October 29th 2017

Pancakes.
On that slightly cold Sunday morning, Yuri's sleep was interrupted by that particular smell which although was something common to her, being able to smell it from the comfortableness of her bed was something that hadn't happened in a long while.

The morning growling of her stomach finished the job, making her rub her eyes and sit up to adjust herself to the dim sunlight that now entered through the curtains.

She looked then at the now empty side of her bed next to her and soon smiled, well aware now of the cause of such delicious smell. She stretched a bit and got up, put on some pants and her classic turtle neck sweater and brushed her hair a bit to remove that bed head.

She then happily headed downstairs and glanced at her kitchen where that unmistakable pastel pink color could be seen from miles ahead. She walked normally at first and was about to call her name but once she was closer, she noticed a pair of earphones in her ears.

Yuri approached her like a ninja just in case and waited a bit for her to let go of the frying pan and try to get something from the counter to wrap her arms around her waist and surprise her with a big good morning smooch.

"Ouch!", but Yuri felt the wrath of Natsuki's elbow on her stomach as the pink girl put an end to her devious intentions. "You were too obvious babe", Natsuki turned around grinning and with hands on hips while Yuri held her stomach.

"I thought it'd be easier with those earphones on your ears... Ear", Yuri then noticed there was actually one earphones on Natsuki's right ear while the left one was actually just wrapped around the left one.

"Morning though", Natsuki said. "Good morning", Yuri said and shyly approached her for a good morning kiss that was thankfully granted.

"Sit down, I'm almost done here", Natsuki said as she turned around to finish the pancakes. "Is there anything I can help you with?", Yuri asked anyway.

"Yeah, put your nice butt on a chair and wait a freaking minute", Natsuki said half joking and half actually feisty. "Okay, okay", Yuri giggled and complied.

Just as she had said, the pink girl finished cooking their breakfast just a minute later. Putting the plate stacked with pancakes with syrup and some strawberries on top closer to Yuri as well as two cups of coffee.

"Move", Natsuki said standing next to Yuri which confused her a bit. Natsuki made a sign with her hand to indicate Yuri to drag her chair backwards a bit which she  complied to.

Surprisingly the always easily blushy purple girl, Natsuki sat on her legs, getting comfortable and wrapping her arms around her neck, glaring at her awkward girlfriend for a bit frowning cutely.

"U-Ummm...", Yuri was a bit lost. "Your adorable girlfriend is sitting on your legs during breakfast, what do you think you should do you big dummy?", Natsuki asked unimpressed.

And then, although the answer wasn't exactly what she had in mind at  first, she certainly wouldn't complain as Yuri wrapped her arms around her smiley again and nuzzling her face against her neck.

"Geez... Guess I gotta do everything myself", Natsuki sighed as she grabbed the fork with one hand and took a small portion of the pancakes to feed them to her girlfriend who ate them gladly. Yuri's satisfied expression at the amazing taste was something Natsuki would never get tired of seeing.

Yuri then did the same for her, finally understanding what she had to do from the beginning, enjoying the cute sight of Natsuki savouring the food. "Mm! Check this song I was listening", Natsuki Said as she grabbed her phone from the table, which still had the earphones connected to it, putting one on Yuri's ear and one on hers.

♪We hug and yes, we make love
And always just say "Goodnight" (la-la-la-la-la)
And we cuddle, sure I do love it
But I need your lips on mine♪

♪Can you kiss me more?
We're so young, boy
We ain't got nothin' to lose, oh, oh
It's just principle
Baby, hold me
'Cause I like the way you groove, oh, oh♪

♪Boy, you write your name, I can do the same
Ooh, I love the taste, la-la-la-la
All on my tongue, I want it (la-la-la-la)
Boy, you write your name, I can do the same
Ooh, I love the taste, la-la-la-la-la
All on my tongue, I want it♪

♪I, I feel like fuckin' somethin'
But we could be corny, fuck it
Sugar, I ain't no dummy, dummy
I like to say, what if, but if
We could kiss and just cut the rubbish
Then I might be on to somethin'
I ain't givin' you one in public
I'm givin' you hundreds, fuck it♪

Although the song had started nicely, making Yuri think it was actually another nice love song it gradually started getting a bit dirtier but for some reason she just found it funny, giggling while it lasted.

"So? Cool right?", Natsuki asked grinning. "It's quite... peculiar yes but a bit catchy at that...", Yuri replied.

"I know right?? I'm gonna be listening to it in my head for the next few days", Natsuki sighed. "Yes, me too", Yuri giggled.

"Don't you think it kinda suits us though? Like ♪We hug and yes, we make love and always just say Goodnight♪ is something you'd definitely say", Natsuki chuckled.

"♪Baby hold me cause I like the way you groove, oh, oh, oh darling~♪", Yuri sang. "See? That's what I'm talking about!", Natsuki chuckled.

"♪Sugar, I ain't no dummy, dummy I like to say what if, but if♪", Natsuki sang cutely. "♪We could kiss and just cut the rubbish, then I may be onto something♪", Yuri followed. "♪I ain't giving you one in public, I'm giving you hundreds, fuck it♪", Natsuki sang louder.

"♪Can you kiss me more?
We're so young, boy
We ain't got nothin' to lose, oh, oh
It's just principle
Baby, hold me
'Cause I like the way you groove, oh, oh♪"

Both sang together, looking at each other with a loving smile as they did. Yuri landed a soft kiss on Natsuki's lips when they finished. Both giggled and just rested their heads on each other enjoying each other's company.

The same thought crossed their minds.
"I wish these moments never end".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For some the morning could bring some beautiful moments but on the other hand, almost like the other side of a coin, the night would bring some sorrowful times to others, such as the usually bubbly girl.

It didn't matter how much fun she had had that day, spending all day designing and making superhero costumes to wear with her girlfriend at the upcoming Halloween party.

It didn't matter how nice it had felt to rest her head on her lap when they took a small break or how gently her touch was when she caressed her hair like that.

It didn't matter how enjoyable watching a movie her girlfriend liked with her was, not even the way she could speak eloquently to explain stuff about it to her was enough.

It didn't even matter how beautiful Ryona's expression was when she gave her the little bracelet she made for her using blue and red pearl, looking like a kid who got what he asked Santa for.

When those rain clouds looked to torment her, it seemed like there was no way to prevent it and all the little happiness she had tried to embrace would soon become memories placed in paper that the heavy rain in her head would ruin and make them fall apart.

"Not now please...", Sayori thought as she grabbed her Mrs Cow plushie and clutched dearly against her chest, closing her eyes shut trying to find a way out of this in sleep. Something that didn't work as the more she tried, the harder her eyes burnt.

"Why am I so weak...? All these wonderful moments I've been through and I still can't get rid of these feelings... I really don't deserve anything of what I have.... Nor my awesome friends, nor my amazing parents and family and mostly, nor my wonderful girlfriend either.... And they really don't deserve having to put up with someone like me...", one after another, negative thoughts and self doubts assaulted her mind.

Her eyes soon teared up, doing her best to drown her sobs with her pillow she was set to at least deal with her pain alone to not bother those around as she usually did.

That night however, and much like the 3 previous nights, there was a guardian angel next to her who only needed a single sob from her to get up and go in her aid.

"Sayori", hearing her call her name at a time like these caused a huge clash of her deepest feelings. One side wished she ignored her and got away from the negativity virus she was, scared to infect her, while the other felt a great relief and begged for her to come to her aid again.

Sayori soon felt her girlfriend's hands gently shaking her by the arm to make her turn around and face her. Sayori did it with tears in her eyes and could only say one thing between pained sobs, "I'm sorry".

Ryona denied with her head and reached for her small hand, grabbing it between hers closer to her face and rubbing it gently while kneeling next to Sayori's bed.

"W-Why do I have to be so weak? Y-You put so much effort to make me happy and all I do is.... All do is end up crying and let it all fall apart", Sayori said sobbing while her girlfriend's sad eyes looked at her.

"You're not weak, this isn't something you are at fault for",Ryona said as she used her finger to wipe off some of Sayori's tears off her face. "B-But", Sayori tried to protest.

"I've been reading a lot about it... Depression is an illness, something you can't control. You don't call someone weak just because he has a fever and can't get out of bed in the mornings. Same goes for you. Illnesses need proper treatment... And because you're the one I love the most, I'll always be here to take care of you and help you overcome anything that causes you pain", Ryona said while caressing Sayori's cheek and wiping tears off with her thumb.

"I-I don't know if I can...", Sayori said. "I wrote you a little poem while I waited for you to fall asleep... It's a bit short but please hear me out...", Ryona  said as she grabbed Sayori's hand between both hands again.

"I feel in heaven when I'm with you.
Your love gives me peace.
Your smile gives me joy.
And you make me feel at home", Ryona said softly, looking into Sayori's teary blue eyes, noticing a little sparkle in them for a brief moment.

"Ry... I...", Sayori didn't know what to say, her mind kept telling her she didn't deserve this but deep down, a part of her felt a bit of joy to hear that. "I've been looking for the best therapist in town... I can admit I'm clueless on what to do against something like this but.... I'm willing to ask for help and do anything to see my little sunshine sparkling every day, every hour and every second", Ryona paused a bit.

