"Threw a vase at my head…" Though it had already been a day since the incident, Natsuki could not let go of the irritation that stemmed from it. "Who does that?"
Following what was most assuredly the hundredth time she asked that question, Natsuki found herself at home. Once she was inside, she was immediately confronted by her father.
"Papa? You're home early," she marveled.
"I know, and I was looking forward to enjoying that extra time, but apparently you're school won't give me that," Kaen groaned.
"My school?"
"Natsuki-chan!" It was at that moment that Natsuki had felt a deathly chill. She turned slowly towards the stairs, hoping as much as it was even possible to hope that the reality of the situation was really just her imagination. But the moment she laid eyes on her the one who called out to her, she knew that it was all real: Mali was in her home flashing her usual smile of innocence. "Long time no see, Natsuki-chan."
"…W-What are you doing here?" Natsuki asked, her voice trembling. This was perhaps the most tense situation in her life and how things would play out was in the hands of someone who revels in instigating trouble whenever she could.
Mali slightly cocked her head, a glint of interest in her eyes. "Don't you remember, Natsuki-chan? You were assigned to be my 2nd semester exam guide."
"What?"
"Oh, Natsuki-chan, you're so forgetful. Don't you remember the school stating that you have me overnight as you explain how to prevail over the pressures of the second exam. They say it can sometimes be scarier now that you have an idea of what high school exams are like. First-years can really have trouble with stuff like that."
"I guess…" Natsuki scratched her head, marveling how something could be both true and false at the same time. True for the people that were like me…
"So, now there's have another mouth to feed tonight… Great," Kaen complained as he wandered into another room. "Should never be more than two again…"
"Huh, I didn't peg him as the cooking type," Mali commented aloud.
Natsuki responded by tightly grasping Mali's left hand, quickly dragging her up the stairs and shoving her into her bedroom. She slammed the door shut behind her and shot a frightening glare at her 'guest'.
"What are you doing here!?" Natsuki raged.
"I told you; the program the school set up," Mali nonchalantly replied.
"You know what I mean!" Natsuki frantically whispered. "Forget the lie you told my dad; why are you really here!?"
"I also told you…" a bright smile spread across Mali's face as she approached Natsuki. "I would fill in for Senpai while he's sleeping."
"What does that have to do with you being here now?"
"Well, just because I promised to fill in for Senpai doesn't mean I have to use the same methods as him. Senpai has a lot of positives, but he also has a few flaws; one of them being that he's rather reactionary. Of course, it's not like he has time to be more active given his circumstances outside of a coma."
"Okay… But what does that have to do with you being here."
Mali giggled. "Oh, Natsuki-chan, you're so oblivious."
"Urk-!"
"By the way… will your mother be home tonight?"
"That's…" Natsuki shook her head. "No, she won't."
"That's too bad. I already see where you got you personality from; I wanted to see your visual template while I stayed over," Mali lamented.
"Wait, I never agreed to going along with your scheme."
"In that case, I guess I could just go downstairs and tell your dad I lied…"
"N-No! Don't do that!"
"Oh. You really want me to stay that much, Natsuki-chan?"
"No. But I don't need my dad thinking I'm connected to more lies."
"But aren't you lying by continuing the lie I perpetuated?"
Natsuki stepped forward, butting heads with Mali as she stared deeply into her eyes.
"…Sometimes, I really don't like you, Mali…" Natsuki said in the flattest tone she could manage.
"Oh, that's more positive of an opinion than I thought you had of me, Natsuki-chan. Anyway, shouldn't we get started?"
"Started with what?"
"Questions. Like why you have a drawing Senpai made you under your pillow."
"What?!" Natsuki jumped back in surprise. "Were you going through my room!?"
"No. It's sticking out right now." Mali joyfully pointed out.
"Eh!?" Natsuki quickly turned to her pillow, her face turning pale when she discovered that Mali was right. She wasted no time neatly sliding the drawing back under her pillow.
"You really want to hide your crush on Senpai, don't you?" Mali said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, sure…" Natsuki sighed, too drained to fire back. Suddenly, a startling realization had hit her. "You're sleeping in here, aren't you…?"
"Ah, you want me to sleep somewhere else?"
"No, it's better to be somewhere I can keep an eye on you at night."
"You're always so suspicious, Natsuki-chan."
"With good reason."
"Are you so suspicious that you won't even let me freshen up? I just got back from a snowy area fairly recently."
"Speaking of which, where have you been this whole time?" Natsuki questioned.
"Oh, did you miss me after all, Natsuki-chan?"
Natsuki shook her head.
"Mmm. Anyway, I was just out running a few errands the last few days," Mali answered.
"Out of town?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Wow, your parents must give their children a lot of freedom, huh?" Natsuki marveled.
