And........ Here's the couple months late requested Mayuki (Genderbend) OS. Gomen on the delay, but yeah. Here it is!
Hope it's at least decent quality, haha.
The next update I will make on this OS thread is an angst of SayaYui! I'll be sure to upload it once I've completed it~ (so far it's at 4434 words)
Searching for Love Again (Genderbend) [Mayuki]
I’ve adjusted my glasses; feeling slightly worn out from today’s event. Standing before my vision was a female whom I had spoken to. The girl that I dated by the name of Matsui Jurina.
She was a girl truly passionate about saving individual’s lives. A doctor just like me, Jurina will do everything in her power to save a life; even if that means breaking a few rules along the way. A very stubborn girl, it’s a wonder how we both connected. Probably because she’s always teasing about my cool, manly exterior when really, I’m just an otaku and soft-hearted back when we studied together in medical school. Whatever the cause was, we both became friends that soon transformed into a healthy romantic relationship. Everything we’ve done was what a couple would do when the truly loved each other. I expected this to go fairly well; deciding that it was near time to proclaim my desire to marry this girl.
Seated within my office within the hospital, I knew the news that I had just broken out merely seconds ago was far too much for the both of us to acknowledge.
We’ve been together for a good five years yet the relationship wasn’t going to last much longer as of right now. I didn’t know what exactly happened since the two of us had done nothing wrong. However, we both were fading away from each other. Less time were created thanks to the amount of work from the hospital recently in the past year and even then, the two of us wouldn’t speak much. When we got home together, the two of us merely mutter our good nights. Currently the thread between us were on the brink of snapping any minute; threatening to tear us apart.
Calmly I kept my cool exterior in place as I stared at the other girl with widen eyes. Left hand formed into a fist as it became a support of the side of my face resting against it; elbow on top of the brown desk’s surface. My right hand lying flat on the table’s surface. The doctor uniform that I had worn brought slight warmth in the cool atmosphere of the hospital’s air conditioner; covering most of my black buttoned clad, which was accompanied by the black khakis and work shoes.
The awkward silence was broken by the soft tapping of my index finger from my right hand. Nervously I glanced at the other girl and exhaled quietly.
“Jurina, I-“
“Mayu, you don’t need to say anymore.” Jurina squeezed her eyes shut. Closing them shut as though she wanted to pretend that this was all a dream. Merely a dream that with one motion of lifting her eyelids, this would all… disappear.
Of course, the both of us really wanted to believe in that foolish process. But when it actually dawned upon us that this was the reality of the situation, it was too late to revert it back.
The ikemen girl that I have been going out as my girlfriend ever since was now merely a girl that I knew in my medical school. The Matsui girl opened her eyes to reveal the pair in a watery state. Sadness scrawled all over her face despite the amount of attempts into keeping it emotionless.
“I… I knew this was going to happen soon…”
A single tear ran down the side of her face. And before I knew it, she walked out of the door. Out of my sight with the door left wide open. Her figure disappeared into the hallway once she walked far enough from my vision. Not a sound was produced from the girl that has now left.
After she was gone, a loud exhale escaped out of my mouth. The finger on my right hand cease to continue tapping on the table. My eyes squinted; still staring at the same direction the taller figure walked off.
Even though men aren’t technically seen to be crying, I felt my eyes becoming watery itself. Through my glasses, my eyesight was becoming blurry. Biting the bottom of my lip, I cringed when a painful clench came upon my heart. I gulped. Every single beat within my chest screamed out agony and anguish. A squeeze that could make one uncomfortable. The thin line that stretched across my face curved downward to express displeasure. A tear managed to sneak off from the corner of my left eye and down my face. Slowly it trailed downward till it dangled on the edge of my chin; dangling and hanging on for its dear life. Another second passed by and it fell. And upon falling did more drip down on my face.
‘Why did this have to happen?’
