Chapter 5 – Advice from "Actual" Lesbians
Ayano's POV
"Thanks for letting me come over at the last minute. I really need someone to talk to."
"It's fine. It wasn't really last minute, anyway. I had nothing planned."
"I see…"
I was now at my cousin Ayano's house over in Takaoka. When the thought of "asking an actual lesbian" came to mind, she was the first person I thought of. So, I'm very confident that she could help me understand these feelings and if I really should make that first move with Misao.
…
And, yes. I am aware that we're both named Ayano. Only it's Ayano Minegishi and Ayano Sugiura. It was NOT planned at all and it's only a coincidence.
A very weird coincidence. Considering Ayano's childhood. But still one, nonetheless.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Ayano asked. "You looked rather conflicted when I met you at the station."
"Well…" I stayed silent for a bit. Thinking of what to say. "…you're a lesbian right, Cousin?"
"Where are we going with this, Ayano?" Ayano gained an exasperated look on her face.
"N-Nothing insulting. It's just…you know how I've been friends with Misao since Kindergarten?"
"Yeah…"
"Well…I-I think I've…fallen in love with her."
…
…
…
"Ayano?"
"Huh? O-Oh, yeah. Give me a second." Ayano said as she turned her back towards me and (from the sounds of it) started texting on her phone. "A-Alright, I'm good. Now, what were you saying?"
Was that text just now really that important?
"I just said that I think I've fallen in love with Misao."
"Right…what made you gain these feelings? I mean, I know you two have known each other since you were kids. So, there must be some kind of bond between you two, right?"
"Well, yeah. Obviously. Misao's my best friend and nothing with ever change that." I then went silent for a bit. "But…a few days ago, I started understanding her a lot more than I normally did."
"Huh?"
"She told me that she resents one of our classmates and feels like we're being ignored a lot. And I share those feelings with her."
"I see. So, that's where it started, huh?"
"Yeah, pretty much. And then it went full throttle once we read that light novel Izumi-san recommended to us."
"A-A light novel, you say?"
"It was this yuri light novel that apparently she and Kagami got into. That apparent best-seller Happy Go Lily 2: High School Days."
"Tch! Cr-Crap. I knew it had to be that one."
"That one?" I gained a confused yet suspicious look. "Ayano, what are you talking about?"
"W-Well…"
*KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*
"Hey, Ayano. Kyouko's here to see you." Haruka-san (Ayano's guardian) said as she came into her room.
"Hey, Ayano."
With Toshinio-san, oddly enough.
"K-Kyouko! Thank God you're here!"
"Huh? What for? And why's Minegishi here?"
Ayano took a quick glance at me before looking back at Toshinio-san with a huge sigh coming out of her.
Then she said:
"Kyouko…she read the book."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean…she read the book. As in THE book."
"THE book?" Toshinio-san went silent for a bit. Then grew a panicked look on her face as she looked at me. "A-Aw, crap! THE book?! Oh, God! Minegishi, I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to!"
"Huh? W-Wait, what are you talking about, Toshinio-san?" I was straight-up confused at this point.
"W-Well…you read Happy Go Lily 2: High School Days, right?"
"Yeah…"
"Well…I wrote it."
"S-Seriously? You're Toma-To?"
"Y-Yeah. I am."
"And there's another thing." Ayano said. "You know the characters in the story, right? Risao Kasakubo and Ayame Negishi?"
I thought about it…and that's when it actually hit me. The sheer stupidity I felt when I actually put two & two together was pretty much matched with the absolute anger I felt that this actually happened.
"Wait…so, you mean to tell me…that this book really is based on me and Misao?!"
By the way, I was super pissed.
"Gah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I really didn't want to!" Toshinio-san began crying as she was panicking in fear.
"Ayano, please calm down! We can explain!" Ayano said to me. And I'm not the type of person to just physically go at it on someone (despite my rare chances of getting angry).
"*sigh* Fine. Let me hear it." I gave in to my cousin's request.
"*sniff* W-Well…" Toshinio-san started talking after calming down herself. "…To be honest, I was in a huge slump when I was asked by my uncle to write a sequel to Happy Go Lily. I originally had no plans of writing a sequel. But the huge success and popularity it gained was one of the reasons why I did it anyway."
