A/N: Here's the next one~ You know you guys can request some right? Please do! Don't be shy! I think it'd be easier for me, if you guys want to see more, that you sent some requests (preferably on the request page, but yeah) plus it'd be more interesting in my opinion.

Anyways, on to the story~~

You've known Hanamaru for a few years now after meeting her sometime in middle school and you were glad to say that you were very good friends with her despite being a grade ahead. You had met her in the library after noticing her struggling to grab a book that was just a shelf out of her reach. Since then, you've hung around her in the library during lunch.

Of course, because you began to hang around her a lot, you learned that she was often teased for her lack of knowledge on more 'modern' things. You also learned that there were a few bullies in the past from Ruby who, despite being generally terrified of many things, defended Hanamaru while crying herself. After learning all that, you took it upon yourself to make sure no one would bully her or Ruby since Ruby was best friends with Hanamaru.

You wouldn't call yourself protective exactly, but you suppose that you've become pretty distrusting of people in regards to your two kouhai so much so that people have commented on your 'scary face' when someone even thinks about saying, or doing, anything mean-spirited to them. Dia seems pretty appreciative of that side of you, though.

So here you are, alone with Hanamaru in the library since Ruby had to help her sister.

You can't say you loved books and reading as much as Hanamaru, or Maru-chan as you've begun to call her, but you did love the calm atmosphere of the library, plus being around Maru-chan was relaxing for you.

Lately though, you've been feeling more anxious and overall just weird around her, much to your dismay.

"(Y/n)-senpai?"

Maybe it's because now that you're both in high school you've noticed both the obvious and subtle changes about her.

"Senpai?"

You end up flushing a little at those thoughts. It shouldn't matter so much, everyone grows up. You did to after all, right? But you figure she's a different case. After all, to you she's...

"Senpai!!" You feel someone grab both of your cheeks. You blink and realize you're face to face with a pouting Hanamaru. Of course, you also realize that her face is way too close and that her eyes are a rather vibrant gold. And is that incense and mikans you smell?

"M-m-maru-chan?!" You feel yourself blushing. She let's go once she's sure she has your attention and continues pouting. However you pull back at the same time and nearly fall over in your chair. Smooth.

"Geez, you're not paying any attention at all, zura. I asked if you could help me grab a book off the shelf." She points over to the bookcase behind you at what appeared to be a worn brown book with faded lettering on its spine.

"Ah. Uh, yeah sure Maru-chan. Sorry." You sheepishly rub the back of your head as you stand and make your way over to the book she was pointing at. "This one, right?"

"Yeah! That one zura." You grab it and pull it out. You look at the cover for a second before handing it to her.

"Having trouble in math? Or is this pleasure reading again?" You make your way back to where you were sitting as she decides to sit in front of you.

"All reading is pleasure reading zura~ This one's also for class, though. Maru's not too good with math, zuraaaa..." she deflates before you, resting her head on the table with her arms outstretched. You giggle at how cute she looks and reach over to pet the top of her head. You notice how soft her hair is and smile.

"It's okay, math's a tough subject," she lifts her head and you pull your hand away as you continue, "so how about I help you?"

"You would, (Y/n)-senpai?!"

"Of course, classes are done for today and I am your senpai after all~" You smile wider and attempt to strike a cool pose. "Leave it to (Y/n)-senpai! Soon you'll be breezing through math. "

Hanamaru tries to hold back a laugh and fails. You sweat-drop at her reaction but end up gently smiling at her because of how pretty she looks, especially with the light from the library windows and it's calm atmosphere.

Once she begins to calm down, you stretch your fingers.

"Well then, let's get to work. Can't stay here all afternoon, after all."

xXx

The sun had nearly set by the time you and Hanamaru left the school adding a warm glow to the quiet town. You didn't live too far from the town shrine which also happened to be Maru's house so you walked together in relative silence.

It's time like these where you're both engulfed in silence that you can't help but wonder what it's like to hold her hand. You figure it must be really soft and smooth. She'd most definitely blush if you held her hand, then again so would you.

