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It was a calm night everywhere outside of Chiyo’s area. Everybody got finished with a big exam day at school, and Tomo was quick to suggest a sort of all day and night celebration. Despite some hesitation, it ultimately fell through, and now all of their friends, and some other random students, all celebrated at Chiyo's home (why hers? It's the biggest, and the sweet, innocent girl was able to be convinced that nothing bad would happen since they let teachers there (Yukari probably made things worse, and Nyamo had to spend all the time wrangling the other teacher)).
During this, Kagura made her rounds, meeting with her friends, consuming some of the laid-out items, but during it all, she was searching for someone; That clumsy little airhead, Ayumu.
She remembered that she was one of the people who initially hesitated.
-
“I dunno. Ah'm not really a fan of crowds. Too rowdy…”
“Aww, c'mon, Osaka!” Tomo nudged the floaty girl, “It's just a party! It's gonna be funnn!”
“Did you even hear what she said, idiot?” Yomi criticized the tomboy, then turned to Ayumu. “We understand if you don't want to come, but we like your company. Also, there probably will be a place for people who want a quiet place.”
“Oh! There's a hill nearby my home! If you feel overwhelmed, you can go there!” Chiyo suggested, “It has a nice view, too!”
“Ah… Well… if y'all really want me to come by… Ah guess ah can…”
-
Kagura silently cursed herself for not standing up for Ayumu more, and she also deeply regretted not staying by her side. She knew that Ayumu could take care of herself, despite her aloofness, but… Ugh.
Kagura had noticed that she was becoming oddly overprotective of her. Maybe it was because she was also a non-native, being from Okinawa, which was added with Ayumu confessing in private that she really wasn't a fan of the treatment she got for being an Osakan, which also gave her reason to just call her Ayumu. Maybe it was because her airheaded nature made it so she should have someone strong and capable to protect her. Or maybe it was because she found herself developing feelings for her. It still felt weird for Kagura to admit that, admittedly. Not because there wasn't much reason; Ayumu is a really charming, great person if one's fine with her quirks, it's just… strange to be so lovestruck. Maybe she was worried that she'd do something to embarrass herself in front of Osaka, or that she'd make her uncomfortable with her more sociable style of party going. Regardless, she wished she was there for Ayumu.
… Wait.
The hill! She's probably just there!
Kagura looked around and realized she had no idea exactly where that was, so she ran (and slipped) through the crowd, until she found Yomi, a trustworthy source, currently standing over a strange acting Tomo.
“Hey, Yomi, I-”
“Ohhh, it's Kagura~!” Tomo cheered, moving awkwardly. “How'z the party? Is soo fun! I've partied so much I'm so light headed~!”
“Quiet, wildcat.” Yomi strengthened her hold, “Look, Kagura, now's not a good time. I think… I think one of the drinks here was swapped with alcohol.”
“Huh?” Kagura's eyes widened, “But that can't be right! Why would Chiyo even have that here?”
“Yukari sensei forgot to lock her car, hehehe…” Tomo mumbled.
“... Idiot!” Yomi hit Tomo's head, making her whine and fall to the floor. “... Ugh, great, now I have to deal with a drunk Tomo… Well, before she tries to run off, did you need anything?”
“Oh, yes, um… Do you know where the hill is? You know, the… one nearby?”
“Noise getting to you, too? Alright, well, it should be just…” Yomi looked behind her, then pointed to her side, “Over there. Head straight, shouldn't miss it. Honestly, I'd join you, but…” Yomi looked down at Tomo, only to find her not on the ground. “Shit, where did she-! Sorry, Kagura, I gotta cut this short!”
“I understand. Good luck finding her!” Kagura said to the fleeing Yomi. A part of her wanted to help, but… Eh, Yomi's got it under control. And Ayumu is more important, at least in Kagura's mind.
Eventually, she made it to the hill, and started to ascend the slight slope. She passed by a few others, most unrecognized, though she did see Sakaki and what was probably Kaorin judging from height and hair shape. Good for her.
As she walked up, she finally found her. At the top of the hill, just where it started to point back down, Ayumu splayed her body out completely, staring up into the sky, the blank smile she kept on her face as stable as always. A part of her wanted to stare at her figure, as Osaka was beautiful at the moment. Even in her strange pose, the dress she had on was stunning, its blue really making her something special on the hill. It was hard to describe. But, it was creepy to stalk, so Kagura walked down, and eventually sat next to her.
“Hey, Ayumu.”
Ayumu's head perked up, and she turned to look at Kagura. Her smile shifted slightly, enough to look more meaningful. “Oh, heya, Kagura! Wha'cha doin here?”
“Just thought I'd take a break, I guess.”
“Ah, alrighty.” Osaka replied, her head laying back on the grass. “Ah'm jus watchin’ stars.”
“Can I join?”
“Sure!”
Kagura lied down, and stared up into the night sky.
“... I like your dress.” Kagura said, tilting her head to Ayumu slightly.
“Why thank you! Ah spent all day pickin’ it out. Ah like your look, too! Very, uh, what's it now… butch?”
Kagura looked over at Osaka for a second, trying to judge if she actually knew what that meant or not. But, looking down at the flannel and cargo she was wearing… Honestly, yeah, she could see it.
