Notes: Episode 2, "Punish Them! The House of Fortune is the Monster Mansion". Or, "The one where Umino gets possessed and is an ass."

Episode 02

For the life of her, Naru couldn't figure out how to tell Umino that she didn't believe in fortunes.

She did well enough for fun, of course. She'd happily go with her friends to whatever new shop opened, or whatever shrine was nearby, and she'd pray for love with them, or for good grades, or just ask what her future held and giggle with the others as she heard about big houses and dark strangers.

Umino though, he swore by them. He'd shown up late to their first date, apologies rolling off his tongue. Only he'd been so caught up by the fortune teller's sweet auspices that he'd lost track of time, and then he had to go home to change from his red sweater to a blue on the soothsayer's dire warning.

It was cute that he cared so much about their first date going so well, and Naru had laughed and said that was fine. Anyway as it turned out, she really did prefer him in blue to red.

But then he had to have his fortune told before their second date, too. He was just being cute, she was sure. A call-back to their first date. Umino was sensitive like that.

By the time they reached their fourth date and he had asked to change from a movie to a picnic in the park because of "love grows like grass" or something, Naru was forced to admit that this wasn't a temporary thing.

To make matters worse, she realized it was all her fault.

She'd been the one to, all those months ago, tell Umino to visit the fortune teller in the first place. But he'd been crying about Usagi and she hadn't MEANT to hurt his feelings! How did he even remember that, anyway? He'd become so strange for a while afterward, you'd think he would've blotted the whole thing out.

Gods knew that's what Naru did whenever weird, bad things happened.

Which was a lot.

Anyway, point was, Umino had latched on to this idea that she was fanatical about fortune tellers, and so now he was too, and it was beginning to make her crazy. What could she do though? As with all things Umino, he had embraced it 100%, and she wasn't sure how to bring it up without hurting his feelings.

Something had to give, though. Last time she'd ridden across town for their lunch date to become a swimming date, and Naru needed time to prepare for that kind of thing.

Her rant done, Naru sullenly drank the rest of her soda. If she didn't, Usagi was likely to try to steal it anyway. But no, Usagi was deep in thought.

That was by far the most worrying thing Naru could have seen.

"What is it?" she asked, even though she wasn't sure she wanted the answer.

"I can fix this!" Usagi declared, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

The straw dropped from Naru's fingers. "You can? How?"

Usagi didn't answer though, too caught up in her own scheming. "When's your next date?"

"Tonight. Technically," Naru added with a grumble.

"Tonight? Ahhh, not much time!" Usagi shot to her feet. "I'll fix this for you, Naru-chan! Just be ready!"

"Wait, what are you going to do?"

But Usagi had already run down the street and around the corner.

Completely suspicious, but lacking other options, Naru went about her day. She finished her errands, helped her mother close the store, and then got ready for her date.

Roller skating was what was planned.

Naru half expected Uminio to show up with a grave warning about wheeled shoes and a change of plans to go to the moon or something.

Instead, he showed up right on time, enthused about how cute she looked, and then shyly admitted he'd never been roller skating and hoped he wouldn't embarrass her.

"We're actually going roller skating?" Naru had already been running down her entire wardrobe in preparation for the inevitable change. Things actually going as planned was the last thing she expected.

Umino instantly looked concerned. "Is that not what you want? I had thought it would be fun, but if you'd rather—"

"No no, I'd love it. I'm just surprised." She wasn't going to ask. She'd told herself repeatedly not to bring it up. But the curiosity was too much. "So … your fortune said it was okay?"

"Yes! Sort of. Uhh." He flushed red, in that cute way he tended to do. "I … I don't think I'll be using fortune tellers any more. I hope that's okay?"

Naru's heart jumped. Usagi had done it! How? Now she REALLY had to know. But casually. Play it cool, Naru. "Sure, sure, it's fine. What made you change your mind?"

"I went to see a new fortune teller today," he said, fidgeting with his fingers. "She … made me see that I was focusing too much on the future to enjoy the present."

"Wow, that's pretty cool." Cool? It was AMAZING. But who would want to drive away such a willing customer? Naru glanced at Umino, who was still managing to fidget while walking. "Where did you hear about this new fortune teller?"

"Usagi-san! We conveniently bumped into each other right outside of my house! She said that only proved it was fated to be."

Slowly, pieces were beginning to slide into place. "Where did she tell you to go?" Naru asked, already expecting the answer.

"The Hikawa Shrine! It's really beautiful, Naru-chan, we should go!" Umino's burst of enthusiasm quickly dampened. "Only … maybe not when anyone's there. The shrine maiden is … intense."

A smile began to make its way across Naru's face.

"And kind of mean."

"Oh?"

"She called me an idiot. Several times."

"Well you are, you know."

Before her words had the chance to sting, Naru grabbed Umino's hand and swung it happily. He stared at their clasped hands like they were alien creatures, come to share their gift of eternal joy with humankind.

Meanwhile, Naru made a mental note to find out from Usagi which cookies were Rei-san's favourite.