XXx Aya xXX
The sudden silence that follows those two words is deafening.
I begin to squirm uncomfortably under the four pairs of eyes on me. Maybe this was a bit much to spring onto them this soon. But I have to admit, there's something about admitting to someone that he is mine that feels like a huge weight has been shoved off my shoulders. Pretending like he didn't matter to me to try and get Kisa to back off was hard. It almost felt like I was betraying both him and myself by trying to downplay what I felt towards him just to satisfy that little brat.
"You're serious?" Setsuko finally asks as she slumps down onto the couch. "The little kid? You're kidding me."
My blush returns as I nod softly. Setsuko's eyes widen and she slumps over and rests her elbows on her knees, disbelief making her face go blank.
"He's not as childish as you'd think," Shiori cuts in to defend me. "He's actually quite the flirt if it's just the two of them."
She gives me a knowing smirk and elbows me in the ribs. But I'm so caught off guard that I stumble a bit, my socks sliding on the slick tile floor. Shiori panics a bit and grabs hold of me, and we tumble into a head on the couch behind us.
That causes the rest of the girls to begin laughing, and as we sit back up, I find myself laughing along with them.
"How did you know about that?" I ask as I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Yeah Shiori," Aiko prods as she hops over to our couch. "Do tell us how you came to be in possession of this important piece of information."
Akina and Setsuko get up off the couch opposite of us and squeeze onto ours. We shift and squeeze until we're all sitting in a circle again. This time we're all sitting so close together that our knees are touching, and everyone's faces are so close together.
"Well, you see," Shiori giggles before her now mischievous brown eyes flicker over to me. "It was that day in the dressing room. Earlier before the club opened I saw the two of you in the makeup chairs."
A blush rises in my cheeks again and I press my face into my knees.
"Oh..." Setsuko trails off with a large smirk on her face. "What did he kiss her or something?"
"Multiple times as a matter of fact," Shiori says with a smirk. "I kept count."
"Shiori!" Akina gasps, trying to wipe a smile of her face.
"Once right here," Shiori says gleefully as she taps the skin behind my ear. "Twice on her lips and then on her forehead."
My face all but explodes as Aiko, Akina, and Setsuko's eyes dart back and forth from me and Shiori. They search for some sign that this might be a joke that the two of us are pulling, but if my face doesn't convince them of anything I don't know what will.
"How long has this been going on?" Aiko asks as she tucks her knees to her chest.
"A little less than a week," I manage to reply. "Just two days before we came back from summer break."
"Only that long?" Akina asks, her eyebrows knitting together. "And you already let him kiss you?"
"W-well, it's a bit more complex than just that," I sigh as I rake a hand through my hair.
"How do you mean?" Aiko asks as she pours herself another smoothie.
"Well, my family has been living at the Haninozuka estate since we came to Japan," I admit.
There's a moment of silence as the four of them stare at me with wide eyes. I gnaw on my lower lip as I pull my grey pajama sweater closer around my body. Eventually Setsuko breaks the silence by letting out a low whistle.
"So then the little shit with the chiwawa syndrome wasn't totally paranoid after all," she says as she pulls her drink back towards her from the table behind her. "Well what are we going to do about that?"
"Sorry?" I mumble in confusion.
"Well the way I see it, she's deluded herself into thinking that you're trying to steal her boyfriend," Setsuko explains as she takes a sip of her smoothie. "It's not like she can make a big scene, she has a 'sweet and innocent' image to protect. But that doesn't mean she won't try something underhanded."
There's a sinking in my stomach at her comment.
"She already has," I mumble as I fist my hands in my bangs. "Multiple times."
"Other times like what we walked into the other day?" Aiko asks, an odd glint appearing in her eyes.
"More or less," I sigh. "She's very territorial, even worse than my Aunt Élise's Doberman pinschers."
"Well," Setsuko says with a devious smirk. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us. Aiko, I believe you're the evil mastermind here."
"Oh you're pretty evil too," Aiko sighs. "Though I don't know if I'd go so far as to call you a mastermind."
"Oh shut up," Setsuko chuckles as she picks up the nearest pillow and throws it at Aiko.
