Hiraya was totally not in love with her childhood friend. She totally didn’t blush furiously whenever her hand would brush Angeli’s hand accidentally. She totally didn’t stare at Angeli when she was presenting something or when she was in her PE uniform sweating after a long class. And when she showed one of those rare smiles or laughs, seemingly only when Hiraya was around. She totally didn’t dream about her on multiple occasions both during the day and night. Sometimes to a point where a teacher calls her attention.
Haha… And even if she did, it was a totally normal thing... right? I mean she wasn’t technically straight, but she was bi! Still-
“Hello? Earth to Hiraya?”
A voice suddenly cuts Hiraya from her thoughts, it was Nico. He was also her childhood friend since grade 4. They were currently in Hiraya’s house to work on a random project for science. They both sat in the living room of her house. Various papers and school stuff lay across Hiraya’s coffee table. Nico looked at Hiraya with his eyebrows raised.
“Did you forget we were working on our project?” He asked “Oh! Sorry Nico, I just got lost in thought. That’s all!” Hiraya replied sheepishly. I mean, she kinda got caught daydreaming about Angeli.
Nico rolled his eyes. “What or who were you even thinking about?” With that, Hiraya started blushing at his question. Hiraya didn’t answer him, so he continued. “Anyways, we still need to work on this… Blah Blah Blah” Nico began saying stuff that was definitely important to their project, but Hiraya couldn’t focus on what he was saying.
She was busy looking at the laptop that was situated on top of the coffee table. Its screen showed the presentation they were working on; it was designed with flowers; the science project was related to DNA in plants or something. But what caught Hiraya’s eye was that the flowers looked like carnations.
‘Carnations are Angeli’s favorite flowers’ Hiraya recalled. “So basically, all we need to-” Nico paused on what he was saying and looked to the girl next to him. Hiraya turned red. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?” “Yeah, you totally did” Hiraya put her hands to her face and sighed. “Omg you’re actually so down bad for her” Nico groaned. “S-shut up” Hiraya replied, her voice being muffled because of her hands.
Nico apologetically pats Hiraya on her back. "We were in need of a break anyway" he muttered while standing up to stretch and went to Hiraya’s kitchen. Okay… Maybe Hiraya did like Angeli, more than a friend. She knew there was no chance. I mean, Angeli was probably straight. And the slightest chance of Angeli being gay, she was never interested in love or anything like that. Hiraya sighed again ‘I’m really screwed, aren’t I?’ Hiraya began standing up and went over to the kitchen.
Nico was there munching on some leftovers from the fridge, he was sitting on the dining table. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you're a squatter.” Hiraya chuckled as she got a random snack from the pantry and leaned over the counter of her kitchen.
“It's not my fault your mothers cooking is actually heavenly compared to mine” He retorted back. Hiraya smiled back rather sympathetically. Nico was never close to his mom. He never really tried to get closer to her, neither did she. Both ate in the kitchen in comfortable silence. “You should confess to her” “What” Hiraya looked at Nico dumbfoundedly. Nico just shrugged while still eating
“I mean valentines are over, but you can still buy her favorite flowers for her. Carnations, right?” “I’m not confessing! There's no way she likes me back!”
“Damn, you’re so blind. She totally likes you.” Nico sighed as he put his plate into the sink. “I mean the worst thing she can say is no.” “Even you sound like you don’t believe it” Hiraya groaned out while coming next to Nico beside the sink.
“Okay yeah, there’s like a million things worse she could do but that’s not the point.” Nico put his hand on top of Hiraya’s shoulder “Listen, all I’m saying is that you gotta confess to her before it’s too late” Hiraya looked down in thought. It was true, graduation was just around the corner. They were all seniors, so they were getting ready for college.
“I’ll... think about it” “About tim- Ow! What was that!?” Nico whined out as Hiraya smacked his arm. “Let’s continue our assignment” Hiraya sighed as she went back to the living room “YOU CAN’T TAKE IT BACK!” “I SAID I WAS JUST CONSIDERING!”
