After what felt like a 10 minute walk, we finally arrive at an apartment building at the 22nd floor. It feels more like a hotel with how expensive it all looks, but we eventually make it inside as the cool air quickly dies down as the warm interior quickly warms the both of us up.
"I'll make us something to warm us up. Is coffee okay with you?"
"Yes."
"Alright, then make yourself comfortable~"
"Thank you."
Looking around, it's quite a spacious apartment. The living room seems like it could hold 10 people easily. There's also a few doors that lead to other rooms, but I remain in the living room for now. But that is when I hear a door clicking opening next to me-
"Misa? You're back alrea-dy?"
"…"
That's when I lock eyes with the person who had just came out of that room. I immediately figure out that the girl in front of me is none other than that short haired red head that was behind the bar the last time I was at Purple Palace.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Uhm. I'm-"
"Tch, did I leave the door open? Get out before I call the cops."
"Kate. Don't worry, she's with me."
Out of nowhere, Jasmine comes around the corner, clearing up the misunderstanding.
"Misa- err, Jasmine? Who is this girl?"
"She's my proxy. She'll be staying with us tonight. It's too windy outside and I'm not about to let her catch a cold walking home."
"Wait, HUH?! You? Being a proxy?!"
"I know, I know. Just let it slide. I'm making coffee, you want some as well?"
"Y-yeah, but wait! What happened to your face!"
In no time at all, Kate steps up to examine Jasmine's face, cupping her face in between her hands.
"Did some asshole do this to you?"
"Fufu. Don't worry. Just a little accident. It's why I'm here early."
"Haah~ It better be."
With Jasmine now taken care of, Kate looks back towards me as her sharp eyes stare daggers into me.
"Tch. Alright. Just don't make too much noise."
With that, she goes back into her room, leaving Jasmine and I alone.
"Is that the girl from the bar?"
"Yes. Sorry. She seems scary, but she's... quite nice, trust me."
I'm not sure about that… From the look she just gave me, it seemed like she was about to throw me out at any moment.
"Ah, I guess I should tell you. The bathroom is just behind that door, and the room behind that open door is my room."
"So, the two of you live together?"
"Mhmm. It's too expensive paying rent alone, so we split it."
I guess that makes sense considering how nice this place looks. Even the kitchen I see here is quite luxurious, maybe even on par with Midori's dad's place.
"So, how many sugars do you take with your coffee?"
"Maybe two?"
"What about milk?"
"Yes please."
"Hehe. Coming right up~"
She goes back to the kitchen close by as I finally move in deeper inside the living room, taking a seat on the couch. The leather feels quite durable, could it be made from actual leather? But despite it's durability, it feels incredibly soft… Maybe it's fake leather then? Even still, this feel very high class.
My eyes slowly drift back towards the kitchen as I think back at the time when we were in the Purple Palace… I find myself putting my fingers to my lips as I recall her pushing me down. Kai had never done something like that to me before. Our kisses were normally short and sweet, but that kiss with Jasmine… I didn't even know they could be that intense... Kai's never used his tongue before… Is that what actual kisses are like?
"Here we are~"
"Ah- Th-that was fast."
Before I realized it, Jasmine returns with two cups of coffee.
"Well it's only instant coffee. Doesn't take too long. Don't want us waiting around longer to warm up."
"Then, what about, Kate?"
"Oh she's fine. I'll make her coffee before I go to bed. She's working night shift today."
"So that's why she was like that."
"Hmm? Oh, fufu. Nah, she's always like that. Well at least when she's not working."
"You still seem the same though?"
"Well that's 'cause I always keep my mask on. I guess I'm just used to it at this point."
Could her "mask" have slipped when I asked her about why she's working at the Purple Palace? I recall seeing her face being quite awkward during that time. I guess I can sort of relate to her a bit. I try and keep up my "normal" image around Midori, meanwhile my parents seems to be edging closer and closer to divorce. I know my dad loves my mom, but sometimes it just doesn't seem like it's the case the other way around with how many times she goes at him like that...
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"I know that look. What's up?"
"Just thinking about my parents."
"Ahh~ Well I say fuck em'. If they don't want to support your dream. Parents are meant to be a support, not a prison."
"…"
Again, that mask slipped off, albeit it briefly...
"Ah, sorry, haha. Forget I said that."
"It's okay."
After finishing our coffee, we chat for a bit before Jasmine escorts me to her room. There's a balcony attached to it, kind of like Luna's apartment, only this is much more spacious, and the bed seems quite big as well.
"I'll see if I have any clothes for you to change into. Give me a sec."
I watch as she goes through her wardrobe, sorting though many dresses that all look to be stupidly expensive until she finds a set of what looks to be sleep wear.
