Work Text:
Keiichiro let out a sigh as he stretched back in his chair. It was long time to head home. He had gotten caught up in a report that he just couldn't let sit unfinished, but now it was really late.
He glanced around the room. Seems he was the only one left. Not that he was very surprised by that. How long had he been here alone for? He couldn't actually remember everyone leaving. Had he been that focused on his work?
Keiichiro grabbed his things and left the room. Time to head back and get some rest. Today had been ane eventful day as always.
As he left the room, he practically ran into Sakuya. The other let out a startled cry as Keiichiro barely stopped from knocking her over.
"Sakuya? What are you doing out here?" Keiichiro stared at her.
"I, uh... wanted to talk to you." Sakuya offered.
"You could've come in." Keiichiro said.
"I... wanted to talk in a more private setting... if that would be okay?"
Keiichiro eyed her up for a moment and then nodded. "Sure. Anywhere in particular you want to talk then?"
"I don't know... just somewhere private."
"Well, your place or mine?"
"I guess we can go to mine."
...
The two entered into Sakuya's room at last. Sakuya took a seat on the bed and stared at the floor. Keiichiro took a seat beside her.
"What's up?" He asked.
Sakuya was silent for a while longer before finally answering. "I want to come out to everyone. I don't want to have to keep pretending to be something I'm not. I just... I'm scared. I don't know how to tell them."
Keiichiro thought for a while. How could they do this?
"Well, I think it's best to just be direct and tell them. Dancing around the topic will only make it harder in the long run." Keiichiro offered his opinion. "I'm sure I'd be there when you did it if you needed help saying anything."
"Really?" Sakuya's eyes widened.
"Yeah. I promised I'd help you when the time came. I'm not breaking that."
"Right... um, do you have any ideas on what I should say? Everything I think of just sounds wrong."
"You're working yourself up over nothing. Stop overthinking it." Keiichiro stated. "I'm sure the phrases you thought of work a lot better than you think. You could practice on me, if you want. I can tell you how it sounds."
"O-okay." Sakuya agreed.
Keiichiro nodded and waited patiently for her to begin. So much for getting rest. But, this was more important in the long run. He couldn't just abandon Sakuya when he had made that promise to her. He was going to help her no matter what it took.
"Um... I have something to tell you guys." Sakuya said. "Is that good to start? Should I be less direct? More direct?"
"Maybe just ask to talk to everyone for a minute." Keiichiro suggested.
"So like... can I talk to you all for a minute?"
"Sounds good. Should get everyone's attention."
"Then... this is where I just don't know what to say. It all just comes out like mush." Sakuya sighed, lowering her head. "I can't get a coherent sentence for this part."
"Just be blunt then." Keiichiro said. "I'm a girl. Simple as that. You don't need theatrics. I'm sure they'll get it. If not, you can elaborate based on questions."
"I'm not like you, senpai... I'm not good at being so direct." Sakuya mumbled.
"I'm sure you can do it. You're better at it then you think. I've seen you be blunt and direct before. You can do it this time too." Keiichiro insisted. He knew she could do it if she tried. She just had to stop worrying so much.
"I... okay... I'll try, senpai. Thank you."
"Are you planning to do it tomorrow?"
Sakuya nodded. "Yeah. I want to get it over with. I want to be able to be who I want to be. Though... wouldn't I have to tell..."
She trailed off.
"If you can handle them still misgendering you when around, I say hold off for now." Keiichiro replied. "We can figure that out later. Let's start small."
"Okay."
...
And that was how Keiichiro found himself in this current situation. Sakuya had nervously nudged him. Once he looked at her, she had nodded to him, trying to look a determined. There was clear anxiety on her face still. Keiichiro nodded back to her.
"Um... can I talk to everyone for a minute? There's something I want to say." Sakuya said, thankfully keeping her voice from wavering.
Everyone gave their attention to her.
"Go ahead, Sakuya." Hilltop said.
Sakuya swallowed hard. She reached over and grabbed Keiichiro's hand. Keiichiro squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"I... I'm..." Sakuya was struggling to get her words out. "Uh..."
Her grip on Keiichiro's hand tightened. She looked over at him, her eyes pleading for help.
"She's realized she's a girl and would like you all to start treating her as such." Keiichiro stated calmly.
Sakuya nodded to his words, nervously looking around at everyone.
"You're a girl?" Tsukasa said.
Sakuya nodded. "Y-yes... I'm not happy like this. I've realized I am much happier being a woman."
"What do you want us to do?" Noel questioned, walking over and patting her on the shoulder. "New name? Pronouns? Something else?"
"U-uh... just... she/her now please." Sakuya mumbled. "I haven't thought much over anything else."
"We can do that easily." Noel smiled at her. "Don't be so nervous. You're still our friend."
"Indeed." Tsukasa nodded.
"T-thank you. I guess I was really worked up for no reason..." Sakuya said, managing a smile.
"You knew this information, Keiichiro?" Hilltop asked.
Keiichiro nodded. "Yes, I found out a while ago. She asked me to keep it between us until she was ready to tell you all."
"Are you planning to tell anyone else?" Tsukasa asked.
Sakuya shrugged. "I don't know..."
"One step at a time." Keiichiro stated. "Give her a break. This was a lot."
"Right." Tsukasa nodded. "Sorry. Just let us know if you do need help telling anyone else."
"Indeed. We'll gladly help you as well." Noel nodded along to her words.
"Thank you, guys..." Sakuya whispered. "I'm glad to have such good friends here."