scrambleytoast: ok
listen
i got an idea
Panda579: Oh no…
scrambleytoast: dont you oh no me miss
ya know how youre always draggin me places?
Panda579: Oh noooooo
I've never dragged you anywhere. I send you an invitation and you come willingly
scrambleytoast: oh yea totally
hey hitomi you wanna go looking for secret demon pirate treasure?
your options are yes/yes
you sure spoil me for choice!
Panda579: Actually, I believe your options were 'Yes' or 'Hell Yes!'
Please try to get it right next time
scrambleytoast: ;)
ok serious listen
what if
right
what if
you listening yea?
Panda579: I'm waiting
scrambleytoast: not what i asked! :)
wha if instead of me following you aronud
you go were i wanna go instead
for once
?
Panda579: That sounds
scrambleytoast: great!
Panda579: Uhhh
Not quite that
scrambleytoast: super great?
Panda579: HMmmmm
Okay
scrambleytoast: :D
Panda579: But where will you take me, I wonder…
scrambleytoast: weell
this might sound boring to you
dont have money for anything real exotic
but maybe youd wanna come to germany?
ill pay for your ticket and everythign since you always flying me everywhere
Panda579: Nah that wouldn't be necessary. I won't be going poor anytime soon
Back in a moment
scrambleytoast: no id pay
flights arent THAT expensive
if you want to come that is
idk its not the most exciting place
jus thought you might want to visit
we havent seen each other so lon g
n idk if they ever gonna have another doa tourney
nobody talks about it anymore :(
Panda579: Back
Yeah Idk either, kinda frustrating
- 'its not the most exciting place' Says you, you've lived there all your life
Going to look up tickets now
scrambleytoast: seriously?
i mean im gonna need to wait till im done with uni semester but!
Panda579: Yeah, same here
Can't afford to skip anymore classes
scrambleytoast: oh phew
i thought you were gonna order one right away
im proud youre taking your studies so serious now!
Panda579: Ahahah
scrambleytoast: need time to make preparations anyways
me n some friends been trying to make somethin happen for awhile
so everyones tryin to get time off round same time
wanted to ask you first before we do anything
Panda579: Aww, how sweet of you
I'm game tho.
It has been a while…
scrambleytoast: :D
Panda579: And I have never been to Germany before. I couldn't think of a better tour guide to have
scrambleytoast: :D :D
awesome!
gonna be at least a month before we get everything arranged
aiming to get two weeks off
that ok wit you?
Panda579: Two weeks would be great for me. Can't see myself having any isse arranging that
scrambleytoast: yeeeee
Panda579: *issue
scrambleytoast:ill keep you updated
cant wait!
and im still payin for your ticket
Panda579: We'll see, we'll see…
Gotta go. Father wishes to see me
scrambleytoast: uh oh…..
good luck lei-lei
cya :)
—
Hitomi leaned over the railing of her apartment balcony, her foot bouncing in anticipation. After several weeks of careful planning and schedule syncing, mixed in between bouts of intense examinations and consistent work, the day had finally arrived. Unless Leifang had, like, lied to her or something, she had touched ground at Freiburg airport not ten minutes ago and was now making her way to Hitomi's place by taxi. Which meant, all going well, Hitomi would soon once again be face-to-face with her vicious rival, her great friend, her sworn ally - well, as Leifang had put it, anyway.
The summertime sun beat down on Hitomi's face, the heat tempered by the gentle breeze blowing past. She checked her phone for the seventh time in the past seven minutes, excitement drumming on her heart. No further updates from Leifang had arrived. Hitomi blew out a breath, lowering her device. Eight months had passed since she and Leifang parted ways after the sixth Dead or Alive tournament, and the constant demands of their day-to-day lives resumed. Both their birthdays had come and gone in that time, and while talks of celebrating in person had been shared between them, busy schedules proved to be a troublesome roadblock. They remained in close contact online, sure, and barely a day went by where one did not say something, or share something they found funny or insightful with the other, but. It simply wasn't the same.
