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Diana Cavendish sighed for the millionth time as she walked the halls of her old home, feeling like she couldn't catch a break since yesterday.
Between leaving her school and suddenly having to become the head of her family, she was hardly finding a time to rest and process what was happening in her life. And while the prospect of not returning to Luna Nova saddened her, at least it allowed her to spend some time away from what was becoming her biggest distraction there.
The girl known as Atsuko Kagari.
At first, she tried to tell herself that the girl was distracting because of her recklessness and her little care for her studies, but deep down, Diana knew she had developed a crush on her since the first time she saw her, and much to her dismay, it seemed to be turning into something more. What she once thought was just a physical attraction was now turning into a confusion of feelings in her heart and mind that she did not want to deliberate on. And coming back home meant she could be away from her for a second, and not have to worry about her growing affection for the Japanese witch.
She could finally let those feelings pass.
So entering the mansion again when the guests arrived and already hearing Atsuko's loud voice threw her for a loop so hard that she had to pinch herself to make sure she was not dreaming.
On one hand, she was glad, even flattered that Akko travelled all the way here just to get Diana to not leave their school. On the other, she couldn't have any distractions for tonight, already having a lot on her plate as is, and Atsuko Kagari was currently in her home. So much for being able to let the feelings pass...
After Akko explained why she was here, she and Anna walked upstairs to have a change of clothes while Diana talked with Daryl and the Hanbridges. Going to check on them, Diana sighed again at this unbelievable turn of events and knocked on the door of the room Akko was in. "Akko, are you dressed?"
"Ehh... Y-Yeah."
"I'm coming in, then."
"...Okay." Akko replied.
Even though the girl's voice was muffled, Diana could still pick up the unusual tone in her voice, so with a lot of curiosity, she opened the door.
"H-Hi, Diana. Um, your maid made me wear this, I hope you don't mind..." Said Atsuko Kagari, hair down, fresh from a shower, and... wearing one of Diana's old dresses.
Diana said nothing, and very slowly closed the door back to the hallway.
"Milady!? Why is your nose bleeding!?" Anna frantically asked, returning to check on their new guest and seeing her lady almost hyperventilating, with one hand leaning on the wall next to the door while the other was beneath her bloody nose.
"A t-towel, please." Diana stuttered, trying to control her breathing while Anna quickly grabbed a towel. Once it was in her hands, Diana cleaned her face and breathed calmly, not unaware of the concerned look Anna was giving her. "U-Uhm... I closed the door too quickly! And it hit my face. I-I'm just very distracted today..."
Anna didn't look like she bought it, but sighed and accepted it anyway. "Well... If you say so, milady. Just please be more careful." Walking away, she continued speaking. "I also lent your eleventh birthday dress to your classmate. Be a dear and don't make a fuss about it, okay? We have to be ready for tonight."
Then why did you make her wear my clothes!? Diana thought exasperatedly, still trying to get that image out of her head. Leaning herself against the wall, she shook her head to get rid of those thoughts. Anna was right, there was no time for this.
For tonight, she will become the head of the Cavendishes.
Welp, she did not become the head of the Cavendishes, never in a million years expecting this night to end with her being sabotaged by her aunt, saved by Atsuko Kagari, and abandoning the ceremony at the last minute. When Daryl woke up, the tension between her and Diana was very noticeable, but instead of discussing it, all women agreed that they were to tired to talk about it right now, and they needed to rest. So they all grabbed their brooms and went back home, and Diana finally felt like she could have a break.
Little did she know that the hardest trial of tonight was still to come.
For starters, the ride back home was the most awkward thing she'd ever experienced. Conversing with Daryl or her cousins was something she very much did not want to do after the sabotage attempt, and the feeling seemed to be reciprocated. She could try speaking with the girl behind her in her broom, but even though they both felt like they had grown closer tonight, after everything calmed down, it was clear that neither of them currently knew what to say to each other, which meant that the ride home was filled with complete and awkward silence.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the mansion, Anna and Andrew already waiting for them. Once they entered, Anna bombarded them with questions, but was told that it could all wait for tomorrow. Reluctantly agreeing, she walked upstairs with Daryl to talk about another matter, leaving the three teens alone.
Andrew Hanbridge also wanted to know about the ceremony and if Akko was able to help, but his attention was currently focused on how weird Diana and Akko were acting, both of them looking away from each other whenever their eyes met. "Did... something happen between you two?"
Two pairs of eyes whipped to him, and he received two answers at the same time.
"N-No."
"Yes!"
As expected, both girls gazed at each other again, blushed, and continued avoiding one another.
"Okay..." Andrew muttered at their reactions, knowing he would probably not receive the story today.
After a while, Daryl returned while looking a bit troubled by something. "Is... everything alright?" Diana asked.
Daryl stayed pensive, then sighed with annoyance. "It seems that we ran into a bit of a hitch with the sleeping arrangements. We had only prepared and cleaned up one guest room for tonight, as we did not expect to have a... surprise guest." She said while gesturing with her hand in Akko's direction, who stuck her tongue out at her when she wasn't looking.
