The Knight left the alley and returned to the light of the midday Tokyo sun, the sounds of the city washing over her all at once. A warm, peaceful wind blew past her, carrying the smells of street food and city smog. She stopped for a moment, taking in her surroundings with a deep breath, before starting her walk once more.

Tsukiko Himura carried herself back to the old fortune telling shop, just like she had done almost every day for the past few months. It was a permanent second home and an anchor in an otherwise dynamic, chaotic town.

When she arrived at the entrance, she stopped herself and patted her heels on the small doormat that sat below the door before turning the knob. A disorganized, homely space revealed itself as the door slowly swung open with a slight squeak.

Several long tables ran the length of the room, covered in rolls and rolls of colorful exotic fabrics and sewn together wares, a singular round table at the middle of it all. Several shelves and clothed wooden mannequins lined the walls at the sides, with a couple of brown leather couches under the windows next to the front door.

Tsukiko's older sister, Haruka, was standing near the entrance, talking to her aunt. Unfortunately, Tsuki was too focused on getting off her legs to give them a proper greeting. She let them watch as she stumbled the few remaining steps to the couch and fell onto it.

"It doesn't get much easier, does it?" Tsukiko sighed as she went limp on the couch, her back cracking and popping.

"You alright?" Haruka sat down next to her. "You'd better not be running yourself ragged out there."

Shizuka sat at a chair across from the couch. "Finally starting to get a feel for the rhythm?"

"Sort of. It's just... It's a pain in the ass sometimes." Tsuki sighed. "You can't catch a break. I got into it with some kid on the way here."

"You'll get used to it." Shizuka smirked.

"You'd think they'd learn their lesson after the first few got their asses kicked." Tsukiko rolled onto her side. "Who the hell're they trying to impress?"

"You know how it is." Shizuka scratched her head. "A man's gotta prove himself."

"Like getting a lucky shot proves anything." Tsuki laid back, her arms and legs stretched out. "It's like thinking you're tough cuz you stuck your hand in a fire."

Haruka laughed at the absurdity of it.

"You can't really blame 'em." Shizuka shrugged a little. "Taking down a Knight's like a big shiny prize."

"Like a bounty?" Tsuki asked.

"Nah." Shizuka shook her head. "Anyone who can beat a Knight would rise to the top overnight."

"Are we really that special?" Tsukiko continued.

"Well, reputation's a funny thing. Every time you fight off one of those kids, you're only making yourself more well known." Shizuka's voice trailed off for a moment. "If you spend enough time fighting and winning, eventually, someone's gonna wanna be the first one to beat you."

"...I can't believe you put up with that for so long." Tsuki quietly understood.

Shizuka offered her own wisdom. "It keeps you on your toes, keeps you sharp. After all, aren't all gangs just angry kids with something to prove?"

"I guess..." Tsuki didn't really have anything to counter with.

"You've got a lot to say about stayin' on your toes, eh?" Haruka smirked. "Walkin' in here, talking about how sore your legs are."

"I never said it was easy!" Shizuka took offense to Haru's joke.

Haruka laughed a little, but her laugh trailed off, then turned into an annoyed groan.

"Seriously, I've lost count at how many times some jackass kids've taken a swing at me. It's gotten a lot worse lately." Haruka shrugged. "I thought the Damascenes had this kind of thing covered, but apparently not."

"We're supposed to do our part too, y'know." Shizuka reminded her. "That's our whole purpose. We're the Knights Himura."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Haruka whined. "It's just... it's been happening more lately, hasn't it?"

"Really?" Tsuki asked. "Feels the same as usual for me."

"This past month's been hell." Haruka sighed. "But everyone's drawn to you like a moth, so maybe you're used to it."

"If you say so." Tsuki scratched her head.

Shizuka tried to reassure them. "I'll... look into it when I get home."

Aurelia sat at the other side of the room, working on something or other. The group couldn't be bothered to check. It wasn't an intentional disrespect, they were simply too tired.

