Work Text:
I take off my headband, setting it aside on my bedside table. Getting ready to sleep.
I stare blankly at my emails, I’ve been doing this every night since Miorine’s been gone.
She’s been going on business trips for while now so her being away wasn’t new, and I’ve been as busy as ever lately. But it made me think about her the more, especially with the way we left off.
How does Miorine feel about it? I’ve been asking myself this constantly.
In my texts, I tell her about how I’ve been, my days, my duels. She doesn’t respond. I already know that she’s not allowed to after the incident, like Mom told me.
And she’s dealing with a lot too, she needs the rest.
I’ve sent two texts earlier today, one about what I ate for breakfast.
[I just had fish for the first time.]
And the second one, in the afternoon.
[The tomatoes have gotten a pretty color now.]
I still had one text left to give.
The last ones were always the hardest for me to send. I do my best to make them interesting… But I worried that Miorine doesn’t read anything I’ve been writing.
Should I not take it too seriously?
I set my student notebook down on my chest, staring up at the ceiling.
A lot had happened these past two weeks, and are still happening.
Things didn’t get any less difficult as the time past by. But I needed to be positive, for everyone’s sake.
But what about Miorine?
I wanted to get through to her somehow.
[I miss you.]
This is what I ended up sending, after five minutes of thinking.
It was embarrassing.
But maybe if she really wasn’t reading my emails, it didn’t matter. It was easier when I think of it like that. Though, it made me a bit sad.
However, as I put my notebook down, I finally hear a ring.
A new email, from Miorine.
[I miss you too.]
When I see it, my heart felt filled.
But then, I quickly became skeptical of the message. Not letting myself get excited too soon, I open the notification.
The app screen popped up, pages of my own messages filled the chat history.
It really was her.
I was excited.
How should I respond?
Anxiousness washed over me from not having spoken with her in a long time. I didn’t know what tone I should use.
But I start to think about how odd it is, for Miorine to respond to me so fast. Saying she missed me too.
Was she usually someone to say something like that?
The feeling of uncertainty took over, and I ask her about it.
[Is everything okay?]
[Yeah.]
Neither of us continue responding, there’s a pause.
I had wanted to ask her about how she felt about the incident specifically. I type out a response, but I’m hesitant. It was hard to move my finger over the keys, but I go through with it anyways.
[Do you feel weird, about last time?]
I realized I couldn’t be direct about it as much as I wanted to.
Miorine doesn’t reply right away, and thoughts race in my head.
Did she suddenly get busy? Did she not want to talk with me anymore, or is she still scared about what I did?
But she then starts typing, and I wait, nervously.
[It’s not a big deal.]
[Really?]
[You saved my father and me, that’s all there is.]
From her words, Miorine had forgiven me for what happened. I would usually believe her like that if that’s how she truly thought.
Yet her reaction during that moment replays in my head, stuck, and I grow wary of her words.
[Are you really okay Miorine?]
[You trust me, don’t you?]
[I do.]
It seemed like Miorine was really ready to move on from it. I had no reason to drag things, then.
There was still this wavering sensation in my chest, but I’ll trust her.
I try to move the subject to something else, maybe I can settle the feeling.
[What will you be doing now Miorine?]
[I’m going to be busy with something else for a while longer.]
[It’s a new project.]
[For Gund-Arm?]
[Yes.]
[I’m not allowed to say much.]
I’m surprised that Miorine was still busy with company stuff. She should’ve been taking a break from Gund-Arm but she’s been working hard.
This project was a secret too, was that also a reason why she didn’t communicate for a while?
If Miorine can’t talk about it, then I trust that she can handle it on her own, and I won’t think about it too hard.
But I’m still amazed at how much she’s doing for us.
It made me reflect back, at everything.
I wasn’t really thinking, and I said the first thing that came to mind.
[Do you remember that time you gave me that tomato?]
[Not really.]
[Why?]
[Hehe, you’re even more forgetful than even me.]
[Huh?]
[God you’re annoying.]
I was able to hear this in Miorine’s exact voice, I chuckled.
Miorine denies remembering these moments, but she doesn’t actually forget. I know this because whenever I’m down, she encourages me and reminds me of the things I’ve told her about.
She’s really thoughtful.
[Do you dislike it?]
[Not at all.]
Her reply made me feel fuzzy.
She really was kind.
[Why bring that up now anyways?]
[I was thinking about how much you do for me.]
[And how I’ll do my best.]
[Are you making fun of me?]
[I mean it…]
[You’ve helped me, since my first day here.]
Since the beginning, Miorine’s always been considerate with my feelings. Even though I messed up her escape plan when we met.
She’s already saved Aerial twice now and even started up Gund-Arm. Miorine worked hard, for us.
[I want to see you again, Miorine.]
I express what I felt.
A while passes by, and I was unsure if I had said the right thing at the moment.
Was I coming off too strongly?
I still wanted to be honest. But this was the first time we’ve spoken in a while, so maybe I shouldn’t have…
Miorine doesn’t reply right away. I wait, my eyes wavering toward our chat window. I noticed my palm started to sweat, and I wondered how much time had passed.
Looking up at the clock in the corner of the screen, it had only been a minute, despite how much longer it felt.
Miorine starts to type, and my body jolts, anticipating what her response would be.
[Me too.]
My heart starts racing. A sense of relief washes over me, but I process her reply. And soon, I’m grinning.
I’m glad she feels the same way.
Maybe we could go back to talking like normal, soon.
[When will you be back?]
[It’s still undecided.]
[So just focus on yourself, Suletta.]
Will Miorine be fine on her own? She’s capable, I have no doubt about that. Yet everything’s been weird lately. I didn’t want another assassination attempt happening while she was away.
But, I’ll trust in her, and do my best in the school duels.
[I will.]
Miorine would continue being busy. I had hoped that she wouldn’t take too long, and could make it back in time.
Her birthday was coming soon. I wanted to reward Miorine for her efforts, with everything I can, as her groom.
I wanted to make it special for her.
Because after then...
Soon we might be…
No matter what, I wanted to be with her again.
I was convicted to make it happen. But there was this itching suspicion about this project Miorine mentioned.
Just what was it that she couldn’t talk about?
Maybe I’ll get to learn, soon enough.