Okay, here's an update after wrestling with this for a while :3 Not so much because it was hard to write, moreso because I couldn't find the time.

Hope you like it,

-Nova

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Mary sat in the small cabin of the Momobami family helicopter. The scenery had just changed from the dense city to open rural areas. She never thought to ask how long the ride would take, though she had a faint idea where the family estate was located. Seeing the landscape from above was surprisingly making it difficult to tell where they were. Spacing out in her thoughts certainly didn't help and Mary couldn't tell how long she had already been sitting there.

She knew she was not going to be angry at Ririka for anything that had been going on. She still didn't have the faintest idea why the twins had such trouble expressing their feelings. Although, admittedly both were on the different ends of the scale. But knowing they were so incapable of dealing with these things made it easier to see the reasoning as to what might have driven Ririka to just accept things as she thought they had to be.

The person who made Mary the most irritated was definitely Kirari. She was able to see the bigger picture but never told her sister her options. That was what she had sent Mary to do; to give Ririka more options from which to choose from. The President of the Student Council hadn't even mentioned what kind of a situation Mary would be walking into. Her mind went through a bunch of different scenarios and she was not sure if she was ready to dash down any wedding aisles screaming her undying love for anyone.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed they had started to slowly descend. The pilot hadn't said anything on their way. He seemed to be another Momobami family servant who had already gotten used to not interact with the family members. Mary curiously took in the sights when they approached a green field close to what looked like a small village. Kirari hadn't been exaggerating the size of their main family estate. Mary didn't dare to even start guessing what purpose all the buildings served.

Landing itself was surprisingly soft and apart from the loud noise from the rotor blades, the whole ride had been very pleasant. The whole absurdity of the situation started to dawn on the blonde when the sounds of the engine finally died out and she realized she had been sitting still with the headset on.

"Right, uh… Thanks for the ride," Mary said while removing the headset. She tried to carefully climb out of the cabin and expected to be a bit lightheaded after the flight but was surprised to notice she wasn't the slightest. "Okay, now what?" She added quietly to herself.

She tried to look around and figure out where she was supposed to go first. All the buildings were pretty similar and finding Ririka on her own would take time. A cold sweat was creeping up on her neck. She was fumbling for her phone when she remembered she had no contact details for either of the twins. There was only the mysterious number that she had gotten a call from earlier. She tried calling the number again, but the line was still out of reach.

Without a better plan, Mary started to approach the edge of the field hoping she would run into someone and ask for directions. The whole place was eerily quiet and the only sounds she could make out were wind chimes that hung from the porch of the closest building clanging together. What am I doing? Was the only thought looming in the back of Mary's head. She had gotten to the first building and was about to peek inside when she saw a woman approaching the field with hurried steps.

"Hey! Uh… Excuse me!" Mary was not sure how to address the woman. She saw the woman smile and walk towards her.

"Good morning. Are you Saotome-san?" Woman asked as if to confirm she had found what she was looking for. Mary was surprised to hear her name.

"Ah, yes. How did you know?"

"Momobami-sama contacted me an hour ago to let me know you would be arriving with the helicopter. I assume this is urgent, and my apologies if I kept you waiting for too long." The woman gave a deep bow that made Mary feel uncomfortable.

"It's fine, I just arrived. I'm looking for Ririka. Do you know where I can find her?" Mary saw the woman flinch at the informal way one of the family members had just been addressed. The whole etiquette made Mary rather uneasy to deal with and she had already decided if her brute manners were enough for Ririka, they would be enough for anyone else.

"This way, please." The woman gestured Mary to follow her down the stoned pavement. Mary was slightly relieved that the woman was not up for any chit-chat along their way past the traditional buildings.

Mary hadn't really paid much attention at first, but now that she had time to look around, she noticed the place had seen better days. The buildings were not exactly in their best state and the grass patches had been left unattended close to some of the houses. These were probably unused buildings that were no longer needed. She tried to imagine what it would have been like to grow up in a place like this.

