Chapter 2
She wishes I stare longingly at her? There was a feeling in her chest she could only imagine was her heart flinging itself around her ribcage. What does that mean? She suddenly felt hot and flustered. Every single eye in the room was on her, well, except Miu. She was just sitting there and glaring at the crowd around her. She seemed to sigh and then looked up at Chika and shrugged her shoulders.
"What do you want from me?" she said, though Chika couldn't actually hear her and her lips didn't move but she'd known that baka for a long time. Her brain is like math problem with numbers and letters and symbols you've never seen before doing complicated seemingly impossible things, but if you know the basics behind the insanity, things start making sense...most of the time.
Oh crap! How long have I stalled! I better keep going.
"Whoever came up with these has too much time on their hands." Chika wiped the sweat from her brow. These lights are so hot. "Next we have..."
There was tap on her shoulder and a flurry of whispering in her ear. The stage ninja disappearing as quickly as he had came. They had finally found the damned auction stuff.
"It looks like the auction will go ahead in ten minutes. They have some really nice items so please stick around to participate."
Miu was grinning already. Chika had no idea where she stashed all those chips she earned nor did she want to know. I don't care what she did with them...I do want those headphones though. The only prize there I actually want aside from some of the gift cards.
She hopped off the stage and walked over to the grinning idiot. "How many chips do you have? Coughcheatercough." People like Miu don't win at games of skill.
A smile grew across her face and she leaned back and put her arms over the back of the chair...and opened her legs. Guh! Where are my eyes going! Chika screwed up her face.
"None."
"You have no chips?"
"I hove noe cheeps," she said in Engrish.
"Wot?" Chika also said in Engrish. She couldn't help it. It had spat out of her mouth before she had a chance.
"I sold them to someone who wants the PS3." Another face splitting grin. "5000 yen."
"I take it back. You aren't an idiot...you're a huge idiot."
"Do you know what I can buy with that much? If you were a hooker I could hire you and still get 4500 back in changeOW!" she groaned, holding her head in her arms.
There was a slight throbbing in Chika's hand now. Her body moved on its own.
"Some of those items are worth more than 5000 yen! Why would you sell your chips!" Now Chika's hand and head were throbbing.
"He had more chips than me and the girls are banding together! I'm not going to be able to outbid anybody and I've had a PS3 for years."
She had a point...and it hurt her to say it...I'd think I take the sure bet of cash upfront that trying to bid and ending up with nothing. They won't be worth anything after the auction. "Why didn't you ask for mine? We could have gotten more money." What a change in tone. I'm such an hypocrite.
I wouldn't mind getting out of here. I don't want to stay for the auction if I'm not going to have enough to bet on anything.
"Tsk. Tsk. How quickly your tune changes." She stood and swivelled to the right and then to the left.
"A lady doesn't ask, she takes."
What?
"Ito-san?" I was suddenly enveloped in a group of shrill voices, hands tugging at her dress. "Can we have your chips? PLEASE!"
She couldn't help but sigh. They were batting their eyes at her and pouting and trying their cute voices...I'm not a guy! That doesn't work on me! These girls I've hardly ever talked to outside of group work! There are some people here I'm going to be glad to never see again.
"500 yen." Miu said in a singsong voice.
The girls instantly dropped their sweet facades and turned half lidded eyes on Miu. "We're not paying money for chips!" They turned back to Chika. "We can have your chips right? Right?"
"600." I just couldn't help but say it. Miu's jaw opened and she wrung her fists and started bouncing happily.
"You're so stingy! What are you going to use them for? Everyone has way more than you! You didn't even play the games!"
"700."
"Hahahaha." Miu gripped her sides and shook with stilted laughter.
"Okay! Okay!" One of the girls plucked her purse out of her handbag and shoved a coin into Chika's hand. "500 yen. I'm not paying more!" They scurried off to the corner where there were more people to proposition.
Miu wrapped her arm around Chika's shoulders and rested her head against her friend's. "Wasn't that fun! You just got money for nothing. Hahahah! The look on her face when you said it...smrk!"
"Hmm."
"You're so cool. Makes me wish you'd stare longingly in my direction." Miu put her arms to her chest and pouted just like those girls had done a second ago.
