The ride back from the Akiyama's to her home is much longer compared to when from school, making Shizuru relax during the whole ride. By now she's already gotten used to holding on to the biker around the very slim and firm waist to secure herself at the backseat of a customized blue and white Ducati Streetfighter. She made herself comfortable, going as far as leaning her helmet covered head on Natsuki's back, watching as the city lights dance away from her sight. Now if only she could fall into that long denied sleep, but no, the outcome would be tragic.
Natsuki gently hit the brake as they neared the front gate of Shizuru's home. She watched as the chestnut haired woman dismounted from the bike, silently entranced by how her hair waved down to elegant looking shoulders. "You know, you should wear your hair down often." She suddenly thought out, catching Shizuru's attention. "I mean, it looks good on you." She added casually as she tucked away the extra red helmet that Shizuru was using inside the bikes' secret compartment.
A corner of Shizuru's lips slightly turned up as she observed the oblivious biker. "Is this Natsuki-sama's way of telling me I looked ugly in a bun?"
That got the blue and white helmet covered head to snap up to Shizuru in neck breaking speed. "Wha..?! No! I-I just thought it also looks good on you, not that you're ugly in any other way… or…" she trailed off as her panicked wide emerald eyes focused on the pitiful hurt look of the other woman. She slowly removed her helmet and frowned upon the pair of scarlet irises in the night that seems to be hiding something. "wait.. you're just pulling my leg, are you?" she asked raising an accusing brow.
Shizuru planned to gasp to look innocent but Natsuki's childish sceptical look was just too much. She burst into a fit of giggles, holding her stomach and hovering an open fist over her mouth trying to hold down her chortle.
"Argh! That's so mean! Shizuru!" she yelled angrily in the silence of the night, scaring away a sleeping cat perched on a nearby fence.
Shizuru only doubled over, now holding onto the arm of a pouting biker, as if keeping her from stomping away. "I'm sorry!… I'm sorry!" she uttered "that was very rude of me, Natsuki-sama, gomen ne?" she tried to coo, sporting an apologetic puppy look. "please forgive me?"
Somehow it stopped the pouting, but emerald eyes only narrowed bringing her face closer to the other woman whose' lower lip was slightly trembling. "You know, I could almost forgive you if not for your lips aching to mock me with laughter, again" she concluded turning a flat face at the other woman who failed miserably to hold another fit of laughter.
Instead of getting offended, Natsuki only rolled her eyes and smiled at Shizuru. She leaned on her bike, silently enjoying the sight before her. She wondered if anyone realized how pretty Shizuru really looked, especially when she's having fun. 'whether under the ray of the night or day, her radiance is there somehow concealed in a plain veil' she thought. 'I don't think she realizes it herself' She shook her head before her thoughts carries her away. "Anyway, I wanted to apologize about earlier."
Shizuru scrunched her brows, tilting her head to the side. "apologize? What for?"
"You know,.. at the Akiyama's. I think I practically used you as a springboard to wriggle my ass out from their kisses."
"I suspected as much…"
"Guilty! But, honestly, I thought I'd rather enjoy talking to you. It's pretty daunting to use scripts on their predictable course of conversation. Right now, I'm thinking of how to make my mother pay big time for throwing me on that damn meeting!"
"You must be pretty important for them to try to impress you, Natsuki-sama. I'm sure your mother is only looking after what's best for you. The Akiyama's are not so bad. I believe they have a good reputation in business and society in general."
Natsuki internally cringed at how convincing Shizuru sounded. She turned an unreadable face at the other woman, and held her gaze "do you truly believe that?"
Crimson eyes couldn't look away from daring emeralds, like a force of gravity keeping her in the ground. She was surprised to know how the biker can be intimidating somehow. After the long pause, she relented and gave into an apologetic smile as she shook her head as an answer to Natsuki's question.
Natsuki snorted, giving a lopsided grin. "thought so!" she laughed "and please drop the annoying 'sama'. Seriously, it sounds awkward, Shizuru. I'm just another daughter of a simple businesswoman the Akiyama's happened to meet on a certain gathering." She grumbled, frowning at the memory "Unfortunately, I'm not so fond of people having secrete agenda just because they jumped right into the notion I could give them some impressive connection in the future!"
"Well, you don't seem easy to convince." Shizuru commented, leaning on one of the pillars of the gate. "and what makes you think I'm not the same as them?"
"and what makes you think I'm fond of you?" was Natsuki's smart-ass retort, looking haughty.
Shizuru gasp making the biker break into a series of laughter. She playfully frowned and punched Natsuki on the shoulder, a reaction which was way out of her character. It is something she still could not understand, but she feels comfortable around the mean and tough looking young brunette. "Natsuki Ikezu!" she whined like a girl stomping a foot.
"ahaha! Sorry!" Natsuki coughed a little to stop laughing. "Now, were even." she grinned like a winner.