The thought of the twins running around playing hide-and-seek and getting scolded for dirtying their knees got Mary grinning. This place must have been lively when they were young. The grin disappeared from her face when she realized it must have been quite the opposite. Based on the state that the two were in now, she would have to guess they had gone through rigorous etiquette training and denied all fun and games that didn't include gambling. Thoughts of two well-behaved kids doing their best to keep appearances made her feel anxious. No wonder Ririka was fascinated by anything remotely normal related to Mary's life. She had a sudden urge to invite Ririka for a family dinner at the Saotome house just to see how families are supposed to act around each other. Sure, her father always joked around and her mother's smothering would get her embarrassed in front of Ririka, but at least she would get to see how loving and warm it should be.

They approached one of the larger buildings and the garden spreading across the yard in front of it was in remarkably better condition than the previous ones they passed. Mary was getting more anxious as they walked to the wooden steps to a long porch then past several sliding doors before stopping in front of one. She still had no idea what was happening inside, although she was starting to doubt there being a ceremony of any kind. She tried to reason this with the day being a regular Wednesday and it was barely lunch time.

The woman who Mary had been following opened the sliding door and gave another deep bow.

"Apologies for intruding. I have brought the guest Momobami-sama asked me to escort here." The woman straightened up and excused herself walking backwards a few steps before leaving Mary standing in the doorway.

"I didn't—" Ririka's voice got caught in her throat when she turned to see who was at the door.

"I think she meant the other Momobami…" Mary smirked and tried not to fumble with her words while staring at the beautiful girl in front of her. "I understand why that can get confusing though."

"The other? Kirari sent you?" Ririka looked at Mary, clearly unable to guess the purpose of the visit.

"Well, yes and no. I asked her to do something and she thought flying me here with the chopper would solve it." Mary was still trying to think of the best way to approach what she was asked to do without anything sounding like too much of an order from Kirari. "I think she mostly agrees with anything I have to say to you here."

"You two talked about me? How much did she tell you?" Ririka's chest was heaving and she was clearly fighting the urge to run to Mary's arms.

"I had a lucky guess of what is going on," Mary said and felt stupid for standing in the doorway. She left her shoes outside and closed the door behind her.

"So, you wanted to do this in person?" Ririka asked quietly and turned her gaze to the floor.

"Well, I couldn't reach you any other way. What exactly do you think I'm here for?" Mary asked, even when she did have a faint idea what Ririka's mind was going through at this moment.

"To break up with me. I understand…" Ririka broke into quiet tears. "I should have told you."

"Well, that's a bit too late now. I do wish you would have told me, but your apology is accepted." Mary inched closer and placed her hand on Ririka's shoulder. "Though I'm not here to break up with you, maybe."

"What do you mean?" Ririka lifted her eyes to meet with Mary's and the blonde wanted to wrap her arms around the teary girl and tell her everything was going to be OK. That was not what she was there for, so she held back.

"I mean, I want to know what you want to do, not what you think other people expect you to do." Mary inhaled sharply before forcing herself to say the next part aloud. "If you want to get married and support the family, I understand and will respect your decision."

"I—I don't have the option to choose, Mary. This is not what I want, but—"

"Okay, I get it. But if you could choose, what would that be?" Mary tried to get Ririka to think about her options.

"I would want to be with you, of course." Ririka was trying to hold herself together. "But I can't… and thinking about it hurts."

Mary bit her lip and continued. "So, what's stopping you?"

"I—this is the first thing I'm doing as just myself. I've covered Kirari for so many things—" Ririka stopped for a while. "Probably shouldn't talk about that… It's my turn to help the family. Kirari always does so much and I've felt like I'm good for nothing else except pretending to be her."

"Well, that's not true. You're good for many things. And just… screw this," Mary said and grabbed Ririka to a tight embrace. "You can be anything you want to be. If you want to help the family, there are many other ways to go about that and I can say for sure, Kirari will understand."

