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Ayaka had never been to a party before.
She had, however, attended many important events. Her parents are important politicians, after all. And Ayaka —Ever since she was little, wearing pretty dresses and recalling her classes of etiquette to the best of her abilities— had usually accompanied them.
Ayato too, of course. He’s always been a natural at formalities. His words courteous to the bone, his gestures nothing short of gallant. He was born to be a diplomat, easily winning over anyone and everyone with his eloquent words and his charming smile.
Ayaka had to work a little harder. She’s always been a little shy. But so, so hardworking. And it didn’t take long before her parents started receiving praises about her, too. Such a refined young lady, your daughter! They’d say. Ayaka received their words of praise with humble eyes and a sophisticated bow.
As she grew older, she started to think that maybe she, too, was born to be a diplomat. And she liked the idea. She was good at managing events, entertaining guests, winning them over with her fawn eyes and graceful words about any given topic.
I’m good at parties, she thought.
So, when she got offered to attend a party in her first year of college, Ayaka said yes . That will be easier than attending parties with boring grown-ups.
It comes as a surprise for her when she finds herself there —The taste of cheap alcohol sitting on her lips, the muffled sound of the music and the faint beat it carries, her group of friends cheerfully chatting around her, laughing loudly—, and Ayaka discovers she feels awkwardly out of place.
She’s not having a bad time. She’s just not entirely used to this kind of environment. At least, she’s thankful it’s more of a private party than a really big one, for her very first time attending one.
It all started when Yoimiya mentioned her father would be out for the weekend, You guys can come over, let’s have a party! We can play games aaall night. Oh, and I know where my dad stashes the alcohol, hehe!
Ayaka met Yoimiya at the start of the school year. She was in a new city, in a college entirely new to her, and she would be sharing her room with somebody else for the remainder of the school year —Her parents had offered to pay for her apartment, like they were doing for her brother, but Ayaka kindly refused. She wanted to live the experience like everybody else did—, she was positively anxious .
Yoimiya barged through the door when Ayaka was setting up her part of the room, walked over her with big steps and, with the widest smile Ayaka’s ever seen, greeted her, Hello roomie! My name is Yoimiya, it’s so nice to meet you!
That’s how her social life at college started. Yoimiya was a social butterfly. She found such easy joy in taking Ayaka everywhere, introducing her to new people —In return, Ayaka introduced her to the only people she knew there, her brother Ayato and his roommate and best friend, Thoma—, making fast conversation with anyone who crossed her path. It was fun, though sometimes a little tiring. And like that, their group of friends was born.
Ayaka looks around, sitting on the floor of Yoimiya’s room, the heavy taste of her father’s liquor still lingering on her lips, at the friends she’s made throughout the year.
Ayato, who’s her favorite brother —Her only brother— and her number one supporter in everything. He’s the other half of her, and he’s been a great support getting used to living in college for the better part of this last year.
Thoma, her brother’s best friend and roommate —It didn’t take too much to convince their parents to let Thoma stay at Ayato’s apartment. They instantly loved him. Ayaka wonders how much warmth can be stored in a single person—, and possibly the kindest person she knows. He’s grown to be a second brother for her over the past months.
Yoimiya, her own personal sun. She’s brought Ayaka so many new experiences, and she’s grateful of how easy she makes it to be around her. Never asking for anything in return. Always cheerful and ready to have a good time.
Aether, a boy they met in art class. He’s a gentle soul, if Ayaka has ever known one. He’s usually soft spoken, but there’s a blazing fire burning behind his golden eyes whenever he speaks of something he’s passionate about.
And his twin sister, Lumine.
Ayaka finds her eyes on the other side of the room, sharp and glowing like molten gold —Their friends are chatting cheerfully together, their voices muffled by the beat of the music, echoing in the room—, and Ayaka averts her gaze. A faint blush blooms underneath her cheeks at the motion.
She has a crush on Lumine.
