The Love Letter Lovelies

by Glee-chan

32.

The next weekend Makoto had arranged it so that Kaede would come to her house and spend the night. She was making such a big fuss about it, that Kaede learned she pressured her family into having a proper dinner as if an important guest was coming over instead of just some normal friend. Secretly thinking Makoto was tipping her hand a bit, Kaede let the girl go through with her plan, not wanting to ruin it for her. In regards to coming out, Kaede only wanted to only support her, not take anything away from her.

As they arrived at the Akiyama's house, Makoto's sister Nori was exiting as they just arrived. Kaede had seen the girl before from photos on Makoto's phone, but up close she realized how similar she looked to her younger sister. Inwardly Kaede was jealous at the beauty those two sisters had. She wondered if the rest of her family was good looking as well.

"Nori-chan? What's up?" Makoto asked in a slightly panicked voice. Kaede could tell she was worried her "brilliant plan" was unraveling.

"Mom asked me to get some things from the store." Nori quickly explained. She looked at Kaede and gave a small smirk. "Don't tell me the person you're bringing over is a school friend…"

"She's important!" Makoto stated with a pink face.

"Okay, okay." Nori laughed. "Well you're early so Mom's not ready yet. How about you help her out and I'll take the guest of honor to the store with me."

"But-"

"Don't be a baby, Mako-chan." Nori poked her in the cheek, then interlaced her arm with Kaede's "Coming?"

"Uh, Sure?" Kaede felt her body heat up slightly from Makoto's sister's grabbing her arm.

"Nori!" Makoto whined as they walked away.

Nori raised her arm waving without looking back. "Chao!"

As they walked away, Kaede was unsure what to think of all that. Nori seemed like a fun sister to have, but inwardly Kaede was worried about Makoto. She wasn't good when things weren't going her way, and she wondered how she'd handle the dinner plan if things were out of her control.

"My name is Nori, but the way." Nori said after a moment. "What's your name?"

"Kaede Ozawa."

"If you don't mind me saying, I'm a bit surprised that you're the person my sister wanted to bring over. The way she was acting it sounded like she was bring over a teacher or something. Turns out it's a cute school friend."

"I apologize. This is all her idea, I'm just went along with it."

"Hmm. You seem the serious type. How did you and my sister become friends?"

Kaede opened her mouth and shut it. She couldn't tell Nori the truth before Makoto had a chance to, but she didn't want to lie either. Instead she thought she'd say something vague. "I sit behind her in homeroom."

There was a beat of silence as they entered the market and Nori started searching for the items her mother needed. Kaede followed her around, searching for whatever item she was asked to look for. After they collected all the things, the two of them paid then left the store.

An air of awkwardness surrounded them now. Before Nori was friendly, now she was being distant. After a moment she stopped walking, so Kaede stopped as well, turning to look at her. Nori was looking at her grocery bags, her cheeks pink. She looked similar to Makoto when she spaced out. Kaede waited for her come to on her own, not feeling familiar enough to snap her out of it.

"You're Mako-chan's girlfriend aren't you?"

Kaede looked away before she could stop herself. She definitely looked guilty now.

"I thought so." Nori smirked an uneasy smile. "She's planning on telling everyone tonight, huh?"

Kaede nodded, still not speaking.

Looking up, Nori's eyes focused in on Kaede's. "My sister… she's sweet.. impressionable… You're not just dating her because she's pretty are you?"

Kaede shook her head. "I love her."

Nori's mouth opened and inhaled softly. "You just came out and said it… just like that…"

"There's no reason not to now that you know." Kaede told her in a calm voice. "You don't have to worry about me using Mako-chan. I would never hurt her."

Nori dropped her grocery bags next to her legs gently then reached up and rubbed the back her head. "You're so calm about all this… it's kind of freaky."

"Perhaps."

"No matter. I guess you're surprised I figured it out." Nori laughed a bit with embarrassment. Kaede had to admit she was surprised at Nori's detective skills, especially since they hadn't such much to each other. "The truth is my sister isn't a very good actress… the whole family knows."

"Do they?" Kaede felt a small smile form on her face. Makoto wasn't the subtle type. She probably gave herself away a long time ago and never realized it.