"So, Tsuki, you feelin' alright?" Haruka's attention turned to her sister, putting a hand on her knee.

"Me? I'm fine." Tsuki nodded. "Why?"

"...bein' a Knight's hard work." Haruka put it bluntly.

"You get used to it quick." Tsukiko assured her. "It's a lot easier now than it was when I started."

"Nah. I'll never get used to it, not again." Haruka admittedly shamefully, then smiled. "It's nice seein' you out there, though. Makes it all worth it."

"What about me?" Shizuka asked innocently. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"You know you're always my beloved auntie Shizuka." Haruka put on a sharktooth smile.

"Don't you start." Shizuka frowned. "I'm only thirty-one."

"Only." Haruka chuckled. "I'm more glad you're finally gettin' some sunlight. You were starting to turn pale."

"Yeah, yeah, and if you spend any more time out there, you're gonna get a farmer's tan." Shizuka said sarcastically.

There was a brief break in the conversation as theh all stopped to chuckle at the absurdity of Shizuka's joke. She wasn't too far off from the truth, though.

"So... how're you and Fumi doing?" Haruka prodded.

"Good." Tsuki replied quickly.

"Good?" Haruka repeated.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "What're you gettin' at?"

"Bein' a Knight's tough!" Haruka repeated.

"If you and Kaz can pull it off..." Tsuki's voice trailed off.

Haruka raised her hand. "Yeah, but he's legally bound to put up with my bullshit."

"I think it's the other way around for Tsuki." Shizuka smiled a little.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tsuki spoke as she turned to Shizuka, then to Haruka. "It doesn't really matter, does it? It's our business."

"Well, y'know, Fumi's always off gettin' herself in trouble, always in over her own head." Haru joked.

"It's not like I ever have to bail her our." Tsuki defended her.

"C'mon, give us a little gossip." Haruka smiled.

"Ohh, so that's how it is." Shizuka chuckled a bit.

"It's been a while since we've had the girls together." Haruka explained herself. "It's time to catch up and talk!"

"We had lunch together last week." Shizuka reminded her.

"Yeah. Seven whole days ago." Haruka countered. "A lot happens in seven days."

"What do you want me to say?" Tsuki smirked. "It's the same as usual, Fumi's been putting in long hours cuz she's about to close a deal. That's not really gossip."

"Yeah... you're right." Haruka sighed.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"What's your crazy week been like, eh?" Shizuka laughed as she spoke.

"...paperwork. Nothing but fucking paperwork." Haruka stretched her back. "To be honest, I thought being a Knight again would be annoying, but at least it gets me out of the office."

"I thought Kaz would've been a gentleman and done it all himself." Shizuka said.

"He tried." Haruka gave him some credit. "But no single person could handle all that bullshit. We had to get stamps made. That was more paperwork!"

"So you're bored." Tsuki looked at her sister.

"I wish I was dead." Haruka groaned. "Fuck."

"That bad?" Shizuka scratched her head.

"Enough about me, it's your turn." Haruka did her best to shift the conversation.

"Me?" Shizuka laughed. "I'm a shut-in, Haruka. I don't have anything to share."

"Fuck you." Haruka narrowed her eyes. "Weren't you talking to Sylvie earlier?"

Shizuka sighed. "I don't have any personal gossip. I was just... telling her about some... Internet bullshit."

Tsuki interrogated. "What kind of Internet bullshit?"

"...just checking the message boards. Y'know..." Shizuka sighed. "They talk about us on there."

Haruka scoffed. "Everyone's got an opinion, it's probably all angry pricks--"

"It's nice stuff." Shizuka smiled a little. "...it's so cool!"

"Well... that's good!" Tsuki smiled too.

"At least they're not gettin' in the way." Haruka shrugged. "Doesn't really matter to me."

"You wanted gossip." Tsuki raised an eyebrow. "What's a better place for gossip than the Internet?"

"I want gossip from you guys!" Haruka crossed her arms. "It's not as fun when it's folks you know."

Shizuka rolled her eyes. "Fine, next time we hang out, we'll... play truth or dare or something. That good for you?"

