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An open text book served as her pillow, as Reina had fallen asleep on top of the table. Seated next to her on the floor was Kumiko, who let her be – knowing she needed the rest, and starstruck by the dreamer.
Reina’s black hair was spilled over the table like liquid. It fell through Kumiko’s hands as she stroked some rogue strands in contemplation.
The alarm clock was ticking by her bed, filling the silence in its inoffensive nature. Her mother was out grocery shopping, and her sister was nowhere to be seen, or make noise. Their joint isolation gave them this getaway to silence; a break from studies, and a pause from music.
Reina’s breathing was even and at first almost inaudible. Kumiko leaned her body over the table and stared at her resting face. She caressed Reina’s hair with affection and worship.
Reina’s predictable grace in her sleeping was enchanting to observe, and more long-time rewarding than homework. Even as Reina suddenly began to snore – first gently, then more resounding – the spell did not break. The contradicting snoring filled the room without a protest voiced against it.
Kumiko said to the cacti on her windowsill: “Reina is so cute, isn’t she?” and thought they must agree. She would willingly be seduced by the sleeping beauty in front of her, as by any other side of Reina.
Kumiko liked their quiet moments. But she loved the loud.
Reina went first. Hands gripping the railing hard enough for her knuckles to turn white, she leaned out over the valley and filled it with a loud scream. She screamed through her aching throat until her breath would no longer allow it.
Kumiko put a comforting hand on her back as Reina coughed her voice back. When she had regained her composure, Reina nodded to her.
“Now you go.”
She watched Kumiko step up to the railing in her stead. Kumiko took a deep breath before releasing her own scream against the familiarized wind. It resonated fuller than Reina’s own, and the echo lingered like the light of dead stars, long after it had stopped.
Kumiko spoke to her with conviction, and screamed the same way, releasing the honesty Reina valued at her suggestion. Even after the sound faded away that honesty stayed, and Kumiko looked back, smiling at her in earnest. She had the appearance of pride, and Reina thought to see tears in the corners of her eyes, telling of relief and joy; what love is made of.
It was an easy smile to return.
Reina liked their loud moments. But she loved the quiet.
When lips were pressed against instruments beautiful sound was created, but lips pressed against lips brought naked silence. Broken apart they breathed fully, but joint together they consumed the noise.
Kumiko kissed Reina’s forehead when she finally woke and complimented her snoring. Reina kissed the corners of Kumiko’s eyes after she had shouted from their outlook post. They kissed each other to indulge in the quiet, and made each other loud in everything else.
They liked acting separately. But they loved acting together.