#i am looking forward to seeing the other entries too!!! eek!!!!!!

[revelationwing]

AAAAAAAAAAAAA (< scared)

[prettyallfriends]

PriPara: Aim to Become No. 1 in the Idol☆Grand Prix: Prologue+Ch 1 English Translation

(I originally planned to translate the PriPara games after finishing the Pretty Rhythm ones, but I think I’ll try to juggle them instead! The PriPara 3DS games have a main story along with character side stories, I will do them in unlock order. Like with my other current translation, choices will be in bold, and the Player character’s name is just Player.)

Prologue

??? (Meganee): Welcome to Prism Stone! Play PriPara, where anyone can enjoy an idol debut and wear a lot of trendy coords!

Girl: Yaaaay! I made my debut as an idol! And I got a tomoticket! Woaaah, what a cute coord! Let’s snap tomotickets! Mine will be in high demand soon, because I’m definitely gonna be No. 1 in the Idol☆Grand Prix!

??? (Meganee): Everyone’s a friend! Everyone’s an idol! Will you also try going to the world of PriPara? 

Choice: Of course I will! / There’s no way I could be an idol…

??? (Meganee): Nice response! Please enjoy your idol life! You’ve a really nice smile, an idol’s talent is their shining smile! What kind of idol will you end up becoming…? And what kind of fans will you make smile…? I can’t wait to see! I’ve been searching for someone like you… But before that I’ve been wondering, who are you? Looks like introductions are in order!

Meganee: My name is Akai Meganee. I help everyone with their coords. Feel free to call me Meganee! ...Huh? I’m being pushy? That’s because of the system! Hehehe. Anyway, before you go to PriPara, could you tell me a bit about yourself?

(Mychara creation)

Meganee: Thanks for telling me all that! I feel like I know you quite well now. Player-chan, it’s nice to meet you! Well then, let’s get going. Let’s go! PriPa-...

???: Winwinwinwinwinwin…

Meganee: Huh!? That siren… Meganii-san!?

Meganii: It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Akai Meganii. I felt a woooonderful idol aura from around here… Ah, you must be the one to whom that aura belongs to. 

Meganee: Player-chan is going to debut today. Maybe they’ll become popular and shine in the Idol☆Grand Prix!

Meganii: I see… They certainly have a bright smile. I heard the power of your smile say “Come over here~!” after all. Player-san, please allow me to cheer for you during your idol debut. I shall give you the power to design a My☆Cyalume Coord!

(My☆Cyalume Coord design tutorial, basically you can recolour anime character coords)

Meganii: You will undoubtedly make many people smile with the My☆Cyalume Coord that you design. Gachagachagacha~

(My☆Cyalume design time. We only have four colours available so it looks awful. Sorry Laala I ruined your coord)

Meganee: What a wonderful coord! It suits you, Player-chan!

Meganii: Nice!

Meganee: Now that you’re ready, it’s time to start your PriPa-life!

Meganii: Please try your hardest in the Idol☆Grand Prix, I’m looking forward to it.

Meganee: Player-chan will definitely win the Grand-… huh? ...You don’t have any clue what the Idol☆Grand Prix is, do you!? I completely forgot to explain! Um… Well, first of all I’ll turn on PriPara☆Music TV…

Meganii: Winwinwinwinwinwin…

Meganee: ...looks like we’re too late. Don’t worry! You’ll find out about the Grand Prix soon enough. You wanted an in-depth explanation? Sorry!

Meganii: This is also thanks to the system! Winwinwinwinwinwin…

Meganee: Anyways, Player-chan, make sure to shine your brightest in PriPara! Everyone’s a friend! Everyone’s an idol! Lets go! PriPa-life!

(End of Prologue, Meganii jumps out to explain the coord gacha but I don’t care lol. Crying though bc I got a PR and then had to delete my file because I realised I had made a translation mistake)

Grand Prix Story 1: Aim to Become the No. 1 Idol!

???: Oh no, hurry! We’re going to be beary late for PriPara☆Music TV! You have to run, Laala! Mirei and Sophy are waiting!

??? (Laala): Gotcha (Kashikoma)! I’ll do a full sprint!!! Agh-!