"Uh huh…"
"I really couldn't think of anything. The first one was based on our lives back when Yuru Yuri was still relevant. So, I had no idea what to make out of this sequel. That is until a few days into writing."
"A few days in?"
"Konata came by my house one day. And…I really don't know how, but she figured out that I was Toma-To."
"I see…" I gained a sweatdrop.
I wouldn't put it past that blue-haired troublemaker to figure it out so easily…
"I begged her not to leak my true identity to the public. And that's when she made a deal with me."
"A deal?"
"She wanted me to make a story based on you and Misao. I didn't understand what she was getting at. And that's when she explained that she wanted to get you two together. As a way to "Spread the Yuri" as she called it."
"Spread the Yuri? The hell does that mean?"
"Who knows." Ayano said. "That girl is just as hard to understand as Kyouko's second personality."
"Did you really have to bring that up?" Toshinio-san said with an exasperated sweatdrop.
"S-Sorry…"
"Anyway…I figured that since this was you, I should let Ayano in on this. Considering that you two are cousins and all."
"So, you were in on it, too? Why didn't you tell me?" I asked Ayano.
"Because I knew that if I did, you would be angry as hell."
"W-Well…yeah. That's true."
Especially since I made Toshinio-san cry…
"*sigh* I still can't believe it, though. There's a book out there that's based on my life. I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed or filled with pride."
"Well, it's not all based on you guys." Toshinio-san said. "In the story, Risao and Ayame actually fall in love with each other and become a couple. That's different from you and Misao, right?"
"Uh…" My face grew pale.
"Kyouko…why do you think I called you over?" Ayano said to her.
…
…
…
"W-Wait. Don't tell me…"
"Y-Yeah…I-I've fallen in love with Misao." I confessed with a mild blush.
"Aw, damn! Now, I've gone and done it…"
"B-B-But, you know…th-these feelings kinda started before we read the book! So, you're not COMPLETELY at fault here, Toshinio-san! Honest!"
"O-Oh. I see…"
"In fact…I came here to ask Ayano if these feelings are true? And if so, what should I do about it?"
"If the feelings are true?" Ayano asked before thinking it over. "Well…you do like Misao, don't you?"
"O-Of course, I do! She's my best friend!" I then went silent for a bit. "But…can I really like her in that way? I'm not really sure…"
"Well…you do have a point, Cousin. You never really stood out as the lesbian type."
"H-Huh?"
"I mean…you're one of the popular girls at your school…to the point where boys are constantly asking you out. And you even got a boyfriend, don't you?"
"Uh…no." I gained a sweatdrop. "I made up having a boyfriend mainly so that the boys would stop asking me out."
"Huh? Wait, so who was that boy you tagged along with when we all came to your school's Culture Festival last year?" Toshinio-san asked.
"Misao's older brother. I had asked him to pose as my boyfriend that day just to show proof to those boys that I actually had one. And it finally got them to back off."
"Huh…I didn't know Misao even had a brother."
"A lot of people don't, honestly." I said with another sweatdrop.
The same can be said about me having an older sister…
"Anyway…" Ayano continued. "…with all of that in mind, this is probably just a weird short phase going on. Maybe in like a year from now, you both will have actual boyfriends to go out with.
"M-Misao…h-having a boyfriend…" I mumbled to myself.
"Come to think about it, what would be Misao's type?" Toshinio-san asked. "She's so tomboyish that I can't even imagine what kind of boy would fall for her."
"Yeah, true. Maybe if she would act a little more girly…"
"Hell no!" I suddenly yelled. Scaring the two girls.
"Geez, Ayano. What's with you?" Ayano asked.
"What you just said! Misao being girly is NOT an option! I won't allow it!"
"You won't allow it? Then how do you suppose Misao would get a boyfriend?"
"She's not getting a boyfriend! Nobody's gonna take my Misa-chan away from me!" I then quickly covered my mouth in a rush of panic after realizing what I had just said.
"Your…Misa-chan?" Toshinio-san asked with a puzzled look.
"Well, I think that pretty much answers it." Ayano said with a smirk.
M-My…Misa-chan? D-Did I really just say that? Did that truly come out of my mouth just now?