Thump! Thump! "Why...why...do you think...they said that in the slideshow?" Stupid heart beating too fast!
"How the hell do I know? Who wants to look at a horse face like yours?"
"Tsk!" Now her heart was thumping for a different reason! "I have the same face as onee-chan and you said she was pretty."
"Two horsesOW!" Miu crumpled to her knees and held her head. "My brains!"
What does Miu really think of me? We don't even hangout that much anymore. Miu-chan is always off doing her own thing. If she really liked me wouldn't she ask me out or something? She not shy...She squinted her eyes shut. Why am I even considering this? It's no secret she's gay and I'm her...was her best friend so of course they're going to make the joke about us! I even went on stage with the jacket for her suit. I couldn't have walked into it more if I tried. Maybe she was even in on it...
I don't even like girls and especially not a stick with tiny boobs...if you could even call them that. She has nice lips though...I always wish I had lips like hers. Her face isn't awful either.
"We should do something since it's our graduation night!" She grabbed Chika's shoulders and started shaking.
"Okay. Okay! Just stop shaking me!" Oh yeah. "We're watching a movie."
"YES! That will do." She walked forward and few steps and turned on her heel. "Come on! Lets get out of here...or do you still need to MC."
"I'm done so lets go. I just have to tell my dad." Chika quickly scanned the room. Who knows what Dad would say about leaving so soon.
Miu walked over to the exit door from the gym to wait for me and I approached dad who was sitting and sipping a drink at the back of the room. He looked kind of bored just sitting there with his arms crossed and by himself.
"Dad, I'm done MCing so I'm going home."
"Okay. Do you need a lift?"
That was a surprising response. I figured he'd try and make me stay. "No. I'll walk."
"Are you sure? It's chilly." He eyed Chika's...blazer. "Whose jacket do you have there?"
"It's Miu's. Remember she wore a suit instead of a dress. A bunch of girls did." Well, two did. Miu and this tall girl. She said she didn't feel right in a dress since she was so tall. Miu, on the other hand...who knows. She's always liked girly clothing so I have no idea why she wore a suit.
"...are you two...you know?"
"Are we what?"
"Oh never mind. I'm staying for the auction since I have some chips. I won't be home until late. I'm going out for a drink with some old friends."
"Bye dad."
He waved at me and Chika hurried over to Miu...who offered her arm which she did not and would not take.
"You don't want to walk with me?" She pouted, sticking out her lip.
"No I do not." They pushed open the doors and walked out into the chilly night air. It had gotten cloudy and the wind had gone down. The cold didn't quite have the bite it had before.
It was quiet for this time of night. I figured there'd be more traffic or people walking about but there was only an odd car every few minutes and nothing but the sound of her heels clicking against the sidewalk. I'm almost the same height as Miu with these heels. If she were wearing them she'd tower over everyone and even some of the guys.
"Miu? Why'd you wear a suit?"
She turned an eye to Chika and looked straight ahead again. "I felt like it."
"Miu!"
"Maybe...so I wouldn't look strange if I danced."
"...but you wouldn't have looked weird." Come to think of it. "You didn't dance with anyone did you?"
"I asked you and you said no. You said I don't want to and crossed you arms and made a face like this." She made a face like she had just tasted sour milk.
"I did not...when did you ask me?" I don't remember being asked...would I have said yes if she asked? She'd probably do something stupid like throw me back and swing me around so my skirt flies up and flashes the entire room.
"There was one song left and you were reading your MC notes."
"When you pulled on my arm? I thought you were screwing around!"
"Who cares it's not a big deal!" She hauled out some money out of her pocket and she turned a evil grin on me. "This is burning a hole in my pocket. Lets buy some booze!"
I had unconsciously taken a few steps to the left and away from her. It was just something you did when you were around Miu enough and she gets that smile on her face...especially when she gets that smile on her face. Not that it was a bad smile or anything. She actually looks kinda pretty when she smiles.
"For one, yuck, and for two, we're not old enough to buy it."
"Quit your bitching. Lets go in here. You buy the snacks." She pointed to grocery store across the street.
"I only have 500 yen."
"Then hike up your skirt and show some OW!"
"You have 5000! Give me some. I'm buying yours too!"
