Little Angel ch.9
Okay! It's finally time for the race, and our couple is so anxious and excited for the outcome. I took so much time researching trucks it ain't even funny. Thank you though R&R!
BTW I realized that, um, yeah, I've been forgetting disclaimers, so f.y.i I don't own Strawberry Panic! Or it's characters (because if I did, it would focus a LOT more on Hikari x Amane) Also, I don't own or endorse Mugs 'N Jugs (you'll see ;) )
The first thing that Amane did when she woke up Saturday morning was smile. She recalled every moment from last night, and she hopped out of bed feeling more energized than she ever had. "Today," she began, "I will win for Hikari."
`She quickly dressed into her riding clothes and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. It was only seven in the morning, but Amane felt like she'd slept for days. She was ready to get moving, but primarily, to see her Hikari. Her Hikari. It sounded so beautiful to her. Her girlfriend was the prettiest, sweetest girl this side of the universe. She ran her fingers through her raggedy bed head hair, trying to smooth it out. Eventually it calmed into its usual frame and Amane looked at it through a mirror satisfied. She went back to her bedroom, and wondered if it was too early to call Hikari. But if she was going to see the race, which started at noon, she very well could be up. She was probably just as or impossibly more so excited than Amane. She ran through her contacts and dialed Hikari's number, waiting for her to pick up.
"Hello?"
Amane smiled again. "Hey Hikari."
"Amane! Good morning!"
"G'mornin Hikari, how'd you sleep?"
"Pretty well, yourself?"
Amane blushed, but kept her voice even. She dared not mention her dreams. "Same."
"Good."
They stayed silently for a second. Then Hikari spoke. "I know you'll do great today Amane."
"Thank you, Hikari. I'll be lookin for ya, you know." Amane mentally winked, knowing that Hikari would most likely blush. She thought it was adorable how easily flustered she got.
"I can't wait to see you Amane!"
"Me neither youngin'," I can't wait to pull you up into my arms and kiss you.
"So, you have to go get Star Bright soon, right?"
"Actually, I'm just paying Mr. Wok, the stable manager, a little extra to take him there for me. I hate trying to drive a truck with Star Bright in a cage behind me. Scares me to death I'll get hit." That reminded her, she was going to look at trucks today. Something big and sturdy so she could better keep her promise to be safe.
"Wow, that's... Pretty nice of him actually. But, when you did take Star Bright, where did you get the truck from?"
"U-Haul apparently moves anything."
They broke into a small laughter, and Amane remembered how ridiculously she must've seemed trying to maneuver the huge vehicle only thirty minutes on the road from the stable to the track, and then back. She wondered how in the world she would ever get the hang of driving anything other than her bike. For Hikari, I'll learn. I won't ever get us into an accident like that, even if I've never had one. Things can change.
"So, when will you be there?"
"About a half an hour before it starts, so around eleven thirty."
"Will you come see me before then?"
"Of course I will hun."
"Okay...I'll see you soon!"
"See you soon," Amane said back. She smiled, sliding the slender phone into her pocket.
Now then, truck-hunting I shall go.
***
"So this one's a stick, it'll take some time to work with since you've been on a bike for so long."
Amane sighed at the car salesman's words. She knew she'd get this verdict even before she pulled out from her apartment.
"Okay... Do you have any that are automatics?" It'd be easier if I'd get a car... But I couldn't start trailing Star Bright. God...
"We do have a few, follow me," they went to another edge of the used car lot. Amane groaned inside at the sight of some of the trucks. These probably weren't any safer than her bike.
"Well how about this one? It seems to be more for you," he pointed towards navy blue 2012 Dodge RAM 3500. Amane's eyes widened.
"Automatic?" the man nodded in reply. Still shocked, the rider asked, "How much?"
He grinned. "$48, 700."
Amane cringed mentally. These people were sharks with a nose for wallets. "Uh... In payments... How could I-"
"Four year plan, paying monthly, oh, about a thousand a month."
Amane could've shit herself. There was no way she was paying that much for a truck.
"Something- way- cheaper. Like, six hundred a month."
"Hmm, how about this- a used red '04 Chevy. Six hundred a month, automatic. Deal?"
Amane paused, looking at the condition of the truck. It wasn't too bad, the paint was still good and it didn't have any visible dents. "What's the mileage?"
