Sharp-O's One-Shots! "Anamnesis" 21/11/24

[hdkv]

You! You played me! ...and I liked it.

And given that no one raised a suspicion about the stories for a week — you both did really good job replicating each other's style. Making it this good is a property of very good writers — which you both are.

Thanks for these stories, don't hesitate to play with your audience again

[Sharp-O]

You! You played me! ...and I liked it.

And given that no one raised a suspicion about the stories for a week — you both did really good job replicating each other's style. Making it this good is a property of very good writers — which you both are.

Thanks for these stories, don't hesitate to play with your audience again

Thanks so much! It was so exciting and was one of the few highlights of December for me. I'm so glad it went off so flawlessly!

It was an interesting exercise and I would love to see someone else do another in the future!

[Sharp-O]

“Is that… Everything…?” Miki huffed, dropping her end of the couch onto the floor. She lifts her backwards baseball cap to wipe her brow with her bandaged arm. As she stood upright and her back popped in so many satisfying ways, I knew I had to do it too. Placing my hands on my lower back, I tilt my whole torso back and am rewarded with a series of pops up my spine.

“Ahhhh, so goooood~!” Damn that couch was heavy… Shame the boys we had available aren’t exactly built for hard labour but Miki and I made do - with a little direction from Shizune on the stairs.

“Thankfully! Thanks again for helping out, guys!” Akio answers Miki, bringing in the last of the boxes with Hisao and Shizune. “I’ll get these put away and make a beer run.”

Hisao went into a full squat to carefully place the box of books on the floor next to the bookcase while his girlfriend places a variety of framed photos on the mantle then hangs one of those framed inspirational quotes on a nail that I put into the wall leading to our bedroom earlier.

“Sounds good, sir! I think we-” Hisao pauses as he looks over to his girlfriend and I follow his line of sight, catching only the last few flourishes of a secret message between them in sign. “Actually, I don’t think we can stick around; we have an early start tomorrow morning.”

[What are you scheming?] I only caught the words ‘night together in peace’ but as Shizune smirks in my direction, I feel like I get the gist of what she meant.

[Nothing at all. We are genuinely busy tomorrow.] The nuance of understanding sarcasm in sign is still a little new to me but Shizune’s animated face fills in the gaps. [But I hope you enjoy your first night in your new home, Hanako.]

I beam as I trot around the newly place couch to hug my friend and offer a thank you in sign as I step back. “Thank you for all your help today.” I say clearly so Shizune can read my lips and Hisao can hear me before the pair leave hand-in-hand.

“I’d stick around but I’ve gotta make sure I still have a roommate…” Miki groans, turning her cap around so the brim faces forward.

“Tell Taro he still owes us for bailing.” Akio says pointedly. “He knew we needed him.”

“That’s n-not fair, Akio.” I chide but Miki jumps to my boyfriend’s defence.

“Nah, it’s entirely fair! His stupid fuckin’ argument with Ritsu coulda waited.” Miki says before muttering under her breath. “It’s not like this’ll be the last time.”

I can understand their annoyance to an extent. Taro and Ritsu break-up and get back together so regularly now that it’s treated more like a change to bad weather than a schism between lovers. They’ll probably be made-up by the time Miki gets back to the apartment she shares with Taro but still… I don’t like seeing my friends fight…

“Drive s-safe, Miki.” I give her a little smile as I squeeze her tight and she reciprocates in earnest.

“Will do, sis. Give me a call when you really want to break this place in!” Miki grins, stepping back and turning as she leaves as well.

Akio closes the door behind me as I step back into the living room, taking it all in. There’s plenty of unpacking to do; between our own stuff and the various bits-and-pieces that Akio’s grandparents gifted to us but for the moment I’m just in awe of having my own home.

A modest third-floor walk-up; one bedroom, a pretty decent bathroom for the price, and a living room and kitchen separated by a long counter. Not to mention the balcony! I always wanted a balcony!

Yes, we’re renting, but after living at the orphanage, then at Yamaku, and then with Akio’s wonderful grandparents - to have a space that is all mine? I can’t help but bounce a little on the balls of my feet while my eyes begin to water.

