DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN Aoharu x Kikanjuu
A/U: There aren't many fics for this anime so I thought I'd write one! :D Hope you like it. Set a little after episode 12
I Said I'm a Girl!
Hotaru's POV:
Well. I did it. I told them. They deserved that much.
"Okay, okay. What else is it you want me to say?"
This was it. Matsuoka-san had already kept his end of the deal, he'd invited me back to Toy Gun Gun and he had made up with Yukimura-san but there was one more thing I needed from him. I clenched my shirt in my fist, preparing myself for what I had to do next.
"I..I want you to say that you'll stop blaming yourself." The two older men gave me looks of confusion so I took a deep breath and continued "I want you t-to forgive yourself for something Midori-san did! Say that you're okay with girls being part of this team. Say that you're okay with.." I had to take a breath. I knew if I didn't I'd end up crying again, and I needed to show them I was strong.
The both of them were wide eyed, staring at me in shock. Until Yukimura-san regained the ability to speak "With what?" he sounded reluctant, as if he dreaded what was coming next.
I clenched my fists and with one final breath I yelled out "Say you're okay with me being a girl!"
Silence
It was agonizing
Then Matsuoka-san broke it
"I will stop blaming myself for what Midori-san did. I am okay with girls being part of this team." he took several steps towards me until he was only inched away. "I am okay with you being a girl."
I dared myself to look up at him. I expected to see rage, disbelief, hurt. But I didn't expect to see him completely emotionless. "But I am not okay with you being on this team."
This time I couldn't stop the tears. It felt like he'd ripped my heart out and stamped on it. I didn't need to look at Yukimura-san. I knew he shared Matusuoka-san's opinion. So instead I ran. I grabbed my bag and ran past them, ignoring the calls of my name.
I'd walked for at least and hour before I arrived at a bus stop. From there it took most of the night but I found my way back to the apartment complex. Though I did have to sneak in to avoid the awkward confrontation that was sure to come. The second I stepped in front of my door I felt a pang in my chest. This was where I first met Matsuoka-san. I remembered it like it was yesterday. How he was on the phone and spouting obsceniti -
I shook my head and willed the memories to stop flowing. Though there was no such luck. I let out a heavy sigh and took a step inside my room. It was dark, cold and it could get pretty lonely but it was home. After getting washed and changed I collapsed on my bed. To my left was a picture of Matsuoka-san, Yukimura-san and I. It was taken just after we won our first survival games. I turned the other way to avoid being reminded of it but it was pointless, I'd looked at it enough times to have the image imprinted in my brain, much as those two had imprinted themselves on my heart. And now I had to let them go. There was still the optimistic part inside of me that told me to not give up, that things could change but I knew that it was nothing but a thought. I fell asleep knowing my best friends hated me.
3rd Person POV:
That was a week ago. Fortunately Hotaru had managed to avoid them, though she had to admit; It was a hassle having to leave two hours early. Also, she can't be home before 6 in the evening as that's when the two of them are either training or free. After that they're busy; Matsuoka is at the host club and Yukimura is writing his manga so she doesn't have to worry about them.
As it was saturday, She'd let Kanae drag her to the park. Lately she'd lost most of her will, she'd let herself be forced into some more feminine clothing. Some light-wash skinny jeans, a pale yellow tank top and white cardigan. Still pretty tomboyish but an improvement according to Kanae.
"So, I was thinking we'd feed the ducks then get some ice-cream!" she said, a beaming smile on her face Just like usual Hotaru thought, as her lips curved upwards into a small smile
"Eh? Hotaru, are you listening?!" she shook Hotaru's shoulders, snapping her out of her thoughts
"Yeah, sorry. I'm just a little distracted."
Kanae sighed before taking the others hand and leading her to a bench "Hotaru, you need to stop thinking about them. It'll only bring you down!"
"I know, I know. But I can't help it." she said exasperated "It's because of them I fell in love with Survival Games. They taught me so much."
