“How Do You Ask a Slime Girl to Prom?” (62.2) (Zeta)

I threw a beanbag at the board, and it thunked against it, but a thunk didn’t get me any points as it didn't go through any of the hole deals. With the combat over, I tried to let myself enjoy being out in nature and with friends the best I could. The pogo stick tournament sounded really intense from how Kai described it, and not wanting to feel like I was intruding on Oka and Lillia, I went for the beanbag throwing zone next.

“Lots of drama today, huh?” I said.

“Seems to be the normal amount,” Kai said.

“We never have drama,” Iris said. She tried to smack Maia's shoulder, but Maia dodged it.

“Those fights with Scrungy don’t count?” Maia asked.

“Those weren’t drama, they were action!” Iris said. “Hey, Zeta. You sure you’re not going after her? Oka seemed kind of...emotional.”

I was fairly certain I’d made the right decision. I couldn’t hear most of what Oka and Lillia were talking about, but I got the gist of it. I could have stuck by Oka’s side and walked her through it, but…

“I think this is one of those times where she needs to be off on her own for a bit to gather her thoughts,” I said. “Or I guess, on her own after the pogo tournament, where she’ll probably get in wander around and contemplate mode. Then we'll reconvene later, in the main event as Oka calls it, for the comforting time.”

“That sure sounds like a thing you two would do,” Iris said.

“So, um,” I said, and Kai groaned immediately, knowing what I was going to ask. “Sorry. I can maybe not say anything.”

“Nah, I’m used to it,” Kai said. She had said in the past that she had to deal with a lot from her twin’s dating drama.

“That was about Lillia and Ko splitting up, I’m guessing?” I said.

"What?" Iris gasped. “Oh, wait, I heard about that this morning.”

“All things considered, this went really well for a Ko breakup,” Kai said. “Usually the door is decidedly not open for more in the future, and that’s usually Ko’s fault. I still have to tell you about that cluster thing she got in, I was really bracing for something like that again when she said she and Lillia were having problems.”

I hoped the problems they were having weren’t like, me and Jeans tier. Ko and I had issues, but I was getting used to her dating Lillia, and they seemed happy together.

“Today might be a fun one for a hypothetical,” Michi said.

“Dude, no,” Kai said.

“Just imagine,” Michi said, a wry smile spreading across their lips.

“If you do a scenario now, everyone’s gonna think you’re talking about my sister,” Kai said.

“And? It’d be funny,” Michi said.

“Only to your twisted sense of humor,” Kai said.

“I’m trying to think of something about a rebound that’d also make people think I’m the reason they split up,” Michi said.

“Why would you want people to think that?” I asked.

“People’s reactions are interesting,” Michi said. 

Michi had a very different outlook on life than I did. When rumors about me were going around, I didn’t even know what to do other than feel bad. Kai threw a beanbag, and I screamed when this one exploded just before hitting the board from a laser blast. Once I realized we weren’t directly under attack, I realized Amara had fired the laser, deciding on a bold and anxiety-inducing entrance.

“I would just like to announce that I am available to those parties interested, and actively seeking,” Amara said, curtsying.

“Actively seeking what?” I asked.

“No way,” Iris said. “The love trio split up too?”

The very idea of the love trio not being together sent a horror movie jumpscare shiver down my spine. That sounded improbable. Beyond improbable. I figured we misheard. What was going on with this trip?

Amara practically hissed, crossing her arms and turning her nose up on Iris. “Never! Quite the opposite! This decision began after we were practicing intimate explorations—”

“You can just stop there,” Maia said.

“No, keep going!” Iris said.

“—and discovered that the three of us are severely lacking in experience. Our attempts to learn together hit some walls, and so, we discussed broadening our horizons, and decided we’d each try our hand at dating outside our triangle to gain the experience to make our bond even stronger. If it works, more love to go around. If not, we always have each other.”

“Huh,” I said. “I’m glad you three can talk things out like that!” I never expected to hear Amara and the others come to that sort of decision.

“How can there be more than a trio? That’s like, the biggest that can be.” Iris said.

“Quartet. Quintet. Sextet,” Amara said.

“What was that last one?!” Iris said.

“Sextet. Six, you doofus,” Amara said.

“Also, since when are you three official?” Iris asked.

That one was news to me as well. I mean, Amara, KJ, and Rain clearly adored each other, but I’d never heard them actually say they were dating or in a polycule.

“Since forever?” Amara said. “Rain, KJ, and I swore a lifelong oath to each other in sixth grade. Well, KJ and I each individually swore one with Rain, but eventually we added each other to that,” Amara said. “Since when are you official?”

“I…that’s…” Iris said.

“Wouldn’t say ‘official,’” Maia said.

“I would say best friend stuff, that’s what’s official!” Iris said, raising a fist to the sky.

“And you say I’m the one with issues,” Amara said, brushing her hair aside. “I must also add that I will not be available for prom, that will just be Rain, KJ, and I. Unless one of our suitors makes a very good impression on all three of us.”

“I see,” I said. “Well, I hope this is a fruitful endeavor for everyone involved.”

“Why are you talking like that?” Kai asked.

“I’m just wishing them well!” I said.

“Amara, are you asking us out?” Iris asked.

“I am merely letting you know my marital status,” Amara said. “I am no hussy and would not wedge myself between any established romances.”

“That makes sense,” I said, not sure what else to say.

That led to an extended awkward silence, filled only by the sound of Michi’s sketchbook and Kai throwing more beanbags.

“Hey, I should ask you all,” I said, thinking of something that could help. “I’ve been wanting to talk to the devils all week and haven’t had a chance, anyone want to join me?”

I could use the walk to piece together all these new social life things, and could check my devil befriending plan off my to do list.

“Pass,” Michi said. “They can come to me.”

“Same here,” Kai said. “But holler if they try to kick your ass or something, I got your back.”

“We’re in,” Iris said. “It’s not like we have anything better to do.”

“I will join as well, as part of my romantic networking procedure,” Amara said.

I realized there was one person who could make sense of this all with a snarky joke, but I hadn’t seen her at all since the fights in the ring. Someone to make sense of Lillia and Ko splitting, the love trio being…open now?

Where was Kalei when you needed her?