[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220130/6cba50f669c9afaf20534dd8285a1367.png[/img][/center][hr][right]April 12th, 20xx
2:45 a.m.
Weather: Scattered Clouds[/right][hr][indent]

The walk back had been quiet for the most part. She wished she could say that she enjoyed it, but she just felt tired. The rest of the night was dull and uneventful; she had dinner, Ichika chatted her ear off about some girl she befriended, and then she showered and went to bed. Her hand felt less sore by the time she curled up in her blankets, but despite being tired, she couldn't fall asleep right away. She kept remembering Totsuka ripping Nakano a new one and the girl's lack of a response. Was that gonna end up being what the rest of the year was like? She was already sick of Boxing Club, if she got volunteered for any other bullshit she was going to drop out.

Letting out a sigh, she fished for her phone, wincing at the brightness as she opened it. Tomorrow was Saturday and there wouldn't be any classes, at least, so one less thing to worry about. Ariyoshi would probably premiere the new flavor of the week. She hoped it would have coconut in it. As the thought crossed her mind, her fingers were already at work, tapping out a text to 'Hot Ass':

[color=pink][i]Meet me at my place tomorrow @ 1 
We're going for some boba[/i][/color]

Short, sweet, and to the point. She closed her phone screen and drifted off, letting herself get swathed by the blankets. Maybe her aunt would let her keep it whenever Ichika would move back. Dozing off, she fell asleep for some hours before she heard her phone beep. Despite the grogginess, she could tell someone was trying to call her. She kept her eyes closed as she brought the phone to her ear.?

[color=pink]"Hello?"[/color] She mumbled out a greeting.

[color=gold][i]"Ah, Shiori-chan! Good, good, you're awake!"[/i][/color] Her mother's cheerful and heavily drunk voice blasted through the speaker. [color=gold][i]"I'm going to pass by, I can't find my keys to the house...so I'll borrow yours, okay?"[/i][/color]

Ugh. Shiori let out a heavy sigh as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. [color=pink]"Did you check your purse?"[/color] She asked.

[color=gold][i]"Do you think I'm that stupid? Just get your keys and wait for me at your door,"[/i][/color] She huffed, ending the call before Shiori could protest.

She did let out about a dozen swears before dragging herself out of bed. Taking a second to try to wake up some, she shuffled over to her desk, rummaging through the drawers for her old keys. Fortunately, she was somewhat organized, finding them quickly. She wished she could say she was quiet enough so that she wouldn't wake up Ichika, but she was so sleepy that she was probably louder than she thought. Oh well, she would apologize if Ichika complained about it. 

Plopping herself on the floor with keys in hand, she stifled a yawn as she rested against the wall. Whether she had dozed off and time passed or it was some form of mercy from the universe, a loud bang against the door told her that her mother had arrived. There was an intruding thought that told her to ignore it and go back to bed, but she'd bet it would make things worse. So she clumsily got to her feet, unlocking the door and sliding it open, blinking at the woman swaying in front of her.

The woman was dressed to the nines, her little black dress hugging her tight and leaving little to the imagination. The amount of cleavage it had was shocking, if only because it left people wondering if her assets were going to pop out of the straps any moment now. Her stockings had a small hole in them--likely from walking too close to a bush--and her too-high heels sparkled from the hallway light. The makeup she wore looked like it belonged to a single woman rather than the wife and mother she was, her expression light and cheery.

[color=gold]"Ah, sorry, sorry, I'm bothering you at a bad hour, hm?"[/color] She commented, words barely slurring together.

Shiori couldn't help but stare. So she was outright just going out and leaving her dad home alone, eh? Not that she was surprised; Himawari Chisuzu loved to party it up and was more than happy to pretend to be a single woman. Shiori would be disappointed if she actually cared. For now, her goal was to get her to leave as quickly as possible. [color=pink]"Yeah. I was asleep,"[/color] She couldn't help her irritated response.

She pouted. [color=gold]"You should be happy to see your Mama,"[/color] She whined. [color=gold]"It's already been two weeks!"[/color]

[color=pink]"Yeah, well, I'm busy."[/color]

At that, the woman laughed. [color=gold]"Busy? Busy with what, lounging around the house doin' nuthin'?"[/color] She asked, giggling. 