"It's been obvious she likes girls ever since the end of Middle School." Nori shook her head, then bent over and picked up the grocery bags again. As they continued walking Nori went on with her story. "We had our suspicions before that, but I think we all knew for sure last year. Maybe we figured it out before she did… anyway, since High School she's being way too obvious. I guess maybe the reason was because she started dating you. Since then we've all been waiting for her to have the courage and tell us. We didn't want to… want to make her feel weird."

Kaede glanced at Nori, wondering something that the sister hadn't brought up yet. "How do you feel about it? About Mako-chan being a lesbian, that is."

"You're kind of blunt, aren't you?" Nori's face was red from the word lesbian. "How do I feel about it? I guess it's none of my business… I just want her to be happy. Truth is that I'm going to be protective whether Mako-chan is dating a guy or a girl, so that's nothing different. I just worry… that maybe Mako-chan doesn't understand the situation she's placed herself in."

"She understands." Kaede spoke in a stern voice. "Mako-chan may be a free-spirit, but I'm positive she understands. She's had to deal with her own share of prejudges and difficulties because of it… and still has stuck with me through all of it." Kaede paused and wondered if she should share more than that, but figured her sister needed to understand. "When we first went out, I tried to dump her so she wouldn't get hurt. She chased after me. She… she takes care of me, and I take care of her. We love each other. And we have a whole group of friends that support us and protect us. I just want you to know that…"

Nori gave a sigh. "Good. I worry about the little squirt."

"I realize this isn't my place to ask, but what about the rest of the family? Will they….will they hurt her?"

Looking from their path to Kaede she gave a small shrug. "Dad's only said that he's glad he doesn't have to worry about some guy knocking her up. But he hasn't really said anything else on the matter. Mom… I get the feeling she thinks it's just a phase. From what you said, it's not, is it?"

"Not likely." Kaede told Nori with a shrug, then felt uneasy. "I hope they will accept her."

"Well if anything else, I do." Nori smiled a bit. "That's something at least."

"Thank you."

"Now that I picture you two together, it's taken a burden off my mind. I didn't know what kind of person she was into… You seem like a cute couple, even if you're completely opposite in personality. But maybe my bubbly sister needs someone with a head on her shoulders, right?"

When they arrived, dinner was being prepared. Kaede was roped into helping with that as well, so she didn't have the chance to tell Makoto about what Nori said. Still Kaede thought it might be better if she didn't. It would take away her moment. Even if the family already knew, it still was a big deal for Makoto to actually admit her feelings. Part of Kaede wanted it to happen mainly to seal in the deal that Makoto was hers. It was a selfish reason, but sometimes those reasons were important too.

At dinner there was an aura of unease as no one really knew what to expect from Makoto and Makoto herself was being all nervous and fidgety. Kaede looked at the father, who seemed to be checking her out as well. He probably guessed the reason for this strange dinner as well and realized Kaede was the girlfriend. Makoto's mom already had been studying Kaede up and down during the preparations. Kaede thought she'd be calmer than she was, but in truth now that Nori gave her approval she wanted everyone else's as well. It might have been easier on Kaede if they were all assholes, like Shiho's parents, that way she didn't have to care about their feelings.

As they were about finished eating, Makoto looked like she still hadn't worked up the courage to say why she brought everyone together. It took a prompting from Nori to get Makoto started. Swallowing her last bite from her plate, she stood up white face. Her hands were obviously shaking. So much so she placed them behind her back and held them tight. Kaede was tempted to step in for her, but knew she shouldn't. Everyone was staring at Makoto willing for her to just come out with it.

"Mom…Dad… Sis… I.. I…." Makoto stammered and looked at her plate so she couldn't look at anyone else.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Makoto's Mom spoke in a soothing voice.

"I…. I…." Makoto looked like she wanted to die on the spot. "I need to tell everyone something important."

"Yes?" Her father prompted. His eyes looked like he was trying to give her some courage. "You can tell us anything, Mako-chan."

