Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

[ ... this is the best day ever. ]

Well, I didn't make it or anything... [ but she's so happy. ]

[discard]

Even so, I appreciate it.

[HE'S TRYING REALLY HARD TO BE SINCERE, JUST ACCEPT IT...]

That is... all of this is--I am grateful for it.

[mombastic]

... Then I'm glad. But keep in mind, I'll be properly prepared for next year.

[ More time to prepare!! ]

[discard]

[... Mom.]

There is no need for that.

[mombastic]

There's every need for that! It's a very important day to me!

[discard]

It... it is merely another day, Otome.

[He's so flustered by this!!]

[mombastic]

Mm-mm... the day you were born is something precious, Leon. [ shaking her head. ] Don't let anyone tell you differently.

[discard]

[It wasn't, he thinks.

At the time, it wasn't precious, and for so long after, it wasn't precious either.

But today... today, it might actually be precious to someone. And that...that means something. He swallows, ducking his head a little.]

I... I see. Then...

[A slow breath.]

I will look forward to next year.

[mombastic]

I will, as well! [ .... no seriously, look how pumped she is. She's very excited for this. ]

[discard]

[....she's so pumped.]

But I do have one condition.

[mombastic]

...? What is it?

[ Well, it'll probably be reasonable. ]

[discard]

[He tries to be reasonable.]

When is your birthday?

[mombastic]

September 9th-- ah.

[ ... So that's where he's going. ]

[discard]

[And at that, he nods.]

Very well then.

[If she's going to celebrate his birthday, he's going to celebrate hers. So there!!]

That is my condition, and now I am satisfied.

[mombastic]

I should have expected that from you... just remember, when my birthday happens, I want to do something together!

[discard]

Yes, yes.

[He waves a hand at that.]

It is not as though that will be too difficult. I had no intentions of planning anything where we would not be to--

[........ahem.]

... I will keep that in mind, rather.

[mombastic]

Thank you! I'll look forward to it even more now.

[mombastic]

[ It's taken some time, for things to calm down enough-- a lull in the fighting, where Otome can catch her breath and tend to the injured. And check on Leon, of course, who somehow never seems to be too far away. ]

... I was actually wondering... how did things with Stahn go?

[discard]

[Leon is definitely never too far away--he didn't come all the way to another world to not be near Otome.

(And when he's near Otome, Fumi makes fewer comments about dissecting him to see if his anatomy is the same as people from their world.)

But at that... he blinks.]

I believe we reached some sort of agreement before he left, if nothing else.

[mombastic]

An agreement?

[ ... well, yes, that sounds like Stahn, but-- ]

[discard]

[...]

I believe he complicated things once again. [A soft sigh.] Though he is surprisingly good at that, when the mood takes him, despite being such a simple person.

[getting warmer...]

[mombastic]

He... complicated-- you didn't have a fight, did you? That-- no, but you said an agreement...

[ Leon?? ]

[discard]

[Mom???]

No, we did not fight. [Sheesh!!] He simply kissed me and then he left, after promising to visit. He is such a sentimental, emotional fool. Promising to bring me things from our world, as if I would need them--

[Leon, you skipped right on over the most important part pretty quickly.]

[mombastic]

He--

[ Wait a second. ]

He kissed you??

[ HOW DOES SHE FEEL ABOUT THIS... her two sons kissing each other, although maybe if she regards one as a son-in-law... ]

[discard]

[Sorry mom.]

Ah.

[Leon blinks, a little startled by her surprise, and then he registers enough to be embarrassed, glancing away with a soft cough.]

...Yes. He did.

[... And Leon promised him that there'd be more when he gets there, if implicitly, so... that's sure not changing.]