Chapter 5: Anniversary
Mugi hurried out of the building,
her excitement palpable. Tonight had to be special, everything had to
be perfect. The blonde woman raised a fist, and steeled herself in order
to assure victory for this particular battle. Not that Mugi had to worry
about extending much effort, she was smart and picked projects up easily
and with such elegance her friends would have envied her (if they didn't
love her so much). In fact it was hard to hate Tsumugi for any reason.
She thought of the meal she wanted to create tonight as she briskly
walked to her car. Caught up in her thoughts, she did not notice two
of her closest friends trying to catch her attention from across the
street.
“Oi,
Mugi!” Ritsu called loudly, waving her arms in the air. Mio stood
next to her, embarrassment evident on her face.
“Stop
it, Ritsu!” She elbowed her companion in the ribs in order to quiet
her. After all this time, Mio still did not like attention. She pulled
the other woman across the street when the light changed.
“Oh
my!” Mugi exclaimed happily, as she saw her friends. “I didn't think
I'd run into you two here!” She hugged her friends. “Today is that
day for you as well, isn't it?” The blonde asked cheerfully. The two
nodded, Mio a faint blush on her cheeks, while Ritsu grinned widely.
The woman with the amber eyes
took Mio's hand in her own and said, “Mio said we should play hooky
today and go on an all day date.”
Mio looked on in horror before
she turned to Mugi, a pleading look in her eyes, “N-no! That was her
idea!” She then turned and cuffed Ritsu on the head. “Don't lie
to her, you idiot!”
Ritsu grinned sheepishly as she
rubbed her head. “Sorry, my idea.”
Mugi chuckled at the interaction
between the two. 'Some things never change', she thought as she
spoke up. “Well, well. It's nice to have a day off sometimes.
Besides, it's a special day today.” She beamed at her friends.
Mio smiled at her gratefully,
“It's all thanks to you, Mugi.” Mugi waved away her words, a tad
embarrassed.
Ritsu placed a hand on the blonde's
shoulder and in an uncharacteristically serious manner she added, “It's
true. I'm happier than I've ever been. I love my friend Mio. And because
of your words I'm able to love her in ways I could only dream of for
years. So, thank you.” The enthusiastic drummer gave Mugi a hug, then
nudged her.
“So
where are you off to in such a hurry? Got big plans for Sawa-chan, eh?”
She grinned, the usual cheery expression returning to her face as she
teased Mugi.
Mugi nodded, “Yes, I'm going
to make dinner and I have a present for her.” She showed them the
item, their mouths issuing a 'Whoa!' in unison. Mio marveled, “I think
she will love it Mugi-chan!” On Ritsu's face was a thoughtful look,
Mugi didn't fail to notice although the raven haired woman was oblivious.
She thought happily to herself, 'Oh the things I set in motion!'
She did not get offended when
they decided to get going, pleased instead they were spending time together.
She could not help but turn and stare at them in a dreamy manner. They
walked away, speaking to each other as if no one else in the world existed.
Mugi sighed and thought to herself, 'Life is good'.
Still within shouting distance,
Ritsu turned around and waved to Mugi, “Let's all get together this
weekend, okay?” Mugi waved in acknowledgment before getting into her
car.
-x-x-x-
For Mugi, no country was more
romantic than Italy so it made sense that she would make an Italian
meal. She prepared a salad, bruschetta, passatelli in brodo and golden
fettucine before taking a quick shower. Setting two places at the dining
table, she put the finishing touches on the torta claudia. Removing
the apron, she adjusted the black dress she wore. It was a simple piece
of clothing, the knee-length skirt fluttering around her thighs while
the upper part clung to her waist and bust. The platinum necklace she
wore around her neck hinted at the subtle creamy cleavage on display.
She felt ready for anything.
As if by clockwork the front door
opened and Sawako walked in. “I'm home.” She called out the customary
greeting while taking off her shoes. Mugi stepped into the entryway
and Sawako's eyes widened as a appreciative smile came to her face.
“Wow”, she breathed.
“Welcome
home.” The younger woman greeted softly. With a wicked smile
only Sawako was acquainted with, she asked, “Would you like dinner,
a bath...or me?” The teacher's eyes glinted behind her glasses
as she answered.
