Author's Note: Hi guys! Aloneness here. If you haven't noticed, Chikane is from Kyoto and usually they use han instead of san. So I'm going to simultaneously alternate them. So sometimes Chikane would use san, and sometimes han. Yep, total randomness.
Picture 3: Confusion
"True love is indescribable, yet self-explanatory." - Unknown
Oracle laughed softly. "It can't be helped then. Although it is unbelievable that these two mortals can actually withstand my second condition from the Moon Priestess' second wish."
Oracle was talking to the Lord of Heaven, they were both looking down at a pool, showing the universe completely different from theirs. It was the universe where Kurusugawa Himeko and Himemiya Chikane were reborn. Right now, they were looking at the two destined lovebirds. In the left side, they were looking at Himemiya Chikane, who was packing her things and placing them in their bags, she was going to leave soon. She was going to Sydney, Australia for an upcoming tournament. In the other side of the pool, they were looking at Kurusugawa Himeko, who was throwing a handful of chips at the television, shouting random answers even though the contestants could not hear her. She was watching a certain trivia show.
The Lord of Heaven laughed at this and replied without leaving his eyes at Himeko, "Well, as we all know that love is unbreakable."
"True, but love can't be that unbreakable." Her tone showing amazement and disbelief, her eyes now at the Lord of Heaven.
"Oracle, isn't it obvious? I'm in no doubt that you have witnessed all their trials and sacrifices from their past lives. Their love for each other...it is something else. It is...different from any other love experienced by other mortals. Their love literally conquered all." God said, ever sincere at this.
"You do know my Lord, that this kind of love is taboo. It is not tolerated by the Council, it is immoral by all means."
"Of course I know, but love knows no gender. You do know that as well right?" A smile crept at the Lord's face.
"But-"
The Lord of Heaven sighed. "Oracle you worry too much, do you remember that the both of them are not in our grasps anymore? They are not in our universe."
"Yes, but you still rule everything, literally. Meaning, you still need to judge your people in that universe too." She argued.
"True. Let us just see what consequences would they take if they die."
And with that, easy silence was present between the two. It seemed that the Oracle was contented yet guilty with the Lord's answer. He vaguely showed that he himself was secretly supporting this pure yet forbidden love.
Saotome Makoto was walking through the hall where Himeko's condominium was located. Why didn't she call me when she arrived? The nerve of her. Makoto cursed and sighed inwardly, her footfalls echoing through the hall.
After she knew that Himeko went home from the photo shoot, she was excited to find out about how and what Himemiya Chikane was like and obviously exasperated on why didn't Himeko call her after the photo shoot. And now here she was, walking briskly on the halls of one of the famous Tokyo condominiums.
When she found Himeko's door and began to almost knock, she heard rustling, shouting, and screaming. And with this, Makoto started to panic, and without bothering to use the spare key, she immediately kicked her door open. In what she found, she shook her head in awe and chuckled softly. Of course, so that's why she did not call.
"Chestnuts! Chestnuts is one of the beech family!" Kurusugawa Himeko shouted, throwing another handful of chips at the television.
"Uhm...Walnuts?" The bewildered contestant responded at the host.
"No! You're going to get zero points for that! It's obvious already, it's already said on the question for crying out loud. Beech!" She said, informing the contestant on the small screen.
Saotome Makoto laughed at this. She was still standing and leaning on the side door jamb, and then said to Himeko,
"Himeko, I doubt that they could hear you."
With that response, Himeko jumped at the couch and blushed, deathly embarrassed. She quickly calmed herself, but still blushed like fire.
"Ma-Mako-chan! I didn't know you were there."
"Don't worry I just got here." She said as she approached the chip-filled couch. "It looks like someone bombed your living room with chips."
Himeko blushed more. "We-well...I can explain-"
"You don't need to explain about this. What you are going to explain now is the photo shoot." She replied showing a bit of impatience, while dusting the couch from the chips and sat. She then looked at Himeko, whose amethyst eyes were now back at the screen.
Kurusugawa Himeko did not reply, her eyes glued on the damned screen and her hands still grabbing chips. Makoto sighed at this. Nobody disturbed her during trivia shows, not even her best friend. Himeko was too concentrated at the show, still screaming answers randomly. Makoto just watched her and waited for the bloody show to take a break.
