A/N: Hi again and I apologize in advance for the delay but life has gotten in the way a lot and when I'm stressed out my brain creates horrible plots so I decided to stop writing until life got back on track so, here's the result of heavy rewriting.
maizcorn: Here's the new one, enjoy.
Anumita. chakrabarty: Don't die yet, that kiss will have to wait a little while.
Syaoran Li Clow: Well Reina certainly had it coming so bad things happen to naughty people, lol. Things get interesting now and Kumiko and Reina are moving towards a different scenario where they are not quite sure of what's going on which makes everything more fun, yay.
Aihara ren: Jealous Reina is what I live for, today you will get clingy Reina instead.
Izra: I hope you enjoy this chapter too, thanks for reading.
dinnca: Jajaja Asuka no anda por aqui en este capitulo asi que te toca esperar un poco.
Guest#1: Reina doesn't ship Shuuichi with Kumiko, are you sure we were watching the same show?
Guest#2: Oh yes, possessive Reina is amazing, here's a new chap.
jopp77: Oh those are big requests that can be granted soon not in this chapter, though. Thanks for reading.
Guest#3: Is Kumiko going to accept that proposition? well I think we have to read and see.
Thestral212: La pobre Reina ya no tiene orgullo ni nada, creo que a veces hay que romper las cosas para arreglarlas y Reina esta literalmente rota jajaja. Sachiko y Reina tienen cosas en comun solo que Reina las oculta mejor pero bueh todo cae por su propio peso. Tus preguntas seran respondidas en este capitulo, que suerte la tuya jajaja. Aun no lo supero [taki-sensor, typos ftw lol]
Btw, I've been thinking on extending this project and cover their second high school year, what do you think? or should I keep it simple? because I really want to continue developing their relationship, it is a KumiRei story, after all. Tell me your opinions in a review.
Enjoy!
6.- Burning Hope
Kitauji's high school nurse came back and put an icepack on the trumpeter's injured wrist and, after twenty minutes, the swelling decreased immensely. Kumiko stayed all the time seating next to Reina and stole glances at the gorgeous purple eyed girl while pretending to be really interested in whatever content she checked on her phone.
It wasn't until a loud growl coming from Reina's stomach made Kumiko look up and stared at very embarrassed purple orbs.
"Um…" Reina flushed "I might have not eaten properly" the trumpeter admitted with a whisper.
"And with your history of low blood pressure" Kumiko blurted out before covering her mouth with her hands scolding herself mentally by the sudden knowledge revelation about the trumpeter's medical history.
It's not like I bribed the health coordinator of her class to tell me about Reina's medical history or anything, God now she will think that I'm a freak, Kumiko blushed and looked away.
"Yeah…" Reina quietly replied looking down.
Now she would think the worst instead of being impressed by me, I'm just sinking further in this hole I dug good one Reina, the trumpeter scolded herself in her mind and then sighed.
"Did you bring any lunch?" Kumiko asked while standing up.
"It's…in my bag" the trumpeter looked away embarrassed.
"Back in the classroom, right?"
"Yes…"
"I'll be right back, then" the auburn haired girl walked towards the infirmary's door.
"Kumiko"
"Yes?" the euphonium player stopped by the door.
"Thank you"
"You have nothing to thank me for Reina. We are friends, after all" Kumiko replied with a sad smile before sliding the door shut after leaving.
And that is exactly the problem, right Reina?, the trumpeter thought with a sigh.
"You need to tell her" the blonde nurse intervened while walking towards the trumpeter with a tray to get the now wet cloth where the now warm icepack used to be wrapped.
"Huh?" a wide-eyed Reina was taken aback because she assumed that the nurse wasn't there "tell her what?"
"You know" the blonde woman smiled and dried the trumpeter's skin.
"I don't…ugh" Reina winced when the nurse started binding up her wrist "…seem to follow what you are trying to say"
"That you need to tell her that you like her" the blonde woman smiled warmly and Reina's cheeks burned.
"Is it…that obvious?" the trumpeter looked at the nurse anxiously.
"Well, let's just say that your blush is betraying you" the blonde woman giggled and Reina covered her burning face with her hands.
Did Kumiko realize how I am starting to feel? Am I this transparent?
Oh no.
"How about…" the trumpeter whispered "how about if she doesn't feel the same way"
"Well I'm no expert on that but" the nurse looked up and tapped her index and middle fingers on her chin "the best way to know is to act, don't you think?" when Reina was about to reply, hurried steps approached and the trumpeter kept her mouth shut.