“Do
you even have to ask?” She pulled Mugi into her arms and kissed her
in a manner that set the young woman's heart thumping.
Mugi pulled away, grabbing Sawako's
hand in one of her own. “Too bad. We'll have dinner first.”
Sawako growled as she muttered,
“Damn tease!”
Mugi laughed as the woman's words
as she led the her into the dining room. Sawako was silent the moment
they entered the room. Her eyes took in her girlfriend's efforts and
became misty. The atmosphere in the space was intimate, before Sawako
had arrived Mugi lit candles placed strategically around the room and
turned off the lights. A romantic piano piece Mugi might or might not
have performed in the past played in the background. The teacher swept
Mugi into another hug.
“Sensei...”,
she gasped, “I can't...breathe...” Sawako loosened the hug but did
not let Mugi go. She did not know what she had done to inspire such
love in the younger woman but she wasn't going to question it. The only
thing she could do that made the most sense was to return the younger
woman's love and affection twice as much. She rubbed her lips against
Mugi's, smiling.
“Let's
eat!”
Mugi
nodded happily and turned to the kitchen in order to retrieve the dishes.
“You stay here!” She warned Sawako, who took a seat. Mugi was surprisingly
strict sometimes, especially about the smallest things. Despite her
upbringing she did not act like someone who needed to be constantly
served, instead she developed a habit of serving others, taking pleasure
in their happiness and comfort. Sawako supposed that was one reasons
she loved the younger woman so much.
As Mugi brought out the dishes
Sawako's jaw dropped. All of the dishes Mugi had prepared reminded her
of the vacation they had taken to Italy together the year before. They
had sampled all of those and more during those sun filled days in a
distant city filled with narrow streets and hospitable natives. After
returning home she mentioned to the younger woman how much she missed
the food there. Mugi had simply smiled and said, “We can always go
back.” But the teacher didn't exactly have the time off for further
travel and neither did Mugi who was preparing to take over Kotobuki
Industries at her father's persistence.
The last thing Mugi brought to
the table was a bottle of fine white wine. She poured them each a glass
before they began eating. Sawako praised Mugi's culinary prowess
as she tasted each dish. They spoke of their day, Sawako's prepping
for a new influx of students, club activities, Mugi's meeting with her
father and running into their friends, each offering a comment here
and there but listening to the other attentively. Mugi remarked how
her father had practically chased her out of the offices when he realized
what day it was.
She laughed as she pondered how
much of a closet romantic he could be at times and shared the thought
with Sawako. Looking back there was a time when she thought none of
this could happen. This, meaning years together with the woman she loved
by her side. She had taken a huge gamble after spending the night for
the first time at the older woman's apartment. Leaving for home the
next morning she went straight to her parents, nerves readied as she
informed them of her love for another woman.
Her parents weren't particularly
thrilled at the idea in the beginning, her father especially opposed
since it meant he would not receive a son-in-law or grandchild to pass
the company onto. But while they were away a lot on business when Mugi
was growing up it did not mean they were bad parents. They came around,
loathe to restrict their daughter, especially from something that caused
her happiness. She was their only child after all and they did not want
to live their lives apart from hers.
Mugi proposed a toast and their
glasses clinked as they wished each other a happy anniversary.
“To
five years together.” Sawako declared.
“To
many, many more.” Mugi added with a smile. The teacher nodded in agreement.
The wine was excellent and so they sat together on the couch and drank
almost all of it after cleaning up. They cuddled speaking about any
little topic that came to their minds. After a while their sentences
slowed down. Mugi promptly fell asleep in the arms of the teacher and
Sawako smirked. She lightly traced her finger across Mugi's lips and
nose just to tease a reaction from the sleeping young woman but soon
enough she yawned as well.
-x-x-x-
Mugi awoke to a darkened apartment,
a pain in her neck and Sawako muttering in her sleep. '...thas good
tea...buh where's the cake?' The blonde giggled, years later the
teacher was still a constant source of amusement. Gingerly, she moved
until she settled into the woman's lap, straddling her. 'No tea or
cake', she thought to herself, 'but I'm sure Sawako won't
mind.'
She placed a kiss on the sleeping
woman's neck, then her lips. Seeing no reaction from her girlfriend
she gently bit an ear before kissing her once more on the lips. She
nibbled on Sawako's lower lip before lazily slipping her tongue into
the woman's mouth. Sawako's eyes finally drifted open.
