lovessorrow | "There'll be actual, real live people, it'll be totally strange,"

[Without a shadow of a doubt, Arendelle was one of the most beautiful (beautifullest) places if not the most beautiful one; Kaori doesn't and won't argue with that, she's been mesmerized by the kingdom Anna grew up in and can see why her friend loves her home so much. Not only it's a marvelous place—the inhabitants of Arendelle are the most friendly people Kaori has ever met, they would always answer her questions, no matter how weird they were (and those happened quite often because of, well, "generation gap"). During her stay, she tried to learn as much as possible about the kingdom both in theory and in practice. Anna was always by her side so they truly became inseparable—whatever Kaori wanted to try, Anna followed and wherever Anna had to go, Kaori accompanied her (unless she really had to go alone).

Needless to say that they had lots of fun together, but it was high time Kaori went back home. She promised her parents to come back soon, after all and she didn't want to worry them. However, Kaori returning to Tokyo didn't mean a farewell...even though Anna didn't know about it yet.

It made Kaori feel a little anxious, but she mustered up her courage and had a long talk with queen Elsa (her charming beauty really is something else, Anna was right!). Taking Anna away without asking her sister seemed wrong so she wanted to ask for permission, which she somehow got—she's still amazed how Elsa could make out what she was saying when she started to stutter (she was talking to a queen after all...who wouldn't get a little nervous?)—all she had to do was to give Anna lots of canelés when she'd be going back to Arendelle. Obviously, she didn't tell Anna about any of this. At least not until Kaori had to get through the portal, back to her bedroom.

They're standing in the front of a bizarre hole on the wall and keep saying goodbye for almost twenty minutes now. That's when Kaori flashes a grin at Anna and says:]

Come with me, Anna!

[ Well, with people like Anna and Elsa as their leaders, it's no surprise that everyone in Arendelle would be kind and caring, especially towards friends of the royal family. Ever since the whole Hope's Army incident happened, Arendelle's been seeing people from pretty much all walks of life, but Kaori was truly special, like something out of a fairy tale, and everyone knew it. To her credit, Anna could see Kaori had a wonderful time, and everyone did a marvelous job at making sure she was pampered like the royalty she was, telling her often that she was always welcome to come back whenever she wanted...but even though they were really just a trip through a portal away, it turned out that goodbye was still pretty hard. After all, they had made so many happy memories here that neither of them wanted the time to end, even though they had spent so long together already! She supposes, after getting so used to seeing each other every day, to go back to separating again was difficult.

She must have stopped Kaori from going in the portal to get one last hug in at least ten times by now, it was almost getting a little ridiculous at this point...but all of a sudden, when Kaori tells her to come with her, she stops just a bit short, more than a bit surprised... ]

W-wait, what?! Would that really be okay? I mean, I'd have to run it by Elsa and everyone, and the whole kingdom, and I didn't even pack or anything, but...

I mean...you'd really be okay with that? Me coming over to visit so soon?

[Just as expected, the sudden offer surprised Anna but truth to be told, Kaori's baffled by her friend's question. How could she even think that she's not okay with that? Hmph!]

Princess Kaori is quite powerful too, you know? [As she's wiggling her finger in front of Anna's face, Kaori chuckles softly.] So powerful that she managed to wake up early in the morning, sneak out from the chamber and find your sister to ask for a permission. Guess what she said? [A dramatic pause...] She said yes!

[By now everything should be taken care of...well, maybe apart from Anna's luggage. She still has to pack her stuff but that shouldn't be much of a problem, right?]

I'll just pretend that you didn't ask that, you're always welcome at my place! My parents want to meet you and I promised them I'll bring you to our house! They're going to be REALLY disappointed if you don't come.

[Actually, Kaori's already walking away from the portal to help Anna pack her things.]

So much for "don't treat me like a princess"...

[ But that is some incredible power. To make Elsa bend is no easy task, after all! But honestly, even if Elsa had said no, she'd probably have found some way to convince her; Kaori is a bit like Anna, in that regard. Both stubborn as can be.

Still, now she can't help but smile. That she'd go so far to sneak out and ask Elsa if she could go on another trip with her... ]

Well, I want to meet them, too. And all your friends back home! I have to meet this Kousei and see if he gets the Princess Anna Seal of Approval, you know!

[ Thankfully, packing doesn't take too long, and she just stuffs one of these with all of her essentials. Shame she can't bring the whole piano from the ballroom, but she figures Kaori will have one of those not too far from home...handy dandy portal gun, and, they're good! ]

Okay, I'm ready to go..!

[When Anna points out what Kaori said on her first day in Arendelle, she can't help blushing a bit. In fact, she truly enjoyed her stay, although it's not only because of the princess thing—most of all she enjoyed it because she get to know Anna better.

