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by Louise-sama
Our lives are different from each other, but the red strings of fate weaved our paths together.
Chapter 2
“Please, let me live at your house!” Jurina’s sentence echoed in Mayu’s ears.
It took her a couple of seconds to process the hanging sentence. “HEH?!” Mayu asked, bewildered.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said please let me live wit—“ Mayu cut her in mid-sentence.
“Are you nuts? Do you even realize that you’re asking a stranger to take you home?”
Jurina scratched her neck. “Well you don’t look like a bad person, so I guess I can trust you.”
“NO.” Mayu firmly said.
“Heh? Why not?”
“You didn’t even consider my feelings.”
“That’s why I’m asking for your permission.”
“And I’m declining your offer.”
“Besides, didn’t you say that we have to face our responsibilities? “
“How can I take responsibility of something I wasn’t even aware? It was an accident.”
“I don’t think so. You came running when I found a beautiful subject and defied the shutter speed of my camera. It wasn’t just a coincidence that your image was perfectly framed here, see?”
“What are you trying to say? I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s fate.”
“Fate your ass.” Mayu coldly said as she turned around.
“Anyway, you got yourself involved now. And you see, that subject would’ve redeemed my debts. You should at least pay for the damage.”
“If you’re really a good photographer, you wouldn’t rely on your subject but on your skill itself. A good photographer would make the best out of his subject, under all circumstances.”
Jurina remained silent.
“I can’t let you live at my house, but at least I can buy your picture.”
“Honto ni?”
Mayu laid her palm lazily. “Name your price.”
“Well, it you really insist…” Jurina wasn’t really planning to ask her to pay her; she only needed a place to stay. But she thought if she would raise her price, then the deal would rest to her favour. “200,000 yen.”
“200,000 yen…” Mayu repeated as she scanned through her wallet. As realization hit her, she protested. “Be more rational! Who would even buy that? It’s too expensive.”
“It’s worth my four months debt,” Jurina taunted. “Or you can just let me just live in your house.”
“No. I can pay you.” Mayu answered fast. Of course she can pay her. She turned around and walked away.
“Where are you going?” Jurina asked.
“Follow me. I’ll get you you’re money,” Mayu said, much to Jurina’s surprise.
After a couple minutes of awkward silence, Jurina tried to open up a topic. But Mayu’s emotionless features discourage her.
“Being a university student is tough. You have to balance your study and work.” Jurina started. She glanced at Mayu to find a reaction but she saw nothing but a void expression. She retrieved her gaze but Mayu’s words surprised her.
“Where are your parents? Why don’t you ask them to support you?” Mayu asked, suddenly trying to engage in the conversation.
Jurina didn’t expect Mayu to bring up a sensitive topic. “I don’t know where they are. It’s been two years since I came from Nagoya.”
“Why did you come to Tokyo?”
Jurina’s face lightened. “I came here to fulfil a promise I made with someone.” She said, enthusiastically, while thinking about the person.
Mayu’s face, however, doesn’t look amused. “It must feel good, huh? Being in love.” She bitterly said.
Jurina noticed her irritation. “What about you? Don’t you have someone?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Mou…you asked me a lot of things but you didn’t answer the only question I threw at you,” Jurina said, slightly frustrated. “Why do you act so mysterious?”
However, Mayu doesn’t seem to have a slightest desire to answer her question. “We’re here.” She stopped at a house. Jurina looked up and examined the house.
“Oh. Wow. It looks nice.” Mayu entered the house, leaving Jurina behind. “Hey, wait up.”
Jurina entered the house and examined the living room. “Wow. It looks better inside.”
“Stay here,” Mayu ordered her as she entered her room. After a few minutes, she came back.
“You actually have expensive things. I noticed some modern and resort themed designs. However, you’ve got your style overlapping and they’re mixed up. You have to use—“ Jurina stopped as she noticed her blabbering. “Ah, sorry. I get excited when I see works of art.”
“It’s fine. Now, take this and leave.” Jurina stared at the cheque handed to her. She can’t believe that Mayu will actually give her this amount.
