Disclaimer: Ummm.........You try coming up with something funny to say here.
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At the desert cafe.
"Man, that was a long meeting," said Hiyori just before taking a large bite out of her banana cream waffle cone.
"Well it did run a bit longer than usual, I guess," said Patricia just before using her spoon to take a large scoop from her deluxe parfait. "But you know, you talked the most among all of us there."
Hiyori grumbled something then simply nodded, her mouth still full.
The two first year students had decided to stop by the cafe after their bi-weekly meeting of the AV club. The meeting itself wasn't anything unusual, with the typical review of the guidelines, run though of events, and other reminders. The meeting ran long mainly due to the fact that no one could stop talking about that new Studio Peach animation studio and their break-though production Q-ko-chan. Because, both the studio and the production is new, everyone wanted to debate about the potential new talents being introduced to the new industry. After all, many of the talents credited to Q-ko-chan were almost all newcomers and yet the movie produced rave reviews.
Of course for raving otakus that just meant more seiyuu for them to idolize.
"You know, I was thinking," continued Patricia, "We actually know one of the seiyuu in the OVA, don't we?"
"You mean Hiiragi-sempai?"
"Yeah...funny that we didn't mention that in the meeting."
"I'm kinda glad we didn't. I mean, Hiiragi-sempai is pretty much our friend now. If we just babbled about her without her permission, it just wouldn't be right."
"I guess so."
"Still...I suppose it would be nice to have her speak about her experience as a voice actor. She is currently part of a major production."
"Yeah... And I'm sure everyone would love hearing about how sh got started with her job."
"Didn't she say that her boss basically picked her up off the street?"
Patricia sweat-dropped. "I-I'm sure it's a more interesting story than that...even though Kagami-chan isn't exactly one to fib about such things."
"Maybe we should ask her to invite her fellow cast members. You know, see how their stories differ and all."
"Great idea...but will they go for it?"
The two friends were silent for a long moment as they considered that thought. Really? Why would a bunch of talented voice actors, who were quickly rising up in the world of anime, be interested in doing a little Q & A for an AV club? Both Hiyori and Patricia sweat-dropped at the thought. The best scenario they could come up with in their heads involved them being thrown out of the studio building...the worst case involved a 10 year prison sentence for stalking.
"Well...let's try asking Kagami-chan first," said Patricia nervously.
"Y-Yeah. At least we know Hiiragi-sempai. And she can be quite agreeable too. We'll give it a try tomorrow."
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Back at the Izumi household
"Yo, Kagamin," said Konata to the phone in her ususal cherry mood. "Funny, shouldn't it be me calling you at around this hour? But fortunately, Kuroi-sensei didn't give us much homework, huh?"
"Yeah, lucky us," replied Kagami with a subtle but distinctive lack of enthusiasm in her voice. Something Konata picked up quickly.
"You don't sound too happy about it."
"Huh? No, I am, really. Without homework, I've had a lot of time to think about...stuff."
"What kinda stuff?"
"Ummm...nothing much...stuff at school, at my job...uhh..."
A mischievous cat-grin formed on Konata's lips thought her caller couldn't see it. "Thinkin' about boys, are we, Kagamin?"
"No! Of course not! Why would you think that!" came the immediate and emphasized reply.
Konata giggled. "Oh relax, Kagamin. I'm just messing with you."
"Geez, you're impossible sometimes, Konata."
"Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
There was a short silence that followed that question. Konata could hear Kagami struggling for words on the other line and her own expression turned a little more serious. "Kagami? you there?"
"Uh, yeah. About this call. Um...I just...wanted to ask a question." Kagami was using her deredere voice again. Something Konata found absolutely adorable and simply couldn't help but smiling at. Konata also knew that every time Kagami used that voice she was being serious about something. "I wanted to ask...Am I doing fine?"
"Fine?...Fine at what? You mean work?
"Um...not really."
"You mean school?"
"Not exactly..."
"...Ok, if you're worried if the level gap between our avatars on Guild Wars then don't sweat it. It's only cause you're a casual gamer and not a hardcore gamer like me. We can easily level you up and with a high-level like me in your party you'll catch up in no time at al--"
"No! No, it's definitely not about that."
