After watching episode 10 I just... I was too miffed NOT to write an alternate scenario to it. So imagine this as the events of episode 10, but also with a lot of things the anime never showed us. I use a bit of the same dialogue and stuff at first before branching off into my own interpretation (of what should have happened, in my opinion.)
And it's also a direct continuation from chapter 3, and relates back to chapter 2 as well. So all of these chapters are pretty much connected (except chapter 1, but I guess even that could be chronological to the rest in some ways).
A commission for justanothercalamity! Thank you ssososo much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hibike Euphonium.
Chapter 4. Alone Together
The rest of Kumiko's weekend involved her constant text messaging of her sick girlfriend.
After she'd fallen asleep together with Reina in her room, she'd woken a few hours later and laid the other girl down in bed. She'd checked to ensure Reina didn't have a fever, and then bent down to kiss her forehead.
Reina's parents had returned home not long afterward, and Kumiko had left her sleeping girlfriend in order to greet and awkwardly explain to her parents what she was doing here.
She and Reina had yet to reveal to anyone else that they were dating, therefore Kumiko merely told them she'd stopped by to visit their daughter.
After that, she'd hurried home, sending out silent prayers for Reina's swift recovery.
. . .
The following day she'd been so worried, she ended up texting her girlfriend at an obscene hour for a Sunday morning, which resulted in Kumiko's flustered apologies when she realized she'd woken her up.
But Reina appreciated the concern, and had gratefully reported that she was feeling better.
Kumiko texted her on and off throughout the remainder of the day, both because she wanted to make sure Reina was alright, and because she was rather giddy at the prospect of texting her girlfriend.
By the time Monday morning rolled around, Kumiko was jumping out of bed and eager to meet Reina at school.
She was more than relieved to see her girlfriend there, her posture straight, her face a healthy and rosy pink, her amethyst eyes bright and attentive as ever. All in all, a very pleasant contrast to the sick girl she'd seen two days prior.
After greeting her, Kumiko got her girlfriend alone by the shoe lockers and gave her a quick kiss.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Reina."
The dark-haired girl merely pressed her forehead to Kumiko's.
"Thanks to you."
Two more days passed, and they all trained hard in their ensemble practices for the upcoming competition.
The major event that once seemed so distant and impossible to obtain was now looming just beyond the horizon. Kumiko had to admit, it was more than a little intimidating.
In the past, she'd honestly never thought her group could achieve bronze, let alone anything higher than that. But now, they were really going for the gold.
Reminding herself of this fact on a daily basis served as a source of motivation to keep her focused on her music sheets.
But on the third day, the somewhat peaceful and hardworking atmosphere that had filled the music room dissipated like a warm breeze in a hurricane.
At the time, Kumiko had been setting up the blankets as Taki-sensei had requested of them. She'd been chatting idly with her friends when their teacher entered and announced his desire to get things started.
That was when her upperclassman spoke out against him.
Against Reina.
Yuko's outraged shouts and accusations filled the room, immediately shattering the calm atmosphere and plunging it into the horrible mood that arose with a heated argument. Everything felt stifling, like it was hard to breathe, and everyone was too terrified to budge.
Kumiko could only watch with her jaw agape as cruel words were spat at her instructor, though the intended target was someone else entirely.
Kumiko whimpered as she sought out Reina from across the room.
She'd frozen stiff, her hands shaking on the chair she'd been in the process of moving before the shouting had began.
Kumiko was unsettled by the screaming and harsh words being thrown about, but she was also fairly infuriated as well.
Yuko was attacking Reina, implying that she hadn't earned her solos through her own hard work and talent, but simply because she was acquainted with Taki-sensei. Kumiko wanted to shout at them all to be quiet, her eyes flicking nervously to her girlfriend, praying she was alright.
But Reina was more than capable of handling herself. Her declaration of being better than Kaori wasn't met with a favorable reaction, but it was the truth.
Kumiko was forced to watch as Yuko stomped up to her girlfriend, shouting more venom at Reina. Kumiko was too baffled to move, but luckily Natsuki and even Kaori interjected.
