Riiiiight.
So, I'm back for the moment. I mean, obviously, I have huge commitments coming up that I just can't ignore so you'll be seeing lesser and lesser of me as the months pass by. But I think I should be free by June...? Hopefully.
This little update is a reminder that I'm here, I'm still writing, I haven't given up on them.
Its also a hidden request.
See, when you're just an 18 year old with too much to study and achieve, it's kind of difficult to nourish a hobby like writing. If I give my current busy life a chance, it would, undoubtedly, crush whatever creativity I have. As my other world tries to kill the writer in me, no matter how amateur she is, your support from this world is the only thing that might save her.
Tbh, I'm not strong enough to live the best of both worlds. As pressure from life increases, my presence here shall diminish until one day, Loyyu-chan is no more. Because let's face it, my folks and studies come first.
But I don't wanna lose this. I can't. I shouldn't.
I don't want to.
But I can't do this on my own. The pull from that world is super strong. I need an occasional tug towards this side from you too if this is going to work.
Which is why...if you think I should try and save Loyyu-chan...you might want to tell me. Because otherwise, one day, she'll just die and this story will gather cobwebs and remain an unfinished, unachieved dream. Until the site decides to take it down.
And then that's that.
I'm not asking for much; no super long reviews on each and every chapter— no. That's tedious. I just wish...if you liked it, tell me once...which part or which scene or just if the story had you smiling. Words have power no one can imagine — the pen is mightier than the sword, after all.
A shoutout to all those who left heartwarming reviews for Rebirth. It made me so happy. Guests, if you could type in a name, I'd love it even more so that I can mention it here how much I love you guys, and your comments. For now, you anonymous readers— Arigatou.
Yamada senpai is MIA right now. Don't know where she is, but I hope you're doing okay, senpai. I miss you.
Paul's missing too. After requesting that last chapter of Rebirth, I haven't heard from her since. Wherever you are, Paula, thank you.
And everyone else who reviewed or favourited or followed...I love you.
Aaanyway, sorry about the rant. On to the new story. The sequel.
It was a slightly chilly evening. The sun set in the background, the scenery partly obscured by the vast, towering buildings of Todai, but the sky remained a beautiful mix of oranges, reds and yellows, with touches of purple on the outside. It was peaceful enough. The occasional honking of vehicles and chatter of students yelling goodbyes at each other filled the air. The watchman at the Med. Department sipped on his tea with a sigh, a little smile on his face as he watched a young woman fidget with her bag a little away from his cabin.
Chestnut brown hair glinted in what little light the sun managed to gift her through the veil of buildings shrouding it...and she wore it well. Impatience emanated off her being, she was almost bouncing on the balls of her feet, and her eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the entrance to the well known Med School. The watchman chuckled lightly. He knew who that was by now, almost a year into her admission to the university. He also knew who she was waiting for. Nice kids, both of them, always stopping for a chat or at least a quick enquiry about his day.
When, finally, the last of the Sun's rays disappeared behind the building, and the purple tints in the sky began to slowly stretch itself, she huffed out a breath, and darted into the lobby herself.
The watchman grinned faintly.
Back in the cafeteria, Kazama dropped his empty juice box on the table listlessly. "I still don't understand."
"Maybe what you need is another look at the visual help." Renji suggested gently, smiling. "It sure helped me in class."
"Maybe," Taichi rolled his eyes, subconsciously massaging the back of his neck, " Kazama needs to stop sleeping during lectures and pay attention."
"Not all of us can be congenital workaholics with freakish concentration." The young man in question grumbled at his friend, and then pulled the large textbook open between them towards himself, a frown on his face. " Maybe I just need to stop and take a breather."
"You've been doing just that for the last half hour." Taichi informed dryly. His phone buzzed in his coat pocket, but the coat itself was hung on the back of his chair so he didn't notice.
The three boys were seated around a little table in the cafeteria, having been there all evening, trying to help Kazama out with his troubles. The room was almost deserted, excepting a few other students like them, and it was late, but not too much. Drowning in assignments and postings and pop quizzes, none of them barely had time to breathe any longer, and this was the first evening they were getting a real break in almost a month. Something poked at Taichi's awareness, something important, but he was too tired to pull it out of his brain— there was simply no fire left. All he wanted was to close his pricking eyes and rest his aching shoulders for a while. Pushing in Karuta with this humongous workload wasn't easy, but, well, he hadn't collapsed just yet. Taichi ran a hand through his hair as Renji began explaining the concept to the clueless Kazama once again, and let his head drop onto the table.
For a precious moment, he tuned them out and closed his eyes.
When he came to, Kazama was poking his arm.
"Wakey, wakey. You have a visitor."
What? Vision unfocused, the boy assaulting his arm was a blurry figure before him until his eyes cleared. There was a heaviness in his head from being abruptly wrenched away from sweet, sweet sleep, but now that he was getting a hold of himself, Taichi straightened and rubbed his eye, hair sort of matted to his forehead. "Whaddaya mean?"
He got his answer when a pair of hands landed a tad sharply on his shoulders from behind, and, thanks to nearly five years of hyper awareness to that very person's touch, he froze immediately.
At least, now he remembered what he had been forgetting earlier.
Kazama snickered. "Man, your face. I wish I had my cam on me."
"He's not wrong, Mashima." Renji peered at his frozen friend's face while the feminine pair of arms snaked around the boy's neck from their hold on his shoulders. A smile twitched on Renji's lips. "You look a little pale."
"And a little in lots of trouble. Ne, Chihaya chan?"
"Mmhm."
Taichi winced. Now very much awake, the familiar scent of something like different berries mixed together was settling comfortably around him like a mist, and he had nowhere to go. Her grip around his neck tightened lightly, and he felt his head being pulled back to rest against her abdomen.
He would've been happy to see her after so long if he wasn't so fudging terrified.
Chihaya pushed away the matted locks of light brown hair from his forehead. "You have something to say for yourself, Taichi?"
Not really. Apart from ' I was drowning in too much work and lack of sleep so I sort of forgot our date today, please don't be mad' , he had nothing.
Truth be told, it had slipped his mind. The last few weeks had been too hectic to be deemed real, and his life had been a cycle of postings, assignments, coffee, catching up on classes and then grabbing whatever sleep he could find. The only points of time they'd seen each other had to be in between classes or early mornings when she snuck in like she used to, or when he occasionally dropped her home. But she had been busy too, a lot if not this much, and Karuta kept her preoccupied. But today was something they'd decided on resolutely — a break to go and get Chitose a birthday gift together.
Unfortunately, even though he had Ben looking forward to this, last week's Exams and today's huge project had sort of eaten up the last of his ability to remember stuff. There was no more space in his brain.
But that was no excuse.
Age old insecurity twinging in his stomach, what should've been a laughable incident managed to draw away the blood from his face.
Taichi wet his lips. His pulse needn't have doubled, but it did. "I can explain?"
Much to his relief, she laughed, and her grip around his neck turned into an affectionate squeeze. "Lets go. We're late already."
"Aww come on." Kazama whined. "Let him have it, Chihaya chan. He forgot about you!"
Renji gave his fellow student a sharp, disapproving look. A little bit more sensitive to things, he didn't dismiss the way Taichi had momentarily blanched as something as simple as being caught off guard. There was probably something bothering the young doctor to be, but for now, he didn't delve into it.
Chihaya however, pouted at Kazama. " He didn't forget about me, baka, he was just busy. Lay off."
"Ooooooh." Kazama sang. "How sweet."
The corner of his lips lifting, Taichi glanced back up to see Chihaya stick her tongue out at their friend. She didn't have the usual flush up her neck— apparently, the comment didn't bother her. It almost never did these days.
Almost half a year into a smooth relationship, changes in both of them were apparent. It was awkward at first. They stumbled, stuttered and he almost smashed his head against a wall multiple times during the course of time, but right now, the rhythm was slowly becoming apparent. As she grew out of the initial 'blush at everything anyone said' stage, he worked on shaking off his reluctance to be forthcoming in his affections. Of course, he couldn't blame himself— old habits die hard. Each time he touched her or said something even remotely...well, saccharine, there would be a split second war in his head, a pause, a freeze, before he reminded himself that things had changed. He had to get rid of that habit...after all, if he failed to make it clear that she was loved to the ends of the earth, all his biggest nightmares might come true.
Because, for sure, she had him wrapped tightly around her dainty fingers, but vice versa? He wasn't sure just yet.
Even so, his hesitation to be forward was good in a way, because it gave her time to sort herself out too. New to this concept, and all these multiple emotions, not to mention having to deal with everyone getting on their case and teasing and making comments, Chihaya had a bit of a hard time at first. There was almost always a flush on her cheeks, eyes wide, vocabulary piteously diminishing to two or three words as she sputtered defensive retorts.
But glancing at his face once would be enough and the mortification would die down like meh, doesn't matter— there were more important things and she was looking right at it.
The best part was, she was never demanding. Surprising everyone, Taichi the most, she was very patient and understanding and everything about his busy life. Of course, she whined about not seeing him enough, she made it clear as day whenever she missed him even a little— Chihaya never could hide her feelings away, she simply didn't have the talent. But she never demanded to see him, never pushed. She almost always waved away his apologies and took everything in good stride, even being uncharacteristically supportive. When he was busy, she busied herself too, until the time when they were both free rolled around and then her smile was the brightest thing next to the sun. Back in school, it was glaringly obvious that he was the one doing all the pillar-roles. But now, looking up and away from the cards, Chihaya had proved herself to be...pretty selfless. At least, when it came to him.
What no one really got was that almost losing him once had been the sharp slap she'd needed, and with the sting from that blow as a constant reminder— there was no way she was going back to being so self centred. She simply didn't want to anymore.
Today, she had bigger priorities than herself and it actually made her giddy and light. Because she felt he was worth it.
Which was exactly why, stalking into the cafeteria ready to rip him to shreds, she had almost tripped over her feet upon seeing him asleep at the table, and all the irritation had melted away like butter in the sun. The fact that she'd waited for over an hour didn't matter anymore.
Annoyance being replaced by concern and weariness at his ever incorrigible tendency to push himself to limits, Chitose's birthday gift had taken a back seat.
Moreover, having him freeze under her touch like she'd caught him murdering someone or something was...unsettling. Honestly. She wasn't that bothered.
But he didn't believe that. She knew.
The thing with her dear boyfriend was, he just couldn't accept stuff about her if she told him— he had to watch her and read her with his expertise and see it for himself before he believed it. Telling him she was fine would be a waste of breath; she needed to work on showing him.
Meh. She had never been good with words anyway. Actions were more her thing after all.
The old security guard looked up from his paper when the two people he'd been anticipating finally emerged from the doors, seemingly engrossed in a usual light argument. The girl looked better now, eyes sparkling, smile a tad brighter, face lit up and a bounce in her step. Though looking worn out, her companion had the same glow about his features, the same genuineness to the tiny grin playing on his lips.
As soon as they neared the cabin, they slowed, as usual, and peeked in.
" ~Konbanwaaa~ " she greeted, making the old man put down his paper for good and lean forward to smile at them brightly.
A chuckle escaped him. " Konbanwa, Ayase-san, Mashima-kun."
Taichi smiled warmly, swinging his white coat over one shoulder. A bag was slung on the same, and a steely stethoscope still hung around the back of his neck. "How are you today, jii-san?" And then his smile turned a tad worried. "How's the back?"
"Who cares about the back? I'm old." The guard chuckled, waving his concerns away. His eyes sparkled as they fixed on the couple. "Where are you two going? I saw you waiting around, Ayase-san..."
Catching the fleeting wince on the young man's face, he guessed it wasn't a good question. Chihaya smirked lightly. "We had plans, but someone forgot."
"Guilty." Rubbing the back of his neck, Taichi shot the old man a sheepish smile, making him grin in reply. "Now I'm being punished — we're going back home and listening to her favorite cartoon's crappy theme songs. For an hour."
"Oi." She rounded on him, eyes narrowed. "You're in no position to make any comments about them today."
Nodding obediently for her to see, he rolled his eyes at the old guard as soon as she turned away again. The watchman chuckled. "Have fun, then. Don't be too hard on him, Ayase-san." He requested, leaning forward with a fond smile. " Poor boy must be harried to the limit if he even came close to forgetting about something that has to do with you."
An unexpected tiny flush crept up her neck, much to Taichi's amusement, and his faint grin turned sly. He poked her arm, "Yeah, don't be too hard on the poor boy."
"Urusai." She grumbled, swatting his hand away.
Exchanging a few light words, they parted ways. Chihaya waved goodbye from a distance while Taichi hopped into the trusty black Porsche and the old man waved back. Listening to the purr of the engine and watching them glide away, he expelled a content sigh.
Its exactly kids like these that make an old man's day.
"Sensei, I'm locking up!"
"Hai, Hai." Harada sensei massaged his left arm, calling back out to Tsuboguchi San, who was currently inside, switching off the fans and lights. " Hurry up. Hiroshi, or we won't make it to the shop in time."
"Yessir!"
At the prospect of missing out on the all you can eat fest at his favourite little food joint, Hiroshi sped up his work. The last of the members filtered out, tossing on their coats. A healthy flush was present on all the faces, eyes sparkling from the exertion their game offered. Sweat made their hair stick to their foreheads, but no one was bothered much. Two female members walked out, the last of them, and paused near their teacher.
"Oyasuminasai, sensei."
"We'll see you tomorrow, Sensei. Oyasumi."
The old doctor bowed back to the two women, ignoring the sting in his arm. "Oyasuminasai."
As he straightened, the strangest head rush overcame his senses, and the wold spun. A tingle developed in his chest, seeming to seep down the bothersome left arm, and for a moment, Harada sensei froze.
And then it came, the sharp clenching to his heart.
Numbness encasing his arm, the old man sunk to his knees, putting two and two together. He was a doctor, and he knew enough.
Enough to save his own life.
Voluntarily breaking into violent coughs through the pain, he sank to the floor.
"Ah, man, that took long enough. Wonder if they're already closing down— SENSEI! Harada Sensei, what's going on?!"
"Ambulance." He managed to choke between a cough. Black dots danced in his vision and he faintly wondered if all this coughing was doing nothing, after all. Through blurry vision, he watched his subordinate hip out a cell phone and felt the younger arms support his shoulders.
Fight. Fight, fight, fight.
He still had a lot to live for.
"Why can't we just go shopping?"
"You're tired."
"Not anymore." Taichi pursed his lips as the elevator ascended up to his floor. Chihaya was leaning on the mirrored wall opposite him, her hair reflected in the glass. He saw himself too, pale faced and weary looking, but there was an uplift to his aura on a whole, and it showed in his eyes. "Come on, don't torture me. Let's go get your sister a teddy bear."
She shook her head, grinning a little at the idea. "She won't like it."
"A hair dryer?"
"She has three."
"Make up."
Chihaya snorted as the floor indicator dinged and the doors glided open soundlessly. Pushing herself off the wall, grabbing his shirt and towing him along— because he was having a bit of trouble setting himself upright from his rest against the insides of the elevator— she shook her head. "I have no clue what she has and what she doesn't. Don't know what things she puts on her face most of the time."
Taichi pried her fingers away from his shirt, and didn't protest when they twined through his. "Okay, think. Is there anything she needs right now? You live together, there has to be something."
Momentarily distracted, she put a finger to her chin as they traversed the corridor. "Hmmmm...I don't know."
He spared her a glance, and then rolled his eyes. "Don't give up so easily, wrack your brains...or what little you have of them in your— ouch!"
"Forgetting you're under punishment, aren't you? I haven't."
He rubbed his smarting arm with his free hand, and brought them to a stop in front of his apartment. Punching in the security code, opening the door and pulling her in, both the young adults welcomed the warmth inside.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Chihaya glanced around the empty apartment. It had been a while since she was here...almost a week, to be exact, but nothing had changed. It was still well organised, dust free, but lived in. Following him into the kitchen at the tug on her arm, her eyes dropped to their still intertwined fingers and a smile cracked on her face in response.
Maybe it was because of the fact that it had been a while since they'd seen each other face to face. Phone calls and texts were stupid, but she knew it was one of those busy months and wisely kept her wistfulness to herself. Only, it had all accumulated into a huge balloon which was threatening to burst inside her any moment.
Tightening her grip, the familiar feel of his fingers between hers was something she prized today, and the awareness made blood rush to her ears, tingles running up her arm. The smile on her face became softer.
Oblivious to her la-la land, Taichi pulled open the fridge, and pulled her closer to his side. "Take your pick."
"Ooooooh. Bottled orange juice?!"
"They didn't have lemonade the other day...I'll go get some later. You like this too, though, don't you?"
She grinned, swiping a bottle out, and kicking the door shut. "I love it."
Shrugging, he pulled away from her to grab a glass of water. But her grip around his hand made a sort of taut arm-rope, reigning him in. His lips curled upwards. "Leggo."
"Nah." Her smile mirrored his.
It hit them that at long last, after almost a month of hectic running around, they finally had some time to themselves. Alone. It had been way too long, and the silence of the house, the familiarity of his kitchen and the grip on each other's hands made mild excitement bloom in their chests, turning their lips up into a smile that refused to go away.
Simple happiness was what it probably was. Contentment. The wait seemed worth it for the moment.
Stubbornly sporting that faint lazy grin, she held out her bottle and he heaved an exaggerated sigh, moving closer to open the lid with his free hand. She took a happy sip, watching him toss the lid onto the counter and stretch to grab himself some water. Laughing silently into her bottle, she moved an inch forward when he tugged at their clasped hands which had become stretched taut again. Filling up the glass and bringing it to his mouth, Taichi leaned against the counter, both of them watching the other as they took little gulps of their drinks. Lips still curved upwards.
Chihaya happily wet her mouth, and set the bottle down for a minute. "So what's the plan?"
His brows shot up in response. "Plan? You...you're setting me free from torture?"
"Nah, I'll find time for it somehow." She waved a gleeful hand and he deflated visibly. "But what are we doing today?"
"We could still go and shop for the gift."
Her cheeks puffed, unhappy with the suggestion. Taichi calmly took another mouthful of water, while she grabbed her bottle again to do the same. "Aren't you tired?"
"I'm okay."
"Sure." She muttered dryly. "That's why you were knocked out cold back in the cafeteria."
"Moment of weakness." He shrugged, tugging at their clasped hands insistently. "I'm good to go. Maybe I'll be even better after a bath... If you can wait around."
"I don't mind." She shrugged too, more than happy to prolong their evening. "Actually, here's your punishment: we have to stop by my place first so I can freshen up too. And then we'll hit the shops."
"Not bad." He mused, finishing his glass and putting it in the sink. "That gives us a chance to sneak around and see if there's something she needs. "
"Oh, yeah!" she grinned, then patted his arm. "You're lucky I'm so clever."
"Uh-huh." His eyes rolled, but lips twitched. Pushing the earlier abandoned plastic cap towards her from the counter, he watched her put the bottle down, slender fingers grabbing the plastic with a certain unknown grace. Eyes flicking upwards, he traced the straight brown hair pulled into a loose ponytail, the strands framing her face tickled her jaw, bangs swept impatiently to the sides, a little ruffled from the day. Face completely clear of any sort of makeup, with dark sooty lashes framing her wide eyes, she looked fresh and untouched. But her physical features, though definitely a good factor, was nothing compared to the way simple enthusiasm and genuineness brimmed in her every action. That drew him in, very much like a hapless moth to a burning flame.
He found his lack of strength to resist her pull piteous.
How exactly had he forgotten about today again? The thought brought a shot of ice into his heart, and the spell shattered as his earlier frustrations at himself remerged. To him, as someone who was still...doubtful about the strength of their relationship, such a mistake was unforgivable. He'd gotten too comfortable, too caught up in work and he'd slipped. How exactly he hadsomehow forgotten remained a mystery, and insecurities reared their ugly heads just a little. She didn't deserve that. There simply was no excuse.
Forgetting such a meeting after going so long without it would mean...that he hadn't been looking forward to it? But he had. He really had counted on that one spot of brightness to get him through the whirlwind that had been this month. But when the time came...maybe it had been exhaustion. Maybe his brain had simply had no more strength.
Unease flashed over his face, mirroring in his golden eyes, and now he scoured her features for any trace of unhappiness or dissatisfaction.
He found none, but that didn't pacify him just yet. She had a right to be angry. She should've felt neglected or something. But here she was grinning like nothing was wrong.
He didn't understand.
Chihaya didn't really want to, but her hands loosened around his so that he could go on and freshen up. Catching the slightly dimmed expression on his face, her head cocked to the side. "What's wrong?"
He wet his lips, and swallowed discreetly. "Nothing. I'm just going to..." he gestured outside the kitchen.
She blinked at his suddenly uneasy posture, and then nodded. When his eyes darted searchingly around her face once more, she realised something was up.
But he wouldn't talk immediately. She knew that too.
Whatever it was that swirled in his eyes shouldn't be there. So her lips curled into a reassuring grin. "What are you waiting for?"
He didn't answer her immediately, eyes still scouring her face, before a familiar defeated expression emerged over his features and then he was close, so close her chest pressed to his, and his breath tickled her cheek.
Another happier smile curved her lips. His fingers curled firmly around hers and a thumb glided over her knuckles slowly, each stroke sending a flurry of butterflies swirling in her stomach. Being so close meant she had to look up to see his face, and her forehead brushed his chin. Her pulse skipped and danced, heartbeat pattering in her chest when he raised his free hand to weave his fingers into the silky stands of hair behind her ear. And she sighed when his mouth pressed to hers softly.
Greed for more curled in her lower belly, but she let it swirl around, cherishing the goosebumbs over her skin, the soaring of her heart. Her lips parted and the kiss deepened slightly, soft, hesitant. Her head was light, she was running out of air, and a sudden need to have more made her fingers curl around his collar and pull him closer, while she rose on her toes at the same time. The pressure on her parted lips increased deliciously, and his hand behind her neck pulled her in further. A whirl of happiness and excitement and satisfaction, coupled with a mad mix of greed and pleasure exploded in her stomach, an eruption that shot down to her toes, making them curl.
He pulled away slightly for a gap of air, vision unfocused, meaning to return as per her insistent tug, but getting too comfortable wasn't an option. As much as he could've spent hours showing her how incapacitated he was to resist her, they had to get a move on if they were going to get things done tonight.
His lips brushed against hers, reluctant to let go. "We have no time."
"Shuddup."
Smiling a little, he pressed another light kiss to her waiting mouth. Her sigh echoed in his ear, and it was even more difficult to pull away, satisfaction blooming in his chest and making it soar. His hand tightened around hers fractionally, a reminder, and then he pulled away for good, putting a few inches between their faces.
A giddy smile lifted her lips, despite the wistfulness knocking inside, and she watched him return it slowly.
And suddenly she understood what it was that was shining in the molten gold orbs searching her face.
Guilt.
"I'm so sorry I forgot." He muttered on cue, making her eyes flutter shut for a moment as his breath feathered her face. "That wasn't fair to you. I feel like a jerk."
"Not your fault." She mumbled, a tad too dazed. His thumb brushed her cheek lightly, and her grip on his collar tightened. "I'm not mad, or sad, and I don't blame you. You had a whole lot going on and you were exhausted."
"That's no excuse." He muttered, sounding as guilty as he looked. "I was looking forward to this the whole week, but I don't know what happened."
Regaining a little of her breath, she unclenched her fingers from his collar, smoothened the fabric, and patted his chest, awarding him a dazzling smile. " Don't be so hard on yourself — I've forgotten a few of our dates and you let that slide..."
How was he supposed to answer that? "I—yes, but—"
"Taichi." She chided, sighing, suddenly looking very grown up. " You're being silly."
"Am I?" he breathed, a little dizzy, a lot confused. She nodded multiple times, a happy smile on her face, and watching the way her eyes sparkled in the light, the longer bangs falling into her eye, he pressed his lips to her forehead, a final apology just to pacify himself. "I love you."
The smile on her face widened. Even after so long, even after hearing him say it enough times, her ears still heated, her eyes twinkled and warmth bloomed in her chest, making the beating of her heart sound louder, livelier.
"I know."
Kanade closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The scent of the candles washed over her, and a small smile flitted across her face. "It's amazing, Tsukue-kun."
"I knew you'd like it." Komano adjusted his glasses, grinning faintly. They were gathered around the reception desk at her shop, the light from the scented candles he'd just gifted her making her face glow. Softly twining her fingers through his, they took another slow breath. It was relaxing, a sort of calm and old scent that matched the ambience of the shop.
The moment was interrupted when the bell tingled and customers stepped inside.
Straightening away from her boyfriend and the wonderful candles, Kana-chan smiled automatically. "Welcome to Oe's traditional— Sumire-chan!?"
The said girl smiled easily and waved, her hair pulled into the usual bun on the top of her head. "Hey guys."
"What are you doing here?" Komano asked, joining Kanade in moving closer to their kohai. "Shouldn't you be studying for your entrance exams."
Sumire-chan rolled her eyes. "Komano-senpai never changes. I'm taking a break. I was just going home from cram school when I ran into— eh?! Where did he go?!"
Watching the girl look around for...whoever it was that she'd apparently come here with, Komano exchanged a slightly bewildered glance with Kana-chan.
"Su-chan, who are you talking about?"
"Kazama-kun!" Sumire scowled. "That rat made me come here with him, to buy his mother a kimono, but now he's missing!"
Komano sighed. "I bet you he's still standing outside gaping at the poster we've put on the window."
An unexpected flash of unease passed over the younger girl's face, something Kana-chan didn't miss. Sumire's fingers clenched around her shoulder bag slightly. "Wh-what poster? The one with Ayase-senpai...?"
"Yeah." Komano nodded, referring to the latest modelling favour Chihaya had done for the Oe family. "He hasn't seen it yet."
"Oh." She fidgeted. "Could you wait a second while I go and get him?"
"Don't bother. I'll do it." Komano waved a hand, moving outside before she could protest. "Why don't you get onto what you came here for? And then go back home and study."
"Hai, hai." She mumbled, watching him near the door.
The bell chimed again as the door opened and closed, and there was a tension in the room.
Sumire raised her gaze hesitantly to look at her senpai. Kana-chan's watchful eyes held a spark, but she chose to ignore it.
Both of them did.
"Shall we start looking?" the older girl suggested innocently, ignoring the obvious elephant in the room.
"S-sure. I think he said something about lavender..."
Chihaya looked at the whole row of fuzzy slippers, hand on her hip, a frown on her face. Currently at a shop somewhere near Shiranami Society, they were searching for a replacement for Chitose's worn out slippers. There were so many to choose from: bubbly pink, baby blue, and even a Pikachu themed one which she absolutely loved. But she didn't know which to get her sister. Of course, she had an idea...
Abruptly, the pair of slippers she had clenched in one hand was snatched away, and she rounded on the thief with a pout.
"No." Taichi said firmly, putting it back. "I don't think your sister likes that stupid Snowman."
"His name is Snowmaru." Chihaya hissed, glaring at him lightly. "And she has no taste."
"Pretty sure you're the tasteless one." He murmured, bending to look at a pair of plain green ones. "How about this?"
"It's green."
He pointed to the same thing in fuchsia. "This one?"
"But its plaaaaiiiiin." She pouted, frowning at it. "You're so boring."
He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Well, you're going to have to pick one today. Soon."
"Hmmmmmm..." she bent again near a cute, teddy bear themed one. It wasn't as cute as Daddy Bear to her, but it would do. "How 'bout this?"
He spared her a glance, meaning to make a snarky remark, but it died when he caught her looking at him sideways expectantly, loose locks of hair tumbling over one shoulder, a tiny pout remaining on her mouth.
He almost agreed instantly, before he caught himself in time. " Chihaya...she wears plain ones, remember? Like what we saw back at your house."
Her cheeks puffed, annoyed, and he hid a little wince. Going too long without seeing her properly made him very weak. So much, it was almost pathetic. The main goal he had right now was to put a smile on her face for the entire short time they had together before life turned busy again. There was no time for frowning.
Wrinkling her nose, Chihaya straightened and stepped into his side to grab the fuchsia slippers he'd pointed out. Turning it over in her hand, looking up sideways, still a little dissatisfied, she sighed at him. "We're taking this."
He grinned a little, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Excellent choice."
Her tongue shot out in reply, and she leaned into him at the hips, "But those Snowmaru ones are adorable. Honestly, Taichi, are you blind?"
"Just a little." He said dryly, before picking up the said slippers too. "How about we buy both?"
"I'm not a millionaire." She grumbled, eyes lingering on the white ones in his hand.
"Ah, but I sort of am." He grinned. "Come on."
She refuse to budge, looking incredulous. " She has only two feet, Taichi. How is she supposed to wear all four?"
He rolled his eyes and poked her cheek. "This isn't for her."
Now she looked hostile. The fuzzy white slippers received a glare. "Who's it for then? You better say Rika, or I'm going to kill you."
"Rika would kill me if I bought her this."
"Then who's it for?" she glared at him now.
"Shinobu-chan." He said with a straight face.
Chihaya gaped, pulling away from him. "What?! Why would you—?"
"It's for you, dummy." He snorted, shaking his head. "Sometimes you're so slow, I can't believe myself."
"Oh." Doing an abrupt one-eighty, a flush crept up her neck and she smiled. "What's the occasion?"
He shook his head, a smile preaching exasperated fondness dancing on his lips. "Consider it an apology gift. Now you can't be mad at me."
"I never was." She clarified, moving back into his side again, grinning faintly when his arm came around her middle and he pressed his lips to her temple. It made her heart skip a silly beat. She was lucky this evening; usually, he was almost never this affectionate in public. Today, he seemed to had forgotten his principles completely. "But I'm not stupid enough to try and convince you to put it back. So...thanks."
"Anytime." He laughed shortly, handing over her new prized possession.
They were about to move toward the billing counter when the unmistakable blaring of an ambulance caught their attention. Shoppers nearby looked up and out the large glass windows of the shop just like they were doing, and within five seconds, the sound suddenly magnified as the white vehicle and its flashing blue lights became a split second blur before dashing out of sight and hearing once more.
A moment of suspended stillness. And then it shattered; everyone went back to their preoccupations.
Chihaya pursed her lips. "It's always so depressing when an ambulance speeds by. Obviously someone somewhere is in trouble."
"Don't look at it like that." Taichi chided lightly, eyes still fixated in the direction the vehicle had disappeared into. Something churned in his stomach. "Think of it like this: when an ambulance speeds by, it means someone somewhere is getting another chance to live."
Her face lifted at the thought, and a slow nod escaped her. "Hmm...not bad."
"Huh?" he snapped out of his musings and glanced down at her. Chihaya was giving him a cheeky smile, "I mean...for a pessimist, that wasn't so bad."
Face clearing, dismissing whatever it was that had caught him off guard earlier, he flicked her forehead and she scowled lightly. "For the last time, I'm a realist, Karuta-baka. Now come on. Let's go pay for this and go get some food. I can hear your stomach complaining all the way up here."
Done for now. If you like it, let me know and be patient with me.
Love you all to bits,
Loyyu-chan.
