All for the Want of a Cuddle
(A 'She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat' Story)
By: Funakounasoul

Disclaimer: "She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat" is a manga by Sakaomi Yuzaki, by the way. I'm just borrowing the characters~

A/N: One COULD consider this the "SFW" version of my other fic, "Be Selfish in Front of Me," but, to be honest, these were inspired by totally different things. In the case of this fic, I had once sketched an image of a needy-looking Kasuga hugging Nomoto from behind. Anyway, as long as you're up to date with the comic (vol 4/Ch 37) you are fine! I wrote this with the intent to not rely on spoilers like I have in the past, heh...though the drama has spoiled us a little, if you've watched it lol.


With everything cleaned up for the evening, Nomoto put herself to work on packing up the extras for future work lunches and leftovers. It was amazing how much they still had left over during these food dates between her and Kasuga, despite the two putting in their own efforts to chow down on some hefty platters, especially the latter. It made for a healthy budget, though, and saving money was always good.

As she continued packing up portions in various tupperware, Nomoto had no clue that she was being watched from just a short distance away. Kasuga had long since finished helping with the clean-up, but she found herself eyeing her girlfriend with a strange sensation of longing. She didn't understand why. They worked during the day, but they have all the evenings in the world (and mornings, too) to see each other now. So why, she wondered, did she feel like demanding more time together?

It was rather unsettling, to be honest.

"Kasuga-san? Are you alright?"

Kasuga blinked out of her thoughts. Glancing up from her seat, she noticed Nomoto hovering over her, looking slightly concerned. The sight of her apron and rolled up sleeves told her she was not done with her activity in the kitchen. Had she started to space out?

"Oh," she mumbled in reply. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I had asked if you wanted me to supplement one of your portions with something else, and you didn't say anything."

"I'm sorry. Um. Yes. I'm fine with whatever you choose. I was just…thinking about other things."

Nomoto tilted her head. "Other things?" she queried.

Kasuga shook her head, assuring her it was nothing important. "It's just small stuff."

"All right…If you need to head to bed early, it's fine." As Nomoto headed back toward the kitchen, she paused, and turned back to face Kasuga. "Good night if you do," she added, smiling warmly.

As her girlfriend turned her focus back to the kitchen, Kasuga felt her face slowly scrunch up into more of a frown. Head to bed… The two still slept in two separate rooms. Logically, it made sense; they were still in the early stages of their relationship. These were new days spent in an apartment they both shared. The strange thoughts that have been plaguing Kasuga this evening resurfaced once more.

Why did she have to go to her bedroom and be alone for the rest of the evening? She wanted to spend her night with Nomoto. She wanted to be by her side, she wanted to enjoy her company. Kasuga eyed Nomoto once more, taking in all her features – Her delicate hands moving about as she moved food into some containers, the way her apron loosely fit across her torso, the warm smile etched on her beautiful face, and those gentle-yet-focused eyes shifting to and fro while she moves along… She yearned to have her in her arms and feel her warmth. It was a little selfish, really.

Was she just being selfish all this time?

It had been a long day at work. There were a lot of displays that had to be changed over, so many things moved around. It felt even longer when customers would go to her for questions, as if she was a full-time employee at the stores she visited (but she couldn't help herself and assisted them regardless). As the day rolled on, thoughts of Nomoto began to peek into her mind. Even after a hard day's work, sitting down, enjoying Nomoto's meals, and simply hanging out together was a truly relaxing experience. Now, however, their dinner was already over and it would be time for bed soon. Then the process would repeat, but to Kasuga, it felt like less time with Nomoto and work arriving quicker.

Kasuga used to be fine working alone –being alone. Nomoto has truly shifted some of her gears in these past few months. While she still enjoyed some nice, quiet times, she felt more eager to rejoin her girlfriend every evening, having all that time to themselves. When mixed together, this combination of work stress and eagerness to relax has made for a surprisingly selfish Kasuga. She regretted spending so much time eating seconds, she hated that these thoughts took over her mind, wasting more time that could have been spent with Nomoto, she felt terrible for worrying Nomoto over some silly, self-centered thoughts.

