"Yuzu, sweetie, come help me with setting up the table." Ume happily called out from the kitchen.
She finally got a weekend off from her work, and being able to spend it with Yuzu was something she had been looking forward to. It was time to shower her baby with some motherly love. She barely got to see Yuzu because of her work schedule, and now it got even more impossible with the recent events.
A week had passed since the fashion show, but the interest on Yuzu has not died down.
One time, when Ume was just about to enter her apartment building, there was a group of young girls huddling up and questioning the receptionist at the lobby.
"We just need to know if this is where she lives..." A young girl with bob cut hairstyle pleaded, showing a picture of a smiling Yuzu, wearing the silk chiffon gown on stage. "Is this were this model lives? Yuzuko-onee?"
Ume stopped just a few feet away, with the mention of Yuzu's name. She turned around and could see the confusion on the receptionist's face, almost like saying 'Why the hell do these girls want to know?'
"Please, sir. We're fans of hers and we want to make sure we get the right address when we send her letters and stuff. We're not crazy or anything!" A girl with brown hair spoke, raising her palm. "We swear!"
"I'm sorry ladies, but I'm not allowed to divulge any information."
"Doesn't that just mean she really does live here?" Another girl piped in nudging the girl beside her. "Otherwise, he'd just outright say no., right?"
Ume left the building before she could hear the receptionist's response, chuckling on the way out. Kids these days, she thought.
Yuzu happily sauntered into the kitchen with her mobile phone in hand, breaking Ume's thoughts. "That smells delicious, Mama!" She said, hugging Ume from the back, giving her a loud kiss on the cheeks. "What's the occasion?"
"What? Do I need a reason for me to feed my baby?" Ume teased, pouting at Yuzu.
"Awww, you know that's not what I mean!" Yuzu hugged Ume tighter, showering her with kisses on the cheeks.
Ume giggled, her laughter filling up the room. How long has it seen she had laughed this much? She wondered. "I give up! I give up!" She gasped, putting her hands up in defeat. "Please set up the table."
Yuzu laughed and nodded, peeling herself away from Ume. She opened the cupboard, taking the ceramic plates and bowls. She was just about to finish setting up the table, when her phone rang. She quickly picked it up and answered.
"Hey, you!" Yuzu greeted with a big smile on her face.
"Yuzucchi, I'va surprise f'you!" Harumin excitedly announced on the other line, eating her words.
"Haha! What?"
"Sorry, I got so excited." Harumin tittered, burying her face on the pillow in embarrassment. "I said," she continued, her voice now muffled, "I have a sur-"
"Babe, are you faceplanting yourself on the pillow?" Yuzu teased Harumin, making her way to the balcony hoping for more privacy. It was kind of hard flirting with your mom in the same room.
"Holy fu-fork!" She yelped, shivering, absolutely forgetting the cold bite of an Autumn morning. She quickly closed the door, locking it for good measure, and ran to her room to continue their conversation.
"Did.. did you just say fork?!" Harumin burst out laughing, sitting back up on her bed. Her heart absolutely melting at how adorably dorky Yuzu was.
Yuzu snorted, her cheeks blushing hard. "Well, I didn't want to say bad words within Mama's earshot." She squatted on her bed, tucking in her cold feet and hugging her pillow for much needed warmth.
"Right, I can imagine the horror in her face if she actually learns you know how to curse, and then some." Harumin joked, remembering all the silly things they did back in London. Cursing, drinking, one-time skinny dipping. (But that's another story for another time.)
"Is that a threat, Miss pillow face? Are you gonna rat me out?"
"I would never!" Harumin gasped, feigning hurt. "That stings, Yuzucchi."
"Hahaha! Okay, that sort of doesn't sound like you." Yuzu relented, "What was it you were saying? Before Mama calls me back for breakfast."
"Oh yes, I said I have a surprise for you!" Harumin gushed, remembering her plan.
"A surprise?"
"Yes, are you free this afternoon?"
"Uhm, I think so? But wait, let me check my calendar real quick." Yuzu quickly navigated through her calendar while putting Harumin on speaker. She glanced at her schedule, and saw that her concall with Robert was at ten in the evening, which would be one in the afternoon in Barcelona, where Robert was currently at.
