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Reality was always different from what she'd expected.
She met her at the school gates, half past four, on a rainy day. It was over an hour since school ended and their predicament irritated her. She'd hate to get her long hair wet, the puddles forming on the ground pooling over her feet would only cause discomfort. The taller of the two side stepped farther under the balcony as the rain started to spread. Though she'd never dare show it to anyone, Momo was annoyed, tired, and stressed out. It had been a long day and she wanted nothing more than to go home. It was one thing to hand out papers to multiple teachers, but it was something else entirely to run across the entire school just to pass on a message as if cell phones didn't exist.
"Wow, it's really coming down." The other girl who was stuck at school with her, chuckled. Momo didn't know why the situation was laughable, though that was probably her foul mood affecting her actions.
Momo quirked her eyebrows and glanced at her momentarily, pulling a facial expression before hiding it with a smile. "How do you find this funny?" She asked, her hand outstretched towards the rain, her fingertips feeling constant raindrops instantly. Her tone light as always despite the words themselves sounding rude.
"Not exactly funny," she replied. "I just didn't expect you, of all people, to forget an umbrella."
'Of all people.'
There was a crease in between her eyebrows as Momo made a point to step farther away from the other. Something about that phrase irked her more than she'd like to admit. "What are you insinuating with that?" The tone in her voice was evident and even Momo didn't bother masking it at that point. It's been a long day and things were a lot harder to deal with.
"Nothing bad!" She turned towards Momo and put her hands up in innocence. Her dark purple, almost violet, colored hair slick against her face as it slightly got wet by the rain. "I just didn't expect the vice president of the student council to forget an umbrella." Her onyx eyes were kind, making the latter drop the slight attitude peaking out.
"You forgot an umbrella too," Momo pointed out teasingly. She continued staring forward at the school gates, watching as a few cars would pass by, as the tires caused many puddles to splash.
There was no response for a while and Momo thought her company either left or gave up on any conversation between the two of them.
"Never thought I'd see a new side to you. You totally just teased me earlier for a second there." The shorter of the two of them stepped forward towards Momo's line of sight, though a significant distance was in between them. "It's nice, I guess."
She was smiling as she said that. Momo wondered why. It was safe to assume she was well aware of Momo's 'reputation' throughout the school, so how she was acting definitely contrasted that. There was nothing prim and proper with being left out in that rain, and she supposed she wasn't being as nice and friendly as usual.
"If you don't mind me asking," Momo paused. "What's your name?"
She outstretched her hand towards Momo. "I'm Kyouka Jirou. Nice to meet you."
Not a famous or well known last name compared to a majority of the students. Yuuei University had roughly most of the students come from well known families, with others receiving a scholarship. She seemed to be another one of the scholarship students if Momo were to guess.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Momo Yaoyorozu." She accepted the handshake, suddenly realizing how wide their height difference actually is.
"No need to introduce yourself, but I'll take that as your common courtesy type of thing."
"Did you receive a scholarship here at Yuuei?"
Jirou nodded. "Went to a music school and was offered one during a big competition my school won."
"Impressive," Momo praised with almost an authoritative-like smile. "You must be quite talented to receive a scholarship here. I'm always amazed by students who receive one, considering everything."
She halfly smiled, her look seeming almost cat-like. "Thanks, I always knew about this school, but never really thought I was good enough to receive a scholarship." She rolled her shoulders back casually as she kicked at the ground.
"That's what a lot of the scholarship students say," Momo lightly chuckled. "It's important to have confidence in your own skills."
"Somewhat similar to what the other scholarship student in music said," Jirou noted offhandedly. "Does the school have to be the best at everything or do they accept some losses?"
"They definitely prefer to be the best," Momo awkwardly chuckled. She could practically hear her parents talking to the principal all over again. Nothing less than going on and on about all the trophies that Momo could bring in. (Which she of course did). "They quite literally have people hired just to go to competitions so they can pick out the best."
Jirou rolled her eyes. "Wow, it's almost like I won the lottery." Momo couldn't stop herself from laughing at her sarcastic comment. As the laugh fizzled out Momo came to the realization that the shorter girl was a great company on a rainy day. She could already barely remember her sour mood from before.
Ever since their interaction they saw each other at least once a week with each time being unintentional. Maybe it was the fact before they'd never really taken note of it, but ever since their one conversation they became more acutely aware. Whether they passed by each other in the halls or Momo had to stop by another teacher's class to give them some papers. It was always something. They wouldn't wave, nor would they talk, but Momo would like to believe that eyes alone could tell a completely different story.
-
Even the most minor of moments can contribute something to the wider future coming ahead.
The second time she talked to her, Momo had to deliver a paper to Jirou. She didn't always deliver papers to students, rather it was a circumstance and teachers already trusted her.
"Kyouka Jirou," Momo spoke as pensive and serious as ever. Her head already naturally tilted down towards Jirou's general height.
The girl next to Jirou reacted first. Her eccentric pink hair stands out like a sore thumb compared to Jirou's dark hair. She was constantly pointing at Momo as if she was an underground celebrity she was shocked to see. After that failure of a subtle display, Jirou turned towards her, her head slightly tilted.
"You've left one of your permission slips in Yamada-sensei's class." Momo held out the paper towards her. "I was stopping by his class and he asked me to give this to you."
"Thanks, vice prez," she said as she put the paper in her pocket, without even bothering to put it in her bag. "Good luck with your other deliveries- or uh something."
Momo simply nodded walking away but not before hearing a different voice, that wasn't even trying to be quiet.
"Since when were you casual with Yaoyorozu! Do you know who her parents are?! They're rich enough to hire a hitman to kill-..."
-
Connections whether deep or small, could always grow depending on the circumstance.
"Did you forget your umbrella again or is staring at rain puddles your hobby?" Momo asked as she passed by Jirou. When she noticed it was raining, she definitely didn't expect to see her again. She was already standing in the exact same spot as before. Rather than walking towards the other building she suddenly stopped, her words processing in her head. "I apologize, that came out rather rudely."
"Nah," Jirou chuckled, looking up at Momo with a smile. "I don't think you're being rude. But, yeah, I forgot my umbrella again."
Momo frowned. She shifted her feet, checking her phone for the time. She still had a couple of minutes before her driver would be able to pick her up. "Where do you need to go?"
Jirou wildly blinked, looking at Momo in confusion. "What?"
"Are you staying in the dorms?" She rephrased, opening up her umbrella. "I can walk you there."
"Oh, uh," Jirou stumbled, visibly flustered. "Yeah. I stay in the dorms near the track area."
"Rather unlucky," Momo noted. "That's like across the whole campus."
"Yeah!" her voice cracked. "So you don't have to like walk me there, I'll just wait for the-"
"Nonsense," Momo shook her head. She opened her umbrella effortlessly, purposely shifting it so there was enough room for Jirou to squeeze in.
Jirou dumbly stared at the umbrella. A significant pause prolonging their time, almost as if Jirou was working a hard math equation in her head.
"Or you can just wait-" Momo started before being interrupted by Jirou stiffly standing right next to her.
"Alright!" Jirou uncharacteristically squeaked. "But if the rain calms down a bit I'll just run the rest of the way."
"You'll get sick," Momo plainly pointed out as she looked at Jirou from the corner of her eye.
"I'd like that at this point."
Momo turned towards her, squinting. "What?"
