Author's Note: Hey guys! This is a bit of a revision. And here's a bit of info. Red poppies symbolizes true love. And a warning. There's something in here that almost leads one thing to another but, well, didn't. Hope you enjoy this chappie and thanks for the reviews!
Picture 21: Keep Apologizing To Me
"Tell me that we belong together, dress it up with the trappings of love." - Edwin McCain
"Are you excited baby?" Chikane wondered, sitting on the edge of the bed as Himeko threw her eighth outfit into the bed with her dodging every minute. It was now 1:00 pm and unfortunately, Himeko's plane ride was scheduled to be 3:00 pm with Chikane at 6:00 pm. Again, the private jets were not available because they were used for the important people who were with Yasuo in London, England. Bad timing, really. Chikane was already in faded jeans and in a beaded print tank top, with Himeko still in her house wear but had already taken a bath. Chikane had already took at least one-fourth of her luggage with her for the temporary stay in her hometown with Himeko only carrying one outfit in her sling bag. But, she was still deciding on what to wear.
"Yes! But, ah! Nervous!" The female photographer held up a ninth outfit, but crinkled her nose and discarded that one too. This time and with lightning-fast reflexes, the tennis player caught it with one hand and placed it on the bed gently. Chikane then stood up and hugged her sweetheart from behind, her pale arms around her waist as if protecting her from any danger. Himeko smiled softly and leaned onto her. Turning her head sideways, she gave the graceful woman a peck on the lips, and then started to find another outfit.
"So when exactly is the interview when you arrive there?"
Himeko glanced at the clock. "As soon as I get there, I guess."
"So what's this manga magazine called?"
"Uhm..." Himeko pulled a tenth outfit out and presented it to Chikane, who was still hugging her from behind. "What do you think of this?"
Letting go much to their dismay, the tennis player suggested, "Try those jeans," Pointing to the True Religion jeans her love was holding. "With that shirt." Chikane pointed to a shirt on the bed.
"This one?" After she had gone towards the bed, reaching and holding up a black long sleeve shirt with a hood.
"Yes." Himeko nodded, satisfied, and went into the bathroom to change. "What did you ask again Chikane-chan?" The cute woman called out a few minutes later.
"The magazine. What's it called?"
"Oh uhm...Mako-chan told me a while ago on the phone with the location and the other stuff again." Yes, Makoto told her again on the phone in case she would have forgotten. "Let me think...World-something? Oh, oh, Manga World. That's it." Himeko grunted and Chikane heard something crash. The tennis player quickly went to the bathroom door, her face in pure concern.
"Are you ok in there baby?"
"Yeah, I tripped over my jeans. Ow..."
Chikane chuckled. "So who's the mangaka again? Please let me recall."
"Uhm...that girl. You know, the one who makes those manga..." Himeko attempted to explain.
"Right, right. The girl. The one who makes manga. I am good friends with that girl."
"You are?"
The tennis player chuckled again. "No, baby. In fact, I have no idea what you are talking about."
The photographer joined with her own laughter. "Sorry Chikane-chan! I'm talking about the woman the one that also makes angst-y romances."
"Morinaga Miruku?"
"No, the other themed mangaka."
"Oh, why yes, the woman who made 'Our Life, Our Death'." Chikane too had read some of her works.
"Yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah, her! What's her name again?" If Makoto was there, she'd gape at her on why would she forgot her favorite mangaka. Maybe it was because she was too distracted right now.
"Oota. Something Oota."
"Reiko-san! Oota Reiko-san." Himeko cried triumphantly as she emerged from the bathroom.
"Correct." She teased a bit. Chikane then gave a surprise kiss for Himeko, who didn't knew she was there until now. Smiling during the kiss, Himeko happily returned the caress. "You look great." She noted, whispering, looking her up and down.
"Thank you Chikane-chan." Going to her bedroom drawer, Chikane leaned on the wall, looking at her lovingly as always. She then brushed her golden hair. "I'll just be brushing my hair."
