The two stared at each other with narrowed eyes. Their faces seemingly passive but each could tell their own respective emotions from seeing each other.
For the Detective, it was with a sense of surprise that subsided into a minor irritation. Though, she wasn't one to harbor such feelings. But she came to find anything that happens to involve the Luckster was truly making her demeanour more strung up than the usual.
For the Idol, she too was surprised. But once she recognized the presence of the Detective, she can't help but feel miffed. She was hoping for the Luckster to be alone. While she didn't harbor any kind of negativity towards the girl, she had just wanted to talk to the Luckster about her own mistakes. Preferrably, by herself.
Nonetheless, those sets of emotions gradually lessened as they realize the intentions of both as they stare at each others eyes. While they have their own reasons, their sole purpose was to make sure that the Luckster was safe. And had decided to quell any kind of trivialities in another date.
Kirigiri nodded, though a bit awkwardly. She tried to at least greet the Idol for politeness' sakes. But something made her stop cold and the words in her mouth died as he heard a distinctive shout.
"Argh!" She quickly swoop her head to face the very familiar sound of the classmate she was tending to. And what she saw made her eyes widened.
The Luckster sat on the floor close to the bedside with a painful grimace. His hands shaking as he gripped his thigh. Most likely due to the throbbing pain of his injury. His teeth gritted in pain that proceeded to sent alarm bells in both of their minds.
Without preamble, she quickly got back in and approach the Luckster with more than a usual frantic look on her face.
"Naegi-kun!?" Hearing the shout, the Idol quickly let herself in. Upon seeing the Luckster on the floor, she gasped. But it did nothing to impeded her movements as she crouched down in front of the teen with trembling hands.
"M-Maizono-san...?" Naegi voiced out weakly due to the pain. Barely opening one eye as he sat in front of a very worried looking Idol.
"Let's take him to his bed" With an uncharacteristic urgent tone, the Detective positioned herself behind him. Wrapping her arms underneath his armpits for an impromptu hug as the Idol quickly followed. Letting her arms go beneath his thighs as she saw the source of his pain. Ensuring that she didn't touch anything sensitive, she followed the Detective's lead as they carried him carefully on top of his bed.
They successfully placed him on top of the soft structure. Noticing the worn out state of his wrappings, the Detective took a moment of contemplation until she nodded.
"Naegi-kun, I'll be removing your wrappings okay?" Kirigiri stated quickly.
"Y-You don't have to... Argh!" Without even waiting for a reply, the Detective swiftly got to her work. Loosening the cast with at least the less painful way as possible.
"K-Kirigiri-san!" Maizono shouted in both horror and concern as she saw the Detective loosen the wrappings with no hesitation.
After an agonizing minute, the Luckster breath in relief with a couple of winces. While the pain in his leg lingered, at least he was thankful for the fact that there was no more compression to be felt that only added pain to his injury.
The Idol gasped in horror and covered her mouth. While the Detective momentarily faltered and paled as they got a look of his injury underneath those worn out gauzes.
His leg was indeed bruise with dark coloring marring his flesh. His foot also shared the same sentiment. The swelling made their heart drop as they just realized what pain the Luckster was experiencing. And made them dumbfounded as to how he still managed to walk with no visible aid.
"Open some ice packs and cool the water on the basin under his bed. Once you're done, drenched the cloth and apply it on his forehead" Kirigiri professionaly stated as she stood up before going for the drawers.
"R-Right!" The Idol stuttered as she immediate got to work. Bending down underneath, she reached for the basin and collected some fresh cloth on the bed. Opening some ice packs and saving some for later, she let it fall on the water and waited for several seconds. Once she felt the water being cooled, she immediately brought the cloth in her hands in the water. Twisting it and letting it drenched. She then nodded as she quickly folded it into a rectangualr shape. Standing up, she got on the bed and immediately placed the wet and cold towel on his forehead.
The effect was instantenous as the Luckster sighed in relief. Feeling the cool towel on his forehead that made the heat more bearable. Managing to open his eyes, he took immediate notice of the face of the Idol looking at him with nothing more than worry and concern.
"M-Maizono-san?" The Luckster called again as he tried to seat up. But was stopped when the Idol immediately pushed him softly to stay still.
"G-Geez Naegi-kun..." Maizono said with a slight tremble on her tone. "D-Don't seat up okay? And I mean it" She said as her voice was faltering.
As she saw Naegi clearly suffering right in front of her, her chest tightened in an unimaginable degree. She haven't seen the teen like this, and she knew she wouldn't get used to it.
The Idol gave him a weak yet reprimanding glare. Naegi quickly closed his mouth to not react, but it did nothing to quell his growing anxiety.
"I-I'm sorry for all of this..." The Luckster averted his gaze underneath with a pained look on his face.
He had just been getting some clothes to wear as per the Detective instructed. But overlooked the possibility that his own body betraying him. Truthfully, he should've seen this. But his assumptions were wrong when he felt his leg buckling and losing it's strength. It didn't help how the pain that he had been enduring had finally got into his head.
It would be a surprise if he could even walk. He was even surprised that he had the ability to earlier in the first place.
Nonetheless, it didn't stop him from noticing how his friends immediately jumped into his aid. While the Detective was looking all professional, he just knew under all those words he had truly worried her.
He absolutely hated worrying his friends, especially family, or anyone for that matter. It didn't felt right to him at all.
"Don't... don't apologize Naegi-kun" Maizono noticed his look and her denial was gone. Assuming that denying his own inability to avoid sickness wasn't really the best words to voice out. "Just know that we're here... okay?" She said with a hopeful tone. Tucking the towel on his forehead as he gave her a reluctant nod.
"Here" The Detective's voice rang in their ears as she approach them with some extra towels and some small plastic packs in hand. "Give me some ice packs and I'll apply some ice on his leg" The Idol didn't waste time and quickly got the remaining ice packs and handed it to the Detective. Picking it up, the Detective unsealed the plastic containers and inserted some ice as she sealed it when it was full. She did this three times until there was no more ice. Slidding closer to the Luckster's leg, she carefully placed one pack on his leg.
The Luckster couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief once more. Feeling the cool sensation of the ice that lessened the pain in his leg. Closing his eyes as he tried to adjust with the comforting sensation of the object.
"Do you have some medicine for you're injuries Naegi-kun? How about gauzes?" The Detective asked straightly. Her eyes showing concern and a sense of guilt from leaving him despite knowing his condition.
"I-In the same cabinet. Under some papers" The Luckster said weakly with a downtrodden expression. The Detective nodded as she gestured for the Idol to hold the ice pack. She then stood up before making her way to the cabinet.
"Naegi-kun. Is there something wrong?" Maizono pursed her lips. Looking at the Luckster with the same worried look.
"I-I just..." Naegi sighed but the Idol kept all her attention as she patiently waited for her to speak. He then promptly shook his head as he gave her a tired smile. "...Um, is it okay if you're here Maizono-san? I-I mean, I don't think Chisa-sensei would be happy for her students to be skipping classes" He intoned.
The Idol frowned a bit from the sudden change of subject but quickly smiled in assurance. "It's alright Naegi-kun. I think Yukizome-sensei would understand if we're here" She relayed.
