Chapter 22: The Mall
Yo! How is everyone? This isn't going to be the only authors section other then the aftersection in this chapter, so Be Prepared! It will also contain a fun fact about this chapter! And I forgot something in Chapter 19... So if you want to reread it, you're completely welcome to! By the way, there are songs in this story that will make an appearance with maybe a word or two changed. That's not due to laziness so I don't have to parody it, but more that it would pale in comparison to the original while the original fits perfectly. There are certain songs that don't need nor should be changed. And as for the speed of my story, I'll probably end up doing something I didn't originally intend, but I must admit. I like the idea of what I just thought of much better than my previous one. Bahaha! Sqweebs, I look forward to this war, it's so rare I get good challenges with references! Though, I do have another reference already planned in a future chapter, though I don't know the exact chapter. I do, however, know exactly when it's going to happen. Glad to see you got the Haruhi reference lol. And Killa, I enjoy your story too much to not reference ya! Quite frankly, I'm surprised I haven't done so yet... But just typing this gave me an idea... Holyriot, she-who-must-not-be-named? You mean Justin Bieber? Glad to see you're enjoying the story Maverick, I hope you continue reading! I hope you all like this chapter!
POV Tony
Tony was walking down the street when Konata came up behind him.
"So, what was up with that?" Konata asked with a sly, teasing look on her face. Tony blushed and looked away.
I wouldn't mind talking to Konata right now... He thought. "Oh, so you wanna race?" He yelled. Konata got a confused look until Tony gave a wink.
"Yeah, I bet I can win this time!" She yelled back. They both smiled as they took off towards the mall. Once they were sure they were out of earshot, Tony felt he was safe.
"Konata, it's gone beyond liking now. I... I think I love Tsukasa." Tony sighed.
"Really? Go get her!" Konata cheered.
"I can't! I just... I don't know what to do Konata." Tony said, clearly despairing. Konata sighed.
"Well, what does the little man inside you tell you to do?" Konata asked.
"My little man doesn't know!" Tony shouted desperately.
"The little man knows ALL!" Konata said knowingly.
"My little man's an idiot..." Tony said depressingly. Konata looked over at the poor boy.
"Look, I can't tell you what to do. It's something you've gotta work out for yourself." Konata said.
"I was really hoping you weren't going to say that..." Tony sighed as they arrived at the mall. They had only run slightly faster then Miyuki, probably the most athletic of the group besides the two, could run, so they had stayed ahead of them while barely using any energy.
"So why don't you wanna go out with her?" Konata asked.
*Sigh* "Look Konata, there are reasons..." Tony sighed.
"Is it about that thing we asked you when you were in bed?" Konata asked. Tony drew back in surprise.
"Yeah... Yeah that's right..." Tony sighed.
"Well? Can't you tell me? Please?" Konata asked.
"..." *Sigh* "Al... Alright then... It was... a while back... My-"
"Hey, you two can't just run off whenever you want!" Kagami shouted as she and the others caught up.
"You're right, I'm sorry, let's go." Tony said as he entered the mall. Konata turned to Kagami in frustration.
"KAGAMIN~! YOU HAVE HORRIBLE TIMING!" She cried as she hugged onto the Tsundere.
"What the- What do you mean? AND GET OFF ME!" Kagami tried to wiggle out. She failed, but Konata released her.
"Tony was about to tell me something really, really important!" Konata explained.
"And what's that?" Kagami asked.
"I can't tell you, but it was super important!" Konata shouted as the four walked into the mall.
"Well, if it's so important, he'll tell you again later." Kagami sighed.
"I don't know about that..." Konata mumbled under her breath. They took their first steps into the mall to find themselves beside Tony.
I wonder... if... It worked for Tsukasa... Kagami thought. She had gotten an idea. She started walking in.
The Mall
As the five walked to the mall to browse Kagami's and Tsukasa's birthday present, Kagami started to sing. (By the way, might not refer to this, but for future reference, if an entire statement is bolded, it means more than one person are singing. Didn't know if I had put this in here, but there you go! And this isn't the Author's note I mentioned at the beginning.)
"It's a mall~, Its a shopping center~,
Every store, selling more and more~,
It's the mall, filled with some shopkeepers,
Opening~ To~ Say~..."
"Buy this!"
"A Sale!"
"Buy now!
"Come on in!"
