Honoka had to stay strong but why is it that she feels her heart was not hurt that much? She could have ran away but she chose to stay. Maturity? She was never matured and she admits that. In fact, she finds herself childish and she was wrong to think that Umi is too focused with her job that she won't fall in love with the blonde.
And within this kind of pain, there is something that is covering it. A name that whenever she thinks about it, she gets to have a natural smile on her face; that's Brenda.
Honoka then sighed secretly and faced the two.
Umi then looked at the blonde, "My father might come back. I am very sure that he won't stop until he sees and reaches the ranch. He will always try to do something just to burn it down."
Eli nodded, "Don't worry, we will keep a close eye on it."
Umi smiled, "I see... I trust you..." She then looked at Honoka, "You two seem to have something to talk about. I will be at the kitchen then." She then walked past by the blonde, her bangs covering her eyes. She could feel the disappointment flooding her whole being. She wanted to feel that warmth again, she wanted to let that last for a long time. After that hug, she could feel coldness crawling up inside her once again. She could feel that there's something missing once again... She then wrapped her arms around herself, trying to cover up the cold.
The blonde and Honoka then turned their heads to watch Umi leave.
The blue-haired sighed as she reached the kitchen and went to the fridge to get something to eat.
Honoka then looked up at the blonde, "El—" But her eyes widened as she stops midway. She clearly saw how Eli looked at Umi.
Honoka knew that there is something within those sparkling eyes of the blonde, and she could tell because she had been there.
The ginger-head then smiled.
The blonde then looked back at her, "So, what's wrong, Honoka?"
Honoka flinched and shook her head vigorously, "I-It's nothing! Don't mind me." She giggled and the blonde just nodded.
"So what brought you here, love?" Eli asked as she leaned to embrace her lover.
Love... Honoka felt like her heart was being stabbed just by hearing that. But aside of the pain, there lies hope. Hope for something else...
Honoka returned the hug and then looked up at her, "Well, I came here to bear some news. I'm going to Austin, Texas. Well, to go to the other ranch there. I might stay there for a while."
Eli's smile dropped and pouted, "Aww... For how long?"
"Hmm... 3 months? That ranch is just new so they need my supervision there. But don't worry! I will give you calls and messages!" Honoka giggled.
Eli softened her eyes, "I see... Well, you better be careful there."
"No worries! Brenda will be with me!" Honoka reassured her.
The blonde nodded with a smile, "Alright. She'd better keep an eye on you."
"She will..." Honoka said.
Eli chuckles and leans to kiss her lips, her eyes closing.
Honoka kissed back as a response, her eyes are also closing as she wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck.
Umi watches them sadly from the kitchen. She could feel her heart breaking but does she even has the right to feel this way? Eli is not hers and will never be. She knows just how faithful Eli and Honoka are to each other. She then looked down at her meal with her softened eyes. She is remembering all those days when she was riding horses with Eli back then.
Starting from how they met.
Umi closed her eyes for a bit and reopened them again.
'Because of my father that you were taken away from me...' She thought as she gripped on her utensils tightly.
The blue-haired then released one deep sigh and continued eating.
Eli and Honoka sooner broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes.
And that's when Eli felt that there is something missing, she is facing her lover but why is it that she does not feel any sparks between them? Why is it that there is something missing? Whatever that could be, it was very important and her heart knows what could that be.
It is within her reach but she cannot grab it.
The blonde smiled, "Say... do you know Silver Heart?"
Honoka blinked and nodded, "She's one of the fastest racehorses around! And she is Umi's horse. What about her?"
Eli then whispered on her ear, "She's at the ranch and she has a daughter already."
Honoka's eyes widened, "Then, we should tell Umi about her!"
"Of course!" Eli grinned.
The two of them then went straight into the kitchen.
"Umi!" Honoka called out with a large grin.
The blue-haired then rose her head up and blinked in curiosity, "Is there something wrong, Honoka?"
"We— Or rather, Eli has something to show you." Honoka said and the blonde nodded with an excited smile.
Umi raised an eyebrow and looked at the blonde, "What could that be? You had been telling me about that, too. Same goes to Seth."
"Just follow us!" Eli said.
Umi blinked and nodded, "Okay...?" She then stood up and the three of them went to the ranch.
They then headed straight to the stables.
Eli then turned to Umi and pointed at Silver Heart with her open palm, "Guess who is back."
