Day 3: Love Languages
Rion didn't feel like there was anything particularly special about her, but when it came time to break into teams, Mifuyu regularly chose to pair with her over any of the others. Rion couldn't help that think that maybe it was because . . . maybe Mifuyu liked her.
The uncertainty was killing her. Rion liked Mifuyu, she really did, but she didn't have the confidence to assume she knew how her upperclassman felt. Rion's first instinct was always to second-guess herself.
It would be nice to go on dates with Mifuyu. But Rion couldn't shake the feeling she was misreading their friendship. It had come as a surprise when Mifuyu had wanted to team up with her for the school-wide scavenger hunt; she couldn't shake the belief no one would be interested in her. On the other hand, Mifuyu regularly proved her wrong in that regard.
So maybe . . . maybe there was a chance? At least? Rion worked herself up to talk to Mifuyu about it.
That day, Mifuyu had invited her to eat lunch out on the grass. The sun was shining, and the cafeteria was crowded. The Café Terrace was even more packed, as everyone wanted to eat outside in the late summer weather. Mifuyu had found a slope away from the buildings where they could sit in the sun.
Everything was so perfect. It was like the universe was telling Rion to hurry up and talk to Mifuyu already. Even so, it took her most of the meal to work up the nerve.
"Um, Mifuyu-senpai, i was wondering–" Mifuyu turned towards her, and Rion felt her words freeze up in her throat.
"What?" Mifuyu asked.
"Well, it's just, i've been thinking a lot lately, and i was wondering, what do you think about me, Mifuyu-senpai?"
"Huh?" Mifuyu had already finished eating; she crumpled and recrumpled the wrapper her sandwich had come in. "Well, of course, i like you."
"I mean . . ." Rion hesitated. "I kind of . . . i like you, Mifuyu-senpai! I mean . . . romantically."
"You do?" Mifuyu looked startled. "I'm so sorry! I had no idea."
Rion could feel the buildup to a let-her-down-easy moment. She really, really didn't want to hear Mifuyu say it. "It's okay. I just read too much into things. I'll just–" She turned away without knowing how she was going to finish the sentence.
"No, wait!" Mifuyu grabbed at her arm, and Rion looked back at her. "I didn't say i didn't like you. I just don't know how to tell unless someone says something."
"Really?" Rion asked, and Mifuyu nodded. "Most people don't say how they feel about someone," Rion pointed out. "Not in so many words, anyway. They think you'll get it without having to say it out loud."
"I don't, though," Mifuyu said. "It's so frustrating! Why can't people just say what they mean?"
"I think it's because they're scared of putting their feelings into words," Rion said slowly. "Once you say something out loud, it's there, for real, and the other person has to answer. It's so much easier to be rejected that way. It's less scary to be subtle."
Mifuyu thought about it, then shook her head. "No, i still think it's easier if you say how you feel."
"I guess." Rion looked up at her shyly. "So . . . do you?"
"Do i?" Mifuyu blinked, then threw her arms around Rion's shoulders. Rion froze; Mifuyu was rarely physical in her affections. "Of course i like you, Rion-chan. If you want to, then i want to go on dates with you."
Rion's arms went around Mifuyu, tentatively at first, but then she hugged her back properly. "You mean it?"
"Of course i do," Mifuyu murmured. "And, in the future, tell me how you're feeling, okay?"
"I-i–" Rion stuttered.
"That's okay, isn't it?" Mifuyu asked. Rion could almost see her sprout drooping cat ears.
"I'm always scared to speak up," Rion admitted. "I don't know what people think about me, and i'm worried i'll sound stupid."
"That's all the more reason to talk about it," Mifuyu said firmly. "Because how else will you know? I promise not to laugh at you or think you're stupid, but i can't tell what anyone is thinking. It's not just you, but i want to know what you're feeling, so please don't be afraid to talk to me."
"I'll try," Rion said honestly. "It's hard for me to speak up, but i'll try when i'm with you."
Mifuyu gripped her shoulder and smiled. "That's all i ask."
A/N: I had a general idea in my head how i wanted this story to go, but it went through a ton of false starts before i managed to get it down. I'm not sure how it turned into a confession vignette; it was meant to be an established relationship. I'm still not entirely satisfied with it, but it'll do. Also, autistic Mifuyu is gold and i'll fight anyone who says otherwise.