Sorry this took so long. School started, which also marks the end of summer. Yay. (help)
Mei looked at the older girl up and down before sighing in satisfaction. Although Yuzu was always trying to act independently Mei was very adamant in helping her get dressed for school. While the deed did fluster both girls, it seemed like Mei had an ulterior motive behind the seemingly altruistic offer.
Yuzu tugged at the black tie around her perfect white collar shirt uncomfortably. "Ugh, this thing is so stuffy!", she groaned in mild irritation and continued to complain about how 'un-cute' she looked. With Yuzu's arm still in a sling, there wasn't much she could do when Mei began dressing her up in the proper school uniform.
The younger girl crossed her arms. "Stop whining. This was part of the deal". The 'student council president' mode was a huge contrast to the affectionate and loving girlfriend that pampered her for the past couple of days. Whenever Yuzu set out to do something Mei would be there to assist her and while it was nice to have the girl fawn over her, Yuzu had grown restless at home. She was insistent on going back to school, even if she wasn't fully recovered yet.
"Fine, but I'm still putting makeup on!"
Mei shook her head in defeat. There was no point in arguing with the stubborn blonde. As Yuzu got to work on putting on her makeup, Mei walked over to the desk and started segregating the stacks of paper that she would be leaving at home and bring to school. Yuzu thought nothing of it until Mei straightened the same stack of paper another time. The blonde, after noticing that the younger girl was shuffling through the pages again, momentarily stopped applying her foundation. "Mei? Is something wrong?"
The other girl noticeably flinched at her name. Mei was never one to procrastinate but she always found herself doing something out of character when it came to Yuzu. The girl neatly placed the pages down and turned to the blonde.
"Yuzu, you should know that after Kyoto... there was no hiding what happened to you", her voice was hesitant, she was wringing her wrist. "As a result, grandfather has decided to let the school staff know about your condition so naturally, all the students know too", it was obvious that Mei was wary of her reaction. "Matsuri told me that you had past issues in regards to telling people about your condition"
Memories flooded through Yuzu's mind. Recollections of pitying looks and insincere support from hypocritical people who wanted to gain favours by helping a handicapped child. "I hate it. I hate it when people look at me like I'm some broken... thing, as if I need their pity"
Mei didn't like how bitter the older girl was acting. She didn't like the sullen expression on her face. More concerned than nervous now, Mei approached her. "Yuzu, it's okay to ask for help. You're the one who taught me that".
Yuzu's expression visibly softened.
"I don't know how those people from your past treated you but I doubt that anyone from our school bears any ill will towards you. Besides, you have real friends that support you now".
Yuzu could feel the antipathy crumble. 'Don't do it', she thought to herself as she averted her eyes from the other girl. She wanted to hold on to that feeling of resentment.
"And you also have me...", the statement sounded more like a hopeful inquiry.
Why was it that Mei was capable of eliminating all the bad things in her world? What and who gave her the right? Yuzu exhaled loudly, as if she was letting go of all that pent up hatred but mostly due to frustration at how much power the younger girl held over her. "Mei, you're cuteness made me mess up my makeup"
Mei was relieved that Yuzu had gone back to her usual self. "Yuzu, you're beautiful enough without the makeup", she turned to leave their room. "Besides, it'll only be a hindrance for me as the student council president. I'm supposed to be fair so if I end up staring at my girlfriend for too long it'll be obvious that I'm biased"
Yuzu's glowing red face was practically emitting heat. "Was getting me worked up like this part of your plan?", she called out after the raven haired girl. 'Since when was Mei so suave?'
"It worked, didn't it?", she answered back from the hallway.
The next few days back at school weren't as bad as Yuzu had expected. It seemed like the students' opinion of her changed after finding out about her condition. Most people avoided the blonde due to her rebellious behaviour but now they viewed her in a more positive light. Some even apologized to Yuzu for being so prejudiced and not giving her a chance to get to know her. Teachers and students alike kindly offered her assistance, never being too obtrusive. They'd started greeting her in the morning and opening the door when she was carrying her books to the next class.
All in all, Yuzu was able to go back to her normal school life, except this time she felt a little less isolated than before. She was even approached by a student of Aihara middle school, who expressed her admiration for the blonde delinquent. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a little bit flattered, although Mei made her criticisms known later that evening.
"Are you possibly jealous~?", the older girl teased, to which Mei was quick to deny. "But I guess I should dye my hair back...". Being a bad influence on the younger students would only cause trouble for the diligent student council president. Though it would be a little sad to part from the chestnut blonde colour that she'd yearned to inherit from her father. Every time she looked into the mirror she would remember her father for his chestnut blonde hair, rather than the heart condition she inherited from him.
"Hmm", Mei softly ran her fingers through Yuzu's golden tresses. Although she loved the older girl just the way she is, she couldn't imagine her without the beautiful blonde hair. Mei released a defeated sigh, "Isn't it fine to leave it like this?".
Yuzu cracked a smile. "Weren't you just complaining the other day about not wanting to seem biased?"
Just as Mei was never interested in the opinion of other people when she was willing to do anything to serve the Aihara family a year ago, she still had that mindset. The only difference being that she would never have considered changing the school rules on behalf of anyone until she met Yuzu. While others would argue that the emerald eyed girl was just taking advantage of her, Mei would be quick to dispute the fact. Yuzu never once asked Mei to use her authority for her own benefit.
"I guess I'll just have to change the rules"
While the month passed by with Mei being busy with the student body presidential election, Yuzu had fully recovered from the surgery. Thanks to Mei's incessant reminding to take her medication, her cut didn't develop an infection and thus, healed well. She no longer needed to keep her arm in a sling and further tests showed that there were no complications with her ICD.
Meeting her best friend's older sister proved that it was indeed functioning properly as the device had prevented an attack when Yuzu had gotten too riled up with the former student council president. Mitsuko scolded Mei for no longer having that single minded look, suggesting that the dark haired girl didn't take her position seriously anymore. Of course Yuzu was quick to defend Mei and was so enraged that it made her heart pump erratically until it eventually triggered the pacemaker.
The sensation of the device sending electrical shocks to her heart was akin to a flutter in her heart. It was comforting that she didn't have to suffer through immense pain when coming down from too much excitement but the commotion did make her head feel light. Mei was at her side the whole time and immediately brought her to the infirmary. Mitsuko later apologized for her insensitive words after being scolded by her younger sister, who was always usually too timid to speak her mind around her.
The incident was resolved quickly and with Mei being elected as president of the student council again, everything seemed to go back to normal. But the 'normal' high school life started to feel dull now that Yuzu was able to do things she used to have to avoid.
"I want to join a club", Yuzu casually mentioned one day while they were eating lunch at the cafeteria. She never considered joining a club since it would have been too tiring, but now she felt that there were more things she could participate in. Her heart was no longer holding her back.
The rest of her lunchmates seemed uncertain. Harumi argued that she would no longer have anyone to hang out with after school. Nene, the newest addition to their group of friends, agreed and pleaded that she continue to spend time with the brunette. Himeko complained about how late in the year it is to be joining a club.
With all the negative feedback, everyone expected for Mei to back them up. But one look into Yuzu's green eyes and Mei knew that there was no talking her out of it.
"Nothing too physically exerting, so nothing sports related", she sighed as she pointedly finished her meal and leaving. With that, there was no more point in arguing.
my reaction after reading the finale: *inhales* where was the yuzu topping the mei tho
No but seriously, I'm happy (enough) with how the series ended, even if it did feel rushed. Though that's something that we can't really blame on Sabu-sensei since they clearly pressured her to wrap up the series. That being said, I can't wait for citrus plus next month :3