Luckier Star

by Mama Mitsu

As the performance ends, the girls go about the rest of the day with their activities. However, Tsukasa makes yet another prediction of love in Kagami's future and a new boy arrives in Konata's class! Are they connected? No, not really. Konami!

46. Chapter 46: The Semi Final Round

Chapter 46: The Semi Final Round

Ah Sqweebs, yes it was a reference to Flygon! And Nosferatu was an old German film that was kind of an adaptation of Dracula, if I'm correct. Gigarot, I think a spank was the best idea ever. It was not my idea, it was another reference to Flygon, however. A hurricane has no chance against me! A flash drive, however, will be devastating. And I have yet to find it, after looking around my house. Literally tearing some of my couch apart. An Inori and Matsuri story? Interesting idea. I have a couple ideas. Still in color form in my head. I'm not sure which color yet though. I think it's going to be a good color though. Maybe I can look into it. And I don't really have to wait for new ideas entirely, it's more the issue of how I wrote it. I write much better when I'm writing on the spot, not really from a previous thought, so it was likely a lot better than what I'm going to write once I get there again. Duffquick, way to give me a shot of confidence about the flash drive... I kid. Still, I think it's probably gone for good. Which sucks. I've begun rewriting some of the things already, and a couple will probably turn out better, but for the most part it will probably be worse. A guest... Or is it two? I can't tell since it only says guest. Glad to see the guests are liking it though! HolyRiot, you needn't wait anymore! It is here, so read on for the knife! If it's in this chapter...

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POV Tony

"Hey Naruto, we never got our match!" Tony shouted upon seeing his opponent.

"Yeah, true! Looks like we're actually going to get it after all!" Naruto shouted.

"Well, shall we get this out of the way?" Kakashi sighed.

"Sure thing." Tony smiled. "Ready?"

"Go!" Naruto shouted, running up and throwing a punch. As Tony guarded, Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke the instant his fist made contact. Tony lowered his guard a second to see nothing where Naruto had been.

"..Wha-" Tony started before he realized the other two were gone as well. "Whoa... They really are ninja..." Tony muttered.

"CHA~!" He heard from above. He didn't waste the time to look up, but jumped back, dodging a punch from Sakura that practically destroyed the ground it landed in. She looked up with a smile.

These guys are trying to kill me... Tony thought as he threw a kick at the girl, but failed as she caught it. She threw a punch that Tony barely dodged. A blue... aura, for lack of a better word, seemed to go from her fist in a wave. It also was covering said fist. One hit from those and I'm a goner...Tony thought. He had never seen her fight before, but in his experience, glowy things coming from otherwise normal humans generally meant a lot of pain. Tony kicked Sakura's stomach with enough force to kick her back. As she flew through the air, Kakashi flash stepped over and caught her. He set her down and started a flurry of hand signs. What is he- Tony thought.

"Water Style: Exploding Water Shock Wave!" Kakashi shouted, putting his hand to the ground and causing water to come out of freaking nowhere and flood the area.

What the hell? Tony yelled in his head. What is this? Kakashi started another series of hand signs that were fast enough, Tony couldn't even see what signs he was forming.

"Water Style: Water Dragons!" Kakashi shouted. Several dragons made of water came up from the flood around Kakashi and started rushing at Tony. Tony looked in horror.

That's it! Tony yelled in his head, jumping back. The dragons pulled up just before hitting the ground and kept rushing towards Tony. Tony started running, the dragons giving chase. He glanced back at Kakashi to see him making another series of hand signs. More? What's next...? Tony wondered. However, his main concern was dodging water dragons so the thought didn't really go anywhere.

"Lightning Style: Electrified Water Dragons!" Kakashi shouted. Electricity coming from the ninja's hand surrounded the dragons.

As if they weren't deadly eno-woah! Tony thought as he dodged Naruto, a dangerous looking blue sphere in his hand.

"Rasengan!" Naruto shouted. Naruto's momentum kept him going, however, straight into one of the dragons. He disappeared in a puff of smoke. Again.

What the hell... Tony thought.

"Ice Style: Frozen Thunder Shards!" Kakashi shouted as his dragons turned into giant shards of ice with electricity flowing around them. Tony skidded to a stop as he turned around.

Alright, that tears it... He thought, putting his hands to the ground. He willed a barrier come between him and his opponent. He felt his energy diminish as an invisible slanted wall was made in front of him. The shards of ice shattered off into different directions. He looked over by chance to see Sakura was a millisecond away. He threw her back in a desperation spell, causing his energy to dip much lower. Damn... Hmmm... Tony hummed, developing an idea. I wonder... Tony smiled. He put his hands together. The three ninja stopped, wary of the boy's smile and sudden hand sign. "Hachi Style: God Seal Release!" Tony yelled. He could see the three flinch from his sudden change of voice. A presence entered his mind.

Hey kid, what's up? Hachiman asked.

I've got a fight here I think you would enjoy. Tony smiled.

Cool, let me see... Ooh, three at once, huh? Hachiman asked.

Yup, there's nothin' to do but to knock 'em all down together! Tony smiled.

Alrighty! Hachiman shouted as energy started to flood into Tony. He could feel Hachiman watching his moves and the enemies' moves.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled as what seemed thousands of Naruto's appeared.

Boss... Tony thought nervously.

Easy. He heard. Tony could feel Hachiman working a spell through him. Somehow, he knew what he was supposed to do.

"Almighty Devastation!" Tony yelled, throwing his right hand up. Everything in front of him suddenly seemed to shatter as a force went out in front of him, cutting or otherwise destroying just about everything organic in front of him. Everything but the original Naruto disappeared in an enormous puff of smoke. Naruto was thrown back. Whoa... Tony thought with astonishment.

Two to go! Hachiman shouted, obviously having fun.

"Naruto!" Kakashi shouted. He lifted his headband to reveal a red eye. Tony looked over, but Hachiman stopped him.

Don't look in his eyes! Hachiman practically hissed. Tony stopped.

"Fire Style: Massive Fireball!" Kakashi shouted. Just as he said, a massive ball of flames erupted from his masked mouth and shot forth, incinerating everything that it touched. As the fire came towards him, Tony smirked.

May I? Tony asked his partner.

Absolutely. He heard.

"Fire Style: Divine Flame Jutsu!" Tony shouted, taking the same pose as his opponent. A fireball made of blue flames went from him, much bigger than Kakashi's. Tony smiled and hummed in satisfaction as barely any of his energy left him because of the God bolstering his strength and the fact that fire was coming easier to him. Hachiman seemed to take interest in this fact, but decided to comment later. Kakashi's eyes widened as his fireball was consumed, a larger fireball coming closer.

Is that... God's Fire? What on earth... How does he know the second most powerful Fire Jutsu? The only fire that's more powerful is Amaterasu... Kakashi thought. He made two hand signs. "Water Style: Water Wall!" He shouted, causing a giant water barrier to form between him and the fire. It was barely enough. As the water and fire settled, Kakashi took to a knee in exhaustion. He made two simple hand signs and the world seemed to melt around Tony. Leaves started to circle all around him. He leaped backwards, but something seemed... weird. He saw Tsukasa, beaten, limbs broken, and bloody.

"Kan-kun... Why didn't you-..." Tsukasa coughed up more blood and fell on the ground, her face making a sickening crunch as a pool of blood surrounded her. Tony walked over, eyes wide, and collapsed to his knees, tears pouring down his face. He picked her up in his arms.

"Tsukasa... What-..." Tony muttered in a cracked voice, cursing himself. Damn it! I got caught up in the fight! His voice cracked in his head as well. He was about to lose it completely until his heard:

Kid, that's not her! You're in an illusion; the white haired one put you in it! Hachiman shouted.

Wait... What? Tony asked.

Tsukasa is fine. He put you under an illusion to make you THINK she wasn't! Hachiman explained.

… That son of a bitch. Tony seethed. Release the illusion. Tony thought. Reality followed his will as this world melted away and the previous one returned. He opened his eyes and saw Kakashi. A deep growl erupted from Tony's throat. Kakashi looked visibly shaken by it. "Are you ready to die you bastard?" Tony asked.

"Wa-wait, I thought this was a friendly match?" Kakashi asked.

"It was. Until you showed me my future wife dying in my arms. That kinda put me off." Tony said, putting as much scorn in his voice as he could. He started walking towards Kakashi, who looked panicked. Kakashi took out a food pill and hurriedly ate it before starting another series of hand signs.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Kakashi shouted as mist shrouded the field and him. Tony arrived where the ninja had been. He wasn't there anymore. Tony started building energy.

"LOK VAH KOOR!" With a powerful roar saturated with energy, he dispersed the mist. Kakashi came out of the dissipating mist, his hand filled with electricity.

"Lightning Blade!" He shouted. Tony caught Kakashi's hand by the wrist, squeezing it with enough strength to break it. Kakashi winced in pain, but started to turn white. Tony stepped back, but it wasn't enough to get him away as Kakashi's Lightning clone exploded in a flurry of electricity. As Tony took the shock, he barely flinched, his rage keeping him from even feeling it. However, he was stunned for a moment as electricity waved back through the water he was in from the flood.

I'll have to think of a way to stop that lightning... Tony thought. A piece of paper was also stuck to his forehead.

Good, the clone got him. I don't know how he got such a powerful being to lend him strength, but he didn't even flinch when my clone hit him. Whatever is helping him though, the sealing tag should take care of it. Kakashi thought as a black and white image showed him using his Eye Mind Reading technique he had copied from Hanare to see a very powerful being helping Tony. It then showed his clone slapping the tag onto Tony's head just before exploding. Tony felt his energy drop a bit.

