Chapter 31: In Preparation of the Festival
Oi. It deleted my work. Again. 4000 words. Again. *Sigh* In any case, one thing I want to change. I know, consistence is a bit of a big thing, but this has stuck in my mind for a few chapters now. Something about Tony. "Tsu-chan!" one moment and "Bro" the next. I liked it before, but for some reason Aniki has been calling to me as of late. I think from here on, I'll start using that, if you all don't mind. Now I very well may make the decision to change it again, but for now, I'd like to start with Aniki. Thank you. Hehe, sorry for breaking so many laws Sqweebs! I'm glad you all are liking the story still! Enjoy!
Last Time on Luckier Star
"Kagamin, I'm pregnant! And you're the mother!" Konata said to Kagami.
"No, I'll never join you!" Tony shouted at the masked man who had so wronged him.
"Onee-chan, I'm pregnant! And you're the mother!" Tsukasa said to Kagami.
"Hey, she's mine!" Konata shouted. Suddenly the building collapsed as Galbatorix cackled maniacally.
"Woo! I'm Queen of the world!" Molly shouted.
"Hiiragin, I'm pregnant! And you're the mother!" Misao shouted to Kagami.
"It's mine! THE ULTIMATE POWER!" Raven shouted.
"Come on Kage! Let's fight his music with our music!" Jables insisted.
"What am I doing here? This isn't my story!" Mikeru said.
"Kagami, I'm pregnant! And you're the mother!" Tony started.
"Wait, something was wrong with that one..." Kagami's face melted into blue lines.
"And then there's Kyon!"
Wait, did any of that actually happen? No? Okay... Um... POV... Tsukasa!
Tsukasa smiled at Tony, currently quite happy with the situation. If she could just get Tony to kiss her... How could she do that though? What can I do Kan-kun? She wondered. Tony seemed in a daze.
I sabotaged Tsukasa... I'm a horrible person... How can I say I love her? Tony questioned his own ethics. Because at the moment, his ethics seemed highly questionable. Tsukasa tried to hum to get Tony's attention, but she found even that silenced. How can I say I want what's best for her? Tony yelled in his head. Tsukasa looked Tony in the eyes and could see something was off about him. As if some battle were being raged in his head. HOW CAN I- Tony was cut off as he felt arms wrap around him. His daze broke as he looked to see Tsukasa was hugging him, her head against his chest and her eyes closed. She opened her eyes and looked up into Tony's eyes with such emotion, Tony could feel his mind muddle. The amount of appreciation that seemed to be in her gaze was so intense, Tony was forced to look away and close his eyes. Tsukasa noticed this action and cocked her head to side quizzically.
What's wrong? Did it not work? Did he use a wrong ingredient? Am I ugly... Tsukasa feared. He must just still be tired. That has to be it... She reasoned.
"Tsu-chan, I need to go lay down. Please excuse me." Tony mumbled. Tsukasa paused a beat and reluctantly let go. Tony walked back to his room and entered.
I hope he's okay... Tsukasa worried. He may have said he just wanted to rest, but she saw something hurting in his eyes. The thought brought a downcast to her own mood that Tony hadn't told her. She silently sighed and walked to the front door. With a glance back at Tony's room, she walked out. I thought when I drank it, he would notice me become prettier and realize I meant him. Did he just not notice, or maybe he was too tired? Tsukasa wondered.
Tony collapsed onto his bed. The grief of what he had done seemed to be tearing at his soul. He was still for what seemed hours, but was snapped out by the closing of his front door. He sat back up and looked at his room door, knowing that it had been Tsukasa. He took a deep breath, summoning the last of his energy reserves for a final spell before he slept.
"Happiness upon you." He said as he let his consciousness fade.
POV Konata
Konata approached her locker. She opened it to see a red note with a heart on it, which she promptly took out. She opened it to find it read,
"Dear Kona,
Please come to the top of the building as soon as you get this letter. I need to tell you something.
From,
A Certain Girl"
Konata's hands were trembling. If she was correct, this was a...
Love letter... Konata stared at the letter, read it several more times, and shot up the stairs. She was at the roof in a matter of moments. She put her hands on the door knob, but was hesitated for an instant. I wonder who it is... She thought. She opened the door to see only blackness. Wh-wha... She wondered. She could hear a sort of rhythmic breathing from the void, one that seemed oddly familiar. Perhaps it was the ancient rumbling of a creature that had been slumbering since the beginning of time! Perhaps it was a fire-breathing monster of such indescribable beauty that she wouldn't be able to resist? She crossed into the abyss to open her eyes. She was currently hugging Kagami, who was asleep in Konata's bed. Right beside her. In her bed. Konata's face flushed auburn at the closeness to the girl. After spending a few moments not only waiting for her blush and heart to settle, but also to enjoy the company of the younger, better endowed girl that she loved so. Konata opened her mouth, almost reluctant to wake the sleeping Tsundere. Suddenly, Konata remembered the very end of her dream. Hey! I came pretty damn close! It IS a fire-breathing monster of indescribable beauty! Konata snickered. Suddenly, the subject of her thoughts stirred and opened her eyes, blinking away sleep from her eyes.
"Hey Kona~..." Kagami yawned the last word so it was elongated in one of the cutest displays Konata had ever seen Kagami make.
"Kaga...min?" Konata was barely able to mutter. Though she had waited, her blush was still fierce.
"Hm~? What's up Kona?" Kagami asked, a cute smile on her face.
"We-we're in the same bed..." Konata pointed out.
"Mm? Oh, we are." Kagami smiled the same smile. "Didn't you want to take a nap together?" Kagami asked. That quieted Konata rather quickly. It was a second before Konata could answer her.
"Well, yeah..." Konata blushed. "I just didn't expect you to take the initiative Kagamin~." She catgrinned. Kagami took her turn to blush.
"I was tired... You may be small, but you're still pretty heavy for someone like me..." Kagami averted her gaze. It was around then that Konata realized that not only was she hugging Kagami, Kagami was hugging her. And she wasn't moving. Unfortunately, Kagami was still fully clothed, but that might be for the better. After all, Konata wouldn't want to have blood on her pillow. She knew though that she wouldn't be able to hold up long. She was about to lose control of herself, though she was enjoying these few moments more than most anything she could imagine doing right now, and most of those that she could imagine still involved Kagami.
