Chapter 37: The Punishment?
A/N: Hello Reader, Some of the emojis are not available in . Please see the chapter here so you will know which emoji I used. ( /works/48151366/chapters/129515620#main) - Archive of our Own - Fondness
Eduardo made a chat group for the Red Team. The app they used has an auto-translate function for each preferred language. And to no one's surprise, Eliana, Sayaka, and Bella are part of this chat group. They discussed what kind of punishment Jovanney's team will incur.
Bella: Should they sing?
Eliana: You want to call out a cyclone? 😜
Eduardo: It has to be something that Emmanuel will hate.
Sayaka: lol
Claudio:
Yuu: Don't be too hard on them, my captain.
Eduardo:
"Why do you have to call him your captain?" The lanky girl inquired.
They were still making out upside down when they both heard a small ding, and then the notifications just kept coming. They broke apart and turned towards their phones on the coffee table. Sayaka sat up, and Yuu settled down beside her. A slender arm traveled towards the shorter girl's shoulder. Fingertips are dancing and tracing waves on the exposed clavicle.
"He is the red team's captain, isn't he? That's my team, so he is my captain." Sayaka's expression remained unchanged. Yuu rolled her eyes. "He has a girlfriend. A very beautiful one." Her last sentence earned an arch eyebrow. "Really? Do you have to be jealous of everybody?"
"I am not jealous." She said scowling at her phone.
"Give me a kiss, then."
The brunette leans down. The supposedly quick kiss became sensual the moment their lips met. Their tongues gently swept each other, making Sayaka lean closer, and the little one moaned. The incessant dinging of their phones made them break the kiss.
Eliana: Hey, stop making out Sayaka and Yuu. We have a serious topic here.
Bella: How do you know they are making out?
Eliana: What else would keep those two away for a minute?
Sayaka: Okay, we stop for you guys.
Claudio: 😳
Yuu: 😶
Eliana: I think we should make another group without my little brother.
Bella: Sure, make it just us girls.
Eduardo: Why are we being excluded? We have girlfriends we made out too. Am I right, Claudio?
Eliana: My brother is very shy. He doesn't have a girlfriend yet. And he is too young for that.
Claudio: I can speak for myself. Thank you very much.
Eliana: I know there are vultures stalking you.
Bella: Don't scold him here, Eliana. This is a safe place.
Eduardo: Sayaka and Yuu disappeared again.
Alicia: Hey! Why did you guys start this conversation while I was in the shower? Not fair!
Claudio:
Eliana: Okay, I am kicking my brother out of this chat.
Eduardo: My dear Eliana. I don't want to pull ranks here, but I am the captain. I say he stays.
Eliana: Nay
Bella: Undecided
Alicia: Yea
Yuu: Uhm, I think he should stay.
Sayaka: He is 14. He had fantasized worst. 😛 Yea
Eduardo: And who said you guys can vote? This is dictatorship.
Sayaka: The votes were in your favor, anyway.
Eliana: Who wants to kick Eduardo?
Sayaka: lol
Alicia: lol
Yuu: Nay
Claudio: Nay
Eliana: You have loyal fans.
Eduardo: I am being a gentleman here.
Claudio: He wants you out, sis. 😜
Eliana: Oh, really. 😾
Alicia: Very subtle, Eduardo.
Sayaka: Very subtle, Eduardo.
Alicia: Jinx
Sayaka: jinx
Alicia: 😛
Eduardo: Enough
Sayaka: Okay, we got way off topic. Let's continue to discuss how to punish Emmanuel. I mean the blue team.
Alicia: He will be up for anything. That guy doesn't know what humiliation means.
Sayaka: I have a few things in mind. But most of them are R-rated.
Eliana: Sayaka!
Eliana: I know you are an only child. But I have a brother to protect here.
Sayaka: I am not saying I will list them.
Claudio: I am very curious.
Eliana: Now you've done it.
Sayaka: Relax. He is pulling your chain.
Alicia: Pulling chains, huh? I think Rosalia had done that to him already.
Eliana: Alicia!
A string of curses ensues.
