Chapter 4
Am I Good Enough?
Leona cannot believe what she did back at the beach. But in order to keep Athena safe, she will not risk her letting herself get hurt by the Halkeshu…or her Orochi self. This is very difficult. It frustrates her actually. Mature's words keep playing in her head as she lies on her own bed in her bedroom, looking up at the ceiling. She lets out a heavy sigh. How can she be a good girlfriend to Athena when she still has the Orochi blood within her? She CAN control it, but since the Hakkeshu girls are here, it proves difficult.
There are a couple of sudden knocks and a female voice calls from the other side. "It's Whip. May I come in?"
Leona hesitates for a moment and then stands up to open the door. "Hi, Whip."
"You look a little stressed," the short haired brunette says. "Do you mind if we talk?"
Leona shakes her head. She probably needs to talk to SOMEONE to let out her frustrations. She lets Whip inside and shuts the door. From there, they sit on the edge of the bed and Leona tells her comrade everything.
"I see…." Whip rubs her chin. "You're worried about yourself basically. If something happens and you cannot absolutely control it, everyone you love and care about will get hurt."
Leona just nods.
"I don't know if there's anything I can do," Whip sighs. "You have the Orochi blood. Something terrible will happen at some point, whether it's expected or not. But it's best if you really talk to Athena about this."
"I told you. I don't want to worry her nor have her sacrifice herself for me…" Leona says.
"You have to tell her at some point," Whip says. "Otherwise, you will make things worse for not only her, but for yourself as well."
Leona just looks down at the floor, fists clenched. She will tell Athena…when the time is right. But even so, it's frustrating to even think of the right moment.
"I wonder…if I'm even good enough for her…" Leona says mostly to herself than Whip.
Later*
"Leona-san!" Athena arrives, wearing her red school uniform with black thigh high stockings as she trots toward her girlfriend at the town they are supposed to meet at.
Leona is wearing her usual green top and shorts with green lace up boots on her feet. "So…what are we doing today?"
"Let's have fun!" The happy idol raises a fist high.
"Didn't we have fun back at the beach a a few weeks ago…?" Leona tilts her head in confusion.
"Yes, but I want to have the time of my life with you~!" Athena says as she takes her girlfriend's hand. "Come on, come on! Mai suggested a nice clothing store for us to try out~!"
"Eh…? B-but…girly stuff is not my style…" Leona blushes a little.
"Says the one who wore a bikini kitty outfit when we got trapped by Kukri-san~" Athena jokes. "Anyways, there are lots of choices! I want to see every single clothing I pick out on you~!"
"Haaaah…this is going to be a long day…" Leona lets out a long sigh. She mostly wonders what this kind of date is about.
When the couple arrive at the clothing store, Athena picks out several cute clothes and drags her stoic girlfriend to the fitting room. From there, Leona tries on the outfits the Psycho Soldier chose for her. A cat maid outfit, a regular French Maid outfit, a blue schoolgirl sailor uniform with black thigh high stockings, and lastly, a pink idol outfit with angel wings on her back.
"Oh you're so adorable~!" Athena squeals excitedly. She snaps a few pictures with her phone. "Mmhmm! Mmhmm! Yes, I shall treasure them forever~!"
Leona sighs as she lifts up the hem of her skirt. "I look ridiculous…"
"You're right~" Athena giggles. "That cat maid outfit fits you better~"
"That's not what I'm saying…" Leona sighs again. "Can we just go? I don't want to embarrass myself any further…."
"Can I at least buy a couple just for you~?" Athena pleads. "It's my treat. I have my hard earned money from my idol work from a few weeks ago, so we're good~"
"Do as you wish…" Leona replies.
"Yaaaay~!" Athena cheers as she takes the kitty maid outfit and the school uniform.
Both of them exit the fitting room after Leona changes into her regular clothes. Athena pays for the clothing and they head outside. The sun is shining brightly. While Leona is carrying the bag, Athena trots outside, looks up at the sky and happily stretches out her arms.
