Hey all,

Well, this is the last installment of Hello Work! But there will be more Stopani stories. Been taking a long time to update, but I finally got it through. Also, I'll be posting the next chapter of my claymore story somewhere tomorrow, hopefully.

Hope you like it!

Hello Work!

Chapter 5 - Clueless

At night, this simple Japanese city pretty much resembled a concrete jungle. The many pale concrete buildings which had been stamped out of the ground with relentless and consummate ease only added to the desolate landscape. Most windows were dark, adding ominous shadows to the skyline.

The only lights outside were from the streetlights and the many glowing neon signs outside shops which had been shuttered close. Not a soul was out at this time of night, and in this desolate landscape, Shizuma wandered aimlessly.

Without any trains running to get her home and without enough money for cabfare, Shizuma simply walked to pass the time. She had called Nagisa several times, but there was no answer. She gathered that Nagisa was still angry with her... and damn if that cute little red-head couldn't be downright frightening when she was angry.

Shizuma had spent some hour sitting on a park bench playing a game on her phone until a dead battery ended her entertainment.

Her stomach groaned as she passed an open 7-11 nightstore. Shizuma quickly entered, warmed herself at the counter and bought herself a cup of instant noodles for 200 yen. The shop's attendant, a very tired looking collage student, provided a bit of pleasant conversation while eating before Shizuma found herself on the streets again, wandering aimlessly.

The night was dragging on and on and Shizuma was starting to get really, really tired. She checked her watch and there was still the better part of the night to go.

Then, she passed a large building with a gigantic neon sign which read 'Capsule Hotel'. This also seemed to be the only part of the city where there was some activity on the street. She had heard from Yaya about these hotels. Apparently, these hotels were meant for salarymen, office workers and travelers who had been caught between the train schedule and needed a cheap place to spend the night. At the time, the two girls had dismissed it as one of the many peculiarities of Japanese modern culture. Right about now, however, spending 500 yen for sleep in a warm place sounded pretty good. And she'd still have enough money left for the train fare home tomorrow.

Wasting little time, Shizuma passed the salarymen gathered on the streets, paid her fee and was given the key to her very own capsule. The capsule was located on the third floor in a small hall. The hall contained a communal bathroom and small kitchen, as well as a storage bin for personal belongings. The room had about 10 capsules built horizontally into the wall, and Shizuma had one on the top.

After climbing the small ladder, Shizuma lay down on the mattress in the claustrophobia inducing cylindrical capsule. Aside from the mattress, the was a tiny overhead light and a TV built into the ceiling for entertainment.

For someone like Shizuma, who was used to the most luxurious of presidential suites in the most expensive hotels in the world. this experience was quaint to say the least. There was barely enough room to move, let alone turn in her sleep.

Deciding she wasn't comfortable enough for sleep yet. Shizuma turned on the TV hoping some mediocrity would help her with that. She flipped the channels. Porn. Porn. More Porn. CSI, CSI, even more CSI, yet more CSI, CSI porn...

Shizuma watched the CSI porn for a moment. "Detective, I need you to help me with my inhibitions," spoke a bubbly blonde in a horribly dubbed over voice.

"Eeew!" Shizuma exclaimed and switched off the TV quickly as the detective indeed started to help the blonde with her inhibitions. "Hetero sex is so icky!"

Thoroughly bored now, Shizuma switched off the light, lay on her side and sank in an uneasy sleep.

The next morning, Shizuma woke up with her hair wrapped around her neck twice and her arm twisted behind her back. After untangling herself from the ocean of hair, she slipped out of the capsule and every muscle of her body ached. Stiff as a board, she hobbled over to the bathroom to wash her face.

A young woman who was apparently an office lady, nodded at her to wish her a good morning. Shizuma returned the gesture.

"I've just decided," Shizuma smiled at the young woman. "That I'll be cremated instead of buried."

"I hear that," the young woman giggled.

Shizuma didn't know how quickly she got out of the building, but it was as fast as her stiffened legs could carry her. Putting the traumatic experience behind her, Shizuma walked off her stiff muscles as she made her way to the railway station. All she wanted right now was a hot bath, a long nap in her soft warm bed and Nagisa's soft lips on her neck, lips and other assorted bodyparts.

