A Girl's Turmoil

by Chittatos

Sakurako Oomuro is just an average lousy middle schoolgirl. A cheerful, lazy, and annoying girl for Himawari and her own family. But, there is this one time that Sakurako is no longer the same for their whole life. How could Sakurako's way of life, behavior and action change after that one faithful day?

22. Chapter 20 - A Sleepover at Yui's

"So, this is it, Ayano-senpai?"

"Yeah, this is it! What do you think?"

"This is such a cozy apartment. I hardly believe she lives here by herself."

"Well, that's the truth, Saoki-san. She's quite an independent girl."

"Hey, Ayano-senpai."

"Yeah?"

"How much do you think this apartment costs?"

"Hmm, I don't know. But it might cost a lot. You might need a job if you want to live here."

"Huh. Yui is not even working."

"She still has parents giving her allowance, you know?"

The three girls had met with each other at the appointed spot before continuing to walk down the path, but they had almost reached their destination. In a different neighborhood, but it has the same peaceful atmosphere like the one back at Oomuro's household. Ayano and Saoki had already gotten acquainted with each other thanks to Sakurako. And Saoki is more than happy to get to know another friend of Sakurako's

Only after crossing a road that they get a proper look at the building where Yui is living. It's a five-story building, with its exterior walls retaining its original dark red along with the pattern of bricks from the second to top floors. However, the ground floor's exterior was colored in gray alongside its respective carvings. The entrance was found on the road they walked upon.

Before they reach the entrance, Ayano looks over to Sakurako's white bag. "So what's in the bag?"

"Oh," Sakurako rechecked into her bag. "Just groceries."

"Eh?" Saoki raised an eyebrow. "What kind of groceries?"

"Food," they were waiting for the following answer, but that's all Sakurako can say.

"If that's the case," Ayano stated after looking over the bag, though she didn't get a clear look. "Shouldn't you head home first before coming here?"

"No," responded blandly by the blonde.

"No?" Saoki then slyly grinned. "Oh, don't tell me those are snacks for us."

"Not really."

"Huh?" Saoki leaned her head back a bit, all long fixing her sloppy glasses. "Then what's that?"

The blonde simply turns her head. "We promised each other to make soup mushroom pie together."

"Soup mushroom pie?" Ayano asked, to which Sakurako returned a nod. "Who's we?"

"Yui and I."

"Oh," Ayano smiled once again. "You're going to cook with her?"

"Yes," replied the blonde. "That's why I did the groceries for her."

"Nice!" Saoki gave a thumbs up. "I hope you're not planning to eat that on your own."

"That was the original plan," Sakurako then her hands around her neck. "But that would be selfish."

"Wow," Ayano gave a little false smile. "I didn't expect you to be that straightforward."

Dribbling their footsteps over the gray concrete, they finally reach the front door of the building. The blonde Oomuro takes a quick look around her surroundings. There wasn't much to notice save for a couple of trees, each row dividing the road into two. It is still a fine day outside, but they are not looking forward to baking their skins for too long. They enter the complex, which leads them to a long hall. A reception desk is just before them on the left, but the receptionist himself/herself was nowhere to be seen.

Thankfully, they don't have to bother to find the receptionist. Ayano leads them down the halls to find one of the elevators that are still vacant. Once they found one, Ayano pressed the button to the upper floors, and they waited for a while. *TING* and theelevator opens its doors for his guests to ride in. Ayano enters first before the blonde and the black ponytailed. The vice-prez then immediately presses the fifth floor, the top floor, just as the doors closed.

Then the ride starts, which none of the girls seem keen on talking. But it was noted that Sakurako nearly falls over if it wasn't for the handrails on their sides; Sakurako is not used to dealing with sudden vertigo. Moreover, they were more awkward talking inside the lift for some reason. Making things more awkward is that the music playing inside was only composed of Xylophone, having a damn fun time in Hawaii, or so Sakurako thought. Another *TING* rings out, and the doors kindly open for their guests.

Stepping out of the elevator, Ayano then leads them around the zig-zagging of the apartment complex. They finally find the familiar number that is Yui's apartment. Although, to Ayano's embarrassment, there was another elevator just nearby Yui's apartment. Maybe this is what Yui meant by 'takes too long to get in, takes too quick to get out,' inside a game. Sakurako and Saoki don't blame her; it's easy to get lost sometimes. And here, the blonde thought that she was the only idiot around here who couldn't even find her path around the neighborhood.

Not as an insult, but it's kind of nice to see a smart girl can get lost as well.

The purple-eyed student council then presses the doorbell, procuring a ding-dong from the other side of the door. Sakurako side steps to show herself in front of the intercom, lifting the plastic bag, on the one hand, another bag of clothes, and her inventory on the other. Then she identifies herself.

"Yui, it's us."

"Ah, one moment," the intercom responded, belonging to the apartment's owner.

The door is then opened. But it wasn't Yui who opened the door. To Sakurako's ultimate annoyance, it was Kyouko.

"Ah, ohayou!" Kyouko greeted the three girls.

"Gyah, T-Toshino Kyouko!?" Ayano recoiled back. "What are you doing here?!"

"I'm playing with Yui-chan," Kyouko then turned at Sakurako. "Ah, hello there, Saa-chan!"

"Great, the Jehovah's witness is back."

The resulting comment has Ayano laughing to herself, bowing to her left even. Even Yui, who just happens to stand behind Kyouko, is laughing her butt off. Saoki in the back doesn't really understand what the heck is a Jehovah's witness. As for Sakurako, her eyes had quite an expression that there were eye bags below them.

"Okay…" Kyouko then looked over to Ayano. "What's bring you here? You wanna play with us too?"

"Y-yeah, kind of," Ayano's response was cute. Even her face became a little red. "We want to sleep over at Yui's place."

"Oh really?" Kyouko then raised both her arms. "Me too!"

"E-eh?!" Ayano stuttered at the unexpected answer. "You too?!"

"Oh?" Kyouko looked over to the new stranger amongst the three. "Ayano, who is this four-eyed girl?"

"Excuseme, whatdiyoujustcallme!?" Saoki immediately rapped with white eyes.

"Huh?" Sakurako looks back at Saoki. "She doesn't have four eyes."

"Yah…" Yui shed a slight sweat. "That's not what she meant."

"Anyway, this is a friend of mine," Sakurako introduced her. "Saoki Tatsuya, from Nagibara School."

"It's nice to meet you," Saoki politely bowed.

"It's nice to meet you too," Yui stood next to her childhood but naughty friend before returning the gesture. "Sakurako told me about you. But she didn't tell me you're from Nagibara."

"Right," Sakurako then placed a palm on her forehead. "Somehow, I forgot to tell you that when I was calling you."

"How can you forget something as simple as that?" Saoki asked her, though all she got was a shrug. "Anyway, you must be Yui-san."

"Yes, and this is Kyouko-chan," Yui introduced. "If she says anything weird, ignore her. Don't even look at her."

"Hey, Yuiiii!" Kyouko hugged onto her. "You are such a meanie!"

"Well…" Sakurako added in. "I hope I don't have to stab my hand for this."

"I'm not sure what you are trying to imply here," Ayano stated.

Sakurako stares back at her. "We're going to cook, remember?"

"Ah, right," Yui then looked over to the plastic bag. "You got the ingredients?"

"Yes," Sakurako replied. "All of the ingredients are cheaper than you expect."

"Oh really?" Yui then took the bag off her. "What's the discount?"

"20%"

"Oh, real- wait," the tomboy winced her eyes. "All of this with 20% percent discount?"

"Yes."

