Maho, no!
Maho, yes.
!!!Important Author Notice!!!!
Sorry to leave the last chapter on such a... anger-induced state, but I felt like it was a good way to introduce the love triangle that I... well... love. I understand that a few of you may dislike it, but as I am writing for myself, I will write my fiction how I want to write my fiction.
Aside from that, this story will get a whole lot funkier, and what I mean by funkier is angstier.
Generally speaking, it's going to get better. Hopefully.
~ lets get back to the story ~
Darjeeling fumbled around in her pockets for her phone, hurriedly grabbing it and unlocking it. She immediately went to Kay's number and dialled it, only being put into more of a sense of panic when it went directly to voicemail. Clutching the phone to her chest after leaving the an anxiety-filled message, Darjeeling looked down both ends of the road expecting to see her blonde companion. Kay couldn't be seen anywhere. Darjeeling took a moment to think, breathing deeply and listing all the possibilities of where Kay could be.
'How could she get away so quickly? This is just unbelievable. It is partly my fault, I don't think words could do any justice to express how apologetic I am. But how on earth did she get away so quick? It's just like one of those anime she made me watch,'
Being back on her school ship was the most likely place where Kay had gone; it seemed the most sound of a decision to make for Darjeeling, anyway. Although it wasn't a long walk, Darjeeling still prepared herself physically and mentally for it. Her popularity with the Saunder's girls skyrocketed when she and Kay had began going out only a few days ago.
'Wow, it really has been a few days, and I basically just confessed my love for her and she wasn't in the room... Maho was, and she stole my first kiss," Darjeeling balled her fists as she walked, and a scowl formed on her face. There was a stormy aura that permeated around Darjeeling now, and whoever laid eyes on her would know not to approach her. This attitude is similar to a time where Rosehip made Darjeeling spill her tea, which was in some way funny and terrifying for Rosehip.
Darjeeling tried Kay's phone again, but to no avail. Either she was ignoring her calls or she didn't have her phone on her. The latter was highly unlikely for Kay, as she's always seen with her phone. Darjeeling also considered contacting Alisa or Naomi, but she put it off for now as it would probably spread rumours.
Worse rumours would arise if it was known that the commander of Kuromorimine kissed the commander of St Gloriana, while the St Gloriana commander was on a date with the commander of Saunders. It would spread like wildfire if anyone found out.
Darjeeling picked up her pace.
She quickly reached the ramp that would take her onto the ship and hurriedly ascended up it, getting strange looks from two passing Saunders students.
Having to keep up this pace wasn't difficult for Darjeeling, and she was glad she kept in shape and exercised often, but this was an unnecessary hassle for her as it would be much simpler if there was a lift or if Kay wasn't on the ship.
'What if she isn't on the ship? Oh, buggar, that would be most off-putting, I suppose there is only one way to find out.'
Darjeeling didn't take long to reach the gates of the school and enter the main reception. She requested the whereabouts of their commander with bated breath, and the lady behind the desked cocked an eyebrow.
"Apologies for bothering you, but you wouldn't happen to know of Kay's whereabouts, would you? It's quite urgent, in fact," Darjeeling showed her sweetest smile, hoping the lady knew where Kay was and was willing to tell her the location of the Saunders Tankery Commander.
"Yes, she's at the tank sheds with a couple of her friends. What is the purpose of your visit, miss Darjeeling?" The lady looked down at a book beside her.
"Just visiting, I wanted to talk to her before Saunders left the harbour,"
"I see... alright, enjoy your talk," the lady turned her attention away from Darjeeling, and the young blonde saw this as an opportunity to shoot away to the tank sheds.
There was one final attempt to contact Kay through the phone, but it didn't go through.
Nearing the tank sheds, Darjeeling could hear the low rumbling of a pair of Sherman engines. They were being kept idle, so a third may have been getting prepared.
Turning the corner, she saw the Firefly, the M4A1 76, and the Commander's M4 either idling or their engines being turned over. Getting closer, she exchanged a few greetings with some Saunders students.
