Work Text:
Kanade tapped her foot against her chair as she made modifications to her new song. She’d been trying everything, but something just didn’t seem right.
Maybe if I edit the chorus to become more powerful? Or is the problem with the bridge?
Lately, anxiety had been eating her up. She was scared that Mafuyu was going to give up, scared of failing her, scared that something will go wrong. It had gotten so bad that she hadn’t been able to eat or sleep.
Not like she would have eaten or slept even without the anxiety, though.
As soon as she thought that, she felt something trickle from her nose and fall on the desk. Blood. Quite a lot of it, too.
She roughly wiped her nosebleed with the sleeve of her jersey, and continued composing. This wouldn’t stop her. She had to save Mafuyu. She had to.
———
Kanade let her vision be overtaken by triangles, before laying eyes on the gray scenery, and a purple-haired beauty standing there.
She had completed the song for Mafuyu, and asked her to come to SEKAI to hear it. Mizuki and Ena were on a double date with Kohane and An, and Miku was nowhere to be found, so it was just Kanade and Mafuyu.
“Mafuyu. I have a new demo for you to listen to.” she said, smiling.
They sat down and began to listen.
A melody filled the room, a sad but warm tone. It soothed Kanade’s anxiety slightly just by listening to it. Mafuyu seemed to feel the same way, as she listened intently and starting showing a bit of emotion by the end of the song.
“How was it?” Kanade asked.
“I…think I liked it,” Mafuyu said, smiling slightly, making Kanade sigh in relief.
“That’s good, Mafuyu, I’m glad you liked it.” Kanade smiled. Mafuyu stood up and Kanade did the same.
Or at least she tried to.
As soon as she stood up, her vision started going blurry and she started feeling lightheaded. She lost her balance and felt herself falling to the ground, before being caught by Mafuyu.
When Kanade looked up at her, she saw that Mafuyu’s smile was completely gone, replaced by worry instead. Oh no…
“Kanade? Are you ok?” she asked. Kanade quickly got out of Mafuyu’s arms and put on a smile.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Sorry, I lost my balance. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Mafuyu didn’t seem to buy it, but she didn’t say anything. Kanade felt the need to leave the SEKAI.
“I have to go work on our next song, see you, Mafuyu.” she said.
“Okay…” she said, still looking concerned.
“Love you, bye.” Kanade said before pressing pause on Composing The Future and finding herself back in her bedroom, anxiety coming back. Why did she have to make Mafuyu worry about her like that?
———
Honami walked over to Kanade’s house and knocked on the door. She waited a few seconds, but there wasn’t any response. Could Kanade have thought she wasn’t coming because she was late?
After a minute, Kanade opened the door.
“Hello, Yoisaki-san. Sorry I’m late, my date with Ichika-chan and the others took longer than expected.” she said, smiling at Kanade.
“It’s fine, Mochizuki-san.” Kanade said, voice soft, and possibly a little raspy.
“I’ll get to the cl-Eh?”
Honami cut herself off once she took a good look at Kanade. She looked so…frail. Her eyes were drooping and Honami could make out some dry blood on her nose. When was the last time she had eaten or slept?
“Mochizuki-san?” Kanade said. Honami looked at Kanade with concern in her eyes.
“Ah, sorry…” she said. “It’s just…”
“Hm?” Kanade’s eyes widened slightly.
“Have you made sure to eat and sleep?” Honami asked. “Ah, I’m sorry, it’s just that you look a bit tired.”
Honami looked at Kanade again, and this time she seemed caught off-guard, but she could sense a hint of guilt in her eyes.
“Y-yes. I’ve made sure to take care of myself, don’t worry. Thank you for asking, Mochizuki-san.” Kanade said, smiling. It was clear she was lying, from the way her smile wavered. Honami was about to remind her to eat again, when Kanade cut her off.
“I have to get back to work. Let me know when you’re done, okay?” It was painfully obvious that Kanade was struggling to keep her smile and not just pass out on the floor right then and there, but Honami didn’t say anything. She just nodded and watched Kanade stumble back to her room.
I should call Asahina-senpai tonight...
———
Mafuyu sat in her room, listening to one of Kanade’s songs. She couldn’t help but slightly sway to the melody, letting Kanade’s sound flow throughout her body. She felt warm. The song reminded her of laying in a warm, shallow lake, flowers and lanterns surrounding her.
The peace was interrupted by her phone ringing. She looked down to see who it was.
Mochizuki-san…?
