Chapter Text
“Where am I?”
Purgatory, maybe.
She looks at the person lying in bed. Seemingly fragile, the girl with short pink hair has a tired, catatonic look — if she hadn’t seen it hours ago, she would think her… aggressive mourning was imagined, a performance broadcast on the screens of that horrible reality show.
But no. She knows this feeling — maybe not as much as she does, but certainly for longer.
“We’re… in one of the rebellion facilities. It’s temporary, just to give us time to reorganize, but it’s safe.” She approaches, at a comfortable distance from the bed. “How do you feel? Do you think you need anything?”
“What’s your name again?” the girl scratches her head in confusion. “I can’t remember… I’m sorry.” Her eyes, bright with tears, lock onto the taller figure beside her. Her face, clearly in agony from turbulent memories, contorts into a frown that might have been adorable if not for the circumstances.
“No problem,” sensing a reluctant acceptance, she sits down near the edge of the bed, still aloof, “My name is Mizuki. The group calls me Akiyama, but I’d like you to call me by my given name.” She smiles, “Your name is Emu, right?”
Emu nods, “Why am I here? Why did you rescue me?”
There it is.
Thinking about how to give this answer, Mizuki introduces: “We are one of the many groups of humans who seek freedom from the aliens. We don’t know all of them, of course, but we are a relatively large group. However,” she focuses solely on the other girl’s pink eyes, “despite the number, what we need is knowledge .” she points out.
Although shaken, Emu seems to understand the concept of her esteemed role in the rebellion. Reflecting, Mizuki continues: “The Alien Stage is one of the places with the highest concentration of aliens that we have access to… easily. That, of course, without counting the technology behind the cosmic transmission, which is perfect for our planning.” She smiles, friendly, “What we need are people who have knowledge of the stadium’s internal infrastructure.”
Emu remains silent, listening. “Since, obviously, we don’t have access to this information from the aliens, we only have one other alternative.”
“The competitors.”
Mizuki smiles.
—
“So…?”
“Hm?” Recognizing the voice, Mizuki didn’t abstain from her meal in favor of facing her fellow rebel.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Ah.” Finishing her soup, she finally looked up. “Shii-chan.” The frown at the nickname didn’t go unnoticed. “This is Emu. Emu,” smiling at the girl, who was staring at them noticeably from where she was sitting, she introduced: “This is Shiho, a star member of our rebellion!”
“Stop with this nonsense…” she sighed as Mizuki’s laughter was audible throughout the room. “Despite our circumstances, it’s nice to meet you, Emu.” Shiho approached her and extended her hand for a shake, which was promptly accepted. “Though it would be wise for us to create a code name for you for operations as soon as possible, of course.”
“Ah! That’s why Akiyama, right?” Retracting her hands to herself, Emu asks rhetorically as she turns her attention back to her half-eaten soup, though she never lets her gaze wander away from the two women, focused on the conversation.
“Exactly!” Mizuki laughs. “Hinomori here is responsible for creating every codename used by our group, as well as assisting newbies with tasks, and of course, one of the main figures on the front lines! Our heroine!”
“Ignore her, please. It’s hardly a great merit compared to our excellent leader here.” Shiho sits in the chair across from Emu, on Mizuki’s left side. The four-sided table isn’t large and its seats are close together, making it cozy.
“Really? You’re the leader?” Emu curiously turns to Mizuki.
“Don’t get too hung up on the hierarchy, dear!” a heavy hand is placed on Emu’s shoulders, friendly. “By the way, where’s Ena, Shiho? She should be welcoming our newbie too!”
“Shinonome is busy speeding up the jamming session, Akiyama. Realizing that our mission is only a week away, we should hurry up and organize the transmission through the alien networks.” Shiho crosses her arms and legs. “We can’t afford to fail.”
“Ah, yes. Yes. I see.” Mizuki’s smile twitches imperceptibly. “Well, when she’s done for the day, send her to meet our newest recruit.” Turning to Emu, she restores her radiant smile. “You two will get along well, I promise!”
