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Muni had slept better than she had in a week or two the night after that rap battle reconciliation - she had felt really relieved to be able to start letting go of that guilt that had tormented her ever since she didn’t respond to Rinku’s letters. She felt like she could finally start accepting what her feelings for Rinku are.
When she woke up the next morning, she thought how nice it really felt that it was the first time in a long time she had a dream that felt really happy, though she felt a bit embarrassed… sure she knew she really cared about Rinku… but why did she have to dream about Rinku kissing her and why did she kind of like the idea of it...?
She struggles to give it thought as the morning goes on - even though she honestly wishes she could. - as she still has school. Thankfully it’s Friday so she’d be able to give it more thought over the weekend.
With the Sunset stage still fast approaching, Happy Around runs until closing with their practice sessions, as they lately often have. After the closing bell rings, they all agree to end their practice there for the day and that, as Muni points out, they could use the break and rest this weekend. After all, it’s going to be the home stretch after this weekend.
But before Muni can grab her bag, she feels a presence and voice quickly approaches as Rinku hugs her. “Muni-chan! Muni-chan!”
She tries to not feel too flustered, but after that dream this morning, she couldn’t help but let out a strange sound in surprise. “Guh… What is it, Rinku?”
Rinku grins and looks eagerly at Muni. “I was maybe hoping that I could sleep at your place tonight with just the two of us, Muni-chan!” Rinku lets go of her hug and fidgets a little awkwardly as she lifts a finger towards her face. “Cause, um, uh... I wanted to make up for last time. I’ll even help you cook and we can do whatever you want.”
Muni feels her heartbeat race a little. “HUH… now?... I mean… I don’t mind if you want to… I won’t say no, but are you sure it’s alright?”
Rinku nods and takes hold of one of Muni’s hands. “Yeah! I asked my grandma this morning and she gave me permission! So let’s go!”
Muni nods, “Sure… but Rinku, can you let go of my hand for just a minute? I need to pack up my things.”
Rinku laughs awkwardly. “Ahaha, sorry! Of course, Muni-chan.”
Maho, overhearing the two, smiles and chimes in as she finishes packing her own things. “Wow, seeing you two act like this again just feels so much more right for Happy Around, and I can’t believe I am saying that. I guess yesterday really helped you both.”
Rei too can’t help but comment before leaving. “I agree - this feels much more how Happy Around should be. I’ll head home first.”
“I’ll be heading home too, I wouldn’t want to get in you two’s way. Have fun!” Maho remarks.
Normally, Muni would have definitely tried to retort those comments, but today she feels a little different. Instead, she just silently packs up her laptop.
“I’m sure we will! Bye, both of you,” Rinku replies before turning to Muni. “Muni-chan! Are you done yet?”
“I just finished, so let’s go. What do you want for dinner, Rinku?”
“Muni’s Authentic Curry!” Rinku smirks as she takes Muni’s hand once more.
Muni always felt some warmth and calmness from Rinku holding her hand, so she doesn’t mind how suddenly she’d take it sometimes. “Alright. Authentic Curry it is.”
They leave the practice room hand in hand.
“So Rinku, why did you want to make this up to me so quickly?” Muni asks as the pair start preparing dinner. “I thought you would have wanted to leave it until after Sunset Stage.”
Rinku looks a little lost in thought. “Hmmm…. I guess recently, I realized that I don’t want to take this chance to reconnect to my first friend for granted again, and that I wanted to value our time together more when we have the chance. I want to smooth things out before the big day., Is there something wrong with that?”
Muni blushes and smiles. “Mmh. There’s nothing wrong with that... That's actually a pretty good reason. Thank you Rinku.” Rinku really knew how to speak to Muni’s heart sometimes… how is she supposed to resist her when she takes it so seriously, yet so innocently?
After dinner and baths, they play around together with a few rounds of a new rhythm game that Muni purchased recently. The results go back and forth some, but Rinku defeats Muni in the end.
As they get ready to sleep, Rinku surprises Muni once more. “Say Muni-chan, since I won in the game, can I make a request?”
Muni gives her a slightly suspicious look raising one eyebrow. “Fine, let’s hear it then.”
“Then, Muni-chan, can I sleep in your bed again?” Rinku is eager as always.
Muni stutters on her awkwardness a little, but feels glad Rinku at least asked this time. “Sure… why not… I don’t mind, but... why?”
Rinku climbs into the bed and smiles. “To do this!” She snuggles Muni close and wraps both her arms around her.
“Uwhaa!” Muni blurts out in surprise.
“Is that okay, Muni-chan?” Rinku asks sincerely. “I wanted to do this last time too, but I was worried that you might think it was too embarrassing to do again at our age.”
Muni feels her face turn more pink than her hair highlights. “I… uh… I’ll try to be more honest… so um… I don’t… dislike it.”
