Chapter Text
Sayaka’s apartment was not far from the school. Kirari knew this. She had helped Sayaka pick it out towards the end of their first year working together. It was not Kirari’s first choice, but Sayaka had insisted that being farther away or staying at a more expensive apartment would defeat the purpose of moving in the first place.
Initially, Sayaka commuted from her parent’s house, which was a good thirty minutes away by train. Her schedule as a secretary led to terribly late nights and very early mornings. While she was never late in the mornings, there were nights when Sayaka missed her train. When this happened, Kirari would take it upon herself to bring Sayaka home with her and share impromptu sleepovers.
“You have the devil's luck.” Ririka had said on one of those sleepovers. Sayaka had fallen asleep during a movie, and her head rested on Kirari’s shoulder. It was nonsense, of course. Benefiting from another's misfortune was a Momabami talent- One not unique to Kirari.
Besides, it was fun for everyone involved, not just Kirari. Sayaka often insisted on watching the movie Ririka had chosen, despite Kirari suggesting watching a movie in the first place. Sayaka indulged them and played board games that had been left untouched for years prior. There were only so many two-person games, and Ririka rarely tried. With their secretary around, the manor was filled with such boisterous noise that the silence left behind was almost suffocating in its familiarity.
Then their secretary became her secretary. Perhaps ironically, those sleepovers became more infrequent after Kirari had decided that she was in love with Sayaka Igarashi. Then, when Sayaka finally moved, the sleepovers had stopped altogether.
Because of this offense, Kirari had never bothered to visit before.
Today would change that fact. She followed Sayaka as the rain fell around them. Her grip on her umbrella was tight from the anticipation building in her with each step.
Sayaka, meanwhile, could hardly contain her nerves. She fidgeted as she pulled out her keys and missed her lock twice. “Now, President, I don’t want you to get your hopes too high. With how much work I bring home, it's practically an office. A small one.”
“Of course. Thank you for having me regardless.” Kirari said, giving her soon-to-be host a little curtsy.
It was less than graceful with her custom umbrella, but Sayaka smiled amusedly at her. With the raindrops dancing around her, the sight was breathtaking. Kirari never knew how something so small could do such wonderful things to her heart. With one last nod, Sayaka opened the door.
“Well, here we are, President. Shall I make you tea?”
Kirari shook her head as her eyes roamed the apartment’s length with childlike curiosity. The first thing she saw was the living room, complete with a loveseat, a small coffee table, and a double filing cabinet where the television would normally be. There was little evidence of Sayaka actually living in the apartment, save for a loose file on the table and a blanket left loose and unfolded on the couch.
Sayaka followed her gaze and began muttering out an apology. “Goodness, this place is a mess.” She said, her cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. Kirari watched, completely amused, as Sayaka rushed to fold the blanket.
She was beside her in two strides. “Sayaka,” Kirari laughed, setting her bag down "It is anything but.”
“B-But-”
Kirari’s hands wrapped around Sayaka’s waist. “Relax,” She whispered, resting her head against the back of Sayaka’s neck.
She felt Sayaka gasp and nod against her. Eventually, her secretary breathed in and allowed the tension in her body to melt away as she leaned into Kirari’s grasp. She could still smell the rain on them. But beneath that was that sweet floral scent of Sayaka’s perfume. She inhaled, allowing it to fill her lungs and cloud her mind. The effects were pleasantly intoxicating.
But she wanted more.
Kirari’s arms tightened around Sayaka as she held her more selfishly. She tilted her knee, brushing it against Sayaka’s leg lightly as she pressed a kiss to the exposed skin just above the uniform’s collar.
“K-Kirari!” Sayaka exclaimed, her body beginning to squirm against her own. Kirari held her in place, enjoying the jolt of excitement that coursed through her as a result.
“Hm?” Kirari kissed her again.
This was not her original intention. She wanted to explore the rest of the apartment. What sorts of dishes did Sayaka keep for herself? What pictures did she keep up? How was the bedroom decorated? Kirari still wanted to find these things out and see how Sayaka lived outside of her. But peppering the girl with shoulder kisses was fun as well. Devil’s luck, indeed.
“Was this your intention all along?” Sayaka scolded. It was undermined by her laughter. Somehow she successfully rotated in her grip and pressed a hand over Kirari’s assaulting lips.
Kirari met her gaze and licked her hand.
Being a creature of instinct, Sayaka squeaked and jumped backwards. Her foot twisted as it landed on Kirari’s bag, tripping Sayaka and sending them both tumbling down onto the loveseat. A position that she quickly took advantage of as she caged Sayaka within her arms.
"If your goal was to calm me down, you're doing a terrible job." Sayaka huffed, her cheeks pink.
"Well, this sort of thing is interesting as well."
"Interesting?" Sayaka shook her head and allowed herself to sink into the cushions. "You're going to be the death of me."
"We can't have that." Kirari mused, leaning her head ever closer. Their foreheads were touching, and it took all her self-control to wait for Sayaka to close the distance herself.
