Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 14

Chapter 14: Winter is Coming
December 2, 2028
"...I have all of her meal times written down. She usually has her nap around noon. Also..." Rin explained.
"Don't worry about this, Professor. I've babysat tons of kids before. She's in good hands." Barbara assured.
"I know I shouldn't be this concerned. Leaving her without me or Rose for the first time...it's a process, for sure. But, nothing you can do about a teachers' summit."
"Your unease is understandable, but you needn't worry. We'll make sure she's taken care of." Carrie replied.
"I know you will. Rose'll be back in the evening, so I need you all to hold the fort until then. I trust you all to set a good example for Shizuka. That goes double for you, Ms. Kit."
Kitty was lying on the couch, fidgeting with her phone. "Hm? You say something?"
"I need you to be on your best behavior around Shizuka. Do I make myself clear?"
"Aw, c'mon, I'm great with kids! I'm only a snarky jerk around everyone else!"
Rin sighed. "Please keep an eye on her. I don't want Shizuka to be corrupted."
"We'll...try our best, Professor." Natalia said.
Rin walked over to Shizuka, who was sitting at the table. "I'm gonna be gone for a little while, okay?" The girl pouted. "Don't worry, it'll only be for a day. Rose will be home later. You get to have fun with the girls today. Be a good girl for them, alright?" 
"Okay." She gave Rin a hug.
"Call me or Rose if there's any issues. Ms. Tenko is next door, but, the doctors are telling her to stay off her feet. One month until baby Mirai arrives, or, as she so eloquently put it, 'one month until I get my rockin' bod back'." Rin said.
"Oh my. Your friends are all very...poetic, Professor." Carrie replied.
"Her mouth might get her in trouble now and again, but I love her to death. She's saved me more times than I can count. With those hand cultists still running around, I'm eager to have her sword back." Rin said. She looked at her watch. "Alright, enough chit-chat. I've got a train to catch. Have fun, ladies." Rin departed, waving as she exited the door.
Barbara sat next to Shizuka. "Okay, little miss. We're going to have fun today. What do you want to do first?"
"I like drawing..."
"Ooh, that sounds like fun. Nats, you're pretty good at drawing. Want to help out?"
"Um, sure. Let me see what she's working on." Natalia replied.
"You're very lucky, Shizuka. Natalia is a master designer." Carrie added.
"P-please don't start with the flattery..." replied a flustered Natalia.
"Why don't you join in, Kitten?" Carrie asked.
"I'm busy scouting out tech shops in Madrid." Kitty replied.
"Come now, the Spain trip isn't until mid-March. You're not exactly pressed for time. You can indulge in a four-year old's whims, can't you?"
"I mean, I can. Whether I will remains the million dollar question."
"Kitten. The Professor told us to set a good example. You can't just be lying there fiddling with your phone all day. You told the Professor you were good with children, didn't you?"
Kitty sighed. "Okay, fine, jeez. Alright, ZuZu, your cousin Kitty's gonna teach you about the mystical world of cat videos."
"Try not to get her addicted to phones already, Kitten..." Carrie sighed. "I wonder what the boys are getting up to today?"
---
"Welp, here it is, boys. What Kitty called the friendship killer. Mario Party Minigame Collection. God have mercy." Max said. The boys were all gathered in his and Sahir's dormroom.
"I've heard rather tragic tales of lifelong bonds being broken over this series. I have even heard that long sessions have ended in murder." Kenji said with a menacing grin.
"Murder...? Could you possibly avoid smiling while you say that?" Kibō replied nervously.
"From what I hear, most of the bad vibes come from the board game stuff. Still, you play enough of the minigames and there's no way it won't get tense after a while. Should be a hoot!" Sahir exclaimed.
"I'm already having regrets. Let's pop this S.O.B. in." Max put the game disk into the system.
"OK...Mario Party 6, 'Treasure Trawlers'. This one, you have to pull up treasure chests using a crane. Regular chest is one point, gold chests are three points, Bob-ombs leave you stunned. Player with the most points at the end wins." Max explained.
The game began. "Let me see...and I get explosives. Lovely." Kenji groaned as he pulled up a Bob-omb.
"Nuthin but golden skies for me, bro~." Sahir chimed, pulling up a gold chest.
"And I got...wood." Kibō said, pulling up a regular chest.
"Did...did you just say you have wood?" Max asked.
"To be exact, it was 'I got wood'."
"Oh for the love of...haven't we gone over this?" 
"What? I got a wooden chest. I don't see a problem."
"Jesus tapdancing Christ, Keeb..."
"Oh...is this another one of those innuendos I don't get?"
"Well, Kibō, let me explain it. You ever get this tingling sensation whenever you're around--ow!" Kenji began, before Max punched him in the arm.
"Let's just...move on." Max said.
"Well, you know...it's still technically the morning, so..." Sahir began.
Max facepalmed. "So he's got morning wood? Ugh...moving on."
They moved on to another minigame, "Crate and Peril". "Okay, this one it's 1 vs. 3. Three shrink down, the one moves the box and tries to hit the other three with the Spiny shells. Sound good?" Max explained.
"Got it. We're going inside the heart-shaped box." Kibō said.
The other three paused, looks of amazement clear on their faces. "Oh my GOD!" Kenji uttered.
"What is it now? Does it have to do with my wood?" Kibō asked.
"No, it--HAHAHAHA! Okay, that's a good quote! But no, it's...you know what that is, right?" Max asked.
"I don't know, I thought it was a song my parents listened to once."
"What would a heart-shaped box be, Keeb?"
"Um, maybe a box of chocolates you'd give someone on Valentine's Day?"
"Oh my GOD, Keeb!"
"Sorry, I'm too much of an innocent mind."
"Apparently! After the wood comment, I'd believe it!"
"I don't know what it means!"
"Hang on, I gotta tell Kitty about this..." Max grabbed his phone.
"No, don't, she'll just tell Barb...I just thought it was like a regular box of chocolates."
Max began laughing. "Kitty just can't believe it! She wants me to tell you what it means!"
"...what?"
"IT MEANS VAGINA!" Kenji blurted out. Kibō reeled back in horror.
"Yeah, man, that's what a box is..." Sahir uttered, putting his hand on Kibō's shoulder in a reassuring manner.
"Jesus, Keeb!" Max griped.
"I didn't know that, okay?!" Kibō responded.
Max stared Kibō down. "How do you exist? Seriously!"
"Oh, God...and you told the girls about it. I'm ruined." Kibō replied somberly.
"Well, maybe Katherine didn't say anything about it." Kenji said.
"'Katherine'?" Sahir asked.
"It's what I call Kitty. I know it bothers her, so I do it even when she's not around."
"It's Kitty, Kenji. You know she'll blab." Kibō retorted.
Max received a message on his phone, and began cackling. "Oh, no." Kibō mumbled.
Max showed the picture. It showed Kitty holding up a piece of paper, with "Does it have to do with my wood?" written in calligraphy, and the words circled by a heart. Behind her was Barbara, her hands to her mouth and blushing madly. The picture was accompanied by a caption of "❤❤❤".
Kibō's head drooped. "It's over. She'll never let me hear the end of it."
"No, man. No she won't." Max replied. He got another message. He looked at it and smirked. "Well, maybe this'll make you feel better." 
"Tell him I only do this out of love ☺ - Kitty"
"Oh, yes. I can just feel the adoration." Kibō said sarcastically.
"Okay, okay, let's get back to the game before Keeb dies of embarrassment." Max said.
---
Kitty giggled as she sent the message. "Oh, dearest me. My heart has ascended." she chimed.
