Three's A Comfortable Crowd (ch2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!!

This chapter will be the first to focus on one of the pairs between the three. This one is MahiKaren.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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						Chapter 2.

It's a very unusual Saturday in Starlight Hall, to say the very least.

All morning long, Mahiru has been training both Karen and Hikari in how to properly (and safely) complete various chores. She has to admit she'd been a little nervous about letting them into the kitchen around knives and stoves and ovens though, so she'd stuck to just doing things of extremely low risk, such as folding laundry and changing bed sheets.

She's coached them in these things for several weeks now, and they're actually starting to get the hang of them for the most part. And Mahiru has to admit she loves doing the chores even more with them helping her, though she does have to keep an eye on each of them.

Just as they're finishing up changing all the clean sheets and laying out the washed, warm fluffy blankets in their room, Mahiru wipes her forehead with an accomplished sigh.

"We did it! That's all of our chores for today!"

Karen gives a few loud, enthusiastic claps.

"Wow! We did it! And we still have two hours until lunchtime! What should we do till then?"

Hikari, who's been sitting on her sleeping space on the floor, begins her answer off with a yawn.

"We could sleep," she murmurs. "The blankets are still really warm from the dryer…"

"Hmm, that's true…" Karen goes over to her bed and pats the blankets that are still nice and toasty. "But it's such a beautiful day out! I kinda wanna go outside and do something!"

"I agree!" Mahiru smiles. "I love the feeling of the warm blankets, but I love the warm sun even more!"

"You're right." Hikari pushes herself up to her feet and yawns again. "We should go outside…"

"Hikari-chan?" Karen taps her shoulder, then waves her hand in front of her face. "Your eyes are closed."

"They are…?" Hikari rubs her eyes and opens them, as if she really hadn't realized they'd fallen shut. "Oh."

"Hikari-chan, are you okay?" Mahiru frets. "You don't have a fever, do you? You did have a really long practice for your role yesterday."

Hikari shakes her head.

"No. I'm fine."

"I think Mahiru-chan's right," Karen frowns. "On top of your rehearsal yesterday, you worked really hard with the chores this morning. And you almost nodded off at breakfast, too…"

"Oh yeah…" Hikari blinks, thinking back to earlier this morning. But she doesn't realize that she doesn't lift her eyelids up again after blinking, and her eyes stay closed. Karen and Mahiru share a hopeless little smile.

"Okay," Mahiru says. "It's decided then. Karen-chan and I will go outside, and you stay in here and rest, okay, Hikari-chan? It's a waste not to have anyone enjoying these nice warm blankets, so that can be your job!"

"Mm… Okay…"

So both Mahiru and Karen put an arm around Hikari's back, and gently ease her down to kneel beside her bed. Karen pulls aside the warm blankets, and Mahiru helps Hikari lie down before draping them over her.

"How's that?" she asks. "Comfy?"

Hikari's only response is a soft, cute, hum.

"Mmm…"

"Here!" Karen picks up her jellyfish plushie and holds it out to her. "Mr. Jellyfish can help keep you cozy!"

"Mr. White, too!" Mahiru says, picking up another plushie.

Hikari doesn't even open her eyes as she reaches her arms up sleepily and holds onto each plushie before pulling them to her chest. A tiny smile forms on her lips, and she's asleep within seconds.

Karen and Mahiru watch her fondly for a moment.

"She really was tired, huh?" Karen says.

"She worked really hard," Mahiru agrees. "She deserves a nice long nap."

"Right!" Karen gets to her feet now and offers Mahiru her hand. "Then the two of us will enjoy the outdoors in the meantime, Mahiru-chan!"

Mahiru smiles and accepts her hand.

"Right!"

So the two of them tiptoe their way across the room as not to rouse Hikari, though at this point she's so deeply and comfortably asleep holding her plushies that an earthquake probably wouldn't wake her. Karen and Mahiru put on some sneakers before quietly closing the door behind themselves.

As they make their way down the hall toward the exit, Karen is half-marching and half-skipping.

"What do you wanna do, Mahiru-chan?"

"Hmm… Maybe we could go for a walk around campus?"

"Sure! That sounds nice!"

Mahiru's heart does a giddy little whirl, and a skip comes into her step as well. As soon as they step outside, Karen spreads her arms.

"Ahhh, it's so nice out! The sky is so blue! It's mar… mar… uh…"

"Marvelous?"

