Chapter 2

Just How Beautiful She Is

Leona cannot stop thinking about what Athena said to her last night. Ralf and Clark have loved her very much as well, accepted and protected her, despite her past. But to have Athena say that to her, too? Well, first off, she's a pop idol. She brings smiles to everyone around her and she wants to be that way. She wants to help everyone, to make their lives a better place, heal their wounds when she can, and to comfort them when they're sad. This is the Athena Asamiya that Leona loves and admires.

The soldier girl is on break once again that night and is taking a long walk when she notices a group of people gathered in front of a very large screen above them. Curious, she decides to get a better look. When she stops behind the crowd, she can see the love of her life on screen, singing and dancing. She's having another one of her concerts. She gazes in awe at her enthusiasm, happiness and best of all, the sheer beauty. She looks so cute and beautiful from on screen. The way she has so much energy and full of happiness. She wishes she would be like that if she isn't suppressing her emotions all the time.

Just then, she hears a cute voice within the crowd. She turns her head toward a strawberry blonde young girl, clasping her hands together, stars in her eyes as she swoons at the sight of Athena singing and dancing.

"Isn't that…Kula Diamond…?" Leona says to herself.

"Haaaaah….you're so cool as always…Athena-onee-chaaaaan~!" Kula cheers. She raises a glow stick, waving it. "Go, go, gooooo~! Do it for your fans! Make them smile more! Make me smile more! Yes!"

"That kid…" Leona says to herself. "She's also…so happy. Full of energy. Just like her. Just like…Athena."

She doesn't really interact with the younger girl that much either, but from what she heard from Athena, Kula is her biggest fan. She keeps many autographs from her, souvenirs, and collects figurines and posters of her whenever her mother, Diana can afford it. Leona gazes at the younger girl for a few more minutes before turning her gaze back up at the screen.

"Onee-san, huh?" she says to herself again. "So Kula looks up to her like a big sister…"

Leona knows the reason. From being trapped by Kukri in his own ridiculous world, Kula and Athena were trapped together first before everyone else was captured. She and Athena worked together to escape and saved all the girls, leaving his world to shatter to pieces and leave Kukri for good. It was then that Kula had admired Athena very much and called her "Big Sis". Maybe even before the capture, Kula had admired Athena this way. Either way, Leona can tell that this younger girl likes the pop idol.

Athena finishes her last song, twirls around and holds out her hand while winking.

"Thank you! Thank you all~!" she cheers. "I hope to see you again next concert! Keep on smiling and stay true to yourselves! I love you all~!"

The crowd goes wild as she concludes the concert, the curtains closing after she bows. Leona lets out a soft sigh, turning away from the screen. Athena is just so beautiful and cute that everyone is in love with her. She cannot blame them. It's only natural that Athena would be this way. For Leona, she wishes she could at least be as energetic and happy as her.

Just before she is about to leave, she hears Kula call out to her.

"Leona…Heidern?" the strawberry blonde says as she skips toward her.

"Oh…" the soldier girl turns toward the younger one. "What's up, kid? Do you need something?"

"Mou…! I'm not a little kid!" Kula stomps her foot.

"Whatever…" Leona holds her forearm out of habit. "Do you have something to say? I have somewhere I need to be."

"Well…I am getting a little hungry after cheering for Athena-onee-chan so much," the strawberry blonde says. "Do you want to take me to the ice cream shop?"

"Sure. Why not…?" Leona doesn't have anything better to do. She might as well, right? Plus, this might be a good chance for her to interact with the happy strawberry blonde more. "Where do you usually go?"

**Later**

While Kula got a big sundae, Leona just got a small cup of vanilla and uses a small spoon to take little amounts and eat it. It tastes pretty good. She looks up at Kula who is enjoying her sundae with a smile on her face.

"Do you…come here…often?" Leona asks.

"I do, I do~!" Kula replies after she has another bite. "I come here for refreshments, whether it's from a tournament or just playing around with Sylvie."

"Sylvie…I don't know this girl…"

"Oh, Sylvie Paula Paula is a NESTS girl just like me," Kula says. "She's got electric powers. Both of us have become best friends because of this. We spend time together almost every day."

