Chapter 27.
After giving her a goodbye kiss, Konata had left Kagami's house and immediately ran into her girlfriend's mother, Miki, who was returning home and instantly started panicking. She wasn't 100% sure that Miki had seen them kissing, but looking at how she was acting right now and how Konata thought she saw a person on the street after parting from Kagami's lips, it left little to no room for doubts. She was forcefully abducted by Miki to a nearby café, where the two sat down at a table in an empty corner. It was a rather modern and cute looking café, but that was the least of Konata's worries at the moment. Both each ordered a cup of tea and took a sip from it. Some time passed and Konata couldn't take the smiling face of Miki, which had no trace of warmness to it, anymore, but luckily(?), she finally said something.
"How was the make up test, Konata?"
"E-Eh? Uh… It was good. Kagamin~, Tsukasa and I all passed without any problems at all…"
"That's good to hear. How did you do in the other exams?"
"There were no problems in the first place. Mostly thanks to Kagamin~, I did pretty well in my other subjects I'm not good at."
"Very nice, well done, but next time, do it without having to take a make up, okay?"
"S-Sure… I'll try my best…" Konata had no idea what was going on anymore and was unable to understand the situation she was in.
"How did that happen in the first place?"
"W-Who knows... I have no idea…"
"Really? Well, it's no use to lament over spilled milk anyway, right?"
"That's true…" Konata started to think that Miki maybe was just a little angry that Kagami had to take a make up test, but those hopeful thoughts were useless.
"Sooo~…" Miki's expression changed again.
"Y-Yes?!" It was over. Just when Konata was thinking she still had a chance, Miki splendidly crushed those hopes she built up herself before. With just a single glance at her face, Konata knew that she and Kagami got found out. Her head hung low and she prayed for mercy.
"How long?"
"… L-Last week marks three months." Konata gave up, something deep inside her told her that even trying was useless.
"Is that so?"
"Yes…"
"Does that mean it happened around Kagami's birthday?"
"It was her actual birthday, to be precise."
"Oh, so the necklace Kagami got from you was…"
"Yes."
"Were you the one who confessed?"
"I was." It felt like an interrogation and so Konata decided to stick to short and precise answers for the time being.
"How?"
"I used a Tanabata wish as an excuse before actually voicing out my feelings."
"Shy, huh?"
"It couldn't be helped."
"How long did Kagami need to give you an answer?"
"There was no noteworthy delay."
"Oho, that means it was a mutual thing right from the confession, huh?"
"She told me she also was planning to confess to me on the following day."
"My Kagami also wanted to confess?"
"That's what she said."
"Interesting… Three months is it, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you happy?"
"Like I never was before in my life!"
"Hmm, that was fast. Did you two went through any hardships already?"
"Yes, mainly small to big misunderstandings."
"And?"
"Nothing. We had a small fight thanks to it once, but we talked it out and just grew closer with it."
"No hard feelings left?"
"None."
"I see… Do you love her?"
"From the bottom of my heart."
"Immediate answer, huh?"
"There's no reason to ponder for a fraction of a second after all."
"Do you think Kagami feels the same about you?"
"I KNOW that she feels the same and there's no reason I'm ever going doubt it."
"Wow… Why do you love her?"
"She's everything I ever hoped for in my life and even more. A best friend, a girlfriend, and a soulmate in one person. Someone to talk, laugh, bicker, fight, cry, and whatever with. She's the only person who can make me feel comfortable and restless at the same time. Not even a single second spent with her was boring. Teasing her, getting teased in return… Ehm, how long should I continue? This could take quite a while…" Konata shortly stopped her declaration of love towards Kagami.
"I-It's okay already."
"If you say so…" She sounded rather disappointed.
"Don't you think it's a problem that you're both girls?"
"Not at all. As long as we have each other, I couldn't care less about what others think is right or wrong. That maybe sounds a little selfish, but it isn't because Kagamin~'s the same."
"Hmm… Speaking of which, who already knows about the two of you?"
"Miyuki and Tsukasa do." There's also Kuroi-sensei, but that would only complicate things right now and so Konata left her out.
"Is that so… I should've pressured Tsukasa a little then…"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Well, they more or less tried their best in helping us to get together…"
"So, how far have you two gone?"
"No comment."
"Tch." Miki hoped to be able to catch her off-guard after the rapid fire of question, but it didn't work.
"Oi!"
"Sorry…" Miki apologized and her smile finally changed into a genuine and warm one. "Okay, you pass, Konata."
"E-Eh?! That was all a test?!"
"Of course it was. I had to find out your true intentions. I can't just leave my daughter in anyone's hand, you know?"
