Chapter Text
“Huh, what’s that?” Nene was standing in front of a pinboard in the school hallway. There was a peculiar flyer hanging, taking away most of the space on the board.
“Kamiyama Students’ Festival, this Friday, from 10:00 p.m. to 04:00 a.m., exclusively for Kamiyama students,” Nene murmured to herself the contents of the flyer. “How absurd.”
Nene had never been the type to go to festivals or parties. In fact, she despised them. There were always far too many loud people around and she would never find some quiet spot for herself. She’d much rather spend her time with gaming in her room by herself.
However, as she passed the hallway to go back to her class, she listened in on the whispering of other students.
“You’re going to the party too, right?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t want to miss out on that!”
“Apparently, the 3rd years really outdone themselves with the organization this time.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard they managed to persuade the teachers to even get a big disco ball for the gym!”
“Will you invite your boyfriend to come along?”
“But he’s not a Kamiyama student…”
“Just sneak in! Everyone does that!”
“This is gonna be so fun! Imagine staying home that night, haha!”
“You’d really have to be an idiot if you won’t come, haha!!”
Nene’s pace increased. She quickly entered the classroom, seated herself at her usual spot and pulled out her gaming console that she always had on her. It annoyed her how everyone talked about the festival. To top it off, those who were not to come would probably be seen as some loser or whatever. Nene couldn’t understand why this festival was held in such high regard by everyone. But what she could understand even less was why it seemed to bother her so much. She usually didn’t care about other people’s opinions that much, so why?
The diva decided it was for the best to drown those thoughts by playing a game to distract herself before class started again. However, her plans were disrupted.
“Kusanagi-san, apologies for bothering you but may I ask you something?”
“Aoyagi-kun? What’s the matter?” Nene looked up from her game. It was rare for people to ask Nene for things and though Toya and her became a little closer during that one game tournament once, she wouldn’t call them friends just yet. Not that she didn’t want to be friends with him but she just thought they didn’t know each other well enough for that tag.
“I was just curious about that Students’ Festival and wondered if you knew more about it,” Toya explained as polite as ever. But why would he come to Nene for that? There are so many other people he could’ve asked, so why her?
“S- sorry, I only know as much as the flyer says. I’m really not the type to go to parties like that,” Nene responded with a nervous smile. She really didn’t feel like talking about that Students’ Festival for some reason.
“What a pity but thank you anyway. Are you not intending to go to the party then?”
“Yeah, I doubt I’d like the noise and all so I planned to stay home.”
“That’s fair, though I think it’s a nice change for once.”
“Huh?” Nene was confused. Now that she thought about it, wasn’t it strange? Toya didn’t seem like the type to attend parties, so it was kind of weird seeing him that interested in it. “How come you’re so keen on that party? You don’t seem like you’d enjoy such a noisy event.”
“Well, I suppose you’re not wrong. It’s usually not what I’d normally do in my free time,” Toya took a nearby chair to sit down as their conversation started to become longer than either of them expected. “But in the past year, I’ve done a lot of things that I normally wouldn’t do and found enjoyment in a lot of them. I suppose it’s become some sort of hobby of mine to experience new things.”
“I never thought you’d be someone to try new activities like that if I’m honest,” Nene had long put her game aside and rested her chin on her hands. She rarely found herself so interested in a conversation. “I mean, I was really surprised seeing you at that game tournament and was absolutely baffled when I witnessed your skills at Puyo Puyo.”
“Haha, I don’t blame you. If I were to tell my former self all those experiences that I’ve made, I doubt I would’ve believed myself,” Toya paused. He seemed to reminisce about all the memories he gathered over the span of a year. “I probably have to thank Azusawa, Shiraishi and especially Akito for all that.”
Toya’s expression turned soft. On the other hand, Nene’s turned in one of slight surprise. “Are you perhaps going to the party with Shinonome-kun?” Nene couldn’t help but ask.