After rounding about the corner, one third of the equation was already in sight. Nagisa was standing in front of the station, near the entrance, with her friends Yaya, Tsubomi and Tamao. They were seemingly handing out flyers to passing people.

As she approached, Nagisa looked up. Her face changed from sad to insanely happy instantly. "Shizuma!" she shouted as she rushed towards her, dropping the flyers to the ground. "SHIZUMA!"

The smaller girl flew into Shizuma's arms, almost knocking her over. Shizuma spun around, carrying Nagisa with her before embracing her. "Wow, that's a warm welcome," Shizuma grinned. Only then did she notice that Nagisa's body was shaking from sobs.

"Nagisa?" Shizuma asked as her smiling friends rushed towards them, though Tamao seemed rather annoyed. "What's wrong?"

"I... I'm so sorry," Nagisa's tears ran freely as she crushed herself against her wife. "I got angry and left you standing in the city. I should have called someone. I should have helped you. And then when you didn't answer your phone, I..."

Shizuma cursed inwardly. Nagisa must have tried calling her after she had drained her battery playing games.

"Sssh, it's okay, it's okay," Shizuma ran her fingers through her hair.

"No, it's not okay!" Nagisa wailed. "What if you were hurt? You could have been mugged, or chased, or mauled or maybe even raped. And it would have been all my fault. I love you so much, I would never forgive myself if..."

And now Shizuma felt like an utter heel. It all came back to Shizuma foolishly gambling away their paychecks. She hugged the sobbing Nagisa a little tighter. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"There," said Chikaru as she put a hand on Nagisa's shoulder. "See? I told you everything would be alright, Silly Nagisa, letting your imagination toy with yourself like that."

"Wow," Yaya whispered to Tsubomi. "I bet those two have fantastic make-up sex."

Tsubomi scowled. "Is everything always about sex with you? Why do you always have to be so..."

"Slutty?" Yaya smirked.

"Yaya!" Tsubomi admonished. "Do not speak of yourself in such a negative way."

Yaya smirked and made a grab for Tsubomi's waist. "Why not? I love being a slut. But only with you."

"Yaya-chan!"

Yaya bent forward and whispered in her ear. "You weren't complaining last night. And the night before that. And the night..."

"Alright, alright!" Tsubomi blushed. "The point is made," she muttered meekly.

In the background, Shizuma suddenly groaned. "Oh, god, why didn't I just text Takashi! Stupid!" Shizuma effectively face palmed herself. "He could have picked me up. Or Shion. Or you, Chikaru."

"Well," Chikaru shrugged. "I didn't want to say it with so many words, so I'm glad you were the one to bring it up."

"Let's just go home," Nagisa kissed Shizuma on the lips.

"Good idea!" Yaya smiled. "Come on, Tsubomi-chan, let's get back to our big bed at Tamao-chan's family mansion and make good use of it."

Tamao looked at Shizuma and shook her head disdainfully for a moment. Shizuma looked up and met her eyes. The two girls would never be friends and their relationship could be described as cordial at best. However, considering what Nagisa had just gone through and the fact that Shizuma was responsible, gave her little reason to return Tamao's stern glare with one of her own. So, Shizuma did something Tamao had never, ever seen her do - Shizuma bowed her head submissively.

"Come on," Shizuma told Nagisa. "Let's go home."

Shizuma and Nagisa had spent a lovely quiet Sunday at home, simply enjoying each others company. With no money to go out or do something special, they simply hung out on the couch to lazy about or to talk, and had managed to slap together a dinner from all manner of left-overs they had in their larder. And most of the evening had indeed been spent with stupendously good make-up sex.

The next day was again a working day. The girls had arrived early to prepare for the day. Chikaru had just finished outfitting the girls with their costumes while Yaya had headed into the kitchen to prepare the oven. The cafe was about to open an already there were customers waiting outside the door.

Having been doing a lot of cleaning inside the kitchen, Tsubomi headed into the rec-room for a short break. Tsubomi found another person siting in the rec-room. Chikaru was quietly reading a book. She looked up briefly and nodded in greeting. In all actuality, Tsubomi had hoped to find Chikaru here.

Tsubomi sat opposite to her and looked at the title. She saw it was an English book with an English title. "H.P. Lovecraft?"