An urge to move brought Hitomi back into the soft-coloured walls of her apartment. She paced to, fro, side-to-side, before slumping over the back of her sofa belly first, phone propped ahead of her. She hadn't felt this impatient in a long time. She'd already cleaned and tidied her apartment twice over, straightened every little ornament and picture and trophy she had on display, did everything she could think to make her space as presentable as possible. First impressions mattered, especially for a certain high society T'ai Chi Ch'uan master, if Leifang's past offhand comments about decor had been anything to go by. Hitomi knew she only had so much to work with, and while it would've been nice to dream that the meagre, humble abode of a Karate girl would impress her friend, she didn't want to delude herself too much.
With a deep inhale, Hitomi returned to the balcony before releasing her breath to the wind. No sign of anything on the road beneath her - yet. She resisted the temptation to send Leifang a followup message, find out if she was close - but then, actually, why would Leifang even try to update her when Leifang herself likely didn't know where she was? She'd never been to Germany before - and Leifang being Leifang she'd outright refused Hitomi's offer to meet her at the airport. 'This is something I gotta do for myself' - heck, it was bad enough that Leifang simply would not take money for the flight, she'd also rather place all her bets on a written address alone. Had Hitomi not spent nearly an entire week insisting that Leifang did not book a hotel room and stayed at her apartment instead… well, Hitomi guessed she'd still have to find out if Leifang kept her word about that. It wouldn't be as glamorous as a five-star hotel, but Hitomi had a guest room and living space for two, and it wouldn't cost Leifang a cent. She didn't care how rich her friend was, the principle of it mattered more to Hitomi.
Hitomi could've met her at the airport anyway, of course, and would have if Leifang hadn't proven to her that she'd put at least some thought into a plan of action. She figured she'd save the price of a return fare and wait for Leifang at home, and if anything went wrong - well, then they could both be in for a fun game of hot and cold across the city.
After some more minutes laboriously passed, Hitomi decided to put on her shoes and head downstairs to wait for Leifang outside the apartment complex. She sat down on a bench in the shade of the building's overhang, giving herself a clear sightline of the road in comfort. She watched passers-by, stared off at the buildings in the distance, swayed her knees, clicked her tongue. Surely Leifang couldn't be too far away by now.
Her heart skipped a beat whenever a cream-coloured taxi rounded the corner, only to sink when the vehicle drove on. She clacked her fingers against the back of her phone as though typing out an invisible message, then willed herself to to take slow, calming breaths. Relax, Hitomi. It's only Leifang...
Hitomi's foot started to bounce again. She pressed her knees together, closing her eyes as she leaned forward. Damn was this wait insufferable. Eight months was not that long of a time to be apart by any stretch of the imagination, especially given the global distance between them, but for Hitomi it had started to feel quite more than enough. Part of her even wondered, outside of all the photos Leifang often shared, if she'd recognise her friend right away…
The sound of another car reached Hitomi's ears, yet only when the engine continued to rumble did she reopen her eyes. A large, black, unmarked vehicle had parked itself at the curbside, its windows tinted dark and reflecting only its surroundings back at the world. A suited man, his attire far beyond the standard of any ordinary taxi driver, stepped out from the driver's seat and rounded to the opposite side of the vehicle - and Hitomi put two and two together. You can't be serious, Lei…
Hitomi pocketed her phone and patted down her jeans as she stood. She paced herself towards the vehicle, rubbing at her neck as the driver reappeared around the back and opened the trunk. Then, a few seconds later, a young woman stepped up behind him, arms behind her back, wearing a striped blue and white shirt, a long white skirt, and her dark hair done up in pigtails. Quintessentially, unmistakably Leifang.
A smile burgeoned on Hitomi's face as she silently approached.
Before Hitomi could even reach them, Leifang locked eyes with her. Her friend raised her chin, regarded her sternly, and by anyone else's standard they would have presumed that she was looking down on Hitomi. Only she could have known what that small turn on the corner of her friend's lips actually meant. They remained silent between one another as Hitomi came to a stop at the side of the road.
