ed to know how things are going. We won't rush into something more drastic such as taking you out of classes for private tutelage but when this first semester ends I want you to take an exam. Something that would amount to highschool education. I want you to have a grasp of the sciences, math, literature, history…” She sighs, “And I want to be kept in the loop with your current grades. This isn’t going to work if they dip too low.”

“I… Thank you Mother.” I grab Rae in joy.

Mother doesn’t elate though. “This will be very difficult.”

“I’m aware. I’m not a child. I can do this.”

“Please tell me if it is too much, it’s fine if it is.” She says. She is still worried.

I nod, it won’t. I can do this. I am Claire Francois.

I saved the world with Rae by my side. I can do this with her by my side. We can do anything together.

“Girls, it's been a long day…” Mother slumps into the sofa, “We just arrived this morning and the flight was very long. This was the last thing I expected when I heard you were acting odd from Lene, or that you finally got a new leg Catherine.” She laughs softly.

“Uhh… thank you for the leg again,” Catherine says softly.

“Catherine, you are family, I could do no less.”

Catherine looks a bit taken off guard, but smiles. I send her a smile as well. And I find Rae’s hand.

Mother said yes.

She said yes.

“Are you girls hungry? It seems neither of you got far into your day. What’s open at this time? I don’t feel much like sitting down, but take-out would be nice. Even if it’s greasy.”

“Oh, most places don’t open till eleven but I think there are some breakfast places… are you feeling picky?” Catherine answers.

“Something with Western options is preferable, I don’t want to think too much.”

“Yah, sure, umm, give me a sec…”

Catherine gets up and starts to go over choices with Mother with her phone.

“Thank you Rae.” I say once we have a degree of privacy.

“Oh I didn’t do that much Claire-chan.” Rae gets a little shy.

“Shush, don’t be modest, just accept it.” I tease her.

“Oh, well thanks. I do think you would be able to get by without me.” That’s nonsense, besides…

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Yeah…” She doesn't really want that either.

I can’t help but grin, “We will be busy won’t we?”

“Oh, yah, for real. Prepping for that exam is not going to be easy. We won’t have a ton of time.”

“Yes, especially with all the ravaging I need to do.”

She reacts just as I expect, “Claire!”

“Oh..?”

“Your mom is right there.” She shouts a whisper at me.

“And she interrupted us.” I can’t help but pout, it’s very effective against Rae.

She whines, “But we have to be serious.”

I suppose, I’m just trying to calm myself down after everything.

“Of course. But I’ll need you to help recharge, with that I can take on even a demon, three even.” I can feel the cheeky smirk on my face.

“I don’t doubt you,” she laughs.

“Claire, is there anything you would want?” Mother's voice comes from across the room.

“Anything is fine.”

“And you Oohashi-san?”

“Huh?”

“What would you like?”

“Ah what do you mean? You don’t have-”

“Nonsense, both of you come and look at the menu, you too Claire.”

Rae is trying to be too polite, “But-”

“Come on Rae, please?” Her resistance dissolves as I ask her, breaking down into a soft smile.

“Okay … Sure.”

“Sick, leftovers.”

Catherine is right. Mother ordered a lot of food, even with four of us. Even after serving out the first round, I can’t imagine finishing it with another sitting. It was good, and a bit of everything. Mother seems to not have had a proper meal in a while.

“Mother?”

“Hmm?”

“Where were you? Before you came… you said… flew?” She can’t have meant literally… right?

“Yes, it’s the fastest way to get to Paris and back… have you two not told not explained planes?”

“There has been so much…uh, Melia.” Catherine looks a little sheepish.

“Yah, we were going to build up to it, we started small with cars and trains, and we can see those easily around here too.”

“Wait, you actually flew? You were flying?”

Rae looks apologetic, “Yah, we were going to get there-”

“How?”

“Oh well.” She gets an intense look as the gears in her head wind up, “Okay, you know that some animals fly right?”

“Birds? Yes, we had birds, we saw birds at the zoo. Come now Rae  I'm not so removed from this world.”

She looks a little sheepish, “Right, so, birds fly by creating lift with their wings, they are pretty light creatures so it’s easy for them to push themselves up from the surface area of their wings, and once in the air those wings keep them aloft, they can ride air currents… err wind and such. We haven’t got to the deep physics yet but air is made up of stuff, gasses, and most things can sorta turn into gas with enough heat, that’s not the point, but rather that air is made up of stuff and it’s that mass that birds are using to push against. If there was literally nothing there, they wouldn’t be able to fly, so like in a vacuum.”

“Okay… so you mimic that?”

“Well yes, and no. We have some machines that mimic it more closely, but the main vehicle we use for flying is called a plane. Here, give me a sec.” She pulls out her phone, types away for a second and turns the screen showing me an image of something that looks long, sleek and a pair…. of wings? “This is a plane, you mom probably rode in something like this, it’s big, and heavy. So birds are light. This isn’t and it requires a lot of power. Force specifically. It creates this push with,” she points to small cylinders on the wings, “with these, they are called jets, they create a lot of force, like a lot a lot of force. They push the plane forward and with that speed the wings can pick up enough resistance against the air that they stay afloat, or fly. It also makes them really fast. If you had to travel by car it would take you weeks or more to make the trip your mom made, umm how long was your flight Francois-sama?”

Mother has been listening to Rae, I hope she is impressed with her general knowledge. “Please, just Melia is fine, or Melia-san if you must, our flight was 18 hours, exhausting, but she is right, it would probably take the better part of a month by car and that would be miserable to say the least. Would you prefer Rae or Oohashi?”

“Oh, umm just Oohashi-san, umm… Melia-san”

“Of course, Thank you. You will get a chance to ride by plane too Claire.”

“Oh.” I can fly ?

“Oohashsi-san, I just want to say, despite the circumstances of the situation It has been nice to meet you. I wasn’t expecting Claire to have a… partner… let alone them being a girl. I hope I haven’t scared you off. It’s obvious how much Claire cares about you.”

Rae gulps, “Oh… um yah, thank you.. I, um yah I really… like her… too. I um…

Mother Laughs, does she like Rae? Oh thank goodness, “That’s good, If I am to understand correctly you are the reason for my daughter awakening .”

Rae blushes, “I… I guess. It’s not like I did anything…”

“Shush, you've done so much.” I chide Rae, “You saved me, I wouldn’t be here without you.”

 Rae looks a bit overwhelmed and opts to eat more food instead of responding.

“So Oohashi-san, you also go to the same university then?”

She swallows, “Uh, yah, Claire-san and I have several of the same classes-”

“Not all,” we really should. It would make everything more pleasant.

“Uh, yah, not all the same but just a few different ones, the overlap is big thankfully, for Claire I mean. Not me. I mean I like having classes with her I-”

Mother laughs a bit at Rae’s verbal stumbling, “Oohashi-san, calm down. This hasn’t been affecting your studies too much has it? How often have you been helping her?”

“...Like everyday… I get my stuff done at the same time, it’s been helpful for me too I guess.”

“Hmmm, so are you from here?”

“Chiba.”

“Ah, and you came here? Did you have an aspiration? You are also studying economics.”

“Ah… we sorta?... I… well… you get a job… and do that right?”

“Mother, you don’t need to worry about that, I’ll make sure she is happy.”

Rae looks puzzled, “Huh?-”

Mother cuts her off however, “What do you mean Claire?”

“Oh…” I


 can’t just say I am trying to make sure Rae doesn’t work herself to death again right? “I just… I’m going to be here, I’ll help?”

Rae has a look like she wants to say something, but doesn’t, just takes another bite of her food instead.

She knows I am omitting something.

“I… see.” Does mother suspect the same?

“Rae is very capable, she was a genius in our past life, and a hero. She taught me so much and we lived our life together… I hope we can do that again… as long as you want to Rae…”

Rae blushes and her eyes dart between me and Mother, “Claire, please don’t rush into things… you have only known each other for a few weeks.”

“But I have known her for-”

“ Then , and this is now, it’s different Claire… I just want what’s best for you Claire, and I don’t want either of you two to get hurt along the way. I’m happy that you are… so happy that you are here. But we don’t know exactly what is going on. It could be a coincidence, I can’t completely rule out a more mundane answer but I don’t want to lose you again Claire. You’re here, you're present for the first time in ages, you’re you again.”

“Mother…”

But it isn’t like that… It's not a coincidence.

But I am rushing it. It hasn't even been a month for Rae. And I.. don’t want to hurt Rae. Rae does have a problem saying no to me. I… I know she wants to help me, but is doing this just for me? She is different now, I love her all the same, love getting to see this younger side of her…

Love being her first…

But these are all her firsts. These first should be special for her, and I shouldn't be so greedy with them.

“... I understand. I have no intention of going anywhere. This is…” second does not sound right , “another chance, and I want to make the best of it.”

Mother nods, “I… I’m glad to hear that Claire. And please let me know if you remember anything new. We don’t know what has happened, but whatever it is, you will always be my daughter.”


“Must you leave already?” Claire asks, her voice sounds so small.

“I’m sorry my dear, I have matters to attend to tomorrow and I need to sleep or I will fall over.”

Claire looks like she wanted to object but thinks better of it, “I understand.”

“Claire, we will talk again soon, don't worry.”

“Mother…” Claire's eyes glisten, “Please.”

Her mom moves in and gives her a hug. She has to lean just slightly, she's only a bit taller than her. Claire returns the hug, she is squeezing tightly and her mom just hums into the hug. It feels odd being here for it… but I am happy it’s gone this way.

“Nothing is going to take me away Claire, I’m here for you.”

Claire buries her head in her mom’s shoulder, “Thank you, thank you Mother, I don’t want to lose you again. It’s really you, it’s not a dream, it’s not a simulacrum. It’s you. It’s you…” There is a sharp inhale, and her breath wavers.

“Of course Claire.” Her mom also sounds close to crying, but she stays firm. “You are always my Claire.”

They remain locked in their embrace for a while, and I try my best to give them privacy, but both of them seem to be in their world either way. It’s sweet, I’m happy for them, but I do feel like an intruder here.

“It’s time,” Claire’s mom finally says, and she breaks their hug.

Claire sniffles, “I’m happy today… finally happened.”

“I am as well Claire, even as it did. It’s for the best. We have plenty of time to catch up more later. But I do have to go, Lene is waiting, and I only have so much left in me at this point.” She beams as she looks at Claire. “There is one last thing though.”

She turns and looks at me.

“Oohashi-san, might I have a word before we part.”

I gulp, Claire’s mom definitely has the mom tone in her voice. Claire notices and gives me a smile, I guess she isn’t too worried. I go out into the hallway with Claire’s mom, and it’s just us, Claire and Catherine still in the room.

“Umm, what did you want to talk about?” She seems like she isn’t writing Claire off, but she; understandably, still has to have some worries.

“Forgive me, I feel I haven’t had many chances to be a proper mom for Claire…” She sighs, “It feels like I have gone through more of the usual with Catherine, and none with Claire. I still can’t believe Claire convinced her to replace her leg finally, I have been trying to convince her for years now… anyways, this isn’t… I was worried, and I still worry, but in different ways. First, whatever Claire is going through, I have more faith in her than when we started this conversation, but I still want to keep a close eye… I still worry… but… I thought I lost one of my daughters, and she is here again…”

She takes a deep breath… I… how bad was it?