Th-That means…th-that I want Misao to be mine and mine alone. To always have her beside me no matter what the case is…r-right?
…
…
…
I…I-I can…I can get used to it. In fact…I actually want to.
"I…I think I get it now."
"D-Do you really?" Toshinio-san asked in shock. "Y-You don't have to follow the plot of the story, you know."
"Oh, I know. And I'm not following it. These are my true feelings for Misao and I've finally understood them. No doubt in my mind."
"W-Wow…"
"Well, then…welcome to the world of lesbians, Cousin. We'll be sure to make you feel welcomed. *giggle*"
"Don't tease me." I retorted to Ayano. "Anyway. I'm going to go tell her now. Before she leaves for her trip tomorrow."
"Trip?" Both girls asked.
"Misao's going to Hakone for the holidays."
"Hakone, huh? No doubt Sachiko helped her with it." Ayano said.
"I remember our own trip to Hakone. It was so much fun." Toshinio-san added.
"Right? The great view of Mt. Fuji, Ashinoko Lake, the shrine…and best of all, the onsen hot springs. My God. They felt so good."
"No other hot spring since has ever been remotely close to the ones in Hakone. No wonder it's the Hot Spring Capital of the Country."
"We really oughta go back sometime…"
"Yeah…"
"*clears throat*"
…
…
…
"You're still here?" Both girls asked.
"Don't pull a "Middle School Akaza-san" on me!"
"Sorry."
"*sigh* Whatever. I'm off now." I said as I got up from the floor and headed out of the room.
"Oh, wait. Minegishi. One more thing." Toshinio-san stopped me. "If you see Konata down the line, tell her that I'm not doing the other requests she gave to me."
""Other" requests? How many did she make?"
"Tsukasa X Miyuki, Minami X Yukata, Ritsu X Mio, Yui X Azusa, Ui X Azusa, Jun X Azusa, Azusa X Ui X Jun, Mugi X Azusa…"
"Why is she so insistent on Nakano-san being a lesbian?" I gained a huge sweatdrop.
"I don't know. It doesn't make any sense to me, either."
"Azusa being a lesbian is just as unlikely as Konata not being a pervert." Ayano added. "Or Kagami not being a tsundere."
"You mean like you were in middle school?"
"Wh-Why'd you bring that up?!"
"Payback for earlier." Toshinio-san then giggled a bit at Ayano's blushed face of embarrassment.
Even after all these two have been through, they're still the best of friends. I can only hope that I can be like that with Misao. And then some.
"Well, I'm off." I said. "Thanks again for hearing me out, Cousin. And it was nice to see you again, Toshinio-san."
"Same here, Minegishi."
"See you around, Cousin." Both girls had said to me as I had finally left my cousin's house. Positively making my way back to Kasukabe to confess to my best friend the true feelings that I've ignored for most of my life.
Misa-chan…please wait for me.
Misao's POV
*MEANWHILE…*
"Hey, thanks for hearing me out on this. Considering that this is so last-minute on my end."
"Eh, don't mention it. It's been a while since the two of us hung out together. It'll be like good times. The Easygoing City Girl and The Tomboy Country Girl Reunion Chapter! *fake cheering*"
"You do know that I'm not actually from the country, right?" I gained a sweatdrop.
"Meh. I was close. Considering how you normally act."
"Yeah, true…"
By a sheer chance of luck, I managed to get Jun to meet up with me at a café in Shibuya. I really need someone to talk to about these feelings for Ayano and if they're true or not. And she was the only person that I could think of at such a last minute.
Plus…she does relate to me on this to some degree. Even though she never likes to admit it.
…
You'll see what I mean.
"So. What did you want to talk about?" Jun asked. "You sounded distressed on the phone."
"Well…" I stayed silent for a bit. Thinking of a way to put this into words. "…You know how I've been friends with Ayano this whole time?"
"Sugiura or Minegishi?"
Right. That's a thing…
"Minegishi. Sugiura is her cousin."
"Right…okay, continue."
"Well…for the past few days, we've been getting a little closer lately. And I mean more than usual. In fact, it's gone to the point where…just last night…I-I realized that I have…r-romantic feelings for her. And I'm not sure whether or not these feelings are true. A-And so…I need some advice."
