Part I
Chapter 39
Minamo closed the lid on the camping cooler and moved it to the entrance way of her apartment, the drinks and ice that were inside of it well insulated from the external temperature. She had owned the item for a decent while now, mainly utilizing it for the long road trips that she went on with the athletic teams she coached, and had deemed it as one of the best high-price purchases that she had ever made.
...ok, that's all set. I have the tickets. I have money in my wallet. So now, let's give her a call.
She took out her phone and dialed Yukari's number, hoping that the woman would be up by now. A few days had passed since graduation day had occurred, spring break now upon them, and so, as she did every year, Yukari had chosen to spend the entire week by taking a pleasant vacation to her bed. Minamo, on the other hand, still had her swim club and other duties to manage, so she usually limited any possible time off for herself in order to properly attend to them.
Today, however, was an exception to that rule. She had finished up everything she had needed to as quickly as possible, leaving the campus immediately afterward in order to zoom back home. There was something else that Minamo had planned for this particular day, a special occasion that she wouldn't allow to be interrupted for any reason whatsoever, even work.
A few rings of the phone went as Minamo held it to her ear, and then she smiled as she heard that familiar old voice.
"...yeah, what is i-"
"Happy Birthday, Yukari!"
"Oh no-frickin'-way! I thought you said we were goin' to the bar!"
Minamo chuckled with amusement as she took her car off the freeway exit, heading down the ramp towards the day's actual destination.
Yukari's jaw hung wide open in astonishment, her attention fully captured by the sight that was outside of the passenger seat window, a scene that was growing larger and larger as they neared it. "Are we...are we seriously goin' there, Nyamo...?"
"We might be! If you promise me that you'll behave anyway, ok?"
The woman's face exploded with happiness. "Holy shit! Cross my fuckin' heart I will! I promise! I promise!" She plastered her face and hands against the car window, keeping them there as they drove into the gigantic parking lot that Minamo had now taken them into, Yukari looking like a puppy that desperately wanted to jump out the door. "Maaaaagicaaaaal Laaaaaaand!"
Minamo began to laugh loudly, the childish excitement that her friend was now displaying appearing so adorable to her, especially given the fact that her age hardly categorized as one. It was impossible to tell by her youthful looks and juvenile behavior, but Yukari Tanizaki had just turned thirty-one today, and so, Minamo had taken the liberty of treating her out for it. Normally, that just meant getting their friends together for some cake and drinks for Yukari's birthday, of whom was usually more concerned with what sort of presents she got, rather then where and how they celebrated it.
For this year, however, Minamo had decided roll the gift and location into one.
After a few minutes spent driving around the lot to find a parking spot, Minamo brought the car to a slow stop in one of the free stalls. The moment that she did, Yukari flung open the door, attempting to leap out wildly from the vehicle, but was caught and choked by the seat belt that was still strapped over her. Her hands then struggled furiously with the buckle until she got it loose, and she fubmled out onto the pavement in a heap before standing up into a triumphant pose. "I'm here!"
Minamo stepped out, coming to stand by her friend as they stared at the large castle gates, the decorated wall that surrounded the fantasy-styled amusement park that she had brought them to. Although it had been a bit of a drive to get here, and cost her a decent amount of cash for the tickets, to see Yukari's genuine reaction to it all was already well worth it. The woman had always been a sucker for theme parks, the dream-like aesthetics of them, the crazy rides, the wonderful shows, all of it always feeding the ravenous fancies of her imagination like almost nothing else could.
"I hope you like your present, Yukari."
Yukari looked at her with a face that was dripping with elation. "I can't...holy shit, I...you're...you're actually payin' for this...?"
She smiled. "Yep! It's all on me!"
The woman couldn't help but look completely dumbfounded then. "But...ok...I'm confused. Why are you doin' this?"
"Because it's your birthday, silly."
"But..." Yukari stared back and forth between her and the amusement park. "...but...ok. Don't take this the wrong way, Nyamo. I just...well...you're usually kinda' stingy about doin' stuff like this."
