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Another bouquet of flowers.
To be more specific, another bouquet of beautiful blue dyed roses.
The vocalist had been receiving one after every live for some time, but she had no idea who sent them or why. She just happened to find them in CiRCLE's dressing room when she and the other members came back from their performance to everyone's surprise (Lisa's curiosity in particular), not to mention they initially weren't sure who the bouquet was for.
It had no notes or letters attached, so they figured it was just for the band from their fans or maybe another girls' band, like Poppin'Party or Afterglow, that would have been largely plausible. But when they were about to leave the live house, Marina-san called Yukina out to inform her that the bouquet was meant for her.
Despite the fact the vocalist was supposed to have some kind of reaction, she just kept her trademark blank face and just nodded while, behind her, Rinko and Ako were pretty confused, Sayo was probably still processing the matter, since she was so silent, and Lisa was clearly the happiest, literally jumping with something between a cheerful smile and a smirk on her lips, for no understandable reasons.
Actually, the reason the bassist was so happy about it became obvious in a short time: teasing her, she should have seen it coming.
The third time she received a bouquet, Lisa suggested the sender could be a secret admirer, which Yukina just nodded at since she just didn't care at first. She appreciated the kindness of course, but she had no intention to put too much thought into it.
Unlike her, the bassist clearly had the desire to put a lot of thought into it, so she started talking no stop about who the sender could be anytime she had the chance, that was why Yukina started to sincerely hate the fact they were neighbors lately.
"I really envy you, it's so romantic! Ahh, who could it be?~ Kasumi? Hm, Ran maybe? You know flower arrangement, tsundere vibes.. it could really be her! I should ask Moca~"
This, or similar stuff, was what Lisa had been saying lately, but most times Yukina just ignored her and kept walking straight to her childhood friend's disappointment.
Another bouquet.
It wasn't that it bothered her, she liked it very much, blue roses were Roselia's symbol after all, she even put the bouquet in her room each time she received one. No, it wasn't a bother for sure. Actually, it was more like a curiosity. Sure, it was true at first she didn't care at all, but she slowly started to give it some serious consideration, regardless it was just because of Lisa's influence, or so she said to herself.
Why would anyone send a bouquet to her in the first place? Not to mention it wasn't just one bouquet, but one each live, and they performed pretty often.
Why would anyone go that far for her? It would make more sense to do it for Lisa or Ako, who openly expressed their appreciation, even Rinko or Sayo would make a better option in that sense. She just couldn't understand why.
The tenth time she received a bouquet, it didn't come alone. There was (finally) a note attached to it, but it didn't say much.
"Thank you for your hard work" it said.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Lisa was a little disappointed. At that point, she was 100% sure the bouquets were from a lover, not that Yukina could understand why she was this confident, so let's just say this note wasn't what she needed to tease her.
"It's just a supporter who loves Roselia's sound or my voice in particular, I told you."
Yukina was neither happy nor let down, she was fine with that version of the story, but Lisa clearly wasn't. The vocalist didn't know how many times she had said that to her, but the bassist never let go of her romantic version of the story.
"They're just shy, you'll see!"
The twentieth time she received a bouquet, another note was attached to it. Actually, since the first time she received that "shy note" (that was how Lisa called it) each bouquet had a typewritten note attached to it. Yukina kept them all in her desk drawer, despite the fact she told the other members otherwise.
It's not that she wanted to hide them from her bandmates, it was just that she didn't want to be teased forever, or so she said to herself.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you for this thrilling live."
"Thank you for your music."
"Thank you for Determination Symphony."
"You have an impressive stage presence."
"R's rhythm it's so powerful."
"When I'm sad, I listen to your music."
"Sanctuary's lyrics make me shiver."
"I'm in love with your voice."
"I hope Roselia never disbands."
"I'm not in love with just your voice."
When she read the last one, the vocalist felt her chest tighten. As someone could figure, Lisa totally lost her mind to that note, now it was obvious that this person was in love with her, Yukina still couldn't believe it.
Not knowing how to react, she turned towards the other girls in the dressing room, but it was of no help since Ako was cheerfully clapping for her (just.. why?), Rinko was a blushing mess and Sayo was just averting her eyes.
"Mou, Yukina~ I knew it!" Lisa said with a smirk, resting her hands on the vocalist's shoulders "now I just have to check if it's actually Ran to win my bet with Moca!"
Despite Yukina’s disagreement, Lisa really checked if it was Ran, but unfortunately for the gyaru she wasn’t, so she lost the bet and now owed Moca 3.000 yen.
