#rainwatershipping

   And a wondrous six months, too. Highs and lows. Aqua had literally died but through the hard work and determination of Blue Maiden coupled with her allies like Playmaker and Ghost Girl, she was able to aid in the return of all the Ignis. 

   Miyu, meanwhile, had come out of coma, hale and hearty as ever, and to the dream come true of reuniting with her most precious childhood friend. Aoi at her bedside, a bouquet of flowers, tears running down her cheeks as they hugged for the first time in ten years… It was very emotional.

   Aoi informed Miyu of everything that had evaded her grasp as someone who tried to knuckle down, go back to school, pretend everything was normal because that’s what her parents had wanted from her. Armed with such knowledge of the Lost Incident, of how it intertwined with occurrences such as the Ignis, the Tower of Hanoi, and the Neuron Network, Miyu did her best to cheer from the sidelines until that special day when she was finally able to meet Aqua.

   That, too, had been a day of many emotions. Most of them were bittersweet. Resurrection and missed connection were such tragic circumstances to meet under, it would seem. Aqua felt she had failed to protect Miyu but Miyu was gladdened that her suffering as a child had resulted in such a veracious and kind-hearted Ignis who embodied integrity. She accepted Aqua without qualm, held her dear - and Aoi too.

   All three couldn’t help but think, this was how it was meant to be. Aoi had inspired Miyu’s resilience, Miyu’s resilience had crystallized into the form of the Water Ignis, and now Aoi was inspired by Aqua to reconnect with Miyu. From here on out they were all partners, blurring the duality of Ignis and Origin that the others of Aqua’s kin had with their humans. 

   After that, the remaining months brought much normalcy. Amazingly, enough. Aoi and Miyu were able to go back to school, not having to worry about the fate of humanity or the destruction of the city. Aqua was able to rebuild the Cyberse World with her fellow Ignis. Then, in between assignments and construction, they spent time together, went on dates and shared meals and beds and whatever else that those in love did.

   Hence culminating in Aqua’s conundrum. She wanted to get both Aoi and Miyu some gifts to celebrate all which had transpired the last six months - and wish them well into the New Year, for many more happy memories to come. But every thought, she dismissed for one reason or another. She had no currency to which to buy a gift, and twee things like flower bouquets weren’t exactly special so there was no point gathering one up. She could gift their decks new Cyberse cards to support the Marincess archetype but surely that was gauche.

   Around her, as Aqua enmeshed herself in these endless thoughts, the Cyberse World was a peaceful haven. A Datastorm swirled innocuously in the distance. Rivers rushes, brooks babbled, and creeks trickled, making for a harmony of water-based sounds. Seaweed and other underwater grasses bent and swayed in the currents. The blue sky overhead was calm and cloudless. 

   It felt good to be immersed in her element and, more importantly, her home. Her heart was soothed by the recreation and the hope that it embodied as they remade, for better this time. Or so she steadfastly believed, sharpened by determination to keep it safe this time.

   Amid her reverie, as she enjoyed her environment, Aqua wished she could let Aoi and Miyu experience such serenity.

   Wait, that was it!

   Aqua felt so silly for not having this realisation sooner. She couldn’t give a material good but she could give an ephemeral one. An experience, as it were, and research did point to say that memories were cherished more than clutter so Aqua took inspiration from her reverie.

   She would gift Aoi and Miyu the only thing she could, a welcome into her personal paradise. A place that humans had only desecrated thus far but she knew that she could trust her beloved partners with this place and an experience of it.

   So, Aqua put herself to work and began some preparations. She thought - or perhaps more accurately, worried - that a visitation to her realm within the Cyberse World would be dull if it wasn’t dressed up at least a little bit. Luckily, Aqua had an additional idea which would make for a beautiful decoration that could melt away at a later date. 

   Once satisfied with her work, all that was to invite Aoi and Miyu over. She waited a day or so, to confirm that she truly was ready to have her guests before bringing it up during another of their hangouts backdropped against the clear, weekend afternoon at Aoi’s.

