Chapter 16: Shopping

'Hey Yuzu sorry I'm not home yet, I'm out shopping I will be back soon. How was your lunch? x' Yuzu read the text from Mei and let out a slight sigh. It was already past half four, an hour after Mei was supposed to be home. Yuzu was sitting alone in their apartment waiting for Mei to get back, she had already made the preparations for dinner and was bored out of her mind.

'It was fine, what are you buying? xxx' Yuzu had a feeling she already knew the answer but she had to ask. Within minutes she got her reply,

'I'm at a music store, my tutor said I would need to practice every day if I want to improve at the rate I want to. So I may have bought a piano, sorry for not consulting with you first but I didn't think it would be a problem. x' Yup knew it, right again Yuzu. Yuzu thought it was predictable for Mei to do something like this, she had expected it since Mei had said she had researched playing. But she had to give her points for her dedication,

'That's a bit impulsive but I guessed you would do that, I take it the lesson went well? Also, can you try and be quick, I want a hug and dinner is ready, xxx' Yuzu replied to the text, walking over to the kitchen and turned on the stove, starting to cook the prepared food so it would be ready for whenever Mei got home.

'It was not! I will be home as soon as possible, I'm putting the order through now to get it delivered, I should be home within the hour and I'll tell you all about it x' Mei replied, Yuzu felt she could feel the glare Mei was giving her for calling her impulsive.

'Okay, I'll see you soon, I love you xxx' She shot back a quick reply, putting several love hearts and kisses at the end before making her way to their bedroom to grab her study books. If Mei was going to be another hour she had some time to kill, and with nothing better to do she thought she would revise some of her material from her previous semester.

'I love you too x' was Mei's reply, Yuzu placed her phone down and started on her revision.

A half hour had passed when Yuzu perked up at the sound of the front door opening,

"I'm home Yuzu," at Mei's slightly raised voice Yuzu rose from the couch to meet her at the door. The girl had an unusually large smile on her face and her eyes were sparkling, Yuzu could tell without asking that Mei had found the lesson to be exhilarating.

Wrapping her arms gently around Mei neck, Yuzu pulled her into a long-awaited embrace. Placing a light kiss on Mei's neck before she rested her head on the taller girls shoulder.

"So what did you think of the lesson, going by the fact that you bought a freekin piano I have to assume you liked it?" Yuzu asked whilst still clinging onto Mei. Mei, however much she loved hugging her girlfriend believed something was bothering her, her mind immediately thought something was wrong. Yuzu would normally greet her with a hug or kiss when she got home, but she usually managed to get five steps into the apartment first.

"Yeah it was good, Is everything okay?" Mei asked her smile fading somewhat. Yuzu looked up at the question, confusion settling in.

"Of course, I just missed you today. Is it wrong for me to want to give you a hug?" Yuzu pulled back, looking Mei in the eye her arms still draped over her shoulders as she gave her a caring smile.

"Yeah but you usually wait till I have my jacket and shoes off, or at least until I put my keys down," Mei smiled as she waved her jingling keys on her finger, proving her point to Yuzu, who in turn blushed a little as she let Mei go. "Oh sorry, I'll wait until you put your keys down, then I will give you a welcome home kiss." And although she was mildly embarrassed by her eagerness, Yuzu didn't hesitate to give Mei a long soft kiss after she had placed her keys next to the door.

"Okay, okay, let me get in and get changed first. I'm going to take a shower if you don't mind, and can you listen out for the door? The delivery said within an hour of purchase so it should be here soon." Mei said in a cheery tone as she hung up her coat and made her way into the living room. Yuzu quickly followed, wrapping her arms around Mei's torso from behind, she pulled Mei close and once again rested her head against her small shoulder.

"Can I get a proper hug first?" Yuzu voice was muffled by Mei's shirt but she felt the younger girl shuffle around in her grasp before bringing her arms up and around Yuzu's small frame.

"Sorry, forgot you wanted another hug," Mei's sarcastic remark earned her a slight grunt from Yuzu, who after several moments pulled away.

"If they come while you are in the bath where are you wanting to put the piano?" Yuzu asked, she thought it would most likely go in the lounge as there wasn't really anywhere else to put it aside from their room, which was a no-go for Yuzu.

"Just somewhere in the living room is fine, where ever you think looks okay." Mei gave a final peck to Yuzu's forehead before she left for their room, leaving Yuzu alone once again.

As Mei had predicted, five minutes later the doorbell rang and within ten minutes of that Yuzu was staring at the electric piano sitting in her living room. Completely set up, it's sleek shiny wood taunted her, begged her to touch it.

Yuzu hadn't touched a piano in over a decade, the thought alone made her shiver. This beautiful instrument was sitting meters away from her and yet she was scared to touch it, scared to hear the elegant voice she knew it had.

Her conversation with the two girls earlier had brought back some of the fonder memories of her time playing the piano. How it would make her heart swell when she played for her mother and father, even her time trying to teach Matsuri was somewhat pleasant for her- having someone beside her when she played, to laugh and talk with, filled the void she felt when playing alone-. When she spoke her troubles this afternoon, that emptiness that had haunted her for years dissipated slightly. Allowing her to appreciate what she had been missing; the comfort of the piano, the melodies she played, the happiness it brought to both her and her family. Or perhaps just being able to talk about the piano without crying or feeling empty was what Yuzu had found so encouraging about today.