“Secondly, you and her are both adults… It’s not my place to make mandates on who she should or shouldn’t  have a relationship with. I wasn’t expecting to… well find her and you in that state and that was the furthest thing from my mind when I… barged in. I hope… this was just another surprise, it’s an… a lot more to consider but I don’t want to be seem… in the  way. Or against it.”

“Ahhh… I… thank you?”

“Just… I’m sorry there is…” she chuckles a little, “My first instinct is to think that it’s Claire who is new to relationships, but I suppose that isn’t the case to her is it? And it’s her I should be telling to be careful… I… how are you doing in all this? This has to be a lot for you. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what you have done for her but just today has been a lot.”

Oh god, I can’t stop the nervous laugh, “umm, yeah? God, yeah it’s been a rollercoaster, and it was bad enough when my roommate walked in on… us… before… umm…”

“Dear, it’s okay. You're both adults.”

“yeAh… I really just wish that wasn’t the first way you saw me though…”

“I’m sorry, I should have given you more… warning… but between everything I heard from Lene, and how dodgy Catherine was acting, Mother’s instincts , I knew something was happening. Again, I’m sorry, it’s not the worst thing, I am happy that she found you.”

“Thanks, I want… I want to be… to be right? I’m trying.”

“Dear, there is no being right , allow yourself some grace.”

Sure… but Claire needs help still, she needs to catch up, she needs to pass. Even if I'm not her , Claire needs me. “Yah, I’m just doing the best I can… It’s been a lot of work, like I said we really have been doing so much studying… me and Catherine-san have been working together to show her what she is missing and she really is picking it up fast, she really is clever. I… it catches me off guard when she mentions something obscure and it’s because I told her about it.”

“What do you mean…?”

“There’s a lot… it’s like she knows things that will happen. She knew I am writing a… fan story online, what it was about, and I think she knows how it ends? I’m not even finished with it, but she was… teasing me about the ending…?”

“Really?”

“Yah… I know… rationally… this sounds impossible, but I haven’t found a single thing to even suggest otherwise. It just makes more sense the more I am around her. It’s not just me either; Catherine-san is picking it up too, and it’s like she is already tapped into my social network. It’s not big or anything but… she was talking to my roommate, and even with her it was… surreal just how naturally she fell into conversation with her, and Misha is a bit prickly too.”

“Oohashi-san… Rei… Thank you for being honest about this. I really appreciate everything, and I do trust you… I want to give you my personal number, in case an emergency happens, for whatever reason. I know you know this, but this has to stay a secret, the last thing any of us needs is for this to get out. Hopefully you won't need to reach me for emergencies, but if you need help with anything, let me know. I’m not always in the country and may be in different time zones, but this number is the best way to reach me. Very few people have it, it’s for family.”

“Oh… Thank you Francois-sama-”

“Melia.” She smiles.

“Right… Thank you Melia-sama. Hopefully no emergencies.”

“Hopefully, secondly, you have been committing a lot of time to tutoring Claire.” That’s not a question.

“Yes…?”

“That is a lot of your personal time, I want to reimburse you for that.”

“What- No!, it’s not needed.”

“I have to insist, I can’t in good conscience allow us to take advantage of you in the meantime. I would be hiring a tutor for Claire if she didn’t insist on you helping her.”

“Oh… but I want to help, I would… feel weird if… I… my… girlFriend” fuck my voice cracked, “paid me for this.”

“There has to be something we can agree on then. Is there something I can cover in the least, meals? I could arrange a scholarship for you?”

“A scholarship?!”

“Oohashi-san I run a multinational business, a scholarship is trivial.” The smirk makes that easy to believe.

“That’s… that’s still a lot… can I think about it?”

“I suppose… We will talk about it more later then, but please consider it. For now, here.” She pulls a card out from her purse, a credit card. “Use this in whatever way you deem appropriate, it could be for meals, it could be for a new laptop or whatever equipment you need for school. It could even be for something fun. Don’t worry what it is, just please use it.”

I hesitate to take the card, it’s not a gold card like Claire’s was, but… fuck a credit card attached to Francois-sama’s account?

“Please don’t stress out about it too much.”

“But-”

“It has a limit, you can’t be that irresponsible with it.” She teases another smirk.

“Why… are… how can you trust me?”

Her face shifts, something more… professional, “Several reasons, I trust my intuition, and trust me when I say this, I deal with a lot of untrustworthy people. You care for Claire, greatly. I can tell that, I could tell that before you two even had a chance to recover. You stood up for her and you were very vulnerable doing so. That wasn’t easy dear, and thank you for being honest about it. You're not doing this for your own gain, and if you were I would be doing something about it.” She closes my hand around the card, “I could take control of this, take Claire away, hire a private tutor, bring her up to speed, but she doesn’t want that. She thinks she can make this work, and I want her to succeed. I believe she can do this. But she will need help and


 for you to help her, I need to trust you too and I need to make a show of good faith. We are asking a lot out of you and only you can help her in the way you can. I’ll be here, Catherine will be here. We will always be here to help too.”

Ohhh, wow it’s hard to swallow. “I want to help… I want to do this… I… I really do… I…”

Love her…

“She said Dole also liked you, I can see that…” She really looks so much like Claire, they smile the same way… Then she chuckles, “Perhaps I’m also just making a poor decision after an eighteen hour flight that was delayed, either way nothing is perfect we just make it work, and even in the bad we can find new things to cherish…”

I… she’s talking… about the accident … isn’t she?

Woah…

“We'll make this work, one way or another, won't we Rei?”

I have to.

“Yes”

“Excellent, now that that is out of the way, I’ll feel better about passing out in my bed.” She sounds happy and chuckles. “Just please help Claire and I’ll be happy. Okay?’

I can do that.

Whatever Claire needs.

“Okay.”


“No! Not yet!”

“Come on… you’re so close Claire, just a little more”

“Aaahh!”

“Just a little more.”

Claire’s stiff as a board, leaning forward and gripping the controller tightly. Yusuke and Ann are both knocked out. Morgana is out of SP, and Joker is nearly out of health.

“What do I do?” She’s exasperated. I'm truly blessed.

I’ve been trying to be as hands off as I can about this. I really don’t want to be microing the way she plays the game, and I've tried very hard to be subtle about all the mistakes she makes. She’s learning. She’s picking up on elemental advantages, and god she gets sooooooooooo fucking cute when she gets an all out attack off.

Just little hints. Can’t outright tell her.

“Is there something you haven’t used?”

“Arrrrr.” God her frustration is so adorable. Then it dawns on her, she pops open her inventory stash, and scrolls through her items. She always forgets about them. She finds some food and uses it on Joker, topping her health off and then Morgana uses a snuff soul to bring his SP back up. Madarame attacks again and she survives the turn. “Yes!” She cheers while shaking the controller.

God I LOVE this. She starts to relax again as she takes back control of the fight, leaning back into me and I let my arms wrap around her again. God playing video games with your girlfriend is the actual best.

….Girlfriend

…woah

Claire cackles, oh she beat the boss. “Did you see that Rei, that disgrace of an artist. He never stood a chance against Me !” She cackles some more and moves a hand daintily to her face, oh she is so perfect .

She quiets as the plot starts to pick back up, she’s so into it . I’ve seen the scene so many times at this point, but I still feel for Yusuke here. Like how do you figure out who you are when everything gets upturned like that? And soon enough Claire finishes the day.

“I did it!” Even facing away, I can feel the grin on her face.

“Good job Claire. That’s two Palaces down. We should probably save and pack it in.”

“ Please .” It’s Misha. Rude. But okay, she might have a point.

“Yeaaaaah, I think it’s been eight hours.” I love a good gaming marathon.

“What? That can’t be. I would be hungry if that was the case.” As if on cue, one of our stomachs rumbles, loudly, and I honestly can’t tell who’s it is. Probably both. I can see Claire’s ears turn red from behind. Cute .

“It’s really easy to lose track of time playing games like this.”

“God, you are teaching her the worst habits.” Wow , thanks for the commentary Misha.

“But that would mean it’s past four?” Claire is still processing.

“It’s five. ” Okay, I get it Misha.

“Sorry Misha, I had no idea. I didn’t mean to overstay my welcome.” It's not that big of a deal Claire.

Misha sighs, “It’s fine Claire-san. It’s not your fault.” Come on Misha, not willing to cut me some slack?

“Hey if Yu was here the whole day I wouldn’t give you hell for it.”

“Yes you would you fucking liar.” Misha sighs and pinches her nose, okay… yes… “Look, I’m just trying to be civil about boundaries here Rei. The roommate agreement was we would give each other space right? And there ain't that much here.”

She's right… “Aaaah…. Okay fine. Right… Sorry.”

“It’s okay, just this was my limit. I need some quiet now.” At least Misha doesn't seem upset. She's better at letting me know than I am.

“We understand, I should have not let myself get so absorbed in it.” It's cool Claire, don't worry.

“It happens Claire-san, and trust me, compared to your gremlin girlfriend this is nothing. She’s pulled twenty-four hour plus marathons before.” Why you gotta say it like that Misha?

“REI!” Claire immediately turns and looks at me, she's somewhere between worried and concerned.

Huh? “What?”

“That’s absurd, you’re going to collapse doing something like that!”

“What? It’s fine, really. I can totally do it.” I have. A bunch.

“It’s not fine. You’re going to….” the words die in her throat... “Rei, please don’t push yourself like that.” She sounds like actually upset…? I'm… not measuring up am I?

“It’s just gaming though.” What's the big deal?

She looks terrified that I said that. “You need to eat properly, you need to sleep and rest. I… I don’t want anything to happen to you. Please take care of yourself.”

There is something she isn’t saying there, again . What? Probably not a problem with Rae . “Well sorry I’m this way.”

Fuck I hate it the minute it comes out of my mouth. The way Claire looks at me… fuck I have no idea what she is thinking. She looks upset with me. I sounded the fucking worst.

Fix it.

“Rei-”

“I’m sorry!”

We both pause from our mutual interruption. Claire is waiting.

“I’m sorry, that was… I know…”

“Rei, I just want you to take care of yourself, okay? Look I’m not saying it’s not fine in moderation, or even that today was over doing it. Heavens, there were some days we would hardly leave the bed.”

Fuuuuuu …

“I really don’t want to hear about this.” This is the closest to a whine I have heard from Misha, like ever.

“Apologies Misha, and Rei, I only… an entire day can really wear you down.”

“Yeah… you’re not… I know.” I need to be better…

She puts a hand to the side of my face, cupping my cheek gently, ahhh. She smiles softly for a moment and then it turns just a bit devious. “If anything is going to wear you out, it’s going to be me. ”

Holy

Shit

“Please take your flirting outside.” Misha groans from her bed.

Claire looks a little embarrassed, but she doesn’t remove her hand. “Fine, yes. Rei?”

“Yah?”

Grrrwwl!

Okay, that was my stomach for sure this time. Claire laughs, “I was going to ask if you wanted to get something to eat before I return home.”

