Xaviers!

A vivid vision that couldn't be anyone other than Chisaki slowly made her way towards the hedge maze, looking for a place to be alone. in a mostly black dress and a multi colour wig, the girl was moving briskly in hopes no one would stop her for a chat.

She had been doing her best not to think about what Diego had said to her the night of the party. Clearly, he was just under the influence of those demons or whatever they were. He didn't actually feel that way, right?

So why did she keep coming back to it in her mind? Why did she feel the need to be by herself when she knew that wasn't what she was supposed to be doing?

She was lost in her own thoughts as she moved towards her destination.

Speaking of Diego, the cat boy exited the maze just as she arrived. He yawned as if he had just taken a nap and looked her way.

"Oh, uhh... hey Chisaki," he said awkwardly.

"D-Diego!" She stammered, backing away a bit as if she had been startled.

Because she had. "H-how are you? How are you feeling?"

"Oh, that wore off already. I'm good."

"You?" he asked, sounding as if on the edge of embarrassment.

"Uhm- I am okay." She replied back awkwardly, sounding equally as embarrassed.

He sighed deeply. "Listen, about what I said. I... understand if you don't feel the same way. The rest wasn't really even about you... just my baggage bleeding out."

"Guess I've got rejection issues."

Chisaki's pause was long as she thought of how to say what she wanted to say.

"I do not mean to reject you Diego... but what I said was true.

I have never had any feelings towards another person before, sexual or romantic.

Not any real people anyways.

I think that Basil might be right about me. Maybe.... I just cannot feel those things. "

"What about friendship? We are friends, right?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course we are Diego-senpai. I just....

I do not want you standing in the sidelines waiting for me to..." Chisaki paused, hesitating for the right words.

" 'Catch the feels'? Does this sound like the right thing?"

"Yeah, I get it. At least... now I know not to waste my time trying to win you over and that it isn't anything against me," he said, disappointment lessening.

"Yes... but..."

"I'm okay. Really. I'm used to being just friends," he said with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I am more concerned by how you will react if I do... 'catch feels' for someone. Just because it has never happened does not mean it will not ever happen.

Then you will be upset because it was not you, and we will be back here again.

I do not like 'here' very much."

"If I end up being petty about it, then I never deserved your feels. Unless demons are involved."

"I cannot believe they are real... Kiki said such things were but she was always highly superstitious so I thought it was just paranoia."

"After fighting vampires and Fey lords, nothing's existence surprises me."

"Wait. Who's Kiki?"

"Ah! My cousin. Sorry, I forgot it was Colette that called me on Christmas and saw her."

"So she's really into the supernatural? I have a grandma like that. Professional spirit medium and fortune teller."

"Not really. She does not tell fortunes or commune with spirits.

But she believes it to be real, and something that should not be disturbed. If anything, her and your grandmother would probably argue about what your grandmother does."

"I know from experience that the supernatural will mess with you whether you disturb it or not. But then mutants seem to attract more than their share."

"Kiki would argue it is because we do not know how to leave well enough alone.

Sometimes, I would agree, though not this time. We were definitely minding our own business."

"I don't know if leaving dark things well enough alone is in me. My powers seem to have a violent hatred of evil beings."

"Perhaps instead of being a police officer or a superhero, you should join a magical girl team."

Was that a joke? She looked like she was grinning, soooooooo probably?

He made his best Sailor Moon pose and exclaimed, "In the name of the Sun, I shall punish you!"

Chisaki broke into the giggles, covering her mouth as she did so.

"Shall I make you a short seifuku and a tiara? Or are you a starlight?

The hotpants might mess with your tail, but I could try."

He chuckled. "Please don't."

"I'm loving the Mugen duds though."

"Good! I am glad.

I could make you other things if you like."

"Only if it's fun for you to play dress-the-kitty."

"That depends. Do I get to take pictures and sell them on the internet?"

"As long as I get final say.

And get to look cool. That's very important."

"Deal!

Shady cosplay promoter project is go!"

He raised a brow. "Shady?"

"Oh yes, cosplay promoters are the shadiest of all."

"Like how? Doesn't seem like a thing to be shady for, but then I'm an ignorant American."

"Are you familiar with with term 'Cosplay is not consent'?"

"No, but I can deduce the meaning," he said, "Gross."

"The meaning is not gross, but the need for it is.

Some people do not no when to take no for an answer. Some of those people are people are managers of cosplayers or idol girls. They push the girls too far for fan-service."

"That's what I figured. I didn't realize cosplay was anything more than a hobby though."

"It can be a hobby or a job. There are definitely more professionals back home than there are in the US."

"Glad I asked for final say," he smirked teasingly, "Who knows what you might do with me."