Intertwined
Jirou Kyouka/Yaoyorozu Momo ; Teen ; 5+1 ; 5.4K
Five times Momo reached out to Kyouka, and the one time Kyouka reached back.
Kyouka heard an oh murmured next to her, “That’s actually a very smart idea.” Before Kyouka could ask what she meant, Momo had clasped their hands together under the blanket. Kyouka’s head whipped to the side, eyes widened, face surely a dark pink. As if realizing her actions, Momo turned to face Kyouka. Expression matching the one staring back at her. Why is she embarrassed?!
The first momojirou fic (and my first actual fic) I'd written and posted! My favorite girls with their own gravitational pull.
[AO3 Link] or read below ↴
I
Too early, Kyouka thought. Too early to use this much brain power on keeping her body upright. To keep her feet from sliding out from under her. Too early and too cold. She wasn’t quite sure why she agreed to get out of bed before her regular schedule, especially in this weather. The snow had come in stronger than predicted the previous night. Kyouka grumbled to herself as she buried her hands deeper in her pockets. She cursed the grogginess that crowded her brain as she was getting ready and caused her to forget her hat and gloves. At least her coat had a hood.
Each quiet wisp of wind caused her nose to scrunch. Why couldn’t she just have stayed in bed a little longer?
“Kyouka, make sure to watch your step! It seems to be slick in some spots.” Oh yeah, that's why. A glance at the figure at her side is stolen. Tall and face bright, too bright for the hour of the day. “You know. I just love this time of year,” Momo sighed as she looked up at the falling snow.
Finding it hard to disagree with her, Kyouka simply nodded. It is sort of nice I guess, she thought as they continued on their way. The path to school seemed as though it was still waking up with her; the street lights a soft glow helping illuminate what the muted sky couldn’t reach through its haziness.
As she continued to appreciate the soft morning, her eye caught on a small snowman that had been built on the edge of the sidewalk across the street. Her footsteps slowed to a stop as her head tilted to the side. A grin spread across her face at the mere sight of the ugly thing. Head too large for its body, and looked as though it was seconds away from sliding right off. “Hey Momo.” Her voice, scratchy at its first use of the morning, caught in her throat. She cleared her throat and started again, “Hey, Yaomomo, look at this!” She started walking towards Momo again, picking up speed in her excitement.
Momo turned to her with a quizzical expression, “Yes?”
“There’s a little, ugly snowman!” Kyouka exclaimed. “You have to-”
Swoosh.
Kyouka threw her hands out with a yelp. Scrambling to grab something before she made a fool of herself because, yes, she is falling. Quickly.
Then suddenly she’s not.
A gloved hand gripped her own.
“Oh dear!” It’s something close to a shout from Momo. By the look on her face, it seemed like she startled herself with the volume. Or maybe it was worry on her face. “Are you alright?” She tugged Kyouka upright. Firm hold on her hand still. Momo searched her face for an answer, but any attempts were blocked by Jirou’s bangs. They covered her features as she stared at their hands. A dream, Kyouka thought, definitely a dream. I didn’t just do that. This isn’t really happening.
As Momo followed her gaze she let out a quiet gasp. “Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have any gloves?” She released Kyouka’s hand with a quiet “Hold on”. Kyouka’s hand hovered in the space between them as she tried to not let her face show any signs of disappointment as Momo worked off her left glove. “Here!” she said with a smile. It takes Kyouka a moment to realize she was expected to respond—too distracted by the flush on Momo’s cheeks, the soft, visible breaths passing through her lips, the way her eyes softened as she reached forward once more.
Kyouka’s focus is brought back once fingers were wrapped around her wrist, so warm she nearly flinched away at the sudden heat difference. Her hand is brought a little higher, palm facing outward, and then the glove is carefully slid on. A shiver threatened to run down her spine at the immediate relief. Her fingertips soaking it in.
“But,” Jirou started, “what about-“ she cut herself off as she saw the other girl shake her head.
