Chapter 3 The Journey to The Depth

Monaka and Chisaki had a blast together in the city. But during their seemingly endless shopping spree and snack stops Chisaki couldn't help but think "Maybe you and Tsumugu should try it tonight."

She could shake this thought. She didn't know how to describe this feeling she had never felt before, it was like feeling warm, no hot every time she thought of it.

"Hey Monaka you ever think of doing someo- I mean something and you suddenly get all hot and sweaty?" Chisaka prayed that Monaka didn't hear her little slip up. Lucky Monaka was too busy staring at a dress and didn't hear what Chisaki said.

"Hmmm Chi ya say something?"

"Oh it was nothing…" Chisaka said dodging a perhaps fatal bullet in her mind.

It felt strange at first for Chisaki seeing Monaka look and surprising act more grown up since her sudden growth. This drove Chisaki's curiosity for the reason behind it.

"Say Monaka, do you know the exact reason why you and the others suddenly grew so much? Chisaki asked.

"Hmmm yeah we got the doctor to check us out when we noticed we kept growing really fast. I think he said something like because we hibernate we actually store a lot of excess energy in our body. And on top of that he said our thick ena from before was absorbed and turned into energy for our bodys to grow. But he could find out why us only…"

"Huh that's interesting. I was just asking because it was nice to know that I could try the same clothes as you now, you because we have uuh more similar body shapes…"

"Yeah I guess so?"

As the day went along the feeling grew ever more intense especially when she thought of Tsumugu. It drove her crazy, poking, prodding, lingering at the back of her mind. The day began to wrap up with Monaka and the two of them returned to the train station to head back to Oshiooshi. The two were exhausted by the fun and time they spent together, as if they were back in middle school not worrying about the world around them, only themselves. Again the thought crept back into Chisaki's mind; she tried to drown it out with other thoughts, but it wouldn't say down. As she tried and tried, ultimately her mind drifted elsewhere, till Monaka noticed something was up.

"Hey Chi is something the matter? You look a bit antsy." Monaka concerned from her friend's expression.

"Hey Monaka you promise not to laugh if I tell you?"

"Of course Chi, what kinda friend would I be?"

Chisaki took a deep breath to calm herself to spit out her feelings. "You ever just think about someone and suddenly you get all hot and tingly?... You know? Because everytime i think about what you said at lunch and Tsu it happens."

Monaka tried to remember what Chisaki was talking about and when she remembered what she said, she had to keep herself from bawling out in front of Chisaki. Instead she gave a little giggle, which made Chisaki turn pink.

"I thought you said you wouldn't laugh"

"Sorry Chi it's just funny how the roles reverse kinda."

"What do you mean by that?" Chisaki, confused by what Monaka had said.

"Well it's just that you used to be the one giving me advice about relations and explaining things to me , but now it's the opposite." Monaka said with a smile.

Chisaki laughed more at ease now, "I guess so. I never thought of it like that."

"Anyways what you are feeling is..." Monaka giggled even more before she said it.. Like a little kid saying what they thought was a bad word, but they were 2 fully grown adults now. "Is love."

"What do you mean by that? I know what love is Tsu and I have been dating for 2 years now and I think I know what love is."

Monaka smiled at Chisaki "No silly not that kind of love. More of a lustful kinda love, well because you and Tsumugu have never, you know, had sex."

Chisaki at that word turned bright red and violently shook her head "W-What?! Not that's not it that can't be it I mea-"

"It's ok Chi I know how you feel. The same thing happened with me with Hiki." Monaka now looked down at her lap with her hand folded sitting on top with a serious face that was rare for Monaka. "Hiki and I one night were sitting around joking and eating ice cream on our couch then I looked over and just saw him staring at me. I was confused at what he was doing at first and thought I had something on my face."

Monaka gave a slight chuckle. "But it took me a moment to realize but… he was admiring me wanting to be with me even more. On a deeper level as deep as the sea. I knew what he was feeling and then I felt the same."

Monaka paused and took a breath. "Before I knew it Hiki and I were kissing I don't know for how long, but suddenly like you I started to become all hot and tingly at the thought of... well having sex with Hiki. I'm sure he felt the same in that moment too. It was like a spark inside of us had awakened that was suddenly lit and the fuse was burning up fast till a raging flame came out.'

"And then?" Chisaki asked with wide eyes at her friend's story.

"Well we had sex of course." Monaka now blushing from her story.

"How can you say that with such a straight face Monaka? You don't feel embarrassed or anything?"

"Why wouldn't I be? It's simply stating the truth."

The both of them laugh, this ease and comfort Chisaki felt around Monaka right now seems to calm her. She couldn't help but look bad on all the year with Monaka, the fights, the memories, the fun they had had.

"Say Monaka do you think we've changed?'

Monaka caught off guard by the sudden question, "What do you mean by that Chi?'

"I mean is everything the same as before like when we were little? You, Me, Hiki, Kaname, and the rest. Has anything changed?"

Monaka took a moment to think. She knew Chisaki no matter the age kept wondering about this, but this time instead of it being a sad thing for her, it was more of an untroubled question.

"No , I don't think so at all." Monaka looked out at the sunset on the sea. "In a physical way everything changes be it the sun, the land, and the sea always change. But I don't think we have changed. I mean look at me and for example I'm still clumsy old Monaka from all those years, Hiki is still stubborn as ever, Kaname is still looking for what he wants, and you...you're still asking the same thing. We are all shaped by those moments that make us and that can never change. The only thing we can do is add to those moments and make them even more special."

"Monaka...I" Chisaki didn't know what to say back, she simply looked out the window to watch the sunset on the sea, as it slowly faded and the dark depths of the sea became darker. She thought to herself Tsu and her have been dating close to 4 years now but never took it a step further. She thought it was because he was always busy and had to focus on his studies. Constantly going to the city and only coming back for a short time, which Chisaki had enjoyed a lot even if it was short. Now with them being settle she remember that she now had a chance to settled down for good with Tsumugu.

"Monaka."

"Yeah Chi?" both of them still looking out at the fading sun.

"I'm going to do it tonight. I'm going to take Tsu and I's relationship to the next level."

Monaka looked at Chisaki and Chisaki looked back. Monaka gave Chisaki and approving nod. All the encouragement Chisaki needed to make her goal a success.