Guest (Hi) - Of course I'm finishing it. In fact here's the next chapter. I just have an irregular updating schedule.
JadeNoRyuu - Yes she was able to pick up so many languages because of her ability, it's also thanks to her parents, but that will be later explained as the story progresses. Thank you for the translation helps, when I have the time I'll go back and fix them. Honestly, I speak no Italian and just put everything in a translator.
RemaGeek - Not sure yet. If I can find a way to integrate Lotus then yes I will.
Snickering Fox - There names go with a theme that will be shown later in the story when their parents make an appearance. I also understand what you mean but I've got a chapter going up that makes her not seem that way. Judging mother in law huh...wait til Lotus's mother comes in.
MrsDragneel1203 - Thank's for the message. I don't always have the ability to reply to those.
This is Lotus
This is Saiki
This is Saiki and Lotus
~This is the thoughts of others~
The Little Shop of Ramen! - You Mean Little Shop of Horror, Right?
Walking down the street was a group of teens. Three boys one with pink hair, one with white, and lastly one with an odd sidecut with a yellow tuft on top.
"Hey, are we there yet?" Kaidou complained
"Somehow I'm stuck with these guys again."
"Oh!" A female voice gasped, "Fancy meeting you here Saiki." The ever-glowing Teruhashi spoke.
"Oh wow! Teruhashi!" Nendou and Kaidou gasped with pink cheeks.
"What are you doing today?" Teruhashi asked clearly addressing Saiki.
Even though her attention was solely focused on Saiki, Kaidou was the one who answered.
"Well Nendou said he knew of a good Ramen place around here, so he's taking us there now!" Kaidou quickly spoke in a frantic manner.
"Yeah we're gonna pig ou-I mean eat like gentlemen," Nendou said
"Oh Ramen sounds good. Do you guys mind if I invite myself to tag along with you?" Teruhashi asked giving some not so subtle glances to Saiki.
Saiki in return does his best to avoid eye contact.
"Oops," Teruhashi gave a wink. "I hope I'm not being too overly pushy."
The wink has no effect on Saiki but Nendou and Kaidou on the other hand. The two boys stuttered answering Teruhashi that it was fine for her to come.
"Seriously," Saiki said
As the new group of four walked, onlookers all started chatting about Teruhashi.
"I let my guard down. Teruhashi is my most formidable opponent. Normally Nendou just stands around with that stupid look on his face."
Nendou now had this strange, "I'm charming and handsome," look on his face. It was weird and a bit disturbing.
"Who even are you?" Saiki questioned, "And Kaidou's even worse."
"Hey, Kaidou?" Teruhashi asked
"Yes!?" Kaidou said
"Why do you always have those bandages on your hand?" Teruhashi asked
"Its to keep my powers under wraps," Kaidou said
"Uh, powers?" Teruhashi stated confused. "I'm sorry I don't understand what powers your referring to."
Kaidou started unwrapping his bandages giving Teruhashi a simple explanation.
"He's suddenly healed of his hero complex. Truly creepy but this is the reaction Teruhashi always elicits from people."
"~They're so excited. But it's only natural given that they're about to have a meal with me the cutest girl in the world. Then why is he acting so blase about it! Saiki, why don't you say oh wow! When you see me your reaction should always be oh wow!~" Teruhashi thought
"What does that even mean?"
"~There's no way my charms wouldn't work on a dork like him. He's always got that annoying far out look on his face and probably has a scary dark side, and an intriguing air of mystery with a piercing gaze.~" Teruhashi thought
"Hey is there something wrong?" Nendou asked as Teruhashi got this strange gaze on her face.
Teruhashi jumped slightly. "~Oh no my face gave me away. That's it.~" Now Teruhashi's faced changed showing determination. "~I'm making it my mission to turn up the charm to get him to say oh wow!~"
"Great I'm drawing her attention. I don't want her following me around but I don't want to give in and say oh wow either. Maybe-?"
"Yo Saiki!" A voice called out grabbing everyone's attention.
Nendou, Kaidou, even Teruhashi were thrown into a stunned silence as the owner of the voice approached Saiki.
