A soft sigh escaped my lips as I left the teacher's lounge with Sayaka. We had just been scolded pretty harshly for putting on a scene like that, but since we were both student council members we got off with a soft punishment. It made them more disappointed in us than upset, and forced us to stand in the hallway to talk out our differences before we were allowed to go to class. We both glanced at each other before looking away. My anger had since faded to sadness and it appeared as if whatever emotions had over taken her were starting to fade as well. With a sigh, I leaned back against the wall next to her and tried to make my voice calm enough to speak with my friend.

Serene Sighs III

By: Satashi

"So..." Touko tried to start. "You're with Yuu, huh?"

"No," Sayaka replied gently, eyes downcast. "I'm not. We don't love each other. If you had let me talk, you would know that."

"So why did you get her drunk?" The blue eyed girl fought to keep her tone in check. The rage from before was seeping from her body, replaced by a tight, clenching of her heart.

The chestnut haired girl looked to the ceiling. "I didn't want to. I gave her a glass of champagne at the event, just like I did with you last year. Over the night, we both just seemed to drink just a little more, sneaking in new glasses before we really realized. It was like... we were rebelling against something. Some kind of little thing that we could do that let us know we were in control... And it bit us in the end."

Touko hadn't expected that answer. Her body sagged as more of her anger left, now just feeling the weight of the conversation pulling on her. "When you said it earlier, it sounded like you did it on purpose..."

"I wanted to talk with you privately, to tell you the process of how it happened. It was my fault, but it wasn't intentional at all." Sayaka looked over at her. "I should have stopped her when I noticed she got more to drink. It's my fault that she even tried it, so it's my fault she got drunk." Her voice dropped down lower, tone turning even more sad. "If I had stopped it...We wouldn't have..."

"...So, wait, this was just two friends getting drunk and messing around? You don't want to date her?"

"Huh? No, why would I want to date her? We barely even spoke to each other before this happened. She's in love with you, I think we both know that."

"Then... Wait, hold on just a moment here!" Touko turned her body so they were face to face. "You're telling me that you didn't take advantage of her, that you were just stupid and got drunk and just so happen to get in bed together!?"

"Shhh!" Sayaka held a finger to her lips, eyes darting around to see if anyone heard. "Keep your voice down," she whispered to her friend harshly, cheeks burning red. "Of course it was a mistake, I just have to take responsibility for it! I'm her Senpai too, she counted on me and I messed up. I'm to blame for-"

"Sayaka you're an idiot!" Touko's arms went around the girl, hugging her. "You stupid, stupid girl... Why are you blaming yourself for this? Yuu tried to tell me that you both did this, and you tried to make her look innocent... Why are you so dumb?" Pulling back, she placed their foreheads together. "Just... just promise me, you didn't intend for it? It was just a mistake? You don't love her?"

"...Touko, you know who I love." Sayaka shifted her eyes to the side and downwards. "You've known for a while now. Why would I do this on purpose? It was just me failing as a friend and as her elder...Besides, making you hate me is that last thing my heart could take."

"Don't try and make this all on you." Heaving out a sigh, Touko took both the girl's hands. "Sayaka. I do love you, but not in a romantic way... I'm sorry. Yuu was the one who broke through me, and I can't give up that feeling."

A small, understanding smile came to her. "I know. We had a heart to heart. I know everything." When Touko started to blush, she tried to make her face more serious. "Really, Touko, take it easy on her, she's so weak."

"You're not mad?" The blue eyed girl moved them back to the topic.

"...I'm sad. When I was with Yuu, I..." Stopping, the girl took a breath. "We should talk about this all together. Just air out everything... Hey, Touko? Forgive me?"

"Idiot... It's not my place to forgive you for a choice you made when you were like that. Same for Yuu. I'm not happy, but... Yeah, let's air it out together."

"...Friends?"

"Friends." The two lifted their hands and interlocked their pinkies to shake on it. "Forever and ever-"

"Till death do us part." With a final squeeze, they let go. "I'll let them know we're okay, you text Yuu and tell her we are good?"

"Yeah." Touko moved to tap on her phone while Sayaka knocked on the door behind them. 'Yuu,' she thought while gliding her thumb over the keyboard. 'Sorry about earlier. Sayaka and I are okay now, and we want to talk it out. Message me, okay? I love you. So much.'

