Okay, more seriously, is there something going on that I haven't been told about? Because it's already been over two days since I updated and I see a grand total of one vote here. This is seriously discouraging...
[x] Talk with Mariko and Kishi on the way home.
-[x] Plans for the weekend. Mention your trip.
-[x] We should all probably go to school tomorrow.
[x] Talk with your uncle once you go inside.
-[x] Prepare an explanation for the inevitable "How did it go?".
-[x] Also explain how you skipped school today.
[x] Eat the dinner.
-[x] Invite Kishi and Mariko.
[x] After dinner, dive into reading.
-[x] Spend time on both Harry Potter and Swordfighting books. No. of Votes: 6 Balduran Jiven Jrin mistfist MrLZRS UbeOne
[x] Talk with Mariko and Kishi on the way home.
-[x] Plans for the weekend. Mention your trip.
-[x] We should all probably go to school tomorrow.
[x] Talk with your uncle once you go inside.
-[x] Prepare an explanation for the inevitable "How did it go?".
-[x] Also explain how you skipped school today.
[x] Eat the dinner.
-[x] Invite Kishi and Mariko.
[x] After dinner, dive into reading.
-[x] Spend time on both Harry Potter and Swordfighting books.
You start rubbing your forehead and chuckle weakly at the answer. Chances are you probably would have forgotten the entire thing had Mariko not reminded you about it here and now. Well, it's not like you really would have cared, though. They were all put to good use after all!
"Hmm, if you insist," you note absentmindedly and fully turn around on your seat. You lay your arms on the back of the seat, and rest your head on them. Mariko lifts her attention from the sleeve of the shirt and turns to watch you with a strange, uncertain look on her face. You grin and cock your head a little as you lean closer against the back of your seat.
"But hey... If you really enjoyed it, why not join in more often? I happen to know that Ariane would like to hang out with you again!" Mariko has yet to smile openly after all, "Tomorrow after school for example, and after that…"
You blink as you suddenly remember the plans you made for the weekend, "Oh right, we were going to tour Mitakihara, the proper one, together during the weekend! We might be a bit short on time then, but it's too early to say anything yet. Were you planning on anything yourself?"
Mariko actually has to pause for a moment to think about an answer and recover from your fast word barrage. "I… don't think I'm really planning on anything?" she says unsurely and frowns, "I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, or something like that…"
A brief thought crosses your mind about how you could probably invite Mariko along for the trip too. However, you brush it under the rug for now. You've known her for barely a day after all, and it's not your place to rush things with her. Especially since you planned the trip together with your friends. You'd need to ask them too.
"Well, guess we're simply going to see then!" you chirp and turn a bit to face Kishi, "Right, Kishi?"
Kishi nods quickly and without stopping to think about it in the face of your sudden question. "I-I think so?" she hastily stammers out, "B-but let's not get ahead of ourselves, okay? Th-there's still tomorrow ahead of us, and plans can change."
"Well, that's true…" you begin, but start trailing off, "You know, I think we should all probably go to school tomorrow at the very least."
"I-I hope that's not just a suggestion?" Kishi asks you in amused disbelief. Yeah, skipping school might be a tad bit bad, but you still maintain that you had good reasons this time!
The rest of the bus trip is rather uneventful, with the three of you chatting with each other in periodic bursts, and with the topic mostly in the school. Although, Mariko needs to be prodded along every once in a while, and she doesn't seem to be too keen on talking about the coming school day.
You suspect she might just skip it too to complete the week of absences, but you decide to let it slide while still inside the public bus. There's no need for drama in there.
The three of you exit the vehicle with no particular hurry once it pulls to a stop, and start walking towards your home. The small walk is over quickly, and once you reach the front doors of the apartment complex, you turn to regard the others.
"Okay, I know Mariko will be coming in to change the clothes," you say, "But since my uncle will be cooking, I really want to to ask if the two of you would like to stay for a very late dinner?"
"I-I'd really like that, thank you," Kishi admits and throws a quick look at Mariko's direction. The other girl seems like she has to bite down the first words that spring into her mind, and it isn't difficult to figure out that she is hesitating.
"I… I think it couldn't hurt?" she allows, sounding like she would start regretting her decision at any moment. But since she agreed to this, it's already too late for that!
"Great! Now, let's get going. It's not nice to make my uncle wait," you announce and open the door to the apartment complex for your friends. The three of you swiftly walk upstairs, and to your home. You practically throw the door open once you reach it.
Your uncle is already there to meet with you. You suspect he might have still been cooking, considering the familiar, glaringly pink apron on him. His gaze seems to be focused on Mariko in particular, and it isn't difficult to guess what's going on in his mind.
"My, my, I take it things went pretty well and that we have guests for dinner tonight?" he asks you, receiving a sharp nod in return.
"Yup! Kishi and Mariko are both staying for dinner!" you announce and jump out of the entrance to the apartment. Kishi seems to be in no particular hurry, only bowing awkwardly in a greeting, no doubt expecting the man to have something planned for her.
Mariko on the other hand seems a lot more unsure about the presence of your uncle, and her motions are somewhat stiff. She is clearly ready to bolt to your room to change back to her own wardrobe at the first chance presented to her.
"Well, that's great to hear!" your uncle notes and motions for all of you to follow him, "But why not tell about things in a it more detail? You seem like you have had an eventful day."
[x] Talk with your uncle once you go inside.
-[x] Prepare an explanation for the inevitable "How did it go?".
-[x] Also explain how you skipped school today.
[x] Eat the dinner.
-[x] Invite Kishi and Mariko.
[x] After dinner, dive into reading.
-[x] Spend time on both Harry Potter and Swordfighting books.
What do you do?
[] Pick the parts which to tell.
[] Continue with the vote in abeyance.
[] Write-in.
===
Might want to choose what exactly tell uncle here. Well, also, I am running at the edge of my ability to stay awake after the stuff I had to do over the weekend, so I had to cut this one short .
Continuing the vote is a vote to pretty much gloss over the dinner. This is another opportunity for good social and to further bridge the gap between Mariko and Kishi. Please, let's not waste the dinner.
[x] Talk to Uncle. (And Kishi/Mariko as appropriate)
-[x] "Yeah... I'm beginning to think eventful days are the new normal."
-[x] "Um... well, I'm really happy about how things turned out... but, after you left I kinda caused a misunderstanding and things didn't quite get off to a good start. That was all my fault."
--[x] "It took awhile to clear everything up but I'm glad we did. Kishi and Mariko talked things over, and they've really come a long way since this morning. And I'm really proud of them for finding the courage to make things right again. I know that was really hard for both of you."
[x] After that, we went back to the apartment to clean up and at that point it was obvious we were going to be really late for school. And... that's also my fault.
[x] With everything that happened, we all just agreed to skip today. Sorry Uncle. I really wasn't intending to skip, it just happened.
[x] So... after talking about it, we decided to spend the morning hunting witches instead.
[x] Suggest talking about the witches during dinner.
-[x] Emphasize Kishi and Mariko's contributions during the witch fights
[x] Talk about the library, rejoining Evelyn (You are not a kidnapper!) and then going to Ariane's.