notes:

so, hey. i made a playlist for this series. you can find it on spotify by searching "that science girl & kunugigaoka-san" under the username stormilys. i'd link it here to save y'all from the trouble but this site doesnt really like external links, unlike ao3 haha. feel free to save/follow the playlist! it's kinda related to this series as a whole, too ;)

[Eulerian Circles—aka Euler diagram, is a diagrammatic means of representing sets and their relationships, but unlike Venn diagrams, which show all possible relations between sets, the Euler diagram shows only relevant relationships]

vi: Eulerian Circles

All too soon than she would've liked, the day of the mixer and the reunion arrived, and Manami is a little more than anxious than she's letting on as Ayasegawa and Yotsuki kept an equally as reluctant Daimonji captive up in front. Ayasegawa insisted on them accompanying the two of them to the mixer after she and Daimonji had tried a collective effort of escaping after class. Ayasegawa hadn't been impressed; Yotsuki thought the whole thing was amusing and Yamamura simply didn't care.

"Nervous?" He asked her, matching his pace with hers. She and Yamamura had trailed behind, the silence to the trio's rambunctious. While Yamamura didn't care for the mixer, he had an explicit instruction to make sure she didn't get away either. Ayasegawa's bizarrely-designed knapsack swung against his back from its place on his shoulder, a funny addition to the image of cool indifference he presented.

Manami shrugged. She can play it cool, too. "I'm not a big fan of mixers."

"I promise they're decent. Some of them are our junior high school friends too."

"I'm sure they're nice," Manami mumbles, fidgeting with her cardigan sleeves restlessly. "I'm worried about… um, well, I think…"

"Is it about Kunugigaoka-san?"

"No." Why is it so hard to admit that she was embarrassed to think about not being able to contribute and keep up with the conversation, of how out of depth she would be when it came to topics she could care less about, the possible hit and misses of conflicting interests? Maybe it was pride, but she just didn't want to admit it. "…Never mind."

"Whatever you say to me won't reach Riko," Yamamura assured, voice cool but kind, "or any of those three if that's what you're worried about."

"It's—it's really fine."

"Okuda, I won't ask again."

"Alright, then please don't." Yamamura gave her a dirty look, and Manami ducked from the hand that swiped at her aiming to ruffle her hair. "You don't have to worry about me so much, Yamamura-kun! I'm just a bit nervous." More like a lot. But he didn't need to know that.

Yamamura's unconvinced, but he didn't press. "Fine, I'll pretend to believe you if it'll make you feel better."

"Thank you, it really does, actually."

A few more paces up ahead, their friends finally stopped in front of a fast food diner. Yotsuki proceeded to chat up another high school student that came out. Off to the side, Daimonji stood with her arms crossed and her body language stiff; Ayasegawa was waiting for the two of them to join them, arms akimbo.

"Why are you both so slow?" She griped. "Kouichi, you weren't trying to help Manami-chan escape, were you?"

"If I was, we would've been on the train home by now."

Any retort that Ayasegawa would've contested got cut off by Yotsuki clapping his hands to get their attention. The girl he was talking to had already went back into the diner. "Okuda-chan, Sorano-san, come here for a sec."

Manami caught the way Daimonji purposefully ignored Ayasegawa as she passed by and how Ayasegawa's mouth pursed, hurt but determined at the same time. Yamamura must have seen it too with how quickly he gravitated to her side. Go, his eyes told her, and unable to do anything but smile reassuringly at Ayasegawa's pouting look, Manami allowed Yotsuki to marshal her near the doors of the fast food place.

"Alright, a few words of advice that might sound cliché, but nevertheless true: be yourself, just go with the flow, and have fun! I'm sure you both know that Ayasegawa and I are friends with some of them, so rest assured there'll be no shady stuff going around."

"I don't have to like it, right?" Was Daimonji's frosty reply.

"Naw, don't be like that! Do it for Okuda-chan!"

"She doesn't like it either, do you?"

Manami floundered. Yotsuki simply laughed at her. "Alright, anyway. A quick heads up: there's Akagi, the girl I was talking to earlier. She goes to Seikei with a Kida-san, and there's Shimizu-san and his friend Takase-san, from Haniwa. You with me so far?"

"Akagi-san, Kida-san, Shimizu-san, and Takase-san." Manami recited back. "Right?"

