Putting Up a Brave Front
Pairing: Yuuna x Nanami
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Sono Hanabira or any of its characters.
Sometimes, Nanami wonders why she herself is dating Yuuna in the first place. Sure she has fell in love with the beautiful rich girl and vice versa, but she cannot help but look at herself from time to time. She's just so plain and ordinary. The pair in terms of appearance does not match up. However, it doesn't matter to either of them. Both of them are hopelessly in love with each other, no matter the circumstances.
It still bothers her even to this day. During lunch, she is picking at her food while her three best friends, Misaki, Aoi and Rin all catch her troubled expression.
"Something the matter, girl?" Misaki asks.
"Yeah, you look so sad," Aoi says.
"Umm…it's just that…" Nanami pauses. "Well…do I look good?"
"What do you mean?" Rin asks as she eats her sushi.
"I mean, compare me to Yuuna-sama," the red-head says. "Would we be a good match?"
Misaki chuckles. "Girl, come on. You've been simping for Yuuna-sama for a long time and you're comparing yourself to her? Get a life, girl!"
"Wh-wh-what Misaki-chan is trying to say is," Aoi says. "You look good no matter what, Nanami-chan. Never compare yourself to anybody. Everyone is different, you know?"
"I guess you're right," Nanami sighs. "But I just cannot help but think about how a perfect couple should properly be. I have seen beautiful couples before."
"What about that girl with the braid and glasses that is dating that beautiful model?" Rin asks. "How about that?"
"I-I-I heard that model girl got her a make-over," Nanami says. "And boy, they were talking about how GORGEOUS she was. I'm not kidding. She was even more beautiful than the model girl herself."
"Sounds to me it makes everyone so jealous," Misaki says.
"Exactly!" Nanami says.
"It…it…it may just be me…" Aoi says. "And don't quote me on it, nor tell anyone else. But there was an elementary student dating this teacher. Does that count?"
"Age difference can be a problem," Misaki nods.
"I'm talking about appearances," Nanami says. "Whoever they were, I'm sure they look beautiful together, too. I even heard another pair of second years are dating as well."
"Do you mean the one with that shortie blonde and that other girl who keeps watch on her?" Misaki asks.
"Y-yeah, I think so," Nanami answers. "But based on appearances….yeah maybe both of them can be a bit plain."
"I got one more," Misaki says. "There is a pair of third years that are extremely beautiful together. Heck, I heard that this blonde foreign girl has this fan club called Lily Platinum."
"Yep. That is one of those beautiful couples I was talking about," Nanami says.
"W-well…like I said, appearances don't matter," Aoi says. "If one person loves one another despite appearances, then it's all good right?"
"I suppose you're right," Nanami says. "Maybe it's not so bad after all. Thanks, Aoi-chan."
The short haired girl smiles. "No problem!"
Nanami gets back to eating her lunch. Having friends like Misaki, Aoi and Rin are a joy sometimes. It can be so entertaining to talk about almost anything that comes to mind. She feels a lot better about herself now since she and Yuuna are going on a date after school today.
Later*
"I'm late! I'm late!" Nanami panics as she quickly gets her things ready by the time she got home. She slips on her light blue sundress and high heeled sandals. "Oh, my gosh! I lost track of time! Stupid Cleaning duties! Onee-sama must be waiting for me! I can't keep her waiting!"
She says good-bye to her mom and hurries out the door. She starts running toward the bus station and takes the ride to town where she and Yuuna are scheduled to meet. The ride takes about 15 minutes to get there.
Once the bus arrives at the destination, Nanami hurries out the door and frantically looks around for her beloved girlfriend. She looks at her watch, which reads 4:45. She is 15 minutes late for their date. Yuuna must be already there. She takes a few steps down the sidewalk until she sees a glimpse of blonde hair with red ribbons on the side of her head. She gasps happily and starts to trot forward. However…she then stops in her tracks to see three older girls who seem to be Yuuna's age, dressed in different school uniforms. Their skin is tanned and their hair looks like its dyed blonde. Gyarus. And they don't look the type that are friendly. In fact, they are getting a bit too close to Yuuna.
The rich blonde backs away a few steps, disgusted by how those three gyarus are insisting on her coming with them when she has other things to do.
"I already told you no," Yuuna says.
"Aw, come on," the gyaru in the middle says. "We don't bite."
"We'll have lots and lots of fun together," the gyaru on the right says.
"Since you are out here, all alone, alright~" the third gyaru on the left adds.
"I refuse," Yuuna denies.
Nanami glares at the three older girls. They will not lay a finger on her beloved Onee-sama. Although Nanami is terrified of them, she HAS to save her girlfriend somehow. Taking a few deep breaths, she starts to walk toward the gyarus from behind.
