Smilebringer

“You, you should be asking if Chika-chan wants to hang out with you first.”

Chika looks up to You’s mother who always stood with a kind and knowledgeable expression. Chika remembers her manners then and quickly greets her.

You’s mother smiles at Chika as she ruffles You’s hair.

You looked from her mother to Chika before holding Chika’s hand a little firmer. “Ah, Chika-chan, do you want to come over to my house to play? Can you?”

Chika nods, already looking forward to playing with You even before she got permission from an adult. Just then, Chika’s mother and older sisters came over.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Watanabe.” Chika’s mother greets, her daughters echoing it.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Takami. How is everything?” You’s mother bows slightly while You twisted on the spot to smile at the entire Takami Family.

“Can Chika-chan play at my house today, Mrs. Takami?” You asked loud and hopeful.

Chika nods rapidly beside You. “Can I?”

“Why, of course. What time should I come pick up my rambunctious girl, Mrs. Watanabe?” Chika’s mother chuckles.

You’s mother joins in the laughter. “Oh, your daughter isn’t as wild as you think. Has she jumped into the ocean when told specifically not to? Also, you can join for dinner if you like. Shima-chan and Mito-chan too.”

“Oh no. But I hear You-chan could swim since she was one year old, no?”

“Even so!” You’s mother shook her head, exhaling a laugh as she remembered rushing over into the waters to get her three-year-old out of the ocean.

“I’ll take you up on the dinner offer this time. But next time, you and You-chan should eat at ours.” Chika’s mother glances over at her daughter whispering loudly into You’s ear about what she has been up to earlier.

“Alright then. Ready to go, kids?” You’s mother asks, and as expected, You and Chika jump up and down, hand in hand, all smiles.

~

“Check this out, Chika-chan! My dad taught me how to make a blanket fort just the other day. And, and I couldn’t wait to make one with you too.” You rambles on as she struggles to pull the spare, heavy blankets off her bed and out into the living room again.

Chika goes over to help, exchanging a twinkling smile with You.

“We also need something big and sturdy, like, chairs. That’s what my dad used.” You starts trying to drag a wooden chair over but let’s go when she hears a tut.

“What did I tell you about moving heavy furniture, You?” You’s mother wore a serious expression, hiding the mirth in her eyes.

You lowers her head and apologizes. “That I should find an adult to do it…”

“Exactly.”

“But, I just wanted to show Chika-chan what I learnt…”

“You can build the entire blanket fort on your own next time when you are taller. For now?”

“I’ll ask for an adult to help…” You mumbles.

Chika takes You’s hand and squeezes them, bending down to catch You’s eyes. “You’re showing me how to build the blanket fort even with Mrs. Watanabe’s help!”

You’s little smile made Chika smile wider. And the three of them propped the blanket over two wooden chairs together – in which You’s mother does all the heavy lifting, while You instructed where it goes, and both You and Chika tugging the blanket ends to “make it perfect”. They eagerly accepted two torchlights and two cushions from You’s mother before giggling like they shared a secret joke.

Chika gasps when the darkness engulfed them a little, even though it was bright outside. “This is so cool, You-chan!”

“Right?” You beams as she clicks her torchlight on and off.

“What does a blanket fort do?” Chika asks as her eyes roamed their fort’s space.

You hums thoughtfully, eyebrows creasing in thought. “It’s…like a special place to share…special moments? At least, that’s what my dad told me.”

Chika loves it. Loves the word special. Loves the idea of having a special space to spend time with You.

“Say, You-chan.”

“Yeah, Chika-chan?”

Chika turns on her torchlight and knocks it against You’s, wincing a little at the loud sound it made.

“Are you my best friend?”

You blinks and opens her mouth to answer but Chika continues.

“Because. I think you’re my best friend. Not just a family friend.”

You nods. “Of course. Chika-chan is awesome and my best friend.”

Chika smiles widely before launching herself at You who shrieked and laughed in surprise.

“Chika-chan!!”

Chika laughs so much she has tears in her eyes. But she loves that too, the way it made the orange glow of the torchlight in their kind-of-dark blanket fort sparkle. She doesn’t know much at four, but she knows in her heart that this was a memory she won’t ever forget.

~

“Hehehe~”

“Mouuu, You-chan!”