"You could say that. Most assuredly the people legally bound to look after me really do allow me to do everything I want. Anyway, let me get to cleaning myself off before you question me further or else we'll be here all day."
Mali soon took her leave. The second she was out of sight, Natsuki pulled out her phone and immediately made a call. In moments, Monika's face appeared on screen.
"Hello?"
"Monika, I need your help."
"What's wrong, Natsuki?"
"Mali's in my house," Natsuki stressed. "Do I need to say anymore?"
The look of surprise that rested on Monika's face provided the answer to that question. "…What's going on over there, Natsuki?"
"I don't know. She suddenly showed up, made up some story and now she's staying here for the night."
"Wow… That's… I don't know how to classify Mali finishing what she was doing, coming back and effortlessly finding her way into your home in such a short amount of time. I guess if she was already finished when she called us…"
"Monika, you're missing the point! What am I going to do?"
"You're right; Sorry. Would you like me to come over to act as a buffer?"
"No! No, that would not help at all."
"Okay… Well… Telling the truth is out of the question too, right?"
Natsuki closed her fearful eyes and nodded her head.
"…I'm sorry, Natsuki. I don't really have any ideas that can help."
"Don't apologize. The only person who can kinda keep her from going crazy is comatose right now," Natsuki said with a sorrowful sigh. "I guess I'm just going to have to power through tonight."
"Yeah… Well, if you need anything, just call, okay?"
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
Ending the call, Natsuki heaved another heavy sigh. Though she appreciated Monika's gesture, she knew that she could never accept it.
"Wait…"
All of a sudden, Natsuki was filled with a sense of dread. She quickly checked the nearby bathroom, but Mali wasn't there.
"No…"
Natsuki rushed downstairs and peeked into the living room. To her horror, she found Mali had joined her father in watching TV.
No!
Seeing her worst fear unfold before her eyes had Natsuki paralyzed from head to toe.
"I have to admit I'm surprised, Kaen-san," Mali suddenly said. "I never pegged you for the croquet type."
"…Are you going to talk throughout the game?" Kaen grumbled.
"I just wanted to get to know about the guy who raised Natsuki-chan."
Miraculously, Natsuki felt all sensation return to her body. She rushed towards Mali, grabbed her by the hand again, pulled her out of the room and into the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" Natsuki snapped.
"Just getting to know you're papa, Natsuki-chan," Mali answered matter-of-factly.
"You stay away from him! The last thing either of us need is you being yourself around my dad."
"Why? Something you're hiding from me?"
"No, it's just that the only person who can legitimately stand you for more than a few moments is in a coma."
"That was rather blunt, Natsuki-chan."
"Aside from Shujinkou, you only listen to blunt, at the very best. Look, I don't know what your game is-"
"Really? It seems pretty obvious."
"Can you for once not try to make everyone mad on purpose?"
"You make it sound like it's my fault that people can't handle my words."
"Mali…"
"Natsuki-chan, I'm honor bound by my promise to Senpai. As such, I wouldn't dare to try and do something that would ultimately be detrimental to your person," Mali softly assured Natsuki.
"That does not fill me with confidence…"
"Well, would anything I say do that?"
"Good point," Natsuki relented.
"Really now, Natsuki-chan, don't you have other things to worry about then little ole me?"
"Like what?"
"Like keeping your papa happy? I think we both know that him being upset wouldn't be a good thing."
Natsuki's heart started to race after hearing that. Seemingly acknowledging this, Mali flashed her usual innocent smile and giggled.
"Get the food up and running while you're in there!" The two heard Kaen's voice echo throughout the house.
"On it!" Natsuki yelled back.
"Grocery shopper and and dinner maker… You're really helpful around the house, aren't you, Natsuki-chan," Mali noted.
"I told you before that it doesn't hurt to help out."
"But then again, you were told instead of volunteering and your papa isn't doing anything at the moment."
"He works hard. All parents do, don't they?"
"Hehe, that's a good one, Natsuki-chan."
Mali reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook. She then sat down and began flipping through it.
"What are you doing?" Natsuki asked.
"Preparing for exams. I have been gone from school for the last few days," Mali reminded her.
"Wow, I'm surprised. I didn't think you were serious about the exam part or just serious about anything school-related in general."
"What gave you that impression?"
"The fact that you had a I-don't-care-if-I-get-kicked-out-of-school attitude when we first met."
"Ah, that's right. Well, I have to take it seriously now if I want to remain with Senpai. Besides, how else will I be second ranked again?"
Mali's rather of fact response was like a stab in the gut. "Y-You were second-ranked?!"
"Of course. Didn't you notice my name after Monika's?" Mali pointed out.