It was Lotus but unlike her fellow classmates, she wasn't dressed in her school uniform.
"Fancy catching you in this area. I thought you'd be home by now, what brings you around here?" Lotus asked
"I was forced against my will and why are you dressed like that?" Saiki asked
"Oh, this?" Lotus gestured to her outfit. "Ethan was working on some outfits for a photo shoot around here, but one of the models who was supposed to come out got delayed so the director asked me to step in. Nothing big just more like an extra background person to fill in empty space."
Lotus was wearing a white corset-like top with ruffled straps, the top was cropped showing off her midriff. The top was paired with some maroon pants that tucked into a pair of white boots that had a slight heel. Her hair had been curled so it fell in perfect waves around her shoulders.
Various chatter could be heard going off around as passerbyers cast their gazes on Lotus, someone even pulled out their phone to snap a picture.
"You're drawing in way too much attention," Saiki said
Lotus chuckled rubbing the back of her head with a sweatdrop.
"Whoa!"
That's when Lotus finally noticed who else was standing in the vicinity.
"Oh hey guys," Lotus chuckled waving at starstruck Kaidou and Nendou, along with a stunned Teruhashi.
"Crap! I didn't even see them there!"
"Warrior Queen Lotus you look, you look-!" Nendou wasn't able to get the words out as he stuttered taking in Lotus's outfit.
"Amazing girl buddy!" Nendou gave Lotus two thumbs his face going back to normal. "I never knew you were a model, you're perfect for it."
Lotus gave a small laugh waving off the comment. "I don't really model, I just help out Ethan whenever his clients are in need of help." Lotus paused looking at Kaidou. "Hey, Kaidou your bandages are loose. Something happen? Did you get into a fight? I bet they were nothing against the Jet Black Wings huh?" Lotus smiled giving a thumbs up while winking.
Kaidou's eyes went wide as his cheeks got redder. "My bandages are only loose because of intense training."
"Well then keep up the good work," Lotus said
"R-Right nothing will defeat the Jet Black Wings!" Kaidou declared
"Those two are back to normal."
Saiki quickly figured out that while both Teruhashi and Lotus gain large amounts of attention, the way the two interacted with others garners different reactions. Those who interacted with Teruhashi often changed their behaviors trying to be perfect and charming to match with the perfect girl. Lotus, on the other hand, has the opposite effect that reassures people that they can act themselves that, that being perfect around Lotus meant being yourself. While Teruhashi seems out of reach, Lotus is right there holding out a helping hand. Both girls were perfect but in very different ways.
While Lotus conversed with Kaidou and Nendou, Teruhashi stood off to the side having an inner mini breakdown.
"~How is this happening?! She looks so stunning! She models, all perfect girls model! And Saiki was actually looking at her! Does he find her stunning too! *GASP* I bet he was thinking oh wow! When he saw her too!~" Teruhashi went on an inner rant brought on by the sudden arrival of Lotus.
"She's having an internal spaz attack because I showed up. I really don't wanna deal with that whole 'Rival' thing right now. Maybe if I sneak away quietly I can get away-"
Before Lotus could make her escape Nendou put a hand on her shoulder stopping her.
"Drat, thwarted by Nendou."
"Now you know how I feel."
"Hey, Lotus buddy wanna come get some Ramen with us?" Nendou asked
"Ramen?" Lotus thought
Lotus looked pleadingly to Saiki hoping he'd give her an escape but he looked away deflating her hopes. There was no way he was going to suffer around Teruhashi alone.
"Oh, we've arrived. Heres the Ramen shop," Nendou stated addressing Teruhashi. He was once again making that ridiculous face and the tone of his voice became huskier.
"What's up with Nendou's face and why is he talking like that? Even his manner of speech is off." Lotus thought
"Ignore the idiot," Saiki stated
"Great, sightseeing makes me hungry," Teruhashi said
Nendou pointed out the restaurant showing a dingy little shop, that looked like it should be abandoned. The tattered sign posted out front along with the crumbling structure didn't help with the shop's image.
Teruhashi's face went blank, her eyes dead. "Oh wow…." She stated voicing everyone's thoughts.