"Now… oh! One of my best friend's there, too, Hiro! He goes to Bunkoku. I think he brought someone named Kirisato with him. That makes… four guys, four gals, including the two of you."

Daimonji snubbed him. Manami hurried to compensate. "I-Is there anything else, Yotsuki-kun?"

"Actually, uh, don't take Hiro too seriously, yeah? He's a bit of a flirt, but he's a good guy. Call us when you're done, m'kay? Enjoy, and good luck!"

With a wide smile, he dashed off after the rest of their friends, leaving her and Daimonji to hover near the doors. From the window, a few tables down, Manami could see a large booth occupied by six other students. She and Daimonji were meant for that booth, and they met each other's eyes with a feeling of mutual helplessness.

"We can still run," Daimonji hissed, arm linked through hers.

Manami won't mention how she can still see their "chaperones" lingering by the nearby convenience store with watchful eyes, ready to intervene.

"We're already here… why don't we just eat?" Never mind that she'd be stuffed full later at Muramatsu's restaurant at the reunion. That thought alone was her only consolation for going through today's quandary.

Still, they linger by the doors as Manami tried to make out their company's appearances. And though their backs were turned, with that conspicuous bright hair… one of them looked familiar somehow…

Daimonji made an unhappy sound. "Fine, whatever. I'll just get a milkshake or something less gross."

With that, into the diner they went, no less sure but having no choice for that matter. Even if her heart was skipping, her palms cold and nerves knotting in her stomach, Manami soldiered on with her steps firm. Daimonji marched along with her. This can't be that bad. Daimonji did not want this as much as she didn't, but she's here nonetheless. Daimonji was a precious comrade.

As the two of them approached, one of the girls looked up, and her face lit up. "Oh, guys look, they're here! Hi!"

And with that, all the occupants turned to greet them, the familiar person included, and Manami's surprise was as great as he shot up, eyes wide.

"Okuda-san!?"

Of all people to meet again, Manami was not expecting Maehara Hiroto, and through a mixer, nonetheless.

Maehara was Yotsuki's "Hiro."

They've met through mixers themselves during junior high as well, becoming fast friends with their mutual interest in a wide variety of things. They didn't get together often, but they've kept correspondence online and attended each other's school festivals as much as they could.

It struck Manami that she and Yotsuki could have met by chance when Maehara told her Yotsuki attended their school festival from last year. What a small world! Also somewhat surprising were Akagi and Kida, who went to Seikei— Kayano's high school; the other school that Karma had talked her out of going, because he'd said the commute was tedious, because Oku Tokyo, aside from being perfect for her, was the practical choice between the two. The memory made her smile. The two girls belonged to different classes though, and none of them shared classes with Kayano.

With their familiarity to each other and Maehara's easy rapport with the others in their group, Manami never noticed how her worries about not being able to catch up with the others have disappeared until she was laughing along to one of their jokes. Though still quite far from being a social butterfly, she wasn't stuck in awkward silence like she'd expected. And from there, she and Maehara also went from "Okuda-san" and "Maehara-san" to "Okuda" and "Maehara-kun."

"So, hey, I'm not being a jerk or anything, but I'm still just really surprised you're here." Maehara says after Kida asked about the November science fair. "You never really struck me as the mixer type."

"That's true, but it would've been rude to decline after Riko-chan went through all this trouble for me and Daimonji-san. I'm very glad we met each other again though."

Maehara's grin was blinding. "Same! Feels like I got to know you a little bit. I already thought you were kind of cool back then, to be honest. You just aren't my type, though. Sorry!"

How straightforward. Manami waved off his playful admission with a grin of her own. "Maehara-kun, our class reunion today was your idea, isn't it?"

"Oh!" Maehara perked. "It's not really my idea. Hina—uh, O-Okano and I were kinda talking, and Nakamura somehow got wind of it, and then she went all crazy about it. It's all hers, in a way."

"Karma-kun also said we're planning it to be annual thing, right?"

"I guess so, and I'm not complaining. Besides, I think we kinda need it too, don't we?" Maehara hummed contemplatively, swiping up some of his fries. "Karma, huh? Nice to know you guys still keep in touch, too!"

