The Colors Universe

The Problem with Going to Prom by Nerrin

Characters: Mikan-tan, Akai-san
Word Count: 580 words
Theme: One time too many
Author Notes: I have no clue how it turn out like this, oh man

Mikan-tan had been looking herself over one time too many.

Make that several times too many, really. She had barely budged from in front of the mirror, and was seemingly staring at her own reflection in disbelief – or so Sirocchi and Kurocchi had informed. Everyone else had gotten worried, but not even the usually-reckless Tobi was willing to charge into her room to ask her what was wrong. Mikan-tan looked ready to snap at anyone who did, and no one liked seeing her angry.

But things couldn't go on like this, and eventually Akai-san sighed, getting up from the living room couch. "I'll go," he said, drawing a small smile from Midori~n and a pat on the back from Tobi-han.

Nearing Mikan-tan’s room, Akai-san pushed open the door hesitantly. It was unlocked, something that seemed unusually careless for Mikan-tan. “Uh,” he started, unsure of where to begin, “Mikan, are you alright?”

She didn’t take notice of him, still staring at herself in the mirror. She was wearing her pajamas, and didn’t seem close to begin changing out of them.

“It’s nearly lunchtime, Mikan.” Akai-san dug through his memory, trying to recall if there was going to be any sort of important thing happening later today. And then it struck him. “Don’t you have some sort of school prom to go to later?”

At those words, Mikan-tan seemed to perk up. She turned to look at him. “I don’t have anything to wear,” she wailed.

Akai-san entered her room, letting the door remain shut behind him. He glanced over her bed – across it had been strewn all sorts of clothes. “It’s fine,” he found himself saying. “What are you worrying about?”

“Nothing I have is glamorous enough,” said Mikan-tan, sounding the most dejected that Akai-san had ever heard her. It was worrying and he crossed the room, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Who says? You’ve always had so much confidence in yourself.”

“But everyone else at school will look so nice in a dress! I don’t fit dresses.”

Akai-san thought about this for awhile. “I’ve never seen you in a dress.”

At that, Mikan-tan cracked a small smile, smacking his arm lightly. “I don’t like ‘em, so I don’t wear many!”

“I’ll help you pick out something good for later, okay?” said Akai-san. It was the most he could do for her at the moment, and he smiled upon noticing that Mikan-tan seemed to be coming back to her usual self.

“Thanks,” she said, re-opening up her cupboard and staring into it for awhile. “We have five hours! But you know, there’s one bigger thing you could actually help me with.”

Akai-san walked up to her, staring into the cupboard as well. He had no idea Mikan-tan owned this many clothes. Maybe the rest of the girls owned just as many, if not more. The thought was scary – how much did they spend on all this, really?

“Help you with what?” he asked.

Mikan-tan looked up at him, a cheeky grin on her face. “You could take me to the prom.”

Akai-san stared at her. “Huh?”

Then she starting laughing. Hard. Mikan-tan held on to the cupboard as she cracked up, leaving Akai-san to stare at her further. Wait, what?

“I was kidding,” she laughed, “you should’ve seen your expression! Don’t look so shocked!”

“You don’t kid about these things,” Akai-san chided, but he joined in the laughter anyway. He was glad Mikan-tan was back to normal now.

Leave a comment for the writer?