Chapter Text
“Hey, Isuke-sama.” Haruki shifted on her bed, turning over to Isuke, who was filing her nails on her own bed.
“Hm?” Isuke responded, her eyes still focused on her purple-painted nails. She was very proud of her work this time.
“Are you really alright with going to a ramen store tomorrow?” Haruki asked, gently squeezing one of the pillows.
Isuke glared at Haruki then threw her nail file at the girl. Haruki caught it with ease. Laughing, she asked, “What was that for, Isuke-sama?”
“Isuke was hoping that if it hit you hard enough in the head, it would somehow increase your mental capacity.” Isuke responded, making Haruki move backwards to make space for herself. “Idiot,” Isuke sighed, sitting in front of Haruki and placing her head on Haruki’s chest. She could hear Haruki’s heartbeat and was pleased to note that it was as erratic as her own. “Anywhere is fine as long as it’s with you, okay?”
In Haruki’s dull life filled with work, younger siblings, a sick mother and more work, she never gotten the chance to date anyone. Sure, she’s probably had a crush or two (or people had crushes on her), but none of them were nearly as beautiful as Isuke-sama, who had casually decided to lay her head on her chest.
Where am I supposed to place my hands? What do I do now? Holy shit, I’m just a fucking virgin with all this.
Noticing that Haruki had turned into a statue, Isuke looked up at her and saw that her brows were furrowed. Her yellow eyes were widened with - surprise? Fear? Confusion? - when Isuke’s eyes met hers.
“Don’t tell me,” Isuke giggled, “Haruki, is Isuke your first? ♥”
“F-First what?” Haruki stuttered, feeling her palms get sticky.
“Girlfriend. ♥” Isuke responded flatly, taking one of Isuke’s stiff arms and placing it on her back. “When Isuke leans on you, you’re supposed to hold me, idiot.”
“What? You’re my girlfriend now?” Haruki asked, supporting their weight with one arm and holding Isuke with the other. “I just thought you were my date.”
Isuke sighed, "Okay let's say Isuke's just your date for tomorrow, then what's next?"
"Then everything goes back to normal the next day." Haruki stated matter-of-factly.
Indeed, she had said it before that to her, Valentine's Day was just like any other day. Isuke clicked her tongue in annoyance, heaving an exasperated sigh.
Oh sweet Jesus, please provide Isuke with the patience needed to deal with this virgin.
Haruki had absentmindedly started to rub small circles on Isuke's back.
Isuke realised that the girl had pulled out a box of Pocky from seemingly nowhere, and was chewing on the biscuit stick. She just silently observed as Haruki tried to calm her nerves by chewing on that goddamned stick.
"Sorry, sorry Isuke-sama. I really am just a virgin so give me a break! I promise I'll try. I probably won't make a good girlfriend though but I swear I really really like you!" Haruki said suddenly, clapping her hands together.
The way Haruki sincerely confessed made Isuke laugh.
"Aw, Haruki. ♥" Isuke replied, half-jumping into the girl's chest, pushing her down in the process. She moved even closer to the redhead, burying her head under her chin. "That's the first time you've confessed."
"Uh-" Haruki was stunned. Isuke-sama was... Happy? She just took another stick and bit on it, offering Isuke one. It was just a formality because Isuke never takes one. (Haruki suspected it was because Isuke preferred the strawberry-flavoured ones.)
"Isuke wants to stay like this for awhile. It was a good idea to have packed my clothes earlier on..." She mumbled, sounding slightly sleepy.
Haruki looked at the wall clock - 11:30pm. It was Isuke-sama's bedtime.
“Isuke-sama, for someone who sleeps through all classes, you sure do sleep real early.” Haruki joked, but Isuke didn’t stir. "Isuke-sama, I have to brush my teeth and change into my pyjamas." Haruki whispered.
Isuke ignored her and simply shifted to make herself more comfortable. First, Haruki played with Isuke's hair, twirling them around her finger. Then she started to hum a song, biting into another Pocky stick. Next she started to braid Isuke's hair, still humming her stupid song.