"I-I see…"
"By the way, you scored 150 out of 100 possible points."
"…" It was getting hard for her to answer.
"Come on, Konata, you know that I love you like a daughter. There's no way I would all that only for the fun out of it or just for harassment's sake."
"O-Okay…" Konata had some serious doubts about that.
"I mean, I really was surprised when I came home earlier, but my suspicions were already growing lately. Not to mention that I always felt like there was something special in the relationship between you and Kagami. That's also why I teased you from time to time about it… Well, it wasn't all teasing, it also was my way that it's okay to me, if you're serious about it, that is, but I found out that you are today."
"Y-Yes… that's why I was so confused by your really scary smile earlier."
"Ara, so you noticed?"
"There's no way I couldn't! I wasn't even scared this much by Kagamin~ after I teased her too much. I think I felt actual bloodthirst from you there…"
"My, don't mind that. By the way, if you have noticed my intentions, why haven't you told me? Why did I have to find out by running into you two making out?"
"E-Eh…?!" Konata had just found out the true reason behind Miki's agitation. Sure, it was clear that she was concerned about her daughter, but being left out was the actual main problem.
"It's totally unfair, isn't it?" The mature and intimidating aura of Miki from earlier was now completely gone.
"Come on, it's perfectly reasonable, Miki. It's not like telling our parents about us is exactly easy, right?"
"I understand that, but me… me…?"
"You're absolutely no exception. I enjoy talking to you, feel comfortable around you and all, but you're still the mother of Kagami and that means…"
"Yes… I understand…" She looked really dejected.
"Haaaa…" Konata let out one of the deepest sighs she ever did. "I wonder what I should tell Kagamin~ tomorrow about all of this…"
"Have you two already talked about coming out to us?"
"Only briefly, I guess… We preferred to push it away, actually… I think we should seriously talk about it sooner or later now…"
"That's probably not a bad idea."
"Could you please not talk about it to anyone, Miki? Not to Kagami, not her father, nor anyone else? I and probably also Kagamin~ want to tell all of you on our own when we're ready."
"Of course. I'll patiently wait until the day arrives."
"Thank you. By the way, speaking of her father… Do I have to be alarmed or can I be at ease… to a normal degree at least? I mean…"
"W-Well…" Miki's voice wavered a little. "No, you two want to tell us on your own and so you also will have to deal with any eventualities."
"T-That's how it is, huh? Okay, I'll simply do my best on said day and if that's not enough, I'll just do more."
"That's some good spirit, Konata."
"Thanks, I guess…"
The two talked some more and after each finishing their fifth cup of tea, they left the café again. While waving their hands as a goodbye, the two parted and went their own ways. Konata was finally able to go home after a very exhausting interruption on her first try. She had initially planned to talk with her dad about the make up test and the reward, but Konata immediately went to her room, crashed face first on her bed and fell asleep.
…
The following day. Konata didn't feel like leaving the bed and decided to sleep in late. Kagami arrived at some point in her room and decided to end her laziness.
"Are you Tsukasa or what? Come on, get up already, Kona."
"I don't wanna~. Yesterday was way too exhausting…"
"Hmm? What happened yesterday?"
"You'll find out soon enough… The talk we two are going to have is also probably pretty exhausting. Just thinking about it makes me tired to the point of falling asleep right here and now…" She turned around and wanted to fall asleep again, but that was not possible.
"I… I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Kona, but I'm getting a very bad feeling about it!"
"For a very good reason, that is…"
"What in the world happened?!" Kagami got a little uneasy.
"By the way, did Miki say something to you since I left yesterday?"
"Huh? No, nothing I can think of… She was the same as usual at dinner and breakfast earlier."
"Oh, she's pretty good."
"Why are we talking about my mother in the first place right now? I'm sure there's something more urgent, right?"
"No, because your mother is the reason."
"Eh? What did she do this time?"
"Uh… Well… H-How do I say it…"
"Get it out already, Kona!" Kagami was getting impatient.
"Miki knows about us."
"Is that so? She sure is…" Kagami answered without thinking, but completely froze soon enough, while all color left her face. "W-WH-WHAT?!"
"She found out that we're a couple."
"EHHH?! N-No way… T-That can't be true!"
"It is… I spent over two hours in a café with her yesterday while talking about…"
"Y-You told her? Are you insane?!"
"She MADE me talk."
"Why didn't you deceive her?! I know you're not good under pressure, but come on!"
"I-It's not my fault, okay?" Konata desperately tried to calm her down.
"Who else, if not you?"
"Actually, it's yours."
