The Floating World

Four.

Upon hearing the applause, Akanen excused herself from the terrace. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, she hated how she could not reject the offer to perform when she was already settling in another town.

I am a fool. How foolish of her to think that Yuuka wouldn't turn up after ripping her heart up into pieces but she was there in the audiences, seated in front of the biggest table with a feast presented as if she was trying to impress someone. For God knows who, maybe it was for the young guy beside her, Akanen thought.

She jolted off into the alley with her biwa, all ready to leave the town after collecting her pay from the owner when she felt a pair of arms hugging her waist.

"LET GO OF ME!"Akanen struggles to pry free from the latter's grip but is stopped when the latter tightens her hug as she nuzzles her head on her right shoulder.

"Can we stay like this for a while?"

"I have to go, there's nothing left for me to here"

"No... you can't. Please nen" Akanen couldn't believe her ears, tears were threatening to fall again and her hands slowly curled into a fist. "I'm never letting you go again"

When will she ever learn to respect my feelings...

"No. YOU ARE UNFAIR YUUKA!" Akanen forcefully pulled Yuuka's arms apart and shoved her away. "You left me alone without explaining and went missing for months. You even told the maids that you don't know me and I was just a nuisance."

"She's right"

"I was the one after all, making all those decisions; giving up on the relationship we have shared"

"I avoided her"

Yuuka knew she had hurt Akanen badly, she hoped that she could rewind time but it was impossible, the damage had been done and she hated herself for that. "I'm sorry, I should have explained but I was scared. I thought it would be best for you if I leave, you have turned down many offers from other towns just to stay with me but I have been nothing but a jerk. I've always been busy and even when we were together, you were always looking somewhere. I-"

A pair of cold hands touch Yuuka, cupping her cheeks; the soft hands begin to caress her face and tucked the hair behind her right ears. "Silly I always had you in mind. More than you think my heart could fill.", Akanen sighed as she wiped a tear-off Yuuka's cheeks.

"It's just.. I've been tasked to protect someone and I don't know when I might leave you"

"Can we do this together?"

"No. I don't want to put you in danger"

"But I'm stronger than you... and I have an army", Yuuka said firmly. She looked into Akanen's eyes and held her hands tightly. "I want to be with you and I'll never let you go again". With that, Akanen shyly averted Yuuka's eyes as a flush of pink can be seen creeping up on her cheeks while her ears reddened at what she had just heard. "We will face this together", Yuuka smiled after witnessing the girl blush and proceeded to snaked her hands around the latter's waist for a hug.

"I love you, nen"

....