Cherry Lollipop

6. A Feisty Start

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(A/N: Decided to add 1 more chapter to the story since this chapter was way longer than expected and had to be split in half with this being the 1st and the 2nd half being the next chapter. I've switch a few past parts so you might not get some of the stuff that you wanted in this chapter but it's definitely going to be in the next chapter so don't worry. Also sorry for the wait, I've been studying a few books here and there and rewrote this chapter 3 times until I finally felt happy with it. The next chapter is almost complete so hopefully I can get it out sooner than later. Thanks to those who've kept reading my stories and hope you've enjoyed Cherry Lollipop so far since it's almost at it's end.)

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Heat.

She could feel it everywhere from the relatively simple kiss she gave Sakura just moments ago. In truth, she always felt it with the Japanese woman but hid it well in the past when they were just friends as just a big affection for her. The time is different and now, being that they were past girlfriends as it torched her body more than ever as she waited for her lovely host to shut the front door.

A hint of amber and vanilla blossoms lingered subtly in the air and their sweet scents invited her nerves to feel cozier in the place she was currently in as she heard music playing faintly from another room. Observing her host closely, Sakura’s bare shoulders snagged her eyes with the milky complexion it gave and it didn’t help that her crimson tipped locks painted her back in a fiery fashion as it swayed back and forth.

‘Calm yourself Hyewon ...you've got this. It’s not like it’s your first date in 4 freakin’ years with the woman you deeply care about or anything…………...’

She quickly touched her face and hair to groom herself but she knew that it was just a response to at least try to subtly contain her feelings. But even still, she knew that even if she tried, she couldn't help but be completely smitten by her past -and current- love for she wasn’t a robot who could just turn them off.

She took deep breaths and long exhales to cool herself down. 'Control yourself….'

She slapped her cheeks slightly to get rid of the building anxiety she was currently feeling but it lingered in her body like a neverending fire. To her, this date could be a restart of something that she cherished back deeply and she’d do anything to try and work it out with Sakura again.

As Sakura finally finished locking the door, Hyewon’s eyes lingered on her host as she walked towards her with a gentle smile plastered on her lips and soon enough, she instantly felt her cheeks warmed itself into a shade of pink. All that time to cool herself for naught.

‘Screw it, just go for broke!’ she thought, it’s GO time and she can’t be conservative with her feelings after years of longing.

“You know, that kind of kiss made it feel as if you’ve just come home from a long day at work. Nostalgic in a way ...” Sakura whispered happily.

The brows of the younger woman curved up at the front, intrigued to hear such a sentence.

“.....was it now?”

“Don’t get any ideas, I’m just saying...okay? Anyway, welcome to my humble abode, please get comfortable and I hope you feel welcomed here. This place is my pride and joy!” she expressed proudly with her hands as guides to the surrounding living room.

Despite being a Japanese house, it was very western-influenced in a way as she looked around the mostly pearl white interior with hints of black and pink here and there leaving a very modern and chic look to the eyes. It was clear that Sakura had put in work in remodeling the house to her liking and it showed greatly.

“Weird, this place looks exactly like my future house ...furniture and all. Even the same beautiful woman comes with it.” Hyewon quipped unashamedly, tongue out as she bit down on it with a cheeky smile. Her brows raised as Sakura’s face grimaced in embarrassment.

She facepalmed soon after and wondered how Hyewon could be so direct with her statements ...as if it wasn’t clear enough that the younger woman wanted her. ‘...gosh Kangchan, just be normal would you?’

Removing her palm and looking back up, the Korean woman snuck in close being a foot away from her face as she leaned in.

“Are you a cat or something?” Sakura teased.

“Hehehe..…..what makes you say that?” she giggled as she reached for something in her bag.

“Because you always seem to come out of nowhere ...or maybe you’re just a Vampire...”

Wrapped in a pink wrap with white ribbons, a small box was presented towards her.

“Vampire? Tsk. That’ll be no fun, an all blood diet sounds lame. Anywho, here’s a present but don’t open it yet okay?”

“A-a present? You didn’t have to but thank you very much Hyewon………... I appreciate it.” Sakura bowed in kindness.

