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Mitsuru walks side by side with Yukari up the stairs of the Godaigo Inn. The baths were wonderful, and while her cheek still stings from the slap, she's extremely grateful for the heartfelt talk she had with Yukari. Before that conversation, before Yukari reached out so forcefully to her, Mitsuru had convinced herself that not only was she alone, but that she had to be alone. For her sake and others. It's easier to shut others out than let them in.
She wonders if that’s how her father handled everything. All his responsibilities before he passed…
My father… That’s the first time I’ve been able to think about him recently without freezing up…
She looks deeply into Yukari’s eyes, her now serious expression apparently shining through, given the blush creeping on Yukari’s cheeks. “W-what? Do I have something on my face, senpai?”
Mitsuru shakes her head, frowning slightly. Senpai…
Mitsuru doesn’t feel good about the honorific. She thinks if they're good enough friends to talk like they did, to bathe together, Yukari should drop it. “Takeba, I-”
“Oh, Senpai, you can use my first name if you want. You used it before, you should keep doing it.” Yukari smiles, and Misturu’s heart skips a beat.
Oh no.
Mitsuru thinks she might like Yukari.
Something like this has happened before, although she still isn’t out at school. While Mitsuru often tells herself that it simply doesn’t matter much to her, her primary reason has always been how it would affect the reputation of her father and, by extension, the Kirijo Group. But, as far as she is concerned, she is right to do so. She’s never had time for a proper relationship anyway.
This was different. Yukari… She lives with Yukari. Fights alongside her. Talks and spends time with her . And now that they are closer than ever, this is when these feelings had to develop?
Yukari walks Mitsuru to her room in the inn. Mitsuru had lost track of what Yukari was talking about, being preoccupied with her own thoughts this entire time, and a blush starts creeping onto her cheeks. What a terrible friend, to not be listening to her.
“- but yeah, looks like we’re here, Senpai!” Yukari examines Mitsuru, who attempts to avert her eyes. “...You okay, Senpai? You’re looking a bit warm. Was the water too hot?”
“No, I…” Mitsuru clears her throat, taking a second to recompose herself before focusing back on Yukari. “I’m alright.”
“Well, that’s good! I guess I’ll head back to my room, but I’ll come find you in the morning, okay?”
Yukari begins to walk away to do just that, but Mitsuru reaches out to grab her hand. “Wait! Just… I had something to ask, Take-” She catches herself. “Yukari.”
Yukari blinks in surprise, but she smiles, squeezing Mitsuru’s hand. “What’s up?”
Mitsuru takes a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before focusing. I should ask. I don’t know… I don’t know if she likes women, but… I have to know.
—
“So we’re… Friends?” Mitsuru asks the question with such vulnerability, Yukari is temporarily stunned by the simplicity of it.
“Um, well, duh? I thought we’d already established that, Senpai.” She laughs, squeezing Mitsuru’s hand again. “What, did you think we weren’t?”
“No, of course not! I simply… well…” Mitsuru is silent for a few moments, looking away from her.
Yukari studies her, taking note of the red of her cheeks. The heat really must have gotten to her. She lays her hand on Mitsuru’s shoulder. “I know I may have given you a lot of crap this year, but it’s behind us now, okay? You can rely on me!” Yukari gestures toward Mitsuru’s room. “Go lay down, I’ll bring you a wet towel.”
Mitsuru’s shoulders relax. “...Very well.”
—
Mitsuru holds the soothingly cold towel to her face with both hands. Yukari had already left, and she was alone in the room.
“That… could not have gone worse.” Mitsuru pulls the towel off, using it to wipe off her neck. Maybe she isn’t interested…?
Mitsuru has no experience with dating or flirting. An idle thought comes to her, and her stomach turns. I know I’m engaged to someone, but…
The engagement itself is pure politics. Father had described it as something they would use as a placating tool for the Board of Directors to ensure that the line of succession is secure, but he had no intention of forcing Mitsuru into it. After he passed, the board almost immediately began drawing up plans for the merging of the two households, and any moment she thinks of it makes her sick.
