Chapter 4: "Adore You"

Disclaimer: Citrus is the property of Saburo Uta, the characters do not belong to me.

Hours had become days, days turned weeks.

But here they are, still at their usual rendezvous. At Mei's desk.

"Say ahh.." Yuzu pushed a spoonful of Yakimeshi up to Mei's face.

Mei reluctantly hung her lower jaw open while checking to see if there were any prying eyes. But everyone was busy chatting and eating their lunch as well, much to Mei's delight… because these things are what she enjoyed most and looked forward to, not that she would admit that anyway.

"Good, is it?" Emerald eyes glinting, just staring at her… like she's the only girl in the world.

"You are good." Mei lowered her head, hoping that she was not heard and also wishing the opposite. She couldn't take these feelings anymore.

It's eating her, she's exploding...but she'd rather want to feel this a couple of times if Yuzu makes her feel that way than feel nothing at all.

"What?' Yuzu seemed perplexed.

Dense.

"I said it was good, very good."

Their company held a Christmas party. It was simple; a few beer bottles and delicious catered dishes with light desserts. The office was no longer lit with bright lights, instead disco lights were present with a few songs that Yuzu was familiar with.

And Yuzu swore that when Mei appeared, her eyes wanted to fall out of their sockets, she was just so stunning.

Mei's scent brought her out of her daze.

The raven-haired sat next to her on an empty seat and ate the chips inside the bowl, her body moved in sync with the rhythm of the song in the background, It was Coldplay's "Yellow." But the blonde heard nothing but a beautiful static that made everything magical that night. At that moment, she could hardly hear the music, let alone the violent pounding of her heart against her ribcage — but if it did beat, it did for Mei.

And Mei felt the same too.

But both of them were afraid to admit to telling what exactly they feel for each other or the consequences that entailed it.

Dang, this love story! Or is it even one?

"Mei, do you want to dance?" A meek question came out half-baked out of Yuzu's mouth.

"Yuzu, when are you leaving?" The blonde was taken aback.

Was it because I made her feel uncomfortable?

"I'll be leaving by 10." Yuzu scratched the back of her head, embarrassed that she was indirectly denied.

That's not what I was meaning to ask, stupid! Mei inwardly rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I mea-" Before the raven-haired girl could rephrase her question, someone cut Mei off.

A phone call.

"Sorry Mei, I have to answer this one." The blonde took the call and exited out of their office.

"Mama?" Yuzu tried to look for a place that's less affected by the vibration of the sound.

"Yuzu, dear." Came Ume's voice on the other side of the line, "Why is it loud there?"

"Sorry Mama, my co-workers thought of celebrating a Christmas party." The blonde's voice was muffled.

"No, it's fine, baby. Enjoy yourselves! I was just wondering as to when are you coming back?"

Yuzu's eyes ticked.

So that was what Mei meant.

"Dear?" A flash of concern struck Ume.

"Sorry Mama, just trust me, I'll be there in no time."

I have to tell Mei, she probably feels the same or maybe not, I don't care! I have to tell her now!

"Miss Aihara Mei! I don't care about the rumors circulating around about you being the Queen of Disaster! I want to try and date you! Please give me a chance? I will promise to love you. Sincerely."

A man's voice halted Yuzu from her tracks. Yuzu waited outside the door, eavesdropping for Mei's reply.

Hoping and waiting for her to turn down the man's ardent confession.

Mei smiled and started saying, "Thank you, I do like-"

Before Mei could even finish her sentence, the blonde left. Heart was broken miserably, every brink of hope; lost.

Of course, why would she think of me that way? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Tears were cascading out of her eyes.

I need to get to Japan. Fast.

A/N: So that's a wrap, guys. Kidding. One more chapter. Might be completing it today. Of course, it's not me without a little angst. I love angst. If you want to punish yourselves, you might as well read my main fic!