Author's note: And I'm back with Chapter Twenty-one. My apologies if this chapter's quite short. I actually re-wrote this when I got home and it's already late at night. Anyway, this chapter is also one of the most difficult chapters I've written. You'll know why as you read on. Thank you much for taking time in reading this and leaving feedback and reviews. I do appreciate it. Here's Chapter Twenty-one of Tea And Biscuits. Please don't forget to R&R. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Twenty-one
"Let's take a break." Yaya lays herself in bed with her arms spread. Since it's a Saturday and they had no classes, Yaya and Tsubomi spent the whole morning practicing the songs for the surprise farewell party. The party will be tonight at the greenhouse. Yaya chuckles inwardly when she gets reminded of Tamao telling Miyuki a half-version of the truth.
"Hikari-san and Amane-sama wants to give a surprise party for Shizuma-sama at the greenhouse tonight. It's like a farewell party from the current Etoile for the former Etoile kind of thing."
The older student nodded, but looked at Tamao wistfully.
"I understand…but I was hoping to spend the time alone with you. There's so little time left…"
The sadness in Miyuki's eyes pierced through Tamao's heart. Tamao took the older woman's hand and cradled it to her cheek. Yaya also saw this…and felt quite sad for the pain the two blue-haired girls were going through.
"Then we won't stay long, I promise." The younger blue-haired girl said lovingly.
"Yaya-chan, here's your tea." The raven-haired Spican somehow jolts out from her reverie when she heard the pink-haired girl's voice. She sits up and takes the tea cup from Tsubomi and smiles gently. "Thanks."
"The farewell party's tonight already." Tsubomi says with excitement. "I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't be." Yaya looks at her reassuringly. "I'm with you."
"I know that, Yaya-chan." The pink-haired girl slightly leans her head on Yaya's shoulder. "Honestly, I really like the songs Tamao-sama picked for this party."
"Yeah." Yaya hands a biscuit to her pink-haired love.
"I hope Tamao-sama's able to cope." Tsubomi's voice becomes solemn as she said this. Yaya listens as she sips from her tea cup. "I wish everything works out."
"Yeah." The raven-haired girl replies soberly. "We can only hope for the best."
The two of them remain silent for a few moments.
"You know, I've been wondering…." Yaya decides to break the silence. "What do you put in these biscuits and they taste this good?"
"Nothing special." The pink-haired girl replies.
"How come the biscuits smell and taste good?"
"To be honest, it was an accident."
"Accident, huh?" Yaya stares oddly at the rose-haired girl.
"Yeah. Before putting the biscuits in the oven for baking, I accidentally put grated cheddar cheese on them." Tsubomi continues. "My partner in the cooking class didn't notice that, and of course, being the honest girl I am, I told her. We both got surprised when we tasted the biscuits and they tasted really good. Even the teacher liked them, so the teacher asked us what we did to make it taste that good. So, we told them what made it taste good like that. It's because of the cheddar cheese topping."
"I see." Yaya laughs softly in amusement and munches on a biscuit.
"I really felt anxious because I thought I ruined the whole thing." Tsubomi heaves a sigh.
"No, you didn't." Yaya pats the rose-haired girl's head. "Can't you see that I really like it?"
"Nagisa-sama said she also likes it."
"See?" The raven-haired Spican winks an eye. "But of course, I'm an avid fan of these biscuits. They go so well with tea."
"Speaking of tea, I'm almost finished with mine." The pink-haired girl suddenly picks Yaya nose, causing the older girl to glare at her.
"What's with that look, Yaya-chan? Remember, we have to do final practices for all the songs."
Yaya makes a long face. "Already? But we haven't even—?"
"Well, as much as I also want to enjoy slacking off, we have to continue the practices." The rose-haired girl cuts her off.
"Yes, Princess." The noir-haired Spican quickly finished her tea. Her hand reaches out to the bedside table to get the lyric sheets.
"Let's start the final practice with this song." Yaya hands Tsubomi her copy of the lyrics.
"Okay." Tsubomi says as she looks at the printed lyrics. "Are you really sure you want to swap verses with me for this one?"
"Yeah." Yaya winks an eye at the rose-haired girl. "We've already perfected the other songs, but this one I would want to switch places with you."
"I just hope we nail this in time." Tsubomi says with a bit of hesitation.
"Don't worry. We will. Just trust me." Came Yaya's confident response. The younger girl smiles when she sees the confidence in her lover's eyes.
"Let's get this going." Tsubomi stands up and presses the play button on the music player. As the music began to play, the pink-haired girl's golden eyes gaze at Yaya's brown ones.
I know I can do this. I know, because you're with me.
Yaya winks an eye, signaling Tsubomi that the song's about to start. The pink-haired takes a deep breath and starts to sing.
Oh, my love
Now I don't know what to say
You take my breath away
And I am yours
Yaya immediately follows.
Oh, my love
I thought I would never find
Someone to love
With my whole heart and mind
The two of them turn to face each other as they reach the chorus. Yaya and Tsubomi sing in perfect unison.
When I look at you
Here by my side
All my dreams come true
Where love cannot hide
All at once
Where it never dies
Cause I see love
In your eyes
Tsubomi looks up and gently smiles at her raven-haired love. Yaya strokes her pink hair and soon starts to sing the next set of lyrics.
I believe that this love was meant to be
Two hearts beat as one
In our sweet destiny
The rose-haired girl's eyes were closed as she heard Yaya sing those lines. The voice of the dark-haired Spican was crystal clear and consistent. Yaya taps Tsubomi—giving her the go signal for singing the next part.
So here we are
In a moment lost in time
Two reasons that rhyme
In a love for all time
They sing the chorus again in unison. This time, Tsubomi finds herself holding onto the older girl's arm. Yaya smiles and found this really cute. She slightly nuzzles her chin on the younger girl's hair, singing their way towards the bridge.
And how you gave your love to me
Now I see it's real
And now our love will always be
Now I've found you
They sing their way to the chorus for the final time, with the younger woman holding onto Yaya's hand. As the older girl look into Tsubomi's eyes, she could see tears from them; this made Yaya squeeze her hand gently. They continued holding each other's hand towards the end of the song.
Cause I see love
In your eyes
Yaya kisses the younger girl's hair. "See? You did perfect."
Tsubomi blushes inwardly. "Cause you're with me."
"Can't wait to practice the next!" The raven-haired girl winks an eye at the younger woman. Tsubomi lets out a content smile in return. The two of them continue practicing their songs until the early afternoon.
"What's wrong?" A certain redhead asks her silver-haired love.
"Oh, it's nothing."
"You seem out of it, Shizuma-sama." Nagisa sits down beside the former Etoile and leans her head on her shoulder.
"Well, kind of." The silver-haired woman admits. "I honestly feel I haven't done enough to help my friend. To think that she always looked out for me…"
"I know Miyuki-san will appreciate your effort. More than anything, Tamao-chan is grateful to you." Nagisa attempts to somewhat comfort the older woman.
"I just want Miyuki to be happy…after all that has happened between us."
"I know, Shizuma-sama. That's what I also wish for Tamao-chan." The redhead says in an understanding tone.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens after tonight's party. The silver-haired girl continues to think in silence.
Author's note 2: The lyrics of the song they practiced is a song by Jim Brickman titled In Your Eyes. Given the story's main idea and point, I thought the said song fits the Spican couple well. Although it was Tamao's choice, I made Yaya notice this-which leads me to her asking Tsubomi to swap verses with her. We can all see how Yaya can relate herself to this song, especially the second verse.