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It was a typical summer afternoon. The sun was hot and there was barely any shade outside, the only way to stay away from the heat would be to stay at home. The sound of the fan was loud in Ayaka’s room, slightly refreshing on her shoulders but wasn’t strong enough to keep her room cool.
The curtains were closed to block out the sun, but its light still filtered through them, enough for the room to not be in complete darkness.
Ayaka was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed as she went through some of her stuff in her bag. Sitting in front of her was Kujou Sara, looking at her expectantly, her legs crossed as well with an elbow resting on her knee as her chin laid on the palm of her hand.
Ayaka felt the other’s eyes following all her motions. She focused on looking inside her bag, ignoring her heartbeat growing faster.
Kujou Sara was an old friend she met again during her summer vacation. Every summer, the Kamisato family would move to their beach house to spend the summer months by the sea. This year, new neighbours had arrived: the Kujou family, which had apparently been an old acquaintance of theirs. Ayaka vaguely remembered meeting a girl with dark hair named Sara, but if she had met her now as an 18 year old, she would not have recognized her.
Sara was attractive, to say the least, she sported short black hair that worked perfectly on her face, with her sharp jawline, slim nose, and her small lips. She had gotten tall, taller than Ayaka and her…physique was slightly muscular which made sense as Ayaka had gotten to know her and learned she hit the gym frequently. So no, she would not have recognized her at all.
However, through the summer, some kind of friendship seemed to grow between the two. Ayaka approached Sara when their families would meet up, shyly but still, having some company that wasn’t her brother would’ve been nice for a change. Sara seemed to feel the same, and they both exchanged numbers and met up whenever they’d feel like it. The first times were a bit awkward, Sara being just as much of a timid person as her, until they had started learning more about each other, being more comfortable when they were together. Until, spending everyday together was inevitable.
That changed everything, as Sara became more comfortable around her, she found out a softer side to the other girl, a side that took care of her, that reminded her of putting on sunscreen and cleaned up her face when the food would get on it. Her attitude changed and Ayaka started to feel different around her, like how she would blush immediately any time Sara would start physical contact, or how her heart would skip a bit at any hint of a smile or laugh of the other. Every time they’d look at each other in the eyes for too long or held hands when it wasn’t necessary, the lines between their friendship or something more seemed to blur.
Ayaka thought they’ll have to talk about it at some point, but she didn’t want to lose what she had built through the summer with Sara. She didn’t want to lose Sara, not when she made life so much better, so much more exciting.
Maybe today, a lazy day spent in the walls of Ayaka’s room to avoid the heat, such a simple uneventful day, would be ideal to talk.
“Ok,” Ayaka pulled out a bunch of chapsticks from the bag. “Guess the flavour.”
Sara frowned but a small smile was on her lips. Ayaka couldn’t help her smile growing as well. “What?”
“It’s easy, I put on the chapstick and you guess what flavour it is.” Ayaka moved a bit closer, hiding the chapsticks behind her.
Sara scoffed. “And why are we doing this?” Ayaka wasn’t sure either, it was a silly game and they were probably too old to fool around like that.
Ayaka shrugged. “Because we are bored and don’t have much to do?” But Sara didn’t seem to be too convinced. Ayaka knew just what would get her to play.
Sara didn’t like to lose.
“What, too scared you won’t be able to guess them?”
She looked at the other’s golden eyes squint, pressing her lips together, and she knew she had Sara right where she wanted her. It had dawned to her, Sara could hardly ever say no, even if she tried.
Sara shifted closer in front of her, so close their knees could brush in a movement, their faces now much closer. Ayaka’s really hoped her blush wasn’t as visible as it felt on her skin, Sara’s eyes looking at her didn’t even hint at any sign that the other noticed.
“I’ll let you know, I’m very knowledgeable on chapsticks flavours.” Sara was whispering, like it was some kind of secret she wasn’t supposed to know.
Sara’s gaze never leaving her eyes, her whisper that she could feel so softly on her lips, Ayaka felt like she could melt right there. She hoped the way she was holding her breath wasn’t too visible, trying to stay as composed as she could, even though Sara’s face was so close to her own.
Maybe this would’ve been a good moment.
Without responding, she turned around to pick from her chapsticks. She did have quite a few, some that were probably too old to be anywhere on her lips and a few she still used every day. She decided to start off with something simple.
She looked over her shoulder, which Sara took as a sign to close her eyes. She picked up the chapstick and put one coat on her lips, pressing her lips after so that it could get all over them.
She closed her eyes as well, leaning slightly in. “Go.”
Sara leaned much closer, Ayaka could feel her breath coming from her nostrils as she took in the scent of the chapstick. Her heart was hammering on her chest, so loud in her own ears she almost feared Sara could hear it by standing so close.
She heard Sara scoffing. “Easy,” she took a small break, her face unmoving as she whispered her answer; “apple.”
Ayaka opened her eyes, letting out a sigh to mask how she had been holding her breath. When she opened her eyes, Sara was still leaning to her lips, her nose close to her lips. Ayaka clenched her hands on her knees into fists, she was so close.
“Beginner’s luck.” She whispered. The other girl simply grinned, satisfied with her first win.
She turned back around, picking another chapstick from her pile. She wanted to keep a fruity scent but try to surprise or at least make it a bit harder for the other. This had to be slightly more difficult.
She checked on Sara, making sure her eyes were still closed (they were) and then quickly wiped off the previous one with the back of her hand and put the other one on.
When ready, she faced Sara with her eyes closed and Sara leaned in quickly, ready to guess the other one. Ayaka started to get used of the sound of her heartbeat.