"But this is the thing I can do."

"Give yourself to a stranger to achieve what exactly?" Mary asked, trying not to sound too bitter.

"I'm not even sure anymore…" Ririka returned the embrace and rested her head against Mary's shoulder for a while. "What did you mean Kirari will understand?"

"Oh, that… Well, she has been supportive with this, right?" Mary asked carefully since it was clear that Kirari's opinion had a big impact on Ririka's actions.

"I felt like that too, but then she told me to just pull myself together."

"Hmm… but she used those words, not 'go get married?'" Mary was curious.

"Not that I can think of, as of lately, no." Ririka lifted her head as if she had just gotten an epiphany. "So, you really think she would understand?"

"I know she would. And I'll be there to support you, if that's what you want."

The blue eyes staring up at her were framed by eyelashes that had been stuck together from recent tears she shed. Looking at Ririka's face this close also gave her the idea last night had been rough on her as well. Mary felt frustrated with all the useless pain that was caused by the absurd family that she was now dealing with.

"You would talk to Kirari with me?" Ririka seemed to be getting excited over the prospects she was finally realizing.

"I will be there to support you, but I think you should do the talking." Mary stroked Ririka's cheek affectionately. "I don't want to ask you to drop all of this for me, I just want you to be happy."

"What do you want, Mary?" Ririka asked suddenly.

"Eeh? That's not—what I want has nothing to do with this…" the blonde got defensive and a blush rushed to her cheeks. She had a pretty good idea of what she wanted but the idea of expressing it out loud got her feeling self-conscious. "I came here for you. Doesn't that already tell you something?"

Ririka straightened up and hung her face close to Mary's ear. Her warm breath got the small hairs on her neck stand up. A soft chuckle escaped Ririka's throat. "It does. I would like to hear it from you too, though."

Mary shuddered from the resolve that was oozing from the words spoken by the girl she adored. She knew this was not what she came here for, but if this was what it took to get Ririka to leave with her, she wouldn't hold herself back any longer. She mustered the courage she had left and leaned against Ririka. Words escaped her mouth that she never thought she would say out loud to anyone. "I love you, Ririka."

Mary held her breath and tried to observe Ririka's reaction to her words. What she did not expect was a pair of hands cupping her face and, before she had time to register what was happening, soft lips pressed against her own. A few confused seconds later, she reciprocated and gave in to the most affectionate kiss they had shared so far. Her chest was swelling from all the anticipation of what would follow. Things she wanted to share with Ririka had never felt clearer in her head.

Had it not been the bizarre situation they were in; Mary would have gladly let things escalate wherever their feelings would have taken them. Though she did remember what she was supposed to be doing there, so she pulled away before reaching a point of no return. She let her forehead rest against Ririka's. "So, I was supposed to drag you away from here…"

Ririka hummed in quiet understanding. "Right, let me get my things and we can go."

They reached the green patch where the helicopter was still waiting. The engines weren't running, but the driver was still waiting inside. Ririka had changed into her school uniform and Mary had insisted she would carry Ririka's bag. They had barely started a conversation about the past few days when they heard a distant yell from the direction of where they had just come from. The same woman who escorted Mary earlier was trying to catch up to them.

Ririka took Mary's hand and started dragging her towards the helicopter. "RUN!"

Mary did as requested and sprinted across the grass field. The pilot was clearly awake and on top of the situation, at least to some extent. He saw the two girls running and started the engine. He made sure the two girls were seated and belted down before he took off.

They broke out into laughter once they were safely in the air. The sight of the other girl laughing so freely made Mary's chest feel warm and fuzzy. This was why she had decided to go and get Ririka back. Just that moment of simple laughter was all worth the trip. The rush of adrenaline was wearing off and the roar of the engine filled Mary's head, so she grabbed a two pairs of headsets and passed one over to Ririka. She was slightly surprised to hear Ririka speak so clearly over the now faint rumble.

"That was fun! Let's do that again," Ririka said with a grin.