"~We aren't actually going in there are we!?~" Teruhashi internally cried
"I heard their Ramen's crazy," Nendou said
"~No! No way! I can't!~" Teruhashi screamed within her mind.
"My friend's cousin's ex-dog walker says it's good so it's gotta be good," Nendou explained
"~What is this like an urban legend or something?! I can't go in there! This is me we're talking about! I mean all the places they take me, it's this dump!~"
"That's the plan. She'll split before we go in. Because of that, she'll be less likable in their eyes, and they'll stop saying 'oh wow'. And once her pride is wounded Teruhashi will leave me alone."
"Saiki, always four steps ahead of everyone around him."
"~I'll tell them something urgent just came up~" Teruhashi quickly thought coming up with a plan to get out of this mess.
"Something urgent just-"
"Are you out of your mind man!" Kaidou shouted interrupting Teruhashi. "She's got class! There's no way she'd eat at a place like this! You don't really wanna eat in this rundown rathole, do you Teruhashi?"
Teruhashi's eyes go dead once again as her plan was stopped cold in its tracks.
"I'm okay with this place." She stated in a monotone fashion.
"Well ordinarily Saiki would be a few steps ahead of a normal person but this group is anything but that," Lotus thought
Teruhashi cursed her bad luck. "~I can't go home now. They'll think I'm stuck up and high maintenance.~"
"Kaidou why do you have to push her? But her commitment to playing the perfect woman is impressive."
"You can say that again." Lotus agreed
The small group entered the Ramen shop and it looked just as bad on the inside as it did on the outside. Lotus wouldn't have been surprised if Teruhashi fainted on the spot. The Pink haired girl herself wasn't feeling to keen on this place either, her optimism for this restaurant was slowly going down.
"~Of course there was no way that this place could have possibly been clean. What was I thinking.~" Teruhashi thought
"This is place is disgusting. You don't have to feel pressured to go in!" Kaidou said to Teruhashi.
"I'm fine!"
"~I'm not!~" Her thoughts the opposite of what she was speaking.
"~She's so cool she doesn't even look bothered. She's the perfect woman~" Kaidou thought
"~I'm the perfect woman. You're totally right!~" Teruhashi thought
"Okay, seriously though can she read minds. Her thoughts are so accurate it's scary." Lotus thought
"~I've spent 16 years carefully crafting the image of a perfect appearance and personality. I can't burst that bubble in front of him.~"
"Sounds like a lot of hard work, Teruhashi's constantly doing. It's much easier to just be yourself. Putting on a masquerade all the time sounds tiring, and how can one truly live if they gotta constantly change what they do in order to match the expectations set by others. I'd rather have 10 people like me for who I really am then have thousands worship a fake me." Lotus thought
Saiki cast a glance at Lotus her words sinking in.
Saiki's likeability meter for Lotus has just gone up.
"I wonder…" Lotus looked at Teruhashi. "If she really enjoys putting on the persona of the perfect girl or if she just really wants friends who know the real her?"
"~Besides I have to keep alive the dreams of the 7 billion people on earth!~"
"On second thought maybe she does enjoy it." Lotus thought
"Well there's no use standing around let's going," Lotus declared
"Whoa, Queen Lotus you actually wanna go in there too!?" Kaidou exclaimed
"The place is pretty rough on the outside but maybe it's like one of those hole in the wall places, that sells incredible food but isn't that well-known. I'm willing to try something at least once. Besides, if I get sick I've got great health insurance!" Lotus finished with a light-hearted joke.
Nendou and Kaidou laughed at the last part of Lotus's statement.
"~Warrior Queen Lotus is so awesome and brave! I bet there's nothing she fears. She's a strong woman!~" Kaidou thought
"Glad you wanna try it girl buddy!" Nendou said
"~This Is just great! Not only do I have to go into this place, but I'm also here with my greatest rival. Who just gave a perfect answer and made a cute joke! Look at how those two are fawning over her!~"
Lotus sweatdropped at Teruhashi's thoughts. "It's not like I made that joke to get attention. I was just trying to ease everyone's nerves not compete with you."
"Well at least with Lotus here Teruhashi's attention isn't solely directed towards me."
"You're so mean Saiki using me as a Teruhashi shield."
