The obvious connection between Past Life and Evo has given me Ideas™ about my time machine AU. I haven't actually pinned down what sort of bad end would be bad enough to warrant Grian going back in time considering I tend to view the Watchers as amoral rather than immoral, but given how they started as a surrogate for the audience and we as the audience are all about putting these little guys into situations for our entertainment, the gears have been turning.
HERE IT IS. The AU that has been living rent-free in my head for months. Its full name is the Tell Me To Run AU, but I colloquially call it the Time Machine AU. It is, as the name implies, a time-travel AU where Grian attempts to prevent a horrible future by stopping himself from ever becoming a Watcher.
This AU is my baby, so like... if you wanna send me some asks about it, it would make me really happy.
A/N: Again, I’m not sure if the title fits. This fic has been siting on my drive for months and I only decided to post this now because I finally had the time.. also because of my feels from reading earlier.
Pairing: Dia x Riko
Word count: 3,269 words
Everything happened in a sudden manner. One afternoon when we were about to go home after finishing our dance rehearsal, the two of us were being slow at packing our things and was left alone in the club room as the others wait for us by the school gate.
We were just talking casually about some incidents that happened to our rehearsal that day, until we were both ready to leave the room. She opened the door for me just doing what a senior would do for their junior. When I was about to thank her for the gesture, we locked eyes for, I don’t know how long, and then it happened. She closed her eyes and inched closer until her lips met my own. In spite of my surprise, I closed my eyes as she moves her lips into mine, slowly and sweetly. I was sure my heart would have jumped off my chest if we stayed like that a bit longer when she stopped. Silence occurred to us the moment she pulled away and I can tell that as much as her face is flustered, the same goes for me. She was the one that broke the ice first.
“R-Riko-san, w-we better hurry. The others are waiting for us.” She said trying her best to properly get the words out.
“Y-You can go ahead first. I-I think I still left something here. I will c-catch up to you later.” I replied, not any better than her.
“O-Okay then. Make it fast though.”
She left after I nod to her in confirmation.
What just happened? I asked myself inwardly as the memory of what just happened to us replayed in my mind. I can still feel her lips on mine when I touched it with my index finger. I then remember how soft her lips felt. And I couldn’t even deny that I liked it.
Several days passed and neither of us mentioned about it, though I would have to admit that there’s something between us every time our gazes meet. And ever since the incident, I started noticing her more. Kurosawa Dia-san, our student council president that was against to our idea of forming a school idol group before. She is now one of the mother figure of our group who watches over everyone.
If someone will ask me about my first impression of Dia-san, I would say, scary and strict but very admirable. Everyone can see that, as the student council president of a school that is may shut down in the future, she’s doing a great job at keeping everything in order. And we can all see how much she really cares for the school and the students. After getting to know Dia-san more, I found out that being the president and a role model student is not the only admirable things about her. Her sense of responsibility goes further than I can imagine. When she takes charge of something our group needs to do, you can expect that everything is planned out neatly and as much as possible she will make sure that it will be followed. And then, seeing her as Ruby-chan’s elder sister is another story. I sometimes envy Ruby-chan for having an older sister like her. Her strict and scary image loosens when Ruby-chan is involved. Her sweet and caring side shows and it is always a refreshing thing to see. And when she let her guard down, her clumsiness shows to which everyone finds as very adorable.
I haven’t even mentioned about how beautiful she is and her model-like figure. What is there to not like about Dia-san? The person Dia-san will fall in love with, will be very lucky.
I talked too much about what I think about her. How can I not? There is so much to say about Dia-san and I would like to know more about her. I want to understand her better. And I want to know why she stole my kiss just like that. Does she even know that it was my first? I’m not really the one to talk though because I let her do it. And even let her do it again and again.
We haven’t talked about it once when it happened again. The second time happened when we accidentally met each other in the school’s comfort room and we happened to be the only ones in there. I was about to exit the room when she opened the door, about to go in.
“D-Dia-san?” was my reaction upon seeing her so suddenly.