“Yay! Thank you, Muni-chan, I love you! You feel so nice and soft to snuggle close like this!” Rinku exclaims with an expression of bliss.
Muni could only nod. While she found this rather embarrassing - especially how easily she said those words - as long as she didn’t tell anyone else, she maybe did like this a little since Rinku’s touch felt so warm and reassuring in a way she craves. In truth, she knows that she wants to do the same thing to Rinku - but that thought was definitely too much for her right now to handle.
Instead, she waits for Rinku to fall asleep - who predictably falls asleep quickly as she holds onto Muni. It’s only then that Muni feels comfortable to slightly return Rinku’s embrace as she wraps one hand around her before managing to fall asleep. As scared as she is to admit it, this is probably the most comfortable she’s ever felt going to sleep...
The next morning, Muni is very thankful that she wakes up first, so that Rinku doesn’t catch her returning that affection just yet … since she doesn’t know how she’d explain it to Rinku even though she can’t deny that feeling in her heart now. “After the Sunstage… I’ll definitely try to be honest to Rinku about everything in my heart when it’s just us alone again,” she thinks to herself as she gently runs her hand through the still sleepy Rinku’s hair.
After Muni stops fooling around with Rinku’s hair, she yawns awake a few minutes later. “Good morning Rinku, did you sleep well?” she says, still waiting for Rinku to end her night long embrace.
Rinku sits up and nods. “I slept wonderfully! What about you, Muni-chan?”
Muni looks away. “W-well it was more peaceful than normal.”
Rinku only smiles at her answer while Muni resists the urge to push one of her stuffed animals into Rinku. “Though, if you want to be able to enjoy this again then promise me you won’t tell anyone, especially Maho or Rei.”
“Ehh!? Why not? Tell me please, Muni-chan,” Rinku asks with pleading eyes.
Muni pouts. “ I m-might enjoy it… but it’s still too embarrassing for anyone to know about it… so can you please keep it a secret?”
Rinku makes a pout back. “Then if I promise to keep it a secret, will you promise to sleep over at my house after the Sunset Stage? I know my grandma would love to see you again, Muni-chan.”
“Fine... if that will make you happy, then I’ll agree to come over to your place after that. Satisfied?” Muni sighs.
Rinku nods and smiles, and starts to move. “Happy Ar-” Muni grabs her and stops her. “RINKU! Not on my bed.”
Rinku laughs awkwardly, “Sorry I just got a bit too excited and forgot where we were. Oh right, I can’t stay long today, I have to help out my grandma with some things, so I’ll leave after breakfast if that’s okay?”
Muni nods. “I still have a lot of VJ work to do for our new song, so that’s fine with me... and, uh, um… thank you for coming over so soon, I enjoyed it.”
“Thank you for having me Muni-chan, I enjoyed it too.” Rinku smiles and hugs Muni once more.
“Muni-chan, when do you think I’ll get to meet your parents again?” Rinku asks while the two eat their breakfast. “I still haven’t seen them once despite coming over so much lately.”
Muni, caught off guard by the question, voices her surprise. “Haah!? Why do you ask that?”
“I just thought it was strange, I haven’t seen them at all and you barely talk about them, so I was curious. Is that wrong?” Rinku asks with curious eyes.
Muni sighs and looks away for a moment. “It’s fine, it’s just, ever since I entered middle school, it’s been only my mom and me… she’s even more busy with work than before, and she’ll often go on business trips for weeks or even months at a time…”
“ Oh … Don’t you get lonely living here by yourself?” Rinku responds without thinking.
Muni shoots her a harsh glare for the question. For some reason, Rinku asking that hit hurt her in a way that didn’t happen when Rei asked something similar before... “I t-think you should know the answer to that question, Rinku…”
“Sorry... that was probably insensitive of me to ask,” Rinku replies under the pressure. “Forget I said anything, okay?”
Muni tries to shrug it off as she responds. “Sure. Don’t you need to get going though? You don’t want to make your grandma upset, do you?”
“Ah, you’re right! Bye Muni-chan! And... sorry again.” She hugs Muni briefly before dashing on her way.
“Bye Rinku, be safe on the way home.” Muni smiles and waves goodbye.
Despite Rinku’s one rude question, Muni was in a really good mood and really motivated to work on her VJ’ing, feeling like she made some good progress on it over the weekend. “It should be nearly ready for the Sunset Stage with this, so I’ll show it to them at practice. I hope they like it.”
As she has that thought, she recalls just how casually Rinku says certain words to her - things like “Muni-chan, I love you!” - and she has to wonder if Rinku’s love is the same as her feelings that just keep getting stronger lately… but she tries to not worry about it too much for now, since she knows she won’t have time until after Sunset Stage to bring it up to her.
Their time together flies quickly as practice and preparations intensify for Sunset Stage, until one day when Rinku invites the rest of Happy Around to her house. Muni worries a little about the size of the house, but when they arrive the house is nothing like she remembers.