Sayaka and Yuu continue to make out. The redhead had straddled her, grazing her lips on the column of her neck. The taller girl groped her girlfriend's rear with one hand.
When Eliana had calmed down, the idea of the blue team dancing was explored.
Sayaka: Dancing?! I am leaning more into the 10 Labors of Hercules.
Eliana: The guy looks like Hercules for a reason, Sayaka.
Alicia: And we still have Jovanney, Rosalia, and Valentino in the mix. Why are we focusing on the big guy?
Bella: Like you don't know the answer to that already. 😝
Claudio: I am confused.
Eliana: Remain in that zone, bro.
The heiress blushed.
"See, most people know you were jealous of Emmanuel."
"I was not trying to hide it."
"You are not subtle either."
"How many times do I have to tell you that you are mine?"
"As many as you like. It will never change anyway." She winks, and of course the older girl drops her phone on the couch, grabs her face, and rolls them over. Yuu was quick to lock her ankles behind her lover. "Do we ignore the messages?" Multiple dings can be heard as the chat group becomes engrossed with the dancing idea, and some are suggesting songs.
"Do you want me to stop?" She dragged her hands along Yuu's sides.
"No!" then she hesitated. "But I am torn. I don't want them to think we are ignoring them."
"They know we are making out, anyway."
"Roll us over again. You are leaps and bounds better at multitasking than me." The lanky girl did as requested. "Flattery worked this time, huh?"
The green eyes rolled and chose to change the subject. "You will hump me again?"
"You have a problem with that?"
Sayaka answered by taking her phone and engaging in the chat group, while Yuu's hand was already tracing lines along her ribs.
"Tell me when they ask for my opinion." She started hiking up the brunette's top while grounding her hips.
The green eyes gaze at her movements. "You are enjoying this way too much."
"It's not every day that you give me freedom to take the lead."
"I am still in charge, you brat."
"Keep an eye on the chat group, missy."
"I'll get you back for that later."
After a couple of minutes of arguing and voting, it has been decided that the blue team's punishment will be to prepare a dance routine to Made You Look by Meghan Trainor. It was Eliana's idea. The witty and feisty Italian girl wanted to see her older brother dance and make a fool of himself.
Alicia: Rosalia will be a pain to get to do this dance. My poor Jovanney.
Eduardo: Emmanuel won't stop hounding her till she caves.
Bella: For which he would pay for later.
Sayaka: I like that.
Alicia: But is it really punishment when he likes it? 😆
Claudio: What? Is Emmanuel into some kind of…
Eliana: Okay, I am out. I can't watch this.
Sayaka: It is so easy to make her angry. Shame on you, Claudio. 😏
Claudio: I am a good boy. 😇
Eduardo: Okay, I told Jovanney the punishment. He is shaking his head. Lol
Claudio: Captain, Valentino was also informed by my nosy sister.
Eliana:
Alicia: I thought you left. 😛
Eduardo: It's been a while since Yuu said something.
Sayaka: She is busy.
Alicia: Oooooh, doing what? 😋
Claudio: 😍
Eliana: You guys are sick.
Bella: We have seen them make out a couple of times already. What's wrong with that?
Alicia: Necking too.
Sayaka: Yeah, Eliana, why are you such a prude?
Eliana: I am not! I am just protecting my brother from you sickos. But it seems he is enjoying himself.
Eduardo: Lay off him. He is a good kid.
Claudio: 😇
Eduardo: Jovanney had called Valentino. He is on his way here.
Alicia: Rosalia is not happy at all.
Eduardo: I am very much fine with that. 😈
Bella: Don't let her see this chat group, or we will walk through the valleys of death.
Claudio: Okay, I will take the fall. I will let her do things to me.
All: Claudio!
"What's so funny?"
"You will see when you read the chat group later." She said as she laid her phone on the coffee table. "Now please your mistress, and I might reward you."
They all gathered at the villa that the Calle family is renting for the summer, since it's their last night and also because it is bigger. This time, Esmeralda and Bella prepared the food with the help of Gianpietro's cook. An old lady with a passive face. When the lasagna entered the room, every head turned.
