[D11, EN, Closed] Pent Up Feelings

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka's brow furrows a little. That promise was sweet, it was everything she wanted to hear. Yet, there was something to Honoka that was ever a strength she could rely on even in her happiest moments. Taking a step back, centering herself with focus on the physical feelings, the way Umiko's fingers felt against her but also how the room felt always a little crisply cold.

"I would wait for you forever, Umiko-chan. I'm..", she brushes her thumb, kneading it against Umiko's hand reasserting focus there for a moment, the hand she was reluctant to let go of. "Am I being foolish, Umiko-chan? Suppose it makes more sense, if you are leaving, that we might not tether ourselves so with how uncertain it all is. But.. it has to work out sometimes, right? Otherwise those stories... those stories of old love that lasts and waits forever wouldn't feel so right, right? Is coming back to me something you really want?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko closed her eyes and sniffed back a sob as she gave Honoka's hand another squeeze. She merely gave a few small nods without giving her answer audibly. Yes, you're being a little foolish...Then again, I've been really foolish myself...

She found herself thinking of the Festival of the River of Stars and the planning she had left for that, which was unfortunate that she won't be here to see to it herself. That was a tale that immediately went to her mind, although it wasn't a completely happy sort of story. She opened her eyes and let out an involuntary giggle before mustering a smile. "I suppose you're right about that. I'd like to think so too that one way or another, we'll see each other again."

There was a deep nod given to Honoka, her eyes staying with her as she did so, just to show how serious she was. "I love you, Honoka-chan. Even if I have to move oceans and stars, I'll come back."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka's smile brightens slowly like a rising moon. Nodding, a sniffle, she brushes her hand along Umiko's side. Looking over to the window where they should have a better view of the fireworks display, and admittedly it would be so much cozier. With her plan in mind she would return to Umiko's eyes.

"Then I promise I will always have a place ready for you here. Just like this," she makes a nod over toward the couch where most of the gifts and snacks had been set up earlier, "every time you're ready, and any time you can; I will find a way to put pause to the very flow and demands of time itself if I need to, to give us just a few moments."

"I won't let anyone stop me, not even my father," she says, and brings in that wash of real. Stopping time itself was a romantic gesture, a promise that she'd never be able to actually achieve. Her father though? Now that was something real. That was the kind of love that exists even outside of the story books. That's the truth to what those grand gesture promises speak of.

"Which means," she says, and moves her hands to take both of Umiko's and give them a little up and down shake with a squeeze. "We have to enjoy now while we can, as much as we can. I have snacks, I have a couch, and... I have you. So, let's enjoy the fireworks like we never have before!"

[Yasuki Umiko]

There was perhaps a moment when Umiko didn't even realize the tears from her eyes until her cheeks were wet. Umiko wouldn't dare interrupt Honoka, well, until it was too late. She let out a small gasp and gave her eyes a quick dab with the back of her hand before smiling at her once more. However, with her next gesture, she couldn't help herself from placing a hand atop Honoka's hand before moving to brush some hair from her cheeks.

Promising each other the universe? Possible. Stopping time? Well... "Honoka-chan! This is silly...but at the same time, I feel it could be very possible with you, with us...

Umiko gave Honoka's hands both a squeeze when they were taken. Fireworks? Oh right, fireworks... She had forgotten for a moment. Actually, she thought that they might have happened already...

"Yes! Right! We need to spend this time!" She gave Honoka's hands a shake, probably never had been more excited for fireworks before. The excitement probably got the better of her that she would lean in for another kiss.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Getting much more comfortable with this, and seeing Umiko's excitement, Honoka smiles ever so brightly into that kiss. Hands moving with a little trepidation after being in her own mind a little, and remembering to do things slowly so that Umiko can have her say.

Honoka's hands would start at Umiko's arms, and with intent move their way down to the handle just at her hips again. There she would hold, and pull Umiko into the kiss a little tighter and a little closer. When the kiss would break she would wrap her arms around her, stepping off the stool so she can get a good hold, and just hold her really closely and really tightly. Feeling her between her arms.