Rinku leads them to her room and Muni silently spots a certain photo in the room that fills her with happiness as she smiles to herself and realizes Rinku really never did forget about her or stop caring about her. Maybe things would work out between them somehow - after all, her feelings had to be the same she feels in her heart. She can’t help but glance once more at the precious picture of Muni and Rinku at the beach holding hands all those years ago, before joining the rest of Happy Around to practice.
Happy Around was able to give it their best for Sunset stage without regrets, even if their best wasn’t enough to win. Muni ends up staying quiet in Happy Around’s talks after the performance, worrying she’d blurt out everything she wants to say to Rinku in front of Maho and Rei… and she definitely isn’t going to chance letting that happen. However, she doesn’t exactly expect the after party to be so energetic and chaotic afterwards, so she couldn’t find the chance that she was seeking to talk to Rinku alone, and ends up feeling stuck waiting for the promised sleep over with Rinku after.
As the chaos of the after party finally winds down, Rinku asks Muni if the next day is fine for the sleep over since she doubted either of them had the energy for it right now. She agrees, as she felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep after the events of the day.
The next morning, Muni decides she should put her feelings to paper, since she wasn’t able to say what she wanted the day before - so that in case she gets cold feet, too embarrassed, or forgets what to say, she can have a back up and not be too awkward.
Reading back what she wrote to herself, she realizes just how undoubtedly this is a “love letter” as she folds it up, slips it into a pink envelope and puts it into her bag for later.
Muni goes to take care of some other things before it is time to go, hoping to distract herself from overthinking her feelings too much, and just does what comes naturally - drawing. After all, she was supposed to arrive at Rinku’s a bit after lunch and she feels like she’d get too much in her own head if she just thought about her feelings non-stop until seeing Rinku.
Muni arrives at Rinku’s house wearing a pink one piece dress with white sleeves and frills, stockings, and her signature bunny ears. She rings the doorbell to the large unfamiliar house in a familiar location that she can’t believe is Rinku’s even on a second visit.
Rinku answers the door. “Oh! Muni-chan, Hello!”
“Hi, Rinku,” Muni replies awkwardly as she enters.
No sooner than the door is shut, Rinku practically leaps into a hug on Muni. “Ah! Muni-chan, your outfit is so cute, it really suits you!”
“Thank you.” Muni blushes slightly and takes a look at Rinku’s outfit. It's a top that’s more frilly than Muni expects from her in a darker pink shade with white mini shorts. “You look cute too, Rinku,” she says with a slight smile.
Rinku releases her hug. “Thanks! Are you good to meet with my grandma now? She’s made some tea for us.”
“Lead the way then,” Muni nods.
Rinku’s grandma welcomes Muni as the pair enter the room, “Ah, Muni dear, it’s been ages! You’ve grown even more girly and charming since I last saw you.”
Muni smiles lightly at the praise and bows respectfully. “You’re as kind as ever, Aimoto-san. Thank you.”
“See, Grandma, I wasn’t lying when I told you that I couldn’t believe how cute and lovely Muni had become when I finally met her again!” Rinku exclaims
Muni is happy to hear that, though a bit embarrassed as she holds her arm with her other hand. “Aha… Rinku… you don’t need to lay it on that much right in front of me.”
Rinku glances away innocently, pushing her fingers together. “But it’s true, Muni-chan.”
Rinku’s grandma laughs at the sight. “I’m glad you two get along just as well as ever!”
The rest of their conversations went pleasantly for Muni. After a while, she and Rinku head to the living room after her grandma said she needed to nap and let the two of them enjoy themselves until dinner.
As the pair sit down comfortably in the living room, Rinku says “Muni-chan, can I ask something? Uh, Earlier got me curious...”
Muni anxiously glances away. “What might that be, Rinku?”
Rinku eagerly lets her curiosity out. “So um, Muni-chan, don’t take this the wrong way, but how did you manage to become so cute and girly while I was gone? I remember you told me before you were afraid that you wouldn’t be able to stay the way you wanted, right?”
Muni glances at Rinku. “Oh… so you didn’t forget about that after all? I almost wished you had...”
“Of course, I’d never forget anything when it comes to Muni-chan!” Rinku smiles proudly and beats one fist against her chest.
Muni laughs a little awkwardly hearing that. “I’m glad that you didn’t, but it’s a bit long to explain in a way you can understand… Is that okay?”
Rinku happily replies “Of course.”
Muni starts to explain. “So Rinku, you probably remember in one of my last letters to you, I told you that I was exploring my options back then, don’t you?” Rinku nods. “Well, one of the options I found was really promising, but... “ Muni pauses anxiously trying to find the words to tell someone about this for the first time.
Rinku looks confused as she replies “But?” and intuitively reaches her hand out to the struggling Muni.