Amidst scattered conversations and bursts of laughter in the group, Manami's heart swelled. Looks like I was worried for nothing. It was almost fun being here. She even found some sort of kinship with Kida, who was also hoping to make Sakuba for university. Shimizu was just as reserved as her, but he fascinated (and maybe even intimidated her a little) her with his many ear piercings, which he somehow found ways to wear in school. Kirisato, Akagi, and Takase (and Maehara, too, when he wasn't speaking to her), were the ones that kept a constant stream of chatter. Daimonji…

Daimonji looked uncomfortable, but otherwise fine. She was flanked by Takase and Kirisato on either side, and to Manami's eyes, they looked somewhat interested. …No, very interested, if the way their attention always seemed to gravitate back to Daimonji. Manami willed her to meet her eyes, and when she did, she hoped the upward quirk of Daimonji's brow meant she understood the silent question. Are you okay?

It was only when Kirisato excused himself to the bathroom and Daimonji had room that Manami's phone vibrated with her answer. Can't stand these annoying pretty boys!୧((#Φ益Φ#))୨, the text read.

They're not being indecent to you are they (・・ ) ? I'm sorry we're not seated together with Maehara-kun! 〣( ºΔº )〣 (｡╯︵╰｡)

Well they're not shady & stuff if that's what you mean, so I guess they're okay. Just really irritating! How about you? Your friend good?

Yes~ Maehara-kun said you're cute ahaha (￣▽￣*)ゞ

Ah, a slick guy. Not my type! Manami and Daimonji shared a secret laugh together. No offense meant (づ◡﹏◡)づ Shimuzu-kun's the coolest-looking one, don't you agree? Cool piercings~~ ଘ(੭ˊ꒳ ˋ)੭✧

Kirisato returned then, and then their little group bounced from one plan to another on where to go and what to do next. Maehara had steadfastly reminded them that he and Manami couldn't join because of the time constraints of their class reunion, but that didn't stop him from suggesting ideas either way. In the end, they all decided on karaoke, and what's left of the group insisted on seeing off Manami and Maehara to the nearby bus stop.

Daimonji pulled her aside for a moment. "You enjoy your reunion, okay?" Then, in shyer tones: "And thanks for attending this thing with me. You made it bearable."

"It wasn't so bad after all, huh?"

Daimonji rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Coy is not a cute look on you, Okuda-chan. Kunugigaoka-san's rubbing off on you." Manami simpered, and her friend shook her head in amusement. "And yes, I'll apologize to Riko. Tomorrow. Just worry about your reunion now. Take care, okay?"

"Of course! Please take care, too!

As the bus arrived, the group hurried to exchange contact information, bade happy farewells, and made promises of 'next times.' Maehara gave her the window seat just so she could wave a final goodbye to Daimonji, who was flashing them a peace sign. The bus moved, and Manami saw her link arms with Kida and Akagi as they walked away.

"So, thoughts?" Maehara spoke up as she shifted in her seat, and when she hummed questioningly, he clarified: "How's your first mixer experience?"

Manami's smile was humble. "Well, to be honest, I didn't really think I'd enjoy it at first."

"Oh? So what about now? Any change of heart?"

"I enjoyed it," and she meant it. "Maybe it's also because you and Daimonji-san were there, but I had a nice time." She paused to smile sheepishly. "Though I'm not really sure I'd want to do it again."

"It's the experience that counts, no?" he replied with an affable air, presenting her with a fist. Manami shyly bumped it with hers. "You are hereby officially a full-pledged high school girl. Congratulations, Okuda Manami-san!"

Other patrons gave them chastising looks for their loud conversation so she had to shush him, giggling to herself. The rest of the 15-minute bus ride was spent talking about their former classmates and trying to learn Survival on Maehara's phone at his insistence—Karma made the game sound so easy before when he was prattling about the ultra-smooth gameplay but it was anything but, especially while inside a moving vehicle.

She also wondered why Okano texted him to "keep his hands to himself later." Manami had the front-seat experience of witnessing the normally unflappable Maehara turn flustered when the notification banner flashed on the screen.

At their stop, Maehara was comfortable enough to trash talk her non-existent gaming skills ("Only four left and you died because of the green zone? And with only one kill? Man, Okuda. You're a noob!") and Manami was comfortable enough to intentionally patronize him ("Second place is still a good rank, Maehara-kun.").

From there it was only a short walk to their destination, and then they're assuaged with the warm smells of broth and noodles as they finally made their way into Muramatsu's restaurant. Greeting the two of them even louder was their old classmates' exclamations and welcome hugs and touches. With an inside grin, Maehara and Manami separated and were then pulled into their respective circles for catching up and more.

