Omg this took me way longer than expected but who cares, next (and extra long) chapter! Yay! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ
"...Yuzu…?"
Time stood still for Mei, in fact, the concept of time no longer existed for her. Everything in the world moves and once something is moved it can't go back to the way it was. That 'movement' or 'change' is irreversible so time can only move forward, progressing into the future. But how can the world keep moving, now that Yuzu was no longer part of that world? To Mei, time had no meaning anymore, life was pointless.
As Mei's world stood still, she didn't notice the gas clear up from the air and the door creaking open, "Women are all so naive. That's what makes it so easy to manipulate them. Because once they're in love they'll devote everything to that person, even if it means giving up their own life", Amemiya walked in, wearing an all too happy expression. He let out a delighted chuckle, "That's how I managed to climb to the top again, actually. I married into this company for the sole purpose of inheriting the money".
"...You… from the news. You killed your own wife?"
"Well, I needed to test out the gas so what better candidate than the person that I was trying to get rid of to get all the money in the first place?", he started making his way towards Yuzu. "Man, I've been waiting for this for so long", he started to nudge the blonde with his foot.
"Don't touch her!", Mei almost growled through grit teeth.
Her reaction only seemed to amuse him. "You know, it was really hard for me. After our engagement was cut off I lost everything. Money, Power, Respect… all thanks to this- bitch,", he emphasized the last word by swinging his leg and kicking Yuzu's side. "You. Humiliated. Me!", he continued to kick Yuzu with each word.
Mei was never the type of person who would use profanities but seeing him physically abuse Yuzu's already inert body made her anguish turn to anger and hostility. She started cursing him, yelling obscenities at him but Amemiya merely gave her a sneer as he tightened his tie and stepped away from Yuzu. His reaction made her fall into despair once more as she recognized the situation; that she was powerless.
"You should be grateful that I gave her a quick and painless death", his words no longer affected the girl. Seeing as she was too defeated to even acknowledge his presence anymore, he deemed it safe enough to untie her from the chair. It was both an act of mercy and cruelty. Mei crumpled to the floor and held onto Yuzu's limp hand, holding the appendage close to her and kissing it as she sobbed.
"Alright, come on. Get up", Amemiya said impatiently. He started pulling her arm but Mei wouldn't budge. Without warning, she managed to strike him in the face. He reeled back from the impact of her fist, his hand covering his nose in an attempt to stop any more red fluid from flowing out. The startled man looked at his bloody hand, then at Mei, his surprised expression turning into an enraged one. "You bitch…! I wasn't going to do anything to you, but now…", he started stomping towards her, "You know what I'm gonna do? I'll sell you to the worst people in the black market. They'll sell your organs!". He grabbed her by the chin and whispered maliciously, "Or they'll sell you to the lowest brothel in the underground-"
Amemiya was sent flying across the room. "Don't touch her", a familiar voice spoke from behind Mei. She slowly turned around, the slumped blonde on the floor from earlier was now standing tall, currently in a fighting stance. Yuzu turned to a speechless Mei.
The emotions she felt could not be conveyed by her expressions. What does one feel when their most treasured person dies and then comes back to life in a matter of minutes? Bewilderment, disbelief, elation and relief all at the same time. Yuzu bent down and gently pulled the girl up from the ground, wiping away her tears and giving her a reassuring smile.
"H-how?", Amemiya looked like he just saw a ghost. He was too petrified to even get up. "I saw the gas affect you! I-it should have killed you!"
Yuzu was reluctant to steer her gaze away from her girlfriend but turned to the terrified man behind her nonetheless, "Actually, I was affected by the gas, that's why I lost consciousness for a minute there", she explained with a shrug. "But I wasn't affected enough for it to be fatal thanks to this", she held up a small prescription bottle filled with a few red and white pills. The confused look on his face urged her continue, "I took one before coming here and I brought these for Mei but you were kind enough to provide a gas mask for her so I didn't need to give one to her", she explained nonchalantly.
