Chapter Text
Honestly, Ei doesn’t know what she was thinking. One second she’s finishing her computer science finals and the next she’s sitting in Kokomi’s room silently while her room mate eyes her down.
”Ei?” Kokomi calls out. Ei has her fists balled and eyes staring at her lap. “Yeah?” Her voice trembles.
“Thoughts?” She hums, twirling in her blue dress. Ei gathers the courage to look up before she clears her throat. “Good.” She mumbles, attempting a boxy smile and a thumbs up.
The pink haired room mate dislikes this as well apparently. “Yae?” Kokomi seems unbothered. The woman named Yae inspects her for a long moment before nodding.
”Speaking of,” Kokomi grins as she makes her way over to the make up table. She picks up a red lipstick and applies it with a soft touch.
”Yes?” Yae hums, her white heels clicking sinking into the padded carpet. Ei stares a bit longer than she tries to.
Yae taps her foot on the carpet, almost knowingly. “Do you really have no plans of getting with anyone?” Kokomi sighs.
The woman in question rolls her eyes. “Yes, I have no plans.” She answers.
”More like no suitors.”
“I’m Yae Miko, hell would freeze before I had no suitors.” She confidently says. Ei stares at her for a moment. Miko? The name is quite pretty.
Miko fixes her cardigan lightly covering the flimsy sundress she has on. Her eyes finally meet Miko’s.
She’s met with a smile. Ei suddenly feels hot. She adjusts her cropped black shirt, feeling a chill run down her spine.
”What do you think Kujou Sara likes?” Kokomi asks as she fixes her hair.
“You.” Ei mumbles carelessly.
It earns her a laugh from the pretty woman. Kokomi flips her off through the mirror. “She’s not wrong,” Miko hums.
Miko’s eyes stare at her so obviously. Ei freezes.
“Ei, right?” Miko tilts her head every so slightly. Ei feels her heart do something it hasn’t ever done before.
“Oh, leave the poor girl alone. Ei can barely get a word out, let her be.” Kokomi dismisses Miko. She focuses on her eyeliner.
Ei swallows the lump in her throat. Her eyes quiver, Miko offers her the prettiest smile she’s ever seen. “Yes, Ei.” She spits out.
Kokomi pauses, hand stopped against her eye. She stares at Ei with disbelief. “Your name is Yae Miko, right? It’s quite a pretty name.” Ei laughs awkwardly.
Miko’s eyes melt with this warmth Ei can’t explain.
Kokomi purses her lips. “Okay then.” She caps her eyeliner, finalizing the touches. Ei tries her best to smile—it stays boxy.
Kokomi sighs, “Ei.” She taps. Ei finally looks at her friend. “Don’t mistake Yae for anything potential. Best to avoid her all around,” She shakes her head in disapproval.
”And what exactly did I do to garner your resentment?” Miko crosses her arms gingerly.
”Resentment? Of course not, Yae!” Kokomi exasperates.
Ei is almost robotic. “I don’t understand.” She mumbles. Miko pauses to stare at her as if to seriously gauge what she meant.
Kokomi smiles in relief. “Even better.” She nods, she squeezes Ei’s hand.
Miko clicks her tongue. “No thoughts in finding out? I heard Engineer majors are filled with curiosity,” She tempts. Ei looks at her, Miko sends another smile her way.
Ei smiles at her the same way she had. Miko’s lips slowly form a frown. “I prefer challenges.”
“Trust me, I am a challenge.” Miko giggles.
”I apologize, I was not clear enough. I was pertaining to challenges like…” Ei thinks for a moment. “In the late 1800s when the car was first industrialized, not many inventors paid attention to the crash faulty.” She invests herself.
”Like for instance, old cars would ram into walls and rattle the driver held inside. Only by the later 90s and 80s did car engineers realize that in order to minimize human damage, the car must be design to absorb shock.” Ei grins. “It was a simple fault of basic physics unaccounted for—“
”I’m running late.” Kokomi taps on her imaginary watch. Miko gives Kokomi a look. “I don’t think I have to worry about anything happening between the two of you, so I’ll give you my faith, Ei.” She grins.
”Oh, thanks. See you!” Ei says cluelessly.
Miko mums her lips together, fixing her lipstick. Kokomi glares at Miko who rolls her eyes.
Ei fixes her shirt and the jogging pants she’s wearing. She stands up. “Good bye, Yae Miko.” She waves.
Miko slowly stands up, “Are you doing anything right now?” She asks. Ei blinks a couple of times. “I’m talking to someone.” She mumbles.
”Who?”
”You.”