It is a secret she keeps from the group —Well, Ayato knows. She thinks he knows. She’s never been able to hide anything from him, anyways. And, if he knows, Thoma probably does, too. And Yoimiya definitely senses something going on there. Aether doesn’t. He’s clueless. And Ayaka dearly, dearly hopes Lumine is, too—, and she tries her best to keep it that way.
She’s never had a crush on anyone before. She didn’t really give it much thought before she started college. When she was at school, she had tons of friends. Everyone admired her, wanted to be close to her. For her scores in tests. For her family’s name. For her gentle demeanor, her helping hands. She was always surrounded by people, but she never had feelings for any of them. She didn’t even think she was capable of feeling this much, until she met Lumine.
She met her in art class, too. It’s one of the few classes the twins and Ayaka share together. They were doing this personal project that week —A big canvas, a portrayal of Dragonspine, the mountain range in the country of Mondstadt—, and Ayaka was, against all odds, struggling with it.
She’s well versed in all the arts. Ever since she was little, she’s attended dance classes, she’s learned to sing, to play several instruments, and, of course, to paint. Still, no matter how many times she redrew the scenery, it just seemed off . It was deeply frustrating.
And she couldn't ask for help. How could she? She’s the daughter of the Kamisato name, renowned by their outstanding ability to perform graciously and with nothing short of perfection in all of their tasks. She’d quickly become the number one student at all and any of her classes at college, too. She had an image to uphold. For her, and for her family’s name. Who could she possibly turn to?
It was then —In an empty classroom, long after classes had ended for the evening, the sun lazily setting over the windows—, that Lumine found her. Alone, face covered in paint, a screwed up canvas in front of her. And she laughed. She laughed at her . And Ayaka had felt so humiliated , but the frustration she’d been carrying felt heavier in her chest, welling up behind her eyes. And she sniffled.
Please, don’t cry! I wasn’t laughing at you, I promise! Lumine had approached her with steady steps. Here, I’ll help you. These colors can be tricky, but if you do this…
Lumine had taken Ayaka’s hand in hers, guiding her paintbrush through the canvas. Drawing the silhouettes carefully. Mixing the colors together. Painting the shadows over the edges. And, after an hour or two, Ayaka could see it. She really could. There it was before her, Dragonspine in all its frozen glory. And she sniffled again.
It’s so beautiful , Ayaka had wiped her face, smudging blue paint all over her temple, the bridge of her nose. Thank you .
You’re welcome, Lumine had laughed, wiping the paint off Ayaka’s face with her thumb, easy in the motion, and Ayaka could only stare at her golden eyes when she said, My name’s Lumine. Let’s be friends.
Ever since then, Ayaka has secretly had feelings for her.
She feels a heavy hand on her shoulder.
Are you alright? Thoma asks, his kind stare all over her.
Ayaka quickly shakes her head, Yes. Let’s keep playing, don’t mind me .
For the last half hour —Sitting on the floor of Yoimiya’s room forming a circle, the moon well up in the vault of the sky beyond the windows, faint music playing in the background— they had been playing truth or dare.
Who’s turn is it? Aether asks, leaning over a little.
I believe it was Ayaka’s turn , Ayato responds with a sly smile.
Oh, I have a good one! I have one! Yoimiya cheers, moving in her seat on the ground. Her eyes practically glow when she says, I dare you to kiss the prettiest person in this room!
She what—
It’s a double test. She has to admit who she thinks is the prettiest out of her friends. And then she’s supposed to—
No chance! This isn’t a fair game, Yoimiya, Ayaka blushes profusely at the thought, her heart beating steadily. I should be allowed to pick ‘truth’, am I not?
You should, Yoimiya says, drawing a cheeky smile, But you’ve picked ‘truth’ three times in a row. That’s not fair game either. So, dare it is! Go on, kiss the prettiest person in this room, hehe.