We all laugh as it hits her square in the face. She lets out a shocked cry before gathering all the pillows on her end of the couch.
"Watch it!" Setsuko cackles as she dives behind the nearest chair. "Mount Aiko is about to blow!"
XXx Akina xXX
By the time everyone's up in the morning it's almost eleven. We ended up pushing together two of the spa's sofas and sleeping across them. It was more crowded than usual, but there was something nice about it.
Sandwiched between Aya and Setsuko I felt warm and at ease, and Aiko's soft snores were not as annoying as usual. Shiori didn't kick me in her sleep like she would every time she slept over. Well, that was mostly do to the barrier that is Aya.
When we woke up there was a large bowl full of fresh strawberries on the table, along with waffles and eggs. Aya got up and made coffee at the spa's bar, and we all tried some. The four of us mostly drink tea, so the bitterness took some getting used too. In the end, half of my cup ended up as creamer.
We talked and laughed as we ate. Everything just seemed so relaxed and natural. It was like the five of us had always been together like this.
"Shit!" Aiko suddenly shouts as she picks up her cell phone. "It's that late already?"
"What's wrong?" Aya mumbles sleepily as she rubs sleep from her eyes.
"Oh! Your lessons Aiko!" Shiori suddenly exclaims as she catches sight of the clock on the wall.
"I see that!" Aiko shouts as she sprints to the door of the spa. "Setsuko can you give me a ride home?"
"Sure," Setsuko mumbles as she stretches her arms out. "My bike's just out back."
"OK! I'll bring your stuff down!" Aiko yells from down the hall.
"What's going on?" Aya asks again as Setsuko gets up and walks out of the glass sliding door that separates the spa from the backyard.
"Aiko's mother has her take special lessons every Sunday at eleven thirty," I reply as I take my hair down from its bun. "She only lets her spend the night if she promises to be back in time for them."
"Why does Aiko need special lessons?" Aya asks as she pulls her knee socks back up.
"It's not those kind of special lessons," Shiori explains. "Her mom is kinda…old fashioned. She has Aiko take things like hardcore etiquette lessons, sewing, cooking, flower arranging, calligraphy, and traditional tea ceremony."
"And it's a pain in the ass," Aiko snaps as she walks back in the room, her bag in one hand and Setsuko's in the other. "I have a history test coming up and I've been sacrificing all my study time towards an English test I had on Friday. In my opinion, the flower arranging can wait."
She heads to the back door where Setsuko steps up with a lovely green motorcycle. She exchanges Aiko a helmet for her green duffle bag while Aiko slings her own over her shoulder.
"See you guys later!" Aiko says as she hops on behind Setsuko, who revs the bike to life.
"Hope to see you back here next Saturday Aya!" Setsuko yells over the roars of her bike.
And with that they off around the side of the house, tearing up grass and flowers in their wake. Ah well, that's why we have gardeners.
"We should be taking off too," Shiori yawns. "Do you need a ride back Aya?"
"If you don't mind," Aya answers sheepishly.
"Nah its fine," Shiori says as she straightens out her lilac nightdress. "I pass the Haninozuka estate on my way home."
"Then I guess I'll see you guys on Monday?" I ask as they turn to get their stuff from my room.
"Yeah," Aya says happily. "If you want we can meet in the library again."
"How about in our classroom?" Shiori asks suddenly. "It'll be fine if they're with us."
"Sounds good," I yawn as we walk towards the stairs. "I'll text Setsuko and Aiko later."
Five minutes and tons of hugs from Shiori later, I'm alone in the living room. I lay across one of the couches, still feeling a bit sleepy but not enough to actually fall asleep. The pillows are scratchy under my cheek, and the light coming from the glass door by my head is too bright.
I pull the nearest blanket up over my head, trying to let my breathing lull me to sleep. I was just drifting off when the front door swung open.
"Watch it with the touchy feely stuff!" I hear Oka-san bark.
"Well do you want to seem like a legit couple or not?!" Oto-san snaps back.
"Just don't overdo it!" she growls back.
"Why? Or else your cute little actor boy will question if you're really into him?"