"Yeah, I'm free in the afternoon until early evening, I just have a concall with Robert at 10pm."
"Hmm, so how's that going?" Harumin played with the pillow tag, flicking it back and forth.
"The deal with Robert and the academy?" Yuzu confirmed, which Harumin hummed in agreement with. "After the board meeting, things have been pretty quiet. Which kind of makes me worry more. With the things he said, and the way he left the meeting, I'm certain Ikaru-san is up to something, and it's definitely not good."
"Then are you sure you'll be alright?" Harumin asked, suddenly feeling a sense of dread. "How.. how is Prez handling it? Is she okay?"
"Pfft, I'm a tough bean, you know." Yuzu chuckled, wanting to ease her worries. "And Mei is doing fine, I think. We haven't really.."
A soft knock on the door stopped her mid sentence, with Ume's head popping in the room. "Yuzu sweetie, food is ready. Who are you talking to?"
"Harumin, Mama." Yuzu answered, not bothering to cover the mouthpiece.
"Hi Harumin, darling! Please visit again. I miss you already!" Ume said excitedly, and quickly popped out.
"Did you hear that?" Yuzu said, giggling. "I swear, sometimes, it feels like she misses you more than she missed me."
"What can I say? I'm irresistable." What followed was a laugh so genuine that Yuzu couldn't help but join in.
"Stop. Laughing." Harumin said in between fits.
"You started it." Yuzu answered back, tears stinging her eyes from too much laughing. "I haven't laughed this hard in a long time."
"It's because I said something ridiculous. But you, are you actually saying I'm not?" Harumin challenged, enjoying their banter.
"Welp! I think Mama is calling me again. I got to go, babe. See you later. Text me. Ktnxbye!" Yuzu said quickly not waiting for a reply, careful not to dig herself into a grave. She would not dare want to know the other side of Harumin. She might have that crazy samurai blood in her body, like her older sister, Mitsuko.
The thought put a shiver down Yuzu's spine. But then, imagining Harumin in a Kimono sent a different shiver for the blonde.
After an hour of going through almost every outfit in her dresser, Yuzu settled for a casual yellow loose-knit sweater. The color accenting her green eyes, making it even more captivating. She put on her high waist pants, and combat boots.
She gave a once-over on her full length mirror, thankful that her bruise was now just a pale yellow color on her skin, still visible but the sweater was helping camouflage it.
She grabbed her phone by the bed, the time reading at two in the afternoon. She should probably on her way now. Her brow furrowed at the screen. No text messages from Harumin, as well on any of her SNS. She opened her email, just to check if maybe she went a bit old school and sent an email. But there wasn't any as well.
Huh. How unsual.
Harumin wasn't the type to forget messaging her. She was the first person that would greet her in the morning, and the last one to say goodnight. Even when they were in London, Harumin used pop her head in her room to wake her up.
She remembered that one time when she had brought over her date, but forgot to lock her door. After that, Harumin resolved to giving her a wake-up call instead.
She hit call button below Harumin's number as she was exiting her room, expecting to hear Harumin's voice on the other line. She didn't expect to hear Harumin's ringtone of IU's BBIBBI filling up their apartment.
Is this a coincidence? Is Mama into kpop too?
No. This could only be from Harumin's phone, her girlfriend having been obsessed with kpop idols recently. The blonde was even forced to watch Hotel Del Luna just a couple of nights ago, while they were on voice call. While watching it, Yuzu could not deny the draw IU had on Harumin. She had quite a sassy character, and her outfit were just Harumin's type.
She scoffed, I'm way prettier than IU.
A part of her still not believing it, Yuzu sprinted towards the sound, just as IU sang the Yellow C-A-R-D line. There she saw in their kitchen, Harumin sharing a joke while kneading a batch of dough and her mom laughing with her, busy putting the other cut dough on the baking pans.
"Uhm, Hi?" Yuzu greeted, terribly confused. She kind of felt like she walked in on something she shouldn't have.
"Oh hey, baby." Ume greeted back, carrying the finished pans in the oven.
"Hey," Harumin said, and mouthed "baby" when Ume turned her back on them.
