Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mio found herself once more asking questions towards Monica, as they sat in an enclosed office. She was grateful that the older woman was so indulgent of them. These questions of hers were unusually basic, abnormally so, she knew.

I hope this isn’t her feeling obliged.

It probably was, at least partially. But it wasn’t like she was keeping Monica from doing anything. Mio was actually helping Monica out, having some experience with a leadership and administration role herself, if at a much smaller scale than what Monica faced.

But I am helping.

Anyway, they were working together. Yeah, this was just Mio small-talking with a friend, if a way that happened to involve odd topics.

Ah, no. That’s not the truth. I’m just trying to control my feelings by trivialising and normalising what I’m doing. This isn’t what any normal person would ever ask Monica. But, I’m trying to learn, casually, and that’s fine. Definitely.

There was something in particular Mio had in mind with this talk, and had been working towards with her queries. Time to ask that, the big one for today.

“I want to know more about...um, how people express affection to each other? When they..well...like each other very much? Beyond that kid creating thing that I’m very aware should not be talked about in public”.

Mio looked downwards, feeling a bit embarrassed. She’d been getting tougher at this particular thing, slowly.

“Hmm”. Monica didn’t sigh, but Mio could feel the emotions behind one in that sound. “I’m glad you know that much. I don’t want to go through explaining that rule”.

Mio pondered that silently. Had any of the others done that to Monica, or was it a fear stemming from their observable ignorance?

As she considered that, Monica continued. “There’s hugs and kisses. I suppose those are what most people commonly do physically, though couples will often come up with their own ideas. I’m also confident that different cultures will develop their own ideas and customs too, once we’re all free from the domination of Mobius”.

“I see”.

“You might develop your own little rituals, the more you spend time with your partner. For now, try and explore what you’re comfortable with together”.

Mio nodded. She’d hugged people before, hugged plenty by now, even with the effects of her old military life on her. Kisses though?

“Is there anything you want me to explain further?”.

Mio shook her head. “No. Thanks. I think I can figure out the rest on my own”.

Monica smiled uncertainly. “If you’re sure”.

“I’ll need to start figuring out stuff on my own, and this isn’t that complicated”.

“Okay then. Good luck”.

“Thank you”.

She then left, feeling ready to get going with this. First thing would be find out more about starting this intimacy, on her own. She knew there were books that talked about that. Mio hoped it would be enough.

You’ve got this.

Mio tightened her fists, as though literally gripping tighter to her resolve. She spotted Noah, working on his own with gems, and went to him. Noah stopped his work and faced her, with an at ease smile on his face

“Mio, hey. Is there anything I can do for you?”.

“Oh, nothing right now”, Mio replied. “Can we chat?”.

“Of course”.

She sat on a fold up chair by the workbench, while Noah remained seated. Mio looked over the balcony, at the city around and below them.

“This place still amazes me”.

Noah smiled wider. “Me too”.

“It’s hard enough to think about how it exists or was built. But what it, this community inside the city, is is somehow far more amazing, and harder to accept”.

“I know. This is the future, and yet it does feel blindingly bright to look at”. Noah chuckled

“It’s wonderful, to know that there might be far more ahead than any one person still affected by our world can grasp on their own. But I do feel like I’ve been turned back into a first termer. Or one of those tiny people.

Mio nodded. “So do I. I do wish I could learn faster, just enough to not be awed so often or have to ask really basic questions”.

Including about my feelings towards you.

Noah nodded. “We’ve seen so much, but coming back here still affects me and has me find new surprises.

The two of them sat in silence for a minute. It was soothing. Mio then asked “So, what are you working on?”.

“Well…”. Noah then answered “Something for Ino”.

“Ah”. Mio, inquisitively and hopefully, asked “Have you learned anything more about artificial blades?”.

Noah shook his head. “No, nothing new yet. I don’t understand this at all”.

“I’m sure you’ll find an answer”, Mio assuaged. “We’ve been pretty good at finding truths about everything that no one around us would’ve ever imagined.

“True. But we did just walk into some of those truths without a real clue”.

