2ECONDS TO STΔRLIVHT: My Heart's Reflection/Story/Chapter 4
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Story
Two weeks later, Sumire still hasn't spoken to her old friends. Sumire assumes they'll simply try to move on like nothing happened, though she isn't bothered by this. Hakuno runs up to her after class, telling her that her advice on keeping her hair fixed up had worked. Sumire notes Hakuno has been eager for fashion advice, even considering getting a makeup kit, though it'd be too risky to take home with her.
Hakuno says she was thinking they could start putting up posters for their new club. Sumire asks if she's sure, saying that Hakuno didn't want to attract attention, suggesting they ask people they know first. When Hakuno asks who, Sumire draws a blank, not knowing other students who are LGBTQ+. Sumire says the school doesn't let just anyone put flyers up, but Hakuno suggests they do anyways in case someone still sees them. Sumire agrees to try, and the two design posters together.
After finishing a batch, Sumire and Hakuno go to put them up in the hallway. Sumire thinks it won't be long before they're taken down, but doesn't think it matters with how happy it makes Hakuno. She notes Hakuno's been very carefree since they'd first met as Hakuno accidentally pastes a poster over the exam rankings.
Hakuno feels confident putting the posters up, for what is the first time in her life, as no one had been this supportive to her for her entire life. She feels as if her dream could actually be possible with Sumire by her side. Despite this, she still feels wary, wondering if Sumire wants something out of this, and doesn't know why it's hard to look her in the eyes.
Sumire interrupts Hakuno's musing, saying it's time for class. Hakuno decides she's overthinking, and heads to class with Sumire.
At lunch, Hakuno is digging into a bento that Sumire bought for her since her parents don't let her keep any kind of money. The two discuss their efforts to find new clubmates, and Hakuno jokingly suggests they could show up out of nowhere. She is interrupted by another student throwing slurs at an intimidating-looking person, who quickly throws the jerk onto the ground. The student quickly apologizes, and the intimidating student decides to let him go. He quickly flees into the bathroom.
Sumire calls the scene terrifying as Hakuno is relieved the event is over, only to see the intimidating student in her face. They ask if she is the new kid, and asks if they could talk for a minute.
Sure?
The student thanks them, and introduces themself.
Don't hurt me!
The student seems annoyed, saying Hakuno is too much of a dweeb to be fun hurting. They quickly decide to introduce themself properly.
Sumire, save meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sumire reluctantly tries to stand up for Hakuno. The student is unamused and quickly introduces themself.
The student introduces herself as Rhyme, and says she saw the posters for their club before the student she was fighting with tore them down. Sumire confirms they are, and Rhyme says she wants to join, asking where the clubroom is. She then says she'll see them after class, giving the jerk from before a glare as he leaves the bathroom.
Sumire notes they have a new member now as the PA announces 5th period in 10 minutes. Sumire realizes she hasn't finished her lunch yet, and Hakuno has barely started on hers. She asks Hakuno if she'll be okay:
Yeah, I'll be fine.
I'll save it for later.
At 3:30 PM, school has ended, and Hakuno and Sumire head to the clubroom--an abandoned music room. As they wait for other club members, Sumire decides to ask Hakuno a few questions:
Have you seen my old friends recently?
Hakuno says she has, as Rise is still in her class, though she's been much more quiet. She's also stopped bothering Hakuno.
You're comfortable with those posters, right?
Hakuno says they need to get the word out somehow, but Sumire is worried about doing something that could put her in danger. Hakuno insists she's fine with it, seeing as how they had found Rhyme with them. Sumire asks if Rhyme is coming over soon. Hakuno thinks she is.
Do your parents know about me or anything?
Hakuno says no, but she's told Shion about her. She isn't sure if Shion has told her parents, as Hakuno doesn't speak to them much herself. Hakuno says they'd likely just see Sumire as a potential date, being obsessed with their family's prestige and having sent Hakuno to this school in the hopes she would meet someone here. Hakuno thinks it's selfish of them.
Hakuno asks why Sumire asked, and Sumire says she was curious. She asks if she could ask another question, which Hakuno says she can:
Is there anyone in your family you do trust?