And so, here stood the piano that would decide if she took those feelings and played the piano with her heart intact, or turned and return to her cycle of avoidance and tears.

Yuzu slowly walked over, her fingers lightly dragging over the lid as she lifted it up: exposing the white keys. She found herself unconsciously sitting at the piano, the feeling was refreshing to her, that feeling enticed her fingers upon the untouched keys. They were cold and heavy, just like she remembered them to be. Upon the first key she pressed, she felt a wave of emotions hit her as if a breeze had somehow made its way into the apartment. Like taking her first breath of pure air in ten years, the single note rang through the apartment. The sound although brought her refreshment, it brought along great sadness with it. Much like her later lessons she felt alone sitting at the piano, however much it did bring her joy to play again the pain was still present.

Yuzu had mildly considered that after opening up about her fault to her friends perhaps things would be different, Hmph I should have guessed nothing would have changed, it never will. Yuzu removed herself from the piano, closing the lid she walked back to clear her books and retire to the bedroom, no longer wanting to be in the presence of the one thing that denied her the happiness she desired from it.

She threw her books onto her desk, slightly knocking the chair with her foot. Was she angry? It was understandable, the thing she craved to enjoy, the instrument that used to bring her pure delight was rejecting her, denying her the right to its happiness. Yet Mei was welcomed by it, it made her so happy she had bought a piano just so she could play it again and love the sound it made, and Yuzu couldn't.

Surely I'm not mad Mei, that can't be... I'm not mad at her, I'm not mad at her, I can't be mad at her. And although Yuzu's thoughts were stern, her eyes were watering up and she was viciously gripping the back of her wooden chair. Gritting her teeth to keep her anger in check.

Mei walked in, Great timing Mei, Yuzu turned her back to Mei as discreetly as possible, attempting to hide her face and her knuckles that had turned white from gripping the chair.

"Thanks for waiting while they set it up, I didn't want to do it myself in case I broke anything." Mei's voice was uncharacteristically cheerful as she spoke, Yuzu gave her a quick 'no problem' keeping her back turned. She really needed these unwanted feelings to go away, she didn't think it was right to be mad right now but that didn't stop her from being so.

"I know it isn't much but can I show you what I learned today? The instructor said that I had a talent for it, I think it's going really well and I really enjoyed i-"

"Get out, please." Yuzu interrupted Mei, her voice slightly louder than a whisper but Mei heard her clear as day. Her tone was cold and she was refusing to look at her,

"What?" Mei slowly approached her rigid girlfriend, placing her hand on Yuzu's shoulder trying to get the girl to look at her. However, she willingly took several steps back when Yuzu spoke again, edging towards the door.

"I said get out. Get out, get out, get out, get out get OUT!" Yuzu's voice grew every time she repeated the words and at the end of her outburst she was slamming the door close on Mei confused face. She had let her anger get the better of her - it still had its grasp on her- she wanted to let these negative feeling out. Why was she feeling like this? She hardly ever raised her voice to Mei, especially not with so much violence.

She made her way back to her desk were she found herself pushing all her textbooks onto the floor in hopes of extinguishing her anger, only for her to stumble somewhat on the leg of her chair- that too was moved swiftly out of the way, creating another thud. She felt better, until she looked at the sprawl of books... Shit those were expensive,

Mei stood just outside the door, confusion and bewilderment evident on her face. Thinking it best to leave the angered blonde to calm down, Mei turned to leave. That was until she heard a loud clatter from the other side of the door, she immediately went to open the door to see what was happening yet it wouldn't budge, -Yuzu had locked it- so instead she knocked frantically.

"Yuzu are you alright?! -Another thump- Yuzu! What's going on in there?!" Mei's voice was loud and full of panic as she continued to knock on the door, aside from her voice and her knocking, the house had gone silent. She had no idea what had caused the girl to get so mad, she was certain she hadn't done anything that could make the other girl so angry.

What am I doing? This isn't me...Mei. Yuzu gave a wavered sigh as she ran her shaking hands through her hair. With her anger substantially gone Yuzu felt the reoccurring emptiness take its place. It was only a matter of time until it came back. She had tried to play again, she had been hopeful and yet she was repaid with pain as per usual.

She had taken that rejection and turned it into anger, that she projected onto Mei. Speaking of which she noticed for the first time that Mei was knocking hard against their bedroom door, clearly worried about her brash actions.

"Yuzu open the door, please. Are you hurt?... Answer me, please" Her voice more like a gentle plea than the commanding tone she had used prior. Mei hoped that Yuzu would at least let her know if she was injured.

Yuzu slowly walked to the door but she couldn't raise her hand to the lock, she wasn't ready to face Mei. Instead, she dropped down to the floor, leaning her back against the wood.

