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“Doesn’t it bother you at all? That your boyfriend looks prettier than you?”
Takemichi blinks, glancing up from her phone to stare at the boy in front of her. It takes her a few seconds to recognize him as one of her classmates. She’s barely interacted with him outside of class group projects, though, which leaves her wondering why he approached her in the first place, and for something like this, too.
Seeing her confusion, he raises his hands in a sheepish and placating manner. "I just saw him pick you up yesterday when I left the school and got curious."
Oh, so he's not being malicious, at least. She's gotten similar questions before, but usually, they weren't asked purely out of curiosity, leaving her to develop a sort of aversion for them.
Her usual trademark smile appears on her face while she mulls his question over.
“Not really.”
If she's honest with herself, she knows Ran’s more beautiful than her. It's obvious enough and there isn't much to debate in her opinion. He's got long, well-cared-for hair that's soft to touch. He's incredible at using make-up to enhance his features, not that he would need it. His bare face is already incredibly eye-catching and pretty. His fashion sense, unlike her own, is trendy and stylish, and at times—expensive.
To Takemichi, that question has a clear-cut answer, and she doesn't see a problem in admitting the truth.
At the blunt bafflement written on his face, she raises an eyebrow. Seems like he isn't able to take in her answer.
"But… he's prettier than you?"
"Yeah, and?"
The smile slips off her face. She's not entirely sure she wants to deal with an argument at the moment…
"... Other girls told me they wouldn't want their boyfriend to be prettier than them."
She sighs. What a nonsense response.
"I'm not other people," she points out, grinning slightly at him. "And that's the fun of it, don't you think?"
Then she turns around and leaves after waving at him. Classes are done for the day along with cleaning duty, and Takemichi has to be somewhere.
She wouldn't want to let Ran wait too long for her.
Takemichi isn't all that pretty in her own opinion. If someone asks, she’ll say she’s decent. Pretty much average. But it isn't something she minds much. To be honest, she barely puts effort into her appearance besides the sanitary basics. Sure, dating Ran means that he and his brother frequently do her make-up or get her nice clothes, but more often than not she just prefers to wear a simple hoodie and some pants with her shoulder-length hair usually kept in a ponytail or a bun. It's a low-effort style, but it’s comfortable and she loves it that way.
Then there’s the fact that her face is usually bruised up and covered in bandaids thanks to the gang fights she gets involved with. So, she definitely doesn't have any big delusions regarding her appearance.
And that's more than okay with her.
Takemichi has never felt the need to go out of her way to appease any beauty standards people try to throw at her. She likes the way she looks just fine.
But she can’t deny the gossip that started ever since she got together with Ran. People chattering about her appearance became a common occurrence. It’s easy to ignore most times, but some are daring enough to approach her directly, so she has no choice but to acknowledge them.
And despite all of that, it’s Takemichi who emerges victorious from these confrontations. After all, those questions are nothing but ridiculous. Merely people trying to poke at her nerves and get her to believe that Ran looking prettier than her is a negative thing—which, to her, it is anything but.
If anything, she enjoys looking at him. Takemichi loves that Ran is prettier than her. She's all ready to spend days shopping with him and handing out her opinions on what outfits better fit him (spoilers: they all do).
She loves going on dates with him and blushing at how gorgeous he looks. She loves to thread her fingers through his soft hair and she's always excited to see which make-up he tries on next.
To Takemichi, the situation is nothing but a blessing.
She could shower her boyfriend with compliments for hours.
A lot of people don't seem to understand her, though. They think she’s strange for thinking like that. That's fine with her. It's not her responsibility to explain herself to strangers that don't matter.
But unfortunately, there are situations where people tend to go too far.
Well, unfortunately for them—Ran doesn't take insults aimed at her too kindly.
Ran loves his girlfriend.
She's absolutely adorable, from the way she acts to the way she looks. Kind of like cotton candy, pastel, and sweet. Whilst he adores her appearance, her personality is what got him to fall for her.
Her kind words and her warm smile. Her gestures of affection and nurturing personality. Just being around her gives him a feeling of security and love.
Takemichi is perceptive in her own way. She knows how to get him to smile when he's down and how to care for Rindou as well. She understands that Ran rarely ever comes without Rindou and vice versa.
And she absolutely doesn't mind. Not only isn't she bothered when he asks to include his brother in some outings, Takemichi often invites Rindou on her own.
