My Hand Adores You

By: Escarlata

Precure belongs to Toei, the plot is mine

~o~o~o~o~

I can feel the heat emanating from your body, we're walking almost shoulder to shoulder and your smile while you tell me about the day's training is all I need to close the school day with a flourish. You've already told me three times that you hope you don't smell bad after training so hard under the intense heat of the sun, and those same three times I've told you no.

You always make a very cute face when I approach you to smell your neck, you turn as red as a tomato while screaming in panic. I swear I don't enjoy teasing you (that much) it's just that you make such cute face every time I'm so close to you.

I want to think that your blush is because you're not used to someone invading your personal space in such an aggressive way? I don't think that's the word... "Intimate" is the correct word, but I know you'd faint just hearing me say something like that.

I want to think that what I do doesn't bother you, because you can't tolerate being in an uncomfortable situation, so it doesn't bother you to have me so close, right? It doesn't bother you when I tell you that you're pretty, it doesn't bother you when I tell you there's surely someone out there who definitely finds charm in your clumsy and energetic behavior.

At first when I told you that, you always made a bitter face, but now, every time I say it, you blush and look to the side while you answer that that person should confess to you once and for all and end your agonizing wait.

I know that you want a summer romance like in love stories, I know that you want everything that a full-fledged romantic relationship promises. But I know you're not ready to receive the feelings I've been saving for you, Nagisa. Forgive me for making you wait.

"I'm starving!" You say while holding your tummy in an exaggerated way. "Let's go get some takoyaki with Akane, my treat."

"I'd love to," I reply as I continue walking beside you. "By the way, would you like to go to the movies with me tomorrow?" I ask you but I don't give you time to answer yet. "I got some tickets in a raffle at the supermarket."

"Tomorrow is Saturday... Yes, I'd love to! Thanks, Honoka!"

Your energetic responses always make me happy. "See you at noon at the mall."

"I'll be there!"

I smile at you and you smile at me. I really like your smile, I've always thought so.

Before I can say anything else, you grab my hand and quicken your pace. I can only laugh as I adjust to your rhythm and speed.

I like the warmth of your hand in mine.

We've held hands so many times I lost count, but each time the warmth of your hand is always welcome. You hold my hand firmly but gently, sometimes I feel like you don't want to let go of my hand.

The position of our held hands allows me to entangle my fingers with yours and, although you allow me to do so, I can notice a slight shock in your body and on your face.

A blush.

You don't let go but you do slow down a little. I don't need you to see me directly to know that you are in an internal monologue analyzing what is happening. It's always been easy for me to read your body language. You're a direct and sincere person, it's one of the many things I like about you.

"Are you okay, Nagisa?" I feign innocence, I act as if nothing is happening even though my hand squeezes yours a little more.

"Yes... I... I'm still a little tired after training."

"I'll get you some seasonal fruit juice, it'll help you regain fluids and refresh your body," I reply while continuing to feign innocence.

"Thank you."

And seeing that you allow me to continue, I allow myself to advance a little more.

I start moving my thumb to feel at least your index finger. I can feel your hand and knuckle slightly rough from your sports activities. Your knuckles especially are hard. The warmth of your hand overwhelms me for a moment and I have to swallow a sigh.

You don't say more, neither do I.

It's my hand that speaks for me at that moment. The rest of my fingers allow themselves to caress your strong hand as far as possible. Our joined hands have always worked miracles, our holding hands have saved this world and have allowed us to know each other perhaps like two people have never known each other.

I think about it, about the warmth of your hands, about the strength we share together in battles and in our normal lives.

And suddenly I'm the one who feels that your hand starts talking.

Now you're the one who feels my hand with your hand. I can feel your rough but warm fingers caress my knuckles, I can feel how you do it slowly at first, moving like a small animal recognizing a new landscape.

I swallow saliva in the most discreet way possible, luckily you're the one who guides the way and I know that your shyness and nerves do not allow you to look back. I'm very grateful for that, because my cheeks and ears burn like red-hot coal.

To tell the truth, I didn't expect you to dare so much.

I didn't realize my fingers stayed still so I could feel yours, at least not until your thumb started playing with mine.

Although my heart is about to burst with joy and my nerves do not allow me to act correctly, I allow my hand to speak with yours, as always. Our fingers caress each other, they know and recognize each other, they share heat and delicate touch.

You still don't say anything, neither do I.

We haven't stopped walking either. It's lucky that we know the way to Tako Cafe by heart and we can get there even with our eyes closed.

And thanks to that we know that we're very close to our destination.

And suddenly you sigh.

"I like your hand."

I just smile with joy when I imagine all the courage it took to say that. I know how much it costs you to be honest.

"I've always liked your hand."

My response makes you swallow loudly.

I like you, that's what I want to tell you, but it's still early.

You don't say anything at least until we're about to arrive at the Tako Cafe. And then you let me go.

"After we eat here, let's go to your house?" You ask me still without looking at me.

"Of course. We can do our homework and enjoy the rest of the afternoon lazing around if you want, you need to rest after training."

"… Hand in hand?" You murmur.

I need a few seconds to decipher your incomplete question.

"We can," I say.

You don't answer, but I can see your smile.

FIN