Instinctively I removed my glasses with my left hand; placing the object down on the desk. Turning my rolling chair around so no one would be able to witness through the open door my crying, I faced the clear glassed window. There I saw a faint reflection of my face and short, black hair with its ends twisting here and there on the surface. High up on the fifth story, I saw the many buildings the city of Tokyo spread out before me. Cars and civilians were scrambling around to their desired destination. And from the view up above here, they looked like tiny ants in terms of size. Sucking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes as I let another tear fall from my face.
I heard a faint knock on my door followed by, “Doctor Watanabe? It’s Doctor Matsui desu.”
Ah-It’s Matsui Ren, the man that shares the same last name as Jurina despite not being related. I didn’t even bother to open my eyes nor give my reply. Easily I heard the pair of feet shuffling into the room followed by the door closing from behind gently. In a matter of seconds, I felt a presence by my side.
“I see that something happened today, Mayuyu?”
Still keeping my eyes closed, I mumbled, “Hai… It’s none of your concern though, Ren.” Right after I spoke, I felt a hand rest on top of my right shoulder. It took me another few seconds to open my eyes. Glancing over at the other male, I saw his short, black hair smoothly and neatly combed into a formal style. Dark eyes were staring deep into mine. The same hand that was on top of my shoulder pat a few times. “I could tell that you broke up with Matsui Jurina.”
Damn. Hitting right to the main part where it hurts. I couldn’t blame Ren though since he is simply stating the fact; although in quite a blunt manner. He was a great friend that anyone could have in their life. Knowing each other since our high school year, we’ve been really close. The two of us would be in our own little otaku world together; every once in a while coming to each other when we needed advise. Or to tell some sort of news that would be an amusement just from the two of us. A gentle, generous and honest man, Ren always swoons the ladies whenever he takes a step forth outside of his home.
I brought my left hand to my disheveled black hair, running my fingers through each strand from front to back. Performing the action a couple times, I tore my gaze away from the other man.
“I don’t know what to do anymore, Ren… I… I just don’t know…”
A small sigh. Yet not a single answer coming from my best friend. His hand still rested on top of my shoulder, ceasing to pat it any further. I felt his pair of eyes removed from my figure and out into the window. We both stared at the city bustling with life; life moving onward as though nothing could stop them. A play button continuously pressed from the God’s up above. Silence fell upon the atmosphere. However, the silence wasn’t awkward at all. I felt comfortable remaining quiet. I didn’t want to say anymore anyway.
There was a hesitant breath taken before Ren spoke after a long period of silence.
“I think… you should take some time before trying to find love again.”
Upon uttering that single statement did another tear drop slide down to my chin, hanging on the edge for dear life before finally letting go. The liquid substance produced from my lacrimal glands plopped on the floor without a sound heard. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply and soon exhaled silently, feeling my chest rise up before falling back to its original state.
‘Maybe… Ren is right…’
I needed time to heal. I needed time to stitch myself back together just like I did with patients having a huge gash and laceration. I needed time to absorb all of this in.
But will I ever be able to recovery enough to fall in love once more?
---------
[2 years later]
After two years of breaking up with Matsui Jurina, I transferred to another hospital. Leaving behind my best friend with sadness, I decided to start anew. A new beginning where there’s nothing but just me and the new environmental setting the city has provided. A fresh start to the life of Watanabe Mayu.
America was a new experience. Specifically in Florida, the state where beaches, amusement parks, suburban and not a single winter snow dropping upon the land’s surface. Living much farther away than I had expected, I surely did enjoy the change though. Learning English was difficult, but after residing for half a year, I was decently speaking to patients without miscomprehension. Though the accents in them are a little unnecessary, of course.
Touching my newly dyed-blonde hair, I fixed the bangs that managed to sneak and bother my nose. I gently pushed it aside as I watched with intensity of my hair and the figure looking before me. The male that was filled with innocence and smiles now only wore a cold, serious expression that could be closely related to a cyborg robot. Even with a smile I just flashed right now seemed fake. Too fake to consider it real at all. Teeth cheesing at me forcefully as if someone had copied and pasted a male idol grin from a photoshoot to my own feature. A few seconds passed before a small twitch was seen from the corner of my lips. I tugged at the end of my black collar from my short sleeved buttoned shirt. Dressed in a semi-formal, same colored khaki, I made sure to fix myself before exiting out of my private office.