Yui stares at her for a few seconds, though the rest are confused why she should be surprised. "You bought them from Bakimura Store, didn't you?"

"How did you know?"

"Huh, Bakimura Store?" Kyouko then looked at Sakurako. "Isn't that one that turned into an awesome shootout?"

"Awesome shootout?" Saoki frowned. Sakurako can sense the distaste of her question. "Are you joking? There's nothing awesome about that shootout!"

"Woah, calm down," Yui then frowned at Kyouko. "Saoki's right. Stop joking about that."

"Eeh, why not?" Kyouko pouted playfully.

"K-Kyouko," Ayano stuttered. "Those criminals were attacking that store full of good people. That kind of thing is no joke."

"They're just roleplaying to create an action movie," Kyouko joked, even so far as imitating a gun. "It goes bam-bam-bam and then dead people everywhere. It is aweso-"

"A CHILD DIED IN THERE, AND YOU STILL CALL THAT AWESOME!?"

Who would've thought to hear such a terrifying outburst none other than Sakurako herself? Other than aching of their poor ears, they were pretty horrified by her enraged tone. The girls stand in a circle and observe the Oomuro blonde looking about ready to tackle an oncoming car. Cracking sounds emanating from the knuckles of both fists. Her eyes weren't shaded, but there was a dark spark in her pupil that only both Yui and Kyouko could see. To say she is fed up wasn't enough to describe the emotion flowing in her head.

Even one of the neighbors next to Yui's has to look out the door. "Excuse me, is there something wrong? What was that loud noise all about?"

"A-a-a-aah! Nothing, it was nothing!" Yui awkwardly waved both hands at her neighbor.

"Are you sure?" the man asked back. "Do you need any he-"

"No, no, we're fine," Saoki insisted. "We just had an argument. That's all."

"Okay..." the man winced his eyes, then turned around. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Y-yes, Misutā," Ayano assured him, albeit with a tinge of doubt before the man shut his apartment door.

After a few seconds of silence then they turn their heads back to the outraged Sakurako. The dark spark from her eyes seems to dissipate, for now. When her fists and the expression on her face began to feign, it was clear for the girls that this Oomuro blonde doesn't take kindly of some offensive joke like that. However, Saoki, being a friend of Misaka, admitted heart fully to herself that this is the exact reaction she expected from Sakurako when someone looks at an incident in the wrong way. And the fact that she had… done those horrible things, Saoki can't ignore the grave concern that looms upon her mind.

"S-Sakurako," Ayano stepped closer to her with open palms. "Please, calm down."

Yui, no matter how cool-headed she is, gulps silently. "Take it easy, Sakurako."

"Um, calm down, Sakurako…." Kyouko slightly took a step back, open palms as a sign of cowardice. "I-it was a just joke."

"No matter how funny your joke is, Sakurako has a point," Saoki responded firmly. "You shouldn't use that kind of incident for some fun and laughs. Sakurako already heard what happened there, and she hated it."

"From the store owner himself?" Ayano asked curiously.

"Correct," Saoki nodded. "I should add that Sakurako had almost stumbled herself in that shootout on that very day if she hadn't goof around back then."

"Eh?!" all faces filled with shock as Yui pushes her inquiry. "You were heading there that day? Is that true?"

Sakurako nearly looked back at Saoki, didn't really want to say that she betrayed her trust. But, she didn't say that Sakurako was inside that shootout. There's a slight tingle in her yellow eyes that convinces her to play along. And she did just that.

The Oomuro blonde turns her head back and responds. "It's true. I almost got myself into that mess."

Then she bows her head away. "I don't want to talk about it."

The reply had Kyouko dumbfounded and shuddered. But she replies despite the sentiment in her voice. "Oh, wow… I-I'm sorry. I didn't know…."

Sakurako returns her gaze at Yui's childhood friend, which Yui found her gaze a little disturbing. "Okay… I won't make that same joke to you again. I promise," Kyouko stated genuinely.

Despite the assurance, the Oomuro remains standing there without a single word. "Um… so, Sakurako, are you… Are you cool now?"

"Do you want to get flashbanged?"

"No, please no!"

Spooked by her threat that the girls around her recoiled away. For Saoki, she was more confused by the term she spoke.

"Sorry, what's flashbanged?" Saoki asked the girls.

"She-she-," Ayano had to force a smile at her. "She has real flashbang grenades."

How horrifying this discovery was for Saoki, that she could do nothing but turn into stone. As if getting shot wasn't enough incident for Sakurako to bear. The atmosphere was too silent for the time, expecting someone to cut that up with a single slash of a knife. But what occurred next was for the blonde Oomuro to sigh in exasperation, disregarding the horrified girls around her.

"Can we just… get to cooking right now?"

Thank God for the girls that she finally changed the subject.

"Oh, uh, sure, sure," Yui nervous nodded. "Come on in, everyone."

Yui and Kyouko led the group into the living room. How well-furnished and large the room was for the Oomuro that she would've wished this was her bedroom. A small table on a square mat in the middle of the room, a small computer on the right side and a large TV on the left corner across her, a large shelf filled with books on the right corner almost across the TV, and the glistening, transparent glass doors leading onto the balcony. Sakurako would literally kill for a luxurious apartment like this.

"An excellent apartment you have here, Yui-senpai," Sakurako complimented with a genuine small smile.

"Thanks, Sakurako," Yui nodded. "Just put your stuff over there and get yourself comfortable."

"Okay, Yui-san," Saoki responded before putting their stuff in the corner of the room.

"Where do I put these groceries?" Sakurako asked the occupant.

"Oh, just put it in the kitchen back there," Kyouko pointed at the kitchen behind the questioner.

"Okay," just after she put her personal effects that she went to the kitchen.

"Do you guys want tea or juice?" Yui asked her guests.

"Tea," Ayano responded, and "juice," Saoki said.

"Got it. Give me a moment," Yui replied with a nod as she left for the kitchen.

The moment Yui enters the kitchen, she finds Sakurako still standing at the kitchen counter. With the groceries is standing next to her, she checks over one such main ingredient left on the counter. The Oomuro blonde can't help but raise her right eyebrow. And she turns to Yui with the said item in her hand.

"What is this beef doing on the counter?" Sakurako asked her.

"Ah, about that," Yui then opened the cabinet above next to her. "I was thinking about putting some beef into the pie."

Sakurako tilts her head as she watches her prepare the glasses. "Do you want to improvise the recipe?"

"Yeah," Yui stared at her flat face for a second before making the drinks. "I'm sorry that I forgot to tell you about this. It kinda slipped my mind."

Sakurako stares at her for a little while. "Oh, you forgot."

"Almost thought I was literal, didn't you?" Yui shed a sweat. "Anyway, I hope you don't mind about this plan."

"You know, let's try it out," Sakurako agreed as she put down the beef. "I reckon it would taste better with it."

"Glad we have the same thought," Yui gave a smile. "Drink?"

"Oh…" Sakurako looked at the glass for a little while. "Coffee."

"Oka-. Wait, coffee?" Yui hesitated. "Are you sure? It's still in the evening."

Sakurako gives a poker face, including the apparent bag eyes.

"Fair point."

Sakurako looks back to the beef. "We're going to cook this later?"

"Yeah, later," Yui nodded as she made the coffee. "Until you are convinced you are wide awake."

"Okay then," Sakurako then put down the beef before they both headed back for the living room.

"Here's the drinks, everyone," Yui laid the tray on the table and gave out the drinks as Sakurako slumped next to the vice-prez.

"Hai, thanks, Yui," Ayano took her tea.

"And here's for you as well."