Barbara had her hand over her face, still blushing, while Carrie rubbed her back. "Don't be embarrassed, Barbara. His naiveté is one of his charms."
Kitty got up and hugged Barbara. "Oh, Barbie, you know I don't mean anything by it. Keebster's my buddy. He knows I'm only joking."
"If you say so." Barbara replied.
"Well, I mean..." Natalia began. Shizuka was drawing on her face with a black marker. "He had to learn it sooner or later, right?"
"No moving." Shizuka ordered.
"S-sorry. This isn't permanent, is it?"
"Let's try to change the subject...the school's winter festival is coming up in a couple of weeks." Carrie said.
"Shoot, that's right. Really is almost Christmas, huh? Hard to believe we've only been here four months." Kitty said.
"Yeah. So much has happened already. That Spain trip will be here before we know it." Barbara added.
"I'm still not so sure about this winter festival..." Natalia said, now with a monocle and curled moustache drawn on. "I've never been to one of these things. There's probably gonna be a lot of people..."
"Won't be anything compared to New Years'. That should be a whole other kind of party." Kitty said.
"Right you are. I read that it's tradition to wear a kimono for such an occasion." Carrie added.
"That's right. We should probably grab one before it starts getting to be crunch time. Or, maybe we should..." Barbara and the others stared at Natalia.
"M-me? Oh, no. Come on. Do I look like I know how to do everything?" she uttered.
"You're the one with the monocle." Kitty retorted.
"Guys, I'm serious. Making a jacket is one thing. Making a traditional Japanese robe is totally different. Just cuz I'm good at doing one thing doesn't mean I can do everything."
"I'm sorry, Natalia. I guess we just assumed that--" Carrie began.
"You assumed I'd just nod my head and say 'yeah', right?" Natalia's voice took on an uncharacteristically upset tone. "Of course you did. 'Make this for us, Nats.' 'Go endanger yourself for us, Nats.' The uniforms were my idea. I was happy to do them myself. That doesn't mean I'm your go-to clothing dispensary."
"Whoa whoa whoa. Where's this coming from? I didn't even think you could get angry." Kitty said.
Natalia looked hurt. "I'm really just a tool for you all, aren't I? 'Nats is such a giant chicken, she'll do anything we tell her to and won't complain cuz she's useless otherwise'. That sound right?"
"Nats, I'm sorry if we've made you feel that way, but that isn't what we meant." Barbara replied.
"I know exactly what you meant. I'm...*sniff*...I'm just gonna go. You all probably hate me now, anyway. I'll go find a rock to crawl under..." Natalia ran off.
"Natalia, wait! Oh, no...oh, what did we do? I'll go after her..." Carrie ran off in pursuit.
"Oh, man. I didn't expect Hoodsie to go off on us like that." Kitty uttered.
"Me neither. But I guess that's part of the problem." Barbara replied. She felt a tugging on her arm.
"Is she mad cuz I drew on her face?" Shizuka asked.
"Oh, no, hun, it's got nothing to do with you." Barbara assured.
"We've just been really crummy friends..." Kitty added.
Natalia didn't run far. She went to the side of the house, sniveling in the rain. Carrie, unbeknownst to her, sat on the porch, listening in. "*sniff* Oh...why...why did I have to go and do that? They're all gonna hate me now...of course they're gonna hate me...I should've never come here...I thought it'd be different...but it's always the same thing..."
"The beauty queens in this world...they tell you the right things to get what they want. They'll make you feel good about yourself, just enough to where you'll start doing things for them...then turn around and tell their real friends how stupid and fat you are. They take, and they take, and they take...and they keep throwing you in front of things, just to get a laugh."
By this point, Barbara and Kitty were standing by Carrie, with Shizuka sitting close by.
"They talk, and give out little compliments, and sometimes they throw in a hug. Maybe they tell you you're not as useless as you think you are, all while laughing behind your back. Mom and Dad do their best to keep your spirits up. But it's pointless. The damage is already done. So you decide to go to school somewhere far away. Everything seems different at first. Better. You start to feel useful. But then the taking starts again. And it starts becoming obvious that you're the one person that can't put up a fight. You realize that nothing's changed. Nothing's ever going to change. And you start to wonder why...why..."
"Why you didn't take that lest step off the ledge when you had the chance."
The other girls' faces were filled with horror. Carrie got up, leapt off the porch, and ran to Natalia, embracing her. "Carrie...get off of me..." 
"Never! I'm never taking my eyes off of you again!"
"Let me go! You're just pretending...putting on an act like everyone else! The only people that ever wanted to be friends with me did it cuz they wanted something from me! You all are the same! You just need me to make sneaking easier, or to be a meat shield when the giant spider monsters show up!"
"I'm so sorry, Natalia! I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend to you! I should've spoken up more often...I never imagined asking something more of you would upset you so much."
"That's right, you didn't imagine. No one ever does. No one ever stops to think about how I feel about something. No one thinks I'll have an objection to jumping on a giant killer spider's back. I mean, why would I? I'm such a wimp, I can't possibly expect to have my concerns taken seriously."
"We're sorry, Natalia!" Barbara jumped from the porch. 
"Oh, you're all listening in on my misery? How nice of you. Bet that makes you feel good, huh? Telling me to 'be brave', 'go do this thing cuz we need you to', 'no one else can do this thing except you'. Better to tell your bait how useful it is before throwing it out to get eaten, right?" Natalia chided. "'I need you to be brave'. More like 'I need you to help me bail my boyfriend out of trouble'. You only really care about two people here, Barb. Don't think I haven't noticed."
Kitty jumped out. "Look, Hoodsie. I know we've been bad at this whole 'friend' thing, but we mean it when we say we're sorry. If you tell us what you want, we can make it happen. Let us make it up to you."
"I want you to get real. I want to hear from you the least. 'Oh, I need you to teleport everyone into the building cuz I'm so selfish and shortsighted, I'd rather you give yourself a stroke than risk getting tattled on by a mass murderer.' I could've died!" Natalia yelled. "Not that you would've cared. 'I'm just a jerk to everyone else'. Wow, really? You're that proud of being a bully? And you say it's out of love? I don't think you even know what that word means."
Kitty and Barbara were hurt. Neither could believe that it was Natalia telling them this. Neither could say it wasn't warranted.
"You all must hate my guts right now. Good. I want you to. Make it easier to--"
"Easier to what, Natalia?! Easier to what?! Just talk to me, please. I want to help you. I want to be your friend. I'm not lying when I tell you that. I don't want anything from you but your friendship. I'm sorry that you've been hurt, and made to feel worthless. And I'm sorry I couldn't see it sooner. Please, just let me help." Carrie pleaded.
"You want to help me? You think you can help me? How could you possibly think you can understand? So pretty, so well-to-do...more money than you know what to do with. Just like every girl back home that wanted favors from me. I should've seen it. From Day One, you were just so interested in my talents. The first time we hung out, you dragged me out of my room in a potato sack! You've never cared about me."
"That isn't true."
"It is. How could someone like you really care about someone like me? I'm just a means to an end. Always have been. Natalia the Sewing Prodigy, always the priority over Natalia the Depressed Teen. No one could ever really care about such a humongous coward. Know how big of a coward I am? I couldn't even take the coward's way out. Maybe some part of me thought I still had a reason to be here. And for a while, I thought I'd found that reason here. I really fooled myself into thinking I had frie--"
Carrie pulled something from her back pocket. It was a necklace, a heart-shaped ruby on a silver chain. The initials "NVD" were engraved on the back. "I was going to wait until Christmas to give this to you. I'm sorry it took me so long. I assumed you wouldn't want something loud and gaudy. So I went with something more subtle. I promised I would repay you for that lovely jacket. This lovely jacket. Would you let me put it on you?"
