Chapter Text
Watanabe You’s life used to be a simple one. She swam. She dove. She played with Chika and Kanan. Then middle school rolled around, and she was catapulted into stardom - relative stardom, for the lazy little town of Uchiura - when she found herself qualifying for the national diving team. In a small town where not much of anything happened, and where most children could swim sooner than they could walk, You distinguished herself with her ability to high-dive and swim like nobody else.
The initial rage died down after a while, and middle school seemed not so different than her younger childhood, spent with Chika (but not so much Kanan anymore), except a little more popular. Then high school came around, and it was a whole other beast entirely. It felt like a whole new stage of life. They were older but not old enough, bodies growing too quickly for their minds to catch up, stepping into the most turbulent part of their growth.
Popularity, You found, was paramount in this new period of their life. The occasional comments and compliments from middle school turned into near constant fawning, and she found herself invited to this event and that, her attention hotly competed over by all manner of students and clubs. Good athletes were dime a dozen in Uchiura, where there wasn’t anything better to do than to play outside, but athletes of You’s calibre was a rare commodity, sought after even by clubs that weren’t swimming related.
So the first year passed in relative peace. There were ups and there were downs. You got serviceable grades, and copious amounts of medals. Life was good.
Soon enough the second year came.
“It’s the Ace…” “…There she is…” “…The Ace, Watanabe You…”
You resolutely tried to ignore the awed murmurs bubbling up among the first years as she made her way through the courtyard of Uranohoshi Girls High School. It was a few weeks into the new school year, but the new students were still settling into the school setting and familiarizing themselves with the notable things about school.
To You’s abject horror, over the course of spring break someone had the bright idea to call her ‘The Ace’, a name which circulated quickly amongst the younger girls of Uchiura.
“This has to be the second most embarrassing thing I’ve had to live through,” You muttered to Chika, who was strolling brightly next to her, in stark contrast to You’s head-down-hunched-over routine. Chika tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “What’s the first?”
You felt a blush spread across her face as she watched Chika, the horrid memory resurfacing with a grimace. “Has to be the time my swimsuit broke mid-dive, right?”
It was during the inter-school meet, no less, and all the diving teams in the region (and their supporters) were there to witness the glory of You’s unbound chest. It made her want to scream every time she recalled the memory, even if she won the meet in the end.
“Oh, I dunno,” Chika’s grin widened. “I’m sure every fangirl in the stands that day had no qualms with it at all.”
“Chika!” You’s blush deepened, and she cuffed her on the ear, causing Chika to duck away after the first hit. “Stop it!”
“Make me!” Chika laughed and danced out of range of the next swipe, leaning back and giving You an energetic smile that made You’s heart skip a beat. “Come on, ‘Ace’, we’re gonna be late if you don’t pick up your pace!”
Which was rich, because Chika was the one who had to get out of bed three times because she kept falling back to sleep, causing them to depart for school ten minutes later than normal. You was perfectly on time to Chika’s place. Rather than debating that point, however, You simply shook her head in exasperation, even overlooking her calling You ‘Ace’. Somehow, if it was Chika saying it, You felt like it wasn’t that bad of a name after all.
The pair eventually made it to class just as the register started, so they got off with just a warning. Most teachers tend to be laxer on You anyway, though Chika was another matter entirely. The legendary Takami late streak was a time-honored and unbroken record in the family that Chika made sure to uphold at least once per week, resulting in a reputation for being a slacker. Which, to be fair, wasn't far off from the truth.
The classes they had that morning were English, math, and history, none of which particularly interested You. Nor Chika, judging by her napping through most of math and history. You wouldn’t call herself particularly academic - her grades were so-so, and with club activities and training taking up most of her time, she didn’t have the spare effort to bring her grades higher anyhow. So most of the time she just spaced out during classes and caught up on notes afterwards.
She only snapped back to reality when she heard the lunch bell go off, and the class was dismissed. You stretched in her seat, watching the teacher pack up and leave in a hurry - sometimes she suspected that the history teacher didn’t even like her job, judging by the speed at which she always concluded lessons. Turning to Chika, who sat behind her, she took aim and gave the snoozing girl a solid flick on the forehead.
“Guh!” Chika made an undignified noise, her head snapping back in an exaggerated reaction to You’s jab. She flailed for a moment before regaining control of her faculties, and stopped, looking around for a moment. “Ah, is class over already?”
“It is, dummy.” You rolled her eyes as Chika yawned and stretched out, rubbing tiredly at her eyes. “In fact it’s already been five minutes into lunch.”
“Mmm…” Chika smacked her lips, still working the sleep out of her system. “You, did you bring the lunch boxes…?”
Every morning You went to Chika’s house, which was on the way to school, firstly to make sure Chika was awake and ready to go to school, secondly to pick up her lunch box, prepared by Chika’s mom. It’s always been that way, for as long as she could remember.