"But you make such a good shield."
Lotus's thoughts paused and she blinked. "Did...Did Saiki just make a joke?...And a funny one at that."
The easily five got a table taking their seats, which wasn't at all difficult since no one was in the restaurant.
"Yo mister manager five Ramen please!" Nendou called out raising a hand.
The manager stepped out from behind the counter, looking just as disheveled as the restaurant. The last time he showered was probably the last time he moped the restaurant's floor, and judging by the layer of dirt amongst other nasty things that littered the ground, that hasn't happened in quite some time.
"Five Ramen coming up."
"~Oh wow….~" Teruhashi thought looking at the man. "~That slob is the manager here. That disgusting monster is going to touch every tray I touch! He's gonna prepare our food!? No, it can't be, I bet he's just giving our orders to the first class chef in the kitchen.~" She thought trying to reassure herself.
"Quit dreaming."
"Here you go." The manager stated walking up with five bowls on a tray.
"That was far too quick." Lotus thought
"Yeah noodle time!" Nendou cheered
"Oh wow…." Was the collective thoughts of everyone as the bowls were placed in front of them.
The food looked nowhere near edible and gave off this pungent stench.
"I was severely wrong about the hole in the wall place with great food."
"Just what you'd expect from a place like this. There goes my plan to tank Teruhashi's. She can't eat this no one can."
Saiki was proven wrong when a slurping noise was heard. Everyone heads snapped at Teruhashi who was slurping noodles, her face getting sicker with each bite.
"~I have to eat it. They can't call me the perfect woman if I deny the food that's been served to me. I can't let down 7 billion people!~"
"I don't think you should be eating that!" Kaidou said
Lotus grabbed Teruhashi's hands forcing the girl to stop eating. "You're gonna get sick! You face is already turning pale!"
"Hey pops! Even pigs wouldn't eat this slop!" Nendou shouted
"~Teruhashi eats stuff like this?~" Kaidou thought
Both Nendou's and Kaidou's likability for Teruhashi went down a little.
As the five walked home Teruhashi stood in between Kaidou and Nendou, neither of the boys tripping over themselves for the girl like they were doing before. Lotus was walking a few steps ahead with Saiki.
"Perfect woman huh? You know if she'll go that far to play the perfect woman maybe she actually is perfect."
Lotus spotted Saiki's likability meter for Teruhashi and saw it go up.
"Man that thing was pretty low. I wonder what my likability meter for Saiki looks like?" Lotus thought
Teruhashi gave a small burp. "~I feel sick!~"
Lotus glanced over her shoulder just in time to see Teruhashi trip falling forward. With her quick reflexes, Lotus turned throwing her arms out catching Teruhashi before she could hit the ground. She adjusted the blue haired girl in her arms.
"She passed out," Lotus stated
"Whoa Queen Lotus, you moved so quick!" Kaidou said
"She's gonna need some rest. Up you go!" Lotus adjusted Teruhashi so she was now on her back. "I'll take her home. If she's really bad I'm sure her parents can take her to the doctor. I'll see you guys later."
With a sickly passed out Teruhashi on her back Lotus left.
"So cool!" Kaidou said
"Huh? Even though she's not that fond of Teruhashi, she still offered to take her home and make sure she was alright. Lotus is naturally a good helpful person."
Saiki's likability for Lotus has gone up.
"Okay, from the address on Teruhashi's school bag this should be her home."
Lotus stared up at a large house before ringing the doorbell.
"Coming!" A female voice sang out.
The door swung open revealing-
"Teruhashi!" Lotus exclaimed
"Huh?" The Teruhashi in front of her said confused
"Wait a moment…" Lotus looked to the Teruhashi in front of her than the one of her back. Staring a bit longer she noted that the Teruhashi in front of her was slightly older and her body was more matured.
"This must be Teruhashi's mother….or her older sister. I see where she gets her looks from."
"My apologies for the outburst. I was just taken back. I thought you were this Teruhashi here," Lotus gestured to Teruhashi passed out on her back.
The woman chuckled putting a hand on her cheek. "Oh my, being confused for Kokomi how nice. I'm glad my perfect looks were passed down to her." She stated with a hint of playfulness in her tone.
