OPERATION DOKI DOKI

dokidoki

The sun beat down hard on the courtyard, one of many areas of greenery that students would frequent during their breaks at Higan Academy. Today, it was Takaishi Kuroda, the school's top florist, tending to the fields with a careful, firm touch, as he planted some peonies on some empty dirt under a newly-blossoming sakura tree. It was a moment of peace for him -- Away from all the chaos of Idea World battles or yakuza disputes, a world that no one really understood him being a part of, yet he never needed to explain that side of himself to anyone. Just being immersed in his world of colours and aromas was enough for Takaishi, whose only company in the moment were the birds that flew past the courtyard, the bugs, and the flowers... No one to question him on why he was misusing his strength, no one to demand he join the yakuza...

Until one person did come.

"Kuroda-kun," spoke a deeper-than-average, flat female voice, "may I have a moment?"

Takaishi stood back up, dusting his hands off as he turned to face the one that had broken his momentary peace by stepping into his bubble. He knew that voice. One of the few people who he wasn't embarrassed to talk about flowers with.

Student Council treasurer, Kaoru Nagamine, calmly stepped closer, always with a notebook clutched tightly in her arms. She adjusted her fogged-up glasses as the sun poured down on her face in an attempt to look up at the enormous Takaishi, who dwarfed her effortlessly.

"Oh. Hi, Nagamine-chan." Takaishi was, in fact, one of the only non-Council people who Kaoru didn't reject an informal honorific from.

"I was meaning to do some inventory on the shed," Kaoru spoke with a steady tone. "Would you mind helping me? You know the shed better than anyone."

"Of course! You can't get to the high shelves, right?"

"I..." Kaoru was almost ready to wince in shame. She did, in fact, need help with taking note of objects that might be too high up... But her request was far more general than just that. "A general inventory run would suffice."

"Sure. I got the key right here, so... Follow me?"

Kaoru followed Takaishi to the shed. He opened the door, opening it wide for her. She watched for a second as he just stood there, holding the door open as he stared down at her with a blank face.

"...Something wrong?"

Takaishi blinked. "O-Oh! Nothing. I was... I was holding it open for you." He looked at the floor. "Y'know... Girls first, and all."

"Oh..." Kaoru perked up, noticing only then that it was meant to be a kind gesture. Strangely enough... Around 40% of a smile began to paint itself on her usually steel-tight lips. "T-Thanks."

Kaoru walked inside the shed, before Takaishi followed behind, having to lower his head to avoid banging it on the door frame.

The shed was somewhat cramped. An aluminium-frame building with a low ceiling (for Takaishi's standards) that was meant to hide gardening materials. Only the janitors ever used this place, other than Takaishi, and in this case Kaoru, because she needed to take routinary inventory of school supplies every once in a while.

Kaoru flipped to a blank notebook page -- How did she never run out of the same notebook? -- And began noting things down as she looked all around the cramped space. The efficiency with which she acted was mesmerizing to Takaishi, who had no idea what exactly was going on in her head... But the intensity crammed into such a small, blue-haired jimiko package, was a thing to behold.

"So, let's begin." Kaoru began going through a list of items, cross-referencing through another notebook page as she flipped back and forth. "Compost bags... Six. Check. Fertiliser... Hmm, seems like one's missing. Kuroda-san?" She beckoned. "Have you used fertilizer recently?"

"Fertilizer?" Takaishi rummaged in his recent memory. "Oh yeah... One fertilizer bag ran out after I planted some pimpernels."

Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. "Y-You planted what?"

"Pimpernels!" Takaishi smiled with blissful ignorance. "I thought our little garden needed a little redness with the season. You like them?"

The treasurer was ready to breathe a sigh of relief, but she knew better than to do that in Takaishi's face and seem suspicious. "Y-Yeah. They're... Alright."

In truth, Kaoru was somewhat responsible for the sudden change to the courtyard, in a way -- Despite having told Takaishi that her favourite flowers were peonies in an attempt to throw him off, Takaishi had begun planting pimpernels as a tribute to Scarlet Senshi, a mysterious heroine that had inspired him to fight back against his cowardice, little by little. No one except those in the know would suspect anything, anyway.

"Hey, Nagamine-chan?"

Kaoru perked up, fogged up glasses hiding narrowed eyes.

Takaishi looked to the side, attempting to hide some genuine sadness. "You know Scarlet Senshi, right? You think... We'll ever know who she really is?"

The world slowed down to a screeching halt for Kaoru as she felt so many sharp daggers and pitchforks closing in, all around her, waiting to pounce. She had to stay firm, even if she didn't expect someone like Takaishi would've been curious about Scarlet Senshi, despite the many times she had been there to share battles or words of encouragement with him.

"I... I'm not sure..." Kaoru tried to change the subject, but a different set of words came out of her mouth unexpectedly. "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, she really helped me out!" Takaishi raised his voice slightly, clearly showing enthusiasm to a level Kaoru did not expect. "She shows up in the nick of time when the Student Council's in trouble, she has really cool moves, and... She's an inspiration to me, Nagamine-chan. She makes me wanna be brave! Which for me, is a really hard thing, you know? If I could just meet her... I'd like to thank her, in person!"

A strange, bittersweet feeling of buzzing, fizzing energy rose up in Kaoru's chest. One she couldn't quite understand yet -- But it was when her stomach began uncomfortably turning that she began dreading what this actually was.

Elation? Gladness? No, she was just thankful to hear that from him, even if Takaishi didn't know he was actually speaking to the actual Scarlet Senshi at that moment. But that last part... Don't many people describe "butterflies in the stomach" when they're in love?

No... Nonono... M-Maybe she had a crush. Maybe Ai was right. But -- How could it be THIS bad?! How could Kaoru be so happy to see Takaishi appreciate her, grow braver because of her, and want to meet her in a deeper way? How could she stoop this low as to forget the mission for some... BOY?!

"...Nagamine-chan? You okay?"

Kaoru suddenly shook herself out of deep thought with a little hop, her glasses bouncing on her nose.

"Y-Yes, I was... Counting inventory. Regardless. Let's go on."


Soon enough, Kaoru and Takaishi were done with the inventory review. They sat under the sakura tree, just taking in the fresh spring air while waiting for the next period to start, as the irony of sitting under literal sakura blossoms was entirely lost on them... At least on Takaishi. Kaoru, on the other hand, fought with every fiber of her being to keep such a cliché romantic image out of her brain.

"I was thinking..." Takaishi spoke, snuffing out the silence. "You wanna plant something?"

Kaoru blinked twice. "Me? Plant something? I thought you'd be more... Protective of your gardening, Kuroda-san."

"Well, I am... I just thought you might like to give it a try?"

"And why 's that?"

"I mean... Peonies aren't the first choice for many girls, are they? You seem like you actually like flowers. More than the usual girl, I guess."

Kaoru was mentally kicking herself for bothering to try and throw off Takaishi at all. If she had known that such a clever red herring would've had this unintended consequence, she would've faked her interests better! Her best shot now, she reasoned, was to play along.

"Sure, if you'll let me... Do you have gloves I could use?"

Takaishi chuckled nervously. "Haha... Well, I got gloves, but they're the size of my hands. Not yours. You don't mind, right, Nagamine-chan?"

Kaoru didn't think twice, as she simply rolled up her sleeves and walked up to an empty patch of dirt on one of the courtyard's available greenery spots.

"This spot should be fine," Kaoru stated flatly. "What exactly are we going to plant?"

Takaishi came back with a few tools and some sunflower seeds. "I think this'll be a good spot for these to get a lot of sunlight. Wanna do the honors?"

The comparatively enormous, calloused, yet gentle hands of Takaishi dropped some tiny seeds into the small, delicate, yet tightly wound-up hands of Kaoru, who almost shuddered from the giant's touch. After steadying her breathing, Kaoru dug into the soil with a stainless steel palette that Takaishi gave her, and when the depth of the hole was sufficient, she dropped a seed in, one by one, each in a different hole, spaced out as per Takaishi's recommendations.

"Why sunflowers?" Kaoru asked. Takaishi scratched the back of his head. "Well, they're an easy one to grow when you wanna see big results from just one. Might be the most satisfying for you to have planted without much effort."

Kaoru shrugged and kept going, eventually planting half a dozen sunflowers within a little plot of soil. It was simple work that even such a stuck-up person like her could consider fun, and soon enough, even her walls started coming down a little as she basked in the warm Spring sun hitting her face and Takaishi's calming presence behind her.

"Now we have to bury these," Takaishi explained. "Let me help."

Before Kaoru could protest and propose she do it by herself, Takaishi practically cupped Kaoru's diminutive hands into his own, as they both took up dirt and gently tapped and smothered the sunflower seeds with an overflowing love for plant life that Kaoru was only now plainly aware of. She could feel how her hands melted into his own warmth, and for a moment, she could forget there was a mission -- or that the world even existed.

As for Takaishi, the fledging gardener was so engrossed in what he was doing, simply appreciating the fact that someone else was sharing his passion for plants for once, that he took a long while to notice that he was holding hands with a girl. Tiny, soft hands that weren't entirely fragile -- used to investigations, typing and... Perhaps even fighting?

After they were done, Kaoru slowly turned her head to Takaishi... Despite her fogged-up glasses, now even more fogged up than ever, even Takaishi could tell she was blushing intensely, no matter how hard she fought to keep up a poker face.

"...N-Nagamine-chan? Are you alright?"

The sight made Takaishi blush too, only now feeling the thought donning on him. They both quickly jerked back, separating their hands in an awkward gesture.

"I-It's fine."

"I d-didn't notice. Sorry."

Takaishi realised just how much bravery that would've taken for him to do consciously, except... This time, he didn't. His attempt at
communicating how to care for plants was a natural expression of his genuine feelings for gardening, and not at all meant to be a romantic gesture. At first.

Kaoru looked down, hands behind her back as she struggled to hide her feelings, something she was naturally so good at, to the boy standing directly in front of her. However, she decided not to act too standoffish, believing that such closeness must've taken a lot of courage from Takaishi, someone who was naturally so hesitant to act. Kaoru, always the overthinker, was blissfully unaware of just how much of the interaction came down to natural impulses between the two.

She shook her head, adjusting her glasses again so they wouldn't slide down her nose. "N-No, it was... Nice..."

"It... Was?"

"Y-Yeah. The... Flowers. I... I learned a lot today. Thank you."

"...oh."

Kaoru and Takaishi struggled to look at each other as they awkwardly dusted their hands off, attempting not to make the situation worse for each other.


The school day drew to a close, as the setting sun's last rays of light bathed the Student Council room in its melancholic light. Kaoru and Madoka were on clean-up duty for the day, working as a coordinated cleaning battalion unit. Their weapons were brooms and mops, water and disinfectant.

Madoka had been through hell in the last two weeks, coming close to death twice -- first spiritually, due to Fushihara's Necessity of Death looming over her until a ritual saved her life, postponing the shadow of the Yokai lord, and then physically, after being stabbed by Kohaku. She had been medically cleared with a surprisingly (for the non-Awakened) fast recovery, and despite the pending trial, Madoka was eager to go back to school and be with her friends again.

One curious case was Kaoru. Despite her non-Awakened status, she was as much of a spirited Student Council member as anyone else, and a genuine help to everyone as a capable treasurer. Madoka had recommended taking over the case of disappearance of her friend Marisa's father to Kaoru, after all, an undertaking the conclusion of which Madoka had not been privy to.. For her own good. Kaoru had mostly solved the case, but had kept quiet about it until she decided on the best course of action considering the results.

