[Cryptic: I deeply apologize for getting this chapter up so late, I realize it's been a month but please forgive me. I got quite sick, I really don't like writing when I'm ill :/ . Then I hurt my arms, which made typing uncomfortable, and THEN I got sick again...and then I lost my internet, it's wonderful how life works isn't it? Anyway please enjoy this chapter! : D ]
Kazune Returns: [Super Magical Love Potion?]
Kazune grabbed Karin and pulled her in for a close hug. "Good morning…Karin," he said sleepily. They were both in the hallway and Karin had just stepped out of her room. She was dressed in a light blue top and a pleated white skirt that came just above her knees. Kazune was still wearing the clothes he had slept in.
"Kazune-kun, wh-why are you holding me?", Karin asked as she felt her face begin to heat up.
"Because Karin," he said tightening his arms around her, "you're just so comfy". Kazune sounded as if he was going to doze off whilst he held onto Karin.
"Maybe you should go back to bed," Karin suggested, her face was becoming hotter and hotter as Kazune continued to embrace her.
"Nu-uh", Kazune quickly declined, "I'm perfectly fine…right…here," his words were hushed and came out slowly. He really did sound as though he'd fall asleep right then and there.
"Kazune…", Karin started to say. Just then, Kazune's hands began to move down Karin's back and somehow managed to slide under her skirt. Karin felt this, and suddenly her scarlet face and pounding heart couldn't take it anymore. "Kyyaaaaa!" she screamed. Karin's instincts kicked in and she immediately pushed Kazune off her, causing him to fly into the nearest wall. Not quite knowing what to do, Karin fled the scene of the crime.
It had been an hour since the incident and Karin was in the dinning room eating breakfast with Micchi and Himeka. Karin hadn't talked much since taking her seat at the table, she appeared to be shaking slightly. Himeka and Micchi exchanged worried glances at each other . Finally, Himeka spoke up. "Karin-chan, are you feeling okay?".
Karin stared blankly at her food. She was too lost in her thinking to hear Himeka's question, she replayed the same thoughts in her head over and over again. What was that about? Why did he do that?. That wasn't normal. I wonder if he's okay. I'm such an idiot! And so on… Karin felt a very puzzling mixture of embarrassment, delight, guilt and confusion. Karin gripped her chopsticks tightly, if she applied anymore pressure to them they'd break under her mere force.
"Kariiiiiiin-chan? Helloooo? Karin-chan!" Himeka desperately tried to get Karin's attention. Himeka looked back at Micchi, seeking help. "I think we've lost her", she suggested, "maybe her mind exploded or something."
"She's fine, she's probably just a little sleepy!", Micchi said as he finished his rice. "Here, here, I'll wake her up from dreamland", he said setting his rice bowl down and walking over to Karin. He knelt beside her. "Hey Hanazono-san, can I have the rest of your breakfast?" Micchi asked.
Karin didn't respond.
"Hey look! A unicorn!", Micchi exclaimed.
Karin kept staring at her food with the same blank expression.
"So Hanazono-san, what colour of panties are you wearing today?".
Karin didn't even flinch.
Micchi looked disappointed. "Hm, that one usually makes her attack me with sharp and pointy objects". Micchi tried once more. "Hey look! It's Kazune!".
Karin instantly broke out of her trance. "Huh? What? Where?", Karin blushed and hid her face in her hands.
"Yay, Karin-chan's back~" Himeka cheered.
Micchi looked pleased with his accomplishment. "So whatcha been thinking about Hanazono-san?" he asked curiously.
"Nnmmnnn nunn ppmnmnmnrrrr", Karin mumbled into her hands.
"Huh? Evil giant mushrooms?" Himeka guessed. Micchi forced Karin's hands from her face, revealing her beat red expression.
"I-I said…'nothing in particular'", Karin repeated. She looked down at her hands as she tightly clasped them together.
"Is that so?", Micchi asked while holding his chin in a curious manner. "We heard you scream earlier, what was that about?".