Mio nodded. “That just means we needed to be more careful generally, and we’ve been improving there. But I don’t think that matters with Ino”.

“No. But I wish I understood her better, and what my connection to her is supposed to be. What does her being my blade mean, or entail?”.

“She’ll keep telling you what she cares about, and maybe that’s enough. Besides, I’m sure she’ll entrust everything she knows or figures out to you. You already have a good relationship with her, and you’re good at talking generally”.

“Most of the time”, Noah said with a touch of sadness. Mio understood why. He had to be thinking of when she’d started to be really hit by how little time she had left, and he’d tried to reassure her.

That...well, they both felt shit after that.

“That’s not your fault”, Mio said assuringly. “And we did get past that, in a healthy way”.

“We did”. Noah smiled. “Yeah, that’s right. Maybe we can really do this. Or maybe we’re even doing a good job at our relationship already, given our starting point”.

Mio blinked, a bit disbelieving of his swerve. He sounded more confident in them that she felt, and she’d been trying to encourage him. Noah continued, explaining himself.

“From what I’ve heard, the place couples make mistakes at often is at the more ordinary places. Like managing good communication. Fighting Mobius might be, in some ways, easier. What needs to be done is easier to define, more objective”.

“I suppose I can see that. But I don’t really...feel it. I feel so uncertain about all this”.

Noah nodded. “Yeah. But this right now definitely feels….couply”

“Is that a word?”, Mio queried, narrowing her eyes while smiling.

“Probably not. It’s just what came to mind”.

He chuckled, as did Mio. They then continued to talk. The topics only got more lighter and trivial, yet this only continued to feel more and more intimate and heavy to Mio. As the atmosphere continued to only get warmer, Mio wondered...

Is it time?

The mood was good. She’d read that this was very important, and she’d managed it. Okay, good. Next was to make a move, in the right way.

“Noah?”

“Yes”.

She leaned forward, while repeating the line she’d picked in her head. And then she voiced it.

“You lips look great. I want to, uh? Destroy them so much. Yeah”

Aggressive desire and flattery seemed to be the two points needed. That seemed to be the consensus with what she read. None of it sounded that great, but she knew nothing about romance. So it probably made sense to city dwellers. She had decided to trust in it and in the suggestions to come up with lines on her own.

Noah blinked. “Um..

Mio tried again. How about…

“Lets pound our mouths together, yeah?”.

“Huh?”.

Noah looked even more shaken. Oh no.

“I’ll...um...I want to make out. With your face”.

Noah blinked a few times, clearly stunned. Worryingly so. He then smiled gently.

“Are you using lines you memorised?”.

What?

Mio tried to look both offended and like she had no interest in what she was holding in her left hand. He might’ve overestimated her. But she hadn’t felt confident in her ability to memorise lines so quickly. Especially for something that felt silly.

“No, I’m not!”

Noah calmly declared “You’ve been repeatedly looking at your hand. Why’s that?”.

Mio slumped. There’d been no hesitation in Noah’s voice, no hope of lies working. In response, Noah laughed.

“It’s fine”.

Glumly, Mio explained herself. “I looked into how the city people made intimate requests. The stuff I read said you should tailor your lines and I thought I understood the basic idea behind how people do it”.

“It’s not that bad”.

Mio frowned, pouted even. I don’t believe you.

“We could try at this again”, Noah said in an assuring tone. He could probably guess at her mood, and had done so. “I could pretend I don’t know what you’re trying.

That sounds humiliating, for the both of us. Nice of him to offer, but no.

“I want to...uh...kiss you a bunch. How’s that?”.

Noah’s face turned red, as he delivered his own effort at a line.

“It’s fine. Good”. Mio stood up hastily. “I’m going to go”.

“Huh? Okay”.

“Um, so, yeah. Going now. See you later, Noah”.

Mio walked away, steadily. Or rigidly. Noah called out “Mio…”, followed by something else after her, but she was soon too far away to hear him.

Chapter Text

“There, there”.

“Just let it out, Mimi”.