"Yes," Chikaru put down her book. "I'm re-reading The Shadow over Innsmouth. It's one of my favorites."

"But aren't those books all frightful? And don't they always end up with characters dying or going insane at the end of the books? "

"Yeah, great isn't it?" Chikaru smiled broadly.

Tsubomi blinked. "You really are a dark horse, Chikaru-chan."

"I get a sense you're not here to talk about Lovecraft's astounding works of fiction," Chikaru winked.

Tsubomi nodded. Chikaru was, if anything, extremely perceptive Tsubomi shifted slightly and avoided Chikaru's gaze.

"It's about..." Tsubomi bit her lip. "I mean."

"Yaya-chan is graduating soon, isn't she?" Chikaru said. "I hear she's been admitted to a good university."

"Yes," Tsubomi nodded. "She's going to study English, Western culture and history."

"She told me, yes," Chikaru smiled. "A far cry from her family history."

Tsubomi looked up, not even surprised Chikaru already knew. Yaya's choice might seem odd, but her family owned a great deal of the real-estate in Tokyo's central business district. Yaya's older brothers would inherit the business, so Yaya would not have a care or a want in the world and could do whatever she wanted. Tsubomi, on the other hand, was an only child. Her parents, newspaper moguls, had expectations of her, but in the end Tsubomi herself was her own harshest critic.

"I want to make it work, I want to be with Yaya-chan," Tsubomi said resolutely.

"But you're worried what will happen now that Yaya will be going away to university while you still have two years of Astraea Hill ahead of you," Chikaru said. "Am I right?"

Tsubomi closed her eyes. Was she really that obvious, or was Chikaru just really perceptive?

"I..." Tsubomi closed her eyes. "I was just thinking... I mean... Yaya-chan... She's wild, f unloving and popular... What if... I... Another girl... I won't be able to handle if she..."

"Hey," Chikaru said in the softest voice she could muster and gently put her hand on Tsubomi's. "Yaya-chan flirts a lot with the customers, doesn't she?"

Tsubomi nodded sadly.

"And the costumers flirt a lot with her. She's given a lot of phonenumbers, doesn't she?"

Tsubomi nodded again, even more sadly.

"But has she ever called even one of these numbers?" Chikaru asked.

Tsubomi shook her head. "No. No, she hasn't."

"Has she ever shown any romantic interest in any girl except you?"

"N-no."

"Tsubomi-chan," Chikaru smiled that warm smile of hers. "Yaya-chan is crazy about you. Just like Shizuma-chan was crazy about Nagisa-chan. And they made it work. There were no other girls. And now they're married."

"I suppose I shouldn't be worried," Tsubomi smiled. "It's just... I love Yaya-chan so much and I need her. Just the thought of..."

Tears started to roll over Tsubomi's cheeks. "I should trust her more."

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around Tsubomi's waist and a soft body pressed against her back. "My, my," smirked Yaya. "Tell me how much you love me and need me again."

Tsubomi blushed profusely. "H-how long were you listening?"

"Long enough, my paranoid little darling," Yaya smiled. "You have nothing to worry about."

However, Tsubomi's mood turned sour faster than a formula-1 racecar taking a turn. "How dare you listen in to private conversations! Yaya-chan, you are rude and insufferable!"

Yaya blinked, then smirked. "I'd call you a tsundere. But you were more like a Deretsun just now."

"I AM NOT A TSUNDERE!" Tsubomi yelled and started chasing after her beloved Yaya, who just giggled and ran out the door.

Chikaru laughed briefly and shook her head while picking up her book again. "Ah, I remember being that young."

Later that day, the place was once again packed. Girls of all walks of life and ages were enjoying the food and the company of other women. It was no joke that the number of customers was steadily increasing. Tamao was feeling a bit stressed as she was working the counter. She looked into the crowd and saw the girls serving the customers. Aside from her friends, she had hired several other servant girls. With the profits she was making, she could easily afford it and it would give her friends some breathing space. Though at this very moment, it wasn't helping much.

Shizuma, dressed up as Lala from To Love Ru complete with fake tail and pink wig, slammed into the counter. "Tamao!" she panted. "More and more orders. And it's not even rushhour yet! Look at Nagisa!"

