#keijo!!!!!!!!

(This fan fiction is based off of Keijo!!!!!!!! chapter 56: “Hip 56: Welcome to Kyoto!!!”.)

Kaminashi Nozomi stepped out of the cramped bus that she had already come to know so well in her short-lived journey to Kyoto with the rest of the elite class. For the rest of Room 309, the sudden graduation to the elite class was unprecedented; After all, it had been merely days since the four of them were lowly, basic students with scarce talent to their name. However, for Nozomi, there was little doubt in her outlook. She had suddenly unlocked the gleaming potential she was seeking, a chance to taste a life outside of poverty, an opportunity to clamber up the ranks of the keijo world, along with her best friend Miyata Sayaka, who she was now turning to, “Look how elegant the houses are! And over there, it's a pulled rickshaw! It's amazing every time I see it! I love Kyoto!”. Nozomi had to exclaim these words to Sayaka and the rest of the elite class, yet another example of her excitement leaking out at the chance to experience the opulence of the rich prefecture. Toyoguchi Non interjected, “Nozomin, calm down a little. Everyone is looking at us”. Not particularly diffident nor ashamed, Non was still slightly paranoid at Nozomi’s insufferably outward demeanour, for she was still adjusting to the newfound presence of her fellow elite classmates, and it would naturally be rather difficult to relate to Nozomi's penniless past. Of course, such a slight statement could never shake Nozomi's extroverted confidence, and she hastily replied with her own joyous interjection of “I get it! I get it! We'll definitely pull our weight in this training camp!”, words designed to dismiss Non’s transparent afraidness of her powerful companions. As if Nozomi had reached into her skull and read the inscriptions of her brain, Non was quickly pacified by the like-minded and confirmatory motivation. Meanwhile, as Nozomi and Non began to confirm with each other the meaning of their visit to the wondrous location, Sayaka was still glancing at the beauty of Kyoto, a glimmer of positive emotion on her otherwise unmoving face… That was, until the abrupt command of their sensei rocketed them away from any tranquil loitering: “Stop chatting! Do you understand why we've come here? We're not here to play around, former Room 309!” her words echoed to silence everyone, “We've just finished talking with the innkeeper. Looks like we can't check in yet. I guess we're a bit early. That's why…”. Her echo reached a complete diminuendo, before impactfully chiming back in, “While we're here, what do you say about three hours of free time?”. It was at this question that a shockwave of excitement spread along the elite class, with comments shared to align with the same dream, a dream of exploring the expanses of Kyoto's elusive streets. The commotion failed to cease, too, despite sensei’s later and half-serious remark of “Considering the hell you'll go through tomorrow, just a little bit’s fine”, although the reality of how strenuous their training would be the next day did startle them considerably.

