Chapter 34: Mind Palaces and Cake Buffets
BAHAHA! Sqweebs, did ya ever figure it out? If not, don't read this! You're close! I think... Holyriot, I would, but I gave her and Shiraishi the day off! Paid of course. I have no idea how I take up so much text though... Edge, who's to say he didn't notice? Oh, you said it. Mmkay... DevonS... You reviewed! I remember you added the story to your story alert list back in... March of last year, right? Something like that. Thank you very much! Hope I can get this chapter out before my one year anniversary! Herb, I do my best to reply to all my reviews! Ulti, glad to see you're liking the story. At the current amount of reviews I have, I'll need 773 more reviews. And I could cut the chapters in half. By the general standard, I could cut them in thirds and still have a decent length of chapters. But I'm not sure I will. Long chapters have kinda been my thing for a while, so I think I'll stick with 'em. Anyway, on with the show!
Miki's Hospital Room
Eraser. Eraser has to do something... He thought to himself obsessively. What though? What? He shouted to himself. Everyone was talking excitedly about Miki's recovery, he couldn't concentrate. "Everyone, be quiet, please!" He shouted.
"Kan-kan?" Konata asked.
"I need to go to my Mind Palace." He said. Everyone exchanged confused looks except for Kagami. She motioned for all to gather near her at the end of the room opposite Tony.
"I've read about this, but I didn't know Tony had taught himself how to use a memory palace. A mind palace is a method of loci that allows someone to mentally "store" information. By using this technique, one can theoretically remember everything that's ever happened to them. In basic terms, it is a method of memory enhancement which uses visualization to organize and recall information." Kagami explained in a whisper as they saw Tony with his eyes closed. Occasionally, he would raise a hand as if to bat away a fly.
"I heard about that before. Usually it's called something like a memory walk, or a memory room. That's usually enough to store everything. But he said palace!" Konata whispered loudly.
"He did say palace." She nodded as he batted away something again.
Eraser. Joseph Priestley. Rubber. Vegetable gum. Vegetable oil. He interrupted the train and batted the thoughts away. Eraser. Pencil. Pen. Tony swung his arm to dismiss the thoughts. Eraser. Blackboard. Chalkboard. Board. Two by four. Four by Four. Floor. Wooden floor. Stone floor. Tournament arena. Recoome. Tony swung the ideas away. He decided to think only of his clues. Recoome, eraser, mouth, energ-... He paused. He opened his eyes after ten minutes of searching through his mind palace. That's it! Tony shouted in his head. He looked over to see Miki's cast was off. "Come on everyone!" Tony shouted as he headed for the door quickly.
"Why?" Konata asked.
"I know how to get Tsukasa back!" Tony smiled broadly and he was out the door.
"How?" Kagami shouted as Miki got out of the bed and wobbled a bit, having not left the bed in a day.
"Eraser!" Tony shouted, halfway down the hall already. Everyone in the room exchanged a confused look and shrugged. Konata ran ahead and caught up with Tony.
"What do you mean eraser?" She asked.
"Don't you see it Kon-kon? Recoome, Eraser, energy, mouth, it's a puzzle! Damn that god is clever!" Tony said quickly. Konata was still confused as the rest of the group started to catch up.
"No, I don't see!" Konata said. "Slow down, you're talkin' a mile a second!" Tony sighed.
"Konata, think! In just about every anime you've ever seen, where do people fire energy from?" Tony asked, barely slowing his pace.
"Normally their hands." Konata said.
"Correct! It provides the best accuracy and more versatility with your energy! But you lose power when you have to concentrate on manifesting it outside your body!" Tony smiled.
"What's that mean? What are you gonna do?" Kagami asked.
"Do you trust me?" Tony turned his head to her, not slowing still. Kagami thought a moment.
"With my life." She decided. Konata smiled at hearing that, as did Tony.
"Not with your life. With Tsukasa's." Tony said. Kagami was silenced another moment.
'Course I do. He loves her, there's no doubt. Kagami opened her mouth, but the next phrase was not spoken by her.
"Yes." Miki said. Tony's smile widened.
"Glad to hear. Record this." Tony handed his phone off to who ever grabbed it, which was Kagami.
"Why?" She asked.
"Tsukasa's gonna flip her lid when she sees this." Tony smiled wider still as they got to the room. Kagami smiled wider at this, Tony had just basically guaranteed Tsukasa would be okay. Here, he paused at the door. "You guys ready to see some real Disney shit?" Tony turned and smirked to the crowd. They jumped a bit at the sudden use of profanity, but now they were intrigued. They entered the room. Miyuki looked up at them with puffed cheeks.
"Kanpeki-san, I didn't expect you back so soon..." She said.
"Miyuki, were you up all night?" Tony asked. Miyuki blushed a bit.
"Well... I wanted to be awake in case she woke up." She looked back at Tsukasa. Tony smiled.
"It's alright Miyuki, there's no need to cry anymore. Tsukasa's going to be alright." Tony smiled and looked into her eyes. She knew he was certain. "Kagami, you recording?" Tony turned, clicking the button for the doctor.
"And~... Go!" Kagami clicked the button. Tony took a deep breath, filling his lungs to the brink with air. He removed Tsukasa's oxygen mask and kissed her open mouthed. He breathed into her, not only air, but pure energy as well.
Energy passed through the mouth directly takes much less energy since I don't have to concentrate on maintaining the energy outside my body. Plus, since it's going into her mouth, there's not as much energy deflected by the skin. Tony recalled his earlier realization. As he kissed her, he chanted a spell of healing in his head. He sang his spell to include every injury Tsukasa had as he started to feel his energy decrease. He was immensely satisfied that he didn't lose near the amount of energy at one time that he had when he had healed Miki. Even then, however, his energy started to run out. Tony began weaving the spell through the energy from the air around him. The spell fed off of the energy, slowing the air down and chilling the room to almost sub-zero temperatures. Seeing that this spell was taking still more, he released his grip on the environment's energy and returned the strain to his own energy. It wasn't long before that ran out entirely. His vision flickered as the spell weakened, having taken all of his energy over the course of fifteen seconds.
Damn it... damn it... He cursed in his head. He grabbed the side of the bed to steady himself. A sudden moment of clarity gave him vision for a split second. He saw Tsukasa, battered and unconscious. No... NO! There's no turning back! No failing! If I don't do this now, Tsukasa will die! He shouted truthfully in his head. The thought woke him back up and he continued the spell out of sheer willpower alone. Tremors wracked his body almost enough to break contact with his love, but he held on for a full minute. Finally, his will broke from the massive exertion the spell had taken. He felt his grip on reality slip as he slumped on the floor. No... I... He fell unconscious. Konata supported his weight until she sat him in a chair as the room turned their attention on Tsukasa. Her eyes opened extremely slowly, as one would expect from one who had been unresponsive for a full day. She turned her head to look at her family.
"O..Onee-chan? My head hurts..." She mumbled. Kagami blinked a few times, tears in her eyes as well as everyone else's.
"M-Morning Sleeping Beauty..." She wiped away her tears as she stopped recording and joined her family in a massive group hug that about crushed the airhead. They stayed that way for who knows how long before they finally broke, all having tears freely flowing down their cheeks.
"Onee-chan, why is everyone so sad?" Tsukasa asked. Kagami wiped her tears away again, though knowing the effort was futile.
"Yo-you had an accident, Tsukasa. You slipped into a coma and went to sleep for a while." Kagami smiled to her sister. Zimmerman pushed his way through the family and took out a flashlight immediately.
"When he said he was coming to wake you, I should have just come along, not waited behind to be paged like some hologram at people's beck and call." The doctor sounded annoyed as he flashed the flashlight in both of Tsukasa's eyes. "Normal. Tell me, what's the last thing you remember?" He asked. Tsukasa thought a moment. She suddenly got a worried look.
