Work Text:
In the Ousaka household one morning, Shizuku was in the midst of editing a potential script at her desk.
Though editing might be an understatement as the script was filled with addendums and notes in all corners and sides.
She had annotated it so extensively that the ink in her pen had ran out so the girl reached out and grabbed another. It wasn't until the ballpoint landed on paper that she realised she had never seen this pen before.
"Is this mine?" she said to herself, "I don't remember buying it. Oh, maybe it was a gift? But if I don't remember who gave it me..that would be rude".
It was a beautiful pen, violet in colour which reminded her of a certain someone's eyes while an elaborate silver design seemed to be engraved onto it, depicting a moon and a landscape with flowers blooming, and a fan on the other side.
Shizuku was stunned by the sheer detail and she wanted to thank whomever it was again for gifting such a resplendent pen.
The brunette decided she would figure it out later as it was time to finish up, placing the script and pen into her bag before leaving her home to head to Nijigaku.
Her thoughts returned to the script during her commute and the start of her classes as she sat at her desk which was near the back of the room.
The teacher had yet to arrive so Shizuku made the most of it and retrieved her notebook to see if she could formulate a scene for the performance which was set in a similar setting of a classroom.
Shizuku was perceptive by nature so she observed her classmates and watched one walk in, waving at her when she greeted Shizuku.
"Hm, what if she happens to trip and is caught by.." Shizuku wrote before looking up and seeing another friend and wrote her name down, "That would be a cute interaction".
With the idea jotted down, Shizuku was about to continue before a light scream was heard from the front of the classroom, looking up just in time to see one of the girl's trip.
Only to be caught in the arms of another.
And the identity of the girls in question?
The two names she had written down.
Shizuku gulped, "That..was just a coincidence, right?".
It would be preposterous to assume otherwise, but looking at the two friends still in each other's arms, the taller of the two asking if the other was okay, Shizuku couldn't help but wonder.
So, tentatively, she wrote something else down.
Something less fatal.
An innocuous scene of one girl's fringe getting in the way, and another girl tucking it back.
Shizuku's hand was shaking as she waited with bated breath, watching her two classmates and after a few moments, nothing happened.
In a sense, it was reassuring, "So I'm not losing my mind" the brunette chuckled to herself, "Thank goodn-".
Her words died in her throat when the other girl turned around to speak to the girl whose hair fell back in front of her face.
And then it happened.
The soft smile, gentle eyes, the hand reaching out to tuck back the strand of fringe, the cute giggle.
Shizuku's mouth dropped
It was easy to explain the first incident as a coincidence but a second?
No, it couldn't be considered as this.
Shizuku looked down at the pen, her eyes widened, "What is this pen?".
Why was it making anything she writes happen?
It was at this moment that Shizuku realised that she was holding a writer's dream, an incontrovertible notion which none could refute.
***
Shizuku barely focused on most of her classes for the remainder of the day, and even when she met the others for lunch, the girl was distracted.
Primarily because she was executing small tests with the pen, nothing as blatant as the first two examples.
Such experiments including having one girl decide what to eat for lunch, or another suddenly changing her hairstyle, or the Vice President of the student council gaze lovingly at Ai instead of Setsuna.
That was an amusing spectacle when the Vice President snapped out of her daze, face to face with a grinning Ai
But Shizuku realised that this pen, for whatever reason, could make anything she writes happen.
If memory served well, she was sure that Setsuna had watched an anime with a similar premise.
So it turned out that whatever she wrote would come to fruition and that gave the girl an idea once she headed to the club room at the end of the day.
"Oh, Shizuku-chan" Kanata greeted from her seat at the table and patted the seat next to her, "Where did you disappear off to so quickly after lunch?".
The brunette smiled and sat next to her girlfriend, Kanata's arms wrapping around her.
"I had to talk to the Drama Club about the current script. I'm sorry for running off".
"Kanata-chan can forgive you" she smiled, her cheek pressed against Shizuku's, "But I might get jealous if you keep spending all this time with your club president".