"About twenty thousand miles. Guy traded it for somethin' smaller"
"Fine," Amane said, tired. She just wanted to get this over with. "I'll take it."
Hikari just finished her shower, and was stepping out to dry off. I can't wait to see Amane. She's so amazing when she races.
Her phone buzzed as a message from Yaya lit up.
"Be there in a few. Be ready to go blondie!"
Hikari chuckled and shook her head. She replied, "Alrighty" and got dressed, drying her hair and combing it.
True to her word, Yaya arrived in her white Accord, with Tsubomi riding shotgun, smiling and waving at Hikari, who was sitting now on the front porch. Upon climbing into the vehicle, she heard from upfront, "Well blondie, we're off to see your hubby."
"Amane-senpai isn't my hubby," Hikari replied, blushing.
"Yeah yeah, your knight in shining armor then," Yaya giggled at her. "With that valiant steed of hers of course." Yaya winked at her from the rearview mirror. She took Tsubomi's hand and kissed it, reminding her bubble-gum hair girlfriend that she was still the mass direction of her attention.
"Hikari-chan, I can't believe your dating Ootori, do you have any idea how envied you must be?" Tsubomi said from her seat, turning as much as she could to see the older blonde girl, who was sitting behind her Yaya.
"Oh, not honestly Tsubomi-chan... I don't think that many people know really."
"Still though, you can bet she'll come straight to your side when she wins today," Tsubomi said, herself winking to Hikari.
When she wins... Amane will win, I just know it. Miyo-sensei may be great, but my Amane is a Prince... One way or another. Hikari blushed, thinking of the way Amane moved and talked, the way she rode Star Bright, and could lift Hikari with one arm. You're beyond anything I could've imagined... no one could conceive of someone as wholehearted and good as you.
Coming close to eleven thirty, Yaya finally found a small, secluded parking space in the track's lot, fighting viciously for it against a SUV full of college boys. She swore under her breath about stupid pea brained drunk boys, and Hikari and Tsubomi giggled. They walked out of the lot and up to the gate when Hikari's phone buzzed.
"Hey, are you here yet? I'm by the West End."
Hikari brightened, and motioned her friends to follow her to the west entrance, and replied to her rider, "I'll be there soon!"
She's gunna love this. And if not... Eh, I've still got the motorcycle in the bed... But hey, it keeps the promise.
Amane stood leaned against her brand new, well, to her new, red Chevy pick up. C'mon Hikari, I really want you to see the truck.
Around the corner she saw three young girls come from the south entrance, one blonde, one pink haired, and one slightly taller than the other two with black hair. But her eyes floated to the blonde, seeing clearly from all those yards away, big shining blue eyes, and Amane's heart soared. She waved to the little girl, and instantly her pounding heart commanded her to run to her.
Hikari ran as fast as her legs could let her go to Amane. They collided in a tight embrace, with their arms wrapped so taut around each other they couldn't be told apart if it wasn't from the height difference.
"Amane-senpai, when... How ... When did you get a truck? And why?"
Amane chuckled." I figured it would be safer than the bike. If you didn't like I could always go trade it back, cuz I still have the bike in the bed"
"No, Amane, this is... Wow, just, why?" Hikari was truly confused, but then it hit her.
Last night... And you promised...
...To be safer...
It was the first time they felt they could understand what the other was thinking. They smiled to each other, but remembered their companions who were staring at them cutely, like an old couple would watch kittens playing.
"Uh, so, Amane, this is Yaya and Tsubomi, my friends from Jensho."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," she said to them kindly, shaking their hands. "So, Hikari's told me you two-"
"Dating," Tsubomi said proud.
"Trapped," Yaya smirked, causing Tsubomi to cast a dark look to the taller girl. The black haired kissed her cheek in apology, which made Tsubomi roll her eyes and blush.
They're cute together. Like they've been doing this forever, Amane thought. Eh, maybe they have been, they're more comfortable around each other than most couples in public.
"So, where do you have to go before the race?" Hikari asked.
They had started walking to the stadium. Amane replied to Hikari, "I have to go sign in for Star Bright and me, then go saddle him up. Then, well, we race." She held Hikari's hand, lifting it to her lips and kissed its back, letting them fall together between them, joined by their fingers.
