Chapter Text
Prologue; A misty reminder
It’s been a few days since Operation GHTCTHD, five to be precise. Wednesday comes with a tension gone, and has Hayahide back in spirit. She’s also back on demanding after school study sessions that Ticket cannot wry herself away from. Thursday is wonderful, an absolute delight, as Ticket races against her rivals at a distance of 2400 meters. She might’ve lost, but she’s never had more fun. Friday is yay day! There’d been a new item at the cafeteria, a warm carrot stew, that blew the academy away. It even had Taishin interested, and soon enough addicted. Saturday couldn’t have been any better! Tosen Jordan invites Ticket over for a gal night, and Ticket has her nails painted in the primary colors with neon green stars.
Ticket has had a lovely week! And come Sunday night, she’s sitting in bed and doodling in her journal. She’s added a new photo in it, one from Jordan’s party that Helios took when she had her back turned away, but it was still visible that Ticket was grinning from ear to ear.
She closes her diary, then places it on her desk before sliding back in bed. Her happy wiggles are softly ebbing away now, and she smiles at her ceiling. She is so happy that her friends are back to normal, and that she feels the competitiveness on the rise once more.
She can’t wait until they race again tomorrow.
Her fantasies are already running wild. She’s sure Taishin is going to be insisting on running two laps more than her needed routine, despite it being dark outside. She can already see Hayahide analyzing each step before absolutely crushing them with her unmatched wit and speed. God, she has the bestest of rivals as her best friends.
Her smile drops slightly, but her eyes are still sparkling.
BNW is back in business, stronger than ever and ready to beat the rest of the umas! Her excitement is off the charts as of right now, and one quick glance at the next G1 race shows that they are still the top three favorites. The best rivals in their generation!
She is so excited!
Ready to shatter expectations and win first place!
Her heart is filled with–!
Sadness.
Her eyes are tearing up, and she blinks.
Sitting up way too quickly for her own good, she quickly wipes her tears away. That can’t be right… Why is she feeling sad right now? How is she feeling anything other than pure excitement, ecstasy and adrenaline? She should be–
Her fists clench at her side.
She should currently be yelling on top of the roof, bracing herself against the storm that is going to be Hayahide and Taishin shaped, and prove to them that she is still standing strong! No matter how much they train, Ticket is going to be better! She’s going to face them and show them what she’s truly made of! Speed, stamina and persistence!
All of it fueled by–!
Anger.
Ticket is angry. She grabs her pillow, fluffs it up once, before stuffing it right into her face.
‘‘AAAAAGHHHHHHHH!’’ she yells, and Tosen Jordan jumps at the sudden noise, nail polish accidently dripping on her desk. She puts the brush into the light blue bottle and turns to her roommate, not caring about the mess that is possibly going to stain her desk. There are multiple accidents already there from past mistakes, made due to situations much like this one. Ticket weakly releases the pillow from her face, and the floodgates have opened. Her pillow is already drenched with tears on one side.
‘‘Tickezo?!’’ Jordan stands up, fingers thoroughly separated as she makes sure not to smudge her nails in any way, shape or form. ‘‘W-Why are you crying?!’’ She asks, taking a step closer to the uma, who was now shifting underneath her covers.
‘‘Because I don’t know!’’ Ticket sniffles, voice muffled in her cavern of demise. ‘‘Everything feels so sad! And I feel so angry? And I just want to– To- Like– I DON’T KNOW.’’
‘‘Did-Did you fail another exam?!’’ Jordan tries, and she is so close to telling Ticket that she will gladly help tutor her for the next one, despite she herself being a complete dumbass. There's a slight moment of silence, before another wave of loud, dampened cries is released.
‘‘Worse!’’
‘‘Huh?! What can possibly be worse than that?’’
That makes Ticket sniffle, and she rubs her nose against her blankets. Nothing is usually worse than failing an exam, especially when she needs to have passable grades to continue racing; but her heart has never felt this heavy. This is nothing like sitting a few extra hours, under Hayahide’s watchful eyes as Ticket fumbles with another formula, or Taishin's groans as she messes up the kanji.
