Chapter Text
Week Eleven, Friday
When Ayano wakes up, she’s happy. For once, there’s no real goal in mind for the day. She’s not heading to any of her clubs today, she’s not matchmaking anyone right now, it’s just an easy day. A break in her routine, but a pleasant, simple one. Today, Ayano plans to do nothing but enjoy as much time as she can with friends...excluding her morning work in the Student Council, of course.
But even that changes the moment she steps out of her house. Right after she greets the eight boys that stole her heart, her phone buzzes in her pocket. Intrigued, Ayano opens up the message.
It’s the Student Council chat. Surprisingly, Megamo is now in it. Ayano wonders when he was added.
Kuroko: Ayano, we’ve been made aware that you finished organizing the filing cabinet. As thanks, we’ve decided that you do not need to come in today at all. Enjoy your morning.
Ayano looks up at Megamo, and he smiles at her. “I thought you’d like to just relax for a day, Angel,” Megamo says.
“Thank you.” Ayano smiles back, then hums quietly to herself as she thinks. What should she do? She isn’t really sure what to do for the day, she’s been busy during most of her free time each day.
Oko smiles at her. “Would you...would you like to join me in my club for the morning?” He blushes, grabbing onto his choker. “I found a few books that you may like…”
Ayano nods without hesitation. “Sure! It’s been a while since I went to your club.”
The rest of the walk is filled with chatter as the rest of the group wakes up, everyone talking about their plans for the weekend.
It’s when they’re a few minutes away from the gate that Osano asks, “Hey, Aya, aren’t your parents coming back soon?”
Ayano nods, smiling dropping. “Yeah. They should be home this weekend. I’m not sure when exactly, though.”
Aso frowns. “Yan, are you going to be ditching them to see my competition? Because you don’t have to, I understand if you want to spend time with them!”
Ayano shakes her head. “Aso, I’m coming to your competition. My parents and I don’t spend time together. We never really have.”
Aso looks even more upset by that, and he glares at her words. “Well, they’re missing out! You’re wonderful, Yan.”
Ayano blushes. “It’s fine, really. It’s always been like this.”
Osano scoffs. “That still doesn’t mean it’s right, Aya. Don’t worry, my parents already love you. They’d be happy to spend time with you.”
“I’m sure my family would love to meet you, dear,” Amao adds. “You should come over again sometime soon.”
“I will, don’t worry,” Ayano says, trying to keep up with the conversation’s sudden turn. “Thank you, guys. Really.”
Because, despite being used to it, Ayano still hopes for more family, for more love. She’ll take all that she can get.
They reach the school gates, and Ayano heads to the Occult Club room with Oko. The rest of the members happily greet her when they show up, glad to see her back. The morning time passes without incident, with Ayano sitting beside Oko as she reads from a collection of ghost stories. When the bell rings, Oko lets her borrow the book.
When Ayano gets to class, Mido is quick to set up a group project assignment for the day. Kizano and Osano immediately form a group with her, and they get to work. It’s a rather easy project, so Ayano takes over the research, Osano takes over filling out the packet of questions, and Kizano takes over their presentation board, promising to present it as well. They manage to get over half of it done, which is surprising with how often they get distracted by their conversation. But Ayano won’t complain, instead she just follows the two boys up to the roof.
Her plan to just relax is sidetracked when she spots Musume and Miyuji coming up the stairs, only to be cut off by Hana. Ayano stands up from her spot when she sees how Musume cowers back, leaning into Miyuji even more. Quickly, Ayano goes over, trying to see what’s wrong. She doesn’t even notice that Kokona is following her.
“That’s disgusting . Gosh, Musume, you’re, like, a mess. What happened to you? You’re gone for two days and now you’re, what, a lesbian? Gross.” Hana sneers at Musume, and Miyuji wraps an arm around the scared girl.
“For the record, she’s bi. And what’s wrong with liking girls?” Miyuji asks, glaring back at Hana.
Hana looks even more revolted, if that’s possible. “Ew. You can’t even pick a side? And that’s just, that’s not natural.”
“What’s not natural?” Ayano asks sweetly, smiling as kindly as she can.
Hana whips around, all smiles and sunshine now. “Oh, you’re not going to believe this. They’re, like, gay .”
Ayano just raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? Who do you think introduced them?” While she didn’t set this match up, she did start their friendship.
Hana’s nose crinkles, but she quickly reverts back to her happy expression. “Oh? You knew?”
“Of course. I’m happy for them.”
“But that’s not normal!” Hana protests. Then she gasps. “Oh, are you-?” She points behind Ayano, and she glances back to see Kokona, eyes narrowed and arms crossed as she glares at Hana. “Are you two dating?” Hana gets out at last.