   “For a small celebration of our time together,” Aqua began, nervous, “I would like to invite you to my humble abode in the Cyberse World. If you would like.”

   “Are you sure?” Aoi gasped.

   “This sounds so fun, I can’t wait.” Miyu exclaimed with a grin.

   “Yes, I’m sure and I hope you both enjoy.” Aqua replied demurely.

   “Right now?” Miyu asked.

   “If that suits.” Aqua said.

   “Then we would love to, Aqua.” Aoi smiled.

   The three of them shifted around, set up again as hanging out and lazing around Aoi’s room was markedly different to a plunge into the digital world. Miyu readied her Duel Disc, Aqua joined them and then it was just a singular chant away. With some complications here and there.

   The Cyberse World was hidden away, sequestered to a blip that could not be accessed without the assistance of an Ignis - or an intense understanding of Ignis Code. It took some rigamarole to squeeze out of the confines of the Link VRAINS and into what was essentially a cosmic ether but Blue Maiden and Miyu were able to travel it just fine with Aqua, in her Abomination Form, holding their hands before a second transformation to enter.

   Given that Revolver’s anonymity had been as much of his weapon as his Cracking Dragon, the Ignis had decided that the second-coming of the Cyberse World would have a mechanism to nullify Link VRAINS avatars. So, Aoi became Aoi again and Miyu was dressed in her ordinary clothes, too.

   Which would prove quite incongruent as they stepped not into the Cyberse World they had built up in their minds, into Narnia instead.

   “Do you like it?” Aqua asked, her voice a whisper as she returned to a more jelly bean-like form and size.

   Aoi and Miyu marvelled at the winterland wonderland that they had stepped into. Their delighted smiles gave way to visible puffs of fog from their breath as they admired the surroundings. Though it was cold on the outside, in the real and human world, their layers seemed insufficient for how the forest was blanketed with snow. 

   The snow around them was sparkling, pristine and pure. It covered fir trees and the sandy banks of the river. The river was mostly untouched by ice but the snow appeared to enhance the clear blue of the water that flowed swiftly through it. And all of the scene was made yet more surreal by size.

   Aoi and Miyu were almost giants in this miniature world which was scaled for the relatively tiny bodies of the Ignis. That, too, an element that they were enjoying as part of a memory to etch into their hearts. They were full with awe and honour as they stepped carefully through the snow covered grass.

   “This is not usually what my domain within the Cyberse World looks like,” Aqua began to explain, “but it occurred to me, as it rarely snows in Den City due to being on the sea, I thought a snow day would be an appropriate gift for this time of year. Do you like it?”

   “Like it…?” Aoi breathed in disbelief.

   “We love it!” Miyu squealed to finish her girlfriend’s sentence.

   “I’m glad.” Aqua replied.

   She hovered and swirled around them, free as a sugar plum fairy in her glee. Aqua couldn’t have looked cuter to either Aoi or Miyu as she was so happy to have her partners here with her. She twirled and giggled, neither Aoi nor Miyu had ever seen Aqua quite so happy as right now wherein she could share all her favourite things about her domain within the Cyberse World with them.

   She guided them through the forest, past the river and over frosted creeks, explaining how she had generated the snow down to the last flake of it. It was all her design, her art, and Aoi and Miyu listened intently as they trod with care across Aqua’s hard work. 

   After an hour of exploring, the trio circled back around to where Aoi and Miyu had arrived. Their footprints were deep and had sunk into the snow.

   “Well, there you have it.” Aqua said. “Thank you for indulging this gift of mine.” She held her hands and bowed.

   “Aw, nonsense, this was really special thank you for having us.” Miyu assured Aqua.

   She reached out and caressed the side of Aqua’s small, round face with her index finger. Miyu smiled and Aoi nodded encouragingly.