Sayaka nodded at her and the two moved down the hall together. "And now we wait till lunch..."

Before Touko could reply, her cell started to buzz. "It's Yuu," she confirmed. "Is she not in class?" Turning on her phone, she brought it to her ear. "Yuu? Where are you?" A small sob on the other side of the phone made the girl stop walking. "Hey, don't cry, Sweetheart. We can meet up soon and work it out, okay love?"

"Nanami-chan." Rei's voice came over the line, voice full of pain. "Yuu was hit by a car. We're in the hospital."

Touko stopped, almost falling as everything she was seemed to collapse from her. "...What?"

A hard sniff and rustling answered her as Rei tried to compose herself. "She's in the operating room right now. They said she will be okay, but she lost a lot of blood. I think she would want you to be here..."

"Where?"

"The main hospital, by the train station. The right tower, second floor, the waiting room."

"I'm on my way." She swallowed, forcing herself to continue. "Hang tough, Koito-san." A small hum confirmed that she had heard and Touko hung up the phone. Her eyes turned to Sayaka and before she could even say anything, the girl darted forward to catch her before she fell. "Y-Yuu..."

"What is it? Talk to me." Sayaka hefted Touko back up, supporting her. Her friend's face was deathly pale, her body shaking. "Touko. Listen to me Touko. What happened?"

"Yuu... a car..." Shaking her head, tears began to come to her eyes. "Not again... not again..."

"No," Sayaka touched their foreheads. "Touko. You're going to breath. You're going to stand up. You're going to go to her. I'll be with you. Let's go." Her friend nodded weakly, but Sayaka didn't let her have a moment to rethink it. Turning, she put an arm around her waist and started walking, forcing her along.

"I'm.. going to fall."

"No you're not." Sayaka set her eyes down the hallway to the front of the school.

"I can't... I have... I need a moment-"

"No." The grip on her friend tightened. "You're going to walk forward. I'm not going to let you stop here. I spent way too long letting you do things that hurt yourself. I'm not doing that anymore." Green eyes pierced into Touko's soul with one look. "I'll be your strength. Trust in me, Touko."

Touko's foot caught the ground a little more solidly, the paralyzing fear blanketing her shifting ever so slowly. Looking up, she forced herself forward, hand moving to take Sayaka's from around her waist to hold it. "Let's go." Her steps got faster, now focusing on getting to where her love was. "I'm not going to lose someone else!"

The hospital felt strikingly cold as the two girls entered the building. The floor plan was open with lots of room to move around, hallways extra wide. As they made their way down the turning corridors and up the stairs, Touko felt her heart beating harder in her chest. Her hand gripped her friend's tightly, eyes scanning the area until they came to a large section with a lot of seats. After a brief look, she didn't see the family she was expecting. "Not here?" She whispered in shock.

Sayaka was already ahead, moving to help desk nearby. A few words were exchanged and she came back with a smile. "She's out of surgery, she's in a room to recover. I think it's this way." The pair moved again, feet picking up pace until they reached a room that had Yuu's name on it. Just under the name plate was a sign that read 'No visitors, family only.'

"...Now what?" Touko whispered to herself.

"...We wait." Sayaka sat on one of the nearby benches and leaned against the wall. Before long her friend was next to her, arched forward and hands clasped in worry. "This isn't exactly how I expected us to get together again."

"...Yeah." The attempt to start a conversation failed. Black hair fell around Touko's vision as she just looked at the floor. A few moments passed and a hand went to her back, gently rubbing it. "Sayaka..."

"Yeah?"

"Everything is going to be okay, isn't it?"

"Of course." Her hand moved to caress the waterfall of hair hanging down. "She's already out of surgery, so she just needs to heal up now."

"Yeah..." Another awkward silence came. "Uhm...So... You both talked about things, huh?"

"We did." Sayaka continued to rub her friend's back softly. "She told me about how she feels emotions, how you two do things in private, and I told her about my first girlfriend, then how I fell in love with you."

"...Why do you love me Sayaka? I'm a mess."

"You are, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. Even if you don't love me back, it's okay. I want to keep this feeling, if you'll let me."