"Could you two get a room?" Kasumi sighed, "And Shizuko, the Idol Club should be more important!".
"Yes, yes" the girl laughed, "But we can head home together today, would that be okay?".
Kanata hummed and released Shizuku, "Deal. So, how is the script coming along?".
"I don't know to be honest. We have the plot down but there are certain characteristics that don't seem to fit for a few characters".
"Sounds tough, is there any way we can help, Shizuku-chan?" Ayumu, ever the angel, offered.
Shizuku appreciated her senior's kindness, "If I can think of something, I will let you know. There are a lot of important characters in this play and their personalities can overlap".
"That sounds like us" Rina stated, her board depicting enthusiasm, "Maybe we can act?".
"Aw, look at you, Rinako! Putting yourself out there to help your friends" Ai beamed and hugged the girl, "So cute!".
Everyone else felt the same and Shizuku was touched by such an offer, more so since it gave her an idea.
"I think you already helped me, Rina-san! And everyone else too, thank you!".
And off she went to couch and retrieved her notebook and that pen as the others chuckled in amusement.
Now, Shizuku would have preferred to not use the pen on her friends, but she had no plans to go too far.
All she needed was to get an idea of how these personalities would clash, especially since of the characters were romantically involved.
So there was no harm in placing her friends in similar situations, but not Kanata, her girlfriend was off limits.
With the burst of creativity practically pulsing through the actress, Shizuku got to work.
In the play, there was one couple whom had been together for a long time and one couldn't help but think of how endearing their relationship was when observing them.
For Shizuku, the duo who had a similar dynamic was Karin and Emma.
Though they only met this year, their relationship would make anyone assume otherwise.
Shizuku had already thought up a scenario and wrote it down with as much detail as possible, wanting to get a clear grasp of how the interaction would play out.
And the girl wouldn't be disappointed when she stopped writing, her blue eyes going to Karin whom was discussing something with Ai at the computer.
All of a sudden, she stopped and turned to look at Emma who was sat at the table.
"Huh, Karin? Where are you going?".
Karin didn't exactly know why and in a rather dramatic tone, she said, "I need to see Emma".
Ai watched on as Karin rounded the table and stood next to Emma before she got down on her knees and took her hands in hers.
"Karin-chan? What's wrong?" Emma asked, perplexed by the situation.
"Emma, listen to me".
"Of course, but you're worrying me" Emma replied.
Karin was a reserved and mature person by nature but the look that Karin was giving seemed like something else and it made Emma's heart pound a little.
"There is no need to worry, not when you have me" Karin said earnestly, "Maybe we don't know what the future holds but let it be known that I cannot envision it without you".
Everyone had stopped what they were doing, astounded by the scene.
"How bold, Karin-chan" Kanata chuckled.
Setsuna nodded eagerly, "Bold and dashing!".
"Is she practising for a play?" Lanzhu asked, enraptured by the duo, "Her acting is believable".
As for Emma, once the initial shock wore off, she appeared delighted, "Karin-chan..do you mean that?".
"I swear it, with every last breath, I will use each one to tell you how much I love you".
Karin then lifted the back of Emma's hands and pressed a kiss over them, her lips lingering while she was oblivious to all the gasps going around her, including from Emma.
The girl had gotten a tad tongue tied but the spark in her light blue eyes couldn't be missed when she looked at Karin after she lifted her head up.
She decided to meet Karin’s passionate declaration and placed a kiss over Karin's cheek.
"You're so cute" she beamed, "I feel the same!".
And then the scene ended, leaving a breathless Shizuku replaying the moment over and over.
Meanwhile, Karin was a tad confused as to why she was kneeling on the ground and their friends were giving her various looks of encouragement and amusement.
"Uh, Emma?".
"Yes?" the girl smiled, squeezing Karin's hands.
"Why am I on my knees?" she asked, "This must be a dream, yes. One where I propose to you".
"P-propose?!".
That revelation set off another round of incredulous gasps and Karin was bombarded by questions while Emma was quietly blushing in her seat.
Shizuku jotted the outline of the results whilst smiling on at what was happening because this really was no different to how it usually was.