Nagisa, dressed up as Mio Akiyama, was walking back and forth between tables taking orders. It was easy to see that she was stressed to the bone and was losing track of who ordered what.

"Okay," Tamao said, going into manager mode. "Tell Nagisa-chan that she needs to take a break, and tell Aki-chan that she and Shiina-chan need to cover the tables in A-wing. Also, ask her to tell Yaya-chan and Tsubomi-chan in the kitchen to fix the ventilation hood above the stove as quickly as possible or we'll have all the cooking scents wafting into the customer area!"

"Aye, aye, mein manager," Shizuma joked and rushed into the crowd.

"Gods above, I never knew there were so many lesbians living in this city," Tamao said. Word of mouth and internet advertisement had really gotten her business going. It seemed lesbians were just as eager to be served by gorgeous girls in cosplay as the otaku were. Hell, most of these girls were otaku lesbians to begin with.

Tamao had insisted on a steady rotation of the maids working the cafe to make sure that nobody would burn out. But now she was severely hoping that the girls on break would return soon so that she could have some rest herself.

Tamao was so busy working the cash register than she failed to notice three men entering the cafe. Her snot-nosed brother Reji, her kindly and largely built brother Sumiyoshi and another man, middle-aged and bigger than Reji while smaller than Sumiyoshi.

"Ahum," said the middle-aged man as he approached the cash register.

"I'll be with you in a minute, I apologize for making you wait," Tamao said and looked up... and gasped. "FATHER!" she exclaimed happily.

"Tamao-chan," her father said appreciatively as he looked at the many customers in the cafe. "I see you are doing well."

Tamao nodded vigorously. "My staff is overworked, though. But we're doing the best we can."

"Don't apologize," her father said. "But where is the charming Chiyo-chan?"

"She probably ran away with some boy," Reji smirked. "Seriously, Tamao-chan always falls for the straight girls. Give it up already and find a boyfriend. Stop being weird."

Tamao gritted her teeth and balled her fists, but let her anger pass. She would not rise to his bait.

"Reji!" Tamao's father narrowed his eyes. "What did I tell you about making fun of your sister's sexual preference?"

Reji grumbled while Sumiyoshi laughed and winked at Tamao.

"Don't say that's a real relationship," Reji scoffed. "I've seen them around our mansion. Tamao-chan treats her like a porcelain doll, not a person. If I were Chiyo-chan, I'd get the hell away from that."

"Uhm, Reji?" Sumiyoshi admonished. "Nee-san is standing right in front of you."

"Well, Reji does have a point," her father spoke. "You're like a Buddhist monk around her. Have you even kissed her yet?"

Tamao's blood shot to her cheeks. "Father," she hissed. "Not here, please."

"You really should kiss her," her father shrugged. "It'd be a shame if Chiyo-chan'd lose interest in you because you're ignoring her. She's such a nice girl."

"I bet Tamao-chan is taping Chiyo-chan while she's sleeping," Reji smirked.

"That's unfair!" Tamao snarled at Reji, but then looked away. "Besides, I only did that once."

An awkward silence followed for a couple of moments, but then Tamao's father stepped forward. "Tamao-chan," said her father. "I know you still have one week to go until the month is through, but I wanted to come down and tell you in person that I am so very impressed. This is the fastest growing Happy Tasty theme restaurant since we've started and the figures don't lie."

Tamao needed a few moments to wrap her head around this information. But when she did, she ran from behind the counter and jumped in her father's arms.

"Tamao-chan, my girl," he said. "I am so proud of you."

And that's what this was all about. Even though running a Happy Tasty was a family right of passage, it was even more important for those who did not want to follow in the family footsteps and strike out on their own - it was to prove to themselves and their family that they had greatness inside of them which could be used to make something of themselves.

"I want to be a writer," she said again, for good measure, knowing full well that her father had never approved of that before. "I really want to be a writer. I know I can be a good one."

Her father nodded while hugging her back. "You've proven to me you have what it takes to creature success. I will give you my full support."

"Well done, nee-san!" Sumiyoshi clapped his sister on the shoulder.

"Ridiculous," Reji fumed.

Meanwhile, more people entered. Shizuma, who had been standing in the background, moved in to show them to their seats.

