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Amane clutched the movie tickets tighter, wincing as the paper crumpled in his grip. He’d had this planned for months now, ever since Yashiro had grabbed his arm in the theater when the trailer started and turned those luminous eyes on him in the dark with such a radiant smile he was glad for the shadows to hide his blush. She’d been quiet during the movie Kou had picked for them all to see, but as soon as the lights had gone up she’d whipped her head to face Amane and asked if they could go see Space Hamster Wars when it came out.
Tsukasa had teased him all the way home that evening, poking fun at the bright flush on his cheeks and ears that had lingered long after his enthusiastic yes had left Yashiro giggling. And he was sure she had forgotten that she had asked him, busy as she was with her gardening club and trying to get her senpai’s to notice her.
And that always left a bitter taste in Amane’s mouth; the way she fawned over boys like Fuji or Minamoto. They never noticed that Yashiro always ate the cucumber curls from her bento first, or that she liked to hum when she pulled weeds from around her tomatoes. They didn’t know that she liked to watch documentaries on jellyfish and that her favorite nightshirt was one of Amane’s own that she’d borrowed one night during a group slumber party and never returned.
People like Fuji only saw Yashiro as someone to do their work for them. And as for Minamoto...Amane knew that the self-proclaimed exorcist didn’t see Yashiro as anything more than his little brother Kou’s friend. And he was sure she knew this, even though she kept chasing after her pretty princes who barely gave her the time of day.
Which was why, when he saw that the tickets were going on sale, that Amane had decided that enough was enough. He was going to ask Yashiro on a date, and tell her that he liked her; had liked her since that day on the playground when they were five when she said his eyes were pretty like the moon and gave him her last mokke sticker.
And Yashiro deserved so much for as kind as she was. She’d put up with him and Tsukasa for years now, didn’t cry when he and Kou fought over dumb things anymore and was his best and closest friend after Tsu. She had been the first person he had told about the horrible things at home when he and Tsu had been removed from it and out in Tsuchigomori-sensei’s custody. He’d cried into her arms for hours while she held him, crying right alongside him until they’d both fallen asleep in a tangled heap of limbs.
Amane stuffed the tickets into his pocket as she hurried through the door as the bell rang. He’d hoped to get her alone before class started, but it seemed that would have to wait. He settled into his desk, tugging on the tangled ends of her hair as she dropped into the seat in front of him as he teased her for oversleeping again.
Yashiro turned, cheeks puffy and pink as she batted at his hands, and Amane only laughed. He pushed her shoulder gently so she faced forward again, pulling at her hair until the tangles unraveled and he could run his fingers freely through the strands of her starlight colored hair.
He loved every inch of Yashiro, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. The way her hair turned teal at the tips like the ocean on a warm day, the way her shoulders pinked in bright sunlight. He loved the little dip in her collarbone and the hidden strength in her arms. He also loved the things about her that he wasn’t supposed to look at; the generous swell of her bust, the curve of her wide hips, the milky white skin of her thighs.
Even those delightful parts of her had nothing on her soft warm hands, or her hated chubby ankles. As much as Amane teased her constantly about her “daikon ankles”, he was just as much in love with them as the rest of her. They were a part of Yashiro; as much as her eyes were like a sunset on the sea or the freckles on her wrist that made their own constellation, he loved them too.
Amane flipped his textbook open before gathering Yashiro’s hair up to braid. Despite her saying he would get in trouble, or that he was distracting her, he watched as her shoulders relaxed slowly under his gentle ministrations. He dug through his pencil case for the stash of tiny hair ties he kept for Yashiro, weaving her hair together before he tied the end off. One dainty hand snuck back, smoothing down the soft fall of her hair before it disappeared again.
And it must have been a trick of the light, the early morning sun sliding through the wide windows beside them, but Amane could have sworn that the tips of Yashiro’s ears were pink.
It took Amane all the way until lunch to finally get Yashiro alone. It was Tsukasa who made it happen, shoving them onto the roof and slamming the door shut with a mischievous smile as Yashiro stumbled into Amane’s arms. And while he was happy to get Yashiro alone, he’d also hoped for a quick exit in case she decided that she wanted nothing to do with him.
“Ah, Amane-kun,” he glanced down, and it definitely looked like Yashio was blushing, “You can let me go now. I’m fine.”
He snatched his hands back, shoving one into his pocket and the other into his hair, and the brush of paper against his knuckles reminded him just what he was doing. He faltered for just a second before he unwound the hand from his hair to curl around hers.
She made a soft, squeaky sound that Amane thought might have been his name, but he was enthralled; her tiny hand warm hand fit perfectly in his larger, colder palm. They were like puzzle pieces, like the interlocking necklaces Yashiro had bought for them in their last year of elementary school with best friends stamped across the shiny metal.
