(Seiko): "Ah shucks! I must've left my umbrella at home! Awkwaaaaard!"
Looking at Seiko, I nudged at her with my umbrella raised over our dry heads.
(Naomi): "We could just share mine!"
Somehow, she didn't seem... surprised? Like if she was expecting for this to happen?
I must be overthinking it...
(Seiko): "I knew I can rely on you!"
Rely on me...
(Seiko): "...?"
(Naomi): "...Umm! Heh! Ready to go?"
Seiko then moved up to me and grabbed for my arm. Practically hugging me just like the other day. Yet this one felt more personal.
(Seiko): "Ready when you are!"
Wow, she's really holding me close...
(Seiko): "Hmm? Naomi?"
(Naomi): "Good! Umm... yeah! Let's get going...!"
(Seiko): "Heheh!"
Gaaaah!
I'm such a loser!
And then we walked forward. Leaving the school entranceway. Side-by-side. For the most part minding our own business as we walked through our usual path. Although, most of my attention would be on the other students. Noticing how... all of them were holding their own umbrellas. It's like... everyone's been aware of the weather report. Some were even in their rain gear.
(Naomi): "..."
We seriously can't be the only ones sharing!
That'll just make the rumors at school even worse!
(Seiko): "*Gasp* Look out! Puddle!"
(Naomi): "...!"
Unfortunately, it couldn't be avoided.
(Seiko): "Splaaaaaashhhh!"
(Naomi): "Ahhhh! Forgive me!"
(Seiko): "Heheh! No! No! You're fine!"
Though, Seiko had more to say. As she pressed in, leaned into my ear and whispered...
(Seiko): "...After all! This isn't the first time you make me wet...!"
Said seductively.
Is she really doing this right now?! In front of everyone...?!
(Seiko): "...Since you know? You can be a little CLUMSY!"
(Naomi): "O-Ohhh..."
But of course. It's just like her usual teasing ways. Making me out like some pervert, while poking fun at me. At least she wasn't bringing attention to it in a public speaking voice!
(Seiko): "Hmm? You seem surprised! Were you having straaaange dirty thoughts again?"
I take that back...
(Seiko): "Being a little pervy now? Are we?"
(Naomi): "..."
Don't say anything!
She's baiting you...
(Seiko): "Hmhmhm!"
Being taunted by those sadistic laughs tempted me to do something. And with enough thought, I moved and shifted the umbrella away from her head, letting the ice-cold rain drizzle on her.
(Seiko): "...! Heeeeey!"
Our roles being swapped was too satisfying to witness... even I was smiling.
(Naomi): "Maybe that'll clean YOUR dirty mind!"
(Seiko): "Ohhhh ho! Clean my mind? Well two can play at that game!"
And that smile of mine... completely faded. Once I realized what I started...
Wha?!
Though, it was too late. Seiko had already swiped the umbrella from me and stormed towards the direction ahead of us. Leaving me behind as I'm forced to chase her down like some street dog. Meanwhile, with everyone in the area WATCHING us! Some were even laughing!
(Naomi): "Why you...! Get back here!"
(Seiko): "What's that Naomi? You don't like getting wet? Oopsies!"
(Naomi): "Seeeeeiko! C'mon! Don't be like this!"
(Seiko): "What's that? You want me to run FASTER?"
(Naomi): "Nooooo! Stop running!"
(Seiko): "Keep it up, Naomi! You're getting reeaaaally close!"
How is she that fast?!
Did her father make her go through boot camp or something?!
(Seiko): "Ahahaha!"
(Naomi): "Seiko! Slow down! Please! Slow down!"
Not very long, she stopped as I caught up to her. Now taking cover under MY umbrella as I grabbed onto her arms.
(Naomi): "*Pant* Don't...*Pant* EVER do that to me again...!"
(Seiko): "Whaaaat? Really? You didn't like that? It sounded like you had a lot of fun back there!"
(Naomi): "Not when...I'm soaking wet...you dork...!"
(Seiko): "*Giggles*"
This girl will break me one day...
(Seiko): "Hey! A little water won't do ya any harm! You'll be fine!"
At that point, I couldn't really be upset at her. Though, I tried really hard to act like it.
(Naomi): "If I catch a cold, you're getting it too!"
I wasn't going to have the last word. Not with her breathing down my neck. But I didn't expect her comeback to turn into something physical.
(Naomi): "...!"
