On 17th November, 6:50 AM.

It is a normal and peaceful day upon the Hibiki Household, Kira and Cagalli are currently found having breakfast at the dining table as Tsukuyomi and her maid subordinates cooked them a simple morning dishes of rice, takuan, tamagoyaki, chicken Karaage, and green tea.

"never thought we would have a normal and peaceful day…" Cagalli said while in the middle of munching down a piece of her chicken karaage.

"yeah…it's kinda weird." Kira said as he glances at Tsukuyomi who is just cleaning the used cooking utensils in the kitchen with her subordinates. "I didn't even find Meiya at all today."

"what? You wanted her to feel you up with her breasts like the old times?" Cagalli said with a peeved eye stare to her brother who flinched to it. "or is it that you missed screaming like a little girl every morning?"

"n-not that! It's just concerning that she's not here!" Kira cried out in his defense. "did you forget that every time Meiya is gone, she would do something crazy, remember!?"

Cagalli thought about it as she glanced up to an imagination bubble of hers that shows all the crazy things that had happened after the two got into their current world. When thinking carefully, all the crazy stuff would also just be a headache for the twins.

"when you put it that way…" Cagalli's eyebrows twitched as she remembered how stressed she was after getting so many people asking her to be the middle man in talking with the Mitsurugi Zaibatsu people. "it is damn too concerning to have a day that she doesn't make an appearance."

"see?" Kira said before seeing Tsukuyomi come with a teapot that she uses to refill his emptied tea cup. Very curious as to where the navy haired teen had gone to, he asked her trusted maid. "Tsukuyomi-san, where is Meiya today?"

"Meiya-sama is currently busy with work in her company today, Kira-sama." Tsukuyomi replied as she refills his tea cup before Cagalli's. she then smiles and asks. "would you like me to connect a call if you wish to speak to her today?"

"uh..no, I don't think so." Kira replied. "if she's busy with work, I shouldn't bother her too much."

"I see. Very well" Tsukuyomi said while nodding her head. "if you ever wish to talk to her, I shall connect a call at once."

"if she's busy with her work, what about school today?" Cagalli asks.

"of course, she will be absent but her studies shall not be hindered." Tsukuyomi said before her three subordinate maids appear and held up books along with various recording items. "for I shall ensure that all of today's school work is recorded and analyzed for her."

"oh, right…" Kira and Cagalli sweatdropped, both feeling foolish to ask such a question.

About a few minutes later, Kira and Cagalli are riding a limo to school as this limo is owned by Lacus' company. The luxurious vehicle glides through the streets, its interior lined with sleek leather seats and tinted windows that offer a view of the city's skyline. The soft hum of the engine is almost soothing, but the atmosphere inside the limo is lively, with the group chatting away. Most of the conversation revolves around the absence of Meiya, and the usual shenanigans that tend to happen between her and the pink diva, Lacus.

"She didn't show up today?" Lacus asks, her voice carrying a note of mild curiosity as she sits close to Kira, her fingers gently brushing against his arm. "Not even during breakfast?" Lacus' light pink hair sways as she leans in a bit, her eyes sparkling with interest. "not even when you wake up?"

"Not at all." Kira shakes his head, a frown briefly crossing his face as he cups his chin. "Now that I think about it, she did leave the night before."

Cagalli, sitting across from them, arches an eyebrow, folding her arms. "What for?" she asks, her tone half curious, half skeptical. "Her company's business stuff?"

"No, it's more like she went out to get something with a list in her hand." Kira's gaze drifts toward the window, a brief flashback surfacing in his mind. He remembers watching Meiya at the front door, exchanging a few words with Tsukuyomi as she hurriedly put on her shoes. The look on her face had been determined, almost secretive. "I wonder if she planned to go for late-night shopping or something."

"Even girls don't shop that late, you know?" Cagalli counters, her raised eyebrow accompanied by a teasing smirk. Her sarcasm is lighthearted, but there's a hint of genuine concern behind it.

Kira shrugs, though a part of him begins to wonder about Meiya's odd departure. What could have been so important that she left in such a rush?

The conversation takes a slight pause as the limo cruises through a busy intersection, the city bathed in morning light. Skyscrapers tower over them, and pedestrians bustle along the sidewalks, but inside the limo, the world feels distant, like a bubble of their own.

"Well, the matter of her being gone can be worried about for a later time," Lacus says, breaking the contemplative silence. Her voice is smooth, almost melodic, as she gracefully dismisses the subject of Meiya. She leans closer to Kira, her presence warm and affectionate. A small smile tugs at her lips as she glances up at him. "After all, I get to have a day with Kira, and she won't be around to bother us at all." There's a glint of playfulness in her eyes as she softly suggests, "Wanna go on a date today?"