"It doesn't matter if it takes months, years or even decades, I promise I will never leave your side and be there for you the day you can say you're okay again", Ryona said, holding Sayori's little hand and looking at her with pleading dark brown eyes.

"Okay, I'll go", Sayori said the first thing that came out of her arguing heart and mind, which at least for a moment, seemed to agree on something for the sake of that dark blue haired girl now always present for both.

Sayori sit up and dragged herself to the left side of her bed, leaving enough space for another person to fit in there. Ryona looked at her a bit confused but Sayori soon took her hand and pulled her onto the bed.

Ryona blushed as she found herself laying next to her red bow girl and her heart almost exploded as Sayori moved closer to her, wrapping her arms around her nuzzling her face on Ryona's neck.

"I just made you a poem too, wanna hear it?", Sayori asked softly. "Yes please", Ryona replied.

"Hold me and never let me go.
Life is less painful in your arms.
And I get to believe in happiness when the warmth of your body embraces my soul", Sayori spoke.

Ryona wrapped her arms around her and wondered how was it possible for someone to fall in love with the same person over and over again, every time deeper than the previous one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 7th 2013

"I'm going to school now, nye!", exclaimed the chubby girl of magenta hair. "Aren't you gonna have breakfast, Kane?", asked a woman of  hair the same color but longer.

"Nyo, sorry hehe... I gotta hurry", Kanefusa replied with an awkward smile. "But you're not running late... And what's with that paper bag you have there?", a man of black hair and classic salary man outfit asked while reading the news on his phone, awaiting breakfast at the table.

"Ah... It's just for a project at school which it's the reason I gotta get there earlier today! I gotta prepare stuff to... You nyow, present it and all that", Kanefusa explained out of the blue. "Ah... Okay, have a nice day then", the man said.

"Nyou too, daddy!", Kanefusa replied smiley. "Thanks and Kanefusa....", her father paused a bit while Kanefusa did the same before leaving, turning to him.

"Nyes?", she asked. "Try to speak normally, alright? You're in highschool now", he said serious.

"Keitaro!", the magenta haired woman scolded. "What? She has to-", he was about to respond, his voice rising, but the chubby girl interrupted in time.

"Don't argue! H-He's right... I need to speak... Normally...", Kanefusa smiled sad while lowering her head. "Kane...", Her mother muttered feeling bad for her.

"I'm glad to hear that, see? She's growing up", Keitaro said proud. "I'll go now", Kanefusa turned quickly and left, leaving no time for them to say another word to her nor for her to listen to them either.

.........

"Lalala~♪", she sang quietly as she walked to school but the closer she approached, the more students started appearing on the sidewalks.

"Oink oink!", she heard it clearly but she didn't let it bother her and she didn't turn to see who had said it. "Tatarara♪", she kept humming with a smile.

"Morning piggyfusa!", she heard that too, clear as day but she kept walking, gripping her paper bag a little harder. "Tuturu♪", she kept singing that melody.

"Is that her? Eh... You weren't joking when you say fat...", even though those were mere whispers, somehow she still heard them but she kept walking a bit faster. "Lalali♪", and she kept humming until she arrived to school.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

October 30th 2017

"I'm going to school nyow!", the magenta haired girl exclaimed after finishing washing her dishes. "Have a good day fella", the top hat man replied while calmly enjoying his food, sliding his toast under his face mask.

"Nyeh... I'll leave now so you can take off your mask and eat normally", Kanefusa smiled awkwardly as she opened the apartments door. "Don't forget your stuff!", the hat man shouted, pointing at the paper bag on the couch.

"Nyah! I almost forgot! Thanks a bunchy!", Kanefusa exclaimed as she hurried inside, grabbed her bag and left again in an even bigger hurry while the hat man just chuckled and prepared to remove his mask.

.........

"Lalala~♪", the magenta haired girl quietly sang on her way to school, swinging her paper bag a bit but not too much, she didn't want the stuff inside to scatter on the street.

"Good morning, Furude-san~", she didn't have to turn around or look around, two girls of her class of black and blond hair now walked next to her after saying that in unison. "Morning!", Kanefusa replied with a smile to both.

"Ready for another week of school?", the blond girl asked with a smile. "I'm always ready!", Kanefusa replied with enthusiasm.

"Yo! Kanefusa-chan good morning!", a new voice said with joy, a male one to be precise. "Morning~", Kanefusa said as a boy of stylish short brown hair appeared next to the black haired girl, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, hey, why are greeting her first?", the black haired girl asked angry. "Eh? I hugged you first right? That's how I say hi to you", the boy smiled awkwardly while the blond girl just chuckled.

"Don't tell me Furude-san's cuteness caught your attention first this morning?", The blondie asked with a smirk. "Huh?! No, no! Don't get the wrong idea! It's just I usually just appear next to her without saying much and-", the boy explained panicking while his girlfriend glared at him upset.

Kanefusa could only put on an awkward smile.

"Hahaha relax, we know~ besides, Furude-san here already has someone, right?", the blondie said. "She does?", The black haired girl asked curious, deviating her attention from her now more relieved boyfriend.

"I do?", Kanefusa asked confused. "Don't play innocent~ I heard you even live in his apartment and all", the blond girl smirked.

"Really? How's he, Furude-san??", the black haired girl asked awfully excited. "E-Eh??", Kanefusa asked confused but starting to fear the worse.

"I know a few things but it's better if she tells us", the blond one said clapping excited. "I really don't know what you're talking about hehe... Plus I'm not dating anyone", Kanefusa replied.

"Oh? But then what about tall goth muscular guy?", the blond girl asked confused. "I shouldn't have gone to the supermarket with him yesterday...", Kanefusa thought.

"W-Who?", Kanefusa tried to play dumb. "Okay, the thing is I saw you walking into an apartment building with this tall guy of top hat, I saw you were carrying some supermarket bags together", the blond girl replied.

"He could be my dad you know", Kanefusa smiled awkwardly. "Oh, is he?", the boy asked, now curious too.

"N-Nyo...", Kanefusa mumbled looking away. "So he's your boyfriend's! Don't worry Furude-san! We won't tell anyone unless you say otherwise!", the blond girl said excited.

"He's not my boyfriend!", Kanefusa exclaimed pouty. For some reason, even the sole idea of dating someone else bothered her. "Woah, relax... Then who's he?", the black haired girl said a bit concerned.

"You two shouldn't be questioning her about this stuff either", the boy said. "But you asked her too! Don't try to play the good guy now to score points with her Ushida!", the blond girl replied.

"Are you trying to-?!", the black haired girl exclaimed angry. "I'm not!", Ushida exclaimed nervous.

"Guys!", Kanefusa raised her voice a bit, getting their attention. "He's just my... Tutor and he is very old", Kanefusa sighed.

"Oh... Ahaha... Sorry, I got the wrong idea... But I mean... It'd be totally possible for you to have a tall muscular goth boyfriend, like you're so cute and stuff", the blond girl said scratching the back of her head. "Yeah! You're like really adorable and your style is pretty, any boy or man would be simping for you~", the black haired girl added.

"Yeah...", Ushida muttered. "What did ya say?!!", The black haired girl pulled his ear furious, making him whine in pain.

"Pfft... Hehehe!", for some reason, Kanefusa couldn't help but laugh. Even though the conversation had turned a bit uncomfortable at first, it eventually just became funny to her and seeing that poor boy being funnily scolded didn't help.
Plus, she didn't mind hearing those kind of compliments every once in a while.

It used to be almost impossible for her to be told stuff like that.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

October 7th 2013

"And one more! ...there we go!", the chubby highschool girl of magenta hair exclaimed proud as she looked at all her classmates desks, all empty but knowing well what would be inside each one of them once they lifted the wooden cover that was also used to work on, to take out their books and other stuff needed for class.

"Get your fat ass out of the way, pig", Kanefusa's smiled disappeared immediately as she heard those words but at the same time, accepted them. After all, she was now standing in the door after that desk by the door had been the last one she left her little present in.

"S-Sorry", Kanefusa mumbled nervous as she moved out of the way, letting two boys and their girlfriends come inside. Although their faces now seemed blurry, she could remember those disgusted looks they gave her.

"Morning~ -eh, what's the pig doing there? It ruins the morning mood", a pretty girl of brown hair said as she entered the classroom, smiley at first, but making an annoyed face as she noticed the magenta haired girl still standing near the door with her hands intertwined and her head low.

"Dunno, she's just there uglifying the place and blocking people's way with her fat ass", one of the boys said and laughed along with his friends. "Just go to your corner or something piggyfusa", the girl said arrogantly while Kanefusa just obeyed and walked to the back of the room, to her seat in the corner.

She sat down there, with her head low but constantly glancing at their classmates as more and more arrived but no one opened their desk compartment yet.

She soon pulled out her sketch book to cover those ever present mean words written on her desk by many different people as all the different handwritings showed.

She felt the usual pieces of eraser landing on her hair and desk, shaking them off every certain time.

She kept glancing but no one seemed to open them yet, all were too busy talking to each other, on their phone and even reading a book in some cases.

She could also hear some oinking nearby, some mean jokes, the word pig countless times as usual but she kept drawing and glancing, hopeful.