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Okay when Hiraya said she was considering it, she didn’t think she would do it. But alas, when Hiraya arrived at school at her usual time, she had gotten a text from Nico to meet him. Hiraya walked through the tiled floors of the slightly crowded hallways, as the students were getting ready for their usual school day. Nico had asked her to meet in a more secluded area.
Hiraya sighed as she walked past the students, she was getting closer to the meetup area. ‘If I didn’t know better, I would think I’m getting murdered right now’ Knowing Nico, it was probably the better option.
Finally, Hiraya managed to reach the area Nico planned to meet. She already saw the blue suited man with his back turned against her, it appeared he was holding his phone in one hand and something else on the other.
“Nico! Finally I found you! Why did you ask m- what is that in your hands.” Hiraya gawked at the bouquet of flowers, specifically carnations Nico was holding. It was all sense traditional on how it looked, it was wrapped with beige paper wrapped with a bow that suspiciously looked like Hiraya’s but red. Nico rolled his eyes at Hiraya. “If your jaw was any bit lower, it would’ve hit the floor.”
“Why do you have that?! Is that for me?!” “Seriously? It's for you to give to Angeli.” If Hiraya’s jaw wasn’t on the floor previously, now it was. “I told you I was considering it! No way I’m doing it now!” The green-tied boy raised his eyes at the blue ribboned girl.
He shrugged and gave it to Hiraya nonchalantly. “Well.. too late. Cause your going to give it to her now. You have a meeting to attend, Ms. Vice President.” He smiled innocently as he walked towards the less secluded hallway. “Hey! Is that why you asked me yesterday if I had a meeting?” “A Guevarra always plans ahead!”
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They both walked in silence while heading towards the meeting room. Hiraya was still holding the flowers, she could see some students staring at her. She suddenly felt more embarrassed and nervous. Nico had also noticed their stares and with a glare, sent them looking away from the pair. After some time, Nico first broke the silence
“Looks like we’re here.”And there it was, the meeting room was slightly ahead of them. Maybe it was the stares from the students passing by or the nervousness of giving flowers to her crush, as Hiraya hadn't noticed how far they had walked.
“Guess I better get going” “Wait you’re not coming to the meeting?” Hiraya questioned Nico “Well I’m not part of the council, so it’d be really weird if I’m there. Also you’re the one giving her flowers, not me. As much as I would like to watch it all happening, it all depends on you.” Nico responded, giving a slight smile. Hiraya reciprocated that smile. Even if they were not related at all, she still loved him like a brother. They even acted as such.
“Good luck Riya. You have to tell me everything at break time.” “Of course, see you!”
With that, Nico left. Hiraya finally was standing in front of the meeting room entrance. ‘Okay Hiraya, you can do this!’ she said mentally preparing herself. Finally she opened the door. She walked inside the meeting room holding the bouquet of flowers to her back. She found all the student council members aside from the red headband wearing girl.
Christian and Serena were sitting on the chairs and having an arm wrestling battle. While Mary acted as the referee. Hiraya watched on in confusion, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't interested.
Finally after an intense match, Serena won, putting Christians arm down with a thud. “Serena Wins!” “Damn, you’re stronger than I thought.” Christian muttered out as he rubbed his hand. Serena giggled and replied “I'm stronger than I seem. You have to buy me lunch.” “Alright alright” As Christian sighed in defeat, he noticed Hiraya. “Oh hi Hiraya, didn't notice you there.” The others looked towards the entrance. “Oh! Hello Hiraya!” “Did you watch the match?” Hiraya chuckled,
“Of course, didn't know Serena was that strong.” “I’m the best in the league.” Serena said as she jokingly flexed her arm while also kissing it. The action made Christian roll his eyes and Mary laugh.
“What are you holding?” Mary asked when she noticed Hiraya was holding something. Hiraya suddenly turned red “Oh! Uh... how do I say this.. I’m giving flowers to Angeli!” Hiraya blurted out while simultaneously showing the bouquet of flowers that she hid. Silence followed as the council was still processing it. Hiraya braced herself for what they had to say.
