Work Text:
[Inspired by LN vol 8, a comment under Daily Lemonini and this artwork]
[Art from https://x.com/i/status/2031718011061895210 ]
I, Tiara Basori, had only yesterday became a losing heroine. Nukumizu-san had rejected my confession.
Not rejected per se, more like a no-answer. I still had my hopes up that he would turn around and that the confession of a lovesick girl would get through to his heart. He has a deserved reputation as someone who's cold to begin with...but thats the kind of man I like.
People who have, beneath that cold exterior, a soft heart, and a sense of humour. Someone who can laugh with me, and keep up with the latest manga and anime with me. Who can help me at my lowest and -
The student council door opened.
"Oh, Lemon-chan!"
She passed me a cold can of lemonade. Its the expensive stuff, First Love Lemon from the farmers market downtown. She had a smile that I couldn't read as she played with her bangs and sipped from her own bottle of water.
"So...Basori-chan, I heard that you confessed to my Nukkun the other day. So I wanted to talk to you about this..."
E-eh? What??? Did word get out about my confession?
"How did you find out? I thought that was between the two of us, and he said he wouldn't tell anyone else!"
"Basori-chan, the thing is...Nukkun talks in his sleep. I was cuddled up to him and all last night he was tossing and turning because he couldn't get you out of his mind." Lemon-chan was still smiling, but it was unnerving me.
Then her words registered.
They were sleeping together?!?!
Lemon-chan winked as she saw me connect the dots, a look of horror on my face.
I had almost become a homewrecker!
"I can forgive and forget, Basori-chan," she leaned back in her chair, taller than ever, "but one lovesick girl to another...please do not do that again. I would not like my man to lose too much sleep."
Still stunned by that realisation, I could only watch as there was a knock on the door and my crush entered. My heart leaped a little before I remembered the real reason he was here.
"Lemon, what're you doing here? Yanami told me you'd be here, the Literature Club is missing you!" Stars above, Nukumizu-san looked like hell. There was luggage under his eyes and he moved like a man starved, joints creaky and worn.
Then Lemon-chan touched his arm, and it seemed like he was able to straighten out a little. Not to full height, but the light behind his eyes brightened like a switch had been turned on, and despite his haggard looks, he seemed like he had just taken a shower.
Lemon-chan stood up next to him, running her hand up from his arm to his shoulder, and leaned on him just a little. "Basori-chan, this here's my man~"
Nukumizu-san, clearly seeing Lemon's extremely cheerful shark like smile, could only blush and respond with an "Oi, oi..." the intelligent man I knew and loved, reduced to a blushing mess.
"Basori-san, you don't mind if I take Lemon off your hands, right? Komari wants help with lifting the prints and the three of us aren't strong enough..." Nukumizu-san said.
I could only nod and watch them leave. Just outside the student council room, I heard Lemon speak to Nukumizu-san.
"I'm going to remind you of me tonight, Nukkun, so you won't lose sleep over her again~"