Her blush becomes a few hues brighter just a minute later, though.]

P-Princess Anna Seal of Approval? Kousei's just a friend, you know! He's just Friend A!

[She's not sure who is she trying to fool anymore...but before the meeting Kaori surely has to properly explain the situation to Anna.

When it comes to packing her stuff, Anna's lightning speed amazes Kaori who just watches her run around gathering her belongings. Soon, they're all set, so Kaori takes her friend's hand in hers and takes turns looking at Anna and then at the portal.]

I wonder how many worlds are out there. Before we met I had no idea that they all existed...ah! [Kaori shakes her head.] We can't waste anymore time!

[They go through the hole, holding all their packages. Just like the first time, the whole "journey" takes merely a few seconds. Their surroundings get engulfed in a bright light, but a moment later they both can hear a warm, feminine voice.]

Mom, Dad! We're home!

[Kaori doesn't let go of Anna's hand at all, just drags her along and they both end up being embraced by both of her parents. The best thing about this is that the hug feels so natural, just like Anna was always there.]

[ Getting to know Kaori better was something she wouldn't trade for the world, either; Anna found it amazing that even though they've been basically living together for months already, here they are, still having fun and learning new things about each other; sometimes when you're with someone for too long, you start to get a bit bored with their company, but with Kaori, that's never happened even once. It was its own kind of incredible. ]

Just Friend A, huh? Really now? He sounds a heck of a lot more important to you than that...but we'll have to gossip later! As for how many worlds are out there...well, I think there are as many as there are stars in the sky. Maybe even more than that! But I do think that we should go on an adventure or two sometime. See a whole bunch of them...I'm sure there are lots of interesting ones out there, right?

[ And if there's any friend she'd love to go to all sorts of fun places with, it'd be her. But with bags in hand, she steps right through to the other side...and before she knows it, she's caught up in this huge hug, with a new family. Mr and Mrs Miyazono seemed like such caring people...and so spirited, too! So full of life and energy, just like their daughter...and, they give darn good hugs, which was always a plus. Anna didn't feel out of place for a second, caught up in such a warm embrace... ]

T-thank you so much for having me! I'm Anna! I-it's a pleasure to meet you both!

[ When it's finally time to let go, she figures she's supposed to bow, isn't she? She doesn't really know how formal she is or isn't supposed to be, but, better not to take any chances with new people, right? That said, now that she's out of Arendelle, she doesn't want to come off as too royal or princess-like, despite the fact that she didn't really have a chance to change out of her very princess-like dress...just being a normal teenager is more than fine in a place like this one. ]

[When they released both girls from their embrace, both Mr and Mrs Miyazono began to bow, especially after seeing Anna doing it. Kaori watches her parents being all anxious in the presence of a princess, but steps in before they actually say anything.]

Hey, I've told you that it's not necessary...

[It seems like embarrassed Kaori is scolding them, but they end up laughing softly and pull both Anna and Kaori into another hug. Her parents can't thank Anna enough for making her daughter so cheerful, even though their experience in horror school wasn't the most pleasant ones.]

I know you're missed me and really wanted to meet Anna, but...!

[Her protest is ignored, though. Her parents want to take their sweet time hugging them, but it's understandable, even though it makes her blush.]

I hope you don't mind... [She can barely speak after her Dad hugs them even harder so it's a whisper more than anything.]

[ She can't say she didn't expect this, but, well, there's a reason she doesn't usually introduce herself as a princess! And she can't help but smile as she gets hugged again; it's the last thing she would complain about. Really, after everything they've been through, if they had all the time in the world for hugs, she'd never let go of anyone. Kaori, her parents, Lucina, Elsa...she wants to hold all of them and never let go. ]

I--oof..!

[ That one was tight, but those are the best kinds of hugs! ]

I'd never complain about hugs, trust me! B-besides, now I can see where you get it from...

[ It's obvious these are people who loved their daughter with everything they had, so it must have been horrible to have her just sort of vanish right out of the blue, and to such a bad place. ...At least she's determined to make sure that doesn't happen again. ]

You come from an amazing family...

[ So amazing that even now, she feels like she's a part of it. ]

I'm glad! [Partly because there's no escape from this embrace and partly because she really wanted to make Anna feel like at home. Thankfully, with her parents around it wasn't difficult at all.] They hugged me like that for an hour when I got back...it's definitely not a bad thing, but I'm a big girl now...!

[Speaking of big girls...in the tangle of arms, Kaori finally finds the one belonging to her dad. She pulls at his sleeve restlessly, just like children do.]

Dad, Dad! Is it ready? Is it?! You know, the thing!

[She puts her index finger on her lips to make sure her Dad doesn't spoil the surprise. Kaori should have more faith in her parents because they know how to keep a secret and doesn't say anything until they're downstairs a few minutes later.