Reina herself put an end to the argument and brushed stiffly past her attacker, then disappeared out into the hallway.
Kumiko didn't waste a second in following after her.
"Reina... Reina!" She fumbled with her shoe for a second before hurrying out after her.
It wasn't much longer before her girlfriend stopped, muttering under her breath.
"I can't stand her..."
Kumiko paused just a few feet behind her, tilting her head slightly.
"Huh?"
The next thing that happened certainly caught her off guard.
Reina let out an exasperated scream, like a frustrated tigress, stomping her foot and then proceeding to smack her own knees.
"I can't stand her! I can't stand her! Geez, what is wrong with her?! She can hardly even play! What's her problem?"
Kumiko was dazed as she bore witness to her girlfriend's miniature temper tantrum.
But I guess this is the best way for her to channel her frustration...
Even so, Reina's little hissy fit was nothing short of adorable, especially for someone who always wore such a calm and collected demeanor in front of others.
Kumiko felt a little special considering that she was the only one allowed to see this side of Reina.
But even so, she failed to suppress a small chuckle.
"Reina..."
"Don't you think so?" Reina cried.
Kumiko only laughed again.
Reina straightened up and addressed her in a more controlled tone of voice.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Sorry. I totally thought you were depressed-"
At least Reina wasn't about to cry over all of this.
But then, a sudden motion suggested otherwise.
Reina moved forward, throwing her arms around Kumiko's shoulders, a trembling sigh slipping from between her lips as she hid her face over her girlfriend's shoulder.
Kumiko was left baffled; aside from the kiss Reina had given her the night she'd hurt her ankle, this was the first time Reina had shown such unbridled affection to her.
She could feel her girlfriend shaking slightly, Reina's weight leaning mainly onto Kumiko for support.
"Kumiko..." Her voice wavered, as though she truly might've been about to cry.
"Huh? What is it?"
Kumiko's hands were still up in the air, still shocked at the sudden embrace; she wasn't thinking to return it, only to hear what Reina had to say.
Her girlfriend sighed again and tightened her grip, pulling Kumiko a little closer.
"Do you think I'm wrong?" she whispered.
Kumiko could hear the uncertainty in her voice, the fear that Reina thought she was overreacting and doing something she shouldn't have been. And she could feel Reina's heartbeat again, thumping thickly against her chest, scared that she was in the wrong in all of this.
Which was why Kumiko replied calmly and honestly.
"No. I don't."
She let her arms find their way around her girlfriend's back and helped Reina stay on her feet. Reina exhaled, and Kumiko could hear the insecurity in it.
"Really...?" Her voice was barely audible now, and truly about to crack.
Kumiko squeezed her tighter.
"Yeah."
She held her girlfriend for a moment longer, until Reina's heartbeat started to slow down. Kumiko supported her unsteady weight, pressing her palms to the other girl's back to let Reina know she was there for her.
Kumiko sighed, turning her face to the side as she pressed a small kiss to Reina's ear.
"You're not wrong, Reina. You won the audition. Not Kaori-senpai. You deserve the solos. It doesn't matter if she's older; you were better. You trained harder. Your hard work is getting rewarded. That's only fair. You earned it, Reina."
There was another sigh, and Reina swayed slightly. Kumiko stood her ground and supported her girlfriend.
"Really...?" Reina whispered again.
She truly didn't believe she deserved this...
"Really," Kumiko murmured firmly. "Really, Reina."
Gently, she pushed her girlfriend's shoulders and had her take a pace back. Reina tried to hide her expression, but Kumiko saw the water in her eyes that threatened to fall. Without a word, she leaned in to kiss her lips sweetly, sincerely.
"I mean it, Reina."
The dark-haired girl blinked, and one tear slipped down from each eye, tracing the apples of her cheeks. Kumiko reached out to brush them away, then pulled the girl back into another embrace.
Reina whimpered into her hair and sighed again.
"Sorry. Thank you, Kumiko."