“Oh… yah. Misha?” I should ask her too, right?

Okay, that stare definitely says ‘ get the fuck out already’ .


“Okay so, you know how we showed you videos, right?” Rae breaks into an explanation as we cross between campus buildings. She had mentioned anime in passing and I was curious, so I asked for more details. People keep referring to it around me for some reason.

“Yes, so it’s like that?” Photos are already one of the more impressive things I’ve seen. Videos are on an entirely different level. The technology here is so advanced that it feels like magic to me a lot of the time.

“Sort of, yeah. So, what we’ve shown you so far was mostly just recordings with maybe a few extra edits thrown in. Oh right, you don’t know what those are either. Ummm, to keep it very simple, edits are kinda like when a painter touches up a painting after it’s made, only with photos or videos. So then anime, which is short for animation, is like doing that without the photo part, or recording a video because  it’s all hand drawn, or something like that. That’s a really oversimplified explanation but let's start small.”

Rae takes a quickie breath. “Anime is animation from Japan, which was actually inspired by early western animation, and then it took on a life of its own and now it’s an entertainment genre in its own right. Well, there are actually lots of genres in anime. It’s often treated like a single genre but that's really reductive; it's like calling theater a genre. You had theater in your world, right?”

She is talking so quickly, but she obviously cares about the topic and is very happy and eager to share. Adorable. Rae had tried to explain some of these things before in our old life, but the context of seeing some of these things in person is helping me understand them far better.

And if Rae wants to ‘ infodump, ’ as she calls it, I am very happy to oblige her.

“Yes, we had theater, and I can understand how it would seem strange to consider it a genre in and of itself. After all, there are comedies, dramas and tragedies and so on.”

“Yes, exactly, anime is the same! So anime has a lot of works—it’s been around for over half a century and in the last couple of decades the amount of published works have increased a lot. Not all of it is good by any stretch of the imagination but there is good stuff there if you are interested. We should watch some together sometime! Not just anime but movies and other shows too. There’s far more out there than just the educational stuff we showed you when we were trying to ground you in the basics.”

“It looked like there was a lot to see on that ‘you tube’ too.” I had noticed what looked like dozens of other videos on the side of the screen when Rae was showing a few to me earlier.

“Oh, yeah, there are a ton of videos on YouTube, but let's be careful— that’s a whole other can of worms. Remember what I said about the internet?”

“It’s full of lies?” Is that what she is referring to?

“Yes,” Rae sighs, looking extremely disappointed, though not at me specifically. She always looks like this when the internet lies comes up. “There are a lot of people spreading misinformation online and you don’t have anywhere near enough context to know what’s true and what’s not.”

“Yes…” I wish I could say I am surprised, but Rae mentioned things like this back in our past life too.

“YouTube can be really bad with that and it can be hard to tell the good videos from the bad ones even when you have lots of experience.”

“Shouldn't lying like that be…I don’t know, subject to punishment?”

“Wouldn’t that be nice? But the question of who gets to determine what content is good and bad is a tricky one. For a long time being gay was considered… well abnormal and unhealthy. Back then it would have been considered lying to say it was okay…”

“Violence by numbers, then.” I murmur to myself.

“What was that?” Rae asks.

“Oh, it was something you once said to me. I’ll just rely on your and Catherine-chan’s guidance for now when it comes to things on the internet.”

“There are a lot of cute animal videos if you want a safe place to—”

“Francois-sama.” Rae is interrupted by a smooth voice. We both turn, and it’s a young Thane Bauer. I had forgotten he used to wear his hair long.

Rae looks annoyed to have been interrupted. I try to send her a sympathetic look. “Just a moment R—Oohashi-san. Hello Bauer-san, how can I help you?”

Thane looks slightly nonplussed. Perhaps he was expecting a different reaction. “Oh, well, I just want to respond to you from the other night in person, now that you are not so…inebriated.” Oh no, what did the other me say to him? He is trying so hard to be polite. “I apologize, but I must politely decline, Francois-sama.”

Oh thank goodness, that makes this much easier.

“Thank you, Bauer-san, you have nothing to apologize for. If anything I wanted to apologize if the way I acted has made you uncomfortable.”

Thane’s confusion returns. “Francois-sama…Just so we’re clear, I’m turning you down. You’re a lovely woman but I have no interest in a romantic relationship with you.” Oh, he thinks I misunderstood. I know young Claire would want to kill me for this, but she didn’t know Rae yet.

“No, I understand. It's fine. If anything, I had hoped to apologize to you first and let you know that I had no intention of…well, doing whatever I suggested we do before. I’m afraid it was the alcohol talking, as embarrassing as that is to admit. I hope we can be friends despite how I may have acted.” I give Thane a courteous bow.

He scrutinizes me, as if he is unconvinced it is not an act. Oh, the things I would tell the other Claire if I could. “Bauer-san, I assure you I have no further intent of acting like I once did. If I may be honest, I have found someone I care for deeply and only now do I realize that I have been trying to force something that wasn’t meant to be.” It's as close to the truth as I can make it. I steal a glance at Rae, who has been forced to observe this conversation. I give her a smile.

“What are you doing?” she says, so hushed that I don’t really hear it so much as see her lips form the words. She blushes slightly. Thane coughs.

“I see…well, Francois-san, I am glad this came to an amenable conclusion and wish you well.” He takes a look at Rae, who blushes even deeper, and then turns back to me. “I hope you two enjoy each—” He coughs, “I mean, your day.” He walks away stiffly, a faint blush on his face. It takes an effort to not laugh.

Once he is out of sight, Rae moans, “Francois-san! He totally thinks something is going on between us now!”

“I wasn’t the one who blushed and gave it away.” I can’t be blamed if she blushes at everything now.

“This isn’t funny, Francois-san!” She seems a bit upset, and more than a bit embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you. Bauer-san is courteous, though, and would never say anything about it to anyone else. Unfortunately I am a poor liar so it would be worse if I tried to lie. I need a bit of truth to work with if I want people to believe what I am saying.”

Rae pouts. “Rumors are going to start, Francois-san… People are going to hear about you turning him down. Well, not turning him down exactly, but losing interest all of a sudden. And if you keep telling everyone it’s because you…ummm…” She swallows hard as she struggles to say it.

“That I am in love with someone?” I can’t keep the playfulness out of my tone.

She turns away, blushing and waving her hand in the air as though trying to use it to help articulate words. “Right…people are going to talk. And you have been spending a lot of time with me…”

“Do you not want to spend time with me?” The question just pops out, and it feels wrong the second it leaves my mouth. It’s just going to make her feel guilty. I wish I hadn’t asked it like that, but the idea of avoiding her, or of her avoiding me, is simply unbearable.

“No!” she squeaks. “I mean I do, I like spending time with you…it’s just…”

“You don’t want everyone else to know.”

She nods. She looks almost ashamed of herself, but she shouldn’t. I want to hold her, but that would draw too much attention out here in public.

This wouldn’t have happened if I had better controlled myself.

“Can I make it up to you in some way?” I ask sincerely. Rae, please stop blushing at everything I say—that wasn’t meant to be innuendo! . “I also owe you for all the help you have given me, on top of also keeping me company tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to do anything Francois-san. I enjoy your company.”Rae is quiet but she means it.

“That’s good, because I very much enjoy your company too. I look forward to enjoying a casual day tomorrow. We’ve had to do a lot of studying lately. So, what do you have planned for our d—day?” I can do this.

Rae narrows her eyes at me.


 She definitely noticed I stopped myself from saying date. “I…you’ll have to wait and see. Like, don’t get your expectations up or anything. It’s nothing fancy. I don’t know, I was thinking we could go out and see a few things, then maybe get lunch and hang out at my place, or maybe your place? I could bring my laptop and show you a game, if you want. I don’t want to seem too much like an Otaku or anything but I think I have a good suggestion for something you might like.” She rambles on very quickly; it seems she is getting a bit self conscious.

“That sounds lovely, Rae. I don’t need anything fancy either. Getting lunch, enjoying a nice walk around town and then doing something at home sounds perfect. I wouldn’t mind coming to your dorm.” We have spent a lot of time in mine .

“Ugh…well, honestly it's pretty small, and now that I think about it we would have to share my bed if we wanted to play something on my laptop.” Rae averts her eyes and presses two fingers together.

I don’t see what the problem is…okay, I will concede that this might be a lot for this version of Rae.

But returning to my dorm might be unfair to Catherine. She has been very patient so far, but I can see she really wishes she had some privacy again with all the time Rae has spent at our  place over this past week.

“I’ll see what Catherine would prefer. She can be…well, she enjoys her privacy and I worry this is getting to be a bit too much for her.”

“Oh, yeah, for sure. In that case I think Misha will be out for most of the day, so we can play it by ear I guess.”

We resume our walk to the other side of the campus. I can see Rae is lost in thought for a moment.

“Is something wrong?”

She snaps her fingers. “Now I remember! Before Bauer-san showed up, I was going to tell you about something on YouTube you might like that’s pretty harmless.”

“Oh?” That has piqued my interest.

“Yeah, okay…” She pulls out her phone and starts it up, or “unlocks it” as Rae explained is the correct phrase. “Okay, in your opinion what is the cutest animal?”

“Hmmm, well, cats are always adorable…but I’ve always been fond of otters.”

She grins and types away, then turns the phone towards me as a video starts to play. It displays a pair of otters floating in the water together, sleeping soundly. “Awwww, they are holding each other’s hands!” Oh, goodness!


There are so many of these notifications…

Rae sort of explained how these work. Pepi and Loretta each have sent me dozens of messages over the last day, and I tried to send them a few replies to keep them calm. Thankfully I think I am starting to get a better idea of texting now. Reviewing my old messages has been… informative , but even with the lack of proper context I feel the need to chastise my other self. It's far too familiar. I don’t feel comfortable matching that previous tone, needless to say.

“Catherine… is there a way to stop all of these notifications?”

Notification, to notify. Hrmm, all they seem to do is vex me. I appreciate that it alerts me to messages people have sent, but what is this ‘ X ’? I don’t understand what any of the X notifications mean, much less how there are over a hundred from it alone. It’s utterly inane. Instagram ? Rae tried to explain it, but it also seems to be a steady stream of messages that have no relation to me?

“I guess, can you pass me your phone?” Catherine says from the sofa. She looks rather comfortable sunk into it and reading her own phone. “Hmmm, I think we can mute all the non essential ones, so you only see what you want to see, which I guess would be texts. Yeah… let's get rid of Twitter. No one should have that.”

“Twitter? I don’t think I saw anything from that.” Was there something else on the phone I was missing?

“Oh, right . It used to be called Twitter, but then the idiot who bought it decided ‘X’ would be better. No one calls it that, people still call it Twitter. And it sucks .” There is an unusual glee to her voice as she derides this ‘X’, or Twitter, whatever it’s called.

“What is it?”

“God, I don’t know, it’s a machine designed to make people miserable. Trust me, don’t think about it, it’s not worth it. I’ll turn it off rather than deleting it just in case you need it for something, but I really doubt it. Besides, no one would be surprised if someone stopped using it now. Huh, that’s a lot of Instagram… wow .”

