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It was rare for Mitsuru to take time off from work, let alone go on a vacation. Between her duties in the Kirijo Group and her leadership in the Shadow Operatives, there was hardly a moment of rest in Mitsuru’s day-to-day life—so much so that her friends were rightfully worried. Which is why it surprised Yukari greatly to find a response to her graduation invitation sitting in her email inbox.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Mitsuru simply responded when Yukari called to ask.
The thing is, Yukari would’ve understood if Mitsuru wasn’t able to make it. Her university was overseas, the time difference practically made Yukari’s head spin every time she tried to calculate it in her head, and a whole plethora of other reasons that almost made Yukari feel guilty for even thinking of sending an invite in the first place.
But she assured Yukari she would make it to her ceremony the following spring, and a warm feeling blossomed in her chest as she realized her senpai and dearest friend would get to see her walk the stage.
Mitsuru had not been her senpai for a long while, but Yukari still couldn’t shake the feeling that Mitsuru was someone to look up to; someone to aspire to be, and someone to make proud.
So, she works hard for her last semester of university. Come the end of May, Yukari greets Mitsuru at the airport with a bone-crushing hug and the brightest smile plastered on her face.
It’s just Mitsuru and Yukari for the next few days before the ceremony itself. The rest of their friends in SEES wouldn’t be coming until the day before, still tied up in their own obligations—work, mostly, and Ken’s second year at Gekkoukan High. Yukari didn’t mind; she was just happy that they were making an effort to come see her.
For now, though, she was grateful to have some alone time with Mitsuru. It was a little bit selfish, she couldn’t deny it, but Yukari couldn’t remember the last time they’d been able to spend quality time together, just the two of them.
The last she saw everyone else was when she’d gone home last summer, and sure, she’d hung out with Mitsuru plenty, but never without the rest of the girls or the whole gang. It wasn’t like back in high school, where once Yukari had gotten over her resentment they were attached at the hip.
Yukari decides to shake off that wistful, nostalgic feeling lingering and enjoy what little time she does have with Mitsuru before she goes back home.
Despite the long flights and the two stopovers it took to get here, there’s not a hair out of place on Mitsuru, keeping up her graceful, poised exterior as always. If she was haggard, Yukari couldn’t tell at all.
Still, she offers for Mitsuru to stop and get some rest at her apartment before they go out and have fun, to which Mitsuru declines.
“It’s not every day that I get to spend time with you,” Mitsuru says simply. “I’d love to see the places that are special to you.”
The soft cadence of Mitsuru’s voice practically makes Yukari’s heart melt. How could she ever say no to her?
Their first stop is at one of Yukari’s favorite eateries—a fusion restaurant that has just a small taste of home. It doesn’t compare to the real thing back in Japan, but the comforting feeling was more than enough.
It was hard getting used to America when Yukari had first arrived. Her English wasn’t the best, there were so many social customs she had to get used to, and it was lonely without anyone with her. But when she confided her troubles to Mitsuru over the phone one night, Mitsuru simply reminded her that she’s fought tougher battles before, having quite literally fought the face of death and won.
(“That was mostly the Arisato twins’ doing,” Yukari had pointed out.
Mitsuru only gave a disapproving click of her tongue. “It was a team effort, Yukari. Don’t sell yourself short like that.”)
Yukari doesn’t think she could have done this at all without Mitsuru’s encouragement. Even from far away, Mitsuru could say just the right words to propel Yukari forward. And for that, she is more than grateful—Yukari is steps closer to her dream of being an actress thanks to her.
Once they’re seated at the restaurant, Yukari watches as Mitsuru’s gaze is fixated on the menu in front of her. Something in her gut stirs at the sight.
Mitsuru has always been attractive, Yukari wasn’t blind. She saw how men and women alike would trip over themselves trying to get Mitsuru to notice them, and she saw how Mitsuru turned down each and every one of them—thanking them for their interest but letting them know that she had no time for a relationship.
Yukari had been content with just having Mitsuru as her friend and closest confidant, but tonight felt different. Maybe it was the lighting, the dimmed, intimate atmosphere, or the heightened excitement of having her best friend near after so long, but it felt like she was on a date with Mitsuru.
She remembers her first date with Minato, awkward and almost uncomfortable—both agreed to never speak of it by the end of the night. It had taken place in a cozy place similar to this one, but her slight crush on Minato couldn’t compare to the intensity of her feelings for Mitsuru right here, right now. Yukari was sure she wouldn’t have felt like this if it were anyone else. Hell, she probably wouldn’t have taken anyone else here in the first place.
For a moment, Yukari forgets that she’s staring at Mitsuru, until she looks up from her menu.
Mitsuru raises an eyebrow. “Is there something wrong?”
“Ah!” Yukari yelps, startled and embarrassed at being caught. “No, not at all. I’m just…” She takes a breath. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Mitsuru hums, a slight grin forming. “Of course. It’s your graduation, after all.”
There’s something about the way Mitsuru says it—the emphasis on Yukari’s graduation—that makes Yukari’s heart almost stop.
“Oh, come on, I’m not that special,” Yukari laughs, playing it off. “I’m not the only one who graduated this year.”
“No,” Mitsuru says, “but I wouldn’t travel more than halfway across the world for anyone like I would for you.”
Somewhere between Mitsuru’s admission and Yukari’s brain going into overload, she manages to say only one thing:
“Is this a date?”
Mitsuru, calm and casual as always, answers, “If you would like it to be.”
Yukari silently thanks whatever gods may be up above that the dim lighting conceals the way her face flushes. “Yeah,” she says, nodding slowly as she scrambles to get her thought processes functioning again. “I would.”
“Then it’s settled,” Mitsuru says simply. “It’s our first date.”
First?
There was something to unpack there, and lots more to talk about between them, but Yukari couldn’t be bothered.
Right now, she was on a date with Mitsuru Kirijo.