The brunette only nodded and patted her back.
"It's okay."
She waited a moment longer, until Reina had calmed down a bit more. Then, Kumiko stepped away again.
"Let's take a break."
Her hand slipped down her girlfriend's arm to find her hand, threading their fingers together. Reina merely nodded her agreement.
Kumiko led her down the hallway, then to the staircase, keeping close to Reina's side as they descended.
She took her outside, wanting her to be able to breathe some fresh air to help her feel better.
The afternoon was warm and colorful beneath the setting sun, the greens of the grasses and leaves turning even more vibrant with the golden light shining down upon them.
They walked together a little ways, past the track until they were at the edge of campus.
Normally, neither girl would cut practice, especially not so close to the competition.
But today was different. They needed this.
They paused at two vacant benches near the fence, bordered by welcoming green bushes. It was peaceful here, the air filled with birdsong and the chirps of the first crickets of the evening.
Kumiko sat down, but she didn't protest when Reina let go of her hand and chose to sit on the opposite bench. She knew Reina needed a bit of space to collect herself right now.
Without really thinking about it, her girlfriend started to speak - about her father's profession and how she'd come to know Taki-sensei due to his affiliation with her family.
Kumiko listened attentively to everything her girlfriend had to say.
The thing that surprised her most was when Reina confessed she'd rejected another, arguably better school's invitation, simply so she may attend the same school where Taki-sensei was teaching.
"Seriously? Scary," she said.
Reina shrugged.
"What could I do?" She looked forward, her eyes glazing over slightly before she continued. "I like Taki-sensei..."
Kumiko couldn't help but gasp softly at the confession. She tangled her ankles together, feeling her fingers ball into fists at her knees.
"Wh-What?" she stammered.
"Not just in a 'like' kind of way. I mean in a 'love' kind of way."
Reina met her gaze sternly, honestly.
Kumiko didn't know what to make of the confession. She was confused and definitely hurt.
If... If Reina loves Taki-sensei, than what are we-?
"Anyway-" Reina went on, cutting off the brunette's frantic thoughts. "That's how it used to be, at least."
"...Huh?"
"How it used to be," she repeated. "I liked Taki-sensei a lot. I had a huge crush on him. I really thought I loved him... But not anymore." She looked directly into Kumiko's eyes and offered a small smile. "Don't worry."
"Eh?" Kumiko blushed. "W-Worry? I'm not-"
"You were about to cry."
"Wh-Wha-?!" Kumiko quickly lifted her arms, rubbing them across her face and was appalled to feel warm wetness leaking down to her elbows.
Reina watched her, feeling bad now that she'd put her girlfriend through such grief. She stood, then switched benches, instead sitting down right next to Kumiko. Her hand found Kumiko's, and it was Reina's turn to lace their fingers together. She gave a squeeze to gain her girlfriend's attention.
"I don't like him anymore. Not like that," she said firmly. "I have you, Kumiko."
But despite the healing affect Kumiko knew those words were supposed to have on her, she didn't feel she could react accordingly. Her free hand went to her face to wipe her eyes again.
"So... I'm just a replacement?" she whispered. "You couldn't have Taki-sensei... so you just settled for me...?"
Reina's eyes went wide, her heart seizing as she realized what she'd done. She'd certainly worded that poorly, and had hurt Kumiko badly as a result of her own carelessness.
"Kumiko!" Her voice rose in earnest, her grip tightening. "That's not it! That's not what I meant at all!" Reina moved closer, using her free hand to grasp Kumiko's and gently pull it away from her face. "Kumiko. Look at me."
She waited for her girlfriend to stop hiccuping, waited for the tears to pause. Kumiko's hazel eyes met amethyst.
Reina laid her soul bare for her, letting her in. She spoke firmly, both of her hands holding tightly to her girlfriend's.
"I used to like him. But those feelings ended over a year ago. When you came into my life like you did... I'd always wanted to be like this with you. To be your girlfriend. When it finally happened that night after you carried me home... I didn't believe it for a while."
