"I'll have you know I'm a devout knight of this academy!"
Mei sighed. Not this again. They were arriving at school earlier so Mei could resume her student council work, Yuzu insisting on accompanying her to enjoy the morning walk together, but it seemed today they weren't the only ones.
In the far distance, Matsuri was arguing with another first year, probably a member of the student council reviewing each pupil's compliance with the uniform. She had her finger arrogantly pointing to the anonymous student's chest with her trademark mischievous grin that never left that egotistical face. Near her stood Harumi, a hand in her forehead.
"Her royal highness can attest." Matsuri signaled to the approaching couple. Seeing them, Harumi scored a great smile.
"Yuzuchi!"
"Harimiiiin!"
Yuzu ran from Mei's side, her arms wide open. The two girls hug as if they hadn't seen each other in weeks, even though it's only been three days and they spoke every day on the phone. Mei kept walking, observing the pair of best friends. They hopped in their happiness, orbiting in their shared gravitational pull.
"You've grown so much, Yuzuchi!" She jested, standing Yuzu on one arm's length so the girl would show off her apparent new height. The blonde did, giggling as she twirled. "And my, how pretty you look!"
"You look dashing too, Harumin!"
Mei rolled her eyes while walking past them.
"Good morning, Prez! Aren't you glowing today!" Mei simply raised an eyebrow.
"Good morning… Harumi."
"We're on first name basis now, huh?" Matsuri approached, her hands in the pockets of her gaudy neon-printed jacket. "You better not be having a threesome without me."
"Yooou!" Yuzu shouted, some friendly anger flowing from her teeth while releasing from her best friend's embrace. "I'll have a talk with you, miss!"
"W-What? What did I do?"
"That's the question!"
"Yuzu." Came the cold words. The professional tone didn't offend Yuzu, their daily farse having to begin. "I'll see you later, I have to go."
"Okay, Mei. You're arriving later, right?" Yuzu approached her secret girlfriend, hands competently tug in her lap.
"Yes, I am. I should be home around dinner time." Yuzu replied with a gentle smile.
"Disgusting. Just get a room already." Matsuri joked. Mei didn't react to any of the hoaxes, plenty used to activate her mask in school grounds. She resumed her walk away from the group, Himeko joining her after addressing the first years for the day.
The group of friends kept chatting in the morning sun, mainly Yuzu telling them the clean details of her trip, even with Matsuri's insistence for finer details with multiple taunts. Their laughter sometimes raised among the trees as the school grounds filled with students going on their business. Harumi and Yuzu went to their classroom while discussing the impending mock exams. When they sat at their respective desks, Yuzu changed the topic yet again.
"I can't wait until after class!"
"Yeah, same."
"I wanna know what happened already, Harumin! Can't you tell me?"
"Yuzuchi, I've told you there's nothing to say."
"But yesterday you kinda sounded like you had stuff going on!"
"Nah, not like you're thinking anyways."
"Oh come on, things changed again?" Yuzu laid her forehead on the desk, her arms stretched on the surface. "You guys are exhausting and I still don't know anything! Besides what Mei told me, at least." She stood back up with a determined look. "I'm supposed to be your friend! The best one!"
"What did she tell you? Is it about the birthday thing again? She was drunk. And so was I, who knows what we were thinking."
"Of course it's about the birthday thing! Being drunk makes you stupid but doesn't make it a lie. If that had happened to me I wouldn't stop thinking about it!"
Harumi was silent, picking on her nails.
"Well… Nothing happened besides that."
"But" Yuzu leaned forward and whispered. "Did you guys…kiss? Or no?"
Harumi's sighed, her mind returning to that unfortunate night. "Okay, Yuzuchi."
"Hello huh g-gorgeous." Matsuri approached, the back of her hand with multiple marks signaling how drunk her stutter was.
"What do you want?" Harumi was leaning on the bar counter awaiting her drink.
"Don't be so cold! You didn't even give me any present, I suspect we're not even friends. You're just crashing my birthday party."
"This is a bar, I'm not crashing anything. And you invited me, stop being a jerk."
"You'd be a far better 'jerk' than me." Matsuri had a stupid smirk trying to provoke the taller girl to react.
"You wish."
Matsuri leaned her back on the counter, silently eyeing her from the corner of the eye. Those words taunted her far more than any remark that she could throw back.
"Drink a shot for me."
"Huh?"
"You heard me, it's my birthday, I want you to gift me by drinking a shot for me."
"You're childish, so focused on your birthday. Sometimes you should look past yourself, you know."
Matsuri tipped her head back, the pink curtain long enough to fall on her leaning elbows, stepping the counter. She had a graphic and white neon t-shirt, baggy enough to let the neckline slip past the shoulder in one side. For tonight she decided to polish her look with makeup, particularly a bright-pink eyeshadow and a silly star on her cheekbone like a manic beauty-mark. The persistence of pink only highlighted her devious blue eyes.