She pushes it from her mind. She lays back down on her futon, closing her eyes. There's nothing to be done. She’ll just have to try and move past this. Just another crush for her to get over. No big deal.
—
Yukari is fuming. The more she dwells on it, the madder she gets. “Of course we’re friends… What is wrong with her…?” She isn’t actually mad at Mitsuru. She knows that she’s been really hard on her senior for the majority of the year.
I even ended up slapping her in Shirakawa after that shadow went and put us in a room together…
She very, very quickly pushes that memory away. No need to make Mitsuru uncomfortable by apologizing for that again. Come to think about it, I slapped her again today, too…
Yukari’s anger releases and she sighs. Maybe it makes sense for her to not be sure that we’re friends… I’ve been a real ass. Maybe I do need to try and make it up to her…
An idea begins to form in her head. I just need to make sure to stay with her for the rest of the trip… She won’t have any doubt in her mind by the time we’re going home together. Yukari grins, resolving herself as she lays down to sleep.
—
Mitsuru nearly jumps out of her skin when she opens the door to leave her room and finds Yukari waiting there, leaning against the wall across. Yukari grins. “Hey, Senpai, c’mon! Let's spend the day together?”
All the memories of the night before come rushing back to her, and Mitsuru fights to keep her face calm. “O-oh? Were you not going to spend some time with Shiomi and Iori?”
Yukari rolls her eyes, locking her arm with Mitsuru’s as they walk. Mitsuru cannot help but blush at the proximity, turning her head away again to hide her reaction as Yukari talks. “Kotone is with Aigis and Fuuka, and Stupei is off with Mochizuki. It’s just you and me today!”
“Ah, well, thank you for having me.” Mitsuru takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She’s shaken slightly by Yukari as they walk. Turning to look at her, Mitsuru’s stomach drops as she spots a flash of annoyance on Yukari’s face.
—
“Obviously! What are friends for?”
Yukari watches for Mitsuru’s reaction, and groans internally as Mitsuru turns away again. This is going to be hard… She really is scared to have me as a friend. Well, tough! I’m getting past these walls of yours if it's the last thing I do!
—
Mitsuru smiles to herself as Yukari drags her along the streets of Kyoto. While they still catch sight of their other friends here and there, Yukari makes it very clear that she's only interested in having fun with Mitsuru right now. She’s a good friend…
“Oh, Senpai, take a look at this!” Yukari holds up a keychain. Mitsuru marvels at it, and Yukari beams at her. “It’s cute, isn’t it?” She returns it to where she found it, then spies something else. “Look at this!”
Mitsuru glances at what Yukari is holding; two keychains, one of a neutral faced silver cat and the other of a smiling calico. “I should get us these! That way we can have something matching.” Yukari quickly pays what the person running the stall is asking, and Mitsuru flusters as she is handed the silver cat keychain.
“Takeba, I-”
Yukari quickly corrects her. “We talked about this last night, Senpai. Call me Yukari!”
Mitsuru is surprised at how annoyed Yukari seems to be at this. She corrects herself. “Yukari.” Yukari smiles, seeming very proud of herself, which makes Mitsuru laugh. “But Yukari, if I’m going to do that, I think you might have to drop the 'senpai.'”
Yukari seems confused for a moment before realization crosses her face. “I didn’t even know I was doing that!”
—
Yukari definitely knew she was doing that.
It was her own little way of seeing if Mitsuru was starting to warm up to her, and she’s pleasantly surprised at how quickly it worked. What next, though…?
“C’mon, Mitsuru! Let’s catch up, we’re falling behind everyone else.” She snakes her arm into Mitsuru’s and holds onto it with her other hand, as if to ensure she can’t get away.
“Yukari, I… had something I wished to ask you.”
Yukari glances up at Mitsuru, who once again won’t meet her gaze. She frowns at the mixed messages. Am I coming on too strong? I thought Mitsuru would appreciate the direct approach… “What is it, Mitsuru?”
Mitsuru takes another moment to respond, clearing her throat. “I… overheard a rumor that one of the members of my class, a girl, was interested in… other girls.”
