Here is chapter 4 for you. I honestly feel like the last chapter pulled the characters a little too much out of their true character, but I'll try to straighten that up a little. Today, we're going to a swimming pool, and we all know how Taiga acts towards Ryuuji when there's people around ~
It was a warm day. Really warm, actually. Ryuuji could already imagine how crowded the pools would be in this heat. In some ways, he wish he could just stay at home with a big fan blowing at his face, but he'd promised Kitamura that he'd come along, and he wanted to keep that promise after all. Ryuuji shrugged as he put the foiled sandwiches into the basket. Of course he would be the one to bring lunch, and the others had probably already predicted that. Ryuuji looked into his basket one last time before closing it. It had foiled sandwiches, rice lunch boxes and beverages. He smiled at his accomplishment.
"Where are those damned cups?" Taiga said to herself as she ran around her apartment. She didn't find the breast cups Ryuuji had made for her, and it made her panic. 'They're probably somewhere at Ryuuji's place,' she thought to herself, 'but asking him now would be too awkward.' She looked around one last time before she gave up. She looked herself in the mirror and stared down towards her chest area in misery. "I'm just a pathetic flat-breasted girl." She said to herself.
She was wearing her swimsuit, with a hoodie lightly hanging over her shoulders. Her hair was fixed in the same buns she had when attending the pool at school. 'What if Ryuuji hates me when he realizes how pathetic I look in a swimsuit without those cups.' Taiga thought, pouting at herself. Before she had the time to think anymore, she realized she should get going.
She closed up her hoodie, making sure it would hide her chest area for the time being. She brought a fresh towel, and she walked out of her apartment. She started wandering down the road in her tiny sandals, making tiny clicking noises. It was warm outside.
As she passed Ryuuji's house, Ryuuji came out of the door. He held a basket in his right hand, and he wore green bathing shorts reaching his knees. A blue t-shirt covered his torso, and a towel was hanging over his shoulder. As he looked up, he noticed Taiga. "Good morning!" He shouted as he started walking towards her. As he reached her, she started walking again, and they walked together, mostly in silence. As they reached the pool, they could hear the splashing and screaming from the kids inside. They met a smiling Kitamura at the gates.
"Good morning, you two! Here's your tickets!" He stated as he handed them their tickets and he signaled for them to come with him through the gates.
"Where is everyone?" Ryuuji asked him.
"Oh, they went on ahead and found a spot for us." Kitamura said, a cheerful tone to his voice. As they came to the pool, they gasped a little at how many people there were. After looking around, Ryuuji spotted a waving Minori at the other side of the pool.
"Over there." Ryuuji said as he waved back. He saw Ami sitting down, looking as careless as ever.
"Damn her for wearing such an inviting swimsuit." Taiga said with the usual annoyed tone to her voice. Ryuuji just laughed it off.
"Yeah, yeah, never mind that." He said as he scratched his head. He really didn't want any fights between them today. Taiga looked at him with an almost terrifying look. "Are you going to stare at her, perverted dog?" She asked him, still keeping that scary expression. Ryuuji jumped a little back and started waving his hands.
"N-no way!" He said, desperately trying to convince Taiga to believe him. 'It's actually true, though,' Ryuuji thought to himself, 'I don't need to stare at Ami. I don't even want to.' He sighed as he finally got Taiga to stop shouting at him, though she still didn't fully believe him. Taiga was easily jealous, but she knew that it was just natural for boys to stare at big busted girls.
'I still don't like the thought of it, though.' Taiga thought to herself. 'After all, he is my dog.'
"Yo, Takasu! Taiga! Yusaku! ~" Minori shouted as they reached the two girls. Ryuuji smiled and put down his basket.
"I brought some lunch for everyone." Ryuuji said, seemingly happy with his own effort. Taiga stared at him. "Stop grinning, stupid dog." She said, a little playfully. She didn't act towards him as she would when they were alone. It was too embarrassing. "I'm sure you'll be the smiling idiot once you see the delicious lunch I've prepared." Ryuuji leaned a little forward with his face, showing off an evil smirk.
Taiga shot her head a little forward, smirking back, almost as if it was a contest as to who could look more deceiving. (*)
Ryuuji turned to Ami and gave her a little smile.
"I even made sandwiches especially for you who want to keep your figure." He said, a bit jokingly. Ami smiled back at him, seemingly in a better mood than usual. Taiga stared at Ryuuji, trying to spot the perverted glare in Ryuuji's expression. It wasn't there. But when he turned back to Taiga, he gulped a little, his face flushing slightly with a color of red.
"I even made rice and pork lunch boxes." He said with a smirk. Taiga grinned. "Good dog. They better be good!" She said and pointed at him overdramatically.
"Well, I sure hope so." Ryuuji answered, almost afraid that he would fail them with his lunch boxes.
