Persona BLEACHED 3: Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Twin Peace
October 13, 2029
For all of its natural beauty, Mt. Shirayuki was more than just a large hiking trail. Away from the lake and sea of trees that Miu Kubo called home, there was a resort area which, during the wintertime, became a popular destination for people wanting to spend the holidays somewhere remote.
Close to the resort was another popular spot for visitors: the hot springs.
"Oh yeah...oooooh, right there, that's the spot..." Sahir uttered as he got into the water.
"Man, could you make that sound any more suggestive?" Max asked.
"Give me a break, bro, you try running on fake grass for ninety-plus minutes and getting knocked on your rump."
Max turned to Kibō. "See, Keeb, what he means by 'rump' is--"
"I know what a rump is." Kibō bit back. "I'm not that oblivious."
"Finally got around to reading that book Kat got you, eh?"
"What was it called again? 'The ABCs of the Birds and the Bees'?" Sahir asked.
"The answer is no, by the way. I haven't seen him reading it." Kenneth said.
"Nobody asked you." Kibō griped. "And why do they call it that, anyway? Wouldn't the bee explode?"
"Dude. Dude." Max uttered. "Okay. You know how bees carry pollen and birds lay eggs? Well..."
"ANYWAY, before this starts to get weird, anyone here up for a little--" Sahir began.
"I know exactly where you're going with this, and no, we're not gonna go get a peek at the girls. That's just asking for trouble." Max interrupted.
"C'mon, where's your sense of adventure? It's like a rite of passage!" 
"One, my sister is in there and that'd be unbelievably creepy. Two, Keeb is too much of a straight arrow to do it. And three..." Max simply gestured towards Kenneth. "This one's already got his eye candy."
"Don't flatter yourself. If I was so base as to ogle one of you, I know precisely which one I wouldn't." Kenneth replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Maxwell, you're sitting in-between a footballer and a wrestler. You do the math."
"Hey, I've got plenty of bulk!"
"Did you disguise it as air particles? A splendid trick, if so."
Max slumped over, dejected.
"Don't look so bummed, Maxie. This little adventure's you and your sissy's belated birthday surprise, after all. Part One's all about relaxing before being spoiled with Nattie's cooking." Sahir said.
"Guess it's tough to be upset knowing that's coming up. Tch, I'm still trying to figure out how that's the Nat we know." Max replied.
"Yeah, she's like a completely different person. The first time I talked to her...or at her, I guess, she ducked under a table. Care had to drag her out." Kibō added.
"The first time I looked her in the eye she started to cry." Kenneth said.
"That I can believe." Sahir quipped, garnering a piercing look-back from Kenneth.
"So, dude..." Sahir nudged Max.
"I told you to knock that off!" Max rose up and faced Sahir. And then...disaster.
Unbeknownst to Max, he had not tied his towel tightly enough. As soon as he rose up, it fell daintily onto the water. Sahir quickly averted his eyes. "BRUH!"
"Ah, shit!" Max ducked back down, face redder than a tomato. Kibō's eyes were covered by shadow, and his ahoge had drooped over.
Kenneth remained stone-faced. "...perhaps my earlier assessment was too critical."
"Emphasis on the 'ass'." uttered a mortified Kibō.
Over in the women's pool, Kat jarred from her relaxation. "....."
"What's the matter?" Sakuya asked.
"...I have this feeling that the boys are up to something hot. I need to go investigate." Kat started to get up.
"Sit down, Kitten. They'd probably be as annoyed if we peeped in on them as we'd be if they did. Let's just relax." Carrie said.
"Suit yourselves. But the birthday girl should have a say in it, yeah?"
"Belated birthday girl. And I really don't feel like spying on my brother while he's bathing." Barbara replied.
"Even if it's coupled with Keebie's abs?"
"...I've already seen 'em." Barbara blushed.
"Is it too hot for you, Care? How's your back feeling?" Natalia asked.
"Like a dream. It's honestly very soothing. I can just feel all the stresses disappearing." Carrie replied.
Barbara realized something. "Aw, shoot! I forgot to plug my phone in. Kat, you want to come with me? I'd feel safer if I wasn't walking alone in just a towel."
"You in just a towel is all the incentive I need." Kat teased. 
Barbara stuck her tongue out. "C'mon. We'll be right back." The pair exited.
"Ah. I think I'll take a moment to recuse myself, too. Nature calls." Sakuya also exited, leaving Carrie and Natalia alone.