Chika and You were nice and warm under the kotatsu in Chika’s house, playing Toe Wars underneath. And You was really good at multi strikes and tickling Chika’s sole that makes Chika laughs and jolts, and Chika has hit her knee against the kotatsu one too many times so she has been chided a grand total of three times before the year changes.

“It’s You-chan!” Chika protests when Mito shoots her an annoyed glare.

“You’re the host, so you’re in the wrong.”

“Eehhhhh.” Chika whines.

You chuckles and clasps her hands together. “Sorry, Chika-chan. Sorry, Mito-nee.”

“You’re okay, You.” Mito actually smiles at You before smirking at Chika.

Chika fumes a little. Her older sister is always bullying her like this. They are both eight years old, both “naughty little kids” as Mito would put it, and yet they get such different treatment!

“Mito-nee is playing favourites.”

“It can’t be helped that You is a cuter kid than you.” Mito lazily chews on a tangerine.

Chika pouts harder.

“I think Chika-chan is cuter.” You scratches her cheek, looking like she did not mean to say that out loud.

Mito chortles. “Maybe sometimes.”

Chika does not know if she wants to remain pouting at her older sister or smile because You is cute. But she knows what she feels like doing so she stands up.

“You-chan and I are going to my room now.”

“We are?” You blinks in surprise.

“Can we build a blanket fort and countdown into the new year’s there, mum?” Chika runs over to her mum to get permission.

Chika’s mother sets a bowl of new year soba onto the kotatsu. “After dinner.”

“Yay!! Thank you, mum!” Chika jumps and hugs her mother before offering to help carry the next few bowls out.

You was going to get up and offer to help too but the entire Takami Family anticipated that, telling her to remain seated while they handled it. You shakes her head with an amused smile but obediently remains seated.

She feels a gaze on her and looks up to see her mum and dad looking at her. “Oh, can I go with Chika-chan later?”

You’s mother smiles. “Thank you for asking.”

You’s father grins. “And you may.”

You smiles widely, she can’t wait.

Once dinner was consumed, happily and eagerly, Chika and You thanked for the food and hurried off to Chika’s room. You hugs her parents and wishes them a happy new year in advance, “In case”, she says.

~

“Isn’t it awesome that we can make our own fort now?” Chika attempts a hop and a skip while bringing a chair over, letting out an “oof” as she sets it down.

You chuckles, moving her chair with slightly more ease and care. “It is. Because it means we can sneak comic books in~”

“That we don’t even read.”

“It’s just in case, Chika-chan.” You takes one end of the planet and stars patterned blanket and flaps it hard, sending it spreading and flying towards Chika who lets out a shout as she catches one end and misses the other corner, it hits the chair, making it screech.

“Is everything okay up there?” Shima-nee’s calm voice calls.

“Do you need me to bring out some punishments?” Mito-nee jokes, purposefully loud enough for Chika to hear.

You chuckles before replying. “We are okay!!”

Chika bites her tongue to not start a childish argument with her older sister, even if she is still a child. She rather not has Mito-nee coming up here to give her a one-two and embarrass her in front of You, even if You has already seen that a gazillion times now.

You’s ocean-blue eyes shone in that dazzling way and Chika clears her throat to not be overly entranced, she had a blanket fort to build.

“Mito-nee is so dumb.” Chika grumbles as she reaches for the blanket and You comes over to adjust the chair.

“Nah, she’s just being an older sister.”

“How would you know?” Chika huffs.

“They’ve been my older sisters as much as yours, Chika-chan.” You bumps her shoulder against Chika’s.

“They don’t bully you though!”

You laughs. “Sure they do. Mito-nee loves getting my help around the inn too.”

“You certainly don’t act bullied…” Chika frowns thinking back on all the times You gets made to do chores in the Takami household. “And she just called you a guest just now!”

“That was her bullying you.” You laughs as they both crawled under the blanket fort after turning off the lights.

“See!!” Chika whines but before she could complain more, You turns on the flashlights, illuminating their secret space and making Chika’s breath catch. “Um…”

“Yeah?”

Chika shakes her head. “This blanket is nice.”

“Yeah…” You hangs one of the flashlight with a string she hooked from chair to chair earlier and spins it, Chika watches the light move, the stars felt close and warm, while You’s serene smile made Chika shuffle closer.

