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"Mother, I'm home."
Mafuyu announced, taking off her shoes and exiting the entrance. She walked into the kitchen, expect her mother to immediately ask about her today.
However... her mother was crying.
"Oh Mafuyu... why won't you listen to your mother? I only want what's best for you... my sweet daughter.. "
The middle-aged woman sobbed, sitting on a chair by the table.
"M-mom..? I..."
Mafuyu was speechless, unsure of what to say. She felt a heavy pang of guilt in her chest. Did she... make her own mother cry?
The woman who had cared for her since she was little? Encouraged her to always keep going?
"It's that girl..! Yoisaki-san, you met her online! I should've taught you more about the dangers of communicating with strangers online. I've failed you as a mother, and now she's manipulating you!"
Her mother wailed, speaking with anger and sadness.
"I-I'm sorry, mom! She's my friend, she's not dangerous! Please! You did nothing wrong! It's n-not your fault..."
Mafuyu teared up.
"I should've protected you... Mafuyu, for your own safety, I'll be watching you from now on. Think of me as a guardian angel, wanting to keep you safe, yeah?"
How strange... her mother's tears vanished within mere seconds.
"M-mom, you don't have to-"
"I was dumb to think you were mature enough to handle these things on your own. Listen, Mafuyu. Your father and I have decided to move overseas, and you're coming with us."
What..?
"E-eh?"
"We've found a lovely house in a nice city with a great school nearby! One that specializes in medical training and making you the 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒕."
The older woman's voice turned eerily deep, but it was the words that startled Mafuyu.
"No! Wait! But I have a life here!"
"Come on, Mafuyu. My pretty little girl... we would be so happy... You, me and your father, and nobody else! Forever...
Forever...
Forever..."
•••
Kanade stretched, finally taking a break from her usual composing. Ever since Mafuyu moved in and encouraged Kanade to rest more, Kanade had started to gradually take better care of herself. Even just a little.
The small girl yawned, before hearing a weird noise.
Something like... a muffled cry?
Kanade looked over at Mafuyu, who was sleeping in the composer's bed.
The purple haired girl sometimes felt cold when sleeping in the guest room, so she often came to sleep in Kanade's room, claiming it made her feel safer. Kanade thought it was sweet.
But not so sweet, was the way Mafuyu was tossing and turning, whimpering softly.
She sounded like she was in pain, and Kanade quickly moved over the her.
Kanade dropped to her knees, leaning over the bed a little and shook Mafuyu gently.
"Hey... hey, Mafuyu..."
Mafuyu almost immediately awoke, eyes bloodshot and jaw clenched. The girl trembled, breathing heavily and raggedly.
"I.. I... no.. S-sorry... sorry..! No..! Don't make me go..!"
Mafuyu was clearly very out of it. Kanade gently stroked her hair.
"Shhh. It's okay, Mafuyu. It was just a dream. You're okay."
Kanade soothed the distressed lyricist, tracing small shapes onto her temple.
"I-it felt so real..."
"I know, Mafuyu... It's alright."
Mafuyu started to calm down, and leaned into Kanade's warm touch.
They stayed like that for a while, with Kanade gently stroking Mafuyu's hair and cheek, humming a sweet tune. She then asked softly,
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Mafuyu shook her head.
"Later..."
Kanade nodded, and kept soothing Mafuyu with gentle touches and humming.
"Kanade..?"
"Hm?"
"Hug..."
Kanade smiled softly, kissing Mafuyu's forehead, before crawling into the bed next to Mafuyu. It was a small space, but the two girls made it work.
Kanade wrapped her arms around Mafuyu, pulling her in for a nice, warm cuddle. She could feel Mafuyu relax rather quickly.
Mafuyu yawned softly, and put her head in the crook of Kanade's neck, nuzzling the girl's smooth skin.
Kanade let out a soft chuckle and played with Mafuyu's hair.
Mafuyu quickly fell asleep again, feeling safe and warm in Kanade's embrace.
Kanade kissed Mafuyu's forehead one more time, and dozed off as well.
As much as Mafuyu hated nightmares, the aftermath cuddling with Kanade always made up for it.