“I don’t understand that one, either.”

“Errr. I think this one is more straightforward, but honestly it’s probably best to not use it for now. You remember what the internet is, right? All this stuff—” She waves her hand in the air as she talks. “Twitter, Instagram, etc. are using the internet to share their thoughts and photos and videos with other people. It’s like… it’s not magic, but it’s like a magic place that computers can look at, and in this case ‘computers’ includes your phone. So with Instagram you post pictures and then people can leave messages on them or give them a like… I think. I think that’s what most of these are for. This explains why your phone was always buzzing. Jeez, I had no idea you were this active there.”

“I think I followed all of that. It is starting to come together, I guess? Did that many people really leave a message on these pictures?” I looked through some of the pictures from instagram with Rae before, but I don’t get it. A lot of pictures of food? The outfits maybe make more sense. Besides, Rae’s food looks better than anything I saw there.

“I guess? It’s muted for now. You can look at it later again if you want to when you get more in the swing of things. I suppose it’s not that bad. It will probably be more manageable if you ghost it for a month. I think that should help you, and just let me or Oohashi-san know if other things pop up. And don’t ask about Tik-tok.” She sticks her hand up from the sofa with my phone, waving for me to take it.

“Thanks again, Catherine.”

Her hand just gives me a thumbs up, and then disappears behind the sofa cushions. As I start to walk away, she springs back up, “Wait, one more thing before I forget!”

The suddenness is startling. She looks very intense right now. “...Yes?”

“If you get any texts or other messages trying to get information out of you, or claiming you are in trouble or whatever, do not respond to them. If you really aren’t sure, let me or Oohashi-san see them. This is important—I cannot stress this enough. Those are almost always scams and are not legit, even though they can look convincing. Okay?” She looks deadly serious.

A scam? “But—”

“No, trust me, you have no context and the last thing we need is someone hacking your phone or bank. Just trust me when I say this. If you don’t recognize the person, which, okay, will probably be the case for most people who contact you, don't give out any information. Better yet, don’t respond at all, and that goes the same for if you get a random call.” I have not seen Catherine this intense in a while. How would one hack up my phone when it is in my hands?

“Okay, I will check with you two first then.” That gets Catherine to release her breath and relax back into the sofa. Another thumbs up rises over the side.

There is a knock on the door. That must be Rae. I quickly walk over and peek through the peephole. I can see her standing on the other side fidgeting. I can’t stop myself from grinning, and why would I?

I unlock and open the door. “Rae!” I have to hold myself back from going in for a hug, but I do give her shoulder an affectionate squeeze. Even that causes her to blush, which is delightful .

“Hello, Francois-san,” The quiver in her voice is adorable. “Hello, Achard-san, I hope I’m not intruding.”

A hand just sticks up from the sofa and waves. “You’re helping, Rae, you aren’t intruding. Come in. Your other class went well?” I bring her over to sit at the desk, and I take a seat on my bed.

“Umm, yes, thank you. Sorry I couldn’t escort you again. It can get easy to get turned around on campus.” She doesn’t need to apologize, but it’s cute when she does.

“I managed. Having a map on your phone certainly helps. It updates your position as you move! I know you say it’s not magic, but it feels like magic.” They weren’t lying about how valuable a phone is, but at the same time they both seem to treat it so mundanely?

“Cool, Cool. I’m glad you’re starting to get the hang of it!  Soo , umm, how was your first day of classes, then?” Rae asks.

I have to take a long breath, “Truthfully, I didn't retain anything nor really have any idea what we were talking about. The lessons were of arithmetic, business and economics and I thought I would have had some understanding. I have read so many texts and treatises on economics back in Bauer but the fundamentals seem so different here.”

“Yeah… I don’t have a good solution, or at least not an easy one. You have the textbooks, right?” She takes a look at the desk and spots the pile of books, then plucks one and flips it open, “Ah, perfect, okay, so this is a good place to start. This intro chapter is actually well written and it does a good job of explaining and walking you through the basics if you can manage to sit down and read through it.”

“I have trudged through treatises, letters and tomes far denser than these and with the most god awful prose you could imagine. If I could bludgeon those morons with a style guide, it would be far too kind.” I let my frustrations out in a chuckle, just for show. “I suspect these will be far easier and more pleasurable to read. Any other suggestions?”  These texts should be more straightforward, and hopefully they won’t be full of justifications for taxing commoners—or whatever the term for them would be here—, to death and ruin.

“Cool, cool, yes. This is a good place to start. I think for the math bits we can use my notes, and I’ll help show you how it works. It seems like you’re mostly just unfamiliar with modern notation and formulas, right, Francois-san?” She digs through her bag and pulls out a spiral-bound notebook. “We can start with this and then you can read the textbooks afterwards. I can even stick around for a bit and work on my own stuff if you want me here to ask questions.”

“I would love to have you around, Rae.” Rae nearly drops her book as she blushes, and I can’t help but smirk. Catherine makes a gagging noise from the sofa. Hush, you.

“C-c-cool.” Rae puts her book of notes on the desk with haste and stiffens.

“Relax Rae.” I get up to fetch the second chair from Catherine’s desk and pull it over next to her. She tries to not visibly react, but I can see her tense up. She seems so wound up, and I know exactly how to unwind her—Claire! Goodness, Claire, leave the poor girl alone. But she is so close, and it would be so easy to push the chair just a bit closer, lean into her and—

“F-Francois-san, are you ready, then?”

I blink. Get it together, Claire, you have more important things to tackle first.“Yes, let's start.” I can hold myself toget


her. I am Claire Francois, after all, and this should be a trivial issue. It doesn’t matter that my wife is right here, inches away, and I could very well just reach over and ki— It doesn’t matter. I will not be one to give in to such desires, no matter how delicious they may be.

Besides…Rae will give in way before I will.


It’s exciting being in the front seat. Too bad Rei can’t fit up here with me.

Lene is driving us to Rei’s old home in Chiba. And not in a limo, either. We thought a normal car would be more cozy.

Rei has fallen asleep in the back seat. The ride has been rather relaxing and the scenery is lovely. Japan is a marvel. It’s my first time really getting out of Tokyo and the change of scenery is great, even if we are shackled to the highway. Lene has resisted all attempts at conversation, though.

“Lene, how have you been?”

Lene startles, not expecting me to break the silence. I’ve had very few opportunities to talk to her in private for more than a few minutes. Every time we’ve spoken, it always feels stilted. She insists on being so formal with me. Even in my previous life I don’t think she ever treated me this… professionally. I miss the easy relationship we had.

“Pardonne moi?” She doesn't take her eyes off the road. At least she isn’t dressed in her usual suit for this trip, which has always felt exceedingly stiff, but even in more casual attire her demeanor is consummately correct. It’s frustrating. “I should have no problem finishing this drive,” she says crisply, misunderstanding my question.

“No…I meant how have you been. We hardly ever talk, and I feel like I don’t know you.”

“Oh,” she says slowly, taking a moment to focus on driving before speaking again. “I have been well, mademoiselle. I find that living in Japan suits me now that I’ve adjusted, and working for your mother has been wonderful.” She still sounds too formal.

“How long has it been, now?”

Lene mulls the question. “I’ll have been in your mother’s employ for a decade next February.”

A decade. I must have been barely a decade old myself. How much older is she here? Lene had worked for us from a very young age in Bauer, but that would have been unacceptable by this world’s standards. “How old are you, Lene, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Thirty-two, mademoiselle,” she answers frankly. So she’s much older than I am, then. That’s a vast difference from Bauer. It drives home the enormity of the difference between us now.

I want to tell her about our past lives. I should at least tell her something. Mother wants to avoid telling people unnecessarily, and while Lene is close to the family, Mother did not want to introduce the complication. Understandable, if unfortunate. “Lene, I’m not sure how else to broach this, but I have to assume you have noticed a change in my demeanor.”

She’s quiet, and for a moment she looks at me before returning her gaze to the road. “Oui.” She’s too polite to ask why, but I can hear the question. I owe her this much, at least.

“You see, I…I feel better now, and I wanted to apologize for anytime I acted—”

“Mademoiselle, that isn’t necessary.” She didn’t let me finish.

But it is necessary. “Of course it is. I know I have treated you poorly, and I’m sure that there is much I wasn’t even aware I was doing.”

Lene is quiet, and her focus is on the road again, but I know she is mulling over how to respond. “I appreciate the thought, Mademoiselle Claire, but I knew what I was signing on for when your mother hired me.”

“That still doesn’t excuse my past behavior.”

“That’s not…” Lene can’t quite find the words. I see her glance in the rear view mirror quickly. She sighs. “I didn’t think it was a good idea for you to go off to school on your own with Catherine.”

What? “I’m not sure I follow?”

“Your mother tried many things to help you, mademoiselle. Both you and Mademoiselle Catherine have been through a great deal, and I’m aware that I don’t even know the whole of it. I don’t need to know more, but I believed that going off to school on your own would have made things worse. I never expected to see you laughing, smiling. Happy. Depression is…suffocating. It’s like being trapped under a black sea. I don’t mean that it excuses your behavior. I just know how much it can hurt to lose someone.”

I wasn’t expecting such a heartfelt response. I can tell from the sound of her voice that she speaks from painful personal experience.

“I’m sorry, who did…” It’s a painful question, one I maybe shouldn’t ask.

“Family.” She replies. The hurt in her voice and the cruelty of the situation twists my stomach. Lene does not linger too long on it. “But you found someone, you found your reason to move forward. If I might be so bold, mademoiselle, I am proud of you. I always knew you knew you could move forward and overcome the past if you only decided you wanted to.”

That makes my breath catch in my throat. Even when the distance between us feels so vast, Lene is still a pillar. “Thank you, Lene.”

“Your partner is wonderful. That was another surprise.” She sounds happy to say it.

I can’t help but glance back at Rei softly snoozing in the back seat. “I love her so much. She’s done so much for me, and still does so much every day.”

Lene lets out a content hum and smiles.

“Lene, could we spend some time doing something leisurely? I’ve been trying to teach myself to cook, and I would appreciate your input.”

“Oh, well if that is what you would like, mademoiselle, I would be happy to.” There is a soft smile on her face.

“Thank you, Lene.”

This has been a nice drive.


 Fuck.

Fuck!

I need to get out of here, away. Out of the building.

Bzzzt!

Don’t answer that. It’s her . I… can’t right now. I can’t talk to her. I’m just gonna make it even worse. I can’t cook and I'm a coward. I just had to tell her she was wrong but I was too greedy. I didn’t want to let her go. I didn't want to disappoint her by being me and not her .

Fuck… it’s over now. I really fucked it up. Why did I think I could make a fucking crème brûlée of all things? I must have mixed it wrong. I rushed it. I almost set her kitchen on fire-

Thump- fuck, my hand stings .

Wha- who did I just- “Rei?”

Oh…

…Oh no…

Not her.

“Are you okay?” Manaria asks.

Of fucking course not.

“P-peachy.” Hold it together.

Her eyes narrow, and like fuck off already. Just get out my way please. I just want to get out of here. “What happened?” God, I beat her? What a fucking joke…

“N-none of your f-fucking business.” Fuck I wish that sounding at least a fucking bit stable.