Finally, a commercial came. "So...tell me about the photo shoot."
At that sentence, Himeko snapped back to reality and realized something too obvious.
"Sorry Mako-chan, I forgot you were there." Giving Saotome Makoto a toothy grin.
"You're a nut." Her face showing defeat.
"A chestnut?" Himeko joked at her friend with a tone of hopefulness, her puppy dog amethyst eyes pleading.
All Kurusugawa Himeko got was a couch pillow thrown at her...and hard. They were about to start a pillow fight but Makoto's cell phone rang.
"I need to answer this Himeko, must be important." She said, grabbing her cell phone from her pocket, and continued,
"After this, you're going to tell me all about the photo shoot ok?" Her emerald eyes showing seriousness.
Himeko gulped loudly and blushed at her memory about the 4:00 am charade. In all honesty, that was her most fun experience in all her photography years. The reason? Himemiya Chikane of course. A lot hours ago, she couldn't stop thinking about the blue-haired tennis player. She remembered every single detail about her since she was nine. Twelve years ago...until now. She could not believe that she has reunited with her second childhood crush. Yes, a very short encounter, but that didn't stop Cupid from shooting her directly at her heart. Was it 'like at first sight' or...more?
She shook her head. She believed that she had never been in love though. Twelve years ago did not count as her falling in love. She believed that love takes a lot of time to build, and with her falling in love with the sapphire-eyed princess? No. Highly unlikely. Too short. Like maybe, but not love. She agreed and nodded at herself, her face unreadable.
Fifteen hours ago did answer that though...but only barely. True, her infatuation for the tennis player was gone for like, a long time now. But right now, she didn't know what she was feeling for the blue-haired woman.
She thanked the Gods that Saotome Makoto negotiated with the Sports Illustrated staff to hire a freelance photographer like her and have her picture Himemiya Chikane on the beach. She was drop-dead gorgeous, especially when the sunrise was behind her, especially on the waters of Toshima Island, especially...
Especially in a bikini. Her conscience teased and finished the thought for her.
She blushed hotly at the thought. She could not wait for Himemiya Chikane to contact her. Contact her...Her eyes widened. How can she do that? She doesn't even have my number or address! She groused inwardly and realized that Himemiya Chikane is a very famous tennis player and she could reach anyone, anytime, without them knowing. Satisfied at her assumption, she smiled like an idiot.
"Hey! You ok?" Makoto said as she waved a hand over Himeko's face.
"Huh? Wha- Huh? Did you say something?"
Makoto sighed for the hundredth time. What was she going to do with Himeko?
"I'm going to take this call now." She said, ignoring her last question. With a click, she put the cell phone on her ear and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Good morning Miss Saotome, it's me Mark Smith, from the Sports Illustrated staff."
Knowing English from Himeko, she understood him well.
"Oh good morning Mark Smith-san."
"Thank you again for letting me know such a talented photographer like Miss Kurusugawa." When Himeko heard her family name, she looked at Makoto with confusion evident in her face.
"Your welcome. So what do you need?"
"Well..we are still going on for the issue of Sports Illustrated and we would very much likely need her."
Makoto smiled at this, her eyes showing happiness for her best friend. "Please tell me more about it."
"Of course. In the next two weeks, Himemiya Chikane would be in a tournament in Sydney, Australia. With that, we need pictures from her games. Our first thought was hiring Miss Kurusugawa. And here I am talking to you right now, hoping that you and Miss Kurusugawa would accept our offer." Mark explained. Himeko's head shot up when she heard the tennis player's name, and blushed immediately when Makoto noticed this and began smirking evilly.
"I see. I'm happy to oblige, I'll ask Himeko. She's with me now." Luck was there evidently on both sides.
"Oh! Great!" Although Makoto could not see him smiling, she could feel it.
Makoto then covered the speaker of the phone and told Himeko about this. Himeko smiled widely and nodded eagerly. Of course, she would accept! She was going to see the tennis player again!
"She accepts." Makoto said.
"Awesome!"
"So when will she leave for Australia?"