What's this then? Hachiman laughed. You won't be taking this son of Izanagi down without a fight! He shouted. The tag burned up.

What's going on? Sakura wondered, having just gotten back from the massive force that had pushed her back. Kakashi stepped back.

How powerful is this thing? He wondered. "Sakura!" He shouted. The girl looked and nodded.

"Right!" Sakura shouted. He's more dangerous than we anticipated... She said. She took a deep breath and pounded the ground, causing said ground in front of her and up to Tony to crush and break into boulders. Tony looked around very quickly to see what was around. The sun was now at his back. Tony got an idea. He jumped off the boulder that was lifted under him just enough that the sun blinded Sakura. He was falling towards the girl, deciding on exactly what to do. Hachiman agreed vehemently.

"CHA~!" He yelled as his fist was empowered. He made contact with his face, sending her crushing into the ground.

Two down! Hachiman shouted, glee radiating from him. Tony looked back at Kakashi and saw chakra gathering around him. Tony got a look at Kakashi's eye to see it was red with three Tomoe around the pupil.

"Lightning Style: Massive Lightning Beast Running Jutsu!" Kakashi shouted as a massive beam of lighting rushed at Tony. He grunted; stunned for a second by the fact that electricity was running through the water he was standing in. He shook it off, however, and thought.

Kid, don't forget, it is lightning. Hachiman said.

Hmm... Got it! Tony smiled. Hachiman was interested in Tony's idea, as the boy had withheld his thought. Tony braced himself and put a hand out. Tony let the lightning make contact, surprising and scaring Hachiman a little bit.

What the hell kid? Hachiman shouted. Tony, however, paid no attention to the god.

Lighting is just disturbed energy seeking to restore balance. So if I can channel my own energy and give it direction, maybe I can lead it back! He thought. He started to control his energy and allowed it to flow up his arm. The lightning began to go straight to the other arm, but Tony very quickly detoured it down through his stomach. It was an intense, exhilarating, and terrifying experience. Tony knew that, had he not directed the lightning through his stomach, it would have gone through his heart. And he knew he wouldn't be able to heal that. He then lead his energy up to his other arm, and finally through his hand. To his immense satisfaction, the lightning followed his energy and out through his other arm without causing damage. He directed the lightning at Kakashi.

… Damn kid. Never would have thought of that... Hachiman said. Tony, quite happy with himself, shot forth at where Kakashi would stop dodging. He ran up correctly and smashed Kakashi in his face, throwing him back. He turned to water midair, said water splashing into the ground.

Why won't he give up? Tony sighed in his head. Suddenly, the water around him started to stir. Tony looked around and added a large amount of energy to the environment around him. Water suddenly came up in spirals around him, about to maim him. The energy he added, however, increased the temperature around him significantly enough to cause the water to evaporate before it hit Tony. Tony looked up to see a giant wolf made of water. Tony's eyes widened. What in the living hell is that!? How much energy does this guy have? Tony wondered. Does he have a god helping him too?

I suppose that's possible, there may be beings as powerful or more so than me or the others. If that's the case, we're gonna have to be smarter about how we spend this energy. Hachiman said. Tony started thinking about the fight thus far. A strategy struck him.

Gotcha. Hey boss, I have an idea, what do you think? Tony asked as he relayed his thought to Hachiman.

A tad reliant on an assumption, but why not? Give it a shot! The god replied. Tony started to focus as much as he could while dodging water blasts aimed from the wolf. Tony put out two of his fingers, controlling the energy around them to the extremes of his ability, separating the yin and yang energy in the air around his fingers. Holding it for an instant, he let it go, causing the energy to come crashing back together. A powerful bolt of lightning surrounded his fingers. As he moved his hand, the lightning followed. He moved his hand up, but the lightning shot from his hand into the sky. He scowled.

I can't control that nearly as much as I like... Tony sighed.

That was pretty awesome kid. Hachiman commented, referring to Tony's production of lightning.

I don't have nearly the energy or strength that you do, so I have to be too able to come up with ways to do things with as little energy as possible! Tony smiled, happy to have genuinely impressed the god. He replicated it, making more lightning. Tony jumped, barely able to keep the lightning at his fingertips. The wolf shot more water at Tony, but this time, Tony let the lightning go directed at the blast. Not only did the water vaporize in a huff of smoke, but electricity shot through the wolf, down through it and into the flood water. The wolf shook off the electricity in an instant. It drew its claw back, but suddenly splashed to the ground. The water all started to evaporate. Kakashi could be seen on one knee, barely able to keep himself up.

And that's the lot! Hachiman shouted. Tony could somehow tell he was smiling. Sakura got up on very shaky legs, putting her hand to her cheek. Her hand started glowing green. After a moment, she had healed the broken bone in her jaw.

"Okay, we seriously underestimated you..." Sakura muttered as she looked over to where she thought Naruto was. He wasn't there. "Where... Where did he go?" Sakura wondered. She looked around, along with Kakashi. A moment passed where no one could find him.

Boss? Tony asked his partner.

He's okay, I just pushed him. Hachiman said. Tony looked to his right. Naruto stood there, yellow irises, horizontal bar-like pupils, and reddish-orange pigmentation around his eyes, arms folded.

"Good job, I didn't think I would have to use this Ryū." Naruto shouted.

I guess I didn't get him good enough, eh? I held back on the real one to avoid killing him... Hachiman commented. Two Naruto's appeared behind the original, each forming a Rasengan in each of the ninja's hands. Naruto dashed forward, on Tony in seconds though he had been at least twenty meters away. The sudden movement surprised Tony, barely having time to dodge as both spheres went above him, Tony having to bend backwards to dodge. While he was dodging, Tony put his hands on the ground behind him and brought his feet up, kicking Naruto in the stomach and throwing him into the air. Tony got back on his feet to see Naruto coming at him with another Rasengan. Tony leaned back, avoiding it at the last instant and grabbed the ninja's wrist as he had Kakashi earlier and broke it. The clone disappeared, but no electricity attacked him this time. As the smoke from the clone cleared, Tony saw a massive Shuriken that seemed to be made of air. Tony back flipped high enough that he stayed in the air long enough that the Jutsu passed harmlessly under him and curved up into the sky.

"Something tells me that was lethal..." Tony commented.

You're right about that... If most of these attacks had hit you, you probably wouldn't have survived without my assistance. That one you just dodged might have even killed you before I could do anything. Hachiman confirmed.

Damn... These guys mean business... Tony smiled.

That's what makes it fun. Hachiman said.

"Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan Barrage!" Naruto yelled as a large amount of clones appeared out of nowhere and formed massive spheres in their hands from above.

Isn't this overkill? Is beating me really this important? Tony yelled in his head.

Look at it from their point of view kid. They're trained ninja who have been trained since birth to be able to beat opponents. Suddenly, they find some random person who's beating them badly. You know how infuriating that is? Hachiman asked. Tony laughed.

Yes, yes I do Shin. Tony thought to his partner.

Oh yeah... Hachiman laughed. Still. In their eyes, you're a lot stronger than you should be. And I think the white haired one saw me earlier, so they might know that I'm helping you. Hachiman said.

How? Tony asked.

That red eye. Hachiman said.

What's with that, anyway? Tony asked.

It's their innate ability, like your powers were. The eyes also connect very closely to the brain, plus the fact that their eyes have more cones and rods than the normal eye, so they can perceive things at a much higher rate and thus memorizes things much quicker. Plus, their eyes are able to communicate energy to others, giving them the ability to put you into illusions. By this time Naruto was about on him. Tony took a deep breath.

Ultra sonic level REACHED! Tony shouted in his head. "HOWLING VOICE!" Tony let loose a roar absolutely saturated with energy, blowing the ninja and his clones away. Naruto landed on his feet.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted as two clones appeared and formed a Rasenshuriken in the ninja's hand. Kakashi huffed.

I might have enough chakra for one more... Kakashi thought. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!" He shouted as the battlefield was once again obscured in a blanket of mist, effectively blinding Tony.

Damn, I can't see... Tony covered his eyes. Shall I?

You know what to do. Hachiman said. Tony smirked.

Gotcha boss. He said. He breathed in. "LOK VAH-" He began shouting.

"Now!" Naruto shouted as he burst through the mist with a Rasenshuriken in his hand. As he neared, Tony could hear his heartbeat.

Wha... Tony thought incoherently. One.

"Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!" Naruto shouted. Two.

KID! Hachiman shouted. Three. In that instant, Hachiman's energy exploded to many times its previous capacity. The sheer power overwhelmed Tony as Hachiman put an armor of pure energy around Tony. The power of the attack began scraping against the armor. The sound of energy grinding against energy filled the air, not dissimilar to the sound of metal screeching against metal. It hurt his ears immensely. As the energy subsided, Naruto was on his knee, eyes normal again. There was a great feeling of mental exhaustion coming from Hachiman.

Boss... What was... Tony began to ask. With a powerful lethargy, Hachiman spoke slowly.

Later... Try not to call on me for a little while... And his presence vanished.

"Winner! Team Taiseishiki!" Akira announced.

"... WHOA! Man Ryū, you're WAY stronger than I thought!" Naruto shouted. Tony blinked a few times as he eased off. Sakura ran over and started to heal them both, having an okay amount of chakra since she didn't fight much. Big surprise there...

"... Um... So that seemed really easy for you to heal." Tony commented.

"I've had a lot of practice." Sakura said. Kakashi got to his feet.