“What did she do?” Please leave me alone…

“S-she d-didn’t fucking d-do anything, get out-t of my way already.” Hold it together Rei…

“ No , what happened?” She tries to grab my hand and I panic before she can make contact. I swing my arm wide and it causes her to back away, wary of another swing.

She blinks.

“You w-wanna know what happened? I fucked up! I’m a loser, I was an idiot thinking I could be with her. What was I t-thinking? She’s wrong about me—I’m nothing like she thinks I am. Of course I was going to f-fucking d-d-dis….”

Oh god the words are drowning in my mouth.

Manaria looks wary still. She's treating me like some scared animal , but there is some space between us.

Fuck it. I take my chance and bolt past her.

“Rei!” I can feel the swish of air but no contact. I dash out of the building and I don’t think she’s chasing me.

Doesn’t stop me from running though.

Fuck

FUCK

I just keep moving, pumping my legs. Maybe I can think my way through this. How ? I don’t know…

Everyone tried to tell me …

I need to get out of here.


“No.”

“Just listen.”

“I don’t need a new leg.”

“Like hells you don’t. You told me it’s broken!”

“It’s… fine.”

“You have been limping everywhere!”

“I have my cane.” Catherine stomps it to ground, I guess for effect but she winces when she has to put more pressure on her bad leg.

“Just please see what needs to be done, Lene said you are long overdue for a replacement.”

Catherine groans.

“And it's hurting you!”

“That’s to be expected Mademoiselle, your socket needs proper maintenance, even if you are not growing much anymore your body is not made of stone, it needs to be readjusted or it will put undue pressure on the area. And you have grown since your last check up.”

Catherine just groans again and I feel really awkward and useless in this whole exchange. I’m just… moral support I guess?

Go Claire.

Lene-sama continues, she seems eager to make sure Catherine goes through with this at least. “Mademoiselle Francois would be most pleased if you would finally allow us to help you.”

Catherine glances between the two of them, trying to find some way to counter. She looks at me, like I can offer some relief.

But Claire is just trying to help her, “Uhh? I’m sure they just want what’s best, like it has to get fixed eventually right?”

Claire takes her hand in both of hers, clasping it gently, “Please Catherine?”

That would get me to concede, like on the spot.

Catherine still has a some resistance though, but ultimately, not enough, “Fuck, fine. Fine, let's get this over with.”

Claire bounces in place, still holding her hand which causes Catherine to roll her eyes.

“Très bien, please this way then Mademoiselle Catherine, In the meantime Mademoiselle Claire and Oohashi, there will not be much space for you in the waiting room, if you desire you can stay with the Limousine, or you may walk about as you wish. It should not take us more than an hour. There is also a café across the street if you so desire as well.”

“I think the cafe sounds lovely, Rei?”

“Oh, yah sure?”

“Très bien, then, I will text you when we are finished.” And with that Lene-sama bows, and escorts Catherine to her appointment. Her clinic is part of the hospital I guess.

A part of me is relieved that my part in this was pretty painless, but I also hate feeling so… useless in this all?

“Oh that went so well, Thank you again Rei for coming with me.” I feel her taking my hand in her own.

Okay, as long as she is happy, I suppose that is all that matters in the end. “Yah, no problem, it’s not like I did very much.”

“Nonsense,” she tuts at me, “You always help.” She drags me along to the cafe and she orders a small brunch for the both of us. We then find a more secluded booth for us to enjoy our sandwiches, coffee and pastries.

There is some small idle chatter as Claire comments on the quality of the food, she has such a discerning tongue when it comes to food. Thankfully she hasn’t made much mention of having me cook something, but god I am dreading the topic again. I can barely even offer much of my own commentary on the meal we just had. Like it’s fine? Like it’s good but I don’t even know what to say. She doesn’t seem to make much of a deal of it, she just looks happy.

God she really does just look happy, and pretty. No she looks fucking gorgeous, I still can’t believe that I am here. Not just here in a cafe with her, sharing a meal, but everything in the last week.

I’m dating her.

She is lost in thought at the moment, her chin resting on her palm as the ideas filter through her mind. Then she blinks and her eyes meet mine, a lazy smile creeps across her lips and an idle finger plays on the corner of it.

“Rei…”

Shit, I was staring.

She seems amused though, “Mmmm, Rei, I was wondering… Is there a style you favor?”

“Style?”

“How do you like to dress?”

What ?

“I only mean since we will be perusing attire later… I know how to make you look good but I am more unfamiliar with fashion here and I want you to be happy with whatever we purchase.”

“Oh… umm well I wouldn’t really say I have much, umm sense when it comes to fashion, I don’t know I just wear whatever…”

“Something comfortable?”

“Sure?”

“Don’t worry, trust me, I know you dislike dress-up so we won't spend forever. I have ideas in my head but I will have to see what the venue offers first. I will make this as painless as I can.”

I… I don’t like dress-up? I mean do I… maybe? There have been a few times when mom was getting me clothes I guess, and maybe that was boring but… I haven’t really… This is weird? Is she right? “Oh… Umm sure. You don’t have to go overboard or anything.”

“Of course, I can be frugal but maybe I also want to enjoy the wealth while I have it again.”

“Oh, umm sure… did umm, what was it like? You know… back then?”

“We were still well off, but I went from exceedingly wealthy to a comfortable modest lifestyle, don’t worry it was well worth it. We had to be careful at times with money but we still were able to enjoy many luxuries. Our daughters wanted for little.”

“Oh that’s… good, did you ever miss it?”

“In some ways… but not really. It was the transition that was more so difficult I suppose, unlearning wasteful habits and figuring out how to live on our own. Going from having every meal being prepared by staff to… well you still prepared most of my meals, but more so I mean that we had to take care of ourselves. Mending our own clothes, cleaning up, chores, even keeping our employment and finances in mind was never a concern I would have had, had I still been a noble.”

I… she gave up a life of luxury?

For me?

“It was worth it.” She answers as if reading my thoughts, there is a soft smile and she reaches over, placing her hand over my own. “Thank you again for coming.”

“Oh… well no problem. Really. You and Lene-sama are doing most of the work.”

“Hrmmm, you are important too.”

Sure

“Hey, you're not going to pout that I want you around are you?”

“Ohh-What? No I-

She laughs, “Of course not.” She smirks and breaks into a silly cackle… oh god she is adorable.

I can’t help but laugh along with her, and once we both calm down I realize she has found my hand… again. Not a bad thing to keep happening I suppose.

“That’s better… This is lovely.”

Yah, it is.

“I would like to be together tomorrow as well.”

“Yes.”

What?

You said Yes.

She smiles warmly, “Good, I would very much like to finish your game, Persona, but I also want to finally see some of the other things you like. I know you mentioned a Dungeon Meshi before-”

“Really? You want to know about Dungeon Meshi!?” Oh shit I’m squeezing her hand. God Rei, you are such a fucking little goblin, can’t you just be chill-

“Of course, I have to say, I’m surprised I never heard about it before from you given your current reaction… I have to ask, there was a novel series you were reading when you were still a teenager. Forgive me, I believe it’s name was Pray… Love?”

“PrayLove? Between Prayer and Love?”

She gleams, “Yes! That’s the one. You said that was your first yuri series, Shiko showed it to you.”

…

“Am I wrong ?” She smirks, she knows she isn’t.

But… I…

Okay, rationally, yes it makes sense she knows this based on what she told me… but It doesn’t stop it from throwing me for a loop.

“You were writing stories for it as well?”

… I need… to reset my brain…

“I—------------Yes?”

“Rei?”

….

“Oh Wow! Sorry that… is. Wild. Wow.”

“Are you okay Rei?”

“Yes, Yes.” God I’m chuckling like an idiot now, “God, sorry, the only person I really ever talk about this with is Shiko… and Misha, but just a little. She’s a nerd too, but she is not really… into that stuff. It just really catches me off guard I guess.”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to do that to you, it’s just I never imagined you used to be so guarded about this sorta thing. You were always so proud of it before. You told me about one story you had been working on for over five years for Pray Love.”

“Five… years…”

“Are… you still writing it?”

“I… think so?”

Uhhhh

“Could I read it?” She asks sweetly.

Fuck no.

“Are you sure? I don't know… it's… unhinged. I don't even know if it would make sense…” oh god please don't ask this of me. I will DIE .

Oh please don't pout at me Claire, “Rei I can assure you, nothing will surprise me, I have seen how unhinged


 you can be,” oh God why is she smirking? What does that mean… I… I… Can't deal with this, oh god. Please let me hide behind my hands.

“Rei, it's really not that bad, I think we even might have played some scenes in the bedroom-”

bEdRooM?

“- it was honestly a lot of fun, we can even get a collar again-”

tHE cOllAr?!

Oh god please.

Aaaaaaaaaaa

“- as well as a few other toys… umm Rei are you okay?”

Peachy

“Reiiii”

“Rei, look at me please,”

I don't want to.

She does look worried, god just get over yourself. Stop being so embarrassed over… sex.

You want it .

“Hey… it's okay Rei,” she's so kind… “I'm sorry, it's easy to forget how different you are now.”

I bet

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”

“NO! Yes? I… I don't know… I'm embarrassed? God I… I wrote this stuff… and… now… you… me… “

I can hear my swallow.

“ bed… I… it's a lot, it sounds amazing,  scary… I-”

“ Rei… that's normal, the first time I was ever with anyone, it was with you. I didn't know anything about being physical, let alone with another woman. It was intimidating as it was alluring, trust me, I understand. But you were there for me, gentle and you never rushed me. Let me do that for you.”

I feel her squeeze my hand, When did she…?

“I… want… to…”

“We can go slowly.”

…okay. Yah slow works.

Slower Claire…

Get out of here!

“I… Yes… that. Thanks Claire. Sorry I shouldn't be-”

“Please don't apologize, Rei. I'm sorry if I ever push you too much. I'm too greedy with my desires. And I might have too much fun teasing you.”

Thanks Claire.

“The teasing is fun.”

She smirks proudly, “I know it is.”

Huh?

You said the quiet part out loud and the loud part…

Shit!

“You're adorable Rei.”

She… god I really want to do this.

I want to be hers.

Her Rei.

“ Soooooo? ”

“Huh?”

“You let me read your works, eventually?”

Shit!

“Eventually?” God I am not ready for this.

I just started writing the really deranged stuff too.

“It's not done though?”

“That's okay,  after all,   I think I know how it ends.” Oh god, she always sounds so- I freeze as her hand moves to my face, she has a discerning look and her thumb rubs against my cheek.

She pulls her hand back, “Ah that was bugging me.” She inspects whatever it was she cleaned off my face, then looks up at me and as she holds my gaze she licks her thumb, in the most fucking suggestive way possible, and she KNOWS what it’s doing to me.

“Eventually.” She looks so satisfied.

I’m not meant to survive.


 This was a stupid place to come. There’s too many people, and I can see the lotuses on the lake from our date before.

God I fucked up .

I just want to be alone. Maybe if I sit off to the side under a tree I can just….

I need to think. Calm down. I need to fix this.

How?

Tell her I’m not her Rae?

