Friendship Crisis
Author: Anita
Fandom: Takarazuka
Characters/Pairings: Asaka Manato / Nozomi Fuuto
Genres: yuri, romance
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: adultery
Summary: Manato finds her best friend Fuuto in the middle of
Kyoto, holding the arm of a married man. She can’t come in terms with
her feelings. No matter how hard she tries, their friendship hangs in
the balance.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Last chapter
Notes: Story written for the Girl Power Week 2016, a fic event promoted by the OA Fanfics Community.
This is all fiction, all coincidences are nothing more than so. I don’t earn anything from it. Of course nothing here ever happened. Please do consider they are all characters.
Chapter 4
"Maa-san!" Akira had been calling out to her for maybe a while before she finally heard it. That whole day was a lost cause but it was finally over. She could go home, get some rest. "Maa-san?" Wait. If Akira was calling then she still had to answer. Ugh, this couldn't be something easy either, considering the previous day. "Maa-san?"
When Manato noticed, Akira was already standing in front of her. "I wanted to ask you about P-chan yesterday. Do you have time?"
Yes, she'd guessed right. Then again, there hadn't been anything else in common between them lately. She had tried offering a café nearby, for she wanted to escape the theater before any work caught up with her but Akira insisted on one of the empty rooms.
"You were with Daimon-san yesterday when P-chan stopped by?" Despite the tone of a question, there was no need to answer.
"Did Aya tell you?" She couldn't imagine a scenario where Mayu, who had run from an arranged date with Akira to complain about it to Fuuto, would simply narrate everything back to Akira.
Still, she shook her head. "I messaged P-chan last night, after she went home."
Well, Manato was officially lost on the new dynamics that trio had. First, she had had no idea Mayu had been in love with Fuuto, much less told her about it and been rejected. The previous night had already been uncomfortable with her offering her body as an exchange—luckily, Fuuto hadn't seemed to take it seriously, never mentioning it again or even acting like she'd been brooding over losing the "great", certainly one-of-a-kind deal. Then, she had had to sit through Mayu's indecision over how to dump Akira not because the feelings weren't mutual but because they were friends, and that had reminded her too much of her own kick-in-the-butt.
"Maa-san?" Akira was again calling but less patiently this time.
"You know, I really don't think I'm close enough to Mayo to speak for you. You should try Daimon or maybe just do it yourself." She couldn't help the resentment in her tone. The last few weeks had taken a toll on her.
"Except you're the best man for the job. The best woman, because I definitely need a woman for this."
Manato raised her eyebrows. "I'm not acting as your girlfriend for Mayo to see what she's missing. Did you even hear me? I'm not going to risk driving her even farther."
"Not the help I had in mind. Okay, so... you heard all the story about her and Daimon, right?"
"Oh yeah. You also knew all that." Foreseeable after everything she had just heard but it still contributed to that feeling of being left out.
"I'm kinda guilty here. I didn't think Daimon would indeed resist Mayo. I mean, it's P-chan. Who'd want to break her heart?"
Someone already committed. Notwithstanding committed to another man who was also committed himself. In any case, Fuuto would have already been with that Imai-san if Mayu's confession had really place a year before.
Yes, Manato had had to sit through the whole love story of how they had met at an omiai arranged by her parents and a friend of Imai's. Because Imai had shown interest in Takarazuka, he had made sure to be present to meet the Takarazuka woman in person. Manato could even picture his surprised to find out she not only was an otokoyaku but a star on the track to become top. They exchanged contacts upon her offer for good tickets, and only grew closer after each feedback. Gross. She was in love with a fan.
Although Manato remembered with some satisfaction the word "love" had been skipped in the many occasions it should have been the main character of that story. Perhaps, she only used him to escape. Fuuto had even said his married status was convenient. That she wouldn't stand someone urging her to retire, and men were eager things when marriage was the topic. Having a long relationship without the strings of a wedlock was what she had seemed to enjoy the most with the Man with the Ring.
"Maa-san, did you listen?"