"Nevermind, just start walking." Jirou embarrassingly ushered Momo forward, without even touching her as if she was doing that on purpose. As soon as they stepped out from underneath the covered area, the rain beat down them both instantly. Momo glanced at Jirou, noticing the rain that hit the umbrella would drip onto Jirou's shoulder.
"Get closer to me." Momo said, as if it was a command.
"Huh?" Jirou voiced, but couldn't even form a proper sentence as Momo stepped closer to her. She could now feel Jirou's side against her own.
They continued walking, Momo subconsciously tilting the umbrella slightly so it covered Jirou more. The latter seemed to notice though, as she lightly bumped Momo's arm as if she was telling her to keep it straight. As they got farther and farther away from the main building, neither of them has spoken a single word. The awkward silence plagued them and Momo was wondering how exactly she was supposed to start a conversation. She wasn't exactly used to speaking to her fellow schoolmates for this long, especially if there wasn't something prompting a conversation in the first place. The most she could go off of was random parties or events her parents dragged her to, where she was forced to communicate with other kids of similar riches.
"Why don't you have a bigger umbrella?" Jirou suddenly asked. "You're rich." Her tone deadpan.
"I didn't see the need for it."
"That never stopped anybody with money before," Jirou shrugged. "You could bring one of those beach umbrellas or something."
"Do you have any idea how ridiculous that'd look hanging from my bag?"
"It's fine, you arrive at school in a limousine, that's a lot more eye-catching than an umbrella, trust me."
"Jirou, more than half the student body arrives in one."
The latter sighed, as if she was exasperated. "Forget a scholarship, I'll never fit in with you people arriving in a limousine of all things. It's school, not a ball for Christ's sake!"
Momo paused in thought. "I feel like it's impossible to fit in here."
"How so?"
"There are so many students to the point it's laughable," Momo simply stated. "It's best to just stick to your own group of people."
"I guess so," she shrugged. Her voice was muffled over the sound of her boots hitting a mini puddle.
"So Jirou," Momo prompted. "Do you have a private room or do you share with someone?"
"As if I have enough for that," Jirou scoffed. "I room with a dance student." She continued, before softly laughing. "She has pink hair and is way too loud, you've definitely heard her at one point."
Momo paused in thought, as she made sure to guide both her and Jirou away from a huge puddle. "Mina Ashido?" she asked as Jirou nodded in response.
"Ah! I've seen her dance before at one of the showcases. She is quite talented."
"Mmhm," she hummed. "Oh, fun fact. When you gave that permission slip to me like a week ago she thought I was bullying you."
"What?!" Momo squeaked, almost halting completely as she caught Jirou off guard. "Why?"
Jirou's widened eyes slowly relaxed as she recalled the story. "Well," she paused. "Apparently you talking to me was the equivalent of a cockroach trying to become a lion. So her best assumption was that I was either, A, possessed by someone with confidence, or B, bullying you. And since we don't live in a mythical world her best bet was that I was jealous of you and decided to deal with it by treating you like shit subtly and secretly."
Momo's perplexed face seemed to speak levels as the two just continued walking.
"What?" She finally spoke, her voice slightly cracking. "Um... I- I'm not entirely sure how to reply, but I'd like to assume you wouldn't ever do that to me?" She phrased it as if it was a question.
"You'd assume correctly. I wouldn't bully you, let alone anyone in general."
"I'm glad," Momo said, as her tone naturally shifted to more authoritative-like. "Had you said something different I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do."
Jirou's hands bunched up in her jacket's pockets, her feet kicking at the puddles. "As long as you don't get me expelled from here."
"The student council has no such power, the most we can do is inform the principal and give input."
A beat of silence followed the two as Jirou seemed to be thinking of something. She turned towards Momo slightly, her tone undistinguishable. "Why did you decide to run for student council?"
The grip on her umbrella tightened as she spoke. "It's only natural for the daughter of the Yaoyorozu family I suppose," she awkwardly continued. "Even if I meant to become the student council president and not the vice."
A slight frown pulled at Jirou's face, which quickly disappeared. "Hey, you want to know something?" She seemed almost determined yet also nervous as a light blush coated her cheeks. She looked almost one second away from running. "Do you remember when you first ran for student council?"
Momo nodded.
"Out of all the candidates," Jirou paused. "Yes, including Iida, you seemed the most prepared. It was as if you just had it all together, and that was something different from what I usually saw with people."
Momo embarrassingly looked away. "I don't know about that. It wasn't all prepared nor perfect. I did mess up my speech after all."
"Maybe not everything is perfect, but you handle yourself well." Jirou murmured just loud enough for Momo to hear. As the taller of the two caught her gaze, she noticed the other shy away.
It was natural after that, or at least as natural as two acquaintances getting to know each other could be. Sometimes they'd laugh as one of them would almost slip, or occasionally they'd cut each other off after one of them remembered something. Momo also managed to learn more information about the certain scholarship student that intrigued her.
1. She has a concerning amount of instruments at her disposal to the point she can't name the exact number of instruments she could play.
2. Her music taste is the exact opposite to what Momo listens to but she wouldn't say what genre it was.
3. She's had multiple singing lessons but hasn't actually sang in front of a huge group of people.
4. She prefers coffee over "any and every kind of tea that has ever graced this godforsaken planet."
5. Despite her rather standoffish personality she can also be dramatic.
6. Whenever she gets passionate on a certain topic her eyes widen, she smiles a lot more often, and she speaks faster than normal.
At some point, though Momo wasn't sure when, the rain started to calm down to the point it was only a manageable light drizzle, yet they continued talking. Momo wondered if Jirou ever noticed, yet nonetheless she was glad that even though the rain stopped, she still kept on walking with her to her dorms. Even if the 'goodbye' was rather awkward.
-
As connections rise, emotions naturally shift and change, even if it's something you can barely notice at first.
They were friends, or at least acquaintances that had their good days. They wouldn't approach each other randomly or sit together during lunch. Nor would they call and text each other to keep up (nevermind the fact Momo doesn't have her number). Though the most that did change was the fact they'd start to greet each other whenever they crossed paths. Even if Momo noticed Jirou occasionally didn't, since her friends would be irritating her at that moment.
The next rainy day arrived almost a month later than the last. Momo stepped onto the area they met two times before and noticed she wasn't there. She only stopped in her steps for a second, but quickly after, opened her umbrella and walked towards the gate.
Only did she notice her miscalculation once she arrived under a tree that was weighed down heavily by the rain. She hasn't called her personal driver like she did the second time around at the waiting area. She also specifically hasn't because she subconsciously expected Jirou to be there.
Timidly, she walked back to the covered area just to get her phone out and make a call so she could wait for the driver. It was a lot more longer than she remembered it being as she waited in silence.
-
Actions that don't always make the most sense can haphazardly put itself together in ways.
The next time around, Momo made sure to call her personal driver as she walked down the stairs from the student council room. Then unintentionally, it was almost natural for her to smile when she saw a dark purple haired girl, facing the gate, as she sat down with crossed legs.
Jirou seemed to notice her before she could speak. "Something tells me this has happened more than it should."
Momo stepped forward so she was right by her side. "Technically, this has only happened twice."
"Did you bring your umbrella?" Jirou asked with that same familiar half smile. The question made Momo suddenly remember her umbrella was hidden in her bag. "Or are we both stuck here again? Although, maybe I should stop relying on the weather app and just bring an umbrella all the time."