"Dad…" Makoto swallowed hard again. "Don't hate me, but there's something you should know about me. I'm… I'm…" She mouthed the words but no sound came out. Everyone at the table leaned in to hear her. She mouthed them again but it sounded like a mouse squeak. She shook her head then closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. When she exhaled she she opened her eyes and said in a clear voice. "I'm a lesbian, Dad."

"Oh. Is that all?" Her father spoke sitting back. Kaede could see a playful glint in his eye.

"Is that all?" Makoto blinked baffled. "Dad… I have a girlfriend!" Makoto looked at Kaede unconsciously giving her away.

"Is that who she is?"

"I didn't mean… I mean… Yes, it's her but… Dad I'm… I'm with a girl… I'm dating a girl."

"I know what a lesbian is, sweetheart." Her Father stood up. "If that's all, I'd like to read the paper."

"Well… uh… yeah, I guess so." Makoto looked lost.

"Look squirt… no matter what, I love you. Don't worry about it." As he got up from the the table, he had to walk pass her to go into the living room. He stopped in front of her and kissed her forehead. "I'm just glad your girlfriend isn't one of those butch types."

"Dad!" Makoto tackled him and hugged him tightly. "I love you!"

"Yeah yeah." He pushed her away with a smile. "If you keep squeezing me I'll run out of air."

"Sorry!" Makoto let him go. He rubbed the top of her head, messing up her hair, then left the room Makoto gave a sigh of relief and tried to fix her hair with her fingers as her gaze went to her mother and her sister. "Do you… do you hate me?"

"No way." Nori smirked. "I figured it out a long time ago so it's no big deal for me."

"Meanie, why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to see you squirm." Nori stuck her tongue out. She glanced at her mother now. She was the only member of the family who hadn't said anything. "What do you think Mom?"

"I don't approve."

Kaede felt a pinch in her heart for Makoto. There always had to be one.

"Mom!" Nori argued but was interrupted.

"I said I don't approve… but not that I don't love her." She said. "I don't understand it at all… but I want my daughter to be happy."

"Mom I am happy! Kaede-chan is… well she's the love of my life."

Makoto's mom looked at Kaede with a sickened look on her face. She changed it once she realized she was making it and gave her daughter a fake smile. "How do you know this isn't just something you're experimenting with?"

"It's not!" Makoto stamped her foot, suddenly not embarrassed anymore.

"Please don't lose your temper at me, young lady. I've been civil this whole time."

"I'm sorry, Mom." Makoto looked like she was fighting her anger. "I get that it's hard to hear, but I not just fooling around. I know how I feel. I love her. And even if I wasn't dating her, I've never really looked at boys-"

"Mom." Nori cut in. "She's been getting love letters from girls all this time. Ever since middle school. I've read them…" Makoto looked shocked. "Sorry, Mako-chan, but I was curious about them. I didn't mean to invade your privacy… Anyway, Mom, you and I both know that she has always been into girls. Talking about cute ones on TV or how she admires someones hair or make-up… way more than what's normal… After talking to Kaede-chan, I can tell it's not just a phase."

Kaede felt embarrassed. Nori had saved Makoto instead of her. It was her job to protect Makoto! Not wanting to be left out Kaede stood up as well. "Akiyama-san… Your daughter means more to me than anyone on the planet. You have my word that I would never harm her. She takes care of me… and I protect her. We love each other. I realize this request is selfish and may be asking a lot, but I would appreciate it if you and the others would please accept me."

Makoto mom was in shock at both her older daughter's speech and Kaede's. "I have no choice but to accept you. Everyone else already has and I don't want my daughter to hate me. But you can't expect me to like it."

"Mom!" Makoto whimpered. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings but… but I'll be miserable if I wasn't with her."

Makoto's mom sighed heavily. "I told you I'll accept her. Just… just let the idea grow on me, okay."

Kaede bowed respectfully. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

Makoto's mom looked uneasy, but gave a small smile. "I believe you when you say you care for her… It's just…" But she didn't say another word. She just left the room and went upstairs.

Nori, Makoto and Kaede all looked at each other, not sure what to think about that. Nori then went over to her sister and gave her a hug. "Well two out of three isn't bad. She'll come around."

"I hope so." Makoto scrunched her lips to the side of her face, worried.