Her heart misses them.
She misses them in a way she’s never felt before, and her heart feels so empty as they're not close to her right now. She wants to see them again, talk to them, laugh with them– And a hell lot of other things that are making her face heat up. She covers her face with the blanket, and her eyes are wide. God, she misses them in a way that… that does not feel platonic …
‘‘I-’’ she begins, and in that moment of clarity, she knows what she has to do!
Still, her eyes tear up again, and a fateful cry is released once more. ‘‘I miss my rivals!’’
Act 1; A new initiative
So come Monday morning, also retitled as six days after the incident, and Ticket is playing bongos on her desk. She’s early, way ahead of the time she usually comes in, and she fears that it has already made this day twenty times harder. She leans back against her chair, balancing on the two back legs. Her plan is simple; she picks up her piece of paper. One word has been written down so far, circled plenty of times by different colored pens.
Date.
She scratches her head and tilts it to the side. She really thought that coming in early would’ve helped, but the more she stares, the more she realizes that she’s utterly useless. With a groan and a harsh thud back down on all four legs of the chair, she crinkles up the paper and tosses it towards the trash can.
This is impossible, she grumbles, her tail swishing in discontent.
Taishin and Hayahide are, contrary to popular beliefs, very similar. They both choose to hold in their feelings until an outburst forces it out. While Taishin is more… Negatively inclined, Hayahide’s optimism is usually also clouded by logic and statistics.
To make it easier for Ticket to understand; it means they’re both annoyingly horrible at talking about their feelings, and that they would go days more without a single mention of past events.
Though, her mind flits to a stop. She does know that Hayahide is usually more forward about things that bother her, and confrontations between the three of them have usually been led by her strategic words. Wouldn’t– So, shouldn’t Hayahide have brought it up ages ago?!
Ticket’s face flushes, and she drops down to the desk and covers her face with her arms.
Hayahide should’ve done something! What- What is she even thinking, not mentioning once how– how they spent the evening together!! She should be the one to ask ‘‘What are your true intentions with this ministration of passion and–’’
God, Ticket can’t even think to impersonate her anymore because her mind is clogged with reminders. And- and the emotional vulnerability! They all went beyond anything friends should do, right?! So! It should be their top priority to talk about this!!
–And how in the hell have both Taishin and Hayahide not brought it up by now!? Have they not been thinking about this for the last six days?! Have they not felt anything differently?! They sure haven’t been acting like anything has happened–
No– That's another thing that is absolutely horrible. After they were done with their… moment, they fell into a rhythm that was far too comfortable for the actions just made. Heck, Ticket braided Hayahide’s hair as if they were at some sleepover!? And Taishin had let them watch her beat a level on her game during it! Like nothing had happened, they fell back into being best friends—
Her hands go to her hair, and she ruffles it as she tries to stop her mind from screaming.
Did… did they really think nothing of it?
Tears, big and round, start falling down her face. She- No, that’s not true. That couldn’t possibly be true at all. Right?
‘‘Uwaaah!!’’ Ticket cries out, the back of her palms covering her eyes while she bawls. This is the worst! Having to think about feelings is just so- so sad! The sounds of the classroom door sliding open doesn’t even matter, especially not when her heart is in shambles because she doesn’t understand her best friends.
‘‘T-Tickezo!’’ Hayahide exclaims, and Ticket blinks through her tears and brings her hands down slightly. Sure enough, the one entering the classroom is one of the problems she is currently facing. ‘‘H-How are you crying at seven thirty in the morning?!’’
Ticket doesn’t even bother responding, because her eyes are tearing up more and her throat feels tight and her nose is stuffy and her mind is full. So she cries more, louder, and doesn’t want it to stop until there's clarity.
‘‘Did you forget to do your homework again? I can help you finish it–’’
‘‘Waaaaaaaaah!!’’
Hayahide struggles with her hands, walking closer like Ticket is a ticking time bomb seconds away from imploding. (That statement is partly true due to past instances.)