Upon reaching the west entrance gate, Amane turned to her girlfriend. "Unfortunately, I do have to go now. I'll be looking for you in the stands."
They embraced again and kissed, and Hikari watched her leave with a smile on her face. She already missed the warm, strong rider that stood beside her.
"C'mon lover girl, let's grab our seats already!" Yaya said from behind her. She put a hand on Hikari's shoulder and comically spun her in the opposite direction.
Hikari smiled. I'll be cheering for you Amane...
***
Amane stood next to Star Bright, stroking his mane as they waited for the exit call. He looked sturdy and broad, almost like a war horse. He was a spirited stallion, and god help the poor soul that gets hit by his hooves.
Star Bright ducked his head, almost bashful, as if he knew Amane was reflecting on all the times he'd freaked out in a thunderstorm and knocked his rider straight onto her rear, on many occasions leaving a huge bruise or bump. Amane scratched his ears, happy her horse had such a personality.
"All riders, report to the field at this time, all riders, report to the field at this time," a toneless voice conveyed to the contestants in the holding stables.
"This is it boy. C'mon, I have more than a score to tie for this one."
Hikari sat restlessly in her seat, trying her best to seem normal and calm in front of her friends. Yaya's joking would be worse if she saw her grow anxious to see Amane. Of course, now that she was with Tsubomi, her teasing was getting a little more subdued.
Maybe Tsubomi's helping her compassion, Hikari thought, but took it back. Yaya's very compassionate; it just must've been hard being super nice to everyone while the girl you liked turned you down constantly. Even when I didn't always know I was.
The blonde glanced over at Yaya, how was now making googly eyes at Tsubomi-chan, her pink hair blending into her blushing cheeks.
Okay, maybe Yaya's teasing is just a part of her, Hikari mentally commented with a giggle.
"All riders, report to the field at this time, all riders, report to the field at this time."
"Hey, get off Yaya, they're about to start!" Tsubomi yelled.
Hikari gazed out onto the green expanse in front of them, seeing the riders pour in one by one from the West end. They passed by in a line to their starting stalls as the announcer listed of their names. True to her word, Amane looked up to Hikari, and even from the distance of her seat, they could see each other smile. They gazed upon each other as long as they could before Amane was inside the wooden stall.
Hikari blushed, and Yaya giggled at her, poking her side. "You know, she's gunna win for you," she said slyly.
Hikari smiled and replied," I'll be right here to cheer her on…"
The announcer was trying to say something but Hikari couldn't hear what over the growing screams of the crowds around her. Yaya turned her attention back to the track, muttering something, and then saying a bit louder," So, when is this thing supposed to st-"
BANG!
The starting gun blasted, and the riders bolted out from their starting positions. In just seconds, Amane and Miyo were neck and neck, battled only by a rider with a number seven on his back, still seemingly yards away. Star Bright battled against Miyo's equally dashing, supersonic steed. The riders progressed blindingly quickly to the first bend of the track, most of the riders now slimming into a small file. Miyo thrust forward, closing off Amane quicker than the heartbeat of a hunted hummingbird. The bluenette was hardly but visibly shocked, however years of training and experience kicked in at that same moment, drawing all her focus into the space ahead of her, and a possible opening that would leave Miyo just as quickly forgotten in the dust of the track.
All the while, the announcer was going insane on his microphone. "Miyo treads in front of Amane; I wondered how flustered she must be? Oh look, the second turn! How will pull throu-"
"YAA!"
"GO AMANE-SENPAI!"
Amane cried out, spurring on Star Bright. Hikari, knowing it would happen even before she heard it, cheered her prince on. Upon the twist of their second turn, Miyo and her steed left just a sliver of an opening to her left. Sensing Amane narrow in, all in an instant, she pulled them to the right to avoid an otherwise inevitable collision. It was written on both of their faces, however, that Amane wouldn't keep this change of events so easily. They had both slipped up only in the slightest, and the reaction it had almost seemed world encompassing. Shouts and screams and cries rose in thunderous bellows from the stands. The third turn came in closer and closer, but neither budged an inch from their current standings. The other racers trailed behind by mere feet, but they almost didn't exist. Miyo and Amane battled on, the fourth turn coming even more impossibly quick, the two of them bypassing the stretch without blinking.