"There goes Konata to buy games as always,
She's prob'ly gonna buy a ton~,
Every visit just the same,
Since the first time that we came,
to this large Saitama mall,"
"Kagami-san?"
"Yes Miyuki?"
"Konata-san seems to be waiting for us."
"Alright, lets go! Hurry up!"
The owners of Gamers caught eye of Konata and Kagami then,
"Look there she goes it's Legendary Girl A! I wonder, who's that girl revere?
Legendary Girl A,
Should be watching anime,
But it looks like she might come and stop in here~!"
Konata: "What's this?"
Kagami: "What's what?"
Kagami: "Where are you going?"
Konata: "IT'S HERE!"
Kagami: "What's where?"
Konata: "My new manga!"
Konata: "I NEED. THIS NOW!"
Kagami: "It's too expensive..."
Kagami: There must be more to her than Anime...
They entered the shop, ringing the bell above the door as they went in. The cashier perked up and welcomed them.
"Ah~, come on in folks! What can I get for you today?"
"Hello~, I happened to see you had some new Manga in. May I browse your collection~?" Konata asked, already looking at what he had.
"Sure, may I help the rest of you?"
"No thanks, we're just here with her... Oooh~, what's this?" Kagami asked excitedly, picking up the last copy of a complete book set of her all-time favorite light novels. It was 3000 Yen, and she had 4500 between her and Tsukasa. She knew Tsukasa would let her buy it.
"Kagami! I don't have enough!" Konata yelled in tears. Kagami picked up the manga that Konata was crying about. She's 2000 Yen short? What the hell? "Why is this so much?"
"It includes two DVDs..." Konata said in a small voice, sniffling.
Kagami looked at it for a long moment. She reached into her purse and handed Konata 2000 Yen. "You owe me..." She said, lowering her head so her eyes were shadowed by her bangs. Konata seemed to notice as she took Kagami's money, suddenly reluctant.
"Hey Tony, could you lend me 2000 Yen really quick?" Konata asked in a hopeful whisper.
"Sorry, all my money is... tied up right now."
"Crap. How about you Miyuki?" She asked in the same tone.
"I'm sorry Konata-san bu-"
"Man~, I really want this but I feel really guilty about taking Kagami's money... Just the way she looked..." Konata muttered to herself as she went to buy her game.
"Hey guys, could you do me a big favor?" She asked Meito Anizawa, the owner of that particular shop.
"Are you going to buy that manga?" He asked extremely hopefully.
"Yeah... I guess so..." Konata looked reluctantly at the manga in her hand.
YES~ SHE'S FINALLY GOING TO BUY SOMETHING! "Yeah, what can I do for you?" He asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Can you put that last book set from over there on hold? Please don't let anyone buy it!" Konata said in a small whisper, hoping Kagami wouldn't hear it. She was going to surprise her soon as she got more money.
"Sure, anything for you!" He said with a bow.
"Thank you so much!" Konata cheered up as he said it.
"Come back anytime!" Meito yelled as they left. Well that manga is going to be gone soon!
As they left, they heard the mumbling of the store staff from behind.
"Look there she goes that girl has such great taste man, I wonder what that's all about~?,
With her friends all in her tow,
She seems all but aglow,
But now that she's bought it, it'll probably sell out~!"
As they were walking, Tony excused himself to go see a seemingly random store. Konata suddenly took off forward faster than Kagami could keep up. Kagami sat at a nearby fountain at seeing she couldn't keep up. Putting her head in her hands, she began to sing,
"Ah~, Isn't this annoying?
Konata has run~ away~, you see~,
Just~ Cause she thinks it's funny,
Doesn't mean that she can always run, away from me~."
Sojiro and Yukari (who had met while at the mall) saw the face of Kagami and Konata, the former of annoyance and the latter of joy. The beat took hold of them, Yukari starting to sing,
"Now it's no wonder that her name means Mirror,
Her life does seem quite truly Blessed~"
Sojiro starting next,
"And though it may be cliche,
She's a massive Tsundere,
Those two are the very best of friends-"
Yukari: "-To stick with each other til the end-"
"-And that's something that no one can contend~!" Sojiro ended.
Meanwhile, Tony was in a store, looking for something that he thought that Kagami and Konata would enjoy together.