“I can make myself a new pair once we get to class. You know, once I am able to warm up some more.” A soft laugh followed. Nearly drowned out by the crunching of snow as someone shuffled past them.
Kyouka considered herself lucky at that moment. How lucky she was for having found this friend. Someone to share her time, her hopes, dreams, fears, her class notes with. A partner in all senses of the term... except for one. One Kyouka only allowed herself in private moments alone. Not here in front of the girl she’s coming to love. Not on the sidewalk where the footprints around them threatened to disappear as the snow continued to fall.
“Here, allow me to do the other now.” Momo had already removed her other glove and shifted closer. Kyouka slightly shook her head. A response to Momo. An attempt to clear her mind.
“Ah no, no! I can do it. Thank you, though.” She took the gloves more quickly than necessary. She ducked her head once more and silently hoped to herself that the cold could excuse the warm blush spreading across her face. With both hands now bundled, she chanced a glance back to Momo, “Really thank you. I owe you one. For the catch and these,” she held her hands up and waved them around a little.
“It’s no trouble at all!”
A comfortable silence surrounded them as they continued their walk. Momo made sure she was always a step or two ahead. Kyouka flexed her hands. The feeling stayed soaked into her skin as the gloves held the memory of Momo’s grasp close, warm.
II
There was smoke. Thick and heavy. Limiting sight. There was dust. So much. Filling lungs, suffocating with each ragged inhale. Screams drifted in and out from every direction. No, that's not right. They were more so war cries in their rage, in their declaration of strength. Explosions and earth crumbling close behind in volume.
It happened too fast. Too sudden for some to get their bearings.
Kyouka lied on the ground. Cheeks pressed into the hard, cracked ground. Eyes fluttered open and squeezed shut at the onslaught of light. Shame crept up as she understood her position. Defeated. Left to lie and sink back into the earth. She was supposed to know where everyone was at all times. It was her job to locate the threat, and she failed. The how seemed unimportant at the moment. It could--should have been avoided.
She needed to know if everyone was okay. If her failure didn’t cause harm to those relying on her.
There was someone coming towards her. Running. She heard--felt their feet pounding on the ground. It was excruciatingly loud. She let out a soft whimper as the pounding in her head got more intense. She flinched at the realization that a jack was still tuned into the ground. It’s quickly removed as she got shaking arms under herself, fingers gripping the earth, dirt caking her nails. She needed to get up. Prepare to fight… fight… who exactly? Maybe the villain who pelted the rocks at her? The bear-woman Ochako was chasing down?
They were in front of her now. Crouched and fuzzy. She blinked furiously. Heartbeat Surround, she tried to think, they’re close enough I can… Nothing moved. Her arms were immobile where they kept her on her hands and knees. A sob got caught and stuck in her throat. Too dry to yell at the villain to get back, to leave her friends alone.
Soft hands come into view. Kyouka blinked harder. A voice came through. “It’s alright. It’s me.” Her surroundings began to clear, and the ringing in her ears slowly dissipated. She looked up at Momo as tears began to dampen her lower lashes. Long, dark hair had fallen from the usually pristine ponytail. It looked singed at some of the ends. Dirt and what looked to be caked blood were streaked across her cheekbones. “Can you stand?” she asked with a hard tone. Kyouka knew her better than that, though. There was that underlying fear. The slight spike in her cadence.
With an unsteady breath, Kyouuka slowly began to drag her feet under her. She pushed off the ground as best she could, but Momo was there lifting most of her weight. Momo sighed, “There.” A hand came up to push Kyouka’s bangs back. “I will lead the way, okay?” The hand traveled down to her shoulder, giving it a squeeze before sliding down to lace fingers between Kyouka’s. “Whatever happens, do not let go. Promise?”
Kyouka gave her a bob of the head, almost not making it back to its original position. Then they were running. It took Kyouka a few wobbly steps before her mind caught up and allowed muscle memory to do the work for her.
