Work Text:
Maki thought she was prepared for Mai’s antics today, but lines keep getting crossed.
She’s perfectly aware of their station in life. As is Mai. Thus, the constant reminders during this conversation aren’t remotely productive or interesting. So she turns her attention to Nobara, whose unconscious body currently lies on the ground.
“Nobara, can you stand?”
Mai smirks, eyes brimming with malice. “No way. She won’t be getting up for a while. I hurt her pretty go-”
Brandishing her staff is a decision Maki’s body makes on its own. Some part of her knows it’s best to not waste the energy it’ll take to fight Mai. But running deeper than that—down into her bones—is a simmering anger.
Mai flinches away from the staff in front of her nose. “What? You want to fight?”
Maki’s brows knit together. She draws in a deep breath through her nose. Her grip on the staff tightens like a vise.
But then, creeping up behind Mai, she spots Nobara. With such an effective tackle method, it’s over in an instant.
“Nice support, Maki!” Nobara's voice rings clear and pure.
Maki pulls her staff back and her chin up.
She stares down at Mai, who stubbornly refuses to meet her gaze. It must feel shameful to be taken down so quickly by a first-year, especially the one whose body she was gloating over.
Maki’s fingers give a single twitch as she considers lending a hand to help her up. She recalls how quickly Mai had slapped it away the last time they were in this position.
After a substantial pause charged with a silent battle of wills, Maki keeps her hand at her side.
No reason to think it’d be any different today. If she wants to get up, she can do it herself.
As far as first impressions go, it couldn’t have gone much worse. Maki wouldn’t be surprised if Nobara never wants anything more to do with her after this. No sane person would.
Sadness threatens to invade her, consume her, but Maki already has a carefully prepared barrier for cases like these. She expects Nobara to avoid her, maybe even resent her as much as she already does the rest of the clan. Then, Maki can go back to walking her chosen path alone.
Perhaps she should thank Mai for chasing away another possible distraction. She huffs a wistful, humorless chuckle through her nose.
For what it’s worth, Nobara seems genuinely interested in Maki’s life and motivations. To honor that curiosity, Maki answers honestly. There’s nothing to gain from lying to someone who’s not even involved.
“I really respect you, Maki.”
“Is that so?”
Let’s see how long you feel that way.
What Maki doesn’t anticipate is Nobara then resting her head on her shoulder. Maki's brain scrambles.
Huh?! Why is-? What-?
Muscle memory keeps Maki on track to Shoko's office since there's no hope of thinking straight right now. Her mind runs through all their previous interactions, searching for anything that could make some sense of this. She recalls the first-year saying something about winning the exchange event to help Maki earn her promotion. Even though that’s a goal reserved for Maki to achieve on her own at every level.
Ridiculous.
And yet, here Nobara is. Walking alongside Maki, eyes closed with a pleased smile on her face. The serenity of it all is out of place among the bullet holes and scuff marks on her tracksuit. Maki scoffs. There is no reason for Nobara to place herself in so much danger on Maki’s behalf. Even so, with equal parts confusion and interest, she’d watched Nobara do it; even gave Maki credit for helping her subdue Mai.
Maki steals another glance. There's no denying it. Letting Nobara lean on her, soaking in the girl's warmth, feels nice. It would be more than selfish to let this continue. Nevertheless, Maki can't bring herself to disrupt the moment.
She sighs, weariness spreading in her chest.
Maki never doubted her decision to leave the clan. Not once. She forced her way out of an old world without entertaining the idea of someone being there for her on the other side.
Someone to pull her into the new world.
Someone who'd want her to stay.
Nobara hooks her arm around Maki's, nestling closer. Maki chuckles softly.
I hope Mai finds someone who makes her feel the same way.