"A-Are you sure?" Naegi stuttered before continuing. "I wouldn't want to take much of your time. I-I mean... I just don't want to make you feel obligated in taking care of me" His voice slowly ended weakly with an unsure tone. Wondering if his guess of the Idol being here wouldn't be too assuming.
Since, she probably have something more important to do other than taking care of him right?
Maizono just smiled at him before softly uttering. "Naegi-kun, my time here wouldn't be wasted at all. Don't ever think that okay? Besides..." She trailed off before looking at the Luckster's eyes with nothing but heartfelt sincerity.
"Making sure that you're better is something that I'd do in a heartbeat"
Naegi's eyes widened from the bold statement and felt the words lodged in his throat. Never expecting to hear words like that from her of all people. While he could distinguish this as something that she would say as a way of comfort. He was a bit taken aback from the tone she had used.
Like how it was bordering in a level that he didn't know.
The Idol realized her words but only gave a smile of her own. The former averted his gaze slowly and managed to find his words.
"T-Then thank you Maizono-san" Naegi muttered as he barely repressed the smile that was tugging on his lips. Just hearing his friend's words was making him absolutely happy.
Maizono felt her own smile increasing as she looked at the Luckster fondly. Her words earlier was more of an understatement than an exaggeration for her. What the Luckster did for her hardly even amounted to what she's doing now. And she knew that sentiment is something that she was utterly grateful for.
In her mind, she would do everything for the Luckster who had given her the second chance in achieving her dream.
The lavender haired girl seemingly halted in what she's doing as she clenched the towel on her hands. Her ears picking up every word as she couldn't help but bit her lip. With great effort, she half-resolutely scoured the items she was searching for.
Meanwhile, as the Idol kept staring at the Luckster. A thought sparkled in her mind and her smile faltered. A dark look emerging from her face. "...Naegi-kun?"
"W-What?" The Luckster could only blink from the sudden atmosphere that appeared in the room.
In the corners of his eyes, even the Detective seemed to realized something herself and gave him a discreet look of her own in the corner of her eyes.
It was similar to the same dark half-lidded look that the Idol was shooting at him.
"What did you just call Yukizome-sensei?" Maizono's eyes seemed to bore holes on the Luckster's skull. His mind took a moment to step back, but he didn't really find anything wrong in what he just said.
"Chisa-sensei" He repeated in an innocent tone. And it was with that look that made him tremble as he could literally feel the dark stares increasing from both of the women in the room.
"...You seem pretty close" Maizono said in a hollow tone. "Is that why you seemed to be her favorite in class?" She asked while checking her fingernails.
"Favorite?" Still clueless, Naegi pondered. "I don't think so. Doesn't Chisa-sensei-" The Idol and Detective both noticeably bristled. "-usually treat her students nicely? I mean, isn't it improper for a teacher to show favoritism?" The Luckster clarified knowing at least a bit of school policies.
The Idol's eyes seemed to darken even further. "Yes, yes she does, doesn't she?"
After that, the silence seemed to stretch more awkwardly.
It was only a moment of his contemplation later that he realized what the Idol meant. But instead of getting on the same page as both of the girls, he misinterpreted the situation quite hazardly.
"Oh, um, sensei asked me to call her that after inviting me to a drink... right after I brought her to her house afterwards" Naegi casually stated as he kept the true reason why the young teacher invited him. Sure, it had been quite an awkward exchange. But he couldn't say that it was all terrible. Since the teacher had been less tense and comforted after going through a heartbreak. And he was glad that he had been there for her in the lowest times.
But for both of the Idol and Detective, they took his words rather literally. The absence of context was indeed startling for them.
"You- WHAT!?" The hollow look immediately evaporated on her face as Maizono shrieked. Looking at the Luckster like he was crazy. Her protective instincts were running left to right from how wrong his statement was.
"I-I didn't drink any alcohol! Honest!" Naegi, as oblivious as ever, failed to understand the point of her sudden outburst.
"T-That isn't the problem!" Maizono slammed a hand in her forehead. "Y-You-! Naegi-kun, you-!" Her words kept stumbling in her mouth as she tried to process what to say.
"Naegi-kun" The firm undertone made him tense. Rigidly facing the source of the cold voice, he all but squeaked when he saw the coldburn in the Detective's eyes. Inputting her own thoughts on the matter at hand.
"Aside from how... improper it is for a teacher to invite an underage teen to drink, can I expect that you didn't do anything more than escort Yukizome-sensei to her house?" She asked with a critical look, surveying each responses in the Luckster's expression.
It was unlikely for the Luckster to do such things, she personally knew that. And she genuinely believe him in that extent. But she still can't help but ask.
Naegi tried to open his mouth to answer. But the glare he was being given was really sending alarm bells in his mind. It was like reminding him to be honest if he didn't want anything bad happening to him.
Fortunately, his self-preservation (or lack thereof) eventually one out.
"C-Chisa-sensei was really feeling down that day" Naegi at least tried to divert the truth. "She really needed a shoulder to lean on. And I was just the person she asked first, I really didn't mind comforting her the best I can" He stated. "N-Nothing really happened. Right after I brought her to her house, I did leave after tucking her to bed. It was only morning that I decided to return to see how she was doing"
It was the best he can do. It wasn't a lie per say. He just didn't want anyone knowing what truly happened that night. Even he felt that he wasn't supposed to see someone so bright, kind and cheerful turned to a crying mess because of adult issues.
The Detective studied his facial expression. She knew that there were missing pieces in what he just said, but his whole face didn't really say that he was completely lying. Maybe it was just something that he didn't want anyone to bring up.
Still, from how he looked, it wasn't really something to necessarily fuss over aside from the two. And she had that nagging feeling that it was really personal.
She could sympathyze. She was also that kind of person after all.
Though, that doesn't mean she wouldn't give their teacher a warning. From how the Yukizome seemed to cuddle up to the Luckster both literally and figuratively, she had an idea that what happened that day made the teacher let her guard down for their resident Luckster.
And it had been bordering in some limits of what a teacher-student relationship should look like.
...But what was that ache thrumming in her chest after she heard what Naegi-kun said? Something quite similar to every word of the Idol that she heard just a few moments earlier.
Kirigiri shook her head.
No, she shouldn't be confused. She had spend damn weeks to decipher what kind of feelings she had for the Luckster. It would only insult her pride as a detective if she didn't realize it given how much unnecessary time she alotted. And it would be unbecoming of a woman to not see the signs of her interest soaring when it comes to a certain ahoge-haired boy.
The detective eventually sighed before continuing to find what she was looking for, she would address this in a later date. For now, she would just do her best to at least make Naegi better.
"Muu~" The Idol reached a similar conclusion but wasn't really that accepting to one minor fact. While she could somehow understand that it was almost acceptable from just the Luckster's disposition. She really couldn't ignore one implication.
'Naegi-kun calls sensei by her first name!' The very thought raged in her mind. 'I mean... we're friends dammit! That's so unfair!' She petulantly pouted. Feeling something akin to a threatening feeling in regards to the way how the teacher looked at Naegi-kun as a person.