   “I want to stay a little longer.” Aoi confessed. “I want to enjoy the snow a little bit longer.” 

   She sat down and patted the snow. It was cold but it also wasn’t real. The illusion of it being cold, the zenith of winter, was enough to make their skin prickle and bottoms cold but once settled, it was fine. Miyu plopped down next to Aoi and Aqua came closer.

   With the flick of her hands, like a conductor in an orchestra, Aqua generated more snow to fill in the footprints. Aoi and Miyu watched as it fell not from a cloud but from thin air. It was breath-taking in its beauty, each flake an individual crafted by Aqua.

   Aoi caught one on her fingertip and admired it. Even if it made the pad of her fingertip ruddy. She gave it a blown kiss to allow it to leave. It danced through the air and then settled somewhere amid the rest of the snow.

   Miyu, meanwhile, flopped down. She sank into the snow with a smile.

   “Join me!” Miyu demanded playfully. “Let’s make snow angels.”

   Faced out to the sky, arms and legs outspread in the snow, Miyu began going through the motions of making a snow angel. Aoi watched, giggled, and decided to do the same. Aqua watched, a little confused, but the way humans played and enjoyed the world…

   It was slightly further out of the bounds the Ignis were meant to understand the world, Aqua figured. So, with her eyes glittering and squishing into an Ignis smile, Aqua did the same. She descended and placed herself in between Aoi and Miyu’s heads.

   “Miyu!”

   “Aoi!”

   The exchange was customary at this point. Always tinted so rosily with disbelief. Like neither could believe that they had found each other again after ten long years and what years they were.

   For Aoi, it was riches to rags to riches again. Her saviour pulled into work, deeper and further into unsavoury workplace politics and then her own wings spread. She had found her calling within a show stopping persona.

   Then, for Miyu, it had been the Incident with all its traumas followed by becoming a child of divorce. That, too, having its horrors as she was weaponised by either parent to inflict the worst on the other, believing they were responsible for her kidnapping. She was in particular used by her now smothering mother, made paranoid by her disappearance and her father increasingly distant with no wedding ring to be committed to.

   For them both, the paths that had taken them to the present day had been arduous. Full of ups and downs, lonely nights and vivacious days. Yet it had reunited them nonetheless. 

   Yet there was still something missing.

   It wasn't an apology from Miyu's Mother. Aoi knew she would never get that. She knew she would always be a dirty street urchin to that overly critical woman. So she let that go as if she had learned anything in the past year, it was how to pick her battles.

   Nor was it approval from her brother. Akira was very happy that his younger sister had found her dearest friend again. Even if it did have to be under such regrettable circumstances as the lingering connections of the Incident.

   But that was it.

   Aqua.

   They were missing Aqua.

   She was perhaps the most important thing that either of them had lost. If that was possible.

   Aoi had been Aqua's partner for a short amount of time. Sort of a replacement goldfish until she could get back to Miyu, though Aqua was a sweetheart. She would never want Aoi to worry that she perceived her in such a way but Aoi did wonder. 

   After all, she had seen first hand how intense the Ignis-Origin bonds could be. Both the depths of depravity and the highs of passion. She couldn’t help but wonder if Aqua wanted something akin to what Flame had with Takeru. Why wouldn’t she? Though she had done her admirable best to adhere to the rules their little Ignis society came up with in vain to keep them safe, surely she had pined. Yearned, even.

   Aoi had, after all, done that for Miyu. Part of it was out of regret, that she couldn’t go back and change the past and so, that event with her playmate and getting in trouble became both bitter and distant. And then again when it felt like fate. She wanted to meet her friend again so, so bad. She, an interloper once again, became a pivotal connection to her sweet, cheeky Miyu.

   Yet Miyu didn't even know that Aqua had existed until Aoi explained secrets about her own kidnapping that she never knew. Nor been previously curious about due to her overbearing mother and aversion to duelling. 