“We should go see the stars together.”

“I learnt it’s called stargazing from Kanan-chan.” You rests her head against Chika’s shoulder.

“We should go with Kanan-chan!” Chika bounces, making You grunt.

“We should. She can tell us a lot about stars because she loves them. And she’s super smart.” You’s voice was filled with awe and Chika could not help but agree. Kanan was a much cooler older sister than Mito-nee most days.

You chuckles. Chika rests her head on You’s.

“What?”

“I feel like you just thought something… mean.” Chika could feel the smile in You’s tone.

“I-I didn’t?”

“You’re stammering though.” You points out.

“I wasn’t. It isn’t. Mito-nee is the mean one!” Chika grouches.

You laughs louder, Chika shoves You’s shoulder and her best friend falls back laughing. “Don’t ever change, Chika-chan.”

“I will though. I’m going to become cooler than all of you.”

“Me included?” You holds her stomach as Chika grabs a pillow to throw at You.

“Including you!”

You props herself up with her hands behind her, the pillow falling off her face to her lap, staring right at Chika. Chika stares back, as time ticked, Chika fidgeted on the spot.

“What?” Chika asks defensively.

“I think you’re cooler than me already.” You all but whispers. You was good at using a quiet voice which was strange to Chika sometimes, because You was the embodiment of sunshine to her.

Chika exhales noisily. “Then you need to look at the mirror more.”

You grins. “Say, do you want to go swimming in the ocean when the waters are warmer?”

Chika reflects the grin. “That’s a long way away though. We should talk snow plans first.”

“Okay, how about…snow angels!” You throws the pillow to the middle of the fort, and plops her head down at one side.

“That sounds fun.” Chika lays her head on the other side of the pillow and faced You.

When they heard their families shout it’s ten seconds to the new year, Chika and You have moved close enough that their foreheads were pressed against the other, they gazed into each other’s eyes with playful smiles as they whispered.

“3… 2… 1…”

“Happy New Year, Chika-chan.”

“Happy New Year, You-chan. I’m counting on you this year too!”

~

The air was buzzing and hot, Chika panted as she looked around.

Aqours just performed for a local event, but every performance was exhilarating and heart-pounding to Chika. She was living each moment like she was floating off the ground just a little – when she pumped her hand skywards at the final note, smile wide, breathing heavy, making a wild-eyed eye contact with each member of Aqours, and You.

When they gushed about the cheers from the audience and Dia wanted everyone to make sure to take note of the mistakes they made and not just be complacent about the support from their fans and new fans. That did not make Chika’s feet touch the ground either.

When they gathered at a café to celebrate with something sweet and Hanamaru suggested incorporating more confectionery and food to their singing and dancing. All of these moments kept Chika smiley and almost like she was viewing it from the outside.

“Okay, see you tomorrow!”

But when she reached over to take You’s hand into hers when everyone parted ways, she felt her feet landing on the ground.

“What’s up, Chika-chan?” You wore that carefree smile that made butterflies flutter in Chika’s stomach, the kind that made her feel light and excited to spend time with her best friend.

“Do you want to build a blanket fort?” Chika blurts.

You raises both eyebrows, analyzing how serious Chika is, before she throws her head back in a hearty laugh, and when ocean-blue eyes meet scarlet eyes again, stealing Chika’s breath, You says, “When have I ever said no to you?”

Chika beams from ear to ear. “Full speed ahead to your house!”

You salutes with Chika as she chorused the “yousoro~!”, wordlessly in agreement to head towards You’s place.

~

“I’m guessing you’re staying over tonight?” You asks as she brings out the sheets meant for a summertime blanket fort, balancing two soft cushions and two torchlights too.

Chika nods. “I just told my mum about it. Here, let me help!”

Chika snakes her hand under the blankets to take a hold of the torchlights but that made the cushions wobble out of place so Chika catches them with her chin, chuckling as You freezes mid-step, chin coming down too to not drop anything.

“Whoops?”

You shakes her head with a fond smile. “Sofa.”

“Okay~”

They drop the things over on the sofa before Chika skips over to grab two dining chairs.

~

After a delicious dinner that You whips up with the help of her “sous chef” Chika, they sigh in satisfaction onto the additional blankets laid out on the floor, full intentions to laze, unwind, and fall asleep in their fort.

