View source for 2914/Committed Co-Conspirators

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2026/01/18
|Location=[[Yumegahama Ward]]/[[Radiant Heart Academy]]
|Synopsis=It's the third stage of Hanon's Aquamarine Romance, and it's up to a pair of seagulls to guide Coco, Madoka, Homura and Kamiko to the perfect date spot while Brai, Lydian and Ikiko try to determine Nagisa's sensitivity to magic.
|Cast of Characters=55,33,52
|Tinyplot=An Aquamarine Romance
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>Madoka, Homura and Ikiko would receive a text at around noon.<br><br>"Hey, girls, gonna go on that expedition with the seagulls."<br>"If you wanna come with, I will be starting out at the Port Warehouses."<br>"I should find a good number of seagulls there."<br>"My bet is Nagisa will be at school right now, if you want to check for his magic."<br><br>"Have fun!"<br><br>Coco stands away from the walls of the hotel, and without further adieu walks away from the hotel and starts heading for the warehouses. Once there, she looks around, and it's not much longer that her search gets its reward: a pair of seagulls hang around just a meter away from the water, occasionally looking down at the ground or stretching their wings.<br><br>Meanwhile at Radiant Heart, Nagisa is walking away from the club, holding a large package with a huge ribbon that is almost as big as the package itself, and little letters forming up Hanon's name in an elegant cursive at the borders. Must have been why he was here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&lt;Text&gt; Madoka to Coco: "Okay! We'll be there!"<br>&lt;Text&gt; Madoka to Coco: "I'll send Brai to check if Nagisa can see her."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka and Homura show up at the warehouses not long after. Kamiko is trailing behind them and flying a bit higher than usual. Eventually they spot the mermaid princess and walk towards her. Madoka greets first. "Heya, Coco!" She glances at the seagulls. "Are these our co-conspirators?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko scratches her chin and thinks, "Wait. Does that make us Coco-conspirators?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura flips her hair and says, "I suppose it does. Did Brai find Nagisa yet?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko checks her tiny phone and says, "It looks like it. She's tracking him now."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, at Radiant Heart, Brai peeks at Nagisa from behind some bushes. She doesn't want to startle him, but she ''does'' want to be noticed. So for now she is being cautious and staying out of view. She looks around to see if there are any other animal reinforcements, especially of the canine variety.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>Once she gets the text, Ikiko goes and waves down a local stray that she had talked to earlier in the week. "<span style="color:#cd853f">Okay, so it's like we talked about a few days ago,</span>" Ikiko quietly barks to the dog while hiding behind a bush not too far away from Brai's hiding spot. "<span style="color:#cd853f">If need be, you'll be providing a distraction in case that guy notices her.</span>" That last is said with indicating Nagisa and Brai, respectively.<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">And I get the extra treat for helping out?</span>" the dog woofs back, wagging happily at the memory of the snack 'payment' Ikiko had provided for the stray being willing to help out.<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">Yup -- one the task is done, whether we wind up needing the distraction or not, you get a rawhide bone,</span>" Ikiko confirms.<br><br>The stray grins, and turns to watch Nagisa, and Ikiko proceeds to give Brai a thumbs-up: reinforcements ready!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>Coco smirks at her friends' arrival and greeting, briefly turning away from the seagulls to reply to the pinkette, the purple-haired girl and the Chara. She is not very worried about losing the seagulls. They are both stepping along the concrete, occasionally pecking at it with a frustrated look. It really doesn't look like they are about to leave, so she can leave them contacting them to later.<br><br>"Hi, Madoka-chan, Homura-chan, Kamiko-chan. I see you are doing fine", she greets with a slight tilt of her head. "Those are a lot of "Co"'s there: considering we count on cornering Nagisa to consider if he conceals any magic, that comes across well." She snorts amused. She saw a chance, and is absolutely unashamed of having taken it: it fits for this joke to be ''co''ntrived.<br><br>Coco motions at the duo to come closer, and turns back around towards the seagulls, who are still busy in their quixotic quest for food. "Hello there! Can you lend me an hear, just a sec?"<br><br>The two seagulls look at each other, and start hopping closer, looking at the group curiously. ''A Mermaid Princess. This is news. What made you be here?'', they squawk. Unfortunately this still come across as sounds Madoka could have expected out of any average seagull, despite the fact they just understood Coco's own words.