Chapter Text
It had been a week since Mizuki and Kanade first met.
Mizuki had begun to visit daily after school.
“Kanade, I’ll be a little late tomorrow.” She explained yesterday.
Man, It was fun hanging out with Saki and Minori, but they really kept me long…
It was already dark, Mizuki noticed as her feet carried her towards one of her recent favorite spots.
Well, favorite person.
.
.
.
Eh?!
Is she really my favorite person? I’ve only known her for a week!
Mizuki continued to ponder this subject as she continued her steady pace.
As she finished rounding the last corner of the cave, she saw Kanade packing a few meager possessions in a small linen shoulder bag. Mizuki witnessed her pack the small harp, a sagging pouch, stained with an unidentifiable liquid, and some sheet music.
“Kanade?”
“Mizuki! I was wondering if you were going to visit today.”
“You can count on me!” Mizuki beamed, giving the girl an enthusiastic thumbs up.
“Anyways… Are you going somewhere today?”
“Yes, I am visiting my father”
…
“Would you like to come?” Kanade asked, before Mizuki could.
“Sure! From what you’ve told me he sounds awesome!”
Kanade chuckled lightly.
The girls ambled throught the tall grass as they made their way through the clearing.
As sundown had recently passed, fireflies emerged from the grass and lit their simple walk.
Mizuki listened to the crickets, persistent chirping birds, and loudest, the cicadas filling the otherwise quiet night.
Despite the natural chorus of nature, Mizuki’s favorite sound was the composer humming along, as if the wildlife were instruments in her symphony, contributing to a larger, masterful opus to the world and its creatures.
As all things are eventually concluded in this world, they arrived at Kanade’s father’s grotto. Fortunately, his cave was shorter than his daughter’s.
The man wore a shabby doublet under a large, tattered overcoat. He had an unevenly trimmed stubble along his chin and a thin mustace over his dry, cracked lips.
“Good evening, Kanade,” Mr. Yoisaki smiled, greeting his daughter.
“Indeed, Mister Yoisaki,” was the response of the younger Yoisaki.
He doesn’t know she’s his daughter?
“I see you have brought a comrade as well” he acknowledged.
“Verily, this is Mizuki Akiyama, a close fellow of mine.” her eyes darted over to Mizuki before returning to her father.
“I am glad to meet you, Mizuki,” he said, extending his hand.
“A pleasure, Mr. Yoisaki”
“It is always a blessing to have visitors.” he softly smiled.
So that’s where Kanade got it from.
Mizuki smiled.
“I brought your… food”
Kanade passed the small pouch to her father as he looked inside the contents.
“Thank you, I really do appreciate you doing this for me, Kanade”
What could be in there…
An awkward silence filled the small cave. Mizuki dragged her foot back and forth in the dust.
“Well, I think we will depart now.”
“Of course. Thank you, as always”
“Indeed, It was nice to see you again.”
They said their farewells and Mizuki and Kanade left.
“Not today, I suppose…” Kanade grimaced as they left the cave.
“Hm? What did you say, Kanade?”
“Nothing. … I just wanted to play something for him but… I guess I am not ready to.” She smiled to cover her concern as if her smile would become the handle of a broom to brush away her worries.
…
“Could I… listen to it?”
“If-if you don’t mind of course!” Mizuki quickly added, in an attempt to stop from pressuring the girl.
Kanade nodded.
Whenever they finished the walk they sat across from each other.
Kanade removed the hand-carved harp from her bag and closed her eyes, immersing herself in the melody.
As with all of Kanade’s songs it was warm. This particular tune was full of hope. Like she had written it with a quill constructed of wishes for the future and written on a page formed from hope.
Kanade opened her eyes as the song concluded.
“I hope I can show him it one day” she wistfully looked at the small harp.
“Did your Dad carve that?”
“Yes he did” Kanade looked up at Mizuki. “For my mother. It was the only thing I saved after… it happened
“My condolences” Mizuki looked down, then back towards Kanade, her eyes gleaming with hope “I believe one day you’ll do it” she hugged the smaller girl.
“Thank you”
“Course”
After they separated Mizuki asked “So he doesn’t know you are his child?”
“No…” Kanade’s eyes darted away after the question had been asked. “His most recent memory was from when my mother was pregnant with me”
“He talks about his plans for the future frequently. It is lovely to hear him talk about my mother and all their memories and plans. But.. it hurts.” Kanade said downcast, clutching her sleeve.
“It’s okay to hurt. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I know but…”
A strange silence filled the room. Neither spoke.
As Pandora opened the box and Orpheus looked back, curiosity overtakes all humans.
After Mizuki had decided it had been long enough she spoke:
“Um, Kanade, if I may ask… what was in that bag you gave your dad?”
“That was some animals I caught for him.” she answered before adding “My mother taught me how to make snares to catch small animals.”
“Can you guys eat them?”
“No, for the blood.”
“You can drink animal blood?”
“Yes. It is not quite the same but it suffices.”
“Hmm. Okay”
“Why ever would you ask?”
“Oh, just curious. A lil’ different from how the media portrays it though”
“There is media about vampires?”
“Yep! And quite popular too… I should show you some sometime!”
“That sounds enjoyable” Kanade smiled a gentle smile.
Mizuki peeked at the time on her phone.
HUH?! It’s already ten thirty?!
Crap! And I gotta call Yuuki too.
Ehh Time differences will work it out.
She’ll call me out for staying up late anyways.
I wasn’t planning on going to school tomorrow either.
“I think I’ll head out now, Kanade. It’s getting pretty late.”
“That makes sense. Stay safe.”
“Yea, I will! See you tomorrow!”
“Goodbye”
Mizuki left the cave happy, albeit tired because of her multiple hangouts and visits, but enthusiastic nonetheless.