"My necklace! Where is it? I can't lose it!" Tsukasa started moving in a panicked way with weak movements since she hadn't any energy.
"My guess is it's still in the car." Miki scratched her head.
"No! Kan-kun will hate me if I lose that necklace!" Tsukasa teared up. Zimmerman turned to Miki while Kagami went to contradict Tsukasa's thoughts.
"How long ago was this?" He asked.
"It happened right before the accident." Miki said. Zimmerman looked at Tsukasa with a bewildered look.
"This is remarkable! No memory loss? Why, she'd have to have been kissed by a god to make it out of that without any permanent damage!" Zimmerman said. Konata started giggling, causing the doctor to turn to her. "What's so funny? What did he do?" He asked.
"He kissed her." Konata giggled. Zimmerman seemed completely speechless.
"Where's Kan-kun?" Tsukasa asked. Instead of a verbal response, everyone blocking Tony from view moved to the side so she could see him. She looked at him and smiled. "There he is..." She smiled and seemed noticeably more relaxed. "Is he okay?" She asked, tensing up a bit again as she realized he was knocked out.
"Yeah, he'll be fine. He's just tired is all." Kagami said reassuringly. Tsukasa relaxed again. She seemed tired as well.
"I had a dream Onee-chan." Tsukasa mumbled, reaching into her pocket to feel something.
"What was it?" Kagami asked softly, matching the tone of her twin. No response came though as Tsukasa fell into a peaceful sleep. Zimmerman came over and inspected her.
"It's just regular sleep." He diagnosed. "She'll need a few days, but she'll be okay now. Call the nurse when she wakes up, she'll be very hungry." He sighed. "Well then. I suppose I'll never really be needed for your family again, Mr. Otokonoko needs only to kiss you and you're healed apparently." Zimmerman rolled his eyes as he walked to the door. He turned to the sleeping boy. "You're a strange boy." He mumbled before leaving. Those remaining all simply stood there for a moment, happy to have everyone back in such short time. Tension seemed to flow out of their limbs in such a way that, had they not woken up just moments ago, they could have fallen asleep themselves. They all went to sit to wait for the two to awaken again. Meanwhile, they talked again. They subconsciously separated into two groups, of those in college and those not, one group talking politics and the other talking stenches. Oddly, most of their conversations seemed to overlap with term usage. It was a short while before the college girls got off the subject of stinks and on to a small silence.
"Hey guys, you know we have to do something big for Tsukasa." Kagami smiled. "She needs something, you know?"
"I agree, I think we should take her to the movies maybe, or out to dinner." Miyuki suggested. Konata smiled and giggled.
"I have an idea~." She looked at the two girls through half-lidded eyes.
"What's that?" Kagami asked.
"A headache with pictures, but that's not important. What I was thinking was maybe we all chip in and give Kan-kan and Tsukasa an amazing first date!" Konata smiled. Kagami and Miyuki smiled.
"Yeah! Konata, that was a fantastic idea!" Kagami exclaimed. "But..." She sighed. "I don't have much money..." She sighed. Miyuki shared her melancholy.
"Nor do I..." She said sadly. Konata hummed.
"Well, thing is..." She scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I don't either." She hung her head.
"10,000 yen." Tadao said.
"2,000." Inori said.
"3,000." Matsuri flashed a triumphant grin to her older sister.
"5,000." Miki leaned forward from her place at the end of the couch.
"Huh?" Konata asked.
"Sorry we eavesdropped." Matsuri smiled.
"That was a good idea, we like it." Inori smiled.
"So we're all pitching in to get them a great first date!" Miki said.
"I hope it's enough." Tadao said. The three of the girls felt their hearts warm.
"20,000 is easily enough... Thank you so much guys." Konata smiled.
"It's our pleasure, one of the Hiira-kids finally found someone to love!" Inori smiled. Kagami bit the inside of her lip, nervous about the fact that she had found such a one as well, but rather a different one as well.
"It is gonna be a little awkward if they get married though..." Konata said. Everyone looked to her.
"Why's that Kona?" Kagami asked.
"Well, Kan-kan's last name is Otokonoko. She'd be Tsukasa Otokonoko." Konata pointed out. The rest of the room understood very clearly what she meant then.
"Yeah, I guess I can understand that." Kagami giggled. "Good catch Kona." Zimmerman walked back in.
"Okay, I'd like for her to stay for another day to see if she's truly better. You understand, it's extremely unusual for a patient with the damage she sustained to wake after one day." He said.
"That's understandable." Miki said. She looked to her daughter. As if by some unspoken cue, Tsukasa stirred awake.
"Hi guys." She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning Tsukasa." Kagami smiled.
"What's going on? How long was I asleep?" She asked.
"Not long, a couple ho- A couple hours! Whoa!" Kagami did a double take when she saw they had been talking for so long.
"Mm... Is Kan-kun awake?" Tsukasa asked. She looked over and saw that he wasn't. She laid back. "Oh..." She sighed. Konata suddenly got an idea. She got up and jumped over to Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa, wanna play a prank on Kan-kan?" She asked. Tsukasa sunk into the bed a bit as Konata threw herself at the younger twin.
"Wh-what?" She asked. Konata put her head near Tsukasa's and started whispering. "Kona-chan, that's horrible!" She said. Konata thought a moment.
"Come on~, you have to! We'll hopefully never get this chance again!" She insisted. Tsukasa paused a moment and sighed.
"Okay Kona-chan. I'll do it." She said.
"Hey, wait a minute, what are you planning Kona?" Kagami asked. Konata turned with a catgrin and began explaining her plan. "Wow. That's evil!" She said in disbelief of Konata's sheer cruelty.
"You all in?" Konata asked. After a minute of conferring, they all agreed a bit hesitantly. Now that the activity was waiting, the lot of them save Konata walked to get something to read.
Not long later
Tony opened his eyes slowly. He felt absolutely drained. He looked around to see Tsukasa. He sighed in a bit of relief that she still have her oxygen mask off.
Even if I didn't completely heal her, at least I got her a little bit better. Tony sighed. He struggled to get up and eventually got to his feet. Konata suddenly appeared at his side, supporting his weight.
"Hey Kan-kan, what's up?" She asked.
"Not much, no energy, is Tsukasa awake yet?" Tony asked.
"No, but she should be coming to any minute now." Konata said. Tsukasa hummed a little bit. She opened her eyes.
"TSUKASA!" Tony found new strength and hugged Tsukasa with all his might. Luckily, that wasn't much. Tsukasa looked a bit afraid.
"Who...who are you?" She asked Tony. Tony stopped cold.
"What?" Tony asked, looking Tsukasa in the eyes.
"Mom, who is he?" Tsukasa looked panicked. Tony dropped Tsukasa back onto her bed and stepped back a few times before falling onto his rear.
"No... No you can't... Tsu-..." He could barely speak. What could he say? Konata seemed uneasy.
"Um... Tony..." She mumbled. Tony looked up at her, desperate for some form of comfort or confirmation that this was a nightmare. "Prank?" She said uncertainly. Tony blinked a few times.
"Wh-what?" He asked.
"It was a prank." She said. Tony stared at her in disbelief.
"What?" He asked again.
"Kan-kun~." Tsukasa chimed. Tony looked from her to Konata. The Otaku was relieved that Tsukasa had interjected. However, Tony's expression didn't change to joy. It turned to anger.
"That wasn't funny." He growled.
"Sorry Tony, I didn't think it woul-"
"Quiet! You don't fuckin' joke about that, okay?" Tony shouted. "If I weren't flat on my back, you'd be flat on yours." He growled again. Konata felt a pang of fear run through her.