"May I help?" Hitomi said in her native tongue, directing her offer towards the driver. The man looked to his side, half-bent over the sizable luggage case that sat within the trunk. With no shift in his stoic, yet pleasant expression, he answered her in kind.
"Ah. No need, miss. I have this–" He tugged at the luggage, causing little movement, "-under control." His fruitless attempts to lift the case proved otherwise to Hitomi.
"It's okay," Leifang said in English, also addressing the driver. "My bellhop's arrived. We can take it from here."
Hitomi almost shot her a glare. Leifang only looked at her.
"Ahh. Well, your fare covers luggage transport," the driver answered Leifang, reciprocating her chosen language, though thick in accent. "I am obliged to make sure everything reaches the destination safely."
"You've done plenty to help already." Leifang waved a hand, as if dismissing him. "If your employer needs a follow up you can tell them I was more than satisfied with the service."
"Ahhh." Still, the driver's hands did not leave the luggage case. He twisted to face Hitomi, as if seeking confirmation his passenger was being genuine.
Hitomi smiled politely. "It's easier to just listen to her," she said, once again in their shared home language. The driver's face took a turn for the mildly apprehensive as he nodded, then he relinquished his grip on the red coloured case and let Hitomi take over.
With a grunt, Hitomi soon realised why the driver had been struggling as she lifted it out of the trunk and onto the tiled pavement. The damn thing was hea-vy! The man looked simultaneously impressed with Hitomi and embarrassed with himself, but remained tight-lipped as he smoothed out his uniform.
Afterwards, Leifang herself reached into the trunk and collected a much smaller luggage case, followed by her even smaller handbag which she strapped over her shoulder. With her technically free hand she reached into her handbag, pulled out a one hundred euro note and held it towards the driver. He looked as bemused as Hitomi did amused.
"Your fare has already been paid," he stated flatly, hands held at attention before him.
"Consider it a tip," Leifang said, the corner of her lip stretching to one side.
"I cannot accept tips."
"Then consider it a personal donation."
"I cannot accept donations."
Hitomi snickered to herself, which caught her friend's attention. Leifang slowly twirled towards the vehicle.
"In that case-" Leifang set the euro note gently into the trunk "-think of it as good fortune that you so happened to find something extra today, completely by accident."
The driver hesitated, staring po-faced at the note glistening against the interior of the trunk. And then, with a subtle look of amusement directed at Hitomi, he turned to Leifang and bowed his head graciously.
"I hope you enjoy your stay, madame."
With a firm nod in return, Leifang stepped aside to let the driver close the trunk door, and then stood quietly beside Hitomi as he re-entered the vehicle.
"Since when did you start dabbling in philanthropy?" Hitomi said in English, her head turned from Leifang as she watched him drive away.
"Oh, you know," Leifang said, her voice hitting playful notes. "Have to reward good work and effort when you see it."
"Uh-huh." Hitomi faced her, slowly narrowed her eyes on Leifang's plain expression. "So you never just hand me money because…?"
With a wide, bright smile and a flick of her pigtails, Leifang leaned a little closer. "Maybe that's something for you to think about, Hitomi."
Hitomi allowed the smirk on her face to grow. Before Leifang could move, Hitomi left the luggage case standing as she dodged around it and swept Leifang off her feet in a tight hug. Her friend yelped in surprise, which eventually devolved into laughter - and Hitomi fell with her.
God it felt good to see her friend again.
"Hitomi," Leifang eventually managed to peep out. "Don't squeeze. So hard. Ate. An hour ago."
"Oh." Hitomi froze up, then quickly loosened her clutch, understanding the implications. Leifang bounced back on her heels with a solid click, both hands still occupied by the small case and her handbag strap respectively. "Sorry," Hitomi said with an embarrassed grin. She brushed down Leifang's shoulders with exaggerated flair then stepped back to give her space.