"Save the lunch for later, everyone. It is time.. to dive! ~" Minori shouted as she threw herself into the water. "I wonder if she even saw the No Diving sign." Ryuuji said, sighing. Suddenly, Kitamura shouted something similar to a battle shout, as he too jumped into the water, Ami following after. Ryuuji smiled and pulled off his t-shirt, ready to jump in. He turned to Taiga, who was standing there with her sweater still on, looking down.
"Taiga, are you coming?" Ryuuji asked with an enthusiastic smile. She stuttered a little.
"I-I-I'll be right with you.. just go ahead." She said, trying to force out a smile. Ryuuji looked at her, a little concerned. "Taiga, is something wrong? You don't look too good." He said trying to put a hand on her shoulder. She brushed it off, taking a step back.
"It's nothing!" She said, sounding almost scared. Ryuuji kept staring at her, refusing to give up. Taiga finally gave out a sigh. "Fine.. I couldn't find the cups you made me.. back then." She said, looking down in embarrassment. Ryuuji had to think for a moment before he realized what she talked about.
"Oh. Taiga, you don't have to care about that. We're just here to have fun, not to show ourselves off, right?" He said, giving her a reassuring smile. She finally gave in. "I guess you're right.. but don't make fun of me, stupid dog!" She said, trying to sound more confident. Ryuuji shook his head.
"I won't." He said. Taiga sighed again and slowly pulled down the zipper of her sweater. Ryuuji turned around and walked to the edge of the pool, looking at the others who were having a water fight in the pool. He turned around and saw Taiga coming towards him with tiny steps. He blushed a little.
"You see? You look even cuter without the cups, you know." He said with a completely honest tone to his voice, sounding slightly surprised. Taiga's face shot up in embarrassment, and her face flushed with a red color. She looked down for a while. "Idiot!" She shouted as she pushed Ryuuji into the pool. "Woah!" He screamed as he lost his balance and fell back first into the water. As his head broke the surface, he threw his hair backwards and raised a fist.
"What the hell are you doing? You could have kill- WAIT!" His eyes shut open as he saw Taiga's mischievous smile. "Here I come!" She shouted as she threw herself into the water next to Ryuuji, sending a wave of water into his face. As he opened his eyes again, he saw Taiga standing there with a slick smile. "Got you." She said, laughing. Ryuuji grinned and splashed water into her face. Just as he did that, he heard a voice behind him.
"The distraction was a success! Assassination, commence!" He felt Kitamura's arms wrapping around his neck. Ryuuji put a hand to his and tried to pull it off. He opened his eyes wide. "NO-GLUB!" His voice was shut off as he was pulled under the water.
Ryuuji started kicking around under water, finally able to tear out of Kitamura's grip. Still under water, he turned towards him and lunged. He grabbed his shoulders and pulled him up to the surface.
"I'll kill you, you cretin!" He shouted with a laugh in his voice. He heard a high-pitched shout from his side, and a tiny girl came crashing into him, pushing him under water. Ryuuji opened his eyes under water and barely managed to make out Taiga's face, grinning evilly at him. She leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his lips, hoping that no one would see. When they came back to the surface, Taiga cheered in victory.
After a while of pointless playing in the water, they got up to have lunch. After taking a bite from a sandwich, Minori opened her eyes widely. "Takasu! This sandwich was made with heart! I truly appreciate such skills! ~" She stated as she kept eating. Ryuuji smiled widely.
"I'm glad you liked it." He said, and he looked around at the others, hoping for response. They all nodded in consent, too much food in their mouths for them to say anything.
'Success', Ryuuji thought to himself. They all enjoyed their lunch in silence. As they were done, Taiga leaned back and patted her stomach gratefully. "Delicious!" She stated, smiling at Ryuuji. Ryuuji smiled back, seemingly happy with the response. "You'd make a great housewife!" Taiga said, playfully. Minori looked over at Taiga and smiled.
"Maybe you would be the perfect husband for him, Taiga! ~" She said with a smirk. Taiga blushed, actually taking the joke seriously. She pulled herself together quickly and looked up. "Huh! Who would marry a stupid dog, anyways?" She said, poking Ryuuji's cheek. Ryuuji laughed nervously and scratched his head.
"Yeah, who would?" He said, trying to laugh off the feeling he had that Taiga was actually serious. Taiga suddenly jumped up and put her arm around Ryuuji's neck from behind.
"He's an adorable little dog though, isn't he?" She said playfully as she ruffled his hair. They all laughed cheerfully at how playful Taiga was, and Ryuuji couldn't help but laugh with them, though blushing a little.