"Riri… was that—a joke?" Mary teased over the intercom.

"Maybe."

The two kept poking fun at each other but toned it down eventually when the pilot seemed to be paying more attention to what was happening on the backseat rather than piloting the helicopter. The whole ride back seemed to go much faster and Mary got a nervous feeling in the bottom of her stomach once she noticed the buildings of the city below them. She already knew Kirari was not going to fight whatever Ririka had to say, but just the whole confrontation ahead was making her anxious.

She glanced at her phone for the first time in hours and saw the unread texts from Yumeko asking where she was. There was going to be a lot of explaining to her as well. She made a mental note to ask Ririka later if she wanted to be around when she would finally tell Yumeko everything.

"Everything OK?" Ririka asked when she noticed Mary looking at her phone.

"Yeah, just people wondering where I am."

"I'm a bit jealous, actually." Ririka sounded a bit melancholic.

"Of Yumeko?" Mary tried to hide the amusement in her tone.

"Well, no. If you say she's just a friend, I believe you. But people being worried about your whereabouts."

"Oh, that… Well, if you would just finally get a phone like a regular person, you'd know if someone was looking for you." Mary kept teasing and tried to get the other girl to cheer up.

"Would you help me choose one? I know nothing about phones," Ririka said bashfully.

"It's a date." Mary grinned.

"A real date?" Ririka's expression got a lot brighter.

"Oh—sure. We could just do something nicer for a—"

"No. I want to go out on a date and pick a phone for me." Ririka was already getting excited.

Mary chuckled. "Great. A date in an appliance store. Every girl's dream."

The pilot coughed softly as if to remind the two girls he was still there before announcing their approach to Hyakkaou Academy. Mary examined Ririka who suddenly looked nervous.

"It's going to be fine. I'll be there with you, like I promised." Mary tried to sound convincing and hide her own nerves. Ririka replied with a weak smile.

After landing, they headed straight towards the Student Council Room. Mary was rather relieved that most of the students were attending classes when they marched through the hallways. Her mouth went dry as they approached the infamous room. She was not so much intimidated by Kirari, but just the notion of the matter being important to Ririka. She would fight for her rights if it came to that, which she doubted. But with Kirari one could never be sure.

They reached the end of the corridor and stood in front of the large doors. Ririka held out her hand and Mary mistook this as a sign that she wanted to hold hands. Ririka look confused for a second before correcting her. "Ah, sorry. I just need my bag now."

"Oh, right. OK…" Mary was confused as well and gave the bag back to Ririka. "Wait—why?"

"You'll see," Ririka said before inhaling deeply while opening the door.

Mary followed after her and noticed the council room was mostly empty. The only ones present seemed to be the President, Sayaka, who was seated at the long table, and Runa quietly playing her video game in a far corner. Kirari lifted her eyes from the files she had in front of her.

"So, you came back. I'm surprised." Her tone was almost mockingly blatant. She didn't sound surprised at all. Sayaka, however, looked curiously at both twins. Mary guessed that she hadn't been included in the latest events from that morning.

"I did. Can I talk with you privately?" Ririka asked, nervously glancing in Runa's direction but she still seemed to be focused on her game.

"Whatever you have to say, I would like you to say it here and not behind closed doors like a coward," Kirari said while staring Ririka with an intense gaze that would have probably gotten Mary to drop down on her knees from sheer fright had she been on the receiving end.

"Fine. Have it your way then," Ririka replied with matching intensity and Mary was not sure of whom she was more afraid of at that moment. She also noticed Runa raising her head curiously and Sayaka looked like she wanted to sink under the table to not be caught in between whatever was going on.

Ririka opened her bag and Mary realized what she had been missing this whole time; the stupid mask. Ririka threw it across the table in front of Kirari who didn't seem to even as much as flinch from their strange staring contest.

"I'm done being the puppet for this family." Ririka was shaking slightly and Mary approached her quietly, ready to help her if she needed it.