   But bizarrely, per that very bond that Aoi had observed, Miyu still felt as though she knew Aqua. Deeply. She had sensed her somehow,  during her coma and it manifested as a very brief blue filled dream of a little fairy wishing for her safety through her harrowing yet dreamless stassis.

  Now those prayerful wishes of Aqua’s could come true though.

  Aoi bounded into Miyu’s hospital room with more energy than she usually had. Her footsteps echoed up the hall and her bright expression was met with small but placid smiles whenever she encountered staff or another resident.

   Miyu didn’t mind if Aoi made a racket or if she came as quiet as a mouse. Nor did any other residents along her hallway at the private institution. It was a completely open secret that Miyu had no business being here with them, the long-term and the terminal but her mother insisted and she had the money and clout to have her way adhered to. So, seeing such cheerful young girls enraptured by the bliss of youth and each other’s company, they were smiled upon by patients, doctors, and nurses alike.

   But when she stood in the threshold, not with flowers or fast food takeaway, just her blithe expression, Miyu knew this was something different and so, began to hold her breath as Aoi was all but fit to burst with what she had to say.

   “I have some special news for you today, Miyu.” Aoi said.

   Her heart was full and glad. She smiled and held onto her handbag tighter. Miyu looked up at her curiously.

   “What is it?” she asked.

   “Aqua.” Aoi replied.

   “Aqua?!” Miyu exclaimed, she jumped to her feet.

   She sprang from her bed and pounced on Aoi. Their fingers entwined, Miyu’s face alight with the biggest grin. All day every day it was so dreary to miss out on school work and the mundane when she knew she was fine and yet, here she was. Confined to her hospital room six months later from what had put her under that spell. She felt like Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel but now she had her guardian angel to bring her such wonderful things from the outside world.

   “Tell me everything!” Miyu demanded.

   Aoi nodded, tongue-tied but she eventually found her speech once Miyu settled down. They sat on the bed together and Miyu hung onto every word that Aoi spoke. Her knapsack conspicuously placed in her lap whilst Miyu huddled up, chin over her knees and hugged her legs as she listened intently.

   Aoi regaled the tales of her most recent duels. She set the scene of how their friends and allies had gotten to where they were with regards to bringing back the Ignis. After all, on the internet, nothing is really gone for good, even their lost souls. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of it was far above Aoi’s head but she had done her best to help and assist where she could, taking on further mentorship not just from Ema but even Yusaku and Shoichi.

   With that. The stage was set to talk about the exciting parts. The daring adventures and other escapades, scrapes close to death and more. All of it culminating with her most recent win, even, and against one of the very ghouls who had hurt her the most.

   Spectre.

   He tried to stand in their way. A tantrum. His goal was to impede the process of bringing back the other Ignis so Ai was no longer alone. He would not have it. The Knights’ fulfilled purpose of permanently eliminating the Ignis would be intact and better yet, he would never have to face Earth and explain his actions to him.

   This time… Aoi did it. She won. 

   It still gave her a satisfying thrill to simply recall it and revel in it. That duel, even, the last key that was necessary to unlock the Ignis from the hallowed tombs so deep beneath the Link VRAINS.

  And now, she had her reward for her hard work.

   “Tada.” Aoi said as she opened up her bag.

   Miyu peered inside, insatiably curious.

   At first, Miyu blinked, disappointed. She wasn't sure what she was expecting but not this. It seemed like junk to her. Then Aoi pulled out the Duel Disc and dusted it off.

   “Aqua, are you still tired from your journey?” Aoi asked in a small, soothing voice.

   The Duel Disc looked ancient. It was bulky and scratched, having seen better days and then. It lit up. It turned in seemingly by itself and then, from underneath the glass, an eye opened: blue and pink.

   She sighed wearily as she rambled, “This is much more comfortable compared to these modern Duel Discs…” and then Aqua awoke properly as she realised who was staring right at her.

   Mouth agape. Eyes wide. Heart racing.