Eunie and Sena were who she’d gone to and they’d heard everything from her. Mio was sitting between them, with her arms were crossed. While her body was still a bit tense, she was glad to have this support wrapped around her. They were close to her literally too.

You’d think Sena’s hugs would be rougher, but they’re as tender as she is. Unless she gets a bit too enthusastic, but that’s hardly a risk limited to her and there’s something nice in those enthusiastic hugs too. As for Eunie, her feather’s can be ticklish and she’s not very huggy. But a hug from her’s very nice too.

What was she dwelling on now? Mio had to stop that. She had enough on her mind with Noah.

So she continued to, as Sena asked, let it out.

“It was so painful”, Mio lamented. “Why did I do that? It was so stupid. So, so stupid. I should’ve taken more time to prepare, or prepared better. Why did I think I’d just know what would be romantic or...what was the word?...sexy, and doesn’t that say it all? I don’t have the words even memorised and yet I did…”

She waved angrily, as though her shame was a pile of giant beast manure sitting in front of them. “...I did that. Sparking hell”.

She slumped glumly, then looked up at her two friends. “Will he be put off by that forever?”.

Eunie shook her head. Confidently she declared, “Nah, he won’t”

“No way”, Sena asserted. “It’s just a silly mishap. There’s so much more to you, more for him to respect and love. Which he does”.

Eunie crossed her arms. “If being a bit of a tirkin was enough to wreck things with Noah, then Lanz would’ve been screwed ages ago. I can’t say I’d be safe either, though don’t tell Lanz that I said that”.

She scratched her head and frowned, with something about about the gesture and her last comment that made both Mio and Sena laugh.

“Oi!”, Eunie said sternly, with an edge of offense. “What’s with that?”.

“Sorry”, Sena said jumpily. She always took the idea of upsetting or disappointing others badly.

I know she’s working on it. She doesn’t need me giving her another talk about that. That’ll just make her feel more self-conscious if it’s pointed out to her again.

Right now, better to not divert the conversation. And she’d laughed at Eunie too. So, contritely, Mio also apologised.

“Good. Anyway, I can say for sure that Noah isn’t like that, at all”. Eunie grinned. “We’ll back you up if you need us to”.

“Right”, Sena said resolutely, with a firm smile.

“You can try again”, Eunie said. “He’s understanding, and I’m sure he’ll get where you were coming from”.

“You’re persistent. I believe that you’ll do well, once you’re better prepared”, Sena warmly affirmed. The look in her eyes and the tone of her voice felt even warmer than the blue flame-like parts of her hair. “We’ve all been struggling to learn so much, so fast. So it’s fair to judge your progress by a different standard than everyone who has years of learning. That’s basically what you’ve said to me and others”.

Sena’s then narrowed gaze wasn’t particularly harsh, but when it was coming from her? It managed to make Mio feel unable to object, to feel comically in the wrong for thinking of doing so. Beyond being able to remember what Sena was talking about perfectly, that was.

“Yeah, it is”.

In response, Sena’s expression softened again. Probably felt good for her. Being stern wasn’t easy for Sena, or something she liked at all. Mio knew her that much.

“I know you two have good chemistry. We’ve all seen it. The instant I heard about romance, I felt like you two had it”.

Mio felt her heart warm up and her eyes water. Spark, this is hitting me hard.

They were right. It was going to work out. She believed in them. But there was something else, from this reassurance. I’m feeling that light warm feeling

They were people she cared about a lot, sure. But this was...it was like her feelings towards Noah. What was going on? But maybe it was okay. Maybe what she wanted was just what you did to people you cared about a lot. That did still apply to Eunie and Sena.

“Can...can I ask something?”.

“Hmm?”. Eunie clearly hadn’t expected the shift in direction, but she was unphased by it. “Yeah, course you can”.

Sena was more enthusiastic, declaring “Anything for you, Mimi”.

“Err, bit much there”, Eunie said, blown a bit by her feelings.

“Is it?”, Sena said shyly.

“It’s fine”, Eunie assured her. “Just pointing out that you leapt from, like thirty to a hundred there.

She then frowned. “This had better not become a ‘anything for you’ situation. Yeah, I’d do a lot too, but I don’t want this to get bigger”.

