Chapter 55: Suzuran Gang: Extra Screen Time by warelander

''And that's how Raffina dealt with the bully gang this time! Isn't that amazing?!'' Amitie gushed into the camera of her laptop.

''Wow! Your school sure does sound wilder than ours.'' Pupuru listened intently on her side of the video chat. Gis, Lilica, and Viri were all huddled alongside her around her laptop.

''Eh, I'm sure you got some wild stuff at your school too.'' Silvana said from her own video chat window.

''Well, that Zeo guy I mentioned before can be a pain.'' Pupuru tried to think of something.

''I'd rather not be near Cliora when she fawns over Mr. Gigadis.'' Lilica added.

''That Puni girl and her talk about this curry god is a little weird.'' Gis mumbled.

''Lala chasing Camus around can be pretty wacky…and adorabllllle~'' Viri beamed, putting her hands on her cheeks in a dreamy fashion, unknowingly flapping her wings.

Everyone gave her a quick glance, but didn't comment on it.

''See, you got plenty of interesting stuff going on too.'' Silvana assured the Suzuran gang. "Thankfully nothing like an angel that single-handedly wrecked your school for a while."

The four friends nodded in silent agreement, though Pupuru's mood seemed to have sunk a little all of the sudden.

''What's the matter, Pupuru?'' Lilica took quick note of her friend's sudden change in disposition.

''Huh? Oh. I'm just bummed out that Arle couldn't come to chat. I don't hear from her as much as you two.'' She admitted to her two cousins.

Both looked equally sympathetic about it, aware of how true that was.

''She's just busy training for her track running. I'm sure she'd call you all the time if she could!'' Amitie assured her cousin in an optimistic manner.

''...Yeah.'' Silvana pretended to agree, swallowing the choice words she had about her twin sister.

Gis gave his friend a supportive pad on the shoulder. Not the first he heard of this.

''You can always call her later. Me n' Sig have been talking almost every day since we met last week.'' He explained.

Viri and Lilica gave nods of their own and Pupuru knew they all had a point.

She perked herself back up, trying to not drag the conversation down.

''You're right. It was just such a nice day. Us all together in Smile Curry. I want to do that again!''

''Kuuuuuu….''

From the back of the room, another voice entered the conversation, prompting everyone in the room to look behind. It belonged to a white, rabbit-like creature that sat on Viri's bed.

''Kuu.''

Kuu
Curry Consuming Kuubbit

''Oh Kuu. I know you would have loved to come along, but Smile Curry doesn't allow animals inside.'' Pupuru tried to reason with the grumpy-looking rabbit.

''Kuu.'' The little rabbit conceded, but still looked visibly not pleased.

''We know that feeling. It's hard taking Carbuncle anywhere too.'' Silvana also said in a miffed tone of voice.

''Arle does take him to school sometimes.'' Amitie added.

''Well yeah, but she has to hide him all the time. Not really worth it for the poor little guy.'' The only Nadja sibling in the call countered.

''I guess that's true.'' The blonde girl had to admit. She never even considered that.

''Not sure how much Kuu would like having to hide like that.'' Pupuru took a look behind to check on her mammal friend.

Kuu didn't give a vocal response, but his gesture gave a good idea that he had no interest in that kind of plan. He just wanted to eat and sleep.

Very relatable.

''That answers that.'' The one boy in the room dryly concluded.

''Anyways, don't worry too much, I'm sure Arle wi-'' Lilica, trying to be supportive, was cut off by the sudden sound of a voice nearing the room.

''Dearest Viri~ I'm home~''

''Ah, it's my uncle!'' Viri explained to the two Primp girls who lacked any context.

''Gonna hang up now, we'll talk again soon.'' Pupuru initiated the end of the call.

''Gladly!'' Amitie excitedly waved.

''Sounds good to me.'' Silvana smiled with a wave of her own.

Everyone exchanged quick goodbyes as the chat windows were closed off.

As if on cue, at this moment the source of said new voice entered the room. An adult devil man with silver hair and a pair of rather impressive-looking horns.

''Hello, my beloved niece! And you have your friends over, how wonderful~''

Gigadis
Insistent Health Supporter

The jovial man quickly embraced his niece, something she very happily returned.

''Hi uncle~'' Viri was visibly and audibly delighted to be with her caretaker.

''Hi/Hello, Mr. Gigadis.'' Pupuru and Lilica greeted in unison.

''Hey, Coach G.'' Gis greeted far more casually.

The pair of devils eventually parted, with Gigadis looking positively giddy.

''I don't want to interrupt you for long. I just want to let you know I won't be home for long. I got a new date!'' The older devil announced with a sense of pride and joy as if he had been proposed to just now.

The teens all looked at each other, not sure what to say.

''Think this one's the right one?'' Gis decided to be the one to speak up.

''I am more than certain! I know I said this the last eight times…or was it nine?...No matter, this is the right woman at last, I just know it!'' Gigadis declared, his sense of confidence so thick one couldn't cut it with a knife.

''Well, we wish you the best.'' Lilica encouraged him, a bit awkward about it, but genuinely trying to be supportive of her gym coach.

''This will be the big day for certain! Until then, I'll prepare some dinner for you. Does my darling Kuu want to join me?''

''Kuu!'' The white rabbit-like creature immediately gained a big boost of energy and jumped straight into its owner's arms. The promise of getting food out of something was not something he'd let slip by.

The duo left the room, with Gigadis carrying Kuu out like a boy with his most beloved plush toy, leaving the teens by themselves again.

''Think he'll make it past the first date this time?'' Gis asked, genuinely curious and not trying to be snarky.

''I hope so for him. Mr. Gigadis seems to try too hard, but he means well.'' Pupuru said sympathetically.

''He does.'' Viri agreed wistfully. ''I'm ssooooo lucky to have him as my uncle…''

Author's Notes:

WARE: A quick little chapter to catch up on the Suzuran gang and give them a little more time. We are gonna see plenty of them in a substantial manner going forward though. Things have only just begun.

HUSK: If there are names you don't reconize in this chapter, they are probably from Madou Monogatari/Sorcery Saga.