"It's good to have you back!" Chuko was in as chipper of a mood as Kurome had expected.
"Says you, chu! We just get back and what do we get? An extra shift- hrk!"
"Careful there." Chuko whistled out, merely watching with a content face as the little guy - really no shorter than her, but still - struggled to balance all the stock in his arms, which consisted of a pile of plastic game casings. "We just got that in, and all of it is fresh and recently found."
"Recently found as in 'bought off a sucker' or 'found' in someone's unlocked car?" And there was Linda asking the real questions that didn't at all surprise the shop owner, all the while sorting out a shelf that really didn't need sorting; Kurome wasn't going to complain, because sure as hell she wasn't going to get off her ass and do it - the register was her post, and so it would remain until otherwise.
"N-never you mind our method of acquisition!" The little miss took a moment to calm down, swallowing a deep breath before letting it back out. "And besides: you two have been engaging in criminal activities behind my back, so you don't get to claim my methods any less legal than your own; at least I operate within the confines of the law, so it isn't my fault that the police around here are willing to sell the goods of a towed car."
"You knew?!" Linda shook her head. "Wait, first off: the police are selling stolen stuff?!"
"Crime has to pay somehow; I'm just an innocent merchant who's being swindled into laundering stolen goods by corrupt law enforcement, woefully ignorant to their vile practices." Chuko really wanted to keep that 'legal' angle it seemed. "As for knowing of your 'side jobs': Zaeda and I have girl's nights often, so when she sends me a picture of her boyfriend's 'new goons' who are, in her own words, 'legitimately useful for once', I couldn't exactly overlook the three of you, chu."
"You're in cahoots with the Lerulians?" Linda was apparently the only one completely shocked by this revelation, and it showed as both Warechu and Kurome didn't seem fazed at all.
Warechu already kind of assumed his boss was up to some shady stuff based on how she always centered her actions and decisions around 'technically' legal ventures. Kurome assumed she was a crook right off the start solely on the fact that she couldn't possibly be stupid enough to not hear the word around town about a new trio of up and coming gang initiates; that, and her obsession with legality pretty much implied she was used to skirting the rules - heck, Chuko probably ran an underground market for all Kurome knew, and it wouldn't come as a shock either. As for when both parties began to suspect foul play, well...
"Never!" And of course, the mouse would deny it to her dying breath. "We're just close friends who bonded over a few scarce and not at all related to business meetings at a few choice cafes. We bonded over our mutually shared interest of proper conduct in the way of funds and employee management; soon enough we were sharing more personal interests such as the day to day."
"A-and you don't mind what we do?" Linda sounded hopeful, but she was asking the most pathetically poor timed questions.
"Mind? Of course I mind!" Chuko took a stance. "As a pure and law abiding citizen, it would be within my duty to report any and all criminal activities!" Linda paled for all of a split second, meanwhile both the rat and Kurome awaited the inevitable 'but'. "However, I have no such proof of any explicitly illegal activities, only a series of street rumors and a story from a close friend about how you helped her settle some personal issues in her life, all of which were wholesome and average."
"I-"
"Give it a rest, chu." The more accepting of the idiot pair suggested, and thus Kurome awarded the guy a point on her board for being able to read the room. "She's just glad she has all of us here today."
Kurome agreed with that whole-heartedly: Chuko was ecstatic. Earlier that morning after all of them had woken up and brushed their teeth; Sonya did an up close and personal check to ensure they never missed a spot; Linda had to brush again because she apparently never got the back good enough. They then ate the feast-prepared breakfast which consisted of fried ham and sunny-side eggs with two slices of buttered toast, followed up with sliced carrots and orange juice; Warechu approved of the new butler's cooking. After all that, they tried to figure out who was supposed to go in for the day's shift with Chuko, and after not being able to come to an agreement, the trio ultimately ended up just duking it out together as a whole team.
