Opening the door to her room felt like an incredible heavy weight had been lifted off Haru’s shoulders. She made it through the entire day without her friend being discovered. While limping towards the bed, she thought back on how difficult the day had been trying to put Ryuji’s needs before hers.
First of all, the way she walked was awkward and must have been silly to those who had seen in the halls. She could have sworn she heard snickers and giggles whenever she passed someone. Also having to remember to keep her leg in the air whenever she sat down was a bit of a pain, but it was the least she could do alleviate some of Ryuji’s pain.
But now she was finally home and the two were alone.
“I’m home, Ryuji-kun,” she began, “I’m going to let you out now, please give me just a moment.”
Leaning down she began to undo her footwear, removing the little slip ons she usually weared during her outings. Haru made it a point to take off the one containing her friend first. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how horrible it must have been in there, the very first thing he was going to do was apologize to him. At the very least it shouldn’t have smelled, she always made body odor an upmost priority to her before starting everyday.. though to a boy his size, maybe he could smell things that she couldn’t.
breaking away from that particular line of thought of just a moment, Haru paused noticing something about her friend’s outline in her stockings was off.
“Did he shrink even further?” Haru asked no one in particular, her words drenched in worry and her eyes widened as she examined the little outline that was caught between her big and second toe. It would definitely explain how he must have shifted from her sole to her toes throughout the day.
Quickly the Empress began to remove her stocking, revealing her legs, feet, and tiny captor to the entire world. She almost gasped at the sight, at what she had put Ryuji through. The boy was unmoving and uncharacteristically quiet.. had she killed him without realizing it?!
“Ry-Ryuji-kun!?” She almost squeaked, looking on in horror at his limp and lifeless form between her toes. she was frightening, completely scared stiff and unable to move, merely watching his body, waiting for any sign of life-
“E-Effin’ hell..” The shrunken boy coughed out, lifting his body and barely managing to open his eyes. Haru let out a heavy sigh, a wave of relief washing over her soul as a small smile crept onto her face.
“I’m so glad you’re alright, Ryuji-kun.” She said softly, as to not hurt his tiny little ear drums. The girl proceeded to undo her footwear on the other leg, feeling a tad bit awkward with only one side covered. The entire time she couldnt take her eyes off the shrunken boy, just happy to see that was alright for the most part. After finishing her task, the empress leaned back up and crossed her legs, slowly doing so, keeping Ryuji’s well being in mind as she held him snuggly between her toes.
‘O-Oh yes, I should apologize for my rash decisions earlier!’ Haru thought to herself as she looked on towards the shrunken boy. Haru put a hand to her chest and cleared her throat. The empress then closed her eyes, letting out the smallest of sighs, opening them back up and focusing on her friend once more.
“Ryuji-kun, I-”
“What the hell was that?!” Ryuji seemed to have regained some of his energery as he pushed himself up, using one hand to prop his body up against her sole so he could look back at the Empress. Haru almost bounced back a bit at the sudden outburst.
“.. Pardon me?” She asked quietly, unsure of what he was talking ab-
“You know what I’m talking about, effin’ stepping on me all day!” The tiny boy continued on, making Haru look off to the side in a sudden wave of guilt.
“Why didn’t you just go to the bathroom and just let me out?!” He yelled upwards towards the giantess.
“I’m afraid I had things to do, and I wanted avoid suspicion..”
“What kind of shitty excuse it that?!” The little blonde asked, erupting once more as Haru quickly looked down at her legs to avoid looking straight at her friend.
“Jeez, how stupid can ya get?!” Ryuji called out again, a pang struck against Haru’s heart. Surely he didn’t mean that, he’s just agitated, as he rightly should..?
“All that forehead but there ain’t nothing behind it huh?!” Once more, another strike at her. this one caused the Empress to look right back at the chariot between her toes. Haru began to tighten her right fist, grinding her teeth and hiding it behind her lips. She was about lean forward and teach Ryuji some proper manner-
Haru’s heart stopped her, she still had only the best thoughts for her friend in the back of her mind. He must have been letting off some well deserved steam and would calm down in a moment..
“Effin’ hell I smell like giant feet, God Haru do you ever wash these things?!”
That was it. Haru raised a brow down at the tiny boy stuck between her toes and exhaled through her nose aggressively. Collecting herself, the empress leaned forward and calmly asked..
“Excuse me? Is that any way to talk to the one who saved you from being discovered like this?”
“SAVED?!” You stuffed me under your big smelly foot-”
Haru glared down to her toes, she had enough! Before the diminutive chariot could even finish his sentence, Haru scrunched her toes in anger to shut the boy up. Of course she had some self control, she didnt want to kill him, just squeeze just enough for him to get the message she was trying to get out. She could hear the little gasp of air leaving the boy as she squeezed him between her toes.
“I’m sorry,” she spoke once more, keeping a deceptively calm tone, “I didnt quite catch any of that.. could you please repeat?” She asked, her last few words seething with anger.
Ryuji looked on at Haru, almost feeling pierced by that glare of her’s. Gulping, the boy spoke once more.
“Y-Yeah.. yeah.. Th-Thank you.. for s-saving me, Haru…”
The Empress calmed down to a certain extent, reaching for her friend to free him from his captors. They were going to have a long discussion with the rest of the gang over the phone.
