"I can understand why you would want to celebrate your acquittal," Hajime started off, staring Kazuichi down. "I can understand why you want to drink for this occasion. What I can't understand, is why the fucking hell you thought it was a good idea to bring Mikan along."
"I-it seemed like a good idea...?" Kazuichi offered lamely, about to add how she had a huge part in his acquittal, plus, she wasn't that bad-looking... right before a loud crash and gleeful giggles came from the other side of the room. Hajime slapped his palm to his forehead, right before standing to stop Mikan from getting arrested for property damage. And murder.
Peko found her on the roof of the bar, overlooking passing cars and staring at the setting sun.
Nanami was standing right on the edge of the rooftop, completely unaffected by the daunting height. She was almost like a statue, her expression blank and emotionless, her body as still and calm as water in a glass. Nanami almost seemed... well, ethereal, like an angel descended from heaven to watch over the world... or something like that, anyways. Peko wasn't that good at metaphors.
"You're not joining the celebration?" Peko inquired, moving to stand closer to Nanami... but not too close. Peko couldn't fly like Nanami, so she couldn't afford to be as careless as the other woman was.
"I can't really get drunk, and I don't feel like helping Hajime keep everyone else in line," Nanami quipped, turning towards Peko with a small grin on her face. "Besides, sometimes it's best to take a moment to relax and calm down, you know?"
"I understand," Peko nodded. "Would you like some company?"
"I guess that would be nice," Nanami agreed.
Peko smiled as Nanami sat next to her legs, right before kneeling down to join her. The swordswoman folded her hands on her lap, the two watching the skyline together.
"Gyahaha, yikes! That's one way to leave a lasting impression on someone!" Ibuki snickered to herself as Mikan 'tripped and fell' on top of Fuyuhiko for the third time in ten minutes.
Or tried to, anyways. The Yakuza heir managed to actually catch her that time, holding her upright instead of letting Mikan sit on top of him again. Ibuki would have been glad to accept Mikan's affection in his place, but... she was sort of busy at the moment.
Namely, Ibuki had her hands full with a Kuzuryuu-chan of her own.
She hummed a cheery little tune to herself as she rested her hand on top of Natsumi's beautiful golden hair. The blonde was surprisingly quiet, not even saying a word when Ibuki began running her fingers through her blonde locks. A tiny frown was on Natsumi's face, her eyes looking at some far-off unknown in the distance. The other woman seemed lost in her thoughts... either that, or she was getting a headache.
"What's on your mind, Natsu-chan?" Ibuki asked, poking at Natsumi's cheek.
"It isn't really anything important..." Natsumi huffed.
"That means that there's something bothering you," Ibuki pointed out, before adding, "You can tell me if you want."
"I mean...It's more like I just realized something," Natsumi sighed. "All of this," She waved a hand up at Ibuki's face, "...it doesn't really mean anything does it? You're just doing this because I'm your fan. Because you're trying to make me happy. I mean..." Another sigh escaped from her lips, her expression darkening. "I don't know why I would expect anything else... but it's still kind of- OW!"
The last bit was because Ibuki flicked her in the forehead, a huge pout on the rock star's face as she did so.
"Completely false! Untrue! Lies! Slander and libel!" Ibuki declared loudly, before staring at Natsumi with puppy-dog eyes and an exaggerated frown. "Natsu-chan, your thinking is 100% B-A-C-K-W-A-R-D-S!"
"Huh?" Lime green eyes widened at Ibuki's words, staring at the musician in shock and confusion.
"Just 'cause I'm trying to make you happy doesn't mean it's meaningless," Ibuki stated. "Truth is..." She paused, turning a bit pink as she went on. The levity was dropped from her voice, leaving sincere embarrassment and... well, a little bit of worry, and a little bit of hope, too. "I sort of hoped that by doing this, you'd get used to me."
"Uh, what?" Natsumi asked eloquently.
Ibuki turned even redder as she tried to explain. "I mean, I'm not trying to do anything weird! I'm just t-trying to be your friend!"
"Y-y-you're serious?!" Natsumi all-but-shrieked, colour filling her cheeks.
"Uh-huh," Ibuki nodded. "I really, really want to be your friend. Not just a star and her fan, but a happy friendship. Y'know what I mean?"
"Yeah," Natsumi nodded, gulping down her nervousness. Her voice could barely be called a whisper as she went on, her face redder than a freshly-painted firetruck. "That... that would be... that would be nice..."
"Hehe, great!" Ibuki squealed in delight, a bright grin on her face.
Hiyoko groaned as she watched the scene a few tables away, downing another glass in wake of the irritating sight.