"Now, does the manager have time to show her old man around this successful place?"

"Certainly," Tamao said, beckoning over Shizuma. "Shizuma-san, will you take care of the cash register for a moment?"

Shizuma agreed to do so, and Tamao led her family into the back rooms, where the operation took place. As first she showed her 'the command center' from which girls on bikes would operate to make deliveries all over town. Afterwards, she led them to the lounge, where Chikaru and Takashi were sitting.

"This is Chikaru-chan, our costume designer who is putting the finishing touches on her latest masterpiece. And that otaku behind the laptop is Takashi-kun, our webmaster and technical advisor."

Polite nods, bows and brief conversation followed during which Takashi told them all about the vagaries of running a website. Tamao then led her family into the kitchen. Yaya, Tsubomi and two hired girls were working the kitchen at that moment. However, Tsubomi had donned a heavy toolbelt and was standing on a ladder while trying to dislodge the grate underneath the air filtration system above the main stoves.

"Ah, your delightful friends," her father smiled, as both Yaya and Tsubomi stayed at his mansion.

"Hey sugar-daddy!" Yaya greeted with a wave of the arm.

"Yaya!" Tsubomi scowled. "Don't be so rude to our host!"

"Very loud, very vulgar friends," Reji muttered under his breath.

"You only say that because they know how to have fun," Sumiyoshi smirked, making Reji scowl.

As Tamao was telling her father about the goings on in the kitchen, Reji turned to Yaya. "What I don't get about your lesbian couples. Who's the man? I mean, there has to be a man, right?"

Behind him, Sumiyoshi face palmed and shook his head, while Yaya smirked slightly, deciding to have a little fun.

"Well," Yaya said. "I am here cooking and Tsubomi-chan is wearing a toolbelt. Do the math, genius."

"What?" Tsubomi jumped down from the ladder to confront. "I AM NOT A MAN!"

"Yes you are," Yaya crossed her arms. "You are my man. You are my big strong hairy macho-man."

"I AM NOT A MAN!" Tsubomi shrieked and started slapping at Yaya.

"Aaaaaaaaaah!" Yaya giggled. "Waifu-battering! Waifu-battering!"

Tamao's father laughed at their antics, while Reji shook his head. "Such delightful girls," he said.

"Don't worry," Sumiyoshi said. "The maids say they have great make-up sex."

"They have obnoxiously loud make-up sex," Reji scoffed.

Sumiyoshi shook his head. "You only say that because they have more fun in their pinky finger than you have in your entire body."

"You should say that about Tamao-chan," Reji crossed his arm. "Oh wait, the only reason why she can't have fun is because she has fallen for a straight girl. AGAIN!"

Anger exploded through the core of Tamao's being yet again. As long as she had known him, Reji had belittled her. And she was tired of it, so very tired of it. She made a decision - she had nothing left to prove. She had nothing left to fear. Her dream of becoming a writer was closer than ever. So she was going to make love to Chiyo tonight. That is, if Chiyo wanted her to.

Tamao led her family back to the rec-room where they found Nagisa sitting at the table. She had removed her wig and looked rather exhausted while Shizuma had given her a glass of water.

"Ah, here's Tamao now," Shizuma said. "Nagisa is suffering from a bit of sensory overload, so I'm giving her my break-time. I'll take over from her for a bit."

"So many customers," Nagisa muttered. "so many orders."

Tamao was immediately concerned, but as she was about to sit down opposite to Nagisa, Reji practically bumped her out of the way and sat down, taking Nagisa's hand.

"Tamao, how dare you overwork a goddess such as her?" Reji admonished. "Is this revenge for her spurning your affections? Honestly, you are a vile person."

Both Sumiyoshi and Tamao's father raised an eyebrow at this and Tamao looked as if she was about to explode. But she apparently counted to ten and let it pass.

"Are you alright, Nagisa-san?" he asked, holding her hand and looking her into the eye. "Perhaps my company will make you feel better."

Nagisa was startled when she noticed Reji leering at her and touching her. She looked at Shizuma for help, but unfortunately miss clueless was in town.

Shizuma smiled broadly at Reji. "Thank you for wanting to keep Nagisa company," she said with a little bow of the head.

"S-shizuma?" Nagisa said, a little nervous.

