Nagisa woke up to find an nine-year-old Haven curled up on the floor next to him. The nightgown she had been wearing last night was bursting at the seams.
"Haven, it's morning," Nagisa shook the girl gently. Haven sat up and rubbed her head.
"My clothes are too small," she mumbled as she ran her hand through her hair, "and my hair's too long."
"I think your hair is a perfect length," Nagisa called as Haven got up and began searching the room. Finally, she found a bag that contained clothes for her size.
"It's too long for my liking," Haven said as she rummaged through the bag. "I'm not used to my hair going down my back. I'm going to change now," she pulled out a few articles of clothing and gave Nagisa a look that clearly read for him to get out.
The bluenette's attention was caught by a giggle. Wearing a pleated white skirt, sheer white knee-high stockings, and button-up green blouse tied off with a pink ribbon on the left side of her collar, a girl with pinkish, braided pigtails ran out of Karma's room.
"Good morning~!" Fia called, her diminishing accent rolling off her tongue.
Karma followed Fia as he tried to smooth down his wild bed head. "Mornin'."
"Good morning," Nagisa smiled slightly. "So, Fia has aged too, huh?"
His roommate nodded and made his way into the kitchen. "Seems like it. I peg her to be maybe 8 or 9. They got bigger a lot faster than I expected."
Haven walked out of the bedroom. She was wearing a collared white shirt, khaki pants and a black tie. Her white hair was cut into messy bob that ended around her chin. She stopped next to Nagisa and yawned.
Fia tilted her head slightly. "Haven? Is that you?" A large smile broke her originally-shy gaze.
Haven looked at the Italian blankly. "Do I know you?" she asked. A second later, recognition spread across her face. She pointed to Fia and exclaimed, "Camp leader's little sister!"
Blushing, she giggled in response. "That's me! I guess I didn't tell you my name, did I?" Green eyes widened. "Wait, where's Mr. Punny-Business? Earnest, I mean." Her facial expression became teary and horrified. "He didn't get eaten by a bear, d-did he?!"
Haven deadpanned, "I wish. He's doing fine."
Fia sighed in relief. "That's good…"
Karma sweat-dropped. "So that kid's always been a handful," he noted. "Hey, Fia. What do you want to eat?"
"That's funny coming from you, Karma." Nagisa smiled wryly. "I didn't realize you two knew each other. How did you meet?" he asked politely.
Giggling, Fia skipped into the kitchen and, clinging to Karma's leg, cheered "gelato!"
He tapped her forehead with a spoon. "Really?"
Pouting, the girl blushed and dropped her gaze. "You mean I can't?"
Haven turned to Nagisa with a sigh. "Summer camp," she explained simply.
"You can, but you can't pin a stomachache on me, alright?" Karma said as he opened the freezer. "You want fragole, right?"
"Si~!" Fia chimed. Endearingly holding her hands behind her back, she stole a glance at Haven. "Haven, you're a… Girl?" She smiled embarrassedly. "Since you shared a cabin with Earnest, I thought you were a guy…"
"It was my condition for going to go to camp. I don't really want to talk about it though," Haven muttered.
The other girl nodded in understanding and happily accepted a cup of pink gelato from Karma. "Grazie!"
Nagisa sweat-dropped. "Really, Karma?"
The redhead stuck his tongue out. "What? I gave her fruit too."
"Karma…" the pigtailed housemate sighed.
Karma plopped down next to Nagisa on the couch with a bowl of cereal. "She had a nightmare last night," he muttered. "She still seemed a little out of it this morning so -" he shrugged and looked anywhere but Nagisa.
"Her too, huh…" Nagisa mumbled in response. Blue eyes observed the white-haired and auburn-haired girls and a smile graced the bluenette's face. "They seem a lot happier."
Karma's gaze found its way to Fia. "She started to get a little shy, I guess, but she's still surprisingly cheerful."
"I'm surprised by how quickly Haven became shut off," Nagisa admitted. "She seemed a lot more sociable yesterday."
"Karma!" Fia bounded up to Karma with an empty bowl and big smile. "I finished! Can I take your bowl?" she smiled. "I'll do the dishes."