She waved a hand in the air, as if shooing something away. "It's ok, don't worry about it. Anyway, I just wanted you to have a good time today, and I know you love coming here. I know it's been a long time for you, too."
"When the fuck did you get so awesome?" Yukari stepped over to her friend, embracing her in a gigantic, clumsy bear hug as tears of joy spilled down her face. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
Minamo laughed merrily as the woman expressed her jubilation so emphatically. "Y-you're welcome! Ok, ok, ok...calm down! Come on...!"
Her friend released her, buzzing around her excitedly as she pumped her fists into the air. "Nyamo's the best!"
It took a little time, but Minamo finally calmed the woman down to a level that would be acceptable around the other park visitors, and then led her to the gates of the park. After passing through the ticket booths, they were finally inside, the entirety of Magical Land now before them. With the large map and list of show times that they had received at the gate in hand, the two women set off on their day of fun as they melded in with the flowing crowds around them.
"Coaster first! Where's that damn new one...?"
She opened the map up. "It's over by the cup rides. Here, this is the wa-"
Yukari didn't waste another moment, suddenly taking off as she shoved over kids, adults, the elderly, anyone that got in her way, repeatedly yelling that she was the 'Queen' in English and that all should step aside for her.
Minamo sprinted after her, eventually catching the woman, scolding her, and then took in her in the direction of where the roller coaster in question was located.
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" Yukari rubbed her hands together with anticipation as they took their place in the long, winding line of visitors for the ride. "Let's try and sit in the front! It's more awesome that way, and we won't get puke in our faces from any of the wimps here, if one of 'em barfs I mean."
She chuckled. "Actually, should you be one to talk? I remember you throwing up quite a few times on the other rides here."
Yukari frowned, unable to form any sort of retort against the claim.
Minamo smiled, her friend soon recovering herself as she continued on with her description of how incredible this new coaster would be, and then began to list the precise order of the other attractions and shows that they should visit afterward.
She just simply listened to it all, always quite used to hearing the woman's excited banter, keeping quiet as she smiled and nodded to everything that Yukari said.
However, while her speech had become somewhat passive, Yukari hogging all the dialogue, Minamo herself was hardly that.
She gave a slight look over to her companion from the corner of her eye, watching her for a second as she prattled on, just observing her.
Just watching, waiting...
...and then, as casually as possible, placed a hand around one of the woman's wrists.
Yukari didn't notice the grip.
Minamo held it for the better part of a minute, gradually letting go of it as the line moved along.
A dark, ultramarine sky was now above them as both women finally made their way out of the park, Yukari tossing her hands up in celebration as their Magical Land adventure came to a close, a bag of souvenirs flailing from a hand. "Damn...that was fuckin' amazin'! They didn't have that light show and fireworks stuff back in the day, huh? And damn, I love all the other new shit they put in, too! Too many sissy games in the arcades now, though. Hey, Nyamo, let's go again tomorrow!"
Minamo smiled back at her politely, her expression a bit weary as she felt the fatigue of having had to keep Yukari in check all day. "...maybe we'll go again next year, ok?"
"Aww..." Yukari grinned at her with cheer. "Yeah, I was just kiddin', anyway. Think I'd spoil it for myself if I kept goin' all the time."
With a chuckle, Minamo navigated their way through the rows of cars in the parking lot. "Yeah, too much of a good thing can be bad sometimes. But...you know, it's sort of funny that you mention that. I mean, I've been here a few times, but, I don't think I enjoyed it as much back then as I did today. It's like the older I get, then the more I love this place..."
"It's 'cause we can be what we really are here."
"...I guess that's true."
"Oh, umm, by the way..." Yukari looked away a bit awkwardly. "...thanks again fer' takin' me out here, Nyamo. I wasn't expectin' somethin' like this to happen to me today...you know, goin' out to Magical Land for my birthday. So...yeah...um, thanks..."
She smiled warmly, greatly appreciative of Yukari's kind words. "Don't mention it. I'm just glad that you had a great time today! But, I think you're thanking me a bit too soon, though..."