Manami likes how the mixer's outcome turned out, but this… She can't deny that this comfort and familiarity is what she really wanted. It is a camaraderie and belongingness unique only to them, their assassination classroom. There is no need to feel awkward nor out of place here—funnily enough, they all found a shared niche in the face of being out of place together. A classroom in the mountains. A man-made Mach 20 being for a teacher. Knives and guns alongside pens and paper. Battle tactics incorporated into class discussions that would amount to life lessons. How odd and wonderful it was to really belong.

Manami still finds herself glancing around anyway, looking for something. Someone, because it all still feels a little incomplete. Somebody else finds her instead.

"Okuda-san."

"Nagisa-kun, hi!" His knowing look made her smile sheepishly. She was alone at her seat at the moment, with Kayano at the counter and Kanzaki getting drinks for the three of them. "Long time no see! How are you?"

Nagisa's grin is wry as he returned the sentiments. "Long time, Okuda-san. I'm good, actually. I would ask how you are, but to be honest, Karma talks about you so often, I'd be surprised if there isn't something I don't know."

"Ah." Manami doesn't bother hiding her embarrassment. Nagisa's shrewd eyes saw through everything. "We talk about you, too. Sometimes."

"I'll bet," he scoffed. "I hope he hasn't completely ruined my image to you."

"No, no! In fact, Karma-kun doesn't trash talk you about Survival that much anymore."

"Does he now? Keep this a secret, Okuda-san, but my back hurts trying to carry him on missions." Nagisa shared a laugh with her. "Do you play, too? You should join us sometime."

"Oh no, I'm not very good at it. I tried it with Maehara-kun earlier, though."

Nagisa eyed her with confusion. "Maehara? That's an unusual crowd you're with, Okuda-san. N-Not in a bad way! I mean, I'm just surprised, is all."

"Where've you been, man!?" Okajima joined them at the table, collapsing heavily next to Nagisa with a sigh. "Haven't you heard? Okuda-san here and Maehara went to a mixer together! He was just telling us about it."

"A mixer, huh? That's kinda cool. Small world!"

Okajima turned his attention to her. "Well, I heard from Maehara, but how've you been, Okuda-san? Long time no see!"

"I've been well, Okajima-san! I heard about your portrait exhibition for next year, congratulations! Will it be open to the general public?

"Ah, you humble me, milady. Thank you." Okajima bowed to her with a bright smile. It was indeed a very big deal for him. "Everyone from 3-E is invited, of course. It's kinda private, but I'll make sure to reserve ticket slots for all of you when things get set up. I also got Ritsu to help with the technicalities, and she'll send out the RVSP for you guys when the time comes."

"Sign me up if you're still looking for models, Okajima-kun!" Came Kurahashi's chime as she ran past behind, chased by an irate-looking Kimura while Isogai followed close behind, trying to settle them down.

With fire in his eyes, Okajima slammed his fist and declared, "Nude portraits it is!"

Manami hedged away and closer to Nagisa for that, but she hid her laughter when Okajima got a very accurately-thrown chopstick to the forehead by Chiba when he made the mistake of asking Hayami to be his nude model.

Kanzaki had mysteriously returned to their table the moment Okajima had darted away to terrorize Yada next. Kayano soon joined them again, too, her face beet red and unable to meet Nagisa's eyes as they spoke. Voices and conversations overlapped over snacks and food, occasionally punctuated with friendly brawls and loud disagreements over this and that. At some point, Nakamura had proposed an arm wrestling challenge between boys and girls, and Manami had lost too fast against Mimura, but she won surprisingly against Sugaya.

"Can't risk injuring my artist's hand," he had gently reasoned amidst the heckling that he went easy on her; in Manami's opinion, it was a roundabout way of saying he did. Sugaya flashed a peace sign at her slight pout.

"Excuses!" Barreling her way forward, Fuwa took her seat and fastened her hand around Sugaya's, who looked horrified. He was trying to escape, but not on her watch! Something important was at stake here! "Don't mind, Okuda-chan. I'll get revenge on Sai here for you!"

"F-Fuwa-san, please be caref—ah, hey!"

"Sai-who now?"

"I believe she's talking about that artistic ninja from that popular manga, Naru—"

"Oi Fuwa, it was supposed to be my turn."

"If you lose," Ignoring Hazama's annoyed and darkening aura, Fuwa leaned into Sugaya's space, eyes shining, "You're going to have to go to Natsukomi with me. Think of it as your favor from me repaid!"