The redhead ruffled her hair. "You're just going to play with the bubbles, aren't you?" he teased.
Fia blushed. "N-Not true!" she pouted with pinkening cheeks. A giggle escaped her lips. "Hehe, maybe~."
He pinched her cheeks and handed her his bowl. "Try not to have too much fun."
"Kay~!" The girl giggled as she ran to the kitchen.
"I'll help," Haven said, rising to her feet. She followed Fia and the two took spots next to each other in front of the sink with short stools.
Karma and Nagisa exchanged small smiles.
The redhead sighed. "I know I said you could sit on my lap, but try not to squirm so much, will'ya?"
Fia laughed and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry." She undid the braid her hair was in and braided her hair back into low pigtails. "There we go! I'm ready to perform~!" she cheered.
"Perform?" Karma quirked an eyebrow.
"This is usually how I have to do my hair before going on stage. Today, I'm going to perform my best in front of the world again!"
"You're going to sing?" he asked.
Fia shook her head quickly. "No~. I'm going to live!" She swung her feet happily as she started fiddling with her hair again. "Usually Fee'cia and I do this for each other but she's not here. Ever since we moved though, sorella -" The Italian spun around quickly to face Karma. "Wait a minute!"
Startled, Karma dropped his phone and looked to the girl in surprise. "What is it?"
Accusingly, Fia poked her finger against Karma's chest. "You said you were the son of the consigliere! If that was true, you wouldn't be here with me right now! Where's my family?"
"You're hella fierce when it comes to your family," Karma put his hands up and sweat-dropped.
Fia pouted slightly. "I want to know where my little brothers and sister are right now! If you don't, I'll-I'll have you whacked and sleeping with the fishes!"
Sighing in response, Karma patted the girl's head. "Well…" Pulling up photo evidence on his phone, he took some time to explain the situation slowly to Fia and emphasize that seeing her family members would only cause them to worry.
Gently fingering a picture of the twins, whipped cream and feathers readily in hand, and smiling devilishly at the camera, the Italian looked up curiously. "They're bigger than me now!" she exclaimed in surprise. "And still a pair of demons! But… How come you don't have pictures of Fee'cia or Felix?" Fia asked tentatively.
Karma rubbed the back of his head. "I've never met your brother," he said slowly, "and your sister isn't exactly fond of me."
"But why?" Fia asked as she draped her arms around Karma's neck. "You've been taking care of me since…" The small child's face twisted as she wracked her brain. "A long time ago… You rescued me from a scary yelling woman and… and you protected me from… from something…"
He smiled ever so slightly. "Do you remember anything else?"
"Strawberry bubbles?"
Karma dead-panned. "Yeah, we're not repeating that."
Giggling, Fia smiled cheerfully. "I clean up after myself now! Well, sometimes. Felix still helps me out most of the time" she blushed happily. "So, I really am a big girl now?"
"Yeah, you go to college and you live here with me, Nagisa, and that brat - I mean, Haven," he responded. "You study biochemistry and like artsy stuff, I guess."
"Do I still play futbol?" Fia inquired. "I really like it!"
"I thought you hated football," Karma replied. "Wait, you mean soccer?"
She nodded vigorously. "Si, soccer!"
"Well, I don't know about that, but we'll play sometime, okay?"
"Sure~!" Fia grinned. "I won't go easy on you just because you're my friend!" she promised with a playful snap of her finger. "Mio papino says if you don't look like the ball by the end of the game, you're not playing it right!"
Karma sweat-dropped. "Giovanni said that?"
The girl laughed a little. "I do love futbol, but I'm just kidding. I don't like the idea of hurting anybody if I don't have to."
"That sounds just like you," he observed aloud.
Tilting her head, Fia smiled. "Does it? I think -" Lime green eyes widened and a small hand moved instinctively to touch Karma's bruised cheek. "What happened?" she mouthed. Pouting, she demanded "Who do I have to beat up?!"
Karma smiled wryly and guided her hand away from his face. "Nobody. Don't worry about it."
"But…" she protested quietly. "We Timos protect our own!"
