Work Text:
"Pareo!"
A catlike voice, full of pride, calls her name. It's a sunny spring morning on a certain day, and Pareo's just finished getting ready for their date. She could feel the excitement buzzing in her chest like a puppy dog chasing their favourite ball across a wide open field full of blooming flowers.
"Yes, Chu2-sama! I'm all ready~"
It was only yesterday when her tiny girlfriend had pulled back from their nightly cuddle under several soft blankets, with her best confident face (though her cheeks were flushed), and asked a very simple question.
"Pareo, would you like to go out somewhere together tomorrow? …Just us." They propose (though not in that way, yet). "I've got a special place in mind. There's somewhere I really want to take you. And we can bring nice food with us, too."
The keyboardist could feel her heart jump for joy - her Chu2-sama was... asking her out on a date! It's a date, right? Oh my goodness! She was smiling already, but her expression bursts into elation and she furiously nods, gently taking Chiyu's hands in her own.
"Oh, yes, of course! Of course I want to! There's no way in the world Pareo can say no to such a wonderful proposition from her adorable Chu2-sama~" she giggles, all sorts of ideas popping into her head. What was Chiyu planning? Perhaps they were going somewhere to eat? No, hold on - they had mentioned bringing food with them. Hm...
"Alright. It's settled, then," Chiyu grins, squeezing Pareo's hands and letting out a happy chirp. "You'll see. I think you'll really like it."
The rest of that night was spent absolutely snuggled together in the warmest little bundle of softness. But now, Pareo is holding hands with her dearest girlfriend as they walk together to the train station.
It feels like a dream already. That fluffy feeling, so familiar yet always so new to her. The feeling of loving someone with absolutely everything she has, without feeling even the slightest hint of shame. Whenever she holds their hand, the entire world feels like it's in bloom. She feels so free to love, so liberated from everything that had held her back, just from the warmth of her girlfriend's hand in her own. It's perfect. Everything feels so right.
The train ride to the surprise location is surprisingly pleasant. Not many people are around, and a relieved Chiyu holds Pareo's hand just a little tighter as she leans onto her shoulder, closing her eyes among the spring scenery whizzing by, and the clattering rumble of the train against the rails. She doesn't take the train as often as Pareo, but if Pareo is there with them, then all the noises aren't as bad - focusing on the presence of the girl she loved is all they need. Meanwhile, Pareo leans into her girlfriend a little bit, too - and after taking a little glance around, she gives their bangs a gentle nuzzle.
It's a shame that they'd have to get up and eventually finish the comfy train ride, but what greets them both after exiting the station is a magnificently beautiful park with endless stretches of flower fields and grass. It all seems to sparkle under the sunlight, and for Chiyu, who looks up at her girlfriend gazing at the sight in awe, it's all she could ask for, for the coolest girlfriend in the world.
"Chu2-sama...! This is... so wonderful~!" Pareo exclaims, quickly turning to her girlfriend who gets a little startled because oh man she may have been staring at her girlfriend for a little too long and her cheeks are dusted with an embarrassed pink.
"I'm glad you like it," Chiyu proudly smiles, triumphantly putting her other hand in her pocket and raising her chin. "Now, let's go and find a good place to sit!"
Pareo does a funny little salute. "Yes, Chu2-sama~!"
They walk around for a little while, occasionally stopping to closely inspect the gorgeous array of flowers. Chiyu squats down to get a closer look at some vividly coloured tulips, looking so small and adorable Pareo can't help but open the camera on her phone and take a cheeky little picture. Maybe she even said that Chiyu is just like the pretty flowers, small and adorable and the prettiest in the world, making the kitty cat producer whine at her in a state of bashfulness and "oh my god my girlfriend!".
After a few stops along the way, they finally get to a sunny spot by a tree, providing enough comfy shade just in case they need a break from the sunrays. Pareo checks around the tree for anything potentially dangerous, then checking the grass, before unzipping her backpack to take out a great big blanket for them to sit on. She drapes it over the grass, amazing Chiyu with how cool she looked while doing so, and comfortably takes a seat after taking off her pink shoes, patting the spot next to her - and without any words at all, her girlfriend does a gay little scamper over to her side and does the same.
Chiyu takes off her own backpack, however, and starts to empty it of its contents. Her favourite jerky biscuits and jerky onigiri, followed by normal cookies and some cut up fruits, a tub of cabbage leaves dressed in a delicious-looking sauce, and finally, a conspicuous white box, about the size of Chiyu's lap. Which isn't very big, but not too small either, and with an expectant glint in their eyes, Chiyu clears her throat, turning the box around so that she could open the lid to present what is inside.
"Pareo..." they begin, the embarrassment beginning to set in, but they've gotta stay strong. "Pareo, happy birthday."
She opens the box, and inside is a perfectly sized birthday cake for two, complete with the words "Happy Birthday Pareo" written in icing, albeit a little shaky, but the other decorations like the icing border of pink hearts and the fancy swirls along the sides look professionally done.