"I've got Tsukasa's present... Maybe... But I still need something for Kagami..." Tony thought aloud. He suddenly got the perfect idea. "Man, I wish I could get her something really special, though this is probably the best for her birthday. And doesn't she deserve the best?" He asked to himself smirking. He suddenly adopted a very deep voice and sang
"Right from the moment when I met her, saw her, I said she's so nice cause you'll see~,
At our school there's only she,
Who was first a friend to me,
So I'm making plans to pay back Kagami~." He finished as he left the store, thinking of every detail of his new plan. He started to walk back to his friends.
This being a Saturday, of course EVERYONE was here, every other character was present.
Hiyori: "Who is, that guy? What could his name be?"
Patricia: "His name's, Tony."
Hiyori: "He's kinda cute..."
Yutaka: "Mina,mi-chan, it's hard to breathe here..."
Minami: "We really should get out of here and scoot."
*Utter Chaos*
Misao: "Oi oi!"
Tony: "Pardon!"
Kagami: "Konata!"
Konata: "You call this manga?"
Ayano: "Misa-chan!"
Yutaka: "...Thank you!"
Tony: "'scuse me!"
Konata: "... my tab! I've got no cash..."
Tony: "Please let me through!"
Minami: "Do you fe-"
Yutaka: "I feel-"
Minami: "-el any better?"
Yutaka: "- much better!"
Kagami: "Don't try to take it!"
Kagami: There must be more to her than Anime...
Tony: "I promise to make this their best birthday~!" He sang out before the entire crowd gathered around Kagami and the other two girls, but in a way she could still walk.
"Look there they go, those girls are so~ damn~ lucky~!
It seems that they should thank their stars~!
It leaves our mouths ajar,
That they could come so far,
But some lucky girls, they really are,
They never will say Au Revoir,
I guess they must have Luckier Stars~!
Those girls~!"
"We're closed!"
"Goodbye!"
"See ya!"
"Bye-nii~!"
The stores closed and the crowd started to dissipate, going to all different exits.
(A/N So I bet you're wondering what this is all about? Fun fact time! Mehehe, This song has been written since before chapter 6. Technically, this song is probably the thing I first thing I came up with for this story. It started with Tony's line which, in itself has changed considerably, then Kagami's line by the fountain, which hasn't, and I put it away for a bit until chapter 5 or so then I continued it up to the last of the Utter Chaos. That was the only part I hadn't written until now. Just a little fun fact!)
"Where are Tony and Konata?" Kagami asked.
"I dunno Onee-chan, let's go find th-" Tsukasa was cut off as Tony and Konata came into view.
"Yo! Where have you two be-... Konata? Are you okay?" Kagami asked as Konata came closer. Her cheeks were puffy and red.
"Yeah... I'm alright Kagamin..." Konata smiled, grateful that Kagami was there and concerned for her.
"What's up? You look like you've been crying!" Kagami said as they started walking to an exit.
"Don't worry about it Kagami..." Konata dismissed as they left and started on their way. Tsukasa leaned closely to Konata.
"Did he... tell you?" She asked in a whisper.
"A little bit... Yeah..." Konata whispered back. "The mall's closing interrupted him though. So he condensed the rest."
"Ah..." Tsukasa said.
"Kinda sucks that the mall closed, they're showing the original Lion King in 3D!" Kagami interrupted them. Tsukasa gasped.
"They are?" She shouted.
"How long is it going to be in the mall?" Tony asked.
"About two weeks." Kagami said. It was at that time, Tony talked, with a smirk, in unison with Tsukasa.
"We're coming back!" They both said simultaneously and with the same enthusiasm. Tsukasa jumped a bit and looked at Tony with an inquisitive look that basically asked how he knew what she was going to say.
"I'm getting to know you. Besides, I love the Lion King." Tony smiled.
"Me too." Tsukasa smiled back. Tony looked in front of them to see Miyuki looking at him with a confused look.
"Miyuki?" Tony asked.
"May I please speak with you Kanpeki-san?" Miyuki asked.
"Well... Sure. If you want..." Tony said.
"Please continue, we'll catch up." Miyuki said to the other three. They gave each other a confused look, shrugged, and kept walking.
"What's up?" Tony asked as they started walking at a snail's pace.
"I'm afraid you've confused me Kanpeki-san." Miyuki said. "I thought you weren't going to pursue a relationship with Tsukasa, yet you hugged her earlier."
*Sigh* "Miyuki, she was crying. I thought hugging her might calm her down. It worked and-... Alright. Truthfully, I hugged her because that's what my instinct told me to do. I hate to see any girl cry, so you can guess my position on her sorrow." Tony said.