"Sorry it took me so long, but I had to explain what happened to your homeroom teacher and my teacher too" Kumiko swiftly slid the door with her foot while holding Reina's and hers schoolbags in one hand and her trumpet case in the other.
"I'm done here" the nurse added with a smile while finishing bandaging Reina's wrist "I'll leave you two girls alone for a while, I have to go to the restroom" the blonde woman winked at Reina before leaving the infirmary and both band members were left alone once again.
"Here's your bag" Kumiko handed the school bag to Reina that struggled to open it but the remaining of her pride didn't let her ask for help.
"Ugh…" the trumpeter winced and Kumiko approached to help the trumpeter after leaving hers on a nearby chair.
"There's nothing wrong in asking for help, Reina" the euphonium player quietly added while leaning forward and the trumpeter's cheeks burned at the proximity.
Why do I feel odd with this closeness? Why is this sudden feeling of getting closer to Kumiko?
"Reina"
"Huh?" a soft whisper made her snap out of her own thoughts.
"Are you okay?" concerned golden stared at slightly nervous purple.
"Yes, I am" the trumpeter leaned back and rested her back on the headboard while loose strands of her dark mane covered her cheeks slightly the moment she looked down and found her bandaged hand extremely interesting.
"Um…Reina?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you have two bento boxes?" Kumiko asked with curiosity and the trumpeter took a deep breath. It was the perfect opportunity to start making amends with the euphonium player.
"Well…I made too much food this morning so…" Reina hesitated.
"You can cook? I didn't know that!" Kumiko added surprised while taking a mental note of this new and precious piece of information.
"Yes…I mean…I try" Reina took the bento box wrapped in a yellow with lily flowers and sakura petals and gave it to a very surprised Kumiko.
"Is this for me?" the trumpeter just nodded slowly while she took her own bento box and tried to untie the knot of her dark blue furoshiki to finally eat lunch.
Seeing that Reina's attempts were futile due to her bandaged hand and wrist, the euphonium player sighed with slight frustration before helping the trumpeter untie her furoshiki so she could actually eat.
Sometimes Reina is too proud for her own good
After opening the lid, the trumpeter stared at her bandaged right hand. She knew it was impossible to use it to grab the chopsticks so she tried to make it work with her left one to no avail. Every time she tried to grab a piece of tamagoyaki, the rolled egg fell and the trumpeter glared at it like the poor egg was laughing at her bad luck.
"Say ah…" Reina looked up to find a piece of tamagoyaki waiting for her mouth to open. It didn't take her a second to realize that certain auburn haired girl was feeding her.
The trumpeter wasn't that fond of egg based food but this piece of tamagoyaki was pure bliss because she was being fed by Kumiko and Reina craved for more but, she also wanted to know how the auburn haired player would react to her cooking.
So, after being fed, Kousaka Reina stared at Oumae Kumiko intently when the latter took a piece of tamagoyaki and chewed it slowly. When the euphonium player smiled, Reina let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. The trumpeter felt ecstatic even if her slightly stoic face didn't show it.
She liked it! I'm so glad I could die!
Kumiko smiled anxiously. Tamagoyaki was one of her favorite side dishes and, even if she could feel little pieces of eggshells in it, the food was coming from Reina so of course it tasted like heaven.
It's delicious! Eggshells and all because Reina was the one that cooked it for me.
"Thank you for the food, it's delicious" Kumiko commented with a smile
"I'm glad you like it" Reina quietly added while looking away, trying to hide her blush "I just…"
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted to…" the trumpeter took a deep breath before continuing, it was really hard for her to express her feelings "…apologize for everything that had happened lately"
"Huh?"
"The distance we have right now, Kumiko…" Reina sighed feeling very tired all of a sudden "I…don't like it"
I am not good with expressing my thoughts, I hope Kumiko understands that.
"Um…I see" the euphonium player looked down and her eyes watered slightly, the auburn haired player was still struggling to keep her feelings under control. The fact that Reina was being this caring with her but additionally, had deep feelings for Taki-sensei was hurting Kumiko immensely.
I don't like it either but it hurts so bad not being loved by you Reina, don't you see?
The euphonium player had already decided to be away from the trumpeter as a way to shield herself from the pain caused by Reina's confession during the nationals. But now with the girl's accident, Kumiko didn't have the heart to leave the trumpeter on her own.
She cooked this for me? That must mean something, right?
Right?!, Kumiko thought before staring at those alluring purple orbs and she fell for the trumpeter all over again.
I am so hopeless, aren't I? The auburn haired player thought with resignation.
After finishing feeding a blushing trumpeter and eating her own food, they headed to the hospital. Reina was clingier than usual to Kumiko's confusion.