Amidst the enthusiastic yet gentle cacophony of chattering keijo students, Nozomi was at the center of everyone's attention, a silent war waging around her to determine who gets to explore Kyoto with her. Having previously displayed her brilliant proficiency for keijo, she was revered by the rest of the elite class, and each member had their own diverse way to show it, to Sayaka's internal detest. Why would she, Nozomi's best friend, have to compete for her presence, especially when she had certainly known her the longest? Then, there were the several temptations of Nozomi's classmates; It would surely be impossible for Nozomi to choose her, when Kawai Hanabe was so familiar with the region and knew where to find the best attractions, while she could barely even pronounce a tiny “Ahem”, leaving her dejected and alone with the next interruption from each further member. Why couldn't she seize the attention of her friend around these more unfamiliar people? To go from being a judo champion to this- It reminded Sayaka of her earlier youth. Just like how she would have to sacrifice all of her time to judo, she now found herself sacrificing it for Nozomi… and failing. Before she had realised it, she was staring at the ground and the flashbacks plaguing her inner eye, Nozomi and her hope out of sight. She had finally found someone important in studying keijo, but had become abandoned yet again. However, her painstaking solitude soon halted at a shrine’s bench. This was dangerous, for towering figures were approaching her, looming with vile intent; Male voices were already clawing at her, attempting to drag her away from reason. “You're really cute. Can you show us around?”: The very question repulsed her, but no extent of dismissal would shake the sudden incursion of the two delinquents. No, these grotesque figures were desperate in their pursuit of the silver-haired celebrity, and their hands too were starting to grasp at her, until a thunderous “Smack!” repelled the contact. “Sorry guys, she was waiting for me…”, the statement confirmed it. The claim to Sayaka's wrist belonged only to Nozomi, and running away together screamed their salvation. “I wanted to hang out with you!”: This was another shining exclamation that served to sap tears from underneath Sayaka's admiring eyelids, shuttering like the lenses of cameras to Nozomi, the centerpiece in the frame. It seemed to Sayaka that, in this moment, her friendship with Nozomi could demolish any hardships in existence, and her fortifying hand served exactly to prove this belief. It felt great to have friends, and the other half of the former Room 309 were already in sight. It became certainly clear; They would assemble once more for a trip around Kyoto; They would be together. Sayaka could hardly dismiss her smile, especially with this entourage of kindred women: The powerful and determined ex-gymnast Kaminashi Nozomi, her excellence at performing the [Vacuum Butt Cannon] cementing the former and strong will determining the latter, the clumsy yet strangely fortunate Toyoguchi Non, having only reached the elite class by pure serendipity while even now being in danger of toppling over at the overwhelming excitement of meeting the two, and the inward yet adept Aoba Kazane, mysterious and mostly mute. While communication with Kazane had always been difficult, she seemed to trust Nozomi modestly, just as much as Sayaka and the rest of the elite class. For this reason, Nozomi's role as Kazane’s emissary seemed to work effectively enough for the two, while Kazane was still building up her own confidence, the rate not precisely sluggish.

“I found a really cool place. Want to go check it out?” Non enthusiastically asked, mere seconds after tripping over for the upteenth time, yet again demonstrating her propensity to endanger herself in everyday life. “Of course!” shouted Nozomi with her usual cheery tone, replying hopefully to Non with utmost certainty. This called for the start of their expedition, Kazane and Sayaka following loosely behind. Even her gaze was still following Nozomi, Sayaka that is. There was nothing but longing inside her to grip her companion's hand for the second time, to relish in her security, but her own insecurity would only lead her to wallow in shyness and chagrin, undoubtedly with the other two around… “Miyata-chan!”: A precipitous alert withdrew her from her musing. It was Kazane, who seemed to be accumulating the fragments of her little courage, “Uh, we're behind… a bit…”. Well, that bravery didn't last long, but Sayaka still understood, causing them both to jog at a quickened pace. “Crash!”, Non’s notorious misfortune returned, and she was now tangled up with Kazane on the floor. She appeared to be somewhat of a vulture, hunched over Non’s back, the owner of which being like the uncouth carcass of a dead animal, sprawled inelegantly below her. Nevertheless, it was far from befitting of the bashful Kazane. “Eek! Ah… I'm s-sorry, Toyoguchi-chan!”, that was the yell of Kazane. Cursing herself in the act of epicaricacy, though, Sayaka couldn't help but imagine what she would have done in the situation, if she had tumbled onto Nozomi. The thought became enough to make her shake her head, a testament which the other three girls likely misunderstood to be unamused. “I-it was an accident!”. Non tried to defend herself, while Kazane wasn't even bothering, unmistakably out of timid displacement. “A-anyway, it's over there… Kyoto Shopping…”. Non directed her finger towards the sizable store after shakily regaining her bipedal stance, pushing her party towards the establishment. To save Non any more humiliation, Nozomi then spoke up herself, “What a fun looking store! Come on everyone!”. They all clung to her voice as ever, beginning to immerse themselves in the blazing lights of the store.