"...fine." Haruka nodded reluctantly.

Shizuka clasped her hands together. "Then it's a date. We'll spin a bottle and you can spill all your nasty secrets."

"Hey, I never said that." Haruka shook her head.

"What's better gossip than that?" Shizuka pushed further. "We'll even get Fumi and Aurelia to join. How about Flowers?"

"I get it!" Haruka relented.

"Geheheheh." Shizuka laughed. "I'm just messin' with you. I know you're just lookin' out for us, but we're fine, seriously."

Haruka turned to Tsuki.

"I'm good." Tsuki assured her.

Haruka frowned a little. "If you say so."

"Thanks." Tsuki said quietly.

Tsukiko saw something move in the corner of her eye, instinct making her turn quickly. It was Aurelia, holding up something white and stretching it out.

"What's she up to, anyway?" Tsuki cut into the conversation, half her attention still on Aurelia.

"Who?" Haruka asked.

"Aurelia."

"Y'know, sewing. She's putting something together, but I didn't really wanna ask who it's for. I don't wanna mess with someone who's in the zone." Haruka shrugged.

"Should we check up on her?" Shizuka asked.

"Nah." Haruka leaned back in her chair. "We shouldn't get in her way."

"It wouldn't hurt to check on her for just a second, right?" Tsuki tried to convince her.

"...be my guest." Haruka sighed. "I'm too comfy to get up at this point."

"Oh come on." Tsuki stood over her sister, arms folded. "You're not that lazy, are you?"

Haruka yawned. "I'm fallin' asleep here. Just leave me be."

Tsuki paused to think then shrugged. "Why not?"

They both turned and started walking to the other side of the shop, leaving Haruka alone on the couch, to go find out what their old friend was up to. Through the tables and stacks of fabric and tools, they could see Aurelia working diligently on a pale white piece.

They found themselves walking slower and slower the closer they got, doing their best to stay quiet, lest they disturb Aurelia as she worked. Tsukiko stood at the opposite end of the table, across from Aurelia. Shizuka moved to the blonde's side quietly.

"A-Aurelia?" Shizuka stuttered as she tried to speak softly.

"Yes?" Aurelia tended to the thing she was sewing and stitching together.

"Hey." Shizuka spoke like she always would. "What's going on?"

"Me?" Aurelia laughed a little. "I am hard at work, like usual."

"That's good."

The space around Aurelia was much cleaner, giving them more than enough space to walk around and look at what she was working on. She worked at a large round table, everything she needed for her work strewn about and within arm's reach.

"...what're you working on?" Tsuki's eyes scanned the table.

"This?" Aurelia held the piece in her hands. "It is a dress."

Aurelia held a white dress in her hands. It was a clean, simple design with no frills. It was as if the dress was made out of only two or three large pieces of fabric. Up close, the dress itself looked remarkably well made and quite striking. It had no sleeves, just a high neck design that left the shoulders exposed.

"Looks a little small." Shizuka remarked. "Who's it for?"

"I was making it for Lilith, but I have not had the opportunity to speak with her today." Aurelia scanned the garment. "I am using this extra time to revise my work."

"It looks perfect." Tsuki tried to reassure her. "Well, at least from what I can see."

"Much can be learned from looking at our own works." Aurelia stared deeply into one of the seams. "I can see how much I have grown, how much I have learned and how I do things now over how I did them before."

"...don't you think it's a bit... mature for someone like Lily?" Shizuka voiced some concern.

"Why?" Aurelia turned to her.

"Y'know... Kids usually wear bright and colorful stuff." Shizuka looked at the dress. "It just seems too... Don't you think it'll get ruined or somethin'?

"Not at all." Aurelia shook her head. "You weren't much older than her when you and I met."

"Right." Shizuka relented. "This jacket's been through hell and back, huh?"

"How has your uniform treated you, Tsukiko?" Aurelia swiveled her chair around to talk to the Third Knight.

Tsuki looked down at her jacket. "Well, I think it looks good."

