This is me making good on my statement in the last chapter about more frequent updates (though the wait was, admittedly, still pretty long.) Enjoy if you can!

…

It had been just over thirty hours since Touka arrived from Italy. She and Cento had spent most of the previous day sleeping, which had been perfectly acceptable as far as Rikka was concerned. They were weary from a long flight and were probably quite jetlagged. Sleep would be good for them.

Still, that was not to say Rikka felt no disappointment towards how things had developed. Despite their antagonism, the Priestess was still her sister, and there was a certain bond they shared which she felt could only be fully experienced in the midst of battle. It was unfortunate that they could not engage in their ritual combat due to circumstance.

And circumstance only continued to obstruct their sisterly bonding, even now that the arrivals from Italy were well and rested.

"I have a bunch of unfinished business I need to take care of," Touka explained, ignoring the pout on Rikka's face. "It'll mostly be boring meetings with people I no longer wish to associate with. I'd rather get it over with now than wait. Can I trust you both to look over Cento until I'm done?"

Rikka eyed the half-Italian eight year old clinging to Touka's leg, whose bright and defiant eyes bore into her like the glare of the summer sun. Such hostility. Such impertinence. Oh, Rikka could tell that this little girl would be just as much of a joy to entertain as she had been the previous year.

"I understand. From now on, she shall be under the watchful Eye of the Wicked Lord!" Rikka gave her sister a dramatic flourish with her hand before snapping into a stiff salute. A smile flashed upon Cento's face, while Touka could only wince in response.

"Right…" Touka turned to Yuuta with a scowl. "Yuuta Togashi, your progress with her continues to disappoint me."

He merely shrugged. "I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about," he said with careful politeness.

Touka regarded him with an unreadable expression for a moment before smiling slightly—sharply, even—with a glint in her eyes that suggested some level of amusement. "I see. I won't push it, then."

"I'm glad," Yuuta replied, more relaxed.

Rikka glanced back and forth between her lover and her sister, wondering what unspoken understanding the two had reached with just that simple exchange. What was most vexing about it was the fact that it involved Rikka herself in some way. She'd have to ask Yuuta about it at some point—preferably when Touka was not there to listen.

"Alright now, Cento," Touka said to the little girl still clinging to her leg. "Go to your aunty Rikka."

Rikka felt a wave of confusion hit her with unfathomable strength. It was as if someone had snuck up on her and detonated an atomic bomb at point-blank range, intense heat and radioactive death breaking her down into her base particles, leaving nothing but a disembodied soul to continue staring in shock.

"A-aunty?" she stuttered.

"Aunty?" Cento parroted, looking up at Touka curiously.

"That's right. I'm going to be your mommy soon, right? That means my sister is going to be your aunt."

Cento seemed to mull on this for a moment before nodding, apparently satisfied with the answer. She ran over to Rikka and gave her a massive hug—which, for a person of Cento's diminutive size, amounted to two little arms wrapping around Rikka's waist, barely reaching far enough for both hands to meet at her back. In response, Rikka's body moved on autopilot, resting her palm atop the little girl's head, reciprocating the affection.

"Aunty," she muttered once more, still not processing the information she had just been given. Even after Touka left to finish her errands, she remained frozen in disbelief, if not in body then most certainly in mind and spirit.

She had a niece—a niece! Though they may not have been of the same bloodline, and their ages were a mere decade apart, they were still soon to be related by law.

She was going to be an aunt!

She had a NIECE!

"C'mon, Cento," Yuuta said, breaking Rikka's daze. "Looks like aunty Rikka can't speak right now."

It took a second for Rikka to realize that Cento had already released her from her embrace and was now sitting with Yuuta on the bed while he fiddled with the TV remote.

"Why can't she speak?" Cento asked. "Is she hurt? Is she dying!?"

Rikka noted that the little Italian girl didn't sound particularly worried about the thought of her new aunt dying. She sounded moreso excited.

Yuuta snickered. "Nah, nothing like that. Think of her like a ghost that left her body from shock."

"Ooh! Like those cartoons whenever someone gets scared by something!" She frowned. "But what scared her?"

"Well—"

"Foolishness, both of you!" Rikka cut him off with an exclamation, dramatically stepping one foot towards them and putting both hands on her hips. "It was not fear that bound me, but elation! The feeling of untold potential at my fingertips! And as you can see, it binds me no longer!" She turned and pointed at Cento. "You, little girl! You are now one of my disciples! I shall teach you the ways of darkness. Of unseen truths and invisible boundary lines!"

Cento looked at her with wide eyes for a moment before turning away in painfully clear skepticism. "Eh, I can beat you already. I don't think there's anything to learn from you."

"Ah…" Rikka grit her teeth. "You seem to be under the impression that you have a choice."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, girls," Yuuta scolded, flicking Cento's forehead lightly before leaning over to do the same to Rikka. "We're supposed to play nice, right?"