“I’m sorry for the trouble. Please use that money wisely.”
Jurina bowed and walked away. “It was nice meeting you.”
After Jurina left, Mayu’s stomach crumbled again. She closed the door hard, recalling that her lunch was interrupted by Jurina. She can’t believe that she was accused of being a future-destroyer. Mayu noticed that Miyuki isn’t home yet. Normally, she would ask Miyuki to cook for her since she can’t cook for herself but now, Miyuki is having a date with her boyfriend, and she probably won’t be home until tomorrow.
It’s already 3:40 PM but her stomach is still barren. Mayu sighed at her misfortune and decided to go to her favourite restaurant downtown. Her lunch at the Mariko’s Café had only worsened her hunger. After fifteen minutes, she arrived at the restaurant. The moment she opened the door, the stomach churning aroma of spices filled her nose. She smiled and hastily hunted for vacancy, hoping to fill her stomach’s desire soon. She found a decent place near the window and sat.
Suddenly, a sweet voice called out to her and she looked up. Her eyes grew wide; not expecting to see her beautiful nightmare.
“Mayu? Is it really you, Mayu?”
Mayu’s jaw dropped as she let her senses overtake her.
“Yuki…rin.” She managed to whisper despite of her tight vocal chords.
“Mayuyu!”
Yuki went to her and leaned down to hug her. Mayu was speechless at the moment and let the warm feeling engulf her rational mind. One moment, she was bitterly trying to forget the girl who broke her heart. It’s been five months since they broke up, and ever since, Mayu has been living miserably. And now, she was being hugged as if nothing happened between them. Yuki let go of their embrace and sat on the couch across her. Mayu can’t be more hurt at the features blinding her eyes.
Yuki is as beautiful as ever. No. She’s even more beautiful than ever. And Mayu hated it. She hated that she was the only one who felt the torture of their separation. There was an awkward silence between them until Yuki decided to break it.
“It’s been a long time, huh?”
Mayu on the other hand was carefully choosing her words of reply to hide her bitterness. Despite the millions of words popping in her head, she only replied with a plain ‘yes’.
Fortunately, a waitress came to their table and took their orders.
“I’ll have Roasted Chicken and mango shake.”
“Double the Roasted Chicken and a banana cream pie, please,” Mayu spoke curtly, but still has her eyes on Yuki.
Just when the waitress left, Yuki broke into a small laughter. Even Mayu let out a sincere chuckle despite of bitterness.
“Some things just don’t change, huh?”
Mayu thought twice before responding.
“Yeah. But some people do.” Mayu said bitterly, trying to gauge Yuki’s reaction.
Yuki lowered her head and bit her lip. “Change is the only constant thing in the world, after all.”
Mayu smirked; satisfied at the stirred reaction of the lady across her. “I can’t argue with that.”
By this time, the friendly aura surrounding the two was replaced by a tense one. Despite the aircondition in the room, you can see beads of sweat forming on the two ladies’ faces. Mayu was drumming her fingers on the table and had her gaze fixed outside the window. Across her was Yuki awkwardly sneaking gazes at her cellphone inside her bag.
Anyone who comes across them might mistake them as lionesses, waiting for a piece of meat to devour. Fortunately, for the second time, the waitress broke their mental distance and handed their orders. They exchanged bows and the waitress walked away with their heavy atmosphere.
Mayu suddenly hated the silence between them. She had a lot to ask Yuki.
“How is it being a teacher?”
Yuki, on the other hand, felt her nervousness disappear at Mayu’s question. “It’s so tiring. Those middle schoolers are harder to deal with than I expected. I have a lot of paper works to do. I stay up late at night just to finish my lesson plans. You know how I hated eyebags when I wake up.”
Mayu smiled and took a sip at her water. “Yes. That’s so like you.” She was kinda happy that Yuki was answering her normally.
“But when I see my students smile, my exhaustion pays off.” Yuki spoke. Her eyes are focusing far away, as if watching the sight of her students smiling. They were glowing like a heated gold. Then there came her heart-warming smile. Mayu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat and her cheeks felt warm. Her mind tells her to divert her eyes, but Mayu can’t help but get captivated by her beauty. Without a warning, her tongue lit up a fire of her own loss.