Kirari watched, mesmerized, as her Secretary built up the courage. Her hand shyly played with her braid and slowly moved to her cheeks. Kirari's heart ached as those shy fingers traced the shape of her jaw, only to rest lightly at the corner of her lips.
Sayaka was bewitched by the moment, her violet eyes looking at her with such tender affection that it almost felt wrong. Sayaka hesitated, her eyes trailing down toward her lips. Kirari was at her limit and was tilting her head to close the distance herself when something else caught Sayaka’s attention.
Kirari turned her head, following her girl’s gaze. Among the spilled contents of her bag was Sayaka’s stolen umbrella. She felt Sayaka stiffen beneath her, and the patter of the rain slamming against the window was suddenly deafening in the tiny room. So much for that Devil’s luck.
“So this was a scheme,” Sayaka said. Her tone was accusatory. The mood was effectively ruined, and Sayaka curled away from Kirari.
She let out a sigh and moved to sit beside her on the loveseat. “I simply wished to spend more time with you.”
“I see.”
Kirari watched in fascination as Sayaka’s face twisted with different emotions. Her brows knitted together in anguish at Kirari’s deception. She looked away with pouting lips and a blush that crept down her neck. Yet even flustered, she tried to scowl. Then finally, it seemed to settle into something akin to resignation.
“Then…. I suppose we can… continue until you're satisfied.”
Kirari blinked, her own face growing quite warm. She did not invite herself over to have her way with Sayaka. Yet what had she done the moment the door had closed behind them?
“I think I remember why we stopped having our little sleepovers.” Kirari laughed and kissed the top of Sayaka’s forehead. Sayaka pressed her lips together, likely confused. Or perhaps disappointed? The girl’s conflicting desires often made it hard to tell.
“After I moved here, there was never a need to do so. You’re busy, and I hated being a burden-”
“Sayaka.” Kirari warned.
Her secretary closed her lips and waited for Kirari to continue. “If you exist to be by my side, then it stands to reason that I exist to stand by yours. I don’t do these things because of some pretense. I do so because I enjoy being with you.”
“Oh,” Sayaka said lamely. Kirari waited for the words to process, and sure enough, Sayaka was burying her head into her shoulder and likely fighting tears. Kirari took pride in being able to comfort Sayaka like this. She had never thought herself capable of comforting anyone before. Even Ririka eventually pulled away from her at some point.
Yet here she was, stroking her partner’s back with one hand and playing with the ends of the lovely but disheveled ponytail with her other. Kirari was surprised that the white ribbon had held up against the outside winds at all. She plucked it out now, allowing Sayaka’s dark hair to fall freely.
“Let me brush your hair?” she asked.
“Theres no need-”
“Please?”
Sayaka nodded. “I’ll go grab a brush.”
She was quick to leave, but Kirari didn’t mind. She took the opportunity to rearrange her bag, hiding the cursed umbrella from sight. When Sayaka returned, she sat on the floor, and Kirari immediately began the rhythmic motions. Hoping to make the process last as long as possible, she started with the tips, sectioning it off.
“I’ll fix yours next,” Sayaka said.
“Very well.” Kirari hummed, her eyes drifting to Sayaka’s fidgeting hands. Was she nervous or simply unable to function without a task to complete? It was probably a bit of both.
“Shall we try something fun?” Kirari asked.
“Like a new style?”
“Yes. Nothing too wild, though, as it’ll be time for bed soon.”
“Sure. What time were you being picked up anyways?”
Kirari found that she did not want to leave. “Eager to see me go?”
“No, but--”
“Why don’t we play a game, Sayaka?”
Kirari was in the process of braiding some of Sayaka’s hair when the secretary tilted her head to look up and her with a pout, “I’m trying to see if I need to make dinner for you.”
“I’ll eat anything you make over whatever is waiting for me at the manor,” Kirari said.
“Then how long will you be staying?” she pressed.
“We’ll let our little game decide. The victor gets a sleepover at the other’s place~”
Sayaka blinked up at her. “Excuse me?”
Kirari smirked, placing a hand dramatically on her chest. “If I win, I get to stay here with you. If you win, then you get to come home with me!”
Sayaka twirled around to look at her properly. She was in complete disbelief, “But we have to have a sleepover no matter what?”
“That's not so bad for you, is it?”
Sayaka tilted her head and began to rationalize the bet in her head. “You would likely sleep better in your own bed…” she muttered, “But staying put means less traveling in the rain…” Kirari watched as Sayaka pursed her lips, “Ririka’s and your staff’s presence would keep you from…”
Kirari blinked as Sayaka’s face grew red.
“Well… What game did you have in mind?” Sayaka asked, her voice strained with panic. It only deepened her smile.
“Do you have any cards?”
Sayaka nodded. “I do. A simple game of blackjack, then?”
Kirari smiled, savoring the sight of a determined Sayaka. “Sounds lovely.”
Just like that, Sayaka’s small living room was a gambler’s den. Kirari watched, blanket in lap, as Sayaka shuffled the cards. She dealt with a practiced showman’s flourish that Kirari simply adored. The cards dealt were given fairly- her secretary would dare not cheat. Even if it was Kirari who taught her how.