"Is that how everyone says hello here?" Leifang said, readjusting herself.
Hitomi shrugged, fixing in on Leifang's dark brown eyes. "Dunno. Depends on who it is and what you want from them, I guess."
Leifang chuckled, cocking her head slightly. "Or maybe it's just a 'You' thing."
"Not for people I see every day, that's for sure." Hitomi smiled. "You're looking great, by the way."
"Ah, I am honoured then." Hitomi stifled a laugh as Leifang gave her a mock curtsey. "But do me a favour and wait a while before you try that again. Would rather keep my lunch, thanks."
Hitomi raised a finger to her lips, propping her other hand on her hip. "I'll try my best." She relaxed her posture, enjoying the light breeze that flowed in from behind her. "So, how was your flight?"
Leifang nodded in satisfaction, her dark brown hair sheening in the sunlight. "Honestly? Best part was how easily I got to sleep. Sooo comfortable. And quiet. Food was good, too."
Hitomi knew her friend wasn't joking. She'd never seen anyone that had looked quite as refreshed after a double-digit hour flight as Leifang did. Certainly nothing like herself, where any time approaching five hours in the air had Hitomi looking and feeling like a surly bear after being sent for a tumble in a washing machine.
All things considered, if the flight was that good, then maybe she was glad that Leifang didn't take her up on her offer to pay for it after all…
"Awesome," Hitomi said. "Wasn't sure if you'd wanna rest up when you got here. There's a bed with your name on it, though, so anytime you need some shut eye." Hitomi let the sentence hang as Leifang nodded her understanding.
"How very generous of you," Leifang said pompously, puckering her lips tight. "And where, perhaps, may this room be located, my dear?"
Hitomi jolted her head back, one eye narrowed at Leifang in amusement. Her friend broke character almost instantly, laughing as much at herself as Hitomi's reaction. Reaching a hand behind her, Hitomi grabbed the handle of the large luggage case and tilted it onto its wheels.
"C'mon, I'll show ya."
Leifang bounced her handbag on her shoulder. "Lead the way, my chaperone."
With a hefty tug, Hitomi wheeled Leifang's luggage case behind her as they moved towards the keypad locked door of the apartment complex. She spied Leifang staring up at the five story tall building, tilting her head curiously.
"You own all this, then?" Leifang asked.
"Mmm, sure," she played along. "Hitomi Towers. Ya like it?"
Her friend shrugged. "I've seen worse."
"Ahhh," Hitomi said, holding a finger up at Leifang, "but have you seen better?"
She caught Leifang's side-eye, backed up by her cheeky smirk before she looked away from Hitomi. No answer followed, which was exactly the answer she expected. Hitomi shook her head, smiling to herself.
Making a point to show Leifang the code to enter the building, they made their way inside to the dark tiles and slick walls of the ground floor lobby. On every other instance, Hitomi would've used the stairs - under today's special circumstances however, she didn't enjoy the thought of lugging an undisclosed amount of weight up them. Instead, she moved towards the elevator, jabbed on the button to call it, and crossed her fingers-
-Then breathed a sigh of relief when the doors opened.
"This thing's got a bad habit of breaking down," Hitomi told her friend. "Dunno how many times it's been fixed now."
"Huh," Leifang said. She gave a look of concern as Hitomi fearlessly stepped inside, the luggage wheels clattering on the metallic floor as it crossed the perimeter. Leifang stayed safely outside. "You, uh. Sure it's safe, then? Has anybody ever got trapped in it before?"
"Nope!" Hitomi chirped, answering both her questions in one go. She rested both her hands on the extended luggage handle then placed her chin on them. "If you're scared though, you can always take the stairs. My place is on the third floor - can meet ya up there."
Leifang's eyes hardened as she arched her back pridefully. "Scared?" With a harumph, she was standing beside Hitomi in no time flat. "Don't even kid yourself." Hitomi looked at her for a silent moment, smirked, then made a move to press the button for the third floor - only to have Leifang beat her to the punch with a swift tap.
