DIAMARI CATCHALL

[prettybomberhead]

because these two need a place to just be over the top losers

Comments

NOT GONNA WRITE YOU A LOVE SONG

[prettybomberhead]

[ but you totally are ]

[shinelikea]

"Ugh."

Dia slumps forward onto her desk, frustrated groan buried behind her arms. The pen slips from between her fingers in a moment of neglect, clattering to the floor. She hears it roll all the way to the other side of the room, and only heaves out another groan.

"Honestly, what is this," she moans, lifting her head just enough to be able to see above her crossed arms. The open notebook before her is an unsightly jumble of scribbles and scratches, not a single line free of annotations or strike-throughs. The page before it is just the same, as is the one before it, and the three before that.

She refuses to call it a writer's block. It's simply that she holds herself to exceptionally high standards. This upcoming concert, in particular, will be their first performing in sub-units -- that means she has to write a song that won't just flawlessly capture the essence of Azalea, but will stand out among the other two groups as well. Something that will leave a strong impression in people's memories. Something...

Well, something that's not this, that much Dia knows.

Flipping the notebook shut, she reaches for her phone. The Azalea group chat has about a dozen unread messages: Kanan and Hanamaru cheering her on before moving on to discuss possible outfit designs. The conversation concludes, as if to rub salt in her wound, with 'I guess we can't really know what'd be best until we know what kind of song we're doing!'

Kanan's cheery dolphin sticker does nothing to alleviate the sting.

"I'd like to know that, too," Dia mutters through a scowl, tapping the conversation closed without a response. She appreciates their support, of course, and they are doing the best they can... but they're absolutely no help to her right now. Previous attempts in consultation yielded well-intentioned but ultimately unproductive advice: Kanan's suggestions included 'ocean', 'water', 'swimming', and 'diving' ("Haha... sorry, you know I'm no good at this stuff"), and brainstorming with Hanamaru sent them down a two-hour association chain that somehow resulted in a sci-fi adventure scenario featuring astronaut zebras hunting for magic crystals in space. The lyric submission deadline is this coming Friday-- she really can't afford to be wasting so much time. But she's been making no progress on her own, either...

Perhaps she'll take a moment to check on the competition, then. Opening a new chat window, Dia sends out:

Good evening, Mari-san.
I trust you've been having a frugal Saturday?

[prettybomberhead]

The late weekend hour doesn't stop Mari's response from being borderline immediate; not even a minute passes from the moment Dia presses "send" before the string of responses from Mari come barreling in, oversaturated with emojis and exclamation points. God only knows what she could be doing up at this hour, but, more likely than not, lyrics aren't a factor in the equation; after all, of the three members of Guilty Kiss, two of them are shameless enough to put anything on a page and go for broke, and the other member is, regardless of her reluctance, forced to pour her talents into indulging their nonsense and composing it. Needless to say, a Friday deadline would be a piece of cake, and the lyric matter would be put off until a sleepless Thursday, where she and Yoshiko would churn out an earworm with lyrics that most artists worth their salt would find utterly humiliating enough to even read, let alone sing.

But regardless of what she's up to, the fact of the matter is, it's clearly not important enough to keep her attention on it, especially when Dia is involved. The truth of the matter is, of course, that she'd probably drop even the most urgent matters for Dia's sake, but, this overeager kind of swiftness may be going just a bit too far...

And a ✨ BUONA ✨ SERA ✨ to you as well!!!!!!! <3 <3

I can hardly BELIEVE my eyes!!!! To be texted by Dia so late into the night...surely you must have some sort of urgent business, an absolute emergency!!! A secret matter of the heart!!!! Could it be......you need advice when it comes to love?! Σ░(꒪◊꒪ ))))

Well, fear not, my beautiful Dia!! ☆ I happen to be an expert on this subject, as you may know, well versed in all things romantic! Just tell me all of the spicy little details, and your good friend Mari will come to the rescue, no questions asked!!! ( ˘ ³˘)♥

Clearly, the upcoming concert is the last thing on her mind. It must be nice to be so carefree.

