Yoshino visibly jumped in place when Retsu walked into the restroom, casting wild eyes on the other girl. She had locked the door, right? Right? Or had she been so desperate to hide her lack of control that she had forgot even that detail? Without a word, Yoshino snatched the handkerchief and used it to dry her glasses. Slowly her panic began to lower anew and she could finally manage out real words.

[color=8493ca]"Yes...Yes I'm fine. It's nothing to worry about Retsu,"[/color] she said, though her eyes did not meet the other girl's directly. [color=8493ca]"It's fine; what's done is done. Has everyone else left the area? That's all that matters at this point...really Retsu, I'm fine. It wasn't the blood it was just....I said I'm fine...."[/color] 

Retsu shook her head, a meaningless gesture since Yoshino wasn't looking at her. [color=black]"Everyone is leaving now, but... You're not alright. I know it was quite shocking... It wasn't easy my first time either."[/color] Retsu was of course assuming that Yoshino had never been close to a brawl before. Retsu didn't fight as much as her brother did either, but that didn't mean she didn't know about it. Unlike him, Retsu does her best to keep her hands cleaned, but that doesn't mean she's never made fights happen.

[color=black]"First, let's get out of here. We can talk about what happened somewhere more... Comfortable."[/color] The bathroom was not the most appropriate place to have a serious talk.

[color=8493ca]"I said I was fine!"[/color] Yoshino said sharply in an angry outburst. No sooner did the words come out of her mouth did she stop herself, shaky hands rising to adjust her glasses. Retsu had a point, as always. Whatever the case may be, they couldn't talk here; so the Student President allowed the other girl to lead her away.

[color=8493ca]"I'm sorry I snapped at you,"[/color] she murmured, just as the cops began to show up finally. By then the two girls were already some miles away from the pizza joint. At some point Yoshino began to unconsciously lead the way, her feet carrying her to her dorm room on campus. Only when she reached for the door knob did she stop and look at Retsu, wondering why she was still here.

[color=8493ca]"You don't have to look after me Retsu. I can handle myself,"[/color] Yoshino said wearily. It was more for the fact that it wasn't in their contract for Retsu to get involved in Yoshino's personal matters and the Student President didn't want to think about paying Retsu for her services at the moment.

Crossing her arms, Retsu looked to the side, deep in thought. Professionally, Retsu should respect Yoshino's desire to handle these things herself. If she didn't want her help, then Retsu could leave. But on a more personal level... Retsu couldn't leave this girl alone. [color=black]"... So you say, Tsugumi-san. Forgive me however, because I'm still concerned about you. Off the books, I feel responsible for what happened. Not with Asahi being an idiot, but for you nearly getting hurt."[/color] 

Retsu didn't look at Yoshino when she said this. She wasn't sure why she felt this way. The reason she felt so annoyed at Asahi wasn't for getting into fights, but for endangering Yoshino. Perhaps it was because Retsu needed Yoshino for Deep Ground was why she was so protective. At least that's how Retsu justified it. Her words... Didn't exactly match up. [color=black]"I want to make sure you have someone to talk to, about what happened. And perhaps explain to Yuuno what happened. You may not be hurt physically, but I'm more concerned about... About how you're feeling."[/color] This was kinda awkward. 

Yoshino looked at Retsu incredulously. Why did Retsu, no, Dark Wraith care about her? More importantly, why was she letting her into her dorm, as if this somehow felt right? Closing the door behind her, Yoshino turned on some lights and sat on her couch, releasing a sigh. She played with her glasses again, still not meeting Retsu's gaze; at this point, both girls were acting quite strange.

[color=8493ca]"Yes, I suppose it makes sense for you to be concerned. I am your employer...yes, it makes sense. How I'm feeling? I'm feeling scared, cornered...but it'll pass. It always does. I'll make sure to send Yuuno a message tomorrow morning...why do you even care about what I'm telling you right now? You don't seem the sentimental type."[/color]

Retsu took a seat in Yoshino's dorm, making sure to take off her shoes so she didn't leave marks on her floor. Once seated Retsu could only look at her hands, thinking about what she was doing. Yoshino raised a few good points: Why did Retsu care? If anything letting Yoshino mentally break down would allow a smoother transition of power from herself to Dark Wraith. But perhaps that was because what Dark Wraith wants isn't exactly what Retsu wants.

