<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

There was another task Miko decided to see through when visiting her other friend for their identifications. She'd gained some cursory information about Yugi's sister, and even employed the use of some hidden tracking for further updates. Yugi would definitely check that later. For now, he didn't think it was the right time or place. Yugi instead shifted back to the gallery where he could see the images not previously shared by Miko. "Arigatou. I'll figure out if there's a way I can check in eventually. This'll do for now," he said about keeping tabs on his sister. Not one to harp on personal, emotional issues however, he quickly shifted. "More importantly, you were hiding this good shit? Shame."

It wasn't long before Kaguya and Miyuki were face-to-face in the hall. Well, they couldn't be any other way, lest Kaguya's escapades be discovered immediately. Ever the dastardly one, Miko instigated a kiss between the engaged individuals. Miyuki didn't seem surprised at all that Kaguya heeded the other girl's advice; he thought they had quite the steamy relationship. A simple peck was within expectation when they rotated around each other. A simple peck was par for the course... but there was a bit more depth coming from Kaguya ─ depth that took Miyuki by surprise. Miyuki could have sworn there was a touch of tongue, and so... his own protruded just lightly into the crack between her lips. Short-lived though the exchange was, his thoughts were guided by that minor difference. 'Huh. She must have been really excited for me to get back after all,' he thought while moving toward introductions. Kaguya offered his name, and thus he had no real need to. Still... Miko's official greeting warranted the usual fanfare. "It's good to finally meet you properly. Shirogane Miyuki─" No, Yugi thought. He'd handle the rest himself. "Hunter. A-rank. Stoneheart Guild. Shinomiya's fiancé. Overly formal," he interrupted. Upon being interrupted in such a way, Miyuki laughed and extended his right hand over the couch and Yugi's shoulder. "Eheh... yeah. Gomen; I've been used to formal meetings for a while. I'm sure you know how it is. Did Leeroy-kun tell you about our celebration tonight?"

[Apollymi]

Miko told Yugi about the note and some kind of general tracking they were aiming to do so that he could meet up with his sister. What she received from him, was about what she expected given that boys were in general less emotional than girls. His thanks would be shrugged off. "Iia, I'm happy to help. We're partners after all♪~" Miko chirped pleased that he had something he needed and could work with. At the very least she wouldn't want anyone left in the dark about matters that concerned him and the amount of care he had built into his person said he cared quite deeply for his younger sister, even if it didn't come with traditional tells. He moved on from that, seemingly more concerned with her hidden cache of pictures than the tracking of his younger sister. "Eeep♪~ I wasn't hiding them♪~" Miko asserted. She was after all.. she took them for herself but knew him to be a pervert, she wouldn't be keeping him out of anything, unless he didn't want to be included.

Meanwhile Kaguya was goaded into kissing her fiance by Miko and though she'd not intended for it to end with a little tongue, she'd accidentally left herself a bit too open. A little blush creeped up onto her face. She felt, good and bad simultaneously, bad for exposing the man to someone else's bodily fluids, good for the progression made, but odd for how it made her feel. It was a whirlwind of mental confusion. Still, she continued following those quiet words of Miko's dancing around the split and heading up the stairs backward. "Up. Up. Up. Up. Landing♪~" Miko chirped having Kaguya make it where she needed to, she'd been told to be nice... Miko didn't see herself ever being anything but still she knew she was prone to disproportionate reactions to things so she'd try. Miko was given a formal introduction to Shirogane Miyuki... which seemed like it was about to go on quite a bit before Yugi cut him off. Miko heard out Yugi... "Hai hai, that's a lot... I do get it though," Miko said aloud though inside she wondered why he'd introduce himself by both rank and guild, she'd met someone else and it didn't even come up at all. Moving on, Miyuki came over for a hand shake which required Miko to place her phone face down in her lap. "Hai, hai... I do get it. But I don't need that kind of formality...Shi---" A pause occurred in Miko's speech as she processed the information. Her hand extended for Miyuki's but her face shifted and broke out into a bright smile and melodic laughter. "Hehe...hahahahaha♪~ Nooo♪~ Did you tell him your name is Lee♪~ Roy♪?!~ Bwahaha♪~" full laughter and Miko's eyes were lit up, that was far too funny and the amount of seriousness with which Miyuki said that name only made it funnier.

