My Princess – Ch. 21
Paring: Kotori x Umi
Rating: K
Notes: Request by Guest KI
xXx
"It's not like you to be this quiet Honoka. Did something happen?" Umi was worried the other had ate something bad earlier which resulted in the said person not touching her dessert. This was Honoka after all. The usual ginger would never let dessert go to waste, especially if it didn't come out of her pocket. "Are you upset that I said you'll get fat?"
Umi wished she had just kept her mouth shut. As soon as those words left her mouth Honoka was on the verge of tears. Frantic, Umi searched for her handkerchief when her friend let out a sob. "I'm sorry! I was just-"
"We had…a big fight…" Honoka managed to speak in between her sobbing. "She gotta hate me now."
Umi felt her body go rigid on her couch when the other suddenly buried her face into her chest. It wasn't everyday she saw Honoka cry. If anything, she would rather take Honoka's pain for herself than let the ginger suffer. Ironically, she too was feeling pain, but Umi was sure hers was for a different reason.
"It'll be fine." Umi gently patted Honoka's back.
"How can you be sure?" Honoka looked up with snot running from her nose. As much as Umi wanted to scold Honoka for smearing it all onto her shirt, she found it hard to do so when the other looked up with so much hope in her blue eyes.
"Because she would be crazy to let you go." Umi's gaze softened. There was so much that she wanted to say, but if she did now, would that change how they looked at each other? The blue haired woman bit back the words she truthfully wanted to say and forced a smile to her dear childhood friend. "And I'm sure she's on her way here, right now, to come get you."
Before Honoka could argue back, rapid knocks on Umi's apartment door caught their attention. Flustered, Honoka wiped her tears and runny nose earning a soft chuckle from Umi.
"See?" Umi got up while Honoka followed behind trying to convince her friend from letting the other in. Ignoring the other's plea she opened the door and pushed the ginger into her partner's arms.
"What the hell Umi-chan?!" Honoka was in disbelief that her best friend would betray her in such a way.
"Honoka, you should listen to what she has to say first before you start jumping to conclusions." Umi crossed her arms and gave her a pointed look.
"Honoka…I'm sorry for lashing out on you…" Tsubasa rubbed the back of her neck. "I'll make it up to you, I promise!"
"Hmph!" The ginger pulled herself out of the other's arms and huffed childishly. Umi was surprised how stubborn Honoka was being. Usually, just seeing Tsubasa would already make her happy after one of their small quarrels.
"I'll buy you all the bread you want!" Tsubasa clapped her hands together as if praying to the gods to let her reconcile with her girlfriend. Although the promise caught Honoka's attention, the said person was still resisting, pretending she didn't hear her.
"I'll buy you all the bread you want for a week!" She was starting to sound desperate. Umi hoped Tsubasa knew what she was walking into. But it did seem to work. Honoka's eyes beamed with excitement when she heard what her girlfriend said.
"Really? You promise?" There was already drool falling from her mouth. As much as Umi hated to admit it, she knew that the ginger was quite simple-minded.
"But it's one of the things that makes her, her…"
Tsubasa could only nod before being quickly tackled by her lover. 'I love yous' and 'you're the best' were conveyed before the ginger skipped to the elevator like a child on their birthday. It was almost as if she completely forgot why she came to Umi's in the first place.
"I apologize…for the trouble…" After standing in silence in front of Umi's door for a while, Tsubasa bowed and thanked Umi.
"If you're sorry then just make it up to her." Umi sighed.
"I know." Tsubasa answered but didn't seem to budge. Umi tilted her head at the other, but quickly realized that Honoka's shoes were still in her apartment.
"She can be a handful, but she loves you." Umi handed Tsubasa the shoes.
"Does that mean you'll give me you're blessings?" The blue haired woman unconsciously tightened her hold on the shoes and froze.
It wasn't much of a big secret between herself and her close friends that she had romantic feelings for her childhood friend, but it seemed like Honoka was the only one oblivious to them. Tsubasa eyed the other knowing full well her question was testing Umi. A sentimental smile tugged on Umi's lips as she released her hold on the shoes.