<br><br>"Let's not worry about that", Coco casually deflects with a smile. "It's a long story, and not really important here. My name's Coco, from the South Pacific Ocean. So! Think you could help me?"<br><br>She crouches, and without much worry, she extends a hand, petting the seagulls on the head. "It shouldn't be long, and I will give you some better food, if you promise not to rely on it." A wave breaks as the seagulls look at each other again, and then Coco.<br><br>At school, Nagisa sighs. He really thought he would have found Hanon at the music room. His face is actually partially covered by the huge bow he has put on the package. But no, nothing. He was hoping he could give it to her as soon as classes are over, but... It's yet another long trip to the Pearl Pier for him.<br>'Has Hanon ever been at school?' he thinks displeased, starting to head towards his bike to get it off the chain. The box is momentarily placed at his feet. Nagisa's fingers push his lock's numbers around, while the chain occasionally bumps against the wheel.<br><br>He clearly hasn't noticed he is being spied on. He hasn't even looked at the bushes, not once, despite the barking of the dog, or the moving of the fairy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka, Homura and Kamiko watch as Coco goes on a co-rampage. Homura smirks, Madoka giggles, and Kamiko claps before saying, "Okay that one was impressive actually."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None of the three of them seem to understand even the tiniest amount of seagullese, not even Kamiko. However, they get the idea from Coco's side of the conversation. Madoka smiles, then glances at Coco. "I mean. If anyone would have good food for seagulls, it would be you, Coco-chan."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, at the school grounds, Brai watches Nagisa mess with his bike. He texts Kamiko really quick.<br><br>&lt;Text&gt; Brai to Group Chat: "Okay. Going for it. Wish me luck!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tiny fairy suddenly bolts out of the bushes and flies towards the chained up bike. She floats directly in front of his line of sight, waving her tiny arms saying, "Hey! Listen! Hey listen! Hey!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile she gets the attention of another minidoka, Lydian, who starts looking at her Chara-sister from about a block away thinking, "What silly thing is she doing right now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>Ikiko watches carefully as Brai sends the message and heads over to act conspicuous in front of Nagisa. "<span style="color:#cd853f">So far so good,</span>" she quietly wuffs, a hand gently resting on the shoulder of the stray.<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">Still wait?</span>" the dog quietly woofs back, eagerness tempered with patience.<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">Still wait,</span>" Ikiko nods back with a smile.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>"Thank you", Coco replies, flipping her hair back for effect. "I could turn it into a rap, if I find one of use who is into it." It's not actually her type of music, though, but she does find the idea funny enough to consider it. Maybe in a rap about their romantic adventure?<br><br>Not quite her choice though. Maybe she can find someone else for it. "Not something I thought would happen, but it comes in handy. It's a good thing I remember what Hanon gets to do."<br><br>She actually has no intention to continue like this after today, despite the usefulness the seagulls would have on land.<br><br>"That we can do", the seagulls meanwhile imply, and expand their wings again in a stretch. "What do you need?", they ask, looking manly at Coco. For her part she replies with a thumb pointed over her shoulder, to the vegetation raising from behind her, just where the warehouses end.<br><br>"We are on a romantic mission. Can you find us a good sight for couples? Surely you have seen something like it while flying around."<br><br>The seagulls don't reply to her at first, but they start screeching at each other, listing various places they think could fit the bill. Some of them quite out at sea.<br><br>Coco is about to intervene and nudge them away from that choice, when they finally expand their wings and hop with much more strength, taking flight. "Leave it to us. We know where to go."<br><br>"Awesome, thank you." The mermaid smiles brightly. "Ready to go?" She tells her friends.<br><br>On campus Nagisa has just finished unchaining her bike, and he doesn't blink when Brai starts shouting in front of his face. His phone just happens to buzz at the same time, and he sneaks a glance at the notification. "'Hey, listen', 'Hey, listen'. Why? I don't need the reminder", he mutters to himself, tying the gift to the back of the bike.<br><br>He gets on, and start pedaling away from the school in the direction of the Yumegahama Ward, ignoring what was a video of Navi and Link a friend had chosen to share with him just at that moment.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura sees Coco's hairflip and responds with one of her own. She says, "Well, you ''could'', though I'm sure there are other genres of music that could benefit from a focus on clever wordplay."