“It's about time” “THE SHIP IS SAILING!” “Finally!” Safe to say it was not what she had expected.
“What? You guys aren't wondering why?” Hiraya looked at them confused.
“I mean.. It was kind of obvious you liked her.” Serena responded. “We’ve all seen how you look at her.” “Oh” Hiraya sheepishly said while rubbing her neck. Was she really that obvious? Okay, now that she thought about it, she definitely was. Before anyone could say anything more there was a knock on the door. Hiraya knew who it was, so she quickly hid the flowers under the desk. Lo and behold, Angeli had arrived. After knocking, she opened the door.
“Good morning everyone, sorry I’m late. There was more traffic than usual.” Angeli replied. “Angeli Torres being late to a meeting was not on my 2025 bingo card- Ow! Hey!” Mary had slapped Christian on the arm after he muttered it out. Serena bursted out laughing while Hiraya couldn’t suppress a giggle. “You know I’m going to give all three of you more work” Angeli looked at them deadpanned. “Hey! What about Hiraya?” “Atleast Hiraya tried not to laugh.” Hiraya blushed slightly at her statement.
“Favoritism!” “Lets just continue with our meeting” Hiraya suggested. The rest of them nodded and finally started the meeting.
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After a solid hour, the meeting was finally over. Christian and Mary first left after the meeting. Followed by Serena, after saying her goodbyes. Which now left Hiraya and Angeli still in the meeting. It was finally the time to see if her feelings would be reciprocated. Hiraya nervously looked at Angeli. She was packing her things into her bag. It looked like she was trying to hide something in her bag as she didn't open it fully. She had always looked cute whenever she was focusing on something. Hiraya was staring again, wasn't she? Confessing to Angeli Torres was probably like a death sentence. Not including the fact that she was literally her childhood friend and that vice president. A position where it was practically impossible to ignore her.
“I’m going to go now, see you Hiraya.” Hiraya was snapped out of her thoughts. “Wait! I have uh.. something to give you.” Angeli looked more attentive after she said that. “Oh? What is it?” Hiraya nervously knelt down to the floor and grabbed the flowers lying there.
She could feel her heart beating fast. ‘It's now or never, I guess’ she thought. Hiraya stood up and immediately shoved the flowers into Angeli’s arms. “I like you!” She said while looking away and closing her eyes. “I..” Angeli said unsure on what to say.
She knew what was going to happen. Angeli was going to reject her and everything would become awkward. Hiraya braced herself for it.
“Thanks, Hiraya. You got my favorite flowers too.” Angeli sincerely replied. Hiraya immediately opened her eyes and looked at her. Out of all the things Angeli could have said, she had not expected this answer. Angeli showed one of her rare smiles, and damn, Hiraya would do anything to see that again. Hiraya also saw that she was also blushing slightly.
“Oh and I also wanted to give you something.” Angeli carefully put the carnations on the table then opened her bag. She brought out a sketchbook and turned the pages, after she found the page, she tore it off the sketchbook and gave it to Hiraya. It was a sketch of an iris, colored so beautifully. On the bottom it had a note saying.
Dear Hiraya,
I have loved you since the moment I first saw you. Everything about you makes me fall harder. You are my motivation to live out my dreams. I know you would always be there for me if I needed it. I know you may not reciprocate my feelings, and that is okay. Maybe someday I’ll reveal my identity. For now, I will write this to you.
-Your Secret Admirer
“Um.. I was going to place it on your desk.” Angeli added softly. Hiraya looked at the note and to Angeli multiple times. “What?” She said dumbfoundedly. Again, Angeli smiled. “I like you too.” “So does it mean that you wan-” “Yes, I want to be your girlfriend” Hiraya couldn't believe it, Angeli liked her back! Hiraya broke into a big smile. “Can I hold your hand?” “Of course”. They both intertwined their fingers and left the meeting room while still holding hands.
She couldn't wait to tell Nico all about this.