Nozomi was expressing her hilarity as Non picked up a pair of gag glasses, while Kazane seemed to be very interested in the model katanas that Kyoto Shopping had to offer. Meanwhile, Sayaka had found a photography booth. “Kaminashi-chan! We can take a photo together!” she squealed, successfully attempting to suppress her nervousness at addressing Nozomi, which was answered by an expressive Non, “Great idea, Miyata-chan! Let's all have a photo together! Joking photos or normal photos?”. “No, I'd like a photo with only…”, it was too late, to her detest. Non and the other two had already invaded the booth. “Well…” she thought, “I may as well go in too…”. She had no grudge against Kazane and Non, of course, and the two had also proven themselves to be perfect friends, but she wanted to be with Nozomi right now. How could it have been that way? What made her, Kaminashi Nozomi, so special? She always got all the attention, even from Hanabe, yet Sayaka had to earn her fame through years of judo! Yes, she and Nozomi were rivals; That had to be it, not love! Love: The light blush on her face had morphed into the silliest expression of all, even as she was shrouded in the flippantly unserious grins of her close comrades. Why was she thinking of something so impertinent at this time? “Click!”, the photograph imprinted her thoughts into memory. “Haha, you looked so goofy, Miyata! I didn't know you were capable of that face!” Nozomi called callously. Her ferocity accumulated in a perilous second to the slandering quip, a staple of Sayaka's mercurial tendencies. “I don't l- I hate you!”. The phrase served as a parting shot, shunning the others; Sayaka had run away.

“No, I have to find her, Toyoguchi-chan! I need to apologise… It was because of me…” mumbled Nozomi, determinedly dejected. Non refused, “But… She needs to cool off by herself, right Aoba-chan?”. Kazane's muffled voice emerged louder than usual from under her thick scarf, “She knows Miyata-chan best, Toyoguchi-chan. Let her find her”. Wasting no hint of a moment, Nozomi rushed to grab a pamphlet entitled “Map” from the store shelf, hurrying out the main entrance in the aftermath of Kazane's unfamiliar instruction. While racing to scout her beloved companion, she then began to narrow down the options of where Sayaka could have gone until one place remained: The arcade.

The gates of Heaven swung open, as evident from the lurid beaming that engulfed Nozomi, her pupils dilating to filter the neon world. An angel, too, happened to be huddled at the center, withdrawn into herself and lamenting. “Miyata-chan!”: The call of this familiar stranger who had burst into the room made Sayaka's environment oscillate. Natural light flooded into the arcade at her entry, defeating any artificial glow that she had become accustomed to. But, why did grace have such a pallid expression? Was it guilt or trepidation? The two, in union, crossed over to each other with the same tension as a first date between the inexperienced, mirroring each gesture and breath. Then, they uttered the same apologies, the simple statements of “I'm sorry” forming a resounding duet. However, they both knew that these words were far from necessary, for their actions had provoked all imaginary discussion. That was the moment they embraced, the glares imbuing them sworn to be transitioning; Magenta became rose, and rose to illusion- An illusion of affection and forgiveness, yet one indisputably true. Warmth, too, began to envelop their bodies, an infernal demonstration of their closeness. “Since we're here, why don't we do something together, Miyata-chan?” asked Nozomi earnestly, now leaving Sayaka's grip enough to blaspheme against her sense of fulfillment. To earn those seconds of solace alone was only the beginning tribulation, or so it seemed to Sayaka. “Yes… okay, Kaminashi-san…” she replied, now deflated yet still bound by hope. “Oh, were you going to play on that claw machine?” remarked Nozomi, her eyes darting through the defeated woman. By god, why did she have to be so lax even now?! “Whatever you want, Kaminashi-chan”. Sayaka's icy words attempted to stab into Nozomi's ignorance like a double-edged sword, but it was a complete miss. “I want you to have a go, Miyata-chan! It's fun!”. Even still, nobody could ever deny Nozomi's words, not even Sayaka, who stalked tensely over to the machine. The eternity of pulling yen out of her purse dragged on too shortly, her hand trembling, missing. She didn't even know what she was trying to win anymore, and it slipped effortlessly out of her fumbling claw. “Kaminashi-chan‽”- That girl dived into the ground like a fearless eagle, so suddenly, as if she had been tossed off of the shaking platform of a keijo land, just to retrieve her best friend’s money as it fell to the ground. Mere seconds later, she had broken the air’s surface again, her eyes tracking Sayaka closely. Flawlessly, the light frost enclosing her heart had shattered into oblivion.