The trumpeter wrapped her bandaged hand around the euphonium player's arm and leaned her head on Kumiko's shoulder while on the train and on the hospital's waiting room and for the euphonium player, the entire thing was a delightful torture.
After being separated for one hour and a half, Reina was having Kumiko's withdrawals. The warmth the auburn haired player provided her was just what the trumpeter needed after the crappy day she had been having.
When the x-rays were finally done and the doctor checked on her still swollen wrist, Reina anxiety only stopped the moment she grabbed Kumiko's hand that was like a calming balm for the trumpeter's growing nervousness.
Sudden thoughts about being out of the band for so long and maybe not healing properly so her trumpet skills could have been affected, invaded Reina's mind and her nervousness increased.
It wasn't until Kumiko's thumb drawing small circles on the trumpeter's hand, made her fretfulness stop. It was in that moment that Kousaka Reina realized something.
Whenever I am with Kumiko I feel that I can face anything and everything will be fine. It is such a soothing feeling that makes me feel warm inside but that I am not able to put into words yet, the trumpeter's thoughts were interrupted when a tall man with blonde hair and in a white coat took her hand, removed the bandages and carefully put her injured wrist in a dark splint.
"Kousaka-san you have a grade II sprained wrist" the man explained while looking at anxious purple orbs "you will have to use the splint for at least three weeks"
"Whoa that's a long time" Kumiko blurted out before covering her mouth with her hands "I mean…is it that serious?"
"Well, as long as she rests her wrist and puts ice on it she will be fine" the doctor added while looking at Kumiko this time "you will also need to come back in a week for a checkup"
"Doctor" Reina's voice wasn't louder than a shaky whisper "Can I play the trumpet?"
"I am afraid not until your wrist is completely healed" the tall man looked pensive for a few seconds before continuing "including physical therapy you won't be able to play your trumpet for around four to six weeks" the trumpeter paled and Kumiko swallowed hard.
Oh no, Reina without playing her trumpet for all those weeks? No wonder she looks so lost and conflicted. I need to support her, it's the least I can do, the auburn haired girl thought while looking at a very quiet Reina.
"Kousaka-san, remember to take the medication I prescribed, rest your wrist as much as you can and no playing the trumpet until I said so" the doctor softly warned.
"She won't" Kumiko added with a small smile before bowing towards the man "thank you doctor and see you in a week" with a soft tug on Reina's hand, the trumpeter jumped out of the gurney and obediently followed the euphonium player to sign the papers to be released.
It was past seven in the evening when, after a quick trip to the pharmacy for Reina's prescription, they took the train. The trip home was a quiet one and the trumpeter leaned her head on Kumiko's shoulder again, this time due to the effect of the painkillers she took at the hospital. Looking down at Reina, Kumiko blushed at her silly thoughts.
She looks so vulnerable and peaceful while sleeping that is a shame that we are about to get to our station and I have to wake her up. I wish I were stronger to carry her in my arms all the way to her place so she could continue sleeping and calling my name in her sleep.
Wait, what?!
"Huh?" now it was Kumiko's turn to be surprised to hear her name coming from Reina's lips in a very smooth and alluring way that made the auburn haired player shiver. They almost missed their stop and barely made it out of the train.
After a short walk from the station, Kumiko leaned Reina against the wall next to the front door to open the door for the still groggy trumpeter. The door opened with a soft click and Kumiko entered an elegantly decorated house.
"Reina" Kumiko whispered on the trumpeter's ear and the latter blushed in her drowsiness while their schoolbags and Reina's trumpet case landed on the carpeted floor with a soft thud.
"Ye…s?" words slurred unconsciously and the euphonium player smirked at how cute a sleepy Kousaka Reina could be.
"Which one is your room?" Kumiko asked while helping Reina up the stairs.
"First door on the…ri…right" Reina mumbled with a yawn while leaning on a blushing euphonium player.
"Reina" Kumiko whispered suppressing a chuckle.
"Yes?"
"The door on the right is a bathroom"
"I said left Kumiko, you misheard" Reina scolded before placing her left arm on Kumiko's lower back and goosebumps invaded the latter's legs and arms.
"Sure sure" the euphonium player chuckled nervously before entering Reina's room "let's get you to bed"
With a soft thud, Reina was seated on her bed and the trumpeter felt lighter than a feather, painkillers had a really strong effect on her.
Paying no mind that Kumiko was in the room, the trumpeter undressed and put on some hot pink shorts and then she unclasped her baby blue bra that fell next to her uniform and the euphonium player covered her eyes with her now very warm hands.
