Work Text:
It was a nice, peaceful and normal day at Phoenix Wonderland. Troupes were practicing, and they were quite loud. But not as loud as one troupe, called Wonderlands x Showtime. Most of the noise was coming from either the troupe leader, Tsukasa Tenma, or a troupe member, Emu Otori. You see, while Emu was still being the loud, energetic girl she was (and not very mindful of personal space), another fellow troupe member and polar opposite girl named Nene Kusanagi slowly fell in love with her. Sure, it was random, but every time Emu either hugged or praised her, Nene felt her heart beat faster, and she got this warm fuzzy feeling.
At first she didn't know what this feeling was, but when she asked the director of the troupe (and her childhood friend that was also her neighbor), Rui Kamishiro, he giggled and told her she had fallen in love. Of course she didn't believe it at first, but the more time she spent with Emu, the more her warm fuzzy feeling grew. Only convincing her even more.
Now it was the end of practice, and Tsukasa and Rui had gone home together. Normally Rui would walk with Nene, but this time it was different. Mainly because Rui was trying to be a good friend, and help Nene spend more time with Emu, and well... It worked. They spent more time together, laughing, and talking about things, but it was getting a little late, and practice ended an hour ago. But just as Nene was about to go home...
"Nene-Chan, wait!!" Emu called out.
Being curious, Nene turned around to face Emu.
"Yeah? What is it, Emu?"
"I was wondering... Do you wanna have a sleepover at my place?!" She asked excitedly, her eyes shining brighter than the sun.
Nene looked like she was thinking about it, but inside, she was just thinking about something else, and panicking.
'Did- did she just ask me to go to a sleepover... At her place...? No, no way, I was probably imagining things... No. No I wasn't. What do I do?! Just- just say sure or something! Yeah... Just do that.' Nene thought.
She opened her mouth to say sure or something like that, but no words came out. Which of course, left Emu confused.
"Nene-Chan?"
Nene froze.
'Why did I do that?! Come on... Just say it—'
"You don't have to go if you don't want to! I won't force you, Nene-Chan. See you tomorrow...!" Emu said, with a tint of sadness in her voice, since she thought Nene didn't wanna come.
Then Emu started to walk away, but then Nene gently grabbed Emu's arm, and just nodded vigorously. Emu was confused at first, but then she just giggled, and smiled excitedly at Nene.
"Oh! You do wanna have a sleepover?!"
Nene nodded once again, to confirm that she did in fact wanted to have one.
"Hehe, I thought you didn't wanna come! Okay then, Nene-Chan! Let's go to your house first and ask your parents! Then you can get your stuff."
"...Alright then." Nene finally managed to speak.
After they went to Nene's house...
Now they were both standing at Emu's doorstep, with Nene being a little shocked that Emu's house was this big. But not that shocked, mainly since Emu's family does own a whole theme park after all. Then all of a sudden, Emu grabbed Nene's hand, and opened the door.
"WELCOME TO MY HOUSE, NENE-CHAN!!!" She shouted.
"Emu, keep it down!" Emu's brother, Shousuke yelled.
"Wah! Sorry, big brother!"
Emu then went close to Nene's ear, and whispered...
"Let's go up to my room, okay Nene-Chan?"
"Okay then, lead the way."
So that's what she did. Emu & Nene went upstairs, and to Emu's room... With Emu still holding Nene's hand, resulting in Nene slightly blushing a bit.
As they walked in, Nene slightly smiled.
'Heh. Yep, still the same bubbly room.' Nene thought.
"I'll go put down my stuff first, okay Emu?"
"Okay, Nene-Chan!"
As Nene went to put down her stuff, she felt something... Staring at her. So she turned around, just to see Emu staring at her curiously.
"...Emu? Why are you staring at me like that-?"
"Eh? Oh! No reason, hehe..." Emu obviously lied.
Nene knew that she was lying, but paid no attention to it, since she probably does that to other people... Right? Anyway, Nene was now done putting her stuff down, so she went back to Emu.
"I'm done now, Emu. So... What should we do?"
"Hmm... Oh I know! How about... Truth or Dare?!" Emu said in excitement, as she went a bit too close to Nene's face. It's almost as if Emu was gonna kiss her or something.
So of course, the thought of them kissing made Nene blush a deep pink. Which made her look away in embarrassment, making Emu confused.
'T-too close...' Nene mumbled quietly. But since Emu was close to Nene's face, she heard what she said, and backed away immediately. Apologizing over and over again.
"Wahh! Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!!! Please forgive me Nene-Chaaan!" Emu said, as she bowed countless times.