"Mmmmmm~!" She says happily. "What a wonderful day!" She twirls around and faces her girlfriend. "Hey, hey! It's almost lunchtime. Let me treat you to a wonderful meal~!"
"Y-you've done enough…" Leona says, waving her free hand in defense.
"Nope~!" Athena takes her girlfriend's hand. "We're just getting started! You can cook the meal there~"
"Um…where are we going exactly?"
Leona asks.
Later*
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the smell of chicken, veggies and other foods fill the air and Leona finds herself cooking the meat and veggies with Athena happily watching.
"May I ask…what is the meaning of this?" Leona asks.
"Oh, no reason~" Athena clasps her hands together and gives a happy smile, followed by a cute giggle. "Mai suggested this restaurant as well, that's all~"
"Mai seems so insistent lately…" Leona says as she stirs the pan thoroughly.
"Ehehehe! Maybe it's because she wants you to see what fun is like more often~" Athena says.
"The beach was enough…"
"Oh, you have never experienced anything more than that, Leona-san~!" The idol raises an index finger.
Leona looks down at the pan as she sees that the meat and veggies are done. She serves Athena first and then herself next. The idol is not wrong. Leona has shut herself in HQ, training hard, battling hard with her own teammates and training hard again. She barely has anytime for freedom. That's why Athena once told her that even soldiers need breaks every once in a while. So she is trying to show Leona a new world.
"Mmm~! Tasty!" Athena says in delight after taking the first bite.
Leona takes hers as well. "Mm. You're right."
Athena smiles as she watches Leona enjoy her lunch and then eats her own food for a bit. She then takes a piece and holds it out to her girlfriend.
"Leona-saaaan~?" Athena coos. "Ahhhn~"
Leona gives a little chuckle and opens her mouth. Athena feeds the food to her and giggles while pulling away.
"Thanks…Athena." Leona says softly.
The two continue sharing some indirect kisses a few more times before going back to eating their own. Pretty soon, they finish their food and Athena pays for everything. They exit the restaurant and decide to go for a little walk to digest their food. They go and hold hands as they begin walking along the sidewalk.
"Mommy! Mommy, look!" A little girl cries, pointing to the idol. "It's Athena!"
"Oh, yeah! The idol!" The mother says, looking at what her daughter is seeing
Athena smiles and waves. She then looks to Leona, who shrugs.
"Go meet your fans," Leona says. "I'm sure they want your autograph or something."
"Ehehehe!" Athena giggles. "I promise it won't take long~"
The idol walks toward the family of two and kneels down to talk to the little girl. The blonde girl wearing a blue dress holds up a small book, asking her for her autograph. Fortunately, Athena has a pen with her just in case situations like this happen. Once she is done, the little girl hops up and down happily.
Leona just watches with her usual stoic expression. She thinks about what Mature said to her. If Athena hasn't chosen her to be in a team of 3 with Mai, there wouldn't have been any problems. She should've stayed with her respective team. Team Ikari Warriors. Her father….her adoptive father, Heidern. Ralph and Clark, the ones that tried and successfully stopped her rampage that one time. She doesn't know if the same thing would happen if she were to turn evil again. The world is cruel sometimes.
"Thank you, Athena!" The little girl skips over to her mother and takes her hand.
The mother waves to her with a smile and Athena waves back. When they turn to leave, the cute idol spins around and skips to her beloved.
"That was wonderful!" Athena cheers. "They were so nice!"
Leona nods. "It looked like they were. I'm glad you have fans."
"Ehehehe!" Athena giggles. Just then, she feels a drop of rain coming down. She looks up and notices dark clouds. "Funny. I didn't notice it was going to rain so soon."
"Let's go over to your house…if that's okay…" Leona says.
"Sure~" Athena replies with a happy smile.
However as they walk, the rain starts pouring. They never expected it to get so dark and gloomy at all. They need to hurry before they catch a cold.
When they turn a corner, a voice stops them in their tracks.
"So…still hanging out with that third rate idol, huh~?" Vice's voice is heard from a lamp post. She standing under the light with a smile on her face.
