The Cullinan purchase was sealed with a swipe of the black card, the salesman's hands trembling as he held it. Marin waved her hand grandly, and Kaguya's stretch limo, packed with chattering girls, sped off toward Akihabara.
Evening in Akihabara was like a neon paintbox had exploded, the light pollution off the charts. The surging crowd buzzed with otaku slang, video game sound effects, and the cheerful "Welcome home, Master~" from maid cafés.
"Whoa—!" Rin stumbled back half a step as a massive virtual idol GG screen flashed in her face, her brow furrowing. "This… is too loud."
"You'll get used to it, cousin!" Marin slung an arm around Rin's, grinning as she dragged her forward. "Today's mission: turn you from a digital caveman into a surfing pro!"
Kaguya stood at the edge of the crowd, her brow slightly creased. Her maid, Ai Hayasaka, dutifully kept the throng at bay, but the young lady surveyed the dazzling array of figure shops, electronics stores, and posters of giant 2D anime girls with a mix of unfamiliarity and faint discomfort. This chaotic, boundary-less noise was so… un-Shinomiya.
"Kaguya-chan!" Marin grabbed Kaguya's cool wrist with her other hand, pulling her into the flow of people. "Don't just stand there, it's super fun! Come on!"
First Stop: A Massive Electronics Chain Store
"Here, Rin-chan, pick one!" Marin gestured grandly at rows of smartphones. "That ancient flip phone of yours can retire with honor!"
Rin stared at the paper-thin glass slabs, her brow twisting into knots. "…How do you turn it on?"
Marin & Sakura: "Press the side button!"
Rin poked the screen—
"Idiot! The button! On the side!"
"Oh."
Artoria had already zeroed in on her target—a crepe cart deep in the store, its enticing aroma wafting over. She swallowed hard, her steps resolute as she headed toward it.
Kaguya stood before the latest gaming console, watching the slick promotional video with a rare spark of curiosity. Ai leaned in, explaining softly, "Miss, this is a PlayStation. You can connect it to a TV to play video games."
"Games?" Kaguya's gaze drifted to a massive LCD TV on display nearby.
"Uh… kind of like… strategy simulations?" Ai struggled for words her mistress might grasp. "You use a controller." She picked up a gamepad.
Kaguya took it, turning it over in her hands, utterly perplexed.
"Pfft—" Marin glanced back and caught the scene, her shoulders shaking as she stifled a laugh. She decided to save the "electronic DP" lecture for Kaguya later.
After much fuss, Rin, under Marin and Sakura's joint guidance, picked a top-tier flagship phone (mostly because its color matched her gemstone magic aesthetic). Marin also strong-armed her into getting a pair of noise-canceling Bluetooth earbuds ("So you won't complain about the noise!").
"Alright! Main event!" Marin's eyes gleamed as she charged toward a building plastered with 2D cosplay posters. "My battle armor supply station!"
Stepping inside, Marin was in her element.
She wove expertly through racks of ornate, sexy, and adorable costumes, holding up pieces against Rin and Sakura, muttering to herself. "This elf archer vibe suits Sakura-chan… Rin-chan, how about this magic knight set? It's super cool! Oh! Found it!"
With pinpoint accuracy, Marin yanked out a classic black-and-white outfit—ruffled apron, big bow in the back.
It was an idea sparked by Ai Hayasaka's attire—a maid outfit! High-end silk, tailored to perfection.
"Ta-da!" Marin held up the maid dress, winking at Rin and Kaguya with a mischievous grin. "What do you think? This 'sweet treat' will have Gaio-kun swooning~"
She emphasized "sweet treat," her eyes lingering on Kaguya with a knowing look.
Kaguya's cheeks flared red, and she quickly looked away, pretending to study a cat-ear headband on a nearby rack.
Her mind betrayed her, flashing back to last night, her heart racing.
Rin, meanwhile, eyed the frilly lace with disdain. "Childish! I'm not wearing that…"
"Oh, come on, it's not for you!" Marin rolled her eyes, clutching the maid outfit like a treasure. She leaned closer to Kaguya, whispering conspiratorially, "Kaguya-chan~ Wanna see Gaio-kun… you know?"
