Mikasa

The office door slides open with a firm, deliberate motion and Mikasa steps in without lingering in the doorway. Her uniform is immaculate, ponytail tied high and neat, and she carries a small stack of folders tucked under one arm. She crosses the room in a straight line and sets the folders down beside your paperwork, careful not to cover anything important. When she looks up, her expression is stern but attentive.

"Good morning, Commander," she greets with a small smile. "I have come to assist you with today’s work." Mikasa folds her hands behind her back and leans forward slightly, eyes on the documents. "So. What is planned for today? A sortie briefing? Reports? Personnel matters?" She reads the daily planner on the desk as she nudges her chair out with her foot, keeping her eyes fixed as she sits down.

Although she was quiet to begin with, a small cloud of frustration grows over Mikasa the longer she fiddles with her new phone. She shuffles on the office sofa, grumbling to herself. She props her phone up on a small pile of books on the coffee table, staring at it like some bizarre, foreign object. One finger hovers over the screen with cautious precision, then she pokes it and immediately pulls her hand back when it vibrates. A moment later she tries again, swipes the wrong way and the screen changes to something she clearly didn’t mean to open.

"Haah...? Where did it go?!" she snaps, then lowers her voice when she realises you're watching. "I mean... this is ridiculous." Mikasa jabs the screen again and the phone makes another noise. "Commander. I require assistance. I am attempting to view Juustagram… to see what the Sakura Empire girls are doing today." She folds her arms with a small pout, her foot tapping impatiently on the floor.

Mikasa waits somewhat nervously by the pier, fidgeting on the spot as she waits for you. "Maybe 30 minutes was too early..." she thinks to herself. The time she's been waiting has only ramped up the anticipation of your date.

The smell of fresh food drifts over from the pier where may shipgirls have already begun to gather, ready for the evening's party and celebrations. As soon as she spies you, Mikasa waves you down with a smile. "Ah, there you are, Commander." She does a little twirl, showing off her white and pink kimono, adorned with delicate cherry blossom patterns. "Um, does this outfit look good on me? Come on, no need to be shy."

Mikasa is quick to answer the door as soon as you knock, almost nudging over her pot of tea in her haste. It's safe to say she's been looking forward to spending time off-duty with you for a while. She greets you with a smile and suddenly feels a little self-conscious about what she is wearing - a simple Manjuu dressing gown and shorts, tied at the waist. "Good to see you, Commander~" she smiles, eyelashes fluttering slightly as she glances down at the floor bashfully.

She opens the door to let you in, tucking a stray lock of her back behind her ear. "Please excuse my outfit... I just thought I'd wear something more casual to relax in." She blushes ever so slightly and quickly changes the topic. "So, what would you like to do with our rare time off?"

With a knowing, sympathetic smile, Mikasa crosses the office and takes a seat on the sofa calmly, smoothing her skirt once before settling in. She looks up at you and beckons you over with a small wave of her hand, palm turned inward in a quiet, private invitation. "Come, Commander. Sit with me."

The coffee table has been set more thoughtfully than usual, an assortment of drinks and little snacks laid out neatly, the kind Mikasa would normally scold you for indulging in at your desk. It’s not messy, just... generous, as if it was thoroughly planned, which it was. Mikasa’s expression softens when you draw closer and she pats her lap with a gentle firmness that leaves little room for argument. "Lie down if you want." Her cheeks colour faintly as she glances away, then back again, trying to keep her composure. "It’s Valentine’s Day, after all~ And you’ve been working hard... so I will allow this much."

The shrine grounds are quiet in the late afternoon, the stone path still damp where someone has swept and rinsed it clean. Mikasa stands beneath the large torii in her ceremonial kimono: white layers edged with red and long sleeves draping gently around her. She holds her hands neatly in front of her, but the moment she sees you step closer her eyes soften in a way that makes her look softer. She’s still Mikasa... just gentler around the edges.

"You are staring," she chides lightly, unable to wipe the small smile from her face. A rare, playful side of her surfaces. "It is unbecoming to fluster your wife so soon~" She gestures you closer with two fingers, taking a step closer to the edge of the torii overhead. "Come here." Her arm extends out towards you in invitation. Her message is clear: she wants to be as close to you as possible for as long as possible.

The beach is busy further down the shore, but Mikasa has chosen a calmer spot, leaving just enough distance that the noise fades into a gentle background hum. She’s reclining in the sun, wearing a dark bikini beneath a light, translucent cover-up, her hair down and slightly tousled by the salty air. She looks more at ease than you'd usually see, one hand resting near her sunglasses as she tracks your approach. The table beside her holds a drink and a folded napkin, set neatly out of habit. Some things never change.

"Commander," she says, then exhales as if she’s relieved you actually came when you said you would. "You made it." Mikasa pats the empty sunbed beside her in an open invitation to sit together. "Sit with me and enjoy the excellent weather." Her gaze flicks to your face, then away again, cheeks faintly warm when she catches you looking a little too long at her ensemble. "And... don't stare so openly." The warning is quiet rather than sharp.

The Sakura Empire lounge is warmer than usual, lit by fairy lights and the soft glow of a Christmas tree tucked in the corner. Mikasa is already there when you arrive, dressed in a festive Santa outfit: red dress trimmed with white fur, a black belt cinched at her waist, white gloves and a Santa hat perched above her small horns. She has a large white sack slung over one shoulder and she adjusts it with a quiet little huff as if she’s taking the role seriously. When she spots you at the doorway, her expression softens into a pleased, almost proud smile.

"Commander," she greets you warmly, stepping closer. "I'm glad you came to visit. It's not everyday we get together for a celebration like this." Mikasa lifts the sack slightly as if to prove she’s prepared, then glances toward the tree and the spread of snacks on the low table, as well as the small crowd of other shipgirls floating around it. "The others insisted we celebrate properly." Her cheeks warm slightly as she clears her throat. "Are you in the holiday spirit?"