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Aoi is ecstatic. She’s never been one to wear her emotions on her sleeve, preferring to keep them tucked away in a place where no one can reach them, but today is different. Because today, she had asked out her crush of two years, Yashiro Nene, and she had said yes. They had a date planned for the weekend, hence her excitement, and she could hardly stop herself from grinning like an idiot. Scratch that--she couldn’t stop herself from smiling because Nene, the most wonderful, kind, and understanding girl in the whole world had agreed to go on a date with her.
If she’s being honest, Aoi thought of the confession as more of a way of getting over her feelings for Nene. There were so many reasons as to why Nene would never like her that she couldn’t even imagine her saying yes. The flushed look on her face was not a new one--no, Nene blushed around guys quite often--but the fact that Aoi made her look like that was sending her floating up to cloud nine.
She’s also quite worried. Since she asked Nene out, she has to be the one to plan the first date. Nene is a hopeless romantic and Aoi wants to live up to her lofty expectations and be her Princess Charming, but she’s a little concerned she won’t be able to give Nene everything she wants. She supposes her main concern is Nene losing interest in her and running off with some other guy. That would be tragic, she thinks sadly, though she knows Nene wouldn’t do that to her.
She’s come to the unfortunate conclusion that she has no idea what she’s doing when trying to plan the date. There’s very few people she can ask for help since she has only a handful of close friends. Akane, but that would be cruel as he’s liked her for years. Nene, who can’t be asked for obvious reasons. And Lemon, who she would ask, but he’s aromantic, so she doubts he would know anything about date planning. The only real option is Akane, though she does feel bad about asking him.
She walks home with Akane down their usual route. Since they live so close to each other, they’ve made a habit of walking home together. Akane usually does all the talking for the both of them, Aoi perfectly content to listen to him ramble about this and that. His tangents about student council president Minamoto Teru are always the funniest. Honestly, it’s like Teru has an evil twin or something from the way Akane describes him. He’s never been anything but lovely to Aoi, so she thinks Akane is exaggerating; there’s really no other explanation.
She supposes she could ask Teru for advice. They don’t speak much, only exchanging a few words here and there as she’s found the boy to be cripplingly awkward to hold conversation with. He asks the weirdest questions and answers quickly, as though he doesn’t want to talk at all. She does think he’s a nice guy though, just a little off. But still not some crazy demon from hell like Akane suggests. Sure he’s a little different, but he’s not insane. But Akane wouldn’t lie...so he must really see him as a demon, she thinks, almost giggling aloud.
She speaks up. “Akane-kun, could I ask you a favour?”
“Of course! What is it?” Akane responds, smiling. He clasps his hands together in a servant-like way and she makes a face of displeasure before immediately wiping the look away.
“I don’t know how to ask this because I don’t want to hurt your feelings,” she starts, “but, I need your help. Desperately.”
He looks surprised for a moment. She supposes it’s true she never asks for help, let alone borderline begs for it. He cocks his head to the side in confusion, his face wearing a perplexed expression.
“Just tell me, Ao-chan. There’s nothing I can’t handle,” he tells her.
I guess we’ll find out if that’s true, she thinks anxiously.
“I have a date and I need help planning it!” she says quickly.
Akane looks lost to the world. His eyes are blank and he’s staring off into space. I guess there are some things he can’t handle, then.
“A date?” he questions.
She nods her head to him, shyly.
He grins. “With Yashiro-san?”
She short-circuits. How did he know? She wonders if he knew all this time. She must look awfully confused, because Akane lets out a small laugh upon seeing her face.
“Oh, don’t tell me you think you were subtle. Ao-chan, you’re my best friend. I can tell when you have a crush,” he tells her. “Besides, you kept that flower she gave you a year and a half ago to press it because it was the first gift she ever gave you. If that isn’t pining, I don’t know what is.”
She opens her mouth to interject. He shushes her.
“And I know everything about pining. You can’t deny that,” he finishes.
She supposes he’s right. He is taking this surprisingly well for someone who was supposedly in love with her. She doesn’t want to question him, but she can’t help but wonder why he’s so alright with her going on a date when he’s never been before. Hell, he tried to murder Lemon after she told Akane she thought she was in love with him.
(A lie, of course, but she wanted to let him down easy).
She’s relieved, honestly. She doesn’t know what she would’ve done if Akane was really upset with her for being insensitive or if she legitimately broke his heart. From the looks of him right now, he’s long past moved on from her, though. Akane and her have been friends forever, she’s glad something as silly as unrequited love won’t tear them apart.
