Midnight, in the room Katsu was brought to after acquiring an IceEye. Shelly is awake sitting straight up, still in her SHELLY 40 sweatshirt, looking at an unconscious Katsu.
Saku, still in his squad sweatshirt, is in his outstretched crossed legs and crossed arm pose, a darker black eye than when Katsu woke up and they're closed, with Friend sleeping under its master. It's quiet in the single candle-lit room. So quiet, Shelly can hear the small dancing flame on the candle wick. There's a soft knock, Saku opens his IceEye and Itsuka comes in.
Itsuka: "I'm sure he isn't going anywhere. Why don't you come to the room that Mr.Daisuki gave us?"
Shelly doesn't acknowledge the recommendation and stays silent, staring at her brother, not related by blood. Itsuka can't see Saku's open eye on the left side of his face. She sighs as she walks over and sits on the wooden floor next to Shelly, cross legged. Itsukas tone body more clearly defined from the soft warm lighting.
They both stare at the sleeping Katsu for a moment in silence.
Itsuka: "I know pet and human lives to most people are completely different in importance, and maybe me saying this is ignorant of me....but my dear PipPip, my sweet and playful ferret. People would call him 'just a smelly rodent' when I brought him to the mountains, but I always washed him and he never smelt bad since the day I saved him. Sometimes we'd even shower together."
Saku opens both his eyes behind the girls and listens to the 'interesting' confession and the emotions of a pet owner that he can also relate to.
Itsuka: "When PipPip's life ended, I was in denial. I told myself he was just sleeping and believed it, like a 5 year old, and convinced myself all my actions to save him would be worth it. The real reason I had to seriously duct tape and make a Matryoshka of boxes as his coffin, was because of his smell. I waited so long and fooled myself for long enough that I saw insects in the creature I once saw as my only source of emotional support. I was in denial for so long, I no longer saw him differently than others who called him a 'smelly rodent'. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't let the ones you cherish change for the worse, because sooner or later, you'll see the one you once cherished, no different than how others have seen them all along."
Shelly's hands clench her black sweatpants and tears fall on the back of her hands.
Shelly(crying): "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him Itsuka. I truly love this man with all my heart and not like the adopted sister he sees me as.*sob* I'm so scared of moving too fast, or telling him my true feelings and that confession makes him feel awkward or uncomfortable to be around me. I'd lose everything I've built with him, forever.*sob* I'd do anything for Katsu so he could live happily for the rest of his life. Everytime I train.*sob* Everytime I fight.*sob*To be called a 'Beast', as a woman, for this one man who could have died today because of meehehee. *sob* Because he really deserves it Itsuka*sob*. He does.*sob* I'll be friends with all his friends, even if I can't stand them.*sob* I'll play all the sports he wants to play, even if I don't know how to play.*sob* I'll watch any of those shows others call nerdy, just to be with him and be able to see how happy he gets from them.*sob*"
Itsuka looks at the ground in front of her in silence. Letting Shelly pour her female heart out in hopes of understanding. A tear falls down off Itsuka's face and a snow flake.
Shelly: "I'll get stronger than any man or woman, with or without an IceEye, to protect him. I'm willing to be his sword as long as he stays by my side. I just want him to understand how much he means to me without worrying about making things worse between us."
Itsuka listens and Saku has his eye open listening to the innocent feelings of a girl who knocked him out with one punch. Shelly wipes her face and calms down from the wave of her sadness.
Shelly: "Everyone else notices it, even his mother did. I know it's obvious, but Katsu doesn't react the same way I do towards certain situations. It makes me think he won't ever look at me like a woman and he'll only see me as his adopted sister forever."
Saku stays silent but feels pity for the 18 year old girl and her unrelatable female emotions. He's interested in Itsuka's response so he closes his eyes to make sure they continue their girl talk.
Itsuka: "Well, honestly, I thought my opening statement would seem a little selfish but you didn't even give me a warning for yours."
Shelly looks in surprise at Itsuka and Saku also surprised peeks through his eyelids.
Itsuka: "Sorry if that came off rude but this is the second time you've had an opportunity to experience something I've never been able to have myself and it got to me a little.First, it was the chance to be a strong woman who can lead her peers as a student captain and now it's the opportunity as a dependable woman, to have a person you love, co-dependent on you to survive.In my opinion it shouldn't matter if it's a pet like my sweet PipPip or a man you love more than anything, that you want him to put a baby in you..."
Shelly turns bright red as Itsuka makes eye contact and gives a smile.
Itsuka: "...all that should matter, is if both living organisms are happy together under the same roof at the end of the day. If PipPip was my only friend until the day I died, I'd be content because it may be just a pet, but at least I wouldn't be alone. And there's a life that depends on me to make it's life better."
Shelly looks at Katsu and processes the older girl's words. Itsuka gets up from the floor.
Itsuka: "My grandpop used to tell me 'Men like to feel appreciated, while women like to feel needed', I think he was 100% accurate with that."
The fit woman stands close to Katsu's head and bends over. Saku's primitive instincts look directly at her backside as the 19 year old kisses the sleeping Katsu's forehead, next to the scar on his left eyebrow, which makes Shelly get flustered.
Itsuka(whispers to sleeping Katsu): "Thanks for trusting me hun.(turns to Shelly) See it's that easy for girls to steal a kiss. I'm off to bed. I'm sorry if I didn't help you feel better. Shocker, the ferret girl isn't the best at any kind of supportive talking. Especially when it comes to gossiping about romance."
As she walks away from the bed Shelly grabs Itsukas sweatshirt cuff that hides her hand.
Shelly: "Thanks Big Sis. You're right, I have been unthankful for the opportunities I've gotten and the people I've leaned on when I needed to.It's nice to have someone to talk to like I did when I had Katsu's mother."
Itsuka smiles and bends in front of the girl one year younger than her, but 4 breast cup sizes smaller, her cleavage in Shelly's face. The caramel skinned goddess brushes a strain of hair from Shelly's forehead and kisses it, making Shelly blush.
Itsuka: "Anytime, Lil Sis. Good night."
Shelly: "G- Goodnight."
The woman walks to the door and opens it.
Itsuka: "Goodniiight. Sakuuu."
Saku's face blushes giving up his cover he doesn't answer but Itsuka smiles as she shuts the door.