3 - Uniting
In the end, Minami wished foremost to protect.
That may have been the reason why her gaze constantly strayed to her friend, making sure that the scarf tied tightly around her neck was fulfilling its role of protecting her against the cold. When she did confirm that, however, her eyes still lingered, moving onto their interlinked hands.
She felt slightly guilty when, due to her preoccupation, the meaning of Yutaka's chatter flied over her head.
She wished to protect, and she had done well, so far. If, for lack of radiance, she was not Yutaka's guardian angel, she could at least claim to be the girl's shadow. Even if they were both female, the same age, attended the same school, even if they were basically equal, it was natural for Minami to become a guardian.
xxx
Somehow, as they reached the Izumi residence and her companion turned to her with the most divine smile on her face, Minami realized that it could very well be the end of the line for her.
She squeezed Yutaka's hand last one time before releasing it. Because the only thing Yutaka was not protected against was Minami herself.
"I am terribly sorry" she said, did not bow, but did close her eyes "But I'm afraid if you do not move in three seconds, I will kiss you."
xxx
It was a week before everything changed. But in Yutaka's mind, it was only another day in the discomforting and endless status quo.
Which was why she was silently sneaking to the closed door of Konata's room, knowing thanks to the light slipping underneath the frame and the rhythmic sound of typing that the other girl was not yet asleep.
Yutaka was aware her onee-chan was anything but average. And so, any advice coming from her also tended to be worryingly unorthodox. But she believed Konata would be honest, and she was family.
After all, Yutaka had to know whether she should or shouldn't.
Whether she could or couldn't.
xxx
Three seconds later, Minami leaned forward and almost managed to cover half the distance between them before their lips connected.
Steps of Trepidation END