rlm@0: First Kiss
rlm@0: by G. P.
rlm@0: A Sonomi and Nadesico Story
rlm@0: All characters are the property of Clamp. This work is in no way
rlm@0: meant to infringe upon their rights.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I.
rlm@0: "He has to be strong. I want to be kissed by someone strong, who can
rlm@0: sweep me up in his arms, and protect me like a Princess from a fairy
rlm@0: tale. And not just strong outside, but inside, too. "
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Izumi glanced about the circle, and saw the other girls smiling in
rlm@0: agreement. Except for Nadesico, who was either distracted or deep in
rlm@0: thought; it was impossible to tell which. The rest concurred that
rlm@0: inner and outer strength was a must. The girls at the sleepover had
rlm@0: gathered in a circle on the floor, debating the necessarry qualities
rlm@0: of the boy who would give them their first kiss. After what seemed
rlm@0: hours of debate, Izumi had suggested that each girl state just one
rlm@0: quality, the one they thought most important. If the group agreed,
rlm@0: then there would be five characteristics by the end. This, it was
rlm@0: fervently hoped, would then help reveal to each the boy who would
rlm@0: bless them with their very first kiss. All eyes now fell on Mayu as
rlm@0: she distractedly played with a lock of her long, black hair. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girls treasured Mayu as a sweet and beautiful soul. She was
rlm@0: always there to comfort, to support, and to reassure when a friend
rlm@0: was hurt, or sad, or lonely. Her features were somewhat plain, and
rlm@0: she was sometimes teased for it by those did not know her well. But
rlm@0: every girl in the circle would trust her with her heart, or her very
rlm@0: life. She stared at the plush carpet, meditating quietly on the
rlm@0: difficult question. Finally, in soft voice she stated firmly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He would have to be honest. How could you ever trust somebody who
rlm@0: wasn't?"
rlm@0:    
rlm@0: The other girls nodded their heads sagely at Mayu's words. There was
rlm@0: no doubt that honesty and strength were essential. They waited now
rlm@0: for Sayaka to speak, but she sat silent, enveloped in a deep, crimson
rlm@0: blush. Izumi gently elbowed her and teased,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You're not getting kissed yet, Saya-chan. Come on, its your turn."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sayaka looked up with glistening blue eyes, fighting off the
rlm@0: embarrassment and struggling to speak. Though the first of their
rlm@0: circle to reach the age of 13, she seemed as naive and child-like as
rlm@0: ever. Endearing and exasperating in turn, they loved her dearly for
rlm@0: her gentle heart and naive innocence. Looking at the floor again, she
rlm@0: spoke in a feathery, halting whisper.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Handsome. I...I know it's silly, but I wouldn't want my first kiss
rlm@0: to be with someone who wasn't beautiful." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Had anybody else said this, there would have been giggles and
rlm@0: smirks. But not with little Sayaka. Besides, the girl was right, for
rlm@0: all of them prayed for a first kiss with their own ideal of beauty.
rlm@0: All eyes now turned to Sonomi, who looked aside in embarrassment. She
rlm@0: was often impatient with games like this, and the others half-
rlm@0: expected some sarcastic comment on the foolishness of the night's
rlm@0: proceedings. Though obviously uncomfortable, she spoke with
rlm@0: surprisingly earnest passion,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "They would have to be kind. Otherwise, I'd be too afraid." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The other girls looked on in astonishment, for to them Sonomi was a
rlm@0: tower of strength. She seemed fearless and aloof, untouched by the
rlm@0: worries that haunted other girls in their daily lives at school.
