"It's a matter of time before the flames consume all of you Celestia. Choose who you want to be with, or suffer the consequence and be eaten alive." Junko hissed, feeling Celestia's grip on her wrist loosen up.
Celestia hasn't spoken to Kirigiri nor Sayaka. In fact, it was awkward whenever Celestia spoke to Kirigiri or Sayaka. She felt the tension between her and her partner. Kirigiri would respond with one or two worded responses which eventually irritated Celestia. Sayaka would smile and nod for her responses, which was nice, but it wasn't what Celes wanted. It was all because of a certain model who wouldn't shut up about her personal life. Celestia had purposely told Kirigiri one day after school that she had "other business" to attend to, so she was unable to walk home with her. Celestia had found hurt in the lilac eyes that she loved so dearly. She had kissed the lilac-haired girl passionately, hoping it would ease the pain that she had felt. Unfortunately it still remained, and Kirigiri bid her farewell, leaving quickly.
Junko was found fooling around with Asahina, Sakura and Mukuro, and Celestia had marched up to Junko, her hand placed on the model's shoulder, nails digging into the fabric and skin underneath. "Enoshima-san." Celes had answered gracefully, "I would like to have a word with you."
Asahina gulped and Sakura looked at both Junko and Celestia. Mukuro frowned slightly, as she watched her sister walk away with Celestia. "Do you think my sister has gone too far again?" Mukuro had asked.
"I…I think this is for a more…serious reason, don't you think? Celes-chan doesn't give off her scary aura and talk nicely at the same time if she wasn't upset about something…important…" Asahina replied, her hand gripping onto her sports bag.
Junko leaned against the wall of the school building, out of eyesight of the small group she was at. She had noticed the grim look on the lolita's face, and she prepared herself to face Celestia's yelling. What surprised her was that she wasn't being yelled at. "Enoshima-san. I would like to tell you that your invasion of my privacy is inappropriate." The girl hissed, tone venomous.
Junko raised an eyebrow. "Invasion of privacy? How so Celestia?"
"You know what I'm talking about!"
Junko grunted. "I don't get what you're rambling about. Do go into detail. I hate playing games, especially guessing games when I'm not in the mood for them."
Celes growled, her hands pinning the model's shoulders roughly against the rough-skinned wall. "You told Sayaka and Kyouko stuff that didn't need to be said! That is the stuff that I only know about, no one else! How you found out is ridiculous, and for you to go around telling everyone about it, you're filthy Enoshima. Filthier than trash itself."
The model stared blankly at the gambler, and in response she sighed, pushing the girl gently off of her. "The one time I do something right I get pelted at. What a lovely thing to do eh?"
"Right? What is right in what you've done?!"
"First of all, I didn't spread it around like wildfire. Naegi and Mukuro-onee-chan only know about it so far. They're trustworthy if you can say. They know about it, but won't spread it. Secondly, your assumption on me spreading it around like my usual gossip is shallow like your words. What I've done is out of my kindness. Kirigiri and Maizono are bound to find out sooner or later. Why hold off to the point where it'll be harder for you to deal with?"
"I deal with my problems alone. Things were fine before you put doubt and hurt into them!"
Junko gritted her teeth. This was beginning to frustrate her. Why did she care? She had no idea. Junko surprised herself unexpectedly, and she had found out she had an odd soft side for her friends. She felt the gambler move on in her again and she gently pushed her away in response to have black nails dig into her wrist. Junko hissed slightly. "I will never understand you, nor will I take the time for it. What you're doing is scandalous. You are the Queen of Liars that we all know of, however, you lied to a subject that continues to grow poison and steel. Eventually it will stab you, and create a knife wound in your entire mind and heart."
"If you haven't said it, it wouldn't have happened. I have got everything under my control Enoshima-san."