Amemiya stared at the pill bottle, "An antidote? But how did you even know about the gas?!", he cried disbelievingly.
"Well, ever since you married Fumi Tsuchiwara I had some people watch you. Given your... history with engagements and marriages we were suspicious of your intentions. I knew that an egotistical person like you would plan on getting revenge ", Yuzu paused solemnly before continuing. "Unfortunately, we were too late and Miss Tsuchiwara died shortly after we gained intel of you creating this 'lethal gas'. But thankfully, our team of doctors and scientists managed to neutralise the poison and create an antidote for your gas shortly after you kidnapped Mei".
Amemiya was left dumbstruck until he started chuckling. His low chuckling gradually turning into maniacal cackling. "If my poison didn't kill you… then this surely will!", he suddenly pulls out a gun and points it directly at the blonde. A loud bang echoes in the room and jet black hair flashes in front of Yuzu's eyes. In the blink of an eye the firearm breaks as it smashes against the wall. "Stop, Yuzu!", another second later and Amemiya would have been in the same state as the gun; shattered and broken on the floor.
"Huh?", Yuzu blinks again and realizes that someone is embracing her from behind. Arms desperately clinging onto her, one arm slung over her shoulder and the other one on her stomach. The blonde turns her head over her shoulder and sees a red line expanding in size and spreading onto the student council armband.
"I'm okay. The bullet only grazed my arm so please, stop…"
Yuzu blinks a third time and feels her stiff body loosen up. She breathes a sigh of relief as she realizes that the world didn't end. Yuzy grasps Mei's hand, she kisses it with tenderness and shudders while still facing forward. "...You're shoulder's bleeding…", the older girl pointed out before pulling out a walkie-talkie. Yuzu glanced at the man in front of her. He was reduced to a curled up ball on the floor, his hands covering his face, "Send them in… and call an ambulance. The hostage is injured"
When both girls exited the car they were immediately ambushed by their mother, Mei wincing slightly due to her injured arm. Even Mei's grandfather, a generally stoic and impassive man, hugged his granddaughter tightly. He also hugged Yuzu, a very uncharacteristic action, to show her his gratitude for saving Mei.
After leaving the Tsuchiwara company building, Mei was promptly pulled into the ambulance to be treated whilst being interviewed as a victim of kidnapping, so she didn't really get a chance to talk to the blonde yet. Actually, she found it quite hard to speak to her after Amemiya was arrested as Yuzu was too busy ordering and reporting to people Mei didn't recognize. She found herself growing irritated as even now when they'd arrived at the Hayato mansion, she still found it difficult to approach her preoccupied girlfriend and her authoritative presence.
"Ow! What was that for?!", Yuzu cried out as she rubbed her arm. Mei snapped out of her daze and realized that she just punched the older girl in the arm without thinking. Her emotions must have gotten the better of her and for once, she acted before thinking.
"Nothing, just wanted to see if you were really alive…", the girl said almost irritably and quickly turned away to walk in the other direction.
"Huh?", Yuzu started following her. "Is that any way to treat your knight in shining armour?", she asked in a half playful and half annoyed manner.
Mei continued to walk away, moving swiftly in an effort to avoid the older girl.
Yuzu didn't know how to react nor what to say, 'Seriously, what's wrong?', she thought in frustration. "Why are you angry? You know, I should be the one who's angry… You shouldn't have tried to protect me. Even from that distance, I still would've been able to dodge that bullet".
Of course, her question was left unanswered and by the time she caught up with the raven haired girl they were back in Yuzu's old room. Only when Yuzu grabbed the other girl by the hand did she notice the tears in the corner of Mei's eyes.
'Oh.', her inner turmoil was answered by the tearful yet sharp look Mei gave her.
