Chapter Text
Spring.
Lots of people wouldn't think too much of it, but for Mafuyu and Kanade's mothers...It meant so much more. It did mean more than a season, but something about it couldn't be put into words. Something about spring...was different. It always seemed like good things happened.
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"Keina!!" A cheerful voice had caught Keina Asahina's, or as known now as Mafuyu (and Kanade's) mother's, attention from across the hall. "Hm? Is something wrong, Rei?" Rei Yoisaki, also now known as the two girls mother as well. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Rei breathed heavily as she stood in front of Keina and she then smiled brightly at her. "So...Do you remember when we...went to that restaurant?" Rei panted between her words as she continued to talk to Keina. "Oh, yes I do. Let me guess...you found a new place we should visit?" "Mhm! It's a very big and open flower field. It's so breezy!" Rei seemed super excited to invite Keina to this place. It wasn't unusual to see the two girls together. It was almost as if they were a couple...that rumor didn't last long for it to spread.
Well, it can't exactly be considered a rumor if a person does have feelings for the other, right? Maybe not, but Keina sort of felt that way. She'd like Rei for a bit, but she couldn't just tell her! That would ruin everything...it would change everything. She didn't really want things to change.
"Keina? You there?" Rei leaned closer to Keina as she spaced out. Keina has broken out of her trance and noticed Rei. "A-Ah, no! I was just thinking about something..." Keina backed up and blushed as she tripped on her words. "Well... anyway, what do you think about going this Friday? I get you to have a club meeting then, but I'm not free any other day...not even on the weekend." Rei groaned as she spoke to Keina. She was super excited to visit this flower field with Keina, but every time they tried to get together out of school, their schedules never matched up. "Hm..I'd probably be out by 4:30, is that fine with you?" Keina thought about the meeting and gave Rei an answer, as soon as she did, Rei's face lit up. "Okay great! I'll meet you at the gate at 4:50. See you then!" Rei waved and walked back to class.
"...Change. How stupid."
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Keina was at her club meeting, trying to focus on the leader's words, but all she could think about was going to that flower field with Rei. She was really happy that Keina was able to find a friend like her. Keina was pictured as a... different person. Not someone you'd usually hang out with, but she wasn't a complete loner. She had very few friends, but outstanding grades and was excellent at almost everything. It was her personality that people didn't seem to like as much. She seemed...cold and didn't really have an opinion on things. Though after she met Rei, it was like she was a completely new person. She wanted to thank Rei for that.
*Bell rings*
"Thank you all for today, don't forget that tomorrow we don't have any activities!" The leader clapped his hands together and let the rest leave the room. Keina grabbed her bag and rushed out the room. She went straight to the entrance and started to slip her outdoor shoes on. After she finished, she went to go look for Rei at the gate.
"Rei! Hi!" Keina called out for Rei and she turned around and gave her a smile. Her smile was as warm as usual, but this time...it seemed a bit fake. Keina didn't want to pry, so she just let Rei lead them both to teg flower field. "Y'know, Keina...since we're so close to graduating, have you thought of a college you want to go to?" Rei spoke in a soft tone as she always did, but like her smile, it seemed off. She didn't seem like her usual self. "I have. Still, I can't be so sure...I would love to go to college with you though! But knowing that we have almost completely different career paths, we probably won't, huh?" Keina laughed as she crossed her arms. Rei laughed a bit as well as she touched Keina on the shoulder.
"We're here, Keina."
Rei and Keina sat in the flower field as Keina took in the sight. It was absolutely beautiful. All different kinds of flowers were clustered together, the light breeze, the afternoon sun shining down on them. It felt nice... "Isn't this nice? I love coming here!" Rei let herself fall back onto the flower field and spread her arms out. Keina scooted over as she did this so Rei could have some space. "Sure is. I have to say though, how did you find out about this place? I've been close to this area for a long time now and I never knew this was here." "Uhm..." Rei was mumbling something for a bit before finally being able to answer Keina. She didn't want Keina to know the actual reason she found this...so she played it down a bit. "I was just... searching around this place and eventually found myself going down that alley we came through! I then stumbled across here..." God...Rei really looked beautiful right now. I mean, in Keina's eyes, she always was. But right now was different. Her fair and pale skin, her long silky white hair, her ocean blue eyes. Everything about her...was absolutely perfect.
