Chapter Text
Mitsuba sits on the bench outside of the convenience store after shopping with Nene for materials and such. He had been outside of the school before, but he silently realized it felt nicer when someone else was with him. Nene had came back with two bags of waffle treats in her hands, holding one to Mitsuba as she sat next to him.
“Try these! They’re pretty good from the store down the street.” She said. Mitsuba took the treat as Nene unwrapped her own, oblivious to the curious thought that popped up in Mitsuba’s head.
“You’re dating honorable no.7 right?” The pink haired boy asked bluntly.
“Wh—HUH?” Nene’s voice squeaked out and tensed up. “Wha—What makes you think that?” She giggled nervously and picked off small bits of her waffle.
“Well…” Mitsuba gave her a look, one that she knew said something more like, “everyone gets the hint…” And honestly that made her just a little more embarrassed with wherever this conversation was heading.
“Well..Are you?” Mitsuba asked again, now looking at her.
Nene didn’t really know how to respond, after all, her and Hanako did nothing more than just a kiss. They really had left it at that. And the more she thought about it everynow and then, the more confused and frustrated she would get. Unfortunately her bubble of denial was popped. “I don’t know.” She trailed off. “We actually did…kiss.” Nene went on, intimidated by Mitsuba’s curious eyes. “But we didn’t speak about it at all after that.”
Mitsuba glanced down at his own feet. “…You know,” he looked back up at her, “Minamoto-Kun had a similar problem like yours. You guys ignore how you can’t stay with supernaturals like me and Honorable No.7 forever.” He explained. “There’s only so much time we have left with each other. Doesn’t it make you worry?”
Nene fiddled with her tiny plastic bag that still had a full waffle, despite the tiny nips by her picking at it. “Yeah..I mean, I don’t even know how he feels about me…but even so, I think I want to focus on cherishing our relationship than dreading the end of it.” Nene replied, now making eye contact with Mitsuba.
Mitsuba’s eyes widened very slightly. He put his waffle treat to his side to stretch his arms. “Ahh, I see.” He finally said. “Well, maybe you should just ask him about the kiss soon then, if you’re so focused on the present. Say all the things you need to say. You never know what is gonna disrupt all of us again to parting ways.”
Nene thought about those words for a moment. Asking Hanako about the kiss? It seemed scary, but knowing now that they really could all end up in a situation where they get separated again, she didn’t want to hold all of this back.
Now, a curious thought popped into Nene’s head.
“..Mitsuba, how did you know that Kou-kun wanted to stay with you, even if you’re a supernatural?” She asked, referring to what he said before.
“Huh?” He mumbled. “Oh. We went out, to the aquarium. Main thing—, he cried because he wanted…” Mitsuba stopped himself, staring at Nene’s face that had changed more into an empathetic expression. “You get the idea.” He glared.
She smiled a little. “You and Kou-kun. Are you guys…?” She trailed off again.
“Huh?…Oh you mean..” Mitsuba mumbled with the blush forming on his cheeks.
Nene nodded.
“…I won’t deny that I don’t dislike him.” He said. “But how can I even know what it means to love someone in—, you know, that way. It’s something so foreign to me.” Mitsuba looked away, uncomfortable by the slight vulnerability he was giving publicly. “I don’t think I’m Minamoto-kun’s…’type’ too.” He added on.
Nene was slightly irritated listening to him. Irritated that whatever fate they all held, it held back true feelings from being exposed.
“You said it yourself. No one knows what can happen sooner or later, and if it makes us part ways. R—Regardless! I think you will always have a higher chance of things going well compared to the chance of suffering with the thought! Does that make sense?” Nene tried to explain.
Mitsuba grinned. “It’s alright. I’ve accepted it now. I don’t plan on being “something” with Minamoto-kun. I don’t plan on being…anything.” He said.
Nene stared at him, and he stared back, in silence.
“Too sappy? It’s like the color faded out of your face!” He laughed and pointed at her, Nene nudged him, pouting and frowning.
“It wouldn’t be so bad getting your feelings off your chest you know. I think I’ve made up my mind!” Nene stood up with her fists up aswell. “We’re gonna both tell the truth to how we feel, me to Hanako-kun, and you to Kou-kun!” She said confidently.
“Nope.” Mitsuba said straight forward.
“Eh?” Nene peeped out. “Mitsuba-kun! We gotta atleast try!”
“I already said I’ve come to terms with not being anything with Minamoto-kun Daikon-senpai—“ He tried to defend himself.
“Mitsuba-kun!” She sat back down next to him. “…You have to do this for yourself. I know you probably feel guilt hiding this from Kou-kun, or embarrassed.” Nene advised him. Silence sat between them for a few seconds.
She smiled weakly. “Let’s get going. The festival will start soon! Just—, think of what I said, please?” Nene stood up again, this time comfortingly smiling at him.
Mitsuba looked at her and stood up. He didn’t reply, but they both walked back to the school. Finally, eating their waffles on the way.