She is My Master
Chapter 19
"Your step-mother is visiting?" Shizuru noted.
Natsuki sighed, "Mai told you, I guess?"
"I can neither confirm or deny that," she purred.
Natsuki sighed, "Yeah, I promise to try to keep her pout of your way."
"Ah really don't mind her visiting. And you and Mai can skip the uniforms and such," Shizuru added wryly.
"It's not that I'm embarassed but...," Natsuki shrugged eloquently.
Shizuru rather suspected she was, but wasn't going to say anything. "So her and you father are coming?" she checked.
"Actually just her and my half-sister. He's busy with work," Natsuki noted wryly.
"What's your step mother's name?" Shizuru asked curiously.
"Rebecca Sayers," Natsuki said.
Shizuru paused, "Sayers? The US Sayers family?"
"Yeah?" Natsuki nodded. "Why?"
Shizuru looked VERY amused. "You DO realize you've met her cousin, Rena Sayers?"
Natsuki blinked, "I hadn't realized... shit."
"Yeah, this is going to get interesting," Shizuru agreed. She wondered if Rena had told her cousin that she had been dressing up Natsuki...? She asked, "Do you know where Rebecca is going to be staying?"
"I don't know yet," Natsuki admitted.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So, we'll go out again Friday," Mai agreed as she and Mikoto met during lunch.
"Hmm," Mikoto was sharing a BIG lunch Mai had made them. "I think you're the best cook ever," she said sincerely.
Mai chuckled, "Thank you."
"Seriously. This is delicious!" Mikoto added energetically.
'Mom always said the way to someone's heart was through their stomach,' Mai noted, amused.
"Can you make us lunch tomorrow, too?" Mikoto asked tentatively.
"Of course," Mai agreed.
"You're the best!" Mikoto cheered then reached over the table to hug her.
"Eeep," Mai gasped as the girl squeezed.
"Down girl," Natsuki walked by, casually thumping Mikoto on the head.
"Ow!" Mikoto blurted, but let Mai go.
"No public displays in the cafeteria," Natsuki added, "you're giving people ideas."
Mai looked around and realized a LOT of students were looking at them. Natsuki kind of GLARED and most looked away, though.
"Oops." Mikoto looked sheepish, "Sorry."
Mai took her hand, "It's okay."
"GAWD THEY'RE CUTE," several viewers squealed.
Natsuki just ignored that. "WHY did you tell Shizuru my Step-mom was coming?" she asked Mai crossly.
"They might want to see where you're living," Mai pointed out reasonably, "Shizuru kind of needed to know."
"Yeah, yeah," Natsuki sighed.
"So is she a wicked stepmother?" Mikoto had to ask.
"Ha," Natsuki smiled wryly. "No, she's not that. It's... well, it's complicated. My dad cheated on my mom with her, but apparently she didn't know he was married."
"Eeek," Mai hadn't heard THAT before.
"Your dad is kind of a asshole," Mikoto noted innocently.
"Mikoto!" Mai scolded.
"Well, yes, he is," Natsuki conceded.
As they were finishing up their lunches Mai noted, "I kind of want to meet her, now..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The week went by as most weeks did. School happened, work happened, the Mai and Mikoto ship took off over the school...
"Wait, what?" Mai asked.
"I swear you two are the biggest topic of gossip right now," Chie Harada noted cheerfully as they talked in the back of Mr Wong's math class.
Mai groaned.
"There are photos everywhere," Aoi Senou added cheerfully.
Mai groaned again.
"I would LOVE you to do another public display of affection," Chie smirked. She continued, "Ideally somewhere I could film it and post on youtube."
"DIE," Mai groaned.
Both girls laughed.
"Ladies?" Sergei Wong sighed. "Can you answer the question on the board?"
Surprisingly, Aoi nailed it, making him give in with a sigh.
The second date with Mikoto went well. She went to Mikoto's home, met her brother/guardian Reito...
"I don't like pretty boys," Mai told Reito bluntly at one point.
"Oh," Reito blinked.
"Sorry," Mai shrugged.
Mai had brought over dinner, which Mikoto (and Reito) raved over. They then hung out in Mikoto's room.
Seizing the chance Mai changed to one of the skimpier maid outfits from Shizuru. It was a BIG hit...
"Ack! Your nose is bleeding!" Mai yelped.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Miss Sayers, hello," Natsuki said a bit nervously to her... Step-Aunt? Or something. They were both at the dinky Fuka airport, where they were waiting for the charter plane with Natsuki's Step-Mother and half sister.
"Just call me Rena, please," the older woman smiled. "You came with Shizuru to our shop once, right?" she remembered.
"Y.. yes," Natsuki admitted sheepishly.
"I wish my cousin had mentioned you," Rena mused. She added, "I knew she had married, but not all the details."
"It's okay," Natsuki shrugged a bit as she added, "I didn't really look too hard into my new step-family either."
Rena had been aware that Natsuki was distant from her step-mom, but not that it was this bad. Damn. Mind you, she knew the whole situation looked pretty bad from Natsuki's POV too.
"Well, I hope you'll know from now on that I'm family," Rena said after a moment, "and you can turn to me if needed."
Natsuki gave her a look that could be best described as 'dubious.'
Before they could continue, they saw the notice that the plane was coming in. "Come on," Rena said, "they should disembark soon."
A few minutes later a blonde woman and her attractive ten year old daughter finished customs, then headed into the waiting area. "Rena! Natsuki," the tall blond smiled, hugging Rena first.
"Big sister!" the little blond beamed up at Natsuki as she hugged her.
Natsuki stiffened uncomfortably, then made herself relax. "Hi Alyssa," she said.
Rebecca smiled a bit shyly at Natsuki, "Hello, Natsuki. Been awhile."
Rena winced at how awkward it all sounded.
Somewhat stiffly Natsuki nodded, "Hello, Step-Mother."
Rena stepped in as she said, "Elliot is outside with the car. We've arranged a nice hotel for you, downtown."
"Let us help with your luggage," Natsuki added.
"Thank you," Rebecca smiled.
Alyssa took Natsuki's hand as they walked, "You haven't called. Or emailed," the little girl pouted sweetly.
"I've been busy with school," Natsuki quickly answered.
"Still..." Alyssa pouted.
'HOW DOES SHE RESIST SUCH A CUTE KID?!' Rena found herself wondering. If Alyssa was pouting at HER she'd be wrapped around the kid's finger.
To be continued...