NodoYui one-shot? Yes indeed. Enjoy if you can
A blizzard was currently sweeping through northern and central Japan and people were advised to stay at home. For one Nodoka Manabe, this was a bit of an inconvenience. Home was a little far away from her. Thankfully, she was at a friends house so things weren't quite as bad as it seemed.
It helped that she was warm and welcome.
"Nodoka-chan," Yui called as she entered the living room. She took a seat across the kotatsu from Nodoka. "Ui's making snacks. You want anything?"
Nodoka smiled amicably. "Oh, anything's fine. I'm sure whatever Ui makes will be delicious."
Yui giggled. "Yeah, I hear you," she replied airily, setting her head down on the table. "Ui's a great cook. She'll make something really tasty for us."
Nodoka nodded in agreement before looking down at her hands placed neatly on the table. She drummed her fingers once. Twice. Three times. Time seemed to slow down as a heavy silence set in.
Nodoka's smile slowly faded.
Nodoka's visit to the Hirasawa residence had not been done on a whim. Her normally busy schedule was miraculously clear because she had specifically left it open. For most girls, such an action was an indication that she and her supposed significant other would be going out to do something romantic. She didn't have a significant other, though. No. Her goal was decidedly different.
"Yui, there's something I need to tell you," Nodoka said, her voice sounding drier than it did not even a minute ago.
Yui slowly raised her head from the table and tilted it curiously. "Hmm?" she sounded in question, her eyebrow rising a pinch.
"I'm going abroad next semester."
Yui blinked before smiling broadly. "That's great, Nodoka-chan!" As she cheered, she leaned over and reached for Nodoka, no doubt in an attempt to give her a hug. All she achieved was sprawling herself atop the table and patting Nodoka in the chest and shoulders. "Where will you be going?"
Nodoka's amicable smile returned as she chuckled. "Germany."
Yui's eyes were wide with wonder as she stared. "Ohh, where's that?"
"And to think you passed highschool," Nodoka muttered wryly, almost amusedly. "Germany is in Europe. I'm gonna be studying there for the next few years."
Yui blinked again as she digested Nodoka's words. She slowly slid back to her seat, crossing her arms and nodding solemnly. "Next few years," she repeated. "It won't just be for a week like our trip to London, huh?"
"No... A lot longer..."
A moment of silence passed. Only the distant sound of Ui cooking kept the silence from being all encompassing.
Yui fidgeted in her seat, glancing in Nodoka's direction for a moment before averting her eyes. "I'm gonna miss you," she mumbled.
Nodoka suppressed a wince. "Yeah... I'm gonna miss you too. I didn't wanna leave without telling you. And I didn't think sending you a text would have cut it..."
Yui smiled sadly. "I'm happy you came to tell me in person... I'm just sad that I won't see you again for a long time after you leave"
Nodoka leaned forward gently laid her hand on the table in front of Yui. She sighed. "Look, Yui... I'm sorry. I already think you and I don't meet often enough. But between schoolwork and my part time job, time has always been an issue for me."
Yui whimpered at this. "I know. I'm not blaming you. I'm just sad, is all." She put a hand over Nodoka's. Surprisingly warm. "But at the same time, I'm also really happy. I remember how in elementary and middle school you could never trust me on my own. Years later, you trust me enough that you're willing to go live a different country for a few years without worrying."
Nodoka chuckled in genuine amusement. "You've grown a lot, Yui. And you don't need me to tell you that."
The two separated and another silence passed, though it felt much lighter than the previous one.
"Actually, there are other reasons I came here aside from telling you about my trip." Nodoka fished her pockets for a small red box which she then slid towards Yui. "And since the blizzard is keeping me here, I won't be able to put it off."
Yui opened the box and her eyes lit up. "Chocolate! But why?" There was a pause as she thought. "Oh right, it's Valentine's day! The blizzard had me all so worried that I forgot all about it. Thank you Nodoka!"
Nodoka smiled and rested her chin on her palm, quitely marvelling at how Yui was popping squares of chocolate in her mouth and savoring every millisecond of it.
"I also I wanted to tell you something I realized a few months ago."
"Hmm?" Yui continued eating and gestured for Nodoka to continue.
"I think I might have been a little bit in love with you back when we were in high school."
Yui blinked and continued eating. She nodded slowly before swallowing. "Could... Could you repeat that?" she mumbled.
Nodoka snorted, seeing the blood rushing to Yui's cheeks. Had she always been that easy to fluster? "I was in love with you when we were in high school... or... at least I think I was..."
Yui continued nodding slowly. "Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure now at the very least." Nodoka leaned back and looked distantly at the ceiling. "Back then, I don't know what I thought it was. I remember I was trying to ignore it - too distracting to focus on." She shook her head. "And even then, it never left my mind. Some nights, it'd just keep me up. I'd be in bed thinking of you for some reason."
"Huh," Yui muttered, sounding deflated. "I never knew..." She eyed Nodoka curiously. "Are you still in love with me?"
Nodoka lips curled up wryly. "I don't think I can answer that. I haven't seen you in nearly a year."
Yui pouted. "Aww. What does that have to do with anything?"
Nodoka chuckled and shrugged. "Actually, I guess it doesn't. Honestly, though, I really don't know. Maybe I am. Like before, I'm not really thinking about it."
Yui scratched her head. "How'd you figure out you were once in love with me, then?"
This question gave Nodoka pause. "I... uh... I don't know either. One day, I just woke up and suddenly it was clear to me. I can't really say anything more than that."
Yui hummed as she took in this information. She seemed to accept the vague not-explanation Nodoka gave her. "Love is weird," she concluded.
"You seem to be taking this a lot better than I thought you would," Nodoka said, scratching her cheek. "I expected a whole lot more screaming."
"Oh, silly Nodoka-chan. I am screaming - just on the inside."
Nodoka adjusted her glasses. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing, Yui," she said gently.
Yui shrugged. "You have to admit, it's better than actually screaming."
Nodoka sighed again. "Yes, it's better than actually screaming. Maybe you're not taking this better than I expected."
"Maybe," Yui agreed, putting a hand on her chest. "My heart is racing. I think I'm more stressed about this than the fact that you're leaving soon."
Nodoka shook her head slowly and chuckled. "Deep breaths, Yui. Remember, the blizzard. I'm not going anywhere today." She glanced at the door to the kitchen and saw Ui peeking into the living room. "And besides, you still have Ui's snacks waiting for you. In fact, I think she's almost done."
With that, Ui entered with a tray full of pastries and hot chocolate.
Yui's eyes went alight once again as Ui set the tray on the table. "Oh, Nodoka, you are a master of calming nerves! Thank you Ui!"
Nodoka laughed and partook in the food.
Happy Valentines Day to everyone.
I didn't actually have anything planned for Valentines this year so I kinda rushed out some ficlets. Hope everyone liked this NodoYui one-shot.