rlm@0: Athletic prowess had earned her the nickname, "Diana", the proud
rlm@0: goddess of the hunt from the Western myths of long ago. That Sonomi
rlm@0: would so treasure kindness touched them deeply. And it was true. A
rlm@0: first kiss was a scary thing, and fragile hearts should only be
rlm@0: offered to those who would treat them gently. Izumi broke the warm
rlm@0: silence as she looked at the girl nestled next to Sonomi. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "OK, Nadesico chan. It's your turn. Yo-ho!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadesico turned from gazing out the window, smiling as always. She
rlm@0: looked pleasantly baffled, but no more than usual. Gathering her
rlm@0: thoughts, she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh. it's my turn?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The others nodded. For many, the first impression of Nadesico was
rlm@0: that of a perfect airhead. Her absent-mindedness was legend at the
rlm@0: school, and nearly everyone had a favorite story to tell. Everyone,
rlm@0: of course, except her cousin Sonomi, who protected the perpetually
rlm@0: distracted girl with fierce devotion. Nobody, not the nastiest bully
rlm@0: or strictest sensei dared say anything about Nadesico in front of
rlm@0: her. Izumi half-kiddingly held that Nadesico was an angel who had
rlm@0: unwittingly stumbled onto Earth, "She spends all her time trying to
rlm@0: remember why she is here, and how to get back again." Izumi's little
rlm@0: joke rang true, because there was an angelic aura about the strange,
rlm@0: beautiful girl. And they all loved Nadesico inspite of, or perhaps
rlm@0: because of, her odd otherworldliness. She loved everyone she met with
rlm@0: the same effusive sweetness. Invariably all hearts yielded to her
rlm@0: insistent kindness, and the love she poured forth came back tenfold.
rlm@0: So the girls were eager and curious to hear her contribution.
rlm@0: Glancing about the circle of faces, she blinked her large green eyes
rlm@0: in puzzlement. Izumi suppresed a giggle and reminded her that they
rlm@0: were each stating the most important quality of the one with whom
rlm@0: they would share their all-important first kiss. At this, Nadesioco's
rlm@0: face lit up as she spoke in an excited tone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, yes, I remember, sorry, sorry. Umm, that person would have to
rlm@0: be special. A first kiss is very special, so it would have to be with
rlm@0: a special person."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girls looked at one another, and then laughed their agreement.
rlm@0: Nadesico's logic was unassailable. A first kiss happened once in a
rlm@0: lifetime, and was a precious gift as well as a golden moment to
rlm@0: remember forever. It could only happen with someone special. Mayu,
rlm@0: who had written down each quality, read them off her list,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "So, the person has to be strong, honest, handsome, kind, and
rlm@0: special, yes? Everybody agrees?" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: All five heads nodded, so Mayu went on,  "And that means, ummm, we,
rlm@0: ummm..."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Izumi quickly interjected,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "And that means now we have to tell who we want our first kiss to be
rlm@0: with. And since Nadesico chan was last before, this time she should
rlm@0: go first!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As always, Izumi had maneuvered skillfully. Someone else would have
rlm@0: to go first in revealing such an intimacy. The other girls were
rlm@0: inwardly relieved, but Nadesico seemed utterly unconcerned as she
rlm@0: cheerfully exclaimed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, that's easy. I knew the answer before we ever started. I want
rlm@0: my first kiss to be with Sonomi chan."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: For once, Izumi was speechless. Sayaka looked puzzled, unsure of
rlm@0: what Nadesico could possibly mean. Mayu  stared down at her hands as
rlm@0: if they were the most interesting things in all the world. Sonomi
rlm@0: blushed a deep crimson and looked away in utter embarrassment. But
rlm@0: Nadesico simply smiled, oblivious to the pillow that sailed past her
rlm@0: head as Izumi laughed out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Nadesico chan, you are such a weirdo!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Instantly Sonomi hurled her own pillow at Izumi, practically
rlm@0: knocking the cackling girl off balance. More pillows flew amid
rlm@0: squeels of laughter until one tore open and filled the room with a
rlm@0: blizzard of downy feathers. That brought Izumi’s parents in, and
rlm@0: resulted in lights out and everyone being tucked away. But it didn’t
rlm@0: end the whispers and the giggling that lasted far into the night.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II. 
rlm@0: Walking home from school, the two girls made a peculiar contrast.