Before she could speak there was a loud enough honk under the pouring rain, interrupting her thoughts.
"Jesus Christ," Jirou uttered as she saw the limousine waiting at the front gate.
In that moment Momo had two simultaneous thoughts. One being that Jirou would've walked had she had her umbrella. The second being that she hated making people working for her family wait.
"Use my umbrella." Momo quickly pulled out her umbrella and dropped it into Jirou's lap. "You can just give it back tomorrow."
"What- wait..!"
Just before Momo could run off towards the car, Jirou's voice stopped her. "Yaoyorozu, it's pouring. It's okay just take back your umbrella." She held out the umbrella towards her, visibly frazzled.
Another honk followed. Momo, with the pressure gaining on her, couldn't think straight, and pulled out one of her file folders. "It's okay! I'll just use this to cover my head. Goodbye Jirou."
As she ran off towards the front gate she could briefly hear Jirou's voice.
"I could've just..."
Then as if on cue she had three thoughts in a row.
1. She could've just asked her personal driver to give Jirou a ride around the school, near the track area.
2. Jirou could've walked her with the umbrella to Momo's car, then take the umbrella for herself to return tomorrow.
3. Her driver could've used the extra umbrella he brought now, (after Momo told him to bring one after the first and second time) to walk Momo towards the car.
Nowadays, she wasn't entirely sure what was up with her.
-
Things she has done in the past, unknowingly affected her present, and that always left a thankful feeling in the future.
Momo was organizing some club papers, her hair out of its signature ponytail. She was hunched over her work as she made sure to reread the papers multiple times before putting it back into its folder compartment. Across from her at another table pressed against her own worked the student council president. His navy blue hair was perfectly kept as always.
"You should head home soon," Iida spoke, breaking her state of concentration. "You mentioned you had a test early tomorrow."
Momo looked hesitant as she paused her reading. "Are you sure? There's still a lot of papers left." She held up the stack of papers that still needed to be organized.
"Kendo and Monoma can handle it I'm sure," he reassured her. "Besides, you need to focus on your academics as well."
"I see," Momo kindly smiled. "Thank you for your work today Iida. I will see you tomorrow."
As Momo was packing up for the day there was a hesitant knock at the door. Iida, the one who was closest to the door, opened it slightly. She could hear his hushed whispers but could barely decipher what was being said. The voice behind the door was even more incomprehensible.
Iida turned back towards her, the two making eye contact briefly as she was organizing her book bag. He looked almost confused but masked it with his usual expression. "Yaoyorozu, there is somebody waiting for you."
Her eyebrows lifted in curiosity as she hurriedly closed her bag, putting it over her shoulder. As she opened the door, looking down, she was reminded of their 'deal' from yesterday.
"Hey, uh, just thought I'd give you back your umbrella." Jirou awkwardly held out the object as if it was a box of baked goods. "Thanks again for lending me it."
Momo lightly chuckled. "To be honest I almost forgot about that. Thank you for returning it."
"Of course," she murmured. "Besides I'm pretty sure this umbrella costs way more than I think, and I really don't want that on my conscience."
Momo simply smiled, stepping to the side of Jirou as she exited the student council room. She waved at her, as she faced the stairs. "Thanks again. Till next time Jirou."
"Oh. Oh- we're going the same way." Jirou embarrassingly said as she noticed them both take a step towards the staircase. "I should've realized that."
The two awkwardly made eye contact before looking away with unfeigned contentment. The student council room was rather far from the main entrance since there were multiple flights of stairs to go down as well as a few hallways. Momo honestly wasn't sure how she was supposed to fill the silence for the whole duration.
"You didn't catch a cold yesterday, right?" Jirou asked, her fingers tinkering with the zipper of her sling bag.
"What?" Momo asked. "Oh yeah, I didn't, don't worry."
"The next time something like that happens, and you still insist on lending me your umbrella, I could just walk you to your car, you know?"
"I know. In that moment I wasn't really thinking straight, though I'm not sure why." Momo voiced. "Nonetheless rather than walking me to my car, I can just have my driver drop you off near your dorms."
"I don't think I'm rich enough to enter your limousine Yaoyorozu."
"You don't have to be rich to enter it, silly."
"Then my family name does not have a high enough status."
"Another invalid argument." Momo tutted with a soft smile. "Are you uncomfortable with the riches of this school?"
"Not really uncomfortable, I just really don't feel like I belong at this school, really," she said honestly. "I like it here, I really do. But it's kind of hard to walk around the school and feel like I actually do deserve to be here."
Momo looked at her doubtfully. "Of course you deserve to be a student here. You received a scholarship here, that's proof enough."
"Well, yeah, but it just feels weird when I'm around people who are way too rich for their own good." Jirou rolled her eyes, before perking up. "Uh, no offense."
"None taken," Momo easily replied as she subconsciously sunk into the conversation. "Although I don't personally understand it, I can see why you feel weird considering all that. It's like they're in a different world than you are."
"Yes, exactly." Jirou said. "I just want to be another student and not really think about how rich everything is."
"I imagine that's hard considering how extravagant this school actually looks." Momo lifted her hand towards the gymnastics awards display case they just passed.
Jirou nodded. "How many awards have you won for this school so far?"
"Three individual awards, four group awards." Momo replied easily.
"Geez," she mumbled underneath her breath. "Don't you ever get tired of all the extracurricular activities?"
"Not really, I just see it as something that comes naturally to me. It's just another expectation of mine and I am happy to reach it."
Jirou looked at Momo pensively. "If you say so," she said. "Just remember to take it easy sometime. You already do a lot for the school."
"Thank you, I'll make sure to take that in mind." Her tone was as light as ever. "Last year I feel like I did a lot more, compared to this year though. I remember being so obsessed with proving my place here."
"How come?"
"A stereotype," Momo started. "It's a common stereotype amongst others that the people here, who were paid their way in, are all talentless snobs."
"I feel like even if you took it easy last year, and didn't feel the need to participate in many things, you'd still prove that you're not one of those people." Jirou spoke honestly as she failed to meet Momo's gaze. Her steps naturally slowed and Momo couldn't help but match her pace. "Plus, it's probably better to prove shit for yourself and not for other people, because like, screw what they think, right?"
A genuine and pleased expression easily formed as Momo's eyes softened towards Jirou. "You're a good person Jirou. I truly do like the way you word things."
"Uh," Jirou awkwardly uttered, her face growing in a pink hue. "Thanks."
A comfortable silence followed as the two continued down the practically empty hallway. They came across another award display case, this one bigger than the last. Momo's eyes immediately noticed a familiar name.
"Oh look," Momo pointed out. "There's your award."
A mini gold instrument was next to a couple others, as the five mini trophies were surrounded by a various amount of plaques and medals. "I forgot that thing existed," Jirou admitted. "I think that was the first award I won whilst enrolled here."
"Well you asked me, so may I ask you how many awards you've won?"
"That one and a medal with two group performances as a section," she said. "Sorry my prowess is not as impressive as yours, vice prez." Jirou said in a joking manner.
"Still impressive nonetheless, besides it shows that you're definitely making a mark on this school."
"That's a nice way to put it," Jirou muttered, before shrugging her shoulders. "You know, now that I think about it, maybe my issue isn't really finding myself in this huge school, but finding something that's new and exhilarating." She voiced partly lost in thought. "Sometimes it just feels like this school reaps off sucking the enjoyment out of multiple things."