“You know, she’s your mom, not mine. Why can’t you just get the lunch yourself?” You grumbled, though she lifted two lunch boxes up from her bag and set them on the table. One blue, one orange, color-coded for convenience. “Where are we going to eat them today? Courtyard? By the statue?”
Chika mulled the suggestions over, her face still glued to the desk. “The courtyard is too busy…”
Which was true. It had a nice atmosphere, but with You’s popularity the two of them would be swamped by adoring fans in an instant.
“The statue is surrounded by gross couples…”
You blushed. Also true, there was something about the locale that attracted couples to it like moths to a fire. Part of the reason why she suggested it, but moving on.
“…Besides, I’m tired… can’t we just have it here?” Chika mumbled, lazily putting up her index finger, pointing at the classroom. “It’s convenient.”
“Usually you’d be jumping to have lunch somewhere new.” You looked oddly at Chika. She was acting a lot more lethargic than normal… “Are you sick? Did you not get enough sleep?”
“Just a little…” You sighed at Chika’s vague response, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “When did you sleep, Chika?”
“Uh…” Chika drifted off into silence for a while. “…Three?”
“Three… A.M.?!” You blanched. That late? It was a wonder Chika could even get up, let alone get to school on time! “What the heck were you doing up at three in the morning?”
“Eheheh… well…” Chika laughed nervously, edging away from You slightly. “Playing… a video game…?”
“You were gaming? Until three?!” You glared at her. There was a limit to irresponsibility, and Chika was almost crossing the line considering how poorly she did at school normally. Chika being this functional after gaming until three was nothing short of a miracle.
“Well… yeah?” Chika tried to laugh it off, but quickly fell silent when You’s look of annoyance persisted. Folding her arms in front of her chest, Chika looked away shiftily, avoiding eye contact with You. “T-To be fair, it’s a really fun game. Like, it’s actually amazing.”
“Is it, now?” You raised an eyebrow.
“It is!” And suddenly Chika was excited, nodding her head enthusiastically. “In fact, I’ll send you a link when I get home! You should try it! It’s great!
“Well— I guess?” You blinked at Chika’s sudden enthusiasm. Oh well- at least she wasn’t lazing about anymore. “But seriously. Lunch. I don’t want to mess up my desk… how about the roof? Not many people go there, I don’t think.”
“Okay!” Chika said brightly, jumping up to her feet. You sighed again, smiling in bemusement. At least Chika was back to normal. “Come on, slowpoke! Lunch’ll be over by the time we start eating!”
“And who’s fault would that be, I wonder…” You sighed as she picked up her lunch box and followed Chika out of the classroom.
As per usual, the duo of Chika and You attracted many glances their way, alongside the regular hushed comments.
“Why is that plain girl with Watanabe…” “Who is she anyway? Looks boring…” “I wish I could eat lunch with the Ace…”
You grimaced. It was always like this. Somehow they had decided that Chika, a girl they probably never spoke to in their entire life, was boring, and just like that she wasn’t worthy of eating with You. It made You sick to the pits of her stomach. Chika knew it did, too, and often she was the only thing stopping You from giving Chika’s detractors a piece of her mind. And possibly her fists. And possibly a grapple and a throw because You knew a little bit of Judo.
“Don’t mind them,” Chika said, breezily. “Sticks and stones, You. Sticks and stones.”
“It just… pisses me off. They don’t even know how great you are.”
It always infuriated You how they regarded Chika with so little respect, like just because she wasn’t a star athlete like You that she was somehow completely unimportant. And it infuriated You how Chika never did anything about it, always sweeping the insults and vitriol under the rug with a smile and a shrug.
“It doesn’t really matter.” Chika smiled, grabbing You by the wrist and pulling her along quickly, out of earshot of the muttering and the crowds. “I’m happy you think that way, but it’s not a fight worth fighting, you know?”
You clenched her fist, then unclenched it when Chika squeezed her wrist, the tension melting from her limb. “I just hate it when people say bad things about you.” She muttered, glancing up at Chika. “Cuz you’re such an amazing person.”
Immediately she blushed from what she had said, and clapped a hand over her mouth so she would stop blabbing and say something she’d regret. Instead she quietly let herself be pulled along, up the stairs to the roof.
Coming out of the building, You was blinded momentarily by the bright sunlight — it was one of the reasons why people didn’t eat on the roof. It wasn’t as comfortable as other places might be. But with an omni-present breeze and a perfect view, it honestly wasn’t a bad place to eat, either. You withheld a giddy smile at the thought of her and Chika eating together, the two of them alone, in a place like this.
Except, they weren’t alone. Someone was already there.
A pale girl, with long, dark blue hair, was sitting in a corner, her dull rosy eyes glued to the screen of the laptop in front of her. She was a first year, judging by her uniform, so it made sense that You didn’t know who she was, but even more than that, it felt like You had never even seen her around school before.