??? (Kuma): Ahh! You bumped into someone! Are you okay, Laala!?

??? (Laala): Owowowow… My forehead hurts… Ah! I found the person I bumped into! I’m really sorry about running into you!! You’re not hurt, are you!?

Choice: I’m fine, don’t worry! / That hurt, what are you doing!?

??? (Laala): Phew, I’m glad you’re not hurt! I’m seriously sorry! From now on I’ll look both ways! Left, clear! Right, clear! Now I can safely dash! Ah, you laughed! Wow, your smile is… Wonderful! That’s a sparkly idol smile right there! 

Laala: I’m Laala, nice to meet you! And your name is…? Player-chan! Gotcha! I’ll remember that from now on! Your coord is really cute! Which brand is it?

(Laala it is literally a recolour of the coord you are wearing right now. I know you’re like 12 but Lordt)

Laala: Really!? You designed it yourself!? That’s so cool~!

Kuma: That’s unbearably amazing! This kid’s a bundle of talent! I’m sensing a lot of idol energy from you, Player! 

Laala: Are you also going to be on PriPara☆Music TV, Player-chan? Ah… You don’t know what that even is?

??? (Mirei): Laala~! What are you so pri-occupied with!?

Laala: Ah, Mirei! Sorry, I’m running late!

??? (Mirei): Ughhh! Sophy’s fell asleep waiting for you!

??? (Sophy): ZzzZzz… Is Laala here yet…?

Laala: Wake up, Sophy!

??? (Sophy): Mm~ Oh, who’s this…?

Laala: This is Player-chan!

Sophy: Player-chan… Cute… I’m Sophy… Nice to meetcha… Pshu~...

Laala: Aah! Sophy, don’t fall asleep!

??? (Mirei): Will you also be making an ap-pri-rance on PriPara☆Music TV as an idol?

Laala: Player-chan doesn’t seem to know about that yet.

??? (Mirei): Huh, really? I can explain it to you, so. It’s my first time seeing you around… Is this your first time in PriPara?

Choice: I debuted today! / I’ve been coming here for a while!

??? (Mirei): You just debuted!? I see… Well, if you get along with your senpai, Mirei, your points will go up!

Sophy: Mirei… what are you mumbling about?

??? (Mirei): Ah, you’re awake!? It’s nothing!? Ahem…

Mirei: Pop, step, get you~! I, Mirei, shall tell you all about PriPara☆Music TV!

Sophy: You’re so nice, Mirei~...

Mirei: PriPara☆Music TV is the prime TV programme in PriPara!

Laala: A lot of idols are featured and they perform PriPara lives on the show!

Mirei: And when you pri-form a live, your rank rises~ They’re organised by the Best 100, Best 50, Best 30… Once you’re at your prime and reach the Best 10, you can enter the Idol☆Grand Prix!

Kuma: Your “pri” puns are unbearable…!

??? (I MISS YOU ALREADY ZUCCHAN): What’s going on? I haven’t seen that person before? Are they aiming for the Idol☆Grand Prix?

Laala: Ah, Dorothy! I’ll introduce you to Player-chan.

??? (I WISH YOU LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS ZUCCHAN): Tension max!

??? (Reona): Relax~

Dorothy: I’m Dorothy West! And this is…

Reona: Reona West. It’s nice to meet you.

Dorothy: Ooh, if you’re aiming for the Idol☆Grand Prix, that makes you our rival, huh? Sion, you think so too, right?

??? (Sion): Indubitably! Rivals are vital to idols! They encourage us to work hard! When our friends encourage us, we can all work harder! 

Sion: Player! I’m Sion! We’re going to get along great!!

Kuma: Dorothy, Reona and Sion make up the team Dressing Pafé!

Sophy: Laala, Mirei and I are Solami♡Smile~

Dorothy: The number of idols wanting to join the Idol☆Grand Prix is rising every day, huh? We’re going to have to work even harder! Right, Reona?

Reona: If you say so, Dorothy.

Laala: Let’s all do our best!

Sion: Ah! Is that…?

Mirei: Who is it?