Momo hummed in thought. "Well a similar routine is bound to get boring, and when you're doing something for school you're bound to find less enjoyment. I've similarly felt that multiple times before." Momo said before adding as an afterthought, "At least winter break is approaching in a few weeks though."
Jirou slightly smiled before a snicker made its way past her lips, as she attempted to brighten the mood. "Maybe I should just ditch school and graffiti the school dorms in the meantime."
"I think it's best you don't say that in front of a student council member."
"Does that mean I have to start treating you like one?"
"What does that mean?"
Jirou stepped in front of Momo, pausing her in her steps. She awkwardly bowed ever so dramatically towards the taller of the two. "I've finished calculating how much funds the music department needs, oh dear student council vice president of Yuuei-"
"That's such a mouthful Jirou," Momo laughed as she unintentionally interrupted her. "I think I'd much rather have you talk to me as your friend."
A bright pink blush highlighted Jirou's cheeks as she quickly stood properly and returned to Momo's side. Her smile beamed after she made Momo laugh. "Yeah, me too."
Momo found their friendship as something that was always a bit different compared to her other friends or acquaintances. It was surprisingly comfortable yet also easy, despite the occasional moments of awkwardness. They still didn't particularly hang out or end up in long drawn out conversations, but that usual greeting naturally grew to occasional small talk.
-
Sometimes life is a series of chances and all she needed was to be the one to take it to move forward.
Momo felt it was only natural that, at some point, Jirou and her wouldn't only be really talking because nature itself decided it needed to rain. There would always be other occurrences that arise. In this case scenario it was a school wide assembly. Where usually Momo, as punctual as ever, would be one of the first batches to arrive. Yet, for this week in particular, she ended up being one of the last since she was the one to clean the student council room this week. In front of her were the many students from the four music classes.
"Hey," Jirou greeted. "What are you doing back here?"
"I was the one to clean the student council room for this week." Momo replied. "You?"
"Denki ditched me pretty early on to talk to Kirishima and Tetsutetsu."
"Those two are in wrestling, correct?"
"Yes. Must you know what club every student is in?" She teased, with the sentiment being played off in amusement.
An almost boastful yet proud smile made its way up Momo's face. "Well I try to and it also helps that it's a part of my student council duties."
"And here I thought you were a delivery girl most of the time," Jirou teased, smiling at the natural familiarity.
"If I were, student council duties would be a lot easier."
"You're so serious about that type of stuff." Jirou replied. "Doesn't it ever get tiring? Like you also have classes to deal with."
"At first, yes, but I manage my time. Plus, the teachers give me an extension on certain homework assignments sometimes."
"Well, as long as you don't overwork yourself to death," she shrugged, as she purposely stepped away from a forming crowd of people.
"My friends on the student council make sure of it," Momo awkwardly chuckled. Her eyes naturally scanned the crowd. She noticed a bunch of them were on their phones already. A persistent thought that has occured to her before in her off hours came back. "Hey, do you have your phone with you?"
"Yeah. Why?" Jirou pulled out her phone from her back pocket. "Do you need the time?" Her phone screen flashed on a for a second as Momo saw a picture of Jirou with a few of her friends.
"No, actually," Momo paused, as she mentally replayed the question in her head. "I was wondering if I could get your number." The question seemed to hang in the air as Jirou, with a dazed look, forced herself to process the question.
"Right," she let out. "Yeah, okay, yeah, okay, okay," she continued. "Cool. Uh-huh. Yeah, okay. Yeahhh." Jirou visibly paused. "I'm going to do the smart thing and stop talking now!"
The taller of the two blinked slowly. "Are you okay?" She hesitantly asked as her eyebrows knit up in worry.
Jirou sighed, exasperatedly. As Momo noticed the grip on her phone subconsciously tightened. She held out her phone halfheartedly, refusing to meet Momo's gaze. "Sorry, you just caught me off guard." Her eyes met Momo's briefly, letting her see how red her face actually was.
"Okay," she said slowly. "Thank you, and make sure to text me at some point."
"I won't forget."
Actual proper conversations took a bit of time, but it also came easily. Sometimes they'd talk for only five minutes, with conversations being easily sparced, but over time it slowly progressed. Whether it be a conversation that lasts for hours or a simple quick response to a 'good morning,' Momo welcomed the change. She found the new presence in her life as comforting. It wasn't just only talking when nature itself decided it needed to rain, nor was it when coincidences seemed to arise, it was whenever the other felt like they just needed the other's presence at that moment in time. And having something like that felt nice. There'd be moments where she'd want to message Jirou, but was too nervous to ever actually open her messages. Yet every time she'd open her phone to see a new message, she couldn't deny the smile that would immediately pull at her cheeks.
-
Moments to look back on can seem miniscule in the moment but grow special in the future.
Momo was in her bedroom, the sun had already set and the stars were starting to fill the night sky. It was half past eleven and Momo would be asleep by then, especially on a school night. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to end the phone call that started a little over two hours ago. Though her presence wasn't there physically it still felt nice to hear her voice. To have company she usually wouldn't as she finished up some extra credit homework assignments.
She heard an incessant and loud clicking sound in the distance over the phone. "Fucking hell," Jirou silently cursed.
"Two things," Momo paused, chuckling, as she heard Jirou sigh. "One, language," she continued, "two, what's wrong?"
"Well, I'm currently finishing up this stupid essay, and I hate word counts."
"What's the topic?"
"I have to write about some historical musician for some reason," Jirou explained. "I don't get why this is necessary. Like, will knowing about this person somehow change my music capabilities. Have me write a song! Why an essay?"
Momo hummed in thought. "Well, it's probably to appreciate music more. Plus, you can possibly learn something from these other musicians in their process."
"I wouldn't be in this course if I didn't appreciate music," Jirou bitterly mumbled. "What are you doing, anyway? I thought you finished all of your homework early in the day."
'I did," she replied. "I was mainly checking over one of my extra credit assignments, but I'm already done with that."
There was a pause as Momo heard some ruffling over the phone. "Then why are you still on the phone with me? It's a bit late, and I don't want you going to school sleep deprived."
"Aw, do you not want me on the phone anymore?" Momo jokingly teased.
"You know that's not what I mean."
"Well," Momo paused in thought. She looked up at her ceiling, her chair pushed back away from her desk. "It's nice to have your company this late at night I suppose. It's not what I'm used to. Usually, I'll go to bed with the same routine as before, so this is something different and it's nice."
No reply came as another gap of silence filled the call. "Uh," Jirou spoke, her tone nervous as she was caught off guard. "It's nice having your company too." She awkwardly continued as she seemed to find the right words to say, "You make homework in general less boring, and it feels nice to be able to talk to you whenever I need a break from writing my essay."
A smile that was already on her face widened as she loomed over everything she said. It felt nice knowing the sentiment was mutual. "Then do you want to call more often?" She asked. "You can even ask me any questions you may have."
'Wow," Jirou chuckled. "Getting help from Yuuei's vice prez? What a dream," she teased lightly.
"Yes I suppose I can make time for you in my ever so busy schedule. Make sure to treasure every moment of it, as this opportunity may never come again," Momo said exaggeratingly. She forced a more posh tone out, in the hopes of making Jirou laugh.