Miko smiles. “Okay, then let’s keep it that way.” She proposes. “Alright, but since Kokomi isn’t here I do not think it’s a good idea to linger here too long.” Ei suggests.
”You do know this is my room too?” Miko amuses.
“Ah, you’re right.” Ei nods. Miko tilts her head. “That means, you’re in my private space.” Miko reminds.
Ei nods. “Would you like me to leave?” She feels weird. Miko approaches her, hand on her shoulder. She looks at Ei with those eyes again.
“I would love if you stayed.” Miko smiles.
Ei stares at her slightly shorter figure even with her heels. “I see.” She mumbles.
Ei feels her chest start to constrict. Miko leans in.
She’s so close Ei feels a breath on her neck. Her eyes widen, heart sinking to the floor.
Ei puts her arm between the two of them almost immediately.
There’s this moment of silence. Miko takes a step back. Ei feels her breathing fasten and too many emotions overwhelm her.
“I am leaving.”
Miko gets a moment cold feet.
Did she the wrong idea?
The door clicks shut.
Kokomi doesn’t know what she expects when she returns to the dormatory, but it certainly is not a Yae Miko in a mess. The woman seems lost.
Only then did Kokomi finally hear about what happened just moments after she had left for her perfect date.
She doesn’t even want to begin to imagine the shit Makoto was going to give her.
Kokomi rubs her forehead in frustration. “Yae.” She says.
”I am serious.” Miko gives her a deadpan expression.
“Why do you want to know about her so bad?” Kokomi can’t wrap her head around it. “I made a lapse in judgement the first time.” Miko sighs in acceptance.
”Well, no shit. Ei says she has never felt like that and she would prefer it if she never did again.”
Miko takes a deep breath in. “How do I make it up to her?” She says, sounding genuine for once.
Kokomi stares at her.
”You want to date, Ei?”
“I want to make up for what I did.” Miko clarifies.
Kokomi looks at her sincerity for once with fair and objective eyes. So, it was either she helped her friend atone for her mistakes and deal with Makoto and Saiguu’s wrath or… just deal with Makoto and Saiguu’s wrath.
Kokomi feels a headache arise.
”Okay.” She concedes. “Do you at least have a plan?” She tries to manifest some hope.
Miko presses her lips together, she nods. “I am going to apologize.”
Kokomi grumbles. “Okay, listen carefully.” She gathers her hands together. “The thing about Ei is that she literally can not process emotions the same way you do,” She says.
”How Makoto likes to explain it is that Ei is just unable to identify her emotions to a deep extent. She has a hard time socializing,” Kokomi grumbles.
Miko feels even worse. “I should have known the moment she talked about the industrial revolution and the cars.” She rubs her temples.
Kokomi’s phone rings.
It’s Makoto.
She stares at it.
”Who is it?”
”Look, I’ll give you a chance so just give me some time. We’ll get it done.” Kokomi panics.
Miko sighs. “I hope Ei isn’t feeling too ill.”
Makoto clenches her jaw when Kokomi doesn’t pick up her call. “Relax, Mako.” Saiguu squeezes her shoulder. “You know Kokomi is a busy girl.” She reminds.
”Doesn’t give them an excuse to mess with my sister.” Makoto huffs.
”Makoto,” Ei whines. “Kokomi didn’t do anything. That Yae Miko didn’t either, this is my fault.” She sighs.
“How is this your fault? Do not say that!” Makoto glares.
Ei frowns. “Miko was just being nice. I messed that up.” Saiguu notes how the girl seems genuinely saddened. “I just got really nervous and I didn’t explain to her how I am with people. She couldn’t have known.” She tries to defend the woman.
”No, Yae Miko was up to something for sure.” Saiguu sighs. “You on the other hand, I can’t tell if you liked being near her presence or not.” She says.
Makoto puts a dango donut on Ei’s plate in a feeble attempt to cheer her up. Ei thankfully seems a bit happier with the sweet sitting in front of her.
”Yae Miko is a kindred spirit, Ei. You two don’t mesh well, it’s not your fault.” Makoto pats her back.
Ei takes a bite of the donut, the world around her becoming nothing.
“Yae is..” Saiguu is deep in thought. “Very out there.” She nods. Makoto shakes her head, not wanting her sister to think anything bad of the girl she thought was friendly.
”I can see that. She must have a lot of friends.” Ei continues to bite down on the chewy donut in peace. “A lot of more than friends.” Makoto sighs.
Ei seems calmer than expected. “Well, she is quite pretty.”
Makoto and Saiguu pause.
”She’s pretty?” Saiguu asks.
”Is she not?” Ei wipes the crumbs off her hand. “Well, she is but..” Saiguu looks at a completely star stunned Makoto.
