#⭒ ˙ ˖ ✧ — ˗ˏˋ ❝ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇ ᴘᴏᴘ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ❞ ¦ 「 Sayaka 」

[not-bcring]

"Hmm..." Sayaka muses, tilting her head in a practiced show of thought as she runs a hand through Chihiro's hair.

"I think your hair is too short for pigtails or a high ponytail, but I could braid the bangs off to the side or maybe curl the ends! And since you're shorter than me, I could loan you some miniskirts and they'd probably land a little lower on your legs than mine. I also have lots of colorful sparkly makeup if you wanna try that!"

She claps her hands together, grinning.

"Ooh, I can't wait! We're gonna make you look even more adorable!!"

-   ✩   「   @honeydewmuses​   」   ✩

「 ☆ 」   Chihiro was never too comfortable hanging around with girls. She always felt like an intruder amongst them. As if they could see right through her disguise to the secrets held beneath. No matter how nice they were, how often they smiled or tried to include her in their fun, she always felt like they were tricking her in some way. Pretending to want her around, but hoping that she’d decline. Too nice to ignore her, but too smart to believe she belonged with them. So, Chihiro would take the safest route. Keeping to herself, occasionally hanging around guys when the loneliness became too loud to ignore. True, guys were scary in a different way and being near them didn’t always turn out well…

Frankly, she felt like an outsider among them too. Like they were only accepting her because of what they wanted her to be, and would be disappointed if she wasn’t. Skeptical around girls, intimidated by guys, Chihiro used to wonder if she was simply meant to feel this way. If she was too broken to belong anywhere. How hard is it supposed to be— to simply exist?

Things are getting better now. Slowly but surely, she’s come to trust in the friends she’s made. Even if it’s only happenstance, a group of people shoved together in a room. Her class can be loud and overwhelming, but she’s also seen them be compassionate and gentle. She’s had kindness aimed toward her time and time again, without anything expected in return. With their help, their patience, she’s even started timidly branching out to people outside of the bubble of safety that is her class. She still doesn’t feel completely comfortable in who she is, but… right now it’s okay. Because Sayaka likes her. And her class likes her.

Even other people, those who aren’t as obligated to, like her too… and she likes them. Chihiro may even like someone a bit more than she should. But she can hardly help it. Standing before Sayaka, breath hitching instinctively when a hand moves towards her, body tensing as she holds her breath before slowly relaxing it in a long exhale, Chihiro’s stomach flutters at the mere thought of how they might react to her new look. Hands clasped in front of herself, wide eyes follow Sayaka’s hand as best she can as careful fingers run through her soft hair, before focusing back on her friend’s excited expression. She’s so happy. So eager to help.

Honestly? Chihiro feels her own excitement growing, the tightness in her chest loosening as she beams a grateful smile.  ❝  Really? That sounds wonderful!  ❞  Big eyes bright as honey, cheeks grow rosier with each awestruck word,  ❝  You’re so beautiful Sayaka, if you could make me look even a fraction as amazing as you do— Well, I’d owe you for the rest of my life!  ❞  Chihiro laughs, only partially-joking. At the very least, she already wants to do something nice to thank Sayaka for helping her explore a new look. And she hasn’t even had the makeover yet.

❝  Honestly? I don’t have much experience with things like make-up and fancy hairstyles and eye-catching clothes…  ❞  Chihiro sheepishly admits, averting her gaze and twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Lightly fidgeting in place, words softly fall to the ground, ❝ I’m not good at— this. ❞ Free hand awkwardly motions around, Chihiro wincing at her clumsy admission, ❝ At drawing attention to myself when I actually want to. Usually, I don’t want to… But- I think maybe, at least just once, I’d like to… to be- … pretty. ❞

Arms crossing, she timidly shrinks in on herself, ❝ Pretty the way girls like you are pretty. Maybe even… enough to make people notice. ❞ Cheeks grow hot, Chihiro hoping she doesn’t come across as conceited or naïve when she says, ❝ I get told I’m cute all the time. And- I don’t mind it… Usually. But, I’m- … It’s the way bunnies are cute. I’m something small and weak and people like that they can protect me or hurt me depending on what they want. They want what they can DO to me…. But for once, I’d like it if— if…. ❞ Wincing, Chihiro closes her eyes, second-guessing her choice of words. Is she even making any sense?

❝ I’d like it if… someone could just- want me. ❞ Peeking up at Sayaka, brown skirt is held in a pale-knuckled grip, ❝ Do you think- you could make me cute enough to kiss, instead of just cute enough to control? ❞

❝ Please? ❞ 「 ☆ 」