By the time one opened their desk, the teacher arrived.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

October 30th 2017

"Good morning, Kane-chan~".

"Morning kittyfusa~".

"Hi, hi, Kanefusa".

"Good morning~".

One after another, she did her best to reply those kind and even flattering greetings with her own, "Morning!" and sweet smile.

Smiles, grins, hand waves, peace signs and even some blushes, she found it cute to see so many nice responses to her own smile and always cheerful words.

She sat down and soon a handful of her classmates were already surroundings her and talking to her about all sorts of everyday stuff. She found it a bit surprising considering she hadn't been here more than a week but seeing her classmates taking a liking to her so soon wasn't something she could complain about.

But it wasn't those smiles, those endless questions and conversations or even those flattering words she received sometimes and not even those art requests a few of them asked her for, not a single of those things were that only thing she now looked forward to every morning.

"Morning dude~", that unmistakable voice only got one reaction on her. If she had a tail, it would be standing tall right now and swinging to the sides a bit and if those cat ears of her hairband could move at her will, they would be fluttering now. That's the closest way to describe what that voice caused on her.

"Good morning", she couldn't find better words no matter how hard she tried but she always hoped her honest smile could transmit a little bit of her joy to her. "Morning to you too dude~", the messy ponytail girl said and grinned as she messed her hair gently.

Kanefusa simply wasn't able to hold back that blush on her cheeks and fool smile, all she could do was lower her head a bit to hide it while that tingling sensation invaded her body and those heartbeats became faster.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

October 7th 2013

"Well, well, well, looks like the pig can pull out a joke too", said a boy of blurry face with crossed arms as he stood in front her. "I-I wasn't...", Kanefusa mumbled nervous, her head low and her hands intertwined.

"Oink oink, yeah whatever I don't speak pig language but this was really pathetic you know?", he said and snorted, followed by the boys and girls of blurry faces standing next to him and surrounding the magenta haired girl who stood in the corner scared.

"I-I just wanted to-", Kanefusa tried to speak but one of the various boys there made a loud and more natural pig sound. "Look you stupid furry...", the boy in the center sighed as he dropped a hairband with tanuki ears and a little piece of paper with a tanuki of hair similar to him to the floor and stepped on them.

The others did the same. Some were cat ears, others dog ears, bunny ears, and some other different animal ears hairbands all accompanied by a paper with a drawing of an animal according to their hairband, each one with a clear trait of their owner, hairstyle, hairpins, accessories or anything particular about them that made it different from the others.

"I don't get why you idiots like to do this kind of crap and I don't care... We're not sick zoophiles like you", he said annoyed. "I just...!", Kanefusa tried to speak but the rough pulling on her hair stopped her from saying another word.

"Kyah!", Kanefusa exclaimed as her cat ears hairband was pulled off her hair. "I got the ears! It was a bit troublesome but I found them! I wish I could say the same about the nose though...", another girl exclaimed as she entered the classroom in a hurry, raising a pig ears hairband triumphantly.

"Just in time Ohara", another girl in the group surrounding the chubby girl said with an excited grin. "Its alright, I came prepared. Give me that", the boy in the center said as he took them and pulled out a black marker.

"There we go! Now you look more accurate", a girl said and laughed as the boy put the pig ears on her head. "Almost", he said as pushed the chin of a trembling Kanefusa upwards with the tip of the marker.

"Hahahahahaha!", the laughs became almost deafening as she felt the humid tip of the marker running circles on her race. "There we go! Now you're complete!", he said as he finished and moved aside to let everyone see the pig nose drawing on her face as tears started running down the girls eyes.

"Oink for us piggyfusa!", Someone in the small crowd shouted. "Oink, oink, oink!", the rest chanted.

"You heard them pig, you better oink now or else...", the boy grinned deviously as he pointed at other boy of blurry face to her right. "N-No... Please...", Her eyes went wide open, showing great  fear as she saw him holding her sketchbook an a red marker.

"Then oink!", the boy holding her book said. Kanefusa sobbed and closed her eyes, trying to convince herself she would soon wake up from this horrible dream. "Looks like she needs some motivation, do it", the boy in the center commanded and immediately, the one with the red marker opened her sketchbook and scribbled over one of her drawings, ruining it completely.

Kanefusa however kept her eyes closed, refusing to see anything else.

"She won't watch huh? Give me that", the boy in the center said and took the sketchbook to then mercilessly start ripping the pages off it which finally got Kanefusa to open her eyes and shout in tears, "stop!!".

"What? I don't speak that language! Maybe a different one would do...", He said and ripped another of her drawings, dropped it to the floor for other to step on it while the rest laughed like maniacs.

Kanefusa couldn't watch any more.

"O-Oink...", she muttered in sobs. "Louder!", the crowd shouted.

"Oink! Oink!", Kanefusa cried but complied until the boy stopped and dropped her book only to hold his stomach from so much laughter.

The magenta haired girl dropped to her knees and picked up what was left of her sketchbook, clutching it against her chest while those demonic laughs continued for what it seemed years.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

October 30th 2017

"So there will be a contest then... What's the prize?", The pink girl asked with crossed arms from he seat. "The  best individual costume will get one of those new Nintendo switch, the best couple costumes will get a coupon for a fancy dinner somewhere, limousine service included and all and the best group costumes will get a trip to Disneyland in Tokyo", Mayu explained from the teachers podium.

"When did the school get so much money to give us all that?? The festival couldn't have left us with that much money", Mao said cocking an eyebrow. "I found it odd too but the principal just said "generous donations" about it", Mayu sighed.

"Well, whoever did those donations has our gratitude~", Haru added. "I want that Nintendo switch... But I also want that fancy dinner...", Natsuki said troubled, resting her head on her girlfriend's shoulder who began petting her hair.

"Luckily we haven't finished our costumes yet... We can still go back to individual costumes", Yuri said. "True... But don't you want that fancy dinner?", Natsuki asked with a cute grin.

"I-I could pay for it myself...", Yuri fidgeted with her hair and looked away a bit nervous. "Stop humiliating us with your money!", Natsuki scolded her a bit jealous but a bit relieved too.

"I-I mean I still have those reservations Monika gave me that time we were scouting for new members remember?", Yuri said. "Ah, right... I totally forgot about those...hmmm we'll have to think about it seriously then because I want that switch...", Natsuki said and leaned on Yuri's shoulder again to think.

"It's better if you step out of the couple contest because Mayu and I will win that dinner!", Monika said confident. "Yeah, we- wait what??", Mayu asked confused.

"Ye, ye, we beat your ass just two days ago, I don't feel like doing it again so soon", Natsuki grinned, making Monika pout upset as she remembered the events in the forest.

"I heard the wrestling club is participating for the group contest...are we still in time to pull out something ourselves for that one?", Mao asked. "The minimum is 3 and the limit is 5 people, the single pringle club may wanna join you", Natsuki replied grinning.

"Don't remind me of that...", Haru and Erika sighed, Ruri glanced at the latest and Kiyomi twitched her mouth. "Ry and I will be superheroes!", Sayori exclaimed and throw her hands in the air.

"Jazz and Kanae will probably enter the couple one...", Monika said to herself and also glanced at Omiko and Ryuko, analyzing her competition. "Hey, I never said I would-", Mayu tried to talk some sense into her but chaos had arrived, cutting her off.

"Greethongs dudes!", the messy ponytail girl exclaimed as she entered the clubroom, followed by her magenta haired friend who cheerfully said, "nyallo!".

"Hey, girls! We were just talking about the Halloween- mm? What's in that bag? Don't tell me you're trying to compete against Natsuki in the cupcakes area?", Monika asked with a hand on her hip as she noticed the big paper bag in Kanefusa's hand.

"What?!", Natsuki stood up feisty, reading to defend her territory. "Of course nyot! It's just a little present for you guys hehe", Kanefusa smiled a bit nervous, putting the bag on one of the desks, ready to unveil it's contests.

"She's been refusing to tell me what it is all day dude, I'm curious too", Emerson said. "It better not be cupcakes or Natsuki will make a scene here", Monika whispered to her and Mayu as they glanced at the feisty pink girl, hissing like a cat ready to attack.

"Ta-da!", Kanefusa exclaimed with a smile as she pulled out two hairbands, one with pink cat ears and the other with purple cat ears. "I chose these based on the animals you guys give me vibes of hehe, for example Nats and Yu-Yu remind me of two kitties, one very feisty, like those that hiss at you if you try to touch them and another very shy and graceful, like one of those that would hide from you at first but once they trust you will be all over you~", Kanefusa said as she offered the couple the hairbands.

"Why does everyone see me as a cat...", Natsuki said unimpressed but gladly accepted the gift. "Y-Yu-Yu?", Yuri asked confused and embarrassed as she took hers.

"A-Ah, I just called you that without thinking, sorry...", Kanefusa smiled awkwardly. "It's a cute nickname though, I may call you that just to embarrass you, Yu-Yu~♪", Natsuki grinned as she put the purple cat ears on her girlfriend's face whose face turned into a tomato, a happy one that quickly and furiously fidgeted with her long strands of purple hair as her girlfriend calling her that had 100 times the effect of Kanefusa doing it.