rlm@0: Sonomi strode straight and steady in utter silence as if she were
rlm@0: struggling for words that didn’t exist. Nadesico, on the other hand,
rlm@0: meandered from flower to tree to interesting crack in the concrete
rlm@0: sidewalk, stopping here and hurrying there, engrossed in the luminous
rlm@0: miracles of the everyday world. Sonomi suddenly noticed that she was
rlm@0: quite alone, and turned to see her cousin sprawled in the grass,
rlm@0: smiling at some sort of bug. A yellow and black caterpillar was
rlm@0: threading it’s way through the grass. Nadesico let it crawl on her
rlm@0: finger and laughed softly as it tickled it’s way up her arm. Sonomi
rlm@0: rolled her eyes and stalked back, calling out with feigned impatience,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadesico chan, what on earth are you doing?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl looked up and smiled sweetly. Gently she put the
rlm@0: caterpillar down and then rose swiftly, dusting off her knees and
rlm@0: straightening her  pleated skirt. Sometimes she looked gawky and
rlm@0: clumsy, a danger to herself and others that brought out a protective
rlm@0: spirit in her cousin. But at other times, like now, her movements
rlm@0: were as gracefully ethereal as a prima ballerina. It was only one of
rlm@0: the contradictions that left Sonomi utterly flustered, unable to
rlm@0: think straight, let alone voice her jumbled thoughts. For years she
rlm@0: had been her cousin’s best friend, delighting in her presence as the
rlm@0: two passed dreamily through childhood. Now her feelings were sharper
rlm@0: but sweeter, and so intense that some nights she tossed and turned
rlm@0: until the sun chased the moon away. Sometimes the very sight of
rlm@0: Nadesico set her heart racing wildly, and plunged her into a joyful
rlm@0: embarrassment. She looked at the beautiful, gray-haired girl and
rlm@0: suddenly blurted out the question that had obsessed her since the
rlm@0: night at Izumi’s,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadesico chan, why did you say what you did at the sleepover?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As soon as she said it, Sonomi felt regret. A hot crimson blush
rlm@0: spread over her neck and shoulders. But Nadesico blinked her lovely
rlm@0: blue eyes and asked in a puzzled voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “What did I say?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi fought the urge to drop the entire matter, and with a steel
rlm@0: will forced out the words,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “That you wanted your first kiss…to be with me.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Now poor Nadesico looked completely bewildered. She furrowed her
rlm@0: brow and looked at Sonomi helplessly, as if the question concerned
rlm@0: some arcane formulae of quantum physics. Perhaps repeating the
rlm@0: question would help, so she asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Why did I say it?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi nodded her head vigorously. Nadesico smiled and answered in a
rlm@0: matter-of-fact voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Because it’s true.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi gaped at her in silent wonder. Nadesico spoke earnestly in
rlm@0: her odd, sing song voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “A first kiss should be special. That means it has to be with a
rlm@0: special person. No one is more special to me than Sonomi chan.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Breathing raggedly, Sonomi abruptly turned away and stared at the
rlm@0: horizon. She felt delighted and frightened by her cousin’s words.
rlm@0: Still looking into the distance, unable to face those shimmering
rlm@0: azure eyes, she whispered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadsico chan, we’re both girls. We’re cousins.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Um-hmm.” Nadesico replied distractedly, as if she were merely
rlm@0: confirming simple facts, which indeed she was. Sonomi realized that
rlm@0: such conventions as girls only kissing boys had simply never occurred
rlm@0: to Nadesico. Sonomi swallowed hard and managed to stammer out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But when, where would we….” Her voice trailed off into silence.
rlm@0: Nadesico perked up, and started rummaging through her book bag.
rlm@0: Triumphantly she pulled out an astonishingly kawaii calendar book,
rlm@0: decorated with massive pink ribbons and plush red hearts. The pages
rlm@0: fluttered as she leafed through them. Finally, she announced in a
rlm@0: cheery voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sunday after next is a full moon, and the sakuras should be in
rlm@0: bloom. How about at the Park, under the cherry trees? Can you come to
rlm@0: my house at 8:00 PM?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi could only nod her head yes. Suddenly Nadesico threw her arms
rlm@0: around her and hugged tightly. Then she picked up her book bag and
rlm@0: looked at Sonomi, all smiles. Still stunned, the red-haired girl
rlm@0: turned and started to walk home, but her cousin wandered over to a
rlm@0: hedge, enraptured by the stately progression of snails on the dark,
rlm@0: green leaves.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III. 