"I would but" her irises glowed under the dance lights as she turned her gaze to the auburn-haired girl "well, you're kinda…" Harumi saw those flashing eyes trail down as did her voice, stopping on her sparkling red crop-top "intimidating."
Harumi thought that blue color was not akin to any ocean or peaceful lake. It matched the fluorescence of her white t-shirt under the black light, lighting like a pyrotechnic display of blazing temperature. Worse, it was malicious and treacherous, lit by alcohol and exploding imprudence. It was also clearly focused on her own breasts. She had no shame.
"Fine. Pay me a tequila."
Matsuri's lips curled wickedly, turning around to ask for the drink. Almost jumping on the counter, she called her request. The bartender placed the shot on the counter, slid a simple saltshaker and pointed to the bowl of cut lime pieces near them.
Harumi picked the glass and liked her hand to make sure the salt would stick, letting a few crystals fall from the flask. Matsuri was triggered by the motion, her eyebrow twitching as if a wire had painfully snapped.
She took Harumi's hand before the taller girl could proceed, grazing her lips on the fingers towards the knuckles. Striking Harumi with her piercing eyes, she revealed a pink tongue matching both her eyeshadow and her hair, and lazily licked the salt. Harumi was lost on those eyes, feeling under a wolf that was deciding whether to play with its meal. The alcohol in her body set ablaze, engulfing both of them in its sapphire flame.
Matsuri gulped the drink and took one of the lime wedges. Harumi was so stunned by the vision that when the piece was laid near her mouth she took it in her teeth, the flesh pointing outwards. She felt her face heat at the realization of what was about to happen.
The pink-haired girl stood on her tiptoes and stole the tiny lime from her, her half-lid gaze tying Harumi in place. When their lips brushed, Harumi's eyes closed on impulse. Did it count as a kiss? Her first kiss was taken by a short brat? It was far too quick to reflect on the answer.
Matsuri stood back, taking a marker from her pocket. When she uncapped it, turning it towards Harumi, the taller girl woke up from her daze.
"Y-You drank it."
"Yes, and I decide where to mark. For my tally." That's not how this works.
Matsuri approached the marker to Harumi, who shivered and considered stepping away. But the bar counter was stuck on her back. The malicious girl touched her neck with the tool, a line forming by her action on Harumi's skin, near her clavicle. She was so close Harumi could count each electric spark on her irises, the surprisingly delicate eyelashes blinking, focused on her neck, sending cataclysmic waves on her spine.
Standing back, Matsuri admired the small yet criminal beauty-mark she left, shaped like a tiny heart. Harumi turned on the inside camera of her phone to check, the light of the screen illuminating the ample volume of her exposed cleavage. The intermittent dance lights flooded her face, pulsing on her skin with red and green. Wasn't she…pretty? Suddenly taken by the disgrace of what she just did, Matsuri almost let a blush course her face.
"On my neck? Really? It'll take ages to come off, Matsuri." Harumi let a provocative finger rub the drawing, an annoyed frown appearing on her face. "You're a dick."
Matsuri laughed.
"You wish."
Yuzu had her hands around her mouth, flabbergasted at the story.
"Oh my god, Harumi!"
"Yuzuchi, it was nothing, she was messing with me. I had to use concealer on it for almost two weeks."
"Nobody that is messing with you leaves a heart-shaped mark on your neck!"
"Matsuri does."
"Especially Matsuri! She could have drawn many things far worse than that, a heart isn't one of them!"
"Sure it is, you're overthinking it."
Yuzu laid her head on her hands, a dreamy expression encompassing her face. "It's so romantic! A heart mark, oh I wish!"
Harumi blushed in response.
"So, did it count?" Yuzu asked, still laying in her hands like a curious child.
"What?"
"The kiss."
"No."
"Don't be like that!"
"She's a coward, even when kissing someone." Harumi responded reclining backwards, her head resting on the windowsill.
"On that you're right, when she kissed me and when she kissed Mei she wasn't that scared. You're really intimidating to her." Yuzu smirked, turning Harumi's words around. The blush got worse beneath the hazel eyes.
"S-shut up, it's not like that!"
"Where's the party then?"
"What party?"
"Your birthday party, it's soon. I vote on another drinking party, seems to be working for you!"
"Hell no, once was enough.
Yuzu was almost done with the dinner when Mei entered the house. Hearing the clicking of keys, the blonde ran to the entrance.
"Welcome home, Mei!"
"Hello, Yuzu, I'm home." She sighed while hanging her keys. "Today was exhausting." Yuzu observed with adoration her fiancé pick her ring, laid on the foyer's sideboard, and nonchalantly place it in her ring finger.
