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“Welcome, Misaki! Do you know where Michelle is?”
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle. The pink bear costume was the bane of Okusawa’s existence, and not because it was too hot to wear it during summer.
“She got busy.”
“Ah.” Kokoro’s face clearly deflated, and even though she was quick to put a smile on her lips once again, it was just not as sincere.
“Yeah. Are the others here yet?”
“Nope!”
“Okay.”
“Is Michelle-” Before Kokoro could complete her sentence, though, Misaki’s phone rang.
“Give me a minute, Kokoro.” She picked up the electronic and saw that it was an unknown number, still, she did not want to talk about the god forsaken bear persona right now, so she decided to pick the call up. “Hello?”
“Okusawa-san?” She recognized the voice as being one of the suits.
“Yes?”
“Would you mind meeting me in the front yard?”
“Not really, but can I ask why?”
“It’s better to speak in person.”
“Sure, whatever.” They said their goodbyes and she finished the call. “Kokoro, I have, uh… To grab something I forgot.”
“Oh, okay, does it have to do with Michelle?” Misaki gave out a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then go! If the others arrive I’ll tell them to wait for you.”
“Sure.”
She turned back with a sigh of relief, her expression turning sour the moment Kokoro couldn’t see her face any longer. The suit who had called her didn’t specify where they would be, which was probably an oversight on their part considering the Tsurumaki’s yard was massive. But of course the suits had a plan.
The moment Misaki passed by a bush, hands grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the foliage. She swore as the small branches scratched her skin, but soon found herself face to face with a suit and all her protests died in her mouth. The suit didn’t look happy and that couldn’t be a good sign.
“Uh… Hi?”
“Hello, Okusawa-san. We’ve been made aware of your plight.”
“My… Plight?”
“Indeed, your infatuation with the young miss.” Oh, that.
“Isn’t that none of your business?” She asked, more bark than bite, she already knew what the suit would answer to that.
“Everything that concerns the young miss is our business.” When Misaki didn’t answer, the suit continued. “As you’re well aware, the young miss thinks Michelle is an actual person. We reached the conclusion that, if you were to confess your feelings, young miss might discover the truth about Michelle, and since you have maintained your farce for too long, we’re also sure she would feel betrayed and hurt. This cannot happen.”
“I’m sorry, my farce? I’ve been trying to tell her I’m Michelle since day one!”
“Irrelevant.”
“Whatever.”
“This, for now, is just a warning, but if you try to express your feelings we won’t be so kind.”
“Okay, I won’t do anything. It’s not like Kokoro would like me when she can have Michelle.” The suit smiled, pleased, though there was something else in her face, something Misaki desperately told herself it wasn’t pity.
“That’s most right. You’re free to go now.” And, without waiting for an answer, the suit disappeared through the bush.
Misaki should also go, Hello Happy World! had a meeting that would be starting very soon, but she did not want to see Kokoro right now. Or ever. Yes, ever would be better. Not that she was so delusional as to think such a thing would be possible, not under the suit’s watch.
Taking advantage of the fact she had her backpack with her, she quickly found her pack of cigarettes and a lighter, putting her vice between her lips and lighting it up. The smoke filled her lungs, heavy and acrid, grounding. It was a bad habit, and that was all the incentive she needed to never quit.
Michelle, the family-friendly bear, would never smoke, so Misaki, the heartbroken teen, would drown in smoke and cigarette butts. It was only fitting.