"Kan-kun!" Tsukasa sprang up to try and reason with Tony, but felt a wave of dizziness that forced her to lay back in the bed. Tony sighed. He pushed himself back onto his feet.
"I'm getting you back Konata. Mark my words, I'm getting you back good." He warned. "So you do remember me?" He asked Tsukasa.
"Of course I do Kan-kun." Tsukasa smiled. She sat up more slowly this time.
"I'm so glad..." He sighed.
"Not to break up this reunion mister charming, but how much money do you have?" Matsuri asked.
"Why?" Tony asked.
"There's another tournament tomorrow!" She said.
"Oh? Where?" Tony asked.
"A town called Lohan." Matsuri read.
"That's a little ways away." Tony said.
"Yeah, and you can use weapons!" She said excitedly. Tony looked to Tsukasa.
"I'm think I might pass. I wanna stay with Tsukasa." Tony smiled. Tsukasa smiled as well and motioned him closer. He walked closer. "Hm?"
"Closer." She said. Tony came closer until Tsukasa kissed him. Another wave of joy went through him. Once she broke the kiss, he noticed she had put two fingers on his forehead. "Thanks Kan-kun, but you love to fight. I know you do. So you can stay with me another time." She smiled. Tony smiled too.
"But Tsukasa-"
"It's alright Kan-kun, just go win!" Tsukasa cheered.
"Are you-" Tony tried to protest once more.
"Kan-kun, I'm not talking to you until you agree to go!" Tsukasa said as fiercely as she could, though that wasn't much given her present condition. Tony sighed and smiled.
"Thanks. I think I might go see if I can't dominate." He smiled.
"I'm glad." Tsukasa smiled.
"I might need a bit of luck though." Tony smiled. Tsukasa pecked him on the lips again. "NOW I can win!" He straightened up.
So, it wasn't Itsuwari who she was gonna be Sickingly Sweethearts with... Kagami giggled in her head.
"So, how am I going to get there..." Tony wondered.
"Could you apparate?" Konata asked.
"That wouldn't be a good idea, getting from my house to here woulda knocked me out if I hadn't had my dengen. That's towns apart." Tony said.
"I'll drive you." Miki said.
"Normally I'd refuse, but I really have no other choice if I'm to get there before the tournament starts. Thank you very much." Tony bowed. He looked around. "How much is the prize money?" Tony asked.
"Hmmm..." Matsuri showed Tony. Tony smiled.
That's a nice amount. It should be enough to replace the Hiiragi car. He smiled. "Awesome. So how long does it take to get to Lohan?" Tony asked.
"Probably a couple hours. When does it start tomorrow?" Miki asked Matsuri.
"It starts... wow, really early. Nine in the morning!" She read.
"Why so early?" Tony asked.
"It's an all day thing, but the entire tournament takes place in one day." Matsuri said.
"Ah, that's cool." Tony smiled. "I've gotta get my sword... Some more dengen... My, that stuff is terribly convenient." Tony commented. His stomach rumbled, not in hunger, but in protest to very idea of accepting any more of the horrendous concoction. He realized that he wouldn't be able to stomach any more of the noxious mixture. Damn... He felt another rumble in his stomach as it almost forced the substance back up his throat. I haven't got near the stomach for this stuff I use to have. He sighed in his head. Man, Tsukasa and her amazing food. He chuckled in his head. Well, I'll just have to get energy back the old fashion way. Rest and food. He thought. That reminded him. "Tsukasa, are you hungry? I would think you would be after not eating for so long." Tony said. Tsukasa blinked a time or two, as if remembering something, then put her hand to her stomach and grimacing.
"I'm starving!" She whined. Kagami walked over and clicked the button.
"Hello? My sister is awake, could you bring in some food please?" Kagami asked politely.
"It's on it's way." The nurse said. Kagami smiled.
"So Tsukasa, what was your dream about?" Kagami asked.
"Which one?" Tsukasa replied. "I had lots!"
"The one you were talking about before you went back to sleep." Kagami said. Tsukasa smiled and nodded. She reached into her pocket and fished out the object from before. Everyone beheld as she pulled out a solid white marble.
"When did you get that Tsukasa?" Miki asked. Tsukasa shrugged.
"I dunno." She said. "My dream was this..."
The Theater of Tsukasa's Mind
Tsukasa was standing in front of a fireplace, facing it. She felt an odd chill in her bones as she tried to warm herself. Suddenly she heard an odd laugh from behind her. It was definitely female. She turned around and looked to see a tall attractive woman with long auburn hair and red eyes.
"Oh you poor child, what HAVE you gotten yourself into?" The woman asked.
"What do you mean? Who are you?" Tsukasa asked. The woman laughed again.
"Known to you, I am Amaterasu." Amaterasu bowed. "Honestly, I do not know why Hachiman is so interested in you mortals." She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, um..." Tsukasa shrank a little bit.
"Not even going to defend yourself?" Amaterasu asked.
"I'm sorry! It's just... Well... You're a goddess, you know? You control the sun!" Tsukasa said.
"Ah. Understandable." Amaterasu said. "In any case, he feels he handled something completely wrong recently." Amaterasu sighed. It was a moment before Tsukasa realized she was talking about Hachiman. "He wanted my opinion on how to proceed, so here I am. He gifted your, oh, what is he now? Your boyfriend?" She asked.
"Kan-kun?" Tsukasa asked. Amaterasu nodded.
"Yes, him. He gifted your friend with several things, a few of which I'm not entirely sure he should have. What is done is done though." The goddess sighed. "In any case, I would not want to be outdone, right?" She asked, though her tone suggested jest. "So, two things. No, you are not going to get what he got, first of all." She said. "First is a particular item. This." She held out her hand to reveal what looked like a white marble. "This may or may not help in times to come. Only time will tell." Amaterasu said. Tsukasa took the gift with great reverence.
"It's so pretty... Thank you so much..." She said.
"Oh, please. It is not that much." Amaterasu sighed with fervent impatience. "Apologies. After several eons, the whole "worship" things gets a little old."
"Oh, I'm sorry..." Tsukasa mumbled, shrinking as if in front of an inferno.
"And stop that too! Apologizing for every little thing is almost as irritating as the worship itself!" Amaterasu sighed again. Tsukasa was about to apologize again, but she caught herself. She had no wish to irritate a goddess. "The next gift is for when your h-...boyfriend... Is in trouble. I am going to teach you an ancient song." Amaterasu said.
"Wait. What were you about to say?" Tsukasa asked.
"Nothing! Do not ask again!" Amaterasu warned quickly, a fire in her voice. "This song is a particularly powerful one. It will do nothing for a time, but when you feel the need is great, sing this song and it should take effect." Amaterasu said. Tsukasa blinked.
"Okay..." She said. The goddess clapped her hands together in delight that the ordeal was almost over.
"Great! Then let us begin!" She shouted. For the next few hours, the two went over all the eccentricities and specific parts of the song. It took several times and a few pauses for Amaterasu to cool down before Tsukasa would memorize a bit. It went on for a long time, until suddenly, Tsukasa started feeling a little light-headed and her lips started to tingle. Amaterasu looked a little angry, and a little panicked. "Already? My, he is persistent. Here." She walked over and put a hand to Tsukasa's temple. Memories that weren't her own started to flood into Tsukasa's mind, the memories of a song. Tsukasa could feel the lyrics burn into her memory. "Now. I suppose this is goodbye. I do wonder if we shall see each other again." Amaterasu said.
"You don't know?" Tsukasa asked as the room she was in grew hazy.
"Well of course I do, but you hardly do." Amaterasu laughed. Suddenly, the tingling in Tsukasa's lips faded as she regained consciousness.
"And that's what happened in my last dream. The others were really funny." Tsukasa giggled.