"The dinner is almost done, do you want to eat first or shower, Mei? Mom won't be back until later."
"I had no time to have lunch today."
"Dinner then!" Yuzu led the way. Mei sat while Yuzu placed the filled plates on the table. When nearing the brunette, Yuzu laid a hand on her shoulder, leaning down. Mei felt the proximity and looked up, receiving Yuzu's kiss as any other natural occurrence in her life.
"Thank you for taking care of the food, Yuzu."
"It's not a problem, Mei! You're working so hard for the school."
While they were having dinner, Yuzu did most of the talking, as usual, describing her day. She ended up recounting to Mei the rest of the details that Harumi told her that morning.
"Did she explain about the days since?"
"She did, we went to a café to study and she told me the rest. Nothing much happened, everything sounded very vague. Matsuri went to her house on Saturday night. They talked outside, she said. About the day before, about their family affairs, about where we went. But Mei, the way she told me about their maybe-kiss was… She was daydreaming, Mei. I'm sure she likes her."
"I see."
"Maybe I should talk with Matsuri…"
"Don't, Yuzu. You're Harumi's best friend, she might feel cornered."
"But Matsuri doesn't have anyone to talk to about this. Maybe if she talked… Mei, Harumi helped me when I needed her, I fell like she needs my help now."
"It's like you said, if Harumi wants it, she can get it. Either she doesn't want it, or…"
"She is yet to realize what she wants." Yuzu concluded with a surprised face. To her, not knowing how one feels after all that sounds foreign.
"I suspect who needs the talking is Harumi."
"I've already done that!"
"Does she like Matsuri?"
"I… I think so? Who knows why… But her descriptions were very intense…"
"I believe that's what everyone is waiting to know."
The rest of the week passed. Yuzu believes she did well on the mock exams, her evenings spent studying only stopping for a small and insufficient make out session before bed. Mei always worked until late, arriving just before dinner and continuing her toil until bedtime.
Yuzu kept Mei's reasoning and didn't bother Matsuri with the topic. Most afternoons she would go out with Harumi to study and sometimes would debate on their feelings. Yuzu deliberated with Harumi on the beginning of her relationship with Mei, in hopes it could pose some clarity to her best friend. She felt, however, that Mei's point of view would be far better, as herself was almost always assured of her feelings, unlike her partner.
On Friday night the couple was lounging in the couch, covered with a warm blanket and a mug of tea in hand. Yuzu was sniffing loudly, wiping her tears with the corner of her sleeve.
"It's so unfair! Now he's gone, what is she going to do?"
"She will be fine. When you live that long you find a way to recover. They say time heals everything." Yuzu looked at her, highly offended by the seemingly cold remark.
"So you'd recover just fine if I just…died without telling how I felt?"
"As if you would manage to not express how you feel. You practically gave me no choice than to address how I felt myself. Perhaps is better not knowing, one would suffer less."
"You'd rather not be with me?"
Mei stroked her temple. How typical to transform her words into some degrading violation. "That's not what I said. She's an elf and by the looks of it, of the immortal kind. He was bound to die before she would even grow one wrinkle. Can you imagine growing old and weak while your partner remains in the spring of youth?" Yuzu cried even more in her sleeve, empathizing for the characters on the television.
"I don't want you to grow old and bald while I remain hot, that would suck!" Mei lifted an eyebrow at the logic.
"I'm not going to grow bald, Yuzu. And what makes you believe I'd be the human here? You have far more in common with him, being such a heroic amiable person."
Yuzu lifted her puffy eyes from her hands to look at her fiancé. "Oh yeah, you're right, you'd definitely be the elf. Cold, distant, blind. You even already have special ears."
Mei blushed at the last sentence and took another sip of her tea. "But! I don't want to be a dude!" Yuzu wailed into the air. Mei sighed, patting the sensitive and unreasonable girl's head. She was most likely at the weakest time of the month.
"That's it! I'll tell Harumi to watch the show! I'm sure she'll feel the urgency of dealing with her feelings if she sees the consequences."
"You're still thinking about that, Yuzu?…"
"It's so frustrating, Mei… I see how Harumi talks about her, she always gets lost and sighs. Every day she stares out the window like an abandoned puppy. I'm sure she's just scared Matsuri is messing with her."
"Matsuri is indeed messing with her. The issue is that she stops halfway."
"So what, they're both scared? That's even worse…"
Mei sighed. "Fine. I'll talk with Matsuri."
Yuzu's eyes lit happily, still puffy from the tearjerking session. "You will?"
"Yes, if that helps you to quiet down. Just promise me if Matsuri was merely messing with Harumi that you won't bother her nor be angry about it. I won't entertain manipulating her on the topic, I will only try to ascertain how she feels."