“Oh- Ah, yes actually. I invited him, though he wasn’t very fond of the idea at first, he eventually did agree to go with me,” Nene noticed how Toya smiled whenever he would talk about Akito. It was a faint smile but still so easily to see. Toya’s eyes crinkled as he smiled and you could see a shimmer in them.
Nene couldn’t help but chuckle at that. He and Shinonome-kun really like each other, hehe.
“By the way, how has Otori-san been doing ever since the tournament?” the question caught Nene off-guard. She didn’t expect Toya to ask her about Emu, after all, it’s been ages since that tournament. So, naturally, Nene was struggling to find the right words.
“Ah- well, she’s… she’s been doing great! Uh… yeah…” the diva felt embarrassed. Thinking about Emu always made her all flustered. She thought that feeling would go away after three months of being together with Emu but it’s only been getting worse. Nene could always feel her face heating up and her heart beating faster.
“That’s great to hear! You two seem to really enjoy each others’ company from what I remember.”
“Oh… yeah, she-”
Nene was cut off by the school bell which was signalling the end of the break.
“Class is starting… It was nice talking with you, Kusanagi-san,” Toya returned to his seat.
“Ah- y- yeah…”
As soon as Toya was no longer looking, Nene immediately placed her hands up to her cheeks in an attempt to cool them down. Aahhh… that was embarrassing… she whined in her thoughts. How come I still get this fuzzy feeling just by thinking about her… I’m so pathetic… she had her eyes closed shut.
But… hm… experience new things, huh…
What if I asked her…
NO! It’s a Kamiyama students only thing! I can’t allow her to sneak in again…
But many others are doing the same…
And I’d like to spend more time with her…
Nene was snapped out of her thoughts when her teacher began speaking. Guess she’ll have to think about this problem after class.
--
It was lunch break and Nene was sitting alone on a bench in the courtyard. It was her favourite spot to eat lunch as there’s usually not many people there.
She’d occasionally eat together with Rui and Tsukasa but ever since those two got together, she avoided lunch with them. Not because she didn’t like that they were together, she was happy for them, though they did go on her nerves more often than not. She just didn’t like having to sit next to them while they were all lovey-dovey with each other. It made Nene feel like she was just in the way.
So, that was how Nene would find herself all alone. It didn’t bother her because that’s how it used to be before Wonderlands X Showtime had formed. And besides, she was eating alone most of the time anyway. However, sometimes she would feel a little lonely.
At times, Emu would sneak into the school to eat lunch with everyone together. Though Nene always said she shouldn’t do that, she secretly enjoyed Emu’s company. I guess, I would like to eat lunch with her as often as Rui and Tsukasa do… the diva closed her eyes and sighed in defeat. I really wish she was here now…
A shadow covered Nene. When she opened her eyes again, she was greeted by pink hair. Unfortunately, not the pink hair she had hoped for.
“Hey, Nene~!” Mizuki looked straight into Nene’s eyes which sent a shiver down the diva’s spine. “Whatcha doing, sis?”
“Erm… eating lunch…?” Nene was often helpless when she talked to Mizuki. The two bonded a little because both of them being close friends of Rui, yet Nene still struggled to keep up a conversation with them.
“All alone? Again?”
Ouch, Nene thought. That “again” hit her harder than it should’ve. It only made her more aware of how depressing it all must look like, Nene sitting alone on that bench.
“Mind if I join you?” Mizuki asked with a cheeky smile after Nene didn’t say anything for at least ten seconds. But regardless of whatever Nene’s answer may have been, Mizuki seated themself right next to her.
“Oh- erm, sure…” the reply came far to late as Mizuki already took a bite of their sandwich.
“Are you bothered by something, Nene?”
“H- huh?”
“Sorry, you just seem kinda out of it. Are you thinking about something?”
Nene allowed herself to consider a bit longer what to say. Should she tell them about the thing with the Students’ Festival and Emu? After a few moments, she just let it drop.
“Well, you know about the Students’ Festival, right?”
Mizuki nodded with an expectant look and another bite of their sandwich in their mouth.