Jirou's laugh was immediate, Momo's own laugh following soon after. She knew she wasn't the most funniest person, and it was an actual rarity if somebody considered her as such. Yet, she couldn't deny the joy she felt as she heard Jirou's laugh. It wasn't her first time hearing it, but it was nice knowing she was the one behind it.
-
What seems like any other day can have one moment that changes it completely.
Momo was busy with miscellaneous papers as always. Her hair was out of its usual ponytail, as her hand would occasionally run through it in brief annoyance. A small cup of coffee was by her desk, away from her organized chaos of papers. There was a lot more work compared to usual this week, and it was a bit pressuring as Iida, who would usually help her out with everything, was busy with track practice. She was currently sorting through and organizing multiple papers. The only thing that broke her complete concentration was the sound of a knock.
"The door is open," Momo said, without even taking her eyes off her work.
"Hello vice prez," a very familiar voice spoke to the point Momo could picture her smile as she said it.
"Oh, Jirou! What can I do for you?" Momo said with rapt elation, her heart beating against her chest. She was well aware she was due for a break, and her presence was a perfect distraction.
"Actually I have something for you." Jirou said, slipping the piece of paper onto the table. "I was told to deliver this to the student council room. Well actually, the teacher asked and I naturally volunteered but-"
Momo unintentionally tuned out Jirou as her eyes trained over another piece of paper to look over. Upon realizing Jirou was only there because of student council duties, Momo couldn't help but notice the complete fall in her stomach. Her heart seemed to calm down, with the usual and brief excitement easily disappearing. It bothered her and it was weird, an almost ancient feeling she wasn't used to. She knew deep down there was something that could be said and analyzed over the feeling, but she stomached it. And as if she never felt it she quickly returned to her complete professionalism, almost like a switch had been turned.
Momo properly scanned the paper, looking at the multiple songs and mini description of who's performing underneath. Her eyes naturally seemed to highlight over anytime Jirou's name popped up on the list. She put on her reading glasses, as she tried to formulate in her head the music departments allotted time slots. "This is the setlist for the end of the year winter performance, correct?" Her eyes glanced at Jirou momentarily, briefly noticing a familiar blush.
"Uh yeah," Jirou dumbly spoke. Her eyes seeming to be hyperfixated on Momo's reading glasses and dark long hair. She awkwardly coughed, mentally kicking herself to focus. "This is from section one and section two of the music department," she continued. "Tokoyami should be delivering the set list for sections three and four later today."
Momo frowned with a concentrated look on her face. "There's going to be two setlists? I was told there was only going to be one." She said, briefly making eye contact with Jirou.
"They split the allotted time in half for two set lists so the different sections don't clash with each other," Jirou explained quickly. "Is that okay?"
Momo sucked in her lips, swallowing the brief rise of nerves. "It should be. I'll make a note of it to double check it with the organizers."
"Right, uh," Jirou paused, even though any other student would've left after that. "Yaoyorozu, you look stressed. Are you okay?" Her tone shifted to a much softer one as she looked at Momo in worry.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Momo easily replied, with a wave of her hand, as if the words itself were a part of her routine.
"You're drinking coffee," Jirou flatly pointed out, as she stared at the black, half empty cup. The fact she remembered Momo's disinterest in the beverage made her smile.
"I'm a little tired. I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Alright," Jirou pulled up a chair, sitting in front of Momo with a smile. "What's up?"
Momo, ever so slowly, put her papers down as she all but stared at the person in front of her. Meanwhile her brain contemplated letting down her walls. She sighed. "The student council just has a lot more duties than usual around this time of year."
"I'd imagine, considering the event is four days long." Jirou frowned. "Is there anything I could do to help? I'm not exactly in the know on stuff related to the background of this thing, but I can listen to what you have to say?" She forced a smile, as if she was holding out an offer, waiting for Momo to take it. Only did her smile seem genuine when Momo returned it.
"Thank you for the offer Jirou, but I'll be okay, don't worry." The smile met her eyes as she quickly glanced down at the set list. She rarely recognized some of the pieces. "Will you be performing?" Her chair scooched forward, Momo purposely hiding any excitement.
Jirou's gaze followed Momo's line of sight. "Yeah, I'll be performing with three other students for the first and second song, and then some full group performances later on." She bit her lip nervously. "I'll also be singing for some of these." She said noticeably quieter, adding it as an afterthought.
Momo's eyes widened, as if a visible sparkle could be seen. "Really? Won't that be your first time properly singing for a huge event?" She smiled eagerly, completely forgetting about the papers all around her desk as her brain focused on making sure she got to see Jirou perform that day.
Jirou chuckled at Momo's reaction, an almost twinkle like look in her eye as she took in her excitement. "Yeah, I'm kind of nervous," she admitted. "But it's a good kind."
"I'm sure you'll do absolutely great!" Momo replied easily. A beat of silence passed as Momo loomed over her next words. A rush of nerves went past her spine, her fingers subconsciously tapping on the table. She felt almost shy asking this. "Actually," she hesitated, her eyes avoiding Jirou's by looking passingly at her work. "I think there's one thing you can do for me."
Jirou lifted a brow, as if signaling Momo to continue.
"I'm sure this goes without saying," Momo said, her hand adjusting her reading glasses. "But put on the best performance of your life."
Their eyes met. Jirou seemed lost in thought as she bit back a smile that was waiting to come out. Momo could only smile wider in return, with an almost nervous grin. Her hands hesitated to reach out before ignoring the tempting thought.
"Because I'll be there to watch you perform, no matter what," Momo promised.
"Of course!" Jirou squeaked. Her eyes expressed the momentary shock at her high-pitched tone. She noticeably paused, gathering up some confidence she didn't entirely know she had in the first place. "Uh, afterwards can you tell me what you think about it?" Her eyes gleamed eagerly as they both slowly seemed to notice how much the other was truly looking forward to this.
Normally Momo would think it was simply silly, almost unnecessary, to show so much excitement for something that was ordinary for others. Yet, she couldn't even bother bottling up the feeling as she waited to be introduced to another aspect of Kyouka Jirou. Had she heard her before during any other school functions or events didn't matter, because now she actually knew the person. It felt so much more real.
"Yeah, I'll try to find you afterwards." Momo grinned with an almost laugh-like sound slipping out.
"Great," Jirou expressed. "I look forward to hearing what you have to say."
-
Her heart was beating against her chest. She could feel the adrenaline running through her veins as sweat slowly formed on her forehead. Her feet pounded against the concrete pavement as she sprinted towards the performance hall. Her constant slow and steady pants formed condensation in the cold air. She ignored the countless food stands that surrounded the area not too far away, the bright lights that would make anyone pause and take a photo. She didn't bother pausing for anything as she continued down the dark path. Her thoughts fully trained on getting to the performance hall on time.
Constant berating thoughts pounded through her skull as she cursed herself for getting distracted by the drama departments missing props. When she glanced to look inside one of the rooms for the music department, earlier that day, she could still remember so vividly Jirou's look of concentration as she looked down at her bass guitar. The way she squinted at the strings, her constant, irritated looks at her sheet music, as she made sure everything was right. As she saw her Momo didn't bother interrupting her or making her presence known, she simply smiled and made sure to text her as she wished her luck. She even set up a reminder the week before, with an alarm for extra measures. Yet, she somehow ended up almost late. She always hated cutting it short, especially now.
