Author: Anita
Fandom: Takarazuka
Characters: Ootori Mayu / Nozomi Fuuto
Genre: romance, humor
Rating: PG-13
Status: complete
Summary: Since school, Mayu had always had problems dealing with the 89th class; they were from another plane of existence! Now she had been put in the Hanagumi, her seniors decided they all had to mingle and created a game that forced her to deal directly with one of them—and the number two of that class, to make it worse.
Notes: Story written for the Multifandom Yuri Festival, a fic exchange promoted by the community Saint Seiya Super Fics Journal.
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me and all written below is pure fiction.
About Her Deity
Being Mayu’s first Valentine’s Day since turning into a full-fledged actress in the Takarazuka Kageki, she couldn’t help her aggravation at being forced to travel with her troupe seniors and classmates instead of having fun with her friends. It was her break! Her eyes skimmed the platform as a sigh escaped her mouth. Her hands rushed to conceal it before any upperclassmen took notice, and a forced smile appeared on her lips.
She had to continue the chant inside her head. Always purely, properly, beautifully. Yes. She was a flower blooming. But why her? As those thoughts broke her concentration once more, she moved the weight from one leg to the other. Still, no sign of anyone familiar arriving. Would she get lucky? Would the remaining upperclassmen decide that trip to an onsen so far away was a waste of time and simply boycott the program?
“They’re late…” her classmate, Aura Maki, complained and looked at her wristwatch. “Who did you get, Mayo? Mine is that really cute girl from the 88th, Rai-san.”
“Lucky…” Mayu said before even thinking.
That very class had decided to hold a welcome trip for the 91th’ers, setting it to the break after their first official performance in the Hanagumi. They had also preferred a no-one-had-ever-heard-about ryokan for which they would spend an entire afternoon inside a train. At least, everyone would pay for their part; billing the new girls would have been quite easy. Actually, the prospect of traveling with her classmates in Hana and mingling with her upperclassmen was supposed to be exciting, but…
“Why do they all have to come?” Mayu complained, although the smile had managed to remain in spite of how dispirited her body felt. “Couldn’t it be just us and the 90th’ers?”
“But the more, the merrier!” Nono Sumika answered while patting her back. “And it was the 88th’s idea, why wouldn’t they come after organizing? It all seems so much fun. My owner is super funny! Which was yours again?”
Owner… she could pronounce that so lightly. What was up with that game? Only the 88th class would create such a thwarted recreation. Under the excuse to allow everyone to rest, they had proclaimed everyone was relieved from their responsibilities as underclassmen, bar toward one of their upperclassmen—their owner. In reality, the two upper classes would have pets to fulfill their every wish.
Indeed, while Mayu’s owner had not arrived, she did feel lighter not even having to greet everyone or making herself available to run errands for any senior. Her shoulders felt so relaxed… At the same time, she was very fond of her upperclassmen, and always looked forward to those requests as a way to get to know each of them. There was something magical about having them there, although “they” weren’t exclusively the 90th’ers like during the Musical School but everyone. On one hand, that chain of seniors resembled a miracle, leading as far as her kumichou and even the amazing Haruno Sumire, her Top Star.
Mayu’s problem was just one: the radiant 89th’ers. Well, nine problematic people, to be exactly. They shone too much. Surely, observing them from the backstage made her feel happy to be alive. She could still remember getting to the entrance exam place and feeling mesmerized by that class, then still honkasei. Her direct upperclassmen’s had many respectable traits but the feeling they invoked was not an overwhelming punch in the stomach.
Upon reencountering the 89th’ers in the Hanagumi, the sensation of having an otherworldly encounter lingered strong without respite. And that amplified when it came to the second of the class—Nozomi Fuuto.
“My owner is Fuuto-san,” Mayu answered Sumika’s question at the same time she spotted Fuuto’s thin dark hair hopping as her slim body rushed to approach their group.
“Oh, hurry to help her then!” Sumika pushed her shoulder. “Don’t get scolded now you just have one to take care of. One mistake here and we’ll all pay once we’re back, I’m sure.” She rolled her eyes
Mayu was sure her classmate felt more amused than what her words proclaimed. Still, she conformed.