Kaoru had come to think well of everyone in the Student Council, despite her initial cynicism and her differences with each member of the group. Even so, she had only grown somewhat closer ties to some members, such as Yae, who knew about her exploits as the masked heroine Scarlet Senshi, Meliaya, who was always happy to see anyone in truth, and Shu himself, who was hard not to respect as a leader. Madoka... Kaoru never disliked Madoka at all. But they were so different that Kaoru never quite figured out how to bridge the gap.

As they both worked efficiently and silently, Madoka realised that they were both quite contrasting girls. Madoka, a sparkling, colourful, energetic gyaru who wore her heart on her sleeve, and Kaoru... Who made each personal choice possible to stand out the least she could, keep her feelings buried under the surface, and take looks away from herself. As a good judge of character, Madoka could tell that Kaoru was closed off on purpose -- Not out of an antisocial streak, but rather to keep her own true self under the surface. As they mopped the floors up and down, Madoka thought to herself, she and Kaoru didn't spend much time together outside of Student Council business. Albeit, Kaoru didn't spend much time with anyone outside of Student Council business...

Madoka's determination flared as she resolved, she was gonna start having fun for once. A little break. No enemies to fight, no crimes to uncover, no Yokai or Yakuza aiming to put holes of any size into her for a few days. Madoka would take it upon herself to break Kaoru out of her shell, and grow closer to the treasurer. Plus, she might like a little glow-up every once in a while!

"...Hey, Kaoru?" Madoka spoke up, as the two girls stared into the wider space of the classroom from the front, admiring their expert clean-up work and avoiding tampering it any further. Kaoru swiftly turned her head, eyes wide as she simply replied with a "mhm?" while adjusting her glasses.

"We don't really hang out much outside of school, do we?"

The statement hit Kaoru with a decent amount of surprise. She found it so hard to find common ground with Madoka in a casual context that the idea of Madoka starting to bridge the gap herself hit the treasurer unexpectedly.

"...I guess not," Kaoru acknowledged with her usual flat delivery. "I usually go straight home to cook for my grandparents."

Good start! Madoka was getting through already. Kaoru was the modest type, always citing obligations to avoid hanging out. Proposing something fun might seem like an attractive change of pace.

"Weeeeell... Why don't we do something together? We're done today, right? And it's a Friday!"

Kaoru cycled through a dozen different possible excuses to get herself out of this, but she reasoned that perhaps this didn’t have to be so bad. Madoka WAS someone she had been meaning to know more about, even if this situation wasn't her style. On the other hand, Kaoru could feel that Madoka was likely more emotionally savvy than she thought -- The treasurer may have to keep her cards closer to her chest than expected.

"Sure, sounds... Good." She talked with some hesitation. "Just let me phone grandpa and tell him I'll be home late."

“Great! I know a lovely boutique that I’m sure you’ll love!” Madoka clasped her hands together in excitement, overjoyed at the thought of winning over the elusive Kaoru in an afternoon of fun. Kaoru wondered if this was actually a good idea, especially now that Madoka seemed interested in trying out clothes of all things. It was too late now to call it off.


World of Ideas was a cute little store, roughly 10 minutes away from Higan Academy. Madoka frequented the place, and as the two girls approached the store, all the gyaru could do was gush about how much she loved the wide variety of styles that it had to offer. Kaoru, on her end, was far less enthusiastic about trying on any new clothes simply out of fear of showing sides of herself that she wouldn’t want to share.

Madoka, however, could tell. In fact, her intention was precisely just that – Figure out Kaoru as a person, what her style truly was like, and help get her out of her shell!

The store was packed with teenage girls from all over the city, and the two girls were now caught up in a whirlwind of colours and giggles, bright lights and poppy music. Kaoru’s heart sank as she turned her head and saw Madoka carrying a giant pile of boxes with a wide, stupid, glossy-lipped smile on her face.

“We’re… Trying all of that?” Kaoru asked, with a shaky voice that undercut her natural deep, deadpan tone. Madoka nodded excitedly. “I made sure to get your size, too!”

They spent nearly an hour at the store, trying one thing after another in a tornado of outfits. Some fit Kaoru better than others.

“That looks good on you!”said Madoka, as Kaoru came out of the changing room with a bright red top that made her brightly embarrassed. The detective shook her head in rejection of Madoka’s words.

“I don’t think I have the… You know… The body for this.” Kaoru replied in a hushed, ashamed tone. She clearly meant chest size.

Madoka reasoned that, even if she wanted to be supportive, Kaoru might be a tougher cookie to crack than she initially thought. Not just that – They were physically very different, too.

The girls went back to work. Silky pink dress? Nope. Gyaru uniform, with a ribbon and everything? Also nope. One time, Kaoru even had to try on an embarrassing gothic lolita style that Madoka had picked out on a whim. It was then that Madoka started going for some drastic bets: Eventually, Kaoru was decked out in a punk rock style, with spikes on a black leather jacket, jeans and boots.

To Madoka’s credit… Kaoru didn’t mind this one so much. But as she looked down, not knowing how to react as Madoka stared her up and down, the gyaru decided that something was missing from the equation.

“Just stand still for a sec…” Madoka framed Kaoru with her hands, like a photographer framing the perfect picture. Before Kaoru could react, Madoka took off the detective’s glasses in a swift move, revealing her intense scarlet eyes!

“H-Huh?!” Kaoru wanted to cover herself up, or try some Velma trick to convince Madoka to put her glasses back on, but Madoka had won that battle, much to Kaoru’s dismay.

“You look really good like this! How do you feel, Kaoru?”

“Did you HAVE to do that…?”

“Feels more natural like this, right? You can stop being the bookworm for a sec and just… Let the style fill your heart!”

Kaoru wanted to avoid this in some way, but Madoka was right – Grandma never bought her clothes like this. The one time she had ever worn something that was entirely her own choice in style was the Scarlet Senshi costume itself, which she crafted with a modified biker outfit… Was she just naturally predisposed to these punk sensibilities? A strange warmth filled Kaoru’s chest as she tried to put Madoka’s words into practice. For a split second, the cool Kaoru, the one under the costume, came out to play.

“This… This is cool. I feel tough, like I can do anything! Maybe you’re onto something, Madoka.”

“See? Just let yourself enjoy having a style! It’s nothing to feel ashamed of.”

Madoka was getting somewhere. Kaoru was certainly a hard nut to crack open, but overwhelming her with choices and thoughts seemed to be an effective strategy to break down the walls of a person that paid mind to almost everything around her. Like overloading a computer, she thought! Not that Madoka was super good with computers, however.

Her theory was indeed correct – Whatever Kaoru’s style was, she was actively suppressing. Maybe she was embarrassed of being tomboyish? The truth was still so far for Madoka, who only roughly considered a comparison to that mysterious, costumed Idolon user that helped the Student Council in their fights from time to time.

“Maybe you should hang out with Momo and I sometime!” Madoka piped up. “Her friend Fumiko’s a biker, I’m sure you’d get along!”

“Well…” Kaoru needed to play this off to avoid much suspicion, without necessarily lying. “My grandpa used to ride me to school on his bike when I was little. I guess I like bikes.”

“Never would’ve pinned you as the type, but… Hey, this is just half the trip! We haven’t even gotten to try on makeup yet!”

“What? What do you mean make– Woah!”

Before she could protest any further, Madoka dragged Kaoru off to the cosmetics section of the store. The girls sat in front of one of the mirror booths to try on different kinds of cosmetics.

“We really don’t have to do this,” Kaoru stated, in an attempt to break free of the whole situation. “I’m, uh, allergic to lip gloss, and–”

“Oh, this one’s made for allergies!” Madoka chimed in as she rummaged through the aisles, picking up samples to try.

Kaoru grumbled, and once again accepted her fate as Madoka became a whirlpool around her, helping Kaoru apply foundation, mascara and even eyeshadow. When they were done, Kaoru looked in the mirror and saw herself with bright red lipstick, pink eyeshadow, vibrant eyelashes… She furrowed her brow, not recognising herself at all.

“Woah! You look amazing! You should try makeup more often, girl!”

To Madoka’s credit, she did some of her best work on Kaoru, who looked like a glam rock star straight out of a 70s disco. All she needed now was a new hairdo, and the makeover would be complete – But Kaoru wasn’t quite impressed. However, she had actually learned quite a lot from the experience, and if she ever needed to look especially good in the future, she’d use Madoka’s tips. Perhaps, if Kaoru moved things over to a more comfortable territory…

“...Maybe we could do nails next?”

“Oooh! Nails! Good thinking!”

For as secretive and unremarkable as she tried to be, Kaoru did indeed enjoy painting her nails. She normally wore a chill light blue, working well with her hair and contrasting her eyes. Kaoru figured that Madoka, someone that kept her nails longer than Kaoru’s most of the time, might have even more experience with painting nails, and it might be a more enjoyable friend experience than just giving her a makeover for fun.

The girls spent the next 20 minutes trying out different colours and brushes, and this time, it was actually quite a fun time for Kaoru, who got to learn about strange little designs like stars and even a little glitter. Perhaps it was a little too much for her, but she left the whole experience with new dark blue nails.

Madoka, who was clearly a lot more affluent thanks to her inheritance, fit the bill for the little temporary makeover and left the boutique with two large bags to take home. Kaoru decided to bring home the leather jacket, even if, much to her dismay, she was spending half her month’s worth of allowance.


The two girls sat at a nearby café next, enjoying some tea. Madoka was tearing down Kaoru’s walls, little by little, slowly but surely. She noticed that Kaoru wasn’t used to a usual hangout, but today, the bespectacled girl was a lot more receptive than usual. She expected Kaoru to get angry at some point of the day, but it didn’t happen. It was a risk, but Madoka was glad to have connected with Kaoru on a deeper level, especially in a more casual way. As for Kaoru herself, she had taken a break to go to the bathroom, clearly still uncomfortable from wearing all that makeup.

After washing up and returning to her usual state, Kaoru felt more in control of the situation. She looked into the café’s bathroom mirror, staring at herself in deep thought. In retrospect, the whole experience made Kaoru realise something. Madoka was overcompensating. After everything that had happened to her recently, like the stabbing and her encounter with Fushihara, Madoka needed some form of a break – The fact that she chose to do so with Kaoru, and put so much effort into helping her find clothes or makeup she might like, reminded the detective of when Marisa entrusted her father’s disappearance to her, something that she did with Madoka’s advice, too. Kaoru started seeing the outing less as an inconvenience and more as a sign of Madoka needing time off. She could’ve done so with Meliaya, Momofuku, and the other Fujiwara Senki members… But no. Today, Madoka had chosen Kaoru of all people. And that kind of trust was far too precious to just reject.

“Can I do this, Blakeney? Forget the mission, and just do Madoka this favour?” Kaoru stared into the mirror intently, as she tended to do when she really needed to focus on her emotions while consulting Blakeney.

“You don’t need my permission for these things, my Scarlet Pimpernel,” the Idolon’s voice boomed in the girl’s head, ”You’ve done a lot of good work on your part lately too. You deserve a break! I want the best for you, as a hero and successor –But you’re also a girl. Don’t forget that. You can enjoy being a girl sometimes!”

“I… I suppose it wasn’t that bad. I got this jacket, anyway. But won’t Madoka suspect me more now?”

”Yae was right, you know. This is your band, Kaoru — You just have to see it! Even I had the Band of the Scarlet Pimpernel! Don’t you think this is a good opportunity to get to know Madoka? And not just to keep tabs on her. But as a friend!”

“I want to know her better, but I’ve noticed… I’m doing this as a favour. She’s had it rough lately. I don’t get why she wanted me today, but…”

”You’re thinking of this as if you owe her a debt of honour – Madoka’s your friend! You yourself admitted to trusting the Student Council, right? That was your choice to make, Kaoru. I’m here to support you all the way through your choices.”