With her hand on the doorknob to the performance hall, she released a relieved sigh as she failed to hear any music coming from the inside. She opened it as she immediately adjusted to the dark room, guiding her way through with the outside light showing in through the windows. A couple of people naturally let her pass by, as they were used to her walking around the school doing whatever she needed to. She could only internally thank the school for once over her reputation. She passed her way through countless people, making sure she was in the middle of the crowd and not too far from the front row.
As she settled in her spot she could only see the silhouette of the group as they prepared their equipment. She immediately spotted Jirou, only to frown when she saw her. She seemed visibly tense as she absently adjusted the bass guitars tuning pegs. A student Momo recognized as Hitoshi Shinsou, approached her, talking to her about something. Almost as if it was magic she straightened her posture, running her hand through her hair as she let out an inaudible sigh. There were a few nods to the four people around her, an occasional thumbs up, before the lights slowly turned on.
Momo wasn't entirely sure what happened but as Jirou faced the crowd, and scanned the audience her mood seemed to visibly brighten. She kicked her feet slightly, before approaching the microphone.
"Hello, hi. Wow, that's a lot of people." Jirou waved to the crowd with an infectious smile. "We are students from the music department under Hizashi Yamada. Thank you for coming and we hope you enjoy the performance." She stepped back more towards the group and Momo could only smile as Jirou was truly a natural on the stage.
As the music started to kick in, it was almost as if the building transformed. The crowd got louder, Momo could feel the people around her almost pushing her, and the experience itself was exhilarating. The sound of the drums bounced off the walls, with Jirou's bass guitar slowly following after. The music synced together as they all played perfectly. The fingers on Jirou's bass guitar momentarily slowed as she started singing.
In that moment Momo could feel her heart pounding against her chest, the music surrounding her, as the crowd loudly cheered. It was an overwhelming, unimaginable, senses overload and she couldn't have enough. The sound of Jirou's voice was electrifying as she seemed to take advantage of the music, belting out each note as if she was a professional. Momo gulped, she truly was somebody else when she was on stage. The sight itself, as the stage lights highlighted her dark purple hair, bouncing off her onyx eyes as they shined across the room was breathtaking. Her smile was contiguous and Momo couldn't help but cheer along with the crowd around her. She was truly, completely enraptured by Jirou.
As the chorus slowly approached, the music getting louder as the crowd escalated, Jirou sang her heart out. Her voice was somehow both powerful, yet soothing as she belted out another high note. Her fingers expertly strummed her bass guitar, pressing her fingers on the strings, whilst singing. Only occasionally did she grab the microphone, letting her voice project across the whole building. Momo could hear the crowd screaming, feel the crowd jumping and dancing, yet all she could focus on was the sound of Jirou's voice. She was captivated by the way she sang and played her instrument. The way her hair moved as she moved her body to the music. Her obvious glee and excitement as she sang the song.
As the bridge of the song approached, Jirou's voice naturally slowed to a sentimental tone. The music getting quieter as both the drummer and Jirou stopped playing briefly, her vocal talent started to truly shine. Momo wasn't sure if she imagined it because she wanted it to happen, but she swore their eyes met, and all she could do as Jirou sang was stare directly at her. Had Momo not been surrounded by a crowd she swore she'd be able to hear her own heartbeat. She'd be able to pinpoint the exact moment her eyes only saw Jirou on the stage.
With the pace slowly picking up and the crowd following, the moment ended. Momo felt as if she was enchanted to only fall out of the spell. She was hooked. It was almost as if she needed to catch her breath as in any second she could fall back and lose her balance.
The second song followed quickly after, Momo could feel the slight ache in her feet, but ignored the feeling. All she wanted to focus on was the sound of Jirou's voice and the way it made her feel, even if she wasn't sure how to define it. She didn't care about fretting about it, all she wanted to do was follow this feeling through and watch Jirou shine in an unimaginable way she never expected. As the song ended and Jirou went off stage for a break, Momo let herself enjoy what was weirdly a moment of peace for her. There was no paperwork or annoying task putting a heavy weight on her shoulders.
Yet, with only a few minutes of bliss, she should've expected it to be interrupted. She pulled out her phone only to be met with a group chat blowing up and two missed calls. A rush of sadness and disappointment followed as she realized she was needed for a mini ceremony happening near the cafeteria of the school. She pondered going or not, wondering if things would've changed had she shared what she had planned with her fellow student council members. As she read the group chat, noticing how much Iida was seeming to panic, she knew what she had to do. She looked up at the empty stage briefly, as if something would stop her, and pushed her way through the crowd and out the door. Not once did she look back to even let that small glimmer of hope fester that she'd be able to see Jirou again.
As she exited the building she could hear the loud chatter, hearing it slowly form and turn into cheers as the next group started playing. It was almost taunting. The cold air surrounded her all over, and everything just felt wrong. It was as if she was missing something important, but she pushed forward putting one foot in front of the other. All she could think about was Jirou. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about her performance no matter how hard she tried.
As she got farther and farther away from the performance hall, the loud cheers of background noises started to fade. She missed it. She missed her. She wanted to talk to Jirou, so badly. She wanted to bounce along with the crowd before she was taken away by Jirou, just so they could talk. She wanted to know what she'd talk about, want she'd say. She wanted to know if Jirou saw her, if she could also feel the unimaginable thrilling sense that the entire performance gave her. All she wanted was to hear her voice.
Loud words echoed in her head as she was drawn back to their conversation.
"I look forward to hearing what you have to say."
"Jirou," Momo breathed.
Her eyes widened. She turned back immediately once she remembered. Her pace quickened as she went the other way, back to the performance hall. A visible skip in her step as she excitedly thought of going back.
She almost started running to reach it, before she was so painfully aware of her phone vibrating with a text in her back pocket. She didn't even need to check it to know it was the group chat. They needed her. It hurt so badly, but she knew she needed to go. At this point, she didn't even know what she was doing. All she knew was that as she turned back again and started walking towards the building, she could feel her heart dropping to the pit of her stomach.
She swallowed any intense emotions that would dare let any tears fall. She didn't want to feel this. She wished she could focus. Never had she felt something this intense before, it was like her emotions were spilling over and she didn't know how to handle any of it. She wished she could rip away the task at hand and just go back to what felt right in her heart rather than her head.
"Why?" Momo sighed. "Why am I feeling this? Please stop this," she internally begged in a hushed whisper no one will ever hear and quickened her pace. She ran faster to forget it all ever happened, wishing she could push down any thought of Jirou. She felt silly and unlike herself for feeling so much over a concert. Yet, as if it were haunting her, she could never forget Jirou's words, and nor could she for longer ignore her heart. She wanted to talk to her.
She stopped her running immediately, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. Momo pulled out her phone, swiping away the group chat as she pulled up Jirou's contact.
"Yaoyorozu?" Jirou questioned as the line connected. She seemed out of breath herself. "Where-"
"Your performance," Momo interrupted. "Your performance was perfect." She continued, "It was the most exhilarating thing I ever watched. I don't think I'll ever forget it." She wholeheartedly expressed as she looked down at her shoes, her hand against her beating chest. "Because even though I left the performance hall minutes ago, my heart can't stop beating so fast."
A beat of silence followed and Momo could only smile as she heard Jirou's voice. "I'm so glad you liked it!" She paused, before admitting something in her soft voice. "I was so worried you wouldn't make it and when I didn't see you in the crowd when I went through it I was scared you left. I wanted to see you."
