Title: Look Me Up
Fandom: Azumanga Daioh
Rating: PG
Length: 495 Words
Content Notes: This is fluffy.
Author Notes: Writing this because I previously wrote a less-than-happy ending for these two characters. Amends!
Summary: Kaorin gets in touch with Sakaki after a long time.

* * * *

Your friend request has been accepted.

Kaorin allowed herself a big smile. She had been hoping to find Sakaki again, and she had succeeded in her quest – that is, the first step of it. She had to ask her if she might – might – be interested in meeting up again, perhaps at a café. For coffee. No harm in having a little coffee, after all. It made for a good excuse if she needed one.

Because I'm going to do it right this time, she told herself, breathing in through her nose, holding it to the count of three, and out through her mouth, I'm not going to dance around it and hope she'll figure it out on her own. I'm just going to tell her to her face. And she could, since Sakaki still listed herself as single in that space on her profile.

She started typing the message, thinking, Maybe I wasn't sure when I was in high school, but I'm sure now. I've always had a crush on her. I mean, I've tried dating other girls, and now I know that's definitely what I want, but ... she's special. I can't really think of anybody else. She paused in her typing, shaking her head. I don't even really know why, but it's always been her. There's just something about her. Obsession? I'm ... not a stalker or anything. She wrinkled her nose. I just like her. A lot.

She hit the "Send" button, leaning back in her computer chair and stretching. Maybe I'm not as close to her as the others, but that's just how they are. I couldn't really come out of my shell around them. I was always just kind of ... there. A sigh. No, I can't fault myself for that. Friends are friends. They had what they had, what they still have. Another grin. Doesn't mean I can't be a girlfriend, though, not just a friend. Right?

The response came back in less than a minute: Yes. And a request for a day, time, and place. Kaorin provided those immediately, her fingers dancing across the keys.

Another response came back shortly after she sent the information: Okay, I'll be there. I've really missed you. Kaorin blinked at that, not certain if she had read it correctly, but there it remained on her screen: I've really missed you. She involuntarily teared up, typing and sending a quick I missed you, too almost before she realized it.

Don't be happy already, Kaorin, she told herself as she closed her browser, you don't know if you'll get your wish until you sit down with her and really talk to her. Another deep breath as she dabbed her sleeve at the corners of her eyes. But this is a big step. I can proud of it if I want to be. She reached for her diary and a favorite pencil. And I can definitely write about it. Quickly, her lead scratched words into the paper.

END.