Yuzu's cheeks suddenly felt so hot, her eyes wide with shock. "W-What time did you get here?" She said, trying to regain composure. What was she? A teenager? Getting so worked up with just a word. But if this was flirting game, she was definitely losing.
"Hmm, about an hour ago. I came early." Harumin answered softly, staring at her, her kneading hands slowing down, and for some reason, it all felt so.. sexy.
Yuzu just stood there, mouth slightly ajar, her brain malfunctioning.
"I think we're all set up." Ume announced in earnest, patting Harumin's back, proud of their accomplishment. "It was exciting learning to make these scones. I thought it would be so much harder!" She added, wiping the excess flour on her apron.
"This is the last batch you can use, Ume-obasan." Harumin handed the dough, "Just remember that the trick is on the softened butter, and making sure to not knead the dough too much to keep its texture soft and fluffy."
"Aww, you are such a sweetheart! You will make a perfect wife." Ume beamed, squeezing Harumin's hands.
Harumin grinned, her smile from ear to ear as she shifted her gaze to Yuzu. She lifted her brows, as if saying "Did you hear that?"
Yuzu nodded her head, biting her lip to stop herself from giggling. "Ready to go?"
"Oh be careful on your way out. Some girls have been hanging around the area, trying to find out where you live." Ume said, remembering something. She grabbed two hats she purchased before by the coffee table, handing it to the both of them. "Here, this may help you shake them off."
"I'm bored." Nene slumped, resting her head on the table. She had been at Matsuri's apartment for less than twenty minutes and she was already bored.
"Wanna go to the arcade after I finish this game review?" Matsuri shouted from her room, her fingers furiously typing the necessary changes for the game they were trying to launch before New Year. The game was supposed to be the first ever augmented reality version of the classic game Cloak and Daggers. Acquiring the license of the game was a big feat in of itself.
They were already at the testing phase, identifying bugs and errors, and ensuring that the game mechanics were adhering to the original game. Over a hundred testers were tapped that needed to sign an non-disclosure agreement. The game was just too big and too intricate for it to be just leaked away.
This was her biggest project, and she had been putting her all in this one.
"Hnnnnnnn" was Nene's only reply.
Matsuri knew that sound. She quickly typed up the last few bits she needed to add, and hit send. She took her phone and dialed her assistant, "Have the team check the items I listed. I need the revisions done by end of the week. Thanks." She hung up the phone, and bounced her way towards Nene.
"Want to go find Yuzu-onee?" Matsuri asked, poking Nene's shoulders.
Nene's head shot up with the mention of Yuzu's name. She nodded her head quickly, extremely excited with the prospect of seeing one half of her OTP.
"Sweetie, you're.." Matsuri pointed at her chin, teasing Nene that she was drooling from excitement.
Nene rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what the pink haired girl meant. "Oh shut up. You love it anyway."
Himeko paced back and forth in Mei's living room, her finger absently curling her already curled hair.
"Could you please stop pacing? You're giving me a headache." Mei said, interrupting Himeko's thoughts.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" She asked, stopping in front Mei, her expression somber. Gone was the usually high strung drilled-haired girl. Perhaps motherhood had given her a more subdued approach on things.
"Of course." Mei answered simply.
"Does your father know?" Himeko sat down beside Mei, mixed emotions swirling inside her.
"I'll tell him when he comes back from his business trip."
"And Udagawa-san?"
Mei could only sigh at the question. She stood up and went to the window, like she always would if things were too messed up and she needed to de-clutter her mind. Watching the world unfold in front of her helped her think.
She knew this was what she wanted. She knew it in her heart. But this decision was not without consequences. Was she really ready to face them? Especially now that the board was ready to pounce on any weakness that she will show?
"Alright!" Himeko piped up after a few minutes, when Mei still kept silent. "No use pressuring you to answer. Why don't we go out? Nothing a little retail therapy could not fix."
Mei groaned at the mention of shopping, Himeko knowing full well she was never the type to splurge on unnecessary items.
"We should really work on your verbal cues, Meimei." Himeko said, grabbing her hand, determined to get her way. She knew her bestfriend had the tendency to hole herself up and shut away the world. And she was not going to let that happen.
"Let's go!" Himeko announced excitedly.