Another live, but this time.. no bouquet.
It wasn't that she was sad about it, unlike Lisa immediately suggested. "I don't care", she repeated it ad nauseum. So no, it definitely wasn't that. It was just that she didn't expect her secret admirer to miss this performance in particular, since they worked so hard on their new track. Well, there was another reason, actually.
"Yukina, you okay? You seem down.." Lisa asked her in concern on their way home.
"I'm fine."
"Nee, if it's for the missing bouquet--"
"I said I'm fine" she simply dismissed the topic, then she quickened her pace to not have to listen to her best friend. She wouldn't have admitted to her that she was disappointed even under torture, she still had pride.
"Wait-- Yukina!"
Actually, the other reason was just that the next day was her 18th birthday.
--- BanG Dream!! ---
The next day, when she reached CiRCLE, Yukina was greeted by a rain of purple confetti.
Sure, she kept her straight face and seemed unfazed, but actually she was really happy that her friends were there for her, so her lips slightly curved into a smile.
"Happy Birthday!!" the four of them cheerfully said together, but then..
"Yukina!~"
"Yukina-san!~"
"Y-Yukina-san.."
"Minato-san."
She just couldn't help but chuckle at her band’s mess.
"Mou, Sayo! I asked you to use her name, for God's sake!" Lisa scolded her, to everyone's disbelief. This scene was new to them all.
"I can't do it so suddenly and without Minato-san's consent" the guitarist defended herself, crossing her arms with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"I can't believe it, why are you always so formal!? How many times do I have to tell you we're all close friends!" she complained, but Sayo just ignored her so the bassist sighed and gave Yukina her gift instead, catching back her attention since she was looking at all the cat-shaped decorations in the room in amusement.
The small kitten-themed party Roselia held for Yukina really made her happy, actually so much that she hugged her members one by one, and she totally wasn't the physical type.
After the party, the band rehearsed as always, then they finally parted ways, even Yukina had to part with Lisa because the bassist had a shift.
When she reached her house, she took off her shoes and her school uniform's tie and just relaxed on her soft bed. She was home alone.
Actually, she didn't know what to do, so she just checked her phone, which was full of messages from the other girls wishing her a happy birthday, while she hummed something.
This until she suddenly heard the bell ring.
She lazily reached the door and opened it without much thought, but she would have never expected to find herself in front of a beautiful bouquet of blue dyed roses.
"What--"
"You shouldn't open the door without making sure that's someone you know.."
This voice..
".. Minato-san."
The bouquet was slowly lowered, so Yukina could finally look at the person behind it.
"Sayo..?"
"Happy Birthday, Minato-san" she said with the softest expression the vocalist had ever seen on her face, gently handing her the bouquet.
She was unquestionably cute.. but something didn't sit right with Yukina.
What in the world was Sayo doing on her doorway, with a bouquet of roses in hand, when they had seen each other just thirty minutes before or even less!?
But most importantly, why that kind of bouquet? Was Sayo taking pity on her?
"Sayo.. I don't understand."
"I know.. please let me explain the situation clearly so that there's no misunderstanding."
Yukina accepted the bouquet in confusion, then she let her in and carefully observed Sayo's body language while waiting for her to speak.
The guitarist was clearly nervous, her hands were visibly shaking while her breath was irregular, this made Yukina worry. Was she ok?
"I-It’s always been me.. the one who sent you the bouquets.. I'm sorry.."
"What..?"
Yukina blinked, then blinked again. She was waiting for Lisa to come out of nowhere and tell her this was a silly birthday prank or something, but she never came.
Wait, maybe she fell asleep on her bed and this was just a not-so-platonic dream? She had retired home pretty late after all. It would make more sense, for God's sake! Sayo was clearly the last person she had in mind when she tried to guess the secret sender's identity, no offense.
"Minato-san..?"
"That was really you..?" she asked, her voice was full of insecurity while her mind was a mess. Was that really Sayo?
Actually, the problem wasn't with the bouquets.. it was more with the notes.. the last one in particular. If that really was her.. then it meant..
"I'm not in love with just your voice."
Sayo just nodded, then stepped forward. Now that she was closer, she cleared her throat and hid her hands behind her back. Yukina wasn't ready for this, her heart had stopped at some point in anticipation.
"Minato-san, I'm in love with you, not in a platonic way as I initially assumed I was. I'm in love with you in a very romantic way."