Don't hold back on me, I'm on the edge of my seat here!!! I need to know what my competition is like, so please, tell me all about them!!! ✧٩(ˊωˋ*)و✧

[shinelikea]

Dia's initial response -- as it so often is with Mari -- is bafflement. She can't imagine what it was about her two lines of text that inspired such a barrage of messages, or what led Mari to leap to such an outlandish conclusion. And what is this about 'competition'? For a moment, the only response she can think to text back is a long string of question marks.

But then-- knowing Mari for as long as she has, it's safe to assume that's the exact reaction she was aiming for. Even ten years later, Dia still ends up playing into her hands with daunting frequency -- but over text, at least, she has the advantage of being able to think each response through.

Talking songwriting with Mari has instantly proven just about impossible, but never mind that now! Dia has set her sights on a new goal. She will play Mari at her own game! And she will emerge triumphant! And the method by which she'll pave her way to victory...

... is by going along with her nonsense without batting an eye!

Mari-san! I had merely asked about your day, must you always draw such presumptuous conclusions?

A pause, for effect--

... This once, however, I will admit.
You were not wholly off-mark.

[prettybomberhead]

...Well, this is certainly an interesting approach for Dia, and it's not one that proves fruitless, judging from Mari's reaction. Whether or not she's being serious or just overdoing it as usual is up to Dia to decide, and it's really a toss-up, just because of how tough it can be to read someone over text. Either way, though, now she has to know--

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ∴(O艸O★)

If Dia listens closely, she might be able to hear Mari's "kyaa!" all the way from her house, all things considered.

It's not presumptuous if I'm RIGHT, Diaaaaa!!!! But either way, this is BIG news!!! Big big big BIG!!! Ψ(≧ω≦)Ψ

I can just imagine you, sitting at your phone, with your cute little thumbs over the send button!!! "Should I text Mari this??? What should I do??? My pure maiden's heart is throbbing, on this dark moonless night, I have to tell SOMEONE, but can I really share my feelings this way....." But! But but but!!! Admitting your feelings is the first step to a beautiful and spectacular First Love!! 💖😍💖😍💖😍💖😍💖

I'm so glad that you trust me with such critical matters, my darling Dia! I simply MUST everything, you can't just leave me like this!! Go, go, go!!!

[shinelikea]

"Geh," comes Dia's kneejerk reaction as Mari's messages flood her screen again. Her first instinct is to doubt -- can she really last in the face of Mari's overbearing enthusiasm? And isn't she making a bit too big a deal of this, besides?!

No, she tells herself. It's too late to have regrets! She'll see this through! The one to have the last laugh is Dia Kurosawa!

Kindly settle down!
To begin with, I hesitate to divulge such delicate information to you. These are highly sensitive matters, Mari-san. How can I be sure you're worthy of trust? Do you swear confidentiality?!

... Of course, then there's the minor matter of those details' existence, or lack thereof. She'll work something out.

[prettybomberhead]

Oh, no she doesn't, she can't just worm her way out of telling her this easily! Not when she hyped it up so much like this! ...Ignoring the fact that Mari entirely hyped it up on her own, but--

DIA, I'm so hurt! Heartbroken, even!!!! how could you POSSIBLY suggest I would blab about a fair maiden's most sensitive secrets?!?!?! ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

Actually, that's probably a question better left unanswered. But even so! How rude, that she would insinuate such a thing! Does she think Mari is so shameless, so heartless before the desperate cries of a maiden in love?!

I'll have you know!! That there is no one in Uchiura more sensitive to the plight of a lonely maiden than I!!! PLUS, we've known each other for so long, do you REALLY think I would ever betray your trust like that?!?! I can't believe you!!!

Say you're sorry!!!!! If you don't, you're gonna get it I see you tomorrow!!!! ＼＼\\٩(๑`^´๑)۶//／／

Actually, don't say you're sorry yet!!! if you tell me your absolutely incredibly pressing very important extremely passionate romance troubles, I'll accept that as an apology!!!

