A/N: I do not own any of these characters... fully ship Kumirei.

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"Is that?"

Yuuko, Natsuki, and Nozomi huddled against the window pane, listening to the duet meant for the flute and oboe.

Yuuko's eyes were glued on the girl with the trumpet. "Is that-"

"She's smiling." Natsuki commented in an unbelievable monotone surprise.

"And laughing." Yuuko added. "I didn't even know she was capable of emotion." She pauses long enough to straighten her ribbons then continues "She's almost like a normal human being."

"But Oumae-san… she's why Kousaka-san can smile and feel happy." Natsuki says, almost in a as-a-matter-of-fact voice. "Who do you all think she plays for? Taki-sensei?" She scoffs.

"Well... she did blurt out a confession at last year's Nationals, remember?"

"Yuuko, I think that was more admiration than being in-love. Do you see her staring at Taki-sensei like the way she looks at Kumiko? I bet if Kousaka-san can get her way with her, they would never leave Kumiko's bedroom! Or those sparkly, googly eyes? Or clingy touchy when she's all over her best-friend? Natsuki feigns shiver as she reasons out, air quoting and stressing "best-friend."

Meanwhile, Nozomi's eyes were carefully watching the interaction of their kouhai.

"Nani! Natsuki! Are you saying those two are a thing, like a couple?" Exclaimed Yuuko.

"They might as well be. Just look at them. Annoyingly sweet, reserving smiles and laughter just for each other, feeding off from each other's lunches. Did you see them yesterday feeding each other from their own utensils?" She points out flatly. "Seriously! They're worse than a married couple! I would be surprised if they're not together."

"Natsuki-chan, you're reading into this too much." Nozomi flatly commented.

Then all 6 eyes, with added 2 unbeknownst to the 3 girls talking, widened at the sight of Kousaka Reina kneeling in front of the Euphonium player, giggling.

Mizore covers her mouth with a hand.

Natsuki looks like a deer caught in headlights.

Yuuko stares open mouth.

Nozomi stunned with her blue eyes gazing.

Even if the duet isn't meant for a trumpet and Euphonium, they blend naturally and perfectly." Mizore thinks to herself. "Why?" She closes the window and continues to walk down the hallway to practice more.

"Kumiko, stop laughing. It's nerve-wrecking as it is." Reina giggles.

"Rei- Reina, this can be done. We can do - Reina! At our usual spot." Kumiko managed to stutter in between giggling.

"Be serious Kumiko." Reina huffs.

"I'm trying." Really, Kumiko was. But seeing Reina get on her knees of front of Kumiko managed to evoke an uncontrollable nervous laugh from her.

"Kumiko." Reina finally manage to compose herself and takes a deep breath.

Seeing Reina's actions, Kumiko moves a bit forward on her chair. She leans over her euphonium, and smiles gently. Reaching out her hand to gently cup Reina's cheeks, she leans close enough to let their noses slightly brush against one another's. "Haven't I promised myself to you already?"

"You know I like to keep what's mine." Reina responds, blushing fervently. "I'm selfish when it comes to you."

Kumiko nods slightly, leaning their foreheads together. "Then, stake your claim, Kousaka Reina-san." Barely a whisper

And a silver necklace with a simple silver band found its way around Kumiko's neck as Reina wraps her arms around Kumiko's and locks the clasp of the necklace. "Oumae Kumiko, will you stay by my side, forever? against all odds?" The black-haired trumpeter whispers against Kumiko's lips. "I know we're still in high sch-"

"Where else would I be Reina? My place is with you, right where I belong." Kumiko softly cuts Reina's thoughts.

"As I am yours." Tugging her own necklace, showing Kumiko her matching one. "And someday, I'll put a ring on your finger."

Kumiko gathered all her self-discipline together not to shower Reina with kisses at that very moment. Reina sees Kumiko's struggle, so she decides to tease the girl more by slipping one hand underneath the front of Kumiko's uniform top, barely grazing her nails against the heated skin underneath.

"Reinaaaaa." Kumiko moans softly.

Reina chuckles, loving the reaction she brings out of Kumiko.

"Now, now. Let's play my solo then pack up. You did remember to tell your parents that you're staying with me this weekend, right? Mother is almost willing to pay you to babysit me." Reina reminds her Euphonium-playing best-friend.

"Hai! Hai! I remember. Mom said she'll drop off my clothes at your house during lunch. So it should be at your place by now." Kumiko explains.

And they practice harmoniously.

To the watching eyes, the closeness of the two second years can be seen as intimate as kissing within school grounds, especially from the heightened angle where the curious seniors were standing.

"Are they… kissing?" Nozomi asks.

Natsuki and Yuuko can only turn red at their friend's question.

Shaking off the kissing thought, Natsuki turns around to face Nozomi and Yuuko. "And that duet wasn't even made for a trumpet and Euphonium. Explain yourself Nozomi!"

Yuuko whacks the top of Natsuki's head. She turns back and watches in awe as her fellow trumpet member acts so much different around Kumiko than she does in public. "She saves that smile and laughter only for Oumae-san. I think that's amazing."

Nozomi blinks, trying to figure out who is Liz in their kouhai's friendship.

Yuuko notices the change in Nozomi's expression.

"I don't think there is a blue bird in those two, if that's what you're thinking Nozomi." Ribbon haired girl tries to explain. "Neither of those two is willing survive a lifetime without the other. Besides… this is Kousaka-san we're talking about. I think we all know by now how possessive she is of Kumiko."

Natsuki slowly starts shaking her head. "It's not just the smiles and laughter she reserves for Oumae-san. Can't you both see? Kumiko-chan may possibly be the only person that we know who can handle the extremes of Kousaka-san. Reina's entire being is in Kumiko's hands."

Yuuko chuckles. "So you do have a romantic side." Teasing Natsuki.

Natsuki turns beet red. "And they say they're only best-friends." She continues still looking at the two second years.

That last comment made Nozomi laugh out of nowhere. "Mizore is my best-friend. We don't make out. And neither do you two…" looking at her classmates. She blinks at both Natsuki and Yuuko as the two stare at each other.

"Me kiss her?" Yuuko exclaims with venom in her voice.

"Say that again in 5 years when you're all over me, Miss Ribbons." Natsuki teased back.

The three third years watch as Kumiko and Reina finish playing and start to pack up. They saw a glimpse of Reina giving a peck on Kumiko's cheek before heading home. "Good job today Kumiko."

"I don't know." Nozomi finally speaks. "Maybe they are just best-friends."