Overwhelming reviews are overwhelming ;_; I love you, everyone. I don't really know how much of is too much info, but I've been asked through reviews/private messages if I was writing from experience.
Yes and no? I mean, I wish lived such a romantic tale, which is why I dreamt up this! XD
But for the realism part…they're a mash-up of things that happened to me/people I know. I've had experience with people accepting completely, with difficulty, or not accepting at all my preferences. I've had lovers caring too much about what others thought or being so scared of the 'gay' label they never let anything more blossom between us. I've heard (thankfully not lived) horror stories about coming out. So I tried to arrange everything so that it still fits with the characters and culminates with how I want the story to unfold and
(And for the last chapter…I know when you sleep with someone, it doesn't go magically and smoothly, you discuss things as you move along, and you bear/confront fears and insecurities. Especially if you're with someone you love. Anyways, that's how it happens with me!)
Hope this answers those who questioned me and those of you who wondered but didn't ask. :3
I think you can expect 8 to 10 days between each following chapter as I'm wrapping this up, I'm pretty much done planning what's left to tell with fic. :3 Ah!, also, I made an effort to correct the general layout of things, as I've read I might be making too much wall of texts XD;
"…Lily…" Miki poked her cheek repeatedly and the blond swatted her sleepily. "….ne…" The redhead tried again, edging closer. As she got absolutely no reaction, she climbed on top of her. "Ne, Lily!" She called, an inch away from her face.
Lily opened her eyes.
Her mind had yet to come around. She didn't understand why she would be woken up by Miki and she didn't recognize her surroundings. "…wha…" She shook her head in a small but brisk movement.
"…wake up, I'm hungry." Miki pouted childishly.
The older woman stared at her for another second before the events came flooding back. She suddenly wondered if she made the right decision in spending the night with the girl…scratch that, the young woman lying on top of her. She might have just completely destroyed every chance at a normal relationship with Miki. She was too conscious that any of her immediate or future actions, and any of her immediate or future words might hurt her enough to lose her even as a friend. Then, she thought of Meiko. Lily closed her eyes again, trying to zen her mind.
The redhead pulled on her cheeks, stretching her face into a weird shape. "Are you awake?"
She took her hands in hers as she made her release her cheeks and opened her eyes once more. Lily decided not to berate herself too much. What was done was done, and for now, Miki seemed fine. "Yeah, I'm awake." She yawned.
Miki beamed, sitting up on her stomach in a fast move. "Good, I have to get ready for school soon and I'm starving!" She declared as she started to get out of bed. Lily caught her hand before she could stand and she looked back at her quizzically. The question mark shaped lock protruding out of her red hair fit perfectly with her expression. "What?"
Lily's eyes ran along her slim body again. Very swiftly, her brain entirely turned away from the guilt. "I'm also hungry." Lily grinned as she pulled her back into her arms.
Miki giggled, letting the other woman turn her on her back. "Then let's get something to eat, silly!" She didn't seem to realize she was trapped under her body in a very intimate position.
"I already have something to eat, love." Lily purred, running one hand on Miki's lower stomach.
"…" As understanding dawned on her, Miki bit her lower lip, grinning in an uncharacteristically dirty manner.
"That's what I like to see." The blond chuckled, starting to trail kisses from her neck as she lowered herself down her body.
She watched her slowly kiss her way to her stomach, continuing down, locks of blond hair tickling her along the way. "I'll be late for school…" The redhead protested weakly, parting her legs.
Lily laughed louder. "Do you really care, right now?" She bit the inside of her thigh playfully.
Miki twitched. "Ah~!" Her eyes met the other woman's, who was waiting for an answer, sucking on her skin. "No…I really don't care…go on…" She whispered, reaching to caress her hair.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Miku opened her eyes and met teal orbs.
"Good morning." Luka whispered, smiling faintly. The room was very clear and her features seemed to glow with the way the light kissed her skin. Her head was slightly buried in the fluffy pillow, hiding part of her face and with the playful gleam in her eyes, it made her look both coy and mischievous. Miku thought that paired with the carefree smile she offered her and the way her light pink hair was completely messed up, it made the most charming picture she had ever seen. She reached out for her with both hands, and Luka complied to her unspoken request, wrapping both arms around her and bringing their bodies together. Miku sighed contently and closed her eyes again.
Then, it slowly came back to her that after such a wonderful night, dawn had brought with it painful reality. She had cried herself to sleep into Luka's arms. Miku felt compelled to pull her into a tender kiss. She felt the other woman's arms tighten around her waist, and Miku realized that even though the pain had been overwhelming before she fell asleep, she was now at peace. She regretted absolutely nothing, and she felt ready to take on every trial they'd have to overcome. When she pulled back and opened her eyes, she met again with the beautiful teal she loved so much. "What time is it?" She very quietly asked.
Luka's smile grew. "…almost noon." She answered sweetly.
