Archive of Our Own ^beta

For some reason, Maki was completely captivated by the painting 'Thorny wild rosa' from the first moment she saw it.

Maki still remembers it, the feeling when she first saw the painting. When she was young, for the first time her mother took her and her sister Mai to a place called an art exhibition, where displayed hundreds of famous paintings from different countries. And that's when her attention fell on a painting, Maki saw it, a painting of a wild rose bush covered with thorns like the sharp tips of deadly iron nails.

So thorny, but it so beautiful and seductive.

That was the first thing that appeared in Maki's mind.

If she were to be honest, Maki wasn't someone who cared about art, she didn't know anything about paintings or artists.  When she went to the exhibition with her mother and Mai, unlike the other two, Maki had no interest at all. All she did was wander around and look at the works without thinking too much about them. But Maki's time-killing stroll around ended when she came across that painting, the 'thorny wild rosa' painting. It can be said, that although it is no different from other paintings about flowers such as 'Flower Garden', 'Roses and Lilies' or 'Water lilies'... But there is something, something about this painting that fascinated her that Maki had no way of knowing.

And since then, it has been many years, Maki and Mai have both moved out because they could no longer stand that stifling fucking life. But unlike the imagination, the siblings ​​are not together, Maki hates her family but chooses to stay in the same city, and Mai goes to a neighboring city. Although they are no longer as close as before, the two still keep in touch with each other.

The reason Maki chose to stay is because since she moved out of high school and started working part-time, Maki gradually formed a habit of going every three to four days to that exhibition where the painting that has put her under a spell was displayed. And when she got a position in a company, this habit happened more often, every day or two, or sometimes every day, she would come and look at the painting. Gradually, day after day and year after year, Maki's colleagues also got used to her like that. No one said anything about it, in fact, they all thought it was a way to relax. Shoko Ieiri, the manager of the exhibition area who was familiar with her, not only not saw Maki like some weird people but sometimes came to chat with her and once even allowed Maki to touch the painting when the exhibition was closing time.

Honestly, Maki didn't know why she was so infatuated about that painting. She just knew that just by seeing it, it felt like the things around her were no longer something she needed to worry about, the feeling of unpleasant things just drifting away and making her just want to contemplate it forever.

"Maki-san!"

A girl (seem younger than her) was standing in front of Maki and smiling at her.

As always, Maki came to the exhibition and contemplating the painting. She usually comes as soon as she finishes work, in the evenings when the exhibition has very few people coming because there are only a few hours left until closing time. That's why Maki cherishes the few remaining moments before going home.

But today was different than usual, there was a girl standing in front of the painting who approached Maki as soon as she saw her sitting down.

"...who are you? How do you know my name?"

"Oh right, I forgot you still don't know who I am. I'm Kugisaki Nobara, nice to meet you Maki-san"

"Ah um, nice to meet you. But how do you know my name?"

"How I know your name? Well it because you’re the one who created me"

"What?"

Suddenly standing in front of her, calling her name and then telling Maki that she was the one who created her, this girl? Maki was stunned, not understanding anything.

The girl sat down next to her after seeing Maki's expression. "Ah, I'm sorry, maybe this is a bit confusing. So how about you guess who I am?"

"I'm sorry but I don't understand anything-"

"That's why I told you to guess. Hint, my name."

Suddenly being told such a guess, Maki still didn't understand anything but still listened to her.

"The name? Kugisaki Nobara...right?......"

One second, two seconds, then a minute passed, but it seemed like Maki still couldn't figure it out. The girl in front of her exhaled and put her hands on her hips pretending to be disappointed.

"Can you really not guess? That's really sad."

"I still don't understand what you mean, your name? What do you mean? Are you an acquaintance of manager Shouko?"

"Wrong~. When I said my name, did it remind you of something? Something you always look at."

"Look at?...." At this moment, Maki realized what this girl meant. "Do you mean the painting 'Thorny wild rosa'?"

Nobara now looked much brighter. "That's right! And now you just have to guess who I am."

"....surely you're not the author right? Or are you related to the person who drew the picture?"  Maki said after thinking for a while.

"That's right, but to avoid wasting any more of your precious time. I'll introduce myself, I'm Kugisaki Nobara, the soul of the painting 'Thorny wild rosa' that you always look at"

What's wrong with this girl?

Was the first thing that popped into Maki's mind when she heard this.

"Right...well, if there's nothing else, let's talk later, I need some quiet right now."

"Wait, I'm not kidding Maki-san, I'm really the soul of the painting."

The girl be stimulate then leaned closer and closer, making the distance between their faces even closer.

"Yeah yeah I heard it, now could you please stay a little further away..."

Maki complained, reflexively reaching out to push the other person away, but then stopped when she saw her hand go through the other girl's body.

"...Do you believe it now, Maki-san?"

For some reason, Nobara also suddenly paused for a moment before continue talking with a smile. Meanwhile, Maki’ eyes still open wide, her pupils shrinking, unable to believe what was happening in front of her.