Her cheek. My cheek. Pressed into another, as she still taunted me in that seductive whisper.
(Seiko): "...Bring it on! Sick days and your cooties are the least of my worries!"
I was speechless. That I even had trouble holding the umbrella right.
How am I supposed to answer to that...?
What does she expect me to do...?
(Seiko): "Need help there? You're kinda wetting us right now!"
(Naomi): "Oh uhhh! My bad!"
(Seiko): "Heheh!"
But she grabbed for my hand and guided me. Held it straight up above us.
(Seiko): "There you go! Just like that! Keeeep it up!"
Suddenly, I began feeling burns spreading across my face. And it seemed like... I wasn't the only one. Seiko's face too... looked painfully red.
(Naomi): "..."
How does she keep doing this to me?
(Seiko): "..."
And she's blushing too...
And she just... keeps holding me like this...
Doing these things with me...
Despite how good this all felt, the paranoia kept taking me back to the other week. Making me wonder... how far she could go again. And with the rain around us? And the puddles nearby us? With our neighboring residents around to watch?
It worried me.
(Naomi): "..."
Even when she's being cute...
I can't let my guard down...!
Anything can happen when I'm around her...!
She could pull anything anywhere, anytime...
I just can't let my guard down!
We were getting very close to Seiko's home. However. Once I felt her tugging on my uniform, the both of us then stopped and faced at each other. With my ears being perked up to an unexpected suggestion.
(Seiko): "Say Naomi! Let's enjoy ourselves for a bit!"
(Naomi): "Enjoy ourselves...?"
(Seiko): "Mmhmm! Over here!"
Seiko then grabbed for my wrist and guided me towards to one of our local bus stops. Vacant as usual.
(Naomi): "You want us to take the bus somewhere...?"
(Seiko): "Haha! No!"
It became clearer what she meant once she took a seat and patted the spot right beside her.
(Seiko): "Watch the rain with me!"
(Naomi): "Oh! Sure!"
I then took my seat right next to her. Put away the umbrella and just watched the rain pour it's way into our neighborhood. Realizing how... soothing it all is. Especially with the cool wind breezing through. Fiddling with my hair and clothes. The kind of sensation that makes you feel like... you're alive! But for Seiko, it seemed like...life barely begun.
(Seiko): "Isn't it nice?"
(Naomi): "Nicer than I can remember! I mean! Usually, I'll just mind my own business and forget that it's even there. But this? It's really nice."
(Seiko): "Right...?! Everyone else at the house thinks I'm crazy for enjoying something like this! But finally, someone understands me!"
(Naomi): "Heh! I didn't think you'd love rain that much...!"
(Seiko): "We don't get enough of it! Lately! It's been the usual sun and clear skies! And you can't really do much with that!"
Hearing that made me nose puff.
(Naomi): "You're trolling me...!"
(Seiko): "Heheh! Why's that?"
(Naomi): "I mean, you really can't do too much with rain... Like! I need to go shopping for a brand-new computer! But now, I gotta wait until this weather clears up..."
(Seiko): "Good thing we're here instead!"
(Naomi): "...Huh?"
(Seiko): "Just imagine how lazy and depressed you'd become! Sitting at home all day every day! Getting lost into a computer! Not expressing beautiful things like this rain! Look around us! That's something you can't replicate online!"
That made me raise an eyebrow. With Seiko trying to maintain a laugh to herself.
(Naomi): "Doesn't everyone else, including you... do the same exact thing? I mean, we're usually always on our phones, you know?"
(Seiko): "Exactly! That's why we need to break that vicious cycle! Starting by being aware of the problem! Once you can accept not needing, but just wanting a computer, then we'll be one step closer to freedom!"
(Naomi): "I need it for school though..."
(Seiko): "Perfect! Even less reason to bother!"
(Naomi): "Heh! Slacker!"
(Seiko): "And you're gorgeous!"
And already, I was crumbling in my seat. Just by one simple compliment. Hand on cheek, stroking the red out as Seiko just giggled heartwarmingly to herself.
(Seiko): "Nyheh!"
Man, she's unpredictable!
I can never tell what's going on in that mind of hers...
(Seiko): "But you've been having computer issues? That's news to me!"
(Naomi): "O-Oh! Yeah... It recently stopped working, because well... um..."
(Seiko): "Becuz you dropped it?"
(Naomi): "Um, no? Heh! That's not it! It's um..."
(Seiko): "Beeeecuz you dropped it?"
