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It had been a grueling week, and the need for rest seeped into Mai's bones like it had reserved seating. The curses she'd gone up against were stronger than last week. The extra effort it took to wipe them out had finally caught up to her. For now, she left her shoes beside the door and flopped onto Momo's couch.
The cabin smelled of spell ingredients, all manner of herbs and spices corked in bottles lining the windowsills. Their aromatic effect coaxed a grateful sigh from Mai.
Momo flew past her into the kitchen. The slow scrape of a ladle against the inside of the cauldron was Mai's only clue as to what Momo was up to.
But then, after a long pause, a new sound caught her ear.
As Momo mixed ingredients in the cauldron, she carried a pleasant tune under her breath.
It was an upbeat number—the kind of song Mai imagined people would dance to. She remained as still as possible on the couch, lest she disrupt the moment. In all the time they'd spent together, this was the first time she'd heard Momo sing.
Momo’s voice took on a honeyed tone, the full richness of it left to Mai’s imagination.
Neither of them hadn't gotten far in this semester's English course, but Mai pieced together what she could when the chorus came back around.
Somehow, I'd be doing alright if it wasn't for the nights
If it wasn't for the nights, I think that I could make it
I'd have courage left to fight if it wasn't for the nights
If it wasn't for the nights, I think that I could take it
How I fear the time when shadows start to fall
Sitting here alone and staring at the wall
Even I could see a light if it wasn't for the nights
Even I could see a light, I think that I could make it
Somehow, I'd be doing alright if it wasn't for the nights
If it wasn't for the nights, I think that I could take it
Momo resorted to humming around the parts she hadn't quite memorized, but the chorus always landed. Meanwhile, the gears in Mai's head turned while she tried to place where she'd heard this song from.
Oh. That's right.
If she walked into class early enough, she'd catch Utahime singing it.
Mai quietly tilted her head closer—still unwilling to break Momo's concentration—and settled further into the couch, content to keep listening.