Yossui stood in awe in front of the most beautiful Christmas tree she had seen this season. Its branches were perfectly formed and it gave off a nice pine fragrance that brought on all that nostalgic Christmas feeling. And to top the perfection, it was also the perfect height for the living room.
The only thing was this tree was firmly planted in the shopping centre sidewalk. Its sudden absence would be noticed.
"Got an axe?" Yuuko asked, putting her beer to the side for the moment.
"Yep!" Goto immediately produced an axe. The two other girls exchanged worried looks to which Maki just rolled her eyes. "I found it in the back of the land rover...thought it might come in handy seeing as we are looking for a Christmas tree - stop looking at me like that!"
Yuuko nodded slowly, picking up her beer again. "Oooook, well. I’m going to bring the car around and I'll leave you to hack away at this beauty" She pointed to the tree in reference. "Yossui, you coming?"
Yoshizawa looked from Goto with the axe to Nakazawa with the car keys. Hmmm.
"It's a tough call but I'll think I'll stay here just in case"
Yuuko shrugged and disappeared off into the car park leaving Yossui with an axe wielding drunk.
"So...do you know how to use that" The soberest girl asked.
"Can't be that hard"
Goto loosened her shoulders up and held the potential weapon like a baseball bat. And with one powerful swish she brought the head down into the dirt.
"My bad"
Yossui shivered with fear imagining the axe landing in her shin instead. There was another swish followed by a lop. Goto grunted, pulling the axe back out of the wood and giving it another swing. Lop. Grunt. Lop. Lop. Crack. Thud.
"Can I help you ladies?"
The patrolling police officer shone his torch on the guilty Musume. His hand ready to reach for his gun just in case.
"We were...um." Goto thought long and hard but her repertoire of excuses that could explain why she was in a shopping mall with an axe was rather limited.
"Put your weapon down and hands up...I'm going to have to ask you to come with -"
"Have you cut the damn tree down yet?" Yuuko conveniently reappeared, walking straight past the officer and yanking on the top of the tree.
"Ahem"
Yuuko looked at the girls as if they had made the noise. She raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing? Put your arms down, you look stupid"
"Ahem!"
The policeman tapped the oldest Musume with his baton, getting her to turn around. And much to the surprise of the girls, she smiled.
"Jun! Long time no see!"
"Nakazawa? Wow, I almost didn’t recognise you"
The catch up session went on merrily while those excluded from the conversation waited and wondered when and under what circumstances these two had met.
"Ok well time is money. We'll be off...Say Hi to your wife for me"
"Can do" The officer tipped his hat and proceeded on his patrol whistling what vaguely sounded like Furusato.
Yuuko sighed happily, turning her attention back to girls. "Come on! Get your ass moving, we got a tree to decorate"
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Thanks to my Angel, Anghellic for giving my quick fix~