“Feeling a little giddy, huh?” Akio’s arms wrap around my torso and my head naturally nuzzles against his. Not just mine. His space too. The man I love’s. Ours.

“More th-than I c-can say…” I whisper as the emotion begins to get too much. “Suh-sorry…” I wipe a few errant tears from my eyes as Akio chuckles, kissing the back of my head.

“Don’t be, I can hardly believe it myself…” Akio sighs and, as I tilt my head to look at the sentimental smile on his lips, his gaze meets mine. “Welcome home, Hana.”

I turn my body fully to properly embrace the gorgeous red-haired rascal who won my heart; our lips meeting in a tender, loving kiss followed by an affectionate kunik nose rub.

“Since our friends aren’t going to help us celebrate; how do you want to warm our house?” Akio asks. I extend my arms fully and sway back and forth while I look at the ceiling.

“Ummmm, well I want to m-make sure our bed is m-made for tonight. I want a b-bath because I’m sweaty and gross…”

“I’m feeling pretty grody too.”

“Then I think we should j-just have a nice evening on the couch. Movies, c-cuddling, beer…”

“I have three guesses on what movie you want to watch…” A small, begrudging smirk forms on his lips.

“And the first two d-don’t count!” I playfully smirk back. He likes my favourite movie well enough but I can concede that making it the first movie we watch in our new home is a little cheeky on my part. “I’ll m-make it w-worth your while though~.”

“Oh?” Akio’s eyebrow rises curiously as he guides my hips around and presses me against the kitchen counter with a sultry smile. “And how’re you going to do that?”

“You get t-to use the bath first.” I peck his lips before rolling us along the edge of the counter and pressing him against it instead. “And I’ll go g-get the b-beer.”

“Have I told you you’re perfect recently?” He gazes at me with loving, amber eyes.

“Not r-recently…” I bite my lower lip as I fib.

“Well, you are.”

Despite our obvious smiles, our lips lock and we explore each other’s mouths, all the while our hands press against the others’ back. Any plans quickly evaporate into the ether as our bodies do their best to meld together.

Maybe it’s all the excitement of moving into our own place, or the newfound freedom that affords, but finding ourselves alone with no one to answer to presents an enticing opportunity…

“Wh-What d-did Miki say about b-breaking this place in?” I breathe lustfully at Akio as I run my hands through the hair on the back of his head. The gears turn in Akio’s head as he stares at me with just as much lustful intent, if not more.

“Kitchen first?” He asks, but since he’s already grabbed my butt and is attempting to hoist me onto counter, I think it’s been decided. I clumsily unbuckle my jeans and slide them off before helping him get me onto the counter top with a giggle. He runs his hands up my inner thighs and separates them as I scoot my butt into a more accessible position for him.

“And you always c-complain about me making a m-mess in the kitchen…” I feign indignation, running my hands through Akio’s hair with a grin as he begins to make a meal out of me.

“I’ll forgive you this time.” Akio’s response is muffled as he buries his face in my nether region but the vibration of his voice against my sensitive parts is delightful in all the best ways. His slight hum of amusement at my reactions only heightens my pleasure, which feeds back into his teasing.

“It’s, haaaah, always nice, mmmm, when you use your mouth, ahhh~, for something useful!” I pant and moan at his oral assault but my teasing unlocks one of his worst habits as he blows a raspberry onto my clitoris.

The shock of the attack, along with the giggling fit that follows, derails my horniness for the moment as I fall onto my side laughing.

“Y-you b-bastard!” I cackle as I softly kick his shoulders as he tries to wrestle my legs under control. “I t-told you n-not to do th-that!”

“Then stop talking when my mouth is full!” Akio laughs, opening my legs enough to plant soft kisses up my inner thighs as an apology. Nope, not trusting him down there again. Not right now anyway…

“The next time you d-do that; I’ll b-bite you!” I threaten as I slide off the edge of the counter and begin to unzip his fly. Akio’s smile is as warm as his erect penis as I pull it out of his slacks. I stroke it back-and-forth as we kiss again before I’m turned around on the spot and pushed forward a little, Akio taking up position behind me.

