Chapter Text
"Honoka, is everything okay?" Nozomi sat at lunch with Honoka, after asking Kotori and Umi if she could speak to her alone for a moment.
"Yeah, everything's fine... why do you ask?" Honoka said a bit quickly, taking a bite of her bread.
"Well," Nozomi started, taking a seat next to her by the tree she always sat at. "You seemed really distracted during our morning jog. You were completely spaced out the entire time."
"Eheh, was I?"
"So, what's wrong?"
"Nothing--"
"Honoka. Tell me what's bothering you. If you don't, I'll washi-washi you," she teased, holding her hands up in a groping motion.
"Fine! Fine!" Honoka shouted, scooting away, holding her hand out to protect herself, and holding onto a piece of bread with the other.
Nozomi giggled, before looking at her expectantly.
"Well... it's just..."
"Hm?"
"I think I'm in love," Honoka muttered, her face becoming red.
"You're in--"
"Shh! Not so loud," Honoka muttered, looking around with an embarrassed face.
"Well, this is unexpected," Nozomi said, quieter this time, a grin forming on her face. "So who is it?"
"Huh? Well..."
"Is it Tsubasa, from A-Rise?"
"Is guess I can see why you'd think that... but no."
"Is it Umi?
"She's too strict..."
"Kotori?"
"I couldn't really see her as anything other than a friend, really."
Nozomi put her finger to her chin, thinking deeply before she snapped her fingers in realization, turning back to Honoka.
"It's Rin!"
"Shh! I told you to be quiet," Honoka muttered.
Nozomi laughed. "How out of character for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Nozomi simply shook her head, before suddenly grabbing Honoka by her shoulders. "You should confess!"
"H- Huh? No, I can't," Honoka insisted, shaking her hands in front of her face.
"Why not?"
"Well... it's just, kinda..." Honoka struggled to find the right words.
"You think she doesn't like you back?"
Honoka nodded her head, taking the final bite out of her lunch.
Nozomi stood up, grabbing Honoka by the hand and pulling her up as well. "I can assure you that there's no reason to think that. You'll definitely get a positive answer."
"Really...?"
"Yep! So you have to confess!" Nozomi said rather loudly, catching the attention of a few people. Nozomi cleared her throat. "I'll even help you, if you want," she said, quietly this time.
"...Alright, fine," Honoka muttered, letting Nozomi lead her inside.
Honoka and Nozomi sat in the club room while the rest of Muse practiced, having told them that they were having a very important discussion.
"What about a love letter?"
"Hm... I'm not sure that's Rin's style, she might not even read it."
"You're right... ugh, what do I do?"
"Well... you could get her flowers. Or take her out for ramen and tell her how you feel. Or both!"
"So... ask her on a date, basically?"
"Yep! Rin would probably love it."
"Probably...?"
"Well, if Ramen's involved, she'll definitely enjoy it, at least."
Despite Nozomi's assurances, Honoka still felt hesitant.
"But what if she's... you know... what if she doesn't like girls in that way..."
"Honoka... I think it's safe to say everyone in Muse is into girls."
"Are you sure--"
"I'm positive. Now let's go join the others, and you can ask Rin after practice."
After practice, Nozomi gave Honoka a wink, before leading everyone back inside.
"Rin, can I talk to you for a second?" Honoka asked, weakly grabbing her arm.
"Hm? Sure! What do you need?" She said excitedly, bouncing slightly on her feet.
"Well," Honoka tried to find the right words, getting more and more nervous by the second. "Do you want to, uh, get Ramen with me? We could go right after this, or later, or..." She trailed off, looking at Rin's face for her reaction.
"Like... a friend date? Or a real date?" She asked, looking at the other girl with curious eyes.
"Er... a real date, I guess? I mean, if you don't want to, that's--"
Rin caught her off guard by wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug. "Honoka!" She shouted, extending each syllable.
Honoka laughed, welcoming the hug gratefully. "Is that a yes?"
"Yep! A ramen date with Honoka sounds so fun!"
"I'm glad," she muttered. She'd have to remember to thank Nozomi later.