"Yeah! It's marvelous!"

Mahiru giggles as she follows after her energetic roommate. Karen hurries out onto the little cobblestone path that leads all around campus. Mahiru smiles, sighing happily at the feeling of the warm air and sun on her skin. She closes her eyes for a moment and lets it all soak in.

"Come on, Mahiru-chan! Let's go for our walk!"

When Mahiru next opens her eyes, Karen is offering her hand. Her heart jumps again as she blushes slightly and accepts.

The pair walk along the path around Seishou's main building, passing by various little flower beds and blossoming blushes.

"Ah!" Mahiru points out some of the colorful flowers. "Those are rhododendrons! And those are snapdragons!"

"Wow, Mahiru-chan you're amazing! I just thought they were all daisies."

"Ahaha!"

They continue their little walk together for a few moments. Mahiru keeps subtly adjusting her fingers in Karen's grip, trying to air out her palm so it won't get sweaty.

As they round one corner of the building, a smaller structure catches Karen's eye. It's a supply shed (the same one Hikari had once locked her in so she couldn't go to the giraffe's auditions). It gives her an idea.

"Oh! Mahiru-chan, come with me!"

"E-Eh?" Mahiru yelps in confusion as Karen suddenly starts pulling her along toward the shed. To her slight disappointment, Karen lets go of her hand in favor of undoing the lock on the shed door, but Mahiru peers curiously over her shoulder. "Karen-chan?"

"Hmm, lemme see…" Karen enters the shed and begins scouring the shelves and buckets of various supplies in search of something in particular. There are plenty of things they'd use for gym class, like various kinds of balls and hoops and nets, as well as cleaning supplies. Karen traverses her way around and rummages through the bins and shelves.

"Hmm not these… not these either…"

"Karen-chan?" Mahiru waits in the doorway, still puzzled as to what she could be looking for. And then suddenly-

"Aha!"

"Eep!"

Mahiru squeaks at Karen's sudden victorious outcry, until she sees what her roommate has pulled out.

"Ta-daaaah!" Karen is holding up a green-and-white bat in one hand, and a baseball and pitcher's mit in the other, wearing a huge grin on her face. "Let's play some baseball, Mahiru-chan!"

"Eh...?" Mahiru has to admit she feels her heart get a little excited. "R-Really? You're okay with that, Karen-chan?"

"Of course! I know you love baseball, and it'll be some good exercise and practice! So let's do it!"

Mahiru smiles so wide her cheeks start to hurt.

"Okay!"

Karen makes her way back to her with the supplies in-hand, then together the two of them venture out into one of the spacious, grassy fields on campus. Karen hands Mahiru the ball and mit.

"Here, you pitch first, Mahiru-chan! I'll bat!" With this, Karen turns around and starts dashing off, but Mahiru stops her.

"Ah, K-Karen-chan? Maybe you should stand over there so when you hit the ball it won't go towards the building…"

"Oh! Good idea! As expected of Mahiru-chan!" So Karen turns around and starts running off in the opposite direction. Mahiru smiles and puts on the mit as she watches her, but has to call after her again when Karen runs far beyond the limits of where any human being could ever throw the ball. "K-Karen-chan? That's a little too far away…"

"Oh! Sorry!"

When Karen finally positions herself at a reasonable distance, Mahiru does some stretches to loosen up her arms and shoulders. Karen does the same, and when they're ready they share a glance and nod.

"Okay!" Mahiru calls. "Here it comes!"

She winds up her arm a little and lifts one leg in a perfectly-poised stance. Karen bends her knees and readies her bat, keeping her eye on the ball. Mahiru brings her hand back and tosses.

"There!"

And she really isn't sure what to expect from Karen. To be completely honest, she probably isn't expecting her to hit it at all.

But to her surprise, there's a loud clang as Karen bats it rather nicely and sends the ball flying back over Mahiru's head.

"Yes!" Karen yells. "Okay, gotta run!" She drops the bat and takes off sprinting. Mahiru also turns to run after the ball.

"Karen-chan, you don't have to run! We didn't set up any bases and it's just the two of us…"

"But running is more fun!"

Mahiru chuckles and continues chasing the ball. Karen makes a wide arc in the grass behind her, laughing and panting all the while. Mahiru eventually finds the ball in the grass and begins making her way back just as Karen loops around and passes the spot where she's started.

