A Day In Their Shoes

Chie Satonaka x Yukiko Amagi; Part 2

"So...are we going to talk about it?"

Tea whirred from the kitchen as Yukiko continued to trip over herself. How much had she heard? How much had she seen? Blood rushed, she could barely even hear the sound of the teapot whistle, only Chie's sudden question pushing her to answer.

"Talk about…"

"How much do you fantasize about me?"

Her heart throbbed as the words exited Chie's mouth. She didn't expect her to come to the inn at all. She came uninvited quite frequently, her family used to Chie and were fond of her. Nevertheless, she caught Yukiko off guard, and the moments that followed were perhaps the strangest of her life. The movement of her hand upward to cover her mouth. The sheer shock and dread of the awkward questions sure to come. But most strangely of all: the feeling of further want that came with Chie's presence. Could she really tell her?

"I...don't…"

"Yuki...it's okay."

It wasn't okay. Nothing about it was okay. But Chie had no choice but to comfort her friend at this moment; she needed it most.

"Chie...everything about you is just...perfect."

Perfect? The same facade of shock covered Chie's face as before. No one had ever said that to her before. Nothing came close, the only comments about Chie's person being talk behind her back. Little did they know, she heard it all. Her 'annoying obsessions' and 'boyish hair'. Yukiko already knew Chie almost always wanted to be like her. Her shadow self had confirmed it. So why...why was it that out of anyone she could want…

It was Chie?

"...what...what do you mean."

"The way you comforted me when I needed it the most...the way you nursed me and helped me recover...the way you always make me smile even when I shouldn't...no one has ever been able to do that before...except you."

"I'm not perfect! I watch too many martial arts movies for a girl! I don't braid my hair, I cut it short! Hell, even Yosuke acts more like a girl than me!"

Another stupid smile; Chie always knew what followed. One chuckle turned into laughing, and once more, Yukiko was giggling like a toddler.

"I'm serious!"

"I know Chie, but-"

Her laugh only grew louder and louder, likely prodding the attention of even those within the inn. Soon enough, its amplification grew, as now not only one was laughing, but two. The tea couldn't be poured correctly, spilling onto the floor as both girls hysterically gawked at one another. Their beam completely unbroken as they came closer and closer to one another unknowingly. It was only upon approach that they truly noticed how close to one another they really were. Shoulder to shoulder, hands touching each other to alert one another of their presence. Both looked up concurrently, the laughter halting for a moment as the world around them paused. Yukiko softly looked towards her hand before moving it towards Chie's face, her skin like ice in a room hot as fire. As it impacted her cheek, it drew the former closer, the latter unknowing how to respond, embracing as the lips of one locked the other in closely.

Chie attempted to object softly, but any tension in the moment was completely lost as she fell into her kiss gracefully, a warm feeling sweeping her body as she allowed it to continue. For a moment, she could believe it was Yu, wrapped in his arms as he smoothly took her hands and swooned her. Yet, when she opened her eyes, only Yukiko was there, continuing to pull her in closer and taste more. Chie wasn't the perfect one, she was.

Yukiko meanwhile felt her heart grow heavy as it was full to bursting. Her dream of enchanting her Prince in her castle had come true, even for just a moment. She could almost savor her partner's adrenaline as she gave her more and more. Wouldn't she just take control? But as these thoughts swept through her mind, she suddenly let go, pulling back swiftly and wiping her lips. No…

"Chie…"

"I can't Yuki!"

Disappointment just as sudden as surprise dawned Yukiko's eyes as Chie continued, once again, her fragile heart sinking just like moments before.

"...I came to tell you that Yu asked me to train with him tomorrow…"

"...so?"

"Intimately."

Chie couldn't respond correctly; she simply didn't know how. Yukiko was her best friend, already her everything...but Yu? He was the boy with the heart of gold. She couldn't help but still want him after all this time, especially after becoming so close to him.

"I see."

"Yukiko, you have to understand! He saved me from myself! He's my knight in shining armor-"

"-And you were mine...don't you see? This fairytale...it just can't happen."

The realization had hit Chie before Yukiko even mentioned it.

"Which fairytale?"

"Well...that's really your choice...who...do you truly want?"

Chie closed her eyes, hoping for some image of who she truly believed was her lover. Yu had swagger, the determination to fight on, but Yukiko had just proven to be the closest she had ever been to. She had only wavered closer and closer and now, when Chie looked at her, her heart throbbed the same way. The very same heart was the only one she could trust, closing her eyes and holding close to her chest. She had to ask herself now: who did she really love? She opened her eyes, the image clear:

Yu's Ending

Yu.

"I'm so sorry Yukiko…but I've already committed myself...I want Yu."

Sheer sadness seemed to buckle onto Yukiko's face as she fell to her knees in the moment. No crying or anguish present, just the gentle touch of misery brushing past her in the moment. Chie could read it, falling to her knees as well and gently putting one hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be upset Yuki...I want you to know that this doesn't change you at all for me."

