2026-07-20: Best Laid Plans of Teenaged Minds
- Log: 2026-07-20: Best Laid Plans of Teenaged Minds
- Cast: Yuuki Hoshizora, Misato Fushihara
- Where: Lotus Plaza, Renegdai, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: July 20, 2026
- IC Date: December 12, 2012
- Summary: On the way home from school, Yuuki tells Misato she needs to go shopping. They make a plan to get the latest chapter of a certain manga, stealthily. From each other. When they both want it. Bonds are forged through shared bits and manga.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
It is after school -- and before a planned midnight meeting -- and Yuuki and Misato are walking home together. Yuuki walks alongside the other girl, her bag swinging in her hand. They've taken to walking home together most days. It feels comfortable, now.
Even if, sometimes, Yuuki worries about the things she has to hide from her. She feels like she might be doing something wrong.
A distraction is in order, and as fate would have it, one is in order.
The latest chapter of a manga that she likes -- Blossom Under You -- is being released today. Thus, as they're starting down the street away from school, Yuuki looks up. She had seemed distracted; in her way, she makes a sudden declaration.
"I-I need to stop by a bookstore!"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Walking home... feels nice. It's a normal student activity for a girl who does very few of those, and it makes the walk home all the more bearable on the days when she doesn't have something else she can use to delay it.
Misato has her own worries, tucked away inside... she still wonders if it's right, engaging with her through both sides of her double life.
As it happens, she welcomes the distraction as Yuuki makes an announcement.
"Whoa, Hoshizora-san! That was sudden!" Misato gasps playfully. "Well... it's just a little out of our way, but there's one in the plaza nearby if you wanna make a detour. What's up?"
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Something about it sticks in the back of Yuuki's mind. She isn't sure what is going on, yet. But she noticed the reluctance in Misato, when they go home -- or the fact she is eager to visit. She doesn' seem to want to be home, and this makes Yuuki wonder.
But Misato has a way of not letting much show.
She looks up quickly and sharply, at the gasp. She flushes red, for a moment. "S-Sorry," she stammers. "I just--um... It occurred to me. There is..."
She considers. Does she admit that she wants to get the latest issue of a yuri manga? Misato saw the figure in her room, but she didn't seem to recognize it. Yuuki hesitates for a moment.
"...I-I wanted to grab a manga chapter releasing today," she says. "If it's any trouble, it can wait though..."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato sends Yuuki a reassuring smile as her face turns red.
"Nah, don't worry about it." She replies with a shake of her head as she apologizes. She listens as she starts to say something before hesitating - before saying that she wants to grab a chapter releasing today.
"Oh! Oh, yeah, today's when a lot of the new releases are coming out, huh?" Misato replies thoughtfully. She considers that for a moment, then shakes her head. "Nahhh, that's no trouble at all! I had a few I was wanting to pick up, myself. Let's go!"
She steps confidently in front to lead the way.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
"Y-yes, that's just so!" Yuuki says. Will she have the courage, though, to pick up Blossom Under You in front of Misato? She tries to think of other manga -- but draws a blank in the moment.
She nods, quickly. Then, she falls in behind Misato.
"Thanks," she adds. "I, um." She laughs sheepishly, scratching at her cheek with a slightly embarrassed look. "...I'm still learning where all of the places here are. Like bookstores."
A beat. Then, with something that approximates Misato's playfulness -- if not really there -- she adds: "F-Fortunately, I--um--have..."
She stammers.
"...a-a tour guide!"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato nods. A part of her is curious to see what, exactly, Yuuki wants to buy. She looks back, offering her a smile as she thanks her.
"It's no trouble." She assures with a shake of her head, then listens. It takes Yuuki some effort, but she stammers out a playful statement! Misato lets out a small, good-natured laugh, and beams.
"That's right!" She confirms. She clears her throat, letting her tone become clear and explanatory to replicate the cadence of a tour guide. She provides a sweeping gesture.
"If you look to your left, you'll see the shores of scenic Tanabata River... Isn't it beautiful?" She informs. And then, she performs another sweeping gesture. "And coming up just ahead... It's the Lotus Plaza Shopping Mall! Home to countless shopping and entertainment destinations... but the one we want is just a block away from that."
She pauses for a moment - and then bursts into laughter, unable to keep the act up any longer than that.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki smiles when Misato laughs. She isn't quite sure if her friend is just humoring her. But the thought counts, and then--
Yuuki's eyes widen. For just a moment, she has a confused look on her face. Then, though, it dawns on her. Misato is doing a bit! A bit that she started!
