A/N: I do not own any of the characters
"I like you Kumiko." There. Confession words from the-boy-next-door. Straight from his mouth. Just the two of them, childhood friends, on a bridge.
"Why?" Kumiko finally managed to ask. It didn't mean to come out as though she was questioning the sincerity of the boy's words. After all, spoken words when no one's around tend to be the most honest ones. She could feel his grip on her wrist. "Why?" she repeats.
"I just do. Would you, maybe…" and there it was. The pause. "… want to go out with me?"
Kumiko looks at the boy she's known all her life. The boy who followed her sister's footsteps in taking up trombone in their high school band. Really, there wasn't anything wrong with him. Sure, he's a bit of a pushover. Tantrums. But he's also an all-around nice guy. Nothing that she doesn't know. She's comfortable with him. Their banters have been similar to a brother-sister bickering. And maybe that was it.
"So?" There he was again.
"This is all too fast, Suuichi." It is true. It wasn't like they were best-friends or anything. Being next-door neighbors just came with school buddies who has most classes with you. "Will you give me time to think?" Kumiko finally managed to get her thoughts together.
He slowly released his grip on her wrist. "Demo. I like you… a lot. But I will wait for your answer."
Kumiko can hear the soft disappointment tone in his voice. She was sure enough that he wasn't upset. Perhaps, more hurt. Did Suuichi truly expect that just because they grew up close to each other that their feelings will also develop together?"
"Arigato Suuichi." She turns around and starts walking.
"I'll walk you home." Still trying to prove himself, he offers his company.
Without looking his way, Kumiko slowly shakes her head. "I'm headed elsewhere… ja ne!" And just like that, she heads off towards the end of the bridge where she knew that Reina has been waiting for her. Heck, Reina probably saw the whole thing.
Kumiko sees her best-friend and roughly releases the breath she didn't know she was holding in. She was greeted with typical expressionless look, something that for other people may strike an intense intimidation. But for Kumiko, no. This is a part of Reina that she cherishes the most. Actually, come to think of it -
"That took a while."
"Gomen." If Reina knew anything about tones and human voice, she would think there was a slight sadness in Kumiko's apology.
Reina can only nod. She knew that Kumiko will bring things up when she's ready. And she will be here for the Euphonist.
As if it comes naturally, Kumiko slowly reaches for Reina's hand and intertwines their fingers. There are no pretenses, no hesitations. It's just that. It feels right. Reina turns to Kumiko as they both walks towards the train station. "Where are we going?"
"Away."
"Just you and me?"
Kumiko returns the trumpeter's gaze. "Run away with me?"
"You know I don't like running away." Reina stops her steps. "That's something only cowards do. If something comes my way, I'll take them on."
And just like that. "Sounds like something you would say." Kumiko giggles.
Without even realizing, the trumpeter, once again, gave Kumiko every reason to never let her go.
"Fine. Let's get ice cream then I'll walk you home."
"You don't have to walk me home, Kumiko. Your place is on the other end of the street."
"I know I don't have to. But - I want to." And Reina could swear she saw thinking bubbles looming over Kumiko's head, while trying to understand her thoughts. "Reina?"
"Nani?"
"Suuichi gave me his confession."
"On the bridge?"
"Hai." And Kumiko tightens their hands.
"I see." Reina knew this time would come. She knew that after high school, she will have to let go of Kumiko. As much as Tsukamoto Suuichi irritates her, there's no denying that someday, Kumiko will find a man to settle, have kids with, and have a family with. Everything that she can't provide Kumiko. And it might as well be the spineless trombonist. Reina just didn't expect it was going to be this soon.
Kumiko felt Reina's hand slightly let go. She keeps her gaze on her best-friend, trying to read the blank look the black-haired carried.
And in a serious, determined tone, "I will give him my answer tomorrow."
Reina gives a half-hearted smile. "And I'll be happy for you."
"Hmmm? What for?"
"Just saying, I will always support your decision."
And as dense as Kumiko can be, she finally saw the held back pain purple eyes hid. "I'm not going to be Suuichi's girlfriend." She says as-a-matter-of-fact.
Who knew Reina can be thrown off sometimes. That's Kumiko for you. Probably the only soul in this world that can keep the cold princess on her toes.
"I don't think he truly likes me the way he says he does. But maybe he does. I don't feel the same way." Kumiko chuckles, scratching the back of her head.
They found their way to the train station and settled on a seat next to each other. "… I don't see him that way. Besides, I've already promised myself to another. I may have a terrible personality, but I'm not that stupid." She continues.
"Kumiko. I will always be here. And after high school, I'll be going abroad to study music. I can't expect you to trail-"
"Kousaka-Reina, are you backing out on our promise?" Her voice filled with coldness.
"No Kumiko! I would never! Demo… he can provide you your future. A husband, kids, home."