"Kagamin, what time is it?" Konata asked. Kagami seemed almost reluctant as she let go of Konata and sat up to look at a clock.
"About 6:00." She said.
"How long did we sleep?" Konata asked.
"A couple hours." Kagami got out of the bed.
"Want me to make some dinner?" Konata sat up.
"That sounds fantastic!" Kagami rubbed her belly as it growled.
"On it!" Konata jumped from the bed. "Just let me get changed, I don't want anything to happen to my cheongsam." Konata shooed Kagami out of her room. She quickly put on regular clothes and walked with to the living room to find her father.
"Have a good nap Konata?" Sojiro asked.
"Yeah! Where's Kagami?" Konata asked.
"I didn't see her, I assumed she left after she dropped you off!" Sojiro commented. Konata hummed.
"Musta gone to the bathroom." Konata figured. "I'll get dinner started while I wait!" Konata determined, pumping a fist in the air. She walked into the kitchen to see Kagami, sleeves rolled up and an apron on.
"I figured maybe I could help!" Kagami smiled sweetly. Konata mulled the thought over.
She looks so cute! If I'm here, I should be able to keep watch over her! But I can't exactly stop pots and pans from exploding... She thought. Konata coughed.
"Bless you." Kagami said without thinking. She suddenly realized exactly what she had just did and prepared for the inevitable teasing.
"You're welcome!" Konata said. An awkward silence followed.
"...Kona, what the hell just happened?"
"I have no clue..." The upper part of Konata's face melted into blue. "Anyway, sure! You can help!" Konata smiled, recovering.
"Yay!" Kagami cheered. "What can I do?" She asked.
"Well you can start with..." Konata started instructing Kagami.
POV Sojiro
Sojiro sat in the living room, watching T.V., but mainly listening to his daughter and Kagami in the kitchen.
"DAMN IT! Ouch!" He heard the Tsundere shout for the forth time. "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!" She shouted. "It burned~!" She whined. Suddenly, she walked into the living room with her head hung.
"Sorry Kagamin, no boys in the kitchen!" Konata poked her head out through the kitchen door.
"What the hell does that mean?" Kagami shouted.
"Dad, could you help Kagami bandage her hands please? I should have known it was a mistake to let her try and cut the vegetables." Konata giggled.
"Sure thing Konata!" Sojiro shouted. "Come on Kagami, let's get you fixed up..." Sojiro smiled as he pulled Kagami to where they kept the first aid gear.
"The vegetables were harder then I thought they would be..." Kagami muttered. "It made the knife veer off..." She mumbled, attempting to explain herself and how she got cut. Sojiro chuckled, opting not to make a perfect "That's what she said." comment. After Sojiro bandaged up Kagami, he brought her back to the living room.
That took a little while... Sojiro commented to himself as Konata could be heard from the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready you two!" The object of the two's affections called.
"Coming!" Kagami shouted, running into the kitchen with enough fervor to surprise Sojiro.
I thought she was a Tsundere! Must be a type B, but I couldn't sworn she was a type A last time I saw her... Sojiro thought.
"Well someone's excited!" Konata chimed.
"Yeah, I'm hungry!" Kagami smiled as she sat down.
Weird, Kagami's been deredere since we started home from the school... Not that I'm complaining. Konata smiled. She's so cute like this! Konata squealed in her head. Sojiro had sat down in the interim and Konata finished laying out the food. Kagami looked around at all the food that Konata had made and grabbed chopsticks. She broke the sticks and looked hungrily at the yakitori and reached out with her chopsticks. As soon as she grabbed hold, Konata giggled.
"Hm? What is it?" Kagami asked.
"So formal... Kagamin, you can eat off the skewer, that's why there's six of them!" Konata smiled. Kagami blushed a bit.
"We-well... Where's Yutaka?" Kagami looked around.
"Minami's. I think there's something there." Konata giggled. Kagami's smile widened.
"You think?" Kagami asked, seemingly more excited. Again, Konata was super surprised. Kagami was interested!
"I'd bet! Why else would she spend so much time over there?" Konata asked.
"Very true!" Kagami smiled. By this time, Kagami was currently on her last skewer and about to bite into her last piece. She bit, but found nothing in her mouth. Konata giggled again.
"Kagamin, you already ate the last of it." She grinned.
"Oh." Kagami sighed at the loss of one of her favorite foods. Konata saw her start to reach for another food, looked at her own skewers and put it over the table.
"Kagami, take mine!" Konata smiled. Kagami looked up, genuinely surprised, and smiled.
"Thanks, but no thanks Kona. That wouldn't be fair, you made two for each of us and I ate mine." Kagami put a hand up in rejection of the food.
"Don't worry about it Kagamin, I don't really care for yakitori myself and it's one of your favorite foods. Take it." Konata put it on Kagami's plate.
"Really Kona? If you don't really like it, why did you make them for you too?" Kagami asked. Konata thought for a moment.
"Because I knew you would insist on giving me yours if I didn't in the name of fairness. Please Kagami, take mine! I don't want it." Konata reiterated. Kagami smiled warmly again.
"Thanks." She started eating. Sojiro had held his tongue the entire time, confused as he was.
Konata loves yakitori. I even give her mine whenever we have it. Sojiro noticed. He also noticed that he hadn't had a word in the conversations since they had started eating. He then realized he was currently eating dinner with high school girls and didn't really care about any of the issues he had thought of.
"Kona... Would you mind... if I had a sleep over?" Kagami asked. "I know it's real sudden, but-"
"Sure, I'd love it." Konata smiled. "If that's okay dad?" Konata asked.
"Sure Konata. High school girls are always welcome here!" Sojiro said.
"Thanks dad!" Konata cheered.
"Thank Mr. Izumi!" Kagami smiled. "I just need to call Tsukasa to tell her what's going on." Kagami pulled out her phone. She dialed "2" on her speed dial, Tsukasa. The phone rang a few times before it went to voice mail. "Huh..." A pit formed in Kagami's stomach.