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"Keina..." A while passed now as the sun was starting to set. Rei turned her head to look at Keina as her expression was...softer and her tone was a bit sadder than usual. "Hm?" "I kinda....lied about why I wanted to take you here." Rei reached over as she grabbed Keina's hand as she held it in between her own. She was... starting to cry a bit. Just a bit. "H-Huh...? Are you okay?!" "I'm fine it's just...I need to talk to you."
The wind brushed upon the two as Keina's eyes widened. Was this a bad dream? It has to be. There was no way in hell this could be real...it was too much.
"W-What...?" Keina's voice was low as she let her guard down and started to grow sad. "The doctors said it wasn't too fatal....but I don't think I'll get to grow up normally. If things go wrong, I may not be able to finish high school." "...What the hell are you talking about?! How come you told me just now?!?! We're graduating soon god damnit!"
"I know. I've kept it secret for a while now. I put it off because I didn't want to make you upset, but now that my health isn't getting so well...I decided it'd tell you now. Besides...remember when we were little? I used to leave the park early because I couldn't keep playing. This is...why." Rei's voice was getting softer as Keina's eyes filled with tears. This had to be a dream. "No...No! N-No wonder you've been so distant lately. You've missed multiple days of school, you don't play any sports, and you barely even come to class even if you do show up to school! Why? Why?" Keina was breaking down now as she was hanging her head down. "It's okay...I won't be gone." "But what if you do?!?! You never know what this might cause you!" Rei just sat there quietly as she smiled and lifted Keina's head. She wore a gentle smile and wiped away Keina's tears. "Even if I am gone, I won't be gone forever...okay?" Keina just continued to cry as she nodded and couldn't accept the news.
Was this seriously reality?
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Spring again.
Both girls have graduated. Though, they couldn't see each other much because of their separate career paths and because of Rei's health. Keina was pretty far from town for college. Rei stayed in town.
"5 more pages to go." Keina leaned back onto her chair and rubbed her eyes. She was trying to calm her brain when her phone suddenly rang. "Ugh.. who's calling at this ho-" Keina was about to ignore the call before noticing it was Rei. Keina's face immediately flustered up and she almost fell out of her seat as she snatched her phone (almost dropping it) and answered. "H-Hello...?!?!?" Despite so much time passing, Keina still felt those butterflies in her stomach whenever anything about Rei was in her vicinity. Also, Rei was in and out of the hospital almost all the time. This time, Rei has been in the hospital ever since graduation.
"Hi, Keina!! It's been a while since we've last talked. I know it's late, but I have some super duper good news!" Rei was talking like her usual self. Happy and soft. "What is it?" Keina was sounding happier than usual. She was always super busy with homework and such. She was also extremely worried about Rei's health all the time. "So...I got news from the doctor that I'm going to be discharged tomorrow!! My mom also offered to take me to go see you! Are you free this week?" Keina's eyes widened. She smiled to herself and immediately responded. "T-Thats amazing! I'm free Saturday I think...is that good?" "Yes! Absolutely perfect!"
After that, the girls stayed on the phone for a bit before Keina said she had to go. Rei hung up and Keina looked back down at her piles of homework. She pushed it aside as she wrote in her planner. Saturday was going to be amazing. She also had... something else planned. Keina was planning on finally telling Rei how she felt. It's been way too long now. She wanted to tell Rei now before they split apart from each other. Before... something else could happen.
Rei on the other hand, was holding her phone close to her chest as she laid back down on her hospitality bed.
"I can't wait to see you again...Keina."
Rei blushed and put her phone on the desk near her hospital bed and looked at the wall. Before turning off her lamp and snuggling into bed, she said one last thing.
"I love you."
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Saturday was approaching quickly. Keina was making sure to finish every assignment she had with care before that day. When they got their papers back, she got full marks. It wasn't new. Not all. It was...a bit unsettling to say the least. Was it really okay to always get full marks even while losing sleep?
Sleep...
She hasn't gotten good sleep in a while. Not in the last couple years to be honest.
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Keina threw her bag onto the floor of her dorm room and face planted into her bed. She took a long breath in and let it out. She looked at the time. 7pm. Felt like hours walking to and from her dorm to campus. When in reality, it was 5 minutes. She got up and laid down properly on her bed. She opened her phone and started to look through her photo gallery. She didn't know why she was doing this, she just did. She kept scrolling and scrolling...when did she have so pictures?
Then she saw her.
Her.