“Threaten me with a good time…” Akio breathes lustfully into my ear as he enters me and I gasp, one hand holding the counter while the other holds his arms as they wrap around my stomach. His pace is immediately fast and powerful, like a lot of the times when we would have to sneak away from his grandparents’ house and into the surrounding wilderness.

Unlike our outdoor trysts, there’s no reason for me to stay quiet in our new home and I revel in letting Akio know how much his desperate, animalistic thrusting is driving me wild. He holds me tight and I reach back to hold his head to my neck as our respective orgasms rapidly approach.

“Wh-Where?” Akio’s quivering voice reaches my ear and I decide to reward him for asking this time.

My insides quiver on the edge as I pull myself away from him. I turn and squat to take Akio into my mouth just as his orgasm erupts from his manhood. The jet of warm liquid sends my quivering into full-on euphoric convulsions, so-much-so that I collapse onto my knees as I moan with his meat in my mouth.

Akio braces against the counter but lovingly strokes my hair as he finishes his orgasm. Akio slumps down onto his knees to meet me with a slight grunt and I swallow the bitter gloop. As his lips meet mine, we embrace, having succeeded in ticking the first room off our list.

“Seriously; you’re perfect.” Akio says with weak smile, cupping my face in his hand. “Also ow.”

I giggle before planting both hands on his shoulders and using him to rise to my feet, then offering to help my weak-boned boyfriend up onto his. He groans as he rises, somewhat regretting the last five minutes but only a little given his ridiculous grin.

I go about putting my jeans back on as Akio holds his back and hobbles towards the bathroom. I sneak up behind my boyfriend and wrap my arms around his chest.

“Ow…” Akio winces but turns his head with a pathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I’m such an old man.”

“Well I wouldn’t want to be accused of elder abuse… You go have a nice hot soak and I’ll be back soon, old timer.” I giggle, patting Akio’s butt as I head towards the front door. “Make sure to use the bath stuff Shizune gave us because I want to jump in when I get back!”

---

I slide open the door to the bathroom, following the muffled music coming from inside. Akio lazes in the tub, rocking his head from side-to-side to the sound of some British ska punk.

“Hey, how was the trip?” Akio opens his eyes and sits up to greet me.

“The store clerk didn’t m-make a big d-deal out of my scars so I th-think we can shop there again.” I answer with a chuckle, slipping into the steamy room and taking a seat on the edge of the tub.

“That’s good to know.” He nods as he accepts the can I offer from the six-pack I bought. “Beer and a bath? Sex on tap? Damn, this cohabitation business is looking sweeter all the time.”

“Keep thinking that and you’ll find yourself living the bachelor life!” I scoop a handful of bath water and toss it in his face. He laughs, holding his open beer away from the splash zone. “How’s your back?”

“Better, thanks.” He sighs, closing his eyes and taking a long gulp of beer. He lets out a satisfied sigh before looking me over as I open a beer for myself.

“What’re you thinking, dear?”

“Nothing, beloved. Just… Thinking about how lucky I am.” Awww! I blush profusely at the compliment and turn the can in my hand.

“I’m the lucky one.” I say quietly. I really am. The sheer amount of coincidence and luck, not to mention tragedy, it took to put us together… It’s astronomical.

“Then I guess we both lucked out then, huh?” Akio places a hand on my jeans with that debonair smile of his that allows him to get away with almost anything. Almost.

“Akio! You’re getting my jeans wet!” I jump up, knocking his hand away.

“Wouldn’t be the first time today!” He grins cheekily and I have a hard time arguing as my face becomes flushed. I was thinking about what we did most of the way to the convenience store…

“Ugh! You’re so lucky you’re cute!” I huff; placing my beer can on the back of the toilet as I begin to strip off. Akio’s face becomes redder as more-and-more of my flesh is exposed but he never takes his eyes off me. My heart races when he looks at me at the best of times but I know his does the same when I look at him.

We can be intimate in ways we can’t with others; even our closest friends. We can bear our scars and our souls without judgement and that is just one of the reasons why I love him.