“Good morning, Fuuto-san!” she said in a loud, lively voice, rushing to take the handbag from the other’s hand. Back to her role as the junior.
Fuuto, however, pulled the object to the body and shook her head. “I’ll carry it, it’s not heavy. Also, you have yours, too.” Her head tilted to the bag long abandoned on the floor, next to Maki’s feet.
Not wishing to do anything wrong toward a being so shiny, Mayu insisted: “Please, let me take it.”
She stretched her arm to the handle and attempted to yank it with her full force but Fuuto was stronger than foreseen—as expected from such a superior life. As a result, Mayu lost balance and dove onto the other. Fuuto managed to hold her without falling backward.
“I’m so sorry, are you okay?”
Not believing an upperclassman had just apologized to her with such worried eyes, Mayu could just recoil for a moment.
Fuuto’s voice sounded even more alarmed, “Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine, thank you!” she shouted in response, bowing deeply. “I am very sorry for all of this!”
“No need to apologize. Let’s take your bag and gather with everyone.” Her smile was godly…
By the intensity her stomach revved, Mayu had confirmation she wouldn’t survive after a whole night and another day with that person. At least, her death occurred after encountering true beauty…
Nonetheless, a whole day with that person. Plus that evening. Plus that train trip. Plus the one back. Mayu felt overawed just from thinking as she followed to their seats.
‘Wait, four seats?’ she despaired studying the wagon. Instead of the typical two seats in front of other two, the wagon had them face one another. Despite Fuuto already being the king of light, Mayu’s heart didn’t feel prepared for long hours sitting face to face to yet another divine creature from the 89th class.
She sighed when a girl waved her hand in their direction; beautiful, it was true but harmless. Just a 88th’er
“Kirari-san, hello,” Fuuto greeted her own senior. Before taking the opposed seat being offered, she asked Mayu, “Is here okay?”
“Sure!” her answer came a little too satisfied, considering Kayou Kirari’s pet wasn’t her classmate, but 90th’er Seto Kazuya, making her the lowest ranked there. Then again, she only owed obedience to her owner.
“Fuu-chan! I thought you weren’t coming!” Kirari said with a wide smile.
“Sorry. I was so tired from our trip back from Tokyo, I thought of taking a nap before coming, and ran a little late.”
“I see.” She chuckled knowingly and turned to Mayu, “You’re Ootori… Mayu-chan?” Her eyes turned to Kazuya on her side, who nodded. “Mayu-chan… makes me think of Mayu-san!”
“You can call me FujiP, that’s how everyone does. Or Just Pi.”
“So cute!”
“She’s like our mascot,” Kazuya explained, and stretched an arm to pet Mayu’s head.
Kirari giggled and continued to explain how Fuuto was called Daimon because of her, even though she preferred using Fuu-chan lately.
The trip was going better than expected. All Mayu had to do was to focus on the conversation, of which Fuuto—who she now had to call Daimon—rarely participated, maintaining her face turned to the window and her eyes closed most of the time. That certainly would have helped if her long legs didn’t brush Mayu’s every vibration of the train. Albeit both wearing pants, the other’s warmth still penetrated her skin and made her itchy.
Trading owners and pets was forbidden. The rule was so no one would feel rejected supposedly. At that point, however, no one would notice, right? Also, he only person she had to respect was her owner, so… as long as Fuuto and Kirari were okay, couldn’t they just exchange pets? Not that she would ever have the courage to ask.
However, courage almost took over her from the shock of Fuuto’s head falling onto her shoulder, the owner completely dozed off.
Kirari laughed at the scene, her eyes seeming more amused at Mayu’s reaction than at the incident itself.
“Maybe I should wake her up?” Mayu suggested, looking for help inside the two upperclassmen’s eyes.
“Poor thing,” Kirari answered. “Let her rest. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt you, right?”
