#assumes alsjaldhl wish we could edit tags

[nanakah]

# Last dance aka Miko Iino Cannot Love, part 6/And Thus, Yu Ishigami Closed His eyes, part 4

This post is an excerpt/sample of my IN CASE OF EMERGENCY BREAK GLASS

Ishimiko confession fanfic for Kaguya-sama. When it's all said and done, I promise to eventually write the rest and post the whole thing in all of its embarassing glory! I tried out an experimental, dialogue-heavy approach as I envisioned it comic-like. There are some minimal descriptions for impact, though. Shameless fluff, no drama here!

Without further ado:

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"Iino. Remember when I said we needed to talk?”

“Sure...is it about the election speech tomorrow? It's ok if you feel nervous. I know it sucks speaking to so many people.”

“No,no. Not really. I got that all set.”

“ ...That’s good. I believe you can do it, more than anyone.”

“Y-yeah, thanks for trusting me. It’s about something else.”

“Um, I'm the one who should be thankful. Ok. Then,what is it?”

“Well, uh. I debated long and hard with myself if I should really do this before such an important day to you. But I decided I couldn’t give it my all unless I got it out of my mind.”

“Alright…”

“So I really hope you can hear me. It’s going to be a lot and some parts might even sound unbelievable, but I want you to bear with me."

"Ishigami…?"

"Will you please listen to me until the end? This, uh. It's really hard for me. But I wanted...no, I have to do it like this. I need to be as direct as possible."

"It’s alright, Ishigami. It sounds really important, so I'll listen to everything you have to say."

"...Will you really? Everything? Then, could you also please try not stopping or yelling at me until I’m finished?"

"What is with that weird question! What do you take me for?"

“Oh, nono, I don’t mean to provoke yo-”

“Hahaha. Don’t worry, I’m just teasing you."

"Hah..ha…."

" I won't interrupt you or nag. Do you remember Fujiwara-senpai's game…? Back when I joined the StuCo?"

“...yeah. You mean the 'You can’t get mad" game', right?"

“Yup. That’s the one. I think I got the hang of it. And we promised Shinomiya-senpai to communicate better, even without them being here all the time, so...I’ll see to it properly.”

"T-thanks. I will, too. Here goes, then. “

She silently shook her head, encouraging him to go on.

(...)

(...)

(...)

"Do you remember a time in middle school, when someone left a flower and a letter on your desk?

I'm not sure if it's anything to you. If you remember it at all. I was a coward...I still kinda am, so I don’t know for sure if you have never even looked at it, or if you threw it out right away.

...that was me. Trying to reach out to you, but also. Trying to figure things out..."

(...)

(...)

(...)

"I've made up my mind.

I can’t revisit the past. But because of all this time we spent together, I know it's not too late to choose the future.

I took to heart Shinomiya-senpai’s words before our dance at the French Foreign Exchange Party: 'You can dance with other people in the middle, but you should save the first and last dance for your special someone'.

I don’t want to force you to accept anything. I just decided I couldn’t go on without letting you know the truth.

For longer than I've known myself...I wanted you to smile. But most of all, I wanted you to smile at me.

After all this...what I’m really trying to say is,

Iino, I like-”

“Wait!! Stop! STOP!!”

“Huh???”

“Don’t say it yet. I really need to ask you something first!”

“What the hell?? Right now?!”

“Yes”

“Unbelievable...ok! Do it, then.”

"Is that really true?"

"Huh? Uh...Which part? That was a mouthful."

"The letter. The sutera. Is that true?"

"That's your takeaway??? Yes, it is!!!"

"..."

"..."

"...iot."

"What?"

"You're really! Really….such an idiot! Idiot! Idiot!”

“Iino, I-”

“Idiot! Idiot!!”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get mad?? What happened to your character development?!!”

“That’s from before I had any idea what a BIG DUMB IDIOT you really are!! You have no idea how much I hate you...”

“...”

“And most of all.The one I hate most right now...is me.”

“What…?”

“The biggest idiot here is me.”

“ What are you even saying?? Did you finally lose it?”

“ Shut up!! I behaved for your monologue.And now...YOU listen to me.”

“O-okay…?”

“That’s fair, isn’t it? Will you promise to listen to me, too?”

“ Uh...It is. I will."

"Alright."

" Hey, wait! I'm getting carried away...will you actually let me finish my turn talking first?”

"Not yet, hang on a second. I need to get my bag."

"Hold on! I won't be fooled by that one anymore!!! Are you leaving just like that??"

"No, of course not. I just need to make sure even you can understand."

"..."

"Ishigami Yu. Before you're ever that stupid again, I'll ask of you…"

"...and she's still insulting me…."

"Quiet. Can you close your eyes for a moment?"

"Um… that’s it?”

“CAN you?”

“ Yes, I guess."

"Thank you. I'll give this to you. And when you open your eyes again, I want you to owe up to your promise. Don't just listen to me...but say you'll look at your surroundings more, starting now. Understood?"

"Ok. You have my word."

"Open your hands."

He complied, and Miko slipped a small object in his hands.

Really small. It was shaped like a rectangle and seemingly had a smooth surface. He could feel something at the top too, like a ribbon.

A bookmark?

"What is this..?"

"You can open your eyes, Ishigami. And this time,"

Ishigami’s eyes focused on the delicate, handmade item resting on his hands.

A single, small, carefully laminated white flower bookmark filled his vision. Sutera diffusus - a beautiful little plant with so many hidden meanings.

A little strength.

A mindful heart.

Wisdom.

Familial Love.

Charming.

Forgotten lover.

“Iino…this. Could it be...?”

Burning feelings.

" This time, I'll make sure you see and hear everything clearly."

(...)

(...)

(...)