WAIT THIS ISN'T WHAT I HAD IN MIND

[prettybomberhead]

[ it seemed like a good idea at the time ]

[prettybomberhead]

As is typically the case with more or less anything that Mari Ohara sticks her nose into, Saturday night's conversation with Dia had been nothing short of a complete hurricane from start to finish. If nothing else, regardless, there had been a silver lining to it; though it got a bit muddied along the way, the whole reason Dia had reached out was to get some help with writing the lyrics for her song, and, in her own way, Mari was more than happy to provide assistance. The deadline for their contest was set for Tuesday, well in advance of the actual deadline for the concert's lyrics, and they both were prepared to present their finished books in the clubroom on a rainy Wednesday, with all of Aqours present, and leave the matter of which song was superior to a majority vote.

Though it was all so very unnecessary, Mari's taste for the theatrical was not to be ignored, and she had insisted that both sets of lyrics were to be read aloud. And, of course, had similarly insisted that the contents of the lyrics were to be kept a surprise.

The difference between the two sets of lyrics was night and day; there could be no question about that. Leaving their names off of the titles was simply a formality, because Mari's lyrics were so incredibly Mari that there could be no doubt as to who wrote them; and while Dia's piece, a serious ballad, was no doubt impressive, it had only served to make Mari's that much more...well. To recap:

The name of the piece alone, A Girl's Best Friend, was immediately enough to gather a snicker or two. And while the composition wasn't terrible, from a technical standpoint, the metaphors themselves were absolutely abysmal. As a matter of fact, it was almost like she was challenging herself to see how cheesy she could make the finished score, with standout lines such as "I have all the gold I could want and more, but baby, you're a diamond, shining on the shore" and "One look in your eyes, that shade of green, I know I want to treat you like a queen". It's so blatantly about Dia that it hurts, and every time Dia insists on stopping, Mari urges her to continue; after all, there's no way the group can come to a majority vote if Dia doesn't read the entire thing, right? That wouldn't be fair to the rules of the contest!

Needless to say, Dia's lyrics won the competition (though it was far from a shutout; Yoshiko, You, and Ruby, of all people, actually brought it to a 4-3 win for Dia), but poor Dia had been so humiliated that she had to step out at around the halfway point, before the vote was even conducted. Mari didn't stick around for the results of the vote, either; not too long after Dia left, concerned that she was taking too long, Mari had decided to chase after her. She couldn't have gone far, and she probably didn't leave the building, what with the rain and all...

"Diaaa! Where did you go? Come on, you don't have to hide..."

Where could she be? Was she that offended..? And here she thought it was just a joke, but...

[shinelikea]

Dia's not hiding. She might be huddled with her knees to her chest underneath the school's biggest staircase, but it's not hiding. It's a habit carried over from when she was young -- small, closed-off spaces like this would always offer comfort when the world outside proved just a little too much to handle.

She doesn't do it much, anymore. It's unsightly now that she's grown; the student council president and future heiress of the Kurosawa family has no business lurking under stairwells at seventeen. Dia knows this. But she couldn't stand staying in the clubroom even a moment longer, and she doesn't want to leave for home yet, either. Some childish part of her refuses to get too far, just in case Mari comes after her... but when she finally does hear her voice from down the hall, she only hugs her legs tighter in stubborn silence.

No, she won't call Mari over. The least she could do is come all the way here herself.

[prettybomberhead]

It's just a sudden movement, a pair of legs poking out from under a stairwell that tuck in, ever so slightly, when she calls out, but it's enough to clue Mari in that someone is lurking over there. No part of that is anything close to an invitation to come closer, but she can't help herself, and comes running straight over.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

If she has a comment about her bring under the stairs, of all places, it's one that she keeps to herself. Instead, she kneels down a little bit lower, just to get to Dia's eye level. She won't ask her to get up, but...

"Did it really make you that upset? I thought you would find it cute..."

[shinelikea]

Dia glares up at Mari, but quietly listens to her talk just the same. She can't help but hope, perhaps foolishly, that Mari would show some understanding. Some remorse. Perhaps even go as far as offer an apology.

