Disclaimer: Still no ownership here folks.
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At the Hiiragi household. Tsukasa's room.
"Darn that Kagami," said Misao with more than just a hint of annoyance. She was seated on the floor in front of the TV and mashed her fingers away at the buttons on her PS2 controller like crazy. "Just my luck that she'd go MIA the minute we decide to show-up at her place."
"Oh, come now, Misakichi," replied Konata nonchalantly using the nickname she made up for Misao. Konata also sat on the floor in front of the TV and held a PS2 controller in her hand and was less hectic in pressing the buttons as her opponent in a rousing game of Tekken 5. "She texted us that she'd be home in time for dinner anyway. So don't worry."
On screen, Paul Phoenix just upper-cutted Nina Williams up in the air and dissolved that last of her life bar ending the mach in Paul's second KO. Konata grinned taking a little pride in her victory. Misoa wore an annoyed look on her face and pouted a bit.
"Darn it!" she said. "One more match! Best seven out of twelve!"
"You know, Kagamin said that you usually don't mind loosing in games and that you usually just play for fun."
"Not when it's you, Chibikko! I won't allow myself to beaten by you."
Konata simply wore her signature sleepy-eyed, cat-faced expression and looked at Misao like she didn't understand what was going on. Misao just got a little more annoyed. Over to the side, Tsukasa and Ayano were sitting on the bed, watching their two friends bicker like small children. Ayano knew that Misao didn't like Konata all that much since she keeps accusing the blue-haired otaku of "stealing" Kagami away from them. Misao was really just that type of person who can't stand to be lonely.
"It's funny how the two of them are quite alike," said Ayano.
"You think so?" asked Tsukasa. "Kona-chan isn't usually as aggressive as Misao-chan."
"Well, yes but their both rather childish, don't you think? Misao may say she dislikes Izumi-san but I think they can get along quite well given the chance--"
Ayano was interrupted when Misao exclaimed, "Oh c'mon!"
On screen, Paul Phoenix once again finished off his new opponent, Eddy Gordo, with a series of fast-paced punches. Misao was clutching onto her controller tightly in growing frustration. Konata beamed with pride in her gaming skills. Like many beginners, Misao tried to find an advantage by jumping from one character to another in-between matches instead of sticking to one character then progressively getting familiar with that character's controls.
"Give it up, Misakichi," said Konata in a rather self-indulgent tone. "You'll never beat a 1st Dan fighter like me in a fair fight."
"No way! I'm not giving up until I beat you, Chibikko!"
"Maybe you should concentrate less on gaming and concentrate more on your studies. That way you won't have to come over here to Kagamin's place to copy homework all the time."
Misao looked a little taken aback. "Oh, you did not just go there, did you?"
Konata came back with a challenging glare and a wry smirk. "Oh, yes I did!"
Misao returned Konata's glare and smirk with her own and inched closer to the otaku. "You're one to talk, little-miss-nosy. Why don't you mind your own business and stay out of other people's, huh?"
Konata inched closer. They were less than a meter apart now. "I will when you stop depending on Kagamin so much for your homework."
Misao got a little closer. Less than half-a-meter apart. "You think I'm not serious enough? Why don't you calm down a bit you over-energized little newt. You're wasting way too much energy on having fun for yourself. You should lighten up a bit, you!"
Konata moved in closer. They were practically butting heads. "Maybe I would if you could actually give some good advice on what I should spend my time on something productive."
"Alright. How about you concentrate on you're school-work or something instead of playing games for fun all the time. You totally give off that 'I'm an immature brat' vibe."
"How about you be more concerned with your looks. You are totally unattractive. Heck you look like a boy."
"Is that right?!"
"Yeah! You wanna make something of it!?"
Suddenly, both girls stopped their arguing as they suddenly felt a firm hand palm each of their heads. They were suddenly pulled away from each other and forced to look up at Kagami, who had finally returned home, who was now standing over them and wore an exasperated look on her face after hearing the whole of Konata and Misao's little squabble. Both girls that were sitting on the floor sweat-dropped.
"Considering who is saying what," started Kagami, "you two are probably the biggest hypocrites I have ever known."
Misao and Konata sweat-dropped even more. Kagami turned to Misao. "You, little-miss-hyper-and-nosy should stop acting so immature and concentrate more on you academics and stop having so much fun all the time with all this gaming which you're not even getting good at." Kagami then turned to Konata. "You little-miss-leech should try doing your own homework, start taking more productive activities, and, for your own sake, groom yourself better."
