Take my hand, instead.

by SuddenlyMe

Summary:

”What do fans love more than a cute couple?”
Their manager said, after shoving a heavy pile of folders away in a drawer.

Haruka sighs, “I don’t know about this.” She crosses her arms. “Think about it, A cute couple will be just the thing to get More More Jump! back into the top 10.” She rests her chin in her hands.

——

Minori gets set up by their manager into the ‘perfect relationship’. Fans go absolutely wild for the cuteness of the couple.

But, Haruka just ‘can’t stand’ the guy.

Chapter 1: It’s all fake, right?

”What do fans love more than a cute couple?” Their manager said, after shoving a heavy pile of folders away in a drawer.

Haruka sighs, “I don’t know about this.” She crosses her arms. “Think about it,” the manager finally sits down at her desk, after decluttering it, now fully devoting her attention to the two idols in front of her. “A cute couple will be just the thing to get More More Jump! back into the top 10.” She rests her chin in her hands.

Minori looks to Haruka, “this could really work!” she tries. Minori is willing to do just about anything for More More Jump!, and it would warm Kiritani’s heart, if it weren’t for the position she’s got herself in now. “That’s the spirit! Besides, it won’t be the real thing, just… for the public’s eye.” She chooses her words carefully.

Seeing Haruka is still unconvinced, the manager taps at her keyboard, before swiveling the laptop around. “Look, you’ve been down 10% since last week. Fans are bored. They—we—want something new, something exciting!” Haruka glances over the statistics, biting her lip.

”this just the thing they’re looking for. The cute leader of More More Jump! on dates, holding hands with a cute guy? It’d be perfect!” Only one of those ‘cute’s’ were accurate.

“It could also ruin her reputation, not all fans take so kindly to their idol being…” Haruka swallows, “courted.” She wiggles in her seat. Her manager shakes her head, “don’t worry about that, Kiritani, we’ll be sure to choose the right guy.” She flips the laptop back around, so she can type away once more. “We’ve got a great selection chosen already, actually.” She scrolls with her mouse. “No criminal backgrounds, great reputations, and even better personalities! Of course, we’ll be picking them by what the fans want to see most,” she looks to gauge Minori’s reaction, who is listening intently. “But, we would be open to hearing your opinions.”

Haruka resists the urge to groan. “Okay, let’s do it.” Minori stands abruptly, determined. Their manager smiles. Minori turns to Haruka, “I think it’s worth a shot, Haru. What’s the worst that could happen?” Hanasato pleads, and she can’t say no to those grey eyes. “Fine, whatever.” Haruka relents, closing her eyes. The manager beams, “Perfect! Minori, call me tonight, and we can discuss our options.”

——

What was the worst that could happen?

The guy was a tool!

Sure, on the outside, they were a perfect couple (not a single damn person would miss the chance to remind Haruka of that), but Kiritani knew the truth!

There was just something off about the guy. Every fake date, every fake kiss, it made Haruka’s stomach churn. Every time she turned on the TV, there was some interview on of the two, she couldn’t escape it! (I mean, of course she watched them each time. Minori was in it.)

And, it didn’t help he wasn’t exactly easy on the eyes—Not that she was calling him ugly! Just, not good enough to meet Minori’s level of beauty, is all. To be fair, who is?

”I know you were against it at first, Haruka, but it’s doing us such great numbers!” Hanasato said once to Haruka, during practice. “Besides, he’s a nice guy. Don’t you think?” Haruka couldn’t hold back the scoff that time. Airi bursted out in laughter behind them at that. “Guess not,” she said in between laughs. Minori furrowed her brows in confusion, “What’s…” she started, but her co-idol interrupted. “Why’s it matter what I think?” Something overcame Haruka. “All of our fans seem to just love it.” Something hot burned throughout her, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d name it jealously. She left early that day.

But, she did know better. What did she have to be jealous of? She definitely didn’t envy Minori, in fact she’d give just about anything to take Minori out of this situation. So… what? She was jealous of her boyfriend?

Yeah. Maybe a little bit. Minori spends so much time cooking up her perfect image with this guy, they don’t get to spend as much time together, as they used to.

And, yes. Of course their manager was right. With the quick, new ‘drama’, their number’s quickly arose within a matter of days. And, of course, Haruka was grateful. They were doing more shows, concerts, and appearances than they ever had before! So, she just can’t understand why she won’t just shake this feeling.

It was all fake, at the end of the day. So why was she feeling this protective of Minori?

Notes:

Hm, I wonder why, Haruka.

Chapter 2: I’ll be here

Notes:

Some Kohane and Minori time!

Looking back-and-forth between the busy street, Minori eyes scan for a particular figure.

“Kohaneee!” Minori jumps for joy at the sight of her best friend, running up to her, throwing her arms around the girl.
“Minnoorrii!!” Pleasantly surprised, Azusawa immediately reciprocates the hug, giving her a tight squeeze.

“It’s been waaaay too long, it’s about time we planned a meetup!” Minori squeaks out, still hopping with excitement, even as they pull away from each other. “I know! Ugh, why do our schedules always overlap?” Kohane responds, nodding copiously, meeting Minori’s eagerness.

Hanasato’s arms rest on Kohane’s elbows, while Azusawa’s rest on her shoulders.

“This darn hat. Feeling nostalgic?” Minori teases, noting how her friend’s hair isn’t in her signature pigtails, choosing to push the black and white hat down so it covers Kohane’s eyes. “Hey!” She fixes it, along with her bangs that got smushed down in the process “Yeah, maaybe.” Minori giggles at that, pulling her friend away by the arm.

——

“So, how’s An?” Minori asks, after they get a seat at the café they settled on, causing Kohane to flush. “Oh, wow,” she giggles, “She’s great. We’re great.” She smiles dumbly, stirring her fancy hot chocolate around, with the little spoon they gave her. Minori smiles at Kohane’s smile. “How do you guys like your new apartment?” She asks, recalling for a moment how she helped them move in.

“It’s soooo nice!” She drawls, “An really likes it, too. It’s so great to get to spend so much time together. I…” she’s suddenly really interested in the table. “I really like getting to see her face, first thing in the morning.” She hides her face in her hands. Minori can’t hold back a chuckle. “I’m so happy for you, Kohane.” Minori sighs dreamily, swooshing around her latte, as if to stir it.

“Soo..?” Kohane prods, after a moment. Minori looks up, confused. “So… what?” She furrows her brows, stumped. “What of you and Haruka?” She takes a sip of her hot chocolate. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” Minori looks away. “I’m sure you do!” She retorts, leaning over the table to steal a piece of Minori’s cookie. “Hey!” She wraps her arms around her plate, immediately making it her mission to guard it from now on.

