“Hey Claire, you should take a break now, go wander about, Rei and I should be good for a bit.” Shiko says after she puts away the money from the last purchase. Claire looks a little hesitant. “Oh are you certain? I would enjoy another perusal but I don’t have to.” “Nah it’s good, go take another sweep of the floor, it’s winding down anyways, and most of my stock is sold too. We got a couple hours left before we pack it in and grab dinner.” Claire nods, “Okay, well take care of Rei for me, I’ll return back shortly.” She then turns to me, I feel her take my hand squeezed under the table by her and she gives me a wink. “I’ll see you soon Rei.” I can feel my mask shift as a smile forms underneath it, “Have fun, I’m sure I’ll survive.” “You better .” She grins, collects herself and slips out from our booth. She gives one last turn and a wave and disappears into the aisles. “Wow she has it bad for you.” Shiko sounds somewhere between surprised and impressed. “Really?” “Are you for real?” Okay, now she looks unimpressed. “What? I mean… I… I’m the one whose... Aren’t I the hopeless one?” “Never said you weren’t but she is too, have you seen how she looks at you?” Yes, doesn't mean it makes sense. I gulp… “Yeah… I…” “And the way she talks to you, or about you. Girl likes you.” “Yah, but like it’s… I don’t know… complicated?” Shiko gives me a side eye, “Is it really?” Yes . God I can’t just tell her that she didn’t fall in love with me first, she fell in love with a different version of me first. “Okay, fine yes, I know she likes me. I can be stupid but I’m not an idiot.” “Are you worried…?” “No… I don’t know. It feels too good to be true, and there’s stuff I can’t really talk about…” “You can’t talk about it with me ?” “I shouldn't talk about it, it’s a privacy thing.” Shiko’s eyes draw tight. “It’s not a bad thing is it… like the thing you can’t talk-” “No, it’s not. I don’t know how to talk about it without explaining it, and I can’t do that.” Shiko loosens up, “Fine, but you know I’ll keep a secret if I have to, right?” She would. “I know, I trust you Shiko, but Claire trusts me. And I’m not going to ruin this.” “You’re not going to ruin anything Rei, she loves being around you.” But like… why? I don't feel like I've done anything to warrant it. I'm not saving her life… I'm showing her how to play video games. “Fine, we don’t have to talk about that. You two have moved fast, it’s only been a couple weeks now? If I didn't know it almost seems like it’s been years, you sure you two just hooked up?” I know she is joking but… “I like her… a lot.” “Yah, I know. It’s very obviously mutual you dork.” “Yah but what if I’m not what she thinks I am, what if she thinks I’m better than I am and then I just turn out to be a disappointment? I don’t feel like who she thinks I am. I feel like a creep, I feel like I’m always playing catch up, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Please shut up me. “Whoa, Rei relax, come on. No one really knows what they are doing… have you talked to her about this?” “Sorta… I don’t know, it’s hard… I should just… but…” “Hey Rei, calm down, look you trust her right?” “Yes…?” “So start with that, I know that Kosaki did you bad before… but that was middle school, you're an adult now. The stakes aren’t the same.” “The stakes are worse now.” “They aren’t Rei, they're different but if things go bad, you can move on. You're not trapped in a classroom with her and have to see her twenty-four seven.” “Move on?” Leave her ? “If things go bad, Rei, come on. I’m trying to help but you need to get out of your own head too. She doesn’t want that. I think she has a pretty good idea of who you are, even if it’s only been a few weeks. She has you read if I’m being honest, and I really don’t think she’s off the mark. She’s going to be okay with what you're feeling. She’s going to be okay if you feel insecure, she’s not expecting you to be a superhero.” Easy for you to say Shiko. Rae was a superhero. Didn't she say they saved the world? “Hello.” My focus snaps to a person who has approached our table, looking up at them… …What is she doing here? “Hello Rei, I thought Claire was going to be here too.” Manaria says, she glances down casually at all the leftover doujin on the table. “So this is what you were doing today?” Ah fuck, I… “If you wanted to talk to Claire, she should be back in a bit, she went on break. We are helping my friend sell her work.” “Yo.” Shiko eyes Manaria cautiously. “If you have questions about anything, this is my stuff. I’m the degen.” Manaria laughs, “Oh how delightful, any recommendations?” “If you want something vanilia I suggest Why do I keep running into my Childhood Rival , if you want something spicier I have Longing for You , or Your Dirty Little Secrets .” Shiko is def putting on her customer service face right now, and not asking questions. Manaria regards her for a bit and turns back to me, “Do you have any