“Hey, hey, You-chan~”

“What’s up, Chika-chan?”

“Remember when we were younger and talked about change and I said I’ll keep changing?” Chika swings the hanging flashlight, making it go circles, it was not dizzying because they had a strong lamp hooked to one side to illuminate the shared space, but it still helped work on Chika’s nerves.

“Yeah, I remember it. It was New Year’s Eve and you were being “bullied” by Mito-nee so you wanted to change into this ferociously, strong being.” You teases.

“Hey! I didn’t say anything about ferocious!” Chika pouts.

You chuckles before her voice drops to a low timbre. “What about it, Chika-chan…?”

Chika takes in a deep breath and exhales slowly, eyes closing, hands resting over her stomach, she pushed the thought of the karaage (fried boneless chicken) they made earlier. “I think… I know, things have changed again… for me.”

Chika felt You shifting on her side.

“Did you grow taller?” You murmurs, a gentle teasing lilt in her voice.

Chika shakes her head, not opening her eyes yet, but she knew You was looking.

“Hmm… It doesn’t change for me though.” You continues.

Chika presses her lips together to not frown or cry that You is saying things has not changed for her when where Chika is going with this is about her feelings for You.

“Is…that so?” Chika congratulates herself for her voice not breaking or sounding weak. She tightens her grip on her own hand. Chika cannot really place when things started changing for her, but somehow she went from knowing You is her best friend, to knowing she wants You to be more than just her best friend.

“Yeah. You’re still cooler than me.” The blankets ruffles and You’s warm hand was on hers, Chika inhales sharply.

“Chika-chan…”

Chika shifts her head and opens her eyes slowly, the lamp’s light made You look kind of ethereal, and yet her warmth was real. Her sweet, ocean-blue eyes was real. Her proximity was real. Her feelings real.

“Tell me, what’s changing?” You squeezes Chika’s hand reassuringly. Chika wonders how You knows when she needs it. It must be some superpower You has to always know.

“Mm… Your eyes are beautiful to me.” Chika whispers, she’s good at it now after all the years of practicing to whisper into the dark, exchanged secrets and silly stories with You in their blanket fort sleepovers and non-sleepovers.

You’s eyes crinkle and sparkle a little more, making her ridiculously beautiful.

“Yours are beautiful too.”

“It makes me want to…” Chika presses her lips together again, thinking of how to phrase words that said three words without saying those three words.

You shifts again, never breaking eye contact, she moves Chika’s hand to the side and lowers herself slowly over Chika, pressing the side of her head to Chika’s chest. Chika’s heart picks up in speed while she half wishes You can’t hear it, and hopes it tells You all she wants to convey.

“Your heart is beating really fast.” You stated the fact that Chika already knew.

“Yeah?”

“I think I can read hearts. Maybe.”

Chika holds her breath, her heart beating erratically, her fingers curling on the soft blanket.

“Tell me, Chika-chan.” Chika felt the shape of You’s ear distinctly, adjusting just a bit, perhaps to hear her heart screaming how much she wants You to want her in the same way.

“I’m afraid.”

“I’m just You.”

Chika huffs, her hands moving without her full permission, doing whatever it wants, gripping You’s shirt instead, crumpling it.

“I just want you.”

Chika feels You’s smile as she turns her head into Chika.

Out of the blue, You pushes herself up, those impossibly beautiful ocean-blue eyes wet with emotions, making her even more breathtaking. “Will you make blanket forts with me always?”

Chika felt a relieved tear roll down her cheek and haphazardly rubbed it away. “Yes.”

~

Before Chika knew it, blanket forts were her childhood, her special place, it’s where she goes when she is extremely happy, it’s where she goes on occasions she needs silence, it’s where she goes when she gets angry or upset, it’s where love grows, and changes happen.

It is precious and vital, so of course, the Watanabe household has more than one blanket fort. But that’s simply because Watanabe Chika did not want to share it with her nine-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Her wife dutifully set up a “fun-er” blanket fort for their kids before striding into their room with a tray of mikan juice and cookies.

Chika watches with smiling eyes as You uses her hips to bump the door closed, expertly putting the tray to their mini table just outside of their comfy “love nest” blanket fort. Chika reaches her hands out for her wife to take.