Not her shoulder. On the other hand, her heart throbbed so hard her chest felt sore. Stealthily shaking the spot to awake Fuuto wouldn’t work. Talking with her loud voice, telling jokes to make everyone around laugh… her furtive attempts were to no avail.
Notwithstanding her resolution to ignore everything and not look in Fuuto’s direction, Mayu’s eyes betrayed her and kept staring. Wasn’t it common knowledge one is not to look directly at the gods? The more she reckoned it was best not to, the more she wanted to just stare at that nose, those cheekbones, those eyelashes…
She was condemned.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
As everyone chose their places, and owners met pets or even as both arrived together like childhood friends, Mayu stared at the empty spot on her side. The moment they had reached the ryokan, Fuuto told her to go prepare for dinner, refusing any help to unpack. They would only stay that night and go back in the evening of the following day, so the task wasn’t hard. Even so, Fuuto still hadn’t arrived at the dining hall…
“Um, excuse me…” Cold-handed, Mayu called the nearest 89th’ers, hoping the musumeyaku shared or knew anyone who shared room with Fuuto. Her lips trembled from self-consciousness. “Would you know about Daimon-san? I think she’s the only one who hasn’t come to eat.”
Hanasaki Ririka’s stare slid to the empty sit on Mayu’s side. “She’s probably just sleeping.” That girl wasn’t only pretty, her voice sounded like that of an angel’s.
After a minute or two to stop her drooling, Mayu thanked Ririka and forced her concentration to the food about to be served in front of her. Would Fuuto be fine without eating? “Sorry,” she called the waiter’s attention.
“Yes?”
“Can someone come here later? My…” What was she supposed to call Fuuto? “My friend. She’s sleeping now and I was wondering if I should wake her up.”
The man shook his head. “We will be serving until ten.”
Thanking for the information, Mayu looked at her watch in relief. The hands indicated to be just seven-thirty. ‘C’mon, Mayo, you should be happy. The queen is not here, the brilliant beings will be weaker. You can eat in peace!’ She pressed her lips and turned her gaze to the food.
Yes. She would have peace.
“Oh, before you all begin!” One of the 88th’ers stood to her feet and raised her hands. “We’ve decided the room planning makes no sense. We’ve made some new ones, so you owners can have more of your… personal juniors. Come get it with us as soon as you’re done eating. Before we all go partying in the onsen, preferably.”
Most of the people broke into laughter as though the first part of the announcement meant nothing while some eyed their best friends without making a sound. Still, a handful looked pleased with the change. Of course, Mayu wasn’t among the latter.
Could anyone sleep in the same room as the sun? If each room had around six girls, three would probably be of the celestial creatures…
She gulped. More than ever, now she had to enjoy her non-programmed break from the ownership game.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
“Pi-chan?” Kirari’s calling made Mayu jump. “Why are you standing there? And with all your things?”
Her chain of thoughts had already run so many miles, Mayu had to take a moment to recollect the answer. Why was she holding all her belongings, freezing in the middle of the hallway? One look at the door beside them, however, made that moment unnecessary.
“I was waiting for Daimon-san.”
“But isn’t that your room from now on? Don’t be silly!” Kirari opened the door without a care for knocking. “Go inside, it’s cold out here to be loitering in only a yukata.”
Mayu’s eyes strayed from their orbits upon landing on Fuuto’s figure sleeping by a corner on the wide traditional room. Luckily, there were no others to be mad at her; most people had gone straight to the onsen. “B-b-but…”
Kirari snickered with no effort to hide how amusing she found that reaction. Then, she held Mayu’s both shoulders and conducted her to the inside. “It’s your room, too. What better excuse?”
Mayu gulped, noticing she had been inadvertently goggling at Fuuto. Although her eyes were to burn whenever that person came into sight…
“Well, enjoy!” The door shut before any complaint, leaving owner and pet alone.
So close… They were literally breathing from the same air. Shivers went down Mayu’s spine. She bent her knees next to the other’s futon and sighed. No way could she approach an inch further.
It was still nine. Now she thought again, did that man mean they closed everything at ten or just the kitchen? Why hadn’t she noticed the difference before? At any rate, how would the answer change her inability to call other? It was the train all over again, minus the spectators.