Jeez, My hand still stings.

God, I’m so fucking stupid. I should have said something, anything . Why did I act like I could make crème brûlée?

I can’t do anything.

I can’t do anything she needs from me.

I’m just pretending to be her Rae.

I just want to disappear-

“Oohashi-san?”

Huh ? Oh, what’s he doing here? Can’t I just go one minute without running into someone? Yu’s brother…. ah fuck, what was his name? Thane-san?

“H-Hi… Bauer-san?”

“Are you alright?”

No. Obviously.

“P-peachy.”

He frowns.

“Why are you here?” I ask. He makes a face at that. Don't snap at him . “Sorry…”

“I like to come out here and think. Sometimes it helps me compose.” I hate how calm he sounds right now.

Of course he composes . God I feel so… worthless .

He doesn’t seem taken aback even though I’m being an ass. He sets a bag down and takes a seat with a view of the lake.

“You’re upset.”

No shit .

Stop. Breathe . “L-Look… I… I don’t want to…”

“I know we don’t really know each other… but you are Yu’s friend… and he has worries. Perhaps you need someone to talk to that is outside your circle. If you want, I can listen.”

“ I fucked up .” Nononono I wasn't supposed-

“How so? Is… is this about Francois-san?”

“Ughh…. Umm, I… fuck. Yes. It is.” No use in denying it now is there…

“Oohashi-san, if you don’t mind me asking, I have… maybe an intuitive guess as to your relationship with her, but I would rather you tell me.”

God… do I… “We… were… dating.”

He doesn't look surprised. Of course he figured it out. Claire has not been great about keeping secrets. That’s how I know she’s not telling me everything. That I'm not her Rae. “ Were dating?”

“Well she’s going to break up with me now. She knows I’m not what she wants...”

“What she wants?”

“She thinks that I’m some super girl. That I can cook. That I can write. That I can punch god. She thinks that I’m perfect. But I’m not. I’m a l-loser .”

“Hmmm, did something happen?”

God, how do I even begin to explain what happened? Is this even going to make sense? “She wanted me to make a crème brûlée.”

“And?”

“I couldn't. Obviously.”

“Did you tell her?”

“No. Because I’m a fuck up! She thought I could but I couldn’t. I should’ve told her I couldn't but I didn’t. And I fucked it up.” Of course I did.

“But… why would she think you could do that in the first place?”

“It’s complicated .”

“Complicated?” Why is his every response like that?

“Are you just going to repeat everything I say?”

“You aren’t giving me a whole lot to work with Oohashi-san. How is it complicated? Was there a misunderstanding? Did you lie?” How is he always so calm ?

“I… didn’t lie…” You lied by omission. “I… guess it was a misunderstanding. She… thinks I’m way more talented than I really am and I was too scared to tell her otherwise. I didn’t want her to leave me when she realized I’m not the person she thinks I am. There. Happy? She obviously would be better off with someone else...” With Her.

He just hums.

“Nothing to say to that, huh?”

“Maybe she would…”

God…

No…

“Maybe she wouldn’t. I don’t know Francois-san that well, and my few… encounters with her were… well quite different from the last time that I saw her with you. Even Yu is perplexed by her shift. But there is one thing we have noticed. She seems… happier now, very much. Yu said he doesn’t understand it.”

“Even Yu thinks we make no sense. Great .”

“That’s not what he said or I said.” He sighs. I must be frustrating. I’m frustrated with myself. He's being nice and listening and I'm being an ass. “Yu said he found her talking with her friends, and she was talking about an anime of all things. He said it was because of you. He eavesdropped for a bit and she was trying to convince her friends to watch it. He didn’t get that .”

She was telling her friends to watch… “Dungeon Meshi? We… she’s just read the manga, she hasn’t watched it.”

“Oohashi-san, I wasn’t there so I may be getting exact details mixed up. Regardless… it was odd, out of character for her I suppose. Honestly Yu had a better grasp of her than I… I just was the subject of her… advances? Flirtations? Honestly I’m not sure what to call it. If I’m being honest it was off putting and unwelcome. But when I ran into the two of you together… she’s different. The way she talks now is nothing like when she talked to me before.”

“Oh…” I mean of course…  with all that… but… “What… was she like? Before?”

“Mechanical.” There’s little hesitation. “I didn’t really know her but it felt like she was… on autopilot? Maybe? It’s hard to say really. I had known her for less then a month but she left a strong impression. The difference with you is night and day though. Yu’s been keeping tabs on her, and she… maybe Yu would be better to talk to about this-”

“ I’m not talking to Yu about this .”

“...Fine, Yu has been suspicious of her this whole time. But in his words, she just likes you. Even the ‘stupid’ stuff.”

He uses air quotes when he says stupid. Clearly he feels guilty about repeating it. Not like Yu is wrong though.

“Ughhhh, of course that’s what he would say… what an ass .”

Thane just sighs. At least he shares the sentiment. We sit there for a moment.

I don't know why I'm even telling him all of this.

“You like her?”

“Claire? Of course. She’s perfect!” She's amazing and I don't deserve her.

Thane raises a brow, “So perfect that you think she fundamentally misunderstands you?”

“Well… I mean… you don’t understand.”

“I suppose. I am an outsider. I probably will never understand it like you do. But Francois-san is human, and she can be wrong. She can act irrational, and from my perspective she has acted quite… unusual as of late. But I do think she cares for you. And you care for her. I think it would be a shame if this ended over something like a misunderstanding.”

“I don’t want it to end… but she knows now… I’m not her Rae .”

“Oohashi-san. Forgive me if this seems… callous, but this outcome seemed destined to happen. It sounds to me like you have been worrying about this image that you think Francois-san has of you, yet you never talked to her about it. Regardless of whether it would be a point of contention for her or not, your relationship would not have survived if you can’t talk to her about these sorts of things.”

I was always going to ruin it, wasn’t I?

“I can’t speak for how she feels, but it seems genuine. To repeat myself, it really was like night and day. She really was enamored with you when we talked. It was very obvious something was happening. And I think she would want to try to make whatever happened between you two better. But I don’t know what actually happened between you too. I wasn’t there.”

“I don’t think she will… and even if she did… I ran away…”

“Hmmm…”

“God what do I do…?”

“Hard to say, but what do you want ? Do you want to apologize, to make amends?”

“Can I?” I ran away.

“Why not?” It can’t be that simple.

“But… I ruined it?”

“Worse things have been fixed, Oohashi-san.” Stop making it sound so simple.

“But… I can’t… I don’t know if I can be what she wants.”

“Have you asked her what she wants? She might have made some assumptions, but aren’t you also making some assumptions if you haven’t asked? If she really wants you to be someone else… well…” He sighs, “ People like that are wrong .”

“ She can’t be the one who’s wrong.”

“Why?”

“She… she knows better than me…?”

“Because she’s perfect?”

“ You don’t get it .”

“No, you don’t get it. She has obviously fallen in love with you, and I can’t claim to be an expert but love seems to have a way of turning people into fools. It’s the worst kept secret that something is going on between you two and Yu says she is fooling no one. Even Rod is asking questions now.”

Rod… Every


one knows…

“I c-can’t… I need to-to…”

“Oohashi-san? I’m sor-”

“I can’t. I’m not her. I can’t cook. I can’t save the world. I can’t even fucking keep it t-together when ev-veryone k-knows. I… I …”

Need to not be here.”

“Oohashi-san, I-”

I’m already up and walking away as he starts up whatever he was going to say.

Even Rod knows.

Fuck.


 Bars…

I knew I wouldn’t like it in a place like this…

But I really don’t like it in a place like this.

The light is just poor, the music is too everywhere…

And it’s too small with too many people.

“Are you okay?” Claire asks me, a hand on my arm, she has to raise her voice over the ambient noise

“Yah, it's just… umm in here.”

She hums and nods in agreement. “I don’t want to linger longer than we have to either. Let's mingle and get it over with.”

She pulls me further into the bar, we have to squeeze past people too often, and I am bumping into too many people here. Ugh, this sucks.

There is already someone trying to talk to her, she is caught off guard at first but she quickly recovers. With practiced ease she slips into a conversation with what I assume are other students but I don’t really recognize anyone here. My only hope is I might see Misha; or at least Yu, at some point.

Wait, is that another person talking to her now? At least she seems in her element, I can’t even hear anything being said right now.

Just… zone out Rei. I can do that.

Just detach yourself from this body, time is a social construct. It’s already eight now right?

Right phone?

6:49 PM

How could you betray me phone?

At least Claire looks like she is managing okay, she laughs and looks my way for a second. She flashes a quick smile and returns back to the conversation at hand. She seems good at this all things considered, I can’t really hear the specifics of what they are saying, but it looks like they are laughing. At least I don’t need to do anything. I’m just here as an emotional support.

Moral support.

Rei Oohashi, emotional support girlfriend.

Hmph, I’m going to be the best fucking emotional support girlfriend possible.

I think. I am helping… right?

6:57 PM

Oh just fucking kill me now.

Oh Claire is moving back to me, I hope that went we-

“Claire-Chan!... and Oohashi-san… So glad you could make it” Fuck that made me jump, oh it’s one of Claire’s lackeys, the pink haired one.

“Pepi-Chan, Loretta-Chan!” Claire moves in and gives the two a quick hug, oh, I’m in the conversation circle now….

“We missed seeing you at these, Claire-chan.” Aaaand there's the other lackey. She’s tall aint she?

“Sorry Loretta-chan, I don’t really think I’m meant for these anymore.”

The second lackey gives me a stink eye. Ha whatever, she kissed me jock . “But… umm how will you keep up with everybody then?”

Claire just shrugs, and leans into me…. oooooOOOOHHHhhhh fuck. The lackeys look like they want to kill me.

“It’s not really that important in the long run is it? And I like the way things are now…” I can just catch her smirk from the corner of my eye. “We can make time for other get togethers.”

Everyone is staring…

I can’t help the stray thought… god I can’t help it, I'm trying to scan around and I'm just just overreacting… I think. It’s dark and crowded and everyone is in their own conversations…

And I just want to enjoy being with her… that’s okay right?

Pink lackey breathes in through her nose, “I guess seeing is believing…” She gives me one more appraisal, she’s not impressed, “At least you made her look reasonable for tonight.”

“ Very reasonable if you ask me, but it’s not really that hard if you ask me.”

Oh boy, dark, crowded and hot in here.

“Riiight, well no one is catching on, as long as you don't shove your hand down further.”

Oh fuck please…

Claire hums.

Pink lackey shakes her head, “I’m getting a drink, do you want your usual Claire-chan?”

I can feel her stiffens, “Oooh, sure, Thanks Pepi-chan.” Claire has no idea what she just agreed to drink does she?

“Do you want something?” She asks me, oh god no, I shake my head and then she turns to the other lackey. They share a few words, the second one nods and then pinkie leaves, making her way to the bar.

“Sooo.” Claire says at the Lackey left behind.

“Yes?”

“Pepi-chan is looking quite lovely tonight isn’t she?”

Huh?

She quirks a brow, and then looks at me. “Huh?, I thought you were… I… what?”

“Noooo, I just meant don’t you think she looks lovely Loretta-chan?”