Yukari is absolutely, gobsmackingly lost. “Oh?” Where did this come from!?
Mitsuru tsks, staring ahead. “I… made it clear to the rumor mongers how inappropriate it is to spread such a thing.”
She hesitates, and Yukari is completely unable to help her, as she isn’t even sure how they got to this topic, let alone where it is going.
Mitsuru continues. “How… How do you feel about things like that, Yukari?”
“Uhhh… I mean, those sound like pretty awful rumors to have spread about you. It’s good that you’re so diligent, as Student Council President and all.” What am I supposed to say!? Is she scouting me for Student Council like she did Kotone? I don’t have time for that!
MItsuru chuckles nervously. “I meant to say, how do you feel about… girls who like girls…”
Yukari blinks. Internally, she is screaming, her mind blaring with alarms. This is not how I was expecting this conversation to go. At all. “Well, I mean, first of all,-”
“Hey, you two!” Junpei rounds up beside Yukari, overexcited. “Ryoji found this awesome restaurant! You need to come see, Yuka-tan. I already talked to Ko, and she let the others know.”
Junpei laughs, watching for their reaction. Yukari glares at him for interrupting, and given his grimace as he looks between her and Mitsuru, she’s certain that Mitsuru is giving a similarly severe expression. “Uh, well, I’ll see you there!”
He runs off, leaving the two standing in the street. Yukari lets out a nervous laugh. “ Stupei strikes again, I guess.” Maybe I can at least avoid that awkward question.
Mitsuru laughs as well. “He’s very excitable. I suppose we should at least give it a try.”
Yukari beams, tugging on Mitsuru’s arm. “Let's hurry then! I want to pick my seat.”
Glad I avoided that. I mean, I like girls. Don’t need Mitsuru to think I’m weird or anything. Not when we just started being friends.
—
Eventually, the evening sets in and they return to the Godaigo Inn. Fuuka had mentioned that Kotone is interested in all the girls bathing together, but that she wants to check out the shop at the inn before they go. In the meantime, Mitsuru and Yukari wait in Mitsuru’s room. The Lily Room, Mitsuru thought idly to herself. Quite a name.
“...So, my friend and I are really into this dessert they serve at the cafe there.” Yukari pauses as a thought suddenly comes to her. “Oh, I know! Would you like to go with me after school sometime?”
Mitsuru smiles. “That would be nice. I’d like to try this ‘special strawberry parfait’ you’ve been talking about.”
Yukari grins, laughing. “Awesome, it's a date!”
That sends Mitsuru through a loop. “A… A date?”
“Uh, yeah, like to go out to eat together?” Yukari frowns. “You okay, Mitsuru? You’ve seemed super stressed out today.”
Mitsuru panics. Right. Of course she didn’t mean… Oh, now I’ve just made it… “Yes… I’m fine. I suppose I simply don’t get out much. It’s fun to make plans with… friends.”
Yukari hesitates. She tentatively smiles. “Yeah. I’m glad I get to spend some time with you, Mitsuru.”
The sliding door opens, and Fuuka pokes her head in. “Kotone’s back! We’re heading to the baths if you would like to join us.”
Yukari takes Mitsuru’s hand, and Mitsuru’s heart nearly jumps up into her throat as she’s tugged along. “C’mon, Mitsuru, let’s go!”
—
“ Silence! I am going to execute you all!”
“It was nice knowing you.”
—
Yukari is still fuming. The boys apologize profusely as they make their way out, covering their eyes while being coached on where to go by a much too gentle Aigis, but it still makes her so angry. She sits in the corner, hidden away from view of the main entrance. She doesn’t want to chance it at this point.
“Are you alright, Yukari?” Mitsuru sits down beside her, the small waves of disturbance fleeing in the water.
“I’m fine, Mitsuru. Just pissed. You'd think they’d check the times properly. Akihiko-senpai at the very least should have!” Yukari crosses her arms, muttering to herself about Stupei and his gaggle of idiots.
Mitsuru reaches out and lays her hand on Yukari’s shoulder. “It’ll be alright. It's just us now.”