[Bloodedge]

Miyuki was an upstanding citizen. He'd been such for most of his life, from the poster child of the Shirogane family, to the Student Council President, to an A-rank Hunter in a noteworthy guild. His commitment to formal introductions started a very long time ago, and he saw no reason to stop. "Glad you understand~" he said to Miko, assuming their hands would be meeting. Alas, there was no contact. Why? Miko lost her ability to meet his hand when she fell to a fit of laughter.

Finally, there was someone who understood. While Miyuki was only made more confused, Yugi felt... triumphant, proud, and finally vindicated. "God. Damn. Right I did," was his simple, confident response. Miyuki couldn't possibly understand the power of that simple name. Somewhere in the cosmos, perhaps even in a different time or dimension, that name had to be putting an end to interdimensional tyranny and oppression. Somehow, Yugi felt that in the depths of his soul. "And congratulations. You're the only person in this house right now who gets the joke," he explained. Miyuki began slowly withdrawing his hand, finding it imperative that he express his confusion. "So there's something funny about that alias? I'm guessing it is an alias..." he stated. "And if it's some kind of joke, is there a real introduction coming at some point? I'm guessing you two were going to be staying here. It would get a little weird if I didn't know everyone's names."

[Apollymi]

Miko did understand the need for formal introductions. Not so much in these more relaxed settings but her parents had been quite important. Her father a lawyer and her mother the head librarian of the National Diet Library, as such young Miko got used to introducing herself formally but her parents never much cared about how she chose to interact with her peers. Miyuki claimed he was glad she understood but in that moment Miko really looked at the man and wondered if he ever actually relaxed. Well, she was about to be given further information to add to that box. As her hand didn't end up making contact with his because of her own laughter. Kaguya stood at the top of the stairs for just an extra moment. Hearing the laughter and smiling softly. The return of her friend had been complicated but she was obviously still healthy enough to have her regular fits and the like. 'Okaerinasai, Mi-chan♥~' Kaguya thought. With that information she knew she could get dressed in peace. Still she'd slip into her bedroom leaving a crack in the door so that she could still hear a bit.

Miko's laughter didn't die down for a moment and apparently she was the only one in the house to get the joke. The absolute confidence with which Yugi claimed that introduction wasn't really a big deal. "Woooaha♫~" Miko managed to curb herself. "Really?! No one gets the meme? Guns up, let's do this?!" she seemed almost distraught. "I mean, Kaya-sen is incompatible with technology, but.. you're a guy. Never seen the MMO-guy who just charges in? Any person who surfs the internet a little in gaming circles or has seen one of those clip compilations would know that name is a joke not an alias..." Miko seemed to think it was weird. Did this man actually not have hobbies or anything like that? Ah, but the negative aspects of being an 'upstanding' citizen were showing themselves. Far too concerned with details and obviously suspicious of not knowing a name to call Yugi by. It was interesting that he thought it necessary to bring that up in the moment. Miko looked at this young man and wondered what kind of person he actually was... his concerns seemed legitimate but something about what he said was just a tiny bit off. Miko found herself staring at him as if trying to figure out something relatively unknown. All the while Kaguya was upstairs picking out an outfit. "It's a joke, don't interrogate them♥~" Kaguya shouted from upstairs having slipped herself out of that dress and dropped into a hamper, she ended up licking her fingers and feeling oddly. That man's jizz really did taste good it couldn't have been a sensory increase of some sort.

[Bloodedge]

Miko understood what Yugi's problem here was. The technologically inept Kaguya was one thing, but a man not much older than either of them failing to know about Leeroy Jenkins was another crime entirely. Even as Miko offered more of the legendary quote, Miyuki was blank. He blinked multiple times, shaking his head when asked about gaming and the like. "I've never found the time or had the interest really. I think my sister found a couple of games she likes, but it was never for me," he claimed. Yugi was going to sigh his lungs out if this conversation continued for very long. He supposed it was for the best to give that lie of an introduction and move on. "Kiriya Haruto. Happy?" he asked of the blonde. "Kiriya-kun then? That'll do."