"How did you create such powerful lightning without using hand signs?" He asked. "I tried to copy your technique, but all I could see was you adding chakra to the air. And then lightning." Kakashi said.

"Disturb the balance of energy, and the energy will try and restore it. In the process, lightning is created." Tony said.

"Ingenious..." Kakashi mumbled.

"How did you take my Rasenshuriken without a scratch? No one has ever done that!" Naruto exclaimed. Tony chuckled.

"All I can say is that the True God of Fighting had a trick up his sleeve." Tony said. He was extremely confused as to what exactly Hachiman had done, but he wouldn't really have much time to contemplate it.

"Kan-kun~!" Tsukasa shouted as she ran up and hugged him. He hugged her back and twirled her around, pecking her on the lips. "You won!"

"Hey, it's the girl you like! You two got together after all, huh?" Sakura smiled.

"That's so cool!" Naruto cheered.

"Right?" Tony said excitedly.

"I thought you said you loved her though..." Naruto said. Tsukasa was standing to the side of Tony bashfully, a red glow on her face around a large smile. He had his arm around her shoulder.

"I did say I love her and I do! It's pink hair over here who said like." Tony pointed at Sakura, not able to remember her name. She looked quite annoyed by her new name.

"My name is Sakura." She said sternly.

"Well, I didn't know that." Tony chuckled.

"You... said you loved me... Back then?" Tsukasa smiled a bit wider.

"Of course. Tsukasa, I've known I've loved you since the Cosplay Cafe incident." Tony smiled. "I hugged you, I loved you. Simple as that." Tony rubbed her on her shoulder.

"Aw~!" Tsukasa whined. Tony chuckled.

"What is it?" Tony asked.

"You knew you loved me before I knew I loved you!" Tsukasa whined. "I loved you when you were in the hospital after your fight with Shin~!" Tsukasa said. Tony laughed.

"I win!" He cheered.

"When did you start liking me?" Tsukasa demanded. Tony thought back.

"Um..." Tony hummed. "I think the first time I began thinking of you as more than a friend, it was right after we sang in that bar, but romantically, I'm not sure." Tony said. "Probably didn't even begin to think like that until I saw you getting held hostage by that thug though..." Tony thought back. Tsukasa whined and started hitting Tony on the chest.

"You even knew you liked me before I knew I started liking you!" Tsukasa shouted.

"Face it Tsukasa, you're just so much more lovable than I am!" Tony said. She stopped hitting, tired.

"Am not." She crossed her arms and looked away with a blush.

Is she... "Tsu-chan~..." Tony hugged her from behind. "Be very careful, you're acting a little like your sister and you know how we turned out." He teased, laying his head on her shoulder. She blushed.

"And you're acting like Kona-chan..." She said. Tony blinked.

"Our siblings are rubbing off on us..." He smiled.

"Yeah..." Tsukasa smiled.

"Have they forgotten that we're here?" Sakura mumbled.

"Looks like it..." Naruto scratched his head.

"Ryu." Kakashi interrupted Tony and Tsukasa.

"Hm?" He looked over. Upon seeing the serious expression on his face, he let go of Tsukasa and stood more attentively. "What's up?" He asked.

"I just wanted to tell you that I've heard a few things about Recoome. Apparently, he's angry with you, and he has people looking at you. He knows he can't take you himself, but he might be planning something. I just want you to watch your back. I don't know what kind of information he's trying gather, but it can't be good." Kakashi said.

"Thanks for the heads up." Tony smiled.

"No problem, but now we have to return to the village." Kakashi turned. He jumped and disappeared in a thin air.

I must find out how he does that... Tony thought.

"Aw, looks like we're going... See you Ryu!" Naruto waved as he and Sakura jumped, both vanishing in the same manner Kakashi had.

"See ya Naruto!" Tony waved. He smiled and sighed contently. "So where are the others?" Tony asked.

"Back, probably watching all of this on the television..." Tsukasa said.

"Is that still running?" Tony asked, looking back at one of the cameras.

"Yeah, but I couldn't wait..." Tsukasa giggled. From the other side, the television quickly switched to that particular camera. Akira got in focus with Tony. Tsukasa, realizing that she was in the camera when she probably wasn't supposed to be, stepped out to the side, hopefully out of the camera's view.

"I'm here with Ryū Tora no Kami, a world champion fighter and, if I may say so, a real dream boat! So, Ryū, I know you and Tsukasa are an item and all, but you have to give the everyday girl some hope! Now tell us, what can the average girl do to steal you away from Tsukasa?" Akira asked playfully. Tony sighed. On any day prior to what happened with Tereya, he would have said it was very unlikely. Now, however, he knew it was impossible. Still, he knew that unless he gave the answer people would want to hear, he would be asked it in any future interviews of any kind. He looked over to Tsukasa, who gave a sympathetic look that told him it was up to him what to say. He knew she wanted him to tell the truth though, that nothing could be done.

So, be hounded about this forever or make Tsukasa upset again... Tony sighed in his head. It was Tereya all over again, a no win situation.

"I know you'll probably say that nothing can be done to steal you away, but there's gotta be something, right~?" Akira asked. Tony sneaked one more glance at Tsukasa before sighing.

"Fine then. Listen closely." Tony said, causing Tsukasa and most every girl watching to lean forward.
"If you wish to win o'er my hands,
Every rose grows merry with time,
Then you must follow all these commands,
Then, you will be, a true love of mine." Tony started. Tsukasa perked up, but her spirit dropped as she realized Tony was actually about to tell people how to steal him from her.
"Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Every rose grows merry with time,
Without no seams, nor needlework.
Then, she will be, a true love of mine." Tony sang. Tsukasa got a bit confused.

How can you do that? She wondered.

"Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well
Every rose grows merry with time,
Where water ne'er sprang, nor drop of rain fell
Then, she will be, a true love of mine." Tony sang. Tsukasa continued puzzling.

But how would someone do that? What does he mean? She kept wondering.

"Tell her to find me an acre of land,
Every rose grows merry with time,
Between the salt water~, and the sea strand.
Then, she will be, a true love of mine." Tony sang. Tsukasa's puzzler was sore.
"Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Every rose grows merry with time,
And tie up the sheaves with a rope made of heather
Then, she will be, a true love of mine." Tony continued. Tsukasa came to a realization.

That's the point... You CAN'T do these! These are all impossible... He's giving out tasks that can't be carried out! Tsukasa giggled to herself. Tony had never intended to allow any girl to have any chance at stealing him. As if deciding to reveal the secret almost instantly after Tsukasa had realized it, Tony continued.

"Love imposes impossible tasks,
Every rose grows merry with time,
Though never more than your own heart asks,
And I must know you're a true love of mine." Tsukasa smiled to herself.
"Dear, when thou hast finished thy task,
Every rose grows merry with time,
Come to me, my hand for to ask,
For then thou art a true love of mine." Tony finished. Akira was stunned for a moment at the thought Tony must have put into the response. She recovered quickly enough.

"Well, you heard it here first! Any girl who can complete this list is gonna be Ryū's true love!" Akira shouted. "Maybe I~ should compete..." Akira giggled playfully. "I guess that's all the time we have, Ryū has a life too, ya know! I'll see ya all next time! Bye-nii~!" Akira shouted with her signature wave. She waited a moment, and then turned to Tony. "And we're off the air. I'll be honest; you've got a pretty good voice on you Kan-chan!" Akira complimented.

"Thank you." He smiled.

"Recently, my entertainment at the bar has been calling in sick a whole lot. If you ever wanted to come fill in for him... You'd be welcome!" Akira said. Tony smiled a bit wider.

"I'll consider it! I have to win this tournament first though." Tony said. He thought for a moment. "And maybe Tsukasa could come up with me too!" Tony smiled at his girlfriend.

"Sure! She has a pretty voice!" Akira chimed. Tsukasa blushed.

"It isn't that good..." She mumbled. This was only the second time she could recall that her singing was complimented outside a karaoke place.

"Nonsense, when the gods want something high class for them to listen to, they put on a recording of a scratched up record of a guy listening to you singing Tsukasa." Tony said. She blushed deeper, but giggled at how silly and overdramatic he was being.

"Yo, Kan-kan!" Konata ran up, along with the rest of the group. Tony glanced quickly and noticed his two latest friends were missing.

Guess it makes sense; they'll need a bit of time to forgive me for being such an asshole. Tony thought. "Hey Kon-kon. Where have you been?" Tony asked.

"Tsuki here disappeared on me, so I spent most of the night trying to find her. When I didn't, I overslept. Then Tsuki came back and woke me up!" Konata said. Tony turned to the girl.

"So it was your fault! You were why I had to fight three freaking ninjas by myself!" Tony pointed accusingly at Tsuki. This gave her pause. It was a long pause. It almost seemed like a mental yawn. After a few seconds, she knocked herself softly on the head; winked one eye closed, and stuck out her tongue.

"Whoops!" She said simply. The issue seemed a lot less important that it had just a moment ago. Neither Tony nor Konata felt it odd enough to inquire about her absence any more. "I gotta go do something, I'll meet you back at the house later Konata!" Tsuki said and, just like that, ran off. Tsukasa hugged Tony's arm and leaned on his shoulder. He smiled.

"Kan-kun..." She sighed contently. Tony almost squealed. The joy he heard in her voice made him happier than he could describe with words. "I heard what you said..." Tsukasa said with a subdued delight in her voice.

"What did I say? I've said a lot of things. And when did I say it? I've said a lot of things recently." Tony teased, though he honestly had no clue what she was talking about.

