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As the rays of sunlight stream through the open window, a gust of wind flutters. Kita stirs at the sensation and groans as the morning rays shine on her eyes.
She stretches a bit before glancing beside her.
"... Nijika-senpai..." Kita whispers, gently stroking Nijika's left cheek, afraid of waking her too abruptly.
She deserves her beauty sleep—working so hard leading the band and practicing drums every day—it's admirable, really.
It was surprising, receiving an invitation for a sleepover from Nijika. The manager's gaze lingered on them as they conversed after work in STARRY, and PA-san's smug face as she playfully nudged the manager with her elbow.
Cute. So very cute. The way Nijika grumbles in her sleep, breathing slowly and deeply with an occasional curl of her lips upward, and tossing and turning between each passing minute.
Kita giggles with amusement. Maybe Nijika's having a nice dream? She does look pretty happy...
The way Nijika's golden bangs slightly cover her eyes, it's such a shame not to see her beautiful face. Kita gently tucks the loose strands of hair behind Nijika's ear, causing her lips to curve into a smile.
Kita makes a move to get out of bed when a warm hand grasps her wrist.
"Hm...? Senpai?"
"Mmmnff... K-Kita-chan... Don't go yet." Kita's heart melts at how needy Nijika looks; it's unbelievably adorable.
The way Nijika's lips pout as she looks up at Kita with bleary eyes, trying to wipe the sleep from them with her free hand, is all so uniquely Nijika.
"Okay okay! I got it." Kita hums and cutely nuzzles Nijika's cheek with her own. "Senpai is so clingy..." Nijika whines, as Kita becomes increasingly energetic, even while cuddling. It doesn't surprise Nijika in the slightest.
"You're like a life-sized teddy bear!" Kita responds to Nijika's protests with a giggle, saying, "Wha—?! I'm not a teddy bear!"
"Okay, maybe not a teddy bear... Hmm, what about... a large puppy?" Kita wonders aloud. Nijika grumbles, lets out a muffled retort, and relaxes into her grip.
"You're the one who's more like a puppy, Kita-chan."
Kita pretends she didn't hear that.
Nijika is warm, so bright. It's like sunshine, radiating light from within her being. Nijika's smile and laughter, along with the way she sticks her tongue out while focusing on drumming during practice. It makes her shine just as much as anyone else in the band, even when Kita takes center stage.
"It feels warm when you're here." Kita breathes out, conveying her honest thoughts.
A flutter of lashes and a bashful glance upwards, as if seeking affirmation of Kita's words.
"Y-You...!" Nijika lets out a surprised squeak.
"Wh-what is it, Senpai?" Kita giggles again, her eyes brimming with affection. Nijika darts her gaze to the side, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.
"Don't say things like that so easily! It's embarrassing..." Nijika mumbles with a small pout, crossing her arms indignantly.
"But It's true though~"
Kita chuckles as Nijika pouts more, her lips forming a small frown, which causes Nijika's cheeks to puff out in an incredibly adorable manner.
It's so easy to tease the drummer when they're alone, and it's so easy for Nijika to let down her walls and show Kita this soft and cute side.
Or the way Nijika hides behind her hands, whining and grumbling into her palms while peeking at Kita through her fingers. Her lips move ever so slightly as she speaks, but Kita can only make out the occasional syllable.
"You know you love it when I praise you, Senpai," Kita teases, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Nijika looks like she wants the earth to swallow her whole.
After a few seconds, Nijika calms down and then rolls her eyes slightly. There's a hint of a smile on her face. "M-Maybe I do," she admits, her voice softening to a whisper, as the pink blush blossoming across her cheeks grew darker.
"R-Really? You do?!" Kita questions enthusiastically, relishing the expression that appears on Nijika's increasingly red face as her mouth curves and widens into a wide grin.
The sun was already high in the sky, and it was approaching the afternoon. Still, Kita doesn't mind. It's the weekend anyway. This is fine, being here.
This warmth, this moment she gets to share, feels almost like a dream—waking up, nestled in each other's arms and together, it's almost like the dream of a lifetime.
It's a dream that Kita could get used to, even if it only lasts for a fleeting moment.
That's how precious it is.