Ayaka slips. Just for a moment. Just for a second, her eyes travel to Lumine. She’s sitting in the circle in front of her, resting her arm over her knee, sharp eyes staring back at her. She raises an eyebrow, questioning.
Ayaka feels the blood rushing to her face, and she averts her eyes in a forceful motion.
And if I refuse? Her voice comes out shakier than she intends to. She hopes her friends don’t notice. She hopes Lumine doesn’t notice.
You know the rules. You refuse a dare, you drink the shot, Aether says, shrugging. He places the shot in front of her, its transparent content shining under the dim light of the room. Ayaka can only guess what might be in it, what Yoimiya’s dad kept locked until her daughter decided to invite her friends over.
You really ought to participate more in group activities, dear sister , Ayato says with the cheekiest of smiles.
Ayaka takes the shot and drinks it down in one gulp . She can feel the burning sensation sliding down her throat, setting her stomach ablaze. She feels dizzy for a second. She places the shot down on the floor, a little too forceful. Done. Can we move on to the next player now?
I still don’t think it’s fair. It isn’t fun this way, Yoimiya whines, stretching her arms over her head.
How about we come up with a dare she cannot refuse? Aether says.
One we all choose together, Thoma adds.
And what will it be? Lumine asks, eyebrows raised.
Then, Yoimiya’s ember eyes light up like fireworks, and she says, Seven minutes in heaven! We haven’t done that before!
Ayaka opens her eyes wide, startled. I am not — !
And how will we choose her companion? Ayato interrupts her, tapping his chin with mischievous eyes.
Spin the bottle, spin the bottle! Yoimiya cheers, smile radiant as Aether leans in and places an empty bottle in the middle of the circle they’re forming, effectively spinning it in one swift movement.
Ayaka watches it move, her heart throbbing behind her ears, caged against her ribs. Her breath gets caught in her throat when she says, Wait, I am most definitely not going to — !
Lumine.
The bottle stops in Lumine.
The room falls silent. They’re all holding their breaths. Ayaka slowly raises her head, and she finds Lumine sitting there, in front of her, the same sharp eyes staring back at her. She raises an eyebrow again, questioning. Prompting her to finish the thought she was halfway on saying.
Ayaka finds it pathetically difficult to clear her throat.
I know you guys are upset about me skipping the dares, but — But you can’t drag Lumine into this against her —
I don’t mind , Lumine tilts her head, unphased, golden hair cascading down her shoulders. She doesn’t take her eyes off Ayaka when she says, It’s fine with me if it’s fine with you.
And Ayaka swallows. She does this so hard, she tries to swallow her heart whole. She wants to bury it beneath her lungs, where it doesn’t reach her ears and echoes in every bit of skin and bone in between.
… Fine . She says, cheeks flushed, tries again. I’m fine with it, too…
And so, they’re rushed to the closet at the end of the corridor, the doors effectively closed off behind them with the promise of, Seven minutes!
And Ayaka finds herself alone with Lumine.
In this small, very small space.
Full of unlabeled boxes, dusty shelves packed with books, forgotten coats a couple sizes too big for them, and definitely, definitely too much darkness.
She’s standing entirely too close to Lumine, her arm pressed against hers, and Ayaka can’t barely hear her own thoughts over the demanding beating of her heart, pounding against her ribcage loud enough she’s sure Lumine must hear it, too.
She feels Lumine turn to her, golden eyes on hers, and Ayaka’s pretty sure she has to do something , but she’s too anxious to know how , and so she closes her eyes tightly, and—
What are you doing? Lumine’s voice reaches her ears. She can almost hear the laugh sitting on her lips by the sound.
Ayaka’s puckering up her lips. But she immediately stops, feeling the blood rushing to her face, blooming beneath her skin when she says, Waiting — Waiting for a kiss?
Lumine laughs, laughs like she did the very first day they met, unbridled and free and, quite honestly, making Ayaka feel all sorts of embarrassment. Do you want me to kiss you?