'Heh... Considering the person Emu is, I almost never see her like this... Well, it's kind of cute to see this side of her.' Nene thought.
Without thinking, Nene put her hand on Emu's head, making Emu stop bowing.
"Don't worry, Emu. I'm not mad or anything, but... I forgive you." Nene smiled a genuine and reassuring smile. Which Emu was happy about.
"Thank you, Nene-Chan!! Also, your smile is reaaally cute!" Emu said nonchalantly.
Nene's eyes widen a bit, not expecting a compliment about her smile. She felt her face heating up already, and looked away out of embarrassment, saying a quiet 'Thank you...'
Then Nene realized where her hand was, and quickly snatched it away.
"S-sorry..." She muttered.
"Hehe! It's okay, Nene-Chan! There's no need to apologize." She smiled that signature cheery, yet comforting smile of hers. Every time Nene sees that smile, her heart flutters, and butterflies start to grow in her stomach.
"And plus! It was kind of relaxing~!" Emu said with no hesitation.
"Ah, al- alright. So... Truth or Dare, right?" Nene asked.
"Yep! How about you go first, Nene-Chan?"
"Eh-? Me?"
Emu nodded.
"Okay then. Emu, Truth or Dare?"
"Hm... Truth!"
"Uhm... Who do you like?"
"Huh? But I like tons of people!" Emu said densely.
"Tons of people...? Wait- no, not like- platonically! I meant... Like romantically."
"Ohhh! That's what you meant! Sorry Nene-Chan! That's a bit of a secret~"
'Secret-? Huh, interesting...' Nene thought.
"Well... Mind giving me a few hints then?"
"Okay then! Well, first off..." Emu paused.
Now Emu's cheeks were slowly getting tinted by pink, probably thinking about her crush. Nene also saw Emu smiling shyly for the first time. To be honest, Nene was a little jealous. Emu's crush has to be that amazing for Emu to smile like that.
"She has a magical singing voice that could probably send me to sleep, and... She has an E in her name!"
"I see..."
'Magical singing voice, is a girl, and has an e in her name-? Hm... It can't be Tsukasa or Rui, since they both don't have an e in their name and aren't girls... Wait. What if it's... Me? No, no way. But... Who could it be-?' Nene thought in wonder.
"Nene-Chan?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something."
"Ohh! Alright then! So, Nene-Chan, Truth or Dare?"
" Uh... Dare." Nene hesitantly said. She knew this would probably be a bad idea, but she was also curious about what Emu could possibly dare her to do.
"Okay thenn! I dare you to tell me what you were thinking about earlier!" Emu said in excitement, and curiosity.
'Se-seriously?! Out of all things, why that...?!' Nene thought in annoyance. But of course, she wasn't actually annoyed by Emu's dare. 'But that look she's giving me... Ugh... Why did she have to be so- cute...'
"Fine... I was- thinking of who you could possibly have a crush on."
Emu was slightly taken by surprise, but then chuckled.
"Hehe, why would you think about who I'm crushing onn?" Emu said playfully.
"I was... Just curious." Nene lied.
But Emu could easily see that she was lying. Even though Emu was a little dense, she could read people very well. Since Emu didn't wanna make Nene uncomfortable by confronting her that she knew that she was lying, she just let it go.
"Ohhhhh! I see! Well, let's play 2 more rounds, then we could do something else if you want, okay?"
"Alright then. Emu, Truth or Dare?"
"I pick... D-d-d-dare!" Emu said it like she was in a talk show. She also said it like she was mocking Tsukasa or something.
"Hehe, why'd you say it like that..." Nene giggled.
"To make you smile of course! I wanna see your adorable smile everyday, Nene-Chan!" Emu said in a cheerful and genuine manner.
That statement alone already made Nene's heart feel like it's gonna explode, and that warm fuzzy feeling was getting more stronger. Her hand also felt weird, like it was... Also feeling what she was feeling? Her hand also felt tingly... She didn't know how to describe it though.
'I swear to god, this girl is gonna be the reason my heart explodes...' Nene thought in embarrassment.
"Nene-Chan?! Are you okay?! Your face is all red!"
"I... I'm fi-fine!" Nene managed to spit out.
'Calm down Nene, just breathe in... and breathe out. You'll be fine...' Nene thought she was gonna be okay.
That was... Until she suddenly felt veeeeeery hot inside.
'H-huh?! Why do... W-why do I feel like this all of a sudden?!' Nene thought in shock.
"Nene-Chan?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Are you sure you're okay? Your face is reaaally red right now..."
