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Himari had finished up in the lab for the day, this time the professor was trying to invent an ice cream that would never melt or at least not melt for a long time but it was to no avail.
Himari now found herself with some time off for a few days which she never knew what to do with. Her passion was the science behind sweets and her work with these experiments made her feel happy and content.
She often would be so absorbed in these experiments that she forgot to take breaks so they usually had to force her out of the lab but now she found herself not knowing what to do over the weekend.
She thought of her friends, it had been years since their time at the patisserie but she still looked upon them fondly.
Ichika was still traveling the globe spreading sweets and joy, Yukari came and went as she pleased but never really seemed to keep in touch with any of them except Akira who was still busy studying in medical school, ciel and rio were running their shop together which was always busy and pekorin was running her own busy shop as well.
Out of all her friends the one she talked to the most was Aoi, her schedule with her band was hectic but she still made time to talk to her often so she decided that maybe Aoi might have some time to hang out.
The next day Himari was standing nervously in front of a venue Aoi’s band Wild Azur would be playing tonight.
She never did well with large crowds of people or loud places but Aoi had invited her to see them play and to hang out afterwards. Aoi seemed excited to have her watch and it had been a while so Himari agreed but now she was wondering if she would come to regret this.
Himari found a place near the back to stand the venue was packed and loud she hoped this wouldn't be long. Then the lights went out and the crowd was reduced to murmurs.
The lights came on a brilliant blue color and on the stage she saw Wild Azur and her close friend Aoi.
They played one of their most popular songs to start and even as the audience roared in cheers along the lion-like singer Himari found herself tuning most of the crowd out as she was completely captivated by the passionate performance of the blue lion.
Himari was hooked on every word and motion. She's not even sure if it's the song or just Aoi herself but she let herself enjoy the show despite her previous worries. After the show Himari was still buzzing from the performance and nearly forgot she was supposed to meet up with her until Aoi came out to get her.
Himari found herself backstage with the band and her close friend.
Himari tried to talk to Aoi’s band mates but found herself nervous even when they were being really friendly and kind so she mostly hid behind Aoi as the band chatted with each other. Aoi noticed how anxious her squirrel-like friend was so she decided to say bye to her bandmates and head outside with Himari.
Once outside Aoi offered to take Himari out for some sweets just the two of them since most people wouldn't be out this late. The two found themselves at an ice cream parlor that was still open and besides them there were only two other people on the other side of the shop.
“So what did you think of the show?” the proud rockstar said as she took a bite of some blue ice cream. “Uh well…” The timid scientist struggled to find her words as she was too enraptured with Aoi to pay much attention to the whole show “it was really good you were great up there…”. Himari was nervous, usually she could talk to her friends without issue but Aoi was different especially when she was alone with her.
Aoi broke the silence that was forming “Sorry i invited you to our show i know you're not the best around crowds but i just got excited for you to see us play and didn’t think it through”. “Oh no it was fine really i actually didn't mind i got really into the show and barely noticed” Himari quickly interjected.
Himari had noticed that Aoi seemed to be acting nervous as well; she never took her to be the nervous type especially around her; it was odd seeing her act more subdued than usual.
At this point both of their ice creams were partially melted with time passing filled with idle chit chat and nervous gazes. “Hey Himari, you know all about sweets and how they work right”. Aoi continued after a brief pause “I know how to make it but I don't quite get how making ice cream works”.
At this Himari felt much more comfortable as she pulled out her journal and started explaining in depth the processes that occur when making ice cream. After a while Himari paused in the middle of her explanation “ I'm not boring you am i, sorry you know how i can get with the science behind sweets” Himari started feeling dejected.
Aoi laughed a bit “I don't mind at all i love hearing you talk about sweets” Aoi’s hand light brushed against Himari’s as she continued “In fact i think you look cute when you do it”. This caused Himari to blush “ Ah well you also look really cute when you're into your passions like when you were on stage tonight it was so distracting” Himari covered her mouth as she felt she said too much but now Aoi was starting to blush.
“Uh wait I'm sorry i made things awkward it's just i really like you ah!” Himari realized too late when she said and abruptly rose out of her seat and started to run. Aoi suddenly grabbed her arm “Wait Himari!” Both their hearts were beating fast as they stared into each other's eyes.
Aoi pulled Himari into a hug “Its ok i really like you too I always have remember all that time ago when i said that i loved you” Himari recalled the party they attended when they were younger “I-I thought you meant as like a friend” Aoi shook her head and Himari returned her embrace “I've had feelings for you for such a long time but i never thought you’d return them”. The two remained that way, each taking in the other's warmth.
After they finished their embrace they met up outside the shop “So hey want me to walk you back home it's pretty late” Aoi put her arm around the shoulders of the smaller girl. “Yeah i'd like that” Himari was still a bit nervous and could hardly believe she was finally going out with the girl she’d been pining after for years.
“Hey so how about on the way back you tell me more about how sweets work” Aoi flashed a grin and Himari obliged her and talked on the entire walk home.
Once they arrived Himari despite her shyness spoke up “Uh hey since your place is kinda far and it's so late maybe you would like to stay over for tonight” Himari worried that she came off as too forward but Aoi had another big grin on her face and accepted her invitation.
The two former magical girls didn't realize how tired they were so they headed straight to bed and cuddled up with one another. Himari buried her face in Aoi’s lion mane of hair as she drifted to sleep thinking about how happy she was in this moment.