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Throughout the evening, all Mary could hear was the sound of a pen scribbling on a piece of paper, mumbled voices of her roommate in clear distress, before a scratch of paper being aggressively torn apart ends the cycle, repeated three times by now. When she hears another rip, Mary decides to be a good friend and check up on her clearly stressed roommate.
Half of it was just to stop her from creating too much noise because Mary had forgotten her headphones in Ryan’s dorm, unfortunately too lazy to go back and get it.
With a sigh, she slips on her rabbit slippers and walks to the other side of the room, clearing her throat. “Yumeko, what’s the problem?” She starts, standing not too far behind, hands crossed in her chest. Then finally, she hears Yumeko let out a whine, head dropping down onto her desk with a thud, “.. Mr. Dickinson..” her groggy voice speaks, Mary cringes at it, not too fond of this side of her friend.
“Ugh, Mr. Dick,” The shorter girl rolls her eyes, “literally,” before sitting on Yumeko’s bed, setting the wolf plushie aside to make space. “What did he wanted you to do?” She asks, knowing how much of a problem professor that man was, despite being assigned in this school of gamblers, practically college students, Mr. Dickinson was your stereotypical strict high school teacher who was sucking the joy out of his students.
Yumeko’s head raises up, letting Mary take a look at her messy work space, various crumbled paper scattered around, pens and pencils in a brink of completely rolling over the desk, colorful inks and chalks painting the girls arms and even her cheeks.
Mary blinked hard, confused.
“Isn’t he a business major professor? Why is he making you do art?” She receives another distressed groan, “and you’re fucking bad at it, an eight year old could do better.”
“He’s been torturing me after I..” Yumeko annoyingly rolls her eyes, “quote on quote, disturbs the class with my gambling addiction,” she signs with her hands, now fully facing her roommate, “like what even does that fucking mean? I was just arranging my cards..!”
Mary blinks again, not yet familiar with Yumeko’s soft voice suddenly cursing, and her getting worked up, because she’s been recognizing Yumeko as this crazy gambling freak who knows how to turn tables and laugh with a knife stab through her hand, begging to play once more. And for her to act like a.. normal college girl, made Mary see another side of her friend.
Despite enrolling in this hell of a school, they were still getting their degree, some of them had to get jobs and work 9 to 5, unlike those legacy kids who would just inherit their parents businesses.
Like Yumeko. Though not entirely handed to her by her parents, considering they were.. dead and buried because of an unfortunate accident, but still, her parents left her with their multibillion bitcoin company.
“Why are you studying in the first place?”
Yumeko rolls her eyes the second time, “You’re forgetting I’m asian, my aunt would kill me.”
Mary remembers, “Right.”
“Besides, I won’t accept a grade I know I don’t deserve, I may look like someone who doesn’t care about their studies, but I’d rather gamble my necklace if I accepted a 3.0 GPA.”
Mary understood her words, that necklace was a piece of her friend’s parents, an heirloom you could say, so she knows it was extremely valuable to the latter.
“Secretly a nerd,” Standing up, she gives Yumeko an encouraging pat on her shoulders, “good luck with that, don’t let out too much noise.”
Yumeko swerved her chair, “Wait, could you at least help me?”
“I’m also bad at arts, nerd.” Mary answers, smirking in amusement as she stares at her friend. “But I do know Michael’s a bit of an art guy, saw his drawings, or whatever was that on his laptop.”
Taking the chances, Yumeko gathers her things, practically dumping it in her bag, “Gosh! I forgot!” she says in between fixing herself. “Gotta go! See you later.” When she was about to twist the door knob, Mary yells out to her.
“It’s snowing outside, you’re forgetting his dorm is on the opposite building, won’t you need proper clothes?” Mary furrows her eyebrows, looking down at her friends attire, white thin camisole, both arms exposed, blue plaid pajamas that was clearly not doing good on covering her hips, and still in her wolf slippers.
Necklace still wrap around her neckline.
Yumeko looks down at her clothes, before spotting whatever jacket she could find on the coat rack beside the door.
“There, okay, see you later!”
Mary weren’t given a time to tell her that that was a very thin sweater. Sighing like a mom would when their daughter misbehave, Mary fixes her own comfortable warm sweater like an english teacher and enjoyed peace and quiet.
“If that girl catches a cold, I’m moving rooms.”
—
When morning came, Mary had woken up without the sound of Yumeko’s alarm booming in their room walls, confused and wondering if she spent the night at Michael’s dorm, she closes the thought and began to start her morning, heading to the cafeteria for breakfast.
If was only then that she saw her roommate, slouched down in their usual table, sleeping, disheveled hair and a bit of a messy uniform, though considering about it, Yumeko always dresses her uniform like she had forgotten to properly put it on. Also, looking closely, she notices how Yumeko’s neck was.. missing something, oh well, she probably left it at their room.
