Hi. I changed from Harumi to Harumin obviously (in these last three chapters) because I overthought that, duh. Rereading recently made me realize that everyone calls her Harumin but her sister says Harumi. Too late to go back though. The terrible thing is I originally wrote it as Harumin! The wasted editing! DX

Editing this has been brutal because of the work I was going to put in and the story ending all of a sudden. I've felt like there was no time to do this properly. Also, the feedback hasn't been good which hurts. But I like the story anyways. This is the longest story I've probably ever written! There were always going to be bumps in the road.

The next chapter is the last chapter. I wrote all of this in July in about a week and a half. So I've been working on my editing, which honestly needed work. I read the draft out loud and then go through a few times after, now. It's so hard thinking about the original intention and whether I think a line is awkward or not. I dealt with writer's fear for so long, I'm surprised there's such a thing as editor's fear.

Thanks to anyone who chimed in and asked for more or anything, that helped. Maybe things went too fast for people, but we can't all be Uncomfortable Truths with 200,000 words etc, haha!

Mostly I can't wait to finish this and get back to proper Citrus which hasn't left my mind in these long months. This story was originally written with the intention and belief that Citrus would break for September for the last volume probably. Not in 1,000 years could I have foreseen the story ending in August.

We all love you Saburouta, good job. Great story, we all adore it.

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They woke up in the morning and went their respective ways, promising to rekindle their relationship when the time was right. They decided they would become better acquainted with one another over time.

The two went to school for the rest of the week and planned their date for later in the week. Saturday at noon, they would meet downtown and properly introduce each other to who they really were. They were afraid of sex getting in the way of becoming closer. Both acknowledged that they were naturals, but worried that the relationship might devolve into only sex. They were voraciously attracted to each other in many ways but opening the bud they had found would take work.

Harumin was content, she didn't want to push Matsuri into a corner where she felt like she couldn't breathe. Matsuri was on pins and needles the whole week, she felt extreme anxiety about everything, her tests, her teachers, lunch time. How was she going to go about her daily life, hanging out with Yuzu and Nene, knowing that Harumin was there? She worried all week that the two of them had rushed into something without thinking about it at all. She was most of all scared to lose something she had spent so much time crafting. She felt entirely insecure.

She decided to text Harumin on Friday, after all the weird fumbling and noticeable nervousness between the two, which Yuzu and Nene couldn't help but notice, the blushing, the red faces. Yuzu had really noticed, probably because of her closeness to Mei. At first her eyes had tracked wide open, but then into a sort of sad sympathy.

"Hey, what's going on?" She had asked. To which Matsuri couldn't answer. The whole thing was confusing to her. It was something precious that felt like it was disappearing every day. "Nothing, I'll tell you about it later," she had replied, not really knowing deep inside if she would ever understand what was going on.

At the end of the week she cracked, and finally pulled out her phone. She felt desperate and sad. They had gone the whole week with hardly a word or a touch, and now she felt dried out. The brutal happiness which had pervaded before left only a gasping depression. She needed her.

She fumbled with the keys on her phone, extending her keyboard. Usually she was adept but at that moment couldn't keep it together, bashing the buttons messily. "Hi. What's up? Excited about Saturday," she had texted drolly.

Harumin was doing homework at the time, avoiding her sister even still. When the phone lit up, she had to admit to herself, she got a little wet. "Hey. Saturday, I can't wait! I won't say anything more (sweat drop on forehead emoji to represent her anxiety). This week should end already so we can start!" She sighed out loud. Her sister heard her from the other room and tried to ignore it.

Avoiding each other at school had been difficult. They were being children, avoiding their relationship in case bad juju would ruin it, like they were worried about bad luck. Matsuri had at least told her she had an exam on Friday, so she knew there had been a big test on her mind all week. Studying for such a thing was usually a breeze for such a smart girl, but everything was fraught with frustration in this situation. Matsuri hadn't been able to think about anything but Harumin all week, and that included the test, which might get in the way of her top score, but she couldn't help how it had turned out.

It was Friday night and Matsuri sent one last desperate text: "Hey Haru, whatchoo doing?" she asked. Trying to be cute. A big dragon emoji at the end.