"As long as she's happy, I have nothing to say." Umi then gave off a cold aura, sending a chill down Tsubasa's spine. "But if you ever make her cry again, don't say I didn't warn you."
Tsubasa managed to stutter another apology and internally thanked her girlfriend for calling her to hurry up. Quickly bowing one more time, Tsubasa took off leaving Umi at her door. Letting out sigh Umi was about the head back in but was caught by curiosity when she saw movers bring large boxes to the empty apartment next door.
"I hope things won't get too rowdy in the future…"
xXx
All the guests cheered and clapped as the pair blushed while preparing for their first dance together as a married couple. Umi watched the exchange between the two and felt a small ache watching their banter. She had told herself that she wouldn't let her sorry excuse of feelings get in the way of today's celebration but telling 15 years' worth of love to buzz of was easier said than done. The 25-year-old woman could only blame her cowardness when it all came down to it.
"How are you holding up?" A hand rested on her shoulder, pulling Umi out of her gloomy thoughts. She turned to her right and found her redheaded friend watch Honoka and her newly pronounced wife dance. "I was gonna drag Eli along to check up on you too but…you know how it gets when she's with Nozomi."
Umi frowned knowing what the other meant all too well. Whenever that idiot couple got a few drinks in, their hands would have a hard time keeping to themselves. 'Shameless' was all Umi could say about them.
"I haven't cried yet so that's a start." Umi jested.
"Wouldn't blame you if you did." The redhead commented, earning a warning look from the other. "Just saying. But man, did Kotori go all out with Honoka's dress."
"Thank you, Maki-chan." Umi turned around to find a woman with long ashen color hair standing behind them. The smile she gave Umi emitted a warm aura. It was something that made Umi wanted to be basked in, but at the same time a part of her brain was shooting off warning signs as if predicting something worse to come.
"You two know each other?" Umi looked between Maki and the new face.
"She's my cousin, Minami Kotori. I'm sure her name sounds familiar to you." Umi furrowed her eyebrows, racking her brain for an answer, but nothing came to mind. In disbelief, Maki was feeling emotions ranging from embarrassment and irritation. "She's one of the best fashion designers out there Umi!"
"You know I'm not the type to keep up with things like that." Umi looked at Kotori. "No offense."
"None taken." Kotori giggled at how her cousin was overreacting.
"Apologies, my name is Sonoda Umi. I heard Honoka was quite the handful when picking out her dress. You're quite something if you could put up with that." Umi gave a flashed a smile her making the other blush.
"I-it wasn't that bad. Honoka-chan was a bit vague, but I managed to help pick the right dress based off her personality." Maki looked between the two and felt out of place as the two continued their chat, but she wasn't quite sure what the feeling was exactly.
"She's practically flirting with a wall." The blunt voice came from behind Maki giving her a surprise.
"Whoa, what gives Nico-chan?" Maki put a hand to her racing heart and glared at the short brunette.
"You don't see what I see?" Nico asked pulling Maki from Umi and Kotori.
"Uhhhh, no." Maki looked back at the two and saw Kotori beaming talking about her design while Umi smiled silently and listened.
"Of course, you don't, why am I not surprised. It took you forever to even realized you were in love with someone as great as me." Nico rolled her eyes at the redhead.
"That's an overstatement." Maki commented earning a slap on her arm from the shorter girl. "The hell was that for?"
"I think Kotori-chan likes Umi." Nico ignored the glare from her girlfriend and went back to observing the two in front of them.
"What makes you say that?"
"Just a feeling." Nico replied. "I've worked with Kotori long enough to know whether she's interested in someone or not Maki. Unfortunately for her, Umi is denser than a blackhole."
"I thought you said that was Honoka." Maki frowned.
"I take that back. Umi is a blackhole. Honoka is blackhole 2.0 with a bottomless pit for a stomach." Nico hit Maki again earning another glare. "That's not the point idiot!"