I merely clicked the door gently shut behind my back before being met with a bear hug from the one and only Minegishi Mii.
“You’re finally out of there!” he cheerfully, yet exaggeratedly, exclaimed of my appearance. Without any hesitation, the grown man tossed himself before my eyes.
Nearly tumbling backward, I had both of my arms waving wildly on both sides of my figure, praying that gravity won’t pull me downward to the ground. His weight was nearly unbearable and unexpected with the sudden action; unprepared for such encounter. After a few seconds of frantically catching my balance and nearly cracking my head open from the wall behind, I pushed the older male off of my body with a small frown.
“Okay, I’m ‘finally’ out as you said,” I mumbled in a small, yet annoyed, voice.
The male fixing his white lab collar stuck his tongue out at my direction. Red headphones resting around his neck despite the rule of keeping a formal appearance to the patients and guests, the short haired newly-made friend is someone that I honestly am grateful for meeting. There are times where he gets annoying, true. Yet he was the first friend that I had made and met since moving to Florida. The smile that would charm just about any lady, this man surely is a player. Despite trying to gain the attention of others though, I’m a little startled that Mii has yet to find a girlfriend for himself. He hasn’t been in any relationship either so it’s a wonder where he had gotten the skills to flirt with others. (Possibly from reading too many romance novels?) A Japanese fellow that’s open and warmly welcomes anyone new with open arms. He’s known greatly in this hospital to be friendly to many patients and serve very well for being a surgeon.
Mii cracked a smile as he placed both of his hands into his coat’s pockets. Cocking his head to the side, he then motioned his head slightly towards the direction that we were both supposed to be heading. “Let’s get a move on before both Yuu and Acchan gets pissed off.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the mention of the two individuals’ name. I knew exactly what would happen if we keep them waiting for too long… “Wakarimasu.” With a shrug, I followed suit right behind Mii.
As we trended forward, I glanced at my digital watch on my right arm. I noticed that it was near the time of the operation that we as a group have to perform for another patient today. If I remembered correctly, the operation was mainly focused on transplanting a right lung due to cancer. I scrunched my nose without hiding it from remembering the details of the file.
‘Ugh. That’s why smokers needs to be more careful about how much cigarettes they light up…’
Upon leaving the hallways of the many office rooms doctors and sometimes even nurses have, we enter to the main floor where most of the workers meet up before heading out to perform their respective tasks. It was a strange way the hospital was built, but it was set as if it was a lounge. Multiple rooms were seen to have sofas and tables scattered within them for personal purposes of the medical group. In the middle of the room were both Oshima Yuu and Maeda Atsuko. Seated on the isolated dark blue couch that sat in the center of the room, the young, short male was showing off his infamous dimpled smile while leaning the top of his head against the shoulder of Atsuko. The nurse was seen to have a faint blush creep up on her cheeks from embarrassment; seen to mumble a few ‘stop that’ and ‘not right now’ at the doctor. They didn’t even bother to get up from their seat as we approached the two.
‘Looks like we were a little too late…’ I mentally commented with concern. These two individuals were love birds. In a relationship since a couple months ago, they can never be away from each other for too long. Ugh. Sometimes seeing them go all romantic just makes me sick in the stomach due to the amount I’m forced to witness every single day. And of course, there are instances where either Mii or I walk in at the wrong moment of those two couples… But that’s for another time.
“Ah, there’s my oshiri brother~” Yuu smirked as he watched me sigh out loud. Crossing both of my arms, I stared firmly at the man who was now forming a curved ‘w’ with his two hands. “Oshiri dude. Oshiri.”
“Is it time?” Atsuko interrupted my fellow so-called ‘brother’ from further chanting ‘oshiri.’ Seeing her elbow the short, brown haired man with a nudge, the black shoulder length Japanese girl gazed with curiosity. I ignored my fellow so-called ‘oshiri brother’ and bobbed my head as an answer. I didn’t even need to say any word to get my message across. Without a single word uttered, the two seated individuals had gotten up from their seat (with slight difficulty due to Yuu’s laziness).