(Naomi): "Heh! No! Where are you getting that idea?"
(Seiko): "Hmm! Not sure! Maybe I should go ask what our classmates thought about their time at lunch today?"
And that's when a flood of embarrassment filled my eyes down to my cheeks. Remembering how all the eyes of the class were on me while I clumsily dropped countless trays of food. Leaving most of our classmates waiting and starving... feeling all that unwanted attention.
And I was beginning to forget all that...
(Seiko): "Bwahahaha!"
Okay! That does it!
I tried to keep her mouth shut by pressing my hands into her. But she was quicker than I was that she prevented me by clutching my wrists. Even so, I still struggled until I could get her to stop. Which... didn't really happen. She was enjoying this was way more than I wanted her to!
(Seiko): "Nyeheh!"
(Naomi): "Shut it, you dork! Y-You weren't supposed to bring that up!"
(Seiko): "Getting all handsy now I see!"
(Naomi): "No! This is called getting my annoying friend to shut her mouth!"
(Seiko): "Ahahaha!"
But once I felt our chest touching... my mind went blank. Like if I was a deer in the headlights.
(Naomi): "...!"
Gaaah!
What am I doing on top of her?!
(Seiko): "Did you know you got really lovely hands?"
Immediately I pulled away. Sat up again and distanced myself as I tried to make myself look normal, which failed... as Seiko just covered her mouth and giggled to herself. Enjoying me fumble around like some weirdo.
(Seiko): "Hmhmhm!"
I can't believe I just did that to her!
(Seiko): "You really put some work into there, slugger! Had me on the edge of my seat! Quite literally!"
But then she just stared at me with her hands over her rosy, red cheeks... smiling at me as I just faced the other way. Hiding my glows.
(Naomi): "*Clears throat* A-Anyway! Umm... where did we last left off in our conversation?"
(Seiko): "You were just telling me how you dropped your computer!"
(Naomi): "Heh! Seriously! I didn't drop it...! But...I did do something I shouldn't have."
(Seiko): "What did you do?"
Then it became more troubling to speak on it. As the memory of my mother came back at me. Memory of her constantly trying to get the computer to work, struggling as she asked me questions, and then made long calls only to realize... it's all my fault.
(Naomi): "..."
...I can't be the only one who didn't know, right?
(Seiko): "Naomi?"
My abrupt silence brought immediate concern to Seiko. Making her scoot even closer as I turned away, while I held tightly onto the bench.
(Naomi): "...Apparently it has something to do with me plugging in the wrong charger? Because I thought they all worked the same..."
(Seiko): "Ohhhh yeah! You're not supposed to do that! Similar problem happened to one of our older computers! I didn't know about that voltage stuff either until we called up one of the tech people! But I'm assuming you didn't get warranty for yours?"
(Naomi): "We had a warranty plan. But it recently expired..."
(Seiko): "Oof!"
(Naomi): "Yeah... And my mom hasn't been very thrilled for the last couple days. Since she really needs it for work too. And that makes me...feel really crappy."
(Seiko): "Don't be! It happened to me! And now it's happened to you! So really! Anybody can easily make the same mistake!"
(Naomi): "I guess so..."
The guilt and sadness in my voice was too loud for Seiko. She was definitely not leaving it alone.
(Seiko): "Aww! Come on Naomi! It's not that bad! Accidents happen all the time!"
(Naomi): "I mean, it's coming out of her own pocket. Not mine... And the last thing I wanna be doing is get in the way of her stuff. Especially if it's financially supporting us. Supporting...me."
(Seiko): "You can make that up easily just by being a good daughter!"
(Naomi): "Too bad I'm not one of those..."
(Seiko): "Oh? So you've been acting naughty lately? Running around the house like a drunk pirate?"
(Naomi): "*Snork*"
How could I not smile? Even in her ridiculous ways. Even after all the relentless teasing, she just knew what to do to make me feel motivated again.
(Naomi): "Not from what I can remember..."
(Seiko): "That TOTALLY sounds like what a drunk pirate would say!"
I shook my head.
(Naomi): "Heh! What's with you and pirates lately?"
(Seiko): "Might be becuz of the irreplaceable treasure that's sitting right beside me! Booty like that just...hmm, makes me adventurous!"
At first it was cute, but then hearing that last part just turned the moment upside down. Didn't even know how to counteract with it, as I tried to not...make anything of it.
(Naomi): "That really doesn't answer my question..."
