The Princess of Cherry Blossoms
By CleideJam
Chapter 4: Surprise. Surprised!
"Good morning, Satsuki" the totally oblivious old lady greets the figure that has just kept Riko frozen on her spot. However, Momo-san isn't as dense as our protagonist so she quickly recognizes the familiar glint of jealousy in the eyes of her granddaughter. "Oh my, don't tell me…" the old lady muses to herself as she remembers the conversation that she and her granddaughter had last night. Let us just say it concerns a certain dense brunette.
Last Night…
Momo-san has prepared tea for her lovely granddaughter who had just arrived from her daily visit in the park. This has been a daily routine shared by the two ladies as they eases their mind and body from all the stress that the day has given them. Also, Momo-san says to her granddaughter that drinking tea will help in keeping her beauty and when a woman is beautiful inside and out, no man could ever resist such a Goddess.
However, tonight is a different story because when the younger Momoi has entered her home, the ambiance of the room suddenly brightens and feels warm. The old lady also recognizes an unfamiliar bloom in the aura of her granddaughter and there's only one reason for it to happen. "It is either she has beaten Daiki in a basketball game or maybe…"
"Satsuki? Are you going to drink your tea? It's getting cold, dear" she say and notices the sharp movement of Satsuki as if the young one has been spacing out for the entire time. "So that's how it is! My, my, my, I wonder if I could get her to tell me this story" deciding on this idea, Momo-san initiates the conversation hoping Satsuki would give some juicy details.
"G-grandma? Is there something wrong?" Satsuki asks in surprised when she sees her grandmother staring at her like a hawk. At this, Momo-san narrows her eyes, "Satsuki dear, from generation to generation, we ladies of the Momoi family shares the same characteristics whenever we fall in love or, in your case, is already in love" Satsuki is shocked at this revelation, her eyes wide and her lips forming the letter 'o'. "H-How?" the younger Momoi asks but quickly shakes her head as if she clearly understands what Momo-san meant.
"Don't worry, Satsuki. You are at the right age to fall in love so don't hide it from anyone, even from your mother. I'm just hoping that this person is truly worthy of your feelings" Satsuki smiles at the chosen words of her grandmother, "She didn't clearly meant a guy, is grandma really this open-minded?" Satsuki muses to herself wondering if her grandmother has fallen to a girl before. "Grandma, this 'person' that I am in love with…well, I don't know how to explain this…" the younger girl furrows her eyebrows thining of the right way to explain everything to her beloved grandma.
Momo-san simply smiles a warm smile, "Satsuki, you don't have to tell me the exact details. I'm sure those memories must be kept just between the two of you" the old lady clearly states making sure that her granddaughter won't be feeling any awkwardness. "But I would like to know the status of your relationship, Satsuki dear" with that, Satsuki eases her nervous muscles as she drinks her warm tea.
"Well, I think the feeling is mutual. This person even called me girlfriend" Momo-san smiles at this revelation however, she notices the sad look in her granddaughter's eyes. "You should be happy, Satsuki. This person has claimed you to be their girlfriend. But why am I sensing that you're not happy" and with that Satsuki releases a sigh that she has been keeping the entire time.
"That's the problem, Grandma! I know I should be happy because my feelings has been returned but… but…" feeling her heart clench, Satsuki shuts her mouth closed not really wanting to hear the words that Daiki has said while they were on their way home. Momo-san knows very well her lovely and beautiful granddaughter and so she is surprised to see that Satsuki, who has always been so confident and full of self-esteem, is now feeling anxious and unable to finish her statement. Feeling worried about Satsuki, the old lady hugs her gently, "But you're afraid that maybe…just maybe you and this person's feelings isn't intersecting. Don't worry, Satsuki, I'm sure this person we'll come to fully recognize those feelings of yours" Momo-san lets go and looks straight at Satsuki's face.
"This story of yours made me remember a certain little girl that I have taken care of when you were staying in America" Momo-san giggles remembering the dirtied face of a very familiar little brunette.
"Little girl? How is she connected to my story?" Satsuki asks in full wonder.
"Well…"
"So Rikochin is actually Satsuki's… Oh my, what a development this is" Momo-san's lips grins a little hoping to hide it from the two younger occupants of the room.
She watches as her jealous granddaughter walks towards the kitchen counter but stops just in front of her and a still frozen Rikochin, "It is indeed a pleasant morning, grandma. Especially when you receive something that is envied by the others" the words that Satsuki has said may surprise the old lady for it seems to contain anger and rudeness but the old lady CERTAINLY knew that what a Momoi wants, a Momoi gets. So she can't really get angry at her granddaughter. It just so happen that the one that her granddaughter wants is the one that Momo-san has taken a liking to long before. The old lady simply gives an innocent smile to her granddaughter. A smile that would seem that she doesn't know what Satsuki is trying to say.
The younger Momoi shifts her gaze towards the frozen Rikochin. She simply wants to get angry, snap, and avoid her but she know she can't. She even finds a frozen Riko a very very cute Riko. So Pink-chan ignores her and heads towards the kitchen counter to fetch herself some hot drink before she heads for school.