Harumin texted back fiercely, almost breaking a finger, "Watching a movie with my sis soon. Just a soppy romance, nothing special. (smiley face, tearzy face). How are you doing?" Harumin felt romantic and swooned. She hadn't ever felt that way in her own house, merely within the confines of Matsuri's apartment.

Matsuri thought to herself, tapping her phone to her lips. She felt quite lonely, Harumin's smell still permeated her apartment and the mature strains of perfume hung like some aging tendrils and weeds she hadn't had time or the inclination to sort out. Strong scents like lavender hung everywhere, a mine field for her senses. Chintzy Gyaru perfume mixed with a small dose of something stronger to balance its cheapness, something more expensive. It smelled completely like her. Harumin's back, her lower back, Matsuri's eyes trailed down in her mind. She had had to try wearily not to stare at Harumin's body the entire week. It was a delicious treat she desperately wanted and needed. She breathed into her nostrils. Avoiding Harumin while hanging out with Nene had driven her crazy. Usually the two were so cheerful and playful with each other. They blushed madly even if their fingers had brushed together this week.

She knew well Yuzu had noticed.

Matsuri sent one last text: "It feels lonely here without you. I miss you. I wonder if I made a mistake?"

The text was dangerous but Matsuri wasn't going to lie to Harumin after the long week they had both endured, she adored her friend and wanted her with her right now.

When Harumin received it she went crazy, it felt like she'd climb up the walls. This was a big deal. Her sister noticed her reaction immediately, "What is it, Harumi? Texting a friend? Something happen at school?" Harumin looked over at her, "Oh! Nothing, nothing! I'll be right back, sis!"

She went to her room to focus on her phone. The next text had to be a masterpiece, "I bet. I'm sorry you have to live in that apartment all alone. I wish I was there with you, honestly (smiley face)."

The text made Matsuri's stomach twist and her core feel warm, like a salamander was living in there. She felt an immediate connection to the person on the other end of the line. She felt like she was ready to start bawling, which totally wasn't her style. "Harumin… can I come see you right now?"

Matsuri sent the text without a second thought. The entire week had been a blur. She was tired of getting headaches and feeling stressed out.

Harumin was shocked. It was 8:30pm, luckily the last lines from work ran until 1 am since it was a major city near Tokyo, but she was supposed to go to bed very soon. Harumin started getting emotional, she tried to focus. "I WANT to see you ANYTIME," she texted. She slammed the phone down on her bed and looked away, going completely red.

Matsuri put on a jacket in a hurry and was out the door before having a second thought. She was wearing pajamas but hadn't noticed what kind since she couldn't think of anything. Since she and Harumin had shared their most intimate moments, everything in her life had turned to a gray outer shell. School, life, everything was just in the way.

Harumin didn't know how she was going to explain this to her parents and sister. Mitsuko called from the living room, "Should I pause it?" "No! I'm coming." Harumin sat back down to the movie in a rush, feeling agitated and sweating. "Trouble?" asked her sister. Harumin looked over anxiously, "A friend is coming over." Her sister's eyes opened in shock, "At this hour?" Harumin looked down at her lap in embarrassment, but with a sly smile as well, "Yes," she said as she folded her hands in her lap warmly.

"Oh," replied her sister. "Is she taking the train?" Harumin looked back at her, "yeah." Her sister stared at her wide-eyed. "Do you want me to give her a ride? How far does she have to go to come here?"

Harumin was nervous, "30 minutes. It's just Matsuri," she shut her lashes exquisitely, dreaming of something.

"Oh," replied her sister. "Why now though?" she asked. Harumin's throat went dry and her breath caught in her throat, she coughed to clear it, "She uh, had a hard test today and wanted to talk to me about it. We've been getting…closer recently. She lives in that apartment all alone, you know."

"I see. But can't it wait for tomorrow, Harumi?" asked her sister.

"No," said Harumin instantly, "It can't. It was a big deal to her. She needs to say the words in front of me."

Her sister turned back to the movie, "Hm. Well, if you guys need a ride, let me know. I'm not doing anything tonight. I only have a half day tomorrow." Harumin was surprised, her sister didn't usually offer favors like this.

