╰─▸ ❝ super idol

"So... you and Kō-kun," Ayame said one day as Mika was doing xir homework in the dorm.

It was the second week of the new school year, a week after Kōtarō and Mika's date.

Mika and Kōtarō had gotten closer once again, people wondering if they were dating or not.

"How are you and the famous idol doing?" Ayame asked.

"Kōtarō?" Mika asked.

Ayame sighed, falling back onto her bed.

"Who else?" she said. "Everyone's been theorizing whether or not you two are dating."

Mika nodded, thinking about it.

Since their date, Mika still hadn't made up her mind. On one hand, xey really liked Kōtarō. On the other hand, Mika was still trying to figure out xir feelings; not sure if she was mixing up feelings after telling Kōtarō about everything.

Though, Eita had stopped being a factor towards stopping her from dating Kōtarō, rather a factor to get her to figure everything out.

"Move on and find someone who can make you just as happy as I did," Mika sighed.

Ayame glanced up at Mika, a confused expression on her face.

"What did you say?" Hoshiko asked, walking into the dorm.

"Nothing important," Mika said. "To answer your question, Aya; not yet... I feel bad, but I just don't want to commit without really figuring out if I like him."

"Ah, that's what you two are talking about," Hoshiko said, checking to see if Shun had left any snacks before she left for class (she didn't). "Oh- Mika, you should've heard this girl in my last class talk about you."

"What'd she say?" Mika asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She said, and I quote, 'Oyama-chan is annoying, too talkative,'" Hoshiko said. "Kō-kun was sitting on the other side of the room, so I think she was hoping that he would hear her."

The three of them laughed.

More and more girls started speaking rumors about Mika since she started spending more time with Kōtarō. Yet, as time went on, the rumors kept getting weirder and weirder.

"Talkative? Mika?" Ayame said. "How would she know?"

"That's what I'm saying," Hoshiko nodded. "I turned around, asking where she got that information- since you only really talk a lot with people you're comfortable with, Mika."

Mika nodded, it was true.

"You should've seen how mad this girl looked," Hoshiko continued, laughing. "She went off, telling me how I knew nothing about Mika. She even claimed to be your roommate."

Mika snorted in laughter. It was surprising to see how far people would go to try and make xem look bad.

"I don't know what people think spreading lies will do," Mika said. "Kōtarō and I have known each other for about two-three months now. He's going to know that they're lying- at least I think he will."

"Yeah, but they'll keep trying," Ayame said. "You weren't a big threat when you two started spending time together, you weren't very public about it. Some people were pissed, while most people didn't see you as much of a threat. You weren't a big deal."

"Ouch," Mika commented.

"Oh, Mika, you'll always be a big deal to us," Hoshiko smiled. "Shun even said so, just now."

Kaidō
all these people only now realizing how cool mika is
i want to yell how xey have always meant a big deal to us 🙄😤

Mika laughed, they had all always been the other's biggest supporters.

"Tell Shun I said thanks," Mika grinned.

"Anyways, back to how everyone is lying about you," Ayame said. "After he confessed to you with a cake- it was a cake, right? Yeah- well it's what Hiko said. You guys are a lot more public now with what you do.

"Fangirls watch the patterns of those who are close with Kō-kun very closely," she continued. "Since you two seem to be in the same places all the time, people were starting to get nervous."

Mika thought about it. The two of them didn't spend that much time together, only really studying together and going to cafes at that point. Mika did still attend volleyball games; the two still did have one class together.

"I know it's weird, but a lot of your classes are in the same building, so he'll be seen walking in about a minute after you," Hoshiko said, reading xir mind.

"Wow," Mika nodded. "Well, I guess this is officially my- hopefully- fifteen minutes of fame."

♪─☆彡─♪

"I think I'm finally ready to let go," Mika said confidently, as they sat in the library talking to Kōtarō.

"You are?" Kōtarō asked, not one hundred percent sure what Mika meant.

"Yeah," Mika nodded. "Two years is coming up, so I'm planning on going back to Sendai to visit my parents, kōhai, and Eita's grave."

Kōtarō nodded, now understanding.

"Did you want me to come with you?" he asked.

Mika smiled awkwardly, as it wasn't exactly in xir plans.

"If it was any other time," xey said, "then of course, but this time- I'm sorry but, I don't know."

Kōtarō smiled warmly.

"Don't apologize, I get it," he said. "You need time for yourself. Plus, I think I can manage not seeing you for a bit."

Mika snorted in laughter.

"Yeah," she said. "I won't be gone too long, Lover Boy. It'll be about two days."

"Since when am I 'Lover Boy?'" Kōtarō asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Since you confessed and started putting more love songs on the playlist," Mika said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Like, 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder,' 'Looking Out For You,' 'Lovers Rock.' Even the titles give away what kind of song they are."

"What about you? 'Nice Boys?' 'Nothing?' You even put 'Cloud 9' on there," Kōtarō shot back. "It's so obvious that you're so in love with me, Oyama-san."