"Yuuta, I do not recall ever making such a promise. I am thus not obligated to—"

Her voice died in her throat as he looked at her sternly, the dimness of his eyes betraying deep disappointment.

"But I do concede," she amended quickly. "I shall play nice as you put it. However," she returned her attention to Cento, "I refuse to be the only one bound by this promise. The Outer Blade must obey as well."

Yuuta raised his brows. "Aotah Bureido?" he repeated, enunciating the pair of English words with uncomfortable slowness.

"It is the name I decided for Cento. She is a foreigner with a fondness for eastern weaponry. I find it quite fitting." She tilted her head. "Do you not?"

"I think it's weird that an Italian girl gets an English title, but I also don't think my opinion really matters. Cento?" They both turned to the girl sitting on the bed, watching them with wide eyes. "What do you think of Rikka's new name for you? Do you like the sound of 'Outer Blade'?"

The grin she wore was answer enough. "Do I get a sword? Can it be a katana!?"

Rikka matched Cento's grin with one of her own. "In time, my disciple. We must first gather the resources necessary to acquire your combat equipment!"

Yuuta chuckled, rolling his eyes. "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you plan on taking us shopping today. That sound right?"

Mischievous pride swelled in her chest. "Indeed! It was like you read my mind, Yuuta. As expected of the man I love."

"This wasn't particularly hard to guess."

"The statement still stands."

"Aunty loves Yuuta?" Cento muttered, pouting as she thought on those words. "Does that mean Yuuta's gonna be my uncle too?"

Rikka blinked as another nuclear weapon went off within her own mind, releasing such unimaginable power that her thoughts were reduced to ash, all in the time it took for her eyelids to close and open.

"Why's aunty looking at me like that? Did I scare her again?"

Yuuta sighed. "Yeah, something like that…" He grabbed Rikka's shoulders and began leading her to the door. "C'mon, kid. We're gonna go get you that sword. Aunty Rikka should snap out of it by the time we're in the lobby."

"Ooh! Okay then. Let's go uncle Yuuta!"

…

"A day of rest and already we're back at it," Shinka muttered wryly upon opening her eyes. She was once again met with the serene, sleeping face of Sanae, who was curled up against her under the covers. "We've awoken in this position nearly every day this past week, haven't we, love? Lust addled fools we must truly be."

She sat up with a stretch and began putting on her clothes, making only token attempts to wake her still-sleeping lover. Once she was fully dressed, she made one serious attempt to awaken Sanae, but was met with a grouchy "five more minutes" from the blonde, who pulled the covers over her head and promptly went back to sleep.

"So much for having breakfast together."

Leaving Sanae to continue her adventures in dreamland, Shinka left for the kitchen, stopping in her tracks and blinking as she entered the room. "Mother," she said stiffly. "You're not at work."

The woman looked up from her cup of tea. "Shinka, good morning," she greeted weakly. "I'm feeling a little under the weather right now, so I called in sick"

Shinka's face scrunched up at that explanation, noting the bags under her mother's eyes and the way she lethargically swayed to and fro on her seat. Under the weather was not an inaccurate description, though Shinka wondered whether it properly conveyed the severity.

"Don't worry about me," the woman reassured her.

Pursed lips. "I won't need to," she replied quietly. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

Shinka walked over to check the rice cooker. There was plenty for the three of them, though she was unsure if she had an appetite anymore with her mother here.

"There's leftovers in the fridge."

"I know, mother." I'm the one who put them there, she wanted to add.

Shinka opened one of the lunch boxes full of curry and plopped them in the microwave. The mechanical drone of the appliance filled the silence as Shinka wordlessly awaited her food to heat up. Her mother also did not speak, leaving Shinka to stew in her own thoughts.

"For the record, just because I don't approve, that doesn't mean I won't support you."

It had been barely two days since that strange encounter in this very kitchen. She and her mother had exchanged a mere dozen or so lines—only a few hundred words between the two of them.

"Even if it means you'll move out of the house to live alone, or to live with your girlfriend… if being with another girl is what will make you happier, I won't get in the way of it. I never have. Never will."

She still didn't understand what had gotten into her mother that night. Why would she say something like that? She was normally a woman who spoke in terms of implications and double speak. Declaring that kind of support in no uncertain terms was not something she would normally do. Shinka had lived with her for years! Shinka knew! There was no way those kind words could be taken at face value. It had to have been a trick of some kind.

It had to have been fake.

"You already told me that."

"It bears repeating."

And yet, she still wasn't certain—not even after two days of mulling it over. Doubts still gnawed at her, like a malignant swarm of locusts. The fire of her usual conviction couldn't burn it away. The cold of her apathy couldn't leave it behind. Those words remained, emblazoned in her memories, refusing to be dismissed or forgotten. Even now, she could hear them calling to her. Beckoning her. Drawing her closer.

And she knew why…

"Good night, mother."

"Good night as well, Shinka. I love you."