"Why? What's wrong with trying to protect you?!", Mei tried to say in a calm tone but ultimately failed as evidenced by the slight tremor in her voice. The girl could no longer hold in her anger, "Why am I not allowed to? Didn't you also try to protect me by by giving me the gas mask? By sacrificing yourself?! You... you moron, stupid, idiotic, jerk-!", she punched the blonde with each insult, her voice breaking at the last word. "Don't just make decisions on your own! Let me protect you too…", she started sobbing. "You fool… what- what would I do if I lost you…?", she finally buried her face into the other girl's neck, her voice barely above a whisper. Without another word Mei was wrapped in an embrace by the older girl, which she gladly accepted with a sigh.
Yuzu hadn't considered Mei's feelings. How hopeless she must have felt when she thought that she'd just watch her die. Of course Mei would jump at the opportunity to save her, even if it meant jumping in front of a bullet. "I'm sorry, Mei…. I'm so sorry", she continued to apologize to the quivering girl until she settled down.
"You know, usually I'd only use my martial arts for my own or others' protection but earlier, when he shot you… I wanted to hurt him. I've never felt so enraged before, to the point that I actually wanted to inflict as much pain as I could on someone else. To be honest, it was a bit terrifying. I didn't know I was capable of feeling such… hatred", Yuzu confessed and continued to hold her.
After a short pause Mei spoke, "...Me too. I felt the same way when I thought I'd lost you, only I couldn't do anything. I couldn't help you, I couldn't hurt the person responsible for killing you!"
"But he didn't kill me", the blonde broke their hug to place the younger girl's hand on her own chest. Mei looked up, confused at the action until she saw Yuzu's small, reassuring smile. She then concentrated on her hand and the quick beating of the other girl's heart.
"See? I'm still alive. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere", she assured before wiping any remnants of tears off her girlfriend's face. She let out a small chuckle, "I guess, in the end, you were my knight in shining armour"
Mei rolled her eyes at the cheesiness and irony of her statement but smiled at the comment anyway before leaning in first and pressing her lips against her girlfriend's. Yuzu made sure to be as gentle as possible due to Mei's split lip. The kiss was short but was enough to convey all of the emotions they felt.
After Yuzu broke their kiss she urged Mei to follow her, "Come on, let's go home. I'm dying to get some rest after the last 48 hours…"
Mei frowned at the expression and elbowed the blonde's side. She let out a loud yelp. For some reason that blow to the side hurt more than she expected it to. "Yeah, I deserved that", she said in a strained voice as she held onto her side.
A few days later
After sleeping for almost 32 hours Yuzu finally woke up from her much needed slumber. She was surprised to see Mei's dad casually talking to his daughter in the living room. She decided not to bother them and let them catch up so she sneaked into the kitchen to eat 'breakfast' at 3 o'clock in the day.
"Oh! So you're finally awake?", a woman's voice asked behind the refrigerator door, alerting the father-daughter duo in the living room of her presence.
Yuzu closed the refrigerator to greet her mother, "Yeah… Is this all the food we have?".
Mrs Aihara nodded in reply and Yuzu's shoulders fell in disappointment before she turned to walk to the living room, "So when did you arrive, dad?", she asked with a full mouth as she sat down across from him with some leftovers.
The middle aged woman decided to answer her since she was the only one who managed to decipher what she said, "Shou arrived last night. In fact, when he arrived he was crying so loudly he woke up Mei", Mrs Aihara grinned. "I thought you knew?"
Yuzu arched an eyebrow in confusion but continued to chew, remaining silent. She turned to look at the man across from her.
"You must've still been half asleep at the time. You were on your way to the bathroom", he chuckled lightly.
The blonde still looked confused as she could not remember their supposed encounter but shrugged it off and took another bite of the leftovers, not realizing that she just finished an entire container of food in less than a minute. "Mom~ is there any more food?", she whined as she held out the food container as if asking her for seconds. Mei couldn't help but smile at her girlfriend's combined grogginess with her childishness.
Mrs Aihara sighed, "You know, ever since you started training again most of our expenses are spent on feeding you...". Nonetheless, she got up and made her way towards the kitchen with Mei following right behind her, leaving behind Yuzu and her step father.