"I see…" Leona eats another scoop of ice cream. "Say….kid."

"I'm not a kid…!"

"Whatever…" Leona rolls her eyes. "You like Athena a lot, don't you? She makes you very happy as far as I can tell. You are her biggest fan…from what I heard."

"Oh, yes~!" Kula says. "She's Athena-onee-chan! She makes me smile and laugh. Hehe! It's so wonderful to see her concerts! Ah! You were watching her concert today too! Did she make you smile as well~?"

Leona closes her eyes. "Something like that, yes."

"Awwwww, Leona, she must have made you smile somehow!" Kula pouts. "I may not know you very well, but I do know that you always have that scary expression."

"Yeah…I get that a lot…" Leona finishes one last scoop of ice cream.

"Surely, she must have made you smile," Kula says. "How long have you been around her? Do you go to her concerts often?"

"No." Leona replies. "I have been to a few, though, for the past month. They were wonderful…like you said."

"Hehehe! So she must have made you smile at some point~" Kula says as she gives another couple bites. "Come on, Leona. Athena-onee-chan's purpose in this world is to make people smile and have a good life. And that includes you, too~! She told me this one time when we were alone together. Her happiness and energetic personality are the important traits to become an idol. Her career grew and grew over the years. And the people loved her because she made them happy. I really hope that her happiness will transfer over to you completely, Leona."

"Kula…" Leona realizes that the younger girl is right. When she, Athena and Mai started being a King of Fighters team, Leona has always been so serious and stoic. But with Mai and Athena's energetic personalities, she started to open up little by little. But the pop idol alone has gotten her to open up more. This is very good. So good in fact that Leona started to smile, just a little bit. And that made Athena very happy. The pop idol's happiness has carried over toward the soldier girl and it will continue to grow over time.

"Hehehe! Athena-onee-chan is so wonderful~!" Kula eats some more of her ice cream. "You should take advantage of it whenever you can."

The soldier girl cracks a small smile, nodding. "I appreciate your encouragement, Kula. Thank you…"

Kula gasps happily. "Yaaaaay~! You smiled! Finally! This calls for a celebration!" She takes a scoop and holds it out toward the soldier girl. "Here! Take some of my sundae! It's my treat~!"

"You sure…?" Leona asks.

"Mmhmm~! You should keep smiling, Leona~!" Kula says. "That way, Athena-onee-chan will be happy that she's doing her job!"

Leona stares at the spoon with the sundae on top. Might as well. She opens her mouth and Kula feeds it to her. The soldier girl closes her eyes, the chocolate and vanilla mixing inside her mouth and then swallows.

"Mmmmm…it's delicious…" Leona smiles a small smile once again.

"Hehehe~! Glad you like it!"

The two remain seated as the strawberry blonde finishes up her sundae and Leona goes and pays for everything afterwards.

**Later**

After parting ways, Leona holds her forearm out of habit, taking a walk on the sidewalk. She's in no hurry. The night is still young. Athena must be done with her concert and has gone home already. That's fine. She can just go home, bathe by herself, and head to bed like she always does….at least that is what she is planning to do.

"Oh! Leona-san!" Athena's voice calls out to her from a distance.

The soldier girl turns and sees the pop idol at the other side of the street waving. She is wearing her dark schoolgirl sailor uniform with white ankle socks on her feet. She hasn't seen that in a long time. Athena looks both ways and trots toward her girlfriend.

"Leona-san! Thank goodness you're here!" She stops and faces the taller girl. "Say, would you mind coming to my place again? Or…are you doing something else?"

Leona shakes her head. "No. I can come over again. I don't have anything to do, anyways."

"Goodie! Let's go~!" The cute idol holds out her hand.

Leona gently takes it and the two are off to Athena's home. As they are walking, the soldier girl can't help but admire the idol. The lights and colors makes her features stand out. Gosh, why is she so beautiful? She always is and Leona loves it. It's clear that's one of the main reasons they are going out.

Once they approach her home, they immediately kick off their shoes and head up to her room. Athena turns on the light and tosses aside her bag. She stretches out her arms and twirls around happily like a ballerina.