Ah, I can't…

In the kitchen, Nomoto had pressed together the last of the tupperware containers with a satisfying snap. There really weren't many leftovers, overall, but with a few spare ingredients, she was able to spread them out for both her and Kasuga's future lunches that week. Even something as simple as this made her giddy at the thought that Kasuga would be enjoying these meals for days to come.

Kasuga-san… She's been really strange today.

As Nomoto placed the containers in their fridge, she thought back to her girlfriend's strange appearance since returning home. She seemed more tired than usual, and, while she was normally a very quiet individual, she felt more closed-off tonight. Had something happen during her shift today? Was she afraid of telling Nomoto some bad news? As Nomoto closed her eyes in thought, her mind recalled the forlorn look Kasuga had only moments before. Perhaps she was… Just as she was mulling over these thoughts, however, a familiar pair of arms wound around Nomoto's waist, gently squeezing her close…closer to…

"Kasuga-san?"

Behind her stood Kasuga, her head easing into Nomoto's shoulder. She was looking downward at first, as if shy about making eye contact. Nomoto repeated her name, and this time Kasuga responded. Unmoving, the other woman simply glanced up from her current position, her normally soft eyes now displaying a sense of…curiosity? Sadness? No, that wasn't quite right. It almost felt like both. Whatever it was, though, she couldn't help finding it particularly adorable on Kasuga's features.

"Nomoto-san, I…I need you tonight." Kasuga murmured into Nomoto's shirt, eyes still focused up at Nomoto's face.

Need?

It was at this point Nomoto realized just how close they truly were. Not only was she aware of her own breathing now but Kasuga's as well. It was almost the same, slightly nervous breathing. Wait, was she trying to sync up? Her eyes began to dart in other directions, anywhere besides Kasuga right now. As if in response, she felt Kasuga's arms shift into a tighter embrace and she could feel her muscles begin to relax. The power this woman had over her… Sometimes Nomoto wondered if she deserved her, but those thoughts brushed away in favor of the present.

Silence filled the room. Kasuga had buried her head back into Nomoto's shoulder and heaved a long sigh. She let her strange thoughts win and, without any warning, had walked up and took Nomoto into her arms. Nomoto was standing there, frozen. She had a feeling she overstepped her boundaries. Regret soon filled her thoughts. She could have done this differently. She could have opened up to Nomoto, but she really did not want to talk tonight. She needed to de-stress. She wanted to be with Nomoto just a little longer…

Slowly, Nomoto raised her hands from her sides and lightly placed them over Kasuga's. Kasuga's hands twitched in surprise, but they remained in place. She shifted her eyes once more, looking up toward Nomoto. She was not making contact, but from Kasuga's position, she could make out the gentlest of smiles – she reciprocated.

The relief washed over Kasuga like a cool shower. Nomoto must have sensed it as well because she began to rub her thumbs over Kasuga's hands in slow circles. It relaxed Kasuga further. She adjusted her head into the crook of Nomoto's neck and closed her eyes. Those strange thoughts were quieting down. She still felt a sense of selfishness, but now she could keep it under control.

Finally, after a few more moments in their shared silence, Kasuga raised her head to speak. "I'm sorry," she apologized quietly. "I don't know what got over me. I just…"

"Don't be, its okay." Nomoto might not know what was going on in her girlfriend's mind. Perhaps she would explain tonight, perhaps not. She knew one thing for certain – she did not view this moment negatively, and her girlfriend had no reason to apologize. "I was surprised, but it's fine!"

One more squeeze, and then the two released themselves from their hug. Nomoto looked at Kasuga, adding, "I don't think we've ever hugged like that before."

"No, I guess not."

"…I liked it. Did you?"

Kasuga mulled over it for a moment, then smiled lightly. "I liked it, too." She then glanced past the kitchen, scanning the living room's contents carefully. Shaking off her hesitation, she looked back at Nomoto and asked, "Is it okay if we just sit on the couch for a few more hours?"

"Hm? Just to watch something, or…?"

"It doesn't matter, really." Kasuga took Nomoto's hands into hers. "I just…want to be with you a little longer tonight."

Nomoto looked up at her girlfriend and smiled in agreement. It was surprising to see Kasuga actually being needy. It was adorable. Maybe that was it, she mused. Maybe Kasuga was trying to convey intimacy but was struggling. Whatever the reason, this was a moment Nomoto would cherish for a long time.

END