Miku pulled back an inch, her eyes a bit wide. "I had school today…"
The pink haired woman raised her eyebrows. "…Would you rather I had woken you and sent you off?"
She only considered a short second. "No. I'd much rather be here with you." Miku crawled on top of her, yearning to again feel Luka's very soft and oh-so-warm body closer. Her lips went to her neck and she breathed in deeply as she kissed her skin. Luka's intoxicating scent was starting to wake something else within her, making her skin warmer and her mind cloudy. She buried her face in the pink hair.
"Don't do that…" Luka chuckled as she unconvincingly tried to push her off. Miku entwined her fingers with hers, pushed her hands to each side of her, and held her down to the bed. Luka laughed a little louder. "Really, Miku, don't…it has to be unpleasant, I sweat a lot last night…"
"I know, but you still smell so good…" Miku cooed, breathing against her neck.
She relaxed, both from being reassured and from enjoying her lover's attentions. "Do I?" Luka exhaled.
"mmm~ yeess…It's like I'm under a spell." Miku sucked on her skin to make a love bite on her neck. Luka moaned softly, arching her back to press her body into the younger woman's. Miku released her skin but continued kissing, going down to her chest. "I could do this all day." She whispered, gripping her hands tighter and pushing her deeper into the mattress.
It made Luka laugh again and she decided to offer some resistance. "I'll eventually have to wash myself, you know? Sooner rather than later." She said, half-heartedly fighting back. Miku gently biting at her breasts felt too good to actually get her off.
"Then…I want to bathe together with you." She purred, moving up to kiss her, and Luka responded to it in a leisurely but ardent manner. Miku slowly pulled back, keeping their lips brushing together.
She smiled fondly, her eyes still closed. "What a wonderful idea."
"Let's do that, then." The young woman shifted her weight to sit on her stomach before she released her hands. "But first…" Miku cupped her cheeks. "… …make love to me again."
Luka met her gaze, somewhat surprised. "...I wouldn't have expected you to be such… a physical person." She casually said, reaching out for her waist, feeling her hips.
"What does that mean?" Miku frowned slightly, her hands moving from her cheeks down her neck to rest on her shoulders.
Luka trailed her fingers on Miku's stomach. "It means…I'm surprised that you would want to do it again as soon as you woke up… I had no idea you had such a libido." She whispered, drawing with her index an invisible heart below her bellybutton.
Miku blinked. "I had no idea either. Is it a problem?"
"Far from it." She murmured, her lips curling into a suggestive smile. "I'm pleasantly surprised to find you desire me as much as I do you." Her hand moved back to her hip and slowly, she brought both hands down to her rear.
It made Miku raise herself slightly on her knees to allow the other woman to touch her as she wanted. "…and…how much do you desire me…?" She questioned in a whisper, her fingers moving slowly from her shoulders, caressing her skin as she went down between her breasts.
Luka slowly sat up, forcing Miku to shrink back and sit on her lap instead of her stomach. "…If we could, I would be making love to you all day and all night…" Her hands on her ass compelled her to stay very close to her.
"…So…" Miku readjusted herself, settling in a way neither of them would have to make any unnecessary effort. "…you've wanted me as soon as you woke up?" She quietly asked, wrapping both hands around her shoulders.
The pink haired woman closed in, kissing her neck in restrained hunger. "Yes…but I didn't want to disturb your sleep." She confirmed, brushing her lips against her skin.
Miku tightened her grip. "You waited…? You're so considerate…"
Luka stopped her kissing, the meaning behind what Miku said dawning on her. "You would have woken me up?" She pulled back an inch or two to look at her.
She blinked. "…Yeah. I think I would…" She very honestly answered. "Sorry."
"…" Luka chuckled softly. "…It's fine. You can wake me up for that, I don't mind."
The younger woman's expression turned slightly mischievous. "Be careful what you say." She playfully warned.
She laughed again, this time a little louder. "I really don't mind…" She stated as she pulled her closer again. She moved her hands on her rear and Miku stood on her knees once more to let her touch freely. As their position put her torso at Luka's level, her lips went to it. She inhaled deeply the scent of her skin and her hands ran slowly on her body, exploring. Luka took time to feel every part of her again, slowly massaging as she did so. "You are…absolutely perfect. I can't believe you're mine." She whispered, her lips following her collarbone, down to her breasts.
Miku moaned when she felt her mouth on the tip of her breast, holding her head carefully against her. "That's my line."
She was about to counter her, but decided against it. "…Let's not start a fight over this." Luka just answered before she resumed sucking gently on her.
Miku nodded. Her breath started getting heavier and she pressed her body closer. She felt Luka's chest squeeze against her stomach, and her soft pink hair tickled her skin every time the other woman moved her head. Luka's delicate hands massaged her in slow caresses, and her tongue rubbed as she sucked on her. The young woman found herself surprised as she realized she wasn't embarrassed in the least. She closed her eyes.