Kagami, still holding onto their heads, lightly and playfully butted Misao and Konata's heads together enough that it wouldn't do damage but would still get the desired pain effect as indicated when both girls yelped on impact. Kagami let both of them go and the two girls rubbed their sore foreheads. Kagami wore a slightly satisfied grin on her face then turned down towards her two most immature friends.
"Now, you two apologize to each other like good little girls," said Kagami in a motherly tone which seemed to annoy Konata and Misao. Nevertheless the two faced each other and each mumbled something that sounded like an apology.
"Uh-uh," said Kagami, still maintaining that motherly tone. "Say it like you mean it otherwise you're not getting any supper."
Misao and Konata both grunted under their breaths but nonetheless gave each other a clear and sincere-sounding "gomenasai". Kagami gave each of them a light pat on the head.
"Those are my good little girls. See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Kagami flashed them a loving and nurturing smile.
Both Misao and Konata looked very anoyed and audibly mumbled "I hate you, Kagami." Kagami simply laughed it off. She then turned to the side and looked towards Ayano and Tsukasa sitting on the bed.
"Nice to see you guys have been having fun while I was not here."
Tsukasa and Ayano wore amused expression on their faces, surprised in a way at how Kagami easily dissolved the situation between Misao and Konata. Ayano knew Misao well and she knew she would not submit to just anybody. Kagami always had that kind of charm on people. It was what attracted Ayano to Kagami in the first place back when they were way younger. She got the sense that Kagami maybe a bit hard-boiled sometimes but she was the type of person to never let the people she cared for down.
"Well, we did spend quite a while waiting for you, Kagami. And you know how Misao gets bored easily."
"Well, I'm here. Mom's making dinner and we've got just under an hour to spare before supper time. More than enough for you guys to copy my homework," she wryly grinned towards Misao and Konata. "That is why you're here right...?"
Everyone except for Kagami sweat-dropped.
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Some time later.
Homework was done just in time for dinner. Konata, Misao, and Ayano were of course invited to stay for dinner. The whole family enjoyed a nice beef stew dinner and chatted pleasantly. Kagami for her part wanted to avoid the part where she spent about four hours in Studio Peach. The subject came up a few times in the conversation during dinner. Kagami simply managed to dance around the subject saying that she bumped into a one of her club mates and they simply discussed club related stuff.
Everyone seemed to be convinced at that. Kagami was known to be an active member of her club. Kagami was relived they all bought that story but wasn't surprised they did. After all, who would believe her if she said she got a job as a voice actor? She could just barely imagine Konata's reaction.
Dinner was done and over with in about half-an-hour. The family started go about their own business. Konata, Misao and Ayano all waved good-byes as they left while being waved at by Kagami and Tsukasa at the door, exchanging the usual pleasantries and Kagami giving Misao and Konata one last reminder to be friendlier to one another (Misao and Konata childishly scoffed at that idea.)
Back in the house the Family have returned to their own things to do. The father, Tadao, was in the living room relaxing in front of the TV enjoying a good game show. Inori and Matsuri have both retired to their rooms. Tsukasa did the same shortly after seeing her friends out the door. Miki, the mother of the family, was in the parent's bedroom sorting out her wardrobe.
This was when Kagami decided that this was the best moment to talk to her.
Miki was alerted to a knocking at the door. "Come in."
Kagami walked in with an unsure expression on her face. Miki noted this instantly. "Kagami, what brings you here?"
Kagami seemed to have been fumbling a bit for words at first but regained her composure. "Um, mom, you know that thing I said at dinner about meeting my clubmates on the way home?"
"Mm-hmm."
"I...kinda...sorta made that up. That's not really the reason I was late."
Miki gave her daughter a stern look. "Really now? And what, may I ask, is the real reason you were late?"
"I...well, I kinda...actually...took a job."
Miki's eyes went wide in surprise.
Kagami quickly started waving her open palms out in front of her wildly while nervously stammering for words. "It was only a small job! Really small! It took me only a few hours and it was strictly a one-time deal! It wasn't anything indecent or illegal, I promise! It was all totally professional!"
Miki looked exasperated. "Okay, hold it right there. Kagami why would you take a job like that?"
"It was a good way to make some quick cash. I wanted to help out since you said we were having money problems." That was half the reason. Kagami would later admit to herself that the other half was that annoying know-it-all.