"That is a lie itself. Kirigiri has suspected your scandalous ways for a while and she has put that aside, trusting your every word and action. She would never say it, all because she's afraid of the truth. Maizono is oblivious, but if she were to ever catch sight or any subtle hint, she would go on a blind, emotional rage. That you cannot control. I prevented some problems for you because I'm nice like that sometimes."
"Don't underestimate me Junko." A growl escaped from Celestia's throat, her grip still firm on the model's wrist.
"It's a matter of time before the flames consume all of you Celestia. Choose who you want to be with, or suffer the consequence and be eaten alive." Junko hissed, feeling Celestia's grip on her wrist loosen up.
Celes backed off, unable to respond. What Junko had metaphorically said was correct. She would soon be drowned in problems from both her girlfriends, if she hadn't taken action by then. Junko rubbed her wrist, "I'm trying to do you a favor. I'll leave the rest to you. But…you know, if you really need some cheering up or something, you can…come to me or my sister."
Celes widened her eyes in surprise. Enoshima-san being sentimental is a first. "Thanks for the offer." She had responded, walking away from model, not wanting to continue a conversation.
Junko groaned before she headed back to where her sister was, who was waiting patiently. Asahina and Sakura had practice and left during the serious conversation. The model had acted her usual self, nudging her sister's head as they left together. Mukuro had groaned in pain, rubbing her head as her little sister cackled, enjoying her sister's growing pain.
Junko had kept her word ever since. She kept her knowledge on Celestia's love life to herself. Celestia had loosened up the tight screws on Kirigiri and Sayaka, and both had continued their daily lives together. November bypassed and December came. The winter holidays had arrived and everyone was happy to be on break. They had finals to do, but they disregarded that for now, and enjoyed the snowy days to themselves.
Celestia had been moving back and forth, spending time with both Sayaka and Kirigiri to the best she could. It was tiresome, but she found it was well worth her time. She enjoyed their company as much as they enjoyed hers.
Celes had went out on a date with Sayaka. The cheerful idol had pranced around on the streets, and the lolita cracked a giggle here and there. They went Christmas shopping since they were both invited to Togami's Christmas party coming up within a week. Sayaka had given Celes a quick kiss on the lips before prancing away cheerfully. Celes smiled, rolled her eyes and followed the girl, unaware a pair of eyes were set upon her.
Kirigiri, who had walked out of the store she was at, hands carrying a small object, had witnessed her only girlfriend kissed by Sayaka Maizono. Her expression carried a frown, a distasteful frown. It was probably a friendly kiss, Kirigiri had assumed. She had known the girl well enough. Sayaka Maizono would sometimes kiss her friends in a friendly matter. However, Sayaka Maizono would only kiss her friends on the cheek or forehead. This had left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of the detective's stomach. Kirigiri had suspected the "cheating" for a while. Ever since of the concert. At first, she had punished herself, telling herself it was envy. She analyzed both of their relationships to each other, and she had found proof. There were many times she wanted to confront Celestia about it, but at the same time, she didn't have enough proof. Plus, she was afraid, truly afraid of the truth. Kirigiri could not place herself in a situation where Celes would admit that she was indeed cheating on her with Sayaka. It would tear her apart endlessly, and she herself, who controlled herself at all times would lose complete control of her actions and emotions. That is what she didn't want to happen.
Kirigiri walked down the dim, snowy streets at the heart of the city, shrugging the situation to the back of her mind. She had to focus on her Christmas shopping since she too was invited to Togami's Christmas party. When she had gotten home, her father had assisted her with wrapping all the gifts up. She had wrapped up her father's gift first, making sure he didn't see it. The quality time she had spent with her father that night was enough to ease the suffocating pain of her girlfriend.
It was awkward when Celestia had appeared at Kirigiri's house a few days later after the scenario from the main streets of the city. Kirigiri felt awkward, but quickly and immediately offered to spend the day with her. They had spent majority of their time cuddled up in a blanket, watching television shows. Mostly cheesy dramas.
"A lot of these dramas use the same concepts. Love triangles are an overly used theme." Analyzed Kirigiri, taking a sip of her hot chocolate, arm wrapped around Celestia's waist.