"You think they taught you?" the two high-schoolers turned to see Midori Nagamasa himself.
Hotaru jumped up in surprise causing Kanae to give her a strange look
"What are you doing here?" Hotaru spat
"You know each other?" Kanae asked
"Yes, we do. I'm Midori Nagamasa, I was in a rival team during the TGC."
Kanae's eyes widened with understanding, Hotaru had mentioned something about a man named Midori and how he was an evildoer. Not to mention all he'd put Toy Gun Gun through.
"And as for your question Hotaru, I was merely taking a stroll. That was when I saw you and thought I'd say hello."
Hotaru scowled at the Doctor, "Well. Hi. Now leave me alone." she turned around and was ready to leave when she felt a hand on her shoulder
"Listen, Tachibana-kun" Midori began, forcing Hotaru to look at him "I just think you should know that I think they're being unfair." Now he had Hotaru's full attention, she was staring at him wide eyed "I mean, after they lied to you you forgave them and moved on. But now when you're honest about your secret, they abandon you. Just like they abandoned me."
"Wha-What? They abandoned you? But they said-"
"They lied to you before, Tachibana-san. It's more than likely they lied about that too." Hotaru hung her head, trying to hide the tears that were welling up.
"Th-They lied to me?"
"I just thought you should know, Team Hoshishiro would be more than open to new members."
"Woah, woah, woah! Hold it right there!" Kanae stepped in front of Hotaru who had gone into a daze like state "You're saying that after all you put her through, you want her to join your team?"
"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."
"My name is Kanae, now answer the damn question!"
He bowed slightly before saying "I apologize if I came on too strong. I was simply offering Hotaru a place on a team that truly accepts her. It doesn't have to be permanent, just a place you can enjoy Survival Games with friends."
Friends? Hotaru thought, she could feel her blood boil and her face turning red from anger. Then it stopped. The anger dissipated as she came to a realization, up until the 'friends' part, she was actually considering it. A place to play survival games seemed like a good idea, then again it would only make her think of her old teammates.
"..Hotaru?" Hotaru looked up to Kanae, who was looking at her with concern.
"I'll think about it." and with that she grabbed Kanae's hand and dragged her away, leaving a smirking Midori behind.
"I don't know what I want." Hotaru sighed, her head in her hands
The two of them had returned to Hotaru's apartment and were currently sitting on her bed, Kanae's arm around Hotaru, trying to comfort her friend.
"Well, I think you should consider it." Hotaru looked at her in disbelief
"What? After everything, you want me join him?!"
"It's not that I trust him - far from it - but it's just...you've been so pessimistic recently, I think it would be good for you to get back out there."
Hotaru just looked at the photo frame, looking at the three of them so happy..could she really do that to them? Could she really team up with the man they hate so much?
'Just like they abandoned me'
His words were replaying inside her head. Perhaps this was her chance to play Survival Games purely for the fun of it. No baggage to weigh her down. She reached out and turned the picture so it was face down.
"I'm going to play Survival Games." and with that, she went to find her G3
*Several Weeks Later*
"Hit!" Called the final member of the opposing team
"Woahh, good job Tachibana-kun!" Fujimoto said patting Hotaru on the back, Midori gave him a thumbs up and even Ichi gave her a small smile and slight nod of approval. These simple gestures made Hotaru's heart swell with pride.
"Thanks for inviting me!" Hotaru replied as the four of them began walking towards the benches.
Team Hoshishiro didn't often compete in contests outside of TGC but they'd made an exception for Hotaru. While they decided not to wear uniforms, they did each sport a black armband showing that they were a team.
Hotaru had felt a stabbing pain in her stomach, most likely guilt. But then again, she wasn't on Toy Gun Gun anymore, so what was the problem?
Well, that was simple, she hadn't let them go. And she wasn't sure if she ever would.
