Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/09/30
As Aira washes the dishes after finishing lunch, the intercom rings.
Looking at the monitor, she sees Ema's friend, Komari.
She quickly wipes her hands on a towel and answers the intercom.
Ema went to the convenience store earlier, so Aira is the only one home.
"I'm sorry, Ema is away right now..."
"I see..."
"I think she'll be back soon, so would you like to wait inside?"
"Mm... thank you. I'll do that."
Aira picks up the key card and goes down to greet her while still wearing the apron.
After calling out to Komari who was waiting on the sofa in the lobby, they ride the elevator back up.
Aira unlocks the door and invites Komari in. Komari takes a breath and has a surprised look on her face.
"Hm? This place doesn't smell like cigarettes."
"I think it's because Ema hasn't been smoking recently."
"Seriously? Ema hasn't been smoking?"
Komari looks like she can't believe what she's hearing.
After the two sit down on the living room sofa, they resume their earlier conversation.
"So Ema is actually abstaining from smoking... even though she never listened whenever I brought it up."
"When did Ema start smoking?"
"I think three years ago... Right around the time she turned 20."
Komari gazes into the distance wistfully.
Whatever she's recalling definitely isn't a happy memory.
"Komari-san, when did you first meet Ema?"
"When we started university. I suppose that makes it five years ago."
Five years ago happens to be around the same time that Ema stopped showing up to family gatherings.
If it's Komari, then she might know the Ema that Aira doesn't.
With her voice trembling from nerves and anticipation, Aira decides to ask Komari.
"Do you know a woman by the name of Megumi, Komari-san?"
Komari clearly reacts upon hearing that name.
Her eyes widen in surprise as if she's wondering how Aira knows.
"Eh? Why are you suddenly asking about her?"
"Because... Ema called out that name in her sleep."
Komari's eyes wander as if she's trying to think before they finally settle down.
She places the mug in her hand on the table and begins talking about something completely different.
"What do you think about Ema, Aira-chan?"
"Eh..."
"Do you love her?"
"Well... whether I love her or not, that's..."
"...Ema has no intention of ever falling in love."
Hearing Komari's pained tone, Aira's words falter.
"What do you mean...?"
"She can't face anyone earnestly. She's afraid of getting hurt... So she doesn't get deeply involved with others. The reason she had multiple sex friends is to avoid getting attached to any one of them specifically."
Aira vaguely suspected as much.
Ema doesn't have a girlfriend and had multiple sex friends that she cut ties with so easily.
Aira remembers how sad her eyes looked when she smoked.
She had a feeling there was something hidden behind her cheerfulness.
"...To be honest, I can't wholly recommend you to pursue Ema. For a high schooler like you... that love will most likely result in nothing but pain."
Love Me
1M37.9K
Pain, hatred and abuse are the only things Alyssa Jordan knew after the unexpected death of her parents. Unloved, sad and tired of the life she's living her only wish is...
I'm a Costello
3.5M78.4K
•[COMPLETED]• Valentina Smith is a free spirited bubbly girl who can sometimes be very annoyingly kind and sometimes just.. annoying. She has lived in Texas as long as s...
Lust Next Door
10.2M185K
~•~ 26 year old, Connor Deluca, is a professional Hockey player in the NHL; who just moved into the expensive Citrus Grove Community. 23 year old, Serena Jade, is the re...
Their Innocent Flower
6.8M102K
On Hiatus as working on other projects that better represent me as a writer, this book is honestly very cliche Wattpad so if that's what you like then go ahead lmao. Pr...
Why so Sexy, Miss Evans? (GirlxGirl) (Teache...
7.7M248K
Anna Krause is in her senior year and more than ready to leave high school behind and start a new fresh life without homework, what she didn't expect however is that, sh...
Within The Bonds
2.4M74.8K
She is innocent They are manipulative She plays it safe They thrive in danger She likes her normal life They rule the world of crime She didn't know they existed ...