"Yeah." Yukari glances around. “Wait, just us? Where did everyone go?”
“Aigis and Shiomi are patrolling the area, at Aigis' insistence, though Shiomi seemed to think it would be fun. Yamagishi is upset, unfortunately, and wanted to head back early. Aigis had offered to go with her, but she said she didn’t want to ruin anyone else’s fun.” Mitsuru sighs, shaking her head.
“That’s sad… We should go check on her when we’re done.” Yukari settles into the water, determined not to let the boys ruin her last chance in the onsen. Mitsuru settles beside her, and they relax in each other's company. Yukari can vaguely hear Kotone off in the distance talking to Aigis. They seem to get along really well, at least…
That reminds me of something.
“So, uh, what was with that thing you asked me about earlier today?” Yukari sits up, looking at Mitsuru.
“What do you mean?” Mitsuru seems genuinely confused.
Yukari is a bit upset that she can’t naturally segue into this topic. “About… girls liking girls or whatever.” Yukari blushes. She told Mitsuru that they wouldn’t hide anything from each other, after all. If she's curious, she’ll share. Hopefully, Mitsuru won’t judge.
“Oh… Yes, I did ask that, didn’t I? Don’t worry, Yukari. We don’t have to talk about-”
Yukari quickly interrupts her. “No, I want to talk about it.” She looks Mitsuru directly in the eye, who flinches at the look. “I was thinking about what you said earlier pretty much all day. It’s not actually your classmate who was having the rumors spread about them, was it?”
—
MItsuru panics, wanting to do nothing more than apologize profusely to Yukari, to tell her that it was just a worthless feeling of hers that she never intended to act on, that she would never take advantage of Yukari’s trust, that she’d always support her as her friend and would never expect anything more than-
“It was me, right?”
Mitsuru’s thought process derails. She is physically and mentally incapable of continuing any train of thought. “Eh?”
“Don’t give me that. You’ve been nervous around me all day. You heard that I like girls and wanted to let me know without upsetting me.” Yukari sighs, looking down and shaking her head. “I thought I had it beat, but I guess not. Look, I appreciate the concern, Mitsuru, but it's a battle I’ve been fighting since middle school. You don’t have to fight it for me.”
Mitsuru does not process any of this information, her only reaction being her entire face reddening. “I-I see.”
“But yeah, we promised that we weren’t going to keep anything from each other, so, yeah! I like girls. Uh, hope that doesn’t bother you.” Yukari looks a bit embarrassed and scooches a bit away from Mitsuru.
Mitsuru shakes her head quickly, reaching out to take Yukari’s hand. “No! I mean, of course not. I… I also…”
Mitsuru finds herself unable to complete her statement. It hangs, unfinished between them. They look into each other's eyes for a few moments longer before Yukari finally speaks. “You also… What?”
Mitsuru takes a deep breath. The water is too hot all of a sudden. This is almost too much for her. “I… also like. Women.”
It is too much for her. She adjusts her towel and stands up. Yukari’s face breaks into a blush, one fit to blend in with Mitsuru’s hair. “Wait, you what!?”
But Mitsuru is already leaving, making her way to the changing room. Yukari does not get up to follow, whether out of embarrassment or shock, Mitsuru does not know. Kotone and Aigis wave at Mitsuru as she leaves, having stopped patrolling to relax in the waters once finished with their rounds. Mitsuru manages a small wave before entering the changing room.
—
Yukari is shellshocked. She sits in the water, staring into space. Mitsuru… Was she actually talking about herself? She wasn’t talking about me at all? And I went and shared all that!?
Yukari sinks her face down into the water, her muffled screaming shooting bubbles to the surface. What was that? What is this trip!? What is going on!?
“Uh, you okay, Yukari?” Yukari lifts up her head, cheeks now burning hot from the spring definitely the spring, nothing else , and spots Kotone and AIgis, freshly out of the water and standing near the changing rooms.
“I’m fine! Don’t worry about me!” Her own voice sounds so very fake to her own ears, and Kotone almost certainly picks up on it.