"Oh, why should it be my fault, Kona?!"
"Who's the one who wanted a kiss in front of her house when I was about to leave?"
"Uhm…"
"Especially at the very moment her mother came back?"
"…" Kagami opened her mouth a couple times, but not a single word came out anymore.
"Was it me or was it you?"
"Uhh… I-I'm very sorry for losing my temper there, Kona…" She immediately started reflecting on her behavior after realizing that it ultimately was her fault.
"As long as you understand. Calmed down again?"
"More or less… So, my mom saw us, huh? Can I dye in embarrassment now? What happened after I went back inside the house?"
"She waited at the corner of the street and basically abducted me…"
"Somehow… I'm sorry…"
"You should be… I think I grew a few gray hairs, thanks to your mother…"
"I guess you did your best, huh?" Kagami sat down on the bed where Konata was and gently patted her head.
"Yeah…"
"Good work. What did she do?"
"She tested me…"
"Tested you?"
"I had to prove that I was serious about you?"
"Is that so? How did it go?"
"According to her, I scored 150 out of 100 possible points."
"I'm happy to hear that you did so well." Kagami rubbed her head a little more.
"Ehehe…"
"Huh? Wait a moment… I think I'm missing something here… Is she actually okay with us, Kona? She wasn't mad?"
"Oh no, she was pretty mad."
"Oh… t-that's… oh…" The color in her face once more vanished.
"Yeah, she really hated that I haven't told her earlier…"
"Hah?!" All tension left her body.
"How can I explain that now…"
"Just do it."
"She wanted us to get together for some time already."
"What?! My mom did?"
"Well, maybe not to that extent. What she did was hinting to me that she's okay with it on multiple occasions, though…"
"R-Really? Why haven't you ever told me?"
"Because she started doing it over half a year or so ago when you stayed those two weeks at my place. At first, I just took it as her teasing me because I hadn't realized my feelings there after I did… it was just terrible awkward and after we got together, it was still a bit… well… Let's say she said some pretty hefty things at times…"
"Well… I guess I get your point…"
"Yeah, your mother's quite… interesting…"
"Trust me, I do know that, Kona…"
"I guess so… I still quite like her, though."
"You're also pretty… interesting after all."
"Hehe."
"Soo… mom knows about it… and is okay with us dating?"
"That's how it is. Well, maybe she'll also question your seriousness on the matter, but yes."
"You better hope she won't, Kona… 150 out of 100 points? Ha, I'm not going to stop until I reach 200 points! Consider your score to be broken already."
"Uh… sure…" Konata wasn't sure whether she should feel impressed, happy, or something entirely else right now.
"What now, though… My mom really knows, but what about the rest?"
"I made Miki promise me that she won't tell anyone, so everything's up to us."
"You're pretty thoughtful."
"Thanks. I guess we should think about telling our families soon, though."
"Yeah, you're right… Even though I really don't want to…"
"Me neither, especially after…"
"A-After what?" Kagami instantly tensed up.
"Well, after our talk was finished, I tried getting some info about how your father would think about us out of her… She said we should find out on our own on the day, but something in her reaction felt a bit odd…"
"D-Do you think he's against…"
"I don't think that's it… I think she would've told me that… probably… It felt more like there's something else, but I'm not sure what it is…"
"I-I see… I really hope you're right, Kona."
"It'll be fine. Everyone will accept us once the two of us get serious."
"Yes, that's true!" Kagami's anxieties got blown away for the time being and the two started planning for the fated day.
"Seriously, though, what should we do…"
"Hmm…"
"We can't just summon them and simply say 'Hey guys, just that you know, we're lesbians and dating each other for quite some time already', right? Wait… no, we can't… can we? That would simplify it quite a bit."
"I think we need a little more delicacy at handling this…"
"Delicacy, huh? I'm not good at that…"
"I know, Kona, I know."
"Well, let's start easy. When should we tell them?"
"Good question… Looking at how my mom already knows, so we shouldn't wait too long. Also… I want to spend the holidays, meaning Christmas and new year, in peace with you and without thinking of an excuse to do so…"
"That sounds nice... Meaning we're telling them in the first half of December at last?"
"Somewhere along those lines."
"Okay… And we're back to the 'how'."
"Looks like it… You know what, let's go with your idea, Kona."
"Really? What happened to this so called 'delicacy'?"
"Screw that, this thing never works anyway…"
"Finally submitting to the dark side, huh?"
"I did that a long time ago, Kona."
"Eh? Why are you looking at me while saying that, Kagamin~?"
"Who knows~."
"Uh, welcome, I guess. Anyway… we're really going to do it like that?"