Beside her, Ryan in his thick jacket sat with his food halfway touched, worriedly nudging the girl, in front, Micheal dressed in a red sweater munches on his peas, a notebook open beside his tray.
“Woah, what happened to her?” She announces her presence, “Ryan, move.”
“What— I got here first.”
“Move before I throw your food in your face.”
Defeated, the boy stood up, moving to sit beside Michael who watches the whole ordeal, swallowing first. “Came to my dorm at 8 in the evening, stayed there until midnight.” To this, Ryan suspiciously gave him a side eye, questions piling up. “Why is she at your room..?”
“Art work project, Mr. Dick,” Mary says instead, not looking at him, “and ew, jealousy is so disgusting on you.” She ignores the glare thrown her way, picking a piece of pancake and shoving it in her mouth. “Did she spent the night?” A question for Michael, earning her a head shake from him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “No? She went back in the dead of night.”
“.. Went back at 1am, woke up at 5.. forgot an assignment.. then passed it on 7..”
A soft tired voice surprises the three, all eyes stares as Yumeko lets out a yawn, bones stretching, she looks like a cat that had been woken up from its nap.
“That’s probably why I didn’t saw you when I woke up.” Mary hums, shoving another piece, signaling her roommate to eat her own food, which didn’t go unnoticed and Yumeko began tiredly munching on her rice.
Ryan clears his throat, awkwardly setting his elbow down onto the table, eyes looking upfront. “So, Yumeko, how was the.. ah, artwork you’re working on? I bet it’s beautiful just like y—“
“It was shit.”
Ryan bits his lips, nervously letting out a very awkward laugh, Mary almost bursts out laughing.
“Sorry I couldn’t help you, got to finish those piled up assignments.” Michael lets out, genuinely helpless and sorry.
“It’s fine, you let be borrow your materials, that was a big help, thank you.”
Michael nodded at her word, “How many days were you given to rework on it?”
Yumeko bites down on a piece of celery, hard, the crunch could be heard in the table. “1 day, he gave me 1 fucking day, said I had to pass it tomorrow at 6 in the fucking morning, my classes starts at 8..” Even though her voice weren’t that loud, Yumeko manages to make it sound like she was yelling, angrily letting out her frustration.
Ignoring Ryan’s; “Did she just cussed?” , Mary leans in to pat her back, genuinely feeling sorry. “Geez, that asshole really hates his students,” She soothes Yumeko’s barely worn jacket, which was thin, once again, the cold winter air could easily seep through it.
Then suddenly, a thought. Mary relaxes at her seat, looking in front, directly at the student council table where the president sat, not eating, but discussing with her sister. As usual.
“How about you tell Kira about it?”
Her question made the other three perk up, their attention completely shifted to Mary.
“How on earth would telling Kira solve anything?” Ryan’s confused comment.
“Besides, she already knows about Mr. Dickinson’s strict teaching, she probably approves of it.” Michael shares his thoughts.
Yumeko didn’t say anything right away, instead, her eyes drifted to look upfront to said president. Then, her brown eyes met blue, soft blues, very unlike of the president’s character, Yumeko barely notices the small red tint beginning to form on Kira’s ear before the latter turns away to continue talking with her sister.
“.. Why?” She questions Mary, eyes never leaving up front.
“Well, she clearly has a soft spot on you.” Mary’s answer once again shock the table, especially the two boys, Yumeko only raises her eyebrows, eyelashes fluttering in genuine surprise. By her reaction, Mary dumbfounded rolls her eyes, “Don’t tell me those disgustingly sweet gestures she does to you were just nothing..”
Ryan chokes on his food, “You call that sweet?” he looks at his side, voice dropping a bit lower, fearing anyone would be listening with his next words, “please, all she does is put Yumeko in danger, they hate each other.”
A kick underneath the table made him let out a painful yelp.
“Didn’t I told you jealousy looks disgusting on you.”
Michael dismisses the two, eyes focusing on Yumeko, clicking his fingers to grab her attention— which clearly made the girl furrow her eyes a bit. “Don’t worry, I can let you borrow my art materials again.” Yumeko only gave a nod, wanting to go back to the conversation about Kira.
“Mary,” She says, “do you think Kira’s actions mean something?”
Said girl only gave an are you joking right now look, she was surprised her friend was this oblivious knowing how Yumeko was always the one to stir the pot and tease Kira with absolutely anything.
“Yeah, can’t believe your gaydar is that low, girl.”
“Yumeko’s not gay—“
“Ryan, no one asked about your clearly fake opinion,” Mary shushed him, eyes focusing on Yumeko, “anyways, you could give it a try, maybe she’ll do something about Mr. Dick, all the students in St. Doms would be hella happy.”
Yumeko gave a nod, a clear blush in her cheeks knowing that Mary approved of.. whatever she and Kira got going, she knew it wasn’t casual, but still she couldn’t put a label on it.
