(IMPORTANT 07/08/2017) First of all please read chapter one again T.T I'm sorry, I added a few things and removed most of the unnecessary things. I was sleepy when I wrote the first one so...also sorry if it's a bit badly written I'm really sorry~ TT
Anyways I'm back with chapter II (0~0) Okay I'll start the review section...
OuMiyuki: I keep on running into you here xD hehe anyways I'll have to tell you, one of the reasons I posted this ahead of time was because of you lols I know you like HonoKoto :P and I like a lot of your stories- anyway, I'll be revealing bits of Kou's identity to you guys early in this chapter. Warning: more KotoHono angst.
KoyoriYume: I added a few things in the first chapter so...more angst I guess? Then this chapter...more angst? I'm sorry T.T
Nelura: IKR, I cannot imagine Kotori with someone other than Honoka (but I wonder why I can imagine Honoka with everyone else xD).
Okay without further ado, the chapter two of Honoka's Future (0~0)
"Help me."
Kou remembers smiling after Honoka said that but...
"I can't think of any ideas!" the twenty-five-year-old woman says. It was already nearing midnight and most people are already asleep. Including Honoka. she glances over the giant slump on the bed. Her droopy eyes drifted to the messy pile of crumpled paper around the kotatsu. These ideas are too much...or too plain.
She remembers putting one 'Fly her to Paris and confess by the Eiffel Tower, with a corny line of 'Eiffel for you Kotori-chan.'' Kou cringed. Plus Honoka's still a student, there's no way she could fly Kotori-chan to Paris. Then there was that 'Fill her room with alpacas holding a plaque of 'I LOVE KOTORI-CHAN'. That she does admit is cute but still so over. Then there was that 'Give her a love letter and run away screaming hoping she'd say yes'. Yes, she thought of her doing that. It was entertaining to imagine that but nope, not doing it. Sadly.
Kou whines incoherently and settles her head on the kotatsu, not noticing the shift on the bed. "I'm tired." And hungry, I wonder if she left any sweets down-
"Kou-chan? You're still awake?" she turns her head to see Honoka sitting on the bed. Her hair was disheveled and her sleeves were loosely hanging off her shoulders.
"Yes...did I wake you up?" The person in question shook her head while rubbing her eyes (cutely). When her eyes have adjusted to the darkness she frowned at Kou.
"Why are you still wearing your fedora?" Kou freezes for a second before she regained composure.
While smiling at Honoka she says, "This one? Uh, eto...you see, um...-" Shoot. She internally panicked when she couldn't find a believable excuse to throw Honoka off course. That was at least until she heard the girl giggle. The girl went off her bed and walked to the light switch.
"And you haven't changed yet." Kou looks down and true to Honoka's word she was still wearing the clothes she wore when she came here. She blushes out of embarrassment.
"You know when you asked permission to stay over I thought you had some change of clothes with you but you don't do you Kou-chan?" Kou;s blush intensifies, that it now could rival Maki's hair color, and hangs her head low.
Honoka goes to her dresser and rummaged for a bit before taking out a pair of pajamas a bit unsure, "Um, they may be a bit short because you're taller than me so..."
"They're fine, thank you...uh, could you please turn around for a bit while I change?"
"E-Eh?" Honoka said incredulously. Well, they're both girls so they both have what the other has right?
"...I...I'm conscious of my body..." Kou shyly admits and now it was Honoka's turn to blush.
"O-Okay...I won't look." Honoka turns around catching the blonde surprised. She turns her head slowly and peeked at Honoka and true to her words, she was turning to the other side. Kou felt touched at the gesture and she takes the pajamas on the table. She removed her fedora and undid her bun, letting her silky blond locks touch her shoulders.
"...I'm done," she announces and Honoka looks over. Her jaw drops (again).
She didn't mean to, but she eyed the older woman from bottom to top. Yes, the clothes were slightly short but it still looked cute on the blonde girl. Yep, everything's good- wait. Kou chuckles nervously, aware that Honoka's squinting eyes were on her head. She immediately touched her fedora. Yes, she didn't remove it. Honoka's eyes squinted into a glare and her mouth was twitching.
This is like the Umi-jogging-pants-don't-make-suitable-stockings-for-dresses situation on their first live. This girl, she's beautiful, cute, friendly and model-like but she's also dorky and a fashion criminal. If Kotori-chan saw this she'll flip. Honoka chuckles at the thought.