(Seiko): "Don't overthink, my tall intellectual!"
(Naomi): "*Snork*"
What is she calling me now...?
(Seiko): "Relax that wonderful mind of yours! You've been stressing yourself more than enuff already! The HEIGHT of your life shouldn't be SHORTENED by a measuring tape!"
She's doing it again!
Wait...
Why is that...bothering me all of a sudden?
(Seiko): "It's okay to be tall, Naomi!"
She said that as if she read my mind.
(Naomi): "I'm not that tall compared to you-"
(Seiko) "Ah-dah-dah-dah-dahhh! Don't overthink! You're overthinking right now!"
I really couldn't stop smiling. Everything Seiko did at this moment just had me dying inside of laughter. But that eternal laughter stopped. Once I felt her hand touching mine... making my face burn up as she started to gently hold me in hers.
(Seiko): "There you go! Now! You won't get lost in those deep thoughts!"
Seiko lifted our hands, having it in display for the world to see. Doing it... with no hesitation.
(Seiko): "I got you where I want you!"
(Naomi): "...Heh! I dunno! I think I'm slipping off my seat!"
I teased. But then... I suddenly felt weight being pressed against me. Seiko was now resting over my lap. Still holding my hand. But also, softly nuzzling herself into...my neck.
Whoa...!
(Seiko): "Hmm! Is that better?"
(Naomi): "..."
Man, she's really unpredictable...
One moment she's giving me a rough damn time, but then... she's all like this.
(Seiko): "Heheh!"
(Naomi): "Umm! Yeah! Definitely better..."
Then I felt her breaths touching my ear. As she leaned in, whispering to me.
(Seiko): "...Good! I want you to enjoy every second of this!"
(Naomi): "Heh!"
Seiko didn't once let go of my hand. She just massaged it in hers. And she just kept... doing that with me, as we both just silently watched the rain and cuddled through it.
(Naomi): "..."
How am I this lucky?
My face just kept hurting... and my hand started getting hot that I squeezed hers right back. Feeling all sorts of heat from top to bottom of her soft body that the breezy wind had no impact. And it was like that for a while. Well... until Seiko started tickling my palm in circles. And then... her gentle voice tickling my ears... tickling my soul.
(Seiko): "Hey Naomi! There's one more thing I'd like to show you before we get back home!"
(Naomi): "...Y-Yeah? What is it?"
Seiko got up as I done the same. Yet... she went silent. Just... smiling at me.
(Naomi): "Huh?"
(Seiko): "Sorry! I can't spoil the fun juuuust yet! It'd be totally lame if I just told you outright!"
(Naomi): "I guess that's fair?"
Then I felt Seiko's grip on my wrist.
(Seiko): "Let's get going!"
(Naomi): "Alright! Umm..."
Before I could reach for my bag... Seiko grabbed that hand too. Making me face at her as she kept this overpowering gaze on me. So powerful I struggled to breathe.
(Seiko): "Leave your bag there!"
(Naomi): "What...about the umbrella...?"
(Seiko): "We don't need it!"
(Naomi): "But it's pouring...?"
(Seiko): "It'll be reeeaal quick!"
The life in her eyes grew. Even in her soft smile as her soothing voice continuously melted my fragile heart.
(Seiko): "It'll make our day better! Trust me!"
(Naomi): "...Alright then!"
She seemed too pure and innocent. I couldn't sense a single bad intention in her body. Which had me blindly following her to this narrow pathway just right by the bus stop. One side made up of stone fencing with countless row of shrubs behind it. And the other side, a wall belonging to the local gardening shop. With the pathway being almost completely flooded with these enormous puddles. However, Seiko stopped and then released me, as I stood there dumbfounded. Waiting for her to turn us back.
(Naomi): "Uhhh... Wrong end?"
(Seiko): "Heehee! Nope! This is the right place!"
(Naomi): "For what?..."
But once Seiko spoke again... anxiety began tingling through my fingers, as this was the same voice she would use to torment me back at school.
(Seiko): "I think it's about time we have some reaaaaal fun!"
(Naomi): "...!"
She tricked me...?!
That was the thought I had, but in actuality... it turned out to be just paranoia. Instead of being dragged or splashed like how I imagined, Seiko walked into the enormous puddle and adjusted herself into it. Playfully splashing the water around while I watched her splashing out my expectations. Feeling even more confused, but also... falling in love with her every movement. That I didn't even blink once. Transfixed to her as it took her voice to wake me up from that hypnotic state.
