First time writer here. This is set after chapter 33 aka the latest angst.

Yuzu flipped through a magazine as she waited anxiously for the door to open. Even the bright colours and flashy jewelry on the pages failed to distract her. The food she'd prepared on the table had long gone cold.

It had been days, no, almost a week she'd been coming home late. Ever since the trip to the boarding house, Mei had been avoiding her. She'd been silent, even more so than usual. And she was sure she was avoiding her. Well, as sure as she could be with Mei. It might be her worrying over nothing again, but she still couldn't help feeling concerned.

Finally, just when she was about to decide to go look for her, the door knob turned.

She'd unbuttoned the first few buttons on her uniform. There was a glimpse of silver around her neck which made Yuzu smile and worry at the same time. Mei was a stickler for the rules after all. Whatever was bothering her, it must be distracting enough to make her forget to take her ring off.

She didn't even seem to be looking at where she was going. Her hair a silken black wave falling over her shoulder as she walked with a down-turned face, a slight frown on her expression. She methodically removed her shoes and came in, not noticing the blonde girl on the couch who already had a warm smile on.

"Come here," Yuzu said, opening her arms wide.

Mei started, then paused. Sparing her a glance, as if actually considering the offer. Her usually cold, calm eyes were tulmulted. She didn't say anything before quietly looking away and going into their room, not quite meeting her lover's eyes. But that moment of hesitation was already enough to lift Yuzu's spirits. She knew Mei enough now to know that any reaction was better than none... Or maybe she was just too easily pleased.

She let her have her space. Hearing Mei changing and going to the bath, she herself heated up Mei's food.

Yuzu went into their room while the other girl ate, lying down in their bed, pondering. She knew it could be Student Council stuff, usually she wouldn't talk about it with her if it was work, right? But she usually didn't avoid her because of it, either. It must be something to do with her personal life then. She could ask Himeko, but she could already imagine how smug Himeko would react if she knew something Yuzu didn't.

But more importantly, Mei would get angry if she found out she'd snooped.

Mei dreaded going back into their room. She knew Yuzu would want to talk. The girl had nudged her a few times this week, but she hadn't pushed further. She doubted Yuzu was going to give her any more leeway. Not when she knew she'd been acting too distant for so long.

But... she herself knew she was being a coward. Yet she saw no logical way out of this. No responsible way. She sighed. Work was piling up at the student council, this was the last thing she needed right now.

Everything was going smoothly until that call. She hadn't even realised she'd taken it for granted that she wouldn't have that obligation any more. Or maybe she'd been in denial and merely forced it to the back of her mind.

She didn't like not having a clear path. And she didn't like that she was having such a hard time making a rational decision. Her first priority had always been her family's legacy. How could she uphold that if she chose to decline her grandfather's decision? She'd be turning her back on her family. Exactly like her father did.

He'd abandoned her family, could she bear to do the same?

That was the problem. She wouldn't have even given that choice a thought a few months ago. The right choice would have been obvious. Yet now, there was a tight feeling in her chest whenever she imagined someone else being the constant in her life. She'd gotten too spoilt this past few months, she decided. Spoilt and selfish.

And happy.

She padded slowly into the bedroom, immediately feeling those green eyes following her as she made her way to the desk.

"You can't possibly still be working", Yuzu admonished.

"I have a lot of work left." She answered.

"Fine, then come here for a moment first."

"..." She didn't answer, merely going over and pulling out her chair.

"Meeeeeiiiiiiiii. You know I won't leave you in peace until you come. Come on, just a few minutes"

"Meiiiiii-"

She sighed, biting her lip, finally turning around.

Those green eyes were fixed intently on her face, as if she was a cipher the blonde was trying to puzzle out. Mei wondered how much her lavender eyes revealed to Yuzu. She never seemed to be able to put up her facade when Yuzu was around.

And she didn't like feeling so unhinged. She was used to being numb. Sheltered from emotions. Her conflicting feelings; her confusion. How could she even be hesitant? There was only one logical choice here. A logical choice she did not want to make.

Mei knew she had a duty, most people of her status did. What right did she have to turn her back on the man that had raised her after her father left? The feeling in her chest tightened. And she felt pressure build behind her eyes.

I'm only a girl... She wished more people realised this.

Yuzu did.

She wasn't a fool. She knew what her heart truly wanted. The problem was she also understood that it was impossible. And it made her feel... Irritated. This was all Yuzu's fault.

No one else could make her feel this upset.

"Mei... Come here." Yuzu called more gently. Mei didn't know what expression she had on her face but she could see Yuzu's worry deepen.

She allowed herself to hesitate another moment. The she found her body acting of its own accord, pushing back her chair abruptly. Shock registered on Yuzu's face but she recovered quickly, opening her arms wider for her, that huge smile lighting up her face.

