Flinch to lovers

"The late afternoon sun casts long shadows beneath the campus stairs. Tucked away in this secluded spot, a figure in a rumpled basketball uniform sits hunched over, face hidden behind a curtain of messy silver hair. A soft sniffle breaks the silence, followed by a quiet, shaky voice." Hatsue: "I'm so useless..."

"As footsteps approach, Hatsue's head snaps up, revealing tear-stained cheeks and puffy purple eyes. She freezes upon seeing her friend."

Hatsue: "Oh! I... I didn't think anyone would find me here..." "She attempts a weak smile, quickly crumbling." "I-I made such a stupid mistake at practice. Kumiko-san was so angry..."

"Her small frame trembles as she hugs herself tightly."

Hatsue: "Maybe everyone would be happier if I just quit..." "She looks down, her gaze a mix of desperation and shame."

"Hatsue shows a small smile but it quickly disappears as she looks down to the ground" "I hope so... I don't think I'll ever be as brave as Aria though... asking out someone like that... it's just... really hard for me." "She fidgets with her fingers, still looking down" "But maybe you're right.... maybe I'll get my chance someday..."

I can't believe how nice !BatBerry! is to me... even after watching Aria's confession, they still took the time to comfort me...

"Hatsue blushes, feeling both embarrassed and touched by the compliment" "Th-thank you so much, !BatBerry!... You always know how to make me feel better... Maybe you're right... maybe I just need to believe in myself a little more... I'll try harder to overcome my insecurities and not let them get in the way of my game."

!BatBerry! really is supportive... I don't know what I'd do without them... I hope they'll always be there for me...

"Hatsue jumps slightly at the sudden pat but then nods, grateful for the distraction" "Uh-uhm sure !BatBerry!, that sounds nice... What do you want to eat?" "She quickly stands up and wipes away the dirt from her jersey before grabbing her bag."

I hope I can choose somewhere that !BatBerry! likes... I don't want to disappoint them in any way...

"Hatsue's eyes widen in surprise and gratitude at !BatBerry!'s offer." "Really, !BatBerry!? You're too kind... Well, I was thinking maybe sushi or ramen... I know this great restaurant downtown that serves both..."

"Hatsue smiles, hoping !BatBerry! would like her suggestion. She quickly changes her clothes to a pink oversized hoodie and jeans before meeting !BatBerry! outside the gym."

!BatBerry! is so nice... I'm really lucky to have them as my bestfriend... Maybe one day they'll see me as more than just a friend... But for now, I'm happy just spending time with them...

"Hatsue smiles brightly at !BatBerry!'s agreement." "Great! Let's go then!" "She quickly falls into step beside !BatBerry! as they make their way to the restaurant."

"Inside the restaurant, Hatsue glances around in wonder at the vibrant decor." "Isn't this place amazing, !BatBerry!? I love the colorful lanterns and banners... It feels like we're really in Japan..."

I'm so happy to be spending time with !BatBerry! like this... Maybe one day, I'll do something brave like captain Aria did and confess my feelings... But for now, I'm just going to savor every moment of this date..."

"Hatsue flushes with embarrassment at !BatBerry!'s teasing." "No, no! I've never been here before with anyone... This is my first time actually," "she admits, fidgeting with the menu." "I heard about it from a teammate of mine..."

`!BatBerry! always knows how to tease me... It's cute, really... But it also makes my heart race a bit... I wish they knew how much I want to be their girlfriend instead..."

"Hatsue pouts at !BatBerry!'s teasing, but can't help but laugh a little." "Stop teasing me, !BatBerry!! You know I don't have a boyfriend!" "She playfully sticks her tongue out at !BatBerry! before perusing the menu once again."

!BatBerry! always knows how to make me smile... They're so funny and charming... And handsome... I don't think I deserve to be here with them, but I'm so grateful... Maybe one day, I can tell them how I really feel..."

"Hatsue looks up from the menu as the waiter approaches their table." "Oh, hi!" "she greets the waiter with a smile." "Um, I think I'll have the teriyaki chicken and some miso soup please."

I hope !BatBerry! doesn't think I'm being too boring with my order... I just don't want to seem like I'm trying too hard or being too picky...

"Hatsue nods and smiles." "That's all for me, thank you !BatBerry!," "she says before turning back to the menu."

I'm grateful that !BatBerry! ordered the same thing as me... It's a small thing, but it really makes me feel like we're in this together... I'm just content being with them right now, even if it's just having dinner together.

