Connected Hearts

Chapter 17

"What happened back there? You could've burned yourself pretty badly. At least it was just your hands" Yuzu said and checked on them. She noticed her skin red from the burn and looked up seeing Mei's teary eyed expression
"Mei?" Yuzu asked. Mei turned away trying to avoid eye contact but Yuzu grabbed her face
"Mei. Hey, look at me. I'm here" Yuzu said as she held Mei's face. Mei shut her eyes tightly and turned her head away. Yuzu wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a hug
"L-let...go..." Mei said as she grabbed her shoulders. Yuzu stroked her hair softly and held onto her closely
"Calm down...I'm helping you" Yuzu said. Mei couldn't help but enjoy the warmth from Yuzu's body. Not only was it warm but it felt soft and comforting. She relaxed her body and lifted her arms to return the hug
Damnit...why do I feel like this whenever I'm this close to you?
"...I-I hate this" Mei said
"Hm? Hate what?" Yuzu asked
"I..I hate you! I hate feeling like this with you! I-I don't want to feel this warmth from you!" Mei said and Yuzu cupped both her cheeks before kissing her. Mei's eyes widened and struggled to pull away from the blonde
"I-idiot! Quit it!" Mei exclaimed. Yuzu hugged her as she rested her head against her shoulder
"...you must've been in pain being all alone without me? Right...?" Yuzu asked, causing Mei to stop struggling. Mei's body slowly relaxed itself with Yuzu's embrace and she leaned onto her for support
"...each night I couldn't stop dreaming about that. Those stupid dreams did not only confuse me but they mixed my feelings. I'd always wake up with heartaches..." Mei said and Yuzu rubbed her back softly
"Mei..." Yuzu said and Mei pulled her head back from her shoulder. She looked at Yuzu directly in her eyes and Yuzu stroked her cheek softly
"I will do anything for you. I want you to be happy and loved. I know you're probably scared to try this again but we aren't kids anymore that can't do anything. We can actually be together this time and if someone tries to separate us then I'll handle them for you. I need you to trust me. Let's start over and be happy together. You don't need to answer me right away but...I'll let you think about it. Just know that...I won't be taking no for an answer" Yuzu said
"Th-then why are you telling m-me to think about it if you won't accept a no for an answer?" Mei asked
"Because I need you to cooperate with the plan. Sure I can help but the plan won't work if you don't help too" Yuzu said
"Wh-what plan do you have in mind?" Mei asked
"...you'll see" Yuzu said with a playful smirk
"You better tell me" Mei said and her lips were immediately shut with a kiss. Yuzu held her by the waist so she wouldn't be able to escape from the kiss. Mei felt herself melting into the kiss and slowly started kissing her back.
Her kisses...feel good. Why does it make me want more?
BAM!
"Meimei!" Himeko said as she stepped in the restroom. The smaller woman paused as she saw the two other women looking away from each other with a slightly flustered face
"Oh hey Himeko" Yuzu said
Are you fucking kidding me?! Shai, I swear!
"Mei! Are you okay?!" Himeko asked as she rushed over to Mei
"I-I'm fine. St-stop it" Mei said. Himeko glanced over at Yuzu but she shook her head
"I didn't do anything okay?" Yuzu said
"We should go home, Mei. You probably need to rest that brain of yours so you can get used to your new classes. You just got here so it's best to take it easy" Himeko said
"U-uhm...actually I-"
"She's right. You should go back and rest" Yuzu said interrupting her
"What?" Mei asked
"We've already finished talking. If you want to talk more then I can give you my number. I'll be sure to read your messages and reply quickly" Yuzu said
"I think that's unneces-"
"Please give me your number..." Mei said causing Himeko to immediately look at her surprised
"Heh okay. Let's get out of here" Yuzu said, holding her hand and Mei walked with her. Himeko was left stunned and followed the pair out of the bathroom
"I'm available whenever but on the weekends my schedule may change. So I'll let you know" Yuzu said
"Okay" Mei said and noticed a stranger approaching them
"Hey Yuzu. Where ha-"
"Sorry Phila. I'm busy. Now let's exchange numbers" Yuzu said walking with Mei to their table
"Right..." Mei said as she went to grab her phone from her bag and Yuzu took it from her
"Would you like to hang out every weekend? Or are you free during this week? I mean you have to handle the Academy right?" Yuzu asked
"Well...actually my grandfather wants me to go on my first blind date" Mei said and Yuzu tensed up
"Huh...? A blind date?" Yuzu asked
"He's trying to set me up on blind dates to find a fiance so I could take care of the Academy" Mei said
"Well that won't be happening. Make sure to keep me updated on these blind dates of yours" Yuzu said as she started putting in her phone number
No one is going to take Mei away from me...