"And what's for us??", Sayori bounced her way to the front dragging her girlfriend. "Ah, for you two I got... These!", Kanefusa said and pulled out another pair, one with cow ears and horns and one with bear ears.

"Although Sayori gives me vibes of many adorable animals like puppies, cats, bunnies and so on, I couldn't think of a better option than her favorite one! And as for Ry, she has that aura of a menacing bear that would do anything to protect their little one but at the same time that makes her really adorable too, like a teddy bear", Kanefusa explained.

"How did you know I call her my blue teddy bear?? That's impressive guessing!", Sayori said as she took the bear ones for her girl and got on her tip toes to put them on her head. "Sayori!", Ryona said blushing madly.

"Mine!", Sayori then snatched the cow ears off her hand and put them on at once, turning to her girlfriend with a bashful smile and eager blue eyes. Ryona almost froze before Sayori's ever so captivating cuteness and blushed even harder

"How do I look??", Sayori asked gripping her fists after seeing her girlfriend all flushed. Ryona looked around and saw their friends grinning and smirking at them. The dark blue haired girl leaned down a bit to whisper on her girl's ear, "y-you look adorably cute".

"Kyaaaah~!", Sayori exclaimed excited and hugged her girlfriend who couldn't help but smile and hug her back dearly. "I love you!", Sayori exclaimed, which like an arrow, pierced Ryona's poor heart, bringing her closer to heaven as her soul left her body of so much happiness.

"Sit down dude, sit down", Emerson hurried and helped the dark blue haired one sit down and calm down while Sayori remained clinged to her from behind.

"What else do you have?", Monika asked the magenta haired one. "For you and miss Mayo I got these!", Kanefusa said and pulled another pair , one with Lion ears and a bit of the characteristic hair and another of white wolf ears.

"It's only natural for Moni to remind me of the animal symbol of leadership! Plus your hair color it's similar hehe and for miss Mayo she's always given me that aura of a lone wolf serious, graceful and strong but that deep down is just as adorable as any puppy", Kanefusa explained.

"W-Wha-", Mayu blushed madly. "You're so right! She's a big softie in the inside~", Monika said as she received both hairbands and proceeded to forcefully put the wolf ones on Mayu's head.

"For Omi and Ryuko I got these", Kanefusa continued as those two continued to wrestle, pulling out a pair of giraffe ears and horns. "Giraffes?", Omiko asked curious as they received theirs.

"You two always can be seen in the background just doing your thing and being cute, never bothering others that's the impression you and giraffes give me hehe", Kanefusa explained. "I read giraffes are one of the gayest animals too, that makes it even more suitable for them~", Natsuki commented with a grin and hands on hips.

"E-Eh?!", Omiko exclaimed embarrassed and Ryuko just smiled awkwardly. "It's totally not because of that! I swear I didn't know!", Kanefusa said panicking, afraid of them not liking that.

"It's okay Kane-chan, I know you wouldn't do that haha, only Natsuki here could come up with such idea", Ryuko sighed. "And they're not denying it because they know it's true", Natsuki said confident.

"A-Anyway, ummm for Erika and Ruri-chan I got these!", Kanefusa said and pulled out another pair with bunny ears, black and green respectively. "Bunnies!", Erika said smiley as she approached to take hers followed by Ruri who shyly accepted hers and bowed in gratitude.

"I know these ones! Bunnies are some of the horniest animals that's why it suits Erika well!", Natsuki commented. "But at the same time they are adorable and small, like Ruri-chan", Yuri added raising a finger.

"You're right about Ruri-chan but Erika was a different-", Kanefusa was about to correct but the twintailed one spoke first. "Can't deny that~ plus bunny ears only make a girl sexier so I'll proudly wear these!", Erika said as she put on hers, taking Ruri to the back afterwards to make her put hers.

"Ahaha... Well, finally, for Haru, Kiyomi and Mao I got these!", Kanefusa pulled the 3 apparent last hairbands, one of cow ears, one with tanuki ears and one with cat ears.

"Kiyomi reminds me of tanuki because she can be mischievous, Mao... Well, it was hard to be honest since I don't know her that well but cat ears are always a good accessory for cute girls like you!", Kanefusa explained as the three girls took their respective animal ears.

"And Haru is a cow because cows are also related to thick and exuberant women of big boobs", Natsuki said. "W-Well...", Kanefusa said, a bit glad that Natsuki voiced her opinion which she didn't want to say it herself afraid of being taken the wrong way by the blond gyaru.

"I can be your cowgirl now Emm- kyah!", Haru said as she walked towards Emerson holding her own breasts but the rolled newspaper was all she met. "Go to horny jail Haru!", The messy ponytail girl said while getting away from her.

"I guess that just leaves one more for-", Monika began saying but she would find herself interrupted by that peculiar laugh, "kukuku...".

"She expected you to be planning your next strategy for battle, to think she'd find you doing something like this...", the girl of blue hair and glasses wearing that peculiar uniform said with eyes closed and arms crosses leaning against the doorframe.

"Ah, Mizuki-chan! I'm glad to see you're back, I thought you had regretted your decision of joining us", Monika said as she looked at the time on her phone, almost half an hour since club time started had passed. "Who are you talking to? The only person here is Adelheid Heidenreich, or is it that your third eye allows you to see more than we do?", Adelheid replied.

"My what?", Monika asked awkwardly. "Ah! I also brought one for you!", Kanefusa said as she hurried to pull out one more hairband, this time with fox ears and went to offer them to her. "E-Eh?", Adelheid replied confused.

"Look, we all are wearing animal ears today! I got you these because you remind me of a fox!", Kanefusa said with a smile. Adelheid blushed lightly and looked at the other girls, all wearing their respective animal ears and enjoying their time. "F-Foxes represent adaptability, intelligence, independence, good luck and more great qualities! Adelheid accepts your tribute, cat girl!", she said with a confident grin that looked funny due to her light blush still present, to then take the ears and put them on.

"It suits you well!", Monika said and the others voiced their agreement. "O-Of course it does! But make no mistake this doesn't mean weakness in any form! With this legendary accessory, she will be granted the power of the great kitsune warrior!", Adelheid did her best to look cool and not just like those cute girls around her, playing and fooling around with their new accessory.

"Get away from me dude!", Emerson said as she kept running circles around the room to escape Haru who looked to squeeze her with her attributes. "Come to me Emmy!", Haru giggled as she ran and her breasts bounced.

"Look at you my white adorable wolf!", Monika said after finally convincing Mayu to wear those ears. "Shut up!", Mayu blushed hard and took them off at once, something Monika wouldn't allow as she forced her to wear them again eventually between laughs and tickles.

"Come ooooon smile for me!", Sayori whined with her phone in hand aiming the camera at her girlfriend of red face who kept looking away embarrassed. "I'll give you a kiss if you do, yes??", Sayori used her persuasion abilities which never failed on the dark blue haired one, quickly looking at the camera with a little awkward smile.

"Yay! I didn't have to use filters this time for the ears!", Sayori said victorious. "Wait what??", Ryona asked confused. "Ehehehehe!", the bubbly girl just laughed cutely in response.

"Phew...", Yuri exhaled one more time with her hands clutched against her chest, finally calming down and with her regular skin color returning to her face. "Seems you calmed down... Yu-Yu~", Natsuki said melodically and grinning deviously which again, turned the purple girl's face into a tomato, hiding it behind her book which just made Natsuki laugh happy at her adorable and awkward girlfriend.

Kanefusa sat down on the teachers podium just watching the happy scene. Her ears filled with angelic laughs that one way or another, were thanks to those presents she wholeheartedly thought and bought for them.

"Weeeh... Seems you lit up the lit club today, eh dude?", surprisingly, the messy ponytail girl had come to sit next to her. "Oh h-hey!", Kanefusa couldn't control her nervousness the closer she was.

"Look at them, all having fun and fooling around haha, Erika took like a hundred selfies by now with her bunny ears", Emerson chuckled. "Wasn't Haru after you?", Kanefusa asked confused.

"Keyword: was", Emerson said and pointed at the left side of the room where now was easier to see from their position, the blond gyaru sitting on the floor struggling to untie her ankles. "What exactly...", Kanefusa said smiling awkwardly.

"I wasn't just running around in circles dude, I was strategically setting up a trap using a rope I got in advance for these cases while I was running, setting it around the floor and then pow! When Haru thought she had me cornered I revealed the end of the rope I was holding and pulled it to tie up her ankles in one sweet move~", the messy ponytail girl explained proud.

"Seems like a really good knot hehehe", Kanefusa giggled as both kept watching Haru just tightening the knot more the more she tried to untie it, whining. "Remember dude, the winner of a battle is always decided before it even starts", Emerson said raising her finger.

"Pfft nyehehehehehehe!", Kanefusa's just laughing happy. "Come on, man it was supposed to sound cool, not funny", Emerson chuckled, the cat girl's laugh was contagious.

"Sorry, sorry... It's just, I really feel like laughing right now~", Kanefusa replied. "That's good dude, that's good", Emerson said satisfied with the answer.

"Everyone is distracted now...", Kanefusa muttered as she looked around again to then pull out something from her vest. "Mm?", Emerson turned to her curious.

"H-Here, these are for y-you", Kanefusa said, surprised with her sudden stuttering, as she handed Emerson the last hairband this time with dog ears. "Puppy ears!", Emerson grinned as she accepted them.

