[Natsuki] The One Who Hates You

You never liked air travel...
But this is just torture
Being stuck in a tin can for 6 hours is bad enough
But why with her?

"Anon, give me the window seat!"
You appreciate the small luxuries you can get...
No way will you give it up to Natsuki, of all people
"ANON!!!"
This is going to be a long flight
And passengers are still boarding...

She is only like this to you
She's not this nasty to anyone else, even to those she barely knows
You never did anything wrong to her... you think...
One time you did offer her half of your lunch when she forgot hers
And you did offer her a helping hand when she misplaced a box of manga
But she didn't seem to take too kindly to those gestures
Perhaps you offended her somehow...
Whatever, this relationship is already beyond saving

"GIVE.. ME.. THE.. SEAT.. NOW!"
You easily rebuff her feeble attempts of theft
Is the window seat really that important to her?
Everyone on the flight is now staring at the two of you
All you want is some peace and quiet in your rightful seat
It isn't too much to ask for...
But for now you just have to deal with her bickering

Like an answer to a prayer, a flight attendant starts walking over
One sharp look from her and Natsuki realizes the battle is over
She dejectedly pouts in her aisle seat, where she belongs
A tense nonaggression pact
Why did she choose this seat if she hates you so much?
This flight doesn't have assigned seating...

The first two hours were thankfully uneventful
The pact is holding... for now...
She was engrossed in her manga while you were on your laptop
You appreciate the peace, but will it last?
And you are building up an appetite...

The snack cart starts rolling down the aisle
It doesn't seem to have much, but it will suffice...
Eventually, the cart stops at your seat
You are about to make your request, but...
"No thanks, we're both good!"
...
You couldn't even react
It looks like she just breached the pact
But why would she do this?  She has nothing to gain...
The cart is now gone and you are still hungry...
Maybe she really does hate you

The cart has reached its final destination
A loud grumbling sound emerges from her stomach
This is her Pyrrhic victory
Retribution for her embarrassment only hours prior

Natsuki suddenly reaches underneath the seat
You can already sense it
The battle is not yet over
And the tables are turning
She pulls out her secret weapon
An ordinary white box
With that familiar pleasant aroma

It's inevitable, Natsuki will achieve true victory
But it doesn't bother you
No matter how much pain and suffering she has caused you
You can never feel joy from her hunger
No belly deserves to remain empty

A tap on your shoulder, clearly to rub it in
For some reason, you still turn to her
No smirk on her face?
Instead, a slight pout..
With a slight blush...
And a sparkle of hope in her eyes?
What is this facade?

Finally, she unleashes her secret weapon
And opens up the modest box
An overpowering aroma
Emanating from the lethal warheads
Two beautifully decorated cupcakes
Made with love from a dedicated baker
If the cupcakes could love
They would be the perfect match

"What are you staring at!?"
Her sharp voice breaks your trance
There's no point in responding, she already knows
The battle is over and she won
All you can do now is try to get some work done
And ignore your now-severe hunger pains
No thanks to that alluring pair of sweets...

No progress on work...
You really should focus
But the hunger pains are too great
And your peripheral vision can't resist spying...
Natsuki still hasn't indulged in her victory
She's just been staring at the twin confectioneries
For the last half-hour...
She looks... nervous?
And is she still blushing?
She already won, she should just drop this facade!

Maybe some sleep is in order...
Sleeping on the plane has never been easy for you
But thankfully the recline isn't bad this time
You safely stow away your laptop and close your eyes
All you need to do now is relax
...
A slight ominous sensation...
Is someone watching you?
The brain sure enjoys playing tricks
A clear sign you need nutrition
Hopefully when you wake up, passengers will be exiting
That will be your opportunity to replenish your stomach
...

*thud*
You jolt up, barely noticing her small swift hand
It's gone before you can react
All that remains is an object on your seat tray
...A cupcake?
"I made it for y... err--- as an extra!"
Still feeling a bit groggy, you turn to see her tomato-red face
With that familiar pout
Instinctively, you thank her
Somehow her face turns even redder

You are inspecting the object she left you
Calling it a treat wouldn't do it justice
It's clear she has put her heart into this
The cat face decoration may look simple
But the subtle detailing makes its expression clear
Its eyes are full of hope
But still, why would she give her backup cupcake to you?
The one she hates?...
"W...well? What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry?"

Somehow you managed to forget those hunger pains
But without mercy, they hit you back like a roaring tidal wave
And this cupcake looks like the only life-jacket
Is this all part of a cunning plan?
A cleverly disguised booby-trap?...
You try to analyze the object
An alluring cupcake
Laced with what, a laxative?
Something worse?