“We’re.. friends,”
Mary gave a side eye.
“but, I could give it a try.”
Finishing her food, Yumeko stood up, dusting herself off before grabbing her tray, “I’ll see you guys later, had to run to the kakegurui club, someone made an accident.” She lets out a defeated smile, clearly tired.
Taking this opportunity, Ryan immediately stood up, shaking the table a bit. “I-I can accompany you!”
A sneeze— adorably cute, made the three blink in surprise.
“You okay?” Mary’s concerned voice echoes in Yumeko’s ear. Michael stared, spoon full of food stopped midway on the air.
“I’m fine, just the cold weather,” Not giving the others to reply back, she gave a final goodbye and fast walk out of the cafeteria.
Unbeknownst to Yumeko, those soft blue piercing eyes followed her through the door, a curious hum, and if looking really closely, a concerned gaze.
—
When Mary saw her friend again, she looked utterly messy, not the good kind, kinda in between, Yumeko’s a beautiful young woman, stunning features, body perfectly in shape, so despite looking like she had literally been ran over by a bus, she still has those looks that can make you turn your head the second time.
But still, it was no denying that she looked like your average worn out college student.
“You look like shit.” Mary reminds as Yumeko closes their door with her feet, instantly clicking off her heels and throwing her thin jacket and bag onto god knows where, practically collapsing on her bed, not before letting out a clearly hoarse cough.
“Hmm, didn’t got to gamble today..”
Mary scoffs, a knowing laugh, “That’s why you’re acting like a sick person.”
Still dressed in her school uniform, Mary stood up to stare at the window, noticing how the snow had gotten the ground covered all over, probably an ankle high, she turns around to turn the heater a little bit more.
“So, did you tell Kira about it?” Mary starts the conversation.
Yumeko rolls over to give her reply, “Not yet, I didn’t get to annoy her today.”
Mary sees the weak teased smile.
“She’s probably thanking the heavens right now,” She tries to humor, frowning when Yumeko lets out a sneeze rather than a giggle she thought she would. “Okay, are you sure you’re fine?”
“Aw, you care about me.”
Mary rolls her eyes, walking closer and pressing the back of her palm against the girl’s forehead, wincing back when it was in a high temperature.
“Jesus, you’re hot.”
“I know,” Yumeko laughs, earning a flick of a finger, making her let out a painful yelp.
Mary gags, cringing, “You reckless bitch, that’s what you get for wearing those thin ass clothes in this cold weather.” She gestures for her to sit up, helping the girl off her blazer.
Yumeko’s hand went up to massage her collarbone, confused as to why she didn’t felt the necklaces chain on her neck, “Have you seen my necklace..?” her hoarse voice made Mary blinked, shaking her head. “No, I thought you left it in here.”
Gently shoving her friend aside, Yumeko wobbly stood up to her bedside table, the area where she usually puts the accessory if she ever takes it off. There, she found nothing, no sign of it, Yumeko blinks hard, turning around to her desk, not minding how she began to push her stuff out of the way, opening drawers and searching like a madman.
Finding nothing, panic starts to crept in.
“Is something wrong?” Mary’s voice pulls her away.
“Where did you last seen me wearing it?”
“Yesterday night when you left to go to Michael’s, earlier this morning you weren’t wearing it, so I thought you’d left it here.”
It was like a bucket of cold water suddenly soaked her entire body, her heart beats faster as she literally searches their entire room, Mary didn’t need an explanation, helping her search everywhere. Their room looked like it had been flipped upside down, but to their dismay, no sign of the necklace.
“Oh my God.. I-I can’t believe I lost it..!”
Her chest raises up and down, feeling the tears starts to form, she promised her parents she’d hold onto it, promised herself that she would never lose it, it was the only thing that her parents left of her that clearly mattered. Hell, she’d even exchanged the multibillion company over the necklace everyday, and to think that she recklessly lost it, Yumeko wanted flip the entire universe just to look for it.
“Fuck, okay, deep breaths, I’m sure we’ll find it in no time!” Mary tries to encourage her, knowing how important it was for her friend.
Yumeko looks back at her with glass eyes, tears threatening to fall, “.. You said you last saw me with it yesterday night?” When Mary gave a nod, Yumeko pushes herself to stand up, using her last ounce of strength to ran to the other side of the building to Michael’s dorm, only in her stocking, mind you.
Ignoring the confused stares and hush whispers of the students in the halls and the extremely cold winter breeze that was beginning to worsen her condition, Yumeko bangs rapidly on Michael’s door.
“Woah? What’s the occasion —“
Dashing right through him, Yumeko searches everywhere his desk, “H—Have you seen my necklace?” her eyes didn’t bother to look up at him, hands constantly moving to set everything aside.
Michael walks close, “No? I recently cleaned just now, really, and I didn’t saw your necklace.” Seeing that the girl had no intention of stopping (trashing his place) Michael clears his throat, “Maybe you dropped it?”