"So I don't have a place to sleep then?"
After a moment of deliberation, Daryl's eyes scanned both Akko and Andrew, and Diana was already dreading what she was going to say. "Well, it appears that you two will have to share the guest room. Either that, or we-"
"NO!"
Diana only realized the outburst came from her when everyone's eyes stared at her in shock, and she quickly cleared her throat. "M-My apologies. It's just..." She started, but stopped and pinched the bridge of her nose when she couldn't find a way to explain herself.
What could she say here? What could she say to prevent Akko and Andrew from sleeping in the same bed?
This cannot be happening...
She now realized what she would have to do, but didn't know if she had the strength to do it. But, it was the only was to prevent this undesirable situation, so Diana took a deep breath, and then another, and activated her professional mode. "Aunt Daryl, it would severely improper for a boy and a girl of their ages to share a room under this roof." She stated, feeling more confident when her aunt nodded slowly in agreement. It wavered a bit before she finally said her proposition, but after another deep breath, she looked at everyone in the room with as much confidence as she could muster, making sure that her intentions would be made loud and clear.
"Akko can... Akko can sleep with me."
...
"WAIT, w-what I meant was, she can spend the night in my bed-"
"I-I MEAN! ...Akko can stay. In my room. For this night. She can sleep... in my b-bed... n-next to me while I also sleep... that's all."
...That could have gone better.
Akko's blush was fierce, Andrew was rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, and Daryl... looked surprisingly impressed with her. "Are you... sure?"
"Y-Yes." Diana replied despite her embarrassment.
Daryl examined her for a bit, then clasped her hands together. "Oh, if you're so kindly offering, then that takes care of that. I was also going to say that we could drive the girl to one of the hotels in town, but now we don't need to have that cost. Good job, Diana." She said, patting Diana's shoulder when she left the room.
"...Right." Diana mumbled, resisting the urge to kick herself.
Everyone else started leaving too, and when Andrew walked past her, her attentive Cavendish eyes noticed him shaking his head, looking disappointed with this outcome. After seeing that, she now felt entirely vindicated by her decision, her mood changing instantly. Be disappointed as much as you want, you fool! She will never sleep next to you as long as I have anything to say about it.
Should a Cavendish feel like rubbing a victory in someone's face? No, not at all.
Did she currently care? No, no at all, not resisting the feeling of superiority that washed over her, and her eyes drifted back to Akko, who curiously did not leave with the rest, and just continued blushing prettily while not meeting her gaze, making Diana confused.
Wait, what did I agree to again?
"...I like your room."
"...Thank you."
"Your bed is very soft... and fluffy."
"...Thank you." Diana answered with a monotone voice while "cleaning" her room, making sure to hide her old toys and especially her Shiny Chariot card. After everything was hidden, she stopped for a second and assessed her situation.
Through the most cruel and incredible twist of fate, Akko Kagari was sitting in her old bed, curiously looking around her room while kicking her slender legs back and forth, just waiting for Diana to join her. I need to stop phrasing it like that... Diana thought while fighting off another blush.
Trying to ignore how Akko's eyes were now watching her every move, Diana walked to her bed, grabbed her pillows, walked to the middle of her room... and dropped them on the floor.
"Uh... what are you doing?" Akko asked.
"Oh, you don't need to worry about me, Akko. You can have the bed to yourself, I'll just... I'll sleep here, it's alright."
Out of all of the reactions Akko could give, Diana did not expect her to look hurt by her words, the girl lowering her head and speaking in a more dejected voice. "Oh... Okay."
The tone affected Diana a lot more than she expected, not stopping to think on just how inconsiderate her action was. They were both embarrassed by what they would have to do, but Diana realized she basically just told Akko she'd rather sleep on the floor than spend one night on a bed next to her. Akko was usually so cheerful and lively, and Diana was realizing that she would do anything to not let Akko be like this. This girl will be the death of me... With a sigh, she picked up her pillows again and gave a reassuring smile to the girl sitting on her bed. "Actually, I... I changed my mind. I'll lie on the bed with you. I have no problem with that."
Akko stared at her for a few seconds, then her face went red again, looking away while scratching her head with a finger. "O-Oh, okay."
Diana nearly gasped, her eye twitching at the response. Make up your mind, you evil temptress!
"Night."
"...Good night, Akko."
Diana knew that her bed would not be big enough for the both of them. She knew that from the moment she decided that this would be the sleeping arrangements for tonight. But on this day, she came to the conclusion that everyone underestimates how small a one person bed is until another body joins in. Even though they were both at the far end of their respective sides, they still were so close to one another that their arms were almost touching, and when Akko shifted herself just a little, she instantly bumped into Diana.
"S-Sorry!"
"I-It's alright!" Diana quickly replied, ignoring the goosebumps on her skin at that simple contact.
