Mayune and Kaoru at the Awayuki Mansion

[popular_sama]

Mayune wandered through the mansion, covering a yawn with her hand. Where is everyone? she thought with irratation. Even Tanaka was nowhere to be found.

With a sigh, she continued walking down the hall, hoping to find something interesting. But all that was there were the maids, scurrying around to get out of her way.

Well, she thought, this

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[kaorusensei]

Kaoru finished selecting which old dinner plates would become tiles for his mosaic - he had tried to take as many as possible that were already chipped, or that he was sure he had never seen used, but to get all the right colors, he'd had to delve into some of the nicer, newer plates. Ah well, Natsue won't mind. We have so many, after all.He put the plates in a sack and slung it over his shoulder and, picking up his hammer, strode out of the kitchen whistling. After certain recent events, he felt simultaneously closer to his stepdaughters and not close enough. If only he'd gotten close enough to Mawata-chan to help her with her distress before it evolved into depression. He had failed as a father. He would not fail again. So, to commemorate his new resolve to become the world's greatest father to all three of his daughters, he was going to make a family portrait mosaic. The plates in the sack would do for starters, but he would need to buy some the color of Mawata-chan's hair and some of Natsue's favorite purple for her dress

[popular_sama]

Of all the people to run into, Mayune thought, I would run into him. She didn't really dislike her stepfather, not really, even though he was low-class and just plain weird. But he wouldn't have been the person she'd pick to spend the day with.

Of course, he had saved her life when Mikage became evil and tried to destroy the world and Himeno died and...during the whole situation. And her mother was happy with him around, happier than she'd been in years. So maybe, just maybe it wouldn't kill her to spend some time with him. Besides, she was bored anyway. And whatever one said about Kaoru, he was never described as boring.

Shuddering slightly at the "Mayune-chan" - she was not some cute little kid - she looked over at her stepfather and the plates in his hand. She had to asked it, though she feared the answer.

"Why are you smashing the plates?"

[kaorusensei]

He laughed, thinking how his statement about plate-smashing must have sounded. "I'm going to experiment in the ancient art of the mosaic! I'm smashing the plates to make tiles. Once I have the tiles made, I can start work on our family portrait! It's going to be a great work of art celebrating the joy and unity of the Awayuki family!"

He was lost in the grandeur of his artistic vision for a moment, then stopped himself, unsure of how Mayune-chan would react to being referred to as an Awayuki. He calmed himself down and spoke seriously, "I do want us - all of us - to be a family, Mayune-chan." He smiled, and hoped she would return the expression. "So, will you smash plates with me?"

[popular_sama]

Mayune stared at him blankly for a few moments, trying to figure out if he was being serious. Finally, she decided that he in fact was.

"I...see."

Now with that question answered, only one remained. Was she bored enough to smash the plates with him. Well, since Tanaka doesn't seem to be here...I guess maybe...but...what the hell, I can always quit if I don't like it. And it is something to do.

She didn't smile back at him, but Mayune did relent and say, "Well, I could try it, just for a bit. I have other things to do though, so I probably won't stay long."