Muni reaches her hand back slightly and Rinku takes it softly, and she feels calm enough from Rinku’s warmth and comfort to continue, “Well, when I brought it up to my parents… it started a conflict between them. My mom stood up for me, but… my dad got upset, saying she went too far supporting this ‘phase’… after the third time, when she still didn't back down to him… he just walked out and I never saw him again. Mom got a divorce not long after and things were never the same...”
Rinku hugs Muni closely. “Muni-chan, I know it must have been hard for you, but it’s not your fault.”
Muni trembles a little. “H-how can you be so certain of that?”
Rinku pats Muni’s head gently. “Because you didn’t do anything wrong, you just wanted to be yourself. So anyone who rejects that and causes you problems is definitely the one who is at fault - not you, Muni-chan.”
“Really...?” Muni hugs Rinku back, trying not to cry.
Rinku smiles as she replies “Yes, really.”
“Thank you,” is all Muni can say before crying out the pain she had locked away years ago.
As Muni’s tears end, Rinku speaks up again. “And um… sorry I couldn’t be there to support you sooner.”
Muni pulls away from the hugs and shakes her head, “Don’t be… I’m just glad I have it now. Anyways, sorry for the side tracking… I just wanted to tell you that since you were the first one to know my secret.”
“No worries,” Rinku smiles. “So what was this better option?”
“Hormone replacement therapy.” Muni answers, her voice shaky.
Rinku repeats her statement in total confusion. “Hormone replacement therapy?”
Muni sighs a little and reaches into her backpack and pulls out two small medicine boxes and sets them down. Rinku attempts to pronounce the largest English words on each box and fails. “Don’t worry about the names,” Muni laughs. “I just wanted to show these two medicines - they’re hormone replacement therapy. You were taught about hormones right?”
Rinku nods. “Yeah, my parents taught me about it, and they said in humans that, I think it was… that typically testosterone was associated with masculine traits, and estrogen was associated with feminine traits?” she says with a hint of uncertainty.
“Correct on both. Since you know that, then...” Muni holds one of the boxes that reads “estradiol.” “This one raises a person’s estrogen level, and the other lowers their testosterone level. They’re used in combination to help transgender people like me. I was able to start these in middle school thanks to my mom’s support and the laws for access to it improving in Japan.”
Rinku looks impressed as she exclaims “Amazing! Science is really amazing! How long do you have to take these for, Muni-chan?”
“Unfortunately, twice a day for pretty much forever,” Muni sighs as she looks away. “Even if I get some procedures done, I’ll still always need one of them. That’s why I always have them with me.”
“That’s… far less impressive,” Rinku utters, looking a bit disappointed.
Muni nods in agreement, “It really is, but it was still really helpful to me, so I’m grateful for it.”
Rinku smiles. “That’s really great though! I am glad it worked for you, Muni-chan.”
The rest of their conversation goes to more calm topics, like talking of yesterday’s events, until dinner.
During dinner, Muni ends up listening to Rinku tell stories to both her and her grandma about her experiences in Africa - it was certainly an unexpected yet interesting way to spend the evening, even if Muni thought some of it sounded a bit too outlandish to be true.
Rinku asks Muni to come to her room for a while since they still had some time before the baths were ready, and Muni hesitantly accepts Rinku’s suggestion. Rinku shuts the door after they both are in her room.
“So why exactly did you want me to come here for now?” Muni asks with a hint of suspicion in her gaze and words.
Rinku tries to answer innocently while avoiding eye contact. “What d-do you mean, Muni-chan? I don’t have any intentions like that…!”
“Rinku, we’ve known each other so long that’s extremely obvious when you want something, so just say it,” Muni sighs.
Rinku laughs awkwardly before she asks “Then, can we do what we did last time, but without sleeping for just a little bit? Please!”
Muni glances away flustered. “Ehh, you want more of that already? Last time wasn’t even that long ago...”
“Is it not okay?” Rinku pleads.
Muni stutters on her words stiffly and glances back and forth. “W-well, I guess it is since you kept your promise, but I want to face away from you okay, Rinku?”
Rinku does her signature twirl and exclaims “Happy Around!” while Muni stays silent trying to prepare herself, before Rinku lays on her bed and pats beside her to signal for her. “Muni-chan!” she says, almost begging.
Muni faces away from the bed for a moment. “Rinku, I’ll join you in a second, but after our baths… I have something important to tell you. Will you listen to me then?”
“Of course!” Rinku smiles. “As much as you want me to listen.”
“Thank you,” Muni says before moving to the bed and accepting Rinku’s affection. If being held like this by Rinku didn’t make Muni feel oddly at ease, there is no way she could put up with the embarrassment she feels over doing this again so soon… but she can’t deny that she does feel just a bit happy when Rinku is this close and affectionate towards her.
During her bath, Muni can only think about whether she'll be able to express those precious feelings to Rinku in a way she’ll understand - it is Rinku after all. If she didn’t get it after the rap battle and song duet together, would she ever really get it that anyone might have romantic feelings for her? Much less another girl… and one that’s her childhood friend even? Muni blows bubbles in the bath water trying to distract herself from those worries and thoughts.