Ayaka’s voice gets caught in her throat. She forces the words out, suddenly glad the closet is this dark, Lumine can’t see the way her ears have turned glowing red at her question. I… I thought that is what this game is all about?
It is, you’re right. Lumine says, placing a hand over Ayaka’s shoulder. Despite the situation, the warmth of her palm pressed against her skin does wonders to calm her heart. Ayaka turns to her, slowly, and finds Lumine’s golden eyes already sitting on hers. But I’m not going to kiss you. Unless you say that’s what you want, too.
And Ayaka lets out a shaky sigh, her heart beating just a little bit steading in her chest. She shakes her head and says, I’m sorry. It’s the first time I play games such as this one. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing.
That’s okay, Lumine draws a gentle smile, her hand traveling from Ayaka’s shoulder to the back of her arm, gentle in her demeanor. You don’t have to be nervous, we can just talk. We have —She checks her phone. It says 2.07 am—, seven minutes, after all.
I appreciate that , Ayaka says, and her smile is glowing.
They find some old boxes to sit on, and spend the next several minutes talking about everything. Lumine tells her about Mondstadt, the country she grew up in. She tells her all about her travels with her parents and brother, the places she’s seen, the faraway lands she’s visited, the friends she’s made along the way.
And, in turn, Ayaka tells her about her. About the parties her parents organize. About her secret dance sessions, her favorite birthday with her brother, and how she someday wishes she can grow to be someone who makes the world a little bit better.
Ayaka finds how simply easy it is to speak with Lumine. She always relishes this fact. In the way Lumine’s eyes sit attentively on hers, following her every move, listening in quiet content to her every word, a faint smile painted over her rosy lips upon Ayaka’s words. She makes her feel so comfortable that, for a moment, she forgot all about the party, and the closet, and the seven minutes feel entirely too little time.
It’s almost time, Lumine checks her phone. 2.13 am. We have to do something, though, so they don’t get suspicious that we didn’t really follow the dare.
And what might that be? Ayaka asks, the nervousness she felt all but forgotten beneath the dusty shelves and old coats. She trusts Lumine completely and entirely.
I might have an idea , Lumine says, finding in her back pocket a red lipstick. Ayaka then notices the faint red of her lips and thinks oh, that’s where that came from. But I’m going to need you to stay very still. Is that okay with you?
Mhm, yes. Ayaka nods. She watches Lumine pop the lipstick open, easily paint her lips and lean over her in a motion that feels entirely too fast for Ayaka’s delicate heart.
Don’t move now , Ayaka feels Lumine’s hand tilting her jaw to the side, her other hand resting on her waist, and oh , she’s pressing her lips to her neck, the wildly beating pulse beneath her skin.
Ayaka muffles a whine. She wasn’t expecting this. She was definitely — definitely, certainly, absolutely! — expecting anything but this. Lumine’s gentle lips pressed against her skin. Her breath tickling her neck. Her hands holding her in place. Her body pinned against hers in the small space of this stupid, dark closet.
She’s going to faint. She feels what must be all the blood inside her body rush to her face. To her neck, and her cheeks, and her ears, and every bit of centimeter in between that Lumine is all too close to.
And then, Lumine pulls apart. She stares at her art —The shape of her lips carefully painted over Ayaka’s flushed skin—, hands in her hips, proud in her demeanor. She raises her eyes now to Ayaka, and,
Ayaka, are you okay? Her hand comes to cup the side of her face, soothing in the motion, and Ayaka’s thoughts spiral .
She opens her mouth. She needs to say it, or else her heart might collapse for good before she has the chance. She needs to tell her what she’s buried all too deep within her heart, bursting through to finally touch the air,
Lumine, I —
The door of the closet flies open.
Seven minutes, love birds! Yoimiya cheers, an easy smile drawn over her lips.
Ayato stares at them, pressed close together. Stares at the shape of Lumine’s lips all over Ayaka’s neck, and, Oh. Are we interrupting something?