"I'll be back soon, sweetie," smiled Shizuma. "This nice man will keep your mind occupied until then."

"Shizuma?" Nagisa bit her lip, pleading to her to stay, while Reji looked at Nagisa expectingly.

"Have fun you two!" Shizuma waved as she headed back into the cafe.

"SHIZUMA!" Nagisa yelled after her, but her pleas of desperation were drowned out by the many customers.

Meanwhile, Sumiyoshi leaned towards Tamao. "Shouldn't we warn him that Nagisa-san actually belongs to Shizuma-san?"

A vengeful twinkle appeared in Tamao's eyes. "Let him crash and burn," she winked as she led her family to a table on the other side of the room to discuss some business details.

"So, uh..." Reji started. Now that he had finally had the beauteous Nagisa all to himself nerves started to kick in. Meanwhile, Nagisa was too stunned and horrified to do what she most wanted to do - run away screaming.

"Uh..." Nagisa bit her lip.

"Uhm, that really is a rather smashing blouse you have on."

"Uhm, it's a sweater."

"Oh, is it?"

"Uhm, yes."

"Well... that really is a rather smashing sweater you have on," Reji stammered.

An awkward silence followed. "So, uhm, you go to school?"

"University."

"Ah..."

More awkward silence.

"Uhm, you know... I earn a lot of money and I have a big inheritance coming... eventually. Girls like men with lots of money, right?"

"Some. I guess," Nagisa shrugged, still avoiding his eyes.

"I, uh, could take care of a beautiful girl, you know."

"Nice to know."

"Do you like men with lots of money?"

"I dunno. I always like having new friends, but money doesn't really factor into it."

"Ah, I, uh, think you misunderstand me."

Nagisa gulped.

Reji tried his sexiest smile... he failed. "Are you a great kisser?"

"I beg your pardon!" asked Nagisa, a little insulted. "That's... rather a private question. And I think you got the right idea. You see, Shizuma and I..."

"Well," Reji bit his lip. "It's kinda important if you are to be my girlfriend."

Nagisa blinked and started looking for an escape route. "I, uh, I am not sure what you mean."

"Don't play coy!" Reji pressed. "You're screaming for it, I can see it in your eyes."

"Don't look at my eyes!" Nagisa wailed. "You're frightening! Besides, Shizuma..."

Reji took Nagisa's wrists. "Dance with me then! Dance the dance of lovers to be!"

"I don't even know you!" Nagisa wailed and looked at Tamao for help. Sadly, her best friend only gave her a thumbs up and a sly giggle.

Nagisa decided to back away from the booth and slowly make her way to the door. "Look, uhm, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all, but I'm just not..."

"... the right girl for me?" Reji smirked. "Nice of you to say, but you are quite the lovely little porcelain doll. You're top notch girlfriend material, Nagisa-san. So sweet, innocent and virginal."

At that moment, Nagisa wanted to blurt out that she hadn't been a virgin for years, but caught herself just in time to spare her the embarrassment. Nagisa then backed into a wall and found Reji stepping toward her, the wish for a kiss clear on his face. Nagisa was about to scream.

Just then, Reji's emotional moment was rudely disturbed by Shizuma popping up through the door. There was sheer relief in Nagisa's voice as she snaked away from Reji and threw her arms around her beloved.

"Look," Reji spoke, a little annoyed. "Do you mind?"

Reji was ignored. Instead, Shizuma and Nagisa locked lips together and settled in a rather passionate kiss, stunning Reji into submission.

"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-whaaaaatttttt?" Reji blinked. "But... But... But..."

"Thank you for keeping my wife company during a difficult moment," Shizuma said. "I see she's feeling better now."

"Y-y-your wife?"

"Shizuma and I are married," Nagisa said. "I'm sorry. I tried to tell you several times, but you wouldn't listen."

Reji sputtered like a fish on dry land. "But... I... But... you... Shizuma-san... Tamao... But..."

Quick as a flash, a smug looking Tamao appeared next to Reji. "Nii-san," Tamao grinned wickedly. "I know you've been trying to score a girlfriend for years now, but woe is you... you keep falling for gay girls."

"HAH!" sounded Sumiyoshi from the table while their father snickered. "Slam! Dunk! Score!" he said as he high-fived Tamao.

