Chapter 17.5

Hitomi ran a hand through her hair, whistling a random melody while folding up the blouse and putting it back into her case, followed by the already folded pair of pants, then looked out of the window of her room.

"Time sure passed by." she said to no one in particular as she tucked a strand of her still damp hair behind her ear. The last few weeks were like a blur to her, the two of them always finding something to do, going out at night and spending their time together.

But today she would head home.

It was easy to forget but she had to get back helping her father and then there were the tryouts for the university football team she wanted to join when fall semester would start in two months.

She put the rest of her clothes and other items into the case and closed it, patting the top of it and turned around to see her friend standing there.

"Everything ready?" Leifang asked her, arms crossed under her chest, wearing a simple dark-blue summer dress and a single silver bangle on her right wrist. Just how many outfits did she have?

Hitomi wasn't so sure if she actually wanted an answer. "Yeah."

"The cab's going to be here in 10 minutes."

"Thanks. You really don't need to accompany me though." Hitomi said.

"Of course I have to," Leifang shook her head. "I'd be a terrible host if I didn't properly say goodbye to a friend now, wouldn't I?"

Hitomi grabbed her case and they went down the stairs into the living room.

"So what's the next big plan on your agenda?"

"Well I told you that I wanted to tryout for that football team, so I have about a week to get back into my old sleeping habits." She told her friend.

"Heh, you and football...uh that's the soccer kind, right?" Leifang waited for her to nod before continuing. "Never would've thought that you would play that."

Hitomi simply shrugged and grinned a little. "Well I wanted to participate in some kind of sport and since I'm pretty good at kicking things I figured that would suit me pretty good. I...uh I already have a self-made jersey as well." she admitted a bit embarrassed.

Her friend giggled at that, again shaking her head. "You have to show it to me, maybe in a few weeks? I'm free anyway."

"So soon? Why, can't live without me all of a sudden?" she asked cheekily.

"Yes, whatever would I do without you?" Leifang stated with an overly dramatic voice, moving her hand in an arc and resting its back on her forehead, causing them both to burst out into laughter. "Honestly though I'm feeling rather restless these days and I liked Freiburg quite a lot."

"My sofa is always welcome to you." Hitomi offered her.

"I think this time I'm going to take a hotel nearby, I DID do some research. But thanks for the offer."

They sat there in comfortable silence, looking out of the window like they did so often these past few weeks and Hitomi sat closer to her friend, resting her shoulder against her friend's, skin touching skin, just enjoying each other's company.

The quiet was interrupted by the ringing of the door, and the both of them got up, the Karateka grabbing her case. "Well, let's go then."

They made their way down and got into the car, driving all the way back to Lantau Island in silence, aside from the chatty cab driver to whom they would reply a few times, but neither saying something to the other.

It was strange, even though the airport was as busy as ever, to Hitomi it felt as if they were they only ones there, walking side by side, passing the checks, but still not saying anything.

Then they stopped near the gangway, which was just being opened to lead the passengers in, and Hitomi turned towards her friend, looking at her. Just now she didn't know what she should say. It should be simple, just saying "Bye, I see you later." and giving her a hug.

But the words didn't come. So she looked at her, blue eyes meeting dark brown.

Leifang's eyes lit up and Hitomi's eyes dropped to her friend's lips, which curled into a smile and the German felt her own lips curl into one of her own.

"Well then, have a safe trip and write me when you get back."

"Yeah..." she said. "I will."

She placed her case on the floor and engulfed her friend in a hug, placing her head on her shoulder, and felt Leifang return it. After a few moments they let go from each other, their eyes meeting again and Hitomi felt that there was something she should do.

"No kiss on the cheek this time though, we don't do stuff like that here." Leifang said, laughing lightly and Hitomi couldn't help but grin.

"Guess you lucked out this time. But just wait until you get back to Germany, it's going to be hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses everywhere." Hitomi joked, enjoying her friend's laughter. She picked up her case.

"Well. Goodbye." she said

"Bye."

The Karateka walked towards the gangway, handing the lady in front of it her ticket and, when everything was in order, continued, but halted in her steps when she had the vaguest feeling of déjà vu. She smiled and turned around to wave her friend goodbye before finally stepping in.

She looked out of the window as the plane took off, trying to catch a glimpse of her friend and was not disappointed as she saw the Chinese standing outside watching the plane.

It wasn't until later, when she would turn in for the night, that it hit her like she was running against a brick wall, the thing she felt she should have done. She had desperately wanted to kiss her friend...

...To kiss her beautiful lips.

Insert lame joke about kissing here. At least things are getting interesting now. Now I can get started on the romance, and I already have a good direction on how to take this.

Now why this 17B when I wrote the actual chapter 17 this scene was actually included as I wanted to not take too long for the whole vacation, but I found that this scene here would've been better on it's own, but wasn't long enough to merit waiting another week, hence why I made it chapter 17B.

Mood music for this little scene here was Saya's Destiny by Marc Mancina. Check it out if you like.

Well, until next week. :)