Fuuto changed her position from belly-up to facing Mayu’s direction, curling inside the duvet with the knees slightly bent. A smile. Some trivial lift of lips, and the room became even brighter. What kind of dreams would those beings have? As Mayu’s facial muscles relaxed, she noticed she had been smiling. Oh, that awe-inspiring power never ceased to amaze her!
Perhaps, her mortal sensed could grow accustomed to it…
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
About Her Kitten
Her eyes still felt heavy from the short nap before dinner but the void in her stomach threatened to eat even her dreams of a long and uneventful vacation. Fuuto had no choice but to wake up and head to the dining hall, it seemed.
However, the minute she managed to lift that heavy body to a sitting position, she found a pale young girl sat on her feet next to the futon.
“D-Dai-Daimon-san! Good morning!” Looking to the floor, Mayu covered her mouth with both hands and corrected, “G-good evening.”
Her pet. Her scaredy-cat, who rarely made any eye contact.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell we’d meet during the meal?” Fuuto cleared her throat and looked apologetically at Mayu; her sleepy voice had sounded angry rather than merely curious. Her regret deepened after a glance at her wristwatch. “W-what time is it?”
“Almost nine thirty.” Mayu smile.
“Oh, no…” Fuuto was about to hit herself for sleeping too much but stopped when the other stood up. “Are you going to your room already?”
“It’s that you can still make it to dinner if we rush to the hall. Also… there were changes on the room planning,” Mayu added, biting her lower lip.
On the way, Mayu explained the latest announcement to Fuuto, who had to increase her pace. Why was she walking so fast? The closer they got, the quicker. The short way to the hall made her sweat despite wearing a thin yukata where was only mildly heated.
But food was welcome, and delicious.
“I’m glad we’re not alone here,” Fuuto commented about the few other guests having their meals with family or friends. “But it’s pretty much deserted… Is everyone at the onsen already?
Mayu nodded without taking her eyes from the low table before the two.
“You’ve eaten already? Wanna share?” Fuuto motioned to one of the main dishes.
“I have, thank you.”
“It’s a lot of food for one. Serve yourself!” Somehow, she was sure Mayu was lying, even if it did look like the room was familiar to the other, who had even greeted one of the waiters.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
Fuuto stopped her hashi on the salad dish and turned her head to force eye contact. “Have I done anything?”
“What?” For a second, their eyes met, and sincere confusion reflected inside Mayu’s.
“You’re angry to be here, instead of having fun at the onsen?”
Mayu shook her head.
Resting the hashi, Fuuto moved her whole body to the side. “Yes, you were like that since before. But I thought it was just because I was kinda late and made you angry.”
“L-like that?”
“It’s like I’m some bad wolf? Or the bogeyman…”
“No!” Mayu’s head shook more violently along with both hands.
“Some seniors can be very scary. We all know that. I used to be the second back at the Musical School; sometimes, I had to speak to them. It was the worst…” She paused. “Let’s forget this owner game. My final order is that I won’t have any authority.”
“Daimon-san, please eat… There is nothing wrong. Please.”
“But I did something. You weren’t the same when talking to Kirari-san or to Akira. It was me. I did something… and I’m sorry.”
“No!” Mayu moved her body so hard to deny, she hit the table and one of the hashi chopsticks rolled down from its rest.
Luckily, both were fast enough to avoid it falling to the floor. Unluckily, Fuuto ended up with the other’s hand in hers, its owner flying many feet away the instant she noticed.
“I’m so sorry!” Mayu bowed almost hitting her forehead on the ground. The girl sure was very flexible to do so from such a position.
Although the reason behind that behavior was yet to be solved, the scene unrolled before Fuuto was so precious she couldn’t repress the laughter arising from her stomach.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
By the time Fuuto finished dinner and got to the onsen, she found out the ryoukan actually had three springs: one for women, one for men and one mixed. The latter was supposed to close around that time but, through the cell phone, one of her classmates explained they had managed to make it private so the group could drink and party there.
