"We're going to play a game." Haruhi stood up on a chair that was placed at the end of the table. Kyon couldn't help but feel his heart sink to the bottom of his chest as he imagined all of the bad things that this could lead to. "And the star is going to be…" she looked over to the corner of the room, "You!" she pointed to Yuki.
Yuki failed to notice Haruhi's mention of her, and kept reading. Haruhi put her hands on her hips. "Yuukiiiii!?"
Yuki turned to Mikuru, Kyon, Itsuki and Haruhi who were all sitting at the table and looking at her. She sat quiet for a few moments until she finally responded. "What?"
"I need you for something." She got off her chair and walked to the side of the room where all of the costumes and boxes were and became rifling though them. "Let's see…" Soon, she pulled out the black bunny girl costume. Suddenly, Kyon was no longer afraid of what was going to happen. Wait…maybe he was.
"Yuki, get over here."
She widened her eyes a little bit. Kyon smiled. Go, Nagato, she showed some emotion.
"I'd rather not, Ms Suzumiya. Wouldn't you rather have Mikuru try it on? It would fit her better." She looked back to her book.
"Nah, I've seen her in it a thousand times. I want to see something new!! Plus, you're like totally cute! I want to see you in something flashy for once." She walked up to her. "Now, come on!"
Yuki glanced past Haruhi to Mikuru and Itsuki, who both seemed to agree that she should do what Ms Suzumiya asked. It was always best to do this, to keep her entertained, to keep her happy. Yuki stood up and sat her book on the chair.
Kyon couldn't believe this! He was going to get to see Yuki in a bunny girl costume! This was like a dream come true! A dream that he had never truly realized because he knew it would never happen so why even try?
"Alright, then. Let's get going." Haruhi started pulling her cardigan off and threw it to the floor. It was about the time she pulled down the right sleeve of her shirt that Yuki stopped her, twisted her right arm and pushed her down on the table. After about a split second, she realized what she had done. She pulled her back up and brushed her arm with her hand once, trying to make up for the damage she had done, which wasn't much - she was good at containing her force – and apologized.
"I am sorry. It was just a reflex."
Haruhi looked to her arm. "Yeah. It's…it's okay." Mostly her pride was just hurt. "I think you can probably just dress yourself." She looked over to the three other SOS members who were trying not to laugh. "But as long as it doesn't take very long!" She spoke very authoritatively. "Now, come on, you guys, let's give Yuki some time." She walked out and they closed the door.
Yuki looked at the costume. What was she doing to herself?
---
Slowly the door to the club room opened and a pair of bunny ears emerged. Then, Yuki's face followed. Finally she walked out and stood before them. "I am finished."
They all stared at her. No words came out for a good minute.
Mikuru looked at the other members and felt bad for her. "You look wonderful, Yuki!" She ran to her side and put her arm around her waist. "Just adorable."
"Yeah!" Itsuki responded. "You look great. You really…fill that…costume out."
Haruhi hit him over the head. Then, she turned to Yuki. "See, I told you you'd look beautiful in it!" She walked to the other side of her and put her arm around her as well. "Now, someone's gotta take a picture of us! Go get the camera!" Itsuki ran into the room and grabbed it, then came out and took a picture, but not before Haruhi got the chance to move in and lick the side of Yuki's face. By the flash, they could all tell that the picture had definitely captured that exact moment.
Yuki's eyes widened like Kyon had never seen before. He couldn't help but remember when Haruhi ran up and bit Mikuru's ear. Itsuki started laughing and Yuki ran a few steps away from Haruhi, feeling her cheek like it was foreign to her, somehow. Mikuru looked around wondering what was wrong since she was on the other side of Yuki and couldn't see what had happened and Kyon just stood there, unsure of what to do.
"Oh, come on!" Haruhi walked over and grabbed Yuki's hand, dragging her into the room. "It's not that big of a deal, I just wanted a good picture to put on our site!"
Yuki stopped completely. "I am confused." Haruhi turned around.
"About what?"
"You are going to put up…that picture? For people to view."
"Well, yeah."
"Why is this?"
"Because, Yuki. You're in the club and they want to see you."
Yuki thought about this. Why would they want to see her? Why her? She wasn't really part of this club. She was just someone sent here to do a job. To watch over Haruhi. They had Mikuru to look at, they didn't need her. Why would they want pictures of her? It didn't make sense. She wasn't good looking or anything. Was she?
"You know, Yuki, you're a part of this club, too." Itsuki walked up to her. He put his hand on her shoulder and held her hand.
Kyon nearly bared his teeth. Get away from her…
She looked down. "Yes. Thank you."
Haruhi looked at everyone then paused for a moment. "So…let's put this picture up!!" She walked up to the computer and turned it on.
Yuki walked forward. "Must it be a picture of this nature?"
Haruhi had pulled the chair out and was about to sit in it. She thought for a moment. "Umm….yeah!"
In a matter of minutes there was a picture of the three girls up on the SOS site. "They'll probably think we doctored the picture, no one'll believe we got Yuki in this outfit!"
Then they all remembered she was still in the outfit. They all looked to her. She glanced down at herself. "Oh. Yes."
"Well, I suppose that's that." Haruhi put her hand up to her chin. "Unless…we can think of something else to do with this outfit…"
Yuki shook her head. "I do not think we will be able to. There are no more options for us to choose from."
"Alright. Well let's get this thing off of you!" Haruhi walked over and started pulling the costume off of Yuki, but this time she wasn't expecting it, so she wasn't ready to fight her. Itsuki and Kyon jumped up from their chairs and ran out of the door. They stood there, waiting. All they could hear were faint cries from the inside of the room.
"Ms Suzumiya, I don't think you should pull that hard, Yuki isn't use to having you undress her!"
"Oh, she'll be fine – oh, holy crap, woman! I didn't know you had those underneath there! Why didn't you tell me for goodness' sakes! From now on you'll be dressing up with Mikuru!"
"No, no I will not."
Itsuki and Kyon slowly slid down the wall and put their heads in their hands, waiting until they could finally be let back into the room.