But 'foolishly' quickly turns out to have been an accurate prediction, and the words that leave Mari's mouth have Dia flaring up in a matter of seconds.

"Cute? What about that was cute?! Did you honestly think I'd be endeared by your endeavor to humiliate me before all our friends?!"

[prettybomberhead]

Dia's reaction makes Mari flinch a bit; she didn't think she would take it so personally! It wasn't as though everyone was laughing at her...it was just intended to be a joke!

"Dia, I didn't write it to embarrass you!"

...Maybe to get her a bit flustered, but, not embarrass in the way she's assuming--

"I just thought it would be cute to write a song like that, I didn't think you would be so offended...you really didn't like it at all?"

[shinelikea]

For the remainder of the evening, Dia is on cloud nine. At home, Ruby isn't sure what to make of her chipper humming and the periodic, seemingly baseless giggles, most especially in contrast to the indignant storm with which she left the clubroom earlier that day. Dia has no good excuse for almost missing dinner, either. She wants to tell her, and she will-- she just needs a little time to process it herself, first.

But processing can come later. For the time being, she's a giddy, giggly mess -- to the point where she can barely bring herself to mind her runny nose, or the faint itch at the back of her throat.

At least until morning comes, and she wakes up feeling like death itself. Bleary eyes, clogged nose, aching throat, and a listlessness that runs down to her bones, making the mere act of leaving bed a task of garagantuan proportion. The whole grody, disastrous package.

In hindsight, perhaps she ought have let Mari call that car.

As Dia Kurosawa is rarely one to succumb to illness, at first, she's fully intent on heading to school as she is. But Ruby, of all people, gives her an especially stern earful about how she'll only make her condition worse, harm her performance in class and in practice, and risk contaminating those around her. All words Dia recognizes well from her own mouth, but still, the shock of being so thoroughly lectured by her own baby sister is enough to make her fold.

So here she is. Sick, in bed, alone. She's successfully passed a few hours reading and napping, but now she's awake, miserable, and dangerously close to climbing her bedroom walls from sheer boredom. Is this what they call cabin fever? Goodness, it's dreadful. And with practice after school, Ruby won't be back until evening...

For the twentieth time that afternoon, Diw blows her nose. One side is still clogged, the other is leaking. The trash can at her bedside now fosters an awe-striking tissue mountain. Ugh, what a nightmare...

[prettybomberhead]

There's no denying that the entirety of yesterday had been nothing short of a magical experience; the two of them had cuddled under their blanket on the sofa and kissed for what had felt like hours and hours, but unfortunately, all good things had to come to an end, and the two of them had no choice but to rush Dia home before supper, as much as neither of them had wanted to leave the hotel room. But even after the two had parted for the evening, the texts began, a cascade of flirty, over-the-top fluff that continued until bedtime (and well after that, since they had both been determined to have the last word).

It comes as a bit of a surprise to Mari, then, when the next morning comes and Dia is nowhere to be found at school; it's no mystery that a quick announcement over the PA for Ruby to come to the director's office can't solve, of course, but it isn't like Dia to play hooky...so when she catches wind that her beloved is out sick, she immediately takes the opportunity to spring into action. Class can wait; she's got bigger priorities to handle. She rushes to the pharmacy and nearly buys out the cold relief section; she makes a mad dash to the supermarket and comes out with enough for a pot of her trademark soup, and then some.

It's barely a quarter past noon when Dia's phone buzzes once. A second time. An incessant string of buzzes follows that, and her phone doesn't stop, even once Mari's acknowledged that they're being received.

Dia!
Dia!
Dia!
Open the door!!!
ʚ♡⃛ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)
I'm outside!
Dia!
Diaaaa!
Let me in!!!
This stuff is heavy!!!
Dia!
I told you so!!!!!
(♡ >ω< ♡)
Let me take care of you!!!
My poor sick little cutie pie!!!
Dia I'm serious let me iiiin!!!
Hey, are you getting these?!?!
Oh no oh no are you sleeping?!?! Σ(ﾟдﾟ；)
Oh I guess not there it goes ✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡
Diaaaaaa
(◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*。

[shinelikea]

The buzzing of her phone feels, at first, like an answered prayer of sorts. Dia's heart does a tiny flip as Mari's name lights up the screen, dispersing the dreary clouds of isolation blanketing her head and chest.