Honoka could not take it anymore and broke into a fit of laughter, well-hushed laughter. Kou could only pout and whine and cross her arms under her breasts like a child. "W-Whatever! I'm not taking it off!"
"S-Sure you aren't!" Honoka continues to laugh while her victim grumbles like a child. Honoka didn't realize it but for a moment there she had forgotten everything that happened with Kotori earlier that day. It took a few minutes before Honoka settled down and she stares at Kou's eyes. Honoka's face softened, her eyes were red and watery- what-
"Hey can I use your bathroom?" she kindly asks. Honoka noticed how Kou's eyes seemed to swim everywhere except her own. Her hands balled into a fist.
"E-Eh? Okay, just-"
"I'll be careful." I was going to give you directions... Honoka thought as she stared at the slightly agape door. Wait. She doesn't know where the freaking bathroom is! Honoka panicked in her head before stealthily but quickly leaving her room, making sure to leave as little noise as possible.
She continues her way out and at the same time checking each room she passes by. Nothing. She sighs in relief. The only room she had not checked was the one on the far end of the corridor, the bathroom...wait how did she know where the bathroom is? Honoka pales, think about it. She climbed in her bedroom window, her parents were home all throughout the day so it's impossible they missed her if she checked around the house-
"Honoka-chan?" Honoka jumps in surprise. She was ready to shout and the older girl, thankfully with fast reflexes, lets go of the bottle in her hands to shush Honoka. "Kyaa-mph!...henkyu." came her muffled reply.
"..They might hear you." the older woman warns again before removing her hand from Honoka's mouth with a smile. What are you thinking Honoka? She said earlier she wasn't like that. Maybe Kou-chan just has a good sense of direction. Yeah, that's it. She looks down and spotted a blue bottle. Realizing what they were and who owned them Honoka took the initiative to get the object Kou had dropped. A contact lens solution.
Kou took it from her hands immediately, "Thanks, Honoka-chan."
"You wear contacts?" Honoka can't help but ask.
"...Yeah...they're clear lenses though..." the younger girl slowly nods and the two of them went back to their room.
Honoka climbs on her bed and despite her protests, Kou insisted on tucking her in. She looks at those brown eyes again. She didn't know but it was drawing her in. They were beautiful, elegant and out of this world. "Hey, hey do you think I should get contact lenses too?" the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could process her words properly. The blonde smiles softly, "You're vision's perfectly fine Honoka."
The blonde smiles softly, "You're vision's perfectly fine Honoka."
"Yeah, well I could get those non-graded ones." she sticks a tongue out and the blonde can't help but let out a chuckle.
Honoka chuckles as well, "I could get the same color as your eyes Kou-chan." she jokes and for a moment silence was their company. It was quiet, at least it was comfortable. The light sound of the wind from the air conditioner and the warm hands caressing her hair, it wasn't a surprise to Kou when Honoka's eyes shut close and soon the girl was back to dreamland. Kou stares at her for a few minutes,
"Yeah...they would suit you,"
She stood up and took a container from her blazer's pocket before settling down the futon beside Honoka's bed. Her thoughts drift back to the very reason she's here before she fell asleep.
I'll do my best.
When morning came, Honoka woke up alone in her room. She looks down to greet her blonde friend when she noticed the futon was gone, so were the trash from last night. She jumps, where's Kou-chan? Honoka knew the blonde couldn't have gone out of this room this early in the morning else her parents or sister will see her. So where is she-
"Honoka-neechan, I said wake up!" A shouting Yukiho banged her door. She groans before slipping into her comfy indoor footwear. The ginger head resented waking up early, much more because it was for school. Another day, she has to act that she's fine and nothing's hurting her in front of the very person that's causing the pain unknowingly. All the while she was doing her morning routine, her thoughts shifted back and forth from Kotori, what did she do with Umi yesterday, are they together? Did they confess to each other yesterday? Is Kotori fed up with her? Umi was her polar opposite, the version Honoka wanted to be but cannot be. and to Kou, where could she be? She could've left me a note right? I checked earlier there was none. Did she go out the way she went into my room?
