Ohayou Gozaimasu

Chapter 1: Ohayou Gozaimasu (Good Morning)

 

            "It is quite different to wake up and see the one you love's sleeping face in the gentle sunlight early in the morning. Your love one gently stirs and you hold their gaze, both smiling as if you have been granted another day to hide a secret from the world. A sense of belonging flits through you, and you no longer feel alone. Together you will stand...Apart you will fall...But, it is worth every risk just to be able to wake up and hear that one single, reassuring phrase..."

 

"Ohayou gozaimasu."

 

❤ 

            Kurokiku Junko stirred slightly beneath the thin covers in insecurity. The strong sense of protection that had been guarding her all night had suddenly vanished. Like a helpless child abandoned in the snow, the girl coiled in a tight ball defenselessly, producing quiet whimpers. She emulated quite well the image of a newborn baby unable to find the familiar warmth of its loving mother. Her fragile, slender figure and short stature contributed to the portrayal quite well.

            Two slender arms draped over her trembling body, providing her with a renewed sense of security. The girl ceased whimpering and her movement faltered. Cast back into security, she needed no longer to worry. It was secured in the embrace provided by the two narrow arms that she felt secure. It was only here that she permitted herself to sleep. Anywhere else dissatisfied her; scared her. Insecurity was a feeling she dreaded experiencing even since she had plunged head first into this unexpected mess. But to her, it was more like a miracle.

            Junko's eyelashes began to flutter open as the presence of staring eyes became apparent. The girl sleepily opened her eyes, smiling shyly at the lovely yet unbelievable scene that unfolded before her. At the presence of that smile, a phrase was cast into the atmosphere; a simple, familiar phrase that she was delighted to hear.

            "Ohayou gozaimasu."　

❤ 

            'How many days has it been... that I have woken up gazing into Ryoko-sama's lovely eyes? Questions swirled playfully in Kurokiku Junko's mind. It had been exactly three and a half weeks since Inumori Ryoko and she had run away from home together. They had wandered around aimlessly for the first week, sleeping in a public park at night in a soft planter or on a train station bench or in the back of generous convince stores, to establish a large margin of distance between their homes and themselves. As soon as they were comfortable – and a little tired of camping out – they settled into cheap hotels for a single night if they could find one along the way. If not, it was back to camping out. It had been a great benefit to them that Ryoko had brought a sufficient amount of money with her before they had set off. Now pitted against the world on their own, they would have to spend it wisely as well as search for a sustainable source of income to support them.

            Junko twitched as Ryoko's hands slid to her face. Blush flared into her cheeks and a small noise of surprise rose up her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut as the other girl's lips brushed her own in a fleeting gentle kiss. It wasn't unlike Ryoko to do such a thing; it had become a daily routine for her. As for Junko, she was still attempting to adjust to it. Receiving a kiss every morning is the last thing she would expect the second she wakes up.

            Ryoko eased herself up stiffly, only clad in a black bra and matching panties. It made Junko's face flare with heat. The sight was a bit new, but not unfamiliar. Up until four days ago, Ryoko had strictly insisted on wearing her pajamas, but as the summer's heat increased mercilessly each day, she had resorted to stripping down to her undergarments in order to attain a good night's rest. It was perfectly innocent, but Junko couldn't help but be a little sensitive about it. She had seen Ryoko half-naked before already, yet seeing the girl in her undergarments was a still a bit much for her. Similar to the daily morning kiss, it was a sight she wasn't too used to yet.