“I’m in a-“ she pretends as if she’s reading a script, allowing her voice to go monotone. “-very happy relationship.” Kohane giggles, “Yeah, yeah,” she waves it away. “But, seriously, what’s going on?” She finally eats the piece she stole, talking with her mouth full. “I…” Kohane puts her serious face on, ready to listen to whatever comes out of Hanasato’s mouth next. “She doesn’t like me like that…” Kohane audibly sighs, shoulders sinking. “That’s literally not true,” she swallows, “have you seen the way talks about you? The way she looks at you?”

Minori blushes, pressing her hands to her warming cheeks. “It’s not like that.” Azusawa scoffs, “No?” She reconfirms, and Minori just shakes her head. “She’s… just being nice. Since we’re friends.” Minori sighs, not enjoying her own choice of words. “I’m not even sure she likes girls.” “You’ve had a crush on her for… how many years? and you’ve still yet to figure out if she’s into girls?” “Kohane,” Minori slumps against the table. “It’s not like you and An, it’s not really something I can just ask her.” “Well, if you were to ask me, I would say you’re using this whole boyfriend thing as a way to hide from your feelings.”

“What do you mean?” She finally sips some of her coffee. “I mean, I’m just saying, being in a relationship with your co-idol would… also be another way to get numbers up.” Minori chucks a napkin at Kohane, but gravity lets it fall down before it reaches the victim. “It doesn’t work like that!” Kohane throws the paper cloth back, and it meets the same fate. “I’m just sayin’, maybe what the people are actually looking for is a good ol’ queer romance!” “Right, because everybody is gonna be so open to their idol being a big old lesbian.”

Kohane sighs, knowingly. “They… won’t. I know More More Jump! is really important to you. But, not being yourself will just hurt you more in the long run.” Minori draws circles with her pointer figure onto the table. “You should really just ask her out, already.”

Minori sighs once more, “it’s never gonna happen…” she stretches her arms across the table, going limp against it, all sad. Kohane uses this as a chance to steal more of the cookie. “Hey!” she scolds. Azusawa talks with her mouth full once again, “Look, Minori, you just got to be open and honest with her. You could always, you know… start with the gay part, and see what happens.” “Shizuku and Airi are gay, so…” “well, see? That gets you three-fourths of the way there!” But, I caaannn’t.” “You’ve got to! It’s driving you-and me- insane! She won’t hate you.” Minori steals some of her friend’s croissant, in retaliation. “You don’t know that!” “Minori, you made me ask An out, remember? Practically forced me. Said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if she said no, and that you’d be here. You need to take your own advice! I’ll be here, this time.” “But…” “No but’s!” Hanasato shoves the croissant piece lazily in her mouth, remorsefully chewing it. “I dunno…” she says, mouth full.

Kohane simply sighs, taking one of her friend’s hands in her own. “I’ll be here.” She offers. 

Notes:

Thank you for reeaaddding!

Updates may start to get inconsistent, I may update a lot, and then not at all. I’m sorry in advance!

Chapter 3: Knowingly

Summary:

Practice gets romantical real quick?!

Notes:

this chapter was NOT proof-read. We die.

“I just don’t get why they choose him, of all people.” Haruka drones, breathless after practice, regarding Minori’s ‘lover’. Airi scoffs. “ He’s fine. You guys should see some of the guys they had me date.” She holds back a comment at Kiritani’s often raising of this subject. Shizuku laughs in remembrance, “Oh, yes, what was his name? With the patchy beard?”

 

Airi nods, “Oh, yeah! Gosh, what was his name?” “I couldn’t imagine, having to kiss that face.” “It’s one only a mother could love.” Shizuku gasps at the bluntness of the statement, and then stifles her laughter at the trueness of it.

 

“He’s not so bad, I think we’ve gotten to be friends, actually.” Minori offers, looking up from her notebook, pressing the eraser part of the pink pencil she’s using to her cheek.

 

“That’s good! It’s nice to hear he’s not a weirdo, like some of my guys.” Airi hums, taking Shizuku’s hand in her own, while her other’s occupied with her phone. Haruka simply huffs at this, sipping some of her water.

 

“Hey, come on, Haruka, you’re so picky. I don’t think you can name a single guy you like.” Airi laughs as Haruka takes offense to this. “That’s not true. I like Saki’s brother. And, I thought Shinonome and Aoyagi were nice, when I met them.” Airi giggles. “Are you gonna say Kaito next? I meant guys you like romantically!” “Oh, I uh-” Haruka flushes, “Well, I guess I’m putting More More Jump! first, is all.” She tumbles over her words. “Suurree.” Airi says, knowingly.

 

Knowingly of what ?

 

——

 

“ Ugh! ” Minori flails her arms around in the air, frustratedly. “You’ve almost got it, Minori.” Haruka tries to spark. “I can’t , we’ve been working on this forever! ” Minori half-heartedly glances at the clock.

 

It’s true, they had been at this dance move for about an hour.

 

Haruka sighs. “Come on, one more try?” Minori grumbles. “I’ll walk you through it, this time.” “…okay. Fine.” Minori nods weakly.

 

“Alright,” Haruka gets into position, “like this,” she moves quickly, humming along to the imaginary beat in her head, her bracelets jangling, and clinking against each other at the movement.

 

“Hey-Hey, wait! You’re moving too fast,” Minori stops her by grabbing the idol’s hand. “I can’t see what you’re doing.” She expresses, and Kiritani can’t help but giggle.

 

“Sorry,” she empathizes, although her voice rough with laughter. “Okay,” she tries once more, grabbing Hanasato’s hands. “Like this,” she goes slow, so Minori can watch her movements closely, now following them. “Dun, dun, dun-“ she pauses, “dun, dun, dun.” Minori almost trips, but catches herself.

 

“Lik-Like that?” “Yes, but when we get to that last part,” Haruka moves her hands away from Minori’s pair, down to the woman’s waist. “You’ll want to keep your posture slightly more bent,” she presses it slightly, nudging it into shape. “So, you don’t trip like you did.” “Like I almost did.” She corrects, smiling wide.

 

“Like you almost did.” Haruka smirks, looking up. And, then their eyes meet. Grey eyes burrowing into blue. And, suddenly the room gets really warm, something shifting within the air. But, Haruka can’t break her eyes away, nor her touch. Something deep inside her, wants to bring Minori closer.

 

She blinks. Minori looks away.

 

“F-from the top, then?” Her hands are gone.

Notes:

Happy birthday, Kiritani Haruka!!
Everybody say ‘Happy birthday, Haruka’!

Chapter 4: Think about it

Summary:

Airi and Haruka hang out.

Notes:

Somebody introduce Haruka to Girl In Red.

You know when I said shizuairi if you squint? Yeah, I meant you’d have to squint to miss it. (I can’t write mmj without the sillers. I tried.)