"Please," Oka-san sighs. "He's just a boy, it's not worth it."
"Is that the case," Oto-san prods. "Or are you still seeing your season five partner? The wrestler?"
"Oh he's old news," Oka-san snickers as she makes her way to the stairs. "I'm seeing the Olympic swimmer form season seven. He's got some nice abs on him."
"Well, he's not the only one."
"Jealous hun?" Oka-san teases as she stops halfway up the stairs.
"You wish," he snaps. "Who needs you when I have Rika?"
"Oh right," Oka-san sighs with feign hurt. "What am I compared to your little teeny bopper bubble gum pop singer?"
"Do you want a truthful answer?" he snorts.
"Just shut up," she snaps. "And from now on, follow my lead in front of the cameras."
"Whatever," he snaps back. "Just go on your stupid date already."
"I will my beloved husband," Oka-san taunts. "And don't forget, you're almost twice the age of that girl, so at least hold yourself back until she's legal."
Oto-san lets out a string of curses as he chases mom up the stairs.
"She's almost twenty smartass!" he bellows as mom slams the door to her room in his face. "It's not that big a difference!"
I curl up into a tight ball under the blanket as Oka-san's laughter rings through the house.
XXx Aiko xXX
"Thanks Setsuko!" I shout as I stumble off her motorcycle. "You're a life saver."
"No prob," she says as she places her foot down on the curb. "Just hurry and get inside before your mom skins you."
I nod and give her a quick wave before dashing up the stone walkway to the large estate.
This is bad. My lesson was supposed to be at eleven thirty. I'm over an hour late. Setsuko was right. Mom is going to skin me. Skin she might have been tempted to make a nice leather bag out of me.
"Nee-chan you're back!"
Kenta runs down the steps of our estate, his golden eyes bright and a wide smile on his face. His shaggy black hair is all over the place like usual, falling carelessly over his eyes.
Despite my impending doom I slow to a stop, smiling softly as he barrels into me and flings his arms around my waist.
"Well," I sigh as I ruffle his already messy hair. "Nice to know someone missed me."
"He just wanted to get one last hug in before Kaa-san kills you."
I glance up to see Masaru standing at the top of the front steps in all his pressed sweater vest glory. He may be eleven just like Kenta, but he holds himself just like a heartless tax collector.
"Meaning?" I ask as Kenta loosens his grip on me.
"Kaa-san sent a letter to your sensei to see why you're failing Home Ec." Masaru says with a smirk. "She's not happy with the response."
"Was it the thing about how I cooked the five aluminum cans in the microwave?" I ask innocently. "Or the time my frying pan caught on fire?"
Masaru's face goes pale for a second. It looks like he hasn't actually seen the contents of the letter, and just went off of Kaa-san's over dramatic reaction. I fight the urge to smirk. Sometimes he makes this way too easy for me.
"How could a woman make such a stupid mistake?!" he yells at me. "And in the kitchen no less?!"
"I never said it was a mistake," I growl, his sexist remark making my blood boil. "I'm not that stupid."
"So I'm supposed to believe that you're actually trying to fail one of your classes?" Masaru asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.
"Well, what would you do if you were in this position?" I spit.
"Well that's hard to answer, since I wasn't born a weak and docile little woman," Masaru says with a haughty smirk.
"Could have fooled me," I sigh as I step out of Kenta's embrace.
I sidestep a furious Masaru, ruffling his sleek styled hair just for giggles. The more I stall the worse it will be when I finally see mom. Which now that I think about it, might be the reason why Masaru decide to be a part of my cheery welcome wagon this week.
I run upstairs, trying to smooth my hair and pull it into a bun to save time. After clumsily closing the door to my room with my foot, I stumble across the sand colored carpet and drop my overnight bag on the hideous ruffled pink sofa.
I probably have no time to do this nicely, so I run over to my closet and pull out the first kimono I see and throw it on over my pajamas. Crossing the room over to a set of pale pink drawers, I pull out a random obi, not having any time to see of it even compliments the kimono in a good way.
