Okay back to Natsumi…
Her mind still reeling about what the pictures in the belt could possibly mean, Natsumi quickly closed it and put it back in Giroro's tent, not caring anymore if Giroro woke up and put it on. She ran inside and up the stairs, then flopped onto her bed to spend a sleepless night freaking out about her discovery and what it could possibly mean.
But if he does have a crush on me, that would explain a lot…
He's a battle-hardened warrior, Natsumi! No way he'd fall in love with the enemy! Besides, even if he does love you, you already like Saburo!
Well… do I, though? I mean, I've been going through the motions of liking him, but, I mean, other than the fact that he's cute and he's buddies with Kululu, what do I really know about him? The reason I can never talk around him is because I can't think of anything we'd both enjoy talking about, and I blush because I'm embarrassed that I can't think of anything to say…
You're not saying you'd actually consider Giroro!?
Well, no… I don't know…. Maybe?
That's it. We've officially gone insane.
By the time the sun had come up, Natsumi felt terrible. She hadn't slept at all, and she was mentally and emotionally drained from the inner argument she'd been having with herself. Despite this, she knew that she had to get up and make breakfast, so she sluggishly got dressed and trudged down the stairs. Once breakfast was made, she went to go wake Fuyuki up, and once that was done, collapsed on the couch, and was nearly unable to move.
"Are you okay, Natsumi?" Fuyuki asked worriedly. "You look awful."
"Couldn't sleep," Natsumi croaked. "Thinking is bad for the health."
"Do you need to stay home?" Fuyuki asked. Natsumi tried to blink herself awake, slowly shaking her head.
"I can still go to school, not problem!" Natsumi said, trying to stand up. She fell over and hit her elbow against the coffee table. "Ow."
"I'll go get mom," Fuyuki said. "What were you thinking about anyway?" Natsumi paled.
"Nothing!" she squeaked, reddening severely. Fuyuki shrugged and went to go inform his mother that there was no way Natsumi was going to school.
"Mom, Natsumi's sick or something because she stayed up all night!" Fuyuki called through the door. Aki was already up and dressing, so she hurried up the process anime-style and flung open the door.
"What!? Is she okay? What happened?" Aki fretted. Fuyuki shrugged.
"She wouldn't tell me, and I've got to go to school. You don't have to work today, right? Maybe you can work it out of her?" Fuyuki suggested, and bolted out the door for school. Aki walked down the stairs, searching for Natsumi, who was collapsed face-first on the couch.
"Natsumi, you okay?" Aki asked, sitting next to her and jostling her shoulder. Natsumi groaned.
"Up all night," she said, shifting so that she was in a sitting position. "Couldn't sleep a wink."
"Care to tell me why?" Aki asked, sitting down next to her. Natsumi shook her head.
"Because I'm insane," she replied. "There's no way!"
"No way what?" Giroro grumbled as he walked in, his belt slung back across him. He glanced at Natsumi. "That was a cheap shot, Natsumi, but… thanks." With that, he blushed and walked off towards the base, and Natsumi curled up in a ball and started hyperventilating.
"No way no way no way no way no way," she muttered. Aki frowned.
"Natsumi?" she started tentatively. Natsumi exploded.
"Don't be insane mom, of course I don't think Giroro likes me because I found a secret compartment in his belt with a bunch of pictures of me in it or anything, why would you suggest such a thing!?" Natsumi screeched defensively. Aki only heard part of it due to Natsumi's speed and volume, but she heard enough to be thrilled.
"Oh, you finally found out!" Aki squealed. Natsumi flinched.
"Found out what? I've found out nothing," Natsumi insisted. Aki grinned knowingly.
"Oh, stop that! He's had a thing for you forever, Natsumi! Everyone else has been waiting for you to clue in, finally!" Aki said happily. Natsumi shook her head vigorously.
"That's impossible, mom. We're all insane, it's nothing like that!" Natsumi said. Haru walked in with a video in one hand.
"Didn't think we'd need this so soon, but I heard what was going on. Fuyuki had Kululu make this so we could convince you," Haru said, and popped the video into the player, turning on the TV.
"What's that?" Natsumi asked suspiciously.
"Proof that what you aren't believing is true," Haru said matter-of-factly. "Even I can tell, Natsumi, and I just got here. Besides, the way you know Kululu, you really think he chose you as the mother just because you were there when he decided to do this? He has a reason, however twisted, for everything. At least from what I can tell."
Kukuku… A Collectino of Giroro Moments, Brought toYou by Kululu! Enjoy! Kukuku…