I throw my clothes out of the bathroom, pick up my beer, and squeeze into the tub with my boyfriend. I sink into the hot water, which runs over onto the tiled floor.

“Ahhhh~! Holy f-fuck, that feels amazing!” I moan, sinking further into the water and resting against Akio’s chest. He plucks the beer out of my hand as I submerge up to my clavicle.

“Yeah, the bath bomb wrapper said it’s good for rough skin and has essential oils and shit.” Akio explains, holding both our beers above the water. “So I imagine it’s making your scars tingle too, huh?”

“Mm-hmm!” I hum, rubbing the water against my skin. It feels silky and tingly at the same time. Weird but in a good way.

“Hey, I’m not a beer caddy; come drink this beer before I do!” Akio softly clonks the can against the side of my head and I slide back up to a more comfortable angle for us both.

“I don’t think I want to get out of this tub ever~.” I happily nestle against Akio and take a huge gulp of cold beer as my body is heated by the bath water.

“Well, we’re going to have to go to work at some point…” Akio argues and I throw him one of my signature pouts. “Alright but you’re gonna get all pruney.”

“Will you still love me if I’m pruney like an old lady?”

“I will love you when you become a pruney old lady, yes.”

“Yaaaay.” I cheer quietly.

“Will you love me when I’m so old that I can’t give you that sweet, sweet loving?” Akio asks before taking another sip of beer.

“So old you can’t get it up any more?” I ask for clarification. “Or so old that you’re just a vegetable?”

“The second one.”

“Then I will love you even if you’re a v-vegetable.” I answer honestly.

“That’s good to know because I intend to love you for as long as I’m able; I hope you know that.” Akio wraps his free arm around my chest and squeezes me tight against him. That is good; because I intend to keep you for as long as I’m able.

I take another gulp of beer before leaning out of the bath and placing the can delicately on the closed lid of the toilet. I return to the tub, this time facing Akio and snake my arms around his neck as I lay on his front. Our wet, naked bodies stick to each other as we gaze at one another.

“Hey.” I purr, playing with Akio’s hair; one of my absolute favourite thing to do.

“Hey, you.” Akio smirks, finishing his beer and tossing the can onto the floor.

“Hey!” I stare at the can rolling across my new bathroom floor and then back at Akio, who takes me by surprise by kissing me on the lips. “Heeeey-yuh! You can’t distractme like that! That’s cheating!”

“I know; you do it all the time!” Akio laughs at me and I have no other choice but to retaliate by pulling on his shoulders and attempting to dunk him into the water. More bath water washes over the lip of the tub but he doesn’t move. His legs are wedged against the tub because I’m between them!

“Didn’t think that through, huh?” He mocks me and it only annoys me more. Well, there’s only one thing for it… I plant my hands on either side of the tub and lift myself out of it. I saunter across the bathroom, making damn sure that my hips sway. I pick up my beer and the other four cans, giving Akio a good view of my backside. I step out of the steamy bathroom and before I close the door on him, I glare at him.

“No l-loving for you t-tonight!” I slide the door closed. Then open it again. “Or-or ever!”

Yeah, that’ll show him!

---

The movie plays in front of us while I make a point to sit the furthest I can away from Akio, nestled in my favourite hoodie and nursing the last of the beers. I had to concede and give Akio the two he was owed. I’m not an asshole!

“God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.”

“Dinosaurs eat man.” I quote, almost reflexively.

“Woman inherits the earth.” Akio finishes the quote and smirks over at me. I beam at him before I remember I’m supposed to be mad at him. Ugh, how do people like Ritsu do this, even as a bit? It’s exhausting! I yawn, as if to illustrate my own internal thought and notice Akio shift his legs and pat his lap, all without taking his eyes off the movie.

Hmmm… This feels like a trap… I eye Akio cautiously as I crawl over and gently lay my head on his lap. He still stares at the screen intently but I see the creeping smile on his face. I turn my head to watch the movie again but suddenly feel Akio’s hand gently stroking my ear. I naturally nuzzle against his lap as a tingle runs through my body. Hmm, that’s nice.

Wait! I sit upright and glare at Akio, smirking like the butt that he is.