Blakeney was a peculiar kind of Idolon – He claimed to have been the novelesque hero, the original Scarlet Pimpernel, in life. For Kaoru, he was as much a predecessor and mentor as he was the source of her power. A great wall to bounce her own thoughts off of. For being a hero of old, Blakeney was rather caring with his host, giving an equivalent of fatherly advice to Kaoru, almost. In a different way than her grandfather, of course, since Blakeney could correctly bridge the gap between Kaoru’s facade and her true self.

“It’s… It’s just so hard to let go, Blakeney. It’s so hard to stop thinking that whoever I’m talking to can just flip on a dime. I don’t know if I can ever just be a normal girl. I’m… Irreparably hurt.”

”Ma chérie…” Kaoru felt a gentle, ethereal hand patting her on the back as she tried to stifle her sobs, sniffing into a jumbled pile of toilet paper. ”You have a friend waiting outside. A real friend – One that isn’t there because you have a debt to pay, or someone to save. Madoka likes having you around! There’s no fights to be had today, there’s no need to put on that mask so tightly! Now go, your tea’s getting cold!”


Both girls sat across each other, sharing a little dead space as they both sipped from their tea cups in different intervals. Idle chit chat didn’t take long to form, although Madoka could notice something in Kaoru’s demeanour… Changed. Like if a weight was off her shoulders.

“How’s your tea?” Madoka asked plainly.

“Good,” Kaoru replied with a slight hint of pepper in her tone. Like she was a little more flavourful than usual. “I like my sobacha just like this.”

“You like sobacha, Kao-Kao?” Madoka used Kaoru’s nickname in an attempt to gauge her reaction. She didn’t seem phased, taking it as a good sign. “Wow, that’s so mature of you!”

“I, well…” Kaoru didn’t know what to say at first. “Tea is a source of calm, and I value my mental breaks. Although I’m not good at actually taking them.”

“You work really hard, I think you’ve earned this one, at least!”

In a rare display, at least rare for Madoka, Kaoru… Smiled. It was mild, and the angle at which the detective’s mouth twisted was minuscule. But for once, signs of comfort were showing. Madoka took the opportunity to shift into a more casual conversation. Or rather — Gossip with someone who seemed so elusive before.

“Hey, so…” As Madoka’s expression changed from cheery to cheeky, Kaoru noticed a twinge of mischievousness in her friend’s eye. “We sure work with a lot of people during a crisis, right?”

“I suppose so.” Kaoru gave a blanket answer, but she could already intuit where Madoka was going with this. And she didn’t quite like it.

The glimmer in Madoka’s eye as she patiently stared into Kaoru’s fogged up glasses was the second red flag.

“Soooo… Is there anyone you like, Kao-Kao~?”

“I don’t have time for that,” Kaoru replied flatly, her fast tone working as a tell for Madoka that the answer was likely programmed, as if Kaoru had already had this conversation in her head before and had planned all her answers.

Madoka wasn’t a self-made detective like Kaoru — But rather, her intuition for people’s reactions specifically, their tastes and thoughts, was nothing short of genius.

The gyaru chuckled heartily, not believing Kaoru’s words. “Come on… No one? Really?”

“No one. I’m busy.”

Time to bust out the list and see how she reacts.

“I mean, just think of all the boys we see on the daily! Ran’s good at sports…”

Nothing.

“…you know Kusanagi-kun?”

“The delinquent? How do you know him?”

“He’s actually pretty nice up close. Although, he does tend to be a little distant…”

No reaction. Even less than with Ran — Madoka wasn’t getting anywhere.

Madoka shifted into more extreme measures. “Weeell… I wouldn’t blame you if you had a thing for Shu! Half the school does.”

Kaoru rolled her eyes. “No, thanks. I can… See why he’s popular. But I wouldn’t want to lose my mind watching him put himself in danger as often as he does.”

“Why’s that?” Madoka pressed further. “You know he’ll be fine in the end, right? He’s just that lucky!”

“I can’t trust that. Kaichou’s a good leader, and I respect him wholeheartedly. But I’d grow too worried for him. Besides… I think he’d prefer a girl who isn’t dull, like me.”

What Madoka wasn’t so keen on this time was that the answer was protective. Not of Kaoru, but rather of Ai. By acting self-deprecating, Madoka believed Kaoru simply considered Shu out of her league, rather than suspecting that Kaoru actively put herself out of Shu’s way for Ai’s sake, although her comments about trusting his luck were honest.

“Don’t say that! You’re prettier than you think, Kao-Kao. Maybe people would notice if you smiled more!”

“Madoka…” Kaoru looked the other way, too embarrassed to take the compliment — And in truth, not quite agreeing with it.

Madoka reasoned that, in fact, she hadn’t taken into account that Kaoru’s tastes in boys might just be different from most girls. She was going to have to think outside the box this time.

“Don’t tell me you’d rather grow a garden with Kuroda-kun…”

A very, very minuscule turn of Kaoru’s eyes was the biggest green flag Madoka had found the whole conversation.

“I don’t —“

“I KNEW IT!!”

Before Kaoru could deny the notion, Madoka pounced like a cougar on an innocent rabbit. If her theory was correct, overwhelming Kaoru before she could refuse was the key to opening her up.

“H-Huh?” Kaoru’s eyes widened behind her glasses, as she worked on ways to deflect from the situation in any way possible.

“Wouldn’t have been my first pick, but you have a good eye, Kao-Kao!”

“Well, who do you like, Madoka? We’ve only been talking about me this whole time—“

Big mistake.

Madoka cheerily pointed a finger in Kaoru’s face, like an ace attorney accusing the true culprit. “So you admit it! You’re into Takaishi, aren’t you?”

Kaoru knew the battle was, most likely, lost. But somehow… She didn’t mind that much this time. Taking Blakeney’s advice, she decided to simply have a girl-to-girl conversation. After all, the frivolous topic of her crush was a good distraction away from any suspicions Madoka could’ve had about Kaoru being Scarlet Senshi.

The blush on the treasurer’s face was obvious as she looked down, attempting to hide her embarrassment. Madoka found the reaction amusing.

“Takaishi… He’s gentle. I like that in a boy. I can just be around him, and feel like nothing’s going to go wrong…”

Madoka’s eyes were practically sparkling with excitement. She hadn’t gossiped like this with someone in a long time, and especially with someone like Kaoru! It was like a miracle!

What was even more surprising was hearing Kaoru speak so candidly, and with such warmth, about anyone in the first place.

“That’s amazing! Tell me more!”

Kaoru rolled her eyes again, but this time she smiled, showing a little reluctance to give in to her friend’s request, but she was indeed glad to confide in her.

“I think he’s a little jumpy? He gets startled easily, I believe. But I want to be there for him, and give him more confidence in himself… I suppose that’d be nice.”

Calling him “jumpy” was just a means of acknowledging Takaishi’s cowardly impulses. During the battle against Kagayaki, Kaoru had noticed a shift in Takaishi’s willingness to fight — Each time she saw him out in the battlefield, she was a little more impressed. And in a way, it was thanks to her, too.

A strange, unexpected feeling fell over Kaoru like a gentle waterfall, constant yet never too strong to be uncomfortable. Talking about a boy, gossiping with Madoka felt… Nice! Spending a fraction of a minute out of her day to think about what she liked about Takaishi, and confiding in someone else, was oddly pleasant. For a moment, Kaoru wondered if this was how most teenage girls acted. She wondered why she had been afraid of this for so long — even if she also understood that she couldn’t hold on to this feeling forever.

“Mhm, mhm!” Madoka nodded along as Kaoru proceeded, intent on knowing even more.

“So…” Kaoru hid her face behind her teacup. “Today I took some inventory at the shed… And after I was done, Kuroda-kun invited me to plant some flowers on the courtyard.”

“Aaaand?”

“…We held hands by accident.”

“That’s adorable! I bet he liked that a lot!”

“…Not sure if he liked it as much as I did. Though I’d never tell him to his face.”

Madoka twirled her teaspoon idly, causing a few chimes of the cup. “So why don’t you tell him? I don’t think anyone’s planning to step on your toes.”

“I told you. I’m too busy.”

“Don’t be like that, you’re in love! Why waste that by keeping it to yourself?”

“I have a crush,” Kaoru corrected with audible frustration. “That doesn’t mean I’m—“

“Yes you are~! You’re in love, Kaoru. No need to hide it!”

Kaoru shook her head as she sighed in exasperation. Even if she had certain… Feelings… A boy couldn’t get in the way of the mission. Of course, Madoka wasn’t going to understand her personal mission, so another excuse was used.

“I can’t afford that kind of distraction, Madoka. My duties to the Council are far too important.”

Madoka pursed her lips, gears already turning in her head. Perhaps, all that Kaoru needed was a little something to push her in the right direction.


As the girls approached the subway station, Kaoru seemed more distracted than usual — contemplative, almost. This wasn’t necessarily rare, as she was always thinking about something, but Madoka could tell that Kaoru’s thoughts weren’t external. Instead, they were internal.

Kaoru stared into the subway gates, knowing she’d have to go on the ride back home soon. But she decided she still had time.

“Madoka?”

“Yeah?”

The silence as Kaoru looked for the right words was palpable, yet it did not linger.

“Thank you for hanging out with me today.”

Madoka shook her head with a soft smile.

“No, thank you, Kao-Kao. I can come on a little strong sometimes, right? I can tell it was a little tough for you to deal with me all day.”

Kaoru had never felt like this since Yae discovered her secret identity. How could Madoka read her so well? Then again, so could Kaoru… But while the treasurer worked with logic, being overall observant and nosy, Madoka had a natural knack for people that was hard to fight against.

For a moment, Kaoru wondered if she had really done this as a favour. But she eventually decided that the moment of respite, the conversation and the admittedly fun time shopping, were worth doing by themselves.

“No. I should come out of my shell more often, especially for my fellow Council members.”

Madoka tightly hugged Kaoru in a sudden movement that shocked the latter, who was in no way used to such closeness, at least from Madoka. In a flash, Kaoru was embarrassingly reminded of how much she didn’t have in… that department.

“I’m so happy for you, Kao-Kao!” Madoka emphatically exclaimed as she embraced her friend. “Next time, I’m gonna take you shopping with Momo and Yaya! It’s gonna be great!”

“Sure, if you say so… I should get going, though. If you’ll let go of me…”

Madoka released the bear hug, and Kaoru started heading towards the gates. She turned back one more time, to see Madoka waving at her from the station entrance.

“See ya! I’ll cheer you on with the Kuroda-san business!”

Kaoru could only muster a slightly annoyed smile as she returned the wave, before finally leaving through the station gates.


That night, as Madoka lay in bed, thinking about the day she just had and the good memories she had made with Kaoru, she made a decision. She had gone on too many mystical adventures lately — The dojo heir couldn’t stay put, knowing that her favourite treasurer was dealing with one of Cupid’s arrows all by her lonesome! Madoka thought back to the times she had seen Kaoru and Takaishi together, remembering one or two stray looks they shot at each other at random times that, in hindsight, made a lot of sense. It was surely meant to be!

But what to do? Simple… Set up Kaoru and Takaishi on a date. Madoka would need some kind of pretext… Takaishi had collaborated with the Student Council on more than one occasion. Contacting him would be easy. But there was no way Kaoru would accept it if she just set them up for a true date — The excuse of an investigation seemed fitting. Madoka needed cover stories for why the rest of the Council couldn’t make it, especially her… But she wouldn’t be far, anyway.

Tomorrow, it was time to start a love quest! Not for herself, but for Kao-Kao! …Well, maybe a little bit for her. Madoka did enjoy the idea of being a matchmaker for a day, after all.