When they felt tired enough, they all decided to go home. The rest had already left, and Taiga and Ryuuji was walking home together, Taiga's sweater lightly hanging over her shoulders. "Ryuuji.. I'm exhausted." She said, looking at the ground. Ryuuji suddenly stopped and waved for her to come over. She looked at him, a little confused.
"Board the ship." He said with a playful smile. Taiga looked a little embarrassed, but then she jumped up on his back, putting her legs around his hips. He took a firm grip on her legs, making sure she wouldn't fall off.
Taiga put her chin on his shoulder, resting. "I really did mean it, Ryuuji. I would never marry a dog." She said with a calm voice. Ryuuji shrugged and let out a little "Heh.." Taiga suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck as he kept walking. "But you're not just my dog. You're my faithful dragon, right?" She said with a gentle smile on her lips. Ryuuji looked a little surprised.
"Taiga.." He said, looking down as he walked. She snuggled her face into his shoulder playfully. "You told me that the dragon and the tiger were equal," she said, "so that means we'll be together forever, right? Even without a marriage vow." Ryuuji couldn't help himself from smiling. "Yeah. You're right. Maybe we'll even get married." He said with a playful grin on his face. Taiga smiled.
"Maybe we will. I wouldn't mind." She said. There was a long silence between them, and Taiga decided to break it. "What are you thinking about now, perverted dog?" She asked, and bit his neck jokingly. Ryuuji blushed.
"Nothing in particular, I guess." He answered, trying to stay calm. As they arrived outside Ryuuji's house, Ryuuji put Taiga back down. "See you." He said, smiling gently. He suddenly felt embarrassed about kissing Taiga, so he didn't make a move. Neither did she.
"Yeah, see you." Taiga smiled back and turned to walk back to her apartment. Ryuuji walked into his house and realized that Yasuko had already went to work.
"It's good that I prepared dinner for her this morning, or else I'd be in trouble." He said to himself as he walked in to find a new change of clothes before taking a shower. Just as he walked out of the shower with a baggy pair of pajama pants on, and a pajama shirt, he heard someone knock on the door. Wondering who it could be, he opened the door. In front of him stood a petite little girl with ruffled hair, wearing pajamas. Ryuuji looked at her, a little confused. "Taiga?" He asked. She smiled slickly and held up a bag. "I knew that Yasuko was working tonight, so I thought I'd keep you company. I brought snacks and movies." She said with a cute tone to her voice.
Ryuuji blushed a little as Taiga invited herself in and closed the door behind her. She walked straight into the living room and sat down on the tatami mats. Ryuuji locked the door and walked in after her. "This isn't really like you." He said, still a little confused. Taiga smiled playfully at him.
"Well, I'm your girlfriend now, am I not? I thought it was only natural for couples to have sleepovers with games and movies!" she stated. Ryuuji smiled a little, not saying any more. "Even so.." Taiga said and patted the floor in front of her, inviting Ryuuji to sit. He walked over, sitting down on his knees as he looked at Taiga. Taiga leaned forwards and wrapped her arms around his neck, slipping one leg over each of his. "Even so.. I barely got to be close to you like this today." She said calmly as she leaned in and kissed Ryuuji.
Ryuuji smiled shyly in the kiss and he wrapped his arms around her. After a while, Ryuuji had ended up sitting up towards the wall, his legs straightened out. Taiga sat over him, her legs spread over his. "You should be proud that you were the one to take my first kiss, you know." Taiga said playfully, her arms around Ryuuji's neck.
Ryuuji smiled gently at her. "I am. I am very proud." He said.
"You'd probably enjoy this a lot more with the Stupid Chihuahua, though." Taiga said with slight seriousness in her voice. "No way," Ryuuji said, "You are honestly the cutest, most beautiful girl I know of. Silly." He said with a smile on his face. He kissed her again. Their kisses had gotten more intense now, their tongues almost fighting between them. Taiga pulled a little back again and said, almost hopelessly.
"Why do I love kissing you so much?"
Ryuuji was almost panting after the kiss, his warm breath hitting Taiga's face. "I don't know.. It's just how it is." He said. Taiga closed her eyes and kissed him again. She didn't want to stop.
'As long as I can kiss Ryuuji, I'm happy.' She thought to herself, hoping this would last forever. She pushed herself closer to him, her hips almost rocking towards his thighs with passion. (**)
They kept kissing each other intensely, their tongues intertwining in their mouths, their breaths growing ragged over time. There were no movies or video games that night.
And so, that chapter was done. I am actually pretty pleased with this chapter, at least compared to the last one. I'd love to get some more reviews, and I will listen carefully to advice and requests.
* = Watch the second opening to Toradora, in the end where Ryuuji gives Taiga a lunchbox. That's what I pictured when I wrote this.
** = If you were wondering, no, this is not a lemon scene. They are still wearing their pajamas, and they are just kissing.