Next day Sakura woke up, she opened her eyes and yawned silently. Today we're going to Russia. I still don't know why Maria decided to back there. I was so acquired about this travel that I didn't ask her why she wants to back her country for a few days. I should ask her about it. But not now, I'll do it later. She thought and turned over onto her other side. Maria was slepping next to her. One year ago, Sakura would have never thought that she will be sleeping with her. Yeah, it all started a year ago...
20 Demeber, last year
''Sakura, are you all right?'' Maria asked her friend who have just fall.
''Y-yes, Maria-san. I'm all right, don't worry, hahaha...'' Sakura quickly stood up and laughed doubtfully. ''Maria-san, you used to know that I'm clumsy.''
''Sakura, you're not clumsy. How many times have I told you that?'' Maria folded her arms and sighed
''I'm sorry, Maria-san'' Sakura bent her head
''Don't apologize! You don't have to. Sakura, you're really...''
''I'm really what?'' Sakura looked curiously at Maria
Exactly, who was Sakura for Maria? For Maria, she was someone to look after. Maria had to teach her how to sing, dance, act. She exactly remembered these days. First, she thought that she had to teach clumsy and naive Japanese girl. Learning with her just terrible. Sakura couldn't sing, act and dance properly. But Maria observed that she was doing her best. Few days past and Sakura started to progress. Maria couldn't believe that Sakura is the same girl who was so inexperienced. From this time, Maria always took care of her. She worried when Sakura get hurt, cried, forgot her lines during the performance. She always was kind and forgiving to her. Sakura became really important person to Maria. Russian started to forget about her beloved Yuri, Sakura took his place in her heart. Maria loves Sakura but only as friend. I meant, Maria thought that she loves her only as friend. When she thought about that, she could love her like a woman loves a man, she felt too embarrassed. And what Sakura was thinking about Maria? She admired her from the first day when they met. She was the opposite of Sakura, strong, calm, clever woman. Sakura wanted to be like Maria. She spent with her a lot of time. Later, except her respect and admiration to Maria of course, she felt to her deeper feelings. Sakura fall in love with her. She didn't want to waste her relationship with Maria, so she didn't say her that she loves her. Sakura didn't know how Maria would react to her love confession. She was afraid that Maria would reject her. Sakura just enjoyed every moment spent with Maria.
''You're really... my precious Sakura'' Maria answered and smiled warmly to her
''Oh, Maria-san. Don't make me feel embarrassed'' Sakura involuntarily blushed and started to laugh. Maria joined her and they were laughing so loudly that Orihime interjected.
''Why are you laughing so hard?'' asked
''Oh, Orihime-san.'' Sakura looked at her ''No, it's nothing. We were laughing, because of...''
''Joke, that I've told her'' Maria said
''Joke?'' Sakura looked at Maria with astonished eyes ''Ah, yes, joke! Hahahaha, it was so funny joke!''
''Ah, I see.'' Orihime answered ''You're acting strangely lately.'' she added, turn around and left.
Thanks God she didn't ask us about that 'joke'. Sakura thought.
''Sakura, do you have free time this evening?'' Maria suddenly asked
''Free time? Of course, I have free time this evening. Why are you asking?''
''Because...I want to spend this evening with you in restaurant, if you want of course.'' Maria blushed a bit and looked down
''I see. It will be pleasure to go with you to restaurant.'' Sakura smiled
''Really? That's great. Let's meet in my room at 8 o'clock, okay?''
''Okay...'' Sakura beckoned her head
''Okay, so everything is established, see you later, Sakura'' Maria smiled and went toward the library.
Sakura was still standing in hallway, her heart started to beat faster, breath quickened. Is is date? No way! It could be a date only in my imagination. But I think that I should wear something nice.
''Yes, I must wear a nice dress.'' Sakura said to herself
8 p.m. Sakura knocked on the door of Maria's room. She was wearing white shirt and black dress on it, black kneesocks and high heels. Maria opened the door and smiled at Sakura.
''Sakura, you look so pretty''
''Thank you, Maria-san'' Sakura blushed and looked at her. She was wearing black suit with white shirt underneath. ''You look so pretty too, Maria-san as always.''
''Oh, thank you Sakura. Shall we go?'' she closed the door and stood next to her.
''Yes, of course'' she answered
They went to the one of the best restaurants in Ginza. They were eating, drinking wine (at the beginning Sakura didn't want to drink alcohol but Maria persuaded her to taste it),talking and laughing. They spent in restaurant about two hours. Then they went for a walk along the Ginza streets. While they were walking, Maria stopped.
''Maria-san? Are you all right?'' Sakura asked and saw that there aren't any people on the street. It's so empty here. Probaly everyone stayed in home, because of snowing... Sakura thought and looked at Maria.
''Maria-san...'' she couldn't finish because of someone's lips. Sakura didn't notice the moment when Maria embraced and kissed her. It all happened too fast. The kiss was the best thing that Sakura ever experienced. Her heart was beating incredibly fast, she just closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss. When Maria released her from her arms, looked into her eyes.
''Sakura, I...''
''You don't have to say anything, Maria-san.'' Sakura said quietly
''Sakura...'' Maria covered her mouth with her hand and closed her eyes. She was close to crying. She thought of this very long. She realized that Sakura is more important person for her than she thought. She realized that she loves her. Maria planned that date in restaurant, but she didn't plan the kiss. She just wanted to tell her about her feelings. Oh, I'm so stupid I kissed her, because I love her. But why I can't tell her about it? I'm so useless... Maria took a breath and tried to calm herself.
''Sakura...I...'' she took a another breath ''I love you.'' and she finally said this. Maria was so scared from this moment. She didn't know how Sakura will react. She was afraid of rejection. I'm looking like an idiot now. I was so calm and cold person and suddenly I'm saying these things. I think it's better to hide my feelings before everyone. Now, it's too late. Sakura will say that I'm crazy! These and other strange thoughts were in Maria's mind.
''Maria-san...'' Sakura said, grabbed her hand and smiled at her. On her cheeks started flowing tears.
''Maria-san, me too'' she said quickly and cuddled up to Maria.
Present time
Sakura remembered her first kiss with Maria very good. This was her first kiss. She has never kissed a man, but she felt okay with this. She doesn't want to be with man, she doesn't need man's love. She's happy with Maria. Sakura was thoughtful and didn't realize that Maria is already awake and she is looking at her.
''Maria-san! Don't scare me like that!'' she said loudly and almost fell from bed.
''Oh, I'm sorry.'' Maria laughed ''I think we should get up because we will miss our ship.''
''Oh, you're right.'' Sakura quickly got out of bed. ''Quickly, quickly!''
Sakura and Maria were ready for travel. They were already wearing their coats and holding their suitcases.
''Be careful and send us postcard!'' Kanna said cheerfully
''Kanna, we're going to Russia only for few days, is it really necessary?'' Maria laughed
''Of course it is! Iris wants to see postcard from you!'' Iris interjected
''Okay, Iris. We will send you a postcard...'' Maria smiled
''Sakura-san, Maria-san. Come back quickly we'll be waiting for you'' Kohran said
''Um, thank you Kohran.'' Sakura nodded
''So, goodbye everyone'' Sakura and Maria said together