Chapter 7. Rei's Patience
'What is she so mad about again?' Hasekura Rei asked herself as she watched her cousin Shimazu Yoshino glaring at her.
'Isn't just a two days ago when she was angry about me going out without telling her?' She continued to herself.
"Yoshino," she called for the second time. Again, she didn't get a response. She started to move towards her cousin.
"Stay where you are, Rei-chan. Don't come near me," Yoshino commanded.
"What is it this time?" She asked almost in exasperation. Again, she didn't get a response so she stared and stared until her cousin shifted on her weight uncomfortably.
When the braided-haired girl couldn't take it anymore, she spilled what her ire was about with so much force and anger. As it turned out, it was all about her spending so much time with the younger students in teaching kendo.
She sighed. Yoshino was almost always jealous of every person she spent time with, even if it was for a valid reason. She should be mad with it. But she wasn't. In fact, she found Yoshino's jealousy endearing even if it was too much. And sometimes, she teased her about it but the latter refused vehemently with a blush. It was so adorable.
Before she knew it, a smile spread on her face.
"What are you smiling about?!" Yoshino asked in irritation.
She stopped smiling.
"Yoshino, for once will you close your mouth and listen to reason."
That sentence had an effect because Yoshino was taken aback. Despite the obvious hurt that spread at the latter's face, she didn't take back her words.
Really.
Yoshino should learn to control that temper of hers. It always got them into a fight, a fight that surely hurt them both.
"Rei-chan, you just told me to shut up!" Yoshino accused, clearly surprised.
"So I did."
Yoshino looked at her with wide eyes before running upstairs to her room. She wanted to run after her but she steeled herself. This couldn't go on and on. Yoshino had to stop acting like a child, especially after what she heard two nights ago when the two of them slept in the latter's room after helping her on her assignment.
Tired of training, Rei had drifted off to sleep while Yoshino was reading some of her notes. She thought it was just a dream when she felt something warm covered her. She opened her eyes a little and realized that a blanket was placed on her. She realized then that Yoshino was at her back as she felt the latter's hand gently stroked her hair. She closed her eyes with a smile as she enjoyed the tender act, but her eyes snapped open when she heard what Yoshino whispered, thinking she was deep in sleep.
"I think I'm in love with you, Rei-chan. I don't know how it happened. I've always loved you ever since we were kids. But now, it's more than that, more than friends, more than cousins. What am I going to do with this, Rei-chan? I can't even tell you what I feel. I'm so scared. Rei-chan," Yoshino whispered softly.
Those were Yoshino's words that left her sleepless that night. She waited then, until Yoshino fell asleep beside her and then slowly, she eased up to gaze at the cousin she loved so much, more than her parents, more than anything. Yes, she also loved Yoshino like that. She had realized that not so long ago. However, she hid her feelings. She hid her feelings not only because she was scared how Yoshino would react but also because the latter was still such a kid. If there was a chance that they would be more than cousins and friends, she wanted them to be matured enough to handle such feelings. Or rather, Yoshino was matured enough. She just didn't expect that Yoshino already loved her like that. She just thought then that Yoshino was just always jealous because all her life, her attention was focused on her and her alone.
There and then, she made a decision. She would tell her feelings to Yoshino once she could see that the latter had grown up, even if only for a bit. With her planning not to spend college in Lillian University, it would be necessary. Otherwise, Yoshino would be incessantly jealous and worried about whom she talked with or spent her time with in college. She didn't want that to happen, didn't want Yoshino to feel like that. It hurt her the most when something hurt her cousin. She wanted to protect her even if the latter didn't want or got annoyed from time to time.
"Rei-chan."
Rei blinked to clear her mind and saw Yoshino standing uncomfortably at her front.
"Rei-chan, I'm sorry for acting like that earlier," Yoshino said apologetically.
"You've realized your mistake, then?" She asked calmly, though inside, she was a little hopeful that Yoshino was starting to grow up.
"Yes. I'm still mad at you for spending so much time away but I realized that I should have listened to you first before getting mad and all."
"I see. I'm glad," she said with a smile.
"But now that you know how I feel, please don't spend so much time with them then," Yoshino said seriously.
"And if I don't listen to you?"
Yoshino pouted and stomped her foot before saying, "You have to. I don't want you spending time with those girls who are flirting with you and…and…"
She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with merriment, as Yoshino blushed deeply. Yoshino had still a long way before she grew up but she could see that there was hope in there. She didn't mind. She had a lot of patience anyway. Growing up with Yoshino had made her developed so much patience because otherwise, they would always be in a fight. Someday, she knew that Yoshino would grow up. Until then, she would wait. Anyway, without the affirmation of their feelings, they were already together and would always be so no need to hurry.
A/N: I told you I don't really know what to do with them.
Guess who's next? :)
---Arvendell---
06 February 2008
