Back in Luna's apartment-
"She kissed you?!"
"Nn…"
With Reina and I cleaning up after dinner, I ended up speaking up about what happened the other day with Midori… I didn't talk about it yesterday since I didn't think too much of it, but all of today, Midori hasn't been answering my texts or calls. So I ended up talking to Reina about it, seeking some kind of help with what had happened.
"I didn't think much of it, but Midori's been ignoring me all day."
"…And she kissed you on… the lips?"
"Yeah. It's not the first time she's kissed me, but this would be the first on the lips."
"Oh? I didn't know you two were 'that' close."
"What do you mea-mm?"
Before I could finish my sentence, Reina cuts me off with her own lips just as I was rinsing off another plate. All my thoughts focused on Reina as I feel the softness from her lips, completely different to the kiss that Midori gave. And a few moments later, Reina pulls away.
"Fufu. Sorry. I felt like I needed to overwrite it, hehe."
"Pfft."
Hearing Reina make light about this does make me feel a bit better. Maybe I'm just overreacting.
"So? How do I compare?"
"Hmm?"
"Midori, or me?"
"Ah- well. It all happened so fast, but yours feel a lot softer."
"Hehe."
I know that it's probably due to Midori and I practicing our speech for hours on end. My lips were also dry so it honestly could've been because both our lips were dry. It might not be a fair comparison… wait-
"Wait… why do you care about that?"
I couldn't help but ask what suddenly popped into mind.
"Mmmm~ Nothing, really. I was just curious since we've been away from each other for so long. I was wondering whether it felt good or not…"
"Then what do you think?"
"M-mm?"
It's now my turn as I lean in closer, dishes still in hand as I press my lips gently against Reina's. It took her only but a moment to relax as we both close our eyes, as if to focus solely on our lips. I found myself freeing up one of my hands, letting a plate drop into the sink in order to hold Reina by her shoulder, as if to somehow get even more of this feeling, but-
"Mmm…"
"Hmm?"
I break away from the kiss as I feel Reina's lips tighten up.
"It's still a bit sensitive..."
Ah, right. Her wound is mostly healed, but I guess ever since then, Reina's grown quite sensitive here…
"...Can I see?"
Without saying anything, Reina unbuttons her shirt to expose her collarbone, along with her cleavage before shifting her shirt off her shoulder, revealing her now scarred wound. Just the sight of her like this felt like something had grabbed hold of my chest and tightened it's hold around it…
"Sis?"
"Mmmm-"
"Hnngh!"
"Hehe."
I wound up leaning forward planting my lips on the scar that has formed on her shoulder. I couldn't help but giggle as I feel Reina's body tighten up around me.
"Hnng~ S-sis. We need to finish up-"
"Mmwah- so you want me to stop?"
"N… no. But the dishes."
"Heh. Alright."
We cut it there as we finish cleaning up around the house. We decided to skip the bath tonight and decide to stick with showers for tonight; despite how much I want to be in a bath with Reina right now.
Suddenly, as I'm waiting for Reina in the shower, my phone rings as I quickly pick it up, hoping to be from Midori. But the moment I read the caller, my nerves quickly fade as I go to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Luna~ How's everything going?"
"Good. I just looked at Reina's wound and it's properly scarred up now."
"So it did scar… That's unfortunate…"
"We nearly finished the antibiotics you gave us, but it should be fine, right?"
"Mhmm! Just finish the course of medication properly, okay?"
"Got it."
It's always nice hearing from Mei like this. It really does hammer home the thought that she really is part of the family.
"So? What about you and my brother? How's things with you two?"
"I don't think this is the kind of discussion you should be having with your school nurse, haha."
"I'm not. This is a conversation with my sister in-law."
"H-hey~!"
"Hehe. So? How are things?"
"Well… He's still fulfilling his contract at another school. He said he'll be back maybe when the new years starts? I'm hoping he comes back before Christmas though..."
With Reina now with me, I can't help but miss my brother. He's the one that sparked some hope when I first reunited with him when he was our substitute teacher, so for him to be out like this just feels wrong… That said-
"You think you can handle him being gone for that long?"
"It's not 'that' long, hehe. Plus we still call every night so it's not too bad."
"Oh? Every night? What do you two normally talk about?"
"Ah- ahahahaa~ Well~ You know, just chatting."
"And you and my brother seriously aren't dating?"
"...Haaaah~ Well, now that things are beginning to settle, maybe I could finally make my move, but shouldn't the guys make the move first?"
"How should I know? I've never dated a guy before."
"Pfft-hehehe. Even with all those boys from school inviting you out?"
"Wait, you knew about that?"
"The nurse's office has a window you know. I saw a couple of times when you were confessed to."
I'm now glad that we're talking over the phone instead of in person. I can tell that my face is already burning up from embarrassment.
"Th-that's 'cause I was too busy trying to find my family…"
"Fufufu. You and your brother are like two peas in a pod. He said the same thing."
Wait… maybe I could ask Mei about what happened with Midori? Reina helped calm me down, but Mei surely has more experience in these matters…
"...About what you said."