”She has a really pretty smile.” Ei continues on. “Her pink hair is all fluffed up, reminds me of cotton candy.” She notes from her memory.
Makoto swallows.
Her phone brightens up and she stares at the text from Kokomi. Saiguu leans over to read.
They stare at each other for a moment.
”Ei, what are you doing tomorrow?” Makoto tries to seem unaffected.
”I’ll be working on my science project in the morning and finalizing some stuff in the lab around nine in the evening. I’m free from eleven till then, Friday is free day.” Ei says from memory.
”Alright, how do you feel about seeing Yae Miko again?”
Ei raises a tentative eyebrow. “For what purpose?” She questions.
”She would like to have a proper conversation with you.”
Ei thinks for a moment.
”As long as you guys don’t butt in.”
Makoto and Saiguu look at each other.
Ei’s glasses fog up as she fixes the last bioplastic sample. She’s out of it.
”Ei?” She simply continues to do her work. “I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you but…” The blonde clears her throat.
Ei finally blinks as the girl named Lumine approaches her. “May I?” She mumbles and Ei doesn’t respond. She nods.
Lumine leans it to remove some lint from her sweater. Ei is displeased, she was never the type to be so careless with her outfit. She thinks it’s probably from the lack of sleep last night.
She couldn’t seem to get her eyes to close. Her thoughts rage rampant on the awaited conversation. She lightly bows as she continues to tend to her sweet potatoes.
Lumine continues on her way.
Ei’s phone rings. She ignores it the first time, fixing the saline solution for the root growth. Her bioplastics have been coming out awfully hard.
Her phone rings once more. She finally decides to forego the mixture for one second. She answers.
”Ei, where are you? It’s eleven thirty.” Makoto asks. Ei pauses, has it been that long already. When she doesn’t get a response, she adjusts.
”Be here soon, okay?” Makoto continues to converse with the white noose. “Good, make sure to come clean and ready. It’ll be a quick conversation.” She reminds.
Ei doesn’t say anything and eventually ends the call.
She pours the solution over her growing pots and covers them with a glass dome. She pushes her glasses up, clawing her hands against her hair, and picks her bag up.
She lightly nods at Lumine before leaving the lab. Ei dusts herself off, picking up her closed phone to see her face. She looks clean enough.
Her heart rate begins to increase. She had to talk to Yae Miko? She bites her lip.
She gets on the crowded elevator, eyes glued to the floor.
”Oh, hello.”
She hears a short breath.
It’s Kujou Sara. Ei doesn’t respond, she just nods.
The doors open and Ei leaves.
She finally feels the fresh air breeze in the morning. She’s been caught up with her potatoes. She stretches.
She yawns, eyes feeling groggy. She would make this quick.
She makes her way towards the main campus, the air feels great today. Ei yawns. She blinks a couple of times before an awkward clear of throat finally catches her attention.
“Hello,”
Ei doesn’t expect the flower bouquet in Miko’s hands. She gives Miko a smile.
Miko takes a deep breath in.
They exchange looks before Miko finally speaks. “How are you?” She mumbles.
Ei tilts her head.
Miko nods.
“I won’t take much of your time.” She says and Ei nods.
“I apologize for yesterday. I know this is also probably hard for you, so thanks for seeing me. I seemed to have gotten the wrong message.” She says sincerely.
Ei purses her lips. Miko reads her expression as she fiddles with her long sleeves. She looks bright, Ei likes it.
Ei’s lips purse as she sees a familiar sight behind Miko. It’s Makoto and Saiguu. She grumbles softly.
”Is something the matter?” Miko tries her best to just look at her.
Ei sighs. Miko’s eyes widen, she hadn’t expected her to be that honest.
Ei seems frustrated as she gestures behind her. Miko can vaguely make out two figures roughly whispering to each other.
“Who..?”
She eyes, one of them has purple hair, the other has white hair. Miko raises her eyebrow.
Ei lightly scratches the back of her neck. She remains silent.
Miko tries to think for a moment. “Okay, well, I won’t intrude. I just wanted to say that I was sorry.” She eventually decides.
”Maybe we can be friends, but for today I’ll be on my way—“
Ei grabs her by the sleeve, shaking her head. Miko clears her throat. “Okay.” She says.
Ei gestures again to the two figures. Miko tries to think. “Do you want to go somewhere else?” She asks. Ei nods.
Miko nods back.
”Could I?”
Ei looks at her eyes.
It seems filled with softness. Ei doesn’t get why she likes it so much. She nods.
Miko slowly takes her wrist with a light touch and Ei lets her do as she please. “We can get somewhere more private, if we’re quick.” She smiles.