Kumiko sniffled, but kept her gaze locked on Reina's.
"Me... Me, too..." she mumbled. "I didn't... believe it, either. I'd always... liked you."
Reina nodded and went on.
"That crush I had on Taki-sensei... it was just a child's crush. I've known him since middle school. He was so cool, and a professional with the music I loved so much. It was just admiration. It was never anything more, even if I told myself it was. But I don't want that anymore. I don't want any of it, Kumiko. I want you."
Without wasting another second, she pulled Kumiko in, taking her turn to wrap the girl in her arms by means of comfort. Reina ran her hands over her girlfriend's back in small, slow circles.
It was a long moment as she waited for some kind of response, be it acceptance or rejection from Kumiko.
Luckily, it was the former.
Reina felt the embrace returned, small hands making their way over her shoulder blades. She released a sigh of the utmost relief and murmured an apology into those chestnut curls.
"I'm sorry I said it so poorly. I didn't meant to hurt you."
Kumiko sniffled again, inhaling a big breath to put and end to the tears once and for all. She cracked a smile, also relieved to hear Reina's honest feelings.
"It's okay. Sorry I'm so sensitive. I just... really like you, Reina. A lot."
The dark-haired girl pulled her closer still, nuzzling slightly into the side of her neck.
"I like you too, Kumiko. A lot."
It was certainly nice to hear.
A few minutes passed them by, measured in heartbeats and the songs of the mourning doves. It was Reina's turn to wipe her girlfriend's tears, brushing them away with her thumbs.
"Your cheeks are puffy."
"That's your fault."
"I guess it is," Reina agreed. "Let me make it up to you."
She cupped Kumiko's cheeks, squishing just a tiny bit before pulling her in for a tender kiss. Kumiko's hands found their way to either side of Reina's waist, bringing her forward a few more inches.
They held the kiss for as long as they could manage, until their lungs demanded oxygen.
They soon parted, resting their foreheads together as they caught their breath.
"So..." Reina gasped softly. "Do you understand yet? That I really don't have feelings for Taki-sensei anymore? Or do I need to prove it again?"
Kumiko only smiled, her thumbs rubbing little circles over Reina's sides.
"As much as I'd enjoy some more 'proof'... I believe you, Reina. Sorry for doubting your feelings."
Knowing Kumiko understood her heartfelt emotions now, Reina let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
They moved their foreheads apart again, though their hands remained entwined, their thighs brushing above the wood of the bench.
Reina leaned herself sideways, resting her head on Kumiko's shoulder. The brunette moved one of her hands to Reina's back to keep her from slipping, though her other hand remained in her lap, clamped softly in between both of her girlfriend's palms.
"So..." she murmured. "You... loved Taki-sensei, huh?"
Reina huffed.
"Don't repeat it. It's embarrassing..." she muttered. "But Taki-sensei never knew how I felt. I knew all along it could never work anyway. He'd come to my house to have dinner with my father and discuss music from time to time. More often than not, he'd have a woman on his arm."
Kumiko heard her give a small, triumphant "hmph". She could almost hear the smirk in Reina's voice now:
"Looks like we've both got girlfriends now. Both Taki-sensei and I."
Kumiko blushed instantly, heat rushing to tickle her cheeks.
"R-Reina..."
"What? Its' true, isn't it?" She traced the pads of her fingertips over Kumiko's knuckles. When Kumiko focused on the strokes of her fingers, she realized Reina was spelling out a word on the back of her hand:
K-U-M-I-K-O
The brunette smiled again, her feet kicking lightly into the dirt underfoot, channeling her giddy energy.
Reina continued speaking a moment later, voice reminiscent and slightly distant.
"Taki-sensei has a girlfriend. He'd never favor me for the audition."
She moved away a minute later, thoughts of the stressful afternoon making her stomach twist unpleasantly. It was a feeling she didn't want associated with Kumiko's soft comfort.
She sat up, her glare trained on the grass.
"That Yuko... I can't believe she'd start complaining about our adviser at a time like this."