"Now that is lasagna." Eliana said.
The aroma of the garlic bread also permeated throughout the room.
"Wow." Sayaka mumbled.
Yuu noted her expression and planned to ask her captain to help her get the recipe from the great Italian cook. Which was fortunate since Eduardo was already talking to the woman. She found out later that the woman was willing to give him the recipe but told him to use ingredients that were produced or made in Italy for the best results. 'Yikes, those ingredients won't be available in Japan.'
Eduardo showed her a message on his phone.
I will send you a box.
She expressed her gratitude, and the bronze-haired boy tousled her hair.
The dinner went by smoothly with great food on the table and pleasant conversations.
Soon they are inside the music room, with a space cleared out for the night's performance. They didn't dim the lights this time and even turned on a disco-like lighting effect. The young couple occupied the same armchair they had before. Most phones are in video mode, ready to store the punishment that won't let up till the end of time from every angle possible.
As Alicia had predicted, the bulky guy was up for the task and eagerly went to the space provided.
"Come on, guys. Let's get this over with." He is grinning way too wide for someone who was supposedly being punished.
"Okay, we are on our way just to shut you up." The captain of the blue team said.
"Grandpa, don't watch." Valentino said in Italian. His ears are very red.
Rosalia had curled her golden locks for the occasion and did the same for Jovanney and their sole Italian member, even though his hair isn't that long. No hope for Emmanuel's one-centimeter crew cut. When the music started, all four performers suddenly conjured sunglasses and wore them. The big guy has aviator sunglasses. The hazel-eyed man has round ones that accentuate his almost hawk-like nose. Valentino changed into his dark prescription glasses. And the blonde goddess has actual Gucci ones with brown lenses. Making her the star of the group. Which worked out since she's the only woman. Their formation exemplified the general idea that the men are just backup dancers.
Everyone cheered as the song went on. And laughed out loud when the men tried to shake their hips. Yuu glanced at Gianpietro; he was covering his eyes, but it was clear that he was laughing and trying to contain his mirth.
Even though Rosalia doesn't want to do the dance at all, it is obvious that she was the one who choreographed the dance routine. Among the men, Jovanney is the only one with any sense of rhythm. The rugby and tennis players tried their very best, but they both have two left feet and jerky movements, which made it so much more amusing. It's like watching two planks of wood try to dance. Some express their enjoyment by roaring with laughter; some are near tears and laughing silently; and some puff up their chests, proudly admiring the group.
When the song ended, everybody clapped. A chorus of "Again! Again!" but the blonde enchantress can only endure that performance once, and her demeanor suggests that they should be grateful that they get to watch her do it in their lifetime.
There were tears when it was time to say goodnight and goodbye for the Spanish and Italian people. They won't see each other in person until next summer. Valentino took off his glasses, and the tears ran freely when Emmanuel gave him a bear hug.
The group became so much closer because of the baseball game. Something about camaraderie and competition made every encounter meaningful and precious.
"Jeez, it's not like we won't see each other ever again." Alicia said while Eliana sobbed on her shoulder.
Eduardo was talking quietly with Claudio in the corner. The comical boy in the chat group is calm and collected in real life. Dr. Calle shook the villa owner's hand. The owner, in turn, kissed the hands of Esmeralda. The couple promised that they would be there again next year and thanked the man for being a generous host, which made their stay a very pleasurable one.
Yuu is near tears as well. She knew that she would be the one in tears in two weeks' time and the following week after that, when it would be her turn to say goodbye.
"What the hell is that, dad?"
"Sayaka!" Yume scolded.
"Hey, give it a chance before you insult it."
Standing before the Saeki family and Yuu is a Zefiro 675 motorhome, or, in layman's terms, an RV. It is smaller than a bus but bigger than a van; it has this metallic truck-like front and a white bulky caravan rear. It has big square windows in the middle, smaller ones at the back, and a skylight at the top.
The heiress eyed it with dismay. 'How will this turtle keep up with Jovanney's car? Or even just Eduardo's Volvo. We will be left behind in no time.' "It doesn't look fast."