Ei feels like she just swallowed a lung. Miko is looking pretty. Not that she ever isn’t. “Okay.” She says under her breath.
Miko takes her and they slip out of the campus. Bit by bit they start to walk faster, Ei allows her to take her hand. They tuck around a tree, find a crowd, and even run past familiar people.
Somehow Ei is sure Makoto had barely been shaken off.
”This is not what I had in mind.” Miko clears her throat as their hands stay intertwined.
They cross the street and Ei stops Miko.
She pulls out sleek black car keys that alert an even sleek-er and black-er Mercedes.
Miko pauses and stares for just a moment. Her plate says: Ei
Is that even allowed? Miko just stares at the car as they approach. Ei decisively opens the door for her. Miko looks at her worriedly.
Ei nods.
Miko reluctantly does so.
Ei smiles as she takes her time getting in. The car is tinted and well secured. Finally, Ei takes a deep breath in.
“I didn’t mean to pull you out so far. I wanted to apologize.” Ei says.
Miko’s eyes widen. Her voice sounds so much fuller than she recalls. It’s light and airy but seriously sweet.
She recalls Kokomi’s annoying voice. Did Miko want to date Ei?
Ei fixes up the car, her jaw line stretching as she mumbles a wait. She continues to clean up the area, her purple sweater falling off her shoulders. She can see her thin bra strap and Miko almost slaps herself.
”Like I was saying,” Ei’s voice strikes her once more.
Miko hates herself for wanting her so bad.
”No, it was my fault. I read the room wrong.” Miko says almost immediately.
”No, you most definitely read it right.” Ei says. Miko is still pretty sure she doesn’t get what it entails.
Ei feels her phone begin to buzz. Makoto is blowing it up. Ei tells Miko to quiet as she picks up one of Saiguu’s calls. “Give me a moment.” She nods.
”Tell Makoto to leave me alone!” She grumbles.
Miko sees a different part of her.
”She’s just worried, Ei.” Saiguu sounds genuinely stressed. Her voice blares through the car speakers.
“Okay, it’s fine. I’m fine.” Ei says.
“You woke up this morning without saying a single word, right?” Saiguu sighs.
Ei goes silent again. “Are you sure you’re fine? Mako asked Lumine and she said you were silent the entire day. I guess that isn’t uncommon for you but…” Saiguu continues on.
”Who are you talking to?!” Ei can hear Makoto from afar.
”I’m fine.” She repeats.
Saiguu grumbles. “Stubborn twins. Text me if you need me to pick you up.”
”Don’t bother, I’m in the car.” Ei disregards.
”With her? Alone? Since when did you allow strangers into your car?” Saiguu clicks her tongue. Ei presses her lips together.
”Can’t I do what I feel like doing for once?” She says softly.
”Ei.”
Ei rolls her eyes. “Ei.” Saiguu calls once more.
”Ei.” She says a bit stronger this time. “Listen,” She says and Ei does just that, something she is the best at.
”I don’t think you realize who you’re with. I want to trust Kokomi when she says that Yae is a trustable person but I also don’t want to risk you.”
”There is nothing wrong with her.” Ei furrows her eyebrow. “I never said there was.” Saiguu retorts.
”You implied it, apologize right now.”
Miko’s eyes widen, she shakes her head.
Saiguu takes a deep breath in. “Okay. I am sorry for implying there was something wrong with Yae.”
”I’m hanging up now.” Ei says.
”Ei—“
Miko stares at her with light bewilderment on her face, but can’t seem to question it. Ei clicks on her seatbelt and pushes the car to drive.
She pulls down the brake and backs out of the parking lot. “Where are we going?” Miko asks softly.
Ei is silent again. Miko doesn’t push it.
She’s a great driver. The ride feels so smooth. The road continues for quite a while before Miko feels the need to peep a word.
”Lavender.” She mumbles. Ei gives her a raise of the eyebrow. “I was wondering which flowers to give to you as I decided on my apology. I realized roses were too romantic, tulips seemed out of place, and asters were out of stock. So, I picked lavender instead.” Miko continues to explain.
”They turned out great, didn’t they?” She grins proudly. “Look, I’m actually sorry for being pushy. I did not expect to be in this situation so quick today, either.” Miko offers Ei a light smile.
She looks stunning in a low v-cut white long slevee with baggy jeans. Ei notes how great she looks as she continues to drive.
Miko can tell Ei likes to do things her way. She doesn’t complain.
“You look nice.” Ei opts to comment. Miko wants to pass out already. The woman was so insanely attractive.
