Yuzu sat at the floor table with Mei, the two of them studying with each other for the upcoming exams. Well, they were supposed to be studying together. They barely talked ever since what happened a few days ago. Yuzu chanced a glance at Mei's work, not looking up too high lest she risk awkward eye contact–the awkward silence was torture enough. Yuzu cocked her head. Mei was making just as slow progress as her.
Every other time she and Mei studied, Mei was like a factory machine, getting things done with peak efficiency. Now, Mei's hands were fidgeting and hesitating.
"Do you…" Mei said, causing Yuzu to jolt her head back to her work. "…have a question about something?"
Yuzu's cheeks grew warm. Things were seriously warped if Mei was the one opening conversation during study time. "Um. No, no. It makes a lot more sense than it used to. Well, coming from me that still means it's quite confusing." Yuzu let out a nervous laugh. "How 'bout you? Seems like something's distracting you."
The awkward silence hung in the air for several seconds.
"This doesn't," Mei said. "Feel as natural as it used to."
Yuzu locked her eyes down at her work, her every instinct trying to get her to look up at Mei. Ever since that… kiss… she would sneak glances at Mei when she wasn't looking but never could look at her when she was. Yeah, nothing felt natural anymore. Why? During the kiss it was the exact opposite. Like it was just the thing to do. Everything made sense in those few short moments. Now, nothing did.
"Speaking of distraction," Mei said. "Would you rather study alone?"
Yuzu couldn't take it anymore. She bolted her head up and stared right into Mei's eyes. Those gorgeous crystalline eyes. Mei wasn't looking at her with her usual cold piercing look. She looked hesitant, like she was afraid of Yuzu's answer. Mei was acting so strangely ever since…
Yuzu, you idiot. Of course she's acting differently…
"No, it's fine," Yuzu said. That kiss had flustered her so much that she hadn't been considering everything Mei just went through. When Yuzu confronted Mei in the chairman's office, Mei was acting like a scared little kid, so unsure of everything. Somehow, Yuzu eventually got through to her, showed her that there's so much in her worth fighting for, and that she has the strength to fight for it all on her own. But uncertainty like that wouldn't just be solved overnight.
What was Mei really so uncertain about? Yuzu knew Mei was questioning her role in Aihara Academy. But was it more complicated than that? Was Mei struggling to focus so much because of that kiss? What did that kiss even mean? What did Mei want? Did Mei even know?
Yuzu glanced again at Mei's pen in her hands. She wrote half a sentence, then stopped to think through how to finish it. This awkwardness will pass. In the meantime, I just wanna destroy these exams to impress her.
"What do you think about this?" Mei asked and put her worksheet in front of Yuzu. "Does that look good to you?" Mei was leaning in close, their shoulders almost touching. Yuzu's face burned. Mei was asking her for advice? She's so close!
"Oh! Yeah! It looks right! Definitely!" Yuzu backed away and threw all her materials into her bag, smiling nervously. "I think I've made enough progress tonight! Imma go see if Harumin wants to hang out. I really need a stress relief."
Yuzu scurried to the door and glanced at Mei right as she left. Mei cast her head downward, continuing to work.
"No. Nope. No, no, no. For crying out loud, why is every song about love?" Yuzu whined as she scrolled through the song selection at the karaoke box.
Harumin chuckled at Yuzu's side, laying on the couch. "Who are you and what did you do with my Yuzu? Romance is like her favorite thing."
Yuzu scowled. "Turns out it's actually super confusing and complicated."
Harumin leaned up from the couch and Yuzu froze. Oh, shit. "Hold on a sec. You say that as if you've recently got some experience."
Yuzu tried laughing it off. "W-what are you talking about? I've just been reading more manga that show the depressing reality of real relationships. Haha."
Harumin smirked. "I hope so. The last thing I need is some prince charming stealing away my best friend."
Yuzu suddenly felt warm. Wow. Did Harumin really think of her that way already? She was tempted to jump on her and hug her.
"Or maybe," Harumin continued, grinning as wide as ever. "You found yourself a princess? You did have that Yuri manga phase a while back." Yuzu frowned. Hug consideration: cancelled. "Come on! If you won't pick a song, then lemme have my turn!"
Yuzu let Harumin scroll through the songs while she let her thoughts stew. They'd gotten so close so quickly. It was so easy to be around Harumin, to talk to her. Maybe she could ask Harumin for advice about this.
"Hey, Harumin?" Yuzu asked hesitantly, twirling a lock of hair in her fingers.
"Hm?" Harumin responded.