‘‘Are you upset that you’re early? Were you unable to sleep last night?’’ She tries again, and Ticket can tell she’s trying to figure out what’s wrong by thinking of every changed factor. That somehow makes it a lot worse. Damn you, Hayahide! You’re caring about the wrong thing!
‘‘WAAAAAAHHHH!’’
A long pause is evident between them, as Ticket continues to cry until the point her throat starts hurting. Hayahide is clearly panicking now, since the duration of this breakdown seems to have surpassed the usual 30 seconds.
‘‘Do- Do you want a hug??’’
Ticket falters, her palms stop rubbing her eyes and her ears perk up.
That- That is new.
Hayahide has never once offered physical comfort. She’s usually one to give solid advice, listening sessions and words of affirmation. Never has she ever asked her that before, or even muttered anything about hugs.
Tickets large, ruby eyes stare at Hayahide, her tears slowing down to dribbles of saltwater. She catches the way the taller one looks away shyly, but doesn’t bring herself to take back her offer. She’s being for real right now. Ticket’s mouth opens slightly, both in shock and in a desperate need to catch her breath.
‘‘Yes,’’ she simply responds.
Within a moment, Ticket stands up from her physically abused chair and finds herself enveloped in warmth. Face planting firmly in a soft chest, and arms circling a waist tightly to make sure there’s no running away now.
Hayahide hesitates for a second, before gently placing one hand against her lower back, and the other at the back of her head. It’s a bit awkward at first, but she’s soon patting the shorter girl with short strokes that seem calculated. Ticket practically preens underneath the soft head pats, and her tears are long gone now as she happily pushes herself further into Hayahide’s chest. Oh, the glory of being back here.
‘‘Do you want to talk about it?’’ Hayahide softly asks, and as much as Ticket is tempted to admit everything, she doesn’t think it’s right to do it without Taishin present. All the culprits need to be in the same room for this super duper ultra important talk! So she shakes her head, and melts further into the embrace while Hayahide’s gentle caress on her hair continues. ‘‘... was this a ploy to get me to hug you?’’
‘‘Nu uh!’’ Ticket exclaims loudly, startling the white haired umamusume. Ticket leans back in the embrace, not letting go of her waist, and stares directly into Hayahide’s eyes. ‘‘I am feeling a lot of real things! I- I just can’t talk about them right now! Not yet!’’
Hayahide tilts her head to one side. ‘‘Not yet? What’s stopping you from talking about it?’’ she asks, and Ticket purses her lips together. What to say, what to do… Hayahide is probably going to dissect everything she says if she makes an elaborate lie.
‘‘Because!’’ she answers simply, and firmly returns to her position of suffocating slightly for the joys of being enveloped in that soft chest. Hayahide laughs a little at that.
‘‘That does not ease up my suspicion of you using your emotions as a decoy for physical contact,’’ Hayahide mutters under her breath, but she shows no signs of stopping. In fact, her grip on Ticket's lower back becomes firmer, and her hands start rubbing behind her ears. If Ticket could, she would be purring contently as of right now.
This feels nice, Ticket thinks to herself. This feels way way way nicer then when she’s forcing her rivals into group hugs, or has her arm over their shoulder to give them a half hug. She wants to feel like this more often, and get hugs like this whenever she wants.
‘‘Hey Hayahide,’’ she mumbles, her voice barely there. It is so uncharacteristically quiet of her, that Hayahide blinks for a moment before responding.
‘‘Hmm?’’
Ticket swallows, and tilts her head up to look at her in the face, not moving her body away one inch.
‘‘Do you-’’ she unconsciously tightens her hold around Hayahide, ‘‘-do you like me?’’ That isn’t even close to what she wants to ask, but it will do for now. Hayahide takes a moment to look down at her, then nods.
‘‘Of course I do,’’ she answers, her voice strong and steady. ‘‘You’re my best friend.’’
Yeesh, Ticket frowns. Ouch.
She stiffens up, returning her head to its pillows, and her fingers clench around the material of Hayahide’s shirt, fidgeting in thought. They stand like that for a moment longer, and Ticket tries to get a grip on her mentality. That shouldn’t have hurt that much, should it? The statement is true, they’re best friends. They are not anything more or less than that. They’re best friends.
