Chapter Text
“I’m sorry, what?”
Earlier that day, Mafuyu was asked to meet someone on the rooftop of their school. The girl who had originally asked her seemed to be the friend of the girl who was at the rooftop, instructing her on what time to go up and meet the other. Mafuyu’s friend group seemed excited at the news, saying that the girl was going to confess to her. There had been recent rumors about people confessing to each other on the rooftop, and that they always ended up together! Mafuyu doesn’t really believe in those silly rumors, saying that it just happened to a few couples they knew. Her friend group insisted it was a love confession to which she denied, saying that the girl was probably going to ask for help on schoolwork.
But Mafuyu was wrong.
“I…I said that I like you. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Oh no…I shouldn’t have done this.” The girl who confessed to Mafuyu starts backing away, her confidence she had earlier that day fading.
“No, you didn’t make me uncomfortable! It’s just that…I don’t…” Mafuyu’s voice fades, she could practically feel the mask she had put on all these years slip. She had never expected this. Mafuyu doesn’t even understand the concept of love, she shouldn’t be the one being confessed to. She doesn’t get it. What can she even say?
“I don’t expect you to feel the same way as me! I just wanted to get that off my chest. I’m not someone who’s able to keep a secret, so you listening to me saying how I feel about you is enough,” The girl picked up her bag from where she placed it near her feet. She stuck her hand in and took a small pink gift bag out. “Here, this is for you.”
Mafuyu grabbed the bag, holding it lightly in both of her hands.
“Anyways, see you later…I think.” The girl awkwardly smiled and left the rooftop.
Mafuyu looked at the exit and looked back at the gift bag. She held the bag away from her body, like it was something bad. She doesn’t understand what that girl felt about her. She doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t know what that girl was talking about. She does not know.
“Can I ask you guys a question?”
The online music group, Nightcord at 25:00, was working at their regular time. Kanade composing as always, Ena working on her art pieces, and Mizuki working on the MVs. Mafuyu, the lyricist, was doing something else. She stared at the blank document where her lyrics were supposed to be, but nothing could come to mind. The girl was still thinking about that morning. She had unanswered questions, and she was getting quite impatient. She figured that her online friends would understand her lack of knowledge on this topic seeing as they knew about her lack of feelings.
“Of course!” Mizuki was the first to answer Mafuyu, as the call they were in went quiet for a bit when the purple-haired girl spoke up.
“Go ahead,” Kanade was slightly concerned, Mafuyu usually never spoke up in calls unless it was to talk about their music, ask about lyrics, and to stop Mizuki and Ena from arguing. The slivered-hair girl wanted to see what this was all about.
“What…What does it mean for someone to like you?” Seeing as the call went quiet again, Mafuyu sighed and decided to go into more detail. “This girl at school confessed to me. She said she liked me for a long time and at first, I thought she was just saying what I always hear. But then she says she likes me in a different way. I just…didn’t understand.”
A sudden burst of laughter was heard throughout the call.
“Mizuki! Stop laughing, you are being so rude!” Ena yelled at Mizuki.
“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry Mafuyu but I just thought it would be a much more serious matter, you know?” Mizuki had calmed down from their outburst, though they still seemed to be struggling not to laugh. “Listen, love is an easy concept to grasp, in my opinion. If you’re free tomorrow, I can help!”
Tomorrow…It was Saturday and Mafuyu was sure she had no plans. She had finished all her work her mother had expected her to finish, so she was sure she would be able to go out.
“What do you mean help? If I were you Mafuyu, I wouldn’t trust whatever plan Mizuki’s coming up with,” Ena spoke up, seemingly being the one provoking the argument this time.
“You hurt me, Ena! I’ll have you know I come up with the greatest plans!” Mizuki sent a gif to their chat, a little animated cat sticking its tongue out, which was most likely aimed at Ena.
“Sorry to interrupt…whatever this is but, Mizuki what is your plan?” Kanade, who was quiet the entire time, finally spoke up in her usual soft tone.
“Well, you see my dear audience, I am planning on taking Mafuyu on a date!” Ena made a shocked noise, while both Kanade and Mafuyu were quiet. “I think that taking her on a date would clear up some confusion our dear friend is having. And I think we’d all appreciate it if we all went on a date with her!”
“HUH!? What do you mean all of us?? I don’t remember agreeing to this!” Ena yelled, shocked at Mizuki’s idea.
“Oh, hush, Ena. It’s not that big of a deal! It’s not like you’re going on a date with Mafuyu for the rest of your life! It’s just one day, and maybe it’ll help Mafuyu. Remember we promised to help Mafuyu!” Mizuki sent another gif to the chat, this one being another animated cat with big round eyes with the word please being displayed.
“Last time I checked Kanade’s the one that promised that,” Ena muttered under her breath, still unhappy at the idea. “Fine! I’ll do it! You’ll owe me something though, Mizuki!”
“Yeah, yeah. How about you, Kanade? Are you fine with this idea?”
“Sure.” Kanade didn’t really seem fond of the idea, thinking that it wouldn’t really help Mafuyu, but she understood that she wouldn’t be able to disagree anyways. It had been a while since Kanade got out of the house, and why not do it if it was going to help a friend.
“Great! Then it’s settled! I’ll go first with Mafuyu, then Ena, and finally Kanade! You’ll have to find free days and activities for Mafuyu! How’s this all sound to you, Mafuyu?”
Mafuyu, who hadn’t been speaking the entire time, had no choice but to agree. All of her friends had already agreed and Mizuki seemed confident about their plan. “It’s fine.”
“Great! I’ll text you tomorrow then!” Mizuki left with that, not saying goodbye to the other two.
“It is getting late. We should head to bed. Goodnight you two,” With that Ena left as well, leaving Kanade and Mafuyu alone.
“Do you think it would work? I don’t understand how a date could help you…”
“I’m not sure either. Let’s just hope whatever Amia’s got planned can make me understand. How about you? What do you think about this, K?”
“I’m not sure…But I’ll make sure that I can plan a good date to help you!” Kanade wanted to seem confident. She wanted to help her friend that she had tried saving. Kanade wasn’t done trying. She wasn’t ready to give up.
“I see. I’ll look forward to it then.” A yawn could be heard from Mafuyu’s mic. “Goodnight, K.”
Kanade, already used to Mafuyu’s blunt responses, smiled to herself. The other girl had already left, leaving Kanade by herself in the call. She had some hope that her friend could be saved. Even if it was by some silly date. “Goodnight, Mafuyu.”