It was only flashes of sounds and colors from thereon. A shout of “Go now!” from her left. Dust stinging her eyes. Green sparks became visible as some of it settled down ahead of them. She felt a squeeze and her eyes moved towards her outstretched arm. Momo’s hand a vice grip on hers. It was a comfort she allowed herself to bask in for the time being. To get her through this. To get her back home.
She squeezed back.
Eventually, she found herself covered with a thick, heavy blanket draped around her shoulders. A small light shone into her eyes. Question after question was asked. The current year, the villain’s quirk as best she could remember, did it hurt when they pressed here and prodded there, what was the last thing she remembered before the attack. She felt the squeeze of her hand once more as medics and teachers left to attend to other students.
Startled, she went to pull her hand away, but the hold stayed tight. Momo sat beside her with an easy smile on her face. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She sounded as choked up as Kyouka felt.
“Yeah. Me too. Glad you’re okay. Right?”
Momo only nods in response.
The bodies around them continued to bustle around. They stayed pressed shoulder to shoulder. Hands giving the grounding feeling they were desperately needing. Safety.
III
Kyouka laid in bed on her back, hands clenched in fists resting on her stomach, staring into the blackness that stretched to every corner of her room save for the moonlight that crept through the red curtains. The sliver of light a small offer from the moon to ease her mind as if to say “There is still time for rest. You just have to take it.”
It was an unachievable task, though. Undeserved. Because why should she be allowed to indulge in the peace that sleep provided when she could look back on her failures. Take note of every second that could have been spent doing something different, something beneficial, something right. Pick through the shattered remains of her self-esteem until her fingers bled. How else was one supposed to learn to be better? She couldn’t make the same mistake again. She had to--needed to become a better hero.
For herself.
For her family.
For-
Flinging off the covers, she threw her legs over the side of the bed. She pushed her hands through her hair with a shuddered breath. A walk would help. Maybe some water. Slippers are shoved onto her feet as she shrugged on a jacket. Kyouka closed her door behind her with a thud that echoed through the halls. With a wince, she glances down to Toru’s door. Nothing. Kyouka thanked the fact that their rooms were fairly far apart.
A few hushed steps to the elevator later, she made her way downstairs and headed to the kitchen. A glow from the direction of the kitchen lit her way, seemingly left on by its last occupant. She made a mental note to bring this up at breakfast. She rounded the corner and suddenly jumped at the sight of a figure in the kitchen.
Simultaneous yelps fill the kitchen.
There stood Momo. Hair laying down her back, slender fingers covering her mouth. “Give me a moment.” She said. “I think my heart nearly came out of my chest.” Kyouka reached up to take hold of her jacks and began to lightly tap them together. She hadn’t expected to run into anyone and was hoping she’d find some solace in the night to clear her mind alone. She hadn’t wanted to burden anyone any more than she already had. After a few breaths, Momo fanned her face and continued, “Do you make it a habit of sneaking around in the dead of night?”
“I don’t know. Do you make it a habit of…” Kyouka paused as she looked behind Momo. Behind her, on the counter, sat a floral teacup resting on its saucer. Tilting her head to the side she finished, “Of making tea?”
“Ah, yes. I sometimes find myself unable to sleep, so I come down here to make myself a cup. It’s what my mother used to do for me when-” she glanced away as Kyouka’s gaze returned to her, twisting her fingers together. “Well just when I couldn’t sleep. You know, childish things like nightmares and such.”
Kyouka’s eyes widened “Did you ha-”
“Oh no, no.” Hands unclasped to wave rapidly. “Please don’t worry. I just simply couldn’t sleep, that's all.”
