Yuyu looked up at a tall tree, basking under its shade as the strong winds blew at her long hair.
“Onee-sama…” Riri called for her attention as she arrived just under the shade.
“Riri.” Yuyu turned to face her to acknowledge her presence, and turned to look at the tree once again. “Why are you here?”
“I went looking for you, but Mai-sama said she hasn’t seen you anywhere, so I thought I’d check here.” Riri gave a small ‘hehe’ as she smiled at her. “Can I go next to you?”
“Yes.” Yuyu smiled and turned to look at her once again. “You did well finding me here. Why did you think I’d be here?”
“Hm~ Just a feeling?” Riri smiled as she walked near her. “What were you doing, Onee-sama?”
“I was just walking for some fresh air… Then I remembered how you called for me here back then, so I stopped to look at it.” Yuyu looked up at the tree once again as Riri stood close to her. “To think that it has been a year since then… Time sure pass-by quickly.”
“That’s true… When I called for you back then, you didn’t even give me the time of day.” Riri laughed as she looked at the tree as well.
“I wasn’t sure how to feel then.” Yuyu smiled at her wryly. “But I somehow I am glad that the things went the way they did.”
“I see. Why so? Onee-sama.” Riri faced Yuyu as she admired the sight of Yuyu’s profile, who turned to look back at the tree.
“Because that’s what led to us being here.” Yuyu said as a small yawn escaped her mouth. “My apologies.”
Riri shook her head. “Are you alright? Did you stay up all night, Onee-sama?”
Yuyu nodded. “I suppose. I was reading a letter.”
“A letter?”
“Yes. One that Misuzu-Onee-sama wrote and hid as a prank… She put at the back of my favorite book.” Yuyu turned to look up the tree then down on the green grass just beneath it as a gust of wind blew again. “I could not sleep after reading it.”
“Is that so…” Riri watched her as the silence took over. “Then, Onee-sama! How about taking a rest now?”
Yuyu turned to look at her, puzzled. “Now? What do you mean?”
“Ehehe~” Riri grinned as she walked towards directly at the tree’s trunk and sat in front of it. She patted her thighs with both her hands and spread it open towards Yuyu. “Over here, Onee-sama!”
“Wh- What are you…” Yuyu blushed at the idea, although oddly not being repressive of it.
“Is it not a good time? Do you have somewhere to be at, Onee-sama?” Riri frowned as she looked up at her.
“You… I already told to not use that face… It is unfair most of the time.” Yuyu sighed as she silently complied. “No. I do not have somewhere to go to.” She gave her a small smile.
“Then, it’ll be fine!” Riri grinned as she patted her thighs once again.
Yuyu only sighed again and sat under the shade of the tree, laying her head down on Riri’s thighs, using it as a pillow. “Is this alright?”
Riri laughed. “Onee-sama. I should be the one asking you that. Is it comfortable?” She looked at Yuyu, lying down on her lap, face up towards the tree.
“Yes, it is comfortable. Thank you. Riri.” Yuyu smiled as she sighed deeply and closed her eyes.
“Onee-sama.”
“Riri?”
“Can I touch your hair?”
Yuyu looked up at Riri’s shy face. “Yes. Of course.” They smiled at each other as the wind whistled once again.
“Th- Then…” Riri reached forward to touch the long locks of black hair as they softly went through her fingers. “So pretty…”
“…Thank you.” Yuyu whispered bashfully as she closed her eyes. Riri continued to touch her hair, her bangs, as she felt her eyelids getting heavier, and heavier…
“Yuyu. Were you surprised?” Kawazoe Misuzu stood in a place of light as Yuyu stood in front of her.
“Onee-sama.”
“I’m sorry for being rude, and hid the letter inside your favorite book.” Misuzu smiled at her. “I’m glad you’ve found it now.”
“Yes. I’m glad I found it now, as well.” Yuyu smiled back at her. “Onee-sama. I’ve made a schild now.”
“Or so I’ve heard.” Misuzu took a step towards her and patted her head. “I hope you two are getting along well.”
“Yes. We are. She’s a first year… with a really cute smile.” Yuyu looked downwards as Misuzu removed her hand from her head. “She’s reckless, but with a lot of potential. Although the part of her that doesn’t think of her own well-being concerns me.”
Misuzu sighed. “That sounds exactly like someone else I know.”
“Did you mean me?”
“Is there someone else?” Misuzu laughed. “I’m glad that you are living well now, and I know that someday, I’d be able to meet this schild of yours as well. However, it’s time for me to go.”
“Yes.” Yuyu watched Misuzu as she took a step backward. “Onee-sama?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for coming to visit me.”
Misuzu smiled at her. “Be happy, Yuyu.”
A gust of wind blew as Yuyu gently opened her eyes, blinking twice.
“Onee-sama?” Riri called for her in a gentle voice as she stopped stroking her hair. “Did I wake you?”
“No. It’s alright.” Yuyu smiled. “Riri.”
“Yes?” Riri looked at her. Yuyu took her hand that was on her head, and held onto it tightly. “Onee-sama?”
“…Thank you. For being here with me.” Yuyu pressed her forehead onto Riri’s hand. “…Misuzu-Onee-sama visited me in my dreams.”
Riri nodded.
“…She told me to be happy.” Yuyu closed her eyes as she nuzzled Riri’s hands with her nose. “Can I really do that?”
Riri smiled as she placed her other hand onto Yuyu’s head. “Of course, Onee-sama. Of course you can be happy.”
Yuyu sat up as she turned to look at Riri’s face. “…Will you be with me?”
“I’ll be right here with you, Onee-sama.” Riri smiled at her warmly. “No matter what it is that awaits us in the future… I’ll be right here by your side, Onee-sama.”
“Riri…” Yuyu smiled at her as she held her hand. “Thank you…”
“I want to be as reliable to you as I can, so anytime, Onee-sama! Ehehe~” Riri grinned at her. “Oh yes. Were you able to rest well? You were so still, so I thought maybe you were just thinking…”
“Yes. I feel rested. Likely, more rested than I ever do at my own bed.” Yuyu smiled as she looked up the tree. “Maybe I should get a Riri lap pillow custom made.”
“O- Onee-sama! Why would you have something made when it could just be the real person!?”
Yuyu laughed. “You’re right. Then, will you be my permanent lap pillow then, Riri?”
“Geez! Please don’t tease me!”
“I’m sorry, I just cannot help it.” Yuyu smiled.
“You always have that kind of side to you, hmph…” Riri sighed. “…but I’m happy that Misuzu-sama visited you.”
“…Me too.” Yuyu smiled at her.
Onee-sama. Are you watching? I’ve made a wonderful schild. And as you said… I will do everything in my power, so that we can have a future where we could be both happy.
And that when that happens, once the Yoshino Cherry are in bloom… I’ll come visit you, and tell you all about it.
