Hiccuping Bliss Under the Fireworks
Why does being drunk feel so damn good? Is it my first festival ever? Am I hyped for the fireworks? Was that apple taffy just too tasty? Am I buzzing 'cause I'm wandering around in cute clothes? Or did that one drink go straight to my head? Nah, probably 'cause I'm with Serina and Alicia.
Hic. At some point, the hiccups just won't stop. I thought it was hilarious and started giggling like an idiot. Why are they staring? Well, yeah, if I saw some girl in the middle of the festival street grinning like a manic freak, I'd probably gawk too. Not that I'm a real girl or actually manic or anything.
"Fix your clothes, Lily...."
"It's hoooot."
"You drank way too much. The proof was low, but... it's still booze."
"Serina kept pouring me more."
"That's because... Lily."
"My fault...?"
"......"
You filled my glass over and over with that weird look on your face when I whined for just one more like a spoiled brat... and you're saying you're innocent? I didn't say it out loud, but Serina seemed to get exactly what I meant. Whatever. It's fine. It's fine. I'm not blaming you just 'cause I'm a little hot. Hell, I'm feeling amazing.
Hic. Hic. More hiccups bubble up. My face has been flushed from the booze forever, and I feel like I'm floating, feet barely touching the ground. People are staring. I flash a pretty smile at everyone watching me. I'm in such a good mood, my eyes crinkle into full-on grins.
"Lily...!"
"Hm?"
"Don't smile like that."
"Whyyy?"
"Just... don't."
Who the hell are you to decide how I smile? If I said that, Serina would sulk for sure. Some impulsive urge hits me. I wanna see her cling to me with that heartbroken face. I wanna twist up her sweet expression, make her think only of me.
"Got it. Sorry...."
"N-no need to apologize or anything."
But I can't actually do that. I shove down the bit of my true nature that slipped out thanks to the booze, practically by force. What the hell am I thinking? A damn TS girl like me.
Serina fidgets beside me, looking like she's about to lose her mind. Like a kid abandoned by the riverside in a downpour. I give her a reassuring smile. Oops, she told me not to.
"Ehehe."
But I can't help it.
While Serina and I chat away, Alicia stands quietly off to the side, lost in thought. She looks troubled. I'm suddenly curious what she's thinking. Would she tell me if I asked?
"Alicia. What're you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"You know."
She doesn't seem like the vague type. Must be tough to answer. But that bugs me. Why can't you just tell me? I step closer to pry it out of her. Maybe if I nag, she'll spill.
Alicia pulls back. It overlaps with how she acted at the aquarium. Our class topper, who always comes at me first—touching, teasing, spewing misleading lines nonstop—freaks out and bolts the second I try to approach.
She said it that rainy day at the hotel. She likes dolls. Maybe she sees me as one. That would explain it. It's fine to touch and hug your precious doll however you want, but if it suddenly comes alive and approaches you? You'd freak and push it away.
Sneaky bitch. Always groping me. My bad. The spots you touched keep aching, so when no one's around, I secretly rub up against desk corners. Don't know. It's embarrassing. I wanna stop thinking like this....
Just like with Serina earlier, I suddenly wanna mess with Alicia a bit. And unlike with Serina, where I held back, this time I actually do it. How dare you. Standing there all innocent, I lunge and grab her hand—fingers splayed like a bird snatching feed.
She tries to pull away again, but no chance. I grip hard.
"...Ow."
"I'll be gentle. Uhi hi...."
Even as I say it, I cringe at how lame that sounds. Like some creepy uncle about to pounce on an innocent schoolgirl. Ugh. Uncle in my yuri story? What the fuck am I thinking?
Booze is wild—it keeps shoving past the boundaries I set for myself. I ignore it. No, I don't know. Pervert Lily knows nothing. So I keep toying with Alicia's hand. Making sure Serina sees, like I'm showing off. Hey, this is how you seduce a girl. A masterclass from yuri blood and flesh.
I stroke the back of her hand leisurely, circle the wrinkles at her knuckles. The bone sticking out where her wrist connects is so cute, I lavish it with affection.
"Ngh...."
How long do I play with it? Alicia lets out a soft groan. And then... I get chills. Her blue eyes gazing at me sink deep like the ocean abyss. Eerily hollow at a glance. The light in them fades bit by bit until only a tarry, sticky emotion remains.
I sense it instinctively. She's made up her mind about something.
...And? Drunk Lily is invincible, a god. I ravage this girl's hand without mercy. Hehe. TS girl buried. I beam up at her innocently, and she squeezes her eyes shut.
I say, like it's an excuse.
"'Cause you're pretty."
Who told you to be born so pretty? You keep coming to me, doing whatever I want. Taking care of me without bragging. How could I not like you? I shouldn't, you're off-limits for yuri, a weirdo who ruins it, but the booze... yeah, the alcohol makes me touch you without thinking 'cause you're so pretty and sweet. All your fault, Alicia.
"Lily. Stop...."
"Fine. Hmph...."
One more second and she'd snap. Not just Alicia—even Serina watching from the side. Tch. I pout, but yeah, no choice. Mood's killed.
Serina suddenly steps in front of me. Maybe 'cause I'm drunk, but her face looks off. Sweet as always, but creaking like unoiled gears.
"Lily. Fireworks. Starting soon."
"Oh. For real?"
"Good spot. Let's go."
Her speech is weird too. Forgetting her earlier plea, I burst out laughing again. Anyway.
The festival street's packed. I grab one hand from each of them. Feels like holding flowers. Don't get the wrong idea. Not thinking anything weird. Just... don't wanna lose you. And they feel soft and nice. That's all.
We find a decent spot, shoving through the crowd for the best view.
Piiiiiiew—
The fireworks launch with a roar, a total spectacle. I look up at the sky, purely thrilled. The explosions stitching colors across the black canvas are just so pretty.
The show ramps up. More and more fireworks, the crowd's cheers and blasts deafening my ears.
While I'm glued to it, Serina on my left suddenly squeezes my hand hard.
"Lily."
"Yeah?"
"Got something to say...."
"What?"
She finally speaks up but hems and haws forever. Her lips twitching like waves is so cute, I laugh.
Something she wants to say. What could it be? No clue. And whatever it is, it'd be pointless now. So I beat her to it.
"Tell me later?"
'Cause fireworks. Too noisy to hear. No point saying it if it won't land.
"Okay...."
Serina nods. The expression I wanted to see earlier clouds her face. Ah. That's her sulky look. Ngh. Nngh....
Feels shitty. Thought making her look like that would feel good, but nope. My heart's all twisted up. So I speak first this time. Cowardly, with my voice thick with booze.
"I'll think about it seriously."
Right as the biggest barrage erupts. Cheers at their peak. My words drown completely, unheard by her.
I just say it. For my own comfort.
Of course, she couldn't hear. And luckily, her "Lily, what?" gets swallowed by the final massive whoosh and boom.
The festival ends just like that.