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Nice Nature paced the length of her dorm room, bouquet of flowers clutched in her hands. This was it. Today, she was finally going to confess to her crush, Tokai Teio.
Teio was incredible. Where Nature was cynical and pessimistic, Teio was determined and optimistic. Even when she had fractured her leg and couldn't race, she still kept moving forwards, determined to never give up. Whenever Nature felt like she was a nobody, a background character, Teio would be there to help her, to show her that she was more than that. She was… inspiring.
She was also really cute. Her rich, brown hair, her shining eyes, her wide smile, the way her skin flushed after a race…
Nature took a deep breath. No more daydreaming about Teio, she had a crush to confess-
Knock knock knock
Nature groaned. Of course, someone would show up now, of all times. She placed the flowers on the desk and went to open the door, only to come face to face with Tokai Teio herself.
“Natie!” Teio exclaimed. “I need your help!”
“O-okay.” Nature said, caught off guard. “What do you need help with?”
“Well, it's that…” Teio sighed. “It's kinda personal and really important and I don't know what to do and-”
“Teio, breathe.” Nature said. “What is it?”
Teio was silent for a moment, before whispering “...IhaveacrushonMejiroMcqueen.”
Nature's heart stopped. Did she hear that correctly? She couldn’t of, right?
“...what?” She asked, hoping, praying, that-
“I have a crush on Mejiro McQueen!” Teio exclaimed, breaking Nature's heart into pieces in the process. She began rambling, not noticing the way Nature's face had fallen. “And- and, I don't know what to do! She's so cool and awesome and perfect and I don't know how to tell her! I need your help, Natie. What am I supposed to do? How do I tell her? Should I tell her?”
“I…um…” Nature hesitated. Putting aside her heartbreak, she was still Teio's friend. If she couldn’t be with Teio, she could at least make sure she was happy. “You…should tell her, Teio.”
“But what if I mess it up!” Teio said, pacing the room. “She's always so refined, what if I put her off?”
“Teio, McQueen's your friend. She wouldn't be if she didn't at least like you.” Nature pointed out.
“But what if she doesn't love me?” Teio agonized.
Nature sighed. “That…can happen. And…we have no control over it. All we can do is just…accept it. Even…even if it hurts.” Nature wrapped her arms around herself. “Believe me, I know how it feels. But, at the end of the day, you just have to a-accept it, and- and…”
“Natie?” Teio took a step forward. “You're crying.”
“I am?” Nature brought her hand up to her face and wiped away the tears. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.” She took in a deep breath. “I just… I just recently realized that the girl I love doesn't love me back, so this is… kinda personal, I guess.”
“Oh!” Teio brought her hand to her mouth. “I’m so sorry for you! Are you doing okay?”
“Y-yeah.” Nature responded. “But enough about me. Here.” She took the bouquet on her desk and gave it to Teio. “I think you'll make better use of this than me.”
Teio stared at the flowers. “Natie…”
“Good luck.” Nature said, ushering Teio out of her room.
Teio smiled at her. “Thanks Natie. And…I hope you find someone who loves you. You really deserve it.”
“Thanks.” Nature nodded, then shut the door. She stared at it for a while, before slowly making her way to her bed. She curled up in it and began to cry. How could she have been so foolish? Of course Teio wouldn't be interested in some side character like her. She was dumb to think she ever had a chance.
Still, why did it hurt so much?