Work Text:
The throbbing pain in my head is making it extremely hard to concentrate on the colourful characters on my screen.
Alright, that must sound confusing, so let me catch you up a little bit.
I've had a crush on Natsuki, my clubmate, for as long as I can remember.
Ever since the day the pink-haired girl came to the club with her love of manga, fiery attitude, and utter cuteness, but Natsuki doesn't like being called cute, and I'm a women of respect, of course, but I can't help my thoughts! I've been having butterflies, and if you were to ask me whether I hate it or love it, I wouldn't even be able to tell you.
What I do know, though, is that when I see Natsuki walk into the clubroom each day, I'm a blushing mess, way more giggly and hyper than usual, and my heart keeps threatening to burst out of my ribcage.
I can't even explain what it is about Natsuki that causes all of this. Part of it is the girl's sarcastic and sassy demeanor, which I hate to admit that I actually find kinda cute. (Natsuki would kill me for saying that, so don't tell her!) Or, maybe it's because, well, Natsuki is cute regardless.
She's cute all the time, though, so I'm totally screwed, ehehe.
But Natsuki is especially cute when she's happy, or talking about her interests, especially Parfait Girls, the manga series she enjoys.
Now, I have never read manga in my life. (I barely read anything at all, ehehe, but shh!). In fact, I don't even know how to read manga in the first place. It all looks so complicated, with the specific order each panel needs to be read, so I just can't. Which is a shame, because I'd be more than willing to read all of it if it meant I could see Natsuki smile.
So that's why today, when Natsuki revealed that there was an anime adaption of Parfait Girls, I lost my mind.
We were just sitting in the clubroom, as usual, and she was humming a tune. I asked what it was, and she said it was the opening to Parfait Girls. I was confused, obviously, and asked what she was talking about, and she told me that Parfait Girls had an anime adaption.
...So, I may or may not have fallen out of my chair...
Hey, don't laugh! It was painful, and I hit my head! But I couldn't stop myself, because anime is something I genuinely like, so I had just suddenly found a way to make Natsuki smile. Of course I was going to get overly excited! I'm always overly excited, especially around Natsuki, so don't judge, okay?
Anyway, now I'm sitting in my bed, my screen propped up in front of me, watching the undeniable tension between Alice and Minori and practically yelling at them to kiss. The show is actually pretty good! I wasn't expecting to like it, but it's enjoyable so far.
That's not the true reason I'm watching it, though.
But I won't admit that to anyone! I can barely even admit it to myself...
So don't tell anyone, okay? Please?
❀❀❀
I make my way to the clubroom the next day with a spring in my step, despite what's happened earlier today.
I had a math test that I had completely forgotten about, and I know I didn't do very good on it, ehehe. To be honest, I should have been studying yesterday, but I spent almost all of my day (and night, but shhh!) watching Parfait Girls. I finished the whole first season, and I can't wait to see the look on Natsuki's face when I tell her. I've even made sure to get here early today, too. Today's a Wednesday, and Natsuki is always first to arrive on a Wednesday, because she has a free period last class.
N-Not that I have her whole schedule memorised, or anything! I just listen to my friends, and Natsuki is one of them!
Like, I know that Monika has music class last period, and is usually practicing the piano, and arrives later than the rest of us. Yuri also has a free period, and typically spends it studying or reading, so she often gets carried away and stays in the library long after the bell rings.
I gently open the door, and step inside. Sure enough, Natsuki is there already, reading one of her colourful mangas.
"Natsuki!" I exclaim, hurrying over to her.
She looks up at me, a small smile tugging at her lips that she looked like she was trying to shove away. "Hey. How was your day?"
I giggle. "Alright! I've had two hours of sleep, I failed a math test, and I think my phone has a virus from trying to find a good illegal streaming site, ehehe."
Natsuki's gaze snaps up. "Wh-what? Why are you smiling about that?"
"Because all of those things are for good reason! I'm almost done season one of Parfait Girls!"
Natsuki's eyes grew wide. "Wait, you started watching Parfait Girls!?"
And just like that, it's worth it. Natsuki is grinning from ear to ear and suddenly nothing matters anymore other than her smile.
The way I've been yawning all day because I barely slept last night? The way I know I got a horrible score on that math test? The way my browser may or may not have kept crashing today? Worth it. Worth it, worth it, worth it, a million times over, because this might possibly be the happiest I've ever seen Natsuki. Her eyes are practically glowing, and her smile is so wide, and she's speaking in such an excited tone, even though I'm barely able to concentrate on what she's saying.
"You have to tell me everything!" She's squealing, "Who's your favourite character? Favourite ship? Favourite episode?"
I've never seen her this excited. There was a small part of me that was worried that she wouldn't even be happy that I watched it, that she'd be annoyed because it would mean I'd be talking to her more often, and maybe she wouldn't want that.
But those worries all dissolve as I eagerly answer her questions.
This was all worth it.
❀❀❀
It's not long after that when Monika and Yuri come in, and we begin our club activities for the day. We've begun a new activity where we share our favourite piece of literature. Today is Monika's turn, and she's telling us about her favourite romance novel.
But I'm not listening. My eyes are just on Natsuki the whole time, and I hate it. The butterflies aren't usually this strong...
And then, as I listen to Monika talk about the main couple in her book fell in love, it hits me. My mind lingers on her words.
Oh. Oh.
Love.
The way Natsuki giggled, grinned, squealed, looked so happy, glowed, talked to me in a rushed, cute, excited tone about all of the characters—
I've fallen in love with her.