Another cold bucket of water poured over her, remembering that Micheal’s building was on the other side of their own room, so in a hurry last night, she vaguely recalled that she took a shortcut through the grass field to reach him faster.
“G-Gosh, this is why I don’t do cardio..!”
Mary barges in, sweat dripping down, hands on her chest and hips, breathing through her mouth trying to calm her nerves from catching up with her roommate.
Yumeko wishes she could apologize, but her feet were now in control, all her mind kept thinking was to search for the necklace, she almost stumble back when she stood up and out of the room, ignoring the calls of her name from Mary and Michael.
When she arrived, her body practically screamed at her to stop, her feet were now dirty, having no time to properly put on shoes, clothes in disarray, hair completely disheveled, and her eyes, now filled with tears.
Yumeko searches to the thick ankle leveled snow, all the stares thrown her way was ignored, her focus on finding a piece of her that made her whole.
“Yumeko! Come back here! You’re sick for goodness sake!” Mary yells at her, voice genuinely worried, beside her Michael stares, noticing how it had began to snow once again, it won’t take long for it to worsen.
Seeing that the girl look like she have no intention to stop, Michael barges in and began pulling her back. “Don’t be an idiot, Yumeko! You’ll get a frostbite by doing this!”
Roughly shoving his hold, Yumeko sniffs and walks away, extremely cold hands continue to dig through, her body shakes, because of the dropping temperature, her sickness, her adrenaline, everything, but Yumeko couldn’t care less.
Tears fall, hands shaking, then another pull from Michael.
“I promise I’ll help you look, let’s just go back before this snowstorm—“
“N-No! I’d search everywhere u-until I dropped dead!” She didn’t feel any remorse when she shoved Michael aside, turning her back completely away and began digging once more.
Hopeless, Michael sighs before walking back inside, Mary beside him, biting her lips in worry as her eyes watched Yumeko.
“She won’t budge.” He says, “we have to get her out before she dies in there.”
Mary squeezes her eyes shut, now panicking, “This is all that fuckass professor’s fault, if only—“
“What’s going on here.”
A familiar voice made the two jump in surprise, they turned in sync just to see the student council president, dressed in vintage Chanel coat on top of her uniform, this time she wore pants, other than her skirts or shorts, perfect for this cold weather, she wore black boats to counter the snow, paired with an equally comfortable red scarf and black gloves.
She’s Russian, of course she knows what to wear in this cold temperature.
“Kira! I-I mean President!” Mary corrects, the only time feeling relieved when facing the president she fears— hates, same thing. “Thank God, you’re here, quick, get Yumeko’s ass out of there, she’s sick and I think she’ll passed out—“
“She’s sick?”
Soft, gentle, clear sign of concern, very unlike her.
Michael and Mary obviously notices, throwing an eyebrow raise.
“Yes! Please just go get her.”
When Kira just gave a nod, Mary realizes that she had given the president an order, and lived.
“Okay, I think I’m starting to believe that Kira indeed has a soft spot on Yumeko.” Michael mutters, still in disbelief over this whole ordeal, he just received a shoulder bump from Mary, and an, “I told you so, anyways, Kira’s got her, I’m gonna go take a much needed hot bath.”
“Pft, good luck with that, all the hot waters out.”
Mary gave him an eye roll, “Who says I’m showering in the school bathroom?”
“.. The only hot water left is in the student council room.”
“Exactly,” She smirks, “see ya, Adams.”
“That’s not fair, Davis!”
—
When Yumeko hears footsteps in the snow, she dismisses it, not bothering to even entertain someone who came just to get her out of there.
“Yumeko.”
Thats when she stops, turning around to spot none other than Kira, dressed so comfortable to battle the snow, while here Yumeko was, so open for the cold.
Still, she returns back on her task, keeps digging. “I—If you’re here to stop me, t—tough luck.”
No sound came out of Kira for a while, other than the sound of clothes shuffling, then a step, now in front, before a scarf was tied around Yumeko’s neck. Even with this small cloth, Yumeko felt warm, even more warmth when she smelled the faint scent of Kira’s fragrance, leather, with fresh notes of saffron and jasmine.
“As much as I would like to choke you and leave you here freezing to death,” Her gentle hands securely tie the scarf around, fighting the urge to pinch Yumeko’s adorable puff out cheek, “I don’t wanna deal planning another funeral.” Those same gentle fingers made its way to wipe her tears away.
Yumeko almost gave in, almost went up to engulf Kira into a tired gut wrenching hug, but she can’t, not right now at least.
“I—I have to find my necklace..”
Kira’s eyes stares at her, analyzing her actions, quickly capturing the shaking almost frostbite hand, body covered in snowflakes, and she couldn’t forget how while she’s doing all of this out in the snow, Yumeko was sick.