Hitomi kept her giggle to herself as the doors closed and the elevator jostled into movement. Leifang really hadn't changed one bit.
"On the bright side," Hitomi said, "if anything does happen, at least we got to see each other again."
"Hmm." Leifang stared straight ahead, her expression almost pensive. Hitomi opened her mouth to speak, only to stop when Leifang turned to her and smiled mischivously. "Nah. You think this'd stop us? We'd find a way out."
With a flick of her head Leifang faced forward again - and for a short time, Hitomi stared at her, teeth resting on her lower lip before her mouth fully closed. "Yeah," she said confidently. "Damn straight."
Only a few moments later, the ride successfully reached its destination. Leifang slipped out first, then stood aside to wait. Hitomi followed, grabbed her keys from her front pocket and swung open her apartment door before presenting the open passageway to Leifang.
"Ladies first!"
With a stuck-out tongue caught tight between teeth, Leifang made no actual argument and stepped inside. Hitomi swivelled the luggage case in front of her, using her foot to help with leverage as she pushed it into the apartment, then closed the door behind her with a satisfying click.
"So. Ahm." Hitomi bounced her arms against her sides as she turned, then thrust them out wide as if ready to embrace everything before her. "Willkommen! Make yourself at home." She watched as Leifang quietly scanned eyes across her home, her friend paying particular attention to the ceiling height and the open plan kitchen. Hitomi cleared her throat, her chest fluttering in nervousness about what Leifang might be thinking - or arguably worse, what she might say. "I uh. I know it's not much, but – eh." Heh-heeeeehhh ahhh, God…
Leifang spun around slowly, head still pointed towards the ceiling. "Helluva lot bigger than I thought it was gonna be," she stated plainly, setting her luggage onto the wooden floor. "And that kitchen - you running a whole catering team outta there?"
"Uhh - nope," Hitomi said, bunching her shoulders up as she stepped towards her friend. "Just a one girl army here." Her friend's comments had been around the level of bluntness she'd expected to hear, yet still Hitomi found herself a little taken aback. Leifang seemed… sorta pleased? "Actually, the kitchen was half the reason I even bought this place."
"Shouldn't have expected anything less," Leifang said. She crossed her arms loosely and meandered further into the living room, taking wide steps. "Not the colour I thought you'd pick for the walls, though."
"Just the way it was furnished." Hitomi shrugged, smiling flatly at the duo-tone layout of peach and dark brown. "Guess I got used to it pretty quick."
"Hmm." Leifang ran a finger along the black leather sofa as she passed by. Her heels clicked loudly against the wooden flooring, echoing her presence throughout the entire apartment.
"You know something?" she asked, turning her back to Hitomi.
Hitomi's stomach sank, only a little. The more she thought about it, she couldn't help but find it funny - why did Leifang's opinion about her home matter so much to her? She kept it clean, she kept it tidy, and it satisfied her personally - there's nothing her friend could actually say that would change her own view of her own space. And yet…
"Yeah?" Hitomi eventually replied, her mouth quirked.
Nodding slowly, Leifang twirled around in front of the balcony window, sunlight bathing her in white-gold. She looked Hitomi dead in the eye, and then smiled.
"I think I'll stay here for a while."
On the surface, Hitomi only gave Leifang a goofy smirk. Inside, her small validation coated her in warmth, like a blanket on a cold winter's night.
"Glad to hear it," Hitomi said, placing her hands on her hips. "Happy to have some company over."
Leifang gave a cheeky, staggered laugh, lifting her handbag off her shoulder and moving to set it on the sofa. "That so? We'll see if you're saying that a week from now."
"Ah, nonsense!" Hitomi swiped a hand, then knelt down to remove her shoes. "I'm sure you're a great roommate."
"Oh, that's a given," Leifang said, leaning her backside against the sofa. "It's you I'm not so sure about."
"Huh." Setting her shoes aside, Hitomi furrowed her brow and faced Leifang. "Wow."
"Probably kinda difficult to live with, honestly," Leifang continued.