“So, I was considering going there but only with my… erm… girlfriend…”
“Oh my God, that’d be so cute! You should totally do that!”
“B- but… for starters, she’s not even a student here and I don’t want her to sneak in here so often…”
“So often…? Well, but if she sneaked in before, I don’t think it matters that much,” Mizuki took a brief pause. “And besides, most are gonna sneak their partner in too so I don’t see a problem there.”
“Uhh… but I don’t even like parties that much…”
“Okay, now you’re confusing me,” Mizuki muffled through bites of their sandwich. “Lemme go through this step by step… So, you don’t like parties?”
“Mhm”
“But your considering to go to the Students’ Festival?”
“Yeah…”
“Because…?”
“Oh, well I happened to talk about this with Aoyagi-kun earlier and I guess I sort of wanna go now for a change of pace…?”
“You don’t sound so sure about that.”
“Yeah…”
There was a silence ruling the atmosphere for a moment. Nene was rethinking the entire thing as she poked around her bento box with her chopsticks. Mizuki patiently waited for Nene to continue talking but when nothing came from the other end, they kept the talk going.
“So, what’s your girlfriend got to do with all this?”
“Well, loads of people are going with their partners, right? And I will absolutely not go to that party alone! The only other reason why I’m considering it, is because maybe it could be fun to go there with my girlfriend. She’d enjoy this sort of thing and I kinda wanna hang out with her more often.” Nene explained, without looking up from her bento box. A faint blush had appeared on her cheeks a while ago.
“I think that settles it!” Mizuki clapped their hands together as they not only finished their sandwich but also came to a conclusion. Wiping come stray crumbs on their face off, they said, “You should absolutely go to the party! I’m sure you won’t regret it!!”
“You sure?” Nene finally dared to look into Mizuki’s face.
“100 percent! If it ever gets too much, you could leave anytime and just do something else, no?”
“Y- you’re right. Thanks, Akiyama-san.”
“Hehe, you’re welcome, sis~” Mizuki winked before adding another thing, “Oh! That makes me think, what if we had a double date?”
“A double date…?” Nene was visibly confused at the request.
“Mhm! I’ll be at the party with my girlfriend too, hehe~ I doubt you know her though as she’s a second year and attends the night classes but I just know it’d be super fun!” Mizuki’s eyes practically sparkled with each word they said.
“Hehe, I’ll consider it,” Nene blushed. The thought of a double date did seem cute. I think that party might not be as absurd as I first thought. Mizuki hummed happily and Nene detected a faint shade of pink on their cheeks. They’re really looking forward to go to the party with their girlfriend, huh? The diva chuckled and contently finished her lunch.
--
After school, Nene met up with Rui and Tsukasa as per usual so they could go to Phoenix Wonderland together for practice. Sometimes, Emu would wait for all of them at the school gate but on that day, she was most likely waiting at the Wonder Stage already. Nene was relieved about that because she wanted to talk with Rui and Tsukasa about Emu.
“Hey, guys, could I ask for your advice?” Nene didn’t often ask them for advice as it usually would turn into a circus show but she really hoped for some reassurance at that moment.
“Hm? What’s on your mind, Nene?” Rui asked first with his hand placed under his chin.
“You two are going to the Students’ Festival, right?”
Rui and Tsukasa shared a glance before Tsukasa answered her question, “Yeah, we are but what’s the matter?”
“Well, I wanna go there too. With Emu,” Nene paused for a second before continuing, “But I don’t know how to ask her out.”
The two boys chuckled. Though Tsukasa tried to stifle his laugh, Nene could easily tell both of them were laughing at her.
“Thank you oh so much for your advice, guys!” Nene sarcastically thanked them.
“Sorry, Nene, I just didn’t expect you to struggle with asking Emu-kun out, fufu,” Rui defended himself all the while a cat-like grin was gracing his face.
“Yeah, I thought it was natural for you two to ask each other out on dates,” Tsukasa added with genuine curiosity.