Deep down, she wanted to believe it…

The microwave beeped loudly, signalling that her food was ready. She grabbed a bowl of her rice and sat at the table across from her mother, avoiding eye contact with the woman as she began eating. The food was still a little bit cold in the middle, which made Shinka vaguely displeased, but she held back any dissatisfied remarks. There was too much to think about to even bother complaining.

"Good morning~"

Thankfully, the sleepy droll of Sanae's voice snapped Shinka's attention back to the present. But, as thankful as she was for being pulled out of the haze of confusion that was threatening to overwhelm her, she now had to contend with Sanae's unfortunate state of dress.

"Excuse me, mother," Shinka said through grit teeth, standing so quickly that her chair skidded behind her. "Sanae and I need to have a little talk." She aggressively ushered Sanae back into the hallway, suppressing the urge to look back as she walked past her mother.

Sanae grumbled in complaint as Shinka brought them back to her bedroom, but otherwise did not resist. "What's for breakfast?" she asked as she plopped back down onto the bed.

"Curry, just like last night," Shinka answered curtly. "But that's not important right now. You know what is important? You, getting dressed." She pointed at the clothes on the nightstand. "Get to it!"

A raised brow. "Why? Aren't we the only two people here?"

"What the hell kind of question is that? Did you not hear me say 'excuse me mother' earlier?"

Sanae yawned, rubbing her eyes. "I'm still sleepy, alright? Bite me."

"As much as I'd love to do that, my breakfast is still half eaten in the kitchen. Now hurry up and put on some clothes. You've never been this slobbish before and I'll be damned if I let you start now."

"Sure, sure."

With an amused snort, Sanae did as she was told, allowing Shinka to return to the kitchen, armed with the reassurance that her girlfriend wasn't about to walk into the room in her birthday suit again.

"Sorry about that," Shinka muttered as she retook her seat. "Sanae was a little… uh…" she fidgeted, "unpresentable…"

Mercifully, her mother made no comment on the matter, choosing instead to sip her tea. This elicited a sigh of relief from Shinka as she returned to her meal. Sanae, too, returned after a few minutes, taking the seat next to Shinka, a bowl of rice already prepared for her. Together, they ate in strange, uncomfortable silence—though not nearly as uncomfortable as before.

…

Rikka scowled as she eyed the selection of toy swords on display. While this costume store was one of her favorites for the kind of outfits she preferred, it was not particularly well stocked when it came to accessories. Case in point, the "katanas" Cento had her eyes on were the typical plastic toys that would often crack from merely being dropped. A good swing on the wrong target would likely shatter one on impact. As such, none of them were compatible with a young lady of Cento's caliber.

"I think we can find one made of reinforced foam," Rikka whispered to Yuuta. "That way she's less likely to hurt herself or others while wildly swinging."

"Huh. That's probably a good idea," he replied with a slow nod. "It'd certainly be better than that wooden stick Touka gave her last year. Seriously, what was that woman thinking?"

"While we are indeed sisters, I think it unwise to presume I understand the Priestess' motives."

A roll of the eyes. "It was a rhetorical question."

Rikka smiled. "I am aware."

After an hour scouring the shopping center for fake swords, they eventually found some that satisfied Rikka's requirements. The store that sold them specialized in historical and fantasy live-action roleplay. It was apparently a more socially acceptable version of her chuunibyou battle fantasies, the implications of which she quietly chose not to dwell on.

"Vampire?" the cashier asked as Rikka handed over the foam katana to be scanned.

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

The cashier laughed. "Sorry for assuming," she said with an apologetic bow. "Your whole getup gave me that impression, is all. An eyepatch, umbrella, and gothic lolita fashion? That's typically vampire territory. But if not that, then what are you really?"

"I am wary of releasing such information to strangers here in the mundane—"

"She's a fallen angel with a demonic tyrant sealed in her eye," Yuuta answered, cutting her off.

This earned another laugh. "Ah, a fusion of two classics. How bold."

Rikka turned to Yuuta with a pout, whining, "Yuuuta~! Stop giving away my secrets!"

"Mercy, fallen one. He was just indulging an old woman's curiosity. That much is forgivable, I hope?"

Returning her attention to the cashier, Rikka tilted her head slowly. Fallen one? That was new. Strangely fitting, too. And also…

"You don't seem to be that old," she noted with caution. In fact, the cashier looked to be in the prime of her twenties.

A smirk. "Looks can be deceiving, oh dark vessel. For all you know, I could be centuries old. Millenia, even."

Dark vessel? That also seemed a fitting title. Who was this woman…?

"Well, that's a familiar look," the cashier remarked with a chuckle. "The mundane world isn't as mundane as you might think, girl. I'm sure you'll realize it sooner or later. In the meantime, is there anything else you want to buy? The little ball of energy you brought with you seems to be getting impatient."