Yuu tugged on the edge of his white collar from underneath the oversized coat. An expression of laziness was scrawled all over her face followed by a loud yawn he didn’t even bother to cover. “Let’s hope this entire operation goes by well and quick.”
Both Mii and I waited by the double doors that leads directly to the pre-operating room in order to meet our patient. Chatting softly to each other, it took a full minute for our nerves to be probed upon. There was some impatience shown on both of our face as simutaniously our two feet tapped on the patterned rug’s surface. Adjusting my glasses with my left hand, I stared at the couple that was taking forever to reach us.
‘Those two… heh.’ I felt my heart grow a bit heavy from the opinion I had made of the short squirrel and taller female. It reminds me so much about the love… I had with Matsui Jurina. The love I had given and the times we had together…
‘No.’ I shook my head. ‘I can’t be thinking about the past anymore.’
I had put all of that behind me ever since I had moved out of Japan. There was a reason why I wanted to move here after all. I didn’t want to be in anguish from my broken heart staying in an area that constantly reminds me about my ex-girlfriend. I wanted a new start after all. Yet the past will continue to haunt me… I wonder if there’s something that will override the agonizing emotional burden that will occasionally rise up to the surface of my locked-up heart. I wish to see the solution to this ordeal.
----------
“Neh neh, there’s a shrine here, did you know that?” Mii told me as he pointed out at a small area filled with lust trees and greenery to one. Right in the center of the beautiful and peaceful nature was a small building. From the distant, I could easily spot a shrine gate expressing itself that it was the entrance. A couple individuals were seen to be walking in and out of the place. Most of them were mainly Japanese natives following their religions. Glancing over at the other male, I scratched the back of my neck. “I… never knew I guess.”
At the moment, the two of us after the operation decided to go on an extended break. The patient is safely resting in their assigned room right now, so it was a success. However, that same individual will have to undergo another one next week in order to complete the other lung. So here we are now, just rewarding ourselves with some fresh air. We walked around in a small park near the hospital with rarely any cars zipping by. Roads were mostly deserted and the atmosphere of the place is as peaceful as it can get. (Meditation here sounds like the perfect idea.) Every once in a while we would spot a nurse pushing or walking by the side of a patient. I couldn’t help but feel the corner of my eyes twitch a bit from such sight. However, my eyes were forced to be dragged over to the other male that has widen his eyes.
He puffed his cheeks lightly as his left hand messed around with the iTouch; index finger swiping and pressing against the screen for certain functions. His head bobbed up and down in syncopation of the beat coming out from his headphones; eyes still trained upon mine. “It’s a place where patients and their family and friends stop by to say their prayers. Personally I always visit this place when I’m feeling down or just need a little luck these days.”
“I don’t see much luck coming to you ever since the first time I met you.”
“Shut up, Mayu. It actually has been coming. Just… some small stuff I wished for.”
“Like…?”
“Like… winning a free chocolate within the hospital.”
Mii immediately held both of his hands with the iPod in his grip up within the air. Eyes were widening even more when he saw my expression go blank. I slightly dropped my jaw from hearing the most ridiculous answer I’ve ever heard in my life so far. I truly am astonished. “O-Oi! I can’t wish for something risky or I’ll be mourning over it like there’s no tomorrow!”
“I suppose so…” I shrugged with my eyes closed. Then reopening them, I said, “Hey. Maybe you should give me a little tour of this… shrine.”
I admit it. I’m personally interested what’s in store for this area. I haven’t been much of a religious person but ever since coming to Florida, there has been a lack of Japanese buildings. Seeing that I’m on an English soil and certain areas are instead overrun with Vietnamese natives, I had low hopes to finding such place like this. So it truly is a surprise to know a shrine out of all things are built on this ground. Mii blinked a few times before being slapped with realization that I was patiently waiting for his response. Coughing into his hands, he lowered his other arm back down.
