A/N: Hi again! I'm so surprised and happy that this story is so popular. I'm really glad that so many are following and please keep commenting. Your comments really make my day! Here's some adorably jealous Chikane-chan for you YAY!
Chikane smiled as she walked out of the class building into the shimmery sunlight. The autumn sky was veiled in thin clouds that dampened the light a perfect amount. It's almost unseasonably wonderful weather for October, Chikane thought to herself. She could see the students all over campus enjoying the taste of sunlight and high temperatures after the recent bout of cold rain. As she passed through the main quad, a particularly insistent flyer passer accosted her. He pushed his flyer into her hands and refused to let her give it back. Chikane crossed to the nearest bin, intending to throw away the paper, but she glanced at it first. Bold, colorful letters announced a nearby circus being held that night. Himeko loves circuses, Chikane immediately thought, and she clutched the paper back to her chest. Whipping out her cell phone, Chikane dialed Himeko, who picked up after two rings.
"Himeko, would you like it if I took you to a circus tonight?" Chikane asked immediately, and then tripped over herself. "I mean, if you hadn't already made plans. I know that we hadn't intended to do anything tonight, but…"
"Oh, Chikane-chan I'd love to go! I'm so excited, I haven't been to a circus in years! What time do you want to go?"
"The show begins at seven, so perhaps we'll get dinner first and go?"
"I'll see you tonight," Himeko said, and Chikane could practically hear her blush
They ate dinner together that evening, but Chikane could tell that Himeko was itching to go. As they approached the circus ground, Himeko gasped in awe as she beheld the big top tent. Himeko's eyes sparkled as she looked around at all the flashy lights and vibrant colors, saying to Chikane, "I haven't been to a circus since the beginning of high school."
"I've never been to a circus," Chikane conceded. "You'll have to direct me to the best parts."
"I- I'm really glad I'm going with you this time, Chikane-chan," Himeko stuttered, averting her eyes in a way Chikane always found endearing. In response, Chikane smiled, and took the blonde's hand.
"So, what shall we see first?" Chikane asked, feeling a little lost looking around at all of the displays and tents.
"Let's go see the elephants, maybe if we're lucky we'll get to ride one!" Himeko squealed, pulling Chikane along toward the pen. That doesn't sound very lucky at all, Chikane thought, dubious of how fun it would be to ride a big, grey pachyderm.
However, as they approached the enclosure, Chikane couldn't help but think there was something funny about the lumbering animals with their bizarre noses. Himeko bought a small bag of peanuts and a curious elephant came over to investigate. Chikane held out a hand with several peanuts in it, and laughed in delight as the elephant picked up the nuts with its nose and placed them in its mouth. Glancing at the raven-haired girl with one big brown eye, the elephant nudged her hand again, looking for more peanuts.
"I think he likes you," Himeko laughed as they fed the rest of the peanuts to the elephant. They skimmed through a few of the sideshow tents, but it was nearing seven and Himeko was pressing Chikane to go into the big top so that they could get good seats. Chikane felt even more awed inside of the tent. It seemed bigger on the inside than the outside. The couple settled into seats near the front and waited for the show to start. Chikane listened contentedly and played with Himeko's hair as Himeko chattered about school, a paper she was writing and the acts she was most excited to see. She was startled out of her reverie by a man pushing down their row to get one of the few seats left. He shouldered Chikane and Himeko out of his way as he passed, causing Chikane to angrily snap at him. He turned to glare at her, and Chikane stared defiantly back, even though he was much taller than her. And bigger; the man was huge by anyone's standards. Noticing Himeko, he leered at her, with a lascivious smile on his face. Himeko blushed and turned away until he had passed.
"I hate guys like that," Chikane simmered quietly to Himeko.
"I know," said Himeko, patting her lover's hand comfortingly, "But look, it's starting."