"...Then where exactly do you wanna know where you're supposed to be doing?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? You ask me how fine you're doing but I need to to know at which area so I can give you my opinion. That's usually the way it works."
"That's just it. I don't know which area I supposed to be asking about."
"...eh?"
"I was just told to ask the closest friend I know If I was doing fine...He never told me exactly what I'm supposed to be fine in. I was actually hoping you'd know, Konata."
If Kagami was actually there Konata would've been staring at her like she was doing to the phone. A long silenced passed between them which for Kagami started to feel really awkward after the first five seconds. She was the one to break the silence.
"Um, sorry, that must've sounded crazy. Sorry to bother you, Konata. I guess I'll just be goin--"
Kagami was interrupted when she heard Konata snicker uncontrollably. And that snicker slowly turned into a cackle of laughter . If only Kagami could see her friend at that moment. Konata was slapping her knee and not trying at all to conceal her feeling towards Kagami who was by now wondering if her friend had gone mad.
For a moment Konata didn't know what got into her. The question was so out of the blue but at the same time something she would never even think of Kagami to ask. It was like the perfect irony of something she couldn't fathom completely. She wished Kagami was really there in front of her right now. Konata would love nothing more than to charge at Kagami and give her the tightest hug she could give. Heck, she'd probably kiss her if she could afford to not make it look like one of her yuri mangas.
"Oy! K-Konata! what's so funny?" asked Kagami on the other line.
Konata took a moment to catch her breath. "Oh man! Kagamin, I can't believe you'd ask something like that. Actually, I can't believe someone would get you to ask something like that! Whoever that guy is, he can sure push your buttons!"
"Never mind that! I don't understand any of this! What does that question mean anyway?"
"Kagamin...do you know how many people depend on you?"
Kagami was silent. Off the top of her head she thought about a few people she knew. Konata and Tsukasa who always ask to copy her homework. Misao and Ayano as well. But what did that have to do with anything?
"Um, I guess you guys, who always ask for my homework," said Kagami rather unsure.
"Do you think that's it? We just depend on you for our homework? And you think it's just us?"
"Well...umm...I'm really sure where you're getting to here."
"Kagamin...When I first met you, honestly I didn't think much of you at the time. But now I just can't imagine not ever having you around. Kagami, you're my best friend. And I definitely depend on you for more than my homework, you know. You're always there for me and you never skip out on doing me a favor no matter how small. Honestly, sometimes a I feel embarrassed to just know you. I know that sounds a bit exaggerated but...I mean it, you're irreplaceable, Kagamin. Plus, everyone respects you."
Kagami was stammering a bit on the other line. Konata could tell she was blushing. "Well...U-Um...I-I don't think everyone respects me like the way you put it. I mean...I'm not that special...am I?"
"Are you kidding?! You know how many times Tsukasa keeps telling me "I wanna be like Onee-chan.""
"She says that all the time!"
"But did you know even Yu-chan, Minami-chan, even Patty-chan, say that a lot too? Even Miyuki-chan some times says that even though she's very bookish, she'd rather be more assertive and a more take-action type of person like Kagami-san. At work, when Patty-chan talks about you, she keeps telling me she likes the way you always pull through with whatever you're doing. She likes that about you and tries to be like that as well. You know how she could be a bit of an airhead after all. Yu-chan wishes she could take as much responsibility as you and she sometimes tells me that she heard Minami saying that Minami-chan wants to be as confident and outgoing as you."
"O-O-Oy, K-Konata. You can't be serious with all that, can--"
"And do you know every time I go to your class to look for you, I keep hearing people go "Ask Hiiragi-san about it" or "Hiiragi-san can definitely help with that" or "Hiiragi will definitely know what to do!" Even my own dad is always like "Oy, Kona-chan, why don't you be more like the friend of yours with the bunny-ears hair-do." Face it, Kagamin...everybody admires you!"
"I...I didn't know that...Why would they say things like that? I mean, I don't think I'm all that great."
"That's the problem, Kagamin! You're the only one who doesn't think that."
Kagami was silent on the other line. Konata knew her friend probably had a thoughtful expression on her face right now. Konata sighed and shook her head even though Kagami couldn't see her.
