The sound of crickets and frogs filled the cold night air along with their footsteps that echoed through the rice fields. Momo practically crawled, too tired to stand up. With each passing second, the idea of asking Okarun to carry her became more tempting, but looking at where he was lying on Jiji's back made her reconsider that idea. Okarun was being carried on Jiji's back after having been injured in the leg during the battle. Despite his protests that he could walk, the redhead (supported by the girls) managed to convince him to let himself be carried so as not to worsen his condition.
Aira walked further behind the pair. If Momo hadn't been paying so much attention, she might have missed the subtle way the girl was shivering from the cold. It wasn't that surprising. Her long socks had torn during the fight and she was only wearing a short sleeveless dress, her overcoat having been completely lost.
Ayase calmly approached the pink-haired girl and placed her coat over her shoulders, making the girl stiffen at the sudden contact. Shiratori brought her scratched hands to the fabric on her shoulders, pulling it closer, she just gave Momo a grateful look before putting it on. The psychic gave her a small smile before sighing, tired. She closed her eyes when she felt herself stagger a little, luckily Vamola was behind her in her Kaiju costume and held her.
-Momo -said the blonde, Ayase blinked a few times to try to pull her consciousness back, smiling apologetically at her friend, who was the one in the best condition of all, which wasn't a big challenge, considering they were all exhausted.
-I'm fine 'Mola -she tried to reassure her, something in her face must have said otherwise by the way the alien's expression closed- ...it's okay, I'm just a little tired, really.
The blonde stared at her with a frown for a few more seconds before appearing to make up her mind. Without warning, Momo felt herself being lifted off the ground and carried bridal style by the other. Any protest she was going to say died on her tongue with the stern look the other gave her.
They walked closer to the others, after all they had stayed behind after stopping, Aira gave her an unimpressed look while Jiji smiled, not one of his giant smiles, the tiredness was also very present in it, but a loving smile.
-Did you get caught too? -Okarun murmured, his cheek pressed against Jiji's back, too tired to even move. Momo let out an amused snort and crossed her arms over her chest.
-It's not my first time, someone always does this -she gave an accusatory look to the brunette, who let out a low laugh. There were countless times he had carried her, whether in his arms or on his back, not that she complained, she loved being carried. Blame, she doesn't care, she couldn't stand running around with all those creatures anymore.
-Guilty - he said, before letting out a hiss of pain and resting his hands on his sides. Jiji rolled his eyes.
-You got kicked in the ribs, man, I wouldn't laugh if I were you - he warned, already having experience with this kind of injury.
-Noted - he hissed, turning his face to bury it in the taller man's back.
Aira walked silently between them, she let out a loud snort before turning to Vamola and telling her to stop walking. The blonde obeyed, clearly confused, the ballerina pulled the hood of the costume, making it grow a little in size. Before anyone could ask what she was doing, she settled on the back of the costume, sitting above the tail and letting out a sigh of relief. Everyone stared at her, but the pink-haired girl closed her eyes and leaned back against her suit. They exchanged glances before simply accepting that and moving on.
As they walked, Momo remembered the entire situation that had brought them here, making a mental note to remember to ask Seiko for her share of the payment.
It turns out that a friend of her grandmother owned a construction company and wanted to demolish an old building and build something in its place. Momo didn't pay much attention to that part. However, the place was full of evil spirits, so he asked the older Ayase for help in exorcising the place.
To no one's surprise, Seiko and Turbo Granny were away on a trip and she couldn't accept the job, sending Momo and her friends instead, claiming that it could be used as experience and training. When this excuse wasn't enough to convince Momo and Aira (Okarun and Jiji had accepted, of course, and Vamola was just happy to participate), the woman said she would give them part of the payment.
The fight was harder than originally thought; the Yokai that resided in the building had the ability to summon and generate other spirits, which made the fight last longer than necessary. The 5 had to deal with a huge amount of enemies before finally finishing.clean the building, the next morning some psychic friend of Seiko would say a prayer there to finish the job. (Momo thought it was unfair that he had to do the easy part)
The rest of the way was spent in silence, until Jiji was too tired to bother talking. Okarun, Aira and Momo ended up falling asleep during the journey.
Jiji's cry of joy when he finally arrived at Momo's house was what woke everyone from their peaceful dreams. Aira cursed him for waking her, Okarun lazily got up from the redhead's back, blinking confused. Momo got out of Vamola's arms, ignoring the noise Aira was making, already very used to her partner's scandals. When they finally entered the house, Momo couldn't help but sigh in relief, happy to finally have arrived. Everyone threw themselves on the floor of the small room, exhausted, and stayed like that for a while, enjoying the moment of rest with only the sound of their breathing in the room.
Even though she just wanted to lie there and melt into the floor, the dirt on her body and the burning of her wounds began to become unbearable, her stomach churning with hunger and also trying to be heard, after all the teenagers thought it would be a good idea to go before dinner. Reluctantly, she got up from the floor, Ayase stretched, letting out a squeak of pain because she had forgotten about the blow she had received on her back.
-Where are you going? - Aira asked, still sprawled on the floor.
