True Love hidden by an Unspeakable Truth
Kasumi POV:
Leaving such residency as my own, Arisa and I make our way downtown. Since it's been a couple hours since we ate, we visited Saya to get a little snack before continuing and further.
"Saya!" I exclaim rather loudly as we walk in. Arisa tried to stop me, but I don't think that's a possibility. Thankfully she was awake, so it didn't seem as silly shouting someone's name who's still asleep.
'Hey Kasumi, Arisa. Even though it's our day off, it is surprising to see you two together. I thought Arisa would've slept in all day."
"Not gonna happen. Besides, Arisa slept over at my house so she would need to get home sooner or later."
"Yet you still woke me up early. Way too early." Saya and I both giggled at that last statement Arisa said. Saya then notices the thin scarf I have around my neck.
"Don't you think it's a little early to wear a scarf, Kasumi?"
"I would, but a jealousy bomb exploded and Arisa gave me a hickey." When I finished, Arisa had a rush of pride at what she did as she's grinning from ear to ear. That kinda through Saya and I off guard. It was unusual to see Arisa like this.
"Well it's your fault for making plans with another girl without telling me!" Arisa shouted as she wrapped her arms around me. Saya gave us both a semi-questionable look.
"Who did you make plans with?"
"Lisa from Roselia."
"Really? I suppose I could see where Arisa is getting at since they're super popular."
"Yeah...she said the same thing. So this scarf is covering up her damage."
"I see. Anyway, I assume you two came here to get something to eat."
"Yep. Where's Rimi? I thought she would be here by now."
"She is, just sleeping upstairs. She asked me to help with her studies, so she stayed the night."
"A much more justifiable reason than Arisa's seeing as she fell asleep as soon as we got to my house. I woke her up early so she could eat something cause she didn't have dinner."
"Aww, what a considerable girlfriend you have Arisa."
"I would've liked to sleep for another hour, although I think if that happened. My stomach would've been a lot worse than it was this morning. Kasumi was right. I was starving."
We bothered Saya long enough for Rimi to come down and see us. After greeting and grabbing a bite to eat, Arisa and I left. After a couple of hours, I could tell that Arisa was really wanting to sit down. Thankfully we were on our way back to her house so she could lay down and rest up.
"Meet me tomorrow Kasumi?"
"Sure, I'll be here when you want me to be...unless you want me to spend the night after today hmm?" After teasing her by saying this, I pulled her into a gentle kiss. She didn't resist. Seems that Arisa is fine with doing this after just this morning. I say my farewells as I give Arisa one last hug. "Please come home tonight." Arisa whispered before letting go and walking back to Saya's since it was nearby.
After that was a walk to Lisa's house. It wasn't that far so walking there would be a breeze. Speaking of, another reason why I wore a scarf. It was kinda cold today. I reach Lisa's house and ring the doorbell. I heard a door open that was not the one in front of me. I see Yukina walk out of the house next to the one I am standing at. She notices me with a glint of surprise.
"Toyama? What are you doing here?"
"Ah Yukina. Last night after practice I called Lisa and asked her if she was free to hang out today...and it seems she was right."
"About what exactly?"
"That you would come over and visit since you two are neighbors and childhood friends. Also I'm sorry about what happened to Sayo. Tae and I had to carry her to the infirmary when we heard a shout come from the student council room.
"Thank you for your concern. Having individual practices is a little difficult, with the only person I can think of that can replace Sayo in a moment like this is her sister."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." I thought to myself. The door suddenly opened and Lisa invited us inside.
"It's nice to have company over along with a new face." Lisa starts as she comes back with some drinks.
I sat down on the couch and nearly sank into it. I was rather tired from my date with Arisa earlier, plus waking up and a very early time even though it was a weekend.
"Are you okay Kasumi?" Lisa asked. I wanted to sink further into the couch and rest.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just really tired." I still had my eyes closed and nearly drifted off to sleep.
"Oh, do you want me to move so you could lay down?"
"That's kind of you, but also seems rude since it's your house." I shook my head slightly and sat up. I lazily took off my scarf and threw it in my lap. I hear a little giggle and I tilt my head towards Lisa. She then pokes at my neck and giggles a little more
"Hey Kasumi, what's that little mark on your neck?"
Huh? I guess something like that really skipped my mind since it was covered all day. Since lying isn't something that I'm good at, I might as well say what happened.
"Uh...Arisa got jealous that I had made plans with you today without telling her and attacked my lips...then shortly after my neck and gave me this hickey." I say with a faint blush as surprised looks form on the faces of the others present. I didn't want to go into too much detail and thankfully they didn't ask any questions.
"You're in a relationship with Arisa? Since when?"
"A couple months ago Arisa kept doing nice things for me, albeit subtle. I asked if she loves me to which she casually answered 'Yes.'" I paused a little as I pushed my hand to my neck. "It wasn't immediate after that, but it eventually came to us now being in a relationship."
"How cute!" Lisa exclaimed, but not too loudly.
"Hopefully it doesn't affect your music." Lisa and I give surprised looks to Yukina. Why would she say that? After some time, Yukina seemed to have a questioning look as she was staring at me intently. It made me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Is there something about me that interests you so much Yukina?" I ask with a hint of nervousness. It's hard to tell what kind of reaction you'll get from someone who's so serious all the time. Lisa also gave a questioning look as she looked back and forth between us. A smile spread across her face, saying that she had an inkling if Yukina was going to ask me something silly.
