The bell to the cafe rang as the door closed behind the two lycoris as they head to start their day.
“Let’s go?” Chisato peered into Takina’s face with a smile.
“Okay.”
They walked along the streets in peace. Only a handful of people walking along with them, a few children who were probably early risers running around hand in hand with their parents excited to go start their school.
This was the type of peace they, the lycoris protected, the type of everyday life they always aimed to achieve by saving those they could save with the skills they’ve trained and honed.
“Say, Takina.” Chisato stretched her arms above her head, stretching both sidewards before keeping them behind her as she walked side ways to face the black haired girl matching her face. “…Say that thing again.”
Takina turned to look at her with her usual neutral face. “…Say what again?”
Chisato pouted as she continued to walk with her back facing the direction they were going as she pointed air fingers at Takina. “What~ Do you not remember any more? My name of course.”
Takina only blinked, and looked forward shying away from Chisato’s face. “Chisato-san.”
“Ehhhh~ That’s not what you called me while we were at the train yesterday.” Chisato jogged a little backwards as she started to make random hand gestures while they walked without looking behind her. “I firmly remember being called something else.”
Takina looked back at her as they continued to walk. “Please walk properly.”
“Call me my name~”
“Chisato-san.”
“Not that one~”
“Then, please walk properly.”
“Fiiiine.” Chisato pouted as she stopped on the side walk and Takina walked past her. She jogged as she caught up to her, walking side by side once again. “Well?”
Takina turned to her briefly before looking forward at the road again. “It was a one-time thing.”
“Ehhhhhhh. I don’t think that’s how stuff like these work!” Chisato slumped forward. “Isn’t calling someone by their name a sign of trust? A sign of their friendship taking a step higher in the chain!”
“…Is that how it is?” Takina stopped walking as she watched Chisato move forward without her. “Where are we in the chain right now?”
Chisato immediately walked backwards looking at Takina with a big smile. “Um… Partners?”
“Partners?” Takina turned to look at her. “Is there something else higher than that?”
“Uh……..” Chisato puts a finger on her chin. “Er… Lovers?” She scratched her cheek. “Wait, is that how it was supposed to go? Acquaintances, friends, more than friends? partners? lovers? Huh? Did I skip somewhere?”
Takina smiled as she watched Chisato agonize about ‘the chain’ that she was talking about.
“Whoa! You just smiled!”
“I didn’t.” Takina started walking again, faster than she was doing so earlier.
“You did! I was so sure you did!” Chisato chased Takina as she half-walked and jogged next to her. “It was just small like this.” She pulled her cheek a little, trying to imitate her usual flat expression. “I was sure it was a smile!”
“I didn’t.” Takina started to walk faster as she left Chisato on the side walk again.
“Ehhhh~ I was so sure you did! Takina~ Wait for me!”
Takina turned around to face her. “…If you wanted to see me smile, I think you’d have to work for it harder.” She smiled at her as the sun rose higher behind her, highlighting the features on her face, and the pretty smile that was on her face. “Chisato.” She turned around and continued walking forward putting more distance between the two of them.
Chisato swallowed as she blinked multiple times trying to digest what she just saw. A pretty smile, highlighted by the pretty sun rising behind the dark haired woman in front of her, the flushing of her own cheeks undeniable. And what was that?
“What did you just say?” Chisato jogged towards Takina as she chased her desperately.
“It was a two-time thing.”
“Ehhhh! Say it again, Takina~”
“No.”
“Takina-samaaaaaa~~~”
(It was a one-time thing/END)
Omake
“Chisato.”
Chisato turned to her with a really big smile, her eyes sparkling and glinting. “Yes, yes?”
Takina looked at her with a flat expression. “…Never mind.”
“Ehhh?! What?! Whaaaat? You just can’t call me and just say it was nothing!” Takina turned away from her, and Chisato immediately chased her gaze. “Your face totally had something! It was totally speaking to me! Like, it was a question! Takinaaaaa.”
“…No, it’s nothing. It’s fine.” Takina kept on avoiding her gaze whilst Chisato kept on chasing it. “It’s nothing really.”
“Nooooooo. Now I’m super-mega curious…” Chisato slumped over the counter of the cafe, resting her cheeks on her arms. She turned to Takina. “Tell meeeee.”
Takina only gave her a small smile. “It’s a secret.”
“I wish I had the same bravery as you do. The way you just suddenly get inside a person’s heart. Ever since the first time you called me by my name.”
(It Was A One-Time Thing/END)