Kumiko gazed at her profile, watching the way her girlfriend's dark hair was tugged by the breeze.
"I agree," she said.
Reina flashed her another glance.
"What's with that face?"
Kumiko realized she'd been smiling again.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking you're cute."
Reina definitely blushed that time.
"You're terrible..."
With a pout, she turned her back and flopped down onto her side on the bench. Kumiko giggled and reached out to lay a hand on her girlfriend's side.
You're not helping yourself with this. You're only being cuter, Reina.
But she avoided saying as much, instead carefully directing the conversation back to the events of that afternoon.
"Would you ever give up your solo?"
The response was immediate and steadfast.
"Never. I'd double-down. That's what it takes to become special."
Kumiko nodded – she'd been expecting such a response.
Even if their upperclassmen ridiculed Reina, even if they continued to spread those awful rumors behind her back in an effort to hurt and embarrass her, Reina wouldn't give up her passion.
Even so, Kumiko wasn't going to let her get hurt anymore. She'd support Reina through all of this.
But there was something her girlfriend had just said that she wanted to address.
"Reina~" Kumiko whined. She grabbed both of the girl's hands and pulled her up again, until they were eye-level. "I already told you, remember? You are special. To me."
Reina blinked, her expression considerate as she rewound her thoughts to that night about a week ago, to their moments alone outside her house, Kumiko's confessions...
"Right," she said. "That's right. I'd used to want to be special for Taki-sensei. Before I knew any better... But now I want to be special for you, Kumiko."
"I just told you. You already are."
"Then I want to become even more special."
Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation, eager to prove herself.
Kumiko wasn't about to douse that spark.
"Okay," she said.
If this would be Reina's motivation to keep going, Kumiko would gladly accept it. Plus, it made her joyful to know Reina wanted to do this mainly for her sake.
Kumiko pulled her into another hug, a bit of a more zealous one this time.
"Thank you, Reina. I'll work hard to be special to you, too!"
Reina smirked.
"Idiot. You already are."
They shared another kiss, the golden light of the setting sun outlining their silhouettes, carving the shape and shadow of their secret relationship into the ground below, with the grass and birds and sky above as their only witnesses.
Once they parted, Kumiko looked up at her girlfriend a little sheepishly.
"So... should we go back to practice?"
It was an offer she herself didn't really feel like taking up, but she knew Reina was a hardworking student who wouldn't skip a class or music practice if she could help it.
But her girlfriend surprised her when she merely shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe it'd be okay to skip," she mumbled. "Just for today."
Kumiko tried not to clap her hands together excitedly. If Reina was rejecting the idea of going back inside, it meant she wanted to spend some time alone with Kumiko, just as Kumiko wanted to be alone with her.
"Yeah," the brunette nodded. "That might be for the best. Just for today. It's kind of a strained atmosphere back there."
She knew that if they were to return to the music room that afternoon that all heads would immediately turn to glare at Reina, and the whispers and rumors would start all over again. That might've been inevitable, but Kumiko didn't want it to happen anymore today – at least, not so Reina could hear it.
Kumiko traveled her gaze over Reina's person, using her eyes to outline the curves of her brow, nose, and lips.
"Do you want to go home?"
Reina pondered the thought, but ultimately shook her head.
"No. Let's go somewhere."
"Somewhere?" Kumiko parroted. "Like where?"
"Nowhere too far. Just come with me."
Reina stood, dusted off her skirt a bit, and then offered her empty palm to the other girl. Kumiko accepted her hand with a small smile, then followed behind her girlfriend.
As she let Reina lead, Kumiko ended up a pace behind her, their hands still connected. The warm evening breeze made her own shorter hair bounce a bit, but Reina's longer locks flowed out behind her like a midnight river.
When there was no one else around and no necessity to speak, Kumiko liked to simply admire her girlfriend's sheer beauty, her mystery.
She'd once thought of Reina like a Snow Spirit, merely because Kumiko knew that if such a gorgeous creature were ever to appear to her – even if her purpose was to lead her to her death – Kumiko knew she'd willingly follow.
