When Blanc sees Neptune again on Monday, her heart stops for a moment and she forgets to breathe. Nervousness fills her veins with ice and for a second she almost loses control of her legs, but she manages to remain standing, and the nervousness is chased by a feeling of awe and excitement, and she can't wait to talk more with her soulmate.

The sight that's taking away her breath is a simple one, Neptune sitting on the low wall that marks the borders of the schoolyard, chatting animatedly with Compa and a brunette girl wearing an oversized, blue greatcoat, grinning and gesticulating wildly.

It's a simple, everyday scene, but in Blanc's mind, it is transformed into a vision of beauty like the greatest masters of old could produce.

From where her father's driver let her off on the sidewalk, Blanc sees Neptune's face in profile again, and the lack of seriousness gives it a softness that she had almost forgotten people could possess, outside the rare moments when she does something her father approves of, or when she is alone with Financier.

Seeing the expression of genuine, open cheer on Neptune's face feels… right to Blanc. Against the backdrop of the beige stone of the school building, glowing warmly in the morning sun, it is easy to believe that she is not a being of mere flesh and blood, but of divine origin.

After a few seconds she realizes that she's staring and quickly shakes her head to get rid of the enspellment and resumes walking towards the trio.

This is it. The day I've been waiting for for so long.

"Hello, Neptune, Compa."

She wants to announce herself loudly, proudly, but somewhere between her brain and her mouth her confident greeting turns into an embarrassed mumble.

Dammit!

I had been wondering for quite some time why my leg-based Soulmark was getting warmer, and then Blanny speaks up. Well, she mumbles, but it's enough for me to notice her.

And wow, do I ever notice her.

There should be some punishment for being too damn beautiful! This is not fair, I'm the Protagonist and even I don't get to be that radiant.

The rising sun is behind her and to the right, and the light makes it look like there's gold or something woven into her dress.

Wait, maybe she is actually wearing gold? I mean, she's rich as hell…

But even musing on my soulmate's finances can't distract me from her face, which is currently unable to decide whether it wants to be disappointed or excited. Once again, I can only hope I never forget this expression of hers, because it's a work of art. Like, the actually interesting kind.

With the half-lighting and the fresh morning air and the golden glow and that face….

"Amazing… too freaking pretty…"

And I'm mumbling to myself as well, so maybe that balances out the awkwardness?

I hope?

She probably wanted our first actual greetig for our first actual meeting to be a bit less meek.

Maybe you should do something about that, moron.

Easier said than done, obviously, but I manage to shake the spell enough to stand up and drop dramatically from the wall, flip forwards and just barely land in a crouch without smacking my face into the asphalt… again.

Ten outta ten, best landing, I'm so talented! Anyway, amazement later, angelic candidates now! Keep it cool, Nep, you've got this. Just treat her like you would any gorgeous, fiery, witty demigoddess who just so happens to be your soulmate… ah shit. Here goes nothing...

"Heya, Blanc. Good to see ya again, how was your weekend?"

Nailed it!

But her face immediately sours, so maybe not?

Before I can do something about it, though, she's already speaking, through clenched teeth.

"Pretty much as expected. Got yelled at, got punished, dealt with it. I was looking forward to getting back here all weekend. Don't ask."

Damn. That sounds rough. What's up with the defeatist attitude?

Seems she's got some problems at home, maybe? The silence gets a little awkward as I try to figure out a way to get away from that topic and make her smile again.

I really want her to smile again.

Thankfully, I've got friends for situations like this, and IF comes to my rescue by clearing her throat loudly, jarring me out of my thoughts and reminding me of the lessons Cool-Mom taught me.

"When you can't figure out what to say, be polite, Nepsy. Saves ya a lotta trouble later."

So, manners it is! Mom's drilled me for just such an occasion, after all.

"Oh, right. You two haven't met yet. Blanc, you've met Compa, my bestest buddy who takes care of me, but allow me to introduce…"

I do a little flourish as I point to the blue chuuni.

"My other bestest buddy, who makes sure Compa doesn't have to take care of me too much. I proudly present: Iffy!"

Iffy walks past me to offer her hand, and I'm so glad she's actually put her phone away for once.

That's new.

"It's IF, actually. My full name is a secret."

Heh. Always the drama queen.

Blanc takes the hand, a bit bemused but thoroughly distracted. So that's goal number one met, now for step two.

"Iffy, lemme introduce Blanc. She's from 10c."

I sidle up next to the two and put my arm around Blanc's shoulder and go in for the kill.

"She's my soulmate!"

The flabbergasted expression on both of their faces are an absolute treat, and as Compa giggles and Blanc splutters out a flustered greeting, I have to admit to myself: this is definitely the best monday I've ever had.

A/N: Hello friends. It has certainly been a while since I was here last. I've been plugging away at this chapter for over a year, one sentence at a time mostly.Yeah, times have been rough, both for reasons obvious to all and a few more personal ones as well. But I feel like I am getting a bit of momentum back, and maybe I'll be able to convert that into some more content for you soon. I hope we'll all get to see more of the disaster friends soon, and maybe a bit of Blizzard and Finny. I'm also hoping to get some content out in some other fandoms.See you all next time.Carry on, Guardsmen.