Those two lovey-dovey assholes were insufferable! How dare they be so aggravating in public?! Why, Hiyoko was about to fucking strangle that damn Yakuza girl! Didn't they teach public decency back in whatever hell she was spawned in?! Or was she so arrogant that she thought she could get away with disgustingly-open displays of affection, right in front of Hiyoko's face?! Gross, gross, gross!
...wait.
Why was all her anger focused on Kuzuryuu? Ibuki was the one who initiated all of it!
No, no, there was no way that was it. Hiyoko was pretty sure that Ibuki had no idea what the word fetish meant, let alone understand how that Kuzuryuu bitch had a huge one for her.
That Kuzuryuu bitch was probably manipulating Ibuki into doing it. Yes, it all made sense now! She would say things like 'it's a star's duty to make her fans happy' and 'you're the only one who can give me this' and Ibuki would be too sweet and innocent and pure to understand that she was being jerked around like a marionette and-!
Wait. Sweet? Innocent? Pure?! Since fucking when did those words apply to Ibuki?! She went to the trouble of organizing a vacation for nine for the chance to see hot girls in bikinis!
...and to try to get her friends together... and to give her friends a fun break from work... and to visit her dad's grave...
Okay, Ibuki was sort of innocent. Kinda. But not like, super innocent. She like was a nine-year-old on the innocence scale. Maybe an eight-year-old if Hiyoko was feeling generous. Not that Hiyoko was feeling generous towards Ibuki or anything. If anything, she felt greedy towards Ibuki, so-
Woah, woah, that came out wrong! Er, came... in wrong? Since Hiyoko wasn't really saying anything out loud... er. Huh.
But anyways, Hiyoko didn't feel greedy towards Ibuki as in 'I wanna keep you to myself' sort of greedy. It was more 'being the opposite of generous just to spite you' sort of greedy. Of course that what it was. There was absolutely no way it could have possibly been anything else! Right?!
Hiyoko slammed her glass down on the table, suddenly feeling a whole lot more confused and irritated about life.
"You asked about my family before," Nanami muttered, not taking her eyes off the slowly-darkening landscape ahead of her.
"I did," Peko turned towards the pink-eyed gamer, staring at her blankly. "What of it?"
"I thought you'd be happy to know that I met them again. My parents," Nanami paused, trying to think of the best way to explain it to the red-eyed woman.
"You don't have to tell me," Peko stated. "I'm glad to know that you're still in contact with them."
"I just... I just figured that you deserved to know," Nanami mumbled. "Since you were trying so hard to help me."
"Alright," Peko nodded, trying to smile at Nanami encouragingly. Her voice took on a hint of motherly concern as she added, "Don't force yourself."
"I won't!" Nanami pouted, puffing her cheeks out before beginning her story. "Once upon a time, there were a couple of famous artists..."
"Oh god, have you seen Mikan anywhere?!" Hajime asked frantically, looking towards Mahiru in desperation.
"Don't worry, she's with Kuzuryuu," The redhead said reassuringly, before sighing. "But I couldn't keep Souda from messing with the jukebox..."
Hajime swore under his breath, before letting out a tired groan. Mahiru nodded in empathy, before letting a chuckle fall from her lips.
"Did you suddenly snap under the pressure?" Hajime raised an eyebrow at the redhead, only half-joking.
"No, it's just," Mahiru accidentally cut herself off with another giggle, smiling up at Hajime. "When did we become babysitters for, well... our entire class?" She paused, before adding, "And Mikan-chan's sort-of boyfriend's family."
"Boyfriend," Hajime corrected.
Mahiru grinned excitedly. "So they actually got together?"
She would be glad to discuss love gossip with her boyfriend for the rest of the night (well, she would be fine doing pretty much anything with Hajime for the rest of the night- Of course she didn't mean it like that, you dirty-minded dummy!), if it weren't for the loud, booming cackling coming from the other room all of a sudden.
"I'll take care of it," Hajime grumbled, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"No, it's my turn," Mahiru stated. "Sit down and rest."
"Mahiru, I'm fine."
"Don't be so pigheaded! I'm telling you to rest, so rest already!" Mahiru rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips as she reprimanded the brunette. "You're too stubborn for your own good! Learn how to take a break before you faint or-"
"I AM THE UNCONQUERABLE EMPEROR OF THE DEMONIC FLAMES! ALL SHALL BOW DOWN TO MY RULE!"
"Get the fuck off the damn counter, you dumbass!" Fuyuhiko's voice rang out from the other room.
"I think we should just let him handle it..." Mahiru mumbled to herself.
"But if he takes his eyes- er, eye off Mikan, then-" Hajime was cut off by loud sobbing and a crash, probably from Mikan throwing herself at Fuyuhiko in a desperate, yet ultimately misguided attempt to keep him with her.