"And it's a home run! Woohoo!"

"Great job, Karen-chan!" Mahiru beams. "You're really good!"

"Thanks! I practiced a lot!"

"Oh, that's right! That time you won that Mr. White plush for Hikari-chan."

"Yeah!"

Mahiru admires her from a distance, and the sight of Karen's humble grin makes her heart warm.

"You're always so considerate, Karen-chan. You even suggested playing baseball today because you knew I liked it."

"Well, yeah! You're always doing all the chores and stuff, Mahiru-chan! You deserve to have some fun, too!" Karen picks up the bat and gets into her crouch again. "All right, round two! Let's go!"

Mahiru giggles.

"All right! Here it comes!"

And the second pitch goes about how she expected it to, with Karen giving a huge extravagant swing and then missing by a mile. The ball bounces past her and rolls off.

"Aw! I thought I had it!"

"You were close!" Mahiru says. "Try again!"

Karen picks up the ball and throws it back to her, and the third time she manages to bunt it halfway back.

They continue on like this for a little while, with Karen hitting about half of Mahiru's pitches, and both girls running off to run the invisible bases or to fetch the ball. They soon switch roles though, and Karen takes up the mit and ball while handing Mahiru the bat.

"Okay," she says, bouncing in place. "I'm not sure if I'm that good at pitching, but I'll do my best!"

"It's okay! We're just having fun!" Mahiru reminds her.

Karen copies the arm and shoulder stretches she'd seen Mahiru do earlier and winds herself up a bit, watching her friend take up her batting stance as well.

"Oooh! Mahiru-chan, you look like a professional!"

"R-Really? Thanks! Though I don't think professionals would play in skirts…"

"It's fine! You look super cute!"

Of course, the comment makes Mahiru blush, and her knees wobble a little bit. But by the time Karen's ready to pitch, Mahiru has composed herself again and gets ready.

"Okay!" Karen shouts. "Here I go!"

"Right!"

Karen twirls her arm around in big circles and makes a charging-up kind of noise.

"Haaaaaa… There!"

And then she releases the ball - only, it doesn't go toward Mahiru. Instead, it goes rocketing straight up into the sky and nearly out of sight into the sun. Karen stares up after it.

"Ah. Oops."

"K-Karen-chan! Look out!"

But Mahiru's warning comes too late, and the ball plummets back down and bonks Karen right on the head.

"Wah-! Ouch!" Karen drops into a crouch in the grass, rubbing her head awkwardly with the big pitcher's mit. Mahiru drops her bat and hurries over in a fluster.

"K-Karen-chan! Are you okay? Do you need to go to the nurse?" She kneels down beside her and reaches out to gently rub her friend's head. Karen gives herself a little shake like a wet dog.

"No! I'll be okay! It only hurt a little bit!"

"A-Are you sure? Maybe we should take a break…"

"No need!" Karen grins up at her. "It's already feeling much better, Mahiru-chan! Your touch is like magic!"

"M-My-?" Mahiru feels another heated blush coming on, and her heart starts to flutter again. Karen nuzzles into her shoulder and gives her a little hug.

"Yeah! I think it's better already! I'm good to go, Mahiru-chan!" To demonstrate that she's fine, Karen helps Mahiru up as she jumps to her feet, then gives them both a spin. "See? I'm all good! Promise!"

"I-If you're sure…" Mahiru gives Karen's head one last gentle pat. "But just for good measure… this is something I'd do with my siblings whenever they got hurt." Her heart pounds a little faster, but she goes through with in and leans in to press a soft kiss to Karen's head. Karen sighs blissfully.

"Yeah! I can feel it's all better already! Thanks, Mahiru-chan!"

Karen gives her another appreciative hug, and Mahiru giggles delightedly.

"I'm glad you're okay. Should we keep playing, then?"

"Yeah!"

So they take up their prior positions once more, and this time Karen throws the ball toward Mahiru very nicely. But Mahiru doesn't bat it, which puzzles her friend.

"Ehhh? Mahiru-chan, why didn't you hit it? I thought that was a good one!"

"It was," Mahiru assures her. "But I could tell I wouldn't have hit it properly."

"Don't you get a strike, though?"

"Yes."

"Uh-oh! Will she get a home run like the Amazing Aijou did? You'll have to stay tuned and see, folks!"

"Karen-chan, who are you talking to…?"