"What if there was something going on between me and someone?"
Harumin turned to face Yuzu, her eyes wide. "Wait, are you serious?"
Yuzu hunched up and nodded, terrified that she was making a mistake. She was completely winging this; she had no idea what she was going to say.
"And it's already complicated?" Harumin said. "That's a bummer. Knowing you, I'd have figured the honeymoon phase would've lasted a bit longer." She sighed.
"Yeah, me too," Yuzu said. "I thought love was supposed to be this super special magical ingredient that solved everything, but it's just got me all jumbled."
Harumin sat back on the couch, giving up on picking a song. "I hate to break it to you, but it's not like I'll be able to give you the best advice on this. I don't know squat about romance."
Yuzu raised her eyebrows. "Don't you read romance manga too?"
"I used to. Not much anymore. Honestly, I'd rather just hang out with friends like you. I mean, it's like you said. Love is super confusing and complicated. I'm cool with keeping things simple for now."
Yuzu lifted her legs up on the couch and wrapped her arms around them. "Yeah, I guess I get what you mean. But, like, I think I'm past the point of no return. I gotta figure this stuff out now. Sorry. I won't bother you about love stuff anymore if it bothers you."
"I wouldn't say it bothers me," Harumin said and leaned her shoulder against Yuzu's. "I'm just not qualified to give advice. I just hope you figure it out so that you aren't all bummed when we should be singing like maniacs having a blast!"
Yuzu smiled as Harumin hopped of the couch and put on a song, singing awfully but confidently. Harumin had said she couldn't give advice, but just acting like this set Yuzu's heart at ease.
Class had just ended, and Yuzu was packing up her books. She was dreading tonight. Every evening, Mei kept insisting that they study together. What was up with that? There was only so much awkwardness she could take before it killed her.
As she stepped out into the hallway, Harumin popped up at her side. "Yuzu, check this out!" she said. She held out a magazine to her. "There's a crazy awesome deal for cute winter clothing today! We can't miss this!"
Yuzu sighed and smiled. It was a perfect excuse to get out of the awkward studying. "Damn right!" Yuzu took the magazine and flipped through it to look at the selection. "Oh, wow! I need that hoodie! It's got cat ears and everything!"
"Right?" Harumin exclaimed. "I was hoping they might have–"
"Ms. Taniguchi," called an oddly familiar voice behind them. Yuzu and Harumin turned around to see the Student Council President. Yuzu blinked. It was like she was back on that first day, Mei's stare was cold and piercing, and her posture was stiff. "Stop making such a ruckus in the halls. And might I remind you that you aren't permitted to make stops on the way home."
Harumin scowled as Mei walked by. "As bitchy as ever," Harumin muttered when Mei went out of earshot. "And, geez, why did it feel like she was singling me out? You were being just as loud as me. Sister privileges, I guess. Ugh."
Yuzu blushed. To Harumin, that probably just seemed like the president acting like the president. But Yuzu felt whiplashed seeing Mei suddenly acting so authoritative after she'd become so timid at home lately. Part of Yuzu felt relieved. That was the version of Mei that inspired Yuzu to work hard, the girl she'd become so captivated by in the first place. So strong and confident…
Yuzu shook her head. She handed the magazine back to Harumin. "I better make sure I get some studying done first. I'll try to go out with you later when I'm done."
Harumin waved her hand in the air. "Yeah, yeah. Give my loving regards to your dear sister."
Mama was working late tonight, so Yuzu had to make dinner. So much for having enough time to study and go out. She'd have to call Harumin soon and tell her that she couldn't make it. Mei was currently sitting at the table with Kumagorou in her lap. Yuzu could barely concentrate on her cooking with the feeling that she was being silently watched. Living with your high school crush was a recipe for unproductiveness.
It was really odd. She figured Mei would just get a head start on her studying while waiting for Yuzu to finish dinner, but she just insisted on sitting at the table, doing nothing.
"So, what are you making?" Mei asked. "I'm glad it doesn't smell burnt."
Yuzu smiled nervously. "Just a simple salmon recipe."
"Then I'm also surprised it doesn't smell burnt."
What the hell? Was she still upset about what happened at school? What even set her off in the first place?
"So, are you going shopping with Taniguchi after dinner?" Mei asked.
Yuzu turned off the burner, the Salmon almost ready. "I don't think I can… I have to study and making dinner took up so much time. I really gotta get better at cooking…"
"Won't Taniguchi miss you?" Mei asked. "She seemed really excited. You're always going out with her." Yuzu was too terrified to turn around. The room felt hot, and not just from the cooking.
