Chapter Text
It was afternoon on a Friday at Cinq Lumièresl. Tons of students left happy to get on with their weekend. Especially the younger students who delighted in the bell even if they were out later than the older students. Namely one bright blonde haired girl happily left school with a sense of joy. Today Kasugano Urara was free of any work based assignments with her job and could just unwind at the start of the weekend with her very best friends.
Especially now since the events of last week were still lingering in the minds of her and the others. The fighting, the capturing, the scared nightmare of their visions while under the masks. All of which kept Urara up these last few nights. I mean it’s not every day you see a vision of yourself creepily exit the mirror and give yourself a lecture on your friends vs your job.
But nightmares aside, she and the others did it! They won against this nightmare and came out stronger than ever. Even if she didn’t fully comprehend what it was they did to stop Grinma. It seemed to connect to Milk and their friendship somehow but what was it?
However, as the blonde thought of this she noticed a familiar sight at the front of school. Her red like orange hair is short yet shining in the afternoon glow of the sun. It was a sight Urara smiled at as she moved closer. “Rin San!” Urara called as she ran up to her happily as Rin looked oddly nervous and shocked before standing straight and smiling. “Oh uhh hey Urara.” Rin says as Urara smiles. “Are you waiting for Nozomi San and the others?” Urara questions as she looks around as Rin shakes her head and giggles nervously.
“Oh well um no. I let them go off because I wanted to walk with you..alone.” Rin says as Urara looks confused before nodding. “Oh okay. Is everything okay?” Urara questions as Rin blushed. “Oh uh yeah I just wanted to talk to you about something. Without Nozomi or Karen saying anything about it.” Rin says as Urara nods curiously. “Okay. Then let’s go.” Urara says as Rin nods awkwardly as the two start down the road to Nats House.
Urara as they walked though was rather suspicious of Rin. She didn’t know fully everything about the girl given they only became friends a few months ago but she did know one thing. As an aspiring actress and idol, she took classes on body language a lot. To show on screen the emotions she let out with her own voice and let that be as effective if not more.
And Rin well she was quite clearly nervous, uncomfortable, and rather bashful. Which were three words Urara never would describe Rin as. In her short time with her the bright red haired girl was courageous, confident and passionate. In her sports she excelled so much so her classmates talked about her as if she was an angel to any team in need of a boost in skill. And Urara had seen it in action many times. Yet she also knew Rin as the one who often brought her and Nozomi back to earth when they got a bit too rambunctious. As such seeing Rin like this was odd.
Did she switch bodies with Komachi or something? No, Urara thought as she shook her head. She’s just thinking of that new tv show script she got for playing a body swapped student in the background with only a few lines in an episode about a whole school getting caught up in it. It couldn’t happen in real life..well given she had seen a talking squirrel, tanuki, and rabbit as well as fought a bee man, spider lady, toad man and recently a mantis the size of a house..a body swap isn’t so unreasonable. So Urara looked to Rin as Rin seemed to look around them.
They were in a rather unpopulated area of the city and in a small street at that so she breathed in and looked to Urara as she was taken aback by her looking at her. “Umm Urara.” Rin says as Urara looks at her. “Yes Rin San?” She questions. “I um..I just wanted to say I’m sorry.” Rin says as Urara looks at her and stops. “Sorry? For what?” Urara says as Rin looks a bit shocked.
“Oh because of the fight we had the other day. Before we got attacked. About Nozomi and us being friends and me getting mad at you. And saying..you didn’t have any other friends.” Rin says as Urara looks to her and internally she feels sorrow in her heart.
That day was painful for everyone. It was a mood that wouldn’t let up in spite of a whole day going by. And Rin’s fight with her was the part that stunned her the most. She was worried about Nozomi and yet her best friend who she knew Nozomi loved like a sister both ignored Urara’s questions and acted like she wanted nothing to do with her. As the only one who outright defended Nozomi it felt like a blow to a girl she loved so dearly. Nozomi was basically her big sister..someone who brought her out of her self isolation and taught her friendship and work could coexist.
And she was delighted and forever grateful for that. So when Rin said she didn’t have any other friends besides Nozomi it stung her worse than any punch, kick or blast that a Kawina could throw at her. Especially coming from Rin who she looked up to for how cool, level headed and beautiful of a person she was! Her second ever friend behind Nozomi and here she was insulting the one she cared about and her own friendships. It hurt her..even now. Yet seeing the hurt look on Rin’s face saying sorry Urara frowned.
“Rin San..I..I don’t think you have to apologize. I know stuff was going on in your mind like my own. Besides we beat Nightmare so everything is good now.” Urara says as Rin frowns. “Are you sure? I just..I hurt you and Nozomi that day. I wasn’t there for her and yet you were. Showing why you deserve to be her friend far more than me and why..you're so kind. Yet I threw that in your face like it was a bad thing.” Rin says with tears beginning to build up in her eyes.