??? (Aroma): Staaaaaare…

Laala: That’s…

??? (Aroma): Staaaaaaaare…

??? (Mikan): Staaaaaaare~!

Laala: Aroma, Mikan! Come over here~!

Mirei: How long were they pri-occupied with staring at us…

Aroma: My name is Aroma! I am a devil who hath returneth from the darkness!

Mikan: I’m the angel! Mikan! I use my angelic power to grant peace in this world!

Kuma: Those two are Aromageddon! Their gimmick is that they’re an angel and a devil!

Aroma: Gimmick!? Thou filthy pile of cotton… You shall face the power of darkness!

Kuma: Eek! I can’t bear your curses!

Aroma: Thou art Player, correct? I see… Darkness emanates from you. Join me and with the power of darkness we shall conquer this pitiful world!

Mikan: Aroma says she hopes you’ll be friends with her, Player-chan!

Aroma: Ah! Th-that is balderdash! I just felt Player’s darkness and…

Laala: Ahaha! Everyone’s really interested in you, Player-chan! Hm? I can hear a song from somewhere…

???: Ranranrararanranran~

Laala: Ah! It’s coming from up in that tree!

???: Let’s sing together, little birdie~ Teehee, the wind from the Palps is singing too~

Laala: Fuwari! That’s dangerous, get down from there!

Fuwari: I’m oka~y! I’m Fuwari, I’m an idol from Europara! Sing with me~ Ranranrararanranran~

Mirei: She’s really laid-back, huh…

Laala: Well, that’s Fuwari for you! There really are a tonne of idols here, though! And we introduced everyone to Player~! Hey, Player-chan… why don’t you come on PriPara☆Music TV with me!?

Kuma: That’s a good idea! They could appear in the special debut corner!

Sion: That’s the part of the show where recently debuted idols are featured, right?

Mirei: Anyone can enter, so it’s a prime corner!

Laala: Player-chan will definitely be super popular!

Sophy: I think so too~

Mirei: Let’s go then! It’s almost the entry deadline.

Sion: We must hurry! ...Hm? What’s wrong, Player?

Dorothy: Why are you just standing there??

Reona: Player-chan… is that person your friend?

Mikan: It looks like someone’s staring at Player-chan’s coord!

Aroma: Who could this person be!?

??? (Da Vinky): Your coord is wooonderfully wonderful! Did you draw it out yourself? Amazingamazing! This is… an explosion of art! Gyahahahaha!

Dorothy: You scared us! It was just Ajimi-

Ajimi: That’s right! I’m Ajimi! I hope we get cray-on well!

Laala: I’ll introduce you to Ajimi-chan! Ajimi-chan recently debuted too! She’s a super talented pop idol!

Reona: Hey… If we don’t hurry, the entry period for Music TV will be over…

Laala: Oh nooo! We have to hurry!

Ajimi: Huh, huh? You’re going to do a PriPara live in that coord~?

Choice: Yup, I’ll give it a try anyway! / I’m not sure I’m ready yet…

Ajimi: Gyahaha! That’s the spirit! I can feel it, I can feel it! Your sparkling aura’s gonna explode on stage!

Laala: I also can’t wait to see your live!

Mirei: This is your touching off point!

Sophy: I’ll be cheering for you~... Lets PriPara~

Laala: Let’s get you into the special debut corner! PriPara☆Music TV… On air start!

(Live. Finally a break from this chapter. Oh my god is it killing me.)

Laala: Woah! Look, Player-chan! Your rank went way up!

Ajimi: Your live was super explosive! Everyone loved it!

Mirei: Your debut was a pri-tty huge success!

Sophy: ‘Grats~ Your live was wonderful~...

Sion: That live was a once in a lifetime experience! Today was the birth of an idol whose growth we can look forward to!

Dorothy: Are you really gonna go for the Idol☆Grand Prix??

Reona: If you work hard, you really could become No. 1~

Sion: Why not try to climb the ranks of PriPara☆Music TV?

Reona: Once you’re in the Best 10, you can enter the Grand Prix.

Fuwari: Entering the Grand Prix is very idol’s dream~ And if you win, you get the legendary coord…

Mikan: ...the Idol☆Grand Prix No. 1 Coord!It’s a wonderful coord!