"It was supposed to be today at 12:00 am, but there is some kind of engine malfunction of the plane so it's tomorrow. The plane would leave in about 9:00 am and don't worry, I have already a first-class ticket for Miss Kurusugawa, it will be received by you, you will get it from here in our temporary headquarters which you already know where it is. You can then give it to her tomorrow."
"Ok then, thank you very much for the offer Smith-san. Himeko and I appreciate it."
"No, thank you."
Makoto then clicked off her cell phone and looked at Himeko, who was still smiling like an idiot. What's on her mind? Makoto thought as she chuckled softly. She then tapped Himeko's shoulder and told her,
"So...you like Himemiya-sama or what?" She said, smirking as if knowing Himeko's deepest darkest secret. She remembered how dreamy and excited Himeko was when she heard the tennis player's name on the phone.
Himeko blushed hotly. "No! I-it's not what you think!"
"Oh? What am I thinking then Hi-me-ko?" Accentuating every syllable of her best friend's name.
"Uhm..." Her hands fidgeting, trying to find a reason.
Makoto laughed heartily, she guessed that she will know sooner or later. She may be impatient but not that impatient. "So...about yesterday.."
"What about it?" Her face showing genuine innocence, yet somehow nervous of telling her.
"What happened? You'd better tell me." Her face showing amusement because of her best friend's nervousness. Himeko took a deep breath, she had no other choice but to tell Makoto. She then began talking about it with an animated face.
Yesterday must have affected her a lot.
Saotome Makoto's thought could not get any truer.
Himemiya Chikane placed her last clothing on the last duffel bag and zipped it up. On her mind was not about the upcoming tournament nor the flight for midnight, but her thoughts were astray towards the impossibly cute female photographer. The girl who gave her the pink shell. Her first childhood crush.
Before, Himemiya Chikane did not believe the bliss and throes of love. She believed that love wasn't important, it was a nuisance for her. The former was quickly erased from her naivety, but the latter stays true to her mind and heart.
She didn't believe that this was love though. For Himemiya Chikane, it was more like an infatuation. It could not be love since their encounter was too short, the conversation too limited. But the problem was that the golden-haired girl was always on her mind, disturbing her concentration at her games. During a short sleep, the girl haunted her. It felt like love, but still...
At her sixteenth year she moved on and gave up on her belief that she would again meet the girl. Then again it haunted her today. She met her again at her twenty-first year of her life. Although the infatuation was gone, she was now starting to feel something for the photographer.
She smiled and whispered the female photographer's name, caressing every syllable made by her mouth. I'm sure we'll meet again.
Fifteen hours ago was a turning point of Chikane's life. She enjoyed every minute spent when she was at Toshima Island, not because of the view or the magazine, but the photographer. When she was treading on the waters, she could not help looking at the blushing Himeko with great interest. She was really cute and adorable. Like twelve years ago.
Her amethyst eyes locking into her sapphire was still giving her strange sensations throughout her body when thinking and reminiscing about it. She shook her head a bit, still confused at what she's feeling right now.
Then her thoughts were broken by her cell phone. That accursed device always rang whenever she's thinking. She groaned inwardly, and searched her pockets. With a flip, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Good morning Himemiya-sama! Did you have a good night's rest?"
Barely, I can't stop thinking about her. "Yes I have Sasaki-han."
"So you're good to go?"
"Yes."
"I'm again sorry about your jet not available for your use Himemiya-sama."
"It is alright, so what is your purpose Sasaki-han?"
"Well there are two things, one is the plane is delayed by a day because of some engine malfunction. So your flight is going to be tomorrow."
Chikane sighed inwardly. "I see. How about the second thing?"
"Mark-han contacted me earlier. You will be again photographed during and after the games by Sports Illustrated." Ah of course the deal with Sports Illustrated...again. Chikane thought. Kaemon then continued,
"with the same female photographer named Kurusugawa Himeko. So you will be in the same plane with her, and the same limousine."
Now, this was truly good luck for Chikane. Himemiya Chikane smiled at this, she was about to say goodbye but she then remembered that she already checked out from the hotel. A thought came to her. This was a great excuse.
"Ok. Can I have a favor from you Sasaki-han?"
"Of course, I'm honored."
"Since I already checked out from my hotel, and since Kurusugawa-san would be in the same plane and limousine with me..."
"Yes? Please go on Himemiya-sama." She did.