"I'm sure she'll understa–" Mei's arms wrapped around Yuzu's waist. When the hell did she even get up?
Mei leaned her head over Yuzu's shoulder, inspecting the food. "It actually looks good," she said so casually, as if she weren't intimately holding her right now. "Thank you for choosing to study with me."
Mei's voice right up next to her ear was so electrifying. The feeling of Mei's body cozily pressing against her back was making her face sweat. After only a few seconds, Yuzu reached her limit. She squirmed out of Mei's embrace and scurried to get the food onto plates. Mei backed up and looked downwards.
Yuzu set the plates on the table, her mind racing with panic. Mei had been weirdly touchy before, but this time it felt so genuine and inviting. It was all too much to handle right now; she had to get out of here.
As they sat both sat down, Yuzu slapped her forehead and smiled. "Oh, man! I totally forgot that I already got a bunch of studying done at school today because I finished today's work early. Ahaha! I guess I can go out after dinner."
Mei just stared wide-eyed at her for a few seconds and then went to silently eating her meal.
After they finished eating in complete silence, Mei stood up and cleared her throat. "I also forgot that I got my studying done during class today. I'll be going out with you and Taniguchi too."
Yuzu's stomach dropped. Mei clearly wasn't even bothering to come up with a believable excuse. Suddenly, Yuzu's excuse seemed really damn pitiful. So much for calmly sorting through her emotions away from Mei…
Yuzu sighed and tried to relax. Mei was being weird about it–something about what happened with Harumin at school really set Mei off for some reason–but Yuzu was happy to see her insisting on going out to have fun. Maybe this was a good opportunity.
Yuzu tore off the tags of her new hoodie and threw it on, still in the store. Today was super cold–winter was coming in quickly–and she was super excited with how cute it was. It was bright white with big pink heart outlines scattered about it. She lifted the hood up to show off the cat ears on top. It was a bit big and loose on her, but that just made it extra comfy.
"How does it look on me?" Yuzu asked Harumin, putting up a peace sign and smiling.
"Super–"
"Adorable!" said an unfamiliar voice to the side, cutting Harumin off. Yuzu and Harumin turned in the direction of the voice. She seemed to be a middle school girl. She had pink hair going down to her shoulders and headphones around her neck. "Long time no see, Yuzu." The girl had a sly grin.
Yuzu scanned the girl's face. "Wait a second. Matsuri?"
Matsuri pouted. "Aw. Don't tell me you forgot me! I was practically your little sister!"
Yuzu smiled and rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry, you just look so different, I didn't recognize you at first."
"Who's this kid?" Harumin asked, confusion painted all over her face.
"Kid?" Matsuri asked. "I'm not that much younger than you. I guess those massive boobs make you think you're all mature or something."
"Matsuri!" Yuzu squealed. Harumin put her hand on her hip and looked down at Matsuri quizzically. "Don't be so… ugh, never mind. What are you doing here anyway?" Yuzu quickly glanced over her shoulder to check that Mei was still with them. Yuzu frowned. Mei was right with them but keeping her distance. Yuzu wished there was some way she could help her get more involved. Now was a horrible time to run into an old friend.
"I wanted to come see you," Matsuri said as the group of four left the store. It was just past sunset. "I went to your apartment, but your mom said you went out, so she pointed me in the right direction."
"You're really visiting just to see me?" Yuzu asked and looked over her shoulder. Mei was still trailing in the back.
"Yup. I got bored and missed you, so I figured I'd come and hang out. Wanna come to the arcade with me? I guess the other two can come along too."
"Sure!" Yuzu replied. Then they stopped and Yuzu turned around to face Mei. "Sorry. I said we'd be back home before sunset. Do you wanna stay out a bit longer?"
Mei glanced at Harumin and Matsuri before looking off to the side. "Yeah. It sounds nice."
Matsuri eyed Mei curiously. "Who is the puppy trailing in the back anyways? She lives with you, Yuzu?"
Yuzu smiled and scratched her cheek. "Yeah, she's–" Yuzu's voice caught in her throat. It felt weird to call Mei her sister or even stepsister. She didn't think of Mei that way at all.
After a few seconds Harumin finished. "She's Yuzu's new stepsister after their parents remarried. Also, the Student Council President and granddaughter of the chairman at the school we go to."
"Stepsister, huh?" Matsuri breathed.