She had good damn feeling that it wasn't only as a student. The way how the older woman hugs the Luckster quite often was already a sufficient evidence.
And the fact that she really wanted for Naegi to call her first name on his own. Apart from other selfish reasons, she just wanted to see if the Luckster would take the first step in advancing their friendship.
If not, well, she could wait... for an extent. She knew to be patient after all. Though if push comes to shove... let's just say she's going to bring out the big guns.
"A-Are you sure you both wouldn't get in trouble for skipping class?" Naegi at least tried to ask.
"It's fine Naegi-kun, really" Maizono assured with a nod and lighter feeling on her chest after the confirmation. Though with a little sense of disappointment that she couldn't remove. "Now, let me get that towel on your forehead and I'll cool it off" She then reached for the towel before drenching it in cold water.
Feeling the coolness of the towel as it made contact with his forehead once more, Naegi sighed heartily. A genuine smile stretching across his face. He opened his mouth to at least voice his sincere gratitude but slowly closed as he took witness of the fact that the Detective finally decided to turn towards them.
She was also carrying what seemed to be some bundle of gauzes that made him think if she would decide to turn him into a mummy.
He isn't even sure that he recalled that absurd amount after leaving Tsumiki-senpai to administer some medications in his bag.
"K-Kirigiri-san" Maizono sweatdropped from the amount of gauzes the girl was carrying. "Isn't that too much?" She voiced her bewilderment, a sentiment that was shared by the sweating Luckster.
...He really hoped she wouldn't turn him into a mummy.
"I fail to see problem of the amount I'm carrying" Kirigiri raised an eyebrow from looks she was being given. With a narrow of her eyes, she spoke in a serious tone.
"I'm just making sure that Naegi-kun here didn't somehow forgot to change his wrappings and made sure to not neglect where gauze should be wrapped over his injuries" In all this, she saw the confusion, then realization and distinct haunting terror in the Luckster's eyes.
Maizono froze as she processed the statement. Recalling that time where they shamelessly spied on the Luckster and compared it to his state as he was now.
His head was wrapped all with a thin layer of cloth. Along with his upper torso and especially his leg. Aside from his arms that eluded her, she could see the distinct amount of gauzes that also corresponds as to how many injuries the Luckster just have.
Currently, she didn't see any kind of wrappings on his head despite it just being worn yesterday. Doesn't that mean he could've neglected to treat his other injuries as well?
And her realization was making her eyes widened in terror from just how much pain the Luckster was injuring if he somehow neglected to take care of himself.
Meanwhile, the Luckster was doing his best to make himself look smaller. He tried hard to not look from what he could feel were two menacing glares.
While he hadn't forgotten to indeed change his wrappings, he just shrugged it off this morning and decided that it wasn't really necessary. Since he didn't really feel any pain apart from his leg and minor migraines. But he knew it wasn't really the best action he had taken...
Still, that was the kind of person he was. Back in his childhood, he was some sort of a very stupidly reckless kid. He often got into accidents unlike any other. It's just that way that he realized that no matter how he bandages himself, another would pop up shortly. And that seemed to follow him in his teenage years.
His wrapped lower arms often hidden within his long sleeves were evidence of that fact.
Oh who was he kidding? No matter what the reason is, he truly did something quite reckless. He only realized that now and paying the price for it. He could only hope that they would be lenient.
But judging from how they looked, he knew he dug a grave of his own.
It wasn't like he could say all of that without getting bonk in the head. or maybe something far worse.
Nonetheless, the method of punishment by the girls truly caught him off guard.
"Can you take off your shirt Naegi-kun?" Kirigiri bluntly stated with a serious look. Not only was she angry towards the Luckster for such a reckless move, her concern and worry ultimately won out. While she tried to hide in a calm facade, she knew what her own feelings was at the moment.
"Stupid Naegi-kun" Maizono shook her head lightly. "Here, let me see under those clothes" Despite her words, her tone was grave serious. She couldn't believe the level of recklessness done by someone she truly cared about. While she could understand his stubborness as a trait of his own, hearing this was just aggravating. But underneath all that, she was extremely worried.
The determined look in their faces didn't falter as they both each got on top of his bed. Their bodies occupying the small space of the structure which made the Luckster aware. Crawling slowly inch by inch as the Idol was on his right and the Detective on his left.
"W-Wait...!" The Luckster tried to back up. The towel on his forehead falling below him but it did nothing to stop his face from growing a bit red as he recalled how similar this situation was to earlier. Instead, it was way worse than he anticipated.
While he could somehow understand their worries, the blatant display of their actions made him awfully embarrassed. It was one thing for a girl to see his body but it was another thing to see his clothes being unzipped by their very hands. Much less how the situation called forth two females that he distinctly taken a liking to.
"You're not getting out of this one Naegi-kun" Maizono growled out as the expression in her face never shifted.
"It's one thing to be reckless. And it's definitely another thing to be plain suicidal" Kirigiri stoically chastised.
"I-I can do it myself!" Naegi cried out with a shake of his hands. But unfortunately, neither girls were listening at all. Gulping, he knew he had messed up now.
Still, while he would probably faint from embarrassment. The girls were only doing this for his own sake. If he did tried to rebuke, it could either be ignored or worse, hurt their feelings as he knew they were really worried.
A knot of guilt welled up in his chest, but he shook it off. Just seeing their worried faces spurred something within him that made his breath stifle. It wasn't really a comfortable feeling at all. He'd figure that out later.
For now, he braced himself from what would come next.
But all in all, it couldn't get worse does it?
"Wait... how about we scrub him from head to toe?" Maizono suddenly suggested as both girls stopped in their advance. Kirigiri looking at the girl questioningly. "I mean, I think we can assume Naegi-kun here neglected to change his bandages. And as you said, he did remove some of his own wrappings. Furthermore..."
For a moment, the Idol drew close to the Luckster. Just mere inches apart from his face, much to the latter's embarrassment. And from this proximity, he could see each details of her face quite clearly.
Her snow white cheeks. Her small nose. Her faint red natural lips void of lipstick. He could even smell her fragrance from how close her body was. But what truly caught his attention... was those darkish blue eyes.
The first time he described her, was that of a doll and he wasn't wrong in any way. A beautiful girl that coveted the eyes of many. He could now tell why many people acted like so. It was as if she acted as a way to please people with her voice, actions and her smile.
But looking at her eyes now, he can't help but feel a bit mistaken for his judgement.
A doll is inherently... lifeless. Only displayed there to show details of its beauty and pristine. If one means to move, it would need someone controlling it. Its every action would be akin to a puppet doing the bidding of its master.
That was exactly the image that he had seen in her back then. Her eyes still yield her ambition of acquiring her dreams. But at the same time, he could feel as if what she had been doing was just for the sake of reaching her goal. Traces of her happiness were faint and elusive, something that one can distinguish yet it felt somewhat... brittle and hollow.
And that was the reason why he was utterly surprised when she had come to him after hearing about how her manager had cut ties with her. It magnified when she was given another chance to stand on stage and let her smile once again be shown to the people that adored her.
Just looking at it from afar, he could tell that the girl was genuinely happy.
His earlier assumptions of her being a doll was no longer marked in his mind.