"Oh, no Na-tsu-ki, I maybe having a secret agenda as we speak." Shizuru threatened, mocking a sinister smile towards the biker. Squaring her shoulder, she took a slow step closer to the biker. "You must know, I'm not as innocent as I look". She folded her arms over her chest, trying to look intimidating. She was expecting to inflict some fear on the raven haired girl to have an opening for a tease, but the reaction she received disarmed her of all pretences.
Natsuki gave a gentle trusting smile. Soft emerald gaze held surprised crimsons that glistened in the glow of the starry night sky. "Yes, you are not, but I know you don't have the heart to use me, or anyone for that matter. You're not innocent, Shizuru, nobody is, but you're not a quisling either. That's why I like you." She spoke with absolute sincerity. She turned her gaze to the night sky and closed her eyes, letting go of a sigh. 'damn… I should watch my tongue'
"You sound so trusting to someone who's practically a stranger?" Shizuru commented, or just for the lack of something smart to say. She's trying not to show how she can't define her feelings at the moment, but the unknown warmth and happiness was spreading through her chest like a glass of wine in winter.
"hmm… I just do." 'only to you, I guess.' "…so, how about I take you to dinner sometime, or tell me whatever you have in mind?" Natsuki quickly asked, shifting the topic.
Shizuru only smiled and shook her head "Natsuki need not do anything to apologize to me. I also enjoyed talking to you then, even now, despite it being unexpected."
"Well, I'm glad you do, Shizuru. But, I still feel bad for doing that to you. The least I can do is give you ride back home or to school, still I think it's something only a cheapskate old hag will do."
Shizuru couldn't help laughing at the ridiculous idea and the biker's funny disgusted look. "Natsuki, I don't think old people can drive that… speed monster bike you have!"
The biker made a disturbed face as she thought of the picture. "Right… it would be wrong."
"But, really, Natsuki, you don't have to do anything for me. I'm already grateful for the company. I think I should be the one thanking you instead"
"You don't easily accept gifts, do you?" the young brunette asked accusingly which got a laugh from the Kyoto-ben judging by how the biker can recognize the accent distinct from Kyoto. "Well, if you won't take it as an apology, how about as a.., thank you, instead? And I'm hoping you will not decline me the 3rd time. It's a curse that would seriously hurt my fragile ego." She sighed dramatically placing a palm on her chest, getting another laughter from the other woman.
Although, the first few instances of their conversation was tensed(due to the accident with Natsuki's shirt) and staged(at the Akiyama's), this is the first time Shizuru truly enjoyed the company of someone without having inhibitions to protect their once reputable name, just like in high school; or having to put up with false humility since their family's finances took a fateful blow. Of course she's got other friends she consider as true like Yukino who's social standing is similar to hers, but they've been friends even when they were still well off. And also Aoi, despite being one of the most elite and affluent members of the society. Even the brusque self- proclaimed rival Haruka who's so disappointed to lose the chance to get even with her on a Student Council election.
But, as cliché as it may sound, with Natsuki, it's different. Like a blossoming spring air offered within her reach. The biker is like a free spirit prancing in a garden while well aware of the facets of the world around her. Now, it came her way, offering a contagious genuine smile. And she sure is not about to let it go.
"Allright, how about this; I will not take it as an 'apology' or a 'thank you', but as a celebration instead." Shizuru concluded.
"Celebration?" Natsuki echoed, sounding confused.
"Yes. A celebration of our friendship,…" She removed her oval rimmed eyeglass, smiling serenely holding out a hand towards the biker. "…Na-tsu-ki?"
'friendship' Natsuki thought, looking from the offered slender hand to its owner and back. "I like that very much!" She grinned shaking the hand gently, although a part of her would've preferred to pull the limb to catch the owner in an embrace, or hold it up to her lips and plant a kiss at the back of her palm. But she knew better for both would've been too awkward or too direct. 'that would've been scary, and we wouldn't want that, now, would we, eh? Natsuki? She mentally berated herself.
They then exchanged numbers, by switching devices and Shizuru was surprised to know the biker was using one of the old school android phones with just the pre-downloaded file as a wallpaper. She does stick to simple things, …except for the bike, I think? She glanced at the speed machine and to the owner who seems to be checking her wallpaper as well like curious puppy. "You got a nice ride, despite being scary." she commented out of the blue.
Natsuki looked up smiling like a proud child. "It is! It's a gift from someone dear to me…" she trailed off, lightly running a hand on the handlebar. "Alyssa looks cute in here. How young was she?" She asked handing the phone back to Shizuru.
The chestnut haired woman was about to answer when she heard Alyssa call her name, walking their way. "What are you two doing outside onee-chan?" She turned to biker "Hi Natsuki!" she smiled at the biker who gave her a mock salute while still leaning on her bike.
"We're just talking Alyssa." Shizuru tried to explain. Though she wondered when did her sister got so familiar with Natsuki to call her by name only.