She explains the situation to Akane. How she left an anonymous note on Nene's desk and shyly waited in the practice garden with a pretty bouquet of white carnations and other decorative flowers. She was worried Nene wouldn’t even bother showing up if she signed the letter. She decorated the garden slightly, a path of white petals leading up to her position in the shade. She retells how she asked Nene out, pushing the flowers to Nene’s chest while she spilled all the feelings she had been bottling up for years. How her face turned bright red and bernese brighter than the sun. And lastly, how Nene smiled and took the flowers, hugging Aoi and agreeing to the date.
It wasn’t magical, but it was a little romantic. Aoi thinks so at least. She thought out her confession beforehand because Nene’s first confession ought to be a good one. She deserved a good amount of romance in her life, especially since she loves it so much. Aoi smiles while she recalls the memory and waits for Akane to offer advice.
“So, you want a super-romantic first date?” he asks.
She nods. “Nene-chan likes princes and romantic things, so I want to make sure she enjoys our date.”
“Look at you being all considerate,” he coos. “Though, I do have a question. Why’d you ask me? I’ve literally never been on a date before.”
Huh. She supposes he’s right. Sure, he’s romantic when confessing to her, but he’s never actually had to plan a date. Akane has never once gotten past confessing, but he must’ve planned dates in a fantasy or something, right?
“I thought… nevermind. But, you’ll help, right?”
He smiles at her. “Of course, Ao-chan! What exactly do you need help with, though? Planning, outfits, cooking? I can bake, too! Don’t know if you’ll need help with that,” he begins to mutter to himself.
She knows how dependable Akane is, but sometimes she forgets how many skills he has. He constantly reinvents himself based on what Aoi likes at the moment, so he’s talented in so many areas. She doesn't even remember telling him that she likes guys that bake. Maybe he learned how to bake for another reason.
“All of the above, I suppose,” Aoi says. “I don’t have anything planned and the date is on Sunday.”
“Sunday? Okay--we’ve got three days to plan, then. I have to go to my own place first, but I’ll let you know if I come up with anything tomorrow, okay?”
She agrees and they part ways for the day.
----------
Ideas don’t come easy to her. She knows what Nene likes; hot guys, fairy tales, flowers--and it’s not seeming to help her at all. She confessed in the garden, so it wouldn’t be romantic to bring her out to another garden, would it? Or is that exactly how you're supposed to do romance?
She rests her head briefly on the student council desk. She’s been working on paperwork to distract herself, but her mind keeps flicking back to the date. She groans internally.
“Is something wrong, Akane-san?” Teru asks from down the table.
Maybe she groaned externally then. Awkward.
She feigns ignorance. “Ah, it’s nothing Minamoto-senpai! Thank you for your concern,” she tells him. He’s a smart guy; she doubts he’ll believe her, but it’s worth a shot.
He smiles disbelievingly, but returns to his work. The silence speaks volumes of his obvious suspicion of her, but she ignores him. For a while, at least. After a half hour, the silence is unbearable. She almost wants to tell him the truth, but he has no reason to get involved. Aoi wouldn’t consider the two of them friends--just fellow student council members (though Aoi herself is not a member; she just helps out occasionally).
Minamoto-senpai would be a good person to ask for advice , she thinks. He’s smart, dependable, and uber-popular with girls. But, like Akane, she doesn’t think he's ever actually had a successful confession. Rumours say he has someone he likes, but she doesn’t know if that’s true. It could just be another cheap lie of the school, like the rumours of ghosts and such.
(She does wonder about those rumours, though. A couple weeks ago, an entire day was missing from her calendar. Needless to say, she was very surprised when a day got away from her.)
She swallows her pride. “Minamoto-senpai? Can I ask for some advice?” she questions.
He smiles, almost slyly--like he expected this to happen, but acquiesces anyway. “Of course.”
“How does one plan a date? I’m just having trouble coming up with ideas,” she tells him somberly.
Teru’s expression darkens for a moment. He puts up a calm, undeterred facade so quickly she almost thinks she imagined it. On one hand, she’s impressed he’s able to hide his true intentions so well, but she’s equally concerned. Children shouldn’t be able to lie like that. She can, and it’s only because of self-loathing, as well as an unhealthy amount of hate and bitterness towards her peers. Perhaps they have more in common than she originally thought.
“Well, just think of things he likes. I’m sure Aoi would be alright with anything,” he says. “He loves everything you do, anyway.”
Aoi frowns. That advice is totally useless. Not only is Teru talking about the wrong person, he also left her completely on her own. She does detect a bit of a sour vibe from him right now, so maybe his own endeavours in love aren’t going well for him.
“I’m not going out with Akane-kun, so that won’t work so well. My date’s interests are very different from his,” she replies, smiling to herself.
Teru looks shocked. “Who is your date, then--if I may ask?” He stumbles on his words a little, his tone a mixture of perplexion and excitement.