“R-Riko-san?” was her reply with the same tone as mine.
We stared at each other for a few seconds before she made her move. She pushed me further inside the rest room as she locks the door and her lips on mine. This time the kiss was longer that it gave me time to consider kissing back. But before I even decide on that, she pulled away.
“S-See you later Dia-san” was the only thing I was able to say as I ran away from her. I ran away not because I wanted to get away from her but because, embarrassment and excitement was taking over me. And just like the first one, we did not mention about it to each other.
From then on, it became a frequent incident. Whenever it will happen to be just the two of us, a kiss will occur. Dia-san is always the first one to make a move. One time it happened when we were both retrieving things from the stock room for our P.E. class. It was probably the second briefest kiss we had. Because the briefest kiss we ever had was also the most surprising (on my side) and most nerve-wrecking kiss we ever had. It happened when we were trying the new outfits You-chan made for our next live. I was about to step out of the changing room when I heard Chika-chan asked Dia-san to check if I was done already. I thought that I should just walk out so that she won’t have to check me. As I was about to do so, the door opened and Dia-san dived in just like that. It may have been just my imagination but I think she grinned at me for a split second before turning back to Chika-chan and tell her that I was ready. She left me there, frozen in place because of her sudden actions.
Everyone could’ve seen that! What is she thinking?! I raged in my mind. Thankfully, no one seemed to have seen what happened. They were too busy checking their outfits.
Along with our secret moments together, a few changes in our behavior became obvious to the other members. During one of our mini unit meetings, Mari-san mentioned out of the blue about how much Dia-san seemed to be in a good mood recently.
“Why Dia-san all of a sudden?” Yoshiko-chan asked after taking a sip from her drink.
“We’re taking a break anyways so why not talk about something else? And besides, aren’t you two curious for the reason behind the happy happy mood of our student council president?”
“Miss school director, you should know better about that and also Kanan because you two are her best friends.”
“But Yoshiko-chan, I wouldn’t be asking like this if she told us anything. When we asked her, she said it was just our imagination. Riko what do you think?”
“M-Me? I don’t have any idea.”
If it was only Yoshiko-chan here, my stutter would have gone unnoticed. But nothing escapes from Mari-san. She gave me a suspicious grin before speaking again.
“Hmm… If you say so. But Riko, I noticed that you’ve been in a good mood lately too. Is there anything you might want to share to us?”
“T-there’s nothing in particular.”
“Lies! There’s nothing you can hide from the fallen angel Yohane! Speak up little demon! What are you hiding?”
Yoshiko-chan may be slow at catching signs, but at times like this, she can be persistent which only made it worse. Now both she and Mari-san are trying to get me to spill the beans.
“W-Well,” I started, “all I can say to you two is that, yes something happened but I don’t know if I can say that it’s a good thing. Now, shouldn’t we resume our meeting? This break has taken too long. “
“Don’t leave us hanging like that. Tell us everything, right Mari?”
“Riko is right. We must resume our meeting or else we’ll get scolded by Dia for not getting anything done. We should let her off for now, okay? “
Yoshiko-chan frowned but agreed anyways. I mouthed a thanks to Mari-san but her wink gave me some chills. I then thought that she is definitely going to ask me about it in the future. But before she even does, Chika-chan and You-chan beat her to it.
It was one after school, and there was no rehearsal because we decided to take the day off. I came with You-chan to Chika-chan’s house to do some homework. Out of the blue, Chika-chan asked me…
“Riko-chan, you’re in love aren’t you?”
“W-W-WHERE DID THAT COME FROM CHIKA-CHAN?!”
“Calm down Riko-chan, I was just wondering.”
“But that was so sudden Chika-chan, even I was surprised. Though nothing is more surprising than how Riko-chan reacted… Does that mean~”
Chika-chan and You-chan inched closer to me with their expecting eyes.
“U-Umm… O-Okay I’ll tell you.”
“Yay!!” they both cheered in happily.