Muni manages to calm down a little, thinking “Even Rinku would have to get it if she read the letter I wrote… if it comes down to that.”
Muni arrives first back in Rinku’s room since Rinku had insisted on Muni bathing first, finding herself sitting on Rinku’s bed and once more fondly admiring the picture Rinku keeps in her room of the two of them. It helps her from getting lost into those thoughts again.
Rinku suddenly enters and exclaims “So, Muni-chan! What did you want to tell me?”
Muni is a bit caught off guard and nearly falls over as she turns to face Rinku in a panic “Huh!? Wasn’t that too fast?”
Rinku shakes her head. “That was just as long as normal, I thought?”
“Is that so...? Anyways, come sit next to me on the bed Rinku, and I’ll tell you,” Muni says, trying to recover.
“Okay,” Rinku sits a bit closer to Muni than she’d like.
Muni starts talking to her slowly, “Rinku, you’ve always been someone special to me. But meeting you again and being in Happy Ara with you made me realize that you’re the most important person to me in my life - I don’t know if I’d even be Muni if I had never met you, so thank you. I--”
Rinku interrupts Muni with a surprise hug. “Aw, Muni-chan, you don’t need to tell me that, but you’re really special and important to me too! And I don’t know what I did to help, but I am glad I did.”
Muni pushes Rinku back, and pouts, “RINKU! I said to listen to me, so please don’t interrupt me until I am done, okay? It’ll only make it harder on me if you keep doing it since I am saying these things for your sake and mine.”
“Sorry, I just got too excited from seeing you be so sincere,” Rinku laughs awkwardly. “I promise I’ll listen to the end this time.”
Muni puts a bit more distance between them than last time. “Well, if you’re sure, then here.” Muni reaches her hand towards Rinku. “I can do this for your sake, so you don’t interrupt me again.”
Rinku happily holds Muni’s hand gently. “Thank you, Muni-chan!”
The soft warmth from Rinku’s hands relieves her frustration, and she speaks once more. “Hmph, now let me start again. Rinku, you’ve helped more than you could ever realize… I am pretty sure I’d still be a lonely, unfulfilled person if I had never met you, so thank you again.” Muni pauses for a moment, her face turning slightly pink, as she grips Rinku’s hand tighter. She looks into Rinku's eyes while Rinku just smiles back at her before she speaks again. “Rinku… I love you with all of my heart… I’m… in love with you.”
Rinku’s face suddenly turns even more pink than Muni’s. “Umm… Muni-chan, you don't mean it like that … Do you?” Rinku glances away from Muni, awkwardly fidgeting with her hair with her free hand.
Muni pouts, sounding more frustrated as she strains her voice with each word she says. “HUH, what else could I mean… besides that I want you to be my partner, my girlfriend, my lover. AND LOOK WHAT YOU’RE MAKING ME SAY NOW!” Muni pouts as she pulls away, sulking as she hugs her knees.
Rinku hesitates for a moment before she faces Muni. “Uh, sorry Muni-chan, I didn’t mean to make you upset…” She pushes her fingers together awkwardly, “Just, I’d never expect anyone to fall in love with someone like me, much less my childhood friend… so I never even thought you could feel that way. But… ” Rinku hugs Muni softly as she continues. “It makes me feel really happy and warm to know you feel that way. And I’d be happy to be those things to you.” Rinku leans her head in closer. “But will you teach me the differences between that and being close friends please, Muni-chan? I never learned much about how couples acted together while I was in Africa!”
Muni faces Rinku once more, “Thank you, Rinku… and sure, I’ll teach you that. To start with, close your eyes... and don’t you dare look, okay?”
Rinku nods and closes her eyes in response.
Muni slowly leans in as she feels her heartbeat growing more intense - she almost wants to yell at her own heart to calm down. She takes a deep breath and braces herself, shuts her eyes, and softly presses her lips against Rinku’s cheek… and slowly pulls away to hide her face behind her backpack. ”Being t-together means doing t-things like that. W-what did you think?” she mutters sheepishly.
Rinku practically jumps up with giddy excitement as she spins to yell “HAPPY AROUND!”
Muni fidgets awkwardly, still hiding behind her bag, “S-so... Rinku?”
“Wonderful,” Rinku smiles and pats Muni’s head softly. “Ehehe, to think even my shy Muni-chan could do something as sweet as that for my sake, I’m so in love with how cute y--”
THWACK! Rinku is hit by Muni’s Nyochio in the face. “IDIOT! RINKU!” a flustered Muni shouts. “T-that was a bit too much… even if you mean it... ”
Rinku catches Nyochio as she falls from her face, “Ouch… sorry… I’m surprised by how excited I am too.”