Her friend looked over at her with confusion. "What?"
"...Yukari...are you up for one more stop tonight?"
"Uh, maybe. Where at?"
"...it's a surprise. But you'll like it. Trust me."
Yukari continued to stare at her companion with puzzlement as they neared Minamo's vehicle, going around the side of it to get into the passenger seat. "Well, ok, sure. I'm game fer' whatever!"
She put on another hearty smile as she unlocked the doors, the pair settling themselves down inside, Minamo getting the car into motion once they were.
The traffic on the lot was somewhat thick, a good portion of the crowds now leaving at the same that they were, the nighttime festivities of the park now finished. But eventually, after about a quarter of an hour waiting for their turn to leave, Yukari yelling out the car window at anyone who tried to cut in front of them throughout it all, they finally found themselves back on the open road.
A nearly-full moon watched over them as Minamo did a circle around the vast area of the theme park, taking a road to a more elevated part of the surrounding land, a variety of well-maintained forests now around them.
"...this looks kinda' famliiar."
Minamo chuckled.
Yukari raised an eyebrow at her, the lights of the dashboard gently highlighting her face in the dark cabin. "What's so funny?"
She kept her eyes ahead, pulling off onto a thin road that veered along the edge of a wall of trees. "I'm just surprised that you don't completely remember this place. Remember when we went to Magical Land back in high school? It was your idea to come up to this park after we went."
The woman scrunched her brow together, thinking hard. "...yeah? Hmm." She kept her stare to the outside of her passenger window, taking in the stone-laden paths that were now becoming visible in the forest, lanterns illuminating both them and the few sparse bridges and buildings that were placed here and there. "...I think I remember now. For...oh, when we graduated, right?"
"That's right! We came here with the others and just wandered around for awhile."
Yukari kept quiet as Minamo finally brought the car to a stop, a few other vehicles sitting around them. "Ok...yeah, I do remember now. I don't think there was a parkin' lot here before, though."
"You're right. It wasn't as developed as it is now. We had to walk from the train station before." She got out through the driver door, pressing the trunk button on her car keys. "The back's open. Can you get what's in it?"
"Uh, ok." Yukari got out as well, made her way around the vehicle, and then lifted the trunk up. "...damn, you had an ice chest back here all day?"
"Yep! Don't worry. It's a really good cooler, so the ice inside should still be fine."
Yukari pulled the item from out of the car, setting it down on the ground. "Yeah? Well, let's see what you brought here the-" She abruptly lost track of what she was saying as she opened the lid of the cooler, a gigantic grin now splitting her face apart. "Beer! And the good stuff, too!"
Minamo put a finger over her lips. "Shh! Don't yell that out loud. They don't allow alcohol here, so we need to be a little discreet." She pointed down one of the paths that led into the forest. "Bring it this way. Be quiet, too!"
Her companion followed her, smiling stupidly with the treasure that was in her hands, and then looked at her friend in wonder, whispering to her. "Are we seriously gonna' drink here? Man, somethin' is totally up with yo-"
*thud*
The cooler dropped from her hands, Yukari completely taken by surprise at the scene that suddenly appeared before her, the two of them now standing in a clearing at the edge of a hill. "...whoa."
In front of them, laid out like a bright, electric quilt in the night, was the entirety of the theme park and surrounding city. The contours of the buildings, roads, and rides were all illuminated by the sparkling lights that adorned them, all of it shining wonderfully beneath a blanket of stars in the sky, of which had become so much more visible from their heightened viewpoint.
Minamo looked at her friend. "This is where we all came up to before, remember? You were the one who discovered it. And then we sat there..." She pointed behind her, some stone benches and tables patiently waiting for someone to make use of them.
The woman was lost for a moment in the dazzling sight before her. "...I found this place? Hot damn, I'm good." She looked towards the area that her friend was referring to. "...yeah, I remember sittin' there. Man, can't believe those ol' slabs are still there..."