'They didn't know yet, good,'
Naomi and Alisa were standing behind the M4, with Kay turning over her engine with another student that Darjeeling didn't recognise.
"Hello," Darjeeling greeted the four girls by the engine block of the Sherman, with only Alisa and Naomi responding with half-hearted 'hey's'. They were hardly audible over the engines, but Kay must have heard it too. Darjeeling, with guilt filling her mind, must have known that Kay would have told Naomi and Alisa about what had happened.
"Kay..." the St Gloriana commander tried again after the M4 engine was started up, the exhausts spluttering and a small plume of black smoke puffed out of them.
The students that watched were unsettled, they were whispering amongst themselves. Kay still didn't answer. Darjeeling took a step forward.
Darjeeling's light-blue blouse and black skirt flapped in the salty wind, her clothes contrasted with the brown and green of the uniforms that stood around her. She stood out, and she and her girlfriend were the centre of attention.
"I didn't actually think you'd come onto the ship," Kay focused on the machine that lay idle in front of her, "I knew you'd try and call me so that's why I turned off my phone." Kay stepped back from the Sherman and put away the hand crank for the engine.
"Words can't express how sorry I am, Kay. I... can we talk somewhere else, please?"
"If you've got something to say, you can say it here," Kay finally turned away from the machine, facing Darjeeling. Darjeeling didn't see sadness on her face, but anger. Pure, undeniable anger. It was something Darjeeling wished to never see, she was ruthless when she got angry but her heart was always expressed truthfully.
Darjeeling felt that there wouldn't be any privacy to get if she wanted to talk about what just happened, so it was all or nothing. She wanted Kay back, and she desperately wanted to hug her again.
"I can't blame everything on Maho, because that would be unfair to her and a lie on my part. I'm sorry that I never elaborated on my past with her to you, it was foolish of me,"
More whispers started, and Darjeeling could feel the judging gazes. She wasn't going to back down, she had to explain herself. Darjeeling had lied to Kay and to herself about Maho, and now, in front of all these other girls she had to expose herself and her feelings.
"I won't lie that I am close to Maho, that we were as close to each other as I am to you now, but that was before. This is now. I don't know if you heard it or not, but she asked me if I loved you, and I said yes. Whether you believe me or not, it is up to you; however she was the one who kissed me, she backed me into a corner and I froze. I couldn't do anything. I cannot perfectly explain what I was feeling, but right now all I feel is guilt, and regret."
"You two were together before? How come I never knew about it?"
"No one other than the two of us knew about it, it was in secret because we knew our parents would completely disapprove of us. That was one of the reasons why we ended it too..."
Kay's face softened, and she nodded. "I see. And you came here to explain yourself?"
"Yes, I don't want us to separate. I don't want you to hate me either, Kay, but if you do I understand," Darjeeling held her hands together behind her back, and her head was angled down. With this audience, she didn't want to be seen weak, but if it was to have Kay to return to her she would do anything within reason for her.
Kay walked up to her, anger still written all over her face.
"You lied to my feelings, you know that don't you?"
"Yes, I do. I thought that if I kept my feelings a secret it would be alright, but in recent events I know it was incredibly stupid of me to-"
"I love you too."
Darjeeling looked up at Kay, seeing that the anger had completely washed away. The yellow-haired commander embraced the fair-haired commander, and she returned it. Alisa cheered and clapped, with some other students joining in.
"I'm sorry, I truly am. Will you forgive me?"
"Forgive you for stealing that kiss I wanted? No, not in a million years," Kay smirked, slightly loosening her arms that were wrapped around Darjeeing's waist. Darjeeling smiled warmly in return, and leaned her forehead on Kay's shoulder. "Guys, shut up. Grow up, would you?" The clapping and the cheering quickly stopped and the Saunders girls returned to their own vehicles.
"I thought nothing of it, I would much prefer if you were the one kissing me instead," a strong pink blush formed on Darjeeling's cheeks, and she was glad her face was blocked by Kay's shoulder.
