"What it Means to be Loved by You"
Taichi did not know if Chihaya knew his Kyoto address is good or not. The perks that come with it are she visits often. But on the other hand, it is also a disadvantage. Despite her trying not to disturb his studies, the fact she is in the same room is not helping. Chihaya often comes over Saturday mornings and leaves Sunday after they have lunch together. He tried to discourage her from visiting frequently. But she argued that it is only twice and month. Less frequent than that Chihaya claims she will go insane. He never imagined her to be the drama queen type. Since this relationship is precious to him, Taichi allowed Chihaya to do what she wants.
After three years, his studies are not getting easier. He also has to do volunteer and fieldwork. It means Chihaya might come to visit an empty apartment. He once again asked her to reduce her visiting schedules. The doctor to be made a promise to visit Tokyo instead. Chihaya will also be graduating soon. He encourages her to focus on her studies. He told her it is necessary. She has to maintain her Queen status, her childhood dream. Chihaya has had the title for four years since high school. He thought it will be a motivation for her to focus more on other things rather than visiting him.
"Taichi, are you getting tired of me?" Chihaya asked in a soft voice while sitting across him on the sofa of his apartment.
"What gave you that idea?" The man asked perplexed and put down the book he was reading. Did he not show his affectionate side enough?
"You always tell me to stop visiting." The woman answered staring straight into his face. "That is why I think you are tired of me."
It seems his pushing what he thinks is best for her and him is causing a ruckus. He inhaled deeply and arranged his thoughts. He needs to come clean or else, who knows what is going to happen?
"Chihaya doesn't get me wrong," Taichi replied. "I just feel sorry that you spend money coming here and sometimes I arrive late." He moved closer so she can look at her better. "I did not want to waste your time especially now that you are going to graduate and have the chance to become eternal queen."
Chihaya looked at him with a pout on her lips. Her hands balled into a fist and were a bit shaking. After a second she managed to find her voice. "Do you still think that you are not important to me?"
"Chihaya, I know I am important to you. That is why you are visiting and I appreciate it a lot." The lad managed to retort. "But you don't have to do unnecessary things. I love you and I want you to have time for yourself." The lady's face seem displeased with the answer. "Listen we call each other every day. And you know there is no one else but you."
"Taichi, whatever spare time I have, I want it to be with." The girl rebutted. "Even if I have to sleep on your bed waiting for you to come home. Or I just sit here on your couch and watch you study. I don't even mind waiting for you to exit the door of the hospital you are working in."
Taichi was shocked by the outburst. Soon, Chihaya's eyes began to water. "Every day, in Tokyo when I walk the streets and ride the train, I would remember how we did it together." Her tears began to fall as she continued to speak. "I always had a hard time making friends because my interest is strange to others. But whenever I get to see you, it renews my strength. I have always looked forward to spending time with you in whatever way possible."
The doctor to be grabbed his girlfriend by the arm and pulled her into a hug. "I know we have friends and family in Tokyo Taichi. They all make me happy too in a way. But.." Chihaya raised her arms to return the embrace. "But they are not you."
The words made the man's heart flutter and beat so fast. His face probably was also flushed. He never imagined that the woman in his arms has such intense feelings toward him. All this time he thought, he loves her more. But it seems she loves him as much. They have different ways of expressing it. Him by wanting her to focus on herself. While Chihaya wants to focus her time on him.
"Chihaya I am sorry." The boy managed to utter. "I am sorry that I did not show how much I appreciate your efforts." He hugged her tighter and the girl began to relax. "From now on, you can visit as much as you whenever I am here in Kyoto." Taichi knew that once he advances in his studies he might need to go to other regions. But he is sure it won't stop Chihaya from seeing him.
"Taichi, you are so warm and smell so nice." The praise made his mind haywire. He won't be able to concentrate now that she is around. It did not help that the girl snuggled deeper into his chest. "You are better than all the Daddy bear stuffed toys in the world."
"Chihaya, you do know that I might need to go to other regions when I do clinical studies right?" The girl nodded while comfortably basking in his warmth. "Some assignments can take weeks or months, you know we have to deal with that right?"
Chihaya began to draw small circles on his chest with her right hand above where the heart is. "I know, that is why I am making the best of what I can." Her ministrations, as simple as they are felt so seductive to him. His head feels like bursting. Sensing his dilemma Chihaya looked up with a mischievous smile on her face. She raise both hands and pulled him into a kiss.