"Fine but I expect," she jumped back and snapped her mouth shut. "Here's a thousand." She dropped some coins in Chika's hand and then sprinted across the empty street.
She could have least waited for the crosswalk signal. I looked to the right and then to the left and jogged across the still empty street.
Miu had disappeared somewhere, probably looking for the liquor section. Chika walked down the closest aisle to her and picked up two bags of chips and a box of Pocky. I should pick somethings up for the other girls too, I guess. She picked up a box of chocolate...things that looked good and then some watermelon candy. She walked back to the freezer section and pulled a couple of drinks from the fridge, she turned to walk to the cashier, but walked back to the fridge and took out two more that they could use to mix the alcohol with if need be. She walked slowly to the cashier trying not to drop anything and paid for her things.
Miu was already waiting for her outside. Her smile like a 100 watt bulb.
Wow! They did sell it to her. "What did you get?" Chika eyed the other girl's shopping bag.
"Bailey's." She swung the bag in Chika's face.
Chika froze then her face turn to a frown and she glowered at Miu. "You told me you use that to get in girls' pants because it just tastes like chocolate milk and you can get them drunk."
"Hahaha...ha...I don't know what you're talking about." She turned towards home taking big steps.
Chika glared after her but finally ran up to match pace with Miu. "You better not try anything with Ana or Matsuri! I'll kill you in your sleep."
Miu shook her head. "Matsuri is a crybaby. Do you really think she'll even try it?"
"Doesn't that stuff taste like chocolate milk? Why wouldn't she try it?"
"You think I'm going to give those twits any? It's mine...but you can have some." she huffed. Her eyes widened and a smile crept across her face. "You haven't tried it? It's delicious. Come here and try it." Miu darted into an alleyway.
Following her into a dark alleyway is EXACTLY what I want to do tonight. Though I suppose one could argue I've been doing this my entire life. Chika turned and plodded after her friend. Miu was busily unscrewing the cap with glee. She lifted it towards her lips but paused midway and then thrust it toward Chika.
Chika took the bottle from her and placed it to her lips. Doesn't smell like alcohol at all. "You just want an indirect kiss don't you." She took a long taste from the bottle and then handed it back to Miu.
Tasted like...I don't know...sweet and good.
"Us adults don't concern ourselves with indirect kisses like you children do...besides I already kissed you twice." Miu took a taste from the bottle and then screwed back on the lid.
Chika closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Wait...what? Twice!"
Miu placed the bottle back into the bag and they walked out of the alley. "Truth or dare two years ago. You couldn't suppress your urges anymore and knocked me off her feet." Miu twirled around with her arms outstretched and then hugged herself. "I still get butterflies thinking about it. Makes me feel all warm and tingly inside and especially tingly..."
"I wasn't even playing and you kissed me out of nowhere. You nearly broke my nose!"
"Hmpf! I don't remember it that way you lecher."
Chika's phone buzzed. "When is the movie?" Matsuri's SMS read.
Oh yeah. I better text them. Chika tapped away at her phone sending two messages that the movie would be at 11:00. She didn't send it to the guys. She didn't care if they came or not.
Chika jogged ahead to catch up to Miu, it's not like she'd stop and wait. Miu was drinking from the bottle with it mostly concealed in the paper bag.
"You look like a drunk homeless guy doing that," Chika said breathlessly. She silently cursed a small blister at the back of her foot.
"Your turn to look like a drunk." She forced the bottle into Chika's hands. "Have you ever been ossified before."
Chika took a small taste from the bottle. It tasted slightly of strawberries now...probably from Miu's lip gloss. Chika's cheeks tinged with pink. Indirect kiss. She shook her head and passed back the bottle. "What if a policeman sees you? They definitely know what you..we were doing."
"Are the police invisible?"
"What?"
"I don't see anyone do you? Our houses are right there." Miu pointed up the street.
Wasn't that even more reason not to be obviously underage drinking? They weren't exactly inconspicuous in their graduation finery. Chika picked up the pace. The shear joy of having her feet out of her shoes more than made up for a little extra soreness from walking fast.
Chika was happy they made it to her house before Miu decided to start drinking again. She opened the door and kicked off her shoes. She stepped into the hallway, wiggled her toes, and rocked from the ball of her foot to her heel. That was a relief.