She mimed a nosebleed.
Kaguya's face burned hotter, her long lashes fluttering as her fingers nervously twisted her purse strap. She neither nodded nor shook her head.
"Hehe, I'll take that as a yes!" Marin decided, dashing to the counter with the outfit. "Boss! This one! Wrap it up! In your best gift box!"
Artoria returned, carrying three crepes (strawberry, matcha, chocolate). She glanced at the limo stuffed with shopping bags, then at the fragrant treats in her hands, nodding in satisfaction. "Supplies secured." She handed the matcha crepe to the still-flushed Kaguya.
Under the neon glow, the girls (and their mountain of shopping bags) piled into the limo.
Marin hugged her precious paper bag, grinning like a cat who'd nabbed a prize.
Kaguya nibbled her crepe, gazing at Akihabara's dazzling streetscape. Amid the bustling chaos, there was a hint of… novel warmth?
Rin fiddled with her new phone, Sakura patiently guiding her.
The engine roared to life, carrying their laughter and private thoughts as it merged into the city's radiant river of lights.
Bunkyo Ward
A small one-person apartment—Yukino Yukinoshita's rental.
Gaio lounged on the empty apartment's sofa, eyes closed, resting.
The floor was lined with neatly stacked boxes bearing the cartoonish "Speedy Movers" logo. The living room was nearly cleared out, save for the sofa and the coffee table in front of it.
"Yukino, when's the moving company coming tomorrow?" he asked suddenly.
"Scheduled for… um… 10 AM," Yukino's voice came from below, slightly muffled.
Gaio opened his eyes and looked down.
Yukino Yukinoshita knelt on the carpet in front of the sofa, her forehead beaded with sweat, her cheeks flushed from exertion.
Catching Gaio's gaze, Yukino paused, then stood as if nothing had happened—only to plop onto his lap in the next moment, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
Gaio felt her warm breath against his skin.
"I'm a little scared," Yukino mumbled.
Gaio chuckled, ruffling her soft black hair. "Scared of Marin? Don't worry, she's really looking forward to you joining us."
Yukino pursed her lips, her cheeks still pink. She was still a bit dazed—how had she even agreed to this?
It was probably Gaio's sweet, relentless affection—the kisses, hugs, and whispered words in her ear that left her head spinning, half-agreeing in a haze.
Now, with a clearer head, a twinge of doubt crept in.
Especially when she saw him, like a magician, pulling out boxes of all sizes from who-knows-where, neatly stacking them in the corner. That's when it hit her—this guy had planned this all along!
Seeing her furrowed brow, Gaio smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I got Gojo to hook us up with a big place."
He squeezed her fingers. "It'd be too empty with just us. I want you there, and Marin's excited for you to move in too."
Yukino didn't reply, just buried her face deeper into his neck, like a small animal seeking shelter.
After a moment, her muffled voice came from his chest. "I want yogurt."
"Sure." Gaio's hand slid gently down her back. "I'll take you home later, then pick you up tomorrow morning for the move."
Yukino nodded, then naturally slid off his lap, kneeling back on the carpet in front of the sofa.
She leaned forward slightly, one hand bracing the carpet, the other reaching under the sofa—she knew yogurt was stashed there.
Gaio leaned back, his gaze naturally settling on her.
Yukino's black hair slipped over her shoulders, swaying lightly with her movements.
In the quiet space, there was only the faint rustle of her searching and her slightly amplified breathing, still carrying the rhythm of recent exertion.
Soon, Yukino found the yogurt box and knelt back on the carpet.
She didn't look at Gaio, just peeled off the foil and sipped slowly, her focus on the yogurt seeming to cool the flush on her face.
Gaio smiled, letting her be, quietly keeping her company as she finished the yogurt.
The air carried a faint yogurt scent, mingling with the peculiar stillness of a space on the verge of being left behind, the eve of a move.