White as a sheet, Reji let out a cry of frustration and ran out of the rec-room. Shizuma and Nagisa watched him run, and Shizuma looked at her wife quizzically. "Is he alright? He seems upset."

"He wanted me to be his girlfriend," Nagisa nodded. "But was kinda upset to find me taken."

"Hm, that's weird," Shizuma scratched her head. "How could he not see you are a lesbian? I mean, I could tell right away."

"Some people are just clueless."

"Yep," Shizuma said. "I'm glad I'm not clueless, though."

"God, I'm tired," Shizuma said after she and Nagisa arrived home in the evening and tossed her duffel-bag on the table. It was their last day at work and after tomorrow the regular staff would taking over the cafe. "But still, I'm kind of sad it's over."

Nagisa nodded. "Yeah, I think it's safe to say you won this bet," she giggled and shook her head. "I'm impressed."

Nagisa walked to a small cupboard, unlocked it and took out a small leather sleeve. She smiled and handed the sleeve to Shizuma.

Shizuma's eyes grew wide as she opened the sleeve to reveal... her credit card. "Oh my sweet!" she closed her eyes for a moment as she clutched the piece of plastic to her chest. "I missed you so!"

Both Shizuma and Nagisa plopped down on the couch, where Nagisa quickly curled up against her wife. "You handled yourself a lot better than I thought you would. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"It was a learning experience," Shizuma shrugged.

"And what did you learn?"

"Being poor really sucks."

Both girls giggled at that statement and nodded in agreement.

"You know," Shizuma said. "I never meant to make you feel comfortable using my money. I mean, it's only a means to an end. I want to make you happy, Nagisa. The money's just a catalyst."

"I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time over it," Nagisa smiled as she lay her head on Shizuma's tummy. "I know you mean well."

"If anyone ever accuses you of being a gold-digger, I am going to... well, I don't know what I'll do, but it'll probably be violent," Shizuma nodded. "Yes, quite violent."

Nagisa giggled briefly. "So, did Shizuma learn the value of earning money?"

Shizuma nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. I felt like a real idiot after gambling our money away. I mean, we worked for it all day and then... poof, it's gone."

"Shizuma?"

"Hm?"

"Should we do something to celebrate?"

"Wait a moment," Shizuma winked. "I won that bet, didn't I? I want to collect my winnings!"

Nagisa stretched and looked up into Shizuma's eyes. "And what does Shizuma-sempai have in mind, hm?"

"Well," Shizuma thought for a moment. "Either you on our bed completely naked with a rich supply of strawberries and chocolate sauce or... the both of us putting those nurse costumes Chikaru made to good use."

"I could go for a strawberry... or two," Nagisa winked. "But on one condition."

"Name it," Shizuma grinned.

"You have to wear that black leather bomberjacket of yours... and nothing else," Nagisa blushed slightly.

"Deal," Shizuma said as Nagisa stood up and strolled into the bedroom. "Oh, crap. I just remembered. We don't actually have strawberries or chocolate sauce."

"Well," Nagisa said while popping her head out of the bedroom. "I suggest you go to the shop and get some."

Shizuma barely had time to yelp before Nagisa's shirt was thrown over her head from the bedroom. And when Shizuma had freed herself, she found another piece of clothing flying towards her. Nagisa's bra landed in her lap.

Needless to say, Shizuma walked to the nearby delicatessen-shop with faster-than-usual pace. It wasn't even dark yet, nor overly cold so a brisk walk would do her some good. Besides, she liked the way Nagisa would yell out whenever she pressed her cold cheek against Nagisa's stomach.

On her way there, Shizuma passed her favorite flower-shop. It was an old mom and pop store, though the pop half of the couple running it had passed away last year. Noomi, the old lady who ran the shop stood outside of the windows brushing the sidewalk with a broom and greeted Shizuma warmly, a gesture which Shizuma returned. However, as she was passing, she couldn't help but notice a sign in the window which read 'Help Wanted'.

"Noomi-san?" Shizuma stopped in her tracks. "Are you having trouble."

"Oh, Hanazono-sama," Noomi said. "I am getting on in years, but don't worry about me. It's just for the Saturdays when my son can't help me out lugging the pots and crates."

