Chapter Text
“And that’s the first draft for our festival.” Ei removed her glasses and sighed. She looked around the council room and met everyone’s eyes. “This is just the first meeting; so we can still make changes. Suggestions are open, and highly appreciated.” No one spoke a word so she dismissed them.
They still had at least two months before the actual festival starts, but Ei wanted to start making preparations as soon as possible. She was really charming, so the rest of the council had no choice but to agree.
“Makoto, I’ll go first. I still need to meet up with one of our juniors here- he’s asking me for help.” She removed her vest and rolled her sleeves to her elbows. She then tied her hair to a ponytail. “I’ll see you both later.” She just waved and let out a soft smile and went on her way.
Miko was just watching her, with her chin on her palm. “Why is she so pretty, Makoto?”
“We look just the same? So you’re complimenting me by that way too.” Makoto smirked and sat down on the long table. “Thanks, Miko.”
“No, she’s prettier than you.” Miko sighed and rested her head on the table. “She looked hot tying her hair earlier. When she rolled her sleeves, and when she removed her glasses. When she also led us in the meeting. And when she smiles at me, and when-”
“Enough, enough.” Makoto slapped her forehead. “I knew you liked my twin, but not to this extent.”
“What extent? My love for my dearest beloved Ei is eternal and limitless.”
“You’re disgusting.” Makoto glared at Miko and the latter only smiled. “Whatever. My sister doesn’t seem to reciprocate your feelings though. Too bad for you I guess?”
“Hah! That’s where you’re wrong, the twin sister of my beloved Ei.” Makoto glared at her again and she didn’t care. “I can feel her love and affection by just looking at me and asking me to do some errands for her. I can feel it especially when we’re alone here at the office and we’re just silently drinking coffee together.”
“Stop it. God. Miko, why are you so embarrassing? If someone else heard you, I’m sure they’ll make fun of you.” Makoto shook her head and went down to pack her things. “Let’s wait for her in the tea shop.”
“Okay.”
The two were walking together when Miko sighted Ei in a far distance smiling at a boy and they shook hands. Miko immediately halted, making Makoto stop and look too.
“Oh. Jealous much?”
“Yes,” Miko sighed and glared at them. “Whatever, let’s just continue walking.” Miko mumbled a few curses and left Makoto giggling.
They arrived at the coffee shop and ordered their usual. The both of them chat about school, the upcoming festival, and Ei. Makoto tried to lie about Ei and paint her in a bad light to see how Miko would react, but the latter only smiled and said she accepted Ei’s flaws- if she had one.
Makoto knows how oblivious and pretentious her sister is. Ei knows when someone is hitting on her, but she’d simply brush it off by saying, “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you saw me that way.. I want to focus more on studying. I’m not ready for relationships yet.” and Miko’s heart would jump because she had broken another man’s heart.
Miko was scrolling on her phone when she smelled a familiar scent- her favorite one too. “Hi, sorry. Got caught up in something on my way here.” Miko immediately smiled to greet her one and only beloved. “Hi, Miko.”
“Hi, Ei.” Miko acted normally- as if she wasn’t sulking about what she saw. Ei sat beside her, which only made Makoto sigh because she knows Miko was probably over the moon at that moment. What a great pretender. “Was it tiring?”
“Yeah. Didn’t know being the president had this too much workload.” Ei got Makoto’s drink and sipped from there, not caring about her twin’s protests. “I’m glad I have you by my side, Miko.”
“Ah..” Miko was speechless for a moment. She forgot how to breathe. “Y-Yeah.. Me too.”
“Oh my God, I hate gay people.” Makoto closed her eyes and just listened to her earphones. “Someone get me out of here..” she whispered.
“Aren’t you one?” Miko asked but she was just ignored. She turned around and saw Ei was doing the same thing, but without earphones. She was just casually leaning against the couch and resting her mind.
And Miko swears. Miko swears that scenery was such a piece of art. She thinks that she could look at that for the rest of their lives.