“You know, for a beautiful woman, you don’t look like a stressed teacher at all,” Mayu can feel the blood rushing through her face. She could hear the echo of her own words, and it felt like she dug her own grave. Why did she even praise the one who broke her? Then came an unexpected reply, igniting the bit of hope she kept in her heart.
“T-thanks. You don’t look like a medical student yourself, for a beautiful woman.” Yuki admitted with a blush of her own. Their eyes met and a sparks woke up a burning desire in their hearts, making them smile in satisfaction. Yuki bit her lower lips and grabbed Mayu’s chicken and skinned it. Mayu just watched the other girl’s actions.
“There you go. You always wanted your chicken skinned, right?”
Using her chopsticks, Mayu nervously picked up carrots from Yuki’s plate and shoved it in her mouth.
“I remember how you hated carrots.”
They stared at each other for a moment then they broke out in a more genuine laughter than before.
Mayu suddenly stopped and intently watched her ex-girlfriend continue with her breath-taking laughing. Yuki noticed Mayu stop. “What?” She raised her eyebrows when Mayu’s face got serious.
“What happened to us?” Mayu asked. Her tone was rather soft despite her cold face. Yuki remained silent as she was taken aback with Mayu’s question.
“I really missed you,” Finally, Mayu’s face softened and Yuki felt a sudden urge to release the pleading sentence to escape her lips.
“I miss you too,” Yuki shyly admitted. “However, I—“ She was cut in mid-sentence by a voice coming from behind Mayu.
“Hey, honey,” greeted a tall woman in her mid-twenties. Black hair and eyes; fit police uniform than shows her defined arms; boyish smirk, and defined jaws.
Mayu’s glanced at the figure above her and eyes grew wide.
This person…“H-hey, sweetie. I thought you had a meeting with the General today?” Yuki greeted her as she sat beside her.
The girl shrugged her shoulders. “We’ll I thought you might feel lonely, so I rushed things. But I guess this pretty lady kept your company…?” she motioned at Mayu, who was still loss of words.
Yuki snapped. “Oh, right. I haven’t introduced you yet. Mayu, this is—“
“Sae-chan?” Mayu whispered.
Sae narrowed her eyes at Mayu for a while. “Mayu? Watanabe Mayu?” They stared at each other.
Yuki glanced at Mayu and Sae and broke their gaze. “Sugoi! Judging by your reactions, I assume you still remember each other. I’m glad.”
“Ofcourse! How will I forget? We belong to the Basketball Club back in highschool, right?” Sae gestured her right hand, as-a-matter-of-factly.
Mayu’s face went stiff and her facial muscles failed her. But through Mayu’s protest, she managed to force a very weak smile. “So, are you two…?”
“Yes. We’re going out,” Yuki answered.
“How long have you been together?” Mayu continued to ask.
Mayu saw a hesitant face in Yuki who lowered her head. Sae noticed this and answered. “Five months ago.”
Mayu shot a look at Sae then to Yuki. Five months ago? As far as Mayu can remember, Yuki broke up with Mayu five months ago. How can Yuki replace her that fast? What made Mayu more furious is that of all people, she replaced her with Sae. The same Sae, who was Mayu’s first love.
“Also, we’ve started living together since last week.” Sae added trivially. She intentionally worsened the rage Mayu is keeping inside. Yuki glared at Sae but she ignored her and focused on the frustrated face Mayu is showing.
That did it. Mayu clenched her fist and got up from her seat. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.” She strode fast and exited the restaurant, not bothering to wipe her dripping tears.
“Mayu, wait!” Yuki stood up and tried to follow Mayu but a firm grasp stopped her. “Yuki.”
Yuki turned her head to look at Sae. “Sae, why did you say that?”
“What’s wrong with telling the truth?” Sae rolled her eyes. Yuki hissed and forcefully released her hand from Sae’s tight grip.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll explain things to Mayu.”
