Save my grade, steal my heart | Nobamaki

Pumpkins and Pining | Five |

A few weeks after the sleepover, Maki stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the costume she had put together for the Halloween party Nobara had invited her to. Normally, parties weren't her thing, and she'd never be one to go out of her way for a costume. But somehow, she'd found herself agreeing to this one, telling herself it was just to support Nobara as she celebrated before her final. And now, here she was, dressed to the nines as a vampire hunter... who also happened to be a vampire. She figured the twist might make it less cliché.

She took a slow look at herself, feeling unexpectedly pleased with the way it had come together. Her hair was down, framing her face with a hint of edge. Over a deep red button-up, she wore a long black leather coat that fit her just right, lending her a dark, powerful look. Leather arm braces added a little more grit to the costume, while a thick leather belt cinched her waist, holding her prop sword in place at her back. Black leather pants and sturdy leather boots completed the look, the entire outfit fitted and sleek. To top it all off, she'd thrown on a black cowboy hat, and around her neck, she wore a simple silver cross necklace for a touch of irony.

She couldn't deny she looked... well, hot, even if the costume was a bit over-the-top. But what was Halloween for if not to go all out? Now, she just needed one last touch: the fangs. She'd only managed to dig up a pair of those cheap green plastic ones they handed out at trick-or-treating, the kind that looked cool for half a second before everyone realized they looked ridiculous.

With a sigh, Maki left her room and headed into Mai's, hoping her sister might have something better. She opened the door, stepping in with her usual no-nonsense approach. "Mai, I need your help," she said, already half-dreading the look her sister was about to give her.

Mai gave Maki a slow, scrutinizing look, her brow arching in surprise. "Where are you going looking like that...?"

"Halloween party, duh." Maki muttered, adjusting the strap on her prop sword as if that would deflect her sister's stare.

Mai's eyebrow stayed raised, skepticism all over her face. "Since when do you go to Halloween parties? Last time I checked, you said they were, quote, a waste of time and lame."

Maki rolled her eyes. "People change," she huffed. "Besides, a friend of mine wanted me to come, so I'm going."

"A friend, huh? And you're trying to impress this friend or something?" Mai teased, her grin sly. "Going all out with... whatever this is?"

"No." Maki replied, maybe a little too fast. She caught herself but could feel Mai's side-glance saying more than words would. Maki cleared her throat, trying to steer things back on track. "Do you have any fangs or something? I'm going as a vampire hunter who's also a vampire, and I need fangs to complete it."

Mai raised an eyebrow. "Really? Looked more like an edgy cowboy vibe to me." But she shrugged, then turned to head into her bathroom. "Lucky for you, I still have a pair of fake fangs from when I was a 'sexy vampire' two years ago."

Maki followed her in, Mai gesturing for her to sit on the edge of the tub. She opened a drawer, digging around until she found the fangs. Maki stayed put, watching as Mai leaned in, tilting her face up a little to apply them with precision.

"There. How's that feel?" Mai asked, standing back with an appraising look.

Maki wrinkled her nose, testing the fangs with her tongue. "The same. Was I supposed to feel something?"

Mai just gave her an unimpressed stare, folding her arms. "Look, if you're going to this party, you might as well put in some effort. A little makeup wouldn't hurt."

"I think I look good already," Maki protested, standing and catching herself in the bathroom mirror, nodding as if to agree with herself.

Mai rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Do you want to look good or great?"