"Okay, he probably needs our help," Mahiru admitted.
The pair of moms took a moment to compose themselves before heading back to battle once more.
"...and thus, the wizards brought the young girl back to life. Unknowing of this, the couple thought they lost their only daughter, and refused to paint ever again," Nanami sighed mournfully. The sorrow in her voice was soon eradicated, replaced by melodramatics better suited to a certain pet store owner. "But not all was lost! They met their daughter once again! Not a zombie or a ghost or a time-traveler, but the real deal, living and breath-" Nanami cut herself off suddenly. "-uh, not really breathing. But you get what I mean, right?"
"I... think so," Peko said uncertainly. She knitted her eyebrows together as she tried to translate Nanami's tale into... well, understandable terms. "Your parents thought you died, but you were reunited...?"
"I mean, technically I did die," Nanami stated flippantly. Peko wasn't sure whether she was supposed to be worried or not about the other woman's casual dismissal of fundamental concepts like life and death. "They even buried my body."
"But you're still alive."
"Thank the power of science for that," Nanami joked, giving Peko a toothy grin.
"So... you're a... magic stone golem...?" Peko asked, because she kind of got lost around the part where the two wizards and that one magic healing guy who got blown up by a bardancer got involved.
"Robot," Nanami corrected, her gaze falling to the palm of her hand. She stared at her fingers thoughtfully for a moment, before her eyes suddenly jumped back to Peko's face. Though neither one of them could see it in the darkness, Nanami's cheeks were a bit red as she frantically waved ehr hands about. "B-but, we shouldn't spend all this time talking about me! I mean, that's what all our conversations boil down to- I-I mean, I want to hear about you for a change!"
"Um... alright," Peko tensed up slightly, unused to being the center of attention. "What would you like to know?"
"...your name?" Nanami offered sheepishly. She turned redder, almost about to explain herself when the swordswoman gave her an answer.
(It so wasn't Chiaki's fault that the silver-haired woman never introduced herself before trying to kill her, but there's no way Chiaki could say that without sounding rude-)
"Pekoyama Peko."
"Pekoyama-san..." A smile stretched across Nanami's lips as she offered her hand to the silver-haired swordswoman. "Nice to properly meet you, Pekoyama-san."
Before she could start regretting, well... everything, Peko took ahold of her hand, a warm smile on the red-eyed woman's face. Her grip was firm and warm and fuck, Chiaki was a goddamn goner.
"It's nice to meet you as well," Peko nodded, before releasing the other woman's hand.
(Her hand was so warm and strong and Chiaki could still feel the calluses and-)
"Um..." The pink-eyed gamer hesitated, before slowly plucking up the courage to ask. "So... why do you have a different last name from Kuzuryuu-kun and Kuzuryuu-san if you're their sister? Er, if you don't mind me asking."
"I don't mind telling you," Peko stated, before grimacing. "But... it's not a happy story."
"Then, can I ask about..." The gamer paused, humming to herself as she thought. Suddenly, she got an idea. "Are you a dog person, or a cat person?"
"Cat," Peko answered instantly. "Though... I do like dogs, but..." A smile appeared on her face as she thought, her eyes staring somewhere far off. "I actually have three cats. One is a tiny, fearless kitten who loves to explore the world. The other two..." Her smile became more wistful as she went on. "They both have attitudes, often fight, and can be hostile towards strangers... but at the same time, they're both so docile and sweet with me and those they trust. I wouldn't give them up for anything."
"...you're still talking about cats, right?" Nanami asked carefully.
"Who knows?" Peko's smile became a joking grin, amusment filling her voice.
Chiaki didn't even have a heart, not anymore, but she swore that something in her body, the turning of gears, the churning of motors, anything began speeding up, the sound ringing around in her auditory systems. Or maybe she was more organic than she thought.
Either way, something in Chiaki's chest stammered at the happiness in the silver-haired swordswoman's voice as she continued their little Q and A session.
"Please stay with me...!" Mikan pleaded, clinging to Fuyuhiko's arm tightly. Hajime shot the tiny blond a look of pity. Fuyuhiko glared at him in return, since he didn't need Hajime's pity!
A loud sob from Mikan brought Fuyuhiko's attention back to his girlfriend.
"What if... what if you leave and never come back...?! I-I don't want that!" Mikan wailed, tears running down her face.
"Mikan, I'm not going to leave you!" Fuyuhiko exclaimed frantically, trying to calm her down.
"P-promise...?" Mikan whispered quietly, her lips trembling as she looked towards Fuyuhiko desperately.
"I swear," Fuyuhiko declared resolutely.
"Then seal it with a kiss."