Then her gaze traveled to the girls face, Kira blinks, thinking to herself that she doesn’t like this Yumeko.
Sad, sick, desperate, devastated, Yumeko.
This doesn’t fit you.
With a sigh, she walks in front of her again, with such a gentle hold— God she’s surprising herself, she puts her gloved hand on top of Yumeko’s and ever so softly, wrapped the shorter girls cold hands and began soothing it, warming it.
“Go inside.”
Yumeko shook head, yet she didn’t move her hands from the warmth, she continues to ignore her body screaming in pain, she blinks back the tiredness, consciousness barely there, feeling like she’d gonna pass out from all of this.
“N—No, I.. have to find, my necklace, K—Kira..”
God, she sounds so vulnerable, so broken, Kira didn’t like it when tears started to fall out of those beautiful brown eyes, rosy lips now quivering, not smiling or smirking, that honey like voice, replaced with a hoarse and barely squeezed out words.
“I—I can’t.. live without it, my p—parents—“
Her legs finally collapsed, and Kira was there to catch her, soft and caring.
Unlike her.
“I’m s—sorry, okāsan.. otōsan, I couldn’t —“
A sob broke out of her, crying desperately as she clung on Kira’s chest, and Kira lets her, hands securely around Yumeko’s torso to balance and support her, giving enough warmth and comfort.
Unlike her.
When the sob stops, Kira sees that Yumeko had passed out from exhaustion, inhaling a sharp breath, she ignores the worries and began carrying her bridal style, pulling her closer despite how cold the girl was, Kira couldn’t care less, she’d gladly be cold everyday just to keep Yumeko like this in her arms.
Unlike her.
Kira ignores the stares of the other students, her boots left a snow trail on the floor, when she reaches to her destination, she knocks on the door with her feet. Mary— dressed in her train pajamas, weird, blinks at the sight.
“Is she dead?”
Kira enters the room without permission, “I’d kill her if she is,” she sets the sleeping girl on the bed, removing all the snow and wiping her face clean, hands lingering a tad bit on those red rosy lips, she pulls away when Mary walks closer.
“I’ve already texted the doctor, he’ll be here in 5 minutes.” Kira nonchalantly said, phone in hand.
“A doctor? Don’t you mean the school nurse?”
“Doctor, this stubborn woman almost made me plan another funeral,” The president sighs, but not annoyed, more of like she was worried, concerned.
Unlike her.
“If he doesn’t arrive exactly by time, text me.”
Mary looks at her, “I don’t have your number.”
“Text Riri,” Giving a last look to the sleeping goddess, Kira walks to the door, “take care of her.” A command, Mary rolls her eyes and knew there was no room for any argument, she only nods as Kira walks out of the room with the door carefully closing.
—
When Yumeko woke up, her body had been engulfed by warmth, when she sat up with a quiet soft groan, she notices that her clothes had been changed into a much comfortable white and blue stripe sweater and shorts, familiar scent of leather, saffron, and fresh jasmine, a soft blanket wrap around her body.
She blinks when the warm cloth had fallen from her forehead.
“Well, good morning sleepy head, or should I say, good evening.”
Mary’s voice made Yumeko turn to the other side of the room, seeing that the window outside displayed slow drops of snow in the dark sky.
“.. D—Did I—“
“You slept the whole day,” Mary reminds, walking closer to her friend, phone in hand like she was texting someone, “thankfully you woke up, I was beginning to think you wont.”
Then suddenly, Yumeko remembers something, her breathing got faster, shaking hands went up to her neck, nothing.
“M—My necklace —“
When she was about to leap off her bed and began trashing the room again, Mary brought a dangling round coin to her face, in perfect condition, recognizing it, Yumeko widens her eyes and with trembling hands, cradles the precious accessory like a newborn baby.
She lets out a sigh of relief, tears on the corner of her eye, “.. Hontōni a—arigatō, Mary.”
“Oh don’t thank me, Kira was the one who found it.”
Yumeko stops, blinking in surprise, when she safely puts the necklace down onto a little glass container in her drawer, she turns to look at her friend.
“Kira, found it..?” She mumbles, genuinely surprised.
Mary only nods, an amused smirk on her lips when she remembered yesterday’s events. She had found out from Riri that when Kira was notified that the Doctor had arrived and began treating Yumeko, the stoic president went and search the entire area for the necklace. Kira carefully dig through the snow with a shovel, looking like a Siberian Husky with white snow covering all over her body. It took her approximately 3 whole hours in the dead of night to finally found it just at the center of the snow, cradling the necklace and with such care as she shivers from the dropping temperature.
Later that morning, Kira knocks on their dorm room, with Riri beside her, a concern look thrown at her sister.
“Woah, you really found it?”
“How is she?” Kira’s voice was much deeper than usual, also much more strained and hoarse.
Mary receives the necklace, letting the two Timurov sister inside, she now notices that Riri was carrying a much bigger heater, the expensive one where it doesn’t let out any noise, Mary watches as the younger Timurov began setting it up.