”Thank you, you look great as well.” Miko tries to keep her calm.
Ei clears her throat awkwardly. “Are you hungry?” She asks, eyes wandering. Miko seems intrigued.
“I’m alright.” Miko says casually.
“Let me treat you to some food, as an apology.” Ei offers and Miko bites her tongue. She swallows her pride.
”Where would you like to go?” Miko keeps up her sweet smile.
”Would you mind if it was over at my place?” Ei says.
The car goes awfully silent.
Ei taps on the steering wheel. “I don’t do well in crowds.”
Miko would have to spend lunch with this woman in her house? She might as well have stabbed her thigh with a fork. The amount of self control she would need to get through this.
”Alright, as long as you’re offering.”
Ei’s smile spreads, and it’s still in that cute square shape. Miko hates herself for getting giddy.
”Perfect,”
Miko probably should have known the moment she saw Ei’s car but archons was the woman rich.
Her eye twitches as they park into a luxurious condominium. Miko feels chills just looking at how well everything is constructed. A college student was affording all of this?
Didn’t Makoto live in the dorms?
Miko wasn’t poor or anything by all means, but this was a bit ridiculous. Ei locks the car as they both exit and Miko trails behind the girl.
”Do you live by yourself?” Miko tries to be casual.
”Yes, Makoto prefers to stay on campus with Saiguu. She picked out the apartment for me.” Ei says. “She says it’s extremely private.”
Miko nods as they get into the glass elevator. There are over forty floors.
”How much is rent at a place like this?”
Ei tilts her head. “My mom owns this stretch of land. I pay rent by doing work at the company.” She clarifies.
Miko takes a deep breath in. She tries to think for a moment. Why hadn’t she known that—
“Wait, Makoto is your sister?”
Ei raises a light eyebrow. “Yes.” She answers.
”Raiden Ei,” Miko finally realizes. Right. Makoto was filthy rich. Ei was also…
”Yes, Yae Miko?” Ei responds.
”Oh, no! Nothing!” Miko clears her throat.
Miko tries to think some more, they did seem similar. She couldn’t really see it though. She shrugs it off.
The elevator beeps and they get off. The place sure does look like an upscale hotel. They walk down a long aisle with no other rooms and Ei presses her keycard onto the door handle.
It opens up like magic.
Her apartment is huge…though it was expected.
There is a huge living room against a gigantic glass window, to the corner her kitchen is just as big, and to the right there are stairs leading up to more rooms.
There are a couple of rooms to the side and a walk in closet near the entrance.
The apartment, however, is rather empty.
”It is quite bright out.” Ei comments as she takes a remote from the kitchen counter. She presses a button and the windows shade themselves. Another push of a button and the lights are on.
The place looks amazing.
There is a couch, a TV, and a coffee table across the empty kitchen.
”Make yourself at home.” Ei nods.
“Thank you, Ei.”
Ei turns around immediately, Miko doesn’t question her.
“What would you like to eat?”
”I am alright with anything.” Miko nods along. Ei lounges around before grabbing some papers off the counter. She returns back to the table before presenting a bunch of menus to Miko.
They stare at each other for a moment before Miko laughs softly. “You would like to order food?” She smiles.
Ei’s lips are pressed together rather seriously.
“I don’t know how to cook.”
Miko stops for a moment before she realizes she’s actually serious. “You live alone, don’t you?” Miko blinks at her a couple of times.
”I do…” Ei seems embarrassed. Miko seems to think for a moment. “How does noodles sound? I can make some amazing Udon.” Miko grins.
Ei’s eyes sparkle.
”Do you have any pots and pans?” Miko asks and Ei nods her head enthusiastically. “All of it was placed there by Makoto.” She mentions.
Miko nods. If Makoto would cook for Ei then for sure there would be some sufficient resource.
She pulls out a good looking pot. She opens the fridge to check for ingredients. It’s rather hollow.
She hums before taking a packet of miso, noodles, vegetables, and a pack of left over grilled pork.
Ei sits by the counter watching.
Miko smiles as she ties her hair up. Ei stares a bit too long at her neck. She turns away.
Miko begins by slicing a garlic and half an onion. She puts a tablespoon of oil into the pot and the vegetables. The spring onion and pork go in as well.
She stirs it around before pouring a cup of water into the batch. She puts a dollop of miso paste and continues to stir.
Ei stares without any comment.
Miko adds some onion powder, garlic powder, curry powder, and turmeric before closing it with the lid.
”I used to cook a lot.” Miko begins a conversation as she boils the noodles in another pot. “Kokomi and I used to spend all our money on books before I opened my own store.” She smiles at the memory.