"Wooow." Hitomi wandered off towards the kitchen, shaking her head.
"I mean, I hope these walls are thick, because if I hear you snoring at night, then–"
"Hey – do you still wanna, like, order that hotel room, maybe?" Hitomi didn't have to look at Leifang to know the expression she'd have on her face.
"Yeah, sure," Leifang said. "We'll book a room for you, and then I can start living here instead!"
Hitomi turned around, leaned over the black marble of the kitchen counter, palms flat. "Only if that means I get to go back to your home and take all your stuff. It's only fair, right?"
"If that meant I had to take your stuff, too?" Leifang seemed to ponder it, her face twisted in barely concealed humour. "No, not really. I'd rather not be the proud owner of fifteen slightly different tank tops."
"Then I guess we'll keep things the way they are!" Hitomi shrugged exaggeratedly, hands turned upwards.
"Okay, okay…" Leifang conceded, then immediately burst into laughter. "'Wooow'" She'd mimicked Hitomi under her breath - with special attention given to a certain accent Leifang seemed to find amusing - but Hitomi heard her clearly. Choosing not to acknowledge it aloud, Hitomi stepped back from the counter.
"So," she said. "Anything I can get ya? A drink, or… well, I know you said you've eaten already, but maybe something light?" She thought of the little 'surprise' she had made from scratch the previous day, just for Leifang.
Leifang moved closer, her thumb placed on her chin. "Y'know, a cola would be great right about now. Especially a cold one." She moved her hand up to her forehead, wiping underneath her fringe. "You weren't kidding when you said it would be warm here."
"Heh." Within a few moments, Hitomi had retrieved a can from her fridge and transferred it to Leifang. "You're lucky. Normally I wouldn't keep soda at home, but – figured I should be prepared just in case."
"And normally I don't drink the stuff," Leifang said, and pulled the tab with a fizzy crack. "Special occasion, though!" With a cocked smile, she toasted the air. "Dank-ye."
Hitomi nodded quickly, happily, top teeth showing in a little smile. "Huh?"
Leifang blinked. "Uh. Dan…keh?"
"Oh." Hitomi nodded again, this time in understanding. "Yeah. No problem."
Her friend beamed pridefully, cheeks practically glowing. "I've been learning, you know." She took a sip, then turned to move towards the sofa. "Gonna be a master of the language in no time."
"Yeah, uhh - sure!" Hitomi wanted to believe that Leifang was being sarcastic, but she knew better. With a few pointers here and there, and enough commitment on Leifang's part, she could learn more than a thing or two about German over their fortnight together. After filling a glass of water for herself, Hitomi joined Leifang in the living area.
By the time Hitomi sat herself down on the opposite end of the sofa, Leifang had already fully reclined, head thrown back and submitting to comfort.
"Man…" Leifang breathed out, holding her drink can on her knee. Despite all the energy she had moments earlier, she now appeared overcome with exhaustion.
When Leifang remained silent, Hitomi made an affirming noise in her throat. She propped her elbows on her knees, glass held in both hands before her.
"So, ahm. I don't really have anything planned for today," Hitomi said. "Kinda figured you'd wanna take it easy. It'll be a couple of days before everything kicks off, anyway."
"'Kicks off', huh?" Leifang lifted her head and glanced at her, curious. "Sounds like things are going to get crazy around here."
"Naah," Hitomi said, hair waving gently as she shook her head. "Hate to tell ya, but it's probably not gonna be that exciting. Let's not worry about it now though." Hitomi shifted in her seat to better face Leifang. "You can have a look at the itinerary tomorrow."
"Itinerary?" Leifang's brow furrowed deep. "What, you mean – you've got both weeks totally planned out, or something."
"Mm-hmm! Well, as best as I could anyway."
"Like – completely totally planned out?"
In answer, Hitomi gave an enthusiastic nod, grinning.
"Huh…" Leifang leaned her head back, pressing into the sofa cushion. "Just for us?"
