Nakahama

When we're alone... There was so much possibility in those words. She looked forward to it.

And savored the closeness required to whisper to her.

"Thank you, Kiyoshi. I have so much to look forward to. I'm glad you decided to come dancing tonight. Very glad."

"Not someone I ever met. That's a relief, I think."

She took a sip of her juice, and considered her friend's words.

"It's not a bad thing that we are learning from each other. Ochiba has much to teach, I'm sure. And I do hope you will rarely need violence in your role. But you may need it. And I'd ...

Haruhi takes her hand and walks back to the table with her.

"I enjoyed that," she said, still grinning. She looked at Senshu, hoping she could see her contentment, her confidence, her readiness to thrive on her own. And how much Senshu meant to her. A long lingering look.

And then, she turned to ...

Haruhi loved to dance. And it was one of her specialties!

And this was - she realized - another chance to re-enact a scene from a happy ending movie, which was one of the things they had enjoyed the night before.

She threw herself into the performance. A dance of equals. A dance of passion. A ...

Her breath caught at the touch to her cheek and his beautiful words.

"Kitsune-san, you make me so happy thinking about the time that lies ahead. I think ... I think you could call me Haruhi, if you'd like."

Haruhi listened, fascinated.

"Wow! They are very lucky you and the ever impressive Ochiba were there."

"As an engineer, I have to admit I'm curious what he had constructed. And horrified that such skills were used for harm! But I do know the Kaiu approach to engineering has been battle and harm ...

Haruhi enjoys the feeling of being the stalked gazelle. She is riveted to the spot and her eyes track Senshu's every motion.

When it is her turn, she comes right in with her section, voice as remarkable and emotive as ever.

Stalked but newly confident. Head held high. Aware of her worth.

You ...

She smiled, liking the invented tradition very much.

Ah, that bow! Thrills and chills were indeed multiplying.

"I know that one! How perfect."

She followed her to the stage, feeling very much like a shy girl who had learned to be a little wilder. A fun song. She could sing it with a joyful heart ...

Haruhi cheered at the ending.

The two princesses could live out her fantasies, even if they were too foolish for the real world.

"I don't want to fall asleep. I don't want to run out of time with you. But I am glad to know that if sleep overtakes me, I'll have one last chance to wake in your arms ...

She smiled.

"True. Detective is very cute. And a fine dancer." She did a little waltzing series of steps, with one hand holding Detective's little paw, as he perched on her shoulder.

She would bring so many mangoes for him. He was truly the best monkey in the world.

"Perhaps only time will tell ...

"The parasol-attaching mechanism could be the same. One frame. And removable so it added no weight when you were racing. But the covers could vary - sunshade, waterproof, strong enough to stand up to snow... - even here, you've got fun at the beach or protection from rain on a hiking trail. But ...

A giggling Haruhi turns her focus to putting the movie back on.

She makes herself a drink to carry back to the bed, and offers to make one for Senshu.

And then she snuggles back against her. Watching the couple find their happy ending, and alert for the words 'dragon' and 'human'.

Dragon is said ...

"We had a good time, yes," she echoes. Sincerely. Content.

"I learned a great deal. I ... I am ready to thrive here. But every bold step, every confident choice... it will be because of what I learned in these first twelve days."

She turned to Yasuki-san.

"Now that is a fine idea that we create a ...

Jealous?

She smiled at that.

"That could be a fine sub-plot for an episode. Perhaps it already has been! I shall clearly need to watch all the episodes so I can anticipate Detective's 'choreography'. I'd like that. To see all the episodes."

"Though I feel sure if the two of you ever competed for ...

"A hovering parasol could be quite practical! I think that really might have a market. But would it have the same aesthetic effect as when she twirls it against her shoulder? I shall get her input. Probably you would want to be able to change the parasol cloth or paper, so you could match all your ...

Naturally, when she said 'From now on, the Dragon...', there was a tickling attack!

But Haruhi was giggling too much to pose much of a threat.

Haruhi had studied Senshu's face after her song. A reverent offering.

"Karaoke was such a good idea!" she added, smiling at them both.

"This place will not be the same with so many leaving." Would they ever see each other again? Would she see Senshu again? "But who can say what the Fortunes yet ...

"What? A kidnapping? A serial killer?"

"I feel like I've been carefully sheltered from a great deal of excitement. Can you tell the tale of it, or is it too troubling?"

Seven kisses later, Haruhi was giggling.

"I am imagining it was a code word that had the power to summon kisses even in public! And dangerously likely to be said since it is the name of an entire clan."

"I fear repetition of the word 'dragon' will henceforward either bring a kiss or ...

She grinned. "What a sweetheart you are! Daring indeed."

She tried petting the monkey's neck, like you might a cat, to see if Detective liked that.

"It's funny. Most of my dance routines are shared. Me and my avi-drones. But they can be programmed to precision. Performing with a live animal... You ...