“You sure? You and Mitsuru didn’t have a fight or anything, right? She seemed upset.” Kotone hesitates.
Yukari thinks she isn’t sure which friend she’s supposed to be comforting and is playing safe by choosing her. “I’m fine… Just… Ugh, nevermind.” Yukari stands up, grabbing her own towel and marching into the changing room.
Mitsuru isn’t there when she arrives.
—
Mitsuru tries to calm herself down as she peeks into her room. Her roommates had already gone to sleep, so she makes her way over to lay down in her futon as quietly as she could.
I made a complete fool out of myself in front of her… What even was that? But… What she said… So she does like girls?
Mitsuru had never heard any such rumors about… well, anyone. Aside from a few concerning Aigis and her attachment to Kotone, which Mitsuru ruthlessly squashed.
I may not have meant to do it, but I pushed her into a corner and made her admit… something so personal. What a terrible friend I am.
Mitsuru groans, earning a few sleepy ' eh 's from the girls around her. She apologizes quietly and silently berates herself for forgetting where she is.
I’ll apologize to her tomorrow when we’re back home. I’ll salvage the friendship. There’s no need to ruin it over a silly crush.
With that sorted in her mind, she settles in to sleep.
—
The entire morning, Yukari fumes to herself. First she drops THAT bombshell on me, then she starts avoiding me. What is wrong with her?
Yukari stares at the back of Mitsuru’s head as they wait in line for the bullet train, tapping her foot on the ground. Kotone stands beside her nervously. “You, uh, you’re back to fighting again?”
“No!” Yukari bursts, her full glare turning onto Kotone whose eyes just widen and lips break out into a pout. Yukari sighs, rubbing her forehead. “Sorry. But no, we’re not fighting. She’s just being weird is all.”
Kotone grins, leaning closer to Yukari. “You like weird, though~”
Yukari scoffs. “Not sure how I could have possibly given you that impression, considering our one date ended with you getting stitches.”
Kotone gasps, feigning offense. “How was I supposed to know that table was so weak?” She leans in, a mischievous grin on her face. “But date , huh. Is that what you and Mitsuru were arguing about?”
Yukari blinks, and then her entire face ripens like a tomato. “W-what! No! What? We’re just friends! She’s just…”
Wait, was Mitsuru actually…
Yukari stops. Kotone pounces at the opening, claws out with the next question. “Let me guess. You both have no idea how obvious it is that you like each other.”
Yukari panics, looking around to see if anyone notices what they're talking about. The only one close enough to hear is Aigis at Kotone’s side, who Yukari doesn’t mind hearing. Junpei has wandered out of the line with Ryoji to talk to some girls by the train schedule, and Mitsuru…
Mitsuru is watching Yukari. She turns away just as soon as Yukari’s gaze meets hers. Yukari’s head echoes with silent screams, and Yukari turns away, staring at her feet.
There’s no way she’s interested in me. Mitsuru is just… too cool. Too beautiful. Who am I, even? I’m just glad she wants to be my friend.
Kotone witnesses all of this, snickering to herself. “You’ve got it bad for her, huh?”
Yukari shoves Kotone, who mimes falling, only to be ‘caught’ by Aigis. They had clearly practiced this bit, and Yukari pointedly ignores when Kotone swoons in Aigis’ arms. “Oh, my, so violent! The truth hurts, my dear friend.”
Aigis nods. “Truth makes love possible and love makes truth bearable, as they say.”
Enough of this.
With a quiet ‘wait, who said that, that’s good’ coming from behind her, Yukari makes her way forward, apologizing as she skips ahead of everyone else and earning some rather harsh looks as she calls out Mitsuru’s name. Mitsuru turns, and Yukari locks her arm in hers. “Let's sit together, okay Mitsuru?”
—
Mitsuru settles into her seat as the doors close. Yukari sits in the aisle seat, grimacing as Kotone and Aigis sit in the pair of seats across the aisle. Mitsuru vaguely wonders if Kotone and Yukari were fighting about something while in line, given Yukari’s rapid decision to sit next to Mitsuru.