"It was after you woke up from that dream during the fight... You were really angry when you said it, and I was really scared 'cause I thought you were really going to kill him, but... Well, you didn't. But you called me... You called me your future wife..." She said with even more pleasure in her voice than before. Tony smiled, chuckling softly.

"Well, I have every intention of removing the "Future" from that phrase someday." He said, leaning his head on her's.

"I'm never going to leave you again." She said.

"If you do, I'm coming with you." Tony said. Tsukasa giggled. Kagami and Konata smiled at their siblings getting along so well, but it reminded the Tsundere of something.

"Kona, Oban started yesterday. When are you going to tell your Dad about us?" Kagami asked, a little annoyed.

"..." Konata sighed.

"Tomorrow?" Kagami suggested. Konata sighed again.

"Yeah... I'll do it tomorrow... The tournament is going to be delayed for a day so that they can repair the arena. Or at least, that's what the guy at the gate said..." Konata said. Kagami smiled and put a hand on Konata's head.

"Thanks Kona. I know how hard this is for you. Do you want me to be there when you tell him?" Kagami asked. Konata thought for a moment.

"I... don't think you can be." Konata said.

"What do you mean by that?" Kagami asked a bit sadly.

"This kind of thing isn't something I think I'm just going to be able to approach him and say like you did with your Dad. I don't know why I can't, but I just can't. You're right, by all means; he's going to love it. He took a full day out of his life to drive probably a few prefectures and back again just to pick up a Yuri game. I just have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that tells me that things aren't going to go so smoothly." Konata sighed. "I'll tell him tomorrow." Kagami smiled.

"Hey, don't be so nervous. We've got one thing going for us." Kagami said.

"And what's that?" Konata asked.

"Things always seem to work out the opposite of what we think will happen. Way back when, to be honest, I didn't think Tsukasa could make any more friends with how withdrawn she was. Then she met you and now she has plenty of friends. I never did get to thank you for that." Kagami smiled. She hugged Konata softly. Konata smiled.

"You don't need to thank me. With how cute Tsukasa is, how can anyone not want to help her?" Konata giggled jokingly. Kagami sighed.

"She was so depressed back then. You really have no idea how much you helped her by being her friend." Kagami said softly. Konata smiled a bit wider.

"It's been my pleasure. As long as they aren't gonna try and steal you away, fail though they might, I'm happy to make any friends." Konata said.

"And that's one of the things that I love about you." Kagami said. She decided to let the conversation rest a moment before continuing on her original train of thought. "Then, I thought she would never get a boy. Hell, I even thought that she and Miyuki might have been going out a few times with how clingy Tsukasa got to her." Kagami giggled. "Now she's in love. Then with Dad. By the gods with Dad. I thought I was going to get disowned and kicked out of my house." Kagami said.

"You could have stayed with me Kagami." Konata said. Kagami giggled.

"Yeah, 'cause that wouldn't tip off your Dad at all." Kagami teased. "Still, it turned out fine. Every time we seem to think something will happen, the opposite tends to occur. And you think so adamantly that your Dad will reject you." Kagami said. "Well I say let yourself think that! If you thought he was going to accept you, I might actually entertain the thought that he might reject you. But you're too paranoid. It won't happen." Kagami said soothingly. Konata smiled.

"Thanks Kagami." She said. She then remembered something important. She hated to break up the moment she was having with Kagami, but her curiosity simply would not allow her to wait. She turned and pecked Kagami on the lips. "I have to ask Kan-kan something, is that okay?" She asked, still in the arms of her girlfriend.

"No." Kagami said. Konata giggled as Kagami released her, albeit reluctantly. Konata approached her brother and Tsukasa.

"M-my brother suggested that, huh?" Tony's face was the reddest it had ever been.

"Y-Y-Yeah..." Tsukasa mumbled.

"Hey Kan-kan, can I ask you something? I need your help." Konata said.

"Sure thing Kon-kon, what is it?" Tony asked, hoping to get the request out of the way quickly so he could go back to this conversation with Tsukasa. As bad as that sounded, he really wanted to talk to her more about the current subject.

"Well, it kind of has to be in private." Konata said quietly. Tony sighed and turned to Tsukasa.

"Hey Tsu-chan, can we talk about this later?" He asked. Tsukasa smiled through her blush and nodded.

"Yeah..." She said.

"And I mean it." Tony said, his face slowly returning to its ordinary hue. "I really want to talk about this." He said seriously.

"So do I." Tsukasa smiled cheerfully.

"Awesome." Tony smiled.

"How about we head back to my place and I cook us something to eat. Just watching you made me hungry! Then I can ask you the thing." Konata said.

"Sounds like a plan!" Tony cheered.

"I guess that means we're going home too, huh Tsukasa?" Kagami came up to her younger twin, who nodded in assent. Kagami lowered her voice to a whisper. "So you decided to go after what Masuta suggested, did you?" Kagami asked. When Tsukasa replied, it was in a similarly quiet tone.

"Yeah... He seemed excited... and like he actually wanted to try it..." Tsukasa said with a smile.

"Well, as long as you two sleep in different rooms, I guess I can give you my blessing." Kagami smiled and hugged her sister. Tsukasa felt overwhelming joy at hearing those words as she hugged her twin back. "You've grown up so much Tsukasa. I'm really proud of you." Kagami said into her ear. Tsukasa could feel tears stinging her eyes.

"Thank you so much Onee-chan." She tightened her hug and let her tears flow into Kagami's shoulder. Unlike how it may have happened in the past though, this time was for joy. Not tears of mourning, but tears of happiness. Her entire life, though Kagami had always discouraged the act, Tsukasa had looked up to Kagami with a sort of awe. Her older sister had been just that; her older sister, whether they were ten minutes apart, or three years. Kagami had always been ahead of her in almost every aspect of life. Now, it felt as though she were truly being recognized as being on level with her older sibling. Now, at least in one thing, she was her equal. The two of them indulged in their sentiment for long enough that their parents finally worked up the heart to break them apart.

"Hey guys, we should probably go." Miki said. Kagami and Tsukasa sighed and reluctantly broke apart. They looked around to see that they were alone with their parents.

"Where'd Inori and Matsuri go?" Kagami asked; Miki pointed at the Tsundere's phone. She looked at it to see a text message.

Hey, me and Matsuri are going to lunch together! Tell Tony that his fight was really cool and Tsukasa that she should totally go for trying to live with him! Ciao~! -Inori

Kagami stared blankly at the text message.

"Where'd they go?" Miki asked. Kagami sighed and put her phone away.

"On another date. They went to lunch." Kagami said. Tsukasa looked around.

"Wha? Date? Are they really dating? But they're siblings!" Tsukasa said.

"We're not sure, actually. They're being very vague about it." Kagami said. A question mark appeared above Tsukasa's head.

"Well... I support them!" Tsukasa decided. Kagami smiled a little.

"You know what..." She sighed. "If they're really serious about this, I do too. If this makes them happy, who are we to stand in their way?" She asked.

"Exactly!" Tsukasa said.

"Shall we go home?" Miki asked.

"Yeah, I think a day at home will be nice. It's been so long since we've stayed there for a whole day." Kagami laughed as they got into the van.

"I'm gonna cook when we get home, okay?" Tsukasa asked.

"But... We've already eaten..." Kagami said.

"I know. I just want to cook though." Tsukasa said.

"Maybe you could show Kagami a thing or two while you're at it?" Miki suggested. Kagami smiled again.

"Could you? Please?" She almost begged. Tsukasa sat there for a moment, taking it in.

Onee-chan is asking for my help with something... And not just to make me feel good. She legitimately needs my help! It feels so cool to be on this side of it. "Of course Onee-chan. I'd love to help." Tsukasa said. They arrived at home. "Let's go Onee-chan!" Tsukasa said excitedly, a fire in her eyes as she grabbed Kagami's hand. Kagami giggled as she was pulled out of the car and into the house. Kagami was dragged through the house, through the living room, and into the kitchen. "Alright!" She shouted, letting go of Kagami's hand and turning around. She clapped her hands together in delight at the situation.

"So, what are we doing now?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa smiled widely at the question.

"You're gonna make me your very best pancakes! I didn't get any before, so I wanna try them!" Tsukasa said happily.

"Okay then!" Kagami cheered. She set out to work with Tsukasa watching closely, getting out some of the butter from the refrigerator. She measured out the baking soda and flour. She got the milk out and began measuring that out as well.

"Um-!" Tsukasa began to say, but interrupted herself as she began thinking she was about to be rude.

"What's up?" Kagami asked, not pouring any more milk.

"Maybe... A little less milk?" She suggested. Kagami looked at the milk in the measuring cup. Her and her mother had spent hours finding what they thought was the perfect amount of milk. She looked back at Tsukasa, who was shifting her weight from one foot to the other, fidgeting nervously and biting her bottom lip. Kagami smiled. Unfortunately, the milk was sullied by the baking soda and flour, so she couldn't replace it. She smiled to Tsukasa.

"Just tell me when." She said as she began pouring out the milk down the sink. Tsukasa lit up. After a small amount of milk was gone, Tsukasa nodded.

"When." She said.

"So, how do you know how much milk I should have?" Kagami asked as she poured it into the mixing bowl. Tsukasa giggled nervously.

"I dunno, really... It's just kind of something I... know." Tsukasa said.

"You just... know? How?" Kagami asked.

"I don't know how I know, I just know that I know, you know?" Tsukasa asked uncertainly. Kagami had no idea what she was saying, but she nodded and smiled.