“You keep moping at the mention of it, but you can’t stop bringing it up!” Airi finally snaps at Haruka. “Seriously, I mean we finally get a minute to hang out, outside of idol stuff, and you seriously bring him up again ?” Haruka flushes, her eyes widening, before avoiding her friend’s.

 

“You know it’s, like, fake , right?” Momoi gestures to the air. Haruka covers her face with her hands, taking to flopping onto Airi’s brightly colored bed, back first. “Why…” Airi furrows her brows. “Why does this bother you so much?” Kiritani mumbles something incoherently into her hands, and Airi puts her hands on her hips.

 

“She spends so much time…” is all she manages out, when she finally pulls her hands away. Airi sits down on her bed with her co-idol. “She really doesn’t. No more than she does on More More Jump!” She replies to the unfinished sentence, and that forces a groan from Haruka.

 

Kiritani avoids Momoi’s gaze, choosing to gently pick at the flower embroidered blanket below her. “that’s the problem, she spends so much time on this, she…” “doesn’t spend time with you anymore? ” Airi finishes for her. “I was going to say us.” Haruka sits up, finally. “Look,” Airi starts, now at eye level with her friend.

 

“When I realized I had feelings for Shizuku, it was because we got into an argument.” Haruka does a small nod in remembrance. “I said things I didn’t mean, and she left my house. Suddenly, I realized I couldn’t live with myself if those were the last words we shared. If those words were the last thing she thought of me. So, I ran out my front door, and chased after her.” She runs her fingers through her curly pink hair. “But, it was raining, and my hair, my hair!-“ she cuts herself off. “Nevermind that, it didn’t matter, because I chased after her, and despite the rain, I kissed her.”

 

Haruka tilts her head. “Why are you telling me this?” She says bluntly, causing Momoi to giggle. “Because, I want you to think- why does Minori being in a relationship bother you so much? A fake relationship.” She specifies. “Because,” Haruka groans, “it’s all everybody talks about, every interview, every fan- it’s not- it’s- I want-“ she tumbles over herself. “I want them to talk about us!” She eventually blurts out.

 

Haruka’s eyes widen, as she slaps a hand over her mouth. Airi just keeps looking at her knowingly. “That’s not what I mean-“

She attempts, and Airi only smiles wider.

 

It’s silent for a moment.

 

“You like her.” Airi says with finality. “Oh.” Haruka breathes out, unable to look anywhere but the ceiling. Suddenly, everything clicks into place. “Oh, my god.” She repeats.

Notes:

Sorry, this is a shorter one! I appreciate you reading it <3

Also, I headcanon that Airi has naturally curly hair, but she had straightened it that day with Shizuku, so it got all puffed out in the rain. The things she does for her girl.

Chapter 5: Love Connoisseur

Summary:

Airi comes up with a (terrible) plan!

Aka: more shizuairi time!

Notes:

SORRRy this chapter took longer than normal (will happen again<3 so maybe not actually sorry)

Edit: I just realized some of the formatting is kinda weird. I do these in the note app, before transferring it over here. ARE ALL OF THESE LIKE THIS?? welp.

“So…? ” Airi prompted, after she felt Haruka had spent long enough staring into oblivion, which given that it’s Haruka, was a while. Her eyes flicker open, “So?” Haruka echoes, looking up at her.

“How are you going to ask her out?” Airi nudges her, making Haruka furrow her brows. “What?-No!” She sits up from where she had ungracefully flopped back onto Airi’d bed, after her revelation. “Why not?” Airi squints her eyes in confusion, but her smile shows amusement. “What do you mean ‘why not’? I cannot just ‘ask her out’!” She does a funny voice as she quotes Airi, who does not resist the urge to hit Kiritani.

 

“Ow!”  “You’re lucky I like you enough to keep you around, let alone help you with this. Don’t push it.” Haruka rubs her arm, wincing.

 

(Airi’s a hard puncher, even when she’s joking, as Haruka has had the displeasure of learning. She should really learn to dodge, at some point. Soon. Really soon.)

 

“there’s nothing to help, I’m better off moving to another state, and changing my name.” Haruka looks down sadly. Airi barks out a laugh, “You’d have to change a lot more than that, Miss Kiritani Haruka.” She points accusingly towards her friend’s blue hair, which has gotten her recognized in public, no matter the disguise, more times than she can count.

 

“Come on,” Airi grabs her co-idol’s hand reassuringly. “It’s clear she likes you back.” She tries, but Haruka just shakes her head vehemently. “I would’ve been able to tell.” Airi scoffs. “You just now realized you were gay, Haruka, you can at least admit you might be a little blind to this side of things.”

 

Haruka flushes, but doesn’t relent. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t think I can even look at her ever again, Airi!” She leans against her friend. “Let alone speak to her!” “You’re starting to sound a lot like Minori, back when she found out you two were in the same class together.”

 

Haruka’s eyes go wide. “Oh my god, wait. That was… she?-” Kiritani stutters.

“-was… gay for you? Yeah. Minori was gay for you.” Airi connects the words for her. “Wait, but no, why didn’t… why didn’t she say anything?” “It’s not exactly easy to be out in a girls school, I don’t think she—or any of us—knew how people would take that.”

 

Haruka is silent for a while. “But, that was years ago—we were in high school. She doesn’t like me like that anymore.” “What tells you that? Is it the way she always hangs out with you during practice, always comes to you for help, always asks you about songs? Or maybe it’s how she always talks about how ‘cute you are’ and, that it’s ’blinding her’?” “Airi!” Haruka hides her face in her friend’s shoulder. “What? It’s true!”

 

Haruka fidgets with the rings on her left hand, the one currently unoccupied by Airi. “…I’m gonna run away, still.” She announces, after a while. Airi sighs. “Sure you are.”

——

“Shizuku,” Airi runs up to her girlfriend, grabbing her arm with both her hands. “What is it?” Hinomori looks down at her, amused. “How about a date? I was thinking I could take you to the movies…”

 

Shizuku giggles as Airi swings her arm back-and-forth. “Oh? Where did this come from?” “Hey, can’t I take my girlfriend out?” “I’m not saying no, you just look like you have a motive.” “how’d you know that…” Airi trails off. “You’re an easy read.” Shizuku supplies, causing Momoi to pout.

 

“Well, I was thinking…” Shizuku resists the ‘did it hurt’ jab. “a double date?” “A double date—with who?” “Haruka and Minori.” Hinomori’s eyes go wide. “They’re finally dating?” “Er, well, not exactly.” Shizuku raises a brow. “It’ll turn into a double date, when we help them fall madly in love, of course.”

