The school day ends beneath a warmening evening sky. Sana Matsumura walks beside Sakura through the quiet neighborhood, carrying the photographed materials list and a small shopping bag against her hip.
At Sakura’s house, Yumi Yamamoto opens the door before they reach the bell. She recognizes Sana Matsumura, then steps aside with a welcoming gesture toward the dining room.
Yumi Yamamoto
Sana, right? Come in. Sakura mentioned you might visit. The dining table is clear, so you can work there.
Sana Matsumura
Thank you, Mrs. Yamamoto. We’re planning a costume piece, but we’ll keep everything tidy and private. Nothing gets shared without Sakura agreeing first.
Sana Matsumura places the shopping bag beside the table and removes fabric swatches, sample lace, and several fasteners in small labeled packets. She leaves the sketchbook closed.
Sana Matsumura
I grabbed options, not decisions. We can start with the jacket fabric, then match the piping and closures. You get final say on what belongs in the first draft.
Yumi Yamamoto
I’ll make tea and give you two some space. If you need another chair or anything from the kitchen, just ask.
“"Matsumura, if it's alright, can we take some more detailed measurements?" Sakura gets her measuring tape ready, but gets flustered at the thought of getting so close to Sana, having to get extremely intimate in order to get accurate measurements”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafts, rolled -2)
Sakura Yamamoto
Matsumura, if it's alright, can we take some more detailed measurements?
Sakura uncoils the measuring tape beside the swatches, keeping the sketchbook safely closed. The request makes the dining room feel abruptly smaller.
Sana Matsumura
Yeah, of course. Tell me where to stand and what you need. We’ll keep it practical, okay?
Sakura Yamamoto
The tape is cool against my fingers.
Sana stands straight with her arms slightly raised. Sakura measures shoulder width, chest, waist, hips, sleeve length, and the points needed for the jacket’s movement, announcing each number quietly.
Sana Matsumura
You’re doing fine. If you need me to turn or hold still, just say so. No rushing.
At the waist measurement, the tape catches briefly on a fastener packet and scatters several metal closures across the floor. Sana steadies the table while Sakura retrieves them, then records the final numbers accurately.
Sana Matsumura
There. Detailed measurements complete, and nothing got lost. We can draft the pattern from these.
“"I need to get your bust measurement..." Sakura shakily pulls the tape around Sana's breasts, pulling it taut and trying to focus on the numbers on the tape”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafts, rolled +2)
Sakura Yamamoto
I need to get your bust measurement...
Sakura shakily brings the tape around Sana’s upper torso over her clothing, keeping it level and gently taut. She focuses on the printed numbers instead of Sana’s face.
Sana Matsumura
Okay. Keep it level across the back, and take your time. You’ve got this.
The tape settles into place without slipping. Sakura reads the measurement, repeats it quietly to confirm, and writes the number beside the other pattern notes.
Sana Matsumura
That’s the one, right? Add a little room for movement, maybe. I want the jacket comfortable when I’m performing.
Sakura releases the tape and checks the entry against the design’s ease allowance. The measurement is complete, leaving the pattern notes precise and ready for drafting.
“"Okay, next is your inseam..." Sakura crouches down, positioning one end of the tape on the floor and pulling it up Sana's leg, approaching her skirt. "If it's alright..." Sakura's hand pushes up the skirt, she's still trying to focus on getting the correct measurements”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafts, rolled +0)
Sakura Yamamoto
Okay, next is your inseam. If it's alright, I'll measure from the floor to the hem.
Sakura crouches with one end of the tape on the floor. Sana glances at the skirt, then carefully holds its outer hem in place, keeping the measurement practical and over her clothing.
Sana Matsumura
Yeah, that’s fine. Just measure to here. I’ll keep the fabric steady, and you can focus on the numbers.
Sakura draws the tape straight along Sana’s leg to the designated hem, checks the mark twice, and records the inseam beside the jacket’s movement notes.
Sana Matsumura
Got it? Add enough ease that the skirt and jacket work together when I move. I don’t want anything pulling during a performance.
Sakura releases the tape and rises carefully. The final measurement joins the completed list, leaving the pattern information ready for drafting.
Sana Matsumura
She asked first, and she kept it professional. Good. This is exactly how we do this together.
“You seem...not uncomfortable, Matsumura. Does me doing this not bother you?”
SUCCESS (Superb Empathy, rolled -1)
Sakura Yamamoto
You seem... not uncomfortable, Matsumura. Does me doing this not bother you?
Sana’s confident posture softens. She glances at the measuring tape in Sakura’s hand, then deliberately keeps her attention on Sakura instead of the completed notes.
Sana Matsumura
No. It doesn’t bother me. You asked first, you explained what you were measuring, and you kept it practical. I trust you.