"Well, it's not a muscle car, sweetheart. Go inside and explore it; if you don't like it, I will make a call and get us a Lamborghini Urus."
Yuu gave Sayaka's hand a little squeeze. She turned to face her. The brown eyes are warm and encouraging. The green eyes scrutinized the singular thin white door, strolled towards it, then reached out to open. A white couch and half of the table welcomed her. She stepped inside and saw that there are two couches with the table in the middle, diner style, and it seems that the table can be folded and the couches with seatbelts can be converted into a bed. Then she glanced to the left and saw an open cabinet door with caps, hats, and scarves. Then, at the very front, the passenger and driver's seats were rotated around to face the rest of the motorhome. To her immediate right is the kitchenette. Beside the chrome burner and sink is a refrigerator, and opposite the kitchen is an open door to the comfort room with its toilet, sink, and shower space that could fit one person. The ones that surprised Sayaka and appealed to her the most are the double-size bunk beds at the very back. Her mind is showing her hours of make out sessions on that cozy top bunk bed. The dark brown floor-to-ceiling curtain made her smile. Her father set up everything for her to see every feature in just a few seconds. A clear sale's pitch. She turned around and got out of the door.
"I am sorry, dad. This vehicle looks incredible on the inside. I judged it too quickly. It seems we will have a very comfortable ride." She grinned at her father.
"You are forgiven, no no Zeffy forgave you."
"Zeffy?" the mother and the daughter said in unison. Yuu knew instantly that the patriarch was talking about their new home for the next two weeks.
As it turns out, she was wrong—not with the name of the motorhome, but with where they would sleep at night.
"Settle down, kids. This drive to the Swiss Alps will take seven hours. We will have lunch along the way. Then we will stay at LeCrans Hotel and Spa." Takeshi said as he pulled out of the driveway.
"You will like it there, Yuu-chan." Yume said.
"Ah, but they won't stay there as much, though."
"Huh?"
"Dr. Calle's children will go cabin-hopping. I thought you guys might like that." Takeshi explained.
"Dad! I want to relax with Yuu. Not hiking all over the place."
"You need to talk to Eduardo. It seems Emmanuel is excited about it."
"That guy is excited about everything." Sayaka complained as she put Yuu's seatbelt on. They are on the diner couch. She was thinking of a plan to lure the petite girl to make out at the back. Which she knows Yuu won't be up for if her parents are around. It would take some convincing. And the prospect of hiking isn't making her mood better. She was hoping for cold mornings with warm coco beside Yuu while they stared at the mountains. Going on saunas and couple's massages. Some visits to the village and dates at fancy restaurants, not out in rocky, unfamiliar terrain.
"Don't you think it would be fun that way? I mean, we are visiting the Alps. That was where Heidi lived!"
"That is just a story." She grumbled. Not being able to hide her irritation.
"Come on, when in Rome, right?" That was what they said to each other when the other wasn't as enthusiastic about doing something.
"We will actually go visit Rome in the last week of our stay."
"Yeah, so let's explore the place while we are in it."
"But…"
"What's there to lose, anyway? We get to bond with our friends more. We only have two weeks with them now. Won't you miss them when we get back to Japan?"
"Honey, my focus now is you. I don't care where everyone is."
"I will be with you."
"I know it won't be all the time!"
"Well, if you really don't want to, it's okay. I just think it would be fun. Last night, when they said goodbye to Eliana and the rest, I feel sad. I want to get to know them better if I can."
"Dang it!"
Yuu chuckled. "What? Are you angry?"
"I was hoping to monopolize you more. Now I have to share you again."
"Are you regretting us going to Italy then? If we stay in Japan, I don't think we will see each other every day. I would be working."
"I will come to you."
"And the honeymoon?" She whispered.
"Yeah, no honeymoon, I guess."
"We will be together all the time, I promise."
"You really want to do this hiking thing?"
"If possible, yes. Though I don't have any hiking gear."
"Oh, please, don't you know who my father is by now? I am sure he already got us gear and everything we might need."