A picture of Rei lit up her phone screen in the dark. Keina's expression stayed the same. The same tired and unsettling resting face. Keina felt tears filled her eyes as she shut off her phone and threw it onto the other half of the bed. She crawled into a ball and started to cry.
"God. I feel pathetic crying like this."
Keina's words could barely come out as she talked to herself. Her life has been so fucked up for a bit now. Finding out about Rei's health really made her worry. It made her worry everyday. She wouldn't allow herself to dream knowing that the love of her life might die in hers. It was like Hell.
No.
It was Hell.
"I can't wait to see you again."
Three words were then whispered into the silent room.
"I-"
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It was officially Saturday now. Keina woke up to loud noises from her dorm neighbors. THOSE type of noises. She groaned and checked the time to see it was 5am. The noises kept going and she banged on the wall hard as they stopped. It was too early for that type of stuff.
Keina stretched and walked over to her bathroom. She opened the door and turned on the lights as she looked in the mirror.
She looked miserable.
Her luscious purple locks were messed up and tangled, her eyes red, dried tears on her cheeks and very apparent eye bags under her eyes.
"I look like shit."
Keina washed her face with water and brushed her hair and teeth. She then grabbed her concealer and covered her eye bags. She took a look at herself in the mirror once she was done.
She looked fake.
Like she didn't cry herself to sleep.
Like nothing happened the night before.
Just how she liked it.
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Rei woke up to her hospital room curtains being open. She sat up and stretched as she checked the time. It was still pretty early for her, but she didn't want to go back to sleep or else she might miss breakfast...again. She got off her bed slowly while wobbling a bit. She walked over to the bathroom and did her business. She brushed her hair and brushed her teeth. She yawned in the mirror and rubbed her eyes. Rei washed her face and finally felt awake after drying it.
She walked out of the bathroom and got into her regular clothes. As she was sitting on the edge of her bed waiting for her nurse, she looked out the window. Rei saw kids at the hospital field. She saw them running around, playing, things that kids do. She also people about her age in the field and... people her age walking to college. Rei sighed and smiled sadly. She wished she could do the stuff those kids did. She wished she could do the people her age could do.
While seeing those kids and people, she smiled more brightly. She got memories about her and Keina from elementary, middle, and high school. How they used to always go outside and play or hang out...only for Rei having to go home early because of her condition she didn't know she had yet.
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Keina was anxiously waiting for Rei at a small part bench. One foot was on up and bouncing due to nerves. It has been a while since she's seen Rei. She was staring off into the distance thinking about every little scenario.
"What if she doesn't even come? No...she would! She's my... friend. But what if they keep her at the hospital for an extra day? What if she's not doing okay at all?"
Keina kept rambling to herself. People stared...a lot.
"Mommy look! It's a weirdo!" A little girl in a flower dress pointed to Keina as she grabbed her mother's hand. The mother immediately picked up her child and carried her away while whispering, "Don't say that in public! We save that until we're in the car."
Keina noticed the girl, but didn't care to say anything. She was very close to slapping the mother though. Very close until...
"Whew...you don't even know how long of a walk it is here from my house!"
Keina's eyes widened. That voice. How long has it been since she's heard that voice?
"R-Rei." Keina stood up and turned as she saw her. "Her" being Rei. "Her" also being the love of her life. "Her" also ALSO being...her childhood friend.
"Hey, Keina. I missed you."
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After a bunch of crying, and I mean a LOT of it, the two decided to move over to a cafe to catch up on lost time!
"I know this is...a really sensitive question, but how's treatment been?"
"Oh it's been great! I only have to go to the hospital for check ups every now and then. I'm glad I'm able to leave. If I'm being completely honest...the people there weren't the brightest." Rei rambled on and on about her life in and out of hospitals. She always had a smile when telling these things, even if they were sad. Keina was happy to see Rei so happy after all this time.
She wishes she could say the sa-
"How've you been?"
"M-Me..?"
"Well who else am I talking to? A ghost?"
Keina blushed as she realized how stupid her response was. She just chuckled nervously and tried to think of something. Her life's been pretty shitty... actually, it was pretty fucking shitty. But how could she say that to Rei? She definitely wouldn't.
"I've been fine. Y'know...uh... school and stuff. The dorm next to mine is pretty loud though."
Keina rubbed the back of her neck as she chuckled. Hopefully Rei wouldn't see through her lie and just accept it. Sure, Keina could easily just say the truth. It just felt hard. Rei has had a somewhat nice life since she's gone. And what about Keina? She was the complete opposite.