"I really doubt anyone looks after or remember anyone after Monika…"
"Yeah… Who says second's the best? Maybe Senpai will be impressed with me if I strive for second again."
"Don't think you can beat Monika?"
"No, getting second's much harder than striving for first. Getting first is too easy as far as I'm aware."
"R-Right…" This new knowledge frightened Natsuki. She always considered Mali an evil genius, but the realization that "genius" was literal was bone-chilling. "…Why is it every time I learn something new about you, you become even scarier."
Mali looked up and smiled. "It means you have good sense, Natsuki-chan."
"…That has to be the nicest thing you ever said to me."
"I told you I promised Senpai that I'd be nicer to his friends."
As Mali continued to flip through her notebook, Natsuki decided to begin prepping for dinner.
"You ever imagine cooking for Senpai?" Mali suddenly asked.
"What are talking about? I've made things that he's ate."
"Sure, but that's for everyone. I'm talking about making something just for Senpai; something that he will forever love you for."
"Geez, I've already done that too, for a friend."
"Well, you should have the advantage there, shouldn't you? After all, you're the only one who has the ability to completely satisfy Senpai's sweet tooth."
"Hmph. Like that would work on him."
"That's true. Senpai's too innocent to be bribed like that. Besides, Senpai's potentials would only want to impress him, not bribe him."
"Can you not call us that while here?"
"Too embarrassing?"
"Among other reasons."
Mali paused and glanced over her shoulder.
"Hmm… Interesting," she said.
"What's interesting?"
"I'm just thinking how you could be Senpai's stay at home girlfriend."
"Eh!?" Natsuki's heart once again sped up, roughly pounding against her chest. "Where did that come from?"
"Couldn't you just imagine it? You greeting Senpai while wearing an apron and having food to entice him into the mood," Mali described in vivid detail.
Though she knew what she was doing, Natsuki couldn't calm herself down. All she could do was look away and shake her head in disbelief. "L-Like that would work on him…"
"Right, Senpai's innocence."
"Can we stop talking like I have a giant crush on Shujinkou already?"
"Sounded like you're a bit miffed that that scenario would be hard to come across. But what I don't understand is why you're so stubborn about being honest with your feelings for Senpai."
"I'm not stubborn and I don't feel that way about Shujinkou."
"Ah, I get it now."
"I think you're talking about something else."
"You're really getting to know me well, aren't you, Natsuki-chan?"
"It's kinda necessary to survive being around you."
"Ah, so you are in the right mindset," Mali noted.
"What do you mean?"
"It's obvious, don't you think?"
Natsuki groaned. "Can we please just change to a subject that doesn't involve Shujinkou or just you talking over my head? I'm getting kind of tired of asking you what things mean."
"Alright then," Mali agreed. "Let's talk about school. Isn't it so boring without Senpai around?"
"That involves Shujinkou…"
"But it's true, isn't it? Granted, I heard something interesting happened yesterday; someone threw a vase at your head?"
"Yeah, and for a really petty reason."
"People can be really petty at times, can't they?"
"You say that like you can't petty."
"Oh, I know I can be petty; my name is Malizia after all. Still, doesn't pettiness stem from feelings of loss and inadequacy? Those are things I don't feel much."
"Right, cause you're always on top of everyone, right?"
"Have to be, don't I? Isn't it the right mindset?"
"And that's why you have to stay on top of Shujinkou?"
"Natsuki-chan!" Mali quickly buried her face in her hands. "That's so…! Is the specifics of how Senpai and I spend our private, intimate moments really a public topic of discussion?"
"LIKE HELL YOU TWO HAD ANY INTIMATE MOMENTS!" Natsuki raged.
"Really, you don't think that given our personalities that I would naturally be on t-?"
"LIKE HELL YOU TWO WOULD EVER BE IN THAT SITUATION IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
"So scary when it comes to that topic, Natsuki-chan. Still, aren't you bringing up Senpai now? Is it possible that you still think I have some kind of plan against him?"
"I still think it's weird how you went from looking down on him to him suddenly being your precious Senpai."
"I thought I already explained how I felt to you."
"It still doesn't make any sense. Interest only goes so far and I'm not sure I buy him being the only thing you have."
"That's pretty funny coming from you, Natsuki-chan."
"How?"
"Haven't you felt that way about Senpai at first?"
"You're seriously trying this again?"
"He was your first real close friend, wasn't he?" Mali questioned.
"And he's that to you; your first friend?" Natsuki asked back.
"Senpai's my senpai."
"And you're the one who's been saying that there's a sacred bond between a senpai and their kōhai lately."
"There is. And it's actually easy for me to say that since I can be more open with my feelings in certain moments."
"I'm plenty open about my feelings towards others."