Shiori crossed her arms. She didn't really have any interest in continuing this conversation. [color=pink]"Just busy. Here,"[/color] She offered the keys. [color=pink]"Go home."[/color]

Clicking her tongue, her mother snatched the keys away. [color=gold]"I can't believe you're pushing me out already. You didn't even offer me the couch!"[/color] She snapped, angry as she raised her voice. [color=gold]"Are you forgetting who raised you all these years? All the things I sacrificed for you?!"[/color]

There it was, the alcohol fueling whatever bullshit thoughts she had. Unfortunately, Chisuzu was also practically screaming at this point and was causing a mess. [color=pink]"Fucking--Ma, shut it!"[/color] Shiori hissed. [color=pink]"It's late and people are sleeping!"[/color]

[color=gold]"So?! If I want to be loud, I can!"[/color] She continued yelling. [color=gold]"Do you think people would be happy to hear you treating your mother this way, huh?! I didn't raise you to be this disrespectful! I should wake up the whole neighborhood and tell them how my own daughter is treating me! They'd all agree with me, too!"[/color]

Shiori glared at her mother. [color=pink]"Then go tell them and let me sleep!"[/color] She snapped.

[color=gold]"Fine! See if I come see you again!"[/color] Chisuzu huffed, stomping off.

Shiori didn't bother watching her leave, instead seizing the chance to close and lock the door while she could. A headache was slowly forming, but she just couldn't care anymore. If she got herself riled up every time her mom tried to start some shit, she'd have gone crazy a long time ago. Then again, her anger issues were probably rooted in that. But that was everyone else's problem. Her only solace was that all was quiet as she dragged herself back to bed, all too happy to let herself drop back into the softness. She fell asleep quickly, ignoring the thought in the back of her head wondering why her mom bothered to come see her if all she did was scream at her back home.

[/indent][hr][right]April 12th, 20xx
11:52 a.m.
Weather: Scattered Clouds[/right][hr][indent]

Inhaling sharply, Shiori let out a groan. Part of her thought last night was some sort of nightmare, but her skewed blankets told her that it very much happened. Whatever, it was morning, and she needed to get up and get dressed. She reminded herself of the boba tea waiting for her later on as she dragged herself to the bathroom, yawning loudly. Brush teeth, shower, get dressed. A cold shower would definitely wake her up. Once her feet hit the floor, though, the warmth of her bed beckoned to her like a siren's song, tempting her, reminding her that it was the [i]weekend[/i] and she could sleep in some more.

Alas, if she wanted boba, she'd have to get ready.

Fortunately, the shower woke her up, and she went from sleepy to relatively neutral by the time she stood by her closet. Yesterday's events had basically erased her memory of the fact that she essentially told Totsuka they were going out. But not like [i]that[/i]. They were just...going out. Together. Alone. They had basically hung out together all week, so it definitely wasn't like [i]that[/i] at all. And yet, as she eyed her options, she found herself second-guessing her choices. If she put too much effort, Totsuka would definitely notice and [i]definitely[/i] get the wrong idea. But if she didn't put enough effort, then...then what? He'd get the wrong idea anyway?! And then?!

Realizing she was working herself up, Shiori took in a deep breath. Okay, she was overthinking. But it's fine, a shirt and some jeans on a temperate day was fine. She nodded to herself as she searched through her clothes, laying out her choices on her bed. A blouse was probably better than a t-shirt for where they were going. The cafe was a little on the bougie side, so dressing up a [i]little[/i] was a good compromise. Her good jeans were there, ready and inviting, but her eyes kept returning to the skirt she plucked out. It was something her aunt had bought her some time ago, girly and lacey and flowy. But it wasn't something she really wore, so it kinda got buried in her closet. But this was a good chance to wear it, right? A skirt and blouse were fine. She [i]was[/i] a young teenage girl, it wasn't [i]that[/i] weird, right?

