So I started writing this last fall, but got caught up in coursework and formal papers for school, and kept putting it off. Now I am at last finishing this, and I apologize for this late update. Hopefully, readers who have been following this are not lost after the long absence.

Unfortunately, I cannot say when the next update will be, but there should only be two more chapters.

Onward to the story!

"I can't believe it!" Kiko huffed. "There are no decent anime shops in this town!"

Other pedestrians moved out of her way as she stomped past, warily taking in her pink hair, strange clothes, and foul temper. Kiko didn't seem to notice the wide berth she was being given, continuing to vent to the world in general.

"This is all Boss' fault! If he hadn't fallen asleep we wouldn't have missed our stop, and we wouldn't be stuck here for another three hours for the next train out!"

She conveniently forgot that she too had fallen asleep.

A sound had Kiko's ears perking up, a familiar song that she would know anywhere, on any instrument.

Whipping to her left, Kiko spotted a small tea shop with the windows propped open. There! She would know those sweet strains of music anywhere!

Her feet brought her to the door of the small shop in a daze.

And to the wonderfully dramatic theme of Rose of Maurice Kiko set eyes on a familiar head of silver hair.

"Kirsi-chan!"

Pale hands stopped their movement on the piano keys, the music petering out into silence as their owner turned her silvery head towards the voice.

Hand waving madly in greeting -knowing but not caring that the pianist couldn't see the gesture- Kiko rushed forward and swept her friend into a hug.

Which did not feel quite… right. Blinking, Kiko squeezed Kirsi a little harder, trying to make out what felt different.

A soft, tentative pressure on her back had Kiko beaming, momentarily derailing her train of thought.

Progress!

The last time she had seen Kirsi, the other girl had only responded to physical cues if prompted. Now she was returning Kiko's hug like a semi-normal person!

…Which was around when it finally clicked what felt different about Kirsi.

At first she had thought the blind girl had gained some unfortunate weight, but further inspection –in the form of another tight squeeze, pressing their bodies closer together (which was slightly awkward considering Kirsi was still perched on the piano seat) - had her coming to the conclusion that the slight bulge in Kirsi's abdomen was not the result of body fat.

And there was only one other explanation for it.

Someone had knocked Kirsi up!

Now no matter how Kiko acted, she was actually a very perceptive person, and in the short time that Kiko had known the other girl she had noticed a few things. Things like how Kirsi did not usually let her opinions be known (at times it almost seemed like she didn't have any at all), and how even though Kiko had seen glimpses of a core of steel in Kirsi's actions, most times she just let others make choices for her. So it could be forgiven that the thought of Kirsi willingly getting pregnant never crossed her mind.

Whoever had done this, Kiko thought to herself vengefully, was going to suffer. She would see to it personally. You didn't just go around taking advantage of poor blind girls. Especially not one who was the friend of Kayanuma Kiko! Tightening her arms in righteous indignation, Kiko began to plot out ways to make the bastard pay.

"…Kiko, too tight," came softly from the vicinity of her chest.

Immediately springing back, Kiko rubbed the back of her head, laughing nervously. "Sorry, sorry! Just, uh, I didn't expect to meet you here!"

Unfocused violet eyes readjusted in the pink haired woman's direction, completing the turn she had started before the hug. Kiko took that moment to visually reassess her friend.

Her white hair was caught in a low tail at the back of her neck and seemed to be a few inches longer than before; but what had changed the most was the atmosphere around Kirsi. Kiko couldn't tell much form her expression, but she seemed… content. Happy, even, if the little twitch at the corners of her mouth was any indication. Shoulders easing in the realization that maybe her friend hadn't been taken advantage of, Kiko didn't notice the old woman until she had popped up right in front of the girls.

"Are you a friend of Yin-chan's? Oh, what a wonderful surprise!" Clapping excitedly, the old woman's cheeks creased in a wide grin. Something about the twinkle in her eye, or maybe the dimples half buried in wrinkles, made Kiko feel that she had found a kindred spirit. "Where are my manners? My name is Yukiko and I am the owner of this teahouse."

"Kayanuma Kiko, ma'am," Kiko responded, bowing in greeting.