Kira's expression stiffens slightly, his posture becoming a bit more awkward as Lacus moves in even closer. Her intentions are clear, and while Kira genuinely cares for her, he still hasn't quite adjusted to her possessive affection. He chuckles awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks faintly flushed. "O-Okay…"

Cagalli, who's been quietly watching the exchange, rolls her eyes. She leans forward slightly, her voice cutting through the air with a hint of impatience. "You know, you two could be a little less obvious about your flirting."

Lacus, unbothered, giggles softly while giving Cagalli a sidelong glance. "Oh, don't be jealous, Cagalli. There's always room for you to join us."

Cagalli narrows her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Hard pass."

Lacus simply laughs, her melodic voice filling the limo as the vehicle continues its smooth ride toward their high school. The tension between Kira and Lacus fades into the background as they pass familiar landmarks, the tall gates of the school coming into view.

An hour later, at Hakuryou High School.

Kira is found sitting at his desk and currently focused on learning his class' session of Yuuko's physics. The teacher holding her personal note book while standing in front of the chalkboard that has a written formula of her experienced study.

"the Diffraction of Light talks on how the element of light would bend, distort, flutter, and etc when consistently be changed with the surrounding area." Yuuko spoke out as she teaches the class of today's topic in hand. "let's say a person wearing glasses had lost them and yet could see and read via the use of making a small hole with three fingers so that the light can only pass through that little hole; this actually helps in diffracting the light in order to…"

Yuuko continues her lesson as her students listened to her teachings.

Kira is writing the notes and listening to Yuuko's lesson, the young man focused on hearing and writing the physics stuff that he already knows about. While he was doing so, he couldn't help but feel a bit off since Meiya who was usually sitting beside him; isn't present in her seat.

'can't help but feel a bit off with an empty seat beside me…' Kira thought as he took a quick glance to the empty seat beside him before back to his notes. 'maybe she finally understood that she has the wrong person and moved on? Or is it something else?'

"I want Hibiki-kun to tell me what are the ways to diffract light the best." Yuuko called out as Kira looks up to see her looking at him. "tell me on what you know about light diffraction and what reason it could actually occur." She then takes out a piece of chalk and taps it to the chalkboard. "get to it."

"yes." Kira said before he gets off his seat and walks to the front of the class to take the piece of chalk and started writing. "the first way would be…"

Kira begins to speak about the lesson's topics as everyone listened in to him. But unknown to them all, the whole session was actually being recorded by Tsukuyomi with the use of a spy camera and the maid being on the school's rooftop with a bunch of tech gizmo.

"I wonder if Kira-sama has a dream to become a professor?" Tsukuyomi thought out loud as she watched a live video recording of Kira talking about the lesson's topic and even debating with Yuuko about it.

About 30 minutes later, the school bell soon rang for the break as teachers and students exited their classrooms and began crowding in the hallway.

Back in the classroom 3-B, Kira placed his books away before getting up and then got his right arm hugged closed by Lacus who carries a cloth wrapped bento box that is for her and him to share.

"let's go." Lacus said with a smile and Kira smiles while nodding back before he looks to the nearby exit which had Athrun, Cagalli, and Miriallia standing near and waiting for them.

Three minutes later, the gang gathered on the school rooftop, the usual spot for their hangouts or discussions whenever something demanded their attention. The sun was high, and a gentle breeze blew, making the rooftop feel like a small haven apart from the busy halls below.

"So? Anyone got something to share for today?" Dearka asked, biting into his hot dog, his words slightly muffled as he chewed.

"Nothing much on our side," Shiho spoke up, nodding toward Yzak as she referred to their ongoing efforts. "We haven't had much progress with the questions about how we even ended up in this world."

"Yeah, we tried every logical possibility and found no conclusive answer," Yzak added, frustration evident in his voice. He punctured his juice box with his straw and took a few sips, his gaze shifting toward Athrun. "I suppose the same could be said for Athrun's side?"

Athrun sighed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the railing. "I entertained the idea that we might be in some kind of simulation, but that theory fell apart quickly. We're alive, breathing, speaking in this world—everything's real enough to prove otherwise. We're basically just living here, without any obvious means of returning to where we belong."

Miriallia, who had been sitting against a nearby wall, glanced around the group thoughtfully. "So everyone's ruling out the possibility of us being abducted by aliens and forced to live in a parallel world, huh?" She raised an eyebrow when everyone looked at her with an expression halfway between amusement and disbelief. "What? It's just an opinion."

Cagalli, with a slight chuckle, held up her chopsticks, tapping them together as she thought aloud. "So, we're accepting that we're somehow stuck on this planet, in this place?" Her brows furrowed. "Don't we still have responsibilities back in our world?"

They all paused at this, nodding thoughtfully. The realization of their unfinished commitments back home lingered heavily in the air, each of them missing something important left behind.