Even so, Sayaka’s hand was strong. She flipped the cards revealing a King and a Nine. A solid nineteen. Unfortunately for her, Kirari really did have the Devil’s luck. Kirari flipped the cards, revealing a pair of queens.
“Look, it’s us,” Kirari exclaimed, pointing at the cards.
Sayaka, already pink, simply sighed, “H-hit or stand?”
Kirari grinned. Had this been a public match, Sayaka would have been on the edge and panicking. Even if Sayaka didn’t think she did, she had a way of knowing that Kirari would hit in search of that Ace- testing her wicked luck to the fullest and flirting with ruin. But this time, Sayaka underestimated how much Kirari wanted to stay.
“Stand. What about you? Sticking with a nineteen?”
Sayaka bit her lip. “Hit.”
Kirari took the topmost card from the deck. She laughed and tossed the card on the table. “Bust with a five. Shame that should be our lucky number.”
“You’re--”
Sayaka was cut off by a buzzing noise. Kirari watched curiously as Sayaka answered her phone.
“Hello, Sayaka speaking.”
Kirari turned out what was likely a work-related call and pulled her own cell phone out. She was about to text Ririka when suddenly those violet eyes narrowed at her in suspicion. She tilted her head as Sayaka nodded along to whoever was on the other line.
“Understood. Thank you for the update.” Sayaka said. The phone hung up, and Sayaka stared at her. Kirari couldn’t tell if the girl was upset or not, so she waited for an explanation.
“That was your driver. He called, stating there was a family emergency. He will be unable to pick you up.”
“Oh. How unfortunate.” Kirari began, “So why--”
Sayaka was actually scolding her.
“Now hold on, Sayaka, I never said when we’ll be having our sleepovers… But, I originally told Ririka five o’clock. You can verify with my phone-”
Sayaka shook her head. “No. I believe you. One of the cleaners had volunteered to pick you up. If you’re still set on claiming your prize today, you should cancel.”
“Isn’t that my secretary’s job?” she teased.
“Your secretary is going to start dinner. Let me know if I need to prepare for two or not.”
Kirari watched as Sayaka made her way to the kitchen, the tiny little half-braid bouncing with every step. She bit her lip. Kirari wasn’t done playing with her hair, but Sayaka very much was. She sent her text to Ririka, instructing her to cancel the ride, and followed after her secretary.
“For two, please.”
Sayaka smiled, a feeling of contentment coming over her as she watched her secretary move about the tiny kitchen space. She heard a noise of discontent when she opened the fridge. Evidently Sayaka did not keep a fully stocked fridge.
With her money and power she could build Sayaka kitchens and living rooms a dozen times bigger. She could erect hundreds of more towers and fill a thousand fridges with the most fresh ingredients. But if she were to lose it all tomorrow, whether to Terano or Yumeko, then she supposed something like this wouldn’t be so bad.
She allowed Sayaka to work as she continued exploring the tiny space. The bathroom was ironically the cleanest and most cluttered. Various perfumes, soaps, and lotions frilled little vanity organizers. Kirari startled at her own appearance in the mirror.
Apparently, Sayaka’s ribbon wasn’t the only one that lost its war against the wind. She shook her head and undid the braids altogether. The reflection staring back at her, was Ririka, and it left her feeling agitated. So she moved on to the bedroom.
Sayaka was truly a child of practicality. A desk and a bed. A narrow and long shelf that collected textbooks, as well as practice exam booklets. One of those exam booklets was open now. Kirari frowned at it. When Sayaka had insisted on the apartment as opposed to the dorms, she had stated that it was cheaper. The difference that she was saving was being put into a personal fund that would be used for emergencies or, hopefully, university. As though she didn’t trust her parents, or her Kirari herself, to be good for financial support. With graduation approaching, Kirari often found herself wondering which Uni Sayaka would prefer. What would she study?
The greedy part of her wondered if Sayaka had ever considered simply working for her for forever. There were strings she could pull that would ensure this outcome. She--
Kirari inhaled, controlling her thoughts and focusing on one item that seemed out of place in the bare and practical room. It didn’t matter where Sayaka went if she followed after. That was an obvious solution to a non-existent problem. The cow plush staring up at her from bed however was another story.
That wasn’t a gift from Kirari, or anyone from the former council. It was from the enemy.
She made her way to the kitchen, plush in hand.
“Sa-ya-ka~” she sang, pulling the girl's attention away from vegetable chopping. Violet eyes immediately honed in on the offensive item in her hand. She had the audacity to smile dotingly at it.
“Do you normally like such things?”
“Well not really, but…” Sayaka fidgeted under her most serious stare.
“But?”
“Well… he’s cute isn’t he?”
Kirari stared at Sayaka, and without saying anything else, whirled around to return the dumb cow to his post. “I can’t believe I lost to a toy.” she growled under her breath.
“Huh? Did you say something Kirari.”
“Not at all.” Kirari called from the bedroom, tossing the toy to the bed. She immediately fetched out her phone to begin shopping for ridiculous but cute plushies. So much for her Devil's luck.