Yoshikawa residence, Chinatsu's bedroom; 6:47 am
Chinatsu had never considered herself an early bird. She wasn't one to sleep in until the late hours of the afternoon, but she had certainly never considered herself an early bird. And yet, Chinatsu lay awake in bed, considering her current predicament.
How…how could I let this happen!?
The sunlight had broken through the curtain, shedding light on more things than one. Chinatsu glanced down at the arm that was wrapped around her waist, and then her gaze shifted to the body that was pressed ever so gently against her own.
Yoshikawa residence, Chinatsu's bedroom; 3:04 am
Akari stared at Chinatsu from the guest futon. Sensing the pinkette shift a bit, she quickly readjusted her gaze to stare at the ceiling. However, this did nothing to calm her down, so she pulled the blankets over her face, deciding she would have to settle for staring at them.
Geez, what am I doing…? Ever since I realized that I-I…that I l-like…Chinatsu-chan….
Akari could feel her body temperature rising once more. Everything came rushing back; Chinatsu's kisses, Chinatsu's hot breath on her neck, the feel of Chinatsu's hands roaming all over her body… Akari suddenly felt suffocated by the blankets, quickly throwing them off of her face.
Ah, what's wrong with Akari!? Even her speech style is getting messed up…
Suddenly, another rustle came from Chinatsu's bed. Akari thought her heart was going to jump out of her chest. After making sure her breathing was under control, she called out, doing her best to keep her voice from trembling.
"Chinatsu-chan?"
Akari's call into the dark was met by silence.
No response… But she moved just a little while ago…
Akari turned to face her friend's sleeping silhouette. She called out once more, this time her voice a bit louder.
"Chinatsu-chan?"
After a few moments, Akari received a reply.
"Akari-chan?"
Akari's face lit up instantaneously.
"Chinatsu-chan, you're awake!"
Although Akari was speaking at a whisper, the delight in her voice was unmistakable.
"Yeah… you too, huh?"
Akari nodded, ignoring the fact that her movements could not be seen.
"Yeah…"
"How come?"
Akari stiffened, knowing she couldn't say the real reason for her insomnia, least of all to the cause of it.
"Akari just…had a nightmare, that's all…" Akari bit her lip, hoping the lie was convincing. She quickly added, "What about you, Chinatsu-chan?"
"Oh, I was just…thinking…"
"…About Yui-chan?"
"…Yeah…"
Akari couldn't help but feel saddened by Chinatsu's reply. Not only had she fallen for her best friend, she'd fallen for someone who already had their heart set on another.
"What was your nightmare about?"
Akari opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. After a few moments of silence, Akari heard blankets rustling. She looked up and through the darkness it almost seemed as though Chinatsu had lifted up her covers, inviting the redhead inside.
"Well? …If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, but it doesn't mean I can just let you be sad and scared by yourself down there. "
It took Akari a few moments to fully grasp the situation, but once she understood the meaning behind the pinkette's words, her body practically moved of its own accord as it navigated through the darkness and slipped into bed next to the pinkette, who had scooted over to allow more space for her friend.
The pair lay next to one another in silence for the next few moments. Chinatsu was trying her best to keep her breathing regular while she wondered just when her room had become so unbearably hot. Akari, on the other hand, was doing her best not to cry. Ever since Chinatsu had said she was up late thinking about Yui, Akari couldn't help but feel disheartened. She had just realized her feelings, and yet it was as if she had already been rejected. Akari could feel tears welling up in her eyes at the thought, and immediately tried her best to keep them from falling. Surely they could still be friends, right? Before she could stop herself, Akari reached out for Chinatsu's hand and held it lightly. Realizing what she was doing, she went to pull her hand back and apologize, but was stopped when Chinatsu squeezed her hand back. Akari was slightly taken aback, but smiled nonetheless.
"Thank you, Chinatsu-chan."
The tear that slid down her cheek was lost to the darkness.
Yoshikawa residence, Chinatsu's bedroom; 6:48 am
Oh… That's right… Last night Akari had a nightmare, so I let her sleep with me… Ugh, and as a result not only was my sleep totally restless, but she's gone and wrapped herself around me!
Chinatsu had no doubt that the redhead had no bad intentions; if anything, Akari was just like a puppy that had moved itself closer to a source of warmth. And so there they were, Akari with her arm around Chinatsu's waist and face hidden in the crook of Chinatsu's ever reddening neck.