Sae stood up from her seat. “No, you’re not going anywhere. Why would you bother explaining things with her? Aren’t you over?”
Yuki halted at Sae’s words. She was right.
“We are.”
Mayu walked nonstop. She had no direction in mind but she let her feet drag her. Anywhere, she wants to be anywhere but the restaurant. Somewhere, she has to be somewhere, away from them. After a while, she arrived the park from before. It looks the same except for the black sky and absence of the children playing on the sand and couples walking hand-in-hand. The sky is already dark and there was nothing but silence. Mayu approached the vacant swing and sat on it. She stared at her feet for a moment until tears swelled up in her eyes. She buried her face on her palms and she cried. Suddenly, the sky roared and rain fell hard. Mayu faced up and she let the rain wipe away her own tears. All her plans for today were ruined; even the weather betrayed her. She again bowed down, cursing her misfortune. However, the hard drops that were hitting her skin suddenly stopped. She looked up and found that she was being covered by an umbrella. She saw a person that she never expected to see.
“I didn’t know you like this park that much.”
Mayu sobbed and hugged Jurina. Just when she thought nobody cares about her, a stranger covered her from the rain. She never said anything; just sobs that scream her pain. Jurina wrapped her arm around Mayu’s head, as if she understood what’s happening.
“I’ll take you home.”
“Mayuyu! Thank God you’re alright!” Milky ran to Mayu and hugged her tight. “Milky.” Mayu hugged back. She didn’t expect to see Miyuki so soon too. Whenever she had a date, she would always go home the next morning. “I was so worried. What happened?” Miyuki wrapped a towel around Mayu.
Jurina, sensing that the two needed a private talk, she cleared her throat. “Then, I’ll leave now.”
Jurina walked away but Mayu stopped her. “W-wait. Why are you leaving?”
Jurina’s face grew confused.
“You don’t have a place to stay, right?” Mayu asked hesitantly. She wanted to thank Jurina for helping her. But their first meeting made talking awkward to them.
“Eh?”
“That’s right. You’re staying over for tonight.” Miyuki dragged Jurina inside. “I owe you for finding my friend.”
“Don’t you want to?” Mayu asked.
Jurina shook her head. “Hai.” She made a wide smile, revealing her white teeth.
Miyuki smiled too. “Yosh! So, tonight, let’s drown ourselves with wine!” she raised her voice as she revealed a wine bottle from a cabinet.
The three stayed up late at night, drowning themselves with the sweet wine, ignoring the fact that it will betray them tomorrow. For the moment, they couldn’t care less. They let the alcohol take over their senses and talked a lot. They spilled their burdens and worries. They cried, for heart break, for solitude, for the broken promises, for the lies, for their agony, for waiting, for bitterness. They gulped the alcohol together with their suffering.
When they can’t keep up with their drowsiness, they slept on the cold living room. Not minding the chilly breeze entering their open window; not minding the flickering television; or the wine spills that stains their clothes. They felt at peace, except for Mayu who was having a nightmare about her encounter with her ex-girlfriend and her first love.
“We’ve been dating for five months now. And we’re also started living together.” Said Yuki and Sae, both looking satisfied with each other. They embraced, taunting Mayu. “And you? You are left alone in despair.” They laughed and Mayu was left frightened. “I’m not alone…”
“I’m not alone…”
Mayu opened her eyes and found her clothes wet in tears. She had been sleeping on the couch with a blanket around her. She didn’t remember wrapping herself with a blanket last night. She probably forgot why she wasn’t in her room either, but her heavy head reminded her that she got drunk. She got up from the couch and entered the kitchen which welcomed her eyes with food on the table.
She heard water splashing on the sink and she identified Jurina. She was cleaning dishes. Jurina noticed Mayu’s presence and quickly turned around.
“Oh. You’re awake,” she said nervously as she closed the faucet. Mayu smiled and sat on the nearby chair. “I’ll get you coffee,” Jurina added.
“Ah, sorry for using your kitchen. You and Milky were so drunk, so I thought I should prepare your breakfast.” Jurina said as she prepared Mayu’s coffee.