They watched the movie for another 10 minutes, and Harumin got a text. "I'm on the train. I'll be there in twenty minutes (sweat face emoji)." Harumin was getting more nervous watching the movie than she had ever been before. She couldn't place characters or action, the setting was some place in New York City. Another dumb rom com, it was all a blur.

Her sister couldn't help but notice her anxiety, "What is it with you?" she asked. After Harumin didn't reply, Mitsuko threw a pillow at her head, knocking Harumin out of her fuzzy daydreams. Harumin looked bashful and confused, she was smiling. She turned to her sister, "What's going on with you, Harumi?" Mitsuko said, laughing. "You look like you're going to meet…" Harumin stood up and went to her room.

Now her sister was concerned. She had fully intended to say 'boyfriend'. She decided to leave it alone though. She continued to watch the movie about a guy and a girl looking for each other in central park, dashing through the city streets in between tourist buses and taxis. She didn't know who the black woman was, or the English guy, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Near 9pm, Harumin received a text, "I'm outside."

Harumin unlocked her door fiercely. She walked past the couch with her sister and went directly outside her family home's front door without a jacket wearing comfortable sweatpants and two shirts. Matsuri was waiting by the fence, looking down humbly, away towards some rocks and grass. "Harumin, hey!" Matsuri said. She was about to say something else before Harumin hugged her and jammed her face into her friend's mouth. She endured a long, passionate kiss from the taller woman. It went on for what seemed like ten minutes. When they released each other, it was apparent to the whole universe that they were in love. They stared at each other not knowing who they were or where they were anymore.

Matsuri spoke up, out of breath, "It was a huge mistake to doubt it." She was being held on her forearms by Harumin, "I—", Harumin hugged her tight. "Don't say anything." Matsuri melted. "I love you… Harumin, I love you! I'm sorry, I got scared. Everything happened so fast"

"I was scared too," said Harumin. They looked at each other, their eyes gleaming in the darkness. By now they had gotten used to the dark and could see each other well. A streetlight reflected in both of their irises.

"I fucking love you, Matsuri. I don't know why," said Harumin, "I just want to be with you, I have to be with you."

Matsuri started to cry, "I don't understand any of this either. I don't know what happened to us. One day we were just friends, and the next day we're lovers. What this is I don't know, I just know I want more of it."

Harumin held Matsuri tightly, smelling her hair. She meditated on an answer, calm next to her warmth. "I don't know what happened between us, but I guess it was like two planets that collided into each other's orbit and created something new…" Harumin felt romantic, she whispered, "You're my world."

"Harumin, I love you as you are. I like everything about you, your Gyaru outfits, your weird clothes. I think they're sexy, I like your style. I like the way you wear your hair, your high heels. I love the way you fill out a school uniform, or a pair of jeans. I'm obsessed with your laugh, watching you. Your pretty eyes, your nose."

Harumin smiled down at her, "You make me feel good about myself, Matsuri. Your wild antics always make me laugh and comfort me. I feel composed when I'm with you."

"Yes, alright," said Matsuri.

"Your cute body, your energetic little tongue. They way you make trouble, how you make every situation perilous and exciting, how nothing ever rests with you. You always uncover the truth. My little troublemaker," Harumin smiled. She put her hands through Matsuri's hair and sniffed deeply. She knew Matsuri's little odors well at this point, her scent was comforting.

Matsuri put her hands around Harumin's lower back, then lower.

"Mmh," Harumin started to feel turned on, "I think you're cute, Matsuri. The date we planned is going to be nice. I've looked forward to it all week, but it doesn't quite match you being here. It seems like a distant dream now."

Matsuri bit her lip, "Is it possible you could smuggle me into your house tonight? Your room maybe? I'd even sleep on your couch." Matsuri almost passed out saying the words, it was all what she most desperately wanted. Her whole universe would crumble if she didn't get the things she needed right now. If she didn't get into that house tonight her love was going to starve. She put her hands lower over Harumin's butt, rubbing vigorously. Harumin was so turned on, they were a two-person sandwich now.