"I promise…" Yuzu said sadly, now sure her best friend had feelings for that idiot but could likely end up hurt.
"It won't be easy, but I have a plan."
Yuzu's eyes shimmered, wanting to know the details.
"For Harumi's birthday make sure she invites Suzuran-san." Yuzu nodded with seriousness. "And convince her to be on a bar or something." Mei scratched her temples at the thought of another hangover.
"Ok. What else?"
"Nothing, I won't discuss it with you. You're already too involved, you might make things worse. Just keep being Harumi's friend."
Yuzu sighed but had to agree. Mei concluded, ominously.
"For Matsuri, everything has to be a game."
Harumi's birthday came before anyone noticed, each day passing quickly. They did go for a drinking party, Yuzu threatened to break their friendship if Harumi didn't comply. She was not going to fail her girlfriend now. Yuzu already spent the afternoon with her friend, eating ice cream while discussing the details of the place and who was confirmed to be present. The place they chose was a rather fanciful nightclub so they all had to comply with appropriate attire. Either a dress or a suit jacket. They were both thrilled with the chance to doll up to high heaven, spending the afternoon discussing their clothes and imagining who would wear what. Yuzu and Harumi agreed to meet at the entrance to go in together.
As typical of a couple, Yuzu and Mei arrived together outside the nightclub, driven there by the Aihara's chauffeur, and arranged their outfit to match. Yuzu was wearing an emerald-green shimmering dress with an extremely low revealing back. Her hair was tied on the side with lavishly voluminous curls, specifically chosen to show-off a pair of cascade earrings and matching necklace, except the latter cascaded on her exposed back. She brought her 'A Game' today, even wearing her favorite black pumps. Possessively holding her lower back was Mei, slightly uncomfortable with her own attire. Mei didn't need to behave so possessively with her girlfriend but she looked far too gorgeous to leave unsupervised.
Mei allowed Yuzu to help her pick her attire. In fact, she offered the proposition to her. The blonde was overly ecstatic. Since that was a rare occurrence, Yuzu seized the opportunity to make her wear what the traditional girl would never: a tuxedo. Mei wasn't a fan of the masculine clothes, thinking the lack of broad shoulders wouldn't make it look good on her, but with Yuzu fawning over her at the store her resolve was strengthened.
"Holy shit." Cursed Harumi, approaching the couple in her black sheer dress, tugging every curve and revealing others. The thin straps of the dress were working overtime to hold her breasts. "Aren't you two stunning! Tonight was supposed to be about me, for goodness sake." She teased while hugging her best friend.
Doesn't matter what everyone else wore, the uncanny sight of the student council president with the classy masculine clothes was such a unique sight that it stole anyone's attention. Yuzu still had a taste of the feminine incline so her black jacket had a very faint yet shimmery floral design over a wing tip pearl-white shirt. To match Yuzu's dress, she also wore a silk vest and a silk bowtie in the exact same green. Mei didn't want to offend her girlfriend's taste but she felt looking a bit like a pimp. Next time they would have to trade.
"Happy birthday, Harumi. You too."
"Me too what?" Harumi teased.
"You look gorgeous babe!" Yuzu said. "Mei will have a run for her money!"
"Hahaha, ain't that your classic lesbian look." A snickering voice mocked behind them. Matsuri appeared, wearing an untidy white shirt over her tight jeans with a skinny black tie. The jacket in electric colors, however, was extremely extravagant and tacky, a choice probably to spite the place. Next to hers, Mei's looked like a plain black attire. "I bet everyone's tab we're going to see you two kiss tonight."
The bouncer let them enter without bothering to check the guestlist. They went to sit at a couched area the birthday girl had reserved, the dance floor already crowded. Nene and Himeko showed just moments after in the frilliest of dresses. Later meeting the group came Harumi's older sister Mitsuko with Kayo as her company. The last to arrive was Suzuran, who had to gather the strength of leaving the house without a kimono, now with a burgundy long dress and black gloves. Harumi's favorite gift was seeing everyone so fabulously dressed for her birthday.
"Thank you Yuzuchi, you were right, this is great."
"It is, isn't it? I mean, it's a massive occasion!"
"That is quite true, today is your 18th birthday." Said Mitsuko, lifting her glass of champagne. "Happy birthday, Harumi."
Everyone joined the toast, Yuzu trying to not cry as to not ruin the makeup with happiness for her best friend. They all took turns telling anecdotes about Harumi. How they met, their adventures, their mishaps, all her valor. They also jested often, slightly roasting the poor girl. The one that spoke the least was Matsuri.
The nightlife was in full-blown energy, the music booming from the dancefloor. Yuzu and Harumi went to dance and the group subdivided into smaller conversations from the loud music. Matsuri disappeared somewhere, probably hitting on someone. Nene was inevitably creeping about the couple of best friends dancing. Himeko was chatting with both Mitsuko and Kayo. Mei took the chance to sit next to Suzuran.