A glance towards Cento confirmed the woman's statement. The little Italian girl holding onto Yuuta's hand was shifting back and forth restlessly, eyes wandering every which way. Rikka quickly made the purchase and left for the Togashi apartment unit, handing Cento the sword on their way there.

"You plan on going back to that store?" Yuuta asked as they walked at a leisurely pace, Cento running around a few paces in front of them with the foam katana in her hands.

"Probably," Rikka muttered. "That woman intrigues me, Yuuta. Adults do not act like that. The Priestess and Miss Tsukumo indulge in our fantasies, yes, but only to achieve their own ends. That woman…? It seems like she indulges in the fantasy for the same reasons we do."

"How can you tell?"

"I just do."

Yuuta nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I'll trust your intuition for this, I guess." A sigh. "Still, though. An adult who has chuunibyou—and a well functioning one at that? I almost can't believe it…"

There was a pause as the two walked in silence. They picked up their pace for a moment to keep up with Cento, but slowed back down when they caught up. No words were exchanged for a long time.

"I realize that we are about to become adults as well," Rikka muttered. "I'm not certain I can become an adult like that woman…"

Yuuta nudged her with his elbow and smiled. "You don't have to be one like her, you know. You can be an one who's like you."

Rikka snorted at the sentiment, even as warm feelings welled up inside her. "Perhaps I might, Yuuta. Perhaps I might."

…

"Your mother seemed sedate this morning," Sanae remarked as they boarded the train. "Has she contracted some sort of illness?"

Shinka suppressed a groan. She had almost successfully pushed away all thoughts of her mother from her mind, but Sanae's little comment immediately undid all that effort. Her first instinct was to respond with vitriol for ruining what was about to become a good mood, but suppressed that as well. She was in public, and yelling would cause too much of a scene.

So instead, she shrugged and stared out of the window. "Probably?" she muttered. "I don't really care…"

Sanae shifted her weight beside her as the train began accelerating. "You don't sound like you don't care."

It was not a question. In fact, it almost sounded like an accusation. In response, Shinka tilted her head towards Sanae, scowling in annoyance.

"Look not at me with those eyes, Shinka. I speak the truth."

Clicking her tongue, Shinka turned away. "Fine," she conceded. "I do care. I just don't want to."

A humorless smile colored Sanae's voice. "Shinka Nibutani, wearing a facade of apathy over genuine concern? How terribly typical."

"And you antagonizing me for it is terribly typical as well, I'd say."

"Such is the nature of our bond, is it not?" Sanae leaned into Shinka gently, one arm snaking around her waist to pull them closer to each other. "I'd like to know what's bothering you."

Shinka closed her eyes. "And you'll know," she said. "Just not here… Not now…"

Eventually, they reached their stop and got off at the station close to Sanae's house. They walked the rest of the way there.

"Hello, Miss Sanae," one of the housekeeping staff greeted them upon their entering the front gate. "Your mother is currently in a business call, but would like to talk to you when she finishes."

"Thank you. Please call me once she's available."

They entered through the front door.

"Miss Sanae, a package arrived for you. It is on your desk."

Sanae gave a quick thank you, not stopping her current pace to talk.

"Miss Sanae, do you have any preferences for today's lunch menu?"

She told the chef to surprise her and continued to her bedroom, Shinka trailing closely behind. As soon as they stepped inside, they shut the door, and with it, shut out all the hustle and bustle of the housekeeping staff.

"Your house seems busy this morning," Shinka remarked dryly. "I'm guessing there'll be some important guests visiting today?"

"Probably." Sanae paced around her room, twirling her twin tails idly. "It's usually not one of my concerns, though. My mother is the one who most often entertains the guests."

"And she doesn't force you to join her?"

"She often excuses me from participating, yes. What of it?"

Shinka looked down. "Nothing…"

"And there is that feeble avoidance tactic once more." Sanae turned on her heel and faced Shinka, whose back was against the door. "You tried to deflect me earlier on the train as well. What is bothering you? I assume it's something to do with your mother?"

A nod.

"Well, spit it out, then. What is the problem?"

Pursed lips. "It's… it's complicated…"

Sanae snorted. "When isn't it?"

"You do have a point," Shinka conceded with a sigh. "But… I'll be honest here, I'm not sure I can explain it in a way you can understand. I don't even understand it myself…"

"I'd like for you to at least try."

"And I'd like to not have to think about it…"

There was silence as those words hung in the air. Then, the rapid pitter-patter of footsteps as Sanae crossed the room.

"Wha—?"

Sanae slammed one hand on the wall to Shinka's side, the other reaching around the other side and locking the door. Their eyes met for a moment, Shinka's wide with surprise, Sanae's alight with unreadable intensity.

"We are alone, Shinka," Sanae said, her voice low and perfectly steady. "We are alone and we have time. No one will disturb us and no one will judge you for whatever you tell me. So I ask again…" She tilted her head slowly, her expression still unwaveringly serene. "What is bothering you?"

