MEI AIHARA'S POINT OF VIEW

CHAPTER 15

Writer's note:

Another overlapping POVs for these upcoming and exciting chapters, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I still hope you all read first the original Citrus Manga in order to keep up. All italics are my own.

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Summer vacation is near, so as the Summer Festival.

MEI POV

- Yuzu, you really are unbelievable... you know you have supplementary lessons in summer and yet you still choose to go out with Taniguchi-san instead of studying (sigh)... so what time are you coming home now?... good thing mother is here to accompany me... which is by the way I am very thankful.. if mother didn't marry father I would have never met you, Yuzu... your warmth, your sweet smile, surely you got it all from mother... still, I wonder what mother sees with my father, aside from she wanted to take care of lonely Mei...

Ume noticed Mei taking glances on the front door, she knew her stepdaughter was waiting for Yuzu to come home, "Yuzu sure is late. Let's read Shou's letter together then." Mei nodded and sat with Ume at the table.

After Ume and Mei read Shou's letters, Mei asks her mother politely, "Um.. What is it, that you like about my father?". Ume can't believe what is Mei asking, she happily share with Mei her short and simple description of her love for Shou, "Your Papa is a wonderful person, Mei. You've been with him longer than I have so I think you already know this but, he works really hard for people, it's just that he's awfully clumsy, and he's not very good at expressing his feelings. In regards to you and the challenges at his job he shoulders it all himself. But because it seems risky, it makes me want to support him."

As Ume continues after taking some of her beer, "What about you, Mei? Surely you asked me this because you're looking for advice on love?" Her mother's question caught her off guard and made her blush deeply that it became too hard to hide.

MEI POV

- Gosh, surely, a mother's instinct is dangerous... but yes mother, I wanted to understand love more... I wish I could share with you my feelings and stories too... but how can I tell you that I love Yuzu... or how can I be sure that what I am feeling right now is love...

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Yuzu's supplementary lessons started. She gained a new friend with Shiraho-Senpai. She even gave her a nickname which is Shira-pon. Shirapon-Senpai seems to be unique, as she took observing people more than just a hobby, that it is more like as breathing. But what really piqued Yuzu's interest was how Shirapon-Senpai was so obsessed in finding crack with Aihara Mei. This made Yuzu determine to observe Mei too, in order to know her lover better.

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During dinner at the Aihara apartment...

YUZU POV

- Shirapon-Senpai said she didn't understand Mei but... Mei has recently become more human-like I think... Maybe because we're lovers that I'm able to see a side of Mei no one else can?

Ume noticed her two daughters glancing at each other while having dinner, she is amused when she saw Yuzu smiling to herself. Then she remembers that there is an upcoming festival and told them that the two of them should attend.

YUZU POV

- A festival, which means a night time date in a yukata! This is the best!

MEI POV

- hmm, Yuzu is acting weird. What is she thinking... oh well, today's dinner is delicious, as always, mother is a very good cook... Ah, wait, can I do this with her too? an indirect kiss as what they call it... uhm, so how should I do it... this is just normal, we are lovers ... I'll just show her a gesture that I want to feed her.. yeah it could work...

As their mother went to the kitchen to get the dressing for the salad, Mei face towards Yuzu and with one hand holding out her chopsticks with food, suggesting Yuzu to eat, "Please open your mouth"...

YUZU POV

- Eh, telling me to eat.. but mom might see us... but I can't deny Mei, this is the first time she wanted to do this, might as well take it quick..

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After dinner, while taking her bath, Yuzu can't take her mind off on what had got into Mei.

YUZU POV

- What is Mei thinking, doing that in front of Mama?...

Yuzu is lost in her thoughts when Mei surprisingly step in the bath too...

MEI POV

- Yuzu, you are taking forever to finish your bath... hmm, I think I might as well join in with you.. wait.. this should be normal too, right?.. but why am I feeling butterflies in my stomach... my muscles are also tensing up...

"Is it alright if I take a bath with you?" Mei asks Yuzu with a neutral tone. Yuzu on the other hand is having a face like tomato, "S-sure".. The two lovers were both in the tub, but siting separately and both in their own worlds wearing deep blush on their faces.

YUZU POV

- does this mean I haven't caught up to understanding her? if it's comes to this then, just like Shirapon-Senpai, I'll analyze Mei's feelings... Mei's feelings, I have no idea!.. I take that back.

MEI POV

- Yuzu, what are you doing? staring at me intensely with your crimson face... I'm becoming very conscious to myself now.. I can feel heat running through my face and through my ears... this is too much, we might both pass out...

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After taking a very tensing bath, Yuzu and Mei went to bed facing their back to each other..

YUZU POV

- I've only intended to understand Mei's feelings! Don't be discouraged! I have to function as Mei's girlfriend!

As Yuzu took courage she asks Mei., "Hey Mei? What happened today? Doing that stuff in front of Mama, and coming into the bath". Mei face Yuzu and answered "Why do you think?". Yuzu turns away from Mei hiding her blush and shyness "Why... I don't know that's why I'm asking."

This time Mei swift towards Yuzu and hugs her from behind, "I don't know why I feel like this either, that's why... I'm making sure of it."

MEI POV

- I'm telling the truth here Yuzu, I don't understand what came to me... but honestly, I feel excitement doing those things to you, even taking a bath with you... is this another part of feeling love? or am I expressing love?... I'm sorry Yuzu, I can't explain it too... this thing called love is very new to me... I haven't felt like this before... but please let me hold you like this for a while.. I... I want to feel you Yuzu... I need to feel this kind of love with you...

YUZU POV

- Mei is hugging me. I can feel her heartbeat beating fast... or is it my heartbeat racing... I don't know anymore... I can't... we can't stay like this any longer, this is too much for me to take... too much excitement... what is this...

Yuzu tries to break the skinship with Mei while remembering the upcoming festival, "Right! That's right! The summer festival! Let's go wearing our yukatas together! and we can wear our rings too since its summer vacation!" Yuzu stands up abruptly.

Mei removes her hand and goes to her side of the bed facing away from Yuzu, "You're right.. I'm looking forward to it. Good night."

MEI POV

- Why do I feel disappointed...