The Responsible Adult
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
XXX
"I'm sorry! My husband just got home, so I'll have to cancel," Yui looked honestly apologetic as she took off at a speed that shouldn't be imitated, ever.
Kuroi stared after her for a moment, then a sudden question dawned on her. She's got a husband!
Even though she wouldn't be able to have someone to drink with she didn't really feel like returning home, and she could probably use a bottle or two after learning that her drinking friend was actually already married.
XXX
It wasn't all that unusual to see a woman like her drinking alone, it wasn't even the fact that she – rather than having fun – seemed to be drowning her troubles that made Matsuri notice her. It was the fact that she almost seemed to be drinking as much tears as alcohol.
It's actually pretty normal for drinkers to start crying – a few drinks and they'll tell you all about their troubles, whether you want to hear them or not – but this was the first time she'd seen one literally bawling her eyes out. It was actually kind of interesting to watch.
As the woman raised her hand to call for another drink, however, Matsuri began to get a bit worried.
"Don't you think you've had enough?" Matsuri looked uncertainly at the older woman.
"I'm fine, the both of you should stop worrying…" she waved dismissively as she downed another glass.
"Both? Umm… but there's only me…" Don't tell me, she's seeing double?
"Really?" she seemed a bit dazed, "I thought you were twins…" she giggled a little, "Guess I am a bit drunk after all…" she began to stand up, but stumbled and fell back to her seat.
Matsuri stared at her for a moment, then she looked up at the clock. It was almost closing time.
"Give me a moment, I'll walk you home," the woman looked at her quizzically, "I'd feel guilty if I left someone who can barely stand to make their way home on their own…"
"Your face is kind of red," she laughed, seemingly happy about life in general.
Matsuri stared at her for a moment, surprised with how her attitude had changed so completely, then she began to get ready to walk her home.
XXX
Matsuri had planned to get Nanako – a name that had been more or less forced upon her to use, which seemed like a pretty standard thing for happy, drunk people to do – home, possibly tuck her into bed, and then leave again.
It didn't really work out like that.
After realizing that leaving her alone for more than thirty seconds would make her cry like a little kid, Matsuri had some difficulties with trying to find enough heart to actually leave the apartment.
In the end, she simply called home and told them that she'd be staying over at a friend's. She then spent a few hours comforting the very – she really couldn't stretch this enough – emotional woman, or – when it came to that – hold her hair back as she found something to throw up in.
XXX
The first thing Kuroi became aware of was a splitting headache.
Although it was most certainly painful, there wasn't really anything strange about it, hangovers were a pretty normal occurrence in her life. So, she opened her eyes slowly whilst quietly chanting in her thoughts to move slowly and as quietly as possible.
Kuroi blinked. Eh? There was definitely something wrong here.
Her head was resting on something soft – she'd assumed that it was her pillow, but apparently she'd been wrong – and there was an unusual – but still quite pleasant – fragrance in the air whenever she breathed. So, I'm not hallucinating?
Kuroi stared at the girl in who's lap her head rested. It took her some time to recall what'd happen the previous night – and large parts were still pretty blurry – but she did conclude that this girl had been worried about her, and not only walked her home, but also decided to stay over to take care of her.
This realization led to some embarrassment, backed up with some guilt, and finally topped off with a sudden need to repay the girl for her troubles. But, how was she supposed to do that?
A growling noise broke her out of her reflections, and she smiled as she thanked her stomach. She'd make her breakfast, it'd at least be something.
XXX
Note to self: Sleep. In. Bed. Sleeping on the floor hurts. Such sounded Matsuri's first thoughts of the day.
Hmm? What's that smell? Struggling to open her eyes, Matsuri was quickly reminded of her reason for not sleeping in a bed – it'd feel weird to use another person's bed. She mumbled sleepily as she began to make her way towards the origin of the heavenly smell of what seemed to be food.
"Ah, you're awake," Nanako smiled happily, though there seemed to be something of a flinch of pain – Matsuri guessed that she had a hangover – "I figured you might want some breakfast," at Matsuri's hesitance she continued, "See it as repaying the favor…" she seemed to be blushing.
"Wow, so you can be a responsible adult…"
"Hey, that's rude you know. I'm a teacher, of course I'm a responsible adult."
"Eh? A teacher, really? I never would've guessed…" Matsuri answered her with honest surprise.