 

Shizuku giggles, “Oh, of course,” she drawls. “And this can’t backfire, because…?” “Why would it backfire?” Airi squints up at her girlfriend, in confusion.    “Why would it backfire?” Shizuku repeats back, “maybe, because neither of them knows this will be a date, and you haven’t talked to either of them about this yet?” “You don’t know that I haven’t!” “Did you?”Shizuku questions, and Airi huffs, which gives her the answer.

 

Airi slides her hands down Shizuku’s arm, until she reaches her hand. “Come on,” she envelopes the hand with her two, making sure to be careful with her long nails. “It’ll work out! I know what I’m doing.” She stands on her tippy toes, so she can press a kiss to Hinomori’s cheek. “I’m a love connoisseur! ” Thoroughly ‘connoisseur-ed’, Shizuku sighs, “what I am getting myself into.” She deadpans the best she can, (which is terribly), as she moves Airi around, leaning down, so she can give the girl a proper kiss. “Love!” Airi answers, once she needs air.

Notes:

I got so distracted from writing this, you guys have no idea.

Mizuki fans… how are we feeling? Not good? Yeahh……

Chapter 6: Movie Night

Summary:

Airi puts her plan into action!

Notes:

Not beta read we die like MafuMom should

Very tiny warning for vague mentions of blood, guts, and gore. extremely vague, and no one gets hurt! It’s in regards to a movie.

Still, if that makes you uncomfortable, beware!

“I think that’s a great idea, Airi!” Minori agrees almost immediately upon the suggestion of a movie night, nodding rapidly into the wet Kiritani Haruka themed towel she’s using to cool off, clearly unaware of the glare Haruka is sending towards Momoi. 

“See, Minori wants to go!” Airi nudges Haruka, who remains unmoving.

“We haven’t spent much time together as a group. A movie will be nice.” Shizuku shrugs, defending her girlfriend’s idea, albeit not very convincingly.

Minori grabs Kiritani’s arm, pulling at the jacket she had put on after their practice. “Come on, Haruka, you cannot make me third wheel them again.” She drawls out Haruka’s name, causing the woman to turn the other direction to hide her reddening face. “At least if you come, we’d be third wheels together! ”

Haruka finally looks down at the culprit of her wrinkled jacket.

“…fourth wheels.” She supplies, and Minori giggles, nodding. “Yeah, we’d be fourth wheels!”

“Exactly. You’d be a couple of wheels. Together.” Airi says, putting way too much emphasis on ‘couple’, and way too much space in between the words before and after it. Haruka shoots Momoi a look, but there’s not much she can do with her crush latched onto her arm.

Was Minori always this touchy?

After a beat, “Alright then, I’ll take that red faced look for a yes! Let’s go!” Airi triumphantly decides, picking up her gym bag off the floor.

“I’m not red—it’s from practice!—Wait—you meant right now? ” Haruka panics, words tumbling out her mouth, but she doesn’t stop Minori and the others from dragging her off.

——

Haruka watches with her arms crossed, as Airi taps angrily at her phone, trying to redeem her digital movie tickets at the machine. 

Minori and Shizuku are further off into the theater, chatting, and pointing at different movie posters. Haruka can see them vaguely in her peripheral, and their voices are faint despite Minori’s loud, excited tone. 

“When did you get the tickets.” Haruka accuses after watching Airi for awhile. The girl in question pauses.

”Yesterday.” She answers.

”you got the tickets before you even asked me!” Kiritani lets one of her arms drop down to point at Airi, keeping one wrapped around herself.

Airi cringes, clearly caught. 

“You weren’t going to say no.” 

“You don’t know that! Airi,” Haruka glances around, despite being keenly aware of Shizuku’s and Minori’s distance. “I can hardly tolerate practice with her around!”she whisper-yells.

”You did fine.” Momoi does a half-hearted eye roll. “Besides, you said yes.” “I did not!” “You did a ghost of a yes.” Haruka groans. “What does that even mean?!”

They are interrupted as the machine finally kicks to life, startling them both, causing Airi to finally look away from her phone.

She does a little fist pump as the machine rolls out four tickets, smiling at the taste of victory on her tongue. 

“Finally!” She declares, ripping them away from the machine once it does a loud clink of finality.

”I did not do fine,” Haruka continues, ignoring Airi as she holds up the tickets proudly. “I can hardly even look at her in the eyes, now I have to sit in a theater with her?” “You’ll be thanking me when you’re kissing her!” Haruka flushes. “Stop it!” 

”What are you guys arguing about?” Shizuku asks softly, smile light on her lips, coming out of no where. 

Before Haruka gets a moment to guess where Hanasato has gone, she feels the missing idol wrap her arms around her from behind, letting out a bubbly laugh.

”Guess who!” Minori asks, not making an effort to cover Haruka’s eyes, mostly due to her height, but partially because it’d be pointless. “I know that’s you, Minori.” Kiritani answers, unable to hide the blush growing on her face. 

It’s like it’s not something she hasn’t done before. Minori’s always been so playful, and touchy. Yet… Something about it now, makes Haruka want to jump into the ocean, and never emerge.

The feeling must be clear on her face, because Airi is starring at her with that look on her face, the same one she had on when Kiritani had come over the other day.

Minori doesn’t pull away immediately, no, she just giggles against Haruka’s back, a smile on her face, that Kiritani can’t see but she knows she has. 

“How’d you know?” She whines, laughter fresh in her voice. 

“I know your voice,” Haruka offers, her voice shaking despite her best efforts.

Haruka resists the urge to hide as Minori pulls away, choosing to move in front of her instead, beaming. 

“Oh,” She looks away, and Haruka feels an overwhelming wave of relief and grief all at once. “What movie are we seeing, Airi?” Minori tilts her head, and Haruka feels her own spiral. 

Airi gets a wicked grin. She doesn’t respond, just points upwards. 

Shizuku’s, Minori’s, and Haruka’s eyes all follow her finger, up to the movie poster on the wall. It takes a moment for Kiritani to process which one exactly she’s pointing to.

”A-a-a scary movie?!” Minori stutters, clasping her hands together in fright.

“What, are you chicken?” Airi puts her hands on her hips, smiling. “No-n-no!” Minori shakes her head, but her gulp is audible. 

Haruka stares up at the bloody looking poster in confusion. What motive does Airi have here, choosing a scary movie?

——

Haruka clutches the armrests of her seat, illuminated face a bright red.

No, not because of the movie blaring above them. But, because of the girl who is currently wrapped around her arm, hiding herself in her shoulder. 

So, this was Airi’s plan! Haruka can think of an array of curses for Momoi, and if she were a lesser woman, she’d throw her manners right to the side.

But, she’s not. So, she deals when Airi immediately takes her seat next to Hinomori—which she could excuse, given their relationship status, if not the absolute smug look Momoi shoots her away. She deals when Minori latches onto her. And, she deals when she buries her face away into her soft blue sweater. 