"Suzuran-san."
"Hello Aihara-san. Yuzu said you wished to discuss something with me. Is it about the merger?"
"No, Suzuran-san. Let us not discuss work tonight, it has been a long week." Mei requested while sipping her glass of champagne. "I called on you for a different matter."
"I see. If there is something I can help you with, Aihara-san?"
"So I think, Suzuran-san. We've found ourselves in quite the predicament. I wonder if you can deduce which one. Right now…" Mei said, pointing with the glass to the entire group. "you have all the pieces." Mei gave her a gentle smile, with admiration at what the answer would be.
Suzuran was very fond of the exercise, it has been a long time since she had the chance to unravel highschool unspoken issues, having graduated the year prior.
"You seem quite confident on Yuzupon's faithfulness." Suzuran said, looking at the pair dancing dirtily. Mei let a small laugh, the alcohol already creeping into her brain.
"Indeed, it is not about Yuzu. It is, however, a worry of Yuzu's and I don't like my fiancé troubled. This much should be enough for you." They kept their eyes on the girls on the dance floor. Matsuri approached and said something to the pair. Harumi left to rejoin the group on the couched area while Yuzu stayed to dance with Matsuri. Mei was rather proud how her girlfriend was accidentally doing everything as expected.
"Interesting." Suzuran said, her trademark hand pose showing she has gotten to some conclusion. Harumi approached them and, seeing Mei talking with Suzuran, something she remembered Yuzu requested, she waved at them and sat chatting with Kayo. They seemed to be happily discussing their dresses.
"So, tell me. What is the verdict?"
"You want to know if Misuzawa-san reciprocates Taniguchi-san's feelings."
"Reciprocate, huh?" Mei asked, twirling the glass in hand.
"Yes. She was very attentive of Misuzawa-san the entire night."
"I see. And does she reciprocate those feelings?"
"I believe so. Everyone seemed to be pondering the same the entire night." Mei had to laugh at that remark, the drink seeping into her senses. She has developed more control over her drink as of late, but it still emboldens her.
"However," Suzuran continued. "I'm afraid none of them will act upon it. It appears they are hopeful the other will take the first step."
"Hopeful, as in, they are afraid?"
"Yes. Taniguchi-san is afraid of getting hurt, possibly from witnessing Yuzupon and Aihara-san's story. Misuzawa-san's fear appears far simpler."
"Cowardice." Mei concluded, drinking the rest of her second flute of champagne.
"Yes. I believe you already knew all of this, Aihara-san. My peak of interest was not on their ordeal but on yours."
Mei was very surprised at the answer "Indeed, Suzuran-san, you are quite the detective. You should look into that field." She filled her glass again. "If you find time, we will invite you for tea, to thank you for tonight. And to hear if the theory in your head is correct. I'm sure Yuzu misses you dearly too."
"Thank you, Aihara-san, I appreciate the future invite. And… I will consider your advice."
Mei sighed loudly, standing up. "It appears I'm left with no choice but to intervene. I do owe them. It's unfortunate I can't stay with you and chat further. For now, enjoy the show, Suzuran-san."
Mei smiled at her, leaving her to sit next to Yuzu and Harumi, who have returned to the couch, both highly giddy with whatever they were talking about.
"Mei, you look so handsome tonight." Yuzu was probably beyond drunk, her hands slipping into the brunette's vest.
"Yuzu." Mei blushed, conflicted with Harumi's attention while her girlfriend was trying to fondle her breasts through the shirt. "I don't appreciate the words."
Yuzu leaned on her ear. "You look fucking hot, baby. Can we go home?" she purred. The words did coax Mei's hand to lay on her knee. Next to her, Harumi seemed hot and bothered with the view. Mei felt she needed more drinks for this so she picked her glass again while Yuzu was kissing her ear.
"No, we can't." She gulped the drink down. "The event is just starting."
Yuzu was pouting when Matsuri appeared with more drinks. "Aye, did I win my bet already?" She gave each of the girls their glass.
"No, Yuzuchi is trying but Mei is too shy." Harumi replied, leaning towards the couple.
"Come on, Mei, don't be like that." Matsuri sat next to Mei, taking one of her black locks of hair. "You owe us at least one kiss from all the trouble." Yuzu slapped the hand away with a giggle, garnering an amused smirk from the pink-haired girl.
"Your hands seem to be full, student council president." Mitsuko quipped, returning from the dance floor with Kayo.
This was getting out of hand. It's turning into a terrible idea fast. One well-dressed man approached the group with another man on his side, a grin on his face of someone about to ask one of the girls for a dance.