"Arigato, Yui-san," Saoki bowed as she accepted the drink.

"Yuiiii, what about me?" Kyouko interrupted, leaning over the sitting Yui.

"Go get the drink yourself," Yui spat back sternly.

"Drink? Ho ho ho ho," Kyouko's high and mighty remark annoyed her, including the exasperated Oomuro. "I need more than a drink, my loyal servant."

"Oh really?" Yui asked her. "What is that?"

"Rum raisi-!"

*PAK*

Yui slaps her on the head. "Ouchie! You bouncer!"

"What a bother," Yui sighed as she stood up. "Fine, I'll get it for you."

"Yay!" Kyouko cheered as Yui left

"You are so carefree, Kyouko," Ayano commented. "Why did you even have to come here?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Kyouko asked back. "I want to play with her."

"I mean aside from that," Ayano corrected her question.

"Well, for a sleepover. Like I said."

"Jeez, how often do you come here just for fun?"

"Hah," Yui responded with a nod as she came back with the Rum Raisin. "She doesn't have anything else to do back home, so she decided to come here."

"Um," Saoki paused for a second. "You mean she's bored?"

"That is correct!" Kyouko pointed back at her. "You're a genius!"

The four-eyed girl then gives her an unamused look. "You mean, you're the genius?"

"Oh, really?" Kyouko played along. "That's even better!"

The Oomuro's brown eyes roll to the side as she drinks the hot, oily liquid of her cup. "Even if Kyouko-senpai is annoying, I think you're going to have a fun time with her, Ayano-senpai."

"Huh?" Ayano glanced at her. "How so?"

Sakurako stays silent, staring at her for a while as if she was a barcode scanner. "You get to sleep with her."

That remark has Ayano blushing even more and then looking away from the careless Kyouko. And Saoki widens her eyes and gracelessly rolls her eyes away as well. Yui and Kyouko are the ones who are seem muddled by the vice-prez's reaction. Blinking her eyes a few times, Yui looks over to Sakurako with curiosity in mind.

"Before I forget," Yui said. "Did you already talk with people for our short video?"

"I already called two of them," Sakurako responded. "I need to call George, but I can call him after the evening."

"Oh? Is this about the joint-school competition?" Saoki asked the two.

Yui returns a surprised look. "How did you know?"

"Yui-san, Saoki's Nagibara School is the one who will be joining our school competition."

Yui and Kyouko immediately turn at the vice-prez's remark, looking pretty off-guard. "Wait, really?! We'll be competing against her school?" asked the already excited but wondrous Kyouko.

"Yes," Sakurako sipped her coffee in relaxation. "Now you know."

"That's great then," Yui then looked back at Sakurako, inclined to stay with the previous subject, while the others chatted with each other. "Um, so, who were those two you called about our video?"

"Shiba-san and Sumida-san."

"I see- wait," the tomboy's expression suddenly turned into one of terrified. "You mean those two women who were fighting back in that café?"

"Yes," Sakurako put down her cup. "I need their help on some stuff."

"Who was fighting?" Kyouko interjected as the others expressed the same curiosity.

"Shiba-san and Sumida-san," Sakurako answered. "A couple of adult friends of mine."

"Adult friends?" Saoki asked, then smiled. "Will they be the one handling the camera?"

"Maybe," Sakurako shrugged.

"Sakurako-chan, are you sure that's a good idea?"

The said blonde turns at Yui and understands why she tightens her eyes. "It is. Why?"

"They both don't seem to get along well," Yui then scratched the front of her right ear. "To have an infighting within our team is not really good for our performance."

"Don't worry," Sakurako landed her cheek on a fist. "I'll make sure to bring some flashbangs."

"Yah…" a slight sweat was rolling down her forehead. "I don't think using those are a good idea either."

"It's their loss."

Her nonchalant reaction had Kyouko and Ayano glance with such emptiness.

"Saa-chan…" the two spoke, gradually and simultaneously. "You're so sadistic."

Blinks once, then the Oomuro turns at them. "Excuse me?"

"N-nothing, nothing!" Ayano waved both hands at her. "Forget what we said!"

Saoki sips her juice as she looks at the tomboy and the Oomuro blonde. "What is this video you're making?"

"An action-themed short film," Yui replied. "Our team will discuss it for tomorrow."

"Chitose and Chizuru are a part of your team, right?" Ayano asked, had little doubt.

"Yes," Yui confirmed.

"And Chitose and Chizuru don't mind about that idea?" Ayano asked.

"Chitose is okay with anything," Sakurako replied. "But her sister liked the idea for the video."

"Well, as long as they can keep up with the plan," Yui added, crossing her arms on the table. "Otherwise, we'll discuss again and come up with another plan."

"Ooohh! You guys are becoming actors!" Kyouko then slithered her way around the table and rested herself against Yui's shoulder. "Hey, Yuiiii~. Can I join your team?"

No matter how excited she is, the tomboy shuts her eyes. "No, you can't."

"Eeeh?" Kyouko pouted, backing away with a silly bump of a mouth. "You're so stingy. Are you choosing friends now?"

"I don't think she's stingy," Saoki drank, then checked her glass of juice. "With the short film being action-themed, I don't think you'll be fit to be an extra actor, let alone one that focuses on serious fighting."

Kyouko is about to speak up, but Sakurako interrupts her. "No, we're not going for the action-comedy-themed short film."

"Aw, fine," Kyouko stood up and walked a little farther away. "Won't let me in so you both can look be so cool and all that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" narrowing her eyebrows, Yui asked as she held back from making a sigh.

"Yui," Sakurako called. "Do you mind if I kill her during filming?"

"What's with that horrifying request?" she asked back, having dreadful eyes as the others didn't stutter.

"Hah!" Kyouko crossed her arms, asserting dominance. "A cute girl won't do much to harm me, Sacchan! For I am, the friend of Mirakurun will stop you from doing such thing!"

"Hm," Sakurako placed her chin on her clasped hands. "Interesting. I should shoot her as well."

Not even long after, her aura begins to form around her to what Saoki could describe as a red-tangerine glow. While unseen for the others, they sensed the apprehension created from her aura. For Yui, to cut out say that Sakurako was annoyed is not a pretty fitting answer. The way talks to her as if she's treating her as the enemy. Of course, didn't help with the fact that her aura reminded Yui of Chinatsu being angry at someone else.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I have gotten serious again," Sakurako then relaxed. "We don't need you for the film contest for now. Besides, I had assumed that you already joined… drawing contest, I guess?"

"How did you know?!"

Yui sighs with her eyes closed. "Because you're good at it, and you're also the author of a Mirakurun doujin."

"Wait, is she really?" Saoki asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah," Ayano answered, crossing her arms and pouting. "I'm sure you'll win the drawing competition like a peeping pie."

Sakurako slightly smiles, then downwards her smile. "I think I should warn you about something."

"Oh, you doubt my ability as an artist?" Kyouko naughtily chuckled.

"Not that," Sakurako shook her head. "Chinatsu has joined the drawing contest."

"Hah, I don't think that's-" Kyouko immediately paused. "Wait, Chinatsu's in the contest?"

The blonde Oomuro didn't say, but her longing stare was enough of a conviction. Toshino Kyouko, the famed anime artist, could only lift her head and stare blankly forward.

"This… has turned into a difficult situation."

Ayano sighs out in relief. "For once, I'm glad to hear you that worried."

"Sorry, I don't understand why you guys are so worried about one of your friends," Saoki leaned in.

"Ah, well, I don't really want to talk bad things about her," Yui admitted. "But her drawings are… beyond horrible."

"Erm," Saoki furrowed her eyebrows. "How horrible?"

