Work Text:
Tamagotchi
It was once again a glorious day to work for Kojima Food Factory. Ai Mizuno entered the Franchouchou household dead tired. She kicked her shoes off by the entrance.
The house itself had a long history of not just occupying their group but once by a gang of eccentric people that were ghosts and monster hunters, or so she heard.
Despite its historical relevancy, locals warn tourists of Saga to not visit the landmark. Some say one of the previous resident's still haunts the huge house, awaiting any intruders so she can bite their heads.
As someone who values secrecy in her private life and as leader to a group of undead idols, Ai Mizuno welcomed those baseless rumors with open arms.
The only thing that was even more scary than the aforementioned wasn't even supernatural. It was debt.
Debt that their producer Kotaru Tatsumi was more than inclined to leave for them to pay for his EFS blunder.
So, Franchouchou did what they always do, they make do out of a bad situation. Each member had a part time job; some like Yugiri had even two. It barely moved a needle. They didn't have any money for themselves either.
Ai would have whacked Kotaru with a French loaf, but she couldn't even afford that.
She saw a blue light emanating from the living room. Looks like someone wasn't sleeping. She couldn't blame them. The fate of Franchouchou was still under question.
"Man, that's so cool!" Ai recognized that voice.
An energetic Saki Nikaido sat on the couch as she watched a new commercial. It was a new pet simulator with full colour. Something they didn't have when she was alive. She lost her original one in the motorcycle accident. The brute girl balled her hand into a fist as she lamented her lost virtual pet.
"Damn you cruel world!"
Mizuno leaned against the doorframe watching number two act like a child on a Christmas morning. Despite being the complete polar opposite of her, there are many things she loved about Saki. One of it was how passionate she gets.
She walked in. "You're up pretty late."
Completely bewildered, Saki with her hair down glanced at the clock. "Crap, what time is it?"
Ai sat down next to the unbothered gal. "Eh, it's not like we need the sleep. We're zombies!"
Then Ai didn't understand what this fatigue was. "I guess our brains are still wired into thinking we're alive."
Saki smiled. "So Ace, how was work?"
"Same ol', same ol'. Cut this, dry that, package all those. You know, the usual."
"Don't tell me y'all still sing that anthem!" Saki teased. "In Kojima's Food Factory we trust! We won't forget your tears!"
Saki busted out laughing while Ai simply groaned. "I'm obligated to. It raises work morale. The older ladies are nice and bring me free food. It's not bad."
But Ai felt that was enough about her. "And you hmm? You made quite a ruckus about that game."
Saki acted non-chalant. Ai could tell she was faking it. As dance choreographer for Franchouchou, body language was something she was fluent in.
She was adamant on keeping her pose. "It's pretty bitchin' i guess! You can like name your pet, take him on walks and feed him but it's now in colour and shit."
Ai raised an eyebrow. "Almost like you have a real dog?"
"Yeah, it's actually basic as hell if you ask me!"
"We have Romero." Ai pointed towards the blue scruffy dog.
"Woof?" The undead dog turned his head in confusement, wondering what he was the subject about. Without even caring, the dog jumped on the sofa and curled himself up between the zombie girls.
"I mean, Romeo here is okay, I guess. But he gets his ass handed to him by cats!" She scratched his stitched up head.
"He's a lover not a fighter!" Ai gave him back scratches.
But back to the topic on hand. Ai turned towards the ruffian.
"You must really want that Tamagotchi badly, huh." She gave Saki a warm smile despite her pale complexion and dark bags under her eye lids.
"Like really fucking badly, but eh, whatchu gonna do." She crossed her arms behind her head as a pillow. Saki had already given up on that dream.
"I hear you, got barely anything to spend on myself." Ai sighed, resting on her helmet.
They spend a few hours in the living room, keeping each other company like that.
Ai Mizuno stood up groggily on her own feet. Her head was spinning. "My next shift is about to start. Don't stay up too late, okay?"
Ai knelt down and kissed Saki's bruised cheek. "I love you."
Saki blushed. "Yeah, yeah! Love you too."
She donned her helmet on and clicked her tongue at the other girl's brashness.
"Don't you click that tongue at me missy. I don't tolerate that much sass!"
Ai picked the zombie dog up and kissed him too. "Quit pretending like you don't like it."
"Girl you better watch out." She whacked Ai's butt as their ace passed by her. The sudden action made number three shield her skirt from the back.
"Hey!" Ai protested.
Saki smiled. "Drive safe."
"I will, I will."
Her heart sank as she heard the door shut. Now they won't see each other for days again. Their work schedule constantly clashed, and this was a rare instance it didn't.