"Aside from rage, hardly. It always takes an effort just to show someone you think they're a good friend. Then again, I guess being friends with Senpai got you this far in the first place."
"Well, since we're talking about Shujinkou's effect on people, maybe you can tell me about his effect on you."
"Oh, Natsuki-chan, you want me to pour my heart out to you? I thought it freighted you to learn more about me."
"Doesn't stop you from dropping hints."
"Teehee, Natsuki-chan, I don't know why, of all people, you think I would still have it out for Senpai after everything. You really think I'm that evil?"
"You've admitted to trying to live up to your name, Mali."
"But everything I've done has been in service to Senpai, including helping him rescue his friends," Mali argued. "Doesn't that earn me any credibility?"
Natsuki crossed her arms, and gave Mali a slight shrug. "I guess a little. Still, that night really makes me wonder about you."
"Wonder how?"
"You were completely calm during everything that was happening and cheerfully threatened to set Akui on fire."
"He was threatening Senpai and his treasured friends; did you really think I wouldn't intervene?"
"That's not the point. Do you not like people that much that it's that easy to do that to someone?"
Mali didn't offer up a response. She playfully scratched her right cheek and flipped over another page of her notebook.
"So, you do remember that part, Natsuki-chan. It really impressed me that Senpai was able to deduce that. Most would just think I just need a friend to lighten up."
"So, you really have a thing with others?"
"Natsuki-chan… Do you really want to spend all day trying to dig into my character, because we both know I can keep you going around in circles for hours."
"I'm trying to figure out why you keep switching between drip-feeding info about yourself and hiding it."
"Oh, as much as I like to talk about myself with you, I'd really like to do it with Senpai first."
"Well, how do I know you won't try something like that with me or the others."
"Because I already told you, I want Senpai to wake up with no worries. If you want a more selfish reason to make it easier to believe me than its also because I don't want to do anything to jeopardize spending time with my Senpai."
Natsuki sighed.
"…Guess, I'll just have to bank on the fact that you did help in the whole Devil's Night thing. Actually… I didn't really think about it then, but why did you try and cheer me up back at the hospital?"
"Natsuki-chan remembers that too!" Mali gushed. "And I was wondering why you acted like I didn't do anything nice for you."
"Was that for Shujinkou too?"
"A little. But it was for other reasons too."
"Like?"
"Because you interest me a little, remember?"
"Still worries me…"
"Natsuki-chan… How about for once, you lower your guard and just enjoy the present moment."
"The moment I do that, you'll mentally and emotionally destroy me."
"How many times do I have to say it: I want Senpai to wake up problem-free. As a show of good faith… I promise to try and avoid what seems like personal attacks to your person too."
"Really?"
"Of course. In fact, maybe we can finally talk about school?"
It was easy to see that it was the only option to get Mali to live up to her promise. Natsuki thought back to where they left off on the subject. "…It hasn't really been boring without Shujinkou, just…a little emptier. It's just that feeling when everyone isn't together."
"Did you feel that way when I was missing?"
"…I don't think I should answer that."
"I understand. Still, what are you going to do when Senpai wakes up? Whatever the reason, you're not allowed to be near him anymore, right? Or are you expecting Senpai to magically save the day again when he wakes up?"
"What happened to nothing personal or no Shujinkou."
"It's not a personal attack; It's a genuine question. Won't you and Senpai return just to where you two left off before the orchestrated events of the night before Halloween?"
"Guess he'll just have to get used to me not being around for a little bit. It's not like I said it would be forever," Natsuki answered. "Besides, it's not like he'll be alone when he has so many amazing friends. I'm pretty sure he'll survive if I'm not around for a little bit."
"Natsuki-chan, we are talking about the same Senpai that valiantly tried to rescue you while getting brutalized by Akui, are we not? The Senpai who did that without the temporary superhuman strength? You really think that Senpai can survive one of his precious friends missing from his life?" Mali refuted.
"He'll have too..."
"Ah… Natsuki-chan's pretty resolute. Hehe."
"What's so funny?"
"I don't know. For some reason, for a moment, you reminded me of my older sister."
"The one you said was worse than you when you're actively being malicious?" It was very confusing, Natsuki was not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.
"Mm-hmm. Thinking about it, you two do have a protector thing to you," Mali further explained.
"That doesn't make any sense."
"Really, I thought Natsuki-chan always wanted the best for her friends and tries to keep them in line."
"Not that. You just said that your sister was pretty much a horrible person and now you're saying she looks out for people; those two things don't go together."
"I know. Only one way for that to happen, right, Natsuki-chan?"
"…Can we go back to school?"
"I don't know; that subject seems to keep leading to other subjects and lets face it: Senpai's at the forefront of our thoughts given his current situation. We'll probably relate anything back to him."