“I know wh-what you’re doing!”

“And what am I doing?”

“You’re t-trying to s-seduce me!”

“I thought we were just watching a movie but if you want to sit over on that end of the couch; be my guest.” He thinks he’s sooo cool! Sitting there with his stupid handsome face!

“J-Just because I’ve drank…”

“Three beers.” Akio snorts with amusement. “Pfft.”

“D-Doesn’t mean I’m g-gonna go back on what I said! N-No loving!” I point at him and he holds his hands up.

“Never even crossed my mind!” He plays innocent and I crawl over to him.

“So if I curled up in your lap, you w-wouldn’t do anything to me?”

“Not if you didn’t want me to.”

“N-Not even the ear thing…?” I press my fingers together slightly.

“You said ‘no loving’ and you are the boss.”

“That’s r-right! I am!” I lay my head down on his lap again and brush my hair behind my left ear. “C-Continue…”

His fingers tentatively caress my ear once again and I can’t help the contented sigh that escapes my lips. I melt into the couch and dreamily watch my favourite movie with my favourite person as pure bliss takes me over.

As the movie goes on, we shift positions to where I’m lying on top of Akio, my hand under his t-shirt and his hand is stroking my spine under my hoodie. I know what I said earlier but I can’t keep my hands off him sometimes.

The amount of times at school when I’d just reach across the gap between our desks and touch his arm, or when we lived with his grandparents and I would pinch his butt… And those are the more PG-friendly things I’d do. As we became more experimental and I grew confident that I couldn’t scare him off, we’d be more daring.

In the same way that we would trade barbs, we’d sometimes purposely frustrate each other in public. It was another of our games but, unlike most, it’s not one I could always win.

Just like now; I want him to grab my ass so badly but he’s frustratingly staying above the hem of my pyjama pants. That’s why I’ve been teasing his areole for the better part of ten minutes, not quite making contact with his nipples. I can feel him getting harder but he is being so nonchalant about it that it’s just pissing me off now.

And, yes, I said no loving but he knows that I don’t mean it and this is just to get back at me!

My fingers finally reach their intended target and I watch Akio’s eyes closes and his mouth open slightly for a sharp inhale of air. His body shifts and he pulls me tight against his body, pressing his hardness against my stomach.

I slide his t-shirt up to his neck and begin kissing his torso. Each of the scars on his ribs, one-by-one, showing reverence to them and earning a small gasp each time.

“I thought you said no lo-” I cut Akio off by tucking the front of his shirt over his head as my face becomes more flushed. “Huh, this feels familiar…”

“Shuuush.” I kiss further up his chest, fingers pressed into his flesh, warm lips meeting pinkening skin. I trace a line between his pecs with my tongue, sending a shiver through his body. That finally flips his switch and both his hands plunge beneath the waistband of my pyjama bottoms and grabs hold of my ass. Got you!

I moan into his chest with a huge smile and I can tell he’s smiling too. I pull the shirt from his face and sure enough; that cheeky smile is my reward.

“I knew you’d break before me.” He says smugly and I slide up his body to meet his face.

“I’ll break you if you d-don’t do as your told! I’m the b-boss, remember?” I try to do my best Shizune impression but the tingles erupting through my body at his touch make that very difficult.

“Yeah, yeah, just tell me what you want.” He says, palming my rear end in rhythm, making my body rub up against him. I grab his face a plant a passionate kiss on his lips, wrestling his tongue while our body’s grind against each other.

“I want you…” I breathe into his face, locking eyes with him.

“Yeah?”

“I just want you…” I wrap my arms around his head and hug him close as I straddle him. His arms tuck under my hoodie and wrap around my back as he nuzzles my neck with kisses.

“You got me.” He reassures as he grinds against my own rhythmic riding, rubbing our clothed lower halves together. The sound of the movie fades into the background of our shared moans and the sound of rustling clothing.

I remember us doing our fair share of dry-humping like this at Yamaku, before we finally slept together. It’s weirdly nostalgic to do this now when we could just go to our bedroom but I like the comfiness of this and I certainly don’t hear Akio complaining.

