Akaza residence, Foyer; 2:07 pm
"Welcome!" Akari greeted as she held open the door for three of her closest friends.
"Pardon the intrusion!" Three voices called out simultaneously. Chinatsu, Sakurako, and Himawari all stepped into the house and began removing their shoes.
"I already have some snacks ready in my room, but would you guys like anything to drink?" Akari eagerly smiled at her friends, always happy to play the hostess.
Sakurako raised her hand and jumped up and down in anticipation, "Oh, oh, I want barley tea!" After a swift hit to the head, courtesy of Himawari, she reworded her request, "I mean, if it's not too much trouble, some barley tea would be nice… please."
Chinatsu smiled at their antics and jumped in, "I'll take some barley tea too, if that's okay."
Akari laughed and reassured them, "It's absolutely no trouble! We have plenty here; I made sure to stock up!" Akari looked to Himawari, who had yet to request anything.
"Oh, well then, if it isn't too much of an inconvenience, some barley tea would be lovely, Akaza-san."
Akari smiled, "I'll be right back with the drinks then! If you guys want, you can go up to my room and put your things down. Please make yourselves at home!"
While the rest of the girls went upstairs with their bags, Akari went into the kitchen to fetch the barley tea. She took four glasses out of the pantry, filled each with a bit of ice, and placed them on a tray. Next she grabbed a pitcher of barley tea from the fridge and then proceeded to fill each of the glasses. Finally, she placed the pitcher on the tray, deciding to bring what was left of it for good measure, and made her way upstairs, careful of spilling.
As the girls were setting down their bags, Sakurako spoke up, "Akari-chan seems different somehow… Like she's more grown up or something!?"
Himawari agreed, "Yes, there does seem to be a certain air of maturity surrounding Akaza-san today. You should follow her example, Sakurako."
"What'd you say!?"
Chinatsu was about to break up the imminent fight when Akari's voice interrupted them.
"Sorry," Akari called out from the hallway, "could someone open the door, please?"
Akari heard the sound of footsteps and then the door opened to reveal an aggravated Himawari and a very perturbed Sakurako. Akari smiled sympathetically at Chinatsu, who had been dealing with their antics on her own, and walked in with the refreshments.
"Yay!" Sakura began to dance around, "Barley tea! Barley tea! If you don't want it, I'll take yours, Himawari! Barley tea!"
"I'll be drinking my barley tea, Sakurako. And can you sit down? Honestly, you act like such a child…"
Sakurako turned to face her rival, "What was that!? Stupid Himawari. Stupid boobs!"
Himawari turned as well, one hand covering her chest, the other pointing at Sakurako, "My breasts have nothing to do with this!"
Akari and Chinatsu, seeing yet another quarrel coming, quickly intervened.
"Now, now girls. Let's not fight. Why don't we focus on studying?" Chinatsu started.
Akari nodded and went on, "Yeah! Like Chinatsu-chan said, why don't we all get our homework out of the way? Then we can all relax and goof off as much as we'd like!"
Himawari sat down, "Yes, you're exactly right. I apologize. What subject shall we start with?"
Sakurako sat down as well, but clearly not with the aim to study, "Eh? I don't wanna study… I wanna play…"
Akari scratched the back of her head and tried to reason with Sakurako, "I know studying can be boring, but if we get all of the studying out of the way now, then we can play as much as we want and we won't even have to feel bad about it! I even rented some movies for when we're done and we have plenty of snacks… What do you think, Sakurako-chan?"
Sakurako pondered for a minute before replying, "Well, when you put it that way, I guess it makes sense. Alright, let's get this over with so we can play!"
Akari smiled and opened up the textbook closest to her, mathematics.
"Do you guys want to start with Mathematics? I feel like it will be the hardest, besides maybe English, so I thought it might be nice to get it out of the way."
"That's a great idea, Akari-chan! Much better than anything Himawari would ever suggest!" Sakurako really had a knack for aggravating the amber-eyed girl. Sakurako's comment was met with a swift kick from the amber-eyed girl herself.
"Mathematics, was it? A wonderful idea indeed, Akaza-san." Himawari grabbed her mathematics textbook and smiled, all the while ignoring the glares coming from her so-called rival.
Akaza Residence, Akari's Bedroom; 7:02 pm
The sun was in its final stages of setting over the horizon, showering hill and vale with deep orange hues. Four girls sat at a table, working diligently to finish their assignments, their papers all bathed in the orange glow from the setting sun.