"Been a crazy couple of months, hasn't it? A crazy year and change, really." Natalia said. "After last month it's amazing that I'm even still here. Feeling the happiest I've ever been."
"I feel the same. It's closing in on a year since..." Carrie rubbed her shoulder. "Since the incident. I was as close to dying as I ever have been. The one thought that kept me going was how I didn't want to leave you alone. You just always know when someone enters your life, whether they're meant to stay there. That's what kept me clinging to life."
"You and me both. So, on the subject of that meaningful feeling..." Natalia got in front of Carrie. "I wanted to know for sure. Is there someone out there that you feel...a certain way about?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Is there someone that you, you know...'like' like? A certain someone that just walked out the door, maybe?"
"Natalia--! Are you suggesting that I..."
"Come on, Care. You're like my sister. You can tell me anything. If I'm off the mark, you can let me know. But if I'm right, I won't be upset."
"Ah..." Carrie got sheepish.
"I'll admit when I met Kat, I thought she was selfish and mean. But it's all pretend. You saw it yourself at the festival, right? When she beat up that guy that stole your aunt's wallet. And then when she sang...you could see the mask just falling off. I told you how she talked to me after my breakdown. She wants all of us to be happy. Is that what you like about her?"
Carrie let up a small grin, and started to blush. She thought back to the first shopping trip, and even to before then. When they had been trapped in Kerberos' realm, and Kat brought her back from the brink. "She has the most...comforting way about her. She lets you know that everything will be alright. And that no matter what's wrong, she'll do everything to make it right. Even that casual demeanor of hers, it's all for making you comfortable around her. She's just...beautiful."
Natalia grabbed Carrie's hands. "Here's how I'm gonna help you."
Meanwhile, Barbara and Kat were walking back. "Thanks for coming with. Having you around is such a relief." Barbara said.
"Big or small, Kat's gonna look after her Krew. Some creep wants to mess with ya, or you trip over your sandal or something, I'm here to pick you up. Just how I roll." Kat replied.
Barbara put her head on Kat's shoulder. "Sister from another mister~. I'm so happy we get to be roomies for three more years. Just remember the same thing goes both ways, okay? Anything's bugging you, big or small, you can talk to me about it. Anything."
"Anything, huh...Barbie, can I cash in that offer right now?"
"Sure! What's up?"
"So, this is gonna sound very...un-me-like, but when did you realize you wanted to be with Keebie? Was there any one moment or was it a bunch of little things jumbled together?"
Barbara stopped and smiled. "So you are in love."
Kat became flustered. "Whoa whoa whoa! I think we skipped a bit of the lead up to that!"
"I know you, KittyKat. You might think I haven't noticed, but I have. All the time you've spent around Care, I thought it was strange. Really, I should've guessed after the flower exchange. A bunch of little things jumbled together. You know what you're feeling, but you don't know if it's the feeling. That sound about right?"
"...she heard me. Last week she heard me listing everything I like about her, and I wanted to just disappear. Someone like that wants to spend more time around me and I couldn't understand why. Then DJ Skeleton Warrior tells me that Prof and Doc danced around it for ten years. Ten years! I can't wait that long, and I know what I want to do and where to do it and I'm pretty sure I know the when and--"
Barbara grabbed Kat's shoulders, and her eyes turned light blue, as water gathered around her hands. "Take a deep breath. You're in a relaxing, calm place. Tell your bestie the truth."
Kat let out a sigh. "Okay. Yes, Barbie. I'm in love. And in two weeks time...I'm gonna take her somewhere, and...make it known. I want it to be beautiful. A beautiful night, a beautiful dance...with the most beautiful person I've ever met. There's the truth." She turned red.
"Ooooh." Barbara rubbed her sides. "That's the most Disney Princess thing I've ever heard. I approve."
"I knew I've been spending too much time around you. If I delay this any more, my heart's gonna go nuclear. I thought you of all people would understand. And another thing..."
"Yeeeeah?"
"I need you to teach me to ballroom dance."
"Honey, you've come to the right gal. If I could teach Keeb to do it..."
"Thanks so much, girlfriend. I can't believe I'm really going through with this. My gut's in a knot."
"You know what'll help with that?"
"A dip in the springs with the girl I've been talking about just a few feet away while we're wearing nothing but towels?"
"You got it~. Right this way..." Barbara pulled Kat along.
---
After a couple more hours of relaxation, the students began heading over to the picnic area, close to the lake. "A pound for your thoughts, Sakuya?" Kenneth whispered in her ear.
"Go ahead." she replied.