But then the phone buzzes again, and again, and again and again and again and the sheer vexation is so intense it actually gets Dia rolling out of bed and stomping towards the front door. She throws it open, exasperation momentarily blinding her to her own splotchy-pink face and scraggly hair -- even the fact she's still in her nightgown.

"Mari-san! One text is enough!"

[prettybomberhead]

She's actually in the middle of more texts, still, when the door swings wide open in her face. Dia looks miserable, certainly a far cry from how radiant she was in the hotel yesterday; if she wasn't going to ruin that trucking company's life already, they're dead men walking now, but even with Dia looking so under the weather, Mari can't help but throw her arms around her the moment, without even the slightest bit of concern for how contagious her cold may be.

"Dia! Oh, my poor baby, look at you! Ruby told me you were sick, but to think it got this bad already..."

Whether she realizes that squeezing her tightly in her arms probably isn't making Dia any more comfortable is probably up for debate. Love is the best medicine, isn't it? Speaking of medicine, though, the bags upon bags of it on the ground next to where Mari was standing before she lunged in to give Dia the hug of her life are probably worth her attention--

"Well, have no fear! Doctor Mari is on the case with the most important house call ever! Ba bum bum ba bababa bum bababa bum bum bum buuuum~"

[shinelikea]

While Dia might usually enjoy the attention from Mari -- even if she'd make sure to hide it -- right now she's far too sick, and Mari is squeezing far too tight. She plants her hands against Mari's shoulders, struggling in vain against her death grip.

"L-let go of me! You'll make yourself sick!"

Once she finally manages to wrangle free (or more like Mari's finally taken pity), the pile of bags on the floor catches her eye, and her features pull into an even-warier frown. "What on Earth is all this? And besides--" It's then that the time occurs to her-- "What are you even doing here at this time of day? What about school?"

[prettybomberhead]

"Tsk tsk~"

Even though the threat of getting herself sick doesn't really do much to dissuade her from hugging her, seeing her writhe around in her grasp is enough to make her loosen her hold. Still, though, she can't help but wag her finger; surely she knows that no school can hold her, not when her beloved needs her here!

"What about it? I am the director, after all, and if I say I have a personal emergency, it isn't as though there's anyone above me who can say I can't leave, right? And it's not like the student council president is there to stop me, either..."

She can't help but wink, as she picks up the bags; it's with a bit of trouble, but she does manage to hoist them all at once on her forearms. It's no wonder she was complaining that her baggage was heavy...

"And you being sick is an emergency. I didn't quite know what you were feeling, so I decided to buy a little bit of everything, just to be safe! Runny nose, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, migraine headaches, sore throat, heartburn, sinus aches, nausea, pain relief, cold sweats..."

She immediately puts the back of her hand right up against Dia's forehead...

"And a fever, too...it was good that you stayed home today! But we need to get you back into bed right away! Go on, chop-chop, the longer you stand here, the less I get to nurse you back to health! You're going to be my patient all day long, and I'm not letting you say no, capisci?"

She's already pushing Dia back inside the door; even when Dia is sick, she's still just as pushy as always.

"I've already told Kanan to handle things at practice, so for today, you're all mine!"

[shinelikea]

If there's one thing that hasn't changed since they were little, it's that Dia remains bound to Mari's whims.

There are few people on this Earth that could coax her out of her home at nine PM on a school night -- as a matter of fact, Mari makes up exactly one half of them. But it's Mari who wanted her over, and so here Dia is, duffel bag slung across her shoulder, knocking on the suite's wooden door barely half an hour later.

She knows it's open. Manners are important.

"I'm here."