"Maki-san?"

Her mouth moved to say something but no sound came out. Maki retracted her hand and slowly turned around toward the painting.

"I was expecting your reaction to be either joy or panic, but you seemed calmer than I expected." Nobara sat back, legs swinging and hands leaning back, looking towards the painting "You probably want to ask me a lot of things, right?"

"Well, I was wondering too."

"Wow, you seem to adapt to this really quickly, don't you?"

Maki glanced at her and then looked forward, didn’t answering Nobara but instead replacing it with a question.

"Why me?"

"Didn't I already told you that it's because you’re the one who created me?"

Maki frowned and looked at her confused.

"What do you mean? I created you?"

Seemingly knowing what she meant, Nobara's legs stopped swinging. Her honey eyes looked into Maki's eyes and slowly answered.

"When an object is truly appreciated and loved long enough, at some point that object will have its own soul. Don't you think so?"

And that was the first time Maki met Nobara, the soul of the painting she had always looked at.

  According to Nobara, because Maki is the one who created her, so it just only Maki can see and hear her. Funny thing is, it reminded Maki of movies she had seen about people who had the ability to see things no one else could see. And usually in movies like that, the person who can see those things is always regretfully thought by others to be crazy.....but not like them, luckily the time Maki comes here is usually quite empty, and they also don’t gather on her area too much.  Even so, sometimes Maki still has to look around, making sure no one is around to make sure that no one else thinks she's crazy.

  Then each day and month passes, every thing is like that continues as it is, the cycle repeats over and over as if nothing changing. Meeting, chatting and keeping Nobara company every day not changing anything in Maki life. It just simply that she has another new friend, another special friend that she only meets briefly every time she comes to develop the gallery.

  "Nobara, can it be, the soul of an item don’t like people who created them?"

  Another normal day like any other, Maki came and met Nobara. Compare to the first few days, Maki had gotten used to and felt more comfortable with her presence next to her every time she came here.

  "Hmm... to be honest, I don’t know, I've never see any situation like that so I don’t think I can't give you an answer."

  "That so"

  The two sat next to each other, silently looking at the painting in front of them. After a few minutes, the quiet atmosphere was broken when Nobara looked at Maki.

  "But just so you know, I will never hate you, Maki."

  "I didn't mean it like that"

  "Just in case~"

  Turning her head to look at the painting, Nobara just smiled mischievously before the quiet space enveloped them both.

  And after a short while, Maki looked at Nobara. A small smile appeared on her face that always so calm, only to hear Maki gently speak.

  “But, I'm glad to hear that.”

  Nobara didn’t say anything and still facing the painting, but her small lovely smile now became brighter and more beautiful. She look really happy and cheerful now just by hearing such a simple sentence like this?

 So cute.

  The silence must have feel so strange or hard to handle, but after weeks to months of being together, Maki had gotten used to the feeling and had learned to enjoy Nobara's company, even with or without words.

  Even though Nobara is different from her other friends, having a special friend like her is really not bad at all.

The next morning, during lunch break, just as Maki was about to put food outside, a guy's voice caught her attention.

"Look like you’re in a good mood today huh?"

The person who asked Maki was Okkotsu Yuuta, a colleague sitting next to her, one of the rare colleagues that Maki talked to regularly in the company. Maki has always wondered why he always appears with such dark circles under his eyes?

"Really?"

"Yeah, I feel like I can see flowers blooming next to you now. Did something happy happen? What's was that?"

"Nothing, just remembering a short conversation with a friend."

Maki spoke while scrolling through her phone to order food, but the smile on her face couldn't help but draw Yuuta's attention.

"Is it Nobara, the girl you often see at art exhibitions?"

"That's right"

"Wow, you look so happy, I wonder what you two talked about?"

"Just a few random things, nothing important."

"Just a few random things?"

Maki nodded, the smile still on her lips made Yuuta feel curious.

"But to be able to make you happy like this, I guess she said something special?"

"Well, you could say that."

"Can this be, it’s love!"

Another voice, also from one of her colleagues, suddenly appeared from nowhere and stood next to Yuuta. It was Panda, one of her two friends of the same age who attended the same university as her, the type of person who often liked to tease others.

"What nonsense are you talking about again, Panda?"

"This is not nonsense Maki, as a love expert, I can see very clearly that this is love."

And what he likes the most is pairing other people together.

"Oh please, you said the same thing to me and Yuuta before, this time you told me with Nobara. Aren't you bored yet?"

"It's true that I was too hasty that time, but this time I have a clear basis" before Maki could speak, Panda raised his hand to his mouth and let out a hem before continuing "Then I would like to present 2 reasons why this is love"

"Reason number 1: I've awareness this for a while, every time you plan to go see the girl, that day you look more eager to leave than usual, you check your watch constantly until work time ends. Honestly, you look like someone who in a hurry for a date."

"Oh, now I’m think about it, she truly look like that."

"Don't agree with him like that."