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko crosses her arms and says, "There are, but they're very much on the indie or underground side of things."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They get quiet when Coco talks to the seagulls, not wanting to speak over a conversation that they don't understand. Madoka glances at Homura with a silent question. Has she ever spoken to seagulls before? Homura shakes her head. When Coco asks if they're ready to go, Madoka smiles and nods firmly. "Sure! Let's go."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They are more than ready to follow along to wherever the seagulls and Coco lead them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai isn't noticed. Nagisa isn't responding at all. Or... wait... is he?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Did he... hear her? Even if just subconsciously?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a non-zero chance that the notification happened to say the exact same thing she did, so she zips around his head to look over his shoulder at the phone. Sadly he's already on the way out, so she barely has time to really read it before he's securing his gift to the bike.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai needs more data points, and needs them quickly. She scratches her chin as Lydian approaches and asks, "Ummm hi Brai! So... what are you doing?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai points at Nagisa and says, "This is the guy."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lydian ohs and responds, "The guy with the thing?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai nods. "The thing with Hanon, yeah."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lydian flies over to the gift and floats just barely a few centimeters above it, where she's pretty sure Nagisa will be looking. "So like. Did you remember everything? Cologne? Breath mints? Hair spray? Your favorite plushie?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai meanwhile texts the group chat: "Um... I think he can't see me but he might have heard me. We should be careful."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>Ikiko watches as Brai does some quick texting, then checks her phone when the message arrives. She raises her eyebrows at the info, then quickly glances back at the charas. This might be a complication, but it ''also'' could open up a few more options...<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">Second little person?</span>" the dog inquires with a tilt of the head.<br><br>"<span style="color:#cd853f">Sister of the first one,</span>" Ikiko quietly explains. "<span style="color:#cd853f">Still wait.</span>"<br><br>The dog quietly wuffed in acknowledgement, and the two continued their stakeout.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>"You are right", Coco considers when Homura points out there is much more than just rap. "I am sure I could find something if I really get a look at it. I could even involve Hanon. I am sure she could have a laugh too."<br><br>Well, not like she is going to ask right now, but she could involve her later, if they get a victory out of this plan. And, you know, exposing their machinations like that doesn't immediately make all of their efforts for naught. "I think I will see what to do though. I don't want to mess everything up."<br><br>While she follows the seagulls, Coco also explains to her friends what was it the seagulls had said. "They were a bit cautious, but as you imagined, the food won them over. Though, some of the places were out at sea, and I didn't want that to cause trouble where we can't help her."<br><br>Considering how fatal it would be, Coco grits her teeth a bit, taking a breath before going back to a smile. She raises an eyebrow, however, when she notices the specific direction. "Are we getting close to the hotel?"<br><br>They are distinctly surrounded by nature, so she is not very worried the seagulls misunderstood for now, but could their ideal date spot really have been so close all this time?<br><br>Coco's phone beeps, and she looks at it, lips thin. "Did you see?", she asks Madoka and Homura while typing a reply to Brai. ''"Stay close to Ikiko. If something weird happens, tells us instantly."''<br><br>Nagisa meanwhile, is gripping the handles of his bike tightly, steering it on even ground, though the occasional root makes him swerve. Ok, so, he has to do something else.<br><br>He starts going over all the suggestions he has received, all the tips he saw online, and how the sales assistant has picked something of the dress he wanted that wasn't wildly off-target. He can really only trust in her there.<br><br>"Don't worry", he tells himself, at around the same time the Chara asks. "Everything is in the right place." He is not looking at either Brai or Lydian's approximate directions, though.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Madoka, Homura and Kamiko listen to Coco's translation of the Secret Tongue of the Gulls, the three of them listen intently. Kamiko recalls some of the particulars of Mermaid secret identities and looks a little mortified. "Yeah, no. Nothing out at sea. Even if it ''does'' look really nice."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura notes the direction they're going and says, "Seems like it. Well, if it's a place you can easily reach, that makes things a lot easier."