"That's enough to know," Karma pinched the girl's cheek. "Why don't we grab some lunch? I'm starving here."
"Starving?! Food is very, very, very, very important!" Fia grabbed his hand and began tugging him towards the kitchen. "I'll make you a recovery sandwich right away! C'mon! Before your stomach eats you!" She gave him a serious face with red cheeks. "It will, you know. My sister told me so!"
"Why am I here and not at home?" Haven asked Nagisa. She was sitting on the edge of his bed, reading Sonic Ninja as he typed away on his computer.
"I'm taking care of you for now while your mom's away," Nagisa sweatdropped.
"No you're not. When my mom's gone or unable to take care of me, I go to Aunt Joy's house," Haven rebuked and put the comic down.
"Your aunt's busy, so I'm filling in," Nagisa replied. Haven gave him a face that clearly read she wasn't buying it.
"Please don't play me for a fool," Haven sighed, "It happens enough at school."
"I'm not sure how to explain this to you… You're actually a college student," Nagisa began. Half an hour later, Haven seemed to understand what was going on and nodded her head.
"I can remember parts of that. But it's hazy, like it happened a long time ago," Haven explained.
"What seemed to have happened yesterday?" Nagisa inquired.
"I went to school and life was like it always is," Haven replied.
"When was the last time you remember seeing me?" Nagisa asked.
"I can't exactly remember… I think it was during a thunderstorm. I'd say that seems like it was about a year or two ago."
"I'm going to pick up clothes for today. Haven prefers guys' clothing, right?" Karma called. At his side and holding his hand was Fia, significantly bigger than she had been the day before. She was blushing and tugging down the hem of an oversized shirt.
"I swore this fit this morning," she mumbled embarrassedly. "And you're sure I can't fit into anything I wore yesterday?"
Karma sighed. "You aged about three years since then. I don't think you'll even be able to get those over your head."
"Who said anything about prefered?" Haven said bitterly under her breath.
Nagisa sweat-dropped. "Well, what would you like them to pick up?"
"Guy's clothes are better for keeping up the illusion anyways," Haven muttered.
"You don't have to do that anymore," Nagisa reminded her gently, "You can wear whatever you want."
"Then it doesn't matter," Haven shrugged, "I'll wear whatever."
Fia smiled shyly. "I'll do my best to pick out something you might like…"
"Then it might help you to know that I'm used to wearing a school uniform," Haven called as she headed for her room, wrapped in a towel.
The Italian held up a key attached to a chain around her neck. "Is this for the front door?" she asked curiously.
Karma smirked. "Nope. That's for your dangerous concoctions - that you lend to me whenever I ask for them."
"Karma!" Nagisa protested.
The redhead just laughed as he pulled the girl through the front door and let it fall shut behind them.
Pushing the door open with her back, Fia shuffled into the apartment carrying a couple of large shopping bags. "We're home! We got some clothing and the groceries," she said with a slight smile.
Karma walked in behind her with a bounty of plastic bags hanging over his shoulder. "Yo, Nagisa. Whataya want to eat?"
"Anything is fine," Nagisa smiled. "Are you cooking, Fia?"
The Italian nodded with a flustered smile. "I want to try making alfredo. I haven't tried before, so please bear with me." Bowing her head, she carried her the shopping bags to the girls' shared room. "Haven?" she called from just beyond the door frame.
Karma set the groceries down on the kitchen counter. "They're aging a lot faster than I expected."
Nagisa sweat-dropped. "Yeah, it's a good thing Karasuma got them a medical exemption for the time being." The bluenette paused to think for a moment. "You think they'll be back to normal by White Day?"
"Shit… I think they might be." Karma sighed and leaned against the counter. Propping his chin up with a hand, he smirked. "You doing anything for Haven?"
"Probably," Nagisa nodded slowly.
Fia walked into the kitchen with her chest-length hair tied back into a half ponytail. Her hair had become darker, more true to its auburn color since the age regression had first occurred. Adjusting the green cardigan to sit more fittingly over the tiered, ankle-length white skirt, she smiled shyly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Her accent had almost completely disappeared by this point.
Nagisa shook his head with a smile. "Not at all, Fia."