"What?" Konata asked.
"She didn't pick up... Could you call Tony? Those two were together when we left, so I assume they're together." Kagami said.
"Sure thing Kagami." Konata pulled out her phone and clicked "2" on the speed dial. It rang for a second before Tony picked up.
"Hey." He said lethargically. Konata noted his tone.
"Hey Kan-kan, what's up?" Konata asked. Kagami leaned over.
"Is Tsukasa with you?" Kagami asked.
"No. She went home a little while ago..." Tony muttered. Kagami instantly recognized the tone of his voice. It was the same tone as he had after their failed date. That made Kagami a bit scared.
"She didn't answer her phone." Konata shooed Kagami away a little bit to have some air of privacy with her brother.
"She can't. She wanted a potion that would make her more attractive. That potion also caused her to lose her voice for the next two days or until her love kisses her." Tony explained.
"Tony, are you okay? Your words are a bit slurred. And I think I hear music in the background." Konata asked, concern easily prominent in her voice, one not unlike what could be heard from Konata talking to Yutaka or Kagami to Tsukasa. It was slightly different because Tony wasn't a girl who was prone to be so cute, they caused widespread diabetes where ever they went.
"Never mind that. Was there anything else?" Tony asked, sounding very detached from the conversation.
"I guess not. Are you sure you're okay? Did something happen?" Konata asked.
"Never mind. By the way, did you hear the festival was tomorrow?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, I thought you knew!" Konata said cheerfully, hoping the attitude would carry over.
"Oh, okay. I'll talk to you later." Tony muttered.
*Sigh* "Talk to you later Kan-kan." Konata sighed as she hung up.
"So, so?" Kagami asked.
"Tsukasa can't talk for two days or until Tony kisses her. It was the effects of some potion?" Konata asked.
"Ah yeah, she was talking about asking Tony for one of them. I guess for every give, there has to be an equal amount of take. Anyway, I have another idea." Kagami dialed a number in. After a moment, a voice came over the phone. "Hey Matsuri, did Tsukasa make it home?"
"Yeah, but she won't talk! You know why?" Matsuri asked, clearly annoyed with her youngest sister.
"Yeah..." Kagami explained the situation.
"Ah. So little mister charming has something to do with it, does he? Well I'm about to push him onto Imoto, he's taking too long!" Matsuri shouted. Kagami opened her mouth to respond, but Matsuri started giggling.
"What's so funny?" Kagami asked.
"Tsukasa's face is lit up in a blush. I have to admit, mister Tony sure picked a cute girl." Matsuri giggled.
"Is that even a good thing to say about your sister..." Kagami commented.
"You kiddin' Imoto? If we weren't related and I were a lesbian, I'd hit it." Matsuri commented. She started giggling again. "She's carmine." Matsuri giggled again.
*Sigh* "Well, you answered my question, thanks." Kagami sighed.
"No problem Imoto! When ya coming home?" The older sister asked.
"Could you ask mom if I can stay over for the night?" Kagami asked.
"Sure thing!" Matsuri shouted as she got up and ran off. She returned after a moment. "She said it was A-okay!" Matsuri said.
"Thanks a lot Matsuri." Kagami smiled.
"No problem Imoto!" Matsuri hung up. Kagami put her phone away.
"Alright, so Tsukasa made it home okay. That's a big relief off my mind..." Kagami sighed.
"I'm glad Kagami." Konata smiled warmly. Kagami saw it and smiled wider, thinking of how cute Konata was. "Wanna go to my room?" Konata asked.
"Sure thing!" Kagami smiled as the two got up.
"Bye dad, I'll see ya later!" Konata called from the hall. She and Kagami entered the Otaku's room. Kagami found a manga and sat down on a chair, flipping open the book and beginning to read it. "Kagamin, you don't have to sit on that uncomfortable chair you know. Come here, lay down!" Konata patted the bed next to her. Kagami blushed a bit.
"Alright..." She mumbled as she got up, much to the surprise of Konata. Kagami walked over and laid down next to Konata.
"Hey Kona..." Kagami mumbled, bringing Konata from her manga and looking up at the Tsundere.
"Yes Kagamin~?" Konata asked. Kagami thought of a way to phrase her question.
"Well... You seem so free, you know? I just wanted to know... How do you do it?" Kagami asked.
"Do what?" Konata cocked her head.
"You just seem so worry free... To tell you the truth, I'm envious... You don't seem to have a care in the world..." Kagami clarified. Konata sighed, closing her manga. Kagami realized that, by this action, Konata had just rolled up the verbal sleeves.
"Kagami, I have plenty of cares and fears." Konata said, staring at the cover of her manga.
"Really? Like what? And don't you say anime..." Kagami warned.
"Well..." Konata paused. "I care about you." Konata looked up into Kagami's eyes. Kagami's heart skipped a beat, a deep blush coming across her face.
*LOVE* "I... I care about you too Kona..." Kagami tried to bury her face into the manga in her hands, her face growing redder as a feeling of love shot through her body. Konata was a tad confused, she was sure Kagami had been deredere, but to openly admit she truly cared? It was obvious that she cared greatly for her friends, but she never really flat out said it. Kagami peaked over at Konata to see the Otaku studying her intently. She noticed Konata's hands were quaking and her face was adorned with a cute little blush. "Kona, are you okay?" Konata jumped.
"Yeah, yeah, hey Kagami, wanna see one of my favorite things to do?" Konata tried to change the subject quickly.
"Sure, what's that?" Kagami asked.
"Trolling." Konata got up from the bed and sat down at the computer. She moved the mouse to awaken the computer and clicked on her internet browser. Kagami walked over and put her head on Konata's shoulder, making the older girl jump and blush. What's with her today? She's been nothing but cute ever since we got here! Konata panicked a bit in her head. And what's with all the deredere? She has to stop, or I might not be able to control myself... Konata shakily typed in the url for a Mormon chat room.
"Hm? What are you doing here?" Kagami asked.
"Trolling." Konata muttered, barely able to talk under the circumstances.
"What's that?" Kagami asked.
