A new home (Open)

"Your dad has the right idea. It's good that you listen to him." She smiled charmingly.

At the hug, Kimiko decided to hug her back, squeezing her tightly. Lexi was cute. She was so cute! Kimiko loved little girls and how endearing they were. They walked side by side. At the question of school... Kimiko gave that a thought, scratching the back of her neck. "School is... it's kind of hard. You have to study a lot of stuff. I'm good at P.E. and Music, but Math and Science are really hard. You have to work a lot."

She shrugged, smiling. "But the good thing about it is that you can find something you're very passionate about and have people that are the same way! I really like sports, and I've made a lot of sports friends, and general friend-friends. I'm sure you can find something you like and make lots of friends too."

What was she... Oh! She was hungry. The poor thing. Kimiko looked around. "Lexi... You're not an inconvenience at all. I'm glad to make a cute friend like you." She squeezed Lexi's cheek, chuckling a bit. "Uh, let's see, what would you like? There's a burger place nearby that has all kinds of burgers and they serve huge fries. There's also a shawarma stall just up ahead. If you're feeling something else, we can get something else."

"Yes! Shawarma!" She made a wrapping gesture with her hands. "It's this thing that's all wrapped in this... I think it's called a pita bread... and there's meat and sauce and everything. You can even get cheese with it." Now she wanted to Shawarma. Why was it so far away?

"You flipped a car!" She... wasn't sure if she was serious. Given this place, she probably was. "You must be really strong, Lexi! I'm pretty strong too but I can't flip cars."

The things Lexi were saying kept making her sad. Kimiko reached out to touch her hand, so they would be hand in hand while they walked. "I can see why he'd be protective. You've been through a lot."

Kimiko nodded, smiling. No matter how much she complained about teachers, she really did love Manta Carlos. "Yes, I'm pretty happy! It's a lot better than my old place, too. Manta Carlos is pretty big but you get used to it in a few years, and then it starts feeling like home." She paused. "I wish my mother could be here to see the island... I-in any case, we should get you a replacement map."

They were near the Shawarma cart. Kimiko was practically salivating at the sight, with the big cone of meat and the little pita breads. She tugged at Lexi's wrist, walking a bit faster. "That's the Shawarma cart! Come on, I'll treat you." She winked.

"That was really heroic of you, Lexi. Can you flip other things? Carry really huge objects?" Kimiko sighed dreamily. "I wish I could be super strong. Well, I guess a cool sword is fine too!

"I'll walk with you. I can show you all the cool places in the island! There's a water park, some neat cafes, a pretty park... Maybe we should go to the water park someday, huh? They have cool water slides and you land in a pool. It's great! I also work at this cafe. You should totally stop by! I can get you a free soda and a cake. The proprietors love me. They say I bring in good business because a lot of girls come there to see me." She laughed, blushing a little.

At that, Kimiko practically deflated. Her parents... was not a happy topic for Kimiko. She turned silent for a while before giving Lexi a small, somber smile. "My mom isn't... 'special' like me. Living here is kind of expensive. Plus, my dad won't let her because he's a big ol' butt."

And that was that. Kimiko didn't like feeling sad when she could be happy instead. She didn't care to elaborate on the issue further so, when her shawarma arrived, she turned her attention to it with a big grin. "Let's eat~"

Kimiko picked up the nearby cheese bottle and absolutely drowned her shawarma with it before taking a bite. She paid the good man for their meal and gave him an extra five bucks for the trouble. "It's good, right?"

Kimiko blinked. That was... quite the story. She was impressed both by Lexi's heroism, and Octain's ability to survive a huge tree falling on him. "I'm glad your dad's still around! He's built like a rock, huh?"

She didn't mind Lexi's chanting. In fact, she would chant 'WATERPARK' after she said it, one time throwing her hands in the air that some of the insides of her shawarma flew off and hit a random stranger's face. She hunched back, apologizing. "Ahh, but yeah, we should go! Maybe when you're settled in? You can bring Professor Octain... I'm imagining him in nothing but trunks and a mask on, it sounds like it's hilarious."

Kimiko laughed nervously. While it really was difficult to keep girls off her, she wasn't sure if she should keep encouraging her believing her, er, 'womanizing' nature, especially when she didn't know she was a woman. It could be quite shocking. Instead, she shrugged. "I suppose so!"

This kid was... she was too much, honestly. Too sweet and too good. Kimiko bit the last piece of her shawarma and ruffled her hair. "Of course, Lexi. I miss her sometimes, but meeting lovely ladies like you cheer me up."

She was glad she thought it was delicious, though. She didn't mind the mess. In fact, she grabbed a bunch of tissues from the cart and handed it to her to wipe her face with after. Kimiko crumpled up her empty foil and threw it at a trash can.

As she read Octain's text to her, Kimiko was more resolute on coming. "Of course I'm coming, Lexi! Full speed ahead! Do you want a piggie back ride while we go there?"

"You're very lovely," Kimiko said, winking. "The loveliest." She poked the tip of her nose for emphasis.

"It'll be fun, come on!" Kimiko picked her onto her back with ease, first carrying her up with her legs then tipping forward to move the weight on her back. She was a little heavy, but Kimiko did weights every week and therefore spat on the face of gender norms.

"Do you want us to jump into the mud?" It was a joke, but they were passing a puddle because of spring rain, so Kimiko threatened to jump on it — only to jump pass it, but she didn't anticipate the car speeding right at them so she jumped backwards again, almost tipping over to land on Lexi, but she immediately caught herself.

Phew. Octain might've had a few words with her if that happened. Luckily, her reflexes were fast. She adjusted her hold on Lexi and began walking to the school proper. They were at the path going to the Residential area, which she had never been to herself. She lived at the school.

"Man, this is... suburban-y. It's almost like I never left America." She tilted her head to look at Lexi. "What was the address again? Are we almost there or..."

She looked at the street signs. Yep, she was definitely getting lost. "Ahhh, I just don't know where this is! Houses are confusing. Why can't everybody live in dorms?"