I take up way too much time trying to tie it quickly to add anything else, so on my way out, I grab a pin to stick in my hair.
I scramble down the stairs and across the living room to the backyard. After wasting more time fumbling with the locks on the sliding door, I finally run across the grass to the smaller, more traditional house nestled comfortably in between large tsubaki bushes.
And Oka-san is standing on the front steps, looking extremely annoyed. As I skid to a stop in front of her, she walks down the three steps gracefully, and gives me a once over.
"You're late," she says simply as her eyes rake over my body.
"I'm sorry," I huff. "I overslept. I got here as quickly as I could."
"And you show up like this?" she asks icily. "You're missing half your outfit, and what you did manage to get on doesn't match at all. And on top of that you're barefoot."
I glance down, and sure enough, my toes are poking out from under the hem of the kimono, which now has the beginnings of grass stains on it from my mad rush across the lawn.
"You were already late, so why didn't you at least make yourself presentable instead of showing up like this?"
I swallow hard.
"I'm sorry," I croak. "I don't have a good answer."
Mom just scowls at me before pulling a slip of paper from her kimono sleeve.
"Do you know what this is?" she asks.
"Masaru said you had gotten a letter from my Home Ec. sensei," I reply softly.
"I'm sorry when I say I am at a loss of what to do with your daughter Inoue-san," mom begins reading. "She confuses even the simplest ingredients, adds pieces of the wood cutting board into her indigestible and horribly spicy concoctions, cooks cans in the microwave, mixes cleaning supplies into possibly flammable material, repeatedly stabs her own hands on spinning machine, can't distinguish a knit stitch from a pearl stitch, and washes the wrong sets of clothes together. I'm afraid the only part of this class she does well in is the finance unit. She's absolutely brilliant with numbers, but I'm sorry to say that alone is not enough to save her grade."
Mom glances up at me. The disapproval is clear in her eyes.
"What do you do in that class?!" she hisses. "Are you just wasting my time in these lessons I give you at home?"
"N-no," I lie through my teeth. "I just get nervous in front of sensei. She scares me."
Her gaze softens ever so slightly as I give her the biggest eyes I can manage.
"I don't have the patience to deal with this today Aiko," she sighs. "You're excused."
I don't need to be told twice, so I turn and leave as quickly as I can manage in the restricting kimono. Sighing in relief, I pull out my hairpin and let my hair slide back into its usual style.
Since I do have my pajamas on underneath, I begin to untie the obi and slip out of the layers of material. Draping them over my arm, I continue up the stairs, wishing I was back at Akina's with the other girls.
When I get to the top of the stairs, Kenta is seated right outside the door of my bedroom. He glances up as he hears my footsteps on the creaky floorboard (the fourth one from the top).
"Was she really mad?" he asks, his gold eyes bright with worry.
"Nah," I sigh as I open the door. "I just need to act like the weak little girl she wants me to be and I can get out of anything."
Kenta steps into the room behind me and I toss my messy kimono into the hamper right outside my bathroom. I pull out a pair of jeans and a plain white tee shirt from my drawers as Kenta flops down on my bed.
"Nee-chan?" he asks just as I step behind my changing screen.
"Yeah?" I call out.
"You're good at cooking. Every year you make my birthday cake instead of buying it like Kaa-san does. And you knit me that scarf for Christmas last year. So why are you failing your class on purpose?"
I step out from behind the screen, fully dressed and rolling my shoulders. I flop down next to Kenta, my hair spilling over the pillows around me.
"Because I don't want to be a housewife."
XXx Setsuko xXX
As soon as I pull up to the house I know something is horribly wrong.
There are limos pouring in and out of the circular driveway, and the people tumbling out of them are decked out like they're attending the Golden Globe awards. All I can see is a choking mass of silk, lace, and gems as I try to drive around the traffic.
It won't be good if I'm caught riding into one of dad's glitzy parties in nothing but pajama shorts and a long sleeve shirt. Even if I am on my gorgeous green 1947 Indian Chief. The classic design of the bike would be considered less than impressive to these people, even if it did cost me $40,000 USD.