Lost in the light of those sky-colored irises, Shinka felt something inside her buckle. She wasn't sure if it was pride, fear, or what have you—it didn't matter. It still cracked under the weight of her lover's gaze.

So she shut her eyes tightly and explained, letting out every odd thought and ill-defined worry that had been haunting her since the night of her confrontation with her mother. The thought of her mother's disapproving gaze; of disowning her; of kicking her out of the house; of any number of scenarios that her paranoia and anxiety could conjur, twisting every kind word her mother had ever uttered until they were naught but spite. Sanae kept silent through it all, her expression serene and unchanging as unfiltered words rushed out of Shinka's lips—then streamed, then sputtered, then finally ceased.

"I see," Sanae eventually said, closing her eyes. She pulled Shinka into a hug. "I begin to see why your mother vexes you so. Playing with your heart like that? She is a most infuriating woman."

Shinka leaned into the embrace limply, her arms trapped to her sides by Sanae's. "The worst part about this is that I actually want her to be telling the truth… I want her to actually support me…"

"Which I understand," Sanae said gently. "But remember what you said to me when your mother and I first met. She does not support us. She thinks we are interesting enough to not get in our way." A chuckle. "And funnily enough, it's quite similar to what she told you two nights ago—just framed differently. I don't see how it changes anything."

"I just… She…" Shinka's voice hitched. "It hurts…"

Sanae's hold tightened. "I know, Shinka. I can only imagine what it's like to have an unsupportive parent. I am lucky enough that my own mother isn't quite so unpleasant. I'd wager she likes you, even."

A weak, humorless chuckle. "Likes me, does she?" Shinka felt her knees wobble. "She certainly doesn't seem to."

"Do not mistake her frustration towards you as dislike. She wants to see the woman I fell in love with. That your stubbornness prevents her from witnessing your true power displeases the both of us."

"So it does." A shake of the head. "Can we sit down for a bit? I'm feeling a little dizzy."

Sanae released Shinka from the embrace, letting her arms fall until only their hands were touching. With a gentle tug and a step backwards, she began leading Shinka to the bed. "It is strange that, even after that outburst of yours, you still did not cry. Were you holding it in?"

"I don't know." Shinka collapsed into the mattress. "And I don't care," she continued, voice muffled by Sanae's pillows. "Just let me rest."

If Sanae was displeased with this development, her voice did not betray her. Instead, she leaned over to kiss the top of Shinka's head and whispered, "I love you, Shinka Nibutani. We can get through this."

Eventually, a knock came at the door and Sanae left to speak with her mother. In that time, sleep took Shinka, wiping away her worries and leaving only peaceful slumber.

…

A wordless scream accompanied the sound of a foam katana bouncing off the dome of an open umbrella.

Sparring with Cento, Rikka noted, was a much different experience to sparring with her usual partners. The majority of the Dark Flame Master's arsenal was made up of firearms, with a handful of bladed weapons he used only as back-ups. Mori Summer, on the rare occasions that they fought, almost exclusively used long-ranged bombardment attacks. The Mjolnir Hammer, though she used melee combat the most frequently out of all of them, still supplemented her offense with magic. The Outer Blade?

With a click, the umbrella furled closed as Rikka stabbed it forward. Cento merely stepped to the side and dodged it easily, following up with a flurry of swings.

Cento fought exclusively with her sword, attacking with such ferocity so as to not allow Rikka any opportunity to cast her spells. In the few times she had managed to recite an incantation, Cento merely shrugged it off and continued her onslaught, as if magic had no effect whatsoever. Rikka postulated the reason for this incredible resistance to magic was due to her relationship with Touka, whose own magic resistance was so powerful that it could be argued that she was outright immune.

That is to say, Cento was willing to play along with the battle, but completely disregarded the fantastical elements—buying into a fantasy, but not Rikka's. But, all things considered? A samurai with immunity to magic did not sound too far fetched. Rikka was willing to meet Cento halfway with this.

"Last time you defeated me, I was in my weakened state," Rikka said with a smirk as she parried another swing. "Now that I am no longer handicapped, you can no longer defeat me."

"It's not fair! If this was a real sword, I would have cut through that stupid umbrella, easy!"

Rikka batted away a stab with a twirl and flourish of her umbrella. "It's a magic umbrella," she reminded.

Cento made an unsatisfied noise and swung again, the flow of their battle continuing in much the same way it had been going for the past however many minutes. It was only when Rikka heard Yuuta's voice from above her did their stalemate resolve.

"Rikka, I need you back up here!"

"Wha—Oof!" Rikka looked towards Yuuta's balcony, then flinched as Cento stabbed her right in the solar plexus.

"Die die die!" Cento yelled, continuing to swing at Rikka after she had doubled over.

