Liar, Liar, the Mage's Desire Vol. 3 (Return of the Oumeno)

Love Potion Commotion (End)

      "How was your day at school today, Ibuki?" Ryoma asked as he popped one of Kirumi's blueberry muffins into his mouth. 

   "It was...jammin!' Hee-hee...get it?" Ibuki replied as she spread some strawberry jam onto a slice of bread. Ryoma smiled and shook his head. 

    "Hmhm...how do you always have a joke ready at the top of your head?" he chuckled.

   "D'ooohhh...well, not always," Ibuki replied sheepishly. "Remember that joke during lunch about the gold leaf katana?"

   "Yeah..." Ryoma said with a smile. "You said it was one of those things where I had to be there. But, even though I don't know about that joke, you still made me smile." Ibuki blushed.

   "Ah, well...y'know...I guess Ibuki just got lucky," she replied with a bashful shrug.

   "I definitely did," Ryoma said. He locked eyes with Ibuki. Ibuki uttered a soft gasp as she blushed. Ryoma placed his hand gently on Ibuki's. "Ibuki...I want to thank you."

  "F-For what?" Ibuki stammered as her heart hammered against her chest. 

  "For giving me a reason to be happy again," Ryoma replied. 

   "Oh..." Ibuki murmured softly. They leaned their heads closer to each other's.

   "Nyeh...Kokichi! They're going to kiss!" Himiko whispered with excitement.

   "I know! It's gonna be so gross!" Kokichi wheezed with anticipation. Both their eyes were glued so intently to the tablet screen that it was basically touching their faces. Ryoma and Ibuki inched their lips closer to each other's. 

   "Wait, wait! Hold on!" Ibuki said, interrupting the moment.

   "Nyeeeeh...DAMMIT!!!" Himiko shrieked. Kokichi looked at her in surprise.

   "Hahaha...whoa, Himiko! Calm down!" he laughed. "Nee-heehee...you swore!"

   "Yeah, yeah, I know I swore!" Himiko exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air in frustration. "I don't give a flying chuckle bucket! They were so close! Why did she say something?! They were going to kiss and she just...SCREWED IT ALL UP, that bozo!!! She'd better have a good explanation for this!!" Kokichi was rolling on the floor, laughing at Himiko's reaction. 

  "A-hahahahahaaa...okay...okay...let's hear Ibuki out," he gasped, turning his attention back to the tablet. 

   "What's wrong?" Ryoma asked.

   "You just said I gave you a reason to be happy again," Ibuki replied. 

   "What about it?" asked Ryoma.

  "Why were you so unhappy before, Ryoma?" Ibuki asked. "Um...you don't have to tell me, of course!" Ryoma's face fell. He was silent for a few moments.