There was a brief silence between them before Shou spoke up, "...Yuzu, I wanted to say thank you…"
"Oh, you don't have to thank me! We're family-"
"I don't just mean for saving her", he interjected. "When I came back and when we were talking I realized how much Mei has changed over the course of only a few months. I'm not exactly sure but I feel like it has something to do with you…", he trailed off. "Anyway, I just wanted to thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart"
Yuzu was taken aback at first but smiled brightly at the sentiment, "Sure, no problem!".
A few minutes later a savoury aroma started to emit from the kitchen. The blonde's mouth watered at the smell and she eagerly got up to sit at the dining table to wait for her food. As she waited she decided to read the newspaper. Over the past few months Yuzu has gotten used to seeing herself in the newspaper so it wasn't that surprising to see the kidnapping of Mei as the front page story. Apparently, during her hibernation, the incident was released to the media. The headlines and articles all praising her for having rescued Mei, putting a stop to the distribution of a new weapon and for arresting the man responsible in less than 48 hours.
"Ta-da! Mei suggested we make your favourite; Curry!", Mrs Aihara placed the pot on the table. "I made sure to make it extra spicy", she added with a smile.
Yuzu's stomach growled in reply and she thanked them before hurriedly scooping some curry onto her plate.
"By the way Yuzu, your grandmother sent you some papers. She said that you should take a look at it once you wake up", Mei handed her a thick gusset envelope.
The girl groaned as she accepted the envelope, 'I knew I'd get buried in work as soon as this went public'. She continued to eat before Mrs Aihara hesitantly spoke up, "Say, would it be alright if Shou and I went out tonight?", she asked timidly. "I mean, it has been a while since we've had some alone time together", a slight blush graced her cheeks.
Yuzu and Mei looked at each other before turning to their mother with a smile, "Of course, mom! You deserve a break from all this too…", the blonde spoke genuinely.
Mei nodded in agreement, "You needn't worry about us all the time… you should go"
Mrs Aihara grinned happily before pulling both girls into a hug, "Thank you… I love you both"
A few hours later
Yuzu sifted through the papers impatiently. She really wanted to finish her work before going to bed. She glanced in her girlfriend's direction. Mei also seemed to be busy with student council work. Their parents had left about an hour ago for their date, leaving both girls on their own for the night.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since they've been alone together. Yuzu usually did her work in the Hayato mansion or at school in the library. The reason why she didn't do her work at home was because she'd usually try to do her work in between appointments and meetings with Mrs Hayato's business partners, meaning she'd be dead exhausted by the time she got home.
Yuzu sighed as she put the papers down. She looked in Mei's direction again, this time blushing as heated scenarios flashed through her mind. Was it wrong for her to expect something to happen?
"Yuzu", Mei suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the room. "Could you stop staring at me?", she demanded, her eyes still fixed on the papers on the desk. The younger girl brushes a strand of hair behind her ears, revealing her ears tinged with redness, "It's… distracting", she added more timidly this time.
"Oh. Yeah, s-sorry", she swiftly tore her eyes away from the other girl.
The room's atmosphere became awkward all of a sudden. Both girls embarrassed for thinking the same thing, only this time neither knew how to initiate the first move. After all that's happened, their fight, the kidnapping and the near-death experiences, it would be safe to say that both girls wanted and needed some… physical comfort from each other.
"Erm- It's getting late, I'll go take a bath…", Yuzu awkwardly said while hurriedly grabbing clothes from her wardrobe before escaping into the bathroom.
Mei was left in the room, still trying to work on papers she could no longer concentrate on. She started tapping her pen against the desk and glanced at the door before looking back down at her work. Another glance at the door and before she knew it she was in front of the bathroom door.
...
Yuzu sighed as she got into the shower. The warm water felt nice against her skin after so long. It didn't take long before her mind started wandering, 'Should I have made a move?'. Her thoughts were cut off by the sound of the door opening. Yuzu could hear the quiet footsteps approaching her even through the water showering over her. Her entire body tensed up as the shower door slowly slid to the side.