"I will make it happen, Matsuri. I'll tell them you must do something early in the morning and you wouldn't have time to go to the station. Maybe something like—"

"But I still want to see you tomorrow too, Harumin."

Harumin suddenly started planning. "Did you bring a change of clothes with you?" Matsuri was suddenly embarrassed, "No. I forgot." Matsuri sniffled a bit, it was cold. "I'm sorry, that's not something I would usually do. I just jumped on the train."

"Come inside then. Me and my sister are just watching a movie. You're welcome in my house whenever you want. I think it was a romcom or something," she winked, Matsuri reached a finger up to her eye to stop a tear. She was touched by Harumin's compassion.

Matsuri could have wept, "Yes. Sounds good, haha." Harumin rolled her eyes. The two went inside. Harumin's sister immediately noticed Matsuri when she entered, "Hello, Matsuri. It's late, isn't it? Though I suppose it is Friday. How was the test?" Matsuri stared blankly at her, then, "Oh! It was fine. You know tests, at that school they're really tough!"

"Oh, but I heard you got the top grade in your class, Matsuri." Matsuri looked up at Harumin, not knowing what to say. Harumin looked back with a loss. Matsuri looked worried, "She did! She's very smart!" Matsuri blushed, and her sister noticed the look. "Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Do whatever you want out here. Harumin, don't stay up too late now."

"Thanks, Mitsuko," Harumin smiled thankfully, and her sister winked at her. She didn't know what the wink meant but at least her sister was out of her hair. Mitsuko usually didn't wink.

"Sit on the couch, Matsuri. I'll find a movie we can watch. Have you ever seen something called 'Empire Strikes Back'?" Matsuri sat down on the middle cushion and placed her hand on the left pad nearest the door. "I'll get you some water if you want, just a second. Do you want ice?" She went into the kitchen and quickly went to the fridge for ice and water. Harumin handed Matsuri the glass, the pink haired girl looked exhausted. "Thanks, Harumin. That's nice of you. Please sit down."

Harumin sat on the seat to the right of Matsuri where her sister had been sitting, and Matsuri immediately put her arm around her waist. The arm and hand eventually roved towards her buttocks, rubbing unthinkingly. "Mmh, Matsuri, what the hell, haha!"

Matsuri finished her water in one gulp, she was thirsty from the train ride. "I ran away, Harumin. I sometimes do that. I'm sorry," she said whimpering, like a dog with its tail between its legs. Harumin waited for her to get it all out. "I'm not ever going to do that to you again, I'm going to face this head on, right now. I'm not going to drive us both crazy by acting like a snob like I usually do. You deserve better than that."

Harumin admitted to herself, it felt good to have this girl next to her. She hadn't thought she would get such nice bodily contact tonight. Matsuri's hand knew exactly what to do. She laughed, "You like my butt, don't you Matsuri." She looked over at the girl with a raised eyebrow.

Matsuri looked away and blushed, "A lot." She didn't stop.

Harumin smiled. "You're so cute, but don't be so conspicuous, in case one of my family members pops out."

Matsuri smiled a toothy smile, and they watched a dumb rom com instead. Something with the same English white guy about the Red Sox.

They almost fell asleep shoulder to shoulder, but Harumin reminded Matsuri by tapping her on the shoulder, "Come to my room. Let's go to sleep together."

Harumin held Matsuri's hand and guided her to her room. This time Matsuri was the one who felt insecure like she didn't belong. "You'll have to sleep on a futon in the morning, before anyone might wake us up and see us together."

"Okay." Matsuri nodded. She squeezed Harumin's hand.

They got to Harumin's room and immediately started disrobing, it was almost natural at this point. "I still don't like that we haven't gotten to know each other better," said Matsuri, "I want to be intimate, but I also want to mentally be with you as well. I'm interested in you not just physically but as a partner."

Harumin paused with her shirt over her head. She took the rest off slowly. "It's my room, Matsuri. My bed, my floor, it's all the same to me right now. This is all me, my space. We can just sleep with each other and not do anything if you want. I'm too tired to do anything except cuddle or spoon anyways. It's been a long week in more ways than one."

Matsuri agreed to herself, nodding. "Right. Sorry. I'm being embarrassing."