rlm@0: Sonomi rummaged through the contents of her closet one more time.
rlm@0: The pink dress was too much. The black skirt with a white silk blouse
rlm@0: was nice, but just so plain. In frustration, she slumped down on the
rlm@0: edge of the bed and thought,  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I don't know what to wear for this. I don't have any idea. This is
rlm@0: just crazy. Nobody decides they will have their first kiss like this.
rlm@0: It's like being on....on a date or something." Suddenly inspired,
rlm@0: Sonomi exclaimed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "OK, that's it, I'll just wear what I would on a date!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: But the girl had never been on a date, either, so this proved to be
rlm@0: of little help. She glanced at the clock on her dresser and grimaced.
rlm@0: Being a naturally punctual and organized person, she was rarely late
rlm@0: to anything. To be late for this was just not acceptable. With a
rlm@0: determined look she got up and stood in front of the rack of clothes
rlm@0: and began to think about what would be right.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It should be mature, but pretty. And it should match the sakura
rlm@0: blossoms." She placed her finger to her lips and squinted at the row
rlm@0: of clothing. Suddenly, her eyes caught the coral dress and she
rlm@0: snatched it from the rack and ran to the mirror, holding it in front
rlm@0: of herself. Perfect! Breathing a sigh of relief, she rushed for the
rlm@0: shower, quickly considering what shoes to wear.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Walking to Nadesico's house, Sonomi struggled to sort out the
rlm@0: complex feelings she had for her cousin. They had been the closest of
rlm@0: friends ever since they were little girls. Normally high-strung,
rlm@0: Sonomi always felt perfect contentment in her presence, a calm,
rlm@0: peaceful sense that everything was all right. She felt safe with the
rlm@0: girl, confident enough to tell her anything without fear. Nadesico
rlm@0: was a gentle, sympathetic listener, and for all her flightiness
rlm@0: offered perceptive and insightful advice. So the red-haired girl
rlm@0: shared all her secrets, save one: her love. She had always loved
rlm@0: Nadesico, and her alone. But lately, that love had changed,
rlm@0: blossoming, from a cute little bud to a lush, sensuous, tropical
rlm@0: flower. All her friends had their crushes, their hidden passions and
rlm@0: desires. Most of it seemed silly to Sonomi, who scoffed at such
rlm@0: school girl melodramatics. But her own love mocked her. It shook her
rlm@0: skeptical heart and whispered, "Oh, so I'm not important, am I?
rlm@0: Something childish, that you'll soon outgrow, neh? We'll see, Sonomi-
rlm@0: chan, we'll see. Before I'm done, I'll set you on fire and break your
rlm@0: heart."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: And it was true. Recently love had become a passionate yearning she
rlm@0: could not still, a painfully sweet longing that distracted and
rlm@0: confused her. It was heaven, and it was hell. Sometimes, late at
rlm@0: night she lay in bed and whispered her name, over and over, just to
rlm@0: hear of the sound of it, "Nadesico.....Nadesico.....Nah-deh-shih-co."
rlm@0: She played ridiculous games like "She loves me, she loves me not".
rlm@0: She kept little treasures: notes passed in class, birthday cards, and
rlm@0: a garland of grass and flowers from years ago, now brown and dry but
rlm@0: still a crown fit for a princess because she had made it. In school,
rlm@0: her grades had slipped, worrying her parents. Sonomi couldn't
rlm@0: concentrate; she kept glancing towards the desk by her side, at the
rlm@0: beautiful, silver-haired girl who smiled back so sweetly. Nadesico
rlm@0: was all she thought about, cared for, wanted. In the last year it had
rlm@0: gotten even worse. It was as if her body was no longer hers, but some
rlm@0: alien presence with a will and a mind and desires all its own. Out of
rlm@0: nowhere she would cry for no discernable reason. One minute she was
rlm@0: hot and feverish, the next cold and shivering.   Her body ached with
rlm@0: a helpless longing that terrified her. And now this. Now, she was
rlm@0: walking to see Nadesico, to kiss her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Unlike most of her friends, Sonomi had never thought much about a
rlm@0: future love life. Yes, she would no doubt marry, and have a family
rlm@0: like everybody else. But for the red-haired girl marriage was of
rlm@0: little interest, and certainly not the topic of ecstatic speculation
rlm@0: that obsessed other girls her age. But now, her feelings confronted
rlm@0: her with the question of just what to do. What if I love her, but she
rlm@0: doesn’t love me? She sensed that Nadesico did love her, but not in
rlm@0: the same way. Nadesico loved everybody and everything. Yet, she had
rlm@0: said Sonomi was special, words that set her spirit soaring even as
rlm@0: she blushed in embarrassment.. And why, if she does not love me like
rlm@0: that, does she want to kiss me? The more Sonomi thought about it, the
rlm@0: more confused she became. She would have to ask the girl. Tonight.
