Black Rock Shooter (c) Shinobu Yoshioka and Nagaru Tanigawa
The empty, white walls around them seemed to be moving in on them, but again, that's naturally what happened when you were nervous. They were best friends though and shouldn't be feeling so awkward around the other, but Yomi blamed it on Mato. If that particular energy ball of fun she called her closest friend hadn't said what she did, everything would be perfectly normal and they'd be chatting up a storm, but no. Mato had recently – as in ten minutes ago – declared her undying love to the silent girl next to her in that adorable way she did when she stumbled around to find the right words and her face would heat up and turn crimson.
The pair was situated on the recently vacuumed, periwinkle rug of Yomi's room and stared intently at one another. Yomi then watched as the blue haired girl in front of her fumbled timidly with the sleeve of her favorite zip up jacket, a flustered look to her thoughtful face. She couldn't blame her though; Yomi was caught up in the knowledge of knowing what they both wanted.
Opening her mouth to speak, Yomi caught Mato in a side glance, but was interrupted by her mother intruding on their privacy, announcing that dinner was ready and that Mato was free to stay, but the girl declined – as always. With that, they shared a gradual and hesitant hug before racing down the stairs and parting ways – Yomi lingered at the door just to watch as the opposite girl disappeared down the sidewalk in a frantic dash, a blush probably present on her pale cheeks.
The next day, sun rays intruded through the transparent windows of the speeding train, providing light for the bustling activity aboard. A particular green haired girl sighed just then as she stared at her cell phone persistently for the fifth time, upset that the bouncy girl she usually traveled to school with had to leave home early to help with something at the school involving basketball. It's not like she didn't understand – she would've done the same exact thing if it were for volleyball – but all she really wanted was to have known earlier so she could've at least gone with her. That and the fact that she wanted to do what neither of them had the courage to do last night.
That's why once her foot set outside of the train's doors, she bolted in the direction of the school, brushed past anyone who crossed her path, and didn't stop until she arrived at the gymnasium. Fortunately, the only person there just so happened to be the one she was in search of, which made things a million times easier.
Taking note of Yomi's presence, Mato adjusted her darkened blue eyes to settle with becoming mesmerized with the shining emerald ones across the room, but broke out of the hypnotic trance shortly and said, "Hey Yomi, why you here?"
Ignoring the question, Yomi edged closer to the sitting figure discretely and asked, "Where is everyone?"
"Huh?"
She cocked her head to the left – like she did every time she was puzzled – before fully processing the question.
"Oh. Turns out that I misread the text and it wasn't until tomorrow."
Mato then jumped up excitedly and pranced up to her waiting friend, a warm smile forming on her rosy lips. "Why? You miss me that much?" She teased childishly, winking in sync with her words.
"Remember when you told me you loved me?"
Instantly flushing red, Mato kicked her foot at the ground – another nervous habit of hers, Yomi noted – and nodded shyly.
"I wanted you to know that I love you too."
Then in a rush of adrenaline, Yomi leaned forward and pecked a quick kiss on those same rosy lips that tormented her mind in one swift, graceful movement. The silence that followed after was rather awkward, both taking a moment to register just what had happened.
Mato was the first to recover, a lopsided grin in row as she said, "I knew you liked being taller than me."