"Ha-hang on..." Konata got up and walked to her door. "I'll get you a chair..." Konata walked out.
I liked how we were... Kagami sighed as she waited a moment until Konata came in with her father's computer chair. Kagami walked over to the chair to sit, but Konata held a hand out.
"Hang on." She said flatly. She started looking around.
"Kona?" Kagami asked as Konata went and grabbed a small blanket, which she promptly covered the chair with, seat, back, arms, all of it.
"There ya go." Konata gestured. Confused, Kagami sat on the cloth.
"What's with this?" She picked the cloth up between two fingers. Konata put a finger to her mouth for a moment, thinking of how to phrase her response.
"Let's put it this way. You don't want to sit in that chair without some form of cover on it. It's my dad's." Konata averted her gaze. The top of Kagami's face melted into solid blue.
"E-enough said... Thanks..." She muttered. Konata walked back and sat down in her chair, Kagami rolling up to the small space next to her. There was hardly any room, so the two had to sort of squeeze together, but neither complained. Nor did either dislike the contact, in fact, at one point Kagami could have sworn that Konata was pressing against her unnecessarily. The thought made her a bit happy. In any case, once Konata had sat down, she clicked enter and entered a chat room. A woman named Maria immediately opened a window.
-Hello Konakona, how are you doing today?- Marissa asked. Kagami looked between the screen and Konata.
"Who's Marissa?" Kagami asked.
"My first victim." Konata catgrinned.
-I'm doing well, I was interested in joining the Mormon religion.- Konata typed back.
-I'm glad to hear that, how did you hear about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?- Marissa asked. Kagami looked over at Konata. Impressively, she was typing with her eyes closed.
"Kona, are you converting?" Kagami asked. Konata opened her eyes until she was half-lidded and glanced mischievously over at Kagami, a cute catgrin on her face. She closed her eyes again and hummed in thought for a moment. She started typing again.
-Marissa, may I be honest with you?- Konata typed.
-Of course Konakona, just please tell me how you heard about us- Marissa typed back.
-Ah, you see, when I was a child, my mother told me that happiness was the key to life.- Konata typed.
-Admirable, please continue.- Marissa typed.
-Goodness, this is difficult to say, I'm sorry. When I was a child, my mother told me that happiness was the key to life.- Konata typed again.
-You said that.- Marissa typed.
-Now now, I'm getting to my story, may I continue?- Konata asked.
-Please do.- Marissa said.
-Eventually, after I grew up a little bit, I realized something.- Konata typed.
-What was that?- Marissa asked.
-To tell you the truth, there was one thing I never understood.- Konata's grin widened.
-What's that?- Marissa asked.
-Sadly, the first letter of every line I typed after you asked me about converting.- Konata put in. Kagami looked up, but didn't understand why what she typed held relevance.
-... sigh- Marissa typed in.
*Your chat session has ended.*
"What was that Kona?" Kagami asked.
"Asking Mormons about magnets is a time honored tradition of trolling Kagami!" Konata said happily. She refreshed the page. Chris opened a page swiftly.
-Thank you for trolling through. I'm here to help those who sincerely want to learn about out church. Do you feel you have a genuine question to ask me?- He typed. Konata laughed.
-Oh, the irony.- Konata put back.
*Your chat session has ended.*
Kagami knew she should be a bit angry with Konata for wasting these people's time, but she was actually finding this funny. Kagami giggled as Konata trolled more and more people. Suddenly...
-Some kinds of metals (like steel that the needles are made of) are made up of billions and billions of individual atoms that each have the properties of a microscopic magnet. The atoms in steel naturally tend to get together in tiny little groups called domains, and within each domain the atoms tend to point in the same direction, which makes the domains behave like a tiny little bar magnets just like the kind you have probably played with at school. The needle of a compass is also a bar magnet, and we know what this does: it points north because it likes to line itself up with the magnetic field of the earth.- Marissa typed. Konata laughed loudly.
-You, ma'am, rock.- Konata typed back.
-I know.- Marissa typed back before she ended the chat session.
"She gotcha back Kona..." Kagami mumbled sleepily. Konata had been so wrapped up in trolling, she had forgotten the girl was right there. Now that she remembered Kagami, she realized that there was a weight on her shoulder. She looked over and saw Kagami leaning on her shoulder, mostly asleep. Konata blushed deep. "I'm tired Kona... Can we go to sleep?" Kagami reluctantly picked her head up and look at Konata. Konata quickly scooted up to the computer in an attempt to hide her blush by getting in front of Kagami. She looked at the time to realize it was a little past midnight already.
"Yeah, sure thing Kagami, it's pretty late for you, isn't it?" Konata muttered. She got up and, keeping her face away from Kagami as much as possible, she walked over to her bed. She got out the futon she had put under her bed from the last sleepover they had several weeks ago and backed up a bit, smiling. "Alright Kagamin, you can take the bed on one condition." Konata said, entirely unsure about what she was about to say. She was wondering if she could handle this. She had every intention of letting Kagami take the bed, whatever her answer was.
"Oh? And what's that?" Kagami asked as she turned to the girl with a smile on her face.
*Cute!* Shot through Konata's head. "You can't sleep in those clothes." Konata said, eying Kagami up and down. Kagami blushed.
"What!" She shouted.
"Kagamin, my bed is clean, your clothes are dirty! Just sleep in your underwear." Konata said as if it were nothing. Kagami blushed even more.
"How can you just say that without feeling awkward?" Kagami shouted.
"We're both girls, aren't we?" Konata asked. Kagami seemed to shrink a bit.
"Yeah... I guess so." She felt a bit hurt. It wasn't something Konata had done intentionally, but that simple statement of a fact was misunderstood by Kagami. We're both girls... She just sees me as a friend... She felt a pain in her chest, one more vicious then she would have thought from something like this. She stripped her underside. Of course, she's never serious. It's all a big joke to her... Kagami took her shirt halfway off, making sure the clothing looked like it got stuck over her head. She knew Konata was going to tease her for it, but she could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and she had no interest in letting Konata see her cry.
"Need help Kagami?" Konata asked. The sentence seemed a legitimate question in the interest of her concern rather then a teasing comment, which surprised Kagami.
