Work Text:
“Ugh, no..”
“K?”
Click .
“This part needs to be harsher…”
“K.”
Cli—ck.
“Kanade.”
“This won’t save anyone, will it…”
“Kanade!” Mizuki grits, their voice loud and firm.
“Gah!” Kanade nearly falls out of her seat, gripping the table for stability. “Mizuki..?”
“S-sorry, I—“ They shake their head, pouting. Mizuki knows very well that this is how Kanade gets away with her bad schedule, being reckless and cute. “You’ve been online for a few days straight, now… When’s the last time you’ve actually slept?”
Kanade Yoisaki, in all of her gentle grace, had a fairly good schedule for her basic needs ever since her group mates started scolding her all the time. That, however, wasn’t always the case. The composer frowns, setting their mouse down and tapping her cheek. “Um… It might have been last Wednesday…”
“ Wednesday ? K, it’s Monday .”
“Is it..? I haven’t noticed…”
Mizuki clicks their tongue for a good while before humming quick, the one they would whenever they had one of their self-proclaimed brilliant ideas. “Hey, hop onto SEKAI in a few minutes, alright?”
“Wh- Huh..? Why?” Kanade queries, not getting an answer before Mizuki left the call. “Okay…”
Kanade opens her eyes, wide-eyed when she sees Mizuki setting down a baby blue blanket over a traditional futon bed mattress. “Mizuki?”
They raise their head, lighting up at the sight of their group mate. “Kanade! Took you long enough…”
“What, um…” She starts, approaching slowly. “…are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Mizuki tilts their head, sitting down on one side. “You’re going to go to sleep, and I’m going to make sure you’re sleeping. Come over here already!”
When they see Kanade standing blankly, at a loss for words, they roll their eyes and pull her down. “Eep!”
When she opens her eyes, Kanade is tucked under the covers, Mizuki holding her against their body. “Heh heh~ Now you can’t escape~”
And for a second, it was almost like…
After what seemed like an eternity and a half, Kanade relaxed her muscles, resting her face against Mizuki’s collarbone, hugging the bubbly designer tight. With their soft breathing pattern and sweet perfume, Kanade can’t help but drift off the moment she lets her guard down.
“Ah..” Mizuki flusters, giving in and resting their chin atop Kanade’s head after a moment’s hesitation. “G’night, Kanade.”
Kanade finds out, that night, that Mizuki is a toss-and-turn sleeper.
(Ena and Mafuyu, baffled, still sit in the call when the other two left for SEKAI.
“Ena," he hesistates, "Should we..?”
“No. I wanna watch them suffer.”)
Ena sighs, leaning back in her chair. 25:36… “Hey, do you guys know where Amia is..? They should be here by now…”
“Right here~” Mizuki sticks their tongue out, inching closer to Kanade so that they would come into the camera view. “Aww, what, did Enanan miss me already?”
“Sorry, I forgot to mention,” Kanade quickly saves her demo, “Amia and I decided we’re going to work in SEKAI on free nights. So it’s just me logging on tonight.”
“You two have really been hanging out a lot, haven’t you..?” Ena smiles, unable to help the grin on her face. “Sometimes I feel like you spend more time together nowadays than me and Yuki do…”
“That’s because you’re a hermit and always sleep in,” Mafuyu chuckles, leaning back in his chair.
“I— Hmph!” Ena readjusts her headset, “In any case… Don’t you think it’s a little odd?”
“Heh heh, is Enanan jealous?” Mizuki teases, and the others can tell that they’re definitely crossing their arms in triumph.
Ena loudly huffs, grumbling to herself. “Whatever… It’s just, is there a reason K doesn’t sleep in her room?”
“Ah…” Kanade folds her hands in her lap, pensive. “I suppose… I sleep better with Mizuki next to me.”
There’s a long pause of silence that stays in the voice call before Mizuki, red as the accents on their outfit, buries their face into Kanade’s shoulder.
“Ah..! Mizuki!”
“Y-you…” There’s a deep growl that emits out of Mizuki’s chest. “You can’t just go around saying stuff like that all willy-nilly, Kanade…”
“Sorry… That’s just how I feel,” Kanade murmurs, reaching up and pushing Mizuki closer with her hand. “I can’t help it…”
Fuck, Mizuki screams internally. Holy shit.
“They’re doing it again,” Mafuyu grimaces, with obvious disgust in his voice.