"If you don't mind explaining Toyama, but why does your hair look like two cat ears?" I was caught in a bit of a daze. Cat ears? Really? That's a bit of an odd question to ask out of the blue. Lisa starts giggling again, but it soon turns into full-blown laughter. It caused me to giggle since only one other person has said that and that was my childhood friend Hagumi.
"Cat ears? I've heard that once before but only by someone who's known me for a long time. Although if I do disappoint you with my actual answer. I do apologize. But I wasn't trying to go for a cat-like look at all. I was trying to mimic that shape of a star, but I don't mind if you want to keep seeing them as cat ears." After explaining, Lisa manages to catch her breath, but continues to laugh.
"Was that a serious question Yukina?"
"Serious enough to where she fully answered, so yes." Yukina stared her down as if Lisa knew it was supposed to be serious. It took a couple of minutes, but Lisa finally regained her composure.
"Sorry about that, Yukina has an affinity for cats. Seems like she got that question off her chest."
"What do you mean?"
"Yukina has been wanting to ask about that for a while."
"Well, if you're that interested. I can do the same thing to your hair too." A glint is visible in Yukina's eyes as well as a blush across her face. She silently nods her head and Lisa starts to giggle again. "Would you like me to make your hair like mine as well Lisa?
"If you're offering, then I won't say no. Besides I've also been wondering something about you myself. And that is how does your hair keep its shape when it's raining?"
"Ah...that's something I can't explain. Rimi has thought the same thing for a while. If I had to guess, then it would be the amount of hairspray I use." Again not good at lying, so saying what I know is the best option here.
45 minutes went by and I finally finished getting the last touches on Lisa's hair. Yukina was sitting at Lisa's dresser looking in the mirror. Her eyes have that same glint they had earlier. I lean back and lay on the floor that has a very nice and fluffy rug in Lisa's room.
"A normal shower will wash everything out, so no need to worry about it being this way forever. When I first started, it took a while to get the pattern down correctly. But now it's a breeze."
Lisa looked natural with her hair like mine since a lot of the expressions she makes are cat-like. Yukina on the other hand was still marveling at the hair style. I see Lisa playfully walk towards me as I sit up. Her expression then changes as she whispers into Yukina's ear. I wasn't paying any attention after what Lisa did as my eyes were closed.
"Kasumi, look."
I opened my eyes and looked at Lisa again, but something caught me off guard. Somehow Lisa managed to convince Yukina to join her with this little playful act. Both Lisa and Yukina acted like cats at that moment. It seemed that I couldn't keep my composure. I slowly get up and fall flat on the bed rather fast startling both girls. My body started to shake.
"Kasumi/Toyama?"
The shaking never stopped. I couldn't stop it. Seeing Lisa like that was fine, but both was just a little too cute. I finally lift my head from the pillow to catch my breath then immediately go back to laughing. I don't know how long I was laughing for but my stomach was hurting. I calmed down after some time, but was still a little giggly. I wipe the tears from my eyes and see that Yukina is not in the room anymore.
"Where did Yukina go? Did she leave or something?"
"You could say that. Probably the most embarrassed she's ever been in her life. Although she did ask for me to thank you for making her hairstyle like that."
"It's no big deal. Sorry I laughed so much. Just seeing her like that really surprised me. How did you even convince her to do this?"
"A favor for a favor. You made her hair like that and she acted as a cat for you for your enjoyment. In your fit of laughter a smile briefly appeared on her face as she left the room."
"I see. Anyway, I did want to ask you something about Sayo. Do you think she's going to be okay?" I notice Lisa's face dip in expression. She probably doesn't feel comfortable with this kind of question. Maybe it was a bad idea that I asked.
"Well, she goes to your school so it's only natural that you're worried. I'm not going to say she's completely broken, but is very devastated by it. I went over to her house and when I brought up Hina's name, she shoved me out of her room and slammed the door on me." Her face has an indifferent smile. She wants to make light of the mood with it, but even someone like her is struggling with it. I understand the situation. She's brought up Hina's name before, but she never said anything bad about her. Although I think saying that she isn't completely broken is an understatement.
"I see. Although I think I understand where she's coming from."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know if I brought this up early but I'm like Sayo, being that I'm an older sister. If something happened to my sister Asuka, I'd be pretty upset. However, I think this situation has a deeper meaning to her being destroyed."
"I'm lost as to how you came to that conclusion."
"A guess really, but has Sayo ever said anything about why she and her sister don't go to the same school?"
"No. The only thing that she's told us is that Hina has extreme loads of talent, but it seems wasted on a person so carefree."
"Loads of talent, but wasted on someone so carefree." A phrase that seems interesting. I keep this to myself as I check the time on my phone. I see that it's rather late. "Sorry to cut this conversation so abruptly Lisa, but I think it's time I head home. I promised Arisa that I would come back to see her after this….well more like she begged me to come home."
"Do you live with Arisa or something?" She asked in a playful tone.
"Something like that. She doesn't mind it when I stay the night anymore. Anyway, today was fun. Thank you for letting me come over and talk."
"No problem Kasumi. Would you like to take home some sweets? I've made plenty." She says as I follow her downstairs. I was a little taken back by how much she made. She handed me a bag with many small cookies in it. I smiled at what the cookies were shaped as.
"Yukina likes it when I make cookies that look like this."
"Could I take two home?"
"I don't see why not. Just don't pig out on both." She says and she sends me off with a last playful giggle.
A person with loads of talent, but wasted on someone so carefree. The thought plagued my mind and before I knew it, I was at Arisa's. I texted my mom saying that I was gonna stay over and she let me. I walked down to the basement and saw Arisa sleeping on the couch down there, already wrapped up in a thin blanket. I quietly grabbed a blanket and fell asleep on the floor.