Given these observations, Shizuku speculated on something.
"Maybe I can go for something different this time".
A couple that isn't quite expected which would offer an element of surprise and spice, the chemistry between the two striking off to start a..chase.
The scene hit Shizuku like a flurry of snow and she got to work in writing it, her own heart hammering with excitement as to how it would be depicted.
It was the perfect set up, more so when Setsuna was stood near the wall after placing some documents away, and then, her suitor would strike.
Shizuku placed the pen down and let the magic unfurl.
She had chosen Lanzhu to play the role opposite Setsuna since it appeared that only one of the participants would fall under the control of the ability of the pen.
So when Lanzhu suddenly stood up and approached Setsuna, placing a hand on her shoulder to turn her around, the room fell into a hush again.
The fact that Setsuna wasn't expecting it made it more authentic, "Lanzhu-san? What is it?".
Lanzhu towered over Setsuna as she closed in till Setsuna had her back against the wall and Shizuku swooned at the sight.
"You".
"Uh, what about me?".
A hand rested on the well next to Setsuna's face, the other going beneath Setsuna's chin to lift it up.
The action had Setsuna's breath stall as the firm and warm fingertips cradled her chin perfectly, making it so that she couldn't look away from Lanzhu's piercing eyes.
"You fascinate me.." Lanzhu spoke up with a lower tone, "There is something about your energy, your fire..it makes me want to keep it to myself" she said, "It makes me want to keep you for myself".
Ai whistled, "Lanzhu sure isn't holding back" she grinned, "Setsu has gone quiet!".
"What is going on today?" Ayumu blushed, "First it was Emma-san and Karin-san..and now..".
It was like everyone was under a spell.
Which they partially were, of course.
Setsuna could only gulp as she didn't know where to put her hands, how to process those words, "I..didn't know you felt so strongly about me".
"Who wouldn't? Lanzhu can't stop looking your way. But you always run ahead so freely, always leaving a distance. Are you making me run after you?".
"No, I wasn't-".
"Because if that's the case" Lanzhu leaned in, overtaking Setsuna's vision, "I will capture you one day".
"Is she going to be okay?" Karin asked, noting Setsuna's legs shaking.
Emma laughed, "I think Setsuna-chan is enjoying it too".
While their initial embarrassment had worn off, Lanzhu and Setsuna would be plunged into theirs when Lanzhu's last line ended and she was lifted out of her haze, her eyes blinking.
"Oh, Setsuna? What are you doing here?".
The girl chuckled wearily, "Ah, well..I was going to ask you the same thing?".
Lanzhu looked down and noticed the position they were in, her body practically trapping Setsuna's against the wall and her hand under the girl's chin.
She raised a pink brow, not seemingly phased but certainly somewhat confused, "Huh, isn't this kind of scene in the manga you read? Yeah, it was in the one you leant me!".
And that led to whole other discussion for Setsuna who buried her face against Lanzhu's shoulder, anything to halt the burn forming on her face.
Shizuku was thrilled with the outcome of their performance too, her block in regards to two of the characters fading immediately.
"Okay, I think that should be enough. I won't have to use this again" she mused to herself, "Using this pen too much could-".
Her inner monologue halted when she saw Ai and Ayumu together.
Shizuku had always thought that the two would be well suited for each other, so what if she was to just..test that theory out?
"This is the last one, then no more using the pen!" she said to herself.
She couldn't really stop herself because the scene was practically writing itself so it would be a waste to not see it in action.
Besides, it would be a cute and wholesome interaction, the apropos embodiment of Ayumu and Ai.
Once Shizuku was done, she placed the pen down and analysed the scenario which consisted of Ayumu getting closer to Ai.
The blonde was sat facing away from the computer and talking to the others at the table while Ayumu was stood next to her, joining in.
There wasn't much of a distance to close between them, at least not physically which is where Shizuku's scenario would take place, a simple yet effective one.
Ayumu suddenly moved away from the desk and approached Ai.