“Get a room, you fucking idiots!”
“Okay… I think that’s all I needed on Miss Mochizuki’s list…” Kanade murmurs, slinging the shopping bags over her shoulder. “Now all I have to do is make sure nothing gets…”
“Kanadeeeee~!!”
Ah. She’d recognize that voice anywhere.
“W-wait, Mizuki..!”
Before she could blink, Kanade was pulled into a tight tackle hug with her loveliest pink-haired friend. “Heyoo~ I thought I would run into you here!”
“E-eh..? Mizuki, how did you..?”
“I was asking around, and eventually Honami told me you were out shopping for groceries!” Mizuki grinned wide, pulling back from the embrace. “A little trick called communication!”
Kanade smiles cheerfully, giving them a few affectionate pats on the top of their head. “Good job, Mizuki.”
“Ah…” Mizuki clears their throat, darting their eyes away to avoid Kanade’s gentle gaze. “So do you wanna walk together? I have all day, so, uh…”
Kanade nods, nudging Mizuki by the shoulder to signal for them to move along the sidewalk. Admittedly, it was a little awkward due to their obvious height difference. “So,” she starts, “You’re graduating soon, right? What are your plans after high school?”
“After high school…” There’s an apparent waver and hesitation that follows thereafter, Mizuki slowing down their walking speed. “Ah, yeah..! Hehe, I totally forgot, huh… I guess I’m still going to have to go to a university and study fashion design at some point… I’m still thinking about it, though.”
“Oh?” Kanade scoffs, “And you’re not going to skip certain days in uni, like you have every day of high school?”
“Kanade! I can’t believe you think so little of me~ I mea…n…” Mizuki’s voice trails off, finally noticing the clasp that Kanade’s hand had in theirs. They look up at Kanade aimlessly, words caught in their mouth.
“Ehm,” Kanade coughs, looking away at an angle so that Mizuki wouldn’t see how red she is right now. “Anyways, why were you looking for me, again?”
“Oh,” they continue their conversation, agape. “I suppose I just…wanted to see you.”
“Wh-what?”
“—B-before I leave!” Mizuki stammers, stumbling around. “Yeah. You see, I have to go visit my sister for two weeks, and I wanted- uh- to see you before I had to go.”
“You’re leaving?” Kanade frowns, turning to hold both of Mizuki’s hands, which she would never outwardly acknowledge were noticeably quite larger than hers in size. “Soon?”
“Don’t say it like that, silly..!” Mizuki pouts, suddenly reaching into their purse for a small plastic bag. “I’ll be coming back. But in the meantime, I made something for you~”
“Made? For me..?” Kanade reaches into the bag, pulling out a delicately sewn dress made of layers of silk and cotton, accented with baby blue thread and silver lace. She held it gently in her hands, her jaw agape. “M-Mizuki, it’s beautiful… You really didn’t have to..! Oh, I couldn’t possibly…”
“No, I insist!” Mizuki grins wide, pulling Kanade by the wrist and dragging her forward. “Come on, I wanna see you wear it~”
“Mizuki!” Kanade holds herself tight as Mizuki speeds their way to the mall.
“Okay, I guess if you really don’t want it, you can give it back to me,” the designer pouts, gently pushing the composer behind the curtain into the shop’s fitting room. “But you’re not allowed to until I see you try it on!”
Kanade giggles, leaning against the wall right beside the mirror. She unclasps her jacket, tossing it to the side with a quiet hum. “Hey… Is there anything you want to talk about?”
“Mm..” They lean against the pillar, closing their eyes. “Yeah. Do you believe in fate? Like, do you think everything we do and think has already been written in the stars?”
“Hmm… I suppose I never really thought about it. A little bit, I guess… What about you?”
“Haha, I’m not too sure myself, actually… But I do like to think that everything we do has led up to who we are now…”
“Oh.” Kanade slips her left arm through the thin sleeve, heavily stuck in her thoughts. “That’s…really interesting.”
“Hmm…What about you, about earlier? What you want to do now that you’ve graduated, I mean…”
“Now that I’ve graduated…” Kanade takes a good look at herself through the mirror, carefully tracing her jawline with her ring finger. “…I’ve never mentioned this, but I think I can tell you. I really want to move in with the three of you at some point, after we get everything figured out…”
“…Yeah?”