"Kagami, I told you. You're main priority is to concentrate on your college entrance exams. I thought I made that clear."
"Yeah, but...I... didn't want to sit back and do nothing. If the family is in trouble I wanna help."
"Kagami, that's not your responsibility at the moment."
"Yes it is, mom."
"No it's not. I'm the mother here. I'm the one responsible for getting this family out of ruts whenever it happens. You got that? You, honey, are only responsible for being the lovable little burden you are for mommy to carry, alright?"
"No way mom, I can't accept that. Beside, the money problems--"
Kagami was cut from her speech when Miki planted a caring hand on her shoulder. Kagami looked up and saw her mother giver her a soft, understanding smile. "Listen, here honey. There are no money problems. You're dad just likes to exaggerate, that's all. Truth is I have plenty of savings left that can pull us out of any financial bind if needed. Right now we're just paying a few more bills than we're used to but it'll pass soon enough. We're not gonna end up on the street if that's what you're worried about."
Kagami was about to say something but retracted it. Still, that look of concern on Kagami's face didn't leave even though she looked like she believed Miki's story. Miki flashed her daughter a smile than hugged her tightly, surprising Kagami a little bit.
"Awww, you're so cute when you look so worried like, that Kagami," said Miki. "You know, I bet you'd make a great mother someday, Kagami."
Kagami blushed slightly. "Mom, please don't say things like that."
"But it's true."
Miki released her from her hug. "Now, can I ask how much you actually earned from this one-time deal job of yours?"
Kagami reached into her back pocket and retrieved a small brown envelope she'd been keeping there. She handed the envelope to Miki who opened it up and slid out the contents into her hand. A small stack of bills slid out and she counted it. The total amount of money in the envelope amounted to as amount of 25,000 yen.
A lot of people don't know this but despite the celebrity status of seiyuu in the entertainment industry, many seiyuu actually earn only about 12-16,000 yen per episode (Newbie seiyuu settle for about half that and veteran seiyuu can usually get away with up to 40,000 depending on how famous they are), which is not a lot. Typical office workers actually tend to make more. Because of this Seiyuu's will often have part-time jobs or will work for multiple productions at the same time in order to have a sustainable living.
In Kagami's case, she was paid that high in comparison because of the fact that she is technically a freelancer. A good portion of that money was actually supposed to go to a talent agent but since she didn't have/need one she kept that money for herself.
"Wow, not bad," commented Miki.
"I know it's not much but I think it's worth at least a month's water and electric bill, so..."
Miki hushed her, slipped the money back in the envelope and handed that envelope back to Kagami. "No. This is your money, Kagami. You earned it. You use it. Treat your friends to a karaoke party or something."
Kagami hesitantly took back the cash. She looked up and only found her mother's reassuring smile. "You stop worrying about the family. That's my job. You're only young once, you know."
Kagami hesitated a bit but soon gave her mother an understanding smile and a slight nod. "Alright, mom. I understand."
Miki returned that smile and pulled her close to plant a soft kiss on Kagami's forehead. "That's my girl. by the way. Whatever that job was, did you have a good time? Did you enjoy it?"
Kagami thought back to her rather off beat day thus far and honestly answered "Yeah, I think I did."
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Early the next morning.
Kagami was rudely awoken by the sound of her ringing cellphone on her bedside desk. She sat up abruptly with a groggy and annoyed look on her face. Who the heck was calling so early in the morning on a Sunday?
Kagami quickly grabbed the noisy devise and didn't bother to look who it was on the caller id. "Moshi-Moshi..."
"Hiiragi-san, is that you?" replied the caller's rather familiar voice. Kagami was still too sleepy to be that alert.
"Uh, who is this?"
"What? You don't remember me? It's me, Omori, your director and producer."
At this revelation, Kagami snapped her eyes wide awake. "O-Omori-san?! Yes, this is Hiiragi. Um, why are you calling me this early?"
"For one thing, to thank you again for your fabulous work yesterday. And also...to ask you if you'd like to come back."
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Author's note: Because this was published around the second week of May and because of the theme of this particular chapter, I guess we can consider this something of a Mother's Day special. In light of that I guess I'm dedicating this one to my own mom, who does a better job at worrying about the family better than anyone else I know. Make sure you do something special for your mom this coming Sunday.
Other notes: In case you're wondering, the conversion from Yen to US dollar is about 1 dollar equals 99 yen so Kagami's pay roughly amounts to 250 US dollars.