Natalia, stunned, tears apparent even in the rain, nodded. Carrie put the necklace on her. "There. Perfection. I want you to know that when I said I wanted us to be friends forever, I meant every word. You have such a beautiful, creative spirit. One that has had to endure more torment than deserved. Please, believe me. I love you. I want more than anything to be your friend. If I made you feel horrible, I'll never forgive myself for it. So please...don't say that you don't want to live. I've lost everyone I loved before. If I were to lose you, too, I would..."
Natalia's tears only intensified. She tightly embraced Carrie, and wept. Both Kitty and Barbara were openly crying by this point, and walked over and joined in the hug.
After a few minutes, the four walked back onto the porch, where Shizuka was still sitting patiently. "Come on, Shizuka-chan. We don't need you out in the rain." Barbara said.
"Is she okay?" the girl asked.
"I'm okay. Sorry the rain kinda messed up your art." Natalia replied.
"Why are you crying if you're okay?"
"You can cry if you're happy, Shizuka. Sometimes you just...see something really beautiful, and start crying. You're probably too young to get it now." Natalia said.
"Let's just *sniff* cut it with the sappy stuff. The princess needs her lunch and naptime. Let's get ourselves dried up and eating. I'm sick of *sniff* being bummed." Kitty added.
"Indeed. Let's get everything settled. Inside..." Carrie said, and the girls all went inside the house.
"Okay, I'll get to cooking." Carrie said.
"Let me do it, I'm a pretty good cook." Natalia replied.
"I'll hear none of it. I'd feel monstrous for asking something of you after that. Let me handle it."
"I'll help. The Professor left instructions, right? Shouldn't be too difficult." Barbara said. The two walked into the kitchen.
"Hey, Kitty...about what I said..." Natalia began.
"Don't even think about apologizing. You should only apologize if you've said or done something wrong. I had that tongue-lashing coming. You were right. I'm just a bully. No different from the ones that made your life hell back home." Kitty replied.
"That isn't true."
"Hell yes it is. I could've really hurt you with that teleporting stunt. But all I was thinking about was not wanting to go to jail. I didn't want people to see me the same way they do Lin. But all I did was prove that I'm just the same. Only thinking of myself and being a creep to everyone."
"You're not a creep, Kitty. You're really, really funny. Even if sometimes it comes across as a little mean."
"That's exactly it, though. I don't know how to tell a joke any other way. It's just how I've always been. You had one thing backwards, Hoodsie. If everyone has someone they hate, it's probably me."
"What about Maxie? He seems to like you a lot."
"Sparky's weird, Hoodsie. Patience of a nun and as straightforward as anyone I've ever known. We're into the same kinds of things, sure. But I dunno if he really knows the real me. If he did, I don't think he'd be as keen on being around me. A sweetheart like that would never want to be with a bully."
Natalia sighed. "Y'know...even after being together all this time, it feels like we still don't really know each other. I mean...I never told anyone about...what I just told you guys about. If we're supposed to be a team, we should know as much as we can about the people we're trusting to watch our backs, right?"
"Right you are, Hoodsie. Y'know, Barbie and Care Bear should really be in on this. What could those two be doing in there?"
Inside the kitchen, Carrie and Barbara were staring at a mid-sized, ugly-looking fish. "This is...lunch. This shaggy-looking thing?" Carrie asked.
"It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but I hear the taste is divine. Have to cook it just right." Barbara replied.
"Would you like to do the honors, Barbara?"
"I don't know...Max was always Mom's little helper in the kitchen. Me, on the other hand..." Barbara put her index fingers together and started blushing.
"Well...my mother was a wonderful cook. One would hope that skill would be hereditary..." Carrie also began blushing.
"As long as we keep to the Professor's instructions, between the two of us we should be fine. Let's see here...we should start with gutting it."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Something wrong?"
"Gut it? You want me to gut this...creature?"
"Well, yes. We can't exactly dump a raw fish in front of a four year old."
"Right you are. As old Boris always said, life is a battlefield." Carrie grabbed a knife. "...ahem...Barbara."
"Yes, Care?"
"Could you...hold its head down for me?"
"Me? Well, um, I don't think I should..."
"I just, find it difficult to make the incision when it keeps...staring at me."
"Oh, come on. You're a hardened warrior, Care. You're gonna let one little fish spook you?"
"Barbara!"
"What's wrong now?"
"It's looking at me with those eyes, and moving its lips...it's cursing me for trying to take its heart! Oh, enough! I cannot torment the dead any further! Barbara, I leave it in your hands!"
"Now just wait one second! I'm not gonna do your dirty work for you!"
"I'm sorry, but I must make a tactical retreat!"
"Caroline Blackthorne, are you really running away from one measly fish? I've seen scarier-looking things in the Tennessee Ri--BAH!"
"What's wrong?!"
"It...it looked me in the eye! Is this thing still alive?!"
"Could it be? Then I'll dispose of it immediately! Come, Persona!" A woman garbed in golden armor appeared behind Carrie.
"It's opening its foul maw! Carrie, the enemy intends to eat us! Move quickly, before it strikes!"
"Very well, then! Skuld! Send this monstrosity to the Eternal Fla--"
"What the skulduggery are you two doing?!" Kitty and Natalia both ran in.
"Gah! Oh, um, hey guys. We were just, um, tenderizing the fish." Barbara insisted.
"You need a viking maiden spirit to tenderize one fish?" Kitty questioned.
Carrie returned her Persona. She and Barbara both began blushing.
"You guys want me to handle it?" Natalia asked.
"Please, Natalia. We couldn't demand something of you right after you poured your heart out like that. I would feel worse than evil." Carrie said.
"I don't mind, really. It's either that, or you blow up the Professor's kitchen over one little fish. I'll take it from here. Her Highness must be wondering why we keep running off."
The girls relented. They walked out with Kitty, who was shaking her head. "Our co-leader and a military-trained fighter, freaking out over a fish. Adults, beware." she quipped.
A short while after lunch, Kitty took Shizuka to her room. "Ooh, wow. This is a lot of bugs. You like bugs, Shizuka?"
"Mmhmm." the girl answered.
"Prof told me this room was your big sister's. I have a big sister too. Her name's Lin. She's, um..."
"Is she not nice?"
"Well, I guess that's one way of putting it. She isn't anywhere near as bad as your mo--um, the lady that had you before Prof and Doc. She likes taking things that don't belong to her. And she never says sorry for it. Those are two big no-nos, princess. But...I can't say I don't like her. She's still my family. She was my hero growing up. Always so cool, so funny...I wanted to be like her. That's why I'm the way I am now. For better or worse."
Kitty looked to Shizuka's bed. "Hey, now, what's this?" She picked up the plush toy on top of the bed, a purple butterfly-like creature. "Is this...Butterfree? Oh, let me guess...did a scary-looking dude with a beard and a robot voice give it to you?"
"Mmhmm."
"Oh yeah, I heard about him. Likes giving away Poké-plushies. Prof says he's a nice guy. He gave one of these to Hoodsie--that's what I call the girl with the blonde hair and little side ponytail. He owns a game store that I've wanted to go to, but I don't know if I should. You know how I said my sister takes things that don't belong to her? She did that to Beard Man. Prof says it made him really sad that she did that. If you learn anything from me, princess, it's that you don't take things that don't belong to you. Capiche?"
"Crappy."
"Oh, nonononono, you don't say that word. That's another big no-no. Don't say that around Prof or Doc. I'll be in big, big trouble. Prof already thinks I'm a troublemaker, I don't need that as proof." 
