"Did you change your mind, Pit Boss?"
"No, I just wanted to ask... Can you two put something on?"
"Yeah, but are you sure?"
"Yes. I can already feel the shadows of sleep deprivation haunting the corner of my eyes."
"It's 11, how long have you been up?"
"Since 4 this morning. I wanted to ask, can you two keep an eye on who turns up to the event? Rogue won't tell us, and if it's one of the Big Three, I might be able to leverage something for Noise and Volume. So, please just text me who turns up, okay?"
"Sure. You got that Noir?"
Noir had scurried off to put something on.
"Yep!" her voice rung out.
"Alright, goodnight."
"Goodnight Pit Boss." they both said in unison. Blanc laughed while Noir blushed at their coincidental timing. Shikikan closed the door and opened up Comms.
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Around five minutes later, Sugar's motorcycle came roaring around the corner. She handed him a helmet and he hopped on the back.
"Put your arms around me. You're not unconscious this time."
"Okay."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she wiggled back into his lap.
"Hold on!"
Sugar twisted the handle, and the motorcycle roared down the road. Shikikan's heart leaped into his throat as they took a corner at full speed. She laughed as he pulled in closer to her, afraid of falling off.
"Y'know, you're giving me some ideas of why you're getting this close."
"Can't you go any slower? We're going to fall off!"
"Relax, it's fine. That's just fate."
"I'M NOT MADE OF GODDESIUM!"
"Whoa, calm down."
Sugar let off the accelerator, slowing down to around half the speed they were going at.
"Thank you. Also, Blanc and Noir already asked. I'm too tired today."
She wiggled her butt into his waste again.
"That's not what I'm feeling. I think you're just hiding the fact you've already got something lined up. Who is it? I promise I won't get mad."
"There's no one. I'm just wiped from everything today."
"Suuuuuuuuuure. Well, if that's the case, I'll come with you to see if there's anyone waiting for you. You're fine with that, aren't you? There's nothing to worry about if you're telling the truth, right?"
"Fine, come on. I want to go to bed."
Sugar followed him through the Command Centre, quietly. If any of Counters woke up, he knew there would be hell to pay.
They made it to his room, and the door swished open. Sugar inspected the room, including the shower.
"Okay fine. Looks like you were telling the truth. Goodnight."
She left the room just as quietly as she came.
Finally.
Shikikan had a shower, enjoying the hot water immensely. After brushing his teeth, he fell into bed and almost immediately fell asleep.