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She knew this would happen eventually. As Leo/Need was improving more and more, it fell to Shiho to help the others with any issues they were having. She had the most experience, and was therefore the most qualified to help.
So… when Shiho was the one who needed help, who would fill that role? The others had suggested asking Iori, so that’s what she did. There was a particular part of Saki’s new song she just couldn’t get quite right, she wasn’t sure why.
Iori agreed to help, so today they planned to meet at 7 pm, the end of STANDOUT’s practice session. Iori said she’d leave the door unlocked so she could come in.
Now, it wasn’t quite 7 yet, only quarter to, but she had left early and… well she could probably go in and watch them practice for a bit. She hoped the didn’t mind.
This… didn’t look like practice. When she opened the door, no one was playing, they weren’t holding instruments or anything. The girls in STANDOUT were close to one another… really close, so close that their lips were touching. A lot.
“Wh-what…”
The band stopped, looking at Shiho a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, you’re uhh… early.”
“Yes I’m… sorry. What were you all…”
Iori laughed, “What do you think we were doing? A team building exercise obviously.”
“Oh I see… ok that makes sense.”
Iori made a weird face, suppressing a chuckle perhaps. “Whatever, come on in! Let’s see if I can’t help you with the part you’re struggling with. Also uhh… sorry you had to see that.”
Shiho wasn’t sure why Iori was apologizing… seeing a team building exercise isn’t a problem, right? Even if it’s an unorthodox one.
That night, Shiho dreamt of team building with Leo/Need.
The next time they had group practice wasn’t for a couple days, so Shiho spent her time working through her problem section alone. Iori’s help had been invaluable, she was getting better and fast.
Though, she might have improved even faster if she wasn’t distracted. Iori’s advice was always good… it would feel irresponsible to ignore any of it, right? Irresponsible to not try out this strange team building exercise.
Plus, Shiho was still a bit worried about their bond. Sure they’d patched things up, sure there were absolutely no signs whatsoever of issues that might lead to them separating, but if a simple team building exercise could solidify their bond… she should try it, right?
She didn’t just want to kiss them, it was for the strength of the band.
“Hey guys, I uhh…” Shiho was doing her best to find the words but… how would she go about proposing this?
“Ah, you said Iori-san’s advice was helpful, can you show us the part you’ve been practicing?” Honami smiled with a warmth that made Shiho want to team build with her. What. No, she wanted to team build with them all. For band reasons.
“Uh… sure.” She showed off everything she’d been practicing, her issues with the section were gone.
“Shiho-chan! That’s amazing, you did it!” Saki hugged her tight. Their faces were close… was this team building? If it was, it wasn’t enough.
“Uh… yeah. It’s um, I got it down.“
“Shiho-chan?” Ichika looked concerned, “Are you alright, you seem a bit off today.”
Saki and Honami nodded, parroting her concerned expression.
“Well… I learned about… a team building exercise… from Iori.”
“Oh? Did you want to try it?” Honami asked.
“Yeah but, it’s a bit… odd.”
“Well if it’s from Iori, it’s probably worthwhile.” Ichika added.
“Yeah yeah! Let’s try!!!”
“Ok… so basically to do it, we…” wait this sounded really stupid, but it was too late, “we uhh… kiss each other.”
A three girls stared at her, blinking a few times, unsure what to say.
“We don’t have to, it’s fine.” She could feel her cheeks burning.
“No no. Shiho-chan, don’t get cold feet.” Saki practically shouted out, “If Iori said it helps with team building, we’re obligated to try it out, yeah?”
“Um… it’s certainly odd, but if Iori-san said so…” Honami looked redder than Shiho.
Ichika muttered an ‘alright’ under her breath.
They were all ok with it, that was step one down. Step two felt harder.
“I’m not sure how we start… Iori didn’t really explain it.”
“Why don’t we start like this!” Saki rushed over to Honami, wrapped her arms around the girl’s neck, and pulled her down into a kiss.
Yes this… was probably how it should be done. As their bodies got closer, so would they. That must be it.
Ichika was frozen in place, staring at the two girls. It was going to be up to Shiho to get her on track.
She walked over, placing a hand on Ichika’s cheek. “Are… you ready?”
Ichika nodded, though she looked as though one wrong touch would make her explode into a million pieces. Shiho would have to touch carefully. Wait, that sounded further than team building, she put it out of her mind and took the plunge forward.
Ichika had always been a gentle girl, but never before had Shiho felt that directly. Now, her soft lips were right against Shiho’s. She also remembered she’d never kissed anyone before, was she doing it wrong. She’d have to keep trying. Again and again, feeling Ichika’s reserved tender kisses…
“Oi, you’re hogging her.” Saki was right next to them now. Behind her, Honami was sitting in a chair with a misty look in her eye. Looking back at Ichika… her expression wasn’t too far off of Honami’s. “My turn with Icchan now!”
Saki grabbed Ichika by the wrist, and pulled her into another kiss. She was much more aggressive than Shiho was.
Did that mean it was her turn… with Honami? Looking over, it seemed she was thinking the same thing. Walking towards her, she wasn’t sure the best way to kiss a girl sitting in a chair.
Then her instincts kicked in (her band instincts), and she took a seat in Honami’s lap.
“S-Shiho-chan? What are you doing?“
“This is… part of the exercise.” She lied. Honami was so close, her body felt so warm.
It was time for more team building. Honami’s lips… well they didn’t really taste like this, but it felt as though it had a taste of apple cinnamon. It was just the feeling, the feeling of a warm baked good. Honami was way better than baked goods though, Shiho hoped she… was a good kisser. For band reasons. The small sounds escaping from Honami’s mouth made her feel like… maybe she was doing it right. She didn’t really want to think too hard about the sounds coming from herself.
“Getting a bit spicier, huh Shiho-chan?” It was Saki again, pulling a dazed Ichika in tow. “I think it’s time for me to get some love, isn’t that right Shiho-chan?”
“Uh… sure. But… love? Don’t you mean…”
“Yeah uh I meant team building, now come here.” The way Saki held out her arms, with that coy expression… this didn’t feel like team building anymore. She wasn’t sure it ever did.
Her walk towards Saki was apparently too slow, as the blonde girl got impatient, tackling Shiho to the ground. She wasn’t kissing one of her friends this time… she was being kissed. She’d seen Saki was aggressive, but it was impossible to predict how it would feel. One of her best friends was laying on top of her, kissing her, biting her lip, making her feel… weird.
After a few minutes, she couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed Saki away, desperately trying to hide her face. “Awww, is Shiho-chan all embarrassed?”
“N-no just… we should start band practice.”
“I thought this was band practice?” Ichika asked.
“Yeah but… like we should… play songs and stuff too.”
“Alright, let’s go then!” Saki leapt up and took her position. The rest of the band followed suit.
“Um… before we start,” Honami spoke up, “will we… do that again.”
“Yes, I think we should.” Shiho really wasn’t sure about this as a team building exercise… but she wanted more. It was strange.
“Oh my god, Shiho-chan just say you want us to make out more, it’s fine to just be honest.”
“… I want us to make out more.”
They all knew what had really just happened, they’d just spent the past twenty minutes making out with each other. Shiho would need to… check with Iori about this ‘exercise’.
“Great! I look forward to it. Now let’s play!”