"Before things get out of hand, please refrain from making a scene while we're still at this reception." Umi chide. "The last thing I need to see is another couple sneaking out to do…scandalous things…"
"Scandalous?" Kotori echoed with a tilted head. The couple blushed at Umi's warning and avoided eye contact with each other.
"Don't worry about it Koto-nee." The redhead coughed into her hand and cleared her throat. "It was one time…" She mumbled under her breath.
"What do you think of Kotori, Umi?" Nico blurted out the question causing Maki to whip her head at the other in a way that could have practically snapped it off. The redhead gave her a 'what the hell are you planning' look, but the shorter girl, once again, ignored the fury in her girlfriend's eyes. She was planning on doing the insane since a certain busty purpled haired woman was too busy with her dumb blondie.
Nico had decided, on a whim, that she was gonna hook Umi up with Kotori. Whom just so happen to be the cousin of her girlfriend. Whom just so happen to have a somewhat sister complex. Sort of. Who was she kidding? Maki had a big sister complex.
Oblivious to the other's plan, Umi answered in an honest manner. "I think she has a charming personality and a creative mind that contributes much to her field of work." Oh, how Nico forgot that Umi was great at unconsciously flirting others without realizing how much collateral damage she leaves behind. Lo and behold, she turned to look at Kotori who was blushing furiously at the praises.
"These two are a lost cause." Nico could only sigh to herself internally.
"Would you excuse me." Umi politely excused herself from the group and disappeared in the sea of guests.
"Are you crazy Nico-chan?!" Maki finally exploded while the said person could only shrug.
"It was worth a shot okay. How long are you gonna let Kotori stay single when you cling onto her so much?" The two argued back and forth while the taupe haired girl watched silently still a bit dazed with what Umi said.
"Maki-chan! Nico-chan! Let's take pictures!" Honoka jumped on the two with a wide smile. "Huh? I thought I saw Umi-chan with you guys here. Kotori-chan, you should come too!"
"Maybe later." Wanting to give the bride some time with her friends, Kotori slipped away to cool her face and collect her thoughts. She found herself walking into a beautiful garden outside the venue. Enjoying the night view, a cool summer breeze blew past her having her pull loose locks of hair behind her ear.
Not far from her, a sole individual with blue hair sat by the garden fountain gazing at a nearby patch of flowers while being basked in the light of the moon. As a child, Kotori had always dreamed of being swept away by a prince on a white horse. The woman who was right in front of her was beautiful, but at the same time had such a prince-like aura to herself which made the taupe haired woman's chest tighten in a way it hasn't before.
As she took a step to approach the other, Kotori felt herself lose balance when her right heel got caught in a crack. With a squeak, Kotori tripped and fell to the hard cement. Umi rushed to Kotori's side, apparent concern on her face. The cliché moment would have been just like in the romance novels and movies Kotori enjoyed if it weren't for the pain she was feeling in her ankle.
"Let's move more towards the light Minami-san." Umi helped her up and carefully guided her to the bench she was sitting at. Kotori wasn't sure why her face was getting so hot. Was it because she felt so much pain in her ankle? Or was it because she was so close to Umi? "Please excuse my rudeness."
"Eh?" Kotori was caught by surprise when the other knelt on one knee in front of her. It almost looked like she was being proposed to, however Kotori quickly snapped out of her daydream when Umi touched her swelling foot, wincing at the pain.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel too much pain." Umi frowned. "I don't think it's broken, but I'll have Maki come to confirm in just in case." She pulled out her phone and quickly texted the other before sitting down beside Kotori.
"What were you doing out here Sonoda-san?" Kotori was curious. It almost seemed like the blue haired woman was being distant despite being close friends with the two brides.
"I needed some air." She answered in a hesitant manner. "I'm not really fond of being in large crowds."