Maehara gasped dramatically. "A mysterious favor! Are you asking Sugaya on a date!?" More jeers and excited talk befell them as Sugaya blushed a deep red, which didn't help matters. "Oh my god look at him!"

"Maehara-san!"

"Huh? Well if that's the case, wanna go out with me Sugaya?" Fuwa was completely unaware of the chaos her words transpired. Okajima was most notably frothing at the mouth at the back. "I'll be your muse if you'll be my illustrator! Not editor though, 'cause one should always keep work and personal life separate. Right?"

"I thought this was an arm wrestling contest…"

"Come on Sugaya-kun! Parlay already!"

Sugaya scowled, straightening up on his seat as their classmates ooh-ed and aah-ed at his resolve. "Very well, Fuwa-san." Cheers exploded and Fuwa grinned competitively at him. "Natsukomi it is for us if you win. But if you lose, you can't commission BL from me ever again!" He blurted, flushed all the way down to his neck.

"I accept your terms!"

"Are you idiots done flirting?" Kimura groused, having been appointed as the referee. Laughter broke out, and especially so when Fuwa scandalously got flustered, too. Sugaya just sighed out loud, praying for patience. "On three, you disgusting lovebirds!"

Fuwa ended up winning two out of three, despite Sugaya's valiant efforts. Manami teased him by semi-faking having taken offense that he went easy on her (she still had her pride, you know!), but she wasn't counting on Sugaya all but kowtowing, much to her embarrassment.

"Who's next!?"

"Heh? We step out for a few minutes and you're all having this much fun without us already? Boo!" The voice is not loud, but it carried all the way to where she was because she knew this voice very well. Manami whipped her head to the doors, but Karma's eyes were already on her.

She didn't know what to do with the inexplicable giddiness and warmth that suffused her upon registering Karma's presence, but all Manami knew was something inside her just said, oh, there he is, and the very air suddenly felt easier to breathe. Her attention snared, she missed the significant look that her table mates shared as Karma, Itona, and Yoshida hustled inside, all three looking ragged.

"Thanks, guys!" Muramatsu's father hollered from the counter. "Free ramen for you three for taking care of the trouble!"

Terasaka whooped, "Sweet! Thanks pops!"

Manami rounded on Kayano. "Trouble? Did something happen?"

"Some guys from Itona-kun's school followed him here to pick a fight before you and Maehara-kun arrived," Kayano supplied, looking over the three as well. "Luckily no one got hurt before Karma-kun and Terasaka pulled them out!"

Manami made a concerned noise just as a shadow loomed over them.

"Scooch, Kayano-chan," Karma drawled, smile in place. "That's my seat."

"But it's my seat now. You can sit right over there." Kayano crossed her arms, defiantly staring up at him. She was mischievous, but Karma is mischief-incarnate; he had more, and he'd have none of hers. Karma hauled her over his shoulder like a sack of produce smirking at Kayano's screeching. "Karma! Put me down!"

"Delivery!"

"Let me take that for 'ya," Nakamura sidled in, laughing at Kayano's irritated growl as she easily picked Kayano up. "Look how light you are, Kayano-chan! Like a stuffed toy!"

Karma sank down on the vacated cushion, grinning evilly at Kayano's dirty looks from Nakamura's arms. "Watch your back, Karma-kun." She threatened, and Karma snorted, giving her a mock salute.

"Watch yours too, Kayano-chan. But I don't know how you'll manage having two backs."

Before Kayano exploded from that very inappropriate comment, Nakamura ran off with her to the other end of the long table where Fuwa and a few other girls were sitting. Nagisa and Kanzaki conveniently vanished; now it's as if only she and Karma were the only people present, and his greeting touch on her fingers below the table only further narrowed her focus on them.

And there's a funny smile on Karma's face as he says, "Hey," that turns almost shy when his pinky slides around hers.

Manami eyed him, wonders at the strange stirring in her chest, and links her pinky more firmly around his. That felt right. She remembers the two of them from a few days ago, heard him say "Manami," her name. That felt right, too. Today, before she'd even realized it, things felt like they fell into place when she'd finally seen him. Now, they were holding hands underneath a table, and it feels right. What if we get caught?

The stray thought in her head that said So what? Sounded a painful lot like Karma.

"What, I get this," he tugged on her finger to emphasize his point, "but no 'Hello,' Okuda-san?" He teased, her surname pitched low as if it were an inside joke.