"Has something happened with the other girls? Barbara has been cheerily humming since we left, and the roommates are clutching each other and whispering while looking at the other duo. Anything you can divulge?"
"Not a word. I left for the washroom and when I came back everyone was sitting around and not saying anything. Just some giggling and a few averted gazes. I have my guess, but it's not my business."
"Blunt as you like. Perhaps the open secret is on the verge of losing the 'secret' part. As you say, nothing more than speculation at this point."
"I actually have a question of my own."
"Go on."
"Sahir-san and Ishimaru-san have been steering clear of Max-san. Any particular reason why?"
"Ah...let's just say some of Maxwell's natural attributes were laid bare for all to see."
"Oh...dear."
"Perhaps you should give your boyfriend a nudge. He got the premium view."
"I think I'll do just that."
Sakuya walked next to a weary-looking Sahir. "Sahir-san--"
"GUH!" He jumped.
"Calm down, it's only me. I heard about the...incident. Is everything alright up there?"
"Oh, that? Pffft, everything's fine! I've just gotta live with that for the rest of my days any time I look him in the eyes. It's fine. It's fine! It's fiiiiine."
Sakuya reached around and poked Sahir on the nose. "...what are you doing." he deadpanned.
"Booping cute things on the nose makes me feel better. Go ahead, I'll let you return the favor. You have my permission."
"I'm not a seal. And neither are you!"
"So you don't want to boop my nose? It's not an offer I grant very often."
Sahir gave it some thought. He finally obliged. "Boop."
"Yay~!" 
"Would it be too much to ask if you stayed this cheery all the time?"
"I am still ever so formal, Boop-san."
"Right. Okay."
Meanwhile, at the cabin adjacent to the lake, Hana sat at her outside table, across from her company. "And that's how our first date went. Eventful as can be expected."
"Damn. You and me really do got a lot in common, Hana. Me and Kabu's first date was pretty much what you'd expect." Kyoko replied.
"I've been curious about how that happened. How does someone so thunderous wind up marrying such a straightlaced man?"
"Here's how it goes down. Me and my old band were at an open mic night at the local rock club. Everyone's in their torn shirts and jeans, and their tattoos and piercings. And then I see this poor dude, sitting with his pal at the bar, and he's in a suit and tie! I sat down next to him and was all, 'Your buds didn't tell you what kind of party this was gonna be, did they?'"
"Oh, dear, poor Kabu."
"He stuck out like a sore thumb. But I get to talking with him and he talks about how much he can't stand the hoity-toity lifestyle and wants to cut loose once in a while. By night's end he's using his tie as a headband and he's got my number and address. About a week later we have our first date at this fancypants restaurant his parents 'recommended'. So we're eating, and I end up spilling something on my elbow. Without even thinking about it, I go to lick it off, and I look him straight in the eye...and he's just smirking this dumbass smirk, and says, 'Wow. You aren't ladylike at all.'"
"Oh, nooo. Is that when you knew it was meant to be?"
"Preeetty much. We really are two sides of the same coin, aren't we? Free spirits falling for straightlaced college boys."
"You may be right. Going back a bit, you said you had your own band, yes? I'd love to hear some of your music some time."
"Hell to the yes, that'd be sweet. I'd have to dust off the old guitar for that. But if we're doing it, you'd have to dust off yours. Fair is fair."
"Oh dear. My guitar's more dusty than my shamisen. But it'd be fun to revisit the good old days sometime." 
"Totally." Kyoko spotted something. "Heads-up, we've got guests."
"Hi, Ms. Hana! We're back." Natalia greeted.
"Hello there, kids. Was it a relaxing visit?" Hana asked.
"Yep! Just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for holding onto the food for us. Would've been a mess trying to take it with us."
"Keebieeeee~." Kyoko crept towards her son.
"Mom, please, be gentle, I just got done removing the aches--" Kibō pleaded.
"Request denied, big man~!" Kyoko tightly hugged him.
"Gk-! Least I tried..."
"Good to see you again, Kenneth. Been keeping well, I hope?" Hana asked.
"Very well, Ms. Hana. I've been wondering, how did your husband's family like the bust? Was it up to their expectations?" Kenneth responded.
"Very much so. They set it up in their market up north. Reiko sends her compliments for your craftsmanship."
"Good, good. That's a relief."
Kat, meanwhile, was looking out at the lake. "....."
"Quite the lovely sight, isn't it?" Hana asked.
"Yeah, definitely. This spot's where Prof--uh, Professor Kubo and Dr. Rose got married, isn't it?"