“Then if you want to make it up to me…” Muni glaces back and forth at Rinku. “I t-trust you.” She looks toward Rinku anxiously before closing her eyes.
Rinku guesses Muni must want her to return it if she’s acting like this. She moves in slowly and closes her eyes to gently kiss Muni on her lips. Muni pulls away a tiny bit at first, but then accepts the embrace of Rinku’s lips.
After a bit Rinku slowly pulls away. “So, um, uh, Muni-chan... how was that?”
Muni stutters, still blushing and unable to look at Rinku. “I t-thought that was pretty good for our f-first k-kiss.”
Rinku jumps into hugging Muni with such excitement that she practically pushes Muni down onto the bed. “UWHAA-- w-what you d-doing R-rinku, isn’t t-this a bit too much for t-today?” Muni says as her face turns pure red.
“I just wanted to hug you really badly after that, that’s all. Was that not okay?” Rinku replies happily.
The redness slowly leaves Muni’s face, “Oh… is that so? I s-suppose that’s okay then.”
Rinku makes a curious expression. “By the way, Muni-chan since we’re... what was it? Girlfriends? Shouldn’t we uh, re-introduce ourselves to each other’s family?”
Muni sighs. “Rinku, are we really gonna have this conversation in this awkward position?”
“Ahaha, sorry. How about this then?” Rinku asks as she moves to cuddle Muni from behind with both of them laying on the pillow.
“W-well, it’s better at least. Anyways… isn’t it a little too soon for that?” Muni asks bluntly.
“Hmmm, is it? But I really want to meet Ohnaruto-san again! I still haven’t seen her once since I moved back! Besides, you said she was supportive of you, so can’t I?” Rinku pleads with glowing eyes.
“It’s t-true that she does support me, but things are more complicated than that, Rinku…” Muni says with a hint of sadness.
“Can’t I help you with that?” Rinku asks sincerely.
“I don’t want to burden you with that Rinku… it’s my problem, besides I’m…” Muni hesitates.
“Muni-chan! It’s our problem now ‘cause we’re together, so let me help my girlfriend!” Rinku pouts. “Please?”
Muni sighs in defeat. “You do make a good point… so fine. Besides, I know it’s pointless to try to stop you when you’re this stubborn. Next week I’ll text the day and the time, and then I’ll try for it if she shows up, okay?”
“Happy Ara!” Rinku twirls one hand in glee. “Thank you, Muni-chan. I’ll do my best so you won’t regret this!”
“Anyways Rinku, shouldn’t we sleep? This has been going on a while, hasn’t it?” Muni asks.
Rinku looks at the time, “AH! You’re right, Muni-chan! Sorry, I completely forgot about the time. Let’s sleep before I get my grandma mad at us.”
Rinku turns off the lights as Muni gets under Rinku’s blankets and turns to face her. “J-just t-this once, I don’t mind facing you in my sleep, since… nevermind. Anyways, good night, Rinku.” Muni’s voice turns soft. “I love you.”
Rinku snuggles up to Muni. “I love you too. Good night, Muni-chan.”
Maybe it was everything she did yesterday, but even after a night of good sleep, Muni still is left feeling a bit off in the morning. She asks to leave a bit early and Rinku doesn’t mind, giving her one last hug before Muni heads home.
Muni had thought once she confessed to Rinku she’d only feel relieved, even if a bit embarrassed, but Rinku’s insistence had surprised her… she couldn’t help but feel a little on edge, though she tries her best to hide it around Happy Around for the few days she has to wait.
After all, she’s been avoiding facing this issue properly for a few years now and has been too afraid to move forward on it alone, even if she wants to - so in a way, she is grateful for how pushy Rinku could be. Eventually, Muni’s mom agreed to meet with the two of them to have an ‘important talk.”
Rinku arrives at Muni’s house at the time she had been told. “Ah-- It’s just you, Rinku.” Muni stutters, cautiously peeking around from the door as she opens it.
“Muni-chan, what’s wrong? You look even more tense and nervous than you did singing for Happy Ara the first time,” Rinku asks as she enters, seeing Muni still in her school uniform without her bunny ears.
Muni trembles slightly as she leads Rinku to the living room. “W-wha-at do y-you mean, I am not nervous at a-all,” She replies sheepishly as she holds Nyochio tightly as though her life depended on it.
“Muni-chan, are you really that nervous about talking to your mom?” Rinku asks flatly.
Muni nods as she and Rinku sit at the same side of a couple of chairs in the living room facing the entrance, setting down Nyochio on the table.
Rinku takes Muni’s hand. “But why? She’s supported you all this time, hasn’t she?”
Muni glances away and speaks slowly so she doesn’t stutter. “She has… but… she’s kept more distance from me than I can explain, with her just being busy with work since then, and I felt like it was my fault for the years ever since… so I just can’t escape that feeling even if you told me otherwise. I’m sorry Rinku.”
