In her heart, she always knew that she was different.
Yes, Ikuno was far different from the other girls. She wasn't like the typical teenager who'd think of boys and falling in love. She wasn't the type to read romance novels, nor was she the type to listen to love songs whenever she was 'in the mood'; instead, she read mystery novels that featured the macabre and surreal, and jammed to Metallica while wearing the band's signature shirts with her speakers on high volume.
She wasn't like the others who preferred short skirts or flowy dresses that clung to their bodies. She wasn't the type to style her hair in an array of braids and accessories, and she certainly wasn't the type to adorn jewelry that would 'match with her eyes'. No, Ikuno was rather a shirt and jeans type of girl, along with a pair of chuck taylor's or if she's feeling a bit fashionable, a pair of timbs.
She wasn't Miku, who was knowledgeable with the art of makeup and all things considered 'girly.' She wasn't Kokoro, who was as gentle as a feather's touch and loved flowers with all her being. She wasn't Ichigo who, despite her leadership skills, was easy to fluster and had a love for all things involving cats. She wasn't Zero Two, who was always so ready to shower her special someone with loads of affection.
No.
For her, Ikuno was just….Ikuno.
And this doesn't bother her one bit.
She was her. Instead of boys, books were what kept her mind being constantly filled with various thoughts. Instead of womanly gentleness, she was equipped with the art of judo, something not all women consider of practicing. Instead of being skilled with putting on rouge or coloring her lips in red, in her hand, was an instrument that held her heart the moment she started playing it- a guitar.
Ikuno could remember the countless hours she'd spent on mastering her craft, how she'd ignore the pricking feeling the strings gave to her fingers, to the point where it almost bled; just how calloused her fingertips became over time, in contrast to a woman's soft hands, or how her usual calmness would be disrupted over her frustrations of perfecting one chord at a time.
In the end though, everything was worth it.
Even so, Ikuno never shared her talent to the world. Instead, whenever she'd play the stringed instrument, she'd make sure she'd be alone just so she could enjoy the world she creates with music all to herself.
If she would stand out, her difference would stand out as well, and Ikuno didn't want that to happen.
But this was about to change the moment she steps on stage with her friends on their upcoming concert for the school festival.
Initially, Ikuno wanted to back out, not wanting to gain any unwanted attention from the other students of the school, but how could she when it was Ichigo who voluntarily chosen her to be part of the performance?
How could she say no if for her, Ichigo would always be top priority?
Ichigo would always hold a special place in Ikuno's heart. If it weren't for the petite bluenette, she would've never been the person she is today. If it weren't for her, Ikuno would probably be hating on herself, over how different she feels with who she really is.
And she would forever be grateful towards her most cherished friend because of this.
That's why, for Ikuno, anything that could possibly make Ichigo happy, even if it means doing the impossible, she'd gladly do, and for this instance, her happiness depends on the success of the school concert, so Ikuno decides to go against her initial qualms of joining and ultimately agrees to singing and playing the guitar in front of a hundred people.
So here she was, alone in the school's music room, a guitar in her hand while she practiced the songs they're group was about to perform. With every strum she makes, she could feel the sound vibrate within the deepest depths of her soul, bringing her to her own world filled with music infused with her own feelings. Her feelings towards her friends, towards herself, and most especially,
Her feelings for her friend.
With each note she creates with her guitar, each lyric that comes out of her mouth, the only thing in her mind was Ichigo. How endearing she looked whenever she was serious and dedicated with her council duties, how when she constantly motivates her, her lips would curve into a grin as she gives her a thumbs up, or how her cheeks would color a beautiful shade of red, truly living up to her name, whenever she gets caught gushing over a cat she randomly crosses paths with.
Just thinking about the different sides of her friend made her insides feel giddy because of pure bliss.
However, as she continues on with her solo practice, Ikuno doesn't notice the door creak open to reveal the same girl who has invaded her thoughts, just quietly standing at the side to listen to Ikuno's voice with a look of awe and a hint of pride.
Just as Ikuno finishes, Ichigo speaks up while clearing her throat. "Yo, Ikuno." Alerted by the bluenette's presence, Ikuno turns to her with her cheeks slightly flushed. 'D-did she hear me…?'
"Ah, Ichigo, since when have you been standing there?"
Ichigo shrugs, "While you were singing." she says before smiling at the girl whose emerald eyes showed slight bewilderment. "You're amazing as always, Ikuno…" Ichigo walks towards Ikuno and sits beside her, their shoulders slightly touching. She fails to notice the blush creeping in Ikuno's cheeks over the slight body contact and the compliment she gave earlier.
Muttering a small 'thank you', she slightly turns to Ichigo, taking in her spring green gaze, and asks, "Say, Ichigo, do you need something?"