Minamo motioned over, and the two of them made their way to one of the tables, her friend moving the ice chest along with them. "They really do a great job in keeping this place neat, and it's a great view from up here too, right? So, you know, I thought that...it'd make a nice place to just relax after Magical Land."
Yukari plopped herself down onto one end of the provided bench, holding her response for a moment as she enjoyed another glimpse of the brilliant cityscape before her. "Yeah, it's pretty cool. Glad that you remembered this place." She took two beer cans out from the chest, passing one to her friend, and then pulled up the tab on her own drink. She took a long, slow chug from it, her night now truly beginning. "...man, this is awesome! Damn, Nyamo, when the hell did you get so fuckin' cool?"
She smiled, chuckling with some shyness. "Did I...do good?"
"You bet your ass you did! I mean...gettin' tanked in a forest after Magical Land on my birthday. I wouldn't have figured you to set up somethin' like this."
Minamo placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, pushing her a bit. "Hey, give me a little credit here, ok? You know I like to have some good times like this as well."
Yukari laughed. "Yeah, I guess so. I just...well, I'm kinda' surprised you'd wanna' do somethin' like this, 'cause it just don't seem like you. Like, ya' know, figured you wouldn't go breakin' rules and shit by bringin' beer up here."
"...do you...think that's a strange thing for me to do?"
"Huh? Nah, not strange, just..." She snickered. "Don't take this wrong way or nothin'. I just...I dunno', you seem kinda' different today. Like, you're not anal." Another sip from her can. "You better stay like this."
Minamo let the soft sounds of the forest behind them, the faint din of the city, serve as her response to Yukari's wish.
After a short while of silence, the both of them simply enjoying themselves with the scenery that was laid out before them, Yukari finally broke it apart, her voice slightly wavering as she began to become somewhat soused. "Say...Nyamo. This kinda'...place at night, yeah, we should have ourselves some philosophical talkies'."
She looked over to her friend. "Why's that?"
"I dunno'. It's night. We're in a forest. So, it's gotta' happen, then, ya' know? Like, that's what they always do on TV: they talk about death and stuff at times like this."
"...ah. You mean...as in what happens after we die?"
"Yep!"
Minamo crooked her head. "...I don't think we've ever really talked about a subject like that before. Well...ok. So, then, umm...what do you think happens when we pass away, then? Like...do you think there's some sort of afterlife?"
"Oh yeah, totally!" Yukari burped, swishing around the contents of her can as she determined how much was left. "See, Nyamo, let me explain how it works. When you bite the dust, you get yer' place in the army of the gods, right? But that's only if yer' chosen. It's all about bein' chosen, and then about fightin' demons and savin' the heavens and shit like that. That's what it's all about."
She chuckled. "Really. And, how do you know all this...?"
"'cause it makes sense."
"...riiight. Ok, so...let's say that you are right. So, how do we get 'chosen', then?"
"Good deeds. Duh."
Minamo gave her a wry look. "And you've done plenty of those, right?"
"Hey, I'm a teacher, ain't I? Anyway..." Yukari set her can on the table and then put up her arms, her hands and fingers spread to the sky as she looked up. "I got it all figured out for when I do get picked. First thing I'd need when I get there is a cool ride, you know, to strut my stuff and get some bonus points with the angels. I figure they must have dragons and stuff in the afterlife, right? So that's what I'd want."
"...they would?"
"Well, yeah. If heaven ain't lame, they would. Anyway, that'd be what I'd ride around on. And it'll be a flyin' dragon too, not some cheap ground lizard. Oh, and I'd have a lance."
"...so...what if they don't have dragons?"
"Umm, they better. But, ok, let's say that they don't. They'd probably have somethin' else cool up there too, then. Like, I could ride a unicorn or somethin'. A flyin' one, I mean." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Nyamo! What if you could combine both of 'em? Like a half-dragon, half-unicorn thing?"
Minamo considered it. "...a 'unigon'...?"