   “Miyu!” Aqua exclaimed. She bolted out of the Duel Disc. She fluidly transformed from an eye to her Ignis form: ankles deep in the glass. Her pigtails quivered with surprise. “Aoi! Why didn't you say something sooner? Oh my goodness, Miyu…”

   Aqua's eyes began to tear up. They glimmered, also, with overwhelming emotions. She clasped her hands together and her whole.upper body began to shudder. She couldn't keep it in. Her sobs, her gratefulness. 

   “It's good to finally meet you, Aqua.” Miyu said gently through a warm smile. 

  Aqua's expression faltered for half a moment. She thought there would be more need for explanation or exposition, somehow.

   “Aoi, uh, filled me in a few things about the Incident, by the way, and lots about you, too.” Miyu clarified awkwardly, scratching behind her head.

   Aqua nodded. Her initial confusion was palpable yet it was reaffirming to hear it from Miyu. There had been so little time for her to get caught up after how exhausted she was from coming back from the dead but still. This made certain things easier. Like how and why Miyu knew her name, that she wasn't something to be scared of like an ill omen.

   Miyu reached out, hand first and Aqua grabbed her after this moment of repose between them: the calm before the emotional storm as it were. Aqua hugged her tight and nuzzled against her hand: she savoured the feeling of Miyu’s akin and the bumps of her knuckles. She was so warm, so alive, Aqua was more overjoyed by this than her own miraculous resurrection.

   “Oh… how long I have wanted to do this.” Aqua cried. “I have wanted to hold you for so long, ever since you were a little girl but I couldn't. I still couldn't even when I found you again so briefly… but now… I can.” 

   Aqua let go. At least slightly. Her hand slid down Miyu’s fingers and she held onto her fingertips for grounding. She turned and faced Aoi.

   “Thank you, Aoi, you have and always will be our guiding angel, huh?” Aqua hiccuped. 

   Aoi blushed, “I-I don't know about that.” she denied humbly.

   “If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have had the strength to get through the Incident. I had to apologise, so bad, no matter what.” Miyu reminded her. “So thank you.”

   “Deeply.” Aqua agreed.

   “Back then,” Miyu confessed, misty eyed, “I thought I lost everything. My Mum, my Dad, the whole wide world but now… I have everything and more.” 

   “Miyu…” Aoi breathed her name and it seemed she couldn’t escape the swell of emotions either as her eyes welled up in tears. It was a good feeling though, even as they streaked down her cheeks so swiftly in rivalry of her quickly beating heart.

   Aoi took a breath that centred her. She offered Miyu Aqua’s Duel Disc gently, so as to not give Aqua motion sickness.

   “So, um, we found this for you and Aqua. You said you didn’t duel anymore - because of the Incident - but do you want it?” Aoi said.

   She felt silly because not only was she offering custody of an inanimate object but also Aqua, too. They were tied together. 

   “Is that what you want, Aqua?” Miyu asked.

   “Yes, exactly.” Aqua replied decisively. She looked up at both Miyu and Aoi with starry data in her eyes. “I… I want to be shared between you both, Miyu, thought you are my Origin, I see Aoi as my partner in equal measure as we faced Lightning together as well as many other ordeals such as Earth’s slaying and escaping Blood Shepherd together.”

   “I-I see.” Miyu became choked up. 

   Not with jealousy. Merely the realisation that there was plenty to catch up on and accommodate. They would figure it out together, she was sure. She nodded, just like Aqua with a determined gleam in her eye.

   “I would be honoured, Aqua.” Miyu replied.

   “Then let me help you.” Aoi said. “If you don’t mind, Aqua.”

   “Not at all.” Aqua said. “In fact, allow me.” She ducked back down into the pool of the Duel Disc, hiding underneath the surface of the glass in the form of an eyeball.