"Ok, I'll then I'll take you to the airport. Your flight for Kobe is in 3:00 pm, and you have two hours left, but I'll be with you until your departure." Then it hit Himeko.
"Say Chikane-chan, how did you know that the job is in Kobe?"
The tennis player smiled secretly. "I talked with Oogami-san yesterday while you and Saotome-san were talking."
"Where is this going to happen Oogami-san?" Chikane said, still looking at her sweetheart.
"In Kobe, Japan."
The tennis player nodded, smiling with Souma noticing this. Breaking their silence between them, Souma continued, "You really love her don't you?"
Silence, then Chikane's smile grew wider. She realized something. It hit her like a ton of bricks. She was in love with the photographer.
"Yes."
"Oh I see. Ow!" Himeko exclaimed, breaking her from her thoughts. Chikane's head quickly turned to her.
"What happened?"
"I poked myself in the eye with the brush. Ow..."
Chikane laughed. "Aww..." She then went towards her and kissed her hurt eye. The photographer smiled at that, which made the tennis player smile even more. Peering down at Himeko, her lips brushed on the photographer's, teasing her a bit. Quickly, Chikane pulled back.
"You're such a tease." Himeko whispered, accusing her playfully as her right hand holding the back of Chikane's head while the other cupped her face, pulling her back for a real kiss. Tongues battled after Chikane embraced her tightly. Grinning, Himeko pulled back from her embrace and kiss, leaving Chikane wanting more. The tennis player was shocked but in a beat, smiled softly.
"Oh, so that's your revenge." The graceful woman said huskily yet playfully, her tone echoing in the cute woman's head. Himeko silently gulped as Chikane approached her. She froze as her pale arms went around her lithe waist, her lips again attacking hers. Her amethyst eyes widened but then instantly closed, returning it back with the same intensity. Chikane pulled her closer than ever before. In turn, Himeko twined her arms around her neck until they were pressed against each other so tightly there was no room between them.
In the midst of their ardent kissing, Chikane started to move Himeko backwards until she was sitting on the bed. Without realizing what she was doing, Himeko leaned back against the covers and the clothes that had landed there and let the tennis player's mouth work its way to her neck.
Chikane gently played with the bottom of her jeans and put her pale hands underneath it, holding her around the waist with no obstructions. The warmth seeped through Himeko's body as she arched at the touch. Chikane's fingers then lifted the hem of her black shirt, letting her hands slip upward, feeling her fit abdomen. Chikane's mouth continued to nip her neck with her tongue enjoying the taste of Himeko.
"Chikane-chan..." Himeko mumbled against Chikane's mouth, her hands cupping her pale cheeks, making the kiss more passionate, deepening. While their tongues were in a hot dance, she unconsciously fumbled with the buttons of her faded jeans, releasing two buttons out of two, the zipper not yet down. Her hands then slipped down, only to find an obstruction and then up.
"Hm?" The tennis player murmured as Himeko's rather shy hands lifted the hem of her own top, letting the photographer explore her own body a bit. Both of their brains were foggy with kisses and each other. Reaching the snap of her True Religion jeans, Chikane fumbled through the buttons, opening only one of the two but with the zipper already down. She opened another button on Himeko's shirt, her right hand touching her exposed chest. Her lips then trailed down to where her hand was located and had found out that her Himeko had a birthmark in a shape of the sun. Going back up again, she gave the photographer another full-blown kiss.
Then both remembered where their hands were and that Himeko was going to leave soon, with Chikane escorting her to the airport. Their hands then quickly pried away from the other. Hooded rare eyes greeted each other and both cleared their throats, becoming more aware of the surroundings.
"Baby, I'm sorry." Chikane said, breaking the silence while looking away.
Himeko giggled nervously. "I'm sorry too Chikane-chan. I think we both lost ourselves and got carried away."
The tennis player then straightened her tank top and buttoned back her jeans-with Himeko blushing hard because she was the cause of it-and the photographer buttoned and zipped up her jeans again while straightening her own shirt as well. Silence came again. Her pale hands then gripped her creamy waist, now kneeling on the bed in front of Himeko, who was kneeling as well.
