Work Text:
Kurumi frequently feels like her head is clouded. She would be trying to focus on something, trying to piece something together, but the final shape would always elude her. And it wasn’t just because of her hunger. Starting a length-of-time-she-couldn’t-quite-pin-down ago she began to notice the fuzziness, especially when it was her turn to tsukkomi some of the girls that had entered her life of late.
Dealing with Momi Momiji was where she began to notice it first. They had been classmates since the start of the year, and for most of that time Kurumi had thought Momiji was downright strange. I can’t believe people actually buy those trashy mousepads she thought at first. And who in their right mind would fondle it in class?
But since Momiji joined Rentarou’s Family Kurumi had lost her bite with her, so to speak. Initially she could keep up her quips, especially when she was hungry. But after their fateful hiking date Kurumi had a harder time keeping her edge. She would catch Momiji sneaking to grab an unsuspecting Meme-senpai, watch her artful misdirection and Momiji’s inevitable tumble to the ground. Instead of a snarky comment or even a laugh Kurumi felt fuzzy. She wasn’t mad, it wasn’t really a bad feeling she thought. She just didn’t quite know what it was, but it stopped her from saying anything in those moments where she knew she used to have something to say.
She wanted to get to the bottom of it, but she needed help. Looking around the family Kurumi could think of a few people who might be able to help.
Kurumi was out on the roof for lunch and spots Aijou Rentarou, her boyfriend who some have begun to call a “Love Monster.” He was the person she trusts most, she really really really really really loves him after all. He was the first person she turned to.
She wasn’t quite sure why but it felt embarrassing to ask. Kurumi had gotten used to projecting a self-assured image to match her back-up straight-man role, but with these emotional matters she would still slip into her nervous habits. Meekly pulling on his sleeve with one hand, shielding her face with her other, she asked “Senpai, I need your help with something.” This overwhelmingly cute action caused Rentarou to swoon so hard he died. His soul briefly left his body, only to be slammed back into place by a well-practiced Meido Mei.
With a curtsy Mei departed to be with her Mistress once more. “What’s wrong Kurumi? Are you craving that curry again? I’ll phone the importers and tell them to shift it onto the next direct flight!” That sounds so good right now.
Kurumi notices herself drooling. After wiping it away she says “I would like that… but that isn’t what I came to ask! Can we talk somewhere a little more private?"
Rentarou chuckles, “Of course.” He takes her by the hand and pulls her to the stairwell.
Kurumi catches her breath, her ears had cooled off from the blush that had enveloped them. “You didn’t need to take me by the hand like that, y’know…”
He laughs again, “I know.” He scratches his cheek, “You just are really cute when you’re a bit flustered.” Kurumi stammers briefly before lightly before softly pounding on his chest.
“Idiot.” She sputters. He wraps his arms around her. “I want your advice on something.” Suddenly Rentarou’s face is solemn, he pulls back slightly from their hug to get a better view. His eyes boring into her, as if he’s desperately trying to extract every piece of information he can. Kurumi doesn’t meet his eyes. “I’ve been having these fuzzy feelings lately.”
Relief blows over his face, followed by a dust of a blush. “I feel those too Kurumi.”
Still looking into his chest, she continues. “Whenever I see Momiji doing anything, even something stupid, they take over. I feel like I’m losing my tsukkomi edge.”
His eyes light up. “I also get warm and fuzzy when I see Momiji!” Kurumi looks at him quizzically. “That look on her face when she has her hands on something soft is one of the cutest things in the world!”
Suddenly Kurumi is awash with dread, she realises what she has started. Rentarou had so much love for all of them that it was always on the brink of exploding out, Kurumi had just pulled the pin on a Love Grenade. Quickly losing focus he begins gushing about all the times he feels warm and fuzzy, not just with Momiji or Kurumi but with everyone in the family.
Kurumi buckles in for a ride, realising that now what used to be a two-page spread would now take up half a published chapter, and that is only if he sticks to as many things he loved about them as last time. If she wanted to sort out her fuzzy feelings she decides maybe someone else would be a better bet, his love for all of them had obviously grown fonder still.
