YOUR ORDERS
Chapter 9: Feathers and Flitters

PV: MOTOKO

I ask myself why I didn't oppose this stupid idea of a thematic bar? I'm a warrior woman, a decided woman, I can't understand why I retreated… Well, the entrance exam is the last thing I must achieve, but I'm almost there. I'm still a ronin, but I feel that the next year can destine my so wished vacancy at Toudai. Thence, I'll get closer to Urashima-senpai… What a damn, now I have three dilemmas: how to join to the thematic bar and not lose my honor, how to conquer unsociable Urashima-senpai and how to stand another year as a ronin.

After having some breakfast, girls decided to sunbath a little, and I decided to have some training. With a very sunny day, I thought that the use of bogu 1 would be a little uncomfortable, so I choose to wear something more casual. I wore a short jeans a t-shirt babylook style, and I went up to the traditional place of training. I had all morning for training, trying to clarify my mind a little about the problems I must solve. I concluded it rather better solve one problem at each time, and the uniform's choice for the thematic bar seems to be imperative, because it was reserved for this afternoon. I can see this Sunday will be one of these days…

The task of conquering Urashima-senpai's feelings is the more difficult problem, and a good elaboration is needed. While I was training, a short movie about last happenings passed in front of my eyes. The Urashima's break, the so called "doomsday", the choice of Kanako as joint manager, the senpai's insistence about getting away from girls… And now, this appalling thematic bar. Taking into account that, some time ago, I finally freed myself from the ghost of my sister and choose to embrace the love, kendo and study at same time, I even can praise myself about my ample progress. But I still have unfinished business to solve, and I still maintain my honor as Shinmeiryuu successor. I'm gonna fight for everything, until the last breath, without a corruption of my feelings. But I also learned there are some things that don't deserve a radical position.

And, about Urashima-senpai, I know very well what I want. Now I know he doen't have any special feelings about Naru-senpai, and I'll fight for him. It's hard to admit, but I've been falling in love with that dummy for a long time. After all, he's the most charitable and determined dummy I've ever known, even when I sent him into the air. And now that he's more agile – after Jeet Kune Do classes with Seta – and that he acquired some self esteem, he looks to me more charming, even being clumsy and light-headed some times. I feel that there's a way I can utilize such thematic bar to conquer Urashima-senpai.

After the training, I had some lunch. I'm so jealous of Shinobu! My dishes are things from an amateur chef when they're compared to anything she made; everything was delicious. But this is not an excuse for exxageration; I just ate what I estimated as necessary to maintain my life functions and give me energy enough for trainings and study. After the lunch, girls went to the Tea House for some resting. As soon as possible, we'd propose some ideas for the suits to be used at our thematic bar. We were talking about ramdom stuffs until the moment when Kanako stood up and said: "Girls, I think we can organize the elaboration of our wears right now, what do you think?".

"Yes! Let's make our suits! It'll be nice, let's go Shinomu!", Kaolla exclamed. I've never seen a girl so full of energy like her.

"Yes, let's go!", Shinobu said with a smile.

Haruka begged leave and she went to the Tea House innerside, where are the annexes, and soon she came back carrying lots of large papers and some little boxes. When she came near to the table where the girls were, she explained: "Shinobu, I used to plan my cosplays drawing in these papers, and I drew with these crayons and drawing instruments. I thought you'd like to use them".

"It's some honor, Haruka-sama", Shinobu said, making a bow. Shinobu is such a gifted girl, indeed. She'll be an extraordinary woman, I'm sure of it. Furthermore, she's already beginning to have a body with more feminine feature, she's growing.

"It's not necessary so much, my sweet, just Haruka-san…", Haruka retored, a little abashed. Shinobu got all the stuff and put it in an organized way under the table. She put the papers in front of her and surrounded the place with boxes containing crayons and instruments for designing. After she sat down and snapped the fingers, she asked: "Well, did someone already think about the desired design of their own suit?".

Obviously, there were some silence. I think none of the girls had some defined idea about what would be nice to wear. After some time, Kitsune told: "People, don't you have any idea about what you'd like to wear? Well, I start. I won't work as waitress, but as bartender. Wherefore my suit doesn't need many props, you can make alike to the Haruka-san clothings".

So, Shinobu started to draw the suit model. For every new trace she was drawing, she always asked Kitsune-san about the accuracy of sketch with this one imagined. Kitsune described what things should be maintained or retouched, until the moment when a final sketch was ready. The suit was very suchlike the uniform Haruka-san used to wear, just the colours are different: yellow shorts and apron, with a black regatta-style t-shirt. So Haruka alerted: "Kitsune, you forgot the pantyhose".

"What? Why is it so important?", Kitsune inquired.

"Working as bartender, you'll stay at your own foot for long periods, and your circulation will get complicated. Wherefore, don't forget to put a pantyhose at your sketch. When you describe the fabric, use something that makes an average pressure at your legs. Did you understand now?", Haruka explained.