"I wanted to see you too," Momo laughed, gleefully. "I really didn't want to leave but I had to for a student council thing. I realized that more than anything right now, when I'd usually be focused on other stuff, all I wanted to do was talk to you."
A longer pause of silence followed before Momo heard a deep breath. "Before, during, and after my performance you were the first and last person I thought about. I'm so happy I can hear your voice, Yaoyorozu."
-
The four day long winter celebration event ended without a hitch. Well ended without a hitch to the guests, there were multiple hitches along the way they just didn't know about. Momo had gotten to spend the last day with Jirou as she finally had a moment to take a break. They walked around multiple food stands, walking past various other departments and classes' booths. Sometimes there were moments of silence but it was the comforting kind. Whether it be Momo watching Jirou dominate a mini version of a carnival game, or listening to her stories as they walked past her music room, Momo enjoyed every second of it. And as the sun started to set, and the crowd all gathered into an area to watch the fireworks, Momo pulled her away. She dragged her, unknowingly holding her hand as she guided them both up the school building. It felt almost scandalous to do as it was against the school rules to be up there, especially during the event. Yet, a part of her couldn't help but want to do something more, for something else to happen before the day ended and they'd be on their way to the long awaited winter break. They even passed by the student council room to get a key as Momo continued walking towards the school roof.
"The school roof?" Jirou questioned in a fake agast tone as she teased Momo. "Vice prez, Momo Yaoyorozu, this is against the rules. What would the principal say?"
Momo laughed at Jirou's tone. "He'd let me off the hook because I'm a model student with nothing bad on my record."
"I'm almost scared I'm becoming such a bad influence on you."
"You're not," Momo assured as she opened the door to the school roof, failing to notice that she was still holding Jirou's hand. "No one will see us from up here, and besides, it beats watching the fireworks from down there with all those people." She pointed down below, past the railing where the crowd was continuing to expand.
"True," Jirou shrugged, as she awkwardly looked around the roof. "Or it's the perfect place to murder me."
Momo squinted. "No, actually," she paused. "It'd be incredibly obvious it's me since only the school staff and the student council have access to the roof. Then through a process of elimination the detectives-"
"Momo," Jirou interrupted with a laugh. "That's not something you say whilst we're on a roof with no one else around."
She laughed. Her eyes glanced down at her hands, noticing that they were still, albeit awkwardly, (since she was practically holding onto her wrist), holding hands. She quickly, as if Jirou's skin had burned her, let go. "I'm sorry!" Momo squeaked. "I didn't mean to and forgot-"
"Hey," Jirou this time, grabbed Momo's hands in her own squeezing briefly before letting go, her hands retreating back to her pockets. "It's okay. I don't mind." She played it off as if it was cool and nothing, but her cheeks couldn't hide it's blush.
"Okay," Momo smiled. "Yeah."
"This is a really cool spot," Jirou breathed, as she changed the topic. She stepped towards the roofs railing as she looked up at the night sky, stars littered across it. "Do you come here often?"
"Only once," Momo smiled. "I needed some peace and quiet and this was the perfect place.
Jirou looked back towards Momo. "Why'd you bring me here then?"
Momo wasn't sure if she'd be able to word it, or even explain it, because even she didn't entirely understand it. "I just wanted to spend more time with you."
As if on cue a loud sound boomed in the sky, as a firework shattered into a thousand sparks. The colors rained across the sky as multiple variations of blue and white took over. Another went off as a blue beam of light, followed by a yellow and white one bursted.
"You know," Jirou started, she paused as a light mix of a red and green firework whizzed past her vision. "Even though I don't entirely get the appeal of fireworks." A sparkly yellow one followed. "I wanted to spend more time with you too."
There was that feeling again. Momo wished she could put a name on it, or at least truly think for a moment to define it. Yet, as she saw Jirou look up at the firework display with a tilted smile, Momo couldn't really bother thinking about it. She followed Jirou's line of sight and couldn't help the grin that made its way past her face as a comfortable silence naturally encompassed them.
-
It was finally the much anticipated two week long winter break. Most of the students were long gone by now, with only a few stragglers left, as well as the teachers. Momo had been doing some last minute organizing that she is meant to do when she comes back from break. As she goes down the last hallway leading to the front doors, she could already spot a familiar head of hair. Her dark purple hair tilted as she looked up and leaned back on her arm, looking at the rain that was slowly starting to sprinkle.
"There seems to be this general theme between you and I with the rain," Momo said as soon as she opened the door, standing right next to the sitting Jirou. She looked down at her, smiling, hoping to meet the other's gaze.
"Yeah, guess there is." Jirou halfheartedly chuckled.
Momo notices the way Jirou visibly gulps, her fingers tapping against the concrete pavement. She seemed distracted as if she was barely present in the growing conversation.
"What are you still doing here?" Momo asked. She put down her bag, letting it slump to the ground. "You have your umbrella." Jirou followed where Momo directed her gaze, looking at the umbrella intensely.
"I was waiting for you," she confessed. Her eyes looked up to briefly meet Momo's gaze.
"You didn't have to do that." Her tone was light as a ghost of a giggle went past her lips.
"That's the difference between wanting to and having to."
"That's so sweet," Momo uttered. "Did you want to talk before winter break?"
"Something like that." Jirou shrugged. She seemed so different right now, the almost distant shift scaring Momo. "You can call your driver to get here if you want." She continued. She refused to meet Momo's gaze, but the other could already see the way she bit her lip anxiously. She was holding something back.
"But what about you?"
"Don't worry about me," she forcefully chuckled. "My friend said he would take me home to my parent's place."
Momo frowned. "Jirou, are you okay?" She steadily asks. Jirou chuckles- seemingly nervous, Momo thinks- before she grips her bag strap harder.
"Is there anything that goes past your eyes?" She forcefully says with a halfhearted smile. Her eyes never once shining in the way it usually did. There was a visible shift in mood as Jirou straightened her posture.
Before Momo could even reply or muster some words, Jirou started talking. "I'm okay, so don't worry," she reassured. "Or like I will be okay. It's just something that's kind of been on my mind recently- well actually longer than recently- like probably been a few months. Look, point is, it's been happening." Jirou loudly sighed, seeming to process all that she said. "Just. Sorry. God, let me just do this first." Jirou didn't meet her gaze once as she sucked in her lips before taking a steady deep breath.
Upon realizing that Jirou was sharing something with her, Momo sat down ever so gracefully. She tilted her body towards Jirou, making sure she didn't miss a single word the other said. She hesitantly wondered if she should reach out towards her as Jirou was seeming to prepare herself.
There was a significant pause between the two as they both waited for something. "Let me just start with this. I wanted to talk about things before we left, obviously. And, well-," Jirou paused again. "Do you ever think about how our meeting wasn't the most stereotypical?"
"Yes," Momo said after a beat. "It wasn't of orthodox. I wouldn't have thought I'd make a friend because of mother nature's unpredictable nature."
As Momo continued talking, Jirou just watched as she spoke, listening to every word. The taller of the two couldn't help but notice the way she smiled and lightly chuckled. If anything, Momo couldn't help but feel glad as Jirou seemed less nervous compared to earlier.
"You know," Jirou started to laugh. "It is unbelievable we're friends when you say the most proper sounding things alive. But, I guess I should get used to the unbelievable and unpredictable things in life while you're in it."
"What do you mean?"