“Alright then. Then follow me then you cyborg man~”
“Ugh. Please don’t call me that.”
I hate being called that. Even though my personality matches one of a mechanical cyborg doesn’t mean I enjoy the pleasure of being called one by others. Shaking my head with a small exhale to express my displeasure, I moved on forth to follow Mii.
While he was transitioning into a quiet doctor for once and listened to his music to now a chatterbox, I muted his voice out from my eardrums and focused on my surroundings. All around me nature gave some soothing impact to my soul. Leaves clinging and being a part of the wooden branches, birds happily chirping to each other, and the fresh oxygen to intake is one of the few reasons why I didn’t mind the setting. (It’s much more peaceful than back in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan.) I used this moment to close my eyes briefly and suck in as much oxygen as I can take in to my two lungs. Then with a long, silent exhale, I barely felt the corner of my lips curve upward from the relieving effect.
It didn’t take long for us to reach to our desired destination. Continuing to ignore Mii, I scanned with interest and hint of curiosity at my surroundings. Few Japanese natives continue to enter in and leave out past the red shrine gate. Many were seen to be with a guest pass to the hospital. Others were patients themselves; in their colored gowns and on wheelchairs. Brushing past by them, I looked around to see a couple miko girls speaking to some of the citizens. Most of them are Japanese and very few are other races. Happily they either cleaned and tidy up the holy ground or conversed with the ordinary civilians. I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrow from the place.
“How can I help you?”
Well that was blunt and sudden. Taken by surprise, I nearly growled with irritation to see another one of those mikos standing before my eyes. Focusing my attention on her, I kept my mouth closed; lips firm. Remaining silent, I observed the girl as if she was a foreign creature from the so-called planet Earth.
Er, she was more of a young woman I meant, not a young girl. I could predict that she’s somewhere in her early 20s in terms of age. Probably the same age as I. The long black hair tied in a ponytail with the assistance of a white ribbon was seen. White haori followed by the red hakama boldly showed off her status. Mature features that would make anyone respect her based on judging by appearance alone. The female’s dark eyes were staring into mine with a small, polite smile. And… that smile. It… made my heart miss a beat. Then it created a faster tempo than usual.
Gulping and shoving aside the thought that I might be falling due to her appearance, I kept my cold exterior. My eyelids didn’t even bat at her beauty.
“Nothing. Just looking around here.”
“Oh…” There was a slight disappoint written on her face. Disappointment as if she was expecting from me. Glancing downward, I could see the smile struggling to remain in the posture.
I didn’t really bother to care though. I told her my answer and that’s what I was going to send it out.
Right when I was about to take my leave, I felt a jab on my right side. Nearly yelping out, I glared at the guilty individual that was none other than Mii. He returned the same treatment as I while shaking his head silently. Even though no words were exchanged between the two, Mii is urging me to say something to this girl. (I’m not surprised though since he is protective of any girls he lay his eyes upon.) As much as I wanted to object his idea, I paused before sighing quietly. As much as I didn’t want to do this, I think the last thing I would want is to earn an earful full of lectures from this man.
I didn’t waste any more of my time by throwing out a question to the girl. “Actually… Would you mind to… help me with something?”
What did I seriously say that made the female snap her head up with full energy? And was it just me but is her eyes also… shining as if out of an anime? It was just a simple request that I had merely asked!
Taken aback by such action, I could only watch the girl with amazement as she walked up to close the distance between us. Brushing aside a stray black strand, she then widen her smile. “Alright then. Shall we go to a private room then?” Instantly I felt a warm touch on my right hand.
However, I’ve instinctively jerked my hand away. Immediately from that action I saw a dissatisfied expression flash across her face for a split second before returning back to the smile. Burying my hands into my coat’s pockets, I mentally reminded myself to keep them at all times in this position to avoid having another touch them.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Mii shoo me to go on ahead; head still bobbing to the loud dubstep coming out of the headphones. I wanted to drag him with me since he was the person that urged me to say something. But then again, it was partially my fault for dragging myself into this situation. I could’ve said something else yet here I asked for the shrine maiden’s help. So I might as well deal with it myself. I’ll deal with Mii later after I’m finished with this business.