"I could sleep at her place tonight so that the driver would have no hassle when fetching us."
"What?" Kaemon almost shouted, and apologized at Chikane for his sudden outburst.
"There is no need, so would you please give me the address of her place?"
"But Himemiya-sama...you barely know the photographer, the driver would understand an-and you can always check in again..." He trailed off.
"Sasaki-han, I befriended the photographer when we were talking yesterday. I care for the driver, and checking in again is going to be hard since this is a famous hotel. You reserved this suite for months." Yes...it was a very good plan.
Silence. Then Sasaki Kaemon reluctantly responded,
"Ve-very well Himemiya-sama, please wait a moment."
Himemiya Chikane smiled at this, victorious. After five whole minutes Kaemon gave her the address.
"She's in a famous condo called Ami, you can ask where her room is at their lobby."
"Thank you very much Sasaki-han."
"You are welcome and good night Himemiya-sama."
"Goodbye."
With a flip, the conversation ended. Then a knock came from the door. She opened it and two porters were standing asking to take now the luggage. Chikane nodded, and off they go. After the luggage was taken care of, she went to the lobby asking for a limousine service.
When the limousine arrived a man in a black suit grabbed her luggage and put it on the limousine's trunk. After that, the man opened the door for her. When she was in, he closed it and proceeded to his driver seat.
"Where to?" He said, looking through the rear view mirror.
"A condominium called Ami."
The man nodded and within seconds they were off.
I guess I don't need to put so much effort on meeting her.
"No way!" Saotome shouted, shocked at Himeko's story.
"It's the truth." Himeko replied nervously, her hands playing with the pink shell around her neck. Saotome Makoto then smiled at Himeko, showing genuine happiness.
"I see. I'm glad for you, but I still could not believe that you could do such a thing twelve years ago!"
Himeko shrugged and blushed. "Didn't know my own...strength." Makoto laughed heartily.
"You're so lucky..." She said with a mischievous gleam in her emerald eyes.
"Hm? Why?"
"You got to see her in a bikini." Now grinning madly.
Himeko blushed so hard that she needed to cover her face with a couch pillow, but resisted to take one and shove it in her face. If possible, she would have wanted to be invisible right now. Or fly for that matter. She just wished that Makoto would stop teasing her.
"Anyways...how does Himemiya-sama look like in personal Himeko?"
With her not replying again, she noticed that Himeko wasn't really paying attention to her now. Her face then showed mischief. She knew that she was thinking about the famous tennis player again. Makoto just knew her too well.
"Must be nice...reuniting with a person to whom you've waited all your life."
"Yeah..." Himeko whispered, barely audible if Makoto would distance herself another centimeter. She was thinking about Himemiya Chikane...again.
"You hate her don't you?"
"Yea-wait, what? No! I don't hate her!" Himeko argued. Makoto snickered.
"Just checking that you're still here in reality...not thinking about..oh I don't know...maybe a certain female tennis player?"
She blushed, was she that readable?
"So...you can finally have her all to yourself for about...a month? Lucky you." Makoto playfully pinched Himeko in the arm.
"Stop teasing me Mako-chan..." She pleaded her with puppy dog amethyst eyes, her cheeks now red hot.
"Fine, fine. Anyways it's already 7:00 pm I need to go now. My coach is going to bring a butcher knife and chop me to pieces if I don't come at the track field right now."
"Don't you think it's already late for running Mako-chan? It's nighttime already."
"Yeah, but practice makes perfect." Makoto winked at her, then stood up, approaching and reaching Himeko's doorknob.
"Ok, bye Mako-chan. See you...after a month." Himeko said her eyes locked at Makoto. Her head turned and looked at Himeko from the corner of her eye, smirking. Himeko gulped.
"Yeah, and good luck." Makoto then turned the doorknob, making her way out, and then closed it.
As the Makoto's footfalls were out of earshot, Himeko sighed. She didn't notice that she was holding her breath the entire time. Himeko's amethyst eyes took in all of her surroundings in her living room. The trivia show was done. The floor and couch were filled with chips.
Wow...Mako-chan's right, my living room looks like a dumpster. She then grabbed a broom and started sweeping the floor. Immediately, the floor was clean. Now for the couch, she began dusting off the crumbs with her hand, cupping it then proceeded to drop it at the trash can. She turned around and looked at the living room again. No chips were in sight. Satisfied, she turned off the living room lights and went to her bedroom for packing her things worth for a month.