Then Emu put the back of her hand into Nene's forehead, feeling her temperature. But it only made Nene feel like she was gonna faint.
"Wah! Your forehead is burning! Did you catch a fever?!"
"Emu..." Nene said in a gentle tone.
"Nene-Chan-?"
Then Nene fainted, right on top of Emu too. Mainly because the warm fuzzy feeling was just... Waaaay too much for her to handle.
"N-Nene-Chan?!" Emu blushed.
Nene has never fainted. Especially on top of Emu. That alone was a really rare thing to witness. As Emu was trying to figure out what to do (and how to keep calm while Nene is literally on top of her), she was slightly panicking.
'W-was I too much for her to handle?! But... Why was her face so red-?'
She then lifted Nene closer to the wall, placing her down, and felt Nene's heartbeat with her hand.
'Woah! It's beating reaaaally fast! Hm... What about her forehead?'
Then Emu lifted her hand, and put it on Nene's forehead.
'Okay. Well, at least it's slightly cooled down... Was she feeling too hot? Or... Did I make her feel hot inside-? Oh well, guess I'll never know. I could just ask her, but I don't wanna make her uncomfortable, so... Oh well, I guess I'll just get a snack for her while I wait for her to wake up. Ooh! Maybe a snack for me too!'
As Emu was about to go downstairs, she suddenly felt guilty about just leaving Nene on the wall. So with all the strength she had, she lifted Nene onto her bed, and put Nene's head down onto her pillow.
'Phew! There! Now Nene-Chan is more comfortable~ Right... Now it's time to get some snacks for both of us! She likes grapefruit jelly right? I think we have some, and if not... I'll just make it!'
So Emu went downstairs, letting the fainted Nene rest on her bed.
After a few minutes...
'Okay! I have some leftover taiyaki, and some grapefruit jelly I made myself! Hopefully Nene-Chan likes them...' Then Emu went upstairs, and up to her room.
As Emu closed the door to her room, she saw Nene curled up into a ball, her hands covering her face. So she quickly put the food down on her dresser, and ran to Nene.
"Nene-Chan?! Are you okay?!"
Then she saw Nene blushing. A lot .
"Wah! Nene-Chan, you're blushing a whooole lot! What happened?!"
But Nene didn't answer.
"Nene-Chan...?"
Then Nene sat up, and looked at Emu.
"Ah, s-sorry... I'm just a little embarrassed I fainted. Sorry, Emu..." Nene looked away in guilt.
Seeing Nene upset didn't make Emu all that happy, so Emu just tackled Nene into a hug, knocking her back onto the bed sheets.
"Ah! E-Emu?!"
"Please don't be upset, Nene-Chan... Also, like I said before, there's no need to apologize! I don't why you fainted, but whatever reason it was, I don't mind! Because what really matters... Is that you're okay." Emu said, in a comforting tone.
Nene could swear that her face was as hot as lava at this point, but she didn't care. She heard it loud and clear too, since Emu literally tackled her into a hug, it resulted in Emu to be reaaaally close to Nene's ear.
"T-Thank you, Emu..."
…
"Hey Nene-Chan?"
"Hm? Yes, Emu?"
"Can we stay like this for a bit-? You're so comfy to lay on..." Emu said in a lazy voice, almost as if she was about to fall asleep.
"Ah, s-sure." Nene stuttered.
'God... Why can't I stop stuttering-? Oh well, hopefully Emu doesn't mind...'
Then Emu ended up falling asleep. Guess Nene was that comfy, huh? Anyway, while Nene heard the quiet snores that came from Emu (the snores that made her heart squeal on how cute they were), she pulled out her phone to check the time.
'8:09... It's so early. But I'll let Emu rest like this. Besides, this is quite nice actually...'
After 7 minutes or so, Nene decided that she would go on her phone for a bit, since she didn't wanna go to sleep just yet. Mainly since she was used to staying up until 4 in the morning to play video games, and it was only 8 PM. Then Nene wanted to play some games on her phone to finish some daily quests to obtain rewards, and then maybe grind for her favourite characters. But with no volume, since it might wake up Emu.
After doing that, Nene looked down at her chest to see if Emu was still sleeping, and sure enough, she was still asleep. Then Nene decided to scroll through social media for a bit. After scrolling and scrolling, Nene came across a post from Emu that was posted 2 weeks ago. It was a post about a photo with Emu & Nene in it. The caption said...