Mirei: The name’s… descriptive…

Ajimi: The Idol☆Grand Prix No. 1 Coord…? Hmhmhmhm!? What is that coord?

Aroma: It is a coord that unlocks the power of darkness within you…

Dorothy: That’s complete bullshit, the No. 1 idol who gets the Grand Prix coord…

Reona: ...can appear on many stages!

Laala: If they can do that, they’d get a tonne of fans who they could make smile! That’s wonderful! That’s why us idols are working so hard to get that coord! Player-chan, work hard along with the rest of us, okay?

Ajimi: Oooh, that’s great! A huge explosion of smiles!!! I’ll also enter the Grand Prix with Player! Let’s Gaugin!

Sion: The path to the Grand Prix is not an easy one.

Laala: First of all, you’ll have to be in a lot of TV shows. Player-chan, Ajimi-chan, enjoy PriPra-life! Oh, actually, wait a sec. To mark our friendship going forward… let’s snap tomotickets! I wish that we’re all able to enter the Grand Prix… snap! Let’s do our best together!

(oh my god i thought that would take like 10 minutes. It probably took upwards of an HOUR why was it that longggg jesussss

ANYWAY once again i will subtly hint that if anyone needs help sourcing this game or just needs help navigating menus, hmu. and i would like to apologise for changing kashikoma... it truly pains me to betray laala like this. also if this ISNT the first pripara 3ds game um. please let me know lmao. also yes i am posting this at 6am)

[ruination-fangs]

Jude Stage 3: A Forest, A Fence, and the Trespasser

*  from Asteria’s fourth chapter, “Recollections of Eden”

[<- stage 2] [stage 4 ->]

fasten your seatbelts because this is a looong ride

Scene 1

On the road to Shongreiss, Jude remarks that the cats have been very well-behaved. They had been sleeping in Ludger's arms, but suddenly they wake up and begin to struggle, mewling. They jump free and run off into the forest.

Following them, Jude and Ludger find a whole colony of cats in the woods, and understand why their cats ran off. There are plenty of kittens among them, and they all seem relaxed. Jude and Ludger wonder if they live there, and then Jude suggests that maybe it would be better to leave the cats there than keep struggling to find them an owner. They might be happier living freely with their companions than on their own stealing food, or with a person. They look at how excited the cats seem to be and how easily they fit in, and Ludger agrees.

He decides to let the cats stay, saying he'll explain to the people who would have taken them. Jude starts to propose they come visit the cats sometime, but then they get distracted by the sight of a fence deeper in the woods.

It seems be one of the White Lions' "restricted zones." They were so absorbed in the cats that they didn't notice how close they'd gotten. Jude thinks that they should be fine, since they haven't gone inside, but Ludger warns that it's better not to approach no-entry areas at all. The White Lions might not be very forgiving. Jude sees his point, and heads back the way they came in, hoping to get out before anyone notices them.

They don't get far before a noise catches their attention, and a guard gives the order not to let "the intruder" get away. Afraid that they mean them, Jude and Ludger take off.

Scene 2

The guards continue to search for the intruder, splitting up and moving faster. Jude watches them go with some relief, though he and Ludger know they still need to be careful.

Jude suggests they just come forward and explain, since they haven't done anything wrong, but Ludger is worried the White Lions won't believe them if they already think them to be trespassers. Suddenly a voice next to them agrees.

???: Too true. They're a real hard-headed bunch.

Jude and Ludger cry out, and the stranger tells them to keep it down. She came there to hide until the hubbub dies down and doesn't want their shouting to alert the guards.

Ludger: Wh.. Who are you? ???: I'm so glad you asked! I'm thrilled to introduce you to the wise sorceress who travels the eleven seas, the great magician, the illustrious... 