"It's okay, Matsuri, it's okay to go slow. We don't have to be like we were last weekend. Everything happened very quickly because I felt insecure. But I agree, this can be more than just last weekend and I want it to be. I agree with your approach."

They were both in their underwear, Harumin's yellow, rose lace bordered top and bottom and Matsuri's basic white fare. Harumin got into her bed with the giant comforter on top. The railings were oak, and the sheets were white with blue cross hatches. It looked comfortable, like something out of a catalog. "Come, Matsuri, join me in bed. Let's sleep together tonight. It's comfy in here with me." She patted an open spot with her hand. Matsuri didn't need any more convincing, especially not tonight since she felt like putting their relationship on pause had almost strangled her. She crept into the inviting open spot and Harumin romantically lowered the blanket and sheet over her, hugging Matsuri into her body with her arm, tucking her in and closing all distance. The sensation drove Matsuri wild. "Oh my gosh Harumin, that was fantastic, you feel so warm."

"That damned cold apartment," said Harumin as she frowned, her hand sliding up Matsuri's back around her bra strap.

Matsuri hugged her friend back around her waist, Harumin put her arm around Matsuri's shoulders. They smiled in each other's embrace and enjoyed being close together for half an hour. They fell asleep in an embrace, pulling apart in their sleep and waking momentarily during the night and then falling back to sleep. Harumin's body heat was overwhelming, but great this time of season, when spring still attacked with bitter cold nights. Matsuri was endlessly comfy, she hadn't felt so together over the entire stressful week. The bed was only a twin but that made it better, they couldn't get away from each other.

Throughout the night they spooned incidentally or draped an arm across the other's body. They woke up in the morning light, a bustling house going on around them. They woke out of their stupor and immediately hugged each other, legs crisscrossing, cheeks touching.

"Today's the day, Matty. It finally arrived."

"Yes. It feels good not to be putting it off anymore."

They lay there in the great morning heat of the house, feeling each other's underwear and bodies tingling against each other, fine little body hairs coursing against each other. They took in the smell of each other. They let their legs fall crosswise, thighs touching between their legs. "I want to die like this someday, if I have to die," said Matsuri, feeling a strong emotional pull the minute she said it.

"I want a bigger bed," said Harumin. "You woke me up."

"Sorry," said Matsuri, looking a bit down. She hadn't expected her lover to blow up the ambiance so quickly.

"It's okay," said Harumin. "Being woken up by you in the middle of the night is the best sensation. I wake up and then I go back off to heaven when I realize you're here next to me."

Harumin turned over and Matsuri spooned Harumin's butt, feeling her pudginess there but loving it. "Mmh, you're so hot, you know that? Not just temperature-wise, but I have a massive hard on for you."

Harumin lifted an eyebrow, "Yeah, so you always convey to me. Otherwise you'd keep your hands off." She reached down and put her hand over Matsuri's which were linked together around her abdomen. Matsuri pulled her groin into Harumin's backend. "It's sure the way I like to spend a night."

At that moment Harumin's sister knocked on the door, "Time to wake up!"

The girls got out of bed totally shocked. Harumin wouldn't have known what to do if her sister had torn open the door. She hadn't even put out a futon like she had planned. She had been too excited to jump into bed with Matsuri. They dressed in the same state, but when they realized that no confrontation with Mitsuko was oncoming, they relaxed a little more. They dressed formally, with whatever Harumin could manage for Matsuri. Date-like clothing only if you thought about it, pretty but not overly so to draw attention.

They scrambled out of the room expecting trouble but finding none. "Mom and dad are at an event already," said her sister, rolling her eyes at them. She was sitting at the dining table, having her cereal and orange juice. Her eyes said everything her mouth didn't. "You know you could be a little less obvious about it."

"Huh?" said Harumin.

Her sister just rolled her eyes. "What are you guys going to do today?" The two looked at each other, "The movies."

"Of course you are."

Mitsuko smiled just a little without trying to let on and left to go do whatever else she needed to do that day.

The two girls smiled at each other and held each other's hands under the table. They ate their breakfast in relative peace, just feeling at calm with each other.