"O-oh that, well…", Karin's eyes shifted nervously as she tried to search for an explanation other than the truth. She couldn't tell them what really happened, that'd be far too embarrassing and raise even more embarrassing questions. Plus, Karin hadn't quite calmed down yet to be able to handle a Micchi Himeka interrogation. At the moment she couldn't even face Kazune. Karin glanced over at Himeka, and suddenly, she got an idea. "A spider!" she declared, "yes, I saw a big spider and got scared, that's all".
"Oooh, what kind of spider?", Himeka asked out of her own interest, "where was it? Is it still there?" she asked in her cute, pleasant voice.
"I don't know, I forget, and I'm not sure", Karin replied to every question in the order they had been asked.
Suddenly Micchi had realized something, something that normally he would have pointed out earlier if Karin hadn't distracted him with her odd behaviour. "Where is Kazune anyway?", he felt a bit daft for not asking sooner.
"Ah ah…That's a good question…" Karin said holding one of her hands to her face, a faint red blush still present on her cheeks.
"Oh! Maybe the spider scared him away!", Himeka suggested with excitement in her voice. "Kazune-chan is scared of spiders the most!".
"Good point", Micchi stated while nodding his head.
Karin sighed with relief, Himeka's bug obsession had some how come into good use, it took the unwanted attention away from Karin. Just then, footsteps could be heard approaching the dinning room. Kazune entered now dressed in proper day clothes. He was rubbing the back of his head which now had a sore bump on it, and he appeared to be very grumpy. Karin saw this, and instantly knew it was from getting pushed into the wall, he probably hit his head in the process. And she knew it was all her fault. Karin looked down at her hands again, feeling ashamed of what she had done.
"Good morning Kazune-chan!", Himeka greeted happily.
"We were just talking about you Kazune," Micchi said with a grin.
Kazune sent Micchi an icy glared,. "I don't care" he stated.
Micchi's expression was filled with puzzlement, he had no idea what put Kazune in such a sour mood, and so, Micchi attempted to cheer him up. "You should have some breakfast, it's really delicious. Karin practically made it all by herself, she's getting really good at cooking. Try some!" he said in his merriest tone.
"I don't want any" Kazune replied in such an icy voice it sent shivers down Karin's spine. She wanted to apologize, but Kazune's voice seemed to have frozen her in place. "I'm going out", Kazune muttered as he left the room.
"Okay, but come back soon~" Micchi called as Kazune walked away.
Eventually, Kazune did come back, but even then he continued to act grumpy and distant. He didn't greet Karin at all or even acknowledge her when she tried to greet him. All day he acted apathetic and it was really starting to bother Karin. But most of all, she was worried about him, and constantly felt an enormous amount of guilt weighing on her.
It was finally the next day, and Karin was in the living room boredly staring out the window. Kazune had gone out again, without any word of where he was going or when he planned on returning. I messed up big time, I've got to fix this! But how?, Karin wondered hopelessly. She buried her face in one of the couch pillows. I'm so stupid! she thought to herself.
"Karin-chan~" a cute voice chimed through the air.
Karin quickly sat up to see a girl with dark, long hair in a simple lavender dress. "Oh hi Himeka, what is it?" she asked as Himeka came closer to her.
"Let's go shopping!" Himeka announced cheerfully, she was holding a lady bug-shaped wallet in both her hands. "I wanna get some more makeup and cute accessorises. Can you please come with me?". At times, Himeka seemed so girly that it was hard to believe that she had a bug obsession.
Karin couldn't deny Himeka's kind offer, "Of course I will, I could use some too". Karin and Himeka got prepared for their shopping trip; they told Micchi and Q-chan that they were going out and left. After a couple of minutes of walking they finally came to a small store with a big sign that said, "Seiji's Store Of Stuff". The small building looked worn down, and the merchandise that you could see through the display windows looked…odd."So THIS is the store you wanted to go to?", Karin said in a disgruntled tone. She wasn't expecting Himeka to lead her to a store like this, especially when she had specifically told Karin "cute accessories and makeup". Obviously there were "varied" definitions of cute…
"Mmhm", Himeka confirmed with a smile. She took hold of Karin's arm, "let's go in!" Himeka said pulling Karin with her. A bell chimed as they entered the strange shop.
"Welcome to Seiji's Store Of Stuff. Please, take your time and look around", said the store clerk who was standing behind the store's counter. He was very old and appeared to be near-sighted.