“Ah, I hope so…” Emu shyly turns her gaze back to the bowl.
The awkward silence lasts only a few seconds before Shiho says, “Well, we still have a pseudonym to come up with.”
“What are your ideas, counselor?”
Ignoring the comment, Shiho proposes: “I’ve thought of three possibilities so far: Shinkai, Ono, and Abe. However, if you don’t like any of them, we can decide later.”
“Ah…” Emu thought demurely, frowning, about the nicknames. She clearly hadn’t liked any of them. Therefore, since she had only just met Shiho, she didn’t want to displease and embarrass her by exposing this, and at the same time she didn’t want to choose any of the names.
So, to help her in this internal struggle, Mizuki intervened:
“What do you think of Otori, Emu?”
“Huh?” Emu muttered while Shiho complained with a threatening ‘hey’ in the background for having interrupted Emu’s train of thought. “As in phoenix ?” Mizuki nodded. “Why?”
She smiled. “I just think you’ll do great things, Emu. Groundbreaking, even. Why not a phoenix?”
Emu blushed to her ears, stuttering at the compliment. Shiho watched the exchange silently.
“I think Otori is perfect for you.”
Emu lowered her head, blushing and nodding. Shiho sighed again.
“Then it shall be Otori. I understand. I will let the others know, leader .”
Mizuki maintained her smile. Emu was still embarrassed by the blatant compliment, carelessly stirring her cooled soup.
“Welcome to the rebellion, Otori!”
—
The night fell into murmurs and hesitation in the rebel base. Anxiety was the main emotion to be found among all of them. Being just days away from the execution of the most important plan they had ever had, the general restlessness was to be expected.
Fortunately, with a lively head in the lead, motivational parties were necessary in these moments.
Mizuki already knew that this moment would come again, where she would sing once more for them. It was not a burden, far from it. It was… liberating, depending on the occasion and her own mood.
Today was not a good day, however.
“Mizuki…”
Pushing these thoughts to the back of her heart and mind, she finished her last song, closing with an incredible and highly motivating speech for the moment:
“TODAY IS THE CELEBRATION OF OUR NEAR GLORY! THEREFORE, THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS NOT ONLY A CHOICE, BUT A NORM AND A RIGHT! AND WE SHOULD MAKE THE MOST OF IT!!!”
The excited chorus of the crowd was enough for her. Stepping down from the stage, she greeted the people closest to the platform, smiling and joking. She danced to the songs on one of the radios they had with several drunk companions; she entered a five-person competition to see who could get drunk to the point of dizziness the fastest; and she kissed the ground as she tried to silently escape from the crowd.
“That’s why I’m so against these parties. You always end up worse than them.”
“Enanan!!! My savior!!” Mizuki clung like a koala to the woman who was trying to lift her up, mistaking the help for a warm and strong hug.
“Mizuki, let go! You’re going to make us fall!” Ena cursed as she tried to keep her balance and steady the two of them on the ground, holding herself back from hitting the drunk woman who had apparently made it her mission to push them both to the ground and suffocate her with sticky, firm, unyielding hugs.
“Where have you been, Enanan??? I missed you so much!!!” After managing to stay on her feet while supporting Mizuki on her shoulder (who was rubbing her face against her neck like a damn cat ), Ena pulled her into the nearest room to sit her down in a comfortable place and try to calm her down from her drunken stupor.
“I was only gone for a few hours, Mizuki. It was hardly that bad. Now stop leaning on me all the time and try to walk a little! It’s not easy for me to carry you, you know?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I just-” she gasps as she pulls away and loosens her grip quickly, but not so much, from her neck and her body, but not completely. “I wanted to introduce you to our dear Emu-chan!”
“Emu? Like in recruit Otori?” Ena pushes open the nearest door and opens the already lit and unoccupied room so they can carefully enter the room, dragging Mizuki inside.
“Yes, yes! That’s right! I-I’m sure you two-” Mizuki gasps again as she is thrown hard onto the couch by the woman who is already going to get medication for her headaches and body aches. “Hey! That was really rude!”