"I'll hear about them later, you were visited by a goddess?" Kagami almost shouted. The others in the room gasped in surprise as well.
"Wait, what? Go over that again!" Tadao shouted.
"She was visited by Amaterasu." Miki said. She looked at the stone in Tsukasa's hand. "And there's the proof."
"Well Tsu-chan, it just seems we're blessed!" Tony grinned widely. "Hachiman blessed me and now Amaterasu has blessed you." He almost laughed. This seemed insane. What made him so special? Tsukasa no doubt deserved everything and anything positive the divine might give her, but what had HE done? I must have done something good. Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good. Tony sighed with a smile.
"Kan-kun, what's wrong? You have a glazed look in your eye." Tsukasa smiled, taking Tony from his daze. Tony shook his head to clear it and looked at Tsukasa.
"Nothing Tsukasa. Don't worry about it." He smiled, allowing as much affection as possible to slip into his voice and expression. "The tournament isn't until tomorrow and the day is still young. If you're up to it, I'd like to stick around and spend some time with you." Tony asked.
"Of course, I'd love that! How much time do you wanna spend here?" Tsukasa asked, a cute, teasing smile on her face.
"As much time as you will allow me to spend. I realize how valuable your time is." Tony smiled back. Tsukasa giggled.
"Only if it's spent with you." She said. Tony opened his mouth to come back with a romantic quip, but his throat failed him. A blush came across his face and he found himself unable to speak for a moment. In fact, all he could find himself doing was smiling like an idiot.
"Wow Tsukasa, you managed to do the impossible! You shut up Tony!" Kagami laughed. Tony blushed even more as the room started laughing with her.
"Even I've never been able to heck that!" Konata laughed.
"Oh hush!" Tony crossed his arms. He thought for a moment. "You'll understand someday, when you get someone." He smirked at the group, quieting the entire lot. Miki smiled and nodded.
"He's right." She came to his defense. "I remember when me and Ta-kun were dating, sometimes we would just sit and enjoy each other's company for hours at a time." Miki reminisced. "We never had to say anything."
"That sounds nice." Tony smiled. "And you're right. Just being around Tsukasa is really enough for me." He looked back down at Tsukasa.
"And look at where WE ended up." Miki said slightly louder to pull attention to her and her husband. Tony and Tsukasa both blushed deeply.
I hope we do get that far. Tony smiled. Some day, I'd like to tell the story of how me and Tsukasa got together. Of course, I'd have to include Konata and Kagami's tale along with it. And if I do get to tell it, I hope the listener will stay till the end of my story, cause it's gonna be one hell of a long and wild tale. Tony chuckled in his head. He saw Tsukasa look back up at him and smile sweetly. No. My story is at an end. This... Tony grabbed Tsukasa's hand and intertwined their fingers. This is our story now. He thought, never breaking eye contact.
"Well, we best leave the love birds alone~." Konata chimed with a giggle.
"Yeah, just don't take advantage of her already being in bed Kan-chan~!" Matsuri chimed.
"Tsukasa, just call if you need anything." Miki smiled. Normally, none of the Hiiragis would leave Tsukasa so early after she had awaken from something as big as a coma, but they knew that she would also want to have some time alone to maybe talk with Tony. Yeah. Talk...
"Okay Mom, thanks!" Tsukasa turned from Tony finally and smiled to her mother. The last three to leave were Konata, Kagami, and Miyuki. All three walked up to Tony.
"Tony, I know I don't have to tell you this, but treat her right. Or..." Kagami whispered, pointing to the area his abdomen was in, then to his neck. He gulped.
"Message received." He mumbled.
"Kanpeki-san, make sure Tsukasa is happy. If Kagami-san gets your intestines first, you don't want to know what I'll pull off." Miyuki said with an eyesmile, but a certain psychotic tone of voice. Konata looked at them both and walked up to Tony.
"I dunno what they said to ya, but..." Konata started. She gave a glance to Tsukasa, who was trying to listen in on what the other girls had been saying, though without success. Konata gave a thumbs up to Tony. "Good job." She winked at him. And with that, the three left the room, leaving Tsukasa and Tony to enjoy each other's company. Suddenly, the nurse came in with a large plate of food.
Pay back. Tony smirked. Tsukasa's stomach growled loudly as she eyed the food.
"Thank you so much..." She reached out to take the food, but it disappeared. She panicked for a moment as she looked around for it. The nurse was giggling for some reason...
"Say ah~." Tony smiled as he poked Tsukasa in cheek with chopsticks. She looked over at him and blushed.
"Kan-kun, I can feed myself..." She mumbled. Tony's smile widened.
"I know you can. Say ah~." He chuckled in his head. She opened her mouth. "Uh-uh." Tony shook his head. "Say ah~." Tony insisted. Tsukasa, despite the hunger, giggled.
"Ah~." She smiled and opened her mouth. Tony happily proceeded to feed her.
POV Konata
The group walked out to see Misao walking down the hall with a bouquet of bellflowers in her hand. Konata smiled to see her new friend, but remembered the plan as soon as she saw Misao scowl.
"Chibi." Misao said curtly.
"Ferret Face." Konata said just a brusquely. She saw Misao shift and almost lose the act. Konata herself was suppressing giggles. Kagami looked between the two.
"Hey, Misao did you come to visit Tsukasa again?" Kagami asked, hoping to disperse the imaginary tension. Misao turned to Kagami and smiled.
"Yep! I even got her these, I hope they last until she wakes up!" Misao looked down at the flowers she had bought.
"That's really nice!" Kagami smiled brightly. "She's awake though." She smiled as Misao lit up considerably.
"Imoto's awake?" Misao's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah!" Kagami smiled. Misao dashed past them to the door, but paused.
"Oh yeah, you know who I saw at the flower shop?" She asked.
"Who?" Kagami asked.
"Iwasaki! I think she was buying gentians for Kobayakawa!" Misao said. Konata grinned with Kagami.
"That's cool, thanks! I've actually been meaning to watch them more carefully." Kagami smiled.
"I'mma go see Imoto now!" Misao opened the door and dashed in. It was a moment of walking before anyone thought about what Misao might have just interrupted, but no use crying over it now, right? So, they all started pursuing their own conversations.
"Kona, you should try and make friends with Misao! I think you two would have a lot in common. That right there MUST have demonstrated how much Misao differs from her brother!" Kagami protested her Otaku's nonexistent hatred for the brunette. Konata made a gagging noise.
"No way am I gonna be friends with Hop-Along Ferret Face." She crossed her arms. Kagami sighed.
"Geez, you're so stubborn sometimes. And Ferret Face, what is that, what even IS that? How on earth did you come up with THAT?" Kagami asked. Konata shrugged.
"Iunno, she just gives off this sort of "ferret" vibe." Konata said. Kagami sighed.
"Let's just get off the subject." She said, annoyed.
"As you wish Kagamin." Konata chimed as they got out of the hospital. They looked at the Hiiragi car.
"We're not all gonna fit in there..." Matsuri deadpanned.
"No problem, Kona, wanna go hang out somewhere?" Kagami asked her love.
"You know it!" Konata cheered.
"Alright, that's two people down." Kagami smiled to her family.
"Come home tonight though, you've spent a few days over there and we never get to see you anymore." Tadao said.
"Aw... Okay Dad." Kagami sighed. Konata raised her eyebrow a fraction of an inch.
Aw? She wanted to spend another night? What's going on with her? I'm not complaining, but I am a bit worried... Konata started to feel genuinely worried for her love. After all, when was the last time they had spent so much time alone, and yet Kagami still wanted more! It was probably for the better, however, as another night with Kagami might drive Konata over the edge. But if what Tony said is true, that she'll fall for me eventually, would I be speeding up the process or halting it? Konata wondered. Above all, however, she was really happy that Kagami wanted to spend so much time with her. After all, the longer they spent together, the more of a chance Kagami would fall in love with her, right? Suddenly, Konata felt something touch her on her almost nonexistent left breast. She blushed and started paying attention to her surroundings again to find that she and Kagami were alone, Kagami having a large smirk.