recommendations?” GOD. “What do you want?” “I wanted to see Claire, I was also bored. I figured this wasn’t the worst way to spend the evening. How is dating my little cousin by the way?” “It’s. Great.” Manaria arches her brow. “It sounds great, she’s not treating you badly is she?” Is that concern? “No, god, what do you want?” “What? I can’t be interested in the first thing my cousin actually talks about?” God what is it about her… Calm down Rei… you are just snapping. “I’m sorry, I’m just… I don’t know… tense. It’s been busy.” “You know I’m not going to make a big deal about being there when we caught you half naked with Claire chewing on you… well I’m probably going to tease you two about it, but you go girl.” “WAIT WHAT?” Shiko turns to me, “YOU SAID YOU WERE ONLY KISSING.” “Fuck can you two keep your voices down? The last time I talked to you that was… all we did. And we didn’t sleep with each other… well we slept in a bed-” “I can’t believe you would leave me out of the loop like this.” Shiko clicks her teeth. “It was just a few.. Um some hickeys… and like we it didn’t go any further.” “Cause her mom and I crashed the party.” Manaria grins. “Woa….” Stop looking at me like that Shiko. “It wasn’t going to go any further than that!” I shout. “She isn’t forcing you is she?” Manaria says, the glibness has dropped from her voice. I think I hate this pity or whatever even more though. “Why do you care?” Fuck, I’m snapping again. “Why Indeed. Maybe, just maybe, I was a bit worried.” “I don’t know you.” You just irritate me. “And I don’t know you either, but you are dating my cousin. And despite what you think, I do care about her. You know nobody is telling me anything? Maybe you don’t know this but Claire has changed, we weren’t that close necessarily but I remember when her dad died. I know how she was last year. So can you blame me if I want to suss out what’s going on?” “I don’t know what you think I can tell you…?” And it's not like I would. “Look, I’m not trying to grill you-” “Could have fooled me.” She smirks at me, “I’m happy for you two, and glad your little reveal didn’t go anywhere as catastrophic as mine did. I don’t want that to happen to Claire, not when she seems to be doing better now.” “Nothing bad is going to happen, I won’t let it.” “Good.” She says coolly, as her attention turns back to the doujin. “Good.” God she is fucking miserable. “Oh, this looks cute, How do I Marry the Villainess? I'll take this and all the other ones you mentioned before. Hell if you are hiding anything depraved, throw that in too…?” She pauses as she looks at Shiko now. “Kanato, Shiko Kanato.” “Yes, thank you Kanato-san, These look fun. Might as well enjoy myself now that my shame is out.” That makes Shiko click her teeth, in a pissed off way. “There’s no shame in being in gay, or queer, whatever the label. I don’t know what you went through but if your family or whatever is being shitty, that’s on them, not you. There is nothing wrong with being queer.” Manaria wasn’t expecting to get told off by Shiko like that, she blinks before she recovers. “Right… of course. I’ll make sure to let my father know the next time I see him then.” “Sister?” Was that Claire ? We all turn and see Claire behind Manaria, she looks to be carrying a small tray of fries, and a bag at her side, did she buy more stuff? Are those pride pins? “Sister?” Manaria shifts again, getting mischievous, “We aren’t five anymore Claire, what do you have there cuz?” Claire fumbles a bit, at least she wasn’t expecting this either. “Oh, apologies, of course. I was just not expecting… what are you doing here?” “You mentioned you would be at a thing. I was bored waiting around and it sounded like it could be interesting. So I looked it up online and came down. Not my usual fare, but it was fun.” Manaria has moved herself behind Claire, and puts her hands on her shoulders “And I missed you.” She grins at me. What are you doing? “Oh I see… I’m sorry I don’t know if I can be quite so available now, we still have a few hours before we finish.” Manaria chuckles, “Oh don’t worry about that, I wasn’t even sure if this would be the one. I just needed something to do. Running into you and your girlfriend was just an extra bonus.” “I’m sure messing with me was a bonus too.” I mumble. “Did you say something Rei?” Claire asks, “What? No!” Fuck I must have mumbled that to loudly. “Did you say anything untoward to Rei, Manaria?” There is an edge to her voice, she tries to look over her shoulder at Manaria. Manarai feigns shock. “My, sooo possessive, relax Claire. We’re all good aren’t we?” “Suuure.” “Did you have an idea on where to go for tomorrow's lunch? I think I have a suggestion, I wanted to try some sushi, I found a place that I think won’t be too busy.” “Oh… Sushi? Umm, Yes, if you have a place already in mind that should work. You can send me a message with your phone to let me know the specifics.” “Sure, I’ll text you the deets