”You’re famous for your books.” Ei mumbles. “It was a lucky break.” Miko admits as she assembles the bowl.
One for Ei and one for her.
She places the extra leftover grilled pork on top and some spring onion for colour.
”There you go.”
Ei had been waiting for about twenty minutes. Her mouth had filled with saliva just thinking about how Miko’s udon would taste.
She first takes a good sip of the soup. Her eyes widen. She continues by taking a bite of the noodles. “Miko, this is amazing!” Her mouth is stuffed as she speaks.
”Relax, it’s all yours.” Miko smiles sweetly before she takes a bite of her own creation.
Tastes nostalgic.
“Where did you learn to cook?” Ei gets into the conversation as they eat.
”Trial and error?” Miko says with a light laugh. Ei frowns, “Cooking for me is just all errors.” She says.
”I’m sure you’ll have your moment.” Miko nods.
”I once burnt down a kitchen in Makoto’s place. This kitchen has been burnt down like four times. The school kitchen has been—“
”Oh my, yeah maybe with supervision.” Miko says with a light chuckle.
”When I cooked in the school kitchen the H.E. professor oversaw every step.” Ei frowns.
Miko smiles. “Maybe it’s just a jinx.” She teases. Ei smacks her lips together as she shrugs, taking another bite.
”You’re fun to talk to, Ei.” Miko says as she has some more pork belly. “Thank you, you’re nice to talk to too.” Ei reciprocates.
Ei doesn’t realize how chatty she’s become. Miko was nice to talk to. She was calming and pretty, she made lots of the noise in her head go away. Ei enjoyed having Miko around.
“I made extra for dinner later. Makoto said to drop you off at the lab if I stayed for long enough.” Miko says.
”Thank you.” Ei accepts it.
Miko smiles, things feel bright.
”Let me know when you’re done.” Ei nods as she already cleans out her bowl. Miko is surprised as she begins trying to eat faster.
Ei taps her hand lightly. “Take your time.”
Miko feels her chest do a leap. Yae Miko wake up! She takes a deep breath in. “Okay,” She nods. “Is there anything else you want to do?”
”I have some chocolate in the fridge. They’re really good, they’re from Fontaine.” Ei says with a light blush on her cheeks. Miko seems surprised at her sudden offer.
“After we wrap up lunch,” Miko nods.
”Then maybe we can watch a movie? What do friends typically do?” Ei thinks.
”Are we friends now?” Miko smiles brightly. Ei seems embarrassed to admit it so she simply clears her throat.
”We could play a board game, just talk, enjoy each other’s presence, or watch a show.” Miko tries to think. “What do you and Kokomi do?” Ei asks as she gets up for some water.
”We..”
Gossip and talk about pretty girls.
Miko couldn’t say that.
”We talk a lot.”
Ei seems perplexed by the answer. “Talk? About what?” She mumbles.
”Life. University, money, uh personal troubles, and all the other stuff. Some funny things or things that aren’t really important.” Miko rambles.
”Why?”
Miko hums. “It’s fun and it makes me feel closer to the person I’m talking to. You get to find out so much with the way a person talks. Their personality, thinking process, and stuff like that.” She recounts.
Ei looks at her with confusion. Miko also empties her bowl faster than expected. Ei takes their bowls to the sink while Miko packs up the rest of the soup and noodles.
They silently clean up.
As soon as they’re done they both plop onto the couch.
”What now?” Miko asks.
Ei shrugs, “You’re the people expert.” She says.
”I’m not the Ei expert though.” Miko retorts. Ei frowns, “You could be.” She offers.
Miko laughs.
”Okay, sure. Let’s watch a movie then.” Miko says.
”You pick.” Ei eyes her.
”I’ll pick a fun one.” Miko winks.
Ei’s heart leaps out of her chest. What was happening to her?
Ei doesn’t expect to wake up to an empty cleaned apartment with a blanket draped over her.
She rubs her eyes. What time was it? She cusses internally.
It was eleven. She missed lab.
Ei sighs in frustration as she gets up. How did she end up sleeping again? She can barely recall, but she guesses she fell asleep as the movie played on. She bites her tongue.
Miko was quite nice.
There’s a shuffling outside that startles Ei. She cautiously turns the lights on.
The door opens.
”Miko?”
Ei’s voice isn’t something she uses as she wakes up but unbeknownst to her it comes out naturally. “Oh, did I wake? I just went to throw the trash. I made you some meal kits.” Miko clears her throat.
”It’s so late, what are you still doing here?” Ei seems thoroughly confused.