"I chose those because we used to be rivals at first, fighting like cats and dogs hehe but aside from that, your super friendly personality just reminds me of doggies a lot, plus you're funny, smart and even strong to protect others like them", Kanefusa explained shyly while intertwining her hands and looking at the floor, too nervous for some reason now.

"Woof woof dude!", Emerson exclaimed jokingly as she put them on to then pet her gently. Kanefusa glanced at her with a smile and deep blush, happy nonetheless.

For how long Emerson's hand lasted petting her hair, the cat girl looked at her new friends one more time seeing their smiles and joy hadn't changed just like the ones in her heart that only kept rising to new heights.

"I'm so happy that I met you", that was the only thought in her mind until she glanced at Emerson again and the harsh reality struck her like a thunder.

"Emerson", "Kanefusa", both said each other names at the same time they looked at each other. "Ah sorry, you go first", Kanefusa said. "No, no, you go first dude", Emerson insisted which just made both snort.

"Okay I'll go first then. Are you free after this? There's something I wanna talk to you about real quick before I go on duty", Emerson asked smiley. "E-Eh? I mean nyes! I was about to ask you the same thing hehe...", Kanefusa said flattered to be invited first. Her mind couldn't help but relate her own ideas with whatever Emerson asked her out for.

==================

With everyone looking forward to the upcoming Halloween party the following day, the literature club members soon parted ways. Some to go and finish their costumes, some to redesign them completely now that they knew about the prizes, some just to go and make sure they had everything ready.

However some others had things to settle before the big day.

A promise that by no means will remain unfulfilled.

"Mm? Is something wrong?", the dark blue haired girl asked as she felt that small and delicate hand holding hers squeezing it a bit. "A-Ah, sorry! It's just... I'm a little nervous", the red bow girl replied lowering her head while anxiously twirling her uniform's tie with her free hand.

"It'll be okay, I'll be there with you all the time", Ryona said with a warm smile, squeezing her girl's hand gently. "Oki-doki", Sayori mumbled, feeling a bit more calmed. She moved a bit closer, leaning her head on Ryona's shoulder from time to time until they finally arrived at their destination.

It was a small but fairly nice three floor white building. All the square shaped windows looked shiny clean, not even a single stain seemed to obstruct the reflection of the afternoon sunlight, turning orange and red with every minute that passed.

After pushing the two glass doors, just as impeccable as the other glass windows, both found themselves in a small but quite fancy reception. There was a black couch, some artificial plants and the classic reception curved desk made of wood, adorned with the classic flowerpot, where a young lady smiled at them from behind.

"Good afternoon and welcome, what can I do for you?", she asked politely. "Good evening... We ummm have an appointment here with... Therapist Sonozaki", Ryona said while checking the name on her phone to make sure she said it right. The receptionist found it cute how the red bow girl holding her hand seemed to hide behind her a bit, nervously bitting her thumb nail.

"Okay, I need the name of the patient and I'll need you to register as her companion here, as well as your ID just to verify your age", the receptionist said. "Her name's Sayori Touhara and... Here's my ID", Ryona said as she pulled it out of her shirt's pocket, never more glad to have failed the first school year and stay behind one year.

"It still feels weird to know you're already an adult hehe... With you being in the same school year as me. I still feel like a kid", Sayori said as she watched her girlfriend filling in the due paperwork. "You'll be an adult in about a year too...", Ryona replied with a smile.

"Very well, the therapist is waiting for you now, second floor, third door to your left, it has his name on it", the receptionist said. "Thanks... Umm excuse us then", Ryona and Sayori bowed their heads in gratitude and headed to the stairs.

But with every step they took, the red bow girl couldn't help but feel more and more anxious, or perhaps ashamed was the right word? She felt like a death sentenced prisoner walking down the last corridor, having to face the shame of having their sins exposed before their bitter end.

Being in a place like that and aware of why only made her feel weak and useless, like a broken toy that needed to be fixed and of course her mind was convincing her that was the absolute truth to this.

And the worst part of it for her was the fear of what that therapist could say and be someone who would really tell her the truth she has always been aware of but never wanted to hear.
That she's really just a broken toy, one unfixable and one that dark blue haired girl who tried to keep her, would have to get rid of for the better.

Ryona too could feel, not only through Sayori's grip constantly squeezing her hand unconsciously, getting a bit sweaty and her skin surprisingly cold for the time they had been holding hands, but also in her heart somehow.

Just a quick glance at her gloomy and scared expression was enough for her own heart to be squeezed, gripped as if it could be tear apart at any second, however, the tough girl would live up to her name and stay strong for her beloved girl and try to be the one she could lean on and hold from when she felt like giving up.

"Y-You know, it's not that bad maybe! Today I've been feeling okay, last night was just a moment of weakness hehe... W-We could go home now and finish our costumes!", Sayori suddenly began rambling as they reached the second floor, slowing the pace as she could see already the third door to the her left.

"Sayori...", Ryona stopped only to hug her gently, surprising Sayori a bit as she felt her body tense at first. "Don't be nervous... It'll be okay... I'll be here with you all the time... No matter what, I won't leave your side, even if they try to force me to. We can get through this. You can get through this, I believe in you", Ryona whispered on her ear while their embrace lasted.

As simple as those words could've seemed, for the bubbly girl it meant the world. The warmth of Ryona's hugs had that never failed to reach her frozen heart under the cold rain just so it could keep pounding.

"A-Alrighty...", Sayori replied with the best enthusiasm she could pull out as she gripped her girlfriend's shirt a bit and pressed her forehead on her shoulder, taking a deep breath to ease her mind a bit more. "Come on", Ryona said once she felt Sayori loosening the hug a bit, taking her hand and smiling at her to finally walk over the third door to their left.

"Good afternoon ladies, please come in", after knocking one time, almost immediately, a man of short gray hair in his 40s opened it and greeted both with a smile. Both girls greeted back politely and went inside the cozy looking office that almost resembled anyone's living room, with the exception of the typical individual couch in front of a larger one in the middle where the girls were invited to sit at.

"My name's Araki Sonozaki, yeah I'm aware it rhymes", he said with a smile as he sat down on the individual couch to introduce himself. "I-I'm Sayori Touhara, umm I'm 16 years old and I'm here because I-I have de-", Sayori began explaining quite anxious.

"Woah! Take it easy cowboy! This isn't an interrogatory haha let's all just get to know each first, okay?", Sonozaki laughed casually. "A-Alright, sorry hehe...", Sayori scratched her cheek awkward.

"Okay Sayori-chan, who's this handsome girl that accompanies you and is so fixated on holding your hand?", Sonozaki asked grinning. Ryona blushed, being caught a bit off guard. "Ahaha... Well, she's my girlfriend actually, her name's Ryona... I-Is it okay if she stays here by the way?", Sayori asked a bit nervous.

"Of course, of course, like I said this isn't an interrogatory haha, you both make yourself at home", Sonozaki said smiley. "Thanks hehe...", Sayori did her best to smile back, she was starting to feel a bit less nervous.

"And tell me, how long have you two been together for?", Sonozaki asked. "Mmm it's been... What... 5 days already?", Sayori asked her girl who nodded.

"5 days! Wow, I really thought you had at least a year or so!", Sonozaki exclaimed surprised. "Ehehe you think?", Sayori asked a bit flattered. Ryona liked that too.

"Yeah, you two have like a... How to explain it... Like some sort of great chemistry together and I also can see a great shine in Ryona-chan's eyes everytime she looks at you and the other way around. I don't see that very often and believe me, I've talked to a lot of couples", Sonozaki explained.

"Ehehehe...", Sayori smiled flattered at her girlfriend who looked away embarrassed of being exposed so suddenly but at the same time, happy to hear such opinion on her honest love for the red bow girl.

"Judging by those uniforms, you two are still in highschool right?", He asked. "Yep!", Sayori bubblier now.

"And have you two thought of what do you want to do after you graduate?", Sonozaki asked as he crossed his legs. "Me-?", Ryona pointed at herself but before anything else could come out of her mouth, she felt a little squeeze on her hand again.

"A-Actually... I-I know we've not been together for even a week but... I don't know I just... Had this idea recently... Ry's been staying over at my house since we became a couple and I've really really enjoyed it a lot... "Ah... I wish this never ends...", that's what I usually think when I wake up and see her there next to me... S-So I thought it would be really nice to move together... Waaah! Sorry that sounded a lot less embarrassing and weird in my head!!", Sayori explained shy at first, cutely joining the tip of her shoes while speaking, looking at them but at the end, realization hit her hard and made her face all flushed, letting go of Ryona's hand for the first time since they got there only for her to use them to cover her face.

"Hahaha it is a bold statement yes but more importantly...it's great you are looking into your future", Sonozaki's smile suddenly resembled that of a grandfather, who's wisdom in life served for a great advise to his grandsons.

It didn't take long for Sayori to understand the importance of her own words.

While she felt the heat of her own face through her palms, she found herself very surprised to think there was actually something she expected from the future, moreover, even considering there could be one different to what she always thought would be end, was a great but nonetheless pleasant surprise for her.

