Loving everything about it! The hair is wicked and you did good work on her weapon. I don't think I've shown her being very deadly in the MR version of this story, as she's set up to be the sweetest, innocent, and most rational of the exes. I'll have to edit in some fierceness for the one-shot version though. Gonna be sick to see her in action
Spoiler
What's the best part about summer? Waiting in the heat for the bus to arrive! That's exactly what everyone was doing. It was a beautiful day, but the heat was just something else. Izanami especially hated it since her skin was pale and cold.
Izanami: Is this "swimming"? It's kind of miserable.
Yoko: We're not at the beach yet, genius. We're waiting for the bus to get there.
Izanami: There's a beach in the underworld! It's so pretty!
Isabella: Really?!
Izanami: Yeah! It's filled with blood and skeletons and-
Isabella/Yoko/Aika/Osamu: No thanks...
Izanami: Oh...okay.
Yoko: Osamu, what time is it?
Osamu checked the time on his phone.
Osamu: 12:59. It should be here any minute now.
Isabella: I wonder if the bus got hijacked or something.
And so they sat in silence for a few more minutes before the bus finally arrived. The good news was that the driver had just returned from a stop, so the bus was empty. He waved them in and closed the doors, beginning the drive to the beach. As they were on the move, Isabella checked her bag to make sure everyone would had enough sunscreen when they got there. Yoko looked ahead at the bus driver's direction, Aika stared out the window, and Izanami pressed her face against the glass in excitement, since riding a bus was a rare experience for her.
Driver: Sorry I was late! There were lot of people wanting to go places during this season, you know? Just like my wife and child, the loveable little muffins! I've been married for over 10 years and every summer since then has just been hectic, you know? So, I'm guessing you kids are going to the beach?
Yoko: Nobody's talking to you, just drive the bus, Bus Driver.
And that was the end of that.
Finally, they arrived at the beach! They were dropped off near the stores close to the beach, where they'd be able to buy swimsuits. Yoko was the last go get off the bus.
Driver: Have fun!
Yoko bowed and smiled.
Yoko: Thank you! I'll be awaiting the inevitable divorce that your kid will spend his whole life blaming you for!
The bus door closed and they ran off to the store. The beach was lovely, lively, and sunny today. Everywhere they looked, people were in bathing suits and swimming trunks. Needless to say, the girls dragged Osamu into the store against his will as they picked out bathing suits.
Isabella: Oo! This one has cute frills on it! Don't you love it, Osamu?
Osamu: There's nothing I love more than cute, frilly, girl crap.
Isabella: Okay, but imagine cute, frilly, girl crap adorning a nice set of knockers!
Osamu: Still not enough. Knockers and frills can't survive on their own, they need context. A perfect body and a perfect girl to go along with it. Otherwise, it's all meaningless.
Aika: Spoken like a true harem hero.
(Can it, Aika.)
Aika picked out a boringly black bathing suit and held it up.
Aika: Would this look good on me?
Yoko: It fits you quite well, bland and boring.
Aika: I'm not trying to impress anyone! You on the other hand can't stop thinking about Osamu!
Yoko: Yeah I love my man and he loves me, what's the problem with that?
(Catfights, anyone?)
Osamu: How about this, I'll go set up our spot before the beach gets too crowded. You guys hurry and decide what you're gonna buy.
Isabella: Alright, get a good spot for us! Take my bag, it's got everything.
Osamu avoided that bullet waiting to strike him in the head and went out towards the beach. The smell of sea was a wonderful change of pace, and so was the warm feeling of the sand. He found a good spot to set up the 6-foot umbrella in Isabella's bag. Now he just had to wait.
(It's nice to have some peace. It's been a long time since I went to the beach here...)
Yoko: Yoo-hoo!
Osamu looked behind him as he heard Yoko's voice call out to him, and he saw all the girls in their bathing suits.
(Look at them go! Isabella was right to choose something blue and frilly! And I see Aika broke out of her shell and chose a white bathing suit with lace! Yoko stuck to strawberry red, with a little bit of black thrown in for the extra sexy effect and....what in god's name is Izanami wearing?!)
Izanami wore a helmet in the shape of a rubber duck, a school-style bathing suit, arm floaties, and a rubber duck inner tube.
(They did this to her on purpose, didn't they...)
Osamu: Izanami...how...what did you guys do?
Isabella tried to contain her laughter.
Isabella: Nothing, Osamu! We just..pffthaha...we just helped her choose something that fit her!