"I see…" Was all Jun said. "Welp, good luck with that." She then jumped out of her seat and started walking away from me.
"H-Hey, what the hell?! I'm asking YOU, damnit!"
"But why, though? I'm not a lesbian and I have no experience with girl love or any of that stuff."
"Really? We're doing this again, Jun?" I gained an exasperated look.
"Doing what again?"
"Quit denying it already and just accept the fact that you're into girls."
"Wh-Wha?! Y-You too?! You seriously believe such bullcrap?!" Jun's face began to blush like crazy from that accusation.
"The only bullcrap here is you denying it, Jun."
…
…
…
"*sigh* Damnit…" Jun managed to calm down as she sat back down in her seat. "First the others back during the Christmas party and now you? Why does everyone believe that I'm a lesbian? Is it how I look? It's these pigtails, isn't it? Ugh! I freaking told my mom that these look weird! Totally preferred my old hairstyle."
"Uh…Jun. Getting off-topic here."
"Huh? Oh, right. Sorry."
From the looks of it, I'd say that she's slowly accepting it. Which now makes me wonder as to who Jun could possibly have feelings for. Ui's a siscon and no way in hell Azusa could be a lesbian. Which doesn't leave much as to who it could be.
And it's not like the answer is just gonna walk up to us or anything…
"I thought I recognized that yelling. Funny to run into you here, Jun."
"M-Mio-senpai! What a surprise. Hahahaha." Jun's blush came back once Mio had came over to our table.
…
Wait, don't tell me…
"And Kusakabe-san is here, too. Nice to see you again."
"Yeah…same to you, Mio." Was all I said to this sudden inclusion.
"So, what brings you two here?"
"A-Actually, Mio-senpai. Misao here is having some serious romantic issues. And I came all the way here to help her out. Great, huh?"
"But just seconds ago, you had absolutely no in-"
*BONK*
"Ow!" I yelled after Jun hit me in the head.
"Hahahaha! Misao, you jokester, you!"
Damn suck-up!
"Huh? Romantic issues?" Mio asked. "No offense, Kusakabe-san. But you're like one of the last people I'd ever expect to have romantic issues. Giving your personality, of course."
"Yeah, well…th-these actually started very recently. I-I'm not sure what to do with them. And I really need some advice."
"Well…it truly depends on who the person you've fallen in love with is. Is it someone you know?"
"It's…" I went silent for a bit. Slowly gaining a light blush on my face as I mentally prepared myself to tell two people who my crush is. And it took every last bit of my strength to do so, too. "…I-It's Ayano. Ayano Minegishi."
"M-Minegishi-san?" Soon, Mio gained a blush of her own. "S-So, you're saying…"
"Yeah…I've fallen in love with my childhood best friend. Who is also a girl. I never even thought of myself as a lesbian before. But after…s-some events that are not important to bring up right now…I realized that it might be a possibility."
"I-I see…a huge issue, indeed."
"Hey, since you're here, Mio-senpai, maybe you can help her out." Jun said.
"M-Me?" Mio went silent for a bit. "W-Well…I don't have much experience with lesbian love. Or love, in general. But I guess I could help. To start off, Kusakabe-san…what made you fall in love with Minegishi-san in the first place?"
"Well…we've known each other since kindergarten. She's nice and caring…gentle and…well, she's obviously super girly. Even though it's mostly because of her stereotypical Yamato Nadeshiko DNA."
"You mean that's actually a thing?" Both Jun and Mio asked.
"Of course, it is. You honestly believed that it was all an act back when we were all anime? It was our normal personalities the whole time."
"You don't say…" Both girls grew sweatdrops.
I mean, we were sideline characters. It's not like we HAD to act differently…
"Anyway…the main thing that did it for me was…*sigh* I can't believe that I'm actually going to admit this…it was that stupid book Konata made us read. I originally had no interest in it. But then we liked it so much that we ended up reading most of it in one sitting. It freaking pisses me off knowing that midget was right about something." I mumbled that last part to myself.
"A book?" Mio asked. "Which one was it?"
"Happy Go Lily 2: High School Days."
"O-Oh, my God! I LOVE that story!"
"Seriously…" I gained an exasperated sweatdrop.
