Niji meets one of the other girls her age in Goat at the kagune lessons and gets a crush on her, but this girl is cis and Niji is nervous to introduce herself just in case the girl thinks she’s weird, so she talks to Shuu about it (even though she’s a little embarrassed)

Some nights, Niji finds herself dancing in the tunnels. If she closes her eyes, she can pretend she’s holding hands with Junko – pretty, blonde, pigtailed Junko. 

Those nights, she feels happiest. 

“Daydreaming when you should be dreaming?” A voice interrupts her leaps. 

“Oh!” Niji stumbles.

“Whoa, be careful.” Tsukiyama catches her. “What are you thinking about, Niji?”

Niji blushes.

“Is it a boy?” Tsukiyama winks.

“No,” Niji says truthfully. 

But Tsukiyama is no fool. “A girl?”

Niji gulps.

“Oooh, which one? Hmm.” Tsukiyama taps his chin. “Junko? You’re always pairing up for kagune spars.”

“I like her,” Niji blurts out.

“If she’s smart, she’ll like you too,” Tsukiyama assures her. 

“Do you think so?” Niji bites her lip. “I mean…I look kinda like a boy, but I’m not a boy. She might think I’m a freak.”

Tsukiyama inhales. “You’re not a freak, Niji.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. I hope you understand that you’re a treasure. And Junko will probably appreciate someone who doesn’t follow the norm. After all, do I act like a stereotypical guy? I think not. And you all like me as your teacher.” Tsukiyama winks.

“But she might not like like me,” Niji says sadly.

“It’s best just to be honest. And, honestly, I wasn’t very good at recognizing when I had a crush. So I’m proud of you for facing it. And I’ll be even prouder when you act on it.” Tsukiyama grins. “Now, off to bed?”

Niji throws her arms around him. “You’re like the best brother I never had.”