"It already feels so natural…" She breathed in a whisper, resting her cheek on the top of her lover's head. "…being together with you like this…"
Luka released her breast and kept her lips against her skin, kissing slowly as she made her way to her other breast. "It does…" She quietly agreed before she started sucking again, her hands now kneading once more her ass and thighs.
Miku leaned forward slightly, letting her lover support her weight; she felt her legs starting to give in. It took but a few moments for Luka to gently lower them back in a lying position, Miku under her. She licked and sucked until Miku's skin became damp from her body's rising temperature. She then climbed up to meet her lips and smiled. "I'll make you experience something new." She whispered, rising back up in a sitting position.
"What?" Miku blinked, dazed from the caresses she had just received. Luka simply moved herself, lifting one of Miku's legs so she could settle between them. "..what are you doing…?" She observed curiously, letting her guide her into position. Her lover kneeled over her with their legs entwined. She then lowered herself into a comfortable position before she pressed herself against her and started rocking her hips, pushing her very hot center to hers. Miku's breath caught in her throat and she instinctively started moving against her. It felt somewhat as it had when Luka brought her mouth there, but instead of the suction and her tongue playing around, there was a nice pressure, and rubbing felt incredibly good as their wetness let the flesh slide without resistance.
Before she knew it, her damp skin became completely soaked; sweat pearled down her whole body. Both of them breathed heavily, gasping and moaning from time to time. Luka moved her hands to Miku's hips, forcing her even closer to grind harder. She bent over her and Miku pushed herself up into a half-sitting position with great effort, her arms weak from the pleasure. They kissed heatedly. Luka released her hip to bring a hand to her cheek. "…I'm almost th-there." Miku whispered between kisses and heavy breaths, her lips still against the other woman's.
"Hold on t-to me." Luka answered with as much difficulty, wrapping both arms around her and laying her back on the bed. Miku's legs were parted to their limit and she would have found this position to be awkward and humiliating at any other point, but right now she really couldn't find it in her to care. It allowed her to hold her lover as they brought themselves over the edge together. She clutched her desperately, thrusting her hips into her until her body froze, all her muscles rigid. Her eyes rolled back, she exhaled deeply, moaning, and then she relaxed completely. She could still feel Luka grind against her and as soon as she could move again, she started up once more, wanting her to climax too.
Miku watched her blissful expression as she was utterly lost in pleasure. She hadn't been able to see it on the two other occasions she had…the first time she had her face pressed in her chest, and the second she had gone down on her which effectively blocked her vision. She found it was her most favorite expression of Luka's as of yet and it took everything in her to refrain from kissing her. She wanted to see if she'd love even more her expression as she fumbled over her limit.
Miku reached to caress Luka's cheek. The pink haired woman turned her head slightly to kiss her palm between hard breaths. "…I love you." Miku whispered as she traced her lips with her thumb. As if this was the push she needed to be driven over the edge, Luka suddenly stopped every movement, her body quivering. Her mouth was slightly agape and her eyes, half-opened, were gleaming. Her expression was euphoric, and Miku decided that this was now her favorite look. It was a few seconds before Luka collapsed on top of her. They slowly moved into a more comfortable position and Miku brought both arms around her waist. They stayed silent, running their fingers gently across their slowly drying skin until both their breathing was back to normal.
"Now, we can go bathe." Miku stated casually.
Luka laughed, turning to her. "You're incredible…" She kissed her cheek and Miku grinned. The young woman snuggled up to her, and Luka gently massaged her back as she held her closer. It took another moment for them to be able to move away from each other; Miku was the first to sit up. She tried to comb her teal hair with her fingers, but it really was too chaotic for her to be able to make it look normal. Luka chuckled again. "Come on…" The tall woman slipped out of bed and stretched.
Miku stopped moving. Luka's lean yet curvy body made for a perfect silhouette. Of course by now Miku knew her body, as she had seen, touched and experienced it, but to see her standing a few feet away was still something else. To see her whole body head to toe as she moved weightlessly highlighted her perfection. Moreover, Luka's smooth skin seemed to glow again as she stretched in the soft light the window let in, filtered by the see-through white curtains. Her messy bed hair was adorable and her bright teal eyes stood out more than ever. She smiled at Miku. The young woman thought she was falling in love all over again.
"Are you coming?" Luka spoke with a very soft and very light voice.
Miku nodded, still staggered, and clumsily got out of bed. Luka took her hand and led her to the bathroom.
After having washed themselves, Luka dutifully helping Miku wash her heavy load of hair and Miku making a few obsessive comments about being able to use Luka's shampoo and skincare products, they both settled in the bathtub. Miku sat between the other woman's legs, and leaned against her. She felt Luka's arms snake around her waist pulling her closer and revelled in the light breaths brushing against the back of her neck as she snuggled with her.
"…Luka…?" She closed her eyes, letting the other woman cuddle her.
"What is it, darling?" She sighed contently, a relaxed smile on her lips.
Miku opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling. She entwined her fingers with Luka's, staying silent a short moment. "…I…don't want to hide." She finally whispered.