Manami tried to bite down her burgeoning smile. "Hi."

"How was your mixer?"

"It was good. Um… I met Maehara-kun my mixer, surprisingly. He and Yotsuki-kun were already long-time friends."

"So I've heard." They quieted when Muramatsu came trotting over with his ramen, and Karma hid their entwined fingers beneath his thigh when the ramen was set down. Muramatsu was fortunately too focused on getting everyone else's meals to notice. "Had fun?"

She smiled brightly at him. "I have lots to tell you, but it wasn't as bad as I first thought. I like them!"

"Oh? More than you like me?"

Manami blushed beet red at the force of his smirk, but for once, she dared. "I thought I already told Karma-kun that he's my favorite partner in crime." She stole a glance at his stunned expression. They're both blushing, and they probably look like fools. "I guess you forgot."

Karma squeezed her finger, his smirk tinged with awe and resignation. "Maybe a little. Can you remind me again?"

At the back of her mind, she'd always been aware that something had changed between them ever since that day. She's blushing to her roots, maybe even a little mortified, but she felt giddy to be the focus of his attention. She liked his attention, she realized now, and she's horribly poor at it, but this is flirting. And she didn't mind, just as long as it was him. Just him, Karma. Manami swallowed, allowing him to capture her ring finger as his smirk gentled, more like a smile now. She liked his smile, too.

"You're—"

"What the hell?"

Their whispered conversation immediately stopped when Okajima cried out from somewhere behind them, and they both flinched back from each other—whoa, when had they gotten so close? Of all people to notice, it had to be Okajima? Heart racing wildly, she tried to tug her fingers free and glanced at Karma, but despite the scare, he was as composed as he could be as looked at her, only taking her whole hand in his.

"What's this? Okano-san and Maehara!?" Okajima was hollering, passing them by. Loud murmurs followed him as their classmates crowded around Okajima's discovery. Karma tugged her along to follow, but they stood together still just a little off-ways from the gathering, their hands locked behind their backs. In the center of where they've all gathered together, Maehara and Okano were doing the same thing they were—caught red-handed and the center of attention. "Is this for real!?"

"Good job on chaining down the resident Casanova, Okano-san!"

"You went to a mixer without your girlfriend? Man that's shady as hell. Poor Okano-chan~"

"Nakamura! What's that supposed to mean!? And FYI, my girl allowed me to go!" Wolf whistles (and an embarrassed squeak from Okano) erupted when Maehara hugged Okano close to his side, his face bright red and proud even as Okano twisted his ear and complained that they weren't supposed to tell until their first anniversary. Maehara only kissed her on the cheek, and that sent half the girls into cheers and loud complaints from the guys who said it was unfair. "Well, suck it up, 'cause Okano and I are a couple now!"

"Even you can do better than this, Okano-san."

"Hey!"

"What the heck, this place is crawling with couples," Okajima bemoaned, words hitting almost too close to home. Manami and Karma shared a look. "This makes me sick."

Had Okajima or anybody else found them instead of Okano and Maehara, she couldn't help wondering what would've happened. What would have Karma said? What would have she said? How were their classmates going to interpret it? It's all too easy to say it was none of anyone's business, but…

In the end, she knew that there is no use in thinking of what is not happening.

Because Karma would never put them in an unfavorable position, and because he knows she will never give him something so disrespectful such as halfhearted feelings when faced by outside confrontation. They'd promised they'd take it slow, and she trusted him, just as he trusted in her.

Here, in the underwhelming reality that they remain undiscovered as they hold hands in the shadow of everyone's backs, away from the spotlight of Okano and Maehara's very new relationship, Karma is too busy heckling Maehara to notice Manami squeezing his hand. There are some things she's certain of: she's still not quite brave enough to twine their fingers together, but she is brave enough to admit to herself that she wanted to.

She really, really, really wanted to.

i missed the 3-E dorks and i havent really written anything with the rest of them, so i hope ive done them justice somehow! and yes, there's not much karmanami here, i know. i even ended up pushing them aside for a little okano/maehara and that surprising fuwa/sugaya (i dont really ship it, i was just amused of their manga enthusiast/artist possibilities), but let's remember that love flourishes in the background too, just as much it flourishes in the spotlight.

on mornings spent swaying to and fro on the train is also found under chuunihans for the series one train ride away on ao3.