Sakurako sips her coffee. "You would wish you had holy water to wash your eyes."

"Ho-holy water…?" Saoki shed a sweat. "Then 'horrifying' would be fitting to what you described."

"Yes, Saoki-chan. Let's just stop imagining what she'll draw-" Sakurako stopped short at Saoki. "Saoki, are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine," the four-eyed girl placed her fingers around her chest as she took quick but deep breaths.

"A-are you alright?" Yui nearly stood up as the others came to her aid. "You have a heart attack?"

"No, no, it's…." Saoki quickly reached into her bag and breathed in with the inhaler.

"Ara," Ayano widened her eyes. "You have asthma."

After taking a couple more of the inhaler, she replies. "Yes. I'm sorry for making you guys worried."

"Woah, that means you can't just run all you want," Kyouko then sat down across Saoki. "How did you get asthma?"

"Well…" Saoki awkwardly looked away, fixing her glasses. "My father is a smoker."

"Huh?" Ayano leaned her head forward. "He didn't teach you how to smoke as well, did he?"

"What?! No, not really."

Sakurako, being bland and dull, stares at her. "You breathed in too much of his smoke."

"Yep," Saoki shamefully bowed her head. "He didn't know cigarettes' smoke could harm anyone else."

"That's too bad," Yui pitied. "For how long you have asthma?"

"A couple of years, I think," Saoki then stored her inhaler back. "It's not really that bad now."

"We're really glad to hear that," Ayano then digressed. "By the way, what contest are you in?"

"Oh, I'm still considering it," Saoki replied. "But between poem and… tug of war."

"Ah…" Sakurako finally shed a sweat. "I think you should be joining the poem."

"Are you suggesting that because of my asthma?" asked the currently not-labored breathing girl.

"Partly," Sakurako leered her eyes on her figure.

At which Yui notices she was watching over Saoki's arms. "I doubt Saoki doesn't have enough strength to play tug of war, Sakurako."

"Oh, you think so?" the Oomuro blonde asked.

"I'm not that weak, Sakurako," Saoki assured her. "Don't worry about it."

"Also, Yui, you're also in a marathon contest, right?" Ayano asked.

"Yes, I am. Why?"

"Just letting you know," Ayano tilted at the Oomuro. "A friend of Saoki's, Misaka, might be competing with you on the marathon."

"Oh?" Yui then turned at Sakurako. "Is she also your friend, Sacchan?"

"Pretty much," Sakurako nodded.

"Nice, Yui finally has a rival," Kyouko then leaned to the tomboy. "Wanna bet money with me, guys?"

"What kind of girl do you think I am?" Ayano then crossed her arms on the table. "Isn't gambling a bad thing to do?"

"Of course, it is," Saoki sighed. "It's one of the reasons why people became homeless."

Sakurako sips her coffee again then looks at Saoki. "They waste money and then expect they get a lot more than they bet?"

"That's pretty much the idea of it," Saoki then narrowed her eyes. "You're not having that idea, right?"

Sakurako only shrugs. "I don't mind doing it for once."

"So you're okay with spending 50000 yens straight out of your wallet?" Ayano durst to ask.

"You want me to become poor immediately?"

"Oh, uh, no," Ayano chuckled as she scratched her head. "Of course, you wouldn't spend all of your money in one go."

"Hold on," Kyouko then leaned over to Sakurako. "Didn't you buy a lot of stuff during our trip to Kyoto?"

"I did," she nodded. "Why?"

"How much money did you bring?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda curious about that too," Yui placed her open palms on top of each other. "Well, if you don't mind telling us about it."

"Hmm…" Sakurako paused, rolling her eyes down. "About 150000 yens."

*PFFFTT*

Saoki straight up spits what little tea she had in her mouth. While Yui keeps her unbelievable false smile, Ayano's left eye twitches as she looks away. On Kyouko's part, she remains a statue for a while before she finally slumps down. And then, she continues to slump down until she fully kneels on the ground.

"Sakurako-sama… you are clearly superior to this upstart of a doujin artist."

"Is… is that a compliment?" Even Sakurako has a hard time processing what this annoying girl has to say.

"How the heck did you get that much money again?" Yui asked.

"Lottery."

"I still can hardly believe you get that much money just by playing the lottery," Yui replied.

"You must be lying, don't you?" Ayano lazily placed her cheek on her hand. "When in truth, that's all just the allowance your parents gave you?"

The Oomuro sips her coffee, then stares at her.

"So…" Ayano added. "Was it the latter?"

Waiting for a full minute to reply, but Sakurako didn't even budge.

"I see… you weren't lying," Ayano then looked away. "By the way, how much does this apartment cost?"

"10000 yens weekly," Yui replied with a soft smile.

"10000 yens?" Saoki then held her chin. "That's quite expensive."

"Not really for my mom," Yui shook her head. "She already got me covered with the weekly cost."

"And you must be quite smart to handle your allowance, with the fact that you live alone here."

"Thanks," Yui replied with a nod. "Gotta learn this great experience, you know."

"I don't know," Sakurako looked around as she sipped her coffee. "Don't you feel… alone?"

"Sometimes," Yui then frowned. "If it wasn't for Kyouko."

"What's with the long face?" Kyouko playfully tugged her stomach. "Don't ya' want me to be your roommate?"

"The only thing you do as a roommate is only to be useless and as annoying as you can be."

"Eeh?" Kyouko leaned more, forcing the tomboy in that direction. "I could be your entertainer, you know?"

"I don't know…." Sakurako paused. "You might be suitable to replace the Joker in the Batman franchise."

"Eh?" the girls are taken aback.

"Huh," Ayano immediately smirked awkwardly. "That's actually a great suggestion. But I think she'll be more fitting as Harley Quinn."

"Didn't expect you both actually watch that," Saoki then narrowed her eyes lazily at the blonde's brown eyes. "Especially you, Sakurako."

Yui turns her head at the clock and then to Sakurako. "Saa-chan, are you already wide awake?"

"Hm," she nodded, finishing up the entire cup of coffee. "Shall we get started to cooking?"

"Yeah," Yui replied as they both stood up.

"You're going to make soup mushroom pie, wasn't it?" Ayano asked.

"Yeah."

"We wanna help," Ayano looked over to Saoki, who also smiled and nodded. "I hope you don't mind."

"Don't worry. We won't mind," Yui then looked at the Oomuro blonde. "Right, Sakurako?"

"As long as any of you don't startle me when I'm cutting something," Sakurako placed a hand on her neck.

"Oh, who would?" Kyouko asked as she rested her arm on Yui's shoulder.

Everyone makes an irritating frown, staring back deep into her blue eyes.

"Oh, right…" Kyouko slowly glanced to the kitchen. "Where's the ingredient?!~"

"Don't change the subject like that," Yui bowed her head.

"Yui," the tomboy turned at the Oomuro. "Let's go."

"Alright, Sakurako."

The entire party moves themselves into the kitchen. After extracting the contents from the grocery bags, they choose their first ingredient and put aside others for later. At first, Ayano and Sakurako will be making the spice. But after a moment of recalling the recent events during home-eco class, they decided that Sakurako should be sticking with Yui for making the bun for the pie. A wise decision on Ayano's part.

Yui prepares the bowl and the whisk. "Alright, Sakurako put in the flour."

Sakurako opens up the bag. "How much?"

"Just pour it in," Yui assured her.

She does what Yui says and pours it in. The short-haired girl watches over the Oomuro. "Stop."

Sakurako then puts the flour away, waiting for direction.

"Give me four eggs."