Mei wordlessly entered the shower, Yuzu's back still facing her. Slowly, she circled her arms around the older girl's waist. Yuzu couldn't stop herself from moaning when Mei started kissing the nape of her neck. The blonde finally turned around to face her. No words were needed to convey what she wanted. Her half lidded eyes said it all.
Mei acted accordingly, pushing her against the wall and attacking her with rough, passionate kisses while gently gliding her hands along each curve of the older girl's body. Yuzu had to break off the kiss in order to regain her breath. Mei took this as a chance to move down to her abdomen, favouring her girlfriend's taut abs. As she stared at the blonde's body with desire she felt a small tinge of guilt after seeing the bruise on Yuzu's side. Of course, she wasn't the one who actually caused it but she may have delayed the healing process by that jab she gave her a few days ago. 'I'll definitely make it up to her'
The younger girl was filled with determination and confidence to please her girlfriend. She took her time in sucking the skin on her waistline which evoked a few twitches and spasms from her. She then slowly ran her tongue down the middle of her stomach before stopping just slightly below her navel. Yuzu whimpered in disappointment.
"You're quite sensitive today", Mei pointed out with a small smirk.
Yuzu flushed at the comment, "That's 'cause… it's been a while since…", she trailed off. "Please stop teasing me", the blonde said in frustration.
Suddenly the younger girl pressed her lips against hers, this time more delicately. She moaned into their kiss and squeezed her eyes tightly when she felt Mei's hands kneading and pulling on her chest. A cry escaped the blonde's lips when she felt Mei's tongue circling and sucking on her firm nipples.
The dark haired girl made sure not to be too rough, almost touching her with reverence in fear of causing Yuzu any pain. The older girl had already noticed that Mei was avoiding almost her entire right side.
"Mei", Yuzu pushed the girl away to look at her, "It doesn't hurt. You can do whatever you want", she assured.
"But-", Mei was about to protest.
The older girl suddenly grabbed her hand and looked at her with pleading eyes, "I want you to touch me, everywhere". Yuzu placed Mei's hand where she wanted it the most. Both girls blushed furiously at the action. "...Take the hint already", she pleaded with a husky voice.
Mei, feeling rather parched all of a sudden, had to swallow to dampen her dry throat. Without warning she leaned into the older girl. They were close enough to feel each other's breaths, emerald eyes locked onto hungry, violet ones. "I won't stop even if you ask me to…", Mei warned as her hands got busy.
Yuzu replied with a satisfied groan as the other girl hungrily bit her breasts. She jerked her hips forward as her girlfriend finally began to rub her slick slit. At first she slowly massaged Yuzu's bundle of nerves before gradually adding pressure. Mei kept her eyes locked onto the blonde's face, watching each reaction and expression to determine where and how to touch her.
With each moan, Yuzu neared her climax. She could feel the difference in each stroke, they were getting longer and harder. She whimpered when the contact suddenly disappeared and peaked at the other girl through half lidded eyes.
"Not yet", Mei simply said, her hands travelling past the girl's hip and reaching her backside. She cupped and kneaded them first, the volume of Yuzu's breathing increasing.
"Mei", Yuzu begged in a small voice, her hand gripping the other girl's wrist desperately. Even though Mei always seemed so authoritative, it was Yuzu who was (unexpectedly) more assertive in bed. However, it wasn't that surprising that the younger would want to take the lead every now and again. Still, it was quite frustrating, she was the older one of the two after all. 'Once in a while is fine, I guess', Yuzu thought, feeling content.
Mei gave her lover a triumphant smirk and trailed one of her hands back down to her most sensitive spot while the other hand continued to fondle her soft mounds. Yuzu's whole body quivered and she shuddered at the touch. She almost lost strength in her legs when she suddenly felt two fingers slip into her with ease.
The dark haired girl moved her fingers skillfully, curling them backwards while also rubbing her clit with her thumb. Yuzu tilted her head backwards, she was so close.
"Don't stop!", she demanded, suddenly pulling the other girl tightly against her.
