(This takes place before Yachiyo comes out as nonbinary but the pronouns are still they/them. Everyone else refers to them as a girl still)

"You called?"

"Yes. Would you mind doing some of that paperwork? Everyone else was busy."

"Sure, Akira-senpai."

It was a normal afternoon. School had ended a whole ago. Yachiyo had been lazing on their bed browsing through a magazine. Akira had summoned them to the student council room.

"So... how are you?" Yachiyo didn't like how quiet it was in the room.

"I'm fine."

"Have you been in here since school ended?"

"No. I did some practice first and then came here."

They fell back into silence. The only sound was their pens writing on the papers.

Yachiyo kept glancing at Akira. It didn't seem like she noticed, or did she? Yachiyo wasn't sure. They swore Akira met their gaze at one point, but she never said anything.

"Um... Akira-senpai? Can I tell you something?"

"Sure?" Akira was a little confused, but gave them her attention.

"Well... I... I'm gay." Yachiyo looked at their feet.

Akira continued to stare at them for a while. She wasn't sure what she was to do now. What was the reaction she was supposed to give to that? Did she just accept it or did she need to be more supportive?

It was hard to tell. Yachiyo didn't seem overly stressed out waiting for her answer. They just seemed nervous. Maybe they were expecting her to not support it? Akira really didn't know. She'd just have to go with the flow and figure it out later.

"Why are you telling me this?" Akira eventually asked.

"I just... needed to tell someone..." Yachiyo mumbled.

"Okay then. I really don't care about your romantic preferences." Akira returned to her work, "Is there someone you have a crush on that made you want to do this?"

Yachiyo quickly shook their head, "N-no!"

Akira raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It wasn't her place to meddle in those types of affairs. Unless someone needed her to, of course.

Yachiyo couldn't tell her the truth. How would that even go down? It was one thing to tell her that they're gay, but to admit they have a crush on her? No way was that happening.

"Do you think anyone else here is gay?" Yachiyo questioned.

Akira pondered her response. Yachiyo waited anxiously for the answer. They wanted to know they weren't alone. That would help a lot. Even if they didn't tell anyone else they're gay. Just knowing there was someone else in the school would be enough.

"I know a few." Akira said.

"You won't tell me who?" Yachiyo frowned.

"That's not my place. I'm not outting someone to you." Akira gave them a slight glare.

"But I'm gay so why does it matter?" Yachiyo understood her stance, but that didn't stop them from complaining.

"Finish those papers and I'll tell you one name." Akira stated.

"Really?" Yachiyo stared at her with sparkling eyes.

Akira nodded, "But you better be fast. I'm done already."

Yachiyo nodded and quickly got back to work. They wanted to know the name. At least then they'd have someone else they knew who was gay. Whether they both knew it or not.

"Done." Yachiyo finished swiftly, but still made sure everything was neatly done.

"Very well." Akira stood up, "The only one I'll tell you about is me."

She left the room before Yachiyo could reply. Yachiyo stared at the door with their mouth agape. That was not what they had been expecting. Akira didn't really give off that vibe. At least, not that Yachiyo noticed. But, then again Akira was a very formidable actor. She could probably hide it very well.

That got Yachiyo thinking. Maybe they did have a chance? If Akira liked girls, then they had a chance. They should ask if she likes anyone. Just to see.

DIVIDER--

Yachiyo found time to ask her the next day. They were practicing together alone. The others were running behind today.

"Akira-senpai, do you have a crush on anyone?" Yachiyo was straightforward.

"No. I don't believe I do." Akira replied.

"You don't?"

"I'm not sure what it feels like if you do have a crush on someone."

"Well, um... you like being around them? Um... you find yourself maybe feeling nervous around them? Or you um... you find a lot of small things they do cute?" Yachiyo offered, "I'm not the best for that advice..."

"Why not? You seem to know what you're talking about?"

"Well... I'm asexual as well... um, do you know what that is?" Yachiyo asked.

Akira shook her head, "I don't think I've heard that before."

