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Aoi observed her best friend, who had been staring into space since first period of school. Currently they were sitting next to each other in lunchtime, and yet Nene hadn't said a single, coherent word at all, her chopsticks almost beginning to slip out her fingers.
With a sigh, she snapped her fingers in front of her, making her jump and drop her chopsticks into her lunchbox for real. "A-Aoi?! What was that for?"
"Seriously, Nene-chan. You've been spacing out for a long time now. If there's anything bothering you, you know you can talk to me about it."
Nene shook her head, picking her chopsticks back up. "No… it's just… I just had some unimportant things running in my mind, that's all."
Aoi didn't seem to believe her. "It doesn't sound like that to me. Come on, you can tell me."
There was a slight pause, and Aoi noticed how Nene's cheeks began to flush red, almost unnoticeable if it weren't for the fact they were sitting close to each other. She knew that look all too well.
It was the "I think I'm in love" look!
"Is it another boy?"
Nene's lips quivered. "Uh… sorta…"
Eyebrow raised, Aoi leaned forward, eager to learn more. "Sorta? What do you mean?"
Nervously, the ombre-haired girl avoided her inquiring gaze, poking her index fingers together. She refrained from talking for a while, but then settled for leaning to Aoi and whispering to her ear.
Aoi's eyes widened, and she pulled herself back, mouth gaping wide.
"Two?!"
"N-not so loud!!" Nene had to apologize to their classmates for the sudden outburst.
"Sorry. But Nene-chan, you're saying there's two guys that have been sticking around with you? Like, do you mean Minamoto-senpai's little brother and such? I do see him with you sometimes."
"No, it's not… Remember the guy I told you about before? The short one who doesn't have much of a presence?"
"Yeah, I do. What about him?"
"Well…" Nene took a breath. "He has a twin brother, and lately I noticed they've been hanging around me a lot more than usual. Sometimes they argue over something, but they won't tell me what it is."
Aoi blinked, processing what had just been said. Then it hit her.
Oh, now I see… Nene-chan, you're such a sly fox, ufufufu…
Nene however, only felt a sudden dread upon seeing the dark grin on her best friend's face.
"A-Aoi?"
"Hm? Oh, right! I don't think you have anything to worry about, Nene-chan! If they've been hanging out with you a lot than normal like you said, then that means they like you!"
Eh.
Eh?
"EHHH?!" Now it was Nene's turn to cause a scene, and she quickly apologized once more to their classmates. Her face was now turning even red than before.
Hanako-kun I can probably understand, but Tsukasa-kun?! Does Tsukasa-kun even see me in that way?!!
Aoi chuckled at her reaction. "So, Nene-chan, who do you like out of the both of them?"
"H-huh?! What are you saying, Aoi?"
"I mean, guessing from what you've told me so far, I think all the fights they've been having is all because they're fighting for your attention." The mischievous smile on Aoi's face said it all.
Hanako-kun and Tsukasa-kun… fighting for my attention? Fighting over… me?
A mental image of the twins entered her mind, everything all sparkly and beautiful, resembling those daydreams she used to have with those fake princes.
"Yashiro, I love you! Come with me and let's run away together!"
"I love you even more, Nene! Let's be together forever!"
Her imaginary self put her hands on her cheeks, closing her eyes. "Oh, but I can't choose between the two of you! Because I… I…!!"
"Nene-chan? Nene-chan! Are you listening to me?" Aoi shook her by the shoulder, making her snap back to reality.
"Waaah!! S-sorry!!"
The bell chimed throughout the school, signifying the end of the day as students began saying their goodbyes with each other and going home. Nene sighed to herself as she made her way to the bathroom to see Hanako off before she went home.
Ugh… This is stupid, Nene… of course they don't like you like that. They're just being their usual weird selves, that's all!
Although, she kept finding herself entertaining the idea. Did they really like her that way? And what about her? Did she like them back?
"Ah, Yashiro. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever gonna stop by." She found Hanako standing by the doorway of the girl's restroom. Combined with the way the light of the setting sun seemed to blend in his transparent form, that kind smile on his face made her heart race, for whatever reason.
"Of course I am, what do you take me for?"
He laughed, pinching her cheek as she tried to flail him off from her. "I know, I was just kidding. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Mm-hm." She couldn't help but laugh along with him. In the end, his cheeriness was contagious.
"Oh, wait a sec. Before you go, I wanted to give you something."
Hm? Now that was weird. Nene was a bit wary, which was understandable given Hanako's track record of the dumb pranks he's pulled. He took his hat off, and before she could say anything—
chu!
"... Something to keep you safe on your way home." He spoke softly, putting his hat back on and turning away from her without looking at her in the eye.
Nene stood there for a few seconds, before touching her right cheek, the one where he had placed his protection charm on. She knew it was just to keep her safe like he said, but something about it seemed… different.
Nevertheless, it still made her weirdly happy inside.
Shyly mumbling a thank you and making her way to the outside, she had barely reached the gate when she heard someone's voice call out from behind. "Nene!"
"Oh, Tsukasa-kun?" Indeed, it was the younger twin, appearing in front of her with a grin on his face. Was he also there to see her off? That was new.
"You're not going home without saying goodbye to me, right?" He pouted, and she chuckled, patting him on the head.
"Sorry about that. Well you're here now, so I can say goodbye properly, right?"
He beamed at that. Honestly, with the way such simple things made him happy, it was a very endearing sight to her.
She almost didn't notice him leaning forward and just as quickly as he had appeared before her…
chu!
Tsukasa's smile grew even more, even going as far as giving her a little nuzzle on her left cheek. "Another one for the road~ See ya tomorrow, Nene!" And with that, she was finally left alone to her own devices.
She squinted her eyes shut, slapping her face with her hands trying to fight off the blush coming back again.
Do I like them? That question returned to her, and she vigorously shook her head, coming to a very strange realization.
Oh no.