Candlelit Smile
Chapter | Two | Pitter-Patter
“ACCHAANN??!!~” The door to the roof slammed open.
An energetic Yuko jumped out into the open with her hand securely holding onto the door. The minute she saw the other two girls in such an intimate position, her expression quickly changed into a naughty presumptions one. Minami’s face immediately flushed redder than a tomato.
“Oh my~ Please excuse me for interrupting ahehe.” Yuko apologized with a cheesy grin, before darting back into the building.
“W-wait, don’t leave yet!” Minami exclaimed reaching out her hand towards the closing door.
“Yes?” Yuko peered her head back out
“It-it’s not what you think!” Minami tried to save.
“What do you mean?” Yuko tilted her head to the side, thought about it and then replied again. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word about it to anyone.” She smiled reassuringly.
“No, that’s not it…Actually, we were locked out here.” Minami explained.
“Huh?” Yuko looked at the lock and then back to the girl with an ‘Ohhh’ as she understood with a nod.
“Yes, yes, now thank you so much. Could you please hold the door?” Minami replied happily.
“Sure!” Yuko quickly said, but then added something that instantly removed the other girl’s relieved expression. ‘You know…That still doesn’t clear up my understanding of your ‘current’ state though.” She gave Minami a wink and then came back out to spread open the door in a wider distance.
Minami sighed out loudly with her eyes closed, until she felt movement from the sleeping girl. “Mmm…” Atsuko shifted around lightly, removing an arm away from the stiffened girl to rub at her eyes.
“…Hmm?” The tired girl slowly opened her eyes.
In a mini panic Minami hurriedly stood up from her spot, causing the other girl to lose her balance.
“Ahh~ Itai…” Atsuko yelped out as she whined in pain. The injured girl sat herself back up and grabbed at her arm to look at her elbow that had been scratched upon contact with the concrete floor.
“Gomen!” Minami yelled out in a startle, causing the girl on the floor to look up at her in confusion.
“???” Atsuko blinked up at Minami.
“Are you okay?!” Minami worriedly came back down in front of Atsuko, and her eyes widened the second she was met with the sight of tiny blotches of blood. She quickly checked her pockets to find nothing, before realizing she had left her personal items downstairs and then suddenly turning around on the girl. “Get on.” She demanded.
“Ehh?!” Atsuko sounded still too dazed with sleep piled together by the speed at which the situation was taking to understand what was going on.
“Hurry!” Minami said motioning for the girl to get on her back.
Atsuko flinched at Minami’s persistence and hesitantly complied. The moment she reached a hand towards Minami the girl had taken it and wrapped it around her, before picking them both up and heading quickly down the stairs.
Yuko watched with wide eyes surprised, yet mildly entertained by the tiny girl’s action and strength. She was about to follow them, but was stopped when her foot accidentally skids a random cell phone laid out on the floor. She picked it up, clicked on the home button and was met with a locked screen with a familiar picture plastered on it.
“Ahh.” Yuko let out as she realized Minami was the same girl in the picture with Haruna in Mariko’s phone from earlier, for they both kept an identical photo. She pocketed the device, before heading down.
On the other hand Minami was busily rushing past the curious staff members to the private room she had been appointed to meet up with the studio director in the morning where her belongings had remained. Before they disappeared into the door though, Mariko who had just returned from finishing her portion of her own photo shoot looked up with a raised eyebrow and then shifted her gaze questioningly to Yuko who had casually walked by.
Atsuko sat in a chair and waited apprehensively as Minami searched through her bag. She then took out a small clear container and ripped open a small packet of rubbing alcohol pad. Minami looked up into Atsuko’s eyes, “Give me your arm.” She said and Atsuko reluctantly obliged. Gently she held onto the girl’s arm and began to carefully dab the pad against the wound.
Upon contact Atsuko winced and taking notice, Minami eased the sharp stinging by blowing a cool breeze over it. “Does it hurt?” Minami asked as she glanced up to meet Atsuko’s eyes and the girl silently shook her head no.
After the response Minami set the used pad down and applied a small amount of ointment onto the girl’s elbow, before sealing everything perfectly with a cute pink bandage. “There all done.” Minami said as she cleaned up and stood up to throw away the trash into the nearing bin.