"Well, you can't deny you like her anymore, I guess?" Miyuki asked with an eyesmile.
"About that. Masutā told you about that, huh?" Tony accused. Miyuki's eyes widened a bit.
"No, you were just obvious about it." Miyuki chuckled nervously.
"Bull biscuits. You said you were sure Tsukasa likes me. "Sure" is the key word here. You said you knew I liked her, but only sure about her. You would have dealt an absolute for her too, not just "Sure". The only one I've told is Masutā." Tony lied since he had told Konata too. But still, Masutā and Miyuki had had the most time alone. Miyuki hung her head.
"Even though I'm observant, it would seem you're more so." Miyuki sighed.
"I'm very good at these things when I need to be. I knew all about Konata within ten minutes of walking in her door. I could do the same for just about anyone." Tony informed. "I prefer to learn about a person through speaking with them and getting to know them, but the situation kinda called for it. Kinda. But you're changing the subject. It's okay to admit." Tony said.
"... Alright. He did tell me. But you must understand, he only wants what's best for you!" Miyuki insisted, but Tony had already stopped listening.
Jeez... I can't even trust my own brother with my secrets now. At least I have a sister I think I can trust now... Tony smiled a bit sadly.
"Kanpeki-san-"
"Don't bother Miyuki. Let's go meet the others, it's time to go to the tournament." Tony sighed as he walked faster. He stopped and turned his head over his shoulder. "By the way, I technically can deny that I like Tsukasa." He commented before he started blinked a few times.
"Wait... what?" She asked herself before she started to catch up with Tony and the others.
POV Kagami
"Oh right, Konata, there's something I've been wondering for a little while. Do you mind me asking a personal question?" Kagami asked.
"I don't mind Kagamin, what's on your mind?" Konata asked.
"Well, you know Misao, right?" Kagami asked. Konata grimaced as she was about to respond. Before she could, Kagami cut her off. "See, there! Right there! Why don't you like each other?" Kagami asked.
"It's not so much that I dislike her, Misakichi's brother is an asshole." Konata explained. "I assume she's like him, he picked on me a lot when I was a kid. It didn't really get to be much more the verbal, but he was still an asshole..." Konata said. "Besides, we aren't really compatible, you know?"
"First of all, Misao thinks her brother is an asshole too. She hates him and is NOTHING like him. I think. And second of all, you guys work together great, don't you remember when you two first met?" Kagami reminded.
"You can't count that!" Konata protested.
"I can so totally count that! It was a bit of a weird thing to agree on, but still..." Kagami trailed off. "You two were totally in sync!"
"What happened Onee-chan?" Tsukasa asked.
"Well, it happened like this..." Kagami reminisced.
Years before
"Konata Izumi, Misao Kasukabe. Misao Kasukabe, Konata Izumi." Kagami introduced the two. They locked eyes.
What is this feeling... So sudden and new... Misao thought.
I felt the moment I laid eyes on you... Konata thought
My pulse is rushing... Misao realized.
My head is reeling... Konata almost stepped back.
My face is flushing! Misao felt.
"What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame~,
Does it have a name~?
Yes~~!
Loathing.
Unadulterated loathing." They sang together.
"For your fang,"
"Your height,"
"Your clothing!"
"Let's just say,
We loath it all!
Every little trait however small,
makes my very flesh begin to crawl,
with simple utter loathing.
There's a strange exhilaration,
from such total detestation!
It's so pure so strong~!
Though I do admit it came on fast,
still I do believe that it can last,
and I will be loathing,
loathing you my whole~ life~ long!" They sang simultaneously until they split up.
"Oi Hiiragin you are just too good!"
"How do you stand her, I don't think I could..."
"She's a terror-"
"...She's a tartar-"
"I tried to tell you slyly,"
"Oi Hiiragin's a martar!" Misao said. Kagami sighed.
"Geez... I swear you two can try me..."
"Poor Hiiragin forced to eat lunch-" Misao said while Konata sang at the same time.
"Poor Kagamin forced to share class-"
"-With someone who is such a big ass-" Misao sang.
"-With someone she much not like a bunch-" Konata continued.
"-But we agree that with you,
We're both filled with glee~!" They shouted.
"That's enough of this!" Kagami yelled, interrupting the two. "Stop saying things like that!"
Back to the present
"And that's the last time they worked together on anything." Kagami said.
