Work Text:
[In Hope's Peak Academy]
Kyoko Kirigiri, A Talented Purple Haired Student who is always calm and collected, was investigating the building without making any contacts with anyone around her. She walked quietly, breathed quietly, thought quietly, and her Straight Face Expression never left her face.
Days on end, she was the same.
No Friends to speak to, no family to contact with, and no emotions to show anyone. Those actions caught a Certain Swimming Pro who had a Tan Skin and a Very Cheerful Personality.
As Kyoko was investigating the library, she noticed That Person and asked, “How long do you plan to follow me?” with a direct tone.
“Eep!” The Swimming Pro was caught and trembled.
Then, she got out of her hiding spot and revealed herself to her colleague. (☆Aoi Asahina☆ A.K.A, Hina! The Ultimate Swimming Pro!)
Aoi: “Heheheee... You.. caught me...”
Kyoko: “Cut the act, what do you want?”
Her direct speech forced the Joy out of Aoi; she stopped smiling and answered with a more serious tone: “I... I was planning to see you, but you were too busy and didn’t give me a chance....”
The Girl in Purple did not change her expression, but she looked at her stalker in the eyes and waited for more information. Aoi blushed as soon as she looked up.
“Speak.” Kyoko demanded.
“HAI!” Aoi suddenly screamed, then she lowered her voice and continued: “Sorry, if it isn’t awkward to ask, can I be your friend?”
...............
A 15 seconds pause happened where no one made a move or said a word.
“Why?” Kyoko suddenly broke the ice.
Aoi: “*Obviously Nervous* Eep! No! Hold on! It’s nothing weird! I swear!”
Kyoko: “You’re the one who make this weird.”
Aoi: “Yes! Ahaha! Haaa....”
Kyoko’s direct and emotionless words made it harder for Aoi to collect what was happening around her.
Aoi: “(This is tougher that I’d had planned! She is as calm as a Boulder! If not calmer... I gotta do something to win her Over!)”
In that moment, The Girl in Purple placed her book on the shelf and said with her direct tone: “Sure, we can be friends, but please do not bother me when I’m busy.”
A sudden shock went through Aoi’s nerves as she yelled, “Yes” loudly. But then, she realised that Kyoko went ahead and ignored her.
“Wait!” Aoi yelled and made Kyoko look at her, “Why are you leaving so quickly?” She asked and made The Girl in Purple face her.
Kyoko: “Why shouldn’t I?”
Aoi: “Uhh, well! You have that sad look on your face! We gotta help you change it!”
Kyoko’s face was, in fact, the same as ever, so she retaliated: “That’s my Usual Face; I am completely fine.”
She, however, was unaware of what was going on inside Aoi’s head and answered in the most logical way she could think of.
Aoi: “*Determined* No! As of today!”
*Yank*
Aoi: “I will help you overcome this sadness and loneliness of yours!”
In the moment she grabbed Kyoko’s wrist and shouted in determination, Kyoko looked at Aoi’s grip and asked directly: “Why are you going through all of this? I have told you I’m Fine.”
“No, no, No!” The Swimming Pro’s determination did not waver as she continued: “I will make you see what it means to have True Friends! I am not gonna leave you just because you are Lonely! You’ll see!”
She dashed forward and pulled Kyoko with her against her will; Kyoko, however, did not change her expression nor minded what she was going through.
*A while later*
Aoi took Kyoko to the first place she could think about; The Cafeteria!
Kyoko sat quietly and watched Aoi gulp donuts like a wild animal, yet she did not utter a single word.
Aoi: “Hum-mum-uhm-Mhm!”
Due to having her mouth full, she did not say a single understandable word.
Kyoko: “I don’t get it.”
*Worsh*
Aoi pushed a Chocolate Coated Donut before Kyoko’s Face and asked her to take it, but Kyoko felt an unnerving twitch before grabbing the food.
Aoi: “Humph! *Gulp* Try it!”
The way she spoke was too welcoming, Kyoko looked at the donut and took a very small bite from it as she started quietly eating it.
Aoi: “Tasty, isn’t it?”
Kyoko nodded in order to not make Aoi upset, and her expression remained the same.
*Later*
*SPLASH!*
Aoi started swimming in the Swimming Pool while Kyoko sat on the side and kept her bare feet underwater.
*POWASH*
“HOWAH! Now that felt good!” Aoi emerged from the water, then she waved at Kyoko and told her to dive right in.
Kyoko: “I fail to see the reason behind coming here.”
Aoi: “Because it’s fun, Silly!”
She swam towards The Girl in Purple in order to speak with her more comfortably.
“Does calling me with Silly make you feel better about yourself?” Kyoko asked directly, unaware of what Aoi meant.
Aoi: “*Grunt* Come on! It was just a Joke! Friends always call themselves names when they want to!”
