12 Days of Ramenzo

two rival loves

Logically speaking, there was absolutely no reason at all for TEMPUR-A station to be celebrating Christmas. There was no religious significance, nor a cultural influence, or even a climatic condition that would suggest the observance of such an Earthen occasion in space.

-

"But we don't celebrate Eid," Captain Kaizo pointed out. "Or any of the other Earthen holidays."

Maskmana dismissed him vaguely. "Just consider it a birthday party for your sister."

"Sister?" Kaizo repeated, confused. "I don't have a sister."

-

Far away, in another universe entirely, the Skullgirl sneezed.

-

"Right, right," Maskmana said, but did not go on. The other TEMPUR-A agents did not elaborate, either, and fortunately for them, the thought did not occur to Kaizo's mind that they may have ulterior motives for assigning the project to begin with.

"And you want me to work with him?" Kaizo asked, tone clear with distaste at the prospect.

Manramen shrugged beside him, expression turning to one of offense. "What's wrong with me?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kaizo appeared contemplative. "Where shall I even begin?"

"Researching Earthen customs might be a good place to start," Maskmana noted helpfully, and Kaizo made a strangled sort of noise. "I'm sure you have experience after preparing your brother for that one mission."

Kaizo nodded along to avoid admitting that he had not actually helped at all with Pang's preparations - instead letting the younger do all the work himself. He reasoned that he could just ask Pang for answers, now, too, it's not like his brother would say no.

"Off you both go, then," Maskmana waved. "Oh, and you're excused from all missions till the event."

Kaizo really very nearly snapped at that. There were three whole weeks - that's nearly a month in Earthen time - and he was supposed to sit around planning a party?? With Ramen?

Ramen, seeming to share his thought process, cleared his throat. "What if we finish early, Admiral?"

Maskmana paused, his expression hidden behind metal, but his tone no less impassive. "Doubtful, as you two will probably find out rather soon."

He turned, and, with a swish of his cape, he was gone.

-

As it turned out, he was also right.

This project would take no less than three weeks, and not because there was an excess of cumbersome tasks to be done, because there really weren't. Sure, it's not like two military captains had ever prepared events before, but it couldn't be that difficult to pick up for people who spent the entire of their living memory training and mastering new skills.

No, they just couldn't seem to agree on anything.

Kaizo had an immediate prejudice against any idea that wasn't his, and Ramen couldn't help but honestly point out that there were better ideas than Kaizo's, and, in any case, agreeing with Kaizo would mean further fuelling his absolutely massive ego, and he wasn't about to do that.

Except Maskmana had given them one condition - just the one - and they were only now realizing its complications.

"Do whatever you want," the admiral had told them, all ease and nonchalance, "just that whatever you do, it's a mutual agreement."