"Oh, Yukiko is just fine, dear. Yin-chan why don't you take a break and catch up with your friend. I'll go make a pot of tea and I'm sure the two of you would enjoy some teacakes, too! They're fresh out of the oven!" Surprisingly strong, wrinkled hands shoed the young women towards a free table in a corner, before Yukiko bustled through the kitchen door conveniently located to the right of their table.

"Um, Congratulations on your baby!"

Kirsi nodded slowly, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

So cute! Squealed Kiko's inner voice. Her outer voice said, "So is it a boy or a girl?"

"Girl," Kirsi said softly, like a secret.

Kiko gave a whoop of delight, jumping across the table to tackle her friend in a hug. Smile stretching wide, Kiko began to question her about the baby and what she had been doing since they had last met. And when it came to her mysterious husband Hei –who Kirsi had mentioned called her Yin- Kiko leaned forward intently, still a little concerned for her friend.

It was at this moment that a soft, deep voice called out said silver-haired friend's name.

Kiko turned toward the voice, a niggling in the back of her mind at its familiarity, and promptly spit out her tea. "Sexy collarbones!"

And there was the mysterious young man that used to frequent the restaurant in her neighborhood.

At her exclamation his face turned utterly blank for one terrifying moment. If she hadn't been so sure that it was because of shock, she might have been a little scared at the change. As it was, Kiko had become immune to awkward situations.

Instead she had learned to thrive on them.

Then, as if a switch was flipped, an uncertain smile crept across his face. "…Excuse me, but have we met?"

"Ah-hahaha!" Kiko rubbed the back of her head, cringing just a little. She hadn't meant for him to hear that. First impressions of a girlfriend's significant other was important! "Um, I used to see you at Yamada-san's shop in Tokyo!"

"Ah," the smile turned embarrassed, and he reached up to rub the back of his head uncomfortably. Kiko assumed this was because his stomach was a veritable black hole, though from his physique no one would ever guess, she thought sneaking a quick, appreciative once-over. "I'm Li Jian. Are you a friend of my wife's?"

"Yep! Kayanuma Kiko, at your service!" Kiko snapped a salute, winking.

"Hei," Kirsi spoke quietly, gaining her husband's immediate attention, and the way she said this name, the tone and the almost reverent way the syllables left her mouth, Kiko knew that this name was special. Only for Yin to say. It didn't escape her notice the way that he subtly moved toward Kirsi, and the soft look in his eyes as he faced her, changing his demeanor from embarrassed young man to a quietly confidant man who adored his wife.

"Yin." And wow, even Li-san's voice seemed to change as he greeted her, deepening and gaining presence somehow. Kiko almost felt like an intruder at this reunion.

Still, this was the perfect opportunity to start the interrogation! Even if after the last couple of minutes Kiko was sure it wasn't really necessary, it was still sure to be interesting! "So how did the two of you meet?"

The three of them spent the next couple of hours catching up (for Kirsi and Kiko) and getting to know the other (Kiko and Li-san). At some point after Li-san joined their table Yukiko brought out some more delicious teacakes and tea, which disappeared alarmingly fast. When the conversation veered into anime and Rose of Maurice Li-san excused himself to see if Yukiko needed any help in the kitchen to thank her for the snack. Kiko managed to extract a promise to visit Kirsi's house soon, making sure to bring the latest anime releases of their favorite show.

As the sky darkened Kiko glanced at a clock and did a swift double take. "Oh no, the train leaves in fifteen minutes! Boss is going to be so mad!"

Drawing her friend into a swift hug, Kiko heard Kirsi wish her goodbye with a tiny smile that she couldn't resist returning, and a wave to Li-san and Yukiko-san who had poked their heads out the kitchen door at the commotion. "Bye, Kirsi-chan! I'll come visit soon!"

And then, in a blur of pink hair, Kiko ran to catch the train.

So. Many. Exclamation Points!

I adore Kiko and Yin interaction, because they are just so different from each other. But seriously hard to get right! Personally, I also think it's hilarious how Kiko seems to have turned Yin into a bit of an otaku in the anime. Or at least got her interested in Rose of Maurice that Kiko and the otaku policewoman seem to be obsessed with. Hope you all enjoyed!

Next cameo appearance: Mao and Kirihara!

~Moonlight Through the Water