Chapter Text
Claire’s POV:
“What is it you like about her, Claire~” Catherine teases with a smile.
I jump in surprise from her comment.
“W-w-what!?! I-I don’t like Rae in that way whatsoever.!” I uncharacteristically stutter.
“Hm~ I didn’t even say her name..” She giggles from the top bunk, facing upside down so I could see her expression.
My face turns crimson and I put her face into a pillow. Where did this teasing come from!?
“Aww.. don’t be like that, Claire!”
“H-hmph! You shouldn’t be treating your best friend like this!”
Her cheekiness softens to a smile,
“Don’t you want to talk about your crushes like when we had sleepovers?”
A hit of nostalgia hits me as I remember our conversations when we were little.. No wait.!
“Well! I don’t have any crushes at the moment!” I huff and turned to the side with my arms crossed. Catherine looks at me with a surprisingly blank expression.
“..I thought you passed that stage already, Claire,” she says with disappointment.
“What on Earth are you talking about!”
She whistles, “Oh, nothing!”
Catherine slowly climbs down and sits on my bed.
“Seriously though, you are very obvious. You even borrowed— actually no, you took my romance novels! I gave you so many advice for the past few days about this ‘friend’ of yours.. And all you have been talking about is Rae—!”
“O-okay.! Okay! Enough!” I huff and turn my head away from her to hide my blush. My hand muffling her mouth. To even imagine that my Rae, a charm— what?! No! A-a commoner, is making me feel this way..
“M-maybe.. maybe Rae is actually..” I muffle softly, still looking away from Catherine,
“Maybe that cheeky girl is pretty.. charming..”
“!” I squeak as Catherine hugs me and squeals with pure happiness.
“Finally! You admit it! You really like her huh!!”
“W-what!?!! When did I say that!?! I only said she was..”
..like a fool but actually has some wisdom and knowledge.. So much that it’s strange but I have gotten used to it. She can act very mature and respectful but has such a cute childish personality. She has a face with a sloppy expression around me, but can change to look so professional and cool.. Her loyalty and obedience is just like a dog. I swear when I order her around I can imagine a tail behind her wagging. And even when she answers to me her voice can be so chipper and change into a deep, calming tone.. It’s not fair.. Everything about Rae makes my heart flutter—
“Claire~? Are you there~?” Catherine says waving an arm in front of my eyes to get me out of my daze.
I snap out of it and sigh lying down on my bed. I put my hands to cover my face and groan loudly. “S-shes just so.. so.. so.! Rae! She’s just so Rae.! I’ve been trying to give little hints but she’s just too dense to figure it out!” I say kicking my legs up like a child, “Stupid, stupid, stupid Rae.!”
Catherine looks at me and chuckles, lying down with me. Looking at me like I’m a child throwing a tantrum.
“I’m glad you’re finally honest with yourself Claire.” She says in a soft tone as a mother would have.
I pout angrily, “What are you on about?! I am plenty honest.!”
She looks at me almost pitifully with a slight grin, “Suree.. Well, I’m just glad you finally admit it,” Catherine says with a smile on her face as she giggles, “I’m glad someone can finally make my Claire happy.”
I sigh and turn to look at her. The rest of the night we continued our chat.
I wake up and the first thing I hear is a chipper tone calling my name.
“Miss Claireee~! Good morning! Do you want your morning kiss?”
“A k-kiss!?!” I stutter immediately after my mind finally comprehended her sentence.
“I-if you insist..” I mumble as my face turns crimson.
W-wait.! W-why did I say that!?! But it was too late.. I have already close my eyes almost expecting something. I felt her gaze on me as she tilts her head.
“Ah, I’m kidding. I know you wouldn’t want that. We should get ready, class is at 9.”
…Are you…
“Stupid!! You’re so dense! Can’t you act less like a buffoon!?!” I shout and huff angrily only to be met with a dumbfounded expression. Jeez.. what a face..
“Eh? Did I say something again?”
“Of course you did! Now come here and get me changed!” I order her with no remorse as my face is still in a deep crimson that reaches my ears.
“Yes ma’am..” She obediently says as she helps me out of bed.
I look away from her and mumble, “..You should really get your ears checked.. not like I care or anything—“
“Huh? Sorry, what did you say, Miss Claire?”
”…I said that you are an idiot.”
”S-seriously.! What did I say?! Why is she glaring at me in a terrifying way!?!”
That night I came back to a laughing Catherine with tears in her eyes from the constant teasing and giggles coming from her mouth.