"And you Ryona-chan? What plans do you have?", Sonozaki asked. "I just want one thing... It's very simple really...", Ryona smiled warmly and looked at her new bracelet and the red and blue pearls one next to other in an endless circle.

"A future with Sayori, that's all", Ryona said and it didn't take more than 2 seconds for her to feel those slender arms wrap around her, along with that peach scent as Sayori buried her face on her shoulder.

"I-I really don't understand why you would choose someone like me... I'm just glad you did", Sayori gripped her shirt. Ryona could feel the moisture on her shoulder growing now. She hugged the girl back and ran her hand through her hair, all while Sonozaki watched attentively.

"I-I really want to look forward to that bright future everyday, yet there are times rain clouds appear and try to block my view of it...", And with that, holding her girlfriend's hand again, Sayori finally found the courage to talk about her greatest pain in life.

=================

"Are you really sure about this, love?", Yuri asked her pink girl. "Yeah, we'll have to save these for some future convention and cosplay there", Natsuki sighed as she looked at their magical girls costumes from a certain anime show, which they had hung on Yuri's wall proudly and ready for the big day.

"O-Okay then...", Yuri replied smiling awkwardly and confused about the cosplay she mentioned. "I'll wear that other magical girl costume I have at home, you could say its original since I customized it, what are you gonna wear though?", Natsuki asked as she went and dropped on the bed.

"I have this victorian dress somewhere, if I combine it with this other hood I have... I suppose it'll make a good sorceress attire, I can even take my Necronomicon book to complement it", Yuri explained as she sat next to her.

"I wanna be the first to see it!", Natsuki grinned cutely as she rolled over on her stomach. "J-Just let me find it th- kyah!", Yuri blushed lightly and was about to get up but the pink one caught her in time, grabbing her waist and pulling her back for Yuri to fall on her back.

"Hehe w-what is it, darling?", Yuri asked blushing as Natsuki climbed on top of her. "Nothing", Natsuki said and rested her head on Yuri's chest, staring at her with a smile to which Yuri responded by doing the same, brushing some of Natsuki's hair with her fingers.

"Thanks for you know... Letting me have my way", Natsuki said drifting her eyes to the side. "Mm? With what?", Yuri asked a bit confused.

"With the Halloween costume you dummy", Natsuki rolled her eyes and smiled.  "I-It's no big deal really", Yuri replied.

"Nah, it is kinda... Like, I know your rich ass could get it for me if I asked you to but... I like to get my own stuff you know? Like, to be able to say "look, I got this myself!", and yeah I know it may sound dumb but whatever...", Natsuki explained. "It's not dumb, on the contrary, I think it's something very commendable of you. To me, it shows you're a very capable and honest person", Yuri smiled at her sweetly and caressed her cheek.

"Well, you're not half bad yourself either", Natsuki chuckled happy and grabbed Yuri's hand, kissing her palm, purring against her touch again afterwards. "Thank you!", Yuri giggled happy.

"... I'll have to go home to get my costume", Natsuki sighed quietly, resting her head on Yuri's chest, listening to her heartbeats. "You don't sound too excited about it", Yuri replied, petting her girlfriend's hair.

"Heh, you think?", Natsuki replied with a sorrowful smile Yuri didn't get to see. "Your father may be missing you. Don't you miss seeing your family though? You've spent most of the time here with me since we started dating, not that I'm complaining~", Yuri said smiley.

"My father missing me? That'd be nice for a change...", Natsuki mumbled with a voice that soon alerted Yuri, perceiving the sorrow in it. "What do you mean?", Yuri asked concerned to then open her eyes wider and her heart fluttering as Natsuki buried her face on her chest and wrapped her arms around her tightly but gently.

"Right now... You're the only family I really have", Natsuki mumbled. Yuri could hear her drowned cracky voice as she kept her face buried, surely trying to hold back tears. "Natsuki...", Yuri felt her heart shrinking at her usually strong girlfriend, now looking so vulnerable. She wrapped her arms around her gently squeezing her petite body and reached the top of her head with a kiss.

Both remained silent, just holding each other for a brief moment until Natsuki loosened the embrace a bit. Yuri felt her body moving, letting go of her to let her get more comfortable or whatever she was trying to do, to her surprise however, the pink girl simply slid herself a bit lower, resting on top of her still but with her head on Yuri's stomach.

"You know... I've thought that if I ever had a child... I'd really like to be the best parent I could. I wouldn't like them to go through the things I've experienced. I would give them a life full of love and care like it should be", Natsuki said with a warm smile as she traced circles on Yuri's stomach with her finger.

"That'd be lovely but... T-to have a child, wouldn't you have to...?", Yuri said now feeling anxious. "Of course not! Ew... It's the 21st century Yuri, there are options for couples like us now, you know!", Natsuki exclaimed offended but as Yuri's faced turned bright red, she covered her mouth quickly.

"Sorry... I-I got carried away and you know... Ugh...", Natsuki twitched her mouth and looked away embarrassed and ashamed. "D-Don't be... I'd also l-like to... You know... With you", Yuri replied shyly but overwhelmingly happy as the idea began making a lovely mess in her wild imagination.

"R-Really?", Natsuki asked almost in whispers, glancing shyly at her girlfriend. Yuri nodded just as shy. "W-We are too young to be talking about this anyway hahaha!", Natsuki laughed awkwardly after landing a quick peck on Yuri's lips.

"R-Right hehe...", Yuri replied. "Anyways, I better go home now so I can have enough time to prepare my costume and stuff", Natsuki said as she got off her girl and laid next her, looking at the ceiling.

"Don't gooo!", Yuri said jokingly as she turned to her and clinged to the pink girl. "Staph you big purple baby", Natsuki chuckled and tried to break free by force.

"Stay with me baby please don't go~", Yuri sang, just basking in the joy and happiness this girl made her feel, not caring how silly she could seem right now. "You dork let go of me! Hahaha!", Natsuki laughed as Yuri's face sliding to her ribs as she wrestled her tickled her a little.

"Kyah!", Yuri exclaimed as she felt a pinch on her left boob, having to let go of Natsuki at last. "Don't even complain because you deserved it", Natsuki said feisty as she stood up and put some distance between them.

Yuri didn't say anything, she just kept staring at her with that fool smile of a highschooler looking at her crush from afar. "W-What? Do I have something on my face?", Natsuki asked a bit embarrassed, looking away with crossed arms.

"I was just thinking of how much I'm going to miss you", Yuri replied. "Oh come on! It's just gonna be for a couple of hours! Plus I'll be texting you later you big exaggerated dummy", Natsuki rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back her fool smile.

"A second without you by my side feels like a thousand years", Yuri said clutching her chest dramatically. "How the fuck do you do it to be so cheesy I swear!", Natsuki facepalmed, blushing lightly.

"A minute without hearing your sweet voice telling me that you love me feels like a century of silence", Yuri said. "Ugh, I'mma go now before you get any cheesier that I become intolerant to lactose", Natsuki rolled her eyes and hurried to pack some of her stuff.

"I'll see you tomorrow then", Natsuki said as she walked over to her girlfriend still sitting on the bed waiting for her, leaning down a bit to kiss her lips goodbye. "I'll accompany you to the door", Yuri said and followed her girlfriend downstairs.

"Okay, see ya then purple bae, I'll see if I can stay over tomorrow again or somet- stop!", Natsuki was saying as both stood outside Yuri's door. The purple one couldn't resist her adorable girlfriend sometimes like just now, kissing her cheek suddenly.

"I'm sorry!", Yuri said cutely fidgeting with her hair, an image that simply squeezed Natsuki's poor heart. "Bye then", Natsuki sighed and waved her hand at her.

Yuri closed the little distance between them, leaned down placing her hands on Natsuki's shoulders and kissing her lips softly. "I'll see you tomorrow, darling. Take care, I love you", Yuri said to which Natsuki replied with a smile and honest, "I love you too".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the streets bathed in the orangish light of a soon to be setting sun, the messy ponytail girl looked to the sky as a flock of pitches flew high above their heads, all heading to the same direction to get ready for the upcoming night.

Then she looked ahead of her again, just to see that magenta haired girl of cat ears humming quietly as she walked with her hands behind her back and a smile she didn't get to see from there but was sure was there.

"Is it still far from here?", Emerson asked and saw Kanefusa denying with her head first to then reply, "nyope! It's actually... Right there!", Kanefusa put on the brakes with a little forward jump, pointing at a small and slightly dirty white warehouse between two bigger buildings whose walls had some graffiti on them.

"Okay... When you said you had a nice and special place for us to go, I thought it'd be some secret spot in the park or a bridge with a nice view haha...", Emerson laughed awkwardly. "It is nice and special! Just come see it for yourself!", Kanefusa said while looking to the sides to make sure it was safe to cross to then do it almost bouncing like Sayori.

"As suspicious as this could seem, I'mma trust you this isn't some sort of ambush dude", Emerson said as they approached the two gray
roller shutters doors. "Hehehe, it may be an ambush now that I think about it", Kanefusa giggled as she pulled out a pair of keys from her bag and crouched to remove the big lock off the door and proceed to roll it up open.

"Wha-", Emerson said confused and a bit nervous now. "Come on in!", Kanefusa grabbed her wrist and dragged her inside all smiles after turning on the lights with a switch right between both doors.