"Another one…." Leona mutters.
"What do you want..?" Athena frowns. "We're trying to get shelter."
"Heidern, how long are going to keep this up?" Vice says as she takes a few steps forward. "You know very well what happens when you get too close to people."
Leona hangs her head down, bangs covering her expression. "So what…?"
Vice scoffs. "So what!? Didn't you hear what Mature told you? As long as you have the Orochi blood, people are going to die by your hands! That is including your girlfriend!"
Athena gasps and turns to Leona, who doesn't move a muscle.
"Wha…what is she talking about?" Athena trembles in fear.
"Oh, so you didn't tell her~?" Vice says. "What a shame. No matter. Athena will get a big surprise after hearing about what she did to the people closest to her. Her family."
Lightning strikes as Athena gasps.
"Years ago, she went on a rampage. Her Orochi power was uncontrollable. At first. She destroyed any and all life forms," Vice explains. "Once she gets in that state, she will kill anyone who gets in her way. That was why she was made into a weapon."
"Shut up…" Leona grits her teeth.
"And that is how she is today," Vice continues. "Trying to suppress all of her emotions just so that her Orochi power won't return and do the same thing like last time. Hahahaha! Oh how fun it will be seeing you kill your own girlfriend~"
"I thought I told you to shut up!" Leona turns to slash Vice with her hand.
However, the short haired woman dodges it and punches her gut hard. Athena gasps, cupping both hands to her mouth. Vice throws Leona to the ground and huffs.
"You got some nerve trying to pick a fight with me," Vice says. "You would've defeated me if you had that extra power. But…I digress. Now then, I shall take my leave and leave you two to discuss and learn what happened."
The short haired woman turns and leaves. Athena rushes to her beloved's aid.
"Leona-san…" she says softly, holding out her hand to activate her healing powers.
But Leona gently swatted it away. "You heard what Vice said. Stay away from me…"
"But…" Athena says.
"I shouldn't have gone with you in the first place…" Leona stands up and holds her forearm out of habit. "If you hadn't gone and recruited me for Team Heroines….I wouldn't have had any problems. Thinking about the consequences…"
"What are you saying!?" Athena stands up as well, clenching both fists to her chest.
Leona turns to Athena angrily. "Don't you get it!? I shouldn't be with you! You are more deserving to be with Mai or Yuri or even Kula! You would form a perfect Heroines team!" She squeezes her forearm tightly and turns away, head down and long bangs hiding her expression. "I'm going to hurt you if I keep being with you. So you shouldn't get involved with me anymore…."
Thunder rumbles as the rain keeps pouring. Silence fills the air. Athena clenches her fists tighter and bites her lip.
"I know…I know we have choices…" Athena says. "It was MY choice to recruit you, yes! But it was to help you to be open to everyone! It wasn't just out of pity or anything! I wanted you to experience a new world!"
Leona grits her teeth. "How can you be so sure…?"
Athena steps closer. "Because of my choices…look at us now! Look at what you chose to do! You opened up! You and I became a couple! Nothing bad happened at all! Think about that!"
There is silence. Athena sniffles and tears fall freely from her eyes.
"L-Leona-san…" she sobs. "I love you. I-I don't want something as you being a monster stop you from being with me…or anyone closest to you…"
Leona stays silent and lets Athena hug her from behind.
"Listen…" Athena continues to sob. "If it's just a little bit…only for a moment…..could you please….stay with me…?"
Leona hears the sniffles from the poor idol. Everyone has a choice. She should know that. Athena picked her to be in a Woman's Team. Leona chose to accept it. Despite her being a monster…she honestly doesn't want her relationship with Athena to fall apart. Not at all. She turns around and tenderly hugs her back.
"For you…Athena…" Leona says. "Now and forever…I will be by your side…"
Athena gasps happily and nods. "Thanks, Leona-san!"
They hug each other tightly, not caring if they are drenched to the bone. All that matters is that they need each other's love. More than anything.