"This is your surprise?!" Yuzu squeeled, holding a handmade coupon by Harumin. They were at standing in the middle of busy streets of Ginza, Tokyo's most popular shopping district, littered with shops and department stores showcasing notable and off-beat brands.
'Shop 'til you Drop' it said on the coupon with its big bold letters and glitters, and Yuzu was hooked like a moth to a flame, until she read the tiny tiny note at the bottom.
'This treat is only valid today, and can only be activated with a kiss.'
"Oh my God, that's so cheeky!" Yuzu laughed after reading the condition. She looked around, and when no one was minding them, she tipped her cap back, leaning in for a quick kiss on the cheeks.
"Whaaa. Just the cheeks?" Harumin pouted, disappointed at not getting another public kiss. She sure was getting addicted to it.
"Well you didn't really specify where!" Yuzu giggled pointing at the tiny note. "Come on, it says here the treat is now activated."
She linked her arm around a grumbling Harumin, feeling like it was high school all over again. They went from shop to shop, looking for the best finds. Despite the fact that they can practically buy anything they wanted, they still chose to hound for sales and freebies.
Nothing beats the adrenaline of getting amazing finds at a discounted price.
"Does it fit?" Yuzu asked through the curtain, holding 3 other pair of outfits she wanted Harumin to try on. Even though Harumin kept on insisting that she did not want anything from her, the blonde just couldn't let it be.
She heard Harumin mumble and grunt so she stuck her head in, wanting to see how the leather tights would look on her.
Harumin just about zipped up the one piece leather suit, stopping above her cleavage, her eyes staring directly at Yuzu's reflection on the mirror. But the blonde didn't notice her staring at all, her eyes staying glued on Harumin's leather clad backside. She moved her hips to the side slowly, the leather creaking seductively with her every movement, begging to be touched.
A sharp intake of breath was the only thing Yuzu could muster, her mouth parting involuntarily. Her throat suddenly felt so dry, so much so that swallowing felt like a herculean task.
In a swift movement, Harumin grabbed Yuzu's collar, pulling her inside the cubicle. She pinned the blonde on the wall, closing in with a hungry kiss. Her lips sought out the blonde's with urgency, completely forgetting that they were in a public place.
Harumin pressed her body forward, feeling the curves of Yuzu's on hers. She felt her body heat up, and it didn't help she was clad in a form fitting leather. Or maybe.. It did.
She teased her tongue, grazing Yuzu's soft lips. The taste of the blonde's raspberry chapstick further fueling her desire to just do it, right there and then.
Yuzu complied easily, opening her lips to meet Harumin's deep kiss. She leaned her head back, pushing her chest forward, giving the plum haired girl more access. And girl, did that do the trick. Harumin wedged her knee between Yuzu's thighs, her hands hiking up the yellow sweater. She could feel the leather squeaking with her every movement, making it more strangely erotic.
She made a quick mental note to buy that leather outfit. Whatever it cost.
Yuzu whimpered at the contact, her whole body felt like it was in flames. And she was melting into Harumin. She raised her arms, encircling them around Harumin's shoulders, pulling her in.
"Excuse me, Miss," A soft voice said behind the curtain. "Is everything okay?"
Yuzu and Harumin stood still, their eyes growing wide in shock, suddenly remembering where they were. Cold shivers ran down their spine, extinguishing all the heat they had exuded.
"Uhm, y-yeah." Harumin finally answered, her head falling on Yuzu's injured shoulder, trying to stop herself from giggling. The movement catching Yuzu by surprise she almost yelped in pain.
"Be out in a minute."
"Mhmkayyy. Coz' you've been there for quite a while. Just let me know if you need anything." The saleslady perked up, happy that there wasn't any issue she needed to dip her hands on. Probably just had trouble with the fitting, she thought. She trotted on her way, stopping when another customer flagged for her attention.
"Suriiii, do you really know where we're going?" Nene groaned, her steps slowing down. The click of her heels getting heavier with each step. They had been walking for awhile now, passing by shop after shop. It would have been better if they actually stopped and shopped, but they just went in and then came out a few seconds later. "Not even window shopping." She whispered, pouting at how their afternoon turned out. "And no HaruYuzu"
"Come on, it's only been an hour." Matsuri laughed, extending her arm out to grab Nene's hand. "Just think of it as an extended cardio workout"
"But I've already had plenty of cardio last night!" She bit her lip, the answer leaving her lips without much thought, remembering the night before. How the sheets ruffled in rhythm, or how the air turned heavy. Her breathing became ragged, fingers gripping Matsuri's tightly.