Natsuki paused to ponder that possibility.
"Exams?" she brought up.
"How he could possibly miss them."
"After exams?"
"How he could possibly miss that."
"The job fair."
"Are you insinuating that no one felt Senpai's presence being gone then?"
"Manga?"
"Are you insinuating you and Senpai didn't bond over manga?"
"Politics."
"Reason why third children were illegal in one of Senpai's favorite novel series along with being a key theme in one of his favorite video game franchises."
"Cooking?"
"Senpai really loves your sweets."
"Oh my gosh…" Everything that Mali had said aloud was exactly what Natsuki thought of. Why is she almost always right!?
"That's what happens when you're around someone who accepts all of you without question. They become an integral part of your life," Mali explained with a knowing smile. "Which brings us back to you staying away from Senpai for a little while; we already know how he'll feel, but it sounds like you'll feel the same way since you like him so much you can't stop thinking about him."
"More like I can't stop thinking about my friend who is in a coma."
Moments after her response, Kaen stepped into the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of watter out of the refrigerator and turned to leave until something in Mali's notebook caught his eye.
"What the hell is a 'Six-Sixty-Sixter'?" he asked.
"Funny you should mention Hell," Mali giggled. "Just something 'me' and myself thought up. Part of it involves demons."
"…You're a weird kid, aren't you?"
"Weird's subjective, Kaen-san, and subjectivity is in the eye of the beholder."
"Like your kid crushing on a little yellow sponge is just weird to me?"
"Papa!" Natsuki lowered her head in shame.
"I think fictional crushes are normal and an early indicator towards a child's sexual interests. For example, can you really say that you haven't had a crush on a fictional character in any medium, Kaen-san? Even if it's a celebrity crush, did you crush on them or the character they portrayed?"
"What's this have to do with me?"
"Just continuing the conversation. I know I've had crushes on fictional characters 'cause I knew they couldn't hurt me. If they were real, I could tell them anything, safely play with them and they could keep secrets; that last part is especially important to me given my upbringing."
"Knew a lot of people that couldn't keep their mouths shut?"
"Some of them were referred to as whistleblowers. I've heard they've gotten their mouths sewn shut."
There was only one person still in good spirits after that dark response.
"…You're a creepy kid, aren't you?" Kaen said.
"I've been called worse," Mali accepted. "Heck, it would be daily if people referred to me by my full name: Malizia."
"You really don't want to know what it means, Dad…" Natsuki mumbled under her breath.
"It's fine if you don't want to know it. I prefer Mali anyway, especially when a certain person calls me by it."
"Okay…" Kaen said before leaving.
"Speaking of names… Don't you find our silent companion's name interesting, Natsuki-chan?"
"Rei? It's not exactly an uncommon name."
"No, her unshortened name: Reizo; you do remember, don't you?"
"What about it?"
"You don't find anything interesting about it, at all?"
"Are you going to tell me or you just going to withhold it, saying that it's obvious and I should know?"
"I'm not trying to withhold anything. Honestly, this time, it's just a thought after hearing her say something to Senpai."
Natsuki dropped everything she was doing and approached her guest.
"You heard her talk!?" she gasped. "Rei actually said something to someone!?"
"Natsuki-chan, how insensitive. I'm sure you weren't sure whether Rei even had the ability to talk or not," Mali chastised with a smile.
"Uhm… So, she said something about her name?"
"No, just something she said while you were kidnapped got me thinking."
"Oh… Still, I guess I shouldn't be surprised Rei would break her silence to Shujinkou."
"Mm-hmm, it just makes Senpai so much more interesting, doesn't it? Frankly, it's interesting how he's so praised for something relatively simple: showing basic human decency. It's almost a lost art, isn't it?"
"It's more than that when it comes to him."
"It is, isn't it? Truthfully, my thoughts and feelings for Senpai have changed after such a short time. You could say the 'events' of this 'section' of our lives proved to be a real test of character for him. Though in some ways, you could say it was the same for a lot of us. Granted, I'm just going off of the experiences of another person."
"What about before any of that stuff happened? You were already calling him your one and only special person then?"
"I know. I guess you could say they've evolved since then."
"Hmm…" Without braking her gaze, Natsuki took a seat next to Mali.
"Something on your mind, Natsuki-chan?"
"Not really."
"Thinking if the others opinion's on Senpai had evolved too?"
"…If the others hold the same opinion on our Dummy, then I don't really think it could evolve that much just from recent events. I know for the fact Sayori couldn't hold a higher opinion on him than she already does. But that does make me wonder about Monika…"
"Afraid School Idol-san is in the lead suddenly?"
"Knock it off. I was just thinking that Monika seems a little more forward than before in general," Natsuki explained.