“No problem….however, I’ve got another present that you can have right now though….”

As if on cue, Hyewon pulled Sakura’s waist towards her and her eyes landed on the woman's rose-colored lips. Even through the latter’s silky black dress that covered her skin, she felt Sakura’s warm body through her fingertips and couldn’t wait to put her lips on the woman she held her in her hands.

“Hyewon.”

Her eyes shot up at Sakura as her eyes stared back intently.

"You know you did this last time right?"

"....and?"

"I've already cooked food to eat and my lips are not on the menu right now.” she stated sternly.

“.....right now?” Hyewon questioned in a singsong voice.

With a roll of her eyes, Sakura huffed. “That’s not what I meant you know….”

Hyewon confidently leaned forward. “So later then? I don’t mind...especially if it’s an all ‘You’ can eat buffet.”

Letting a soft chuckle leave , Sakura answered back. “You are going for it huh? Are you going to be like this all night?”

“Sakura….just give me one kiss.”

“You already had one before you came in.”

“That was just a greeting kiss, it doesn’t count.”

“A kiss is still a kiss."

“…..just one single kiss...please?” her eyes pleaded like a puppy dog ...a puppy dog with questionable intentions that is.

Sakura released a sigh of defeat.

“.............fine.”

While still holding Sakura’s waist in one hand, she brought the other to hold her nape as their faces came within inches of each other. As she beamed intensely into Sakura’s lovely brown eyes, she saw Sakura subtly her slightly parted lips to prepare. For Hyewon, just that one little action made it her mission to claim those lips as hers once again. Carefully tilting Sakura’s head a bit, she slowly closed in but stopped abruptly making sure Sakura caught her eyes as her breath tickled the latter’s skin.

“Mine.”

Her lips softly landed against Sakura’s as they closed their eyes to fully enjoy the moment. Through her fingertips behind her neck, she could feel Sakura slowly heat up as their lips dance against each other...slightly slow first...that is until Hyewon’s bottom hand began feeling a little frisky, to say the least. She let her hand glide down Sakura’s back as she her body through her silky dress and thankfully for her actions, Sakura moaned slightly which indicated that her mission is currently succeeding.

Because of that, Sakura opened wider and Hyewon, of course, wouldn't let such an opportunity go to waste as she slipped her tongue in quickly to seize her territory from long ago. She could feel Sakura flinch slightly at the action but her tongue quickly comforted the other’s shock as Hyewon got more hungry with her actions. Her hand pulled Sakura’s head deeper within hers and for the next 24 seconds, they enjoyed their moment until their lungs couldn’t take any more. 1 kiss was the limit she placed and she wanted to make the most of it as best as she could. This was her night to take and she’s not gonna let anything ruin it.

As Hyewon opened her eyes from their parting lips, she noticed that Sakura followed her slightly as if she wanted to continue but she stopped as she opened her eyes. Just because of that, she knew that Sakura longed for this also despite her words...but being a tsundere does that it seems.

Mission Accomplished? Not yet. But even so, her lips curled into a smile as their eyes magnetized into each other, not wanting to blink as they took each other’s galaxies in their sights. Those eyes that captured Hyewon every time captured her yet again ...darn those captivating marbles of brown.

“At the office, I said that I’ll break your guard down until you’re mine again. Today, I’ll make sure that you ARE mine.” Hyewon declared in a low sultry growl.

She caressed Sakura’s jawline with a soft and delicate touch. “Every.”

Placed a single finger on her delicate lips. “Single.”

Gently took ahold of Sakura’s soft hand while interlocking their fingers together tightly. “Piece.”

She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward as their lips touched but didn’t kiss her as she whispered one last thing.

“.....is Mine.” she breathed as the air from her lungs entered Sakura.

Hyewon wanted to let Sakura know how she felt and came at full force as she slowly used her other hand to run her fingers down her host’s back. To say that she took Sakura’s breath away at the moment was an understatement. Sakura died. The End. Well, at least hear knees did as they buckled from the actions the feisty Hyewon just did. Hyewon didn’t come to play and it showed as she seemed to dominate the atmosphere in the room in heat that blazed the unsuspecting host.

