Onward!
"Dissection of an...earth w-worm?" Yutaka sputtered, looking at the flier handed out to them at the end of class. Her eyes wandered up and down the page, glazing over the diagram of the worm and the procedures, including the permission slip. Of course Yui would make her do it! She could already hear her slurred words, slurred with the alcohol that promised another lonely Christmas, and promised a very unhappy and smelly Tuesday.
"I'm sorry, Yu-chan. I must go to the library to drop this off," Minami apologized quietly, looking down at the frail girl. She showed her the book quickly before tucking it back under her arm. "I shall meet you in front of the school when I—"
Yutaka's eyes went blank, her face paled, and she fell flat out of her desk and onto the floor. As she hit the tile, she heard a strange whistling noise, and the color distorted. She watched as blue and red sparks filled the air. "Oops," she whispered, and tried to sit up. Pain shot through her skull like a blow to the head.
Minami helped the younger girl stand, stabilizing her delicately. "Outside," Minami murmured.
"Outside," Yutaka confirmed weakly. They exited the class together, the teacher simply watching with a creased brow.
As they awkwardly walked down the steps, drifts of conversation in the quickly emptying courtyard met their ears. They stumbled down to the picnic table, its paint a darker red than usual. Minami sat down, Yutaka putting her throbbing head down on her lap.
Comforting thoughts, Yu-chan... Minami sighed inwardly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch you," Minami said softly. "I'll call Izumi-san to pick you up, if you'd like."
"No, I'll be fine," Yutaka replied. She stroked her red hair carefully. "It didn't hurt that much."
The silence between them settled, both used to it. No one made a move to break it, the thin strings of words from others dying down slowly as well. The rustle of grass in the sweeping wind and the laughter of two second years on the school steps was as much comfort Minami could provide at the moment. She felt that silence was best, and nothing else.
"You love Kusakabe-san, don't you?"
Yutaka's closed eyes slid back open slowly. "Is that Takara-sempai?" she asked.
Who is she talking to? Minami thought. It was definetley Miyuki—Minami would recognize the Mistress of Moe's voice anywhere. Though this tone of voice didn't sound exactly friendly. Or, at least not natural.
"I don't know," the second person muttered. "I don't know if I do."
"I apologize. This must be dificult to-"
"No, it's...it's..." the second girl trailed off.
"I have a problem as well. I fear that I am falling into the same situation as you are, though I would be playing Kusakabe-san's part in this. I do not know if who I like likes me back," Miyuki said. "Or at least, not in that way."
Yutaka looked up at her mint-haired friend. "Should we be listening to this?" she asked fearfully. "It seems like we're intruding."
We are, Minami decided in her thoughts. She nodded lightly, and to her despair, she helped Yutaka up. Their calm moment—Minami pondered if she could call it that—was tossed. As they walked away, she caught sight of long orange hair beside peach.
Ayano felt the world swirl beneath her feet. Her hands balled into fists, glaring into Miyuki's twilight eyes. "I don't know," she growled. "I don't know if I do."
Miyuki sighted the sudden tensing in her muscles, wondering if she would see the fabled fury of Ayano Minegishi, told from Misao time and time again... A chill went up her spine. Maybe she had gone too far. Maybe love was a bit too much.
She bowed, as low as she could. "I apologize, this must be difficult to-"
"No, it's...it's..." she cut her sentence off, realizing she couldn't find words.
"I have a problem as well. I fear that I am falling into the same situation as you are, though I would be playing Kusakabe-san's part in this. I do not know if who I like likes me back," Miyuki said, her tone softening. "Or at least, not in that way."
"Aya-chan?" Misao asked as loud as she dared, and both girls looked up at the fanged athlete.
Ayano's face flooded with heat. "We have to go," she told Miyuki quickly, turning on her heel and surpressing irritation down. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Have fun," Miyuki replied sweetly.
I hope I didn't make anything worse. I wish I was brave enough to tell her like Kusakabe-san did...
The coffee shop had a green awning, the image of a mouse stirring a cup of coffee with a spoon in the center of the green cloth. A few orange posters of new flavor arrivals were taped to the glass doors. "This is the place," Ayano said, a half smile on her face.
"Va, looks nice," Misao whispered in reply. She was met with a sharp sting in her throat, but ignored it. This was their first date, if you could even call it that—two girls still in their school uniforms and going to get coffee wasn't exactly a date. It was the first day she had said more than a sentence, and it hurt. A drink would help, and that was exactly what they were getting.
Ayano smiled bigger, worry still in her eyes, though, and brought the gold eyed girl inside. They went past a few tables with black chairs and shiny tops, and booths with creamy mocha colored seats, all the way up to the glass counter with different treats displayed on the shelves. Misao marveled, her stomach growling. She didn't even realize she was hungry until she pawed at the glass for a chocolate muffin and a dribble of drool started down.
"Misa-chan, do you want one?" Ayano offered, taking out some money to give to the man behind the counter.
Misao nodded eagerly.
"Two chocolate muffins, a latte with extra cream and...she'll have..."
Misao stood up and tapped on the picture of an espresso by the register.
"An espresso," Ayano finished. She passed the money over.
"Have a seat and I'll bring it to you when it's done," the man said, then turned his back to them. They settled in a short booth by the window free of smudges. As Misao watched people pass by in their winter coats, Ayano stroked the smooth surface of the table.
How did she do it? She wondered, her brow creasing. Why didn't I see it coming? She seemed so different...different than usual. I guess everyone has an off-beat side; I can relate.
Misao tugged out a napkin and retrieved a pen from her schoolbag, which was nestled at her side. She decided to give her voice a break—without running or walking around, writing something was easier. She slid the napkin to Ayano.
'Something's wrong, Aya-chan! Don't make me tickle it out of ya!'
"It's Takara-san," Ayano replied, pushing her smile away from Misao's note. "Nothing to worry about."
Misao cocked an eyebrow, pulled the napkin back, and underlined 'tickle' two times.
"Fine," Ayano gave in. "She found out about..."
Her tone dropped.
"...us..."
'Oh.'
"Two chocolate chip muffins, latte with cream, and an espresso," the man chirped, distributing the treats to the girls. "Have a nice day."
"Thank you," Ayano said, crumpling the napkin abruptly and shoving it down into her bag.
As soon as he left, Misao pulled out another napkin and scribbled a note down.
'Are you embarrassed about us? Because we're both girls?'
Why is everyone asking me these deep questions today? I'm not ready for this!
"I just don't want to tell everyone—anyone—yet."
Misao took a large bite out of her muffin, then washed it down with a swig of the espresso. The muffin was fluffy and sugary, the chocolate morsels melting upon contact with her tongue. Her eyes met with Ayano's briefly before she dropped them back down to the napkin.
'Would you be embarrassed if I did this?'
She picked up her things and slid over to sit on the same side of the booth.
"No...this feels alright."
That was the word she had been searching for. Alright. With Misao beside her, even if Miyuki was the only one that knew, it would be alright.
There! Uploaded so fast for once! I hope you love this chapter, I really liked writing it. Of course, I could cut off the story right here but...
Honestly, why would I do that?
Review, enjoy, and anticipate as always!