They're doing a bit... together!
Yuuki clasps her hands together in front of herself, delightedly, and nods along. She mimics rapt attention -- but then Misato pauses. And she starts laughing. And that makes Yuuki's lip twitch.
Then she lifts a hand up, over her mouth. And finally, she starts laughing too.
And she stammers out, trying hard to breathe: "M-Misato-chan! C-Come on!"
That just slipped out. She'll realize momentarily.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato looks back to Yuuki. It seems like it takes her a moment - but she seems to appreciate it! And when she laughs, Yuuki laughs, too - it's enough that she actually has to stop for a moment to catch her own breath. She giggles, as Yuuki manages to stammer something out.
"What, want me to keep going~?" She replies with a wink - and then pauses, as she mentally retraces her steps.
'Misato-chan'... The significance isn't lost on her. She smiles.
"Does this mean I can call you 'Yuuki-chan'?" She asks, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki giggles, sputtering out an answer that isn't quite yes or no to whether Misato should keep going. She doesn't quite have words for a moment.
She realizes at the same time Misato does. Then her eyes widen, and her cheeks turn red. "U-Um--" She looks to the side. "I. Um. I'm sorry, if I shouldn't have... um..."
A moment goes by. She turns to look back at Misato, still embarrassed. "...I-I'd like it, if you did! Um." She looks down, then. "But it's okay, if... if I'm presuming too much."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Yuuki's caught in the giggles... Misato smiles genuinely. ...It's nice to see her let herself cut loose. But - then Yuuki realises what she said and turns red... Ah, she didn't mean to embarrass her...
But when she still says that she'd like that, Misato's smile widens.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Yuuki-chan." Misato assures. "I'd like that, too. You can call me Misato-chan all you want!"
She laughs again.
"You've already invited me over to your place before, I think it's okay to drop the '-san's by now~." She adds with a wink.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki smiles, her cheeks still a little red. The assurance helps -- and she exhales, before she nods. "S-Sure... I'll do that, Misato-chan."
She then coughs, turning redder -- why did--why did pointing out that she invited Misato over make her embarrassed? She isn't sure, herself.
She laughs, finally. "Th-that's true. Um... I'm glad, though," she says. "And... um... you should come over again, sometime."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato's smile softens as Yuuki seems to get some confidence back, enough to agree with her.
"Great." She beams. ...Her tease, though, causes Yuuki to turn red. She must've struck a weak spot... But Yuuki laughs all the same, so no harm done.
And she even invites her over again!
"I'd love to!" Misato replies. She 'hm's to herself for a moment. "Maybe after we're done at the book store?"
She pauses and adds,
"Just as long that isn't too short of a notice, I mean!"
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
"Sure," Yuuki says. Even if she pauses for a moment. She is supposed to meet Magus at midnight. But, Misato wouldn't stay that late -- so it should be fine. "Besides... we'll have some books to read together!"
Then, she quickly shakes her head. "No, no, it's fine," she says. "I don't mind at all."
She looks ahead, at the street. "Should we get something to bring home, for dinner, too?"
It will be about that time -- and Yuuki doesn't have much to have to cook in the apartment.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
The promise might have slipped her mind, for a brief moment - in the face of the possibility of spending more time with with Yuuki...
Well, getting ready doesn't take long. Most of Magus's gear appears with her costume, it's just the miscellaneous supplies she needs to retrieve.
It'll be fine. She can let herself have this.
"Great~!" Misato beams, as Yuuki agrees - and laughs, with a nod. "Mm-hm! It'll be fun to share them!"
...Most of them, anyway. Sure, she saw the figure, but does Yuuki actually read Blossom Under You? If she doesn't, what would she think about that...? Well, she can deal with that when they get there...
For now, Yuuki makes a good point.
"Oh, yes, that'd be a good idea..." She considers thoughtfully. "Let's do that."
...She'll have to call her uncle to let her know she won't be back for dinner, but she can put that off for a bit longer.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
"Mm-hm."
Yuuki feels the same nervousness that Misato does -- doubting she reads Blossom Under You, and wondering what she would really think about it. But, the thought of getting to spend more time with her...
It's worth it, she decides. She can just buy a few manga, maybe, if she needs to cover up for it.