It was early morning. Kaoru was up at first light, cooking breakfast for her grandparents and doing regular chores. She took out the trash, helped grandma with the dust behind the couch, and helped fix the VHS player with a well-placed knock or two when grandpa’s old tape of Invasion of Astro Monster was starting to cut off. Her plans for the day, past her usual routine, were very simple – Go on patrol. Find Nobuhiro Kirigawa… Or what was left of him.

That was, until she got a hit on her pager… From Madoka? On a Saturday? She hadn’t already rounded up Yaya and Momofuku for another day out, had she…?

heyyyy
can u go 2 the twinkle times mall?
in 2 hours??
got a mystery 4 u
and yae’s busy

Kaoru lifted an eyebrow at the request. Even if it was Student Council business, it couldn’t possibly be about a Bleeding Zone — Madoka had no idea about Kaoru being Scarlet Senshi. Logically, it could only be true detective business. A minor setback, but with some luck, perhaps it might even be related to the Kirigawa nightmare.

will do

thnks!!1
cya at the left entrance

Even then, something felt off in a way Kaoru couldn’t quite place. Why call her specifically? How come no one else was seemingly involved? Even if Yae was busy, did Madoka really want to leave it all to Kaoru? She thought to herself that she might need some kind of escape route in case she needed to change on the spot. Bringing a backpack to the mall might be a strange thing to do, but as long as she packed it full of other things that weren’t her costume, Kaoru might have plausible deniability.

…Even then, a strange instinct in the back of her head told Kaoru to look girly that day, so she wore her pink sweater and dark skirt rather than the sudden style swerve Madoka had been helping her out with.


Twinkle Times was a popular mall and hangout spot smack-dab in the center of Kageoka. It boasted the trendiest stores, good lunch options, an arcade, and a cinema. A labyrinthine location where teenagers from all over the city would spend entire days getting lost in its many wallet-draining avenues.

The place was bustling with happy people, bubbling with excitement — it was a Saturday, after all —, an excitement that was not at all infectious to Kaoru. She was all business.

Kaoru arrived at the spot Madoka had designated for their meeting, expecting at least Shu or Yae to be waiting for her there. Instead, she found no one. The treasurer checked the time on her pager, finding that she was 5 minutes early — just as planned —, and could only wonder if Madoka would arrive right when she said she would. Although, considering the relatively short notice, Kaoru had assumed Madoka would already be there. Finding that she wasn’t was slightly disappointing.

Ten minutes went by, which then turned into fifteen as Kaoru considered paging Madoka to see if something came up, since her danger sense hadn’t warned her of anything going particularly wrong for Madoka. Instead, as she stood idly, Kaoru was spotted by a rather large figure in an unsightly, grisly yakuza-style biker outfit. Before she could make out who he was, a feeling of intense dread washed over her as the realisation of what was actually happening donned on her.

“Nagamine-chan? Is Madoka here?” Said Takaishi, as he casually approached Kaoru, none the wiser to what was actually going on. The sight did leave an impression on him, since he had never seen Kaoru wearing anything other than her uniform. It was likewise for Kaoru, even if other thoughts were swirling around her as she kept up her poker face.

As for her, she didn’t expect Takaishi to dress like that outside of school at all — Kaoru was entirely unaware that Takaishi just took hand-me-downs from his older brother, but in a way, her own budding interest for punk-style clothing was a good combination for Takaishi’s style. Perhaps, if they were to meet outside of school again, she should experiment a little more, she thought.

Kaoru shook her head. “It’s been almost twenty minutes. Did she call you here too?”

“Yeah, she emailed about needing backup for an investigation or something… I think I get why now.”

Kaoru rolled her eyes, knowing she couldn’t show her cards in regards to whether she was Awakened or not. She played along. “It’s appreciated. Madoka said she had a mystery for me… And never told me what it was.”

“Huh. That’s odd.” Takaishi wanted to think of an explanation, but he was drawing blanks. Why would Madoka do all this? Call him, not even a Council member, to bodyguard Kaoru during an investigation where no other Council members were involved?

In stark contrast, Kaoru knew immediately when she saw Takaishi.

Madoka had set them up on a date.

Masking her embarrassment as well as she possibly could, the treasurer’s mind began to race as she wondered whether Madoka was truly gone or not. From what she understood, whenever this kind of story happens in a shojo manga, the character that’s setting up the two unsuspecting lovers on a date was usually present, albeit from a distance, perhaps with a change in wardrobe. That would be a challenge – Madoka’s distinct style would normally make her easy to spot in a crowd, but Madoka wasn’t stupid. Kaoru would have to keep her eyes wide open if she wanted to track the gyaru down and demand explanations. But before she could carry out her plan –

“Did you space out again…?”

“H-Huh?” Kaoru shuddered awake, shifting back to reality as images of her inner machinations vanished and the towering Takaishi appeared in front of her once again. She sighed. “Oh… It’s nothing. I was just thinking of where Madoka could’ve gone.”

Always the noticer, Kaoru immediately realised how attently Takaishi was paying attention to her. He clearly didn’t mean it in a bad way, but Kaoru immediately felt self-conscious.

“W-What…?” She blushed with a pout. “Do I have something on my face?”

“S-Sorry.” Takaishi’s eyes darted away from her as he, too, blushed – Noticing what he had done far too late. He stuttered, attempting to save some face. “I-I just… We don’t really… Hang out away from class often, so…”

“I… suppose we don’t.” They awkwardly looked away from each other, but soon enough, Kaoru realised something frustrating. Takaishi’s eyes on her felt good in a way she didn’t like herself enjoying. He kept stumbling into bold actions almost by accident, only to walk them back immediately – It felt like being given candy, only for it to be taken away. In that moment, Kaoru hated having the same ability to feel a crush on someone that other people did, but she was human after all.

It was then that Kaoru realised, if she actually wanted to have that kind of contact with Takaishi, despite how much her human desires conflicted with her coping mechanisms of secrecy and distrust, she’d have to take initiative. Relying on Takaishi stumbling on the right thing to do would do her no good.

She was the first to re-establish eye contact. “It’s okay. Do you… Like my sweater or something?”

Takaishi was brought back to reality by the question. The fact that it was her prompting him gave him the confidence to be honest. “I kinda expected you to dress super formally, but pink looks nice on you.”

Kaoru hated the feeling of butterflies in her stomach. But as she took the compliment like an attack from a Shinigami, she fought hard to keep her composure.

She adjusted her glasses in an attempt to hide the surprise in her eyes. “T-Thanks. You look… Cool.”

“R-Really?” Takaishi was far easier to read, smiling honestly as if a jolt of energy ran through his whole bulky body. “I, uh, just put on the first thing I saw before heading out –” Takaishi stopped himself from self-embarrassment any further, but Kaoru didn’t seem to mind.

The situation was getting to her. It was time to put things back on track.

“Anyway.” Kaoru cleared her throat, marking a shift in the conversation. “We’ve got to find Madoka. I have the feeling that she might’ve gotten lost, or otherwise distracted.”

Takaishi shrugged. “I guess you’re right… This place does have a lot of stores, huh?”

“Indeed. Let’s not waste time, we have work to do.”

Kaoru immediately walked off into the first direction she saw. Takaishi followed her, not quite knowing where they were going, or why Kaoru just decided to start walking somewhere. In truth, she just wanted to get going in direction to somewhere – Anywhere.

From the higher floors of the Twinkle Times complex, Madoka could spot her two lovebirds entering the mall as she looked below into the main street. Sporting a grey hoodie, shades, a surgical face mask, and her secret weapon – No makeup, she enacted the first part of her plan.


Kaoru and Takaishi had been walking somewhat aimlessly through the entire Twinkle Times mall, looking anywhere for Madoka, without much luck. For a self-made detective, spotting someone in a crowd wasn’t necessarily a tough task – But she wasn’t used to having a sidekick. She could act a lot more boldly if she just went there by herself, but Takaishi, far from being a bodyguard – which she never needed to begin with – was more of a distraction than anything else. And the worst part, it was a kind of distraction she didn’t want to immediately do away with.

As for Takaishi, seeing Kaoru in action was crazy! He clearly couldn’t tell what her actual thoughts were, but watching as she looked around, occasionally stopped for mental notes, or made sudden turns was like a real life late night cop movie. The usually composed Nagamine-chan wasn’t too different from what she was like in school, but Takaishi had the feeling that he was seeing her in her element.

It had been twenty minutes since their meeting, and lunch time was fast approaching.

Time for Operation Doki-Doki.

The lovesick sleuths passed by a cotton candy stand, not paying any mind to the man selling cotton candy sticks left and right until they passed him.

“HEY! YOUNGSTERS!” Called out the vendor, forcing Kaoru and Takaishi to turn around almost by psychic force. The vendor produced two sticks of cotton candy with a wide, stupid grin on his face.

Kaoru tried to protest. “I… No, thanks. We’re
busy—“

But the man counter-protested her protest.

“I INSIST!!!” He said, practically waving both cotton candy sticks in Kaoru and Takaishi’s faces. “Cute couples get cotton candy on the house!”

Kaoru and Takaishi’s faces both turned intensely red as they tried to save face.

Takaishi tried to wave away the cotton candy. “Y-You got it all wrong, sir! We—“

“Yes, you’re a bright young couple, in the flower of love! Take it — It’s free!”

Taking advantage of Kaoru’s comparatively diminutive size, the man shoved the stick in Kaoru’s hand as she stood idle in bewilderment. Seeing this, Takaishi, too, stopped to see what had happened — The perfect opportunity for him to receive his own cotton candy from the man.

The treasurer and the gardener looked at each other in awe, realising they had both been given the cotton candy by force.

“Sir,” Kaoru rebutted, “We’re on a busy schedule. I’d appreciate it if you—“

“Ah-ah-ah! No takesies-backsies! Now go enjoy your love, youngsters!”

Risking a genuine state of outward frustration at the man, Kaoru breathed deep and grabbed Takaishi’s wrist with her free hand as she practically dragged him away from the situation.

When they had left, the vendor sighed with gladness. “Ah, the wonders of young love… Was that what you wanted, kid?”

Madoka stood up from behind the cotton candy stand. “Yep! That was them. Thanks so much, Rinnosuke-san! I owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it! I’m all up for youngsters enjoying their youth. It doesn’t last long!”

Madoka moved on to her next step — The next phase of her plan. She used her natural knack for people to gauge who in the mall would be easily convinced into collaborating with her blind date, with the end goal of creating situations that could bring those two together. Operation Doki Doki was going swimmingly.


Takaishi gladly bit into his cotton candy, not paying much mind to the world at that point. Eventually he realised that Kaoru was still, in fact, holding his wrist.

“Hey, are you gonna hold on forever, or…?”

“Oh.” Kaoru let go of Takaishi’s wrist with a sudden jerk. “My bad.”

“You haven’t touched your cotton candy. You okay?”

“I just… We have to find Madoka. It’s important.”

Takaishi had almost forgotten what they were actually there to do. The realisation was shocking.

“Right… What would you do in this situation? As a detective, I mean.”

Kaoru appreciated that Takaishi was actually helping her get back on track for once. “If I were Madoka… Where would I be?”

Up on the 2nd floor, most clothing stores found their home. If Madoka had in fact gotten sidetracked — Kaoru’s back-up theory, considering she knew well what was going on — she might be there somewhere.

The true reasoning in the treasurer’s mind was far murkier, however. Kaoru thought back to the candy cane vendor. No, that could only be a coincidence… A comedically well-timed coincidence. If Madoka was somehow behind it, then she couldn’t have gone far from
there — But she would most likely move all around the mall, attempting to engineer romantic situations between her and Takaishi. That meant Madoka could theoretically be predicted… But how?