Kitty picked Shizuka up and tucked her into bed. "I want you to promise me a few things. One, never take things that don't belong to you. Two, if you do something bad, you always say you're sorry. Three, and this is super-duper-Plus-Ultra important. Never say that word you just said. Cap--actually. Let's do this." Kitty stuck her pinkie out. "Put yours out like this." Shizuka did so. Kitty wrapped her pinkie around it. "This is called a pinkie swear. You make a promise with your pinkies wrapped like this, it means you can never, ever break it. So promise me you'll be a good girl, and listen to what I just told you."
"OK. I promise."
"Good girl. It's a pinkie promise so you can't break it. Otherwise you'll feel really, REALLY bad about it. And I'll have to come and take your Butterfree away."
"Noooooo...but you can't. You shouldn't take things that don't belong to you."
"Ahahaha. Touché. I would never do that. Okay, princess, get some shut-eye. If you wake up before Doc gets home, I'll tell you all about some of my favorite Bug Pokémon. Sound good?" Shizuka nodded. "Plus Ultra. See you in a few." She patted Shizuka on the head, shut off the lights, and closed the door behind her.
"She asleep?" Barbara asked.
"Out like a light. What's with the satisfied smirk?" Kitty replied.
"Well, we've been going over some ideas for what we could all do as a team. Something to break from the cycle of gloom we've been in." Carrie said.
"And I think we've got something! Here, have a look." Natalia handed Kitty her phone.
"'Tokyo Destinyland'. Oh, the theme park in Chiba." Kitty said.
"We were thinking of going next weekend, to celebrate the end of exams. We could all use a bit of fun. And we were gonna see if the Professor wanted to tag along with Shizuka-chan. What little kid doesn't love a theme park? I know the poor thing's probably never been to one." Barbara said.
"It's perfect bonding time, and we'd be putting a smile on a little girl's face. What better way to spend a weekend?" Carrie asked.
"Welp, I don't have any objections. Oh, would ya look at that big ol' Ferris Wheel. Perfect spot to be stuck in a small space with somebody. Right, Barbie?" Kitty quipped.
Barbara turned away, blushing. "I...I don't know what you mean."
"You're a smart gal, Barbie. You can figure it out. Anywho, I'd get it sorted with the Prof quick. These tickets don't go for cheap. Plus you're gonna need the time to pick out your Ferris Wheel wardrobe. Something bright and vibrant that really sticks out against the night sky..." Kitty teased, twirling her hair around.
"S-stop it! That's not what this is about..." Barbara griped, still blushing.
A few hours later, Kitty was on the couch talking with Shizuka. "And this one's called Galvantula. It's an electric spider. Guess I've always been a sucker for sparky things. And this one's called Shuckle. It's a...actually I have no idea what Shuckle is. But it says it's a bug, so..."
"It looks like a turtle."
"Hunh, it kinda does. Okay, that settles it. I dub thee a turtlebug. That's not a thing, right? Cuz it is now."
Shizuka giggled. "Eh, you like the turtlebug thing, huh? That better not already be a thing. I'll be so annoyed if it is."
The door opened. Rose stepped in. "Good afternoon, ladies--oh, excuse me. What is up, home slices?"
"Uhhh, wut?" Kitty questioned.
"Apologies, I've been receiving lessons on how to be less formal in my speech patterns. Homies."
"There's being less formal and there's sounding like a wannabe gangster." Barbara replied.
"Oh, let me GUESS who's been teaching you. Was it DJ Tan Man?" Kitty asked.
"...word." Rose uttered.
"The Professor's older brother? The scary-looking guy with the tattoos?" Natalia asked.
"Word."
"Please stop." Barbara uttered.
"I'm still eagerly awaiting the mix tape." Kitty added.
"You won't have to wait much longer. The DJ says it will be quite...um, 'tight'." Rose said.
"Ms. Rose, you don't have to keep that up. It's obvious you're forcing it." Barbara assured.
Rose sighed. "Forgive me. It goes against my nature to be anything but formal. I simply wish to not be mistaken for a robot." She walked over to Shizuka. "Hello, little bud. Were you a good girl today?"
"She was a perfect little angel. Very well-behaved. Not surprising considering who she's around now." Carrie replied.
"Very good. I'm happy you all agreed to help. This is still very much a learning experience for Rin and myself. We're still trying to decide on what we can all do together." Rose said.
"Well, actually, we were just talking about that. We were planning on going to Destinyland next Saturday, and we were wondering if Shizuka and the two of you could come with. It'd be a fun thing to do together, especially since our exams are next week." Natalia said.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea, ladies. I'm sure Rin will be up for it. I can talk with her when she comes home. If anything, I can work on the details. This will be a busy week for you all, and for Rin. I'm happy to give you one less thing to worry over." Rose replied.
"That'd be great, Ms. Rose. I think we'll be needing the mental break. And we can take Shizuka-chan somewhere she wouldn't have been able to go to before. It'll be fun." Barbara said.
"Word." Kitty quipped.
A short while later, the girls prepared to leave. "I'll let you all know about the plan for next week. Focus on your studies. Rin is constantly singing your academic praises. Please don't disappoint her." Rose said.
"We'll try our best. She doesn't have to worry about us. Tell her she only has to worry about how much she'll have to pay for churros. Um, they do have churros here, right?" Barbara asked.
"If they don't, I'll have to sue." Kitty joked.
The girls waved goodbye to Shizuka, and departed for home. "Let's hope the boys haven't killed each other over that game." Barbara said.
"Don't worry about it. Keebster can defend himself. He's got wood, after all." Kitty joked. Barbara looked down, embarrassed.
"I'm just thrilled we're finally doing something fun together as a group. We can all use the distraction." Carrie added.
"Yeah. It'll be good to go out and just be with our friends like normal. Don't have to be sad or anything..." Natalia mused.
"Well before we can indulge in our festive fantasies, we've gotta get past..." Kitty gulped. "...exams. Meep."
---
December 9, 2028
The students waited at the train station. "Alright! No more tests for a good, long while! So long, study crunch!" Sahir exclaimed.
"Perhaps you wouldn't need to crunch if you actually studied once in a while." Kenji replied.
"Well excuuuuuuse me, Kenny. Not all of us can be hoity-toity sphincters."
"Sph--sphincter? Did you mean 'scouser', you skirt-chasing buffoon?"
"Ah, my mistake. That's just what the Arsenal training scouts always called y'all. Thanks for the correction." Sahir winked.
"*groan* Of course. Can't spell Arsenal without 'arse', can you..."
"Come on, let's not get started before we even get to the park. We're supposed to be relieving stress." Barbara interjected. "Hey, Keeb. Have you ever been to Destinyland before?"
"Hrm, I think once when I was really little. Don't remember much about it. Other than my dad warning me about Splash Mountain and Tom Sawyer. 'You might want to keep your African friend away from there. Lest there be...misunderstandings'." Kibō replied.
"Huh? Misunderstandings? What about?" Sahir asked.
"Well, dude...let me try to explain." Max said, taking Sahir aside.
"...oh." Sahir muttered after a short period of explanation.
"I've never been somewhere so crowded before...I dunno how I'm gonna handle it." Natalia said.
"Having second thoughts? This was your idea." Carrie asked.
"No, no. I'm happy to do this as long as it's with friends. My...real friends."
"Hey, Barbie...c'mere. Walk with me, talk with me." Kitty put her arm around Barbara and led her away from the rest of the group. "So. You got the romantic rendezvous planned out?"
"*sigh* This again?"
"C'mon, it's the perfect place for it. A nice, intimate trip around the Ferris Wheel, a two-person boat ride, or if you're feeling dangerous...a nighttime excursion to the castle."
"Shouldn't you be worried about your experience with your own boyfriend?"