If one word could describe what he saw in her in that day, it would undoubtedly be... a beautiful girl.
Since it was an undisputed fact that there no exists more beautiful than a girl's smile.
In Naegi's absentminded state, it took only a distinct sound to completely snap him out of his reverie. And what he heard made him completely stumped.
'D-Did... did she just sniffed me!?' Came his outrageous thoughts as the girl retreated her head to look back at him with a mysterious expression.
"...Naegi-kun?"
"H-Hai?" The Luckster was awfully blushing red from how the Idol blatantly sniffed him. And it seems that the latter blushed red too as she realized what she did, but maintained herself to keep a straight face.
"Have you taken a bath?" The question was like a curve ball that came from left field. The Luckster gawking at the Idol as the words were stuck on his throat.
"Y-Y-You didn't have to s-s-s-sniff me! Y-Y-You could've just asked!" The Luckster managed to croak out despite the redness getting into him.
"See? He didn't" The Idol proclaimed before shaking her head to clear the blush on her face. Ignoring the Luckster for the time being. She then turned to look at the Detective, who looked obviously peeved from what she saw right in front of her.
In the depths of the Idol's mind, her thoughts were completely chaotic. Truth be told, what she did definitely surprised her even more. She didn't know what compelled her to act so... demeaning. It was as if she was acting like some of her own hardcore fans. As disgusting as it may be, she definitely had an idea that her own recognition didn't really yield perfect innocent and pure adoration. It was only her training as an idol that surpressed her desire to openly act on her emotions.
But she can't help but find her action earlier quite... enthralling. She wasn't a pervert by any sense. However, just taking a wiff of how the Luckster's manly and somehow sweaty yet intoxicating scent was making her mind fall deeper and deeper into a desire-filled pit of-
'Gaaahhhh!' The Idol held her head as the blush on her cheeks intensified. Her head shaking in denial as she refused to believe that her actions were akin to that of a newly sensation of a closet perver-!
'Dammit Naegi-kun!' She forcefully tried to surpressed the blush that completely covered her cheeks. She dread the image of her secretly stealing his sweaty clothes after a heavy workout just to satisfy her own dirty, dirty inherent desire-
Okay, this had gone long far enough.
She somehow blamed Naegi for this. He was unknowingly making her more and more vulnerable each time she interacted with him. Her training of that as an idol was becoming more and more difficult to completely surpressed her old locked needs of satisfaction that she had worked hard to ignore since a long time ago.
Somehow barely managing to pull down her thoughts, she took a deep breath to calm her senses. The Detective was already looking at her weirdly as to why she suddenly froze up.
"W-Wouldn't it be any stretch to say that Naegi-kun here didn't even bother to clean up and change his wrappings just like the one on his leg?" Maizono composed herself and asked.
The Detective then adopted a thoughtful look. Not even the slimmest of disgust or displeasure from the words she had just heard.
In all of this, the Luckster didn't even bother to close his mouth. Unable to believe that the situation came to this extent. He could only hope that the Detective would let him do it himself as he was quite certain that she wouldn't find it proper for a girl to clean a boy even if he was incapable of it. And even so for the Idol, she wouldn't allow herself to clean some boy like himself right?
Just the image of the two overlooking his bath session brought out shivers in his spine.
Unfortunately, he failed to register the sheer importance that they held for his very being.
And it just makes the following words sounds so wrong.
"So, how about it Naegi-kun?" After a bried uncomfortable silence, the Detective voiced out. Staring at the Luckster quite intently as she continued.
"Want a sponge bath to clean you up?"
Kirigiri relayed those words with a tiny blush on her face. It seems even she was vulnerable to the words she was blatantly suggesting.
"...Can I just take a shower?" The Luckster dared to hope. The Fashionista did told him he was excessively full of it. Almost... disgustingly so. Maybe this could get him out of this situation?
"Then that'll risk you getting hurt" The Idol scolded lightly, raising a finger. "With no one to at least assist you, your injuries might get worse..." She then trailed off as she blushed from the implication. She didn't completely recovered from her... mysterious state.
"But if you really want to do it in the bathroom. I think we can rearrange something so that we can join yo-" The Luckster stopped her right there.
"Sponges and warm water right?" Naegi looked exceedingly welcome to the idea. Though, how his eyebrows and lips twitched violently conveyed a different story to tell. "Make the water at least lukewarm! Don't want it getting too cold and hot!" He then promptly covered himself with his blanket. Hiding his furiously blushing face as he at least mentally prepared himself.
And how did his friends even managed to say it like that? He could at least somehow understand Maizono without that context but Kirigiri? He couldn't imagine in his very life that his friend would say something like that to him.
And was it just him or he could've sworn he heard anticipation in their voice?
No. Just... no.
"I'll prepare the warm water then" Kirigiri immediately stood up as she made her way towards the bathroom. If the Luckster wasn't hiding himself, he could've seen the slight spring in her steps.
"It's decided then" Maizono clapped with a little bit too much giddiness. "Don't worry Naegi-kun. We'll take good care of you" She too also stood up. Following the Detective to his bathroom to help her with the water.
Naegi, still underneath his covers, tried to at least wonder of a reason why it came to this extent.
[HopE/DesPaiR]
Maizono reached for a cabinet and pulled out a plastic of sponges. Placing it on a smaller on a basket, she then reached for a bar of powdered soap and also placed it on the container.
Withhelding a quiet sigh, she then turned to Kirigiri who was busy filling up a pail with warm water. She then contemplated as to how she can address what she had been mulling in her mind. Her thoughts earlier had subsided as a turmoil of emotions were there to take its place.
Seeing Naegi made her just want to tell him everything that she kept holding back. How it wasn't his fault. How her own indecisiveness ultimately made her push the Luckster away without even meaning to. And how she had wanted to show her utter gratefulness to him in any way unimaginable for helping her keep her most desired dream.
And by what she meant by earlier was anything. Anything at all. Even if it crosses a figurative line, she wouldn't even bother to refuse, she owed the Luckster that much. But she knew that the Luckster was too considerate to even think of something close. It would be better to say that it would be more likely if he didn't acknowledge her gratefulness at all.
Unless... she took the initiative. But that's another thought for later.
Nonetheless, she knew keeping it in would do more harm than good. Aside from her own, she just knew that the Luckster was somehow blaming himself. Already knowing that the Luckster's own mindset would force him to see that his own meddling would eventually make her feel bad.
In which case, was a very far conclusion to even think about.
Maizono sighed in a quiet hush. She knew she had to do something and she had to do it sooner. Se can't bare to see someone so kind to her being subjected to an unfair treatment due to her own fault.
And she had been even more surprise to see someone had a similar problem in her own position. She would never believe someone would do something like she did to poor Naegi.
But she knew pointing it out would do nothing more than to placate herself as a very hypocritical person. And she knew Naegi wouldn't like it if that was the case.
But as much as she want to talk to the only girl that can possibly understand her, she wasn't really that close to Kirigiri as far as she can tell. And sure, they initiated a proper conversation from time to time, but that was it.
Though, the girl didn't really have anyone that associates with herself so closely, excluding the Luckster of course. It was hard for her to say something that delves into a more sensitive topic. Who knows what kind of impression she'll show to an acquaintance at best?
