Extra 1
Minamo settled back into the seat of her chair, the morning sun outside warming her skin. A light snoring informed her that Yukari was still asleep next, her skin glistening slightly with sweat. It had been several years now that they had been together, as a couple. Moments like this Minamo often thought of how she could have missed it for so long, she was never very good at expressing her feelings and Yukari's often obnoxious behaviour probably didn't help.
Minamo looked out at the clear road in front of them, they were out-of-town now, on the way to Chiyo's summer-house. Somehow Yukari had found out that the girls were having some kind of reunion and she had managed to wrangle herself and Minamo an invitation.
Minamo was pretty nervous, as she hadn't talked to any of them apart from Kagura since the girls graduated and didn't know exactly what they were up to now. She assumed they had all finished they're time at University but beyond that she wasn't sure. When she had talked to Kagura it was more to do with training, not that Minamo thought she could help particularly but it sounded like Kagura didn't really get along as well with her new sports teachers as she did with her. Though whatever they were doing it was going well, as of the last time they spoke Kagura was trying out for the national swim team.
The only others they knew much about were Tomo and by association Yomi, as Yukari often played the same games as Tomo and they talked online. Though given those two Minamo was unsure how much of the second-hand information to believe. Apparently Tomo had somehow gotten into the police and according to her, already solved several unsolvable cases. Yumi on the other hand was managing a restaurant with the hopes of owning her own café or bakery, Yukari seemed unclear on which. Most likely Yomi hadn't told Tomo much and that's all she'd been able to weasel of of her.
She guessed that Sakaki was coming to the end of her Veterinary schooling but the others she didn't know a thing. Minamo was quite excited to see how Chiyo had grown and having been in America, she tried to imaging Chiyo with dyed hair or in a punkish outfit but it just made her giggle.
She looked back over to the still sleeping Yukari, her face squished against the car window, it was not the prettiest look but it still brought a smile to Minamo's face. From the outside it probably seemed like her and Yukari had changed very little in the years since the girls graduated but the years had been somewhat turbulent. After coming out to her mother they didn't speak for a long time, even now conversation was stunted but she was slowly coming around. Yukari's parents on the other-hand seemed more surprised their daughter had found anyone, than that it was a woman. In fact Yukari's father had rather unsubtly implied that Minamo could've probably done better, which made her laugh and Yukari pout.
School wise they had decide not to go public with it as it was still a sensitive issue with some people and wouldn't help anyone. They had however informed the headmaster who had admitted that it was best to leave it as a private matter, though if it did become public they had agreed that they wouldn't deny it.
After a year or so the pair decided to get an apartment together and had lived there since then. It wasn't huge but it was a good size and in a nice neighbourhood. Minamo hand managed to get Yukari to let her have some control of her money, 'for rent purposes'. This meant Yukari could still use her money but Minamo could not only pay the rent but also start up a savings account on the side. Minamo knew this was a little underhanded but the savings were under Yukari's name too, she had just conveniently forgotten to tell her about it. Miamo was sure one day she'd check it and find Yukari had used it all to buy something ridiculous.
'Are we there yet' mumbled a sleepy voice, bringing Minamo out of her daydream.
'Not yet, no'
'You decided whether we're gonna tell 'em yet?' ask Yukari, referring to the discussion the pair had earlier about whether they should tell the girls they were a couple or not. Minamo didn't foresee that any of them would have a problem but it was always an awkward conversation. At the same time she didn't want any of them walking in on an intimate moment, not that they'd be secretly haven't sex or anything but something like that had happened before remembered Minamo going bright red, and that will never happen again she told herself shaking the embarrassing memory from her head.
'I think we should' Minamo finally answered after a long pause.
'Alright then but when? Should we just walk in and be all, 'we're here and we're gay, deal with it'?' asked Yukari jokingly.
'Very funny Yukari but it'd probably be best to get it over with sooner rather than later'
'Yeah' agreed Yukari, 'If not we might have to be in separate beds' giving a mock shudder of disgust. Minamo smiled and nodded her agreement.
When they finally got the summer-house a few cars were already parked up.
'Looks like everyone else is already here' said Minamo, more to herself than Yukari. They parked, collected their bags and made their way to the front door. Minamo gave it a quick knock. The pair stood waiting stiffly and hearing feet scrambling to the door. When it opened they were greeted by Kagura and Tomo who seemed like they had been fighting to see who could reach the door first. Both were instantly recognisable as apart from getting taller they had changed very little. Tomo was even already in her swimsuit, ready for the beach. Kagura wore Jean shorts and a sleeveless top that showed off her toned arms and legs.
'Coach!' exclaimed Kagura, smiling widely before pulling her in for a hug.
'Its good to see you again too, Kagura' said Minamo, her feet almost lifting off the ground.
'Sup, Yukari' smiled Tomo, reading herself to ponce on Yukari for a hug of her own.
'Nope' stated Yukari while delivering a karate chop to Tomo head. Kagura disengaged from the hug, blushing slightly in embarrassment and the pair backed away from Minamo and Yukari, to give them room to enter the house. The other girls were gathered inside, Sakaki might have gotten even taller but hadn't changed too much though Minamo did notice bags under her eyes and a slightly dishevelled look.