then. Oh and you should bring Rei as well. The more, the merrier afterall.” Can you stop grinning at me? Claire blanches a little at that, and looks to me, “Rei. Would you like to?” Wow she sounds strained. I don’t want to… but I also don’t really want to leave her alone with Manaria either, what if she tries to grill her for more information too…? I should be there just to be back up. “Sure, as long as you want me there Claire-chan.” Shiko snickers. “Chan?” Oh my god, it’s embarrassing saying just Claire infront of everyone! “Excellent, I really am looking forward to getting some local sushi, I looove fish.” Are you fucking for real? “Then it’s a date, I’m sorry I haven’t had much chance to catch up until now. It is nice to see you again.” Claire says. “It’s good that you have been doing well as well Claire. Well have fun with your nerd stuff. I should be heading out soon.” She pays for and collects her doujin, gives Claire a hug and waves as she departs. Good riddance. “You’re on edge, she didn’t…” “Oh… no I’m fine… I don’t know, it was weird. She’ soooo…” My words just kinda trail off. “I’m sorry, you didn't have to agree to come if you didn't want to.” “But I don’t want to leave you alone with her.” “I can manage Rei.” “I know… but I want to.” “You're so sweet, I do appreciate it, but I think she is just trying to rile you up.” She slips back around the table, sets the food down on the side and drops her new bag off and takes a seat next to me. Her hand finds mine again. Oh… That’s always nice. “Oh, what’s sushi?” Claire asks. “Hmmm? What’s sushi, what do you mean?” Have I never mentioned Sushi before? “Just what I meant.” “Wait, how do you not know what sushi is?” Shiko butts in, we both look at her, and she looks surprised. “It’s fish, raw fish on rice and seaweed, and then like a hundred variations on that.” Claire gulps, “Raw?” Shiko laughs. “Yes, don’t worry it’s safe, it’s fresh. It’s not for everyone though.” “No… I can do this…” She doesn't sound too sure. “It surely can’t be that bad? Right?” “It’s delicious, but it’s also not the cheapest thing. Man, I could go for some of the good stuff…” Shiko gets lost in the thought. “It’s fine, it’s really not for everyone, I can let you know what’s safe to start with okay?” “O…kay.” Claire smiles, but it’s strained. She’s not fooling anyone. Hopefully it’s not that bad for her. “So you got some more stuff?” There are now two full bags sitting beside her. “Oh, yes, just a moment.” She hands the food over, careful to keep it away from the merchandise. “I got some fries to tide us over for now, and I also looked more at some of the merchants selling manga. Did you know there is a manga for Persona Five?” “Hmm? Oh yeah… I haven’t really checked it out, there is also an anime…” She fishes out a book and holds it out in front of me. “No… Did you…?” She grins oh so delightfully. “Yes, I only bought some of the first volumes. The merchant said that it was still being made. Anyways I thought you might like to read it… I bought it in excitement but then realized I would rather experience it the way we were already doing it by playing the game. Did you want to read them for me for now?” “Seriously?” Oh the cover looks so slick, “Oh wow this is cool, I would love to!” “You are playing Persona with her?” come Shiko, I don't need you to make fun of me too. “Oh yes, it’s wonderful. We started on our first date after we went to the zoo.” “Oh. My. God. Rei you have no fucking game. You played video games on your first date?” “Hey, give me a break!” Not you too ? “It was lovely, don’t tease her too much Shiko.” They share a look and Claire laughs, “Anyways I didn’t want to overdo it with buying things today, so I only picked up the first few. How are the wares faring.” “Good, whatever is left at the end of day will fit into a box… maybe two?” “How many did we have to start with? “Twenty-five.” “Goodness.” “It was a good day, and thanks to you two. It would have been a nightmare running this by myself.” “Oh it was a pleasure. It was a lot of work but it was well worth it. This event was also lovely, I’m glad I got to experience this side of Rei.” “Don’t take this the wrong way Claire-san. You sound like an old timey rich girl, but you really don’t act like one.” Claire laughs, well cackles, god I love when she does that . “Oh well that took a long time to grow out of, I had… help . I did grow up quite spoiled, but I grew out of most of it. I think the more egregious parts are mostly gone.” “Hey, you got your hands dirty, that’s a plus in my books.” Shiko gives me a wink. Wow, Claire is a natural at getting along with people isn't’ she? I had thought that maybe it was because she was cheating with her old knowledge… but she hasn’t really met Shiko right? She said she only knew about her and all that second hand right? Either way, at least Shiko seems to like her. I don’t know, maybe I was a bit too worried about this wasn’t I?