She picked up and switched her voice to match her “good girl” facade. “Hello?”
“Ah, Asahina-senpai..!” she said. Her voice carried a hint of worry. Could something have happened?
“Hi, Mochizuki-san. Is everything alright?” she asked.
“Well…I wanted to talk to you about Yoisaki-san.” she said. Mafuyu’s eyes went wide. Did something happen to her?
“Kanade? Is she alright?” Mafuyu was still carrying her “good girl” voice, but this time, her words felt more genuine.
“Truthfully, I’m not sure. I went over to her house today and…” Honami’s voice grew even more worried. Mafuyu gripped her sleeve, her worry increasing too.
“Yoisaki-san looked so frail. She had some dry blood on her nose and she looked like she hadn’t slept or eaten in days. When I asked her if she ate, she said yes but it seemed like she was lying. If she’s overworking herself, you might be able to help her. I know you two are close…” Honami said.
Mafuyu remembered that day in SEKAI. How Kanade looked like she could barely stand, how she fell into Mafuyu’s arms, and how she left in a hurry after that. Mafuyu knew something was up, but she seemed fine when they talked in Nightcord after that. Had Kanade been hiding it…?
“Actually, I’ve noticed something up with her as well. I’ll go to her house to see if she’s ok.” Mafuyu said. She heard Honami breathe a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Asahina-senpai. I’ll see you in school.” Honami said.
Mafuyu said goodbye to her, then put on a hoodie, grabbed food, water and milk for Kanade, said a quick goodbye to her parents, and headed out. It was cold outside, but she didn’t care. Her top priority was her girlfriend.
Eventually, Mafuyu reached Kanade’s house. She knocked on the door. Once. Twice. Thrice.
No response.
Mafuyu’s concern grew, and she tried knocking again. She waited for a minute, but still no response. Eventually, her hands trail to the doorknob, and she’s able to open it and let herself in.
Why was the door unlocked?
Mafuyu went to Kanade’s room and knocked on the door. Still no response.
“Kanade, it’s me.” Mafuyu said. Nothing.
Eventually, she decided to open the bedroom door herself, which was also unlocked. She gasped at the sight in front of her.
Kanade was on the ground, blood trickling out of her nose. Her jersey had been abandoned, and by seeing her in her tank top, Mafuyu can see the bones through Kanade’s skin. She was taking raspy, pained breaths. Honami was right, Kanade looked like she hadn’t eaten or slept in days.
What the fuck?!
“Kanade!” Mafuyu yelled out, rushing over to her side. She tried to touch her arm, only for Kanade to wince and move away.
“Kanade, it’s me,” she said, touching her hand ever-so-gently, sighing in relief when Kanade didn’t move away. “It’s okay…I’m here…”
Eventually, Kanade’s raspy, pained breaths turned into soft breathing, still sounding pained but better that before. Mafuyu carefully picked her up and moved her to the bed, careful not to press anywhere too hard.
“Kanade…? Can you hear me?” Mafuyu asked. No response, but Kanade’s breathing seemed to be less pained. Mafuyu looked around and found Kanade’s jersey on the ground. She picked it up and used it to wipe the blood off Kanade’s nose, holding her hand when Kanade flinched. The blood seemed fresh, so Kanade probably passed out a few minutes ago. Her computer was still on, too.
Mafuyu walked over to Kanade’s messy desk and cleared some of the clutter, and put the food she had brought for Kanade. Soft food, hard food, and yogurt. She was about to put a water bottle on the desk when she heard Kanade’s breathing get sharper and louder. She looked over and found Kanade looking back at her.
“Ma…fuyu…?” Kanade said. Gods, her voice was so raspy…
“Kanade, it’s me,” Mafuyu said, running over to her.
“What happened?” Kanade asked. She tried to sit up but fell back down, Mafuyu catching her and holding her.
“I found you passed out on the ground. Your nose was bleeding too.” Mafuyu said. Kanade’s face changed to a pained expression, and Mafuyu could sense guilt in that face.
“I’m sorry…that you had to see me like that. I should get back to work…” Kanade tried to get out of Mafuyu’s arms, but she didn’t let her.
“Kanade, you need rest.” Mafuyu said. Kanade clearly didn’t listen to her, as she kept trying to get up.
“Mafuyu, I must compose.” Kanade said. Mafuyu clenched her fist.
“Stay in bed. I’ll bring you some food.” Mafuyu ignored her, and let Kanade out of her embrace to get her food. Kanade didn’t oblige to her request to stay in bed, as she sat up and seemingly tried to muster up the strength to stand up. Mafuyu ran over to her again.