“I don’t know if it’s love or anything. Maybe like? Attraction? Infatuation? Crush? Curiosity? I don’t know. I can at least say that there is something. The way we are before and the way we are right now is a lot different, and I like it.”
“So you mean, there isn’t anything clear about your relationship status with this person?”
Why is Chika-chan sharp at times like this only?
“Yes. If anything, I can say we’ve gotten close. Or maybe not? There really isn’t anything about us and now that I realized it…. Arrrhh! What do I do Chika-chan? You-chan?”
The two patted me on my back. “There... there…” they said trying to comfort me.
“First thing, is it anyone we know?” You-chan asked.
I nodded starting to feel the heat on my face.
“Someone we know? Whoa, I almost thought you’ve got someone you left in Tokyo. Haha- Wait, the only ones we know are…”
“Our classmates, and members of Aqours, right Chika-chan?”
“Yes. No one else- Ehhh?!! Really RIko-chan?!”
Right at that moment, I felt my face burning up already and hiding it from them would be futile.
“That is right Chika-chan, You-chan…”
The excitement on their expression just doubled when I admitted it to them.
“So who is it Riko-chan? Tell us! Tell us!” they both said in unison.
“Is it by any chance, You-chan?’
“Or maybe Chika-chan?”
“S-Stop teasing me you two!”
I backed away from them because they already leaned in too close. They apologized as they realize it.
“Why are you two so excited about this?”
“Anyone would be excited by this. Our Riko-chan is in love right now. We must know if they deserve you.”
“You-chan… Chika-chan…” I didn’t have enough time to appreciate their thought because Chika-chan started again.
“So tell us Riko-chan, is it me or You-chan?”
“E-Ehh? W-Why do you think it will be either of you?” Oh shoot- Why did I say it that way… “A-ah I.. I mean-”
“So we don’t stand a chance for you Riko-chan?”
“Are we not good enough for you Riko-chan?”
Chika-chan and You-chan started sulking in front of me and I didn’t know what to do. But then suddenly, both of them started giggling and I figured that they were just teasing me again. I yelled at them for their actions.
“Sorry Riko-chan. Your reactions were just really cute.”
“We can’t help it. Tehee~”
“But seriously. I’m the one who doesn’t stand a chance.”
“E-Eh? What do you mean Riko-chan?”
“You two are my best friend and I know better than anyone else that you can be perfect for each other.”
My innocent statement left them stunned with their flushed cheeks. They stared at me with their ‘ehh’ expression then they stared at each other only to look away about a second later. Thanks to that statement though, I was able to stop them from asking further. After a minute of awkward silence, Shima-san came in with snacks for us. The topic was never brought up again after that and we just continued with our homework.
Since that incident, I started to wonder to myself about what to do with my feelings for Dia-san. The more we do it, the more I get confuse about her actions, and also the more I realize that love is the only way to describe my feelings for her. It wasn’t her kisses that got me thinking about her, but Dia-san herself.
Should I confess?
But what if she rejects me?
She’ll probably stop the kisses.
So what? It’s not what is important! It’s not her kisses I want from her! I want her to know my feelings and I want to know hers too!
My thoughts are battling inside my mind that one night. In the end, I did not decide on anything. I lacked sleep because of it and went to school the next day feeling tired and sleepy first thing in the morning. I still managed to focus in class anyway. But by the time our practice started, I am already too tired it didn’t go unnoticed to the other members. Chika-chan and You-chan were the first ones to approach me and asked if I was alright. I did my best to reassure them but then Mari-san chimed in.
“Why don’t the two of you take Riko to the infirmary. She looks like she needs some rest.”
“There’s really no need for that-”
“One of you should carry her bridal style then. Who would it be?” Kanan-san added.
E-Eeh? Why should that be?
For a moment I think I saw Chika-chan and You-chan stared at Kanan-san and Mari-san curiously but then they looked at each other as if they got the message. That wink Mari-san gave them made me suspicious.
“We should decide this by rock paper scissors then You-chan!”
“Agreed!”