"Uhm sure...I guess" Mei said
"Excuse me, Yuzu" Phila said as she walked up to them
"I thought I said to wait" Yuzu said while she was using Mei's phone
"Oh uhm...hi. I'm Phila Virgil" Phila said introducing herself to Mei
"Mei Aihara" Mei said
"Oh Mei? You're the one Yuzu talks about a lot hm?" Phila said
"What?" Mei asked
"Yeah. The first time I met her she never stopped talking about you" Phila said
"It wasn't all the time" Yuzu said
"Yeah she's a liar" Phila said
"So....you're a friend of hers?" Mei asked
"Yes. A close friend of hers" Phila said
"Alright. Done" Yuzu said handing Mei her phone back
"Oh okay" Mei said as she took her phone
"Text me whenever, okay?" Yuzu asked
"Sure" Mei said and Himeko came up to her holding her arm
"Well now that you've exchanged numbers then we can go home" Himeko said
"...no" Mei said
"Hm? What?" Himeko asked and Mei pulled her arm away
"We're not done with our date" Mei said
"Date?" Phila and Himeko asked quite surprised
"Oh you want to finish our date? Well...yes. We can't let these sweets go to waste" Yuzu said
"I-I guess I can wait-"
"And Yuzu will be taking me home. I don't need you to tag along anymore Himeko" Mei said as she turned to look at Himeko
"E-eh? You're going to stay with her?" Himeko asked
"Is there an issue?" Mei asked
"N-not at all. I'm just uhm...kinda surprised but you can do whatever you want" Himeko said
"That surprised me too but I don't mind. We have a lot of catching up to do either way" Yuzu said
"Well I think I'll just head back" Himeko said
"Take care, Momokino-san" Yuzu said and Himeko grabbed her arm pulling her away to speak with her
"You better take good care of Meimei. If I find out you did something to her, I'll make sure you pay for it" Himeko said lowering her voice
"Hahaha calm down. I understand. No need to threaten me. I'd never let anything happen to her...Bronya" Yuzu said. Himeko gasped as she looked at Yuzu with a confused and shocked expression
"Y-you...wait how-"
"Heh...why not ask Shai for an explanation? Besides it'd be nice to spend a little time with Seele" Yuzu said
"S-say that again?" Himeko asked
"Anyways thanks for leaving her with me" Yuzu said as she walked away. Himeko turned around making eye contact with Shai and glared at her
"...so she knows too" Himeko mumbled and walked towards Shai causing her to shake in fear
"Haha looks like you're dead" Nitski said
"I-I didn't do anything" Shai whimpered
"Shai, we're leaving" Himeko said
"Huh? O-okay. Hm?" Shai asked feeling a tug on her arm
"Eh? Leaving already? I just got here because I thought we could spend time together" Hinria said
"You can hang out some other time. Right now we need to have an important discussion" Himeko said
"If it's just an important discussion then it's not necessary to take her with you" Hinria said
"We need privacy. Also mind your own business okay? This has nothing to do with you" Himeko said in a cold tone
"A-ah uhm l-let's just get going! Sorry but we can hang out again some other time okay?" Shai said
"Uhm sure I guess" Hinria said letting her go
"Well I hope you guys have a nice day then" Himeko said walking away
"B-bye" Shai said nervously walking behind Himeko
"Have fun lovebirds" Nitski said
"Shut it, Nitski" Himeko said before leaving the cafe with Shai
"Alright. Who wants to make bets?" Nitksi asked
"You two have fun with that" Juhin said leaning back on his chair
"I bet 50 that those two will end up arguing" Matsuri said
"80 that Himeko dominates Shai's ass again" Nitski said
"Deal" Both girls said in unison
"Now that we've settled that. How about we go out and spend time together alone?" Nitksi said as she reached for Cyndi's hand. Cyndi couldn't help but get flustered and smiled
"I don't mind spending time with you. Oh will that be okay with you girls?" Cyndi asked as she looked over at her two friends
"Sure. You go ahead and have fun" Hinria said
"And make sure you take care of her" Phila said
"I know" Nitski said
"So we came here for nothing?" Phila asked
"I guess next time we can come hang out" Hinria said
"You two are just side characters in their life. Give it up before you get hurt...or make it worse for yourselves" Matsuri said
"We should probably leave, Phila. You can see her next time" Hinria said
"I guess...shit I really needed to talk with her though" Phila said and Hinria grabbed her hand
"Let's hang out" Hinria said
"Cyndi, text us if anything happens" Phila said
"Sure" Cyndi said
"She's safe with me. Anyways see ya" Nitski said as she left with Cyndi. The other two girls left as well leaving alone the two Mizusawas
"Got any plans?" Matsuri asked
"...video games?" Juhin asked
"Sure. Loser buys the other dinner" Matsuri said
"Deal" Juhin said