"Now, yes! Thanks, Haruka-san!', Kitsune thanked. The foxy girl immediately asked for Shinobu put a skin-coloured pantyhose, beyond the tissue described by Haruka. If you know Kitsune's temper, her suit model was very sober.

Kanako was the next girl. She told Shinobu that her suit model was simple, and it wouldn't get so long to finish. Really, Kanako's wear didn't get any longer to be ready. It was a long cheongsam 2, all in red – including the escapins 3 and the hair lassos were red, with heels lightly high; only the hair ornaments were pink. Kanako alleged she doesn't need so much stuff to get gorgeous, provoking the girls's hoot. Obviously, she made a long face and left annoyed, but warning: "My suit is this one and period".

While all of them laughed at Kanako's constraint, Sarah thought Kanako's cheongsam so beautiful that she got closer to Shinobu and affirmed she wanted something alike, but all in red – including all fittings. Shinobu drew the model and showed it to Sarah, who gave back a positive signal with her thumb, blinking the right eye.

I got closer to Kanako and spoke: "So, Kanako, it seems you made a fashion disciple, don't you think?". I nudged her arm with my elbow and waited for an answer.

"Sarah is a girl with good taste, just like me...", Kanako answered, lifting her nose. Sometimes, I was able to fade that usual blank face that Kanako has away. It seems that, since the surprise party we made for Kanako, she is integrating even more with us, in spite of keeping that blanky face and wearing that ghoulish clothes.

Keeping on the party, Mutsumi asked for a simple dress, very decorous. Shinobu, according to the Mutsumi's description, drew an yellow dress, with collar and bib regions in white (with an yellow cross in the middle of bib). The dress was lightly tight to the trunk and with a pretty pleated skirt. The hair bands and escarpins, both in yellow, were the props. After the retouching, Mutsumi approved the sketch and commented, very happy: "Ara, ara! I think I'll get very beautiful to Kei-kun!".

Look at that, the turtle girl is showing her ambitions... It's time to prove that I also know how to get pretty. But I wanted something more traditional, so I said to Shinobu that my suit would be inspired by kendo dressing. I asked for a lilac and white chess-style Keiko-Gi 4, with a dark purple Hakama 4. Furthermore, Shinobu drew a big purple lasso in my hair and put traditional sandals with stockings in the feet. Instead of using the traditional canvas, all the suit was designed to be made in silk. Shinobu drew the Hakama waist higher, tied with a nice lasso.

"Shinobu, it's gorgeous! Thank you a lot, really!", I exclaimed, very affected.

"Ah, Motoko-san, don't speak like that, or I'll be gawky… I thank for the compliments. I believe that part of your dressing comes from your good taste, Motoko-san", Shinobu said, very happy. Those words left me very content.

"Now, it's my turn, it's my turn, Shinomu…", Kaolla exclaimed, jumping to Shinobu side.

"Calm down, I'll make your suit right now, fellow...", Shinobu said, trying to calm down Kaolla's impatience. The Kaolla suit shows fittingly her feelings: a white waistcoat, orange bands in hair and the waistcoat collar, a very pleated orange skirt, white socket stockings and orange shoes. Shinobu showed the final art and Kaolla was jumping happily, very proud from her suit.

Well, it was Naru-senpai turn. She got closer to Shinobu and said softly: "Well, Shinobu-chan, it's my turn now… After all, the last ones will be the first ones…".

"Of course, Naru-senpai", Shinobu agreed.

Naru rustled at Shinobu's ear the ideas of what she wanted to wear, and Shinobu was running the sketch. Every time we tried to get closer, Naru-sempai turned to our direction and asked for some privacy, because she would show the drawing after the same was ready. I didn't understand why so much modesty, because she will show the final result to all of us. Well, we stayed at the opposite side of room, waiting the final art get ready. After several minutes, Naru turned and warned: "You can get closer, it's ready!".

Obviously, we got closer to kill the curiosity. For Kami, what kind of suit is that? The Naru suit was so… Provoking, not to say the worst… It was a very pleated blue skirt (and very short too…) and with a small pocket containing a red cross stamped, and very close and above from the pocket there was a heart embroidered in the waist level, with the word "NARU"; the rest of suit was a white bra with two short halfcups, a rollerskate which boot was blue, a red lasso in the neck and other one in hair, beyond white adornments in arms. Even a blue underwear was detailed. For Kami, what an indecorum! I can't resist myself from protesting: "What kind of thing is that, Naru-senpai? This… This… This is indecorous! I can't believe you will use this kind of suit!".

Naru faced me and replied: "Hummm… I think that our dear Motoko-chan is jealous…".

"Yes, yes... It's jealous, jealous, jealous!", Kaolla repeated, happy as always. I think Kaolla understood something I didn't get yet… Kaolla was repeating the work "jealous" until she jumped int my backs, it's not the first time she did something like that with someone.