"Oh-ho? Is that right? Wanna kiss right here where everyone can see us?"
"Not necessarily, maybe at the beach, tonight? I can prepare us a picnic for dinner,"
"Another date? You must really like me, huh,"
"A parting gift before Saunders leaves for the next match it has to compete for, what do you say?"
"I love it, and please make sure Maho doesn't follow you to the bathroom again ok?"
"I'm sorry..."
Kay chuckled, rubbing Darjeeling's back. Darjeeling kept her arms tight around her girlfriend, never wanting to let go.
"Oi, Kay, stop flirting and get in your tank. Are we going to practice or not?" Naomi leaned on her Firefly, popping her bubblegum.
"Oh, uh, sure. Sorry Darj, but I did kinda agree to practicing with the girls..." Kay let go of Darjeeling and turned halfway towards her M4.
"It's ok, I don't mind. As long as we're ok now though?"
"I wouldn't say ok, but more of on the same page. I'm still super pissed about it."
"Rightfully so, I can't blame you. It'd be wrong if I did. Thank you for being so understanding, and for forgiving me. It won't happen again, I promise."
"Better not, those gorgeous lips are reserved for me only, got it?"
"Yes, I've 'got it'." Darjeeling smiled at her girlfriend, and Kay smiled back. "I'll take my leave then, I'll see you later?"
"You will, don't worry. A picnic on the beach under the moonlight, sat down with the most gorgeous woman ever? Wouldn't miss it for the world." Kay winked at Darjeeling and climbed into her Sherman. Dajreeljng waved her off, along with the other two Shermans.
It was now time to talk to Assam and Orange, for they were surely spying on her when she went out. The talk that she'd have to have with them will be quick and concise, and no details will be missed. She didn't look forward to it though, nor the walk from point A to B. Darjeeling thought that she deserved it, and hoped she wouldn't pass Maho and Erika on the way back.
~ T and C ~
"So you're taking her out for a moonlit-picnic-beach date as an apology?" Assam and Orange Pekoe sat on Assam's bed, with Darjeeling just a metre away sitting on her own bed. All three of them sat with a cup of tea each, with a table between them that carried a large ceramic teapot filled with vanilla-flavoured tea.
"Yes, and I will be preparing for it within the next hour," Darjeeling closed her eyes and had a short sip of her tea.
"Well, that's all rather perplexing. I don't see why Maho would make such advancements on you when it was quite clear you're with Kay. She's insane," Assam sipped her tea too, looking into her cup after swallowing.
"I fear she still has feelings for me, which is troubling to say the least, but I wonder if there is some underlying reason why she is doing this,"
"For Sensha-do? Perhaps she has a plan," Orange Pekoe ran a hand over her perfectly styled hair, making sure there were no strands poking out.
"Unlikely, Maho wouldn't do that. This is purely because she still has feelings for me,"
"Well, I suppose the only thing you can do now is be there for Kay and ignore Maho's attempts at winning you back," Assam took one final drink of her tea then, with extreme caution and grace, placed the empty teacup on the table in front of her.
"Of course, the only person that's been on my mind since this afternoon has been Kay. I hope it's the same for her."
"I'm sure it is, there's no doubt about it," Orange smiled at Darjeeling, then finished her own cup of tea.
"Thank you for taking some time to sit down with me, I appreciate it," Darjeeling took one last sip and gently placed her cup on the table.
"Any time, it's probably a good thing that Rosehip isn't here though," Assam admitted, earning a light laugh from the other two.
"I suppose I best start preparing, the food won't make itself," Darjeeling stood up and patted down her pleated skirt. Assam started cleaning up the table and put the teacups and teapot on a tray.
"Good luck with tonight, Darjeeling. I hope it goes well for you and Kay," Orange stood up off Assam's bed and helped her with the tray.
"Thank you, so do I, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," Darjeeling smiled at her friends, picked up a book from off her bedside table and left the room. It was time to prepare and make her home-made dinner date with Kay.