Days ago, Sakura said she wanted war and Hyewon came exactly for that ...the war to win Sakura’s heart back that is.

She finally let go and backed away slowly as Sakura looked away completely red from how bold Hyewon was tonight.

“H-Hyewon…..” she stuttered, voice a bit shaky from their encounter.

“Yeeeeeeess babe?”

".....f-for the start of a date…..those moves completely crossed the line and you in' know it." she tried to sound intimidating but failed to since the younger woman smiled as she now confirmed that her tactic worked brilliantly.

“I did know it…..and I wanted to cross the line. Leap over it actually.”

Sakura leaned forward to get an advantage over Hyewon. “We’re just starting Hyewon! That’s an 'End Game' tactic and this is just Phase 1 Iron Man!”

Hyewon leaned forward as well as she challenged Sakura. “I know! That’s why I’m doing my best to keep your heart racing!”

Sakura’s head snapped back, almost in a whiplash. “W-what?!”

“I don’t need to explain myself Sakura, I said that I want you and it’s as simple as that. I want you, I want you, I want you. The end."

"I-I…..I didn't need that kiss."

“You say that and yet your lips danced perfectly with mines ...so what say you?” she retorted.

Sakura softly stomped the ground in false anger, trying to get Hyewon to understand her point.

“That’s the thing Hyewon, I won't deny that I actually love your kisses…...desire them with all my heart honestly! But this date is so we can resolve the issues between us! Just please take this a bit more seriously for our sake...please Hyewon?"

Grabbing the red tips of the older woman’s hair, she twirled it between her fingers as the other watched her.

“Tsk…..you know I’m not making light of the situation okay? Trust me, I'm not doing this to get in your favor since I do have much to tell you about these past few years…..but…..but I'm just making up for all the kisses we've missed out on. That’s 4 years worth."

The sentence caused Sakura to shake her head and ponder to herself, ‘I need to feed her before she tries to kiss me 100 more times tonight…..hell, she may even succeed honestly if she keeps this up.’

"Look, I get it okay? I do. I'm not here to deny you or your affection but we have a lot to talk about so first, shall we eat? We can chit chat on the small stuff as we go but afterward, we'll have our talk."

"Okay okay, I get it…..and sure."

"Okay then, shall we head towards the dining area? Outside of eating my lips, I bet you're hungry for actual food right?"

“I’d still like your lips again honestly but food is food so it’s a trade that I don’t mind at all.”

“Good….I hope to stuff you enough so you can’t try anything again.” she said as she brought her hand forward.

“Don’t bet on it.”

She took Sakura's delicate hands as the latter led her out of the living room and into a large dining and kitchen area nearby. They walked towards a small table for 2 in the middle of the dining room, she could see it was split off from a larger portion towards the side of the room so it could be more intimate. The smaller table had two big plates and a couple of small ones alongside silverware at the ends with a familiar bouquet now in a glass vase right in the side. The table to the side had an assortment of freshly cooked food that Sakura prepared in the last few hours that blew her mind with its amazing smell ...how she did it in a few hours, she couldn’t understand. A variety of wine set the background behind the food with several large bottles to choose from as well as some alcohol bottles.

"Here, take a seat here. I'll get you a plate." Sakura let go of Hyewon's hands and sat Hyewon down at the small table before running off with their plates. She stared at the flowers in front of her and smiled widely since it showed that Sakura kept them and even had them in a vase.

‘My bouquet from 2 days ago huh? Acting tough in front of me yet showing that she does care…I miss my little tsundere.’

Sakura then came back and started filling the table fully until there was barely any room left as Hyewon looked at the visuals of the feast she was about to have.

"First to start it off, a double whammy! The 1st? An Italian-Japanese fusion: Mentaiko Pasta with a hint of Parmigiano Reggiano and a little dash of nori! 2nd? Kkanpunggi shrimp with Japanese beef curry...with cheese! Also, I made several side dishes like karaage, kimchi soup, cheesy beef croquette, and umeboshi cucumber salad. For dessert, red velvet crumble cheesecake and cherry-topped water drop cake! I have several wines from my collection if that tickles your fancy…..or maybe other alcohol ...soda?"

