Come, give granny a hug

Mia was busy berating herself in her head, telling herself that no, no it wasn't right stop it when Norma's words slipped in one ear. She squeaked and looked up at the older woman before looking away and turning the color of an apple.

"U-Um..." It was a long embarrassing story... but it wasn't like it was secret... "I-I...met him...delivering a cake for someone's birthday. H-His little sister was curious about that... a-and then I started coming by to see her since...sh-she was lonely. M-Masa would sometimes join in...when he had time... I had...had a small crush on him too..."

Well that was how they met and got to know each other a bit, which was required for... explaining the next part. "H-His...evil little lieutenant... sh-she tricked us! She got him...all flustered over me...a-and then told me...he was sick...so I went to see him... A-And it made it worse..."

Understatement of the year. The century? "W-We got really awkward and so I avoided him...b-but he was being silly and worrying Nozomi! H-He locked himself in his room for three days! S-So I had to go in and make him come out, Zomi was really worried over him. A-And...um..."

"We um...realized it...was mutual...liking...and decided to try...dating..." Mia's fluster and blush grew at that as she buried her face in her hands. She had left out all the really embarrassing stuff... such as Masaru's fall from the tree... their awkward office conversation...the time she had seen his naked back and almost...almost more after getting lost in his mansion...

Also the feelings and dating confession itself.

Norma sat, listening to Mia's story. It was really rather charming and cute. A lot like a movie Hallmark would make. Normal smiled as she listened, taking it all in. It certainly was a much sweeter story than how she met her husband. She was traded to him for two sheep and a pig.

"That's adorable. Masaru is a good man. I remember seeing him around as a child, although I knew his father and grandfather better than I know him. I think you two make a good match.

Mia froze as Norma spoke, looking up in a bit of surprise before her eyes glanced back down. Oh her face would never be a color that wasn't red in her life again! "Th-Thank you... he is a good man! I...hope one day Papa can meet him though..."

Too bad Kaimu was stuck out in the Rukon... She wasn't sure how Masaru would react to knowing her father was a rogue, but she hoped he'd understand... and not be too upset for her secret...

"It'll happen in it's time. Hopefully your father will get pardoned. Goodness knows I've tried for a very long time."

Which was an understatement. Norma lost track of the forms she had sent to squad one over the years requesting a pardon. It had been madening. Every one was shot down, but she never gave up. She wouldn't.

"I adore your father. He is very special to me. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"He's a good person! I don't...I don't get it." Mia frowned just a bit, wondering what the problem was... If Kaimu was a good person, a strong Shinigami and someone who could be an asset...why keep him stuck out in the Rukon?

She gave a frustrated little sigh before smiling again, glad Norma seemed to adore her papa. "Hehe... I am...glad he wasn't...entirely alone... He had people like you to...watch over him. He's lonely out there..."

"I don't get it either."

Norma thought it was sweet the way Mia responded. She was a darling girl. She could tell the young woman really cared for her father. It was charming.

"I looked after him the best I could. Goodness knows I helped him hide more than once."

Norma'd had to hide Kaimu before? How...silly of her father to have to need it. "Is he that reckless?"

"I-I'll come by for tea...sometimes... Next time you have tea..." Mia nodded, her enthusiasm for the event showing in her smile if not her words. She as excited to have tea time with the woman! It would be very nice. "I'll make...some sweets..."

"Not that he's reckless, just...there were times were there were witch hunts so to speak."

Setsuna could be relentless, but the past few years she had all but given up. So Norma didn't have to worry about Kaimu that much. Mia mentioned coming over for tea, and Norma liked the idea of that.

"Oh please do. Just come by my office any day at three in the afternoon. I would enjoy the company."

"Ah... Setsuna was... I don't know... I never really met her... She was Masa's precious Gigi though so..." Mia nodded slowly, obviously torn on what to think. Witch hunts that her father was the victim of because of this person... But also someone who loved Masaru and cared for him.

Smiling, she nodded. "I-I will...tomorrow at three. Do you need me...to lead you out of...the squad?"

"Setsuna was a darling woman, but she took her job very very seriously. If there was a rule or law, she followed it to the letter."

Norma had known Setsuna most of her life. She had been her good friend even though Setsuna was a good deal older than her. Norma smiled at Mia when she said she'd join her for tea.

"Wonderful! I will see you then, and no. I'll be fine on my own."

"I see..." Mia nodded, looking down. It still told her nothing about the woman really. She had no idea what to think...but at the same time it didn't matter. Setsuna had died. There was nothing to be done for this...

Smiling, she nodded and stood up. There was a lot of work to do and she felt bad, but she would see Norma tomorrow! They could have a nice tea. "See you...then, Norma..."

"I can't wait for tomorrow dear. I'll have the tea hot and ready for us."

Norma said with a smile as she got up and walked out of the library and away from squad ten. She enjoyed this visit a lot more than she thought. It had been really nice. She really couldn't wait to spend more time with Mia.