"You were spacing out. Miyuki went home to get some sleep and the rest of the family went home." She explained. Konata nodded, though her blush didn't go down. "Hey, gotta get SOME payback, don't I?" Kagami giggled as she walked past the Otaku. Konata stood there, still stunned for a moment, before she turned and followed Kagami.
"Hey, you get back here!" She started jogging and laughing. Kagami looked behind her and started jogging away from Konata, laughing as well. As they neared a corner, a girl walked around it. Kagami, however, was going too fast for her to stop before she collided and they both hit the ground.
"Ouch... I'm sor-" Kagami started before she was cut off.
"Why don't you watch where you're going? Geez, go to hell!" The girl got up and walked off with her nose in the air. Kagami growled at the rude girl, but Konata started giggling for a moment.
"What's so funny Kona?" Kagami asked.
"Number one, she left her phone." Konata pointed at the ground. "Two, if you DID go to hell, I would feel sorry for the devil..." She giggled a bit more.
"And why's that?" Kagami growled even more, sure she was about to be very, very angry with Konata.
"Can you imagine the chat between the devil and God?" Konata laughed.
"What do you mean?" Kagami asked. Konata suddenly took on her best attempt at a deep, masculine voice.
"Hey God, about a week ago, I got this pretty girl down in hell!" Konata started. Kagami blushed. "I was thinking of making her my queen." Konata continued. Kagami's face reddened considerably more. "Well what happened?" Konata's voice changed to signal she was now speaking for God. She switched back. "Well, this little, blue haired girl came down at about the same time, systematically killed off all of my minions, tipped over all the cauldrons of boiling oil, put out all my fires, and is at this moment running around hell looking for the entrance to the next level!" Konata explained. "Almost as if she had done it a thousand times!" Kagami blinked a few times, letting it all sink in. Not only the joke, but the implication behind it.
Did she really just say she would go to hell and back for me? Or am I just reading too far into this? Kagami wondered. She started giggling along with Konata. "I guess that would happen if an Otaku was sent to hell, wouldn't it?" Kagami smiled. She was sure she was thinking too much about Konata's little story, but she wanted to imagine that it were true. Of course, Konata did almost kill a man because he tried to... Kagami couldn't finish the thought. It made her sick to think of what could have happened. Even then, the only reason Konata hadn't utterly destroyed the man is because Kagami had stopped her. Otherwise, who knows how long Konata would have kept up her punishment? She decided to find out. "So Kona, you'd go to hell for me?" She smiled teasingly. Konata's face turned red in one of the cutest displays Kagami had seen from the Otaku. She decided she loved seeing Konata get embarrassed. She started a sentence, but failed more than a couple syllables. Kagami giggled, so Konata breathed.
"Sure Kagamin! You smile, I smile. You cry, I cry." Konata rubbed Kagami's cheek with her hand. Kagami felt touched, and not only in the physical sense. "You jump off a bridge..." Konata smiled. Kagami felt her throat catching up. Was Konata really about to say she would die with her if she ever died? "I'll jump after, grab you, do an awesome ninja spy move, roll to safety, and pose." Konata performed each action as she narrated it. "'Cause I'm just that badass." She posed. Kagami couldn't help but giggle. Konata was being so cute, it made her want to melt. She didn't even care that the Otaku had just cursed. As far as Kagami was concerned, she was allowed to under these circumstances.
"Kona..." Kagami had stopped giggling and broken into a full blown laugh.
"Kagamin?" Konata asked, not leaving her pose. Kagami stopped laughing and breathed, readying herself.
"You can be really cute sometimes." She smiled as warmly as she knew how. Konata blinked at the compliment, struck dumb by it. Her already red face was quickly getting much, much darker. Kagami had just called her cute. Really cute! Konata felt like she could burst with happiness!
Likes Yuri, likes my hugs, a cute nickname, and now she calls me really cute? She's gotta start liking me soon! All of those things combined... Konata thought nervously. Whether she does or not, if I continue like I am, she's gotta fall for me sooner or later! If Kan-kan is right, that is... Konata continued with this train of thought, getting caught up. She was brought out of it, however, by a loud siren. She blinked and looked to see a police car. Yui? She wondered. A man stepped out of the car and walked over.
"We've had some complaints about a loud noise in the area coming from two girls. You fit their description." He said. Kagami got a bit upset. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to write you both a ticket." He brought out a pad. Konata was in disbelief. Who had complained? She wished she knew so she could give them something legitimate to complain about.
"Oo~, are you selling us tickets to the policeman's ball?" Kagami chimed. The officer sighed.
"Policemen don't have balls." He said. He stopped writing for a moment. He looked up at Kagami and blinked. Both girls started giggling. Without another word, he turned around, got into his car, and drove away. That set them both off, laughing like people who were laughing loudly.
"Kagamin, that was BOSS!" Konata shouted, laughing so hard, she had to rest with her hands on her knees.
"Well I gotta learn SOMETHING while I'm around ya, right?" Kagami laughed. Finally, after several minutes of laughing, they calmed down.
Kagamin, you're pretty cute yourself." Konata smiled. Kagami blushed as Konata had.
"S-So we're agreed then?" Kagami smiled, being more conditioned to being embarrassed than Konata.
"Agreed on what?" Konata asked.
"We're two very cute girls." Kagami said. Konata giggled.
"Agreed." She nodded.
"Though you're a lot cuter than I am." Kagami commented. Konata blushed as she tried to come up with a response.
"I disagree, you're so much cuter than I am." Konata insisted. Kagami smiled.
"Oh yeah? Well you're prettier." Kagami said. Konata laughed.
"No I'm not, have you SEEN this body compared to yours? If I'm pretty, you're resplendent!" Konata argued. By now, the both of them were blushing fiercely.
"Ko-Kona... Do you wanna finish this argument elsewhere, where there's not people staring at us?" Kagami asked. Konata looked around to see there was, indeed, a crowd forming around them for some reason.
"Don't mind us, keep going!" Someone shouted. Konata blushed more deeply.
"Let's get outta here." Konata grabbed Kagami by the hand and dragged her out of the crowd. Half way through the crowd, she felt Kagami tense up. Konata turned to see Kagami looked a bit horrified and blushing a great deal. "Kagamin?" Konata asked.
"Someone... felt..." Kagami mumbled, barely able to continue. Konata instantly knew what her love was trying to say. She spun and threw Kagami stumbling out of the crowd.
"ALRIGHT, WHICH ONE OF YOU GROPED HER?" Konata shouted. No sooner did she shout then she felt a hand run down her back. Furious, she spun around to see a guy pulling back his hand. Realizing it wasn't too late to do so, Konata put the momentum of her spin into a strike to his neck, knocking the pervert out on the spot. "Anyone else?" Konata challenged as the entire group backed away from her. She jumped between anyone from the crowd and Kagami and took a stance. "Back the hell away, now!" She shouted. The crowd was swiftly dispersed. Konata sighed and put her hands by her sides. "Are you okay Kagami?" She asked. Through this entire ordeal starting with Konata throwing her, Kagami's heart was fluttering. Konata had just challenged a large group of people, very easily much larger than the groups she had been fighting. Not only that, but she had gotten mad. Not even mad, she had been some enhanced version of enraged.
"I'm alright Konata, they only felt my back. I think you stopped them before they could feel anymore." Kagami smiled to Konata. "Thank you." She hugged the Otaku strongly. Konata smiled to herself.
"You're welcome." She hugged Kagami back with even more strength. Something clicked in Kagami's head.
