"If," Zero Two began, "you start fearing what others would think about the love you share, everything will only crumble apart in the end. Honesty opens the window to the beauty of who you are. You are humans, after all." Hiro was surprised at Zero Two's speech, as she had never spoken in such a philosophical manner before. In an instant, though, Zero Two reverted to her usual bubbly self. Giving Yuzu a hug, she peeped, "Anyway, it's bedtime, and I think darling wants to sleep now, too. We have plenty of time to talk tomorrow! Goodnight!" "Goodnight," the others all replied, and with a sweeping bow, the two were out the door. "Well, I guess I'll do the same," Ichigo said as they left. "Goodnight!" **************** Ryūko was alone in the bath, being the last person in there. God, the water's cold already, the delinquent said to herself. I probably should have done it a lot earlier. Damn it, I should have gone with Satsuki. Anyhow, where's Mako? Her question was promptly answered as her bouncy bestie entered the bath herself. "Ryūko-chan?!" Mako exclaimed. "Why are you so late to take a bath, too? Did Lady Satsuki force you to?" Ryūko's face reddened. "You could say that," she blurted out. "Satsuki's so nitpicky about hygiene, especially when we're sharing the bed..." Mako's eyes brightened. "YOU'RE SHARING A BED WITH LADY SATSUKI?!?!" she gushed in disbelief. "THAT'S AMAZING, RYŪKO-CHAN! SHE PROBABLY WANTS TO CUDDLE WI-" "No she's not!" Ryūko immediately shot out. "She doesn't want the bed to get dirty, is all." "Eh?" Mako blinked. "I'm pretty sure there's more to what she said than meets the eye, Ryūko-chan! Lemme know how she smells tonight, okay?" Ryūko rolled her eyes. "What the hell would I want to smell my own sister for???" she replied. "Certainly you don't mean-" Suddenly it all hit Ryūko as to what her friend had been referring to the whole time. She facepalmed so hard she almost knocked herself out. "Knock it off, Mako!" she whined. "Why the hell are you frigging SHIPPING me with MY OWN SISTER?!" "Mm? I'm not even shipping you two, Ryūko-chan," Mako replied. "I'm just stating the facts! See, when she's not talking to you, Lady Satsuki's the battle-shouting, heel-stomping, eye-blinding, intimidating figure everyone in Honnouji Academy will never forget. But," said Mako, "when Lady Satsuki's around you, she's soft as velvet and warm as mittens. Are you so dense that you don't even notice that, Ryūko-chan?" At these words, Ryūko completely forgot about the cold bath water as she realized that this was absolutely true. Her onee really cared for her, after all, going so far as to avenge her supposed death at the hands of their wicked mother. She sat lost in thought for a few seconds, pondering these things. In the meantime, Mako stripped and entered the bath herself. At last, Ryūko doused her face with water and stood up. "I gotta admit," she finally replied, "I never did notice that, Mako. Heck, I wonder how I could've missed it." "Well, don't worry!" Mako replied. "You should really take care of Lady Satsuki as much as she does for you. She adores you, Ryūko-chan, and I wouldn't be surprised if it went so far as to say she might even have feelings for you!" "Oh god," said Ryūko, putting her face in her hands. "I'd be really embarrassed if this were actually true." "But remember, Ryūko-chan," Mako continued, "Lady Satsuki's been through a lot in her life, too. I'm certain she has a weak place in her heart, and it's your duty as her sister to support her."