It doesn’t hurt as much when she’s reminded that as best friends, they’ve had sex.
Her face turns 87 shades redder.
It doesn’t hurt whatsoever when you put it that way–
No!
Focus, Ticket!
Don't get tempted now! You want answers!
At the sounds of students starting to walk through the hallway outside, Hayahide gently eases out of their embrace. She doesn’t step far away from Ticket, but it’s just enough to maintain a respectable distance in case of someone suddenly entering. It still feels like a physical blow against the emotionally vulnerable girl's heart, despite the reasoning being justified.
‘‘Are you early because of the feelings you’re currently experiencing?’’
‘‘Well- Yes! Mostly yes!’’ Ticket admits, rubbing behind her ear sheepishly. The faint weight of Hayahide’s hand on her head is still making her giddy. ‘‘To be honest… I really want to talk about it, It just has to be the perfect moment!’’
Hayahide’s eyes widen slightly, and she opens her mouth. Nothing comes out for a second, and Ticket tilts her head expectantly to the side, ears perked and attention properly caught. ‘‘Do…’’ she begins slowly, though she stops, shuts her lips and looks away.
‘‘D-do those feelings have anything to do with last we–’’
The door slides open with a slam, startling them both, and one of the more energetic uma’s in their class enters with her friends, giggling and laughing loudly. Hayahide quickly shuts her mouth and adjusts her glasses, and Ticket can see a faint blush start to form on her face. Why does she suddenly look so embarrassed? Could it be- Her curiosity is at its peak, and her eyes sparkle.
‘‘What were you going to say?’’
Hayahide looks more to the side, her ears straight up. The closer Ticket gets to have a look at her face, the further Hayahide tries to lean away. ‘‘N-Nothing–!’’
A second later, with the blush still growing, Hayahide turns to go back to her desk. The more she walks away, the redder she becomes, and her hands are trembling while finally unloading her schoolbag. Ticket stands by her chair as she stares after her.
No way.
No way, no way, no way!
She’s made a breakthrough!
Hayahide was clearly about to ask if it had something to do with- with that day! Ticket’s grin widens immensely at that realization. Sure, it's a bit of an overly optimistic connection, but it couldn’t be anything else! Hayahide has been thinking about it! –And she wants to talk about it as well!
Now, the only problem that stood in her way is Taishin. The girl who just entered the classroom with her bag slung over her shoulder, and an expression unbothered but already annoyed by the chattering in the classroom. If Ticket can find something even Taishin can’t begrudgingly say no to, then she’s managed to rope in all three of them to go out on a spectacular date! One that will end the confusion within their hearts and show what’s truthfully behind the walls!
Ticket is so close to masterminding her perfect plan. Maybe Hayahide isn’t the only bigheaded one in their group!
(Hayahide’s ears twitch, and she looks around the classroom. She swears she just heard someone say that her head is big.)
Ticket can barely contain her excitement through class. She keeps tapping against the desk with her crayons, her attention entirely away from the teacher's rambling words. Her thoughts are still a mess, but with one side knocked down, it felt half the weight lighter!
Her eyes drop down to her notebook, halfhearted notes filling up the page in messy and uneven spacing, and turns to a new page. There, she starts writing down what was her original plan, only with more pizazz.
Date Extravvagenza Extrabananza Extravaganza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Underneath, she writes down ideas. Notes of things that all three of them like, but that clearly imply that this time it’s meant to be more romantic. Her cheeks bloom as she stares at what she has written, and she’s pretty sure she’s going to start hyperventilating out of sheer flusteredness and excitement. No! She just has to start planning it properly. Dinner is an obvious go to, and she knows just the place to take them! Now she just needs the pre-location...
Movie? Too boring, and they all have different tastes. Shopping? Taishin would probably end up kicking down a mannequin at the sheer volume malls have. Gaming center? Hayahide is pretty useless at those games, and ends up sitting on the side watching. Karaoke? Ticket… Ticket tends to scream when holding a microphone, which has proven to be bad when she’s with two uma’s who can’t tolerate such a high frequency.