[color=black]"... Perhaps. But I'm not completely heartless. Pragmatically speaking, I need to make sure you're in the proper state of mind if I want to be able to rely on you and Moon Rider. But on a more personal note? I... Feel... Concerned."[/color] Those words were hard for Retsu to push out, as if she wasn't saying what she wanted to say. Giving a brief pause to let her words sink in and for Retsu to figure out what she was trying to say, she continued.

[color=black]"If there is a problem, I want to be able to solve it. I dislike the idea that someone who is... Important... Is in distress, and I can't do anything about it. It's not something I will just ignore. And I know too well how sentimentality can affect one's ability. We're not machines, Tsugumi-san. We have feelings and emotions too, and to make sure we're at our best, we have to take care of them."[/color] Despite her talk of emotions, Retsu's voice seemed rather monotonous. It was as if she wasn't familiar with what she was talking about either. Or rather, she doesn't talk about it enough.

[color=8493ca]"You...You're concerned about me?"[/color] Yoshino said, for once looking up at the other girl. Of course Retsu's tone of voice said otherwise but the Student President could imagine how it must have felt for the other girl to admit such a thing. So she didn't push it forward, once more looking down.

[color=8493ca]"Even so, I can tell that you're trying and that your heart is in the right place. I never did thank you for saving me, did I?"[/color] Yoshino continued, trying to manage a smile. [color=8493ca]"I probably would have ended up with more wounds if it wasn't for you Retsu..."[/color]

Retsu smiled at Yoshino's compliment. Not to ruffle her own feathers, but she was glad that Yoshino recognized her efforts. Looking out the window, it was getting dark. There was still a bit of sun left on the horizon, but if Retsu had to guess in about ten to twenty minutes, it'd be night time. [color=black]"I wouldn't think of it like that. I'm sure someone would have stepped in to help you. I was just the first one to do so."[/color]

But Retsu didn't come here to talk about herself. Glancing at Yoshino, Retsu tried to get a read on her person. Try to understand how Yoshino was doing. [color=black]"But what about you? You seemed rather shaken up at the fight. He... Didn't do anything to you, did he?"[/color] Retsu was pretty sure she got him before he could have done anything, but she can't be entirely sure. It all happened rather fast.

When Retsu glanced at her, Yoshino instinctively turned away, a tell-tale sign of her failure and weakness. Gripping her hands on her lap, she frowned as Retsu got right to the core of the issue. She couldn't very well keep this secret for long and if Retsu really wanted to help her...

[color=8493ca]"I have...scopophobia,"[/color] she said bluntly, letting the implications of that word sink in. [color=8493ca]"It means I...have an unnatural fear of being stared at. More specifically, when people look me in the eye. When that boy attacked me, I didn't much care for how strong he was. But then he looked at me and...and then I just froze up and...I d-didn't know what to do,"[/color] Yoshino said, her voice slightly cracking. Her heart began to beat faster at that recent memory, the edges of another panic attack threatening to overcome her.

Almost immediately Retsu turned her eyes away, though she couldn't help but sneak glances at Yoshino. It must be quite awkward for Yoshino to suffer from such a phobia, more so since she's the student council president. Either her phobia isn't that bad, or she's much stronger then she first appears. Retsu assumes the latter. But it would explain why she was so shaken up when that boy attacked her. This wasn't really something Retsu knew how to handle; she was more used to physical injuries, with subsequent psychosocial issues from being hit. Stuff like Yoshino's phobia was beyond her ability, and it made Retsu a bit angry knowing how useless she was at the subject.

[color=black]"Oh. I'm.... That's bad to hear. It must be hard for you, what with being the student president and all. Is there anything I can do to help?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Does it look like you can do anything?"[/color] Yoshino responded with more bitterness than she had intended. [color=8493ca]"S...Sorry. I shouldn't keep snapping at you. My phobia is the whole reason why I even wear these stupid glasses," she hissed, half-tempted to rip them off and chuck them across the room. "And it's all [i]her[/i] fault. She...She did this to me and I...I can't...it's just too much Retsu."[/color]

The strong front Yoshino had been putting up for all this time was finally cracking more and more, her own insecurities slipping out. She wrapped her arms around herself, her heartbeat increasing more and more. It was her fault. She was the one who broke off, who decided they were little more than acquaintances. And for what? For something that was beyond Yoshino's control?

