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"Mayo-saaan~!" The sudden call of the girl's nickname followed by her unit mate entering her empty classroom startles her so much that she gets up frightened like a criminal caught red-handed.
"Eek! A-Aira-san?? I swear I wasn't doing anything s-suspicious, I just happened to be left all alone in my class!" And it's true, Mayoi was just innocently staring at the girls in the courtyard through the window, nothing wrong nor suspicious.
"... Yeah? Good to know?" Shaking her head, the first year decides that's not important. "Anyway, I came here to ask if you wanna lunch with me and Shino-senpai on the rooftop."
Mayoi said a lot of times she is fine with lunching alone, however, her unit mates always insist that she have company, she thinks their worry is the sweetest of gestures. "I-is it ok for me to intrude on your lunch...?"
"Silly, you won't be intruding anything, we want you there~" The girl says happily, a real ray of sunshine, so so bright it blinds Mayoi temporarily. She wonders whether she'll be able to support Aira's brightness and Hajime's as well, or she'll just melt away into an ugly pudding on the floor. "Let's go then?" She weakly nods before picking up her things and following the other.
On their way, Mayoi felt beads of sweat forming everywhere on her body, and her heart started racing wildly because it finally dawned on her: She'll be all alone with Aira and Hajime on the rooftop. On the rooftop, where no one goes. A deserted place. Just Mayoi and her two adorable kouhais... Where she could do anything to them, and no soul would see or hear a thing…
"We were supposed to lunch with Hiro-chan and other second years." Thankfully, Aira is there to interrupt Mayoi's disturbing train of thought with small talk. "But Shino-senpai told me Hiro-chan and Mashiro-senpai had gotten into a heated discussion about omurice that was so intense she felt a bit left out." The younger laughs and Mayoi gives a forced laugh of her own to accompany.
"Then Nagumo-senpai, along with the twins, arrived there and their discussion turned into a sort of competition, that's when she sought for me. We weren't really in the mood for their nonsense and decided to come here." Aira finishes contextualizing for Mayoi as soon as they arrive at their destination. Hajime was already there, neatly sitting with all her grace on the floor near the fence. Seeing the two ALKALOID members there, she waved to them.
"I'm glad to see Ayase-senpai also joining us for lunch today." The second year greets her with the sweetest of smiles, the girl makes a strange noise at Hajime's unintentional loveliness and sits facing her, but doesn't dare to make eye contact.
"T-thanks for h-having me!"
"Fufu, Ayase-senpai looks like a frightened rabbit!"
"Yeah, she is like that with strangers..." Aira makes a funny sound. "But you already know Shino-senpai, don't need to be shy with her, Mayo-san~"
In reality, she didn't consider Hajime a total stranger, they'd already talked to before and Mayoi admires her work as an idol too, after all. The real problem was her adorableness, which always made Mayoi's brain short circuit and her timid self come out stronger. "Sorry, I'll tryyy my best...!"
"All well, let's dig in~" The blonde announces, opening her lunch box and, truth to her words, digging in. The other followed suit. "Mmm~ I feel truly blessed eating Tattsun-senpai's food~"
Mayoi softly giggles seeing her unit mate munching happily. She agrees with her, Tatsumi cooked for her today as well and she also felt blessed eating away her poke. The other girl does love making their bentos. Now she wonders who is the true mother figure in their unit.
"Oh, your lunch box is so cute, Ayase-senpai~" Hajime comments pointing at the object in Mayoi's hands. She observes confused the object, her lunch box had a simple design, pale blue with dark purple cartoonish flowers, nothing real pretty. Then she looked at Hajime's lunch box and understood, it had the same design as hers, but with reversed colors, the other's being dark purple with pale blue flowers.
"You two are matching, rabui~" Seems their third party accompanied all their interaction. "Can I take a pic?"
They both nod and put their lunch boxes on the floor side by side. It was a cute pic, a nice close of the objects, a glimpse of their knees, and Aira's fingers making a peace sign. "I'll post on my stories, ok~"
The oldest picks up her lunch and begins eating again. She discreetly looks at the girl in front of her, only to see her looking at her phone with the tiniest bits of blush. "Fufu, it almost looks like those couple pics."