Her brows furrow as another idea comes and gets scratched off the list.
Has it always been this hard to decide where they’re going? No, Ticket remembers that she would just drag them along whenever something piques her interest. Ugh, does she even know of a place either Taishin or Hayahide want to go to?
Something quiet but fun… something that’s romantic… something that they all like.
Inadvertently, her fingers have started doodling all on their own. Stars upon stars in her notebook, the easiest motion to doodle along with hearts.
OH!
Of course!
She turns to a new page, starting over once more. This time, she knows exactly what they’re going to be doing!
An astrological observatory!
She’d seen ads about one a few stations away, of an old observatory turned museum. The giant lens is still there, and they encourage people to come in and learn more about the stars and galaxy. She knows that this is one hundred percent up Hayahide’s alley, and the location being distant and quiet will make Taishin happy!
And Ticket?
Ticket will be the happiest with both of them there with her, as they gaze at the stars and learn more about the world!
‘‘Earth to cry baby?’’
Taishin’s voice suddenly hits her head, and she blinks. Sure enough, the shorty is standing in front of her desk with a scowl. ‘‘Huh?’’
‘‘How long are you going to sit there and stare?’’ Taishin sighs, then nods to show the other uma’s exiting the classroom. ‘‘It’s lunch, come on.’’
No need to be told twice, Ticket immediately jumps up from her desk and shuts the notebook close. Can’t risk either of them finding out about her secret plan!
The walk to the cafeteria is unique, but not in any way bad. Ticket is still so wrapped up in her head that she isn’t the one doing most of the talking. It is more or less Taishin and Hayahide who are going back and forth about some book the shorter one has read, sharing comments about a character they both dislike.
She notices how Hayahide is back to her usual self, eyes sharp while she navigates her long sentences, and how Taishin seems to be more interested in the conversation than she would like to admit. Ticket doesn’t even see the shorty reach for her phone once!
By the time they arrive at the cafeteria, they are so invested in their chatter that Ticket actually chooses to listen for once. Her ears perk up at every laugh, every snort, every sigh and groan as her best friends animatedly exchange thoughts. Her eyes sting from the build up of tears, but she blinks it away the seconds she feels it. Their tenderness is not only making her emotional; it is also making her determined to finally have them both talking about their feelings.
‘‘Oh, there’s one more banana cake left,’’ Taishin lets out once they’re at the front. Hayahide immediately lightens up. ‘‘I’m really craving banana cake so lucky me,’’ Taishin grins deceptively, placing it on her own tray, and the way the tall girl’s mood drops so significantly has them both laughing. ‘‘Oh my god, you banana fiend. I’m kidding, it’s obviously for you!’’
‘‘R-really!’’ Hayahide states, and when the cake is placed on her tray instead of Taishin, her smile becomes so big.
‘‘There she goes, getting possessed by Tickezo’s ghost again,’’ Taishin mutters, albeit in a tone much too kind to be a complaint. At the sound of her name, Ticket turns to Taishin in confusion.
‘‘My ghost?’’
‘‘You know how she gets all happy when she’s won and stuff,’’ Taishin explains. ‘‘It’s almost creepy how she gets so giddy, like you’ve taken control over her feelings.’’
‘‘I can be happy without it being weird, Taishin,’’ Hayahide states plainly, though her smile is still soft. Her eyes are firmly planted on the banana cake, and she’s probably drooling on the inside.
‘‘Well yeah but I can’t deal with two Tickezo’s,’’ the short girl shivers at that thought. ‘‘That… That would be a nightmare,’’ she concludes, and Ticket huffs, taking false offense at that. Taishin waits for the two others to finish getting their things on their plates, eyeing Ticket’s pile of carrot stew, before adding; ‘‘Though, you’ve been pretty chill all day.’’
That catches Hayahide’s attention, and she glances quickly at Ticket before looking back at her tray. It is a silent message, one that says ‘I might know why you’re being quiet’, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by the black umamusume. Taishin, however, is too short to notice their facial conversation.