When she would break the hug she would smile, looking at Umiko and then to the couch. Then.. to a nearby staircase. A view out over the bay wasn't only available from her living area. That much was certainly true.

"Should we go over to the snacks now?" she asks, there's a leading in her tone that suggests another option is coming but she gives the space enough for a pause, a breath, a last moment to rekindle her bravery despite how, from the outside, the answer was altogether certain. "Or.. we could move all the snacks upstairs? It might be more comfortable..."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko was initially pleased to repeat the same kiss as before and found herself surprised by Honoka's enthusiasm and boldness. She did take that as an invitation to be just as bold and placed her arms around her shoulders, likewise pulling the taller woman towards her as they got close together. Her arms would stay around her when they ended the kiss, resting her head on her shoulder for support.

...Have they really not hugged since her return on the island until now? Umiko found herself wondering if this was true or if she had forgotten, especially since it made everything in the world feel so safe, right...

"Oh..." she murmured at the option at first before giving her answer softly. "It's been...a long day, perhaps we should get comfortable?"

[Yasuki Honoka]

"Yes, yes," she nods along conspiratorially. Finding one of Umiko's hands with both of hers quickly, and with great intent. "Very long day, very long. We should get comfortable, very comfortable," she says, finding this energy causing her to repeat herself, repeat herself.

With some gusto she would ensure that she inspires, and helps Umiko to her feet. Before, with her hand held, pulling her along with the weight of insistence rather than actual strength toward the couch. Once there she would grab a token few snacks she imagined or hoped Umiko still likes best. Allowing Umiko the chance to do the same. Honoka only gives her a little bit of time though before she, and only if Umiko joins her, races off toward the stairs and up toward her bedroom.

Behind them, able to be seen in a open floor space that was unable to be viewed from both the island and the couch she had led Umiko to was the side of Hiroto's head. As he watches, ever nearby but intent on being oblivious to the world around him, some sport game he had raped over. Hearing only from his spot the pattering of feet that maybe, just maybe, got him to crack a smile. But he would never admit to such a thing.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko just had to giggle when Honoka sounded like the protagonist from the Nezumi Detective for just a moment. While she didn't follow the show, Umiko did have a role as one of the secondary characters during the second season. She wouldn't be able to grab and snacks herself when they made that detour toward the couch, favouring the can of melon soda she already opened and intended not to waste. It might have required a little dexterity on her part not to spill the contents during the excitement. Okay, maybe she was able to snag a packet of gummies with a pinkie finger.

"Honoka-chan!" She excitedly called out as she was being whisked away with Honoka's hand in hers. It might have reminded her of a time where they snuck down to the kitchen to snag some snacks for their slumber party, but this wasn't exactly the most stealthy getaway!

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka would lead her into a bedroom of the opulence Umiko would expect akin to her sister's bedroom. This is the type of room a governor sleeps in. Full window wall overlooking the bay. Full range of entertainment, and yes a nearby fridge, but none of those seem particularly used. Not all, but the most static things in this room were from the time of Honoka's father and unlike her, who may claim that same birthright someday, he always fashioned himself a governor even when he wasn't yet. Honoka's touches in this room were small, almost like she never really could bring herself to settle down roots for some internal fear someone else would have a problem with it.

With Umiko present? Oh, she took over this space. Tossing snacks onto one of the nightstands at the side of the bed. Pressing a button near that same side which causes a little mechanical arm to extend and give a surface for eating. Taking the melon soda from Umiko's hand briefly to place it there. Allowing herself to take Umiko, and with a little spin, shift her so her back was facing the bed. Leaning into her with a kiss so that she would sit on the edge of it.

That pressing almost naturally would inspire the thought Honoka was about to join her there, but she pauses and pulls back. "Wait here," she says and quickly scampers out of the room and down the stairs. Left alone in this space Umiko would be near one of the few spots Honoka truly made for herself, a picture of them from when they were younger. Honoka's smile was so bright there, bright like it's been bright again recently. Umiko's surely was too, but it was almost jarring to realize how few times between Honoka has smiled like that.