8.

Precious First Word

"Natsuki's first word," Saeko's eyes looked up, as if searching for a memory, "As I recall, it was 'cookie'."

"That's adorable," Shizuru fawned.

"You would think so. But she also learned it with a very demanding tone. What about you? What was your first word?"

"Well, this is based solely on the word of my parents, after all, but I'm told that it was 'Ookini.' But of course, that's hardly surprising, seeing as how my mother was quite prone to saying it to our servants."

"And Saiyuri? Has she started speaking, yet?"

"Not exactly. She babbles, in that way that infants do. She clearly understands what is being said to her, but she has yet to repeat any recognizable words. But she has things that she seems to repeat, which may be her efforts at words."

"Well, I've got all the data I need. You're good for the day."

"Will you be joining me? Natsuki would like to see you regularly, you know."

"Perhaps another day. I have some medical treatments that need attention. Living life in this wheelchair does require a bit of upkeep, after all."

"I understand. However, should you ever wish to visit, the invitation is always open."

"I will keep it in mind. Thank you."

888888

"I'm home," Shizuru announced.

"Oh, hey, Shizuru," Mai was sitting in the living room, holding Saiyuri, "How are you?"

"I'm well, thank you. And you, Mai?"

"I'm doing great. Yuuichi finally proposed, so we'll be getting married soon. And Mikoto has finally graduated high school. She's told me that she's going to skip college and instead work at teaching kendo and kenjutsu to students at her family dojo."

"At least she will be suited to the work," Shizuru smiled, "I never had the occasion to fight her during that time, but Natsuki informs me that she's quite strong.

"And speaking of Natsuki, where is my wife?"

"She's changing. We picked up some items for summer at the store, and Natsuki wanted to see how the stuff looked on her."

Natsuki emerged wearing a bikini that seemed to shift from black to a deep metallic blue depending on the angle at which the light hit it.

"Ookini."

Everyone blinked. Because it was not Shizuru who had said it, as one might have expected. It was Saiyuri.

"Mama, ookini," Saiyuri said."

Then Mai started giggling, "Bikini, Saiyuri. Bikini."

Saiyuri looked at her annoyed, as if to say "That's exactly what I just said."

"Ookini!" Saiyuri pointed.

At that point, Shizuru did something that anyone who only knew her casually wouldn't have credited. She clutched at her stomach and started shaking with laughter. She laughed so hard she ended up leaning against the wall and sliding to the floor. At this point, she gave up any attempt to contain her laughter, and started laughing loudly and long.

"Oh," she wiped at her eyes, "Well said, Saiyuri. My sentiments exactly. Ookini, Natsuki."

Natsuki looked both confused and embarrassed, "Um…what?"

"Were…were those Saiyuri's first words?" Mai asked.

"Yeah…"

"Oh, too precious," Shizuru managed to get to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Natsuki, "I hope this wasn't supposed to be a surprise, because I'm afraid it's been thoroughly spoiled."

"I think Saiyuri wins for surprises of the day," Natsuki said.

"No doubt."

"Here," Mai handed Saiyuri to Natsuki, "Why don't you play with her. I'll start cooking for everyone."

"Mai…You're OUR guest. It's sort of expected that we cook for you," Natsuki pointed out.

"Ara, perhaps Mai is not aware of the improvements you've made to your cooking, Natsuki," Shizuru grinned.

"Idiot. Mai's tried my cooking recently."

"Look, you took me shopping, Natsuki. And you two have a daughter to spend time with. Let me do this to help out," Mai said calmly.

"Ara, a compromise. I'll help Mai in the kitchen, and Natsuki can teach Saiyuri the difference between a piece of swimwear and a proper 'thank you'."

"Y'know, it's your fault for using the Kyoto-ben around her," Natsuki said.

"But Natsuki," Mai interjected, "Weren't you telling me earlier that Shizuru's Kyoto-ben was one of her most endearing qualities?"

"Blabber mouth," Natsuki huffed, "Come on, Saiyuri. You can keep me company while I change back into my clothes."

"Ikezu," Shizuru pouted, "Natsuki at the table in her bikini would be…"

"Troublesome," Mai said, "You'd be too focused on her to eat your food. C'mon. Let's get to work in the kitchen."

A few minutes later Natsuki returned wearing a sundress. It was Mai's turn to look startled.

"Natsuki?" she gaped, "Since when do you wear clothes like that?"

"What? You thought all I wore outside of my school uniform was my rider suit? It's a hot day and this is nice and airy."

"She also wears shorts underneath, on the off chance that she has to engage in high kicks," Shizuru informed Mai.

"You don't need to tell her that!"

"Kannin-na."

"Anyway, congrats on you and Yuuichi. Just don't make it an August wedding. That's already a busy month."

"This is a busy house," Mai retorted.

As if to prove her point, there was a knock at the door. Natsuki opened it to find Mikoto outside, along with Nao, Alyssa, and Miyu.

In the three years since the Festival, Mikoto had aged to seventeen, grown to match Natsuki in height, and filled out a bit. She still wore her hair in the same fashion it was in the first time they'd met, giving her a bit of a boyish look, yet.