----------
Soon I found myself sitting down on a soft cushion mat with my legs underneath my figure; knees pointing straight forward. Hands were out of my pockets and on top of my knees respectfully in a polite manner. The other miko sat in the same fashion with a small, yet wide table resting in between our spots. Tea that was just poured into the tiny tea cups seconds ago from the woman sat before our body. I haven’t reached forth to grab mine, but my eyes roamed around the room.
Nothing special. Maybe a couple wall scrolls to spark some motivation or reminder of moral codes were up on the walls. Few plants sat on the corner of the room. Sliding door next to my figure was shut not too long ago. It was a simple room that most anyone could just come in and move without having to worry about removing certain furniture or objects.
The silence that hanged in the air began to disappear the moment the girl spoke up.
“I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Kashiwagi Yuki desu,” she spoke in a soft voice.
I gave her my response that any usual polite person would say. “Watanabe Mayu desu.”
Simple exchange of our names were given. Now seeing her lean forth at a small angle, this Yuki girl then threw out a question once again at my direction.
“I see that you need my help. What is it?”
“…Need help on my what?”
“On your ‘something’ apparently.”
I blinked a few times. Oh. So that’s what I told her earlier… I didn’t really think twice about blurting out what came to mind. Oh how much I just wanted to slap myself on the forehead for my idiocy.
“Oh. Well, about that… It’s…”
Hm… What can I tell her about? I haven’t known her too well, yet she’s a miko. And shrine maidens usually are one to help another. So maybe I can use this one and only chance to actually talk to Yuki here about what was bothering me for the past two years? Or should I just lie and tell her about something stupid that in reality, doesn’t pertain to my life? After descending into silence after the ‘it’s’ word, I contemplated whether to tell her about it or not. Keeping my emotions deep inside of my locked heart, was this finally the chance to open it up and speak about it to another person?
I nearly wanted to take my words back when I saw Yuki raised a single eyebrow. Curiosity was seen glimmering from her eyes. The glimmering that reminds me of a certain someone back in Japan… She reminds me too much of Jurina. Gulping, I cleared my throat before I made an attempt to spill out my decision of telling my story.
“It’s… that I had fallen in love with someone for five years before… and broke up with her.”
Yuki blinked a few times. There wasn’t any response nor reaction coming from her; merely waiting patiently for me to finish my explanation. Deeply I inhaled in order to calm my now racing heart. Relieving through the scenario of the laughing Jurina and how much she had helped me throughout my life… How much time we’ve spent together… How much we’ve flirted and stuck to each other… It was like we were magnets. Yet… how could it all fall apart so easily? Is love really that fragile?
“I’m still haunted by my love towards her,” I whispered in a soft tone. “Even though we live countries away from each other… My heart cannot rebuild itself anymore.”
I saw the other girl sadden her expression slightly. Eyebrows were arched downward at a certain angle to express empathy towards my ordeal. Gently she took her own teacup and brought it up to her lips. Taking a small sip, she removed the edges off of her mouth.
“Love is truly a complicated topic.” The miko girl closed her eyes while giving me her thoughts on the matter. “I’m honestly surprised that through that five year relationship, you both ended up going on separate pathways. However…” she snapped her eyes opened. “Sometimes another love will override the previous one you have. It will heal you.”
“Are you serious?” I frowned. It’s a little silly to have such thoughts of the matter. How can another love simply fix my current issues? I’ve been heartbroken and still am. Finding another love won’t easily come to me nor will it cure my heart. And as though Yuki had read my mind, the raven haired girl shook her head.
“I did state that love is a complicated topic to dwell upon. Each scenario is different no matter how two couples situation are alike.” Another sip from her cup. “Healing from a broken relationship isn’t just avoiding getting another one. Though it works for some, it doesn’t for others. And so far, I could see that it’s only burdening you.”