The kiss was sudden. It completely caught him off guard. But the lady aggressively deepened their lip lock. He could feel her body pushing up. She managed to sit on his lap and soon the girl pinned each thigh on his side. Taichi knew the dangerous position they were in. As her lips kept on kissing him, he was rationalizing in his brain. He promised himself not to cross the line until he finishes his studies. Because from what he heard, he will miss her more if their intimacy moves further.
"Chihaya.." he whispered and pulled away "We need to stop."
"Don't you like it?" The woman asked. Her lips were swollen and her cheeks very flushed. And for some reason, did he just mess up her hair? When he failed to respond, she lunged toward him again.
"Wait, wait." Taichi managed to utter. "Chihaya, do you have an idea of what will happen if we don't stop?"
"Taichi, I am not six. Of course, I know." The karuta queen retorted. "And what did you think? I am not prepared?"
Prepared? What the heck is she saying? "What do you mean prepared?" The medical student clarified.
The girl in front of him began to blush. "Ever since, I started visiting you. Chitose told me to bring protection always. She said if things heat up, I should not do something stupid."
Taichi groaned. "Who in Tokyo knows our intimate moments?" Were they placing bets when they are going to do it?
Chihaya swat her hand on Taichi's chest. "Why would I tell them? It's so embarrassing." Her face is so red right now. "But since I have been visiting often, people assumed something is going on." The woman was nervous. "I did not take the trouble of correcting whatever they were thinking. And when Sumire-chan said it would push women away from you. I knew I had to continue visiting or else I will go crazy."
Taichi collapsed his back on the sofa. "Chihaya, you are too much sometimes. You always manage to break my resolve."
Chihaya aware of their compromising position decided to remove herself from Taichi. The action made both feel colder. "Sorry Taichi, you must be thinking that crossing the line will be hard for the both of us. Especially when we are apart. Kana-chan said it will be hard to concentrate once that wall is broken." Is she just spilling their friend's private moments with him? "I don't mind waiting Taichi, as long as I still get to visit you often okay?"
Taichi was on the fence. He wants to jump on her now. But she still has five years to go into studying. What if despite their cautiousness they get caught off guard? He needs to hold back until he graduates. Damn, why does studying medicine have to be this long?
"Chihaya, I will never want anyone besides you." The declaration made the girl blush. Taichi always manages to catch her off guard.
"Taichi, I will never want anyone besides you too." The lady answered back. "Then let's make a promise." The woman proposed. "Once your degree is completed, we will celebrate."
"It's natural that we will party on that day. My parents would probably throw a big one." Taichi answered. He began to imagine how much of a big deal it will be. All the hospital directors will be in attendance and maybe some media saying the heir is ready to take on the hospital.
Chihaya lifted her pinky finger. "Taichi, I meant once your last class is done, we will celebrate with our bodies." He stared at her, did she just tell him when they are going to pop the cherry? "I am sure you will be on the graduating list once your last class is done. So the day before that I will be coming over okay?"
Chihaya sure has a strange way of expressing herself. But it was one of the things why he loves her. He extended his pinky and entwined it with hers. "Chihaya, can the Tatsuya River color fade?" The girl swayed her head and tightened the grip on his pinky.
Taichi recited, "Impassionate gods have never seen the red that is the Tatsuta river." He smiled tenderly at the woman before him. "Chihaya Ayase, I will promise you more than that, but first answer my next question." The karuta queen gulped in anticipation. "Before we celebrate on that day, will you marry me?"
Chihaya's eyes widened. "Yes, of course, I would." They are now both legal adults. On the day, they can just sign the marriage certificate and ask two friends to witness it. "But, wouldn't your family want a grand one?"
"We can have that after. I just want to be sure after I graduate you are fully and officially mine." Taichi declared.
Chihaya giggled and lunged at the man to embrace him. "I don't know if we can wait that long Taichi. But, regardless it's nice we have a better understanding of what we both want now."
"Well, as long as you are in my future, it will be okay." Taichi declared. "But for now, let's pursue our dreams so we can fully enjoy each other after. I don't want frustrations to drag us down."
Chihaya smiled and nodded in agreement. They have come so far now. There are so many things to face at the present. But they are both looking forward to the future. Because whatever happens in between they know, in the end, the two of them will be together.
Author's notes:
And that wraps up this fic. To all who read and appreciated this work thank you all. I wish I was able to know how you guys felt about it. I am so one of those people who are so happy that Taichihaya is canon. Until the next fanfic!