"So you want to get going Himeko?" She gave her hips a little squeeze before releasing her and standing up, she reached out for her hand.
"Yes." Taking her hand, she too stood up, her head leaning on Chikane's chest and hugging her. Himeko peered up at her and gave Chikane a peck on her jawline, who smiled. "Let's go."
And then Chikane's cell phone rang. She glared at the cell phone on the nightstand grudgingly and then looked at Himeko, her features softening. Both sighing inwardly, Himeko nodded before Chikane went towards it. With a flip, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello Miss Himemiya. It's me, Mark. I'm just here to inform you that you're kind of needed here in our headquarters right now in Tokyo. Today. But it's alright tomorrow since you're in Kyoto..." He trailed off.
"No, no. I'm here in Tokyo, but..." She sighed, a bit irritated at why people call her at the most important of times. Yes, Himeko was the most important person to her. "Am I really needed?"
Noting the the tone, Mark frowned a bit. He was a bit worried but still...
"Unfortunately Miss Himemiya, you're really needed." He said sincerely.
She sighed again and looked at Himeko. "Very well. I'll be there after I bring Himeko to the airport. Good bye Mark-han."
"Thank you for understanding Miss Himemiya. Good bye."
With a click, she walked towards Himeko and cupped her face. "Himeko...I'm needed again, today."
Himeko smiled softly but was a bit disappointed. "It's alright Chikane-chan."
"But I told them that I still need to bring you to the airport." Chikane said with all sincerity she could muster.
Giving a peck on her forehead, she said, "I understand Chikane-chan, don't worry."
"Are you sure?"
Himeko nodded. "Yes I'm sure."
"I promise that I'll make it up to you. And about the bet..." With that, the two smiled. "Yes, I believe you lost since you have kissed me first."
Chikane chuckled. "Yes, I believe so. Baby, when I come back you're going to use it whenever alright?" The photographer nodded again. The tennis player kissed her lips as a sign of an apology.
"Well then let's go. I'll also call Saotome-san and Oogami-san to keep company for you." With that, she dialed the phone when Himeko went to the living room, checking things.
She spoke, "Saotome Makoto, of the Tokyo area."
There was another reason on why she called though. Another surprise.
Kobe, Japan 1:30 pm
Oota Reiko was leaning her own head on her own hand as she looked at the pop star leaning on the balcony rail, looking at the city. With her other hand absent-mindedly drawing doodles, she closed her ruby eyes.
Why am I stuck with her? Her mind echoed again and again. She groaned for the nth time now. And again, of all people, why she had to be stuck with her.
"Hey, Reiko-chan..." Korona whined. "Do we really have to be in this hotel room all day?"
One eye opened, she gave a stone-cold glare at Korona, who was unaffected by it. The pop star was used to it already ever since they met, like, two years ago.
"Reiko-chan..." The pop star whined again, approaching her. Her green eyes averted towards Oota Reiko, who was looking really bored as well.
"What? And do you have to use the chan reference on me?" The mangaka said, her voice a bit stern.
She sighed and then frowned. Korona couldn't take it anymore. The pop star needed to calm down the mangaka. And some play time.
With that, she smirked, plotting. She then approached the red-headed woman.
Her hand went on her shoulder. The sudden contact made the mangaka unconsciously shiver. Ok Reiko, you're now out of your mind. It's just a freaking touch for crying out loud.
"Are you mad at me?" Korona whispered resting her chin on her other shoulder, pouting quite a bit.
"Wha..." Reiko thought for a bit, shocked at the pop star's words. She must be planning something. I know it.
And then Korona repeated her question, feeling that Reiko. Her Reiko did not hear her question.
"Reiko-chan… Are you mad at me?"
But this time it was seductive.
Sweat trickled down her face as she looked down at the wooden floor, keeping the last drop of her cold composure. Her eyes finding the floor interesting rather than the plotting pop star.