The lights dimmed and for the next hour Chikane was entranced by the strange and fantastic show playing out before her. Himeko seemed to most enjoy the clowns and the equestrian show. She laughed until she began to tear up at the ridiculous antics of the clowns and watched with a rapt gaze as the riders performed seemingly impossible acrobatics on the white horses. Chikane didn't care for the clowns, but she loved seeing Himeko's genuine reactions to them. It makes me so happy to see her like this, enjoying life, rather than the suffering she went through in our last reincarnation, Chikane thought as she gazed at Himeko's lively face. Chikane herself found that she was enraptured by the trapeze artists. She felt amazed watching the men and women fly freely through the air, seeming as though gravity itself had no hold over them. I wish I could be so free, Chikane thought as once again a performer avoided death and gracefully began swinging on another arc. At the end of the show, Chikane and Himeko both went back outside to see some of the booths they had missed earlier.
"I'll be right back, I just need to stop in the washroom," Chikane told Himeko as they passed by a food vendor.
"Okay," Himeko said, "I'll buy us something to share when you get back."
Girochi strutted out of the tent, not caring who he pushed aside. That black haired girl who had disrespected him before the show had pissed him off. He swaggered down the midway until he spotted the cute blonde he had seen earlier, sitting alone at a table with a bag of popcorn. Smirking, he walked over to the table, pulling up a chair and sitting with one of his boots up on the tabletop.
"Hey there little lady, you look pretty lonely," he said, causing the blonde to cringe away. "Did your bitchy friend ditch you?"
"No, she'll be back in just a minute," Himeko said quietly.
"Well, why don't you hang with me instead? I can sure show you a good time," Girochi said with a lewd grin.
"No thank you," Himeko said politely, and tried to get up.
"Now hold up. Don't you go anywhere little thing, I'm not finished with you yet. You have cute little boobs, not like all those ugly big-chested women. I want to take you on a date."
"Please let go of me," Himeko said, voice tinged with a little panic. Girochi heard it and his grin widened.
"Do I scare you?" he asked getting uncomfortably close to Himeko's face.
"Please! Leave me alone," Himeko shouted, then a voice rung out behind Girochi's back.
"Let go of her," Chikane ordered. Girochi whirled around and his lip curled in a sneer.
"Well, would you look who it is? It's…" Girochi began, but Chikane cut him off.
"I want you to let go of her right now," she said, eyes narrowing. Girochi paused and looked at Chikane. Something about her eyes flashing ice blue, her threatening stance, and her authoritative tone scared him. That, and those huge breasts which seemed to be staring him right in the face.
"Whatever," he said, releasing Himeko's arm and backing away, "I don't wanna deal with you anyway. See you later, melon monster!" With his last attempted insult he fled, chilled to the bone by Chikane and her impressive bust.
"Chikane-chan, I'm so glad you came! He was getting too close for my comfort," Himeko cried, burying her face in Chikane's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry that he made such… lewd advances on you," Chikane said, feeling ashamed that she hadn't been there sooner to protect Himeko. I promised to always protect her! Chikane chastised herself. I need to be more vigilant. "Let's share the popcorn and go home, okay?"
They walked back and Himeko quickly relaxed in Chikane's presence. Chikane smiled as she realized this. Do I really make her feel safe? she wondered. All too soon, they reached Himeko's apartment and it was time for Chikane to leave. She could sense from Himeko's reluctance that she didn't want Chikane to go. I don't want to go either.
"Thank you so much, Chikane-chan, for taking me to the circus. It felt like- like a memory from high school that should have happened. I think it would have happened if I had just known you then," Himeko said with a wistful smile.
"I enjoyed going to a circus for the first time with you," Chikane said earnestly, "With the exception of that vile man. But it was a wonderful night. Thank you too." With that, Chikane hesitantly leaned in to kiss Himeko. Her heart rate immediately reacted, speeding up as she heard the slight sigh from the blonde. But, fearing she would push too far, Chikane pulled away quickly.
"Goodnight Chikane-chan. I love you," Himeko said as Chikane turned to leave, sounding slightly disappointed.
"And to you too, Himeko," Chikane said tenderly. More than you know, the raven-haired girl thought.