"I guess I can understand. It's kind of like a sixth sense, right?" She asked. Tsukasa smiled and leaned forward a bit in excitement.

"Yeah! That's it!" Tsukasa said. Kagami got out an egg and put in a part of it. She took some of the butter and put it in, starting to mix again. "Uh-!" Tsukasa interrupted herself once again. Kagami smiled and looked back at her little sister.

"Got any suggestions?" She asked.

"A... A little more?" Tsukasa suggested meekly. Kagami nodded and put her utensil to the butter once more.

"Like here?" She asked. Tsukasa stared for a moment before shaking her head. Kagami moved it back a tad. "Here?" She asked. Tsukasa smiled and nodded a bit. Kagami took off that much more butter and put it in.

"I'm sorry Onee-chan..." Tsukasa apologized. Kagami smiled.

"For what Tsukasa?" She asked.

"I asked you to make me your best pancakes, but all I've done is tell you what to do with them..." Tsukasa said guiltily. Kagami shook her head, pouring the batter into a sprayed pan on the oven.

"Don't worry about that Tsukasa; I need all the help I can get. Please, if you see anything I can do to improve my cooking, let me know! I don't want to be the girl that has to be cooked for every day. Even though I do intend to be the rice winner, I also want to know how to prepare it if I want to give my little Kona a special day." Kagami said. Tsukasa smiled.

"I understand that Onee-chan." She said. Kagami inhaled sharply as she remembered the vanilla. She looked at the batter that was almost starting to solidify.

"Hey Tsukasa, could you help me with something really quickly?" She asked in a hurry. Tsukasa rushed to her side.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I accidentally forgot to put in an ingredient, what should I do?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa thought quickly.

"What was it?" She asked.

"Vanilla. I also didn't put in any cinnamon, like I was going to!" Kagami said, upset with herself. She had worked so hard to get this perfected, and yet she was still making mistakes like this! At the very least, she hadn't used cumin instead...

"Hmm." Tsukasa thought. "Can I see?" She asked. Without a word of assent or rejection, Kagami set down the spatula and let go of the pan. Tsukasa took it and tossed the pancake in the air, the unfinished pastry getting just enough air time for Tsukasa to get a look at both sides. She smiled and caught all of the batter back in the pan. "Well, we can't put it back in the mixing bowl. The bowl is plastic and at this temperature, it might melt it. Maybe..." She thought for an instant. She reached over and grabbed the vanilla from the cupboard, almost hurting her arm from having to stretch so much. She took it and looked at Kagami. "Onee-chan, about how much do you put in to it?" She asked. Kagami thought a moment.

"Usually... about a tea spoon, I think." Kagami said. Tsukasa nodded and turned back on the batter. She squirted the vanilla into it and began swirling it around with the spatula. Occasionally, she would begin moving the pan in a circular motion. "Why are you doing that?" Kagami asked.

"Helps keep the batter from becoming a pancake just yet." She said. She took out a container of cinnamon with a sprinkler cap on it and began shaking it, every shake tapping on the spatula. Kagami stood in awe watching her sister work. She tapped out about the amount of cinnamon that Kagami would have put in herself. She flipped the cinnamon back up so that it didn't come out anymore. When some flew out, Tsukasa expertly caught the flying cinnamon with the spatula. She smiled and handed the spatula back to Kagami.

"Thanks a lot Tsukasa." Kagami smiled back as she came back to the pan. She carefully picked up the pancake, it finally turning into an actual pancake. Her hand trembled a little.

"You can do it Onee-chan." Tsukasa said reassuringly. Kagami breathed deeply and moved the spatula out from over the pan. She flipped the pancake and it hit the pan successfully. Kagami cheered loudly.

"Yes!" She shouted triumphantly. "I've never been able to do that before! It usually hits the stove or the floor!" She said.

"Good job Onee-chan, I'm proud of you!" Tsukasa congratulated, lightly hugging Kagami around her shoulders. Kagami sighed contently and closed her eyes for a moment, letting it sink it.

This must be how Tsukasa feels whenever I help her with something. I really feel good. I'm happy I was good enough to get her praise. Kagami thought. She opened her eyes and took the pan off the burner, and put it on one that wasn't on. She got the pancake on a spatula and turned to see Tsukasa had gotten a plate already, along with eating utensils. Kagami smiled and put the pancake on the plate.

"First bite is yours Onee-chan!" Tsukasa cut a piece off and poked at Kagami with it. Kagami smiled and bit it. She hummed.

"I think it's actually better Tsukasa!" Kagami said.

"Yeah?" Tsukasa asked.

"Yeah! I didn't think that little bit of butter and milk would make much of a difference." Kagami said. Tsukasa took off another piece of the pancake and popped it into her own mouth. She hummed.

"It's really good." She said. "That was awesome Onee-chan." She praised.

"Well, it isn't quite on your level, but I'm proud of it." Kagami smiled.

"You should be proud, this is excellent! I think it's better than mine!" Tsukasa said. Kagami blushed.

"There's no way it's that good! I had Tony taste test it, remember?" Kagami said.

"Well, still. It's really great Onee-chan." Tsukasa smiled.

"Thank you so much Tsukasa!" Kagami giggled. She had gotten word from the master! She was good!

"So, want to work on some dinner?" Tsukasa asked.

"Sure!" Kagami said. "Just let me go get something really quick!" Kagami said as she left the kitchen.

"Hurry back Onee-chan!" Tsukasa waved as Kagami ran to her room. She opened the door and walked in. Suddenly, she heard a door slam.

"Who is i-HUF!" Tadao could be heard, along with a loud thud that Kagami could only guess was him hitting the ground. The door to her room flew open as the intruder appeared.

---

POV Konata

Konata and Tony ran home.

"So, what is it you need to ask me?" Tony asked.

"Well, you see... Last night while I was looking for Tsuki... Something happened." Konata said, slowing to a walk. She saw that they were almost home and so decided a walk would be a sufficient speed to get them home after the conversation was finished.

"What kind of thing?" Tony asked.

"Some kid tried to kill me because of Kurono." Konata said. Tony's eyes widened.

"Wait, what?" He asked. "And you stopped him?"

"That's the weird thing... I didn't. I was too tired and didn't see him until it was too late." Konata said. "He stabbed at my kidney, but it halted about an inch away." Konata said. Tony sighed.

"And what did you need to ask me?" Tony asked. Konata took out the knife.

"This is the blade he used. It had some inscription on it, but I haven't gotten the chance to look at it. I was also wondering if maybe you could look at it to see if it was enchanted or something that might have helped me. I don't know, maybe there are other people like you out there who can use powers, you know?" Konata asked. She tossed the knife to Tony, which she felt was okay considering it was in its sheath still. He caught it without incident and took the blade out. The inscription, he saw, was more something he would assume was a gang sign. To be certain, he examined the blade with his mind to see if he there was any enchantment or latent energy that could be the result of an enchantment coming into effect.

"And it wouldn't go near your body?" Tony asked.

"That's another weird thing. It didn't offer any resistance when I put it to my skin myself." Konata said. Tony took out his phone and looked around online for a moment.

"The engraving is just a gang sign." He said. "And there are no enchantments on this blade. There never have been. It's about as enchanted as a potato that rolls into the sunset." Tony said. Konata giggled, though now thoroughly confused.

"Well, if that's the case, what saved me?" Konata asked. Tony thought.

"I dunno. I'll have to think about it more." He said. They arrived at Konata's home and silently agreed that that should end their current topic of conversation considering the company they were likely to be in in a moment. They walked into the house.

"Hey Konata, you home?" Sojiro asked.

"Yeah Dad!" Konata said.

"Awesome." He said. Konata smiled.

"Alright, I'm gonna start cooking." She said as she went into the kitchen. Tony followed her. "Uh-uh!" She protested. "No boys in the kitchen!" She shoved Tony out.

"Hey! Come on!" He shouted. Sojiro chuckled.

"She doesn't let me in there when she's cooking either." He said, scratching his cheek. "So, I saw your fight with those three today. That's some pretty crazy stuff!" Sojiro commented. Tony chuckled.

"Don't I know it? I was there." He said.

"True, true." Sojiro said. "So that's a pretty awesome looking sword." Sojiro gestured to the sword at Tony's side. "Why didn't you use it in the fight?" Tony thought for a moment.

"I'm not sure. I think I kind of forgot about it." He chuckled. Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Ojii-san, Onee-chan! I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!" Yutaka exploded into the room, causing Tony to jump up. She ran up to Tony and glomped him around the neck, flying around in a circle. "Onii-chan, I'm in love!" Yutaka shouted. Tony chuckled at how moe the girl was. Sojiro smiled as Konata opened the door, coming halfway into the room.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Onee-chan, I'm in love!" Yutaka repeated. Konata gulped. Sojiro chuckled.

"Well? Don't keep us in suspense! Who is he?" Sojiro asked.

"Minami-chan!" Yutaka said innocently. Konata could have felt the mood shift from the kitchen, even without having come in.

"What?" Sojiro asked, a stony expression on his face. Yutaka blinked a few times.

"I'm in love with Minami-chan." She said again, convinced Sojiro had simply not heard her. Sojiro sighed.

"It's okay Yutaka. We can help you." He said, getting up. "Right Konata?" He turned to her. She remained silent. "Konata? You ARE with me on this, right?" He asked.

"..." Konata was afraid of what she might say if she opened her mouth.

"Tell her it's good to love a boy. Tony, you agree, right? You're dating Tsukasa." Sojiro said, looking around for support.