“Kanade.” Mafuyu’s voice was firm, but also sad.
“Mafuyu, I need to save you.”
Mafuyu couldn’t take it anymore. She pulled Kanade into a tight embrace, and buried her face into the crook of her neck, desperately trying not to cry. Kanade flinched at first, but eventually relaxed into her, but didn’t hug her back.
“Why..?” Kanade said, voice soft but full of sadness. Mafuyu runs her hand down her back.
“Kanade. I’ve been worried about you ever since that day in SEKAI. You seemed so frail. And the way you left after that…I just knew something was up.” Mafuyu said, now setting her chin on Kanade’s head, and stroking her hair. “Earlier, Mochizuki-san called me and said she noticed something was up with you. I just had to come after that.”
Mafuyu kissed the top of her head, and felt Kanade finally hug her back. Kanade was shaking a bit, so Mafuyu gently combed through her hair, detangling some of the knots in hopes it would calm her down. Kanade buried her face into her chest, and Mafuyu gave her one last kiss on her head before letting go and moving next to her on the bed, holding her hand.
“Kanade? Why didn’t you take a break? Or tell me that something was up?” Mafuyu asked gently. Kanade looked like she was about to cry. Mafuyu moved closer to her, and Kanade finally opened her mouth.
“I’ve been…anxious. As to how to save you, and everything. I was scared you were going to…” Mafuyu stroked her thumb across her hand, and urged Kanade to continue. “I guess I just put all my energy into composing. I’m sorry.”
“Kanade..why didn’t you just tell me?” she asked.
“I didn’t want to burden you. You already had enough going on.” Kanade said. She was crying now, digging her nails into her palms.
“I’m sorry…” Kanade apologized.
“Why didn’t you eat? Or sleep?” Mafuyu asked. There was no anger in her voice, just concern and love.
“Well…it was kind of a mix of working on songs and forgetting to eat and sleep, and the fact that the anxiety wouldn’t let me eat and sleep.”
They sat in awkward silence for a second, Mafuyu trying to figure out what to say next.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” Kanade was the first one to break the silence. All of a sudden, Mafuyu hugged her from the side.
“E-eh?! Mafuyu?”
“Kanade,” she said, voice breaking. “Eat. And take care of yourself. Please.”
Kanade hugged her back hesitantly, and Mafuyu could hear her quiet cries. She let go and looked at Kanade, placing a hand on her cheek.
“I know you need to save me. But you can’t neglect your own health.” Mafuyu said. Kanade cried harder but nodded.
“Okay. I’m sorry…” she said, voice breaking.
“Shhh,” Mafuyu soothed, wiping away a tear and kissing her forehead. She pressed their foreheads together, and they just stay like that for a minute.
Eventually, Kanade stopped crying, and Mafuyu pulls back to look at her.
“Hey, Kanade?” she asked.
“Hm?”
“Can you eat now?”
Kanade looks down for a second, before nodding. Mafuyu got up and went to the desk where she left Kanade’s food.
“Can you handle hard food or do you want soft food?” she asked.
“Soft.” Kanade said. Mafuyu got two bananas and gave one to Kanade.
“Let’s eat them together.” Mafuyu said, and Kanade smiled and nodded.
They peeled the bananas and sat in silence, eating. It’s a comfortable silence this time. Mafuyu’s hand on her thigh, and Kanade smiling while eating. They take the last bite and Mafuyu gives Kanade a smile.
“I feel better. Thank you, Mafuyu.” Kanade said. Mafuyu nodded and pressed a small kiss against Kanade’s cheek.
“I’m proud of you.” Mafuyu said. Kanade’s eyes went wide, and she smiled softly.
“Can you get some rest now?” Mafuyu asked. “You need to sleep.”
Kanade nodded hesitantly, and before Mafuyu could get up, Kanade grabbed her hand.
“Hm?”
“Can you…stay?” Kanade asked, cheeks slightly pink. Mafuyu nodded, and both of them got under the covers, Mafuyu holding Kanade in her arms.
“Mafuyu?” Kanade said.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
Mafuyu smiled and pressed a kiss against Kanade’s chin. They stay like that for a while, with Mafuyu occasionally pressing kisses against Kanade’s face, until Mafuyu heard soft snores coming from Kanade. She smiled and kissed Kanade’s forehead.
“Goodnight, Kanade.”