'I went to the photo booth with my precious friend, Nene-Chan!! These photos are so wonderhoy~☆'
A smile then started to appear on Nene's face, focusing on how Emu called her precious. Then that smile faded a little. The only thing that Nene didn't quite like however, was that Emu also said 'friend.' But that's what they were, right? Friends...
'I like you more than a friend though...' Nene thought.
Then Nene went on Emu's account, and scrolled through her posts for a while. Surprisingly enough, almost every single post featured Nene in them. It surprised Nene a bit when she realized that, but she didn't mind. As time passed, Nene's smile grew a little bigger and blush started to slowly appear on her face. That smile stayed on her face for so long, that her cheeks started to ache a little. But Nene couldn't help it. Seeing that your crush's posts are almost all about you and them? Yeah, there's no way you can't smile at that.
As Nene was almost reaching the end of Emu's posts, Emu's eyes opened a little, and the first thing she saw was Nene, with the biggest smile that Emu's ever seen from her.
"*yawn* Hm? Whatcha smiling for, Nene-Chann?" Emu asked curiously.
"Eep! Oh, Emu, y-you're awake..." Nene flinched, as she quickly put her phone down beside her.
"Hehe, I had a nice nap! You're reaaally comfy..."
Emu said in a quiet tone, as she buries her face in Nene's neck.
Nene could feel Emu breathing on her neck, and she was slowly becoming redder and redder within seconds.
"Nene-Chan?"
"Hm? Y-yeah?"
"What time is it-?"
Then Nene checks her phone to look at the time.
"8:53."
"Ohh! Not that late! That nap felt like hours..."
Emu said drowsily, but that drowsy tone quickly transitioned into a cheery one.
"Oh yeah, I prepared snacks for us earlier!"
Emu cheered, as she was above Nene in a crawling position.
"I-I see... Well then, what did you prepare?" Nene asked, so that Emu could go get it, and not stare into Nene's soul like a puppy.
"I prepared some grapefruit jelly for you!" Emu said, as she went to go get it on the table.
As she came back, Nene smiled a bit, her cheeks affected by a tint of pink.
'She remembered my favourite food... Hehe, how sweet...'
"Here you go, Nene-Chan! I hope you like it!"
Emu hands Nene a jelly. As Nene takes a bite, she smiles.
"Mm... These are delicious! Thank you for making them, Emu." Nene smiled at Emu warmly.
"You're welcome, Nene-Chan!" Emu smiled back.
"What should we do now?"
"Hm... Maybe we could watch something!?"
"Sure. What shall we watch?"
"How about... The Mermaid Princess!?"
"Didn't we already watch it before though?" Nene asked.
"Well... You seemed reaaally happy when we watched last time, so we're gonna watch it again!" Emu smiled widely.
"A-Ah... I see... Okay, let's watch it again."
"Yayyy!! I'll go set it up!"
Time Skip...
Now the musical (idk if its a musical or not help) is halfway finished, while Emu and Nene eat the snacks that Emu prepared for both of them. As the musical continues playing, a small smile appears on Nene's face, as she listens to the mermaid sing her song. Emu notices this, and smiles.
She loves seeing Nene smile, totally not because it makes her heart want to jump all over the place... Totally...
Anyway, Emu's hand slowly made its way to Nene's own. As her hand intertwines with hers, Nene looks at Emu with blush on her face, and a slightly surprised expression. Emu smiles warmly at her, as blush also starts to appear on her face. Nene leaned in, attracted by Emu's smile. Emu, confused but still smiling, leans in closer as well. At this point, their noses were almost touching. But then Nene realized how closed they were, and backed away in an instant, looking at the ground, red as an apple.
'W-Were we about to kiss?! Get a hold of yourself Nene...'
As Nene tries to focus back on the musical, she couldn't help but notice Emu staring at her. So she looks at Emu, only to find Emu quickly looking away.
'Eh-? Oh well...'
Nene tries to focus again, but then Emu went a bit closer, as she put her head on Nene's shoulder. As expected, Nene's face turned from calm to surprised in an instant. But she stays focused... or that's what she thought. Then Emu did something... Quite unexpected. Emu got up from Nene's shoulder, went in front of her, and she went very close to Nene's face, smiling.
"H-Huh? E-Emu?" Nene said stuttering, while she looks at Emu flustered.
"You know, you look reaaally red right now... I wonder why?" Emu said playfully.
Nene's eyes widen instantly, as her face grows even more redder than ever before.
'T-This girl...!' Nene thought.
"Hey Nene-Chan... I have a question for you!" Emu backs away.
'Thank lord she backed away...'
"Y-Yes?"