She then quite comfortably took a seat in Ai's lap, her body facing away so that everyone else had a very clear view.
"Huh?!" Kasumi almost yelled, "Ayumu-senpai?!".
The rest had a similar reaction as Ai, normally a very tactile person, took in what was happening and laughed.
"What's this, Ayumu? It's unlike you to make this kind of move".
Ayumu looked back, her expressions emotive enough to portray the irresistible puppy eyes, "You don't like it, Ai-chan?".
A collective sound of 'How adorable' went around the room and Ai quickly wrapped her arms around Ayumu's waist to pull her against her chest.
"Ai love it! So don't make that face, my heart will literally burst!" the blonde declared, looking up at the girl.
Ayumu's heart-breaking expression morphed into a happier one as she settled in Ai's lap and wrapped her arms over hers, smiling at her.
"That makes me happy to hear. I always wanted to do this with you".
"Really?".
Ayumu nodded and leaned back, "Yes, besides, your lap is more comfy than any chair".
The queen of laps herself nodded sagely and gave Ayumu a thumbs up which made Shizuku giggle slightly.
Ai grinned and leaned forward, embracing Ayumu properly, "Ah, you're so cute, Ayumu! If you wanna sit on my lap, you can do so whenever!".
"Ai is way too relaxed about this".
"I mean, it is Ai-san we're talking about" Setsuna said to Karin, "I'm more surprised about Ayumu-san".
Said girl was beaming as she kept her eyes on Ai, apparently lost to the world around them until the scene that Shizuku had manifested reached its denouement.
Which would bring her back to reality, and with it, the realisation of where she was sat.
"Ai-chan?!".
"Yeah? You're not falling off, are you? I'll hold on tighter!".
Ayumu's brain had absolutely frazzled at this point and the chaos which almost ensued to make sure that the girl didn't pass out was quite something.
Shizuku definitely deemed that now was the right time to stop her experiments as she rushed over to help.
Not that her imagination didn't stop spiralling.
After reviving Ayumu who was resting next to Shizuku on the couch, Shizuku had placed the pen away and retrieved a normal one to continue writing.
Ai was still sat next to Ayumu, worry on her face as Ayumu smiled and tried to reassure Ai despite the florid tinge to her own cheeks.
It was an endearing sight, "How lovely" Shizuku thinks to herself.
The rest of the group were getting on with their own tasks too and Shizuku could see the closeness of the couples she had written about, like it had unlocked something.
Apart from Karin and Emma, they were already a married couple at this point.
Shizuku chuckled to herself as her gaze turned to Kanata, the older girl awake and focused on whatever she was working on as she discussed something with Setsuna.
For all Shizuku sometimes struggled with the drama side, Kanata was always there to help her.
Even just looking at her made Shizuku feel calm.
But that sensation would be interrupted when there was a knock to the door, which Rina answered.
It turned around to be the captain of the Basketball Club.
"Please excuse the intrusion" she said shyly, eyes on Kanata.
Kanata waved at her, "Come in, come in" she smiled.
"Kanata-senpai, I'm sorry to bother you but can I speak to you for a moment?".
"Sure, what's going on?".
The rest of the conversation was hushed as the girl crouched close to Kanata to speak to her and Shizuku found that much close proximity utterly unnecessary.
She frowned at the way the girl was all shy and flustered, smiling far too vividly for someone who supposedly had something to relay about club activities. Not only that, Shizuku could practically see the stars in her eyes whenever she looked at Kanata, hanging onto whatever the blonde was saying as she gave her signature lopsided grin.
Apparently an action that the captain also found knee weakening like Shizuku did.
The brunette didn't like this at all, a stygian jealousy trickling into her system, acting as the catalyst to her grabbing that pen again and opening a new page.
Her grip around the pen was fervent as she took in the scene, imagining her own, anything to get that girl away from Kanata.
"You can't take her away from me" Shizuku announced in her mind, "Kanata-san is mine".
Had she always been this way in terms of keeping things close to her, or was it another side of Shizuku that she felt she had to keep hidden?