???: Mazhigigika Miludin do Din Nolurun Dou! Or for short- Jude: Oh, Magilou... Ludger: You know her? Jude: I wouldn't say that... We met once, at the festival- Magilou: Oho! You're that one guy, from that one time...! What a stroke of luck to meet you here. I have no idea who you are, but wow! Jude: ...My name is Jude. I was with Colette and her friends... Does that ring a bell? Magilou: Ohh, the handsome fellow with the beautiful flower on each arm! I remember you. Actually, I never forgot! Ludger: Funny that you can't seem to commit to anything you say... You don't seem to be a knight, so who exactly are you? Magilou: Oh, you want to hear it again? Well, if the audience insists, who am I to turn them down? Once more... The wise sorceress who travels the eleven- Ludger: I got that part! Your name is Magilou. You call yourself a witch...* Magilou: Heh heh... Not just any witch, a great witch! Ludger: So what's a witch doing out here? Magilou: That... is a maiden's secret! Jude: It's something you can't speak of? Don't tell me... Magilou: But you're trespassers yourselves, are you not? Jude: N-No, we're not. We just accidentally got a little close. Magilou: Meeee too! And then I got caught up in all this trespassing business. Can you believe? Ludger: ...Shh! The guards are back! Hold your breath!

The guards return, afraid they’ve lost the trail, but they figure it shouldn’t be that difficult to find such a “flashy, strange-looking woman” - especially because you can recognize that “pointed hat” from a mile away. They continue their search.

Jude: A flashy, strange-looking woman... Ludger: ...In a pointed hat... Magilou: Wow. What an amazing coincidence! Jude: Don't play dumb with us. You're the intruder! Ludger: So they weren't looking for us at all. Magilou: Ah, well. We can debate that another time. Now that we're here, why don't we work together? A bunch of people with guilty consciences... Not a bad idea, right? Jude: Guilty con- We didn't do anything wrong! Ludger: Yeah. It might be better for us to hand Magilou over and tell them what happened. Magilou: And you think they'll just take your word for it? Jude: I'm sure it'll be fine if we're honest about it. Magilou: Will it, though? Even when I testify that you're my bestest buds? Jude: You wouldn't... Magilou: And anyway, even if you can prove your innocence, they'll probably put you through a loooong interrogation first. Days... Maybe even years... By the time you're released,  you could have lost your job, your home, your whole life. Jude: But that's...

Ludger reluctantly admits he thinks they should cooperate with her. She's probably right that the White Lions won't believe them, when they're already in such a suspect spot. Right now their best option is to leave; if they want to turn Magilou in, they can still do it once they're safely away.

Jude asks Magilou if she has a plan, and in fact she does... not. She's banking on the idea that three heads are better than one, and if they put theirs together they'll think of something. Ludger tells her to quit joking around, because it's only a matter of time before the guards find their hiding spot. They need to find a gap in the line of defense and run for it.

But Jude says that won't work, either. He's been watching the guards, and determined that their movements have been precisely calculated to cover a wide area with a small number of people. Even when a gap appears for a moment, it's always blocked farther ahead. The White Lions know exactly what they're doing.

However, the system is fragile enough that if any part is altered, the whole thing breaks down. For example, if the nearest guard alone wasn't there, they'd have a window to sneak through. Ludger asks Magilou if she can handle it; she said she's a magician, so she ought to have something up her sleeve. Magilou says that's a pretty tall order for a magician who peddles flashy gimmicks... but no problem for a great witch.

Guard 3: Is that...paper? No, it has a face... What in the world...?

Guard 3: Eek! There's more!? They're coming at me...!

The guard flees, leaving a gap for them to pass through. Jude is disconcerted, though Magilou claims it was only some ordinary, magically-animated paper. It's no trick, just mysterious and uncanny.

They take the opportunity to slip away from the patrol, and don't see anyone following them.

Magilou: Just as Jude said. Gotta love a man who makes himself useful. Jude: All I did was observe their movements. It's thanks to you that it worked so well. Magilou: Oh, and humble, too... One can't tell whether he's brimming with confidence, or not!

As the edge of the forest comes in sight, Jude cries a warning. Something shoots from the trees and stabs Magilou's hat - a shuriken. A voice nearby remarks that to have avoided that, they must not be just anybody.

A girl reveals herself, telling them not to take a step further. Ludger is afraid they've run into the White Lions, but then another woman appears.