A quite noticeable thrill of excitement went through Yukari then, an epiphany sparking her to life. "Unigon! That's awesome! Damn, that's what I want! A unigon!" She began to cackle incessantly, greatly overjoyed at the prospect. "Which one would be the head and which one would be the butt, though? Hmm. I guess it's about how you breed 'em. A unicorn with a dragon's head would look kinda' dumb though, I think. Like the head would be as big as the body. Well, I dunno' how big a real dragon is, though..."
Minamo couldn't help but laugh now. "Yukari...do you really believe all this stuff that you're telling me? You seem pretty serious about it."
Her friend smiled foolishly. "Eh, I dunno'. I'm just messin' around. But it would pretty cool if it was true, right? But, yeah, personally, I don't care if there's somethin' more after all this or not." She rested back against the table. "...so, whadda' you think?"
"About what?"
"About what happens when we kick the bucket."
"Oh." She looked down at the ground, shrugging. "I don't know. I never really thought about it before. I guess I don't particularly care either. But...you know, my dad used to talk to me a little about it when I was young. He said things just go around like the seasons, you know?"
"Huh? What's that mean?
She chuckled. "I don't know. I never really asked him about it. But...I guess I like the expression, though. Whatever it means...I mean, it just sounds nice, right?"
Yukari gave her a small look of confusion, of which quickly vanished after another long taste of her beer. "Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. I like it."
Minamo smiled.
"...but, yeah, unigons." She placed her now-empty can down on the table, taking another out of the ice chest as she began to make work of it as well. "If the head of it was a unicorn's, then would it breath fire still?"
Yukari went on with her discussions about the anatomical conundrums of her dream steed, Minamo partaking in the banter whenever she could, drinking more from the woman's imagination than that of the cold beverage in her hand.
The night grew older.
"Yeah, dat's the shit!" Yukari slammed down another finished can upon the bench, and then blindly reached into the ice chest. "I need...I needsh' reinfoshments'...!"
Minamo put a hand on her friend's arm, holding it. "...take it easy for now. Don't throw up in a place like this, alright? And please, keep it down. There are other people around here, remember?"
Yukari laughed again. "I'm not gonna' puke, Nyshamo'. Geesh', I only had...whatever ish' after four, beersh'."
She rested the plastered woman back against the table's edge. "Right, but you're a lightweight. Just relax, ok? I took you to Magical Land today, so please, at least listen to me because of that."
"Ah..." Yukari frowned comically, her eyes struggling to stay open. "...finesh'."
"Thanks." Minamo leaned back against the table as well, allowing a few minutes to pass, and then peeked over at her drinking partner. "...you're ok, right? Are you going to fall asleep?"
Yukari stared at the sky stupidly. "Now dat' you menshion' it...yesh'."
"...do...you want to lay down?"
"Yesh', I do. At the inn. Where ish' da' inn...?"
Minamo chuckled. "Ah...it's right here." She put a hand on the bench. "You can...lay your head here too, if you want." She patted her lap, the keys in her jeans' pockets jingling.
The woman looked over at her, grinning. "Ah, a fine idea, innkeepah'." Yukari dropped like a rock, placing her head onto Minamo's thighs as she spread her body out upon the stone bench. "Put the room on Nyshamo's tabsh'."
"...of course." Minamo adjusted herself to become a bit more comfortable as she sat, and then, lightly placed a hand on Yukari's shoulder. "...are you comfy?"
Yukari took in a deep, tired breath. "Yeah."
Minamo kept silent for a bit, watching the cityscape in the meanwhile as the woman relaxed. "...it really is a wonderful view from here."
"Yeppers'. Nish' ta' look at...at night."
She let another small amount of time pass. "...Yukari, are you awake enough to talk about something for a bit?"
Yukari mumbled groggily as she continued to lay. "I alwaysh' am. I never sleepsh'."
"...ok. So...do you remember the conversation that we had the other day? When I told you about that girl in my class who confessed to me?"
"Hmm, on whatsh' day? Dere's..." She began to count her fingers. "...dere's sevensh' of 'em."
"It was after graduation day, on Saturday."