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, secluded as it seems, there's still a pretty good chance for privacy. All in all this seems promising, unless it somehow turns out that seagulls have a very different definition of romance than they do.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko notices the group chat ping at around the same time that Coco does, and takes a look at the phone. "Huh..." Madoka and Homura both lean closer to read Kamiko's tiny phone, even though it'd probably be easier to just get their own out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Brai and Lydian start following Nagisa as he bikes away. The two of them look at each other for a moment, and then Brai looks back at Ikiko to give her a salute. Lydian takes Brai's phone from her hands and texts to the romance plan chat, "I'm pretty sure he can't see either of us, but when he thinks out loud it's like he's responding to us. ~L"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai takes the phone back and also texts, "This might be an opportunity, though we still need to be careful around Hanon. He's on his bike now. We're gonna follow from a distance."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>The fact that Nagisa is having to contend with both the terrain and the package is making it easier for Ikiko and her canine accomplice to not fall too far behind, even while the two observers have to contend with both staying out of Nagisa's sight ''and'' not rustling too many leaves along the way.<br><br>Ikiko nods back at Brai's salute, then reads the messages as they arrive. "Could be a way to drop hints without him feeling like he's eavesdropping or being talked about, yeah," she texts back. "Since it looks like we won't need a simple distraction, I'll let my assistant go off-duty, but I'll stay on emergency standby until you two are done following him."<br><br>And with that out of the way, she turns towards the stray that had been helping out. "<span style="color:#cd853f">The job's done! As promised, here's the rawhide bone,</span>" Ikiko barks to the dog as she hands over the treat. "<span style="color:#cd853f">Thank you for helping out, even if we wound up not needing a distraction.</span>"<br><br>The stray licked Ikiko on the cheek, then gently took the rawhide bone in its mouth and trotted off, tail wagging happily~<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>Coco picks up on Kamiko's mortification, and gives her a smile, gently patting her on the head. "It's ok, you don't need to worry about it so much. We have been prepared for dealing with it since forever. I am not going to let anything happen to Hanon, and she is smart enough to avoid those situations even if she knows nothing about the date with Nagisa."<br><br>But anyway, that's a moot point. It doesn't look like they'd be anywhere close, actually. Seems like the seagulls really took the sea prohibition to heart. Their path is actually rising now, and there are more variation of berries popping up in the bushes, making it all look more lively.<br><br>The path brings them up a hill, and ends on a wide clearing with a few benches, including one positioned to admire both the sea and sky at once. "It's definitely a pretty sight", the yellow mermaid smiles. "Maybe in the late evening, when the stars have come out?", she considers.<br><br>"He seems to reply, huh...", Coco hums, holding onto that thought as they walk, and going back down the path now that they have found the place. "Thank you for guiding us, you have been really helpful", she tells the seagulls, and those two fly away with a screech.<br><br>It's definitely weird if he isn't looking at them, and she supposes there could be weirder coincidences, but that's quite the luck Nagisa is having. "It's a coincidence, right?" she asks Madoka and Homura.<br><br>Nagisa meanwhile stops his bike just in front of the hotel, disappearing inside with the gift for a few minutes. When he comes back out, he has a wide smile, and gets back up into his bike, lightly heading in the same direction Coco is coming back from.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko looks up at Coco at the reassurance, and actually looks a bit relieved. Of course, Coco would be careful, and of course Kamiko knew that already. Hanon, too, would be aware of the risks and approach them responsibly. It just wasn't something the tiny goddess fairy has had to worry about for a while. She floats up to give Coco's hand a quick hug before letting her go. "I know. It's fine. Don't worry about me. I get it."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When they reach the clearing, Madoka and Homura take in the sight and start holding each other's hands. Madoka giggles and looks out across the horizon. "I'd say your seagull friends have pretty good taste, Coco-chan."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura nods and says, "Yes, this should do nicely. I bet it'd look very pretty."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As they return back, they consider Brai's findings. Homura shrugs at Coco's question. "Chara are a bit odd among magical beings, as small children can also see them. Nagisa is a bit too old to really be able to hear her at all without magic. Could he possibly have unknown potential?