Despite the katana being made of soft and springy foam, it was still able to impart force into a target. It would only be a fraction of the force it would have had were it made of metal, but it was still enough that it was unpleasant to be hit by it. Rikka immediately cried out in surrender as the italian eight year old's sustained assault knocked her off her feet and left her curled up on the ground with her arms blocking her face and head.

"I yield, Cento! I yield! Cease your attacks! Your opponent has surrendered!"

After much yelling—and a brief debate about whether or not attacking a downed or defeated opponent was honorable—the two quickly made their way back to the Togashi apartment unit. Rikka chose not to dwell on how dirty and sweaty they had gotten due to their roughhousing.

"Tadaima," Rikka said as she ushered Cento through the front door. As she moved to take off her shoes, she noticed a collection of unfamiliar footwear neatly arranged near the door, accompanying what would normally be Yuuta's, Kuzuha's, and her own. "Yuuta, do we have guests?"

As she asked this, she walked deeper into the apartment, mouth falling agape when she noticed the two adults, a man and woman, sitting across from Yuuta at the kitchen table. Rikka easily recognized the woman as Yuuta's mother, which meant the man was…

"You must be my son's girlfriend. It's wild that you've been dating for so long already yet we've never met."

His soft eyes with deep green irises bore a striking resemblance to Yuuta's. His black hair tied back into a tidy-looking bun looked like Kuzuha's. The wideness of his face was similar to Yumeha's. This man was most certainly Yuuta's father.

Rikka blinked, unsure of how to respond. She glanced around the room in mild desperation, eyes darting to Kuzuha on the living room couch with Yumeha, shifting to Cento, peeking cautiously at the Togashi parents from behind Rikka, and finally stopping at Yuuta, who met her gaze with a nervous looking smile.

"They arrived home nearly two weeks early," he explained, scratching his head. "I'm just as surprised as you are, to be honest."

Rikka nodded numbly before nudging Cento towards where Kuzuha and Yumeha were playing. As the little one went over to join them, Rikka took her place next to Yuuta at the table, bowing to the two adults before taking her seat.

"So, your name's Rikka, right?" The man smiled and presented his hand, which Rikka shook wordlessly and automatically. "I'm Yuuta's father. I'm glad you've been taking care of him while we were gone."

It's more like he's been taking care of me, came the immediate mental response, though no words could escape her mouth—the man's very presence seemed to exert physical pressure on her body, preventing her from speaking. She attempted to push past it using her will power alone, but she could only muster an inarticulate "Uh…"

"Forgive her," Yuuta cut in. "She's pretty shy and gets nervous easily."

"Understandable," Mr. Togashi said with a chuckle. "I know how I felt when I met your mother's parents for the first time. I certainly can't blame her for being nervous around me. Although—" he turned to Rikka with the same kind of wry, lopsided smile that Yuuta sometimes wore, "—I did at least remember to breathe."

Rikka gasped, realizing that he had been right—she hadn't been breathing. And mercifully, that sharp inhale and slow exhale was enough to relax her taut and tense shoulders. She leaned into the backrest of her chair, closing her eyes and letting relief circulate for a moment.

"I've always been curious what Yuuta's father was like," she eventually said, looking to the man. "To tell you the truth, I am still curious."

"Well, good thing I'm gonna be home for a full month, eh? We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."

Rikka found herself wondering where they would sleep. She and Kuzuha had taken both rooms when Mrs. Togashi left to live in Jakarta. She asked them as much.

"We'll be staying here, actually. I can sleep in a futon in Yuuta's room. My wife and Yumeha can do the same in Kuzuha's."

Rikka blinked. But wouldn't that mean—?

"I'm only living in this residence as a guest. It wouldn't be right for me to have my own room while the masters of the household—"

"Nonsense!" the man cut her off. "You've lived here for over a year now. You're as much a member of this family as my wife and I are."

Rikka felt her face flush at that statement.

"And besides," he continued, "wouldn't it be uncomfortable for any of us to room with you? I know I'd feel uncomfortable."

"I… uh…"

"Like, don't take it personally, kid, but I don't want to sleep in the same room as my son's girlfriend."

It was at this point that Yuuta finally spoke. "Dad, stop it! You're embarrassing us."

"Bah, let your old man have his fun. Embarrassing you is the whole point of introductions like this, isn't it?"

"That's how my parents did it, anyway," Yuuta's mother chimed in cheekily. "You should have seen the way he squirmed when my father prodded him with constant questions."

Rikka glanced at Yuuta, asking with her eyes if this was what his parents were always like. He smiled ruefully and leaned in to whisper, "They're obviously playing it up for a new audience, but yes, this is normal for them." He shot them a pained look. "And I really wish it wasn't."

Rikka sighed. "I suppose that's not much different from our own eccentricities, but this is still disconcerting to see."

"Ain't it ever," Yuuta agreed with a shudder.

Rikka turned to address the married couple, taking a deep breath to steel herself. "Surely there exists an arrangement that will not force five people into two rooms with myself alone in the third."