Sakurako grabs the boxes of eggs, and the both of them crack the eggs open and pour the content into the bowl.

"Okay," Yui grabbed the butter on her side. "Now, the butter."

After that, Yui holds out the spoon to her. "You mix it, Sakurako."

"Okay."

With all the diligence in the world, Sakurako mixes the contents of the bowl, stirring it clockwise as she holds onto the bowl. Yui could notice the strength in her hand, soft, strong, and consistent. Yui checks over to the others about the spices and the fillings.

"How are you doing on your side?" Yui asked them.

"We're almost done with the vegetables," Ayano then looked over to her side to see Saoki helping out and Kyouko lazing about on the counter. "What are you doing, Kyouko? Shouldn't you be cutting something?"

"Oh, I want to," Kyouko got off the counter. "But Saoki-chan won't allow me."

"You've been playing with the knife like it was mariachi," Saoki argued. "You'll be ending up hurting someone else."

"Oh, you little no good Kyouko," Yui sighed. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Hey, Yui-san," Saoki put the cut-up parsley into another bowl. "We're going to use cream soup for this, right?"

"Ah, yeah," Yui pointed to the cabinet above Kyouko. "The cream mix is over there."

"Kyouko-san," Saoki called. "Can you move a bit?"

"Move a bit? This is my spot now," Kyouko complained, traipsing herself.

"Kyouko," Yui gave a poker face. "I'll give you another rum raisin if you move."

The annoying girl immediately moves, but onto Yui. "Where-where-where-where?!"

Saoki sighs but eventually grabs the cream mix on the top cabinet.

"Jeez, Kyouko!" Ayano scolded. "Would you do something for us here?"

"Eh? Do what?" Kyouko is eating her rum raisin.

"HEH!?" Ayano leaned at her as if about to break her spine. "You already eating that?! You want fatty Charles Fat?!"

"PFFT!" as usual, Yui and Sakurako looked away as they blurted.

"Wow, that's one way to put it," Saoki raised her eyebrows with an awkward grin.

"Who's Charles?" Kyouko asked, which should be Sakurako's question.

"Yui-senpai," Sakurako asked as she kept stirring the dough. "Do you think we should add milk to the dough?"

"No, we don't need milk," Yui shook her head. "We're not making sweet bread."

"Okay," the Oomuro blonde then looked back at the dough. "Don't you think this dough is a little… bigger than it should?"

"Oh, don't worry. I meant it that way," Yui smiled. "I was planning to make four batches of them."

"So that's why we need to cut up this many ingredients?" Ayano barely dropped her jaw.

"U-huh," Yui nodded. "I'm already guessing you guys want to know what soup mushroom pie tastes like. So I thought, why not make more than one?"

"Hey, Yui. What about me?" Kyouko asked, not caring if her rum raisin was about to spill.

"What about you?" she asked back.

"Can't you make another mushroom pie for me?"

Yui then gives a glare. "Why would I? You already happy with your rum raisin."

"But I wanna taste it too!"

"I do not have more flour or ingredients to make more than four batches."

Sakurako tightens the bottom of her eyes, at which she stops stirring for a moment. "Kyouko-senpai, you could just… you know…."

"Hm?" the ribbon-head blonde glanced at her. "I could just what?"

"Well…" Sakurako then leers at Ayano. "You could ask for a bite from Ayano-senpai if you want."

"Eh? EEEEHHH?!"

"Oh, that's a good idea. M'kay!"

Kyouko gives an 'OK' hand sign, whereas Ayano is flustered in roses.

"Say," Sakurako continued to stir. "For how long do I need to mix it?"

"Well, until the dough hardens," Yui then raised an eyebrow. "Have you never made a cake before?"

Sakurako stops and stares off for a moment. "No…"

"Whaat?" Ayano is dramatic right now with that high tone. "But that doesn't mean you have never cooked, right?"

"Um…" Sakurako awkwardly continued to stir. "Seldom, I guess."

"Huh," Saoki raised her eyebrows. "Somehow, I'm not so surprised to hear that. Himawari told me you're not exactly a good cook."

"So she did say that," Sakurako nodded aimlessly. "Good to know."

"Man, that sounds so sad, Saku-chan," says the bow-tied blonde.

"We do not need your sarcastic remark, Kyouko," Yui glared at her.

"Actually, I kind of agree with her, senpai," Sakurako added in.

"For once, huh?" Yui asked, then grinned. "Alright, Kyouko. If you're done with that rum raisin, could you take over Sakurako from here?"

"Um," Kyouko then 'painfully' held her arm. "Agh, my arm is weak."

"Hey," Yui half-shut her eyelids. "Stop fooling around and answer me."

"Grr, my arm hurts!" Kyouko faked again. "My elbow hit the floor when I fell."

"But you didn't fall…." Ayano added awkwardly to her nonsense.

"What are you trying to do here?" Saoki asked, slightly annoyed at her behavior.

On the other hand, Sakurako tightens her entire eyelids at the other blonde. "Yui."

"Yeah?"

"Can I stab her hand?"

The tomboy then slowly turns at her. "You know, let me do that. Gimme that knife."

"Wo-oh, okay, okay!" Kyouko immediately put down her treat, which is empty, and moved over to Sakurako. "C'mon, lend me that spoon. I'll stir it for you."

Sakurako wordlessly hands it over to her, who immediately stirs it up with all immediate strength. But gradually, the energetic girl slows her pace on the stir, mumbling her enviousness to Yui's loyal servant that is Sakurako. Yui's glare didn't do much against this troublesome Toshinou. To spend a small break, the Oomuro proceeds to internally harm her own hand, popping her fingers without pain and sometimes massaging the muscles of her arm. Watching Ayano and Saoki finish with the cutting of the ingredients and prepare to cook up the soup. Disappointedly, Ayano and Saoki might finish this soup much earlier than they do at making the dough.

"Tired yet, Saku-chan?" Yui asked.

"No, but I think I almost had a cramp," Sakurako said as she twirled her arm around.

"That's an exaggeration, Saku-chan," Ayano then clapped her hands off the dust. "But I get where you are coming from."

"Is it?" Sakurako raised an eyebrow.

"Well, we expect to hear that complain from Kyouko, not you," Yui put her hands on her hips. "I guess you're just not used to it."

"You're about to make the soup now?" Sakurako asked them.

"Yeah," Saoki nodded. "Shouldn't we wait for the dough first, though?"

"No worries," Yui assured them. "It's okay for the soup to go cold. We're making pie here, so it's not like we're going to leave it overnight."

"Great then," Saoki chuckled to herself. "I was just concerned if we're getting ahead of ourselves."

"Take it easy, Saoki," Yui then looked over to Kyouko. "How's the dough?"

"Is this enough?" Kyouko showed them the hardened dough.

"Mhm, that's enough," Yui nodded, prompting Kyouko to put the tool down along with the bowl.

"Now what?" the curious Oomuro asked.

"Now?" Yui then covered the bowl of dough with a handkerchief. "We'll wait for it to bloom."

"Bloom?" Sakurako deadpanned with a blank look. "Isn't flower supposed to bloom?"

"Yes!" Kyouko interrupted in. "We'll wait until a bunch of flowers grows from the dough, ripe for the taking to make a flower bouquet."

"That's not what she meant," Saoki replied. "But yeah, we'll wait for the dough to expand by itself."

"Oh, I see," Sakurako immediately glared at Kyouko. "Don't mislead me like that."

Ayano there sheds a sweat. "You did the exact same thing back at Misaka's house."

"Huh?" Sakurako tilted her head. "I did?"

"You know," Ayano ungainly shrugged. "You joked that Nishigaki-sensei taught us about life endangerment."