Mugi grinned in a satisfied manner.
“Good morning.” She whispered, her lips inches away from Sawako's.
“Mmm...What
time is it?” The teacher asked.
“I'd
say around 1or 2 am.”
“Going
to bed?”
“I'm
thinking of taking a nice hot bath before I do.” Mugi answered as
she pressed her body against the other woman. Sawako's lids lowered.
“I
think I might join you.” She told the blonde.
“Are
you sure?” Mugi asked, in a mock skeptical manner as she pulled away
in order to stand up. After years with Sawako she knew how to play a
game or two. She did learn from the master after all. And Mugi, still
very much an avid student.
“Yes, I was just dreaming about
you.” Sawako grinned at her sleepily.
“Liar.”
Mugi smirked, “I heard you, you spoke in your sleep. You were dreaming
about cake.” She turned to walk away and Sawako wrapped her arms around
her from behind.
“Did
I mention you look wonderful in that dress, Mugi-chan?” She placed
a kiss on her girlfriend's shoulder hoping to distract her.
“Don't
change the subject, Sensei.” She shivered as Sawako lay more kisses
on her neck, gradually making her way up to Mugi's jaw. The younger
woman turned around and kissed her hard, leaving her breathless. If
anyone had told her years ago that it would be Mugi making her feel
this way right now she would have laughed them out the building. But
it was Mugi who coaxed a slow flame into a raging inferno deep inside.
The blonde pushed the woman back onto the couch and straddled her once
more.
“Mugi...”
Sawako gasped as she felt the younger woman's heat on her legs. She
had to touch her, delve into her hotness. Kissing Mugi's neck again,
she suckled on the skin as her hands raced over her body finally arriving
at the blonde's breasts. She massaged them, making Mugi cry out before
they kissed, tongues battling. Pulling the blonde's dress down past
her bosom, she bared perfect mounds that ached to be touched and kissed.
Complying to the unspoken wishes she lovingly licked one then the other.
Mugi's eyes were closed, head
flung back as she enjoyed Sawako's ministrations. She did not care if
she appeared wanton, she only cared that the woman she loved, loved
her the same way. Her breath quickened as she felt Sawako's hands on
her legs, slipping under the dress to caress her thighs. The muscles
under the skin of that area tensed, waiting for Sawako's hands to explore
further. She urged the woman to touch her,
to touch her there, moving her hips forward.
After what felt like a lifetime
she felt Sawako's fingers lightly touch her, rubbing against her teasingly.
“Please...”
She moaned to the woman, who finally acquiesce by slipping her fingers
within Mugi's wet warmth. She rode Sawako's digits, head thrown back,
breathless, quickly coming as she passionately kissed the woman, their
tongues echoing the dance of the fingers deep within her.
Eventually regaining their breath,
they made their way to the bath, stripping along the way. Mugi reciprocated
the teacher's actions from earlier until the hot water turned cold,
prompting them to retire to the most comfortable spot in their home,
the bed. Drifting off to sleep a thought floated by in Mugi's mind.
She jolted upright and dashed from the room. Bewildered at first, Sawako
chuckled at the sight of Mugi's bare bottom and flying blonde hair.
She returned with a small item
in her hand, a sheepish look on her face.
“Ah,
I forgot to give you your gift earlier.” At the word gift Sawako stiffened.
“Wait
right here!” She told the younger woman, disappearing for a moment.
Reappearing, with a small box as well she sat on the bed and they faced
each other. Glancing at the gift in each others hand they had the same
thought. 'It couldn't be!'
They handed over their gifts,
wishing each other happy anniversary again.
Opening the boxes they each found
a simple but beautiful platinum ring-of the same design.
“Will
you-” began Mugi.
“Marry
me.”Sawako said.
They gaped at each other then
burst out in laughter.
“Oh
my goodness.” Mugi giggled, her hand in front of her mouth.
“This
is a gas!” Hooted Sawako, tears in her eyes.
They settled back into bed, arms
around each other. Occasionally one would chuckle and set the other
off. It was almost daybreak when they joined the sleeping masses, adorned
in nothing but the rings on their fingers.
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