Ran loves the way she gazes at him sometimes, a curious yet open look. The desire to find out more and more about him, until she's coated in his presence. The little kisses she shyly blesses him with. He cherishes each one of them. How her hand finds his most times, their fingers interweaving. How she always takes time for him, and she always appreciates the time he takes for her.
The way she greets everyone with her sunny demeanor but doesn't let people push her around. How she offers aid without expecting anything in return. A hand, a hug, words of comfort—she doesn't hold back, always giving her all.
He loves her body, loves to worship her whenever she lets him. Caressing her soft skin, leaving trails of his marks behind, drawing melodic sounds out of her while he savors her taste. The way she lets him have her, pliant in his arms and only focused on him.
Ran loves the way she lets him brand her as his.
And he loves that she has him too. That he would kneel before no one but her. That he only worships her and her alone.
His devotion belongs to Takemichi and that is an undeniable truth.
She is his beloved and in his eyes, she shines the brightest.
That's why—
"Oh? That's your boyfriend, Hanagaki?"
Something about the tone of Takemichi's classmate is irking him already. But what's even worse is the way his love tenses, forcing a smile on her face. He hates seeing that smile because it lacks her usual warmth and kindness. He hates it because she only wears it to spare others.
"Yes," she answers, with no ounce of hesitation. Ran's heart warms at that.
"Huh." The temperature seems to drop at that moment. "He's a lot… prettier than you."
Ran freezes.
Hm?
"Ah, not that you're ugly or something, Hanagaki! Just… he's uh… compared to him, you…"
Ran has heard enough.
Ran steps in between the classmate and his lover, his smile almost falling off his face. Props to the boy before him for realizing he’s said something wrong.
"Uh…"
"There are other ways to say those things, you know." Ran says, letting his cold gaze meet the other's eyes. "Like, say for example, in ways that aren't an insult."
The classmate pales, sweating as he takes a step back from Ran. "That's…"
"You're right."
Ran pauses, eyes widening slightly as Takemichi steps to stand beside him.
"Ran is a lot prettier than me," she replies, grinning. Ran glances at her, frowning slightly.
"Uh, yeah," the classmate mumbles.
"Well, we need to go now, so…"
At that, the boy straightens up. "R-right! I need to go, too. S-see you!!"
With those words spoken, the boy turns around and sprints away.
Ran couldn’t care less about him, though. No, there’s something else occupying his thoughts.
Takemichi chuckles. “There was no reason to rea… hng…”
She’s given no chance to finish her sentence as Ran drags her closer to him, their bodies pressing against each other, an arm wrapped against her waist. His other hand presses gently against the back of her head, pushing it closer so their lips can meet in a kiss, quickly silencing her. He’s more intense than usual. Normally, he prefers gentle and lingering kisses when in public instead of the almost fervent way he’s trying to devour her now. Takemichi is starting to get a little dizzy with how she can’t breathe, and Ran isn’t giving her the chance to. Her fingers dig into his arms, trying to hold on despite her body slacking in his arms. When Ran finally breaks off the kiss, her knees buckle and the only reason she hasn’t toppled is because of Ran’s support, leaning her head against his chest, she tries to catch her breath.
He gives her a few seconds before grabbing her chin and tilting it upwards, giving her no choice but to stare at him in the eyes.
“R-Ran,” she manages to stutter out, “wha—”
“I can’t help but disagree with you for once, Takemichi,” he tells her, leaning down to peck her cheek, before whispering into her ear, “after all, to me you’re the prettier one out of us both.”
She gulps, reaching out to gently push his head away from her. “You’re so silly, Ran.”
He narrows his eyes at her, smile turning into a sharp smirk. “Is that so? Are you trying to pick an argument with me?”
Sighing, she finally adjusts her position slowly, reaching out to cradle his face with both of her hands. “No, dumbass.”
Takemichi drags him down, leaning in to kiss the corner of his lips. “I just think it’s nice that you’re prettier than me.”
He can’t help but glare at that. Such a ridiculous thought. Takiemichi is, without a doubt, the most lovely person he knows.
“Hm?”
“After all, I get to admire you even more like this.”
Oh. He stills at that, his softening as surprise reflects in his eyes. She’s so precious.
Ran chuckles at that. “In that case, it’s a competition of admiration now.”
“Huh?”
“After all, you’re still the prettiest one in my opinion.”
“Ra—”
Another kiss quiets her once more.
“And I intend to win, my dear.”