"Hehehe! Leona-san's in my room once again~!" she sings. "Leona-san's in my room once again~! Fufufu!" She gives one last spin and faces the soldier girl, hands behind her back and leans over a little with a smile on her face. "Well, Leona-san~? What seems to be on your mind~?"

"Oh…well, ummm…" Leona looks back and forth, hand on her forearm and squeezing it a little. "I…saw you on the big screen….earlier…"

"Oh, you were on break again? That's awesome!" Athena cheers. "How was I~? Did I amaze you with my dance moves? Singing? Or most importantly…my smile~?"

Leona nods, smiling a small smile. "You were amazing. The whole thing was…wonderful. Kula was there as well. She appreciated the effort you put in like always."

"Hehehe! Kula-san's such a nice big fan of mine~" Athena says. "I can always count on her arrival to my concerts and autograph signing. She's one of the best fans." She steps up to the soldier girl. "And you, Leona-san…could be my next biggest fan since we are going out. Mai is my biggest fan, too~"

"O-okay…if you say so…" Leona says, sweat dropping. She is not cut out for something like this, but she knows that Athena believes in her. She will do whatever it takes to support her.

"Oh, by the way~!" Athena straightens up and turns around to take a few steps forward. "Mai texted me earlier, saying that she is inviting us over to the beach this Saturday! Do you mind coming with us?"

"Sure. I don't see why not." Leona says.

"Oh, goodie~!" Athena cheers. She starts to skip around happily. "Leona-san is going to the beach with us! I should text Mai right awa-AHHHH!" She starts to grab her phone to text her when she trips on her rug next to the bed.

"Athena!" Leona rushes in to catch her, but when she does, it results in both of them toppling toward the edge of the bed.

Athena opens her eyes and sees the soldier girl on top of her. She is lying on the bed, her bare legs dangling from the edge. She gasps softly as she just stares at the stoic face of the bluenette. Leona swallows hard, looking back at the idol. She once again is mesmerized by the sheer beauty of Athena. Her face and the way her hair spreads out from lying on the bed. It's just…too beautiful.

"A-Athena…I…" she starts when she hears the idol whimper adorably.

"L-Leona-san…." she says, putting both fists on her chest. "I'm such a klutz…I'm so sorry…!"

"N-no, don't be…" Leona says.

Both of them continue gazing at each other with wide eyes. Athena has never looked this cute and beautiful in Leona's life. It's too much for the soldier girl.

"Athena…"

"Y-yes…?"

"You are so….so beautiful…" Leona comments softly.

Athena blushes and smiles shyly. "O-oh…Leona-san. You're too kind…"

"I can't fight it anymore…" Leona leans in a bit closer. "Please…may I…?"

Athena nods and reaches both hands up to caress her girlfriend's cheeks. "Y-yes…please. Kiss me…I feel like I need it right now."

"As you wish…"

And so, Leona obliges and kisses the idol passionately. Athena eagerly returns it, letting Leona dominate her tongue with hers. There are soft moans coming from both of them as they kiss like there's no tomorrow. Leona desperately needed this as well. She cannot live without Athena. She's the most important person to her…and to everyone else. Her fans. Her friends. Leona will protect her so that she will live another day to sing for them.

Once the kissing ceases, the two pull away, gazing into each other's eyes. Athena gasps softly as the soldier girl kisses her briefly and then pulls away.

"Leona-san…" she whimpers softly. "I…I…" She puts her fists on her chest, tears prickling from her eyes.

"O-oh…did I go too far…?" Leona asks.

"N-no…it's just that…" Athena says, turning her head away. "It was just so beautiful. I can't find the words to say it. You are just so cool and bold. I really, really love that about you. Just don't change the way you are, but keep on smiling for me…okay?"

Leona nods. "It's a promise, Athena." She gives the idol another kiss. "I will give all my love to you no matter what. How about…right now…?"

"Ahhhh….Leona-san…" Athena says. "That would be wonderful…!"

And then, a few kisses later, comes the absolutely beautiful moans and cries coming from the other side of the door. Leona and Athena want to make this night the best night ever. Because their love can never be broken.