???: Suzu, it's dangerous to throw shuriken around like that. You could really hurt someone. Magilou: Yeah, like me! That nailed me right in the head!! ???: Oh no! Are you okay?! Let me heal you! Suzu: Don't listen to her, Estelle. I only hit her hat. Estelle: ...Really?

Magilou asks if they were just waiting for them to come out there all defenseless so they could capture them, which Suzu takes as confirmation that they are criminals on the run. Still, Estelle thinks she shouldn't be so reckless; she might hurt someone innocent. To the others, she explains that they're with the Rolando Family, vigilantes from a nearby village. They got word from the White Lions about the trespassing situation and came to help. Magilou wants to know if refusing that kind of request would be considered treasonous, but Suzu sees no point in talking to them.

Jude: Wait! Don't we get to defend ourselves? They're chasing us over a misunderstanding. It was all Magilou's... Magilou: Waaah, Jude?! I thought we were stalwart companions, brought closer by the many hardships we've faced together! Ludger: Why do you keep trying to drag us into this? Magilou: The more the merrier, right? Moreover, look. There, right behind them... monsters!

While Suzu and Estelle are distracted, Magilou slips away again. Ludger encourages Jude to follow, but before they get anywhere Suzu points out that she's scattered caltrop across the ground. They can no longer run. Magilou comes back to try to move them along, and Suzu insists on not playing nice anymore, though Estelle still objects to how rough she's being.

Magilou: Sheesh, out of the frying pan and into the fire, huh? Jude: Hold on! Okay, maybe we shouldn't have just run, but we don't want to fight! Suzu: You can't talk your way out of this. I'm not letting my guard down around you.

Jude dodges another projectile, and Suzu is further convinced that they're no average citizens, to avoid her shuriken so easily. Ignoring Jude's pleas for her to wait, she attacks.

Scene 3

Though injured, Suzu still refuses to give up on her mission. Estelle, Jude, Ludger, and Magilou all ask her to calm down and listen, because no one else wants anyone to get hurt over this, but Suzu won't budge. She throws another shuriken at Jude, and he nearly trips trying to dodge.

Suzu: There's no point in asking for mercy from your enemies. We're on a mission! Ludger: I don't know what this mission of yours is, but we didn't set foot in the restricted zone. Magilou: That's right, it wasn't me! All three of us are innocent! Jude: Magilou...

Suzu still isn't interested in talking. Estelle wants to hear them out, but Suzu thinks they'll run again as soon as they get the chance, or else lie. Jude insists they'll stay and explain everything if Suzu will just listen before judging them.

To compromise, Estelle suggests escorting them to the Rolando Family's base, so they can explain the circumstances to their leader. Suzu reluctantly agrees. Estelle promises they won't report anything to the White Lions until after hearing their leader's decision, and Suzu promises that if they try to escape on the way there she won't be talked into going easy on them again.

Jude, Ludger, and Magilou agree to those terms, thinking it's probably their best shot at avoiding any more trouble. As they leave, Suzu asks Estelle to take the lead, so she can bring up the rear and watch her prisoners.

Ludger: This kid is determined not to trust us... Let's hope their leader is more understanding. Jude: Yeah...

They head toward the village.

* if you're thinking "but she never called herself a witch" - you're right, the word for "witch" was originally translated as “sorceress”. i kept both here because berseria actually does the same thing.

[ryqoshay]

Happy Life: Phobetor

Primary Pairing: YohaRiko Words: ~1.5k Rating: K AU: Angelic? Time Frame: Late college? Young adult, post college? (May change as I write more) Story Arc: Stand Alone

List of all HL scenes AO3 Link

Riko pulled an earbud out of her ear. Did she just hear the front door open and close?

“Yocchan?” She called.

No response.

Maybe her girlfriend was also listening to music and hadn’t heard her; wouldn’t be the first time. But instead of the sounds of someone casually taking off their shoes, she heard something else. A meow.

Quite, but plaintive, and Riko wouldn’t have heard it had she not been listening. The hiss of someone trying to hush the animal was a bit more distinctive.

“Yocchan.” Riko repeated, moving toward the entry.