Now, it was Ichigo's turn to flush. Slightly fidgeting, she looks away from Ikuno and finds her voice slightly stuttering as she explains her motives, "I, um...ever since I heard you play...I kinda wanted t-to..learn the guitar, as well…"
Blinking twice, Ikuno couldn't believe what the bluenette was implying. "You want me to teach you how to play?" she voices her thoughts out loud. Ichigo nods, her eyes hopeful. "Y-yes! I mean...if it's okay with you…" Ikuno could feel her eyes soften. 'Ah, there it was, that tiny quiver her lips make whenever she's asking for a request…' who was she to say no?
"I'd love to..but when did you hear me play guitar?" Ichigo's blush deepens, "Long time ago, the music room's door was slightly open….and I heard you play, and it was absolutely beautiful.." at loss with what to say, Ikuno simply takes her time registering the bluenette's comment about her music being beautiful. It honestly brought a fluttering feeling to her chest.
"A-anyway, could you teach me, now?" Ichigo interrupts her train of thoughts. Looking back at her friend, Ikuno smiles and nods,
"Sure."
Ichigo was sitting on a stool with Ikuno's guitar on her hands, meanwhile, the violet haired girl stood behind her with her hands slowly guiding Ichigo's in pressing the right chords. To herself, Ikuno could feel her hands tingle over the small contact with Ichigo's skin. It felt warm and...right..
"Let's start with a G Major chord, shall we?" Ikuno says, her eyes gazing at how the bluenette's hair slowly fell to her face. "Okay...so first, put this finger on the third fret of the the first string…" she carefully places Ichigo's ring finger on the fret. "L-like this?" she nods. "Mhm, that's good. Next, place your index finger on the second fret of the fifth string and your middle finger on the third fret of the sixth string."
Ichigo chuckles nervously, "This looks a little hard, isn't it?"
The bespectacled girl just shakes her head and gives a reassuring squeeze to the other's hand, "You'll manage. After all, you are Ichigo…" Ichigo only smiles at her words. "Thanks Ikuno."
Clearing her throat, Ikuno proceeds with the lesson, "Now, with your fingers in place, strum all six strings at once." holding Ichigo's other hand, she gently guides her all the way down to the last guitar string, emitting a perfect tune. Ikuno does this repeatedly until she lets go of her hand, letting Ichigo do it by herself, and once she did, the bluenette felt a sudden surge of happiness swell within her. "Ikuno, look! I-" facing the other girl, Ichigo finds herself gazing into Ikuno's emerald eyes that held a fondness she didn't quite see that much from her.
"I...Ikuno?"
But her call fell on dead ears, because for Ikuno, all that mattered now was seeing the petite girl become happy because of her, and now, with the both of them facing each other, their faces just centimeters apart, Ikuno couldn't help but look at the bluenette's rosy lips and unconsciously, she licks her own.
'They look so soft…'
Without thinking, she finds herself leaning in towards Ichigo. Just a little more, they would…
She would…
'I….'
But the moment was cut short when she feels a small pair of hands pushing her away. Getting back to her proper senses, she finds a blushing Ichigo sporting a very confused look on her face and suddenly, Ikuno feels ashamed. "W-what was that?" Ichigo asks, slightly upset. 'Was she trying to pull a joke on me?'
"I…" Ikuno wanted to say she doesn't know either, but sensing how this might frustrate the bluenette even more, she gives an excuse, "You had some dirt on your face." smiling, albeit a fake one, she lifts her hand and brushes the 'dirt' off her cheeks, making Ichigo blush harder.
'Why'd you gotta be cute in a situation like this?'
"R-really? Then why didn't you tell me, sooner!" suddenly, Ichigo realizes the sun was already about to set and it was time she should be heading home. Standing up, she gives back Ikuno her guitar and sends her a smile of gratitude. "It's getting late. I think we both should go home now, don't you think?" she asks, but for Ikuno, she still wanted some alone time to clear her thoughts, especially with what happened earlier.
She waves off Ichigo's offer with a smile, "Nah, it's fine you go ahead. I...wanna stay here for a few more minutes." Shrugging, Ichigo then pats the taller girl's shoulder and gives her a thumbs up. "Mou, Ikuno, you really are hardworking aren't you? Anyway, best of luck for us at the concert!" she grins one more time before ultimately heading off, leaving Ikuno holding the spot where Ichigo patted her.
Somehow, it felt really warm.
Still, it confused her how earlier, she thought of putting her lips to her best friend. Her best friend for crying out loud! Yet, somehow, deep inside her heart, she felt as if there wasn't anything wrong with her actions, but seeing Ichigo's troubled expression left her chest with an unexplainable tightness. 'And it hurts too….'
However, at this point, all Ikuno could do is sigh. Not even her guitar could help her understand her jumbled feelings at the moment. it felt weird, scary at most, but who was she to complain?
After all, Ikuno knew she was always different.