The bakery's closed for today and on one of the tables there's a huge, three-tiered chocolate cake with lots of decorations. Kaori doesn't say it just yet, but she gave her Dad the ideas and even helped him a bit (she gained some experience in baking back at the school, after all!). She may not be saying anything but it's clear how proud she is of the coconut candies which form the snowmen scattered on the first tier. The next tier is also Kaori's idea, but this time she needed her parents' help to make it look perfect—it indeed does look just like she wanted it to be; the sides of the second tier look just like piano keys. When it comes to the decorations on the final tier, they're rather scarce...on the top of the cake there are two characters: one with brown braided pigtails and the other with long, blond hair.]

Surprise!

[ She almost wants to interject, Kaori, you're fourteen, you still have a long way to go, but she decides against it, because after everything she's been through, yeah, to say she's a big girl would certainly not be inaccurate. In the months she's known her, Kaori has been more mature than some adults she knows, really. There are people who would've taken the situation they were in a lot more poorly...

So Anna just nods, looking a little confused..until she goes downstairs and sees, well, that.

Oh my goodness. The sight of it alone...she doesn't know what's getting more watery, her eyes or her mouth. The cake is gorgeous; too gorgeous, even. Between the snowmen, the piano, and even the little figures of the two of them on top...it's enough to make her want to cry. It's absolutely amazing, and she wishes she could just stare at it forever, but...

At the same time, it looks delicious. She doesn't know where to start, what to take a bite of first. She's never seen anything so amazing-looking in her whole life. No baker in Arendelle could make anything like this; Kaori's parents were on another level. ]

...It's beautiful...

[ She'd ask to take a picture in front of it, but, she's kind of starting to cry. Oops. ]

[Kaori and her parents watch Anna's every move in complete silence. Well, Kaori is taking peeks at the cake as well because she hasn't seen it completed; she made the decorations before coming to Arendelle and her Dad put everything together when she was away.

They've spent a lot of time together, so Kaori was sure that Anna would love it, but she didn't expect her friend to start crying. All of them—Kaori, her Mom and her Dad—rush to Anna to offer her a tissue...and a squeeze. Miyazono family is a really affectionate one, after all.

When Kaori's Dad notices her daughter is on the verge of tears and will soon join Anna in crying, he speaks up and challenges both of them to eat the whole cake by themselves.]

But Dad...it's so big!

[For the first time in her life, Kaori's not sure whether she'll manage to eat a cake or not.]

I-I almost feel bad about eating it! It's so wonderful, I don't think I can bring myself to ruin it!

[ It's such a shame, but...eventually, she wipes away her tears. She didn't mean to start crying right off the bat, but, with a bit of a sniffle, she looks back at the cake and then up at the family...she can't help herself, she's still floored by how beautiful it looks! And the work that they must have put in...it shows a lot, and she wishes there was some way she could repay them. She'll think of something, for sure, but for now... ]

A-at the very least, I think we should maybe take a picture in front of it! J-just, y'know, so we have a way to remember how great it looks...

I mean, I should stop crying first, but...

[Kaori feels the same but doesn't say it loud, they've made it for them to eat it, after all! But it really came out nicely. This time it's not a family hug, just Kaori wrapping her arms around Anna. Needless to say that tears are flowing down her cheeks as well.]

That's a great idea! And you're right, you should stop crying first. [Sniffle.] We've got to smile, no tears allowed! How about we take a photo with your phone? You'll send it to me later. It'll make a great wallpaper!

[A little while later Kaori's Mom follows them in crying...it's always left for Dad to save the day, apparently. With a smile he asks Anna for her phone so he can take the photo.]

Edited 2016-01-22 16:05 (UTC)

[ She actually nearly forgot that thing could take pictures...she didn't mean to start this whole crying train, so, she forces herself to hold back the rest of her tears, even though her eyes will be a little puffy. This is gonna be one heck of a photo, the two of them with bright red faces, fresh after crying. Still, she hands Kaori's dad her phone in camera mode, and holds Kaori right by the waist, pulling her in and squeezing her close. ]

O-okay, strike a pose!

[ She's never had to model for a painting before, so she can't imagine what it must be like holding a ridiculous pose like the one she's doing is for too long, but, a picture's pretty quick, and she wants to make sure the cake's in full view between them. ...Besides, making Kaori laugh will help her stop crying, too, which is always good! ]

[Kaori tries her best to hold back her tears and succeeds, for the sake for the photo. Being pulled by Anna makes her let out a quiet chuckle as she raises her hand, fingers formed into a V sign.]

Cheese!

[She can tell that her Dad took at least twenty photos, but that's a good thing. They can choose the best one after! He gives the phone back to Anna with an apologetic smile.]

So now...let's eat! Princesses first.

If it's princesses first, then the younger princess gets to eat the first slice, and that's you, right?