Haven walked into the kitchen, blushing. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind, Fia." She was wearing a pink plaid tie with a white shirt trimmed with pink tucked into a pink plaid skirt and held up with matching suspenders. Her hair was self-cut into a bob that ended right above her shoulders and bangs.
The Italian covered her face with the tips of her fingers and blushed. "I'm s-sorry," she mumbled. "I-I really wasn't sure what to get you. I knew you liked white, black, and pink though," she said meekly.
"It's not a big deal," Haven sweatdropped, "I'm just used to dressing and acting like a boy at school, that's all."
"I think you two look cute," Nagisa said with a friendly smile. Haven turned the color of her skirt and turned away.
Green eyes widened and cheeks flushed red. The Italian opened her mouth to speak but nothing but a dry squeak escaped her throat. Turning away, Fia grabbed an onion and distracted herself by starting to prep the food. Haven ran to Fia's side to help.
Sweat-dropping Karma and Nagisa exchanged concerned glances.
"Um… Haven?" Nagisa called. "Why don't I introduce you to someone? He must really miss you."
"Okay," Haven followed Nagisa out of the kitchen. "I hope it isn't Earnest."
Quickly, Nagisa led Haven to her room to introduce her to Wally.
"She's finally gone," Karma sighed in relief.
Tilting her head, Fia shot him a curious glance. "What do you mean?"
The redhead smiled bitterly. "That girl could burn water."
"Oh…" Fia giggled softly before beginning a slow and full hum as she washed vegetables in the kitchen sink.
Karma stood at the cutting board beside her. "What are you singing?"
"Oh, um, something from The Marriage of Figaro. Just something I sang a lot as a kid," she smiled embarrassedly.
"That's right, you sang opera."
She nodded slowly. "F-For a short time, I did…"
Karma sighed as he took the vegetables from Fia and began mincing them expertly. "What's that look for?"
"Ah!" Fia quickly looked away, embarrassed that she had been caught staring. "Nothing it's just… I usually have a hard time talking with and being around people other than Felix, especially the kids at school. They're mean sometimes, so… This is really nice… Pass the thyme, please?"
"You mean the Timo?" Karma smirked.
She blushed profusely. "H-Hey! I don't have the T-Timo for this…" Realizing her own mistake, Fia flusteredly covered her face.
Karma laughed lightly and Fia smiled bashfully up at him before giggling quietly too.
"Hello," Haven waved to Wally's mod.
"Haven! Where have you been? I was starting to get worried," Wally replied cheerfully. Haven stared at him in confusion.
"Have we met before?" Haven asked.
"Yes. You are my programmer," Wally's smile faltered, "Am I that easy to forget?"
"I'm sorry. I lost my memories from after the time I was about twelve," Haven replied.
"Oh, I see. You programmed me when you were sixteen," Wally smiled. "I am like your personal assistant."
"I must be rather smart to build something like you," Haven mused.
"I like to think so," Wally grinned.
"I must have also had a lot of time on my hands…" she frowned slightly.
After dinner and washing up, Fia, clutching Bacio close to her chest, rolled on her bed to face Haven. "Haven?" she called tentatively. "Are you still awake?"
"Yes," the other girl rolled over to look at her roommate.
Fia buried her face in Bacio. "I can't sleep…" she admitted. "Can you? Oh, s-sorry if I'm keeping you awake…"
"I couldn't sleep anyways. Today was… interesting and I'm… I'm worried about what has happened to me," Haven sighed.
The other girl nodded slowly. "I… hadn't remembered how alone I felt at school. It's scary. Did things get better or worse for me?" She smiled slightly. "Better, I like to hope."
"At least we know nothing went too horribly," Haven grinned, "I mean we ended up here. I am a bit surprised at how taken aback I was to be called cute."
Fia giggled slightly. "What do you mean? Y-You are cute," she confessed embarrassedly.
"I'm used to being called handsome by my female classmates… not cute," Haven admitted.
"Because… People think you're a guy?" she asked carefully.
"Pretty much," Haven nodded. After a moment, she said, "I'm kind of sick of being cooped up in the apartment."
The Italian thought for a second before smiling. "Do you want to go for a walk? I mean, it looks clear tonight," she suggested hesitantly.
"Yeah. I know this area pretty well. We just have to make sure the guys don't find out," Haven hopped out of bed.
"I-Isn't that sneaking out? Isn't that… bad?" Fia asked in alarm. Despite that, she found herself pulling on a sweater and a pair of boot.
"We'll be fine," Haven grinned mischievously.
Haven and Fia made their way to the front door.
"Wait, what about the key?" Fia tugged on her counterpart's sleeve. "Should I grab it?"
"I found this in our room," Haven flashed her a key ring with several bronze keys. "I think it's mine. One's labeled House and one's labeled Dorm and then the others are unlabeled."
Fia sighed in relief. "I'm just glad we don't have to 'borrow' one. My brother and sister 'borrow' things all of the time," she rubbed her temples. "I've gotten good at reverse-pickpocketing…" She blushed and shook her head. "Let's just go. Any place you have in mind?" Fia smiled positively.
"Yep!" Haven smiled pulling Fia out the door and into the night.
"I'm glad public transport was still open," Haven said as she walked down the hall of an old building. "Thanks for picking the lock for me."
Fia bashfully replaced the bobby pin in her hair. "N-No problem, just don't tell anyone, okay?" She placed her hands together in a 'pretty-please' gesture with a smile.
"Of course!" Haven grinned. "I kind of want to teepee certain lockers, but their owners no longer go to this school, so it would be kind of pointless."
Fia nodded in understanding. "There are a few people I'd like to re-visit, but I don't think I could really tell them how I feel, and they would only hurt me if they saw me… That's a little pointless too. We could still explore though! W-Would you give me a tour?" she requested timidly.
"Sure!" Haven began before switching to a very pompous voice. "This is where Lady Haven went for mathematical instruction during the third grade."
Fia had to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter. "The Lady Haven doth sound so elegant!" she giggled.
"Why thank you, Signorina Fia. Now, over there is where the Lady Haven usually ate lunch," Haven pointed to a small platform next to a majestic staircase behind a handrail.
The Italian bounded over to the staircase and took a few steps up. She plopped down on one of the steps. "Here, Lady Haven? On this very step, thine lunch was had? Devoured and conquered by your enamel army?"
"Signorina Fia is correct. That very step," Haven replied.
"Well, then I am honored!" Fia declared as she stood. "What be at the top of this mighty stairwell, Lady Haven?"
"At the top of the staircase is where the very mighty high schoolers preside," Haven grinned.
"Oh! The scaly dragons," Fia laughed.
"Yes. There is one dragon who likes to hunt Lady Haven as sport," Haven informed her, "He is known as the Brown Rich-horn."
"How terrifying! How did my Lady Haven defeat him so?" Fia fell to her knees dramatically with a hand draped delicately on her forehead as she tried not to laugh.
"We are still in a fierce battle," Haven put one foot on a higher step and looked up the staircase with a determined glare. "But my wits will prevail over his brawn."
Fia applauded her friend with exaggerated grandeur and excitement. "Are thou listening, Brown Rich-horn?! The Lady Haven will vanquish thee with her great powers and you will be gone, capisce?!"
Suddenly, a clatter came from upstairs.
Stepping in front of Haven with the color draining from her face, Fia harshly whispered. "What was that?" Haven shook her head and shrugged. "I think it be time for the Ladies of the court to escort themselves out…" Fia said, sweat-dropping.
"Lady Haven doth agree," Haven nodded and led the way out of the building.
Fia and Haven opened the door to the apartment together as quietly as they possibly could.
"The ladies hath almost made it back," Haven whispered as they began tiptoeing to their room.
"Caught you," Karma said flatly as he fixed his flashlight beam on the girls like a helicopter might on runaway criminals.
"The red manticore hath caught us!" Haven exclaimed.
"And the fangèd creature doth look angry…!" Fia squeaked meekly.
Karma sweat-dropped. "The hell did you just call me?"
"I did not knoweth the manticore hath speaking abilities," Haven noted.
"Q-Quite impressive…" Fia added, mentally signing her own death-wish.