Oh my God, it was impossible to cuddle with this child.
"Fine." Isuke sat up, anger evident in her voice. "Go." She crossed her arms across her chest, throwing a tantrum.
"I'll be quick!" Haruki replied, bouncing off to the toilet.
When Haruki was done, Isuke had already fallen asleep in Haruki's bed, all wrapped up under the covers. Haruki switched off the lights and moved carefully beside Isuke, wrapping an arm around her waist. She rested her head against Isuke's, planting a small kiss on her nose.
"Goodnight, Isuke-sama."
Haruki smiled at the sun the next morning, happy for the good weather. Isuke was changing after having picked out several types of shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes... While Haruki just wore another one of her white shirts with a skirt. As she sat near the window, she noticed the many couples walking out the school's gates. She thought that maybe she should buy Isuke-sama a flower, but which? How much do flowers cost today anyway, they usually hike up prices on Valentine's.
"Let's go, Haruki." Isuke said, finally done changing. She walked out the toilet with a simple black dress with a cardigan and heels.
Haruki paused, looking at Isuke from top to toe. If Isuke normally looked beautiful, today she looked like a Goddess. If she were the Sun, Haruki would be Icarus who soared too close.
"What are you spacing out for, idiot?" Isuke smirked, doing a little twirl for Haruki. "Are you done admiring Isuke yet? ♥"
Couples were everywhere. It was a first for Haruki to spend it with someone outside instead of with her Pocky sticks and siblings at home or at a job, but even so, she protectively held Isuke by her waist and pulled her closer when she noticed the roaming eyes of men and women alike. Isuke put the ass in assassin (and definitely the sass too), which was something Haruki was both proud and troubled by on a day like this one. However, Isuke knew how good she looked and swayed her body more than she normally did, but turned her nose up to the disgusting stares she garnered. She proudly clung onto her girlfriend's arm, shooting a glare at anyone who even dared take a breath at Haruki's general direction.
The ramen store Haruki placed a reservation for was at a more secluded alleyway, and once they were there, she let out a troubled sigh.
"What's the matter?" Isuke asked, flipping through the menu.
"Isuke-sama, are the streets always so crowded on Valentine's?" She whined. "By the way, today's meal's on me so eat up!" She grinned. "Ah, I'm so hungry."
Isuke made sure that Haruki didn't eat any Pocky before their lunch so it wouldn't spoil her appetite, resulting in the empty feeling in her Pocky-deprived stomach.
"Yes, it's always been this crowded. You'd know if you weren't such a recluse on Valentine's.♥" Isuke rolled her eyes. "You don't have to splurge on me." Isuke added, smiling. It made her happy that Haruki was willing to spend her hard-earned money on her, but she would rather Haruki spend it on more important things, like her family. "You have other things to worry about paying for."
"Nah, it's fine Isuke-sama! I'll just cutdown on my Pocky intake this month. Really, don't worry about today!" Haruki replied, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't even think of ordering the cheapest thing there you hear me? Just order whatever you like, dude." She added, penning down her order on the order slip.
"Dude?" Isuke narrowed her eyes, gently pinching Haruki's arm. "Don't call your girlfriend dude you nitwit!"
"Alright then, how about..." a cunning smile graced the edges of her lips, "baby?"
Isuke's face coloured a bright pink almost immediately. She smacked a laughing Haruki, hard, with the menu.
"Don't you dare do that ever again, idiot."
Isuke had been in numerous relationships and there were names her partners have called her that were multiple times more repulsive than "baby", but because it was Haruki, it seemed to induce some sort of behaviour which somehow indicated that Isuke was just like a bumbling virgin.
"Sure, princess." Haruki smiled. "Are you ready to place your order?"
Isuke hated it when people watched her eat, and that was exactly what her girlfriend was doing. Every time she looked up from her noodles, Haruki was beaming at her. Isuke put her chopsticks down and stared back.