Izanami: Ease up, Osa! Aren't the rubber duckies cute?
Despite looking stupid, Izanami really did look happy wearing everything.
(Well, as long as she's happy I guess.)
Yoko: Alright! Let's hit the waves!
Osamu took off his shirt and jumped in with the girls into the sparkling blue waters. Yoko, Aika, and Isabella led the way and deliberately began splashing the water at each other as Osamu helped Izanami ease in to the ocean. Surprisingly, she was pretty nervous.
Izanami: It's so cold! I'm scared!
(Has she never been to a beach before in her life?!)
Osamu: Izanami, didn't you create the sea a long time ago?
Izanami: That doesn't mean I'm not scared of it!
(Geez...)
Osamu: Alright, let's go in together. Close your eyes and hang on to me.
Izanami held on tight to Osamu, and she could feel the shill of the water beneath her feet slowly climb up to her stomach. Before she knew it, she was in.
Osamu: Alright, open up!
Izanami opened her eyes and smiled like a proud child.
Izanami: I did it! Thank you Osa!
(Has Izanami always been this cute?)
As Izanami and Osamu seemed to lock eyes under the bright sun and sparkling waters, the other girls were so angry the water was steaming.
Yoko: The only reason why you're not drowning right now is because I wouldn't do that to a traditional deity. But please...get off my man.
Isabella: I think you mean MY man, Yoko.
Yoko: Oh really?
Yoko tackled Isabella into the water, splashing some on Aika.
Aika: Great, now they're going at it!
Isabella and Yoko popped up out of the water, each taking breaths as they rose up.
Isabella: You bitch! Give me back my top!
Yoko dangled Isabella's top as she laughed.
Yoko: Why are you guarding your chest, anyway? It's not like anyone can see through the water!
Isabella: Because I...they...
Yoko: Hmm? Spit it out already, what is it?
Isabella: They'll float in the water if I let them go!
Izanami: Whoa...
Yoko: T-they really are big...take this back then!
Isabella: T-thanks...
Aika: Hey, Osamu, that reminds me. Which one of us has the best swimsuit?
(Damn it, I knew this would happen.)
Osamu: Uhh, well...
Isabella grabbed hold of Osamu's arm and put on her best, blushing puppy face.
Isabella: Osa, my swimsuit was the best, right? Right?
(It's so hard to resist those blue eyes...)
Yoko: Osa, since I am an ocean child, it only makes sense that I would naturally win at something like this.
(Just because your name means Ocean Child, it doesn't mean you can just declare victory!)
Izanami grabbed Osamu's other arm and spoke with a determined voice and face.
Izanami: Rubber duckie, feelin' lucky!
(What?!)
Osamu: I think it's quite obvious.
The suspense killed the hearts of the girls as Osamu took a deep breath and announced the winner.
Osamu: Izanami wins the Battle of the Swimsuits!
Izanami gasped and covered her mouth as she blushed, and even the people around them clapped for her.
Yoko: What?!
Isabella: RIGGED!
Aika: I'm not even competing and I'm kind of mad too.
Osamu: Step right up, Izanami-no-Mikoto!
Osamu walked her out of the water as more people crowded and clapped for her
Osamu: How are ya feelin' Izanami? You feel good?
Izanami was on the verge of happy tears.
Izanami: I feel incredible!
Osamu: Good, you should! As for your reward, you win... a new bottle of anti-solar elixir!
Izanami placed her hands on her cheeks in shock at the sight of this incredible elixir, which was really just a bottle of sunscreen.
Izanami: Wow! Thank you so much! I will honor it forever!
Isabella: Has she never seen a bottle of sunscreen before?
Osamu: Congratulations!
Yoko: I'd hate her, but it's wrong to hate gods.
The girls all dried off under the umbrella and laid down on their towels as they watched other people swim, walk, and talk around the beach. Izanami was still giddy about winning a bottle of sunscreen.
Osamu: Hey, Aika, didn't we go down to this beach once? It was a long time ago.
Aika: Hmm? Oh yeah, we did. I used to collect sea shells back then and I dragged you down here with me. It was at night though, if I remember correctly.
Osamu: Good times, huh?
Aika: Are you doing that thing where you bring up memories and it's supposed to make me remember my feelings for you?
Osamu: Of course not! I was gonna get to the point that I'm just, you know, really glad we all got to come here together and have a good time.
Aika: Well, that's true.
(As dense as ever...)
Osamu: Are you glad we came here too?
Aika: Yeah, sure. Why not.