“Thanks.” Kagura replied, looking back up.
“... Do ya like stars?” Ayumu asked after about a minute of silence.
“Yeah. They're… pretty cool.” Kagura shrugged.
“Yeah. Kaorin told me once that stars got all kinds'a meanings and shapes and stuff.”
“Do they now?”
“Mmm… Honestly, Ah'm not too sure. Ah kinda like ‘em just being up there, sparklin’ for no reason. People always try to put meaning behind everything, but ah don't get why.”
“... Probably just gives them more to think about? Honestly, I never really thought of it like that.” Kagura turned her body to look at Ayumu, who's smile dropped into a more stoic resting face.
“Everyone always acts like things got meanin’ to ‘em, and they try to make it out like understandin’ the meaning makes ‘em smart. Then, once they think they get it, they make classes of things to have other people see what they see, and tell others they're wrong if they see it differently.” Ayumu looked at Kagura. “Do ya think that people who don't agree with that aren't smart?”
“... I don't think anyone's really ‘smart.’” Kagura looked behind her, somewhat gesturing to where other people were. “Even if people seem stupid, they're probably smart at something, right?”
“Ah guess.” Ayumu laid her head back on the grass. “Just ‘cuz Ah'm not real good at tests, or studying, or reading, or any o’ that, some people think Ah'm a dummie, but Ah'm not stupid, right?”
“I don't think you're stupid.” Kagura moved her arms to be closer to Ayumu, but didn't touch her. “You just think differently than everyone else. I like that about you, honestly.”
“But Ah'll always look stupid to everyone else. Why, Ah'm even in a group for that! ‘The Knuckleheads’...”
“You know that group's only made because we 3 are struggling in grades. It's like you said, they think we're wrong because we see it differently.” Kagura dryly chuckled. “You wouldn't call me stupid, right?”
“Not at all.”
“Then I don't see why us knuckleheads should accept being called stupid.”
“... Right.”
Silence overtook the two for about 5 minutes, just silently looking at the stars. Eventually, Ayumu turned her body to Kagura.
“Ya like how Ah think?”
“Hm? Uh, yeah. I haven't met anyone who has thoughts like yours, and I love the way you put them to words. It's so you, I guess?”
“... Huh. Ah don't think anyone's said that somethin’ was ‘so me’ and meant it as a good thing.”
A tinge of concern filled Kagura at this. “... Hey, don't worry about what other people say, alright? It's not like they have any authority over you.”
“Ah know, Ah know, it's just…” Ayumu turned to face Kagura with her whole body. “You're so nice to me, and Ah don't really know why.”
Kagura blushed a bit, but maintained composure. “Do I need a reason?”
“... Guess not.”
The two stared at each other now, finding how the night scenery behind the other really makes them glow. Everything about the moment was just so… soft.
“... Ye're really pretty, ya know…?” Ayumu whispered.
“You're pretty, too.” Kagura whispered back. “... Really pretty.”
Ayumu shifted a little closer, but Kagura stopped her. “Hey, if you're gonna move, at least sit up. You'll stain your dress.”
“A-ah, that's right.” Ayumu sat up, and Kagura did the same, giggling slightly.
“You're so silly.” Kagura smiled and slid to Ayumu's side.
“Well, Ah'm glad you like my silliness.” Ayumu's face was just a little redder.
“Mhm.” Kagura hummed as she placed an arm around Ayumu's shoulder. “... Hey, Ayumu…”
“... Yeah?”
“... Can I…?”
“... Go ahead…”
Kagura hesitated for a second, then dipped down, placing her lips on Ayumu's. Since neither prepared for this, nor did they expect to ever do something like this any time soon, it was probably not at all one of the best first kisses. Chapped lips meet chapped lips, barely any real movement between the two, and with the precision of a blind person throwing 10 ton darts, but for both of them, it meant so much. Just having this connection between the two was wonderful in a way that neither of the two knew how to describe.
The kiss was short, likely due to the lack of proper mental preparation. The two separated, and stared silently at the other, as if trying to just read if the other liked it.
“G-golly…” Ayumu whispered first, which made Kagura giggle.
“Yeah. Um…” Kagura mumbled back, “That was nice…”
Kagura brought a hand up to Ayumu's face, and after a nod of approval, they kissed again.
-
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT IT FROM YUKARI!?” Minamo screamed at the still woozy tomboy.
“I-I swear, I didn't give her alcohol!” The irresponsible teacher tried to reason with Minamo.
“She said herself that she stole it from her car.” Yomi clarified, and Tomo giggled.
“It'z so fun to be young enough to make mistakessss….~!”
“See, I'm innocent-”
“WHY DID YOU HAVE ALCOHOL IN YOUR CAR?!”
As Ayumu and Kagura assessed the situation they came back to, Ayumu clung onto Kagura's arm. “Ah think Ah want to maybe wait a bit before we let 'em know…”
“Yeah…” Kagura agreed as Minamo roared in righteous fury at the normally combative teacher. “Wanna come over to my place?”
“Ah'd love that.” Ayumu snuggled into Kagura's arm, and the two walked off, very happy with the night.