Chapter Text
Hiyoko wasn’t the type to get nervous. She wasn’t the type to go soft. She was tough. Strong. She was a wildfire. Which was why it was especially strange that she felt her insides melt every time her best friend since she had enrolled in Hopes Peak smiled at her. Quite frankly Hiyoko couldn’t explain it. She couldn’t explain the strange desire she had to constantly be around the red haired girl that she didn’t have with her other friends. So she ignored it. She carried on with her life, clinging to Mahiru’s side whenever possible. She was happy, and besides, they were best friends. Of course Hiyoko wanted to be close to her. It was completely normal.
Wasn’t it?
“God, the way you guys act makes it seem like you’re fucking or something.” Fuyuhiko said, turning around in his chair to face the two girls. Hiyoko was sitting on Mahiru’s lap, holding tightly onto the taller girl's hand. The blonde frowned at Fuyuhiko’s words.
“Shut it, dick cheese. You’re just mad no one wants to come within 6 feet of you.” She snapped. Soft chuckles echoed throughout the classroom, causing Fuyuhiko to scowl.
“Come on, you can’t honestly tell me your “friendship” doesn’t seem the slightest bit weird to you. I mean, Chiaki and Sonia are dating and they don’t even act like this.”
Chiaki’s head perked up from her desk, drowsily rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
“Hey, don’t bring us into this!” Sonia said as she grabbed onto her girlfriend’s hand, furrowing her eyebrows. “Hiyoko and Mahiru’s relati- friendship has nothing to do with you.” She said, swiftly correcting herself. Fuyuhiko scoffed and motioned towards her.
Hiyoko rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Mahiru. As soon as she did, she noticed the crimson shade the redhead’s face had turned. She was looking towards the floor, obviously embarrassed. Hiyoko squeezed Mahiru’s hand, causing her to look up.
“You okay, Mahi?” The blonde said, concern and confusion in her voice. Mahiru nodded.
“Alright then…” Hiyoko responded, laying her head on Mahiru’s shoulder.
Was their friendship really that abnormal? I mean sure, she didn’t act like this with Mikan or Ibuki, but that’s just because they weren’t as close as her and Mahiru were. Fuyuhiko just didn’t get it. That toddler didn’t know anything, especially about her and Mahiru. Mahiru, who was always by her side even when no one else was. Mahiru, who was always able to make her feel warm inside. Mahiru, who was the most beautiful girl in the world…
-
“Ibuki, do you think me and Mahiru…you know…seem too close?” Hiyoko said.
After Friday classes, Ibuki often invited Hiyoko over to her dorm to hang out. Today was no different. Ibuki spun around to face Hiyoko. The blonde was sitting on the other girl's bed, her legs criss-crossed and her elbows resting on her knees.
“Well, you guys are kind of attached at the hip. Literally.” She said in a playful voice. “Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about what Fuyuhiko said.” Ibuki remarked as she sat down against the headboard, resting her arms behind her head.
“Of course not! I don’t give two shits what that jackass thinks. I’m just…wondering.” Ibuki raised a suspicious eyebrow at the blonde. Hiyoko made a face at her.
“Fine, fine.” Ibuki chuckled, raising her hands in defeat. “Okay, well…have you ever considered that you might like her? You know, romantically?” Hiyoko shoved her.
“Don’t make this weird! And…no, I haven't. I mean, I don’t know. I never really thought about it, I guess. I love her, obviously, but, you know, in a friend way.” Hiyoko mumbled.
Ibuki covered her mouth in an attempt to conceal her chuckling. She failed.
Hiyoko grabbed a pillow from the bed and smacked her with it, glaring daggers at her.
“Oww! Hey, hey, quit it!” Ibuki shrieked as Hiyoko hit her with the pillow. “I’ll stop!”
“You better.” The shorter girl said as she stopped her attack, crossing her arms.
“Okay, okay, well…have you ever had a crush on anyone before? Like, anyone.” Ibuki asked as she chuckled, catching her breath. The blonde furrowed her brows in thought. “I’m not sure. Like I said, I’ve never really thought about it.” She finally said. And she was telling the truth. She really hadn’t thought about it. I mean, she’d heard of crushes and relationships obviously. She was very familiar with the concept. But she never thought about it for herself.
“Okay. Describe your…I don’t know, feelings for Mahiru.” She chuckled, waving her hands in the air.” Hiyoko groaned and leaned back against the bed.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth, and that's saying something.” She said, exasperated. Ibuki gasped dramatically.
“How dare you! You’re lucky I’m still helping you after that.” Ibuki said, holding her hand over her chest and smiling goofily. Hiyoko rolled her eyes and smiled, shaking her head.
“I can’t believe I’m coming to you for advice. YOU! You dumbass…God, this is dumb. Well…she’s my best friend, and I really like hanging out with her, obviously. I like being around her, you know? I just think she’s really great. In every way. She’s really kind, first of all. But at the same time she doesn’t take bullshit from anyone and always stands up for what she believes in. It’s hard to have that kind of balance yet she does it perfectly. I sure can’t do that. And she’s really funny too without even trying. Not to mention she’s the most gorgeous girl on the planet. I mean, she has the most beautiful smile and I always just want to keep looking at her because she’s so pretty. And her laugh is so adorable. I love making her laugh. I get this kind of soft feeling whenever it happens. She's like hot cocoa and a fuzzy blanket in the wintertime. Well, actually, she’s not much of a winter person. She likes autumn a lot more. I think that fits her. I don’t like the winter that much either, except for the fact that during wintertime when it gets real freezing she comes over to my dorm to sleep over because she can’t sleep if it’s too cold, and I like that because we get to cuddle for warmth and I get to be close to her-”
Hiyoko briefly glanced at Ibuki and immediately shut her mouth. Ibuki's eyes were wide and she had the most goofy smile on her face. Hiyoko felt her face get hot.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why do you think I’m looking at you like that?” Ibuki said smugly.
“...”
“...”
“...oh.” Hiyoko said, her eyes widening.
“Oh.” Ibuki repeated, keeping that playful tone of voice.
“OH!!”