The devotee looked up from her knees with zeal. She looked down, insurmountable yet benevolent, and their eyes really did align, and she was this close: Kaminashi Nozomi, her rival, her companion, her admirer, almost at her mercy. It felt as though she could finally win against her, as if this position were her chance to forget her jealousy towards Nozomi and claim victory. That was it: Jealousy. For so long, Nozomi had everything that she wanted: Power, perseverance, popularity… Friends. Sure, there was Non and Kazane, but Nozomi had Hanabe and all the other girls! There, then, it all disintegrated under Sayaka’s gaze. They were alone, and she looked so beautifully helpless from the towering perspective. Perhaps, even, it was her earlier schadenfreude returning, yet without the traces of remorse. “Miyata-chan? Here's your money. Sorry, I guess I do that a lot, huh?” Nozomi laughed awkwardly. “Huh?” remarked Sayaka, coming back into consciousness. “It's because I went for the money, right? That's why you're looking at me like that”; Nozomi's utterance was more of a rhetorical question, considering her certainty at the claim. “Oh, yeah, that's why. It was just random” Sayaka deceitfully proposed, terminating the lingering awkwardness. Nozomi took her turn to reply further at this, now much more comforted, “People always leave their change around in arcades, so I used to go to them all the time when things were more difficult. Free money’s free money, after all…”. Nozomi paused to reflect before grabbing Sayaka's shoulders abruptly and gently pushing her towards the claw machine, causing the hostage to silently gasp. How odd, thought Sayaka, that friendship is so unconcerned but still lacking malice. In other words, that'd have been a great description of Nozomi, care-free yet still caring. “Have you played on one before?” she inquired. Sayaka recalled the past aloneness of her youth afresh, whimpering with slight sorrow, “Not really, it was just judo practice, and…”. “Then I can help you, Miyata-chan!”. Her hands were seized, under control of the operating Nozomi. “See, it's like this. I'm pretty good at these”. The bridle of Nozomi still felt pleasant, soft even, enough to hinder Sayaka's concentration completely. “Mhm, yeah…”, Sayaka's response was like a moan, almost dismissive. As long as she was experiencing this, there was nothing else worth caring about.

“No, Kaminashi-chan!”. The woman was slipping away, rapidly. This could never happen again! Sayaka would hardly have let it! “Kaminashi-chan!”, now she was demonstrating her own ascendancy over her friend. The premonition of her abandoning Sayaka had to be plunged into uncertainty, and tossing her arms around Nozomi was the simplest solution. “Sayaka, what are you doing‽” she retorted, tensely remaining in the position. “We already won the prize. We don't need to…”. Sayaka interrupted, “But, I want to! I need to hug you, Kaminashi-chan!”. Nozomi's face turned to stone in response, before relenting in a flash. “Well, okay, if you want to hug me, it's okay… but why not hug the monkey we won?”. Nozomi passed her the large, cotton-like figure, a chimpanzee with an adorable and affectionate expression. It seemed to completely shadow Sayaka's upper body, who had now started to bleat like a wanting toddler. “I want to hug you, not… not Monkicchi!”. “Monkicchi, huh? I like that name” mused Nozomi, who was now giving in to an encroaching Sayaka. “Anyway, why did you want to cuddle, Miyata-chan? Are you okay?”. Her tone was inquisitive but respectful and, for once, concerned. She really did regard her best friend kindly, although perhaps Sayaka had thought she was being ignorant. Was that it? Nevertheless, Sayaka blurted out in an oddly brazen effort, “Because I love you! As a girl- As a friend…”. In this novelty occasion, her wariness chose to overrule the chaotic trembling of her heartstrings, but if she told her true feelings to Nozomi, it would only have resulted in her harsh rejection, or at least she believed so. Her goal, her ambition, after a pause of discernment, softened her tone further in unassuming reply, “Oh, I see, Miyata-chan…”. The girl slunk closer, Sayaka’s body shaking like her voice only a brief period before. “You know, friends can do anything together as long as they love each other… And you said you love me as a friend, so you can hug me as long as you want”. The tenderness of the sentimental language she had used was unbearable for Sayaka, a glimmer forming upon her molten features. Needless to say, she had virtually become Kazane by expression: A scarlet damsel now on the verge of ebullition. Still, Nozomi inched closer and closer, cornering Sayaka against another vibrantly distasteful arcade machine. “But, something tells me you want more than a hug, right?”. Her voice had deepened into an intense undertone now. Sayaka shrilly squeaked, “Friends can't… k-do this!”. Unbefittingly of denial, the velleity in her little voice had become much too noticeable to Nozomi; It was transparently clear that she was enjoying this unprecedented event. “We’re not friends though, are we?” Nozomi chortled jovially, relishing in the impact of her words upon Sayaka. “W-what do you mean we're not friends‽” blurted out the poor girl, desperation suddenly taking over her every emotion at the statement. Did Nozomi really mean it, that she had no intention to continue their relationship? Then, as quickly as it began, the panic settled with a single reply: “Not without benefits, we're not”; It was this confirmation that distorted everything.