Kyouka began to respond but stopped short as Momo tucked a piece of her long hair behind her ear. A small cut, nearly healed, sat high on her cheekbone. A sickly feeling twisted in Kyouka’s gut. My fault, she thought. If she had better response time, hadn’t been worthless in a fight. Maybe there wouldn’t be a scar forming on someone so beautiful. The feeling crawled up her sternum. Squeezing her lungs. Maybe Mina wouldn’t have been taken down as hard as Kyouka was. It began to scratch at her throat. Maybe Momo wouldn’t be giving her such a pitiful look right now. Oh. Oh no. Kyouka wasn’t sure if she said it out loud or to herself. Momo took small steps towards her either way.
“Hey. Let’s take a seat, alright?” She wrapped an arm around Kyouka’s shoulders and began to lead her to a chair at one of the dining tables in the conjoined room. Once she had Kyouka seated, she asked, “Is lavender okay?” No response was given.
Kyouka only stared down at her hands with the vague realization that they were trembling. She thought of how she shouldn’t have left her room. She would have fallen asleep eventually, but now here she was, having Momo take care of her once again when she was the issue. The problem. The burden.
Momo placed her hands atop Kyouka’s, bringing them together. She was crouched down, but her height left her still practically eye to eye with Kyouka. Giving a light squeeze she said quietly, almost in a whisper, “You know…I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet.” At this Kyouka looked up. Her eyes met the ones that nearly reflected hers. No… no, they were different. Softer, holding so much kindness and care. Momo cleared her throat. “For your signal at that fight. Right before… well you know. Without that, I don’t think we all would have made it out of there.”
Kyouka had to think back. Her last call-out was simply an estimate. A slight suggestion of a timeframe. “It was wrong.” She said, “I-my calculations were wrong. They were so much closer than I thought. We weren’t ready we-”
“But we were. We knew they were on their way and that they would be there soon. You gave us the reassurance to put ourselves into place. Jirou,” another squeeze to her hands, firm and gentle all in one “you need to understand how grateful we--I. How grateful I am for the assurance you provide on the field. I do not think I could go into battle without you. I do not think I could do most things without you. So I want you to know that I am here for you if you ever would like to talk. We’re partners. Right?”
Eyes dampened with tears unshed, Kyouka swallowed thickly. “Yeah.” Her voice came out raspier than expected. Relief washed over her. It was hard to accept the praise as fact, but she couldn’t help but savor the honeyed words her mind was craving. Desperate for reassurance. “Of course we are.”
Momo moved one of her hands up to tuck a strand of Kyouka’s hair back. Kyouka’s face flushed. She blinked rapidly as Momo, with all the casualty in the world, sat back.
“It’s rather late. We should head back up. We still have class in a few hours.” Her smile eased Kyouka’s heart even more.
She stood as Momo walked back into the kitchen and placed her half-full cup into the sink. She frowned. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to finish your tea.”
Momo gently smiled as she led them through the doorway. “Don’t worry. I don’t know about you, but I think I’m ready for sleep.” She reached for the light switch and flicked it off as Kyouka started at her profile, glowing from the moonlight. The offer of sleep illuminated her soft features.
“Yeah. Me too.”
IV
The idea of a girls-only movie night was Mina’s suggestion. Well, it was more of a demand. “Come on you guys! Bonding time is super important, y’know?” she said as she slumped back in her seat, a slight pout on her face. She had been bringing it up at every possible chance since first period. Now, at lunch, she corralled all the girls to a singular table leaving them no place to run. “Plus, some of us need more fun, normal teenage experiences.” Her eyes cut to Momo.
“Hey! I experience-”
“Study groups don’t count as fun, Yaomomo.” Mina exasperated. A wicked smile had begun to spread across her face. One that made her look as though she finally found the final piece to complete some evil plan. “Jirou agrees! Dontcha?”
Startled by the sudden call out, Kyouka fumbled for a response as she sat down the bite she was about to take. “Oh. Uh. Yeah, sure that could be fun. Just, nothing too cheesy, yeah?”
Mina threw two thumbs up to Kyouka as Momo mumbled, “Well bonding time is important.”