"Huh, life endangerment?" Saoki asked. "I'm not sure I get you."

"You see," Kyouko explained. "Nishigaki-sensei is a science teacher, and her experiments almost always end up with explosions."

"You explained it better than I could," Yui didn't even bother to notice her rationale.

"Great to know she doesn't end up as a terrorist," Sakurako added, earning nothing but blasphemous glares of her friends, including the troublesome Kyouko.

"Didn't your friend, Shiba-san, say the same thing?" the tomboy then bowed her head and scratched her head.

"She did," Sakurako hugged her right arm. "At least she's scared of Nishigaki-sensei."

"She's scared of Nishigaki-sensei?" Ayano found this surprising. "Really?"

"Yeah, really," Yui nodded. "Sakurako even mentioned that sensei's explosions tore her clothes off at school."

"EH?!" a simultaneous reaction of Ayano, Saoki, and Kyouko. "That… that must be embarrassing," Saoki commented at the piteous past predicament.

Sakurako closes her eyes. "At least their underwear didn't get torn off."

"That's not even better," Ayano then sighed. "We should be glad that same thing didn't happen to us."

"Anyway," Sakurako turned to Yui. "Should we play something while we wait?"

"Yeah," Yui nodded. "You brought that SWAT game?"

"Yes," Sakurako then pointed her thumb to the next room. "Do you want to try to play Co-op?"

"Sure," Yui nodded again. "I'm curious how the game mechanic looks like."

"It doesn't look quite simple like you think," Sakurako replied as they walked out of the kitchen. "Come on."

Yui happens to look back, but Saoki gives a smile. "Don't worry. We'll catch up."

Feeling rest assured the two walk out of the kitchen and startup the TV to play that SWAT game. Before Yui and Sakurako jump into playing the Co-op game, the blonde advises her to play through the tutorial first on the top menu. While this lonesome girl is an experienced gamer, she admitted that she never comes across such mechanics where you issue a list of orders during the action to either guard, breach, shoot, or secure hostages and enemies. But she already loves it so far. What surprised her so far was the lack of frag grenades. However, Sakurako suddenly becomes logical at her.

"You want to kill innocent people without even knowing they were there?"

It is a pretty fair point on her part. At the very least, Yui finally has a chance to use the flashbang in-game, just like Sakurako. Unsurprisingly, she seems pretty hesitant to even use it. Can't really blame her that she had experienced it first-hand, by Sakurako, no less. The instructor in the tutorial has been relatively kind, advising her how to avoid harming herself with the different grenades. Anything else aside from that, including shooting and ordering, she did well.

They both choose a map just as the three other girls come out from the kitchen.

"Ah, that game," Saoki recalled. "Knock-Knock, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Yui held her controller. "But it seems a bit hard to play this."

"Aren't you a hardcore gamer, Yui?" Kyouko asked her. "How could Sakurako manage to be above your level?"

"It's not that she's above my level," Yui shook her head. "I'm totally used to RPG games and a little shooting game. But I'm not familiar with this kind of shooting mechanic."

"Ooh, you get to choose your equipment too?" Ayano asked as she peered closer.

"Yes," Sakurako looked over to Yui's screen. "Take your time, senpai."

"That's quite a lot of stuff here," Yui then looked to her secondary gun. "Is that a Taser?"

"Yes," Sakurako blandly responded. "I rarely used it, though."

"Isn't Taser is a must-have weapon for every officer?" Saoki asked.

"Yeah," Kyouko agreed. "Isn't it? That thing can make criminals dance."

"I don't know," Sakurako shrugged. "I haven't asked Sumida-san about it."

"Why rarely, though?" Yui asked.

The blonde Oomuro stares her off. "Can you shoot someone far away with it?"

"Ah, I guess that makes sense."

Yui is selecting her primary weapon when she comes across an unexpected weapon. "What the hell? There's a machine gun?!"

"What's that? Oh, MK48," there was a moment of silence aside from the unreadable stare. "That's nice."

"You mean overkill," Ayano's blank eyes are so blatantly solid. "Does this game implies the police hates the criminals so much?"

"No, just as a bonus," Sakurako shook her head. "It might be a good idea, though. We're on a level with an open area."

"What level is that?" Ayano durst to ask.

"Underground train station."

"Eh?! You mean the metro!?"

"The metro?" Kyouko raised her eyebrows. "That's kinda smart. A gunfight through a couple of long corridors with little cover."

"This seems a bit tough," Yui then sighed with a smile. "Alright, I'm taking this gun. What about you?"

They look over to her screen but find that her main weapon is a shotgun.

Kyouko then turns to stare at her with an unreadable happy smile. "Sakurako… you're a genius."

"Genius?!" Ayano retorted. "You want London Tubing this map with a shotgun?!"

"PFFT!" yet again, her pun caught Yui and Sakurako off-guard. Then Sakurako continues, "y-yes, I don't think it would be a problem."

"Shouldn't the shotgun be reserved for fighting up close?" Saoki asked her.

The Oomuro blonde then shows the most minor pupils at her. "Are you underestimating the shotgun?"

"W-well… I mean," Saoki twirled her hand around. "It cannot shoot that far, right?"

"Hm," Sakurako turned at the screen. "You'll see."

Sakurako's weapons of choice are the renowned Benelli M4 and USP handgun. And with that, they went into the game as the three female spectators watched with suspense. And the first thing they hear:

"Detective 19 Charlie, this is BCC, Charlie, Delta, and Truck One responding to code 3 in Wofford Vale Station."

Aside from the alerted tone of the 911 responder, they were more disgusted with the wounded civilians around. Yui already doesn't like the map, but Sakurako doesn't budge. The Oomuro's jelly hands move her character down the corridor while reporting the civilians they see. Yui doesn't understand how to deal with that situation, but she follows what Sakurako does. Once they open the door to the other part of the station, their characters start screaming "Police" before firing at any suspects in front of them.

They play on for roughly around twenty minutes. As the spectators are glued onto the TV, the two gamers finish the remaining enemies and objectives. When Sakurako was confident that everything was reported and guns secured, they finished the level. The game compliments them with "Good Conduct" and gives them a list of their actions. Aside from the proper conduct and penalties, they were more disbelieving that Sakurako neutralized about more than fifteen suspects. At the same time, Yui, who is using the machine gun, managed to kill about three suspects.

"Three…?" Yui's glare was blinding before she could look up. "This is bullsh-"

"So, that wasn't overkill," Ayano bluntly added. "That was wasteful."

Sakurako rolls her eyes to the deadpanned tomboy. "Thanks for the suppressive fire, by the way."

"Shut up, Saku-chan," Yui quickly retorted.

She leans her head back. "I'm sorry, but I wasn't trying to joke with you."

"No one's going to mention how Sakurako shot criminals from that far?"

Kyouko's reminder had the four-eyed girl asking. "Did you modify the shotgun to shoot that far?"

"I didn't," Sakurako replied. "I was using slug rounds."

"What now?"

"Slug rounds."

Yui's eyes pinned at her. "You mean shotgun shells."

"It's a type of shotgun shell," Sakurako explained. "It doesn't spread out as the usual one does. But it's quite deadly from far."

"Ah… so that's what the bullet image on the equipment menu was about?"

"Yes, you can choose what kind of bullets to use."

"Good to know then," Yui then checked the clock. "Ah, let's check on the dough."

"Right, we still have some pies to make," Sakurako commented, standing up before heading to the kitchen with the girls.