Yugi thought that was the end of it all. He hoped that was the final moment of interaction with someone he'd already figured out, and had no further interest in interacting with. Alas, Miyuki heard Kaguya yelling about interrogations and kept talking. "Iino-chan, I heard you were cooking dinner. If you don't need any help, I'll keep Kiriya-kun company. I'm willing to help if you like, though~" he offered, extending that hand again. Yugi quirked a brow in that moment. There were two options, and he wasn't sure which would be more useful to him. As such, he had no hints to drop, and no real concern over Miko's answer.

[Apollymi]

Miko was astounded. This young man was indeed only a couple of years older than the pair of them. Even if he was held to the highest possible standards of tiger parenting, he should have at least had some hobbies or interests to keep him relatable to his peers. "That's... sad, Shirogane-san." Miko said lightly. "Your sister sounds like fun though♪~" Miko chirped seeming to move on from that point rather quickly. She'd been told to be nice, but not having any interests was simply... a depressing way to live. Even at the height of her neurosis her parents helped her find things that interested and amused her and didn't stop her from pursuing any and all of her interests. At the same time Yugi's sighs showed a certain amount of disinterest and frustration. She could understand it... and knew that he probably wouldn't want to put himself out there at all.

All the while, Kaguya was upstairs picking out clothes. Her horny nature had her choosing a black sweater turtle neck with an opening over the chest she often put on whenever she was feeling particularly flirty. She chose today, a skirt in a light color leaving her to match a bit closer to the outfit that Miko chose. But what about her undergarments. She was looking at her drawer, and without even thinking picked up a little lacy black pair of tiny cut bikinis and a matching pushup bra. 'I wonder if he'll like these?' she mentally questioned. Only to pause as she began sliding into these undergarments, because she realized the him she was thinking of wasn't Miyuki but instead... Yugi, who'd introduced himself by the name of Kiriya Haruto... 'It's still just new. I'm fine.. I am just distracted, by the shiny new thing.' Kaguya thought. As she dressed the rest of the way in silence. At the same time, Miko would be dealing with the offer of Miyuki. His offer seemed quite layered and she wasn't sure about accepting. She would consider doing so if only to save Yugi from further interacting with someone he so obviously didn't like, but she also didn't want to deal with him either. Their arrangement said she could act of her own volition and she didn't have much else to go by, "I am planning to cook. But what I'm making is pretty simple... I don't need that sort of help and the Kitchen Vulture will be down in a minute..." Miko said using choice words for Kaguya. "And you love me♥~" Kaguya said without disputing what she was called. "Hai♪~" Miko chirped as she got up, from Yugi's lap only too whisper. "You can always join me in a minute..." Miko uttered as she slipped off his lap her phone in hand. On tip toes she'd go... picking up bags of groceries and heading to the kitchen for the sake of starting dinner.

[Bloodedge]

There was one thing Shirogane Miyuki was never a real fan of. He had no issues with his younger sister, but she always got the favorable reaction outside of their family ─ even from those who'd only heard about her. There was no sour expression of any sort upon Miyuki's face, but... Yugi didn't need one to know. Miyuki's archetype, his subconscious showboating of insignificant things, all painted the picture of the favorite child, the first son and traditional heir, who simply didn't understand why the second-born seemed more well-liked. "Mm," Yugi mumbled without even realizing he'd made a sound.

Miyuki didn't mind helping Miko in the kitchen, nor did he mind getting to know his intended's best friend's boyfriend. He didn't have the slightest clue that Yugi already knew more about him than he'd ever know about the younger male. He also had no idea that Yugi intended to divulge nothing about himself, nor converse at all. It was Miko's decision to make, and the one she made was... to tell Miyuki help was unnecessary before getting up. A passing note to Yugi about joining her was one he considered... but all of the variables weren't in place yet. He could only sit back while Miyuki moved toward the other side of the coffee table, seating himself in that lonely chair. "So, Kiriya-kun, how did you meet Iino-chan there?" Miyuki asked without hesitation. He also held up a finger to shush the other male while reaching onto the table for one of those scotch bottles. Seeing the blonde's expectant expression, Yugi shrugged. "There was a game of hide-and-seek... or capture the flag. Well... both, really," was Yugi's answer.