"Well, I am new to the series. So, I haven't read the first one yet. But with the sequel, it was SO amazing! It has its balance of happy and sad moments while you're rooting for the main characters to realize their love for each other. There were even times when I was actually yelling at Risao for being so blindly stupid and not noticing Ayame's feelings for her. It was such a rush of emotions jam-packed inside a simple 13-chaptered light novel. Easily my favorite book ever made."
"Is that so?" My sweatdrop grew even bigger.
Geez…she seriously just fangirled over a freaking book. I mean, I like it too, but sheesh…
"Wow…" Jun said. "…I'm not into light novels that much, but maybe I should give that one a read."
"Oh, you should. You truly won't regret it."
"Really now? Then…c-care to read it with me, Senpai?"
"Huh?"
"Guys, we are TOTALLY getting off-topic right now!" I yelled. Having enough of talking about this damn book. "What about my problem?!"
"What about it?" Jun asked. "All that really matters is that if you really want to be with Ayano. You do want that, right?"
"What kind of stupid-ass question is that?! Of course, I want to be with her! In fact, a single day without my Aya-chan is unacceptable in my eyes! SHE'S MINE AND MINE ONLY, DAMNIT!"
I then quickly covered my mouth in a rush of panic after realizing what I had just said.
"Well, I think that pretty much answers it." Mio said with a smirk.
"Yep, Senpai. It really does." Jun added. Also with a smirk.
W-Wait, did I say…M-MY Aya-chan? Th-That seriously just came out of my mouth?
S-So, that means…th-that I want Ayano to be mine. To have her around no matter what the reason is. Th-That has to be it, right?
…
…
…
Cause if that's the case…then I don't mind it at all.
"I…I get it now."
"For real?" Jun asked. "You're not just copying the plot of that book, are you?"
"Hell no. These are my true feelings for Ayano and I'm not letting a damn book say otherwise. That's a damn fact."
"Well, if that's how you truly feel…then I hope you and Minegishi-san make a great couple, Kusakabe-san." Mio said.
"Thanks, Mio. I hope so, too." I replied with a smile.
*RINGTONE CHIME*
"Hello?" I then said after I answered my phone.
"Hey, Misao. Where are you? Dad wants to do a final checklist before we leave."
"Ah, right. I'm coming. But…tell everyone that I gotta make a quick stop first."
"Huh? Where to?"
"It's…special. Just tell them I'll be home soon."
"Whatever. Just hurry up."
I hung up the phone with my brother and paid my attention back to the two Shiga girls in front of me.
"Sorry about that. My family and I are preparing to leave for a trip for the holidays."
"A trip? To where?" Jun asked.
"Hakone."
"H-Hakone?! Seriously?!"
"I got tickets for the whole family as an anniversary present for my parents. They were SUPER stoked."
"How did YOU, of all people afford tickets to Hakone?!"
"I had a friend help me out. *giggle*"
Thank you, Sachiko!
"Aw, geez. Now I feel conflicted. Do I wish for Hakone or Okinawa?"
"Okinawa?"
"Believe it or not, Sawako-sensei got us all tickets to Okinawa Island to perform in a music festival there." Mio explained. "In fact, we're leaving tomorrow. Which is why I was down here getting some last-minute stuff."
"I see…"
"*moan* Do I want the sandy beaches of Okinawa or the onsen hot springs of Hakone? It's such a hard decision to choose!"
"Why does it matter? You're getting into water either way." Mio retorted with a sweatdrop.
"Well, anyway. I'm gonna go now." I said as I got up from my seat. "Thanks for helping me out, you two. Have fun with your holiday trip."
"The same to you, Kusakabe-san."
"Hey, get me a souvenir from there, will you please?" Jun asked.
"Sorry, Jun! I already promised someone special!"
"Aw, what?! No fair!"
"Jun, I'm pretty sure they're the same thing, no matter what." Mio said with a sweatdrop.
It was near sunset as I was rushing back to Kasukabe as fast as I could. Just so that I could have enough time to reveal my true feelings to Ayano. I want her to know…I want to her to hear…I want her to believe that I want no one else but her. To have her at my side for all eternity and want nothing to ever change that.
I want you! My precious Aya-chan!