Mio shook her head. “It won’t. You’re right”.

“Good”.

“It’s going to be serious, just not Mobius serious”. She paused. “But our normal serious is pretty bad. Oh, spark. I don’t even know how to say how serious it is. I’m tempted to go with calling it a silly whim, but I can’t do that to my feelings”.

Mio then grumbled, “But everything is so big now. I don’t have a working scale for things any more”.

Eunie looked confident, assured, as she said “Before you deal with that, you need to relax. Take a deep breath, girl.

“Hmm”. Sena pondered the matter, then said “Want to...um. Oh, exercise? Just a bit on the spot. You know, to get active and distract your mind”.

“Is that a good idea?”.

“It might be. It’s something that should work okay”, Sena answered. “And I think I know Mio pretty well”.

Sena’s tone of confidence didn’t sound that solid. Maybe because Mio was aware of her doubts. But Eunie grinned and put a hand on her hip. “I guess you do. Fine. But after that, we’ll relax my way”.

In response, Sena nodded, looking like the positive response had bolstered her.

Good. She deserves that. And I’m glad that we all turned out to be pretty good for each other.

Mio was starting to feel like that warmth in her had combined with a glow from those two, into a feeling she couldn’t resist the urge to express any longer.

“I think I...I want to try something”.

Eunie and Sena looked at her supportively. Eunie then said “Sure. What it is?”.

Oh spark, why am I thinking this? Snuffin hell. Okay, fine, just say it.

Mio painfully said it, her sudden idea and temptation. “Could I...um….kiss...kiss one of you?”.

Eunie’s face fell flat. “What?”.

Sena’s face was the reddest of the three of them. “This is sudden. And too much. You aren’t teasing me about my, uh, feelings towards you. Are you?”.

Worriedly, Mio said “I’d never do that!”.

Eunie’s expression was stern. “Explain yourself, you mutter. Now, and clearly”.

After taking a deep breath, Mio did so, as calmly as she could. “I was told that certain things are supposed to be done to people you care about a lot. I care about you both a lot, deeply. I’m feeling this intense feeling, and I think that’s what I should ask. To...yeah”.

She stiffened her resolve and then continued. “That’s how I feel right now. I want to show my love for you. To you both”.

“Love?”, Sena said, startled.

“I don’t think there’s a different word for this strong and warm affection I have”, Mio replied. “It feels right”.

Eunie’s response was terse. “We’re not having a group make out session with you. No making out. I’m not ready to suddenly do that.

“Making out?

“That’s what it’s called. I’ve been reading too”, Eunie said confidently, a spark of pride brightening her face. But her frown returned as she continued. “Back to my point. I don’t know what you’re trying or if you get it yourself, but I don’t think I can join in whatever this is. Nothing against you specifically, but aren’t you already dating Noah? And I’m not exactly single myself. Snuff, this is too much”.

Sena’s voice was glum as she gave her own answer, “Sorry, Mimi. I’m okay with the idea, to be clear. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to move that fast, or try, well, I don’t know what this is. I need to think, a lot”.

“Oh. Right. I understand”. Mio said, her eyes wide as she absorbed her impulsive action and the response. They were fair, reasonable. She had no idea what she was even hoping for. She’d just felt the need to voice some feelings and desires, and that she should deal with the result. Still...

This was a terrible mistake.

“I should really go now”.

Mio, dejectedly, left with a speedy pace. This expressing happy love feelings experiment was so far turning out to be very painful

“Mio…”

“Uh, wait….”

The awkward voices behind her made her pick up her pace.

Having listened to what Mio had to say, Taion pushed up his glasses and spoke with a reassuring confidence.

“This has been quite the absurd mess, really. It’s good that you’ve come to me”. Taion glanced at Lanz. “To us”.

Lanz shrugged. “I know I’m not that smart. I’m just around. But thanks”.

Taion nodded, which Lanz reciprocated, before crossing his arms and continuing. “Still, I’ll help you out. I can try to figure out a solution to this for you. This might not be my area of expertise, but I should be able to come up with something”.