[Apollymi]

Miko was now within the kitchen with enough time to be alone with her thoughts. Though that didn't stop her from noticing that noise, she assumed there was something odd about the lad that normally went unnoticed likely caused by something Miko had said, but she knew she hadn't been rude so she didn't worry too much about it. She'd begin her dinner simply enough by opening up a side drawer for a rubber band which she'd use to put her hair up into a quick ponytail. Hair up and out of the way, she'd begin moving around the kitchen a little hop up onto a stool which remained she'd wash her hands and then she'd unpack the groceries and begin work... desert first while preheating the oven and grabbing various bowls and the like. She'd even slip on an apron as she moved about seeming to be in a small whirlwind of popping up and down as she moved. Just the same she could hear all the words being spoken to rather easily align herself to any words spoken by Yugi.

Meanwhile, Kaguya was soon dressed enough to no longer seem out of sorts. Her choice in attire weren't exactly house clothes. No, she simply wanted to look as cute as her friend did within their home while also hinting at what she was up to. She usually wore that particular sweater when she was feeling flirty and would thus continue. Her feet along those steps were soft and she approached with a smile on her face. "Alright, all dressed. We good down here?~" she wondered willing to play the go between and also stop to sample whatever Miko was making along the way. She looked at the seating situation and found it interesting in the moment. Miyuki always chose the spot he did, but looking at the two lads sitting across from each other they looked like a strange sort of dichotomy.

[Bloodedge]

"Kid games, huh? That must have been a good long while ago," Miyuki mused. Hearing 'kid games' spoken, Yugi tilted his head lightly. That may have been the most inaccurate way to comment on what they'd done that day. "It was more like yesterday," Yugi replied. Miyuki paused, confused... and then laughed. "Ah, I get it. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday for me too," he said. Yugi shook his head, deciding to make the situation as uncomfortable as possible. It was a reach even for him, but maybe doing so would put an end to unnecessary questioning. "No, it was actually yesterday. I stole her panties, she caught me, we played a game of capture the panties mixed with hide-and-seek, and I fucked her all the way to another dimension," Yugi said with the most deadpan expression possible.

Miyuki was silent once more. Luckily for him, Kaguya descended the stairs just to be a wonderful distraction from that huge dump of information. Before he could even address that matter, he was stunned by what Kaguya chose to wear. His gaping maw even had Yugi looking over his shoulder to view the lass. "Oh... that one, huh? That's uh... certainly a choice, hon," Miyuki said. If he had a collar, he'd already be pulling on it. Yugi however, gave her a quick once-over from head to toe with an intense look, all while Miyuki was distracted. "Our new friend here jokes like Yamaguchi-san. I've never been good with that dry sort of humor."

[Apollymi]

Kid games, was the term that Miyuki used to describe that game of capture the flag. As Miko began measuring and mixing heavy cream, sugar, and eggs to be lightly heated into custard, she kept stirring only to frown slightly. That game had been anything but child-friendly. It'd started on a premise that couldn't be considered that... Of course as she was dropping a bit of vanilla extract into that mixture and stirring she stopped. Mostly because she heard some words that were quite intense from Yugi. An excruciatingly accurate description of their game was given and she had to stop herself from chirping. 'I can't believe he just said that!♪~' Miko thought returning to her custard to keep it smooth. Of course the announcement of Kaguya came with the knowledge that she'd descended the stairs at somepoint, Miko's brows furrowed. 'Those steps had to have been pretty soft. I didn't catch them...' she decided about Kaguya but didn't say anything else.

Kaguya for her part in this, had her outfit mentioned by Miyuki in the way he normally did, but something about it didn't feel like enough. The words spoken by Yugi however were definitely the absolute truth, well, she supposed she could take that as a casual answer to one of her questions. "It's always a choice♥~" Kaguya claimed. With a distracted Miyuki, Kaguya slipped behind the blonde seemingly looking for something in particular with Yugi's eyes on her, during that distracted time, she gave him a peek up her skirt, showing those lacey panties and offering a raised brow of a casual nature. "Nothing wrong with a bit of dry humor♥~ I always thought Yamaguchi-san was pretty funny... the point is the delivery not the words themselves~" Kaguya mentioned as if she'd tried to explain this sort of thing before. But that didn't really matter, she found herself appreciating the intensity of Yugi's gaze, even in front of her intended... maybe she should take a step back?