Her concealed smirk was almost infuriating, like a menacing hellhound, yet so innocent, as if that of a kitten’s contentment, to the point where it was impossible to understand how she was feeling or what she was planning to do next. Inscrutable were the ways of Kaminashi Nozomi, whose lips were enclosed around her best friend's, their tongues coiling like vicious adders. It was so sudden, yet so desired, and Sayaka needed to relent to it without a second thought. Her muffled notions permeated enraptured lips, “Kaminashi-chan… you're so mean! You can't play tricks on me like that!”. Her friend giggled while moving out of the kiss momentarily, “I'd never leave you for anything, Miyata-chan, and I'll do whatever makes you happy”. “That doesn't make you any less of a jer-” Sayaka murmured out in a perfectly interrupted cadence, her speechlessness returning from Nozomi's arms constricting her waist. “If I'm such a jerk then why did you want to kiss me so much, Miyata-chan? Even now, you're begging for it”. Her smugness had projected itself back onto her face, taunting and tempting Sayaka. “Sh-shut up or I'm seriously g-going to use my judo on you, idiot!”. Surprisingly, however, Nozomi's visage morphed once more at her words, but this time it was silent and withdrawn, pacified even. Her eyes glinted with excitement at the proposal, showcasing their ability to shine down like urban headlights upon her friend. She nervously tittered, her audibility increasingly lessening, “Uhm, I think I'd like that… Miyata-chan…”. “Huh?” Sayaka confusedly queried. Nozomi earnestly replied, “I was just messing about before like you said… but… I was serious when I meant that I love you too, and I'd like it if you could do that… a lot”. After her countless facades of dominion, this Nozomi seemed more defenceless, more vulnerable, like she was showing her true self to Sayaka again, despite their previous jeering and shared teasing. It was sincere, the usual sincereness of Nozomi that she had always longed for. She grimaced with enthusiasm at the claim. “Okay, Kaminashi-chan, but it'll hurt, you know?” the weary alert of hers warned. The line between throes and love was thin, yet the two sides were starting to intersect. Regardless, Sayaka could hardly hurt her friend- No, her lover. Despite still being rivals, their affection was surely impenetrable, an unspoken and ethereal bond that led them into compassion. To damage that bond would hurt them both, right? Yet, with closer inspection upon Nozomi's face, could this be a way to strengthen it? A fulmination of words shot into her head: “I'd never leave you for anything, Miyata-chan, and I'll do whatever makes you happy”. They were there all along, loitering within the secluded nooks of her mind, yet she failed to pay attention to them in the prior ecstatic banter. If she was willing to do anything for her, Sayaka would have to imitate the gesture, and that was absolute. “It's fine. Please, Miyata-chan?” Nozomi finally pleaded. “Alright, Kaminashi-chan, but you're such a masochist, you know that?" joked Sayaka, unknowing that the joke itself was only about to become true.