“Riri! Hi!” Yoshiko greeted the redhead rounding the corner. “I didn’t know you were home.”

Riko’s gaze fell on what looked like a box being covered by Yoshiko’s coat. “Another one.” She asked, though more a statement than a question.

“A-Another what?” The blue-haired girl started to stammer. “I-I don’t know w-what you’re talking about, Riri…”

Riko fixed her girlfriend with a flat stare, causing the younger girl to squirm uncomfortably. But when another, louder mew emanated from the box, an expression of concerned empathy crossed Yoshiko’s face and she quickly knelt beside the box.

“Shhh, I’m here, Phobetor.” She cooed, removing her coat. “Everything’s alright. Yohane will get you some food in a moment.”

Riko sighed and walked over to get a better view of the new animal her girlfriend had brought in. A solid black kitten with one eye of brilliant emerald and one of glittering gold met her gaze for a moment before turning its attention to the hand Yoshiko reached toward it. Yoshiko’s bad habit of picking up strays whenever she found them was becoming more frequent and it was becoming a greater concern for Riko.

“We’re going to get found out one of these days.” The older girl commented. “This place was an incredibly lucky find and I’d rather not get evicted.”

“It’s just for a few days.” Yoshiko insisted. “Just until I can find someone to take him in.”

Riko shook her head, unsure how far she wanted to push the issue. Yoshiko had always been true to her word and had been able to find a new owner for every animal within a week. But part of Riko wished they could find a place that allowed pets that they could afford. Even with as much as she loved this apartment, she would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant her girlfriend could finally keep one of the animals she adored so much. Unfortunately, with as many other pet lovers as there were in the area, the best deals were snatched up quickly.

“C’mon Phobetor,” Yoshiko said, picking up the box, “let’s go get you something to eat.” That said, she headed for the kitchen where she kept a small stash of pet food for times such as these.

No sooner had the younger girl rounded the corner than a knock came at the door. Riko furrowed her brow; they weren’t expecting visitors today. Perhaps one of the neighbors wanted something? She squinted through the peephole before recoiling in shock. The landlord?!

The older woman in the hallway knocked again.

Riko hastily unlocked the door and opened it. “G-Good afternoon, Tanaka-san!” She struggled vainly to keep the nervousness out of her voice. “W-what brings you here this fine day?”

“I’m here to see Tsushima-san, if she’s available.” Mrs. Tanaka said with a smile.

“Y-Yocchan!” Riko turned and called into the apartment. “The landlord would like to speak to you…”

The sound of something dropping came from the kitchen before being followed by a curse. After a moment, however, the blue-haired girl sauntered around the corner.

“Hey, Tanaka-san!” Yoshiko greeted, far too cheerily. “Good to see you again!”

“Taking in another guest again, I see.” The woman said, her smile never faltering.

“W-what?” The fallen angel stopped in her tracks.

“Again?” Riko furrowed her brow.

Tanaka chuckled as she turned to the redhead. “Your girlfriend isn’t as stealthy as she believes.”

“Phobetor!” Yoshiko suddenly shouted, turning to run. “Retre-eek!” She was stopped short as a strong hand clamped down on the back of her collar.

“Yoshiko.” Riko’s tone was warning enough to the younger girl to not try anything further, but the name choice punctuated the point.

The landlord laughed at the display. “I think you’re misunderstanding the nature of my visit, Tsushima-san.”

“Wha?” The blue-haired girl turned back toward the older woman.

“I’ve come to inform you two that I am considering lifting the ban on pets here.”

Yoshiko’s eyes widened. “Really?” Her voice became excited. “Why?”

“Yocchan… that’s…” Riko shook her head.

“It’s a perfectly valid question.” Tanaka stated. “As you probably do not know, the reason the ban was first issued was because my husband is quite allergic to pet dander and we used to live on site. Also, as we did most of the maintenance ourselves, he had to be able to enter the units and not break out.”

“I see…” Riko nodded.

“However, we moved out years ago and with the two of us getting up in age, our daughter and her husband have taken over the maintenance duties. And neither of them are allergic.”

“So why not get rid of the ban back then?” Yoshiko inquired.