Yuzu got the aching feel that Mei was uncomfortable. She had a way easier time going out with them at the amusement park when she had Momokino with her. Yuzu blushed and then summoned her courage. She leaned toward Mei and grabbed her by the hand. Mei was startled but didn't pull away. Yuzu took the lead, Mei's hand in hers while Harumin and Matsuri followed behind.
"The arcade's gonna be awesome," Yuzu said, putting all her effort into being cheerful for Mei. "We're gonna have so much fun, just you wait."
Yuzu felt Mei's hand grip hers back as they went, their hands warm in the cold night.
"Seriously?" Matsuri exclaimed. "An all-girls school? That sounds really frustrating." Matsuri swiftly deflected the air hockey puck and scored on Yuzu. She was winning by eight points.
Yuzu groaned and looked off in the distance. Harumin and Mei were doing something but didn't appear to be talking much. "Hm?" Yuzu asked, trying to remember what Matsuri said. "Oh, yeah. The strictness was a real hassle. Everyone there's so orderly and perfect." Yuzu put the puck back on and struck, but Matsuri instantly swung it back into Yuzu's goal. "Damn, you're good at that."
"That's not what I meant. Must be hard finding a boyfriend at a school like that." Matsuri grinned slyly at her. What the hell was that look about?
Yuzu glanced back at Mei. Harumin laughed at something she said. I hope they're getting along better now.
"Earth to Yuzu!"
Yuzu shook her head. Matsuri was grinning even wider now. Oh, boy. Matsuri always had that look when she was about to pull a prank.
"Lets just call this match," Matsuri said, walking over to Yuzu's side. "Your head's way too in the clouds to beat me. So. Which of those two girls has you so captivated? Ms. Big Boobs or Ms. Cold Stare?"
Yuzu blushed and rubbed the back of her head. "Captivated is a strong word. Harumin's a friend and Mei's my… sister." After a few seconds, she looked down at Matsuri to see her staring up at her with piercing eyes and a devilish smile.
"Okay, okay. I see what's going on here. Does your mom know you're getting hot 'n heavy with your stepsister? I'm so proud of how kinky my Yuzu's gotten."
Yuzu's heart started pounding in her chest and she had to stop herself from squealing. "W-what? Of course not! We've only–" Kissed. I can't believe I almost just said that!
Matsuri giggled wildly. "Damn, you get flustered so quickly, Yuzu! Makes you so easy to read! Then again, I'd like to think some of it has to do with my knack for unearthing secrets!"
Yuzu leaned against the air hockey table, her face burning. This was bad. This was really, really bad.
"So have you kissed yet?" Matsuri asked, leaning toward Yuzu. "Probably. Have you screwed around?"
"Matsuri!" Yuzu yelped. "That's totally out of the question!" Yuzu thought of that time when Mei almost slid her hands into Yuzu's pants. It was for all the wrong reasons, so it pissed her off, but… would it be so bad now? Yuzu buried her face into her hands. Her head was going light. She couldn't think about this right now.
Matsuri looked over at Mei and started talking quietly. "You're way too much of an airhead to make this work on your own, Yuzu. You probably stumble over your words just asking for a kiss. Don't worry. I'll make sure you two level up."
What? What is she…?
"I'll be right back!" Matsuri said as she headed off somewhere. "You better at least sneak in a kiss when I hand the opportunity right in your lap!"
"What?" Yuzu called after her. What the hell was she talking about? This couldn't be good.
Yuzu made her way over to Mei and Harumin. They were at a game, shooting zombies, competing for a higher score. Mei was losing badly. When she caught sight of Yuzu, she immediately put her gun down.
"How was air hockey with Matsuri?" Mei asked.
"Eh. She totally destroyed me. Looked like your luck was sour too."
"Hey," Harumin said with a smile. "Don't just go and chalk up my brilliant aiming to luck. You two better head straight to my place when the zombie apocalypse breaks out."
"Can Matsuri tag along to be our bodyguard?" Yuzu asked. "She's not just killer at air hockey. We used to play wrestle when we were kids. She's surprisingly tough." Not to mention mischievously deadly. What did she go off to do anyways?
Harumin scoffed. "And be holed up with that kid for god knows how long? I'd rather run outside and get my brains eaten."
"I guess you two didn't hit it off so well? She's not that bad." Yuzu cringed at her own defense. She was saying that right after Matsuri teased her so brutally. She was way too young to be talking like that.
"Earlier, she sent a guy over to talk to me. Apparently, she told him that I was drooling over him. That girl's clearly just a mischievous spirit that thrives off annoying people."