Then again, she is a renowned Detective. From what she could tell, Kirigiri would often than not skip pass unnecessary trivialities to reach a conclusion of her own. The only thing that's stopping her was that she wasn't sure of the Detective's thought process aside from that obvious facade.
"...Kirigiri-san, can we talk for a second" Maizono decided to suck it up and just be decisive for once.
The Detective turned to the Idol in wonder. Turning off the tap water as she gave her attention to the obvious reluctant Idol.
"Just... just keep it short. We can't really make Naegi-kun wait considering his condition" She bluntly pointed out. Just from the nervous way the girl was presenting herself, she had an idea as to what the Idol was going to talk about.
"O-Okay, that's fine Kirigiri-san" Maizono unsteadily voiced out as she promised to make it quick. Letting out a sigh that escaped her lips, she forcibly calmed herself as she knew this matter was of great importance to her.
"I'll get straight to the point then" She faced the Detective with a determined front that she managed to display. "It's... it's about Naegi-kun. Why did you avoid him these past few weeks after the oversea campus?"
Kirigiri's expression darkened slightly, she didn't say anything for a few seconds before opening her lips.
"As much as I like to say that it's hardly any of your business..." Maizono instinctively flinched from the cold undertone but didn't back down. "I'll presume you're asking this since you seem to be facing something similar?"
"I just wanted to point something out" The Idol nodded with a cautious expression. "I know you've noticed Kirigiri-san. What you and I did to Naegi-kun is really unfair. He saved my dreams. And he saved something precious to you" Her tone didn't hold a loud or strong tone. But the lavender-haired girl could notice its determined pitch.
"I don't know what you're going to do. But I'll do whatever it takes to repay Naegi-kun for what he's done to me. I could even say that I wouldn't be able to completely exchanged it" Maizono slowly found her voice. "Even if it's because of what he did that compelled you to take care of him. I'm here because I want to tell him that there's someone that he can lean on" Her eyes narrowed towards the stoic Detective who remained silent.
Kirigiri scrutinized the Idol's expression and didn't even take a second to see that she was being truthful. Furthermore, it was the girl's words itself that made her feel a sense of apprehension.
She wasn't just saying that she would do everything to repay the Luckster tenfold. It was as if she was implying something that her presence here was just because of simple gratitude.
Kirigiri's eyes turned cold. The two of them eyeing each other in silence.
If it was any other normal day, the Detective would just ignore the girl and acknowledge her assumptions of seeing her actions as a simple way to show her gratitude. And after it was settled, it was done and she didn't have anything to do with that person all.
But what the Idol was sorely mistaken of was how Naegi had completely affected her life. It wasn't just merely because of gratitude that she felt after he fixed the connection of her father. No, it was infinitely more than that.
The admiration, happiness, content, satisfaction and heartfelt gratitude were only some of the things that she felt for the Luckster. And that didn't include her own feelings for Naegi that bacame much clearer after she painstakingly figured out her own emotions.
Normally, she wouldn't bat an eye. The Idol was free to express her views as long as it didn't affect her. But now...
"...My gratitude for Naegi-kun isn't as simple as you think" Kirigiri fired her own uncharacteristic rebuttal. Before the Idol could say anything, she promptly lifted the bucket-filled and regarded the girl with nothing more than fleeting interest.
Maizono's pursed her lips. The short discussion earlier left her a bit unsatisfied. She could clearly see that she had stroken an unknown cord that made the Detective more than angry to address. It was in the girl's eyes that made her feel that her words were a bit too personal.
But she didn't do anything to offer an apology. Already knowing that it wouldn't do much. Still, from that compulsion, she had already thought that the Detective's unknown feelings for the Luckster was clear now.
They were both young women in love. Nothing more than a blunt assumption that made both of them feel uncomfortable if it was openly addressed.
Shaking her head lightly, Maizono promptly sighed as she followed Kirigiri out of the bathroom. While the result of the exchange was too heavy for her own tastes, it wasn't without reason that urge her to do things more aggressively. And she had a guess that the Detective felt the same way too.
She was an esper after all.
It took only about a second or two for both of the girls to leave the bathroom with materials on tow. But they can't help but feel it took hours to reach the door. And as they were about to leave, they promptly froze as a distinct laugh reached their ears.
It came unfamiliar to them. And it didn't match the Luckster's voice at all.
As if fate was urging the story to continue forward. Kirigiri's grip on the door handle slowly softened. But it was enough for the door to open sluggishly and allow them to see something that made them alarm.
There, standing in front of the Luckster's bed was the figure of a girl. Her shoulder length blond hair was tied into a ponytail. And her outfit was that of a pair of pink jogging pants and a white t-shirt accompanied with evident signs of perspiration.
"Oh, Maizono-san, Kirigiri-san" Naegi cautiously addressed as the memories of earlier made him more than embarrassed. But upon seeing them with objects in their hand, made his blush more clearer. But nonetheless, he continued. "Um... you kinda forgot to close the door and-" He was cut off when the unknown girl twirled to look at the two confused and miffed girls just in front of the bathroom.
"Oh!" The girl muttered a surprised pitch, she then gave a smile as she turned to greet them. "G-Good morning Maizono-senpai! Kirigiri-senpai!" She bowed lightly with a slight stutter.
As she lifted her head, a glint of her musical note clip that clung on her hair shone at the same time her light pinkish eyes showed her politeness towards the two stunned classmates of the Luckster. Her smile of that of a girl with an apologetic expression.
[HopE/DesPaiR]
"So you're the Ultimate Pianist" Maizono happily greeted. "You're in Class-79th right?" She asked.
"That's right!" The blonde haired girl stated with a cheerful smile. "My name is Kaede. Kaede Akamatsu. I'm also the class representative" Akamatsu introduced.
"You must really love music then" The Idol praised.
"I do, but probably not as much as you Maizono-senpai!" The Pianist denied modestly. "I always saw you singing on stage and I even sometimes listen to some of your albums. From that, I can tell your love for music" The two shared a laugh.
"Isn't you're class supposed to have PE lessons?" Kirigiri suddenly asked, turning to the Pianist after she replaced the cloth on the Luckster's forehead. "I hope I wouldn't hear something about an underclassman skipping classes"
"No, of course not Kirigiri-senpai!" Akamatsu denied. "I made sure to finish sensei's task as fast as possible. I came here for a reason of my own" She assured before bending down to reach something before she rose up, now with a small container in hand.
"This is for you Naegi-senpai" The Luckster, who was quiet until now, sat surprised as the Pianist offered him the container. "A get well soup. I cooked it myself since I thought that you might get sick after what happened yesterday"
"Y-You don't really have to" Naegi humbly tried to refuse. "And Akamatsu-san was it? I don't really recall doing anything to get something from you"
"You might not remember what happened but I know you got sent to the infirmary after that... accident" The two others who were listening quickly showed concern.
"Accident?" Kirigiri stated with narrowed eyes which the Luckster tried to hide under. The Idol look straight at him with surprise.
"Oh! And too offer an apology too Naegi-senpai!" The Pianist yielded looking genuinely apologetic.