I wanted to toss out another word to counter her argument. Yet I absorbed in the last statement she has uttered. ‘Burdening me…’
When Yuki was only met with silence from my direction, she got up from her seat. Placing the cup down on the table’s surface gently, she walked over swiftly to my seat. Getting down on her knees, she directly faced me from my right side. I was looking down on my two hands, seeing them tightening into fists. My glasses resting on the ridge of my nose slid down slightly due to the angle. I bit the bottom of my lip as I realized that my heart wasn’t mourning from the loss but rather yearning for the same kind of warmth I’ve received. The same security and gentleness from a loved one. Someone that I can fully trust and put my fate on them. Someone that I love pass the point of death. Jurina was one of those kind of people. Yet she isn’t with me anymore.
My right hand felt warmth from another. A little surprised, I trailed my eyes over to the seating figure by my side. Yuki’s eyes were looking down on my hand; not making eye contact with mine. I too looked down to see her hand gently resting on top of it in an embrace. Slender fingers wrapped around my hand securely as if they were trying to comfort the slightly trembling fist.
“I know it’s painful… But life has obstacles to overcome. This is one of the many that you’re facing…”
At the moment, my heart… barely fluttered when I heard the next reassuring words.
“If you ever need anything, Watanabe-san… My doors are always opened…”
Her hand still rested on my right. Relaxing my tightened fist, I looked over at her direction. There was a small, calm smile that formed on her face, telling me that she was going to keep her words. I couldn’t help… but form a small smile on my own. After so long… An actual smile was drawn on my face. Softly I chuckled as I retracted my hand away from hers. Getting up from my seat, I too saw the other female stand up on her two feet. Confusion and sadness crept on her cute face. As much as I hate to leave, I remember that I’m only on my break and need to return back to the hospital.
“I… Thank you for helping me,” I said. “But I must return to work now as you can tell…”
“I understand,” she nodded her head. Then leading me out of the room, I saw Mii waiting from the distant. I could see the other doctor waved his right hand wildly in the air to catch my attention. Sighing, I shook my head with annoyance. But looking over to Yuki, I said my farewells for the day.
Hands now in my pockets, I walked over to the hyperactive man that became impatient over my slow pace of approaching.
“Mannnnnnn, you walk so slow dude!”
“Oh shut up, Mii.” I rolled my eyes as we walked alongside back to the hospital. His hands also in his coat’s pockets, the headphones was still surrounding his eardrums with music. There was however a small smirk seen on his face.
“I see that you’ve opened up to that miko.”
“H-Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t lie to me, Mayu. That’s the first time I’ve seen you actually smile to be honest… and I like that.”
“Just SHUT UP, Mii.”
Man… Mii can really get on my nerves sometimes… But he’s right though. I feel like… a part of my heart has finally opened up to someone else aside from the doctors and nurses I work with. Someone outside of the medical field. And it was a nice change of pace for once. Taking a deep breath, I feel like this won’t be the last time I see Yuki.
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A good year has passed by since I’ve arrived in America. The new summer season rolled around the corner, bringing in the hottest season for the state considering that it’s Florida.
Sweat ran down my face as I myself walked towards to the shrine. It’s become a habit after I had first met Yuki. Though I promised myself to only visit the place when I truly need to, I found myself visiting every single day. It was merely because of one of the miko girls by the name of Kashiwagi Yuki. I just wanted to see her. And the more I see her, the more my heart began to melt. The frozen state it was once in before is melting away to reveal the beating heart that increases its pace every time I see a certain someone.
Thanks to spending most of my breaks here on the ground and even after my work if I have a spare chance, I got to know more about Yuki. Her nickname that I love to tease her with is Yukirin due to a joking relation of her and a giraffe from the other shrine maidens. I learned that she really loves to eat fruits and vegetables unlike I. Yuki really likes to drink herbal tea and when she’s off duty, she would always go shopping for new clothes. (Which honestly, rarely matches nor look right in a sense of female style.) The female is smart, a bit older than me, funny, cute, and overall, beautiful. I couldn’t help but feel lucky that I’ve met her in my life.