"Well, what do you suggest?" The man leaned back and crossed his arms. "Because if you're suggesting we take your room while you sleep in Yuuta's, that's a hard no from us. We'd like to at least have the illusion that you two haven't been sleeping with each other the entire time you've shared this roof."

For the third time that day, a flash nuclear hellfire vaporized all thought and reason from her mind, as if smote from the world by some cosmic hammer. No survivors remained—only a glassed expanse of emptiness in her head.

"Daaaad!" Yuuta groaned. "Did you have to say something like that!?"

"Look, boy, you're a teenager living with your girlfriend. We'd have to ask about it sooner or later."

"But the very first conversation?"

The man raised his hands in surrender. "Probably could've had better timing, but I don't think it's that big a deal. It isn't like people can die of embarrassment."

Yuuta glanced at the blank-faced chuuni still staring down at the table. "I wouldn't be too sure," he muttered. "Embarrassment seems to have short circuited her."

"Does that happen a lot?"

Yuuta sighed. "Often enough, I guess—especially lately. Give her a minute and she should recover." He stood. "In the meantime, Yumeha made a new friend. Why don't you and mom go say 'hi'?"

"Oh? Ah, that small child your girlfriend was with. Who is she? She looks foreign."

"That's Touka Takanashi's future step daughter—Rikka's future niece. Her name's Cento."

"Ah, didn't know you were already an uncle. Should tide us over until you're ready to give us grandchildren."

He gave the man a look. "Dad…"

"Right right. Go tend to your girlfriend."

As his mother and father left to go play with the younger children, Yuuta turned to Rikka, who had watched that scene play out with the same blank expression she had been wearing earlier. His own expression softened at the sight.

"C'mon," he said, beckoning her out of everyone's view. She followed after only a moment of hesitation, breathing a sigh of relief when he brought them to the staircase right outside their front door.

"You alright?" he asked, taking a seat on one of the steps.

A slow nod. "I… am not unwell," she managed. "But I still feel somewhat shaken. Your father is… incredibly powerful, Yuuta."

This earned a chuckle. "Yeah, that's certainly a way to describe him. Overbearing in this weird, playful way, right? Him and my mom are pretty similar like that." He patted the step next to him invitingly.

"I do not disagree." Rikka took the offered seat and sighed. "Why did you bring us outside? I assume it is for privacy reasons, but the question still stands."

"It's not really something that requires we be outside, but…" He shrugged. "Figured you'd be more comfortable in a quieter situation."

A small smile. "Again, I do not disagree with that assessment. I do feel more comfortable." After that admission, her smile grew sly. "And you still didn't answer my question."

Rikka let out a giggle as Yuuta scratched his cheeks in that adorably awkward way he always did.

"You're right. I guess I didn't…" He shook his head. "Anyway, we need to talk about our current sleeping arrangements."

"I maintain that it would be unreasonable for your family to share your and Kuzuha's rooms while I get to keep mine all to myself."

"I get that, but would you be fine sleeping with Kuzuha or Yumeha?"

Rikka cupped her chin in contemplation. It didn't take long for her to reach a conclusion. "I don't mind," she said

"So you'll let one of them sleep in your room?"

"Assuming there's even space for them to sleep in? Yes."

Yuuta's face scrunched, as if he had eaten something unpleasant. "Right. I forgot you've filled your room with a lot of junk."

"We have been over this, Yuuta. I have filled my room with powerful magical artifacts in order to ward off the foul beasts that sense my power when I sleep."

"A week ago, you said you were being attacked by denizens of the dream world."

"I was not in my room back then. I was in the kitchen after an all-nighter."

"Riiight." Yuuta's eyes remained narrowed in obvious skepticism but he did not broach the topic further. "I do think we should consider all of our options, though. Rooming with any of my sisters will work in the short term, but putting all of your stuff into storage so that they have space to sleep is gonna be a pain."

Rikka winced. "Indeed, that would be inconvenient. I am open to suggestions."

"Alright, so, other than puzzling out the who-sleeps-in-what-room situation, we can also give Touka a call."

Rikka immediately understood what Yuuta was getting at, feeling something unpleasant in the pit of her stomach. "You want me to accept the deal she was offering, don't you…?"

He blinked, then stammered. "Wa-wait, no. I was just going to ask her to let you stay in her hotel room for a bit."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "But that's only the short-term solution. We'll be in the same situation we're in now when Touka returns to Italy in little under two weeks. Her offer presents a logical and more permanent solution."

"My parents are only gonna be staying with us for a month," he reminded her. "You don't need to go that far."

"But I do," Rikka insisted, standing up. "This is what I was talking about when I said those who don't adapt to the changes of their surroundings would die."

Yuuta seemed to force a smile. "The only change so far has been my parents coming home. I don't think you'll die from them embarrassing you…"

"You know that's not what I meant…"

"I…" He looked away, scratching his head. "Don't you think you're being too hasty? Like, if my parents weren't home would you be taking Touka's offer at all?"