Mei felt something in her catch at the sight of that warm, welcoming grin.

"I don't have enough time," she said. Even while she was approaching those familiar arms.

"It's ok. 5 minutes, I promise."

"... I don't want to talk," she replied, feeling something in her sink even further.

"Then we don't have to." Yuzu readily answered.

Yuzu watched her take timid steps towards Their bed. Both her arms were wrapped around herself. Fists clenched. But still, she'd come.

She waited patiently, her arms still out by her sides, always an open invitation for the brunette. She knew Mei enough now to see the struggle play out on her face. The resistance, the contemplation, and finally, the resignation, accompanied by her usual sigh.

Yuzu didn't move until her girlfriend had come close enough for her to wrap her arms around.

It's better to let her slowly open up than to force her, Yuzu repeated to herself. Even though it killed her not knowing what was wrong She wondered if Mei knew how hard it was to not bombard her with questions.

So she tightened her arms around the beautiful girl instead, tugging so they both fell back on the bed with her arms cradling the girl, and that head of soft black hair was tucked under her chin.

"Yuzu." Mei chided, trying to pull away and sit up.

Yuzu ignored her, keeping an arm around her waist while gently running her fingers through the silky black strands. She heard Mei let out another sigh.

Neither of them said anything for a while. Yuzu completely content to just hold her like this, a dumb smile on her face. It was ridiculous how happy this made her. Her hand stroked the younger girls head idly, while outside it started to rain. The heavy pattering of raindrops made the world sound muted.

Slowly, she felt the body on top of her relax. Tension seeping out of those slender shoulders.

She hadn't felt this distant from Mei in a while. And she hadn't liked that feeling one bit. She'd gotten used to being the one that saw all her vulnerabilities. All her fears. It scared her knowing that she was hiding something from her.

Something so important it made her so un-Mei-like. The usual Mei would never have let her hold her like this. Kissing yes, something sexual, maybe. But not a gentle and tender act such as cuddling.

"You don't have to tell me now if you don't want to. But please. Don't bear this alone okay? I'm here. "

"It must be tiring. " She whispered, feeling the other girl's fingers curl into her shirt.

Mei didn't answer, but Yuzu heard a sniffle, and then something warm dropped on her breast.

It took a moment for Yuzu to realise what was happening because this was so rare and unprecedented.

"Mei... No one hurt you, right?!" Panic seeped into her voice at the sudden thought.

"... No."

She tried to tilt the girl's face up to look at her. But she only hid her face deeper in her chest.

"Did I do something wrong, then? "

" No"

" Then why are you crying? "

" You said no questions."

Yuzu frowned. But kept quiet. This was torture to her. Didn't Mei realise that?

She was surprised when the girl looked up. She felt her heart skip a beat. Her raw beauty was breathtaking. Eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears. Yuzu could only stare. She'd never seen her this open before. This vulnerable.

She doubted Mei had ever allowed anyone to.

Only Mei could render her speechless, Yuzu thought.

Thunder roared outside and she instinctively tightened her arms around the girl, pulling her closer. Something passed over Mei's eyes, the stormy clouds in their depths clearing slightly. They became almost gentle, and she leaned forward to press a soft kiss on Yuzu's lips. Her cheeks burning with a red flush.

It was a butterfly kiss. Achingly tender and fleeting. But it still felt like a lightning bolt for Yuzu.

She couldn't speak, merely stare at the girl leaning over her. Silent tears continues to fall. Her dark eyes warm but infinitely sad as they gazed into her own.

"Tomorrow, okay? I'm sorry... I know I've made you worry a lot," Mei's whispered.

Yuzu could only nod.

She felt her heart pounding furiously even as the girl lay back down on her chest, this time slipping her arms around her waist too.

Mei didn't speak any further, but the girls' arms that clung tight to her spoke more volumes than anything else could. She'd buried her face back in her chest again, even as Yuzu lay there trying to re-organize her thoughts.

She knew Mei could hear her thundering heartbeat. She was probably listening to it right now.

So Yuzu held her until she felt the tears stop falling. Her hand gently wiping away the teardrops that clung to her long lashes.

She stared at the ceiling. Her brain trying to comprehend her girlfriend's actions like usual. Tomorrow... She was half excited and half scared.

"Mei...?" She called softly, after she'd managed to muster up her voice again.

No response. She brushed the dark hair away from her face and saw that the girl was already asleep. Lips slightly parted, her breaths long and slow.

Yuzu smiled to herself, tucking the girl in under the blankets but keeping her arms tight around her.

"Success!" she thought, as she smirked smugly at the forgotten pile of papers on the desk.