Archive of Our Own ^beta

   Inside the Tenma household the kitchen bustled with energy. The childhood friends raced from one side to the other, making sure nothing was left unsupervised. Who knew baking for a special occasion could be so stressful? The grey haired girl looked into the dim oven. After inspecting the state of the pastry she gave the other a thumbs up. The girl smiled before turning around, making her ponytails sway in the warm air. She grabbed a pair of floral mittens to hand over to her friend. Ready, the girl took them and opened the steaming oven with a tasty pie awaiting for their approval.

   “Phew!” Saki sighed, “I can’t believe how good it turned out! It’s making me kinda hungry…”

   Standing by her side, Shiho groaned. “Don’t even think about it, Saki. We spent hours on this pie, I’m not gonna make another one just so you can eat this one.”

   Saki flinched after hearing her friend. They had spent so much time together that words weren’t necessary for Shiho to know what she was thinking. It was as if her mind could be read without restrictions.

   “What! I wasn’t trying to say that! Really, I’m just hungry,” she exclaimed, loud enough for her neighbors to hear her. Shiho simply giggled before assuring her she hadn’t actually taken it that way.

“ It’s fine. C'mon, let’s pack this up before we head out.  If you’re really that hungry we can pass by a convenience store.”

   Saki’s eyes immediately lit up. “Alright!” Without another word she ran to get the plastic wrapping that would secure the delicious apple pie.

   October 27th. Today is Honami’s birthday.

For weeks Shiho had been brainstorming the perfect gift for her girlfriend, but every single time she was left with doubt and uncertainty. Was there even such a thing as a perfect gift? How would she know if she hadn’t ever been under pressure for something so simple as a present? Ah, this really wasn’t looking good.

   Shiho’s specialty was clearly not in the field of gift giving. She had known this since forever. But for Honami, she really wanted to change. Even if just this once. That’s why she challenged herself to find THE present for Honami. That present somehow turned out to be excessively laborious.

   “I’ll have an apple pie, please. What about you, Shiho?”

   The girl’s blue eyes looked over at her distracted partner whom had been emptily staring into the air.

   “Oh, I’ll take a blueberry muffin,” she answered, almost jumping back at the sound of her name being called.

   After paying, they found a clean table and sat down, waiting for their order to be prepared. The girls had a talk regarding their next show and stuff of the sort before their pastries arrived. Shiho noticed the toasty, butter coated pie Honami was concentrating on and brought it up.

   “You really like apple pies, don’t you?”

   Honami looked up with a slight flush over her cheeks. “Yes, their taste is just the best. Would you like a bite? I don’t mind.”

   Shiho shook her head, rejecting the tempting offer. “No, it’s fine. I was just wondering, that’s why I asked.”

   As they began to dig in, the expressions on Honami’s face kept distracting Shiho. The genuine delight  across her eyes that melted with each bite of the sweet yet tart pie caused Shiho to smile subconsciously. She must be really happy, she thought to herself. That’s when the perfect gift was finally revealed to Shiho; a gift that could make Honami smile out of pure bliss.

   A warm apple pie made with her dedication.

   Saki’s quick and energetic steps began to leave Shiho behind, who carefully held onto the packaged pie, making sure to walk slowly in order to keep it safe. Perhaps it was better if she moved just a bit quicker.

   “Shiho! Shiho? What are you doing back there? Come on, we’re almost at Hona’s  place!” Saki’s head was turned back, glimpsing at her friend who resembled a sloth— or maybe a turtle, or even a snail! The soles of her feet dragged along the concrete as she unhurriedly stepped closer.

   “ I know, that’s exactly why I can’t have her gift getting messed up.”

   Saki munched down on the dorayaki she had bought at the convenience store earlier. Soon after, she smiled towards Shiho.

“You really care about her, don’t you?”

   Even if Shiho didn’t say it out loud, the love she felt was undisguised. Saki could see right through it— just like Shiho, she could read her mind without the need of words. The feelings that drove Shiho to confess to Honami were evident every time they were together. All the harsh criticisms and concerns  were meant to help Honami become the best version of herself. The straightforward praise she gave her from time to time was meant to spark more motivation within her.

   All these little things Shiho was unable to put into words were her own way of expressing herself. She was aware that at times her attempts didn’t come out the best way, and that’s what led her to today. Just as she wanted to help out Honami, Honami managed to do the same for her. Without realizing when or how, she had begun to perfect herself in every aspect. Just for Honami to see.

   Today would be the day she could show off her improvement. Instead of advice or bland compliments, she would express herself differently, more distinguishably.

   Shiho’s lips twitched hearing Saki’s question. “Well, of course I care about her; she’s my friend,” she responded, struggling to hide her flustered face.

   “Hehehe, what are you talking about? You two are more than friends now!”

   “Saki!”

   Shiho’s abrupt shout made the pie in her hands shake erratically. Though quickly, she noticed her mistake and steadied her grasp. Now wasn’t the moment to let her emotions slip out. She could let her heart speak on its own once she finally got to see Honami, but right now it was best she kept herself under control.

   The girls continued their way to Honami’s house, now walking at a more even pace. As they reached the front door, a serene voice called both their names from behind. To their surprise, Ichika had arrived just as they did. In her hands she delicately held a festive bag, presumably with a gift inside. She smiled at them the way she always did— kindly but with far too much politeness. Saki instantly ran over to greet Ichika with a tight hug while Shiho waved from afar. After, they knocked on the door and waited patiently side by side.

