“Ahchoo!” Kanaho sniffed as she gently rubbed her nose and washed her hands.
“Oh my. A cold?” Takane who was relaxing in their bed with a book on her hands turned to her.
Due to the influence of heavy snow fall, classes at Kanba were cancelled all together with outdoor and indoors training on this fine day.
A normal person would say “It’s a white valentine’s day,” but looking at the pile of snow outdoors, it would be crazy for one to go out on this day.
Kanaho shook her head as she finished washing the glass she just used and placed in the cupboard. “I don’t think so?”
“Why don’t you come here and let me take a look?” Takane closed the book in her hand and set it down on her lap. “Or do you want me to go over there instead?”
Kanaho smiled as she dried her hand and removed her apron. “I’ll be over there.” She hung the apron on a cupboard handle and walked over the bed they shared.
She sat down on the edge of the bed. Before she could even put her legs up to join Takane’s under the comfortable blanket, she felt a warm hand tug her gently and a forehead pressed onto her own while she closed her eyes.
“Mm. Seems like a cold to me.” Takane spoke, their noses touching as she measured Kanaho’s temperature.
“I don’t believe I’ve done something to catch one…” Kanaho opened her eyes as Takane gently pulled away.
“Sure you have. Didn’t we rush last night to the garden to reinforce the plants with sticks because of today’s snow?” Those purple orbs only looked at her with amusement as Kanaho opened her mouth to retort but realized it was true. “I told you to at least wear a coat.”
“But the snow was already falling and time is of essence for flowers…” Kanaho looked down on the in between as she watched Takane reach behind her, feeling her body being led to lie down. “Takane-chan, you don’t have to…”
“Yes, I do.” Takane smiled as Kanaho reluctantly let herself be tucked into the bed, the blanket pulled up to her shoulders. “Unless you’d like me to take the cold away from you?”
Takane moved an arm over Kanaho’s body as gold orbs met playful purple ones. “Hm-mm…” Kanaho shook her head as she pulled the blanket over her nose, cheeks rosy with embarrassment. “You’re always quick to say things like that…”
Takane giggled as she smiled at her. “Only to you, Kanaho.” She gently kissed Kanaho’s forehead and got out of the bed, wearing her cardigan as she walked towards the kitchen. “Since you’re going to be a good girl, and rest in bed today, I’ll make lunch instead.”
“Eh…? But…” Kanaho pulled down the blanket and sat up from the bed as she followed Takane to their mini kitchen. “I was thinking of borrowing the common room to make some tarts because it’s Valentine’s Day…”
Takane only looked at her with a mischievous smile. “Shall I take the cold from you then?”
Kanaho immediately covered her mouth and shook her head.
“That’s what I thought so.” Takane smiled in triumphant as Kanaho let her back hit the bed. “Here.” She walked towards Kanaho and placed a cold towel on her forehead as well as a thermometer for her temperature.
After a few minutes, there was a few beeping sounds, and Takane was immediately on her bed side to check on it.
“38.9°C. See? Now stay in bed. I’ll wake you when I’m done.” Takane kissed the towel on her forehead and took off to the mini kitchen with the thermometer in hand.
“Thank you, Takane-chan…” Kanaho closed her eyes as she listened to the calming foot steps around their small kitchen, followed by the slow and precise sounds of plates being placed and ingredients being cut. She closed her eyes and let drowse in.
“It was my fault! Because I got our positions wrong!”
“Kanaho!”
The army of ants got closer and closer as they multiplied and scattered around them, surrounding them, cornering them.
“Kyah!”
“Kanaho!”
Voices called for her as she fell onto the floor, her charm clinking far away from her hands.
Explosions erupted around her as ant shaped huge cleared before her.
“Kanaho…!”
Those relieved purple eyes neared her, and after just one moment, there was blood.
“Takane-chaaaaaan!”
“Takane-cha…n…!” Kanaho opened her eyes as she sweated vigorously worried lilac orbs looking at her.
“Kanaho…! Kanaho? Are you o–” Suddenly there were arms wrapped around her shoulders. “Kanaho?”
Kanaho didn’t say anything. She only hugged her tightly as she shook her head.
Takane sat down onto the bed side as she wrapped her arms around Kanaho’s back, one hand gently running her palm down the back of Kanaho’s head. She closed her eyes as she hugged her tightly.
Sliding that hand down from the top of her head, down to her neck, then once again to the top of her head, back to her neck. Slowly, gently, comfortingly.
They both sat in silence, with the continuous head rubs, and the low and calming sound of a lightly boiling pot.
Takane opened her eyes the moment Kanaho gently let go of her, parting from their hug. She looked at her, those sad golden orbs, those flushed cheeks, and those tears that threatened to fall.
“Takane-ch–“
As if on auto-pilot, their lips met for a long and comforting kiss. Kanaho closed her eyes as she accepted the warm lips over her’s, her back gently being laid back down the bed as a gentle hand held onto her wrist.
Takane parted from the kiss a little to change her angle as she kissed her deeply, licking those thin lips for permission as she was welcomed.
“Hn… Mm… Hah…” Kanaho wrapped her free hand around Takane’s back, sifting her fingers through long blonde hair as they kissed. “Takane…chan…”
They panted as the kiss ended, those searching lilac eyes looking into those half-lidded yellow ones. Takane gently took Kanaho’s hand, moving from her wrist as she entwined their fingers between each other’s.
“Are you okay?” Takane questioned in that gentle and worried voice as Kanaho nodded. “Did you remember it?”
“…Mm.” Kanaho nodded as she pressed her forehead onto Takane’s jaw. “I know that we recently just finished our battle with it, and that we’ve gone and overcome it… Sometimes it still lingers.”
“I understand.” Takane gently nudged Kanaho’s forehead as she kissed it comfortingly. “I’ll be here until you feel better.”
Kanaho nodded… until the sounds of an over-boiling pot caught their attention.
“Takane-chan.”
“I’ll be here.”
“The pot.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be fine?” Kanaho squeezed their entwined hands. “Before the kitchen burns down.” She smiled at her wryly.
Takane only raised an eyebrow before smiling. “Okay, I got it.” She gave Kanaho’s forehead another kiss before gently parting from her and turning off the stove. “Seems like most of the porridge is still okay.”
“I’m glad.” Kanaho giggled as she heard some pots clanking, the faucet turning on, then some wiping.
It was odd how quickly she could feel better just by being around Takane’s side. They both now have the courage to move forward… The courage to finally start anew.
It felt like it was going to be the last time she’d see the same dream, too.
“Kanaho, do you want to eat now?” Takane walked back towards the bed and sat next to her.
“Hm-mm… I think I’ll do that a bit later…” Kanaho sat up and turned to Takane who only looked at her longingly.
“Then… I suppose I could eat you instead.” Takane slowly licked her lips as she slowly pushed her back down the bed.
“Y- You can’t! You’ll catch my cold…”
“I thought we’re way past that?”
“U- Uu… You’re not wrong…”
“Then it shall be fine.”
“…D- Do what you want…”
“With pleasure.”
(For You My Princess/END)