"Ahhhhh, I can't do this anymore! I need a break… I need food!" Sakura threw her arms up into the air and then fell backwards onto the floor, signaling her defeat.
"Sakurako, you've made absolutely no progress." Himawari shook her head as she continued writing in her notebook.
Sakurako haughtily raised a hand to her face, "Himawari, you're the one who hasn't made any progress. I wonder if the weight of your boobs is slowing you down?"
Himawari blushed profusely and raised an arm to cover her chest. With her other hand, she pointed at Sakurako in her usual manner, "My breasts have nothing to do with this!"
Chinatsu and Akari simply sighed. This would be their twenty-third fight in the past five hours, and the thirty-eighth if one counted the times they silently kicked and threw things at each other. Akari glanced over at Chinatsu who was shaking her head at the all too familiar scene before them. Akari scooted over to Chinatsu and lifted a hand to her mouth as she whispered in Chinatsu's ear.
"It's pretty silly, isn't it, Chinatsu-chan?"
Chinatsu, ignoring the sensation of Akari's warm breath on her ear and the butterflies in her stomach, nodded.
"Yeah… I mean, we all know they like each other. I'm not sure who they're trying to kid."
Akari giggled and added, "I think the only people who don't know that Himawari-chan and Sakurako-chan like each other are Himawari-chan and Sakurako-chan."
Chinatsu chuckled at Akari's comment, again doing her best to ignore the feelings caused by Akari's proximity. She was about to come up with a witty retort, when she noticed that Sakurako and Himawari's fight had escalated to the point where a kick or two was about to come into play. Chinatsu pointed at the quarrelling pair.
"Akari-chan!"
Akari followed Chinatsu's finger to see the source of her distress. Akari immediately stood up and did her best to play the mediator.
"Okay! Well, um, I think it's about time for a break! We have been studying for 5 hours straight after all… How about we eat some dinner? After dinner we can finish what's left of work, and then we'll have all night to watch movies and play! What do you guys think?"
Sakurako turned towards Akari with a pout and whined, "Eh? We'll have to work even more after dinner!?"
Himawari lightly hit Sakurako in the back of the head, "We have to finish our homework. Besides, you're the one who's done the least amount of work, Sakurako." Himawari then turned towards Akari and smiling she added, "But I think dinner sounds wonderful, Akaza-san."
As Sakurako continued to complain about stupid homework, stupid Himawari, and stupid boobs, the other girls went about organizing their papers and figuring out how much work they had finished, as well as how much work they had left. Sakurako aside, they had accomplished an impressive amount. If they were efficient, what was left of their summer homework would be finished shortly after dinner. Sakurako aside.
Akari stood up and made her way to the door, "Alright then! I'll head down to the kitchen and put together something to eat."
Ever the polite young miss, Himawari immediately offered her assistance, "Do you need help with anything, Akaza-san?"
Akari put her hands up in protest, "Eh? No, I'm fine! Besides, you're a guest! I can't let you do any work!"
Himawari chuckled slightly and added, "I'm used to making dinner for this one," she gestured towards Sakurako, "so it's not like I really mind. Besides, I'd feel terrible if you had to make dinner for the four of us on your own, Akaza-san."
Seeing that Akari still looked unconvinced, Himawari added, "I love cooking so it's really no trouble at all!"
Akari smiled and hesitantly agreed, "Well… If you really don't mind…"
Himawari walked over to the door, "I really don't. In fact, it'd be my pleasure, Akaza-san."
Akari smiled at the reassurance and the two walked downstairs, making their way towards the kitchen.
Chinatsu watched the two as they left the room. She absentmindedly tapped her fingers on the table in front of her. She would never admit it, but she already missed the redhead.
Tch… I should have offered to help cook. Then I could be alone with Akari-chan… N-not that I want to be alone with Akari-chan! …Ugh, who am I kidding? I've totally fallen for her… Ah, I really should have offered to help her cook! I'd get to be alone with her and her image of me would improve! …But I'm not sure if my cooking skills could compare to Himawari-chan's… Ah, but I want to do something to help! I could make some art for her… but I don't have any supplies here to make a piece of artwork for her…
As Chinatsu continued to ponder, her brows increasingly furrowed. It would seem that she forgot Sakurako was in the room, because at some point, she started thinking out loud.
"…I could always make tea after dinner. In fact, I could make it as a surprise for everyone and then she'd be even more impressed! Haha, take that, Himawari-chan! Who's the impressive one now!?"