“You-chan~” Chika loves being able to be spoiled and pampered with her partner in life, even at the age of thirty-two.

You gladly lets herself be pulled into the blankets and Chika’s space. “Hey, wifey~”

Chika giggles, pecking a chaste kiss to You’s lips. “Hey yourself.”

“You can give me a hotter kiss since the kids are outside, you know.” You smiles widely, a combination of cheeky and dorky.

Chika could not help but reflect a similarly love-filled, cheery smile. “Get over here then!”

You was careful not to knock the stack of books and idol magazines piled around their blanket fort; Chika says it’s just in case we have the mood for both. As You looms over Chika, she rolls away towards the large, static-y speaker because it is old and they forgot to buy a new one. Once she hooks up a romance playlist with the Bluetooth, she rolls back into Chika’s orbit.

“Hi again.” She grins.

Chika feels herself falling in love again, further, deeper, into this overflowing, everlasting pool of mushiness called Watanabe You and the life they are building together.

The cookie plate empties, Chika and You take turns peeling mikans and feeding each other, until the bowl for the peel is full. Feet brushing against each other’s, Chika snickers before she says, “Would you like dinner…the bath…or me?”

You props her face in one hand, elevating herself on her elbow to gaze down at Chika with a loving smile and blushing cheeks, sure to be imagining each scenario Chika painted. “Can I have them all with you?”

Chika giggles and pushes You so she drops back onto the pillow, the blankets ruffling, threatening to fall as they laugh. “No, you can only choose one.”

“Then I’ll choose you. Always you.” You rolls back onto her stomach and lifts herself again to gaze into Chika’s eyes.

Chika bites her lips, weak to You’s ocean eyes, before wrapping her arms around You’s neck, feeling tingly from the way You looks at her, and pulls her down, changing the trajectory at the last moment to have You’s face nestled in the crook of her neck. You kisses her anyway, puckering her lips and making exaggerated kiss sounds while leaving wet kisses on Chika’s exposed skin. Chika erupts in laughter and squirms.

“Youuuu-chan!!”

“You asked for this!” You laughs, moving her hands to tickle Chika.

Chika jolts and squeals, You’s hands flattens against Chika’s stomach, which still erupts in butterflies from the many things her wife does to her. The world swirls and spins to this moment where there was zero distance between them, and they kiss, kiss and kiss… Until they hear their kids talking loudly, just like Chika did when she was their age, because they could not whisper yet.

“I think we are going to have a baby brother next!” Chiyo declares.

“I want a baby sister to love on too!” Chikage whines.

“You already have two, silly! The twins are at Aunt Riko and Aunt Yoha's!”

Chika and You stares wide eyes into each other’s eyes before nuzzling their noses together, smiling in embarrassment and amusement. “Oh gosh, are they thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Maybe… And I don’t want to think about it.” You buries her face into Chika’s shoulder.

Chika’s body shakes with subdued laughter. “Maybe this will change your mind…?” Her hands running down You’s body to her butt to squeeze.

You lets out an airy laugh, kissing Chika’s nape, Chika’s cheek, Chika’s nose, Chika’s lips, down to Chika’s jaw, Chika’s collarbone, firm and slow, loving and sure. “I never said I didn't want to think of this.”

“Oh?” Chika asks breathily.

“Maybe we can make both their wishes come true~” You says huskily, sucking a mark on Chika’s pulse point.

Chika lets out a whimper, pulling You closer to her, but You moves to catch Chika’s gaze again. Looking into You’s ocean-blue eyes, she feels her heart skip a few beats, feels warm and safe, and it was not just because they were in their blanket fort.

Things were ever-changing but her home remains the same.

Chika smiles up at You, smiles up at her home.

-

Author Notes

Hi~~! :D

I always feel like sharing something when it’s my birthday (which was a week ago XD) cos…I just like the idea of spreading a smile to even just one person. (≧◡≦) ♡

So! I hope you enjoyed the read!

Feel free to leave a comment if you like~ (I appreciate every single one of them, and hey, it’d make for a lovely birthday present, guaranteed ;D hehe~ Even if it’s as simple as “I love this!” (´ ω `♡))

Stay warm, keep loving ChikaYou!