"However," Komari continues to speak.
Her voice sounds just a little optimistic.
"At the same time, I want to hope."
"Eh...?"
"No one was able to change her before. After being hurt, the woman who could only cope by smoking... is changing."
Komari squeezes Aira's hand.
It isn't a show of affection, but a plea.
"I know I have no right to ask this of you since I'm just her friend, but... because I'm worried about her..."
Komari truly cares about Ema.
That's why she worries about her... both physically and mentally.
"...You know, Aira-chan."
As if she had made up her mind, Komari opens her mouth.
"Megumi... the woman named Tsuyama Megumi is..."
Right at that time, they hear the door unlocking and a voice cheerful calling out, "I'm home."
She seems to be in a good mood after coming back from the convenience store.
"...Let's talk again sometime."
Aira walks past Ema, who just appeared in the living room, to head to the bedroom.
As she lies on the bed, the only thing she could think about is the name Komari mentioned earlier.
Tsuyama Megumi.
That is the name of the woman who binds Ema.
"Love, huh...?"
Saying it out loud makes everything seem so clear.
Once she realized that, the rest happened in no time at all. The affection she feels for Ema surges at an incredible rate.
She has been averting her eyes, but the feelings she feels for Ema could be nothing other than love.
Aira never imagined she would fall for someone of the same sex.
Even though she was so wary of Ema for being a lesbian at the beginning. If the past Aira knew, she would surely be incredibly surprised.
"It can't be helped..."
Ema is quick to tease her but has a genuinely kind heart.
She worries about Aira and tries to protect her.
She calls all of Aira cute, including what she's like on the inside.
It would be strange if Aira didn't fall in love with such a person.
"...She's such an amazing person."
What would happen if she tells her?
Can a high schooler like Aira make Ema, who can't forget Tsuyama Megumi, look back at her?
"...But I don't want this to end without me doing anything."
It might end painfully just like Komari said.
This love might only bring Aira suffering, but she doesn't want to give up so easily.
Aira doesn't want to pretend this love she finally found is nothing.
But above all else, she wants to become someone that can support Ema after seeing how much pain she's in when she looks off into the distance.
Even though there is no school today, the cute high school girl said she has to study and disappeared into the bedroom.
Endou Komari and her friend since university, Ichijou Ema, are eating snacks.
All the snacks are ones that Ema likes. Komari chews on them while complaining.
"...The chocolate ones are good. Do you always leave the house after making plans to have someone over?"
"I forgot. Sorry."
She says that without the least bit of hesitation.
Komari steals a glance at Ema and sees she's still as pretty as ever.
Her sex appeal increases as she grows older, but at the same time, that makes Komari worry.
Since Komari knows about "that incident" which continues to torment Ema.
She endlessly worries about Ema falling back to her living corpse-like state again.
"I guess you haven't told Aira-chan about that incident yet."
"What brought that up?"
"She asked me if I knew about Megumi-san."
Ema spits out her beer in surprise.
Drinking in the afternoon has probably become completely routine to her.
"Why did Aira ask about..."
"She heard you say her name while you were sleeping... Do you still love her?"
Ema swiftly shakes her head.
Komari was certain she still had some lingering feelings, so that response surprised her.
"I don't particularly still love her... I just saw that dream again. The one of the last time I met her."
"Mm..."
"I cried so hard back then as I watched her back retreating farther away... but things were different in the dream this time."
Ema usually becomes sad when talking about Tsuyama Megumi, so her tone is surprisingly upbeat.
"I talked back to her in my dream. Even though... I was always doing whatever she said."
Ema curiously wonders why, but there can only be one reason.
Without a doubt, something is changing inside her.
She must have seen that dream because of her change of heart.
The coffee Aira brewed for them is so tasty that Komari finished it before she knew it.
Even though Komari realizes this might be too much baggage to entrust to a girl who is still in high school...
She can't help but hope Aira will continue to change Ema like this.
Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/09/30
As Aira washes the dishes after finishing lunch, the intercom rings.
Looking at the monitor, she sees Ema's friend, Komari.
She quickly wipes her hands on a towel and answers the intercom.
Ema went to the convenience store earlier, so Aira is the only one home.
"I'm sorry, Ema is away right now..."
"I see..."
"I think she'll be back soon, so would you like to wait inside?"
"Mm... thank you. I'll do that."
Aira picks up the key card and goes down to greet her while still wearing the apron.
After calling out to Komari who was waiting on the sofa in the lobby, they ride the elevator back up.
Aira unlocks the door and invites Komari in. Komari takes a breath and has a surprised look on her face.
"Hm? This place doesn't smell like cigarettes."
"I think it's because Ema hasn't been smoking recently."
"Seriously? Ema hasn't been smoking?"
Komari looks like she can't believe what she's hearing.
After the two sit down on the living room sofa, they resume their earlier conversation.
"So Ema is actually abstaining from smoking... even though she never listened whenever I brought it up."
"When did Ema start smoking?"
"I think three years ago... Right around the time she turned 20."
Komari gazes into the distance wistfully.
Whatever she's recalling definitely isn't a happy memory.
"Komari-san, when did you first meet Ema?"
"When we started university. I suppose that makes it five years ago."
Five years ago happens to be around the same time that Ema stopped showing up to family gatherings.
If it's Komari, then she might know the Ema that Aira doesn't.
With her voice trembling from nerves and anticipation, Aira decides to ask Komari.
"Do you know a woman by the name of Megumi, Komari-san?"
Komari clearly reacts upon hearing that name.
Her eyes widen in surprise as if she's wondering how Aira knows.
"Eh? Why are you suddenly asking about her?"
"Because... Ema called out that name in her sleep."
Komari's eyes wander as if she's trying to think before they finally settle down.
She places the mug in her hand on the table and begins talking about something completely different.
"What do you think about Ema, Aira-chan?"
"Eh..."
"Do you love her?"
"Well... whether I love her or not, that's..."
"...Ema has no intention of ever falling in love."
Hearing Komari's pained tone, Aira's words falter.
"What do you mean...?"
"She can't face anyone earnestly. She's afraid of getting hurt... So she doesn't get deeply involved with others. The reason she had multiple sex friends is to avoid getting attached to any one of them specifically."
Aira vaguely suspected as much.
Ema doesn't have a girlfriend and had multiple sex friends that she cut ties with so easily.
Aira remembers how sad her eyes looked when she smoked.
She had a feeling there was something hidden behind her cheerfulness.
"...To be honest, I can't wholly recommend you to pursue Ema. For a high schooler like you... that love will most likely result in nothing but pain."
Love Me
1M37.9K
Pain, hatred and abuse are the only things Alyssa Jordan knew after the unexpected death of her parents. Unloved, sad and tired of the life she's living her only wish is...
I'm a Costello
3.5M78.4K
•[COMPLETED]• Valentina Smith is a free spirited bubbly girl who can sometimes be very annoyingly kind and sometimes just.. annoying. She has lived in Texas as long as s...
Lust Next Door
10.2M185K
~•~ 26 year old, Connor Deluca, is a professional Hockey player in the NHL; who just moved into the expensive Citrus Grove Community. 23 year old, Serena Jade, is the re...
Their Innocent Flower
6.8M102K
On Hiatus as working on other projects that better represent me as a writer, this book is honestly very cliche Wattpad so if that's what you like then go ahead lmao. Pr...
Why so Sexy, Miss Evans? (GirlxGirl) (Teache...
7.7M248K
Anna Krause is in her senior year and more than ready to leave high school behind and start a new fresh life without homework, what she didn't expect however is that, sh...
Within The Bonds
2.4M74.8K
She is innocent They are manipulative She plays it safe They thrive in danger She likes her normal life They rule the world of crime She didn't know they existed ...