Pareo's entire body lifts, her eyes welling up with the happiest tears, heart overtaken by every ounce of love that she had to give. She's speechless, bringing both hands to clasp over her mouth. There's her girlfriend, her Chu2-sama, shining in the March sun, with the softest smile and the softest gaze from those beautiful blue eyes that had always looked so sharp and determined - but right now, this is the moment between the two of them. The moment Pareo falls in love with her dearest girlfriend all over again.
"Ch-Chu2-sama..." Her voice wavers as she wipes the stray tears from her eyes. "You- you've really done this all for Pareo... for me...?"
"Th-that's right," Chiyu nods, though a little concerned that her girlfriend is crying, so they meekly reach up to wipe away a few tears, too. "I'll admit - I did end up asking for help. I wanted to make this date absolutely perfect." She places the box down with the other food, and scoots closer to take Pareo's hand in her own. "M-Masking helped me with the food - you could probably tell by the cake," she explains, making Pareo giggle. "And, actually... I had spoken to Hikawa Hina about this plan of mine. She recommended this place to me. She had heard of it from her sister, supposedly. I, uh, didn't really know who to ask at first, but since you admire Hina so much, I thought that might have been the best option."
"Ch-Chu2-sama, you spoke to Hina-chan? And she... recommended you this place?!" Pareo gasps. "Oh my goodness... Hina-chan's recommended date spot...!"
Chiyu grins - she knew that'd make Pareo super excited. And heck, even if they don't really get it, it fills her with such a special feeling, getting to see Pareo get excited about the things or people she loves with all her heart.
"Well..." They hold Pareo's hand a little tighter. "I only want the best for you, Pareo. That involves doing all the right research to make sure everything is perfect."
Swallowing, she prepares herself for the biggest moment she's planned for the entire day. Her chest tightens, her brain enters hyperdrive, her heart does somersaults in her chest, but at the very least, they turn to face their girlfriend, use their free hand to gently cup her cheek and turn her head - and plant a gentle kiss on her lips.
It's a short and fleeting moment but the kind of moment fills both of them with the indescribably incredible feeling of being so, so in love.
After pulling away and seeing Pareo gazing back at her with such a starstuck glow in her eyes, Chiyu returns back to their sitting position, crossing their legs and still holding their girlfriend's hand. Face fully flushed but with a smile that's impossible to suppress, she gives her girlfriend the best and most confident and coolest voice she could.
"I love you, Pareo."
Pareo can't possibly handle this much love in one day and she wraps her Chiyu in a hug, excitedly wiggling about and letting out so many little cries of "Chu2-sama" into their shoulder. She pulls back, not before leaving a quick little return kiss on the lips, and she gazes back at her amazing, perfect, adorable sparkling treasure.
"I love you too, Chu2-sama~!"
Letting out a shy meow and affectionately bonking their head into their girlfriend's shoulder, Chiyu clasps her other hand over Pareo's (whose heart just leaped into the clouds from the absolutely adorable gesture).
After that exchange, they get started on their picnic date. Chiyu hands the cabbage to her girlfriend, while they finely begin to eat their onigiri. They even offer one to Pareo, who takes it as an invitation to take a bite, and so...
"Oh- Pareo," Chiyu shyly calls her name. "You can take the whole thing..."
"Ah!" Pareo's eyes widen. "My apologies, Chu2-sama! I thought you were feeding Pareo one of your delectable onigiri~"
"No need to apologise." Chiyu leans over to pick a rice grain off her girlfriend's cheek, and subsequently eats it herself. "You had a little bit on your face."
Cheeks heating up, not in embarrassment but in awe of how... how adorable her girlfriend is being, Pareo lets out a laugh that shoots Chiyu right in the heart. "Thank you for getting it for me~!"
"No problem-" The little producer starts but is interrupted by a jerky cookie being presented to her, with a polite hand underneath to catch any crumbs.
"Here, Chu2-sama~! Say 'ahh'~"
Chiyu blinks. What's going on? All of a sudden she could melt into a puddle. But even so, they do as Pareo wishes, because she'd never, ever miss the smile on her girlfriend's face - or a jerky biscuit.
The rest of the food is eaten with similar gay energy, resulting in the two little lesbians clearing up the containers and placing them back in the backpack. After all that, though, the kitty cat begins to feel a little drowsiness coming on. All the yummy food and the comfy warmth of the sun on her face makes for the perfect nap...
Pareo quietly notices the cute yawn that Chiyu had tried to hide, but was revealed when she let out what definitely sounded like a meow after finishing the big yawnie. She gently pets her girlfriend's head, who gradually goes from leaning on her shoulder to lying their head down comfortably in her lap. Within minutes, Chiyu is having a delightful little snooze on her girlfriend's lap while bathed in the warm spring sun and the gentle spring breeze. The trees sway calmly in the breeze along with the fields of flowers and grass. It feels like they're the only two people in the world for those moments, away from the bustle of the city.
Everything Pareo had experienced led up to this day, where she could feel like she could love with everything she had. Her love, something she had been ashamed of, had become her happiness. The strength she had inside her was reassured by the girl she loves, the strength to be herself despite all the things that told her it wasn't possible. The darkness was no longer there. Pareo wasn't afraid anymore. She's herself, she's Pareo, she's Nyubara Reona, she's in the band that will change the world, and she adores her dearest Chu2-sama with all her heart.
And nothing will ever change that.