Rinku shakes her head. “Don’t be sorry, Muni-chan. I know it must have been hard on you back then… that’s why you stopped the letters then, isn’t it?”
”Yeah…” Muni dejectedly nods. “The loneliness of both things… was too much for me to keep responding back then, sorry…”
“It’s okay - ‘cause we’re together now, Muni-chan! And I am sure our feelings will be able to reach your mom! She agreed to come today after you showed her that picture of us together again, didn’t she?” Rinku says, trying to reassure her girlfriend.
“Thank you, Rinku... I-I’ve been afraid, but with you… I should be fine.” Muni replies, looking at Rinku with as much confidence as she can muster.
“That’s right, it'll be fine! I’ll do everything I can to support you!” Rinku says happily.
The pair hear the front door open once more, and Muni mentally braces herself for the potential incoming conflict.
“Hello, Ohnaruto-san! Long time no see!” Rinku says in excitement upon seeing Muni’s mother for the first time in years.
“Ah, Rinku. It has been quite a while. Muni told me a while ago she’d be reunited with you and she’s certainly seemed more happy since then, so thank you for troubling yourself with helping my daughter,” Muni’s mother says in a polite yet stern voice as she sits at the table opposite of Rinku. Muni stays quiet with a slightly sour expression on her face, still not ready for it to begin just yet...
“Not all, Ohnaruto-san, if anything it’s the opposite since she puts up with everything I drag her into, and she does so much to help me.” Rinku says slightly awkwardly.
“Is that so? Well, anyway, what did you two have Muni contact me for? I doubt it was just because Rinku wanted to see me again after all these years.” Muni’s mother says, her tone unchanging.
“Well, um… Muni has some important things she wants to ask and tell you about,” Rinku replies.
Muni’s mother gives Muni a strong stare. “Well, my daughter. What is it?”
Muni looks down for a moment, taking a deep breath as she grips Rinku’s hand tightly, before she looks at her mom and tries to speak. “Well before that, Mother, I uh, um, wanted to say thank you for giving me so much support, b-but…” Muni trembles for a moment trying to find the courage to speak…
“You’re welcome, but I was only doing my duty as your parent. And ‘but’ what?” Muni’s mother asks.
As Rinku gives Muni a reassuring smile and thumbs up, Muni calms just enough to speak again. “But… Why do you always keep so much distance from me when there isn’t something essential or urgent to address?
Muni’s mother grips her hands tightly together on the table. “That’s a complicated subject…”
“Then was what happened back then my fault...? Do you blame me for it? Is that why you avoid me? Do you know how lonely I’ve been… all this time…?” Muni says, each word more frantic and desperate than the last, as tears start to fall from her eyes.
“It’s not your fault, Muni… it’s just…” Muni’s mother pauses her thought.
“Why can’t you be honest with your daughter, Ohnaruto-san? Can’t you see how hard Muni-chan is trying to convey her feelings and worries to be able to communicate with you!? Even though she’s been afraid to for so long? So… can’t you spare her more words than that!?” Rinku demands, slamming her free hand on the table.
“Fine, you win Rinku. I can’t believe I am getting lectured by a high school student… I must have really messed up,” Muni’s mother sighs. “Sorry for before, Muni and Rinku, but it just might take a while to explain. Is that fine with both of you?”
“Of course!” Rinku says.
Muni nods, trying to wipe away her tears. “I don't mind, Mother. So uh, please begin.”
Muni’s mother starts. “ Well, first… though I said what happened isn’t Muni’s fault and that’s true for sure… I just didn’t always believe that. When it first happened I felt bitter that I had lost my relationship of so many years because of my daughter. Even if I knew I had to protect her as her parent, since no one else would… But I just couldn’t stop myself from blaming her some back then, because I let that bitterness get to me… As time passed, I realized how I was actually better off without him in my life, and how he wasn’t as great of a partner as I had thought… but I couldn’t forgive myself for blaming my daughter instead of him… So I decided to stay uninvolved unless it was necessary and to support her from a distance, because I feel like I am not worthy of being around her and sharing joy in her life. Besides, it never felt like Muni was happy to be around me then - it was like she was always a bit uncomfortable around me for some reason. There - that’s the full reason why.”
“Well, Ohnaruto-san, I think there is only one person who’s fit to decide if you’re worthy of that or not, so why not ask her since it seems like you haven’t?” Rinku says as looks at Muni.
“You make a good point, Rinku… I was always trying to decide that by myself. So, Muni, my daughter, what do you think? Can you forgive me?” Muni’s mother asks gently as she looks at her more gently than she had prior.
“D-do you e-even have to ask...? You’ve done so much for me even from a distance. I wouldn’t have been able to become so Munique without your support, Mother, so of course you are,” Muni says with a soft smile.
Muni’s mother moves closer to Muni and hugs her daughter. “Thank you, Muni… Will you forgive your foolish parent? I’ll try to be there for you more in the future - I promise.”