“She’s doing good, her temperature drop down, but the Doctor said she’d have to rest more.”
Kira only hummed, and with Mary and Riri’s eyes staring, she took off her white and blue striped sweater and gently— to not awaken the girl, puts it on her, fingers pushing Yumeko’s hair strand over her ears.
“Kira, you need that sweater, you’re sick.”
“I’m fine, I’ll get one when we go back.”
Mary blinks, “You’re sick?”
“She wouldn’t stop until she find the necklace,” Riri answers, sighing at her sister’s actions, “thus making her catch a cold.”
“Woah, so my theory was correct,” Mary hums, amused. “She really do have a soft spot,” much quieter, only Riri could hear, if Kira heard it, she pretends not to.
Kira stood up, giving one last look at Yumeko’s sleeping figure before she begins to walk, “Text Riri when she wakes up, she’d need proper food to eat.” then as quickly as she entered, turns around her boots and began walking out the door.
Riri affectionately gave a nod to Mary, grabbing the door knob and closing the door shut.
Suddenly, a knock made Mary paused from her little story time, when she opened the door, a house pet in a food trolley welcomes her sight.
“President’s order.” The girl simply says as Mary steps aside for the house pet to enter the room with the food, Mary drools when she smells the delicious aroma of freshly cooked Japanese cuisines, filling the atmosphere all over their room. The house pet stops in front of Yumeko, “Enjoy your food.” she bows before quickly leaving the room.
In front, different kinds of dish from her home country displayed, hot ramen and udon soap, fresh three onigiri rice, different kinds of sushi, delicious kare raisu, and finally sweet tricolor dango and mochi, jasmine tea set aside.
“Damn, I knew she was secretly a romantic, but I didn’t know it’s this deep.”
Yumeko, with a confused voice, speaks, “What do you mean?”
Mary grabs a piece of mochi, praying Kira wouldn’t kick down their door because she stole some of Yumeko only food. “Kira’s order, she says you need proper food when you wake up,” She munches, pointing at a piece of sushi to signal her friend, smiling when she nods, immediately shoving the food into her mouth.
“Basically, she’s in love with you, never thought I’d say that especially when it comes to her.”
Yumeko remained quiet, staring at the white and blue striped sweater, her necklace, the food, it’s all Kira’s doing? She knew that girl was a romantic by heart, she always teases Kira about it, underneath that hate and annoyance she feels around Yumeko, there was something else much more. In Yumeko’s hidden gaze, Kira moves secretly to do everything to make Yumeko’s life a bit better.
Some assholes harassed her? Same assholes suddenly got a funeral arrangement within the school.
A girl shoves Yumeko almost making her fall off a flight of stairs? The girl came back in a wheelchair.
Yumeko wanted something? A random gift would be placed on her doorstep.
A suggestion from her when they conclude a meeting? The day of the event, her suggestion would be present.
And when Yumeko loses something? Kira digs through the snow in the dead of night, temperature dropping dangerously low, just to find it and give it back to her in perfect condition.
Kira would burn the world for her, yet still acts like she also wants to burn Yumeko until her face disappears from the face of the earth.
“Better eat before I devour it all.”
Mary’s words made Yumeko blink back from her thoughts, grabbing the pair of chopsticks at the side, she began eating, not knowing how hungry she was.
She gestures also for Mary to join her, which the latter didn’t waste time to do so.
“Jesus, this is so good! Thank you for making Kira a gift giving loser.”
Yumeko just giggles, happily munching on a piece of onigiri.
Hmm, I wanna see her.
—
Her phone shines, 10 PM in the night, Yumeko couldn’t sleep, her body begs for it, too tired still, but her mind— or heart, whatever was screaming internally more, wants her to go and see her knight and shining armor. She clings desperately at the sweater, tossing and turning, “I wanna see her..”
Then go? What’s stopping you?
I need to rest.
Please, we both know she’ll make us a hundred times better.
A battle of her exhaustion and yearning.
We all know which one won.
Yumeko stares at her sleeping roommate, drooling at her pillow, then without making too much noise, she slips into her slippers and puts on the familiar red scarf, smiling when she still smells the scent. She exits their room, the sound of her slippers echoing through the silent church-like halls of St. Doms, Yumeko clasp both of her hands together, shivering from the cold.
It didn’t take long to arrive at her destination, but she encounters a problem, to get inside, a student council member’s official valid ID must be scanned.
God, why am I still at rank 20.. because of that stupid Professor I couldn’t gamble.
She pouts, grabbing her phone and seeing if any of the student councils were still awake, a defeated sigh escapes her lips when all of their profiles shows offline.
Even Kira.
Yumeko ignores it, maybe she was still awake but not using her phone.
It was down to spamming one of the council members, or walk to the much longer way and pick the locks of the door there. Yumeko ended up picking the latter, knowing that those student council would snitch on her and tell Kira.