"So Hotaru, I see you've decided to take my advice on your clothing?" Ichi chimed, giving the teenager a nudge
"Uhh, well..yeah." she felt heat rising to her cheeks as she rubbed the back of her head. Hotaru had let them know about his true gender and the members of Hoshishiro had been surprisingly understanding. Though of course they were surprised at first, they were very accepting, Ichi going as far as to take her shopping several times when they weren't training.
Hotaru had decided on a pair of black athletic shorts, a white tucked in shirt and light blue hoodie. She had grown her hair a little so it was now just above her shoulders and was even wearing a sports bra (Not that she was going to let anyone know). She was nowhere ready for skirts and dresses but it was something.
They were talking about the next game when hotaru ended up bumping into someone being flung to the ground. After a second she jumped up and stretched a hand out to the other person, "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I shoul-"
Hotaru stopped when he looked into those icy blue eyes, his own lime coloured eyes going wide.
The both spoke at once "Hotaru?"
"Matsuoka-san?"
Hotaru immediately jumped back when he met two dark eyes staring into his own.
"Yukimura-san?"
Midori had a sly expression on his face, clearly enjoying the hurt that was evident in the three pairs of eyes. Oh how he loved tormenting the members of Toy Gun Gun, another reason he allowed Hotaru to participate with Team Hoshishiro.
"I guess you'll need some time alone." Midori said, concealing the smirk that was about to come out. He lead the other two members away who both shot Hotaru a sympathizing look.
She dreaded what was to come next but she decided to face it. Slowly, she turned to face the two pairs of eyes glaring at her.
"I-I-I uhh," Hotaru's stuttering was brought to a halt when she felt a hand clasp her wrist and begin to drag her across the clearing "What, where are we going?"
She felt herself be pushed the outside walls of the bathrooms. She opened her eyes to see two demonic auras, on reflex she held her hands up
"G-Guys.." she braced herself, expecting a punch that she felt she deserved after all they were put through because of her.
The last thing she expected was to be pulled into an embrace by Matsuoka. At first her entire body went rigid, not sure how to respond, until she let herself be held closely by her former teammate.
Eventually he pulled away and said "Hotaru..it's great to finally see you again!"
"Yeah, you've been avoiding us for weeks. Didn't want us to see you until you transformed, hm Tachibana-kun?"
"Wha-What? Why aren't you angry? And what do you mean by 'transformed'? I haven't changed!"
"Really? I don't remember you having a chest." Yukimura's words earned a death glare from Hotaru
Matsuoka gave him a sad smile "And we weren't angry."
Hotaru just gave him a knowing glance
"Okay, we were a little angry at first, but mostly hurt. We thought you trusted us enough to tell us something like that."
She felt her eyes moisten at Matsuoka's words "I-I'm sorry, I just-"
"You don't need to apologize." Yukimura interrupted "If anything we should be on our knees. You did instantly forgive us after we admitted to lying to you."
"No, no, there's no need for that! Honestly, you had every right to be angry!"
Matsuoka smiled at the flustered teenager before holding out his hand "In that case, how about we just call it even. Then, would you join Toy Gun Gun again?"
Hotaru felt heat rise to her cheeks before she clasped Matsuoka's hand with both of hers. "Of course I will!" but then her face fell "Oh, but I'm entered with Hoshishiro."
Matsuoka let out a laugh before clapping her on the back, "Well then, we can start the training tomorrow. After you break the news to Midori-san and the others."
Yukimura got dangerously close to her face before mumbling in her ear "Savour it, because now that we know you're a girl it'll be far easier to torment you."
All the colour drained from the 16-year old's face, much to the amusement of the other members of Toy Gun Gun.
What they failed to realize was a certain Doctor eavesdropping from around the corner, Well, things just got a little more interesting he thought before stalking off to find his other team members.
A/U: The ending's rushed. I know this ;-; Maybe I'll fix it when I have some spare time.
My First Aoharu x Kikanjuu oneshot, hope you enjoyed it :D