She doesn’t know exactly why he’s acting this way, but it makes a little sense. Him and Akane have always spent a lot of time together outside of the student council. She desperately wishes Akane would tell her what they do during these after-school meetings, but he never does. It could be something scandalous, she ponders. She really doubts it, if Teru’s attitude is anything to go by.
“A classmate of mine--Yashiro Nene. I’m not sure if the two of you have been introduced.”
Recognition sparks in his eyes. “Ah, Yashiro-san! My little brother is friends with her, I believe.”
Yashiro hangs out with boys from the middle school division? Aoi quickly dismisses the thought, though she is quite curious.
“I was thinking of taking her out to the garden they just opened up in town. The one with the gardenia display,” she recalls.
The gardenia flowers have always been beautiful to her. In symbolism, they represent purity, innocence, sincerity, and modesty. Surrounding herself with these pretty flowers and a drop-dead gorgeous girl--well, she doesn’t know if she could take it. But again, the idea of taking her to a garden again concerns her. She doesn’t want Nene to get bored.
“That sounds like a lovely idea. Yashiro-san is in the gardening club, yes?” he asks, eyes flitting from his clipboard to Aoi.
Aoi nods. “She is. Nene-chan loves flowers more than almost anything,” she responds fondly.
“Is the garden a special place for the two of you? That would make a special first date.”
She blushes and averts her gaze to the floor. “Well,” she starts, embarrassed, “I confessed in the practice garden here at school, so…” she trails off.
“Then it’ll be the perfect place for a date. Yashiro-san seems like she would appreciate the sentimentality of the location,” he decides, scribbling something down on his clipboard.
“Should I set something up at the park? I want this day to be really special for her,” she tells him, fidgeting with her hands.
He grins. “I’ll help you on one condition.”
“Name it,” she replies determinedly.
“Help me ask out the person I like afterwards--since you have experience now,” he requests.
She happily agrees. “Of course! It may take a bit of time to sway him, but I’m sure he’ll come around to liking you,” she tells him optimistically. “Maybe try being a bit nicer to him, though.”
“You knew? You’re more perceptive than you let on.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime,” Teru responds easily. “So, are we getting this show on the road, or what?”
She likes the way he thinks.
----------
Planning with Teru had been a great idea. He knew all the best locations in town (she supposed he spent a lot of time in town), as well as a few food ideas. He offered to help her bake, but she already had Akane, so she politely declined. Akane had also told her the horror stories of Teru’s miserable attempts at helping in the kitchen. She would like to have her kitchen remain not on fire, so his assistance is not needed or wanted.
They had decided on the garden in town she mentioned. The keeps had recently opened it up to the public, as it was early spring now. Aoi doubted Nene had been to the garden yet, making it a fairly good surprise.
Now that the date was only in a few hours, she was stressed as hell. Her and Akane had slaved over the baked goods--strawberry shortcakes and choco-vanilla cookies--for hours the day prior. He had insisted on taste-testing them and ate about three more after that, so Aoi believes they’re good.
She’d had fun making them. She was nowhere near as skilled a baker as Akane, but the process was fun regardless. He expertly guided them both through the steps, stopping her when she made a mistake. He’s probably to thank that they came out so well. She scoops them up into a picnic basket with a cute violet tie and packs them away.
Onto her current dilemma, she has no idea what to wear. She’s never over thought her outfit choices this much before. And even if she was concerned, she would normally just ask Nene. This date is going to be the death of me , she swears.
She quickly dials Akane’s number. She has it memorized after all their time together, but double checks she typed it correctly when he doesn’t pick up on the first ring like normal. The line connects.
“Ao-chan? What’s up?” he asks nonchalantly. Or, at least, feigning nonchalance, as he seems a little nervous.
She ignores her curiosity. “I need your help. I have no idea what to wear,” she tells him seriously.
“Send me pictures and I’ll let you know which one looks best,” he tells her.
She agrees and sends over three pictures. She chose a few different dresses, all different colours and cuts. Her personal favorite is a lavender off-the-shoulder sundress her aunt picked up for her overseas. It is the shortest by far, falling around mid-thigh, and decorated by pretty white flowers.
Akane swoons on the other end of the line. “Ah, it’s no use Ao-chan. You look like an angel in all of them,” he tells her matter-of-factly.
Right. He’s no help at all. She mentally facepalms for thinking he would be helpful in this department. Just as she’s about to hang up, she hears another voice from the phone.
“Is that Akane-san?” the voice asks. It sounds oddly familiar, but she can’t put her finger on it.
“Yeah, it is. Oh, wait! Come over here,” Akane beckons the voice to his side. “Help Ao-chan choose an outfit for her date.”