"I wonder if our older half brother is present back in our world…" Kira thought out loud, thinking if he had ever met Canard in their original world at all.

"Guess we just have to keep searching for answers while living out this life as best we can," Dearka said with a resigned sigh. He finished his hot dog, wiped his hands, and reached for a soda, popping the can open with a loud fizz. After a gulp, he smirked and turned his attention to Kira. "What about you, Kira? Got anything new with those two hot babes constantly gunning for you?"

Kira gave a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh…not much, I guess?" He was acutely aware of Lacus's eyes on him and winced, knowing the hint of annoyance lurking behind her smile at Dearka's casual mention of "two" girls. "Things have been… eventful, in a way."

"By 'eventful,' you mean damn eventful," Cagalli interjected, rolling her eyes as she took a bite of her bento. "Some days, I seriously think about moving out and getting away from his drama with Meiya and Lacus."

Miriallia perked up, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, what did they do this time?" She knew that Kira's love life often came with plenty of antics. "Did Lacus and Meiya do something crazy that got one of them out of class today?"

"Absent? You mean that Mitsurugi girl's missing from your classroom?" Yzak asked with mild surprise, and Miriallia nodded.

"Is she sick, or is it some family issue?" Shiho added, though Miriallia simply shrugged.

"Ask them," she replied, glancing at Kira, Cagalli, and Lacus.

"We actually don't know ourselves…" Kira admitted, scratching his cheek with a faint look of embarrassment. "This morning, Meiya was nowhere to be found, and when I asked Tsukuyomi-san where she was…"

Cagalli cut in, rolling her eyes at the memory. "She just said Meiya had to be somewhere urgent for her company. No other details."

"Something tells me this 'urgent company business' could end up causing trouble for you guys in the future," Dearka commented, sounding half-serious.

"Be that as it may, I will ensure it doesn't interfere—especially if she tries to come between me and Kira." Lacus spoke up, her voice deceptively calm. A shadow crossed her face, her eyes flashing in a way that left everyone on edge as she gave a tight, sweet smile that seemed to mask a fiercer intent. "For certain."

A shiver ran through the group as her words sunk in. Lacus wasn't one to back down easily, and her determination was more than clear.

"You have our condolences, Yamato," Yzak said, nudging Kira, who could only manage an empty chuckle in response. The weight of balancing his feelings for Lacus while navigating Meiya's mysterious absence was beginning to feel like a whole other challenge.

Hours later, the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes for the day. Students streamed out of classrooms, filling the hallways with lively chatter as they spilled out into the fresh afternoon air. At the school's main gate, Kira and Lacus walked side by side, Lacus clinging lightly to Kira's arm, her soft pink hair catching the light. She looked up at him, her gaze filled with warmth and a touch of possessiveness.

"With today so wonderfully free," Lacus said softly, a hint of excitement in her eyes, "why don't we go on a date, Kira?" She leaned in, her voice sweet but firm, leaving him little room to decline.

"O-okay…" Kira replied, a flush creeping into his cheeks. Saying no was unthinkable—not only would it disappoint Lacus, but he knew she could be… insistent if things didn't go her way.

Before long, they found themselves in the bustling heart of the city, where shop signs glowed and café lights spilled a cozy warmth onto the sidewalks. Lacus held his hand tightly, guiding him through the streets with a smile that revealed a mix of excitement and satisfaction, her fingers gently intertwined with his. They walked in comfortable silence until Lacus stopped outside a small, warmly lit café with delicate fairy lights hanging overhead.

"Look at this place, Kira! It's perfect." Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and they entered, choosing a cozy table by the window where they could watch people passing by.

Lacus perused the dessert menu with a focused gaze, finally pointing at a decadent parfait topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and chocolate drizzle. When the parfait arrived, she eagerly scooped up a spoonful and leaned closer, her expression soft but determined. "Here, say ahhh~!" she chimed, her tone so sweet it left him with little choice but to accept.

Kira hesitated, chuckling as he leaned forward to take the bite. The dessert was rich and sweet, but even that paled next to the way Lacus watched him, her eyes fixed intently on his reaction, her cheeks faintly pink.

"You've always had a way with desserts," he admitted, admiration tinged with a hint of shyness.

"That's because I have excellent taste," she teased, flashing him a knowing smile. They laughed, and each bite felt like a shared moment, a little slice of time just for them.

After the café, Lacus tugged Kira down the street toward a nearby arcade, her steps quickening with excitement. The place was filled with colorful lights, lively sounds, and the cheerful shouts of other couples playing games. Lacus's eyes lit up as she spotted a claw machine with a cute teddy bear nestled in the center, and her inner child emerged as she quickly inserted a coin and gripped the controls.