"Listen, Kagamin," continued Konata. "What everyone says about you, about how great you are is true. However, you yourself have just a little too much insecurity to see it. Not that it's a bad thing, you know. Insecurity allows us to find our weaknesses and improve on them. But you yourself are always so humble...I think it's because you're so shy about yourself, but then again, that's your cute attractive side, Kagamin."
Though she couldn't see, Konata knew Kagami was flushed on the other end of the line. "You don't have to say that! What's so cute about it?!"
"Well, it's cute because it makes you mysterious and it make people want to know you better. It makes people wanna get close to you. It's probably also the reason why that person who asked you to ask me that question is interested in you."
"Eh?! Interested?"
"Oh, no doubt about it. That guy, whoever he is, really wants to get to know you...and he is a guy right?"
The last part of that sentence had a certain tone that made Kagami uncomfortable. Konata was a slacker but she was by no means an idiot. She was catching on quick. Already she could hear Konata snickering at the other end of the line. Kagami wanted to say something back but nothing came to mind.
"Anyways, Kagami," continued the blue-haired otaku. "Maybe it's time you open up more. People like you. Once they get a piece of you, they'll definitely want the whole thing afterwards. Maybe it's time you get to know this guy a little bit better yourself you know."
"Oy, Konata don't you think that's being too forward?"
"Somehow I don't think the guy you're talking about would mind."
"Yes he would! That darn bossy know-it-all would mind everything I do."
Konata grinned like a cat again. "O-ho-ho, looks like you already know a lot about him as well, Kagamin."
Konata could almost hear Kagami blush on the other end. "Eh...It's not like I wanna..."
"Sound's like He's been giving you a hard time...I like this guy already."
"Konata!"
The otaku gave a hearty laugh. "You know, The more I think about it, the more it sounds like you're interested in this guy too."
"Why would I be interested in that jerk?!"
"Because he's the first guy in a while, aside from me and your family, that's been able to see your true self. That's the only way he would've thought of giving you that question to ask me, your best friend."
Kagami was quiet for a bit. Konata was really wishing she could be talking to Kagami face to face right now. How cute would the twin-ponytail girl would look right now? Before Kagami could say anything back, Konata continued the conversation herself.
"Listen, Kagamin. Maybe it's time to turn the tables around on this guy."
"Huh? What do you mean, Konata?"
"Seems to me he's been forcing you to reveal more of yourself to him. Now I think you should try forcing him to reveal more of himself. Let his true feelings come out. Next time you meet this guy. Don't let him corner you with all his teasing. I'm sure he does that a lot. You have to catch him off-guard. Get him into a corner. You understand me Kagamin?"
"Uh, yeah I guess."
"Good! Now, I think you shoul--"
Konata was interrupted when suddenly Misao came from behind and exclaimed, "What the heck is goin' on here?!"
Konata jumped in shock and nearly dropped the phone and she could hear Kagami give out a surprised yelp from her end. Konata managed to avoid hurting herself or damaging her phone and turned to Misao who wore an irritated expression. Konata sweat-dropped and Kagami's voice could be heard on the other end asking, "Oy! What's going on over there."
Misao quickly grabbed the phone from Konata's hand and spoke into it. "Hiiragi! Is this you?"
"Misao? What are you doing there?"
"Never mind that, Hiiragi! More importantly, you're interupting our grand battle for supremacy here! Have a little tact why won't ya!"
"...Ehh?"
Konata butted in and took the phone away from Misao and spoke back to Kagami in a calm voice. "Don't worry about it, Kagamin. Misakichi here just can't wait to lose to me again so she's in a hurry."
"No way, Chibiko! Not this time!" exclaimed Misao loud enough for even Kagami to hear clearly.
"Or so she says," retorted Konata. "Anyway, I'd better go Kagamin. Just remember what I said and good luck dealing with your, um, male acquaintance and everything."
Kagami stammered. "Huh? W-Wait, Konata are you suggesting...He's not my--!"
Konata cut off Kagami when she hung up the phone. Konata put the phone back on it's cradle with a sigh. Most interesting conversation she's had with Kagami, she thought to herself. To think that that workaholic found herself a guy who actually thinks of her. She had to laugh at the thought. She thought about her own relationship, how it felt to know that someone, even though was hundreds of miles away, was still thinking of her as if she was next to him.