"Is that so...well that's nice. Sorry about the people next door. Are they throwing parties or something?"
"... Y'know, I wish it was that."
"Oh."
The two sat there in silence for a bit. It wasn't awkward or anything. College students are idiots, so it wasn't surprising. They just... didn't know what to say next.
"Hello ladies, here are your drinks and pastries!"
Thank god their waiter came at the right time.
"Ah, thanks."
Keina was about to pull out her wallet and pay when Rei already handed over the money. Keina frowned and put her wallet away. Keina was more than happy enough to pay for Rei. But it seems Rei didn't want her to.
"I didn't mind paying."
"Oh...sorry. I thought I was going to pay since I invited you here.
Nevermind. Rei was just to oblivious to realize that Keina would offer to pay.
"So, who wants to take the first bite?" Keina laughed out as she saw how Rei looked at the pastries. Her eyes sparkled and she was practically drooling.
"Me me me!!!" Rei didn't think twice before grabbing a pastry and shoving it into her mouth. She chewed and chewed before her eyes lit up again. "Ef fase afamimg!" (It tastes amazing) Keina chuckled as she noticed Rei had cream on the side of her mouth. She sat up and leaned over as she wiped it away with a napkin.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Keina noticed Rei blushing intensely and looking away for a bit. She eventually swallowed her food and giggled. "Y-Yeah..my bad."
The two spent the rest of the time eating and drinking while they talked some more. It was so bittersweet. This moment felt amazing. Yet Keina was punching herself in the face for not telling Rei how she felt. Would...now be appropriate? It wouldn't hurt right? Besides, even if Rei doesn't like her back, she can just forget about that whole conversation and go back to-
"Keina? You look funny right now!"
Well...who knows. She wouldn't be able to forget a face like Rei's.
"O-Oh...my bad." She stayed silent for a bit. Should she really do it? It could go horribly...but she knows Rei isn't the type of person to be disgusted or such about stuff like this. But...
"Can I tell you something?"
Welp, fuck that apparently. She was doing it.
"Sure! What's up?"
Keina took a deep breath as she looked at her lap. She looked back up at Rei's face and frowned.
"I-I've really missed you. I didn't think I'd see you after.. highschool. I was so scared. And...I think my feelings for you made this whole situation even worse."
"Ke-"
"I've loved you for so long. I didn't tell you because...I was scared. I didn't want to voice my feelings to someone I might...lose. I also didn't want to worry you with my feelings. I've loved you for as long as I've known. Every text, call, letter made me so happy and excited."
Keina felt her breath quickening as she tried to keep her eye contact with Rei. She would open her mouth, but nothing came out. It's like her tongue twisted into a knot she could never undo.
"..."
Silence. That's all there was. The setting sun, their finished plate and drink...and silence. Keina realized she screwed up and quickly threw her bag over shoulder. She got up from her seat and avoided eye contact with Rei.
"T-This was so stupid I'm sorry...I'll just leave and-"
Rei quickly reached over to Keina and put her hands on her cheeks as she pulled her into a kiss.
The kiss was soft. It was so fucking soft. It was gentle, pristine, fluffy...just amazing.
"W-Wha-"
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that."
Rei giggled as she then hugged Keina tight. She swung her a bit as she spoke. "I really missed you too. Every time I was at the hospital, I wished you were there with me. I felt... lonely. Really lonely. I loved you too. I loved you a lot. I didn't say anything because I was also scared I'd lose you. It seemed useless to me." Rei then smiled and put her forehead to Keina's.
"I've been wanting to tell you for so long...you don't even know how happy you make me."
That last sentence ruined Keina. Tears started swelling up in her eyes again as she hugged back. She hid her face in Rei's shoulder as she held tight.
Was this seriously reality?
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About two years have passed.
It was Spring again.
Now that Rei was out of the hospital, she was able to find a steady home. She enrolled in some online highschool classes so she could at least finish out her year. She found a good paying job as a tailor and found herself a good apartment near Keina's campus. The two would occasionally go out and have small dates.
It was nice.
Today, they were walking around a park holding hands like usual. Rei was rambling about her classes and her job. She also petted every stray cat she saw. It was amazing.
"Keina, how about when we live together we get a cat? I really want a black cat! I've always loved them." Keina chuckled as she blushed. "Live together? You're going that far already?" "Of course I am! I want to think about our future together. I want to see us get married, have children, and eventually live it until the end."