“What? I’m dating Riku,” Kokona says. “But we don’t have to be gay to understand that people can like whoever they want.”
Hana nods awkwardly, stepping back. “Right, yeah. Totally. I have to go, see you.” She practically runs off, leaving behind four angry girls.
As soon as Hana is gone, Ayano turns to Musume. “Are you alright?” She asks.
Musume nods, leaning into Miyuji. “I’m fine. Let’s just go eat lunch, I’m, like, starving.”
The four sit down with the rest of their friends, and quickly let themselves forget about Hana. Because, frankly, Hana’s opinion doesn’t matter to any of them. She’s not their friend, so why should it mean anything to Musume?
Ayano is happy to see how easily Musume forgets about the girl, instead paying attention to her girlfriend. She’s happy for them, just like she’s happy for Riku and Kokona, who are still just as easily flustered by each other. Then there’s Taro and Uekiya, who always seem to be in their own little world, and it’s beautiful to just watch them interact.
Ayano is happy to see that her friends are able to find love, and hopes that, whenever the eight boys she loves end up dating, she will be able to be just as happy.
She doesn’t know if she can handle being jealous, especially if her mother is around to see it.
Luckily, Ayano doesn’t have the time to ponder the idea, because the bell for afternoon classes rings soon after she thinks of it, knocking her out of her head. Ayano smiles and follows Osano and Kizano to class, talking with them about the next step in their project.
The afternoon classes pass quickly, and their presentation goes off without a hitch. Ayano goes through the motions of cleaning time, wiping down desks as she jokes with Osano about a video they’d watched at lunch, then she heads to the incinerator.
The boys are louder than ever when she gets there, all talking about the clubs they’ve joined. Gaku even has a little rose pinned to his bag, which he’s excitedly flaunting when he looks up and spots Ayano.
“Hey!” He calls out, and the other five look at her.
“Hi,” Ayano responds, and Osorō’s arm is around her shoulders in seconds.
“I was wonderin’ when you’d get here, Princess,” Osorō says, and Ayano giggles. “But here’s my boys. You know ‘em already, now you get to hear them geekin’ out about their clubs.”
“I’m glad that you all are enjoying yourselves so much,” Ayano says with a smile. “What do you guys think of the clubs you joined?”
Umeji shrugs. “I like baking. And cooking, I guess. It’s a good club.” He, too, has his kerchief tied around his wrist, just like Osorō.
Hayanari smiles, touching his new choker lightly. “The Occult Club is interesting...though I only go in the afternoons. They’re polite.”
Hokuto grins. “The Art Club is pretty cool. They don’t really talk much, but they let me do my thing and I’ll take it.”
Ayano giggles. “That’s wonderful. Gaku, how do you like the Drama Club?”
He beams, looking down at the rose. “It seems nice. I wish we would start a play soon, though.”
“We’ll probably be picking one on Monday. This was just a break week,” Ayano says, and Gaku lights up.
“Great! The people in the club are nice, too. Especially Shozo.” He blushes, Ayano doesn’t comment on it.
Instead, she looks at Dairoku. “And what about you? I heard that you were interested in the Science Club?”
Dairoku nods. “I joined. They’re nice. We’re not sure what I’m best at, yet, but they’re finishin’ up a robot and then we’ll figure it out.” He frowns for a moment, then shakes his head and looks at her. “But you’re Miss ‘I’m in three clubs,’ ain’t ya?”
“Yep. I’m in the Drama Club, Cooking Club, and the Student Council.”
“What’s the last one like? I’ve heard all ‘bout the first two from Gaku, Umeji, and Osorō,” Dairoku points at the three boys, “but I haven’t heard ‘bout the ever beloved Council. What do ya even do?”
So Ayano tells the boys about her time in the Student Council, and the oddities of some of the members. This turns into a discussion about how she juggles all of her commitments, and how she’s dealt with her popularity that came with doing so much. Ayano enjoys talking to the delinquent boys, who honestly would never hurt anyone, and she enjoys how happy Osorō looks when they all get along.
But the time flies by, and soon enough it’s ten to six. Osorō clears his throat. “Well, this has been fun or whatever, but we should start headin’ on out, Princess. See ya guys later.”
Ayano frowns, sad that it’s time to go, but she smiles at the boys quickly. “I’ll try to find time to hang out again, even if it means skipping out on club time.” They nod, and soon Ayano and Osorō are walking away.
But Ayano quickly notices that, while the other boys leave through the school, she and Osorō aren’t heading towards the gate. “Osorō, this is the wrong way?” She tries to say it, but she’s confused.
Osorō just winks at her. “Be patient, Princess.”