rlm@0: She had to know.  Approaching the house, she breathed deeply and
rlm@0: clutched the pink sweater tightly around her body. She looked at her
rlm@0: watch: 8 PM exactly. Willing herself to knock, she quickly heard a
rlm@0: commotion inside as her cousin sang out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I’ve got it!   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The door swung open, and there stood Nadesico. The warm light from
rlm@0: inside the house formed a glowing aura all around her. She was wore a
rlm@0: delicate, ankle length white dress with long sleeves. The collar and
rlm@0: waistline were embroidered with exquisite lacework, and the dress
rlm@0: flared out from the waist with narrow pleats. White petticoats and
rlm@0: slips gave the dress a full, flowing look. Around her slender neck
rlm@0: was a simple white ribbon worn as a choker. Her long,  silver-black
rlm@0: hair was entwinned with white daisies, and cascaded over her
rlm@0: shoulders. Her pale face was framed by the dark, scenetd hair, and
rlm@0: her green eyes shone with gentle passion. Sonomi stood transfixed,
rlm@0: her breath stolen away by the dazzling vision. Nadesico bowed with
rlm@0: mock solemnity and cheerfully sang out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Konbanha, Sonomi-chan"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi felt herself dragged from a dream, and spoke haltingly as she
rlm@0: returned the bow,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Konbanha, Nadesico-chan. You look...so beautiful."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl took both of Sonomi's hands in her own and spoke in her
rlm@0: feathery voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Arigato, Sonomi-chan. You look so lovely, too. Shall we go?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Coloring crimson at her cousin's touch, Sonomi could only nod hr
rlm@0: head. Suddenly, the pale girl let out a little gasp and whirled
rlm@0: about, muttering half to herself,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I almost forget! The bentoubako....there it is" Giggling, she
rlm@0: grabbed the enormous lunchbox, her white Hello Kitty sweater, and
rlm@0: dashed out the door. Smiling at her startled cousin she announced, "I
rlm@0: thought we might like a little snack." Turning to the house she
rlm@0: shouted, "I'm going now!" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi frowned, "That looks heavy. Let me carry it."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadesico shook her head and smiled, holding the bundle tightly. With
rlm@0: that, the two began their walk to the park As usual, Nadesico was
rlm@0: fascinated by all that she could see. She walked erratically,
rlm@0: starting and stopping as one thing after another gained her
rlm@0: attention. The night was comfortably cool, and the stars shone bright
rlm@0: before moonrise. Sonomi moved in a daze, enraptured by the celestial
rlm@0: apparition beside her. Nadesico's dress make swishy sounds as she
rlm@0: walked, following the odd rythms of her perpetually distracted pace.