Because she gets to see a Nijika who is not always upbeat and assertive on stage, but vulnerable, sensitive—even a little shy and unsure.
Kita wants to treasure it, wants to cherish the rarity of being able to witness Nijika's different sides like this. She wants to slowly peel off those layers that make her whole and see everything.
Kita already did, but still, it's never enough.
"Kita-chan... Come closer," Nijika softly requests.
And so, Kita scoots closer. Their hands hesitate slightly before interlacing. The sunlight illuminates the room, making everything appear brighter, as if bathed in a golden haze.
Kita's eyes meets pools of crimson, causing her heart to race and her cheeks to heat up, all under the warm glow of the light.
Those colors. Like a sunset's auburn with its fiery glow, yet the crimson tint holds a tenderness that melts Kita's heart.
Like morning dew, glistening under the morning sun's first rays of light.
It feels like the beginning of springtime, when everything is vibrant. Perhaps it's the buzzing of cicadas one fine day, the sounds of wings spreading as birds fly past her window, or the azure blue sky overhead that makes Kita squint her eyes every sunny afternoon.
Kita feels absolutely alive.
"Like this, Senpai...?" Kita manages to avoid stuttering, before clearing her throat to shake out of her reverie.
Nijika hums contentedly, sighing happily.
Kita suddenly snuggles into her neck, her breath tickling her sensitive skin.
"K-Kita-chan!" She laughs, her cheeks still tinged with a pink blush. "Uwah...! Stop that! That tickles!"
"But I thought I was supposed to stay closer?" Kita bats her eyelashes innocently. Nijika huffs and shakes her head in exasperation. "Closer, but not there."
She leans forward, resting Kita's head on her chest and wrapping her arms around her waist. A surprised, muffled noise could be heard from Kita.
"Is this better?" Nijika whispers teasingly, and the heat of her breath brushes against Kita's cheek.
"Yes..." Kita gulps nervously before nuzzling deeper into the warmth that awaited her.
(They continue in fits of faint laughter and giggles, just for themselves. In their own little bubble of happiness.)
Because even if Nijika wanted to be annoyed, it's pretty much impossible when Kita smiles that way—the way that makes the universe freeze for a moment just to appreciate those twinkling eyes, sparkling unceasingly.
It reminds her of dazzling emerald gems as the light reflects off them.
It's not like Kita is complaining either. She loves it when they can have moments like this—just them, alone—and no one to break the magic that they're currently under. It's like a spell for both of them.
Just them. Just Nijika, She and her alone.
"You smell so good... Nijika-senpai..." Kita murmurs, her voice muffled by Nijika's pajamas. She takes another deep breath, inhaling the scent. "Mmm... It's a bit like... vanilla and honey?"
Nijika laughs in delight, her chest rumbling with amusement. "That's probably my conditioner. I use the vanilla-scented one." Her fingers card through the silky scarlet strands of Kita's hair, nails lightly scratching against her scalp.
Kita shivers at the sensation, and goosebumps form on her skin. "Senpai..." she starts off warningly. Kita whines at the sensation as she squirms, trying to escape. "I'm not doing anything wrong," Nijika singsongs, feigning ignorance.
"You know exactly what you're doing..." Kita pouts, glaring feebly.
Nijika raises an eyebrow, her face morphing into a broad smile. It's the epitome of smugness, to Kita's dismay. Maybe she shouldn't have teased Nijika so much, now she's getting a taste of her own medicine.
"...!"
Kita flicks her gaze away, shyly scratching the back of her neck to stare at the duck plushie on Nijika's bed.
A distraction would be good right now, Kita thinks.
...
"...Maybe I do," Nijika whispers hotly in Kita's ear, sending another shiver down her spine.
As Nijika embraces her tightly, Kita can't help but think of her as a flame; warm and inviting, she feels like home—a place that she never wants to leave.
Closer, closer and even closer—Kita yearns to be as near as possible, continuously orbiting around and never leave the sun that's right in front of her eyes.
Kita's breath hitches in her throat at the realization—this is who Nijika is.
Amidst Nijika's blissful giggles and Kita's futile protests, Nijika starts tickling her—
—the warmth and rhythm to which Nijika's heart beats to. She never wants to let go of. Not even if she tried.
(She'll dance along to it, like she always does.)