*rubs hands together with glee*

Ui closes the door to the copy room. Hairu’s humming at the printer, which seems to be jammed again, but that hasn’t dampened her mood. Hairu’s not commonly annoyed by the little things, and that’s one of the reasons he loves her.

Speaking of love, that’s why he’s here. Alone. With her.

His heart beats fast as she looks up and smiles at him. “Koori!”

——————————————————————————————-

“What are you doing?” Arima Kishou stares at the sight of Hirako Take crouched at the copy room entrance, ear pressed against the closed door. Ihei Shio is giggling, Arima Yusa is trying to shhh him, and Souza Rikai has slid some sort of wire under the door.

Hirako turns bright red.

“Ui’s confessing to Hairu,” hisses Shio. “C’mon.”

And so Arima finds himself engaged in the childhood shenanigans he never had time for, as he presses his ear to the door for snippets of young love. 

——————————————————————————————-

“Hi.” Ui waves. His other arm has a rose behind his back. A pink rose to match her hair.

“Hi.” She waves back. “We’re out of colored ink. It’s so sad!”

“Your hair is colorful enough,” he jokes.

Hairu gasps. “Did you just – just make a joke?”

Ui flushes. “Maybe.”

“You’re so cute, Koori!” She dances over to him and kisses his cheek. 

“H-hairu, I have to tell you something.” His voice is now a squeak. His eyes are glassy and unfocused and he’s quite possibly more terrified than he has been in battle.

Hairu’s eyes grow. “What’s wrong? Koori, you can tell me anything.”

“I – I – I…” He fumbles for the words stuck in his throat. As a last ditch effort, he holds out the rose. 

Hairu pales.

And then an avalanche falls. “I think you’re beautiful and happy and kind and sexy and the world is better for you in it and I love you and I’ve loved you for a long time but been too afraid to say anything -”

Hairu tackles him in a hug. “You’re the cutest thing ever!”

“Huh?” The thorns prick his flesh.

“No!” she gasps, taking the rose. “Bad rose! Don’t hurt Koori!” 

She looks into his eyes, smiling so brightly he really should wear sunglasses.

“I’ve never had someone love me before.” 

“You have, you just didn’t know,” he croaks. His heart pounds. Why isn’t this easier?

“Why aren’t you smiling? I love you, too, silly!” Hairu tugs his lips into a smile. “Are we dating now?”

“Yes, if you’d like to.” Ui’s eyes fill with tears. 

“Yay!” Hairu twirls him around. “This makes fighting the stupid printer worth it!”

“I tell you, it’s worse than a ghoul,” Ui says.

“You made a second joke! I’m so good for you.” Hairu kisses him, because aren’t people supposed to kiss when they’re in love?

Ui nearly falls over, but he hangs on to her – or her lips, really. She tastes like melons and bubblegum, and he can’t get enough.

The door falls open.

Ui shrieks, but Hairu just blushes and keeps on smiling.

“Congratulations,” Hirako says. Shio waves from his position on a cramped pyramid of Yusa and Rikai.

Arima stands behind them and holds his thumb up.

Hairu glows even more.