Chiyo had certainly grown taller and filled out. She was wearing some tatty jeans and what looked like a heavy metal tee, add in her shorter hair and she looked quite different from when Minamo had last seen her.
Yomi was wearing some kind of casual business attire which gave her a more adult aura than the rest, but apart from that she hadn't changed much.
'Wow, you girls all look great' exclaimed Minamo, after a slightly awkward pause.
'Thanks' said Yomi blushing, 'we're just waiting for Osaka and Kaorin now'
'Yeah, Chihiro's driving them here, since she and Kaorin are flatmates' added Tomo.
There was a collection of other bags in the corner so Minamo and Yukari left their bags with them before joining the girls. They had begun talking about what they had been up to since they last met. Tomo immediately took the chance to brag about becoming a policewoman and the many crimes she had solved, from Yomi's groan Minamo guessed she had heard it all to often before. With a sharp thwack, Yomi hit Tomi over the head with a magazine she had been reading.
'That's enough of that' stated Yomi matter of factly.
'What was that for' whimpered Tomo but was drowned out by both Kagura and Yukari as they bursting out laughing. Minamo even noticed Chiyo and Sakaki exchange a wry smile.
'What I want to know is how Chiyo got cool' said Yukari after she'd stopped laughing. The other girls quietened too, obviously wanting to know as well.
'Well I wouldn't go that far' mumbled Chiyo, embarrassed from the sudden attention, 'Its just that I made some friends in America and the invited me to a concert, well I didn't realise it was a rock concert till I got there and I didn't think I'd like it but I did. After that I started getting more interested in rock and some metal but nothing too hardcore'
'Oh' said Yukari, seemingly disappointed that the story wasn't more interesting.
'So what bands do you like?' asked Yomi. Chiyo began listing off bands that Minamo had never heard of, most of them in English but some of the names sounded German or Scandinavian. Minamo's music knowledge had always been pretty poor though. Yukari's wasn't much better, being a mix of random genres and opposing sounds that Minamo hadn't found any logical pattern in. Though it appeared that Yukari had at least some idea of the bands that Chiyo was talking about.
'It appears that Chiyo's grow up quite a bit' said Minamo, more to herself than anyone in particular.
'Yeah, she's beating Tomo now' laughed Yomi, pointing to Chiyo's chest. Tomo looked down at her chest then to Chiyo's, sending Chiyo bright red, before pouting and glaring at Yomi. After a second or two pause Tomo lunged at Yomi, who dodged and ran to the door giggling to herself. As she headed outside Tomo was already on her heels calling after her with threats of arrest.
'Well those two haven't changed' remarked Minamo, Chiyo and Sakaki nodded in agreement.
From the now open door a cat entered, jogging forward and jumping into Sakaki's arms. Her aura changed completely from a tired and downbeat too a blissful one, before Sakaki quickly got it under control and replaced it with her usual cool mask.
'Maya, do you remember me?' asked Chiyo warming, reaching to pet the cat. Maya yawned lazily but let Chiyo pet him.
The five women sat down and waited for the others to arrive. Minamo set about asking Kagura about her national tryout, finding out that she had passed and that she maybe able to represent her country. Minamo felt immensely proud that she, in some way, had helped this young woman. Eventually they began discussing sport and other interests in general, while Sakaki and Chiyo played with Maya and talked. Yukari who as left somewhat on her own retrieved a hand-held console from her bag and started playing it, Minamo gave her a look to she if she was okay and Yukari replied with a wry wink. Safe in the knowledge that her partner wasn't feeling excluded Minamo continued her conversation with Kagura.
Half an hour later Tomo and Yomi returned, soaked in what Minamo guessed was sea water. Following behind them was Osaka, Kaorin and Chihiro.
'Look who we found' said Tomo, obviously a little out of breath.
'More like we found you having a water fight' said Chihiro. Tomo smiled mischievously while Yomi looked less than impressed.
'I think I'd best get changed' sighed Yomi, looking down at her clothes, the wet fabric sticking to her skin. She walked over to the collection of bags in the corner, picking out hers.
'I'll show you to your room' said Chiyo helpfully.
'Chiyo?' asked Osaka, only just seeming to notice her surroundings, 'what happened to your pigtails? Did they fly away?'
Chiyo looked a little lost at first but then noticed that Osaka had already lost herself in a daydream. Deciding it was best just to leave her, Chiyo went off with Yomi.
The rest of the girls sat on the sofa and chairs in the main living space, Kaorin sat next to Sakaki, her face beginning to blush.
She obviously still hasn't gotten over her crush noted Minamo.
'Will I should probably get going' said Chihiro awkwardly.
'You're not staying?' asked Minamo.
'No, I could give Kaorin and Osaka a lift but I have stuff I need to do, so I can't stay'
'At least stay for a drink' said Osaka, who had appeared at Minamo's side with a beer in each hand.