10 minutes wasted, but at least she’s inside, her footsteps were silent, like a cat walking through the floor without making any noise, she makes her way to the familiar corridor, passing by the hall which displayed a huge tank filled with different kinds of sea creatures swimming around.
Instead of walls, it was specifically build to look like an aquarium, Yumeko smiles at the blue and red beta fish swimming together, eyes following them before a puff out pufferfish began inflating at their side, making her let out a quiet giggle.
This little aquarium was an indication that Kira’s room was near, at the end of it, a huge wooden door closed shut, at the other end, another one, though a bit smaller. Yumeko walks to the bigger one, taking a deep breath and began knocking.
Knock.. Knock.. Knock.
Slow and soft.
She waits patiently, biting her lips, shifting in her feet.
It’s only Kira.
The girl you tease all the time?
Why are you nervous?
When the door slips open, Yumeko holds her breath, there, her knight stood in a plaid red pajamas and loose white polo shirt, buttoned half way, her hair was a bit of a mess, face just as red as hers.
“.. Yumeko..?”
Her voice hoarse, deeper than usual, Yumeko blinks when Kira sneezes.
“Are you okay?” Worried, she took a step inside, hands trembling a bit when she came in contact to touch Kira’s elbow. “Mary said you catch a cold..?”
Kira took a step to close the door, signaling for Yumeko, “What are you doing here.” Typical Kira, her questions doesn’t seem like a question being asked.
Yumeko slightly furrows her brows when she notices Kira not answering her question, her eyes darted to the pile of papers on the president’s work desk, not noticing her actions, Yumeko grabs her wrist and led her to take a seat on the incredibly soft mattress.
“You’re sick and you’re working?”
Kira softly shoves her hand off, “I’m fine,” she furrows her brows like a defeated dog when Yumeko rolls her eyes at her, grabbing her hands back. “Fine my ass, you look like a mess, kaicho.”
“Well, you look messier yesterday,”
A counter, which Yumeko ignores, focusing on massaging Kira’s wrist and hands, drawing random shapes, a trick she catches up when she saw her doing it.
Few minutes of silence, just the soft orange glow of the fire place engulfing the two in a very intimate atmosphere, the sound of falling snow tapping against the glass window, and the buzz of the filter on the huge fish tank in the room.
Neither said anything yet, Yumeko’s brown eyes focused on their almost joined hands, while Kira’s blue eyes stares at those honey like soft browns.
Longing.
A small tug at the end of her lips when she notices that inside those eyes, she doesn’t see vulnerability and sadness, unlike yesterday.
“You should’ve stayed to rest more,” Kira averts her gaze at the fishes when Yumeko looks up, “you’re still burning up.”
“And you should’ve took a rest, rather than to stay up and work.”
An annoyed grunt, like a kid being scolded, Kira shuts her mouth once more, defeated. When she was about to speak, Yumeko beats her to it.
“Thank you for finding my necklace.”
Kira hums, “You look pathetic, had to.”
Yumeko smiles, “And for your sweater and scarf,”
Kira looks at her, wearing the clothes she’d given. She hums again, a clear red tint on her cheeks. “Keep it, don’t wanna smell like withered roses.”
Yumeko took that as a compliment, “And for the food,”
Kira scoffs, “Hopefully you choked.”
“And for taking care of me.”
“.. Mary was the one beside you.”
Yumeko lets go, now staring intently at those soft blues, “You know what I meant.”
Kira rolls her eyes, pulling her wrist back, ears red. “You should leave before I feed you to my sharks.” She stood up, ignoring the voices inside of her to stay, walking back to her work desk and began grabbing any paper just to take her mind out of the annoying goddess sitting on her bed.
When she hears the bed shuffling, Kira felt her heart tug, disagreeing at that thought, she of course, ignores it, waiting for the sound of the door closing so that she can finally exhale. Which didn’t happen, instead, Yumeko teasingly sat down on her work desk, her pale legs making Kira want to bite—
Why isn’t she wearing pajamas.
“Kira,” Yumeko sighs dreamily, clear tiredness in her voice, “you’ll really let a sick woman out in the cold again?”
With a controlled face— trying to, Kira turns to face her, swerving her office chair, “You’re forgetting you practically let yourself in, seriously, I should punish you for trespassing—“
Suddenly, a soft pressure drops down onto her lap, Yumeko’s thighs in between her legs, her hands wrapping around Kira’s shoulders.
“I just wanna give my appreciation, isn’t that bad?”
Control yourself, control yourself, control yourself, control yourself, control yourself —
“Hmm, so warm, kaicho.. ”
Kira swallows hard when Yumeko practically purrs underneath her chin, looking like a cat who craves for warmth and proximity. She could definitely inhale the shorter girl’s sweet sakura shampoo, those arms wrapping a bit too tight around her neck, thighs coming closer.