Were they teenagers? She swallowed after explaining that development to Mayu.
“Are you going there?” Mayu asked without indicating what her intention was.
“I think the regular one must be calmer. Anyway, remember: the game is over. You should go find your friends. Don’t mind me.”
Nonetheless, Mayu didn’t move.
“You can also go back to the room?” she offered.
A chuckle. Turning into a loud laugh.
‘What?’ Fuuto arched her eyebrows. “I’m not sure what that means but…” She smiled and shrugged. “I think it’s the first time I see you with that expression for something I said. What was so funny?” She decided against offering to repeat it just to receive such a lovely reaction.
This time, that lovely reaction was to blush and retract back to her scaredy-cat ways. “I don’t mind going where you prefer.”
Frowning, Fuuto resumed walking to the onsen for women.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Her skin had already gotten used to the hot temperature of the open-air onsen water, and now her mind drifted further away with each touch of Mayu washing her back. Whichever doubt on coming Fuuto might have had dispersed, mixed in the steam surrounding both women.
The wind blew so cold, the proximity of Mayu’s body made her own shiver from the temperature difference. Even though it was already late, one could wonder from that cold February night why the other guests weren’t there as well. On the other hand, having the spring all to themselves was surely best.
“You’re so good at this…” she commented, resting on the edge of the spring.
“Thank you!” the answer came without hesitation. Was that cat warming up to her?
Feeling bolstered, Fuuto turned to her and reached for the bath towel. “Let me do it for you, too.”
Mayu held the cloth to her body and denied repeatedly with her head. “No, no! You shouldn’t!”
“What are you talking about? Manners state I should!”
“No,” she said again, backing away with protruded eyes—they still refused to make eye contact. “Daimon-san, please don’t insist. I wouldn’t…” her voice trailed off before any indication of what her intention to say was.
Fuuto inhaled slowly and made her lowest voice, “What if I insist?” Unable to maintain the chivalrous pose that complemented her tone, she simply withdrew the disputed towel. “C’mon, let me see your back.”
As all others had failed, Mayu probably had ran out of means of saying no, so she submerged until water covered her mouth, wetting the tip of her hair.
“I’m sorry…” Fuuto said, also going more inside the water to avoid feeling like a giant preying on the innocent.
When silence seemed likely to fall between the two, finally Mayu offered her back. “I guess it’s okay here. If no one sees.”
“Really?” She waited for a nod before putting soap on the towel.
The scrub had to go unhurriedly. Caressing Mayu’s skin as gently as possible. A drop of sweat teased Fuuto’s forehead, but that concentration was broken by giggles.
“Daimon-san, that tickles! Could you do it a little rougher?”
Was the shy girl really complaining? Fuuto couldn’t believe her ears but still apologized, complying with the suggestion.
“Daimon-san?” Mayu turned her face and gasped. “You’re… laughing?”
“Am I? Sorry, was I tickling you again? I didn’t notice.”
Mayu joined in with a chuckle. “I felt you shake a little and turned to see if I had upset you. With what I said before.”
“I was glad you were speaking to me. In fact, relieved.”
“You’ve never done anything bad. It’s my fault.” Mayu spun her whole body to Fuuto again. “I’m terrified of your class.” She smiled in spite of her words.
“M-my class?” Her eyebrows couldn’t be any lower.
“I saw you during my entrance exams; you’re all so beautiful! Then I was put together with you, the second in class, the king of the fairies! My friends almost had me killed when I tried not coming today because of that, even though they know how I feel!” She rolled her eyes.
“Then… it’s because of a day three years ago? I don’t even think you saw us that much then.”
Mayu joined both hands and closed her eyes for a moment. “You are still so… I can’t even describe!”
“That’s why you won’t look at me? You know, I’m as normal as the next person… You’d know if you looked.”
“I have, and you’re wrong.” A mischievous smile crept on her lips. “I’ve been wondering, though, this could just require some getting-used. Like when you change from a dark room to a brighter one, I guess.”
