Aftertaste

Christmas has always been one of the most awaited holidays all over the world. As if it was the beginning of a new period of life, it made people expect miracles out of thin air and fulfillment of all wishes. And even if someone says, "I don't believe in such nonsense," in the back of his mind he has a hope for a fairy tale that is bound to happen on Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas. Hitomi was no exception. Lying on her bed in the darkness of the winter night, she was going over the memories of the year that was soon to end. Life had thrown up a lot of unexpected surprises, especially after entering Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College. But the main surprise that surprised the girl the most was love. And not with anyone, but with her classmate Fushiguro Megumi. She had never expected to fall in love with someone, but he was caring, fair, calm and good-looking - Fukkatsu didn't deny her feelings to herself. But was the love mutual? That was something the girl didn't know. Even though Christmas didn't start until tomorrow, there was no reason to start the party today - that was the reasoning of the sophomores and they had brought a couple of bottles of rather strong drinks that burned pleasantly in the throat, spreading warmth all over the body. Hitomi kept up with the crowd and tried some too - the champagne tasted sweet, a little sour, not bad really, but it was too early to get into that at sixteen. The college students dispersed at twelve, hiding their bottles properly so that some sensei or headmaster wouldn't find evidence of trespassers. A vibration near her ear brought her out of her thoughts - a new notification had arrived on her phone. Hitomi looked at the lock screen - a message from Megumi. She immediately opened the chat room and began to run her eyes over the lines: "It's exactly three o'clock on Christmas Eve night. Isn't it scary?", - that's it, the content of the strange message. She quickly typed, "Christmas night, I don't think there's anything to be afraid of. The answer came after a while, and it completely confused Fukkatsu: "According to tradition, God is celebrating and not wafhing what is haplening on earth, so all the sins done now will not be counted, and the darm forces are unattended." "Come on, I know you don't believe in such things," Hitomi even grinned at the serious and skeptical Fushiguro. "I'm not scared, it's jst that people are afraid, and fear, as you know, is what makfs curses are born" "I don't think many people know that legend. Japan doesn't believe in Jesus, does it?" "What about other countriws? Ot is that no longer our provlem?" You're not hitting the keyboard?", Hitomi only now noticed how many typos the guy was making. "You have Freddm Krueger in your closet," came a message from Fushiguro. Hitomi froze for a second, but then, shuddering, realized it was obvious humor. It wasn't the maniac in the closet that was more frightening, but the fact that Megumi was joking. You're not hitting the keyboard?", Hitomi only now noticed how many typos the guy was making. "You have Freddm Krueger in your closet," came a message from Fushiguro. Hitomi froze for a second, but then, shuddering, realized it was obvious humor. It wasn't the maniac in the closet that was more frightening, but the fact that Megumi was joking. Seconds later, another text came through from the guy, "I was kidding." "Very funny..." - she just wrote, obviously sarcastically. "Come on... I know you re not that stupid," Megumi typoed again. "Wgat presents have you preaared?" - He quickly switched off topic, Hitomi didn't even have time to reply anything to the, to put it mildly, strange past message. "It's a secret," Fukkatsu wrote meaningfully, satisfied with her cryptic reply. Although Megumi's behavior was more mysterious. "The best gift is yourself." Hitomi froze in front of the keyboard, rereading and re-reading the sentence. She even started rubbing her eyes already, the girl suspected this was a dream, but no. This was real life. "You're delusional... I think I have a clue what's wrong. Please go to bed," Fukkatsu wrote with shaky, excited hands. "I wss asleep. This morning and last nighrt. You better come to my plafe, well hav je fun," Megumi replied. "In twos," he also added. "There's obviously something wrong with you, you're always straightforward, sure, but not that straightforward...Are you feeling okay?" apparently Fushiguro had overdone the alcohol inexperience and now Hitomi would have to answer for it. "I seem to be fine. Are you commming over?" the boy was still insistent. Fukkatsu didn't know what to do in this case. If she didn't come, then Fushiguro might do something in this state.... And if she comes, then... She didn't know what would happen. After deciding on an answer, she wrote, "I'll be there. I'll just stop by the teacher's building on my way." "No dont... why?" "How much did you drink?", Fukkatsu decided to clarify. Clearly more than she had. "I didn't drinl." "Don't fuck with me," the girl texted, already on edge. "Don't swear.#.. don't defile your pretty mouth," Fushiguro went on and on. "I'll send you far away, honored one," she wrote, already putting on her jacket. Needed to hurry so, she threw it on right over her pajamas. I'll send you away, sir," she wrote as she put on her jacket. She had to hurry, so she threw it on over her pajamas. "Let me send you better ... Fuck you, but only mine." "Mark my words, tomorrow you'll reread this and blush. You'll blush like hell."

