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Uika, for the first time in her life, was at a lesbian bar. Her bandmates weren’t with her. Neither was Mana, who’d apparently started frequenting establishments like this after Sumimi ended.
Not having a dating ban over her head didn’t mean anything for Uika, though. She knew the one she loved didn’t love her the same way. She’d told herself just being Saki’s friend would be enough, but… it wasn’t, and Uika was tired.
“Uika-chan? I never thought I’d see you at a place like this. Unless you finally invited Saki to come on a date with you,” said a familiar voice.
Somehow, Anon had a keen sense of feelings despite usually acting with a complete lack of tact.
“I did not. I could never confess to Saki-chan, because I know she’ll never feel that way for me,” said Uika, “So, I decided, maybe it’s time for me to find some one who can see me that way.”
“Makes sense. Loving someone is nice in one way, but sometimes, you just want to be loved, right? That’s why I’m here,” said Anon.
“I’m a little surprised you didn’t try dating anyone in your band, either,” said Uika.
“If I tried to ask Rikki or Soyorin, they’d just tell me off. Raana would only say yes if I offered her some matcha dessert, and then she’d leave right after eating it. And Tomorin is nice, but, I guess it’s like you and Saki. She just doesn’t see me that way,” said Anon, “You know what I really want? Someone who’ll smile when I call out their name or they see I’m there. I know my bandmates care for me in their own way, but I need a bit more love than I think they can give.”
“So, I guess we’re in the same boat, huh? Two lonely girls looking for love,” said Uika.
“We are, aren’t we?” Anon said, “So… what if we started going out?”
“Just like that? I, uh, didn’t realize you felt that way for me,” said Uika.
“Well, to be honest, I don’t yet. But you’re pretty, and you’ve been nice to me, and they say that love takes time, right? The big thing is, we both have baggage. With anyone else, we’d need to explain it to them and hope they’ll still accept us. But we know each other already. Why not date each other instead of dragging some other girls into our mess?” Anon replied.
So, with a practicality that felt much more suited for a business decision than romance, Uika entered her first relationship. It was nothing like the fairy tales Uika had read and dreamed of in her childhood. But Anon was right about one thing. Having someone who already knew about many of her struggles, someone who Uika didn’t have to explain herself to, made things feel much more easy and comfortable.
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
Anon and Uika were slow to progress their relationship. At first, they’d simply gone on the occasional date now and then when one of them needed the company. It was only recently that they’d had their first kiss and announced their relationship to their friends. Recently, they’d been hugging and holding hands a bit more, even in public.
Uika was enjoying it. Even if Anon was only dating her because it would be easier for them, the affection that she always gave Uika felt nice. So, Uika wanted to do her best to be an affectionate girlfriend for Anon, too.
Today, she decided to invite her girlfriend on a spontaneous date after Anon was done practicing. Around the time that MyGO’s practice was scheduled to end, she waited in Circle’s lobby. It didn’t take too long for Uika to spot Anon and the rest of her band.
“Hi, Anon. Would you be up for a date?” Uika asked.
“Uikan! Uh, I was actually going to take MyGO to the mall today. How about you join us?” Anon replied.
“Why don’t you just enjoy your time with your girlfriend, Anon-chan. We can do this another day,” said Soyo.
“But it took so long to get all of you to agree to go on a shopping trip today. If we don’t go, then you’ll just start making excuses again,” Anon complained.
“So maybe instead of bothering us, so should just take Uika-san to do those things from now on instead,” said Taki, already heading for the exit, “Thanks for saving us the trouble, Uika-san.”
“You still need to buy me a matcha parfait, Rikki,” said Raana, following Taki.
“I can still come, Anon-chan,” said Tomori.
“Thanks, Tomorin,” Anon said, a lot less cheerful than before, “Uh, as long as that’s okay with you, Uika.”
“Of course,” said Uika.
She couldn’t be mad at Anon for inviting Tomori along at all. What did make Uika mad was the way her bandmates treated her. No wonder she’d been looking for love.
Uika made sure to hold Anon’s hand as they walked to the mall. She hoped that it gave Anon some comfort.