"Well – for my other friends, too. For all of us, really," Hitomi said. She sipped on her water. "Had to make sure all our schedules aligned, sooo – just easier to draw up a plan and run it by everyone."
"Oh, right. That. Makes sense, actually." An undertone of disappointment tinged Leifang's voice as she spoke to the ceiling. Hitomi quietly cleared her throat.
"I, um. Wanted to keep everything a surprise for you, though," Hitomi said. "For when you got here. Hope that's not a problem?" Though slow to react, Leifang eventually straightened up and looked at her, shaking her head.
"No, no. I didn't —" Leifang cut herself off, glancing towards the balcony for a split-second - a gesture that told Hitomi her friend was actively choosing her words, carefully or otherwise. "I just never thought you'd be so organised."
Hitomi figured that wasn't quite what Leifang wanted to say. She rolled with it anyway. "Well y'know, when I follow your lead, I'm also more than happy to follow whatever plans you've made." Then, Hitomi's expression took a turn for the devilish. "Because you do make plans, don't you? We don't just, like, follow someone into the Amazon and then fly by the seat of our pants. Right?"
Leifang looked at her, slightly worried and confused. She occupied her mouth with cola.
"Exactly," Hitomi said, giggling. "Glad you agree."
"Hmm?" Leifang said, eyes widened innocently. "Sorry, were you saying something?"
"Yeah yeah yeah," Hitomi laughed out. She extended a finger out to point at Leifang, glass still held tightly in both hands. "But just remember - when you follow my lead, we do things my way on my time. "
"And what happens on your time, exactly?" Leifang raised her chin haughtily, though the playful look in her eyes revealed the real meaning behind it.
Hitomi breathed out a tiny little puff of air. "Lots of fun, lots of laughs, and lots of yummy food."
Leifang pursed her lips, nodded as if in satisfaction. "Well – the first two sound pretty sketchy, but I'll buy the food part."
"Oh, trust me, you'll get all three of them," Hitomi said quietly. "I'll make sure of it."
A moment of silence rushed in between them, a placid, soft stare being their only interaction. Hitomi tilted her head, just a little. Then Leifang tilted hers even more, pigtails drooping to one side. Hitomi matched it - followed by Leifang, further still. And again - further. Only when their ears touched their shoulders and their hair began to block their vision did Hitomi break into a fit of giggles - and then Leifang followed her lead.
One outta three already, Hitomi thought.
Her eyes found her glass, the floor beneath distorted through the pooled liquid inside it. Hitomi found it strange. The only times she ever got to see Leifang were either under wild training regimes, competitive pretences or while decompressing on sandy beaches - never for long, and never frequent enough. Yet, being in the same room with Leifang now, in her own home, with no other obligations or distractions - it felt somehow surreal, and at the same time perfectly normal, like they'd never been apart at all. The thought alone filled Hitomi with tranquillity, as still as the water in her hands.
Leifang's loud, ascending yawn snapped Hitomi's attention back onto her. Her friend had the back of her hand to her mouth, eyes squeezed shut.
"Maybe you should take a nap," Hitomi suggested. It took a few more seconds for Leifang's yawn to die down - and simply by watching her, Hitomi had to stifle one of her own. "Like I said - I've got a bed ready for you and all."
"I'm not even tired," Leifang said, rolling her neck to one side. "Why bother sleeping on the way here if I'm just going to—" Another heavy yawn interrupted her. When it finally passed, she looked again at Hitomi, eyes half open.
Hitomi smiled. "Go on."
Leifang sighed - a sad, defeated little sound. "Maybe for an hour. Don't want to waste the rest of the day, you know."
"I'd rather you get some more sleep now before you end up conked out on the floor," Hitomi said. Leifang huffed a breath in response, her head hanging tiredly before taking another drink. "I can help you unpack later," Hitomi continued, nodding towards the hefty luggage case sitting beside the apartment door. "Gonna guess you brought your entire wardrobe with you."