“Then do the work of looking at least a little sober. That way I won’t have to babysit an adult.” Mizuki huffed and puffed out her cheeks like a spoiled child. Ena was searching through her belongings in her bag for the specific pills.
“Now that-” she pointed out as dramatically as a drunk could, “was rude!”
“I…” Ena trailed off as she reflected on the consequences of her foul mood. The medicines were already in her hands and she sighed as she closed her bag again. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay! It’s okay!” she laughed carefree. The joys of drunkenness. “Anyway, what was I talking about? Oh, yes! Emu-chan! You’ll love meeting her!” Ena sat down on the couch next to Mizuki, after grabbing a bottle of water to help her swallow the medicine.
“Really?” she came closer, signaling for Mizuki to open her mouth with an open-mouthed ‘ah’ , a movement that Mizuki promptly repeated, happily. “There, there. Swallow slowly.”
Ignoring the last part, Mizuki drank the water as if she had been dehydrated for weeks, and consequently choking, hearing a scolding ‘what did I say!?’ . Coughing and coughing, she still laughed as she tried: “E-emu-chan is a c-cute girl, seemingly lively and smart. I-I obviously don’t know her very well, but you’re going to be g-great friends!”
“Really?” Ena smiles warmly as she gently pats her friend on the back, helping her choke.
“Yeah! In fact, we can go-”
“She reminded you of your time at Kamikou Garden, didn’t she?”
Panning, Mizuki freezes in shock, her wide smile unmoving as her eyes widen and her hands tremble imperceptibly. Of course, this pause is corrected in a matter of seconds as Mizuki quickly leans back against the couch, sighing and placing her hands to support her head, tangling her loose peach hair.
“Sometimes I forget how perceptive you are.” She laughs awkwardly.
“That’s just because I know you, Mizuki. And that’s okay, really.” She reaches out to gently place her palm on the cushioned seat.
That’s because it’s not the first time, of course.
“Do you want to talk about it? I’m here to listen, if you feel comfortable about it.” Ena offers gently.
“I…”
“Mizuki…”
“Mizuki! You really came!!!”
“You’re special to me. The only one worthy.”
“The three of us are best friends, aren’t we?”
“Stop it! Stop hiding her from me! She’s not your pet! SHE’S MY FRIEND TOO!!”
“Did you see me, Mizuki? I won! Now it’s just us, together!”
“…it’s still so… hard… to deal with. It’s been years, but…”
Seeing her eyes shine with unshed tears, Ena gently reached out, tightening her grip on Mizuki’s hand, conveying an unspoken message they both knew.
It’s okay, you’re not alone.
“Can I kiss you?” Mizuki whispered.
Ena smiled diligently. “You know the answer, Mizuki.”
She swallowed hard, holding back tears. “Okay. I’m sorry, it was stupid.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get through this.” She laced her fingers together, looking away awkwardly.
After an awkward moment, Mizuki changed the subject: “How is Airi, by the way?”
“She’s recovering well. By the way, she made it clear that she’s participating in the stadium invasion. I told her it was impossible, but she argued that she wouldn’t miss it for anything and that she’d recover quickly.”
They laughed together. “She’s still stubborn to the death, isn’t she?”
“Too much.”
Silence reigned again. The discomfort of that question still hung in the air; however, the mood was more relaxed than before.
“You should sleep, you know.” Ena said after minutes of silence.
Mizuki turned to face Ena, who was staring at the wall, thoughtful. “Are you going to meet Emu-chan tomorrow?”
She turned her face to look into his eyes, smiling gently. “Of course.”
“Okay.” Mizuki smiled sleepily. “I’ll sleep here.”
Ena snorted in amusement as she shook her head. “I expected that.” She carefully released his hands and stood up. “I’ll get you a blanket. Do you want pillows?”
“No…” Pushing her head further into the edge of the couch, she stretched out awkwardly, leaning against the armrest. “Just… a blanket. Warm.”