"No!" Hikari cried in unison with Tsubomi and Yaya. Miyo wrangled first from Amane by a hairsbreadth, but the display was clear enough on the huge projector screen, visible to the entire audience. Some yelled obscenities, cursing Miyo, others barking out to keep ahead.
The Fourth Turn.
Amane spurred on Star Bright. She almost stood up and over the stallion.
Passing into the last fifty feet.
Miyo cried out. She propelled next to Amane, shoulder to shoulder.
Passing to thirty.
They strode on, impossibly close to each other, gravity almost about to collide them.
Twenty
Amane spurred on straight, trying desperately to get ahead. Miyo knew too… They knew SOMEONE would have to move…
Ten
FIVE
Any closer, they would've crashed. She pulled back, sparing their horses in loss of the lead.
"IT'S OVER!"
They played it over and over unbelievably. She so clearly pulled back. It was…
"Amane Ootori wins!"
It splashed all over the stands, cheers and cries erupting from everywhere. Hikari jumped from her seat, shouting out for Amane. And, just for a moment, their eyes met. Paradise rose from the chaotic celebrations around them in that moment, and the couple only existed to each other, everything else was left behind. Hikari again felt like she was held in the presence of a prince, someone tall, handsome, strong… Their swift smiles to each other promised another soon, as Amane turned her head to meet congratulations from Miyo. The older woman then further surprised everyone by taking their formal handshake into a friendly hug. Rigid and all-business Miyo, hugging Amane, almost… motherly. Hikari cooed alongside her friends, who kissed happily in all the hullabaloo.
Cheers and screams poured and piled together as people slowly migrated towards the exits. Yaya led the trio as best as she could, while Hikari and Tsubomi chuckled behind her, talking excitedly about the all-too-fast race. Yaya swore a few times when the boys in front of them wouldn't get their _ drunk _ _ outta the _ way. Hikari giggled again, and Tsubomi hung her head with cheeks wildly flustered.
"So ladylike…" she muttered, earning another laugh from Hikari.
They found their way to the Main West Entrance, where Tsubomi announced that she needed a bathroom, quickly.
"What's the big rush Tsubomi?"
"Well, I haven't been since we left your house this morning and I downed that whole thing of water in the car. Just help me find," the pinkette replied to her taller girlfriend, who rolled her eyes, earning her a punch in the arm.
"It's on the back wall to the right of the water fountains," Hikari piped up. She'd been here enough to know it like the back of her hand. Tsubomi thanked her quickly and scampered off. The pair walked slowly over as well, in their own thoughts. Yaya leaned up against the wall, doing her best to look nonchalant, or as she put it lately, "chill."
She spoke up suddenly, "There she is."
Hikari turned to the bathroom entrance, thinking it was Tsubomi. When no one came out, she looked back to Yaya, who smiled and pointed her in the opposite direction.
"Amane!"
Hikari ran to her prince, who smiled, picking her up when she came close enough and kissed her forehead, holding her up by her waist. Hikari's arms sunk snugly around Amane's neck. They both looked into each other, smiling brightly, and Amane stole a quick kiss from the blonde's small, soft lips. They blushed at their open PDA, and Amane let Hikari gracefully come back down to the ground. Hikari never took her eyes off her wonderful lover. "Congratulations Amane… That was fantastic."
"Thank you… That means a lot to me," Amane blushed, but took Hikari's hand, held it to her lips, and left a lingering kiss upon it. Tsubomi was heard leaving the bathroom, followed by an unstiffled "Awwwww"
The pair blushed, as did Tsubomi, who looked away in embarrassment. Yaya chuckled at the three of them, taking her pink-haired girlfriend into her arms, and kissing her cheek. "So, Tsubomi-chan and I are gunna head out to lunch at this American place. They serve hot wings and fries. You guys are gunna join us?"
Even though it wasn't really much of a question, they answered, saying that yes, they would like to come. Then it hit Hikari. There was only one wing place Yaya liked to go, and Hikari hated it, not for the food, but…
"Yaya-chan, where are we going?" Hikari asked nervously.
Her devilish raven haired friend grinned wide at her. "Mugs 'N Jugs."
Crap.
She was gunna make her do karaoke.
In Front of Amane.