of the wind and the earth (ycsh)

Their walk back to the dorm has been silence than anything. They were walking side-by-side without much distance between them. Their eyes darted anywhere but each other. Their hands were not holding together, but consciously trying to fix their uniform from the exchange earlier.

No, they didn’t go overboard - it’s the school. It’s in the student council room. Also it is close to curfew, to boot.

Yachiyo didn’t need to take a glimpse on the younger girl face to find that it is still red. It wasn’t the trick of afternoon sunset. Yachiyo could still feel her face is hot as well.

The recollection of the events are fresh on the tip of her mind. The taste of the tea lingered on her tongue. She could faintly recall the mutual plea they shared in the vast room of student council, just the two of them.

Ah. This is bad. She might end up to request for more. Yachiyo swallowed. That exchange earlier is enough for ‘taking break’ after so long not, she shouldn’t be greedy.

“Ya, Yachiyo-senpai?”

The older pinkette was surprised for the sudden call of her name, she quickly turn. “… Yes?”

“Can I … come to your room tonight?”

Shiori always been honest. Not that type of blunt honesty that is one of Yachiyo kind, but she would never lie to herself if she have something to say.

That’s Shiori’s great point - though something that will catch Yachiyo off-guard for every time it repeats.

“Aren’t we finished with the costume from the last time?”

Yachiyo coughed up an excuse, a lifeline to getaway. They were working with a costume coordination last time, courtesy of a certain Ootori Michiru who wanted it fast. Then again, judging by what happened at the student council room, it might not be a smooth getaway for Yachiyo.

[It’s not like she wanted to reject her, it’s just-]

“No, I…” the smaller girl’s eyes were alight in resolute look, despite how red her face is. “… I want to be with you.”

Still, for Shiori to be so bold … who’s giving her such advice? Who’s teaching her the ropes?

Is Shiori copying her manners? No, no. Shiori is not one to tease anyone. Whatever she is saying right here, or earlier, or maybe some time in the future, all of them should be the truth coming from her heart.

If anything, it is her heartfelt wishes.

Yachiyo’s steps were halted. Shiori stopped as well. The pinkette was running out of her sarcastic or jester remark. She can’t answer this right. Her heart is racing. The fire from the last time has yet to be tamed.

She’s supposed to be a calmer, melancholic Earth and she is supposed to be a gentle, cautious Wind. Yet it doesn’t mean that the Earth can’t embrace the fire, or the Wind can’t whisper in fiery, passionate manner.

Yachiyo took Shiori’s hand on hers, feeling the smaller, cooler fingers on her touch. Taking Shiori’s back hand to her lips, Yachiyo pressed the kiss of vow for long - long enough until the wind of the dusk started to pick up. Anyone watching by on the road be damned.

.

“Then, don’t make me wait.”