I wonder where my sister is? Her shoes aren't here. I was hoping she'd be here on my graduation night. Chika sighed.
Miu rushed past Chika and into the kitchen and returned with two glasses as quickly has she had left. She walked into the living room and placed them on the coffee table and filled them with alcohol.
"People use milk for mix but I think that's gross." She sat on the floor and scooted under the kotatsu. She felt Chika's eyes on her as she did so and motioned her over to join her.
"We're going to get caught if we drink that here!" Chika crossed her arms but still followed Miu's lead and sat by the kotatsu.
"To greener pastures!" Miu raised her glass toward Chika.
Chika continued to glare at the other girl, putting her hand on her own glass but refusing to raise it. "What kind of toast is that?"
Miu rigidly kept her glass in the air.
"Fine fine. To greener pastures." Chika raised her glass and clinked it against Miu.
Miu scowled at Chika. "If my toast was so awful come up with you own!"
Chika tapped her finger against her chin and turned her eyes toward the ceiling. To greener pastures is just too weird. It makes it sound like we're cows or sheep or something. How about...her mind went blank. This IS hard. "How about to happy endings and new beginnings?"
Miu's lips trembled. "Happy endings eh?" Miu's face cracked into a smile.
"Did I say something weird?" Chika stared at her friend.
"You'll understand when you're older." Miu grew serious. "Has anyone had the birds and bees talk with you honey?"
Chika eyes snapped shut and her lip twitched. "Don't call me 'honey' that's gross...and...I know more than you about that stuff...probably."
"Oh?" Miu smiled harder her eyes growing wide and twinkling. "I bet you're such a cunning linguist."
"What? Are you saying that because of my toast?" Chika swooshed the liquid around in her glass.
Miu tapped her on the knee and took a taste of her drink then leaned back on her elbows. "You'll understand when you're older sweetheart."
"Miu..."
"Yes Chika-sama?"
"Miu..." Chika groaned.
"Yes...Chika-dono."
Chika rubbed her face. I brought this on herself. If I can think of a proper toast that doesn't have some weird perverted meaning maybe Miu will forget about this. Chika rested her elbows on the table. "How about...to friends and future happiness."
Miu narrowed her eyes but sat up and placed her hand on her glass. "I guess that will do Kāsan." She raised her glass and waited for Chika's glass to meet hers.
"To friends and future happiness." They said together clinking their glasses lightly and both taking a long taste of the now very warm liquid.
What's up with those honorifics? Kasan? Why is she calling me Kasan? I'll never understand Miu's brain as long as I live. Some of the craziness sure but actually understanding her...never. Chika pulled her legs out from under the kotatsu and got to her feet. "I'm going to see if onee-chan is hiding in her room. She's supposed to be here."
"Maybe she's out to get some cigarettes?" Miu took another long taste of her drink.
"Maybe." Chika raced for the stairs and climbed them two at a time. Her sister's door was closed and she knocked. I smell smoke. She wafted air towards her nose out of habit like she learned in chemistry class. Her sister had definitely been there recently but there was no sound inside her room. Sleeping...but her shoes aren't in the porch...maybe she hid them. She tried the door and it swung open. "Aww...I hope she's home soon to watch the movie." Chika sighed and plodded slowly back down the stairs.
"I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE...BUT I..."
Chika jumped, fell to her butt, and bounced down several steps. "Miu you idiot. Messing with the stereo!" She rose to her feet and rubbed her sore posterior. She descended the stairs carefully, her ear drums having not recovered from the Meatloaf trauma. She peaked into the living room.
Miu was holding a hand to her left ear and her other was tapping her phone which had a cord snaking out of it and into the stereo. She tapped a couple more times and then turned the volume up slightly.
"Miu-chan?"
Miu's back went straight. "Yes?"
"That better not be my phone."
"Course not. I have music too idiot." Miu adjusted the volume once more.
It's time for letting go
of all of our 'if onlies'
Cause we don't have a time machine
"What song is this?" Chika raised an eyebrow.
Miu placed her phone besides the stereo and twirled around. "Oh I don't know! Who cares." She froze mid twirl staring at Chika.