He tightened his fingers around hers as she made to pull away, drawing the tickets out and he heard her go silent. Amane flipped her hand over, stroking his thumb over her palms before he pressed the tickets into it and gently folded her fingers around them.
"I remembered that you said you wanted to go see this, so I was, uh...hoping that you'd go. With me. Just us."
He peeked at her through the fall of his bangs, watching as her pretty eyes widened before a blush filled the apples of her cheeks.
"Amane-kun…is this a date?"
He swallowed the nervousness that wanted to eat him alive and tugged her closer, smirking as she squeaked as their toes and noses brushed.
"Do you want it to be a date, Yashiro?"
And all that bravado crumbled as she reached out and curled her free hand in the corner of his shirt, the press of her knuckles like a brand even though the soft cotton. She peered up at him through her lashes, and Amane knew his face was as red as her eyes, as her face as she nodded.
"Then yes; it's a date. Sunday, just the two of us, okay?"
He watched as Yashiro smiled, and it lit up her face the same way the moon seemed to shine brighter as it peeked from behind the clouds. And he had planned to tell her after the movie that he was in love with her, to lean in and hope that she wore the strawberry lip gloss he'd bought her for her birthday so he could see if it was as sweet as she said it was.
But maybe he could do that now.
Amane reached up and swept his fingers across her cheek before he curled his hand around the soft curve of her jaw, a thrill running through him as she tipped her head into his touch. Maybe...just maybe she felt the same way he did. He shuffled forward, their clasped hands digging into his sternum as he leaned down so that her breath fanned against his mouth.
The bell rang, too soft for the startled way they sprung apart, and Amane didn't have a chance to ask her to wait before she bolted for the door. He let gravity take him to the rooftop, sprawling across the warm concrete before Tsukasa barreled into his side, shaking him frantically as he babbled questions at the speed of light.
"Did you ask her out? Did she say yes? Nene-chan was giggly and red when she went down the stairs. Did you kiss her? Did it taste like lemons? Amane...Amane why are you blushing? Naughty Ama-nii, taking advantage of Nene-chan all alone on the roof. Did you stick-"
Amane clapped his hand over his twin's mouth before he could finish that sentence, wrestling him to the ground as he giggled wildly and licked his palm.
"Gross, Tsu! Jeez...no, I didn't kiss her. I was going to, maybe. But…"
Tsukasa froze where he was poking Amane's cheeks, and Amane turned away from the soft happy look in his brother's eyes.
"She said yes."
He was tackled back to the floor as Tsukasa shouted happily, rambling on that now he and Nene could come with him and Sakura when they went to the cafe and the movies and dinner. And all Amane did was let him babble, the bright bubble in his chest expanding until he was laughing alongside his brother before they both jumped up and bolted back to class as the bell rang again.
She'd said yes.
Sunday came both too quickly and excruciatingly slowly. The rest of the school week passed almost normally; as though Amane had not asked his crush of ten years on a date and nearly kissed her in the same breath. They still walked home together, still sat beside each other at lunch, still lingered for each other after clubs like they always had.
Now though, every time Yashiro’s eyes met his, her cheeks flushed. They flushed, and she fidgeted, and her smile seemed infinitely softer when she turned it on him. He just hoped it would stay that way once he confessed.
He met her at the train station bright and early, falling over his words when she arrived in a pretty pink dress with her hair up in twin buns he knew she'd take out before the day was over. He took her hand hesitantly, both of them glancing away before they hurried onto the train, dropping into seats.
Yashiro’s shoulder was warm against his own, and he watched her fumble with her heart-shaped bag before he squeezed her fingers gently. He didn't want this to be weird, he just wanted it to be more. So he did what he always did when things got odd between them; he poked fun at her ankles.
She went off predictability, beating her tiny fists against whatever part of him she could reach as he laughed. She pouted all the way to the theater, even as he bought them popcorn and snacks, right up until they settled in their seats. Amane had already dropped into his spot, getting comfortable until he noticed Yashiro was still standing. He was just about to ask if everything was alright when she pushed up the armrest that would separate them and pressed right up to his side.
He froze, and he heard her make a sound before she began to pull away. Their popcorn nearly hit the floor as he dragged her back against him, pointedly not looking at her as he set the bucket in her lap and twisted their fingers together before he set them on his thigh.
Amane couldn't tell you the first thing about the movie. He knew it took place in space, and adorable hamsters were running to and fro, but the only thing he was conscious of was the warm weight of Yashiro pressed to his side, and the gentle way she curled and uncurled her fingers around his. Nothing else mattered, only her quiet giggles that reverberated through his chest, and the sweet scent of her perfume and shampoo as she pillowed her head against his shoulder.
Their day could end here, and Amane would have been content. Except that once they left the dark theater, Yashiro wanted matching keychains which she hooked to his bag with a shy smile. And then she dragged him to the little exhibit they had in the museum nearby and let him ramble for an hour over stars and planets until he got embarrassed and herded her to the aquarium so she could press one hand to the glass of the jellyfish tank, her face illuminated by the soft violet light that made them glow.