Yukari doesn’t turn her attention toward Mitsuru until the train is in motion. Mitsuru smiles at her, which causes a confused expression to cross over Yukari’s face before her mouth perks up into her own, albeit small, smile.
The sight of it relieves Mitsuru. I’m glad she’s not upset about me leaving during the bath.
“Yukari, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for-”
Yukari holds up her hand to cut her off. “You don’t have to apologize, Mitsuru. I get it.”
Mitsuru blinks. Get… what?
Yukari sighs. “You were just trying to share with me that you like girls, too, right? And I made it all about myself. I need to learn to let people finish when they’re trying to speak.”
MItsuru is bemused beyond words at the irony of being interrupted in order to be told this, but she allows Yukari to continue.
“I got harassed a lot in middle school after I came out to a ‘friend’ of mine, and I got too upset at the idea it might be starting up again. Can you forgive me?”
Mitsuru, who was waiting for her chance to speak, does so without a second's hesitation. “Of course, Yukari. I actually… Well, I did want to know…” How do I phrase this without sounding like a creep?
Yukari just listens patiently, holding MItsuru’s hand and running her thumb along the back. The action sends shivers up Mitsuru’s arm and directly to her spine. Focus, Mitsuru, focus. “I did, actually want to know if you liked girls, too. Because…”
Mitsuru suddenly notices that both Kotone and Aigis are watching them. Aigis gives a thumbs up, while Kotone gives a silent cheer and pumping of her arm. Mitsuru is stuck between annoyance, appreciation, and confusion.
“Because… what? You thought it’d make us closer?” Yukari tries to finish the thought, smiling.
Mitsuru’s attention returns to her smile. She’s… beautiful. The thought overwhelmingly embarasses Mitsuru, and the blush that follows makes Yukari think she’s correct.
“I thought so. And hey, it is! Y’know, we can talk about any girls we like and not have to worry about being-”
Mitsuru’s face gets redder and redder as Yukari talks, before finally she can’t help but blurt out, “I like you , Yukari!”
Mitsuru cannot believe her own ears. Yukari is similarly affected, going quiet, mouth hanging open slightly. The silence would be deafening…
…If not for the two idiots clapping on the other side of the aisle. Aigis' polite clap reserved for golf games, and Kotone’s obnoxious ringing applause from the window seat. This ends up catching the attention of a few other students, who stare at the noisy pair.
Mitsuru glares down Kotone, who gets the hint quickly and stops. Aigis continues her own clapping, until Kotone elbows her. I’ll need to talk to her about minding her own business and not roping Aigis into her shenanigans.
“M-Mitsuru?”
Mitsuru turns her attention to Yukari, and is horrified to discover tears in the corner of her eyes. “Yukari, I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, I just, I just…”
Yukari leans over and hugs Mitsuru, pulling her close. Close as can be when in their seats. The top of her head shushes Mitsuru, the softness of Yukari’s hair filling her senses. Mitsuru can feel her own tears, prickling on the corners of her eyes, sharp and sweet. Like her.
Yukari pulls back to look up at Mitsuru. “I… I like you, too, Mitsuru. I don’t… really know what that means for us, but…”
Mitsuru leans forward. It's greedy of her, she knows, but she wants it. She waits for Yukari to notice, and she does. She gives a slight ever so slight nod, and Mitsuru meets her halfway.
It burns, the tears falling against her cheek. She’s sure her own do against Yukari’s. Their lips meet, and everything seems to fade away. They’re no longer on a train together; they’re sitting on a rooftop, resting their heads against the other’s. They’re on a hill overlooking the school, just a touch between one another. They’re in the onsen, hands on one another, alone with just each other, nothing between them but silently spoken promises.
When they come apart, and meet each other’s eyes, it takes everything they have to stop themselves from stealing another kiss.
—
“Wow, that went by quick!” Ken hops up from the couch, Koromaru quickly on his heels as he greets the returning high schoolers. He grins at Yukari. “Did you have a good trip?”
Yukari can’t help but glance at Mitsuru, who can’t help but do the same.
“The best.”