Nagisa pushed himself past the angry redhead and sighed in relief as he saw the two girls. "Do you two know what time it is?"
"10:51 to be precise, oh, Oberon king of the fairies!" Haven replied.
The bluenette dead-panned. "Wait, what?"
"Your majesty," Fia began, "That's 22:51." She smiled slightly and curtsied, trying to make herself helpful to their newfound kind. "It shall soon be 11:11. Lady Haven, I haveth a sincere wish not to die before the morrow…"
"Tis doubtful that should come to pass, Signorina Fia. However, to our rooms we should head," Haven replied.
Karma snorted. "You better move fast, before I get my claws on you."
"The terrifying manticore wants our heads," Haven's voice dripped with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes right outside the bedroom door.
Nagisa sighed. "At least you got home safely. We were really worried about you two…"
Karma grumbled, "Speak for yourself."
Before Haven could unleash another catapult's worth of sarcastic comments, Fia quickly brought her lady into their shared room and shut the door for the night.
Fia strained to clasp her bra behind her back. "C'mon! This fit not too long ago!" She protested and pleaded with the article of clothing for a good couple more moments before it finally clasped together. Fia blew some hair out of her face and tied the long locks into a low ponytail over her shoulder. She wore an off-shoulder green sweater over a white tank top and capris.
On the other side of the room, Haven was giving herself a haircut, a bob that went down to her chin. She was wearing a white dress shirt tucked into khaki pants, a black tie, and an oversized pale yellow cardigan. She looked like an aged version of her nine year old self.
"Haven," Fia called. "Can I use those shears when you're done?"
"Of course. It's not like they're exclusively mine," Haven replied in monotone.
"Thanks…" Fia sweat-dropped and moved to take the scissors from her friend. Her shoulders slumping as her confidence waned, she stood in front of the mirror in silence.
Haven walked out of the bedroom. Fia followed her silent roommate out and greeted Nagisa with a tentative smile.
"Good morning," Nagisa said to the girls. Haven gave him a nod of recognition and headed for the kitchen.
Fia approached the bluenette sitting in the living room with a timid smile. "Hi, Nagisa… Um, would you be willing to help me cut my hair?" She looked between Haven's stoic countenance and Nagisa's more friendly smile.
Nagisa took the scissors from her. "Just a trim, or -?"
The Italian ran her hand through her hair. "Please?"
"Sure thing," Nagisa smiled. The pair went to the bathroom and Nagisa began to trim Fia's hair methodically. After a couple of long moments, he put the scissors aside. "Fia, does Haven seem a little more distant this morning?"
The teenager quietly untangled her hair with her fingers before nodding slowly. "I was afraid of approaching her this morning, but I'm worried about her… Thank you for cutting my hair," Fia smiled slightly up at Nagisa. "I'll clean up here… Are you going to check on her?"
Nagisa nodded at Fia with a reassuring smile. "I'll do what I can." The bluenette disappeared through the doorway and went to find Haven.
Haven walked out of the kitchen with a slice of toast in her mouth and headed back to her bedroom.
Haven walked past Nagisa and picked up the oldest laptop on her desk. She sat on her bed as she opened it and logged in.
"How are you doing today?" Nagisa asked.
"My health is fine. I am about fifteen. The true yesterday seems hazy, like it happened years ago," Haven reported, not looking up from her computer.
Nagisa sighed silently. "That's not what I meant. How is your fifteen-year-old self? She's surprisingly quiet compared to the last few."
"I do not understand the question," Haven began typing vigorously.
"What has changed since you were twelve?" Nagisa rephrased his question.
"I graduated from middle school and went on to high school, skipping Freshman year. My older half-brother graduated from high school that same year, which was a good thing. I started coding around then. Right now I'm a Junior in high school," Haven reported.
"Do you have any friends at school?" Nagisa asked.
"I have never had friends at school. Now is no different," Haven replied.
"How's Earnest doing?" Nagisa sighed.
"He's started high school. I don't see him that often anymore. I have to prepare for the ACT and SAT next year and we go to different schools," Haven explained before looking up. "I'm trying to work on a chat box right now. Could you leave me alone so I can code?"