"N-No! It's not that big of a deal!" The Luckster tried to persuade, sending an 'I'll explain later' look towards the silent Detective. The Idol frowning as she noticed their discreet gestures.
"But it was a mistake of mine since I wasn't being a good representative. And you should be mad since you got hurt and..." Akamatsu trailed off, not really knowing how to continue. The Luckster noticed her tone, but nonetheless gave a kind smile.
"Akamatsu-san, you being here already made me extremely grateful" Naegi sincerely stated as his eyes didn't leave hers. "Just think about it, you and I are practically strangers to one another. But you still found yourself coming here to apologize for something you never did and even give me a get well gift" The girl could hear that his tone was nothing but genuine.
And his next words left her completely stunned.
"And even if it was your fault, how can I be mad at a girl that showed that she cared? Even saying thank you wouldn't be much to show how grateful I feel" Akamatsu could only look at the Luckster with surprise and admiration. Afterwards, a certain warmth immediately came rushing on her cheeks. His words completely leaving her at a familiar loss as it was a position that she had felt many times.
But this time, something was different.
She was used to doing the best that she can just to organize a class that admittedly had an outrageous bunch. Even if it means her actions were never genuinely acknowledged as an effort that she had painstakingly tried to refine. She was admittedly used to it. But she would definitely be lying if she didn't wished to hear such simple words of gratitude.
But now, someone that she could safely say was a stranger was thanking her for an effort that she admittedly gave great importance of.
"T-Thank you Naegi-senpai!" Akamatsu happily voiced out. The Luckster nodding with a smile that immediately froze when he felt two distinct stares.
Turning to look to his other two classmates, he all but gulp upon seeing the dark looks on their faces. "W-What?" Naegi asked with a slight tremble.
"It's… it's nothing Naegi-kun" Kirigiri lightly shook her head as she then regarded the Pianist with a fleeting look before shaking it off. A sense of heaviness in her chest appearing for an instant.
That was probably nothing... right?
Maizono just crossed her arms under her chest. She said nothing. Slightly narrowing her eyes towards the Pianist, her face not showing signs that her smile was faltering in any way.
Hmm…
"A-Anyways!" Oblivious to the stares she was being given, the Pianist coughed as she regained herself. "Is there something that I can do? It would still be over an hour after I leave for my next class" Akamatsu relayed.
"You really don't have to feel any obligation in taking care of me" Naegi shook his head. "I'm already thankful for the fact that you still came here and rushed your classes just to apologize and give me something. I would only be wasting you're time. And both Kirigiri-san and Maizono-san are already taking care of me in the first place" He added but it seems that the Pianist was not having any of it.
"No, I insist" Akamatsu shook her head in negativity. "I'll do anything to at least be sure that Naegi-senpai is taken care of. I wouldn't even complain if it's an errand. You can ask me anything, anything at all" She carelessly intoned. Naegi was at a loss to decide, so he turned to the two girls for their opinions.
The Idol looked almost ready to say that it was fine. But found herself closing her mouth as she gazed at how the Pianist was full of nothing but determination. Her thoughts of letting the girl leave was becoming more and more hard due to her indecision.
Meanwhile, the Detective had more of a decisive viewpoint. She could already tell that the girl wouldn't easily comply in leaving if she called out on it for making sure that the Luckster was alright. But aside from her own personal reasons, she can't really see anything wrong from having another hand to help in dealing with the Luckster who clearly needed a rest.
"I'll be counting on you then" The Idol and Luckster shot her with distinctive looks. The latter was more of surprise. And the former was more of an incredulous expression that was only managed by a light shake of her own head. Telling her that it wouldn't help the situation one bit.
It wasn't time for any personal distractions to interrupt the Luckster's own well-being. Just from the confrontation with the Idol earlier immediately made that thought clear if they wanted to accomplish something.
"Thank you Kirigiri-senpai!" Akamatsu thanked. "Don't worry, I'll do my best!" She then looked thoughtful for a second before asking. "So? What can I do?" She asked curiously.
The Detective was about to open her mouth to only be stopped by the Idol speaking first.
"We're just about to clean Naegi-kun and prepare for his sponge bath" The Idol bluntly relayed as she carefully assessed the girl's reaction.
"Okay! A sponge bath right? A sponge bath… A SPONGE BATH!?" Akamatsu's cheeks turned red all over.
"That's right" Maizono acknowledged. Hoping for the best that girl would decline if it was too embarrassing. "If you don't want to, you could just say no" She added with a kind smile.
"W-What? You two were serious about that!?" Naegi stated incredulously.
"Of course we're serious Naegi-kun" Maizono stated before looking at the blushing Pianist. "You can leave it up to me and Kirigiri-san if you don't want to. We're not going to force you Akamatsu-san" She urged gently.
"I-It's..." The Idol tilted her head.
"Hm?"
"I-It's okay Maizono-senpai!" Akamatsu shook her head, the blush on her cheeks still permeated. "I-I did say that I'd do everything didn't I? So I won't go back on my word" Her voice slowly became quieter before turning to the shell-shocked Luckster.
"I-I'll do my best and give Naegi-senpai a s-s-sponge bath..." The Pianist stated with a trembling vigor.
"...Alright then" Maizono hesitantly confirmed with a defeated frown. Casting aside her own thoughts in favor for the Luckster. Even if it means experiencing a pleasurable moment when she had yet to do so.
"So it's decided then" Kirigiri firmly nodded.
"W-Wait a second!" The three girls turned towards the Luckster who could only look helpless in his vulnerable state.
"Is there something you'd like to add Naegi-kun? I'd very much like to start sooner than later" Kirigiri furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what the Luckster wanted so that they can start.
"S-Something to add...? I still haven't said that I'd agree!" Naegi clumsily defended. "Y-You three don't have to do this! I-I can just..." His voice faltered as his headache spiked. "N-Not again..." He held his the side of his head in pain. Shutting his eyes shut from the migraine.
He then felt his shoulders being gripped in a soft and comforting hold. Opening his eyes weakly, he was treated to the sight of a patient and concerned orbs of purplish hue.
"Listen Naegi-kun, you don't have to feel wrong about us helping you" Kirigiri stated patiently. "If that feeling still remains, then just know that we're not doing this out of obligation" She paused for a second before continuing with a softer tone. "...It's because we care about you"
Naegi's eyes widened abruptly in surprise. Before it mellowed down as his eyes slowly turned half-lidded. His breathing becoming stable as his eyes stared at the Detective's own.
'That's right. They were just doing this because they care' Naegi stored in his mind. The excuses that his mind brought out were almost completely smashed into pieces. The gratefulness that he had for them increasing by tenfold.
If that's the case then he has no right to dissuade them even further. If he did, then it was just him being stubborn and trying to push them away. He was lucky enough to have friends like them in the first place. So who was he to refuse their own actions of blind gratitude?
"Thank you Kirigiri-san" Naegi stated with a tone that made the Detective cheeks redden a little bit. Even if those words were exceedingly simple, she could practically hear the sheer gratitude in the Luckster's tone. And it was making her delighted more than anyone who had said the same thing to her in the past.