"Hmmm, I wonder what they have today", Himeka wondered out loud as she browsed the shop's items.
"You come here OFTEN?", Karin asked in shock.
"Yup! Though usually I come here to buy bug catching tools and to rent old samurai movies." Himeka replied in a perfectly honest tone.
"Greeaaat", Karin mumbled sarcastically to herself. She took quick glances around the store and knew that nothing here would interest her. Karin followed Himeka around the shop, hoping that her bug-loving friend would make up her mind so that they could finally leave. Himeka spotted something for sale on the store clerk's counter. With Karin following close by, Himeka rushed over to see what it was.
" 'Super Magical Love Potion?' ", Himeka questioned as she read the label of the product aloud. It was a small bottle with suspicious pink liquid inside.
"Ah yes!", the old clerk exclaimed, "that's the last one in stock, and it only costs 200 yen".
Karin gave a look of disbelief, "how does it work?" she asked as she crossed her arms.
"Ah well," the old clerk began to explain, "once someone consumes some of the love potion, the first person of the opposite gender they see they will immediately fall head over heels for. However, if by chance this person is already in love with them they will simply become much much more affectionate. It's a rather strong potion".
Much much more affectionate… Karin's thoughts started to wander on their own again, if I gave this to Kazune…maybe he wouldn't hate me anymore…"
"Oh, that sounds wonderful~ I'll take it!" Himeka said cheerfully as she exchanged her 200 yen for the mysterious love potion, completely snatching Karin's idea away from her.
Karin shook her head, Oh whatever, it was a stupid idea anyway, she told herself. Himeka and Karin both exited the shop with their newly purchased item.
"Hey! Hey wait! Don't forget to read the warning label on the back!" The old clerk called out as the two girls left the store, but it had been too late and the old man's advice had been unheard.
"Waaah~ I'm so excited!" Himeka exclaimed as she and Karin made their way home. Karin stared at the ground as she walked; at least one of them were in a good mood."
Himeka, what do you plan to use that for anyway?" Karin asked with uncertainty.
"Ah well, you see…", Himeka said as if she were about to reveal a truly genius plan. "I'm going to make a butterfly and a spider fall in love with each other. And then! They'll make flying spider babies~ Ooh it'll be so cuuuuute~". Himeka smiled, obviously pleased with herself
The image of flying eight-legged creatures sent shivers through Karin's body. Typical Himeka she thought. "Yeah? Sounds great," she said forcing a smile of her own.
Himeka and Karin arrived home where they found Jin and Kazune sitting in the living room, playing chess. Kazune appeared to be in a better mood, and winning. Jin seemed to be concentrating but noticed the two girls enter.
"Goddess Karin, Himeka! Welcome home!" he greeted enthusiastically.
"Welcome back", Kazune said dully, he didn't even peer up from their game. Karin felt an aching pain in her chest as Kazune yet again, continued to ignore her very existence.
"Hi Jin, hi Kazune-chan~" Himeka chimed as Karin simply waved.
"Look look! I'm gonna totally beat Kazune at chess," Jin said with great confidence as he flashed a thumbs up at the girls.
"Psssh, yeah right. I'm the one who's winning, you idiot," Kazune stated gruffly. He moved his brook forward and claimed Jin's second knight.
"Woah! Stop doing that!" Jin complained.
"That's how you win the game DIMWIT!" Kazune replied.
"You're the dimwit DUMBASS!"
"WHAT? You're the dumbass you IDIOT!".
The guys continued to argue back and forth as Himeka and Karin made their way into the kitchen. Karin sat done to rest for a while as Himeka prepared some green tea. She poured the tea into 4 different coloured tea cups. She then unscrewed the cap off the love potion and poured some into the cups. Karin cocked her head to the side as she watched Himeka, "what are you doing that for?"she asked.
"Spiders and butterflies love green tea, don't you know that? And once they drink this they'll fall deeply in love. And then, I'll get my flying spiders!" Himeka explained. She then paused for a moment, as if she were forgetting something that was key to her plan. She clapped her hands together as she came to the realization, "right!, I need to go get the spider and the butterfly first!". Himeka rushed out into the backyard.
