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1]
“That was an amazing run!” Miku echoed in the SEKAI. The girls had been practicing this song so much none of them even know how long it has been taking them. With hard work on the melody from Saki, the lyrics and riffs from Ichika, the steady beats from Honami and Shiho, they managed to put the song all together like it was effortless.
Sweat glistened in the classroom. Out of breath from putting their best foot forward and going as full out as they can. Looking at each other with wide smiles on their faces. All telepathically agreeing that “We did amazing”.
Still catching her breath, Shiho gives everyone her praise and minor critiques. She’s getting nit-picky this time around of little details to make the next show better than the last.
“Saki, the melody is definitely more clear! I suggest a lighter touch of the keys during the bridge to add more of a decrescendo then build it back up in the last chorus.”
“Honami, I believe there should be a more resonant effect in the chorus so keep it a little lower for the other moments, it’ll give a variety that’ll keep the audience engaged in many ways.”
“Ichika, your vocals are improving every time you come to practice. I can’t help but feel so in-the-moment, and I bet you feel the same, if not I’ll be surprised. As long as you don’t force yourself to sing better than your ability, and you sing with the ability you have, we’ll be even closer towards our dream.”
All three of them were beaming with happiness. They were just given so much praise from their bandmate that mostly gives them constructive criticism when it comes to running through their music. It shows that no one is holding back on their abilities, and letting it show for their watchers to see and feel something with them.
“Alright, we should take a break before we run it again. Maybe I’ll be nice and let everyone off early IF the next run is better than the last.” Shiho says that last sentence with a smirk.
Something about that smirk sparked something in the guitarist, enough to make her cheeks flush. How could such a gesture make her feel that way?
To put the answer easy and short. Gay.
She has crushed on Shiho for longer than she had thought about it. From her faces, her voice, her short gray hair, her love for music, her passion for her dream, it all of a sudden became so…lovely in Ichika’s eyes.
Yeah, that is a huuuuuuge crush alright…
While they take their break, Saki sleeping on the floor next to her keyboard and Honami twirling her drumstick with her right hand while drinking water out of the water bottle on her left hand. Shiho plays basic chords and riffs silently on her bass and Ichika is spaced out, looking and admiring the sight of the bassist in front of her, the blush never leaving her cheeks.
It doesn’t take a while for that bassist to look up and see a girl with black hair locking eyes with her, noticing the blush spreading to her whole face.
“Am I that entrancing?” said crush teases.
“Yes- I mean uh- well- I-“ Ichika stammers to come up with an answer, knowing full well Shiho knows the answer as she said the “Yes” with full confidence. Shiho only softly laughs and walks over to her. Ichika covers her face to hide her blush. She can’t see her like this.
Except she feels someone’s hands. They felt rough and full of calluses, but gentle at the same time. For a moment Ichika was expecting Honami from the small touch, until she opened her eyes and saw a blur of Shiho.
Even a blurry sight of her makes her blush.
And she was fighting the urge to not scream then and there.
She looks down at her hands. Shiho was holding them.
She couldn’t focus on anything anymore. She couldn’t hear any voices anymore. Only her gay thoughts.
She snaps back after she hears “Are you okay?” coming from in front of her.
“Yeah I’m alright. Just embarrassed.” She shakily replies.
“It’s just me, Ichika.”
“I know but I-“ She almost let it slip. Thank goodness she stopped herself before it got any further.
“But…?” Shiho’s voice got more serious yet calm. That alone was what made Ichika realize how close they were. She takes a closer look at the bassist’s face. Her admirable green eyes. Her bangs sweeping off to the side. Her kissable-looking lips.
It takes everything in her willpower to not lean in and close the distance between them…
She could’ve sworn Shiho felt the little homosexual tension too before pulling away with a sigh, “Break’s over let’s run it again!”
Ichika knows there was no straight explanation for what just happened whatsoever.
2]
The four friends walked together to get back to their homes after hanging out at the park from childhood. Consisting of a lot of discussions from watching the Leonids to sibling shenanigans to future band criteria to randomness. Now, still discussing randomness, or more like Saki who loves rambling about anything and everything and they all love to listen, they stroll their way out.
Honami was dropped off first, considering how she was saying she misses Shibao and would bring him next time they ever do a hangout like this.
Next was Saki, because you heard her brother from miles away while he was standing outside the house waiting for her. So, she needed to be home to not have him worried.
Now it’s just Ichika…and the girl of her dreams.
