Esora paid more attention to Rei than the movie playing in the home theater. Elbow on the armrest of her seat, jaw resting on the back of her hand, she couldn't stop watching Rei's every reaction. Unlike Esora, she was completely engrossed in what was happening on the big screen. Esora liked watching the way her eyes lit up at exciting parts, and the way she covered her mouth while laughing at funny parts, and the way her eyebrows furrowed in concentration during serious parts, and the way she bit her lip during tense parts. There was only one tiny bit of regret…
I wish it were me whom she was looking at… Esora felt a little silly to admit it, but it was the thought she had while smiling ruefully at the TV. Ahh, how embarrassing to be caught in such a pathetic love triangle! I am competing with the TV for Rei's attention, and I'm the one losing.
Of course, she was delighted that Rei was enjoying the movie. It had been Esora's idea, after all, to get together for a movie night, but…
Perhaps it is my fault for not having the foresight to realize that maybe a movie night isn't the best way to leave room for conversation.
That was not to say she'd never talked during a movie before, but she knew it would've been rude to try to start up a conversation with Rei, especially since she was so invested in the movie.
And it was my choice of movie, too. Esora thought. I should be more grateful to know that she likes what I picked out!
And yet, Esora continued to watch Rei out of the corner of her eye, a small, sad smile slowing spreading across her face. She shook her head, both at Rei and herself, and chuckled softly in amusement. She never does notice, does she?
Rei certainly wasn't stupid, far from it! But she could be rather naive and oblivious. That much had not changed since they met back in elementary school. Esora knew it was due in part to Rei's sheltered upbringing, and she knew she could've been more overt about her intentions as well, but it still made Esora laugh sometimes. Ahh, Rei, please don't ever change!
Her smile became a little happier when Rei's laughter lit up the room again. Moments like this always made Esora feel so protective of the other girl! It was wonderful feeling! She made a mental note to choose an activity better suited for conversation the next time they hung out.
ooo
Remembering how much Rei enjoyed food, and remembering how much she enjoyed Peaky P-key's potluck, Esora finally decided she wanted them to try cooking something together.
"I know it's not the most orthodox way to spend the afternoon," she admitted with a sheepish smile.
"No, I think it sounds like an adventure!" Rei smiled and clasped her hands together excitedly.
I don't think you need to take it that far… Esora's sheepish smile grew, and she felt a blush creep across her cheeks. Rei was just too pure and eager!
The spent a pleasant hour making handmade, homemade noodles together. As always, Rei was determined to do her very best, even though they were only cooking for fun. And as always, Esora was transfixed. Rei was covered in flour and buried up to her wrists in dough. Her eyes were fierce and focused as she kneaded. She wanted to make the dough as even and uniform as humanly possible! It was the most precious thing Esora had ever seen, and she found herself wishing she had a camera.
Gah! I'm turning into Yuka! she laughed at herself.
A moment later, Rei cried out to her excitedly. "Esora! Esora! Look! Isn't it lovely?" Esora looked up from her clump of dough to see that Rei had molded hers into a heart. "Just like Valentine's Day!" She laughed as she held out her little creation proudly.
"Aww, Rei!" Esora smiled. Inside, she felt her heart flutter, but she managed not to flee the room with a half-baked excuse about her AC. Although, the mere memory was enough to fluster her all over again. To receive heart-shaped chocolates from Rei and be told that they represented her feelings for Esora was the happiest moment of Esora's life!
It was only slightly dampened when Rei said it was because she knew Esora loved lovely things, and one of her favorite lovely things was hearts. In other words, it hadn't been a confession of love as Esora first assumed.
She never does notice, does she? It was a thought the Esora of today, and of that Valentine's Day, both had. Rei's gift was not unappreciated, but only Rei would be so oblivious as to give heart-shaped Valentine's chocolates to a close friend and not notice the romantic connotations.
The afternoon turned into evening and Esora and Rei managed to finish cooking, eating, and cleaning and Esora still hadn't plucked up the courage to tell Rei how she really felt.
Oh well, better luck next time, she thought with a rueful sigh. That was the one downside to Rei's obliviousness, Esora had to be the one to break the ice, but every time she tried… But, she wasn't giving up yet! Perhaps she just needed to think of something that fit the mood better than noodles.
ooo
It felt like a scene right out of a romance novel, lying in the grass beside the girl she loved as they stargazed in the park together. Their hands were so close, they were almost touching, but only Esora noticed. While Rei looked up, enchanted by the moonlight and stars, Esora's eyes were still on Earth, looking beside rather than above.