Slightly taken aback, Nagisa nodded before leaving the room.
After cleaning up, Fia made her way into the kitchen, where she found Karma standing over the toaster.
"I just saw Haven walk out of the kitchen, but there's no damage here. Not even a melted wire." Perplexed, he rubbed the back of his head.
Fia peered around Karma and sweat-dropped. The toaster did seem to be miraculously untouched. "Good morning, Karma," she murmured.
Karma looked over his shoulder. "Oh, hey. Mornin'. What do you want to cook today? I was thinking that it wouldn't be so bad to - Hey, are you listening to me?"
"Huh? O-Oh, yes, I'm sorry…" Fia trailed off. "I just have a lot on my mind… I-I'll, um, get cooking right away."
The redhead quirked an eyebrow as the girl hurried past him and opened the fridge. She scanned its contents and pulled out a bunch of ingredients. As she tried to pass him again, he stuck his arm out and stopped her. "Oi. What's wrong with you?"
Fia's eyes found their way to meet Karma's gaze. "He's missing, she's gone, and they need me to do so, so much…" Her voice was barely more than a whisper. "If I can just have some time, I-I'd appreciate it…"
Karma released his grip on the girl and watched her go.
Nagisa walked out of his room the following morning with Noriko's requested paperwork and data in hand. He was surprised to see Fia sitting rigidly on the couch as her eyes stayed fix on some distant, unseen spot on the wall. Karma had told him that she was feeling insecure, but it was as if she wasn't alive at all.
"Fia?" When she didn't answer him, Nagisa approached his housemate and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Huh…" Fia's gaze slowly found its way to the bluenette. "Oh, hello…"
Smiling wryly, Nagisa asked "How are you feeling?"
She didn't answer, but tucked her knees around her chin and hugged herself tightly.
Karma walked out of the bedroom and found his way into the living room. He put his hand on Nagisa's arm and shook his head slowly. "She's grieving for her brother. You might wanna leave her alone for a little while."
Nagisa's eyes widened and he turned to give Fia one last smile. "I'm sorry."
Smiling hollowly at her housemates, Fia rose to her feet and made her way to her room, where she was swept up by the shadow of the door like a ghost stolen by the wind.
Nagisa looked at his roommate, but Karma shoved his hands in his pockets and disappeared back into their shared room.
Haven walked into the living room, her white hair cascading down her back. She was dressed in a black dress shirt and khaki pants. "Good morning," she greeted them. She went up to Nagisa with a pair of scissors.
"Do you need help cutting your hair?" Nagisa asked the girl.
"No, I was going to ask you to assassinate someone," she said with a straight face. Nagisa sweatdropped. "I'm joking, it's not like you can. A haircut would be appreciated," she gave him a small smile, to which Nagisa laughed dryly.
"Right…"
Fia emerged from her room in a belted, green turtleneck and white jeans as she tied her lower-back-length hair back into a bun. She looked over her shoulder with a small smile. "What did you say you wanted for breakfast, Angel?"
"Anything's good, Tsu-chan," Haven smiled at her roommate. She was wearing her classical black shirt and pink tie with jeans. Her white hair cascaded down her back.
"Alright... " Fia made her way into the kitchen and pulled some eggs from the fridge. "Omelets then."
"Yum, no mustard please," Haven replied as Karma entered the kitchen.
The redhead sweat-dropped. "It was an accident," he said for the millionth time.
"What are you talking about?" Haven stared at him blankly. "Are you referring to something that happens in my future?"
Rubbing the back of his head, Karma sighed. "Never mind."
"Good morning, Karma," Fia murmured with a slight smile.
"Mornin'," he responded. "You feeling any better?"
Fia smiled at her housemate. "Of course. Thanks for checking in." She turned back to her omelets on the stove top.
Karma frowned, unconvinced. Not everything that looks happy is.
"Is Nagisa up? I need him to cut my hair again," Haven called to the redhead.
"Yeah, he's in our room, getting some reading in."
"Thanks, Red," Haven said as she got up and headed for the boys' room.
He shot her a nasty glare and stuck his tongue out as she passed.
