Ringo wonders what would happen if Maguro showed off his handsome face to those already in love. The end result is more dangerous than she could ever imagine. Requested by a tumblr anon!

Defiant Love

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Ringo?" Maguro asked, crossing his arms.

Smirking to herself, she cupped her chin and nodded. "Of course. I've been contemplating this test for a while, and we finally have our opportunity."

He grumbled as he glanced over his shoulder. The quaint cafe in the shopping district of Suzuran had the best treats, flaky croissants and sweet mochi, but looking at them made him lose his appetite. Scratching his neck, he rolled his eyes and approached them when Ringo nudged his back, whispering for him that this was their only chance.

Maguro had to admit that he felt bad for Satan. He was trapped in an impromptu date with Rulue, who was currently trying to stuff a muffin down his throat. She boasted they were greatest blueberry muffins she had ever tasted, a delicacy unparalleled in the many worlds they visited. He watched Satan grimace, his eyes narrowing as Rulue giggled, seemingly unaware of her inappropriate behavior.

"Uh, hey!" He jerked his hand up, grimacing when Rulue scowled at him. "H-how's it hanging?"

"We're busy," she snapped, tearing off the wrapper to the muffin as she forced it past Satan's lips. As his cheeks puffed out, crumbs coating his chin and tears burning in his eyes, she sighed and clasped her fingers together. "My darling and I are finally having a romantic breakfast. Just us together, no Arle in sight." She shooed him away. "Now, make like a Puyo and pop somewhere else."

"That's...a bad insult. It doesn't even make sense," he said, Ringo's chuckling tittering behind him.

Satan beat his chest, shaking his head as he desperately chewed. His fingers twitched as he tried coaxing the lump down, swallowing too many times to count. He flashed Maguro a pleading look, but he already diverted his attention to his friend at the other table.

When Ringo flashed him a smile, he sighed and said, "Sorry about this."

He raised his bangs, and they stopped altogether. His eyes dazzled all who gazed upon him, stopping blushing servers as they carried platters of goodies and coffee. Rulue and Satan stared, transfixed on his glimmering eyes which shone brighter than stars or the purest diamonds.

Lowering his bangs as Ringo bounced over to him, Maguro chuckled and rubbed his neck. "Ehehe, sorry. All part of Ringo's little experiment."

Swallowing, Satan coughed and asked, "And...what were you hoping to get out of it besides us now knowing your eye color?"

Ringo's jaw dropped. "Wha-huh? You guys aren't, you know, dazzled?"

As a waiter swooned into the arms of a shocked patron, Rulue chuckled and snapped open her fan. "My, that's quite an assumption. My darling and I are adults. We wouldn't be attracted to someone in middle school."

"That would have quite the unfortunate implication," Satan added, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. He pressed his hand over his heart. "Besides, my heart beats slowly for my precious Arly."

Rulue immediately stuffed another muffin into his mouth, silencing him before he could fawn over her. Tightening her smile, she snarled, "Oh, darling, you shouldn't mention that pipsqueak's name when you have a real woman ready to nurture your every need."

Ringo promptly pushed on Maguro's shoulder and guided him out of the cafe. They listened to Satan cry out for Arle, each time smothered by Rulue's pastries. Taking out her notebook, she jotted down the results and sighed, the conclusion satisfactory.

"Well, that solves one aspect of this conundrum, but I still have one more person for you to look at," she said, grinning.

Maguro shrugged and chuckled. "As expected of you, Ringo. So, who's gonna fall in love with me this time?"

"Her!"

He followed her index finger as she shot it past his nose. Humming, Maguro nodded, lowered her hand, and immediately began walking in the opposite direction down the sidewalk.

Lunging onto his arm, she cried, "Please, Maguro! It's all for science!"

"She's scary! There's no way I'm doing it!"

"But it's for science!"

"Not even Ris would say this is a good idea!"

As they struggled, their squabbling got the attention of Ringo's subject. She tilted her head, her long violet locks tickling her neck as she crossed the street. She was going to the cafe to pick up a cake she purchased for her beloved, certain that it would bring them closer together. Shaking she head, she knew she had no time to bother with their immaturity when time was of the essence, knowing the ice cream cake could start melting if she dawdled.

Her own eyes gleaming, Ringo spun Maguro around and lifted up his bangs, crying, "Now! Feli, look here!"

Uttering a confused hum as Maguro yelped, Feli stopped dead in her tracks. She gazed deeply into his eyes, taking in the vibrant color of his irises, the light drawing her in as she stumbled closer. The world seemed to blend around her, becoming a swathe of gray mingling with yellow and red hues. Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to burst out, and heat flushed her entire face a brilliant pink, but she couldn't focus on those sensations when the most handsome boy she ever met was right before her.

"You," she whispered, her eyes wide.

"Me?" he squeaked, Ringo preparing her notebook.

"Your eyes."

"Th-they are pretty, huh?"

"Indeed."

Ringo bobbed her head, writing down the exchange. "Interesting. Keep going."

Feli closed her eyes and smiled, nodding once. "I have to kill you."

Silence hushed over them. Ringo nearly dropped her notebook, her mouth creased in a still smile. Maguro stiffened, matching his best friend's grin. They exchanged a slow look, the corners of their mouths hitching upwards and causing their eyes to crinkle as the severity of Feli's words dawned on them.

Ringo leapt in front of him, desperately flailing as Feli withdrew her dowsing rods. "Wa-wait a minute! This was-this was simply an experiment, and i-i-i-it doesn't reflect who you are or how you feel!"

"You tried tempting me away from my dear Lemres. Twisting my maidenly heart, that's U-N-F-O-R-G-I-V-A-B-L-E!" Feli screeched, and she launched herself off the ground like a powerful cheetah.

As Puyos dropped from the heavens, Ringo and Maguro screamed for mercy, but it was not granted as the Goddess of Space-Time looked away.