Many of my friends in the hospital teased me that I’ve fallen in love with her. I wanted to deny them, but I feel that they were speaking the truth. Even my fellow ‘oshiri brother’ Yuu keeps probing that I should just spend the night with Yuki and go earn some smexy points or whatever silly words he blabbered out. However silly though, they were all getting the message that I truly am in love with Yuki.
And I might just confess to her since I realized that… I do love her.
“Okaeri, Mayuyu~” I heard Yuki politely welcome me back with the nickname. I couldn’t help but bury my face into the collar of my coat, trying to hide my faint blush.
“Stop it with the nickname, Yukrin…” I mumbled in a small voice. Yuki caught what I had just uttered and stuck her tongue out. Then coming up to me, she poked the very tip of my nose lightly. “Ba~ ka~ You’re such a tsun tsun.”
“Mou…”
She laughed and gave me a friendly hug. Feeling her arms wrap around my body and pull me into her embrace made my face heat up a notch. Especially… when I could feel her oppais pressed against my own manly chest. Gulping nervously, I returned the same treatment back to her. Oh, if the amount of heat on my cheeks aren’t bursting into flames, then I don’t know what’s keeping it from doing that.
When we separated, Yuki then asked if I wanted to get the usual tea and snack from her. As much as I wanted to say yes since we always had snack and lunch together… I shook my head in response instead. And that action made the raven haired girl confused. It was a little strange knowing that I didn’t want anything for the day. Reaching out and grabbing ahold of my hands with hers, she then asked if I was okay.
“Are you okay, Mayuyu? Are you not feeling well or…?”
I shook my head silently, denying all of those questions. Which made her even more confused.
“Is there something wrong then? I’m here to listen to them if you want-“
“I love you.”
“…E-Eh?”
“…I… I said… I love you.”
Great. My cheeks are heating up to the point that I was becoming light-headed. Yet maintaining my balance with the earth’s gravitational pull, I removed my hands from her grip and instead placed them on her arms. Unconsciously I stepped forth till we can feel our breaths from both our nose and mouth. This caused Yuki to blush from hearing my blunt statement. I could see the other girl unable to look directly at my own eyes.
“Yuki… Do you… still feel the same for me?”
“I… I have.” Finally looking back at my pair of eyes, she leaned forth without thinking twice and captured my lips. It was sudden, but I used this chance to also kiss her back. It was gentle and quick. Retracting away from each other for a bit, I heard the answer that I wanted to hear.
“Ever since I set my eyes on you… I felt my heart being captured. I didn’t have a lover back then and when I first heard you had a girlfriend, I nearly felt like I didn’t have a chance with you. But I see that you were in despair and truly wanted someone to be by your side ever since the separation. I wanted to hug you on the first day and tell you that I’ll always be by your side. It didn’t seem like a right timing though since you probably would think that I only did it out of pity. I’m not though. I really do love you, Mayu.”
“…”
I was speechless. That confession Yuki had towards me… I… I’m speechless. I didn’t know what to say, but I do know how my heart feels. The frozen heart finally beats with life and frantically pumps the blood due to the excitement of knowing that the girl I now love returns the same treatment. Unconsciously I brought my right hand to caress the side of her face.
“I love you too Yuki… I’m… I’m always afraid of falling in love after breaking up with Jurina… But you… You’ve trusted in me and brought me hope that I could fall back into love again… I thank you for that… For believing in me… For bringing me hope… For returning the same feelings… as I have for you.”
Then as if it was a script, we both leaned in for another kiss. The second time was a much more passionate move; the both of us extending it longer than the previous one. Panting as we separated, I saw her face flush with embarrassment. Feeling my own cheeks burn up too, I nuzzled her nose with mine from joy.
“I’m glad you’ve entered my life... Will you be my girlfriend, Yukirin?” I softly asked as I wrapped my arms around her figure.
Yuki threw out her answer without a second’s hesitation. “I would be more than glad to be your girlfriend, Mayu… As I’m glad to have you as my boyfriend…”
So just when I thought love could never be found in my life… It came back to me. With another person that had brought me hope, I grinned happily to realize that someday searching for one again… It’s worth it.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read it!