“A-arigatou… but,” Atsuko gave her gratitude and lowered down her gaze before continuing. “You didn’t have to carry me all the way here just for that did you?” Her face turned bright red, unable to meet the shorter girl’s eyes.
Equally as embarrassed Minami scratched the back of her head before giving a wry reply, “Well, you’re right… It wasn’t as though you sprained your ankle or anything like that, but I guess it just pains me to see another person hurt regardless of whatever the situation may be.” She gave a light-hearted chuckle.
Hearing the sincerity from within Minami’s voice, Atsuko looked up and responded with a cheerful smile and for the first time it had seemed as if they’ve finally gotten along.
“Maeda-san, is everything alright? Everyone has been searching for you.” The director walked in with concern.
“Yes, everything is fine now. I’m very sorry for the trouble.” She stood up and bowed in an apology.
“You’ve missed your photo shoot.” He said.
“That is…Well, during my tour of the building we were both locked out outside on the roof.” Minami tried explaining.
“Takahashi-san, I’ve also been wondering where you’ve gone off to. If that’s so then I’d also like to apologize. You two must have devastated.”
“Ahh, no…Takahashi here took good care of me.” Atsuko confessed.
“Is that so?” The director walked towards Minami and shook her hand. “I’m very thankful for that, Maeda-san is a very important client to us. It wouldn’t have been a very good thing if anything worse were to have happened while she was still under our premises.” He patted her on the back before continuing. “If it isn’t a bad timing, I’d like to go ahead and proceed with our previous discussion from earlier this morning.” The man walked behind a desk in the room and sat himself down.
“It’s a great time actually.” Minami happily replied as she reached for her belongings and picked up her portfolio. She handed it to the man who reviewed it.
“Do you by any chance have any of your recent work on you?” He asked not looking up from where he looked.
“Actually, I took some photos this morning…” Minami switched on her camera and handed it over towards the older man.
“Hmm…” As he scanned through the images his eyebrows rose up in amusement. Gazing back up to look at Minami he called out to one of his employees working in the hallway. “Could you please get the head photographer in here right away?” He asked the worker.
It wasn’t long until a slender male walked in. “What is it sir?” He asked politely.
“Come take a look at these photos and tell me what you think.” The director directed and the other man quickly did as he was told.
“…Amazing, beautiful, absolutely wonderful, this is the work of masterpiece by a fine photographer in the making.” The head photographer flattered, “Wait.” He abruptly sounded as he looked up to glance at Atsuko. “Is this Maeda-san?” He asked switching his gaze to look at Minami, in which she nodded.
“Huh?” Atsuko furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
“This is…I was troubled by the fact that for her photo shoot today, perhaps our team wouldn’t have been able to pull off the look of her concept quite properly…but this…it fits just absolutely perfect!” The man beamed.
At his exaggerated statement, Minami breathed out a sigh of relief and then smiled proudly. “…And you took these without the use of any other special equipment?” He asked and she nodded. “Where were these taken?” The man asked again curiously.
“All of those photos were taken here on the roof of this building sir.” Minami responded.
“Ehh?? We had such a beautiful place here and I never knew about it?!” The head photographer was astounded with what he heard.
“Well, that concludes it. I’d very much like to have you work for us in the near future. As part of the welcome to our team, I’d like to have your pictures chosen for our contract with Maeda-san’s agency. Thank you for your cooperation.” The director as well as the head photographer shook hands with Minami.
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On Mariko’s way out of the building after finishing up her schedule, she bumped into her best friend. “I heard the great news, congratulations Takamina.” Mariko said with a smile.
“If it wasn’t for you that is so, thank you.” Minami returned her gesture.
“Are you heading home now? …Haruna must be waiting.” Mariko said.
“As much as I want to see her face now, I can’t yet… Tomorrow is her birthday and I haven’t even finished buying everything I wanted to get for her. I’d probably be late until I get home.” Minami explained.
“Oh…What are you planning to do?” Mariko asked nervously, yet her friend failed to pick up the uneasiness in her voice.
“I’m going to ask that beautiful woman to marry me.” Minami gleefully revealed as she turned to look at her friend. “I’m so excited.” She chirped.
The smile on Mariko’s face quickly faltered and her friend took notice. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy for us?” Minami asked confused at the older woman’s reaction.
“Ahh…No, that’s not it. I just thought it was kind of sudden, caught me off guard. I’m more than happy for you two.” Mariko half-heartedly replied.