The Love Monster was only stopped by the chime of the bell. The signal for their lunch break to end meant everyone had to go back to class. As much as Kurumi enjoyed hearing her boyfriend recite his bottomless praises she did want to get to the bottom of these strange fuzzy feelings. Class at least meant she could spend some time to think about it in moderate peace.
She of course forgot she was seated next to the source of her problem. All through class Kurumi couldn’t help but to steal glances at the lavender haired girl next to her. Somehow she never got tired of looking at her, whether it was her intent focused face, the cute pout she does when she gets bored, the mischievous smile she had when she was obviously imagining something far from class. At the moment she was sporting her bored pout, head in her hands, clearly not focused on class at all. How could she be so cute?
Kurumi gasped. Momiji turned to look at her, head tilted slightly to the side as if she was asking what was wrong. Trying not to make a scene Kurumi quietly waved her hands to signal nothing was wrong. Momiji shrugged and brought her focus back to the front, quickly turning back to her bored pout. I hope I’m not blushing too hard right now.
It couldn’t be, right? Kurumi thought to herself. It can’t be that simple? She groaned quietly. At least I know a few people I could ask for advice.
Rentarou’s family has always been a close-knit bunch, though you would have to be blind to not see that some of the girls were closer to some than others. Hakari and Karane somehow just couldn’t stop kissing, you can only kiss so many times “by accident” before any sane person notices they place themselves into those accidents. Those two are not the most helpful about it though, until very recently they would always deny their obvious affection for each other.
There was, however, a group of girlfriends that were particularly close, her seniors in the de-facto knitting club that formed around Shizuka and Meme. After Nano’s nano incident she had joined Meme in the fray, and close on her coattails was Mimimi. Kurumi had eyes and could see, she noticed how Mimimi looked at the other girls around her as if they were the most precious things on the planet.
So after school while the family was gathered on the roof as had been their habit, Kurumi approached the knitting club with eyes cast down, cheeks flushed. “Mimimi-senpai,” she led, “how did you know that you liked girls too?”
[She laughed heartily,] Shizuka’s text-to-speech recited while she appeared to stifle a giggle. Meme also let out a soft chuckle. Mimimi’s eyes widened, a blush spread across her face.
“Why Kurumi-san,” she managed to choke out, “I have always had a love of anything that is beautiful, naturally.” She attempted to force her usually haughty stance, though she couldn’t quite stop shaking.
“Utsukushisugi Mimimi, based on her statement and the fact she is asking you specifically I believe she was referring to the ways in which you love Kakure Meme and Myself, in addition to Aijou Rentarou.”
Mimimi peeped like a bird. She looks as embarrassed as I was to ask! “Nano!” She yelped. “It isn’t very beautiful to kiss and tell, naturally.”
Shizuka smelled blood in the water. Going for the tease she jumped in, [Mimimi.] [I am also] [wanting] [to hear the tale again] [about how] [You came to fall in love.] Wait a second.
“Shizuka-senpai, aren’t you also in love with her?”
[I am no] [Love] [Monster.] She swiped through some instructions on her phone. [Mimimi] [and] [Myself] [are good friends.] [We share] [secrets,] [hobbies,] [but to your interest,] [Lovers.] [though on occasion,] [We share] [a bed] [too.] On her face was her staple cute smile, Nano had even started to pet her out of habit.
Mimimi’s face was as red as the sun on the flag as she collapsed to her knees. I feel like I have so many more questions. Kurumi took another moment to process. I think she might have a better answer! “Shizuka-senpai, when did you notice you were in love with...” She takes a moment to get it right. “Nano-senpai and Meme-senpai?”
Her face lights up. [Much like] [Mimimi] [on first sight] [I thought of] [Nano] [her ‘bods rockin’.] [But] [her warmth] [and] [gentle soul] [won me over in time.] Nano’s cheeks betrayed her usual poker face with her subtle blush. [Meme] [make no mistake] [her ‘bods rockin’] [too,] Meme disappears leaving only a small plush toy behind. Her hiding spot however was behind Shizuka. The smaller girl turns and pats her on her head. [Meme] [acts] [very cute] [which I also came to love] [over time.]