I feel safe. Really, really safe. Kagami smiled. She tightened her grasp on the Otaku. I've never felt this safe, and I don't think I ever will in any other way. She sighed happily in her head. Konata was meanwhile thinking.
Hug...Hug...Hug...Hug...Tightened hug! She shouted in her head as Kagami tightened her hug on Konata. She has to like me! She has to! I have to find a way to confess! SHE LIKES ME! Konata cheered, hoping she was right. There was still a nagging doubt, but she now had sufficient evidence that made her feel like she could risk it. It was enough doubt, however, that Konata didn't just want to come out and profess her love, she wanted to find some way to do it, some kind of excuse. Maybe I can take her to a cake buffet! Konata thought. The thought that by the end of the day, Kagami may very well either be her girlfriend or someone who ridiculed her and no longer wanted anything to do with her was a frightening prospect. "Ka-Ka-Ka..." Konata tried to say through the mist that was starting to blanket her mind. Kagami released the smaller girl and looked in her eyes.
"Kona?" She smiled sweetly.
"Kagamin, wanna go to a cake buffet? My treat!" Konata smiled. Kagami's mood lit up.
"Yeah totally! I would love that!" She had stars in her eyes. Konata smiled and put her hands in her pockets to see how much money she had left. She dug and dug, but found nothing but pocket. The upper part of her face melted into blue lines.
I blew all my money on Kagami already! She despaired. She reached as far down as she could in a desperate attempt to find money, but felt a soft hand grip her arm. She blushed and looked up to see Kagami holding her arm.
"Don't worry about it Kona, I've got it." She held a small purse with money in it. It wasn't much, but it was enough for them both to have a little while at a particular cake cafe she knew. Konata smiled.
"Thanks." She said.
"No problem, shall we go then?" Kagami smiled.
"Let's. Lead the way, Kagamin!" Konata pointed in a random direction. Kagami giggled.
"Onward to adventure!" Kagami shouted, posing similarly to how Konata would. Konata indeed took notice.
How does everyone in the world not fall in love with her? She giggled.
POV Tsukasa
"Say ah~." Tony smiled. Tsukasa opened her mouth and, with cute compliance, said:
"Ah~." Before Tony fed her again. Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud:
"IMOTO!" As Misao ran in and saw Tsukasa awake and eating. "You're awake!" She ran and leaped with the intention of glomping the bedridden girl. As she neared the bed, however, there was a sudden force that stopped her fall just short of hitting the girl. She looked over to see Tony with his left index and middle finger on his left temple and his right hand outstretched and shaking. Gradually, Misao moved out from over the bed and was righted. Tony exhaled and sighed.
"Damn it, hug her normally..." He sighed. Misao blinked a time and hugged Tsukasa.
"Misa-chan!" Tsukasa cheered as she hugged the brunette. They heard a loud grumble from Tony's direction and looked to see him with his hand over his stomach, an embarrassed look on his face. As if on cue, a nurse walked in with more food and set it on a table.
"Well, eat!" Misao commanded and resumed hugging Tsukasa. Tony wasted no time following instructions and started eating after seeing there was enough food to nourish him and Tsukasa. After a moment, he looked up from his meal to see Tsukasa was blushing a deep red.
"Ka-Kan-kun..." She stuttered. Tony put a bit more food in his mouth as he thought for a moment on what could be embarrassing her so much. Then it hit him. In his rush, he had forgotten to grab himself chopsticks. His face lit up a little as he realized he was using Tsukasa's chopsticks. The ones in his mouth at this moment...
"S-sorry Tsukasa..." Tony took them from his mouth. "I'll get you new ones." He got up and started walking over the table.
"Ih-Ih-Ih-" Tsukasa started, causing Tony to pause.
"Tsukasa?" He asked, turning to see her blush even deeper.
"It's alright Kan-kun... I don't mind so much, ya know?" She mumbled, confident her face was maroon at best. After all, sharing eating utensils was not something done lightly. Tony blushed even more.
"If you say so..." He smiled to himself. He walked back and turned to see Misao sitting in his seat. "Mi-Misao, that's my seat!" He shouted.
"Go sit on the couch!" She pointed. Tony blinked a time or two.
"I don't wanna sit on the couch! That's too far from Tsu-chan!" Tony protested.
"Hang on a second, I feel like I'm forgetting something..." Misao put her hand to her chin for a moment in thought.
"Don't ignore me!" Tony protested, but his plea fell on deaf ears. Misao looked up at him. Suddenly, she jumped from the seat she was in and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"MY HERO!" She shouted. Tony stepped back and almost fell from the sudden tackle.
"Wh-what?" He asked.
"You put my brother in the hospital!" Misao shouted. Tony looked past her to see Tsukasa was watching them carefully. Tony put his hands out to the side as if to tell the airhead that he wasn't touching anywhere he shouldn't be.
"Who? Recoome or Kurono?" Tony asked.
"Kurono! I hate him, he's an asshole!" Misao shouted. The two of them heard a whine from behind Misao.
"Misa-chan, stop hugging Kan-kun~!" Tsukasa whined. Misao looked backwards to the girl with an amused look on her face.
"Aw~! Is Imoto jealous?" Misao giggled. Tsukasa gave a sharp intake of air, then continued.
"Y-yes!" She stuttered. Tony smiled as Misao released him.
"'Nuff said Imoto! No worries, it's not like I have any interest in him." Misao put her arms behind her head nonchalantly. Tony looked indignant.
Well that was harsh! He folded his arms. I mean, I love Tsukasa, but at least have a LITTLE mercy... He sighed.
"What's the matter Kan-kun?" Tsukasa asked. Tony smiled and got another dish of food. He walked back over to Tsukasa.
"Nothing, say ah~." He smiled. She opened her mouth.
"Ah~." She chimed as she bit the food. Misao squealed.
"Aw, Imoto you're so cute!" She said. Tony chuckled.
"Yeah she is. But..." He put a hand over her protectively. "She's mine." He squinted at Misao as if to melt her. Misao laughed.
"I know, I know!" She said. They continued eating in that fashion for a while. Tsukasa, for one, was becoming more and more silent and, when she did say something, it was generally a one word response or a half-hearted answer. Both of her companions took notice as she seemed to shrink a bit. Finally, she stopped saying anything altogether. After a few minutes without her saying anything, the two had had enough.
"Imoto, what's gotcha down?" Misao asked.
"Yeah Tsukasa, what's wrong?" Tony asked. Tsukasa looked as if she were about to cry.
"Kan-kun..." Tsukasa mumbled, putting a hand to her chest. "You spent a lot of money on that necklace, didn't you?" She mumbled. Tony remained silent for a moment before answering.
"I told ya not to worry about that." He smiled.
"Kan-kun, you spent a lot of money, I promised I wouldn't take it off, but..." She mumbled, tears coming into her eyes. "Kan-kun, I don't know where it is... I wanted to show Mom, but it slipped onto the floor of the car... I lost it..." She mumbled.
"I know Tsukasa, I know." Tony said, having noticed but not wanting to point it out. He had, indeed, spent a lot of money on it, and it was worth a large fortune, but he didn't want to make Tsukasa feel so bad. And the necklace's worth didn't matter to him, he had never had any intention of selling it in the first place. The way he figured it, why mourn money that he would never have? He had intended on asking Miki if she knew where the necklace was on the way to the tournament. He had hoped she would know, but now that was irrelevant. "Don't worry about it. I'll find it." Tony smiled to Tsukasa. She looked up at him in disbelief.
"How?" She asked.
"I can sense energy." Tony smiled. "I should be able to find it since it's enchanted with a large amount of energy..." Tony realized something. I could have found that necklace and used the energy from it to heal Tsukasa! Damn it, that would have worked! Oh well, at least it's still got it's enchant on. Now all I have to do is learn how to sense energy... He chuckled in his head. He had no clue what he would do or how he would do it, but he'd have to learn.