Ah, you just remembered you had to get dinner at the convenient store.

"Hey, Maru-chan?" she turns around as you both stop walking, "I need to get some food at the convenient store real quick."

"Ah, Maru can wait for you zura."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to be out so late. It wouldn't be safe for you..."

Hanamaru smiles, "It wouldn't be safe for you either, you know. I don't mind waiting."

With that decided you both make your way to the nearest convenient store.

"I'll wait out here zura!"

You nod, "I promise I won't take too long."

Once inside, you quickly find some microwavable dinner and put it in the basket you grabbed at the door. You also grab some snacks and two bottles of tea as well as some bread with red bean paste that you figure you'd give to Hanamaru as thanks for waiting. Plus she looks adorable when she's happily eating.

The line at the cashier was a little long, so it took a few minutes before you could finally get outside. Once outside however, you notice that you don't see your little brown-haired kouhai anywhere. "Maru-chan?"

You look around some more, even around the store, but see no sign of her. Worry and fear explode in your chest as you grab your phone. Sure, she may not be able to use it very well, but you knew she knew how to answer it.

"C'mon, pick up. Please."

You hear the faint sound of what sounds like Hanamaru's ringtone before it abruptly stops. You turn to where you thought you heard the music from and notice a small alleyway a building away.

You quickly make your way over and stare into the darkness. You hear muffled screams and the sound of clothing moving before your eyes adjust. Once they do however, you feel your blood boil.

There, several feet away, was your beloved kouhai trapped against the wall by a tall, broad male figure. He has one hand forcibly covering her mouth and pushing her head against the wall while his other hand is feeling up her chest with one of his legs in between hers.

You had no fighting experience aside from what you saw in movies or video games, but right now that was better than nothing because there was no way you weren't going to save Hanamaru.

"Bastard!" You ran towards both of them, fist ready. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

When you were close enough, you punched the guy in the face. He staggers back as Maru-chan dropped to the floor shaking and crying. You see the guy move to wipe his mouth and look at you.

"Shit," He moves towards you, "you bitch!"

He manages to land a kick to your stomach, knocking you to the ground. You try to get up but he quickly moves to straddle you and punch you in the face a few times after pinning both your arms down.

"Think you could be a savior, huh? How's that feel bitch? Huh?!"

Knowing you don't have much time before you probably pass out from the impact of his punches, you try to move your leg to try and kick his crotch. Thankfully, because he's so busy punching you, he doesn't notice what you're trying to do.

You focus all your strength into your leg and kick him in the crotch. He makes a pained expression and moves his hands as he falls to his side. You quickly move away and look for Hanamaru.

You find her still curled up against the wall where you last saw her so, despite the pain you're in, you move to grab her hand and sprint, trying to get the both of you out of there.

xXx

Somehow, on what you assumed to be pure adrenaline and fear, you and Hanamaru make it to your apartment since it was the closest to where you were running from.

Your parents were gone for the next week, which is why you made the convenience store stop before this all happened, so thankfully no one would question why you came back limping and bruised with a scared, teary-eyed girl clinging to you.

"...A-a-are you okay, senpai?" You look over to the younger girl as you get her to sit on the couch.

"I'll be f-fine Maru-chan. Just some bruises that some ice and ointment can fix. How are you, though? Will you be okay?" You were fine, mostly. Aside from the bruising on your face and the pain where the guy kicked, you're fine. Those were all physical, they'll heal and you can forget about them. For Hanamaru, however...

"A-ah. Maru's okay zura." She stares down at her lap. "Thank you for saving me, (Y/n)-senpai."

You get some ice in the fridge for your bruises. "Of course, I'm just sorry I couldn't get there sooner. Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?"

"No..." You frown at how timid she sounds.

You slowly make your way towards her while pressing the ice against your face. Crap, it hurts more than you'd expected.

"Maru-chan..." You move to place your free hand on her shoulder, but she recoils and backs away, fear etched on her normally soft features. Your frown deepens as you pull your hand back and apologize, "Sorry, Hanamaru-chan."