“Ummm…?”

“You should tell her she looks great when she comes back, I’m sure she would love it.” What… is… she doing?

“I… I guess? Pepi-chan’s dress does look good.”

“Yes! I bet she thinks you look good too, the shirt and slacks really suit you. Quite handsome, I’m sure she thinks so too.”

The lackey blushes brightly, “Aaaaa… thank you Claire-chan….” It’s almost impossible to hear as her voice implodes.

It is funny to see someone else have a gay panic over Claire.

“Pepi-chan is quite cute isn’t she?” Noooo, is she…?

Lackey seems to be at a loss for words, and from the looks of it now is stuck in her own head.

I can feel Claire sway, somewhat in beat with the music.

“Umm, how are you liking this Claire-chan?” I ask her.

“Not really that pleasant if I am being honest. This is not like any social gathering I or we ever attended. It’s… oppressive. Thank you for coming with me, are you okay? You seem to be a bit on edge.”

“Nooooo… well maybe a little. This really isn’t my thing.”

“I know.” She says, and I can feel her hand wrap around mine, “We don’t have to stay too long.”

A cough causes us both to startle a little, oh it’s her lackey back, carrying a few drinks, “Here Claire-chan.” It's a tall glass of a reddish drink, a fair bit of ice, staw, and a lemon slice on the side. Claire hesitantly takes it, and her lackey passes a drink to the other one.

She looks at her as she takes the drink, a slow glance up and down the pink one, and turns away. “Thanks Pepi…chan.” Oh god, she is blushing again. And Misha gives me grief…

I lean into Claire, “Do they….”

“Whatever could you be implying…,?” Oh they totally do, she can’t even keep a straight face, she is totally trying to kick it off too.

“You are a bad liar.”

“Oh hush.” She gives me a playful bump with her shoulder, and then she carefully examines her drink some more. “Do you know what this is?”

“You’re asking me?”

She gives a hesitant smell, and considers for a second before taking a sip, “Ooooh, that’s sweet.” She gives it one more sip. “Hmm, that is strong.”

“You going to be okay?”

“I think so, as long as I ration it, I should be fine.” Okay…

“So what did those people talk to you about before?”

“Oh, it was mostly just your typical pleasantries, honestly I think they were just trying to schmooze but it was polite enough I suppose. I might be bad at straight up lying but I am very good at telling people what they want to hear.” She chuckles.

“Did you-”

“Oh look who we have here!”

Shit.

Claire is also startled and we both turn as Yu-san’s older brother weaves his way into our circle. It practically forces the lackeys out. Almost felt bad for them, almost.

“Oh Claire-sama, how kind of you to grace us with your presence.” God he isn’t really that loud, but he feels so loud.

“Oh Rod-san, it’s good to see you… in one piece.” She is definitely staring at his right arm, what’s so interesting about his arm… did-

“And who might you be?” Oh… he is staring right at me, why is he grinning like that?

“Umm, Oohashi-san. I’m friends with Francois-san.”

He glances curiously at Claire, before snapping back to me. His eyes run up and down…

“That sounds familiar, you wouldn’t happen to know my baby brother would you, Yu?”

“Yes… I’m friends with him and Misha Jur, we were in the same highschool.”

“Oh that’s great. I knew you seemed familiar! What are you doing with Francois-san here?” He asks all conspiratorially, like she isn’t even there. “Do you want to talk for a bit?”

What the actual fuck?

Clare huffs up, but grits her teeth. “She is also MY dear friend Rod-San.”

“If you are looking for Thane, he isn’t going to be here.” He deadpans, and tries to shift his focus back to me.

Claire looks hot… I mean pissed. She takes a deep drink, “Well I’m not looking for him!”

He sighs and gives an eyeroll, “Sure, I guess you finally took a hint.”

“Excuse you? I talked to Thane, maybe if you actually talked to him you would know, it was


 mutual, and Rei is not interested!”

Ughh…

That gets him to turn back fully to her, he doesn’t look too impressed. “Uh Huh, and you don’t sound upset or jealous, that's why I want to talk to your friend over you.”

Fuck

“Oh god, young Rod.” Claire mumbles and then takes another drink, oh that’s going away quickly… “I have someone, and it’s not You or Thane.” She moves slightly between me and him, making a bit of a barrier.

“Then how about you go bug them, and let me talk to your friend.”

She wickedly cackles, like the perfect villainess catching the hero in a perfect trap. “You think she wants to talk to You ?”

Oh god she is perfect.

He looks a bit taken aback, but decides to ignore her once again, now focusing right on me. “Oohashi-san, would you like to exchange nu-”

“No.”

…

Oh shit, that just slipped out, wait fuck, he was asking for my number? REAlly? He really was trying to pick me up, oh god please no…

I feel Claire lean into me and she weaves her arms around mine, very possessively and if it weren’t for all the eyes I can feel on us I might just die happy right now.

“See?” She says very triumphantly, “She is Mine. ” She laughs again and how does it sound so perfect?

“Fine,” he finally looks ready to call it quits, “I… hope you enjoy the party, let me know if you change your mind, Oohashi-san.” And he pushes back into the crowd.

Everyone is watching us, like actually watching us now.

Claire is still clinging to my arm, and her drink is completely drained.

There is a laugh from the side and fuck I am so on edge.

“Never thought I would see you here Rei-chan, with Francois-san nonetheless.”

It’s Yu, and he has Misha with him too. Unlike me, Yu looks in his element, Misha might be a bit bored.

“Yu!” Claire glees, “It’s so good to see you, oh I hardly recognize you!” She gives his arm a pat, and it looks like she is looking for something not there. Do all the Bauers just look wrong to her?

Yu definitely looks taken off guard by that, Claire seems to have a way of doing that to people doesn't she, “Is that so…? Might I suggest laying off the drinks then my dear?” He says smoothly, Claire just laughs, a bit too freely.

Misha glares at her though and places herself part way in between the two… it's def not jealousy right? “I’m surprised she dragged you here Rei.” Yu comments.

“Oh yah, hahaha, Claire-san wanted me to come so…”

I can feel Claire tighten up along me, wrapping her arm around mine again… oh god.

She just smirks, like it is her victory. Who are you fighting?

“Well when did this happen? I heard from Misha that you two have become friends … and I also heard some interesting things from Thane, seems that that ship has finally sailed away.” Yu's enjoying this, the shit.

Claire laughs, “Yes I suppose it has, he was rather sweet about it.”

“Reaaally?”

Claire just smiles, I can feel her warmth seep into me. I’m burning up.

Yu laughs, “I would have never guessed.”

“It certainly is something .” Misha deadpans, thank god she hasn’t been telling any major secrets to Yu. She is just so much better at this than me.

“I am dying to know how this,” He waves between us, a slight grin on his face, “Happened.”

Fuck… He def knows, not about Claire’s Isekai but us , of course he knows. He isn’t an idiot, even if Misha said absolutely nothing, he knows I am the gayest lesbian ever. He can put two and two together, he can see that I am blushing and I know Misha has been telling him what an idiot I am for having a crush on Claire.

At least my crush is going somewhere, Misha.

“Whatever could you mean ?” Claire hums, clearly happy to play along and continue to hang on my arm.

“Oh, whatever could I mean ?” Yu gives me a smirk.

Fuck.

“It’s good to see you here with Misha-chan Yu-chan … would you two…?” She counters, and Yu blushes a little.

“ Francois-san …” There is a warning edge to Misha’s voice.

Did Claire talk to Misha about something before?, “Did you two-”

“We had a talk after she decided to… friend with you Rei. I just hope she remembers to not out people before they are ready? Right Rei?” Misha states, more so than asks me, just glaring at Claire.

“Oh… umm…”

Claire pouts, “I haven’t said anything about anyone…”

“Are… you okay with this Rei?” Yu asks, oddly sincerely.

God, am I okay with my crush, the hottest girl I have ever seen, the girl who seems perfectly tailored to my tastes, who is totally into me, who thinks I was her perfect wife in her past life… am I okay with whatever this is.

Oh god yes.

“yeS.” Squeaks out. Fuck it’s way to warm in here.

Claire just tightens gently around me after I say that, I don’t even need to see her face to know she is grinning madly.

Yu, looks a little less concerned but he still looks confused, can’t really fault him for that.

“Well I guess this will be our little secret…” He leans to Claire’s ear and whispers something I can’t make out.

When he pulls back there is a serious look on Claire’s face, “I will never do that, I will always be there for her… and I will be there for you and Misha as well, for whatever that may come.”

He was not expecting that, but he just laughs, “Oh, well aren’t you full of surprises ? Well I hope you two enjoy your night. Misha I heard that Tanaka-san was making a fine ass of himself and he is somewhere to be found, shall we?”

Misha just rolls her eyes at his glee, “Sure, but don’t complain when it’s not really that interesting.”

Yu just laughs and pulls Misha through the crowd, it's wild how easy it is to lose track of people in such a small bar. At least I can’t really lose track of Claire when she is clinging to me… she is putting more weight onto me though isn’t she?

“Umm Claire-san?”

“Goodness, I feel just a touch dizzy. I think that drink went straight to my head.”

Oh… “Are you okay?”

“I think I need a moment… just let me cling here…”

“Oh jesus Claire-chan!” Fuck the pink haired one jumpscared me. “I just gave you that drink.”

“sorry.” she mumbles softly.

The lackey pinches her nose, “Great, she doesn’t usually get like this until at least two drinks… really? Why did you think you could down that so quickly?”

“rod was being rude. rei is mine…” She slurs. Oh she really is leaning on me for support now.

“God you are a disaster, We should take her home before this becomes worse.”

Wait, escape?

“Oh, yes, let's do that.”

She rolls her eyes. “Come on Claire-chan, let’s get you out of here, come on Oohashi-san.”

“rei has to come…”

“Yes, yes.” She starts to pull us through the crowd to the door. “Watch the steps with her.” she says once we break the threshold and start navigating the stairs back to the street. Out of the corridor the air is cooler again, and I can hear everything normally again. Thank god.

“Come on otaku.”

“Ugh, thanks… umm…”

“Pepi Barlier.”

“Thanks Barlier-san”

There are soft mumbles from Claire as we start walking towards her dorm, it is mostly quiet. I don’t really know what to say to her lac- friend.

“What did you do?”

“Ugh…?”

Claire seems mostly out of it at this point, just hanging on my arm as we slowly move down the street.

“She didn’t even know your name a month ago.” She’s mad at me.

“You think I can explain it?”

She groans, “How did this even start?”

“I don’t know. She walked right up to me and said she loved me.”

“soooo much.” Claire manages to add while her face is in my shoulder. Oh god I love her.

Barlier-san doesn't look… thrilled, but she doesn’t look like she is trying to pick a fight either. I think she just wants to understand, an explanation.

It must seem weird.

It is weird

“Umm, how… you’ve been friends with her for a while?”

“Highschool”, she doesn’t offer much more elaboration.

“So she’s changed?”

“Yes.”

“Ho-”

“Did you do something?”

“Excuse me?”

“Magic, mind control? I don’t fucking know.” She huffs.