Her face reddens just by one look at Shiho.
She’s frozen in place. Entranced again.
Ichika Hoshino is so gay for this nonman
“Uh…Ichika? Earth to Ichika?” Shiho waves her hand in front of the red face, immediately snapping back into reality.
“Oh- yeah I’m good. I think I just zoned out for a second.” Her voice seems shaky, it gets like that when she’s flushed.
Shiho just nods and they both start walking towards the Hinomori Household.
And the whole time Ichika had to resist the urge to hold her crush’s hand.
Thank goodness they made it before she could muster up the courage. It would’ve been so embarrassing…
Before Shiho opens the door, she turns to Ichika.
“I’ll see you later, Ichika.” And that smile. That damn smile. Made Ichika’s heart race. She wants to see that smile all the time. She wants that smile to mean more than it does already, more than everything in the whole world.
“You too!” She replies. Noticing Shiho’s smile grow a little wider before turning around and opening the door to her home. Ichika can hear a muffled “Shii-chan~” coming from her sister before walking herself home.
She didn’t stop thinking about that handsome smile the whole way.
Meanwhile…
Saki was calling Honami when the other two walked together.
Saki: “Is it just me, or have you noticed something about our dear friend?”
Honami: “Ichika-chan?”
Saki: “Mhm ~”
Honami: “I’ve seen her blush before, but not that much. What do you think it means, Saki-chan?”
Saki: “What do I think it means?! She’s in love, Hona-chan! It’s so obvious.”
Honami: “And I have noticed it’s always around Shiho-chan…”
Saki: “See?! You’re getting it!”
Honami: “What am I getting?”
Saki: “Icchan is in love with Shiho-chan!”
Honami: “Oh?……OH?!”
Saki: “Ehehe ~ you can see it now, right?!”
Honami: “Yeah!”
3]
(11:39 am) ichi ☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩: my parents are at another business trip
are any of you free to sleep over?
(11:41 am) shii >^•-•^<: i can come
(11:42 am) sakiiii !!! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡: AAAA NOOO I HAVE CAFÉ WORK ૮₍˶ ╥ ‸ ╥ ⑅₎ა
(11:42 am) hona hona ૮ ᴖﻌᴖა: I’m staying with Yoisaki-san. I’m sorry Ichika-chan
(11:45 am) shii >^•-•^<: ig just the two of us???
(11:45 am) ichi ☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩: sure !!
Ichika did not want anyone to know how overly happy she is. Sure, Shiho’s slept over before but this one felt different.
Because Ichika fell so hard…literally…and in love.
In a separate chat…
(11:42 am) sakiiii !!! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡: HONA-CHAN THIS IS PERFECT
(11:44 am) hona hona ૮ ᴖﻌᴖა: Hm?
(11:46 am) sakiiii !!! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡: ICCHAN AND SHIHO-CHAN SLEEPING OVER
DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THIS COULD ESCALATE TO?!??!?
(11:47 am) hona hona ૮ ᴖﻌᴖა: Wha-?! You mean…
(11:47 am) sakiiii !!! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡: hona-chan……
icchan might confess her love
THEY MIGHT START DATING
(11:48 am) hona hona ૮ ᴖﻌᴖა: Oh my! You’re right!
~•~
She never usually does this, but she felt the urge to clean up her entire room. Even if it was only a little messy it still means it’s messy. She wanted to make the whole room spotless. FOR LOVE!!
She can’t not take it seriously.
Okay well at least she didn’t go too over the top and completely changed her look. Because she wants Shiho to love her for being her.
Now she’s sitting on her bed, thinking about the charming gray hair and green eyes and lovely smile she’s waiting for. Her hands fidget. She doesn’t know if she’s more excited or nervous to have a sleepover with Shiho and only Shiho.
Being in love really is a difficult and confusing feeling.
The doorbell rings and Ichika immediately jumps up and runs over to the door. Making sure to stop before the door comes in contact with her face. Her hand is on the knob. She inhales as she twists the knob, and exhales as she opens the door.
Outside was none other than Shiho. With her case on her right shoulder and a bag of clothes in her left hand. Even just wearing baggy clothes makes Ichika’s heart skip a beat, maybe two, maybe more.
“Hi-“ Ichika’s face is already starting to turn beet red.
“Hi. Can I come in?” she was zoning out again. “Helloooo?”
“Oh- sorry. Yes you can come in.” She welcomed Shiho in feeling so awkward, and Shiho definitely noticed.