"H-hey!" she shouts, grabbing their attention.
The three gyarus turn around and see the cute redhead stand before them.
"And what do you want, squirt?" the gyaru in the middle sneers as she leans close to the redhead, making her frightened even more.
"Uhhh….err…ahhh…" Nanami has trouble finding the words.
"If you don't have anything to say," the gyaru on the right says. "Then get lost!"
Yuuna is standing behind the gyarus, fists clenched to her chest. Nanami is trying to save her.
"I…I do have something to say!" Nanami tries to be brave. "You guys…you guys need to….um…back off!"
"Excuse me!?" the gyaru in the middle steps closer, invading Nanami's personal space.
"In case you haven't noticed," the third gyaru on the right says. "We are bigger and stronger and there is nothing you can do about it…little girl~!"
"O-oh yeah!?" Nanami says. "Well..well…if you…if you guys don't lay your hands off of Onee-sama, I'll…!" She looks around to see that no one else is around. She won't attract any attention. "J-just back off!" She tries to shove the gyaru in the middle away, but she just takes a few steps back.
"Don't push me!" The gyaru shoves Nanami, making her fall on her behind.
"Ouchie..!" Nanami squeaks.
"Nanami!" Yuuna cries.
"You're so weak!" the gyaru in the middle laughs. "You cannot even protect your friend here? What a joke!"
Just then, a high heeled foot stomps on the gyaru's own…HARD. The heel pushes hard against her foot, making a hole and she yelps loudly. Yuuna takes her foot off and then pummels her with her purse. The gyaru slams into one of her friends and both fall on the ground. The remaining gyaru glares at Yuuna.
"You are going to regret that!" she raises a fist to punch Yuuna.
But the rich blonde grabs her wrist, turns her around and slams her down on the ground, face down. She pulls on her arm, making it very painful for the tanned girl. She uses her other hand to grab her head and slam her face on the pavement.
"No one…and I mean NO ONE…hurts my Nanami…" Yuuna says as a dark aura surrounds the rich blonde. "Understand…?" She pulls on the gyaru's arm harder, making her yelp in pain.
"Okay, okay, okay!" the gyaru screams. "I give! Let me go!"
Yuuna does so. The gyaru grabs her friends and the trio scurry away, neve to be heard from again. Yuuna huffs and then flips her hair while turning around. She sees Nanami still on her butt, looking to the side. The rich blonde approaches her and extends her hand.
"Are you alright…Nanami?" Yuuna asks, her face filled with concern.
"Y-yeah…" Nanami gently takes her Onee-sama's hand.
Yuuna helps her up. She gently cups her hands to her girlfriend's cheeks.
"Nanami?" the blonde says.
"O-Onee…sama…" Tears start to sting her eyes. Yuuna lets go to let her speak. "I-I'm so sorry. I-I-I tried…to protect you but…!" The tears start to fall freely down her cheeks. "Onee-sama…."
"It's okay…" Yuuna hugs her beloved tenderly. "I'm alright. You did well. Don't worry. They're gone now."
More and more tears fall. Nanami grits her teeth, clenching her fist on Yuuna's purple dress. She buries her head in her girlfriend's chest, sobbing and wailing. Yuuna does her absolute best to soothe the poor dear. She strokes Nanami's hair, all while still hugging the cute redhead.
Once the crying ceases, it resorts to only sniffles. Nanami turns to the side, her head still on her beloved's chest.
"Are you okay now?" Yuuna asks.
"Y-yes…" Nanami replies. "A-are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Yuuna says as she wipes the tears. "Thank you for saving me earlier. That was…really brave of you."
"Th-thanks…" Nanami says. "I'm sorry I cried."
"Don't be," Yuuna says. "You had to let it out. Now then…since you have recovered, shall we continue our date?"
"Y-you aren't worried about…us?" Nanami asks.
Yuuna raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"W-well umm…you don't think you and I are…a perfect match in terms of appearances?" Nanami asks.
Yuuna just giggles. "When it comes to love, appearances don't really matter. To me, you are just very cute. When you are alongside me, it makes things even cuter. That's how I see us~"
"O-oh…" Nanami is surprised by this answer. That's what her three best friends were trying to tell her all along.
"Does that answer your question~?" Yuuna asks.
"Y-yes…it did," Nanami says.
"Great! Now then~" Yuuna extends her hand. "How about we start our date now~?"
Nanami nods, gently takes her beloved's hand and then walk inside the mall.
A/N: I would like to thank Saori-nee for being so nice to me. She's written stories for me that I wanted to return the favor by writing the best, classic couple of the whole series.
Hope you all enjoyed this.
Have a nice day!