"I'm going~" Honoka bid farewell. She was standing at her doorstep when her eyes opened up to a possibility regarding Kou. It can't be. Honoka shook her head, this was getting worse. Was I too depressed that I dreamt/hallucinated that someone claimed to help me with Kotori-chan? She thought about it. Kou appeared at the most convenient time for her, she was too kind and her beauty was so unreal as well. Her name wasn't common for Japanese, it was only two Japanese words brought together. Yet, Honoka shut her eyes, why did it all feel so real?
I'm so stupid, in the end, I still managed to hurt myself. This bloodless, cold, unseen wound I've inflicted upon myself, Kotori-chan and Umi-chan inflicted in me...wait Kou-chan too right- No! She isn't real Honoka, stop it.
"Honoka-chan!" Kotori's voice breaks her out of her reverie. She smiles lightly. It was a normal whenever she sees Kotori. Oh yeah, Kotori-chan was going to pick me up.
"Good morning Honoka." And Umi-chan. Honoka looked in between them, too close, there's no space left for me. She smiles again, even though inside, she was crying so badly. The wound, everyone around her did to her, including herself, it was going deeper. It was killing her slowly. Agony. Discomfort. Love? Honoka doesn't know anymore.
Another day I have to fake how I feel. Another day I hide from the world. And from Kotori-chan. "Good morning Kotori-chan, Umi-chan." and like that the three of them embarked to school, Kotori, and Umi...and Honoka.
Honoka was already feeling bad and it was only a little past six o'clock in the morning. It didn't help when Honoka stared in front of her. Once again, their backs were turned from her, turned from the real Kousaka Honoka. I'm not fine. I love you Kotori-chan. Her mind cried out but those two wouldn't know. In their little shell together, protected from Honoka's truth.
The two of them were talking about this cute keychain on Kotori's phone or whatever. Far away. Too far away. Honoka's pessimistic side repeated and repeated. She doesn't feel the same way.
"What if she does?" Kou's reply popped into her head. No, Kou's not real. I just dreamt her...that's all. She looks in front of her. The distance. The far distance. Are Kotori-chan and Umi-chan running? She raises her hand out, I cannot reach her. I'll never reach her. I'm pathetic.
The day went by quickly and Honoka was quiet and out of herself all the way. She didn't eat her lunch, she only stayed in homeroom and gazed off the distance. Her group members were worried about her so they canceled practice just for her. It was noon and Honoka is walking home...alone again. Kotori said she'll go home with her 'mom'.
Why does she need to lie to me? If she and Umi-chan are really dating...I would've, I could've...I couldn't understand. Maybe she doesn't want to spend time with me and rather spend with Umi-chan.
"Hey..."
I'm no one. I'm just one of those people she 'once knew'. While she'll be my 'one and only'. She'll easily forget about me while I'll die thinking of only her. She kept walking out of the school's entrance, neverminding the fact that the street lights were red for pedestrians.
"Honoka?" Beep!
I won't come back from this. I don't want to. And I can't.
"Honoka-chan!" her head whips to her side at the familiar voice. In that quick gush of time, a hand held onto her wrist, pulling her into a tall girl's embrace. What? Honoka thought before her eyes drift to the road in front of her school. There she saw the speeding car disappear in seconds. Oh, I almost literally died thinking of her.
"Thank God..." she hears her savior utter under their breath and she turns to look up. Brown eyes. Brunette hair. "Kotori-chan...?" her heart warms at the sight, that was until she felt pushed out of the girl's embrace and firm hands held her shoulders. It hurt, but it was nothing compared to the disappointment Honoka felt when she saw who it really was.
"Oh it's you," she mutters lazily. The sunshine earlier fooled her love-sick self into thinking this blonde lady was her Kotori. How foolish of me, Kotori's not here of course. She's with Umi-chan.
Kou sighs dramatically, "Is that what you say to your savior? You could've died." She lightly shook Honoka who was still in a daze. Honoka could not care less, her thoughts still on her ash-brunette friend. Kou noticed Honoka's forlorn expression and loosens her grip before bringing Honoka into her tight embrace. Her mouth choking out a sob. "Damn it I don't know what would've happened if you died."
"Kou-chan..." she mutters the name and felt the back of her blouse getting wet and Kou's grip tighten.
She shivered. "You idiot don't do that. Don't kill yourself. You're my only hope left." What? Hope? Me? I...I'm hopeless.
Honoka held herself back on saying that, knowing that it would hurt Kou. How did I know? I just met her...but I feel like I've known her all my life. Honoka thought. Honoka pushed it back, right now she wrapped her arms around Kou and returned the embrace.
