XVIII

“You’re bisexual, right, Yuki?” Mari asked, breaking the silence.

“Well, yeah,” Yukiko replied. “I mean, I prefer girls, but I guess I would be bi if I had to have a label.” She trailed off with a shrug. The silence descended once more and Mari looked like she was struggling with something. Yukiko watched her for a second before returning her gaze to the window. She’d never seen Mari at a loss for words before and it was a bit disconcerting.

“What’s it like?” Mari finally asked, almost whispering. Yukiko glanced over and cocked her eyebrow.

“What’s what like, being bi?”

“Kissing a girl,” Mari replied.

“W-well,” Yukiko tried and failed to keep herself from stuttering. “I-it’s close to kissing a guy, I guess. I mean…not really. I-wait! What kind of kiss are you talking about?” It was wholly unlike Yukiko to get flustered but she felt her face redden the more she talked.

“I mean, to kiss a girl like she was your lover,” Mari replied quietly.

“Like she was your lover or because she is your lover?” Yukiko asked. “There is a difference.”

“Because you might wan-“Mari stopped and shrugged before seeming to brush away her thoughts with a chuckle. “Ignore me. I think I might be drunk.”

“Oh,” Yukiko said softly, feeling strangely disappointed. “Ok.” Mari scowled slightly and took a deep drink of her wine, deep in thought. The silence lengthened but, oddly enough, didn’t feel awkward or strange. It seemed peaceful and somehow comforting, if Yukiko was honest.

“I want to kiss you, Yukiko,” Mari said suddenly. Yukiko looked over expecting to see a smirk on Mari’s face but was met by a look of intensity, like she’d made a decision she’d agonized over for hours.

“Then you should, Mari,” Yukiko replied with an inviting smile. Mari crawled across the distance between them until her face was centimeters from Yukiko’s. Yukiko’s breath was warm on Mari’s lips and nose and scented with the sweet bouquet of the wine they were drinking. Yukiko’s eyes looked even larger and more luminous up close and her lips parted slightly as her tongue slipped out to moisten them. Mari stared at her, enraptured, her heart pounding so loudly it seemed to echo in her ears.

“O-ok,” Mari whispered, swallowing hard and pushing down a wave of nervousness. She leaned forward and was surprised as Yukiko leaned toward her as well. As their lips met she felt a shock like an electric surge spark along her spine and causing her breath to catch in her throat.

It was not like kissing a boy at all, she decided as her tongue slipped out, almost on its own and flicked against Yukiko’s, causing goose bumps to spring up on her arms and a kaleidoscope of butterflies to take flight in her belly. She had kissed her fair share of men but none had felt like this. Men had a coarseness in their kiss, a scraping feel against her lips and cheek that she always found unpleasant. As their kiss lengthened and deepened, Yukiko’s lips parted and Mari’s tongue slipped inside her mouth, brushing against Yukiko’s teeth before dancing in a delicate ballet with her tongue.

There was no gruff burning of stubble on her lips and cheeks as Mari became so engrossed she forgot to breathe. Mari’s fingers slid through Yukiko’s long golden hair, thrilling at the feeling of her soft tresses slipping between her fingers. Her body was soft and yielding, inviting Mari to get closer still. Mari’s heart pounded in her chest harder and harder until she felt like her heart might explode. Yukiko’s soft breasts pressed against Mari’s own and Mari felt like her head was spinning. Finally Mari reluctantly broke the kiss, their lips lingering haltingly for a long moment more before separating. Mari stared into Yukiko’s eyes, her cheeks flushing as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Wow,” Yukiko breathed, eyes lidded, lips parted as she struggled to calm her own breathing.

“Is that how women who are lovers kiss?” Mari whispered, warmth spreading through her entire body.

“I guess it’s different for everyone but I want to find out what this kiss means for us together,” Yukiko purred, leaning forward, pressing Mari backwards until she lay atop her. “I want to kiss you, Mari.”

“Then you should, Yukiko,” Mari replied eagerly.

Yukiko’s tongue slipped between Mari’s parted lips, thrilling at the dance their tongues performed, more intimate and seductive than any they’d ever performed on stage. Their breasts brushed together beneath the thin film of their blouses, causing Yukiko’s nipples to harden and ache tantalizingly. Mari’s fingers unclasped on her back and hesitatingly journeyed lower before slipping beneath the fabric and brushing against her skin, the touch eliciting a low moan deep in Yukiko’s throat.

Yukiko broke the kiss gently, staring for a moment into Mari’s eyes as she tried to catch her breath. Yukiko kissed Mari’s lower lip gently, their eyes never leaving each other’s. Her tongue flicked out teasingly, tasting Mari’s lip and Mari’s eyes closed for a long moment, reveling in the feel. Moving slowly Yukiko kissed along Mari’s jaw, lips barely brushing Mari’s soft skin. Nuzzling Mari’s hair with her nose Yukiko took her ear in her mouth slowly, causing Mari to gasp audibly and wiggle slightly below Yukiko’s body.