"S-Sayo.." Yukina wasn't making eye contact, also she had the bouquet in her left hand while the right hand was hiding her heavy blush. Sayo really managed to fluster her.
"Yes, Minato-san?" unlike her, the guitarist was surprisingly calm now, her voice very gentle.
"Since when..?"
"I think it was since we first met."
"I'm sorry.. I should have noticed you were.."
"Minato-san--"
".. but somehow I'm happy it's you rather than someone I don't know.. no, I'm just happy it's you" she eventually corrected herself as she hid behind the bouquet.
The vocalist was flustered as hell, her face had never been a mess like it was now, but she was actually really happy. She smiled softly, then chuckled at Sayo's confusion.
"Minato-san..?"
"Thank you for your love, Sayo."
"H-Huh? Er.. n-no problem I guess?"
Yukina chuckled again, this really was awkward.
"I'm relieved that you are taking this so well" the guitarist chuckled back, then raised an eyebrow when she noticed Yukina had stepped dangerously closer and was now on her tips.
"Minato-san!?"
The vocalist smiled softly (actually, it was more of a smirk), then she closed her eyes and gently kissed Sayo on the cheek.
"This is a reward for your loyalty."
"A-Ah t-thank you!" Sayo panicked, now she was the one blushing.
Yukina chuckled again, then went back to her previous position to ask Sayo something.
"I'm really curious.. how did you come up with the bouquet idea?" she asked while admiring and carefully touching the beautiful roses in her hand.
"I-I.. well you see.. er.. originally I didn't plan to send so many bouquets to you.." she was looking down, clearly flustered "it should have been just one.. but when I saw you smiled at it and even brought it home with you.. I wanted to see more of that.. that's all.."
"Why the bouquet? Why not something else? Like cookies?"
"The first time I sent you one.. we had a very important live to attend, do you remember?"
"I do, keep going."
"Well.. I noticed you were very anxious.. you said you were fine but I didn't buy it.."
"You're right, I was. I was anxious because I didn't know if our fans would have liked Song I am, even if we put so much effort into it."
Sayo nodded, she had calmed down. "I wanted you to know that it was impressive and powerful, but I didn't think you would have taken me seriously."
"You're wrong, I highly value your opinion, Sayo" the vocalist slightly frowned.
"I know.. but I'm insecure."
"I know you are, you silly" this comment made the guitarist blush, but she kept talking anyway.
"Er.. on my way to CiRCLE someone gave me a promotional flyer, it was from a cute flower shop in the area. Since the concert was still two hours away, I decided to take a look.. I was greeted by a girl who suggested that I should have given a bouquet to my girlfriend."
"She's really got you all figured out" Yukina chuckled, then apologized to Sayo's "hey!".
"Anyway.. in the end I admitted I had a crush on someone, also that she was a girl, so she showed me the bouquets in the store. As soon as I spotted the blue dyed roses I decided I'd send them to you" she lowered her voice in the last part, scratching her neck sheepishly.
Yukina's lips slightly curved into a smile, she knew the reason behind Sayo's pick. Blue roses, which meant to accomplish the impossible, were in fact Roselia's symbol.
The vocalist figured that from the guitarist's perspective Roselia was the most important thing in Yukina's heart, so that was why she picked that bouquet in particular.
It was true Roselia was her raison d'être without question, but maybe in her heart there was room for something else now, or rather someone else.
"Excellent choice" she just commented, Sayo let out a heavy breath. "Hm, what about the notes? I think I know why you prevented handwritten notes, but why didn't you write them from the start? You could have at least written my name.. or Minato-san" the last word sounded more like she was mocking Sayo's firm voice.
"I'm very sorry, Minato-san! A-Actually.. I was so nervous that someone could find out I was the sender that I completely forgot to mention it was for you!" she suddenly bowed at some point in the speech, giving Yukina a fright.
"Then how did Marina-san.. oh, I think I know."
"I asked her to put the roses in Roselia's dressing room during the performance, so that no one could suspect it was me since I was performing with you all" she said sheepishly, now making eye contact with Yukina "she noticed I have forgotten to write your name so she took care of the situation. I don't know if I'm happy about it or not.. maybe if she hadn't told you anything I would have stopped at the first bouquet.."
"Then I'm happy she told me it was for me" Yukina immediately voiced her opinion, it made Sayo smile softly. "Thank you, Sayo."
"Er.. I-I have to go home now.. you know Hina is waiting for me.. I don't want her to call the local missing persons' center again.." she crossed her arms and turned to the side.
"Wait.. what do you mean again?" Sayo sighed heavily to Yukina's question.