"That it is."
"Thought it looked familiar. We were on a group call watching it over the summer. It's a much better sight in person. I can see why they'd pick it."
"It's an important place for our family. It's where Ringo was born, and it's where I fell in love with her father. It has a reputation as a popular spot for dates. 'Where love blooms', as they say."
"KittyKat! We're heading out!" Barbara called out.
"Coming! Sorry to cut this short." Kat said.
"No problem, go enjoy your friends. I'd recommend a particular spot, but there really aren't any bad spots around here." Hana replied.
Kat ran back to the rest of the group. "('Where love blooms'. Yeah, that's what I'm banking on.)" she thought.
---
October 27, 2029
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm~." Barbara was lying on her bed, humming to herself whilst reading from her tablet. Then came a knock.
"Barbie...? Whatcha up to?" Kat peered in.
"Hey, KittyKat. I'm reading through the Professor and Dr. Rose's new self-help series. The one they mentioned in class yesterday."
"Oh, yeah. Let me take a peek." Kat entered the room and peered at the screen. "'Finding Eden: Rescuing Yourself in a Chaotic World, by Prof. Ringo Kubo and Dr. Rosemary Wolfe-Kubo'. Boy, there's a mouthful."
"It's a pretty insightful read so far. It's all about learning to overcome your trauma and making it work to strengthen yourself. They release a new chapter every couple of weeks if you're interested."
"I'll have to give it a look-see sometime. Man, between their Academy jobs and raising the Princess, how'd they even find the time to start this up?" Kat had a realization. "Shoot, I got distracted. I need your help."
"Sure, what do you--oh! Tonight's the night, isn't it?! What did you need help with? The dress? Your hair? Your makeup?"
"Yes."
"Okay, okay, I'll get right on it. So what's the plan?"
"Well, once we're done slapping everything onto my face, I'm gonna text Care to meet me by the cabin on the lake. With the moon and the water juuuust right...I'm gonna ask for a dance. And from there, a million things could go wrong. A random Tokyo shower, a bear coming out from the trees, her saying no..."
"She won't say no. I guarantee you that. Just do everything the way I taught you, and you'll be okay. I assume Nat's taking care of everything on the other end?"
"That, and from what she told me, she's got a 'Super Surprise' in store. Make of that whatever you want. Now let's get this train rolling before I come to my senses and hide under my pillows in shame."
"Have I told you yet how freakishly adorable this whole plan is?"
"Only every hour on the hour since I let you in on it. Really isn't helping with the pit in my stomach."
"Once the magic starts, that pit's gonna disappear faster than bread rolls at a barbecue. Now it's time for my own magic~."
"Whatever you say, Elsa."
---
"Sure was nice of Ms. Hana to let us use her cabin for a while. I could feel the flowers in her voice when she heard about the plan." Natalia peered outside of the cabin, out towards the lake, illuminated as it was by the moonlight. "Your partner's gonna be here any minute now. How you feeling?"
"A gratuitous mixture of happiness and bubbling nerves. How do I look?" Carrie asked.
Natalia smiled. "Like magic." She heard a noise coming from outside. "Oh, there we go..."
A pink light flashed, and Barbara stepped out. "Wow...they forecasted a chance of showers for tonight, but it looks gorgeous out...you couldn't have picked a more perfect time and place."
Kat stepped out, garbed in an elegant black-and-white dress. Her hair was tied back, with a pair of red feathers sticking up. She was blushing. "Well, that's one disaster avoided. Just waiting on the bear."
Barbara put her hands around her mouth and called out. "YODELEHEEHOO~!" The sound echoed out, and save for a few birds flying away, nothing else came of it. "See? You've got it all to yourself."
"I'm really doing this. I seriously can't believe I'm really doing this. Please get her out here before I run away and hide."
"You guys having a concert out here?" Natalia peered out. "Anyway, we can finally start the magic. Oh, Miss Caroline! Your crane has finally flown in!"
"Oh, God." Kat muttered.
Carrie stepped out from the cabin, and the sight of her stunned Kat. She was in an identical dress, with identical feathers sticking out from behind her head. And just like Kat, she was madly blushing. "Hello, Kitten..."
"Whaaaaa..." Kat uttered.
"Mwehehe. Forgot to mention this being a two-for-one deal. It only makes sense, this being a birdie dance." Natalia said.
"Care, you...you look...perfect." Kat said.
"*giggle* You're looking wonderful yourself. So was there something you wanted to ask?" Carrie questioned.
