Snap • Hananene

firecracker - [1]

— nene -

2:35...

2:36...

2:37...

Nene watched the clock above the door tick closer and closer to 2:40. Her English teacher, Mr. Tsuchigomori, was droning on about graduation and life after high school. Nene had heard the speech from every teacher in every period prior to this one. At this point in the day, she couldn't care less about the hardships to come. The only thing she was concerned about was the party tonight.

Today was May 21st, the last day of school. Every senior in the school had been anticipating tonight's party, and normally Nene wouldn't be so worked up about it beyond getting her hair done and finding a cute outfit. But this party was different, because this party had Amane Yugi.

If you asked her, Nene wouldn't be able to tell you when exactly she fell in love with Amane. For the longest time she thought it was platonic; she thought he was an incredible person and was content with being his good friend. Then one day, out of nowhere, something clicked inside her. And she couldn't get him out of her head. This had been going on for months, but if all went well tonight, it wouldn't be that way anymore.

Amane didn't normally go to parties. He was fairly reserved, introverted, was satisfied spending time alone. For him to be going to a party, especially the biggest one of all their four years of high school, was completely out of character. Nene's best friend, Aoi, suggested Nene take advantage of this and get him alone during the party to confess. If he returned her feelings, they'd have the whole summer to spend together. If he didn't, she wouldn't have to face him at school again. Nene figured she had nothing to lose by spilling her guts.

2:39...

2:40.

RRRRRRING!

Nene hurriedly packed up her supplies and picked her way through the clamoring students to meet up with Aoi outside the school. They had a lot of work to do.

-

Aoi and Nene spent the next 4 hours doing each other's hair and makeup, shopping for outfits, and just chatting before they had to show up to the party.

"Alright, enough about me and Amane," Nene giggled. Aoi was sitting behind her, braiding strands of her hair. "Let's hear about you and Akane! I'm positive he's going to confess again tonight."

Aoi sighed. "I suppose he will."

"Will you accept?"

Nene felt her hair fall against her neck as Aoi leaned back. "You know what? I might just."

"Really?"

Aoi hummed in confirmation. Now Nene was suspicious. "Out of pity?"

"Of course not!" Aoi blustered. Then she sighed again. "I don't know how to explain it. It's as if the feelings have always been there, but just recently..."

"I get it," Nene said. "There's no need to explain." After all, hadn't the same thing happened to her?

Aoi resumed styling Nene's hair. She couldn't help but be slightly jealous that the boy Aoi loved definitely loved her back. Just thinking about the possibility that Amane would reject her made her stomach churn with fear. She didn't think there was anything she wanted more than she wanted him.

— amane -

When Amane told Kou he was going to the senior party, he should've considered the fact that he would absolutely be telling Mitsuba, and that Mitsuba would be having none of it. Then he wouldn't be stuck in this dilemma.