"Are you sure?" Tsukasa asked, a hopeful gleam in her eye. Tony couldn't deny that face even if he tried. It was obvious, that necklace meant a LOT to Tsukasa.
"I promise on my word as sorcerer. If I can't get that necklace back, I'll personally deliver unto you several stars from the night sky." Tony promised. Tsukasa seemed to study him for a moment. She smiled and put her pinky out. Tony looked at it for a moment in confusion. Misao sneaked up behind him.
"Shake it with yours!" She whispered.
"That's a bit silly..." He commented to himself, but nevertheless shook it.
"Haven't you heard of a pinky swear before?" Tsukasa asked. Tony shook his head.
"Never." He said. Tsukasa and Misao both giggled.
"How could you have never done that before?" Tsukasa giggled.
"With whom would I?" Tony asked, eyebrow raised. "It's fairly obvious that my brother wasn't exactly the type to do that sort of thing." Tony chuckled. Tsukasa was cut to the quip on that one.
"Didn'tcha know anyone else?" Misao asked.
"Nope. Only one other person of importance, and she was more worried about my education." Tony said.
"Ah..." Misao mumbled. "So you're a sorcerer, huh? Didn't think those even existed!" Misao said.
"Yep yep. Still growing, but I'm getting stronger." Tony smiled.
"I wouldn't have believed ya if you had just said it, but when you stopped me and Chibi, and then stopped me in mid air, that was crazy!" Misao shouted.
"Yeah, you took it a lot better than people generally take it. I was surprised." Tony chuckled.
"Well, not much phases me anymore, I've seen some pretty scary stuff!" Misao exclaimed. "You ever seen Ayano when she's mad?"
"Aya-who?" Tony asked. Misao sweatdropped.
"Er... Never mind." She scratched the back of her head. "It's another one of me and Hiiragin's friends."
"Ah, sorry but I don't know her." Tony shrugged. "So Misao, why do you and Kon-kon hate each other so much?" Tony asked.
"Well..." Misao averted her gaze. "I can't tell ya why I didn't like Chibi before, but I think she didn't like me because my brother's an asshole. The same one you put in the hospital!" She added cheerfully.
"Well I'm glad to have been of service. Let me know if he causes any trouble again." Tony offered. Misao smiled.
"Thanks! So, I got the general idea from Hiiragin, but what happened to you Imoto?" Misao asked.
"Oh... Well-" Tsukasa began telling Misao about the festival.
"Wait, so you couldn't talk?" Misao asked. So Tsukasa started explaining the potion and it's effects. "You had to put in the "no talking bit"?" Misao turned to Tony. He scratched his head nervously, but Tsukasa answered for him.
"I'm sure he had to to make me beautiful! That makes me wonder something though..." Tsukasa looked over to Tony.
"And what's that?" He asked.
"Well, I thought that once I drank the potion, I would be pretty! Then you would see me get pretty and notice that you said when I thought of the person I liked. And then I hoped you would kiss me when you saw all of that and realized I liked you!" Tsukasa said. Tony began wondering why that hadn't worked, for it sounded like it should. After a moment of contemplation, it hit him.
My wording... He laughed out loud.
"Kan-kun?" Tsukasa asked.
"I made a potion that would make you as beautiful to your love as you are to me! Since me and him and the same person, your appearance never changed for me!" He laughed. Tsukasa blushed.
"So... It didn't make me pretty?" She asked. Tony calmed down and smiled.
"Tsu-chan, you don't need a potion for that. You're already the prettiest girl I've ever seen." He said softly, looking into her eyes. She blushed deeply and found herself at a loss for words. Suddenly, Tony turned to Misao. "No offense, that is." He smiled.
"None taken, I'll agree that Imoto is cute as hell." She giggled as Tsukasa's face turned deeper.
"You're embarrassing me!" Tsukasa almost whined.
"Ya know Tsukasa, all of this could have been avoided if you had just confessed regularly." Tony smirked. Tsukasa blushed.
"I did!" She said. Tony blinked.
"Wait, what?" He asked.
"I did confess! After we watching Lion King 2!" Tsukasa said. Tony thought back to that time, thinking of when it could have been. It hit him.
"... You're welcome..." He mumbled beneath his breath.
"Kan-kun?" Tsukasa asked.
"When you confessed. I thought you were thanking me..." He muttered a bit louder. "Damn it! You mean to tell me that if I had had better hearing, we could have been together that much sooner? And probably none of this would have happened, I'd have never kissed you and left at the festival, I'd have never had to use the amulet's ability to teleport me when you're in danger, I'd have never had to do any of that! Plus, I'd never had to have made you that potion either!" Tony said. Tsukasa giggled.
"Who knows what woulda happened? We're together now Kan-kun, that's all that matters to me." Tsukasa smiled sweetly. Tony blushed and chuckled as he looked at the time.
"Holy Haruhi! We've been talking for so long! It's been a few hours..." He said.
"Oh..." Tsukasa looked dejected. "You should go so you can get home, rest, and get ready Kan-kun." She mumbled sorrowfully.
"You know Tsukasa, I don't have to go to this tournament. I can just stay here with you." Tony said. Tsukasa looked up at him and crossed her arms. It was a moment before Tony realized she was refusing to speak. "Alright, I get it, I get it. I'm going." Tony pushed himself out of the chair, stretching a little since he had been sitting for hours. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't even sure when he had sat down to begin with. He turned to the door, but stopped. He turned back to Tsukasa.
"Kan-kun?" She said inquisitively. Tony smiled.
"If you want me to go..." He smirked. "It's a two lip fee." Tsukasa giggled and smiled.
"Consider it paid." She leaned up and kissed him one last time. He smiled wider and, without another word, left the room.
"Man Imoto, you really wanted him to fight, didn'tcha?" Misao smiled. Tsukasa sighed and looked her friend in the eyes.
"No. I hate it when he fights." She said. Misao got confused.
"Then... Why?" She asked.
"Because he loves it. That's enough." She settled back into her bed, a headache settling in from the effort of leaning up.
Tony was walking home. He smiled. He started running. Then he started sprinting. He was home in relatively no time at all, out of breath, but overwhelmingly happy. He had Tsukasa back. He walked in and sat on the couch to rest for a moment before he would begin getting ready for the tournament the next day. He closed his eyes and almost drifted off. Suddenly, however, the door burst open. He saw Konata. What scared him was how she looked.
POV Konata
Konata and Kagami both sat back in their seats opposite each other, both stuffed full of cake. They didn't know how long they had been there, it seemed like an eternity, but they knew they only had a few hours. In that time, they had talked and laughed, joked and snarked, complimented and blushed, and everything in between.
"Kona..." Kagami sighed contently. "I've had so much fun since we left the hospital. Thanks for suggesting this." She smiled. Konata smiled back.
"It was my pleasure! I'm just a little sorry that I couldn't pay." Konata sweatdropped.
"Did you intend on us coming here this morning?" Kagami asked. Konata was a little confused by the seemingly random question.
"No, of course not." She answered.
"And you didn't know you didn't have money, correct?" Kagami asked. Konata raised an eyebrow.
"No, I didn't know..." She said almost cautiously. Kagami smiled warmly.
"That means you intended on paying for all of this. That's what counts Kona." Kagami smiled. "Besides..." She held up her hand to look at her ring again. "I think you easily deserve a few passes." She closed her eyes in quiet delight. She opened them again to look around. The very first thing she noticed was how cute Konata looked with a blush. The next thing was that this place was very familiar. Had she been here in the past few weeks? She couldn't think of when that could be though... Meh. It probably wasn't important. "Besides, I understand that you don't have much money. I know how you can get." Kagami smiled. Konata got a bit of an indignant look.