"I've got it." Kagami barely kept her voice from cracking. "Could you just go ahead and turn the light off? I'll get it in the dark and I don't want you staring at me."
"Alright, if you want." Konata surprised her again by turning the light off. Konata would have loved to just stay there, examining the beauty that stood before her, but what she wanted took second seat to what Kagami wanted now. That's how love worked, right?
"Thanks..." Kagami mumbled as she finished taking off her shirt. "And thanks for the bed Kona." She sighed as she plopped into Konata's bed. Suddenly, she heard a collapsing noise and was buried in paper. "What the hell!" She shouted, squirming. The light was turned on and Kagami was soon free from the piles of manga that occupied Konata's bed at all times. "Konata! Why are all of these things in bed with me?" She shouted.
"'Cause I read in bed, I forgot about them!" Konata sounded almost scared. Kagami saw this and backed off a bit. "I'm sorry Kagami." She apologized. Kagami calmed all the way down.
"No, it's my fault. I over-reacted." Kagami sighed. She was working hard not to get too angry with Konata anymore. After all, if she wanted to ever have a chance at Konata being serious, she would have to be nicer. The thought of her maybe eventually getting Konata to stop with the perverted comments seemed odd to Kagami. She should love the idea, it meant that Kagami would finally know where she stood with Konata, but it also meant Konata would change from the girl Kagami fell in love with in the first place. She didn't want that. But she wanted so desperately to know Konata's feelings and how to gain the Otaku's affections. Of course, even if she somehow did that and she and Konata could be together, how would it work? Konata wasn't serious. Even if she was, there was still the biggest issue. Dad. Her father tended a shrine. She knew he would have objections to any sort of lesbian relationship, no matter how much Kagami loved Konata. It still feels so weird to say that... Kagami thought. Kagami loved Konata, there was no doubt, but it still was odd to recognize it with such clarity. Kagami sighed. Life was so much less confusing when I was confused. Kagami decided. She noticed the light was off again. Kona much have seen that I was lost in thought again. Kagami thought. Still, the subject of Konata's attitude raised questions in her mind. "Hey... Kona? You still awake?" Kagami asked softly. There was a moment of silence in which Kagami was a tad disappointed because Konata hadn't answered and she considered the possibility that she had been lost in thought for longer then she thought.
"I'm awake." Konata replied after a moment. Kagami smiled. "What's up Kagamin?"
"Well... I just wanted to know... You've kinda changed recently, ya know?" Kagami asked, already knowing her wording had been extremely awkward. Still, Konata made no comment on that element of her statement.
"What do you mean?" Konata asked, a bit timid. This could either turn out to be a great compliment or a terrible insult.
"Even though you've mostly gone back to the way you were, which don't get me wrong, I really like." Kagami started. Konata felt lucky the light was off and Kagami was above her. "You've started apologizing more when you do really stupid things." Kagami said. Konata had mixed feelings about what Kagami had just said. REALLY stupid seemed a bit harsh. MODERATELY stupid seemed more her key.
"Is that bad?" Konata asked.
"No. It's actually really refreshing..." Kagami smiled. "I just wanted to know if there was any specific reason for the change." Kagami said. Konata thought for a moment. There was a reason, but she couldn't really tell Kagami. She was genuinely sorry, and she had decided to show it more in hopes that Kagami would like it. Konata smiled to herself for a moment as she was right.
"Don't worry about it Kagamin." Konata smiled.
"Well, just do me a favor." Kagami said.
"What's that?" Konata asked.
"I like that you apologize more, but don't change anymore. I like you the way you are." Kagami said, putting as much affection in her voice as she could. Konata blushed deepest she had all night.
"Thanks... I like you too." Konata barely mumbled. Kagami blushed and smiled.
There's something sweet, that makes me swoon
but she was mean and kinda rude and so Tsuntsun...
But now she's cute, her face maroon,
Could she possibly start loving me so soon? Konata wondered before she nodded off. Kagami smiled and looked over the edge of the bed to see Konata asleep with as cute a sleeping face as she had during her nap. Kagami squealed in her head, though she could have sworn she saw a blush on Konata's face.
She had a blush, I thought I saw,
'bove the kitten's grin adorning her cute jaw,
Could she love me? With all my flaw?
I don't know, for now, I think I will withdraw...and with that, Kagami laid back down in the bed and looked over at the stand next to Konata's bed. Is that my notebook? I'll have to get that back from her... Kagami thought as she let sleep take her, happy.
POV Tony
Tony woke up, the memory of his horrible deed ripping at his heart. The pain he felt from sabotaging his love hurt a thousand fold more than anything he had felt in recent memory. He was still exhausted from all the spells he worked that day, the only thing that could get him out of the bed was the hope that his last one would help Tsukasa. He pushed himself up on shaky legs and left his room to see Masutā in the kitchen, making something.
"Hey Otōto, wh- whoa, you okay?" He asked.
"I've done a horrible thing." Tony muttered.
"Wanna talk about it?" Masutā asked.
"Thanks, but no. What are you making?" Tony asked.
"Dengen." Masutā said. Tony made a face.
"Disgusting. Let me have a bite." Tony requested.
"That meal didn't do much for you, did it?" Masutā asked.
"Nope. I need some energy." Tony said. Masutā reached into the pot he had been stirring and got out a small, bean sized glob. He handed to Tony who, after making a face, popped it in his mouth and ate it. He felt his energy returning the instant he managed to swallow it. He got a decent amount back. "Thanks." He said appreciatively.
"No problem, luckily you came out about when it was done. So what are you doing now?" Masutā asked.
"Not much. I had an idea, but what did you have in mind?" Tony asked.
"Well, I say we go get that necklace appraised." Masutā said.
"Good idea. Let's go." Tony got up and fished the amulet out of his pocket.
"You just carry that around?" His brother asked.
"Yeah, for if the right moment presents itself." Tony said. As he looked at the necklace, the pain previously pounding on his heart restarted. "I don't really see the point of this anymore though. She loves someone else." Tony muttered.
"What? What do you mean?" Masutā asked.