“Until then, you can hang out with us both”, Lanz said. “You should be safe with the two of us. Emotionally, I mean. I’m not the most sensitive bloke around, but I can leave well enough alone”.

“Indeed”. Taion smiled. “You can trust in...our plans. Right, Lanz?”

“You don’t need to include me every time”, Lanz said, with a mix of affectionate exasperation and appreciation in his voice.

“It’s...simply good to appreciate other people’s outlooks, especially one that can see things that I wouldn’t”.

“Sure”, Lanz said wryly. “Thanks”.

Mio was glad to see how far they’d gotten. She’d had worries about them, about the way they used to argue. It wasn’t big, but she’d feared they’d never get along. But they did, and it wasn’t a matter of their shared cause making them behave or something like that. They were, in their own way, true comrades and true friends.

“Well, anyway, we can try to figure this out together. I’m not as good at handling emotional problems”. Taion looked unhappy about saying that, even as he did so without hesitation. Being able to admit to weak spots and to handle them maturely doesn’t make having them great.

Taion adjusted his glasses. “But I’m sure we can come up with an answer to all this together”.

“For sure”, Lanz agreed. “I don’t think I can come up with anything clever, and fixing a mess like this isn’t a place for my skills. But I’m not going to do nothing”.

He was being hard on himself, or not giving himself due credit. Mio decided to push against that.

“Are you sure that’s right? You helped Fiona out a lot in regards to her doubts and fears. Plus, I know Sena’s gotten more self-confident from talking with you. I can see when she’s talked to you, because she tends to look more relaxed”.

“Really?”,

“Yeah. You might be a better friend for her than I am, a healthier one”.

Lanz frowned. “Get off it, that’s going too far”.

Mio shook her head. “It’s not. You have a knack for helping people. I’m sure of it”.

“Maybe. I might be able to accept that. But I ain’t a healthier friend than you. Don’t say dung like that”. He looked away. “Watching after your back and making sure you know it, that’s what I can do for you. You know, in a casual way for this. No matter what Eunie or this guy says about me, I do have common sense”.

Taion tiredly said “I have tried to be fairer, but you have made some questionable choices”.

“So have you”.

“I know, and we’re both improving, aren’t we?”

After a moment, Lanz replied “Yeah, we are”.

He then turned back to Mio. “So you can rely on us, right? We’re still getting better and I think we’ve all been pretty reliable already for a while”.

Mio sniffed. She’d had those stupid, embarrassing mess ups with Noah, Eunie and Sena, had really screwed up, she felt, so this meant the world to her right now. Maybe she wasn’t messing everything up, and the rest of their fight against Mobius wasn’t going to have a shadow of comical awkwardness hanging over her.

“Thanks”.

Taion and Lanz both nodded, while smiling. Both of those smiles were reassuring and solidly supportive, in a way that suited each of them uniquely. This was comforting, very much so. She again felt so lucky, so blessed, to have those she did around her. This was so good. So warm, so nice.

Oh no.

Mio’s eyes widened. She understood what this was, and blurted it out. “That kissy urge? It’s back again”.

Taion had an anticipatory expression, as he simply said “Oh?”.

“It’s...towards you guys now”, Mio had to humiliatingly admit.

Taion’s tone dropped like a rock. “Oh”.

Lanz frowned, his tone very serious as he openly pondered this sudden development. “Talking to more people seems to be making this sparking mess worse. Like a virus. Or it is something else?"

“She is purely picking people she has affection towards to talk to about this”, Taion said knowingly. In response, understanding flashed across Lanz’s face.

“Ohhh”. He fell silent for a few moments. “But...isn’t this too much? She’s covered our entire team now. And me included? Now, I do think I’m a cool guy, but I don’t expect anyone to feel that strongly about me. And now Mio is?”.

“Apparently, she has”, Taion replied. “I’d be happy to help you with whatever feelings you have about the situation, once we actually resolve what is evidently in front of us.

Mio stood up. “I’ve got to go now. I just, uh, remembered something. Yeah”.

Terrible excuse, but she was focused on walking away from this. She was already doing that.