"The police station downtown knows me as the missing onee-chan, you don't have to know anything else" her trademark serious expression made it even more hilarious.
"Wow, Hina is totally on another level."
"I-I'll leave now, see you tomorrow!" Sayo left so quickly that Yukina didn't process it, really.
Then, she was left alone with the flowers.
Another bouquet.
To be more specific, another bouquet of beautiful blue dyed roses from the person who loved her the most.
She placed it on her desk, sat on her chair and started to carefully touch the soft fabric the roses were made of with her fingertips. Her mind was initially focused on the flowers, but then it moved to the sender.
Sayo.
Sayo Hikawa.
Roselia's guitarist.
A dear friend of mine.
The bouquets' secret sender.
A person who loves me romantically.
A person I truly respect.
A person I trust.
A person I like.
A person I..
She sighed, this was so difficult to accept. If it were someone she didn’t know, or someone she liked just as a friend or a rival, like Kasumi or Ran, it would have been easier.
But the fact that it was Sayo made it significantly complicated, because it made her realize she had some kind of feelings for the guitarist, feelings she always categorized under the "friendship" label. So, what was she supposed to do now that she had opened her eyes?
Also, she realized that she didn't properly answer Sayo's confession, she just thanked her with a smile. Had she always been this dumb? She had to facepalm to herself.
Then, her gaze moved back to the flowers.
Stupid.
--- BanG Dream!! ---
"Ahh Yukina-chan, hello! Was it a happy birthday yesterday? Hm? Sayo-chan? She's already here practicing by herself.. wait, so the bouquets-- hey, wait! Ahh nevermind, see you later!"
When she reached the door, Yukina stopped in her tracks to listen to the guitarist who was playing Sanctuary's last chorus.
"Sanctuary's lyrics make me shiver."
To be fair, Sayo was the one who sent shivers running down her spine whenever she performed whatever song. But the teal-haired secret bouquets sender didn't need to know this.
She wrapped her hand around the doorknob, then quietly turned it to open the door. She spotted Sayo sitting on a folding metal chair still playing, so this meant she hadn't felt her presence. The vocalist let out a breath of relief, then made her best to not make a sound as she approached the guitarist from behind. She couldn't help but think "seriously Sayo, who the hell rehearses facing the wall instead of the door when there's no one else in the room? Just, why?"
Then, when she was close enough, Yukina stretched out her arms and put her tiny hands on Sayo's eyes. She noticed the guitarist had jumped a little, but she didn't stop playing to call her out. Actually, she finished the song first.
"Minato-san?" sadly, Yukina couldn't see her expression, but she could tell she was happy since her voice sounded like she was giggling.
"Correct, my loyal knight" she smiled as moved her hands away to let the guitarist turn around.
"Loyal knight? Are you in the mood for playing Neo Fantasy Online or something?" the former taller girl (since Yukina was taller for once) turned around, she had a very cute expression.
"No thanks, I still can't remember the commands correctly" she chuckled, then she pulled something out of her school bag, catching Sayo's attention. It was a single blue dyed rose, the same kind Sayo had been sending her after each live for months.
"Minato-san?" the teal-haired girl was a bit confused, but her tone did not hide neither her happiness nor her curiosity.
"I'm sorry. When you confessed to me last night, I just thanked you without giving a proper answer. I want you to know my feelings" she kindly offered the rose to the other girl.
"N-No, it's fine! You don't have to!" Sayo slightly panicked, shaking her hands midair. What? Was she thinking that Yukina would pretend nothing happened? No way.
"Sayo, please."
The guitarist sighed to Yukina's determined expression, she couldn't say no to her.
"F-Fine" she said as she carefully held the rose in her hands to not hurt herself with the thorns or damage the fabric flower, it seemed very fragile.
Meanwhile, Yukina had stepped forward and was now standing between Sayo's legs, hands on the guitarist's shoulders.
"Minato-san?" Sayo called out after some time.
Yukina heard her, but she suddenly felt her throat was too dry to speak. Why was it this difficult? How did Sayo manage to confess first? She was totally losing her mind despite the fact she knew for sure that her love wasn't unrequited, or maybe that was the true reason.
"Hey."
That "hey" Sayo softly whispered was what made her remember why she loved the guitarist. When they were together, she felt safe, comfortable. Sayo sure was a kind person, but with Yukina it was another story.
Unlike her other friends, she could always tell what the vocalist was thinking. Since they were so similar, they could understand each other the most. When she didn't feel like doing anything with the other members, Sayo would always know, so she never pushed her.