Kotori hummed in response. It wasn't like she could say much. She practically just met the other about thirty minutes ago. Silence came afterwards, leaving Kotori to feel kind of awkward so she tried to make some small talk. "You know, it almost seemed like you were some kind of prince coming to my rescue when I fell." Kotori sheepishly laughed while wanting to disappear. Why exactly did she blurt out something like that? She internally cringed at herself and reprimanded herself when Umi looked at her with wide eyes. "I'm sorry for saying something so weird!"
"No, it's alright." Umi smiled to herself. "It just…reminded me of someone whenever I helped her with her shoes." Kotori could only tilt her head in confusion. "Ah, apologies, she tended to lose her shoes or trip over her shoestrings. I guess you could call her a clumsy Cinderella."
"I guess that would mean Prince Charming already has someone then." Kotori jested, but couldn't help but be a bit disappointed. The comment caught Umi off guard, but she quickly tried to mask her feelings behind a melancholic smile.
"Prince Charming has yet to find their own Cinderella."
"Eh?" Kotori didn't know how to respond. Or more like, she didn't have the chance once her cute younger cousin came running towards them with worry on her face followed by Nico and some others.
After taking some rushed pictures with the newlyweds, Maki dragged Umi along with them to get Kotori checked up. The excuse she gave was poor, but Umi didn't really mind. Once they confirmed Kotori didn't break her ankle, Nico insisted that Umi takes her home. Her reasoning made sense though. Apparently, Kotori had just recently moved into the same apartment complex as Umi. Reluctant to the idea of Umi getting close to her cousin, Maki also agreed it would be more convenient for them to leave together.
xXx
"I'm sorry that Maki-chan forced you to do this." Kotori apologized for the tenth time ever since they left the hospital while Umi chuckled at how the redhead was being overprotective of the later.
"I don't mind. I didn't know we lived in the same complex." Umi scratched her cheek in embarrassment as they walked into the elevator holding onto a bag with Kotori's heels in it. "What floor?"
"Tenth, please." Kotori smiled at Umi's kindness.
"There's not way right…?" As the doors closed, Umi couldn't help but think all of this was a coincidence. It was as if the gods were having a blast with writing their first encounter together. Umi stood outside the apartment door next to hers. What were the odds of meeting your neighbor in such a roundabout way? Then again, Umi always left before her neighbor ever woke up and fell asleep before they returned home.
"What's wrong?" Kotori wasn't sure what the other was thinking about. She never really thought much about her neighbors since she had been so busy with her projects at the time.
"Well…" Umi awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. "I never would have thought this was going to be how I meet my new neighbor."
"O-oh…" They both blushed at their current situation. "W-well, it's nice to meet you Umi-chan! I'm your new neighbor."
"Umi-chan?" The said person was taken aback at how Kotori could say her name so casually.
"Is that too much?" Kotori put a finger to her chin with a small tilt to her head.
"W-well…" The blue haired woman was at loss for words. Kotori blinked in anticipation in hopes that she can speak on a casual level with Umi. Ultimately, Umi caved once Kotori threw pleading eyes at her.
"Hehe, thanks for helping me home." Kotori flashed a smile that quickened the rate at which Umi's heart was beating. It was an unusual, yet familiar sensation.
"You're wel-" All words left Umi's mouth when a pair of soft lips pressed against her right cheek. Umi's brain completely stopped working.
"Goodnight, Umi-chan." Kotori quickly entered her apartment and left Umi outside in a daze.
With the sound of the door closing and being locked behind her, Umi walked into her own apartment in a zombie-like state. She stood in front of her door, still trying to process what had played outside earlier. Five seconds. Thirty seconds. One minute. Fifteen minutes.
"S-shameless…" Umi was currently having a mental breakdown. Too caught up in her thoughts about the kiss, she completely forgot that she was still in possession of Kotori's heels.
Little did they know, this was only the beginning of what was still yet to come.
Kind of a cliffhanger, but I feel like this is a good stopping point. Will probably make a part 2 for this one. Maybe…if I'm not lazy. Apologies if there wasn't enough KotoUmi.