Miko rested her body too, but facing Ei. She stares at her until she hears a click from the other side. She looks and Makoto took a picture of them. “Send it to me later.” and she looks back to stare at Ei again.
She met the twins a few years back. Miko moved to Inazuma along with her cousin Saiguu. She was just casually admiring the Sakura trees blossom as it has the same colors as her hair, but there, she met Ei.
Ei was sitting down on the branch of the tree and was reading a book. Miko realized she’s really beautiful. She only stopped looking when a voice behind her resounded. She turned around to see another girl who looks like the other one. Miko thinks the one reading is far more beautiful than this one.
“Ei!” Ei? “Come down already. Mommy is looking for us.” Before Miko could look at the so called Ei, she was already calmly walking towards her twin. The former did not even notice her move. “You know you shouldn’t climb these trees right? Our parents prohibited us from doing so.”
“Yeah, alright.” Ei pushed up her glasses and glanced at Miko, who didn’t realize her mouth was open. “Hi.”
“Hey.. there.” Miko smiled and waved her hand. Ei just did the same and started walking away. “Wow. She’s pretty.” Miko’s first gay awakening.
The next month when schools started, it turns out Miko was in the same class as the twins. She would adore Ei all the time. She can see how everyone loves the twins. They were popular alright- because of their looks, intelligence, and personality.
That made Miko like Ei so much more.
There was a time when Miko was hanging out in a classroom in an abandoned building. Her feet up in the table and ears filled with music. She didn’t want to go home yet, knowing that she’ll probably get scolded by Saiguu for dropping her call. The sun was beginning to set and that’s what she likes watching the most.
Though that peaceful moment was disturbed by a sound like someone was walking towards her direction. If it was a teacher, she’ll definitely get into trouble. Before she could think of what to do, the figure was already opening the door.
“Hey.” Oh. That’s someone Miko did not expect. “What are you doing here?” Miko stood up to be formal and removed her earphones.
“I should be the one asking you that, Miss.” Miko smiled and sat on the table. “What are you doing here, miss class monitor?”
“I was looking for you. I didn’t think you’d actually be here.” Ei started to walk closer to her and Miko could only look directly to her eyes. “What are you doing here, Yae?”
“Just wanted to hang out.” Miko shrugged. “Why are you looking for me anyway?”
“You left your notebook in the teacher’s table. We have a quiz tomorrow, I thought you might need it to study.” Ei held out the notebook but still continued to be closer with Miko. The latter did not budge one bit when they were already face to face. “Here.”
“Thank you, Miss Raiden.” Miko smiled and didn’t even reach for the notebook. She was just looking at Ei. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Miko. “How thoughtful of you.”
“Back then..” Ei crossed her arms. “Last year. It was you, right? The girl under the Sakura tree.” Ei was certain. She wouldn’t forget a pink haired girl so easily.
“I’m glad you still remember.”
“Of course. How can I forget..” Miko saw Ei smile for a split-second. “Never mind. I’m going home now. I just really wanted to hand you the notebook.”
“Ah, our home is on the same direction. Would you mind going home together?” Miko prayed there that Ei agrees. She wants to spend more time with her. Who knows when will be the next time they talk like this- or if there is. “If it’s bother then it’s fine.”
“No, no. Let’s go home together.” Ei smiled and went out first. Miko happily followed her. “We’re with my sister by the way.”
“Makoto? Where is she?”
“Right here.” A shiver ran across Miko’s spine when a voice echoed behind them. It was getting dark already. “What’s up, Miko? Finally having the courage?”
“Huh? What the hell do you mean?” Miko eyed Makoto so the latter shuts up. It looks like Makoto knew her feelings for Ei, but doesn’t know how when she really never told anyone.
“Nothing.” Makoto wrapped her arm around Miko’s shoulder and dragged her to walk faster. “You’re that weak?” it was only a whisper.
“What the hell are you saying, Makoto? Shut up.” Miko whispered back. They made sure Ei wouldn’t hear them. “I don’t get what you’re trying to say. Ei might conclude something.”
