What are you doing here? said Yuzu who couldn't believe her eyes on what she's seeing in front of her. She felt a sensation of flopping in her chest as she saw Mei outside their apartment. She would have given her a bright smile just like the old times but her lips couldn't force one.

"I just...," was the only thing Mei could say. She prepared a speech in her mind but upon seeing the blonde, her mind completely went blank. She snapped out of that state after a few seconds, "Can I come in?" Mei uttered. Yuzu was carrying a grocery bag. She just came back from the supermarket to buy some ingredients for her dinner tonight which was Spicy Curry.

"This is your home, too. Of course, you can come in," Yuzu answered trying to suppress the overflowing emotions that were inside her at the moment. She tried her best to act as casual as she could. She didn't want the raven-haired beauty to think that she has in any way impacted her life because of the note she left after their last date.

"Thank you," Mei said trying to avoid as much eye contact as possible with the blonde. What are you making for dinner? She tried to continue the conversation as she watched the items from the transparent grocery bag. Every word was filled with nerves.

"It's Spicy Curry," said the blonde trying to maintain her coolness. Deep inside, she was brimming with confusion, anger, and overwhelming emotions. The presence of Mei was something she hasn't expected, this evening. Being alone for dinner was something she has already gotten accustomed to for the past 8 months.

"Yuzu," Mei broke the silence in the hallway. She wanted to look at the blonde. She wanted to grab her hands and kiss her. She wanted to throw herself and embrace Yuzu but she couldn't do that. The guilt inside her hindered such gestures and all she could do was to look down on the floor while trying to break the ice between her and the love of her life.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll just head to the kitchen and prepare for dinner," said Yuzu in a nonchalant way as if she was speaking with a visitor whom she was never close with. Never has Yuzu been this great masking her feelings in front of Mei but the past months of being alone, she has gained this new skill. At school, she would would wear the brightest of smiles to disguise her loneliness.

Yuzu silently made her way to the kitchen like she normally would at this time of the evening. Her mother taking the night shifts only made Yuzu rely more to the silence in the room. Glancing casually, she watched as Mei sat at the dining table next to the big teddy bear, Kumagorou.

"Are you going to have dinner here? Mom has taken the night shift so if you're looking for her, she won't be back any time soon," Yuzu asked as if she was talking to a stranger. The truth was, she didn't know how to behave around Mei. There was no doubt that her heart was racing uncontrollabley at the sight of Mei but it was also filled with sadness that accompanied her for the past several months.

"I came here... to talk to you, Yuzu," tears were now streaming down Mei's beautiful face. Suppressing her feelings was no longer an option because she wanted to let Yuzu know everything. She wanted to be completely honest. She wanted Yuzu to forgive her.

Seeing Mei so helpless and vulnerable made Yuzu's heart ache a bit. Yes, she was angry at Mei for leaving her. She was angry at her for keeping a secret. She was angry at her for a lot of things, but she loves her no matter what. She has never stopped loving her, if truth be told.

Yuzu approached the dining table beside Kumagorou where Mei was sitting. Her heart was beating fast. She wanted to act cool but heart had other plans. Yuzu reached out for Mei's chin, softly grabbing it, allowing her to make eye contact with the love of her life. Those gorgeous lavender eyes have never failed to make Yuzu's heartbeat race wildly. Even though they're filled with tears, they still reflect the kind of love that was only meant for her. The blonde could also see the pain and loneliness in those eyes.. making her caress Mei's left cheek gently and wipe away some tears.

"Mei, my heart has never betrayed you even if I wanted to," Yuzu said as her eyes starting to well up. "I don't know why I couldn't hate you even if I wanted to," tears are finally flowing down Yuzu's face. Both step-sisters sobbing and letting their emotions take over them.

Yuzu's other hand reached out Mei's face as she leaned forward until their faces were just a few centimeters apart. She rested her forehead on Mei's as they continue to cry endlessly. The younger girl gathered up her will and gently pressed her lips on Yuzu's, hoping to convey all her overflowing feelings that tender moment. The older stepsister did not resist at all as she returned the kiss twice more.

Mei's soft and intoxicating lips never failed to bring butterflies to Yuzu's stomach. This time, it was intensified. As the kiss became rougher, the stepsisters suddenly felt familiar feelings of comfort, of warmth, of safety. They were deprived of these beautiful feelings for quite a while now. As Yuzu deepened the kiss, the energy of desire suddenly arose within her. The last time she felt this way was back in summer trip when they almost shared the night together away from the troubling world. She buried this particular feeling after reading Mei's note. But now that she's kissing Mei, this burning desire to make love to the raven-haired beauty was awoken and this time it's slowly taking over her reason.

"Yuzu," Mei said softly between moans. Her heart was colored with joy as she was receiving every kiss from the blonde. She never thought that she could feel this way again. She never thought that Yuzu would kiss her this way again. She missed the reassuring feeling that Yuzu gave her through those kisses. She couldn't stop crying but this time it was out of joy. Every time their lips pressed together, her guilt vanished from her heart. The kiss from Yuzu wasn't just an ordinary phsyical act but each kiss was filled with unconditional love and warmth that when their lips touch, Mei's heart couldn't help but melt.