“I need your help with something,” Kaoru stated, her head sharply turning towards Takaishi after looking up from the floor. Takaishi found himself slightly startled, perhaps even jumpscared.

“S-Sure! What… What is it?”


It was an extremely embarrassing idea. But perhaps, if she went along with the “narrative”… Something might happen? It was a long shot. But Kaoru only had long shots this time around.

With his hands in his pockets, Takaishi tapped the floor with his foot somewhat impatiently in front of the changing room doors as he looked around the colourful boutique, all the while garnering strange looks from women and girls. He didn’t have the heart to try and explain the situation — Somehow, what was supposed to be a Student Council investigation… Wasn’t, and he found himself with one of the Council members, who was now… Bringing him along to try clothes on.

He wondered if girls are always like this, or perhaps, if Kaoru, the super detective, had planned all of this just to be alone with him? It was a nice thought, but it couldn’t be. Why would she want to be with him? All those sparks that Takaishi felt back at the courtyard — He was clearly overthinking it. Madoka would surely show up at any time, and he’d probably have to fight some kind of enemy for the upteenth time—

“How… Do I look?”

In a sight that completely floored Takaishi, Kaoru emerged from the changing room in a bright yellow sundress. For someone that attempted to draw all attention away from herself, in that moment, Takaishi was stunned by her.

Kaoru furrowed her brow. “S-Say something. You’re staring again.”

“S-Sorry. It’s just… I hadn’t seen you without your glasses before.”

“Huh?”

It wasn’t just the dress.

In a rather missable mistake, Kaoru had forgotten her glasses — momentarily neglecting her façade of shortsightedness —, revealing her intense, deep red eyes. In the span of a second, Kaoru’s face, too, became a deep red as she covered her face in shame with her hands.

“C-Can you just tell me if you like the damn dress or not?!”

“Yes! I— I like it! You look cute!”

“I do?”

Butterflies in her stomach once again. Kaoru dropped her hands, sharing long, uncomfortable yet pleasant eye contact with Takaishi that felt like an eternity, despite lasting two seconds. Two seconds where she forgot to breathe.

Now Takaishi was the embarrassed one. In any case, he did find the situation endearing — And the fact that Kaoru was prompting him so often made it easier to say what was actually on his mind without skirting around it. However, the confusion over the point of the whole charade was still not resolved.

“Well… Yeah. It suits you. But — What’s all this for, again?”

Kaoru took one long, exasperated sigh. Takaishi was right — Madoka was no closer to appearing just because she did all this. In fact, now they were playing right into her game! She was ready to hang up the towel right then and there, and end the whole stupid game of cat and mouse.

“I - I don’t know. I thought maybe… Maybe Madoka would be there, and then I saw the dress, and — “ Kaoru didn’t want to explain her true intentions to Takaishi in order to both save face and save him the discomfort. She shook her head before hanging it low in shame.

“I don’t think she’s here. Maybe she got sick last minute or something. I should — You should go home, Kuroda-kun. I’m sorry for wasting your time —“

“Wait!”

Almost instinctively, Takaishi took Kaoru’s hands in his, dropping to her eye level. The sudden moment of surprise gave him
just the right opportunity to talk — For this part, he’d have to be brave. But once again, Takaishi didn’t even think about it.

“I’m gonna be honest… I’m having fun. With you, I mean. We’re just hanging around, but…”

Takaishi could plainly see just how far Kaoru’s eyes had widened without her fogged up glasses in the way.

“Are you serious? I’ve been trying to find Madoka, and you’re thinking about having fun?”

“Aren’t you having fun too? Bringing me along for shopping, and all?”

Kaoru stopped in her tracks, realising that her plan had backfired. Not because Takaishi misunderstood her — But because he was right. She couldn’t keep running from her feelings like this. Her first instinct, her first idea of a tactic to try and game the system, was to get Takaishi’s eyes on her. Her subconscious clamored for it. Not realising such a thing would just be plain dishonest.

“…yes. I suppose you’re right.”

Takaishi looked to the side with a little smile, somewhat relieved that Kaoru was sharing his sentiment.

“It’s a Saturday. And… Honestly? I have nothing better to do.”

“You mean you have nothing else to do?”

Kaoru could’ve sworn the next sentence out of Takaishi’s mouth had been scripted by Madoka somehow, in a twisted reference to Cyrano de Bergerac.

“I said better. I wanna spend a little while longer with you. Do you not want that?”

A wellspring of emotion erupted inside Kaoru. First, as a slow burn. Then, as a full-on volcanic rumble. It was then when Kaoru realised — If she was going to have this “date” thrown at her, and Takaishi was going along, she’d make sure at least Takaishi would have a good time. No — Might as well have a good time too. For her own sake.

Kaoru recovered her composure in record time, looking up into the eyes of Takaishi, who still loomed over her like a cliff over the sea. To the gardener’s credit, his words made her crack an honest smile.

“That must’ve taken courage to say, right?”

Takaishi scratched the back of his head. “W-Well yeah, actually. I don’t get to talk to people like this ofte—“

Kaoru cut him off, an enthusiasm jolting to life in her voice that Takaishi had never heard before.

“I’m — I’m gonna change back. I’ll come back for this one some other time. When I’m out, we’re having lunch.”

She vanished behind the door one more time.
The decisiveness, the drive — Takaishi was reminded of someone else he knew. Someone that inspired him to better, to be better. And he always did like that assertiveness about Kaoru, anyway.

“…Yes, ma’am!” He said, with a joking salute.


Kaoru and Takaishi sat in front of one another at a small-time diner, each enjoying separate choices of food. Takaishi had a fairly sizable udon bowl, while Kaoru settled on a fairly plain Caesar salad. For a time, they were both quite focused on their food. But it was Kaoru who broke the ice this time, taking initiative once again.

“How is it?”

Takaishi took a gulp of his noodles to avoid speaking with his mouth full. “O-Oh, it’s good. Has enough beef for my taste.” He took a look at Kaoru’s half-empty salad bowl. “How’s your salad?”

“It’s alright.” Kaoru took a bite from her fork, filling her mouth with lettuce and chicken bits before continuing. “I think my grandmother’s choice of dressing is more to my taste, though.”

Takaishi tilted his head, a curious smile forming on his lips. “That’s not much food, is it? Won’t you be hungry after?”

Kaoru shook her head. “I have to keep track of my calories, anyway.”

“You? You’re tracking your calories?”

“I don’t see how that’s shocking. I try to be a meticulous person.”

“N-No, I mean…” Takaishi looked for the right choice of words. “I don’t think you’re someone that has to worry about her weight.”

Kaoru adjusted her glasses as a light blush filled her face.

“What do you mean…?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you struggle much in gym class.”

“Yes, but… That’s not why I do it.”

Takaishi whispered an “oh” under his breath as he realised that Kaoru wanted to stay in shape – aesthetically.

This was a half-truth – With Takaishi right in front of her, Kaoru was certainly getting self-conscious, especially when people like Madoka and Ai were beside her every day in class. However, keeping in relatively valid shape was generally essential for her activities as Scarlet Senshi, since Idolon powers were only a boost to her own capabilities.

A veil of silence fell over the two lovebirds until this time, Takaishi was the one that shattered the glass.

“I don’t think you should worry about that kind of thing, either.”

Now that Kaoru was a little more used to the idea of compliments from Takaishi, no matter how much she had internalised her own feelings about that plain appearance she weaponised on the daily, Kaoru just smiled as she twirled idly with one of her side bangs.

“T-Thanks. I suppose.”

Takaishi, in truth, found that reluctance awfully cute. “You don’t really seem convinced…”

“Well, I’ll take it from you. You’re always in shape. You must know what you’re talking about.”

The flower-lover chuckled nervously, as flush rushed over his own face as well.

“H-Heh, well, you know… I don’t work out as diligently as my brother, really. I think we both got it from our dad.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe you.”

“Why, because I don’t go out fighting every day? Because I don’t do all the things people expect me to do?”

Kaoru shook her head, seeking to reinforce Takaishi rather than put him down.

“No, I mean… How do I say this…” Her true feelings leaked out, just this once. “You’re so careful. You have tact. I… Like that about you.”

“H-Hey, I don’t – I don’t know if that’s true. I just…” This was a true curveball for Takaishi, who was figuratively quaking in his boots. The pressure was on. “I guess I turned out different?”

“That doesn’t mean you’re less than anyone. You’ve done a lot of work with the Council, too. You’re selling yourself short.”

“You think they could make me an honorary member at this rate?”

Kaoru and Takaishi shared a genuine laugh, an infinitesimal fraction of time that filled both of them with warmth. The sight of Kaoru laughing – and the sound of that otherwise mature, level voice, laughing, rather than flatly listing numbers – was as rare and extraordinary to Takaishi as the most precious flower.

Kaoru forgot the last time she had actually laughed out loud. It felt like something she hadn’t done in months. The moment of comfort allowed her to continue the flow of the conversation in a similar wavelength, while poking fun at herself.

“You probably thought I couldn’t actually laugh, didn’t you?”

“Not that I didn’t… But it’s nice to see you smile, in any case.”

Once again, awkward silence washed over the situation as both lovebirds struggled to find something else to say, overcome with embarrassment. They returned to their food for some time, with idle chit-chat finding its way back to them from time to time.

“So…” Kaoru spoke up. “Would you like to do something else after this?”

“Sure,” replied Takaishi, already done with his udon. “What did you have in mind?”

Kaoru thought back to the Twinkle Times floor plan, which she took mental note of as she entered the building. The arcade called out to her – She was unaware of whether Takaishi dabbled much in video games, but at the very least, it was something she’d be keen on doing.

“I wanted to see the arcade. I haven’t been to one in ages.”

“You’re into games, Nagamine-chan? Didn’t take you for the type.”

“I tend to be too busy for them these days. But when I was younger, I definitely played often.”

“Not that I’m much of a gamer myself. But I’d love to see you in action.”

Once they were done with their lunch, Kaoru and Takaishi split the bill and headed for the arcade on the first floor. Someone, however, was watching – From two tables over, face covered by the menu.

…That went even better than expected!


The mall’s arcade was a bustling place full of kids and sweatlords alike, busting their asses equally on Space Invaders or KOF 98. As they entered the chirping, clicking and flickering halls – with Takaishi having to avoid knocking his head on the ceiling once or twice – Kaoru’s gaze turned with robotic precision as she practically dragged Takaishi from the wrist while frantically looking for something.

“So, uh…” Takaishi went along with this, finding the sudden burst of energy that Kaoru displayed endearing. “Where are we going?”

Almost as if an audible “ding” could’ve been heard coming from Kaoru’s head, she turned one more time, spotting something relevant. She stopped, and then approached the vacant arcade cabinet.

“Here. Final Fight.”

Takaishi stared the machine up and down – It seemed to be a comparatively old game, so Kaoru’s story matched up. He was left speechless as Kaoru punched in a few quarters in a very uncharacteristically eager fashion, before impatiently clicking a few buttons. For a moment, the character select screen remained on screen without Kaoru doing anything, before she turned her gaze to Takaishi.

“Huh? Did something happen to the game…?”

Kaoru tilted her head towards the screen, as if to signal Takaishi to stand next to her. “Come on, play with me.”

“O-Oh.” Takaishi shuffled over to Kaoru’s side awkwardly, trying not to glance at her too often – her intense face was fairly amusing – while he got acquainted with the button layout. “So, we can both play this?”

The bespectacled girl nodded. “Usually I like playing Guy, but if you want, you can be Guy.”

“I don’t really mind. That Haggar guy seems pretty cool.”

“Suit yourself. Just follow me, alright?”

The game started, and much to Takaishi’s surprise, Kaoru was an ace. Her orange ninja guy was blitzing through the enemies with little to no difficulty, while he was clumsily stumbling behind Kaoru’s lead, managing against the floods of enemies however he could.