As soon as Kyouka stepped out of the elevator the following evening, she could hear the cacophony of voices that came from the common room. Clutching the candy in her hand a little tighter, she braced herself as she made her way towards the group. Mina’s voice rose above everyone else’s as she began to yell, “No, no, no! Out! I don’t want you anywhere near here tonight, understood?”
Just then, Kaminari skirted around the corner. At the last second, he dodged out of Kyouka’s way with a short laugh. “Whoops! Sorry, Jirou!” Without a glance back, he kept his quick pace and ran towards the elevator.
With an eye roll, Kyouka made her way into the room. Mina stood near the door with her hands on her hips. “Oh good, you’re finally here!” Her scowl morphed into a smile. “Come on! Sit, sit, sit!” As Kyouka glanced around for a spot, she saw Ochako on the floor next to Tsuyu, pressed together as they looked over the spread of DVDs laid out before them. Snacks were spread out among them as well. Too many to count and suddenly Kyouka felt a little bad about her singular pack of sweets. Mina made her way back to her blanket on the floor next to what could only be assumed as Toru’s white and sickeningly pink floral comforter.
“Oh here, Kyouka!” Momo exclaimed. Kyouka had to take a moment to compose herself because there Momo sat, patting the empty seat next to her, in what looked to be the world’s softest sweater, and hair down like it had been that night in the kitchen. She’s so pretty, Kyouka thought and immediately scolded herself. It wasn’t the time. She gave a small wave to Momo as she made her way over.
As she settled herself, Momo began to speak again “Well I do hope you’re happy with the movie selection. Uraraka has decided a scary movie would be perfect. No chance of… how did you put it? Cheesy?”
Kyouka laughed, “Oh man. Yeah, that fits the bill alright.” Ochako hopped up at that moment stating she found the perfect movie and told everyone to shut up and prepare themselves. Mina scrambled as she got up to turn the lights off.
“If you’d like,” Momo said, turning to Kyouka. “You could share my blanket? I noticed you didn’t bring one. It can get quite cold out here.” Kyouka’s face burned. She ducked her head down in an attempt to hide behind her bangs.
“Yeah. Cool. That’d be cool. Thank you.” She grabbed the corner of the blanket and placed it over her own lap as everyone else settled and the movie began.
Halfway through, Kyouka had to admit Ochako picked a good one. Even Ochako herself seemed to be shaken up. She sat with her blanket wrapped around her, practically cocooning herself. Mina snickered as she leaned over. “Awe ‘Chako” she sang. “If you’re so scared you could always hold my hand!” She erupted into a fit of laughter as Ochako swatted at her, pink curls bouncing as she attempted to dodge the hits.
Kyouka heard an “Oh.” murmured next to her “That’s actually a very smart idea.”
Before Kyouka could ask what she meant, Momo had clasped their hands together under the blanket. Kyouka’s head whipped to the side, eyes widened, face surely a dark pink. As if realizing her actions, Momo turned to face Kyouka. Expression matching the one staring back at her. Why is she embarrassed?!
They continued to stare at each other. Kyouka’s eyes searched Momo’s face. Her lips were parted as if she was trying to think of something to say. Soft, was the best Kyouka’s mind could supply. She unconsciously held Momo’s hand a little tighter.
The action seemed to put Momo’s thoughts into coherency “I’m sorry-”
BAM.
Screams filled the room as a figure slammed into the back of the couch with a yell. Kyouka and Momo flung apart. Heart slamming in her chest, Kyouka spun around to find Kaminari and Sero rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. “Dude, what the hell?”
“Kaminari!” Mina screamed as she jumped up. “I told you I didn’t want to see you in here!” The boys fell over each other in their attempt to stand and flee from Mina’s wrath.
Kyouka turned her attention back to Momo who held her hand over her heart. The two stared for a single moment before cracking smiles at each other. “I’m, um, I’m sorry about that.” Momo said.