They open up the bowl, and the dough's been blooming as it should. Could've waited for another hour, but Yui determined it was big enough to make the pies. So, in the end, Sakurako, Yui, and Kyouko begin shaping the dough inside the designated pie bowl. Saoki and Ayano then pour the soup into the four pies before a roof is made on each pie. Content with the result, Yui already heated the oven, and she inserted a tray of pies inside.

For how long they need to wait, Yui recalled that they need to wait for about thirty minutes tops. So for this time, they spend goofing around playing that same police game and chatting a topic according to the lottery from Kyouko's Topic Box. Turning their heads to the glass doors of the balcony, they saw the evening was about to call it a day. Thankfully, Yui had recalled her about George, and Sakurako made the call.

It was instead a quick call, but from its sound, George had been briefed of the meeting by Shiba. For these two people working as gun smugglers, don't mind helping her out with a short video, is nothing short of odd kindness. If they don't mind Sumida coming along, that is.

Yui checks the pies once the day is getting darker. From the living room, Sakurako could smell the lustful aroma of baked dough, restraining herself from drooling. They wait for a moment until Yui comes out of the kitchen. A tray of pies is in her hands, and she puts each one to four different girls, including herself. The only one that didn't get the pie was Kyouko herself.

"Wow!" Kyouko excitedly cheered. "This is magnificent!"

"Oh, the smell," Ayano breathed in the aroma. "This is just… perfect."

"Welp, the sight alone is already making me hungry," Saoki commented with a smile.

"Let's start eating then," Sakurako gave a small smile to Yui.

"Alright," Yui nodded before everyone clapped their hands and made their prayer. "Itadakimasu!"

They then eat their pies, with Kyouko opting to eat together with Ayano to have a taste. A spoon penetrates the roof and soon meets the sight of the delightful white mushroom cream inside. Bits of meat and vegetables inside the soup is appealing to their eyes. And they take their sip and enjoy the taste. Sakurako widens her eyes, not from heat but the fantastic taste flowering inside her mouth.

"My gosh, this is amazing!" Yui happily takes another bite. "I didn't expect it to be this great!"

"I know, right?" Saoki agreed. "Homemade food is the best!"

"Yeah," Ayano then noticed Kyouko's glimmering eyes, which made her nervous. "T-Toshinou Kyouko?"

"Hmm?"

Ayano then, with slightly tremoring hands, reaches the spoon-filled food at Kyouko. "H-here, have a taste."

"Ah, thank you!" Kyouko wasted no time to jump her mouth onto the spoon.

Ayano's reaction was a blooming red, also surprised that she didn't feel ashamed of the fact that this spoon was in Ayano's mouth. "W-weeh? Weeeh?!"

"Are you enjoying it, Ayano-senpai?" asked the Oomuro.

"Yes! I mean no!" Ayano confusingly responded.

"Which one is it?" Saoki blankly stared at the vice-prez.

"By the way, the beef does make this pie delicious," Kyouko added. "We could be selling them if we want."

"I dunno," Yui shrugged. "I think that would be a hassle even at this time."

"But that idea could make a fortune, you know?" Saoki added.

"Well, I'm not really sure if I'm looking forward to that," Yui then looked at Sakurako. "What do you think?"

"I think you're fine just the way you are, Yui-senpai," Sakurako replied.

"You don't think much about that, do you?" Yui narrowed her eyes.

Sakurako sips her food as she tilts her head. "Not the kind of problem I'm interested in."

"Huh, I half-expected you to say that," Ayano commented. "But we should not stress ourselves to think about that."

"Ooooh~! Too much talking!" Kyouko then leaned onto Ayano. "Gimme more of that, please~!"

"T-Toshinou Kyouko! C-calm down!" Ayano tried her best to endure this embarrassment. "You're too close!"

Despite the vice-prez's nervousness, the dinner goes on eventfully. With laughs and chats, they joyfully savor every bit of the soup mushroom pie. Yui and Sakurako could say the pie was a significant success since the dinner only comprised it and was more than enough to fill their bellies with warmth and energy. Ayano helps Yui out to clean up the dishes as the rest takes a hike at the table.

"Oh, by the way," Yui added. "The bathtub is ready if anyone's wanna go first."

"Okay, I'll take a bath first."

Sakurako wastes no time grabbing her clothes and towel and enters the bathtub. The warm water is accompanied by the soft, redolent aroma of flowers. Lily, lavender, rose, can't pick what it is. She composes her breath with wind, calmly singing consistently in and out her nose. The warmth was so blissful, and she was almost tempted to drown her head beneath the water. Of course, the water around her neck was enough to calm her unbalanced mind.

Not soon after she finishes her bath, Saoki, Kyouko, Ayano, and Yui take their turn to take a bath. And after that, they play a couple of games just to spend their night. But they mainly focused on Knock-Knock, playing co-op together as SWAT officers. The worst officer from the entire SWAT team would be Kyouko, predictably. There are times to be aggressive in a game, but Kyouko was stupidly aggressive and died at almost every start of the mission. And in one case, Kyouko 'accidentally' shot an innocent person.

"Huh…" Sakurako lazily raised her eyebrows. "I'm not so surprised."

"You're not going to mock her about it?" asked the four-eyed girl.

"No, she's already a genius to call her that."

Yui rolls her eyes at her. "I think I understand what you mean by that."

"Not fair!" Kyouko danced the controller up and down. "Those criminals are clearly hackers!"

Ayano turns her eyes blank. "No one even playing as criminals, you know?"

"It's clear that you're sucker at this game than me," Yui grinned that you could see a fang in her teeth.

"But seriously, are those enemies supposed to shoot that good?" Saoki doubted.

"Sometimes," they waited for her to say anything else, but none came out.

"Ah, well," Ayano then rubbed one of her eyes. "That was a good play, at least."

"Huh? Are you already sleepy, Ayano-chan?" Kyouko noticed.

"Huh? Uh, yeah…" Ayano then turned at the clock. "What time is it now?"

"Well, it's about to get late," Yui then stood up. "I'll prepare the futons."

Sakurako stared at the screen for a moment but immediately had something sparked in her mind. "Do you have a small glass, Yui-senpai?"

"Huh?" Yui was confused at the odd request. "W-well, I have many small glasses."

"What smallest glass do you have?"

Everyone raises their eyebrows. "What for?" Yui asked.

They waited for her reply, but she didn't bother to answer. "Alright, I don't know what's gotten into you… let me see if I can find that."

"Thank you."

Despite the oddity, the girls went on to their stuff and also helped out laying out the futons. After what appears a minute of searching, Yui returns with the most miniature glass she found. Looks like a decorative purple sake glass. How she got it, she doesn't ask. But Sakurako searches into her bag as the girls watch on with curiosity, even staring at each other and wondering why she needs that small glass.

However, their question is soon realized when Sakurako places something upon the table. And 'twas, caught off-guard and felt such blasphemy at the object what appears to be a clear bottle on the table, with tangerine liquid clear to see. And the name on the packaging is clear for all.

Whiskey.

"W-what…?" Yui then glared at the Oomuro. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No," Sakurako nonchalantly opened the bottle.

Saoki quickly snatches it away, though. "Whatthehellareyouthinking, doyouwantustobedrunk!?"

Sakurako quickly leans her head back, then shamefully bows her head. "No, I need it to help me sleep."

"My ass!" a rare retort from Ayano, and Yui almost laughed. "You're not allowed to drink it!"

"Yeah!" Kyouko then pointed to the other blonde. "You shouldn't be drinking that. Give that to me!"

"No," a simple response from Yui.

"No?!" Kyouko flailed her hands about. "I'm just confiscating that!"