(Seiko): "What are you waiting for?"
(Naomi): "Huh...?"
(Seiko): "Come on in! The water's fine!"
Tempting as it was, I knew better to not allow myself. But abiding by that boundary became harder as we talked.
(Naomi): "Seiko, we can't do this..."
(Seiko): "Sure we can! I'm here! But you're waaaaay over there! Missing out the fuuuuun!"
(Naomi): "Yeah? Missing out from catching a cold? Sounds about right."
And yet, Seiko just shook her head as she had trouble not laughing. Seemingly being amused by my legitimate concerns.
(Naomi): "Why is that funny to you...?"
(Seiko): "You're still worried about that stuff?"
(Naomi): "Of course I'm worried! You're like the last person who can afford getting sick...! You know?"
(Seiko): "D'awww! How real considerate of you!"
Why isn't she taking this seriously...?!
(Seiko): "If only you weren't being so boring! I would trade dry Naomi for the wet one anyday!"
And of course, she winked at me.
It was definitely... meant in that context.
(Naomi): "Ha-Ha... Good one... Anyway, I'm heading back!"
(Seiko): "Aww! Party pooper!"
(Naomi): "I know! Boring! But we're putting our health, and our weekend, at risk... It's not worth it."
(Seiko): "But you can also say the same about anything."
(Naomi): "...?"
Suddenly, Seiko spoke... seriously. Looked serious too. Unlike what I've witnessed in my day-to-day interactions with her. Having me completely dismiss everything around us, even my overwhelming thoughts. As I just stood there and listened to every word of hers with complete focus. Hearing her deepened voice.
(Seiko): "Anything can go wrong. No matter how careful you are. And sometimes, without any reason at all."
(Naomi): "I mean, yeah... you're definitely right. But I don't see how that's helping your case? If you understand that, then...-"
(Seiko): "I'm not playing tricks with you! I'm just being honest. Since that's how my heart keeps feeling..."
(Naomi): "Huh?..."
(Seiko): "..."
(Naomi): "What do you mean...? What are you-"
(Seiko): "Everything is a risk, Naomi."
(Naomi): "...?"
*Splash*
*Splash*
*Splash*
Seiko began moving out of the enormous puddles. Gradually coming towards me with even more depth in her words. Making my legs weaker...
(Seiko): "There's...There's so much I wanna do with you, Naomi! So much fun I want to have with you. Even if I end up getting hurt for it. Because at the end of the day, it'll all be worth it!"
(Naomi): "..."
Holy cow...
She didn't just say all that...?
(Seiko): "It's easy to get super-duper worried for someone you care about! You get worried about me. I get worried about you. But I know, deep down... doing these things together are what will bring us even closer!"
Bring us...closer...
For a moment, Seiko turned her attention away. Though, if this was her attempt to hide her face... it wasn't working. I could still see her cheeks glowing bright red. Not only with what I could see. But also, what I could hear. As her voice drastically changed. As it got softer and more timid-like. A rare, yet an even more adorable side of her that had me melting in similar fashion.
(Seiko): "Nobody else can do this with me..."
(Naomi): "What now...?"
Then I caught Seiko fiddling with her fingers. Directing her gaze lower as if she found herself in a bad spot. Exposed before my very eyes.
(Seiko): "...I know what I'm saying is a little weird! But I really don't picture myself doing these sort of things...with anyone else. It's just... too special to do with just anyone...! And um... Not like I expect you to feel the same! It's just... That's how I am."
Just how she is?!
Everything about this is so unlike her!
But being left alone in my thoughts got to Seiko. As this made her cover her face in shame.
(Naomi): "...?"
(Seiko): "Ahhhh! Excuse me! Pretend those words never came out of my mouth! It's a reaaaally bad habit of mine to say dumb stuff!"
Hearing that ached my soul. Which made me moved forward to her in protest.
(Naomi): "N-No! None of that is dumb!"
(Seiko): "...?"
Seiko still had trouble looking at me, but compared to her, I couldn't hold eye contact for more than a second. Not even the cold rain could cool down my burning blushes. That even my voice started to break under the pressure.
(Naomi): "It's not just you... That's honestly how I feel as well...!"
(Seiko): "...Really?"
(Naomi): "Really! I mean..."
Seiko clutched herself as I kept going on nervously... making this out like some sort of deep-rooted love confession.