“No! It‘s, uh. It’s cool.” Kyouka shook her head. “Seriously. Don’t sweat it.” She groaned internally, What is wrong with me?
Momo gave a short nod and a timid smile as she settled back into her place. Momo pressed their shoulders together as Mina came back into the room cursing to herself and asking Ochako to rewind the movie.
Warmth spread throughout Kyouka’s chest as she relaxed into the couch and pressed back.
V
Kyouka peeked her eyes open as the last chord was strummed.
It had come to her in the middle of the night. Startling her out of a dream of brown eyes. Of a melodic laugh that had her stumbling out of bed and flicking the light on. She turned in small circles, eyes squinted against the harsh light now filling the room, as her sleep clouded mind attempted to steer her in the right direction. She let out a quiet “Hah!” as she reached past her bass and pulled her guitar towards her.
It was a struggle getting everything hooked up properly, but once she placed her headphones over her ears, she was wide awake. She felt wired, buzzing with excitement. She hadn’t been struck with inspiration like this in so long. Typically, she would spend weeks on songs. Her small bin filled to the brim with crumpled sheets of chord progressions and, on the rare occasion, lyrics. Most of the time she found it difficult to move her emotions into words but at that moment…
She hadn’t checked the time when she first sat on the floor, hunched over her guitar and a beat-up notebook, began to let her heart spill through her fingertips, through composition and each pick of the strings. She nearly jumped out of her own skin, though, when moments after finally taking her headphone off, a knock was rapped against her door.
“Jirou?” It was Toru on the other side. “Are you in there? I didn’t see you at breakfast and wanted to make sure everything was alright.”
Breakfast?! Kyouka sprung up. She patted around her bed until she found her phone. The small screen showing it was nearly half-past eight. She ran a hand down her face groaning, attempting to make peace with the fact that she wouldn’t be getting any more sleep. Two more knocks in quick succession. “Yeah! Yeah, I’m good. Sorry, I must have overslept. I’ll be there in a second.” Kyouka called back.
She looked back down to the notebook sitting on the floor. Squaring her shoulders, she realized it had to be now or never.
Now, only a few hours later, she sat crossed-legged on her bed blinking down at the pick in her hand. She didn’t want to chance a glance up at Momo who sat opposite of her, knees pulled up to her chest. She knew this was different from anything she had played for her friends before, and she was too afraid to see the reaction. This was softer, full of hidden feelings. She hadn’t sung anything she had written that night out loud, only hummed along as she played, but she knew it had to have been obvious. There was no way someone as smart as Momo wouldn’t pick up on the meaning, the feeling.
She slowly moved the guitar off her lap and rested it on the floor next to the bed. She cleared her throat, the adrenaline that had been fueling her had dissipated. Only a nervous hum was left coursing through her. “Well,” she began.
Momo lunged forward and grabbed one of Kyouka’s hands between her own. Kyouka prayed she couldn’t feel how clammy she was. “Oh, Jirou!” Momo exclaimed. “That was so wonderful! It felt so new! Like a breath of fresh air. You are always a sight to behold when you perform, but this… ” A pause. Kyouka finally looked up to make eye contact and was greeted with a gentle smile.
“It’s such a pleasure to hear your work. I cannot wait for you to finish the lyrics.” Momo finished. Her hands never let go of Kyouka’s.
Kyouka fought the urge to peek over at the notebook discreetly tucked away on her desk. “Yeah,” she said, “for sure.” No way in hell.
“Really! I enjoyed it so much. It was such a pretty melody, and you seemed so inspired! I could see it in your expression as you played.”
Kyouka felt her hand being squeezed, but she couldn’t look away from the girl in front of her. She couldn’t imagine someone better to be her--
“Muse,” Kyouka said out loud. “I guess I just found the perfect muse.”
