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Life on the isolated island had it's own charms but still was immensely restricted. That's why all talented enjoyed a time, if only minimal, they had an opportunity to spend in the capital.
Michiru especially was excited when Nana suggested they should meet up on their vacation, only the two of them.
Hiiragi was the person she wanted to know yet more and built a deeper relationship with. Even when they became friends and were spending a lot of their school time together, she still was quite a mysterious person.
So when the day of their meeting came, she happily ran to their destination.
The appointet cafe was cozy, though rather small. There were various paintings on the walls, which were beautiful according to Michiru. Although, a large group of people would call them cheap without paying bigger attention.
Inukai noticed Nana sitting by the wall and on it was pretty abstractic painting. She drank black coffee, while reading some book... Or rather manga which was noticeable for Michiru when she came closer.
"Sorry for being late, Nana-shan. I was helping in the hospital and must stayed a little longer." Michiru said, while making an apologetic gesture.
Nana's eyes flew up, staring up at her in wonder before shaking her head and smiling gently at her. "No, it's completely fine. I have come a bit earlier to read, because I like peaceful atmosphere of this place... And even if that wasn't the case, no one could blame you, right?"
Perching into the seat next to Hiiragi, Michiru ordered vanilla cappuccino. After waitress brang it to her, she took the cup and started blowing gently at it to cool it off.
This flavour really suited her, Nana thought, as she started chuckling.
"What...? Something wrong?" Inukai asked sounding slightly confused.
"Oh, I have just thought how vanilla really match your hair colour!" As Hiiragi said that, she came closer to Michiru and ruffled her hair.
"Hey, Nana-shan, stop!" Inukai started gigling heartfully. She also loved how genuine Nana's laugh is, considering how she always cover her emotions behind a fake smile.
Finally, they stopped playing around and then they just sitted here enjoying their respectively cups of coffe and started talking about stuff.
"So, how is everything going for you?"
Nana took a sip of her coffee and answered. "Just enjoying my time to the fullest before we will have to go back on the island. And I still have to go shopping to prepare myself, you know how restricted this place is in that respect."
"Hmmm..." Michiru looked overwhelmed by her thoughts before answering. "When you mention it like this, I think I should do the same."
"Well, If you don’t mind we can go together later today."
"I'd love to!" Michiru answered honestly, with a bright smile. As if she could take a rain check on hanging out with her favourite classmate.
They continued chatting happily for a long while, enjoying now cake which came to their cups of coffee.
Suddenly, Inukai's expression turned into a serious one and she seemed deeply in thoughts before asking.
"So, did you make up your mind? About... What do you want to do in the future?"
Michiru's sudden question brought back some memories that they shared.
Inukai and Hiiragi sat in the latter's academic room when Michiru abruptly asked.
"Do you know what you want to do in the future? After we graduate...?"
Nana thought for a while before giving an answer. "I was thinking about going to a university in the city. What about you?"
"I want to become a doctor... My talent can heal external injuries, but it's powerless against illnesses and poisons." Inukai started talking with a sad smile, looking at her cup.
"I see," was all Nana's answer but she listened closely so Michiru decided to continue.
"My father's actually a doctor. I occasionally watched him work... But I'd like to study medicine properly at a university."
Nana answered smiling broadly. "Good luck with that! I'm sure you'll do it!"
"Thank you! I'm glad I got to talk to you!" Inukai thought for a second before continuing. "....I know. Once we graduate would you like to visit my town?"
"Me? Well, that doesn’t sound bad for sure."
"My mom has several apartments. She rents them out to students for cheap. If you are thinking about attending college, then maybe... You could even live with my family if you wanted."
"...Are you being serious?" Nana answered in somewhat harsh voice.
"I'd feel better having you nearby." Michiru continued with an innocent face.
"How nice. It would be like having a well-to-do and warm family."
"I'm sure they would love you. My dad and mom are very kind people."
Nana suddenly crushed bowl with rice onto the table. "Didn't I tell you my parents were murdered?" She spoke before turning her back and leaving the room.
Michiru wanted to go after her, but was too shocked and afraid her words would hurt Hiiragi more.
After some time, they apologized to and made up with each other. Although, that wasn't something one of them could easily forgot about. Michiru definitely wanted to reach out to Nana but was hesitant of reopening her old wounds.
Until some other day, at least.
"...But it's still not your fault!"
Nana was startled at Michiru's sudden outburst, she only stared at her without saying anything.
"I once studied that when unreasonable things happen to children, they blame themselves... Think about it. You were just playing like you always do. ...Who killed your parents? It wasn't you, was it?"
Nana was deeply in thoughts, but she nodded slowly.
Michiru then came closer to embrace Hiiragi in a comforting hug.
"Please don't suffer anymore. You don't have to suffer anymore. ...No matter what I will be on your side. We are friends!"
"Nothing has really changed." Nana said coldly, looking at the floor. "University is still my main option and I'm not the type who think much about a future either way."
"Well... What about my proposition then...?" Inukai asked with worried eyes as she considered her words to sound gentle enough.
"Michiru-chan, why do you insist so much? It's not like we are some loving couple who can't live without one another." Hiiragi's thoughts went somewhere, as she herself wasn't even sure what she was talking about.
"But, I wouldn't mind that..."
Then realization hitted her fiercely as Nana suddenly started choking on her coffee and her face turned red.
"You and me living together, I mean."
Aren't those basically the same things? Hiiragi thought, but didn't dare to say it aloud.
"You don't propose it out of pity, right?" Even though she wasn't considering Michiru to be that kind of a person after their sufficiently long relationship. It was definitely in Nana's nature to be distrustful and question every thing.
"Absolutely not, you know I don't."
Nana took a deep breath in and out, before she spoke again. "I would hate to be a burden to your parents."
"You would never be... And even if they were making you troubles somehow you could always live in the rented house."
Hiiragi was silent for a long while, cautiously studying Michiru's words.
After taking a sip of her coffee she finally responded. "Well then, I agree. As long as you don't mind it, that’s it."
Michiru beamed at her. "I'm so happy! I will talk to my parents about it immediately... After I come back home, I mean."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them." Nana reciprocated the smile a little. "Sometimes you can be too kind to me..."
"Because you deserve it." Inukai said while she gently, but firmly hold Hiiragi's hand.
They stayed like that a bit, while Nana was in her thoughts, before she started speaking again.
"You know... I have never really thought about my future, because I'm still imprisoned in the past."
"That doesn’t matter." Michiru gulped. "If we are together I'm sure we can outstand all your bad memories."
Inukai came closer and hugged Nana who reciprocated the gesture this time. They stayed like that for quite some time without saying a single word.
When they let go, Michiru suggested they should go somewhere else. Hiiragi agreed on that because it would be a waste to sit in one place all their free time.
They went to a plethora of places, including the park, a clothes shop and a sweet shop.
They paced the outskirts of the city, relishing sunset sky. Michiru gently took Nana's hand in hers, but without breaking the silence. Simply enjoying each other’s presence was pleasant enough for them.
Hiiragi let the wind gently ruffle her hair, while her thoughts drifted away to the past for a brief moment. As it returned to the present, through her mind flied words: "It's not your fault."
It all still felt too unreal. Yet, with Michiru's presence Nana got the feeling she will be okay. That she could change. And without regard for the past was looking forward to the future.