"You do realize that it's your womb partner you're talking about, right? But I've already got something in mind. We both know Keebster's not gonna lead. You've gotta be the one to give him a push. It's my responsibility as your roommate to guide you to the right decision."
"I assumed it was only your responsibility to eat my desserts."
"Hey, everyone knows you don't just leave an eclair out in the open like that. But I digress." Kitty moved in and began speaking into Barbara's ear. "Just picture it. It's late, the stars are out, it's just you and the Keebster inside a tiny, intimate cabin. Right as you get to the apex of the wheel...it screeches to a halt. You're sitting right next to each other. You can feel the blood rushing to your face. You scooch in closer, just enough to where you're brushing up to him. You lay your head on his shoulder, hold on tight until you start to feel the flames of passion flaring up deep in your heart, and then..."
"Holy crap this is hot." Sahir said, leaning into Kitty and listening in. Kitty swung at him, punching him in the face. 
"Bastard!" Kitty griped.
"Well, you all seem lively today." Rin approached, carrying Shizuka. Rose was with her. "Good to see exams haven't completely drained your souls."
"Oh, there you are, Professor. With our guest of honor, I see." Kibō said.
"Hi, there, Shizuka-chan! Ready to have fun today?" Barbara asked.
"I assume so. Considering it's all she's talked about for the past three days." Rose said.
"All it took to convince her was saying we'd be with all of her new 'cousins' all day. Seems you all made a good impression." Rin added. "Still, I'm more surprised you all wanted me along. Most teenagers would be thrilled to get away from their teachers for a month. Most don't invite them to spend the day at a theme park."
"I hope it isn't a problem. Us spending this much time around you outside of school, I mean." Kibō said.
"I certainly don't think so. Some of the other professors at the summit, however...well, they seemed to take issue with it." Rin put on an 'old man' voice. "'We know how easy it is to relate to your students given your closeness in age, but you must respect professional boundaries'. Et cetera."
"I told her to pay it no mind. Every outside interaction has been for your benefit. There's nothing inappropriate about it." Rose assured.
"I'd say it's a fair endorsement of how we view you. You said it yourself. Most students would be fine with avoiding their teachers for an extended period. They're probably just envious." Kenji added.
"He's right. You've helped us so much over these last few months. Of course we want to thank you." Barbara said.
"I'm happy to hear it. I was so nervous coming into this job. I can't overstate how grateful I am to you all for helping me grow into my role. And of course, for helping this little one as much as you have. I don't know if I can ever repay you all." Rin said.
"There's really no need to repay us for anything. You're the one that saved us. We're just returning the favor." Kibō retorted.
"We'll just be circling around this forever. Let's all agree that we're all better off for having met. And that today's a celebration of that." Max asserted.
"I don't think I could've put it any better than that. Everyone, let's make today one to remember. Our first big class trip. Hopefully the first of many." Rin dictated.
---
After the initial train ride to Chiba, the group made their way to the monorail station to Destinyland. As they sat in the crowded train, Shizuka held her hands over her ears, clearly uncomfortable.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? Yeah, it is a bit loud, huh?" asked Rin, who was holding Shizuka on her lap.
Kitty, who was standing and holding onto a pole, saw her discomfort. She took her headphones off, and readjusted their size. "Here, princess. Put these over your ears. They block out the bad noise."
"Thanks, Kitty." Rin said, putting the headphones over Shizuka's ears.
"That better?" Kitty asked. No response. "That means yes."
"I've...never seen you without headphones." Max, who was next to Kitty, said.
"I can go without 'em for a little while."
"Didn't you say they were the expensive ones, though?"
"It's totally fine, Sparky. Better a kiddo has them on. A kid's eardrums can't take as much as ours. Plus, now I can hear that sweet drawl of yours."
"Hm. Well alright then." Max said with a purposefully thicker accent.
Sahir was also standing. His expression was one of minor discomfort. "Something the matter?" Kenji asked.
"Heh, nah. My leg's just falling asleep, that's all."
"Not like you to express physical exhaustion. Are you sure you wouldn't prefer sitting?"
"I think everyone would prefer sitting, Kenny. I'm fine, really. Just a thing that happens sometimes."
"Hrm. As you wish."
Carrie noticed Natalia breathing heavily, and started rubbing her back. "You're okay. You're doing great. Just think of all the fun we're going to have today." Carrie assured.
"Yeah. Yeah. I'm okay. Just gotta breathe." Natalia replied, taking a few deep breaths to relieve her stress.
"You've been awful quiet since we got on the train. Something on your mind?" Barbara asked Kibō.
"No, not...not really."
She grabbed his free hand. "I want you to loosen up today, okay? You're allowed to be not-serious for once."
Kibō stared, and turned red. Barbara realized why. "Oh, um. We actually haven't held hands very often, huh?" she uttered.
"Suppose we haven't. Sorry. It's still new to me."
"Don't worry about it. Something else to work on."
Rose observed. "Don't fret over it. It took me nine years before I even got one kiss. By comparison, you're moving at light speed." Rin said nothing, and averted her gaze, whistling.
The group arrived at the entrance to the park. "Do you need your headphones back?" Rin asked Kitty.
"Nah, she can hang onto them. Least until we find a cute pair at a gift shop for her. Til then she'll have to live with being mistaken for a hashtag Elite Gamer. Trademark." Kitty quipped.
"I'm okay...I'm okay..." Natalia repeated nervously.
Carrie sighed, and pulled out a paper bag. "Go on. Get it out of your system." Natalia grabbed the bag and started breathing into it.
Barbara was gazing up towards the massive castle in the center of the park. "Well, would you look at that. The girl who thinks she's a Disney princess turning her eyes towards a castle. How very fitting." Max said.
"Oh, come on. I hardly think of myself that way."
"Really? So I must've imagined those four straight Halloweens where you went as Elsa?"
"Bold talk from the one who went five straight years as Star-Lord. Had we gone this year, it would've been six."
"C'mon, sis, why you gotta call me out like that..." Max replied in a voice much like that of Chris Pratt.
Barbara caught sight of something. "Max. Get down."
"Huh?"
"I said get down--!"
Barbara grabbed Max and forced him over. A split second later, someone leapt onto his back, using it to leap high into the air, grabbing a balloon before falling back down to Earth. Max came back up. "Who the hell-?!"
"...here you go." Max looked and saw who the figure was. She handed a small boy the balloon.
"Thanks a bunch, pretty lady!"
"Don't mention it. Hold on tight to that thing, alright? I can jump high, but I'm not Superman. Your parents didn't spend all that cash just for you to cry." Kitty replied.
The boy's parents thanked Kitty and walked away. "Okay. Crisis averted."
"You couldn't give me a little warning before using me as a springboard?!" Max griped.
"Hey, be thankful I'm not wearing heels. Or cleats. A couple more seconds and all I would've grabbed was a face full of pavement." Kitty replied.
"Kitty...that was incredible! How did you do that?" Barbara asked.
"Um...I jumped."
"I believe she means to know how you jumped that high, Katherine." Kenji said.
"What did I tell you about calling me that?"
"I'm curious to know myself. I would expect that kind of athleticism from an Olympic hopeful. Did you receive any kind of special training?" Rin asked. 
"Training. Yeah, you could call it that. Some stuff I picked up when I was young. Figured I'd pick it back up given our 'work'." Kitty replied.
"I'm glad you're taking your training seriously. And putting it to good use. Now then, let's shall we move along?" Rose said.
As they walked away, Kitty pulled Natalia aside. "Hey, Hoodsie. Remember when I mentioned that there's some stuff I haven't told Sparky?"