Umi's eyes widened when she finally saw the mare. The bridge of her deep bond with Eli. She then slowly walked towards the horse and stood in front of the stall.
Silver Heart's ears flickered and it leaned up its muzzle to tap it against Umi's arm.
The blue-haired's eyes softened, "Silver Heart... Is it really you?"
Eli and Honoka then shared glances with each other while smiles were forming on their faces. They then looked back at the blue-haired who then gently placed her hands on the horse's muzzle.
Eli softened her eyes, she could still see the silhouettes of the young Umi and Silver Heart right at that very place, in that very position.
And it just made her heart flutter while feeling nostalgic. The blonde then spoke, "Silver Heart was given to me when I became a teenager. Dad did not tell me what happened here back then so I was clueless that this ranch had been burned down after my last visit."
Umi caressed Silver Heart's muzzle while smiling, "I see... Good thing she was in good hands... She is still my favorite horse. So how was she when she came to your ranch?"
"Well, at first, she was a bit anxious but she got used to its new environment. And now that she has come back here, it's no surprise that she is calmer when she finally went into her old stall."
Umi giggled, "No wonder you saved this spot... So you remember?"
Eli nodded with a smile.
Honoka looked from Eli to Umi then back to the blonde. She was a bit confused, "Wait, so you two were childhood friends?"
Eli and Umi looked at her and nodded, "Yes." They said at the same time.
Honoka had her mouth opened as she astonishingly looked back at them, "Wait... no way!"
Eli laughed, "Well, I think you haven't met Umi that time."
"Well yeah! Maybe I was in Texas when you both met!"
'That was before dad changed his treatment to me and mom...' Umi thought.
"Phew boy..." Honoka placed a hand on her forehead, "So you two already met. I'm speechless about it. But how come I never saw you around here?" She turned to the blonde.
Eli hummed, "Well, something... happened. And it changed our lives forever."
Honoka could feel that it was that bad so she stayed silent about it and just let it be. It already happened and it is useless to dig into the past. Besides, she already formed a conclusion about what possibly happened.
It could be that Eli's father and Umi's father had an argument and that made the blonde's father take her daughter away from Woodstock for a long while. Then she came...
"But I am very much glad that you made your first friend!" Honoka grinned.
Umi nodded, "Eli was my very first friend."
'And my first crush...' Her heart whispered.
"No wonder you told me before that you already had your first friend. You also told me that that person is your cr—" But Umi immediately cut her out while blushing furiously.
"Ahhhhh! Don't say it!"
Eli blinked, "What?"
Honoka laughed, "Alright, I won't tell! Just teasing you!"
Eli raised an eyebrow as she looked at them back and forth before sighing, "Jeez, keeping secrets from me now huh?"
"Aw come on, it is our secret and it's best if you wouldn't know!" Honoka stated.
"Fine, fine. I won't dig much deeper there." Eli rose her hands up in defeat.
Silver Heart then leaned up to nuzzle Umi's cheek with its muzzle and it made the blue-haired close her one eye and giggle.
Honoka and Eli then watched the blue-haired. Eli brought her hands down and blinked.
The two then smiled softly, but there's something special within Eli's twinkling eyes:
Nostalgia.
She had to admit but Umi's soft laugh is like music to her ears and she hopes to hear it more. The beating of the heart became intense whenever she gets to see the blue-haired's smile.
It is something that she shouldn't feel since she is in a relationship but that feeling is true and natural... No pretentions and no doubts.
There goes that kind of scene again wherein she could see that very moment, but it was replaced with the young Umi and Silver Heart instead.
Honoka then remembered something and it made her flinch a bit, "Oh yeah, I have to start packing for the trip!"
Umi then stopped and looked at her, "Trip?"
Honoka nodded, "I almost forgot to tell you! I am going to Austin for 3 months because a new ranch has been built there! They need me!" She grinned.
"I see... You should have told me earlier!" Umi pouted at her best friend, who just revealed a laugh.
"Well a lot happened that I couldn't say it properly to you! But I will bring souvenirs! No worries!" Honoka replied.
"Fine, be careful in there alright?" Umi smiled at her and the ginger-head nodded, "Of course! You don't have to worry about my safety because Brenda will always keep an eye out on me." Honoka responded.
Umi then looked at Silver Heart and whispered, "I'll be right back.." She then walked towards the duo and the three of them walked out of the stables.