Ever since their blunder of the century, the girls were forced to pay for Kotaru-san's debt. Everyone, except the man himself of course, was paying for his shitshow.
She felt so pissed off that she was going to tear down a wall with her sledgehammer.
It was an uneventful past couple of days. She'd go to work, go home, sleep, rinse and repeat. No money for food was needed since they were zombies. But it left her guessing, was this what they were resurrected for? Because this was no way to live. That's punishment.
At this stage Saki would infinitely rather go back to her grave and stay there than pay back a single yen. She tossed and turned in her sleep, cursing their fiscally irresponsible producer.
"Psst, Saki!" A whisper awakened the slumbering zombie. Her one eye shot open, glaring at the disturber.
Luckily, it was Ai who was still wearing her normal clothes. Her grouchy self immediately beamed up seeing their leader. She had to restraint herself from using her usual tone. Sakura, Tae, Yugiri, Junko and Lily were still sleeping.
"Oiii, it's good to see your idol ass!" She threw her arms around Ai's neck, nearly pulling her down on the ground floor.
Ai appreciated her Saki's intensity. "You too."
She hugged Saki back. A gift-wrapped present was in her hand. "I've got you a gift."
Saki broke the hug and pulled back in shock. "No fucking way!"
"Yes fucking way!" Ai replied back. She shielded her mouth with her bandaged hands when she realized she had just dropped an f-bomb. Saki was a bad influence.
Saki had a big grin and snickered. "Everyone, the legendary Heisei role model just said a bad word."
She was rolling on the futon, biting her knuckles to suppress her laughter.
"Saki Shhhhhh. It's not funny!" The short, flowered haired girl whispered. She growled at the biker girl.
"Okay. I kid but what's the occasion?" Saki asked. Her birthday was only in May and it's not like she did anything remarkable that warrants a gift.
And then there's the debt...
Ai simply shrugged. "I didn't think I needed a reason. I just felt like it."
Regardless, number two and three moved it downstairs so that Saki can be her more vocal albeit still careful self.
With her bandaged legs crossed over on the sofa in the living room, Ai gave Saki an orange gift-wrapped small box. She expected the brute girl to tear through the paper, with teeth even. Instead, she took her time to meticulously unfold each corner and open it.
Saki gasped. Whatever it was. Judging by the beautiful brown box it looked expensive. She thought it must be jewelry at first but then recognized the video game company's logo engraved on top.
She opened it and stared for a whole minute, not saying a single word until..
"You dumb idol..."
"This is..."
Saki looked up, tears running down her cheeks and the snot running down her nose. In her hand, was the brand-new Tamagotchi, a special limited edition too of all things.
"This is one of the coolest things someone ever did for me! You have no idea how much this means to me!"
Saki was never a person to be super in touch with her own feelings. She had to look good for the Dorami gang after all, crying was a big no. But someone didn't just go out of their way for her, they went beyond.
Ai smiled. "I'm glad you love it."
"These things are like super rare too! There's only like 30 of them. How did you..."
Then it dawned on her. Mizuno probably missed out on the debt payment because of her.
"It's my money and the debt isn't going anywhere. One month won't make a dent." Ai rolled her eyes. "Besides you are way more important."
Saki held the Tamagotchi close to her heart as Ai continued.
"You do so many for Franchouchou and yet ask for so little in return. I did so because I care about you Saki. I know now it's awful and underappreciated work we are all doing but we'll find a way out. We always do."
She finished. "Well, this is my way of thanking you."
The antique clock's bell rung filled the quiet haunted house of Franchouchou. Ai could only sigh while Saki wiped the snot with her turquoise pajama sleeve.
"That's me, again."
Saki accompanied the girl, while playing with her Tamagotchi. Ai clicked on the safety strap of her helmet.
"Don't play that around the others. We're supposed to be broke and I don't want the rest to think I am playing favorites."
She looked up from the small screen. "But I am your favorite right? I have to be since you did all that for me!"
Ai smiled contently as she slipped her shoes on. She remained professional. "No, I love you all equally and unequivocally."
She groaned. "Come on, what a lame answer!"
Ai winked. " Fine, I love you all but you're my favorite. Happy now?"
Saki was beyond ecstatic. "You have no idea Mizuno-chan. Like you're freaking legendary girl and amazing. Thank you for this gift! Thank you for being our leader! Thank you for just being you."
The overjoyed blonde zombie was so overjoyed that she hugged the other zombie. The pressure was so great that Ai Mizuno head popped off like champagne cork. She simply stood there headless in Saki's arms.
"A little help here..." Ai's head said as it laid on the ground.
"My bad!" She quickly picked up Ai's head. Saki slammed it back on her zombie body but with the back of her head facing her.
"Wrong way.."