But now that she knew Reina like she did, she had to remind herself that the dark-haired beauty wasn't anything like a Snow Spirit. She wasn't frightening, cold, or connected to anything dangerous or unfavorable.
In reality, Reina was much more insecure than she let on, a side of herself Kumiko knew she'd never shown to anyone else. Except her.
She could still feel their embrace in the hallway from earlier, how Reina's arms had been trembling as they clung to her shoulders, her voice wobbling as she begged Kumiko to validate her fears.
Reina wasn't cold, either – too many embraces and kisses they'd shared over the past several days proved otherwise. Her warmth wasn't overbearing or even as prominent as some other peoples' might have been. But it was subtle, pleasant, and something that was unique only to Reina.
And despite the rumors that existed about her now, Kumiko knew there was truthfully nothing bad to be associated with her girlfriend that wasn't imposed upon her by other people.
Reina tended to mind her own business, unless there was something she could interject about involving people she cared about. She was righteous and defensive of only a select few, and Kumiko felt special to think she might be one of them.
She'd gotten a little lost in her own thoughts as they walked, her feet guided only by the slight tug of Reina's hand on her wrist.
She spaced out a bit until her girlfriend finally came to a stop. Kumiko bumped into her back and squeaked an apology.
"S-Sorry."
"It's fine. We're here."
Kumiko peered over her girlfriend's shoulder.
They were atop a small, grassy hill located off to one side of the campus. It gave an extraordinary view of the sunset from this vantage point. The orange sky bled into gold, and then melted to softer pinks and purples like a watercolor painting.
Kumiko marveled at the sight, feeling almost a sense of deja vu from when Reina had led her to look at the city at night from the mountain top.
The scene she'd borne witness to the night of the festival had been composed of cooler colors, whites and greens and blues. But what was before her now was much warmer, reds and golds and oranges. It relaxed her significantly after looking for just a few seconds.
Kumiko was pulled back out of her trance again as she felt a familiar tug on her wrist. She met Reina's eyes.
"Let's sit down."
Kumiko happily obliged, bending her knees and pulling her legs up to her chest. Reina sat beside her in a similar fashion, gazing out into the sunset.
The brunette couldn't help but chuckle as a certain thought made its way from her mind to her lips.
"So you really do like this kind of thing, huh?"
Reina cast her a sidelong glance.
"What do you mean?"
Kumiko elaborated.
"Like climbing a mountain at night to play your trumpet at the top. You also like to skip practice and sit on a hillside to watch the sunset. Those kind of things."
Reina huffed a small breath.
"As I said, it's not like I do this kind of thing every day. But it's easy to think about. There's a desire to do something out of the ordinary every now and again, right?"
Kumiko leaned back on her palms and nodded.
"Yeah. I understand. I think it's necessary to get away from it all sometimes, whether you're going out at night for a walk on a mountain or missing practice to watch the sunset."
"Still... I don't like missing practice."
"You practice plenty!" Kumiko reminded her. "You can make up for it in no time. It's better not to go today when everyone is on-edge." She lowered her voice a bit then. "Besides, I don't want them to say horrible things to you anymore..." She trailed off, her fingers clutching at the blades of grass and tearing a few.
Reina watched her, surprised and slightly flattered.
"You don't have to get upset about it," she said. "I don't mind the rumors about me. I just don't want them to say false things about Taki-sensei. He did nothing wrong. He has no reason to favor me... And besides..."
It was her turn to taper off and look up at the sky. Kumiko flashed her a glance as she continued.
"I want to believe what you said, Kumiko. That I earned the solo myself."
The brunette released her fists from the grass in order to move closer to her girlfriend, bumping their shoulders together lightly.
"You did earn it, Reina. There's no questioning that. You won the part fair and square." She was being earnest with her words, but she both felt and heard Reina sigh.
"It's nice to know at least you think that way."
Kumiko frowned.