"So wait... Misakichi isn't a bad person?" Konata asked.
"No, she isn't. Granted she can get a little loud and obnoxious sometimes, but that's just the way she is. There's a lot worse she could be." Kagami said. "At least she doesn't run over people's bikes for no reason..." Kagami sighed.
"Who did that?" Konata asked, something in her voice that Kagami didn't hear often from her Otaku. Anger.
"I-It's no one Konata, don't worry about it." Kagami said, a little scared about Konata's intention. She already didn't like Misao's brother, a push like this might make Konata get violent. And that was saying something, especially considering her inherently nonviolent nature outside video games. Tony and Miyuki came up behind them.
"Yo! You all ready to go to the tournament?" Tony waved.
"Yeah! Let's go!" Konata shouted back. All five of them started to jog lightly to the tournament area. Tony looked to the girls with him and noticed one missing. He looked behind them to see Tsukasa bringing up the rear, having been tired out from the excitement that had kept her from singing earlier. After all, her sister had not only sung in public, but practically the entire mall joined in! Tony slowed down a bit so he was jogging along side of Tsukasa, who looked at him thankfully. Tony hadn't really slowed down to talk with her as much as he had just to be around her. They arrived soon and met up with Masutā.
"Yo, what's up?" He shouted to them.
"Well, we still have a bit of time until the finals, what do you all think we should do?" Tony asked the group.
"I dunno, we could window shop?" Kagami suggested.
"Good idea Kagami! Maybe we can get a doll this time Tsukasa!" Tony smiled.
"Yeah!" Tsukasa cheered. "Let's go!" Tsukasa shouted as she ran off with renewed energy, surprising the entire cluster of friends with her sudden eagerness. Tony shrugged.
Well, I guess since she didn't get one last time... Tony thought as he shrugged with a smile to the group before heading off to find Tsukasa.
"Well, that leaves the four of us." Kagami commented.
"Miyuki-san, wanna go grab a bite to eat? I'm starved." Masutā asked Miyuki. Miyuki distractedly nodded to him. "Okay then, we'll see you when fighting time comes!" Masutā waved as he and Miyuki left the two alone again.
"Alright, it's only me and you then Konata. I guess we can just go around and see what's where again..." Kagami commented.
"Yeah... Let's do that..." Konata said, slightly nervous at being alone with the girl she loved. They started walking around and looking at various stands. Something small caught Kagami's eye, causing her to turn. She saw a jewelry stand.
"Hey Konata, let's go look at that..." Kagami said, grabbing Konata by the hand and bringing her to the stand.
"Kagami we don't have a lot of money..." Konata scratched her head as she blushed slightly.
"I know, I just wanna look!" Kagami said excitedly. She bent over and looked at the rings and necklaces. Konata, however, looked at the prices, thought to how much she had saved at home, then she followed Kagami's gaze to a ring. It was a ring with a small ruby in it. If she bought it, however, it would take all of the money she had, leaving her dead broke.
That's kind of a cheap looking ring... But... It's all I can get. Konata thought. "Hey Kagami, I'll be right back!" Konata said, acting cheerful. In truth, she was not looking forward to the exertion coming up.
"Okay, what's up?" Kagami asked.
"Nothing, don't worry, I'll be back in about ten minutes!" Konata smiled.
"Well, alright... I'll cya in ten minutes..." Kagami said, confused. Konata backed up until Kagami looked back at the stands. She turned around and started to run. She ran her very hardest on her way home. As people and places flashed by, she started to get tired very quickly. About two minutes and halfway home, she slowed to a quick walk, breathing very heavily. Suddenly, she heard sirens going off. She looked to the street and saw a police car parked on the side of the street. A female officer stepped out and looked around. She saw Konata.
"Hey you! Stop!" She yelled, causing Konata to start thinking of what she might have done. She was getting scared.
"What's the problem officer?" Konata asked.
"Well..." The policewoman took her hat off to reveal green hair. "You're running when you could have just called me!"
"Geez Yui-nee-san, you scared me! But aren't you on the clock?" Konata asked, seeing her cousin's sirens still on.
"Don't worry about it, I can totally get you where you're going!" Yui shouted.
"Well, I am really tired..." Konata sighed as she walked into Yui's car.
"WE'RE OFF!" Yui jumped in and screeched forward.
"Yui-nee-san! You don't even know where I'm goi-" Konata shouted until they stopped at a light. Yui looked out her window cheerfully. She saw a scarred and beaten silver Toyota Corolla. The driver was a young woman with brown hair and eyes to match. Konata saw her too.