“So you didn’t feel a zing, like we all did with Rentarou?”
[I needed no] [intervention] [from the meddling’s] [of] [a stupid] [foolish] [god.] She looked at Kurumi with an honest confidence. [Our love] [blooms like flowers.] [The results of hard work] [and] [time shared.] She tilts her head and smiles. [By the looks of it] [You] [also] [needed no] [intervention] [from the meddling’s] [of] [a stupid] [foolish] [god.]
Nano hugs Shizuka close, Mimimi swoons at the sight. I want that too. Kurumi thought. It would be nice to be like that, I think. “Thank you, Senpai. This talk really helped.”
[Glad I could help!]
It had been a long time since Kurumi had last given this feeling a name. Her love for Rentarou came on so quick, it burned so hot from the start it couldn’t be ignored. This feeling for Momiji she had been fostering however was a slow thaw. A warmth that was careful, almost scared, as if it was afraid of burning what had been cold for so long. That fuzziness wasn’t confusion or hunger, it was affection. Her harsh words died in her throat not from a loss of way but a loss of will! She didn’t want to snark at Momiji, she wanted something else. She wanted to pull her closer, not push her away.
She wanted to hold her, sometimes she may have wanted to kiss her.
That realisation was embarrassing but important. Kurumi felt inspired! Her seniors had tied a web of inter-relations between each other rather openly and not only did their boyfriend support them but they also supported each other. It was heart warming.
Lucky for Kurumi her center of affection came to her. “Yo, you wanna get some meat buns on the way home?”
In a moment that bravado disappeared. Oh shoot I don’t have a plan! I can’t just say no! “Sure,” she manages to get out, “want to go to the L*wson near my place?” Normal! That’s a usual spot!
Momiji notices something is amiss, “Are you sure? If its not a good day we could always go tomorrow.”
Kurumi’s stomach growled. A saving grace she thought. This might have been the first time she was glad her stomach was so loud. “I’m sure.”
And so, after Rentarou walked the group to their usual dispersal point about a block from the school, Kurumi and Momiji broke off to get their snacks. Kurumi’s mind in this moment was about as scattered as it could get. What do I say? How do I start a conversation? That bun sounds so good right now…
Once again Momiji notices the tension. “Hey, Kurumi-san. You sure you’re okay?” She is still worried about me! Momiji brought her hands to her cheeks. “Is it something a massage could fix?”
Incorrigible. “I’m just really hungry, okay?” A half truth at this point, she was getting hungrier as they went.
“If you say so.” Momiji drops it again. She pulls out her squishy bun and the pair walk the rest of the way to the convenience store in a strained silence. Why do I have to be so awkward was among similar thoughts rolling through Kurumi’s head on their journey.
The pair get their buns and sit down on a bench outside the store. It smells so good! Kurumi’s face was flushed, she hadn’t even noticed she was drooling. Momiji giggles at the sight. They take their first bites and Kurumi was overwhelmed. It’s so delicious I could die!
“You really do make all the food you eat look extra tasty.” Kurumi turns to face Momiji who was unabashedly staring at her. “Your smiling face is just that cute, you know?” Kurumi chokes at the sudden compliment. “I’m sure every restaurant in town would want you for their ads if they see what I’m seeing.”
It’s really unfair how easily she throws compliments out like that. After taking a moment to clear her throat Kurumi responds “You’re just saying that because you want to grab my cheeks right now.” Kurumi internally kicks herself. Why can’t I just take the compliment, ugh.
“That’s only part of it.” Momiji smiles and continues, “I also think you’re cute normally too.” She lets her bun slip bag into its wax paper bag and places it in her lap before reaching to grab Kurumi’s hands. “Your delicate hands,” she looks into Kurumi’s eyes, “your clear green eyes, your little ears you always hide. You’re cute Kurumi, I think that a lot.”