She has noticed ever since Ichika was caught staring at her that one time during band practice. She knew something was up.
They both sat silently in Ichika’s bedroom. Shiho took out her bass and started playing out of random. A pair of eyes shot up to look at her playing without missing a single note. It was just so captivating, but she thought of stepping in somehow.
She focused more on the playing and began humming a little tune, making sure it blends in nicely and doesn’t sound off.
A little laugh escapes from Shiho as she hears the wonderful voice that is Ichika’s.
The little performance begins to fade out and only giggles can be heard before falling into a comfortable silence.
“That was really fun.” The vocalist said really softly, smiling while looking down at her hands, hair covering her face.
She felt a hand move her hair out of her face. That same hand she felt that took her hands away from her face that one band practice. She looked over at the girl next to her.
“You have a really angelic voice, Ichika.” Yep, she’s a gay flustered mess now.
“Oh uh.. thank you, Shiho.” A really gay flustered mess. “Your bass playing is really incredible.” The gayest flustered mess there is around.
Shiho looks at her in a way Ichika’s never seen before. Why is she looking so lovingly?! Ichika wants to bury her face. She doesn’t want Shiho to see her get even more flustered than now.
Is she the only one who’s seen her like that?
No, that’s definitely not true.
…unless
Unless Shiho is in love with her back?!
Ichika’s thoughts wound her up under the covers, burying her face in her pillow.
“I’m sleeping now goodnight-“ Shiho softly laughs once more.
“Goodnight, Ichika.” Even her whispery voice doesn’t stop the blushing.
1]
That night at the sleepover, Ichika was in too deep in her sleep to know what Shiho was up to. Little did she know she’d wake up feeling like she is wrapped in someone’s arms.
Probably because she is wrapped in someone’s arms.
Surprisingly, she didn’t panic. It was warm, comforting, familiar. It wasn’t until she turned to her right and saw the identity of the big spoon. To no surprise it was Shiho.
Actually it was a bit of a surprise
She wouldn’t expect to be this affectionate with anyone.
Now she panicked but quickly calmed down from the warmth. She looked at her crush’s face. She looked so soft and cute and squishy (Ichika may or may not squished her puffy cheeks). A hand reached for her gray hair. It was fluffy. Everything about Shiho was just…well… everything.
She couldn’t help herself but plant a soft kiss to her forehead.
And maybe she regretted it after.
Because it woke Shiho up.
Now Ichika is blushing like an idiot.
“Good morning, Ichika.” God her voice is so soft and sleepy and- AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Ichika melted, and tried hiding her blush by burying herself in Shiho’s chest, which doesn’t work because she’s only blushing more realizing what she’s doing.
Shiho only laughs, “Having fun there?”
“Stopmmmph.” Ichika muffles still burying against Shiho’s chest.
“You’re so cute~”
“HMMNNH-?!”
Shiho kisses the top of her head.
“I really like you, Shiho.” DID SHE JUST- “DID I JUST-“
“OH GOSH IM SO SO SORRY SHIHO THAT SLIPPED OUT I DIDN’T MEAN TO IM GONNA HIDE IN THE CORNER-“
A hand grips tightly on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turns around and Shiho looks at her with somewhat of a determined expression. And she’s really really close.
“Ichika.” Her voice is just as determined as her face, “Isn’t it obvious that I like you too? I really really like you, Ichika.”
“Ah- you-“
“Can I…?” A hand lightly cups Ichika’s cheek. A face inches even closer to hers. Except Ichika doesn’t have to fight the urge not to anymore.
She slowly met the other girl halfway.
Their lips connected. It was slow. It was long. It was nice. Everything about it just felt amazing. Neither one of them wanted to pull away. Both hands sneak to Ichika’s waist. Pulling her closer. Kissing her more. She returns the favor by burying her hands in Shiho’s short fluffy hair, responding with Shiho squeezing her waist. She muffles a little whine from the feeling. Shiho takes it as a sign to be even closer, and kiss a little deeper.
They only pull away when they are too out of breath. Looking at each other, faces extremely flushed, sighing as they catch their breaths, smiling like idiots.
“Shiho?” Ichika asks as soon as she finds her breath, “Does this mean we’re…?”
“Do you want it to be?” Shiho asks back.
“Yes! I mean- well yes. Yes of course! I’m so happy!”
And Ichika hugs her girlfriend really tight.