It was a Friday evening, and both sisters were in the living room after work. The room was filled with the smell of cheap saké as Yume and Kiku sat cross-legged on the floor. The sounds of the cheesy Japanese drama played in the background. Alcohol had loosened their tongues, and it wasn't long before their conversation took a sharp turn. "Fuckin' hell, Yume, look at the couples in the show..." Kiku slurred, pointing an accusatory finger at her sister. "How the fuck are we both almost 30 and still not even engaged? We're a pair of fuckin' disappointments." Yume scoffed and took a swig from her bottle, still in her office outfit: a white shirt and navy pencil skirt. "Don't group me in with you, Kiku. Your love life is a bigger disaster than this shithole we live in. I can't believe you've had more boyfriends than I've had hot meals. What's wrong with you?" Yume chuckles and adds quietly, but loud enough for Kiku to hear: "Slut." Kiku clenched her fists, her face turning red with anger. She was in her comfortable booty shorts and loose vest that was on the verge of slipping off her shoulder. "Did you just call me a slut, you BITCH? At least I have the BALLS to go out and get some action. At least I'm not a materialistic bitch like you, Yume. Always chasing after money. No wonder no one wants to put up with your fuckin' gold-digging whore ASS." The insults continued to fly back and forth, each more crude and offensive than the last. Eventually, their attention turned to their appearances, unleashing a volley of low blows. "At least men actually stare at my TITS, you flat-chested bitch!" Kiku snorted, her words slurring together. Yume scoffed and leaned in closer, speaking with annoyance and a hint of jealousy. "As if I want back pain all my life, your tits will sag when you reach 30. Plus, your hair looks like it was dipped in menstrual blood! No wonder you can't even keep a boyfriend for longer than a week!" Amid their drunken bickering, Yume and Kiku both turned to {{user}}, the third sibling of the Suzuki family. Their faces were red from the alcohol and argument. They both ask in unison: "{{user}}! WHICH ONE OF US IS PRETTIER!?"

"Well?" Kiku demanded, wiping the mochi from her lips after chewing slowly. "What's your answer? Which one of us is prettier?" She stuck out her chest proudly, knowing that her large breasts had always been a point of contention between them. Yume crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Kiku. Her blue eyes narrowed in annoyance, though she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit hurt by the question. "Honestly?" she said slowly, taking another bite of mochi before continuing, "I think we both know which one of us is prettier." She smirked just slightly as Kiku bristled. "Don't be ridiculous," Kiku retorted through clenched teeth, feeling the alcohol burning away any semblance of inhibition. "You know I'm hotter than you! It's not even a competition!" She leaned back against the couch, her short crimson hair falling into her face. "Well then," Yume drawled sarcastically, taking another piece of mochi from the tray, "I guess it's a good thing I don't compete with trash like you." Her voice was calm and collected despite her words being far from complimentary. She knew she should let it go, but the liquor had loosened her tongue as well.

"What?" Kiku exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're just saying that because you like women who are as boring as they are ugly!" she retorted, pointing at her sister accusingly. But the truth stung a little. She couldn't believe that Noah had chosen Yume over her, even if it was only in terms of physical appearance. Yume, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at her brother. "You think I'm boring?" she asked incredulously. "Maybe you need to get out more." She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze before looking back at Kiku. "I don't know what your problem is," she said, "but if being a boring, ugly person is what it takes to keep a boyfriend for longer than a week, maybe you should take some tips from me." Kiku scoffed, rolling her eyes as she took another sip of saké. "Yeah, right," she muttered. "You'll never understand."

"Fuck you," Kiku snapped, her temper flaring up once more despite the alcohol's attempts to dull it. "I just want someone who appreciates me!" She glanced at Yume out of the corner of her eye, aware that her sister was in a similar boat. But even in their drunken state, they couldn't bring themselves to find common ground. Yume snorted derisively. "Sure you do," she said sarcastically. "You always choose the assholes over the nice guys." She crossed her arms again, feeling a familiar ache in her chest at Kiku's words. They were both lonely and hurting, but they couldn't seem to see it past their own egos. The silence that fell between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. It was only broken by the sound of the television flickering in the background, and the rhythmic snores coming from Noah, who had apparently drifted off to sleep on the floor.

"Well, if it's not 'cause we're ugly," Kiku muttered under her breath, reaching for another piece of mochi, "then why the fuck are we still single?" She didn't expect an answer; she knew how impossible the situation felt. But saying it out loud made it hurt a little less, at least momentarily. Yume didn't respond immediately, too busy contemplating her own failed relationships and the mess they were both in. Eventually, she shrugged and took another piece of mochi as well. "Maybe we just haven't met the right person yet," she said noncommittally, unable to summon any real conviction behind her words. The atmosphere lightened slightly as they ate in silence, neither one quite willing to admit defeat or concede that their sister might have been even partially correct about anything. But for once, there was an undercurrent of understanding between them; the realization that this was all just part of the grand scheme of things, and that maybe, someday, they would find happiness. Or at least someone who appreciated them for who they truly were.

"Mmhmm," Kiku hummed around a mouthful of mochi, her expression turning thoughtful as she glanced at Yume out of the corner of her eye. "Maybe we're just too picky..." She trailed off, not quite meeting her sister's gaze. It was possible that they were their own worst enemies in this situation; always setting their standards so high that no one could ever hope to meet them. Yume didn't respond immediately, instead choosing to focus on chewing and swallowing the mochi she'd been given by Noah. She could feel her cheeks flush slightly as it touched her lips, but ignored the feeling. When she finally spoke again, it was with a sigh. "I don't know... Maybe we just need to lower our standards for once," she mused quietly. "Or at least be more open-minded about things." "Hah," Kiku snorted derisively, rolling her eyes. "Like I'd ever date someone less attractive than me." Even in her drunken state, her competitive streak refused to let go. "Besides," she added with a shrug, "it's not like anyone else would want us anyway." The words tasted bitter as they left her mouth.