Sana Matsumura
She’s checking whether I’m comfortable too. Don’t brush that off or make her regret asking.
Sana Matsumura
If something feels awkward, I’ll say so. You can do the same, okay? This is supposed to be our project, not something either of us has to endure.
As Sana shifts back toward the table, her heel catches the loose fastener packet. One metal closure skitters beneath the cabinet, and another bends under her shoe.
Sana Matsumura
Ah, shoot. One of the samples is probably unusable now. That’s my fault, but we still have the other options.
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve the damaged fastener sample without derailing the collaboration
“It's fine, it's easily fixable. Don't worry so much. Let's keep going with the patterns. If you can stand there, I'll need to drape some stuff on you to get a better idea of how things will come together.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafts, rolled -1)
Sakura Yamamoto
It’s fine. It’s easily fixable, so don’t worry so much. Let’s keep going with the patterns. If you can stand there, I’ll drape some fabric on you to see how everything comes together.
Sakura gathers the unbent fasteners and sets them aside, then selects two fabric swatches from the table. Sana returns to her marked position beside the dining chair.
Sana Matsumura
Okay, designer. I’m standing still. Tell me where you want the fabric, and I’ll hold the pose.
Sakura lays the darker fabric across Sana’s shoulders, folds the front panels into place, and pins the temporary overlap with clips. A bright blue strip follows the imagined jacket edge.
Sana Matsumura
Whoa. That already looks like the sketch, even without proper seams. The blue makes the whole thing pop.
Sakura adjusts the drape around Sana’s arms, checking how the fabric falls when she raises one hand and turns slightly. The neckline stays clear, and the front remains easy to move in.
Sana Matsumura
She’s completely focused now. This is where Sakura looks most confident, and I should give her room to work.
“Sakura accidentally trips over some of the miscellaneous materials laying around and ends up hugging Sana in a really awkward way”
FAILURE (Terrible Agility, rolled -2)
Sakura shifts the blue strip into place, but her heel catches a loose clip and a scatter of fasteners. The fabric slips from her hands as she stumbles forward.
Sana catches Sakura by the shoulders, but the momentum carries them together. Sakura’s arms close awkwardly around Sana before both of them steady against the dining chair.
Sana Matsumura
Whoa. Hey, I’ve got you. Are you hurt?
The improvised jacket hangs crooked between them, pinned fabric pressing harmlessly out of shape. Sana keeps one hand raised and avoids tightening her hold, leaving Sakura room to step away.
Sana Matsumura
That was the materials, not you. The floor’s a disaster, and I should’ve cleared it before we started draping.
Once Sakura’s footing is secure, Sana eases back and crouches to gather the clips and fasteners. The scattered supplies are collected into a tray, making the working space safer and ending the draping attempt for now.
Sana Matsumura
Let’s pause the fitting and reset everything. We can look at the shape on the table instead, okay?
“Sakura pulls Sana closer in for a hug, starting to realize her feelings for her, but unable to express them in words, and so she acts.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Before Sana can finish gathering the supplies, Sakura steps close and pulls her into a hug. The improvised fabric bunches between them, but Sakura holds on quietly.
Sana Matsumura
Oh. Okay. I’ve got you. You can stay there as long as you need.
Sana sets the tray aside and carefully returns the embrace, keeping her hands gentle and still. The crowded table, scattered clips, and unfinished costume fade into the background.
Sana Matsumura
She’s telling me something without words. Don’t make her explain before she’s ready.
Sana Matsumura
We don’t have to talk about it. And we don’t have to finish tonight. I can tell your mom we’re taking a break.
From the kitchen, Yumi pauses at the doorway, notices the embrace, and quietly turns away with the tea tray, giving them privacy without asking questions.
Sana Matsumura
I’m here, Yamamoto. When you’re ready, we can work on the costume, or just sit here.
“Matsumura...what do you think of me?”
SUCCESS (Superb Empathy, rolled -1)
Sakura Yamamoto
Matsumura... what do you think of me?
The question stays between them in the quiet dining room. Sana Sana Matsumura does not loosen the hug or rush to fill the silence, giving Sakura her full attention.
Sana Matsumura
I think you’re incredibly talented. You notice things nobody else does, and you make beautiful stuff without demanding anyone look at it.
Sana Matsumura
You’re shy, yeah, and you can be hard to read. But you’re also kind, serious, and way stronger than you give yourself credit for.
Sana Matsumura
She asked me directly. Don’t turn this into teasing, and don’t hide behind some easy compliment.
Sana Matsumura
I think you’re someone I trust, Yamamoto. Someone I want to know better. Not because of your costumes, but because you’re you.
Her answer lands plainly, without a joke to soften it. Behind them, the clipped fabric has creased sharply at the shoulder, and one temporary fastener lies bent beneath the chair, adding a small repair to tonight’s work.