"You. Fuck off. Now." Mei snapped at the man, overwhelmed with the tease around her, indirectly requesting the same from everyone else. However, that bark caused the group present to erupt in a drunken bout of loud laughter. Mei had an explosive blush on her face.
"This is turning into quite the night, I must say." Mitsuko wiped a tear of laughter away. She flashed her credit card to her sister. "Harumi can you get us some drinks?"
"Sure! I'll be back with a bottle." announced Harumi, getting up from her spot. Matsuri shrugged and went to her phone while chatting with Nene, sipping her cocktail by the straw.
Mei observed Harumi leave. She looked back to check if someone was going with her, resuming her step when noticing she was alone. As she neared the bar, some guy approached her, which she waved away with an awkward smile. He seemed to have insisted but after something she said, rather angrily, he gave up. Mei felt a touch on her neck. Yuzu was kissing her there, saying some sweet things in her ear while holding the hand still in her lap.
"Aren't you going to ask me to dance, Mei?"
"I'm not a good dancer."
"I highly doubt it." Yuzu said with a sly smile, her hand sliding Mei's silk black lapel, its owner becoming enchanted by her girlfriend's eyes. "If you're as good dancer as you are with…" she trailed off interrupted by Matsuri chocking on her drink, apparently having an excellent hearing. She decided to leave just a tad bit further away before Mei would snap at her too. Her night was already going terrible anyways.
Mei finished her third drink, laying the glass on the table. Kayo immediately filled it per Mitsuko's request, who lifted her own glass with a wink. Mei blushed and released Yuzu's knee to get the drink. Her second hand was on Yuzu's shoulder blades, trailing a finger on the blonde's exposed back. She touched the necklace's cascade making it trail on the skin, causing Yuzu's spine to shiver.
"Mei, baby." Yuzu pleaded again. Mei looked deeply into her girlfriend's dreamy yet drunk eyes, noticing the bright lipstick. She wouldn't mind the blonde to plaster that color on her shirt.
"You look gorgeous, my love." She didn't want to cave here and let everyone see them kiss, but their faces were so close their noses were touching. They are still incapable of understanding how they look. "I don't know if I should forbid you from leaving the house looking like that or try to take you out more often." Yuzu loved Mei's possessive words accompanied with praise on her looks.
"Mei… I want to dance with you."
"I need to do something first, my love." Mei took a long gulp of her glass, looking at the dance floor. "Once I'm done, you can have me all for yourself."
Yuzu smiled. "Can't wait, baby. Don't make me wait too long." She leaned on her ear again, probably wanting to tell her something worse than what they were already speaking aloud. In truth, nobody could figure what they had been saying unless they could read their lips, as the music was now overbearingly loud. Mei wasn't prepared for what she heard.
Yuzu didn't speak. No, there were no words there. Right in her ear, with hundreds of people present in the same space, Yuzu moaned the most pornographic and charged sound to ever grace the earth. Mei melted, feeling her own core pulse at the sound. Yuzu licked her ear, slipped her hand inside Mei's vest and stroked the shirt seductively, all while keeping the sound flowing, almost mimicking the act including thrusting of fingers. It ended with a final quiet moan of Mei's name. To finish, she licked Mei's ear and seductively removed, with her teeth, the clip-on emerald earring she convinced her to wear.
When she leaned back to look at her girlfriend, Yuzu saw she looked like someone just told her the worst news of her life, her eyes sparkling with anguish and hurt.
"Marry me." She said. Yuzu giggled, both completely drunk.
Yuzu returned with yet more drinks as Mitsuko and Kayo walked past her towards the halls. Mei nervously stood from the couch next to Himeko towards herself.
"Yuzu, you trust me, right?"
"Yes, Mei. I trust you with my life."
"No, not that kind of trust. You trust me, as your girlfriend, right?"
"Fiancé." She corrected. "What's wrong, Mei?" Yuzu draped her arms around the brunette, sliding Mei's hair in her fingers.
"I love you. I don't want anyone else but you. You know that?"
"I know, Mei. Are you okay? Do you need to step out for fresh air?"
"No. I need to do something. I'm doing it entirely for you, because I love you and I want to help your best friend. And I owe her."
"Do what? Are you going to talk with Matsuri now?"
"Not yet. But I need your courage to do this. And your blind trust."
"Okay." Yuzu said with some sober seriousness returning her eyes. "I trust you, Mei."
"The other one."
Yuzu smiled. "I trust you, baby."
"Thank you. Remember that, ok?" Yuzu nodded, smiling again.
Mei inhaled deeply and exhaled. When she opened her eyes again, she took a shot glass filled with some grossly alcoholic liquid and poured it down her throat.