"However," Komari continues to speak.
Her voice sounds just a little optimistic.
"At the same time, I want to hope."
"Eh...?"
"No one was able to change her before. After being hurt, the woman who could only cope by smoking... is changing."
Komari squeezes Aira's hand.
It isn't a show of affection, but a plea.
"I know I have no right to ask this of you since I'm just her friend, but... because I'm worried about her..."
Komari truly cares about Ema.
That's why she worries about her... both physically and mentally.
"...You know, Aira-chan."
As if she had made up her mind, Komari opens her mouth.
"Megumi... the woman named Tsuyama Megumi is..."
Right at that time, they hear the door unlocking and a voice cheerful calling out, "I'm home."
She seems to be in a good mood after coming back from the convenience store.
"...Let's talk again sometime."
Aira walks past Ema, who just appeared in the living room, to head to the bedroom.
As she lies on the bed, the only thing she could think about is the name Komari mentioned earlier.
Tsuyama Megumi.
That is the name of the woman who binds Ema.
"Love, huh...?"
Saying it out loud makes everything seem so clear.
Once she realized that, the rest happened in no time at all. The affection she feels for Ema surges at an incredible rate.
She has been averting her eyes, but the feelings she feels for Ema could be nothing other than love.
Aira never imagined she would fall for someone of the same sex.
Even though she was so wary of Ema for being a lesbian at the beginning. If the past Aira knew, she would surely be incredibly surprised.
"It can't be helped..."
Ema is quick to tease her but has a genuinely kind heart.
She worries about Aira and tries to protect her.
She calls all of Aira cute, including what she's like on the inside.
It would be strange if Aira didn't fall in love with such a person.
"...She's such an amazing person."
What would happen if she tells her?
Can a high schooler like Aira make Ema, who can't forget Tsuyama Megumi, look back at her?
"...But I don't want this to end without me doing anything."
It might end painfully just like Komari said.
This love might only bring Aira suffering, but she doesn't want to give up so easily.
Aira doesn't want to pretend this love she finally found is nothing.
But above all else, she wants to become someone that can support Ema after seeing how much pain she's in when she looks off into the distance.
Even though there is no school today, the cute high school girl said she has to study and disappeared into the bedroom.
Endou Komari and her friend since university, Ichijou Ema, are eating snacks.
All the snacks are ones that Ema likes. Komari chews on them while complaining.
"...The chocolate ones are good. Do you always leave the house after making plans to have someone over?"
"I forgot. Sorry."
She says that without the least bit of hesitation.
Komari steals a glance at Ema and sees she's still as pretty as ever.
Her sex appeal increases as she grows older, but at the same time, that makes Komari worry.
Since Komari knows about "that incident" which continues to torment Ema.
She endlessly worries about Ema falling back to her living corpse-like state again.
"I guess you haven't told Aira-chan about that incident yet."
"What brought that up?"
"She asked me if I knew about Megumi-san."
Ema spits out her beer in surprise.
Drinking in the afternoon has probably become completely routine to her.
"Why did Aira ask about..."
"She heard you say her name while you were sleeping... Do you still love her?"
Ema swiftly shakes her head.
Komari was certain she still had some lingering feelings, so that response surprised her.
"I don't particularly still love her... I just saw that dream again. The one of the last time I met her."
"Mm..."
"I cried so hard back then as I watched her back retreating farther away... but things were different in the dream this time."
Ema usually becomes sad when talking about Tsuyama Megumi, so her tone is surprisingly upbeat.
"I talked back to her in my dream. Even though... I was always doing whatever she said."
Ema curiously wonders why, but there can only be one reason.
Without a doubt, something is changing inside her.
She must have seen that dream because of her change of heart.
The coffee Aira brewed for them is so tasty that Komari finished it before she knew it.
Even though Komari realizes this might be too much baggage to entrust to a girl who is still in high school...
She can't help but hope Aira will continue to change Ema like this.