[Bloodedge]

In Miyuki's mind, Kaguya's sole intention for the night was to do something a little... frisky. He was becoming very excited within, even though they'd probably have company throughout the night. Ah, but there was soundproofing in some of the rooms here. Maybe they could make use of that? "One of my favorite choices♥~" Miyuki flirted as the black-haired lass moved about. With that, he cleared his throat, closed his eyes and spoke to Yugi again. "Gomen. That was inappropriate, but... I'm sure you understand," he said, bowing lightly.

What a shame. While Miyuki's eyes were closed, Kaguya was behind him doing things he normally should have seen. Yugi had the joy of watching Kaguya's skirt rise enough to show the sort of undergarments she had on. His gaze was fixed while Miyuki remained ignorant. "Nothing to worry about. I do know how it is. Sometimes, you've got to appreciate something right out in the open," Yugi replied. Miyuki lifted his head and lightly slapped his own knee. He'd be gazing at the table thereafter to make good on the silent agreement to drink a bit ahead of the celebration, pouring two shot glasses. "You're a good pair. Both of you are so understanding," Miyuki observed while sliding the second glass across the table. "Hmm. I guess so."

[Apollymi]

Kaguya's sole intention for the night was indeed to be a little frisky. But 'little' had gotten quite out of hand for her for the last few hours. She was hoping to sort out how she felt, but even in a moment where her fiancé was present, she still found herself flirting with Yugi. Perhaps it was simply for the extra reaction without an applied apology? 'Yeah, that has to be it.' Kaguya thought as Miyuki was soon apologizing. "Oya? I had no idea♥~" Kaguya flirted with a playful eyeroll but while she flashed her panties her eyes were only for Yugi. What would he do about the apology?

Play it off while commenting on how some things required appreciation. Yugi's words on the matter also registered to Miko as she continued her little dances. She'd sat that custard aside, and begun working on making a caramel sauce... gentle cooling would be occurring as she fished out a set of four molds for the desserts in question. The smell of sweets would be proliferating before she started on dinner properly, but... a cute squeal would be escaping the girl as she tasted the custard. "Squee♪!~" she chirped as if she'd found something perfect. She might have thought that Miyuki might have been a bit too formal, but they were technically house guests. Perhaps there was more to it than she thought. Ai did say she didn't hang out here a lot for 'reasons' maybe it was to allow for privacy? Just the same drinks were being poured and Kaguya would be slipping away. "Sounds like something's tasty♥~" Kaguya in that same flirty manner as she slipped off for a sample going. As Miko strained the custard and the caramel began to bubble, Kaguya popped up with a spoon stealing a sample and blowing on it to have a little taste. "I knew you'd show up here you fucking scavenger!♪~" Miko chirped which only made Kaguya laugh, but such was simply how they spoke to each other when they were alone together. "But it sounded like it was good, I had to have a taste, you should add a little cinnamon to this I think it would pop♥~" she added, which Miko gave light consideration to, but... reached for the cinnamon her arms actually being able to reach it from her perch given her recent growth. "No free meals, rice♪!~" Miko chirped at the other lass while she continued to put together the desserts. Kaguya washed her hands and started on a full 6 cups of rice knowing know Miko tended to eat.

[Bloodedge]

Just as he'd thought initially, there were positives to both outcomes ─ whether Miyuki went to the kitchen or remained in the living room. On this path, he got to see Kaguya guided by her own loins... which meant he got to see what they were covered by in the very same room Miyuki inhabited. Soon enough though, the silver lining was sauntering off to the kitchen. Yugi kept his ensuing sigh internal, and Miyuki merely nodded to the girl's announcement. "I knew you'd make your way eventually. Tell your friend I'll take good care of Kiriya-kun~" he said, winking. Both Miyuki and Yugi claimed a cup, the former offering a toast. "You made it sound like you're interested in becoming a Hunter. Cheers to future awakening?"