"Knowing you, you would be drinking it without our supervision," Yui then turned at the Oomuro. "Look, I don't know what's gotten into you. But this is too far."

"… I see," a deep sigh emitted from the Oomuro's mouth, her golden eyes almost glimmering when she lifted her head. "It's for insomnia."

The girls immediately relax their expressions while Saoki lowers the bottle just by the waist. "Insomnia?"

"Yes," Sakurako nodded. "Sumida-san and my family allow me to drink it for that very purpose."

There were eyes about to bulge out from Yui's socket; as for the rest… they deadpan at each other at the revelation. They were beyond upset with the answer as they could not withstand the fact that a junior high-schooler like her was drinking this alcohol.

"But… why?" Ayano sat down aside her. "How did you get insomnia in the first place?"

"I already told you."

"Uhm, can you please not be vague?" Kyouko frowned her eyes. "I don't understand what you are talking about."

Saoki was about to ask. But… it seems the reason was clear from the very beginning of today.

"Bakimura Store?"

It wasn't a surprise for Saoki that she nodded, but her concern remained about what she did on that day.

"Does Himawari know about this?"

Sakurako merely stares with a bland look, can't even describe what expression in her eyes or behind that flat smile. "Just the alcohol. She doesn't know about the store. Even my family doesn't know about the store."

Yui shares her glance to the others, can feel her face melting at the answer. "But Sakurako-"

"Please, don't tell them," Sakurako shook her head, and somehow there was tiredness in her pupils. "I don't want them to know. I don't want them to worry about me."

"But, Sakurako," Ayano approached her. "I don't think that's wise-"

"I know."

Shutting her soft eyelid, letting out a sigh, her head fleeting about like a stingray.

"The bottle of whiskey. Please."

Yet again, the girls exchange glances at each other. There's always a tint of doubt within each of their glimmering eyes.

Was she lying? Sounds like a stupid question flying inside Yui's head.

Was she fed up? Seems that way for Saoki, given Sakurako had killed.

Was she an idiot? Asking that already makes Kyouko lesser than an idiot.

Was she overthinking? It looks that way for Ayano.

With a reluctant shrug, Saoki puts the bottle back, seal uncorked. Sakurako was about to pour herself one, but Saoki is rather generous to do her bidding. The Oomuro blonde becomes speechless at her doubtful kindness. Once the glass is full, Sakurako takes a deep breath before gulping it in one go.

She should be drunk now, but the girls never expected she would give a sour face first, followed by difficult breathing through the mouth and almost a sniffing.

"A-are you alright?" Yui held onto her shoulder.

"I'm fine," she managed to nod. "I just felt my throat burning."

Then a sniff. "And my nose too."

With perplexity, the tomboy turns to the bottle. "Is that normal?"

"Yes," Sakurako then corked the bottle close. "It should be enough for me to sleep."

"Just that one glass?" Ayano found Kyouko's pause a little… uncomfortable. "Can I taste it?"

"H-hey, what are you thinking!?" Ayano retorted.

"What?" Kyouko shrugged, along with her hands. "I'm just curious."

"What in right of mind do you think that's a good idea?" Saoki asked sternly, arms crossing her chest.

"Well," the bow-headed blonde pointed at the other blonde. "She doesn't get drunk straight away."

"Even if she doesn't get drunk that fast, that doesn't mean it is okay for you to drink either," added the tomboy.

"But come ooon," Kyouko pouted. "Not even a little taste?"

"It's your choice."

The girls turn at the blonde. "Eh?"

"I don't really care whether you want to drink it or not. But if you really want to drink it, then don't blame anyone if you get drunk."

The stunned girls watch her stand up and head for her futon. "Good night."

Didn't take long for the Oomuro to settle in for the night and immediately sleep soundly. The whiskey is still left on the table, along with the small glass. Each girl eyed the bottle before they returned their glances at each other, before onto the sleeping Sakurako. They then turn at the bottle.

"So…" Kyouko almost showed a grin. "Anyone wants a glass?"

Yui shows the exact shade of her eyes. "Are you serious?"

---

20:00 PM. Shiba's Office.

Constant sound of shuffling papers fills the room. It's not really a rush hour in the middle of the night, but it looks as if someone just had taken the coffee. A lone violet woman in a red formal outfit continues to shift the papers left and right, reading every word that exists on the paper. Not that it was urgent to inspect a small pile of papers.

A punk-looking man enters the room, eating something in one hand. "Ya' still up at this hour?"

"Oh, it's you," Shiba looked up. "What's that?"

"Whammy Burger," the man then turned a burger over to her. "Want one?"

"Sure. Spicy?"

"As usual."

Shiba takes a bite of it. "Did you contact the client, Maru?"

"Yeah, he's expecting that Israeli-origin rifle for the next three days," Maru then put out a paper. "Along with trinkets on this paper."

"Mhm."

Shiba didn't turn to look at the paper when she was so focused on reading those other papers. And Maru happens to lean over to look.

"Whatcha readin'?"

"Some documents about Bakimura Store Incident," a sigh emitted from her mouth. "I just hope these stuff are still reliable."

"Huh," Maru took another bite of his food. "Now you're looking into it?"

Shiba slaps her desk with a sigh. "Do you think it's this easy to get some information while crime is going high rise?"

"Not really," Maru shook his head. "Some informant of yours?"

"Yeah, remember that sorry ass officer that we had to beat up?" Shiba watched him nod. "That's our informant."

"He tried pluggin' our asses, and ya' still trust him?"

"He's the only one I know who has access to this archive," Shiba almost wanted to pop her shoulders. "Besides, he's still pissin' his pants the last time we met face-to-face. And he said this particular file was a bit hard to get."

"Yo' serious?" Maru said as he munched. "So, wha' are we looking for here?"

"Some gangsters that shot up the store. I wonder for how long Sakurako can stay patient."

"Come on, she's not that rash," Maru patted her shoulder. "So, ya' know who they were?"

"No," Shiba shuffled other papers. "Just witnesses' unreliable descriptions of them, and that's it. Not even a video record of their face."

"But there were drugs in that store, 'ight?" Maru asked. "You're telling me that they haven't found whose drugs belong to?"

"There are a few suspects, but it seems they're just theories," Shiba lazily placed her cheek on her fist. "That bitch Sumida's investigating this stuff."

"Shit, really?" Maru recoiled his head.

"Yeah. Also a friend of Sakurako's family, no less."

"Goddammit, that escalated quickly."

"You tell me," a sigh escaped Shiba's mouth. "I'm going to meet up with her again tomorrow."

"Oh, you're going to kill her tomorrow?"

"No, not that," Shiba leaned against the chair. "Sakurako called me in the morning. She wants me to help out with that short film thing."

"Aw yeah, ya' told me about it. George's comin' too, right?"

"Yep, and that detective is coming along, too."

"Well, shit. That sucks."

"I know," Shiba then noticed the naughty look in his eyes. "No, you're not coming with me."

"Aw, not even a second thought?"

"Well, I don't know," Shiba threw her hands upward. "Sakurako probably just flashbangs you for coming over."

"Ow, she wouldn't do that to some hot stuff like me."

"You wanna find it out the hard way?" Shiba tilted her head. "She almost flashbanged Sumida and me for fighting each other."

"Hell, nobody told me she's that merciless," Maru pointed his burger to her. "Alright, if you say so. I'm gonna check out the range again. Wanna make sure some dipshit didn't leave a gun going to shoot by itself."

"You do that," Shiba took another bite as her reliable punk exited the room.

Her hand reaches to a lone cup by her side and sips it. To only realize she just drank it an hour ago.

"Son of a bitch. I should've told him to make me some tea first."