VI
A soft pink blanketed the morning sky, leaving a soft glow on the buildings, the trees, the two girls walking side by side. Only the slight rustling of the trees and the scuffing of their shoes on the pavement as they made their way towards school filled the comfortable silence around them. Kyouka had become a fan of these early mornings. She no longer felt sluggish, half awake. Now, she was able to enjoy these little moments of dawn. Let the rising sun sink into her skin and it’s…
So warm, Kyouka thought as she took a deep breath and tilted her head back.
A light laugh brought her attention up to the girl standing next to her. “Are you even listening to me?” Momo asked.
“Sorry, what'd you say?”
“I asked if you wanted to work on our internship applications after class today.”
“Yeah of course.” Kyouka nodded. “We can just head to my room as soon as we get back.”
Momo made a hum of agreement, but it felt as though she wanted to follow it up with something else. Kyouka faced forward and gave the other girl a moment to herself. They had quite a way to go still, so she saw no reason to rush her.
A bird let out a chirp as they passed under some trees.
In the past few months of their early morning walks, Kyouka felt as though she had grown closer to Momo. They took advantage of the opportunity to share their thoughts of dramas Momo was watching, new music Kyouka had discovered, gossip from the other classes Mina had managed to learn. They spoke of their home lives before moving to the dorms, the new pastry shop opening a few streets over.
Sometimes, though, they didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. Walking side by side, shoulders occasionally bumping, was enough.
They were always in step. In sync.
Until the current moment, when Momo suddenly stopped walking, seemingly rooted in place.
Kyouka halted her steps and turned to face Momo who stood a few paces behind with an apprehensive look upon her face. Eyebrows drawn together, lips pressed in a tight line. She gave a sharp nod, seemingly to herself, before she said, “Right. I have something I would like to ask you.”
Kyouka tilted her head to the side. “Shoot.”
“I would like it if I- if we applied to the same agency. I would like to take the first step at becoming real partners.” The unsurety in her voice caused it to come out more like a question than a statement. “Of course, that is, if that is something you would like to do?”
The lack of confidence Momo seemed to have in herself at that moment wasn’t a surprise to Kyouka. No, she was used to the other girl’s self-doubt. Too humble and unaware of her own potential. She fought the frown making its way onto her face as she thought of how much Momo had helped her these past few months, pushing her to become stronger. She brought her comfort, eased her mind in tough times, slowly explained math problems that Kyouka struggled with. What have I given her? Kyouka thought. She looked at Momo who chewed on her own lip, anxiously awaiting a response. What can I give her?
Then it clicked. Kyouka wanted to shake herself at how easy it seemed now. How ignorant she had been for waiting so long. I can give her all she’s given me and more. I can be the partner she wants. The one she deserves.
Momo opened her mouth, but Kyouka spoke first. “Momo. Of course, I would want to. That’s really all I’ve ever wanted. You have always been there for me. On the field and off. That night, the one where you told me that you don’t think you could do it without me, I didn’t get to tell you that I know I can’t do it without you. I want you by my side. Always. I need you, Momo, as my partner. In all senses of the term.” She cuts off her ramble with a deep breath. She realized somewhere in the middle she began nervously twirling one of her jacks.
She also had a moment of realization that perhaps right here, on the sidewalk, as the world slowly wakes around them, isn’t the best time to confess. Or maybe it’s the best time with the breeze slightly swaying their skirts and the birds singing a song just for them.
“Jiro-”
“Kyouka. It’s Kyouka.” Kyouka interrupted. She held her hand out, open, waiting. “That is… if you’ll have me.”
Momo took a few steps forward and gently placed her hand in Kyouka’s. “Always.” She said. Nothing more needed to be said.
They took a moment to simply smile at each other. Fingers intertwined.
As they returned to their walk to class, the sun rising higher into the sky, gently blues dispelling the pink morning blush, Kyouka spoke up. “You know, I love this time of year.”
Momo tilted her head down towards Kyouka and hummed. “I can’t find it in myself to disagree with you.”