Don't Touch My Board, Bi- [Tsu]

As her best friend in the whole world ™ spoke, Tsukiko just listened closely, her eyes glimmering more and more with every word she issued. To think someone like Mao -who usually looked so shy and quiet- actually had so much to offer. She was full of hopes and dreams to achieve. Tsukiko had found her. She had not only found a companion. She had found a person with a thousand doors inside. Doors Tsukiko could open herself to every day discover a new side of a sweet, adorable girl that was just trying to figure this world out. Mao Magnificence at its fullest… and it was all hers.

How did she show all of this she was thinking of? By wrapping both hands around the orange-haired girl after finishing her ice-cream, hugging Mao tightly. “And your best friend will be here to help you get to the bottom of all of everything.”

She made a pause in her own reverie, starting to eat that cone made of cookie from the bottom, while she pondered about something else. “I think those totems Goyo’s family was looking for are somewhat related to your spirits or... at least to Vemmon. Now that I think about it... I also want to find out a lot more about that mysterious item Ramma and Pike’s dad was keeping and how it can destroy the Digital World. Since we were looking for Pike, we couldn’t think about that story Ramma told us too much but… The X-00 digimon do sound like something I need to learn more of…” Mao had been there, too. And she had heard the whole story.

While she took a couple of bites more, a pause ensued these words. Was Tsukiko thinking of something?

Suddenly, the pink-haired girl let go of Mao’s grasp and looked her in the eyes. “Maoru! Let’s do it together!” Her eyes were shining with the reflection of the sunset. A burning sun that only showed the fire inside of Tsukiko right now. “Let’s find out more about those totems and the X-00 digimon together, let’s travel together!” Was the samurai having a burst of excitement? Apparently.

“And if those totems are not related to the past of your spirits, then we’ll keep looking! Our travels have to take us somewhere! As long as we…”

Her eyes wide open as two plates, Tsukiko stopped talking. Was she having an idea? Oh, god. She was, wasn’t she? Slowly, a grin started to appear on her face. And then… she just let it out.


There. She said it.

“Marry me!”

Wait. No. It didn’t work like that.

She probably should have thought that through before saying something out of nowhere like that, though.

Her mouth wrinkling, Tsukiko raised her gaze, looking rather pensive. “Okay since you’re not a digimon, actually changing your last name might involve a complicated procedure.” That wouldn’t work. “So I think all we have to do is make an oath. It's usually made with two cups of sake or blood.” Nope. “Let’s… rule out the blood thing for now.” She added with a smile.

Then, she kept explaining the concept. “From then on, you’ll identify yourself as Mao Ashikaga, and that’s how you’ll have to introduce yourself to everyone! Especially in the Digital World.” Of course, Mao would understand that, for legal purposes in the Human World, she should keep her real name, at least for things that involved some type of formality. Now, Tsukiko’s expression turned more serious. “Are you sure you would like to change your name forever? Once you’re an Ashikaga, don’t even think I’ll ever let you leave!”

Tsukiko didn’t even want Mao to leave her side! Much less her clan. “Mao Ashikaga.” She tried the name, looking at the sunset again. “How does that sound?” To close that question, she winked her eye at the beautiful orange-haired girl.

Without a doubt, Mao being the second human member in the Ashikaga Clan (after Tsukiko herself) would be the first step for many awesome things to come. But… would she be up for it?

“Y-You don’t have to decide that right now if you don’t feel ready.” The samurai explained, rubbing the back of her head. “We still need to have dinner, after all. And then~ I’ll stay at your place!” During this last sentence, Tsukiko caressed Mao’s cheek, giving her another very flirty look.

“Have you decided on where are we going to have dinner yet, Maoru?” While she spoke, she stared deeply into Mao's lips. Then, she bit her own.

Whenever Mao’s body decided to bring her back to consciousness -regardless of how much time that took her-, the orange-haired girl would find herself inside an indoor space. Most likely, it was already dark outside, and some of the lights inside were on. Her body was laying on a dark-blue couch. The fabric was soft, and a blanked was placed on her. It wouldn’t take her long to notice she was inside an apartment. A living room, to add certainty to that statement. A wooden table, paintings, and a single TV at the northeast side of that same couch. It was on, although it had been muted.

“You’re up!” Tsukiko’s voice would break the otherwise silent atmosphere. “… I was thinking about taking you to a doctor just now. I knew it wasn’t anything serious but… I was still a bit worried.” Her eyed shifted towards her digivice, lying right on top of her coffee table. “It’s a good thing that portal thing works in the human world too! I just had to look for the coordinates of my house on the internet and put it inside. I was surprised to see it worked, honestly.”

Okay, so that actually did a good job at explaining how she got there. “I was a bit nervous, ‘cause I didn’t want anyone besides that ice-cream vendor to notice you were unconscious, I know you would have been embarrassed if people saw you.”

