Nakahama

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?"

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."

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!"

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.

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..."

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?"

"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.

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!

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.

Umiko gasped softly when they entered the room, wondering if they had the right room. More concerned than impressed, even if she wasn't aware that Honoka's father still had some touches to the unit. It perhaps only took her a few moments to notice the small personal touches put in by Honoka to make the rooms hers.

She giggled at the unexpected spin but found herself holding on to Honoka, not wanting to be thrown off her orbit and eventually meeting in a kiss. This unfortunate made Honoka's all the more abrupt. "Hey, wait! Honoka-chan! Honoka!" She called out after a confused giggle, even as she stretched out her arm futilely to coax her to stay.

Like...what else could they need here with each other? She couldn't think of anything else!

Left on her lonesome, she would settle down on the edge of the bed with her soda (being really rebellious here) and scoot closer to the picture, casting a small smile on the humble picture. "...have you really been waiting all of this time?" she asked the past Honoka curiously.

In this space of time, it would not be unnatural for Umiko to notice something a bit more recent than the rest. Had the fancon outting had anything with Umiko's name on it for sale, it surely was in a bag tucked away by her bedside. Honoka would have, at the time of purchasing, claimed or perhaps even believed that she was simply buying it to support a dear friend. However, she wouldn't be able to deny the warmth in her chest that would have risen anytime she saw any trace of Umiko out there.

Honoka had a couple other things here surely, tokens she would have taken from other important people in her life. Something from Kaiu Nagisa, another from the only of her father's allies to stick up for her, and certainly something from her mother. Yet as warm was each of these items make their respective space it was so little. In comparison to this room, that some corners easily collect dust from unused, the warmth provided by tokens was so miniscule. As minor of a space they might have held, she did clearly hold onto them dearly.

Which perhaps was emphasized by the patting of footsteps quickly rushing back up the stairs, and rounding into the room. Stopping just before the door to catch her breath Honoka would enter with a fan in hand. A type of fan that courtiers would use in the days of old. Something that was more decoration than useful these days, and was designed as such. Yet, when Honoka enters she gives this old thing new life fanning it out and holding it in front of herself. An exceedingly detailed piece of art being revealed from the distance across the room.

Moving across the space, she laughs about her entrance and comes back to Umiko's side. Showing her the fan, handing it off to her.

"I bought this today, from Suzume Hitomi. I just happen to have this conversation with someone and.. well, I thought it would be special even if you were staying to have something to remember this by," she says, and looks to the fan. On its paper is a detailed and realistic painting of Shiawase island from off its cost. Whoever painted it must have done so from a boat, or ferry, by the nature of the detail presented. "Though I suppose had you not returned my feelings I would have kept it, to remember."

"I wasn't really sure what else to get," she says sheepishly. "We haven't been together in so long but.. well, it's the thing that connected us so, I thought it might be good? I hope it's good."

Umiko would frown faintly at herself as she eyed the items in the room, distinctly remembering not seeing her at Fan Con. Especially with all of the opportunities that presented themselves, that was the most public, but would it have been much of a meeting if she could only offer a brief moment for signatures? How about all of the days before this one when Umiko buried herself in her schedule and personal (troublesome) entanglements? She really took those days for granted. There was just so much she could have done, and that started to bother her a little. How could she be so foolish?

However, those doubts and regrets disappeared when Honoka entered the room once more. Her eyes went wide at the fan, found herself recalling the earlier mention of it. She glanced off for a moment to hide a frown that she might have forgotten about it until now, even more so that it was such a lovely gift. Clearly, one that was already prepared before her big news!

"Oh, Honoka-chan..." she said softly as she rose and her hands reached for the fan before pulling away. Looking directly in her eyes and nodding. "It's more than good, it's perfect!"

"But..." she said with a perplexed thought in her mind, seemingly reluctant to accept it. It was more her wondering if she should do more justice than just take it off her hands. Surely, something better!

"I know that Suzume-san curates a lot of pieces that have great historical significance, even if some look mundane at first glance. I can only imagine this was painted sometime ago, maybe even around the island's founding a few centuries ago. While I might be going to another coast...maybe even another world, would it be better than you were the custodian of such a relic?" She said gingerly, looking to Honoka for her response.

When Honoka looks to Umiko, she smiles faintly as there is no other expression that might rest on her. Nodding at first, "Such a relic would likely be served well by a custodian who would keep it safe from harm, and happen a chance to admire it," she says, working herself up into a bit of a play with her words. Shifting herself to sit by Umiko's side as she unfurls the fan, and allows it to take center stage.

"However," she says, a little strength to that word. "Would something be served best by simply keeping it safe? I think I have learned that you must allow a degree of risk. A piece, a beautiful piece such as this would only best be served by the one who would give it the most life by holding in it the most meaning. Should it go with you, you will have with you a piece of the home that will be waiting always for your return."

With that, she does shift the fan in her hand as to offer it once more.

Umiko swallowed and bit her lower lip, her gaze found itself on the fan. Despite not having left the island yet, she found herself already missing it. The sunny background and the green coast of the island felt so far away, and this piece looked like it was indeed a strong memento of home that gave her relief. She had missed home before, just not quite like this. Her eyes blinked a few times as she found herself close to tearing up once more, but fought back the urge as she looked up at Honoka and put on her brave face.