Luka slowly loosened her grip on her as she straightened herself. "…" She stared at Miku's back, waiting for her to continue.
"I…I know right now we'll have to. I know I'll have to at least…t-tell my parents before we really make it public." The young woman murmured. "But I…just wanted to let you know. I hate that we'll have to be careful and hide…" She turned slightly to be able to look at her. "It'll hurt so much to pretend we…we're nothing." She felt her throat tighten slightly.
Seeing the sad look in the younger woman's eyes pulled at her heart, but she was done rebuking herself for getting involved with Miku. She knew Miku wasn't suffering because of her, but because of the circumstances. Moreover, they both were way better off together than apart. "…Can you tell your friends?" She quietly asked, observing her features as she tried to find some solace for her.
Miku clamped her lips tighter for a second as she thought it through. "Most of my closest friends will be fine, I think…others I don't know. I think I might lose…some." She sighed.
It was unfair, but it was to be expected. "…I'm sorry." Luka offered.
"Don't be." She turned around completely to be able to hold her too. "We're not wrong, they are." She locked her eyes to the other woman's turquoise orbs.
"I know." She nodded, holding her gaze. "…How do you think your parents will take it?" She inquired further.
Miku looked down and tightened her grip on her shoulders. "…I don't know."
She slowly brought a hand to her chin, having her raise her head back up to restore eye contact. "Do you want me to be there?"
"Please, if you would." She immediately implored. Her tense look then relaxed into a smile. "…my parents will both immediately understand why I'm in love with you when they meet you."
Luka smiled back. "…you're exaggerating…"
Miku pouted. "…Well, I'm sure they'll at least be able to see we're meant to be."
"If you say so." She kept smiling.
Miku edged closer to hug her. She rested her head on her shoulder, letting a comfortable silence instill itself between them. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the other woman's slow breathing, absentmindedly matching her own to it. With their slick skin together and the warm water surrounding them, it almost felt as if they had melted into one body. It distractedly made her wonder if their hearts also were beating in synch. Only after a long moment did she open her mouth again. "Luka…are you ready for your fans to know? You always did hide that you…you prefer women."
"I'm ready for the world to know I love you." She answered simply, her arms still safely around her.
Miku opened her eyes, her head still on her shoulder. She stared at the love bite she made on Luka's neck earlier that morning. "Then…Let's tell the whole truth." She said before she kissed the painless bruise. "I want this song to be true. I want our words to be real, and I want… I want everyone to understand."
Luka nodded. "I agree… I think if we just tell our story as it is, with everything we have experienced…it might break through." She thought out loud. She tried to meet the young woman's gaze, but it proved a little hard with the way her head rested against her shoulder. "We'll have to re-write a lot of the lyrics though."
"I don't care, it'll be easy." Miku declared, raising her head back up to look at her.
"Yet so hard at the same time." Luka sighed, smiling.
She frowned lightly. "What do you mean…? All we have to do is explain our feelings."
"Exactly…" Luka shook her head. "I don't know how we'll be able to explain how powerful this attraction is…how in the end, we could only surrender to it. Honestly, how can we explain it in but a few lines?" She trailed her fingers on her cheek, then traced her jaw with her index. "It is so beyond us…it feels like a greater force, a…law of nature is driving us together. I can almost feel an inescapable…physical force pulling me to you." She whispered, moving closer to seal the distance between them. "You…pull me in like a magnet."
"…" Miku rested her forehead against hers, pushing her body into hers. "…Then we'll just say it like that." She breathed, closing her eyes. "I like the way you've said it."
Luka observed her peaceful features. "You pull me in like a magnet?" She whispered again, eyes half-closed and her lips lightly brushing against the younger woman's.
Miku nodded very faintly. "A magnet…" She pressed her lips to hers tenderly. "I think it's the best way to put it."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"HOLY SHI-" Miku slammed the door closed as soon as she opened it. "Get dressed!" She shouted at them from outside Miki's room.
It only took a few seconds before Lily came out of Miki's room wearing the clothes she had on yesterday. "...'mornin Miku." She smiled sheepishly.
Miku slammed the door again so Miki wouldn't hear them. "What! What?" She couldn't even begin to phrase a real question. She just couldn't believe the blond was just… moreover she couldn't believe Miki had been ready for any sexual activity. The redhead was so childish, naïve and unaware…a little more than a week ago she didn't even understand she was feeling attraction, let alone love. How could she have been ready? How could Lily have taken her innocence like that? And it wasn't even morning anymore, it was afternoon! "WHY?" Miku finally exploded, a little louder than she would have liked.
Lily made a face; her pinky went to her ear to clear it, as if Miku's outburst had disturbed her hearing. "…what do you mean, why?… …it just turned out that way." She sighed.
Miku suddenly wanted to strangle her. "She's a kid!" She hissed, both hands in the air in disbelief.