"I figured as much. And?" Kirari was still getting somewhere with this. Mary tried to read the situation, but any guess would have been just as wrong as the other.

"I don't want to get married. Or—" And for the first time during their heated but cold discussion, Ririka wavered for a second before she continued. "I might one day, but that'd be to Mary and no one else."

All eyes turned to Mary, that being everyone else except Ririka who might have been too embarrassed. Mary tried her best to act cool by grinning and waving to everyone awkwardly.

"Ah, yes. Don't mind me, the future wife of the Vice Prez…"

Ririka turned around with a blushing face. "Didn't mean to drag you into this, sorry."

"No, it's… okay," Mary said with a coy smile.

"Well, if that's all that you have to say—" Kirari was getting on her feet, dragging the chair loudly across the floor which caught the attention of the people in the room.

"No. That's not all." Ririka walked up to a desk situated in the far corner and started rummaging through the drawers. She apparently found what she was looking for. "I'm going to prove it to you and everyone else how sure I am of this."

Mary wasn't the first to notice what Ririka was holding, Sayaka nearly fell from her chair and Runa let out an audible 'Whoa!' before dropping the console in her lap. Mary's brain short-circuited for a second when she noticed the scissors Ririka was holding.

"WHAT'RE YOU—" Mary sprinted towards Ririka but slowed down when Ririka grabbed a fistful of her hair. "…Oh!"

Mary grinned wide when she realized what Ririka was doing. Everyone else stared at the bizarre scene in awe or horror. Mary wasn't sure who was feeling what, but she was all for supporting Ririka through this. When the last strands of silver hair dropped down on the floor, Ririka put away the scissors and walked up to Mary completely ignoring everyone else.

"How do you like my new hair?" Ririka was smiling sweetly with her new comically uneven haircut.

"Love it." Mary kept grinning and took Ririka's hand to her own.

Ririka turned to face her sister who was mostly eyeing them with curiosity. "I hope you accept this as my resignation from the Council. I doubt I will be of much use to you now."

Kirari merely chuckled then nodded before taking a seat to return to her work. Everyone else was still too shaken to move. It was only when Kirari lifted her gaze and looked around. "As you were. I think we're done here. Don't you two have somewhere better to be right now?" The last words were directed to Ririka and Mary.

Mary grinned and lead Ririka out of the council room. She made sure they were out of earshot before she spoke.

"Geez, didn't think you would—"

"I know! I didn't either, but when we arrived and Kirari refused to handle it nicely, I decided I would do that."

"So, you didn't actually plan all that?" Mary was curious.

"No. Feel a bit sorry for the hair, though."

"It'll grow back. And it's not that different. Just a bit shorter. But we need to go to my place so I can fix it a bit, it's not even." Mary grinned while Ririka was still running her hand through her hair.

"Oh, how does it look?" Ririka kept turning her head to see what Mary meant.

"It looks like someone cut it with scissors… in the dark… maybe in their sleep?" Mary laughed when Ririka blushed and turned her gaze away. "Oh, do you mind if I ask Yumeko to fix it? She might be better at it. I would also like to tell her what's going on and have you there with me when I tell her."

Ririka nodded. "So, you two are just friends, right?"

"Just friends." Mary assured and pecked Ririka's cheek. "I'm going to text her now; she should be out of class soon."

The two girls continued down the school corridors, Ririka holding on to Mary's arm and glancing over her shoulder, curious to see what Mary was typing. Mary didn't even mind when the bell rang and students started to flood the hallway, giving them curious looks and whispering gossip. Mary could swear some of them were even taking pictures. She could care less. She had the most amazing girl hanging from her arm and she simply felt complete.

AN: So this was originally intended to be the end for this fic. But I do have stuff for 2 more chapters, as like a small bonus I guess. It will have a small time-skip tho, so be warned. Thanks for sticking with me this far and let me know what you thought about this.

Ugh, so tired.. just off to bed now. kthxbaiiiii :3

-N