"Come on out! Psh psh psh psh!", Kanefusa's exclaimed and immediately, the warehouse filled with empty boxes, bowls and some scratching posts which only the little fellows that came out would enjoy made sense. "Woah...", Emerson said surprised as the cats surrounded them both, most of them keeping their distance from the new face there but a couple of them seemingly friendlier (or hungrier) didn't care and just approached the magenta haired girl meowing.

"I know, I know, just give me a minute you guys~", Kanefusa giggled as she crouched to pet the friendlier cats. Emerson saw one rubbing itself against Kanefusa's leg, making her want to pet it. "Come on, say hi to Emerson!", Kanefusa told the three cats at her feet, pointing at the messy ponytail girl.

"Hey dudes", Emerson said grinning. While most of them just looked at her with curious eyes, one of them, a yellow one with orange stripes did meow at her which Emerson knew probably meant "are you gonna feed us or what?", chuckling at it.

"Good girl, Misha!", Kanefusa exclaimed and petted the cat in question. "You're probably wondering what is this place", Kanefusa said.

"You read my mind dude", Emerson replied. "Well, it's no big deal really hehe I rented this warehouse using the money I'd get from them to use it as a shelter for stray cats so they can have a place to come and sleep if they want to or to protect themselves from the rain and to come for some food", Kanefusa explained as she walked over to a yellow rack stacked with small bags of cat food and picked some.

"But you keep me them locked down or...?", Emerson asked confused. "No, no, see those small windows above those piled up boxes are? They come and go through them or whenever I come they also enter through the main door too like him!", Kanefusa said pointing happy at a black cat gracefully making his way in through the now open shutter door.

"Ohhhh! Heh, this is quite nice of you man", Emerson said as she looked at all the cats gathering around Kanefusa like she was some kind of prophet, some meowing, some rubbing against her legs to show their appreciation while she opened the bags and put the food on their bowls.

"I had to use that evil money for something positive!", Kanefusa exclaimed smiley while sitting on the floor in the lotus position petting the cats while they ate. "Well done duuuuude!", Emerson said after walking towards her and giving her some head pats in reward, never failing to get that warm happy smile and deep blush on Kanefusa's face.

"E-Emerson, I...", Kanefusa mumbled, intertwining her hands but the messy ponytail one didn't hear as she was set on doing something else first. "For the job well done, I shall give you one more cool reward", Emerson said as she pulled out something from her bag.

"Taran!", Emerson exclaimed and Kanefusa's eyes went wide open, sparkling like crystaline waters, her mouth slightly open, trying to say something but not knowing what yet and of course, a heart that skipped a beat as she saw the sky blue sketchbook adorned with cute kitty stickers and doodles on the cover that she last remembered seeing cut in half, now joined again by a perfectly straight line of transparent tape in the middle.

"T-That's...!", Kanefusa finally said something as she stood up quickly, startling one cat eating next to her that soon just kept eating.

"It was difficult but I did my best to fix it hehe... I had to join them page by page with tape, it was tough because I had to put it very very slow so it wouldn't look all wrinkled, the hardest part though was everytime I reached the upper or lower edge because I had to carefully fold it so it adjusted to the line of the page. That's why I haven't slept well by the way but hey it was entertaining and it paid off! You won't notice the tape on each page if you don't look that close ahaha...", Emerson explained while the cat girl flipped over the pages one by one, seeing those drawings she had made with so much effort and thought lost and ripped in half, now back together as if it had all been just a bad dream.

Her eyes felt like watering once she finished and her chest felt warm and ticklish as the happiness that overwhelmed her heart and soul urged her to let out tears of joy.

Kanefusa held them back though and did the only other thing her heart begged her to do as she wrapped her arms around the messy ponytail girl, hugging her tightly but careful not to hurt her in any way, burying her face on her shoulder and letting her little nose memorize her perfume in the process.

"You're welcome dude", Emerson awkwardly returned the hug, patting her back. "C-Can we stay like this a bit more? I promise it won't be long", Kanefusa mumbled.

"Sure, man, it's all good", Emerson said, letting her have her way just this time at least. Kanefusa didn't say anything but the dark brown haired girl felt the grip on her blazer as it pulled against her body a bit. She also could smell the cherry scent of Kanefusa's hair right next to her face, chuckling in her mind as she thought the top hat dude probably shared the same shampoo.

Eventually, Kanefusa pulled away from the hug, shyly walking backwards with her sketchbook clutched against her chest dearly and smiling warmly, looking at the floor embarrassed but happy.

"Okay, that was the thing I wanted to tell you, or show you in this case haha. What did you want to talk to me about though? Or was this place what you wanted to show me?", Emerson asked which made the cat girl's snap out of her lovey-dovey kind of state in a second.

What did she want to tell her?
Earlier that day when both asked each other for some time after school, both had used the same excuse for it. In Emerson's case it had been true to an extent now that she had her fixed sketchbook back in her hands but what was that she wanted to tell her?

Bringing her to her little cat shelter had been an idea she got in the spur of the moment when Emerson asked her where they should go to have that talk so that wasn't really it.

So what was that she had brought her here for?
She couldn't remember it clearly, what's more, she didn't remember there was actually something she already had in mind to tell her.

She then thought that perhaps, her heart and mind just worked together to get her more time to spend with her. After all, every moment Emerson was with her only made her heart flutter for some reason and nice sensations like those were something our subconscious will always try to make us get more of.

So was it really that or... Was it because she knew Emerson would soon be heading to where that man could be?

Was it because she knew she may not see her again?

Kanefusa felt a horrible pain in the chest when that thought crossed her mind.

"L-Look", Kanefusa said and shyly brushed the hair off the left side of her face and took off her glasses. "Mm?", Emerson tilted her head confused to then get a bit nervous as Kanefusa walked closer to her brought her face closer to hers.

However she soon understood why and smacked herself with a mental rolled newspaper for thinking of something else.

Most of them were barely visible if it wasn't for the close distance between them but there were certainly a good handful of them.
Small scars scattered around her left eyes and cheekbones, on some she could still see the marks of now removed stitches even.

"What happened to you there?", Emerson asked. For some reason, seeing Kanefusa hurt even some time ago now made her feel a bit upset. "A dog bit me hehe...", Kanefusa smiled awkwardly as she put on her glasses again and brushed the hair over the left side of her face again.

"Eesh, really?", Emerson asked a bit surprised. "Nyeah... It happened when I was little, I was 5 years old I think... Like I told you before, I always liked animals ever since I have memory of anything, so our neighbors had this dog, a pretty average dog at that hehe I used to go play with him whenever I could but one day I made the mistake of trying to play with him while he was eating, now I understand it was my fault and he probably thought I wanted to steal his food so he attacked me and bit my face", Kanefusa paused as she crouched and kept petting the cats who had finished eating and were just laying there resting.

"Ever since then I can't be around dogs, it's not like I hate them or anything, I enjoy watching videos of them being cute and funny and all but they just make me... Like really nervous and anxious, scared even", Kanefusa said. "The trauma, dude, it's understandable", Emerson said as she crouched next to her and started scratching the belly of one of the cats there who gladly accepted it.

"Don't you think it's ironic? You give me doggie vibes but I can totally be around you all the time hehe", Kanefusa giggled. "It certainly is man", Emerson chuckled too.

Both ran out of things to say after that but they remained there, next to each other petting cats. Emerson even got her hand bit by one of them after getting annoyed of too much belly rubbing, getting another laugh out of them.

As nice as this moment was and despite spending some quality time with the girl of two colored eyes already being wonderful enough for her, Kanefusa couldn't help but feel like there was something missing.

She had managed to come out with something to tell her, revealing her that little secret behind her hair which was surprisingly easy despite the shame it sometimes made her feel. Perhaps it was because she knew well Emerson wouldn't judge her and would understand her like she had been doing until now.

Or was it because she just wanted to share everything of herself with her?

In any case, she couldn't help but feel that little thorn in her side that looked to tell her, "you're still forgetting something, something important".

But what was that exactly?
Emerson thought as she glanced at the smiley dark brown haired girl who noticed her eyes on her, looking back at her and giving her the friendliest and cutest grin she ever saw and then it all became clear.

"You're really my hero, in many ways", Kanefusa said as she stood up and intertwined her fingers together. "Ahaha thanks dude, I do my best to help!", Emerson said a bit flattered, scratching her cheek.

"Not only you saved my life, but you gave me a new one, one that despite the short time has been full of funny, happy, beautiful moments. All the younger Kanefusa couldn't get and always wanted came to me thanks to you. Wonderful friends, amazing days and most importantly... A person who I can be myself with...", Kanefusa said. Her heart beating faster with every word, her face feeling warm and her eyes looking at her own intertwined hands where her thumbs rubbed against each other anxious as she didn't feel ready yet to look at those two colored eyes surely on her now.

But she was set to look at them, and she'd do it once she could say those words.

"Emerson, I... I...", Kanefusa lifted her head and looked at her in the eyes, being able to see the curious and slightly nervous expression on her face, making her heart pound faster as she noticed the light blush appearing on her face.

"No one will survive".

Those words like daggers pierced through her chest as she remembered them and the voice that spoke them.
A voice the girl in front of her may soon listen to herself.