Not a lot. Just that she'd been Mayu's confidante and pushed her toward Fuuto. Wait, had Akira just—"You just said you heard Daimon was with someone last year?"
Akira lowered her head. "Yes, I also know about that guy you mentioned last night."
"I-I mentioned what? Who?" Manato felt sweat on her palms. Not a good step to finally have a girl's night with Fuuto and then ruin it spilling it all to Akira. Was that fishing or was she for real about knowing it?
"You asked P-chan last night,” Akira explained. “I overheard it when I came back from calling outside. I kinda hoped you'd be more direct about how much you knew but you never said anything else. Then, P-chan tells me you were with Daimon. Except that when I called her, I'm sure she was with him. I know from her tone when she has him over."
Manato shuddered. She preferred to think the whole night had been a nightmare. Fuuto had convinced her to stay over at her home, which meant she wasn't returning to where she had been in Osaka. But having to hear the full story and then sleep by her side while the whole night replayed endlessly? Torture. She ran away at dawn, feeling lucky Fuuto was the kind to have a deep, continuous sleep.
"And you? You knew Aya had someone but still pushed P-chan to her? What the hell, Akira?" And why was she angry for something from a year before?
"I do regret it." She passed her fingers through her hair, making it a mess. "I told you, I was sure P-chan would eventually get to her."
"People don't grow to love anyone... that's a chance in a million. You do deserve all that weird doubting Mayo has going. Did you do that on purpose?"
Akira didn't seem to understand at first, and then she denied firmly with her head. "P-chan, she knows how sorry I am. I didn't have bias there, I swear. Actually, that was how it all started for me. So you're right, I do deserve it."
"But you knew Daimon likes men! In case you haven't noticed, Mayo isn't one."
To her astonishment, Akira smiled. "Now you're exactly where I wanted. Because that's not totally true."
She guffawed. "I hope you mean Mayo is really good at hiding things. Or else—"
"Maa-san."
Suddenly, Akira had gotten inches close, their noses almost touching. "What the—" When Akira's face approached even more, she had to walk back or, at that distance... "What are you trying to do, Akira? Kiss me?"
"Just trust me, Maa-san."
Manato shook her head. Her entire body.
"Trust me. You'll see what I mean. C'mon, this isn't your precious first kiss; what is there to lose?"
Even if that made sense... why did Akira find it so imperative that they kiss? But it was too late. Their lips had already met, brushing against each other. Smoothly. Akira gently inserted her tongue, testing and teasing Manato with how slow they progressed.
A moment later, they were two people again. Manato had barely noticed her eyes closing at some point and now fought with the burning brightness.
"See, not that bad." Akira stood now many steps back. "Even though you acted like it was gonna be the worst kiss ever."
"But... what about P-chan?" Manato didn't even know where to look, much less what to think, after not only being kissed but allowing it to happen.
"This is all about her!" Akira stated as though it were the most obvious fact. "Look at yourself. Your eyes are livid, your face is all flushed, your skin hasn't ever looked so alive. You liked this." She wasn't wrong but that didn't make her sound less crazy. If only Manato's legs—her whole body wasn't shaking... "And I did the same to Daimon last year."
"Wai—Y-you kissed her?"
Akira lifted her index finger. "Not the point you should focus. Come on, Maa-san. Ask it."
"You kissed the person one of your best friends loved! What other point can be more... to the point?" Manato couldn't find the urge to rub the back of her hands against her lips, to cover the tingling left there with anything else. She rubbed harder. "P-chan should just straightaway hate you."
"Maa-san," she said her name with a collected tone. "Just ignore the jealousy a little, and think."
"J-jealousy? Who's jealous?" That sounded like denial to her ears but she still couldn't figure out why she would be jealous of Akira. "I think you've misread me entirely."
Nevertheless, the stern eyes on her made realization hit hard, with a bang. Even though Akira remained quiet, she had succeeded.
"Daimon is straight. It doesn't matter what you think you saw from that kiss. Even the less if you forced on her like today."
With a smirk, Akira countered, "So I am wrong about you, Maa-san?" She walked out the door so swiftly, Manato had no time to react before she was alone in the room, looking at the floor. The moving floor.