"Still Himawari."
Chinatsu was so surprised by Sakurako's voice she visibly jumped.
"Y-you were listening!?"
Sakurako tilted her head slightly and matter-of-factly stated, "Well, you just randomly started talking, and it's not like I can turn my ears off…"
Chinatsu nodded, dumbfounded. What Sakurako said made sense, it's not like she could blame Sakurako, but… Just how much did Sakurako hear? Chinatsu had no idea when she had gone from simply thinking to speaking… which meant… Sakurako might know! Chinatsu's face visibly paled.
Sakurako-chan might know that I like Akari... It's not like she'll judge me or anything… I mean, the girl clearly has feelings for Himawari. But… she'll totally spill the beans!
"So," Sakurako said, "you like Akari-chan?"
Chinatsu's face went from ghostly white to tomato red. Chinatsu immediately put her hands in front of her in protest.
"Wha-what are you talking about? Me? Like Akari-chan!? Aha… ahahahaha… ahahahahahaha… You're so funny, Sakurako-chan…"
Chinatsu looked away from Sakurako's scrutinizing gaze. She knows… she knows… she knows!
In reality, Sakurako's gaze was anything but scrutinizing. She was simply a little curious; although, after her friend's strange reaction, she was the slightest bit worried as well.
"So," Sakurako started again, "how long have you liked Akari-chan?"
"I-it's not like I l-like Akari-chan or anything like that…"
Sakurako tilted her head again, "But you were just talking about how you were trying to show up Himawari and impress Akari-chan… and how if you'd gotten to be alone in the kitchen with Akari-chan, you'd push her down and-"
Chinatsu practically pounced on Sakurako and put a hand over her mouth.
"Well…" Chinatsu quickly thought up something to distract Sakurako, "you like Himawari-chan!"
Sakurako's face instantly reddened, "Wh-what are you…! Are you crazy!? There's no way I'd like that booby monster!"
Chinatsu smirked. Perfect. This is the best way to distract her!
"Really? Because to me it seems you really like her, especially her chest, considering how much you focus on it."
Sakurako went an even deeper shade of red and shouted, "I DO NOT!"
"So," Chinatsu continued, "how long have you liked Himawari-chan?"
"S-since abou- I DO NOT LIKE HER!"
Unfortunately for Chinatsu, Sakurako had finally caught on and would be distracted no longer.
"You never told me when you started liking Akari!"
Chinatsu stiffened, "Wh-whatever do you mean, Sakurako-chan?"
Sakurako smirked, "You know exactly what I mean. I was sitting across from you so I saw you sneaking glances while I play- I mean, studied!"
Redness made it's way to Chinatsu's face. She could see no way out of this predicament. She never would have guessed it, but Sakurako had caught her red-handed.
Chinatsu looked away and, in a very small voice, confessed, "I… I only started liking her recently..."
Sakurako smiled in triumph, "Yes! I knew it! You do like her!"
Chinatsu immediately regretted her confession, "But you can't tell anyone! Do you understand!?"
Sakurako, seemingly oblivious, began to dance around and sing, "Chinatsu-chan likes Akari-chan, Chinatsu-chan likes Aka-"
Chinatsu pounced once more and harshly whispered, "Sakurako-chan! You cannot repeat anything you just heard! And you certainly can't make up songs about it!"
Sakurako nodded energetically, "Don't worry, Chinatsu-chan! I may not look it, but I'm great with secrets!"
Chinatsu could have sworn she heard Sakurako mutter "usually" under her breath at the end of that sentence. Either way, the worry Chinatsu was feeling would not subside.
I'm in big trouble…
Unbeknownst to the two girls, someone had overheard their conversation.
Akaza residence, Kitchen; 7:14 pm
Akari and Himawari had been hard at work in the kitchen preparing supper. They had decided to make curry, since it's rather easy to make large portions. Akari had washed and cut the chicken, while Himawari washed and peeled the carrots and potatoes quite skillfully. Then they each chopped various vegetables and, now that the preparations were done, began to make the curry. While in the kitchen, the two girls had chatted with topics ranging from schoolwork to home life. They were enjoying their small talk when their tranquility was interrupted by ruckus from upstairs.
"I DO NOT!"
Recognizing whose voice it was, Himawari sighed.
"Honestly… Sakurako is such a rowdy girl…"
Akari smiled and said, "It's great that she's so energetic!"
"…I DO NOT LIKE HER!"
