Work Text:
Ai didn't know if she could ever love anything or anyone ever again.
When she thought she felt love, it turned out to be her mind playing tricks on her, or a memory of what happened to her a long, long time ago. She wanted to trust again, to not be wary of others, and to not let anyone get inside her head.
Under the cherry blossoms, Ai felt the familiar warmth called love when she laid eyes on Sarasa, the first time they met, and she greeted her with a welcoming smile.
Or maybe when Sarasa stood by her side, as they walked to classes together, becoming roommates, and when they both auditioned for Romeo and Juliet, their talents being put to the test. They honed their skills, bonding over which parts they wanted and worked for, and how they both wanted to make a name for themselves.
But now, Sarasa regarded Ai with a sparkle in her eyes, with a kind, wholesome love, and Ai couldn't help but smile in equal measure.
They were together, and there was no need or rush to do anything physical in expressing their love. Anything relating to such matters was not the be-all end-all everyone else made it out to be, and Ai knew that.
As they kept up with their schoolwork, Ai was content with simply holding hands. Sarasa was happy to oblige, letting Ai rest her head on her shoulder.
Even before they had stepped foot on the grounds of Kouka School, Ai felt like something was missing in her life, a part of her that was torn aside long ago. After so long, when she thought she was broken, the moment she and Sarasa held hands, she felt whole again.
As long as Sarasa was by her side, Ai knew she could love.