Ayaka closes her eyes tight. Feels the embarrassment sitting on her veins at the sight of her brother’s teasing smile. She untangles herself from Lumine, walks past him and says, We’re done. Let’s go back with the others.
And so, they follow. Until they’re all together in Yoimiya’s room, sitting on the floor again forming the same circle. Aether is the first to yawn.
It’s getting quite late. Should we go to bed? He says, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
How about one last game? And then we’ll go to bed, Ayato offers.
Alright, let’s see who’s the lucky final contestant of the night, Thoma says as he leans in, spinning the bottle one last time. Watching it swirl, and swirl, and swirl, until,
It stops on Ayaka.
Me again? Ayaka sighs, dreading what could possibly be lurking in her friends’ minds this time, waiting for her.
Oh, then same dare as before, Ayaka! Yoimiya says, the same ember sparkling behind her eyes when she says, I dare you to kiss the prettiest person in this room!
It might be the tiredness of the day creeping up her limbs, nestling inside her bones. But this time, Ayaka doesn’t falter when her eyes find Lumine’s —Sitting across from her in the circle, her sharp eyes softening on hers, the same eyebrow raised. Ayaka understands the silent question this time—, and she stands up, making her way to her with firm steps.
She can feel the entirety of the room falling silent before her movements. Her friends holding their breaths when Ayaka kneels down before Lumine. Somewhere within her pounding chest, Ayaka finds the courage to raise her hand, palm Lumine’s cheek with unmasked gentleness, her winter eyes focused on hers only, the rest of the world forgotten.
Ayaka leans in slowly, so slowly, her hand resting against the angle of Lumine’s jaw, and she quietly asks, May I?
Lumine’s hands travel to Ayaka’s wrists, keeping her steady, and she leans closer. So much so that Ayaka closes her eyes shut, waiting for Lumine’s kiss. But all she feels is the gentle graze of Lumine’s lips against hers. Barely a touch. More like a brush, sending shivers down her spine. And she whispers against her mouth, Go ahead.
It doesn’t even take a second. Ayaka draws her closer, pressing their lips together, and kisses her like she’s dreamed of night after night. And she finds —Lumine’s touch overwhelming all of her senses, the softness of her mouth, her taste sitting on her tongue, lifting her in bliss —, that it’s a thousand worlds better than she could’ve ever possibly imagined.
Hours later, when all of their friends are fast asleep —Ayato on Yoimiya’s bed, Thoma resting beside him entirely too close to him, Yoimiya sprawled on the floor, and Aether in the guests’ room—, Lumine sits up on the sofa she’s sharing with Ayaka for the night.
Are you awake? She asks, her voice barely a whisper in the silence of the night.
I am, Ayaka replies, voice just as mumbled. Are you alright?
Yes, of course. I was just thinking, Lumine turns to Ayaka, angling her body to stare at her sleepy blue eyes. There’s a faint shade of pink covering her cheeks, or perhaps it is the air of the night flushing her skin. I know we did all that for the game, but… If you’d like, I was thinking we could go somewhere. Just the two of us. We could go to the movies, or to get one of those crepes that serve in the new café downtown.
Ayaka finds it endearing how Lumine’s shifting her eyes from hers to the floor and then to hers again. She feels her chest pouring warmth . And she thinks, there’s not even a question there. Are you asking me out on a date, Lumine?
I am, yes. Lumine’s sharp eyes rest, golden, on Ayaka’s. You’re very special to me, Ayaka. I want you to give me the chance to show it to you.
You don’t need to convince me, Ayaka chuckles, leaning to her. She presses their foreheads together. It’s easy. There’s a familiarity there somewhere, tangling between their fingertips, and she says, I would love to go on a date with you, Lumine. And another one after. And another one.
Lumine smiles. And then, Ayaka thinks, she realizes how much she owes to college parties.