Yugi could have scoffed harder than he had in any recent memory. It was strange keeping certain secrets. If he committed to the grind, Yugi was sure he could surpass someone like Miyuki in a matter of days. He didn't have a measure of what S-ranks were made of, but reaching that level surely wouldn't take long either. Regardless, Yugi raised his cup. "Sure," was his only answer. Glasses clinked, and Miyuki downed his drink quickly. "Huu!~" he exclaimed. "It's good stuff! This isn't a sales pitch, but we at the Stoneheart Guild celebrate successful raids like this all the time. I'm sure a lot of other guilds do something similar if it interests you. The guys knew how much I wanted to get home today, so they left me with two. So... any questions about being a Hunter? I'm a pretty knowledgeable guy, you know?" Miyuki's offer warranted a raised brow as Yugi downed a rather powerful swig of hard liquor. It was quite the hit indeed, causing his face to contort in its aftermath. Yugi even coughed once or twice before wiping residue from his bottom lip with a thumb. When he spoke, a bit of seriousness had returned. "... How strong is an S-rank?"

[Apollymi]

Kaguya and Miko were alone together in the kitchen, quiet whispers passing between them. "What he said out there was the truth wasn't it? It was yesterday for you..." Kaguya murmured while washing the rice. With the caramel being poured into the bottom of the dishes, Miko answered honestly. "Hai, sorry stuff got really crazy really randomly... sorry I know you were probably really worried and then really surprised," Miko mentioned knowing things had gotten away from her. "Yeah, definitely all of that. Add on top of it the Gates and the whole world going crazy and I feel like I was just kind of set adrift," Kaguya added as she finished rising the rice and added water and salt to it, before looking to approval and placing the bowl into the rice cooker. Miko for her part, tested it with the finger test turned on the tap for just a second longer and then gave a little nod.

As meal prep went on with a lot of things both spoken and not, the conversation happening between Yugi and Miyuki didn't go unnoticed. "I might let you know when to get back out there... " Miko claimed, but she figured she could trust in Yugi not to get them into too much trouble. That little cough though made it sound like that alcohol might have been really strong. "But let me ask you one thing... are you happy?" Miko wondered as she placed those filled purins into the water bath and into a slow oven, so they could plump and be taken out before the rest of the food went together. Another hand wash and then it was time for vegetable prep. Which Kaguya was willing to be extra hands for. "I'm not unhappy. I think today has just been a few too many things... I'm probably happy," Kaguya managed, never having thought about whether or not she counted as happy.

[Bloodedge]

Kiriya Haruto, as Miyuki knew him, was a very strange lad. Aspirations of awakening were one thing, but it was most unusual to hear someone question the general strength of S-rank Hunters with a straight face. Miyuki exhaled and poured a second shot for each of them. He knew hearing the story of an S-rank's power and experiencing it for oneself were two very different experiences. "Whew! That's a pretty loaded question, buddy. For starters S-ranks are exceptionally rare. I wouldn't hold out any hope of awakening as one. Based on the numbers, people are lucky just to get C-rank," he explained first and foremost. "Not the question," Yugi interjected.

It was Miyuki's turn to sigh as he slid the other male's glass over again. "Yeah, but it's best to curb expectations," he said to Yugi's obvious annoyance. "Anyway. S-ranks have immeasurable strength. That's the simplest way to put it. They're so strong, no one can really hold them accountable if they commit crimes, so some are more than a little questionable. They're so strong and sought-after, awakening as an S-rank means you'll have the attention of every country's bureau. At the very least, every guild wants to recruit them." Yugi was reaching for his glass while hearing an explanation which... still didn't answer the question. "Oi!" he interrupted again. "How... strong. City buster? Country buster? Planet? Star? What scale are we talking?" the lad asked in a demanding way. Miyuki took his second shot. "Ah! No way is there a planet-lev─err... well... maybe. I think most S-ranks could take down a city, as that's about the same as some dungeons. Country-level... is what National Hunters are said to be capable of."

Finally, there was something interesting. Yugi hadn't heard or seen anything about National Hunters yet. "National Hunter?" he asked more calmly than before. "Hai. National Hunters are said to have the strength of an entire nation, hence the name. They were all given the authority of a nation too. It's impossible to become a National Hunter though. The title and political power was given to a specific group of S-rank Hunters who managed to defeat the first S-rank Dungeon Break ─ one that wiped out most of the world's S-ranks at the time."