Fuuto mouthed a what but she let go and just clicked her tongue. “You’re the one who doesn’t belong to humans with that reasoning you have. Seriously!”
Mayu beamed. “Are you mad?”
“Making that face; should I conclude you want me to be?”
This time, she just laughed.
Fuuto poked her on the cheek to stop it. Yet, she felt glad Mayu ignored the attempt and continued looking delighted. And cute. A cheesy thought crossed her mind, involving how that girl felt like a thermal spring: so warm, and still so refreshing. Would it be wrong to hug her? It was her first time having such wish for an underclassman. Was it appropriate? How to know whether she used her authority in case she asked for permission?
‘She’s like our mascot,’ Kazuya had mentioned in the train. Would it be for everyone also felt that urge?
To be truthful, since earlier at the platform, Mayu had continued attracting her attention. And thoughts. And everything else, perhaps, judging from how her body reacted.
“Daimon-san? You’re making a funny face.”
“Is that something you say to your superiors?” She regretted the joke-reminder.
Nevertheless, Mayu smiled nonchalantly. “Depends. If they look like you did just now. Your mouth was half-open, your eyes glassy.”
“I…” wanted to kiss you, her mind completed, although her voice let it hang in the air.
“You?”
“I mean, never mind.” Fuuto pressed her eyes and allowed her body bar the face into the water once more.
An onsen was made for relaxing and not for finding trouble. Maybe one day, she could have a chance with Mayu. They would get closer now the… whatever was going through the other’s head was undone. Perhaps, they would be great friends someday. Like she was with Manato, for example. But unlike with Manato, Fuuto would use that proximity to show her interest, test the acceptance. Eventually, she would make a move. The two had forever. No one was going anywhere. Well, a transfer was probable but they were too young to retire being both otokoyaku. As long as they were close, she’d know if such thoughts crossed Mayu’s mind. She could make an emergency plan for the occasion.
She shouldn’t rush. As opposed to that patient wait, such fragile bond could be perpetually broken if she did. ‘Contain yourself, the time will come.’
Her thoughts weren’t finished yet when Mayo pressed her lips against hers so forcefully she felt a need to apologize for a bump or whatever could have caused the accident. Except, such scenario wasn’t possible, considering how they stood inside the spring. Unless it hadn’t been accidental at all.
That kiss, that warm pressure against Fuuto’s lips… Mayo had done it all by herself. And carried it on by holding her head with both hands as she gradually parted her lips, penetrated her mouth. Fuuto prepared to melt inside her arms as she reciprocated, all her earlier cravings running free throughout and against the other’s body.
her mind seemed clouded so badly she wanted her scaredy-cat. No care for location, moment or even the fact they were freezing standing outside of the hot water. Mayu. Her insides yearned for Mayu.
Suddenly, they were soaking wet. One cannot complain about getting wet after entering a thermal spring. Nonetheless, she had been kissing, and mussing, and fondling Mayu’s humid hair for a while, only now did those heavy drops of water drip through Fuuto’s fingers.
Fuuto broke their contact and looked above. Water poured down from the skies and a loud noise confirmed the storm wouldn’t subside quickly.
“Oh, it’s raining,” Mayu stated, even more surprised than Fuuto’s thoughts. “We should go, right?”
The disappointment in her voice was enough to solve Fuuto’s own. Mayu cared if they stopped! Still, they really had to go. Why did a storm have to be dangerous when they were at such a good place? Where else would they have such privacy?
She pushed a devilish thought away, as they ran to the dressing room. Not because of the devilishness; she had just missed an excellent opportunity to pretend being afraid of thunders. Her scaredy-cat didn’t act scared at all, either.
“You look funny again, Daimon-san.”
“What? Why?” She looked back at Mayu, who had already reached for a towel and covered her body. Another opportunity lost…
“That’s what I wondered.” Mayu smiled playfully. “Why do you have the face of a child who lost her ice cream?”
“Your problem really wasn’t respect in excess for your seniors, huh? So… cheeky.”
“I’m sorry,” she said without looking the part. “How could I atone for my sins, master?”