"My double bad!" Saki turned Ai's head to its original place. They were prone to these sorts of accidents which is why they should be careful.
"Thanks." Ai smiled. "Now go back to sleep and remember this is between us."
"You're the best Mizuno-chan!" Saki quickly stormed up the stairs while Ai looked on. For her, she'd do it all over again. She was worth it.
Ai was about to reach the front door when she heard loud steps on the second floor. Saki with her bare feet was making her way downstairs again.
Ai raised an eyebrow. 'Did she forget something?'
Saki stormed towards the puzzled girl. She threw her arms around Ai's neck and gave the biggest and wettest kiss imaginable for the leader.
Ai held onto Saki's hips for support. Her eyeballs nearly popping out like billiards. Number three decided to return the favor with the exact same kiss. Mizuno's arms went over Nikaidou's waist, locking her hands behind her back.
The brawn of the group felt their body being slightly tilted back. Ai was starting to take the lead. Saki stood on her tippy toes, not allowing that to happen. She took Ai by her helmet and deepened the kiss.
Saki was a prideful girl. Ai didn't mind that she took the charge, however. She allowed herself to be fully enveloped in the stubborn and brash girl's embrace. She accepted Saki with all setbacks and wouldn't want her molded any other way.
It was like a feral zombie part of Ai before her awakening was slowly starting to creep back. She wanted to act on her undead instinct and not her rational thoughts.
It drove her insane. First, she was told by her manager she wasn't allowed to have any relationships during Iron Frill and now, even when she's dead, she was being deprived from a love life.
"I want you." Saki said between kisses.
"I know." Ai replied with kisses of her own. "...but I have to go to work, sorry. "
The two broke the kiss, staring into each other's undead eyes, finding ironically, life.
"Cruddy Kotaru-san." Saki cursed the man.
"Yeah..."
They laughed together. Saki rested her forehead against Ai's helmet. Slowly, their hands departed. Eventually, Nikaido made her way up the stairs, much to Mizuno's dismay.
Ai Mizuno made her way to her scooter. She had to go to work anyways. Although, the idol wouldn't have minded if Saki ran down those stairs again.
With a heavy heart and a brave face, Ai got back to work. She greeted her coworkers by the lockers. The elders have shown great concern for her pale skin. Unfortunately, their producer was the only person who managed to get their make up right.
After their loyalty brand anthem, Ai was assigned to the vacuum-sealed packaging section for the dried squids. She laughed to herself over the idea of Tae being in charge here. She'd tear through their entire stock in minutes.
"Oiii!"
Ai's productivity was disrupted by a construction worker who wore their orange overalls. She had a gift of her own in her hands, a lunch box.
"Heard ya lunch break was about to start so..."
It was too nice of a day to spend it inside the cafeteria. Saki and Ai sat crossed legged on the rooftop. There was an immaculate view of the Imari Bay area. The water was blue and sparkling under the intensity of the sun.
"You made this?" Ai was stunned.
Saki blushed. "Well...it's just a sandwich."
The bread was soft, and the red meat was thickly cut, it was at least twice the length of the carbs. It looked like Grade A meat, definitely not in their price range. Unless...
'No, she didn't.' "You did."
Saki growled, lifting her nose in the air. "It's my money. That bum can pay off his own debt. It's his fault!"
Even so, she appreciated the gesture. She broke half of her sandwich. "Here."
Saki and Ai sat in silence enjoying their meal. They could hear the calming ocean waves, the clinging buoys and the occasional crying seagull.
Ai took another bite. "You know, you shouldn't be playing hooky at work to see me."
Saki chewed aggressively. "Say what? We were working in the neighborhood, and I thought I'd drop by."
"At the same time, you just happened to make me lunch?" Ai wasn't convinced. "Riiiight."
"Totally, it is a crazy coincidence!"
A small smile formed on the corner of her mouth. She took a bite again. "When this is all over let's go to Drive In Tori to celebrate."
That had Saki's attention. "Now you're speaking my language!"
"With the other girls too." Ai added.
"Yeah! We can-wait, why say that last part?" It should be rhetorical that as a group Franchouchou always goes together.
A prideful smug grin was on the flower haired girl while she chewed. "In case you think it's a date and I'll only take you."
Saki turned as red as a stop sign. She took a huge bite of her sandwich, chewing like a bear. "As if I want to date some preppy idol like you!"
"We can still hold hands under the table. No one has to know."
Saki was blushing harder. She said with a mouthful. "S-shut up!"
Around her neck was the Tamagotchi she bought her.
"You're a terrible liar, Saki Nikaido."
Author's Note: Force-feeding everyone SakiXAi till they love it. >:)
Thank you for reading!
Aidan.