"Hey Nagisa," she knocked on his door. "Could you give me a haircut?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure," Nagisa called. A few moments later, he opened the door. "ワオ(Wow)," he breathed, "You're beautiful." Haven blushed.
"C-could you cut my hair please. I'll be in the kitchen," Haven walked away quickly. She re-entered the kitchen, red faced.
"Hey Red," Karma snickered. Haven just sat at the kitchen table.
Sweat-dropping, Fia placed plates in front of her housemates before taking a seat for herself and helping herself to her own food. Haven ate slowly until Nagisa came into the room.
"How short do you want me to cut your hair?" Nagisa asked, blushing slightly.
"I was thinking a short bob," Haven mumbled.
"Really? I… I like your hair longer…" Nagisa rubbed the back of his head before sitting down to breakfast.
"Oh. I don't really care then. Just don't let it be too long. I wouldn't know how to care for it…" Haven replied.
Fia sighed as she picked at her food. "It shouldn't be too hard with a couple of adjustments but…" she gestured to her own hair with a fork. "I can see why you'd be worried. I'm not even sure how I let it get this long," she admitted. "Maybe I'll cut it someday soon…"
Haven was sitting on the couch with hair that went down to her mid back and bangs that were beginning to interfere with her sight.
"I just cut it this morning," she sighed. "I guess that means I'm back to normal then,"she mused to herself before getting up to find Nagisa. He really was very talented at cutting hair.
"Kyah!" Fia's voice echoed through the hall from her room. "Seriously?! Dio, no!"
Karma went into the girls' room to see what was the matter. "Hey, Fia, are you okay?" The redhead stopped in his tracks as he saw the Italian hunched over slightly with her hands up the back of her shirt.
She looked over her shoulder and her face turned red. Laughing awkwardly, Fia stuttered, "I guess I'm back to normal."
"Sorry," Karma mumbled. "I'm going now."
Stumbling forward, Fia reached for Karma. "W-Wait!" She blushed profusely. "C-Could you please clasp it f-for me?"
"Okay," Karma turned towards the girl's backside, averting his eyes.
Fia squirmed. "Hey, that tickles!"
"I haven't even grabbed it yet," he sighed. After a moment, both heard a satisfying click.
The Italian awkwardly rubbed the back of her head. "You're surprisingly good at that -" Her face turned tomato red as she realized where he must have gotten that experience from.
"Oh, shit. Don't -" Karma began.
"KKYYYYYAAAAAHHHHHH!" Fia screamed loudly and pulled away from Karma quickly before shoving him harshly out of the door. "GETOUTGETOUTGETOUT!"
"Looks like they're back to normal," Haven noted from her seat in the bathroom. Nagisa nodded as he trimmed another section of hair.
Noriko: I'm not scary!
Fia: (Blushing and trembling slightly) I-I'm sorry Ms. Tachibana…
Classified: (laughing his head off)
Noriko: Not helping, Thomas.
Classified: Still not even in the ballpark.
Haven: You boys sounded like parents. (smirk)
Fia: (Softly smiles) Thanks for taking such good care of us… Sorry if we were any trouble. I know this wasn't the breast - I mean best situation! (Turns red)
Left Brain: Why did we include this arc?
Right Brain: To give everyone a little insight into the girls' pasts and how they have and will change~!
Karma: Wow, Right Brain, you said something intelligible for a change? Who woulda thunk it was possible?
Right Brain: (Pouts) Dun be a meanie! ( /3/)
Fia: (Stifles a giggle) Your faces are always kind of cute…
Right Brain: Why thank you~ (Attacks Fia in hugs) Please don't hate me! ("~)
Fia: Why would I? (Sweat-drops)
Right Brain: You seem so sad…! Cheer up, Fia~!
Fia: E-Easier said than done...
Nagisa: We have some fun stuff in store for the next chapter.
Narrator: Right! In the next chapter, it's the battle of the holidays! Which is more important to our lovely housemates?
Right Brain: HOOORRAAAAAYYY! ( ^ - ^ ) Sweets all the way, all day~!
Left Brain: That was way too dramatic.
