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Nene delicately places some seeds into the hole she’d made out of the soft earth and some fertilizer. The greens of Kamome Academy’s very own garden practically glows in the afternoon sun, soil rough against Nene’s gloves. When she’s satisfied with her work of covering up the hole and patting it down, Nene can’t help but frown.
“Nene-chan?”
Nene snaps her head up, coming face-to-face with a girl. Her indigo hair has been tied back into a set of ringlets, and Nene can’t help but soften her features. “Hi, Ao-chan.”
“Hello to you, too,” she says, tone as sweet as ever. Nene thinks, through the clouded haze of her mind, that Aoi is just as dainty as ever; hand poised as she clutches a watering can; smile pleasing but normally a tad too sugary (but always, always genuine when it comes to Nene); movements graceful as she crouches down by Nene.
Her smile now, however, is pinched with confusion. “You’ve been really out of it during the club,” she notes. “Did something happen? Was it something Amane said?”
“Amane hasn’t gone out of line today,” Nene says. Aoi patiently waits as Nene pouts, mulling over her thoughts, cheeks puffed out. Nene sighs.” Kou’s been upset recently, since Mitsuba’s been in the hospital. I heard that Mitsuba turned out okay and that he’s just staying there as an extra caution, but Kou’s still worried. He’ll visit Mitsuba later, too, but…” Nene’s brow furrows again as she stares daggers at the poor, unsuspecting patch of dirt beneath her boots. A lone earthworm wriggles back into the dirt crumbs as if Nene’s glare had scared it.
Aoi’s eyes curve downwards, worry etching onto her features. But Nene can tell by the gleam in her eyes that her gaze is still inquisitive, comprehending Nene’s spaciness. Assessing. Judging.
But then a smile breaks out onto her face, a small, reassuring one that makes Nene feel a bit better. When Aoi wordlessly presents Nene with an open palm, Nene doesn’t hesitate in reaching out her own, and Aoi softly laces their fingers together.
“It’s okay to be worried about Kou,” Aoi starts, voice gentle. Nene slowly shifts her complete focus onto Aoi and away from the fog in her mind. Aoi gives her hand a small squeeze. “He’s your friend, after all. He’s even your kouhai. I’m not so close to him, but I can tell he’s someone kind, right? Maybe too loud and brash sometimes.”
Nene can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of her at that.
“I think I too would be worried if Akane nearly died,” Aoi admits quietly. Nene’s stopped laughing now, eyes shining with attention. Aoi looks away then, suddenly shy at the intensity of Nene’s eyes. “I wouldn’t be able to be so happy, no matter how much others tried to comfort me. But, that doesn’t mean that all isn’t right.”
Nene tilts her head curiously. Aoi smiles softly, trying her best to resist the urge to just lean over and- she’s getting off-topic at a place with too many witnesses, so she just squeezes Nene’s hand again. Nene squeezes back.
“I think, for now, you just need to let Kou know that you’re here for him. Show that you care and worry for him, but not be too overbearing that he forces himself to smile. Give him space when he needs it, but listen to him when he does want to talk. I think that’s the best you can do as his friend. It might not help ease all his sadness away, but I think he’ll feel lighter, knowing that his friends are concerned, but ultimately trust him.”
Nene blinks. Her eyes are so, so wide, so reflective of the sunlight, and Aoi can make out her own shadow in those shiny irises.
“Th-thanks, Aoi,” she stutters out, smiling so brightly that her cheeks seem to hurt.
Aoi just laughs, assured rather than teasing, and drags Nene forward to wrap her up in a hug. Her soft breath is tickling the top of Nene’s head, and she can feel Aoi’s muted heartbeat against her gardening apron, but she doesn’t mind. A huff of breath ghosts over her skin and her bangs are brushed away to let Aoi peck her forehead. Nene giggles, and Aoi looks down at her, puzzled.
“No, n-no, it’s just, thanks. Again,” she breathes out, all content and warm. Nene still has to talk to Kou properly, but he always stays back so late (Amane no doubt has probably beaten her to comforting the blonde). she can spare a few more seconds in Aoi’s embrace.