helianthus (ycsh)

[ helianthus ]


“You seem so happy, Yachiyo~”

The sudden merry voice coming from Michiru sometimes can be classified as a bad omen. No, it’s not like the small senior of hers is grumpy all the time - quite the opposite, actually. Though, unlike Yachiyo who’ll go full-blown teasing when baited, Michiru can create an opening for her sudden, surprise attack, just like right now.

The blonde-haired senpai is onto something.

Michiru took a seat beside her, taking in her favorite chestnuts to lunch. Yachiyo didn’t have anything particular to do except to enjoy her riceball and skimming through open web browser on her phone. Akira already stomached her lunch and stormed somewhere, dragging Mei Fan and Shiori with her, Michiru didn’t follow them today.

“Isn’t summer vibes a good thing, Senpai? Save from our summer class, of course.” Yachiyo reasoned.

In other places, the top students might be exempt from summer school, but not Siegfeld. If Yachiyo remembered correctly, even a school like Seisho, which is known for histories and all, got a long summer break. The most Edel members can get for summer holiday is roughly a week, then they proceeded to do the summer schools. Yachiyo didn’t mind for an extra workout days, just hopefully her work in the summertime is not increasing.

“Well, that can be right. I do feel great when summer comes.” Michiru caught up with the topic, following suit. It’s not the time to lower her guard yet, however. “Maybe us Edel can go somewhere for summer, like, the pool?”

The suggestion made her eyes lit up in excitement. Point number one of excitement: the possible mention of swimsuit. Yachiyo is not a pervert per se—or so she claimed to. Michiru knew that Yachiyo got a notebook of everyone’s three-sizes, though, there’s no need to shy away from the small senior of hers.

“Ahh~ nice choice there, Michiru-senpai. I do want to see everyone in their swimsuits~”

“Akira is lovely in any bikini.” Michiru winked, giving out a helpful hint. “Or you can pick swimsuits for everyone, Yachiyo? I think it will be a good change of pace from our usual costume-making.”

“Eh, really, can I!?”

“But if you’re trying to give me something childish out of prank, I can kick you, on the face.”

Michiru said while smiling. There’s no malice in there, just a hint of unexplained, leaking terror.

- - -


“No wonder you look more excited than this morning, Senpai.”

“Heh heh heh. Of course I am.”

“You laugh like an old man now.” Shiori giggled.

“Sorry, I can’t help it~”

Shiori remarked as yet they spend a night together, this time in Shiori’s room. Shiori got some homework need to be done, so she asked for Yachiyo to not bother her as she finished up for the night. The said pinkette, being in her own la la land after being chosen as the swimsuit coordinator has been skipping through online catalogues while waiting, lying on Shiori’s bed as if it is her own.

Yachiyo didn’t tell Shiori in truth that part of her is mostly thinking about what will fits the blonde to wear. Speaking of colors, any color can match with Shiori, be it dark or light ones on the color palette. If Yachiyo about to focus on the types of swimsuit, she wanted to do mix and match with various types of it on Shiori that Yachiyo found herself couldn’t choose.

“—Senpai?”

“Y-Yes?”

“Ah, you seem so focused, sorry to bother you.”

“It’s okay~ are you done with the homework?”

“I am. Will you join me for a tea?”

“Ohh~ that would be delightful~”

The pinkette followed Shiori to the high round table next to the bed, Shiori poured the tea for both of them.

Yachiyo got a load of things in mind now, thinking what might suit Shiori for real. Should Shiori wear something revealing? Should Shiori wear something cute? If Yachiyo happened to give revealing swimsuits, however, other Edel members surely will be after her heads. It might not be a single kick to her face, she will be completely obliterated.

“Say, Shiori. Do you have any preference in swimsuit?”

The teapot clattered. “E-Eh? Why the sudden question?”

“Nah, I’m just asking for an input, since I’d be picking out for you too~” Yachiyo said in sing-song voice.

Shiori was quiet, visibly wondering as judged by how her eyes casted downward.

“W, Will you believe me if I say that I never come to a pool or a beach before?”



- - -


If Shiori remembered correctly, Yachiyo told everyone that she will be browsing for swimsuits and she roped the blonde with her. Yachiyo also said something for Michiru to arrange the pool where they will be going for the next week or so, in which Michiru quickly come to an agreement.

Mei Fan batted suspicious eyes over Yachiyo, telling that the pinkette might become a bad influence for Shiori and feeling the need to follow them, but Michiru stopped her, pulling Mei Fan to Akira’s care instead.

Shiori wondered if Yachiyo and Michiru worked something out behind the other Edel members’ knowledge. Seeing how Akira commented at nothing in particular, however, Shiori tried not to mind things too much.

“We’re here, the sea!”

Eh?

Shiori just realized it after they went for the last stop of the said train. It is not the usual stop where they bought fabric or browse for clothes. Yachiyo pulled her hand as they reached the station and went straight to the expanding blue horizon just a short walk from the station.

Wait, what just happened?

The blonde didn’t pay attention much when Yachiyo talked along the road. It’s not like she found the senior is boring, Shiori simply lost as everything happened fast; from when they leave the dorm and then before her eyes, sea is there.

“You said you never go to a sea or a pool before, right? I’m taking you to one.”

Yachiyo didn’t look to Shiori’s way, but she kept their fingers entwined. The sea breeze welcomed their presence. A faint color dusted Yachiyo’s cheeks, a smile played on her face.

Ah. Shiori felt her heart warmed. The pink-haired senior of hers always catering for her needs, be it during Edel’s excursion or as they shared their time together. Yachiyo didn’t tease Shiori for never coming to the sea or the pool before, their conversation ended there last night without Yachiyo imploring more.

“My weak constitution doesn’t allow me to play outside too much,” Her senior can guess, for sure, why Shiori never comes to play in waters before, but Shiori wanted to confirm it. “I know you can tell.”

“I do, so I didn’t ask since it might … hurt your feelings.”

“No, I’m not hurt in any way. It’s alright,” Shiori squeezed their joined hands. “And thank you for taking me here with you; to see the sea with you.”

Yachiyo turned her head to the side, finally meeting their mutual gazes. “Since we are here, how about we feel the water?”

“H—Huh?” Shiori gasped.

“Shush. I mean we walk barefoot. We won’t jump to the sea, silly.”

“O, Oh.”

“Or what, do you want to see me sopping wet from the sea waters?” Yachiyo winked.

“T—that’s not what I meant! Mou, Senpai!”


[Neither came into both of their minds that it is indeed an unplanned, wonderful date—in a guise of ‘browsing swimsuit for everyone’.]