Yuzu smiled nervously. Yeah, Matsuri was always playful and pulling pranks, but Yuzu thought it would've mellowed out as she matured. Instead, she just made her mischief more 'mature.'
Yuzu glanced at Mei. She was holding one arm at the elbow, looking off to the distance, her expression unreadable. Mei was the first to talk when Yuzu approached but had quickly faded into the background. That made Yuzu's stomach tighten with guilt. Still, she had no idea how to help Mei feel more included. She felt so hopeful about her relationship with Mei after she helped her make up with her father. Somehow, she hit a brick wall. What was the next step?
"Hey, guys!" Matsuri called as she popped up next to the group. She held up two coins. "Let's get something to remember how great this night was! But the photobooth isn't big enough for all four of us and I only have two coins left. Yuzu and Mei, go get some pictures! I wanna use my last coin to destroy Taniguchi at this zombie game." Matsuri clasped a coin in Yuzu hand and winked at her. Yuzu's heart thumped in her chest. Seriously? That was all? A picture?
Harumin groaned but pulled out the gun as Matsuri slipped the coin into the zombie game.
Yuzu sighed and smiled at Mei. She grabbed Mei's handed and guided her to the photobooth. When they reached it, Yuzu gulped. Matsuri was right; it was small and would barely fit two people. This is fine! Mei and I fit in tight spaces all the time! We sleep in the same bed after all!
Mei pulled aside the curtain and stepped inside, holding it open for Yuzu. Yuzu stayed still, her face sweating.
"Coming?" Mei asked.
Yuzu breathed out, calming herself. "Yeah, yeah."
Yuzu stepped into the booth and Mei closed the curtains. She was glad that it was so dim here. The less Mei could see of her nervousness, the better. It's a photobooth! Everyone's gonna see your sweating bright red face, Yuzu!
Yuzu slipped the coin into the slot and watched the countdown display. It would take five successive pictures after ten seconds passed. An eternity. Yuzu glanced over at Mei. Maybe she was just imagining it because she was delirious, but Mei looked like she was blushing too. She looked as strong as ever, but she was also so beautiful and cute.
Mei turned to Yuzu and they made eye contact. Yuzu looked away. Then, so faintly that she almost didn't catch it, she heard Mei sigh.
'You better sneak a kiss when I hand you the opportunity!'
Was that what… Mei wanted? All of Yuzu's nerves calmed. I've been such an idiot.
She promised Mei that she'd be by her side while she figured out how to blaze her own trail. But ever since then, she'd been running away from her just because of nerves. Of course Mei was disappointed by the way Yuzu was acting. She had to be braver than that. For both of them. She had to level up their relationship.
Yuzu cupped Mei's cheek in her hand. They both held eye contact. Mei looked as if she were awaiting a miracle that Yuzu was about to perform. No pressure. Mei opened her mouth and closed her eyes as Yuzu leaned in. Their warm lips softly rested on each other, sending shivers up Yuzu's spine.
A bright light flashed.
Yuzu pulled away, panicked. Another flash. Again, again, and again until all five finished. She completely forgot that they were here for pictures. I must destroy them immediately! The photos slid out of a slot and Yuzu snatched them, crumpling them into her pocket. She was breathing heavily, her mind racing with her plans for quickest way to dispose of them.
Mei pulled a lock of hair behind her ear. She looked completely relaxed, as if nothing had gone wrong. Or… as if it went exactly right.
Yuzu plopped down on the bed, her limbs feeling as heavy as iron. Mei fell onto her side of the bed, her usual grace faltering from exhaustion.
"I'm," Yuzu started but then yawned. "So sorry… didn't mean for us to be out so late…"
Mei turned onto her side, facing Yuzu, closing her eyes. "It was… nice…" Mei breathed out. Her voice was even cuter when she was tired.
Yuzu rolled onto her side, facing Mei. There was so much she still didn't understand about Mei, but she was certain she could figure her out as long as she kept making progress instead of running away. Even after she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep, she was still seeing that beautiful black-haired girl as clearly as daylight.
"Yuzu. Yuzu!"
Yuzu slowly pulled her body up, rubbing her eyes as she adjusted to the sunlight. Mei was getting dressed in her school uniform in a hurry. The sun was so bright. This scene didn't make sense.
"What… time is it?" Yuzu asked.
"Ten."
Yuzu's stomach tightened.
"We forgot to set our alarms last night. Just hurry and get dressed."
She kept the president, the top ranked student in the school, out late at an arcade. And because of that, because of Yuzu, Mei was missing school. Yuzu pounded her head with her palm.
I'm such an idiot!