"N-no don't apologize, you did nothing wrong!" She moves to grab your free hand. "It's...I-I-I'm just, still a little scared..."

"I'll be here for you."

You slowly sit down beside her, still holding her hand and not knowing what to say. Now is definitely a bad time to notice and think about it, but you can't help but notice how soft her hands are.

Your thoughts race back to the scene burned into your mind of that guy trying to violate the girl next to you and you unconsciously tighten your grip on her hand.

"S-senpai?" You let go of her hand and mentally scold yourself.

"Sorry." You quickly mumble as you both relapse into silence.

Amidst the quiet you suddenly remember the things you bought at the store and somehow, despite the chaos, they're right beside the sofa. You figure it was the adrenaline again and reach inside the bag to grab the red bean paste filled bread and the bottle of tea with your free hand.

"Here. I got these for you earlier since I wanted to thank you for waiting on me. Guess maybe you should've gone home instead."

Your kouhai moves to take the items but grabs your hand as well.

"Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault zura." She moves her other hand to the side of your face that you aren't covering with ice. "And you got hurt trying to protect me. I'm very grateful, senpai."

You feel yourself flush as she stares at you with her hand on your face. You swear the ice is melting faster than it should.

"O-o-of course, I love you after all." You blurt out and immediately want to go bury yourself in a hole. "A-a-a-ah, uh, I mean, like...I m-meant--"

"Senpai..."

"D-d-don't misunderstand! I...I didn't save you just because I was in love with you!" You wince at the words pouring out of your mouth. "R-rather, I saved you because firstly you're my f-friend and kouhai! M-my feelings d-don't matter! I...I just want you t-to be safe..."

You turn and get up, not wanting to see her reaction. You're feeling pretty stupid right now, just blurting all that out, seemingly out of nowhere. Yes, you've been very smooth today, good job. You mentally chide yourself.

"(Y/n)-senpai..."

You move towards the kitchen and place the ice in the sink, not wanting to deal with the pain on your face anymore. Not with the growing pain in your heart.

"(Y/n)-senpai?"

You hear shuffling behind you. Maybe Hanamaru's heading home? You don't blame her, not with how awkward you made things. Maybe you could apologize and still be friends, at least? And definitely walk her home. There's no way you're leaving her alone again.

"Senpai?"

She probably thinks less of you now, despite you saving her. Gods, why did you even blurt all that out? That was definitely not how you wanted to confess.

"(Y/n)!"

Startled, you jump and turn around to find your kouhai standing before you.

"Ma-"

You barely say her name before she moves to envelop you in a tight hug. Confused, you only stand there frozen.

"Stop thinking so much, zura. Every time you do you always ignore everything around you."

"Hanam-"

"I'm not done senpai." You shut your mouth and patiently wait for her to continue speaking, her face buried in your chest. "...don't tell me your feelings don't matter. They matter to me zura. After all I love you, (Y/n)-senpai. Whatever your reason for saving me, I'm thankful zura. And I'm glad that you return my feelings."

You swear your heartbeat has stopped. Did she just...?

"You...y-you feel the same?"

She lifts her head and smiles at you, "I do, (Y-y/n)."

You flush at her informal use of your name. She moves a hand to trace some of the bruises on your face.

"I have for a while, and you were so brave today. How could I not fall harder zura."

"H-hanamaru..."

You move one arm around her as the other pushes the hair away from her face. She looks at you as she softly smiles and you slowly kiss her on the forehead, still somewhat afraid that she'll recoil in fear again.

"Senpai," she whispers, "don't worry..."

Sensing your fears she moves to kiss your lips. It's soft and chaste, but sweet and loving. You don't really want to let the feeling go but you do need to breathe. She pulls away slowly and smiles up at you.

"I know you'll always protect me, after all."

A/n: So this turned out longer than I expected. Then again it kinda wrote itself. I hope Hanamaru didn't turn out too OOC.

Also, I must apologize to Hanamaru for putting someone so pure and innocent through something so traumatic! At least reader-chan was there to save the day!
Hope you enjoyed it~~