So I dodge the sleek sports cars and blinding boxy white limos and park my baby in back by the servant's entrance. One of our maids ushers me inside and promises to put her back safely in the garage. I manage to call a thank you over my shoulder before running for the back stairs.
I plan to hide in my room, away from the stench of expensive perfume and wine. Since I have a bit of a head ache from not sleeping that much last night, I'll just lock the door and burrow under the covers until everyone leaves.
As I'm walking along the second story balcony, I glance down into our ballroom to see random splotches of color moving through the hazy clouds of smoke coming from crystal hookahs and cigarettes. Some woman is singing a husky jazz tune on a small platform stage under a glistening diamond chandelier.
Her voice is barely distinguishable over clinking of glass and mindless gossip of the women with bright red lipstick and long lacquered nails. It's amazing to me that she can even sing in a room that filled with smoke.
Tearing my eyes away from the blurry ballroom I go to make my way to my room. Except my path is blocked by Oto-san.
"There you are," he says as he sets his glass of wine down on the thick wooden railing. "Go change and come back down quickly."
"S-sorry?" I stammer.
"Go get changed," he repeats.
"I'd really rather not," I mumble back as a particularly strong cloud of smoke rises to the second story. "I'm really quite tire-"
"Your mother is here," he cuts me off. "She wants to see you. Now if you'll please?"
I nod numbly as he tilts his head in the direction of my room. This is obviously nonnegotiable. Pulling my hair out of its sloppy bun I trudge past dad and down the hall.
No one else interrupts me on the way back to my room, and within five minutes I'm safe in my bathroom. Kicking my shoes off, the slick tile fills my body with coolness. Glancing in the mirror, I smooth out the tangles from my hair, watching as it spills down my shoulders and back like ink. Vacant blue eyes stare back at me before they drift over to the floor where the incarnation of all that is evil in this world sits ever so innocently.
The scale.
But she'll want to know. Even if I don't.
My arms and legs feel like lead as I toss my pajamas in the hamper and pull the small weighing device out from under the white marble countertop.
Dread pools in my stomach as I stand back up and place one foot on it lightly to set it to zero. It takes a few false starts before I actually am able to step up onto it. And when I finally do, it takes even longer before I'm able to actually look down at the flashing LED numbers on the face of the machine.
When I finally do, I let out a long sigh of relief before quickly stepping off and kicking the nasty thing back under the countertop.
I march back into my room and straight up to my wardrobe. Throwing the doors open, I pull out the first little black dress I see and a pair of black round toe pumps.
I'm dressed in a minute and back in the bathroom, dusting on some simple coca brown eye shadow in hopes of making the blue of my eyes pop and look less dull. Finishing off with a single swipe of mascara I pull my bottle of Tresor perfume towards me.
I lightly mist it around me before I ruffle my hair.
The halls are strangely empty as I step out of my room. Everyone seems to have congregated in the ballroom.
My theory is proven right as I step up to the railing of the balcony again. They must be serving lunch now. My stomach rumbles at the thought of the spread that's being set out. But the thought of the food mixing with the smoke makes it seem unappetizing. Plus after all that I ate last night…
Maybe I'll just…
"There you are."
Even in divorce it's uncanny how alike my parents are.
Mum steps up in a shimmering blue cocktail dress that clinches her waist tightly. I try not to look at it for too long; and instead look up to the intense blue eyes I've inherited from her. She takes in my figure, scanning me from head to toe and back up again.
I can feel myself squirming under her gaze. I was never bothered by it when I was younger, but within the last few years it's become something I hate. I don't want her to look at me like this.
"How much?" she finally asks.
"N-ninety pounds," I stammer. "I'm ninety pounds. I just weighed myself about five minutes ago."
"Setsuko…" she sighs as she shoulders slump. "You're five foot seven and ninety pounds? You can do so much better than that."
I cringe.
"Please excuse me," I mumble as I duck my head.
I turn and run back to the safety of my room. Once the door is locked behind me I kick off my heels and bury myself under my covers, wishing desperately that Akina was here with me.
XXx Shiori xXX
"So you've really been living at the Haninozuka estate this whole time?" I ask as we pile into the limo. "What's it like?"