-I'm going to take a shower, I think you should do the same - she advised, the pink-haired twin dramatically burying her face in her hands. At the same time, Jiji's stomach growled loudly.
-Hm, I think it's better, then we can eat something.
-Skipping dinner wasn't a good idea - Vamola said, Momo extended her hand, which the blonde quickly accepted, and pulled her to her feet.
-Okay, there's a bathroom at the end of the hall and one in my room - Momo warned - the girls take a shower upstairs and you two can see each other down here.
-I'm fine - Aira said, before abruptly freezing in place - wait, what time is it? - Okarun looked at the clock hanging above the door.
-Eleven at night.
-ELEVEN?! - she yelled, stumbling to her feet and running to her bag that was thrown in a corner of the room, starting to rummage through it quickly - OH MY! I HAVE TO TELL MY DAD!
-Didn't you tell him you were coming here? - Okarun asked.
-Yes! But I thought it would be quick and I would have time to go back home! - she said, finally finding her cell phone, her clothes thrown on the floor, she quickly started looking for the contact - I have to call him to tell him I'm going to stay here today, holy shit!
She picked up the phone and put it to her ear, pacing anxiously. When her father answered, she started to go upstairs to talk to him.
-Okay, Momo said, ignoring the previous scene. Vamola and I are going. You two go take a shower. The psychic held her hand in the other and started to head to her room, leaving the boys behind.
-Can you take a shower by yourself? Your leg is really hurt. Jiji asked, already getting up to get a towel for the other.
-I think so. He replied, getting up and gritting his teeth against the sharp pain he felt when he put too much weight on his leg. He walked to the bathroom, with Jiji appearing with a new towel for him.
-Well, you take a shower first. I'll wait outside in case you fall or get hurt. If anything happens, call me. Okarun took the towel and nodded to him, going in and closing the door. Enjoji leaned against the wall, letting himself slide to the floor and sit down. A minute later Aira came downstairs with her cell phone in hand. She stared at him for a moment, not impressed.
-Where are the towels? -she asked. Jiji pointed to the door in front of him, where the closet was. The pink-haired girl opened the door and grabbed the first one she saw.
-You could have asked Vamola, I think there are some in her and Momo's room -he said. Aira just hummed.
-Yes, but she's taking a bath with Momo -she said naturally. Jiji blinked, surprised by the information, before nodding in understanding. Seemingly considering the conversation over, Shiratori went back upstairs, disappearing from her sight.
A few minutes later Okarun knocked on the door, asking if Jiji had any clothes he could lend him. The redhead grabbed a shirt and a pair of shorts that the brunette had left there on his last visit and handed them over, going to take a shower as soon as the other came out of the bathroom.
When Momo and Vamola went downstairs, already showered and changed into their clothes, they found Ken sitting on the floor again while Jiji grabbed a first aid kit. Okarun's shirt was noticeably bigger than him, almost looking like a dress covering almost his shorts almost entirely, Jiji came in, wearing only sweatpants. Vamola walked excitedly to where the occultistwhere she was, the blonde was wearing a short black skirt and a light blue sweatshirt with a cinnamon roll print on the front. Ayase went to the kitchen, determined to prepare something quick to eat, she was wearing a simple pink shirt and her yellow checkered pajama pants.
-Ayase-san, you should come take care of your wounds - Okarun said, he hissed when Jiji put the cotton with alcohol on his leg wound, with the redhead quickly apologizing.
-I'll be right there, I'll just put the instant noodles water to boil - she said, dispersing his worries with a wave of her hand. She put the packages on top of the sink and, after putting the water on the stove, she went back to the living room.
Jiji was talking about something she wasn't paying attention to with Okarun, while treating his wounds, Vamola by his side just listening. Ayase sat in front of the blonde, already taking a wet cotton to help treat the alien's wounds.
She gently held the blonde's chin and pulled her face forward, delicately touching the cotton to the cut on her cheek, avoiding hurting as much as possible. Vamola grimaced at the burning sensation, but didn't say anything during the process. Momo cleaned the wounds on her face and bandaged them, smiling at the good work she had done and happy that the other hadn't taken any more significant damage from the armor.
She could hear the water bubbling in the kitchen and got up to go put it in the pots, only to lean back and appear in front of her and place a kiss on Vamola's cheek, right on top of the bandage. A smile spread across the other's face, happy with the display of affection.
-Hey! - Jiji called attention, making Momo turn to see him and Okarun, with the one with glasses now bandaging his arm. The redhead pouted - Okarun and I also deserve a little get well kiss!
Ken quickly raised his face, a strong shade of red beginning to spread across his features, his mouth opened to say something, but he stuttered, not uttering a sound. Momo's cheeks were tinted with a light pink tone, before she snorted and rolled her eyes, giving a "can you believe it?" look to Vamola, who just laughed.
-Stop being jealous - she said, walking towards them - it was just a kiss, jealous boys - despite her grumbling she bent down and left two quick kisses on both of their cheeks, before turning and going to the kitchen, her face still a little flushed. Okarun blinked in astonishment, his face was hot, probably red as a tomato. He buried his head in his hands, a failed attempt to hide the redness, avoiding the amused look that Jiji and Vamola were sending him.