“I’m not sure, honestly.” Tanaka admitted. “I guess we kept the ban more out of habit than anything else. However, with Sakuraouchi-san’s recent inquiry about the ban, we began to reconsider it and we have decided to lift it. And while we see no reason for it to affect your monthly fees, I am afraid we must at least request an additional deposit.”

“That’s… reasonable…” Riko’s mind was working its way through the relief that neither she nor her girlfriend were in trouble as well simultaneously reeling from the realization that Yoshiko might finally be able to have the pet she wanted.

“We do try to be reasonable with our tenants when possible.” The landlord smiled. “Years ago we agreed to let a previous tenant of this unit sound proof one of the rooms.”

“I know.” Riko nodded. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to move here.”

“Such a lovely couple they were.” Tanaka thought back. “If memory serves, the redhead of that pair was a pianist as well.”

“Redheaded pianists are the best.” Yoshiko said with a grin.

“Anyway, you two have been good tenants, certain dalliances notwithstanding,” she smirked at the blue-haired girl who fidgeted slightly “so we thought it best to be reasonable with your request.”

“Thank you.” Riko said sincerely.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer, as I’m sure you have errands to run for your new… familiar.”

As if on cue, a mewling cry came from the kitchen.

“So as soon as we draft the new paperwork, I’ll drop by to have you two sign it.” The land lord continued. “I’ll message you the deposit amount ahead of time so I can collect that as well.” That said, she turned toward the door, but paused. “One last thing, Tsushima-san.”

“Yes?” Yoshiko responded.

“Phobetor?”

“I think it suits him.”

“I see.” The older woman nodded. “Very well then, until we draft the new contract, I must ask that you not allow your familiar to become the god of my nightmares. Please do not make me regret reconsidering our rules on pets.”

“Yohane always ensures her little demons and hell spawned familiars are on their best behavior.” Yoshiko held her fingers to her eye in her signature gesture.

“Very well then, see you two later.”

As soon as Riko closed the door, she turned to find her girlfriend practically shaking with excitement. “Yes, we can keep him.” She answered the question before it was asked and quickly braced for impact.

Yoshiko burst forward into the waiting arms of her girlfriend. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Riri!”

“You should be thanking Tanaka-san.” Riko replied, running her fingers gently through blue hair. “And whatever deity is looking out for us these days…”

“The misfortunes of a fallen angel are easily countered and often overcome by the blessings of an angel ascended.” The younger girl murmured into her girlfriend’s shoulder. “You really asked Tanaka-san to allow pets?”

“I did.” The older girl said quietly. “I want you to be happy, Yocchan. And I know having a cat or dog of your own would make you happy. And I figured the worst they could say was no.”

“Thank you, Riri.” Yoshiko repeated. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Yocchan.”

Another meow sounded, causing Yoshiko to pull away from the embrace. “Phobetor!” She gasped. “Tanaka-san was right! I need to get supplies! I have food to last a few days, but he’s going to need more that that! He needs toys! And treats! A good familiar needs treats! And…”

“Alright, alright.” Riko laughed, placing a hand on the shoulder of the excitable girl. “I’ll keep an eye on him while you’re gone. I was actually just about to spend some time on the piano. Perhaps I’ll start him early on music appreciation.”

“I’m sure he’ll love it, Riri.” The shorter girl pushed up to peck a kiss on her girlfriend’s lips. “I’ll be back in a bit!” That said, she stooped to start putting her shoes back on.

“See you then.” Riko replied, moving towards the kitchen to collect her girlfriend’s… no, their new fami… little de… kitten.

Author’s Note: I’ve had notes for a scene like this since an entry in Dengeki G’s Magazine revealed Yohane has a soft spot for abandoned pets. Then came episode 5 of the second season of the anime and I absolutely needed to write this. As it took me until after the 6th episode was released, I was tempted to throw in a random “Welcome to Hell Zone�� somewhere, perhaps after it is revealed that Yohane may keep the kitty, but for some reason it didn’t seem to fit. Perhaps I’ll come back to this scene later and try to work it in then? It’s not of extreme importance, but I would like to include the phrase in a scene eventually; it’s just too good to exclude.