Fate/School Days - 06
"Emiya-san!"
Karin paused in the hallway and turned to face the student calling out to her. "Hm?"
The girl in front of her twiddled her fingers anxiously, "I was wondering if you could tell me if your sister is okay... I haven't seen her all day."
Karin blinked, then a grin slowly spread across her face as she finally recognized the face in front of her. She'd been so bored since Koyuki took the day off to help care for Akitsu-kaachan, but maybe she could alleviate that somewhat...
She pointed at the girl, "Nameless Extra #7, yes?"
The girl frowned at her. "It's Kaori, Emiya-san."
The redhead waved dismissively, "Same thing. Unfortunately, Koyuki had to deal with something that came up. A person very close to her fell ill and she's at their house taking care of them."
Kaori paled. "Somebody close to Koyuki-san? Who is it?"
Karin tried to keep her face neutral, but her eyes mischievously twinkled. Not that the girl before her noticed. Kaori's eyes were wide with sudden horror, and Karin could almost see exactly what she was thinking.
This will be fun.
"I don't think you've met them," she said thoughtfully. "They don't go to our school, but 'Yuki's known them for... I guess practically her whole life."
The Japanese language was so helpful, one could describe a person to a T without even mentioning a gender pronoun.
"A childhood friend?" Kaori moaned piteously.
"Hm... I suppose you could say that. 'Yuki's definitely had strong feelings for them since childhood I guess. They're normally inseparable."
The girl whimpered.
Karin leaned forward to meet her eyes. "So yeah, 'Yuki will probably not be in classes today, did you want me to pass her a message?"
"I... er... no, I was just worried about her... in case she was sick herself!" She sniffed softly as she nodded. Ah, the poor thing didn't know she was so transparent.
Karin smiled openly now. "I'm sure 'Yuki will be touched to know you're so concerned for her acquaintance."
"I.. ah... yes!" Kaori blushed and bowed. "Sorry to disturb you, Emiya-san!"
Karin continued smiling as the other girl walked away.
A few days later...
"Koyuki-chan!"
Koyuki sighed as she and Karin both stopped in the hallway and turned around. "Kaori-san," she greeted her. "I am sorry to say I did remember to bring my lunch today and do not-"
"Oh, no! No no no," Kaori said quickly. She fidgeted even more than usual. "I just wanted to to say I hope your friend was feeling better."
Koyuki blinked as she realized her Mother was being referred to as her 'friend'... not that she disagreed, but it was still an unusual term to address her by. She acknowledged the comment with a short bow, "Thank you, Kaori-san. That means a lot to me."
She blinked again when she realized Karin was snickering softly, but refocused her attention on the stricken girl in front of her. It was nice her schoolmate was so concerned about Mother's health, but she seemed to be overreacting just a bit.
"I-I also wanted to say," Kaori continued. Her voice voice seemed to be trembling. "I wish you both the best! And that you'll be happy together!"
Koyuki's blinking increased with confusion. What?
Karin began to cackle.
Kaori's eyes were shimmering now as she met Koyuki's eyes. "And... and I hope he makes you happy!" She bowed quickly and spun around.
Wait what? He?
Koyuki opened her mouth to answer when she felt a hand clap over it, silencing her. She turned her eyes to glare furiously at a bemused redhead.
"Thank you for your concern, Nameless Extra #7!" Karin gushed. "She's so touched she's speechless!"
Kaori was already making her escape.
Koyuki managed to pull the hand away and stared wide-eyed at her sister, scandalized. "What did you... why does she think...?" She turned down the hallway where Kaori had disappeared into.
"It's not like that!"
Karin broke out into full-fledged laughter.