“I wonder if she’ll accept. …Nah, she’ll definitely accept it because she loves me of course!”
“Don’t worry I’m sure she would… Tell me the good news when it happens.”
“Of course I will, aside from Mii-chan and Haruna you’re my best friend after all.”
"Well, I’m pretty busy so I’ll talk to you whenever okay?" Mariko feeling slightly guilty tried to escape by leaving.
“Ah, wait a minute Mariko. Could you please drop my things off for me at my apartment? I don’t want my camera to get damaged or anything.” Minami handed over her possessions and Mariko took them in agreement, before waving goodbye then exiting the building.
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Atsuko stood on the platform near the curb of the building holding onto the umbrella her manager had provided for her as she watched the rain pour down. Waiting for her manager to get the van and pick her up she looked up towards the sky and shuddered at the thought of being stuck on the roof with the inconsistent pitter-pattering of the rain, but thankfully luck was on her side.
Then her mind drifted back towards whom she was stuck on the roof with and raising a hand to glide over her bandage, she gave a shy smile.
“Hii.” The voice of an unexpected person startles her.
“Takahashi-san?” Like the falling rain Atsuko’s heart flutters.
“Are you waiting for your manager?” Minami’s voice sent an unfamiliar sensation down Atsuko’s spine, as her voice is warm in contrast to the rain.
Atsuko nodded, but when she noticed Minami’s drenched shoulder she slowly held the umbrella over the girl’s head.
“Ah…Ahah, I appreciate it but I’m already going on my way either way.” Minami replied.
“In the rain?” Atsuko asked sounding a little too concerned that the situation soon became awkward.
They stood silently by the curb until the sound of a van driving closely by hit Minami’s ears. Atsuko didn’t think it was going to do any harm, until the other girl caught her off guard by swiftly moving from the side to face her front and pulled her into a tight embrace.
‘Doki, doki, doki…’
Just seconds later, the careless vehicle ran over the road channel and splattered dirty gutter water right onto them…or more precisely the now very drenched Takahashi Minami.
Atsuko gasped.
Minami wrapped her arms protectively over Atsuko’s body, and gently the sound of just raindrops hitting the umbrella was all she could make out. ‘Pitter, patter, pitter, patter’ she felt Minami’s breath tickle against her collarbone, every exhale like breathtaking waves upon the ocean.
‘Pitter, patter, pitter…’ Atsuko stared into Minami’s comforting face…Perhaps it wasn’t the sound of the rain, but her trembling heart that was making such a commotion.
“Yaaada…I’m all wet.” Minami retracted her warmth from Atsuko, and felt around her dampened back with her hands.
“Gomen-nasai, gomen-nasai, gomen-nasai!” She frantically apologized, feeling embarrassed.
“It wasn’t your fault… Ahah, It was bound to happen anyways.” Minami complained then flashed Atsuko her pearl white teeth.
“But…” Atsuko felt at fault.
“Are you guys okay?” Atsuko’s manager parked his van as he came out to apologize.
“It’s fine.” Minami replied as she smiled at the guy and turned back to the other girl. “Well, have a safe trip.” The shorter girl walked out into the pouring rain and waved goodbye at the girl who just stood there staring at the leaving person.
“…You too.” She whispered in a daze.
As her manager opened up the door for her to go in, a person quickly interrupted her. “Acchan, hold on for a sec!” Atsuko turns to see Yuko making her way on over.
“Here, since you guys seem close you should return this back to its owner.” Yuko nudges a device into Atsuko’s hand and walks off with a smile.
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Kojima Haruna sat comfortably in her white shorts and tank top while waiting for her girlfriend to return home. With her phone in hand, she picked up a cushion and hugged at it. “Why isn’t she picking up her phone?” She complained with a pout.
‘Bzzzzzzzzzz.’ The doorbell buzzed.
With a smile Haruna quietly tiptoes into the hallway and unlocks the front door, before running back quickly to hide behind a wall in a fit of giggles.
‘Click’ she hears the door open and someone making their entrance.
The second the person’s back appears in front of her, she closed her eyes and moved in for the hug. “Takamina! <3” Haruna yells out. The person immediately moves a hand over her own, but with the unmatched height as well as difference in perfume. Haruna snapped her eyes open and backed away.
“That’s pretty dangerous you know.” Mariko warns as she turns around to face the other girl.