"Hmm… A brush with death and loss of a dear friend can change a person," Mali pointed out. "For all we know, she may confess to Senpai the minute he wakes up."
"That's not funny! Who'd make a confession to someone who just got out of a coma; that could actually send them back into one!"
"Getting a confession from our kind and beautiful and highly academic and able-bodied school idol would send them back into a coma?"
"That's…" Natsuki rested her head on the table, hoping it would prevent her from another rash outburst Mali could take advantage of.
"Sounds more like someone would end up putting themselves in a coma trying to convince themselves they were dreaming. But you know, with how the event that ended with Senpai's coma involved his most physically developed and demure potential, maybe she will end up spilling her heart out to Senapi."
That's actually a possibility… Natsuki admitted to herself.
"But like you said: who would do that to someone who just woke up from a coma? The emotional baggage put on Senpai would be too much."
"Y-Yeah…"
"You look so down, Natsuki-chan? Don't tell me you think you're inadequate for Senpai."
"For the last time, I don't think of Shujinkou that way."
"But if you did, would you?"
"You know, I always hear you talking about everyone's feelings for Shujinkou, but what about you? He seems to be on your mind all the time."
"Of course, he is. He's my Senpai. Haven't we already covered that a few times?"
"Yeah, but serioiusly, what is he to you really? You say he's your precious Senpai, but I don't think you two ever spent a meaningful moment together. You keep him at arm's length and watch him like he's playing out some script in your head. Don't you think that's weird?"
"How so?"
"You really don't think it's weird that the only thing you say is meaningful in your life is Shujinkou and yet you barely have a real connection to him beyond him accepting you being a part of his life."
Mali didn't offer a response. She simply stared at Natsuki as if she was confused.
"Don't you think it's weird? Do you think of him as a friend or is he just precioius to you because he interests you for the time being."
Mali still didn't utter a word.
"Does it actually scare you to think you have the chance to form a positive relationship with someone who wouldn't mind that?"
"Natsuki-chan…" a large smile stretched across Mali's face. "What's with you all of a sudden; you actually sound like you're concerned about me?"
Natsuki shrugged. "Just asking."
"What is weird is how you want me to be straight with my feelings about Senpai even though you won't be straight with your own. You are right though, I guess I do keep switching things to Senpai myself too. Surely, Natsuki-chan would want to talk about something else, like how you spend your time after school."
"Not really. What I do at school is what I do at home."
"Really, that's all? Don't you ever do something fun with your parents?"
"…Not really. They're usually too busy."
"Really? Shouldn't that mean they should spend as much time with you when they're free? Take your father for example: you could spend time with him right now, while the food's settled."
"Spend time…"
Natsuki closed her eyes. Hisa's words filled her mind mind accompanied by the memories of times she spent with Hiro.
I would like that…
Natsuki crossed her arms in a huff. "Fine, but if that's the case then you're coming with me."
"Eh? But you flat out told me to stay away from your papa not too long ago.
"Maybe, but I also don't really want to leave you alone in my house for long. Just one thing: Don't mention Shujinkou in front of him."
"Wow, your papa must really not like the idea of you being with someone. Kind of antithetical to what your papa must desire."
"I'm not even going to address that one."
"You aren't?"
"Not in the mood to get caught in that circle conversation. Let's go."
Natsuki grabbed Mali's hand and led her to the living room. Before she could think of anything to justify their sudden presence, Mali had already sat down and got to work.
"Who's winning, Kaen-san?" she asked.
"…What are you doing in here?" the annoyance in his voice was as clear as day.
"Well, the fact of the matter is, part of my assignment is to view Natsuki-chan in her natural environment and naturally, you're a part of that."
"So, you're just going to watch me?"
"I need to watch you and your daughter act natural."
Kaen glanced at Natsuki. "Your school's really starting to get on my nerves now…"
"S-Sorry."
"Don't be, Natsuki-chan; schools are like that. Anyway, come join us."
Natsuki nodded her head and took a seat.
"So… Why are you home so early, Papa?" she asked.
"I was sent home early."
"Why?" Mali questioned further.
"Can't tell you. They made me sign an NDA," Kaen answered.
"You know, one day, all NDAs will eventually require the signer to not even mention they signed an NDA. A lot of them already do with so many legal synonyms and jargon."
"Are you saying I'm a liable whistleblower?"
"No, she isn't saying that at all, Papa!" Natsuki shrieked.
"Of course, I just assumed Natsuki-Chan never got you to sign one," Mali added.
Natsuki trembled as she felt her soul desperately trying to escape from it's vessel.
"Hmm. They must be letting anyone in your school nowadays," Kaen muttered under his breath.