They could only ready their hands for the first round of their rock paper scissors. Dia-san took everyone by surprise especially me, when she suddenly swept me off my feet, in more ways than one.
“I will be the one to take her to the infirmary. Please excuse us” was all she said to everyone before leaving them with their mouths hanged open.
My mind was too hazy with the sudden turn of events. I couldn’t think straight. I was probably staring at Dia-san the whole time until we got into the infirmary. She settled me on one of the beds.
“The nurse seemed to be out. And I can’t just leave you here by yourself. I guess I should stay here with you.”
“N-No Dia-san it’s alright. I can’t have you miss practice because of me.” I said trying to reassure her but it didn’t help. And it was only then that I realized Dia-san seems mad about something. It didn’t take me long to find out why.
“Why? You’d like it more if either Chika-san or You-san stayed here with you?”
“E-Ehh? It’s not like that Dia-san.”
It wasn’t the first time I was alone together with Dia-san, due to our secret moments together, but it’s probably the most intense one. The way Dia-san stared at me feels so intense I feel like I could melt.
“If it isn’t that, then what is it? What’s wrong with me staying here with you Riko-san?”
I didn’t know how to answer her question. It was just the two of us inside the spacious infirmary of our school but somehow I felt myself cornered. Dia-san must have noticed it too. She turned her back on me before speaking again.
“Forget it. And I’m sorry for my rude behavior just now. I will take my leave.”
I knew how much she tried hard to hide it from me but she failed. I knew she was hurt but I couldn’t understand why. At that moment, I knew I would regret if I just let her leave like that. And I wouldn’t want to let things go that way. So without thinking, I made my move.
“Dia-san! I don’t understand you at all!”
She turned around to me just as I have expected. To her surprise, I was in time to reach her when she faced me. I tiptoed for a bit to reach her and without any hesitation, I went for her lips. It was the first kiss I initiated. I pulled away a second later.
“You always do this kind of thing to me but never told me why. That is not like you Dia-san. You are more responsible than this! And you really should be responsible of me!”
“R-Riko-san?”
Our faces were both flustered with unbreakable eye contact. I wasn’t really thinking straight that time. I just had enough already and wanted to make it clear with Dia-san.
“I didn’t know what it was at first. You took me by surprise one day, then repeated it for a few more times, and then I started to feel something. Dia-san, as I got more curious about you, the feelings got deeper. And I am sure of it now. I love you.”
She buried face on my shoulders. My heart is beating wild against my chest but I can tell that the same goes for her. Her hands followed moments later pulling me into a hug.
“Did you really mean that Riko-san?” she whispered into my ear.
“Yes.”
“You know, I started with curiosity about you as well. I’ve been watching you secretly ever since Chika-san introduced you as the composer of Aqours. Before I knew it, I had fallen for you already.” She faced me again, not breaking our hug. “That day we first kissed, I was pretty mad like today. You talked so much about Chika-san and You-san after all.”
“Dia-san… Were you perhaps… Jealous?”
“D-Don’t even mention it!”
So cute~
“A-Anyway as I was saying, my feelings got over me. I wanted you to think of me too. When our gazes met, I couldn’t hold my feelings anymore and kissed you without thinking. And I didn’t think that it would happen again for a few more times.”
“Dia-san…”
“Hmm?”
“You’re a pervert, aren’t you?”
“Wha-”
Her reaction was just so cute I couldn’t help but giggle. I know it wasn’t the time to be joking but, I probably caught it from Chika-chan and You-chan. Dia-san’s face was still so red when we break the hug. I apologized for my sudden joke but she ignored me.
Eh? Is she mad?
I was starting to get worried when she finally spoke up again.
“You may be right. I am a pervert who took advantage of your kindness for letting me kiss you over and over again. All this time, I pondered to myself why are you letting me have my way with you.”
“I wanted it too Dia-san. Now, isn’t it your turn to tell me?”
I looked at her expectantly waiting for her to finally say it too. But instead, as I should have expected, her hand reached out to my cheek and pulled me in to a swift kiss.