"Hmm?"
"About 'making a move.' What would that be like?"
Talking with Mei like this made me think back during my practice speech with Midori… It kind of felt like she was making some sort of move as it was quite unexpected, but I'd like to hear Mei's opinion before I jump to conclusions.
"I'm not sure I feel comfortable telling you, hehe. But I guess maybe asking someone out on a date? But if we're 'really' talking about making a move, it'd have to be a surprise kiss."
"...A surprise kiss?"
I can't help but hesitate with my words upon hearing that...
"Yeah. Like maybe you're hanging out and you want to leave things off with a bang, you know?"
"...I-"
"Sis~ The shower's ready for you."
Suddenly coming out of the bathroom, Reina joins the conversation, wrapped up in a towel as her still damp hair reaches all the way down to her hips.
"Oh? Is that Reina? Are you two busy?"
"Ah- yeah. I'm about to shower."
"Oh oh! Then put Reina on the phone! I still feel like I need to get on her good side, hehe."
"Pfft. Alright."
Pulling the phone away from my ears, I hand the phone to Reina as she grabs it with a confused expression.
"It's Mei. She wants to talk with you while I shower."
"Okay?"
Reina's view-
Seeing sis off like that makes me feel a bit disappointed for some reason. Like something just pinched my chest or something. I know it's bad to use too much water, having baths every night, but after what we did before when cleaning up… Haaaah~ I don't know…
"H-hello?"
"Reina? Is that you?"
"Mm."
"Fufu. You two sound so much alike, but your tone is so much softer than your sister's."
"Well, we are twins after all."
"How's your arm? Luna said that it's scarring up?"
"Y-yeah…"
I really don't like how it's scarred up, but with how pale my skin is, the scar isn't too visible. That said I felt a bit awkward when sis pointed it out… before she went and kissed it…
"Hopefully it'll fade in time. Don't let it bother you too much, okay?"
"Mm… What were you and sis talking about before?"
"Oh? Ah-haha, well we were just talking about romance stuff. Luna wanting me to hurry up and get with your brother, hehe."
"Hmmm? Does this have something to do with that surprise kiss you were talking about?"
"Ah, you heard that? She asked what would constitute as 'making a move.' So I gave her a few examples. Although I feel like I'm gonna have to be the one to do that at this point, heheh."
Surprise kiss… So sis is still hung up about what happened with Midori?
"…"
There it is again… that stinging, pinching pain in my chest. Is it 'cause of sis being in trouble? Maybe it'd be better if I talk with Midori myself?
"Reina?"
"Hmm? Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about something."
"Fufufu. You two both quieted down when I brought that up."
"Huh?"
"Mhmm. Luna went quiet until you joined in. I'm still wondering if something happened. Do you know anything? She said she isn't seeing anyone, but I'm curious."
"...No. Nothing happened."
I was about to tell the truth, but that pain came back to bite me, as if to silence my words…
"Hmmm~ Then maybe she could actually be interested in someone?"
"Sorry, Mei. I need to... do something."
"Oh- okay~ I'll check up on you girls next weekend!"
"Mm. Thanks."
I end the call there as I find myself looking back towards the bathroom.
("-maybe she could be interested in someone?")
Mei's words replay in my head, followed by that same uncomfortable feeling… Before I knew it, I was walking back into the bathroom.
Walking inside, I can see sis still in the shower, and the steam from the inside clouds most of the surroundings. We've always loved hot showers like this even back when we were kids.
"…"
"Hmm? Reina? Did you need something?"
"…"
I try and say something, but the words don't come out, almost as if they're stuck in the back of my throat, almost suffocating in a way. My legs however continue to move as I move closer to the shower; to sis.
"H-hey. Your towel will get-"
I drop my towel onto the ground before walking into the shower, as the steam grows much more thicker, engulfing me. I thought being close would make this feeling go away, but it's still stabbing me inside…
"...Sis."
"Yeah- mm?"
So, I do what would normally calm me down, locking my lips with sis, and just like all the other times, the pain quickly fades away as my thoughts slowly grow clearer.
"R-Reina? What's wrong?
Sis sure is perceptive. Could she feel that I was distressed?
"...Sis. Do you... like Midori?"
"H-huh? What do you mean?"
"Did you like it when she kissed you? Do you like hanging out with her? Do you... like her?"
My thoughts quickly turn into words as I hold sis by her arms. The steaming hot water from the shower head, pouring over the both of us.
"...I do like hanging out with her, and I do like her, she's my best friend. But to say that I liked the kiss?"
"…"
"I'm… I'm not sure…"
Hearing sis' words brings upon a whole new feeling inside, as if my lungs are being squeezed, making it hard to breathe…
"...What kind of like?"
My mouth opens on it's own as I cast my eyes down. That's when I notice once again just how toned sis' body is. All her muscles are clearly defined unlike mine… Looking at my own body in comparison, I feel almost pathetic, but- she did call me beautiful back when we showed our bodies to each other… Before I knew it, I began caressing sis' body, gliding my fingers down her abdomen.