She had saved the vocalist thousands of times after all. Also, maybe it was rude to say, but she was objectively the only one in the band who truly shared her determination regarding music, the only one who would suffer like her if they ever disbanded.
Maybe.. the only one who would stay no matter what..
She lowered her now teary gaze to meet Sayo's bright green eyes. She was there, quietly waiting for Yukina to say something with a calming smile, she clearly knew the vocalist was nervous.
Yukina slowly ran her hands up the guitarist's shoulders, reaching her face which she gently caressed, Sayo didn't dare to move.
"I-I have no experience with love.. but.. if it's you.. maybe I don't mind.." she significantly lowered her voice, her initial boldness was totally gone in front of that pair of eyes.
Sayo chuckled in response, making Yukina blush heavily now that she acknowledged what the hell she had said. To think she didn't sleep to compose the perfect speech..
"You're shy, aren't you?"
"N-No.. I'm not--" she stopped her sentence when she felt something soft brushing against her nose, it was the rose she had given to Sayo earlier.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a slight giggle since the rose tickled her.
"Can't you see? I'm making you laugh."
"Moron.. I was serious" she frowned as if to pretend she was mad, but it was no use since she immediately smiled when she felt Sayo's hands had reached her hips.
"Watch your hands."
"You started it."
Yukina ran out of counterarguments quickly, so she just moved her hands back to the guitarist's eyes to win the discussion anyway.
"Hey, no fair."
"It's your fault if I can't speak."
"Minato-san?" her hands slightly tightened the grip on her hips, sending shivers down Yukina's spine as they progressively ran up her body.
"H-Hm?"
"I'm in love with you."
"I know."
"Like you, I have no experience with love. I know I'm not the person you deserve, but I want to selfishly ask you this anyway. Minato-san, would you like to--"
Sayo couldn't finish her sentence because her lips were suddenly captivated in a soft kiss. Yukina, despite all her pride, couldn't have had the courage to kiss her if she were making eye contact with the guitarist. It lasted just a matter of seconds, then the vocalist quickly withdrew.
Sayo however, despite her initial shock, immediately regained consciousness and pulled the vocalist so much closer that now she was basically sitting on her lap, then kissed her back. Then, Yukina's hands left the guitarist's eyes, holding her face firmly instead as they kissed.
When their lips eventually parted, they were both out of breath, so they stayed close, sensing the other's breath on their own lips.
"Pervert" Yukina whispered with the straightest face she could manage as she covered her mouth with her arm, she was blushing heavily.
"Huh? You kissed me first!"
"Look where I am then tell me you’re not a pervert."
"Do you hate it?" she lowered her voice, hard to tell if she was actually insecure or was just making a good use of her lower pitch.
"That's not the point.." she slightly frowned, looking away. She didn't like to be flustered like this, her original plan was to tease Sayo, not to be the one teased!
"Minato-san."
"Hm?"
Yukina looked back to her, her smile was the softest expression she ever witnessed on a person, she had to specify this since cats were on another level anyway.
"Thank you."
Yukina had no idea what love actually was, but if you were to ask her opinion, she had no doubts now. Her relationship with Sayo was love for her.
In the end, Roselia's members showed themselves when the two had actually started rehearsal, so that they could maintain their relationship secret for a little more.
It wasn't because they didn't want to tell them, it was just because it was kind of intimate to have their own secret moments, especially since they were both so private.
Actually, the secret didn't last a week.
--- BanG Dream!! ---
Another bouquet.
To be more specific, another bouquet of beautiful blue dyed roses from the person who she decided to spend her life with.
"You remembered."
She kindly handed it to her, then softly spoke.
"It's my wife's birthday, how could I not remember?" she said, then stepped forward.
"Sayo? What--" she barely screamed when the taller girl lifted her up with her arms. "Hey!"
"Happy Birthday, Minato-san" she teased.
"Yukina! It's Yukina! We're married, moron!" she protested, with the bouquet in her left hand, while her right hand was weakly hitting Sayo's shoulder, the guitarist just chuckled in response. She was used by now to this bickering they always had in private.
They knew that, from an outsider’s perspective, they could appear cold with each other, but the truth was they were really soft and affectionate when they were just the two of them.
"If you don't say it correctly, you're going to sleep alone for the next two years."
"That much?"
"That much."
"Alright then" she said without losing her playful smile, then she put the vocalist down, hands behind her back. This felt very familiar somehow.
"Happy Birthday, Yukina."