Chapter Text
“Mafuyu…”
The gentle melody of a familiar’s voice danced through the room as Mafuyu turned around to meet its owner, letting a gentle gaze cascade over her features,
It was Kanade. Her... lover, her everything.
She hummed lightly, taking off her headphones and putting them back on the desk before turning her full attention back to the composer, who was already inching closer to her.
The gentle pale hands reached down and held her own bigger hands up to the composer’s chest before she was asked, “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing… good.” She hummed, nodding lightly before pointing back at her screen, “I made this just now, ‘wanna hear it?”
The younger girl's silver locks swayed gently as she nodded in agreement, and with that, Mafuyu hit play on her new chord progression.
It was just a simple base for the track, a soft piano melody. “I made it earlier and am about to finalize it, how is it?”
“It’s amazing. A very beautiful melody, Mafuyu, thank you for making it.” Kanade’s soft voice replied, hands going up to the taller girl's shoulders to rub them lightly and soothe the tension there.
Mafuyu let her body relax as she inclined back, tilting her head back to meet Kanade’s gaze before asking, “Will you be using this chord for a new composition?”
“Definitely, I will be very happy to create something with your beautiful.”
Giving each other a small yet warm smile, a calm silence settled in between them as the composer worked on easing the tension in Mafuyu’s shoulder as the said girl stared at her dazed, like a little puppy, before Kanade spoke up again, “Have you gotten a text from anyone lately?”
“I haven’t checked my phone today, except Nightcord because Ena texted me earlier...”
“Oh alright.” The silver-head hummed, smiling lightly before continuing, “Well, we were invited to Leo/Need’s first concert later today, do you want to go?”
But the taller girl frowned at that, she wasn’t really in the mood to socialize, nor was she in the mood to put on a fake persona, and so for that she replied, “I don’t know…”
“It's alright…” The composer nodded slowly, “Uhm… will you be okay if I go? I’d like to support Hoshino-san and Honami,”
“I don’t mind,” She shook her head from left to right, lowering her head to stare back at her screen… there was a cold feeling sparking in the chest but she swallowed it back and said, “You can go…”
“Are you sure?” Kanade replied in a voice laced with uncertainty as if she was able to read every glimpse of a thought that passed in Mafuyu’s head, hands stopping the massage of the elder girl’s shoulders in worry.
“Yeah,” The latter only nodded dryly. If it would make Kanade happy then she didn’t mind... She wouldn’t allow herself to mind, “Go ahead.”
“Alright then… are you sure you wouldn’t want to go? I believe Hinomori-san invited you?”
“I’m… not sure.” Frowning again, glaring at the innocent chord progression she had on their now shared desktop. She hated letting Shizuku down, and she did want to see the other girl.
Shizuku always felt like the elder sister she wished she had but never had, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything at the moment, as she was still so exhausted from everything and just wanted space. She would make it up to the Idol later, but for now she confirmed, “But I want you to go.”
“Oh okay… why is that?”
“It’s ‘cause I want you to support your friends, I’m sure you’d be happy to go and I want you to have fun,” She hummed, her gaze easing at the thought of Kanade smiling and enjoying herself, “I’ll be waiting for you here.”
Kanade’s worried face also eased back into the gentle smile that melted the worries pent up in Mafuyu’s shaky heart, as she stretched her arms out and enveloped the taller girl in a hug from behind, rubbing circles over her upper chest gently, “Do you want me to get you anything on the way back?”
“No… just stay safe, and…” She stared at the distance before placing her hand’s hands right above Kanade’s own and gently scooting them toward the upper left side right above her heart, “I don’t know…”
“Do you want me to keep texting you updates when I’m away? So you don’t feel lonely?” The silver-haired teen suggested, noticing that Mafuyu needed soothing and was starting to feel anxious yet was unable to form words to say it.
“I… think so…”
Not a bad solution, she needed confirmation that even if Kanade left, she was still with her, she was still going to go back home and she was going to stay right by her side.
“Alright then, I’ll text you updates ‘till I’m home, okay?” Her smile was as gentle as ever as she made her way around Mafuyu to stand in front of her instead.
Mafuyu’s arms snaked themselves around the shorter girl’s middle, tugging her close and burying her head right on Kanade’s torso. She nuzzled her head needily, feeling Kanade’s own hands come up to soothe her head and play with her purple locks comfortingly.