You stared at her for a while, not sure what to make of her. Every so often the girl’s hand would move from the laptop to a bento box next to her, lifting some small amount of food to her mouth then quickly return to the laptop. She seemed completely unconcerned with the two people who had arrived on the rooftop, continuing to tap away at her laptop.
You glanced at Chika, who was setting up her lunch in an opposite corner. “Come on, You, what’re you waiting for?”
“Coming.” You gave the girl one last look before joining Chika, sitting down next to her and pulling out her own lunch. As she unwrapped the sandwich prepared for her, she searched for a topic to chat with Chika about, eventually deciding to continue the previous conversation topic. “So… Chika, what’s the game you were playing last night about?”
“Oh! Immortal Legend!” Chika’s eyes shone again, and You had the niggling sensation that she had opened up Pandora’s Box. “Well, you see, it’s a fantasy MMORPG. It’s centered around a war between Heaven and Hell, and players can pick sides between angels and devils - I’m an angel, by the way - and fight for dominance of the mortal world.”
“Uh huh. Sounds, um…” Generic. “Interesting.”
“Right?!” Chika beamed, and You for some reason found herself a little jealous. Chika was never that enthusiastic about You. Then she blinked. She was jealous. Of a video game. Get a grip, Watanabe.
“Oh, but the major charm point is the character creation, and the unique combat system. See, they have this new customization engine that lets you create practically any appearance, down to designing your own hairstyle! And the combat - you can chain together your own combos from a wide range of melee and magical attacks, creating your very own custom combat styles…”
You, not nearly as avid a gamer as Chika, slowly tuned her friend out as Chika rambled on and on about invincibility frames and spamming R1. Looking to one side, You almost choked on her sandwich when she noticed the girl in the corner staring straight at them, a scarily intense expression on her face. Her eyes seemed like they would burn holes into Chika’s head with how focused the girl was.
She almost looked like a doll, from a distance, with her slim frame and delicate features, especially with her flat lifeless eyes and porcelain skin. There was an otherworldly aura to her, like she didn’t quite mesh with the air around her. She definitely didn’t feel like she belonged with the rest of the students at Ura Girls High.
You found herself getting increasingly distracted, until she felt a sharp jab in her side, prompting her to turn around, finding Chika right in her face, barely centimeters away. Immediately she blushed bright red, and fell backwards with an undignified squeak.
“What’re you looking at?” Chika grinned cheekily, following You’s gaze to the girl, who seemed to have lost interest in them and returned her attention to the laptop. She gasped, and with a broad grin, she turned towards You. “Oh my~ You, have you got a crush~?”
“What!” You squeaked, shaking her head vigorously. “No, I just… she was looking at us.”
Chika snickered mischievously. “Sure she was.”
“Chika!” You glared at her, her face bright red. Her voice was an octave higher than usual. “Cut it out!”
Abruptly, the strange first year stood up, snapping her laptop shut and walking towards the rooftop door. You and Chika stopped their shenanigans, watching her leave. As the door shut behind her, Chika glanced at You. “Your crush is kinda weird.”
“She’s not my crush!” You cried, trying to ignore the screaming in her head that Chika was her crush. Sitting up properly, she cleared her throat, recovering some of her composure. “Anyway, Chika, do you know who she is?”
“Not a clue!” Chika said. “I don’t really know that many first years.”
“Hmm,” You hummed, staring at where the girl sat. “Oh… she left her lunchbox behind.”
Standing up, she ran over to the corner and picked up the box, looking it over for a name.
“You can probably still catch her if you run,” Chika commented, walking up behind her. “I can pack up here. You can go return the box.”
“Cool. Thanks, Chika!” You gave her a grin before she took off, charging down the stairs. Running down the stairs was technically against the rules, but You could get away with it, mostly. True enough to Chika’s prediction, the girl was still slowly winding her way down the stairs.
“Hey! Excuse me, you left your lunch box!” You yelled down the stairwell, and the girl stopped, turning to look up at her with a strange expression on her face. Was it surprise? You could swear that she looked almost afraid, for whatever reason.
Stopping in front of her, You held up the lunchbox awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. “Uh. The box says your name is, um…” She checked the box label again. “…Tsushima Yoshiko?”
“My name is Yohan- ngh…” The girl flinched, gritting her teeth. “—Yoshiko. yes.”
“You left your box.”
“Um. Right.” Yoshiko took the box in her hands. “Thanks. Uh, Watanabe.”
She nodded awkwardly, and after lingering for a moment longer, turned away and ran down the flights of stairs, practically fleeing, and disappearing out of sight.
“Yoshiko.” You repeated under her breath, staring at the spot where Yoshiko was for a moment before heading back to the rooftop, her mind preoccupied by a porcelain girl, with raven hair, and rosy eyes.
“How’s your girlfriend?”
“Shut up, Chika.”