"I'm fine Mei... sorry for shouting at you I didn't mean to. Do you mind leaving me for a bit? I need some time by myself..." Yuzu tried to keep her voice loud enough so that Mei would hear her but it was cracking, the tears were well on their way and she could do nothing to stop them.

"I'm not going anywhere, open the door Yuzu, I mean it." Mei voice was stern once again and Yuzu although hesitant, sat up and unlocked the door before shuffling out of its reach. As soon as Mei heard the 'click' she quickly opened the door, her eyes going wide at Yuzu weeping on the floor. Giving the room a quick once over she noticed that everything that was normally on Yuzu's desk was now lying in a pile of the floor along with her toppled over chair, meters from where it should be. But those items were of little concern to her at the moment.

Mei got to her knees so that she was level with Yuzu. She wasn't quite sure what to say, she didn't know what she had done wrong. So, she carefully wrapped Yuzu into a tight embrace, watchful of any resistance she might have had. The was none.

Yuzu's face found the familiar crook of Mei's neck as the arms around her back held her close, there was no holding back. She let out an ear-piercing cry as she sobbed into Mei's shoulder. Feeling both the cruel pain of the piano but also the grief of scaring Mei.

"Mei I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to shout or scare you, I'm s-sorry I raised my voice without reason. You did nothing wrong and I took my anger out on you... I was... jealous," Yuzu gave her a small explanation before returning to her cries, Mei said nothing, she was so lost. Twenty minutes ago she was giving her kisses and cuddles now she was shouting, crying and apologizing, Mei was very much lost.

After crying her heart out Yuzu stood and grabbed some clothes before heading for the bathroom, trying not to meet Mei's concerned eyes.

Mei sat dumbfounded on their bedroom floor as she watched her whimpering girlfriend, "Yuzu," Mei's voice was soft but questioning, Yuzu just shook her head as she left the room, signalling to Mei that she wasn't getting an answer.

What did I do to make her ignore me? Jealous? I haven't been with anyone to make her jealous...Matsuri.

Getting her phone out Mei found the younger girls number and pressed the call button. Within the first few rings, she heard the familiar voice of the brunette.

"Isn't this a strange surprise, Mei calling Matsuri I think I might pass out from the shock." Harumi's cheerful sarcastic voice gave Mei shudders. She didn't have time for this, but then again Yuzu seemed to be closer to Harumin than Matsuri these days. If there was something bothering the blonde she would most likely go to her rather than the pink haired girl.

"Do you know what's wrong with Yuzu?" Mei got straight to the point, but she was slightly shocked herself with the response she got.

"Whatno!whywouldIknowanything, emm... MATSURI MEI WANTS TO TALK TO YOU." After the almost inaudible spur of speech, the line went quiet, after several seconds she heard an 'oh for god's sake' before Matsuri's voice came through the speaker.

"Hey Mei, what's up?" Matsuri seemed much more relaxed than Harumi before and after her loss of words.

"Going by her reaction I'm assuming you both know something I don't. Something is wrong with Yuzu and she won't tell me. She said something about being jealous but I don't know what's going on or what she could possibly be jealous about," Mei tried to be calm and collected but she was speaking in a rushed tone, she couldn't help it.

"Oh, what's this? Has Mei been sleeping around and was finally caught?" Matsuri spoke between laughs as she amused herself with teasing Mei. Who didn't take to her games.

"I'm being serious Matsuri, of course that's not the reason, I think I would know about that. Now, will one of you tell me what's going on?" Mei rolled her eyes at the accusation, of course she hadn't been sleeping with other people, that was preposterous.

She wanted to get whatever was going on with the blonde sorted out. She couldn't deal with Yuzu like this, she had little patience on any normal day, and with Yuzu screaming at her for no apparent reason and avoiding her it was only a matter of time before she blew. She really didn't want that, she wanted to fix the problem without an argument.

"Sorry but I have no idea what you're talking about, I haven't spoken to Yuzu," Matsuri cringed as the words left her mouth. She didn't mind a lie now and again, but she knew this was somewhat serious to the blonde. She wanted to help but that would be breaking her promise.

"However, if there was something wrong with her I would make sure and be nice when I spoke about it to her, no losing your cool. I would assume that she was scared to tell you because of what you would do, or rather wouldn't do to make her feel better. But I honestly don't know why she is jealous, oh and if she were to tell me I would be sworn to secrecy and she would be very mad if she found out I had said anything." Matsuri hoped Mei would pick up on the suggestiveness in her voice and put the pieces together. She heard a sigh and she smiled slightly.

"Thank you, Yuzu won't know a thing, and tell Harumi she needs to learn the word discretion." Mei gave her thanks and gave a small smirk when she heard a laugh in response. With brief goodbyes, she hung up and tried to think of how to approach the subject. What could make Yuzu so upset that she refused to tell her? And what reaction could be so bad Yuzu kept to herself? Is this about what she couldn't tell me last week?

Even more worrying; would Yuzu even tell her if she asked? She didn't know what she could do to fix it if the girl wouldn't talk to her about.

So she sat on the edge of the bed, a nervous wreck, waiting for Yuzu to return from her successful escape at some alone time.