In fact, his lustful smile in-between kisses tells me he’s more than happy for us to do this for the rest of the night but as the television screeches in an all-too familiar way and the triumphant Jurassic Park score kicks-in for the finale of the movie; we both freeze.

There’s a beat of heavy breathing and utter bewilderment before we both collapse into giggling fits, my head buried into his chest almost out of embarrassment.

“Oh man! If you came to the theme song, that’d probably have killed me!” Akio howls, his whole body shaking with laughter beneath me. Not that I’m in any better shape, quaking with laughter as I am.

“Th-The roar! If I c-came with the r-r-roar!” I offer meekly as I giggle. I sit up, still straddling his still firm dick, and wipe my face. “I don’t think I’d ever be able to w-watch the movie again w-without laughing.”

“Or getting horny! That’s why we can’t watch half my favourites any more.”

“No one is stopping you!”

“You are! When you try to jump my bones twenty minutes into Too Tired To Die!”

We both laugh uncontrollably again as I lean against his chest.

“Hahaha… Is this what living with you is going to be like?” I ask, mostly rhetorically, because this is exactly what I’ve always wanted. Love and laughter.

“Heh, I really, really hope so.” Akio leans up and gives me another kunik nose rub. “Can’t think of anything better than this.”

We share a loving gaze, touching our foreheads together, before another tender kiss.

“Come to bed with me, funny guy. The sofa is no place for what I want to do to you.” I get up from the couch, gently pulling on his arm, urging him to follow. He smirks and gets up gingerly, hobbling ever so slightly.

“You’re not going to break me, right?” He gives me a crooked smile and I only offer a devilish smirk in response, pulling him along to our bedroom and past the framed quote that Shizune gifted to us. “Hana?”

---

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” - Kahlil Gibran.

[hdkv]

[But I hope you enjoy your first night in your new home, Hanako.]

And enjoying the first night she did.

This one-shot contains a perfect amount of horniness and laughter in it. Kudos, Sharp-O!

And yes, she will definitely break him at least once in the first few months. Speaking from experience.

[Sharp-O]

Thanks, dude! It's always fun to revisit these two occasionally.

[crimeedge]

I shake the memory out of my mind as the bartender places a tumbler of whiskey in front of me. I take it in hand and scan the room as I lean against the bar. I find Hanako speaking with an older gentleman in a rather plain suit and tie with a feathered mask. It’s hardly the most lavish party but even those of us on a meagre budget managed to conjure up more than that. The plainly-dressed Misaki, on the other hand, is no where in sight which worries me no end.

one spag, should be nowhere instead of no where I think

[Sharp-O]

“Damn it…” My head tilts in my sister’s direction, ears pointed to where her annoyed grunts and muttered curses originate - a few feet behind me. I slide my suitcase to the side of the hallway, out of the immediate path of my sister as she rushes past with her own case. We’ve only just gotten back from our trip; could they really not do without her for one more night?

“Duty calls, I presume?” I sigh, equally frustrated by the demands of her firm. Footsteps approach from where Akira went and now returns.

“Yup… Sorry, Lills.” Akira laments. Dull, rapid taps on her smartphone screen. “I’ve put my case under the stairs so you don’t have to worry about it. I should only be an hour at most but I’ll take my keys just in case you want to go to bed.”

I nod sluggishly, feeling every hour of jet lag weigh on me. A hand on my shoulder, the pressure of lips on my cheek.

“Alright then. See you soon.”

“Take care, Akira. Give them hell.” I smirk in spite of my fatigue. A soft chuckle is her only response before a jacket shuffling, the door latch clicking into place, and the lock turning from the outside. I am left alone in the silence as Akira departs.

“Alexa?” I speak into the fresh silence and a subtle tone of acknowledgement chimes out from the virtual assistant that Marcus, my human assistant, was kind enough to set-up for me. Akira was never technically-minded and doesn’t like ‘the machine’ but I find her quite useful. “Please play latest messages.”

“Akira, I know you’re only just back from Japan but Donaldson’s got his knickers in a twist about the upcoming merger and I told him that you’d be jet-lagged but you kno-” Feminine voice, Scottish accent, for Akira; that’ll be Joan Glenn.