In reality, it was all due to Kurome herself not being able to stand the two bitching about who did this or that; she could handle a shift no problem, and dragging them along just lightened her own workload at that point - not that she needed it.
"I may have found myself in a heightened mood with full staff, yes, and I am quite grateful for it."
And that heightened mood would have to carry them throughout the entire shift. Internally, Kurome wasn't one to complain, but the day had been dreadfully slow, and she caught herself drifting off a few times already. With any luck things would pick up just the littlest bit... hopefully. Apparently however, Chuko seemed to finally care that she wasn't exactly doing much.
"Kurome: seeing as we don't have many customers right now, how about you come help me unload a few boxes in the back?"
"Right now?"
"Yes."
"Alright." Although a little lazy from sitting around, Kurome took a few seconds to stretch, knocking out the lingering desire to flop over for the time being. Beginning to follow the mouse, she tossed out a minor question. "What if somebody comes in though?"
"I'm sure those two can handle a single customer. You however are much stronger than both of them combined, and I need that strength to get some of the heavier crates off the top shelves."
"You can't lift them on their own? Why are they even up there then?"
"Because the delivery guy doesn't think."
"Fair enough."
Linda watched as the pair slipped into the back door, huffing to herself as she continued to stack shelves. She wasn't jealous of her roommate, not at all, but she'd be lying if she claimed to not be a little envious of the attention she'd gained from their boss. Chuko appeared more focused on Kurome for some reason, and Linda didn't know if she should be thankful for the amount of rest time it granted her, or angry over how the mouse never gave either Warechu or her nearly as much praise.
The hell am I thinking?
Chuko was gone for a bit now, meaning that she had time to actually give her arms a break. Standing up, she breathed out heavily and basked in the sterile air. Stacking was put on hold for a while; Linda liked this, she liked it a lot.
The ring of the door opening kind of soured the experience.
Oh come on!
Everything always picked up when there were less of them around. Linda refrained from grumbling aloud: couldn't let the customers hear that, otherwise a certain little miss sales-expert would have a fit. Swallowing her anger, she slipped on the practiced smile already worn past its prime, and stepped out to greet the buyers. This ended up being the worst decision she could have made, and Linda froze on the spot, staring right at the trio blankly talking with Warechu. That distraction was just enough for Linda to come to her senses and dip out of sight.
W-why are those gals here?!
"You haven't been stealing the stock, have you?" The brown haired woman accused, all the while Warechu crossed his little arms.
"And if I did, do you think I'd be stupid enough to admit it, chu?"
"Iffy, we shouldn't be accusing mister mouse already; we just got here."
"Totally, I mean like, give the little dude a chance yeah." Although a little rough around the edges, the red-head smiled excitedly; a perfect contrast to the nearly carbon copy standing with her.
"Now don't you start." Iffy turned to the blonde behind, the very woman of Warechu's dreams; who he had not missed walking in - as if anybody could ignore her beauty. "And you-" Her glare was stern, and it made the first of what seemed to be clones back up a little. "Don't go siding with people you don't know. Uzume, Compa, and I have dealt with this little rat before; he isn't worth your time."
"I-I mean..." His defender stumbled over her words a little, but Warechu appreciated the effort she gave to stand up for him; although he did so silently, completely oblivious to Linda who was trying to creep as far out of sight as possible. "He doesn't look like a bad guy."
"Sorry Uzi, but mister mouse really is a terrible person."
Once again Warechu felt the sting of having his heart ripped into pieces, but Compa's overly soft nature helped deafen the blow; that, and having heard her call him 'bad' dozens of times already allowed him plenty of practice with patching his feelings back up.
"No shot?" Uzi's eyes settled on him, pitifully might he add. "Damn, sorry little dude, I tried."
"Don't bother yourself kid: I'm used to this sort of thing. No matter how many times she berates me, I'll still love her, chu~"
"Love?" Uzi drew a brow, only for IF to pat her shoulder.
