BONUS KAPITEL A: Sisterly Bonds (Pt. 1 of 3)
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"Welcome to my home, Anchovy…"
"This is rather old-school looking, but nonetheless adequate for someone who lives alone in this ship. And don't call me Anchovy!"
These were the first few words exchanged between Anglerfish Team's Mako Reizei and Racoon Team's Chiyomi Anzai, as they finally arrived at the former's small house aboard Ōarai Academy's floating school complex. Per orders of the Student Council, members of Anglerfish Team are to take in their respective counterparts from the newly-formed Racoon Team – composed of guest members from various schools with active Sensha-Do programs – in their abode for a few days, up until Ōarai's inter-school friendly game with the Infinite Stratos Academy.
This predicament was apparently problematic for the usually hot-headed Chiyomi, known previously as Anzio Academy's "Green Blaze Duchess", as she gets paired with the most lethargic member, not just of Anglerfish Team, but of Ōarai's entire roster.
Mako was sort of unfazed of her guest as she made her way into the kitchen with some packs of instant ramen, and prepped some water in a kettle.
"You're rather minimalistic with dinner, you know that?" Chiyomi observed.
"Honestly, you're the very first guest I invited here, apart from Saori-san," Mako flatly replied. "This is why I am rather inexperienced in making complicated meals, apart from the fact that I live alone here…"
"And to think Ōarai's Ace Driver would be this blunt," her guest commented. "Still, you shouldn't be continuously living over instant meals like that."
Chiyomi then brought in her shopping bag and laid down what looks like ingredients for Chicken Alfredo. "Have you got a knife and chopping board, by chance?"
Mako then brought out the said kitchen tools from the cabinet and gave laid them on the table. "And here I thought you were just a haughty jerk, Anchovy; seems you have a caring side as well. I just wished Sodoko would cook for me like that…"
"Hey, don't get the wrong idea," Chiyomi reacted, as she reached for the tools. "I just cannot stand the thought of seeing you eat substandard meals like that. I owe it to your friend Nishizumi Miho for seeing some things in a new light after our quarterfinals match in the tournament."
Mako let out a light smile of sorts as she resumed preparations of the instant ramen…
"And stop calling me Anchovy, okay?!"
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Meanwhile, not far from Mako's place…
"Mmmm! You really need to teach me how to make great-tasting tea!"
"It's not that hard to make if you learn the basics, Takebe-san; it did take me a while before I could perfect it though…"
It was rather a peaceful yet posh scene at Saori's apartment, as she had Racoon Team's radio operator Darjeeling, aka 'The Voice of St. Glorianna', as her guest for the next few days. And the latter just served her a batch of her namesake tea for dinner.
"Well, you're rather skilled with cooking as well, Takebe-san," the yellow-haired guest commented. "With your beef stew, you can ensnare a man's heart rather effortlessly."
"You really think so, Darjeeling-san?"
"Well, as they would usually put it 'the best way through a man's heart is through his stomach,'" she replied with a light smile on her face. "I just wish that I could be able to cook that well…"
"Well, to be honest with you, having witnessed your cooking before made me think that I really should raise a disciple of sorts. How about I teach you personally while you're here, then?"
Darjeeling took a sip of her tea and lightly bowed towards her host. "You have my utmost gratitude for your generosity, Takebe-san…"
"Well, we should clean up first and rest for the night. But not to worry, right after our practice tomorrow, I will shape you up into a lady chef that St. Glorianna can be proud of!"
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On the other side of the floating school complex was a traditional bungalow house belonging to the Isuzu family – practically Hana's home away from home. The space around it is rather small, but is nonetheless adorned with flowers of various kinds, and are placed in full view of the den...
…Which rather caught the fancy of Hana's guest, Racoon Team gunner Nonna, aka "The Blizzard of Pravda High."
"It's quite refreshing to see something beautiful such as these flowers, Hana-san," she commented while lightly touching a petal. "Since our ship is usually moored at snowy places, it's rather rare for me to see them."
"Well, I tend to some of the flowers there, since they can only be found here in this ship. My mother usually brings to me small flowers in pots to take care of since our family's practicing ikebana," Hana replied as she brought a pot of green tea and a couple of cups. "How about giving it a try then, Nonna-san?"
"You're quite kind, Hana-san. I'll think about taking that offer of yours tonight…"
Just then, a young man arrived in the house with a couple of flower pots. "Hana-sama, are you home? Your mother brought another batch for you to tend to…"
"Do place them in the left corner of the garden, Shinzaburou," Hana requested of her aide. "I will try to tend to them first thing tomorrow morning."
As he passed by the den, he immediately saw Hana's raven-haired guest; coincidentally, Nonna looked at the young man with her royal blue eyes, which was apparently locked with his eyes as well.
"Oh, this is rather surprising of you," Hana caught her aide's attention, causing Shinzaburou to flinch.
"My apologies, Hana-sama. I just did not expect that you would have a guest tonight. More so one who's as elegant as you..."
"He's rather cute for a young servant, if you ask me Hana," Nonna candidly uttered, before turning to the young man and extending her delicate left hand for a handshake. "It's quite a pleasure to meet you, Shinzaburou-san; my name is Nonna."
Shinzaburou then reached for her hand and knelt in front of her. "The pleasure is mine, Nonna-sama..."
"Sweet to the ladies as always, Shinzaburou..." Hana chuckled upon seeing her family's servant blushing while still acting all cool.
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Back with Mako and Chiyomi though...
"Are you sure about this, Reizei?"
"Not comfortable with sleeping in someone else's futon, Anchovy?"
"I'm just concerned about your well-being," Chiyomi declared. "And for the last time, I'm Not Anchovy!"
"Well, don't be. I'm gonna be a bit busy for tonight so you can have the futon all for yourself," Mako replied. "Not to worry though since I'll join you tomorrow night..."
"Eh?"
"See you in the morning, Anchovy..." And with that, Mako closed the sliding door shut leaving Chiyomi all alone in the room, who later on let off a grunt.
"Well, no harm in taking a host's offer anyway. But why?"
As she untied the ribbons holding her twin-tails, she took a peek at the living room by slightly opening the door, and saw Mako sitting in front of a small table reading what looks like a magazine.
Particularly one which details her exploits during her heyday as Anzio's Green Blaze Duchess...
This apparently left a light smirk on Chiyomi's face as she closed the door again and hit the sack for the night.
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