She could see clearly how Akira had, with one kiss, deconstructed the list of reasons for Daimon to reject Mayu. Now she needed someone—some woman—to show that to her. However, what good did that make Manato?
On the contrary. That talk had only made her feel sick to her stomach. Ignorance had been her only bliss lately. But even that had spread wings the night before and now flew away from sight.
---
Mid October 2016
Fuuto didn't think Manato would really accept the invitation. After she had shared all her story with Imai, Manato had vanished before the sun was fully up and they could barely talk. The days had been too busy. But when Imai heard about them making up he'd been in ninth heaven and insisted the next time he was in Kansai she call Fuuto for a dinner together.
The chances for them to be more than two were rare. Aside from the friend in common from the omiai and Imai's older sister, no one else knew of their relationship for obvious reasons. Still, did it really have to be Manato? The same person who was beyond against their affair?
"You can be really dense," Fuuto had complained as a last resource to dissuade him.
"She'll see I treat you well. Isn't that her top worry?" he answered over the phone.
Was it? Fuuto doubted.
That night, however, the other night Manato had indeed expressed a disposition to do her best to come to terms with that relationship, and a dinner could indeed help. She'd be able to see in first hand Imai’s admiration for her work as a sienne, too. Yes, that would improve her mood. Even if Manato was far from being a narcissist, she loved her work, and wouldn't miss a chance to hear about it from an outsider's point of view.
Her acceptance was much quicker and more earnest than Fuuto had anticipated. In fact, she had even sounded eager for the dinner.
"I'm sorry for taking over a rare night off..." Fuuto apologized when they met at the square in front of the restaurant. Imai had already messaged he'd gone ahead to secure their table and now they were to join him.
Manato seemed to take in Fuuto's disguise, even if she saw it for the third time. "It's no problem. You look pretty." Was she blushing? So this was a joke? Of course! With her wearing the usual otokoyaku clothing, their meeting could be a date to anyone else who saw them now.
Unsure of the correct answer to the play, Fuuto caught herself blushing back. "Thank you," she muttered. "Let's go in?"
The night continued so quiet, Fuuto could only think of "eye of the storm" to describe the ominous feeling in her gut. She'd been right, and Manato did have the time of her life discussing her interpretation of the famous Der Tod. The topic progressed into her combi's early retirement, something Fuuto had yet to ask her about. So weird hearing Manato's feelings of insecurity over it being told to a stranger instead.
As she still couldn't believe the quiet night it had been, Imai apologized and asked for the bill. He had warned them before he would have to leave early and, true to it, he paid for everything and apologized once more. "I'm very sorry for cutting this short," he said. And Fuuto knew he didn't even think things would go so well. She herself had warned the moment Manato seemed distressed, she would give him a sign to leave before he really had to. "I'm actually down here in Kansai for this other dinner, so I can't really call in sick," he explained, still regretful.
"Another dinner?" Manato asked surprised. "We could have gone for something else had I known."
"Oh, don't worry. We'll be having sake and bad singing at an izakaya nearby." He chuckled, probably pleased at the offer.
They left the restaurant and saw Imai off. Fuuto knew she'd eventually have to explain to him why the picture she had painted of Manato had been the opposite to reality. Even if she didn't know the answer herself.
"Sake..." she said lightly. Had this been during their Hanagumi years, nothing more would have to be said. Manato's puzzled look to her confirmed those were over. Fuuto tried to elaborate, "Why don't we two also go off for some? I mean, maybe get some beers from fridge? I bought them some time ago and they might go bad if we don't do anything tonight." She smiled wickedly. Maybe having added challenge to her tone would be enough to convince Manato.
But one look her way and Fuuto knew she'd guessed wrong.
"I'm actually beat," Manato said with an exaggerated yawn.
Eye of the storm. In her mind, that was all Fuuto could think of as they parted ways in front of the station. Again, Manato had simply vanished after a perfectly delightful time together.
Why?
More than that, how to fix it?