"Kaolla-san, you like me, don't you?", I asked Kaolla, with a restrained smile.

"Of course, Motoko, I like you a lot!", Kaolla replied, tightening my neck. I had to loosen the hug before I was able to speak; Kaolla showed many times she doesn't have any idea of how strong she is.

"So, say to me: why should I have jealousy from Naru-senpai's suit?", I inquired.

"Because her suit is very lustful and shows all her physical gifts to Keitaro!", Kaolla responded, with a wide open smile. Now I got the subject, that Naru… She was using a dirty move to reconquer Keitaro. I've never thought Naru-senpai would be so low.

"Oh, Naru-san, I'll never have any chance this way…", Mutsumi moaned. It seemed that the contest for Keitaro's heart was very explicit, without makeups.

"Don't worry, Mutsumi-san, it's not just a beautiful body in a flamboyant suit will have a chance to conquer Keitaro", I solaced her. I don't believe it, I'm having a nice judgement about Keitaro… Man, how love can change concepts now solidified.

"Do you think, Motoko-chan? What nice…", Mutsumi sighed relieved.

"But I believe I already got an extra point in the contest, my dear ones…", Naru provoked.

While we were deliberating, Shinobu used the free time to make her own suit. After she was finished, she went in the chat and said: "I've made mine, what do you think?".

We stopped the wrangle and we checked Shinobu's vestments. Man, it's so beautiful. She bottomed her suit in the old western vestment for female housekeepers, but it was tighter to the body and the skirt folds were shorter. The hat looked like a crown and she had long white stockings with waist-bind. In hair, two yellow lassos. The suit was also lustful, but it was more decorous than the Naru suit.

"Wow, Shinomy, it's beautiful! Are you also contesting Keitaro?", Kaolla inquired, leaving the poor Shinobu dismayed. It seemed that Shinobu wanted to disappear into the first sighted hole.

"Very well, the draw sessions is over. Now, I'll arrange the suits needlework. It's good that all of you help Shinobu to project the thematic bar decoration. By the way, let's choose the bar name", Kanako affirmed.

"Well, since I'm the sponsor to the Tea House, I believe I must be the responsible person for the forename. How about… Lady Haruka & Her Wonderful Girls? I think that's quite modern", Haruka suggested. After the fact that Haruka translated the proposed name, all the girls raised their thumbs, endorsing the name. It seemed that even the name had sex appeal…

"Well, Haruka-san, it's better we find out how Keitaro will participate. I'm sure he won't waste the opportunity to harass us", Naru said.

"Now, it's not possible... Keitaro went out with some classmates…", Haruka clarified. That thing left girls worried, mainly the beauties triplet that was contesting the love from the most gracious light-headed man of the world; me, Naru and Mutsumi looked to each other, as if the three ones were feeling that there was something else in the fight… If that possibility occurs, the challenge will get more difficult.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'll get back to the training… I need to keep the shape", I warned. Therefore, the other girls also took different routes. I felt that this thematic bar will be more problematic as it seemed to be…

Mas, if it serves to conquer Keitaro's love, everything will be worth…

Chapter written between Dec-30-2004 and Dec-31-2004, and translated between Jun-07-2006 and Jun-26-2006. Some entries must be clarified:

1 Bogu: the complete equipment for the practice of Kendo, it's constituted by Men (head protector), Kote (it protects hand and forearm), Tare (it protects groin and thigh) and Do (trunk protector).

2 Escarpin: (it's pronounced "escarpan") it's the female shoe with high heels and it's closed at the fingers and by the sides (a useful information for some misinformed men like me…).

3 Cheongsam: it's the traditional chinese dress, which is characterized by a high and tight to the neck collar, the sleeves varies according to the season when a woman wants to wear the dress (from very short sleeves to long ones with handles), with buttons in the right side and different lengths (from mid thigh to ankle).

4 Keiko-Gi and Hakama: respectively, it's the coat and the trousers from kendo vestment.

Who wants to know the vestments that based all this saga, visit the Anime Wallpapers site, into the section Love Hina – page 9 – wallpaper 49. By the way, this episode gave me a lot of work. I had to consult several sites with Japanese and Chinese traditions to find out some peculiarities about referred cultures, beyond some fashion sites. New acknowledgments for all of you for the several reviews you gave for this saga. The Portuguese version is contemplated by Shadowslicer Lucas, thank you man! As I said at other chapters, your reviews work as thermometer – where I can verify if my saga is getting hot or not. Give some review is easy: just choose the option "Submit Review" at the bottom of pages and click!

If you missed Motoko, this episode had only the point of view from the more elegant kendo fighter from mangás/animes. I hope that Motoko fans really enjoy it, and I give my wishes of a wonderful 2006 from all of you! Enjoy the next mid year! Min'na arigato gosai masu!