"Ah, Himeka never changes," Karin laughed lightly to herself. She stood up and entered the living room again, where the bickering Kazune and Jin seemed to have given up on their argument, and their chess match. Karin took a seat on a chair across from them.
"Man I'm tired," Jin sighed as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, the chess game and the constant name calling had been quite intense.
"Yeah, I don't really wanna play anymore, let's go get something to eat", Kazune said as he got up from his seat.
"Good idea," Jin agreed following Kazune into the kitchen. As the two boys came into the kitchen they noticed the tea cups on the counter. "Ooh look, green tea," Jin said as he pointed to the tea Himeka had just brewed. "Hey Kazune, I bet I can drink it faster than you."
"No way," Kazune said narrowing his eyes at Jin. Jin nodded, the two each took a tea cup and chugged the green tea.
Jin finished first, "Aaah, that was good. See, I told you I'd win" he said proudly.
"Oh shut up. I demand a rematch, at Chinese checkers!" Kazune challenged.
"You're on!" Jin accepted the challenge and rushed back into the living room first, but as soon as he saw Karin he stopped dead in his tracks. "Karin…" he said as his eyes locked onto her.
"Oh, hi Jin," Karin smiled weakly, she was still feeling down.
Jin came up to Karin and took both of her hands into his, "Karin, you're looking especially beautiful today," he complimented, his eyes had a strange gleam to them.
"Aah…thanks," Karin replied, feeling a bit embarrassed, she wasn't entirely sure how she was suppose to react to that. "Umm Jin do you th-"before Karin could complete her sentence Jin wrapped his arms around her embracingly."Jin! Wh-what are y-you d-doing?" Karin stuttered.
Just then, Kazune came into the living room, but paused as he saw Jin holding Karin closely. "Jin. What are you doing? We've got a game of Chinese checkers to play". Kazune stated, sounding slightly annoyed by the display of affection.
"I don't want to play Chinese checkers with you anymore, Kazune. I just want to play with Karin~" Jin squeezed Karin tighter and brushed her hair with his hand.
"Hey will you quit that?" Kazune said, he was becoming even more irritated.
"Nooooope," Jin said sticking his tongue out at Kazune, "Karin is mine." Jin said as he clung to Karin like a child holding their favourite toy.
Karin peered over at Kazune with pleading eyes, "K-Kazune, help!" she struggled to say as she was being squeezed by Jin's commanding hug.
Kazune's heart skipped a beat as his eyes met Karin's. He shoved Jin out of the way and grabbed Karin's arm while forcing Jin away from her. "NO!" he shouted, "only I am allowed to touch Karin like that!" Kazune pulled Karin close by his side.
"Kazune!" Karin gasped, her eyes grew wide as she was suddenly filled with shock and happiness. "Kazune…" she repeated lightly with relief, she was glad to have him acknowledging her again, and more than happy to have him holding her again.
"I can touch her however I want!" Jin stated, grabbing hold of Karin's free arm.
"You're such a spoiled brat! Release Karin now!" Kazune demanded as he gave a tug at Karin's arm.
"Oow!" Karin winced at the pain as she was caught in the middle of a tug-of-war match. They were acting very strange and Karin wasn't sure why or what to do about the current situation.
"Hey!" Kazune shouted at Jin, "stop that! You're hurting her!".
Jin narrowed his eyes, "no! you're the one who's tugging on her!". Certainly, Jin and Kazune had become like two children fighting over the same toy, in which this case was Karin.
Suddenly a tall figure entered the room, "Hey guys stop! Seriously, what are you doing to Hanazono-san?" said a very worried Micchi who stood in the door frame leading from the kitchen into the living room. "Honestly, you guys are such children", Micchi walked over to them, set a certain tea cup down and gently pulled Karin away from the bickering Kazune and Jin. "Hanazono-san can't possibly belong to you two," Micchi said with a playful laugh, "When she's obviously mine."
[Cryptic: I've always wanted to do a cliff hanger ^-^ I am glad to have finally gotten the chance, and with Micchi~. Again, I apologize for the horrible delay on updating this story, but I promise that I shall try my best to write diligently and more frequently, even when I'm unwell :3 Thank you everyone for the positive feedback! Reviews are appreciated and not forced upon like Jin's hugs. ]