   Aoi smiled and Miyu offered her wrist to her. For a fleeting second, Miyu felt as though she were being proposed to. A ring and a duel disc both inhabiting the same part of her mind when it came to things that really could have gone better but now… A blank slate as it was now home and host to Aqua.

   Aoi strapped Miyu up and secured the band around her dainty wrist. Her fingers were delicate and caring as she made sure it wasn’t too tight nor too lose.

   “Is that good?” Aoi asked.

   Miyu moved her hand slightly, to prove it wouldn’t fall off, “Mmhm,” she hummed, bright-eyed, “it's perfect.”

   “I’m glad.” Aoi said. “And what about you, Aqua?”

   Miyu turned her wrist over so the Duel Disc faced upwards. She was a bit rougher than Aoi - not yet used to it or maybe a symptom of her rash personality. Either way, Aqua was a little shaky as she rose up out of it but found her land legs regardless.

   “I think it's perfect, too.” Aqua said.

   “I’m glad.” Aoi said.

   “To us!” Miyu cheered now that everything was in order. “Together for the first time! But definitely not the last time because good things come in three’s, hehe.”

   Aoi giggled but Aqua took upon a more stern countenance. 

   “Thank you.” Aqua said again. “I’m so thankful for this, I… I hope we can be partners, forever and ever, if- if I am allowed to be so selfish.”

   “Not selfish at all!” Miyu interjected. “There’s plenty of us all to go around.” She laughed through her silly grin.

   Aqua nodded, assured. Aqua smiled a little Ignis smile, herself. Her eyes squinted and she simply overflowed with how joyous she was at being able to have such a wonderful reunion with both of her partners.

   But for Aoi…

   Aoi smiled in agreement, also. Heartened to see rapport build and the bond coming to them both effortlessly.

Shutting the door behind them, Aoi heaved a sigh of relief. She and Miyu, with the newly revived Aqua in Miyu’s duel disk, had somehow managed to beat the storm just before it started, taking shelter in their dorm room. Thunder rumbled from outside, making Miyu flinch and squeal in alarm.

“Miyu?” Aqua’s response was immediate: turning to her origin and taking her finger in her tiny hands. “Are you okay?”

Aoi rested her hands on her girlfriend’s shoulders. “Do you want your noise-cancelling headphones?”

Trembling, Miyu took Aoi’s hands and nodded. “Y-yes, please.”

Aoi instantly went to their bedroom, spotting the headphones in their usual spot on the dresser. She headed back to the living room. Miyu was on the couch, her legs pulled into her chest as Aqua stroked her trembling hands. Aoi slid in beside her and placed the headphones on. Miyu’s trembling slowed. Shifting closer, she pressed her cheek against Aoi’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Aoi,” her voice was small.

Aoi nodded, knowing Miyu couldn’t hear her: the only sound she could hear now was the soothing music Aoi had put on for her in the headphones.

“Is she okay?” Aqua asked, turning to Aoi.

She nodded. “She is now.”

Aoi wrapped an arm around Miyu’s shoulder as her gaze shifted to the window. Rain was pouring now. It thumped against the glass and slid down the window in small drops as the occasional bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Miyu's eyes remained closed, relaxing little by little as she leaned on Aoi.

“Is it the loud noise of the thunder causing her this distress?” Aqua’s voice was small as she held Miyu’s finger.

“The sight of lightning or thunder reminds her of the Lost Incident,” Aoi explained in a low voice.

“O-oh… So… this helps her? Wearing headphones and closing her eyes?”

Aoi nodded.

Aqua brushed her cheek against the back of Miyu’s hand, wrapping her arms around more of her Origin’s fingers.

“I still sense so much distress within her. May I… use my powers to ease her mind?”

Aoi blinked. “Your powers can do that?”

Aqua nodded, meeting Aoi’s gaze with tiny pink eyes. “I can have a slight influence on human emotions if I focus hard enough. I promise I won’t do anything more than relax her.”