Keeping her cool, Retsu didn't feel angry at Yoshino snapping at her. She understood she was frustrated and that Retsu was going to need to weather through the storm. There wasn't much she could do until she learned more however. So at the risk of causing a lot of pain and suffering, Retsu moved seats to be next to Yoshino. [color=black]"Tell me about it, Yoshino-san. I... I'm here to help you. Even if all I can do is shoulder your burden with you."[/color]

Yoshino found herself nodding without much struggle, barely catching the fact that Retsu had used her first name. She took a few long moments to catch her breath, building up her defensive wall once more and keeping calm. Retsu probably wouldn't appreciate her whining.

[color=8493ca]"Kuroke Chiyo. My...half-sister. We used to be quite fond of each other. We used to...do things with one another. And we used to care about each other quite alot. This was before we had even realized we were blood related. By as it turned out, my father used to be married to her mother and...while I saw it as an opportunity to get closer, Ch-...Kuroke-san blamed me for stealing her father."[/color]

Now this was something that Retsu knew well. Granted she never had such feelings her half-brother, but... In a way, she did feel that Asahi's birth stole any importance Retsu could have had with her own father. If Asahi wasn't born, if her father wasn't such a womanizer, maybe Retsu would have grown up to be like this. So in a way Retsu could understand Chiyo's anger, but at the same time, it was unreasonable. They were just kids. What could they really do?

[color=black]"I... I understand. Sort of like be and Asahi... It'd certainly explain the way she treated me, when I fought her in Deep Ground. But what exactly did she do?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"What do you think she did?"[/color]

The answer didn't need to be said, read clearly through Yoshino's expression. She stared right at Retsu before looking away in fear and shame. The implications of such still made her uncomfortable but even someone like Retsu could put the pieces together.

[color=8493ca]"She didn't do it herself. She hates to get her hands dirty you know. She...got some random guys together. They followed me to my dorm, made me go a different way and...in the alleyway, I just saw her. Staring right back at me and...she didn't even care...god I'm so weak,"[/color] Yoshino whispered, trembling all over as the memories began to resurface.

[color=8493ca]"I couldn't say anything. As Student President how could I? I had to keep going for Moon Rider and myself. And Chiyo knew that..."[/color]

Retsu stayed solemnly quiet. She could imagine what might have happened, and it hurt her to think there was nothing she could do about it... Right now. For a long while, Retsu couldn't say anything. She didn't know what she could say to Yoshino to help. All Retsu knew was that she would have sought vengeance in some way. Make Chiyo disappear. But Yoshino wasn't like Retsu, and her solution... May not help. Maybe.

[color=black]"I'm sorry. That's horrible. And... It's not your fault. You aren't weak Yoshino. You were just alone. Chiyo... She knew that no one would have come to your aid. And you've been taking on this burden all by yourself for so long. That's why... People like you and me, I want to help. So that way we aren't alone, and have to face these challenges ourselves anymore."[/color] Retsu couldn't believe what she was saying. She sounded like some sort of shonen protagonist going on about the power of friendship. It was stupid, but Retsu wasn't going to admit it was also something she wanted. She has minions of her own, but none who she could call her friends or equals.

Yoshino was silent, listening to Retsu's words intently. For someone that had kept this a secret for so long with no one else to rely on, it felt good to finally admit it. She may have disagreed about her being strong-if she was truly strong, she would have conquered her phobia by now-but at least it felt refreshing to rely on someone else for once.

[color=8493ca]"Thank you Retsu. I'm not even sure why I'm telling you all this,"[/color] Yoshino said, blinking and realizing how she must look with red and wet eyes. [color=8493ca]"If...If you want...I mean, if you would like...you can stay here for the night. I don't usually do much on school nights seeing as I live here by myself..."[/color]

Suddenly, Retsu hand out her handkerchief to Yoshino (A different one since Yoshino gave back her first one). As for Yoshino's offer, Retsu hesitated. She was still in her fancy dress, and as comfortable as it was, if she was going to sleep over she'd need to get her pajamas, a change of clothes, at her uniform as well. But Retsu wanted to stay. [color=black]"Sure. Yeah, that'll be fine. Though... I need to get a change of clothes and stuff, and I do have a few things I need to do for Moon Rider, you now."[/color] Retsu felt a bit nervous getting this close to Yoshino. She was willing to listen to her problems, but she wasn't sure what was going to happen if she actually stayed in her dorm. Surely it'd be nothing. They were both girls after all.