Mayoi chokes on her food, Aira seeing how red her friend's face is, quickly hands her a bottle of water which the older takes, and chugs the content desperately, both girls looking at her worriedly. "Better?"
"Y-yeah..." She responds meekly and reaches for her phone to see the photo for herself. If it wasn't for Aira's fingers appearing, it would seem like a couple pic. Mayoi flushes at the thought.
"Hmm." She feels Aira's eyes staring intensely between her and Hajime. "Heh~ You two do look good together." The third year can't help letting a hysterical laugh out while flushing even more.
"Do we?" Hajime questions while sliding to Mayoi's side, their shoulders touching. She flinched away as if the contact gave her an electric shock.
"You do, you do~" The other even claps a bit, Mayoi just makes embarrassing noises.
Hajime returns to where she was sitting, laughing heartily. "Shiratori-chan, I guess Ayase-senpai can't take our teasing anymore."
"It seems so, hehe." These girls... They will be the death of her. "Sorry, Mayo-san~"
"Y-you two..." Mayoi should have run away when she started to panic while walking with Aira, right? That was a sign! A premonition!
"Ah! Here!" Hajime holds her sticks with a fried chicken in front of Mayoi's face. "As an apology~"
She stares blankly at it while her mind races at 200 km/h. Sweet, perfect angel Hajime-tan is trying to feed her. Glorious, adorable Hajime-tan is blinking expectantly at her, waiting for her to take it. And it's too much pressure! So, she takes it. And it's delicious, she feels terribly guilty! She feels like the vilest creature in all existence, she left pure Hajime-tan feed her! Unforgivable, unforgivable! She is going directly to purgatory after today!
"Is it good?" Mayoi nods, gulping. Hajime lets a content sigh escape. "Hehe, I'm glad, I cooked them myself."
She gawks at the revelation, not only does she get to be fed by Hajime, but also gets to eat something made by her! "I-it's really good! H-heavenly so!"
"Thanks! You can have another~" She feeds Mayoi again, the older simply accepts it, she was going to hell already anyway. And the second year looked weirdly blissful while doing it, so it should be alright.
"Fufu, guess I don't really mind acting like a couple with Ayase-senpai~" What.
What?! What was that supposed to meaaan?!?!
Mayoi felt too out of balance, like she is going to pass out at any moment now, and if you listened closely, you could hear the sound of her brain cells frying up trying to make sense of the things Hajime was saying. She looks at Aira, begging for clues, only to find the blonde with a straining smile. A completely agonizing silence fell into the three of them.
T-too forward, Shino-senpai! Too forward! Aira facepalm mentally. I told you to proceed with caution, Mayo-san is way too timid! Even though Aira is now feeling cringing by simply existing, she kept a fake smile.
The oldest gives up on Aira and returns to brainstorming, arriving at a horrible conclusion... T-there's no way an angel like Hajime-tan is f-f-flirting with the likes of meee... Is there?! Mayoi felt like beating herself for even considering something so outrageous. She's just being nice! Yeah, just being way too nice! She kept a forced smile on the outside, still munching the fried chicken.
The weather is so nice today, I should have brewed some dandelion tea, fufu. Hajime thought absently, she kept smiling genuinely, oblivious to the fact her two companions were going through different kinds of breakdowns because of her.
The three of them were all smiling in completely awkward silence (well, if you asked Hajime, she'd say it was a pleasant silence), that's until Aira's phone started buzzing.
"Ah, it's Hiro-chan." It wasn't. It was just a random YouTube notification, but the blonde got an idea from that. She quickly texted the redhead in question.
pls call me rn ⇐
⇒ Aira.
Hiiro, for her part, literally calls her. Hajime, who was right next to Aira, giggles seeing the youngest one's eyes rolling.
nooo u dumb, a voice call ⇐
a voice call!!1 ⇐
Seconds after, her phone rings and she readily answers it.
"Hello, Aira! Need my help for something?"
"Why are you calling me, Hiro-chan? We could continue talking by text." The first year sighs, her two senpais looking curiously at her.