She, however, does not deal when Minori nearly jumps out of her seat at a jumpscare, letting out a frightened whine. 

She feels something warm and protective bubble up in her chest, as she takes Minori’s hand in her own, rising from her seat. 

“I’m-“ She has half the mind to whisper, “going to the bathroom.” Haruka poorly excuses, dragging Minori with her like a teenager would their bag when excusing themself in class.

”What-“ the rest of Airi’s sentence falls off, as Haruka speeds away. 

——

“What are you doin’?-“ Minori giggles, despite the fear from before still fresh on her face. 

Haruka pants, face flushed. She can probably blame that on the velocity she left the theater at.

Minori gives her a funny look.

“What, were you scared too?” 

“What?! No!” Haruka looks up in offense, running a hand across her face in hope to relieve some of the heat. 

“You so were!” Minori concludes. Haruka shakes her head, deciding to let Minori have this, to not waste her breath.

Definitely not because she doesn’t want Minori to think she was alone in this. 

Minori’s back hits the wall to rest against it, and Haruka joins her. 

Something sad hits Minori’s face.

“ ‘m sorry. I dragged you into watching this, and I can’t even make it to the end of the movie.”

Haruka’s eyes soften.

“No. You didn’t know it was gonna be a horror movie.” She defends.

”I should have known. Airi’s been on her whole autumn kick.” 

Haruka neglects telling her that’s probably not why Momoi choose this movie. Because that would involve explaining she’s madly in love with Hanasato.

So, they’re both silent for awhile.

”you don’t have anything to be sorry for.” She says softly, breaking the barrier of silence. “I like getting to be with you-“ she catches herself. “-guys.” 

Minori smiles. A soft, pure thing. Grey eyes watching Kiritani face closely. 

Haruka smiles too, merely at the sight of her. 

The moment shatters as the movie theaters door’s swing open, Shizuku and Airi being the first to emerge, followed by other movie goers.

Haruka looks away.

”You guys missed the best part,” Airi proclaims proudly, dumping her drink into the trash. “There was guts everywhere!” 

Minori’s face scrunches up, eyes squeezing shut. “Ew, ew! No! I don’t want to know!”

Airi starts to list off some gory details, but before she can Minori slaps a hand around Momoi’s mouth.

“No, no! Stop!” Airi struggles against her force, words coming out as mumbles. 

Shizuku laughs hard at the sight, watching them both fight each other. Every now and then, Minori’s hand slips and a words slips past. “Just blood every-” “-stop!” 

the hand is clasped over the mouth once more, but the mumbles don’t continue this time.

It’s silent for a strangely long moment.

Suddenly, Minori whips her hand away as if she just touched lava. Her face contorts into disgust. “Oh my god! Did you just lick my hand?!” She shouts.

Shizuku erupts into laughter, clutching her belly. It’s so rare for Hinomori to laugh like this, but when she does, it’s so extremely infectious. Haruka can’t stop the way her eyes wrinkle upward, and her mouth tilts up into a wide grin.

She giggles into hand, as Airi flashes a proud, toothy grin.

”You are so gross!” Minori shoves her—albeit lighter than she wants. 
——

Airi bumps into Haruka, as they are walking out of the theater. Kiritani looks down at the woman, curiously.

“Bathroom, huh?” Airi grins with that knowing look, and Haruka wants to hit her. 

——

“I don’t think my plan’s working.” Airi defeatedly admits, shoulders sinking dramatically. Shizuku looks back at her girlfriend, slowing down until they are side by side. 

“Maybe they just want to stay friends.” 

Airi shoots her a look, and Hinomori stifles 
a laugh. 

“Obviously not!” She points accusingly towards the two ladies ahead of them, who are shoulder to shoulder, laughing.

Shizuku giggles. “They both clearly like each other,” Airi sighs, “I just got to figure out how to get them to… you know.” She waggles the accusing finger between them both, as if dragging them together.

Shizuku wants to say something like maybe don’t meddle with our teammate’s love life? But, then she sees that look on Momoi’s face. The one that says there is absolutely no stopping me.

So, she resigns.

Suddenly, Airi stops. Eyes lit up, body turned, looking across the street.

Shizuku follows her eyes, and sees that’s she’s looking at an arcade. 

She grins, and nudges Shizuku. “Well, well, well, maybe they can help us.” And that’s when Hinomori notices the two very familiar figures entering the arcade.

That would be no other than an Kohane Azusawa and An Shiraishi.

Airi giggles evilly. 

“Hey, hey! You guys, wait up!” Airi runs up to the two idols ahead of them, pointing excitedly at the arcade. “How about we go into that arcade?” 

Minori looks up, before nodding rapidly. “Okay!” Minori exclaims, matching Airi’s energy. Haruka, noting Airi’s evil look, offers a skeptical look, but doesn’t stop herself from following them up to the arcade. 

Shizuku sighs, smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She is in for a long night.

Notes:

Hey so yeah THIS TOOK FOREVER.
I actually wrote this in a day. Not counting all the breaks I took. but, uhhhh. I’ve been procrastinating it. BUT. It’s longer than my normal chapters!! I was gonna have it be two different chapters, but you guys have waited AWHILE. SORRY.

We are actually nearing the end! One or two more chapters left. I’m very excited.

ANHANE COMING UP, FOR YOU RESIDENTIAL ANHANE READER!!! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!

Thank you for reading, as always!

Chapter 7: Time To Get Competitive!

Notes:

Does anybody else imagine prsk characters doing their in game poses when they write their expressions? Just me?

On the way up to the arcade, Airi starts humming. Tilting her head back and forth, she points her fingers along with the melody.

Minori’s eyes light up with excitement, running up to the pink haired idol’s side, beginning to sing along with her.

With the lyrics now supplied by a cheerful Hanasato, Haruka can now recognize the familiar song from their latest album.

Minori can’t stop herself from dancing along as she sings, and Airi shoots her an amused smile mid hum.

The sun is wanting to set, becoming lower in the sky, but it’s not yet darkened by the moon. This causes the sky to be a light orange, surely to soon become darker with time.

Haruka watches with a subtle fascination as Minori spins and skips around, the dimmed sun shining elegantly down onto the woman. Her hair blows in the wind, but she’s rather unbothered, keeping her head tilted upwards as to keep her hair out of her face.

But, occasionally a stray piece gets in the way, anyway. She brushes it away, and Kiritani bitterly wishes it were her own hand doing so instead.

Her dance is not unlike their actual choreography, Haruka notes after a moment. Just restricted due to Minori’s little space to move.

Minori spins on her heels, her skirt flowing in the wind, now facing Haruka, and Shizuku—who also looks rather amused, not unlike her girlfriend.