"Yeah, these should do. We have the same build so it should fit."
"Thank you."
"You can go in the shower first. I'm going to sort some things out here first."
"Okay."
Inside the shower, I notice even more things that are high class. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to even turn on the damn shower.
The pressure from the shower is also on a whole other level as it feels like it's digging into my scalp, washing away all the stress that had been accumulating from before; back in Purple Palace.
"Misa…"
That's her real name, right? Kate said it earlier before she realized, but it feels like knowing each other's real names is forbidden. Sure I might've accidentally leaked my actual name to her, but does that mean it's okay to call her by her real name? Also what is the relationship between her and Kate? From the looks of it it seems like they're just roommates, but the way Jas- Misa kissed me… It felt like she'd done it before, multiple times even. Are those two maybe a thing? Just thinking that makes me feel like I shouldn't be here and I'm actually beginning to understand why Kate seems displeased with me being here…
"Haaaaaaa~"
What a night…
After leaving the shower, Misa went to take her shower as I sat on the bed inside her room.
Looking around, it doesn't feel like it's been stayed in much. Like, it doesn't feel like I'm in anyone's bedroom, but more so that it's "just" a bedroom. It's not like Midori's where it's filled with plushies and other cute things, or mine with clothes all over the ground. This room feel… "too" clean, almost uncomfortably so. Maybe they recently moved into this place?
"-Paaah~ All done."
In no time at all, Misa returns to the bedroom. Her robe barely done up as a lot of skin is exposed. However I was more focused on her hair. It was braided before, so see her hair down like this…
"Nicole?"
"Sorry. I just thought you look nice with your hair down."
"Oh? You think? Kate thinks that having it in a braid is better."
"Pfft."
"What? Did I say something?"
"I just thought it's funny coming from a girl with short hair."
"...Fufufuu, I guess you're right… Haaaaah~"
She takes a seat beside me as she finished towel drying her hair. I really didn't notice with her hair in a braid, but her hair really is long. Might even be as long as Luna's, reaching all the way down her back. I like to keep my hair a bit shorter, around halfway down my back as any more than that and it just feels like a workout to maintain.
"Hey uhm… Misa?"
"Oh? Where did you learn that name?"
"From Kate earlier."
"Fufu, well I guess you're fine. Just don't call me that when at work."
"Okay."
"So? What did you wanna say?"
"Did you want a hand?"
"Oh? I don't think I've ever had someone offer before."
"Is that a no?"
"Nope! Go for it!"
She quickly turns around, letting me take control as I slowly, one section at a time, gently dry Misa's hair.
"Mmmmm~ Feels nice~"
"Thanks."
"You've done this before?"
"For my younger sister, yeah."
"Fufu. What a lucky sister you have."
Feeling her hair in between my fingers, I end up zoning out, gazing into the endless strands, trying to find any potential knots, but I don't find anything as I continue drying her hair.
"Do you maybe have a hairdryer?"
"We do, but Kate's asleep. I'm not about to disturb the dragon's nest."
"Hehe."
After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to dry her hair as she immediately examines it.
"Wowww~ You did amazing!"
"It's not much."
"Pffu-fufu. If you're not careful I might not let you leave, haha."
Why do I feel like maybe that's something that she'd actually do? Is that maybe how Kate wound up living with her?
"So! I didn't explain it, but you'll have to sleep with me. Is that alright?"
"Oh, I can just-"
"You're not sleeping on that couch, ew."
Wait, what's wrong with the couch? When I sat on it, it felt arguably as comfortable if not better than my own bed.
"Really, I can sleep on it-"
"I said no. The couch is off limits."
"O-okay?"
"Sorry. Just that I have... lets say a bit of a history with that couch. It'd feel weird having you sleep on it is all."
"What kind of history?"
"Ah-haha. Maybe another time for that. For now though just sleep with me. There's plenty of room anyways."
Conceding, we end up laying down in the bed together, with Misa now turning off the lights, with the only light being the moonlight through the cracks of the curtains.
"You warm enough?"
"Mhmm."
I actually think it's honestly pretty hot if I'm honest, but I don't bother saying anything. It's not like it's that bad. I might end up kicking the blanket off at some point which I'm a bit afraid of. The only other people I've shared a bed with would be Midori and my siblings, but this might be the first time in quite a while. I was hoping that I'd get to this point with Kai, but-
"Hey, Nicole."
"Yes?"
"...Are you sure you want to work at that place?"
"…Yes."
"It's dangerous you know? What I did to you is only putting it lightly, like I said."
"But didn't you also say that you'd make sure that I don't get into any trouble?"