"What's that supposed to mean, Kagamin?" She whined a bit.
"Well, like with the tournament! You spend a ton of money there 'cause you get caught up in the vibe!" Kagami said. Konata seemed to ponder that and how much the ring had cost her.
"Yeah, I guess." Konata smiled.
"Same thing with Comiket, you don't think you're spending a lot on doujinshi, but that's the illusion of it! Then you're like "Whoa, I'm broke!"!" Kagami said. Suddenly, she stopped for a moment. A large drop of sweat ran down the back of her head. Where the hell did that come from? She wondered. Kona's really rubbing off on me... She smiled, not all too uncomfortable with the mental picture the thought provided.
"Wow Kagamin, I never thought I'd hear ya say THAT." Konata catgrinned.
"Yeah, I don't know what came over me..." Kagami giggled. She smiled as her gaze returned to her ring. "So Kona, any particular reason you bought me this?" Kagami asked. Konata averted her gaze with a catgrin, scratching her head sheepishly.
"Um..." She thought. Should she do it now? Should she wait? Damn it, this was hard! How on earth had Tony managed to confess? Suddenly, she felt something touch her face. She paid attention again and saw Kagami had leaned over the table and wiped something off with her finger. She brought it back to reveal there was icing on her finger. She brought the finger back as she sat down and... She just ate it... Konata's eyes widened as she blushed a deep carmine. Kagami started giggling.
"What is it Kona?" She asked with a cute smile. Konata gripped the bottom of her shirt.
"...love..." She muttered. Kagami suddenly got a very serious look on her face.
"Kona, what did you just say?" She asked. When Konata didn't immediately respond, Kagami pushed the subject. "Kona, answer me! What did you just say to me?" She asked.
"Love!" Konata said louder. "I lo-..." She breathed hard. This was taking a toll on her. She breathed to calm down.
Ih-Is she... confessing...? Kagami wondered. The thought seemed much, MUCH too good to be true. While Konata breathed to steady herself, she felt a wave of deja-vu hit her. Seriously, where have I seen this before? She wondered. A dream? No... I've been here though, recently. She determined. Konata brought her back from her daze.
"Kagami." She said, staring intently on a single part of the table.
"Konata, please... Tell me what it is..." Kagami pleaded.
"Kagami, I..." Konata looked up to see her love staring at her. Konata breathed deeply as she stared into her love's eyes. "Kagami, I like you. More than friends. More than best friends." Konata said. "More than anyone, or anything." Konata said fiercely. She waited a moment while Kagami seemed to be thinking something.
Kona just confessed... Something clicked in Kagami's head yet again. That was where she remembered! This must have been where Tony took me on our date! If you can call it that... That's hilarious. My relationship with my sister's boyfriend ended in the same place as my relationship with Konata starts! This is just too perfect! Kagami felt bliss. She couldn't help it, the entire situation seemed ridiculously funny, the coincidence was unreal! That's amazing! She started giggling until she was laughing out loud, hard enough that she had to put a hand over her stomach. She was laughing for a minute before she calmed down and heard a bell. She looked up to see the seat in front of her empty. Dread took her. In a rush, she got up and ran over to the door, but was cut off by the waitress.
"You can't just leave without paying." She protested. Kagami growled menacingly, causing the woman to shudder and move.
"I'll pay later, my love is getting away!" She shouted as she opened the door and ran out. She looked to her left, then her right to see Konata was running. No way Kona! Kagami shouted in her head. She started sprinting faster than she had ever run before. "KONA!" She shouted to the smaller girl. IDIOT! What a time to laugh! Konata JUST confessed! DAMN IT! What is WRONG with me? She scolded herself. She would make this right though. She was gaining on the Otaku. Once she got within a few meters of Konata, she started to try and talk. "Kona! You took it the wro-Kona!" She shouted as Konata looked behind her, and sped up. How fast can she run? Kagami wondered. She was already almost dead tired from running faster than her fastest, yet Konata still had the energy to raise it higher! "Kona-" Kagami was cut off by her lack of air. She was forced to slow down and rest on her knees, panting heavily. She looked up to see Konata was almost out of sight. She took as deep a breath as she could. "Kona! I love you too!" She shouted as loudly as she was currently able. Konata didn't slow down. Kagami felt tears welling up in her eyes as she fell to her knees. "No..." She fell to her hands. "No! It's not fair!" She shouted. "What is with this? First Mom and Tsukasa get in a wreck, then after that's fixed, I act like a complete bitch and push Kona away from me!" Tears were flowing down her cheeks. "Am I just destined to have a crappy life?" She asked. She looked after Konata, who was by now completely gone. "Kona... I'm sorry." She whimpered pathetically. She pushed herself onto her feet wearily and started walking into the darkness. She pulled out her phone and called home.
"Kagami? Where are you?" She heard her mother ask. Kagami tried a few times to explain the situation, but failed each time. She breathed.
"Mom, I've done a bad thing..." She muttered. "And I've gotta make it right. I might not come home tonight, please understand." She pleaded with Miki. There was a moment of silence between them.
"Okay Kagami, just tell me what happened." Miki requested. Kagami did just that, holding nothing back. She didn't sugar coat what happened during their time at the cafe, nor what happened afterwards, nor did she even make an attempt to hide the self-loathing that was entering her voice. The entire time, Miki listened. As Kagami finished her recount of the events, she found herself outside Konata's house. "Kagami. I'll fix it with your father. Don't worry about coming home tonight. Just make things right with her. Good luck." Miki wished.
"Thank you so much Mom." Kagami said. She hung up and looked at the house of her love. She walked up and knocked on the door. When it didn't open, she knocked louder. "Kona?" She called. No response. She knocked louder still. "Kona!" She shouted. The door opened to reveal Sojiro, rubbing his eyes and looking like he had just gotten out of bed.
"Kagami? Where's Konata?" He asked. A pit formed in Kagami's stomach.
"She's not here?" Kagami asked.
"No. Did you want to come in?" Sojiro asked. Kagami fell to her knees again, tears in here eyes. Alarmed, Sojiro picked her up. "Kagami!" He stood her up. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"I wanna stay here..." Kagami muttered. "Until she comes back..."
"Well, if it's that important, I don't see why not. Let's get you to bed." Sojiro brought Kagami into a room, though Kagami didn't care enough to find out which, and set her in the bed. She waited for what seemed forever. She turned in her bed so she was face down in the pillow and began to sob. She curled up and hugged a pillow from the bed. A scent filled her nose, bringing more tears.
Konata... She cried.
Luckier Channel
The screen opens on an empty stage.
"Oh, that's right. They ain't here today... Why the hell is the camera still on?" The director shouted.
*End*
Aftersection
What was that you ask? That, my little water buckets, was the drama llama rearing it's ugly head. I'm really gonna have to write some serious fluff to make up for all of this drama, aren't I? I mean, seriously, how long has it been since one of my chapters has had a completely happy ending? *Crosses arms* Challenge accepted. So it occurred to me that the riddle might not have been very accurately described in the chapter. So here I am to explain it! Recoome's Eraser Gun, as I figured it, was used how it was because the energy was much more potent when coming purely from the energy source (The stomach, where food is digested and energy is created from it), so it'll come from the stomach, and be more concentrated and such. The energy usually used for healing comes down the arm and degrades along the way. Then, it goes into the recipient's body, where the energy would further diminish. So, through the mouth would be more potent and thus cost less energy! I hope I didn't just confuse you all more XD. By the way, oye. My chapters just keep getting longer... That's one reason why I gave Akira and Minoru off today. I'll end this before it becomes a novel XD, I promise more fluff in the future! I think! Please review!