"I know not everyone does. But it's really the truth. Nothing was rigged about this, Reina. You worked hard and got rewarded for it. And I know you'll take us to gold in the competition."
A moment of silence followed her words as Reina seemed to absorb them.
Kumiko was right; the execution of her solo parts may very well be what decided their fate in the competition. She was going to work even harder from now on.
Starting tomorrow.
For now, she merely laid back in the grass, stretching her arms up above her head as the world shifted. Now the only thing in her line of sight was the colorful sky, serene clouds floating slowly across the painted canvas.
It was a welcome contrast to the yelling and stress they'd left behind in the school building, that was for sure.
Kumiko remained sitting up for a moment longer, her eyes only straying to Reina where she lie beside her. The wind ruffled her girlfriend's uniform a little, stirring her hair and the grass surrounding it.
She let the silence linger for as long as she could manage, until she couldn't stay still any longer.
It had only been a few minutes since Reina had laid down, but Kumiko already missed her touch. She mimicked her girlfriend's pose and rested herself on her side, cushioned by the soft grass.
Reina was still staring up at the sky, but Kumiko could only turn to look at her.
Despite the variation of colors above them, Reina was much more beautiful.
Kumiko watched as those long eyelashes kissed the apples of her cheeks when she blinked, watched the way her lips parted slightly when she sighed, watched the way her chest rose and fell softly when she breathed...
Kumiko pushed herself up briefly, bracing her weight on one elbow. Slowly, she moved her other arm across Reina's body to rest on the girl's other side, gently trapping her.
Not that Reina minded.
Their eyes locked – hazel boring down into amethyst – and just their gazes alone were more vibrant than the sunset.
Kumiko leaned a bit of her weight over Reina, closing her eyes and kissing her without a word.
Reina lifted her arms, interlocking her fingers at the nape of her girlfriend's neck to keep her close, feeling the soft curls of her hair.
When they drew apart again, it was hard for Kumiko not to dive in for more.
But Reina was slightly flushed, breathing a little heavily, so she relented for now.
There'd be plenty of time for more later.
Kumiko settled for brushing her nose against her girlfriend's, then curling up at her side once more.
Reina kept her arms around the brunette's shoulders, urging her closer. Rather than resting her head on the grass, she coaxed Kumiko to use her shoulder instead.
Kumiko happily obliged to the silent request. She laid her head sideways over Reina's collar, pressing an ear to her chest.
Instantly, her head was filled with Reina's heartbeat.
It was the first time she'd ever listened so directly. Both the night on the mountain and when Reina had been sick, Kumiko had only felt it softly with Reina pressed to her back, or sleeping soundly in her lap.
But this was different.
It was a little embarrassing for Reina, but she was just grateful Kumiko couldn't see her blush. She stared up at the sky for a long while, breathing in the fresh air as she kept her arm around her girlfriend's back.
Kumiko didn't even pay attention to the rest of the world anymore. She simply lost herself in the rhythm of Reina's heart.
It's a really lovely song...
And it was a song only Kumiko got the privilege of listening to.
So she enjoyed it as much as possible, closing her eyes to commit it to memory.
Reina's pulse slowed as the minutes went on, her breathing deepening into something more relaxed.
Both girls dozed for a while, relishing the ginger breeze weaving through their hair and the subtle, mutual warmth spreading throughout their bodies.
They only moved when their bodies started to get numb, and Kumiko regrettably pulled away, instantly missing Reina's heartbeat.
She helped her girlfriend sit up, and for a moment they both plucked blades of grass off one another's uniforms.
They didn't need to ask or speak in order to share another kiss.
At last, they stood together, shaking themselves off beneath the fading sunlight.
They came to a silent, unanimous decision that they didn't need to go back to the school today.
They could worry about practice and their instruments tomorrow.
For now, they merely headed for home, hand in hand.
A/N: Ahhh if only something like this could have been canon... darn those novels.
I might write more chapters! I sort of have another idea, but we'll see if I can sort it out properly and get it into writing! Keep your eyes open for more, just in case I get it together!
Please review!