"Come on, please…!" she muttered under her breath, eyes focused intensely on the bear as she maneuvered the claw. It looked promising, but the teddy slipped from the claw's grip, dropping back into the pile. Lacus let out a small, frustrated sigh, her determination unwavering. "Noo~! Why did it fall?!"

"Let me try," Kira offered with a soft smile, inserting a token coin as Lacus watched in anticipation. He positioned the claw carefully, his mind calculating the angles as he aimed. Finally, he pressed the button, and they both held their breath as the claw descended, gripped the bear, and slowly, carefully lifted it toward the drop chute.

Lacus's eyes sparkled with excitement as the teddy bear fell into the chute. "You did it!" she beamed, practically bouncing as Kira handed her the plush.

"For you, Lacus," he said, and her gaze softened. She took the bear, hugging it close before leaning in to give Kira a quick, celebratory kiss on the cheek, her happiness radiating.

"Thank you, Kira," she whispered, her voice just for him. He blushed, her closeness and affection making his heart race.

The two played game after game, laughing as they challenged each other to rounds of rhythm games and cheering each other on during air hockey. With each laugh and victory, they were wrapped up further in their own little world, each game feeling like a moment frozen in time.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, they strolled through a nearby park, the air cool and the sounds of the evening settling around them. They wandered until they found a quiet bench near a small fountain, and Lacus gently rested her head on Kira's shoulder, letting out a contented sigh as they sat there together.

"Kira…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "thank you for today. Days like this, I want to hold onto them forever… just the two of us."

Kira felt his heart pounding as he looked down at her, captivated by the gentle light in her eyes, her expression almost vulnerable. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, his fingers lacing with hers. "I feel the same, Lacus. Being here with you like this makes me forget everything else."

She looked up at him, her gaze warm, yet intense, as though she wanted to capture this moment and hold it forever. Slowly, Lacus reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from his face with a soft, lingering touch. Kira's breath caught, his pulse quickening as they drifted closer, eyes meeting under the soft glow of the streetlights.

As their lips met, it was like the world had faded away, leaving only them. When they finally pulled apart, a soft smile lingered on Lacus's face as she gazed up at him, her hand still resting against his cheek. They stayed close, the city lights twinkling around them as they held onto the quiet, shared happiness of the moment.

With hands intertwined, they slowly made their way home beneath the gentle glow of the street lamps, both of them silently wishing this perfect day would never end.

About an hour later, Kira arrived home, feeling a mix of contentment and tiredness after his day out with Lacus. He waved her off as she got into Andrew's car, and with one last smile, watched them drive away before heading inside himself.

"I'm home!" he called as he stepped into the entryway, taking off his shoes and placing them neatly on the rack.

"Welcome home, Kira-sama." Tsukuyomi appeared in the hallway, greeting him with a respectful nod and a warm, steady gaze. "You took quite some time to get home. Were there any agendas you had to attend to?"

"Uh… kinda like that," Kira replied, his tone evasive. He wasn't sure he wanted to share the details of his date with Lacus, especially when he knew it would probably lead to more questions. He adjusted his hold on his school bag, glancing around as he felt a familiar sense of home settle over him. "Is Cagalli already home? Is she in her room?"

"Yes, Cagalli-sama returned home a little earlier," Tsukuyomi replied with a gentle nod. "She finished dinner and is now resting in her room."

"Oh, okay. Thanks," Kira murmured, feeling the comfortable quiet of the evening begin to sink in. He loosened his tie, intending to head to his own room and unwind, but Tsukuyomi spoke up again before he could leave.

"And, Kira-sama, if you are looking for Meiya-sama, she returned home earlier this afternoon." Tsukuyomi's voice held a faint note of emphasis, as if to remind him of something important. "She had been seeking your attention."

"She… has?" Kira echoed, surprised. He hadn't expected Meiya to be back so soon, nor that she would have specifically asked for him.

"Yes." Tsukuyomi nodded, a gentle but knowing look in her eyes as she motioned towards the dining room. "Please, come to the dining room. I believe she has been waiting for you."

Kira blinked, a bit confused, but he could sense something meaningful in Tsukuyomi's words. He took a quick breath and followed her gesture, making his way down the hall to the dining room.

In the kitchen, Kira found Meiya standing behind the counter, carefully focused on an assortment of ingredients. She hadn't noticed his arrival, her attention deeply absorbed in what looked like a set of rather unconventional dishes.

"Uh… Meiya? What are you doing?" Kira spoke up, a bit uncertain.

Startled, Meiya looked over her shoulder, a light blush rising on her cheeks as she turned fully to greet him with an awkward smile. "Ah, Kira! Welcome home" she greeted him. "My sincerest apologies; I did not expect you quite yet. I was in the midst of… preparing tonight's dinner for you."