Yukari gave her a sagely nod when she finally recalled the dialogue in question, her hair and head rubbing against Minamo's jeans. "Oh, yesh'. Back whensh' I wush' an Englesh' teacher. Those wersh' some good timesh'..."
"...you still are an English teacher."
An enormous wave of horror washed over Yukari's face.
"...but you remember, right?"
Yukari recovered herself, nodding heartily. "Oh, yesh', yesh'. She had da' hotsh' fer' you."
"...right, and, you said that it made sense that she might like me. You said that it was because I was attractive."
"Mmm, think' I did do that, I did."
"...what do you think is attractive about how I look, Yukari?"
Yukari scratched her face. "Umm, cush' you looksh' like a hot dood, I guesh'. I think. Short' of..."
"What do you mean by 'sort of'?"
"I dunno'. Shorta', maybe. Kinda'." Yukari began to laugh. "Shit! Damnsh'. I don't think I've evah' toldsh' you dish'. Whensh' I shaw' you fhirst' time back in high schoolsh', I totally thoughts' dat' you were a guy' in a skirtsh'."
Minamo gave her a baffled look. "R-really...?"
"Yeah! Dontsh' take dath' da' wrong waysh', dough'. Don't getsh' madsh' at me! Ish' my birthdaysh'!" She pointed a thumb out at her self. "You hersh' dat, world? I'm stillsh' alivesh'! Yukari livesh', and Yukari remembersh' what you didsh' to her! I'll have yoush' assh' soon...!"
She let Yukari get some of her pent up energy out, waiting a bit before she calmed down, the woman huffing and puffing in exhaustion now. "...anyway...anyway, um, no, I don't mind you saying that. But, Yukari...can you explain to me what you mean by saying 'sort of'?"
"Ohhhh I'msh' tired...oh, huh? Umm, oh. Yeah, I dunno'. You'sh looks like a guysh' to me, but then you don't, too. Ish' alwaysh' perplexededed' meesh', to be honesht'."
"...what perplexed you?"
"Ish' weird! Yoush' a lady, but you looksh' like a hotsh' guy. Or maybsh' hotsh' guysh' look like you? I dunno'! But!" She twirled a hand around in the air. "It confooshed' me cush'... aresh' you a hot guysh' or hot girlsh'? You knowsh' what I'm saying?"
"...can I ask you a question, then?"
Yukari pointed a finger straight at her. "Yesh'! Yesh', you may, innkeepah'."
"Do you like how I look?"
"Oh, sho'."
"How I mean that is, do you...do you find me attractive?"
"Yeah."
"...have you always thought that? I mean...you've always thought...that I looked 'hot', right?"
"Welsh', I don't think yoush' ever changed your look, besidsh' those things." She tugged on one of Minamo's long ear bangs, giggling like an idiot as she did. "So yeah, I guesh' so. That in between guy-girlsh' thing is shexy'."
"You said that the other day too. I don't get what you mean by 'guy-girl thing'."
"Likesh' how you look like both. Or neither. Or somethin'. Ish' jush' hot. I dunno'. Fuchsh', dish' is like a damn test I'm takin' here."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bug you about it so much. But...I have...one more question, then, if it's ok to ask..."
Yukari half-frowned. "Eh, go fer' it. Everyone seemsh' to needsh' to know what I thinksh', anywaysh'. Can't blamesh' you."
"...so, you say...that I've always sort of looked like both a guy and a girl, right?"
"Ayup'. Or not either. I think."
"Well, ok. But, you think I look attractive still, right?"
"Yeah."
"So...I was just curious, then. You know...if you think that, then let's say...that between myself and a guy, who do you think looks better?"
The woman took her time in answering. "Huh?"
"I'm just asking...in your opinion, if...you think that I'm more attractive than a man."
Her friend looked up at her strangely, her forehead wrinkling with thought, and then set her stare back towards the city. "Oh, yeah, totally."
"...Yukari? Are you awake...?"
Minamo whispered her words cautiously, not wanting to disturb Yukari if she actually was asleep, her head still resting on her lap as they continued to sit in the fringes of the small park.