"Sure is beautiful out here tonight, isn't it, Esora?" Rei asked softly.
"Hmmm? Yeah, sure is lovely," Esora muttered in agreement. Not for the first time did she note the cruel irony of her status as Peaky's resident "Lovely" member, who excelled at charm and diplomacy, yet whenever Rei was around, her brain turned to mush, and she forgot what words were. She was determined, though, to be a little more successful tonight than in any of the previous times she and Rei had hung out together.
"H-hey, Rei, you know what looks even lovelier tonight?" she asked, steeling her nerves and swallowing her fear.
"What?" Rei finally turned her eyes away from the moon and back to Esora. Esora felt her heart thump as Rei's eyes, full of the innocent curiosity and wonder that Esora so loved about her, met her own.
"Y-you." She gave Rei a big, cheesy smile, hoping it masked how nervous she felt. For a moment, Rei could only blink back at her.
Oh no, was I too forward? A thrill of alarm surged through Esora's body. It wasn't like her to misread Rei so badly. Even if she hadn't known what Rei's reaction would be, she never thought it would be a rejection of this—
"Haha, oh, Esora, you flatter me!" Rei looked away shyly, blushing, bringing a hand to her cheek. "Your words, they're too kind!"
"No, no, they're simply the truth," Esora insisted, inwardly almost fainting in relief that Rei's blank expression hadn't been a prelude for disgust.
"Well, I think you are truly beautiful as well, Esora, the most Lovely person I've ever met!" Rei promised, and Esora forgot what words were again.
She never does notice, does she? How good she is with words… She does it so naturally and effortlessly! Esora was almost jealous, Rei might've made a better Lovely member than she was! And had she been a little braver, she might've asked Rei, half joking and half serious, what her secret was. By the time Esora could think of something to say, however, Rei had already fallen asleep. At first, Esora was in disbelief over her bad luck, but then she realized how lovely and adorable a sleeping Rei actually was, especially in the shining light of the moon…
Hmm, maybe her obliviousness isn't ALWAYS bad…
ooo
"Read the mood, Esora. Rei just wanted a reason, ANY reason, to see you." That was what Kyoko said at D4Fes the first time Rei was able to visit. It left both Rei and Esora blushing. Rei, because it was true, and Esora, because it was a surprise. She didn't mean to sound doubtful of Rei's friendship, but because her parents weren't always able to be around, it still sometimes surprised Esora when people had time for her, and didn't have more important things to do elsewhere. It was a contrast to Rei's parents, who were overbearing.
But another reason Esora was surprised was because of Rei's obliviousness. Esora had never imagined that Rei felt so strongly for her. Rei's blush, however, confirmed Kyoko's words. Then, somewhere along the way, they started talking about Kyoko and Shinobu, comparing them and their relationship dynamics to Esora and Rei's.
It was after that talk that, for the first time, Esora wanted to know how Rei felt about her. Esora wanted to know, did they have the same "twin flame" situation that Kyoko and Shinobu had going on? As Esora would come to learn, however, Rei's inability to pick up on romantic intentions was unparalleled, even beyond what Esora expected.
How do I make it clear that the quality time I spend with her is my way of speaking my love language to her? Esora thought as she and Rei reclined on the couch together, chatting about everything and nothing. Esora knew Rei's feelings for her were strong. Now she wanted to know if Rei's feelings for her were platonic or romantic. There was only one thing preventing Esora from figuring it out. She never does notice, does she?
Rei missed every longing stare, every lingering gaze, every soft smile, every loving word. Eventually, Esora was convinced that the only way Rei would realize what Esora was trying to communicate was if Esora said, point-blank, "Rei, I am in love with you." And that was technically a possibility, but even though Esora knew she ought to be more direct, that seemed a little too direct.
At one point, Esora hoped that maybe the frequency and duration of her visits to Rei would clue Rei in. And if not that, then the fact that Esora sometimes snuck into Rei's house just so Rei wouldn't feel lonely, even though they both knew Rei's parents wouldn't approve if Esora was caught, should've also been a major flag. But if Rei was capturing them, she gave no indication.
Even after the handful of times Esora needed to crawl in through a window just to sneak a visit to Rei, Rei seemed to miss the obvious attraction Esora thought she was displaying for the other girl.
Message sent, but is it received? Esora sighed to herself. Oh, Rei, you're lucky you're so Lovely!
ooo
Listening to Rei play piano always calmed Esora down. She sat beside her friend on the piano bench, letting the music wash her worries away. Although Esora was still trying to find a way to talk to Rei about her feelings, she knew she needed to take breaks every once in a while, too.