Kat swallowed. She accepted that the nervous beads of sweat were going to come, and managed to get the words out. "Would you...have a dance out there on the lake? With me?"
Carrie gently nodded. "I thought you would never ask."
"AAAAAAAH!" a male voice emotionally blurted out, catching the girls off-guard.
"What the--who the hell?!" Kat griped.
"God dammit, Sahir, you couldn't keep your mouth shut?!" another male voice whispered.
"It's so beautiful, though! How can you stay so stone-faced, Maxie?!" Sahir answered.
"Would it kill you to use your inside voice?" Kenneth questioned.
"That is his inside voice." Sakuya replied.
"Well, there's no point in whispering after they heard him yell like that." Kibō said.
"Oh, for--get out here, ya pervs!" Kat demanded.
The rest of the group stepped out from behind the trees, guilty looks on their faces. "Sorryyyyy." Max uttered.
"How did you bozos even find out about this?!" 
"Ahehehehehe..." Barbara scratched her head.
"Barbiiiiie."
"I got too excited and I blurted it out, okay? At least now nobody's gonna be surprised."
"Barbie...you're so lucky you're cute. God, this is so embarrassing..."
Carrie grabbed her hand. "I don't have a problem with having an audience. Every lovely performance needs one. All that matters right now is you and me. Now, about that dance..."
"Right, okay...but the peanut gallery needs to go back to their hiding spot. I'm already losing my mind from this."
"Alright, everybody, back to your spots..." Max motioned.
"Don't act all take-chargey, this was your idea--" Sahir retorted.
"Zip it."
Kat sighed. "Our insane little family. Okay. Let's do this."
The pair walked out until the water reached their ankles. "There aren't big fish in this thing, are there? I'm not gonna end up carp feed..." Kat uttered.
"You worry too much, Kitten. Put your mind at ease and just focus on me. How would you like to begin?"
"I guess...the old-fashioned way." 
The pair put one arm around each other and put their other hands together, and slowly began to move. 
"I wouldn't have taken you for the slow-dancing type." Carrie said.
"Yeah, well, I knew you probably were, and I've..." Kat thought for a second. "You remember when you told me about your breathing technique? About picturing a comfortable scene in your head to help calm you down? I've had this dream since I was little...about two black-and-white cranes dancing on a lake and...well. You can probably guess the rest, given all...this."
"It's easy to guess. So...I'm going to make it easier on you. I've truly grown to admire you, Kitten. Your personality helps to keep the mood light and everyone calm. And yet...there is a genuine, deep sense of kindness that I can see from you. There is such a unique beauty that you have, that I find so wonderful. You are a beautiful person, Kitten."
"Why me, Care? You have everything...strength, brains, beauty...you could have anyone you wanted. I'm a thief. A criminal. You could really let yourself be around me, in spite of that?"
"Not in spite of it. Because of it. For as much as you disparage yourself over your past, all I've seen is someone who wants to move away from it and prove that they're a good person. Everybody in our class adores you, and I know you love each of them like they were your own kin. You were something bad, but you've fought to make yourself better than that. That's what I mean."
"I'm really not that good of a person..."
"You traversed the depths of Hell itself to come to our rescue. You braved unspeakable horror, just so a little girl would have her new family back. And when I needed comfort, again and again, you didn't skirt away because it was uncomfortable. You shared my pain. Deny it all you want, I know the contents or your heart. So, to answer, suppose I could have whoever I chose to share my life with. I've chosen you. I love you, Kitten. I have for a while." Carrie resumed blushing. "Now it's your turn."
Kat struggled for words. "I...you already know it. You've been given every reason to be a spoiled, aloof person who hates the world and everything about it. Instead, you're the strongest, most generous person I've ever met. And you...you believe in me. Almost no one ever did, but you do. I've wanted to blurt this out forever, but I...I..." 
At that moment, the pit disappeared.
"I love you, Care. That's what this whole performance is for. I've spent so much of my life telling lies...but that's the truest thing I could ever say. So...is it bad that I really want to--"
Carrie put a finger over Kat's mouth. With that, she leaned in, and the two kissed.
Over by the cabin, an emotional Barbara wiped her eyes with a tissue.
"Mwehehehe. One signature win for Miss Nattie." Natalia said with tears in her eyes.
"So...do you want to keep going?" Carrie asked.
"The night is still young. I can do this forever." Kat replied. 
And so, they did. Well into the night, coated in the moonlight, and as it had so often before in this place, young love came to bloom.