"What made you say that Korona-san?" Reiko replied, after coughing a bit just to try to compose herself again, but it was no use. She had never felt like this before and then she knew that she was blushing. And hard.
Korona smiled secretly, approaching her boldly. She twirled around the chair where the mangaka was sitting and pulled her towards her. Reiko was now standing up, flabbergasted, trying to put this in her artistic head. In a second, Korona encircled her arms around the mangaka's waist. Her ruby eyes showed shock as the pop star leaned into her, her lips dangerously close to hers, yet inching their way to her own. Without thinking, she closed her eyes as well. Apparently, no matter how much she had denied it, she liked the contact between her and Korona.
But the kiss never came. She quickly opened her eyes, only to see Korona, smiling like a cat.
"I see. I'm glad." Korona whispered after what seemed like forever. She then backed away.
Angered about being played like that, Reiko tightened her fist, with her eyes torn and betrayed. That left Korona scared and worried for her. I think I crossed the line.
"Reiko-chan...I-"
"Don't you ever do that again. And don't ever talk to me." For once in a long time, Reiko growled dangerously in anger.
Feeling like crying now, Korona gathered courage. "Reiko-chan...I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
Reiko waved it off wrathfully and walked towards the door leading to the hotel hallways. She opened it grudgingly before she went out, and closed the door so strongly that Korona swore that the door shook. Flabbergasted at what had happened, she blankly sat on the bed, a few tears fell down to her cheeks because of what she had done to hurt the mangaka. She covered her face with both of her hands, also hurt from her own and Reiko's doings.
Gods...I've got to go apologize to her. The pop star then stood up, grabbed her jacket, and went to find her crush.
Tokyo, Japan 2:25 pm
Makoto looked around the airport nervously with Souma and Himeko in a clueless state on why her girlfriend was like that. The freelance photographer was leaving in five minutes and there was still no sign of the tennis player, Chikane.
The graceful woman had surprised the athlete with her phone call a while ago, explaining what had occurred between her, the bloody meeting, and Himeko, and her need to make it up to the photographer. All she needed from her was to keep this a secret, to keep Himeko from boarding the plane until she had come, and the telling of the plan she had made. Her plan was to surprise Himeko at the airport with a bouquet of red poppies and another apology. Makoto, knowing Himeko as well as Chikane did, knew that her best friend would absolutely melt, so she happily conceded.
But now, with Himeko getting ready to hand in her plane ticket, and Chikane nowhere in sight, the athlete was now not so confident in the tennis player.
"Come on..." Chikane sat patiently, but it was slowly diminishing. Besides being stopped at every single light, she was now stuck in a traffic. "This is going nowhere..." Now deciding on what to do, she gave money to the taxi driver more than the taxi meter have indicated. She then opened the door-with the driver advising her to stay inside-and quickly ran through the narrow passage ways with people looking on at her, unbelieving to see the famous tennis player in the flesh. She was now nearing the airport because of her fast pace and stamina.
Grumbling a bit, she looked at the bouquet in her right hand. I hope this works...
Himeko could not for the life of her figure why her best friend was prolonging her stay in the airport. Even Souma was as oblivious as her. The photographer was going to miss her flight. Sighing, Himeko let her mind wandered to her love. Still a bit disappointed on why people would call Chikane so untimely, she had gone back and forth on calling the tennis player since she thought that she's still on the middle of the meeting, but finally chose to call her. Unfortunately and surprisingly, nobody answered in her cell phone, leaving her with an automated voice that she could not be reached. She hung up, a bit worried.
"Himeko." Souma put a hand on her right shoulder. "You're going to have to board the plane now." The freelance photographer nodded and took her idle sling bag from the ground, beside her feet.
"Ok, bye Souma-kun." After a friendly hug from him, Himeko went to give Makoto a hug, when she noticed her best friend's gaze wandered over her head while smiling happily. The cute woman followed her gaze and turned. Then and there, she saw a breathless Chikane jogging-unbelievably still as graceful-into the airport, still looking beautiful with her chicory eyes looking back and forth frantically before it had finally targeted her. Chikane gave her a full smile-the smile which always made Himeko's heart beat faster and her cheeks redder-and began to walk towards her. People stopped to look at the famous tennis player and then at the photographer. Whispers then began around the airport.
