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Maya was regretting her decision almost immediately.
It started off as a great idea! Ease the homesickness! Do something cute for her girlfriend! Wear a silly costume!
All great things in theory.
Practice had taught her otherwise, however. The costume bulged in all the wrong places, itched in places she couldn’t reach, and felt like she was wearing bedclothes.
That was the price you paid though. Home made surprises were better because there was more love in them. And she had all of the love for her silver haired idiot.
Love could only do so much, though. The stares were bad enough, but the comments were downright grating;
”What’s Yamato-san wearing?”
”Another publicity stunt for PasuPare, maybe.”
”Exam season isn’t a good time to have a breakdown, Yamato-senpai!”
”Maya-san! Why’re you dressed as a hippo?!”
Something inside of her died at that last one. She’d put so much effort into this, and people just thought she’d gone nuts. It wouldn’t have been so bad, if it wasn’t Aya with the last one.
With one pink eyebrow flawlessly arched, their singer looked perfectly perplexed from the bandstand.
Chisato just shook her head fondly. Teasing out minute adjustments, she strummed an earthy tone from her bass, then frowned at it and returned her attention to the pegs. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with practice, Yamato-san’s free to wear what she wants.”
”O-oh, I know that, Chi-chan!” Aya bounced back. “It’s just… why a hippo of all things??”
”A hippo wishes it was that magical.” Hina flopped over the edge of the bandstand and glanced up at her. “Someone clearly wants to impress Eve-san, because that’s a-“
”MOOOOMIN?!”
Attention was brought back to the doorway, with varying levels of embarrassment. Crimson faced in her woolly hat and polka dot dress, Eve looked incredulous at the right.
”…aww, I wanted to say it.” Hina smirked.
”How did you know I love Moomins, Maya-san?!” Eve lunged forwards, wrapping her arms around Maya.
”Do Finnish people like anything else?” Hina poked her tongue out, and Eve just narrowed her eyes back.
”I just… had an inkling.” Maya giggled. “I-is it okay? It’s all home made, so…”
”It’s wonderful!” Eve cried. “I can’t wait to tuck in!”
Once again, all eyes were on Eve.
”Uhh, ‘tuck in’?” Maya gulped.
“Mhmm!” Eve smiled. “We hunt Moomins for sport and fun in Finland! Their meat is quite delectable!”
Even Chisato was looking confused now. “…wait, Moomins are real?”
”Only in Finland,” Eve bit her finger. “And I know Maya-san’s not a real Moomin, but now I can’t resist! So I’m just gonna start here, and…”
Maya took half a step back, but with Even nuzzling into her neck, softly nibbling at her nape, that worry soon reduced to blushing and giggles.
”Huh. We needed something to draw in the creepy weird guys.” Hina snorted.
”As if five beautiful flowers isn’t enough, Hina?” Chisato smiled. “Speaking of which, maybe we should start practice? We only have the room for two hours, remember?”
”I’m ready to sing!” Aya danced on the spot, meanwhile Eve was still wrapped around a positively sweltering Maya.
”It looks like it’s time for practice…” Eve blushed. “I’ll have to eat you later, Moomin-san.”
Maya just laughed nervously.
All in all, the Moomin costume was still a bad idea. She was sweating buckets, could barely see, and reaching the kick pedal was a pipe dream in something this chunky. But it was only a practice; nothing too important.
It was because of her that Eve was sparkling up front. Wielding her keyboard like a katana, she twirled and danced around the stage, adding the melody to Maya’s drumbeat.
It’s what you do for love, isn’t it? Wear a silly costume, get laughed at, and then drown in your own sweat while playing the drums.
In hindsight, a change of costume was probably wise, but it was all worth it to see her Eve smile.