Kira's eyebrows lifted in surprise, noticing the curious array of dishes spread across the counter. Some looked a little unconventional. Overcooked vegetables, rice that was possibly too sticky, and what he guessed might be a stew. Meiya's calm, collected expression did little to hide the subtle nervousness in her eyes.

"Oh, that's very thoughtful of you," Kira replied, attempting a warm smile. "Did you… need any help?

"Oh, no, Kira," Meiya said, her expression resolute. "It would not be fitting; I wanted to offer you a meal entirely of my own effort."

Touched by her gesture, Kira followed her to the table, where she set out the dishes with precise care, each plate placed with the utmost attention. With a small bow, she gestured for him to take a seat, watching him intently as he picked up his chopsticks to sample the stew first. As he took a bite, the flavors were unexpected—a bit too salty and somehow slightly burnt. He managed to keep his composure, though he felt his eyes widen involuntarily.

"Um… it's… different," he managed, offering a kind smile as he took a sip of water. "It must have taken you a lot of time."

Meiya, observing his reaction, gave a small, thoughtful nod, though she seemed to sense something amiss. "Ah, yes," she said softly. "I did endeavor to follow a traditional recipe, but it appears I may have… deviated."

Kira chuckled lightly, his laughter warm and reassuring. "It's really alright, Meiya. You don't have to be perfect; I'm grateful for the effort alone."

Seeing his gentle encouragement, Meiya allowed a small, relieved smile. "Thank you, Kira," she said, inclining her head. "I shall redouble my efforts next time. For now, if you are so inclined, there is… dessert." She looked toward the kitchen counter, where a modest cake sat on a plate. It was slightly lopsided, the chocolate icing unevenly spread, but there was an undeniable charm to it.

Kira's eyes brightened with curiosity. "This… looks promising," he said, picking up a fork to take a bite. The flavor was unexpectedly delightful—rich and sweet, with just a hint of bitterness that he actually enjoyed.

"This is excellent, Meiya," he said, savoring another bite. "You really have a talent for desserts."

Meiya's cheeks flushed ever so slightly, her eyes softening with gratitude. "Your praise is most generous, Kira," she replied. "I am relieved it is to your liking."

About 20 minutes later. As Kira sat at the dining table, he tried to stifle the light rumbling from his stomach. The dessert had been tasty, but Meiya's earlier dishes had done little to satisfy his hunger. He glanced over at her, watching as she focused intently on scrubbing down the dishes. She looked so pleased with herself that he didn't want to bring up his predicament.

'It would be rude to ask for more food after she went through all that trouble… but I don't think I'll be able to sleep if I'm still this hungry,' he thought, his face tightening in an awkward grimace.

Before he could work out how to handle it, Meiya turned around, noticing his thoughtful expression. "Is there something troubling you, Kira?" she asked, tilting her head with an earnest look.

Kira hesitated. "Ah, well… I think I'm still a little hungry…"

"Oh," she said, her face shifting into a slightly alarmed expression. "Then please allow me to prepare more. I could try—"

"Ah—no!" Kira blurted out, then softened his tone, trying to choose his words carefully. "I mean, that's kind of you, but I really don't want you to go through more effort."

Meiya's face fell just slightly, though she maintained her polite tone. "It would be no trouble if it ensures you are satisfied."

Before Kira could protest further, Tsukuyomi, the head maid, approached them with a gentle, composed smile, as if sensing Kira's plight. "If I may offer a suggestion, Kira-sama," she interjected smoothly, "we have freshly prepared ingredients for onigiri. It's simple, and perhaps you and Meiya-sama could enjoy making them together?"

Kira's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect. Onigiri is great."

Meiya's expression softened, her earlier disappointment vanishing as she looked up at Tsukuyomi. "That is a wonderful suggestion. And I would be honored to assist in preparing the onigiri."

Tsukuyomi bowed gracefully and brought out the ingredients on a tray, neatly arranged: soft white rice, Nori Sheets, cooked chicken, bits of salted salmon, and other traditional fillings.

Kira and Meiya both took a seat at the counter where Tsukuyomi had set the tray of the ingredients.

Meiya proceeded to do her work on making the onigiri but she had her attention to Kira who was making the onigiri quite skillfully. She watched his movements attentively as he scooped a small portion of rice, adding in the chicken for filling, and pressing it gently with practiced skill to form a smooth, triangular shape around the filling.

"You make it look quite effortless," Meiya observed, her tone filled with a quiet admiration.

Kira chuckled, trying not to let her praise fluster him. "I helped my mother make this a few times." He finished the first one, placing it gently on a plate that had a nori sheet, the onigiri gets wrapped with the seaweed before the young man takes a quick bite and made a noise of satisfaction to its taste.

Meiya attempted to replicate his motions, her fingers moving carefully as she shaped the rice around a bit of salmon. But the triangle came out somewhat uneven, with stray grains sticking out. "Ah…" She frowned, attempting to smooth it out, but the rice refused to cooperate.