"Reason number 2: this maybe the main point so listen careful. You always put on a happy face every time you mention Nobara, your tone will also become tender and softer than when you talking to us. And I bet Yuuta also noticed this, right?"

"Even though I really want to, it would be completely a lie if I say no" Yuuta said, scratching his cheek and smiling.

Just as Maki was about to retort, her phone rang, it was a delivery man coming to deliver her food. Maki received the call and quickly got up to leave. Before that, she didn't forget to look back and talk to her two colleagues.

"You two better not talk anything stupid behind my back."

Although after a few steps, she heard them continuing to talk, but she still left anyway. And then there are the familiar repetitive tasks, after lunch break will be working time. Another boring day quickly passed.

The next day, Maki was about to go to the exhibition area when a voice rang out from behind her.

"Are you going to the exhibition?"

This voice, was Inumaki Toge, the other of the two was her college friend. He always appears wearing something to cover his mouth, most commonly a mask but this time it's a scarf. Although he looks like some kind of a cool guy on the outside, Maki know as well, he is actually the type quite same to Panda. Sometimes he also likes to pranks on others too.

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

Stepping in front of her, Toge held out a scarf to her.

"You forgot your scarf?"

"Oh thanks, sorry to bother you"

"It’s fine, I was going to buy things at the vending machine anyway."

Because they had the same path, they both walking together and chattering while go the elevator to go downstairs.

"Oh, are you planning on working more like Panda?"

"Well, it's almost the end of the year. If I leave those papers until close to then to do it, I don’t think I can make it in time and might have to let it to next year. We have to resolve all old work before the new year comes, right?"

"Yeah you right, it's almost New Year's Eve. Everyone is trying harder to fully welcome the new year huh?"  Stepping into the elevator and pressing the button, Maki did not forget to ask her colleague "Is it still the machine on the ground floor?"

Responding to her with a slight nod, Toge stretched and asked.

"You look kinda chill, did you finished all your work?"

"Not yet, maybe next week I'll have to work overtime for a few days" and even without looking over, she knew that Toge was looking at her wonderingly. Maki just looked at the decreasing number of floors and smiled lightly "Well because it's definitely going to be quite busy next week, so before then I want to take the time to enjoy this little bit of joy."

Toge didn't respond right away, he just observed Maki's expression before the sound of the elevator rang out and both sides of the doors opened automatically.

With the vending machine a few steps across from the elevator, Toge walked out first and Maki followed.

"You really like that girl, don't you? Well, have a nice date."

Her feet froze in place. Maki turned around immediately and saw Toge waving goodbye to her.  Because it was only a few steps away, she could be sure that no one else would hear but her. She frowned as she watched him turn away to avoid her eyes. Maki didn't bother to refute but sighed and continued walking.

"You’re here. Today you also worked hard Maki."

Still saying the same thing, Nobara happily welcomed her. With a soft smile on her lips, Maki slowly sat down, took off her crossbody bag and responded to her.

"You look really happy today, don't you?"

"That's because you came."

Nobara said happily, as she sat down next to Maki. Even though she's heard it many times before , Maki has never stopped feeling happy about it. It made her feel like there was always someone waiting for her.

"Maki"

Another voice from a woman called her name, it was not a stranger but Shoko Ieiri, the manager of this exhibition.

Shoko just stood to the side and waved at Maki, motion her to come. Even though Maki didn't know what Shoko wanted to do, she still stood up and walked to the manager.

"It's been hard, Maki. At the end of the year, you must be taking care of a lot of things in the company huh?"

"Well it's just a little bit. I'll start working overtime next week like everyone else."

"That so....."

"What's wrong?"

Even though her face didn't show much, it seemed like Maki could still see Shoko's restlessness as if she wanted to say something.

"Just, I wanted to ask you about something, is it okay?"

"Yeah?"

"Is there someone sits with you every time you come here?"

Her eyes wide and her pupils shrank, it’s clearly to see the panic on Maki's face.  But in just a moment, Maki quickly regained her composure from the uncertainty and spoke.

"It's probably just your imagination, why would anyone sit with me—"

"I can always see you through the surveillance cameras, you know?"

Interrupted by Shoko's words, the tension in Maki's heart seemed to become more and more tense. Worried that she would be considered a crazy, Maki, without saying anything, also did not look directly at Shoko but just looked away and remained silent. But then, the silence was interrupted when Shoko broke through.

"My wife, Utahime, is a shrine maiden, her main job is often working at the temple"

"Huh?"

"Perhaps you already know what a shrine maiden's job is. But unlike other part-time shrine maidens, she is a real shrine maiden with the ability to see things that other people cannot see. She actually has the power to see spirits, communicate with them and even exorcise them."

"....why do you tell me these things?"

Shoko just shrugged and said without thinking.

"Nothing important, just want to make you feel more relax. Because my wife also has the same ability, you can feel free to tell me, I don't think you're crazy."