Attempting to be delicate, Sayaka threw Nozomi to the arcade floor in a violent hurtle, the latter’s body collapsing with a disgraceful air. For a former champion judoist, it had become nearly impossible to exhibit any lack of strength. In fact, she happened to be so weak that mangling another's body with a single throw had become a casual feat that she had to withstand pulling off, a phenomenon that happened to be one of the defining factors in her switching to keijo. Though, even in keijo, it seemed just as inescapable. Nozomi's arms were pinned to the hard ground, her body twisted like a twirling flag in a cyclone. “I’m not hurt, Miyata-chan. Don't worry. It feels good” the lunatic reassured, desire clouding her thoughts and still-beholding eyes. “Are you sure? I-I’ve hurt people in the past…” Sayaka trailed off in personal regard, completely anxious. Naturally, she would be, tossing the one she loved. However, a certain sternness from Nozomi eradicated her worry. “I used to fall over in gymnastics all the time, so you won't hurt me. Believe in yourself a bit more, please”. She was partially stunned, Sayaka, yet she realised the beauty of the situation for the second time; She could reign over her rival so easily, but she could also enjoy it. That is, she could enjoy judo. There was no tournament pressure or self-doubt anymore. That faded years ago. Her opponent, too, was already beneath her, pathetically strained, humiliatingly defeated. Perhaps this was true pleasure: The idealism of a sadist. She straddled her, the force of her petite frame sealing the captive, her legs encircling the circumference of her pale neck. Instantly, Nozomi started to gasp, her breath faltering via the constraint. She could even cry, albeit with stinging tears of submission. “Wow, you're really enjoying this, huh?” mocked Sayaka, both mischievous and unrelentingly immersed in the passion of the two. Nozomi, meanwhile, was mauve with the sheer delight of asphyxia, breathlessly convulsing, attempting to respond with her remaining strength, “I love being… I love Miyata-chan…”. Her torturer, embracing her whims, grinned before sardonically purring back, “Oh, I'm so delighted that you love me, Kaminashi-chan… Even though I'm killing you”. The phrase slightly unnerved Nozomi, even causing her spinal cord to buzz with a tinge of foreboding. Yet, her trust in the one strangling her irrefutably overpowered her rationality in a case like this. She knew to believe in Sayaka, no matter what, even during this unorthodox reign. All she could cough up was a suffering “Yes, thank you”, intoxicated and thrashing from her vice.

“Well, aren't you going to beg me or do you really want to die?”. Sayaka had become slightly more alarmed now, but she was also confident in her judo technique enough to prolong things further, satisfied by her partner’s obedience and its failure to give out. “Please… Ah, please save me, Miyata-chan…” Nozomi hastily yet painfully wheezed. Her face was darkening even more now, the glistening tears trickling down her face just as damp as the front of her skirt. Nevertheless, it was much more decent than Sayaka, who had now removed her own, along with a pair of striped, turquoise and white underwear, nestled below Nozomi's chin. She stared into the salmon ravine that met her, entranced by each hypnotic, fleshy layer, rendering her unable to focus on her constriction as a result of its shameless appeal. She'd never seen anything so femininely alluring this close, not even hers, and to have an intimate display of her best friend's reeked of intense delirium. Though, she was not the only one experiencing it; Sayaka's speaking had become raspier from the pleasure of her exhibitionism. “I’ll let you breathe if you use your tongue”. Leaning further into Nozomi's face, she pitched the crude request, harshening the atmosphere of domination, the lights around them evermore burning into a volcanic blend of illumination. “Yes…” Nozomi somehow uttered, a miracle considering the scandalous position of her throat being crushed between her domantrix’s enclosing thighs. She stuck out her tongue, now unable to talk, as a moistened opening enveloped it, awaiting the sensation of becoming lapped by her.