Himawari shook her head, "That girl has more energy than she knows what to do with. She's always been this way…"
They've always been together… And they have feelings for each other…
Akari looked down for a moment before muttering, "It must be nice…"
Himawari looked over at Akari, "I'm sorry, what was that, Akaza-san?"
Akari lifted her head and said, "Oh, um, I was just saying the curry is about done! Would you mind getting Chinatsu-chan and Sakurako-chan?"
Himawari shook her head, "It's no trouble at all."
Himawari headed upstairs and headed towards Akari's room. She could hear muffled voices coming from behind the door.
"I… I only started liking her recently..."
"Yes! I knew it! You do like her!"
Himawari suddenly felt extremely guilty for overhearing what she assumed was a very private matter. I don't think I'm supposed to hear this…
"But you can't tell anyone! Do you understand!?"
"Chinatsu-chan likes Akari-chan, Chinatsu-chan likes Aka-"
Himawari blinked in surprise. Yoshikawa-san likes Akaza-san? I always thought she liked Funami-senpai… Putting that aside, Sakurako, you're such a rude girl! I can't believe you'd make a mockery of her feelings!
"Sakurako-chan! You cannot repeat anything you just heard! And you certainly can't make up songs about it!"
Himawari nodded in agreement. Honestly, Sakurako. Have some class! Although I do love how energetic you are…
"Don't worry, Chinatsu-chan! I may not look it, but I'm great with secrets!"
Noticing a slight pause, Himawari took this as the perfect opportunity to knock.
"Wh-who is it!?" Chinatsu-chan could hardly keep her voice from quivering.
I definitely wasn't supposed to hear that conversation! I'll just pretend I don't know anything… After a moment, Himawari spoke up, "It's me. I just wanted to inform you two that supper is ready."
Himawari heard the shuffling of feet and then the door was pulled opened almost violently. Sakurako, the perpetrator, shouted in excitement, "Food!"
With that, the chestnut haired girl ran downstairs. Himawari fought the urge to smile at Sakurako's excitement. Shortly afterward, a rather despondent Chinatsu walked out of the room. I'm doomed…
Himawari, immediately noticing her friend's dejected attitude, did her best to console her, "Um… Hang in there, Yoshikawa-san!"
Chinatsu stared at her for a moment and then flatly said, "You heard, didn't you?"
Himawari looked away and tried to refute the claim, "Wh-whatever do you mean?"
Chinatsu sighed, "It's alright, Himawari-chan. You don't have to pretend. I don't really mind you knowing. I'm much more worried about someone else…"
Himawari looked back to her friend. "Don't worry, Yoshikawa-san! I'll do everything in my power to make sure that idiot Sakurako doesn't tell your secret!"
Chinatsu smiled slightly, "Thank you, Himawari-chan."
Himawari smiled back, "That's what friends are for, Yoshikawa-san."
With that, the two girls headed downstairs to join their friends for dinner. Himawari knew that Sakurako would never purposefully give away Chinatsu's secret, but the chances of Sakurako accidentally doing so were very large. Himawari had her work cut out for her. Chinatsu, on the other hand, was trying to figure out what she would do when Akari found out. It's not that she doubted Himawari; in fact, she had all the faith in the world that Himawari would try her very best to keep Sakurako from blabbing. But…Sakurako's idiocy was certainly something to be feared.
Thank you so much to everyone who's kept with the story so far! And an extra thanks to those of you who have left reviews! It always brightens my day when I see a review~ And it fuels my writing!
I apologize for taking so long with chapter 4! I had it like 90% written, but then I ended up rewriting it entirely. When you add my cousin's wedding into the mix, time was not really on my side XP So, I originally had Akari and Sakurako pair off in the kitchen, and Himawari and Chinatsu in Akari's room, but then I thought to myself, "Wait, Himawari would totally offer to help out in the kitchen, and I never get to see Sakurako interact much with Chinatsu!" so I decided to switch things up. I hope you all liked the end result!
As for Akari and her "air of maturity", as some of you may have noticed, she's no longer speaking in the third person! Speaking in the third person is considered really childish (unless you add a -sama to the end of it, in which case, it's really pompous). I decided that an Akari in love would grow up a little, and leave her third person speech behind. It also makes her easier to write. This chapter didn't have her speaking too much, but next chapter will, so it should be more obvious ^^ Also, next time is truth or dare! What else can one expect of a sleepover? ;)
Reviews are never required, but always welcome! :)
Until next time,
RuriLali