Of course, getting her up there to the Ashikaga's apartment had also proved to be a difficult task. It was a good thing Tsukiko was a strong girl. Still, she could only cross fingers wishing nobody saw her carry an unconscious girl into her home, or someone was calling the police.

Maybe some of the potential questions Mao could have had been answered. However, there was one question Tsukiko needed an answer for.

“What… happened?” Much like when she heard Ramma’s story, Tsukiko had a sad expression on her face. Had she hurt her friend?

The pink-haired girl was sitting on the floor, right next to the couch. Her hair was a bit wet, and she had changed into more comfy clothes (a tank top and shorts). For how long had Mao been ‘sleeping’?

It was a good thing they were now at Tsukiko’s home, where the pink-haired samurai could squeal all she wanted. Why? Well, because she was doing exactly that right now!

Her chirp was loud and full of excitement and her arms warped around the orange-haired girl as she reciprocated that hug with all of her strength.

“OF COURSE I AM.”

She really liked Mao calling her ‘her best friend’. At this point, it should be obvious Tsukiko valued her bond with the glassed girl a lot. After all, she had suggested she became a member of the clan!

However, that suggestion had been accompanied by a little joke that might have been too much for her friend. “I… I was just kidding.” Tsukiko muttered, giving Mao some room to breathe. “I didn’t mean my joke to harm you. I’m sorry.” Again, she seemed a bit sad. “Are you sure you feel okay now? Should I be worried about this happening to you often?”

With that out of the way, Tsukiko’s blue eyes glared down at her own clothes. “Sorry. I couldn’t help but taking a shower and changing into something comfier.” Now, she looked at her own apartment. “I think I missed this place more than I could admit.” Then again, there was a reason why this was a problem!

“Having me change my clothes again to go out might feel like a drag now, right? I mean, I can still do it if you really want to have dinner outside but… We could just eat here? Most of the food I had got spoiled, but we could order some food.” Slowly, Tsukiko’s finger slid through Mao’s face, softly caressing her skin, to then be intertwined with her hair. “If you don’t mind the change of plans, of course. That would mean you’re staying in my place now.” Again, that same smile from before.

For some reason, Mao was able to make simple things, like a kiss on the cheek, something very special for Tsukiko. Maybe it was related to the fact she never saw it coming! Her eyes wide open, a faint blush could be seen forming around the pink-haired girl’s cheeks. “That’s good to know…” She managed, still looking a bit shocked.

“… I didn’t want to make you worried or anything! I’m okay, now that you’re okay.” It was probably for the best to make that clear, honestly. “Well… now that we’re here...” Her eyes wandered around their surroundings for a second or two. “...I guess… welcome to my apartment!” She showed another smile to Mao. “It hasn’t been that long since I left, so… it’s still pretty clean. I hope it’s not too ugly.” Then, those same blue irises trailed off towards Mao’s jacket, resting over the back of the couch. “I took off your jacket and shoes when I got you in here. So I guess it’s too late to tell you to make yourself comfortable.” She giggled.

Slowly, her hand scooted forward, to grab Mao’s. “I’d love to stay here with you too.” The pink-haired girl stated, hoisting herself up to go from the floor to sitting on the couch, inviting Mao to sit… next to her? With that flirty look, she might as well be suggesting her to sit on top of her! Slowly, she moved to actually lie on the piece of furniture.

It was a good thing the couch was pretty roomy, because Tsukiko could lie down on it and still leave room for Mao to lie next to her.

“Eek!” Even further than Mao’s kiss on her cheek, the orange-haired girl trying to FREAKING SIT ON HER before she lay on the couch had been at least twice as unexpected! What was she planning on doing?

While it was true Tsukiko knew she could have caused this, she had figured her friend would disengage as soon as she started moving to go into a lying position.

Well, she didn’t. Naturally, Tsukiko wrapped her arms around Mao to avoid she fell to the floor, which resulted in the Ashikaga lying on the couch, facing up, and Mao lying down right on top of her!

“Are you okay?” The samurai asked, her arms still wrapped around Mao’s waist, while she looked deeply into those eyes. They were… kind of cute. Well… she would not be the one to tell her best friend she had to move. Mainly because it wasn’t like it bothered her to have such a cute girl on top of her, even if Mao was taller than her. “Maybe I should be the one lying on top of you.” She giggled. That would actually make more sense!

Then, she decided to offer a reply to Mao’s previous comment. “You didn’t ruin anything. I’m having a lot of fun.” Tsukiko laughed a bit louder. Well, the lack of sense of this whole situation they had just seen themselves involved into was certainly funny.

And yet still, she could not help but saying something else.

“When I’m with you… I feel like nothing can go wrong, Maoru.”

Instead of letting go, Tsukiko tightened her grip around the orange-haired girl’s waist.