Chapter 2

I Need Her Number!

After that day, Sumika cannot stop thinking about Ushio. How she reacted when she saved her from that molester. How she called her cool and incredible. She cannot get that out of her mind. Kiyori seems to notice that herself as they are on their way to school.

"I think somebody's in loooove~" the short haired brunette teases.

"Am not!" Sumika counters. "Besides, she may fall for someone else!"

"How is that possible~?" Kiyori says. "She called you cool and incredible. You were the one who saved her. It's totally clear that she has fallen for you."

"Do you…really think so?" Sumika blushes and looks down at the ground.

"Let's see around lunch time to find out~" Kiyori says.

**Later**

"Today's dessert~" Ushio says as she pulls out a box and opens it. "Chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles~"

Sumika's eyes sparkle with delight as she eyes the four rows of cupcakes, topped with pink frosting and multi-colored sprinkles on top. She takes two of them and eats one happily.

"Soooo gooood~!" Sumika squeals as she keeps eating.

Kiyori takes a bite as well. "You're a good baker, Ushio-chan. When did you learn to bake so well~?"

"My older brother taught me how," Ushio replies. "Mom taught him before me. It was fascinating~"

I see, Sumika thinks as she takes the last bite. Kazama baked because her family taught her. How sweet.

"I can bring in some more dessert tomorrow~" Ushio says. "Oh! Maybe after school today, I would like to check out the book store!"

"What for?" Sumika asks. "We have a library, you know?"

"W-well, it's just that…" Ushio taps her index fingers together. "I'm so into girls, so I read yuri manga from time to time. Heck, my older brother is a fan of yuri as well. He actually writes novels of them."

"Whoa!" Sumika and Kiyori gasp and lean in closer. "Your older brother is an author!?"

"Indeed~" Ushio replies. "He writes all kinds of genres involving yuri! Ohhhh, he's the coolest~!"

Kazama….you make me fall for you even more! Sumika thinks.

"Um, hey!" Sumika says. "If you wouldn't mind, would you lend me one of his books…so that I can read them?"

"Oh?" Ushio says. "You are interested?"

"Y-yeah!" Sumika nods. "Since…I really don't know what yuri is like in real life, you know…"

"Wait, you're into girls, too!?" Ushio says. "Which one?! Any kind!? I like all kinds! Small, cute, big and strong, you name it! As long as they are nice people, it's fine!"

That smile. That very cute, happy smile of Ushio's. Sumika could've sworn she is swooning.

"I…I like…all kinds of girls, too," Sumika says softly.

"Woooow! We have something in common then~!" Ushio cheers.

Oh, Kazama, Sumika thinks. When I look at you smiling like that, it feels like it's the best day of my life~

After lunch, they gather their stuff and get ready for their next class.

**Later**

As promised, Sumika and Kiyori take Ushio to the bookstore and the light brunette happily skips over to the manga section, looking back and forth to find which volumes of yuri manga she should buy next. Kiyori looks around the library herself while Sumika just stands there, admiring the light brunette. She looks so cute and beautiful, it's hard to resist. Ushio gets two books and turns to Sumika, giggling. Sumika blushes at this. She is looking directly at the taller girl. Ushio rushes over toward Sumika, quickly grabs her hand to show her all kinds of yuri manga there is to know. Action, Drama, Military and of course, Romance. Sumika is surprised that yuri can have so much variety. Ushio must have been to this bookstore for a long time.

After checking out, Ushio starts happily skipping head of Sumika and Kiyori. The taller girl has never seen the light brunette or any girl this happy in her life. What has made Ushio smile so much? Is it because she is getting along very well with Sumika? But she's into all kinds of girls, so she must be smiling like that for everyone.

I want to see that smile every single day, Sumika says. Kazama…you're so beautiful and cute.

Ushio twirls around and then faces her two friends, hands behind her back.

"Thanks again for coming with me to experience this~" the light brunette says. "It was a wonderful time~!"

"Got that right~!" Kiyori pats Sumika's back. "Sumi-chan had a great time, didn't she~?"

"Y-yeah," Sumika replies. "It was…fun."

Ushio giggles. "Ehehehe! Maybe we can go someplace wonderful next time. I had fun, you two~!"

That smile again. That happy smile that Sumika admires so much.

I will protect that smile… Sumika thinks.

**Sumika's Home**

"Sumika-san," Noe, the house-keeper of the household, greets the taller girl in her very gentle, soft voice. "You look surprisingly happy today."

"I, um, went out with a new friend," Sumika replies with a slight blush.

"Ara, new friend, huh~?" Noe says. "What's that person's name?"

"Kazama…er…Kazama Ushio…" Sumika cannot believe she has memorized the light brunette's name. "She's…a very sweet girl."

"Ahhhh, Ushio-san~" Noe cups a hand to her cheek. "Introduce her to me next time, if you will~"

"I…I will," Sumika replies and heads upstairs.

She arrives in her room and shuts the door. After turning on the lamp, she digs into her bag to pull out a yuri manga that Ushio insisted on having her check out. A simple, school life and romantic yuri manga. She decides to give it a try and learn anything and everything she can about yuri.

Don't worry, Kazama, she thinks. One day, I will definitely be able to know about yuri long enough for me to confess my love. No matter what it takes, I will learn quickly.