"Let's do that!" she says, as she walks along. "We can pick a place after the bookstore. I-If that's okay! I'm... sure something is nearby."
She bites her lip. Then, she smiles a little.
"...R-Right, miss tour guide?"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato looks pleased as Yuuki agrees. That'll be a nice change from reading alone.
"That's fine with me. I think that's a good idea." She agrees. She pauses for a moment as she catches that hesitation, and when Yuuki smiles, Misato grins.
"Why, yes, Miss Hoshizora!" She says, slipping right back into that tour guide act - with the addition of extra formality to reinforce the bit. "There are a wide variety of culinary experiences available at the Lotus Plaza. From restaurants to grocery stores, there are plenty of options to choose from. Though,"
She pauses dramatically for a moment.
"I hear the star of Bakery Pan-Pan is off of work today, so that might have to wait for another time. I'm sure she's doing something important with her time off." She caps it off with a wink.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
The resumption of the tour guide act -- even if it was expected this time -- gets a giggle out of Yuuki. She smiles and she listens, her head tilted to the side. "Is that so? Well, u-um..."
She trails off for a moment.
"...I hope she's having fun with whatever she is up to!" she declares, cheerfully. She does turn a little red at the wink -- but that is, perhaps, to be expected.
She does pause as she looks ahead, at the Lotus Plaza's stores. Her eyes light up as she spots one of the storefronts -- and she points. "Oh--oh, is that the bookstore, Misato-chan?"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato's joke gets a positive reaction, and she laughs as Yuuki makes her declaration.
"Don't worry. I believe she is." Misato replies with a smile. ...She really is. Being able to genuinely laugh and joke around with a friend... it's nice.
She looks up when Yuuki points out a particular.
"That's the one!" Misato confirms. She adjusts her course leading her over to it. She pushes the door open and steps aside to let her in. The employee at the counter looks up as they enter, but doesn't pay much more attention before going back to what they were doing.
It's a cozy enough store, with books and manga both. Keeping up with the times it caters to more recent releases, but there are still old gems here and there.
"Let's see... What're you looking for, Yuuki-chan? I need to pick up the latest chapter of Zweihander..." Misato asks. It's a good cover - she does need to pick that up, too... but it also means that she'll be in the area with Blossom Under You's magazine, too. It's flawless.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
"I-Is that so?" Yuuki asks. "Well... I'm glad."
She really is glad. Even if she knows she needs to work to become stronger, even if her focus must be on helping her parents, being here with a friend -- joking and having fun like this -- is something she missed sorely.
Then, Yuuki nods. She is quiet as she follows her. She starts trying to think of a scheme; Asteroiedes doesn't have a new chapter out. She will have to think of an excuse. Or, maybe...
They enter, and Misato asks a question. "Oh! Um--I think it's--" She glances in the direction of the magazines. "This way! I'll grab mine real quick?"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato's smile softens - even if the fact that she thinks so hurts a little, too. She doesn't let it show on her face - instead, the bookstore provides a convenient distraction.
She listens as Yuuki considers, and looks in the direction of the magazines.
...The same way she's going...
"Oh! Then we're going the same way!" Misato comments, her tone is bright. Okay, that's fine - she can think on the fly.
She starts that way - and on the first pass, she passes by Blossom Under You's magazine intentionally diverting her eyes and pretending she hadn't noticed it, heading toward Zweihander's first.
She takes it, looks around, then doubles back. ...It should be safe by now. She reaches out to claim it...!
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki -- for some reason -- laughs in a nervous way when Misato points out they're headed the same way. Her plan is falling apart. But, no, she can strategize.
"We are!"
She steps forward -- and then she sees Misato walk past Blossom Under You's magazine. Her eyes drift briefly to it. Then, as she steps aside, Yuuki announces something again.
"Oh, the latest chapter of..." Her nose wrinkles. Her tone is not enthused. "...One Beef is out."
With that brilliant cover in place, the way is clear for Yuuki to acquire the latest issue of Blossom Under You's magazine. She steps around the large table, with a large set of Shounen Bump. Then, she slips over to where the magazine she wants is. Her dark green eyes are laser-focused.
She has one goal. One mission.
She reaches a hand out -- and then her hand bumps into another hand. Yuuki turns her head, looking to see who was also going for the manga.
And then her face turns red, from chin to forehead.
"Aaaaaaaah."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Yuuki makes an announcement. It's not a very enthused announcement. But it's a convenient distraction all the same.