"How did your dad know what my size is?"
"Isn't it always extra small?" she grinned.
"Aah!" she puffed out, insulted. Then she lowered her voice, and after glancing at the parents, she mumbled, "No sex for you tonight."
"If you haven't seen it yet, there are beds at the end of this motorhome. I can take you there and have my way with you."
She glanced at the parents again. More exasperated than before. "You wouldn't."
Before Sayaka could express how much she would, Yuu's phone, which was on the diner table in front of them, started ringing her sister's assigned tone.
"Hello."
"Hiya, sis. So, you guys are going to Switzerland today?"
"Yeah, we are on our way now, actually."
"Oh, say hi to Sayaka for me."
"Rei-chan said hi."
"Thanks for saying it with so much energy."
"Hello Rei-chan." Sayaka chimed in, then proceeded to send a chat to Eduardo to get more details on the cabin hopping.
"What do you want?"
"Ah, I just want to remind you that I am expecting lots of chocolates from different countries."
"Oh, Eduardo wants to call. I'll go take this at the back." The brunette said after a gentle squeeze on her hand. She nodded.
"You will get fat."
"We have the same genes."
Yuu heard a voice in the background. A customer must be paying, as she heard the familiar screech of a receipt being printed.
"Thanks for your purchase, Nanami-chan. Have a nice day." The voice returned the greeting, and the door swiped closed.
"Oh, she bought something." Not saying the name so as not to alert her very jealous girlfriend.
"Yeah, a novel. But if I was being nosy, I think she was hoping to see you."
"Don't be nosy."
"I saw her body stiffen when I started the call with you."
"You are being nosy. You called me while she was there."
"Just want to see it for myself."
"I am hanging up now."
"Don't forget my chocolates."
"Yeah, yeah. Say hi to mom, dad, and grandma for me."
"Oh, from me too." Sayaka said, sitting back beside her and placing her phone back on the table.
"You heard?"
"Yeah. Have fun, sis."
"Thanks. Bye-bye."
"Bye-bye"
"Anything new?"
"She just wants to make sure I buy her chocolates from every country we would visit."
"Oh, Swiss chocolates are nice and Belgian. Well, most of Europe produces good chocolates."
"Yeah, she's excited about it."
"Anything else?"
"That's it."
"Want to make out? As I told you, there is a good space at the back."
"Your parents are here."
"There is a curtain."
"That would make it more obvious."
"Come on. This drive will take all day. I want to kiss you now."
"It hadn't even been thirty minutes since we started. Can you hold out longer?"
"Oh, so we can?" She said smiling from ear to ear. Flashing her impossibly white, perfect teeth.
"How can I say no to you when you smile like that?"
The smile becomes brighter.
"No fondling and groping."
The smile disappeared. "Why not! There is a curtain."
"No."
"I thought you couldn't say no to me."
"Your parents are here." She said again.
"That's the added fun."
Yuu eyed her sideways.
"Don't look at me like that." She leaned forward and kissed her before she could argue.
Yuu pulled away as best as she could, but it wasn't easy as she was sitting by the window. She is trapped. "Sayaka!"
"What's going on back there?" Yume asked.
"Nothing, just teasing Yuu."
When the parents started chatting again, the little girl whispered, "We can't go and stay there while the RV is moving anyway."
The green eyes widen. "Surprised you knew that."
The blush came on que. But no words came out.
"Now, now. Tell your mistress how you knew that." Hearing the emphasized word made the redhead color even more, as Sayaka predicted. 'She's so freaking adorable!' "Go on. I am waiting."
Yuu grumbled silently. A slender arm wrapped around her shoulder, and the hand reached out to entwine with hers. Then she kisses the side of her face. The left hand took her other arm and rested it on the table so she could see the fingertips running on her forearm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. It is clear that the brunette will wait until she answers.
"I may have Googled it while we were loading things," she murmured under her breath.
"Hmmmmn, I can't understand why you become shy about the things you want. But I guess that is just the way that you are. I adore every facet of you." She kissed her cheek, then chuckled. "I could always make excuses to be alone here with you."
