Chapter Text
Maria knew Tsubasa wasn’t the type to initiate physical contact, but he never pushed people away either. Every day, Hibiki would pull him into a big hug, Chris would lean on him, and Kirika and Shirabe would hang off him casually. He never seemed to mind. Logically, Maria knew she could do the same—yet she never tried. Not until recently.
She decided to start small, gently pressing against him while the Commander explained their latest mission. Tsubasa seemed surprised at first, but ultimately, he didn’t move away. Maria tried to concentrate on the Commander’s words, but her heart was racing.
Next time, she wrapped her arms around Tsubasa from behind and rested her head on his shoulder. To her, it felt like hugging a teddy bear. Tsubasa didn’t react—he simply continued his conversation. His conversational partner, however, wasn’t quite as composed.
"Whoa, have you guys always been like that?" Hibiki asked, her shock almost comical.
"Like what?" Tsubasa replied, his tone as monotone as ever. The indifference stung Maria, but she just forced a smile in response.
On another outing, Maria pressed her luck and reached for Tsubasa’s hand. To her surprise, he interlaced their fingers, even though his expression remained unchanged. She smiled and brought their hands closer to her.
Over the next few weeks, she found more small ways to touch him and stay close. It felt blissful.
But Maria knew none of it meant anything. Tsubasa was just kind—he never pushed anyone away.
Hibiki sat in Tsubasa’s lap, chatting about her school day while he listened silently, his stoic face unchanged.
Maria felt foolish. She had known all along Tsubasa was simply being polite, but she let herself get caught up in the fantasy. She wasn’t his girlfriend. She had no right to be jealous.
She needed to stop.
Maria kept her distance after that. She still spoke and acted the same around him, but she avoided physical contact.
It still stung, watching the others casually touch Tsubasa. But she tried to hide it. This was her choice, after all.
One day after training, Maria lingered in the changing room, not wanting to face the others. They’d done nothing wrong. It was Maria who needed to pull herself together.
She sighed as she grabbed her things. When she turned around, she saw a familiar blue-haired sentinel leaning on the doorframe.
“Did I do something to upset you?” Tsubasa asked, his gaze piercing.
“No. Why would you think that?” Maria shifted uncomfortably.
“I feel like you’ve been avoiding me. I know I can be oblivious at times, but even I noticed the sudden change.” He pushed off the frame and stepped closer.
“I’m not avoiding you. We see each other every day.” Maria had assumed Tsubasa would notice the change—she just didn’t think he’d bring it up.
“But you’re not…” His ears flushed pink. “You’re not touching me anymore.”
Maria blushed. “I don’t see why that’s a problem. Besides, you have everyone else for that.” She couldn’t hide the bitterness in her voice.
“Are you jealous, Maria?” Tsubasa looked genuinely surprised.
“I’m sorry.” She shrank back. “The problem is me. I’ll get over it. I just needed to create some space.”
Tsubasa’s expression shifted. “Would you go back to being affectionate with me… if I didn’t let anyone else do it?”
Maria blinked. “I couldn’t ask that. I don’t want to be the reason you grow distant from the others.”
He paused, deep in thought. Then, stepping closer, he said, “What if I did something with you that I don’t do with anyone else?”
“What do you mean?” Maria backed away until her back hit the wall.
Tsubasa placed his arms on either side of her, trapping her gently.
“This is just for you.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Pulling back, he added, “Please don’t be cold to me anymore.”
A fierce blush spread across Maria’s cheeks. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “You can never just say how you feel, can you? You’re so selfish.”
Tsubasa’s eyes widened in panic. “I’m sorry, Maria. I—”
“Tell me you like me. Tell me you want me to touch you. That you want to be with me.” She clutched the front of his shirt. “I want to hear you say it.”
Tsubasa’s face turned crimson.
“Maria…”
“Yes?”
“I like you. I want you to touch me, and I want to touch you. I love it when you hug me, when you hold my hand. I want to be with you. And I want to kiss you again.”
Maria wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into another kiss—this one deeper and far less restrained. Tsubasa responded, pressing her roughly against the wall.
When they broke apart, Maria rested her forehead against his.
“I like you too.”
Later, after gathering her things, Maria and Tsubasa moved to leave.
When they opened the door, four eavesdroppers tumbled forward.
The girls scrambled to stand.
“Tsubasa, Maria! What a coincidence! I was just… looking for my water bottle. Guess it’s not here. I’ll be on my way.” Hibiki scratched her head sheepishly and bolted.
“Traitor!” Kirika and Shirabe shouted after her retreating figure.
Maria sighed. “I guess there are no secrets around here.” She smiled at the younger girls and leaned into Tsubasa, who wrapped his arms around her waist.
Chris’s face turned bright red. “Get a room!”