“Sure.” Ena was already at the door, pressing the light switch next to it, darkening the room to the level of the outside being the only point of light present. Looking at the now-sleepy, curled-up figure, she announced, “I’ll be right back.”
Ena left while Mizuki's eyes were already closed. Her drunken mind was providing random and fleeting memories in racing thoughts about anything and everything as she tried to fall asleep.
But one memory in particular remained, among all the others. A very, very old one. Unforgettable.
"Let's be together. Forever, Mizuki."
"Rui..."
She fell asleep before the blankets arrived.
—
“Good morning!… and I wanted to thank you for…”
“So you think… it’s right? I know that… how she is-”
“Maybe you should… my things…”
“You… red corridor is death…”
“… Chief Honami’s banquet? How can we thank you for-”
CLAP!
“Saki to Mizuki. It’s time to wake up, not sleep standing up!” The intensity of the voice made it difficult for her to restabilize her senses from the temporary dissociation after waking up from her drunken sleep, giving her a nice hangover that was exploding with her nerves (despite Ena’s care in medicating her to lessen the pain) and making all the information go in one ear and out the other.
“I really needed you, Tenma.” Putting her hand on her face to try to muffle the sensitivity of the absurdity of it all, Mizuki grumbled: “Would you accept me as a temporary patient in your infirmary? I just need a break or two.”
“Oh, I see.” The softening of her voice, which had been somewhat scolding, meant only a temporary respite from the scolding about responsibility that would come later, but even so, she would count it as a small mercy. “Well, I’ll accompany you, but only ,” she emphasized, “if you eat something first. With my supervision, of course.”
Translating to: “Your horrible drinking habits — which I’ve already tried to help you reverse — have come back to bite you in the ass, and as a self-loathing person, you react badly to the consequences and then forget to take care of yourself. So, in order to keep you from killing yourself through neglect, I’ll be your temporary babysitter.”
It was truly incredible terrible that these were her friends.
“Sure,” she agreed as Saki settled in beside her, loosely holding her right arm to guide her to the cafeteria. Her frown, dark circles and discomfort were clear on her face, fortunately warding off sharp conversations from others that she would certainly have participated in if it weren't for the nails hammering profusely in her mind.
“You know I won't let you get near any drink that contains alcohol for the rest of the week, right?” The blonde tried to delicately bring up the subject. Even though she tried to warn her about her harmful habit, she was shy about imposing herself too much. As a result of several similar occurrences.
However, despite reacting badly, Mizuki appreciated the encouragement. In her entire life, it was with Saki that, for the first time, she felt seen. Not that she didn't have friends who hadn't known her as a child (flaming eyes blink enthusiastically), but with her care and keen observations, Mizuki finally felt understood.
So it's no surprise that she exposes herself completely to Saki, not even hiding her negative sides.
“At least I won't have to eat much now, will I?” It wasn’t exactly a plea, but it was close.
“A plate is fine. I won’t force it this time.” Mizuki sighed in relief and smiled at Saki, her frown diminishing. She smiled back and, upon reaching the entrance, pulled her to sit down and ignored the crowd present in the cafeteria in the process. Some people who tried to approach gasped in embarrassment at being so blatantly ignored, but they had the perception that the solution when they were both together was to not bother them.
Saki chose a table near the corners and windows; the day was rainy, and the dimly lit alleys, despite being daylight, gave plenty of room for imagination about what resided in that place. The buildings, distant and long, monochromatic and hazily camouflaged, amplified the feeling of loneliness, both physically and cognitively.
“I’ll get you something light. I’ll greet Honami and then we’ll go to the infirmary, okay?” Mizuki nodded as she smashed her head against the table in dissatisfaction. Her stomach was currently undulating in more and more waves, somersaulting and eventually spinning in on itself, causing her to feel absolutely sick. Of course, with Saki witnessing her meal, it was impossible to pretend to hand over her untouched plate to another individual without a satisfied appetite.