"Well, I don't feel sexual attraction. I only feel romantic attraction. So... I don't know the sexual feelings you might get." Yachiyo said.

"I don't think that will matter." Akira shrugged.

"Well, anyway, do you think you have a crush on anyone now? Or is it still no?"

"I think I might."

"You won't tell me, will you?"

"No."

"Understandable."

Yachiyo still had their hopes up. Maybe they were who Akira liked? It was unlikely, wasn't it? Why would she like them? Yachiyo couldn't think of a reason. They weren't worthy. Akira was so much better than them. But, they really hoped somehow they'd get to be the one to date her.

But, more doubts came along. The longer they waited, the more they second-guessed themself.

DIVIDER--

Only a month later, did the biggest thing happen. Yachiyo had been browsing the web and had stumbled across a blog. After reading into it, they came upon the term 'nonbinary'. After more research, Yachiyo realized they were that.

Did that mean all hope was lost? Akira liked girls. So, would she still like them? Yachiyo was even more discouraged from confessing. It just didn't seem like it would go in their favor at all.

Yachiyo didn't know what to do. Their crush was not going away. If anything, it was getting stronger. They couldn't help it. Who wouldn't have a crush on Akira? Half the student body probably did too.

"Yachiyo? Yachiyo? Tsuruhime-san!"

Yachiyo snapped out of their daze to find Akira was glaring at them. They nervously tried to recall what they had been doing.

They had been in class. It must have ended. And they must've not realized it. And it seemed Akira came to fetch them for practice.

"Sorry. I guess I stayed up too late last night?" Yachiyo offered with a nervous laugh.

"You've been acting weird recently."

"E-eh? Have I?" Yachiyo tried to play dumb.

"Go to your room and rest. We'll practice without you. You need to be in better shape." Akira headed for the door.

Yachiyo stood up and quickly ran over and grabbed her arm, "Wait! I'm okay. I can practice."

Akira eyed them up, "Are you sure? We don't need you collapsing on us."

"I'm fine. I promise, Akira-senpai." Yachiyo nodded.

"Very well. Let's go."

During practice, Mei Fan asked them about their behavior as well. Yachiyo didn't know what to say. It was obvious everyone was starting to notice something was amiss with them.

"You can tell me, Yachiyo. I'll keep it between us." Mei Fan promised.

Yachiyo sighed and leaned closer, "I like Akira-senpai."

Mei Fan's eyes widened, "What? Seriously?"

"Shh." Yachiyo glared at her, "And yes... I have a crush on her."

"Why don't you tell her? I'm sure there's a lot of people who'd love to do that too."

"She'd never like me back." Yachiyo frowned, "I'm not good enough for her."

"I think you are. Try it?"

"No."

Yachiyo sighed. This was awful. They really needed to do something about this. But what? There was no way they could confess. At least, not with their current situation. They would have to tell her they were nonbinary before even thinking of asking her out. And that was a lot.

"I'm going to the dorms. Tell them I wasn't feeling good." Yachiyo left the room, unable to remain.

"Where's she going?" Michiru noticed their exit first.

"She said she didn't feel good." Mei Fan replied.

"I told her to rest but she insisted on coming." Akira sighed.

"I'm going to go check on her." Shiori said in a worried tone and went after Yachiyo.

"I'm going to scold that girl." Michiru stated and also left.

"Well, shall we go as well?" Akira asked, "No point in practicing with the current state of things."

"U-um... can I talk to you first?"

Mei Fan knew she shouldn't do this. She promise Yachiyo she would keep it a secret. But, with how it was affecting them, someone needed to do something. It was obvious Yachiyo wouldn't, so she would try. There was no guarantee that this would even do anything, though.

"What's up?"

"It's about Yachiyo."

"What about her?"

"She... she likes you."

"She likes me?"

"You know, loves you. But, she doesn't think she's good enough. That's kinda why she's been acting that way."

"It is none of my concern."

"I guess you don't like her?"

"I won't wait for someone who won't be upfront about it." Akira exited the room.

"Wait. Does that mean-"