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Takamaki Ann is a lot of things, but an ‘early riser’ certainly isn’t one of them… That is to say, Shiho’s a little alarmed when she wakes up at seven in the morning and the bed that she’d previously been sharing by her partner is empty. Not just empty, but a little cold, as if Ann’s been gone for a while.
Knowing Ann, she probably got up for a stupid reason… but also knowing Ann, she could’ve easily gotten into trouble wherever she chose to go, so after checking the bathroom to be sure she wasn’t just spending a ton of time mugging in the mirror, Shiho reluctantly gets dressed and steps into her shoes, collecting her cane before she makes her way out of their hotel room. She just isn’t sure if this is going to be a long excursion or not.
Their complimentary continental breakfast runs from 8 to 10, so Ann can’t have gone to that, though Shiho still stops by the adjoining restaurant just to check. Making her way past reception, Shiho scours her mind, then groans as a possibility hits her. There are two ways to enter the pool available to them. If you want to swim, you need to go change in the locker room and shower before getting into the water… There’s also a tall glass door through which parents and others who aren’t that interested in swimming can get in, and Shiho only needs to take a glance through before she sees Ann’s very distinctive pair of twin tails floating on the surface of the slightly-blue chlorinated water.
For a moment, Shiho considers leaving her to it, but she’s too annoyed by the wakeup to do that, so she steps through and treads carefully over the wet tiles. She eases herself down into a crouch at the edge of the pool and waits for Ann, who is busy splashing through the water, to notice that she’s got company.
When their eyes meet, Ann lights up and pads over like a puppy dog.
“Morning Shiho!” Ann says brightly.
“Ann,” Shiho responds, because Ann does not deserve a ‘good morning’. “You couldn’t leave a note?”
“Huh?” Ann blinks at her, then uses both hands to push her drenched bangs out of her eyes. Unfortunately, the motion is endearing, particularly because it’s ineffectual; she just ends up getting more water in her lashes and having to blink it out. As she huffs and sputters, Shiho takes pity on her and leans forward to carefully card her fingers through the wet hair, pushing it behind Ann’s ears so she can see. “Thanks. Um, what time is it?”
Shiho estimates, “7:20. It’s almost time for breakfast.”
“What?!” Ann cries. “It’s been that long? I was only supposed to be swimming for like an hour!”
She groans and flops back into the water… which does have the effect of splashing it over Shiho’s clothed knees. Shiho lets out a longsuffering sigh and uses the sleeves of her cardigan to dab away the excess water. She doesn’t really mind—part of the fun of being with Ann is just getting to watch her emote—and the pool water really isn’t cold, it’s pleasantly warm as this is an indoor pool, and the air in here is balmy besides… but still, come on, Ann. She’s wearing jeans.
Ann resurfaces after a moment, again blinking water out of her eyes. “Okay, I’ll get out. Sorry, Shiho, I wasn’t trying to worry you…”
Snorting, Shiho sets her cane against the tile, then uses it to heave herself upright. Ann watches her with concern from the pool, but Shiho waves her off. It isn’t a big deal, for one, and for another, her leg is doing fine today. It does help her to regulate if she brings the cane along from the getgo instead of going out without it when she’s having a good pain day, though… You pick up little tidbits like that with enough experience.
“You didn’t worry me,” Shiho clarifies. “I was just surprised, since it isn’t like you to get up so early.”
“Oh. Well…” Ann paddles over to the ladder, then hauls herself upright, water dripping from her swimsuit. She gathers her twintails over one shoulder and frowns as she does, shivering. “I know we’re on vacation, but I like… don’t sleep well if I’m not in my own bed. Having you there holding me helped, but I just got so restless… It hit five and I like, couldn’t get back to sleep. Is that weird?”
“I think that’s actually pretty common,” Shiho replies, more so just surprised that she hadn’t already known that about Ann. She always slept like a log back in grade school when she spent the night at Shiho’s place… “You could have woken me up, you know?”
“It wasn’t a big deal.” Ann smiles at her, shuffling past for her towel where she left it on one of the chairs set out. “I didn’t wanna bother you after all the travelling yesterday… I should have left a note, though. I’ll do that next time.”
Shiho huffs a small laugh. She walks over and leans down to plant a kiss on Ann’s cheek, and Ann shoots up, flushed in the face. Her hand goes to her cheek. Ridiculous that she still reacts that way after so many years together…
“Wake me, next time,” Shiho insists. “Really. Even if it’s just for a second. I want to do stuff like this with you.” I want to be by your side, Shiho doesn’t say—the words still kind of choke her up sometimes. Ann seems to get it, either way. Her eyes soften and she exhales, and she clutches Shiho’s hand with one of her own. It is wet, not the most pleasant, but Shiho doesn’t draw back.
“Sounds like a plan,” Ann agrees, and Shiho relaxes into a smile.
“Better hurry and dry off, or we’ll be late to breakfast.”
“Eep! Right! Wait for me, Shiho!” Ann yelps, before scrambling and turning to run across the pool. Shiho thinks about reminding her not to run, but somewhat impressively, she manages to avoid slipping and falling on her ass the whole way. She really has a talent, that Takamaki Ann.