"Here, try holding it like this," Kira suggested, reaching over and guiding her hands into the right position, his touch light and careful.

Meiya's cheeks grew warm at the close contact, though she stayed focused.

"Thank you, Kira. Your guidance is much appreciated." Meiya said as she gave the rice one last press and held up her onigiri, which was admittedly still slightly misshapen, but she looked at it with pride. "It's… perfect!"

"yeah" Kira nodded before he proceeded to make another onigiri quite quickly before taking a bite of it.

Encouraged, Meiya tried her onigiri, smiling softly at the taste of the filling. There was a quiet satisfaction in the moment, and for her, a sense of warmth that wasn't just from the food. As they continued, Kira helped her smooth out the rice and even add a few decorative touches with nori strips, their fingers occasionally brushing in the process.

Tsukuyomi, watching from a respectful distance, gave a satisfied smile before turning away, leaving the two of them with a bit more privacy.

After they'd made enough onigiri to satisfy Kira's appetite, they sat quietly at the table, Meiya looking on as Kira finally ate his fill, a soft, pleased expression on her face. As he took his last bite, she cleared her throat gently.

"Kira… I would like to thank you. For allowing me to assist you, and… for your patience." Her tone was formal, but there was a quiet, vulnerable sincerity beneath it. "also, my apologies for not being present today. I was…busy with some things."

Kira turned to her, a little surprised by her choice of words, and gave a warm smile. "it's alright. If you're busy with something, it's okay to attend to it." He then chuckles. "but do try to relax sometimes because being busy isn't actually good for your own health."

A soft blush colored her cheeks, but she returned his gaze, a small, genuine smile touching her lips. As they cleared the table together, the moment felt quieter, somehow closer—a memory shared between just the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of an unspoken connection.

About a day later, it's the weekend.

Kira is found in the living room of his home as he is there alone while Cagalli had left for an outing with Athrun. The young man lies on the couch as he had planned on a quiet weekend, lounging around with a few hours to catch up on rest, but those hopes faded quickly when he heard Tsukuyomi's voice from the hallway.

"Good morning, Kira-sama," she called, her tone composed but somehow firm enough to shake him from his half-awake daze.

Kira turned with a bit of apprehension, knowing well that Tsukuyomi only showed up with that particular tone when she needed something. "Good morning… Tsukuyomi-san," he replied, bracing himself. "What can I help you with?"

"It seems you've quite enjoyed my assistance with your recent dates," she replied with a polite smile. "As it happens, I have a small favor to ask in return."

Kira's cheeks tinged slightly at the reminder. "Uh, yeah, I mean—I appreciate it, really," he said. He was grateful, and he certainly owed her. "So, what kind of favor?"

"Follow me, please," Tsukuyomi instructed, gesturing him down the hall.

Curious, Kira followed her as they made their way through the quiet house. But when Tsukuyomi opened a door he'd never noticed before, he froze.

"Uh, I don't remember a door here…" Kira spoke out.

"It's recently been renovated," she replied smoothly, stepping inside as if that explained everything.

Kira entered cautiously, glancing around what was, unmistakably, a full dojo. It was pristine, with polished wooden floors, training mats, and traditional Japanese weapons displayed neatly on the walls.

"When did we get a dojo?" Kira asked, a mix of amazement and alarm in his voice.

"It's been here all along," Tsukuyomi replied, though her expression was hard to read. "Now, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for you to learn a few things. It would be beneficial for you, after all."

Kira's eyes narrowed. "Like judo?" He hadn't practiced much beyond basic school-level stuff, and he suspected Tsukuyomi's "favor" was anything but a light practice.

She nodded, already slipping into a judo gi with practiced ease. "Precisely. It's good discipline. And given that I've noticed you're in need of… refinement, I'll be instructing you."

Kira could feel his previous weekend relaxation slipping away. "I'll do my best," he mumbled, pulling on his own judo outfit, still wondering if his house was, in fact, the same place he'd lived in.

They squared off on the mat, and Tsukuyomi began the session with a few basic drills, explaining with a calm tone that somehow still held the weight of command. "Now, Kira-sama, remember to maintain your balance. Focus on each movement, and do not let your guard slip."

Kira nodded, taking a defensive stance. But the moment Tsukuyomi moved, he found himself completely overwhelmed by her speed and strength. In one swift motion, she hooked his arm and twisted, sending him tumbling to the mat.

"Oof!" he gasped as he hit the floor.

"Balance," Tsukuyomi reminded him patiently. "Now, get up."

After multiple attempts, Kira managed to resist her initial throws, but every time he thought he was making progress, Tsukuyomi would switch tactics, leaving him sprawled on the mat. At one point, she barely even seemed to try—her hand grazed his shoulder, and down he went.