"I'll tell you on the way." Tony said. And so they left and, while on the way to Masutā's friend, Tony explained everything that had happened. From the battle with Shifen, to the fight at the martial arts school, then to Tsukasa's request and Tony's decision. And finally, of his potion's effects and Tony's rending hatred of his actions henceforth. Through all of this, Masutā stayed silent as stone and listened carefully. "Aniki, what should I do?" Tony asked.
"Simple. KISS. HER!" Masutā shouted. "Then her voice will come back and all will be well."
"That doesn't make any sense." Tony said.
"And why not?" Masutā asked. "She obviously likes you."
"Why on Earth would she ask ME for a love potion for ME?" Tony asked.
"I dunno, maybe she wanted to be clever? Look, it doesn't matter, she likes you almost as obviously as you like her, if not more so. Kiss her and have your happily ever after Otōto." Masutā said as they arrived.
"Whatever you say." Tony still sounded depressed as they entered.
"Masutā!" A man behind the counter shouted with a hand raised.
" Hōsekishō! What's up man?" Masutā walked up as he asked.
"Not much, the wife and kids are in bed with a cold, but that's about it. I hope whatever it is you brought is interesting, I need something rare if you have it about now." Hōsekishō scratched his head.
"I dunno if it's rare, the merchant said it was Alexandrite, but my friend said it didn't have the right hue." Tony said. Hōsekishō raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Where is this necklace you would like me to take a look at anyway?" He asked. Tony got the necklace out and showed it to the man. He took it and started examining it through a jeweler's glass. His hands started to shake.
"What's up bud?" Masutā asked.
"This... How much did you pay for this?" Hōsekishō asked.
"300,000 yen, why? Is it fake?" Tony asked, hoping he wasn't conned.
"By the gods! 300,000? Well, it certainly isn't Alexandrite. If that merchant had any clue what this was, he wouldn't have let it go for nearly what he did. This is what's known as Blue Garnet. I never thought I would see something like this..." Hōsekishō mumbled in astonishment.
"Is that... good?" Tony asked.
"Let's put it this way. One carat of Blue Garnet would easily sell for more than 125 million yen. I wish I could buy this from you, but I don't have near the money. You could make an incredible return on your investment on auction though. You have to be the luckiest man alive." Hōsekishō said.
"Hehe, maybe I just have a Luckier Star than most. Thank you very much sir." Tony bowed as Hōsekishō handed the necklace back.
"No problem, it was my treat entirely! It's only unfortunate that I don't think I'll ever see it again..." Hōsekishō chuckled. "Take care!" He waved.
"You too!" Tony and Masutā waved back as they left.
"That's a lot of money Otōto..." Masutā said.
"Yeah. I don't think I'd sell it, even if I could." Tony said.
"Why can't you? I mean, I understand that you don't want to, but why couldn't you?" Masutā asked.
"I spent a lot of time putting an enchant on that thing. I'm still giving it to Tsukasa, even if she and this guy get together." Tony said.
"Otōto, I'll cut you a deal. I'll bet you anything you want that if you give her that necklace tomorrow at the festival-"
"Hang on, tomorrow? I thought it was in a couple of days!" Tony shouted. Masutā looked confused.
"No, it's definitely tomorrow." Masutā said. "Anyway, if you give that to her tomorrow, kiss her, she'll kiss back." Masutā finished.
"Wow, it's really tomorrow?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, 'cause Miyuki's dentist appointment is tomorrow." Masutā said. Of course, she didn't have an appointment, he was spending the time with her during the festival for the day before he went off to work.
*Sigh* "Well, that might change things..." Tony mumbled. "Alright."
"Alright you'll do it? Or alright you acknowledge the festival is tomorrow?" Masutā asked as they arrived home since the way he said it implied either. Tony made no reply. "Otōto?"
"I'm gonna go... visit a friend." Tony sighed as he turned.
"What are you gonna do about tomorrow?" Masutā asked. "I bet anything."
"I'll think it over." Tony started walking.
"Geez Otōto, come on. Every time it's plain to see, you ignore the signs." Masutā sighed as he entered the house.
Tony walked all the way to Akira's bar. His brother had deposited the money from the tournament, so he could now give Akira the money he had decided to give to help her out. He looked up as he realized he never looked at the bar's name. He laughed out loud as the he read the sign.
"South Side of Chicago"
He walked in.
"Kan-chan!" Akira shouted exuberantly. "Welcome back!" Tony walked up and sat at the bar.
"Hey Akira." Tony said.
"Kan-chan, what's wrong?" She asked.
"Um..." Tony contemplated. He knew what he was depressed about, but what his brother had said... "Never mind. Hey Akira, I'd like to give you somethin'." Tony took out a check book and started writing in it. "100,000 yen." He tore the check out and handed it to Akira, who gingerly took it in trembling hands.
"What?" She asked.
"You said you were having trouble with your money, I wanted to help out." Tony said. Akira smiled warmly.
"Thanks Kan-chan, but..." She handed the check back to him. "It isn't needed anymore. Someone gave me enough money to live off of for a long time." She smiled.
"Really? That's cool, I'm so glad for you Akira." Tony smiled. "In that case, I might take that drink now." Tony chuckled.
"Wait, Kan-chan?" He heard a masculine voice from his right. He looked over to see a man with a familiar woman. "You're Kan-chan?" He asked.
"Yeah, how are you Doris?" Tony asked.
"I'm great, thanks." She smiled.
"You're the guy who took out Leroy, huh?" He asked.
"Yeah, you her real husband?" Tony chuckled.
"Yeah man, I owe you a thanks. My name's Dansei, drink's on me." Dansei smiled.
"Thank you for your generosity, however I have money for it." Tony smiled as he held up a hand.
"Nonsense! I insist that I repay you friend." Dansei put money on the counter. Akira smiled.
"Actually, I owe him a bottle too!" Akira smiled.
"Well, take the money as a prepay for more drinks for him." Dansei smiled as he refused to retake the money. He turned to Tony. "Whether you like it or not, you've made a friend." He smiled. Tony smiled too.
