Work Text:
Orange sunlight graced the student council room. The brilliant light streaming through the panes and the small warm hug it placed around made a sigh escape Tsukasa’s lips. One of content or boredom or something completely different? He couldn't be sure.
All the other council members had left earlier to go to the arcade. Tsukasa insisted on finishing his work, not daring to look Tori in the eyes, knowing she would push Tsukasa all the way there if she could just get the words “Fine, I'll tag along,” out of his mouth. This stubbornness between them was not something he wished to dance with today, and yet he felt the ache of want inside. Wanting to go to the arcade, wanting to play all the bright and loud games, wanting to order the largest parfait he could get his hands on at the cafe next door, wanting to be with his friends, wanting to be with Tori, wanting to pull Tori away from the rest, wanting to talk to Tori, wanting to do what he'd planned all week, what he'd worked on all week, what he tried to do everyday at every chance he could get but cowared out.
So, defeated and resigning himself to loneliness for another day, the others had left with ‘goodbyes’, ‘we'll win something for you’ and gone on their merry way.
“Tomorrow! I'll give them the nui tomorrow…” he whispered in case the students passing the room on their way home or the ghosts haunting the school could hear him.
He looked from the president's desk back to the paperwork in front of him and signed the last document. How long have I been here? He wondered. The chair squeaked slightly as he leaned back, slouching his shoulders, submerging himself in its support. For a while he closed his eyes. When time had not miraculously moved faster he sat up, then stood up, grabbing the work he had completed. For the next thirty minutes he meticulously and slowly put each signed document in the right places, ready for the president's final stamp of approval the next day.
When had he become so obsessed with a teddy. When had he become so obsessed with Tori.
When had the rivalry spun itself into admiration? into love?
Maybe it had been there a while, since they joined Yumenosaki, maybe before.
He had never truly hated Tori. They had always been on the same path of fate, walking side by side without ever realizing. And on this path when Tori looked up at the sky, pink hair swaying like a cherry blossom in a gentle breeze, Tsukasa looked down. Was it always going to be this way? Narrowly missing each other.
Finished with work and stuck with only his thoughts again, he crouched down by the table he had been working at. Next to his bag on the floor, was a little gift box, pastel green with a pink bow wrapped around it. He picked it up, staring down at it though he couldn't see what was on the inside.
Inside the nui sat patiently, more patiently than the muse of itself could ever be. Tsukasa had been much more gentlemanly than usual, fearing that the nui and box would be crushed inside his bag throughout the school day. The door opened, Tsukasa stood to attention at the sound of it.
Tori…
Her pretty green eyes scanned the room and landed on his face. In her hands was a stick of cotton candy. A small disappointed scowl replaced the smile on her face before quickly reverting back.
“You're still here.” It almost sounded like a question as she let the door close behind her.
“Yes! I only just got everything done.” I've been in here doing nothing for longer than any person should.
“You deserve a break, Tsukasa and i got something you can't deny.” She said approaching him, hand outstretched. She's right. He took the cotton candy, still holding the gift box in his other hand.
“Thank you.” He muttered.
There was too much silence between them. To many minutes going by. He didn't know what to say. Each waiting for the other to continue the conversation.
“Who’s that for?” Tori pointed to the gift box.
Maybe not tomorrow…
“It's for you.” Tsukasa said quickly.
He had spent weeks in the handicrafts room stitching the little creature day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Tears threatening to fall from the frustration and determination to get everything right. Pleading on the phone for all of his Knights senpai's help. Ritsu teasing him and telling him his roomate, Kagehira would help. Hours spent studying the needle and thread.
Her eyes widened, mouth opened and a rosy blush appeared on her cheeks. Gently, she took the box from him and opened it. She picked up the nui, turning it around, admiring it from every angle. The nui was wearing a deep blue sailor suit with pink and light blue accents. Adorned on top was a light blue hat.
“I was inspired by your performance a few weeks ago. You've grown in so many ways but height, ” He paused waiting for her faux-angry reply to his teasing but nothing. Both Tori and her tiny clone shared the same smile, gazed into each other's eyes. Tsukasa loved it, every second of it and wondered why he had been scared in the first place. “I've been kicking myself over and over, wanting to give it to you. I… I made it myself… Well, Kagehira-senpai helped… a lot. Anyway-”
“I love it! I love her!” She exclaimed.
He let out a shaky breath. Now or never. “Tori?” A pause. “Would you like to go on a date?”
She looked at him, hugging the nui close to her heart. “Yes!” Her eyes seemed to sparkle, her smile so wide and cute it could be infectious. She got closer to Tsukasa. “Also, you have to keep up with the sewing, this nui is gonna need an outfit for every day of the week.”
It wouldn't be Tori without some demand but this one was a task he didn't mind.
"And nightwear"