"I don't know. This seems kinda sketchy."

Chizuru looked at Ayane with no small amount of skepticism. Ayane sat in front of Sawako concentrating on her face like a painter looking at a canvas. She had already lined Sawako's eyes. Sharp edges poked out from the outer corner of each lid. Her cheeks were peppered with blush and locks of hair framed her face in large lazy curls.

Ayane had her own mouth open in a large O, unconsciously, as she painted Sawako's lips her favorite shade of "Persistent Plum." The dark purple did compliment the girl's skin tone nicely. Maybe she would consider gifting Sawako her extra tube. Although she doubted her shy friend would really use it that much.

"If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right." Ayane tossed her head and a couple stray hairs fell out of her face. "Now, I want you to press them together and pucker like this." Ayane demonstrated. Chizuru's eyes widened and she backed away in fear.

"You are not going to put any of that crud on my face."

Ayane rolled her eyes.

"For your information, this "crud" happens to be very expensive. So, no, I won't be putting any of it on you. It'd just be a waste. Besides," she winked mischievously "you have that grunge/butch look down. Here, put these on."

Ayane tossed her a yellow and white baseball shirt and a black snapback. Chizuru stammered, trying to decide whether she should be insulted or not.

When they both had their outfits on Ayane admired their handiwork and decided she was satisfied. She clapped her hands and smiled.

"Okay! Sawako, I'm gonna start with you." At this Chizuru stood and started for the door. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Huh? We're going to get Kazehaya aren't we?"

"Hardly. Take a sit. I'll get to you in a second." Ayane patted the spot beside her on the floor. To say that Sawako was confused was an understatement.

"Yano- I mean Ayane-chan- I thought we were preparing for my first kiss?"

"And we are. Just relax. I'm trying to set the mood. I want you to close your eyes." Sawako obeyed. "Now picture this in your mind. You're sitting on a grassy hill. It's nighttime. Over your head you can see a whole milky way of stars. Each one seems to glow only for you. It's summer time. You feel a gentle, warm breeze blow against your face. All around you fireflies hover and crickets hum." Sawako smiled. Ayane's words painted a picture in her mind vivid enough to be a photograph. "How do you feel?"

"I feel wonderful. The scene before me is like a fairy tale."

"Good. Hold on to that. Let it simmer in your heart like-"

"Like a hot bowl of ramen!"

"Chizuru!" Ayane punched her friend in the shoulder roughly.

"Oi! Sorry! I was trying to help."

Ayane sighed deeply before continuing. "Anyway. You realize that, although you've waited for this moment so long, you are not nervous."

"I'm not?"

"You're not. You're excited. Your heart is fluttering but your hands are steady. You close your eyes and just trust what's about to happen."

Sawako felt two soft hands on either side of her face. Still plunged in darkness, her other senses seemed to have been heightened. She can feel a cool band of metal where Ayane's ring is. Her forehead is tickled by Ayane's bangs. She never knew her friend's hair was so soft. Her nostrils are filled with a flowery perfume that Ayane probably swiped from her mother's vanity. Their noses touch first and Sawako almost pulls away but she's entranced. When their glossed lips touch it's like a light bulb goes off in her brain. She's moving a hundred miles per hour while sitting perfectly still. She had never been drunk before but she guessed it felt something like this. All she could think about was how great Ayane's lipgloss tasted and good it felt to have her top lip sandwiched softly in Ayane's mouth. They pulled away slowly, each one panting. Ayane smiled.

"Not bad."

It would take five spatulas to scrape Chizuru's jaw off the ground.

"Whoah! I mean- I never thought you'd- Sadako! How do you feel?"

Sawako put her hands on her face. She could feel the warmth of her cheeks. How did she feel? She was still so flustered. It took her a couple moments before she could settle on an answer.

"I feel the same way I felt when the two you sat beside me in class; like my dreams were coming true." She felt a couple small tears roll down her cheek.

"Gah! You made Sadako cry!"

Chizuru revved up for a rant but Sawako softly discouraged her.

"No, no, no. These are good tears."

Ayane humphed triumphantly.

"Told you you have the emotional intelligence of a bean sprout."

"Well I- But-" Chizaru floundered trying to think of some kind of comeback.

"Alright, alright don't hurt yourself." Ayane batted her eyelashes at Chizuru. "It's your turn now."