Aira went downstairs, being greeted with an excited wave from Vamola, who told her to sit next to him. The pink-haired girl was wearing a black t-shirt with a purple Kuromi print over a long white manga shirt, as well as dark purple sweatpants. As soon as she sat down, the blonde took her hands, which were covered in cuts, and began to take care of her wounds.
-Where's Momo?
-In the kitchen making pasta - the blonde warned. Aira hummed in understanding, but the serious expression Vamola made as she stared at her hands didn't seem like a good sign. "You didn't take the glass out properly," she said, examining her palm. "Jiji, lend me the tweezers, please."
It didn't take long for her to finish taking care of the pink-haired girl's wounds, since there weren't many. Vamola reached out and kissed Aira on the cheek before going to the television. The pink-haired girl placed her hand on the place where she felt the blonde's lips, confused, but smiled anyway.
Everyone sat closer to the TV, leaning on each other, while Vamola put on a program. Momo appeared, carrying some instant noodles and handing them to everyone.
-Where's mine? - Aira said, sending an accusatory look to the brunette, who just rolled her eyes.
-I only have two arms, Aira. Where did you want me to carry them? In my mouth? - she replied ironically, before turning around and going back to get the rest, without giving the ballerina time to argue again. Aira crossed her arms and turned to Jiji.
-Can you believe that?
-I believe it, I know you too - he said, his mouth full, the girl sent him a dirty look before turning to the TV. Vamola had finally decided which program to put on, a kdrama about a hotel employee and a man who was the owner's son.
-I love that kdrama! - Shiratori said, her face lighting up, Vamola turned to her, a huge smile on her face.
- I can't believe it! You watch it too? - When the girl nodded in affirmation, the other girl's smile grew.
- Mola and I are watching together - Jiji said happily - Momo doesn't really like series without her precious "Ken Takakura" - Aira laughed, that was just like Momo. The aforementioned girl re-entered the room carrying two more pots.
- What's wrong with me? - she said offering Aira's and sitting next to Ken.
-I was saying that you don't watch anything without Ken Takakura- Jiji accused, pointing at her with his chopsticks, Momo rolled her eyes.
- If it's because of the kdrama I just don't want to watch it - she said eating - it seems boring - she muttered quietly.
- BORING?! - Aira exclaimed, Jiji put his hand on his heart looking offended, throwing himself back and pretending to faint, Vamola had his jaw dropped - FOR YOUR INFORMATION THIS SERIES IS GREAT! THE ACTORS ARE GREAT AND THE STORY IS EXCELLENT!
- Ok, ok, sorry - she said regretting having said that, because she knew that now the pink-haired girl wouldn't shut up about it. She was right, Aira started babbling about the reasons why the kdrama was great with Jiji doing the same, Vamola commented here and there, supporting points and saying her favorite parts, Okarun just ate in silence, watching the chaos happening. They continued like this for a while, eating while they told the story up until that episode, even after they finished they still let out a few comments here and there while watching. Momo wasn't particularly impressed, but she was actually finding it amusing.
Time passed and, when she realized, a few episodes had already passed. She turned and smiled at the scene, Okarun had fallen asleep, her head resting on Jiji's leg, who was leaning to the side with her head on Shiratori's, throwing her weight on the pinkette, who was also sleeping, Vamola was also leaning on the pinkette, her arm around hers as she rested her head on her shoulder. Ayase stood up, still a little wobbly from sleep, and picked up the cell phone that Aira had left near the TV. She took a picture of the scene. It was too cute not to record, she thought. She then left the device where she found it and left. When she returned, she was carrying several sheets and pillows in her hands. She formed the floor with a throw and spread some pillows before pulling Jiji off of Aira, saving the girl from being crushed.
The moment she pulled Jiji off, laying him down, Aira's balance was lost and the girl fell to the side, almost falling on top of Okarun. However, Momo was quick to catch her. Ayase supported the girl, who fell limply into her arms, Vamola still clinging to her. It took a little more effort to move the two, but in the end she managed to lay them both down, the alien's arms encircled Aira's torso and held her against her, while she kept one of her arms over her in a half hug, the ballerina glued to Jiji. She dragged Okarun from where he was on Jiji's legs, it was easy, the boy was lighter than he looked. She laid him down next to the redhead, smiling when the redhead turned and threw one of his arms over the brunette, pulling him a little closer.
Ayase grabbed the rest of the sheets and covered the group as best she could, with her work done she turned off the TV, the long abandoned one on, and lay down on the pile next to Ken. She hadn't realized how cold she was until she covered herself, the heat of Okarun's body and the sheets warming her. She could feel the fog of sleep returning to her mind, clouding her thoughts. Without realizing it, she began to crawl closer to Okarun, the closest to her, in search of more warmth, she threw one of her arms over him and hugged him, her hand bumped into something, Jiji who was on the other side.
She pulled the redhead along, who returned the gesture, the two holding Okarun in the middle of their hug was the last thing Momo registered before finally falling asleep, finally having the rest that everyone deserved.