Chapter 32.

Yuri Review

Nao kicked her feet up on a footstool, "You sure I'm not putting you out?"

"It's fine, Nao. You're practically family," Natsuki said, "And you looked out for me when I was pregnant."

"So, I was hearing that your novel series, and soon to be anime, got a positive review from the readers at Yuri Castle Magazine. Got me thinking, do you and Shizuru have any yuri-themed anime, manga, or novels that you two enjoy?"

"Well, Shizuru and I have both been watching the adaptation of Otherside Picnic," Natsuki said.

"Oh, yes," Shizuru entered the room, "I enjoy that one. My favorite character is Sorawo. She's just so adorable, with her standoffish nature and her sarcasm, as well as her tragic backstory."

"Really?" Natsuki shook her head, "I think Toriko is more interesting. Her dedication to her friend, her light-hearted teasing, Her stylish beauty. She's probably my favorite character in the series."

Nao listened, with interest, and decided to test this out a bit, "Really? So, you don't think the troubled loner is the more interesting character, Natsuki?"

"Definitely not. The spirited and stylish Toriko is definitely the one I'm watching for."

"Ara, but how could Natsuki not sympathize with Sorawo's tragic past, and her constantly being put upon by the unreasonable requests of her meddlesome friend?"

Oh, Nao grinned inwardly, this definitely has entertainment value, "Well, what about other yuri themed media or shows?"

"Well, I mean, I don't pick shows just because they have a yuri theme," Natsuki shrugged, "It's not the end-all, be-all of my identity. But I've seen a few. Does K-On count as yuri-themed?"

Nao considered mocking the tough-as-nails biker for watching a girly show like K-On in the first place, but decided that would spoil what she was trying to do, "I think we can count it as borderline with subtext. Who's your favorite, there?"

"Definitely Mio," Natsuki said.

"Oh, no, Ritsu Tainaka is most definitely the best thing about that show," Shizuru opined.

Wow, Nao reflected, they really don't see it. She considered asking them what their opinions were of Kannazuki no Miko, but decided that would be far too reminiscent of a more painful moment in Natsuki and Shizuru's early past. And, Nao reflected grimly, my own role in that.

"Princess Resurrection?"

"The vampire," Natsuki repied, "What was her name again? Reiri? Yeah, she was awesome.

"I didn't really watch that one closely, but there was a very interesting character who favored motorcycles and was a tough fighter," Shizuru smiled.

"Okay, you two have to be doing this on purpose to mess with me at this point," Nao said.

"Ara?"

"Okay, let me ask, did either of you ever watch Ranma ?"

"Once in awhile," Natsuki shrugged, "When I needed a decent laugh."

"I wasn't allowed to watch anime often as a younger girl, but I did get to see some episodes of Ranma."

"What was your favorite pairing on the show?" Nao asked.

"If you mean 'shipping', I tend to stick to the canon ships that the authors establish," Shizuru said, "Though I often felt a draw to the character of Ukyo."

Nao nodded, not surprised, "The tomboy with a bit of a girly streak. Natsuki?"

"I didn't do shipping, either. Other things on my mind. But Shampoo had the sexiest legs on the show, and the most gorgeous hair."

"The gorgeous, cute, and somewhat deceptive feminine beauty," Nao pointed out.

"Okay."

"My point," Nao grinned, "Is the two of you were apparently made for each other. You're not interested in the characters that remind you of yourselves. You're interested in the characters that remind you of each other."

Natsuki and Shizuru exchanged a look, and Natsuki found herself blushing, while Shizuru suddenly found herself beaming.

"Natsuki has always had a thing for feminine beauties?"

"Yeah, well, you're the one who has a thing for tough girls with a girly streak," Natsuki replied.

"So, Natsuki is a tough girl?" Shizuru moved over to her, wrapping her arms over Natsuki's shoulders.

"Tough as I need to be, Pretty Lady," Natsuki replied with a grin, "But I can soften up, for the right person."

"Oh? Will you show me?"

"Hey! HEY! Captive audience!" Nao protested, "Your room is down the hall, if you need to use it."

"You could always think of it as inspiration for Reito," Shizuru replied.

"I'm seven months pregnant!" Nao protested, "I shift from feeling dowdy and doughy to horny as hell, and back again, ten times a day. I'm begging you, no hanky panky in earshot."

"I suppose we should oblige her," Natsuki chuckled.

"Are you sure?" Shizuru sat on Natsuki's lap, facing her, casting a salacious leer so that Nao could see.

"That's enough, Shizuru," Natsuki laughed, "You're going to make Nao's head pop if you keep up the teasing. I can take it," Natsuki grinned, "'Cause I'm so tough, y'know."

Nao rose, picking up the bowl of popcorn, "I'm going to go watch movies in the guest house."

"Mind if I join you?" Saeko Kuga rolled her chair out of her room, "I don't need to hear these two in action."

She cast a stern look at Shizuru.

"I can always use the company," Nao smiled amicably, "And if you have any…endearing stories about Natsuki's youth…well, I'd be willing to listen."

"I did tell you we were taking it too far with the teasing," Natsuki sighed, "I'm going to hear it later."

"Ara, are you certain that you didn't inherit your patented Death Glare from your mother, because I think she just shot icicles in my direction with a stare."

"Well, we did manage to get them out of the house," Natsuki said, "So…what are we watching?"

"Well, the Pathfinder anime debuts tonight. Want to see how your characters translate to the screen?"

"Sure."

Shizuru grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around them, and they turned on the t.v. She curled herself into Natsuki's shoulder, and enjoyed the softness and warmth.