   “So, what did you get for Honami?” Ichika asked in a curious tone, peering at the well wrapped mystery held by Shiho.

  Shiho looked at the present in hand before answering. “A pie. Saki helped me out with baking it since I’m not experienced, but I think it turned out well.”

   “You mean you baked up a pie just for her? Wow, that’s impressive! She’ll definitely love your gift, Shiho.”

   “ I sure hope so,” she replied, speaking under her breath.

   The door opened and they were greeted by none other than the birthday girl herself. She walked them inside to the living room and thanked them for everything. Every year, they spent their birthdays together, so it was no shock that they had come over for Honami’s birthday— it was somewhat of a tradition at this point. Still, Honami felt it correct to thank her friends. Without them, she wouldn’t have the happiest and most memorable birthdays ever.

   “What would you all like to do first?” Honami asked, willing to hear her friends first before giving out her own opinion.

    Quickly, Saki shouted, “Open your gifts!”

   The other two had nothing to say as they nodded their heads in agreement.

   Just like that, the three girls huddled around Honami, who nervously looked at her gifts, unsure where to start. She really couldn’t decide who’s to open first, but clearly one was more eye-catching than the others. It intrigued her how it was significantly bigger than the others. That’s precisely why she decided to leave it for last.

   First, she opened Saki’s gift, which was a golden necklace with a sapphire pendant hanging from it. She tried it on and, as expected, it suited her well. The next gift was Ichikas. It was placed neatly underneath the glittering tissue paper poking out the bag. Honami reached inside and pulled out a pink perfume bottle with flower patterns all around. Just by its look she could tell she would adore the fragrance.

   “This one is yours, right Shiho?’

   Honami shyly held onto the last of her presents. The warmth coming from the wrapping gave her an idea of what could be inside, but she didn’t want to jump to conclusions so soon.

   “Yeah, that’s mine,” Shiho responded in her usual nonchalant tone.

   Honami smiled. “I’ll open it now.”

   Her fingers slowly untangled the ribbon that kept the wrapping sealed. A cinnamon apple scent began to linger in the air. Honami gasped at the sight of the apple pie inside.

   “You… you baked me an apple pie?”

   “Yes, but Saki helped me as well. I know you like pies so that’s what came to mind as a gift… I hope you like it,” Shiho answered, beginning to feel embarrassed.

   For a moment no one spoke. Honami looked at the pastry in her hands and lifted it up, closer to where she could smell its sweetness. Shiho’s love was evident in it.

   “Thank you, Shiho. This made me happier than you can imagine.”

   The girls looked into each other’s eyes. Just with that, they knew what they meant to each other.

   “I’m glad,” she said, as a delicate smile crawled its way onto Shiho’s lips.

   For the rest of the day the group of girls celebrated to their hearts content. They played games, ate cake plus other sweets, and sang karaoke of Miku songs. Together they had so much fun, making them forget the hours that rapidly went by. Through the window, the dark starry night let them know it was time for their party to come to an end.

   Just as the girls began to head out, Shiho was stopped by Honami. She turned towards her, feeling a bit surprised. Ichika and Saki noticed this and looked at the two of them.

   “Oh, uhm…” the hesitation in Honami’s voice was suppressed, “ I wanted to talk to you. Just the two of us.”

   The girls understood and soon left, but not before wishing Shiho good luck.

   “So, what did you want to tell me all by ourselves?”

   The couple stood outside, underneath the sky of bright stars and constellations. The same ones that brought them together.

   Honami didn’t want to be indirect. She had waited for a moment like this for the longest time. Shiho had taught her to never hold back. Now, that’s what she would do.

   “Thank you, Shiho. I’m still amazed you decide to bake a pie for me when you could’ve just bought one at the bakery.”

   “Yeah, I know,” she said, “but it was for you, and also, it’s your birthday. I just wanted to give you a special gift.” Shiho’s eyes began roaming, worried her next words might sound out of character.

   “You deserve the best, Honami. I mean it.”

   Honami’s eyes widened. She hadn’t heard Shiho say something that romantic since they started dating. The reminder of her partner’s love made her heart flutter with excitement.

   “It makes me really happy knowing that you care about me that much, that’s why I…” she paused momentarily, shying away from her words.

   “Yes?”

   “I… I wanted to let you know how much I care about you as well.”

  Her hands reached out to Shiho’s, holding them like a treasure worth protecting. From the moment she saw her at the doorstep, she knew what she had hoped to do, and so she moved closer. Her lips placed a soft peck on Shiho’s cheek, leaving a trace of her affection behind. As she backed away, the quietness of the night surrounded them. They once again looked at each other, this time like completely smitten lovers.

   “…”

   “…I love you, Shiho. Thank you for spending my birthday with me as my friend, my band mate, but also as my lover. Thank you so much.”

  Shiho regained her composure briefly, “Uhm, thank you too— wait, Honami, are you crying?”

  In the end, they embraced one another before saying goodbye. As Shiho walked home, she played their interaction over and over again in her mind, while Honami headed to bed with an untamable ecstatic heart. What the two were sure of that night was that they had just taken a step forward at becoming their best selves. As long as they had each other they would grow— together, for one another.

   This moment would forever remain in the memory of the girls. Once the apple pie aroma was descried, the sweet kiss under the stars would be remembered by the both of them.