The breakfast tasted just as heavenly as it'd smelled, and Matsuri was actually a little disappointed when her stomach told her that there was no room for any more of it. But, even if it hadn't tasted as wonderful as it did, she probably would've enjoyed it anyway. The reason for this was simple, and was currently sitting on the other side of the table.
Nanako's expressions seemed to change continuously as she ate, all of them genuine, all of them completely natural. It was fascinating to watch, and thanks to this, it was proving somewhat difficult to concentrate on the food, even if it really did taste heavenly.
It was around this time that the older woman noticed something for the first time. The clock.
"Uwaah! It's that late already! I've got to get to work!" with these words she scrambled into a frenzy of activity.
Matsuri could only stare in disbelief as Nanako flew around the apartment. I kind of want to see this again, someday… I wonder if I could catch it on camera? Unfortunately, she didn't have any cameras with her.
Deciding that it'd probably be bad to stay in the teacher's apartment by herself, Matsuri picked up what few things she brought with her, and began to move out the door, when she realized something.
I really won't be able to see this again, and I'll never be able to eat her breakfast again… She turned around just as Nanako entered the hallway – looking about as calm as a panicking tornado.
"One meal won't be enough to pay me back, you know," Nanako blinked, seemingly surprised with… pretty much everything, "So, in return, please cook for me again," and with that, she left the stunned teacher with a cheerful smile.
XXX
"Heellooo!"
"I'm already in the kitchen, don't pressure me!"
It'd been almost a month sine that day, and Matsuri coming over to eat had somehow become normal for the two of them. Nanako did show up at the bar where she worked every now and then, and she usually ended up staying over at her apartment as a result. Not because Nanako had trouble walking, but simply because they both enjoyed it.
It was a strange relationship – Matsuri had tried to explain it to a friend who'd looked slightly scandalized and asked her who the lucky guy was, it'd taken quite some time to sort that mess out – and she wasn't really sure what they should call it, but she figured that as long as they both enjoyed it, it was fine.
"So, what's for dinner?" Matsuri curiously looked over the older woman's shoulder.
"I'm not telling, figure it out on your own," a slight smile snuck it's way onto Nanako's lips as Matsuri made a big show of pondering what it might be.
"Instant ramen?"
"How could this possibly be ramen?" the teacher looked at her in mock disbelief.
"Really? I thought I nailed it…" she pouted as she showily tried to think of something else, "Sushi?"
"There's either something seriously wrong with both your eyes and your nose, or you're not even trying."
"Fine, it's curry," she gave a mock glare, "Happy now?"
"Overjoyed."
XXX
"Could I try cooking for once?" Nanako blinked, surprised by the offer.
"Sure, it's not really like I love cooking."
"I see," Matsuri smiled happily as she started gathering up the things she'd be needing.
"So, what are you making?" curiosity seemed to have gotten the better of her, and for a moment Matsuri almost saw a dog's tail wagging behind her – she had to stifle a laugh as a result.
"You'll see."
"Is this payback for last time?"
"No, it wasn't really your fault that the waffles turned to charcoal," she smiled sweetly at Nanako – who suddenly felt an odd need to run away and hide.
Seeing as she didn't really want to get in the way, Nanako decided to leave her some space until dinner was finished.
It didn't take too long.
"Miso soup?" Matsuri nodded.
"Miso soup."
Nanako might not love to cook, but she did very much enjoy the eating part of food, and, despite the immense amounts the younger woman had made, it didn't take long before she'd finished it all – though considering how slowly Nanako seemed to be moving at the end, she was on her last pair of legs.
"You're really good at this, huh?" Nanako laughed, "I wish I could eat your miso soup everyday."
Matsuri blinked. Her face slowly heating up, becoming redder with each passing moment. The older woman looked at her curiously.
"Umm…" Matsuri could feel her heart suddenly racing as she stared into her beautiful, green eyes, "I'm… I-I'm inexperienced, b-but if you'll have me…" Nanako blinked, looking very confused for a moment, until realization dawned on her.
"I-I wasn't-…!" franticly waving with her hands as her voice didn't seem to obey her, "… That was…" Matsuri looked at her quizzically, "I…" something seemed to change as she met the younger woman's eyes, "I-I'm not really all that experienced either… So, please take care of me…" her face was just as red as Matsuri's now.
XXX
A/n: I've written for a lot of pairings for Lucky Star, and since I kind of like these two, I figured I should try to write at least something with them. I hope that it was enjoyable.
"I wish I could eat your miso soup everyday." – is a very traditional way of proposing to someone in Japan.