Honoka then stepped forward for a bit to create distances and then faces them, "Eli, you better take care of Umi here. Make sure that her dad won't hurt her."
Eli nodded, "That goes without question."
"Good." Honoka then turned to Umi, "Be careful, too. Okay?"
Umi nodded with a smile, "I will."
"Awwww, I'm so gonna miss the two of you." Honoka then went up to them and wrapped her arms around them both.
Umi and Eli just chuckled and they hugged the ginger-head back.
Honoka then pulled away, "Well, I have to go now. I'm sure Brenda is waiting for me and is probably trying to pack my things up herself. That pervert..."
Eli narrowed her eyes, "Aw come on, don't tell me that she is digging into your underwear drawer!"
"No worries! I keep that safe!" Honoka blushed and pouted.
"Good." Eli chuckled.
Honoka then smiled and then turned her heels. With a wave, she said, "See you soon!" And left.
Umi and Eli then waved back.
After Honoka is out of their sight, Umi then faced the blonde with a smirk and arms crossed.
The blonde faced her also and blinked, "What?"
"You know what."
Eli laughed, "So how was the surprise?"
"So it's no wonder why you went back home without telling me anything."
The blonde grinned, "Well, I knew that bringing Silver Heart back here will make you extremely happy so I did!"
"You're too thoughtful." Umi chuckled and Eli just smiled while staring at her.
"I just want to see you happy..." Eli unconsciously said.
Umi stopped and blushed furiously, her heart began to palpitate far more intense than ever. It is one of those things that she always wanted to hear from the blonde herself. Hearing that made her happier than she ever should and it makes her feel giddy.
Umi then looked down with a natural smile before looking up at her again, "You already did."
'When you came back here...' Her heart whispered.
"That's good."
"And I thank you for bringing Silver Heart back."
"It's no problem. Silver Heart aside, there's one more surprise." Eli raised a finger and the blue-haired blinked before she looked at Silver Heart then back at the blonde, "What is it?"
"Well, she should be arriving here soon. And trust me, you'd be surprised."
"Hoooh? I'm looking forward to it then."
"While waiting, do you perhaps want to ride Silver?"
Umi's eyes widened, "Can I, really?"
"Of course!" Eli grinned.
And that made Umi feel familiar with that one particular scene, this exact conversation made her feel nostalgic and she is surprised that it happened once again.
Eli then grabbed her hand and turned her heels to rush back into the stables.
Umi yelped and chuckled as she lets the blonde drag her inside, her eyes softening when she remembers this exact scene.
She looked at Eli's back and could see that silhouette. The young Eli's silhouette.
'You were once smaller than me but you were strong. And now you had grown up this much... You became a great woman, Eli.' Umi thought and it brought a smile to her face.
She felt like she is a kid once again, and this scene made her wish that this should last. Eli had been taking her to places she has never seen before. Her once monotonous world turned colorful when they first met. And how she deeply hopes that Eli will continue into bringing her to places. New places...
They then went near to Silver Heart and Eli faced her, "Wait here!" Umi then nodded and the blonde ran out of the stables to go to the tack room to get the saddle, reigns and bridles. She then went rushing back into the stables, "Here I am!"
Umi's eyes softened, old but precious scenes like these repeated unexpectedly as if it was meant to be repeated. It felt like they went back in time, but they went back in time in their grown up selves.
"Hey!" Umi giggled.
Eli smiled brightly before she went to Silver Heart and opened its stall door while Umi took few steps back and went to the side to gain distances between herself and the mare.
The blonde then led the horse out of its stall and put its reigns and bridles while Umi watched her, her eyes were sparkling in admiration.
The blue-haired then spoke, "Is Silver Heart still okay to be ridden?" She asked with worry in her voice.
"Yep! Though she can only do light exercises now since she is old." Eli's eyes softened sadly.
"I see... How old is she?"
"34." Eli answered.
Umi nodded, she knows that horses are not supposed to be active in riding once they reached 30 and above, "I see..."
"Though her legacy as one of the fastest horses still lives. She has a lot of awards from her races."
Umi then looked at Silver Heart with a proud smile, "And I am very proud to hear that."
"I am proud as well." Eli chuckles and as she finally settled it up, she then led the mare outside of the stable and Umi followed them.
It is the exact scene back then; the two of them could feel and see that.