"Oh, right. You said there were some things he probably wouldn't like. Wait...that jumpy stuff you just pulled off..."
"Yeah. There's a nasty little secret behind it. One I'm still not 100% sure if I should spill or not."
"We both said everyone needs to be honest with each other. Remember?"
"I know, I know. That's exactly why...as soon as I'm alone with Sparky, I'm spilling my guts. He doesn't deserve a liar or a bully. Before this becomes more than it is now, I've gotta be real."
"I mean...is it really that bad?"
"Guess I'm gonna find out, huh? Now let's get back before they start freaking." Kitty picked Natalia up and carried her off, much to the latter's panic.
They eventually made it to Barbara and Kibō, staring wonderously at something. Kitty put the catatonic Natalia down. "O, come forth, merciful Death. For I hath need of thee." she muttered.
"Yo, Barbie, Keebster. What are ya gawking at?"
"Well...Max is having a heart-to-heart with Buzz Lightyear over there." Kibō said, gesturing.
Sure enough, Max was sitting down next to a man garbed as the Toy Story icon. The man's body language exuded dejection. "I don't know, man, it's just...I put on this mask, this big old grin for the kids, give 'em a couple 'To infinity and beyond's, everything's cool. Then I take it off, I look in the mirror, and...it's like, who am I? Who's the real me? What am I without the suit? Do I matter without the suit? Look, I'm sorry for filling your ears with my ranting, but...ugh. God, I must sound ridiculous. What would the real Buzz Lightyear think?" the man vented.
Max stared intently the entire time. "You know what he'd say to you right now, pal?" he responded with his best Tim Allen impression. "He'd say that that's no way for a bonafide Space Ranger to talk."
"...Mr. Allen? Is that you?"
"In the flesh, soldier. Apparently the Big G upstairs is a big fan of Tool Time, cuz he gave me this strong, young body to have for the rest of eternity. But enough about me. Look at yourself. You're Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, damn you. Hero to children across the cosmos. You're gonna let a bit of self-doubt fog your helmet? Listen to me, you are better, and stronger, than you realize. What you should be doing when you look in that mirror is ask yourself, 'how can I be a better me'? Millions across the galaxy are depending on you to punch that asshole Zurg in his stupid, metal face for trying to destroy everything. Are you just gonna let him?!"
The costumed man stood up. "You're right. I can't just be kicking myself all day! I've got kids that look up to me!"
"That's the spirit, Space Ranger!"
"Whoa. Thanks a bunch, Mr. Allen! I feel better already!" They shook hands.
Max grabbed his helmet. "Make me proud, soldier." They saluted each other, and the costumed man walked off with his head held high.
Max walked back over to Kibō's group, their mouths agape. He looked around at their expressions. "What? Don't give me that look. He needed a pick-me-up." He walked away.
"I, uh...I don't know how to respond to that." Kibō said.
"I mean...that's his thing. He's got a gift, might as well use it to help people. It's what a hero of justice would do, right?" Kitty replied. "A strong, kindhearted hero...that can't tolerate injustice..."
"You alright, Kitty? You've been acting kind of odd all day." Kibō asked.
"How lovely of you to notice, Keebster. What are you doing staring at me so much, anyway? You've got a hot babe right here next to ya."
"That's...I was just concerned, is all."
"Keep an eye on this one, Barbie. If you're not too careful, I might end up taking him for myself. C'mon, before they start putting out missing persons' posters of us." Kitty walked off somewhat rapidy.
"Ugh. What was that all about? She completely sidestepped my question." Kibō griped.
"It's a rare thing to get a straight answer from her. Can't stand around worrying about it for too long. Come on." Barbara grabbed Kibō's hand and started walking.
"Oh, we're doing this agai--gah!"
The rest of the group were sitting around, as Carrie examined Sahir's face. "Uhh, seriously, it's nothing...just a little throbbing, that's all." he said.
"Really? So this redness is merely a trick of the light, is it? What on Earth did you even say to those girls?" Carrie asked.
"Ah, I don't even reme--"
"He tried telling them that he knows Simba personally, and that he can teach them all about the Circle of Life." Kenji interrupted.
"It was a good line! And it sorta ended up working. Now I've got another beauty right in front of ah ah ah ah ahhhhhh!" Carrie began slightly poking Sahir's cheek.
"You have absolutely no filter to speak of, do you?" she questioned.
Rin walked over. "Okay, now that this one's had her churro, where do you all want to head to? We could start with one of the big rides, or we could ease ourselves into it."
"Anything involving getting drenched is probably out of the question given the cold. That includes Splash Mountain." Barbara said.
"On top of how a certain someone told me about where it comes from." Sahir griped.
"Keep in mind that on some of the more energetic rides, someone may have to stay behind with Shizuka. We'll need something more laid-back." Rose added.
"The Haunted Mansion's close to here. Not as chaotic as a coaster, and it's indoors so we can avoid the cold for a bit." Carrie proposed.
"Wait, haunted? I dunno..." Natalia uttered.
"Hoodsie, we've spent the past four months beating up on demons, I think holographic ghosts are a step below that." Kitty retorted.
"Agreed. Plus, when else are we going to hear Max's Eddie Murphy impression?" Kibō asked.
"Oh, boy. There's a Pandora's Box waiting to happen." Max groaned.
"Alright, then. House of spirits it is. It's fitting, in a way." Rin said.
The group made their way to the Haunted Mansion, making it inside after a brief wait in line. "Y'know what they say about this place." Kitty began. "They say that some people have their ashes spread throughout the ride. So the ghosts in here might actually be their spirits."
"Preposterous. That's just an urban myth, So-yin." Rose retorted. She turned to Rin. "It is just an urban myth, yes?"
Rin began to recite phrases in Latin. "S-stop it. You and your teases..." Rose blushed.
"I don't think we have to worry about too many frights. They converted the ride to include the Nightmare Before Christmas." Barbara said.
"MmMmm, honey. Not if I've got anything to say about it. I'm gonna be makin' me a nice Fright Stew!" Max exclaimed using his best Ken Page impression. Kitty tried to contain her laughter.
The lights in the octagonal room shut off. "Ah! Oh, no, here it comes...why is the room stretching?!" Natalia piped up.
After the room stopped stretching out, the face of one Jack Skellington appeared on the ceiling. Shizuka buried her face in Rin, frightened by the suddenness of it. "Don't be scared, sweetie, Jack's a nice guy. Listen, he's wishing you a Merry Christmas." Rin comforted her.
"I mean, if you can't trust the giant skeleton man dressed as Santa Claus, who can you trust?" Sahir joked.
"Excuse me, it's 'Sandy Claws'. Get it right." Natalia asserted.
"Sheesh, alright. Weren't you just quaking in your boots five seconds ago?" Sahir asked.
A short while later, the group were looking at the pictures taken within the ride. "Is it just me, or was Jack giving you looks?" Rin asked.
"Perhaps. I don't know whether or not I should be flattered. He is a rather dapper chap..." Rose answered.
"Hmph. I can be dapper if I want to be..."
"I dunno why that mutt was cozying up to me. Couldn't he tell I'm a cat person?" Kitty asked.
"You are? I never would've guessed." Kibō replied.
"Huh? Was that...a joke? From the Keebster? Am I...am I wearing off on you? Oh, I suddenly feel warm and fuzzy..."
Kibō groaned.
"Hey, Shizuka-chan. Did you like the ride?" Barbara asked, holding the girl. She nodded. "Yeah? Not too spooky, right? Oh!" She took notice of a pair of headphones on sale, black with Jack's face on each side. "Huh, not too pricy. And they can be adjusted."
Kitty walked over. "Like these, princess?" she asked.
