be loud and proud (too loud)
"Oh crap, it's time to go already." Maki mutters, clicking her box shut and sliding her chopsticks back into place. The chatter of students in the second-year's classroom – their designated lunch spot for the day, having been alternating each week where to go for their (Honoka named) 'Special µs Lunch Gathering' – is a comfortable constant.
Nico looks up from where she's been attempting to weasel a piece of chocolate away from Eli for the past five minutes. "You have a meeting?"
Distracted with straightening her blazer, Maki nods and picks up her utensils before leaning over and placing a quick kiss on Nico's forehead. "Yeah, and I'm five minutes late. I'll see you at practice, love you."
She's taken five steps away before she realises the gravity of what has just been said and done. Ears burning, she freezes in place, waiting for the inevitable.
Loud hooting and yelling can be heard from the table she has just vacated, the raucous cacophony of noise drawing the attention of the students who surround them.
"Did you see that, Kayo-chin? Look at how sweet Maki can be!" Rin can be heard crowing loudly.
Honoka cheers in delight. "Aw, how sweet!"
"Do the two of you have to have such shameless displays in our classroom?" Umi's cry of outrage would be fearsome if not for the embarrassed quake in her tone.
"They grow up so fast, Elicchi." Nozomi adds in, tone sly and teasing.
Amongst the voices of the more vocal members however, there is a noticeable absence. Unable to help herself, Maki turns back around, curious about Nico's reaction.
Her girlfriend is silent, a flustered blush on her cheeks, stunned into uncharacteristic stillness. Some part of Maki notes that she should remember this for the future, because seeing Nico is too adorable to handle when embarrassed and caught by surprise. The rest of her just becomes even more embarrassed, because if the usually-shameless Nico is experiencing embarrassment then it must have been really bad.
Nico looks up, and when she catches Maki's gaze a peculiar expression settles on her face.
"What?" Maki asks, and despite the distance and loud chatter from their friends she knows Nico can read the words from her lips.
A sudden smile spreads across Nico's lips. It's one Maki is very familiar with, one she knows spells nothing but trouble. It's a smirk, one full of mischief, and Maki has always been Nico's favourite target.
Cupping her mouth with her hands, Nico yells in her direction, "I love you too, Maki-chan!"
There's a momentary silence before the loud cheering and hooting from the rest of µs recommences, filled with lots of teasing winks and waves.
"Yeah, we love you Maki-chan!"
"We love you!"
"Come back soon!"
Face burning, try as she might Maki can't stop the smile from spreading across her face. Raising a hand to cover her face, she shrugs and turns away. "Well, it's not like I like all of you."
"That's right, you love Nico!" Rin, the traitor chimes back in response.
Maki begins to head for the door. "You know what, no. I'm late. Goodbye."
"Wait, Maki!"
Ignoring the cries of her friends (who she should really, honestly look into replacing before they halve her lifespan out of sheer embarrassment), Maki heads out of the classroom and slides the door shut. She's halfway down the corridor when she hears the door open again, and the rapid tap of shoes in the hallway before her wrist is grasped.
Forced to turn around, Maki catches a glimpse of Nico's cheeky smile a moment before the other girl slams into her, wrapping her arms tight around her.
"Oof!" Surprised by the sudden hug (except not really, because part of Maki had been waiting – anticipating – this), Maki automatically reciprocates it because Nico gives the best hugs. Maki tugs them to the side of the hallway so they're not in the way of passing students.
"What is it? I really have to get to my meeting." She really doesn't want to know how late she'll be.
Looking up from where she had buried her face against Maki's shoulder, Nico tightens her hug. "Just wanted to say I love you too, and I hope your meeting goes well." Her tone is sincere and her smile is calm, the one she reserves for just the two of them when they're allowed time to quietly bask in their love.
Knowing they're in the middle of the school hallway and thus unable to bring herself to respond properly, Maki pulls away. She's somewhat afraid of what she'll do if she lets the moment be prolonged for longer. "Thank you, Nico-chan. I'll see you later, okay?"
A quick squeeze of the older girl's hand and meaningful wink later, Maki's on her way.
Okay, so maybe her friends aren't too bad. Meeting the rest of µs did open Maki to a world of grief, but it also made her days so much more fun – and loving.