Preparing myself to head to CiRCLE after a long day of studies, I still feel a little bummed.

Touko haven't messaged or called me at all today so far. Usually she is very eager every morning to send me a selfie, or call me to say her good morning to me directly, before saying how much she loves me.

But none of that today, but granted, Touko is perhaps sick today, so paying her visit by the kimono shop would be best to do-

*RING*

As soon as I think to do that, my phone rings; It's Tsukushi.

"Hey Tsukushi! Maybe strange to ask right off the bat, but do you know if Touko is sick today?"

"Oh, uuuh... About that, she is not sick. However, it's hard to explain..." She tells me in an unusually unsure tone.

"Where is she, or where are you all?"

"Oh, we are actually at CiRCLE-"

"No, don't bring Stephy here, it will be so embarrassing for him to see this!"

"Touko, you there?!"

"Ow, lower your voice!"

"Sorry, sorry... But why is she so distraught for?" I ask Tsukushi as she once again have a hard time answering that. "Ah screw it, I'm coming over. If my beloved girlfriend is troubled, I can't just stand by and watch!"

I hang up the call and immediately head out after putting on my shoes to rush towards the live house. Touko shall not feel down, no matter what it is that she deems embarrassing.

Almost exhausted as I arrive at the live house, I recover my breath before heading inside, meeting up with Marina.

"Touko came storming inside here, crying over something as her bandmates followed after. I don't know what it is, but you know her the best out of us all."

"Don't worry, I will make sure to see whatever makes her being this sad can possibly be fixed and turned around." I reply to her as I continue towards where the backstage is, as that is where everyone are at according to her.

Opening the door carefully, I can hear Touko... weeping... That instantly breaks my heart hearing, so I open it fully, revealing myself to Morfonica.

"Touko, look, Stephan is here-"

"No, NO! I told you this is embarrassing, he will find this so weird..!" Touko interrupts Tsukushi as she continues looking away.

"Touko, do not say that. There is no way I will find anything about you weird."

She soon stands up, finally revealing why she has been distant from me today. She... She has the ears and tail of a dog.

I remain silent as I look on, surprised over this reveal, while Touko has it difficult to look me in the eyes.

"I've... had these stupid ears and tail since morning, and I can't figure out what to do to make them go away!" Touko says before looking at me. "But... it's still so good to see you, Stephy. So sorry I didn't say anything, I should've..."

"Don't worry Touko, I understand. It's not every day something like this happens, you know?"

"Hehe, you're right, Stephy~!" She replies, before her tail begins wagging underneath the skirt of her school uniform and the ears raise up.

"Uwah, i-it actually does move like a dog's tail..!" Mashiro comments in surprise as Touko soon realizes this and retreats a little.

"Still, what good does it do for me to have two extra ears and a tail, I just look so weird..." She says as her ears droops down again and the tail stops wagging. "I don't like being part dog!"

"But you are still Touko." I suddenly say, which causes her to look back at me again.

"That's true... Oh my god, I think I realize why I got these!" She replies back as she walks up to me. "Stephy, you remember when we spoke yesterday over the phone before we had to sleep?"

"Remember as clear as the most clear skies."

"Heh... Anyways, so after that, a falling star zoomed across the sky while I had the thought; 'I wonder if Stephy would actually love me, no matter what!'" She tells me as the pieces begins getting together. "I know, super weird question. But a lot of my friends said that their boyfriends had dumped just because they changed up their appearance and such, so... I guess I were scared."

"I see, and that shooting star must've granted your wish." I tell her as I soon smile at her, which causes her ears and tail to raise up and wag respectively again.

"Stephy, arf arf- Oop!" She interrupts herself as she holds her hands over mouth due to suddenly barking. "That's... new! Must be that I get so excited to see my sweetie Stephy right in front of me, UUUOOOOHH- Oh, oh no, not again..!"

I just chuckle as I walk up to her, before embracing her in a big hug. "Well, even so, you are still the Touko I fell in love with. You are Touko Kirigaya, through and through."

"Stephy, Stephy..!" She replies as she tightly holds onto me as her tail is wagging extremely fast, most likely very happy and excited.

"No need to say anything back, my beloved. I love you, forever and ever after."

We hug each other very tight now, but we aren't letting go, because we love each other. And loving each other is what lovers do, after all.

"L-look, Touko's extra ears and tail, they are disappearing into glittery dust..!" Nanami points out as Mashiro and Tsukushi are stunned by it. Not even Rui is able to remain stoic on such an incredible sight.

Touko lets go of me to confirm their claims. "Huh? Oh my god, you guys are right! I am the normal me again, yes!"

She cheers with utmost cheerfulness as she embraces me again in an even bigger hug this time.

"Guess I passed the shooting star's test on just how much I truly love you, haha!" I reply to her as she giggles as well, before we share a very passionate kiss with each other, which we hold on for quite awhile.

"Let's leave them alone for now." Tsukushi tells the others as they nod. "See you inside the practicing studio, Touko!"

She doesn't reply as she is too busy kissing me, but Tsukushi just giggles before continuing heading upstairs.

"Hey Touko, let's go on an evening date after you are done practicing and I am done with work. We have some catching up to do for today!"

"Yes, that's right! I will be waiting for ya then~!" She tells me as we both head up.

Yeah, I love you, Touko Kirigaya, absolutely no matter if you are normal or have the ears and tail of an animal.

Touko is Touko, through and through, and I love her immensely and beyond for that.

(Based on a dream I had yesterday.)