Rei would then press her lips to Keina's cheek as she stood on her tiptoes. Keina always found it funny how Rei and to stand on her tip toes to kiss her. "Mhm...me too. I want to out future."
Keina jingled with the..item in her pocket as she pulled out her car keys. She then started to walk over to her car with Rei. "Now, I have a surprise for you.
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The drive was long. Rei had actually fallen asleep in the car and Keina had to shake her awake when they arrived. Rei opened her eyes as she noticed they parked in a... familiar spot. She got out of the car and her left hand was quickly occupied by Keina's right. Keina smiled as she took her down a familiar alley.
Then they were there.
That flower field.
"N-No way...!" Rei's eyes lit up as she smiled. It still looked the same as it did all those years ago. The flowers, the fence, everything! It felt so surreal. The two walked over to the field and just... enjoyed the scenery. Rei was about to sit down before Keina kept her in a hold.
"O-Oh..can I not sit down now.?" Rei chuckled as she hugged back. Keina had a wide smile on her face before letting go. "That's right. This is my surprise after all." Keina took a really deep breath before holding Rei's hands in between hers.
"Rei...you're someone special. Someone so so special. You've helped me through my worst and have been an ABSOLUTE sweetheart." Keina stopped talking for a bit before clearing her throat. "S-Sorry I'm not good at speeches...nor remembering them."
"That's fine! So, what's your surprise. Because I'm loving the speech so far." Keina then let go of Rei's hands and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small box as she got down on one knee.
"Rei Yoisaki, the most perfect, beautiful, patient, amazing, lovely girl in the world, would you marry me?" Keina opened the small box as it held a diamond ring, and man did it look expensive. HELLA expensive. Rei just stood there in shock as she put her hands to her mouth and squealed.
"Yes! Yes yes yes yes a million times yes!" Keina took the ring and stood up as she put it on Rei's hand. Rei couldn't handle her excitement as she pulled Keina into a deep kiss and a tight hug.
Rei was so excited that they both fell to the ground. "A-Ah I'm sorry! I-I'm just so happy." Rei was still smiling brightly as she put her left hand on Keina's cheek. "It's alright...I am too. Thank you, Rei, for coming into my life. I wouldn't be where I am without you here. You've made me the happiest I've ever been in my entire life."
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You guessed it, spring time.
This time, it was...a wedding.
A beautiful wedding.
"Fuck! I have to be out there in 5 minutes and I don't even have my hair done!" Well...not exactly. Keina was stressing as she tried to get her hair situated. She somehow was able to get it nice looking in 4 minutes before she ran out to the venue. She was panting when she got there. She waved awkwardly to her friends and family as she brushed dust off of her suit. She stood in position as the music played.
And there she was.
Rei, in a beautiful, long, white wedding gown.
Keina might've died right then and there if it wasn't for the priest beginning to talk.
The two exchanged vows, said their "I do"s and then...
"Now, you may kiss the bride!"
Keina didn't want a signal second before wrapping her arms around Rei and picking her up while kissing her passionately. The people clapped and cheered as Keina swung Rei around a bit.
"K-Keina watch out! You're going to drop me!" "Like hell I will. Come on, let's eat cake." Keina then carried Rei bridal style as she kissed her face over and over while walking down the aisle.
"S-Stop you're embarrassing me!!" Rei giggled as she tried to push Keina's face away, but she was laughing to much to put up a fight. "Well get used to it, sweetheart."
The rest of the wedding was nice. The cake, the dancing, the breaking of a table, everything. Well...maybe minus the table. That cost some money to pay for.
The night ended off with Keina and Rei dancing alone. Everyone had already left and there was confetti on the floor after that party. They danced to no music...just the silence of their heart.
The moment may sound endearing, but don't be fooled, Keina was the drunkest she's ever been.
"Are you sure you don't want to lay down? It's getting late and you're starting to lose your balance." Rei ran her fingers through Keina's hair as she giggled at her drunken state. "I'm fiiiiinnnneee. Besides, I wanted to dance with you one last time. I wanted to because I love you soooooooooooooo much."
Keina kissed Rei's forehead as she continued to move her feet, nearly falling over in the process. Rei blushed as then gave a kiss to Keina's lips instead. She didn't need to be on her tip toes this time since she had heels.
The kiss was a bit sloppy since Keina was drunk, but she tried her best to kiss back.
"I love you more, Keina."
It didn't take long for Keina to fall over while dancing...