Kurumi blushes to the tips of her fingers and starts stammering. “I… what is… that’s not…”
“The past few days you haven’t been quipping me as much, your tsukommi act is cute too and I’m kinda missing it.” Oh no, she noticed! “I know something’s up, Haraga Kurumi. What’s on your mind?”
For all Kurumi knew, her heart might as well have stopped. She was certainly not expecting this onslaught of compliments or a sincere touch from the girl she only recently noticed she liked. She didn’t know how to respond, her face was beet red. “I don’t know how… I’m not sure how to bring it up or… I mean I know its okay but…”
Momiji suddenly let go of her hands. “I’m being too pushy again, aren’t I? I’m sorry Kurumi.” She turns away looking dejected.
“No No No!” Kurumi almost yells, she drops her now-empty bag to her lap. “I just don’t know what to do with how I feel sometimes.” Kurumi grabs Momiji’s hands back, “It’s not you Momiji, I just realised something recently and now I’m not sure what to do.”
Momiji meet’s her eyes again. “Can you tell me what it is? I want to support you too.”
“Promise not to run away or anything?” Kurumi was building up steam. I think this might be my moment!
“When have I ever run away from you?” Momiji said with a chuckle. “If anything, I’m usually running at you.”
“I think I love you Momiji. Like, more than as friends or co-girlfriends. I think I want to be your girlfriend too.”
Momiji’s eyes sparkled as they took in every detail of Kurumi’s flustered face. “Woah,” she let out, unconsciously, “Seriously?”
The turmoil inside Kurumi’s mind at this moment was such that she would struggle to ever put it to words. I can’t believe I did that. She could her sirens in her ears. I can’t believe I said that! She had lost track of the world beyond her head. Is that all she has to say?
She feels a squeeze on her hands and is brought back to the moment, sitting hand in hand with the girl who’s been on her mind for days, weeks, longer! What is time in this series?! Momiji is looking at her still, her gaze has shifted from wonder to worry. Timidly, she almost whispers, “Do you really mean that?”
Kurumi is sure this time she died. How could she be this cute?! Keeping a grasp on her mortal coil she manages to choke out “I do.”
Before she could comprehend what was happening, she is pulled into a tight hug from her classmate. Heads side by side Momiji asks “Is it okay that I like you too?”
This draws a squeak from her lips before Kurumi settles enough to return the hug. Heart pounding with affection and joy and relief she responds “Of course it is, idiot.”
Momiji pulls back far enough to see her face again, eyes again awash with affection. She stays there only a moment before she closes her eyes and closes the distance, pressing an unusually chaste kiss onto Kurumi’s lips. It was short, too short. Kurumi closes her eyes and goes in for another, and another.
The two of them stay at that bench until they’re sated, connected fully heart-to-heart. With a light-hearted shooing from the store clerk and a glowing sunset in the distance they depart, hand in hand, excited for what the future may bring.
The days continue to pass, life goes on happily in Rentarou’s Family. The pair arrive to the rooftop hand in hand the next day, Shizuka and her cohort give them warm, knowing smiles. Within minutes of their arrival they tell Rentarou that they’re also going to date each other, “I’m so happy you two get along so well now.” He says smiling, a tear in his eye. Now isn’t the time to question if he gets it Kurumi thinks to herself. If he doesn’t get it looking at Hakari and Karane there is no way I explain it to him now.
Kurumi had spent that first night searching all sorts of questions online. She had so many questions about her new romance, Rentarou was her first boyfriend, her first lover even, and now she had a girlfriend too! Like most of the girls in the family – she thought, at least – she hadn’t interrogated the specifics of their polyamorous relationship too closely. But now I am dating two people. In her hours of searching tw*tter and in*ta she kept stumbling on a term that people would use but never explain, frustratingly it seemed like it might be what she was looking for.
So that is how Kurumi, with Momiji grabbing her waist in tow, found herself back in front of the knitting club with another question. “Shizuka-senpai, what is Kitchen Table Poly?”
[She laughed heartily] and a short fit of giggles from the rest. [It is time for the master to] [Pass on] [Her ways.]