"Why'd you stop eating?" Haruki asked, cleaning her mouth with a napkin.
"I can't eat with a certain dumbass staring at me, can I? ♥"
"Well, Isuke-sama looks great today, and I'm still having problems believing you're my date- and girlfriend now- so, just let me would you?" Haruki argued.
"Stop saying such embarrassing things." Isuke replied, picking up her chopsticks in a flustered manner. Haruki noticed the tinge of red of Isuke’s ears.
"How does yours taste?" Haruki asked, scooping a bit of soup from Isuke's bowl and drinking it. "Oh, you like it thick." She commented, taking another scoop.
"What are you saying?" Isuke asked, her voice raised and more highly-pitched than usual. "What did you just say?"
"What? What did I say? That you like your soup thick?" Haruki replied, dumbfounded, before she realised what Isuke thought she meant and burst out into laughter. Tears formed in her eyes. "Oh my god, Isuke-sama." Haruki couldn't stifle her laughter, even after Isuke kicked her under the table. "Oh, fuck, haven't had a good laugh in awhile. Holy shit." She finally calmed down, taking in a few deep breaths and wiping at her eyes. "Too bad Isuke-sama, I don't even have one..." She looked up, crooked smile on her face, "Let alone a thick one."
"Shut up, you nut!" Isuke spat, her face a bright red. "Just drop it!"
"I can't drop my nuts, I don't even have any." Haruki joked, receiving a flick to the forehead. "Okay, okay. I get it. I’ll stop." Haruki chuckled, patting Isuke's head.
They decided to walk around after lunch, for digestion and so they didn’t have to go back to that depressing school so soon.
"Isuke-sama, do I get Valentine's Day chocolate from you?" Haruki asked, looking at the chocolate displays in a candy shop.
"Why? Isn't Isuke's presence good enough for you? ♥" Isuke replied, examining the display. Isuke had never made chocolates for anyone, and she didn't plan on making them today, either.
"Eh... Alright then." Haruki pouted, disappointment in her voice.
Who could possibly deny someone like Haruki chocolate? Not Isuke. Isuke could kill without blinking an eye and spew insults without a tinge of guilt, but she definitely can't ignore her beloved Haruki's disappointment. She reluctantly dragged Haruki into the candy shop, "Only if we make them together. Just so you know, this is the first time Isuke's making them, so don't expect too much."
Haruki, despite Isuke's protests (Isuke's the one making them so I should be the one paying!), paid for the chocolates. After which, Isuke said she had to use the toilet before heading back, leaving Haruki to wait. Spotting a lady selling flowers nearby, Haruki walked over, big smile on her face. She bought a bouquet of two red roses and two pink ones. The lady gave her an extra of each, and Haruki thanked her with a wink and a "you're the best, flower lady! See you around!", then ran off towards the toilet. Maybe it wasn't terrible for her to know how to flirt with girls, she admitted. Luckily Isuke-sama wasn't there to see that.
Haruki knew Isuke took forever in the toilet, so when she got back, Isuke strutted out the toilet, just in time. Isuke's eyes widened when Haruki presented the bouquet of flowers, finding herself speechless.
"They symbolise love, gratitude and joy, and that's all I've felt since I've met you, Isuke-sama." Haruki smiled, butting her forehead gently with Isuke's. She looked down directly into Isuke's golden eyes, noticing the scarlet on the girl’s cheeks. "Happy Valentine's Day."
Isuke took the bouquet of flowers, kissing Haruki on the cheek.
"You're the first." Isuke said, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Eh? Really? I can't possibly the first to give Isuke-sama flowers." Haruki scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"No, you’re not. But you're the first who has made Isuke feel this way..." Isuke pouted. "So you'll have to take responsibility from now on. ♥"
Haruki thought that Isuke was absolutely adorable. She couldn't help leaning forward and finally kissing those soft, pink lips. Isuke's lips gently pushed against her own, returning the gesture. Thankfully Haruki's first kiss was with Isuke's, because she wouldn't want it any other way. She didn't care if she wasn't Isuke's first, as long as she was Isuke's last.
