Forbidden love: A Citrus fanfiction

Chapter 2: Mei

Days passed like years once Mei had left Yuzu's side, she had been staying at her grandfathers' house, knowing full well that Yuzu wouldn't come here to disturb her grandpa. she sat on her bed with her ring in hand, she kept it close as it was the only item she could keep that reminded her of Yuzu without her breaking completely. she twiddled with the ring carefully as she observed it, she remembered how Yuzu had presented the rings to her, Yuzu made it seem like a proposal, the moment itself had made Mei tear up but Yuzu wasn't having that, she wiped her tears up and placed a sweet, gentle kiss on her lips to make her smile.

Mei smiled faintly as she zoned out just thinking about it, it was VERY rare for her to smile, but when she did, it was easily visible. she had one of the sweetest smiles when she was genuinely smiling, it was the kind of smile that was contagious.

"Mei, Udagawa is here to see you" her grandpa had stated from the other room, he was a no-nonsense kinda guy which is what made him intimidating.

Mei walked in a hurried manner to the front door, she opened the door and bowed slightly for him "Welcome, My grandpa is upstairs in his study" she had stated, thinking he was here to see him.

"I'm not here to see your grandpa" Udagawa chuckled softly as he rubbed his neck "I came to check up on you, Yuzu mentioned how you left a few days ago" He was completely unaware of their relationship before Mei left, though he did think they were great together as they contrasted each other perfectly, almost like polar opposites. 

"I uh... I left as I knew Yuzu wouldn't take the engagement too well..." Mei admitted, she was mostly right seen as though she was dating Yuzu when she left, if Yuzu found out about the engagement, it'd tear her apart without a doubt.

He couldn't help but sigh, he didn't like lying to people or keeping the truth from them, he began to consider Yuzu a good friend which is what made it even worse.

After a moment of somewhat awkward silence, he bowed and wished her a pleasant day before going to the cafe in which he worked. 

Mei tried her hardest to keep Yuzu out of mind as she continued with her life, but Yuzu's absence at school and the ring she wore around her neck always kept Yuzu lingering within her mind, no matter what.

It was a quiet Saturday when she decided to spend time with her fiance Udagawa, she sat in his cafe as he worked, allowing them to still keep a conversation flowing even if he got busy. as the night grew closer, Mei had realised the increase in the words wedding, marriage and work. she didn't want to think about getting married, she knew it was her duty but after an emotional note left for Yuzu and being without the only person who pushed her to better herself, she just felt empty. she hadn't felt this low since her father had left, maybe that was her fear, everyone she loved leaving her side and continuing life without her. she couldn't help but bite her lip as she looked down at the counter.

Udagawa had noticed her saddened features, he sat beside her and rubbed her back gently "Hey, hey... what's wrong, Mei?" he asked as he looked at her.

she leant against him as she tried to hide her emotional pain "I was just thinking about my stepmom and Yuzu" she had lied a little bit, she was thinking about Yuzu and the way she held her when the nights got cold quite like this one. 

"I... I'm so sorry, Udagawa" She stammered slightly "I just... I'm in love with someone else... but... no one else would support it... no one else even knows about it..." she was trying to keep herself composed as she thought about how much she might've hurt Yuzu.

"If you don't mind me asking..." Udagawa spoke up "Who exactly are you in love with?" he was genuinely curious as for the worse it could be is another girl.

Mei let out a gentle sigh "I am in love with, Yuzu..."

Udagawa was shocked as he heard her confession, however, when he thought about it it did make sense. the way they always tried to be alone, the way they looked at each other, the rings... he knew he had seen Mei's somewhere

"Mei..." he started "Your grandpa will not approve... but... I will do what I can to support you both, believe it or not, Yuzu started off working for me to get you that ring... I'm just glad you girls made each other happy..." he rambled on a little bit, slowly it became a mumble.

Mei, on the other hand, had her hand on her chest, gently holding the ring close to her. she needed to see Yuzu, if Udagawa was willing to support her choice, she was willing to risk everything for her own happiness. she stood up, hugged Udagawa tightly in a way that let him know she was thankful. she grabbed her bag and she was off, she began to run for Yuzu's home.

after a few minutes of running, all of her thoughts had gotten to her, she needed to take a breather. she approached a waist-high wall near the waterfront, she rested her hands on it as she thought about how she would approach Yuzu. even with her careful thought process, she still couldn't think of the best way, she began to weep gently into her hands, the only thing coming to mind is never seeing Yuzu again. she needed that obnoxious moron... she desired her... she was the only girl she felt she could be herself around, she loved Yuzu and she had thrown it all away for a marriage she was forced to have.

"Hey... are you ok?" asked a soft voice, her heart skipped a beat as she wiped away her tears. she looked over her shoulder at the girl, it was Yuzu. "M-mei?"

Mei couldn't control herself, she had missed her so much, it may have only been a week but the lack of joy and character was driving her nuts. she lunged at Yuzu and embraced her tightly, never wanting to let go as she sobbed softly.

"Yuzu... P... please... please forgive me!" she pleaded as she clung to her ex-lover and stepsister.

Yuzu didn't know how to respond, she was emotionally wounded, all she could do was wrap her arm around her stepsister and lead her home.

"You have a lot more to do before I can forgive you..." Yuzu stated "You tore my heart out and left me to piece myself back together... It won't be easy... but I will forgive you... one day"

Mei nodded in defeat, she knew she had hurt Yuzu and there was no way of redeeming herself so soon. once the duo was home, they were greeted by Ume (Yuzu's mom)

"Hey, Yu- MEI!?" she rushed over and she hugged Mei tightly, she kissed her face gently all over "You worried us! are you ok? were you safe?" she was clearly very worried about her.

Mei reluctantly began to pull away "Y...yes, Ma'am. I'm safe and I'm ok, I promise. I just needed time alone" she stated softly "I'm sorry that I worried you both"

"Yo-" Ume was going to scold the young woman, but halted in her tracks as she could hear the sadness and a genuine apology there, she sighed and patted Mei's head "Just go take a bath, I'll make you girls some dinner."

Mei headed off to the bathroom and she began to undress, she noticed her figure in the mirror and began to ponder how Yuzu felt about her if Yuzu still loved her. she wasn't going to throw herself at Yuzu, not till she was forgiven for leaving and hurting her.

after her bath and her quiet meal with Yuzu, Mei retired to the bedroom followed slowly by Yuzu, neither uttered a word as they clambered into bed. Mei looked over at Yuzu, she went to go speak but was silence but Yuzu turning her back to her, she sighed and looked at the ceiling.

it was at that moment that it clicked... they had done this before... But instead, Yuzu was the one who was damaged. Mei knew she needed to help mend her, exactly how she had done for her almost a year beforehand...