“My sister is dumb, don’t worry. She will never know unless you tell your feelings to her directly.” Makoto giggled at Miko’s face suddenly going pale. “You’re too obvious, Yae. Everyone can see how you look at her. Maybe the only people who doesn’t know about it is you and my sister.”
“Really?” Miko was horrified. So she was really that obvious. “Oh shit..”
“Good luck with that Miko.” Makoto giggled and finally distanced herself. She looked at Ei and it’s well that she didn’t hear anything. “This is the crossing. We’ll go ahead, Yae!”
“Bye, Miko.” Ei finally spoke and waved her hand. “See you tomorrow!”
“See you, Ei.” She didn’t even bid good bye to the other Raiden twin. Makoto only shook her head and sighed. That even confirmed her feelings even more.
When Miko arrived home, she could already feel the intense gaze of Saiguu. Oh crap, she forgot about that. She slowly removed her shoes and wore her slippers and sat down beside her cousin.
Time to activate her special technique.
“Oh my.. What a terrible day I had today. Too many quizzes and activities. It is all fortunate that your favorite cousin exceled all of them.” She even rested her head on Saiguu’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about the call. I was just really tired.”
“Have you eaten already?” Yes! It worked once again. “You look tired indeed. Rest after eating dinner.”
“Thank you, Saiguu.” She really made her shoulders drop and put on a pout. “I’ll just take a bath and change clothes.”
An hour later, Miko comes out fresh from bath, and wearing her onesies pajamas.
The both of them settled in the table and started eating. Though a thought came across in Miko’s mind and thinks it shouldn’t be harmless to ask a question. Saiguu is a mother figure to her anyway.
“Hey, Saiguu.. My friend has a problem and I don’t know what to tell her.” Her cousin just raised her brows. “Well.. she thinks she’s developing some sort of crush for a girl. But she doesn’t think it’s okay since, well, they’re both girls you know?”
“Hmm?” Saiguu wiped her mouth and clasped her hands together. “I don’t think it’s a problem when they’re both girls. Love is love, it doesn’t matter.”
“Is that so?” Miko nodded her head a few times and thought about it for a while.
“In any chances, is your friend named Yae Miko?” Miko coughed hardly enough for her to choke on her food. “Oh, here.” Saiguu calmly handed her a glass of water which she immediately chugged down. “All I did was ask you a question.”
“It’s not me, Saiguu! It’s my friend!” Saiguu just nodded and didn’t comment on that anymore. They ate quietly after that.
But before Miko could return to her room. Saiguu shouted. “Miko, tell me all about the girl you like, alright?”
“I told you! It’s not me, it’s my friend!”
“Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Though I honestly doubt it.”
The school year was about to end and only then did the Raiden twins and Miko grew closer. They started hanging out during lunch, then recess, and even after school.
Of course, Miko finally came to terms with her feelings and admitted that she does like Ei. Makoto was very supportive of her. Now the only person who doesn’t know about her feelings is Ei herself.
Even during summertime. They would all spend time together- though there are many times where Makoto doesn’t join them because she would spend time together with her own girlfriend. Miko rejoices whenever that happened. She doesn’t hate Makoto of course. She just likes Ei.
They would spend time under the Sakura tree. With Ei reading a book and Miko resting her head on her shoulders while reading the same book (even if she can’t keep up most of the time because Ei is a fast reader).
Miko was content with that. She doesn’t know if Ei reciprocates her feelings, or if she even likes women. Miko was just fine with staying by her side. She doesn’t dare to ruin the friendship they have. Because one wrong move, and everything might fall apart. She’ll lose her.
The next year, Ei decided to run as the student council president. Having the popularity, intelligence, and great leadership, Ei won. Even if she didn’t look celestial, students would’ve still voted for her. She’s that amazing. She chose Makoto as her vice-pres, and Miko as her secretary. The three were really inseparable.
“I’ll go first.” Makoto stood up and grabbed her bag. Miko only looked away when Ei finally opened her eyes. “I need to see my girlfriend. She said she’s at the station waiting for me- because she misses me!” Makoto was staring at Miko intently when she said the last sentence- as if she’s trying to make Miko jealous.