[prettybomberhead]

She couldn't deny that her phone call had been absolutely unprompted; they had only just seen each other at practice, after all, so it wasn't as though the two of them had gone for a particularly long time without being near one another, even by Mari's over-exaggerated standards. Still, just as well, she also couldn't deny that, in this wide open suite on a solitary Wednesday night, she was not only bored out of her mind but also...well, for lack of a better word, she was horribly lonely.

The place was certainly quiet enough, she figured; no one would bother them, of course, and on top of that, they were a couple now, weren't they? So isn't it natural to want to spend the night with the person you love every once in a while? And the idea of a night together with her Dia, just the two of them, wrapped up in each others arms as she steals as many kisses from her beloved's lips...mmph, she knows she's probably coming on a bit too strong for Dia's taste when she makes the call and practically begs her to come by, but she also knows that Dia can get just as lonely as she does. If nothing else, she'll understand, and if not, she has a way of knowing just how to prod until she does.

Thankfully, it didn't take too much of a fight at all to get Dia to give in. Less than half an hour is pretty good timing, considering how long it can take to get to the hotel during the day, but, Mari can't help but be restless as she waits, drumming her fingers impatiently on the end table at the side of her bed. In truth, even she doesn't quite know why she's getting so antsy; it isn't as though this is even the first time Dia's come to visit at night, but, it is the first time they're spending the night together as a couple, and...that comes with its own set of expectations, doesn't it? She can't help but wonder if Dia got the underlying message in her words over the phone, but she doesn't even have too much time to think about it before she hears the knock on the door.

Dressed down in just her robe and coziest slippers, already made down for the night, she practically sprints over to open it for Dia, wrapping her in the tightest embrace she can muster even before she opens the door completely.

"Dia, my love! You got here so quickly! Don't tell me you ran all the way here just for me..."

So much for quiet, but, it isn't as though anyone's around to hear them, in this isolated luxury suite...

[shinelikea]

Dia hums noncommitally in response, arms looping around Mari's back. A smll smile tugs on her lips almost instinctively -- Mari's bubbly energy is hard not to catch.

"It's rude to keep others waiting," she says, brushing her lips to Mari's cheek in a fleeting wisp of a kiss. "Frivolous as their demands may be."

[prettybomberhead]

Her cheeks instantly light up when Dia brings her lips to them, and though she can't see herself, she can feel her dimples starting to ache a bit from the doofy smile that she can't stop herself from making. She's about ready to scoop Dia off her feet and take her inside already; when she's like this, she realizes, she's far more prone to getting carried away...

"Dia, don't be silly, it wasn't frivolous! I had urgent business with you! Pressing matters that only you could take care of!"

It seems she means that just as much literally as she does figuratively, judging from how close she's pushing herself against her, but, it can wait, just for a few moments. She feels like a spring being held down between Dia's fingers, ready to burst at just about any moment now.

"Well, don't keep me waiting any longer, then..."

She, at least, has the decency to lead her inside and close the door behind her before laying her first kiss of the night on her lips; undoubtedly, it's far from the last. She wastes no time at all, clearly.

[shinelikea]

Dia's lips purse in a tut. She can only imagine what sorts of pressing matters Mari has in mind -- but then, she doesn't need to keep imagining long, because not a moment later Mari's drawing her in for a kiss.

"Mm--"

She's by no means resisting, but it does catch her a little off-guard, delaying her reaction. By the time Mari's pulled back, Dia's cheeks are dusted pink, and her features are pulled into a characteristic frown.

"Most people would think to offer tea first," she chides coolly, only betrayed by her blush. "Perhaps a chance to place my bag down."

[prettybomberhead]

The muffled sound Dia makes when Mari kisses her is practically music to her ears. And though she tries her best to sound apologetic as she strokes at Dia's cheek, she can't stop herself from laughing. Her blush is just so cute, and her expression...

She loves her so much, she can hardly stand it--

"I just couldn't help myself, I'm sorry...You can forgive me, can't you? You got here so quickly, I didn't even think to get tea ready...I can put some on now, if you want. As for your bag, well...You can throw that off wherever, I don't care."

She can't contain her giggles. When Dia tries to put on a front like this, she just wants to see her blush even more...