**Next Day**

"Brownies~!" Ushio opens up her box filled with delicious chocolate squares as the three are eating lunch together like usual.

"Ohhhh, boy!" Sumika takes a few and eats one of them, tasting the chocolate immediately. "Mmmmm~! So good! I can hardly stand it!"

"Ehehehe~!" Ushio giggles. "Your praises always motivates me, Sumi-chan~! I'm so glad you like my baking so much!"

"Yeah! I should have these every day if I wanted to!" Sumika bites into another brownie.

"For an athletic girl, you sure love dessert~" Kiyori says.

"Don't worry! I can burn these calories!" Sumika says.

Ushio starts to laugh. She is so amazed on how incredible Sumika is. She scarfs down sweets even though she's so fit. She's very strong, too, after seeing that devastating roundhouse she did to that molester the other day. Ushio wants to swoon at the beauty of Sumika, despite her nerdy appearance.

"Haaaah, finished~" Sumika sighs with bliss. "You make the best sweets ever~!"

"I'm so happy to hear that~" Ushio says.

"You should open a baking shop someday~" Kiyori comments. "I mean, you're really good at baking, so that will totally fit your style~"

"Eh!?" Ushio puts up her hands in defense. "N-no way! I'm not THAT good, you know? I was just practicing with my brother a few times and then it just came to me. I'm sure there are other bakers out there who are more professional than me~"

"You know what I believe?" Sumika jumps in. "You, Kazama, are the BEST baker I have ever met! Do not forget that!"

Ushio swoons on how cool and suave Sumika is. Her serious expression makes her heart beat. "Ohhhh, Sumi-chan! I have no words for your kindness~!"

"Don't worry, Kazama~" Sumika gestures toward herself. "If you ever open a bakery, just know that I will be your best customer! I will come by each and every day to try your delicious products!"

"Then, I would be very glad to have you as my regular~!" Ushio nods in agreement.

Kiyori sees the two sharing some giggles here and there. She is noticing that they are getting closer than she expected. Maybe one day, Sumika might have a chance to confess her love, if she's able to.

For Sumika, she would love to confess her feelings to Ushio. However, given her appearance, would she really accept her feelings? She's forgotten that everyone goes for cute appearances since first impressions are important. But now that she thinks about it, Ushio doesn't really seem to have a problem being around Sumika at all. Like she said before, she likes all types of girls. Maybe…it's not so bad after all?

**After School**

"I'm going downtown before I get home!" Ushio says. "I won't be able to join you two today."

"It's alright~" Kiyori says. "You take care of yourself~"

"I will~!" Ushio says and then turns to Sumika. "See you tomorrow, Sumi-chan! Take care of yourself~!"

"Yeah! You too!" Sumika waves back to her friend.

Then the girls go their separate ways. Kiyori pulls out some curry bread and eats it.

"Ushio-chan is a very sweet girl~" the short haired brunette says. "Don't you think so~?"

"A sweet girl…who loves making sweets," Sumika mutters. "That is…very sweet…to me."

"Ahaha~" Kiyori laughs nervously. "She's so in love for sure~"

"How can I not?" Sumika says. "I mean, she's short, she's pretty and she's so goddamn cute! I don't know if my heart can take it!"

"Take it easy, okay?" Kiyori says, patting her friend on the back. "You'll get your chance soon."

"If I ever," Sumika sighs.

The two of them keep on walking in silence when all of a sudden, Sumika feels something press against her back. The taller girl turns around to see Ushio again, but she is panting so heavily. Her large breasts are pressed against her back and Sumika can feel some sweat wetting her clothes.

"Haaah…haaaaah….thank….g-goodness…haaah…" Ushio is wheezing as she is trying to catch her breath. She puts her hand to her chest and her other hand on her thick, bare leg to keep herself from falling. "I almost didn't make…it…haaaah…haah…! I need…I need your number….Sumi-chan…! So I can…haaah….contact you whenever…!"

Sumika stares at the poor girl. She…she ran…all the way here… she thinks. She's all sweaty…

Ushio lets out a big exhale and straightens up. She fans herself with both hands as quickly as she can. Sumika digs into her pocket and hands her a blue handkerchief.

"Here," she says with a straight face.

It is then that Ushio realizes how she looks when she takes a look at the cloth. "Ah! I-I'm all sweaty!? Oh, gosh! I'm such a mess!"

"Take it," Sumika says softly. "And…you don't have to give it back."

Ushio gasps and takes one last long look at the cloth before gently raising both hands, reaching for the handkerchief. She takes it tenderly and Sumika pulls her hand away slowly. She can almost feel those hands of Ushio's. As quick as a flash, Sumika has a handbook in her hand, jotting down her number and ripping the paper out, quickly handing it to Ushio.

"My phone number and e-mail," Sumika says.

Ushio smiles a happy smile as she takes the paper. She clutches the cloth and folded paper to her large chest with a warm smile. "I appreciate it~!"

Sumika stares at Ushio's beautiful face. She doesn't want to lose sight of that warm smile of hers. But sadly, Ushio has to leave again. Kiyori looks over at the taller girl and smiles as well. Once the light brunette bows her thanks, she turns to leave again with a happy wave. Sumika waves as well.

Whatever it takes, Kazama… she thinks. I will win your heart.