”Well, I called Makoto.” Miko clarifies. She wipes the sweat off her forehead. Ei scrambles to find the air con remote. “She told me she would handle clearing out your schedule and to let you rest so here we are.” Miko smiles sweetly.
“You didn’t have to clean up everything and cook.” Ei looks around the sparkly apartment as the aircon beeps on. “Call it courtesy.” Miko laughs airily.
Miko doesn’t know what took over her. She hates chores. She barely cleans her own room, but the thought of Ei in an empty dusty house just compelled her to do something.
“She did mention though to take you out for dinner,” Miko taps her watch. “But it’s a bit late for that.” She says.
Ei has a soft tint of red on her cheeks. “How about I treat you to a drink! As a thanks.” She can barely choke out.
She feels embarrassment creep up the side of her neck.
Miko raises a light eyebrow. “I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” She looks down at her jeans. “I have some clothes I haven’t used. You can have them if they fit.” Ei blushes.
”My, my. You must be quite raring to take me out.” Miko giggles lightly.
”You did a lot for me today. Thank you.” Ei says as sincerely as possible.
”If that is the case, then I can’t say no.”
Ei brightens up. “There’s a walk in closet to the side. Those are filled with clothes that were bought for me but I never have ended up using for one reason or another. If you need anything just come by to the room across!” Ei is basically rapping as she excitedly approaches her room at the end of the hall.
Miko grins as she nods. She fixes the last portions of the food she made as Ei hurries along.
She eventually finds herself face to face with the most ginormous closet she’s seen.
Miko pauses at all the great options, she smooths out her creased shirt as she picks a flashy purple dress.
It was low cut, backless, and was all glitz and glamour. Miko smiles.
This would be perfect.
Ei—on the other hand—didn’t have that much of an easy time. How formal was this going to be?
What was she supposed to wear? Ei purses her lips. She runs through all her white shirts, few dresses, coats, and other long sleeves.
Ei finally picks out this navy long sleeve and a cream coloured vest. She picks out some matching pants, the same tie, a watch, and a belt.
She hasn’t gotten all dressed up like this in so long. She tugs her shirt off, slipping on the long sleeve without much thought.
She sighs at the sight in the mirror.
It’s only when Ei is sitting next to her at the bar does Miko realize what is happening.
Sure, the way Ei stole glances at her on the way out was convincing—or maybe the way Ei silently stared at her as she drove them was great on her ego. But it didn’t help the fact that Miko had no clue what was going on in her mind.
She looks absolutely dashing in her suit and Miko doesn’t know why she went through all this effort to impress but with the way Ei stares at her, she knows it was well worth it.
”Do you usually go out to drink like this? You said you hate crowds.” Miko breaks the ice as Ei swirls her drink around in light confusion.
”This place is quiet. It’s nice.” Ei says, staring at the pink haired girl. Miko was pretty from the first moment Ei laid eyes on her.
But something about the way she wore that dress just clicked all the right buttons in Miko’s mind.
”I must be real special if you’re bringing me to your favourite places.” Miko teases, seeing how comfortable Ei seems to be.
Ei slightly smiles, it’s boxy and perfect. “It seems so.” She responds cryptically. “Is your drink worth the trip?” She keeps her voice low, Miko stirs.
”Half the trip.”
”And the other half?” Ei raises an eyebrow.
”This conversation.”
Ei could drink to that.
When Makoto warned her of Miko she thought the woman would be wild but with the way she sat next to Ei with peace and calmness written all over her? Ei is sure Makoto is wrong on this one.
”You look great.” Ei mumbles. “I hope the dress is fine?”
“Beyond. It’s perfect.”
Ei brightens up at that. “You can keep it. It has your name written all over it.” She looks so pleased Miko can’t bring herself to say her stupid sex joke.
She wants to spit it out. Miko wants to tell Ei that the zipper to this damned dress has her name written all over it. But she knows that second chances don’t come easily.
”Thank you.” She settles for instead.
”I am glad that we had this conversation today. I appreciate you reaching out.” Ei hums and Miko finds her cute when she’s tipsy.
”No problem, Ei. It was only right I did so. You deserved an apology.” Miko nods along, watching to make sure Ei doesn’t fall off her chair with the way her head is spinning.
“I am also sorry.”
”I know, Ei. No need to mention that. Water under the bridge.” Miko assures the girl. Ei’s lips curve just the right angle.
Gods. Miko wants to kiss her.
She almost punches herself right then and there. Makoto would probably have her head.
”Thank you.” Ei seems solemn. “For understanding all of this,” She gestures.
Miko looks at her, like really looks at her. She takes a breath in. “You musn’t thank me for something that should be a given.” She smiles. “Anyone who chooses not to understand that your circumstances are different to their own are simply lacking in the brain department.” She says so convincingly that even Ei can’t help but chuckle a little.