“This is your part, Haruka!” She whispers, like they have an audience. Which is sort of true, it’s hard to avoid attention when you go out as an idol group, and it’s especially hard when one of them won’t stop singing.

Haruka looks surprised for a moment, before dropping her head in embarrassment. She can’t say no, not when Minori looks at her like that, eyes bright, and smile wide.

So, she sings her part, slightly off beat (since she was taken off guard and all), and Minori claps along, just like she’s supposed to.

And, soon enough, they reach the arcade.

A hue of blue and purple lights shine down on them from the building, and Haruka can hear the faint sound of fun coming from it.

Airi is back to having that mischievous grin on her face, looking up at the building like she built it herself. Shizuku, like the gentlewoman she is, opens the door for her.

“After you.” she says softly, with a little bow. Airi chuckles out a “Thank you!”

Minori, unexpectedly, grabs Haruka’s hand, pulling her through, into the loud building with a giggle. Kiritani’s face, not so unexpectedly, heats up immediately. She brings a hand up to her face, hoping to cover it in someway.

Hanasato looks around the room with wonder, grey eyes reflecting a purple shine.

Haruka feels dizzy.

“Hey,” a soft voice calls, seemingly in surprise. “Minori, what are you doing here!” The group looks up, and is met with an excited Kohane, who is clinging onto an equally curious An.

“Kohane? ” Minori’s eyes widen, and Haruka half expects Minori to drop her hand, but is surprised to find herself being pulled along as Minori runs over to the couple.

“What are you guys doing here?” Minori smiles at them, and Haruka is still trying to balance herself. “We’re on a date,” An answers cheerfully, and Kohane blushes. It seems no matter how long you date, there are still some things that fluster you.

“It’s nice to see you guys! Especially you, An, it’s been so long!” Haruka says with a smile, when she finally settles on her feet, the pitter patter of Hinomori and Momoi catching up behind the two idols is not far off.

Haruka looks back at them, and they don’t seem surprised at all at the sudden appearance of the couple.

After a moment of pleasantries, Airi huffs out, “I have an idea,” only slightly breathless from running to catch up with the group. “or, a game, rather.” She corrects. An looks up, now intrigued.

“Let’s say…” she rests her chin on her pointer finger and thumb, as if deep in thought. “Whoever gets the most tickets wins?”

Haruka looks down at her, “Wins what?” she furrows her brows suspiciously. “Winsss… this game I just made up!” Momoi shrugs like she’s unsure, but her smirk says otherwise.

”That sounds like fun!” Shiraishi agrees nearly right away, her competitive side being played to. Kohane nods, smiling, clearly just happy to see An excited.

“Okay!” Minori decidedly agrees, after a moment. “I’m on Haruka’s team!” She holds up their connected hands eagerly, and it’s then that Haruka is remind they’re still holding hands.

“Like I would allow anything else.” Airi says ominously, taking Shizuku’s hand in her own, mimicking Hanasato by lifting it up.

Minori just offers a silly tilted smile in confusion.

Kohane grabs An’s hand, also holding it up to resemble their team. An giggles at the gesture.

Airi gets this look on her face, before suddenly bolting off, “Come on, Shizuku, we’ve got to beat them!” She pulls her girlfriend along, who nearly trips, but catches herself and jogs along as she giggles. “Wait, are we being timed?!” Haruka tries to call out, but Airi is out of earshot. Though, Shizuku’s giggles can still be heard.

“I don’t know the rules!” Kiritani calls out in a last ditch effort, but somehow the girls with the brightly colored hair vanish into the crowd.

Minori and Haruka turn around in unison, making eye contact with their other rival team. A beat passes, before An a wicked grin.

 “Wait!-”

“-you snooze, you lose!” An calls back, making a beeline for some sort of shooter game. Kohane is surprisingly able to keep up. Or, perhaps, unsurprisingly.

Haruka lets out an exasperated sigh. 

Looking over to Hanasato, she finds that the woman is already looking at her.

She ignores the way her face warms.

“Well, we’ve got to beat them, right?” She sighs. It’s not like Haruka can say no to a good ol’ competition.

“Right!” Minori puts on her determined idol face.

---

It doesn’t take long for team Azusawa and Shiraishi to meet team Kiritani and Hanasato again.

Minori and Kohane clamber onto the same two player game—a rhythm dance game of sorts. 

Haruka stifles a laugh as they bump into each other, frantically messing with the buttons.

An stands beside her, watching with same amusement.

“How many tickets do you guys have?” Shiraishi asks curiously, and Haruka holds up her fist full of tickets. “What- how’d you get that many already?!” Her eyes go wide, causing the idol to chuckle.

She points to a fish themed vertical wheel, a big sign above it reading ‘WIN BIG’, ticket amounts ranging from 10-500. “Minori has the rest.”

An huffs, “there’s more?” Haruka giggles. 
“you could make a braid—or two!—with all that!” She points accusingly towards the strands of tickets, holding up her own tickets sadly in her other hand.

”We tried twice, and got the jackpot the third time.” “You’re such a show off.” She crosses her arms.

The sudden burst of music interrupts their conversation, causing them both to look up. 

It seems Azusawa and Hanasato have settled on a song. 

”You got this, Minori!” Haruka encourages, as the screen lights up. 

“Man, they’re pretty good at this.” An points out, as the machine sings a flurry of ‘perfects!’ and ‘greats!’.

Minori tucks a fallen strand of her hair behind her ear, somehow maintaining a perfect rhythm all the while.

“You guys used to train together a lot, right?” Shiraishi asks, having to speak loudly over the music, leaning against the wall.

Minori nods, “Yeah, ‘fore I met Haruka, Airi, and Shizuku!” Kohane hums, “Yeah, when you were doing all those auditions!” She recalls. “We know each other’s dancing styles pretty well.”

“Hey, you two are enemies!” An reminds. Haruka chuckles, “Yes, aren’t you supposed to be fighting to the death, or something?”
She agrees.

Minori’s smiles, but her eyes do grow more determined, picking up the pace. 

A moment passes like that, a Hatsune Miku song blaring, and the tap of Minori’s and Kohane’s shoes echoing, before An speaks.

”Never thought I’d see the day.” She says, her tone simple. Haruka looks up, confused. “What?” She pries. 

An looks to her, “The day you realize you like Minori.” She grins. Haruka opens her mouth to say something, but instead she just fumbles out another, “What?” Her face grows a bright red. “…Airi!” She realizes, slapping both hands over her face.

“Oh, Momoi didn’t say anything. Come on, I see the way you look at her.” The idol peaks at the vocalist through her fingers. “But… then, how’d you know that…” “You’re a lot more distracted. The Haruka I know would’ve jumped at the chance to compete,”

An stretches. “even for something as silly as arcade tickets. But, this time… you seemed hesitant.” An’s eyes flicker over to the two women in front of them, lingering on Minori. “It’s her.” She pauses, a flush growing on her face. “I… know that feeling.” She looks away.