"... I said the same thing to Yuu." Touko admitted, shoulders slumping. "I guess she told you all that?" A confirming hum came. "How embarrassing..." Rubbing her eyes, she tried to smile. "Wow, my best friend knowing all this is kind of embarrassing..." Touko lifted herself up and groaned. "Geeze... I can't believe you two... Ugh, and I'm still a virgin." Turning, she gave a soft glare at her. "As punishment, tell me all about it."

"No!" Sayaka felt her cheeks burn. "No way, not happening."

Leaning back down, Touko chuckled to herself. "Thank you for trying to cheer me up. I know you're worried too."

"Yeah."

"...Hey?" Another hum. "In all honesty, everything is okay between you two?"

"Yes. I would say that we're even close friends now. Though I understand if you want me to back off of her now. I don't want it to be awkward." Her voice sank a little as she realized that she would once again be all alone. "Even if it was a mistake, I'm glad I got to experience it... Sorry, Touko."

"...Yeah." Silence came again and the two sat together while waiting. Neither one knew how long it had been, but eventually the door opened to reveal Rei stepping out. "Koito-san!" Touko stood up at once. "How is she!?"

"She's okay. The doctor told me everything went just fine. She has a broken wrist and is pretty beaten up, but luckily the car that hit her lot a lot of speed before it happened. She hit her head pretty hard and is having trouble focusing on things. Right now she's drifting in and out of sleep without even realizing it."

"Thank goodness it isn't worse... I was so scared." Placing a hand to her chest, she breathed out. "Is your family all in there?"

"Yeah, I just came out to call my boyfriend and update him. Now probably isn't the best time to visit her, but soon I know she'll go to sleep and we will go get something to eat. You can sit in with her then, I'm sure. She will be happy to see you when she wakes up."

"Right." Touko nodded .

Rei looked over at Sayaka, who just blushed and bowed towards her. Unsure what to say between the two girls that she knew spent time with her little sister, she gave a little wave and excused herself to make her phone call. "I'll let you know the moment anything changes. Sorry."

As time slowly ticked by, the two girls waited together for their chance to enter the room. Conversations came and went, awkward questions randomly from both of them. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the door opened once again to reveal the family. Soft words were shared, and soon the two were finally allowed entrance into the small room. The lights were off, but monitors were illuminated, casting light across the floor and of the sleeping girl on the bed.

Touko felt Sayaka's hand on hers for support as they entered the open area with the bed. A heart rate monitor kept a steady pace, and another told her blood pressure with a few more vital signs. The girl's legs almost collapsed on her, Sayaka's hand helping her to stay standing. "Yuu..." A soft voice whispered as she walked forward to the chair by the bed. "Oh Yuu..."

Yuu was asleep, bed tilted to a slight reclining angle. A clear tube went to her nose to help with breathing, an IV drip going to the hand that wasn't covered in a cast. Several scratches were on her face and the mostly open hospital gown she wore showed multiple bandage patches covering bruised areas. What stood out the most was the small stitching bandages on the side on her head along a long gash, hair matted down lightly around it.

It took the two almost everything they had to not wake her and to simply take seats by the bed. Touko gently cupped Yuu's good hand, lowering her forehead to it so it would hide her face. Only a moment passed before she began to shiver, finally letting out the tears and worry that had been suppressed for so long.

Sayaka leaned onto the bed as well, resting her arms next to Yuu's legs and laying her cheek on them. It stayed silent for several minutes, the only sounds that of Touko's soft gasps for air. Then, a small groan made them both sit up and look at the girl laying on the bed. Yuu was struggling to open her eyes, a dazed look fogging her.

"Yuu," The two girls spoke in unison, each moving closer to her. Touko continued, leaning over and kissing her forehead. "How do you feel?"

"Like... I got hit by a car." Yuu weakly replied, lips turning up into a small smile. "You both came...?"

"Everything is fine," Sayaka replied so her friend could take a moment to recover herself from the emotional roller coaster she was riding on. "And you're going to be okay, that's what really matters right now."

"I'm sorry," Yuu managed to get out, her eyes struggling to stay open. "I caused...a rift... between you..." Her head lightly leaned to the side, eyes closed and breathing steadying out again. The two girls looked at each other sadly a moment before sitting back down. It only took a few moments before Yuu to stir again, picking up as if nothing had happened. "Ah, that... you know, the..."

"It's okay," Touko tried to soothe her. "We talked, everything is okay."