"Dad..." Konata mumbled. "I can't... I'm in love with Kagami." Konata said, coming into the room fully and walking a few steps. Her father tensed up.

"Konata... There are ways to help you with this. It's just a phase, you're going through." Sojiro said. "We can get you well." He said, started to walk slowly to his daughter. Konata backed up a step.

"I don't need help, Dad, I'm not sick... I'm just in love." Konata said.

"But this isn't natural!" Sojiro protested. Konata glanced at Tony. He threw her a look telling her that he would beat Sojiro within an inch of his life if she but asked. She smiled a little bit, letting him know it wasn't necessary. His support, however, in this rejection was uplifting for her. She gained confidence in these actions.

"What about the girls in your games, Dad? Are they "not natural"?" Konata asked. "You play girls with lesbians in them all the time. All the time! You just got back from getting a game with only lesbians in it! Do you know how much of a hypocrite that makes you right now?" Konata asked.

"But it's never in my home! In my family!" Sojiro said. Konata looked Sojiro very hard in the eyes.

"Dad, don't make me choose between you and Kagami. You aren't going to like what happens." She said very seriously. Sojiro was taken aback and rethought his strategy.

"You still don't get it! People get beaten for things like this, beaten and killed! Now stop this right now!" He ordered.

"That's why I took martial arts! So I can defend myself!" Konata shouted defiantly, taking her most lethal stance.

"You shouldn't have to!" Sojiro yelled. "Konata, I know you think this is the path that's going to make you happy, but this isn't the way to go about it! This isn't what your mother and I wanted for you!" Sojiro said.

"You're wrong! Mama would want me to be happy, truly happy! Being with Kagami is what's gonna do that! I love her!" Konata shouted.

"It isn't love!" Sojiro yelled. "I loved your mother and she loved me! That's love!" He said.

"It's the same!" Konata shouted.

"It's different!" Sojiro shouted.

"It's the same and you know it! My love and Mama's!" Konata said. She sighed.

"THAT'S ENOUGH KONATA!" Sojiro yelled.

"Mama would be so disappointed in you... Not wanting what's best for your daughter." Konata spat venomously. In that moment, Konata saw her father lose all composure. He spun, all logic, all restraint, everything gone. He flew at her in a blind rage, ready to hit her with all his strength. Adrenaline coursed through Konata's veins. Had she been of sounder mind and more stable mental being, she would have dodged or parried the blow. However, her stance taken, the target coming in, her head clouded with adrenaline and emotion, a burning hatred for this man, time froze. She burst into movement, unleashing the full extent of her fury into one punch, made from an inch away. The instant it made contact, Konata's heart sank and her stomach curled. She had only just realized what she had done by the time Sojiro was sent hurtling through the air. He crashed into the wall on the other side before he hit the floor again. A one inch punch... Konata felt horror so great, she trembled. It had been the only seamless "One inch punch" Konata had ever been able to deliver, not only flawlessly transferred power from the ground and her entire body, but turned the opponent's momentum against them, sending him flying through the air. Konata ran over, along with Tony and Yutaka, the latter of which had been cowering behind the former as the fight grew more heated.

"Konata, what the hell was that?" Tony shouted as he dropped to his knees. The damage was clearly visible from the outside as Sojiro's chest was easily broken in.

"I didn't mean to!" Konata shouted. Tony surveyed the damage with his mind to see most, if not every one, of Sojiro's ribs were broken. His right lung was punctured. His heart was pumping way too fast and he was probably bleeding internally.

"Damn it!" Tony shouted. "Heal!" He shouted. His energy began to repair the man's chest, but Tony knew it wasn't going to be enough. Not nearly enough. His energy reserves soon ran dry. His body began trembling in a pitiful attempt to stabilize the man.

"Use my energy!" Konata said.

"Mine too Onii-chan!" Yutaka offered. Without a word, Tony wove the spell through Konata's energy, though he excluded Yutaka figuring that she was much too fragile to be able to give much assistance without taking serious damage. It was then that Konata saw the true cost of these types of spells. Even with her greater than average energy reserves, her knees buckled after several seconds of the spell draining what felt like her life. As her vision dimmed a moment, Tony cursed.

"Damn it, come on!" He yelled. He turned the spell's energy drain onto the air and building. It barely made a contribution before it was far too cold for Yutaka without having her collapse. Finally, he turned it back onto himself. He poured everything he had into the spell until there was barely anything left to even sustain himself. As his own vision began to fade, however, something made itself known in his mind. It was a, for lack of a better word, well of energy. In his present condition, he couldn't readily discern a limit to it, but he guess that it couldn't be too large considering how little he could really perceive at the moment. As coldness began to creep into his limbs, he grew desperate. He closed his eyes to brace for whatever may come from his next action. He didn't know what it was, or why it was there, but he made the spell take directly from the well. As power from it flooded in, the remaining five ribs reattached themselves perfectly, his lung closed itself to seamlessness, and his heart beat slowed to a normal pulse. Yet the well of energy didn't seem to have been diminished in the slightest. It frightened Tony to think something so powerful could potentially be hostile. With so much power, whatever it was could overwhelm him in a heartbeat. The energy well disappeared before Tony could examine it further. He opened his eyes to see Sojiro groaning and rubbing his chest.

"Dad!" Konata shouted. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you like that!" Konata apologized. She may be hating him at the moment, but he was still her Dad, right? She waited a beat. "But you deserved it!" She added.

"It's alright Konata, just..." Sojiro began. Konata's jaw dropped.

"Dad, if you say one thing about "getting me help", I swear..." She growled.

"But Konata..." Sojiro groaned.

"I can't believe you!" Konata shouted. She got up and ran to the door before glancing over her shoulder. "Come on Yu-chan, let's go. There's nothing for us here." Konata said. Yutaka, scared out of her mind, followed Konata faithfully as the two began to walk out.

"Konata, if you leave this house, you're dead to me!" Sojiro shouted. Tony growled and ran after the two, stopping only half way to turn back for a moment.

"How can you reject your own daughter?!" He shouted. With that, Konata left with Yutaka in tow, Tony following closely.

"Stupid..." Konata mumbled. "I hate him..." She said a bit louder, getting a bit faster. "I wish you hadn't healed him!" Konata shouted and began running her hardest.

"Konata!" Tony shouted as he made to follow her, but he realized he couldn't. Yutaka had absolutely no chance of keeping up with them. Even if Tony got her on his back, there was a very good chance she could get hurt. Tony sighed as he realized he would have to let his sister go for now. "Come on Yu-chan. We can go to my house for now." Tony said as he opened his door. Yutaka mumbled something unintelligible and walked in. She had long since realized that she had lost control of the situation and likely caused events she couldn't help, so she figured she would just do as told for now. They entered his house.

---

POV Yutaka

Yutaka walked in, Tony entering after her, and was hit by a wave of aroma. She followed her nose to the kitchen to see Tsuki, an apron on and hard at work cooking. She turned with a smile on her face, her eyes surprisingly closed while she cooked.

"I make a pretty cute housewife, doncha think?" She asked. While Tony would admit in his head that she was indeed cute, there was a more pressing issue than that, even other than the incident with Sojiro.

"Oh no, come right in. Make yourself at home." Tony commented.

"I already did!" Tsuki said cheerfully.

"I see that." Tony looked around. Things were clean. Everything was in its place. He would be able to find things without having to search for ten minutes. It was almost revolting. "How did you even know where I live?" Tony asked.

"Details!" Tsuki turned back to her cooking.

"Right..." Tony sighed.

"Muo! Why the sour mood?" Tsuki complained, crossing her arms and stopping cooking again. Tony sighed.

"Whole bunch of crap happened that got me tired." Tony sighed.

"Who's the cutie you have with you? Are you cheating on your girlfriend~?" Tsuki teased.

"No, she's my cousin." Tony mumbled sleepily. "Her name is Yutaka. Could you do me a big favor Tsuki?" Tony asked.

"Sure, what is it?" She asked.

"Could you take care of Yu-chan for me for a bit? I'm very tired and there's something I need to take care of before I go to sleep." Tony said. Tsuki studied him for a moment, looking into his eyes, a serious expression on her face as if she were concentrating. After that moment, however, she giggled, smiled with teeth showing, and closed her eyes.

"Yeah sure! Have fun~!" She said in a very teasing voice. Tony walked into his room. "Come on Yu-chan, let's see if I can't teach you how to cook great like my Mom taught me!" Tsuki said.

"Wait... Didn't you tell Onee-chan that your Mom was... gone?" Yutaka asked, confused. Tsuki seemed caught off guard by the question. She looked up and seemed to think for a moment, putting a finger to her lip. After a moment, she smiled sympathetically.

"It's complicated." She said, scratching the back of her head ruefully. This only served to confuse poor Yutaka more.

"But...But... How? That doesn't make any sense!" Yutaka protested.

"I know it doesn't, but... um..." Tsuki thought again. She sighed. "It's really, REALLY complicated."

"A-Alright..." Yutaka mumbled. "Do-..." She paused with a blush on her face, a bit apprehensive. She had said one thing along these lines that day without thinking anything ill could come from it, so she didn't want to make the same mistake again.

"Aw~, you don't need to be shy around me Yu-chan~! What is it?" Tsuki asked.

"Do you... maybe... have two Mommies?" Yutaka asked. Tsuki squealed and ruffled her hair.

"You're just too cute Yu-chan!" She said. She looked like she was about to say something else, but interrupted herself. She looked very serious for a moment, but it soon passed with a giggle. The action seemed to make Yutaka feel much less inquisitive about the topic at hand, so she allowed it to switch. "Come on, what do you want to make?" Tsuki asked.