When Maki heard what Shoko said, she finally let down her guard. Feeling that she could comfortably talk about these things, then Maki no longer hid it and just raised her hand to rub the back of her neck as she spoke.

"Well, like you said, it true that there’s always someone sitting next to me." Putting her hand in her jacket pocket, Maki smiled softly and said "Her name is Kugisaki Nobara, a pretty girl with caramel hair. But unlike the spirits your wife encounters, she is the soul of a painting."

"Painting?"

"Yeah, it's the painting 'Thorny wild rosa' that I've always looking at"

"That so"

Maki just only saw Shoko's expressionless face as she responded. It seemed like for someone whose wife was a shrine maiden, something like this couldn't surprise them too much huh.

"But why do you ask?"

"Just curious, because you always seem so happy whenever you're with that soul. It makes me think that it seems like you already like that soul."

"I...didn't..." Maki immediately responded, but then her voice became quieter and her eyes turned away.

"Is that so? Well maybe I was wrong" Shoko raised her hand to look at her watch and then looked up at Maki "Looks like I have to go back to work, sorry for bothering you Maki"

"No problem"

The manager nodded her thanks and then left, leaving Maki with a complicated feeling as she walked back to the seat next to the red head girl.

Nobara still sat bored throughout the conversation. Just when Maki returned, she immediately smiled with her.

"Nobara, is it okay for me to ask you something?"

"Of course, anything you want to know"

Maki's eyes turned forward, her voice flat and questioning.

"Do you like me?"

"Huh? Haven't I always said that I like you Maki? Why are you asking such a weird thing like that?" Nobara laughed and joked while looking at Maki.

"I'm just, wondering about something."

At her words, Nobara regained her joking expression, and she just like Maki turned towards the painting.

"About this thing, since before I could exist as such a soul and stand in front of you, I have always liked you Maki" her voice was gentle, slow but filled with so many things "Every time you come here and sitting in front of me like this, just like you, I'm always looking at you. You don't know how happy I was when you first touched me, even though it was just a touch, it made me really happy and I just want to hug you right away and never let you go"

"I really want to touch you Maki" Nobara turned to Maki and she also turned to look at her, only to see Nobara reaching out to touch her hand but still unable to. Even though Maki couldn't see her eyes clearly through those long, curled eyelashes, she still couldn't help but feel her disappointment present in that statement filled with regret.

But quickly after that, Maki saw Nobara forced smile again when she looked up at her.

"I like you Maki, I always have and will always like you. And if you want, I will repeat it again and again no matter how many times."

"Hey Maki, are you okay? You seem a bit... stressed lately?"

The bell ringing the end of the year is only two days away. As the end of the year, everyone is working harder and harder.  Everyone tries to complete everything during the year so that they can get rid of all those old things of the this year and welcome the new year to the fullest.

Maki was no exception. From that day onwards, she did not come to the exhibition anymore. She has to constantly work overtime and be busy to complete unfinished tasks.

"Isn't everyone like that?" Fingers still typing on the keyboard, Maki didn't need to look over to know who it was.

"But you look very different, at the end of last year you were also constantly working overtime but you don't look like this"

"You're not observant at all Yuuta, Maki looks like that because she hasn't go there all week" Panda next to him put one arm on Yuuta's shoulder, looking wise and continued "Don’t you see it, Maki is working overtime so much, she's definitely missing that Kugisaki girl a lot."

"You seem so sure, don't you?"

"Of course, have you forgotten who I am Toge? Besides, this is so obvious, don't tell me you don't think so."

"Okay true, it's undeniable"

"Do you two know what this means?"

Panda crossed his arms across his chest and spoke confidently to the two people next to him.

"That our Maki has finally fallen in love"

The clicking sound stopped, Maki could no longer ignore it and turned towards the three guys who were gossiping.

"Is that enough for the three of you talking about me right next to me?"

Although she did not shout or scold, but in the face of Maki's dagger-like eyes and voice filled with murderous intent, all three of them knew the wise thing to do is shut their mouth and talke about this thing.

"Hey Maki, aren't you planning on coming to the exhibition today?" Yuuta asked while rubbing the back of his neck, his voice filled with worry.

Hearing that, Maki just sighed, seemingly no longer angry, but just turned around and continued with the unfinished work.

"I can't help it, the work isn't finished yet, tomorrow is the day off and I don't want to leave it to next year."

"In that case, I'll do the rest for you. So you've come to meet that Kugisaki girl right?"

"What? Isn't that bothering you too much?"

Maki stopped, turned to look at Yuuta with a surprised face.

"Don't be so tense, I've finished all my work so it's okay to work a little more" Yuuta still kept a reassuring smile and replied in a gentle voice, "Besides, you said it, tomorrow is a day off. I think you should go see her now and I'll take care of the rest for you."

It’s true that if it were someone else faced with such an offer like this, they would definitely immediately accept it. But Maki just turned back to her work, her eyes reflecting the light from the screen.

"Thanks, but I don't want to bother you like that."

Yuuta, Panda and Toge glanced at each other as if they were exchanging some secret conversation.