Yuu was clearly struggling, trying to appear as if she were fine, only to completely miss everything going on around her. "You were both yelling... so much. I felt so bad..." She almost drifted off again, but managed to keep herself awake. "I don't like that feeling... Love is supposed to be good... like floating...not this heavy feeling..." Her eyes weakly tried to focus on them. "Why can't we... all just be together? Why... does it have to be only one?"

The two looked at each other and then away. "I don't... think Touko likes me like that." Sayaka offered meekly.

"I don't dislike you," Touko answered her. "You know that."

"Then," Yuu took a deep breath, consciousness leaving her a moment as she fell back asleep for just a few seconds. "We all... Can love."

Touko's mouth opened a moment, but the words didn't want to come to her. Yuu was already asleep again, this time fully laid back in her pillow. Slowly the girls looked at each other and offered small smiles. "I'm not sure if she's serious or not," The blue eyed girl offered softly.

"I know... I won't get my hopes up." Sayaka turned to look away, brushing some hair behind her ear.

With a slow intake of air, Touko spoke out gently. "If she was serious... I don't think it would be bad." Her friend froze for several seconds before slowly turning to look at her. "I mean," Touko continued. "I'm... Yuu and I are... Demisexual,. We're not exactly what people call the norm. You're a lesbian, which isn't the most common thing. So... Why try to be normal? Why try to please everyone else? Why... can't we just be selfish?"

"Touko..." Sayaka gingerly reached over the bed, finding a hand already moving to meet her. "That... kind of relationship wouldn't be easy."

"All this time, you two have tried to pull me away from Mio. You pushed and pushed until I broke, until I lost everything I was struggling for. Then, together, you each pulled me up, told me that I was loved, made me realize that everyone had only seen me since the beginning... So don't stop now. If I can finally say what I want, don't tell me it's not possible." Her eyes looked firmly at her friend. "Sayaka." The word was stated forcefully, making the girl's eyes widen. "I might not develop feelings for you, but I feel it would be wrong of me not to try...If Yuu was serious about this... Please consider being in a poly relationship with us."

Sayaka couldn't speak, her mouth slightly open and heart pounding in her chest. Confusion swept through her mind and prevented her from answering. Then, just as she tried once more, the door opened into the room to admit a nurse. "Oh, hello," the new person greeted them. Noticing the school uniforms, she attempted to give a scolding look. "I know you're worried about your friend, but only family is allowed in right now."

Defeated, the two gave the sleeping Yuu one last look before standing up. "Excuse me, but is there any update on how she is?" Touko tried.

"I can really only give that information to-"

"That's her girlfriend," Sayaka interrupted. "They're dating, it's okay for her to know, right?"

"Oh! Uh, I mean, I guess, if you're... dating?"

Touko tried not to let the confusion in the tone throw her off. "Please then? How is my Yuu doing?"

With a sigh, the nurse looked at the charts before her. "Physically, she's going to recover. Her wrist will heal in a few months time, but it will be difficult for her to regain complete use of it. She did receive a blood transfusion from her father, so it was a good match for her. Despite this, she will still be weak for a while. Surgery took it's toll on her since her body is so small. For the next few days, only light walking is allowed. The stitches on her side and leg can be removed in two weeks." Nodding to herself, she smiled at the girls again. "But you really do have to let her rest, she needs her sleep. Come by tomorrow for visiting hours, okay?"

"Yes ma'am," the two spoke in unison before leaving the room. As the door closed, Sayaka let out a sigh. "Great..."

"Sayaka." Touko looked over at her. "Let's go get dinner, it's already late." A small smile was offered. "I'll tell Yuu's sister that we got kicked out and we'll visit later. Until then... Let's just try to settle down... Maybe call our families and tell them why we're not home yet too..."

"... You sound like me." Sayaka started to walk, getting Touko beside her as she passed. "Okay, there's a nice seafood place nearby we could walk to?"

Touko smiled. "...Yuu will be so mad we ate shrimp without her." The two shared a look, a new comforting feeling coming over them now. "Sorry I slapped you."

"Sorry I yelled at you." Their hands bumped into each other's, index fingers curling ever so slightly to stay together. "...This is going to be one interesting relationship."

Touko stood in front of the bookstore where Yuu both lived and worked. She had been released from the hospital two days ago, but they had kept their communication through text for the time being. Today, though, she finally steeled herself for the talk that needed to happen.