“Wait, Mio!”, Taion called out.

“No, I won’t”, Mio said, in a way much lighter than she actually felt. “Bye!”

As she sped away, she heard Lanz speak.

“So much for handling this”.

Chapter Text

“Today’s been terrible”.

Mio was slumped onto a table, head down and with her blocking much of the light away from her face with her crossed arms.

“Oh, Mio”. Miyabi’s tone was comforting, as was her arm over Mio’s shoulders. She was sat by Mio’s side. Mio had told her everything, and she’d been a sensitive listener. It was hard to talk about, but Miyabi had helped her feel comfortable with going through it all.

It’s nice, even if today’s events are still hurting me. But she’s helping. She’s helping me out again.

“I’ve been so weird, with everyone. I don’t know what’s wrong with me”.

“Nothing. I think you’re just dealing with feelings that are a bit more complicated than usual”, Miyabi assured her. “Unfortunately, I’m new to this too, so I can’t just give you more of an answer. Though, I don’t think I was ever like that, someone who could claim a good understanding of what you’re struggling with”.

Mio sighed, annoyed with that oversight of hers. When they knew each other before, Miyabi might have been better than her at handling her feelings and at understanding how something like sending could be something unique and valuable in its own way from the fighting she had once prepared for so intensely. Then, Miyabi had felt wiser, more mature, profoundly so. Mio still had an inclination to see Miyabi that way. But the Miyabi who sat by her had only gotten free from Mobius brainwashing, gotten free to think and to truly make a start with this new life of hers, not long ago.

“Sorry”.

“That’s not necessary”, Miyabi replied firmly.

“Ah, okay”.

“I know how you felt, about the me who died, about being alive from then. I’ve been able to learn a lot, about how you were feeling until very recently”.

“Huh? From who?”.

Mio hadn’t exactly hidden that stuff, but Miyabi sounded like she knew in a stronger sense than suited what she’d shared.

“Eunie, mainly”.

“Oh”.

“I have done a lot as your partner, and will hopefully do more as your comrade. But I want none of it to stop us from seeing each other on an equal footing”. Miyabi wasn’t properly visible to her in the way they were sat, but her tone spoke well enough of her iron conviction. “Likewise, I hope that my current state doesn’t make you feel guilty again. I don’t want that, for my sake and yours”.

Mio recalled the struggle she’d had to acknowledge that attitude she’d had, about that and her own life, and change from it. A struggle that perhaps hadn’t ended. She didn’t want to backslide. Also, while Miyabi had phrased her last sentence to direct the concern at her, Mio hadn’t let it slip over her head that the target of those sorts of feelings could be made to feel crappy by them too.

Watching someone denigrate, devalue and blame themselves because of you feels awful. It feels bad to have had that going on with Sena, to still maybe have it going on.

Mio didn’t know when or if that part of her relationship with Sena would be definitely fixed in that area. But she could try at making sure her relationship with Miyabi didn’t get worse there. She lifted her head up, though let Miyabi stay close to her.

“We’ll be partners again, I’m sure. Standing by each other as equals who trust fully in each other, like you want. Right, Miyabi?”.

She could feel Miyabi move. “If I won’t be getting in the way between you and Noah”.

She only sounded partially serious, but Mio still answered her earnestly. “You won’t be”.

“Good. Then we’re partners again, now”.

“Great”.

I hope we can really be that again. I’ll be trying my best.

After a moment, Mio hesitantly asked “So, do you think I can fix this? This mess from today?”.

“Yes”.

“Really? And that I won’t make any more messes?”.

“I think that’s possible, and I’m confident in it. In you”, Miyabi said almost serenely. That faith, no, confidence, was impressive.

“Hmm”.

Mio was aware that she was in search for words of comfort. But that didn’t necessarily make Myabi’s words invalid. The two of then sat together, leaning against each other. Then Miyabi spoke.

“Mio?”.

“Y...yeah?”.

“You need to talk about this with everyone”.

Mio was aware of that. She’d have to eventually. Yeah. But, couldn’t there be some other step first?

“….first, could I try…”.

“No”.