“Look, it only looks so natural because Emu’s usually the one to ask me out. I don’t do that a lot and if I do, then I just ask her to come round mine. I’ve never asked her out on a proper date and to add on that, I’m basically asking her to break our school rules. I should be doing the opposite, no?!”
Nene groaned. She was at a loss while silence fell over the trio. Rui and Tsukasa glanced at each other quickly before turning their attention back to the diva. The director spoke first.
“I think you’re overthinking this.”
“Huh?” Nene looked up to Rui.
“So long you know how to put your wish into words, it won’t matter how you ask her. Emu-kun will definitely accept your invitation so you just need to tell her your plan. That’s all,” Rui sent a reassuring smile to Nene, who then looked over to Tsukasa. He was also smiling, nodding in agreement with his boyfriend. Nene breathed in, thinking about what she was just told.
“You’re right. I just need to say it. Thanks, for reminding me of that, I guess.”
With that, the three of them ended that conversation and moved on to other topics until they eventually reached Phoenix Wonderland. They met Emu at the Wonder Stage and began practice.
--
“Emu, can I ask you something?”
Practice had ended and everyone was getting changed to head home, which meant the two girls had some time for themselves. Emu had already changed back into her school uniform that she wore before practice while Nene was still putting her shirt on. She was never one to get changed fast but that day, she was especially slow.
“Hm? But of course, Nene-chan! You can ask me anything anytime!!” Emu smiled from ear to ear. Yes, that was the smile that Nene had fallen for. It was truly infectious as the diva couldn’t help but smile too.
“So, erm, there’s this Students’ Festival at our school this Friday and um…” Nene considered her next words carefully as the blush on her cheeks deepened, “Would you like to go there with me?”
Not even a second passed before Emu beamed brighter than the sun. She flung herself right at Nene and caught her in a tight hug. Nene yelped at the sudden display of affection but soon placed her hands around Emu’s waist.
“I’d love to go to that festival with you, Nene-chan!!” Her eyes shined brighter than the stars during a clear night but the shine faded ever so slightly after a short moment, “But is that festival even open to people who don’t attend Kamiyama? I know you don’t like it when I sneak in”
“Oh- well, y- yeah it’s technically only for Kamiyama students but…” Nene shyly glanced away, “I like to spend time with you.”
“Nene-chan…”
“Like, it’s not that I don’t want you to be at our school whenever you sneak in. I’m just afraid of a teacher spotting you and kicking you out or something. What if you were to flunk out of school because the teacher might report your behaviour to your school. I couldn’t bare to see that…”
“Nene-chan!” Emu cupped Nene’s cheeks and squished them together.
“Eh…?”
“I’m happy you care so much for me! But please don’t worry that much! It makes me sad seeing you stressed out like that because of me… I’m super sneaky whenever I visit you at Kamiyama, aren’t I? I’m like a ninja! None of the teacher will ever catch me because I’m so~ super duper sneaky, hehe!” Emu grinned and squished Nene’s cheeks once more before rubbing her nose against the diva’s.
Nene giggled in response. Her grip around Emu’s waist tightened a little and she placed a soft kiss to Emu’s nose. They just gazed into each other’s eyes after that, blush deepening on both their faces.
“Sorry, for making you sad, Emu. I promise not to worry,” a giggle escaped Emu’s lips and Nene continued, “So, you’re coming with me this Friday?”
“Of course!!!” Emu exclaimed, hugging Nene tight and nuzzling her face into the crook of Nene’s neck.
Nene and Emu stayed like that for a while. It wasn’t until they heard knocking coming from the door that they broke the hug.
“Nene! Emu! Are you two done yet?” Tsukasa’s voice was heard loud and clearly from the other side of the door. It was only then that the two girls realized that they still hadn’t finished getting changed. Emu quickly packed her and Nene’s bag while the diva was putting her shoes and blazer on.
After getting out of the changing room, Nene and Emu first apologised for letting the two boys wait before they all headed home together.