“Yeah.” When Kanade pulls the curtain open, there’s a wide grin on her face, one she can’t seem to get rid of. “You guys are the best things that have happened to me… I want to sleep and wake up knowing I won’t lose you.”
“Kanade—” Mizuki stops in their tracks, staring at Kanade with a blissful glint in their eyes. It’s kind of funny how Mizuki can stand there, mouth agape at the most vulnerable they’ve seen Kanade been, in the dress that they spent months working on for her, and all they can muster to say is “Wow.”
Kanade flusters, clearing her throat. “Um… How do I look?”
Awestruck, Mizuki snaps out of their trance. “You— I think, uh… Ehm…”
Riii—ng.
“Huh?” The animator reaches into their pocket. Really, there could not have been a worse time. “Mama? Hi! What do you need?”
Kanade sets her bag down, a little disappointed. She almost never gets to spend time with Mizuki outside of SEKAI or Nightcord, but… She supposes she shouldn’t be too selfish.
And yet, when the composer looks down at the dress, the one that Mizuki clearly worked their butt off on just for her, something flutters inside her heart.
“Okay, I get it. I’ll be back in a sec. Love you too.” Mizuki stuffs their phone back in their pocket, “Sorry, Kanade, I have to go… Family’s packing right now.”
“Oh, okay…” She gives the third-year a gentle squeeze on their forearm. “I’ll see you in… two weeks, then.”
“Two weeks, yeah. Oh, wait!” As Mizuki’s about to turn around, they brace themselves and pull Kanade closer, putting their hands on the sides of her face. “One more thing.”
“Ah—Mizuki?” Kanade slowly moves her hand up to grip one of Mizuki’s wrists. “What are you..?”
Quickly and firmly, they lower their head to place a quick, affectionate, chaste kiss on Kanade’s lips, one that lasts a little longer than they intended.
When they pull apart, a wide grin graces Mizuki’s face. “I almost forgot, hehe.. You look stunning .”
Kanade watches as Mizuki quickly waves off, running out of the mall hastily.
“…Th..thank you.”
… Mizuki kind of tastes like strawberries.
Kanade clutches the bouquet of white carnations in her hands, careful about the tightness of her grip. She stands outside the white double door of her father’s hospital room, hesitant to look up.
It’s right around this time that she always asks herself,
Will dad be awake today?
Except, this time, it’s with a gentle smile on her face, like a new beginning to her path.
Knock, knock.
Kanade strides in, greeting the usual nurse. “Good morning…”
“Hm?” He turns around, facing the composer. “Kanade! Good morning. …Odd question, did something happen recently?”
She tilts her head ever so slightly, “No, I don’t think so..? Why?”
“Ahh, sorry, sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. It’s just…you look happier, nowadays, that’s all.”
Oh.
“Happier…” Kanade feels the blood rush to her cheeks, only because she knows the reason, yet she does not at the same time, and is quick to attempt to change the topic. “...Um, how is he?” There’s a warm feeling in her chest, one that she can only describe to be hope.
The nurse returns a gentle smile to the composer, setting down his clipboard. “Your father is awake right now. He’s very weak in terms of consciousness, but he can keep up a simple conversation up. I’m unsure about his memory right now, though…”
“Ah… Thank you,” She gives a slight bow, “May I talk to him?”
“Of course. Take your time.”
The white-haired girl takes a gentle approach, sitting down next to her father. “Good morning, dad… How are you feeling?”
“Dad..?” Mr. Yoisaki turns to his daughter, and for a moment her heart aches at the thought, at the possibility that… Ah, but when he smiles up at her, it makes it all wash away. “Kanade… You’re here.”
The composer hums, holding his frail hand tightly. “Yeah, I usually visit around this time… I brought you flowers. Do you… like them?”
“White carnations,” he notes. “They are your mother’s favourite. Does she ever mention that?”
Are. Does. “She… I…” Kanade’s voice hitches, steadying. “...always bring her some on special occasions. And… she wanted me to tell you sorry that she couldn’t visit today.”
“Did she, now? Well, there’s always next time…” Next time… Kanade’s expression scrunches up in a bittersweet afterthought, pulling her hand back. “You can tell mom that I have a good feeling that I’ll be all better in no time.”
When Kanade gives a soft smile, her father can’t help but let out a hearty chuckle. She relaxes her ever so tense shoulders, folding her hands in her lap as she listens to the music to her ears. “Hehe, what is it?”