"Miu-chan? Did you break?"
"Baka," Miu sighed. Before Chika could react Miu's face was close to her own, their hands locked together. "Dance with me! Neither one of us got to dance tonight!"
Chika drew back her face. "You're being gross."
Miu took a couple of steps back and puffed out her cheeks. "Come on! Everyone dances on their graduation night! Do you want to look back when you're old and warmly remember that awesome dance...with your dad?"
Hmm.
"You're such a wet blanket."
Chika huffed and straightened out her dress. If you put it that way. "Fine. You better not do anything weird." She glowered at Miu. "I...I'm barefoot. Don't we need shoes?"
"Nah...I'll start the song over."
"Okay."
The two reached out to hold each others' waist, then shoulders, then waist again.
"Are you leading or me?"
"There's a lead? Just grab my waist and I'll put her hands on your shoulders because you're taller." Chika hesitantly rested her hands on her friend's slight frame.
So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment
"Ow. my foot."
"Sorry."
"Ow. Hehe."
"We really suck at this."
"Who cares? No one can see us."
And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
Let them soften your heart
When did I? Chika looked at her hands now clasped behind Miu's neck. Whatever. Miu isn't being weird. She's just looking over in the corner. Chika turned her head slightly to see where Miu was looking but there was no one there.
A slight gust of air against moved across Chika's face and then something soft pressed against her lips and then it was gone again. Chika's eyes widened.
Did she just kiss me! Kiss me? No...no way. Miu wouldn't peck me on the lips...she'd...she's blushing...
"Baka."
"If you want to kiss me do it properly." Chika's hands were suddenly very sweaty.
Miu turned her head slowly but Chika couldn't meet her eyes. "How about..."
Miu hugged Chika closer but girl's hearts thumping loudly in their ears. Chika looked up and met Miu slightly open lips with her own.
Warm. Slightly moist. Soft. This isn't horrible. She moved away for a second and breathed in. That wasn't horrible. Chika threw her lips at Miu again and Miu startled and jerked her head back. With a breath she regained her composure and leaned into the kiss.
Warmer, wetter this time. I don't know what I'm doing...but Miu does. She felt Miu's tongue slowly, sensually slide across her lip and she tensed. Miu was going to ruin this by jamming her tongue in. Chika shook.
Only more warm wetness. Chika's top lip was somehow now between Miu's. Chika opened her eyes, realizing just then she had them closed them. Miu's were still tightly shut a look of...glee...no that's not it. Chika closed her eyes again.
Chika ran her tongue along Miu's bottom lip, just has she felt Miu do a moments ago.
There's only One who knows
What's really out there waiting
And all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He's out there waiting
To Him the future's history
The music stopped and Chika and Miu parted lips.
"I'll...Onee-chan?" Chika froze, lips millimetres from Miu, and stared at the doorway to the living room. There was Nobue resting against the door frame and holding a unopened beer in her right and the rest of the six pack in her left.
"What?" Nobue pulled the tab on her beer and held it to her mouth.
"How...how...how much did...you...see," Chika spluttered. Face glowing with embarrassment.
Nobue shrugged her shoulders.
"I told you." Miu smirked.
Nobue shrugged again. "I guess you were right." She walked across to the kotatsu and, holding her open can in her teeth, plucked a unopened beer from the plastic, and placed it next to their bottle of Bailey's. Without another word she walked out of the room. "You still owe me for last time. I didn't forget." Her head popped back into view for a second.
"I know I know." Miu snorted.
"Owe her for what?" Chika glared finally loosening her grip on Miu. "Did you bet on me!"
"Hahaha...ha...of course not. Don't be stupid."
Chika's eyebrow twitched. "Miu-chan...did you bet I was a lesbian? That better not have been what you were betting on!" Her nails dug into Miu's flesh.
"No! I just...bet that I'd get you to dance with me."
Chika gaped and her face reddened. She turned her eyes toward he shoes and hugged into Miu. "I...I love you."
"I love you too."
"I thought for sure you'd say 'Gross! You're in love with a girl?'"
"I thought about it."
"I bet you did."
Miu's phone was by the stereo and she quickly picked another song with an outstretched arm, the other still tightly hanging onto Chika. "Another dance?"
End.