“Alright, Makoto. I’ll see you at home then. Take care.”
The two watched her leave. Ei then turned to Miko with a huge smile on her face. Hell, Miko could hear her own heartbeat. Her eyes are so pretty…
“What do you want to do?” Ei asked. Miko thought for a few seconds. To be honest, she doesn’t really mind doing anything. Corny and cheesy as it sounds, but everywhere is both fun and serene when she’s with Ei.
“Anything you want.” Miko shrugged. “Is there anything you want to do? Or any place you want to visit?”
“None in particular.” Ei leans against the couch and continues to think. “Let’s just go home for now. I am pretty tired today anyway.”
“Alright then.”
They arrived at the crossing. This is the worst part of the day for Miko, because they have to part ways. If anything, she wants to see Ei every second.
“Rest well tonight, Ei. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Miko keeps thinking. She wants to be able to hold Ei like they were lovers. She wants to kiss her. She wants to tell Ei that she loves her. Or quite anything the normal lovers do. She wants to do all of it with Ei.
Why does love have to be all scary?
The next morning, Miko headed to the SC office first to run through her minutes from the meeting yesterday. She sat down on the table again, back facing the door. She was drinking her coffee when another person came in- her favorite person to be exact.
Miko raised her mug as a sign of greeting and Ei smiled, walking towards her desk that’s beside Miko’s. The latter watched her settle down and fix her things- completely forgetting about what she was doing.
“Miko, how many times do I have to remind you to not sit on the table?” Miko only smiled and ignored what she was saying. “We have chairs you know.”
“I know. I just prefer it here.” Miko finished her coffee and decided to not finish her task. She just wants to chat with Ei now. “How was your sleep?”
“It was well, thank you. You were in my dream though.” Ei didn’t look at Miko and just continued running through her files. “It was a nice dream. I slept well.”
“Really? Tell me all about it.” Miko finally sitting down on her chair, turned to face a busy Ei.
“I couldn’t remember much of it but we were walking on the streets of Inazuma. I was eating a tri-color dango. And you were just smiling all the time. I was happy.” Ei nodded and finished compiling all the papers.
“Ei… what do you think of me?” Ei stopped for a brief moment, which made Miko more fearful.
“Of course, you are an amazing friend. I’d die if you leave me.” She smiled as if her words didn’t carry any weight on it. This made Miko sigh. So she really thinks of Miko as someone who is just her friend. “I like being around you, Miko.”
“Me too, Ei.” Miko slouches on her desk and turns around away from Ei. It is truly upsetting. Does she not know what she feels for her? Is she that dumb? “Oh Ei, why are you so damn dense?” For Ei, all she could hear was just mumbles- that she doesn’t usually give attention to because Miko does them all the time. “Can you not hear my heart breaking?”
“Enough mumbling, Miko. Let’s head to our class.” Ei wore her glasses and held Miko’s hand to drag her. But even when they’re already out of the office, Ei still didn’t let go. It confuses Miko even more. Does Ei want her or not? “Your hands are warm. I like holding them.”
“Then don’t let go.” Miko just blurted out. “Don’t let go, alright? I’ll keep you warm.”
“I won’t.”
Once they entered the classroom, all eyes were immediately on them. Especially Makoto who already had a big smirk on her face. Miko sighed and sat down on her seat, beside Makoto and behind Ei.
Even the whole class cheered when they saw the two holding hands. They have the wrong idea in mind, but Miko wishes they were right.
“Congrats, Ei and Miko. Finally!” One of their close friends, Beidou, shouted. “We’ve been waiting for ages!”
“Congrats on what?” Ei asked confusedly that made the whole class shut up. Makoto immediately tapped Miko’s shoulder while the latter only looked out the window. “What do you mean, Bei?”
“Eh?” Sara butted in but when she finally got it, she immediately laughed at Miko. “You are still weak after all.” Miko ignored her.