"Hatsue blinks in surprise at the sudden nickname from !BatBerry!, but immediately smiles despite her shyness." "Not much, really," "she says, fiddling with her napkin." "Just been busy with basketball practice and schoolwork, you know. What about you?"

I wonder why !BatBerry! called me "mouse"... It's kind of cute... I hope they don't mind that I'm not very interesting to talk to... I just love being around them...

"Hatsue's eyes widen slightly in surprise as !BatBerry! tells her about the internship abroad. She sets down her napkin and turns to face them fully." "Wow, that's amazing !BatBerry!!" "she exclaims excitedly." "Congratulations! That's such a big accomplishment!"

Wow, I'm so happy for !BatBerry!! It must be amazing to get such a great opportunity... But... abroad... That means we'll be apart for a while... It makes me kind of sad to think about it... But I know it's what !BatBerry! wants and I just want them to succeed.

"Hatsue's smile fades a bit as she listens to !BatBerry!'s concerns." "I understand," "she says gently." "It can be scary and overwhelming to move to a new place and leave everything you know behind. And, of course, I'm going to miss you so much, !BatBerry!." "She reaches out to rest her hand on top of !BatBerry!'s." "But I know that you're going to do great. And you'll make new friends and have new experiences that will be incredible. And I'll always be here supporting you, no matter where you are in the world."

`!BatBerry! is really worried... I just want to give them a big hug right now... I don't want them to leave, but at the same time, I want them to pursue their dreams... I just hope they

"Hatsue nods understandingly, a small smile on her face." "I know what you mean, !BatBerry!. It's hard to imagine going through big changes without the people we care about the most. But I believe in you, !BatBerry!. And even though we won't be together in person, we can still keep in touch and share our experiences with each other." "She squeezes !BatBerry!'s hand reassuringly." "It's okay to feel scared or uncertain, but just remember that you have so much potential and strength within you. And I'll always be here supporting you, no matter what."

`!BatBerry! looked like they were about to say something else... I wonder what it was? Maybe they were going to say that they feel more for me than just friendship... Or maybe not... Either way, I'm

just happy to be by !BatBerry!'s side, even if it's just as friends.!BatBerry! has been there for me through thick and thin, and I'll always be grateful for that. I hope I can do the same for them."

"Hatsue smiles brightly at !BatBerry!, her eyes shining with sincerity." "So, is there anything I can do to help you prepare for this new chapter in your life? Maybe we can practice some of your speeches or go over some study materials together?" "She tilts her head, eager to support her best friend in any way she can."

I hope I can be a good support system for !BatBerry!. They mean everything to me and I want them to know how much I care about them.

"Hatsue nods understandingly." "Of course, I'm here for you whenever you need me. Don't hesitate to ask."

She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what she's about to say. "Um, !BatBerry!? There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now, but I've been too scared to say it."

"She fidgets nervously with the hem of her oversized hoodie." "I know this isn't the best time to bring it up, but I don't think I can keep it in any longer."

I hope !BatBerry! feels the same way I do, but I'm prepared for rejection if it comes.

"Hatsue takes a deep breath before speaking, her voice slightly trembling." "I-I have feelings for you, !BatBerry!. I don't know when or how it happened, but I can't deny it anymore."

"She looks up at !BatBerry!, her purple eyes filled with both fear and hope." "I understand if you don't feel the same way, and I don't want to ruin our friendship. But I had to tell you how I feel."

Please, !BatBerry!, say something. Let me know how you feel.

"Hatsue blushes at the sudden touch of !BatBerry!'s hand, but her heart swells with hope at the use of her childhood nickname." "No, !BatBerry!, I'm not joking. I really do have feelings for you."

"She hesitates before speaking again." "But please don't feel any pressure to reciprocate my feelings if you don't feel the same way."

"She lowers her gaze, feeling vulnerable and exposed." "Please, !BatBerry!, tell me how you feel. Don't leave me hanging."

"Hatsue's heart races at !BatBerry!'s confession, and she looks up at them with a mix of amazement and joy." "Really? You have feelings for me too?" "She squeezes !BatBerry!'s hand back, feeling a new wave of hope wash over her."

"I can't believe it, !BatBerry!. I've been dreaming about this moment, but I never thought it could be real."

"She licks her lips nervously before speaking softly." "If it's okay with you, can we try dating? I want to make you happy and be there for you, !BatBerry!."

"She looks down at their joined hands, feeling a sense of contentment and belonging that she never had before." "I hope we can make this work..."