"I think… I'm starting to get it," Kira huffed, half-convinced he'd bruised his pride more than anything else. Tsukuyomi raised an eyebrow as he regained his stance, a hint of approval in her expression.

Then, as Tsukuyomi readied another move, Kira remembered a technique he'd seen in class—a quick pivot and a low shoulder grip. He lunged forward, managing to hook her just right, and before he knew it, Tsukuyomi's feet left the floor as she flew over his shoulder in a perfectly executed throw.

The throw, though perfect, had an unintended side effect. As she landed, the belt of her judo gi loosened, causing her top to come undone. Kira stood frozen, wide-eyed, as Tsukuyomi propped herself up, momentarily disoriented and her gi open enough to reveal her undergarments.

"Oh, um—sorry! I didn't… I didn't mean to…" Kira stammered, blushing furiously as he tried to look anywhere else.

Tsukuyomi, maintaining a level of composure only she could pull off in such a situation, calmly adjusted her gi with a sharp tug and re-tied the belt, her face expressionless. But her gaze held a flicker of amusement.

"Impressive throw, Kira-sama," she acknowledged with a small nod, almost as if nothing had happened. "Though I would recommend being cautious of such… unintended outcomes."

"R-right! Of course," Kira said quickly, feeling his cheeks burn as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I'll… make sure of that next time."

Tsukuyomi gave him a nod of approval, though there was a ghost of a smile lingering on her face. "Then let us continue. We still have much to work on before you are… adequately prepared."

Kira gulped, trying to shake off the lingering embarrassment. This was going to be a long day.

On the next week. The Hakuryou school courtyard and classrooms were bustling with students gathering in groups to chat before the morning bell. Miriallia is found walking in the school's hallway, the young teen entering her class and finds that Athrun and Cagalli are chatting near the window. The blonde leaning against the wall while the navy haired teen sits on an empty seat.

Cagalli had her arms crossed, nodding animatedly as Athrun went on about a study group he'd attended over the weekend.

"All we did was review physics problems," Athrun was saying, "but Yzak somehow turned it into a debate about why we should study rocket propulsion."

Miriallia chuckled, shaking her head as she joined them. "I can imagine Yzak getting carried away with that. What about you, Cagalli? Anything exciting over the weekend?"

"Eh, not much. Mostly caught up on that mountain of homework—oh, and went to that new cafe downtown with Athrun," she replied, shrugging. "It was nothing fancy, just a break from the usual antics from Kira, you know?"

Athrun gave a nod before glancing around the courtyard. "Speaking of Kira…where is he?"

Cagalli tilted her head back, sighing as she pointed over her shoulder. "See for yourself."

Turning to look, they spotted Kira walking into class in a limping manner; his face showing a pained expression, his bag hanging loosely from his shoulder, and his posture less-than-straight. Every few steps, he seemed to wince, as though even walking required monumental effort.

"Kira!" Miriallia called out, rushing over to him. "What happened to you?"

"Long… story," Kira managed, his voice sounding weary as he stopped a few feet away from them, taking a moment to straighten himself and push through the discomfort. "I just spent… a really long weekend."

Athrun raised an eyebrow, concern evident on his face. "Did you go on some intense training mission or something?"

"Something like that," Kira said, his gaze slightly distant as if recalling a harrowing experience. "Tsukuyomi-san had me doing 'basic' judo training for two days straight. Apparently, I was 'due for improvement' and... well, I think I'm now more familiar with the mats than I am with my own bed."

Cagalli snickered. "You must've gotten on her good side if she put you through that much training."

"It wasn't really a choice," Kira muttered, massaging his sore shoulder with a wry grimace. "I owed her a favor, and she called it in as a training session." He sighed heavily. "But I didn't expect her to go that hard on me. I swear I spent more time getting tossed around than I did actually learning anything."

Cagalli and Athrun exchanged a look, barely suppressing their amusement. Miriallia, however, looked at him with sympathy.

"Well, at least it's over, right?" Miriallia offered. "You've got the week to recover."

Kira glanced at her with a pained smile. "I hope so. Right now, I feel like a judo dummy that's been dropped a thousand times."

"Maybe next time, just do the dishes for her instead," Athrun suggested with a smirk.

Kira chuckled, wincing again as he felt another twinge in his side. "I might just take you up on that advice."

"so….where's Meiya or Lacus?" Miriallia asks, not seeing neither the blue haired teen or the pink haired one anywhere near Kira. "it's usually either of the two would be with you when coming to school."

"well…let's just say that I had to get to school the normal way instead of riding their limos." Kira said as he painfully thought back to him just walking away from his home that had Meiya arguing against Lacus who was very upset over the fact that Kira is sore all over his body. "those two are probably still arguing by the time they arrive to school."