She gave a few small nods to acknowledge the argument. "You are right...I feel that I've very much committed this memory to my mind already, with my time here and with you. It would break my heart if something were to happen to this still, especially coming from you. I know the island is a safe place and will continue to be safe for both you and your gift. Perhaps I will find myself smiling brighter when I return to see both you and this fan again? Won't that be best?" She offered her second refusal, her gaze looking to Honoka hopefully.

Honoka's gaze lingers on Umiko every moment. Watching, learning, and committing to memory the way her expression subtly shifts. Even when she surely could see the sadness behind her, Honoka too wanted to remember that. For when they were together again she would know best what to look out for, and have had ample time to plan how best to be there for her. Especially if she was going to put on the brave faces to hide it, Honoka would still smile in turn.

"Your smile on your return will be enough, and while surely might be brighter does not need anything to augment it," she says, glancing to the fan briefly. Looking back to Umiko, she first meets her eyes thinking of her smile she glances there to her lips. "You have before done me the honor of respecting my wish to stand by your side. So, I respect that your journey now is one you must do for yourself alone. However, if I must allow you to walk your own way; I would ask you do me this favor in taking this with you. That a small part of me might go with you as well. This way I know you will never be alone unless you wish it, and only if you wish it," she smiles softly, focused on Umiko's eyes.

Honoka then offers the fan once more, and with it the weight of those words shared.

"In that case, I would be more than honoured to accept your gift, Honoka-chan," she smiled softly at her as she just barely managed to blink away her tears. "I hope to return the gift of my smile when I return home. May it be a delighted smile, a happy smile, the brightest smile that you've ever seen. Even if I'm too weary to show it, I hope you see this in my soul because I don't know how I can be anything but overjoyed to see you and the shores of Shiawase Island once more. Thank you."

With that, she accepted the fan in her hands, taking it with great care like it were a great relic of the past. It was easily more of a treasure to her, not because of its age but rather of its instilled properties of hope and love. She would admire the gift for a moment before she would hold it with one hand and give Honok a hug from her side, followed by a kiss on her cheek. "I will treasure the gift and keep it at my side, always. I may be by myself, but I will never be lonely."

She would lean in again and kiss her on the side of her temple, leaning to half-whisper in her ear. "From a place I love and someone I love. A fan from my biggest fan."

Every kiss was a little touch of home, a place she finally could fully allow herself to be in front of another. Here beside Umiko, she could truly be herself. Smiling without reservation she leans her body against her with those whispered words. Speaking softly, in barely more than a whisper herself.

"When I am with you, I feel at home the way that I have always believed others meant when they say that there is no place like home," she says, and leans her head softly against Umiko's. Shifting just enough to place a kiss on the back edge of her cheek, near the ear. "Surely if every life is granted an amount of blessings to equal every other, mine were spent on getting the opportunity to have known you."

Off before them, perhaps she was lucky to catch a glance amid it all. Honoka would slide away from Umiko. Rising to her full height she would stand before her, in the distance the warimono spheres had been prepared and were making their ascent. Seeing the opportunity, a sharp eye for such things, Honoka would meet Umiko's eyes and brave through a bit of tension that with Umiko looking at her she would always be brave enough to meet head on.

Silhouetted by the display begining behind her, viewable easily through those giant windows, Honoka would remove her clothing. Finding she could allow herself to enjoy the show of it, as if this was going to be something she had to hold onto the feeling of for a long time she was going to make it as perfect as possible.

"I.. hope this is okay. If we do not have a lot of time together, I would like to share this with you as well," she says, a bit more shyly then before. Trying her best to stand proud. "Would you share the bed with me, Umiko-chan?"

Umiko gladly held Honoka close with one arm over her shoulder as they leaned against each other. She admittedly got a bit wistful when she dwelled on her words, part of herself wondering if she was leaving her without a place to call home. Her path was unavoidable now, despite whatever reservations she had. She had a bit more regret over her selfish choices and the path that led her to her chartered course for the seas, but the sails of her ship had already picked up wind. As much as she could feel herself anchored to this place with Honoka for an eternity. It was not meant to be, for the present at least.

"Oh, Honoka..." she gasped softly when Honoka moved away from her, stopping her from dwelling any further in that reverie. There was a part that wondered if she had done something wrong or if Honoka was going to leave her again. Part of herself felt like reaching out to stop her, even if it was for another melon soda or another gift. Her gaze fixated on Honoka quietly, so much so that she missed the fireworks rising in the sky. The eruption of pyrotechnics only caused her to blink rather than be distracted by their flash display.

Her eyes would widen at the display before her, most certainly her boldness. Swallowing a breath back, she closed the gifted fan carefully. She stowed the gift aside for safekeeping on the nearby table, rather than her yukata, as a deliberate action. This was...sinful in many ways in Umiko's mind, but she would not allow this moment to slip by her. Her heartbeat picked up even as she would calmly follow with Honoka's lead and undo the obi to her yukata. However, she could only get so far before her feelings got the better of her and she pulled Honoka close for a deep kiss.

Honoka would fall into the depth of that kiss, climbing back onto the bed over Umiko and together they would see that yukata undone. There were many ways to hold a conversation. This one in particular, where words were not necessarily shared, would surely prove to be one Honoka herself finds freeing in many ways. At least, Umiko would see the true breadth of the devotion Honoka held within her heart for her. What followed was something surely, truly, magical.

And it was just for them.

/ftb