"Well, maybe a little less direct and some sugarcoating, but yes, I don't think a long explanation before getting to the point would make a difference in the end."
"I guess you have a point." Konata agreed with her and a rough plan was formed.
"Good, with that being 'solved', let's change the topic, Kona."
"Best idea I heard all day."
"Have you read the mail of Tsukasa and Miyuki from yesterday already?"
"Not really, I went straight to bed after coming home and haven't left it since after all."
"Looking at your extraordinary bed hair, I guess that's actually true."
"Sorry…"
"No, it's kind of cute on its own way and I maybe made it even a little worse after the patting earlier."
"Au… So, what does the mystery couple want?"
"The two invited us to a sleepover at Miyuki's place for today."
"Oho, I wasn't at her place since forever."
"Yeah, it's really been quite some time. That means we're going later?"
"Of course. Well, wake me up once it's time, okay?" Konata said so and got comfortable on her bed again.
"Oi! Get up already!"
"Or… Or how about you also lay down and have a little nap with me." Konata patted the place next to her while making this enticing offer.
"Hmm…" Kagami's determination was wavering.
…..
Three hours passed and after their 'little' nap was over, the two got ready and left Konata's house. They arrived at Miyuki's place and waited for the door to open.
"Man, I almost forgot how big her house is…"
"Yeah, but the neighborhood is even more impressive…" Konata and Kagami were in awe while waiting and then they saw the door opening. "Ah, there she is… huh?"
"Kona-chan and onee-chan, welcome, we've awaited your arrival already, please feel free to step inside." It was Tsukasa who opened the door.
"Did the Takaras hire you as a maid now, or what?" Konata instantly retorted at the unexpected welcoming. Her casual clothes ruined the image a bit, but the welcome was first class.
"Ehehe, not really, I just felt like doing it right now. Yuki-chan's not even at hom- ehm, here, right now."
"Huh? Are we too early, sis?"
"You're a little late actually, onee-chan…"
"Ahaha, that's probably my fault." The nap that Konata proposed earlier was a bit longer than expected. "So, where's Miyuki?"
"She's at Minami-chan's place. She had a small problem with her studies and Yuki-chan shortly went over to help her. She'll be back soon."
"Who's Minami?" Konata and Kagami had a slightly puzzled look on their face.
"Oh… right, she's Yuki-chan's childhood friend, who lives across the street."
"C-Childhood friend?! That's dangerous, Tsukasa!" Konata suddenly started panicking.
"Ehh? Minami-chan's not dangerous at all. Okay, she looks a little scary at first, but she's actually just shy and pretty gentle. Oh, and her dog's super cute!"
"That's not what I meant… Well, whatever, the childhood friend heroine basically never wins anyway and that's not even a bad thing her for a change." Konata had entered her own world.
"O-Onee-chan?"
"Let her be, sis… The last 24 hours were pretty hard for her and she probably needs to let off some steam."
"O-kay?" Tsukasa didn't understand a single thing. "What happened?"
"Long story, I'll tell you later and Kona, the route is already locked and we already have a winner anyway, haven't we?"
"You and I know that, but if those in question don't know that, we can't be sure yet, Kagamin~."
"Haa… Sis, who does Miyuki meets more often lately, you or Minami?"
"Hmm? Well… We occasionally visit Minami-chan together or Yuki-chan sometimes helps her with her studies, but I almost meet up with her every day… Why?"
"See? The main heroine's obviously decided already and that's the one who always wins, Kona."
"I'm impressed, you clearly win this one, Kagamin~."
"Have you also had a hard day, onee-chan? I don't understand what's going on at all."
"Yes, I kind of had, but please, don't mind us."
Tsukasa still had question marks floating all over her head, but the three finally headed inside.
"Oho, I think I never was in Miyuki's room before… We almost stayed in the living room the last times. I wonder what kind of luxury will await us~." Konata seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
"It's not that luxurious, Kona-chan, and with all the books she has there, it's also rather small. Because of that, we aren't going to stay there today."
"Aww, too bad, what are we going to do then?"
"Yuki-chan and I prepared an extra room with a couple futons for today."
"Having an extra room just for sleepovers is so…" Kagami had a slightly scary look on her face.
They arrived at the mentioned room and Miyuki also returned shortly after.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back."
"I'm sorry for making you wait here, Tsukasa-san and good to see you two, Kagami-san and Izumi-san."
"No problem~."
"Hello there, Miyuki." The two also greeted her.
"What were you three talking about?"
"Onee-chan and Kona-chan were behaving a little weirder than usual and said that they had a hard day… I was about to find out the reason."