But as she went with her gut and tried on the outfit, she realized that it was weird. She looked like she was dressed for a date! It was too bad, too, she actually kinda liked the frilly skirt. She pursed her lips in dissatisfaction, crossing her arms. Ugh, why was she overthinking this? 

[color=coral]"You look cute!"[/color] Ichika squealed. 

The sudden arrival of her cousin caused Shiori to jump, completely forgetting about her housemate. She whirled around, her hands covering her chest as if she was exposed. [color=pink]"I--What?!"[/color] She stuttered out a response. [color=pink]"No, this is--ugh, never mind."[/color] She gave up, immediately ripping off the skirt.

[color=coral]"Oh, noooo, don't change!"[/color] She insisted. [color=coral]"It looks good, I promise!"[/color]

Shiori scowled at her. [color=pink]"Yeah, that's the problem,"[/color] She muttered. [color=pink]"It's just not my style. I don't really like lacey stuff like this."[/color]

Ichika paused, staring at Shiori for a second. Before she could ask what she was staring at, however, Ichika threw her hands forward. [color=coral]"Wait! I have just the thing!"[/color] She said, speeding out of her bedroom. She came back in almost record time, brandishing some kind of jeans--wait, no, it was a jean skirt? [color=coral]"I think it might be a little big on you, but you can wear a belt."[/color]

Shiori's shoulders slumped in defeat as she looked at Ichika's sparkling expression. She really, [i]really[/i] wanted her to try it on, didn't she? The redhead reluctantly took her up on her offer, hoisting the skirt on. Admittedly, Ichika was right; she didn't look nearly as girly as before and felt a lot more comfortable. She was, however, miffed at their size difference. Ichika must have been carrying a secret dump truck back there. Ugh, she had a chest [i]and[/i] a butt? Here Shiori was, actually confident in her own hips, but apparently, Miss Hourglass over here was living it up, having the sort of body other girls would kill for. There truly was no justice in the world.

The brunette didn't seem to notice Shiori's glare, instead of busying herself with looping a belt through the loops. [color=coral]"Perfect! Oh, I love it!"[/color] She sighed happily. [color=coral]"Okay, I think a ponytail would look good, it'll reveal a little bit of nape and everything!"[/color]

[color=pink]"Wh--[i]nape[/i], are you--wait--ow!"[/color] 

Ichika was stronger than she looked as she promptly manhandled Shiori's hair, happily humming to herself. By the time she was finished, she added a pair of braids going up into the ponytail. Shiori stared at her reflection, horrified. Oh God, she looked like their date was--their [i]not[/i] date was definitely like [i]that[/i].

[color=coral]"And now, for makeup,"[/color] Ichika announced.

[color=pink]"No,"[/color] Shiori immediately shut that down. There was absolutely no way she could get away with wearing makeup without Totsuka calling her a clown or something.

[color=coral]"Just a little! Here, look,"[/color] She whipped out a tube from her pocket. [color=coral]"It'll make your lips pop!"[/color]

Shiori let out a sigh, waving her away. [color=pink]"Listen, I appreciate everything else, but I'm not wearing makeup,"[/color] She dismissed her.

Ichika pouted, though she placed the tube in Shiori's hand. [color=coral]"Just a little bit. Trust me, you won't regret it~"[/color] She sang, skipping out of the room.

The redhead let her leave, though she stared down at the tube. Just a little bit, she said. But if she wore makeup, then it was like [i]that[/i]. And he would notice. And make fun of her. Or worse, he'd get the wrong idea. Or even worse, he'd have no reaction and then all this was for [i]nothing[/i]. Honestly, she couldn't believe how worked up she was getting over all this. It was just boba! She loved boba! Why did it have to get so complicated?!

As she went to place the tube down, however, an impulse took over. She unscrewed the top, pulling out a brush covered in glitter. Oh God, no, there was no way she could put this on and not get laughed at. Well, Ichika said a little, right? Just a little bit. Despite her better judgment, she dabbled a little on her lower lip, trying to remember how her mother did it. That thought alone nearly made her vomit, but the end result was a pair of glossy, shimmery lips. And it looked exactly how she thought it would.

[color=pink]"This was a mistake,"[/color] She muttered, hastily wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

[/indent][hr]