"Ignore him." Restraining her irritation, the wind walker of Gamindustri - IF's self proclaimed title, and yes, it is a little cringe - snapped her fingers repeatedly. "Hey, no drifting off you dirty thief."
"I'll have you know I'm perfectly straight now, chu." He spread his arms. "Isn't working here enough for you harlots?"
Linda twitched back, deciding it was best to stay calm as she watched. Unfortunately she bumped her head on the roof, which nearly had her tumble over and off her spot on the shelf. Nearly, however, wasn't good enough, and her cat-like grip kept her clung in place, and so she'd go another day unseen - or at least another few minutes. Maybe climbing up wasn't such a good idea, but people never looked up, so what better place to hide was there?
It's always those assholes who come to ruin my day! Can't I catch a break?!
The only saving grace to any of it was how Warechu seemed to be keeping them busy, which allowed Linda time to plan how she'd avoid all four of them. The guild agent and her stupid nurse were easy enough to sneak around, but the pair of knock-off Kurome's kind of had Linda stumped. They looked brighter than her goth roomie, but something about the less chipper of the pair unnerved Linda; there was this sense of uneasiness she got while looking at her, the very same feeling she got around the goddesses.
Warechu seemed too focused on the irritating pair to notice Kurome's copies.
The creaking of the back door drew Linda's eyes away from the scene, and even looked to perk the ears of the crew below. Looking over, Linda saw both Kurome and Chuko walk out, with the former carrying an open box filled with game cases. The boss pointed, and Kurome gave a slight nod before heading down one of the isles. Right across on the opposite isle, Chuko walked towards the front - probably to check on the rat.
Crap! If she sees me up here-
Chuko hated unprofessional behavior... at least in regards to treatment of the store and product; laying atop the upper shelves would definitely set her off. But if she hopped down, the others might see her... then again, the pair of Kuro-clones probably didn't know squat about her, and Kurome was wandering over to fill up the empty shelves below. Just standing around would have the boss lady call her out, no doubt drawing the attention of all four and inviting trouble... but if she were stacking with Kurome, then the only ones who'd realistically chance a look would be the scarlet sisters.
It was a stupid plan, yes, but it was better than nothing. Linda waited for just the right moment before she dropped down, not so much startling Kurome as she did befuddle her.
"You... Why were you up on the shelves?"
"Stocking the last game." Linda distinctively set her eyes on the box. "And~ you brought more; great."
"If you've got time to complain, then you've got time to stack."
"Now you're just sounding like her." Linda pointed out, only for the vixen to roll her eyes.
"Whatever. There's more in the back, so just go grab some-"
"I can get that later." Linda brushed off, taking a few games from the girl. "You're already here, so I might as well just help you with this."
"You just don't want to work, do you?"
"Why should one person work hard to get it done when two can do it faster?" Linda didn't exactly win the argument per say, but Kurome appeared to stop caring and just let her do her stuff, which was alright with her.
Meanwhile, right as the two started stacking, the group of four were in the midst of chatting with Chuko, who was giving a play by play of the new types of games in stock via the use of a catalog she'd drummed up over the past week. Uzi, Compa, and IF listened fine enough, but Uzume herself was having a bit of trouble caring. The past week had been stressful enough, with her worries starting to eclipse, which was why she'd gone out with Iffy and Compa; Uzi just so happened to meet them on the sidewalk, and so tagged along.
Nep means well... but I can't shake the feeling.
The larger of the Neptunes, and one of her best friends, had suggested that Uzume take a day off the hunt. Histy and Croire, as well as the four goddesses, were already looking into places related to the shrine where everything went down, and until they reached a breakthrough there was nothing that could be done to speed up the progress. Uzume wanted to help, but what could she do? That feeling of hollowness within... it never waivered once, and Uzume began to dwell on the inkling she'd had much earlier: and inkling that a certain foe had escaped.
Getting worked up over chance wouldn't help, no, but if Kurome did escape, then who knows what chaos she'd be plotting.