The boy laughs. “You weren’t any help, were you?” Akane just grumbles miserably in response.
“I think the purple dress looks stunning on you, Akane-san. Yashiro-san would love it,” the voice, who must be Teru, tells her.
Why was Minamoto-senpai at Akane-kun’s house? Unless…no, there’s no way. He wouldn’t have asked for help if it was that easy for him to confess.
Aoi smiles confidently at her reflection. Seems like the others think she looks as good as she feels in this outfit. The lavender of the dress compliments her hair and eyes very well, in her opinion. She adds a small white bag to the outfit and tosses a few bandages in. Nene-chan does always manage to get hurt, she muses fondly to herself.
Ending the call, she takes one last look at herself in the mirror, and heads off to the garden.
----------
She shifts anxiously in her seat. In her excitement and anticipation, she had accidentally arrived about twenty minutes too early. Better early than late, she supposes. She continually checks her phone for a notification from Nene, hoping she'll arrive soon.
As if one cue, Nene stumbles out from a corner and darts her head around. Aoi can’t help but stare. Nene’s beautiful long hair has been styled into two buns on her head, flyaways framing her face. Her skirt swishes as she walks over to Aoi, who’s jaw still hasn’t lifted from the ground.
Nene smiles nervously, a blush visible on her cheeks. “Hey, Aoi.”
Aoi breaks out into a large smile, “Hello, Nene-chan.”
The two glance between the ground and each other, silence surrounding them. They accidentally make eye contact and both look away. Nene giggles at their antics.
“Let’s get going, then! What’re we doing today?” Nene asks, a sudden burst of energy taking over.
Aoi stands from her place on the bench. “A surprise! Follow me,” she tells her date.
She grabs Nene’s hand, ignoring the way her ears burn at the action. She leads her through a series of turns before landing upon the entrance of the garden. They walk in together.
The first few flower displays are hardly anything special. Just a few different colours of assorted plants, some she recognises, some she doesn’t. The red roses stand out among the other flowers, as their vibrance is easy to spot. She almost wants to touch, but refrains from doing so.
Nene drags her along the pathway. They reach a pretty display of gardenias, the ones the garden is so famous for and Nene gasps. She quickly whips out her phone to take a picture and pulls Aoi into the picture with her.
“Aoi, say cheese!” she announces. Aoi barely has time to smile before the flash goes off, blinding her. Seriously, who still has flash on?
The afternoon goes splendidly. They both take many pictures and walk until their feet hurt and they’re exhausted. Aoi remembers what Teru said about a good picnic spot near the garden. She suggests the idea to Nene and they set off.
Setting down the picnic basket, Aoi helps Nene set up the blanket she brought. They set up the food and take a seat together.
“Aoi, is this strawberry shortcake?” Nene questions. “I love strawberry shortcake!”
Aoi nods. Nene squeals in delight and begins to eat her food.
Aoi can’t help but stare. Nene is just so cute. She gets a few crumbs on her dress, a pink overall dress with a white turtleneck under it. She’s hardly dressed for the weather, but she looks incredible, so Aoi isn’t one to judge. The small lock necklace she wears glistens in the sunlight, light reflecting into Aoi’s eyes every few minutes.
“Aoi? Aren’t you going to eat?” Nene snaps her out of her trance.
She brings her fork to her mouth. “Of course. I just got distracted.”
Nene pours a glass of raspberry lemonade for the two of them. Aoi takes a sip and is refreshed by the cool ice in the drink. The weather is warm, not a single cloud in the sky obstructing the sun’s rays. She thanks the clouds silently for not ruining her date.
They eat while making idle chatter. Nene giggles at a lot of topics Aoi brings up, the smiles never leaving either of their faces. Eventually, though, all good things must come to an end. Nene has to get home for dinner, so they prepare to part ways.
“Hey, uh, Aoi?” Nene says.
“Yes?’
She turns bright red. “I had a really great time today! Would you, maybe, want to go out another time?”
Aoi smiles. “I was just thinking the same thing,” she tells her.
“And, um, would you maybe… want to be my girlfriend? Officially?” Nene asks.
Aoi’s face flushes. “I, um--I would love that!” she blurts out uncoolly.
Before she can utter another word, underneath the cherry blossom trees blossoming in the early spring, Nene leans in. This can't be… she thinks, but Nene’s eyes flutter closed.
Aoi panics a little, but leans in to meet her. There’s no fireworks when their lips touch, but there is a hint of raspberry lemonade and icing, and it’s sweet and lovely and everything Aoi had ever wanted. There was nothing that would be more befitting of Nene’s love than confections and all things nice.
And so, on a day in early spring, Aoi and Nene part ways as girlfriends.