And as they walk, Ayano realizes that they’re heading straight to the confession tree. At first, she wonders if he just wanted a moment to speak quietly.
Then she remembers that it’s Friday afternoon.
Eyes wide, Ayano can’t help but sneak glances at the boy whose arm is still wrapped around her shoulders. Does he like her? She can’t help the hopeful feeling from rising up, the idea of one of her loves returning the feeling causing joy to soar through her.
But then they reach the tree, and the other seven boys who have claimed her heart are waiting there. And Ayano blinks, hope failing as she’s filled with confusion.
Ayano doesn’t even notice when Osorō lets go of her, face red as he steps closer to the other guys. “What’s going on?” She asks, unsure what she should even suspect right now. Because the only idea she can think of, there’s no way it could be true.
There’s no way Kokona could be right, could have called this.
But then Osano starts to speak.
“Aya, we met on the first day of school. You ran right into Taro, and I thought you were an idiot.” He blushes. “Then you started talking to me, and I-” He stops talking, flustered, instead shoving a rose into her hands.
Amao speaks up next. “Dear, when I first saw you in my club room, I was astounded. I’d stepped in, expecting an empty room, and instead I was greeted with the sight of the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I knew then that I had to get to know you better, and I only fell more with every word.” Smiling softly, he hands Ayano a box of chocolates. They look handmade, and Ayano blushes.
Kizano steps forwards. “Darling, I knew you were my starlet the moment I saw you on stage. You’re my Juliet, and I’m your Romeo. Or, one of them, at least.” He winks, pressing a rose into her hands. “I hope we can make it to another act together.”
Oko cuts in hesitantly, fidgeting with his hands. Ayano takes them, separating them like she’s longed to do. Looking into her eyes, Oko begins to speak. “When we first met, I thought you had cast some spell on me...I had never felt so enchanted before. You make me happy, happier than I thought I could be in such a dreary world. You’re amazing, Ayano.” He pulls out a silver bracelet that has a small heart charm on it, then puts it on her wrist with his shaking hands. He doesn’t say more, just stepping back to let someone else speak.
Aso happily steps forwards. “Yan, I’m not that good with words, but I’ll get to the point. I’m in love with you, and I want to take you on a date and give you gifts and be the best boyfriend you could ask for.” He presses a kiss to her forehead, which is probably as crimson as her cheeks must be, then grins. “But I have to wait for the other three before I get my answer.”
Osorō scoffs. “Well, if Aso broke the ‘I won’t directly say it so we don’t overwhelm her’ rule, then I will, too. Princess, I love you. Hell, I’ve been in love with you since we met. I tried confessing to you, too, but you’re kind of oblivious.” He smiles at her sweetly, then shoves a rose into her hand, which, where did he even have that? “It’s not as pretty as you, but it’ll do.”
Ayano sputters, trying to speak, but Hanakō cuts off any words that could come out of her mouth.
“Senpai, the first time I met you, I realized why Osano was always talking about how amazing you are. And I fell for you just as easily. You’re practically perfect, and I really hope you return our feelings.” He blushes, and Megamo steps forwards.
Holding out a final rose to her, Megamo smiles down at her. “Angel, when we met, I expected the worst. I thought you’d be dangerous, I expected some kind of monster. But you’re anything but that. You’re wonderful, and caring, and selfless. You’re so much more than you could’ve been, and I have fallen in love with you for all that you’ve become. We all have. So we’d like to ask you...Ayano, will you go out with all of us?”
Ayano looks at the eight boys, looks at the gifts, and she starts to cry. Immediately, the boys look worried, but she smiles. “Yes. Yes, a thousand times yes. I’ve,” she giggles, “I’ve been in love with you guys for weeks , but it took me until Monday to find the name for the feeling. I’d love to date all of you. I love all of you.”
She can see the love and happiness in all of their eyes, and she’s quickly tackled by Aso, who covers her face in kisses as he hugs her. The others boys join in, and she’s surrounded by warmth and love .
She’s loved.
And while she knows she’s going to face many things in the future, from a smug Kokona who’s just waiting to say ‘I told you so’, to a mother who may not react kindly to her new polygamous relationship, Ayano can’t find it in herself to care.
Because with these boys, these lovely boys who love her just like she loves them, the future is bright and full of happiness. With these boys, Ayano has everything she ever wanted. With these boys, she’s created a change, and she can’t wait to see where this leads her.
Ayano smiles, glad that she’s found her loves.
Ayano smiles, looking forward to her future with these boys, looking forwards to her happy ending.
Because she knows it’ll be there, waiting for her.
Anything is possible, and nothing can get in her way.
She’s a new Aishi, and she’s ready for whatever comes her way. She’s not alone.
And that’s exactly how she wants to be.
The End...for now.