Sayaka was with her friend, standing back a bit to give her room to breathe. When she caught Touko's eye glancing back at her, she stepped forward to give her support. "No matter what happens," she whispered softly to her. "I'm going to be your friend. Remember that, okay?"

With a nod, Touko lead the way into the store and was greeted by Yuu's mother almost instantly. "Ah, Nanami-chan, welcome." She saw Sayaka behind her give a little wave as well. "Ah, you brought your friend too! Are you Saeki-chan by any chance?" The surprised look confirmed it for her. "Yuu has been talking about you as well lately. She calls you both 'her girls' and was wondering when you two would stop by."

"Ah, uhm," Touko tried to steady herself. "We've been keeping in touch through Line, but we really wanted to see her in person, I hope that's okay?" With a confirming nod, and a gesture to the stairs, she lead her friend up into the house. Rei was there along the way, greeting them both with a smile and letting them know Yuu was awake. Before long, they stood before the open door to their junior's room. Yuu was sitting up in bed, eyes focusing on the switch in her hands. With a tiny knock, Touko got the attention she needed.

"Touko-senpai!" Yuu's eyes lit up a moment. "And Sayaka too? Are you two both on good terms again?"

Sayaka sat her schoolbag down and neatly went to her knees before the bed so they could talk. "We visited you in the hospital, do you remember?"

"Ahhh... I kind of don't." Yuu revealed nervously. "I was told I was pretty out of it for a while. I guess I don't react well to the stuff they give you to make you sleep." Looking back over at her friends, she offered a weak smile. "I guess... you two talked things out then?"

"Kind of," Touko sat down beside Sayaka and instantly took Yuu's cast covered hand to hold onto the exposed fingers. "Yuu, could we talk for a little bit?"

"...Yeah." Her shoulders sagged slightly. "I was kind of expecting this... If you don't want to love me anymore..."

"Stop right there." Sayaka interrupted. "This isn't a bad talk. It may be a bit weird, but... Touko?"

"Yuu," the other girl began. "When you were still mostly asleep in the hospital room, you said it was unfair how relationships had to be just with one person." The peach color of Yuu's hair shifted as the sun began to set behind the skyline, casting warmer tones into the room. "Do you... still feel that way?"

"I..." Yuu looked at them both, confused. "I mean... I barely understand anything as it is... It wasn't until... until I saw you again after being with Sayaka that I realized how I felt about you...The first thing I knew when deciding how I felt in that moment was pain...Knowing you were hurt, knowing Sayaka was alone... knowing... you two were fighting because of it. I thought, if that was love then it wasn't worth looking after..."

A small moment passed through them with the heavy words, Yuu simply looking down at the sheets. "It doesn't have to be that way," Touko's voice came lovingly. "Yuu, we have been talking for a while, and want to see if you want this as well. But no matter what, I will still love you. I will still be here for you, and if you feel the same, then I want to stay with you. Okay?"

Yuu tried her best to smile. "This isn't what I imagined our confessions to look like... but okay. What have you two been thinking?"

Sayaka answered this time, unsurely bringing a hand up to place on top of Touko's so she could interlace her fingers with theirs as well. "Yuu, do you know what polyamory is?"

"Isn't that where, uhm, one guy has multiple wives?"She looked unsure,

"Uh, no," Touko suddenly looked embarrassed at that answer. "I mean, it could, but that's not the point here... It's where more than one person are in a relationship. It doesn't have to be a triangle, it can be two loving one person, or many others ways... But it's a bond of trust, understanding, and acceptance. It's not the easiest to hold, but it's still a thing..."

Yuu looked at their hands again before quickly moving her eyes between them."Wait, are you two suggesting what I think you are?"

Sayaka spoke first. "Yuu, I've told you before that I love Touko. I still do, and I will for a long time now. She doesn't love me back, but she accepted my feelings and will let me love her if you give me your blessing." Yuu tried to reply, but the older girl's voice came before she could. "And...I want to see what we have as well." As expected, the golden eyed girl looked suddenly embarrassed. "Yuu, I know we don't' love each other, but that night... I want to explore it with you, if you'll have me."

