Chapter Text
A car sped off in the distance, breaking the nighttime silence and pulling Taki out of her unusually empty thoughts. She stepped into the light of a street lamp and looked around. When had she gotten so close to home? Jeez, she'd really been out of it to get this far without even noticing.
Another day done, another practice down. Sometimes that felt like all Taki could hope for. At least the stray cat had shown up again today—the third straight. That was probably a new record for her.
“Cat.”
And speak of the devil. Taki turned around in time to see Raana pick up a stray cat from the sidewalk and hold it out in front of her, hind legs swaying gently.
“Why are you still following me?” Taki asked. Raana stared back, continuing to wiggle the cat in her hands. Try as she might, Taki couldn't decipher what was going on behind those heterochromatic eyes. She sighed. “Whatever.”
Turning to continue her walk home, she heard a gentle meow and hurried footsteps behind her. She forced herself not to look back. Maybe if she didn't acknowledge her, Raana would eventually get bored and leave. Nevermind the fact that that hadn't worked all the other times she'd tried it.
They arrived at Taki's home a few minutes later. She didn't even bother announcing her return as she took her shoes off—only her sister was home, anyway. Raana pranced past her and up to her bedroom, slipping inside before Taki could even try to stop her. She trudged up the stairs and entered her room, closing the door behind her.
Raana sat on Taki's bed like she owned the place. Then again, with how often she'd followed Taki home lately, she almost did. Her guitar was already out of its case and in her hands. Taki ignored her. After an hour or so, she'd likely get bored and leave on her own. To hopefully hasten that outcome, Taki sat at her desk, put her headphones on, and tried to compose.
Tomori had given her new lyrics, and just like always, these were perfect. They spoke to loneliness, to solitude, to the crushing weight of expectations, of being seen for who you aren't instead of who you are.
“This is Maki’s sister.” “Oh, Maki's sister can do that!” “I asked Taki to be here because her older sister is so incredible.”
Taki grit her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. Don't think about that. Just compose the song.
If only she could find the right melody that fully captured Tomori's lyrics. She'd already tried half a dozen, but none of them sounded right. None of them matched the words. The tone was off, the texture hit her ears all wrong, and the chord progression fell flat.
Why did she always have such a hard time with this? Wasn't it supposed to get easier at some point? Sakiko had captured Tomori's feelings so perfectly right away. Maybe it was a mistake to think she could ever match someone like that. How did Tomori even put up with these subpar arrangements for her amazing lyrics? Now matter how much she tried, she—
Something bumped against her shoulder. She blinked and took her headphones off. Turning, she found Raana crouched next to her.
“Rikki. Stay here.”
“Haah? What are you talking about? I haven't moved in—” she glanced at the time, “—two hours. I'm not going anywhere, stray cat.”
Raana stared at her. “Eyes went somewhere else. Far away. Stay here instead. With me?”
Before Taking could unpack that and form a reply, Raana stood up and pulled Taki's head to her chest. She ran her fingers through Taki's hair. Her slow, steady heartbeat thumped into Taki's ear.
“Stay here,” Raana repeated. “Don't go to that other place.”
Tears welled up in Taki's eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks. She blinked them away as best she could. When was the last time anyone had held her like this? When was the last time someone had so cleanly punched through every wall Taki didn't even know she had put up? She swallowed past the lump in her throat and took a deep breath.
“Fine, stray cat. I'll stay here.”
“Good.” Raana leaned down and bonked their heads together, just like a real cat. Then she went back to the bed and picked up her guitar. “Listen?”
Taki spun around, away from the computer. “Sure. I'll listen.”
And so Raana played for her. Taki closed her eyes and let the music anchor her. Whatever else could be said about Raana, no one could deny her ability to capture a feeling with her guitar. The melody she played now felt… safe. It felt… free. It felt… carefree. It reminded Taki of playing at the park as a kid, back when it didn't hurt to think so much.
Eventually, Raana had to leave. For the first time, Taki admitted to herself that she wouldn't mind the stray cat sticking around longer. But not tonight.
In another first, she actually walked Raana to the door. After getting her shoes on, Raana stood and stared at Taki yet again. A smile brightened her typically-neutral expression.
“Taki is Taki,” she said. “And that's good.”
She turned around and left, completely missing the stunned expression on Taki's face. As the door clicked shut, Taki once again fought back tears.
“Thanks, Raana,” she whispered, going back upstairs.
Composing came a little easier for the rest of the night.