Mei didn't dare stop. She continued to rapidly pump her fingers into her until the older girl finally reached her orgasm. If it wasn't for Mei, Yuzu would have collapsed on the floor. She almost lost all her strength in her knees and was leaning against the younger while she was in a state of bliss. Mei waited patiently, supporting her girlfriend's weight until she came down from cloud nine.
After a few minutes, the weight disappeared from her shoulder and Yuzu had recovered from her climax. She pressed her lips against the younger girl's as a way to express her gratitude. While Mei was engrossed in their kiss Yuzu pulled the raven haired girl into the bathtub excitedly, eager to return the favour. Mei was confused at the older girl's enthusiasm, still oblivious to her intentions.
The blonde sat down in the bathtub and gestured for Mei to sit in between her legs so that her back was facing her. Yuzu started tracing kisses from her girlfriend's neck to her shoulder, her hands were draped over her shoulders, caressing her all over.
The steam in the bathroom made the atmosphere stuffy, almost claustrophobic. This accentuated the girls' huffing and gasping for air. For Mei especially, due to their position she could only hear the other girl's heavy breathing, making it harder and harder for her to stay focused.
Mei immediately realized what was happening. Yuzu was taking control again!
"Spread your legs", Yuzu said in a commanding and smug tone.
Mei was reluctant but ultimately gave in as she too was eager to have the growing heat in between her legs satisfied. "Mmn…", she groaned as Yuzu positioned her hand on the younger girl's crotch. She wasted no time in sliding in two fingers.
"Even inside the bath, I can tell how slick you are down there", the blonde whispered in a husky voice.
Mei's ears darkened from a tint of pink to red. Yuzu smirked as she felt her walls tighten around her fingers. She started increasing her pace before suddenly grabbing the showerhead. A loud cry escaped her lips when Yuzu, without warning, turned the water on and directed the splashing stream at the younger girl's sex.
Her body shook violently at the contact. She couldn't stop herself from writhing in pleasure.
"Yuzu… too- i-intense", the older girl barely managed to understand her. Nonetheless, she kept going anyway.
A burning feeling of ecstasy travelled and spread throughout her whole body. "Did you hear that?", just as she was about to come, Yuzu stopped in her actions and turned the water off. "I think they're home", without knowing it, Mei's insides grew hotter and started throbbing more rapidly.
"Hwah~ Mmnn!", Yuzu suddenly turned the water back on and started moving her fingers faster.
Mei gripped the older girl's wrist in order to make her stop, but this only encouraged Yuzu to go on.
"Not so loud, or they'll hear us!", giving up on trying to stop the blonde, Mei concentrated on keeping her voice low instead.
While she tried to cover her mouth and keep herself from moaning, Yuzu curled her fingers up, hitting Mei's g-spot.
"Mmph- Ahhnn~!", Mei could no longer hold her voice in. Sparks of electricity were accompanied by waves of pleasure within a second. Yuzu turned the shower head off as the other girl's body spasmed. It took her a few minutes to recover due to the intensity of her orgasm. "Yuzu. There's no one there, is there?"
The blonde twitched at the tone of voice Mei used, "N-no…", she answered nervously. "But it was more exciting that way, right?"
The glare Mei gave her made Yuzu brace herself. She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting another elbow or hit. When she realized there were no violent intentions she opened her eyes again to see that the younger girl had turned around and curled up into a ball.
"It… it wasn't bad…", her words were slightly muffled but still intelligible to the other girl's ears.
Yuzu immediately lit up. She felt her chest warm up and butterflies fluttering in her stomach. 'She's too cute!', the blonde thought and buried her face into the back of Mei's head, inhaling deeply and smelling remnants of lavender. "I missed you…", she said simply.
"I missed you too", the raven haired girl didn't move but replied nonetheless.
(Haha there's no way I'd kill off Yuzu) Anyways, sorry for the delay. I rewrote the lemon to add Yuzu topping Mei in celebration of chapter 32 cuz YUZUTOP IS CANON! (or at least I hope so. PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN SABU-SENSEI) o(≧ε≦ｏ)