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The autumn leaves really were so pretty, Minori thought, as she walked to school. So many different shades of oranges and brown, and the crunch of the leaves as she stepped in them was very satisfying. But, other than the changing colours of the leaves, nothing was amiss to Minori. Everything seemed to point towards an ordinary school day. Or so she thought. There was just one thing that Minori failed to notice as she made her way to school. Something that no one seemed to point out to her.
So, Minori went about with her day like any other day. She talked to her classmates, and it seemed like Shiho and Kohane were acting as usual too. Although, Shiho seemed to be on the verge of laughing, and she wasn't sure why.
"Shiho-chan, what's so funny?"
"Uh, it's nothing, Minori, I just remembered something funny with Leo/Need, and I'm trying to stop thinking about it," Shiho blurted out, looking away from Minori.
Ohh, that made sense. Minori sometimes got like that too, if she thought too much about Haruka's beauty, she would absolutely lose herself into that train of thought. Haruka's charm was just too strong, she couldn't help it!
"You know, the leaves are so pretty when they start turning orange," Kohane said, looking out the classroom window. "Autumn really is beginning, isn't it?"
"Yeah! I love walking to school and hearing the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, hehe!" Minori giggled. "And also, Haruka-chan looks so beautiful in the autumn trees, her hair goes so well with the leaves, and she looks so stunning, I mean she goes well with anything really but, that's because—"
"Minori," Shiho cut off. "It's lunch in a few minutes, we should probably get going."
"Awe... But I wanted to talk more about Haruka-chan! Mm, well, I suppose there's always tomorrow."
"Mm. I'm sure Haruka would think the autumn leaves would suit you," Shiho snickered.
Minori squealed. "No, don't make me think about that! If I think about Haruka complimenting me, my heart can't take it!"
"Oh? But, you're dating her though?" Shiho asked, still chuckling at Minori's reaction.
"B-But, it still makes my heart race"
The other two giggled at her. Just Minori being Minori, as usual. But, she couldn't help but talk about Haruka, she meant everything to her. Sometimes, it was hard for Minori to believe she was really dating Haruka! But, her day went on, and Minori continued with her regular routine. She headed to the rooftop to have lunch with Haruka.
"Haruka-chan! How did your classes go?" Minori asked.
"Ah, they were fine—Huh?" Haruka said, stopping as she looked at Minori's face. "What's that on your head?"
"Huh, but I'm not wearing anything on my head though? Is there something on there?"
"Can you tilt your head down for me, love?"
Minori's heart skipped a beat hearing that pet name. She still wasn't used to hearing that from Haruka. Of course, Minori complied and tilted her head down, letting Haruka get a better view at whatever was on her head. Haruka's fingers briefly went through her hair, picking something out of her hair. Huh? Did Minori really have something in her hair and she didn't notice? Minori looked up again and saw that Haruka was holding something.
"Minori, you had a leaf stuck in your hair," Haruka giggled, showing her girlfriend the comically huge orange leaf that had been on her head. "Did no one in your class say anything about it?"
Minori took a second to process this information.
"EHHHHHH? N-No one told me? I didn't even realise there was a leaf that big on my head!" Minori exclaimed. How did no one even notice? She went to class with a leaf that had fallen on her and no one noticed? Oh, how she wanted to turn into a puddle in that very moment.
But then she remembered how Shiho had acted earlier.
"Shiho-chan! She..."
"Hmm?" Haruka asked, curious by Minori's sudden mention of her.
"Agh, it's nothing, Haruka-chan, I'm just a bit embarrassed. Why did no one in my class say anything, I can't face anyone now!"
Haruka still held the leaf in her hand, chuckling at her reaction. "I'm sure you can still face people, Minori, and besides..."
Haruka's heart pounded as Minori stared at her with large, curious eyes.
"Mm? What is it, Haruka-chan?"
"I... I think you looked cute, even if it's a bit silly, the orange of the leaf goes well with your face," Haruka said, holding the leaf near Minori's face, before letting it fall out of her hands. Haruka ended up continuing, but it was quiet mumbles that were unintelligible.
Minori's face instantly felt hot. Haruka found her cute? Her heartbeat was so loud right now, could Haruka hear it? She didn't know how she could possibly respond to what she said.
"Well, um, but if you're embarrassed by it, it's fine, I just thought it looked nice and all, um—"
"Did you really mean that, Haruka-chan?"
Haruka used her free hand to cup her girlfriend's cheek. "Of course I mean it, dear. You're the prettiest girl in my eyes, I mean that. I meant everything I said."
Minori closed her eyes, leaning into her hand. She was far too embarrassed to make eye contact with her serious eyes. Haruka really thought of her like that?
"Minori, won't you at least look at me?" Haruka giggled.
"I can't!"
Haruka leaned in closer. Minori could feel her breath brushing against her face.
"Are you sure you can't?"
A whimper escaped from Minori's mouth. This was going to be the death of Hanasato Minori, wasn't it?
Minori slowly opened her eyes, and was greeted by Haruka's face. "H-Haruka-chan, you're so close."
"Mm, you look really cute like this," Haruka whispered. She was getting bolder from seeing Minori's flustered reaction.
"Ah, um... th-thank you!" Minori stuttered out. "Should we start eating lunch, Haruka-chan?"
Quick, Minori needed some way to get out of this or, she really would end up dying!
"Ah, you're right, sorry for getting you caught up in this," Haruka apologised, before leaving a kiss on Minori's cheek. "There, a kiss as an apology, is that okay with you?"
If Minori could have exploded at that moment, she would have. Minori nearly toppled over from shock, but Haruka managed to catch her before she fell over.
"Sorry, was that too much teasing for you?"
"No, no, no! It was fine, I just need a minute to recover, that's all."
Haruka nodded. She gently held Minori's hand, rubbing it to hopefully calm her down. It seemed like it worked.
"I love you, Haruka-chan."
Haruka's eyes widened for a moment, before softening. "I love you too, Minori. Now, let's have lunch, shall we?"
"Mm!"
Minori really was adorable... Haruka would definitely have to thank Shiho later.