‘‘Especially during class. You actually looked like you were taking notes,’’ Taishin remarks, an astounded look on her face. ‘‘I’ve only seen you look that serious once before and that–’’ She stops suddenly, mid step and everything. Ticket perks up at her sudden bashfulness, intrigued to know what she was mentioning. Was it when they were running the derby? ‘‘Nevermind,’’ Taishin mumbles out, her grip on her tray tighter as she turns to their usual spot.
‘‘Did you find today's subject interesting?’’ Hayahide asks before Ticket can bring it up, possibly sensing Taishin's embarrassment, but also to answer her own growing suspicion. She settles down next to the short girl, and helps Ticket with her full tray.
‘‘Oh yeah! Totally!’’ she responds, trying to sound inconspicuous. She sits down on her chair quickly, and starts picking into her carrot stew. The motion is messy, and she’s getting some drips on the table, but it calms her to pick at something rather than stay still.
‘‘Totally?’’ Hayahide repeats, eyes narrowing. ‘‘You were interested in syntax and syllables?’’
Oh no, not that, Ticket is absolutely not interested in grammar.
‘‘Well, it reminded me of something! So I guess it made me slightly interested. ’’ She tries to create a segway into a new conversation, knowing that both Hayahide and Taishin are doubting her false interest. They both shrug it off too, thankfully, which means that Ticket can start.
Operation Date Extravaganza is a go!
‘‘Do you two have–’’ her voice cuts off, and she coughs into the palm of her hands real quick. ‘‘Do you have any plans this weekend?’’
Both Taishin and Hayahide stop mid bite, and the shorter girl sends her a skeptical look across the table. Ticket tries her best to ignore it and play dumb, something she usually is, but it is hard when Taishin’s stubborn glare is so insistent to get attention.
‘‘Other than homework and a couple old records I want to analyse, no,’’ Hayahide answers, hand under her chin. Taishin rolls her eyes, stern gaze finally leaving Ticket alone, and swallows down a chunk of white rice.
‘‘Ughh, you do that during the weekends too?’’ She says in plain disgust. Hayahide furrows her brows and shakes her head.
‘‘Of course. It’s the perfect opportunity to! The library is so quiet–’’
‘‘Yeah, because nobody is as big brained as you to go there during their one chance at freedom.’’
‘‘Big–! I do not have a big head!’’
‘‘No but those numbers will surely add up and form some extra mass!’’
‘‘No, they will not!’’ Hayahide says incredulously, and Taishin puts her hands up in mock surrender.
Ticket laughs, her heart easing up at the familiarity around her. Despite both being emotional neglectors, it doesn’t cease to amaze her to see them so full in their banter. Even Hayahide can get involved in a good argument, despite it having zero purpose. It’s so much fun to see.
No wonder she loves them both.
Uh oh.
Ticket looks down at her plate, her eyes blinking away tears. No crying until she gets her feelings through!
‘‘Well if you’re both not busy, do you guys want to do something? –The three of us?’’ She asks, slicing into her already miniscule bite of carrot.
Hayahide seems to have caught on by now, and she purses her lips. If Ticket knows her, which the energetic girl is pretty sure she does, then Hayahide is currently thinking of the safest route to take. If only she truly knew the real extent of her question, Ticket sighs.
‘‘We can study and as a reward play some board games–’’
‘‘Shutting that down immediately,’’ Taishin cuts her off, holding up a hand. ‘‘Me and Tickezo would rather die than spend the weekend studying as well.’’ Hayahide lets out a disappointed breath, a pout on her lips as her idea is once again ignored.
‘‘There’s a new exhibition by the station about temporalism,’’ the tall girl tries suggesting instead, but Taishin shakes her head again.
‘‘Nope. We’re obviously going to the arcade. I have a high score I need to beat.’’ Taishin decides, as if that’s final. Before Ticket can say that she wants to go elsewhere, more special, Hayahide fixes her glasses and quickly retorts;
‘‘The arcade has proven to be emotionally draining for you, since your velocity is lower than average the following day.’’
