The futon that Takina had bought for herself was a single, and now, Takina wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse as she and Chisato were now squeezed against each other, just having showered, eaten, and gone through their nightly routine. For 'space conservation', Chisato had elected to hold Takina as tight as possible while remaining comfortable. Not that Takina minded, of course. The feeling of Chisato's arms over her front gave her a sense of security that was hard for someone like her to come by.

"Hey, Chisato?"

"Hm?"

"I was thinking… Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?"

Chisato raised an eyebrow.

"Where's this coming from?"

"Well, it's just…"

Takina waited for a moment before saying:

"Well, our cafe here's been making a lot of money, so I did the math and it turns out, well… we have enough money for another week of vacation."

Judging by the way Chisato's hands tensed around her, Takina figured that Chisato had not expected this.

"Hah?! Really? Did you tell the others?"

"About that…"

Takina fidgeted with her thumbs for a moment before meekly stating:

"It appeared like there was only enough money for two…"

Chisato gave a gasp, putting one of her hands over her own mouth while speaking in faux offence.

"Oh? Getting the two of us an all-expenses paid vacation free of work and distractions? Are you sure you're not proposing?"

The effect that Chisato's words had had on Takina's face was made evident by the fact that her ears had turned bright red.

"That's not-"

"And I'd bet that you found us a safe house with only one bed again! Are you trying to get into my pants again, Takina?"

Steam was emanating from Takina's head and her face was red, but she merely stated:

"I-I won't deny that…"

The effect that Takina's words had had on Chisato's face was made evident by the fact that her entire face had turned bright red.

"A-ah…"

Chisato buried her face in the back of Takina's neck, weighing her options for a moment before…

*lick*

"Wha- Chisato!"

Takina spun around, flushed while Chisato merely grinned.

"I'm just a little excited is all~ Does it feel any different?"

Takina looked off at the ceiling before giving a tentative nod.

"Y-yeah. It feels like… like we've connected somehow, you know?"

"You think so?"

The two of them now lay side by side, staring up at the ceiling while Chisato offered Takina an arm pillow which she graciously accepted, snuggling up to Chisato.

"Hey, Takina?"

"Mhm?"

"We've got one more day here, right?"

Takina slowly nodded, waiting to see where Chisato was going with this.

"And tomorrow's a special day, isn't it?"

Now, Takina was stumped. Was it an anniversary? No, they'd been together for less than a month. Any holidays? None that she knew of. With that, Takina shook her head, much to the amusement of Chisato.

"Eh? Is that so…"

And then she saw it. That same crafty expression that Chisato wore whenever she was cooking up a plan.

"Something going on?"

"Oh, don't worry about it! Just make sure to sleep in tomorrow, ok? Wouldn't want you to be tired and cranky on the plane, now would we?"

Takina was about to protest, but something about Chisato's expression told her to just listen. So she did.

"Alright. B-but, uh…"

Chisato listened, hanging onto every word that Takina said.

"Yes?"

"It's just, uh…"

Takina extended her arms out at Chisato, blushing as she asked:

"Could you, uh, be my pillow?"

A smile immediately sprung onto Chisato's face and with one enthusiastic "Of course!", Takina comfortably nuzzled into Chisato's chest before the two of them drifted off to sleep.

###

When Takina woke up, the second thing she noticed was the fact that the sky outside was still dark.

Of course, the first thing she noticed was an obnoxiously loud alarm accompanied by the sight of an energetic gremlin leaping out of bed beside her.

"Ugh… Chisato? Why'd you set an alarm for… 2 in the morning?!"

The only response that she got, however, was a smile as Chisato simply stated:

"Oh, it's nothing. Just go back to sleep, ok?"

"I…"

Takina sat there for a moment, processing what Chisato had just told her for a moment before holding onto the hem of Chisato's pajama shirt, saying:

"D-don't leave, ok?"

Chisato opened her mouth in surprise, not even having considered this reaction. Kneeling down, she scooped Takina up into a hug in one hand and patted her head with the other as she lowered her voice to a quiet, soothing tone.

"Takina, I swear on my life that I will never leave you again."

"Pfft…"

"Hah? What's so funny?"

"...Poor choice of words, Chisato."

"Eh? What do you- ah, crap! U-uh, um… I swear on all the fish and garden eels in the world! There, is that better?"

The sound of light laughter coming from Takina helped to calm Chisato's nerves as she put Takina back down.

"Alright. I'll wake you up once I'm finished, ok Takina?"

Chisato hovered over Takina, waiting for a response.

"Hello? Takina? Earth to Takina! Where are y-mmph!"

Finding herself promptly cut off by Takina's mouth followed by her tongue, Chisato found herself red-faced and panting while Takina merely dove under the covers, laughing all the while.

"Takina! What was that for?!"

Takina didn't respond for a few moments before practically singing:

"Just felt like it~ And I love you."

Chisato couldn't help but smile at that as she stood back up.

"Alright then! See you later!"

And with that, the door closed behind Chisato as Takina drifted back to sleep.

###

"Wakey wakey, Takina!"

The sight of Chisato hovering over her was a new sensation to Takina, though it wasn't exactly an unpleasant one. On one hand, Takina was quite used to the need to suddenly wake up, but on the other hand, the futon was warm, Chisato was warm, and it was still mostly dark out, so did she really need to get up now?