This is bad… My face-no, my entire body is on fire… What is wrong with me!? Am I…am I getting turned on by Akari!? No. This isn't possible. It's probably just the fatigue. Yeah, that's it. I didn't sleep well last night…because I was thinking about Akari…and her lips…and… crap.
Akari wasn't sure when she had drifted off, but she was extremely comfortable and delightfully warm. Without a second thought, she snuggled closer to the source of the warmth and wrapped her arms around it even more tightly then before. Chinatsu just about fainted. She could feel Akari breathing into the crook of her neck but had no idea what to do about it. The girl was obviously still half asleep, and although Chinatsu wasn't upset at Akari for what she was doing, Chinatsu couldn't help but feel displeased with the reactions it was causing within her body.
Part of me wants to hit Akari over the head, but part of me… just wants to hold her…
Chinatsu's thinking process was brought to a halt when she felt Akari's lips on her neck. It was the briefest of touchest, Akari had probably just been readjusting her head, but nonetheless Chinatsu could no longer deny the fire that was burning inside of her. She turned onto her side and her lips soon found Akari's. Unlike the night before, it was not a heated kiss. Her lips simply lingered on Akari's for a moment before pulling back. Chinatsu held Akari close to her body and placed her head over that of the redhead's, too tired to fight the desire any longer. Chinatsu's head was spinning and her lips were still tingling from the kiss, but she simply focused on the sweet smell of Akari's shampoo, and drifted off to sleep once more.
Yoshikawa residence, foyer; 11:28 am
"Are you sure you've got everything?"
Akari nodded in response, "Yup!"
Chinatsu bit her lip. What now? Should I hug her? How did I used to see her off? Ugh, I'm still trying to forget about this morning…
At this point Chinatsu could no longer deny her growing attraction to the redhead. But it wasn't just lust. It was something more. Something more powerful, more beautiful, and much more terrifying. She wasn't sure exactly when Akari had woken up, but Chinatsu had pretended to be asleep until Akari got out of bed. When Chinatsu heard the toilet flush she used it as an excuse, acting as though the sound had disturbed her slumber. Akari apologized profusely and Chinatsu pushed the matter aside and suggested they eat a late breakfast. The mid-morning meal was eaten in silence. Akari seemed to be deep in thought about something, and Chinatsu was too busy drinking in Akari's every feature to comment on anything. Did she always furrow her brows when deep in thought? Was it a habit to shake her head and pout when dismissing an idea? Had her lips always been so pink? Did she always look so… breathtaking?
"That's right!" Akari exclaimed. Chinatsu fought away the encroaching blush and looked at Akari inquiringly. "I almost forgot! Sakurako-chan texted this morning… Would you like to get together with her and Himawari-chan tomorrow? We were thinking we could get our summer homework out of the way early. We'd have snacks while working and afterwards we could watch movies and it's sure to be a great time with everyone! We haven't had a sleepover with the four of us in a while! "
Chinatsu smiled, "That sounds great! I'll have to double check with my parents, but there shouldn't be a problem."
"Yay! I'm looking forward to it already!"
"Alright well… Text me when you get home." After a moment's hesitation, Chinatsu wrapped her arms awkwardly around Akari. Akari was thrown off by the tightness of the embrace, but returned it all the same. After a moment, Chinatsu released Akari. She much preferred Akari's arms to the feeling of reluctance that had taken hold of her body when she released the redhead, but she would never admit it.
"Well, I'm off. Thanks again for having me!" With her bag in hand and her buns in place, Akari left the Yoshikawa residence. Chinatsu smiled and waved while seeing her off, but as soon as the door was shut, a frown took hold of her features once more.
"Crap."
Akaza residence, foyer; 12:04 pm
"I'm home!" Akari called out, slipping off her shoes. She assumed her parents were at work, but was not entirely sure of the whereabouts of her elder sister.
Is she out or is sh-
"Welcome home!" A voice rang through the house.
Akari stepped into the living room in time to see Akane walking in from the kitchen.
"Welcome home, Akari!"
"I'm home, Onee-chan! How did your report with Yoshikawa-san go?"
Akane smiled, "We finished in record time. How was your sleepover?"
"It was great! I had a lot of fun!"
Did she try anything, Akari? Did she try to take your innocence from you? Noooo, your innocence is one of your best qualities! Don't let her fool you, Akari!