(Naomi): "I don't...I don't mind doing these sorts of things with just you! It makes me feel...really happy! Knowing we share...the same feelings... so it's... it's definitely not a problem!"
(Seiko): "Not a problem? Eh?"
(Naomi): "Not a problem...!"
But then, that mischievous smile started showing.
(Seiko): "Strange! Then why are you acting so nervous?"
And just like that she was back to her usual teasing ways. And for me... it was no different compared to how we were at school.
(Seiko): "Got something else to hide? Huh? Huuuuh?"
(Naomi): "...I-I'm terrible at talking to people. You know this already...!"
(Seiko): "Heheh! Well! Looks like I've been doing a terrible job at helping! Guess I gotta work a little EXTRA harder to get you out of that shell!"
(Naomi): "..."
How has my heart not stopped working?...
I then felt Seiko's hands on mine. Being gripped as we gazed into each other. Both of us still blushing, ear-to-ear.
(Seiko): "Now! Enough of that serious stuff! Ready to get this fun train going?"
She really has me wrapped around her little finger...
The dumb, self-satisfied expression on my face could be felt. Even seen in Seiko as we continuously smiled and blushed, while I nodded and gradually followed her into the pool. Although, she decided to have more fun by making us take extremely slow steps. Not sure what kind of game she's playing...
(Seiko): "There you go! That's it! Slow and steady!"
(Naomi): "Hush you dork! Move faster...!"
(Seiko): "You're almost theeeeeere! Keep going! Keeeeep going! Just a few more steps! That's it!"
It was like she was mocking me. Even after having such an intimate moment. That it made me want to make things just as annoying for her. Which I just stopped us, making her struggle to pull me through.
(Seiko): "Hey! Things were going great! What's the hold up?"
(Naomi): "I dunno! My ankles are not feeling good! I think we should call it a day!"
I teased. A complete reversal. But she wasn't having it!
(Seiko): "Naomi! If you don't get in here now! Your cute little butt will be sorry!"
What does she mean by that...?
(Seiko): "I didn't give that heartfelt speech for you to just reject me!"
(Naomi): "*Snork* Will I be in a lot of trouble if I suddenly run off?"
(Seiko): "Yes! Deeeeep trouble! Now! Stop stealing this moment away from us! Learn to have fun for goodness sakes!"
(Naomi): "*Snork*"
I shook my head, smiling like an even bigger fool. But eventually, I could feel the weight and water filling up in my shoes. Little-by-little. With her hands gripping me tighter in joy.
*Splash*
*Splash*
*Splash*
(Seiko): "Ahhh! You finally made it! Now! That wasn't so bad, was it? My little puddle virgin?"
(Naomi): "*Snork* What did you just call me?"
And yet, she completely changed back into the Seiko. Once I found myself... being pulled down.
(Naomi): "...!"
Deep in the water. Splashing all over as I flailed in all directions.
(Seiko): "Ahahaha!"
(Naomi): "S-Seiko!? What the hell?!"
In the end, my paranoia wasn't misplaced. It was just like I expected from Seiko. As she went overboard and showed no mercy. Overwhelming me as she pinned me into the enormous cold puddle. While I struggled to free myself from her weight. And yet, all my efforts were going nowhere. It only soaked us even more. Making the water go through places where it shouldn't even go!
(Naomi): "A-Ahhh! Let me go, Seiko! It's cold! It's cold!"
(Seiko): "That's it Naomi! Embraaaaace the puddle!"
(Naomi): "Quit it you...! Let me go already!"
(Seiko): "Nyeheheh!"
But I couldn't really be upset. Not after hearing her adorable laughs, which had engulfed me in happiness. That I even couldn't even feel the cold in the water anymore.
(Naomi): "..."
How am I able to make her that happy...?
For a while, we were just going at it. Laughing and splashing, laughing and splashing... dragging each other through the puddle, without a single care of the world.
Home was just not on my mind anymore.
I wanted this to keep going. As long as it can go. Before we really had to leave.
But at some point, it did stop.
(Naomi): "Hey Seiko! It's getting... pretty chilly! Don't you think it's time we go?"
No response.
(Naomi): "...?"
I turned around, and... she was nowhere to be seen.
(Naomi): "Seiko? Hey! Seiko! Where are you?"
Still, no response.
What's going on...?
Did she just... leave me behind...?
...
No way!
She wouldn't do that to me!
But then, someone hugged me from behind!
(Naomi): "Eeek!"