With mouth drooling at everything in front of her, she couldn’t help but admire that Sakura made all of this despite having only hours to prepare.

“Uhh...you’ve gone ALL out on the food huh? Even more so back then when we had our dates at both of our apartments ...”

“We’ll I’m having a date with that same avid food lover currently so what do you think? A date isn’t a date without food and I know how much you love food. I finished a minute before you came so let's get started, shall we? Have as much as you like!”

Feeling a warm fluttering feeling inside of her stomach, she was extremely happy that Sakura put her heart out in making such an extravagant meal for her…..it was a feast for one whole family but it was all for the two of them.

“Thank you Sakura…..really. You don’t know how happy this makes me to finally eat your food again after all these years....”

“It’s no big deal ...just dig in and stuff your face if you wanted to Miss Hamster cheeks.”

Grinning widely at what Sakura used to call her long ago, she made noises of happiness as she spoke again. “Well, if you say so Sakura!”

With a short clap of her hands, she bowed her head quickly and let out a shout.

“Itadakimasu!”

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An hour passed and the two women were just finishing up a conversation as well as their food.

“And I told her, just build your computer since it’s cheaper that way. Heck, I’ll even help you build it if you want.” Sakura shared.

To end the conversation, Hyewon replied. “Of course, it’s not hard at all nowadays especially with Youtube.”

With one last bite, Hyewon finally finished her meal after going in for seconds and thirds.

“Ahhhhhh…..that was great. Much much much much thanks for the meal Sakura, truly! It was amazing as always. You were already good before but you’ve leveled up your cooking skills these past few years huh? Food Wars should make a character out of you with how much times I moaned from your dish.” she asked.

Sakura chuckled and shrugged her shoulders as she sipped the last few mouthfuls of her wine, content and satisfied that Hyewon manages to eat most of her cooking.

“Cooking was a stress reliever for me after work. I had fun just exploring new recipes and experimenting with them…...I mean it was either that or gaming when I had free time.”

She then stood up and took their plates away to put in the sink to wash later.

With one elbow on the table, Hyewon leaned on her hand as she admired Sakura’s bare shoulders from behind like she did when she first came in. “Well, everything was delicious and tasted like a savory and fulfilling dream ...like you.”

Sakura let out a snort trying to keep from chuckling but she turned around and gave Hyewon a smirk.

“That’s actually because I had you in mind while making them.” she stated with a side nod of the head.

A surprise grew on Hyewon’s face since she didn’t expect that answer. “.......r-really?”

“Of course...it’s not like I’m gonna just make you anything normal you know? This is our first date in 4 years so I had to make something more than just something ordinary like omurice, jajangmyeon or bibimbap.”

Hyewon stood up when a word caught her ear. “....first? So there’s gonna be more after this?”

Stepping closer, she wanted to corner Sakura on the counter but hesitated and stood a foot away with a smirk on her face. ‘Too fast you idiot. Calm yourself a bit...you kissed her 2 times already.’ she thought.

“W-what? I didn-”

“There will be a second date. And third. And so forth.” Hyewon used her hands and pointed 1 finger, 2 fingers and the like as she counted in front of her.

“Hye-” Sakura’s words were cut short as Hyewon put 1 finger towards her face and wiggled it.

“Nope, you said our first date so that means there’s gonna be a continuation. A sequel to Date 1: New Beginnings! It’ll be called Date 2: The Love After! So nope, you were caught red-handed and you can’t get out of this, no no no.”

Sakura crossed her arms and looked at her with a smile slowly growing. “…...you’re trying to find the smallest details to keep this up, huh? Also Date 2: The Love After? Just what are you implying you idiot?”

Turning back to pick up her glass of wine, she gazed at Sakura. “After a great date, when a woman loves another woman, they join forces to battle the evil villain: No Se-”

“S-shut up you dummy…..jeez……...JEEZUS.” Sakura’s eyes narrowed but her ears glowed bright red as she turned away from the amused woman in front of her. Grabbing her cup, she refilled her wine to halfway and chugged it in one go just because of how embarrassed sh