Muni returns the hug. “I’ll forgive you, if you keep your word, mom.”
Rinku cries watching the mother and daughter’s exchange.
“Huh, why are you crying Rinku?” Muni asks as she tries to wipe her own tears.
“Because I am just so happy that we were able to work things out with your mom for you, Muni-chan,” Rinku answers.
Muni’s mother laughs at their exchange as she sits back down.
“Not you too, Mother!” Muni sighs.
“Sorry, I just couldn’t help it - you two really get along just like you did when you were kids.” Muni’s mother calms her laughter as Muni pouts.
“Anyways, I assume that was the important thing you wanted to ask me, but was there anything you wanted to tell me?” Muni’s mother asks.
“There is one more thing, but… I’ll leave that to you, Rinku,” Muni says, giving Rinku a stare.
“You really want me to say that now, Muni-chan?” Rinku asks awkwardly.
Muni nods. “I am saying it’s fine, so go ahead, before I change my mind.”
Rinku begins to stutter but finds her stride. “Um… Ohnaruto-san, being around Muni-chan makes me feel really warm and happy inside like nothing else, and meeting her again was a miracle... I really want to be with her forever, and I’m in love with her, so will you trust me with her?” Muni turns more pink with each word Rinku says and grips her hand tighter.
Muni’s mother gasps slightly, “Oh my… Well, I’ve never seen Muni smile so much as she did in that picture of you two she sent me, or even today around you… not in many years. I have no reason or right to stop you two, so I’ll gladly leave Muni in your care. Please be good to my daughter,” she says with a playful smirk.
Muni stays quiet with a small smile as she feels like dying of embarrassment inside, struggling to not look away from both her mom and her girlfriend.
“D-don’t worry! I will not let you down, Ohnaruto-san,” Rinku says stiffly.
“I am sure you won’t, and thank you, Rinku. Without you, I don’t know if Muni and I would have ever resolved things. Muni looks a bit drained, so how about you two go rest in her room, while I make dinner for us?” Muni’s mother asks.
“T-that sounds good to me, Rinku,” Muni says.
“Can I stay for dinner?” Rinku asks excitedly.
“Of course you can. It’s the least I can do for you two today,” Muni’s mother says.
“Thank you!” Rinku says as she bows, and heads to Muni’s room with Muni in tow.
“Muni-chan, how do you feel? You were awfully quiet towards the end,” Rinku asks, sitting on the floor of Muni’s room.
“Relieved - maybe too relieved… a bit happy, and a bit tired. I was so nervous that I didn’t manage to sleep very well last night…” Muni says drowsily as she leans on Rinku’s shoulder just a little.
“Then since you did so well today, how about this? You rest here until dinner is ready?” Rinku pats her lap.
“If you’re sure… just for a little bit then,” Muni murmurs, too tired to turn Rinku down.
Rinku nods, and gently pulls Muni’s head onto her lap. “Ehehe, Muni-chan is so soft, cute, and peaceful like this,” she says in a quiet voice to herself as Muni falls asleep in her lap, patting her head softly.
Muni finally wakes up and notices her position. “Uwhaa, h-how long was I asleep like this?” Muni asks in surprise.
“Hmmm... maybe half an hour?” Rinku answers slightly unsure. “You were pretty sound asleep, you know? Your mom said dinner would be ready in another 20 minutes.”
Muni, still a little in denial over her actions, sits up. “I s-see, I guess this was fine j-just this once… so uh, thank you Rinku, and thank you so much for today.”
“Ahaha.. You don’t need to thank me so much. I just wanted to do what I can to make Muni-chan happy,” Rinku says smiling.
“Fine, then at least let me show my appreciation in my own way. Rinku, shut your eyes, okay?” Muni asks.
“Okay, Muni-chan.” Rinku happily does as she’s asked and waits.
Muni anxiously and slowly moves closer to Rinku and gradually moves forward, slipping her arms around Rinku right before she leans in and kisses her on the lips - holding it for what feels the longest time as she enjoys the softness of Rinku’s lips. Muni eventually pulls away and says “Thank you, Rinku... I love you,” with a hint of pink on her cheek.
“Thank you too, Muni-chan, I love you too!” Rinku exclaims as she leaps into hugging Muni.
“J-just d-don’t expect me to do that too often, it w-was a special occasion for all the help you gave me, okay?” Muni says with a hint of shyness. She had only felt so bold since it was still less embarrassing than listening to Rinku gush to her mom about her…
“Ehehe, if you say so, then I’ll treasure this memory!” Rinku happily says, still holding Muni.
“Anyways, isn’t that enough hugging for now!? We need to eat soon,” Muni protests a little.
“Eh, just a little longer until the food is ready? Please, Muni-chan!” Rinku pleads.
Muni sighs. “Fine! What I am going to do with you… geeze.” And so, Muni stayed in Rinku’s comforting embrace a while longer while she can.