Makoto spent the night wide awake. It was cold but the warmth of Konno`s body pressed against her side served sufficent. She glanced down at her friend let her mind drift at what the days of tomorrow would be like without her. It all seemed lonely.
It would be selfish to ask her to stay. But it didnt stop the want.
The clock next to her flicked over to 2am with an electric click. Makoto sighed. It would be a long night and she couldnt lie like this for every. For one, she needed a drink. Maybe a brisk walk to tire her.
She slipped out from under Asami, replacing herself with a pillow for her friend to snuggle. Asami took it with a faint mumble and fell back into her deep sleep. Makoto put a jumper and second pair of socks on before making her way to the door, stopping short a couple of feet. She looked back at the bed and her heart struggled with the next beat. How much longer can they stay like this?
She moved back to the bed, leaning over and kissing her friend slowly on the cheek before moving on to the kitchen.
Maki listened to the clock ticking steadily on the wall. Beat after beat. A constant rythme. She rolled over and pulled the covers over her head to smother out the sound. It was a stupid decision to buy that damn clock. The thick quilt served it use to keep the noise out but let Maki to hear her thoughts.
Why did she act so harshly?...
Somewhere, her insecurities answered - Because your a loser...
She shook her head, shaking the quilt down to her shoulders. Maybe it was true. But she wasnt one to leave it up to doubt, she had to find out.
`Where is it?`
`Third shelf. Next to the nutmeg (what is that stuff for anyway?...)`
Ai stood up as high as she could on the kitchen counter while holding on Risa`s hand. She was too scared to let go and her friends was the same.
`Got it!` Ai chan held the salt box high in triumph. `Lets go!`
Risa helped her friend down and together they ran as fast as girl running hand in hand can, back Ai`s room.
`Reina?` Maki taped on the girl`s door trying her best not to be too loud but at the same time just loud enough. For the longest time there was no reply. But just she thought of turning away the door opened a jar and a wonky eye appeared in the crack.
`What?` The voice was cracked. She was obviously wasnt awake at god knows what hour it is now.
Goto rubbed her hands together trying to find the best way to open. `Im sorry...`
You have to start somewhere, right? Reina opened the door a bit further letting it rest on her shoulders. She waited for something to follow but by Maki`s blank expression it seemed as though there wouldnt be.
`Come in`
She let the door open and closed it behind Maki, switching the lock back (out of habit). The room was warm and still being heated by the heater Reina had left running while she slept. Maki took her usual chair by the window. It somehow felt weird being back here, almost nostalgic, although it had only been just over a week since their quarrel.
`Aquarius?` Maki looked up to see the Reina offering her a fresh bottle. She couldnt help but smile as Reina continued. `Im hooked on the stuff`
Maki`s smile faded as she remmebered why she was her and that it wasnt just for drinks.
`Im sorry...` She repeated with only a little more to add this time. `I wanna be your friend so...`
So let`s move on from this arguement. Let`s forget before and make something new. All the implications were left hanging in the air, not needing to be said.
`No` The short word made Maki`s stomach tightend for the moment. `Im sorry...I should have said this earlier. But...Im...not too good with apologies`
Reina bit her lip and look away from the olders gaze, the rest of her words struggling to come out. It was appart of her stubborn nature.
`I was short with you. I should have taken more time and not rushed you`
She looked up into Maki`s eyes and saw that her apology was accepted but it did nothing to relieve the awkward atmosphere. Maki put her bottle on the floor and leaned over to punch her friend on the knee. Her way of saying `Its not as bad as we make it to be`.
`Too much?`
`Just a little..`
Aya looked a little taken aback.
`Is that even possible?`
Miki scratched the back of her head. Somehow this was all rather embarrassing to explain.
`Well, when it interferes with your work - yes`
The soloist nodded, at a loss for words. The bizzareness of the conversation now setting in. Too much sex...?
`But...I like having..sex with you...` She blushed, lowering her head allowing her bangs to cover it up. Miki couldnt help but grin like the luckiest girl on earth. She wrapped her arms around Matsuura`s shoulders and spoke quietly into her ear.
`I dont mean we dont ever do it again...`
Niigaki thumbed through the pages printed freshly from her Epson Ink Jet.
`What does is say?`
`I lost the page. It was somewhere in the midd- oh- here it is..Sprinkle salt in a circle starting from the north point. All those within this circle will be some kanji I cant read protected from any bodiless spirit`
Both the girls shivered at the last two words.
`So which way is north?`
Risa peered out the window at the quater moon. She remembered that from her house if she turned right the city was directly north and that the moon always set beside her house. Therefore, if she used those same baring north would be -
`That way` She pointed at the wall. Ai didnt argue as she had no idea what so ever.
`There` Takahashi clapped her hands together and admired her slightly wonky circle (its harder than it looks).
Risa sighed with relief as she took her friend`s hand and lead her inside the ametuer tent made from bed sheets. They lay down together, facing each other, their hands resting in the middle.
`Thanks` Ai kissed Risa`s nose quickly `Youre the best`
Makoto`s sock covered feet made no sound as she crossed the floor and down the hall to the kitchen. It was quiet tonight with only the occasional faint murmur. It seemed as though most were sleeping peacefully.
`Oh Yoshizawa!` Makoto exclaimed rather loudly as she entered the kitchen, startling her sempai into spilling milk all over the table.
`Oh Fu- ahhh` The puddle ran off onto Yossui`s jumper and down her leg. The cold liquid soaking through the material.
Makoto hastily snatched some paper towels, handing them over with an apology. Yossui just shook her head.
`It`s alright. You want one?` She held up the Milo and Milk. Shaking the milk a little to see if there was actually enough to offer.
`Yeah. Thanks`
Ogawa took a seat at the kitchen table. She nodded gratefully as Yossui passed her the hot drink. It wasnt as sweet as she would make it but she drank it all to absorb some of it`s warmth. When she was done she looked up to see Yossui eyeing her contently.
`What?`
`Cant sleep?`
She shook her head. Yossui changed her gaze to something out the window as she sighed.
`Me neither. Graduations always stress me`
Ogawa wondered silently how she knew about the graduation. Did Tsunku tell her? How long ago? She didnt bother to ask any of these questions as her mind raced on to other things.
`Yossui...` The word slipped out quietly but still audible. Followed by another rush of thoughts. `What am I gonna do now?`
Yossui looked pensive for a moment, turning back to look her friend straight in the eye. `What ever you want and what ever you need to`
Makoto just sat and thought it all over while Yossui stayed opposite. A quiet comfort.
-----
Jenmoshka is gonna have a freaking field day...
I hope you liked it