“I truly didn’t expect to be speaking so much.” Ei sighs softly, it’s one that’s filled with contentment. “Well, I hope you get used to it.” Miko retorts.
”I hope so too.” Ei allows herself to admit. For once she feels at peace. It’s fresh, it’s new, and it’s different.
Ei didn’t do different. But with Miko?
That was like butter to a sizzling plate. It was so easy, so simple. Words were her tool and they bent to her will.
“I honestly can’t recall what I was thinking when I had walked away that day.” Ei recounts. “I think I just let the panic hit first before anything else.” She taps her fingers onto her drink.
”I understand. I shouldn’t have been so overbearing.” Miko says as she takes a sip from her glass. The lipstick lightly smudges against it. Ei notes how glossy and perfect her lips look. Was it the alcohol talking?
”You weren’t overbearing.” Ei says lightly. Miko doesn’t look convinced.
”I promise. You weren’t overbearing.”
”Kokomi said you never wanted to experience anything like that again.” Miko tries not to let the bitterness seep through. She tries to hold her tongue, she knows better than anyone else; Ei did not deserve resentment, let alone bitterness.
”That was more of disappointment towards myself.” Ei clears her throat awkwardly. “I really did want to make friends that day.” She says a bit shyly.
Miko finds that so cute she has to pinch herself to wake up.
”What’s important is that we’re friends now.” Miko settles for instead.
Friends? The word makes her head throb. She was supposed to consider Ei a friend?
The same Ei that sat in front of her, legs crossed, with a light smile on her face. The Ei in a sleek cream coloured suit that complimented her purple hair that was braided just right. The Ei who slept so peacefully without complaint and adorably apologized for her lack of social skills?
Miko was damned.
Ei blinks a couple of time, grip on her glass loosening. “If we’re going to be friends, I should know more about you.” She says as if talking to herself.
Miko’s eyebrow raises.
”What do you major in?” Ei yawns tiredly. Miko finds that quite endearing. She saw this look of determination in her tired eyes.
”I have a double major, actually. Literature and Business Management.” She says and Ei looks impressed.
She seems to pause for a moment before settling with:
”You have all that time to go flirting with your course work?”
Miko doesn’t know if she’s joking…then again Ei never really has joked around. Miko just chuckles. “I don’t flirt around all that much, I assure you.” She says.
Ei frowns. That’s certainly not what Makoto and Saiguu had said. Unless they were lying? She should have cared to check with Kokomi.
”I didn’t mean to snoop but I pried for more information. I heard you have a lot of people after you.” Ei says as she takes another sip from her glass. Miko is sure she’s drunk or extremely tipsy.
Ei stares at Miko, her soft skin seems brighter in the dark lighting. Her lips are a perfect shape that she can’t stop thinking about. Was she going crazy?
Miko looks at Ei who seems rather spaced out.
She notes the way Ei’s belt is tight with her loop going six holes in. She doesn’t know why she memorizes that, but she does.
“You’re quite curious.” She doesn’t want to come off too strong. Not like last time.
”I have only started to realize what you meant back then about Engineer majors.” Ei nods. “And I am curious about you.” She mutters.
“What do you mean last time?” Miko knows she shouldn’t ask. She knows she should drop it and go.
Second chances are rare—she reminds herself.
”In the dorm room.” Ei says so simply. Her eyes bare into her own and Miko hates the tension coiling at her stomach.
Ei lightly shifts her weight in her seat as her eyes remain staring so openly at Miko.
“I want to know more, Miko.”
Miko is about to grab the girl and take her home, preferably on her bed. Miko knows better.
”More?” Miko should stop indulging.
”About you. I want to know everything there is to know about Yae Miko.” Ei spares her that boxy smile. That charming damned boxy smile that Miko has suffocated herself with the last twelve hours.
”Spare me some attention, please?” Ei tugs on her wrist. Her hands are much bigger.
They’re long and slim and well trimmed. The way the wrap around Miko’s wrist and softly pulls her closer is enough to make a girl crazy. Miko has to break away from staring at Ei’s firm hands and those damned fingers—Enough.
Miko decides.
She takes a breath in. “Ei, let me drive you home. You’re getting restless.” She squeezes her hand lightly.
Ei tugs her in once more, a bit rougher this time.
“Wait, just a moment.”
They stare at each other.
Miko truly expects Ei to drop her keys into her hand and follow along. Maybe just stare at her face, take her hand, or even hug her at most.
Much to her surprise none of that comes.
Ei kisses her.
Miko knows she’s fucked.