Haruka smiles softly.

“You cheated!” Minori suddenly calls out, and only now does Haruka notice the song has come to an end. 

“ ‘Did not!” Kohane argues, but it’s slightly drowned out as the machine grumbles ‘Player two, please collect your tickets.’

”Yes, you did!” Minori squeaks, “You bumped into me on purpose!” Kohane sticks her tongue out, a seldom show of defiance.

”I didn’t,” Azusawa tears her tickets from the machine, a silly smile on her face. Minori huffs, stepping off the machine.

An immediately rewards her girlfriend with a hug. “An!” Kohane blushes. “I’ve taught you well.” Shiraishi smiles as she pulls away. “Ah, yes, you taught her to be a cheater!” Minori accuses, and An just smiles. “Yes.” She agrees.

“I think we’re still in the lead, though,” Minori says to Haruka, slightly stumbling from dancing for so long, pulling out her collection of tickets from her sweater’s pocket, grinning. 

“Let’s keep it that way,” Haruka smiles down at her. And, this time it’s her taking Minori’s hand in her own, pulling her off to another game.

Notes:

Thank you for reeeaadding!!

Kinda funny how this is called “hold my hand instead” and they hold hands like twelve times. God I love these idiots.

One more chapter to go…

Chapter 8: Penguin

Notes:

Happy Halloween!

supplying the Airi and An content Sega won’t give us.

I had so much fun writing this story! I can’t believe I finished my first fanfic on here… Thank you all for reading, and for your support!

There are definitely more stories to come.

Minori and Haruka stand shoulder to shoulder, rapidly counting their tickets.

”513…523…533…! I’ve got 533!” Minori exclaims cheerfully. “I’ve got 824.” Haruka holds up her heaping handful, after a moment. “So, together that’s…” Minori pauses, calculating in her head.

“1,360?” she settles. “1’357.” Haruka corrects. “I was rounding up.” Hanasato pouts, causing Kiritani to laugh. Airi slumps, the numbers officially knocking team Hinomori and Momoi out of the running. 

“984 isn’t so bad!” Minori tries to comfort, “It’s not bad at all.” Haruka agrees, but Airi just slumps further. “It’s pitiful.” She sighs, and Hinomori puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder, covering her face with the other, trying to hide her amusement. 

An dramatically wipes non existent sweat from her forehead, counting her own tickets aside Kohane. “1,311… 1,321… 1,331…” they count in unison, counting the same strand of tickets, An clearly going for dramatic effect.

“1,341.. 1,351… 1,361…!” An smiles. Kohane picks up a stray cluster of tickets they had dropped on the floor. “1,366.” She corrects. 

Kohane goes for a high five, which she receives, before promptly being picked up.

”A-An!” She squeaks, and An holds her up like a trophy. “We win!” Shiraishi announces. “Get a room.” Airi says, trying to hold back that fond smile of hers.

“Oh, please,” An adjusts Kohane in her grip, as the woman wraps her arms around An’s neck. “Like the reason you guys don’t have any tickets is because you both weren’t flirting with each other all day.” Shiraishi grins smugly at the way Airi’s face goes bright red. 

“T-That’s!…” she grumbles. “…we have tickets, thank you very much.” She crosses her arms, leaning into Hinomori, who immediately accepts the cuddles, wrapping her arms around her. 

“Alright, alright,” Haruka clears the air with her hand, smiling. “What on earth are we going to get with all these tickets?” 

The group goes silent, pondering what to do. 

“Let’s see… together, we have—what? 4,000 tickets?” An says, setting Azusawa down gently. “Let’s buy the biggest, weirdest, thing we can, for that price!”

---

The biggest, weirdest, thing they can afford is a comedically large bubble machine, for the low-low price of 3,500 tickets. Airi breaks out into laughter as the poor prize counter merchant has to heft up it over the counter, trading it off for the (literal) thousands of tickets. 

Minori gets an orange flavored sucker, for 10 tickets, after the debacle, shoving what little tickets remain in her bag afterwards.

An offers to carry it. 

“Are you sure… you can handle that, Shiraishi?” Airi asks, laughing as An struggles to hold it up. “Ye-yeah! I’ve totally got it.” She lies. 

After a while of walking around, Haruka takes pity on her, grabbing a handle on the other side of the box, helping carrying it around.

A tries to hide the relief on her face. “A two lady job, then?” Momoi teases, and Shiraishi rolls her eyes. 

“Hey,” Kohane speaks up, after a moment. “there’s a burger place connected to the arcade,” she points to the big LED burger sign above them. “Anybody hungry?” 

“Yes!” An and Airi say in unison, and Shizuku nods rapidly.

Walking towards the burger joint, Haruka stops in her tracks. 

Minori, who had been by her side, also stops, following her trail of sight. 

“Look!” Haruka squeaks out excitedly, pointing towards a claw machine.

Minori smiles. “Penguins…” she shakes her head, observing the claw machine filled with all sorts of plush penguins, as Kiritani immediately starts rummaging through her purse.

”Are you guys coming?” Airi calls out, looking back at the women. Minori points towards the claw machine, almost accusingly in any other context, and it only takes Airi a moment to understand. “Ahhhh.” Momoi smiles. “Get a table for us?” Minori asks, and Airi nods in response, before Hanasato is pulled off by an eager Kiritani.

---

Haruka opens up the zipper part of her wallet, dropping what little quarters she has into her open hand. 

Minori stands on her tippy toes to see what exactly Kiritani is working with. “You got, like, seven quarters?” She counts. 

Haruka looks at Minori expectantly.

“…I guess I can spare you a quarter.” Minori sighs at the pleading look, rummaging through her own bag, digging past the tickets, to pull out a loose coin from the bottom.

”Don’t spend it all in one place.” Hanasato jokes, smile tugging at her lips.

Haruka takes it, painfully aware of how their fingers graze each other.

“Two tries…” Haruka puts on a determined face.

Sliding in four quarters, one after another, the machine starts up, playing a funky ’chilly’ sort of beat.

Kiritani leans over the machine possessively, pressing the start button. 

Minori leans over her shoulder, watching closely. 

Kiritani pauses, taking a moment to think about which penguin it is exactly she’s going for.

They’re all very cute. Some are a light blue, with an embroidered pink on their cheeks, as if they were blushing. Some darker in color, with big fluffy yellow eyebrows, and their hands in the air, like they are getting ready for a hug. 

But, one in particular catches her eye.

Haruka squeezes two hands over the joystick, expertly moving the claw over the stuffed animal. She maneuvers it like that until she’s satisfied with the position, slowly removing her right away from the stick, over to the grab button.