“Next.”

“Lilly, this is Marcus, hope your trip went well! Got your message about that guy from Lerwick you wanted me to look into and I’m hoping he gets back to me tomorrow. The admin from St. Dymphna also got back to me and seemed receptive to the resource exchange. Give me a bell in the morning or whenever you’re feeling less crook.” I smile at hearing the familiar voice of my friend-slash-assistant.

“Next.”

“Hi, girls!” Mum. “Just making sure you got back safe. Akira will probably have text me but you know I like to hear your voices. Let me know when you’re next free so we can go for a drink and a catch-up.” I’ll call her tomorrow, I’m sure Akira will have let her know we’re back safe already.

With my right hand on the dado rail, I pull my case forward down the hall. First door frame; living room. I pause and feel for the radiator with my leg, making sure I don’t run into it, before continuing to the next door frame; the kitchen. I’m past the stairs on the left now so I press on to the end of the hall and make a ninety degree turn to face the door of my bedroom.

It opens inwards and I pull my case from the hardwood flooring to the hard-wearing cord carpet.

A small room for a small life. Plain and simple by design and highly reflective of what my life has become. Utilitarian. Functional. Boring. I lift my case onto the bed and begin to unpack, separating things into piles for washing tomorrow as my maudlin thoughts recall how I got to this point in my life.

When I moved to Edinburgh eight years ago, I thought it would be the start of a grand adventure but all it ultimately culminated in was disappointment after disappointment. While connecting with my family was wonderful, I soon found myself floundering in a society very different to the one I was accustomed to.

I continued my studies here and graduated with marks good enough to attend college though I found it difficult to engage with the curriculum and keep up with the course work required for the teaching course. My classmates were so different to me and I, them.

While I was welcomed… I was still alien. I couldn’t quite connect with them. I limped along before barely passing with enough credits. After the experience, I decided I would try my hand at some other vocations before fully committing to teaching. A gap year, as it were.

My parents were understanding - in as much as they did not outwardly voice their disappointment to me. Not that they needed to. I felt it enough in the pit of my stomach.

My father, ever magnanimous, got me a low-level secretarial job with his company for a short time. It was useful to give me critical job experience but the nepotism of such a move did not go unnoticed. Idle gossip of how useful I could be and wicked whispers on how I might climb the ladder… My eye muscles twitch with anger at the memory.

When that became too much, I quit. Once more; my family was not outwardly critical, though their understanding and patience for another rebellious child was wearing thin. I started to feel like I did when they first left Japan. Like a burden. Akira was still there to help ease my anxiety somewhat but she couldn’t be there all the time. She worked hard while I struggled to find work at all. I suppose I would be considered something of a NEET if I were back in Japan.

My novelty eventually wore off with my extended family, I had no real friends in the city, and I was having the most awful time as I entered my twenties. I’d been mugged three times, called all manner of horribly colourful curse words by strangers, had two failed relationships with men suggested by my family and a one-night stand who stole from me the next morning.

That was the final straw that killed any enthusiasm I had for dating.

It was lonely for a long time. The monotonous daily grind of looking for work to satisfy my keepers while acting as housemaid for Akira. I was being kept and I was failing in breaking out of the rut I had found myself in. I felt trapped, alone, and scared about my future.

I thought of Hanako a lot at that time. How, as strange as it seemed, I’d come to rely on her presence and how I found purpose in being her friend, her support. She no longer needed me and now I was, ironically, in need of much the same.

We still talked, not as often as I’d have liked, but time zones were difficult to plan around for an out-of-work shut-in and an up-and-coming author trying to make-ends-meet.

Things took a turn for the better when I found out that a local authority was looking for teaching assistants. The meeting took on a whole different meaning when the woman interviewing me brought up that I was a Yamaku alumni.

The school, Cullen Academy, was part of a network of SEN schools partly funded by subsidies from the Scottish government but also by The Foundation, the Yamaku Foundation’s international arm. We talked for over an hour about my experiences there; about my role as Class Rep and how I helped my classmates, and the larger student body as part of the student council.