"Thank you too Maizono-san, Akamatsu-san" The Idol perked up with a smile. Feeling a bit miffed that the Detective had the attention but was briefly erased when the Luckster turned to her, responding with her own smile. Even the Pianist sat smiling when she heard those words.
"And you don't have to worry about anything" Kirigiri supplied to keep the Luckster comfortable. "There's enough sponges for the three of us to use" The Detective helpfully relayed as she lifted the basket for Naegi to see.
"T-That isn't the issue here..." Naegi muttered with a sweatdrop. He then helplessly shrugged before mustering his courage. "I-I'll leave it to you three then" He finally complied before trying a final retort. "I-I think I can still clean myself though"
*Grip* *Grip*
He mutely glanced across his left and right shoulder to only see two exasperated faces from both the Idol and Detective. Holding both of his arms in a tight restraining grip.
"I hoped that you'd see our intentions after clearly explaining ourselves to you countless times" The Detective shook her head with a sigh. "I failed to take in account of your stubbornness. Clearly, it would take a lot just to drive something in that thick head of yours" She tightened her hold and was unconsciously pressing herself closer to intertwine both of her arms against his own.
"Stupid Naegi-kun" The Idol reprimanded with two words that didn't fall behind the Detective's own. She too was pressing herself closer against the Luckster in an ever tightening grip.
"H-Hey..." The Luckster was completely aware of the girls' actions as he paled. Feeling their chests press against him as they draw closer. The redness in his cheeks didn't help his situation at all. "W-What are you both-!?"
"Just be quiet" Kirigiri sharply rebuked cutting off the Luckster, who slammed his mouth shut. She then looked towards the Pianist, who sat stuttering as she was a front row customer to their ever increasing boldness. "Akamatsu-san, I'll leave it to you to take off his shirt" She bluntly instructed.
"A-Ah!" Akamatsu blushed red from the bold statement before shaking her head. "R-Right!" She nodded hurriedly before edging closer to the Luckster as she held the lower hem of his shirt.
The Luckster could only stare in horror and embarrassment as the three girls were exceedingly intruding his comfort zone. He tried to fidget but the two girls in his arms was making it hard to do so. He promptly stopped when he realized that he was brushing against their soft chests. He decided to not say anything and just closed his eyes until they were done.
With a gulp, Akamatsu slowly lifted his shirt. Her face reddened when she could feel how her fingers brushed against his torso before her eyes widened.
"W-Whoa..." She muttered in amazement as she could literally feel the hardness of his stomach along with his chest.
As the Ultimate Pianist, she was confident to say that she took care of her fingers well more than most people. Her fingers were also the very means that she used to play her iconic instrument. So it wouldn't be much to say that her fingers were her skills were put to the test.
And those very same fingers were finding something out that blew all her expectations.
After she was done, she sat there dazedly as her eyes were treated to a feast.
Instead of seeing a scrawny build that she had imagined. The Luckster was built, that she could say. His bandaged pectorals and stomach revealed a bit of muscles that left her mouth open. And his arms in full view was also proportionate to his body. It wasn't exaggeratedly built like those muscle builders that she saw on television that made them more unattractive. Overall, the Luckster has a lean build that definitely fit the right places.
The Detective and Idol were in the same state, albeit a little lesser as they already saw it firsthand. Still, it was a surprised to them in seeing it practically in front of them. The blushes on their cheeks failed to hide their own internal musings.
With great effort, the Detective decided to take the reign seeing both of her companions pausing. "L-Let's start then" An admittedly unusual stutter snapped the others in their reverie. Blushing from their display, they hurriedly reach for their own sponges and applied some soap on it to make it foam.
As the Luckster felt his old gauze being removed, he experienced the first sensation of the wet sponge brushing along his torso. He shivered as another made contact with his back. And another that brush his right arm. He bit his lips to suppress a relieved sigh as he sat quietly. While he was thankful that there were no more pressure against his arms, his embarrassment seemingly increased when he was aware what the girls were doing. He sat stiffly as he tried to relax.
Kirigiri frowned as she noticed the wrappings on his arms. Finding it hard to clean it with her sponge. As she was about to remove it, she was given no chance when the Luckster turned to her with a frantic look on his face.
"Y-You can leave them there" Naegi stated.
"But-" She was cut off.
"Just leave them there Kirigiri-san" He voice out with a strained tone that made her comply. Figuring out why the Luckster's behavior. She shrugged and motioned for the other two girls to follow. Though, it didn't remove the questioning look on their faces.
Afterwards, they slowly left the idea and continued to clean the Luckster with their sponges. They brush his back, abdomen and chest along with his upper arm. Naegi was already feeling the cool sensation enveloping his being. His embarrassment reducing bit by bit as he closed his eyes to calm down.
Maizono didn't seem to be aware of the outside world. Her mind entirely focused on the Luckster's wet and soapy form just inches right in front of her. The faint smell that she noticed earlier were being caught by her nose, rendering her numb. She was so absentminded that she failed to realize that her fingers were moving on her own.
"M-Maizono-san?" Naegi yelped as his eyes opened abruptly, feeling a jolt. His blush deepened even further as he noticed how close the others were.
"Hm?" The Idol hummed.
"Y-You're finger is kinda poking me" The Luckster stated in a whisper as he could feel a soft prickling sensation on the side of his stomach. It was a little ticklish but the sheer embarrassment he was feeling now was completely overwhelming.
"Oh?" Maizono blinked as she deftly stopped her motions. Blushing, she gave an apologetic smile. "S-Sorry about that Naegi-kun. It wasn't on purpose" She reasoned weakly before continuing on her task.
"I-I see, I understan- ah!" His cheeks flamed from another poking sensation on his ribs. "A-Akamatsu-san!?" He shrieked out turning to the girl in front.
"S-Sorry Naegi-senpai!" The Pianist apologized knowing that she couldn't help herself from 'checking' to see if they were the real deal.
"I-It's fin- ahh!" He yelped more loudly as he felt his chest being palmed. The nerves in his torso shooting up as he shivered. Turning to see the culprit, he spoke cautiously and asked.
"K-Kirigiri-san…?"
The Detective turned to him in question.
"My apologies Naegi-kun" Kirigiri indifferently addressed, lifting her palm above his chest. "I'm just marveling your physique. It's quite surprising to see that your remarkably fit" She praised with amazement, a tiny blush covering her cheeks.
"W-Wha-!?" Naegi's face seemed to blush even more.
"Kirigiri-san!" Maizono cried out in bewilderment. "Y-You can't just say that!" She shouted. The Pianist also seemed to be taken aback by the blunt statement.
"Hm? Is there something wrong with what I said?" Kirigiri turned to her with a questioning eyebrow. "I'm just speaking the truth. And I can tell you thought of the same thing, you even poked him" She accused.
"W-Well, yeah but..." Maizono trailed off not knowing how to refute her words. "I didn't do that on purpose like you!" She reacted after hearing the last part.
"If that's what you want to believe" Kirigiri shrugged with a hint of amusement. "Let's just finish before Naegi-kun faints or something" She lightly teased.
"A-Am not!" The Luckster could only reply with a childish retort. Before he flinched when he felt the brush caress his body once more.