"Who's there dear?" A male voice called out.
A man stepped from around the corner walking over to Teruhashi's mother. Lotus stared at the man scrunching her brows.
"This man…."
When he finally noticed the string he chuckled. "Something wrong?" The man posed putting a hand on his chin. "I know my face is quite handsome, but I am a married man!" Teruhashi's father jokes
"Sorry, you just look like someone I've seen before," Lotus said
Mr. Teruhashi laughed as if he knew a joke that Lotus didn't. "Its funny you'd say that."
"Okay, that response was a little odd."
"Well sorry for the disruption but I bought Teruhashi home," Lotus said
"What happened to her?" Mr. Teruhashi asked concerned
"She had something to eat that didn't really agree with her. Hopefully, she won't need a trip to the doctors, but she'll definitely need some bed rest along with some medicine." Lotus stated
"How sweet carrying our little Kokomi home. You must be a good friend," Mrs. Teruhashi said
"And quite strong too. There aren't any dining establishments close to here, you must have carried Kokomi far. Here I'll take her." Mr. Teruhashi lifted his daughter off of Lotus's back holding the girl in his arms.
"Would you like to come in? I could make you some tea as thanks," Mrs. Teruhashi said
"Thank you for the offer but I have to be getting home. Tell Teruhashi I hope she gets better." Lotus gave a small bow which the parents return. She gives one last wave before leaving.
"I'll get her to bed." Mr. Teruhashi said
"I'll go grab a bucket just in case she gets sick." Mrs. Teruhashi said
"What...huh?" Teruhashi blinked as her eyes opened. "I'm...in my room?"
"Well hello, sleepy head."
"Mother?" Teruhashi questioned, "What happened?"
"You passed out from eating something bad. A friend brought you home." Mrs. Teruhashi said
"A friend?" Teruhashi asked
Mrs. Teruhashi nodded her head. "Yes, quite nice and that pink hair was quite eye-catching."
"~Pink hair! Does that mean….Saiki carried me home! He must be far too embarrassed to show any reaction to my perfectness while I'm conscious but while I fell ill he swept in like-!~" Teruhashi thought
"Such a strong young girl too, I can't believe how far she carried you." Mrs. Teruhashi said
"~She?!~"
"Did you just say she?" Teruhashi asked
"That's right a tall girl with pink hair carried you home." Mrs. Teruhashi said
Teruhashi gasped her image of Saiki taking her home instantly shattering.
"~My rival she carried me home?~"
"I didn't the girls name, but she seemed concerned about your well being. She said she hoped you got well soon." Mrs. Teruhashi said
"Really?" Teruhashi said
"~Ah! What a perfectly perfect thing to do! You may have won today my rival but I won't be beat just yet!~" Teruhashi declared
"Hello, I'm home!"
"Makoto welcome home!" Mr. Teruhashi spoke as his eldest entered the room.
"Where's Kokomi and Mother?" Makoto asked
"Your mother is up in Kokomi's room. The poor girl is sick most likely food poisoning," Mr. Teruhashi said
"Food poisoning?!" Makoto exclaimed
He was about to sprint out the room upstairs until his father spoke again.
"One of Kokomi's friends brought her home. Carried her all the way." Mr. Teruhashi said
"Carried her?" Makoto questioned the air around him getting darker.
"~It better not have been some filthy trash of a boy. That's the only way filth could even get close to Kokomi,~" Makoto thought
"Strong girl. I think Kokomi said her name was Lotus," Mr. Teruhashi said
Makoto froze his eyes going wide. He quickly digs into the pocket of the jacket he was wearing pulling a pink handkerchief. The name embroidered on it was Lotus.
"Dad did this girl have pink hair?" Makoto asked frantically
"Yeah, that's right. How'd you know?" Mr. Teruhashi asked
Makoto didn't answer but ended up sprinting back out the house leaving a confused father behind.
Meanwhile, upstairs Teruhashi and her mother watched as Makoto ran up and down the streets shouting like a madman.
"What's gotten into him?" Mrs. Teruhashi pondered
"~My brother is such a weirdo~"