"Well then, but try not to stress yourself too much okay."

Even though they were worried about her, the three still decided not to bother her anymore. Especially while Maki is in a state like this.

Then there are 108 bells for New Year's Eve, with which the holidays begin. A new year has come, some people will spend this time returning to visit family, there will also be people taking time to travel, all to enjoy a complete and fulfilling beginning of the new year.

But for Maki, she spent these days in a meaningless way. She doesn't and certainly doesn't want to visit that fucking place. She also has no interest in traveling or anything. All three of her colleagues if not visiting home then definitely going on vacation, so Maki could not and had no interest in asked them to go somewhere.

And just that until she had to go back to work.

"I don't want to go to work yet, I still want to rest." Panda lied down on the table as soon as he arrived and lamented.

"Don't you think it's enough for you to rest like that?"

"No Toge, 5 days off is too little for me, I still can't..."

Ignoring the person sitting behind her who was still complaining, Maki placed the documents down on the table and started working. But before that, Yuuta next to her turned around.

"Didn't you go anywhere on your vacation Maki?"

"Uh huh, I'm not really interested. What's wrong?"

"It's just that you still seem a bit stress, although not as much as last time. Did they call to bother you again?"

Responding to him with a nod, Maki sighed and raised her hand before Yuuta saying any words to comfort. It seemed he also understood Maki's mean of not wanting to talk about that anymore, so he immediately changed another topic.

"Well fortunately, all those works was resolved before the new year. Now you have time to go see Kugisaki. Isn't that good?"

But contrary to expectations, Maki did not seem excited about this. Not to mention her frowning eyebrows, she looked completely different from Maki before, who always seemed happy every time the girl's name was mentioned. The current Maki didn't seem to feel uncomfortable when mentioning this name.

"I think so"

Responding lamely, Maki turned back towards the computer screen, letting Yuuta know that she didn't want to talk anymore.

But it seems that a few days later, Maki's erratic behavior bit by bit became more obvious. She easier to grumpy and angry, talked less to others and increasingly distanced herself from people more.

"Hey Maki, I don't mean anything but is there something going on between you and Kugisaki?"

Hearing her name, Maki stopped typing and turning to him, frowned.

"Why do you ask?"

In response to Maki's question, Yuuta looked away, avoiding her sharp eyes, and answered in a slightly hesitant voice.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interfere with your thing...because from the overtime at the end of the year until now, you haven’t seem happy or anything at all. You just look like….Are you upset about something?"

"You look like you're heartbroken."

Panda kicked the table from behind her while he sat on a wheeled chair, sliding between the two of them. But then Maki quickly pinched his ear painfully.

"Ouch! S-sorry, I'm sorry, please forgive me Maki! I won't joke like that again, please forgive me!"

Maki let go immediately after that even though she knew he wouldn't really feel guilty and stop joking around like that.  Ignoring Panda who was still painfully rubbing his ears, she sighed and leaned back in her chair, lying to quickly end this conversation.

"It’s just you guys think too much, there's nothing between us. It's just that I'm busy these days and need to go home right away so I can't go to the exhibition."

It wasn't a complete lie, it just a half, nothing really happened between Maki and Nobara. It's just that right now she don't want to go there and see her.

"You're such a bad liar Maki, even a three year old kid still can make up excuses better than you."

"Don't make me pinch your other ear, Panda."

Panda was startled and reflexively covered both of his ears. Maki just rolled her eyes and went back to work.

"Are you okay, Maki? What's going on, do you need us to help you?"

"Thanks for your kindness but I'm fine" Her eyes still didn't leave the screen.

"Don't worry, if anything happens, just tell us, we'll try to help."

"It's okay, I'm fine"

"Really? You don't really look good at all"

"I'm fine"

"Are you sure?"

"I said I'm fine!"

Maki raised her voice, lost her temper and turned to yell at him, but then quickly felt guilty at Yuuta's surprised expression.  She turned back to look at the computer screen, frowned, trying not to look at the expressions of him, Panda, Toge who was still sitting on the side listening from the beginning and those around them.

From the corner of her eye, Maki could see Panda whispering something to Yuuta before the two silently returned to work.  Only now she breathed a sigh and focus on the screen again.

Even though no one talk about it after that, everyone focused on their own work. Only Maki with her complicated feeling pushed herself to bury more in work, trying to ignore the chaos inside. But the more she tried, the more stressed she became.  And of course this clearly weird behavior could not escape her friend's eyes.

With the sound of the clock ticking, everyone else around had already go home. Only Maki remained sitting back despite the work already done. She blankly looked at her hand, remembering when Nobara tried to touch her hand.  Remembering the regret that filled her voice and the fake smile she showed. Now that thinking back to the first time they met, Maki reached out to push her away but then discovered that the two could not touch each other. At that time, Nobara was silent for a moment before continuing to laugh and talk to her. Maki wondered, was Nobara shocked when she discovered that? Did she also force a smile? Was her feeling at that time was disappointment?