***

"We're at the door, open up, you wretched man," Hitomi texted, standing at the threshold of Fushiguro's room. "Who are we, are you with Gojo?", Megumi seemed to be hoping the girl would come alone. "I thought you were coming alone... Alright then, you'll answer for such a prank tomorrow. I promise I'll spank you like a dirty bitch," he added, killing Hitomi completely. Her knees were already starting to buckle from this kind of message, but she held on. A noise was heard in the room, and the lock began to gently open. The door swung open abruptly and Fushiguro Megumi himself appeared on the threshold. - Oh, you're without adults after all? - Fushiguro leaned on the doorjamb, for it was difficult to stand - legs are not a support for drunk people. Yes, Fukkatsu was alone. None of the older ones had opened the door - either they were asleep or busy with something more interesting. Now I'd have to manage without help. - As you can see, - Hitomi glared menacingly into eyes darkened by a heavy dose of alcohol. She's not going to give up her position. Her task is to put this idiot to bed without consequences, and quickly return to her room before half of the college. - Come in," Fushiguro grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her into the room in one motion - there was clearly nothing to do on the doorstep. The room was dark, the only light was the laptop screen on the table. A cold chill ran down my spine - the window was open wide, the tulle gently blowing in the wind. - What should we do first? Watch a movie as usual? - Megumi tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind his ear. - Only this time it's my choice. I won't disappoint you, I promise," he said quietly and languidly, then grinned. It wasn't hard to guess what he wanted to offer the girl to look at. It was getting harder and harder to keep my temper in check. - A movie is not a good idea right now," the girl said sternly, trying to keep her breathing steady. - Why don't you try to remember how much you drank? And finally go to bed! - Can we deal with this a little later? - Fushiguro was clearly not going to back down. Sitting Hitomi down abruptly on the bed, his long fingers slid under her t-shirt. - You didn't come here for a trial, did you? Fukkatsu shuddered, whether from the tingling sensations on her skin or from fear and surprise. - Actually, I was worried about you! - She hadn't expected such honesty herself. Words didn't linger inside, and neither did feelings, but you can't give it a chance right now. Even though Hitomi had pondered this more than once and even more... And if you take even the fact that she wanted to try it with him specifically... It's still wrong. It's like this. - To me... I'm fine, see? - said the guy slurred and a little sleepy. - You have nothing to worry about. Relax, sweetheart," Fushiguro shortened the distance between their faces even more. He was eager to receive a kiss from the girl. Hitomi turned away from the guy, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks, but it wasn't noticeable in the darkness, which couldn't be helped. Though, Fushiguro didn't care about that right now. He was a little surprised by the gesture, but he kissed the girl on the temple. - Megumi, please... - she didn't finish the sentence, she just didn't know what to say or if she should say anything at all. Hitomi turned her head back and faced Fushiguro's attentive and languid gaze. He was interested in her reaction, but clearly didn't see that the girl was uncomfortable, that she didn't know how to respond. When you can't and it's wrong, but you want to. Megumi's hand gently and slowly began to slide down the girl's leg, from knee to thigh and went a little further, to the more interesting parts of the delicate body. - No, wait - Hitomi grabbed the guy's face with both hands, gently, stroking his cheek. The girl faced the drunken and glittering gaze of blue eyes that looked even more mysterious in the darkness. - Megumi, I love you, but I don't want this right now. The guy froze, his gaze became clearer and brighter, a fleeting look of surprise could be seen on his face, but it quickly disappeared. A soft smile appeared on Fushiguro's face, and he slowly removed his hand and placed it on Hitomi's cheek. It seemed as if he had been sobered by the phrase the girl had thrown at him. Abruptly Fukkatsu's lips were covered in a kiss, but it was soft, very careful, it couldn't be called vulgar. Her breathing slowly evened out and the girl was able to respond to Megumi. He smelled of sweet champagne, which was the reason Hitomi was here. Burrowing into his dark and soft hair, she finally allowed herself to relax and not hold back the tender feelings. - Are you going to go to bed n ow? - She asked, pulling away from the soft lips for a second. - Only if you stay with me. Preferably forever.