“What?” Fuuto turned her eyes to the other. As understanding dawned on her, her face grew hotter. “Are we flirt—?” But her voice failed before finishing the sentence.
Nor did she need to do it, for Mayu nodded very slowly and drew her hands to Fuuto’s face. They felt cold; or should she blame her fever due to embarrassment? Either way, the sensation was pleasant. Once again, they kissed, with only a towel amid their wet skins. And did that thing get in their way!
“Daimon-san…” Mayu whispered as their lips separated, her eyes still closed.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to speak your name,” she replied, resting her chin and cheek on Fuuto’s naked shoulder.
“Can you tell me something? Sincerely?”
“Sure…” her voice was now so breathy it might as well be from another dimension. Her body, however, felt even closer, as though surrendered to Fuuto’s.
“Mayu-chan. No, um, Pi-chan?” That was also how most people called her but it felt so natural, she decided to go for it, too.
“Yes...?”
“When you avoided me saying I was from another planet or something.”
“I never said planet. It’s more like another world.”
Was Mayu nestling her head, treating Fuuto’s shoulder as her pillow? Not that she minded.
“But when you did it. I mean, the reason you did it… Could you tell me now? Do you have any feelings for me?” Fuuto held her breath so not to input her expectations in her tone. In reality, her mind screamed, ‘Yes, please, say yes and let’s be happily ever after!’
Mayu straightened herself, putting regrettable inches between the two. “I know it’s silly but I didn’t lie. I really find you all very hard to look directly yet. Like the sun!”
That uncontained excitement hurt Fuuto. “Oh. I thought that… Um…”
“I don’t really lie, I think.”
“I wasn’t accusing you. I—” Fuuto stopped, unsure of what she could say that wouldn’t worsen her chances.
“Daimon-san, you have a lot to learn about me.”
“I apologize.”
“I’ll tell you anything you need to know. You just have to ask.” Mayu winked, tiringly chipper. “I think I should tell you one more, though you didn’t ask.” She brushed their mouths very softly and smiled. “I don’t kiss for fun. I fully intend on getting more and more interested in you, Daimon-san. We just have a problem for now.”
“Y-you do?” Fuuto’s chest tightened and a smile escaped her face. This reaction caused a delay for the other’s words to reach her brain. “You said problem? I know we’re two women but I’m sure we’re not even the only couple in the troupe. We just need to be careful.”
“I meant a more immediate one. I don’t mind making out here but the girls should storm in any second now to run from the rain. And I’m sure there won’t be any hideouts for us to be alone with that storm outside.”
Fuuto smiled, hugging the other by the waist. “We’ll go back tomorrow. And you’ll have me all for yourself.”
“As I said, you have a problem.” Frustrated for noticing her words had not reached through, Mayu pressed her lips but clarified, “Keeping me away for so long.” She embraced Fuuto with force.
Fuuto gasped but didn’t even attempt to pull away, kissing Mayu a little more before saying, “I’ll manage without resorting to that.”
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
About time
To Mayu’s irritation, Fuuto had fulfilled her promise, barely allowing more kisses during the rest of their stay at the ryokan. It was so hard to argue with a superior being… She tried not looking directly at her face but the method wasn’t very effective against such power.
Their relationship would require a lot of training and spending time together until her defenses toughened up. She had even more reasons to cling to Fuuto.
As they stood on the platform, Mayu took both their bags and waited for Fuuto to go. It had been her orders to act normally, even though Fuuto was adamant about carrying everything on the way to the station.
“Fuu-chan, Pi-chan! You’re late!” Kirari approached the two and showed one of the trains. “They’re about to open the doors.”
“I overslept.” Fuuto smiled nervously. Mayu wasn’t sure if because she was lying or if her intention was to feign being ashamed. They certainly weren’t sleeping in the park nearby.
“I see.” Kirari grinned back before returning to her pet.
“She knows,” Fuuto said as soon as they were alone again. “About us. I think.”
“I noticed. Let’s train your acting skills once we’re back.”
“Was I that bad?”
“You want me to look for another excuse so you get to role play Andre for me?”