This feeling again, like being stabbed in the heart by a sharp knife. Even though there was no bleeding, it was extremely painful.

Sighing, Maki closed her eyes and leaned back on the chair, her hands rest on the armrest, trying to relax herself before going home.

But not long after, she heard footsteps approaching and a voice interrupted the silence.

"Okay now, stop hiding Maki, what's going on?"

When he opened his eyes and looked over, Yuuta had already pulled out a chair and sat down with Panda behind him.  Their face expressions seemed more serious and they certainly wouldn't let her escape this time.

Right, she know she can't avoid this.  So instead of losing her temper like last time, this time Maki kept her composure and replied in a monotone voice.

"I won't go see Nobara anymore"

And just as Maki thought, surprise appeared on both of their faces.

"But why? Is there something going on between you two?"

"Nothing, nothing happened between us"

"Then why? Aren't you two dating? Don't you like that girl?"

Like her? Right, she likes Nobara. Maki likes Nobara, likes her so much that no matter how hard she tries, she can't stop thinking about her. Maki already likes her and she knows that better than anyone.

"You want to know?" Maki calmly continued, not waiting for the other two to react, she not hiding any more "Because, Nobara is not human"

"What do you mean? Not human?"

"She is not a human, she is a soul, a soul of the painting 'Thorny wild rosa'"

Following that was the silence of the two, Maki still looked straight at them without wavering, then a moment later she saw Yuuta smile lightly and speak calmly.

"So that it’s"

"Right, why didn't I think of that before huh?"

She thought that both of them would be surprised and disbelieving, or would be skeptical or at least would wave their hands and think that Maki was joking. But far from what she had expected, the two were strangely calm and even seemed familiar with this.

"Wait, what with those smile of you two mean?"

It's so ironic that the last person surprised was Maki instead of them as she had imagined.

Responding to Maki's surprise by raising his hand in front of her, draw Maki to look to the ring he had always worn.

"Do you seen this ring?"  And seeing Maki's expression as if he realized something, Yuuta still kept his calm voice and continued slowly, "It seems you also realize what I want to say, right? Her name is Rika, the one very special to me"

Yuuta looked to the side with a slight smile on his lips, although from the outside, it looked as if he was looking into some distance. But Maki know as well, that next to him was not as empty as it seemed.

"Wow, looking at you like that suddenly reminds me of my two older siblings" Panda behind Yuuta also spoke up.

"You have older siblings?"

"They're not real siblings, just like Rika, they're also souls."

Regarding with these information, Maki's surprised expression became more and more surprised.

"You know, I really like boxing. When I was little, my dad gave me a pair of gloves, and I was very happy and really, really liked it. Regardless of the street boxing match, whenever I join, I always carry it with me as a lucky charm. It's my sister Triceratops. Not long after, my dad also gave me a second pair of gloves, which is Gorilla, even though he's very showy tough with me but he always cheering me on to win" Panda said, his face not hiding his pride "It's true that I still have many other pairs later, but it doesn't feel like that anymore. No matter how hard I try, I can't feel the same way like them."

"You really love them, don't you?"

"Of course, they have been with me for a long time, they are like my brothers and sisters."

Regarding the two friends who were still chatting in front of her, Maki said nothing, still unable to keep up with what was happening.

Seeing his friend sitting quietly without saying anything, Yuuta asked worriedly.

"Want to talk Maki?"

When seeing Maki's face showing sadness about something but not saying anything, both Yuuta and Panda gradually felt a bit guilty for forcing her to say this.  But just a moment later, Maki spoke up again, breaking the surrounding silence.

"Seems like you two easy to accept these feelings huh?"

"No Maki, it's never been easy. Believe it or not, I even lost Rika once before I could accept this feeling."

Hearing this, Maki raised her face and raised her eyebrow to look at Yuuta, who was currently looking at her with a serious expression. But in Yuuta's eyes, she could see a clear sadness.

"I was once like you, scared and always wanted to deny these feelings. It took me almost a year to accept it" Yuuta smiled weakly and continued "Once when I let all this negativity came out, right before I realized, Rika had already disappeared. Although at first I thought it was okay, but then I felt really bad, I meant really.bad"

"Oh, you never told me about this."

"Because this is not a fun thing, so..." as he said to Panda, he scratched his cheek and laughed it off.

"Wait, souls can disappear?"

"I think s—"

Yuuta's answer was suddenly interrupted by someone, making the space suddenly quiet again. Yuuta turned to the side with a surprised face as he heard someone talking to him. Even though they couldn't see or hear it, both Panda and Maki knew that Rika was saying something to Yuuta before he turned to answer her.

"Rika said, unless that object is destroyed, souls like them will never disappear. It's just, when the person who created them no longer has the same feelings for them as before, then the person who created them will no longer be able to see or hear them anymore."

As he spoke, his eyes lowered as if he was sad about something.