The three girls continued to clean him and bathe him with soap. Though, they were still embarrassed. The effect wasn't much greater as time passed by before they were finally done washing his top and back.
"F-Finally..." Naegi breathed a sigh of relief as he felt the sponges leaving his body. The towel drying his body.
"Don't tell me you find that uncomfortable Naegi-kun" Kirigiri raised an eyebrow. "Do I detect denial there?" She asked.
"N-No, of course not!" Naegi defended as he shook his head. "I-I just..." He trailed off, not knowing how to continue. Beside him, the Detective sighed.
"It's understandable that you'd feel uncomfortable from seeing your naked top" Kirigiri nodded in comprehension.
"Y-You don't have to say it like that Kirigiri-san..." The Luckster sighed somberly.
"Hm. It can't be helped then" Naegi turned to her with an eyebrow raised.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Since we practically forced you to abide by our request and left you defenseless..." The Detective paused, seeing if she got the attention of the other two. "I think it would be prudent if we'd be treated with the same thing. Proper exchange, if I'm being specific" The two girls blushed red as they understood what she was implying. But it seems the Luckster was still lost.
"Huh?" Naegi dumbly asked.
Kirigiri sighed from his denseness before looking intensely towards his eyes. She stretched the silence for two seconds before speaking her mind.
"We can reach an agreement and take off our clothes if you want Naegi-kun. It's only proper since what we've done was only about half of your decision" The Luckster froze as his mind reeled and tried to comprehend what the girl said.
What he understood made his entire body jolt.
"W-WHAT!?" Naegi howled. "Wha-? Why-? I-I-!" He stumbled accordingly to the Detective's thoughts.
"Hm? Then you'd be fine with that?" Kirigiri raised an eyebrow. "It wouldn't take much effort and I think we wouldn't mind if-"
"J-Just stop..." Naegi drawled as he covered his face with a blanket. Missing the smirk that appeared on the Detective's face.
"Stop teasing Naegi-kun for now Kirigiri-san" Maizono smiled but felt a bit miffed as to how the Detective could be so direct. "Let's wrapped him with new wrappings so he can relax now" The Luckster sent her a thankful look which she smiled at, but decided to tease him too.
"You know Naegi-kun" Maizono started with a smile. "We wouldn't mind if that's the case" She teased.
"Y-You're teasing me too!" Naegi petulantly pouted as the Idol laughed.
"Waa..." The Pianist stared at them with amazement. "Senpais seem so close" She commented from her observation.
"That's right!" Maizono nodded. "Aren't we close Naegi-kun?" She cooed.
"Close" Kirigiri acknowledged.
Naegi sighed before shaking his head. "You two can stop now" The girls shared a smirk. "Well, I'm still grateful. Thank you for all of this Kirigiri-san, Maizono-san and Akamatsu-san" He said with a grateful tone.
Maizono's eyes softened. "It's no problem Naegi-kun" She sweetly toned.
"Who says were done?" The three looked at the Detective with confused looks. "Naegi-kun, if you like. We can also clean your lower part" She suggested with a straight face.
"T-That isn't necessary!" Naegi shouted before wincing as he felt a tremor in his head. "Ow~"
[HopE/DesPaiR]
"And there!" Maizono stated as she finished stitching up Naegi's leg.
After they had replaced the gauze on his chest and had Naegi dried up and worn his new sets of clothes. The group had quickly moved to treat Luckster's busted leg. Getting some new wrappings for him to replace his worn out gauzes.
"Are you sure Naegi-senpai is going to be alright?" Akamatsu asked worriedly. The first time the Pianist saw his leg's condition, she paled in fright. But nonetheless, she did the best she can do to aid her two senpais.
"If the infirmary is available later, Naegi-kun still needs to be checked by the one in charge" Kirigiri mused. "Though he's fine now, but he should still rest" The Pianist nodded in understanding.
As they were about to clean up, the Naegi's door promptly slammed open for their ears to catch. Turning their heads towards it, they were treated to a sight that temporarily caught them off guard.
"We are here!" The figure of Enoshima proudly declared with a big grin. She then paused as she took notice of the three girls seating near the Luckster with a pail of bucket on top of his bed along with a basket of sponges. "We missed something didn't we?" She frowned and furrowed her eyebrows.
"J-Junko-chan! Wait for- Huh?" Just behind her, Ikusaba made her presence known. A blush creeping up her cheeks as she noticed that the Luckster was looking at her.
"E-Enoshima-san! Ikusaba-san! Don't just-" Another person came barreling in as she froze on her steps. "Oh! Maizono-san, Kirigiri-san. Here you two are!" The face of cheerful Asahina greeted them with a confused look as she turned to Akamatsu. "And you are…?"
"Ara" The voice of Celes came ringing in their ears as she elegantly entered the room. "It seems that we've arrived a little too late" She stated with a hint of displeasure.
Naegi's eyes bulged not because of the sudden arrival but because of what his gaze caught.
"W-W-W-What are you wearing Enoshima-san!? Ikusaba-san, you too!?" The Luckster voice came a little croaky. Normally the headache would make him wince but their display overwhelmed his own mind to even recognize the strike of pain.
"Oh, this?" The Fashionista twirled, showing off her busty black nurse uniform with an accompanied black and white patterned cap on her head. Her chest bulging as the uniform itself was seemingly close to breaking apart. "Just something to wear since I'll. Be. Taking. Care. Of. You!" She blew a kiss with a saucy grin.
"Wha-!?" Naegi was cut off.
"That's not all. Here we have Mukuro-nee dressing plainly!" Enoshima cackled before shoving the Soldier right in front of her.
"H-Hey!" Ikusaba stumbled as she unintentionally showed off her own nurse uniform, which was white as opposed to what the Fashionista was wearing, accompanied with her own white and black patterned cap on her head. While she didn't have a chest as big as Enoshima's, it still showed her modest figure and her curved hips. "Y-You forced me to wear this" She blushed as she was feeling a bit mortified from seeing her in such clothing.
"Well, we're still too late that's for sure" Enoshima commented as she looked at Naegi with a pout. "You could've let me wash you in a sponge bath!" She cried out childishly, raising her arms.
"S-Sponge bath!?" Asahina looked scandalized with a deep blush on her cheeks.
"How bold Naegi-kun" Celes stated with a mysterious smile on her face.
"Naegi-kun, I didn't know that you wanted..." Ikusaba trailed off, feeling a bit unsure what to say.
As the once peaceful ambiance was utterly shattered by the new additions. Both Kirigiri and Maizono tried to control the situation telling that Naegi needed to rest. But it was hard considering how Enoshima purposely incited the problem to uncontrollable levels. The Luckster himself seem helpless as he could only look on how noisy his room had become.
Meanwhile, the Pianist seemed amazed from how her senpais acted. She then pieced a puzzle and realized that they were all here for the Luckster himself. It made her look towards the exasperated Luckster in a new light as she recalled the words of gratitude to her earlier.
"Naegi… senpai..."
A small seed was planted in her being. It would only be a matter of time to see if it would bloom to a yellow tulip of hope or a red cypress of despair…
...or maybe, it would grow into something far more special.