“...but…”.

“No”.

“….but what if I went to…”.

“No”.

Mio pouted, sourly saying “You didn’t even let me voice my ideas”.

“You mean your plan to repeat the same action you’ve done to everyone you deeply trust on Aionios, potentially resulting in you somehow discovering a massive number of crushes, while making things awkward generally and not helping with those you’ve already asked”.

Mio frowned. But could she really say that Miyabi was wrong? Maybe that was her plan, essentially. She wasn’t going to voice it now, when it would just made her look silly and feel sillier.

“Your ears are wilting”.

Mio cursed. Sometimes, her ears could emote more than she wanted. It took some extra skill and effort to hide her feelings. She could do that, well enough for both her role as a leader and to stop her worst anxieties from being broadcast to everyone.

“I think I know you well enough to read you pretty easily, even ignoring those. Your cute ears”.

Mio was tempted to pout. But she did feel that part of her annoyance was probably just a poor reaction to that which she didn’t want to indulge.

“You don’t need to butter me up. I can take my plan being dumb, which I accept is completely true, without needing some flattery. I’ll be mature about this regardless, I promise”.

Miyabi let out a light laugh. “Flattering your nice ears is just one more little nice thing I can enjoy. I’m not trying to influence you. But I’m glad to know you’re hopefully going to stop the pattern you’ve been following”.

“Hmm”. I’d better make sure that’s definitely so.

“You’ve improved a lot in regards to how you engage with the world and your feelings”, Miyabi said supportively. That did seem more strained as she added “But I have to admit, the part of you that’ll pin down your own feelings like you’re trying to tank a massive monster on your own, without having anyone notice? That’s something I’d hope you’d get better at not repeating with new emotional problems. It only causes you more pain”.

“I’m trying”. Mio found her confidence faltering. “Maybe I’m not flexible enough”,

“No, that’s not it”. Miyabi’s rejection of her words was absolute. “Just remember, defenders work as part of a triangle. You might be able to tank everything, but that doesn’t mean you should. Not indefinitely”.

“I know the basics of battle”, Mio said sharply, more than she’d wanted to. “I was going to be a proper defender, one of the best ever. I know how defenders work better than most people on Aionios”.

Miyabi’s expression looked sadder, even though her smile endured. Mio instantly felt very guilty about that. It reminded her of the past, and of how she’d once vented her old anger at being made an off-seer at Miyabi.

“Sorry. Even with everything I’ve learned, with the many times I’ve seen how wonderful sending off can be and with all I know now about this pointless, terrible war, part of me still cares a bit about that. I’m good at being a defender. Really good. Even if this world would be better off if it didn’t need them any longer”.

Miyabi shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of pride, as long as you’re still aware of reality”.

Mio nodded. “Right”.

“Like how you need to talk with everyone about what’s happened”.

“…yes, I do”.

“So, not going to offer to kiss me next?”, Miyabi teased. “Judging from your other experiences, that should be coming up soon”.

“….I’m too embarrassed”.

I’m tempted, of course. Yeah, of course, and not just because Miyabi’s been special to me for ages. It’s also because yet one more case of me feeling like that is what I’d expect at this point.

Miyabi chuckled. “I see. That’s nice to hear. Well, I’m not against it, but this has gotten very complicated, hasn’t it?”.

“Yeah”. Mio felt there was a soft understatement to Miyabi’s words, maybe that they both needed. “Definitely.”

They then sat together for a while longer, quietly. Mio knew what she had to do. But she didn’t have to rush to that. It was better if she didn’t. Fortunately, she wanted this.

Mio felt her face burning. But her voice had been calm as she’d gathered the others. She was good at that, at mustering the resolve to stand confidently. Normally, she used that as a leader and as a fighter. But applying that to emotions wasn’t something she was entirely unfamiliar with, if doing so without guilt fuelling it was new.

“So, I think you know why we’re here”.

The others, the Ouroboros and Miyabi, nodded. Monica, who was with them too, sighed. She was probably cursing the day that she’d ended up partnered with these “Ouroboros” kids who knew so little about embarrassing and awkward things. Well, maybe this was Mio’s mind projecting her feelings about this onto Monica, she could admit.