Yoshino accepted the new handkerchief gratefully, removing her glasses and drying her eyes with them. She nodded to Retsu's requests, saying, [color=8493ca]"I have some spare uniforms and pajamas if you don't feel like going back out. It's supposed to be cold tonight."[/color]

Whatever underlying subtext there was supposed to be in them staying together for the night, Yoshino was unaware of it. Bit by bit the weak shell that had confided in Retsu just moments before was being rebuilt into the image of the stoic Student President. As far as she saw it, Retsu was simply here to conduct business between her and Moon Rider.

[color=black][i]"Wearing Yoshino's clothes... What have you done, Retsu?"[/i][/color]

Sighing, Retsu supposed that she would accept. It's not as if they were sharing underwear or anything like that. And Retsu's outfit wasn't very well insulated against the cold. Putting those dirty thoughts aside, Retsu figured that now was a good time to wash up. She felt her stomach finish its business with her pizza, so Retsu requested to use the bathroom first.

Smiling, Yoshino directed Retsu over to the bathroom while heading to her own bedroom and fetching some spare pajamas the other girl could fit in. However, upon walking into her room, she soon realized that....well, she only had one bed to share. The shadow of a blush on her cheeks, she adjusted her glasses before finding some black pants and a purple t-shirt.

Granted it was near-identical to her own pajamas since Yoshino really didn't spend much. Since Chiyo had left her life, she had thrown the other girl's things away or rid herself of them through other means. Frowning in anger at the reminder of her own sob story, Yoshino walked back to the living room.

[color=8493ca]"I'll leave your clothes outside,"[/color] she called out to Retsu, stopping by and placing the pajamas outside the bathroom.

[color=black]"Thank you!"[/color] Retsu shouted from the toilet. Once she was comfortably relieved Retsu turned and looked at the bath. She was tempted to get the bath ready and take the first dip, but that seemed... Rude. But surely they both needed to path. So after washing her hands and changing into Yoshino's pajamas, she started the bath. She wasn't sure how Yoshino liked it, so she used hot water and waited until the water filled about 60% of the tub. Once she was finished Retsu went out of the bathroom looking for Yoshino. [color=black]"The bath is ready. Would you like to go in first?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Er huh? But Retsu, I don't need...."[/color] Yoshino said, voice trailing off. Then again Retsu had gone through the trouble of preparing her bath and she couldn't well just deny that act of kindness. Still, she did think Retsu was trying too much to prove something here and she opened her mouth to assure the other girl that she didn't need to. But no words came out and she merely nodded, removing her party dress. In no time she was bare, slipping into the bath as a gentle sigh escaped from how warm it felt.

After Yoshino left to take a bath, Retsu helped herself to a cup of water. Getting a tall glass, she filled it to nearly the brim and drained it just as fast, cleaned the cup, and put it away. Then Retsu went and saw at Yoshino's couch feeling a bit tired. She had eaten quite a full meal, punched out a random thug, and ran all the way to the dorms. So of course she was feeling a bit pooped. However she still needed to attend to development in Deep Ground. Last she checked, many Ebon Strykers have gone out to hunt the Corpse Collector, but so far they've had no luck.

As Retsu was checking her messages, she looked down at the pajamas that Yoshino gave her. These were... Yoshino's clothing. Clean... Right? Lifting the shirt up to her nose, Retsu took a sniff before looking around, making sure that Yoshino didn't see her. [color=black]"...What am I doing?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Retsu I'm back-....what were you doing?"[/color]

Time must have flew by because soon enough Yoshino was back from her bath. Simple pants and a black t-shirt served as her pajamas, a towel still drying her long hair. She blinked as her gaze moved from first Retsu, to her pajamas, and then to Retsu again. The Student President had only caught a glimpse of what she thought was Retsu sniffing her clothes but....surely that couldn't be the case.