Fuuto’s complexion paled before turning crimson. Even though Mayu hadn’t observed her for more than a day, the other’s inclination for overdriving her brain was unmistakably strong.
“You’re smiling?” Fuuto asked, still flushing from before. “You were thinking now I’m not that perfect extraterrestrial being you were making me to be, right?” Her tone was too self-righteous despite the words.
“Daimon-san, I was thinking of how I really want you to blush more.”
To Mayu’s delight, Fuuto did just as commanded.
“Aya-chan!”
The two turned to the senior who had just called—Asaka Manato. She had been so quiet during all the trip, Mayu had even forgotten about her. Thinking back now, wasn’t she one of Fuuto’s closest friends?
“Maa-san, hello!” Fuuto greeted back with warmth, confirming Mayu’s suspicions.
“I see you got a very cute one to take care of you,” Manato said, motioning toward Mayu. “I feel jealous; you two seem to get along very well.”
“This is Ootori Mayu.”
Mayu was about to say something polite to her senior when Manato replied, “Yeah, I kinda am in the same troupe with her. And you.” Then laughed.
Following, Fuuto added, “We should go for some drinks so we can all know each other better.”
“Well, that knowing better your troupe mates was already the thing behind my idea for this owner game…”
“It was you?” Fuuto and Mayu asked at the same time.
“What a synch! I knew I had made the perfect choice pairing you two!”
“You paired us?” Mayu asked more accusingly than planned.
Giving a smug nod, Manato blinked with a single eye. “I knew you were just her type, Mayu-chan.” Finally, she walked away to talk to her classmates.
“Please, don’t be angry. I’m sure Maa-san had no idea of how you felt about my class,” Fuuto rushed to say.
Glowering at her, Mayu explained, “I was grateful until you defended her.” She reached for the bags handlers and lifted them again, walking to the same composition door where their troupe mates waited to board.
Her left hand suddenly felt warm as Fuuto’s long fingers enclosed hers and there remained. She didn’t mind being seen holding hands with another woman, much less when said woman was the king of the mystical creatures. Notwithstanding, that still wouldn’t be ideal for neither.
A never-ending minute passed without any of the two moving. However, the sound of doors opening for the train broke the magic, and they were back on the platform. Probably realizing so, Fuuto moved her hand away and pulled the bag Mayu held.
“I’ll carry it.”
“O-okay.” As she let go, something fell to her foot. Mayu looked down without understanding what could have dropped, and discovered a pink wrapping on the ground.
Smiling, Fuuto crouched to put the gift back in her hand. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Pi-chan,” she said the same words written on the small box.
Her brain was incapable of producing any than a monosyllabic question. “How?”
“I snuck out while you were napping after lunch. I wish I could have made it or bought something larger but… I couldn’t figure out how to without people noticing.”
“I don’t even have anything for you, Daimon-san. I thought of making chocolate like always but, with the trip here and the ending of the Tokyo performance—It was so hectic!” Mayu stared at her gift, and raised an eyebrow to see their group already boarding. “You should have given it to me earlier. Not now I can’t even thank you properly. And with a kiss… or more.”
“It’s just so small, I wondered if it was worth giving. But now I see it was.” Fuuto got closer and took her hand once more, now holding it firmly. “Let’s go?”
Without hesitation, Mayu returned the caress, also closing her hand around Fuuto’s as they walked to the train. “Yes,” she answered with eyes fixed on her companion.
THE END!
Anita, 04/07/2014
To AWickedMan:
Most—if not all—of your themes were very interesting and made me wonder many scenarios. I feel I haven’t got even close to making justice to the effort you’ve put in them. Anyway, I hope you could at least enjoy this story a little.
This is a couple I really like, and I was very happy to know you like it as well. And the plot of Mayo being forced to go to the onsen with Daimon was almost written in that theme, lol. I just wish I had had more time to make it better. I hope you don’t mind the few appearances I chose. I kept wondering whether to make known people or less known people appear but I ended up going mostly for the former. I hope you didn’t mind, even though you’re not very fond of those here.
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