“If not for everything we’ve been through, everything you’ve done, I’d honestly drop this. Personal affairs like this aren’t and shouldn’t be my concern”, Monica declared. “But I’m going to stick my hands into this regardless, and try to be of assistance. Your situation is unique, and what you’ve done for us by far outweighs involvement in this”.

Mio’s shoulders slumped from the weight of her shame, and gave a quiet, apologetic, “Sorry”.

Monica then went right to the point. “You’ve been developing crushes on and had a number of incidents in which you announced the desire to kiss everyone, by which I mean all of your comrades here. Beyond the last time, you always retreated and left most of them confused and soon asking questions about your actions”.

It wasn’t a question, more an exasperatedly delivered statement, but Mio still gave an answer.

“Yes”.

Eunie let out an exasperated groan, though her voice was relatively chill as she spoke. “Not that I mind much, so you know, after thinkin’ about it. It’s just so sudden and random, and she’d tried it on Noah before she tried it on me and Eunie. And Ashera probably wouldn’t like me cheating on her. I... guess that’s what it would be. I’m still figuring out this romance stuff for one person. I’m not saying no to more, but…Snuff, I don’t know”.

Lanz chuckled, making Eunie scowl at him. Sena’s face was red, but her comment on this was “I, um, wouldn’t mind either. It’s just what Eunie said. It was so much to take in. Still is, really”.

“I like to think I’m open minded”, Noah commented, remarkably at ease. “So neither do I. Not particularly”.

Lanz shrugged. “It’s a bit odd, but not much more than everything else. I’m willing to try new things. All of this relationship guff is trying out something new and kinda strange anyway”.

Miyabi had her arms on the table and a relaxed posture, as usual. “I wouldn’t have imagined being in a situation like this. I’m mainly taking this all in. But a relationship with Mio? With others wrapped up in this too? Maybe”. She chuckled. “I didn’t think she’d be so daring. Perhaps I’ve yet to fully take in how much she’s grown”.

That was a flattering way to put it, considering that Miyabi knew all the embarrassing details of this.

Monica’s gaze was mainly focused on Mio, though she hadn’t ignored the others. It was just that Mio didn’t get to feel for a moment like Monica wasn’t looking at her. A scary ability, for sure.

“So you’ve leapt from barely knowing anything and figuring out the basics to accidentally trying out both bisexuality and polyamory?”.

Mio felt like her head was ready to melt, like her cheeks were going to burst into flames

“...yes, that’s what I’ve done”.

“How much do you understand about either of those words?”, Monica said flatly, dryly.

“I’ve read about both of them”, Mio defensively replied. “I just can’t explain stumbling into both in my life accidentally”.

She then sternly looked at the others. “You’re thinking that I’ve been a total tirkinhead. Aren’t you?”.

Noah’s eyes widened. “No! Never!”.

“Yeah, never!”, Sena exclaimed.

“...exactly”, Taion stated, calmer than the first two, though strained. This was evidently pushing at his cool demeanour.

“...I might be”, Eunie said after a moment of delay, though without any uncertainty in her tone. The others all looked at her, clearly both a bit surprised and unhappy with that open admission.

“The rest of you are snuffing liars”, Eunie stated sourly. “This has been really silly. I know it is”.

“Yes, it is”, Monica tiredly interjected.

“See?”.

“It might be...odd”. Noah said cautiously. “I just don’t want to judge Mio for this. I think we should try to avoid that”.

Oh, spark. Mio was glad that they were more focused on each other, but this situation was only getting more comical.

This is absurd. How could this happen?

She found herself repeating variants of that in her head, as the conversation was still ongoing. The sound of Monica groaning in response to something brought Mio back out of feeling like a weary observer to what she’d unleashed. It cooled down Mio’s annoyance at this mess too, though that merely gave way to her stewing over her feelings, and the problem at hand.

What do I do now? What do we do?

She had no idea. Just a sense that, as little as she understood this new world of love, she could still tell that this was going to be a lot of hassle.