"It was scary at first," Aya confesses as she slumps into her seat. "And it became worse when I realized that I actually liked Honey."
"But it worked out though," I say with a smile. "You're together now. And from what I've seen you look really happy."
Aya flushes and averts her gaze to the floor. But I can see a small smile curling at her lips.
"Hey Aya?" I ask as I lean forward and put my elbows on my knees. "What's it like having a boyfriend?"
She looks startled for a minute, but regains her composure when she sees I'm not joking.
"You've never dated before?" she asks quietly.
I shake my head sadly, locks of my copper hair bouncing against my face. She regards me curiously, as if she doesn't know if she should press the subject.
"It's because if the way I look," I say simply.
She cocks an eyebrow, confusion swirling in her eyes.
"But you're nice," she says suddenly. "Doesn't that mean anything to them?"
"It's because I'm childish," I explain. "Before I met Aiko, Akina, and Setsuko girls didn't see me as mature enough to be friends. And boys would say I was cute, but never had any real romantic feelings for me. If they did I'm sure they'd think others would see them as perverts or pedophiles since I still look like a little girl."
Aya stares at me quietly.
"I'm sure Honey had the same problem until you came along. But he's lucky. I haven't found that one person yet."
The car glides to a stop then, and we're at the corner of the street like I instructed the driver. Aya gets up to leave, but stops right before she reaches the door.
She turns towards me, and to my surprise, loops her arms gently around my neck.
"It's hard to describe," she says quietly. "They say you haven't really felt something if you have to give that emotion a name. But I hope you'll know the feeling someday Shiori."
I wrap my arms around her and we just stay that way for a few seconds. She eventually pulls away and gives me a soft smile before stepping back towards the door.
"Thanks," I say, returning it. "See you at school."
"See you at school!" she calls from outside the door.
As soon as she steps away from the door the limo is moving again.
I settle back into the leather seats, all the information from last night, this morning, and the other day in the library bouncing around my head. One thing just doesn't seem to add up for me. I mean, I'm no super brain like Aiko, but surely she hasn't glossed over this little speed bump as well.
The other day, Setsuko asked Aya is she was part of the Atsumi clan, and she said yes. So if that's the case, why is she living with the Haninozukas when the Atsumi estate is so close by?
The limo stops again in front of my own estate, and I thank the driver before climbing out onto the sidewalk.
I pull my black buttoned overcoat over my pajamas. Kaa-san will freak if I show up like this. I also swap out my fluffy boots for a pair of black lace heels. I arrange my hair in a casual bun at the nape of my neck and put on a swipe of matte coral lipstick before trudging up to the door.
A maid opens it and makes a quick call to the sitting room.
Kaa-san appears in the door a second later in a pearl grey cocktail dress and her hair piled up on her head in an elaborate fashion.
"Oh good you're here!" she says happily. "We have a customer who just stopped by to take a look at the remaining pieces from the summer exhibit. He's taken a special interest in your part of the gallery. Why don't you make the sale?"
I nod and bite my lips before letting mom usher me to the gallery room in the back of the house. The maid takes my bag before I enter the gallery. I straighten the hem of my coat so it brushes the top pf my knees, concealing the nightgown I have on underneath by a mere few inches.
I follow mom into the maze of rooms, watching as the gallery lights make hair glint like a rusty coin.
She leads me to the refreshment room where a man in a grey suit sits talking with dad. They munch on cheese and crackers and sip red wine from deep glasses.
They look up as we walk in.
"So this is the artist," the buyer says as he stands up and walks over to me. "I didn't expect you to look so grown up."
"Well I am seventeen Sir," I say with a professional smile.
"Of course," he says with a chuckle. "All grown up now I see."
"So what piece were you interested in?" I ask as I begin to lead the way to my portion of the exhibit.
XXx Honey xXX
I roll and pop my neck and shoulders as I exit the dojo's changing rooms.
That was rough, even for just sitting and watching.
I check my watch, and feel a small pang of sadness. It's almost noon and Aya isn't back yet. I guess I've really gotten used to her never really leaving the house except for school. She's always just been down the hall or in the dojo.