As she clicks down, Minori lets out the breath she had been holding in anticipation against Haruka’s neck.

Haruka’s left hand jerks. 

The claw misses. 

“Darn it!” Minori curses for her, moving away slightly, sighing deeply. Haruka briefly wonders if she should check if her face is on fire. 

“Le-let me try again.” Haruka shakily reaches for the rest of her coins. She slides them in, like before, one after another. 

“Here goes nothing.” Minori says for her, moving closer once more.

Haruka swallows, furrowing her brows, focusing harder than she had before. 

After pressing the start button, her hands resume their position on the joystick, this time tighter. She tries desperately to ignore the feeling of Minori’s eyes on her. 

Hands slightly shaky now, she finds a spot she’s confident in, before hitting the grab button.

The claw grabs the plush, and they cheer momentarily, before it drops it. 

“Damn it!” Haruka slumps her entire body onto the machine, sighing deeply.

Minori looks at her—or maybe the machine—sorrowfully. 

Haruka tilts her head up after a moment, looking at Hanasato, resting her head on her arms.

“Hey, hey,” Minori panics, “do not look at me like that,” She warns, “I am giving you more money.” Haruka continues her puppy-dog-eyes. 

Minori stammers, flushing.

“Come on,” Haruka straightens. “Pleaasse?” She pleads, moving towards Minori. 

“No way, you already have a million penguin plushies. You do not need this one!” “Come on! This one is so cute!” She points at it, and Minori’s eyes flicker over to it momentarily, squinting at it. “No.”

“Please!” Haruka clasps her hands together. “I’ll do anything.” She begs, and Minori goes a bright red. Haruka is confused for a moment, but then Minori mumbles out a strand of incoherent words, and there’s just one Haruka can make out.

”Anything?” She asks.

It’s then the idols realize how close they’ve gotten. 

Haruka stammers, blush creeping down her neck, and her tongue moves faster than her brain. “Anything.” She promises, before she can even comprehend what that entails.

Then, out of no where, an excited voice calls out “is that Hanasato Minori?!”

Haruka nearly throws herself away from the idol in question.

Minori immediately throws on her idol persona, smiling wide and greeting the fan cheerfully. Like everything is completely normal. 

Haruka can’t bring herself to turn around, focusing her eyes on the claw machine, as the fan and Minori chatter enthusiastically.

She then stares down at her dress, watching the way the claw machine’s lights shine onto it. 

Thoroughly satisfied with a conversation, and a photo, the fan wanders off giddily. 

Once the sound of footsteps descend, Haruka looks up. Their eyes meet. And, they just sort of… look at one another, for a while. Minori opens her mouth to say something, before thinking better of it.

Then, Haruka feels exasperated. And, slightly exhausted. Not at the fan. Not at Minori—definitely not. But, more at herself. She squeezes her hands into a fist, sighing deeply.

It feels like her brain is moving a mile a minute. And, like she can’t capture a single thought in the haze. Except one, maybe. 

”I want to kiss you.” She whispers out in a sigh, like a teenage girl sharing secrets at a slumber party, gently offering it to the air—to Minori. 

Hanasato’s eyes go wide. She blinks, before shaking her head, like she just can’t believe her ears. “What?” She questions. 
“you don’t have to. I-I guess—I just want you to know that.” She hunches in on herself, so unlike an idol, so terribly vulnerable. “That I want to kiss you.” She specifies, in a hushed tone.

Then, Minori gets that look. That determined look on her face. The one that says ‘no one’s stopping me’. This time, though, it’s accompanied by a bright red dusting her cheeks. 

“You-” Haruka begins to speak, but is shut up as Minori grabs her hand, pulling her behind the claw machine, cupping her face, and kissing her. 

Haruka immediately relaxes into, every thought in her mind becoming just ‘Minori’.

The sweet taste of artificial orange on Minori’s lips causes Haruka to smile, wrapping her arms around the idol.

When they pull away, Minori rests her head against her idol’s. 

“I- um…” Haruka starts, and Minori opens her eyes. Kiritani is bewitched, as grey eyes study her face. “I like you. A lot. I su-suppose I always have? I felt… bad. When you, um, starting fake dating,” she squeezes her blue eyes shut, unable to handle the beauty of the woman holding her. “Like-I was jealous.” She lets out a sigh. “I am jealous.” She confesses. 

“I just wanted you…” she swallows. “To be mine.” Her face heats up in embarrassment. “And, I didn’t—don’t-” Haruka corrects herself, “-want anybody to think anything else.” She clarifies, and Minori giggles. Haruka opens her eyes.

“It’s not funny!” Haruka moves her hands to hide her face in them. “No, no,” Hanasato moves them away, holding them in her own instead. “I just find it funny. I didn’t think… you’d ever like me how I like you.” Haruka’s eyes softens. “How could I not?” She asks wholeheartedly. 

“Haruka,” Minori smiles, her face bright red, moving her hands to hold the idol’s face once more.

Haruka initiates the kiss this time, and Minori moves her hand into her purse.

Haruka doesn’t pull away immediately, not until she feels something cool slide into her hand. 

She looks down, her vision slightly hazy.

Four quarters. 

---

An slides the bubble machine box under the table they’re seated at, resting her feet on it, and her arms above her head. Airi pays half mind when she spots a blue haired woman and brunette enter the dining room, flagging them down to come sit. 

“Took you guys long enough.” Airi snarks, eyeing the menu.

It’s only when their table goes silent, does she look up at the two ladies who just sat at the table.

An embarrassed, stuttering, Minori Hanasato. Her hair messed up, face flushed.

And, an even messier Haruka Kiritani. Her lipstick smudged lips wearing a huge grin, holding her prize of a plush penguin holding a gaming controller.

Hand in hand. 

Airi can’t hold back for longer than a second. “See, I told you my plan would work!” She practically shouts, pointing at Shizuku, who still seems slightly shocked.

It only takes a moment before a warm smile forms on her face, over taking that look. 

The table erupts into laughter. 

Notes:

Say thank you, Mr. Penguin plushy. And, since you read all the way to the end, have a funny I wrote at the very beginning of starting this fic:

““Miku,” Minori asks the vocaloid in question, who’s preparing backstage. “All of us are gay. Did… did you choose us like that on purpose, or something?” Miku stops in her tracks, mid in the motion of smoothing over her skirt. “…You found out about the other sekai’s?!” Hatsune gulps. “…the WHAT?!” Minori gasps.”
It’s colorful stage for a reason.

Thank you for reading! You’re awesome sauce. And, if you were wondering who gets to keep the bubble machine—it’s An and Kohane. But, MMJ has visiting rights.

Notes:

Kudos and comments are super, duper appreciated! (I do NOT bite. Unless you have a sandwich. Damn, that sounds good.)