I screamed in terror. But then I heard that very voice. Instantly recognizing it as it calmed my heart.
(Seiko): "Gotcha'!"
(Naomi): "Damn it! Seiko! You...! *Sigh* You scared the crap outta me!"
(Seiko): "How scared?"
I turned around, and of course she had that mischievous smile on her face.
(Naomi): "Wipe that smirk off you...butthead! You could've really freaked me out! *Sigh* Seriously! Why did you do that?"
(Seiko): "To maaaake things EXTRA exciting for you of course!"
Then I turned around, sulking...
(Naomi): "For me? You mean... for you?"
(Seiko): "Nooooooooo?"
Then she hugged me from behind. Holding me as I started to really calm down.
(Naomi): "*Sigh* You're such a dork! Hope you got what you wanted..."
(Seiko): "I sure did! Got it right here in my arms!"
Hearing that, I couldn't hold a grudge. Not that I was planning to, but it's just too hard to be upset as someone as Seiko... I mean, nobody is like Seiko. And that just made me felt more relieved than anything. Knowing that she was safe.
(Seiko): "Though, I'll admit! It's cruel for pulling that off! Sorry for being careless...!"
But then the more I thought about it, it had me... seeing it in a different light. Which made me appreciate this part of the day even more.
(Naomi): "Yeah, you're a massive dork for doing that! But... I'm glad nothing really happened to you."
She hugged me tighter.
(Seiko): "Glad you forgive me!"
(Naomi): "Heh! Yeah... Anyway! We should get going... we might catch colds at this rate! It's getting really chilly out here...!"
But she didn't let me go.
(Naomi): "...? Seiko?"
She just kept hugging me from behind. Rested her head over my shoulder as I felt her squeezing me a bit. Keeping me in place as her soft voice alleviated all these inane thoughts.
(Seiko): "Now! That wasn't so bad! Wasn't it? Spending our time out here like this?"
I hesitated. Facing secondhand embarrassment of my past self for doubting Seiko. Which had me looking down into the puddle. Soaking in all that affection.
(Naomi): "Yeah... I haven't had fun like this in a long time..."
(Seiko): "Oh? Does that mean I get a special award for a job well done?"
Even when she's still being playful, those sentimental feelings were getting the best of me. That I placed my hands over hers. Holding her as well.
(Seiko): "...?"
(Naomi): "I mean that, Seiko. You make things so much better when you're around... Just like when we had our sleepover, or when we were spending time with your family... like, those things... I wouldn't have as much fun without you."
(Seiko): "D'awww! That's really huge coming from you, Naomi!"
Seiko squeezed.
(Seiko): "...But that's how I exactly feel too! After all, nothing has changed. Hee-hee!"
(Naomi): "..."
I squeezed right back. Though, it wasn't enough to suffocate those irrational fears.
(Seiko): "Naomi? Something wrong?"
(Naomi): "..."
I lowered my head, stared at our reflections. Watching Seiko's worried face as my pained voice shared those thoughts.
(Naomi): "Don't ever leave me..."
She squeezed even tighter, whispering into my ear...
(Seiko): "...I'll never leave you, Naomi! We've made a promise together, remember?"
Though, my body began starting to feel light...
(Naomi): "...?"
Not just my body. Even everything became blurry in my vision, as if... I was losing consciousness. Even I started to lose sensation to everything.
I couldn't feel the rain.
I couldn't feel my soaked clothes.
I couldn't feel...Seiko...
I just couldn't feel anything anymore.
That's when I began realizing, it was just a memory...
(Naomi): "No...!"
I didn't want it to end. There was so, so, so much more...to experience from that day.
But I had no control of...anything. My memories were just not strong enough to keep me from this horrible reality. As my eyes were being filled with the "true" color of terror.
Just like those memories. Being back to where I was at now, staring through the window, watching the rain... just felt as real.
And it had me questioning my circumstances... questioning... myself.
(Naomi): "..."
What am I doing?
I need to find Seiko!
Why do all the good things happen in the flashbacks? Lol! Anyway! I hope you guys enjoyed these three chapters! Originally, I was going to post this as one HUGE chapter and have it all released on the 16th since that is the day when I first uploaded stories! Work it off as an anniversary-kind thing? But I couldn't wait! Possibly, there'll be another HUGE chapter coming out on that day! But it's not a guarantee! I could end up taking a few weeks longer! Who knows?
Thank you all for reading!