"Um... Can we make Oden?" Yutaka asked. Tsuki smiled and ruffled Yutaka's hair.

"Sure thing. What would you like with it?" Tsuki asked.

"Um... Kombu... potatoes... and..." Yutaka trailed off.

"Yes~?" Tsuki asked.

"Do... do you have wasabi?" She asked hesitantly.

"Oh-ho~! We like it hot, do we?" Tsuki chimed before giggling again.

"Yeah..." Yutaka smiled a small blush on her face. Tsuki looked a little closer.

"Who were you thinking of just now?" She teased. Yutaka jumped and blushed.

"Wh-what? What do you mean?" Yutaka asked.

"Come on, I said you like it hot and you blushed! Was it Minami-chan~?" Tsuki teased.

"H-How did you..." Yutaka looked afraid.

"I heard you when you came into Konata's house, but I left quickly. I could sense the mood from Konata's room. So I came here!" Tsuki said, turning back and looking for the condiment. She looked for a while and pulled out a small shaker. "Gotta love 'em. Rich guy has real wasabi." She smiled. She went over and began sprinkling it over something. Yutaka ran over to see what it was she was sprinkling on to see mostly prepared Oden, complete with potatoes and kombu.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"I'm pretty good at that." Tsuki said simply.

"But... You didn't even know I was coming over!" Yutaka said. Tsuki shrugged.

"I'm REALLY good at that. Sometimes I'll just start cooking something and not know why!" She said. Suddenly, she seemed to think of something. A sly catgrin came across her lips. "Oh~ Yu-chan~..." She chimed, the meal ready. Yutaka grabbed at it, but Tsuki swept it away.

"What is it~?" She whined cutely.

"Wanna learn how to get anything you want from almost anyone? ESPECIALLY guys?" Tsuki asked.

"Can I eat first?" Yutaka asked. Tsuki shook her head and set the plate on the stove to keep it warm.

"Nuh-uh, you have to earn it!" She said. "This... "technique" will work especially especially on Minami~." Tsuki said. Yutaka gulped.

"I'll do it." She said. Tsuki clapped her hands together.

"Great! Let's get "going" then!" She said. Yutaka was too innocent to think of her odd emphasis.

---

POV Tony

Tony entered his room, exhausted. He sighed and took out his phone, dialing his second speed dial. Suddenly, "The Greatest American Hero" theme began playing. Konata came over singing.

"Believe it or not,
Ko~-na isn't home,
please leave a message~ at the beep!
I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone,
Where could I be?
Believe it or not, I'm not home~!" She sang before her answering machine beeped. Tony smiled in appreciation of the reference, but was incredibly frustrated that he couldn't get a hold of his sister. He stomped the ground childishly, hurting his foot. He growled and sat down on the bed. He dialed his first speed dial. It rang for a moment.

"Hello~!" Tsukasa happily chimed.

"Hey Tsukasa. Would you mind if we talked some more about... That thing?" Tony asked. He could almost hear Tsukasa blush from the other side.

"Sure Kan-kun... We just have to keep it a little short, Onee-chan should be coming back at any time." She said. Tony nodded before he realized Tsukasa couldn't see him.

"Sure thing. So... Moving in, huh?" Tony asked.

"Yeah... Um.. What do you think?" She asked.

"I love the idea." Tony said. "I'd get to see you so much more." Tony smiled.

"And I'd get to see you every morning. And say good night to you every night." Tsukasa said.

"I have the sweeter deal here though." Tony said. Tsukasa giggled quietly.

"And how's that? I get to spend every day with the one I love." Tsukasa said.

"Ah, but I get to do that AND eat your cooking every day." Tony said. Again, he could hear her blush even deeper. Even at that, he could almost feel her get determined about something.

"Yeah, but I eat it even more than you, so it's more like evening the field!" Tsukasa said. Tony chuckled.

"I suppose. But again, you're still a lot more lovable than I am. I have it better." Tony said.

"I have it better!" Tsukasa argued.

"Still not buying your case~!" Tony said. He waited a beat. "This is getting a little ridiculous. Talk about sickeningly sweet." Tony laughed.

"Yeah, I guess..." Tsukasa said contently. A moment went by. "So... We're actually doing this, huh?" Tsukasa asked.

"I think we are. This is such a big step. My brother just took it with Miyuki though, and they're not even dating yet. I think we're gonna be alright." Tony said. He heard Tsukasa sigh contently.

"I love you Kan-kun." She said.

"I love you too Tsukasa." He said. "So... Want to make some plans for this?"

"Yeah... Onee-chan isn't back yet, I wonder where she went... Let's make some plans." She said. So they began talking about how, and more importantly, when they would move her in.

---

POV Kagami

Kagami sat on her bed, terrified as she heard her father hit the ground. Footsteps slammed on the ground as whoever the person was ran down the hall. The door flew open to reveal Konata, cheeks red with tears and hair a bit of a mess.

"Kona? What's wron-OOF!" She got the breath knocked out of her as Konata head-butted her in the stomach and began sobbing.

"Ka-Ka-Kagamin!" She whined. "I-I told D-Dad about us!" Konata hiccuped. Kagami gasped.

"No..." She mumbled.

"He rejected me, said I was dead to him!" Konata said. "He-He tried and talk me out of it!" She said. Kagami hugged her girlfriend.

"I know how much courage this took Konata. I'm sorry this happened." She said quietly, unsure of what else to say. Konata seemed to be nearing hysterics. Kagami thought, desperate for some way to help her love. She had an idea. It works with Tsukasa...She thought. Kagami shifted Konata so that she could hold her closer.
"Come stop your crying
It'll be alright.
Just take my hand,
Hold it tight." Kagami said. Konata looked up at her, tears suspended in her eyes.
"I will protect you
From all around you.
I will be hear,
don't you cry." Kagami brushed the tears from Konata's eyes, but they were quickly replaced.
"For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry!" Kagami sang to her little love. Konata snuggled into Kagami, still looking into her eyes.
"'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more!
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always." Kagami sang softly. Konata sniffed and smiled a small smile. It made Kagami smile. She sighed a bit though, frustrated with Sojiro.
"Why can't he understand the way we feel?
He just can't trust what he can't explain.
I know we're different, but deep inside us...
We're not that different at all." Kagami said.
"And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more!" Kagami sang a little louder, getting into it a little bit more.
"Don't listen to him!
'Cause what does he know?" Kagami asked.

"What does he know?" Konata giggled a bit, warming Kagami's heart.

"We need each other!
To have, to hold!
He'll see in time!
I know..." Kagami sang. Konata yawned a bit.
"When Destiny calls you,
You must stay strong!" Kagami said.

"I gotta stay strong..." Konata said.

"I'll always be with you,
So you've got to hold on!
He'll see in time.
I know." Kagami said. She put a fist in front of her to show her confidence.
"We'll show him together 'cause,
You'll be in my heart!" Kagami sang.

"You'll be here in my heart." Konata sang softly along with Kagami.

"No matter what they say!" Kagami said.

"I'll be with you..." Konata sang.

"You'll be here in my heart-" Kagami sang.

"I'll be there..." Konata laid her head in Kagami's lap. Kagami began to run her hand through her hair.

"-always." Kagami finished her line.
"Always.
I'll be with you." Kagami began getting softer and softer.
"I'll be there for you always.
Always and always.
Just look over your shoulder." She watched her love fall asleep.
"I'll be there always." She sang quietly. She sighed and looked at her sleeping loli. She couldn't even begin to say how sad she was by Konata getting rejected. Where was she going to live? Kagami hated to leave, but she had told Tsukasa she'd be back soon. She lightly moved Konata's head onto the bed.

"Not short Kagamin..." She mumbled. Kagami smiled and kissed her girlfriend on the forehead. She left the room, still worrying about her love. Where could she go? She entered the kitchen again. When could she find out?

"Tomorrow then, Kan-kun." Tsukasa smiled with a blush on. "Onee-chan's back. Want to help me out tomorrow then? ... Great! Then we'll start tomorrow." Tsukasa smiled. "Bye Kan-kun." She bade. "..." She waited. "... Hang up!" She said. She giggled. "No, YOU hang up!" She said. She turned to see Kagami. Upon seeing her somber expression, Tsukasa got a bit more serious. "Bye." She said, and hung up. "What's wrong Onee-chan?" Tsukasa asked.

"Konata came over. Her father rejected her." Kagami said.

"Oh no, that's horrible!" Tsukasa shouted.

"I thought definitely her father would accept her... I pushed her to this. I made her tell him..." Kagami said, sounding heartbroken.

"It isn't you fault Onee-chan!" Tsukasa hugged Kagami. "You did nothing wrong!" She said.

"How can you know? Maybe it would have been better if I had never said anything about it!" Kagami shouted.

"Onee-chan, once something happens, it doesn't matter what would have happened! The past is just that! The past! Don't worry about it anymore! All you need to do now is be there for Kona-chan. That's really all we can do at this point." Tsukasa sighed. Kagami hugged her sister back and let tears out.

"Thank you Tsukasa... I just... It IS my fault..." She mumbled.

"No it isn't. It's his fault for being like he is. Don't worry about it Onee-chan. He'll come around." Tsukasa said. Kagami was a little surprised at what her sister was saying, she sounded almost vindictive, especially when assigning blame. It was very weird to hear her say something about it other than no one's to blame.

"I guess..." Kagami sighed.

"So where's Kona-chan now?" Tsukasa asked.