Fuyuhiko practically jumped out of his skin, an undignified sound of shock escaping from his lips. His cheeks were as red as a fire engine as he protested.
"T-there's so many people- You're drunk, what if someone sees-" Mikan pouted, and suddenly, all of Fuyuhiko's arguments died away. Under his breath, he grumbled something about not being able to say no to her as he dragged her to a relatively secluded part of the bar.
His hand grabbed at the front of her sweater (so huge that the sleeves flopped over her hands, as per Tsumiki tradition) and pulled her down to press a kiss against her forehead. Mikan giggled, her arms coming up to loop around his waist.
"You're so cute!" Mikan squealed, a bright smile on her face.
"...shut up," Fuyuhiko huffed, hiding his blushing face in Mikan's neck. Mikan kissed the top of his head, which only made him blush harder.
The impromptu alcohol and chaos and almost murder/party for the group ended up being dragged out over several long hours. Several long, painful, possibly-traumatizing hours.
But the fun had to end eventually, and when numbers began to dwindle, Hajime ended up telling Ibuki to call Nagisa to pick up the few people that remained, AKA the people who were too drunk to move and those who forgot to make plans to get home. Namely, Hiyoko, Ibuki, and Souda. It was a good thing that Fuyuhiko and Peko had already dragged Natsumi back to their home, while Chiaki had taken Mikan back. Hajime and Mahiru's apartment building was close enough to walk, so they decided to go back together.
Unfortunately... they left before Nagisa came to pick up the drunk trio. Had they stayed, they probably would have been able to stop what happened next.
"Oh great!" Hiyoko threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, before giving her best glare. "Another fuckass who keeps clinging to the hornhead bitch! Just what this party fucking needed!"
"E-excuse me?!" Nagisa's eye twitched as he gritted his teeth together, scowling at Hiyoko. "What sort of boorish, contemptible idiot are you?!"
"Yeah, what he said!" Kotoko huffed, pointing an accusatory finger at the blonde ex-dancer. "What the hell are you doing, being so rude to a cute little kid!?"
"You two are seventeen," Ibuki pointed out.
"Urgh, he's jailbait too?!" Hiyoko gagged in disgust. "You sure know how to attract the worst of the worst of the worst, don't you?! You're a pervert magnet, and your polarity is turned up to maximum!"
"That's not what polarity means!" Nagisa screamed indignantly.
"Wow, wow, I can't believe we met an adult dumber than Nagisa-chan!" Kotoko sang innocently, before giggling. "Wait, yes I can! Because you're a moron!"
"I can't believe that you two are so young, yet so bitchy!" Hiyoko shot back, fully intent on fighting the pair, even if it was only verbally. "Haven't you ever heard of respecting your elders, or are kids getting worse by the generation?"
"Oh, I'm sure there is no possible way we could ever hope to outdo you in horribleness," Nagisa said, sarcasm drenching his voice. He got a high-five from Kotoko for that.
"Hey, Big Sis Ugly Face!" Kotoko called out with a bright grin that didn't match her words. "Teach us how to be as terrible as you are one day!"
"Oh, I'm gonna throttle you brats!" Hiyoko growled.
"Don't you dare touch my cute little brother!" Ibuki declared protectively.
A few tables away, Souda Kazuichi sat with his body slumped over a table. His cheek was smushed into the flat surface, his eyes staring at the group through a glass of water. He sort of wondered if the mermaid apocalypse was coming, or if that was just the distortion of the glass.
Seven AM in the Kuzuryuu household was a very tranquil time for Peko. Since no one else in the family woke up before ten and the workers took very great care to not disturb her, Peko was free to enjoy the moments of peace and quiet. Usually, she spent the time sharpening her blade as she thought, the repetitive motions lulling her into a meditative state.
It was a good thing too, since it meant she had her sword ready when she heard a bloodcurdling screech come from the bedrooms.
Peko threw the door open with one hand, her other hand already on her sword's handle. Fuyuhiko was right behind her, his pistol already drawn.
"Natsumi, what's wrong?!" The panicked pair demanded in unison.
Their sister turned around, her trembling fingers wrapped tightly around her cellphone. Her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth gaping at whatever she had seen.
"I got... a text from Mioda Ibuki...!" Natsumi whispered in awe. She hugged her phone to her chest, a huge smile on her face. "Even if this is a dream, I'm so happy! I can't believe this!"
"Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Peko sighed as she dragged Fuyuhiko away from fighting his other sister. So much for peace and quiet.
Leaving for school in like five minutes. So glad I managed to finish this chapter before then!
By the way, in the last chapter, Gorola is a mix of Goron and Pomola, a Native American ice bird. Basically a reverse Volvagia.