Konata wondered how much Kagami already knew about this boy who was nagging her. She wondered if Kagami herself suspected any of the things Konata told her. No way, Konata thought. That girl is too caught up with her own feelings she sometimes has trouble reading the feelings of others.
That guy however. From what she gathered from That short conversation over the phone, he seemed to be Kagami's opposite. Someone who's so caught up in other's feelings that he forgets to manage his own. Konata could imagine someone like that could be a little hard to deal with. Someone like that would often come off as brash and hostile. No surprise Kagami was annoyed by him.
But for some reason, Konata could not think of anyone else that might make for a good match with Kagami. She wondered what that bot was like now. It has to be someone from work. And it has to be someone close to Kagami's own age. Maybe a recent high school graduate.
"Oy, what's with that look Chibikko?" asked Misao.
Konata was smiling at her own thoughts before she knew it. She realized she must've been quite for a while after putting down the phone. "Nothing...Just, happy for a friend."
"Eh? Just what were you and Hiiragi talking about anyway?"
"Nothing too important...Anyway, what's what that about not loosing to me this time?"
"That's right!" said Misao putting forward a clenched fist of determination. "I ain't backing down until I beat you!"
"If that's the case it's gonna be a long night."
"Just you wait!"
Misao trotted back to Konata's room and Konata, after sighing exasperatingly, followed shortly after. However before entering her room, she turned to look back towards the phone. She gave a hopeful smile. "Gambatte Kagamin."
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Over at the Hiiragi household.
Kagami stared blankly at her phone as it beeped away with the familiar disconnection tone. She grumbled a bit, mostly towards Konata who couldn't hear her anymore, and put down the phone back on its cradle with a sigh. That girl really is impossible, she thought to herself.
"Honestly, if that was all she was gonna say...I might as well ave just emailed her."
She leaned against the wall, relaxing her head on the soft wood. She looked up blankly at the ceiling where a small bug was buzzing around a florescent light. The conversation with Konata recapped in her head like a tape recorder. Short or not, she didn't really regret making that call instead of using the more subtle email method.
The part about him be interested in her...Yeah, right! As if! Why would Tetsuya be interested in her. He's her senior by at least a year. That was all their relationship is. A simple senior-junior type. He helps her out a bit while constantly teasing her about how much better he is. It's classic. Why would he have any further interests in me other than that?
Konata's words rang in her head: People like you. Once they get a piece of you, they'll definitely want the whole thing afterwards.
"That's ridiculous!" she suddenly said out loud.
Kagami blushed, then looked around. She was afraid someone might have heard that. But luckily she was alone in the hallway. The rest of her family must be in their rooms. Kagami let out a breath of relief then returned to that question in her head. More of Konata's word came flooding back. She could still hear her friends voice: It's cute because it makes you mysterious and it make people want to know you better. It makes people wanna get close to you. It's probably also the reason why that person who asked you to ask me that question is interested in you.
Those thought made Kagami blush unconsciously. What would Tetsuya say if he could see her now? If he could read his thoughts. He'd probably teas her more. That's all he ever does anyway...but he does sometimes give good advice...sometimes he even gives encouragement...and that time when they met Natsume-san...
And lastly, She remembered Konata saying: Maybe it's time you turn the tables on this guy.
That thought hovered inside Kagami's head. She stood in silence in the middle of the hall for a few more moments. Then a smile crept across her face. She even let out a small giggle.
"Turn the tables huh?" She said to herself.
Why not? That guy's been having his way for too long now. It's only right that Kagami gets a peak at what makes that jerk tick, as well as what he really thinks of her. She won't let him gain the upper hand on her again, just becaus he is her sempai. Kagami pushed off the wall and started to walk back to her room, an air of confidence surrounding her. She had some plotting to do.
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Author's note: Had a serious case of writer's block last week. But I think it's gone now. However thanks to that little break, I did get a bit of brainstorming done about the possibilities of the next installment of my OBM fics. I've already pretty much decided that whenever the next one will be written, it will focus on Tsukasa and will take place during the girls' first year in college (yes, in my world, even Tsukasa made it to college). Anyway, more on that once I'm done with Kagami's story. In the mean time, pls, R&R.