"Like?"
"Oh, you know, like asking dad to order us takeout instead of joining them for lunch at a stopover."
The younger girl turned crimson. "That would be rude."
"I could say that we wanted to take a nap."
"Conspicuous."
She giggled, dragging her hand along the length of the softball player's arm. "Yeah, that is a dead giveaway."
"I love you, Sayaka."
"Oh," she said, leaning away to stare at the melted honey eyes. It still surprised her whenever Yuu would say that out of nowhere. Her girlfriend appreciates the little things. The ones that are free and simple. She doesn't really have to try hard to please her. "Thanks. I love you too." This time, the kiss she went for was welcomed. They savored the way their lips caressed each other. Holding back the moan that's bubbling up their throats.
"You are so amazing. You always think about ways to take care of me and give me the things I want."
"That is what I am here for, right?" She went for another sweet kiss.
"I love you. Is there another way to express it in words?"
"Hmmmn, maybe that is why humans turn to music, dance, making art, and inventions. Maybe words will never be enough."
"If you will have me, I'd like to grow old with you. Keep me alive or burn me. I don't care. Just let me stay with you."
"Ah, you said another entry on the list of things I held back saying." She lifted the hand that was adorned by the yellow-gemmed ring. "But we already established that you belong to me. As long as you are wearing this, it means that you want to belong to me. Unless you want to take it off."
"Only, when necessary, you know when I want to clean it or don't want to damage it when I am doing chores and other stuff."
"Yeah, that's okay." She ran her thumb on the ring. "You just need a little upgrade someday." She said inaudibly.
"Huh? I didn't catch that."
"Ah nothing." 'I was talking to the ring.'
After the seven-hour drive, they finally arrive at the mountain range. They checked in at the hotel. Sayaka towed another suitcase to their cabin-like room.
"Told you." She said when she opened the suitcase. It contains two gigantic bags full of their supplies, down to the hiking sticks. The brunette presented her the hiking boots. Once Yuu put them on, she groaned. "What?"
"Your father knows me very well. It fits perfectly and is very comfortable." She paced around the room.
"Yeah, I am getting irritated now. He knows you better than I do, I think."
"Oh?"
"What?"
"Does he know the sounds I make when you kiss me?"
"Hmmmn…" She stood up and walked towards her. "Let me hear them again. I think I forgot already."
Yuu took off the boots so she could run away better. She was chased all over the room. "Come on, more energy! You will need better stamina when we would be hiking all day."
"Uurrgghh…"
"Ahahahahha, you are so cute." She stopped running and let herself be caught. She was thrown in bed, and her lover crawled on top of her the next second. "You are so greedy." Her lips were claimed, and the sounds that Sayaka wanted to review came clear and fell beautifully in her ears.
They went to have dinner with the Calle family, who arrived there earlier than they did.
"You are coming with us, right?" Emmanuel asked the moment they entered the restaurant.
"Yeah." Sayaka said nonchalantly. "But don't hog my girlfriend too much."
"Lol, relax. I have my own girlfriend to take care of. You got it easy."
"What is that?" Rosalia interjected.
"Nothing babe. Come, let's go check the menu."
The mountain trek starts after they have eaten an early breakfast. They checked out of their rooms and left the things they didn't need to their parents.
"Are you ready for this?" Bella asked Sayaka. It seems she's dreading the activity.
"Not at all. But Yuu is beyond excited."
"I will be left behind for sure."
"I will be with you."
Not even an hour had passed, and Bella had almost fallen at least five times. Eduardo was by her side, ready to catch her and helping her with every step she took, but she still managed to trip on small rocks, grass, roots, pinecones and her own foot.
"Sorry, I am so clumsy." The American was blushing profusely.
Sayaka noticed that Bella and Yuu shared that trait; she guessed that she and her senpai shared a type. With both of them being gifted and having green eyes, of course they would seek someone with brown eyes who can blush so beautifully. But her girlfriend isn't clumsy. Emmanuel had challenged her to a race to a certain cliff with all their gear and bags on. Given that the giant has a backpack that could fit his girlfriend, he could still run uphill with no problem. However, Yuu still won.