"I suppose these overused concepts and themes are used for the audience to relate to." Celes replied, cuddling closer to Kirigiri, her body craving warmth and comfort. She had a small cup of tea in her hands.
"Mmm. I suppose so. Though some of these are ridiculous. It's hard to believe if any of these happen in real life at all."
"Love is relatable. Heartbreak is relatable. I assume certain situations are way too ridiculous to believe, but they all have a common result. Heartbreak, despair and sheer agony. Struggle is another."
Kirigiri sighed softly, taking another sip of her drink. "It must be rough being in a love triangle situation isn't it? Seems rather painful."
Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly, her eyes flashing slight annoyance. She took a large gulp of her tea, her body frozen against Kirigiri's. "Yes…it seems like a hassle. I for one, would never want to be in that type of situation. It would be too much for me to handle."
Kirigiri looked over to find sudden tension in her girlfriend. She gently kissed the side of her head to comfort her. "I do hope you never will be in that type of situation."
Celes nodded, taking another sip of her drink. Something seemed odd, and she couldn't pinpoint what. She felt that Kirigiri had intentionally set up the conversation to her bidding. Would she? She doesn't seem to be the type to manipulate. It hit her like a fire-truck. "What do you mean that you hope that I'll never be in that situation?" she asked suspiciously.
Kirigiri looked at her generally confused. "I meant it in a way that you don't fall in love with someone else and that you're forced to choose who you want. It's a rather difficult situation if hearts can be divided into two."
Something isn't right. Something isn't right… "Ah. I see." Celes responded shakily, forcing herself to drink even more, "I do believe hearts can be divided into two. After all, love has no boundaries. I wouldn't know how it's like though. My heart belongs to you and only to you."
"…and my heart belongs to you as well."
"Kyouko dear. Are you alright?"
"I should ask you the same thing. You're shaken up."
"I'm cold." Celes lied. She didn't want to dig into her own grave.
"Put your tea down."
Putting her tea down on the table, Celes had found herself lifted onto Kirigiri's body, where the lilac girl laid down on the couch, arms wrapped around the gambler, and the blanket softly placed on top of her. "Better?" Kirigiri asked, her face buried into raven-colored locks.
Celes nodded. She cuddled up against Kirigiri, her scarlet eyes planted onto the tv screen, watching how the drama played. Kirigiri had done the same, her fingers drawing tiny little swirls on Celestia's thighs. The girl giggled in response.
Kirigiri was relieved that Celestia didn't catch her act. It would have caused more issues. Yet, she had found an answer to one of her questions. Celestia was an excellent liar through physical act and words. Her scarlet eyes however, played an important role. Those who are unable to read through eyes would be fooled completely, but for Kirigiri, she was trained to read everything. Body language, the usage of words, how the eyes worked, you name it. Celestia's scarlet eyes portrayed her emotion at rare times, and Kirigiri was lucky to have caught them every time.
It upset her greatly that Celestia lied to her about her love crisis. Kirigiri didn't want to bring it up, simply because she knew. She knew Celestia never wanted it to be like this, the pain she had caught in those beautiful scarlet eyes was directed to both her and Sayaka. The pain of the fact that she had to choose one, because she cannot have both as it will never work. Kirigiri had kept to herself, sometimes slipping up in front of Naegi, who told her that it was okay to let it all out. She knew she wouldn't last very long. Her patience was growing thin, but she loved Celestia dearly. She wouldn't be able to live life the way she did if the gambler had disappeared in her life. But Kirigiri knew she's hurting herself as each day passed on like this. She knew. Out of the three, she was the very one that's aching the most. It hurts to know the truth, it hurt to love someone who had split feelings. But she couldn't let go, she can't let go, all because she loved Celestia Ludenberg, also known as Taeko Yasuhiro more than anything else in the world.
"Kyouko, would you like to go out for dinner?" Celes asked, interrupting Kirigiri's thought process.