"Thanks. I needed to hear that." Tony smiled. "Akira, do you have any Sake?" Tony asked.
"Absolutely, coming right up!" Akira put a bottle and a small shot glass on the counter.
"Thanks." Tony poured some of the Sake and drank it. About half way through the bottle, his phone started to ring. He got it out to see it was Konata. One phone call later, he had returned to his melancholic mood at the reminder of Tsukasa. He took another drink.
"Why don't you talk about it Kan-chan?" Akira asked while she tended others.
"It's really personal." He sighed.
"If you can't tell your friends, who can you tell?" Dansei asked.
*Sigh* "I think the girl I love might be in love with someone else." Tony sighed. Akira gasped.
"Who is she?" Akira asked. Tony looked up sadly at her.
"You remember that girl you and I sang with on my first visit here?" Tony asked.
"Oh, the cute purple-haired one! Her?" Akira asked excitedly.
"Yeah. Her." Tony sighed.
"Who do you think she loves?" Akira asked.
"I don't know." Tony sighed. "Does it matter?"
"I guess not." Akira sighed. "Well, maybe you can invite her to the festival tomorrow! If you spend enough time with her, she's bound to fall in love with you!" Akira said.
"You think?" Tony asked.
"Of course, you just tried to give me a hundred thousand yen. How can she not?" Akira smiled.
"Yeah... I think I'll see if she wants to go with me... Thanks Akira." Tony smiled. How will I ask her... Tony wondered. He didn't know the number for the Hiiragi's house. He started wracking his brains. He took out his phone and, knowing the address of his love, looked up the phone number for her house. He called the house. Soon there was someone on the other end.
"Hiiragi house." A female voice said.
"It's Tony, is Tsu-" Tony started, walking out of the bar with a wave to Akira and his new friend.
"Oh~, Mister Kan-chan!" The girl laughed. "What can I do for you? Tsukasa can't really talk right now."
"I know, but I was wondering if you could ask her if she'd like to go to the festival with me tomorrow?" Tony said uncertainly. The female voice giggled.
"Sure thing, I'll ask her!" Tony heard the phone being set down. He waited a moment while he walked home. He walked a few moments before he heard the girl come back. "Totally said yes." She chuckled.
"Really?" Tony smiled.
"She was a little more than exuberant. I thought her head was gonna pop off!" She laughed. "She was like a bobble head!"
"Well, could you tell her I'll meet her at the festival tomorrow?" Tony smiled as he asked.
"Sure thing!" She shouted as she hung up. Tony sighed.
"It's her choice if she wants to spend the two days with me. She knows what happens when it's over." Tony arrived back at home. He entered and looked around. He sighed as Masutā must have gone to bed by now. He walked into his room and collapsed on the bed, hoping. He hoped that the next day would go nice. He hoped he could get Tsukasa to fall in love with him instead of the other boy. But more than anything else, he hoped she would be happy.
In the morning
Kagami woke up, sitting up and yawning. She looked over the bed to see Konata, still fast asleep. She giggled to herself as she thought of how cute the Otaku was.
I wish I didn't have to go... But I need to get ready for the festival! Kagami thought. My yukata's at home. She got up and lightly stepped over Konata. She dressed as silently as she could in the clothes she had worn the previous day and walked out of the room, feeling a satisfaction that she had successfully gotten out of the room without waking her love. As she got out to the living room, she saw Sojiro.
"Hey Kagami, you leavin' us so soon?" Sojiro asked.
"Oh, hey, I didn't know you were still awake." Kagami muttered.
"Yeah, had to pull another all nighter..." Sojiro sighed.
Gee, I wonder where Kona gets her habits... Kagami sweatdropped to herself. "Yeah, I have to get ready for the festival today!" Kagami smiled.
"Wait, what? I thought that wasn't until tomorrow!" Sojiro shouted, clearly distraught. "I can't come today, I'm too tired!" He looked to be crying. Kagami sweatdropped a bit more.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you won't miss much. There will always be more festivals." Kagami said.
"I guess so..." He sighed. Kagami smiled and walked to the door. "Wait!"
"Huh? What's up?" Kagami turned.
"Do you want a ride?" Sojiro asked. "I'll take you home if you want."
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't wanna be a burden." Kagami put her hand up.
"Nonsense, it's no trouble!" Sojiro got up and grabbed his keys.
"Thanks." Kagami smiled. She and Sojiro walked out of the house and into the car. Sojiro turned the key and drove off. "Thanks for the ride."
"It's no problem, you're mine now." Sojiro said creepily.
"Wh-what?" Kagami asked, a bit of fear in her voice.
"Now who's going to save you?" Sojiro laughed maniacally.
"What are you talking about? Let me go!" Kagami shouted as the doors locked. She tried to open them and maybe get away, but they were locked tight. Sojiro's laughter turned from maniacal to regular.
"I'm kidding." He chuckled. Kagami looked over at Sojiro, stunned.
"What?" She asked.
"I was kidding. So, how's Tadao these days?" He asked as if nothing had happened. The fact that he could switch so easily was a bit scary to Kagami.
"He's okay... Anything new with you?" Kagami asked. "Or with Kona?"
"Not that I can think of. Oh, my online story reached longest in it's section today!" Sojiro shouted excitedly.
"That's pretty cool!" Kagami smiled.
"I know, right? The best thing is that it isn't even a year old yet!" Sojiro kept smiling with excitement.
"Wow, not even a year? How long is it?" Kagami asked.
"A two and a half hundred thousand words." Sojiro said with pride.
"That's pretty impressive." Kagami smiled, having fully recovered from the shock that the man had put her through just a moment ago.
"Thanks! Alright, we're here." Sojiro stopped in front of Kagami's house and let her out. "Sorry for scaring you, I couldn't resist. I know I always look creepy." Sojiro scratched the back of his head.
"It's no problem I guess, thanks for the ride!" Kagami smiled as she closed the door. Sojiro drove off. Kagami turned to her house and walked in.
"Welcome home Kagami." Miki shouted from the kitchen. Kagami walked into the kitchen as she greeted her mother in return.
"Morning mom. It's pretty early, I'm a little surprised you're awake." Kagami smiled.