"Outside and at the gate no less?" the younger Fujino asked in mock surprise and disappointment. She turned to the biker with a sorry look "please forgive my sister Natsuki, she's getting old to forget a common courtesy to invite a guest inside"
"I figured as much, Alyssa. I even have to beg three times like a teenage boy courting a girl to have dinner with her." The biker shook her head. She and Alyssa ignored the surprised gasp and disbelieving look from Shizuru.
"Oh, that's horrible!" Alyssa concurred dramatically.
"You two brats are horrible!" Shizuru finally snapped twitching her slender brows. "How dare you gang up on me!" She cried throwing down a fist at her hips.
The two young girls burst out laughing, going so far as giving each other a high five. Alyssa hugged her seldom annoyed elder sister while kissing her cheek as an apology. "peace out sis. I'll head inside first, I'm honestly beat from work."
"Are you okay?" Shizuru asked in concern, quickly forgetting her sister just ganged up on her.
"Yeah! I'm more than fine. It's exhausting but I had fun!" She grinned like Cheshire cat and kissed her sister goodnight. "Nighty night! Natsuki!" she mocked a salute at the biker who returned the gesture.
Shizuru watched her sister go inside the house and slowly turned a suspicious look towards the other woman who was slowly standing and taking her helmet from the handle bar.
"What?" Natsuki asked noticing Shizuru's odd look towards her.
"When did you get well acquainted with my sister, Natsuki?"
"Uh… we are?" when Shizuru only raised an elegant chestnut brow, she scratched her cheek. "Uh.., I mean, just now?" she answered laughing awkwardly. She paused, looking the other woman in the eye. "You've a got a cute and cool sister, Shizuru. She's not that hard to get along with." She smiled as she put on her helmet. "Anyway, you should be getting inside too, it's getting late." She straddled her bike getting ready to drive back home. "And by the way, don't get too complacent, I'll still keep bugging you about that date, oh! Wait! I meant dinner. You can point me to any good spot you know around town or anywhere. "She waved nonchalantly.
"Alright" Shizuru conceded, but paused and stared at the pair of emeralds through the open visor ".., but somehow…, Since you just got back in the country, I'm starting to think this is your subtle way of asking me to be your personal tour guide…" Shizuru thought out.
There was a long pause before Natsuki broke it "uh… was I that obvious?" she asked innocently, laughing as she quickly drove off to escape Shizuru's futile attempt to throw something at her. "NIGHT!" she yelled as she disappeared in the distance.
Unknown to them a pair of blue eyes was watching from the window, smirking at her sister as she changed into her sleepwear.
True to her words, Natsuki has been poking around Shizuru while at the same time avoiding Hakuto's attempt to gain her attention. She's got nothing against the man, of course. She's just simply not interested.
She's been giving the Kyoto-ben student a ride to and fro, whether from school, work, the household she's working, or home. Not just to bug the ellder woman, but she also just happen to pass by those places as well while going to and fro of her own apartment. Until Shizuru finally relented and decided on a place where she has been wanting to go since hearing about it - A newly opened café with a decent sized museum of historical war weaponries in Kyoto. It was owned by a distant relative and an old a childhood friend. So what was thought to be a simple dinner turned into a mini vacation since Natsuki was also so up for it. Despite being declined by Shizuru to use her bike for a joyride to Kyoto. "I won't chance to have us already drained from the ride, Natsuki. And besides, we don't have that much free time. It would be a pity to get there only to hustle back home." Was Shizuru's reason for denying the biker of using her favourite toy.
"but!.. ugh! Fine… you win…" the biker pouted slumping under the shade of a huge tree as she popped a fried squid from Shizuru's bento. The sophomore student was having lunch while Natsuki just decided to skip History class.
Fortunately, the Akiyama's granted Shizuru a few days off without a hitch. Even their troublesome son didn't give a damn. She thought it must be because the family is still aiming to win Natsuki's favour by making good appearances.
Both had their essentials packed when Friday came and decided to keep it on their respective locker room until school is over. Shizuru's class ends an hour earlier than Natsuki's that day. She decided to work on some of her reports while waiting for her friend under the same wide old Sakura tree.
"Oi! Fujino!" An unfamiliar man with two other companions called out as they approached. The sophomore student adjusted her spectacle as if to get a clearer view of them. "Aki says 'Hi'" They all grinned oddly.
Before Shizuru could ask further, a piece of hanky was forcefully pushed against her face until she fainted. By the time she regained consciousness she was in a dimly lit small storage room full of beat-up sports materials.
"You've been a thorn at my side white monkey. You can only imagine how pissed I am right now. Now, I don't know what bulllshits you've been feeding to Kruger about me. But that shall end soon enough. I will not let any Fujino mess me and Family's chance in the business ladder, again." Hakuto smiled from across the room with four other men. Oh he and his men are so going to have fun today.