"I just really like those songs, Bokuto-kun," Mika said in defense, trying to hide xir smile. "Nothing about me being in love with you."

"I'll get you to say yes," Kōtarō said a mischievous smile on his face. "My sister's always said I'm quite the charmer."

Mika snorted in laughter, causing Kōtarō to laugh as well.

"I love your little snort when you laugh," he said, resting on his arm. "It's adorable."

Mika covered xir face with the sleeve of xir jacket.

"You're embarrassing me," she said. "Back on topic though, I'm leaving this weekend, are you good with that?"

"Of course I am," he replied. "Tell your parents I said hi."

♪─☆彡─♪

"My friend says hi," Mika said, after catching up with xir parents a bit.

"Which friend?" her mom asked. "You have so many."

"His name is Kōtarō," Mika said. "He knows Wakatoshi and Satori."

"Isn't that the famous one at your school?" her dad asked. "I saw something about him on your school website."

"The point goes to Otōsan," Mika said. "Yeah, that's him, but we're friends- uh well- I guess maybe more than friends if I ever decide."

"Did he confess to you?" Xir mom asked excitedly. "Was it before you left?"

Mika laughed awkwardly, causing her mom to frown a little.

"It was about a week and a half ago... I haven't gotten back to him on it,' she said. "He kissed me on the cheek before I left though."

"You must like this boy a lot, you're bright red, Mika. Our child is in love, isn't xe," her dad teased. "What's stopping you from telling him you like him back?"

"Eita- but not in the way you think," Mika said. "I came back because- two years, but also I think I'm ready to let go, move on, just remember the good memories I had with him."

Her parents hugged xem, which was a lot more comforting than xey thought it was going to be.

Mika's parents had been very accepting, and willing to listen to xem about almost everything. Xey had already come out to them, telling them about xir new pronouns, they were already using them.

"Well, your parents know a little bit about falling in love," her dad said. "If you ever want advice from someone who isn't Wakatoshi-kun, just ask."

Mika laughed.

"Thank you, Otōsan," xey said.

"I made some of your favorite foods, let's go eat," her mom said, standing up. "You can fill us in on everything while we eat."

"Of course," Mika smiled, standing up.

♪─☆彡─♪

Mika stuck xir head into the gym at Shiratorizawa, seeing the new team lineup. There were a lot of new kids, along with some familiar faces.

"Oyama-san?" Goshiki asked, his eyes wide.

"Hi," xey grinned, waving.

"Mika?" Wakatoshi asked, turning around, looking confused. "Oh- what are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Coach Tanō asked, walking up behind Mika. "Are you here to 'accompany' Wakatoshi-kun, again?"

"No," Mika said, shaking her head. "I came to see my kōhai, and to tell my stories of watching Bokuto Kōtarō play volleyball in college."

Coach Tanō raised an eyebrow. Mika knew the name "Bokuto Kōtarō" was going to be xir gateway into Shiratorizawa. Especially with him being one of the top five aces in high school.

"Ten minutes," he said. "After that, you need to leave."

"Yes sir!"

Mika turned around to see who xey would be talking to when xir eyes landed on Hayato Yamagata.

"Haya!" xey exclaimed, running over, hugging her former classmate. "It's been forever since I saw you. You're never at these team alumni things."

Hayato laughed.

"It's hard work being a college student while playing on a professional team- I guess you would know a bit about that," he said. "Though, Keiko said she saw you at the place she works at with Bokuto Kōtarō."

"Did something happen to Oyama-san?" Goshiki asked Reon, watching Mika smile and laugh.

Reon turned to Wakatoshi who shrugged.

"She started talking to Bokuto-kun, they went on a couple of dates..." he thought out loud.

"Bo-kun confessed to you?" Hayato asked loudly, causing everyone to look at him and Mika. "Mika, you've always been lucky in the romance department."

Mika snorted in laughter.

"Sure," xey said. "But it looks like I'm losing time to talk. We should get dinner after you guys are done."

Hayato nodded as Mika quickly made her way to the front of the gym.

"Hi," Mika said awkwardly getting straight into it. "I'm Oyama Mika, your senpai. I'm here to talk to you about my experiences with Bokuto Kōtarō since I see him about every day. But uh, if you ever watched any of his games in high school, you would notice some things about him-"

"His mood swings."

"His inconsistencies."

Mika sighed, glancing at Reon and Hayato.

"That is true," she said, carrying on. "But when you watch him play now, you can see a difference."

Mika continued until Coach Tanō motioned to xem that xir ten minutes was up.

"I've gotta go visit an old friend, so I should go," Mika smiled. "Thank you for listening to me, also please take advantage of your senpai while they're here. They could use a kick of reality."

Mika said xir goodbyes, about to leave, when Coach Tanō stopped her.

"Maybe I was wrong about you," he said. "If you can keep being an inspiration to my players, I won't stop you from visiting the Shiratorizawa gym in the future."

"Yes, Coach!" Mika grinned, then left.

bee speaks !!

mika's parents watch xir school's forum just to make sure she isn't getting in trouble.

but also just to see what's going on there.