"Oh my, looks like I arrived at a good time. What happened, you two?" Miyuki didn't even try to hide anything.
"Well… something rather bad happened yesterday… My mom caught Kona and me and now she knows about us…"
"T-That's indeed bad, how did that happen?"
"I…" Kagami had already accepted that it was her fault. "I was a bit careless and because of that, mom saw us… well, she saw us kissing in front of our house."
"My…" Miyuki's cheeks reddened a little.
"S-So you two actually did something kissing already…" Tsukasa also looked embarrassed. While she knew that her sister said she almost kissed Konata before they started dating, she never actually saw them doing it afterward.
"E-Ehm… well… that's awkward…" Kagami had no follow-up and was just happy that her mother just caught them while kissing.
"S-So innocent." Konata got embarrassed by their embarrassment and had the same thought as Kagami.
"W-What happened then?"
"Miki, without Kagamin~ knowing, kind of abducted me and made me confess everything. That was super exhausting and even a little scary…"
"What happens to the two of you now?"
"I obviously made Miki accepts us, but because of all that, we're planning on coming out to the rest of our families soon, or at least parents, that is."
"Wow, that's a really huge step."
"Yes, we also hoped we could postpone it a little more, but one of them already found out and more will probably follow soon because, let's be honest, we're not good at hiding it."
"That is indeed very true."
"Absolutely." Miyuki and Tsukasa's honesty can be pretty brutal at times.
"T-Thanks…"
"B-By the way…" Tsukasa's mood changed into a flustered one.
"What is it, sis?"
"How…" Her face started to turn red.
"How?"
"H-How does it feel to… k-kiss someone… someone you l-like?" Tsukasa managed to say it and the room fell silent while three pairs of eyes were firmly locked on her. All of them were sitting on their futons in the middle of the room. Kagami and Konata next to each other on one side of the quartet and Tsukasa and Miyuki on the other side. They looked at no particular direction while chatting, but that had instantly changed after Tsukasa had finished asking her question.
A whole minute of silent staring passed and then Konata and Kagami turned to look at each other with a slightly complicated expression. Miyuki never changed her point of view, though.
"Ehm…"
"Well…" The couple received a rather tough-to-answer question.
"Hmm… Do you want to know how the first kiss felt or how it feels now?" Kagami was slightly embarrassed while answering, but after she helped her so much with Konata, she thought it was the least she could do for her little sister.
"I-Is there a difference?"
"An indescribable huge one." Konata joined the conversation because she had the same reason as Kagami.
"T-Then the first one…"
"The first one, huh? Hmm… Incredibly awkward and super embarrassing sounds fitting, doesn't it, Kona?"
"You forgot sloppy and short…"
"Right…"
"… Does that mean it wasn't good?"
"Huh? No way, it was the most amazing thing ever." The ability of the couple to be in perfect synch was as outstanding as ever.
"Ehh? But how you described it just now…"
"Well, because that's just the easy describable part… The moment our lips touch… My whole brain went blank and it felt like… uh…"
"… Being hit by lightning, is what Kagamin~'s probably wants to say. Electric shocks that spread from my lips all the way to my toes… or something like that… Pleasant, overwhelming, and scary at the same time, but most importantly, absolutely addicting." Konata's description was rather rough and awkward, but she felt like was able to get her point across.
"W-Wow… that's…" Tsukasa had nothing to answer.
"And in reality, it was even more impressive, sis."
"W-What's different to today then?"
"Well, the overwhelming and scary part is gone, but it's still as amazing as ever. No, even better because the awkwardness is also gone."
"Yep, it's as natural as breathing already~. And as important…"
"Amazing…" Tsukasa unintentionally leaked out an admiring sound.
"Is there something else you want to know, sis?"
"Besides kissing, i-is there…"
"Wait a moment!" Kagami felt incredible danger from the arriving question of her sister and stopped her. She then looked at Konata, who shook her head. The two agreed without words that it was enough from their side and decided to return the favor. "Sorry, but let me ask something first. Why do you want to know all that?" Kagami more or less knew why, but she wanted to know if Tsukasa herself is also aware of it to some degree. It could be a bit difficult with Miyuki present, though.
"I… uhh…" She didn't know how she should answer to her sister's question. "That's… looking at you, onee-chan and Kona-chan, who're looking so happy all the time… It makes me curious and feels like I'm missing out on something…"
"Well…" Konata took over. "Is there even someone you like? Without that, it's rather pointless anyway, isn't it?"
"That…"
"Oh, is there?" Konata was getting more aggressive.