It was moments later when Kou had stopped crying but she didn't latch herself off of Honoka. Honoka was rubbing small circles into Kou's back. It feels so good. She tightens her grip on the shorter girl, holding on for dear life. It was comforting, plus the fact that the gentle breeze and warm sunlight accompanied them. Even though we just met, I feel like telling her everything...
"I thought you were a dream," Honoka whispers. No response. "I thought I was too depressed that I dreamt or hallucinated that an angel, you, lent me help with Kotori-chan..."
"An angel? Honoka, you still have a chance." Kou reassures her. The way she said it, it felt like she was so sure. How can she be so positive...she's like me when I was still whoever I was before.
Honoka inhales deeply and continues stroking her back, "When I woke up...the feeling of Kotori-chan being so far away, it got worse. Maybe it was because you said all those things that got my hopes up."
"..."
Honoka dipped her head on the girl's shoulder blade, "I didn't know what I was thinking Kou-chan. Thank you. I might as well be dead without you here."
Kou's eyes were swimming around again. Her breath hitched in her throat, she had to know if, "...You still believe me right?" Kou asks as she slowly stands up straight. Honoka closed her eyes. Do you? Kou said it herself, I'm not entirely hopeless...and I feel like believing her.
"Yes," she answers resolutely and fiery blue met her satisfied dark brown. Those eyes, I miss them.
It was a blissful moment that both girls enjoyed. Sadly, that will be one of the last.
"Honoka, over here." Kou waves at the girl who had emerged from the school gates. "Kou-chan!" Honoka waves back and hugs the girl. "I thought I said not to wait up for me?" Kou took Honoka's bag from her and slung it over her shoulder. It has been two weeks since Honoka almost got hit by a car. Kou made a promise to accompany Honoka whenever she walks home alone but even on the occasions Kotori or Umi ask her to go home with them she chooses to go with Kou. Why? It's because with Kou she won't be a third wheel, plus Kou made her feel comfortable and whenever she's with her she forgets all her worries, and whenever they do talk about it hurt less. Kou made her feel comfortable and safe in the littlest of ways.
Honoka does spend time with Kotori and Umi, she goes to school with them, eat lunch with them and occasionally partner up with one of them during practices. Honoka still felt hurt but she knew and hoped that Kou will soon come up with a way to help her. That thought made it less painful for her.
"You did but I was bored in your room so I came here."
Honoka wiggled her eyebrows, "You're an expert at climbing up and down windows huh?-Ow!"
Kou let her fist rest above Honoka's forehead after hitting her, "That's what you get." Honoka pouts. "Anyways that's not the only reason. Here." Kou extends her hand out.
"A flower bouquet?" her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. Why is Kou-chan giving me flowers? Her eyes widen, it can't be-!
"You're confessing today," Kou affirmed and forced the bouquet in Honoka's hands. Honoka brought them near to her face. Roses? They smell good- wait...what?!
"She's there. I sent her a note." Kou turns her around and pushes her back into the school. Honoka froze and turns back to the blonde, "Wait this is all too fast Kou-chan!" Honoka reasons. One minute, she was happy to see the girl and now her heart is beating so quickly and probably forcing its way out of her chest.
"Come on! I've been thinking about this for two weeks!" she goes to Honoka and whispers her plan. After doing so she stands upright and puffs her chest proudly, "See I told you! I'm a genius- ow!"
"Two weeks and you only got to give-flowers-and-confess?!"
Kou fought back, "Hey! Don't forget the scenery! That was pretty clever of me." Honoka sighs in disbelief. She thought about pushing it back for at least a few more days but the idea of confessing to Kotori in the school yard, particularly that giant tree and plainly confessing her love for her...Honoka blushes, it's simple but meaningful.
"Fine...wait, what do I say!?" True, this was an impromptu confession planned by Kou so how the hell will she give a Friday Night Lights level of speech in like...no time at all?
"Tell her what you feel you, idiot!" Kou replies and above her hearty smile was her tearful eyes. If this goes well I-
Honoka nods and ran off. Flowers in hand. The determination in her eyes. And love in her heart. Everything she had kept inside, she'll finally let it go. There's a huge risk, Honoka knew but remembering the high and lows in their friendship, they can make it through this. They love each other way too much to throw their friendship away from one confession.