"Uh-huh. I want it black like Kitty's." the girl said.
"Awww. Looks like you have a fan." Barbara said.
Kitty looked genuinely touched. "You are way too cute, you know that? Alright, that settles it. Consider this an early Christmas gift."
"Oh, I was going to take care of this, Kitty." Barbara said.
"Nuh-uh. I've gotta make my fans happy, right?"
"50-50, then. And you get your pair back."
"Kay, sounds like a deal. Sorry, princess, but I did shell out a lot for these..."
They purchased the headphones, and Kitty took her original pair back. "Honestly surprised you lasted so long without them. Especially somewhere so crowded." Barbara commented.
"Guess I'm getting used to the noise. Or maybe...I didn't have to shut the world out to begin with." Kitty said. 
"There you are. We're all ready to head to our next stop. Oh, what's this?" Rin began. "Is that a new pair of headphones?"
"Yep, it is. Kitty and I got them for her. She insisted on one the same color as Kitty's." Barbara replied.
"Is that right? Taken a liking to Ms. Kit's accessorizing, hm?" Rin asked.
"Mmhmm. I wanna be like Kitty. She's cool." Shizuka replied.
Kitty's face showed a combination of surprise and genuine happiness. "It's not a bad example to follow, Shizuka-chan. Maybe don't be as sarcastic, but otherwise..." Barbara said.
"Hey, can I see her for a second?" Kitty asked. Barbara handed Shizuka off to Kitty, her wrapped her tightly in a hug. "Thanks for that, princess. That's...that's all I needed to hear." She handed Shizuka back to Rin. "Excuse me..."
She walked over to the rest of the group. "Sparky..."
"Kitty, what's up? You okay?" Max asked.
"I'm fine, Sparky. I...really need to talk to you. Just you and me."
"Oh, um, alright. Hey, you guys go on ahead. We'll catch up."
The rest of the group began leaving. Barbara stopped, and grabbed Kitty by the hand. "I believe in you. Just be honest." Barbara said. She turned to her brother. "Hear her out. I know you'll understand." 
"Okay...that's not foreboding or anything." he said. Barbara walked away.
"Alright, Kitty, let's hear it. You've been out of sorts all day. I haven't done anything to upset you, have I?"
"No, it's got nothing to do with you. Actually, it's...hm." Kitty paused. "What is it you like about me, really?"
"Huh?"
"And I mean besides the surface stuff. Yeah we've got a lot of the same interests, but what about beyond that? What could someone like you possibly see in me?"
"I'm not sure I like this serious tone. You're talking like you've done something unforgivable."
"Someone like you might see it that way."
"Kitty, you're starting to scare me. If you've done something, I'm sure you had your reasons."
"....."
"Kitty. Just come out with it. You'll feel better afterwards."
"You're right. You deserve honesty. I can't pretend anymore. Do you remember my sister, Lin?"
"Oh, the Viper lady. 'The Phantom Thief'."
"I said that she would bring me with her on heists when I was younger. That she would use me as a lookout."
"Right. Not what you would call a good role model. I hope you're not demonizing yourself over that. Your sister was taking advantage of you, you didn't have a--"
"That's only half of it, Sparky. It wasn't all her. You know how I said I can jump that high because of training? Well...she taught me how to do that. A technique for getting onto a window without using a rope or anything. She'd been training me in that stuff for years."
"What exactly are you saying?"
"I wasn't an unwilling accomplice, Sparky. I was Lin's partner. I was just as much of a thief as the Serpent Queen of Seoul. I was never forced into it. I did it cuz I liked it."
"You know how I freaked out over getting exposed by that parlor creep? I seriously can't afford a criminal record. One day, I got careless. And I got caught. But since I'm a minor, and I was already accepted into the Academy, they let me off. On one condition. I can't get in trouble for anything else. Otherwise, I'll be shipped back home, and all those charges come right back. I had to shut down my streams over this. Too many questions were being asked. I couldn't get out of Korea fast enough."
"Everything was honky-dory for a while. Then Lin showed up here. I had to get her out of here. By then, I was done. I couldn't afford any more trouble. All of it...it wasn't for anyone else's good. It was for my own. All so I could keep up this illusion that I was never in on anything horrible. So there you have it." Kitty dictated.
"I get it..."
"You 'get it'? That's it? I just told you that I'm a selfish thief and a liar, and all you can say is you 'get it'? Please don't torture me, Sparky. If you hate my guts and never want to see me again, just come out with it. I had to say this now because I...I like you too much. I couldn't keep up the lie. You're a good, honest person. Hell, you just pretended to be a young Tim Allen just to make a guy in a costume feel better about himself. So if you can't stand the sight of me, I get it. It'll rip my heart in two, but that's fine. It's probably cold and dead anyway."
"I don't think that's true at all."
"You...you don't."
"No, I don't. Yeah, hearing that you were a thief, and that you did selfish things was hard. If I hadn't been around you for this long, I might be angrier. But that's the thing. I have been around you. You were a thief. You're not anymore."
"What if I'm still lying, though? I could still be this awful person."
"You wouldn't be confessing all of this if you were. And I've seen enough to believe that you're different. Take today, for instance. You saw a four-year old girl in clear distress, and you handed her your $500 headphones. Then there's the balloon. You leapt to grab it without a second thought. You went out of your way to help, with no benefit to yourself. An unrepentant thief wouldn't have done that. An unrepentant thief wouldn't have bought that same little girl a new pair of headphones. Oh yeah, I saw all of that. And I saw that look on your face when you gave her a hug. What did she say to you that gave you that look?"
"She, uh...she said she wants to be like me. She thinks I'm cool. Heh. The unfiltered eyes of a toddler, right?"
"Well, there you go. That's what I like. I don't see someone being selfish. I see someone who desperately wants to be a good person, and make up for her mistakes. You wouldn't be so nervous about telling me this unless you were genuinely afraid of how I'd react. I've seen what a monster looks like. That isn't you. Now, come on. The grim, serious look doesn't suit you."
"....." "Sparky...can I please just hug you already before my heart explodes?"
"*sigh* Go ahead."
She wrapped him in a hug. "Thanks. Sorry if this fogs up your glasses again."
"I can live with it."
---
"Um, guys? What's going on?" Max and Kitty came upon the rest of the group, seated and peering at something. Kibō had his head down as Barbara rubbed his back.
"Oh, there you two are. You have a productive discussion?" Barbara asked.
"Yeah, real productive. What's with the Keebster?" Kitty asked.
"Well, there's a challenge going on over there. Keeb tried it and, well..." 
Kibō sighed. "Arm wrestling clearly isn't my strong suit."
Max took a look at the sign near the two. "'Free meals for whoever dethrones the village champion, the man amongst men, Gaston'. How long did our Keeb last?"
Barbara shook her head. "You don't want to know. We get two shots at it, and someone else volunteered in Keeb's place."
"Oh boy. So who stepped up? Kicks? Care Bear?" Kitty asked.
"Not exactly..."
"Oh, now this is rich." the man in the Gaston costume boasted. 
"Rich, you say? Which part do you find amusing?" Rose asked.
"...what." uttered a stunned Kitty.
"Professor, if I may be so bold as to ask...are you sure this is wise?" Kenji asked.
Rin said nothing, and took a sip of tea.
"Lady, you saw how long Mr. Stuck-Up Hair lasted. Still like your chances? Not my fault if you break a nail." 'Gaston' said.
"Your concern is misplaced, o man amongst men. I am more than capable of maintaining my cuticles. I would be more concerned with how you will go about recovering the pieces of your shattered pride." Rose replied, a bored look on her face.
"Oooooooooh!" Sahir uttered, waving his hand over his face.