"She's not!" Lily snarled back immediately. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but her icy blue eyes pierced into Miku like daggers. "She might act like a big baby at times, but she's sixteen for christ's sake!" She exhaled again to vent her anger. "….Believe me, she was more than ready!"
"…I didn't need to know that." Miku answered quietly, astounded by the other woman's genuine irritation. It was the second time Miku saw the blond truly upset. The first had been when Rin had made a scene a few days ago. Things very rarely seemed to get to her, and though it shook Miku to see her so affected, she was slightly relieved to see Lily wasn't brushing her actions off as unimportant.
However…Miku still couldn't believe what had happened; she thought the blond should have been responsible enough to know what consequences her actions could entail. "…Lily, you're more mature than that!" She tried to get her point across. "How could you?"
She slapped her hand to her own forehead, groaning. "I'm not like Luka, Miku! I don't have self-control like she does, and I have no fucking clue how she deals with…" She couldn't seem to find the words to explain and made a few incoherent gestures. "…how she deals with you!" She sounded somewhat exasperated. "Yesterday, Miki…she asked me for this. I didn't know what to do, and honestly Miki…she's…to me…" She trailed off. She truly was unable to explain her feelings clearly and was scared she might say something she'd regret. She shook her head. "…Look, let me figure it out, ok? I didn't just decide I wanted to do her without caring what happened after. I…I really, really care for Miki, and I really don't want to… I won't hurt her. I won't. Ok? So don't worry."
Miku still looked apprehensive. "What about Meiko-san?"
Lily opened her mouth, then closed it again. "…Let me figure it out." She grumbled.
The young woman made a sour face. "…What a mess."
There was a short silence in which they just stared at each other. Lily's uneasy look turned into a perplexed one. She inspected her features, then looked her up and down. "…Say…you spent the night at Luka's place, didn't you?" She closed in slightly.
Miku blinked, very confused about the abrupt shift. "…I did, I… I fainted." She suddenly felt very awkward.
"Luka told me." Lily simply threw back, nodding. She was still scrutinizing her in a very uncomfortable, quite bizarre way. Ultimately, she narrowed her eyes, smirking cheekily. "…You had sex with her."
Miku's eyes widened. "Wh-what-how…?"
Lily landed one hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "I'm glad! You were both killing yourselves holding back!" She cheered.
"…W-we didn't have sex, we made love." Miku huffed in a very defensive manner.
"Oh yeah, I hear it's not the same." Lily sighed, but the same stupid grin was plastered on her face.
Miku wanted to ask how she had guessed, but at this point, Miki opened her room's door. She stared at her roommate, looking slightly embarrassed. "…Hi Miku."
Miku's gaze shifted to the redhead. Her skin was still flushed and she looked like she had been sweating. "…" She really could not look at her the same, now that she knew what she knew…and especially now that she had seen what she had seen.
Miki looked uncomfortable and she fidgeted slightly, looking anywhere but at the other young woman. "…"
Lily understood she was the third wheel, and she should let the two best friends sort everything out. "….I'll leave you girls to talk." She quickly excused herself. A few moments later, the two young women heard the front door open and close; they were left alone. They stared at each other as the awkwardness continued to permeate their silence.
Miku opened her mouth first. They had to break this silence sooner or later. "So… you…and Lily…?"
Miki shrugged, fiddling with her fingers clumsily. "I…yeah…but I always thought you'd do 'it' first."
"…" She coughed. "…seems it was at the same time." She mumbled.
The redhead's eyes went round and she looked up at her. "You mean, you and Luka-nee-san…?"
Miku nodded.
"Oh yay! I'm so happy for you!" Miki excitedly jumped in her arms. "You deserved a happy ending!"
Miku hugged her back… but instantly was very perturbed that the fresh fruity scent that usually stuck to Miki was smothered with a very distinctive honey one. It also reminded her what Miki had been doing just a few minutes ago. She awkwardly peeled her friend off of her. "…I can smell Lily on you…it's…sorry, it's a bit disturbing." She explained with embarrassment. "Shower before you hug me again…"
She made an o-shaped mouth and released her. "Sorry, I will."
After another very long and very awkward silence, Miku opened her mouth again. "I never thought both of us would… fall for women and…be with them." She simply stated, a little incredulous.
Her eyes widened slightly in realization, and her expression turned grave. "…Miku, I think we might be the same person." Miki looked very serious.
"…Don't even try to explain that." She warned. "I'll pretend I never heard it."
"…" Miki pursed her lips. "I'll go shower!" She declared suddenly and trotted to the bathroom.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
They stared at each other, both of them very serious. Being best friends, it was a non-spoken agreement that they should relate to each other significant events and important experiences when they occurred…but neither of them knew how or where to start. Miki picked up a cookie and dipped it in her tea, her roommate having prepared everything while she showered.
Miku watched her nibble at it and sighed. "…Did you tell Lily you love her?" She decided to start with an essential question.
"Un." Miki nodded, chewing on the caramel cookie.
