CITRUS ~ A Long Way From Home / Trust

Chapter 1

It's another late afternoon at Aihara Academy. Many of the students already had left for the day, I handful of others filing away paperwork and collecting their belongings for the evening.

The loudspeaker announces that the school is closed and for everyone to lock up as they leave. So it's not uncommon to see the last remaining students leaving together, particularly members of the student council.

"...and we have plenty of flyers to hand out to everyone tomorrow morning" said Vice President Momokino Himeko as she and president Aihara Mei are preparing to leave the building. "I don't think there was any more information we could've added."

"We've provided all the information that everyone needs to know" said Mei. "Anything more will be handled on a day to day basis."

"Well at least we're able to leave a little early today" said Himeko. "and I'm sure you're happy to get home yourself madam president."

"We're going to be extra busy for the next week" said Mei. "There's so much to finish before our two week break. So any chance we get to rest before we start, we should make use of it."

Himeko had to smile as she turned to look at Mei, who had a slight grin on her face.

"It's good to see you smile Meimei" she said. "The old you would have insisted on working constantly. Believing that it was all that could fulfill you. But now you have something to look foreword to. And you're making time for yourself and others. It looks like your relationship with Yuzu has changed you."

Mei couldn't help but blush with what Himeko said, knowing she was right. Yuzu has made a huge difference in her life, more so then she had never thought possible, and in more ways then she had thought. She looks slightly down as if she's embarrassed, trying to hide herself out in the open.

But Himeko just can't help but stare at her.

"And you have a warm glow around you now" she said. "If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you Meimei."

Mei turns slightly to Himeko, with the same grin and embarrassed look. "Thank you Himiko" she says.

"HEY MEI!!!!" shouted a familiar voice from just outside the building, which startled both young ladies.

Out front were Aihara Yuzu, who was excitedly waving her arm trying to get Mei's attention, and Taniguchi Harumi, sitting against the wall with a smile.

"YUZU?!?! Taniguchi?!?" snapped Himeko as they approached them. "What're they doing here?" she said with irritation.

Although deep down, Mei was happy to see Yuzu, she always tries to keep her composure as what's expected of the ideal Student Council President.

"Hi Mei!" said Yuzu. "Wow, it took you a while to get out didn't it?"

"Yeah, what took you guys so long?" asked Harumi, not really expecting an answer.

Mei motioned to Himeko in her usual mellow tone. "I asked Yuzu to wait for me so we could walk home together" she said.

Himeko, who always saw Yuzu as cutting into her own time with Mei, couldn't hold back her frustration too much.

"Wel... Well, I guess that makes sense" said Himeko. "But what're you doing here Taniguchi?"

"Relax VeePee" said Harumi, smiling as she brushes her hand in mid air. "I'm just hanging with my best friend until you guys got here. Didn't want my girl to be alone."

Himeko still gives Yuzu a glance over the way she's always worn the look of her uniform, with the lifted up skirt, large bow, and blonde hair with a side ponytail. And with the way she carries herself with confidence, it's a wonder more girls at the school don't follow her example.