Karen chuckles as Mahiru tosses her the ball back, and she goes for a second pitch.

"All right, here it comes! And… there!"

This time when she throws it, Mahiru takes her swing. With an echoing clang, the ball goes soaring even farther than Karen's best hits had gone. Karen's jaw drops open as she watches it fly.

"Whoa! Holy canole, Mahiru-chan! That's amazing! But I still might be able to get you out!" She takes off running after the ball like an excited puppy.

"Eh? K-Karen-chan-"

Mahiru hadn't planned on running around the invisible bases like her roommate had, but seeing her getting so into this little game of theirs has really ignited the spark in Mahiru's spirit, too. So she rolls her long skirt up a bit and takes off running around the same arc Karen had run.

At the same time, Karen is energetically chasing after the ball, coaching herself all the while.

"I got this! I got this!"

The ball finally lands in the grass, and she sprints to dive forward and grab it.

"Hah! Now all I gotta do is run back and tag her!"

But as soon as Karen pops up and turns back around, she sees Mahiru standing back where she'd started, panting and waving with a smile.

"I made it!"

Karen grins back.

"And she made it folks! Wow! What a hit, and a home run to boot! Incredible!" Karen jogs back to her pitcher's mound and sings Mahiru more praises until she's a blushing mess.

They continue on for a while longer, with Mahiru making similarly impressive hits almost every time she swings, though she does do a few bunts in between when Karen is looking particularly sweaty from all the running around. And Karen manages to tag her and get her 'out' a few times, too.

They play and laugh and have a good time until about thirty minutes before lunchtime. By now, both of them are healthily flushed in the face, but they both agree it's time to stop. As they walk to each other, both girls are panting, but smiling.

"Wow!" Karen whistles. "Mahiru-chan, you're totally amazing!"

"Thanks…!" she says breathlessly. "You're really... good too, Karen-chan!"

"Thanks! Are you okay, Mahiru-chan?"

"Y…Yeah…" she smiles. "I think I just wanna sit down for a minute."

"Yeah, of course!"

They leave the bat, ball, and mit in a pile. Karen takes Mahiru's hand and guides her a little ways to a nearby tree that's providing a good area of shade.

They sit down together, and Karen flops onto her back, spreading her arms as if making a snow angel. Mahiru hesitates, but eventually copies her - after all, she doesn't mind if their clothes get grass stains if it means Karen and Hikari will be helping her with the laundry from now on.

She spreads her arms a little and finally catches her breath, gazing up through the canopy of green leaves where the sunlight is dappling through. Karen enjoys the feeling of the shade too before turning her head to look her friend over.

"Mahiru-chan? Should I go get us some water?"

But Mahiru shakes her head.

"No, that's all right. We can get some at lunchtime…"

"Okay! Until then, we should follow Hikari-chan's example and take a nap out here! Just rest our eyes!"

"That… sounds kind of nice…" Mahiru gives a tiny little yawn, which in turn makes Karen yawn, too.

"Yeah…" she mutters. "Just for a few minutes…"

They both sigh and close their eyes. Karen turns onto her side, her hand finding Mahiru's as she gives a little squeeze and scooches close to her, lazily draping one arm across her stomach. At first Mahiru makes a small embarrassed whimper, but after a moment she relaxes and enjoys being this close to her, squeezing her hand in return.

They end up dozing off as planned, but for a bit longer than they'd intended.

Back inside the dorm, Hikari instinctively wakes up about five minutes before lunch to find her roommates aren't back yet, so she ventures out to search for them. When she finds them lying in the grass sleeping, she can't think of much else to do than go back inside, pick up one of her blankets, and bring it out for them. She covers them both and then lies down on Mahiru's other side and curls up to nap together with them.

Of course, their friends come looking for them half an hour later when all three girls miss lunch. They wake them up and scold them for falling asleep outdoors on campus like a bunch of little kids, but there's laughter all around as they help the trio up and bring them inside for lunch.

And of course, Karen and Hikari help Mahiru out with washing the blanket that evening, and all three girls cuddle up in its warmth before falling asleep on the floor together.

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A/N: I think this is my first proper MahiKaren! It was so much fun to let them have fun! I knew right away I wanted them to do baseball and have Karen bonk herself haha. I love writing Karen and her energy, and having Mahiru to balance her out is always entertaining. And though Hikari was barely in this, I feel I did her character justice, too.