Kumiko's face burned with such intensity that she thought that she was going to pass out due to the sudden rush of blood pooling in her head.
I just saw Reina's breasts and they surpassed my fantasies.
God, I'm such a pervert, with her slightly separated fingers, Kumiko memorized every inch of Reina's skin she could before the trumpeter put on a white open-back tank top.
"Kumiko" Reina whispered while getting under the covers.
"Yes?"
"Stay the night with me" the trumpeter slowly opened her tired eyes and golden orbs locked on pleading purples "my parents are on a trip and won't come until the day after tomorrow"
So much for keeping my distance, nice one Kumiko.
"I'd love to, but…" the blushing auburn haired player was taken aback and her thoughts were all over the place.
"But?"
"It's a school night and my parents won't allow it Reina"
"Please?" the trumpeter winced slightly when she made a sudden move to take Kumiko's hand with her injured one and the latter took a deep breath.
"Let me call my mom, then" the auburn haired player offered and caressed the injured hand before heading downstairs to grab her phone from her schoolbag that was left next to her shoes.
As expected, Kumiko's mom said no and the euphonium player sighed frustrated. She really wanted to spend more time with the trumpeter and make sure she was fine before heading home.
When the auburn haired player entered Reina's room one more time, the trumpeter was resting in bed. The moment Kumiko stared at the sleeping form of the girl she was in love with, purple eyes opened and locked with her golden and Reina's left hand grabbed Kumiko's uniform sleeve to pull her closer.
"Ugh…" the euphonium player sat in the bed to be pulled even more.
"Hug me…" a blushing and sleepy Reina asked with a soft voice "…please" Kumiko complied and got under the covers to hold the trumpeter.
"My mom said no…" the euphonium player whispered on Reina's ear and Kumiko felt how the trumpeter's skin got warmer all of a sudden "…sorry"
"Stay until I fall asleep…please Kumiko" the pleading tone in Reina's voice melted the last walls around the euphonium player's heart and then she knew that there was no fiber inside her that would make her deny what her bare soul wanted so, the inevitable happened the euphonium player complied.
"Su…sure" Kumiko stammered and held the trumpeter close while hugging her from behind before closing her golden orbs and letting Reina's essence engulf her senses. She knew that it was wrong to be holding the trumpeter like this because it was making her fall harder for Reina but, at the same time, Kumiko couldn't help it.
Several minutes passed by, and Reina's breathing slowed down and murmured words woke Kumiko up.
"I…am a…trumpet…goddess"
Reina is talking in her sleep, how cute!, the thought brought a smile to the euphonium player's lips. Kumiko drew closer to Reina to hear the next set of words that made her heart stop.
"Kumiko I…love…you" the trumpeter whispered in her sleep before giggling softly and the euphonium player stiffened.
Wha…wha…what did she say?! There's something really wrong with my brain, Kumiko's thoughts were a mess and her body reacted in the only way she thought possible, getting as far as Reina as it was humanly possible. In less than a minute, Kumiko was out of the house and five minutes later, she was at her building's entrance staring at the closed elevator door.
"Kumiko?" a warm voice called from behind startling at the euphonium player.
"Gah…oh, it's you Shuuichi" the auburn haired player tried hard not to roll her eyes to no avail.
"You know, the elevator won't come down unless you call it" the trombonist joked and Kumiko glared at him before pressing the button to make the elevator come down. Not a minute later, the doors opened and the two teenagers got in.
The ride was a silent one where Kumiko wanted to be alone with her thoughts and Shuuichi wanted to take his chances and ask the euphonium player out.
"Say Kumiko…" Shuuichi took a deep breath.
"Huh" the auburn haired player looked up and saw that her childhood friend was blushing but she couldn't understand why.
"Are you free tomorrow after school?" the boy looked away and Kumiko tilted her head confused.
"I don't think so, why?" regardless what the auburn haired player heard from a sleeping Reina, she had told herself to assist the now injured trumpeter and she would keep her word.
"Oh…" Shuuichi looked down with a hint of sadness "…nevermind then" the elevator doors opened and Kumiko stepped out without even saying goodbye, her thoughts were somewhere else, after all; more specifically, focused on certain injured brunette trumpeter that was already special for Kumiko.
As soon as the euphonium player got to her room, she changed clothes and hid under the covers of her bed and her thoughts swirled around what just happened a few minutes ago and hope was reborn again inside Kumiko's heart.
Maybe I still have a chance with Reina, right?
Right?!
A/N: Full of hope Kumiko is nice, isn't it?. Thanks for reading and let me know if you want me to cover their second year or keep things simple, review?