"Let's get back." Isuke huffed, catching her breath after the kiss. "Isuke still has chocolates to make." Isuke's face was flushed, and she hurriedly walked off, bouquet of flowers in her right hand.
"Isuke-sama, wait up!" Haruki called, slightly running. She held onto Isuke's hand tightly and squeezed it. "I'm excited to have a taste of Isuke..."
Isuke stared at her, "I'm going to kill you, Haruki.♥"
"...'s chocolates. Isuke's chocolates." Haruki concluded her sentence, mischief in her glowing eyes.
They both were new at this whole chocolate-making thing. Melting them was easy. Tasting them was easy. Isuke had to slap Haruki's hand away several times before Haruki finally stopped eating the damned chocolates. Shaping them in hearts proved to be their first obstacle, as they all came out looking like blobs of shit.
"Don't call them that!" Haruki laughed when Isuke said it. "Chocolate's food, not shit."
"Well they certainly are turning out exactly like something Isuke would flush down a toilet." Isuke said, frustrated.
"We can roll them into balls or something." Haruki suggested. "Then again, they'll come out like balls of shit..."
They found flour in the cupboard and decided to make chocolate coated biscuits. It didn't turn out all that bad, really. The biscuits were shaped oddly, sure, but the taste was good.
"H-How is it?" Isuke asked nervously as Haruki took the first bite.
Haruki chewed as slowly as possible, furrowing her eyebrows and taking another bite just to piss Isuke off.
"How is it!" Isuke repeated, grabbing onto Haruki's arm.
"I love it, Isuke-sama." Haruki pulled her girlfriend into a tight hug. "Thank you."
Isuke took one off the baking tray and tried it herself.
Oh god. Isuke ran to the dustbin and spat out the dry, chocolate-coated... thing.
"It's terrible." Isuke choked, gulping down water. "Are you trying to humour me?"
"Eh?" Haruki placed another one in her mouth. "They taste really, really good. What are you talking about, Isuke-sama?" Haruki stuffed another one in her mouth.
"Why are you eating them?" Isuke said, taking another piece and biting into it. Again, she spat it out.
"Like I said, they taste good to me." Haruki really seemed to be enjoying the lumpy biscuits. "It was our first time making them, so I didn't expect it to turn out good." Placing another one in her mouth she added, "besides. Isuke-sama made them for me, so they taste extra good."
"Idiot." Isuke leaned against the counter, watching Haruki finish the biscuits and lick her fingers. "Isuke will make better ones next time." She said, starting to pack up the baking equipment.
"I'm looking forward to that, then!" Haruki said, washing her hands and helping with the cleaning. "Does that mean I'll be spending next year with you too?"
"What do you think? ♥" Isuke asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I think I'd like that."
"Thanks for the day, Isuke-sama. I really enjoyed myself." Haruki mumbled, her eyes half-opened.
They were both lying in Isuke's bed after taking a nice bath, Isuke lying in the warmth of Haruki's embrace.
"Mm." Isuke hummed, tugging on Haruki's shirt. "Isuke's tired..."
Haruki planted lazy kisses on Isuke's forehead.
"You were wrong, Haruki..." Isuke giggled. "You're anything but a bad girlfriend. ♥"
"Really?" She yawned. "I tried my best, so I guess."
"You did." Isuke said, sitting up slightly. "Isuke enjoyed it a lot." She laid back down, closing her eyes. "Goodnight, idiot."
Haruki kissed Isuke's cheek, "Goodnight, Isuke-sama." She lowered her voice to a mere whisper, "I love you."
Haruki would've missed it if she wasn't paying attention, but she was. Her heartbeat sped up immensely, hearing Isuke's soft, barely audible,
"I love you too, Haruki."