“Pick up the ham, it heals you,” advised Kaoru, not taking her eyes off the screen.

“W-Will do.”

The first level whizzed by, with Kaoru handling most of the heavy lifting. Around the start of the second level, Takaishi found himself dying against one of the Poisons.

“Darn,” he lamented, watching as Kaoru didn’t take her eyes off the screen even then. “Uh… Guess I’m not too good at this. Sorry.”

Kaoru jolted her head towards Takaishi, before quickly stepping away from the machine and checking one of the pockets on her backpack. She took out a few more quarters and punched them into the player 2 slot before clicking Continue.

“We’re gonna beat this,” she announced emphatically.

“You don’t mind that I suck?”

Kaoru shook her head as she returned to her own side of the game, having taken a little damage. “I’ve actually never played this with another person other than my grandpa before. I may not show it, but I’m enjoying this.”

Takaishi smiled, feeling confident once again. “Hey, if you’re happy, I’m happy. You do your thing, I’ll be along for the ride. But… Let me punch in my own quarters next time, okay?”

The lovebirds went back to playing, catching the attention of one Junko Yuma, otherwise known by his self-appointed title of THE DARKNESS. After the incident at the Fancy Burger, despite successfully selling his soul to the mysterious Warlord Kakito, Junko had still lost his job, so he got a new one at the Twinkle Times mall arcade. It was a dream job at first – Until he realised that, as the janitor, he’d do everything BUT play games. Watching others playing all the games he wished he had time to play made Junko grow jealous and resentful of the arcade goers.

That guy over at Final Fight 1… He sucks! The girl beside him is doing all the work… Tch! It’s always the jocks that get the gamer girls! No, wait… Gamer girls don’t exist! She’s got to be a POSER! Which means, she’s CHEATING to impress him! How could he allow such PHILISTINES in HIS arcade?! THE DARKNESS’ holy ground?! Naturally, as soon as he showed himself as the SUPERIOR gamer, she’d clearly leave that oaf for HIM. That’s how it works.

Half an hour went by, and Kaoru and Takaishi had finally beaten Final Fight 1. The former didn’t even die a single time – While the latter had his fair share of falls. No matter what, Kaoru never seemed to judge Takaishi for his ability, or lack thereof.

“That was fun,” said Takaishi as he saw the credits of the game go by. Kaoru was looking straight at him… He tried not to be weird about it, but as soon as he noticed her smile, he too was reassured.

“Hey… Thanks. I had a great time.”

“I liked it too!” Takaishi candidly remarked. “Even if I kept dying all the time. Maybe we can play this again some other time?”

Kaoru’s danger sense flared up as they were interrupted by a wild neckbeard.

“Step aside,” said a nasal, cringe-inducing voice, as the grey-uniformed greaselord janitor put down his mop, unnecessarily staining the already moist carpet floor, before pushing Takaishi away from the arcade board. “Watch a REAL master in action!”

Kaoru didn’t recognise him straight away – But something in this guy was just naturally easy to hate. However, upon a closer look, her heart sank. This was the same guy she fought with Yaya at the Fancy Burger! Why did it have to be HIM?! Thankfully, he didn’t seem to recognise her.

Takaishi was indeed pushed away from the machine, but in usual Takaishi fashion, he didn’t even know what to say at first – The situation was just baffling. He didn’t want to pick a fight or anything of the sort, so he just… Stared in awe.

Kaoru, for one, wasn’t going to take that shit.

“Are you just going to let him get away with that?”

“I–” Takaishi considered it. It wasn’t as much a question of bravery, as it was an intention of avoiding a scene. “That was rude, but we don’t have to make a mountain out of a –”

Before he could say another word, Kaoru was already approaching Junko with tightly closed fists.

Despite the fact that he had already punched in a quarter and was actually performing a – for the time – quite impressive Final Fight 1 speedrun, neither Kaoru nor Takaishi were particularly paying attention to his gameplay. Instead, a quite irate Kaoru tapped Junko on the back with an accusatory finger.

“What is it, chick?” He said, not taking his sleazy gaze away from the game.

The fire in Kaoru’s eyes shone like sunbeams through her glasses, almost searing holes into Junko’s.

“Apologise to him.”

Junko actually diverted his gaze to her for a second, before scoffing as he went back to his speedrun. “Pshh. What are you doing with a guy like him? You’re not that bad at this game, I mean, you’re never gonna beat a speedrunner like me, but girls who play games can’t be with oafs like THAT guy!”

“Nagamine-chan…” Takaishi rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, not paying any mind to Junko’s scathing words. “You really don’t have to do this for me –”

Kaoru held up a hand, as if to tell Takaishi to let her do this.

“I don’t give a shit about whatever you’re saying. You pushed him. Apologise.
Seeing Kaoru this fired up was truly a sight to behold. Takaishi remembered the old saying, “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”... Or something like that. It was clear that every rose did indeed have its thorns.

“You and what army?” Junko chuckled at himself as he beat another level on –for the time– WR pace. “I bet you can’t even beat me at the original World Warrior.”

Kaoru looked over at one of the nearby cabinets – Street Fighter 2, in its original edition, The World Warrior. She had played a couple of times years ago, but she never took to versus fighters as well as she did beat-’em-ups. Regardless, she wasn’t willing to go down without a fight, in the Idea World or this one.

“Fine. If I win, you leave us alone.”

A shameless, cringy crow smile twisted in Junko’s face as he turned away from the cabinet. Yes, that’s it! A direct show of dominance! If he beats her, and then beats the other guy – She’ll clearly leave that meathead for him! What could she possibly know about World Warrior? That’s where TRUE masters are settled – Super Turbo was far too noob-friendly!

“Are you really going to do this for me…?” Takaishi considered challenging the guy himself, but Kaoru seemed determined to try after all. After seeing her determined nod, he shrugged, letting her go along with it.

Kaoru and THE DARKNESS took their places at the cabinet. They first selected their characters. Junko went for the DARKEST character he had access to in World Warrior, the most evil, VILE of them all… Blanka. Only then did Kaoru realise that she was most likely way in over her head, but she remembered something…

Off-handedly, she had heard Momofuku discuss Street Fighter in class before, or rather Kaoru took special note of Momofuku whenever she actually showed up to class. Momofuku actually did seem well-versed in fighting games, and she had occasionally brought up to Madoka how “broken” Chun-Li was. If memory served her right, “broken” was a slang term for “overpowered”. Kaoru made her choice.

Kaoru didn’t know, however, that Momofuku was, in fact, talking about how broken Chun-Li was… In another game, that being Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike.

“I’d wish you good luck, but not even that will help you,” smugly remarked THE DARKNESS. Kaoru did not reply.

The first round was a swift Junko victory, as he spammed Blanka’s rolled-up ball for a quick and easy win over a novice like Kaoru. He cackled while Kaoru rolled her eyes.

“Told you it was futile,” taunted THE DARKNESS. Kaoru wondered if she was actually in over her head after all – She didn’t have much of a chance. But after remembering what Junko had done, both this time and last time… She knew failing Takaishi now was out of the question.

As the second round opened, Kaoru employed the forbidden newbie technique – mashing. She walked forward, and out of pure coincidence, learned how to mash out Lightning Kicks, forcing Junko to stay still as he blocked right in her face.

“Tch – Lucky!” He protested. “You’re only in this position because of proximity block! T-This game’s freaking broken!”

Author’s note: Proximity block is a mechanic in most 2D fighting games. It involves a character entering a blocking state, where they are immobile, automatically if they are close enough to the opponent when the opponent uses an attack. In most 2D fighting games, blocking is usually done by moving the stick backwards. In the original version of Street Fighter 2 (Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior), Chun-Li’s Lightning Kicks special move can be performed indefinitely if the player keeps mashing continuously. Combined with proximity block, if a player uses Lightning Kicks at a precise distance from the opponent to trigger proximity block, it is possible to lock your opponent in place until they stop blocking, forcing them to either become entirely immobile or take a direct attack once they stop blocking.

Another slang use for “broken”... Kaoru would have to note that one. What was actually relevant was the fact that this move worked – And due to some kind of bug, or quirk of the game, Kaoru reasoned that her opponent was forced to stay where he was, essentially locking him out of all of his options. Gears started turning in her head.

Carefully blocking a few Blanka Balls, Kaoru made her way over to Blanka once again and mashed out a few low kicks, getting a life lead before immediately mashing Lightning Kicks, forcing Junko to lose the second round by time out.

“This game fucking SUCKS!!!” Junko slammed the arcade board after witnessing his loss. Kaoru wasn’t even reacting to him – She was focused on the third round.

The third round, predictably so, went almost the same way – Except for the fact that Junko kept whining all the time, fumbling his own moves again and again. By that time, Kaoru’s danger sense had adapted to aiding her actual in-game reactions, leading her to not only getting another early life lead, but one where she took no damage at all. With another use of Lightning Kicks, Junko was, once again, out of options.

“Damnit – Stupid game – Why does my electricity not come out?! T-That’s a noob trap! THAT CLEARLY HIT!!! HITBOX?!?! That’s DISJOINTED as ALL HELL!!!”

In his frantic mashing, a desperate attempt to somehow break out of the proximity block state, Junko stopped blocking – taking the full brunt of Chun-Li’s Lightning Kicks, as THE DARKNESS was taken down, marking the end of Round 3.

PLAYER 2 WIN!!!
PERFECT!!!

Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief, having clutched out an insane win against a master by exploiting flawed game mechanics. Junko fumed and seethed at the other end of the machine, not paying any mind to Kaoru as she respectably bowed, as to mimic her in-game character, before returning to Takaishi’s side.

“Wow,” said Takaishi, almost as out of breath as Kaoru was. Watching that was just as intense to him as playing was for her. “I can’t believe you won! How did you do that?”

The amateur detective shrugged with a smirk. “Seems like a supposed “master” couldn’t beat a newbie after all.”

Junko stepped away from the machine to continue his tirade. “This slow-ass game SUCKS ASS, and my hands were sweaty so the inputs weren’t working! You were just lucky, like all newbies! If we were playing Alpha 2, you’d know what’s what!”

“That sounds like you lose to newbies often, dude,” joked Takaishi.

“You know NOTHING, you dumb JOCK! Games weren’t meant for the likes of you, anyway!”

Kaoru didn’t seem phased. “I don’t care. I won. Now leave us alone.

“Pshh, sure, whatever. You’re making a big mistake, dating an unskilled oaf like him!”

Feeling suddenly intimidated out of nowhere, THE DARKNESS scurried off, slinking back into… Well… The darkness. Kaoru and Takaishi, on the other hand, just awkwardly looked at each other.

“We’re not–” They protested in unison, but by the time they could finish the sentence, Junko was gone.

Kaoru sighed. “Let’s just go somewhere else.”


The next two hours played like a stereotypical romcom cliché checklist. First, Kaoru and Takaishi found a photo booth. After another happy couple stepped out of it, almost comedically giggling like a scene straight out of a romcom, the treasurer and the gardener looked at each other. It was Takaishi who convinced Kaoru to try it, with the ulterior motive of keeping a little memory for himself – It was rare enough to see her smile, after all. She was a little awkward about it, but they had an overall good time.

Next, they took a break at a nearby snack bar. In an odd coincidence, Kaoru found that the vendor once again had some kind of couples’ bonus – Madoka surely couldn’t be too far away. But how could she get a hold of the gyaru in such a large mall?

“Hey, Nagamine-chan?” Takaishi asked. Kaoru replied with a “hm?”, giving him the green light to proceed. “I was wondering… What do you need the backpack for?”