"oh…" the others thought about it in unison and could agree that it could be right.

As the bell rang, Lacus and Meiya slipped into the classroom, shooting each other silent, steely glares before reluctantly taking their seats. Though tension simmered between them, they held off any confrontation as Marimo entered the room, the teacher's stern yet warm demeanor instantly focusing the students' attention.

"Alright, everyone," Marimo began, her voice carrying authority. "Let's talk about the main topic for this month. As you all know, it's November, and December is right around the corner. With that, we'll have winter break, Christmas, and plenty of seasonal events."

The room buzzed with energy as students perked up at the thought of the upcoming holidays.

Takeru, grinning widely, exclaimed, "Christmas cake day! I'm definitely eating a whole cake to myself this year!"

Kasumi gave him a look of mild disapproval. "You shouldn't eat too much, Takeru-chan. You'll get sick."

He just chuckled. "It's Christmas, Kasumi! It's a time for treats!"

From the back of the room, Ayamine chimed in, stretching her arms lazily, "I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing. Sleeping all day is my holiday plan."

Chizuru, seated beside her, rolled her eyes and sighed. "Ayamine, the holidays are for celebrating, not just for lazing around. You should be more productive."

Ayamine only shrugged, a smirk on her face. "Sleeping is productive to me. You do you."

Tamase, wide-eyed with excitement, turned to Yoroi, nudging him curiously. "What about you, Yoroi-san? Any special plans for Christmas?"

Yoroi scratched his head, looking thoughtful. "I might visit family, maybe go skiing… though knowing me, I'll probably just end up stuffing myself with food," he said with a laugh.

As the chatter filled the room, Marimo shook her head with a small smile, allowing the excitement to simmer for a moment before calling the class back to attention.

Later, during the school recess, Kira quietly organizing his books when a soft, familiar voice chimed beside him.

"Kira," Lacus purred, leaning close to him with a serene, expectant smile. "I was thinking… how about a day together over winter break?" Her eyes sparkled, and she leaned closer. "Just us?"

"uh.." Kira's face flushed, but before he could answer, another voice cut through.

"I believe," Meiya interjected as she approached them, a calm but unmistakably assertive tone in her voice, "that Kira should spend his winter break with me instead. We have some unfinished matters to discuss, don't we, Kira?"

"but…" Kira looks at Meiya and then at Lacus, a tension appearing between the two.

Seeing this possible cat fight coming, many students quickly went away. Even Athrun and the others decided to leave it instead of being a part of it.

"unfinished matters, is it?" Lacus asks with a soft smile but her tone carried a warning. "Well, that's all the more reason he should spend his break relaxing with me. Kira deserves some peace."

Meiya met her gaze, unwavering. "It is precisely because he deserves peace that I should be the one accompanying him. Perhaps we should settle this another way…?"

The two seemed on the verge of a standoff, each inching forward with an air of restrained defiance. Kira could practically see sparks flying between them, unsure whether to step in or not as the tension escalated.

"Um… guys?" Kira tried, raising a hand. "Maybe… maybe we can figure something out that works for everyone?"

But Lacus and Meiya were locked in a silent duel, each determined to have her way, both unwilling to compromise. Just as they leaned closer, their standoff devolving into a near catfight, Marimo appeared.

"Ahem." Marimo's tone was low and stern as she approached, her piercing gaze instantly dissolving the tension between the two girls. "Lacus-san, Meiya-san, I believe we need to have a little talk."

The girls both straightened, stepping back from each other with forced smiles as Marimo crossed her arms, scrutinizing them carefully.

"I don't know what exactly is going on here, but I can assure you I won't tolerate any form of violent behavior in my school, be it physical or… otherwise," Marimo stated, emphasizing her point with an arched brow. "If either of you starts any kind of catfight over Hibiki-kun, there will be consequences."

Lacus blinked, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Of course, Marimo-sensei," she replied in her usual soft voice, casting an innocent look in Kira's direction. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Nor would I," Meiya added in her calm, formal tone, though she cast a sideways glance at Lacus, her expression unyielding.

"Good." Marimo's gaze shifted between them, her expression uncompromising. "Just to be clear, any displays of hostility will earn you both a series of detentions—and possibly some time helping me reorganize the entire library. Understood?"

Both girls nodded quickly, muttering their apologies with a synchronized, "Yes, Marimo-sensei."

Satisfied, Marimo turned to walk away, pausing only to add over her shoulder, "And Hibiki-kun? I suggest you find a way to manage this… situation before it escalates. Otherwise, you may find yourself in detention as well."

As she strode down the hall, Lacus and Meiya exchanged one final look—a quiet, competitive determination simmering beneath their polite smiles.

'I really wish that winter break didn't come so fast..' Kira looks weakly scared as he had no idea what he is in for.

That's a wrap!

Bye bye