She waited for her to continue. After Miki had swallowed her bite and there was no follow-up, Miku inquired further. "…What did she say?"
Miki shrugged. "In the end…nothing." She simply answered.
Miku could only frown. "…So how did you end up…?"
"Oh." The redhead munched down her last bite. "She asked if there was anything she could do and then I told her that I wanted to sleep together." She explained as if it was the most casual occurrence.
"…" There was another long pause, in which Miki didn't explain things further. "…So she just did?" Miku ended up asking.
"Basically." She nodded, going for another cookie.
Well, it did match what Lily had said earlier. Miku's eyes dropped to the cup she held with both hands. She slowly made it rotate, pensive. "So, are you an item…?" Miku knew with the way Lily had explained herself that they weren't, but she really needed to make sure her best friend knew where she stood.
Miki's nonchalance dissipated somewhat. "… …I don't think so." She carefully answered.
She exhaled silently, a little relieved to know Miki hadn't blinded herself to the situation. But her mood had changed enough to speak of itself. "It bothers you?" She quietly stated, more as a fact than a question.
She nodded. "A bit but…I didn't think she'd even consider me, so I'm happy to have at least gotten that." Miki very honestly replied, forgetting the sweet in her hand. "…I guess all I can do is just…wait and see what happens next." She concluded.
"You're strong… me…with Luka…when it comes to Luka…" She couldn't even imagine how she would feel if Luka had offered her body without her heart to go along with it…or worse, if Luka had another lover. Miku knew she would have either gone mad or turned into a very ugly person. "…I know I really need her to be mine. Completely mine. I couldn't deal with any other situation." She whispered, somewhat amazed that just thinking of this type of scenario could stir up such negative feelings within her.
Miki blinked. "Is she? Yours?"
She nodded, relaxing again.
After a short silence and a blank stare, Miki leaned towards her. "Are you the man?" She curiously asked.
Miku almost dropped her cup of tea. "W-what..?"
"The way you talked, I thought it sounded kind of…I don't know, possessive? Men are usually more like that than women, so I thought you might be the man in the couple." The redhead explained, watching her closely.
She immediately put her cup down and waved her hands in front of her frantically. "No, nooo!" Miku exclaimed. "…I…she…I-I really don't think we have man-woman roles…it's just…" She awkwardly tried to explain. "…"
"But when you did it, who was on top?" Miki bluntly questioned.
"…" Miku thought it through a short moment. She remembered very well the feeling and decided that for Miki, she could try and explain even if it meant she'd bear personal details. "See…Luka mostly was. But we…did switch. And I mean, she's…so…" She paused another instant to find the right words. "Luka is very tender and kind. Even when she was on top, I really didn't feel like she was dominant…and when I get on top of her, I didn't feel I was either…it's… …it's hard to describe…" She trailed off.
Deep red eyes stared at her very interestedly. "Can you still try?"
Miku's gaze dropped as she pondered on how to phrase this. "…I think the best way to put it is that…neither of us truly has control. I don't feel like there's a power struggle. We trust each other and we…completely entrust ourselves to each other…and we both care the best we can for the other. Does it make sense?" She awkwardly raised her eyes back to meet her best friend's, who nodded at her and motioned for her to continue. "I really can't say we have any type of…dominant-submissive or man-woman rapport, or even either of us being in charge." As she finished her explanation, she remembered how she held Luka down on the bed. "I mean, of course we play around too…a-and I might be a bit…insistent or…or aggressive sometimes…but when we get serious, it's really…mutual care. Do you understand…?"
"I think I do." Miki nodded. "It seems nice." She smiled and apparently remembered the cookie in her hand. She gobbled it down. "Lily is stronger than me, she's the one in control." She then declared without a hint of shame.
The teal haired young woman couldn't help a light blush. "I…would have guessed that." She coughed. "I don't think…anyone…I mean, even if she were with a man, I think Lily would still be dominant."
Miki nodded and her mood gradually seemed to break again. "…Do you think with Meiko-nee-san…?"
Miku instantly remembered when she had deliberately walked in on them; Lily was indeed on top at that moment. But she thought it wasn't data she should share with her friend. "…You shouldn't be thinking of them together…" She quietly advised.
"…" Her features were very even, grim and upset.
Miku couldn't recall having seen anything of that sort on the redhead. It troubled her and she quickly searched to change her train of thought. "How was…it?" She awkwardly asked, trying to shift her friend's ideas.
Miki lit up almost immediately. "Lily was nice most of the time, and she really made sure I was comfortable and that I was okay. But she teased me a lot." She pursed her lips cutely and observed Miku a short moment. "Luka-nee-san was probably much nicer with you. Was she?"
Miku's body remembered her touch and her lips before she could stop herself, and she let out a shuddering sigh. "Luka was…perfect." She confirmed, her voice a little too dreamy. "Gentle, attentive and…kind…really careful and passionate." Miku folded her arms tightly as if hugging herself. "…I miss her already." She mumbled.