“Detective stuff,” Kaoru replied without missing a beat. She had that answer loaded in the chamber all day.

Takaishi’s curiosity wasn’t yet vanquished. “Oh… Can I see?”

That’s where her backup plan came in. Kaoru opened a side pocket, revealing a blacklight.

“This is a blacklight. It can make some substances glow when you shine it on them. Useful for finding precise evidence.”

“That’s cool,” Takaishi spoke with mild excitement. “You sure are prepared for everything, aren’t you?”

Kaoru modestly smiled with a hint of smugness as she put the blacklight back in the pocket it came from, not revealing just how correct Takaishi actually was about her.


Now, what to do? Kaoru and Takaishi enjoyed their snacks in silence for a time.

As Kaoru stared into the distance, she spotted an escalator to the cinema at the top floor. Something called out to her… The posters! Was that a showing of Godzilla 2000, in roughly twenty minutes?

A light bulb went off.

“Hey, Kuroda-kun.” Kaoru called over to Takaishi, who had his mouth full with a pretzel. “It’s not too late yet, is it?”

Takaishi swallowed, and checked the nearby clock on the wall. “It’s just around 5 PM… Something on your mind?”

“I didn’t know this cinema was still playing Godzilla 2000. I didn’t get to see it when it came out.”

“You’ve had a few months… Hey, you actually like those movies?”

Kaoru nodded. “My grandpa’s a huge fan. I checked, and the next show's at 5:25.”

“Really?!” Takaishi’s eyes widened, finding himself startled as he scrambled to get his jacket off of the chair. “We better get there in time for popcorn!”


The plan was simple. A show room is an enclosed space. If Madoka was going to force some kind of romantic situation between Kaoru and Takaishi during their movie, she’d have to be in the room with them. A room was a far smaller space to scan for faces, in comparison to an entire mall. Not just that – There was a chance that the room wouldn’t be highly packed, considering the film had come out November of last year.

It was a trap.

The screening room was cast in shadow, as a few die-hard fans had still made their way to this particular showing. In fact, as Kaoru entered the show room, a very slight shiver ran through her shoulders. Danger sense? Here? Unlikely – But that feeling was archived in the back of her mind for later use.

Takaishi shuffled awkwardly between the seats, attempting to keep his popcorn balanced in his big hands. Kaoru noted just how good his balance was, when anyone else would’ve otherwise dropped the popcorn minutes ago. She wondered if he took the same care with potted plants.

They made it just in time. Kaoru and Takaishi took their seats next to each other as the trailers started rolling in. Takaishi placed the popcorn on his lap as Kaoru handed him his soda. She wasn’t hungry.

During the film, Kaoru and Takaishi exchanged momentary glances at each other. Both their minds raced – Each, with their own intrusive thoughts.

”You’re really at the cinema with a girl, huh, Takaishi?” He thought to himself, awkwardly looking at the very focused Kaoru, whose round spectacles reflected the silver screen, and whose blank expression now showed immense focus. Was she enjoying the movie that much? Takaishi wondered how he ended up here, having spent the entire day with a girl from school who, by all means, was always this somewhat distant figure – always kept at arm’s length from him by the Student Council’s air of importance. Albeit, Kaoru was keen on flowers enough to actually spend time with him every once in a while.

In that moment of eternity, Takaishi remembered that – for all he knew – Kaoru was the only non-Awakened member of the Council. Someone so determined, so brilliant, so… Fragile was sitting beside him. She chose to spend her time with him because he said something mushy on a whim. They both forgot the initial purpose why they were called there, and the rest was history. As the small girl with the sharp blue bangs and the fogged up glasses kept him company, Takaishi saw the fragility in the thorny rose that was Kaoru. She laughed with him, she stood up to others for him and saw all this good in him – What for? For this coward? This guy that got lucky once or twice, and was only learning to fight his fears?

Could Takaishi really believe that she actually liked him? Or was it all some sick misunderstanding? Could he… Like her in earnest? Was that something he was worthy of?

No. She was too good for him.

What was he thinking? That couldn’t be. She clearly wasn’t into him – Not with Shu around. Or Ran. Or just about anyone who had guts. This was all some kind of pity party, a way to make up for a mistake Madoka made when she called him. Surely.

When she made sure he wasn’t looking, Kaoru returned the looks. What was she doing? Wasting her time with this boy… When she could be out there tracking down the Kirigawa Nightmare, or finding out who’s been contacting Ai, or finding more information on the Fuzukawa lead she had about the roofies – Anything! But instead, there she was, at the cinema with a boy. Blakeney had been strangely silent all day. He was most likely leaving them space to be alone… Kaoru had enjoyed the “date”, as wrong as it felt for her to do, anyway.

Takaishi… He wasn’t reckless, like Shu, or mindless, like other sports types. His large, calloused hands were gentle and kind. His eyes rolled with calm, like the dark waters at night bathed in moonlight. When she was with him, even if Takaishi could be a hesitant person most of the time, Kaoru felt like everything was going to be alright. As much as she drove him to be proactive, he drove her to be vulnerable.

But was that something she could do? Bring down her walls, and expose her bare heart? Would Takaishi like such a plain, unexciting girl… No, such a broken girl, like her? Someone who would always look nervously behind her back, and carry a burden that he shouldn’t have to shoulder for her?

No. He was too good for her.

At one point, their gazes crossed. Kaoru and Takaishi had stopped paying attention to the massive alien Orga, as it attempted to devour Godzilla with its gigantic mouth over a dilapidated Tokyo. In the second that their eyes shimmered in each other’s eyes, they felt a moment of starlight.

It was too good to be true… But perhaps, for a moment, one that surely wouldn’t last, but one that would most likely never show itself ever again, they could pretend that loving each other was possible.

The instant was broken by a sudden shimmer as Kaoru felt her shoulders lightly tapped from above. She yelped in surprise, accidentally falling into the arms of Takaishi right as Godzilla fired his atomic breath into Orga’s maw, obliterating the alien foe from the inside. To Takaishi, it just seemed like Kaoru had been startled by the movie. He got an even closer look as he gently embraced her, with Kaoru’s glasses almost falling from the bridge of her nose, partially revealing her scarlet eyes.

“You okay? It’s just a movie…”

Kaoru took a deep breath, regaining her composure as she very awkwardly got off from him and got back in her seat.

“It was… Something else,” she whispered.

Indeed it was. Kaoru was quick to realise how her danger sense hadn’t been alerted by whatever had scared her. She looked up at the row above her… There was only one person. Someone a few seats away from the seat above her. Hoodie over her head, face mask over her mouth and nose. Were those sunglasses… Indoors?

What a half-baked disguise, Madoka.


As the credits rolled, and the few people that had made it to the screening started to leave, Kaoru was the first to get off her seat. Her expression unreadable as ever, she made a sharp turn for the row above.

“What a movie, huh?” Takaishi turned his head, still eating the remains of his popcorn bucket. He expected Kaoru to reply, but she was gone – She seemed to approach someone one row higher.

“What are you doing?” Takaishi followed Kaoru, who was already closing in on the hoodie-wearing mystery person. The detective didn’t seem particularly phased as the hooded masked girl shifted in her seat.

“The game’s up, Madoka,” she flatly declared. “You can drop the act.”

Takaishi’s eyes widened in shock as the hooded person sighed a long sigh, raising her hoodie to reveal Madoka’s characteristic blonde side tail before removing the rest of her disguise – Not even makeup?! She didn’t even need all that, she looked like an entirely different person already!

Madoka shrugged her shoulders with a smile of defeat. “Should’ve guessed you’d catch me eventually, detective Kaoru! What gave me away?”

Kaoru rolled her eyes, ready to answer, before remembering she couldn’t actually mention her danger sense. She shifted the words in her mind to provide a more blanket answer.

“I figured you’d follow us in here,” said Kaoru as she tapped her foot impatiently. “There wouldn’t be too many people to suspect while investigating this whole… Ehem. Matchmaking scheme.”

“Matchmaking?!” Takaishi looked at Kaoru, then at Madoka. “W-Wait, so you set this up?”

Madoka chuckled nervously. “Kaoru wasn’t in on it, I promise! I just…” The gyaru twirled with her hair in something resembling a stim. “You two are so cute together! Like, oh my gosh!”

Takaishi tilted his head in confusion, expecting Kaoru to explain. She sighed in exasperation.

“Remember the cotton candy vendor? The photo booth? All the “couples’ discounts” we’ve been getting all day? …I presume Madoka had a hand in it.”

“I just approached the people I felt like might want to help out!” Madoka modestly excused herself. “Kaoru, you’re so high-strung. I wanted you to have a fun day with a boy for once!”

“Wait… Why me?” Takaishi asked, with a mix of confusion and fear. He dreaded the revelation that it was all a prank meant to give him hope, just to take it away from him.

“Because–”

Kaoru’s death stare was enough to deter Madoka from running her mouth.

“...Because I thought you’d be a good fit?”

Kaoru sighed once again, now somewhat more relaxed. The anger still remained, boiling inside her, but recognising Takaishi’s feelings, she turned to him.

“Kuroda-kun, for all it’s worth, I actually really enjoyed our time together. Thanks… For everything.”

“Me too. Thanks for… Making something out of this weird ordeal for me.”

“N-No, I… You talked me into it, anyway. I should be the one thanking you for –”

Another voice cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.

“So you get TWO GIRLS?!?”

Kaoru’s danger sense spiked as she was the first one to turn her head, immediately wincing at the sight of Junko, still in his arcade uniform, as he angrily approached them with an irate spark in his eyes.

“H-Hey, it’s not like that –” Takaishi tried to explain, but he knew there was no use talking to this guy. “Get a life, man.”

THE DARKNESS wouldn’t take no for an answer. “People like you DISGUST me! Oh, not just you, oaf – You two! You’d rather share a big dog than settle for a gentleman gamer such as myself!”

“W-What’s this guy saying…?” Madoka was very notably confused. Kaoru just shook her head, almost as if to tell her not to pay mind to whatever Junko said.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on your shift?” Kaoru asked with a very slight hint of spicy, sarcastic vitriol in her voice.

Madoka was still in the dark. “You know this guy, Kaoru…?”

Junko scoffed, dropping his black cap on the floor. “They fired me for playing on the job. IDIOTS!! What did they expect THE DARKNESS to do when he’s surrounded by GAMES all day?!”

“Sounds like it was your fault,” Takaishi slapped back.

The comeback made something inside Junko snap.

“I’ll teach YOU to mess with a gamer… Now you’re in MY world, asshole!!”

Kaoru’s danger sense picked up, even sharper than before.

Junko roared with rage as, much to the horror of all three, he exuded negative energy from all around him in a red aura that created a Bleeding Zone inside the empty screening room, as he transformed into a reddish version of himself engulfed in crimson fire.

Kaoru knew immediately that this was something he should NOT be able to do. He didn’t do it last time – Therefore, something, or someone, was granting him the opportunity to do this.

Madoka perked up with shock. “An Idolon user?!” She looked to Takaishi, as Kukurihime began to form over her. Takaishi’s Idolon appeared next to him as well, standing by.

If Kaoru didn’t act fast… She’d be next.

Feigning drowsiness, albeit with her heart pumping at full throttle in her ribcage, she made her getaway.

“I– “ She noticed Kukurihime’s concerned eyes on her. “I’M FRIENDS WITH SCARLET SENSHI!”

“Huh?!” Takaishi looked at Kaoru as she started to back off. “Really?”

“S-She’ll get me! I’ll be fine!” Kaoru ran off towards the upper exit, leaving Kukurihime and Takaishi to stare down Red Darkness.