Recalling the way that Chisato would cling to her in the mornings, a smile began to spread on her face as ideas spread in her mind.

"C'mon, Takina! You've gotta get up-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Chisato was cut off with a kiss for the second time that day before being dragged under the covers next to Takina.

"Eh? What's going on?"

Takina didn't say anything, merely smiling at Chisato, who, in turn, started smiling back.

"Takina~ It's time to wake up."

But to Chisato's surprise, Takina simply shook her head, kissed her full on the lips again, and when she finally allowed Chisato a chance to breathe, she simply said:

"Nope. I think I'll have a little snack first."

Chisato blinked, temporarily struck dumb before managing to get out:

"G-geez! Who taught you to be this aggressive this early, Takina- a-ahhn…"

Chisato's voice abruptly trailed off into a moan as Takina nibbled at her neck before saying:

"I learn from the best."

###

After each of them showered, Takina and Chisato got dressed before heading out to LycoReco. While Takina's face was still flush, Chisato had relaxed into a smile as she walked with the same spring in her step as usual.

"Why is it that you always end up on top?"

Chisato flashed Takina a toothy grin, merely stating:

"Because I love you more."

"Liar!"

"Ah? We're doing this now?"

",,,No. I was just wondering how you got so good so fast. Are you sure that this morning was only your second time?"

Chisato shrugged.

"I guess that I just know your body the best, Takina."

"Seriously? I mean…"

Takina's voice started trailing off as Chisato sucked at her neck just enough to render her speechless. After a few moments of this, Chisato backed off, wiping her mouth as she said:

"Delicious."

"U-uh, Chisato?"

Chisato's smile was slowly replaced by a look of horror as Takina revealed a purple mark on her neck.

"It… there isn't anything there, right?"

Chisato looked away, sweat beginning to form on her brow.

"Uh, well, you see…"

###

"Are you sure that they won't be suspicious?"

"Well, yeah, but you know what they say! Innocent until proven guilty!"

"I'm not sure that applies here…"

In the end, the 2 of them had bought matching flower necklaces as a way to cover Takina's neck. Takina tried to pay, but for whatever reason, Chisato insisted on opening her own wallet, saying something along the lines of "I can't make you pay on a day like today!"

Rhyming aside, Takina wondered what exactly was special about today of all days.

Regardless, she had bigger things to worry about as she followed Chisato.

"Oi, Chisato?"

"Yes?"

"Isn't this a different route than what we usually take?"

Chisato shrugged.

"We decided to try out a different location since it's the last day and all. You know?"

Takina nodded.

"Makes sense."

Despite the explanation, Takina couldn't help but feel a slight sense of suspicion as they walked. Nevertheless, they continued until they'd reached a parking lot where Chisato eagerly ran up to one of the cars, much to Takina's confusion.

"Chisato? What are you-"

"Get in."

Takina blinked twice.

"Hah? Did you get a driver or something?"

Chisato merely laughed to herself for a second before puffing out her chest, saying:

"Yeah. And you're looking at her."

Again, Takina blinked twice.

"You… got your driver's licence here?"

Chisato waved her hand dismissively, giving a light laugh as she did.

"Oh, it's really nothing special. Lycoris are allowed to drive as soon as they complete their respective courses."

"But doesn't that only apply to when we're in Japan?"

Chisato shrugged, stepping inside the vehicle, prompting Takina to take the seat beside her, albeit reluctantly.

""Are you sure that this is a good idea?"

"Oh, yeah, positive! When have I ever had a bad idea?"

"I can name a few of them…"

"Just relax, Takina! I managed to score over a 90 on the local driver's ed test and I even have a full licence!"

"Kurumi made that for you, didn't she?"

Ignoring that, Chisato stepped on the gas and they began to pull out onto the street.

But they didn't stay on the street for long as Takina noticed that the road they were travelling on turned to a dirt path under their tires.

"Are you sure that you're comfortable driving in this, Chisato?"

"Oh, yeah, totally. Besides, we're almost there."

The path stretched on, Takina gazing out at the pacific ocean to pass the time. After a while, Takina noticed that they'd started drifting closer to the beachside.

"Chisato? Are we stopping on the beach?"

"Mm! Yeah, we are! In fact, I think I can spot our spot right up ahead!"

Takina craned her neck before realizing that the LycoReco vehicle was, indeed set up on the beachside. However, Takina found the secluded nature of the spot they were in to be strange as it wouldn't be conducive to attracting customers. In addition, the outside area typically reserved for customers was smaller than usual, only featuring one table. Yet that single table appeared to be more lavishly decorated than even their normal store, being decked with streamers and balloons. As they pulled up and exited the car, Takina shot Chisato a confused look.

"Chisato? What is this-"

"Happy birthday, Takina!"

4 bursts of confetti shot straight into Takina's face, but her only reaction was to stand there in shock.

"Hah? What the-"

And then she remembered the date.

"O-oh. Right. It's my birthday."

Chisato raised an eyebrow.

"What? You forgot?"

Takina looked at the ground for a few moments before turning to vaguely face Chisato as she said:

"I-I guess that that explains what you were saying earlier…"

"Well, forget all of that now! I say we just have as much fun as possible now, ok?"

Takina looked up, first at Chisato, then the other members of LycoReco before giving a nod and smile.

"Mm. Sounds like a good idea."