"I heard Mai was cooking," Mikoto said, "Since I happened to be with Nao when Shizuru called her."

"The expression," Mai called exasperatedly from the kitchen, "is 'please pardon the intrusion'!"

Natsuki chuckled. She wasn't one for formality herself, and she fully expected that Mikoto was capable of smelling Mai's cooking out of any other aroma from at least three prefectures away. So her presence was not at all unexpected. Still, she understood, even more so now as a parent, that Mai was trying to instill Mikoto with manners, so she was quietly rooting for Tokiha, even if she didn't mind Mikoto's usual behavior.

"Come in," Natsuki smiled

Meanwhile, Mai was working with Shizuru in the kitchen. Shizuru wasn't inept in the kitchen, but next to Mai, she felt like a novice.

"You're really quite skilled."

"Heh. I am taking the culinary program at Fuuka University, after all. So…"

"From what Natsuki and Mikoto have said, you could teach there."

Mai blushed, "Well, I don't know what Mikoto's diet was like before I met her, but I know Natsuki's diet consisted of instant ramen, take out burgers, and whatever they served at that dive bar she used to meet informants.

"I imagine the food from Fuuka's cafeteria would taste like paradise compared to that."

Shizuru smiled, "I'm sure you're right. You know, I have to admit, I was a bit jealous of you, but also happy you came along."

"Oh?"

"It took me a long time to get past Natsuki's barriers. And then you came along, and she opened up to you so casually."

"Well," Mai smiled, "You did most of the hard work, yourself. There were already holes in her armor when we met. And that was your doing. If we'd met a Natsuki who'd never met you, I'm pretty sure we'd still be fighting to this day."

"At any rate, it did make me happy that she made friends. And I wasn't too concerned, since you were clearly caught up between Reito and Yuuichi. I knew, at least, that your interests were not the same as mine."

"I was worried for awhile that they were," Mai looked sheepish, "But not for the reasons you were worried about. They told me that you and Reito were a power couple, and so, I was a little worried that you'd take it personally when he showed interest in me."

"Reito was always aware of my true feelings. But he was also willing to serve as my cover. It was most unfortunate that the Obsidian Prince chose him as a vessel. I relied so much on his discretion in those days."

"Well, I mean, you were always surrounded by those kohai, and you were always teasing Natsuki. I think more than a few people suspected. Aside from Suzushiro, I think you could have been yourself, and no one would have minded or bothered you."

Shizuru shook her head, "Back then, I was afraid that if Natsuki knew about my sexuality, she would see right through me, and realize that my teasing wasn't entirely innocent. And, I had no reason to believe she'd return my feelings, so…"

"I get it. You would rather see her happy alongside you, even if she weren't with you, than have her reject you outright."

"Believing that she had was a source of misfortune for quite a few people," Shizuru pointed out.

"At least the you know the truth, now. That she accepts you, and returns your feelings. You know, I've never actually heard the story of how you two met."

Shizuru smiled, "Ara, have you not. I was in my third year of middle school. Natsuki was in her first, though I would later learn that she was a year older than her classmates. We all know what happened there."

"The car crash," Mai nodded.

"She would sit by herself, glaring at people. You've seen that look of hers, I'm sure."

"The one that turns your blood to ice? Yeah," Mai smiled ruefully.

"Well, as you say, all those kohai were fawning over me. It was actually tiresome, but I played the role of helpful sempai to them all, while deflecting the more amorous ones. I didn't want any rumors of my true nature leaking out.

"But here was this sullen girl who not only wasn't fawning over me, but she wanted nothing to do with me.

"And then, one day, I was off to visit Kazahana-sama in her garden, and I found her, this troubled, troublesome girl, reaching out to crush a flower in her hand. 'Don't do that. Leave the beautiful flowers there for everyone. They won't live too long, so they're doing their best to bloom before they die.' Those were the precious first words that I spoke to her."

"And what did she say?" Mai asked.

"At that time? Nothing. She just stared at me in surprise. But…She did eventually open up to me. Her first words to me were…"

"'You're being strange, Fujino-san. Why are you always fussing over me, anyway?'" Natsuki came into the kitchen, smiling, "In retrospect, I'm sort of glad to be fussed over."

"It's because someone gave me much cause to fuss," Shizuru smiled, "Although, I'll concede now that you were telling the truth that you weren't injured riding your bike that one time. Although the truth turned out to be far more troubling."

All three laughed at that.

"So, there's a certain wildcat in the living room hoping she can be fed sometime soon. And it's time to feed Saiyuri, so I'm grabbing a bottle and a jar of veggies."

"Make sure Mikoto knows she can't eat any of Saiyuri's baby foods," Mai said, "Or she'll clear you out."

"Or any of your milk. For the same reasons," Shizuru smiled.

"Didn't need that image," Mai and Natsuki said in unison.

"Ara, I meant the bottles in the fridge. Really, the places your minds go to, you two."

"Uh-huh."

"Just call everyone to the table," Mai instructed her, "And the first words out of your mouth had better be 'yes, ma'am.'"