In thirty minutes, she was done. "Tank tops, t-shirts, jeans, sleepwear..." Saying to herself as she began to list all of her necessities. Nodding at herself, she closed the last case. She was about to change to her sleepwear when a soft knock came.
Who would come to see me? I'm pretty sure it's not Mako-chan. Souma-kun is in his journalism meeting too. So... She turned on the living room lights and approached the door tentatively and hesitantly. When she opened it, her amethyst eyes widened, her cheeks began to burn.
"Miya-sama!" She shouted as if everyone in the world was deaf.
"Good evening Kurusugawa-san." Himemiya Chikane smiled at her genuinely.
"Wha-what a-are you doing here?" She thanked the Gods that she cleaned her living room. She didn't want Chikane to have the impression that she's a dirty person.
"Well, I was hoping that you could let me sleep here for tonight. I couldn't stay at my current hotel since I already checked out. It's fully booked. Do you mind?"
"No, of course not. I don't mind at all." She smiled back, and opened the door more widely.
"Thank you so much." She bowed at Himeko respectively.
Himeko blushed and motioned her to come in. She did and began carrying her luggage, which was a lot. How did she- She shook her head. "Miya-sama let me help you."
"Thank you again."
After three whole minutes of dragging the luggage to the living room, both were now staring at each other, each person heaving from the effort they made. Chikane approached Himeko without hesitation, they were now again no more than a hand apart. Himeko peered up at Chikane, who was looking down at her as well.
"How did you find my place Miya-sama?" She asked, her tone showing awe and wonder.
"I got a...source."
No use of knowing anyway. I'm just glad she's here. "I see."
"So..." Chikane said breaking the silence.
"So?" Her eyes half closed, her mouth half open. Chikane smiled at this, amused.
"Where am I going to sleep?" She said, teasingly closing the distance, noses barely touching.
"I don't have an extra mattress and pillow though. And I don't want you to sleep in the couch, so you're going to take my bed while I take the couch." She replied, her breath touching Chikane's face. Never in a million years did she thought that anyone would be sleeping in her condo but herself.
"I see. I don't want you sleeping in the couch as well, I cannot sleep if you're not in a comfortable place."
Himeko blushed like the sunset. "So that means..."
"Means what?" She said innocently, her sapphire eyes looking up and down at her face, as if she's...
"We'll both...take the bed then."
"Ok, I hope you do not mind with the sudden invasion of your privacy."
Himeko shook her head violently. "No. I do not mind." Since it is you. Her mouth wanted to say but resisted.
At that, Himeko and Chikane widened their distance and looked away from each other. Himeko was deathly embarrassed while Chikane was blushing a bit as well.
"Uhm...you can change in your sleepwear in my bathroom which is over there. I'll change here."
Chikane just nodded, grabbed her duffel bag, and walked to the bathroom.
After a few minutes, both of them were in their own unique sleepwear. Chikane was in a white silk nightgown and Himeko was in a comfortable red shirt and black panties. When Himeko looked at Chikane, who was illuminating because of the moon, she was struck by her beauty...again. The nightgown hugged Chikane's lithe body. Her long legs and arms exposed. Her pale skin shown to only shook her head violently and cursed inwardly at her unladylike thoughts. This is wrong. She's a woman. I'm a woman.
Chikane was also staring at Himeko. All she could think was on how cute and adorable yet how sexy Himeko was. Like Chikane, Himeko's long legs were shown to her. Although her shirt did not hug her slim body, Chikane was pretty sure that inside that shirt was fit and toned. How will my father react at my unladylike thoughts and behavior? She then faced down at the floor. We're both girls. Very wrong.
She was then snapped back from her thoughts by Himeko.
"You'll take the left side? Or the right side?"
"Any side." Chikane smiled at her, trying hard not to reflect her actions in her last thoughts about the female photographer
"Uhm..ok I'll take the left side then."
They both approached the bed and began to slid into the comforter. When they did, they looked at each other for a while. Himeko wanted to talk but somehow, she was tongue-tied. Chikane helped her.
