-Aaaagh, my head hurts.

Kaori was sat down in front of the dinning table. She didn’t drink that much the previous night, but her head hurt a bit and felt a light ringing in her ears. That discomfort was almost hidden by the noise and aromas close to her.

-Don’t worry, it will be gone soon thanks to my special treatment: my patented “Game Over Hangover” breakfast!- exclaimed Shimoto.

The city woman placed two big rice bowls with sauce, onion and fried minced meat, other smaller bowls with miso and clam soup and two black tea and milk cups. Everything looked delicious for Kaori, but she thought it was too much food.

-Trust me, this is the foolproof method I developed for hangover and works 100 % of times- reassured Shimoto. -When you are done, you’ll feel so much better.

Still scared for the size of that meal, Kaori took a first bite. She felt the different flavors combining together wonderfully. She was suddenly hungrier and went ahead. Shimoto began a bit later.

-This is so good!- exclaimed Kaori. -You are a great chef.

Shimoto felt flattered, but at the same time, her head was in other place, specifically the previous night, when the two women shared their first kiss and confessed their love for each other. That woman still remembered everything, but wasn’t sure her friend remember that as well.

-She said we would talk in the morning but… does she remember?- thought Shimoto. -She didn’t drink that much, but maybe she gets more drunk than others. Maybe she regrets it? But she’s acting like normal, like yesterday. Is that good or she just forgot? I could say it but, what if she says no? Now that she’s back in my life, I don’t want to ruin it, but… I want what happened last night to be real.

The ambient during breakfast was quite calm. After that, Kaori offered her help for cleaning, but Shimoto stopped her and insisted that Kaori should relax with her tea. Kaori looked at her friend washing dishes, but she had already noticed. All that time, she observed her friend was really nervous. Kaori knew her very well, as she had the same fear the previous night. It was her turn now.

-Hey, Shimocchi...- began saying Kaori. -Do you remember our second year in prep? We had a trip to the mountain, remember?

-Oh, yeah...- answered Shimoto nervously. -The whole class made curry and the dumbest group had to make rice. It almost went stale, ha!

-And do you remember the courage trial that night?- kept asking Kaori.

Shimoto did remember. It was usual in Japan to do that activity: some students hide along a mountain path disguised as ghosts or monsters and prepared scary traps while the other students travelled through the path in couples to get to the end, usually a temple, where a big surprised awaits. Shimoto didn’t like that kind of stuff.

-Yeah, I do- answered Shimoto. -I’m not very good with horror things. It was the only thing I was mocked at highschool.

-Yeah, I remember how you reacted- said Kaori. -You thought of all horrible things that could happen along the path and… froze.

-Sure I did- said Shimoto a bit ashamed.

-At that moment, I went by your side, held your hand, looked at your eyes and you calmed down. And then, we walked together no matter what awaited us. Do you remember that?- asked Kaori with a smile that Shimoto couldn’t see as she had her back on her.

-Yeah, I do- answered Shimoto smiling. -When you took my hand, I felt safe…

-It has always been like that: sometimes, you couldn’t stop thinking of all bad possibilities and froze. And then I came and pushed you a bit so you could walk forward. You admitted that last night- said Kaori.

Shimoto stopped washing the dishes when she heard that. Did she mishear? Last night? Did that mean…?

-Well, I see you need me to push you one more time- said Kaori.

Shimoto turned to her friend, who rested her head on her hand and had a sweet smile. Kaori stood up and slowly approached Shimoto.

-I remember everything from last night- revealed Kaori while holding Shimoto’s hands. -And all I said is true, every single word. I love you. And that kiss last night… was the most wonderful thing I have ever lived.

Shimoto felt her fears disappearing and sighed in relief. She smiled and began crying.

-Really?- asked Shimoto. -After all these years, even though I didn’t look for you… you love me?

Returning the previous night gesture, Kaori put her hands on Shimoto’s face and removed the tears from her eyes with her thumbs.

-Of course- answered Kaori happily. -I love you with all my heart and I don’t want to get away from you ever again. I want us to stay together for the rest of our lives.

After those words, Shimoto gave a tight hug to Kaori, who returned it.

-Thank you- murmured Shimoto in Kaori’s shoulder. -I love you too.

They kept hugging for a while, but Kaori had a better idea.

-You know? There’s something we used to do in highschool and… I’d like to do it again- murmured Kaori smiling to Shimoto.

Kaori pulled the hand of her new love to the couch, where she laid on and rested her back on one corner. Then, she gave a sign to Shimoto to make her sit down laying on her. Giving in to her emotions, Shimoto sat down, laying her back on Kaori, who surrounded her with her arms. They used to do that a lot: Shimoto usually laid back on Kaori while holding a magazine so both of them could read, but looking back, it might had been an excuse for them to be more intimate. They needed no distraction anymore as they just wished to enjoy each other’s company. Kaori could feel the warmth from her partner and how soft her head was, while Shimoto held onto her partner's arms and caressed her hands. It felt as if the world outside that small flat didn’t exist.

-This is so great- murmured Shimoto. -I wish it lasts forever.

-It will last forever- answered Kaori. -It’s a promise.