“Okay…”

It sounded a bit strange but Aoi saw no reason to distrust the Ignis she’d once fought alongside. Aoi slid her hand onto Aqua’s head. The Water Ignis leaned further into the touch, as she suddenly emitted a small light blue glow: her powers beginning to take effect. The glow swirled like water from Aqua’s body and up Miyu’s arm.

The last of the tension in Miyu’s body washed away with a sigh and she fully leaned into Aoi, her breaths now deep and steady. Aqua pressed her face against Miyu’s finger, as though giving her a kiss. Then released her origin’s finger. Aoi smiled.

“Well…” Aoi stroked the top of Aqua’s head, as though petting a cat. “Whatever you did, it worked.”

  “Ayup. It’s a huge-ass scary monster.” Miyu chirruped.

  Aqua hid her face in her hands.

  Aoi pouted. “Miyu.” she scolded her girlfriend.

  “Aw, Aqua, I didn’t mean it like that. I just so happen to think that huge-ass scary monsters are kind of cool.”

  Again, that did little to quell Aqua’s anxiety over being perceived as such. It also didn’t help that she very much did not approve of Miyu’s vulgar language.

  The card in question was Ai’s Ritual Monster, his Water Levithan. He had loaned it to Aqua because she had mentioned in passing that her girls were curious about it. Well, Miyu was curious about. Aoi had seen it in action, full throttled, when she and her brother had duelled Ai in the Link VRAINS. But, when it was just a card, it wasn’t so scary, and she couldn’t blame Miyu for being curious about it. Whilst Miyu was, currently, on the sidelines, she was inching closer to returning to the game as her confidence was very much bolstered by having Aoi and Aqua around.

  Since Miyu was being unproductive, and densely so, Aoi thought that she would attempt at cheering Aqua up.

  “Leviathans are very powerful monsters from biblical mythology. They rule the seas and often represent a form of order or triumph. I think there’s a beauty in that.” Aoi said, piping up.

  But Aoi’s words didn’t exactly work either. Whilst she meant them to ring kind, and she had embellished them to exemplify her intentions, they did not. If anything, it made Aqua feel worse because, curious to verify Aoi’s word, in an instant, Aqua discovered all sorts of hellish things across the various, biblical mythologies.

  “I think Hiyari is a better reflection of your relationship with Ai. Despite everything, you’re still friends and that’s the main thing, I think.” Aoi said.

  “I don’t think Hiyari is that much of an improvement...” Aqua mumbled. She had been standing before, ankles deep in Miyu’s Duel Disc, but now she had finally sunk down so she could keel inwards on herself in her self-inflicted despair.

  “Hiyari...” Miyu murmured aloud, eyes wandering to the sky. “Which one is Hiyari again?”

  “The blue one.” Aqua said stupidly. “Her name is an onomatopoeia referencing the word ‘chilly’. Does Ai perceive me as cold?”

  “The cute blue one.” Aoi piped up, once more.

  “But nowhere near as cute as you, I’m sure.” Miyu added, setting her hand, the card, down on the plasticky surface of the table.

  Both girls reached across the table and went to pet Aqua’s diminutive little head at once. Miyu giggled as she bumped Aoi’s fingers with her own. She stroked Aqua’s floating antennae whilst Aoi gently prodded along the curve of Aqua’s spine. She reacted positively to that, shoulders rolling out and her eyes were no longer squished with misery. She cooed, slightly, at that.

  “I don’t think you should concern yourself too much with others and their perceptions,” Aoi said with the wisdom of someone who knew all too well what such horrible pitfalls are, “and content yourself with your own perceptions.”

  “You’re cute, and kind, and caring.” Miyu said, almost immediately ruining Aoi’s advice. “You’re our one of a kind little Aqua and we both love you very much for it, I’m sure Ai does too. Just not the same way and that’s okay.”

  “Thank you, girls, both of you.” Aqua said, holding her own hands as she allowed herself to be fondly preened by both her partners.