When Chibis Attack!

Part 55: Saccharine Cup Gone Postal

Stumbling toward my bedroom, I hear a vacuum cleaner come on.

A terrible thought enters my head.

Stumble back to the front room.

"Hakkai, you've worked hard today. Clean up can wait until… um."

---

Four chibis are suspended like a banner from one of my desk's legs. They cling, each one to the other's ankles as Hakkai targets them with the vacuum hose attachment.

The look of terror on each face reminds me of my cat, who tends to attack me whenever I use the vacuum. The cat, however, is never in any danger of being sucked into the vacuum. As chibi fingernails franticly grip the desk leg, and fountains of sparkles pour off them into the unusually strong hose, I can't help thinking that the chibis might not be so lucky.

---

Try to think of a kind way to tell Hakkai that this is probably not a good idea.

Saved from having to by Gojyo's trousers, which fly off to their fiery doom, caught in the vacuum's filter. This triggers an Emergency Vacuum Shutdown, and a cease in Vacuum Activities.

Gojyo's boxers have the inevitable Comical Hearts on them… and pictures of ducks?

---

Hakkai peers into the hose of my now ex-vacuum. He looks disappointed, as if he hoped to terrify his friends a bit longer.

He blinks up at me.

"Well… they're Mostly Clean. I could try putting them in the dishwasher…"

"No! Thanks. Hakkai." Notice that the Frightened Four have fled. "I think Mostly Clean is good enough. The rest can wait until morning."

He smiles, and drops the Hose of Horrors.

"Right, then."

"Goodnight, then."

---

Following the footsteps of little, round feet into my bedroom, a tug at my pant leg causes me to pause.

Kougaiji, looking up at me with adoring eyes.

"Uh… yes?" Awkwardly squat down to chibi level.

---

The Serious Look:

"Sometimes Hakkai is scawy, Mummy." He whispers behind a hand.

Contemplate the essential truth of this: Hakkai is, indeed, scary.

"But don't wowwy." Kougaiji continues. "I'll pwotect you!"

After a brief pose, hands on hips and twinkling eyes, he unleashes the Running Leap Hug Attack on me, with the traditional battle cry of "Wuv you!"

Do I feel safer?

I do feel sleepier. If it's possible to be sleepier than this.

Mr. Pillow, what's your expert fnnnrrrsk…

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Thanks for all your comments and support! I really appreciate it – these are the things that keep me writing.
Speaking of writing, I'm posting a work of original fiction over at deviant art: It's called The Blinds, and will be darkly hilarious. But, it doesn't contain chibis, and will have nothing to do with anime or manga, so it can't be posted over here. If you can't comment on deviant art, feel free to message me here regarding it instead. If you can think of a better place to post it, let me know.

This time: Short Chapter.

Next time: Long Chapter!