“Rin I..I can’t speak for Nozomi San but I know she loves you. Just like I do. Because you're such a warm and loving person. So just cause you're mean once doesn’t mean you have to feel bad.” Urara says reassuringly as Rin nods. “I..okay thank you Urara. But..that’s..not all I wanted to say to you.” Rin says as she looks down at the fidgets with her bag. “Why what’s wrong?” Urara questions as Rin looks at her blushing. “Ahhh why did Nozomi tell me to admit this now..” Rin says annoyed as she looks down. Urara gave her a questioning look. “Nozomi San? What did she want you to tell me?” Urara questions as Rin looks at her blushing. “Ahh shoot I said that out loud..um..alright I will tell you but promise not to be mad.” Rin says as Urara looks confused but sees the worried look on Rin’s face she nods.
“Okay tell me. I promise I won’t be mad.” Urara says as she thinks nothing Rin says could make her mad. “Well the truth is..I..I like you.” Rin says as Urara almost falls over by how unsurprising that comment was. “Huh? That’s what you wanted to say? Why would I be mad at that? I like you too, Rin San.” Urara says as Rin blushed. “Gahh this is why I told Nozomi I’d be bad at this..no Urara I lo..lo..love you okay! Like romantically!” Rin says as Urara pauses as the world seems to freeze on her.
Love was a word she heard a lot. From her fans she would see during concerts. To her father and grandfather as well as her manager when they’d tell her how much they loved hearing her sing and smile. To even..her mom. Who she’d remember in her deepest dreams saying it over and over. But hearing a friend say it was shocking and caused her heart beat to increase. “You love me?” Urara questions as Rin nods. “Yeah..I do..but you don’t have to if you don’t feel that way..I know I’m weird to have admitted it out of nowhere and all.” Rin says as she soon tries to walk away blushing madly as Urara quickly grabs her hand and stops her. “Wait please Rin San..can you explain?” She questions as Rin looks her in the eyes and sighs.
“I guess I can..I mean I only recently realized how I felt after that whole nightmare thing. I was feeling mad at myself for how I treated Nozomi and you. But my feelings for you..they felt different. The way I felt it..hurt more somehow. Or more painful especially when I remember your face and how you reacted after what I said. So I did some soul searching and I..realized my feelings for you are more than just friendly. Or even like a sister way like with me and Nozomi. I liked everything about you from how cute you are, to how funny you are, to how you make the room light up like Nozomi but even more so for how dedicated you are to your job. It’s inspiring really especially since I don’t know if being an athlete is in my future so seeing you know what you want. Especially since you work so hard and despite all you suffered you came out stronger! All these reasons and probably more I suck at bringing up are why I love you, Urara.” Rin says as tears start to fill her eyes.
“But if you..don’t like me that way that’s fine. I’m used to rejection so I don’t think this will be any different. Besides, we can still be friends! If you want that is..” Rin says before she is suddenly grabbed into a hug as Urara wraps her arms around Rin and barriers her face near her neck. “U..Urara..” Rin says, shocked and blushing from the contact as Urara looks up to her.
“Rin that was..I’m speechless. Your confession was so sweet! It was so nice! And it made me happy.” Urara says as Rin looks at her. “So do you..love me too?” Rin says hopeful as Urara smiles and looks to Rin as she holds her hands after breaking the hug. “I don’t really know but..my heart has never beat this fast from someone before. I have never been in love but if this is then I’ll let you know.” Urara says as Rin lets the tears fall from her eyes but smiles.
“Thank you Urara..” Rin says as Urara smiles. “But if you want to test us..maybe being more than friends..we could go on a date.” Urara says as Rin blushes madly. “A date?” Rin questions as Urara nods. “Yep! Papa told me that if I think I like someone I should go on a date to see if we really do like each other or if I’m just being caught up in the heat of the moment. So..maybe we can do that if you’d want?” Urara says as Rin smiles. “I’d love that..although where would you wanna go?” Rin questions as Urara hums in thought.
“Maybe that new area of the amusement park! That place seems fun and might be romantic.” Urara says as Rin nods. “Sounds nice to me although you might not be able to get on the rides with me given you're a bit shorter than me.” Rin says jokingly as she pays Urara on the head as the blonde blushes at the contact and yet pouts at what she said. “Hey! I’m not that short!” Urara says as Rin smiles.
“Don’t worry, I think it’s a part of you that’s cute.” Rin says honestly as Urara blushes. “I don’t know how I feel about you saying that but I guess fair enough. Although you mentioned Nozomi San, told you to confess. Does she know?” Urara questions as Rin nods. “Yeah I kinda told her my feelings and due to her thing with Coco, she figured it meant I liked you. So she told me to take my shot. A bit silly she said that while not confessing to Coco but hey it got us here.” Rin says as Urara smiles. “I see. Well then should we tell Nozomi and the others about it?” Urara questions as Rin frowns.
“I mean we don’t have to..I mean you said you weren’t sure about loving me like that till we go on that date right?” Rin says as Urara smiles. “Yeah but you still confessed so why not let everyone else know.” Urara says with a smile as Rin sighs. “Alright, I can’t say no to that smile.” Rin says with a blush as Urara giggled as she grabbed Rin’s hand. “Alright then let’s go!” Urara says as Rin blushes. “Ahh Urara hey!” Rin yells as the girl giggles.
Yes, today is an odd Friday indeed but one I’m sure Rin and Urara won’t soon forget. Because no matter what way their love for each other shifts, they will always care for one another. And that’s something that has been reaffirmed today especially.