"Kurusugawa-san..."
"Y-yes?" She stuttered
"Can I call you by your first name?"
"Yes, you can Miya-sama."
"Ok...Himeko. You do not need to call me in such formality, you can call me by my given name as well.." Chikane said never leaving her eyes from Himeko's angelic face. Even though she could not see her because of the darkness, the outline of her face could be seen.
"Ok Chikane-chan." Himeko did not notice the childish yet intimate suffix she added from the tennis player's name, but Chikane did. Yet, she didn't mind. She even liked it.
They barely knew each other but Himeko already added that. How cute.
Eerie silence was present in the bedroom until Chikane said something that made Himeko gain a bit of confidence.
"You know...I'm so glad that I found you again." Then a slight rustle of the linen sheets made Himeko jumped a bit. A pair of arms snaked around Himeko's waist. Chikane felt her stomach, which was flat. Her warm hands resting and relaxing on it. Although she could not see Himeko blushing, she felt Himeko heating up a few degrees.
Funny thing was, she didn't let go, even it was just for comfort for the photographer. Funnier still, Himeko didn't mind at all.
"Me too." But most of all we're going to be together for a whole month she liked to add, but didn't have the courage to do so.
"So are you ready for tomorrow's flight?" She whispered on her right ear since she was facing Chikane.
The photographer then turned around, her back now facing Chikane but didn't break the embrace. With this change of position, Chikane's left arm went under the photographer's neck, which then looped around, holding Himeko's right shoulder.
At this, Himeko moved closer to Chikane, who also wanted to feel more of her, until there was no gap between them. At the question, Himeko groaned loudly and smiled.
"I can't and hate waking up early. I'm a person who's famous on being always late." Himeko confessed while giggling.
This was getting weird. They were getting a lot comfortable with each other.
Chikane laughed softly. "Don't worry, I'll be here. I'll try to wake you up." Her embrace tightening around the angel's waist. Then unconsciously, Himeko's right arm rested on Chikane's right arm, which was still around Himeko's waist and her left resting on the left wrist of the tennis player, which was on her right shoulder.
"Thank you, I appreciate that Chikane-chan."
"That's what friends are for right?"
"Of course Chikane-chan..." Trailing off. Her eyes began to close, she was now too sleepy from two things. One, she woke up at an accursed time where the sun wasn't rising and two, Chikane's arms were warm and soft, relaxing her, making the comforter seemed ice cold.
"Good night Himeko." She said, her arms never leaving Himeko's waist.
"Good night Chikane-chan." Replying as her head leaned on Chikane's collar bone.
Friends. Both of them realized that this was just what they are feeling right now. Like sisters. They smiled at that last thought as sleep overtook them. Yet they did not notice that deep within their own hearts, their suppositions were far from correct.
Oogami Souma was in an optional meeting, bored out of his mind. He was there not because he wanted to, but he was there because he needed to. He was about to submit his article to his boss.
"So Oogami-san what do you have for me?" His boss asked, after he was done talking with the other journalists.
His boss, who was sitting on his leather chair looking like he was reminiscing, was named Saito Kane. Saito Kane was a fatherly figure to Oogami Souma. With dark brown eyes and gray hair, he was the one who hired Oogami Souma when nobody would accept him. He believed that every person has something special about them, and for him, Oogami Souma was no different. That was why he taught him every little thing he knows, and guided him through thick and thin.
"I have made an article promoting tourism." Oogami Souma said as he gave the printed papers to Kane. As Kane began scanning the papers, his smile grew wider.
I think he likes it. Souma expected when he saw Kane's smile.
"This is perfect." Saito Kane complemented him.
"Thank you Saito-senpai."
"This will be in the cover page." Souma's brown eyes widened. Did not expect that at all.
"Re-really?"
"Yes, you need to be known Oogami-san, and the cover page is the perfect place."
Souma stood up then bowed deeply at him. "Thank you so much Saito-senpai, you don't know how much it means to me."
"There is no need. You're the one who brought yourself on top, while I just guided you. Now go, it is getting late." He said, giving him a true smile. Souma smiled back, bowed again, and turned around the opposite way, meeting the door.
When he got to the elevator, his last thought made him chuckle a bit.
Maybe now I can take Saotome-san to a date...