"Was there anything in particular you wanted me to play?" asked Rei.
"No, is there anything you've been working on recently?"
"Well, I am workshopping something for Happy Around…"
Even though Rei and Esora were in rival DJ units, never once did they fear it would ruin their friendship. On the contrary, they were friendly rivals who used their status as rivals to motivate themselves to do better so they could impress one another. That was another reason Esora was so glad to have someone like Rei in her life. Neither would let their DJing interfere with their friendship. If anything, they'd only grown stronger, both as friends and individuals, ever since joining their respective units.
They were careful to only share what the rest of their unit was comfortable with, and even though they would never trade unit secrets, that did not mean they couldn't still work together on music, or inspire one another. After all, there was a time very much like this one where Rei needed advice, and Esora first suggested she try Peaky's Potluck plot. Now, Esora was the one who needed advice, but the irony was that Rei was the last person she could ask for help!
"Esora? I do not mean to pry, but… does something trouble you?" Rei asked as the final notes of her song drifted away into the air.
"Trouble me?" Esora echoed, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"You looked fretful while I was playing, and I can't help but wonder why…"
Esora cursed herself. Despite having agreed to listen to Rei play piano for the sole purpose of calming down, she did the total opposite!
During her panic, she remembered something. The one other reason she loved listening to Rei was because it was how they met, at a piano recital. Esora was blown away by Rei's talent, but she was even more awed and envious of Rei's passion. It was something Esora did not share, at least when it came to piano. But the two spoke after the recital, and Rei unintentionally reminded Esora that she deserved to find her own happiness rather than just living out someone else's. It was thanks to Rei that Esora found the courage to leave Arisugawa which, in turn, led her to Peaky…
She never does notice, does she? What excellent advice she gives me… I just wish I could follow it…
ooo
Esora was reminded of several more reasons why she loved Rei. The first: they didn't always need words to understand each other. Even though Rei was confused, she knew Esora was struggling with something, but she also knew Esora wasn't always the type to talk about it. Tactfully, Rei simply kept playing piano. That was the second reason, Rei didn't push Esora. And yet, and for the third reason, Rei was also the one Esora felt the most comfortable around. Even though she was in agony trying to decide how to tell Rei about her feelings, the heart of the matter was still Rei. It wasn't anyone else who made Esora feel this way.
Eventually, Rei's patient support paid off. Her words from the recital echoing in Esora's memory, Esora finally said it.
"Rei… I… I… I think… No, I know that I… well… I…" It took a little longer than she might've liked, but finally… "I love you."
"Aww, well, Esora, I love you too!" Rei smiled, but Esora cut her off.
"No, not like that, I mean… I mean… I…" She swallowed. "I mean that I love you… in a romantic way…"
"Well, I did, too!" Rei was still smiling cheerfully.
"Wh-what?" Esora went deadpan from shock.
What followed was an epiphany for both girls that would make Esora question herself for ages to come.
"It's just…" Rei chuckled quietly. "I thought we were already in a relationship, or at least dating."
"…What?"
Through laughter, Rei managed to explain. "Don't you remember? The chocolate hearts, the fireworks, how often I play piano for you, all the time we spend together, watching your favorite movies because they're your favorite!" Everything Rei did with or for Esora was because she loved Esora. Esora made her feel happy all around! "I thought we were just going slow, and that was why we hadn't… kissed, or a-anything…" Rei blushed.
Esora was frozen, trying to process the beyond-touching realization that the reason Rei asked her to listen to her play piano was because Rei could tell she was stressed and wanted to help her feel better. Esora's unintentionally comedic expression made Rei laugh despite her own minor embarrassments. "I must admit, there were a few times I flirted with you and you didn't seem to realize, and all I could think was, "She never does notice, does she?" but I'm glad we're finally on the same page!"
Esora had just enough time to realize that she'd been the oblivious when Rei suddenly leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Esora's had one last thought before her mind froze again: Well, if this is oblivion, at least it's Lovely!
AN: I love the idea that both Esora and Rei are oblivious to one another's flirtations in different ways, but then I got the idea, "What if Esora thinks Rei's the oblivious one but it's actually her?" and that seemed funnier, so that's the plotline I went with, LOL!
I ship these two so hard and I'm glad I finally thought up a plot to write for them because I've wanted to do something in their honor for months now, LOL! Thank you, random burst of inspiration that came literally out of nowhere!
Fun fact: I wrote this before the 14th, but waited until the 14th to post it just so I could post it on a day that ended in a 4, LOL!