The answer was irrelevant as her muse was now jealousy, which led to her thinking up a detrimental scenario for the captain.
Like making her hurt herself, or making her insult Kanata, or telling Kanata to stay away from her.
And each one made Shizuku feel ashamed.
She took in a quick breath using the techniques she knew to calm herself down because this wasn't her.
Shizuku knew she wasn't the kind of person who wanted to intentionally hurt someone.
This was merely her insecurities making her envision a scenario far more provocative than it actual was.
Because when she looked again, the captain was simply being polite and a little star struck.
Who wouldn't be? It was Kanata, after all.
Shizuku put the pen away again and closed her eyes to take a moment, the general conversation in the room returning to her, calming her.
Really, sometimes she did let her imagination get the better of her.
And this mysterious pen hadn't helped.
The brunette felt a weight settle next to her on the couch while the space on her left side disappeared.
Which meant that she was left alone with the girl she had been willing to carry out a literary sabotage for.
"Shizuku-chan" a familiar drawl called out, "Are you sleepy?".
Arms then encircled her shoulders as a chin rested on one and Shizuku opened her eyes to see the clear gaze of rich purple staring at her.
It was such a soft shade, yet regal and enticing.
She could never get enough of staring into those eyes as she smiled at Kanata, "I should be asking you that. Is everything okay with the Basketball Club?".
"The team was going to help with the set up of a small performance since they wanted me to perform. They have an important competition coming up soon".
"Oh, that's wonderful!".
Kanata chuckled, "Does that mean you will come to watch too?".
"Of course, your solo performances are wonderful, Kanata-san" Shizuku replied, but she started feeling a little rueful, "So that's why the captain was here".
The slight dejection was picked up on by Kanata who placed her hand on the brunette's cheek, "Shizuku-chan?".
Shizuku couldn't look away, she couldn't lie especially when Kanata was looking at her like that, and kept her close.
She twirled the normal pen around in her hand, "You're close to the captain, right?".
"We have known each other for a long time" Kanata smiled, "She was very shy during her first year. So I did my best to help her. After joining the Basketball Club, and meeting Ai-chan, she really came out of her shell".
"Oh, I didn't know this..so that's another reason why she supports you a lot. I can understand why now".
"Were you worried that it was something more?".
Kanata lightly pinched Shizuku's cheeks when she denied it, "No!".
"Hmm, are you being honest?" Kanata grinned, "I know when you are hiding something from me".
Shizuku squirmed in the older girl's arms in a weak attempt to get away as she insisted that she wasn't hiding anything, pushing Kanata away which only made Kanata chuckle.
She pushed Shizuha down slightly till she was leaning over her, one arm around Shizuku's waist and her other hand on the couch to keep them upright.
Shizuku's hold around Kanata's shoulders tightened as her eyes drifted from Kanata's, and then to her lips.
She thought of the final couple in the play, a push and pull dynamic but with a mutual desire to be with each other. One character was free spirited and went at her own pace and the other was diligent and adhered to rules.
As disparate as they were, they made it work.
The brunette didn't need that pen to know how this scenario was going to pan out, more so when Kanata spoke up softly.
"Shizuku-chan is the only one for me".
"I..wasn't worried or anything".
"Well, I'm gonna say it anyway. I think I need to say it more often too".
Shizuku wasn't sure if she would survive that and before she could insisted that there was no need, Kanata moved in closer.
Just as they were about to kiss, unable to resist the magnetism between them, Kasumi ruined the glorious moment.
"Hey, none of that in the club room!".
"Does that rule apply to Karin and Emma? Cause they definitely need to hear it".
"Ai" Karin almost yelled.
With the group descending into chaos again, Kanata grinned and quickly kissed Shizuku before pulling the girl up.
"Don't you think today has been stranger than usual, Shizuku-chan?".
Shizuku agreed weakly whilst leaning against Kanata, "I guess everyone's imagination is running too freely".
There was no need to reveal who this was down to, absolutely not.
As for the pen, when Shizuku returned home that evening, she would discover that it was nowhere to be found.
And that was probably for the best.