'I don't think that's particularly wise if she's driving' said Minamo quickly as Osaka attempted to hand the drink to Chihiro.
'Well if she's not having any I think I'll just take this off your hands' said Yukari, grabbing the can out of Osaka's hand before anyone could complain.
'No-one should be drinking this early' sighed Minamo, not wanting to deal with a drunk Yukari already.
'I could make some juice?' said Sakaki quietly.
'That's a good idea. I'll hel...'
'I'll help!' interrupted Kaorin.
While the pair made some juice in the kitchen Chiyo and Yomi returned, both wearing some more beach appropriate clothing.
'Beach time!' exclaimed Tomo, flailing her arms In the air.
'Hold your houses, idiot' sighed Yomi, 'you've gotta wait for everyone else to change too' Tomo sat back down, sulking a little. 'Honestly have you grown up at all?'
Minamo and Yukari elected to change last. Minamo decided to grab some juice and have a quick chat with Chihiro while she waited for the other girls. Meanwhile, after finding out what game Yukari was playing Tomo retrieved her own console and the two started battling each other or working together. Minamo wasn't entirely sure which, both options seemed to involve lots of shouting.
Once the other girls finished changing Minamo and Yukari made their way to one of the nearest bedrooms of the summer-house. The room was neat and tidy, much like the rest of the house, leading Minamo to guess that a maid service must come round somewhat regularly. She couldn't imagine that Chiyo's parents came here that much.
After so long together the couple were quite comfortable changing in front of each other, even so Minamo still got a little excited at seeing her girlfriend's naked flesh. She even caught herself licking her lips and so did Yukari, who gave her a cheeky smile. Minamo blushed and turned so she couldn't see Yukari, quickly putting on the rest of her swimsuit.
'We'll have no hanky-panky on this trip' warned Yukari, wagging her finger, as Minamo turned back to see if Yukari had also finished.
'I didn't do anything' protested Minamo innocently.
'Sure you didn't' said Yukari, rolling her eyes,'you don't want to scare the kids'
'Very funny, beside they're not kids any more' added Minamo feeling a touch inferior, especially when she had seen Kagura, who had developed a very fine toned body, thanks to all her practice.
'Hey, you're still sexy' comforted Yukari, pulling her close.
'Thanks, babe' blushed Minamo, giving her a peck on the cheek.
'...maybe not smart but...' continued Yukari playfully. Minamo slide her hands round Yukari's back pulling her closer still, into a proper kiss. Just as she felt Yukari get into it she disengaged and gave her a sharp slap on the backside.
'Come on the girls are waiting for us' said Minamo, skipping to the door.
'Ow' whined Yukari, rubbing her bum, 'what was that for?'.
Minamo ignored her question and walked back down the stairs where the rest of the girls where waiting for their former teachers.
After saying goodbye to Chihiro the rest of the group went down to the beach, were they spent most of the rest of the day. The sun was high and hot, the perfect summer day.
Tomo was as hyper as always, much to the annoyance for Yomi. Osaka on the other hand spent most of the time floating just off shore in a large rubber ring, occasionally joined by other members of the group.
Kagura still as competitive as ever challenged Sakaki to several races and games. Some of the trials, such as who could dig the biggest hole didn't seem to serve any purpose to Minamo but she seemed to be having fun.
Mostly Minamo and Yukari just relaxed, sunbathing. The pair were joined most of the time by Yomi, Chyio, Kaorin and Sakaki, when she wasn't being dragged off by Kagura. Several times Kagura and Tomo instigated a volleyball match or something similar. This is where the group found out that while Chyio had grown up she was, much to her chagrin, still terrible at sports.
As the weather cooled and the sun lowered, the group made their way back home. Stopping off as they went to collect some supplies for the evenings meal.
Back to the summer-house and fed, the group relaxed in the main room.
'We should play a game, get to know each other better again' suggested Tomo.
'What kind of game' asked Yomi warily.
'Truth or dare!'
'And how is that gonna help?'
Minamo and Yukari gave each other a look, perhaps this was the time to tell the girls. Yukari nodded, knowing what Minamo was thinking and cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.
'Perhaps this is the best time to tell you all that me and Nyamo have a secret. So, Nyamo why don't you tell them?' announced Yukari. Minamo glared at Yukari, thanks for dropping it all in my lap. Yukari simply shrugged and gave Minamo a cheeky smile.
Minamo sighed, 'Right how do I even start this?'. She looked out to see all the groups faces staring back at her, except for Osaka's, who attention was on a butterfly that had gotten in the house, quickly Chyio got her to focus on Minamo's announcement.
'Em... well the thing is... this thing happened a couple of years ago... and at first I didn't even think it was anything but...' mumbled Minamo, fidgeting under the continued attention.
'Oh lord' sighed Yukari, at first thinking that it would be funny putting her girlfriend on the spot she was now regretting the decision. Standing up and joining her partner's side she grabbed on of Minamo's hands in her's, calming her.
'What she's is trying to say is...' started Yukari, feeling the pressure of the group's attention switch to her, '...is that me and Nyamo are a couple now, we're gay'.