Chapter Text
The taste of petals and blood flooded her senses for a good long while as she retched into the public stall. Just the slightest sensations of hands brushing her hair away and rubbing her back made it through her pain riddled mind.
But once she was finally done, croaking out the last of the blue flowers, Korone dipped forward to lean her head against the cold seat, only to be pulled back just before she could. She was pushed against fabric of some kind, firmly enough to keep her there, but gentle enough not to jolt her.
“Now, now, Korosan. That’s a bit dirty, even for me.” Okayu’s tone was playful, but the dog immediately heard the faint worry in her voice despite the haze of pain.
Korone sighed and leaned against her, closing her eyes as the cat carded her fingers through her friend’s ruffled hair.
“Ok...a...”
She was shushed and the cat chuckled.
“Stop trying to talk right after an attack, okay? As much as I’d love to hear your beautiful voice, you gotta admit it hurts worse.”
The dog cracked a smile and nodded, getting a pleased hum from Okayu.
“Good girl.”
A small thump gave away her tail’s actions and Korone sighed while her friend laughed and played with her hair.
She kept her eyes closed and waited for the iron in her mouth to recede until the only feeling left was those very hands carefully dodging her ears.
“B...better now.”
“You sure?”
Korone nodded and moved to stand. The cat, in turn, broke contact with her to let her do it on her own.
The dog took a deep breath.
“Thanks, Okayu.”
“...No problem, Korosan.” The cat smiled at her. “Mind if I ask what triggered it this time?”
“I think… It was the rolls.”
“Really?”
“Yeah… s-she’s made them before for me.”
“I see, I see.” Okayu hummed and nodded. “Alright, just warn me a bit beforehand if you feel something coming on, okay? You’re lucky I looked back in time, otherwise we’d have an audience.”
“Yeah… Sorry...”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s okay!” She smiled at Korone and nudged her a bit. “Nothing happened. You’re okay!”
“Yeah… thanks.”
The cat chuckled and took her hand.
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand!”
“Who even says that anymore?”
“Ehh, I’m sure plenty of people do!”
Korone laughed and shook her head. That was certainly Okayu.
She lead the dog out of the building and into the fresh air.
While it was mostly blocked by the flowers growing within her, it still felt soothing. It reminded her of her old home.
Or rather, their old homes.
She glanced over at the cat, who was busy in the middle of telling a bizarre story, something she did every time after one of Korone’s attacks.
“A distraction,” she called it once.
“From what?”
“Yourself.” Okayu had laughed. “You tend to get all wrapped up in your brain which’ll just make it worse!”
She wasn’t wrong. Korone was doing that just now.
“Korosan?” The cat nudged her gently out of her thoughts. “You okay?”
She opened her mouth before closing it again.
Everything Okayu did with her was gentle. She was always so careful with the dog, so kind.
“You remind me of Mio,” she stumbled out accidentally. The cat’s eyes widened, but Korone continued. “You’re just so… nice to me.”
Okayu blinked before a smile broke out.
“You’re my best friend, dummy! Of course I’ll be nice!”
“No, I mean...” Korone sighed.
Okayu always had been hard to talk to. Not intentionally. She always had people nearby, was always chatting with yet another girl who had fallen for her. It really didn’t help the anxious dog growing up. Yet, with Okayu, all Korone had to do was sigh too loudly or whimper a little and the cat was by her side. It was always a thought that choked the dog up a little.
“...Thank you. For everything.”
The cat hummed and tilted her head before shaking it and smiling. It was a smile Korone only found when they were alone together.
“I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. It’s no problem, Korosan.”
“I know. I just… wanna say it.”
She squeezed Korone’s hand.
“...Thanks.” After a moment of staring at Korone, Okayu shook her head and cleared her throat. “Anyways, let’s get you home.”
“R-right.” She coughed a little as the stems tightened around her lungs.
Noticing it, Okayu picked up the pace and led her through the afternoon crowd on the sidewalk. Ever since the cat joined her in the city, she knew how to get to Korone’s apartment right above the bakery. Admittedly, it was a bit easy for the dog to remember, but she knew the cat had memory problems from time to time. Still, she led Korone with such confidence to the bakery, you wouldn’t be able to tell.
“Here we are,” she said proudly as the bakery came into sight. “Home sweet home.”
“Home sweet home,” the dog echoed.
“Need help climbing the stairs?”
“No, I think I got it. Thanks.” Korone smiled at her despite the pain pulsing in her chest.
“If only you’re sure. Last chance!”
“I’m fine, I’m fine!” She laughed at the expression she was given. “Honest!”
“Hmmm, alright then.” Okayu let go of her hand and the dog almost shivered at the sudden loss of warmth. “Then I’m heading home. Let me know if you need me to run over.”
“I will!”
“Later~” The cat waved before walking down the sidewalk, tail swaying behind her.
Korone sighed and began to slowly climb the stairs up to her apartment. Her whole body was still sore from the ordeal, but she was also infamously known for her endurance and strength, so getting to the door and opening it wasn’t a problem.
Still, she wasn’t infallible and as soon as she got in and locked the door behind her, she collapsed on the couch with a groan.
The disease had really gone on for so long she almost forgot what it felt like, not needing to flop onto the cushions the moment she got inside. It had been months and her breathing had been handicapped for a while. There was no sign of it stopping anytime soon either.
“She’s just too...” She coughed as petals shot into her throat. “Nice...”
So nice that Korone couldn’t bring herself to erase all of her feelings. No matter how hard it got, she would rather try confessing than getting the procedure.
“Easier said than done...”