Late For a Very Important Date

"We're going to be late!" Tsubaki shouted from the living room by the front door, hands on her hips as she frowned and tapped her foot.

"Late for a very important date?!" A sing-songy voice teased from deeper inside the house. Rika Seto's cheerful face popped out of the kitchen a second later. "Oh, honestly, Tsubaki, you worry too much!" Orange eyes sparkled as steely gray ones flashed. "We still got like... 15 minutes before we have to head out! I mean, I know it's good to be early and all, but being early to being early?"

Tsubaki's pout deepened, but she removed her hands from her hips to cross her arms, a clear sign of insecurity and uncertainty.

I mean... I hate to admit it, but... Rika's got a point... Why DID I set my phone alarm so early? RONDO's vocalist couldn't help but berate herself now, for failing to label the alarm. Yes, they had a Christmas party soon (that was why Rika was in the kitchen, collecting the last of the food they were going to bring), but the drive wasn't that far, even accounting for the desire to arrive early, and potential concerns about road conditions.

Before Tsubaki could muse on it further, Rinku's head appeared over the banister. "Oh! Is it party time?! HAPPY ARO—!"

"Rinku! You aren't even fully dressed yet!" Tsubaki's hands flew back to her hips and a scowl returned to her face. Rinku was swimming—or drowning, more like—in a crazy, eccentric, over-the-top, overdone Christmas costume. Although she was almost lost in a sea of fabric, cloth, and other material—all shiny, glittery, and sparkly—it was evident from the way she waddled and held up parts of the outfit that it was only half on.

Oh, honestly! Tsubaki rolled her eyes and sighed as Rinku darted away again, giggling. RONDO's vocalist hadn't even seen or heard from the other girl in Rinku's room. But I don't need to, knowing Muni... Some of Tsubaki's long-suffering exasperation changed into dry amusement. No doubt, Hapiara's VJ was also half-dressed, though unlike Rinku, it wasn't because she was overdressing in a wild costume. She was overdressing because she was a perfectionist, wishing for her every feature to be properly accentuated and highlighted. Was THIS why I set my alarm early?

Regardless of the answer, eventually, everyone was gathered by the door. Finally! Tsubaki sighed as she threw a scarf around her neck.

"Oh, wait, I think I forgot something back up in my room!" Rinku chirped cheerfully. Tsubaki's (and Muni's) face went deadpan.

"Oh, come on, Rinku, you just took forever already!" Muni complained, hat pulled halfway onto her head, voicing the thoughts Tsubaki was going to keep to herself. Again, despite herself, RONDO's vocalist smiled dryly. But then, it was Rika to the rescue, surprising them all.

"Were you looking for... your Christmas crown?" M4's vocalist twirled a shining circlet around her finger, smiling mischievously. Rinku gasped, eyes and mouth wide and adoring. She nodded and squealed, lunging at Rika. Tsubaki and Muni flinched, but Rika only laughed and caught Rinku easily, arms open and ready. Rinku laughed in delight, finally getting to finish her favorite battle cry.

"HAPPY AROUND!" The Christmas crown lit up, flashing red and green as she placed it on her head. Costume complete!

While Muni's eye twitched in disbelief, her shoulders slumping forward, Tsubaki rested her hands on her hips for a third time, closing her eyes and shaking her head. For once, though, she was smiling sincerely.

It's almost like... we're parents... The thought alone made her blush—which she hoped was only internal—but little did she know that Rika was thinking the same thing as she laughed and spun around with Rinku in her arms, as if Hapiara's vocalist was just a little child.