Osamu: You don't have to be so cold about it.
Aika: Look, if you still think this place means anything to me beyond being a beach, I'll be glad to inform you that I wouldn't even consider dying here if I could choose to do so.
(That actually hurt...)
Osamu: Sorry.
Aika: It's fine.
Though they didn't notice, Yoko could hear the conversation go on behind her. She didn't say anything, nor did she look back at them. After a day well spent, the sun began to set. Aika helped Osamu gather everything up as the others shook sand out of their clothes and hair. Osamu couldn't help but notice that Aika, even when she was close to Osamu as they packed, didn't bother to look at him.
(Maybe what Yoko was hiding really did have to do with Aika's feelings. I wonder if she urged me to stay away so that I wouldn't get hurt. I can't say I'm sure, but it seems like she may have been trying to protect me.)
Isabella: Bus is here! Let's go home!
Everyone were about to get on the bus, but realized it was the same bus driver that Yoko had made the nasty remark towards earlier.
Driver: Awaiting my divorce, huh? I'll be awaiting the police report that says that all of you assholes died and your bodies were found mangled and stuffed in boxes! Get off my bus!
And so, the five of them had to walk back home. It was already dark by now. The good news was that they were already almost home. The bad news was that their legs were sore and their stomachs were cramped.
Yoko: Hey, the bowling alley is just up ahead. Let's stop there for a second and rest. Osamu, can you grab some water from the convenience store?
Osamu: Yeah, sure. You guys go on ahead.
It was a quick trip. Osamu purchased a few bottles of water from the store and stuffed them inside of Isabella's bag. He then walked to the bowling alley, climbing over the sign that told people to stay out. There was a row of columns of stained glass windows, each decorated with images of bowling balls and pins. Though they were multicolored, there was a unique primary color for each of them. Aika sat right in front of the far left column, which was primarily green.
Next to her under the red column sat Yoko. The next one over from Yoko was empty, and the purple column after that was occupied by Izanami. The blue column next to Izanami had Isabella sitting by it. The moonlight shone through the stained glass and projected their color and patterns onto the large window sills and the dilapidated wood of the main floor of the bowling alley.
The bowling balls reflected the light in warped perspective, and some of the pins laying around also caught the light. Osamu walked in with the water, handed one to each of them, and sat down under the orange column, right in the middle.
Izanami: Thanks Osa!
Osamu: No problem.
Isabella: Well? Did everyone have fun?
Yoko: I'll admit, you have great ideas when it comes to this kind of stuff. Did you have anything else in mind for tomorrow?
Isabella: Hmm...how about a movie?
Aika: Sounds good to me.
Izanami: I'm in too!
Yoko: Did you have fun today, Aika?
Aika: Yeah, it was alright. Thank you for taking me with you.
(I wonder if my earlier guess was right.)
Isabella: Crap, what are we gonna do about dinner?
Yoko: I can make us some mean beef ramen if you'd like.
Izanami: Ooo! That sounds so good!
Isabella: Alright! I'm all rested up! Let's get on home.
Everyone stood up after finishing their water, rejuvenated and ready to make the final stretch home. Osamu held onto Yoko's arm, holding her back as the others walked on ahead.
Yoko: What is it?
Osamu: What is it about Aika that's got you acting like this? Were you trying to protect me from the fact that she doesn't feel anything for me anymore.
Yoko: As I've said, you shouldn't mess around with a girl's problems.
Osamu: Cut it out! How am I supposed to trust you if you won't tell me anything about this?
Yoko: The only thing that you need to know is that it would be the best for all of us if Aika was kept around other people. The one thing I can tell you is that Aika has been through crushing loneliness ever since you left. She doesn't have anybody to take care of her.
(That's definitely true...)
Yoko: What I'm asking for is faith. Have some faith in me, okay? I've got this.
Osamu: Fine.
Yoko and Osamu caught up with the others as they continued the walk home. The whole time, Osamu was gazing over at Aika, who still wouldn't look at him. Finally, they arrived in front of the house and walked through its front yard.
Isabella! Finally! I'll get into some comfy clothes and help out in the kitchen.
Izanami: I'll get the pots ready!
Osamu: Hey, Aika, can I talk to you for a minute?
Aika: Uh...sure...
Osamu and Aika stayed outside as the others went in.
(Maybe I should tell her...)
Aika: What is it?