‘‘That’s only when some shithead is trying to impress everyone instead of playing the games like normal!’’
‘‘And that factor has been in effect every time we’ve gone there,’’ Hayahide reminds her. Taishin is about to argue back, although she stops when she doesn’t come up with a quick enough comeback. This is it, now is the perfect time to strike.
‘‘And, that’s something we always do,’’ Ticket finally speaks up, and she twists her chopsticks nervously in her hand. Both other girls turn to face her, and she sniffles as her eyes tear up little by little. This is so nerve wrecking! She just wants to get this over with!
‘‘Oh my god, you better not start crying,’’ Taishin winces, ears already pulled back expectantly.
‘‘When I said do something… I meant,’’ Ticket pauses, and she suddenly feels a wave of anxiety wash over her. This question is so loaded, unlike her usual offers for weekend fun and after school gatherings. ‘‘I meant… go on… like–’’ she takes in a deep breath, and steadies her voice. ‘’Like a date.’’
The silence that looms over their table is indefinite, and Ticket doesn’t dare look up from the table. It’s almost like the entire cafeteria has gone silent, but that can’t be true because Ticket knows there are other umamusume’s around them. If time passes by slowly when she’s sitting still, then this is torture, because counting to one second seems like it takes a minute to do so.
‘‘D-Date!’’ Hayahide repeats suddenly, as if her mind has finally caught up with what has been said. She stutters for a second, her face turning slightly red as her eyes dart away from the two at the table. ‘‘Oh! Like a friend date! So –’’
‘‘No,’’ Ticket quickly cuts her off. ‘‘A romantic date,’’ she clarifies, and now she’s finally looking up. Her eyes scan Hayahide’s brain malfunction, before turning to Taishin, who is oddly still. She seems to be lost in thought as well, and Ticket can see the way her ears are twitching anxiously.
‘‘Date?!’’ The tall girl exclaims once more, this time even more shocked if that’s possible. It would’ve been cute if it wasn’t eating Ticket alive to just get an answer.
‘‘What’s gotten into you–’’ Taishin mumbles, her face warming up significantly once the word has officially settled into her mind. She looks away, bashful and suddenly so shy, as she mutters; ‘‘Where is this coming from?’’
Oh, that’s a dumb question.
All three of them know exactly where this is coming from.
In fact, that question makes the three of them extra quiet for a moment longer, faces as red as ripe tomatoes. Taishin even has to cover her face with her hands, and Hayahide nervously traces the edge of her foodtray. Ticket just keeps on staring at them both, and a smile is forming on her face.
It makes Ticket happy to know that they’re all thinking about the exact same thing. So they were on the same page, it’s just that nobody has been willing to admit it outloud. It wasn’t that it hadn’t mattered to them, quite the opposite if this reaction is saying anything. They’ve all just been cowards.
‘‘I’m fine with that,’’ Hayahide mumbles under her breath, and the silence is finally gone. The chattering around them returns, the sound of chairs scratching against the floor, of the lunch ladies serving extra portions, and of three friends back in the same moment again. On the same page.
At Hayahide’s confirmation, Ticket can barely hold back the grin that is starting to form. It’s already hurting her cheeks, but she stares at Taishin and awaits the final answer. The short umamusume holds her cutlery harder than usual, her gaze not leaving her plate.
‘‘Whatever, just text me the details,’’ she finally says, taking an insistent bite out of her hamburger meat, and tilting her face away while she chews. “And it better be a good spot,” she adds, the demand loud and clear despite her small voice. Ticket can barely contain her excitement anymore. She’s done it! Step one is done! The hardest step is finished!
She stands up, chair scraping harshly against the tiles. This catches the attention of uma’s around them, but that doesn’t stop her from throwing both hands in the air, and releasing a victorious shout. ‘‘Hell yeah!!!’’
‘‘Tickezo!’’ Hayahide tries, her embarrassment evident as she looks around at all the attention pointed right at them. ''Please sit down!'' Taishin isn't as merciful.
‘‘Shut up, you dumbass!’’