"I would love to. Though my wallet has been pretty empty ever since of Christmas shopping."
"It's my treat. Don't worry about the funds."
"T-Taeko, that seems unfair for you to pay all of the-"
"You were always the one treating me. Let me treat you just this once."
Kirigiri kept her mouth shut, eyes looking at Celes who remained solid in position. She sighed, accepting the offer. It was impossible to argue when Celes had her mind set to a specific idea.
"We should get going. It'll take an hour to get to the place I'm thinking of, and by the time we're there, it's a perfect time for dinner."
Kirigiri had grabbed the remote, shutting the TV off. Celes had gotten off of Kirigiri and had grabbed her by the hand, pulling the lilac-haired girl off of her couch.
"How are your holidays so far?" Kirigiri asked, taking a sip from her glass of water, still a tad anxious and overwhelmed at Celestia's choice in restaurants.
"Great so far. Unfortunately I have been busy."
"Mmm. I've been busy as well."
"Exams are coming after all. No surprise you're keeping up with your studies."
"I have been moving back and forth since our friends wanted to meet up with me many times of the week."
"Ah. I have gotten quite a bit of invites as well. Say, you're going to Togami-kun's Christmas party right?"
"Yes."
The conversation came to an end when both their meals arrived together. They had taken precious time eating, occasionally sparking up another conversation. The bill came in after they had finished, and Kirigiri shuddered at the sight of the numbers plastered on the bill. Celes giggled as she pulled out her wallet and set down the bills and coins. It made Kirigiri feel uneasy, simply because her girlfriend had paid all of it. She would have been fine if the bill was split, but her wallet screamed from her Christmas shopping.
"Kyouko, dear. It's fine. I told you I'm treating you this time." Celes sighed, as she stood up.
A faint smile appeared on the lilac girl's lips as she stood up as well. Celes had taken the bill to the counter, Kirigiri trailing behind her with her hands stuffed in her jacket's pockets. They had both left the building, walking side by side.
"It's a wonderful night isn't it?" Celes whispered, scarlet eyes staring at the night sky, "This reminds me of the concert. The night sky is just as beautiful as this."
"Not as beautiful as you. All the stars cannot shine as bright as you."
Celes huffed, Kirigiri chuckled in victory. "We can star gaze if you want."
The two had found a bench and had sat down together after cleaning the snow off. Both gazed up the night sky. The stars and the snow created a lovely combination, a serene type of scenary. Both were at the heart of the city, watching the flickering of bright, colorful lights, and the cheerful, happy people and couples walking by.
Celestia turned her head, gazing at Kirigiri before moving her body closer. Kirigiri had found cold fingers placed under her chin, and she turned her head, staring at scarlet. Before she could say anything, soft lips placed themselves onto her. In response, Kirigiri had grabbed Celes forcefully, but gently as possible, deepening their kiss.
Blue eyes stared for a few seconds before storming off away from the scene, unnoticed. "M-Maizono-san?! A-are you alright?" her companion asked, worried about the sudden mood change.
"I'm fine, Naegi-kun." Sayaka had answered, her grip on his hand tightening.
"Wasn't that Kirigiri-san and Celes-san just now?"
"…yes. I don't want to talk about them right now though. Is that fine?"
"Y-yeah…"
It had taken a moment for the boy to understand the situation. He had never bought the two up in a conversation, knowing that what Sayaka had seen had torn the girl's heart to shreds. Guilt plagued him because he knew about the situation, and knowing the fact that bringing up any information he acquired about it would worsen the situation.
"Maizono-san. Cheer up! It's going to be a fun night with the others. Kuwata-kun and Asahina-san had a fun group date planned out."
Sorrowful blue eyes charged into cheerful, green ones. Sayaka sighed, "You're right Naegi-kun. I can't…let my emotions ruin the fun."
Naegi placed his hand onto the idol's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Everything will get better. I promise. Right now, enjoy yourself along with me and the others."