[ She takes the phone back with a bit of a smile...do her parents know Kaori's an honorary princess? If not, she's gonna be telling them all about it...at least, until she gets that first bit of cake in her mouth and from there it's just woah ]

I don't think I've ever had a better piece of cake in my whole life, and I've eaten a lot of cakes before...

[Kaori's parents just look at themselves, most certainly holding back and trying not to laugh. They're probably going to call Kaori a princess every time from now on. Although, they insist on Anna to take her slice first. In the end they start eating almost at the same time, their reactions being quite similar.

Kaori hums happily and nods vigorously after Anna gave her opinion on the cake.]

Yes, it's the best! And it's only the beginning...

[There are so many places that Kaori wants to show her! The music room, the roof, the river, the music hall...it's even hard to decide where to go first.]

Edited 2016-01-22 20:03 (UTC)

[ GOOD SHE DESERVES IT ]

Y-yeah, that's right! I've never actually been to Japan before, so you'll have to show me all around...I only know the big places. You're gonna make fun of me if I try to pronounce them...the only things I can say right are Shibuya and Shinjuku...but I know there's that other place, Akibasomethingsomething, and Ickybukero...

[ She's really bad with Japanese names, forgive her... ]

T-that stuff doesn't really matter, though! I want to see all of your favorite places!

Oh, right!

[She's been thinking about showing her around the school after they barely got out of another...how dense she can get? There are so many fun places in Tokyo, after all!]

Please...like I would make fun of you. Besides, remember when I tried to pronounce Arendelle for the first time?

[It took her quite some time to make Arendelle sound like Arendelle and not like Arundeer.]

We'll visit all those places, I promise you! Your first trip to Japan must be an unforgettable one! How about we rest for today, though? It's getting pretty late!

[ It's not a big deal; Anna's only ever thought of schools as horrific sorts of places, so seeing one where Kaori has a lot of happy memories would have been more than fine by her. A reminder of what places like that are supposed to be like. ]

Look, it's a pretty hard language, I wasn't judging you any! I thought you did a pretty good job trying to pronounce it the first time!

Getting some sleep would be fine by me, though. I mean, we kind of tired ourselves out back at my place...and I wasn't expecting to come here with you, so, we did try to cram as much as we could into our last day back there.

Um, thank you again, by the way. For all of this. It's...well, it's already unforgettable, really.

Yeah, right...

[She still remembers it quite well...it was really embarrassing, too.]

We'll get some sleep buuuut first things first!

[Kaori's pointing at the cake in front of them. Some of it is already gone, but they still have a way to go. Which makes her wonder if they can really eat it whole...after a few more pieces, Kaori is full already.]

M-Maybe we should finish...tomorrow...

If we eat another bite of it, I think my stomach's actually going to explode, but it's so good...

[ S-she's trying her hardest to get through the whole dessert, but, it's just too big of a cake, even for big eaters like the two of them... ]

L-look, we'll just...eat the rest for breakfast or something! It's not like we've never eaten cake for breakfast before!

[Kaori's Mom raises her eyebrow at that and asks them straight away if that's true. In response, Kaori laughs nervously and explains that it happened just a few times...and never adds that she meant few times in a month.

To escape more inconvenient questions about their diet and other stuff, Kaori stands up and pulls Anna, wanting both of them to go upstairs, to her bedroom.]

I hope that we won't have to eat only vegetables from now on...

[She murmurs...and chuckles a little while after. No, her parents wouldn't do such a thing.

When they arrive at Kaori's room, she rushes to the wardrobe to pull out pajamas for Anna and herself.]

Your friend is a hopeless Snoopy fan...

Sorry, sorry...!

[ She's laughing, though, as she's tugged right up the stairs. She should have probably whispered that in front of her parents, but, she figures... ]

They're bakers, they'll understand...we worked so hard in the baking club that it'd be a shame if we let all of the desserts we made go to waste, right?

[ What cute pajamas, though... ]

He's cute...I've never seen him before! But he's really adorable, is he from, like, an anime or something?

[ Someone please teach this girl about Charlie Brown... ]

I explained the situation to them but I'm still worried that they'll make me eat less sweets now that I'm home...They were really disgusted when I told them about the mochi. Have you tried them?

[If she did, Kaori hopes that she at least got to taste the real ones, not with the, well... rather original stuffings.]

They were really happy to hear that I joined it...and that you've become the president, too!

[It's high time for the Peanuts 101 to begin.]

Snoopy? No, he's a comic strip character! He's Charlie Brown's dog...he's got a friend named Woodstock, he's a small bird. Wait a second...

[It takes a moment, but Kaori finally gathers a few books filled with Peanuts comic strips and shows them to Anna, explaining who is who.]

Look, this one is my favorite!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject