Disclaimer: I do not own Kannazuki no Miko – unfortunately …
This Habit of Mine
Part one: Nightcap?
She always came to the café at two p.m., this time, she was wearing a light blue scarf around her neck, clad with a blouse and hip-hugging jeans – it was her sense of style that made it hard not to notice her. Her order was tea and honeyed biscuits, it was simple, really.
Though, as an employee, she tampered down the urge to begin a conversation with the lonely woman. She set the tray down, walked away and wondered what her name was. Maybe one day she would find out … but it seemed unlikely to her. The air of sophistication and elegance was difficult to dismiss, even that soft-spoken voice of hers echoed great table manners.
It was a noticeable trait when she came to put down her order, the woman would never look up but stare at the table, floor, or at her clasped hands. Long ago, she simply accepted that this stranger didn't like eye contact or anything relating to communication. But her body language spoke volumes of stress, the tense shoulders and the straight back and even the muscles of her face.
"Kurusugawa, enough dawdling around," her boss said.
Himeko bit back the sigh and hurried to take another customer's order. She liked her job as a waitress – it paid good money to keep rent off her back and the food in her fridge to be stocked. It wasn't easy to always do this job – the late night shifts and tips helped her resolve and especially when two p.m. came. Her anticipation of seeing the stranger was confusing at times but she learned to accept that as a routine.
The soft jangling filled the room with sound and she looked up to see the stranger leave. Her chest felt empty, the presence the stranger left was a profound ache. Himeko stared intently at the entrance, wishing the woman would come back – or if she took any notice in Himeko – and finally speak to her. But the day that would happen was slim, the woman didn't notice her environment – the appraising looks sent her way (even from Himeko), the little talk people had about her and the occasional gift to her. Himeko noticed that the stranger was making this small restaurant slowly gain more customers – a plus for her and other employees. And it also made her boss happier.
Six hours later and she was heading back to her apartment to watch game shows and celebrity gossip. It wasn't an evening most working people needed but it was enough for her because she learned to appreciate the simple moments in life. Though, it would be better if I had someone to spend my nights with. She thought glumly, nursing the glass of cold water between her hands.
Himeko's train of thought was disrupted by the knocks on her door. She got up, wondering who was visiting her at this time of night – certainly questionable. She peeked through the eyeglass, seeing one Makoto Saotome's face. She sighed, unlocking the door then watched as her friend stepped in.
"Okay," Makoto turned around to face Himeko, her hands planted on her hips. "You need to know how to have more fun. So, tonight, I'm taking you out to this exclusive club." The smile on her friend's face was more than unnerving, Himeko shuffled nervously on the spot.
"Uh … I would rather stay here – my show is on!"
Makoto gave her a dubious look. "Uh-huh. I'm taking you there whether you like it or not and … you might meet someone to hook up with."
Himeko slapped her forehead, and then sighed. "I'm comfortable staying here besides … I doubt that I will like the place or the people."
"Oh c'mon, Himeko, I dare you to let loose of your conscious and just have fun! I swear, once you find someone and wake up in the morning in their bed, you'll wish to experience it again." Himeko shook her head as that seemed highly unlikely. Actually, that was not likely at all.
She was fine with normalcy but sometimes, if she allowed her mind to run loose – she would hope for more.
"No, Mako-chan." She said, crossing her arms over her chest. "First of all, I don't have the clothes for a club – secondly? Those people are all perverts." She stated. Her friend blinked then laughed as though she told a joke.
"Oh my god, is that what you think? I'm taking you to a club but not that type of club!" Makoto swiped the tears from her eyes. "Anyways, go get your casual clothes and that is all you'll need tonight."
Himeko nodded slowly, put off by her friend's sudden bout of laughter and headed to her room to change from her pajamas. Just what type of club is it that Mako-chan would assume that will make me wake in another's bed? She asked herself.
-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-
They had arrived to the exclusive club by car in the span of thirty minutes, outside and probably inside the club; Himeko could see that the line-up was long. It made her slightly angry at her friend, if they had to wait for hours, she would just go home. But as Makoto tugged her towards the front of the line to meet up with a bulky guard who nodded, she wondered how her friends got the connections to just get in. But she decided to hold the question back, accepting it as it was.
"Hang out at the bar, test a few drinks and say to put it on my tab, okay?" Himeko nodded, perplexed by the change of attitude.
She headed to the bar, sitting on a stool as she overlooked the menu for a drink. This felt strange, the whole atmosphere of the club was elusive as though you were anonymous and people were not going to judge you. At that, she relaxed and pointed at a fruity drink before taking in her surroundings.
The red lights certainly made the air of this place, the comfortable looking settees on the lower level of ground was inviting. Certainly not at all she had pictured. There was enough people to be close but not over crowded, normally, she would stay in one place but the curiosity that welled inside her wanted to observe the architecture of the club. No wonder why it was popular, the complementary colours and warm tones were welcoming, Himeko had to shake her head.
The clunk of her ordered fruity drink woke her from her appreciation of the place and the humbleness she felt for being invited by her friend to this exclusive club. Himeko sighed then took her glass between her hands and walked over to one of the settees. They were as comfortable as they looked, her back relaxed and her body seemed to want to melt into it.
I wonder how Mako-chan found this lovely place; I wouldn't mind spending my nights here … except for the assumptions of me waking up in someone else's bed. That is an event I don't want happening anytime soon. Himeko thought, biting her bottom lip, oblivious to the stares she was receiving. Then, she wasn't so oblivious and felt each gaze like a laser. It made her uneasy and she shifted comfortably so that her body said: "I don't need company."
Slowly, the anxiety of being stared at slowly drained away until someone put their hand on her shoulder and spoke into her ear, "I'm sorry to bother you but I couldn't help but notice you. I hope you don't mind me sitting here with you."
Himeko's eyes fluttered shut at the tickling sensation of warm breath sensitizing the region of her ear. Her throat tightened, and her tongue felt tangled so she opted herself to nodding. The hand moved from her shoulder along her arm to her hands, the caress made her aware to the desire tugging at her. She turned her head to where the voice came from, almost choking when she recognized the woman from the café she worked at.
Oh god, what is she doing here? She looks so different; Himeko's mind went into overdrive. Usually, the stranger's long silky hair was tied but now, unbounded and framing her face and hinting at the graceful neck; the vibes surrounding her was making Himeko hot under the collar.
She took a sip of her drink, noting she would have to ask for something stronger to get rid of her body's reaction to the proximity to the woman.
"I'm Chikane," Himeko sighed, cleared her throat then held out her hand to shake the woman's hand.
"I am …" Himeko paused, her eyes locked onto the dark stare Chikane sent her. If Makoto didn't save her now, she was sure to spontaneously combust from the heat she felt. "…Himeko," she finished meekly, breaking their mutual stare and looked at the tiled floor as though it was the most interesting thing.
She could feel the smooth skin of the hand she held, wondering if she played the piano because her fingers were long and taken care of. But she bit her tongue, let go of Chikane's hand and leaned back into the cushion of the settee.
Himeko didn't want to say anything, really and enjoyed the presence of the elusive woman who came to the café at two p.m. every day except for the weekends – though Himeko couldn't really tell if Chikane went there during the weekends or not. Now she wondered if she should make a routine of coming here every night – with the excuse of Makoto inviting her here. Maybe that would work for a while but in the long run … she would be lying by saying that.
Himeko glanced at the woman beside her, wondering if Chikane ever noticed her from the café. Probably not because Chikane did not seem to recognize her, that saddened her a bit but she realized she wouldn't have to worry about Chikane knowing her from her job.
It's better this way, isn't it? To be clueless of the life I live for this night …
Chikane leaned closer, her eyes hooded but the message in them was clear.
I want to kiss you. Himeko tilted her head, feeling lips gingerly touch hers and a hand gently caressed her jawline and cheek. The sensations she felt made her aware of the arms that surrounded her securely around her waist, the mouth that sucked on her top lip before prodding her for entrance.
Gods, this is wonderful. It was better than she imagined or expected. Himeko bared her neck to the little nips and soft bites, whimpering when a tongue soothed the pain to a dull sting. The desire clouded her mind as she pulled Chikane closer. She didn't mind when Chikane pulled away to lead her upstairs before crushing her against her body.
I don't mind at all, if she wants me, who am I to deny her?
…
Well, that's the end of Part One. :] Oh right, sorry for mistakes. Enjoy, please.
