LOVE IN BLOOM

AN: I do not own Saki and any of the character affiliated to the franchise.

After that big revelation after playing the 'King's Game' everyone wanted nothing more than just to rest. Some information are just too much for some people to handle. Those who doubted Saki before and even those who slandered her were now too ashamed to even go out of their rooms fearing that they might come across the girl and have nothing to say when she greets them. So, to ease their tired minds and bodies, everyone decided that it's time to enjoy the hot springs.

After that whole revelation thing, Hisa knew that Saki would be in an awkward spot if she was to go in with the others. So, she had it planned for Saki, Koromo, Toyone and some other troublesome individuals to go in first. Then, when they're done, the next batch would be allowed to enter. Nodoka, Hajime and Touka were a part of this batch. They entered a few minutes later after Saki and those that came with her left.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Geez Haramura Nodoka! You're spoiling this eventful night with your gloominess!"

Touka who sat in front of Nodoka finally got tired of Nodoka's pouting face.

"E-Eh?!"

Nodoka was surprised, almost like she just realized that Touka existed in front of her.

"S-Sorry Haramura, Touka is just-!"

"No! This is a special event but ever since she arrived all she did was be gloomy. She's poisoning the air with her dreary atmosphere!"

Hajime tried to apologize to Nodoka in behalf of Touka but the girl herself continued to protest.

"I'm... sorry. She's right... what am I doing ruining this event?"

Nodoka looked back and she agreed that indeed she had been crestfallen ever since she arrived.

"... Seriously Haramura Nodoka, if you have a problem, you can tell me. Tell me so I can force you to lighten up now because I don't want you to infect our Koromo with your mood later on!"

There was some truth in this but Touka really just wanted Nodoka to cheer up. She was thankful that it was steamy in the room as the hot steam hid the slight blush on her face.

"I- It's something personal..."

Nodoka looked away and blushed herself. Her problem is kind of, embarrassing after all.

"Financial?"

"No- ... well something similar..."

Nodoka was correct classifying her problem as something similar to a financial crisis. While her father will be answering for her tuition fees and send her some money, having no place to stay still leads to the same thing.

"If that's the case then allow me to help you. I wouldn't want you to use that as a reason to escape from our rematch! I won't ask for anything else... w-well maybe just a little."

Touka couldn't help for her eyes to gravitate downwards. Surely those planetesimals have their own gravitational pull right? Otherwise why was Touka getting pulled towards it. She opened her hands then wriggled her fingers while in front of those humongous things.

"It's not like that at all and I'm sure what you just suggested is illegal!"

Nodoka immediately covered her breast with both arms and turned away. Her face all red of embarrassment. Touka on the other hand got pulled back down by Hajime and was immediately chastised by the maid.

"I'm sorry Nodoka, but in Touka's defense, those breasts are just too big."

"How is that my fault?!"

Nodoka would not allow the blame to be passed to her, not after that.

"A-Anyway, Haramura Nodoka, if it isn't financial, then maybe love problems?"

"!"

Touka asked after regaining just a bit of her composure. Upon hearing that question the face of a certain someone immediately appeared in Nodoka's mind.

"That's not it either!"

Nodoka shouted. After that, she decided to come out and fully disclose to Touka her problem. She felt a bit guilty that someone who was not her teammate was the person she was confiding to but Touka is also someone that she already considers a friend. After all, Ryuumonbuchi had always been a partner to Kiyosumi in team camps just inside Nagano.

"No wonder you're gloomy Nodoka, that is quite a problem. Having been sold by my dad I kinda know the feeling."

Hajime who did not always like Nodoka's presence felt sorry for the booby girl. Hajime in the past was basically 'bought' by Touka. At first she was uncomfortable and did not really like the idea of being with such a pushy girl, but now that they're so close, she does not regret it.

"I see. But it's to be expected from politicians. Some of my family's acquaintances too had those problems. But you're just looking for a place to stay right?"

"Yes."

"Wait Touka, you don't mean..."

Hajime realized where Touka was going. This was something she feared would happen as soon as Nodoka divulged her problem to them.

"Haramura Nodoka!"

"Eh?"

Nodoka was moved back a bit after Touka suddenly stood up, and then pointed at her.

"I will give you the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as my personal maid! Not only will you have a place to stay, but you will also earn a lot by doing so!"

Touka said this with the tone of a princess appointing a knight. This dumbfounded Nodoka even more while thinking 'what is this girl suddenly saying?'. Hajime, on the other hand looked distressed.

"B-But I'm Touka's maid!"

She cried. This little maid had always been protective of her position. She looked at Touka rebelliously almost in tears.

"H-Hajime, what's gotten into you? Do you not want to help a friend?"

Touka who was oblivious to Hajime's feelings said this in a mild scolding tone then turned back to Nodoka.

"What say you, Haramura Nodoka? The starting pay would be, hmm let's see... 300,000 yen!"

Touka exclaimed. She knew that offer was big enough to have most people say yes. That's basically three times the minimum wage in Japan and only company officers would have higher pay in terms of office jobs of course.

"T-That's already near my salary!"

Hajime gasped. She remember starting out with only 150,000 yen as her salary. After two years it finally doubled up and some more and now it's at 350,000 yen. For someone to have a starting pay of 300,000 yen who's supposed to be her junior, she feels quite neglected.

"... That's..."

"600,000 yen!"

"Eh?! She surpassed me!?"

Touka shouted before Nodoka could say anything more and this shocked Hajime.

"It's not the-!"

"A million yen!"

"Ehh?!"

"I told you it's not like that! Am I being auctioned or something?!"

Nodoka complained on how she was being treated while Hajime almost fainted on how much Touka was offering just for Nodoka to accept the job offer.

"Then what is it?"

Touka calmed down. She probably realizes now that no matter how many zeros she add on Nodoka's starting paycheck, it won't be the reason if Nodoka ever accepts her offer or not.

"I just have some things to think about."

"What's there to think about? I'll even have Hageyoshi drive you to Kiyosumi. I won't ask you to transfer to Ryuumonbuchi if that's what you're worried about. H-Hajime?"

Touka added. She knew that Nodoka most likely still wanted to stay in her current school and that may be the reason why she's not giving her sweet yes. However, Hajime touched her hand, and looked at her.

"But Nodoka, now that Touka offered you a place to stay you don't have to be so sad in this camp right? If she ever says no, just know that Touka's offer is always an option."

"...!"

Nodoka blushed because Hajime saw right through her. However, she realized that what Hajime said had weight to it. She did feel better now knowing that someone was willing to take her in if ever her first choice fails.

"Yes, thank you very much."

Nodoka smiled at the two people in front of her. Hajime returned her smile but Touka was confused. Her offer wasn't accepted yet so why was Nodoka giving her thanks? Times like this is what make it a blessing that Touka is so dense in the matters of the heart.

AN: Hi guys, if you noticed this chapter is quite short, but that's because it's not yet finished. I decided to post this incomplete chapter that I will update somewhere every twice or thrice a week until it's finished just to show that it's not dead yet. I'm just really really really busy. If things go smoothly i'll probably finish this by the end of this week.