"I also heard my sister say once, that in order to be present like that, both they and the other person must really have same feelings for each other. It's like what's called a binding contract we can see in some movies. And if there is only one side, then they will always be invisible in the other eyes, no matter how hard they try, they cannot change it."

After Panda's words, the atmosphere became gloomy, all three became quiet, seemingly unable to help but think about the last sentence.

Can't see Nobara anymore.....

That thought made Maki even more scared, her hands clutching the handrail so tightly that her fingertips turned white.  At this moment Maki suddenly noticed Yuuta's hand, his hand was grasping the air as if he could touch Rika.

"Yuuta, are you holding Rika's hand?"

"That's right, what's wrong?"

"You...can touch Rika?"

When Yuuta heard her ask that, he also raised his eyebrow in confusion, but then immediately understood what she meant.

"Yeah, I can touch her."

"But how?" Maki opened her eyes wide, not hiding her surprise and confusion. "How could you touch Rika?"

Yuuta leaned back in his chair, frowning and thinking for a moment.

"To be honest, I don't know. Before I knew it, I was able to touch her. Honestly, I was really surprised at that time too, and so was Rika."

"You don’t even know too?" The Panda behind spoke up.

"Uh huh, but, there’s a reason I’m thinking about..."

"What?"

"Well, it kinda embarrassing to say this, but I think-" as he shyly answered, the phone ringing in Yuuta's pocket rang, interrupting the conversation "Sorry, I have to answer the phone now."

After saying that, he stood up and walked out. She could briefly hear a short conversation him with the person on the other side of the phone "Is she agrees to sell? What did you say......" before he left completely outside.

"Hey Maki, are you still not going to admit that you like Kugisaki?"

There were only Panda and Maki left in the room. He sat down on Yuuta's chair and asked her seriously, no longer with his usual joking expression.

"That's not it, I admit that I like Nobara." Maki looked away, frowning thoughtfully, "But I just don't want to accept that I love her. I mean, it's not because she's bad or something, it's just—"

"Don't be so tense Maki, I know what you mean" Panda smiled lightly, his voice calmly continued "We understand if you don't accept this, after all, not everyone can easily accept their love is a soul. Even though it might be easy for me, but you can see Yuuta, he struggles with it so bad that he look like shit"

When she heard this, her lips curled slightly, creating a slight smile on Maki's face.

"You don't have to accept it if you don't want to, just tell Kugisaki, I'm sure that girl will be fine with this" observing Maki for a bit, Panda continued "Kugisaki love you so much like that, the girl would definitely be really sad if she knew you were avoiding her. Surely you don't want that, right?"

Although the teasing in this statement could be clearly heard, the thought of making Nobara sad seemed to make Maki more uncomfortable. She was silent for a while before Yuuta's voice rang out, attracting both of their attention.

"Panda let's go, I'm done talking"

"Coming"

After saying that, Panda stood up and left, not forgetting to say goodbye to her before leaving with Yuuta. Maki was left alone in the room. She looked at the clock, then packed her things and left, ending her work day.

On the way back home, the conversation between her and the other two kept repeating in Maki's head. About her presence, about the connection between the two of them, and about how easily souls can disappear. Like a tape being rewinded over and over again, Maki seemed to be searching for the most correct answer.

As she walked, she thought about it until she realized when she was standing in front of the house. Inserting the key and placing her hand on the door handle, Maki did not immediately open the door.  She just stood there, eyes glued to the handle, silent for a moment, just a moment before her eyebrows furrowed, Maki turned on her heel and ran away.

There was no right answer yet, but she could look for it later. Now Maki doesn't want to delay any longer. She wants to meet Nobara. She couldn't wait until tomorrow, and didn't want to delay any more. She don't want to let the sadness appear on her face any longer.

There are only 20 minutes left before the exhibition closes, even though it's short, Maki still wants to use it to meet Nobara.  To hear again the greeting she always give her when they meet.

"Oh Maki, long time no see."

But the first person Maki met was the manager instead of Nobara as she expected.

"Ah um, long time no see" greeted Shoko lightly, her steps hurried to the painting gallery, looking for that familiar figure again.

But when she arrived, the first thing that greeted Maki was an empty wall where the painting 'Thorny wild rosa' had once hung.

"Shoko, the painting, where is it?"

Without leaving her eyes out of the gap on the wall, Maki asked when Shoko had followed and stood behind her.

"The painting was bought by a customer." Knowing clearly which painting Maki was talking about, Shoko did not hesitate to answer immediately.

And after the manager's answer, Maki seemed dumbfounded. It felt like time suddenly stopped.

"What did you say?"

The fear come from nowhere now engulfed Maki. She walked up to the manager, grabbed the hem of Shoko's shirt without waiting for the other person to react.

"What did you just said Shoko? What do you mean the painting has been sold?"

"Maki, you need to calm down first-"

"Shoko, are you kidding?!"

Maki couldn't control herself and shouted loudly at Shoko, regardless of whether anyone around her was looking at her or not. Her mind could no longer maintain its original sanity.