"...You got me there."
It's clear now that Misa really doesn't want me there, which only makes me feel like she's actually a nice person unlike what she says about herself.
"...Alright. But promise me you'll do exactly what I say, okay?"
"Mmn. I promise."
"Good."
She smiles briefly at me before continuing.
"So then tomorrow will be your first day. We need to come up with a name for you. You thought of any?"
"Uhm… Not really. I've always just been called Nicole, so I've never really thought about it."
"Hmmmm. Then do you have a name that you like the sound of? Maybe something that is special to you?"
"Special?"
The only names that come to mind are my family names and my friend's names. But just thinking about taking one of their names to be used in a place like that is a bit weird.
"Could even be something like your favourite drink, or maybe scent? Anything really. Maybe flowers?"
"Well, I like melon soda?"
"Oh? I'm not a big fan of soda personally, but hmmm. Maybe we could start with Mel? Oh! Maybe Mellie?"
"Pfft, that sounds a bit-"
"Oh oh! How about Millie instead!"
"Huh… Maybe?"
Millie… Sounds pretty cute. It's a fake name anyways so I shouldn't worry too much about it.
"Not good? Then maybe-"
"No. I like it. Millie is good."
"Hmmm? Alright, then you are now hereby, Millie."
"Heh. Did you really need to sound so formal for that?"
"I think it was appropriate. It's your naming day, fufu."
Millie huh…
"Then how did you come up with your name? Jasmine."
"You couldn't tell? It's the perfume I wear. Jasmine scented."
Hearing this, I reflexively end up sniffing the air around her."
"Fufufu. It's washed off now, silly. Wait, here-"
She then leaned over the bed, reaching out towards the bedside table to pick up what I imagine is the perfume in question. She ends up spraying once in the air around us as I once again end up sniffing it in. The smell immediately fills my lungs as the familiar, sweet scent that I smelled from the Purple Palace fills my lungs. It's almost intoxicatingly sweet as I feel like I could breathe this in forever.
"You remember it now?"
"Yes. It smells amazing."
"Fufu. I'm glad."
She puts the perfume back on the bedside table before getting back into a comfy position. I also end up doing the same as the smell lingering in the air quickly relaxes me.
"The name also represent my hair. You see, Jasmine flowers are white, representing purity, so I have this piece of hair dyed so."
It's then that Jasmine took out a piece of her hair; her side bangs. Just like she said, it's white like snow, kind of like Luna's hair colour, except the rest of Misa's hair is all black.
"Pretty..."
"Mmmm~ Fufu, alright, let's get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow."
"Thank you again for letting me stay."
"You're welcome."
Misa smiles before closing her eyes. I was about to do the same until I realize I haven't messaged my parents yet. They're usually lenient with me staying at my friends'. Thinking so, I quickly lean over to my bedside table where I put my phone and my other belonging next to it, facing my back towards Misa. Finding my phone, I quickly send a message to my parents, saying that I'm okay and getting some sleep. I also end up checking up on Midori, sending her a sleeping cat emoji.
"Mmmmm~"
"Eh?"
But that's when I feel my body being pulled into something warm as I quickly realize that Misa is now hugging me from behind.
"M-Misa?"
"…"
No response… Is she asleep?
"Fu...fufufuu~"
Wait, she's giggling now? What is she, a child? But that is when she tightens her hold around me as I feel her body pressing tightly against my back as a soft sensation pressing against me. Also the way she's holding me… Isn't it kind of lewd? One of her hands is literally on one of my breasts. I try to gently move her hand down, but-
"Eep!"
That only seemed it have made things worse as she proceeds to tighten her hold on me even more, digging her fingers deeper into my breast. I quickly forget trying to move her hand.
"M-Misa. Your hand."
"Mmmm~ Fufufufuu."
"...Haahhh~"
Well, at least she loosened her grip a bit. I guess it's fine. My sister used to do this every now and again when I slept with her, but this is totally different, right?
"Aaa-aahmmnn~"
"Hnng!"
I spoke too soon. Is she seriously sucking on my neck? Right as I thought so, I feel a tingling feeling shooting up my spine as I feel something wet and slimy gliding around the same place. Is that her tongue? Just as I thought it couldn't get any worse, I feel a sharp pain stab into my neck, sending a jolt through my whole body.
"Misa!"
"Mm-mmm…"
Huh? Wait, that seemed to have made her stop. Well, she's still holding me tightly, but at least she calmed down on my neck... Breathing a sigh of relief, I end up putting my phone down as I try and close my eyes, trying to get some sleep. Jeez… I didn't know what to expect, but this? I just hope I can sleep in one piece…
"...It really does smell nice though."