unknownrival | [Post-maid cafe.]

For the record: I am not currently employed at a maid cafe. Any belief I had that I was employed at one came from the virus. I have no desire whatsoever to work there.

I also violently despise Koizumi Akako, who brainwashed me again. And I am exceedingly grateful for the Valentine's Day virus.

[Locked away from anyone the labors are directed at.]
Nine labors completed, six left. More than half, at last.

Hopefully the replacement motorcycle will somewhat abate Rider's wrath, but I don't want to take chances. And since I'm not very good at this whole 'stealing' thing, honestly... I guess it's the 'look for Kite in the digital world' task next. Does anyone know who that is?
[/Locked]

((Rider's motorcycle has been stolen, and Akako has been kissed.

Remaining tasks, for the curious!

1. Go into the digital world and find Kite.
2. Steal Dark Nation from Rufus. (Issei's planning to do this during the wedding, when he hopefully won't be home.)
3. Sneak into his palace and steal Joyeurse and Swordbreaker from Larsa.
4. Defeat Allen in poker.
5. Steal Chuck Bass’ scarf.
6. Steal Cori’s cat and survive the hellhole he lives in.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We have an extra futon. Please, stay as long as you like. [Maybe his manners would rub off on Ranma-kun if he did.]

Though, it is not just myself here, dear. My family will be coming home soon. [It was a fair warning, really. Such a lively sort, the Saotomes and her sisters.]

Thank you. Oh, that's fine, I'll be happy to meet your family. [If they were anything like her, it would be a pleasant experience.]

[Absently glances at the clock.] School should let out soon. They should be here in nearly an hour.

[A smile.] More tea?

[Unfortunately, she's the only calm, responsible one of the bunch. :|]

I'll be looking forward to it. Oh, yes, please! [It's delicious tea, too.]

[Those wacky family members. What are we to do with you?]

[Pours him some, and then more for her too. Pot's nearly empty.] I am sure you will like them, and they you.

[Lead an uneventful, boring life.]

One can hope so. [Sips his tea!] Hopefully they won't be too surprised to see a stranger in their home.

[Like that would ever happen.]

We have an abundance of guests. [she reassured him. Mostly Ranma-kun's friends/challengers/fiance(e)s, but Kasumi brought a few of her own as well.] You will be welcomed have no doubt.

[Never ever in a millian years. Ever.]

All right, then my presence won't be too much of an intrusion. [Relieving to hear. The last thing he needed was someone else to freak out at him.]

It will not be. [Sipping her tea.]

[Crashing from the hallway. She looks up expectantly, smiling. And oh hi there's a panda beariling through the door. It holds up a sign that says, I'm home, Kasumi.]

Welcome home, Saotome-san!

[He flips the sign around, and written on the back is, When's dinner?] Four hours from now.

[And it's gone up the stairs to its room.]

[He jumps a little in his seat when the panda crashes in. After (he?) leaves, he asks,] You have a panda in your home?

Yes. That was Saotome-san. He is staying with us for the time being. [Keeps sipping her tea as if nothing unusual has happened.] His son is my sister's fiance.

[...Stay calm. Be polite. You are a guest, you can't be rude.] Is your sister engaged to a panda, then?

[Blinkblink. Oh yes, Saotome-san had been in his cursed form, hadn't he?] Oh, no. Ranma-kun is always human. His father, the poor dear, is, I suppose one could say, half panda.

That makes more sense. Slightly.

[Well, he had heard stranger things. ...Not many, but some.]

[A sigh, and she holds a hand before her mouth demurely.] It's truly unfortunate. He was cursed in China.

Ah, I see. [He makes a note to self never to go to China.]

[Oh look the kettle's full again!] More tea?

Yes, please. [Is she going to keep feeding him until eternity?]

[Until he politely declines, which has yet to happen, with her.]

[What lovely tea and company! She's just smiling absently and enjoying her beverage.]

[The politely part?]

[This is good tea, mmhmm. ...He's out of things to talk about.]

[The refusing part. Everyone always eats what she gives them.]

[And they're just enjoying each others company. How nice and relaxing. :D]

[Must be a martial artist thing.]

[Indeed, it's very calming~ You could almost forget that a panda just crashed through the doorway.]

[When the table's a battle field, you take what you can get!]

[Happens all the time. And he hasn't even seen anyone change yet. Or the squabbling and hammering people through the roof and into space.]

[The silence goes one for a little while longer, and then it's almost time for her sisters and Ranma to be home. Time to start dinner! And the dishes from Issei's lunch. So she stands and starts stacking them onto the tray.]

[All of that?! ...There's a reason he's not from a comedy anime, it'd freak him out.]

Ah, may I help you do the dishes?

[Things appearing out of thin air, like the kettle? Totally normal. Wait til the giant hammers as big as a tree start coming out. Poor boy can't get a break, can he?]

[Kasumi's slightly surprised at this; shows in the slight widening of her eyes. But she smiles softly and says,] You are a guest, Issei-kun. It's quite all right.