Kanefusa closed her eyes and lowered her head, feeling her teeth clattering and that bitterness on her throat as her eyes began to burn.

"Hey, take it easy dude", and once again, her voice scared off the fear inside of her as she also felt like that hand now unmistakable for her on her hair, petting her.

Kanefusa sighed quietly but smiled, she kept her head low a bit and noticed one of the cats there looking at her from below. She called him Groovy and once he saw her looking at him, he blinked slowly at her to then turn around and go to his small bed.

"Hey, do you know what's a cat kiss?", Kanefusa asked shy once Emerson stopped petting her. "Mmm is it when they bump their noses on you?", Emerson asked a bit unsure.

"Hehe, not exactly. Cats can show you affection with a kiss but their kiss is a bit different from what we could think. To do it, they look at you with soft eyes and slowly blink at you", Kanefusa explained smiley. "Ohhhh! Didn't know that one dude", Emerson replied impressed.

"Nyeah hehe...", Kanefusa giggled and both remained silent again for a bit, just looking at each other awkwardly until Emerson saw Kanefusa's uncovered purple eye looking at her softly to then slowly blink at her.

"........"

"......"

"..."

"A-Ahahahaha! L-Look at the time dude! I-I gotta go home now! I-I gotta prepare my stuff to go meet with top hat dude later hahahaha! I-I'll see you tomorrow at the party! Adiós!" Emerson suddenly blushed madly and found herself stuttering greatly, rambling something she wouldn't remember well later to then turn around and run away almost stumbling on the way.

Kanefusa just giggled as she looked at her go, curling her fingers at her and feeling that warmth in her chest to then say, "I know you'll be back and when you are, I promise I'll say it to you properly".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

"It feels so weird to be back here...", the top hat man stated as he and the messy ponytail girl finished climbing down a ladder that the latest thought would take them to the center of the earth when she saw how deep the hole seemed to be.

"This is quite the place man", Emerson said as she looked around the big gray room that only had 4 elevators with one number each from 1 to 4 and a huge monitor in the middle with a thick gray layer of dust all over the screen.

"Judging by this dust, there's only two options. One, there hasn't been anyone here in ages or two, they're dirty people that don't like to clean", Emerson said after running her finger over the screen only for it to turn gray.

"Mm? Everything okay man?", Emerson asked after seeing the hat man was completely silent and seemingly absently staring at the elevator number 4. "Eh? Ah, yeah, all good sorry", he replied with a bit of a strange voice.

"That's the one we should take first? Or should we split it up?", Emerson asked. "No splitting up, not here", the top hat man said serious.

"Okay... Which one then?", Emerson asked a bit concerned. "Number 1, it'll take us to some sort of meeting room", the top hat man said and started heading towards that elevator, soon followed by the messy ponytail one.

"I'm surprised these work... And worried now", Emerson mumbled after he pressed the button and the usual red light turned on above the doors. She could hear the mechanisms struggling a bit to get back to work in the death silence of that room until the light turned green and the doors opened.

Inside, there were only two buttons, one was a triangle pointing upwards and the other a triangle pointing downwards. He pressed the one pointing downwards, which made both doors close to then take them down even deeper into the underworld.

When the doors opened, the top hat man calmly stepped out and walked through the single corridor it lead them to, to a single metal door at the end of it. Emerson noticed the strange shape of the door handle, an x that turned into a cross as the top hat man turned it to the left, unlocking the door that creaked loud, making the girl pull out her shield attached to her back just in case.

"Woah!", Emerson exclaimed as the lights turned on themselves all of sudden. "Relax, these are automatic", the top hat man said calmly.

The messy ponytail girl then got a good look at the meeting room in which the things that stood out the most were a big triangle shaped crystal table in the middle along with some fancy chairs and a big set of monitors with a control panel under them in the opposite side of the room, all quite dusty at that though.

"It really seems nobody's been here in a while... So the family ran out of business in this one too...", The hat man said. "The family?", Emerson asked confused.

"Sorry, I was speaking my thoughts out loud. I'll tell you all about the family in due time. For now, let's look around this room for clues or something", the hat man said and headed to the monitors while Emerson started checking inside a set of drawers in the corner.

The messy ponytail girl didn't find anything interesting there, just a bunch of old financial records, reports and other money related documents that were quite outdated now as most of them were from 2009 or prior.

She eventually got bored of that and went to see what the hat man was doing. He had already turned on the monitors and was operating the control panel which seemed to be with the purpose of multiple images of different rooms to appear in each monitors.

"Whatcha doing here dude?", Emerson asked. "Trying to see if these security cameras can show us something interesting. Everything here looks completely dead though, not a single soul can be seen anywhere in this place apparently", he sighed.

"Well that sucks but at the same time doesn't haha... Mm?", Emerson said awkwardly but as she started laughing a bit to break the tension, the corner of one of her two colored eyes caught something, something in the monitor in the far right bottom corner.

She then walked closer to that one to see better what that monitor was showing, opening her eyes widely as she saw the camera aimed from above at some big shutter door and part of another one of those gray hallways where she was now watching some sort of food can rolling over the floor slowly.

"Dude! Take a look at this!!", Emerson exclaimed, jumping on her toes and pointing at the monitor in question. The top hat man rushed there and lowered his glasses a bit to see better, although due to his height and the shadow his hat provided, Emerson didn't get to see his eyes.

"S-So... What do we do?", Emerson asked a bit nervous. "Either it was a rat or someone else really is down here with us... Either way, we gotta go there and check it out ourselves", he replied serious.

"I knew you'd say that haha... And I got a bad feeling about this", Emerson said. She felt colder now but for some reason, she was eager to go there, like there was some sort of force that tried to drag her there.

=================

After finding themselves in a huge room full of different kind of vehicles, some even looking like they were pulled from some futuristic movie, Emerson followed the hat man through the room, keeping an eye in all directions as her instincts and common sense told her in a huge room like this, an attack could really come from anywhere.

"I think it's this one...", He said when they reached a big heavy looking sliding shutter door, all the way down and blocking their way. "How do we open it th-!!", Emerson was about to ask when the door suddenly began sliding up slowly.

"Please tell me I said the magic word", Emerson gulped as she held her shield tight and ready for anything. "I wish that was the case...", He replied.

They patiently waited for the door to slide all the way up and finally reveal another gray hallway that had two turns at the end of it, one to the right and one to the left, and of course, that empty can of food they saw earlier through the monitor right before their feet now.

The top hat man entered first and Emerson soon followed him until he stopped 8 feet in to pick up the empty can of food, making the girl stopped behind him.

"#$& ∆¶÷ y•×?"

"M#? I'# ∆¶¶¶ × #r1£¶√& c#1|¶!"

"Jπ$t #### ÷€ # f0® $•Π"

"Hey! Are you okay?!", she felt her shoulders shaken lightly as that familiar deep voice asked. "Eh?", Emerson asked confused. She had her hand on her temple as if it hurt.

"Hmmm... This must be the spot...", The top hat man said a few seconds after some thinking, gently pushing Emerson by the shoulders while she recovered, making her walk backwards as he noticed the shutter door starting to slid down again.

"Emerson, this is where you and I part ways for now", he said serious once she was outside the hallway. "Wha- what are you talking about man?", She asked nervous and slightly confused, shaking her head.

"This screams trap anyway you look at it. Go back and tell the Head about everything we found here", the top hat man replied as he pointed at the door sliding down above his head

"Eesh man... I may be many things but... I'd never leave a dude behind...", Emerson put on an awkward smile as she tried to walk back inside with him but the hat man raised his hand to make her stop. "Go now. It's for your own good, plus someone's waiting for you out there, right?", He said serious. The door was starting to hide his hat.

That slow blink came to her mind.

"...I...", Emerson's heart and mind were arguing. "I'll be okay, come on, there's nothing I can't do, remember?", he said with her more usual friendly tone.

"Eesh... Fine, but you better be there for the party tomorrow", Emerson sighed and said. "I promise dude", he replied and he crouched a bit for both to shake hands to seal the deal until the door slid down enough to make them let go of each other.

Emerson watched him do a quick thumbs up from below the sliding door until the door finally slid shut and stood between them. She sighed but she also knew there was nothing that guy couldn't do. Chosing to believe in him, she simply turned around and went back from where they came from.

••••••••••••••••••••••

When the door slid shut, the lights of the hallway looked dimmer, as if they were fading slowly while he kept walking through it. He reached the end and looked at both ways.
Another can was lying there at the end of the hallway to the left. He headed there.

At the end there was one more turn to his left to a wider hallway and where the lights really had faded gradually the deeper you looked into it. He walked slower, careful to his surroundings until the darkness started to consume him.

Soon, he felt something on his foot as he heard the unmistakable sound of paper wrinkling. As soon as he picked it up the lights went on again, allowing him to read what was written on it.

I'm surprised you found us so quickly but if you wanted to see us, you should've waited a couple more hours!

I'll see you all at the big party tomorrow, hope you can make it.

The top hat man gritted his teeth and gripped the paper angry.
Anger that he soon casted away to focus as he lifted his head and found himself before another heavy looking sliding shutter door, this time bigger than the previous one and with a plate in the center that read a familiar name.

LARS