“What do you guys mean?” Ei looked at Miko, and then at Makoto, and back to everyone else.
“Ei, we thought you and Miko were finally dating.” Kokomi looked at Miko who was just pouting. “You know, ‘cause you guys went inside holding hands.”
“Miko was just keeping my hand warm.” Ei’s shoulder slowly tensed. “I didn’t…”
“Ei, don’t listen to them. They’re just poisoning your mind.” Miko held her shoulder, that made her relax a bit. Even Miko noticed it, and her heart ached. “Bad influences! Leave us alone.”
Though after that morning, Ei could notice how Miko’s enthusiasm slowly deteriorated. Each day, she was growing more distant.
She doesn’t see her drinking coffee every morning at their office. She also doesn’t speak when it’s not needed. And the worst of it all was that she can’t find Miko anywhere after school. It’s either she goes home without bidding goodbye to the twins, or they go home first because they can’t find Miko.
Ei pondered back to that morning. Miko’s question, and their class teasing them. She doesn’t want to admit it to herself yet. She doesn’t think she can.
“Ei, Miko seems to distant these days.” She was studying on her room when Makoto just barged in. The latter quickly jumped on her bed and hugged her pillows. “Do you know what happened to her?”
“I have no idea, honestly.” She leaned against her chair and removed her glasses. “Or maybe I do. There’s a lingering thought in my head but I can’t bring myself to say it out loud.”
“Do I need to do it for you?” Makoto opened the bag of chips she brought. “Ei, what do you think of Miko?”
“She asked me that same question.” She put her arm on her forehead. “I just said that she’s an amazing friend, and that I’d die if she were to leave me.” It was dead silence for a while and when she looked at her sister, Makoto’s mouth was just open. “…what?”
“What the hell, Ei?” Makoto pushed herself up and sat down. “How are you so dumb?”
“What did I say wrong? It’s true. I even told her that I like being around her.” She sat down properly and decided to stop studying for now. “All of what I said is true, that’s why I don’t understand why she’s… like this.”
“Ei, I’ll ask you again. What do you think of Miko besides being a friend? How about how you view her as a woman?”
“She’s amazing.” Ei nodded a few times and looked at her sister again. “Her personality is strong, and she’s someone you can fall inlove with easily. She’s really beautiful, and her humor is great. Like I said, I like being around that woman.”
“Are you straight?” Ei furrowed her brows at her question.
“What does that have to do with our topic?”
“Just answer the question!” Makoto threw her pillow that hit Ei’s face. “Come on!” Ei sighed and held on to her dear pillow.
“To be honest, I’m not quite sure myself. Relationships don’t interest me; you already know that. I haven’t thought about it.” Ei thought of all people who confessed to her. Both men and women didn’t excite her or anything of that sort. She’s just not into love yet.
“Here, what would you think of Miko dating other people?” Ei shrank her eyes and felt a little displeased about it. “Hey, answer me!”
“Just wait! I’m still thinking.” She hugs her pillow and closes her eyes. “I think I will be unhappy, especially if she didn’t tell me. I don’t know. I just don’t want her dating other people.”
“And what? Make her date you?”
“I suppose so.” But she got startled when Makoto threw another pillow. “Stop that, would you!?”
“You’re an idiot!” Makoto stood up and hugged her bag of chips. “Do you know you’re hurting Miko?” Ei froze. “Of course you don’t. Look, Ei, if you don’t want to lose Miko, then better to admit that lingering thought on your head.”
“…why?”
“Because, you idiot, if she gets sick and tired of your shit, she’ll go date other people. Probably at this very moment we’re talking, she’s already looking for someone else. It won’t be too hard to find one, because like you said, she’s really beaut-”
“Shut up already!” It was her turn to throw a pillow to Makoto. “I get it, alright? Leave!”
“Hehe, Ei. You finally woke up?” Makoto wore a proud smirk, saying it was because of her that Ei realized her feelings. “I, the great Raiden Makoto, will be alright with two weeks of free lunch.”