And it was only when they were finally sitting down to dinner, both exhausted but giddy, that Amane realized they'd been holding hands all day. He half expected Yashiro to take her own space, but she moved right back against him once he settled, leaning into his side to look at his menu instead of the other one on the table.
Dinner was a fun affair. They ordered several things to share, Amane watching with delight as Yashiro took the bite he held out for her, even if he had to turn away as her lips closed around the end of his chopsticks. And she was no better, blushing to the tips of her ears as he curled his tongue around her spoon to get all the whipped cream from the strawberry parfait she'd wanted for dessert.
They left the restaurant with significantly lighter wallets, but it didn't matter to Amane. He'd had the best day he could have imagined; Yashiro was still holding his hand, still smiling up at him, and it was all he needed to take that final leap. He walked them through the tiny park where he'd decided to confess, pulling her to a halt on the little bridge over the koi pond. It took a minute to pull her attention away from the fluttering fins of the koi, so much like mermaid tails that he laughed at her pout.
Amane took both her hands in his, staring down at her pretty fingers before he took a breath and raised them to his mouth. He kissed the back of her hands with trembling lips, ignoring her gasp as he moved to press a kiss to each of her fingers before he flipped them to set one on each of her warm palms before he twined their fingers together.
"Yashiro...I had an amazing time today. I always do when I'm with you. You make me smile, and laugh, and you're always there for me when something goes right or wrong."
She made a soft sound, but he didn't look up from their hands. If he did, he'd lose his nerve. If he did, he was afraid he'd see pity in her eyes before she told him no.
"I brought you here because you said it was one of your favorite places; even though Tsukasa pushed us off the bridge and we almost got in trouble for scaring the fish. But that's not what I want to talk about. I…"
Amane took a deep breath and raised his eyes to Yashiro’s.
"I love you, Yashiro Nene. I have since the day we met. I love your smile, your laugh, the way you scrunch your nose when you're trying to be quiet. I love your hair, your hands, and your ankles most of all."
He pulled her closer before she could try and hit him for that last comment, however true it was. He let one of her hands go so he could curl it around her cheek, and just like the day on the roof, she leaned into it.
"I love you, Yashiro. And I was hoping you might give me the chance to show you that for-"
She blinked up at him as he abruptly cut himself off, reaching up to set her hand over his thundering heart.
"To show me what, Amane-kun?"
He let her other hand go so he could cup her face in his palms, and he wondered briefly if this was what holding the moon would be like.
"To show you how much I love you for the rest of our lives."
Yashiro’s face flooded with color, and she dipped her head as her hands fisted in his shirt.
"Amane-kun, you dummy. That sounds like a proposal. You shouldn't tease."
He gently guided her head back up, ghosting his mouth against her forehead before he set them together to stare into her eyes.
"I'm not, Yashiro. Not about this; I know that could be a long way off, but I've never wanted anything more than you. Not the moon, not the stars; nothing compares to you."
There were tears in her garnet eyes as he tipped her head to the side, and he could feel her hands trembling against his chest as he brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.
"Can...can I kiss you? Please?"
Yashiro nodded, and he sealed his mouth over hers as soon as she stopped. It was just a press of lips, his to hers before she pushed to her tiptoes and wound her arms around his neck. Slowly he moved his mouth against hers, lips parting and catching as they pressed closer. She tasted like her strawberry parfait, warm and sweet and he swept his tongue over her lip as if he could draw that sweetness into his mouth.
His hands moved without his command, pushing up into her hair until the buns unraveled and fell like starlight around his fingers so he could angle her head and kiss her deeper. She made tiny soft sounds as he pressed her against the railing, her tongue curling around his until he drew back with a gasp.
Yashiro’s eyes were dark and hazy, her lips as red as her cheeks as he moved in to kiss her again. He sank into her, letting himself drown in the warmth of her arms, in the gentle movement of her lips until she pushed against his chest and he drew back. She didn't let him get very far, curling her arms around him before she smiled.
"I love you too, Amane-kun. I...was going to tell you today too. I think I've known for a while, I just didn't want to ruin what we had."
Amane wondered if this was how a star felt going supernova; the giddy rush of heat that suffused through every inch of him as he swept Yashiro into his arms to spin her around with a loud laugh. And she joined him, laughing high and bright before he drew her back down to kiss her again.
It was only when one kiss parted on a yawn did he set her down and gently take her hand to head back to the station and home. She was asleep against his shoulder long, pink mouth pulled into a soft smile as he stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. He pressed a kiss to her temple, chuckling quietly as she twisted to get closer. The sunset light tumbled through the windows, and he felt his breath catch as Yashiro seemed to glow. She was truly the best and brightest star he had ever seen.
Amane hoped that little bridge was still there in a few years. It would make a perfect spot to propose.