"Umu? Because you asked me to...?"
"Eh, you want me to go down there with y'all?" She asks with a fake mix of surprise and annoyance, Mayoi felt like something was off, she looks at Aira searchingly.
"Not really? But you are welcome to join us anytime, my friend!"
"I don't wanna, I'm lunching with Shino-senpai and Mayo-san, y'know."
"You can... Stay there then?"
"Ugh, so you need me because of--" Aira's brain wasn't fast enough to create a motive, give her a discount. "I see, I see." Fortunately, she's on the phone so it all seems natural.
"Aira?? You are confusing me. Are you alright??" Of course Hiiro wouldn't notice that Aira is using her as an excuse. The girl sighs, it'll be a pain to explain, won't it?
"I'll be there in 5." She says before hanging up. "Sorry guys, it seems Hiro-chan troubled herself with something stupid again and needs help." She fast-talks while quickly packing her things.
"Oh, should we go there as well?" Hajime asks worriedly.
"No! I mean... No haha, don't worry, I got this! You can continue your lunch." Aira then gets up. And it finally clicks to Mayoi that the girl was lying, well she must have a good reason for it, right? "You were the one who said you wanted to hang out with Mayo-san 'cause you think she's interesting, weren't you, Shino-senpai?" And with that, Aira ends her matchmaker act for the day.
Mayoi gasps quietly hearing the question, her face going red instantly. Good thing, now it matches with the blush Hajime's cheeks are also tinged with. "Ehe~ I really said something like that..." The ra*bits member giggles awkwardly.
The older's brain goes into overdrive again. Is that the reason she was being so nice to a bug like me?!
"See you two later~" Aira takes advantage of their awkwardness and takes her leave, Mayoi couldn't see it, but she gives Hajime a thumbs up. However, she did see how Hajime tried to wink discreetly... Wait a minute.
This was arranged, all these situations. Just her and Hajime in a deserted part of Yumenosaki was purposeful. Her two kouhais set it all up... Why?? She should confront them about it... No, no, they'll think I'm crazy and overthinking things. Mayoi tried to not get too paranoid but still wondered… Was Hajime’s interest in her the only reason? Maybe all she should do is stop overthinking.
"How embarrassing... Being exposed like that~" The second year forces a smile while putting a lock of hair behind her ear. It was clear she tried to use her situation to break the ice.
Mayoi hangs her head down shameful. "S-sorry... It must be disappointing, right? Now Shino-san knows I'm not i-interesting at all..."
"Hm? Not at all~ The shy Mayoi Ayase sitting with me is as interesting as the Mayoi Ayase I see making such intriguing and gorgeous performances on stage. I found myself really entranced by both!" Mayoi felt like she was going to be lacerated by the sheer intensity of Hajime's found gaze mingled with her serious tone. She is trying to kill me with gentleneeeeeess!!?! "I already like you as an idol, and now I get to hang out with you offstage... I've become completely your fan!" Like her?! A fan?!? Why does it sound so much like a confession?!
"M-m-my fan?!" The third-year shouts hectically. "A-a scumbag like me doesn't deserve an a-angel like Shino-san as a faaan...! What do I doooo?!" Hajime seemed ready to argue against Mayoi's self-deprecating lamentations but decided to let it slide seeing how the other wanted to keep talking. She struggles to express herself, would be a shame if she is interrupted, right? "I-I mean! You can li-like me as an idol, I'm really really really happy I seem to be doing things right... But! Spare my true seeeelf!!"
"Also!! who is a fan here is me I'm such a big fan of yours Shino-san you're so so cute so gorgeous so perfectttt sometimes I feel like kidnapping you to keep watching you freely since I lovelovelove seeing you performing you hypnotize me with the sweetest moves and with your harmonious voice I see records of you for hours straight I feel truly saved by your adorableness you're like an angel to meee!!!" Mayoi breathed heavily after admitting it all, well, that's expected since she spoke everything quickly in one breath.