“Shut it, Makoto. Leave my room already and go talk to your girlfriend! I’m trying to think!”
“Okay, okay. Hehe. Good luck my dearest sister! I’m rooting for the both of you!”
When Makoto left, Ei dragged herself back to her bed. She doesn’t have any motivation to do anything for the rest of the night. She just wants to think, and keep thinking. Her thoughts are all about Miko though.
Back to when she first Miko, their first talk, their first lunch together- everything. Her head is clouded by Miko. And she didn’t think it would take a cold Miko and an annoying Makoto for her to figure out her feelings.
“There you have your answer, Makoto. I’m not straight.”
At first, it was very difficult for Miko to avoid her life line. Every time she walks away, something is pulling her to come back and wait for Ei to arrive. But she didn’t.
Because if she continued to settle as friends, she wouldn’t be able to control herself anymore. Friends don’t kiss, do they? And if that happened, what would Ei think of her? They’d lose their friendship. And Miko prefers for them to drift apart this way, rather than because she kissed her best friend.
Miko, from the rooftop of the abandoned building, watched as the Raiden twins walk away. Ei was constantly swinging her head, as if she was looking for something. And when Miko knew they were already far away, then only she left the school grounds.
This is hard, of course. But she doesn’t have any choice.
“I’m home!” She removed her shoes and wore her slippers. When in the living room, she immediately jumped on the couch and buried her face on the pillow. “What a day…”
“Sup, dear cousin? How was school?” Saiguu came out of the kitchen to greet her. “You look tired.”
“That’s because I am.” Miko placed her arm on her forehead and thought about everything. “Goodness, why are people so complicated?”
“Is this about your girlfriend?”
“What girlfriend?” Miko sighed when she thought of Ei again. “It’s not about me! It’s my friend. She kept bothering me today, you know. She decided to avoid the girl she likes because she gave nothing but mixed signals. But it became hard for her. Being away from the person she loves really takes a lot of energy.”
“Did she consider confessing?”
“Of course. All she ever wants is to hold that person close and show her love. But the other person only thinks of her as a friend… she’s not even sure if she’s into girls too, or not.” Miko sighed again and sat properly. “Thanks for listening, Saiguu. That friend of mine is getting into my nerves these days.”
“Don’t worry, cousin. I’ll be here if you need someone to listen to.” Saiguu tapped her shoulders. “I made your favorite dinner tonight. Make sure you eat a lot, okay?”
“I will. Thank you.”
The next morning, Miko made sure to leave 10 minutes before the time Ei usually arrives at the office. Though when she was about close the door, Ei stood in front of her. Both of them were shock. This is the first time they had been alone for the last month.
Miko immediately looked away and was about to leave when Ei grabbed her hand.
“Miko… my hands are cold. Do you want to warm them up?”
“Not right now, Ei.” Miko took her hands back and was about to step away when Ei grabbed her wrists, and pulled her back inside the student council office. “Hey! What are you doing!”
She made Miko sit in her table, and leaned in again. Just like the first time they talked.
“Miko, I’m sorry for not getting what you meant by the question before. My answer is true, but something has changed.” She gently cupped her cheeks. “I think of you as an amazing woman, someone I cannot live without. I like being close to you. I like your smile, your scent, and the way you make people smile. I like everything about you. And I don’t think I’ll be very pleased if you date someone that’s not me.”
“Ei…”
“You are very important to me, Miko. Just like that day, under the Sakura tree, I’ve always found you so beautiful.” Though she panicked when she saw tears forming on Miko’s eyes. “H-Hey, what’s wrong, love?”
“I waited so long to finally hear that from you, do you know that?”
“I’m sorry for making you wait long, my beloved.” She hugged Miko and the latter returned it.
“I love you, Ei.” She slightly chuckled when she still heard the slight tremble on Miko’s voice. “Why are you laughing?”
“Keep my hands warm, alright?”
“That’s not what I expected to get in return.” Miko’s hug tightened a bit.
“When I say keep my hands warm, it means I love you too.”