"....I'm sorry"

The confirmation from the manager was like a knife stabbing into Maki's heart again. Her pupils remained small and her head gradually drooped, her hands still holding the hem of Shoko's shirt shaking involuntarily.

"Go home Maki"

Shoko raised one hand to hold her still shaking hand, her voice still calm without any anger at Maki outburst. But it seemed like Maki couldn't hear that, her eyes were still focused on the ground without paying attention to anything else.

"Tell me...." Maki could feel the despair enveloping her, like sinking into a deep ocean and herself couldn’t rise "....tell me who bought the painting?"

"I can’t"

"Please..."

"I'm sorry"

With heavy footsteps, Maki dragging step by step on the familiar path back home.

"Food... there's no food at home..."

Muttering, Maki walked home as usual.

"Convenient store would be fine..."

Even though she don't look straight ahead, her legs still instinctively move automatically.

Empty mind, blank eyes. The chaos from a moment ago had quieted down, leaving only despair like a deep ocean that she no longer had the strength to rise, just letting herself sink deeper and deeper.

Stuck in a nightmare that can't wake up.

"Oh hey Maki"

There was a voice calling her name, Maki slowly raised her heads to see. And in front of Maki is her friends.

"Is anything alright?"

"........"

After Yuuta's greeting, there was silence from Maki, under the streetlight that had been turned on. The three could clearly see Maki's lifeless eyes looking at them with no intention of answering.

"Here Maki, your house key." Toge took out from his jacket pocket Maki's house key that she had forgotten earlier and placed it in her hand.

"Really Maki, don't put the key in and leave it there, what if a thief breaks into the house?"

Not bothering with Panda's question, Maki looked at the key in her hand and then looked up at the three people in front of her.

"What are you three doing here?"

At Maki's question, the three glanced at each other without saying anything, just smiled lightly and patted her shoulder before walking past Maki.

Maki didn't understand their strange actions, but didn't pay any mind to it.  Before she was about to continue walking home, Yuuta spoke up.

"Oh right, happy birthday Maki"

And next to him were Panda and Toge smiling at Maki with two thumbs up.

Birthday? Just now before she leaving, Shoko also told her happy birthday, right? So today is her birthday huh. Yet Maki completely forgot about it.

Putting the key in her coat pocket, Maki turned the doorknob and entered the house. Looks like all three of them came into her house just now. The light has already been turned on. As usual, Maki sat down on the doorstep and took off her shoes. Just as she was about to stand up, a voice came from behind her, causing her to immediately turn around, stunned by the figure before her eyes.

"Welcome home"

That voice, that familiar lovely voice, always fascinated Maki every time she heard it. The voice she hadn't heard for a while, the voice of the girl that Maki always love.

"And happy birthday Maki"

Nobara stood in front of her, her affectionate honey eyes looking at her with a smile as bright as the sun on her lip.

Before Maki could think of anything, her feet reflexively moved on their own, almost tripping as she hurriedly ran to Nobara. Rushing over and reaching out to hug her, they both lost momentum and fell down.

By the time Maki realized it, she was already holding her in her arms, her face buried in the crook of Nobara neck.

"Maki are you...are you touching me?"  Her voice rang out with surprise that she couldn't hide.

"That's right...I'm touching you Nobara" wrapping her arms around her tighter, tears pooled around Maki eyelids, with her choked voice Maki was finally able to say out loud those words that had been buried in her heart for so long "I can finally touch you....I can finally hug you. I love you Nobara."

And it seemed that not only Maki, Nobara also reached out to hug her tight, her whole body trembled, her voice was full of choking but it was impossible not to recognize the burst of happiness.

"Took you so long...Maki"

She wanted to respond but what should she say? That she misses her so so so much. That she thought she would never see her again. How difficult it must be for her to accept this feeling. How much she love her, even though she don't have the any words to express it. There are so many things Maki wants to tell Nobara.  But all of that, she will leave later.

Now this is the most relevant thing she want to say.

"Sorry, I made you wait so long, I’m home Nobara"

"Are you go home now? Stay with me, don't leave me here overtime alone!"

"Nope, I'll continue at home. Also, won't Toge also stay overtime with you?"

"But the more the merrier. How about Toge will treat you a juice can?"

"What?!"

"Still nope, I can't stay, I told Nobara I'll be back soon"

With a sarcastic look and a characteristic smirk, Maki picked up her bag and left, not forgetting a mocking comment.

"Have fun working, I'm going on a 'date' now, bye~"

"Maki you traitor!"

Ignoring Panda's screams behind her, Maki left happily after getting revenge for all the time being him tease.

What can she say, even though he and the other two helped her a lot, you can call her petty, but still, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But anyway, Maki is very grateful to them. Because now, she can finally hold the happiest thing in her arms.

Maki twisting the door handle, a small figure happily stood in front of her.

"Welcome home Maki. You've worked hard today."

The greeting always made her happy, the girl that Maki always love.

"I'm home Nobara"