“What are you doing here?” Haruna asked slightly uncomfortable as she walked towards the living room to resettle herself down on the couch.
“Takamina asked me to drop her things off. She won’t be home until later.” Mariko explained as she walked on over and placed the items down.
“Oh.” That was all Haruna had replied.
“…Haruna I,” Mariko started her voice trembling.
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Minami ran hurriedly down the street with her hood up, but it did little to shield her from the harsh rain. With no umbrella and months of saving only barely enough money to buy everything that she needed to, it took her forever to reach the finest jewelry store in all of Tokyo.
“May I help you?” A nicely dressed man asked in a very rude tone.
Minami looked at the man and then panted out, “Yes, please… I would like to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend.” At her statement he looked disgusted.
“Maybe you’d find what you’re looking for at one of the other jewelry stores.” The man said snidely, having something obviously against her.
Now that pissed Takahashi Minami off and she glared at him. “Look here you, no other place can do so just let me come here to do what I came here to do and no one gets reported.” With that said, she strayed away from her usual polite ways.
Clearing his throat the man then complied reluctantly, not wanting to ruin the image of his store. After about thirty minutes and the man becoming seemingly more annoyed as Minami’s wet form dripped all over his floor, she finally narrowed it down to two rings.
One was golden and the other platinum with a small similarly cut diamond situated beautifully in the middle. They were both simple, yet elegant. After a minute or two of pondering she finally picked up the platinum one, “I’ll take this one.” The gold would have stood out too much against her girlfriend’s snow white skin.
The man then wrapped it up for her.
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Haruna wiped at the tear that had escaped from her eye. “Stop it, whatever happened between us in the past has already ended a long time ago…I love Minami now.”
“That isn’t true!” Mariko’s voice rang out loudly. She knelt down beside the girl and grabbed onto her arms.
“I’m already happy, why can’t you just leave me alone?” With her voice shaking, Haruna turned away from Mariko.
Mariko tightened her hold on the other girl with tears also streaming down her face and pulled the girl down into a strong embrace. “…For me it had never once ended, never…and it’ll always be that way.” At this honest statement Mariko moved away to face the beauty before her.
With hearts pounding and breathing uncontrollable, Mariko moved her face in swiftly and captured Haruna’s moistened lips with her own. At first Haruna’s eyes widened in surprise, but as the kiss deepened her last bit of tears slid down as she squeezed her lids shut and wrapped her arms around Mariko’s neck. The woman moved her kisses down Haruna’s neck, and slowly their two bodies came down against the floor.
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Feeling her legs numb from the cold Minami walked up the stairs to the apartment she shared with her girlfriend. She wasn’t feeling too well, completely drenched in rain the only thing keeping her still going was the cozy thought of being in Haruna’s warm embrace. She stopped in front of the door and rang the doorbell, too tired to look for the key.
It took longer than usual, but eventually she was relieved to see the heartwarming face of her girlfriend. “Why are you drenched in rain?!” Haruna asked as she pulled the girl in and placed a hand on her cheek.
“You lost my umbrella remember?” Minami smiled as she placed her own hand over Haruna’s and looked softly into the other’s eyes. Haruna darted her gaze down and removed her warmth from the girl to grab at Minami’s arm and drag her into their bedroom.
Haruna sat her girlfriend down on their bed, then went into the closet and returned with a clean towel. She placed the towel over Minami’s head and patted away at the water droplets. With the towel still clearly covering her face Minami gave her girlfriend a short peck on the lips. The action made Haruna stop in her track.
Pulling off the towel Minami stared sweetly into her girlfriend’s eyes and spoke most arduously. “I love you Haruna.” She smiled softly.
Staring back into her girlfriend’s gentle eyes the tears threatened to fall, Haruna held back a sob as the guilt in her chest welled up. Before her girlfriend noticed the tears though, she quickly pulled Minami into a hug.
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A/N: Okay, ahaha. How did I do with this chapter? I hope the pace isn’t too slow for you guys. I really tried working hard on this to make it a longer update! Thanks again for all the wonderful comments and thanks given, I’d be glad with writing the next update as soon as possible. OH && MOST IMPORTANTLY none of the characters in this fic are evil, they're just a little lovesick lol.
Topic: [Update! 8/31/12] Candlelit Smile | Atsumina (Read 20342 times)