Slave To Your Own Desires

Nozomi kept a watchful eye on her surroundings as she made her way to school. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of Mika, and what it felt like to be in her shoes. Here, Nozomi and her father were housing an innocent criminal- a nonexistent one, at that. Since the day she was born, Nozomi had only known love and compassion from her father and late mother. Being the daughter of a restaurant owner ensured she would always have a tasty meal waiting for her at home, as well as a decent number of regular customers to lift her spirits when she was feeling down. Nozomi couldn't imagine what sorts of trials Mika had endured and made a silent vow to be there for her as something of a protector.

Mika, on the other hand, was now experiencing an eternal adrenaline rush. For the first time in her life, people cared about her in more ways than one. She had the entire Bara-gumi searching for her, proving in her mind that she was a valuable asset to the yakuza. Alongside the Bara-gumi, Mika also had Hidaka Jin and Hidaka Nozomi, offering shelter from the streets and the monsters that hunted her. Every day that she spent holed up in the Hidaka residence filled her with excitement and thrill. To add to her boldness, Mika offered to do take-out deliveries. She would use the ramen shop's bicycle to patrol the city during the day, employing her uniform and baseball cap to keep herself hidden from those searching for her.

"Ah, Mika-chan. Right on time, as usual. How much do I owe you?"

"If it isn't the Hidaka's new delivery girl. You would make a fine hostess in the future."

"I ordered over an hour ago! Well, I guess I can let it slide, what with you being so young and all."

The familiar customers of the red-light district gossiped eagerly with Mika as she made her rounds. She used her charm to pry information regarding the Bara-gumi's whereabouts from the trusted business owners who ordered regularly from Hidaka Jin's ramen shop. Not only did the information keep her safe, but it offered her a glimpse as to how the Bara-gumi was functioning without their child soldier.

Weeks had passed since the day Mika was taken in by Hidaka Jin, and she was starting to grow accustomed to her new life as a teenage girl. Her favorite pastime was spending long nights in the bath with her new sister, Nozomi. The two would talk about everything and nothing as they shared stories of their contradicting lives before their unusual meeting.

"So you're telling me you've never painted your nails, Mika-chan? That's it, I'm giving you a makeover!"
Nozomi eagerly dug her knuckles into Mika's stomach, feeling extra playful at the idea of dolling up her new sibling.

"I already told you, Nozomi-chan, I don't like that makeup crap!"
Mika retaliated with a foot to Nozomi's face. The two laughed loudly as the warm water splashed around them. Mika knew she wouldn't be able to escape Nozomi's persistence, but she found the banter to be quite enjoyable.

The two girls sat across from each other in Nozomi's floral painted room. Mika held her hand steady as her Nozomi applied a thick, glossy layer of pink nail polish to her fingertips.
"It's way too flashy! And why are you only painting the ring finger yellow and the rest pink?!

Nozomi giggled, gently caressing Mika's calloused hands with her own.
"Because, yellow is my favorite color. That way, you'll think of me when you look at your ring finger."

Mika grimaced at such a romantic gesture. She tugged her hand away to admire her nails under the ceiling fan light. The polish glistened around her fingertips, reflecting a sheen of pretty, vibrant colors as Mika stared.
"I thought ring fingers were reserved for marriage. Don't tell me you want to marry me, Nozomi-chan?"

Nozomi flopped onto her back beside Mika, giving her a very mischievous smile. Her fluffy pajamas hugged her small body, adding a flair of innocence to her playful expression.
"I dunno... Maybe, I do want to marry you. I guess I'll have to keep you in suspense, huh?"

"Marriage, huh? Maybe... when we're older? I've never fallen in love before."
Mika lay down next to her, resting her own head against the sleepy Nozomi's.

Nozomi let out a high pitched yawn, curling closer to Mika's side with a very curious hand. She trailed up Mika's collarbone, stopping just short of her neck.
"In order to marry, we have to date first. You know, like kissing and stuff?"

Mika attempted to keep her smile under control, but her lips were quivering around a creeping grin.
"Kissing and stuff? I've never kissed anyone before. I thought only boys and girls could kiss... Though, I suppose Charlotte and Harumi are both girls, too... What do you think, Nozomi-chan?"
She glanced down at the tired girl, noticing how her eyes were closed in a deep slumber. She carefully pulled Nozomi into a loose cuddle, admiring the way her eyelids fluttered in her state of dreaming.

"If it's with you, Nozomi-chan... I think I wouldn't mind getting married."

That night, Mika dreamed of heaven. She had never considered herself religious, but she felt as if there were a real god watching over her in these trying times. Nozomi stood like an angel at the pearly gates, waving an innocent hand toward her. Mika tried her best to approach, but no matter how hard she ran, her legs wouldn't move. She clawed at the air around her, watching as Nozomi disappeared into the light. Mika cried out to her, only to be met with a deafening applause of the angels surrounding them. It drove her mad. By the time the morning alarm clock was blaring in their eardrums, Nozomi was gone.

Mika gasped awake, watching as the real Nozomi held her close. She wiped the sweat from Mika's forehead, planting a loving kiss on the top of her head.
"It's okay, Mika-chan. You were just having a bad dream."

Mika blinked her eyes rapidly. She watched as the room morphed from dream to reality in an instant. She buried her face in Nozomi's chest, letting out a much-needed flood of tears.
"I don't know what's happening to me, Nozomi-chan... I keep having these hallucinations and panic attacks. Lately, my dreams have been feeling so real."

Nozomi stroked her hair gently, knowing all too well the pain Mika must have been carrying. She carefully tilted Mika's chin up, staring lovingly into her big, round eyes.
"I'm right here, Mika-chan. Always and forever."
Nozomi leaned closer to her, panting softly against her plump lips.

Mika closed her eyes, allowing the moment of shared intimacy to wash over her. They exchanged an inexperienced first kiss, feeding each other's passion with gentle caresses. Mika hesitantly pulled away, catching her breath as her slightly swollen lips tingled from the tender moment.
"That felt... nice."

Nozomi smiled sweetly, bringing her palm to Mika's blushing cheek.
"I feel like I've known you my whole life, Mika-chan. I love you."

Mika's eyes widened in pure shock.
"You... love me? Nobody has ever said they loved me, before. I don't even know what love feels like."
She focused her gaze on the ground, trying to understand how a girl like Nozomi could have any sort of attraction to her.

Nozomi found her lack of experience quite charming. She playfully tugged on Mika's bottom lip, studying her eyes with a tender smile.
"Do you feel all warm and tingly when we kiss? Do you want to spend more time with me, every day? That's what love feels like."

"Y-yes! I want to spend every waking moment with you, Nozomi-chan! I can't stand it when you go to school all day and leave me by myself."
Mika's eyes shone with a deep, nurtured longing for Nozomi.

"Then... say it back. Let it come naturally."
Nozomi waited patiently for Mika to collect her thoughts. She could see that Mika was struggling to come to terms with the feeling of love, as it was an entirely new prospect to her. Mika took a deep breath, staring directly into Nozomi's bright, blue eyes.

"I love you, Nozomi-chan."