When the composer took a step back, Mafuyu’s hands slipped down back to her sides as she stared curiously at the shorter girl that was still holding her head gently.
Kanade gave her a shy toothy smile, before leaning down and sealing her lips on Mafuyu’s forehead. She let her lips linger there a minute before she pulled back, her gaze no longer meeting the lyricist’s as she felt shy and chose to look away instead.
“I’ll start prepping now Yuki, Okay?”
She nodded, watching Kanade turn around.
As the composer was about to head ahead, she felt herself get pulled back, squeaking in surprise before turning around. Mafuyu was looking at her, eyes blank yet lips parted; as if needed something but couldn’t say it.
Mafuyu stood up as Kanade turned around and like magnets, the lyricist's hands were around her waist pulling her close and flush against her taller frame. Like a puppy, the purple-haired teen to the head eyeing Kanade’s lips before looking back into her eyes,
‘Ah… she wants a kiss.’
Nodding softly and bashfully, she cupped Mafuyu’s cheeks letting her thumb brush against her cheekbone before the taller girl leaned up to press their lips together.
A gentle touch that lasted a moment or two, before they both pulled back with flushed cheeks and content eyes.
Letting go of the elder girl’s cheek, Kanade’s hand traveled down before lacing it with Mafuyu’s and leading her out of the room so they could chat as Kanade got ready for the concert that night.
That was-in the morning-, however,
Now it was the afternoon.
Ena and Mizuki came by to pick up Kanade together, sharing their goodbyes and promises to visit the purple-haired teen back in the afternoon.
She was left alone, fidgeting around the house. She managed to finish her composition but she was left with nothing else to do so she cleaned around their room.
Now that she shared a room with her girlfriend, it made sense to her why Kanade’s room was messy. Mafuyu found herself also stacking up random melodies, lyric papers, and study journals around the room.
It was comforting in contrast to her once empty room that had nothing that belonged to her.
Looking around, she smiled at the fragments left by her and her girlfriend. Whether it was lyrics they wrote together, compositions they edited together, pictures of them together, or with their other friends, littered around.
Those new happy memories warmed her heart as she continued cleaning up around until she was done.
Checking the time, it was still 6:00 p.m. Kanade had left at 5:00 p.m. and was to be home by 8:00 p.m., meaning Mafuyu had around two more hours to spend alone.
She sighed, looking around the room.
She did not have much else to do, she could study but it was soon summer break and she was told to relax for a while before she graduated and only study if she felt like it,however.
There was a painful cold expanding in her chest,
She felt so cold…
Why did she feel so cold?
She sat on their bed pondering, this cold ache in her chest made it hard for her to study anymore even if she wanted to. Letting her body fall back she stared at the ceiling, unable to move as she contemplated.
She looked around Kanade’s messy room to try and find something to distract her, and suddenly something caught her eye.
A blue jacket.
Kanade’s jacket to be specific.
She had taken it off when Mafuyu glared at her a while earlier when she caught her trying to wear it for the concert, and she hastily changed it into something more appropriate instead.
Grabbing it she placed it in between her hands, stretching the fabric in between her hands.
Hesitantly she dragged it up to her face, nuzzling into it.
Kanade’s jacket made her feel so warm. Its scent was warm with what lingered of Kanade’s presence, and Kanade's presence always felt like home.
She wore the jacket zipping it, but huffing when she couldn't zip it all the way up. It was made to fit the composer perfectly and she was way taller and slightly bigger than her girlfriend but yet, it felt so comfortable.
She laid back down in bed, bringing the sleeve of the jacket against her face trying to savor whatever lingered of Kanade on it. She grabbed her phone and hit play on her comfort playlist, one of all the song’s her composer made for her.
Letting her eyes close, she finally relaxed.
She was feeling warm again…
On Kanade’s bed, wearing Kanade’s jacket, listening to Kanade’s melodies.
This wasn't as good as when Kanade held her hand, or when she hummed to her, or when she held her, but it was going to make do for now.
She let her eyelashes rest on her cheeks, letting herself fall into a gentle dream.
She woke up a while later, reaching out for her phone to check the time, it was still 7:24 p.m.