"Oh this one's got a mouth on her! Okay, lady. You've been warned." 'Gaston' took his seat, placing his arm on the table.
Rose removed her dark blue gloves. "Rin, do be a dear and hold onto these for me."
"This was worth it for a rare glimpse at your bare hands. It's easy to forget they aren't blue..." Rin joked.
Rose took her seat. "I would suggest gathering everyone's orders now, my love. This will not take long."
"Cocky little maid, aren't you?" 'Gaston' griped.
"Incorrect. I am not 'cocky' for knowing victory is certain, I am only slightly below the average size of a woman in her mid-20s, and despite my appearance and mannerisms I am not a maid by profession. But enough talk. Your humiliation awaits." Rose retorted, her expression unchanging.
The costumed man tried moving Rose's hand with all his might, but she barely budged. Her expression remained dulled. His confusion only grew the more force he applied. "What...what are you made of?!"
"The same organic materials as you. Perhaps with a few extra ingredients. Your applied force has stabilized. How disappointing. Though not entirely unexpected. My next action is one of mercy."
With seemingly no effort, Rose flipped the man over, knocking him out of his seat. The crowd of onlookers applauded. Rose got up and walked over to Rin. "My gloves, please."
"Je-SUS." Max uttered.
"I barely lasted a few seconds...just what is she?" Kibō questioned.
"Our free meal ticket, that's what!" Kitty exclaimed.
---
"I'm telling ya, Kenny, this is you in a nutshell!" Sahir proclaimed, showing a shirt with Grumpy the Dwarf and the message "I'm only GRUMPY when someone's near me."
"Quaint. I actually had one with you in mind as well." Kenji presented a red shirt with "Pizza Planet" emblazoned on it.
"I don't get it."
"Don't you see? It's to have around so you can be fully prepared for future employment."
"...that hurts, dude."
Kibō approached Kitty and Max. "Hey, could I speak with you two for a moment?" he asked.
"Sorry dude, you've met your free quota for talking today. Anymore dialogue costs 500 yen extra." Kitty replied.
"Kitty..." Max groaned. "What's up, Keeb?"
"Do either of you know what's going on with Barb? All day she's been...how do I put this...she's been more affectionate. More eager to hold hands or some other kind of contact."
"Um, Keeb. You know that's what boyfriends and girlfriends do, right? I know you're a bit behind when it comes to the birds and the bees, but even you have to know that much." Max replied.
"I know that. It just hasn't been that way before today. It's been more...emotional, rather than physical. I'm still so new to all of this, and things between me and her have been developing slowly. Now she's talking about getting matching shirts. I must sound ridiculous, not knowing how to react to my girlfriend wanting to hold hands..."
"Well if your lack of knowledge of...certain topics is anything to go by, it's not weird. Far as Barbie goes, it just means she's serious about the two of you. Nothing to be scared of." Kitty assured.
"Hey, you know where we're headed to after this, right? The Castle. What better place to talk it out?" Max asked.
"You mean besides next to a haunted mansion?" Kibō replied.
"Well, that was...wait, was that another joke?" Kitty asked.
Barbara walked past. "Time to head out. All we have left is the Castle. I've been looking forward to this all day. Let's go, Keeb." She grabbed him by the arm and headed off. 
The group gathered at the castle in the center of the park. "See this, Shizuka? This is where kings and queens and the like live. It's a very famous castle." Rin said.
"Perhaps I am in the wrong garb after all. Several people have mistaken me for being part of the staff. I'm debating whether I should be offended." Rose said.
"I don't think it's something to be offended over. Right?"
"She looks like Snow White." Shizuka said.
"Ahahaha. She does, doesn't she?"
"So says you. And several other small children looking for hugs. And one confused old man." Rose replied.
"He was harmless."
"Harmless? Perhaps. Awkward? Absolutely."
Rin turned her focus back to Shizuka. "Did you have a good day? You got to be with everyone today."
"Mmhmm."
"I'm so happy to hear it. You can have so much fun now that you're out of that situation. We wanted more than anything to give you a good experience."
"And in a couple of weeks, we can give you a proper Christmas. And a proper New Year's after that. And everything that comes later. Everything you've been denied before now. Only the best for our--" Rose began.
"Hey! You're the lady from the movie!" An old man wearing a shirt with all seven Dwarves yelled out.
Rose sighed. "How did you find me again? Didn't the guards drag you away?" Rin giggled.
Elsewhere in the Castle, Barbara and Kibō stared up at it. "A lot of this park is identical to the one in the U.S. I hear they gave this castle a paint job a few years back to differentiate it from the Florida one. The roof's a different shade of blue, for example." Barbara explained. "Hey, are you listening?"
Kibō perked up. "Oh, sorry."
"Hey." She grabbed his hand. "Is it this?"
"...I'm sorry. You just caught me off guard is all. Up until today, we haven't really been like...well, this. I know this is a normal thing, but it was so sudden."
"No, I get what you mean. I was a little nervous about being forward myself. But it feels...like the right time for it. If you're uncomfortable with it, I can--"
"No, it's alright. I'm just not very experienced with these kinds of things. Just goes back to my lack of confidence. I'm trying to fill that leadership role, but it's..." He flexed his hand, still sore from the arm wrestling attempt. "...a process."
Barbara giggled. "Slow and steady. That's why we decided on co-leadership. We can figure things out together."
"Just feels sometimes like I'm struggling with things you make look easy. Devising ways to win while I hopelessly try to survive. I'd be lost if you weren't here. Maybe even worse."
"It's what a partnership is about, Keeb. It's making each other better. Whether it's in our work, or something as simple as holding hands. Like when we first met. You taught me that I don't need to dig into people's lives and know everything about them so quickly. That friendship is about building a bond over time. That it helps with knowing whether someone is meant to be around you. And whether it's the right time to...start holding hands..." She began blushing.
Kibō thought for a moment. "You mentioned that you and Max are staying here for Christmas, right?"
"Oh, yeah. Our mom is afraid of what our dad might do if he finds out we're back in town. She figures it'll be safer here until the investigation's complete. So, we'll be here. Kitty, too. She doesn't seem too keen on going back to Korea anytime soon. Why do you ask?"
"Well, once Christmas gets closer I'm going to be with my parents for a few days. My mom's been asking me where 'her songstress' is, so I was wondering..."
"You want us to come and spend Christmas with your family? Oh, I'd love to! You'll have to ask Max and Kitty what they'd want to do, but I'm all for it."
"Ah, good. We have more than enough room for you all. I know they'll be happy to have a fuller house since we stopped going to family get-togethers a long time ago."
"I'm...I'm really happy. I would've been happy if it was just me and Max, but...you've become someone I want to be around more and more. Christmas is my favorite time of year. Getting to spend it with you all...I don't think I've ever been more excited for Christmas." She leaned into him. "I love yyyythat I get to spend it with such wonderful company. Ahehehehehe..."
Kibō wondered whether she was about to say something else, but decided he must have been mistaken.
---
The group had returned to the station. "This was a wonderful experience, everyone. I'm sure Shizuka will remember this forever. And...I will too." Rin said to the students, while holding a sleeping Shizuka. 
"She's beyond exhausted. Poor thing hasn't had her daily nap." Rose added.
"We'd best be off, then. Thank you all for this, and for a wonderful first semester. I don't know how I'm going to function without seeing you all for another month. I'm sure this little one will help keep me busy, though." Rin gave a smile. "Here's to a bright future for everyone. Tell your families I give my regards. If I don't see you before then, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. See you in 2029."
Everyone gave their goodbyes, and went their separate ways. A light snow had begun to fall. Winter had begun. And with it, came the onset of many new beginnings.