"…I don't know what you-"
"Has Midori seen you like this?"
"Huh? N-no. She hasn't. W-well, we share PE class together so she's seen me in my underwear, but seriously, what's wrong?"
"I don't know! I just-!"
Pushing my body against sis, I end up pushing both of us against the shower wall by accident.
"S-sorry… I just… don't want to be separated again."
"Reina… I promise, we'll always be together."
Finally, sis wraps her arms around me, pulling me into an embrace as her words, drowning out the sound of the shower, soothes my nerves.
"Midori won't change that. She's just a friend. I'm still trying to figure out what that kiss was myself."
"...You promise?"
"Hehe. I promise."
For a while, we stay in the just like this, in each other's arms. Despite the shower being so hot, the warmth coming from sis right now feels much warmer, seeping deep inside me, melting away all that pain that was there previously.
"I love you, sis."
"Nn. Love you too, Reina."
We share another kiss, as if to reaffirm our words. However, the moment we part, expecting for that pain inside me to be completely gone, a different kind of feeling rises inside of me, gradually heating up… Maybe I've just been in the shower for too long…
"...I'll let you finish washing up. I'll get the hair dryer ready for us."
"Nn. I'll be out soon."
However, even after stepping out of the bathroom, that new, hot feeling inside me refuses to leave…
Once sis came out, we both began drying each other's hair, starting with sis drying mine before I dry hers. I should be happy about this, but my mind is still focused on what's wrong with me… It's been 10 minutes since coming back out of the bathroom and if anything, my skin feels cold, so why do I feel strangely hot?
"Reina? You okay?"
"I-I'm fine!"
"You don't look fine. Your face is a bit red."
"Well I just came out of the shower, so…"
I know that it doesn't make sense. Looking at sis, her face is completely normal despite her being the one that just came out… Seriously, what is wrong with me?
"Eh?"
It's then that sis brought her palm against my forehead as I end up closing my eyes in response.
"You're burning up…"
"Like I said, I just got out of the sh-"
Suddenly, sis takes her hand away as she instead brings her own forehead to my own, our eyes now locked onto one another as I finally understand just how different our temperatures are. Sis' forehead feels so cool… but comforting...
"No. Something definitely isn't right. You're sweating as well..."
I could see the panic in sis' eyes as she said that as she quickly gets up from the couch.
"Lay down. I'll quickly grab some things."
"O-okay…"
Meanwhile in Midori's place-
Luna: "Text me back when you can."
I can't believe I did that to Luna… but how a I meant to respond? She'll want to talk about why I did that, but I don't think I can even say a word! Instead, I've just been laying down like this, staring at our message history… I tried to call Nicole, but she also hasn't answered. She did say that she found herself a job so I guess it makes sense…
"School's tomorrow…"
Why did I have to do that when we still have a few more weeks of school left? Why did I do this before my big speech? How can I even stand up on stage next to Luna?
"HNNNNG!!!!"
I really screwed up!!!
"Ah!"
Suddenly, my phone buzzes as a call from Nicole lights up.
"Hello?"
"Sorry I couldn't answer your calls. I was… busy."
"With work?"
"Yeah. I just got home."
"Wait, you only just now got home? It's like 9pm."
"Well… something came up is all. It's okay, don't worry about it."
Nicole seems fine, so I guess I shouldn't worry too much… Wait! But now that I'm talking with Nicole-!
"I kissed Luna."
"...Huh? Wait, sorry can you repeat that?"
"I kissed Luna!"
I bury my head back into my pillow with my phone still at my ear.
"What? Wait, seriously? Congratulations!"
"-bwuh we're nawt dating…"
"Oi, I can't understand you when you got your head in the pillow."
"Hah~ But we're not dating"
I sit up properly this time, having vented enough of my frustrations.
"Wait, so then you just kissed her? Wait, was it on the cheek like-"
"No, I… kissed her on… the lips."
"Woah… you move fast."
"I don't know what to do!"
"How did she react?"
"I don't know! I ran away after I did it…"
"...Pfft- fufufufu. Yeah! I can totally see you doing that, hahaha!"
"I haven't talked with her all day today and we have school tomorrow… How am I meant to face her?"
"Wait, seriously? You're leaving her hanging like that? Have you two at least texted since then?"
"N...no… I can't bring myself to text her back. I'm not sure what to even say."
"Haaah~ You're such a handful, you know that?"
"Nicole~ Please. I really need your help."
"Hey, it's not like I've ever done something like that with… a girl…"
"Huh?"
"B-but I feel like the same applies! Maybe just wait until tomorrow and go from there? If Luna seems to be fine, then maybe just act normal?"
"...Okay, I'll try."
"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow! I need to go to bed now. My parents are pretty mad at me, haha."
"Alright… Thank you, Nicole."
"Y-yeah… Goodnight."
After hanging up, I end up laying back down, staring up into the ceiling for a few moments… I know that Nicole said to try and act normal tomorrow, but why do I feel like calling in sick tomorrow… How am I meant to act normal after what I did?