"Well, it's not like that school was my first choice," Mali shifted her gaze to Natsuki. "There were others I could have went to."
"What made you choose ours?" she asked.
"A lot of reasons. Though turning down one of them was pretty entertaining given how apparently 'hard' it was to get in."
"Really trying to brag about your brains suddenly, huh?"
"At least she has something to brag about," Kaen grumbled.
Her gaze still fixed on Natsuki; Mali took note of her hosts expression. "Besides, I bragged about it a lot. Don't you remember the week preceding our first meeting?"
"That was you 'bragging'?"
"More so a little personal flexing. But you have something to brag about too, don't you, Natsuki-chan? After all, your sweets are top-notch, aren't they and you can clearly take a lot of physical punishment."
The was a moment of silence after that.
"Could you imagine a walking nuclear tank?" Mali suddenly asked.
"What?" Kaen turned towards Mali, as if he had heard the most egregious pairing of words possible.
"Think about it. A weapon that's effectively a giant battle robot with the ability to launch a nuke from any terrain. Can you imagine how scary that would be?"
"Sounds made up."
"It is. It's a Metal Gear," Natsuki chimed in.
"Metal gear?"
"It's just a recurring threat in the franchise of the same name."
"Oh, more things from your dumb fantasy stuff."
"It's not really my thing and it's more political thriller with a little sci-fi," Natsuki fretted, scratching her right cheek. "That's where the walking tank comes in."
"It's still fantasy considering something like that could never happen," Kaen argued.
"Good thing. Those things would be scary if they're real… And Peace Walker was a pain to destroy all three times… Counting just the times I won…"
"Peace Walker? One of those tanks that fires nukes is called Peace Walker?"
"I didn't name it, granted the context makes it make sense in the eyes of the villain."
"What kind of a person names their weapon of mass destruction, Peace Walker?"
Natsuki once again scratched her right cheek timidly. "…H-Hot Coldman?"
"Someone named Hot Coldman named his weapon, Peace Walker. …How do you put up with that crap?"
"Like I said, it's not my franchise."
Mali glanced up at Kaen, imagining the gears turning in his head.
"…It's that kid's interest, isn't it?" he fumed.
"Well…"
"Actually, it's Student President-san's interest," Mali interjected.
"Your student president enjoys stuff like that?"
"Maybe you should give it a try, after all, you're talking a lot like the various Snakes right now."
Oh boy… Natsuki hoped that dig flew over her father's head.
"I don't think I want to be anywhere near something related to something called, Hot Coldman." Kaen stated flatly.
"It does sound dumb without context," Natsuki accepted.
"No, it just sounds dumb in general. It sounds as dumb a lot of the stuff you like."
"Y-Yeah…"
Suddenly, Natsuki felt a hand grasp her own. Following that, Mali pulled her up and back into the kitchen.
"What are you doing?"
"That was just painful, Natsuki-chan. You were not going to get a nice moment at the rate everything was going."
"That's… not true…"
"Really, Natsuki-chan, is your tough exterior just a cover for low self-esteem or something?"
"What happened to no personal attacks?"
"It's just a question. I haven't been here for long and so far your father has taken several digs into you and your interests."
"They're… They're just his opinions."
"Even so, shouldn't he keep comments like that to himself? I mean, you pretty say that to me all the time."
"Parents usually do want their kids to grow up to be the best they can be, so naturally they have to share their thoughts for that. I mean, your parents do that, right?"
Mali giggled as she plopped back down in her seat. She leaned back and playfully balanced herself back and forth.
"My legally bound caretakers definitely gave me their opinions, but I never really cared to listen to them. Really, my father spouted all his opinions all the time. My mother was a little less with her opinions and quiet and demure when father wasn't looking, but she was very opinionated herself too. Point is, I don't really care for any of their opinions."
Natsuki shook her head in disbelief and sighed. "I don't think you really care about anyone's opinions…"
"Guilty as charged, but you do, don't you? Almost as if you need some form of validation."
"Like I need anyone's opinion."
"But didn't you just say that you need the helpful opinion of your father?"
Natsuki gritted her teeth. Really hate it when she does that.
"Really now, Natsuki-chan, your father busts into our school with clear intent to hurt Senpai, read your personal information, you can't see Senpai anymore and now this; do you know what your friends would think if they were here?"
"Look, all of that doesn't mean-"
"Lifted Senpai up and slammed him into a wall."
"That's-"
"Slammed Senpai into a wall looking as if he was about to slug him more than once."
"Yes, he did that, but-"
"Charged into a school with intent to harm a student and would have dragged another out kicking and screaming if she didn't want abide by his command."
"…You're just going to repeat that part, aren't you?"
