate. We were the tactical reserve, standing by to execute the important duty of welcoming the guests. All told, there was to be rather more fuss than when Shizuru, the prodigal child, returned from exile. When I asked her about that, she said that was natural. She merely happened to live here, and I was with her. But Mai and everyone else were guests from the start, a far different type of creature.

Honestly, this family takes things way too seriously.

I assume this part of the operation proper occurred on the dot of eleven-thirty, but we weren't involved until eleven-thirty three, when we first established visual contact with the packages. They were being escorted by the butler himself, who had sallied out with some decorum after everyone else had gone. The packages demonstrated a certain amount of awe at their situation, though responses varied. Their leader had to grab one by the pigtails to prevent her from jumping into the bushes. Why she wanted to do that, I have no earthly idea.

I pushed off the wall, looking down the stairs at the motley group. "So, you turned up after all."

Shizuru brought her hands together, bowing elegantly. "Welcome to the Fujino household, all of you. It's an honour, and on a personal level as well, I appreciate it." She straightened, smiling at them.

"Not all," Mai replied, bowing in turn. "We'll be in your care, Fujino-san. Thank you for doing this for us at such short notice."

"Think nothing of it. It really is nothing."

"Don't say too much, it's bad for her ego," I suggested tartly.

Shizuru giggled softly. "That may be so. But I notice your brother isn't here. Couldn't he make it?"

"He's gone to stay with Akira-chan's family," Mai explained. "That is, Okuzaki-san."

Shizuru nodded. "I see. You must be lonely."

"More than that, meeting the parents already?" I quipped. "That's fast work for middle-schoolers."

"You too, Kuga-san," Reito suggested, smiling up at me. "How have things been your end, preceding our arrival? Good progress?"

I flushed slightly, folding my arms. "That has nothing to do with you."

"In any case, how are the two of you?" Mai asked, looking up at us. "We've been worried."

I blinked. Oh, right. That. How could it be that I'd almost forgotten? Skirts indeed.

"As you can see, we haven't been critically injured, though we aren't unhurt either," Shizuru replied. "And we are holding up, though it was a deeply unpleasant experience. I greatly appreciate the fact that all of you have found the time to be here, because of that. It is better to be surrounded by people."

That's almost hypocritical, but in a good way. Her smile looked a little more artificial, though, so I decided to move the subject on. "In any case, I'm guessing the maids and stuff took care of all your luggage?"

Mai nodded. "They're too kind, it makes me feel a little guilty…"

"What is that you're carrying, Mikoto-chan?" Shizuru asked abruptly, but with her usual smile.

I turned my head, blinking. Yes, actually, she was carrying long objects wrapped in cloth, not unlike her-

"Swords!" Mikoto shouted brightly. "My sword, and Ani's sword!"

I winced, while Shizuru merely smiled. "I'm sure Otousama will be very glad."

Reito bowed his head. "As you say. I am given to understand that your honoured father is a skilled practitioner of the sword. It would be an honour to learn even a little from him. I believe Tate-kun brought his bokken, as well."

Tate grinned sheepishly, waving a hand. "I hope that's okay. But I didn't want to feel left out."

"Your enthusiasm will undoubtedly impress Otousama," Shizuru replied. "It will be pleasure to learn alongside you all, as soon as my health permits it."

That was all a euphemism, of course, and we all knew it. For various reasons, and especially after what happened to the two of us, there were reasons for all of us to go around armed. If you thought about it, only Mai and Shiho didn't carry something like that, out of the seven of us together. I guess, fundamentally, we are a group who can only aspire to "normal".

"In any case," Shizuru continued, "I've kept you outside for long enough. I can show you around the house at your convenience. Otousama is at work right now, and won't return before dinner, but Okasama would appreciate a chance to get to know you all at some point. In the meantime, I can show you to your rooms, where your luggage will already have been placed."

"We should probably meet your mother first," Mai replied, starting up the stairs. "We are in her care, after all."

"You don't need to feel obliged," Shizuru replied, turning and stepping through the door.

"Ah, but would she appreciate us seeing her first, regardless of observation?" Reito asked, grinning owlishly.

"That might be so," Shizuru returned, smiling back. "If that is what you want."

"It's good to see you, Natsuki!" Mikoto said in her usual unsubtle way, bouncing up and attaching herself to my arm. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too," I replied automatically, receiving an understanding look from Mai. "By the way, though, the food is really good here."

"Really?" Mikoto asked. "Better than Mai's food?"

"More varied than Mai's food," I suggested neutrally. "I've eaten things here that I've never eaten before."

"And most likely better, as well," Mai replied. "I'm only a high schooler, don't flatter me too much."

"Accept compliments with dignity," I retorted, folding my arms. Well, one of my arms. The other one was still attached to Mikoto.

Shizuru giggled. "I'm not sure whether you're best placed to say that, Natsuki."

"This and that are completely different, damnit!"

"I feel like I'm missing out on a critical and interesting story here," Mai said, glancing sidelong at me and smiling. "I want to hear all about it."

"It's a good story, so I'll tell it to you," Shizuru replied amicably.

I snorted. Honestly, she was in a good mood. But I guess that can't be a bad thing. Perhaps being distracted by many people is good for her, after all. And as a result, it's hard to believe that yesterday was only yesterday.

That nonsense this morning might have been the same thing. By busying her with small and human things, and coddling her with so much attention, and giving her something normal to focus on, it might have done a lot to protect her. If you can make the normal interesting, it's easier to forget the abnormal and painful than if you're bored and alone. Shizuru taught me that.

Or perhaps women under the Fujino banner just like playing dress-up with teenage girls. Either is good as an explanation.