Touko shifted so her other hands was with them as well, sandwiching both Yuu's and Sayaka's. "And I love you, Yuu. I want to be your girlfriend. I want you to... love me back. To show me what it's like to be my own person. I want you to walk with me." Glancing to the side, her cheeks colored. "And... I want to see what I feel for Sayaka really is. She's been with me through my hardest moments now, and... I don't want to leave her. I know it may be a lot to ask, but that's my side as well."

Yuu tried to take in everything that had just been dropped on her. Slowly she looked between them both and tried to steady herself. "I... don't know what to say."

"You don't have to answer now," Touko whispered to her. "And if you say no, Sayaka and I have already agreed to let everything go on the spot."

"I don't want that." Yuu told them firmly. The words hit the girls hard and they both immediately moved their hands away from each others. "Ah, I mean, I don't want you two to pretend nothing happened between yourselves." Embarrassment was clear on her face. "S-sorry, I just blurted that out. Reaching over, she tried to take their hands again. "What I mean to say is, I don't think I mind the idea." Looking at Sayaka, Yuu got a firm look. "Sorry." Taking a deep breath, Yuu tried again. "I think that's a good idea. I like it."

"Then...?" Touko looked between the two girls, face a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Then, how do you feel?"

"...Touko." The honorific was dropped entirely from Yuu's voice. "I'm demisexual, and kind of weird and complicated but... I do love you. I want to be your girlfriend." She could see the pure relief on the girl's face, tears welling up in her eyes. "Sayaka." The name made green eyes slowly lock into hers. "I don't love you, but I do... feel something. I don't know what it is, or if it will even bloom. I'm uncertain if I could ever love you, but... You're right. There was something in that night that stayed with me. I... want to try this."

The three all looked at their hands on the bed. Shyly they all moved them together in a tangled mess of fingers, each one trying to touch the other girl's at the same time. "Then..." Touko whispered. "I'll seal it with a kiss. Yuu?" Leaning forward and pushing up at bit, she touched their noses together. "I love you. I'll do everything I can to make you happy." With that, the small gap between them closed, lips pressing together for several seconds. When the two parted, a blush stung both their cheeks, eyes nervously looking away for their own sanity's sake. "Sayaka." Touko leaned to her friend. "I promise I'll try to make us work, and will never hide secrets from you about it." A small nod came. "Then, with a kiss..." Their lips touched, Sayaka's body going stiff as it lingered.

When Touko pulled away, Sayaka tried to catch her breath, eyes shining and cheeks darkening. "I promise you," she whispered softly. Her eyes reluctantly moved, looking up to Yuu's on the bed. "Yuu," her voice was soft. "I promise I'll be honest with you. I won't hold back anything about Touko and myself, and I will try to figure us out as well..." Yuu's breath caught as she leaned forward, accepting the contract that had been given to her. "With a kiss, I promise you." Their lips touched with the impact of memories flooding them both. The touches, the cries of emotion, the absolute refusal to end their night until their bodies could no longer move.

"With my kisses..." Yuu spoke when Sayaka pulled away, looking between them both. "I promise you my honesty and my love." Together they leaned forward, tilting so their foreheads all touched and they could look down at their hands interlaced together.

Yuu growled in frustration as her pencil fell once again from her shaking fingers. Her cast had come off only a few days before, but she found mobility in her wrist far from perfect. Despite this, she was told she would regain seventy percent of her mobility back if she worked hard at it. Sports was no longer in her future, but the girl didn't mind that. As long as she could work a keyboard, controller, and pencil, she knew she would be fine.

"Don't give up, Koito-san." Seiji encouraged her, offering the girl the dropped pencil. " Finals are almost here, you can do it." The student council was all together after school, despite not having any business to attend to. The last few days of the school year were among them, and their private room in the trees by the school was claimed as a cram session spot after school. Each one of them helped out the other as they worked, but currently only the two were left. "Hey, Koito-san?" He asked with a smile.

"Mmn?" Yuu accepted the pencil and tried to hold it again, focusing.

"You seem really close with Nanami-senpai and Saeki-senpai lately."

Yuu grinned to herself as she forced messy words onto the paper before her. "Hey, Maki-kun? Can you keep a secret for me?

"Sure?" He tilted his head. "What is it?"

"Well, you see..." Yuu held up her paper, showing a sloppy triangle with their names on it. The words 'We are all dating each other' were on the side, next to a smiling flapjack octopus.

"Ohhhh." Seji realized, smiling breaking out on his fast. "I can't wait to see how this play turns out!"