---
Really, to an omniscient outsider, she had been a good friend. Right? She had made sure to control all her bias against the Man With The Ring, and had even accepted a lousy dinner. Not only accepted, she had been a perfectly sociable friend and contributed to all the talk. Deep down, she had almost kissed him when he announced he'd had to leave. But for all that time, before and after the dinner night, she had also read and replied to Fuuto's emails.
"How about an exchange? I'll tell you something I'm ashamed of about myself and you tell me whatever has been bothering you?" Fuuto offered so lightly, so innocently, Manato just wanted to indulge her.
Now, they were at her apartment again, for yet another girl's night, as if the nightmare that had been the previous was only that. A terrible, non-existent dream.
Manato knew her constant monosyllabic replies and tonight's bored-or-upset-or-sulky expression were evidence of a very slack friend. It was all slipping away, she could even feel it on Fuuto's desperate offer for an exchange.
Before being able to collect her thoughts, Manato heard Fuuto take a deep breath. "We had this big fight, Imai-san and I." She exhaled. "Your turn, now. Come on."
A fight? "Wait, what does that mean? You're over? And why do you feel ashamed about it?" Manato could feel Fuuto's eagerness convert to uneasiness, so she had to stop the questioning, even if her brain was at light speed.
"We almost had this huge fight... you and I, I mean. And can I say it was almost? It kinda felt like an actual fight—minus the violence." Her cheeks grew red, and she reached for her glass of wine. "And I'm considering breaking things off... after everything you told me, and everything I said back." She gave a bitter smile, her eyes on the half-full glass.
What a night! Manato had to remind herself they were having some appetizers with wine while commenting the DVD's to their latest musicals. This information sounded like last month's after hearing all that. "I heard Akira-chan kissed you last year." She paused when Fuuto's expression froze, as though she had just recalled the distant fact herself. Then it melted into confusion. Upon which Manato continued, "She tried the test on me too."
"She did?" Fuuto's voice came from very far, her glass tilting more by the minute.
Taking the wine from her careless grip and returning it to the small table in front of them, Manato forced a sheepish smile. "You should ask me about the results now."
"Wait, you two really kissed? When was this?"
Now she partially understood Akira's frustration when Manato also couldn't focus on the point to be made. "I had no choice, you know how that girl is. But I do feel like I owe P-chan now." She sighed.
"So you liked it? You've been so out of it because you enjoyed Akira's kiss?"
She gave another sigh, forcing this one to be longer and louder. She turned her body completely to the side where Fuuto sat, and made sure not to avert her look in spite of all her self-preservation instincts hollering to run. "Can I kiss you?"
Fuuto gasped. "Maa-san?"
"I really need to verify this. I need to know." Manato felt her mouth go dry. It was as if the liquids in her body had all overflown through the palms of her hands. "You asked me about my problem, and it happens to be I can't figure out what Akira really meant." She paused, tired from the effort, but she still wouldn't look away.
On the opposite side of the stare, Fuuto had all but looked back. Her whole head was down, concentrated on the sofa connecting both. Manato considered sliding closer but decided not to be any more forceful. Not that it would make a difference—that limit was already galaxies behind.
So she waited more.
"Okay." Daimon lifted her eyes, even though her neck remained bent down. Finally, she fixed her entire body and looked straight at Manato. "I don't mind," she said with casual words, and only them really felt casual about her response.
And then they were kissing. Mouth on mouth, lips on teeth on tongue. Hands. Hair. Heat. Explosions. Oh no, this had really been a terrible idea. But it was the best moment Manato had ever—would ever experience. The first of all of her life. Because she could feel Fuuto respond. As if a magic wand had touched them and made everything magically fine. She still thought, 'So this is what Akira meant?' when Fuuto pushed her on the shoulders.
"I... I need space," she stuttered.
Manato's vision was still hazy but she caught a glimpse of a teary face fleeing away to inside the apartment. The sound of the lock coming from the bedroom echoed.
---
What had she done? What had she done?
Fuuto had sat in her bed and stared at nothing for minutes or hours, just the sound of Manato announcing she was going home had brought her back to reality.
To be continued…
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