Sara responded fairly quickly to this one; “I like this one,” Ayaka’s felt Sara’s whisper on her lips and couldn’t help a little grin getting on her face at Sara’s confidence. She felt her cheeks getting hotter by the second, glad Sara’s eyes were closed. “Watermelon.”
Ayaka opened her eyes, slightly shocked by the other nailing the first two times. “You are cheating.”
She saw Sara pressing her lips, grinning widely to hold back in a laugh. Ayaka wished she wouldn’t hold back. “I swear I’m not.”
“How many fingers?” Ayaka held two fingers in front of Sara’s eyes, testing if what she was saying was true.
“Four?” Sara seemed sincere; “I swear, I cannot see.”
Ayaka trusted Sara, there was no reason not to, and this was just stupid game anyway. She shook her head, turning back to the pile of chapsticks as she wiped the watermelon one off.
This one had to be hard, it would actually throw her off and confuse her and she would win this round. She could already taste victory on her lips. She put it on her lips, confidently, and turned around again with her eyes closed. A satisfactory smile on her lips and her heartbeat now pleasant in her ears.
Sara leaned in once again. This time, it seemed that the other was taking more time in guessing, just as Ayaka had expected. She heard her shifting, probably getting closer to get a better sniff at the scent.
“It’s limited edition.” She whispered, to which Sara scoffed.
“Uhm,” the other seemed to be in thought, and Ayaka couldn’t have been prouder for actually making it hard for her. “I don’t know this one.”
Ayaka was ready to say the answer and sing to victory, but Sara didn’t seem to want to give up as her question took Ayaka by surprise.
“Can I get a hint?”
Ayaka didn’t know how to respond. Of course, Sara would never give up that easily, even if it was a silly game like this one. Her hands gripped tighter on her knees, and she gulped, her mouth feeling suddenly dry. What hint could be even helpful? She had an idea but… she wouldn’t dare. She simply nodded, realizing Sara still had her eyes closed she let out a small “Yes,” that only Sara could’ve heard.
She heard shifting in front of her, Sara probably moving to get closer. She thought about opening her eyes to see what Sara was doing, at the same time she didn’t know if she could’ve handled to see Sara’s face as close as she felt it. And then, lips grazed on hers, as gentle and light as butterfly wings. They pressed slightly on hers in a light kiss, and it just came so naturally to kiss back. It was one kiss, one kiss light as feather, but it took Ayaka’s breath away, her muscles relaxed at the feeling of Sara’s lips on her, but the feeling went away as fast as it came.
“I really don’t know this one.” Sara’s whisper came out even lower, a slight surprised tone to it. Right, the game.
Ayaka opened her eyes again just to find Sara’s face right in front of hers, her eyes still closed and an expression as serious as ever. Ayaka’s eyes fell on Sara’s lips that had ben on her just a moment ago.
“It’s cola.” She whispered back.
Sara hummed, opening her yes once again. Her golden eyes met with hers, as intense as ever and Ayaka just couldn’t take her eyes off her. She noticed her gaze falling on her lips as well and quickly coming back up. Her fingers flexed on her knees, fighting the urge to reach for the girl’s cheek.
She cleared her throat instead. “Do you want another one?” Sara simply nodded without saying anything, her eyes not leaving Ayaka.
Ayaka was sure her face was redder than a tomato right now, her heartbeat not slowing down slightly, but Ayaka was really good at holding her composure, it was something she thought she was very good at. Right now, it certainly didn’t feel like she had any control over how her body was reacting.
She mindlessly picked a random chapstick and quickly put it on, she couldn’t think about any strategy to use against Sara by now, if not she simply longed for her lips to stay longer on her own. She closed her eyes and turned around again.
Sara did not waste any time.
The other shifted closer once again, she felt Sara’s rougher and colder hand against her burning skin, mindlessly caressing her cheek. Ayaka couldn’t control the small gasp coming out of her mouth. Sara’s lips were once again on hers, soft and light, pressing against her slightly parted ones. It was quick again. Ayaka tried to chase them, keeping her eyes closed.
“This is my favourite,” Sara kissed her once again, whispering on her lips; “you always wear this one,” Sara’s lips met hers once again in another peck; “strawberry.”
And they kissed. Ayaka cupped her face in her hands, diving in on another kiss, and Sara followed her, kissing her over and over again, their lips chasing each other until they lingered longer, pressed against one another. Sara’s lips were soft, they tasted of the lemon iced tea she had drank earlier, sweet, they tasted of summer, they were warm, they tasted of uniquely Sara. Ayaka never thought a taste could be more intoxicating, pumping adrenaline in her blood more than sparring could ever do. Her quickened heartbeat was deaf to her ears as she could only think of Sara. Sara. Sara.
They simultaneously pulled away, their hands not leaving each other’s faces, still so close that Ayaka could be on her lips again with one swift movement. But she opened her eyes, looking at Sara still so close in front of her, she noticed her flushed cheeks and her short breath. And her golden eyes were looking right at hers, surprised and tender, and Ayaka swore she saw her pupils dilate.
All the adrenaline she felt in her body made her laugh, she was happy, exhilarated with Sara so close to her. Sara scoffed, shaking her head and clearly surprised at the sudden reaction, but she laughed with her. Their laughter mingled on their lips, Ayaka was so happy that she wanted to kiss her again. And she did, her lips pressed against Sara’s once again quickly, Sara laughed again, kissing her back.
There, with happiness filling her chest, Sara’s lips on her and her hands holding her so gently, Ayaka felt everything they had ever needed to talk about, didn’t need to be discussed anymore.
Ayaka liked Sara. And Sara liked her back. And she was kissing her. And nothing else mattered.