Miki smiled. "I don't mind if she sleeps over sometimes."
"…" Miku blushed again. She had a little trouble imagining making love to Luka with her best friend in the next room.
"Are you noisy?" Said best friend asked much too casually.
"…I don't know." Miku breathed, uncomfortable. She couldn't recall how loud she had been, and though she had been very concentrated on any sound Luka made, she really couldn't measure if they were loud enough to bother someone next door.
Her friend smiled innocently. "We'll see I guess."
Miku cringed. "I don't want you to hear us!"
Miki blinked. "I don't mind."
Her whole face was burning and Miku knew she was a dark shade of red. "…But I do!"
The redhead shrugged. "But I'd probably be sleeping anyways."
Very apprehensive, Miku reach for her tea cup again. "…still. Now I'll be uncomfortable…"
"You don't have to be." Miki retorted insouciantly.
"It's not like I can help it." She sighed.
Some knocking on the front door disturbed their conversation, and they looked at each other. They both balled their right hand in a fist, shook said fist slowly and bringing it down the third time, released a hand symbol.
Miki had scissors. Miku had paper.
Miku stood and went to the door. Opening it, she was a bit surprised to see Gumi.
Her green eyes stared back with the same surprise. "…Both of you missed school and none of you answered our messages, so I just came by to check if you were alright." The short haired girl explained, a little unsure as she looked her up and down. "But you look fine."
"…W-we're…fine. It's just…we both had circumstances…" She clumsily explained as she motioned for her friend to come in.
Gumi removed her shoes and joined them in the kitchen, saluting the redhead as she sat. Miku poured their guest some tea and sat back down with them. She and Miki couldn't continue their conversation with Gumi having joined them, and Miku racked her brain to try and find an excuse for both of them having missed school.
"…What happened?" The short haired girl asked curiously.
Before she knew it, she blurted a believable lie. "…Lily drank so much we thought she poisoned herself with alcohol so we brought her to the emergency." Miku mentally apologized to the blond.
Gumi nodded slowly, seemingly evaluating the veracity of the story. "I see." She uttered, doubt evident in her voice. She recalled when she came in, Miku had said they both had circumstances, which meant they were separate circumstances. She observed the older one of the two roommates and decided she only believed the story if Miki was the only one having brought her there. There was a pretty dead giveaway about Miku's behavior pointing toward something else. Her vivid green eyes were fixated on the teal ones. "…and as for you, something happened with Megurine-san?" She quietly added.
Miku whitened. "E-eh?"
"…You're suddenly cheerful again." She explained casually. "…livelier than I've ever seen you, in fact. Since what had been plaguing you was your relationship with her…I can only attribute your return to your normal self to this."
"…" The teal haired young woman suddenly found herself very stupid. Of course Gumi would notice her current positive mood after the breakdown Miku had the last time the short haired girl was over. "Yeah. I…we…" She exhaled nervously and looked up at her friend. "Luka and I…we're lovers now."
There was a long silence in which Gumi's expression didn't change. "Are you sure she loves you?"
Miku nodded. "…I'm absolutely certain."
"…Because you know…with her looks, she could have any man…I don't want you to get hurt if she's just playing with you." She explained, having quite a lot of trouble understanding things went so smoothly in a situation where everything could have went and could still go wrong.
"She's not just playing with me." Miku confirmed again.
Gumi still looked hesitant. "…Even if she's not, are you sure she's committed? I mean, it won't be easy for you two to be together…maybe she was seduced by the idea as you worked together, but when you'll have to stop being together, after this single is done…she might go for the easy road…"
She sighed. "Gumi…listen. Luka…she's…she's actually the one who fought me off because among other things, she was scared of this…but on my part. Because…on her part, she…doesn't…she can't pick the easy road. And she really tried hard to spare me the trouble. She pushed me away more than once." Miku finally explained.
Her green eyes were quite wide. "Are you saying…?"
"…mmyeah." Miku acquiesced again, slowly. "She's…that way. "
They stared at each other, and Gumi really didn't seem ready to believe her.
"What does that mean?" The redhead interrupted.
The short haired girl glanced at her. "…That she…likes women, Miki-chan." She offered very quietly, incredulous.
Miki blinked. "Who doesn't?"
Miku coughed. "…Luka only…-loves- women, Miki."
She made the cute o-shaped mouth she did every time she suddenly understood important information. "Luka-nee-san is a lesbian?"
Her roommate winced. "…y-yeah. She is." She really didn't like that word, she had heard it much too often in a pejorative way and it still rang badly in her ears. She really preferred the way Luka had phrased it when she came out to her. 'Gay' sounded fine to Miku.
"Do you think she looked at the other girls in the locker room? I think I would have, if I'd been her." Miki commented rather randomly.
Miku held in her breath, wondering again why Miki thought of these things. Why was this her first reaction? Did Lily really rub off on her that much? "…It's not like her to take advantage of the situation, so I don't think she would've stared." Miku still presented her best friend with the only answer she could come up with, knowing Luka.