“Well, you shouldn’t have bothered.”
“Nah, this is to thank you for letting me in last night,” Jurina insisted as she placed the cup of coffee in front of Mayu.
“Thanks.”
“My head hurts…” Miyuki entered the kitchen. “Eh? Jurina? Did you prepare all of these?” She pointed at the breakfast on the table. There were breads, eggs, bacons, and sausages, and fish. Jurina nodded and joined the table. “Sorry. You were supposed to be our visitor but you ended up taking care of us.”
“Don’t worry about it. I can’t guarantee you the taste anyways, so let’s just dig in!” Jurina said as Miyuki joined them.
“Ittadakimasu!”
They ate together and they were full. Not just of the food that entered their stomachs but of warm laughs and remarks. After eating, Miyuki excused herself and took a bath. Mayu cleared the table while Jurina washed the dishes. When they were done, Mayu escorted Jurina outside.
Mayu suddenly recalled scenes from last night where Jurina covered her from the rain. They also talked about sensitive topics about their lives. It was a shame; sharing those memories to somebody she barely met.
She cleared her throat as they reached the gate. “So, uhm. Thank you for last night.”
Jurina shook her head and smiled. “No, no. Thank you for letting me sleep over.”
“No problem.”
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble. Actually, I came back yesterday to return your cheque. Here.” Jurina handed the cheque to Mayu but shoved her hand.
“No. Take it.”
“Are you serious?”Jurina asked Mayu who just slowly nodded for confirmation.
Jurina then grabbed something from her sling bag. “I believe this is yours.” She showed the cup. It was the cup that Mayu left at the park where they met.
Mayu stared at the cup. “That cup has a lot of memories that I don’t want to remember for now.”
Jurina examined the cup and smiled. “Then, is it alright if I take it?” she asked. “This cup could’ve witnessed bitter moments in your life that you want to forget, but I’m sure there were also sweet moments that you want to remain in your heart.”
Mayu remained silent; amazed by the mature words coming from the playful stranger she met. “Time will come that you would want to just cling to these memories, and when that time comes, come running to me. And I’ll share it with you. So let me keep this until you do.” Jurina said and smiled. Her voice was gentle and honest; different from the playful and pushy tone she had when they first talked.
“When I first saw you, I thought you were just an irresponsible, unreliable, free-loader, and proud person. But hearing you say that, I found you very mature, dependable, and level-headed.” Mayu returned the smile to Jurina. “So, please take good care of my memories.”
Jurina blushed a little at Mayu’s remarks and laughed. “You know, I don’t even know you’re name.”
Mayu was surprised and laughed. “Really? Come to think of it, I don’t even know yours, too.”
Jurina stretched out her free hand to Mayu. “I’m Matsui Jurina.”
Mayu reached for hers hand and shook it. “Mayu. Watanabe Mayu.”
“Mayu. If we could’ve met somewhere else, we could’ve been friends,” Jurina said as they let go of their handshake.
Mayu can see the blurred line of strangers between them. She looked at Jurina and smiled, trying to step out into something more comfortable.
“Aren’t we friends now?”
Jurina unconsciously grinned. Friends. She never saw that coming from someone who treated her coldly. Perhaps she’s fooling around, perhaps she’s not. But either way, she was entrusted a new relationship and she doesn’t plan to break it.
“Right. Friends,” she said. “I want to ask you one more thing, but let me do this properly.”
Mayu nodded, hinting her to continue.
“Can I live with you?” Jurina asked while Mayu raised her brows. “In this shared house, I mean.” She added defensively to which Mayu laughed.
“Of course. Anytime.”
Meanwhile, on a street in Tokyo, a 24-year old girl was dragging large garbage bags out of her apartment. She stopped on her tracks when she saw a girl about her age. She had short black hair. Her eyes shrunk as she smiled. She was carrying guitars on both her shoulders and carried a large travel bag. The girl tilted her head and spoke.
“Still being neat, huh, Yuihan?”
“You’re late, Sayanee.”
Topic: [Louise-sama] Home | Chapter 5 [Multiple pairings] (Read 17726 times)