The heiress was thankful that Bella needs as much rest as she does. So, falling behind isn't as embarrassing as she thought it would be. Although the deep-brown-eyed girl looks very flustered.
She tried to comfort her. "Hey, it's okay. We are not in a hurry. The cabins won't move. This lot is just crazy. "We," she said, referring to both of them, "are human."
"You got that right." Bella said with a small smile.
Twelve kilometers later, they finally get a glimpse of the first cabin they will stay in for the night.
Sayaka lay exhausted on the couch while her lover was playing Jenga with the others on the carpeted floor. Her arm will be occupied when it's not Yuu's turn. She would even receive a peck in some turns. Alas, the muscle man is not known for having a steady hand; thus, he loses after they made a tower. Eduardo and Bella prepared dinner. All were ravenous when it was served.
The young couple turned in early and went to their room on the second floor.
"These people are insane. How can they still have energy after all that?"
"Except Bella. She looks worn-out."
"This is the first and maybe last time I would ever do this."
"Oh, come on, it was fun." Yuu laid their gear on the floor beside an armchair.
"I beg to differ."
"Why?"
"Well, for one, I am drained. I won't be able to make love to you properly."
"We can just cuddle. It is a bit cold here."
"You are okay with just cuddling?" The lanky girl steps forward.
"I guess."
"You guess?"
Yuu observes the floor. "If you are tired..."
"Look at me."
The brown ones met the green ones.
"If I am tired, then it means you will do all the heavy lifting. Are you up for it?"
The second day isn't much better. Sayaka's muscles are sore and not the good kind. Yuu made breakfast for everyone. Emmanuel asks her to marry him after his second extra big helping of Omurice. Rosalia wasn't shocked by his sudden proposal to someone else. The brunette, on the other hand, is fuming.
"It really is delicious, Yuu." Bella said.
The others agreed.
The next cabin was found after fifteen kilometers. The energetic bunch played board games while Rosalia and Alice tried their luck preparing dinner. It dawned on Sayaka that she is the only one who won't be able to contribute to making food in the kitchen.
After showering and going to bed, she asked Yuu to help her prepare breakfast for the next day.
"Sure. Maybe pancakes this time? And some sausages, eggs, bread, and fruits. That would be easy. Just a lot of frying and peeling."
"Thanks, honey."
"My pleasure."
Sayaka was awoken by the shrill ring tone of her phone. She squinted to find the green button to answer the call.
"Hello?" she murmured.
"Sayaka? Did I wake you up?"
"Mmn"
"You sound tired. Is this a good time?"
"Well, you already woke me up; make it count. Also, we have been hiking for two days now, so I am beat."
"Ah, sorry. I haven't heard from you for two weeks, so I just want to catch up a bit."
"Mmn"
"I can call you back later if you want to go back to sleep."
Sayaka drew the phone away to check the time.
"Oh, Yuu is with you."
"How did you know that?"
"This is a video call, silly."
"Oh." The heiress checks her phone again, sees her friend, and can see herself with her sleeping girlfriend on a small thumbnail. "I am not camera-ready." She turned off the camera and converted to a voice call.
"She's hugging you."
"She's my girlfriend, Touko. Of course, she's hugging me."
"Cara mia, go back to sleep." Yuu said sleepily.
"She wants to..."
"Yeah, I heard." Touko cut her off. "So, you sleep together in the same bed, huh?"
"Usually."
"Usually?"
"We do other things…"
"Sayaka! How crude!"
The lanky girl laughs. "Yeah, so all the other firsts are mine already. You can't claim anything anymore."
"You are gloating."
"I have a girlfriend I love who loves me. What's not to gloat about?"
"I have an Italian word for that."
"Tell me."
"Stronza."
She laughs again.
"Sayakaaa." Yuu complained, though she snuggled closer for warmth.
"My girlfriend wants to sleep more."
Touko repeated the word. A few seconds pass by. "You've been hiking?"