Seeing Hajime's flushed face and wide eyes blinking at her she realizes her huge mistake. She went and bombarded the other with compliments in the weirdest manner possible. Of course, the other wouldn't want to hear these things from a lunatic like her, now she must think Mayoi is a big creep! A stalker! And she isn't wrong on these! She eyes the fence behind Hajime, it wouldn't be too troublesome climbing it, she could easily throw herself from the rooftop right now... AAH! No! That would traumatize Hajime-tan! She covers her face with her hands in pure shame.
"... I-I don't know what to say, hehe... I— Thank you so much! I'm so so flattered I'm at a loss for words, Ayase-senpai!" Hajime says sheepishly. Mayoi watches her through the space between her fingers, the girl is covering her mouth with the back of her hand in embarrassment.
"I'm so nervous, ehehehe..." She giggles awkwardly. "It feels like I just received a love confession~"
Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!? What do you mean Hajime-tan???
"My bad for laughing so much! It's just-- hahah you just-- Oh Goddess, I'm so nervous I have to let it out through laughing, you know!"
How cute...
"It's fiine! Laughing helps diminish n-nervousness!!"
"Ehehe, yeah it does… Laugh with me, Ayase-senpai?" Hajime extends her hand towards her, Mayoi obviously hesitates, she can’t go touching the other’s delicate skin like that! She’ll dirty her with her gross sweat! “I know you’re also nervous, it’ll help you.” The girl waits patiently for her to take her hand, she wins Mayoi in stubbornness.
They fake laugh while holding hands, Mayoi was secretly glad that Hajime’s hand was also sweaty. Somewhere in the moment, their forced laugh turned into a genuine one. How long has it been since she felt so at ease laughing like that with someone she barely knows? She doesn’t remember nor care right now, she just contemplates how impressive Hajime is for achieving that.
“Less nervous?” The older nods, murmuring an affirmation. Mayoi is surprised that what she said is actually true, even with Hajime caressing the hand she got on her hold, the third-year is feeling calm still. "Good! My lavender sachets also help me, unfortunately I don't have them with me right now, but I can give you some later." She nods again thinking how lavender is the same smell that radiates from the younger girl. Fufu, it'll be like I'm smelling Hajime-tan~
“Ehehe~ We should do this again, lunch together, I mean." Hajime says calmly while returning to eat the food in her lunch box.
Mayoi, on the other hand, gulps nervously at the thought of lunching with Hajime again... Being fed by her, hearing her sweet laugh, receiving praises from her, and getting to see all kinds of cute expressions she does up close again... Her poor heart won't survive this! There's no way Mayoi would be able to stand it. Sadly, it's better if— "I agree!" She declares impulsively, feeling dreadful right after. "I-I mean... If Shino-san is ok with having me... I-I agree...!" The harmonious sound of Hajime's laugh soon invades her ears and floods her brain with tenderness.
"Of course I'm ok with it, fuahaha. I'm the one who asked!" Mortified by her own obliviousness, Mayoi starts making sounds like the ones of a dying whale, and Hajime, who is already giggling, simply loses it.
At the moment, she didn't care she was literally being laughed at, not just because it hadn't a trace of malice, but because the scene in front of her was picture-perfect. Hajime's pretty features contorted into genuine amusement, her long hair being gently caressed by the breeze, her complexion being illuminated by the right amount of sunshine, the pale blue of her hair shining thanks to it, the way it contrasted perfectly with the blues of her uniform... All these details were simply breathtaking, Hajime is breathtaking. Unfortunately, the girl's captivating eyes were closed due to her laughing fit, but it didn't matter to Mayoi, the only thing on her mind right now is how much she wanted to take a photo of the exquisite composition that is Hajime Shino, have a physical recordation she could always keep close... Since she couldn't, Mayoi tried hard to commit all the details to her memory.
Yeah, the third year is accustomed to having cute girls making her mind race in all kinds of ways, but having such pure and innocent sensations like those Hajime is inflicting on her? That was a first, and sure it'll take time for her to grow used to it, if she ever gets used to it in the first place. Perhaps she'll always be affected like this by Hajime, and there's only a way of discovering that...
Mayoi Ayase can be a bit selfish and go on with their agreement to have lunch together again, right?