Shizuma thought for a moment. Now that she no longer worked at the cafe, she found herself with a lot more free time and wondered what she could do with it. Study was not an issue as she was breezing through University with minimum effort for maximum result, like she had done at Astraea Hill. She could hang out with Nagisa or friends, sure, but Takashi and Nagisa did spend more time on their studies than she did. And this was her favorite flower-shop. The wonderful smells always made her smile.

"I'll do it!"

Noomi blinked. "Y-you? But... it's hard work for such a delicate woman such as yourself."

"Delicate?" Shizuma winked. "I'll have you know that these are fencer's arms."

Shizuma flexed, showing off some rather less-than-impressive musculature.

"I can't afford to pay you much," Noomi said. "But then I guess that's not really a problem for you, is it? Alright, Hanazono-sama, you've got yourself a job."

"Great! See you Saturday, boss," Shizuma saluted and continued on her way while a smiling Noomi stepped back in her shop to take down the sign.

Shizuma was very satisfied with herself - not only was she helping out a person who needed help, but she'd get to spend time in that wonderful flower shop. And to make the day even greater, Nagisa was back at their beautiful home underneath the sheets wearing nothing but a smile. Life was wonderful.

Suddenly, however, her phone rang.

Nagisa stretched when she heard the front door open from the bedroom. During the time Shizuma had been away, she had taken the liberty of making the bedroom more romantic. She had put up half a dozen candles which were now bathing the room with their light and had also lit some sweet smelling incense. A small portable CD player had been set read and was playing soft piano music in the background.

She herself had slipped into a silk bathroom with a loosely tied ribbon keeping it around her body, perfect for unwrapping. Nagisa lay on her side, flashing her best 'Ready to Play!'-seductive smile as Shizuma stepped towards the room.

"I hope you didn't forget about that bomber..." the words caught in Nagisa's throat when Shizuma shuffled into the room. She could immediately see something was wrong. Shizuma looked white as a sheet and had a dazed look in her eyes.

"Shizuma," she whispered, jumped up and rushed to embrace her. "What's wrong. Tell me what's wrong."

"I-it's..." Shizuma trembled. "I... just had a phonecall."

Nagisa looked up. "Tell me."

"It's... it's dad," she choked. "My father..."

Nagisa felt tears well up in her eyes. Hanazono-san was the nicest man Nagisa had ever known, and Shizuma was absolutely crazy about him. If something awful had happened to him... Nagisa didn't want to think about it. Shizuma might even sink into the same pit of depression again which she had fought so hard to get out of.

"Shizuma," Nagisa said, taking Shizuma's chin and looking her in the eyes. "What happened to him?"

"He... he's getting re-married."

Meanwhile, in Tamao's family mansion, the big bed in Tamao's room now contained two starry eyes girls hugging each other tightly as they recovered from the nervousness and passions of making love for the very first time.

"Tamao onee-sama?" asked Chiyo softly.

"Hm?" asked Tamao as she gently kissed the nape of Chiyo's neck.

"Will we always be together?"

"Yes," Tamao whispered softly. "We will always be together. And every time we make love, it'll be just as wonderful as it was this night."

A gentle kiss followed.

"Tamao onee-sama?" asked Chiyo again.

"Hm?"

"Why did you want to have that camera here?" she said and pointed at the large video camera aimed at the bed.

"I, uhm, wanted to document our first time for, uh, archival purposes," Tamao looked away for a moment.

"Tamao onee-sama? Another question?"

"What is it, Chiyo-chan?"

"If we do it again tonight," Chiyo said. "Could you ask Yaya-chan and Tsubomi-chan to stop putting a glass against the wall to listen in on us?"

A muffled protest sounded from the other side of the wall. "Hey, we weren't listening in!... Uh... Oh, crap."

"Nice going, Yaya-chan!" sounded another muffled voice from the other side of the wall, following by the bonk of someone being bumped on the noggin with a balled fist.

"No problem!" Yaya yelled from the other side of the wall. "Continue with the sex, please!"

"YAYA-CHAN!"

Well, sorry to end with a cliffhanger, but it served to let you know more is coming. Hope you liked the story in the end. :)

The story will be continued in Strawberry Weddings.