rlm@0: Finally they approached the park and turned into the entrance. With
rlm@0: the exception of a few couples, the walkway was deserted. Nadesico
rlm@0: led the way, though in her usual circuitous manner. Sonomi followed,
rlm@0: still entranced. Finally the dark-haired girl found a spot she liked
rlm@0: under the sakura trees, and busilly began unpacking the wrapping of
rlm@0: the lunch boxes. It was a beautiful pink and white silk, which she
rlm@0: carefully spread on the grass like a blanket. She knelt on both knees
rlm@0: and smiled as Sonomi sat down accross from her. Nadesico let out a
rlm@0: little sigh, and pointed to the horizon, where a great yellow moon
rlm@0: was slowly rising into the sky. Sonomi loked and nodded, feeling a
rlm@0: rush of emotions as she struggled to speak. But before she could, her
rlm@0: cousin chirrped,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Are you hungry? I wanted to make cookies, but they got sort of
rlm@0: burned. But I did make some rice balls, and there's pickles, oh, and
rlm@0: some fruit, too. Plums and grapes, I think. And tea, green tea. we
rlm@0: should have that while it's hot." In a flurry she produced the little
rlm@0: delicacies, plates, cups, and thermos. She laid the feast out
rlm@0: prettilly on the silken cloth, a heartfelt offering to her cousin.
rlm@0: Sonomi noticed that the rice balls were poorly shaped, and smiled as
rlm@0: she imagined the billowing smoke of the burning cookies. Like her
rlm@0: other home made presents, it was so typical of Nadesico. She was far
rlm@0: from talented as a cook or a homemaker. But what she made was imbued
rlm@0: with love and enthusiasm, and fortunate were those who received her
rlm@0: tender little gifts. Though not hungry in the least, Sonomi politely
rlm@0: nibbled as her eyes scanned the blossoming cherry trees above her.
rlm@0: Her cousin, crunching on a pickled daikon, looked up and smiled at
rlm@0: the sight of thousands of flowers.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Aren't they gorgeous, Sonomi-chan? I've always loved the
rlm@0: sakura.flowers. I love how they fall from the branch in full bloom,
rlm@0: never withering or growing old and sad on the trees. You know, if I
rlm@0: have a daughter, that's what I'll name her: Sakura." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi smiled back at her cousin, but thought to herself that there
rlm@0: were flowers she liked better. There was something haunting about
rlm@0: cherry trees, about a beauty so ephemeral and fragile. For some
rlm@0: reason this thought bothered her, and she shifted uneasilly as
rlm@0: Nadesico gracefully poured the steaming, hot tea. Sonomi craddled the
rlm@0: little round cup in her hands and felt the warmth of it in the cool
rlm@0: night air. She sipped the pungent green tea, liquid sunshine brewed
rlm@0: just perfectly. She looked at Nadesico, who glanced up at the heavens
rlm@0: with child-like wonder. Sonomi trembled, but from the cold or the
rlm@0: sight of her beautiful cousin all clad in white she did not know. As
rlm@0: the stars persued their stately courses, the two girls talked on into
rlm@0: the night. Nadesico was bright and cheerful as always, wondering if
rlm@0: flowers slept when they closed their petals for the evening, or if
rlm@0: stars talked to one another to keep from being lonely. In a wistful
rlm@0: voice she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sometimes I talk to the stars, but it's hard to hear them."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi looked at the girl in wonder, then smiled. Only Nadesico
rlm@0: would ever say such a thing. But if the stars listened to anybody on
rlm@0: earth, it was probably her. Being with her was always such joy, her
rlm@0: very presence magical. But Sonomi felt terribly nervous, remembering
rlm@0: the purpose of this curious picnic in the dark. Finally she could
rlm@0: hold it in no more, and spoke to up in a quivering, earnest voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Nadesico-chan, may I ask you a question?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl smiled and nodded, and Sonomi went on, forcing the words
rlm@0: out in a rush,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Why do you want to kiss me?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Unable to face her saying this, she bowed her head and stared at the
rlm@0: little dishes on the billowing silk. Her eyes averted, she didn't see
rlm@0: Nadesico's tender smile as she replied,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, you know it's my first kiss, and that has to be with someone
rlm@0: special. Sonomi-chan is my most special person. But I told you that
rlm@0: already. So, should I tell you why you're special?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The red-haired girl was silent, so Nadesico continued,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, Sonomi-chan is the strongest person I know. She's never