"Okay!" Mei slammed the upside down cup on the table. "Let's do this, lord have mercy." She stepped out of their reserved couched area, stopping halfway the stairs. "Oh, right." She turned back the steps and took Yuzu's lips in a fast clash. "I love you, Yuzu." And left.
"Fuck yeah! I almost thought I would lose that bet and go bankrupt today!" Matsuri shouted, the only one noticing the couple's kiss. It seems everyone is equally intoxicated. "Hahaha, she's drunk as all hell! Where is she going?" Matsuri and Yuzu observed Mei hurriedly stubble to the dancefloor, a slight jump in her step.
"She's going to do something for me."
"Oh really? And what is that? She's walking like she's going to you! But! Here you are!"
"She sure does."
Matsuri was laughing loudly, Nene approaching to check the commotion. From their seats, Himeko and Suzuran peeked at the reason for Matsuri's loud laughter. However, her laughter subsided when the scene unfolded.
"I trust you." Yuzu nervously said, very quietly. "I trust you, Mei."
Apparently, Mei's plan involved approaching Harumi and whisper something in her ear. After a few rather long words, Harumi was receiving Mei in her neck, leaning on her nook, face completely smothered. Harumi had a charming smile in her face, probably giggling or chuckling at the touch. The pair looked fabulous, their coordinated attire shimmering under the nightclub's flashing lights, its rhythm accentuated by the booming music. The intermittent lights turned every scene into a series of snapshots. Harumi laid her hand on Mei's chest, pretending to push her away but ending up slithering her arms around her shoulders. Mei curled one of her arms around Harumi's waist, staying on its lower back. Her face seemed to have traveled towards her ear, either to say something or…
"What the fuck is going on in there?" Matsuri was the first to speak, her voice rasp with poisonous hatred. Hearing the pink-haired girl's words, Yuzu understood what was going on.
"I trust you, baby." Yuzu whispered, her soul inspired with resolve. "I trust both of you." She took her drink and sipped on it calmly.
"Remarkable, Aihara-san." Said Suzuran, amazed at Mei's promised show. Himeko and Nene were shocked, white as bone.
Among the crowd, Mei's hand climbed Harumi's sheer black dress, lifting the translucid cloth to reveal the mini-skirt underneath and her pantyhose-covered thigh. Her hand was moving slowly upwards in the direction of her breasts. Harumi held a bunch of Mei's hair in one hand and her lapel with another. For a moment it was difficult to see what they were doing, the systematized lighting fluttering with the music, but most witnesses would swear, on their lives, that Mei and Harumi were making out in the middle of the crowed place. Everyone's eyes found the strength to look away, intently observing Yuzu.
"Are they insane? T-This is… Yuzu, are you okay with this?"
"Matsuri, today is Harumi's birthday. She's my best friend, all I want is for her to be happy." Yuzu stated, sipping on her drink, watching the dancefloor with absolute curiosity.
"Fuck that, nobody is that nice, you're fucking with me!"
"I'm actually not. To be honest, Mei and I figured some things during our trip. And Harumi is perfect for that, look at her, she's hot as hell." Himeko let out a shriek and fainted. Nene was going to pass out from blood loss, muttering something in her breath. Mitsuko and Kayo were thankfully not present, the former might not have taken the sight quite as easily. Suzuran was engrossed in the exhibition, not saying a word.
"So you're not going to do anything!?"
"Matsuri, I've told you. She's doing something for me."
"Doing Harumi?"
Yuzu giggled at her. Matsuri's eye was shaking, she was about to have an aneurism, if not, she was surely having a stroke. She stood up and stepped into the dance floor, almost slipping on the liquid tainted stairs. She strode among the crowd, pushing aside bunches of people, finally arriving at the barely-dancing pair. Yuzu saw her shove Mei aside, who was rapidly endowed with a crowning stance of authority and poise. Matsuri pushed her yet again, grabbing her by the lapel. Mei simply said something to which Matsuri shouted back, loudly heard across the dance floor, making Yuzu raise from her seat to go to Harumi's side.
"Let's go, bitch!"
"I'll kill you!" Matsuri bellowed. They were standing in a rather empty corner of the hallway of the nightclub, on the way to the toilets. Nobody seemed to care about their aggressive conversation.
"Misuzawa-san, calm down. You already left Harumi in a poor state of nervousness. Do you only think of yourself?"
"You dipshit, why do you take everything! Isn't Yuzu enough for you?"
"This is something we both want. Harumi is a lovely person and deserves someone nice."
"Fuck you! Let's go outside, I'll smash the smug look off your face."
"Misuzawa-san, I have been tolerant with you. I used to find your cunning admirable, even if poorly applied. However, you've been failing miserably as of late."
"Shut up, you're going to hurt Yuzu again and take Harumi along. You make me sick."