Watching the downpour through the window, Mizuki reflected on her poor decisions that had brought her to this deplorable state of being human: her disastrous melancholy without a solution that had led her to an insurmountable drunkenness that had guided her to make stupid judgments that, in the end, had led her to believe that a night of drunkenness was the solution and, as a result, had left her in a cadaverous state of mind brooding, longing for the moments where the hangover had not caught up with her.
She didn't even notice when Saki approached with her breakfast until the loud thud of the plate hitting the table startled her out of it and back to reality. Standing up hesitantly, she gave her a pleading look as a last hope to try to avoid the meal.
Saki sighed indignantly as she sat in the chair across from her, giving her only a view of two empty tables behind her and another window before the corner of the room. "It's just a sandwich, you know? It won't kill you." The sandwich itself was well-filled, with at least three vegetables visible in her peripheral vision and at least seven layers, excluding the breads that supplemented the ingredients in the middle.
"Is this what you call light?" Mizuki pointed out, her body leaning against the window in contempt and sloppiness. The blonde woman with pigtails raised her eyebrows in challenge, staring at her intensely.
"Alright, I'll eat." Grumbling, she quickly grabbed the snack, not bothering to get her hands dirty, and took a big bite in spite, being watched the whole time. Despite the initial brutality, the digestion process was slow, aiming at the persistent nausea in her stomach.
Slowly swallowing, Saki smiled. They both knew Mizuki's stubbornness, but they also recognized that, with good persuasion (and the notion of where to push), she would easily give in. Like now.
After three bites, Saki says: "Since we're going to the infirmary, you should try to convince Momoi to give up on going on the mission. She's already delirious about invading the Alien Stage, you know?" She sighs.
"Really?" Mizuki finishes chewing the piece in her mouth. "Just drug her that day, you know? You don't need much persuasion. She'll sleep so much that she won't even miss it."
“Of course I know that, but what about how much I’ll have to listen to until then? She can be quite vocal when she wants to be and it’s already starting to get on my nerves, that stubbornness!” She laughs as Saki complains.
“Sure, sure. I’ll try to make her give in. But don’t expect success, just in case.” Mizuki winks, smiling mischievously. The nurse snorts, trying to stifle her laughter, whispering dozens of ‘I know, I know’s’.
Silence returns and Saki’s expression becomes thoughtful. Mizuki is about to ask the reason for the pause when she announces: “I would like to join the attack-”
Mizuki immediately stiffens and proclaims imperiously: “ No .”
“You didn’t even let me finish.” She frowns in annoyance.
“I don’t need to hear it all the way through.” Her tone becomes dangerously threatening. “You won’t be leaving here on missions.”
The answer clearly doesn’t go down well. Saki gets angry, raising her body: “This is ridiculous. You can’t just lock me up here and act like you’re in charge of where I should be and act!”
Mizuki drops the sandwich, not even bothering to try to fool her already non-existent appetite. Her peach eyes are steady, with a coldness that made Saki recoil imperceptibly.
“I made a promise to your brother, Tenma. If I have to lock you up in captivity to keep you alive, I will. And don’t think otherwise.”
Her tone left no room for objection. Saki’s body shrinks and shivers with fear and sadness. Tears stubbornly cling to her eyes, refusing to fall. Her cheeks glow red and her teeth grit. Her fists furiously clenched and ready to hit her friend’s cold face.
“This is so unfair! You don’t have the right to decide for me what I want!”
“As your leader, I do, actually.” Mizuki clarifies. “Even more so when it concerns your safety. You should give up on this idea, just as you think Airi should give up on this attack.”
“You-” Saki bit her lip in frustration, shaking with anger. She stood up. “I’m not going to stand here and listen to this. If you still want your medicine, go over there. I’m going.” Then she turned and left.
Mizuki sat watching Saki’s back and the way she walked past the others without sparing them a glance. Her frustrated and furious spirit left through the doors without looking back. She sighed heavily, releasing some of the hardness that had previously resided in her features.
Her negative emotions, barely muffled by her once calming presence, now returned with full force. The remorse for her rude attitude was repressed by the thought that the message would only be understood by severity.