Riko finally eases her stern body when he realizes that Satsuki is INDEED angry at her, "What have I even done to her? Oh no! Maybe she saw the flower! Maybe she doesn't like it! Or! Or! Or maybe she's disappointed with the amount that I have gotten for her" Riko wipes her palm on her face, "That stupid dog is going to pay for this… when I see him again…" Riko inwardly groans and fixes herself. She knows this is going nowhere, feeling already tired even though it is still early, the brunette looks at her wrist watch which shows that she has to go or else she'll be late for school. Picking up the flower from the floor, Riko looks at Momo-san once again to bid her goodbye.
"Are you leaving already, Rikochin?" Momo-san asks and smirks inwardly when she saw her granddaughter flinching from the pet name she has given to Riko. Riko sighs and gives a small smile, "Yeah, I'm really sorry Momo-san but those papers on my desk won't be signing themselves on their own" Riko replies in an apologetic tone. "Well, maybe you could come later before you go home? I'll prepare a thank you gift for the ones you have given me" the old lady offers wondering if maybe she'll still have the chance to play with her granddaughter's feelings later. "I'm really sorry, Momo-san but I'll be home late tonight. Got my hands full with different activities coming up but I promise I'll make it up to you somehow" Riko says and is about to give the old lady a farewell hug when she feels a demonic aura coming from somewhere near. She shivers but continues to give the old lady and embrace, "Its fine, Rikochin. Just make sure you don't push yourself too hard" the old lady says and returns the embrace.
While still in the hug, Riko gives a quick peck to Momo-san and quickly pulls back from the embrace, "Don't worry, Momo-san! Rikochin is a very strong girl and you should know that!" the brunette grins totally oblivious to the fact that she has just ignited the higher level of jealousy of one Momoi Satsuki.
"Aida Riko! As your girlfriend I would not and cannot tolerate seeing you kissing other people! Even if this person is my lovely grandmother!" those are the words that run through the troubled mind of Satsuki. She really want to say it to her girlfriend but she knows that Riko doesn't mean any harm to her and their relationship. Satsuki simply sighs and looks at Riko. But Riko surprises her when she finds that the brunette is already looking at her. She seems to be waiting for Satsuki to pay her some attention.
After seeing that her girl friend is finally looking at her, Riko quickly grasps the lone pink rose on the table at strides towards the place where Satsuki is. "Ahh… I really don't know what your favorite flower is but I hope this would be fine. I actually bought a bouquet but… err…you see…a…uhm… a dog…" Riko is just mumbling excuses now. She really is going to be late for school but she just can't find it in herself to leave an angry Satsuki.
The brunette nervously looks at Satsuki who isn't showing any attempt of accepting the lone gift, "I knew it. This trash would never satisfy a beautiful girl like her…*sigh*" with that thought in mind, and totally oblivious to the idea that she has just claimed Satsuki to be beautiful, Riko inwardly admits defeat and slowly lowers the hand that is holding the pink rose. However, she instantly pulls her head up when she feels a pair warm and soft hands grasping her own.
"S-Satsuki?" Riko calls out her name once again and this time Satsuki looks at Riko with her gleeful pink eyes. "Thank you, Riko-chan" and without any further interruptions, the pinkette surprises Riko when she kisses the brunette not on the cheeks but somewhere near Riko's lips. Riko quickly steps back at the sudden contact thanking her athletic body for saving her now limp legs, "W-What was that for?!" she asks and only gains a cheerful chuckle from the girl in question.
Riko, with red and steaming face, turns around to head towards the door of Momo-san's home, "I-I-I'm going! I-I'll be late for school!" and with that she leaves with huge steps towards her destination leaving the two Momoi's in their humble abode. The two ladies in question are still looking over the place where Riko has been a while ago.
"I'm getting the feeling that the little girl I'm talking about last night and the person you're in love with is just one person. Please confirm my hypothesis, Satsuki dear" Momo-san asks with her vice full of mirth and a smirk is very visible on her lips. Satsuki sweat drops at the playfulness of her grandmother, "Y-Yes, Grandma. P-Please! Don't tell mother and father about this! I know loving another girl is really wro-" Momo-san gently shuts her granddaughter's lips. Surprised, Satsuki stares at her grandmother, "Satsuki dear, there is nothing and DEFINITELY NOTHING WRONG when it comes to love," Momo-san pause and looking anywhere other than Satsuki she continues with a softer tone, "It just becomes wrong when you don't follow your heart" the old lady ends with a sad smile knowing, based from experience, how to neglect the one you truly love.
Satsuki stands from her seat wanting to give some space to her grandmother. The younger Momoi reaches for her school bag, "Grandma, when I come back home later, let's continue this conversation" Momo-san looks at Satsuki, surprise fully evident in her eyes. "Oh! And please continue YOUR side of the story" leaving with a smile, Satsuki heads to her school.