"Is it comfortable?" Aurelia asked. "Is the skirt too tight? Do your heels still fit well?"

"Yeah, the jacket and skirt fit good, look good. I probably wouldn't still be wearin' these boots if they weren't comfortable, I do a lot of walking." Tsuki nodded. "I'm doin' fine, thank you."

For a moment, Tsukiko looked down at herself. Despite years of use, her high heeled ankle boots had not a single wrinkle or mark on them. Her jacket and pencil skirt were still a brilliant white, the red bands on the sleeves not fading in color.

"Making your uniform was probably the most difficult piece I'd ever done up to that point." Aurelia reached out and grabbed Tsuki's sleeve. "I still feel like I could have done better. Something is missing, isn't it?"

"I wouldn't know." Tsuki didn't have a clue what to say.

Tsuki's phone started vibrating and playing a little song. In a panic, she reached down into her jacket and pulled it out.

"Oh crap." Tsuki started for the door and put the phone up to her ear.

"Are you alright?" Aurelia called out to her.

"Uhh, don't worry about it. I almost forgot something." Tsuki turned red as she stepped out the door.

--

"H-hello?" Tsuki held the cherry red slate to her ear.

"Hi!" Fumiko's voice escaped through the speaker.

"S-sorry." Tsuki apologized

"Are you okay?" Fumiko chuckled. "You sound a little scared."

Tsukiko hesitated. "I'm not... late for lunch, am I?"

"Huh? No, of course not! That wasn't till tomorrow." Fumiko's voice was light and reassuring. "But, y'know... I haven't eaten yet."

"Oh..." Tsuki sighed in relief, but she still felt like an idiot. "Did you have anything in mind?"

"I... want a burger." Fumi said bluntly. "If you want. Are you busy?"

"Huh? A burger?"

Fumiko instinctively defended herself. "What? I like a little familiarity. It's like home. It's like coming home, taking my clothes off and--"

Tsuki cut her off. "Hey."

"What?"

"I'm out in public right now." Tsuki's cheeks turned red.

"So? Am I on speaker or something?" Fumi laughed.

"Well... No, but--"

"You're always so tense. Lighten up!" Fumi's voice sounded like a sweet song. "I love you, Tsukiko. What's wrong with that?"

"...there's nothing wrong." Tsuki couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"...then say it." Fumi coaxed her gently.

Tsuki said it in a slightly hushed, embarrassed voice. "I love you too, Fumi."

"Thank you." Fumiko was proud of her little victory.

"So, you got a place in mind?" Tsuki tried to refocus the conversation and regain her composure. "I'm at Aurelia's place right now, was thinking about heading home before it started getting dark."

"You know... The usual spot! That place we went to on your birthday." Fumi made sure her point was made.

Tsuki could practically hear Fumi drooling through the phone.

"Didn't know you liked it that much." Tsuki smirked.

"The food's way too good, you can't blame me. I... even go behind your back sometimes." Fumi sounded a bit embarrassed. "...and it reminds me of you, y'know?"

Tsuki got some of Fumi's playfulness into her own voice. "So that's how it is. If you like it that much, then I'll meet you there."

"Mhmm." Fumi sounded excited. "Sounds like a date."

"Try not to get into any trouble, alright?" Tsuki replied. "...and wear somethin' nice."

"I'm always wearing something nice, you know that." Fumiko chuckled.

There was a single, low toned beep and the call was over. Tsuki let out a long sigh, putting a hand close to her chest. When her heart calmed, she stopped to look at her phone for a moment. The cherry red glass design sparkled in the sunlight. It was a gift from Fumiko that she treasured dearly. Tsukiko slipped it back into her pocket, and she started walking away from Aurelia's shop.

The city seemed much more beautiful now. Even though she'd spent her whole life there, Tsuki had a new found appreciation for Tokyo. As she walked, she noticed little glances from the people here and there. They weren't negative glances, but rather ones of reassurance and admiration. The people knew her, and respected her, but they wouldn't dare stray into her path.