Rikka pursed her lips and stepped back, leaning against the stairs' guardrails. "She gave me a week, Yuuta. I have eight more days to make my decision. Why shouldn't I take it now?"

For a moment, Yuuta's eyes darted around searchingly, as if the far end of the hall or a random door knob had an answer for him, but he eventually just slumped sideways against the wall. "I guess there isn't really any reason you shouldn't, but…"

"But you don't want me to?" Rikka finished for him, smiling sadly.

He buried his face in his hands and groaned. "I feel like a hypocrite. I gave that whole spiel about accepting whatever decision you come to, but here I am, trying to convince you to decline."

"You tend to be very persuasive, Yuuta. I'm not sure you're really trying."

A humorless laugh. "Yeah, I guess so…" He groaned again. "God, this is so stupid…"

"What's so stupid?"

The two of them jumped, before looking up the stairs. Satone was leaning over the guardrails of the floor above them, watching them curiously. "Did I ruin a moment?"

Yuuta stood and coughed. "Er… no… you just… uh…" He turned away and scratched his cheeks. "We were just discussing a problem we're having."

"Ooh. Can I help?"

"I don't—" before Yuuta could finish, he cut himself off and turned to Rikka. "What do you think?"

A shrug. "The Magical Devil Girl knows many things that you or I do not. It would not hurt to have her input."

After coming to a decision, they explained the situation to Satone, who climbed down to sit with them on the steps. She listened closely, her chin on her palms and her elbows on her knees, eyes remaining bright and alert.

"A nearby apartment, huh?" Satone leaned back. "Does the Priestess know about the empty unit above mine?"

They blinked. "What?"

"Ah, you didn't know? A few days ago, the people who live in the apartment above mine moved out. I heard the movers walking around through my ceiling. It was so distracting, I barely got any work done that day."

Yuuta and Rikka shared a glance, then repeated, "What!?"

It couldn't have been that easy, could it? Fortune did not often smile upon her, and even then, it was rarely this generous. Were the fates compensating her for her absolutely horrible experience during Tanabata?

Either way, this was an opportunity she would not allow to pass her by. She was going to take it.

"Yuuta, I'm—"

As if reading her mind, Yuuta stood and made for the front door of his apartment. "Call Touka. I'm gonna explain the situation to my parents."

Satone perked up. "Ooh! They're home? I've not seen your dam and sire in many moons."

Yuuta hand rested on the doorknob as he shot her a withered look. "Please don't call my mom and dad that, Shichimiya. We've talked about this."

All he received was a cackle in response.

The two entered the apartment unit, leaving Rikka to make her call in private. She fished her pockets for her phone and stared at Touka's number in her contacts list. With a deep breath, she steeled herself.

"Hesitation is defeat," she muttered, then initiated the call, feeling her body tense up with anticipation every time she heard the dial tone. It rang nearly a dozen times before Touka picked up.

[Rikka? I was in the middle of that meeting. Is something wrong?]

"Touka, I…" Her voice died in her throat.

[I don't have a lot of time, Rikka. I need to know if this is important enough to cancel my plans. Spit it out.]

Rikka swallowed, then tried again. "Touka, I think I want to take—" she cut herself off and shook her head. "No, I know I want to take up your offer. I want to try to live alone. I even found the perfect apartment for you to lease."

There was silence on the line for a long time.

"Touka?"

Her phone's speakers filled with static as Touka laughed. [Rikka, I'm glad you've come to a decision so quickly, but couldn't this have been a text message?]

All tension disappeared as Rikka deflated in equal parts relief and embarrassment. "I… uh… I didn't really think about that," she admitted, leaning against the wall.

[I thought as much. We can talk about this later, once I'm done with these negotiations. For now, though…] There was more static, as if Touka sighed. [I'm proud of you taking the initiative, Rikka. I hope you continue to do so.]

With a click, the call ended, leaving Rikka to stand in silence, stewing on her emotions.

All things considered? Things had not gone badly. She'd even go as far as to say it had gone remarkably well. Fortune truly was smiling upon her that day, wasn't it?

I'm proud of you

Rikka felt proud too. It welled up from the bottom of her heart, filling her with a gentle and satisfying warmth.

"Perhaps I can become an adult who's just like me," she whispered to herself.

With another shake of her head, she beamed and made for the door to the Togashi apartment, a spring in her step and hope in her heart.

End of Chapter

Thank you to Sypharo and asianpotter1 for beta reading this chapter

I actually had to cut down the size of this chapter because I tried to cram too much stuff into it. The scope grew way too large for me to conclude it meaningfully. That now leaves me with nearly eight thousand words worth of disconnected scenes that I'm not sure I'll even be able to use. Maybe I can put it in a side-story oneshot? It involves Satone, so there's precedent for me putting it into a oneshot. We'll just have to see, eh?

Until the next chapter!