"I make you sick? You have been a shame to the Aihara name. I knighted you, the first one of our esteemed acade-"
"Fuck you and fuck your knight crap. It was a drunken shit, I only took it to mess with you."
"I have never denied the title I bestowed upon you. You, however, have proven unworthy. Knights are brave, and knights win. You… You're a coward."
"Shut up!" Matsuri seemed hurt, terrified and frozen at the attack.
"Am I wrong? Matsuri." The pink-haired girl looked up, this being the first time Mei addressed her in her given name. Matsuri admired her violet gaze, it was laden with confidence, overbearing with assurance and expectancy. The booming music was muffled but could still be heard. "Are you a coward, Matsuri?"
Matsuri's blue eyes were set on fire looking at the brunette. She spoke with overjoyed fury, electricity bursting through her irises. "I'm not a coward." Her mouth turned into an overconfident smirk, arrogant and belic. "I'm a winner."
"Good." Mei laid a hand on her shoulder. "Remember what I said. Harumi is a lovely person who deserves someone nice. Don't fail me again." She had lost and yet, she's about to win.
"I won't."
"Now go."
"Oi oi oi oi! W-Wait, Yuzuchi!" Harumi said, arms flailing, trying to stay away from Yuzu.
"It's okay, Harumin! You did great!" Yuzu hugged her best friend under the flashing lights of the poorly lit room.
"You knew about this?"
"No, and you're still going to pay for it. I'm pretty sure you took advantage of the opportunity." Yuzu joked by her ear, the music far to loud for them to hear each other.
"I didn't! Mei told me 'You trust Yuzu?'" Harumi defended, almost having to shout at her best friend, still waving her arms during her explanation. "I said yes and she told me 'Yuzu trusts me, right now you need to do the same'. And next thing I know, she was messing with me! She told me exactly what to do, so I did, nothing else I swear!" The music was loud, booming on a loop of a rhythmic dance song.
- You are the winner of my heart -
"Oh, here they come!" Yuzu looked past Harumi's shoulder. When she saw Matsuri's determined face she decided to stand back. As Harumi turned around, her lips were forcefully captured by Matsuri's.
- You are the winner of my heart -
Their kiss was violently passionate, at first Matsuri having to tiptoe her way up Harumi's added height by her heels, but soon Harumi leaned down to hold the pink-haired woman's cheeks.
- You are the winner of my heart -
"I've never worked so hard for a kiss." Said Mei, approaching her fiancé while looking at the newly founded couple. "I didn't even get-" She was interrupted by Yuzu's lips, the two pairs forming a battle in the dance floor. Yuzu and Mei's kiss wasn't as violent, however, it was far more physical, the brunette dragging her hands down Yuzu's exposed soft back to grope her rear, the blonde holding Mei's jacket, trying to unbutton it to feel the shirt underneath or perhaps getting undressed. Yuzu's earrings waved as their heads moved ardently. The entire crowd floated away, the couple lost on their contact.
"I'm all yours, Yuzu." Yuzu giggled in reply, resuming their kiss that quickly turned into raw make out, their mouths looping open and closed, as tongues twirled in between.
There was a whistle nearby and when Yuzu looked around, returned to the dance floor with her hand still on Mei's face buried in her neck, the group had joined them, Mitsuko being the source of the shrilling sound.
"What's going on here! I can't leave for five minutes!" Mitsuko shouted with a massive grin, walk-dancing plastered in alcohol, while accompanied with a highly blushing and palm-covered Himeko. Nene was about to start a fight with Kayo. Suzuran stepped on the dance floor for the first time in her life, her hand in her characteristic pose, admiring the conclusion of the show. Tonight was a fun night.
"She's 'your' problem now." Mei said drunkenly, pointing to Mitsuko, finally able to relax after this insanity. The woman laughed, taking Himeko for a dance. Mei felt like vomiting, the room spinning in her eyes. Yuzu didn't let her hesitate, taking her again.
"Now you're going to dance with me."
"Anything for you, my love."
I started this work of fiction for myself, I didn't expect the joy it gives me to know there's still people that care for this couple and bothers to read this madness.
I still have a couple of chapters set that I'm fixing, but I'm very open to any reviews on my writing or suggestions for the story. I'm particularly worried on keeping the characters in their native personality, although I understand Mei's has been pushed a bit far on this chapter. Please entertain my thoughts on it.
If anyone is wondering, the show the couple was watching is the anime of the hour, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The song, if you care to listen to it as the action unfolds, is Aritus x コンシャスTHOUGHTS - You Are The Winner Of My Heart. Feel free to re-read if the "plan" was a bit confusing or to enjoy with a hindsight or the envisioned soundtrack.
Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy the next chapter, this last one being rather long and lacking any YuzuxMei filth. The night will continue, just the two of them.
And also, hello everyone :)