"Excuse me." The ticket lady spoke up politely. "Your flight is leaving in three minutes." Himeko looked at her then bowed, asking her to wait a bit more, and went up to Chikane, meeting her halfway.
"Chikane-chan. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the meeting right now?" Her tone showing bliss and curiosity.
The flowers still at her behind, she lessened the distance between them. "I kind of slip off...I miss you."
Himeko giggled slightly at the reply. Chikane continued, "I'm also here to say that I'm sorry again."
Now presenting the bouquet of flowers to her sweetheart, Himeko felt like crying. "So I'm also here to see you off alright? I promise that I'll be back here as soon as possible."
"Two more minutes."
"Chikane-chan...I have to go now, though." She motioned toward the gate. "Thank you Chikane-chan for coming to say bye to me." She reached for the flowers, but pulled her pale hand back to her surprise.
"Himeko, wait." Chikane pleaded. The look of surprise never left her face. "Listen, baby." She dropped the flowers and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend. The tennis player didn't care anymore as all people were now interested at this free show. "If I could take back the conversation between me, Mark-han, and my father so that I could be with you, I would in a heartbeat."
"I love you Himeko, don't ever forget that." Himeko felt weak in the knees when she had heard that again from Chikane. She crouched down and picked up the slightly smashed bouquet of red poppies between the two of women. "Forgive me?" She begged, giving the photographer her famous pout. Himeko grinned at her and nodded. "Of course Chikane-chan." Overjoyed, Chikane hugged her again.
The ticket lady, the Japanese people around them, Makoto, and Souma all looked up in total surprise, just in time to see Chikane giving her another passionate kiss on the lips. Forgetting that they were in a very public place, her lilac eyes closed, kissing her back. All gasped and quite a few resisted to clap or go 'Aww...' at them. After a beat and after a noise came from a person, Himeko pulled away and blushed like fire due to the audience that had witnessed that.
Replying at the second to the last words of Chikane, she said, "I love you too Chikane-chan. And you don't need to keep apologize to me because I understand already even if you don't have a reason." Himeko smiled, hiding her red face on the crook of her pale neck, afraid to see the audience. The photographer was really flattered and happy that her girlfriend was so thoughtful and so sincere to her.
"Yes, but still..." Her arms around her waist. A finger pressed against her lips, and silenced Chikane. And there was no more talking.
Kobe, Japan 2:30 pm
After searching frantically for the mangaka, Korona had found her on the nearby beach, sitting on the sand, obviously in deep thinking. Slowly yet surely, the pop star approached her from behind and sat beside her. Reiko made no move whatsoever except the fact that she was ignoring her.
"Reiko-chan." Deciding that she should break the tension.
"I'm sorry for my sudden outburst." Oota Reiko said, but no emotion came from her face.
Korona was taken aback by this. She was ashamed that she was the cause of this yet Reiko was apologizing. "No! Don't say sorry, it's my fault Reiko-chan! Not yours." She exclaimed.
She did not reply. Korona continued, "Reiko-chan...I'm so, so sorry for that. I shouldn't have done that kind of action." She then leaned on her shoulder. Reiko stiffened at the sudden contact.
"Forgive me?" She begged, pouting genuinely now.
Reiko thought for a while until she slightly nodded. "Ok."
Korona smiled, happy now that she was forgiven by her crush. So happy that she had given a friendly kiss on the mangaka's right cheek. It had lingered more than expected though. After a few seconds, Korona pulled away with Reiko shell-shocked. The pop star then stood up, reaching for the mangaka's hand.
With a smile she quoted, "Come on Reiko-chan, let's go take a walk. I'll treat you."
Reiko could only nod as she reached her hand while her other cupping her right cheek, still feeling the kiss.