Given my family’s ties to The Foundation, I did suspect this stroke of luck to be a little suspect but, to my surprise, my immediate family had no idea about the position. If anything, a glowing reference came from the most unexpected of places; my cousin.

Shizune’s ascension to vice-principal of Yamaku was surprising, but not as surprising as what I discovered about her on my recent sojourn to Japan. The Sensori-Neural Relay device built by her partner, Hisao, is a marvel. I never thought I’d be able to hear her voice, let alone for her to hear mine.

I’m ashamed to admit that her overcoming her disability, as well as her close friendship with Hanako, made me somewhat jealous of the leaps-and-bounds they’ve taken in their lives while I feel like am barely getting started…

As I pick up my underwear, I trace my thumb along the silky material and drift into thoughts of something else I discovered on this trip; something about myself. While I wasn’t the only person to hook-up with a stranger at Hanako’s wedding, I think I might have been the only one who slept with a fellow Yamaku alumni, not one of Akio’s family. Even more surprisingly; it was a woman.

Molly Kapur.

I’d had the odd fantasy about sleeping with women - it’s all part of a healthy sex drive, naturally - but never imagined it would actually happen.

After our flirtation at Hanako’s hen night, I thought she was just another playful jokester, but when she sat down with me at the reception, also feeling a little lost at returning to the fold… Well, I suppose we found the companionship we were both looking for. And more, besides.

Molly was so compassionate, and confident, and… And, well, flattering… It was exhilarating to allow myself to be vulnerable with someone, even for just one evening.

I bite my lower lip with a smile as I remember what an evening it was. Allowing myself to secede control is very unlike me though I was in more than capable hands with her. Again, the her of it all sticks out in my mind. It feels so foreign and bizarre but… So right at the same time. Like the most natural thing in the world.

So what does that mean for me? Does one one-night-stand make me a bisexual? I really don’t know… More uncertainty, more self-doubt…

Still; the vivid memories of those new sensations warm my body. I remember the silky texture of her skin, the smell of black tea and incense mixed with anxious sweat, the taste of her lips and…

A shiver runs up my spine and I subconsciously crane my neck, as if to feel her nibbling my ear as our bodies press together in carnal passion. God… I wish I could just indulge myself in the memory but all I have the energy to do right now is unpack and collapse into bed.

I finish placing my dirty clothes on top of my closed hamper and roll my suitcase into the cupboard. I return to my bed and pat the bed to remind myself where my pyjamas are before I begin to undress.

“Alexa? Search for…” I stop as I unclasp my bra. I press my tongue into my cheek as I frown, thinking hard about what I’m about to do. I sigh and continue my impulsive thought. “Search latest recommended… lesbian audiobooks. Please.”

The virtual assistant lists off several titles, each sounding like the sort of Mills & Boon fare you’d expect from the genre. I slip on my pyjama shorts and lie on top of my covers, hands folded across my stomach. I have to start somewhere I suppose…

“Alexa? Purchase Courting The Countess by Jenny Frame and play.” I wait for the device to confirm the purchase then begin to play the audio book. I close my eyes and begin to listen, hoping to glean some insight into what I’m feeling.

And maybe get a little titillation as a treat.

---

A small continuation to A Spot of T... & A and an exercise for myself to see how I would write Lilly's POV. Hope you enjoyed!

[Razoredge]

I'm somehow not even surprised to see what her first action when she comes back home is that. As if it was expected, or even mandatory. Yet another great addition to your collection, Sharpy, it's a great piece, a bit short for my own liking, but who am I to judge, it's not about the quantity, but the quality, and you deliver some really good cooking, as always.

[hdkv]

Aha!

Lilly x Molly continuation sounds interesting. Hope to hear more of that duo in the future

Probably that's something that really needed for her to return back on track. At least everyone else in that puzzle variant is already settled.

[SilentM]

I want to root for Lilly x Molly, but I'm not sure they have much chance of reconnecting in Scotland, do they?

Also was that a Missing Stars reference snuck in there by any chance?

[Sharp-O]

Also was that a Missing Stars reference snuck in there by any chance?