"…" Tsukasa seemed lost in thoughts. "I-Isn't being curious about k-kissing reason enough?"
"If you're confident about your reason, then why is it a question?"
"W-Well…"
"I mean, if you're curious, that must mean you're imagining doing it with someone, right?" Konata increased the pressure but stopped soon afterward.
"Kona…" Kagami slightly glared at her. She understood what Konata was doing and felt the same, but it was getting too much.
"I'm sorry, Tsukasa, I said too much. You're right, being curious about it is perfectly fine. I just got a little too excited."
"I-It's fine, Kona-chan, I don't really mind…" Even though she said that, the mood still got a little awkward and silence overwhelmed the room once more. A couple minutes passed before the topic changed to something else.
"W-Well, I guess I should start preparing dinner now." Miyuki, who hadn't said a single word since the discussion started, looked at the clock and managed to disperse the heavy mood.
"L-Let me…"
"Ah, let me help you, Miyuki." Tsukasa wanted to say the same, but Konata was faster. Before Miyuki could even react, she was already dragged out of the room. "Later, Kagamin~." And with that, the two disappeared towards the kitchen.
"Sure…" Kagami and Tsukasa got left behind and were alone now. "That Kona, huh?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"Although, it's not like I can't understand her."
"You, too, onee-chan?!"
"You were pretty obvious after all."
"D-Don't tell me that runs in the family?!"
"Thanks for the insult, but you just confirmed that I was right."
"Ah!" Tsukasa realized her mistake.
"So?"
"It's true that I was curious…"
"You weren't thinking about, I don't know, perhaps Miyuki not even once?"
"!?" Kagami got quite a reaction from her sister.
"You know, Kona and I are quite confused by the two of you."
"E-Eh?"
"Sometimes, you and Miyuki are acting almost like Kona and me, but then there are times where you two look just like normal friends…"
"Ah… that…" Tsukasa let out a sigh. "You're… not the only confused ones…"
"Is that so?"
"I like Yuki-chan, I like her very much… I just don't know in which way. As a friend? Romantically like you and Kona-chan? I don't understand the difference…"
"There is no difference."
"W-What?!"
"Well, okay, there are obviously a few differences, but what I mean is that romantic feelings often are just stronger in its intensity."
"Does that mean that I can't even find out what exactly I feel because there's no clear border?"
"Well, it took me weeks, if not months, after I fell in love with Kona before I realized it."
"That doesn't help me at all, does it?"
"It's for sure that you'll notice it once it passes a certain point, but right now…"
"Right now?"
"If you care about how I see things…"
"I always did and also always will."
"I don't think you're at the point where I realized my feelings for Kona."
"Okay." Tsukasa couldn't say more.
"But you're also not at the where I was at the beginning of the year."
"W-What does that mean?"
"More than friends, but less than lovers, I guess? I don't think you two qualify as normal friends, but it also hasn't reached the point of love right now. It isn't a given that it ever will, but that's how I, and Kona, see you two right now."
"…"
"There's absolutely no problem with that, though. Being friends, no matter to which degree, is perfectly fine. Take it easy and force yourself to nothing until you're sure about your true feelings and even then, do it in moderation. Maybe try a few things in order to find out where you stand and where you could go if you want, but like I said, be sure not to overdo it."
"Hmm… Y-Yes, I guess you're right, onee-chan. Thank you, I'll think of something while taking it easy."
"Good."
…
The conversation of the twins ended and another one was happening at the same time between Konata and Miyuki in the kitchen.
"Thank you for helping me, Izumi-san. I'm not that good at cooking after all."
"You have Tsukasa usually helping you, you can't be bad."
"Tsukasa-san and I usually only make sweets together because she really likes making them and I'm fine with everything as long as she's happy. So, please bear with me in the kitchen."
"W-Well, still, you can't be worse than Kagamin~. More importantly, making sweets is harder than cooking anyway."
"Is Kagami-san really that bad in the kitchen?"
"Not anymore, she's still a bit clumsy here and there, but it's perfectly fine already. At the beginning, though, it really was pure hell."
"I see. Well, I look forward to learning a thing or two from you."
"To hear these words from Miyuki… Leave it to me."
The two started preparing the food in silence while Konata showed her a couple cutting techniques and some general tips and tricks before Miyuki broke the silence again.
"E-Ehm… Izumi-san…" She sounded rather hesitant.
"You know, I've been meaning to say that for some time already, basically since the day we became friends, but 'Konata' is totally fine by me."
"Huh? That's…"
"Rather, it would make me really happy if you could call me by my given name." Konata made it impossible to refuse her request.