Once they arrived, Anon cheered up a little, starting by dragging Uika and Tomori to her favorite store. Despite her best efforts, Tomori wasn’t able to pretend to be interested in clothes. Uika did her best to pick up the slack, replying to Anon’s enthusiastic rambling with her own comments and thoughts. She didn’t complain when Anon gave her clothes to try out and picked out some things for Anon to try out as well. She even managed to convince Tomori to suggest some clothing to Anon.
By the time Anon received a call from her mother saying that it was time to go home, she had a smile on her face.
While Anon rushed to the train station, Uika and Tomori took their time heading out of the mall.
“Thank you for dating Anon, Uika-san. She deserves someone who can care for her the way you do,” said Tomori.
“You don’t need to thank me for that. Anon takes care of me a lot, too,” said Uika.
After all, Uika couldn’t see any of her bandmates calling her pretty so earnestly, with such a bright smile on their face. She couldn’t see her bandmates hugging and kissing her the way Anon did.
She couldn’t see herself making any of her bandmates happy the way she made Anon happy.
Sometimes, it was enough to let Uika convince herself that Anon really did love her.
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
Anon’s hard work, both as part of MyGO and on her own projects, had ended up paying off. She’d managed to get an invitation to a fashion show to show off her designs. And naturally, she’d asked Uika to model for her.
“You’re the prettiest girl I know, Uikan,” Anon had said, “And honestly… these days, when I’m thinking up a new dress, I’m usually imagining you wearing it. I guess you’re basically my muse, huh?”
How could Uika not accept such a sweet request? And it was a pretty easy way to support her girlfriend, too. Today, she was at Anon’s studio trying out the clothes Anon had designed so she could figure out what alterations needed to be made.
“Hm… I think this would loo really good on you if I made the skirt short. Your legs deserve to be shown off,” said Anon, “But, um… are you okay with that? The skirt is just fine as it is, so I’ll leave it if you’re more comfortable that way.”
“I’ve been an idol before, Anon. I’m used to wearing short skirts,” Uika replied.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you like doing it, right? I want this fashion show to be something you look back to as a good memory, too, Uikan,” said Anon.
“I’ll look back on it as a good memory because I was wearing the clothes designed. As far as short skirts, I don’t care either way,” said Uika.
They continued working, Uika putting on the outfits Anon had made while Anon looked at them with a critical eye. Occasionally, she’d make some measurements or write down some notes.
“Anon, before I put the next thing on, do you mind if I use the restroom for a moment?” Uika asked.
“Sure! You already know where it is, right?” Anon asked.
“Yeah,” said Uika.
As Uika left, Anon reviewed her notes. Suddenly, inspiration struck. She got up to tell Yuka her genius idea. But when she got to the door of the restroom, she heard Uika on the phone.
“You were finally able to schedule your recital? That’s great, Saki-chan! When is it? …Eh, this Sunday?”
Oh. Sunday was when the fashion show was supposed to take place. But Anon couldn’t expect Uika to put her, someone she’d been dating to distract herself from her unrequited love, over the girl that Uika actually loved. Anon would have to find a way to do the fashion show without her, even if that meant resizing all the clothes that she’d made.
Even if it meant the idea of the fashion show was suddenly a lot less exciting.
“Sorry, Saki-chan, I already have plans with Anon that day. I’ll do my next to come to your next recital, okay?” Uika said.
Anon wasn’t sure if she’d heard right. She just stood there dumbfounded as Uika left the bathroom.
“Anon?” Uika asked, surprised to see her girlfriend there.
“I had an idea about adding something to one of the dresses… biut never mind that. Is it really okay to say no to Saki?” Anon asked.
“She understands that it was too short notice for everyone to come. She wouldn’t be upset with me over something like this,” said Uika.
“No, not that. I mean… I thought you’d want to support the one you love,” said Anon.
“I do,” said Uika, “Which is why I’m coming to your fashion show.”
“You’re saying that… you really love me?” Anon asked.
“Yes. It wasn’t at first sight. I don’t even think it was in the first month we started dating. But yes, I love you,” said Uika, “The way you figure out I’m having a bad day and support me no matter how silly it is. The way you hold and kiss me so passionately. Even the dum – err, innovative ideas you have. It all built up. I mean, how could I not fall in love with you when you smile so brightly when you see me?”
“Uika! I love you, too,” Anon said, pulling Uika into a kiss.
No matter how their relationship had started, they’d managed to become exactly what each other needed.