"In multiple ways until you realize how that sounds from every angle. Plus…" Mali loudly smacked Natsuki's left shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for!?" Natsuki cried.
"That cut must be relatively fresh and deep, huh? How'd you get it?"
Natsuki was stunned. Did someone tell Mali about her injury.
"I fell and there was a branch."
"Hm…" Mali approached Natsuki and quickly rolled up her sleeve.
"What're you-?"
Mali removed the bandaging and examined the healing wound.
"Given the angle and shape, it looks like you fell backwards, Natsuki-chan."
"You can tell that from the wound?"
"Of course, like how doctors and detectives examine injuries to discover the cause. The entry point is easy to figure out and then you just follow the line till the exit. But what were you doing to fall backwards outside?"
"I just wasn't paying attention."
"Natsuki-chan, unless you were sitting in a tree, you'll need to be a little more specific."
"Why do I need to be more specific with you? You hardly ever explain the million confusing things you say."
"Hmm… Natsuki-Chan, you do realize that you're terrible at hiding what you want to hide, right?"
"What're you talking about? I'm not trying to hide anything."
"Ah, did I say that last part out loud?" Mali whistled a little tune as she unfurled Natsuki's sleeve. "Then again, maybe it's just that right now your papa is just in a bad mood that he got sent home early."
"He does seem really annoyed," Natsuki agreed. "Whatever got him sent home today must have really been bad."
"Hmm… So, your papa's scary when he's in a bad mood."
"Aren't all father's like that?"
"Isn't that the truth. Then again, I can't see Senpai's father lashing out in any way; he seems a little emotionally stagnant. Really makes you see what his mother saw in him."
"Right…"
Mali suddenly pressed her index finger against Natsuki's lips. After a moment, she pulled it away and drew a heart shape in the air.
"Ah, but women in love aren't exactly known to be the brightest right? Love is so blinding that may be why guys have evolved to be oblivious to it. Women chastise them for it, but when you think about it, it keeps them from being blinded in so many aspects when we're all already blinded to so many things."
"Are you saying love is a bad thing? Then again, I guess someone trying to live up to their name would be opposed to the direct opposite of it."
"I never said I was opposed to it, I'm just pointing out the often overlooked downsides of love. For example, your love for Senpai has blinded you to the potential consequences that may lie in your immediate future."
"Why do you keep saying I'm in love with Shujinkou? It's getting annoying," Natsuki complained.
"You have a point, maybe love is an exaggeration," Mali playfully scratched her right cheek, until a look of surprise fell on her face. "But then again, Natsuki-chan… Do you love Senpai?"
"Wha-!? What did I just sa-!"
"I've always said that you and the others are hopelessly fond of Senpai, but I've never really questioned the depths of your feelings for real, have I. I know for sure one's feelings regarding Senpai, but I'm really curious; do you love Senpai, Natsuki-chan?"
"Love…?" Natsuki's lips trembled. "Wait, why are you making such a big deal about that; I love him as much as I love the rest of our friends.
"Oh, I'm sure you genuinely love your friends, including Senpai, but that's not what I mean. I'm asking if you love Senpai. I'm asking if he's you're one and only."
Wh-Why would I love that dummy? I mean, sure he just literally saved me from becoming part of some pavement-"
"While getting stabbed multiple times in the process while weakly crying your name."
"-That too, but there are so many things about him that are unflattering. He's indecisive, he can be really oblivious to what's going on like any dummy would be, he accepts taking a lot more crap than he deserves, he's so reactionary, he can hardly ever think to do things that make him happy first… need I go on?"
"Please do."
"Well, he always draws during meetings about literature, he lets others lead him around by the nose, he pretty much lets everyone get away with everything they do to him, etc. etc."
"Hmm, so what you're saying is: Senpai deeply thinks things through, though over the set time limit sometimes, he doesn't catch on to what happens around him because he doesn't dig too deeply into things, he's patient and strong enough to handle all the bad things thrown his way, he observes a situation before diving in, he always thinks of others first, he openly enjoys one of his favorite hobbies in front of his friends and he always forgives his friends for whatever they may do to him."
"Wha-?! Why are you turning my words around like that?!" Natsuki caterwauled.
"Don't get me wrong, Natsuki-chan, some of the things you've said are real flaws Senpai has to work on, after all, innocence isn't perfection. That said, you've clearly just tried to put a negative spin on his positive qualities to pad out your list."
"It's not like I have it in me to completely trash talk my friends in the way you wanted."
"I didn't ask you for the examples. You just started firing them off in an attempt to dissuade me from bothering to ask my initial question. I'm getting the feeling that you're avoiding it; the very important question that you have to face: Do you love Senpai?"
Natsuki blushed profusely as those words entered her head for a third time.
Love…?