"Yeah, dad signed us up for it without asking us if we wanted to. But Yuu was having the time of her life with our friends here. Actually, I think she's closer to them than I ever was."
"Friendly kid."
"Yeah, she's magnetic."
"I know the feeling."
"I will kiss you till you sleep again," the redhead mumbled.
"I like to see you try."
"I am hanging up now."
Again, the brunette expresses her mirth.
"I am so jealous."
"Touko, move on. Find someone you could do these things with."
"I am trying. You think I haven't tried? It's not that easy. I had never been interested in anyone until I met her. I didn't know I was capable of falling for someone."
"I know."
Silence passed again.
"You found gold, Sayaka. Take care not to lose it."
"It is my life's mission."
"Who are you talking to?" Yuu asked as she nuzzled the taller girl's neck.
"Touko."
The nuzzling didn't stop, nor did it pause or hesitate. Sayaka was pleased; her lover really isn't fazed by her best friend.
"Good morning, Nanami-senpai."
She turned on the speaker.
"Good morning, Yuu, though it's in the afternoon here already."
"Hey, be thankful that she even greeted you."
The petite girl glared at her.
"What?"
"Are you guys fighting?"
"No, she's just being adorable."
The said person got on top of her and laid her head softly on her chest.
"You will sleep again, my love?" She turned off the speaker.
"I guess I should stop torturing myself and end the call."
"Up to you. But thanks for calling. Don't worry, I have souvenirs for you."
"I appreciate that."
"Alright, Touko, see you when we get back."
"See you. Bye."
"Bye."
She could tell that Yuu had fallen asleep again by the rhythm of her breathing. 'One more day, my love. Dang, this hiking thing is very tiring.' She stroked the back gently. Tracing the spine with her fingertips. 'I am indeed very lucky to have found someone who loves me this deeply and freely.' She knows that the probability of that happening is nearly incalculable. Thousands of things lined up for them to meet at that exact moment. If her heart wasn't broken, she wouldn't have gone to Toomi Higashi High School. Yuu would have chosen a high school with a softball team. Or she would have refused to help out the student council. And so many other factors. Even if they did meet at that moment, the probability of them developing feelings isn't high. Or what if their traits don't mash up? Being ready and even brave enough to take the chance was the big step Yuu took first. She is so grateful that her girlfriend was fearless in that regard. 'And we are so young. How great is that? We started so early, and we have the rest of our lives ahead of us.' She raked her fingers at the peach paradise hair, getting a whiff of that faint green apple shampoo she had grown to love.
They hiked downhill this time as they went on their way to a clearing where cars would be waiting for them to take them back to the hotel. Never has Sayaka felt so much joy seeing a patch of road in her entire life.
When they arrived at the hotel, they all went to the spa and got massages. Takeshi was laughing hard at the disdainful look his daughter had given him when they met for dinner.
That night, as soon as their heads touched their pillows, they fell asleep. Too tired to do anything else.
The young couple took advantage of the folding table inside the RV and raised the leg rests of both couches to convert it into a bed. Sitting down and locking their seatbelts on, they planned to sleep all the way to Germany. Still exhausted and sore. This time they didn't hide how close their bodies were as they slumber and tried to recover as much as they could.
Yume glanced at them when she noticed that no sounds were coming from the pair. "They really are tuckered out, huh?"
"Yep." Takeshi is smiling from ear to ear. Of course, he knew they would be worn out, thus the RV.
"I don't think your daughter has forgiven you yet."
"Oh, she will get over it. You know what they say: 'You regret the things you don't get to do more than the things you did.' I think that applies here."
"Well, keep me out of it."
"When did she ever get mad at you? She always turns to me when she's mad."
"She turns to you when she's happy too. Hmmmn, I guess I get jealous of that sometimes. You two get along very well."
"She loves and respects you a lot. That had been your relationship with each other. Maybe you can start to test some boundaries and tease her."
"I am not the teasing kind. For a mother, that is." She winked at her husband when she caught his eyes.
The CEO glanced at her and the road, back and forth. "Careful, love, I am driving here."