"Only the essentials," Leifang said. Hitomi could almost hear the smirk in her voice. "But yeah. I can agree to that."
"Okay." Hitomi stood up, setting her glass down on the coffee table before tugging the hem of her t-shirt down. Leifang slowly stood after her. "I'll show you the, eh, guest of honour room. And if you need anything else to drink or whatever, help yourself. I'll just add it onto your tab."
"Sure thing," Leifang said, retrieving her handbag from the sofa, her other hand still clutching her beverage. Her heels rang heavy behind Hitomi's sock-padded steps as they moved towards the guest room door. Hitomi swung it inward, held it open as Leifang moved further into the small room. She watched as her friend sat down atop the fresh, plain-white duvet of the bed, placing her cola on the bedside cabinet before removing her footwear.
Hitomi held her hands behind her back, pressed against the door. "If you wanna change into something more comfortable, I can get your cases for you now, or–"
"Nah, it's okay," Leifang said, looking up at Hitomi from her bent position. "Not getting under the covers or anything. Don't want to get too cosy."
"Hmm. Okay." Hitomi nodded. "Let me know if you need anything, alright?"
With a silent, sleepy nod from Leifang, Hitomi carefully shut the door and gave her friend some peace.
Hitomi looked around the now lifeless room - save for herself - finding only the familiar sights and sounds that greeted her nearly every day. The distant activity flowing inside from the balcony doors, the wispy flapping of the thin curtains, the specks of dust dancing in the sunlight and the subtle hum of appliances all over the apartment. Only Hitomi ever got to witness them, really - her and her alone, and enough times that she earned a small appreciation for it.
Guests were an uncommon occurrence for her, and even less so for such extended periods of time. How strange it felt, then, to think that someone else might have a chance to feel what she feels, even if only for a time. Even knowing that the largely ignored room was occupied felt weird, and by someone she only could have ever hoped would accept an invitation to denigrate herself to a simple hovel when spectacle and luxury were well within her means. Hell, Leifang never said yes to anything she didn't want to do, but maybe in this instance she really was simply being polite, for Hitomi's sake. Throw the puppy a bone every so often, and maybe she'll keep on following behind…
Honestly, Hitomi didn't know what to feel. But her heart told her to smile, and God if she didn't listen to her heart more than she probably should have.
She breathed through her nose, allowed herself to relax, and when a surge of hunger pecked at her stomach, Hitomi moved purposefully to the kitchen to grab herself a snack, smiling to herself in earnest.
—
StabbersTDC: Has your lass arrived yet?
scrambleytoast: yeah shes here now
StabbersTDC: Oh, loveleh
Settling in alright?
scrambleytoast: seems to be
she went to bed a few hours ago and hasnt woken up since
StabbersTDC: Hah
Jetlag's a bitch
scrambleytoast: jus gonna let her sleep
she can have her dessert for dinner if she gets hungy lol
StabbersTDC: Sounds like something i'd do every night
scrambleytoast: :P
you working tomo yeah?
StabbersTDC: Yee
Two more days before the holidayyyy
scrambleytoast: wohoo!
gonna call in to you in the morning
let you meet lei and all
so please please please be nice :3
StabbersTDC: Well, i will be working so I won't have much choice.
scrambleytoast: :\
pleaaaaaase
StabbersTDC: I promise i won't spill coffee all over her
On purpose
scrambleytoast: cmon now
youll like her
StabbersTDC: Ohhh don't worry
I'll behave
scrambleytoast: :)
StabbersTDC: Have you been talking to Leo yet?"
scrambleytoast: hes good to go
jus has some family stuff going on over weekend
will be ready for monday
StabbersTDC: Aye his wee bro's in some tennis event thing he said
Wouldn't be surprised if he was actually scratching his arse all weekend
scrambleytoast: lol no hes busy
even mike said so
StabbersTDC: Well damn
scrambleytoast: gonna go here makin dinner
cya tomo !
StabbersTDC: No prob, catch you 'morrow
Love ya :3
scrambleytoast: :3