“Haha, nothing bad. I’m just now realizing that you look so much more cheery and joyful since the last time we talked.” Yoisaki reaches his arms up to cup his daughter’s face. “Tell me the truth, little dove. Did something happen?”
The truth, she ponders. If I could ever tell him the truth, would he still..?
After a moment’s hesitation, Kanade leans her head into her father’s palm, putting her hand over his. “Mm… I guess there’s this, ehm… Person in my life.”
“Oh?” There’s a slight teasing tone in his voice. “Tell me about them while I’m still awake, will you?”
“Ah… Okay.” She’ll admit, venting to her chronically impaired father about her long-winded sapphic crush might not be the most embarrassing thing she’s committed to, but it is definitely high up there. “Their name is Akiyama. Akiyama Mizuki. We met when they were a first-year, and, um, I graduated last year, by the way… They’re always really cute looking and have a huge knack for everything fashion. Very considerate of others, always noticing the little things and making sure you feel loved…”
Yoisaki watches as Kanade continues, how her eyes light up with every new memory. And for the first time in a while, he remembers. Really remembers. Because, evidently, she doesn’t need him anymore.
There’s a saddened glint in his eyes, one that Kanade is not ignorant to notice. “…Dad?”
“Ah… This Akiyama kid seems sweet,” Kanade’s father smiles, ruffling his daughter’s hair. “They seem to make you really happy, huh, Kanade?”
Kanade stares for a short while, wide-eyed and flustered. “Ah… Yeah. I guess they do.”
(Maybe she’s just relieved he stopped her before she got to the recent sleeping situation.)
“Yeah, yeah, goodnight!” Mizuki pushes the bedroom door shut with their heel, quick to fall on their mattress face-first in an effort to pass out. And maybe they would have, if not for the noticeable absence of their weighted blanket.
Right. It was in SEKAI, most likely. Mizuki turns over to their back and reaches for their phone, opening their phone to Nightcord.
There was an active call, they noted. Mafuyu and Ena, as usual, but no Kanade.
Click.
“Heyo~”
“You’re back,” Mafuyu states plainly. “How was the trip?”
“It was so tiring! I swear, I’ve never walked that much in my life..!” Mizuki tosses to the side, sighing. “And the plane food wasn’t even that good..!”
“But I’m sure it was nice seeing your sister,” Ena smiled. “It was just boring old us over here.”
“But I like our little routine!” Mizuki pouts. “Hey, here’s an idea! We should use this opportunity to hang out and celebrate at our usual place, all four of us! Me, Yuki, Enanan, and…”
… Where’s K?
“We should, yeah,” Mafuyu interjects, his voice as monotone as ever. “Oh, and K said she was going to log off early but she’s still working I think.”
“She is?” Ena frowned. “How could you tell?”
“Kanade did that hum she does when she still wants to work.” The lyricist frowned. “It’s really, really annoying sometimes…”
“So mean, Yuki~” Mizuki sits up. “Come to think of it, I’m kinda tired from the flight… I might hit the hay early too!”
“If I see you in SEKAI with Kanade I’m going to laugh in your face,” Ena chuckled, pressing her cheek against her knee.
“Whatever!” Mizuki sighed, leaving the call with a giggle.
…Maybe Kanade really was in SEKAI. It wouldn’t be too out of the blue, would it? In any case, it was only right that they had to check. Just out of concern, of course.
Just to make sure she isn’t working, Mizuki tells themself as colourful pastel shapes surround her, fading into thin air.
“Kanade..?”
Kanade sat on the unkempt futon, drowsiness hitting her head. The song’s message was all over the place, she couldn’t get the chorus to sound right…
Maybe I should sleep on it… Ugh…
She holds her head with her pale hands, a throbbing pain coming to the back of her head.
“I wonder what they’re doing right now…”
Mizuki grins, sitting down next to the composer with their tongue sticking out. “Heh heh~ Miss me?— Mmph!”
Kanade wastes no time to shut her laptop with no hesitation, to wrap her arms around Mizuki’s neck and pulling tight so that the distance between their lips would close.
Yeah. Strawberries.
(Off to the side, Mafuyu and Ena grimace as they watch their group mates completely enamored with each other.
“I’m so sick of them.”
“That makes two of us.”)