[color=black]"They're fine, I just had a runny nose is all. Tends to happen when I'm cold."[/color] 

Retsu said flawlessly, using her quick thinking and deadpan delivery in order to conceal her lie. Fortunately Retsu had smelled Yoshino's shirt instead of say, the pants, so it may seem somewhat believable. Avoiding the subject further Retsu stood up and headed to the bathroom. [color=black]"If you're done, mind if I take a bath next? I know I already changed and all, but I'd like to freshen up a bit before I log into Deep Ground, you know?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Uh, sure? I mean that's up to you...anyway, the bath is free. While you're doing that, I'll set up the bedding arrangements. Sorry about this, but I only have one so...maybe you could sleep in with me to keep me warm, you know~?"[/color]

Yoshino grinned at the other girl mischievously before chuckling with, [color=8493ca]"Relax, I'm just kidding. Anyway, I'll get the futon out so you can sleep in something more comfortable tonight. The couch can only be soft for so long. Unless you want to sleep in my bed and I sleep on the futon?"[/color]

Caught off guard, Retsu's face was as red as her hair. Did Yoshino really just suggest... That they sleep together? Surely she only met platonically, perhaps, but they would still be in the same bed, under the same sheets, sharing each other’s body heat. Retsu had plenty of boys make crude remarks for sex and she always ignored them like the pest they are, but for Yoshino do to the same... Was she really just joking or was it a true proposal?

Even after Yoshino admitted to the joke, she was going to bring a futon out for her instead. It made more sense, but Retsu's mind was a bit scrambled from Yoshino's inital statement. [color=black]"I... Will... GotakemybathrightnowI'llbeoutsoonyoucanhavethebedthankyou!"[/color] And like that Retsu went from standing in front of Yoshino and inside her bathroom, leaning against the door. Why was she feeling so... Silly? [color=black]"It's just Yoshino. She's my boss... No, my partn- No! Ally! She's my ally. Nothing more. Nothing less..."[/color] Retsu said quietly to herself.

Trying to move on from the awkwardness Retsu began to strip out of the pajamas given to her, folding them neatly on the bathroom counter. She was tempted to take another sniff, but now that she thought of it there was already an aroma here. She turned and looked at the tub and noticed that it was still full. [color=black]"Yoshino's... Bath water..."[/color] Gulping, Retsu walked over to the tub. The water was still warm, and Yoshino's scent wafted from the steam. It was a pleasant yet bitter smell. Like fond memories of better days gone past. Retsu put her toe into the water, shaking at the warmth, but soon submerged her whole body, trying to resist the intial pain of her fairly chilly body going into the warm bath.Several minutes passed before a soft knock was on the door. A moment or two passed and Yoshino slowly walked into the bathroom, a fresh set of towels in her arm. 

[color=8493ca]"Oh you're still bathing! Sorry Retsu,"[/color] Yoshino said with surprise, wondering what Retsu was doing for the last hour or so....an hour? Had it really been that long? So much for a few mintues. Even so, it was still early in the night and tomorrow was a Saturday so getting up for school wouldn't be an issue.

[color=8493ca]"I just remembered that you needed some fresh towels so I brought you some,"[/color] Yoshino said, completely ignoring the fact that Retsu was stark naked and in her bath using her water. However she soon caught herself staring at the other girl, a look of amazement on her face before saying, [color=8493ca]"Retsu you...you really are strong aren't you? I wasn't aware that you had so many muscles...I suppose it makes sense with the line of work you do."[/color]

Retsu nearly jumped. [color=black]"I thought I locked the door!?"[/color] Retsu also didn't realized that she dozed off in the bath. She started to get up and reached for a towel which she didn't have. She thought she could take one out from the closet, but eventually Yoshino just came in with the only towels available. Not only that but when Retsu moved to grad the nonexistent towel, she exposed her body to Yoshino, who commented on her musculature. 