"Feeling down?"
Glancing up, I see Oka-san leaning against the doorway to the house, the sleeves of her pale blue kimono blowing gently in the early fall breeze. She smiles down at me, a few locks of hair floating around her face.
"Don't look now, but I think she's back."
I glance over my shoulder to see Aya making her way up the walkway, still in her pajamas and hoodie. A smile breaks out across my face as I run over to her. She hears me coming and turns around just in time for me to throw my arms around her. She stumbles a bit but I keep her one her feet, and her laughter rings out around us as she raises her arms to return the hug.
"I missed you Aya-koi," I murmur in her ear.
"Maybe I should spend the night at Akina's more often," she laughs.
"Nope," I joke as my grip on her tightens slightly. "Just stay here so I don't have to worry about you."
"Oh?" she teases as she pulls away from me. "And who was it saying I should make friends?"
"Still…' I whine halfheartedly. "So how was it?"
"Really nice," she says softly. "I was surprised by how good it felt to have friends…I guess I really didn't know what I was missing out on."
I kiss her forehead before letting my hands fall from around her neck. She catches them in her own and she nods her head towards the direction of her room.
"I better get changed now," she says.
I nod, letting go of one of her hands and walking back towards her room. The one hand still in hers is being griped softly.
"So how'd you get back?" I finally ask. "You never called for a ride."
"Shiori dropped me off at the street corner," she says softly. "She knew."
"How?" I reply calmly.
"I guess we weren't as alone as we thought in the dressing room," she says as we enter the house. "But they all know now. I decided to tell them that. But they still don't know that we're…"
She trails off, lifting our clasped hands enough for her ring to catch the weak light in the halls. I glance over at her. Her face looks unconcerned, but her eyes are slightly fearful, as if she thinks I might get mad.
"Does this mean I'm going to be receiving four different threats on what'll happen to me if I break your heart?" I ask, only half joking.
Her face goes slack with relief for a second. Then she laughs softly.
"No I don't think so," she replies with a smile. "Well, maybe just one from Setsuko. But Shiori managed to convince them that we're happy enough that no worry is necessary."
"Well that's what I was going for," I say as we begin to climb the stairs. "It's good to know I won't die anytime soon."
"Like they can do anything to you," Aya giggles as she throws my own line back at me. "Like anyone could unless they poisoned your cake or something."
"Shhhhh," I joke as I press a finger to her lips. "Don't give anyone any ideas."
We reach the hallway, and Aya leans into me slightly.
"I did miss you though," she admits. "Can we do something fun today? Like go on a date or something?"
I feel a smile light up across my face. For the first time she's the one asking me on a date.
"Sure!" I say with a smile as we stop outside her room. "Where do you want to go?"
"Ummmmm," she trails off. "I'm not sure."
"Hey, Haru-chan said that there was a farmers market going on in her neighborhood this week," I say. "Wanna go there?"
"Sounds great!" she says. "And if I remember correctly there's a shopping center nearby. I need to pick up some lip sealant since you seem to be really insistent on kissing me when I have lipstick on."
"Well you're not wearing any now," I point out as I cup her face in my hands.
"True," she sighs.
I lean forwards and press my lips against hers gently. She sighs happily and returns it. Her lips are back to being smooth, soft and feather light. Her hands rest softly on my chest and her hair blows softly around us.
I pull back after a minute and look down at her.
"I like it better when you don't wear lipstick anyways," I say as my thumb traces her bottom lip. "You're even prettier when you're not covering your face."
She blushes and nods before stepping out of my arms.
"I don't wear makeup to hide my face," she says as she pushes the door open. "I only use it to enhance what I already have. Don't go anywhere ok? I'll be back in five minutes."
True to her word, she emerges five minutes later in a white sundress and sandals with a navy blue bow headband set behind her bangs.
"You know," I say as I push her bangs out of her face. "Wearing it like that kind of defeats the purpose of a headband."
"That's the point," she says with a smile. "Come on."
XXx Author's Notes xXX
Well now we know what goes on in the other girls' houses…
Lotsa love, Krystal