Yukiko's teardrop filled eyes looked up in shock, suddenly receding as she subtly and softly smiled, even one injected with dejection.

"You really are perfect Chie…"

"Don't worry."

Chie's arms wrapped around her frail figure as she held her close and gently rocked her in her lap, the pair gently tuckering as they tiredly smiled and looked at one another. Her comfort healed her somewhat, Yukiko's smile remaining as the pair simply looked off at the Inaba sunset outside the Inn's window.

"You'll always be my best friend."

The Next Day

Yu wasn't entirely sure where Chie was at the present moment. Perhaps, she was fashionably late (per the norm, minus the fashionably). He could form theories all day. Did she find someone else or maybe she just got cold feet? Yosuke would laugh; she might've played him. Yu was simple in this regard: he just hoped she would tell him if their 'training' was cancelled. He had a baby cousin to take care of after all. But in mere seconds after these thoughts crossed his mind, the sudden clanging of bleachers came, and what followed was what always came after that sound.

"I'm like, so sorry I'm late!"

Chie's giggle as she suddenly clenched onto Yu's arm (her green coating the black around it), only caused him to smile at her forwardness.

"No worries. It's only 8:44."

"Very funny. So...ready to practice some more?"

"Sure. Whoever loses buys dinner."

"Oh no no no, I was under the impression you'd be buying regardless."

The two's laughter echoed, and yet, though Yu's training was both enjoyable and endearing, she couldn't help but think of the very same laughter from the day before. Each punch and kick caused a twinge of regret, despite her promise. Yu's form, nevertheless, never stopped catching her eye through every push-up, terrible karate move, and all other associations. It was only when he started walking closer that Chie became more attracted. Sweat brimmed his forehead and the very same out of breath voice that sounded so cute before now seemed somewhat...alluring.

"So...are we finished?"

"I think there's just one more thing we gotta practice."

The dark stadium became inconsequential as Yu locked lips with Chie. They were gentle, with nuance and grace as they sat concurrently, still kissing in starlight. Even this was a reminder, however, Yukiko's anguish still a thought in her mind. He was better than she was, yet the captivation of her continued. As she broke away, she looked at Yu both suddenly and excitedly, drawing him in closer to kiss her once more. She loved it, even with the pent up emotion mentioned before. Minutes passed, the kiss breaking as Chie seductively licked her lips before smiling and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Hey Yu?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's do something nice for Yukiko tomorrow."

"Of course. That's what friends are for after all."

Fin.

Yukiko's Ending

Yukiko.

"No one has ever called me perfect...no one has ever swept me off my feet the way you just did...we've been friends for so long Yuki...I think it's only fitting...that we continue our adventures...together... I love you...and..."

Chie's hand outstretched, suddenly grasping onto Yukiko's shoulder untamingly.

"I choose you."

The embrace that followed came quick, Yukiko rushing to put her arms around her, Chie doing the same. Small droplets formed on one another's clothes, as their hands clenched onto the loving cuddle that could only be described as hope in its true form. Each held one another tighter and tighter, the bond they felt only holding more dear as it continued. Each began to exit, once more looking at one another's figure and smiling bashfully like young children. Their welled up eyes, pristine forms, and matching grins only drew one another closer.

"You were always the beautiful one Yuki…"

"Only on the outside Chie…"

The endearment that followed became more aggressive as Chie began fighting for control, each one wanting the other more than they could've imagined previously. They reached, each moving at the same time for the other's arm and interrupting their enfold to simply giggle at their thinking. Her friend's enchantment truly drew her in, the fairytale finishing in suitable fashion. Truly, the prince had rescued the princess. Suddenly, Yukiko's hand was moved up slowly, one finger being tenderly suckled. It was only when Chie moved Yuki's hand downwards however, when she realized what she truly wanted:

"Show me what you were doing earlier."

The Next Day

Yu wasn't entirely sure where Chie was at the present moment. Perhaps, she was fashionably late (per the norm, minus the fashionably). He could form theories all day. Did she find someone else or maybe she just got cold feet? Yosuke would laugh; she might've played him. Yu was simple in this regard: he just hoped she would tell him if their 'training' was cancelled. He had a baby cousin to take care of after all. But in mere seconds after these thoughts crossed his mind, the text message buzzed, echoing across the field bleachers he sat on.

"Hey Yu...I know, this isn't right, and I'm sorry I stood you up...but I've put some thought into it, and I think we might be better off as friends. You have no idea how much I value you, so I hope you're not upset...thank you for inviting me. I'm sure we would've had a blast. We'll train again soon! Hahya! - Chie"

"All good. It's cool. Have fun you two!"

Yu couldn't lie about his disappointment as he set his phone down. It was too bad, Chie really seemed like the perfect girl to match his new life in Inaba. Nevertheless, he had more important mysteries to solve, the town's murder mystery still on his mind. He only wished Chie the best. Besides, there were plenty of fish in the sea.

"Hey Yosuke, you wanna go somewhere to eat?"

Fin