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka shrugs her shoulders and tilts her head. "Um... well... that doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? Maybe it really is a coincidence." After a pause, she voices her next thought. "He's not the kind of guy who'd just ignore someone who was talking to him, is he?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura shakes her head. "If he is, then he's also the kind of guy who doesn't flinch when something moves quickly in front of his face. I find it unlikely."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Through her smartphone, Homura can see that Brai is coming up close. Which means that Lydian is and also the bike. She looks up, sees Nagisa, and immediately pretends not to be looking at him. Even if she can still see him out of the corner of her eyes.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka lacks Homura's subtlety, so when she notices Nagisa she quickly looks away, blushes slightly from embarrassment, ''realizes'' that her face might be red and looks towards Homura to make it look like she's reacting to her girlfriend.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai and Lydian, meanwhile, stop following and fly away when Nagisa approaches the hotel. Too many magic-aware eyes in there for them to get away with any spying. Not that they'd feel unwelcome there, but they don't want to create suspicion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>Ikiko sits down on a nearby bench, stretching her legs out after having to crouch for the nearby part of the observation of Nagisa. Doing the stealthwork wasn't that much of a problem for her, but it ''does'' feel good to not have to sneak around while hunched over.<br><br>She checked her phone again, not particularly expecting trouble, but still making sure that things haven't gone wrong and that the task is still at hand. No news is good news, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:55|Coco Kiumi (55)}} has posed:'''<br>Coco takes a step back when she sees Homura and Madoka holding hands, looking softly at the affectionate gesture between the two. She starts considering quietly making her leave there to let the two have a moment, but then she is addressed, and the blonde girl stops retreating.<br><br>"They did, didn't they? This trip was worth the effort, especially since you two are looking really cute together", she adds, winking at them. Though, well, this time, and any other time, actually.<br><br>"If he is keeping it hidden from us, he would be a very good actor", Coco slightly shakes her head, and then adds. "Honestly: I think unlikely is the right word. I don't think he is so subtle in what he does. It probably was just a series of unlucky circumstances."<br><br>But then Nagisa is coming up the path right there and then, and had she been by herself, Coco would have absolutely tossed herself in the bushes. There is a moment in which she flinches, and she looks at Homura and Madoka with a nervous grin, and just like the pinkette she tries to look innocent, though her strained smile has other plans.<br><br>"Well, that will make it easier to let him know where the spot is", Coco says once he is out of earshot. She starts to relax, and sends Ikiko a message. "Thank you for the help. I will try to see if we can catch when they go on that date."<br><br>She then adds the other two girls. "Thanks for coming along, Madoka-chan, Homura-chan. I am glad to have had you here. I will try to catch the day of the date", she promises, and lets go of the hug.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Madoka Kaname (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Only after Nagisa passes does Madoka start getting self-conscious about her behavior. "Eheh... Thank you, Coco-chan. You and Rihito look sweet together, too."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura lets go of Madoka's hand for a moment, then crosses her arms while turning to Coco. "I'll look forward to further co-conspiring with Coco the cool mermaid."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamiko laughs. "There you go again. See you around."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura and Madoka each hug Coco before waving and turning away. Kamiko heads over to Brai and Lydian to check up on them. Brai texts the conspiracy group with, "Looks like we're safe. We're getting pretty close. I hope that smile means Hanon liked her gift."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brai and Lydian, meanwhile, float towards Ikiko. Brai says, "Thanks for the backup. Even if nothing bad happened, it was still important to have you there."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:52|Ikiko Hisakata (52)}} has posed:'''<br>Ikiko texts a smile and a thumbs-up to Coco, then smiles as the charas arrive. "Glad to help, and glad that things went well!" she replies. "I think I'll go get some snacks now -- albeit probably ''not'' at the hotel, since we're still trying to not raise suspicions. And since Madoka's with Homura... you two want to come along for snacks?"<br> <br>
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