sorry for disapearing off the face of the planet, you guys! But I've just been so freakishly busy...plus there were things about this chapter that just didn't satisfy when i first wrote it, so i rewrote it, and rewrote, and edited... but i think it's alright now. i have to go write the next chappie now..

new story coming up! actually two or three. look for them soon! Working titles are "Is it Farewell?" "Admirable Idol" and "???" (sorry don't have a title for that last one...). "Admirable Idol" and "???" are 'somewhat' continuations of this story but not by much (its a little love trilogy) , and will be written in the same style. "Is it Farewell" will most likely be written in a different style; its not quite as loose and a tad more serious, but still humorous (cuz i like funny...). sorry for the advertising, keep reading!!!!!!

disclaimer: I. Own. Nothing. Thank You, Come Again!

Part 4-Effect of the Potion, pyo!?

"Here we are pyo! The carnival pyo!"

"Ah, a carnival, huh?" Coo smiled. "What a cute idea for a first date…"

Piyoko flushed. "First wha? This isn't a date pyo!" She snapped, then added slyly. "This is just a little girl who wants to spend a day with her bestest friend in the world is all, pyo."

Coo eyed her suspiciously. "Uh-huh…" Then he smiled. "Well, would it be okay for two 'bestest' friends in the world to hold hands then?"

"Oh? Well I don't see why not pyo…" she said as she took Coo's hand. But…what was this? Holding hands was no big deal, they'd done that frequently growing up together. But for some reason Piyoko felt a little different this time...almost like butterflies were flapping their wings in her chest. She never felt this before, and she wasn't sure she liked it very much. Still, it was easier to walk this way compared to lugging him around on her shoulders.

"Piyoko, you okay?" Piyoko didn't realize she had been staring off into space.

"Pyo?" She snapped back into focus. "Yeah, of course, I just…well what do you think we should do first pyo?" She said cheerfully, changing the subject. "Eat first pyo? Or the rides…oh I know! Let's do the rollercoaster pyo! I always wanted to pyo!" She ran off in the direction of the coaster at top speed, pulling Coo along behind her.

After screaming like crazy on the rollercoaster (and several others), the two were getting pretty hungry…

"But didn't we use all the money on the rides pyo?" Piyoko asked.

Coo snickered. "Leave it to me sweetie," he said deviously. He made his way to the booth where the food was set on the table, and, when no one was looking, snatched two boxes on the spot! "Ta-dah." In each box there was a hot fresh serving of takoyaki. He presented one to Piyoko and kept the other for himself.

"That was amazing pyo! Smells good too pyo," Piyoko used her fingers to scoop one up into her mouth.

"Heh, well you know what they say, 'one evil a day,'" Coo also used his fingers to eat, though in a much more hasty and sloppy way. It disappeared within moments.

"Gosh Coo," Piyoko laughed, "You eat like you haven't seen food in a hundred years pyo!" She was about to scoop the last of hers into her mouth but it slipped and was headed for the ground. Coo reached out at the last second and caught it. Piyoko was sure he was going to eat it himself and say 'snooze ya loose' (as he has done before), but this time…he offered it to back her.

"I don't think it wants to be eaten," he said, joking with her. "But that's too bad for it! Open up."

"Hm?" Piyoko asked cocking her head to one side. "You know I can do it myself pyo."

"Nah, we don't wanna take a chance on it escaping again. I'll do it. Open." Piyoko didn't quite understand but she opened her mouth and Coo placed the piece of takoyaki gently inside. "See? Now aren't you glad I did it?"

"Whatever, pyo," she retorted. She felt she was being treated like a child, and she didn't like that too well. But for some odd reason that fluttery feeling was coming back. Why? Nothing had even happened, right? She tried to shake it away but that only made it worse.

"What's the matter with you?" Coo asked. "You're blushing like crazy."

"Eh?" She covered face. "No I'm not pyo!"

Coo paused for a moment staring into her eyes silently. Finally he smiled, not in his normally 'cheeky' way but in a polite way and said, "Whatever you say, Piyoko-chan."

Piyoko wasn't sure what to think about this. It was kind of nice that he wasn't teasing her but she also found it a little awkward. Coo wasn't…himself.

Meanwhile at headquarters:

"Please? Lieutenant, are you listening? C-can you let this one free please?" Rik was still stuck to the pole (which is uncomfortable mind you!) and was trying to maneuver his way out while begging Ky to free him. However, Ky pretended to ignore him and Rik could see this. "I-I'll do whatever you want! Or don't want…I'm honestly unsure of what's going on here!? Lieutenant? Ky? Are you listening to me!?"

Ky was seated at the kotatsu, but his head was resting on the table surface, facing away. "Calm down, all your complaining is making my head hurt."

"Look, this one apologizes sincerely! But you heard what Pyocola-sama told us. I can't really help it…it's not me."

"I know it's not you," Ky said in monotone. "That's kind of the part that concerns me."

Rik calmed a little but then felt confused. "What…what do you mean by that?"

Ky perked his head up. "Huh?" He blushed slightly before turning back away. "Oh, nothing, no nothing never mind don't listen to me."

"No but wait you—"

"I said never mind!" Ky sighed. "If I untie you will you stop irritating me?"

"Whatever you wish Lieutenant," he brightened at the prospect of being set free. Ky untied him but was still wary of him. With a little of Ky's directing they sat opposite of each other at the kotatsu. "Ahnice and warm," Rik said warming himself under the table.

"I suppose," Ky said.

Awkward silence.

"Hey…" Rik started. "What was that you were eating earlier?"

"Just some leftovers," Ky said.

"Leftover? You mean the one in the blue container, right? Not the red?"

"Uh...why do you ask?" Then he froze.

"Lieutenant? Are you alright?" Rik asked looking concerned.

"Uhh…" Ky groaned and clutched his middle. "My stomach…maybe…uh…be right back!" He left the room in a hurry.

When he returned about ten minutes later his face was flushed and he plopped onto the floor in front of the kotatsu. "Right…" he sighed. "D-d-don't eat the rest of that…" he whined.

"Ky!" Rik walked over, helped him from the floor and embraced him gently. "You had me worried. Are you sure you're okay?"

Ky took on a rather glazed look, focusing on something far off, yet nothing at all. "No, no, really, its okay...I'm fine...you can let go now." For some reason, after his ordeal with the bad food, he found this comforting…in a weird, skin-crawling sort of way. He relaxed a little but still attempted to push Rik away. "I think I'll go lie down and…take a nap."

"Oh, I'll come with you—"

"No, no, it's fine, you stay here and…and keep an eye out for Pyocola-sama. She and the major should be back sometime soon…"

Rik hesitated, but wanted to please him. "Alright, if you wish," he said, still obviously concerned.

TBC

oh yeah, final chapter next!! got lots planned. and this time it won't take 150 million months to update...