[color=black]"I, uh.... It's nothing.... Can I have a towel please?"[/color] Retsu said quietly as she lowered her body into the bath, trying to hide her features from Yoshino. While Retsu did have a fairly toned set of muscles on her arms and hands, she didn't like exposing them. They felt... Too obvious to her. As unrealistic as it was, she actually wanted to keep a fairly waifish figure, but also keeping her strength as well. Not to mention that when Retsu did expose herself to Yoshino for a short duration, she also showed the student president her... Mature chest. While not quite as ridiculous as some anime depictions, Retsu still had a set of breast that would attract many boys if she ever bothered showing off those assets instead of keeping them fairly well hidden.

Yoshino blinked in confusion before smiling gently at the other girl. The Student President wasn't as cold as people made her out to be and like Retsu had said earlier, she was much more complex than that. Nodding, she handed a warm towel over to the red-headed girl before moving away and out of the bathroom.

[color=8493ca]"You know there's nothing to be ashamed of Retsu. We're both girls here so it's fine. I...sort of like your body. I mean, you can take that as you will, but I mean it sort of reminds of of my client and how strong she is. I could never be as strong physically,"[/color] Yoshino admitted with a nervous laugh, speaking her own weaknesses. [color=8493ca]"Anyway, the futon is almost ready so feel free to come out when you want to."[/color]

Retsu could only grunt in agreement as she waited for Yoshino to leave the bathroom. Once she was out and the door was closed she whispered to herself. [color=black]"... Stupid sexy Yoshino..."[/color]

Eventually Retsu was out of the bath and dressed. Her hair still needed drying but everything else about her was washed up. Retsu headed to the living room to find the Futon, but noticed that there was nothing there. Yoshino wasn't there either. So Retsu went to Yoshino's room, wondering if maybe she needed help.

Retsu would find Yoshino lying on her floor, as if she had been lying there for quite some time. The futon looked like it was half-made, having somehow ended up on top of the Student President who was currently half-dazed at the moment.

[color=black]"Tsugumi-san?"[/color] Retsu had guessed from the student president's current position that she must have bumped her head while preparing the futon. Which seemed... Oddly stupid of Yoshino. Retsu stifled a giggle and instead of poking fun at the girl, she simply helped set up the futon for herself, leaving Yoshino on the floor. Now it was Retsu's turn to act cooler then Yoshino. Sitting on Yoshino's bed Retsu waited for Yoshino to wake up so she could snidely poke fun at how she was knocked out by falling futons.

[color=8493ca]"Hmm...wha..?"[/color]

Blinking, Yoshino got up on shaky legs and looked around...only to see Retsu sitting on her bed with a smug smirk. She then looked over to the now set up futon and frowned, adjusting her glasses firmly onto her face. 

[color=8493ca]"And what's that look for Retsu?"[/color] Yoshino asked with more than a little suspicion.

[color=black]"You got knocked out by the futon."[/color] Retsu chuckled at Yoshino as she laid back on her bed. It was quite comfortable, for some reason more so than Retsu's own. Then again she's just using the standard issue mattress given to all the students. Most likely Yoshino has a special one or something. [color=black]"Anyways... I need to head to Deep Ground. If possible, do you think you could ask Moon Rider to come on? There are matters I must discuss with her about the current state of affairs."[/color]

[color=8493ca]"I was? I don't remember...."[/color] Yoshino said with a faded voice, rubbing the back of her head. Honestly she didn't remember but she couldn't really remember what did happen otherwise. Regardless, maybe it was just a random brain fart. Weird. Her attention drawn away from that briefly, she frowned to the mention of her client.

[color=8493ca]"Must you do it right now? I mean...I suppose I can bother her if she's not too busy. Even Moon Rider has to have a life outside of DGO,"[/color] Yoshino pointed out, shuffling out of the room and towards the small hallway.

[color=black]"As soon as possible really. And you're the only person whom I can contact Moon Rider directly. She doesn't exactly pick up my E-mails."[/color] That wasn't entirely true: She never sent Moon Rider an E-mail before. But regardless she seemed more elusive then Retsu was. Of course... There was also the sneaking suspicion that Yoshino herself was Moon Rider. That possibility was never out of the question since day one. Retsu was half hoping that perhaps she could verify the truth here and now. But that was a secondary objective: Retsu really did have some important business to handle in Deep Ground, with or without Moon Rider. Hopefully Yoshino didn't want to spend all night talking, because Retsu had work to do.