It was starting to feel lonely and she so badly wanted any company, hence deciding to go to the Sekai to meet with her Sekai family. Maybe they can explain this cold feeling that was scorching in her heart.
Upon arriving it was Miku that greeted her, a gentle look on her face as she walked beside the taller girl to lead her to where the rest of their family was sitting.
The once-calm silence was interrupted when Miku finally hummed,
“Mafuyu… that’s Kanade’s jacket…”
The girl in question stopped for a second in confusion, before following up her step to be beside Miku again, “Hm? Oh… yeah.”
“Why is that?”
“I felt cold… when Kanade left. She is out with her friends,” She explained, catching a glimpse of Rin and Luka ahead.
The monotone voice continued, “Why didn't you go?”
“Because… I'm still scared to go out…”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
She did not need to converse much with Miku, Miku understood her like no one else.
An annoyed Rin emerged to them, whining about how she got tangled up in a new ribbon Mizuki gave her and needed help removing it because Luka was teasing her instead of helping.
It helped get Mafuyu distracted as she and Miku rushed up to help Rin, not noticing time pass by.
The distraction barely lasted when Mafuyu realized she had to be home before Kanade was home in order to not worry her, giving her goodbyes to her Sekai Family and promising to be back soon.
The moment she was back, her phone tinged and she rushed to answer.
Kanade 07:46
I’m almost home. How are you doing?
The lyricists frowned at that, she wasn’t good, she was still cold but yet- she did not want to worry Kanade, she just wanted her home already.
Mafuyu 07:46
I’m good.
Stay safe, see you soon.
She stared at her text, contemplating before,
Mafuyu 07:47
♥
She nodded, proud of herself. Ena had scolded her once telling her to be more affectionate to Kanade through text so she worked on it, using Mizuki’s advice of using more emojis. She was not sure if she was doing okay but-
Kanade 07:48
♥
:)
Oh, Kanade sent a smiley face… then that’s good.
She got up, going towards the kitchen to prepare some tea for when the composer came home with Ena and Mizuki.
Kanade 07:55
Oh, by the way, some friends are coming back with me. Is that okay with you?
Mafuyu 07:55
Yes I don't mind.
Who is it?
Other than Ena and Mizuki?
Kanade 07:56
Ichika and Honami.
Mafuyu 07:56
Alright, I’m brewing some tea for everyone.
Kanade 07:57
Thank you Mafuyu :)
Can’t wait to see you…
I missed you
Mafuyu 07:57
I missed you too
See you soon
She paused. Contemplating… before,
Mafuyu 07:59
♥
Good.
It barely took a while before a knock was heard and the purple-haired teen felt her legs walking faster than usual, carrying her further away before finally opening the door.
Her eyes softened, and her heart burst in warmth when she made eye contact with a content Kanade, who looked back at her with a gleaming smile. The smile was suddenly replaced with a flustered one when Kanade looked down, before looking back up with a shy yet flustered smile,
“Hi Mafuyu…” She squeaked bashfully, a rare toothy smile on display as she felt Mafuyu reach for her hand clasping them together, “How are you feeling-”
“Oi! Keep it pushing or are you gonna keep us all out?” A whine was heard from all the way behind, presumably Mizuki which caused Kanade’s soft pink blush to be replaced by embarrassment as she rushed through the door, breaking her gaze away from Mafuyu’s to usher all her guests inside.
“Sorry! Sorry, please come in!” Kanade flushed as her guests walked in, her arm was linked with Honami whom Mafuyu failed to notice until now.
A painful feeling started to sink into the pit of her stomach as she stared at their linked hands, gaze hanging on for a second before she snapped out of it and smiled gently to welcome the rest of the guests. The final person to walk inside was Mizuki, who looked at her with a blank expression.
She blinked.
Mizuki blinked back.
She furrowed her eyebrows, What The hell was Mizuki doing?
The pinkette finally smirked, before elbowing her teasingly, “Clingy, aren’t you? Perhaps something else-”
“Mizuki! Mafuyu! Where are you?” it was Ena who cut them off, so even when she opened her mouth to ask Mizuki what she was hinting at she swallowed her words and went inside.
They went to the living room, Mafuyu noticed that the only seats available were either the free coach or the seat beside Kanade on the mini coach, so with that she sat beside Kanade.
Too close, hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder.
