"Jihaku." (Lesbian Romance): Ren'Ai Rensai Shorts, #4

By Hildred Billings

The REN'AI RENSAI (Serial of Love) series is an ongoing look into one lesbian relationship over the span of decades, told in non-chronological order in novel, novella, novelette and short story formats.

"JIHAKU."

Approximately 14,500 words

A large crowd of spectators await Reina and Aiko at the local cafe, where the "Couples' Quiz Show" is going on that night. A Newlywed Game-style affair, Reina has only agreed to do it because she knows her wife really wants the prize: a romantic getaway for two. What she didn't know, however, was that the opposing team would be the one couple she never wanted to go up against. Will Reina be able to follow her own advice by giving the "jihaku," or intimate confession, of her life? Or will her wife have to settle for a different kind of "romantic getaway?" Either way, Reina probably can't win.

"JIHAKU." takes place on June 22nd, 2013.

NOTE - This book contains the following:

    Graphic language
    Sexual situations
    A lot of love for women who love women.

Intended for mature audiences only.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barachou Press
• Release date: Jan 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498959384

Book preview

JIHAKU.

REN’AI RENSAI SHORTS

Hildred Billings

BARACHOU PRESS

JIHAKU.

Copyright: Hildred Billings

Published: 28th June 2013

Publisher: Barachou Press

This is a work of fiction. Any and all similarities to any characters, settings, or situations are purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

WARNING: This book contains adult language and graphic f/f sex. It is intended for mature audiences only.

Editor: Lindsay York

Cover Design: Lindsay York

Photographer: Chaoss

This story is dedicated to those who know everything about the ones they love. Or at least try to.

Jihaku.

Tokyo; June 22nd 2013

Every face Reina saw as she entered the café looked back with a mixture of amusement, horror, and disdain.

What did I do to piss this lot off? She hardly recognized them, especially in the golden lighting of the café’s off hours. Most of the women in the room were near her age, which meant she probably dated them when they were barely legal. That was probably it. Twenty-year-old Reina wasn’t the best about breakups – not like forty-year-old Reina who could point to her wife and say, Sorry, it’s complicated.

Wow, you two are on time! Mayumi, the director of the local lesbian resource center, approached from behind. I believe the last time Reina Yamada was on time for anything was when the strip club was having a party. She said it with a polite smile, but Reina knew what this smarmy asshole had in mind – not that she cared. She liked Mayumi’s rare brand of sarcasm.

We left early. Reina held back the sneer creeping down her nose.

Aiko, her wife, had to smile for the both of them. We wanted to make sure we got here on time. Is the other couple here yet?

Mayumi’s face twisted. Ah, about that… Emi and Kanako had to cancel tonight. Something about a death in a family…

Oh, I’m so sorry!

Yeah, anyway, we have a last minute replacement for your opposing team.

After glancing at one another, Reina and Aiko shrugged.

Mayumi showed them to their seats: a dark beige loveseat near the back wall, sitting side-by-side with an identical loveseat. Before the sofas was a coffee table holding a white board and a microphone, both of them labeled For Mayumi’s Use Only. A healthy berth surrounded the plush seating, the rest of the women in the café sitting along the bar or in seats and tables rearranged in the café’s after hours. When Reina realized everything was set up so she would be the center of attention, she regretted ever agreeing to this stupid game.

It’s only a couple of hours. Her precious Saturday night would be spent playing a Couples’ Quiz Show, as put on by the resource center for fun and morale. Reina and Aiko were one of the first couples approached to participate – the former had seen newlywed type game shows on TV before and had no interest in being publicly ridiculed in such a way. That was before Mayumi mentioned that the winning couple would get a free weekend trip to a new onsen up in the mountains, catering to gay and lesbian couples. After that it was only a matter of time before Aiko whittled her spouse into complying. The things I do for her.

You ladies need anything? asked the café proprietress as Reina and Aiko arranged themselves on the nearest loveseat. Drinks are on the house for the contestants.

Alcohol. Lots of it. Too bad this café didn’t sell any. Why couldn’t this have been in a bar? I’ll have a cola, thanks, Reina said, arm snaking down the back of the sofa.

Iced tea for me. Aiko settled into her spouse’s hold. As the proprietress walked away, Reina noticed that most of the women in the room were staring at them. At first she figured it was curiosity via the event at hand, but then realized they were judging the way they embraced in public. PDA was apparently not allowed in a common café. Use a bar next time! They better not tempt Reina to full-on make out with her wife. The scandal!

How much longer do we have to wait? she asked.

Be patient. Aiko patted her spouse’s stomach, bobbed brown hair framing her face as if she were a portrait. I’m sure they had to phone for replacements at the last minute. Can’t you enjoy an evening out?

No.

"Tsch." Aiko