Finally, she was going back to who she was before the crisis. She was carefree, happy and her life was overall spontaneous. It was like nothing could go wrong. There's a chance Kotori-chan might like me. Honoka remembers all those times Kotori gave her hope, giving her chocolates almost every Valentines day, skipping school when she's sick (and vice versa) and other thins that Kotori did to make her heart flutter.
What am I so pessimistic about? she thought. Before she made a turn she looked back to the school entrance, wishing to do her 'faito-dayo' pose to her but Kou was gone from that spot, making Honoka stop dead in her tracks. Where is she? Kou was gone again...maybe...maybe she is a guardian angel. My guardian angel. She smiles. Thank you, Kou. and Honoka broke out into a run again, all the while with a smile on her face. She passed by the student council, almost tripping at Eli's foot.
"Honoka!" she shouts, ready to scold but the girl didn't look back..."Geez that Honoka..."
Nozomi emerges from the room, "Give her some slack Elichi~"
"Wh-"
Nozomi turns Eli's head just in time to see Honoka turn to the corner. She was smiling. She's happy. "It's better than earlier right?" Eli nods and the two of them left to go home. Honoka arrived at the corridor leading to the courtyard. It was where she, Kotori and Umi always ate their lunch. It was where they would exchange their stories and do all sorts of things together. She holds the bouquet and took a deep breath. It's now or never.
"Kotori-chan, I have something to confess. I love you. Your voice, your eyes, your hair, your smile, your personality. I love them all. Of course, there are more but we would get locked in this school if I were to list them all hahaha. What I'm saying is, if you feel the same...will you be my girlfriend?" Honoka extends the flower. "Yep, that's great. Okay, let's do this. Faito-dayo!" She takes a step forward-
"Kotori, I'm here for you." Honoka froze. Kou said it was only Kotori-chan, what's Umi-chan doing here? In that not so far distance, she saw Kotori and Umi hugging, shaded by the tree. I'm supposed to confess there right?
"It hurts Umi-chan. It hurts so much." Honoka's chest felt heavy, did the air leave this place or is it just me finding it hard to breathe? Her lungs felt like it was going to get crushed by a megaton of rocks.
She barely heard the doors open and a figure stood beside her. "Cold's feet Honoka-chan?" No response. Honoka not moving made Kou curious. She looked where Honoka's eyes were staring. Her eyes widened in shock. Not good. I have to get Honoka-
"Umi-chan..."
Kou held Honoka's wrist at that moment, "Honoka let's go." she says sternly with a hint of worry. Yet Honoka won't budge. She was practically glued to the floor. I have to see this. Honoka's heart was screaming to leave but her mind and body stood still. Suddenly every single doubt she had on Kotori came flooding in. Suddenly her life was back to the shadows, dull and painful. The Honoka she thought was coming back got locked out again. Kept deep within herself and restrained from coming out.
"Honoka!" Kou whisper-yells, still trying to get Honoka out of this place as soon as she could. She couldn't bear to see Honoka see this. She's been through enough. I'm sorry, Kou apologized.
Two words. Two syllables. It took only that to break Honoka. To completely shatter the hope Kou placed in her heart.
"I know this is out of the blue but...I'll help you."
"Listen Honoka! You're just as amazing, talented and beautiful as Umi!"
"This is not you Honoka! You used to be straightforward remember? That's who you are. You don't stop, you don't quit until you get your feelings across. Why are you holding back now?!"
"What if she doesn't feel the same and-"
"Or what if she does?!"
"An angel? Honoka, you still have a chance."
"...You still believe me right?"
"Tell her what you feel you, idiot!"
"There's a chance Kotori-chan might like me."
"We'll get through this."...
"Kiss me," Kotori said without batting an eyelash.
"What-!" Umi was surprised when Kotori tightened her grip on her waist and their lips were close...closer. Umi shut her eyes tightly and held on Kotori's shoulders.
Creak.
Kotori and Umi looked at the direction of the sound but no one was there but they did see something. Lying on the ground, not so far away from them was a pair of shattered glasses and a ruined bouquet.
Sorry if it's depressing. But don't worry this is no KotoUmi fan fiction. We'll all be happy happy again soon HonoKoto fans :) Again chapter 1 was updated (07/08/2017) Again I'm really sorry if it's badly written. T.T Please leave reviews :)