"She's in my room sleeping." Kagami said. Tsukasa sighed.

"I wish we could do somethi-..." She paused. Kagami blinked.

"Tsukasa?" Kagami asked.

"Let's cheer her up." Tsukasa said.

"Gee Tsukasa, I hadn't thought about that." Kagami teased. Tsukasa shook her head.

"No, I mean I have an idea! It isn't going to get her super happy or anything, but maybe it'll help soften the blow, you know?" Tsukasa asked. Kagami smiled.

"Yeah. So, what's this idea of yours?" She asked. However, Tsukasa was in deep thought.

"We'll need... Flour... Chocolate chips... Whipped cream... Salt..." Tsukasa began listing off ingredients to something Kagami couldn't understand.

"What are you talking about Tsukasa?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa nodded, seemingly finished with her mental list. She ran out of the room.

"Mom, Dad, can we go shopping?" Tsukasa asked.

"Oh? For what?" Miki asked. Tsukasa ran over and whispered into her ear. Miki nodded once, then again, then got a very large smile. "I think that's a fantastic idea, Tsukasa. Very thoughtful." Miki smiled.

"Thing is, we don't have any money for any of it." Tsukasa said. Miki looked at Tadao, who smiled. He shrugged, since he didn't really know what was going on, and nodded, as if saying "your call" to his wife. She smiled a bit wider and closed her eyes for a moment.

"We'll cover it." Miki held up a credit card. Tsukasa excitedly hugged Miki.

"Thank you so much Mom! Dad!" She said. Miki started giggling.

"Our pleasure. Just let us know if we can do anything to help." Miki said.

"If Kona-chan wakes up before we get back, could you distract her?" Tsukasa asked. Miki nodded.

"Why did she slam me to the ground anyway?" Tadao asked.

"I think she wanted to get to me..." Kagami said. "Sorry, I think you got in the way." She giggled nervously.

"What was so important?" Tadao asked.

"She told her father about us. He... rejected her." Kagami said sorrowfully. Tadao and Miki gasped.

"Wait, what? Sojiro didn't accept Konata?" Tadao and Miki both seemed surprised. "Why not? Does he have some sort of reason?"

"I don't know the details, all I know is that he rejected her and said she was dead to him." Kagami said. Tadao looked even more stricken than Miki did. He fists were balled and his eyes were wide. His fists trembled.

"Ta-kun?" Miki looked at her husband, a little concerned. This much anger was very uncommon in him.

"Failure..." He muttered.

"What Dad?" Kagami asked.

"That "man" is a failure as a father! It's a father's duty to love his daughter with all his heart, unconditionally! To reject his daughter is completely unforgivable!" Tadao yelled. Miki put a hand around his shoulder to calm him down.

"Don't forget Ta-kun, you almost didn't accept Kagami yourself." Miki reminded.

"But I ultimately decided to do what was best for my daughter. As long as she's happy and healthy, what she does with her life is her own decision. But Sojiro is being selfish to an extreme! I may not have known Kanata as well as you did dear, but I know she wouldn't have wanted THIS! Can you deny that?" He asked Miki. She sighed and shook her head.

"She would be appalled my Sojiro's decision." Miki said.

"Exactly! I think me and Sojiro need to have a little talk..." Tadao got up. Miki jumped up and hugged him around the shoulders.

"Honey, no! We need to be here in case Konata wakes up and Kagami and Tsukasa aren't here." Miki said. Tadao growled and sighed.

"I guess... He's very lucky." Tadao sat back down, visibly disturbed by the news of what Sojiro had done.

"Let's get going Onee-chan!" Tsukasa grabbed Kagami's hand and dragged her out of the house.

"Tsu-Tsukasa, where are we going? What are we doing? What are we getting?" Kagami asked. Tsukasa let go of Kagami's hand, spun around with her hands clasped behind her back. She leaned forward a bit, her eyes closed yet cheerful.

"You'll see~!" She chimed. Kagami smiled.

"Then let's go!" She cheered.

---

POV Tony

Tony hung up the phone and set it down, a smile on his face.

We'll move enough of her room in so that she can stay here the night. Tomorrow... She'll officially live here. Tony laid down on his bed. He thought for a moment. How are we going to get that stuff here, anyway? It could take a long time... Tony thought. Too long to do in one day. Hmm...

"Well what if you made it a word? I noticed you wrote "Flash" down the side of the blade..." Konata's voice rang out in his head.

Oh right. That. Maybe I should get some practice with that... Tony thought as he stood up and left his room. He heard scuffling around in the living room that made him pause.

"Go go go!" Tsuki whispered almost inaudibly from where Tony stood.

"Nee-chan, I can't!" Yutaka whispered a little louder. Tony raised his eyebrow.

"Come on! It's a test! And you know the reward~!" Tsuki chimed.

"But-."

"Pleasure~!" Tsuki said. Tony got a little suspicious.

"But-but-but-! Um..." Yutaka seemed to think.

"Come on! You have to practice if you're gonna be any good for Minami-chan~!" Tsuki teased.

"...Fine... I'll... I'll do it..." Yutaka said. She appeared in the hallway, a heavy blush on her face. She shuffled up to Tony and fidgeted nervously. "Onii-chan... Can we..." She started.

"Yu-chan?" Tony asked cautiously.

"Can we... Me, you and Nee-chan, go get ice cream?" She asked. Tony sighed a bit.

This is the thing she was so hesitant about? "Sorry Yu-chan, I can't. I'm really busy at the moment." Tony said.

"Do it!" Tsuki shouted from around the corner.

"Onii-chan..." Yutaka started. "Please!" Tony was suddenly assaulted by the most heart-rending puppy-dog eyes he had ever seen as the Yutaka pouted. Tony reeled back, taken off guard by it. As it visually assaulted him, he felt sorrow akin to seeing a puppy's dying moment.

"Okay, okay!" Tony shouted. "We'll get ice cream, but only on one condition!" Tony said.

"What's that~?" Tsuki asked.

"You can never, EVER do that again!" Tony said to Yutaka. "That was cruel and inhuman!" Tony said. When the pout didn't stop he yelled and ruffled his hair. "CALL IT OFF!"

"It's okay Yu-chan, you can stop!" Tsuki appeared in the hall. Yutaka stopped and turned to see Tsuki.

"Did I do good?" She asked.

"Yep! Now we get ice cream!" Tsuki cheered.

"Just give me a few minutes." Tony said. Yutaka turned and faced Tony with Tsuki, both pouting simultaneously. He spun. "NO! Not gonna happen! I need a few minutes!" He shouted. He ran into his training room. He sighed and approached a wall. He placed a hand on it and reworded his teleportation spell, only changing it so that it wouldn't call whatever the seal was on to him anymore. The spell calling the wall to him wouldn't likely be beneficial to whatever situation he was in if he wasn't exactly full of energy at the time. He twisted his hand, causing an intricate circle of Kanji to appear on the wall, reading "Flash". He could feel it in his head, the thing he would stab at with energy to send him to the seal. He cracked his neck and left the room.

"You did great Yu-chan, you may have gotten better at it than me!" Tsuki said excitedly.

"Where did you learn it?" Yutaka asked.

"From my Aunt! She learned it over a long relationship!" Tsuki said.

"You guys ready?" Tony sighed.

"Yeah!" They both jumped up.

"I hope you two are buying. I won't really have any money until after the tournament, so I can't pay for this." Tony said.

"MUO!" Tsuki shouted. "I don't have any money! Yu-chan?" Tsuki asked. She looked in a daze for a moment. She shook her head.

"No, but this reminds me of something that I read in a story once!" Yutaka said.

"Which one?" Tony asked.

"Well... I didn't really read it... Minami read it to me when I was sick and she didn't really tell me the name... But it was a really sweet story and I really liked it!" Yutaka said.

"How will this get us ice cream?" Tsuki asked. Yutaka smiled.

"I'll explain on the way!" She grabbed Tsuki and Tony's hands and pulled them out of the house, an extremely rare, cousin and sister inherited catgrin on her face.

---

Luckier Channel

"Luckier~! Channel~!" Akira shouted. "Hiya Luckies~! I'm your navigator, Akira Kogami~!"

"And I'm the assistant, Minoru Shiraishi!"

"You're getting another part in the next chapter Minoru!" Akira shouted.

"Wait, what? When did that happen?" Minoru asked.

"Initially, Ac said no, but I said if you didn't get another part next chapter, then I'm walking!" Akira said. Minoru's jaw dropped.

She went out on that kind of a limb for me? What's going on with her lately? Minoru wondered. "So what did you get me?"

"Huh." Akira said curtly. Minoru jumped.

"W-what?" He asked.

"I risk my job for you and all you can say is "what did you get me"?" Akira asked. "How about a little thank you?"She asked.

"I thought it went without saying, I'm sorry." Minoru smiled. "Thank you so very much Akira." He bowed. She looked surprised for a moment, and covered it.

"It's fine, it isn't that big a part anyway." She looked at her nails, seemingly disinterested, though a small blush was on her cheeks.

*Music Tone*

"I guess that's all the time we have for today! I'll see you all next time! Bye nii~!" Akira chimed.

"..."

"So Akira, what was it, anyway?"

"Maybe I won't tell you. Maybe I'll just let you find out later."

"Oh come on Akira! Please?"

" ! Oh, alright..."

*End*

---

Aftersection

So, what did you think? I hated writing Sojiro's part, but I had to do it! Okay, guess I didn't. But still. Anyway, I'll get this out now! It's a few days late! See ya!