Miki nodded enthusiastically and reached for her third cookie. Another awkward silence instilled itself as Miku and Gumi stared at each other. The redhead happily gobbled down the sweets.
Gumi lifted her cup of tea and brought it close to her mouth, but didn't drink, apparently still disturbed. She immediately set it back down, gawking at Miku. "But Megurine-san, she's so…feminine!" She finally blurted, still unbelieving.
Miku blinked. "…And?"
Gumi opened her mouth, but closed it again. She scratched her head, thinking. "…"
"…" Miku waited for her to explain.
She sighed softly, shaking her head as she threw her hands in the air in a small, hopeless motion. It looked like she had given up. "Honestly, I know it's a stereotype. But it's just…I would have expected to learn something like that about…for example, a woman who dresses in armor and has short hair…like Meiko-san." She stated frankly. "Megurine-san is so much more womanly than…all of us combined. She'd be the least likely candidate one would point as… …well…homosexual." There was a very small, ambiguous smile on her features.
Miku smiled back slightly. "…I kinda get what you mean. I was surprised too." She simply answered. "That's why people really shouldn't judge a book by its cover." Though as Gumi had guessed, Meiko actually had some tendencies. But Miku thought she really shouldn't tell Gumi this, especially when the older woman had made such an effort to keep her relationship with Lily a secret. And Miku thought she also should let the short haired girl get comfortable with the idea of her with Luka before she said anything about Lily's preferences or what happened with Miki. All this at once would be too overwhelming to someone who was just starting to accept homosexual behavior.
"I guess, sorry." Gumi shook her head, getting over the shock. "So…" She cleared her voice. "…you said you were lovers…? I think you phrased it in quite an interesting way. Does that mean…?"
Miku was mortified (and a bit indignant). She never expected Gumi to ask.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"It's done. With your approval, we would like to move on to recording." Luka said as she rested a re-writable CD and a partition on their manager's desk. Both of items were titled 'Magnet'.
The little man looked ecstatic. "Let's see!" He inserted the CD in his laptop and as the music started, he picked up the sheets to follow where the lyrics would be. He attentively read what they would be saying. His expression changed multiple times along the symphony as he read the partition; concentration, excitation, he seemed touched, then pained, then he was teary eyed. Luka looked over at the younger woman, and Miku smiled at her, confident.
The last notes of the demo rang in the room and he stayed motionless, taking it all in. Then he carefully rested the partition back on his desk. "Wonderful! Brilliant!" He exclaimed suddenly. "I'm so glad I left it up to you, I don't think it could have turned any better than this. It will be a massive hit if you can make believe it's for real!"
"…I believe it won't be a problem." Luka smiled. "Miku and I grew quite…close along the way. We're definitely comfortable enough with each other to do whatever it takes for our fans to believe 'us'." Her smile grew, a little veiled. Miku had to concentrate in order to not snort or cackle, she couldn't believe Luka was implying so much so freely.
His features twisted into a Cheshire cat smile. "Very well, we'll be taking advantage of that for the upcoming photo shoot." The bald man thought he had cornered them.
Miku knew then that he would have her pose with Luka in a very suggestive manner. Against what he probably expected out of her, Miku was very thrilled. She would be able to be physically close to Luka in public, and everyone would find it normal. "How much will we be taking advantage of it?" She questioned curiously, careful not to let on how excited she was.
"We'll see on set how truly comfortable you are!" He laughed.
Luka was still smiling, and Miku bit her lower lip slightly. She wondered when would be best to let him and the rest of the staff know that this wasn't a game anymore. She wondered if they should let them understand during the photo shoot. Miku knew Watanabe would try and get her to kiss Luka. After all, he seemed very excited about their upcoming promotional shots…and he had always tried to have her kiss Kaito when he had her play along with the blue haired man. Miku had always categorically refused to kiss Kaito, so she wondered what kind of reaction they'd get when she'd very willingly kiss Luka…and how these pictures would be received by the public.
"Have you decided on the costumes?" He moved on jovially.
Miku seemed to wake up and shuffled through some papers she had in a folder they had prepared. "We liked this one a lot." She said as she pulled a sheet with simple, elegant black dresses. "It fits with the dramatic-romantic tone of the song." She handed it to him and he nodded approvingly. Miku then pulled another sheet with sketches. "We'd like to add butterfly wings to the headphones. Luka's in teal, mine in pink."
He observed the rough sketches and frowned, scrutinizing and trying to envision it. "Cute." He commented. "It's reminiscent of these necklaces you've both been wearing."
"It's…an important symbol for us." Luka quietly explained as she reached for Miku's hand. The young woman gave a fleeting but very tender glance as she squeezed her hand softly.
He laughed loudly. "Such complicity! Even I almost believe you two!"
Both of them looked at each other again, unable to say anything.
-continued in ch.12