Kyoko: “Elaborate.”
Saying that made Aoi put a finger on her chin, then she answered: “Let’s see; when you are friends with someone you truly like, it’s okay when they call you things like Silly and Dummy only if it was harmless and playful! Like saying it for a Joke! Orrr, saying it just to state that The other friend does not get it!”
Kyoko looked away for few seconds, then she asked with her usual tone: “I still don't get it; does that make me... Silly?”
In that moment, Aoi placed her hand on her head and said, “Don’t think about it too much” before diving back into the water.
*More Time Later*
[At The Garden]
Aoi was lying down while gazing at the ‘Blue Sky’ while Kyoko stood next to her with a serious expression.
Kyoko: “You do realise it’s Just a painting, right?”
Aoi, losing a fraction of her peace, replied with a grunt: “Just lie down and look at it! It won’t hurt to do so!”
Upon saying that, The Quiet Girl stood silently for 6 seconds, then lied down and gazed at the Painted Sky from Aoi’s point of view.
Kyoko: “Okay.... Now what?”
Aoi: “Just lie down and get lost in the clouds... Even point at some that look like things we can create!”
Kyoko looked at Aoi in disbelief, not understanding the point of this, then looked at the clouds in the painting.
Aoi: “Look! That one looks like a Dolphin!”
She pointed and made Kyoko look at that cloud, but The Quite Girl did not see the dolphin at all.
Kyoko: “I am... very confused.”
“There, there! Look at that one!” Aoi pointed at The Dolphin Cloud and made Kyoko look at it, “That’s its tail, that is its dorsal fin, and that is its silly face! Isn’t it cute?” Aoi giggled while explaining her point of view.
Kyoko gazed, squinted, tried so hard to see what Aoi sees, but all she saw was a painting.
Aoi: “You still don’t get it?”
Kyoko shook her head.
Aoi: “Urrrghhh fine, let me try something else...”
She scooted over to Kyoko and held her head, pointing it at the many clouds above them, then she asked firmly: “Now start using your imagination; what. Do. You. See?”
As Kyoko gazed at the painted sky, her expression turned firm as she tried her hardest to find something to make out of it.
“Uhhhh.... Does that look like.... Uhhh... Cotton Candy?” She clearly failed.
Aoi looked at where Kyoko was pointing, then she said happily: “It does! See? You can do it too!”
Kyoko’s confusion skyrocketed in that moment, but within the immense layers of questions, there was a hint of belonging.
Aoi: “Looking at these cotton candy clouds is making me hungry; let’s go eat something sweet!”
She quickly stood up and waited for Kyoko to drag herself up. As soon as she fully stood up, Aoi grabbed her hand and pulled her as they stormed out of the garden and went straight to the cafeteria... Again.
There, Aoi started eating more donuts while Kyoko began drinking a cup of black coffee.
Kyoko: “You really like eating donuts.”
Aoi: "Of course! They taste so good and fill up your energy quickly; can’t go wrong with a good succulent donut!”
However, Kyoko did not smile while listening to all that praise.
*Tewp*
In a sudden, Aoi grabbed Kyoko’s hand with both hands and spoke very earnestly: “You don’t need to keep acting so quiet and live alone; I’m here for you... We all are! So don’t feel sad and try smiling for once! I’m here and I will make sure to stay by your side no matter what!”
For once, Kyoko’s expression changed as she displayed less happiness and more uneasiness. Nervous and shocked, Aoi pulled her hands and apologised instantly for saying all that out of the blue.
Kyoko: “No.. It’s fine...”
Aoi: “I’m sorry! I know I said I wouldn’t bother you and... I’m really really sorry!”
But then, she realized that Kyoko was having a Smile on her face for once! The impact of that sight made Aoi's heart pound intensely as her eyes sparkled like stars!
Kyoko: “Thank You, Asahina Aoi.... If you really mean it, then I have no reason to be afraid.”
“DON’T MENTION IT!” The Swimming Pro was too shocked and happy; she straight up screamed joyfully!
Next, she faced Kyoko and spoke with her joy maintained: “And this is to make sure you hear me again! No matter what happens, I will be your friend! I’ll chase away your demons, make you feel safe, and do everything in my power to assure your happiness stays where it should be! You can count on me!”
Her enthusiasm and happiness were admirable; even the quietest girl in the academy smiled and expressed something other than her usual serious expression.
But then, Kyoko’s smile faded as she drank her coffee.
“Yeah....” That was the last word Kyoko said before finishing her coffee and deciding to call it a day.
Aoi: “Don’t forget! Best friends stay forever!”
Before leaving the cafeteria, Kyoko showed Aoi her smile one more time, then she left without saying a single word.
*Door Slam*
{The End}