They settled on an awkward silence again after that touch, and it made Diana even more ready to disappear off the face of the earth. In the quietness of the room, she tried to gather her thoughts. ...This is fine. I just need to forget that Atsuko Kagari is in my house, in my room, right next to me in my bed, and I'll be able to fall asleep. It'll be easy.
3 hours passed.
This isn't working.
With a quiet sigh, she leaned up a bit and was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. At least one of us is getting some rest. Diana smiled as she watched Akko's even breathing and the small, adorable sounds she was making in her sleep, the girl's body as relaxed as it could be. She could watch this forever. She then realized how much of a creep she was being and stopped right away.
Knowing that her bedmate had been able to fall asleep put her mind at ease, and with a yawn, she closed her eyes and lied down again, finally feeling the sleep overtaking her.
She almost screamed when she felt something clutching her arm, and she opened her eyes to see that Akko suddenly latched onto her side, the girl's head now resting on her shoulder. Diana could feel her heart almost beating out of her chest at this utterly unexpected turn of events, and she hoped it wasn't loud enough to wake up the sleeping beauty. Akko's body, her scent, and her warmth so close to her were all making her head spin, and she was suddenly very glad that Akko wasn't sharing a bed with Andrew. Trying to change her position would be impossible without waking up Akko, as her arm was fiercely hugged and her hand was dangerously close, so she just had to accept that the rest of the night was going to be like this.
Could this get any worse?
"...Diana..."
"Y-Yes?" Diana whispered immediately, but received no response. Opening her eyes again, she saw that Akko was still deep in her beauty sleep and sighed when she realized that she was just talking in her sleep.
False alarm. She is just dreaming about me.
...
WHAT?
Her eyes burst open again, but before her mind could get carried away with this, she calmed down and though about this with logic. There's nothing strange about this. Everyone has dreams with many people from their lives all of the time. I've myself had plenty of dreams with Barbara, Hannah, and even the Luna Nova staff. This doesn't mean anything. I'll forget it happened so I can finally get some rest.
"Diana...where's my kiss?"
When morning came, Atsuko Kagari slowly woke up. After a big yawn, she looked around and was confused by where she was until she remembered. Oh yeah. I'm in... Diana's bed... She blushed at the thought that she just spent the entire night here, and blushed even harder once she remembered the dream she just had. Being surrounded by everything Diana made her take over her dreams, and shaking her head to try and forget that, Akko turned her head to look at the girl herself, and saw that she was already awake, her eyes staring at the ceiling and with bags under them. "M-Morning."
"...Good morning."
"Are you... okay?"
"...I'm fine." Diana said, not looking fine, and she slowly got up from the bed, standing with her back turned to Akko, who couldn't help but be worried by the girl's state, but decided not to question it further. She already was able to help Diana with her troubles and convince her to return to Luna Nova, so she just needed to get ready to leave, forget about her dream, and everything will be fine.
"Akko... did you have a nice dream?"
Eh?
She must have said that out loud as Diana continued speaking. "P-Pardon my intrusion, but after everything that happened yesterday, I just wanted to know if you were able to have a nice rest and a good dream."
"Oh, right. Um..." Akko paused, remembering the way dream Diana gazed and smirked at her dream self before giving her what she asked. It still made her blush, but not in a bad way, and she giggled while tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yeah... I did."
"...I see."
It was hard to tell what the taller girl was currently thinking as she stood there without moving, and then, Diana finally reacted... by collapsing on the floor.
"D-Diana!"
After everything in the mansion was resolved, both girls were returning to Luna Nova in Diana's broom, and Akko was appreciating the view until Diana began speaking. "Akko..."
"Yep?"
"I don't know how to say this, but... I appreciate everything you've done for me yesterday."
Aw, that makes me happy!
...
Wait, what!? Akko thought as she had trouble believing that Diana Cavendish just said this to her. She didn't know what to say in response, so she just rubbed the back of her neck and laughed. "Oh, don't sweat it. I'm just glad I could help! And I knew you didn't want to leave Luna Nova."
Diana hummed. "You're correct. But speaking of leaving Luna Nova, what about you? Didn't you miss classes in the time you were here?"
"Ah... yes?"
Diana sighed. "Akko, I'm very glad for your help, but you need to focus on your studies."
"I know, I know, but don't worry, it's not like I was gonna pay attention anyways even if was there."
Diana didn't say anything after that, and after a moment, she started speaking again, but in a much quieter tone. "I..."
"Hm?"
"I-I'm already well versed... in the subjects that you missed, so... uhm... if y-you'd like...
"...If I'd like...?"
"...I could help you study... if you want it."
"Like... a study session with everyone else?"
Even the tip of Diana's ears were red as she answered. "N-No. Just the two of us... would be... more p-preferable."
Akko noticed how red Diana's ears were and how much she was stuttering, and with a smile, she wrapped her arms around her, resting her head on the girl's back. "I'd love that, Diana."
Even though she couldn't see Diana's face, the heartbeat reaching her ears told her everything she needed to know.