“She needed to understand… Tsukasa would understand that it was necessary. He would support me. I did the right thing, even though I was rude.”
Despite everything, she didn’t feel the least bit comforted.
—
“When I get out of here, I promise to show you how to do a kick like that! Seriously, you’re going to get it from all the messing around like that—”
“Momoi, she’s only two days into the rebellion…” Saki sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“It’s never too early!” She complains loudly.
Mizuki is hidden between the doorway and the hallway, watching the interaction. The infirmary, because it occupies an entire floor of the building where they are temporarily established (composed of five floors, excluding the ground floor, the clinic occupied the second. However, it is common for patients to share rooms to save space and, consequently, increase the capacity of patients), has a large space and is ideal for possible cowardly escapes, like, for example, if she were to try one now.
She had avoided talking to other people as soon as she got here so as not to alert Saki (who was still upset), but she still wanted to talk to Emu before going to her duties — who, conveniently, was currently in the presence of the head nurse, on a topic that her current roommate had skillfully dragged out for several minutes.
Truth be told, Mizuki couldn't take it anymore. She had been here for more than five minutes, and as interesting as Airi's stories were (and used at this moment to impress the poor newbie), she had heard them many, many times. She could recite the whole thing from cover to cover right now without losing her breath.
"I think it's brilliant, Airi-chan! But you should recover first, of course. That way you can show me several other moves you know without going back right away!" Emu replied enthusiastically as always. She, despite not showing it, was clearly cautious and attentive to Airi's every word and mannerism. It was a strange place, packed to the brim with strangers where you were vulnerable on all sides — the apprehension was understandable and even expected. Blind trust would be foolish.
However, Emu seemed to like Airi, who was energetic and a comforting presence. If she didn’t, she would undoubtedly be shyer, and more closed-minded, Mizuki supposed.
The pink-haired girls seemed to be recovering well, relaxed despite the unfortunate circumstances; Emu was there at Saki’s insistence (“To help her adapt better!” according to her.) and Airi… would definitely be staying for a few more weeks.
Mizuki expected Emu to be out of the infirmary within two days at most. With the role of guide in the upcoming attack, she needed to learn the art of self-defense — at least knowing how to shoot and having decent aim. The girl had a lot of physical polishing to do, and death loomed over her head even now, in isolation.
Come to think of it, weapons training should be a priority as an initiation and review for the safeguards. If possible, right after the recap of the plan by the so-called “sub-leaders” participating. Of course, she would focus her attention on Emu, noting her absolute ignorance in fighting.
“What are you doing here?” a voice whispers in her ear.
Mizuki shudders and almost screams. She remains motionless in the doorway, without taking her eyes off the three people in the center of the room, resisting the absolute urge to look at the unfortunate intruder.
“It doesn’t interest you.”
“That’s not how you make friends. Your bad mood is truly terrifying.” By now she has recognized who the voice belongs to, but still refuses to admit defeat for her shameful cowardice.
“Let me wallow in my own misery, for once. No need for reminders.” Having lost focus of the conversation inside, Mizuki tries to guess what the subject is about while precariously watching Airi laughing at Emu's bright smile, with Saki having already withdrawn from her visual range.
“You're too exaggerated. And weren't you the one who suggested I come meet your lovely newbie?” The usual irritated tone is present in each of the syllables, a fact that she would have fun teasing if she wasn't hiding.
“I don't remember.” She remembers very well, in fact.
She doesn't answer, hovering behind Mizuki for a few seconds before making a decision: “Oh, stop it! You're not a gossiping brat. Come on!” and then she simply grabs Mizuki tightly and pulls her out of her comfortable shelter, pushing her into the room with three pairs of eyes immediately hovering over her person.
“Ena!” Airi squeals in happiness. “And leader! How are you guys?” Her smile is so radiant that it crinkles her lower eyelid and her cheeks glow red, her gaze exploding into shooting stars—at Ena, of course. Emu widens her eyes slightly before offering a polite bow to both of them. Saki nods at Ena, impassive to Mizuki.