Jeez, that wouldn’t be an easier explanation than whatever version of isekai Claire has. “No, I really didn’t do anything like that, and I wouldn’t if I could. I never talked to her before, but she came up to me… and was just honest. I listened and…I guess she told you already, I’m not going to lie, I had… have a massive crush on her, I was too nerv


ous to even talk to her.”

“So the whole tutor thing has been a lie?”

“Oh, no that’s true, she needs the help and we haven’t had much chance to do much else.”

She makes a face that I can’t really make out in the dark, maybe she is just annoyed at the lack of confirming evidence? “So you aren’t dating?”

“Ughh, we did sorta go on a date last sunday…”

Wow, that night is going to be a memory for a while, I'm feeling flush even in the cool air.

“Lu-ck-y you...”

“Yah…”

She huffs, and just focuses on walking the path.

“So like, what were you guys like, was she like a Regina George?”

There is a humorless laugh “Sure, whatever I guess. You weren't there, we don’t have to justify anything.”

“I… sorry that was maybe… well very rude, I’m just trying to piece it together. I don’t think she liked the way she used to be.”

“Can we just get Claire-chan back?”

“She just doesn’t talk a lot about what she was like, just that she didn’t like it.”

She groans, “What do you think I am going to say, that we were terrible? Look, we looked out for each other. You think it’s easy going to a private school where everyone's mom or dad is some big shot politician, an actor or some rich asshole? Where you get judged for every little fucking thing. Claire-chan took care of us.”

“I-”

“And we were going to be doing that just fine but then YOU show up and now all her priorities have fucking screwed up? She always said she wanted Thane-san for the clout and now she is saying she LOVES YOU!? That we are her friends? She never fucking said that before. She never told us what she was thinking! How is she… happy now?! What fucking happened?!”

“...pepi…” I can hear Claire mumbling and reaching out towards her friend.

“Huh?”

“... come here”

Pepi comes closer, and Claire pulls her into a hug.

“I wish I told you how important you were.” She says slowly.

I can see Pepi-san just still as Claire closes her arms around more so, like an animal caught in headlights. After a moment she coughs, “Sheesh Claire… um you don’t need…” Her voice wavers.

“Hush you dolt, let me apologize.”

“...”

I should give them some space I think, god I feel awkward right now-

“Why noW?” Oh fuck she is crying now.

“sorry, I don kno…”

Claire just hums as she holds her friends crying softly.

I… should I be here for this? We are just in the middle of the walkway…

Eventually I can hear them calm down. “Better?” Claire asks.

“Yeah… hey Oohashi-san, take your girlfriend.”

Girlfriend…

Oh snap out it Rei.

“Right, yes, yes.” Claire hesitantly lets go, but once she sees I am available there is a sly grin and she hangs herself off me. Ouph, well this is awkward but at least we can move again… if slowly.

“Umm… Barlier-san…?”

She turns her head to regard me, but doesn’t offer much more than a hum.

“I just wanted to say I sorta get it. It’s not the same, but it’s also not not the same… I… a close friend of mine took his life in highschool because he was born with a girl’s body and…”

“Jeez, I… sorry.”

“Thanks, I just… yah it sucks. God he even outed me as a lesbian in middle school-”

There is a sudden tightening and growling coming from Claire at that moment. I can just catch the icy glare from the corner of my eye.

I try to catch my breath again, “Umm, and yeah I don’t know what you had to go through and that wasn’t the same, obv, but…”

“Yah, yah. I get it. You can drop it already.”

“Yah… yah, sorry.”

“Ugh, stop apologizing, it’s fine okay? Whatever. This is your fault, but fine . Whatever… Claire is happy now. Just don’t fuck this up or I will get Loretta to fucking kick your ass.”

Right.

Yes.

Just don’t fuck this up.


“Okay, so this place isn’t high end by any stretch of the imagination, but they do meat good. My treat.” Shiko wears a wide grin as she directs us into a small bar. We did much better than Shiko earlier estimates, there were only a handful of doujin left. Few enough that we could pack them away in our bags for later. Shiko even let some go for pretty cheap near the end.

Oh wow, it smells good here. We grab a table in the back and Claire sets our bags on the seat next to her. I really wasn’t expecting her to buy anything, let alone that much. She bought all of Dungeon Meshi… I should marry her- God I don’t need to sound unhinged in my mind please.

“Everything alright Rei?”

“Oh, yah definitely… so, umm… what did you think? You seemed to enjoy yourself.”

That's what she said. Shut. Up.

Shiko leans her elbows on the table, and rests her chin on the back of her intertwined hands, grinning…

“It was very lovely meeting you Shiko-san finally.”

Shiko winks, “I have to say the same Claire-san.”

Claire smiles, and looks back to me, “It was really lovely, we should do it again when we can properly enjoy it. I should have a better idea of… well everything later too I imagine. I’m still quite new to… well you know, everything .” She chuckles cutely at her joke, thank god Shiko doesn’t know what she was hinting at.

“You're blushing Oohashi.”

“Shut up Shiko” God why do I put up with her.

“So Shiko-san, do you do this sort of thing often?” At least Claire is enjoying this.

“Oh, yah for a few years now. Started in highschool. Small, but I kept ramping up each time and it kept working so yah. I love drawing and I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”

“I’ll say, your works are lovely. You have a real talent for it.”

“Thanks, your girlfriend’s a charmer Oohashi.”

She could be quieter about the girlfriend part.

“I look forward to reading them, Bonds looks sinfully delightful I must say.”

“ Ohh, yah that was a fun one, Rei had a bunch of good feedback for that one.”

The bondage one ? “SHIKO!” Are you for real?

“Is something the matter Rei?” Claire asks, “It’s fine Rei, you don’t need to be self conscious about it.”

Shouldn’t I? “We shouldn't be talking about that sort of thing here.”

Claire pouts, “ Fine , I suppose you are right about that. Thank you again Shiko-san for these.”

Shiko grins, and eyes me. You little shit . It doesn’t take too long for the waiter to stop by and take out orders. Even Claire decides to order a meat cutlet. Shiko also gets a beer, but Claire ultimately thinks better of it and we both just get water. It’s probably for the best, even if I like clingy Claire .

Soon rice and meat are served, and god after today, it’s just perfect. Claire and Shiko both look to be enjoying it too. Claire’s meal looks way too big for how delicately she is approaching it. She really does feel like she comes from a different time in these little moments.

“Shiko this is excellent, there is so much good food everywhere. You really were cheating, weren’t you Rei?” Claire grins.

“Huh? Oh… I guess?” Oh no.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Shiko asks.

“Oh Rei is just fantastic when it comes to cooking.” Claire beams.

“Really?” Please don't ask Shiko .

“Sure?” God, just say you're not already, you idiot .

“Oh don’t be so modest.”

Shiko gives me a look, fuck she is going to ask about that later isn’t she?

“So what was Rei like when she was in highschool?”

Oh please, can we stop talking about me already?

Shiko’s look just turns mischievous though and she gives a toothy grin. “What would you like to know?”

“Anything, Everything .” Claire's grin nearly matches Shiko.

“Ah come on, I’m not really that interesting.”

“Hush, you never talk about yourself. You were also friends with Misha?”

“As a consequence of Rei, yah. Yu too I guess because of that. Misha shared a class with Rei. After the whole love square thing Rei got way more into otaku stuff. She didn’t quite hangout at the manga club at school as much but she kept reading a lot more on her own. And she also started playing games a lot, lots of RPGS, even the bad ones.”

Wow that was judgey. “Oh come on, they weren’t that bad.”

“ Sure , anyways for a while she was either playing at home on a PS4, reading some manga, bonus points if it was a yuri, or walking around playing on her DS. And you can’t forget about your fan fics either.” Shiko smirks at that last addition. Please don't mention the fics.

Claire looks a little caught up on the names, “PS4 and DS are things to play games on, kinda like we do on the laptop, they are just meant mainly for games.”

“Do you still play with those? I haven’t seen you play anything other than when we play Persona.”

“Oh… I’ve just been busy. I have my DS stil, and a Vita, couldn’t afford a Switch right now. And my PS4 is too big to take so it’s at home. And since we have… started dating, y’know. Not much time.” And it's not like I want to cut into my Claire time.

Claire hums, “I suppose.”

“She was also way in the dumps back then.”

“Shiko!”

She just shrugs, you asshole.  “What? You were. You were really depressed back then. Even if you don’t want to say it. She got better; like I said before, in highschool. But she was still really into all that stuff. You caught Misha reading Dungeon Meshi right?”

“Yah…”

“She was so excited, she told me right away but was too chicken to bring up with Misha for a week.”

“Shiiiiiko!” God stooooop.

Claire starts laughing, at least she is enjoying it.

“No this is my right as your bestie, deal with it . Anyways she eventually broke and gushed to Misha about it. And they became friends. Misha’s not that much of an Otaku, not like us, but she likes the occasional fantasy stuff I think. She’s also been reading Frieren?”

“Yah… I don’t know… it’s fine .”

“Oh boo hoo, I’m sorry it doesn’t have the same gay vibes as Dungeon Meshi.” Shiko reaches over and ouch! She flicked my forehead.

“Don’t glare Rei.” Claire takes a practiced sip from her drink, how does she look so proper?

“You’re taking her side, Claire?”

“I’m always on your side dear.” gaAAahh .

Shiko cackles, then takes a drink from her beer. “So yah, that was highschool. She tragically stayed an otaku.” She sombers a bit, “You told her about Misaki and…?”

Claire casts her eyes down and before I can answer, “Yes, I know what Misaki went through as well.”

That’s coming up soon… I hate that time of the year- oh that’s Claire’s hand. I loosen my hand and let her hold mine. This is always nice.

“That happened. That really sucked. For everyone. We bounced back eventually. Misaki and Kosaki went to a different highschool, and we stayed in touch here and there after, but second year was a shock when we heard.”

Shiko lets the silence hang a bit after that, “Anyways didn’t want to bring down the mood.”

“Oh please don’t worry. I know it must have been hard.” Claire leans gently on me.

If she didn’t know about this… would I have ever believed her?

“That’s next month isn’t it?” Claire asks.

What ?

“Ugh… yah? Did you already ask her to come, Rei?” Shiko asks surprised.

Did I? I didn’t but… Of course. RAE told her.

“Yes?” I look at Claire and hope she just agrees

She nods, “I never miss it.” Her hold on my hand tightens softly.

…Breathe.

“Cool, I’ll let Kosaki know then. Since you're still sorta awkward around her.” She points her chopsticks at me, oh come on, most people would be awkward in my spot.

I’m kinda tired about being talked about, “Well I went to Uni after highschool. Shiko here decided to try to make it as a mangaka.”

“Oh, a manga artist and author, correct? Are you not already doing that?”

“She means professionally, I’m trying to get a deal with a publishing company but most say I don’t have enough experience, well professional experience. So I make do by doing events, commissions online and other things. Today was a good sale. I think I’m good for a while at least. Again, thanks you two, it would have been a mess by myself.”

“You said you've been doing this for a few years… is that not experience?” Claire questions.

Shiko sighs, “They want”, Shiko makes air quotes, “ Real experience,  they want someone who's already published stuff. In a magazi