Uzume began to notice her vision was starting to lose focus, which was a sign she wasn't paying attention. In a bid to stay awake, she opted to take a peek around. Everything seemed normal, with nobody around but Chuko and Warechu... wait, no, that wasn't right. Looking back at a single aisle she spied a woman with green hair stocking the shelves.
Huh... so she's hired more help.
Uzume squinted this time, because for a moment she swore there was somebody else behind the employee, someone with... blue hair? The green one was blocking her, but there was definitely someone else stocking the shelves... and then the green one ducked. Uzume's heart stopped, and she rubbed her eyes furiously as she stammered in place.
Kurome!
Opening her eyes again, she saw that the woman was gone, and only the green one remained, who was still stocking away. Uzume had to pause, staring for a little bit, but not catching even a trace of the other woman who was there... or, was she? Uzume was about to take a step towards the aisle, but stilled herself, turning away again and back to the group still speaking with Chuko.
C-crap... Nep was right: I'm losing it.
Uzume hadn't experienced hallucinations since she'd met with Nepsy and Gearsy back in the Zero dimension for the first time. At that time she'd assumed they were monsters in disguise and attacked, only to clear everything up immediately after. Being alone for so long with nothing but the more innocent monsters to keep her company had rendered her incapable of thinking other humans or humanoids still existed.
"Hey." Uzume was pulled from those memories by Uzi, and her biggest fan bore a worrisome face. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I-I'm fine." It was a lie, but she wasn't about to out herself as crazy yet; one hallucination didn't make you wacko. "I'm just a little tired."
In response to that, Uzi scooched a little closer.
"Here, lean on me if you need to."
"I'm cool... but thanks."
As Uzume was questioning her sanity, Kurome wandered down a different aisle, this time with a different box of games. Linda thought she was just going to grab the last box for that area, but that was a little lie, and Kurome had left the entire box to her partner in favor of working on another section of the store. Two sets of hands meant faster work, but it also meant both sets could work independently.
You're not skimping out on me.
Linda wasn't going to be lazy on her watch... mostly because Kurome was bored as hell. Yeah, relaxing at the counter was fine, but doing nothing while standing was just exhausting; at least working would give her time off the counter justification. Setting the box down to begin, Kurome found herself freezing up as she looked ahead to the counter.
N-no way!
Uzume was there... she was right there standing at the counter... two of her. Seeing both Uzume side by side had the reverse-palette equivalent thawing rapidly, as well as boiling a little on the inside.
No... it's just those stupid fangirls again.
And once more her excitement had been dashed. Kurome was about to stack the shelves in her particular aisle, but seeing both fakes tempting her had stewed up some fury. Getting angry however wouldn't do any good, and she opted to just head back to help Linda; the girl's stupid comments would help ease the rage from her mind. It wasn't the fans' fault, it was just an unfortunate circumstance, and so Kurome decided not to hold it against them. Who knows: with any luck, those fangirls might be able to direct her to the real Uzume eventually. With this locked in her mind she stepped out on her way back to Linda.
Kurome did not go unnoticed however, as Uzi caught a glance of her, and curiously watched as the woman drew close, soon about to pass by the counter. She'd been about to call out, only to hear IF start questioning if the games in the catalog were actually worth as much as miss business mouse priced them, which the little dude behind the counter seemed to laugh at. Not wanting to bug them, she turned to Uzume...
However the girl had walked over towards the window, laying her head on the glass. Compa was by her side though, and Uzi caught a bit of what they were talking about.
"You've been stressed a lot lately, so it's perfectly normal to feel that way." The comforting seemed a bit dull however.
"I know that, but it feels like I'm losing my mind."
"You need to find something to help you relax." Compa began to pull the girl towards the door. "Some fresh air might help."
