Life is Better (Togafuka)

...With You (Finale)

We didn't have to have another "survivor reunion." After the first one, we all wound up staying much closer than we'd originally expected to. But here I am. In Big Mac's car, once again trying to stop food from flying everywhere (this time sukiyaki). The heater is pounding down on us, protecting us from the nippy air outside. This time, I'm in the back seat with Komaru. Because Kyoko is with us, smiling softly. Once again, fantasies are flooding my head. These ones are actually for my writing though! I swear! Because I'm almost at the emotional climax of the novel I've been writing, so it's gotta be special. It's gotta be spicy. Hehe.

"Whatcha thinkin' bout?" Komaru asks with a sing-songy tone, seeing my ecstatic expression. I answer only with a laugh. She knows exactly where my brain is right now. "Agh, Eiki, hurry up! I can't WAIT to read this one! It's gonna be great!" she cheers, bouncing in her seat a bit.

"Komaru?!" Big Mac exclaims with a look of utter shock.

"What? I'm not a kid anymore, Makoto. I can have womanly interests. Besides, it's only a little bit sensual," she declares, protecting their tray of nikuman.

Kyoko puts on a smirk that I can see from the rear-view mirror. "Yes, trust me. I've read a few in my spare time, and they have an acceptable level of maturity."

"What, are you saying you don't read my books, Big Mac? I feel b-betrayed! How could you not support my professional endeavors?" I tease.

He sputters, seemingly not knowing what to say.

"So? Do you read 'em or not, bro?" Komaru leans in mischievously.

"This is a trap! Neither answer is the right answer, so I'm just gonna not answer!" he pouts.

Komaru and I take turns booing him. He starts amping up the J-Synth music over time to try and drown us out, even singing himself. But as he increases the volume, so do we. It gets to the point where I start to wonder if anyone can hear us from outside the car. Eventually, the torture session ends when we roll up to Hina's donut shop. Right before we open the doors, however, Kyoko suddenly locks them. "Psst. The answer is yes, he does read them." We bust out laughing, and Kyoko gives Makoto a loving kiss before he can cover his beet-red face.

We hold ourselves and keep as much warmth in as possible until we manage to get out of the parking lot and into the store, still shuddering with laughter.

Immediately, we're hit with a warmth and the smell of frying oil mixed with sweetness. "Hey, guys! I'm whipping up a fresh batch! The dough's still rising, but I figured I'd prep the oil and frostings! Wanna sneak preview?" Hina offers with a little wiggle of excitement. Komaru practically teleports over to the bowls of icing. I kind of quietly, guiltily shuffle over there and dip my pinky into the bowl with chocolate glaze. It's rich, decadent, and oh-so-gooey. Komaru and I look at each other and can't help but chuckle with delight.

Kyoko takes a small speaker out of her bag and starts to play some cozy ambient music. Komaru snags Hina's hand and drags her over to dance. She takes mine, as well, so the three of us sort of take turns dancing with each other and giggling like little girls. I honestly couldn't have imagined doing this ever. Interestingly enough, Kyoko seems mildly surprised when Makoto asks her to dance. What did you think would happen?

Yasuhiro busts in, slams his platter of steamed crab onto the table, and starts boogying without saying a word to us. It's hilariously off-beat, considering the songs are pretty slow and he's going at it like a cheetah would chase prey. Of course, we record it, just like the last time I saw him dance.

Ever fashionably late, Byakuya strides in like he owns the place. "Hello, again, everyone," he greets as he sets down a dish of fugu tataki. I wish I could say I was surprised. But I'm positive he had this done by the highest-rate chefs, so I'm not worried. Still dancing, I glide over to him. He twirls me without even missing a beat.