Osamu: I...a few days ago, I went to visit your mother's grave. I felt bad about what happened to her while I was gone, so I wanted to offer my prayers and burn some incense for her. I'm guessing that my bad timing has something to do with why you won't look at me when you're reminded of things we used to do, right? So, I guess, that was my way of telling you and her that...I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you to deal with something so harsh.
Osamu looked up and saw Aika's eyes sparkle with tears.
Aika: You...you went to her grave?
Osamu smiled.
Osamu: Yep, sure d-
Aika: Why would you do that?!
(What? Is she angry?)
Aika: You're so full of crap! You think you can just walk over to someone's grave, pray about this, pray about that, burn some incense, and suddenly you're absolved of everything?! What am I supposed to do, forgive you? Congratulate you? "Hey everybody, Osamu finally took the time to understand what I was going through and visited my mom's grave! Isn't he great?!"
Osamu: Aika...
Aika: You're not sorry, and you'll never know what it means to be sorry because you never had to go through that! You can just come and go as you please and not feel like you're leaving anything behind, but what am I supposed to do when some of the people I love die here, and others just go away on their own without a care in the world?! What am I supposed to do, Osamu?!
(4 years of unexpressed anger...Yoko...you must've seen this when you kissed her.)
Aika stood crying on the doorstep, and Osamu couldn't find any words to say.
Aika: I hate you so much. Don't ever visit her grave again.
Osamu: Aika, I'm s-
Aika: DON'T! Don't say you're sorry.
(Again. I was foolish.)
They both went inside the house as Yoko, Isabella, and Izanami were in the kitchen preparing the meal. Aika was the first to pass by.
Isabella: Hey Aika, you're not allergic to red meat or anything, right? Aika?
Aika covered her eyes and ran upstairs. Osamu walked into the kitchen next and sat down at the table.
Isabella: Is Aika okay?
Yoko: Damn it, Osamu! What did you do?!
Osamu: Nothing! I just told her I visited her mom's grave and she...she just got mad.
Yoko: Idiot. I told you to leave her alone.
Izanami: What's wrong with Aika?
The conversation had now roused Isabella and Izanami's curiosity about what Aika was feeling. It put extra pressure on Yoko to keep it under wraps.
Yoko: All of you listen to me, because I will not say this twice. Do not dig into Aika's personal matters. Let her focus on the here and now. Understand?
The silence was all that was needed to declare that Yoko's word was absolute.
Yoko: Good.
The cooking continued as if nothing happened, and all four of them ate well. Isabella cleaned the dishes, and the kitchen was tidied up before they all went upstairs to brush their teeth and get ready for bed.
Yoko: Thanks for today, Izzy. I guess you aren't half-bad.
Isabella: Oh come on, don't tell me you're warming up to me now!
Yoko: As if! You're just not the raw sewage I thought you were, that's all.
(I'm pretty sure that still counts as warming up.)
Isabella: Good night you two, we'll find out what to do tomorrow!
Osamu: Sounds great. Goodnight.
Osamu and Yoko brushed their teeth in got into their clothes in the same bathroom, which had two sinks and a large tub. When that was done, Yoko climbed into bed and turned the lights out.
Yoko: Oh, Osamu, can you turn on the alarm? It's right down the end o the hall. The code is 1190.
Osamu: Ah, sure.
Osamu walked down the hall and did just that. When the code was entered and the alarm was engaged, a voice rang out from the alarm system, clearly belonging to Yoko.
Yoko: The alarm is now engaged. Intruders will be stabbed. Survivors will be stabbed again.
Osamu sighed.
(Of course she set this up.)
As he walked back towards Yoko's room, he passed by Isabella's room, where Aika was also sleeping. He could hear Aika faintly crying from beyond the door, and unpleasant feelings welled up inside him.
(Am I the source of all of this pain within Aika? I am, aren't I? What should I do? Is there anything I even can do?)
Osamu walked away from the door.
(Maybe it's best to leave it alone, like Yoko said. If I'm the problem, Aika can't heal if I'm constantly reminding her of the things that hurt her.)
Osamu climbed into bed with Yoko, who was facing him as he laid down. Her eyes were as blue as the moonlight spilling through the window.
Osamu: Yoko...
Yoko: Are you hurt?
Osamu: How did you know?
Yoko: Come on, we've kissed before. I know everything.
Yoko hugged Osamu.
Yoko: Let's sleep like this. It'll make you feel better.
Osamu: Thanks...
[All of my instincts told me to listen to Yoko. I could feel my bones screaming at me whenever I doubted her word. But there was a certain mystery that I needed to solve for myself. The mystery of Aika's heart.]