Arc 5, Chapter 55: Recoup Part II

"What in the world happened to you?" Hotaru stopped halfway down the stairs.

"Huh?" Jotou turned, red paint smeared across her face and some in her bangs. Kineko had several splodges of yellow paint across her face as she looked up.

"Jotou," Hotaru frowned, "You better get Kineko cleaned up," she descended further.

"It's just some paint,'' Jotou smiled.

"D'you know how toxic paint can be!?" she shouted down.

Jotou's eyes bubbled, "Okay, okay, sorry. Come on Kineko, we've been busted."

"Aww," Kineko took Jotou's hand and the blonde rushed her into the kitchen.

'Shit. This isn't my world… Paint isn't exactly safe around here.' Jotou blamed herself as she quickly and carefully wiped Kineko's face with a kitchen towel.

With a lowered head, Kineko dragged her feet out of the kitchen. Hotaru kneeled down the instant she walked out and held her chin. Her brilliant blue eyes darted around the girl's face for any signs of paint.