As they reached outside of the stables, Eli then faced Umi, "You aren't afraid of horses anymore huh?"
Umi rolled her eyes, "You can say that again."
"That's good." Eli then began to settle the saddle on the horse's back and once she is done, she then faced the blue-haired, "I'll help you hop on her back."
Umi nodded, her heart is racing. Not because of nervousness but because of excitement, she knows that by helping her mount the horse would mean that Eli will need to carry her up.
She then walked closer towards them and the blonde placed her hands on Umi's waist before she lifted her up. With the help of Umi's light jump, she successfully hopped on Silver Heart's back easily, spreading her legs and putting her toes on each side of the mare, but she blushes in embarrassment when she noticed that she was still wearing a dress, "I-I didn't realize that I was still on my dress."
Eli laughed, "Really now?! Do you perhaps want to change first?"
Umi shook her head vigorously, "It's alright. Silver Heart won't and can't run right?"
Eli nodded, "You have a point. But you might need to change later for the second surprise."
"Fiine." Umi rolled her eyes.
"We'll have a little roam around okay? Then we will have you back down there, I need to observe something you see."
"What could that be?"
"I'll say that later. Walk on." Eli commanded Silver Heart as she began to walk forward.
Same goes to the mare.
And after a moment, Eli and the horse went back in front of the stables. The blonde nodded, "Yep, knew it."
Umi blinked, "What's wrong?"
"Looks like the saddle is slightly broken, I might need to replace it. Hop down for a while, Umi."
Umi nodded and she gently got off of the horse's back.
Eli then removed the saddle and went back to the tack room to get a new one.
Umi's eyes softened as she watched Eli, she could see her from where she is since the door of the tack room is left opened.
Her eyes fixated on her back, she could see that strong line on it along with Eli's arms which were slightly flexing due to having to take some things off. Add the fact that it aroused Umi because Eli's sleeves were rolled up to her elbows.
'Her back is sturdier now and her shoulders became broad... No wonder she could hold me close completely like she became my blanket.' Umi thought and red hues covered her cheeks as she began to stare at the blonde.
'Her muscles and her physique... She must had been working out.'
Umi then embraced herself, she began to wonder why she feels so much heat inside her body. She felt like she is having a fever and it made her pant a bit. Just seeing Eli this way made her want to just pin the blonde down and start it from there.
She knows it is lust. Lust which is combined with love and she couldn't help but stare at the blonde more.
After a few more moments, Eli came back and she blinked when she got near to her, "Something wrong, Umi? You okay?"
Umi then snapped back into reality and shook her head before smiling at the blonde while standing erectly, "I'm good. No worries."
The blonde smiled and tilted her head slightly, showing off her charm, "You know you looked cute right now."
Umi blushed furiously and rose her hands up on her chest level, flailing them, "I-I'm not!"
"Yes you are."
"I'm not! What makes you say that!?"
"Well, you are blushing. I still remember how I used to tease you whenever you blush." Eli laughed.
"S-Shut up! That was way back then!"
"I know but you still look so cute when you blush."
Umi pouted, "Jeez, you are a teaser as always."
Eli winked, "I know."
Umi then revealed a smile, how she had missed these kinds of interactions with the blonde.
Eli just chuckled.
And all of the sudden, they felt a loud beating of their hearts, making them stop and look at each other in surprise.
Eli then stared at the blue-haired, her gaze stayed consistent and within her mind, she is remembering something... It felt like something is being replaced, as if pieces are slowly coming together.
Umi stared back at her with a consistent smile; she looked like she was waiting for this time to come.
'Why is it that I am starting to remember something? What could it be...' Eli thought as she continued to stare at the blue-haired.
'Umi... why are you looking so familiar somewhere in my dreams? Those dreams that is...' Eli's heart whispered and she gulped a bit.
There goes that romantic vibe again. The sun's rays gently hit them and some of its light passed through in between of their faces.
The two of them then began to lean forward to each other with their eyes closing halfway.
Eli then gently raised a hand and placed it on Umi's cheek, softly caressing it.
Umi then closed her eyes entirely, waiting for Eli to kiss her.
Eli leaned closer, the gap between their lips began to shorten, until it became centimeters away.
A/N: Heeey guys! So am now going to publish the chapters daily! Good news right! So how are you guys? Good? Good! Bad? Relax for a while and listen to some good music!