Wait... Isn't she Kagami's teacher? Konata thought to herself. Yui and the woman locked eyes. The other woman revved her car.
"Bastard." She muttered.
"Um... Yui-nee-san..." Konata muttered in fear. "You don't have to ra-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" She screamed as the two cars took off at amazing speeds. They turned curve after curve, Yui seemingly almost losing control at every turn. The other driver, however, was hitting curbs, poles, trees, just about anything around. They only raced a minute when the other driver's vehicle finally gave out. Yui cheered victory. She looked over to see Konata grasping her heart dramatically. "Yui-nee-san! I just wanted to get home!" She shouted.
"Well why didn't ya say so!" Yui shouted. She started racing home, Konata grabbing one of the bags she kept in the glove department. They arrived home in another minute. "Here ya go!" Yui shouted as Konata stumbled out of the car, bag full in her hand.
"Th-thanks Yui-nee-san..." She muttered.
"Sure thing, you need anything else?" Yui asked. Konata started thinking.
I'm still way tired... If I wanna make it back to the tournament any time soon, I'm gonna need to get driven... "Yeah, could you wait here? I'll need another ride in a minute." Konata said, knowing she would be horrified after that minute.
"No problem! I'll be here when you get back!" Yui shouted.
"Thanks!" Konata shouted as she ran inside.
"Hey Konata, I'd have thought you would have been at the tournament." Sojiro shouted from the living room.
"I'm going back soon, I've just gotta get something!" Konata shouted back, sprinting to her room. She grabbed her money and stared at it. This is going to leave me with no money to spend for a while considering I'm not getting paid much on this pay check. Konata thought for a long second. She smiled to herself. Of course she's worth it! She's worth so much more, I wish I had it. Maybe I need to get a few more part time jobs... Konata thought as she sprinted back out and hopped into Yui's car.
"Where you goin' now?" Yui asked.
"You know the tournament?" Konata asked.
"World tournament?" Yui asked.
"Yeah! There!" Konata shouted excitedly.
"On it!" Yui shouted as she screeched off. They were back in minutes.
"Thanks again Yui-nee-san!" Konata shouted, her excitement keeping her from getting sick again.
"No problem! Anythi-"
"NARUMI! Where the hell are you, we've been calling you for ten minutes!" A voice came over the walkie.
"Sorry-sorry! I'm on my way! Cya!" She shouted to Konata before turning her sirens back on and drove off. Konata ran in to try and find Kagami. Surprise surprise, she had just turned away from the jewelry counter.
I guess I was only gone a few minutes... Konata thought. Kagami saw Konata and got a scared sort of look.
"Konata, are you okay? What's wrong, are you sick again? What happened?" Kagami asked as she ran over and put a hand to her Otaku's forehead. "Hm... You don't have a fever..." She said.
"Don't worry Kagamin. I'm okay!" Konata said cheerfully.
"Well, if you insist..." Kagami scratched her head. "Hey, sorry to leave ya so suddenly, but I'll be right back..." Kagami said with an embarrassed look as she hurried off to the restroom. Konata, unknowing of this, smiled as Kagami left. She turned and walked up to the jewelry vendor.
"Hey, was she looking at any jewelry in particular?" Konata asked the man.
"Ah~, yes! She was looking at this ring with a certain shine!" The man brought up the ring Konata had seen before.
"Awesome! May I buy it please?" Konata asked him.
"You most certainly may!" The vendor said with enthusiasm.
"Thanks! Here it is!" Konata brought out the money as the man got the ring into box. They exchanged items.
"Thank you very much!" The vendor smiled. I may have lost a bit of money on that deal, but after the killing I'm making on the necklace, I'm willing to take it... He thought with a smile.
"Thank you!" Konata thanked again. As she neared where she knew Kagami was, her knees start to shake. Her palms got sweaty and a blush came across her face. She then realized, she was too nervous to simply give Kagami the ring without any reason. She sighed and slipped the box into her pocket. It was then that Kagami came to meet Konata.
"Hey Konata, shall we see wha-"
"Will the finalists please report to the arena?" Akira came over the intercom.
"Well I guess that answers that..." Kagami commented.
"Yeah, let's go." Konata said. The two did just that.
POV Tony
Tony quickly caught up with Tsukasa.