"O-Okay… then… Konata-san?"
"Way better, thank you. So, what do you want?"
"R-Right… Well, you see… Does k-kissing really feels as intense as you two said, Izu- Konata-san?" Her face went completely red as she bashfully asked her.
"…" The only thing that could be heard, was the shattering sound of Konata's 'moe-meter' breaking. She instinctively touched her nose, but luckily the blood stayed where it has to be, inside.
"S-Should I not have asked?"
"No, uh, wow… Ehm, it's okay, it was just totally outside of what I was expecting… Yes, or rather, no, it feels even more intense. Especially the first ones like we said, but even now, unsteady legs aren't that rare."
"Wow."
"Want to try it~?"
"Huh?! W-What?! No… not with you, Konata-san…"
"I got instantly shot down, huh? Well, that's good, though. I would've never done it anyway. Kagamin~'s the only one for me after all."
"That's reassuring to hear, I was a little worried for a second."
"There's absolutely no need for that. Anyway, 'not with me', huh?" Konata hadn't forgotten about it.
"It's… Uh, it's just because you already have Kagami-san and that wouldn't be okay."
"That does make sense, but is that really what you meant, Miyuki?"
"Of course, w-what else could I possibly mean?"
"I wonder~. Anyway, yes, kissing is something you can look forward to doing when you get into a relationship."
"You're rather good at making people jealous, Konata-san."
"Hehe, it wasn't my intention, but yeah, it absolutely is something to get jealous for. I won't go into details because it's private and even I am a little shy about some things, but it's the best thing ever."
"Even Konata-san's shy about some things, huh?"
"Believe it or not, but I even have a hard time to fully open up to others, except a few chosen ones. So, sorry for holding a few things regarding my relationship with Kagamin~ back."
"Nonono, please don't apologize! You're already way more open about this than I could ever be… to anyone. If anything, I'm thankful to you. Also, thanks that you didn't probe too much into my slip ups."
"Nah, don't mind it. After all, I already know the reason. Worry not, if you're still not sure how you feel about the little sister of my girlfriend, I won't unnecessary push you too much and neither will Kagamin~. Even though it's incredibly enticing…" Konata threw something incredible right into Miyuki's face, which became as pale as a sheet of paper.
"W-Wh-What?!" Immediate panicking was the result.
"Shh…" Konata placed a finger on Miyuki's lips and silenced her. "Just take it easy… or not. Just do whatever you see fit. There's no wrong outcome, only different ones. Friends or lovers, both are perfectly fine."
While the two were wrapping up their discussion, they finished preparing dinner and the scent lured Kagami and Tsukasa in the kitchen. Konata left the finishing touches to Tsukasa and regrouped with Kagami. The two looked at each other and simultaneously sighed.
"Well, that was…"
"… Interesting on your side as well, huh, Kagamin~?"
"Yeah, it looks like it won't take long until Tsukasa's going to try something."
"The same goes for Miyuki."
"I wonder what they'll find out."
"And what the results are." Without even knowing, the couple basically had the same discussion with the same results with the other two girls.
….
The four finished eating and went back to their room. All of them chatting until late, they stayed with safe topics, though. They got ready for bed, lay down on their futons and the day ended. Except, it didn't.
It took Konata and Kagami exactly 8 minutes and 26 seconds after falling asleep to, unconsciously of course, leave their futons and continued their sleep while hugging each other between both of their futons. It was once more proven that it's completely impossible for them to sleep in the same room without embracing each other.
Miyuki and Tsukasa, who couldn't sleep at all for some reason, where absentmindedly staring at the ceiling until now, shifted their gazes to the couple and watched them for some time.
"Kona-chan and onee-chan are pretty cute…"
"… Yes… And even though their position between the futons look pretty uncomfortable, they look perfectly at ease. There was only some faint light of the moon outside illuminating the room, but the two could perfectly see the satisfied expression of the couple.
"Honestly, they make me so jealous…"
"Indeed…" Without minding what the other one said, Miyuki and Tsukasa faced the ceiling again, which both watched for some time.
Half an hour in silence passed before Tsukasa said something again.
"Yuki-chan, are you still awake?"
"Yes, I'm unable to sleep for some reason."
"I see."
"You as well?"
"Yeah… Do you think Kona-chan and onee-chan told the truth?"
"About?" Miyuki knew, but still asked.
"The kissing thing… Can it really be that exciting?"
"I never tried it and so I obviously have no idea, Tsukasa-san, but I don't think they would lie to us, right?"
"That's true…"
"But yes, I also have a hard time imagining it…"
The room fell silent again and another 50 minutes of the two absentmindedly watching the ceiling passed because sleeping really didn't work.