"Oh, is it?" Misato replies, curious. But she continues on, and then as she doubles back and reaches out...
...Bump.
"Oh, sorry -" Misato starts, then she looks over, and -
Ah. The rare(...or not so rare) Yuuki Hoshizora, Red Forme.
"...Oh, Yuuki-chan! Fancy seeing you here!" She comments brightly.
...They walked in together. They have plans to leave together, too. Some of her bluffs are impeccable.
This one isn't her best work.
She draws her hand back, drumming her fingers on the side of the shelf.
"Did... that one catch your eye, too? Which one's your favorite?" Misato ventures. ...Maybe it's a coincidence.
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki stares at Misato, sputtering incoherently at her attempt to bluff her way out of this. They split up to get different things less than a minute ago! And she was getting Zweihander, the bloody medieval manga (with, yes, meaningful relationships between women but ANYWAYS)! Yuuki keeps staring.
Her face is still red as a beet. Her fingers linger on the magazine. She looks at it. She considers the other titles.
She is not helped.
"...Y-You want this one too?" she asks. "Um. I--um. Which one is your favorite?"
She quirks an eyebrow. Then, she pulls it out, and turns it around -- where the cover has a wonderfully drawn picture of the two leads are leaning awfully close together.
Yuuki points at it, then points at Misato. Then, back at the cover.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Yuuki stares at Misato. Misato stares back. She's still trying to play it cool. But her attempt is defeated by that most ancient of weapons - 'no, you'. Her question is turned right back around on her...
...Misato laughs sheepishly. She considers her options... but much like Yuuki, she doesn't really find any good excuses. Yuuki points.
...Maybe there's only one real answer here.
"Iii've... actually been reading... Blossom Under You lately." Misato replies. ...If that makes things weird, or awkward... better to find out now, right? "It's, you know... ...I like it."
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki looks at Misato carefully. Her expression is screwed up. She feels tense and nervous, which shows in how she grips the magazine a little too tightly. She watches Misato as she explains.
She thought that might be the case, but she couldn't quite accept it -- ready to find out that Misato is reading something else in the magazine. Or...
Or something else that would leave her feeling awkward.
But, that isn't the case. She opens her mouth, then she closes it. "I-I... um... I do too," she says. She glances, sheepishly to the side. "That's what I came here to pick up today."
Her face is still red. "...It's really good."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato watches her carefully, in that moment. ...She's felt less tense during some of her excursions as Magus. She assesses her - but... Yuuki admits that she likes it too, and she feels some of that tension escape her.
"You do, huh...?" Misato comments. "...Me too. Partially, anyway..."
She smiles.
"...Yeah. Yeah, it is, huh?" She agrees. "I, um - I saw the figure in your room, but I didn't know if you... actually read it, or just thought the character was cute, you know?"
She laughs awkwardly.
"But... now we know! I'm glad we agree!"
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki relaxes a little. Even if she is left with other questions, now. She can't assume that means anything about Misato's preferences. But now...
Now, she has to wonder.
"I wondered if you saw it," Yuuki agrees. "I--um... I think the character is cute. But, um, I like the story a lot. And... um... the relationship is good, too."
She flushes again, then she looks back at Misato, and meets her eye. "M-Me too! Um--we could, um. Read it? When we get back to my place?"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato wonders if she caught her looking around... Well, that's good to know for next time. She nods along as Yuuki voices her opinion.
"I feel the same way. I guess... There's a lot I can sympathise with." Misato agrees. ...Is that too much? She doesn't want to get too personal with it, but...
When Yuuki meets her eye again, though, Misato smiles.
"That sounds great! Let's do that, then." She agrees. "That'll give us something to look forward to later!"
<Pose Tracker> Yuuki Hoshizora has posed.
Yuuki smiles -- and she wonders about that statement. She hesitates visibly, for a moment, before she says, "Me too."
She can't say too much more. Certainly not in public.
Besides, they have a plan -- and she really does want to see what happens in this chapter. "Y-Yes! Let's... um, let's check out and grab dinner, Misato-chan."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
It's fine to leave it at that. Especially in public. Admitting that much was hard enough. Yuuki agrees, and Misato nods. She's largely regained her composure, now, thanks to Yuuki feeling the same way about it.
"Yes! Let's go, Yuuki-chan~!" Misato agrees - and starts toward the counter.