“Yumeko, I—I swear to God—“
“You just stuttered,”
Kira internally screams at herself, “Seriously, get off, I need to finish this.”
A much tighter grip, “Nope, you’re sick.”
“And you’re sick too.”
“At least I’m resting.”
A groan, “In my lap?”
“You’re comfortable.”
Kira’s trembling hands stayed on the chairs armrest, too nervous to wrap them around Yumeko’s figure, even if she definitely wants to.
She smells nice—
Get her off!
Deciding to follow her dignity, Kira takes a sharp inhale and was about to shove the girl off— but, suddenly, Yumeko sniffs, quiet, but because of how close they were, Kira could hear it.
Then another, and another, before she felt wetness on her exposed collarbone.
Is she crying?
Another sniff, “A—Apologies, kaicho, didn’t mean to get emotional,” despite letting out a laugh, Kira captures the broken tone in her voice.
So, swallowing up her pride, with trembling hands, she began wrapping them around the crying girl’s body, the other gently soothing her back to provide comfort.
“.. Penny for your thoughts..?”
Yumeko giggles at how soft Kira sounds, deepening her face into the crook of the taller girl’s neck. “It’s nothing, just felt really..” a smile escapes her lips when Kira presses their body more, “.. sad when I recklessly lost my necklace, wouldn’t ever forgiven myself for it.”
Kira hums, understanding, “Your parents gave you that, yes?”
“So you do remember what I say.”
I do. Everything.
“Unfortunately, don’t humble yourself.”
Kira couldn’t contain the smile forming around her face when Yumeko laughs, warm and fuzzy, like a hot blanket had just been wrapped around her.
“Thank you so much, Kira, really..” Yumeko pulls her head to stare at her, hands coming up to caress the president’s face, soothing her cheeks and jawline, “.. you’re my kagayaku yoroiwokita kishi. ”
“What does that mean?”
She laughs and caresses Kira’s cute furrowed eyebrows, booping her nose, “For you to find out.”
“I don’t go around speaking russian around you, do I?” Kira sighs, yet there was a smile present on her face, hands relaxed around Yumeko’s hips, to steady or hold her, maybe both.
“For my final request before we go back attacking each other’s throat, can I sleep here?”
“Fine, but—“
“With you.”
Kira rapidly blinks, her face literally looks like a tomato had been splattered all over her, Yumeko bits her bottom lip, trying not to laugh, cause if she did, Kira would throw her out of the room, sick or not. She gave the girl a whole minute, waiting patiently, happily enjoying her time sitting on her lap, she had to savor the time, what if this was the last opportunity! Yumeko would be—
“Okay.”
Eh?
“You can sleep with me.”
Yumeko continues to stare, a bit disbelief that Kira actually said yes, thankfully, because of her tiredness, she couldn’t give a teasing reply, she only smiles, dimple showing, eyes glowing in pure joy.
“Thank you, Kira—“
Arms immediately tightens around Kira’s shoulders when said girl suddenly stood up, carefully squeezing Yumeko’s thighs to hold her, “If you drool or kick me, you best believe I’m kicking you out.” She walks with ease towards the bed, lowering her body to place Yumeko on the mattress and pulling the blanket over her body before she carefully— anxiously, climbs into the bed, settling next to the annoyingly adorable Japanese girl.
Why is she so.. disgustingly adorable with puff out cheeks.
“I wont, I promise.” She scoots much closer, eyes telling Kira that if its okay to go even more closer, practically sharing space, receiving a glint in those blue eyes, Yumeko lets out a sigh when her head returns back into the crook of Kira’s neck, hands clutching her white polo, their legs tangled underneath the sheets.
As the fire crackles in the fireplace, soft buzzing of the heater, and the sweet smell of jasmine and sakura blossoms, two souls gave in to the warmth and solace.
Yumeko could feel Kira’s own heart beating while playing at the hem of her polo, humming in delight.
Kira stays and relaxes her head on top of Yumeko’s, both arms protectively wrapping around her body.
“Goodnight, watashi no kishi.” Yumeko gave a peck on her collarbone before she fully submerged into dream land, her chest raising up and down, hands still holding onto Kira as if she’d disappear if she ever lets go.
Noticing that the girl was now sleeping, Kira’s right hand went up to gently tuck the hair strand off her face, eyes staring at how beautiful she was sleeping. Peaceful and heavenly. Kira would be dropping down onto her knees if Yumeko was this composed and still, but, she knows deep down that Yumeko isn’t Yumeko without her passionate love of all things that can give her thrill, annoyingly a nuisance, a teased, and definitely insane in the head.
Kira wouldn’t want it any other way.
Without prying eyes, other than the moon’s supervision, Kira —with such softness that literally made her entire body cringe, gave Yumeko’s head a very sweet kiss before pulling her close.
“Sweet dreams, моя принцесса.”