She so badly wanted to lean her head down against Kanade’s and snuggle up to her, but she had to mind her actions as Kanade had guests over and she had to interact with them.
She got up and got the tea, serving everyone as they chatted about the concert.
It was a nice gathering, chats, and bickering filling the air, yet the entire time Mafuyu’s side was glued to Kanade’s unmoving.
After saying goodbye to their guests, Kanade and Mafuyu took the dishes back to the kitchen to do them before settling back in Kanade’s room on her bed.
They sat beside each other, interlacing their hands together.
The taller girl let out a sigh that she had been holding in, finally caving into her body’s needs and cuddling the shorter girl close to her.
“Mafuyu are you okay?”
“I am… I just missed your warmth.”
“Want to uh- cuddle?”
“Mhm,”
So with that, the composer lay against the headboard, making grabbing motions so Mafuyu would come closer. Finally, the lyricist crawled, laying her head down against Kanade’s torso, loosely wrapping her arms around her side.
Kanade's thin hands were gently carding through Mafuyu’s locks, gently tugging them to soothe the taller girl.
It was quiet as they basked in each other's warmth and as Mafuyu was dozing off, her girlfriend's words suddenly woke her up.
“Why are you wearing my jacket?”
Ah... she had forgotten about that.
“Hm? Oh, it's because… I felt cold.”
“But, how can you feel warm from my jacket? It's small…”
Mafuyu shook her head, tilting her head back to look at Kanade, “It’s warm because it's yours, it makes my chest feel...nice.”
“Awh Mafuyu,” Sadly she hummed, a hand going to cup her lover's cheeks as she continued “You could have told me to come home if you were feeling lonely,”
“I wasn't… I just… feel cold when you're not with me.”
“Alright. I'm here now Yuki, I got you.”
The taller girl smiled lightly, nuzzling her head against the smaller girl’s chest, “It’s warm being with you…”
“I'll always be right by your side Mafuyu… always.”
And for now, dinner could wait. For now, they were content just holding each other.
That allowed Mafuyu to rest for the night, yet she wished she brought up the coldness she felt when she saw Honami holding Kanade yet she had forgotten.
They were fine for now, and she hoped they would stay like this forever.
But that was only a few days ago and now-
“Mafuyu.”
“Kaito.” She nodded, frowning a little.
Honami came over and Mafuyu went to the Sekai "To work on a new melody", but she just wanted to be away from seeing her girlfriend and their friend be so close, and she desperately needed to be away.
She wanted to be alone in the Sekai, and if she wanted to be with someone it would be anyone but Kaito.
Kaito tended to scare her, he was very forward, and even though he said what she needed to hear… she still felt slightly scared around him.
He had his arms crossed, looking down at her making her feel so small, “What is up?”
“Huh? Uhm… I felt like I needed to be here.”
He shook his head before looking her up and down, “Come here.”
Geez, so straightforward…
They sat right beside each other, looking ahead at nothing. She was feeling tense.
She came here because she wanted to relieve the burning feeling in her chest, but now it felt worse like she was being suffocated under Kaito’s gaze.
“What is it that you are truly feeling?”
“Huh?”
“What are you feeling?”
She looked away, grabbing her arm tightly before sighing. There was no point in hiding anymore, “It burns. My chest… It hurts when Kanade is not with me. “
“Tell her.”
“What?” furrowing her eyebrows, Kaito was too straightforward, too strict. She was craving Kanade’s love, Miku’s gentleness… anything yet-
“I said tell her.”
Mafuyu couldn't escape his sharpness, burying her head in her knees. “I don't know what to say…”
“Tell her you're upset. She can give you clarification. Or don't. And you end up losing her, is that what you want?”
“No!”
“Then tell her.”
The teen looked at him, eyes glistening slightly. She hated this, it was hard for her to talk but she had to... “Alright… I’ll do it soon.”
With that, the purple-haired teen left the Sekai, desperate to see her girlfriend again, and upon arriving she saw Kanade folding the laundry alone, rushing to help her.
They blend in together just nice and safe.
Working together, exchanging soft touches, and heading to bed together made her feel warm again.
She had forgotten about what had happened earlier.
As her girlfriend held her gently and rocked her to sleep she decided,
The conversation could wait... again.
Even though it shouldn't have…