"It's like how it's winter break and I'm not at home with my parents. Instead, I'm here and all I want to do is talk to you for longer." Jirou explained, her voice going softer as she started to express herself. "I mean I've never been 'the type' to do anything like that. Yet, here I am because you always seem to be an unpredictable factor in my life."
Maybe it was the words she was saying or the light and casual, yet also meek way she was saying it. Maybe it was the fact that Momo could slowly find herself connecting multiple events in her head. Or maybe it was the fact Momo could find herself relating to Jirou more and more, but she couldn't help but think, even if it was for a moment, that there was something more to her words.
"I like being in your life," Momo almost whispered. She hadn't even realized how silent she was. "Whether it's because of the rain," Her hand reached out towards the edge, letting a raindrop drip onto her fingers. "Or because you randomly call me at a time where you should already be asleep," Jirou laughs, causing Momo to earnestly smile. "I find myself appreciating every moment I have with you."
Jirou blushed, her eyes widening as she sucked in her lips. "Wow," she mumbled. "I uh- really wasn't expecting all that." She pulled at her shirt collar awkwardly, before looking away from Momo, in what seemed like embarrassment yet also flattery.
"You say that yet you also say the same things."
"Well you say it differently."
Momo chuckled. "I very much don't. You just can't handle a compliment in return."
"I can!" Jirou argued. "It's just different when it's you."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Of course not!" Jirou quickly says. "It just means that with you these types of compliments matter to me more."
Momo blushed. She could feel her heart beating strongly against her chest, wanting nothing more than to feel Jirou right now. "Why?" She leaned forward, eager to know more. She was slowly starting to connect the dots, starting to fully understand things that were always so unfathomable and far from her mind.
It was the reason why she did things she usually didn't. The reason why Momo awaited every text from Jirou, letting the rush of excitement fill her when she received a text back. It was the way she'd mentally keep note of the most smallest things she learned about Jirou. The thoughts that would once never occur to her, starting to rise as she continuously questions herself. Among the way Jirou always made her think, or the comfort that made Momo feel free to express herself. It was everything that always made her so happy, in a way that was very different.
"Because," Jirou hesitated, a sigh slipping past her lips as she slowly looked up into Momo's eyes. "You're important to me Yaomomo."
Urges. Momo could define the feeling almost immediately. The incessant urge to do something, something that would show Jirou how much Momo appreciated her. The thing that would tell Jirou how much more passionate and intense everything seemed when she said her nickname at that moment. There was none of that same old 'vice prez' in a cheeky voice Momo was growing infatuated with. All Momo thought about was how much she wanted Jirou to call her by her name. To hear 'Momo' slip past her lips in a way that is so casual, in a tone that would show how close they were. Then maybe she could also call her Kyouka.
The moment the thought crossed her mind her blush grew deeper. "If you're going to say all that," she hesitantly paused. She looked away from Jirou, embarrassed at the bold statement she was about to ask. "Call me Momo. I want you to say my name properly, and I'll say yours." She continued in a hushed whisper.
"Momo," Jirou breathed.
"Kyouka," she whispered.
Kyouka's eyes widened, the blush never easing for one second. "Christ, I don't think I'll ever get tired of that."
"Yeah," Momo slowly uttered, in agreement.
Kyouka shifted in her seat. "For the record though I'm still calling you vice prez," she teased with a laugh, breaking the moment from before easily.
"Then it's good that nickname has been growing on me."
A brief moment of comfortable silence followed with Kyouka, as usual, being the one to break it. "Hey," she glanced at Momo. "How long have we known each other?"
"We met around the beginning of our second term," she replied. "So about four months."
"Damn, I guess time flew."
"Why'd you ask?"
Kyouka noticeably paused, hesitating with her next words. She let out a breath of a sigh. "I feel like I can't really stall all this for any longer. I mean when I first met you, like properly, I thought it was just another one off encounter I'll forget about in a week. Then we shared an umbrella and I had a proper conversation with someone, for once, who wasn't somebody I'm already familiar with." Her voice would quicken at random points as she nervously fidgeted. "Then after that, we kept on talking more often. There were random points in a day where I'd think about you, or sometimes something would happen and I'd think about telling you about it when I saw you again. It's just that everything kept on adding up, and the more I talked to you, the more I'd look forward to what else the future had in store."
Momo truly didn't know what to say at that moment. She'd like to believe she was a well articulated person, who wasn't the hardest to have a conversation with. Yet, as Kyouka seemingly put her heart out entirely for her, Momo couldn't think of a single thing to say.
All she knew was that with every word that would slip off her tongue her heart would feel unbelievably warm, as her heart continued to beat against her chest. It was almost as if it was reverberating there as it felt every word and emotion let out. This was something no one else had ever made her feel. And surely, had she felt it before it was never that intense. She'd never experience something this deep, profound, and emotional. All she knew was that she didn't want to feel it again with somebody else. This special intense feeling, that upon hindsight, she should've recognized a lot sooner. Something that would be silly to be described as friendship and could only be seen as romantic. That romantic hope and urge to share something deeper with someone that goes among other relations in a person's life.
"It might just be silly to you, but I feel like it won't be," Kyouka nervously chuckled. "I guess in some random and crazy way among all the rain and random conversations I really grew close to you. I grew close to you in a way that's different from my best friends."
Oh. She truly was blind. Momo's eyes widened as she slowly connected the dots. All she could hear was Kyouka's voice over the sound of her beating heart. It wasn't just her. They were both feeling this. It wasn't just her that unknowingly fell deep after however many conversations. She was feeling this too. Momo wanted to know more. Momo wanted to see how much this also meant to Kyouka.
"A part of me probably knew it all along. And... uh," she stopped. Her eyes failed to meet Momo's eager expression as she forced herself to momentarily focus on the rain. From the corner of her eye she could see her. Momo's intense and curious gaze as her body was slightly leaned forward.
"Continue. Please." Momo whispered.
A beat passed and nothing happened.
Another. Kyouka's eyes filled with unhinged excitement over her obvious nervousness.
Momo's heart leapt out, desperate to hear the words she was starting to anticipate more and more.
"I like you," Kyouka confessed. She let the words hang there as she let the thought fester. She paused, gulping, her eyes only hesitantly reaching Momo's. "I have feelings for you, in a way that's both exhilarating and something new."
No matter what, Momo's hand couldn't stop shaking. In that moment it felt like she could feel everything. She could feel the slightly cold winter air, hear the raindrops pattering against the roof above them. Yet none of that compared to the soaring feeling in her heart, as if her veins were injected with adrenaline.
Maybe she should've noticed these things before. Maybe if she discussed these things with her friends she would've known a lot sooner. Yet, as she saw Jirou's composure crumple within itself, she wanted nothing more than to feel her touch against her skin. Breathlessly Momo pulled Kyouka close. An innocent touch before now felt almost warm, burning, as she felt her heart beating against her chest.
She could remember this feeling so vividly. Kyouka's small arms around her upper back, her face buried in the crook of her shoulder. Her slow shallow breaths as she processes everything that was happening. Her fingers that would occasionally brush past her ponytail, reaching to tickle the little hairs that peaked out on her neck. Momo's hands found comfort and warmth around the small of her back.
"I like you too," Momo whispered, her voice cracking. "I like you so much, Kyouka. More than I'd ever expect to." She continued in a soft tone, as she was overwhelmed with emotions. "You truly do mean so much to me, and I don't know how I didn't realize this so much sooner."