rlm@0: afraid of anything. I always feel safe with her, and know she would
rlm@0: protect me from anything that would hurt me. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: And Sonomi-chan is honest. Sometimes other people are a puzzle, and
rlm@0: they say things they do not mean, or hide things they do not say. But
rlm@0: I always know Sonomi-chan's heart. I know that whatever she says is
rlm@0: true.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi-chan is the kindest person I know. She is gentle, and caring,
rlm@0: and my heart feels cherished by her."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sonomi-chan is all of these wonderful things, but she is also the
rlm@0: most beautiful person I have ever seen. Sometimes I think about those
rlm@0: green eyes and soft red hair and smooth, pale skin, and hanyaan! I
rlm@0: forget everything I am doing. Seeing her now in the moonlight just
rlm@0: now made me forget everything except how happy I am to be with her."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this Nadesico paused, and closed her eyes. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "But I don't need silly games from a sleepover to know why I want my
rlm@0: first kiss to be with Sonomi-chan. I knew it a long time ago, maybe
rlm@0: even when I first saw her. I want to kiss her because I love her more
rlm@0: than anybody."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Looking up, Sonomi saw Nadesico's azure eyes opening again, and the
rlm@0: startled look as she beheld her tears. A rare look of worry clouded
rlm@0: the dark-haired girl's face as she asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sonomi-chan, are you all right? I'm so sorry, did I make you cry?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi peered through teary eyes and smiled radiently, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Baka. I'm not sad. I've never been so happy in all my life."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadsico smiled again, and reached out, gently brushing away the hot
rlm@0: tears with delicate fingers. Her hand lingered on Sonomi's cheek, and
rlm@0: she gazed into her shimmering emerald eyes. Slowly, as if in a dream,
rlm@0: Nadesico leaned over, her body a delicate white arch bathed in the
rlm@0: moonlight. Sonomi breathed deeply as the girl's pale face came
rlm@0: closer, her eyes half-shut, her hair a cascading flood of liquid
rlm@0: silver. Their lips brushed ever so lightly, and Sonomi felt an
rlm@0: electric thrill streak through her shivering frame. Then their lips
rlm@0: met, gently at first, tenderly exploring, quivering with the soft
rlm@0: sensations that poured out from deep within. Sonomi tasted the
rlm@0: sweetest nectar as Nadesico's tongue playfully parted her yielding,
rlm@0: pink petals. The red-haired girl trembled, dizzy and breathless,
rlm@0: wracked by an indescribable ecstasy. They melted into one another in
rlm@0: a ravishing embrace, shuddering sweetly in each other's tender arms.
rlm@0: Suspended in an eternal moment, waves of passion swept over them like
rlm@0: an ocean storm, then slowly subsided as the ebbing tide. Finally they
rlm@0: parted, Sonomi breathing raggedly, her body still afire, shivering in
rlm@0: the chilly breeze that shook the trees and rained blossoms down upon
rlm@0: them in a delicate, pink monsoon. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi felt floaty and wonderful, her body as delightfully
rlm@0: weightless as a feather in the wind. Her first kiss! She felt a giddy
rlm@0: whirl of emotions, the vibrant throbbing of her heart, and the dewy,
rlm@0: lingering presence of Nadesico's lips. She hugged herself tightly,
rlm@0: and sighed in sheer joy. She glanced up, and was startled to see
rlm@0: Nadesico sitting beside her. The dark-haired girl smiled
rlm@0: enigmatically as she ran her fingers through Sonomi's short silky,
rlm@0: hair. Sonomi's eyes grew wide as her cousin delicately traced the
rlm@0: outline of her still wet lips, then gently caressed her tear-stained
rlm@0: cheek. She caught the scent of sakuras as Nadesico leaned closer, her
rlm@0: lashes fluttering. Their lips met in a another rapturous kiss that
rlm@0: plunged Sonomi into sugar-sweet darkness. As moonlight trickled
rlm@0: through the branches, illumining  the two lovers in an intimate glow,
rlm@0: Sonomi dimly realized that Nadesico wanted more with her cousin than
rlm@0: just a first kiss. Here under the cherry blossoms was a second kiss,
rlm@0: quickly followed by a third, and a fourth. And here, under the 
rlm@0: delicate flowers, and in countless other places as well, there would
rlm@0: be many, many more. 
rlm@0:     
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Izumi
rlm@0: Sayaka
rlm@0: Mayu