"Yukari...?"
No response came from the woman, her only sign of life being that of her very slight snoring, her body gently moving up and down with her breaths.
She just watched her rest for a few minutes then, her friend outlined in the night by a mix of moonlight, distant city light, and the orange-yellow glow of the lanterns that stood behind them. It was a very late hour now, and while Yukari normally would have been wide awake at this time, she had obviously succumbed to the effects of all the beer that she had just consumed.
"...Yukari..."
Not a single peep, and she was now assured that her friend really was down for the count.
Again, Minamo let time slip by as she just simply sat there, watching the woman in as much silence as the surrounding insects in the area would allow her. A handful of minutes passed away then without incident, and then another minute on top of that, and then another...
...and another...
...and another...
...and another...
...and another...
...and...
Minamo finally became animated, lifting a hand up.
Slowly, so very slowly, she set her fingers down with care upon the side of Yukari's face.
Then, she waited again, observing, looking for a reaction, breathing in relief as none came.
She resumed the act then, and as gently, as quietly as she could, she began to feel the woman's skin, her hand absorbing everything about it. It wasn't overly soft, like someone who spent excess amounts of time catering to it, nor was it dry or coarse in any such way. To her touch, it just felt so naturally right, just as it always did, as if there were the slickest sheet of velvet wrapped around her body, Minamo deeming it so utterly perfect and mature.
The whole of her hand caressed Yukari's face then, just feeling it, delicately massaging it as she gave into its wonderful sensation. Loose strands of the woman's hair were tossed over it all, so Minamo attended to those as well, outlining the woman's features with her fingers as she did, exploring every single one with the utmost of care.
...how many times have I seen your face, or touched you? It's so funny, because now it's like...I'm doing both for the first time...
It went on, Minamo completely engrossed in what she was doing, her obsession laying right there in her lap, set to be adored and treasured by her, and she wouldn't waste a single moment of this opportunity in order to do so.
Because, she had earned this.
This was her reward, her reward for the bravery that she had put on today.
And so now, Minamo would fully reap it all in, would completely harvest the bounty that she had won here today, as she reveled in the glory of her successful experiment.
...I still can't believe it.
Her hand shuddered, ecstasy jolting it.
...not even once! She didn't care once at all today! I can't...oh my gosh, I still can't believe it.
All that had transpired this day raced through Minamo's head then, her mind picking apart every single moment, every subtle detail, of the test that she had conducted with Yukari. While the primary reason for being with her today had been because of her birthday, Minamo had also used the occasion as a gauge of sorts, the first of many such benchmarks that she had planned for the coming weeks.
The results from what had been measured today, however, had already far exceeded her expectations.
During all the rides that they had gone on earlier, at all the shows and parades and events that they had watched together at Magical Land, Minamo had, in some fashion or another, performed subtle to outright acts of intimacy with the woman of her desires. Whether it was just simply holding Yukari's arm during a walk to another area of the theme park, or clinging onto her during a turbulent roller coaster, she had attempted to step over bounds that she had previously left alone. It wasn't as if it was the first time in her life that she had ever touched Yukari, but the ways that she had done so on this day had been more like engaging with a lover than that of a friend.
And the reason that she had done all of that, had undertaken those risks, was to see what Yukari thought of it all. During their long history together, they had never really acted overly affectionately with one another, in terms of physical contact, and so Minamo had decided that she needed to know what would happen if they did. Yukari was the type of person who always valued her personal space, but as Minamo had fully learned today, there was one individual that she would always let through those stalwart defenses.
Her other hand began to rub Yukari's shoulder, feeling the cloth of her long-sleeve top.
...I forgot...that I'm the only one. I'm the only one...who can ever do things like this with you. And now...maybe...maybe I know why...
Minamo knew that she had cheated somewhat, on this final part of the test. She had planned this, for Yukari to lose her usual self-awareness after a few rounds of drinking, because she needed to know why. The reason for why she had always been so tolerant and caring to her, despite their incessant fighting and old rivalry, despite her plethora of narcissistic tendencies...