Uzi was at a bit of a loss on how to feel. She'd believed coming with the group would be fun, and allow her to get to know her hero a little more, but Uzume wasn't feeling good right now, and Uzi was starting to think she was being a bit of a burden on the girl. Turning back, the fan was about to excuse herself on the premise that leaving them alone might help ease Uzume's stress, as having a fan around might have contributed to that.
Seeing the blue Uzume pass them somewhat changed that idea.
Huh... I've never seen another fan before.
Uzume wasn't feeling well, and the others were distracted, but maybe she'd be able to speak with this new fan... and compliment her style; not many had the courage to spice up their cosplay, and the goth angle kind of worked, plus...
Uzi got this tingly feeling looking at her, the same feeling she got seeing Uzume for the first time, and that feeling drew her in.
"Hi." She tried, and upon seeing both the blue Uzume fan and the green haired girl look at her, she introduced herself.
"My name is Uzi, and it's nice to meet you."
"Yo." The green one presented, offering a slight peace symbol with one hand as the other stacked a shelf. "Linda's the name." She raised a brow. "You a fan of Kurome or something - nice color swap by the way."
"A-actually, I'm a fan of-"
"Uzume, right?" The blue one surprised her, and Uzi nodded. Linda raised a brow, but the blue one ignored her and continued. "Kurome's my name."
"Kurome..." Uzi played with the name in her mind a little; it kind of fit the girl's reverse Uzume style. "Cool. It's neat to find other fans with different styles of dress-up. Your goth get-up is totally awesome by the way."
"Thanks." Kurome looked unamused, but Uzi didn't let that get her down, as the next words the blue one spoke perked her ears up. "Pretty nice outfit you got there yourself. Most people can't pull off Uzume's look, but you're one of the few who do it well."
"T-thanks." She spit out, mentally berating herself for how questionable it sounded. This drew a laugh from Linda however, as she seemed to sense the apprehension in Uzi's voice.
"Try not to let Kurome get you down. She always sounds like there's a stick up her butt."
Kurome stared at her, and Uzi suppressed a giggle. They didn't seem so bad, in fact, they sounded kind of cool.
"Whatever." Kurome turned her eyes back on Uzi. "It's cool to meet and all, but I have to get the idiot here back to work; she's probably hoping you'll serve as an excuse to goof off."
Linda staggered at being called out, and Uzi twitched herself.
"Oh, okay, s-sorry for bothering you."
"It's fine." Kurome waved her off. "If you want to chat later, we're hold up at Icarus Suite. Just ask for us at the counter, and I'll make sure to have 'em point you our way."
"I-Icarus Suite..."
N-no way! B-but that's the most expensive place in the city!
"Is there a problem?" Kurome curled a brow, and Uzi did her best to erase her shock.
"N-no... it's just that: Icarus Suite is super crazy high-priced. How do you even afford it?" Her eyes widened. "W-wait. I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked.
"No worries." Kurome brushed it off. "I have a crazy rich friend who doesn't understand modesty."
"A-alright." Uzi was stunned, only to be ripped from that state by the shout of IF.
"Yo, Uzi! We're leaving, so come on!"
"Okay!" She called back, offering a final wave to the duo before her. "Sorry, but I've got to run."
"No problem." Linda answered with a smirk. "We'll catch you later."
"Y-yeah!"
And so, Uzi took off, fully adamant on accepting that proposal. Kurome however offered a slap to the back of Linda's head, and the girl complained vocally.
"What the hell?"
"Stop slacking off."
"You were slacking too!"
Kurome raised her hand, and Lind just rolled her eyes.
"Fine, sheesh." She started stacking shelves again. "Buzzkill."
Author's note.
...
Not exactly the nicest of cliff-hangers, but it works.
Again, I apologize for the long wait, but personally, I've found it a bit harder to write for this story. We're actually getting close to the end, and it's becoming hard to contain that excitement. This should act as encouragement, but it seems to do the opposite for me personally.
Don't worry though, I'll get out of this rut eventually.
I'll cut it here for now, I'm kind of tired.
See you later.