"You honestly think those are what I want?" Still looking ahead, not daring to look at Reina.
"Sounds like a repeat of your words from middle school." Reina replies, taking a shuddered breath.
"I may not know what I want for My future just yet. But I know what I don't want." Kumiko finally mustered the courage to look at Reina. Her free hand cups the trumpeter's cheek. "I don't do things just because. I don't need a husband. I've got you. I don't need kids. You're handful enough. We can grow old together, if you'll have me. And who knows? Maybe you won't even want me when you're rich and famous."
"Don't say such nonsense."
"I expected those words from you."
There's the gaze.
Train hits a slight bump on the track. And Kumiko finds herself thrown a bit off towards Reina.
"This is our love." Kumiko manages a whisper.
"People can see, Kum-" Reina was cut off by Kumiko's lips on her own.
It was a tender, light peck first kiss. And it felt right. Warm, sweet, and oh so inviting.
So, she responded back with her own, returning Kumiko's kiss with as much fervent, longing. This time, they both deepened the inexperienced kiss. Their own lips sought the others, locked in a searing promise.
Kumiko finally managed to slightly pull back as to Reina's disappointment. "You really do take my breath away, did you know that?"
"You're awful." And Reina leans once again for a soft quick peck. "My kind of awful."
"This is our stop." Kumiko takes Reina's attention back as they made their way down the street.
"Stay with me Kumiko."
"Tonight?"
"It's Saturday tomorrow. Half day, then practice. I'll have okāsan call your mom when we get home. You've stayed enough, so you have some of your things in my drawer. Onegai I don't want to be without you tonight."
Kumiko finally gives Reina a huge smile and nods. "It's not like I can ever say no to you."
And it was a night full of confessions, kisses, touches… maybe not so much sleep.
Suuichi eyes the same brunette, leaning against the wooden rails of the same bridge from the previous night. "What're you looking at?"
"Just the birds. And the water."
"Oh. Kumiko."
"Suuichi."
They both said at the same time.
"You first." Suuichi finally offered.
"Are you sure?" Kumiko questions, not hiding her laughter.
"What kind of a question is that?"
"Hai. Hai." Kumiko waves. "Okay, here's my answer."
"Gomen ne, Suuichi." And she hears him take a deep breath, clearly trying to hide his pain, probably holding back tears. She really didn't want to hurt him. After all, they really were good friends. But it would be much worse if she led him on fully knowing she didn't feel the same way he did. "… I don't share the same feeling as you do. I've given it much thought. Have you thought that maybe you like me because there hasn't been another girl around you?… Besides, you're like an older brother to me."
She didn't know Suuichi could be surprised. "Bro-zoned, huh?"
Kumiko nods. "Plus…"
"Nani? There's more?" His voice surmises.
"Ano… we're kind of pinning for the same team." Kumiko starts turning red.
"What're you-? uhhhh" Suuichi didn't have to hide his confusion. It was plastered all over his face.
Reina casually walks up to Kumiko, giving the Euphonist a chaste kiss on the lips. "There you are. Katou-san said you already went ahead, and Kawashima-san told me to come here when I'm done with sectional practice."
"Chotto matte!" Suuichi finally breaks the girls' interaction.
"Suuichi. I'd like to formally introduce you to My girlfriend, Kousaka-Reina. Reina, one of our band's resident trombonist, Tsukamoto Suuichi." Kumiko proudly smiles.
"I know who you are." Reina finally says in a flat tone. "You're the one that's having a hard time with-"
"I get it!" Suuichi cuts off Reina. "Everyone knows who you are, Kousaka-san."
Then Suuichi turns back to Kumiko. "How is it that you get the guys and the girls?" Stressing on the "and" word. First I see Tanaka-senpai looking at you like she's going to eat you then now you and Kousaka-san are together?"
Reina raises an eye brow looking at Kumiko. "Tanaka-senpai huh?"
"No no no. There's nothing there. Really. I don't see her that way." Kumiko senses a shift in Reina's usual confidence. She leans over Reina, giving the jealous trumpeter some degree of assurance. "I want you." This kiss was sweeter, deeper, so intense, and insanely slow. Kumiko drew out every last breath of Reina.
"wow! Okay." Suuichi took a couple of steps back giving the girls a much needed privacy in a very public setting.
"Hmmmmm?" Kumiko turns to him.
"We're okay, Kumiko. I'm off! Take care of my brother Kousaka-san!" And he goes off running to hopefully catch the first-year trombone player that he's been teaching lately, leaving the couple on the bridge.
"We never did get that ice cream yesterday." Reina reminded Kumiko
"Ikimashou?"
Reina nods. "Are you going back to your house tonight?"
"Mom said she dropped off more of My clothes at your place. Looks like I'll be staying with you for the whole weekend." Kumiko explains.
And they continued chatting as they both headed back a the place they can both call home.