I was only a few blocks away from Ayano's place. And even though my stamina was increased due to me being on the track team, I was getting really tired. Having to run from the train station to the neighborhood was too much even for me. I truly felt like I was going to collapse from exhaustion.
But then, in the distance…I saw it. The long orange hair and blue eyes that I've known for most of my life. The ones that I've fallen in love with and want to spend the rest of my days with. Without a doubt.
"Hey! Ayano!"
"M-Misao?!"
Without any resistance whatsoever, I rushed up to Ayano and hugged her as tight as I possibly could. And without question, she hugged back. We hugged for so long that I never wanted to let go. I wanted this moment to last forever.
But to truly make this moment even special, I looked into Ayano's beautiful blue eyes…
…and kissed her full force onto her lips. With no regrets whatsoever.
"M…Misao…" Ayano said softly after we broke apart.
"Ayano…I love you. I love you with all my heart. It may sound weird to hear this kind of stuff from me…being a tomboy and all…but this is how I truly feel. And I hope you feel the same way."
"Misao…of course, I do. I 100% feel the same way. In fact, I wanted to tell you how I feel first…but you beat me to it."
"O-Oh. S-Sorry…" I said with a mild blush of shame.
"*giggle* It's fine. Don't worry about it. If I went first, it would've dragged on for a lot longer than it needed to."
"Well, it would've made the story longer. Some people actually like that."
"Yeah, true." Ayano then went silent for a bit. "Um…speaking of story…there's something you need to know about Happy Go Lily 2."
"Ugh. That again? I've heard so much about that earlier today that I'm flat-out annoyed by it. Despite it being good."
"Well…you're gonna be even more annoyed about it."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Well, you see…"
Ayano then told me what she learned while out with her cousin today. That "Toma-To" is actually Kyouko Toshinio. And that she's the one who wrote both books.
Then she told me the reason I would become more annoyed about it. And holy crap, she was right.
"YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! SO, IT IS BASED ON US?!"
"Yep, 100%. And it was all the idea of one Izumi-san."
"Gaaaah! That goddamn blue midget! I'm so gonna make her pay for that!"
"I'm upset, too. But let's not think of her right now. Especially with what you're about to do."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. My trip." I then went into a sad mood.
Damn…I almost forgot about it. Now that we're a couple, I honestly don't want to go. I want to be close to Ayano for all eternity. Being separated from her now of all times…even if it is for a week…
…
I then suddenly took out my phone and made a quick call to someone. Hoping he would pick up in time.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tatsuji."
"Misao, where are you?! We're about to leave!"
"I know, but…tell Mom and Dad that you guys can leave without me."
"Huh? Why?"
"I just…changed my mind, okay? I'll be fine by myself. Just…have fun."
"*sigh* I really don't get you sometimes…fine, whatever."
I hung up my phone and looked back at Ayano…who had a look of total shock on her face.
"M-Misao…wh-why…"
"I can go to Hakone anytime. Right now…I just want to spend this Once-In-A-Lifetime Golden Week with you, Aya-chan. You know…like how we always do."
"Misa-chan…"
We embraced ourselves into another hug and then kissed each other once more. Truly happy to have revealed our true feelings for each other. And to have it just be the two of us.
"Hey…let's go inside already." Ayano said. "What we're doing right now is getting a little too risqué."
"Ah, why should that matter? Let's go buck wild and force the whole neighborhood to watch."
"N-No, you perv!"
"*giggle* I'm only kidding, Ayano. I just wanted to tease you a little."
"*sigh* Misao…Ayuko was right. You really do know how to push my buttons."
Ayano then gave me one more kiss on the cheek before looking back at me with a cute smile on her face.
"But, then again…it's one of the traits that made me fall in love with you."
"*giggle* I can say the same thing, Aya-chan."
This going to be the BEST Golden Week ever!
Author's Note: Wow, I DEEPLY apologize for this story taking over a month to get an update. I've just been busy with other stories and real-life stuff that I just lost track. I want to say that it won't happen again, but I kinda can't right now.
Basically, I'm FINALLY entering the workforce! I just got hired for my first job and I start this Tuesday. So updates might slow down a bit depending on my schedule. Just a head's up.
Thanks for reading. Later.