"Hey, you seem pretty eager!" He said cheerfully as Tsukasa slowed down.
"Yeah... I am!" Tsukasa smiled. In truth, she was eager, but not for a stuffed animal. She had hoped that Tony would follow her, and he had. She was happy.
"Well then, we had better get you a bunny to hug, huh?" Tony smiled. Tsukasa giggled.
"Yeah! Look, there's the stand from yesterday!" Tsukasa shouted.
"Great. I'd like to give that doll nazi a piece of my mind. After all, we just wanted to buy a doll." Tony said.
"Kan-kun, please let me handle it? If you yell again, he's just gonna leave again!" Tsukasa shouted.
"... Fine. Here's the money for something." Tony gave her a thousand yen.
"Thanks Kan-kun, but... I thought you were having some problems with money?" Tsukasa asked, very hesitantly taking his money.
"Don't worry about that, if I win the next fight I hopefully won't be short on funds any time soon. So I have no problem giving you guys a bit of money!" Tony said.
"Oh, I get it! Well thanks." Tsukasa smiled. She walked over to the vendor. Said vendor looked at her in such a way that Tsukasa was suddenly very uncomfortable. "Um... Can I... buy an animal?" Tsukasa asked. The man handed her the doll she had seen yesterday and accepted the money without breaking his stare. "Oh, um.. Thanks a lo-"
"You're pushing your luck little girl." The man interrupted. Tsukasa shrunk a bit.
"Sorry... Thank you." She bowed as she backed up and walked away. She saw Tony staring at the doll vendor.
"So did he give you any trouble?" Tony asked.
"Nope! He gave me the unicorn and I paid him!" Tsukasa said.
"Well cool. I'm glad he didn't offer any resistance." Tony smiled. "So what do you wan-"
"Will the finalists please report to the arena?" Akira came over the intercom.
"-na... I guess it doesn't matter any more hehe." Tony chuckled. "Let's go I guess."
"Yeah..." Tsukasa muttered. She honestly didn't want Tony to fight Shin. She knew he was going to get hurt. However, she didn't want to ruin the fun she knew he was having in these fights and, so, didn't say anything against it. "Kan-kun..." She looked into his eyes. He looked into hers.
"Tsukasa...?"
"Good luck." Tsukasa hugged him. Tony almost stepped back in surprise, but felt his heart warm. He returned the embrace.
"Thanks..." Tony smiled as he hugged her back. They stayed like that for a moment. Tsukasa broke it this time.
"Go on Kan-kun. I know you can win." Tsukasa smiled.
"Yeah... Yeah! I can win! I feel great! I! Can! Do! This!" Tony shouted.
"Kan-kun?" Tsukasa giggled at how silly he was being.
"Yes?"
"The fight?"
"Oh right!" Tony said as the two walked to the entrance.
POV Masutā
"So Miyuki, anything else new?" Masutā asked. The two had been walking to the food court and Miyuki had been deep in thought ever since she had arrived at the tournament about the last thing Tony had said to her.
"Well, I think Kanpeki-san's feelings might be getting the better of him. If I'm correct, I'd say he's escalated past liking her. He may have fallen in love with her." Miyuki said. Masutā's jaw dropped.
"Really now? What grounds do you base this on?" Masutā asked, skeptical. That Tony had come to be more fond of Tsukasa then the others was something that Masutā could believe. That Tony had fallen in love, however, seemed completely ridiculous.
"Well, earlier today, Tsukasa had a... mishap... and started crying. Kanpeki-san stepped over and hugged her." Miyuki explained.
"While that's surprising, I hardly see how that means he's in love with her. He might have just been trying to cheer her up or calm her down." Masutā said, still a tad unbelieving.
"Had it been an isolated incident, I would dismiss it as such, but then he said something later." Miyuki said.
"What did he say?"
"He... knows that you told me about him liking her. But after I told him he couldn't deny it anymore, he said he "technically could". It was the way he said it... I just know it means that he either doesn't like her anymore or he loves her! And he hugged her so..." Miyuki explained.
"Hm... Interesting. This is quite the development. I hope he hasn't lost his trust in me, that would disrupt things. I won't be able to help him with this if I don't know what's happening." Masutā almost cursed. Miyuki saw this.
"Masutā-san, perhaps this is something he needs to do on his own?" Miyuki suggested.
"Hm?" Masutā was pulled from his thoughts.