And the answer that Minamo had heard from her, of what she had now also been allowed to do with the woman, filled her with so much incredible glee.
That's what it is. That's what it has to be. She's attracted to me. I know it. There's no reason...anyone would say something like that...drunk or not...
With great care, Minamo placed a hand over one of Yukari's own. She gently caressed it, rubbing the bare part of her arm now as she went on with her enjoyment. In the back of her mind, there was some guilt over what she was now doing, treating the woman in such a way while she was sleeping, Minamo the culprit behind her intoxication. But that dissuading voice was drowned out by the admittance, the verification of what she now fully believed, of what she had always secretly hoped was real.
'...totally...'
She bit her lips with her teeth, keeping them together to stop herself from giggling with joy as it rang in her ears over and over again. Yukari had said it, had actually said that she was more attractive than any guy out there, and the moment Minamo had heard that, she had felt the gates swing wide open inside of her heart. It was real. This woman thought of her as more than just a friend, she was sure of it now. And even though Yukari wasn't sober, the fact that she had chosen to lay down upon her gave Minamo even more evidence for her case, knowing that Yukari was just simply giving into her natural inclinations, without her usual ego to get in the way of them.
And upon realizing that, she felt the warmth flow through her so easily now, the raging deluge that she had held back all day long until this very moment. There was no more fear, no more terrible onus damming the current, as had always happened in the past whenever she got too close to Yukari emotionally. No, none of that was present in her anymore, because those were the staples of the old, weak Minamo, the shell of her real self.
That was gone now, Yukari having removed it for her with her answer.
She hadn't misheard her. It was real. That was the reason, the concrete, definite reason, for why Yukari Tanizaki had stuck with her all these years, and now, Minamo would monopolize on it.
Because this is what she wanted.
This was all Minamo Kurosawa wanted, had ever really wanted. To just be with this gorgeous woman for the rest of her life, to be the closest one to her, as she listened to her funny jokes, her crazy imagination, while she just held her all the while
And Yukari would keep complimenting her, just as she had done today. She would keep saying how attractive she was, how competent, how talented, how amazing she was, over and over again, feeding Minamo's cravings.
That's how it would be.
The two of them, together in a relationship, while Minamo basked in her admiration and affection.
...all mine...that's right. You're mine...I know it now. I know it. What a stupid fool I've been. What a stupid, idiotic fool I've been all these years. What was I so scared of? Rejection? How stupid of me. I should have known. I should have just told you. Then I wouldn't have had to hid...I wouldn't have had to hid anything...
Just a little more time. Just a little more time to build things up properly. That's what she needed now. She would do this right. She would make sure everything was perfect, so that Yukari couldn't possibly refuse her when the time came.
She grinned wildly, her dreams and urges taking full control of her.
...next week. Or the weekend after that? Let me think. Just let me think. I'll tell you...I'll you everything. I promise. And then...we'll be together. We'll actually be together...just like how I know you want us to be. Just give me a little more time. Just a little more time...to make sure everything's ok. But...but for now...
Minamo leaned her head down slowly, her mouth right over Yukari's ear.
...let me...let me just...enjoy this...for a little while.
Her lips brushed against it, the tip of her tongue lightly gracing it, before she gave it the faintest of kisses.
...just for now.
She nuzzled the side of the woman's face with her nose then, taking in that fruity scent that was always such a strong part of her. As carefully as she could, doing her best not to agitate Yukari from her slumber, she then rubbed her forehead against her cheek, surrendering to the overwhelming happiness that was now within her.
Every part of Minamo shivered in delight, her formerly-chained fantasies being able to finally run with freedom for the first time in her life.
Not too much. It's not fair. Not too much for now...just wait. Just wait, Minamo...just wait a little longer.
With a dreamy sigh, she lifted her head up, maneuvering her mouth back over the woman's ear. After another few nibbles, another sample of the woman's taste, she decided that it was enough for now.
She whispered softly, her pounding heart beginning to lose its cadence.
"...I love you."