Akane clasped her hands together in delight, "That's good! Did you try a new kind of penalty game?"
"Penalty game? Um…no…? Well, I'm kind of tired, so I'm going to take a short nap. I'll see you later, Onee-chan."
"Have a nice nap, Akari."
The smile that graced Akane's face was absolutely beautiful. Countless girls must have fallen victim to its charm. Which is precisely why it was such a shame that her inner monologue did not match its beauty in the least.
Nooo! Akari! Why are you so tired? And you've never gotten home this late from a sleepover before…! Did that girl take advantage of you? Did she!? Did she ravish you? Oh, she ravished you, didn't she? Oh, my poor Akari. Poor, gentle Akari. I can't believe I didn't attach that video camera to your bag when I had the chance…
Akaza residence, Akari's room, 12:07 pm
Akari set her bag down and collapsed onto her bed. Her body was well rested, and yet she was exhausted. Akari reddened as she recalled the events of the past day. And then, to make matters worse, there was this morning!
When she woke up, her lips felt an all too familiar tingling sensation and she couldn't help but notice the arms wrapped around her. But that wasn't everything! Her own arms were wrapped around the object of her affection and she was even nuzzling into her neck! Never in her whole life had Akari felt so embarrassed… However, there was another emotion as well. One much warmer.
Happiness.
Akari could not recall the last time she had felt so happy. At that moment she was truly content. But the happiness could not last forever. It was fleeting, as most happiness is. Chinatsu appeared in her mind, and the one beside Chinatsu was not her.
Yui-chan... How could I be so stupid…? Of course Chinatsu-chan would pick Yui-chan over me… And it's only a matter of time before Yui-chan falls for Chinatsu-chan…
Akari once again felt the overwhelming urge to cry and darted to the bathroom. In order to avoid suspicion, she flushed the toilet when her emotions were under control once more. When she had come out of the bathroom, Chinatsu was awake and so they had gone to breakfast. An extremely silent breakfast. But Akari was far too busy coming to terms with her situation to notice Chinatsu's scrutinizing gaze. After their late breakfast, Akari gathered her things and they said their goodbyes.
That reminds me! I have to text Chinatsu-chan!
Akari stopped replaying the morning's events in her mind and reached for her bag. She barely managed to pull her cell phone out of the bag without falling off her bed. She flipped open her phone, repositioned herself, and sent Chinatsu-chan a text message, as promised.
"Hey Chinatsu-chan, just wanted to let you know I made it home safely. Thanks again for having me! (^_^)"
Akari sent the text message and shut her phone. Within a few seconds she heard the ring tone go off, and picked it up. She had one unread message from Chinatsu! Akari hastily opened up the text.
"Way to text me super late, Akari-chan! You really had me worried! (-_-#)"
Akari lightly hit herself on the forehead, reprimanding herself for taking so long to text. Before Akari could finish typing up an apology text, a second text message arrived. Seeing it was from Chinatsu, Akari opened it right away.
"By the way, my parents are fine with me sleeping over tomorrow. I guess I'll be in your care again, huh?"
Even though she knew it was to study… Even though she knew she wouldn't be alone with Chinatsu… Akari was delighted! She'd get to see Chinatsu again tomorrow! She quickly texted back.
"Sorry about the delay, I got distracted... (^_^;) But yay! I'm so glad they said okay! *\(^o^)/*"
The girls continued texting for a while. Their conversation topics ranged from discussing what snacks would be best for the occasion and what movie they should rent to whether Sakurako and Himawari would finally admit to their feelings for each other. But Akari's eyelids soon grew heavy and she reluctantly had to excuse herself. No matter, they would be reunited soon enough.
Again she repositioned herself, this time so that she was on her back facing the ceiling. She threw an arm up over her eyes and let the other rest on her abdomen.
Sakurako-chan and Himawari-chan are so lucky… Even though they won't admit it, it's so obvious that they like each other…
Akari got up to turn off the lights before lying back down, this time on her side.
I wish the person Chinatsu-chan liked… was me.
And that's it for chapter 3! If you're reading this, thank you! Thank you so much for sticking with this story! I apologize for the delay in updating. I promise that the wait for chapter 4 will be much shorter. Next time: the study session/sleepover at Akari's! I, for one, am quite excited!
Thank you again to all those who have reviewed this story so far. Reviews are never required, but always welcome!
Until next time,
RuriLali