Hakuno says she has an aunt who writes queer YA romance novels, having become a famous author with them. Hakuno's mother hates her, though, so they haven't spoken much recently.
What makes you the most happy?
Hakuno is caught off guard by the question, but answers that right now, it's spending time with Sumire. She quickly clarifies she just thinks it's nice to have friends to do things with, as she never had that before meeting her. Sumire notes Hakuno is blushing.
No one's said anything to your parents, right?
Hakuno says she would know, but for now no one has said anything. She brings up Sumire said the school only contacted parents in an absolute emergency, which Sumire confirms. Hakuno says her situation isn't considered an "emergency" then.
As the two finish talking, they hear a knock at the door before the person knocking opens it anyways. Rhyme announces their arrival, to Hakuno's joy. Rhyme said she had to go to her locker on the way, observing the empty classroom. She asks if they're sure no one is using it, and Sumire says they're certain. Rhyme asks if their club is official:
Uhhh no, not really.
Rhyme approves of the approach as Hakuno looks in awe.
Yeah! ...Sorta?
Rhyme asks what that means, but brushes it off as Hakuno looks in awe.
Rhyme starts talking about the kid from before who was shouting slurs at her, saying there's several others like him around here, something Hakuno is very aware of herself. Rhyme decided it'd be good for them to look out for each other and stick together. Rhyme then asks for Sumire and Hakuno's names, and the two properly introduce themselves to Rhyme.
Rhyme asks what they do here. Sumire admits to herself she hadn't thought about it, but thinks it would be a space for people like Hakuno to hang out after school. She tells Rhyme they could go out for a gathering after they recruit more members. Hakuno asks how many people they would need. Sumire says that by school standards, they'd need at least four members, though Rhyme points out it doesn't matter if they aren't an official club.
Rhyme says there's no point in worrying about numbers, but is interrupted by a knock at the door. She changes gears quickly, excited at having a new clubmate.
Sumire welcomes the new clubmate in, a timid looking student who hesitantly walks in. They say hi before the room goes awkwardly quiet. Hakuno decides to say something:
Are you lost?
The timid person says they aren't, or they don't think they are are least. Sumire says if they're looking for the LGBTQ+ club, they're at the right spot.
Here to join the club?
The timid person is relived they found the right place. and says they are. Rhyme asks if they're ok.
Looking for something?
The timid person laughs awkwardly, before trying to explain they are, in a sense. Hakuno says if they're looking for the LGBTQ+ club, they've found it.
The new person awkwardly introduces themself as Han. Hakuno asks what their pronouns are, which catches them off guard. They say no one has really asked about their pronouns, but Sumire says they can take their time. Han says they use they/them, and believes they are non-binary. They follow up that they aren't sure their pronouns are they/them, but they want to try them out.
Sumire notes that makes four club members. Han says they never felt like they belonged before, and thanks them for letting them join. The group then returns to discussing club activities.
They decide to go on an expedition. Rhyme says they could go just about anywhere, seeing as they aren't an official club, and Han says it'd have to be somewhere close by. Sumire suggests an abandoned theatre near the school, but Han asks what they'd do there. Hakuno suddenly has an idea-a picnic. The group goes silent for a moment, worrying Hakuno, before they all agree to the idea.
The group then begins figuring out when to do the picnic. Since Hakuno's parents would get suspicious if she was out after class too long, they'd need to find a day in the future they could all go. Sumire says they can wait for it, and decides to wrap up the first day of what she calls LGBTQ+ and Friends.
Rhyme says the name sucks, and Hakuno admits they didn't think of a name for the club. Sumire suggests they all say the first name that comes to mind.
Rhyme says Flaming.
Hakuno says Pride.
Sumire says Friendship.
Han says Squad.
Sumire then declares that wraps up the first meeting of the Flaming Pride Friendship Squad. Hakuno wonders if the name is ok, but Rhyme seems to like it. With the name decided, and the FPFS planning their first event, the group relax for a bit longer before they head home.
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2ECONDS TO STΔRLIVHT: My Heart's Reflection/Story/Chapter 4
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