"W..What's wrong? I didn't poison it or anything!"
She must be a mind-reader...
"Please! at least taste it..."
Her voice, now slightly cracking...
You sense no malice
It sounds more desperate... anxious...
And slightly hopeless...
This is not the voice of an insidious enemy
You turn to see for yourself
That once tomato face is now bleak
With a couple tears forming in her usually bright eyes

Perhaps your stomach is clouding your judgment
But you have made your choice
You accept the life-jacket that Natsuki has thrown you
And bite in to the hand-made dessert...
First, the frosting... subtle yet flavorsome
Then, a rich oozing filling
A heavenly mixture of vanilla and chocolate
A perfect complement to the savory cake base
Before you know it, it's already gone
"So.. y-you actually like it?"
Her eyes immediately fill up with optimism
Just like those of the decorative cat you consumed
Your reaction speaks louder than words
"Well of course you would! I am an excellent baker after all!"
That jagged voice returns

"I can't believe I wasted such a good cupcake on an idiot like you!"
And of course, that signature haughty smile
Well that certainly didn't last very long...
For a second you actually thought she didn't despise you
At least your hunger pains have subsided
For a small cupcake, it sure was filling
How she managed that, you have no idea
At least you can focus on work now

The plane beeps
The seatbelt signs flare up
Not an uncommon occurrence for the frequent flier
Also a convenient excuse to not work
As a precaution, you put up your seat tray
Air turbulence has always been one cost of taming the skies
But for the uninitiated, it can feel like impending doom
The airship shakes
"EEP!"
Natsuki peeks at you with timid eyes
"Anon... What was that?..."

Roaring thunder
The plane violently jolts
This time, the skies don't hold back
"AAHHH!"
"ANON HELP! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
The color on her face, draining
Her hands, gripping the arm rests for dear life
Her eyes, now quivering with fear
She may be your sworn enemy
But you don't waste another second
You raise the dividing arm rest
And grab her tiny, shaking hand

She grabs back
"Anon...?"
Her eyes light up with an ounce of hope
A slight curious smile on her lips
But something catches your eye...
A dangling strap
It's her seatbelt... Unbuckled
You reach over to strap Natsuki back in...
Your body is suddenly struck

...
What happened?
Is the turbulence really that bad?
It feels like you were tackled by a linebacker
You mentally regroup and assess the situation
Somebody did indeed tackle you
But it certainly wasn't a linebacker
You look to see the frightened pink blob in your arms
Holding on desperately for dear life
Her face, smothered in your chest
Instinctively, you wrap your arms around her
Protecting her from the harshness of mother nature
You both say nothing and remain in this protective embrace
Until the chaotic storms tire out

It's been some time since the fierce skies have simmered down
Yet your pink enemy remains in your arms
Those lively eyes, fully concealed
Her heartbeat, gentle and soft
Her breathing, fully relaxed
A peaceful slumber
Another beep from the intercom
Those ominous overhead lights return
The plane pitches downwards
Normally you would be happy when this finally happens
But for some odd reason, you feel a bit disappointed
Like you wish you had more time on this plane...
Your brain must be playing strange tricks again

The landing sequence pulls Natsuki out from her slumber
A soft smile forms on her face
Her tranquil eyes slowly open
She's relaxed and well-rested
Not something you would expect
Especially after what she just went through
"*Yawn*... Morning Anon..."
Her smile turns slightly playful
"I won!... I got my window seat~..."
Despite winning, you sense no arrogance from her
Only genuine happiness
And something else
Like shes yearning for something?

The airship taxis to its destination
Like clockwork, passengers move up to the front
Clumping up to the door that is inevitably shut
Of course, you would rather wait it out
Natsuki remains comfortably in your arms
She was adamant about keeping her window seat
Even though she never bothered looking out the window...
The passengers start moving
You grab what little luggage you have
And Natsuki's untouched cupcake
She may want this for later

The plane is almost empty
You two really should get going
But she's not making it easy...
"I'm not leaving my seat Anon!"
That sly smile
That spark in her eyes
You know what she really means

Only two passengers remain
And the flight attendant is getting impatient
You have no choice
You will be carrying an extra piece of luggage
Finally, you start making your way to the exit
With Natsuki happily in your arms
A Bridal Carry
One thing is clear to you
She has achieved true victory
But only with you by her side


~EPILOGUE~

You never liked air travel...
But at long last, your trip has come to an end
After 2 weeks away, you just want to go home
Despite exhaustion, you walk quickly along the moving pathway
In your right hand, your laptop bag
In your left hand, nothing
Traveling alone has always felt empty
Especially when you get the window seat...

The walkway ends at the final intersection
You see that familiar sign
'Public Transit: LEFT'
'Passenger Pickup: RIGHT'
It's been six years since you made a left turn here
That thought puts a small smile on your face
You make your turn and keep walking
With your eyes scanning the horizon
And heart filling with anticipation

...
"Anon!!"
That adorable voice
You turn to its direction
But you see nothing...
...
"Over here Anon!"
Your fiancée pops out of a hidden corner
Her bright eyes, shedding tears of joy
"I missed you so much!..."
Your overjoyed pink blob rushes forward
And tackles you to the ground
Despite feeling dizzy, you relish in her loving embrace
She really does pack a punch...

Satisfied but tired, you both pull yourselves up
And start walking home
Natsuki doesn't waste a second and grabs your left hand
You sure missed feeling that warm squeeze
"There's something special waiting for you back home~"
You can't wait
Her baking has really spoiled you over the years
Even the best hotel food can't compare

Natsuki suddenly stops
A slight blush forms on her soft cheeks
She twirls around and pulls you in
Her lips gently touch yours
A subtle yet pleasant sensation
Shared with the love of your life
But you taste something else...
Your favorite cupcake frosting

~FIN~