Chapter Text
It was the first real day of summer, the first full day the girls had out of school for their long-awaited break. Not that the school year had been particularly difficult in an academic sense, what with the constant battles erupting and –what was it again? The threat of end of the world? Good thing that was taken care of. Yes, it was the day after the graduation ceremony, and the entire town had only a couple weeks before the island was to be abandoned.
Ryuko and Mako had mutually decided to celebrate, to break in the season, and what better way to do that than to head to the beach? Wanting it to be more of a date-type outing, it was just the two of them on their little expedition to the sandy shore.
They had taken Ryuko’s very own scooter, issued to her by Satsuki herself as something of a gift. It was a little inconvenient what with their duffle bag of beach items, but they figured they could manage; it’s not like Mako wasn’t used to carrying bags even larger just on her back. This was something she’d done before, riding with her while shouldering significant weight. Ryuko didn’t have a reason to worry about their safety or the logistics of it.
The sun beat down relentlessly, making Ryuko grateful she brought along her shades. It was a cloudless day, and thankfully there weren’t many other cars on the road. It was kind of odd considering it was only midday, but she figured it was just because everyone was still so busy preparing to move elsewhere after the demolition. Hopefully, this would also mean the beach would be less crowded.
She kept her eyes fixed on the road, focused on their destination. Mako’s arms wrapped tightly around her waist like an affectionate seatbelt. She felt the girl’s cheek against her bare shoulder blade, her soft hair tickling the nape of her neck as the wind billowed around them. It made her feel oddly glad that she wore a tank top that day.
The brunette was quiet, but that wasn’t unlike her on rides like these. It’s not like Ryuko could’ve heard anything too well anyway, with the wind whipping around them. The verbal silence was actually welcomed; it gave her an excellent opportunity to reflect on her own thoughts, something she was often preoccupied doing nowadays. Not that her female companion’s words were unwanted, she’d just prefer to enjoy the feeling of her arms around her waist for now. While glancing at one of the review mirrors, Ryuko notices that her beautiful counterpart has dozed off and smiles. At that moment, there was a content and comfortable silence.
The older teen slowed to an idle stop at the red light ahead of them. She’d notice the other girl’s grip loosen slightly, but thought nothing of it. At the sudden stillness, the halting of the warm winds, it was suddenly very quiet. She felt Mako stir slightly, and wondered if she had been startled out of her sleep. She also wondered why she didn’t say anything then, if just a virtually insignificant observation of the surrounding environment, but still she remained silent. Still, she decided to think nothing of it. Maybe she hadn't woken up after all, but she didn't bother to check.
The light changed to green, and Ryuko accelerated. Having a good amount of experience with her scooter, she trusted herself as a decent driver so obviously, she’d accelerate gradually. She’d typically speed up with caution, especially if she weren’t the only one on the vehicle. Especially if her life wasn’t the only one she was accountable for. In standard circumstances, everyday situations like this one could’ve, and should’ve been, she wouldn’t have pressed the gas pedal too suddenly, too roughly.
She wouldn’t have basically floored it, a mistake produced by her over-occupied thoughts, her distracted conscious. Ironically, her thoughts had been of Mako in that split second of devastating error.
She could’ve recounted the occurrence in slow-motion, if she hadn’t been facing forward. What she could recall in perfect and excruciating clarity was the feeling of Mako’s arms sliding away from her waist, the terror-inducing sensation of the scooter suddenly being an entire person (and duffle bag) lighter than it had been a split second ago.
For a moment, Ryuko didn’t know how to react. She impulsively pulled the scooter over on the side of the road, completely ignoring the kickstand. Once off the vehicle, she turned around to run in the previous direction. The second she did, her heart panicked more than it had just a few seconds ago at the distant sight of her girlfriend, motionless on the pavement. She sprinted, her legs carrying her quicker than ever, not even feeling the asphalt beneath her.
She reached her hastily and knelt down beside her, scooping her body off the large duffle bag and into her arms. “Mako, say something!” She shook her rather vigorously.
She hadn’t realized she’d been crying until she watched one of her own tears splatter onto the brunette’s cheek. “Mako!”