"I mean maybe this is something you shouldn't help him with, you know? You can't do everything for him, no matter how much you may want to. He needs to sort things out for himself. I know he won't be able to keep his composure for long, it's just a matter of time. Let his and Tsukasa's relationship develop how it will." Miyuki clarified.
"... I suppose you're right. I've just always been used to having a part in every aspect of his life. Guiding him, helping him, everything. I guess I just have to get used to the idea of being replaced in his life. My word is inferior to Tsukasa's now." Masutā said, smiling despite feeling replaced.
"You haven't been replaced Masutā-san, you just aren't the only one who has a say in what he does anymore. He listens to you and all of us, before that wasn't the case." Miyuki explained.
"Think that's it?" Masutā asked.
"I do. But don't worry Masutā-san, we're all concerned for his happiness. So let's not try and shove him to her. Tiny pushes, subtle things, these are the things that we need to do. Like how I stepped out of the festival. Now, those two will be alone once they ditch Konata-san and Kagami-san. Who knows what that might lead to?" Miyuki eyesmiled. Before Masutā could say anything, he was interrupted.
"Will the finalists please report to the arena?" Akira came over the intercom.
"Well we'll just have to see, now won't we?" Masutā said.
"Yes we will." Miyuki eyesmiled.
"Now let's go watch Otōto kick some ass, eh?" Masutā smiled.
"Let's." Miyuki smiled. They walked to entrance.
Luckier Channel
"Luckier~! Channel~!" Akira shouted. "Hiya luckies! I'm Akira Kogami, your navigator!"
"And I'm Minoru Shiraishi, the assistant!"
"So um... I didn't really prepare anything to say here..." Akira said sheepishly.
"Don't worry Akira-sama, I'm sure the readers understand. You've been busy with your role in the story!" Minoru excused.
"You think so?" Akira asked.
"Yeah, totally! I bet it won't be a problem."
"Well... I guess we have to fill the time somehow, don't we?" Akira giggled.
"Have anything in mind Akira-sama?" Minoru asked.
"I was hoping you did... 'Cause I don't!" She shouted.
"Well we have to do something. Um... So... see any good movies?" Minoru asked.
"Oh yeah! I saw Lion King in 3D!" Akira shouted excitedly.
"How was it?" Minoru asked.
"It was fantastic! I loved it! I laughed, I cried, I laughed more! Redoing that movie must have been one of the best moves Disney has made in the last decade!" Akira shouted even more excitedly. Minoru laughed a bit. "Shiraishi-san?"
"The writer shares your sentiments, except to the millionth degree." Minoru chuckled.
"No way!" Akira exclaimed.
*Music Tone*
"Aw~! I guess that's all the time we have for today! I'll see you all next chapter! Bye nii~!"
"..."
"So, the writer likes Lion King, huh?"
"Yup, a whole lot! All of Disney, but only the princess movies and back."
"Ah! So no High School Musical?"
"Nope."
"Great!"
Aftersection
Hello everyone, I honestly don't know what to talk about. Other then Lion King. I went to see Lion King in 3D a few days ago. I. Freaking. Loved it. Then again, I would have gone and seen it if it was 2D. Just that it was in theaters is enough for me to go see it. I would have seen it if it was in 1D and I'm not sure that exists. Anyway, I parodied two songs in this, can anyone name them both? The second one's lyrics were barely changed, so that should be easy. Yeah, I had The Mall finished since before chapter 6. I can't believe it took this long to happen, I knew it would be more then 10 chapters, but still. Then again, I already have a song parodied that isn't going to be taking place ANY time soon. Like, literally probably not for at LEAST 30 chapters if I make it that far. I do hope I do, I love writing this so. I'll probably keep writing this even if everyone stops reading... lol. But yes, the main problem I've had with the speed is that every way I could think to get something to speed it up would lead to loopholes, logistical failures, and plot holes. However, I think I've found a way that will eliminate all of those. Now, I'm only speeding up one piece of it. And I'm not telling you guys which part it is so that you don't know whether I planned it or not XD Let's just say that the part I replaced was something that I had thought of since the very beginning of the story. The only thing is that I had a giant arc branching off of something that happens in it that I'll either have to start by alternate methods or subvert entirely. I don't wish to do the latter. But I also want to speed that bit up. This will be interesting. Ivory Bill, the idea you gave me was that race, thanks! That was fun to write. Anyway, please review! I can't wait! Next chapter, Tony v. Shin!