“How can you smile so early in the morning, Airi?” Ena releases Mizuki as her features soften, moving closer to h from the stretcher leaning against the center of the wall parallel to the door; a wall where a countertop and fixed cabinets full of medicines are embedded. Beside the bed, Ena leans in to give Airi a chaste kiss on the cheek, who melts, smiling.
Mizuki remains silent. Emu raises her eyebrow slightly. Saki turns to the countertop of syringes and medicine bottles.
“Right…” Ena moves away from Airi enough to look at Emu, who is sitting on the bed in front of her. “You’re Emu Otori, aren’t you? Mizuki here,” Ena points to Mizuki, who is trying to recover from her sudden discomfort. “insisted that I visit you.”
“Really?” Emu is surprised. “I… I don’t know your name, to tell you the truth.” She blushes.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Ena laughs at her shyness. “I-”
“That’s our Ena!” Airi grabbed both of her cheeks and brought them closer to her own face, rubbing her cheekbones playfully, creating a hearty laugh from both of them and Emu, who was amazed. “Shinonome for less intimate, which I believe won’t apply to any of us here!”
The short pink-haired girl waved kindly, smiling: “Nice to meet you, then, Ena.”
“Likewise.” Ena replied as she tried to pull away from her girlfriend’s grip, who, frankly, had a ridiculously strong grip for someone in a hospital. “Let go, Airi! You’ll wring my neck!”
“I’ll heal you with my little kisses!” she retorted and, as proof, repeatedly kissed any skin she could find on the other woman; neck, jaw, lips, anywhere.
Emu blushed scarlet. Mizuki whistled at the interaction. Saki, having turned back to face them, sighed dramatically, though a small smile was found on her features.
“We’re in a ward, not your private quarters,” the nurse scolded, not really imposing. “Save that for when you’re released, Momoi.”
The sounds of kissing ceased, replaced by laughter as Airi, having freed Ena from her iron grip, stuck her tongue out at Saki, who hid her own laughter with an offended expression.
“Don’t do that to me, brat! Don’t forget who controls your medications!” she pointed out. “A laxative can easily be disguised as cephalexin!”
“As if you’d dare medicate anyone with something wrong!”
“You-!”
“Saki.” Mizuki called, ceasing her laughter. Saki faltered in her own smile, glancing at her sideways, not daring to turn to look at her too closely. “I need what I asked you for.” She looked at Emu next, “I’ll come back later to see them. I need to check the storage.”
Ena raised her eyebrows, as if she didn’t believe anything that came out of her mouth; the same for Saki, who wasted no time in going after the medicine. Emu nodded and Airi, stupidly oblivious to Mizuki’s emotional turmoil, pointed out: “But you don’t take care of the storage-”
“She wants to check if everything is going well for the next invasion, right?” The brown-haired girl helped her by making up a lame excuse out of cloth, silencing Airi. Mizuki approved with a quick nod and didn’t discuss it any further.
The nurse came back with three different pills, all of which, to her, were familiar. Saki, stingily (and rightly so, if she wasn't on the side that suffered the direct consequences), didn't bring her any liquid to help her swallow the medicine and quickly handed it to her outstretched hand.
Mizuki thanked her softly, sparing her words, shoving the pills down her throat without any liquid help, causing an unrecognizable sigh. She waved to the other three residents and, as she left, heard Saki proclaim: "Come back around dusk. Not before, much less after!"
Passing through the retrograde corridor full of open and closed rooms, occupied and empty, illuminated and dark, Mizuki decided to go straight to the top floor, where, usually, the training took place; physical combat, weaponry, agility and even technological, depending on the day. She certainly needed to release her pent-up emotions in beautiful punches, kicks and even shots (not even hesitating in her fear of carelessly discarding bullets), seeing no alternative to get out of this spiritual melancholy.
After that she would readjust the organization of the plan and discuss the final conclusion with her fellow council members, starting the last process of his training until further notice.
For now, Mizuki would relax. In a twisted way, but relax.