"You think THAT'S surprising?" Miki giggled. "Look at that!" She pointed over her shoulder at the table. Kagami looked over to see Tsukasa at the table, eating breakfast.
"Oh, good morning Tsukasa!" Kagami smiled. Tsukasa smiled back and waved.
"Up before me." Miki said. Kagami whipped around, a bewildered look on her face.
"What? Seriously?" She asked.
"Yep." Miki giggled. Kagami turned back to see her sister looking a bit indignant. Kagami scratched her head sheepishly.
"Sorry Tsukasa, it's just surprising, I'm still getting use to you getting up earlier than you usually do." Kagami apologized. Tsukasa got a content look and continued her meal. "Ready for the festival today?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa smiled wider and nodded, looking extremely happy. "Wow, I know you're excited, but you seem ecstatic!" Kagami giggled.
"Mister Kan-chan called last night and asked Tsukasa to go to the festival with him specifically." Miki smiled. "Even though it was assumed you all would be going together, it's probably just the action of it."
"That makes sense." Kagami smiled as she sat down. "It's like he asked you on a date." She teased. Tsukasa's face lit up in a blush as she paused for a moment. Nevertheless, she smiled again and finished her meal. "So no talking Tsukasa?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa shook her head. "Humming? Whistling? Anything?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa shook her head again. "Man, for two days? That's gonna be rough." Tsukasa nodded. "Maybe I'll push Tony into you so you two can kiss." Kagami smiled. Tsukasa's face lit up again.
"Oh~, enough teasing, let him kiss her when he wants to." Miki giggled.
"But he wants to now! He's just scared!" Kagami said. Miki laughed.
"Well, I hope it all works out. Did you have a good time at Konata's house?" Miki asked.
"Yeah, totally! I read some manga, ate amazing food, and watched her troll people!" Kagami said excitedly. Miki turned and looked at her daughter, a serious look on her face.
"She's a troll?" Miki asked.
"Someone who wastes other people's time. She was pretty good at it too." Kagami smiled. Miki sighed.
"No, it's someone who posts a deliberately provocative message to a message board or a web site with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument." Miki said, surprising Kagami.
"Oh, okay. Mom, you seem a little angry? What's up?" Kagami asked.
"I hate it when trolls come on the pod." Miki said, folding her arms.
"The pod?" Kagami asked.
"The Parenting Pod. It's an online parenting forum community." Miki said. "I hate trolls." She sighed as she turned back to the counter.
"Well, she was only trolling Mormons!" Kagami said, hoping to take the heat off her love.
"Oh, well if they were only Mormo- Come on Kagami, that's no excuse." Miki scolded. "You're lucky we're the only three people to hear that, some people could get really offended to that."
"Yeah, I guess so. Sorry..." Kagami mumbled.
"It's okay Kagami, just try not to watch that." Miki said.
"Okay. I guess we should get ready for the festival, huh?" Kagami asked Tsukasa. Tsukasa smiled sweetly and nodded.
"It's a little early, isn't it?" Miki asked.
"I wanna be ready to see Kona and Tony!" Kagami said excitedly.
"Alright then, have fun you two." Miki smiled. And so Kagami and Tsukasa walked to their respective rooms, got their yukatas, and Tsukasa walked to Kagami's room. There, they continued to get ready and tie each other's yukatas.
POV Konata
Konata woke up to see Kagami was gone. She felt sad for a moment. She picked up her yukata and left her room.
"Hey Konata, Kagami said she wanted to get home so she could get ready for the festival." Sojiro said.
"Ah, thanks dad." Konata smiled. "I've gotta go get Kan-kan! The festival is starting real early!" She said as she walked to the door.
"Alright, tell him I said hello!" Sojiro shouted.
"Alright!" Konata shouted and left. She walked to Tony's house and walked in, figuring it would be okay since she was his sister. She got in and saw that Masutā and Tony were still asleep. She smiled, giggled, and walked into the kitchen. She decided the two would wake up to breakfast. She set to work, skillfully preparing rice before Tony woke up. He walked out.
"Kon-kon? What's... Hm?" He squinted, obviously still tired.
"Hey Kan-kan! Makin' breakfast before we get ready for the festival!" Konata finished making breakfast. She brought it over. "Eat up." She smiled. Tony did just that. Konata brought over more and started eating herself.
"Delicious. Thank you so much Kon-kon." Tony smiled.
"No problem! Think it's time to get ready for the festival?" Konata asked.
"I think so." Tony smiled. Konata went to the guest room and Tony back to his room to change. They came back out and looked at each other.
"Ready." They smiled.
Luckier Channel
"Luckier~! Channel~!" Akira shouted. "Hiya Luckies! I'm your navigator, Akira Kogami~!"
"And I'm the assistant, Minoru Shiraishi!"
"The festival is gonna be soon Minoru! Wanna go?" Akira asked.
"Are you asking me to go with you?" Minoru asked.
"Totally, wanna go?" Akira asked.
"Sure!" Minoru smiled.
*Music Tone*
"Looks like that's all the time we have for today! Hope to see you all next chapter, bye nii~!" Akira shouted.
"..."
"Um..."
"What is it?"
"I dunno... I just-"
*End*
Aftersection
Hey everyone, who here likes K-ON! ? Who here likes BECK? Who here (And this is a long shot for you guys, I'm sure) likes Lucky Star? If you answered either "Me.", "MEEZ!", "I do." or "OMGZORZBBQWTFBOMB! ME! I DO! MEEEE~!", there's a story you simply must read! And while I don't recommend it, you can also watch it without having seen either of the previous two! 'Cause I mean really, who watches Lucky Star? In any case, this story is called "Strike up the bands", a K-ON, Lucky Star and BECK crossover! It's written by JbstormburstADV, who allowed me to beta the first chapter. Which was fantastic. In any case, I would like to recommend this story to all 34 of you who read my story! And reading my story is great practice, his chapters are almost as long as mine! Please read it! In other news, Stealthmomo, you're still reading! Yay! Glad to hear it, I was wondering. Thank you all for continuing to read my story! Now for a surprise, wait for it... Wait for it~...