Hanamaru x Ruby: Beyond Friendship
As Ruby got home from school she recalled what Mari told her durning practice.
Practice:
Everyone was just taking a break when Mari suddenly came up to Ruby, who was sitting by herself.
"You know Ruby you really need to work on strengthening your friendship with Hanamaru before it's too late~."
Ruby tilted her head. "What do you mean? Maru and I are already great friends."
Mari hummed. "Yes, but there is a greater level of friendship that you two aren't on. And if you don't hurry Ruby, Yoshiko might steal her from you~."
"Eh?! Maru wouldn't leave me!"
Just as she said that Yoshiko announced that her and Hanamaru had to leave practice early, and darted out the door.
Mari gave Ruby a knowing look. "T-they can hang out too. It's not like Maru is leaving me."
"But wasn't she going to your house today?"
At this point Ruby was panicking. W-what if Maru is leaving me?! I don't want that! Our plans may not have been official but she could've told me first! Ruby turned back to Mari.
"H-how can I strengthen my relationship with Hanamaru?! I-I don't want her to leave me!"
Little did Ruby know Mari planned all this and had Yoshiko help. She patted Ruby's head. "It's okay!~ I know what will help!"
Present Time:
Ruby immediately did a search for what Mari said and clicked the first link. She read the first thing that stood out.
"Looking for a way to make your relationship even stronger?
Are you ready to move past being 'just friends'?
It's easy! Just follow these steps!
99.9% guarantee to strengthen your 'friendship'!
You'll never break apart!"
This is perfect! Ruby thought and viewed the first step.
Step 1: "Skinship"
When Ruby saw Hanamaru, on her way to school, she immediately hugged her from behind.
"Wha- oh Ruby! Is everything alright?" Hanamaru asked.
Ruby shook her head. "You didn't tell me you were going with Yoshiko yesterday."
"Oh right. I'm sorry, zura. Yoshiko dragged me out before I could tell you."
Ruby pouted. "I'll forgive you if you stay the night at my house."
"Okay, zura!"
Durning the school day Ruby would do whatever she could to be in some sort of contact with Hanamaru. She would play with Maru's hair or 'accidentally' brush arms with her.
On their way home Ruby grabbed Hanamaru's hand, startling her. "R-Ruby is everything okay? You've been acting different today."
"Does Maru not like it?" Ruby was worried. Am I too late?
Hanamaru's eyes widened.
"That's not it, zura! In fact I kind of like this.." Her cheeks dusted with red after what she said.
Ruby inwardly sighed in relief. She gave Hanamaru a big smile. "Great! Me too!" Ruby knew their 'friendship' was increasing because she started to feel tingly every time she would interact with Hanamaru.
Being reminded of her goal, she thought about the second step.
Step 2: Compliments
Normally this would make Ruby nervous but she felt determined. "Hey, Maru."
Hanamaru hummed looking up from her homework. "I just wanted to tell you, that you're very pretty."
Hanamaru blushed at the sudden compliment. "T-thank you, zura..."
"I'm not done. I also think you are very smart. I feel very lucky to have you as my friend. I can always look up to you and count on you. If you ever left me I would be very sad. I want us to be together forever!"
Hanamaru's face was as bright as Ruby's hair. She was at a complete loss for words and Ruby took that as a win.
Ruby was all too excited and decided to rush to the last step, even though this made her really nervous.
"Hanamaru, can I kiss you?" Ruby's heart was pounding at the thought while Hanamaru's couldn't take it anymore so she passed out.
When Hanamaru woke up she saw Ruby sitting on a chair ,next to the bed, asleep. When Maru remembered what happened her heart fluttered as heat rose in her cheeks. She nudged Ruby awake.
"Maru! You're wake! You scared me!"
"S-sorry, Zura. You just surprised me."
"Right... Sorry I asked." Ruby knew she went to far and probably even ruined her friendship.
"Can I ask you why you wanted to kiss me?"
Ruby shifted in place. "Well Mari told me that if I didn't strengthen my friendship with you, you'd leave me. So she told me what to look up to help me and kissing was one of the steps."
It all clicked now. Hanamaru wondered if her crush for her friend was that obvious. To her she hid it well. "R-ruby, friends don't kiss, couples do. Mari was tricking you, zura."
"E-eh?! W-why would she do that?" Ruby was beyond embarrassed now that things made more sense.
"I-i think it's because Mari knows... I like you..."
Ruby seemed confused so Hanamaru continued. "I-I like you like the way couples like each other..."
Ruby's eyes widened causing Maru to hide her face with her hands. "I'm sorry, zura!"
Hanamaru felt her hands being removed as she met eyes with Ruby. "K-kiss me." Ruby said so quietly Hanamaru almost didn't hear.
"Eh? K-kiss you?" Ruby nodded shyly as she continued to hold Maru's hands. By now their faces and heart rates matched.
Hanamaru shut her eyes as Ruby followed and started leaning in. Both eyes shot open and they backed away touching their lips with their fingers. They had both felt the spark as soon as their lips touched.
"I-I wouldn't mind being Maru's girlfriend..." Ruby mumbled, face flushed. "D-do you feel the same?"
Hanamaru nodded. "Then will you be my girlfriend?" Ruby asked. Maru nodded again, face heating up more.
"Promise you'll never leave me?" Another nod. "C-can we kiss again?" No nod was needed for this one.
Omake:
"Hey Onee-chan." Ruby asked.
"What is it Ruby?"
"How come you never kiss Mari and Kanan?"
Dia nearly choked on air. She immediately walked over to the student council room and slammed her hands against the desk where Mari was sitting. "What did you tell Ruby?!"
Mari sweat dropped. "It's joke!~" she smiled while holding up a peace sign.
Kanan sitting next to Mari just sighed and shook her head.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! :D
Up next: Kanan x Mari