"Yuki-chan?"
"Yes?"
"Can I…" Tsukasa hesitated before continuing. "Can I kiss you?"
"…" There was no answer.
"J-Just on the cheek, I mean." She started panicking a little due to the silence and changed it a little, or rather, that's all she could probably handle anyway.
"A-Are you sure, Tsukasa-san?"
"Yes… I'm really curious and you're the only one I can ask… No, you're the only one I want to ask because I really like you, Yuki-chan, and you're the only one I can imagine doing it…"
"…" Miyuki became silent again. "… D-Don't you think it could make things awkward between us?"
"I don't think awkwardness is something our friendship can't handle to get rid of again."
"I'm happy to hear those words. On the cheek, was it?"
"Y-Yes, I don't think more would be appropriate in this situation after all."
"Hmm…" Miyuki almost wanted to say that the current request is already plenty questionable, but that thought never left her brain and her reply was the exact opposite. "Okay…"
"R-Really?!"
"Yes." Miyuki got up, kneeled down on her futon and faced her left cheek in Tsukasa's direction.
"O-Okay." She also got up, went nearer to Miyuki and sat down next to her. Tsukasa looked at her cheek, but then started hesitating. Miyuki realized that and so she put her hand on Tsukasa's leg in order to signalize that it really is okay to do it. Tsukasa took a deep breath, calmed down and then her lips made contact with Miyuki's cheek. It was just a little peck and it was over after just a second again. A couple moments passed before Miyuki was able to look at Tsukasa's deep red face. Little did she know that her face was equally red.
"C-Can I… also…?"
"… Yes…" Tsukasa's answer was almost completely inaudible, but her small nod and the slight turning of her head was signal enough.
"T-Then…" Imitating Tsukasa, she also reduced the distance, closed her eyes and gave her a short kiss on the cheek. Miyuki's lips immediately parted from said cheek again and the girls looked at different directions afterward. A minute passed before there were finally able to look at each other again.
"I-I guess Kona-chan and onee-chan really told the t-truth…"
"Y-Yes… it wasn't on the same level, but that's… probably… because…" She couldn't finish her sentence. It was just a kiss on the cheek, but it was already plenty powerful and so, just thinking about an actual kiss, was enough to almost break Miyuki.
"Yeah… Thanks for always playing along with my unreasonable requests, Yuki-chan."
"It's fine, you never did anything that bothered me in the slightest, but I think we should really try to sleep now, don't you agree?" Miyuki was getting more and more embarrassed and feared she would lose her composure any second now.
"Y-Yes, that's a very good idea." Tsukasa also was on the brink of it.
The two lay down on their futons again and silence engulfed the room a last time. Neither of them were able to sleep, though. Both were looking at their beloved ceiling again and were alternatingly touching their cheeks and lips for some time. For the rest of the night, Miyuki and Tsukasa tried to calm down their furiously beating hearts, but it was no use and the night really ended with them not catching even a single minute of sleep. Konata and Kagami were, unfortunately, so comfortable in each other's embrace that neither of them had noticed a single thing about what happened that night.
.
Well, I wasn't expecting to have it ready so fast… That's what happens when I say it'll take 2-3 weeks.
The original conversation between Miki and Konata was more than triple the length of what it's now, but it clashed with something I have planned for later and so I had to rewrite the whole thing. I think Miki still had enough fun with poor little Konata.
On another note, Miyuki and Tsukasa are so cute that I had to lick some salt in order to get my blood sugar down to a reasonable degree again. (I don't think that's how it works, but I guess you get my point.)
Next chapter will take place in December and later, that means Konata and Kagami's plan will put into action. Because of that, it'll probably take some time because, at least in my head, that's going to be something complex and I don't want to rush it.
Today's ramble is a little short and so I'll say some thanks to the readers of story posted here. First off, it just went over 13,000 views an about hour ago and I would like to thank everyone who at least took a bit of a liking to my story. Sure, comparing that to the active communities here, it's nothing, but for a Lucky Star story in 2016/2017, it's rather decent. (I hope at least.) I also want to thank every single one who left a comment and special thanks to 'Gigarot' and 'Dawn101seeker', who left a comment to every single chapter lately. The same goes for 'kaylakaze', who also left a lot of comments here. All of you, not just the mentioned one and also new ones, feel free to leave more of them. They're one of the reason I look forward to post new chapters, apart from the main point that I simply want to continue my story. And now that I introduced Minami, the cast will grow at some point and that means a lot of chapter are left to come. (Not that I was going to finish anytime soon even without them.)