The irate gamer flared with mystical might, facing a musclebound oaf that didn’t deserve his luck with the girls, and some kind of fox woman straight out of an anime. They were both Idolon users?! Unlucky, but a fight wasn’t unwelcome.The other girl, the one that beat her at Street Fighter 2, had already left – So be it! She’d pay next.

“We don’t have to fight!” Said Kukurihime, attempting to make peace with Red Darkness before jumping straight into a battle. “It is all for naught – All but a misunderstanding!”

“Don’t talk pretty to me, furry!” Replied the otaku as he drew two dark lightsabers – Yes, straight out of Star Wars. If Junko were reading this story, he’d correct the narrator by explaining they were in fact copies of the Mandalorian darksaber. Red Darkness leapt towards Takaishi, spinning in the air much like Sheev Palpatine himself as he began the attack.

“FALL BY THE HAND OF RED DARKNESS!”

Takaishi sensed the danger fast enough to roll out of the way, showing good reactions – in contrast to Kaoru’s fully developed danger sense –, reacting just in time to the other two lightsaber swings. Takaishi began feeling the beat of battle take over him in what was certainly a first.

This was just one guy. In fact, he was at a disadvantage – two against one. He shouldn’t sleep in his laurels, but for all intents and purposes, there was no reason to back down.

“Fool!” Kukurihime lamented, knowing she’d have to use force in a battle that had odds much in her and Takaishi’s favour. “Stand down!”

Not wanting to go too hard on Junko, Kukurihime summoned a wave of Shikigami at him. The flying paper helpers sliced through the air as they threatened to cut Red Darkness, but the crimson nerd pushed them away with pure psionic force – Yes, like a force push. Many Shikigami were sent floating away, but some others slipped through the cracks and gave Red Darkness a few painful cuts on his arms.

“Tch – You DARE oppose the DARK HERO, Red Darkness?!”

“If I must!” Kukurihime charged a ball of white blinding light, before firing several sparkling energy blasts at Red Darkness from above. Red Darkness moved faster than the eye could see, becoming temporarily intangible, before slicing Kukurihime’s sleeve superficially with one of his DARK blades, in a move that would otherwise be trauma-triggering in the real world!

“Madoka!” Takaishi wasn’t fast enough to react this time – But now he was mad. Displaying supernatural speed of his own, Takaishi dashed in the air and cornered Red Darkness as he sent a Superman punch through his many-armed Idolon straight into the rogue Idolon user’s jaw, knocking him into the wall. The blow was mighty intense, shaking the whole room.

Red Darkness wouldn’t go out without a fight, as he summoned a DARK, shadowy apparition of Yoshi– Yes, Yoshi from Super Mario, you read that right – before sending it right into Takaishi. Yoshi headbutted Takaishi, who was protected by Nameless in the nick of time. Red Darkness used the opportunity to mount Yoshi, riding him down the stairs as he chased the falling Takaishi.

Takaishi rolled with grace towards one of the lower rows, expecting Red Darkness’ advance with actual frustration this time. This guy was so punchable in a way he had never considered he could hate someone before. Or rather, he found himself motivated by external force – Madoka?!

Kukurihime stretched a hand towards Takaishi, empowering him with mystical energy. He felt stronger and sharper, especially then, as he watched Red Darkness toss one of his darksabers straight at him in slow motion. Takaishi ducked behind a chair, the plasma energy slicing through the seat’s fabric and narrowly missing Takaishi’s head before Nameless caught the darksaber’s hilt firmly in its hand. With its connection severed from Red Darkness, the weapon disappeared, leaving Junko with only one weapon.

“Even with one blade, I, Red Darkness, shall vanquish the ignorant rabble!”

Red Darkness leapt, performing a double jump as he jumped off of Yoshi – much like in the actual games – to perform a landing punch, but Takaishi caught it, massively outperforming Junko in strength, before slamming Red Darkness hard into the carpeted stairs.

“Vanquish THIS!”

Takaishi didn’t lose his chance, pouncing on Red Darkness and smashing a left hook on his Red Dark jaw. He would’ve thrown another one, but the DARK HERO force-pushed him out of the way into the stairs below.

Without another thought, Red Darkness tossed his remaining darksaber towards Kukurihime, who was still focusing on buffing Takaishi…

…until a spinning storm of magical leaves caught the blade, making it drift away just in time!

Takaishi, Kukurihime and Red Darkness all watched as the watcher of the watchmen, Scarlet Senshi herself, teleported into the scene with a Garganta, her back turned to everyone as her torn red scarf blew in the… nonexistent wind?

“AHA!” Red Darkness piped up, almost as if he was meeting an old friend after a long time. “We meet again, my fellow Dark Hero! Pay no mind to these heathens – Let our battle be LEGENDARY!”

…in reality, the rivalry was extremely one-sided, as Scarlet Senshi didn’t even provide a one-liner back, ignoring Junko entirely.

“Kukurihime!” Exclaimed the sentai heroine. “Dispose of this weapon of evil!”

The tornado of magical leaves dispersed as Kukurihime performed quick hand signs, summoning a Yata Mirror that sucked up the remaining darksaber, truncating Red Darkness’ attack.

Junko was only temporarily disarmed – But summoning new darksabers would take time. He protested, attempting one more wild attempt at taking out his anger on that asshole jock that took all the girls for himself. He howled, with a blood red, DARK aura surging around him as he lashed out.

“RAAAAGH!” Roared Red Darkness, calling Yoshi back to him as he rushed towards Scarlet Senshi up the stairs. The heroine vanished in a whirlwind of leaves that slashed at Red Darkness, before reappearing right behind him. Red Darkness was fast, sending his hand forward to perform another force push, but sensing ahead, Scarlet Senshi spun out of the way before dropkicking Red Darkness in the back – leaving an exposed energy crack that sent intense waves of spiritual pain all over Junko!

“GAH!!! Why must you reject your Dark Fate so, Dark Hero?! We are cut from the same DARK cloth!”

“We are nothing alike,” said Scarlet Senshi. Kaoru was really losing her patience with this cretin, but kicking him in the back was a fantastic feeling. “You will always fall in the presence of true allies of justice!”

“Scarlet Senshi! Over here!” Takaishi made his way over to their side of the fight, wasting no time as Nameless used Junko’s distraction to unfurl all its arms and land a tremendous barrage of punches to the back, sending him flying down the stairs…

…before being sucked up by Kukurihime, who was now positioned at the bottom of the screening room, using her Yata Mirror to keep Red Darkness trapped against his will!

“Yield at once, fool!” She reprimanded him. “You are outnumbered and outmatched! It’s for your own good!”

Takaishi and Scarlet Senshi made their way down, backing up Kukurihime as all three of them surrounded the restrained Red Darkness. The Dark Hero struggled, protested, whined – There was nothing else to do.

“Tch – You’ll know what a Dark Hero is truly capable of next time…” He half-heartedly threatened, as some otherworldly force pulled him out of the battle in a flash of… Dark? He left behind only some Idolon Materials.

The Bleeding Zone remained for the time being, but the battle was over. All three allies of justice breathed a collective sigh of relief, as the usual post-battle customs set into place.

“Thank you for the help, Scarlet Senshi and Kuroda Takaishi-kun. I must focus on dispelling the Bleeding Zone now.”

Kukurihime took a bow, as she began the Negacion casting process. That left Scarlet Senshi and Takaishi alone for the moment. She turned to him, her aloof nature mystifying the winded Takaishi.

“You fought well, Kuroda Takaishi,” she spoke. “Until we meet again.”

“H-Hey, wait!”

Scarlet Senshi turned to leave, but before she could make her escape, Takaishi grabbed her costumed arm in a sudden move she didn’t expect. Scarlet Senshi saw a look of awkward resignation in Takaishi’s eyes, almost as if he struggled to say something.

“Something the matter?”

“I…” Takaishi awkwardly held one of his arms with the other. “I need your advice.”

Scarlet Senshi tilted her head with curiosity. “...what for?”

Takaishi swallowed some phlegm and just spit it out.

“Okay, so– You’re friends with Nagamine-chan, right? I– I LIKE HER! And… I think maybe she might like me?”

Takaishi kept mumbling about how that couldn’t be possible while Kaoru fell into a spiral of absolute disbelief, like a giant kraken pulling down ships to the bottom of the sea. Somehow, in every conceivable opportunity, Takaishi said the boldest thing possible without even realising it.

And there it was again. Butterflies, fluttering painfully in her stomach, with spiky, lacerating wings. Having her feelings returned shouldn’t hurt this much.

“So, I need to know… How do I tell her? How do I gather that courage, and walk into the fire like you always do?”

Kaoru blinked back to life as she recovered her composure and comedically heroic demeanour, quickly gathering her thoughts on how she’d like to handle the situation.

“I– You… You should tell her the truth! The entire truth about how you feel, and– Why you feel that way. It’s a kind of courage that’s different from staring down an enemy. If you really feel that way for Nagamine Kaoru, you must be brave enough to be honest and truthful!”

Takaishi took a deep breath, expecting a more flavoury answer about how a girl would like to be confessed to, but he figured that a straightforward, no-nonsense heroine like Scarlet Senshi would say something like that.

Although, Kaoru never mentioned being friends with Scarlet Senshi before…

“Yes! I– I’ll try to do that…”

Scarlet Senshi nodded, blushing profusely under the helmet as she prayed to any possible gods that it wouldn’t show.

“V-Very good. N-Now, you should— You should head out, and make sure no one else was caught in the attack!”

“Will do! See you next time!”

Takaishi took the emergency exit, wasting no time in looking for any possible traces of hurt people right outside the screening room as Kukurihime was almost done in dispelling the Bleeding Zone. Kaoru noticed Blakeney’s ring vanishing off her left hand as the waves of mystic darkness vanished, leaving her alone in the room with Madoka. She tried to leave too, before finding herself interrupted by the gyaru.

“Scarlet Senshi!” Madoka grabbed a hold of Kaoru’s costumed hand. “Thanks for the save! You were so cool, like always!”

“I– Yes, well– I should leave—”

“Wait!” Madoka was too quick on the uptake. A supreme danger, especially if she could peek into the vulnerable Kaoru inside the costume even for one second. “I heard… You’re friends with Kaoru?!”

Hesitating before doing so, Scarlet Senshi only gave a slow nod.

“Look, I REALLY have to apologise to her! I set up this whole thing – She likes this boy, and well–”

Kaoru’s patience was starting to hit critical mass as her impulses to just blow up like a tea kettle kept rising. She started exhaling hard through her nose, realising that Madoka wasn’t going to just leave her alone.

“You really have to keep making this hard for me, don’t you, Madoka?!”

Madoka slowed down, not expecting that line from the heroic and upbeat Scarlet Senshi.

“H-Huh? You know my name…?”

Kaoru held her head as a migraine came on. She felt the whole world circle in on her as she knew the mask was irreversibly slipping. One thing, then another, then another. An embarrassing date, a frustrating fight, a massive shake-up in the form of an accidental romantic confession, and now Madoka was holding her up once again. Kaoru’s frustration rose to a fever pitch as she felt the mask slip, once and for all.

“D-DAMNIT, MADOKA!! I’M SCARLET SENSHI!!”

In an instinctual move, Kaoru took off the helmet, revealing her eyes to Madoka once again as they both made shocked eye contact.

Madoka was floored – She held her breath, covering her mouth as she witnessed her friend’s face come out from under that black helmet, as she wore that spiky motorcycle costume, and that expression… She was at her wits’ end.

“K-Kaoru…?!”

The surprise was just as overwhelming to Madoka, who could only mumble her friend’s name in utter shock. Only then, did the reality of what she just did come crashing down on Kaoru.

One more person had broken through the riddle.

THE END

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Pub: 10 Dec 2025 01:20 UTC

Edit: 28 Dec 2025 11:02 UTC

Views: 103