"Do you like mee?" Emu said in a cheerful yet somewhat serious tone.
Well... That was sudden. Too sudden. In fact, that caught Nene so off-guard she froze in an instant, like someone put a spell on her to freeze her.
'W-What did she just say...?!'
Then she saw Emu, patiently waiting for an answer.
"S-Sorry, I didn't quite catch that... M-Mind saying it again...?" Nene stuttered out.
Emu went close to her again, and whispered.
"Do you like me, Nene-Chaan?"
"O-Of course I like you... W-We're friends, aren't we?" Nene lied.
Of course she didn't like Emu platonically. Not that she doesn't like her at all, it's just... Instead of platonic, she liked her in a romantic way, which is quite obvious.
"No, no! Not like that, I meant in... Do you like- like me?" Emu asked in a now much more serious tone.
Nene looked away, blushing like an idiot. Then Emu gently forced Nene to look at her.
"Nene-Chaan... Please look at me, and answer."
Nene tried to find the right words, but she couldn't. She just- can't! She was too afraid that Emu wouldn't like her the way she likes Emu. But... Why else would she ask that question? Maybe she was curious? Maybe she was wondering why Nene's been blushing so much around her lately? Or... Maybe she actually loves Nene back?
Then Nene gathered all of her courage, as her heart was pounding in her chest, and said...
"Yes... I-... I do love you, E-Emu!" Nene said, looking down.
As Emu removes her hands from Nene's face, Nene looks over at Emu, to find her surprised. But seconds after, Emu smiles, and that smile grows wider and wider, with blush on her face.
"NENE-CHAAAAAN!!!" Emu tackled Nene into a hug.
As they both fall to the ground, Nene lets out a small noise of surprise.
"Ah-! E-Emu?!" Nene says surprised.
"Hehe... I love you too, Nene-Chan...!" Emu hugs Nene slightly tighter.
After that, it seems like time has stopped for Nene.
'She... She likes me back...? W-Was I just hearing things? N-No! I wasn't! She- she actually loves me...!'
Now time has resumed. Nene hugs Emu back, with small tears of joy in her eyes. Emu notices this quickly, and backs away worriedly.
"Nene-Chan?! Why're you crying?!" Emu says worried, nervous that she hugged Nene too tight.
But that wasn't the case at all.
"It's just... I'm so- happy...!" Nene smiled at Emu, as a tear of joy rolls down her cheek.
Then Emu smiles warmly, and just giggles, as she wipes the tears away.
"Hehe! I also feel so... WONDERHOY!!!" Emu shouts out.
Nene giggles, as she expected Emu to say wonderhoy, but of course she didn't mind. She never minds. Even if Emu hugs her a bit too much, Nene wouldn't care, she loves Emu's sense of affection. Hugs, compliments, everything. Nene loved all of it.
"Hey, Nene-Chaan?"
"Hm? Yes, Emu?"
"Can I kiss youu?" Emu says nonchalantly.
As expected, Nene's face turns red, as her eyes widen. But after five seconds or so, she nods shyly.
Emu pulls Nene closer, and wraps her arms around Nene's neck, as she slowly leans closer. Then their lips meet, in a sweet and blissful kiss, as the musical ends. That moment alone was one of Nene's best memories. Their first kiss. As they both back away for air, Emu leans in for one more. So Nene leans in closer, and their lips meet again, this time longer, and a little more passionate, but still sweet nonetheless. Then they both back away for air again, as that was their final kiss... For now. (ofc they'll kiss more in the future)
Time Skip (again)...
Now they're both in Emu's bed, cuddling each-other. As it is now almost 12 AM. Don't worry, they brushed their teeth, changed into their pajamas, etc.
"So... Are you my girlfriend now, Nene-Chan?"
"Hehe... What kind of question is that? Of course I am..."
"Just wanted to make sure! I mean, we did kiss after all!"
"Mhm..."
...
"Say, Emu, did you... Like the kiss?"
"Like?! No! I loved the kiss! One of the most wonderhoyful moments for me!! What about you, Nene-Chan?!" Emu cheered, and gave Nene an energetic smile.
"*giggle* I loved the kiss too. It was also one of the most... Wonderhoyful moments for me too." Nene smiled gently at Emu.
"*yawn*..." Emu yawned.
"Hehe... Tired again? You just took a nap 4 hours ago..." Nene chuckled in adoration.
"Yeah... Goodnight, Nene-Chan..." Emu said, as she buried her face into Nene's neck, slowly falling asleep.
"Goodnight, Emu." Nene says, as she closes her eyes, drifting off to slumber.