Matsuri could no longer resist, quickly pulling her in. Their faces so close to each other, Nene's warm breath brushing her skin. If only time would stop on moments like this, she thought.
But reality has a way of reminding you that happiness was relative. She could feel the unkind glances going their way, whispers of most likely malicious opinions of two adult women being extra cozy in public.
Matsuri's eyes lingered for a second longer, gazing directly at Nene's innocent eyes. She was never one to mind societal norms, but Nene had a reputation to take care of, being a public figure. She took a step back, tilting her head, a forced smile plastered on her lips. "Come on, just a bit more." she said, turning her back and walking ahead.
"You're walking too fast!" Nene shouted behind her, oblivious of those around her.
Yuzu was hunched by the chair, their shopping bags haphazardly strewn by the floor. She was totally plastered from shopping the afternoon away. She stretched her legs, curling her toes giving her muscles instant relief.
I'm getting too old for this.
She gasped at the unwanted thought popping in her mind. She shook her head vigorously, her hand waving in front of her, shooing the thought away. Her blonde hair loosened from her cap, with some strands tumbling down.
"Ahhh!" Nene shouted, running quickly towards the blonde. "You're really here!"
"Nene?" Yuzu's brow creased. She turned her head around, checking if anyone else saw her. "How did you know we're here?"
"We? Is Harumi-san here too?" Nene's eyes lit up, like she won a lottery.
"For a someone who walks so slow, you ran pretty quick." Matsuri snickered, finally catching up to Nene.
"Matsuri? You too? What are you guys doing here?" Yuzu asked, confused.
"Oh you know, Nene needed her dose of sunshine." Matsuri shrugged as she sat down, placing her chin on her palm. "I see you've been out here shopping. Any dressing room action we should know about?"
"And I see you're up to no good again." Harumin side from behind them, carrying a tray of desserts she had bought at a sweet shop nearby. She placed the tray at Yuzu's, standing beside the blonde.
"Harumi-san!" Nene jumped to her feet, greeting Harumin with a hug. "I missed you and Yuzu-onee!"
"Uhm, how exactly did you find us?" Yuzu could no longer resist asking.
Nene grinned, shaking her head. "I can't tell you that. It's a secret."
Harumin raised her hand, ruffling Nene's hair. "Oh god, you're sounding more like Matsuri."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Matsuri whined, hurt at Harumin's inference.
Yuzu burst out laughing, her arm subconsciously wrapping around Harumin's waist, pulling her close.
"Did you plan this?" Mei asked from a distance, her eyes leaving the group to rest on Himeko's. Seeing Yuzu laughing freely pricked her heart. She remembered the time Matsuri asked Yuzu out for shopping back in high school. Would Yuzu look for her like she did before?
"Why don't we go and say hi?" Himeko held her hand in front, pointing at Yuzu and the rest.
Mei looked back, just as Harumin draped her arm around Yuzu's shoulder. She clenched her teeth to stop herself from causing a scene. The prickle became a dagger, slowly piercing her heart.
"Let's go." Mei turned back, walking quickly towards the exit. Her mind made up on what she needed to do.
Notes:
OMG, I hope you guys are all doing OKAYYYY. ╥﹏╥
It had been a crazy few weeks. I'm starting my 4th week in quarantine alone, and being away from people you love is tough. Thank god for technology, we can reach out to them any second. That said, please be safe guys. Stay at home, if you can.
I hope that this virus will soon be over. (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و
It took me a while to finish this chapter. It's longer than my usual, so I hope it okay. And thanks to Sappho's deadline, it helped light a fire under my ass. LOL.
Let me know what you guys think of this chapter. I pray all of you are safe and with enough provision.
Also, shameless plugging. Do check out my art account on IG - artbyja (you can tell, im so creative with screenames. LMAO)
Lots and lots of love from me. ( ˘ ³˘)
