Work Text:
“Hinomori and Mafuyu?” Kanade chimes in. She taps her cheek, leaning against the backrest of Mizuki’s seat. “They were touring universities in the countryside, last time I checked.”
Minori frowns, putting down the scruffy dog. “Oh? It’s pouring down really hard...” She looks out the window. “I hope they’re okay.”
⤹˚˖♬୭
“You cut your hair,” is the first thing that escapes Shizuku’s lips.
Mafuyu stands across from the idol, her hands folded together. Her hair is shaggy and poorly trimmed, but it did the job. It was a significant contrast, having it shoulder-length instead of down to her upper back.
Mafuyu’s frown is deep and broadening, her gaze avoidant from the taller girl’s sharpening watch. “You hate it,” she murmurs after a short time.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Shizuku hums and chuckles, raising her palm to play with Mafuyu’s fluffy, delicate bunches of hair. She notes how each strand dances under her touch, accentuating the soft contours of Mafuyu’s face. “Maybe first, I would have a word with your barber?”
Mafuyu, with a slight frown, etched on her brow, glances downward, her expression a mix of something uncertain. “It was Akiyama. Just the other day.”
Shizuku’s touch remains gentle yet confident as if trying to force a smile from behind her worried gaze. The contrast between Shizuku’s boldness and Mafuyu’s shyness creates a tender dynamic, a silent conversation blooming between them as a moment of intimacy fills the air. The world around them fades, leaving just the two and the warmth of their connection.
The two archers rarely talked about their relationship, especially now that their last year of high school was nearing its end. But Shizuku and Mafuyu understand the undertones behind each other’s words, know the other’s soul from the inside out as if to say I see you , and I’ve got you , and that they would destroy mountains and cross oceans just to talk like this once more.
In a corner of the classroom, shadowed by dark clouds, the two stand face to face, Mafuyu’s stare hardening with a beat of silence. Her eyes flicker to meet Shizuku’s, the vague sight of emptiness in their vibrant colors.
“It’s getting late.” Mafuyu shifts her gaze again, pretending to focus on the scatter of papers on the desk. “Just to be clear, I don’t absolutely love the haircut.”
Shizuku’s smile hints at something more profound, a flicker of understanding masked beneath her casual tone. “I can fix it later if you want?”
Mafuyu’s fingers brush against her hair, and the strands feel so foreign now. “It’s just hair. I just wanted to see if I would like the change.” Her voice carries a layer of irony, the weight of unaddressed feelings slipping through the cracks.
“Okay,” Shizuku replies, her expression carefully neutral, yet her eyes seem to dance with meaning. “Change is refreshing sometimes. Like the weather!”
“Not when it’s stormy. It’s cold, and bitter, and gets you sick,” Mafuyu adds, her tone a touch cooler, the tension evident in her words. The silence thickens, charged with an understanding that burns behind what’s spoken.
Shizuku nods, her gaze unwavering. “But storms can also clear the air.”
Mafuyu looks away, her fingers now intertwining nervously. She looks outside, watching the thundering clouds encircling the city, the rain dancing down the glass window. “Sure, if you survive the storm.”
“Survival builds strength!” Shizuku responds, her voice steady and composed. “I think you’re strong enough for it.”
“Strong,” Mafuyu repeats, an almost bitter edge creeping into her tone. “It’s always about being strong, isn’t it? As if vulnerability is just a weakness to overcome.”
“Vulnerability’s just a different kind of strength!” Shizuku counters, her grip tightening slightly where it rests on the desk. “It takes courage to do more than just survive.”
The distance between them feels real and tangible, but they both share a silent acknowledgment of the meaning buried within their words. The distance becomes a fragile concept, creating a sense of twisted comfort.
Mafuyu exhales slowly and steadily, the tension only managing to build up in her shoulders as she straightens her posture. “You’re confusing,” she says lightly, with an undeniable heaviness.
“You too,” The phrase is barely a whisper, laced with unvoiced frustration and longing, half-formed conversation hanging like the dusk outside the classroom window.
“Let’s just… find shelter someplace else for now? I think the staff are about to leave, and we shouldn’t stay here any longer than we need to,” Shizuku suggests to lighten the mood. “Hopefully we can avoid the storm a little longer.”
Mafuyu nods curtly, the tension shifting. “Sure, let’s avoid storms. For now.”
When they step outside Miyamasuzaka Academy, the heavy air clings to their skin as if imitating a hug. The shrill raindrops begin to fall, each one a gentle caution of the storm ahead. Shizuku glances at Mafuyu, her expression mirroring a mix of panic and something else unreadable.
“I might have an idea?” Shizuku asked, her voice steady despite the ominous clouds looming overhead.
“Um...” The lyricist, hesitant, sucks in a breath looking back at the idol. Shizuku’s ideas haven’t had the best track record for being the brightest.
It’s then that Shizuku hooks their arms together, a bright grin on her face when she looks at the other.
Trust me?
Sure.
Mafuyu sighs in uncomfortable understanding, and they both sprint toward the street, a mix of laughter bubbling up and heavy sighs hitching as they twist and turn through the streets. In the distance, the low rumble of thunder echoes a sound, a warning that is both thrilling and foreboding.
Suddenly, they spot a small, unlit music shop. It’s a cozy brick structure between two larger buildings, and its window displays, still adorned with colorful posters of concerts and album covers, seemed to call out to them.
“Oh, there!” Shizuku shouts, pointing at the shop. They dashed to it, narrowly avoiding a heavy downpour as they reached the entrance.
Mafuyu shoves herself against the door, but it doesn’t budge. “It’s locked.” she grits, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
“Just give it a good push!” Shizuku urges, her own heart racing with the thrill of the storm. Together, they press against the door, and with a stubborn shove, it creaked open just enough for them to slip inside.
The moment they enter the building, the contrast was striking. The warm, incense-like smell of aged wood and instruments and old music wraps around them like an embrace. Dim light filters through the dusty air, illuminating instruments hanging on the walls and CDs scattered across the floor.
“Shizuku,” Mafuyu breathed, her gaze wandering around the quaint store. “That was incredibly stupid.”
Shizuku chuckled softly, her earlier worry temporarily forgotten. “It was fun! And we found ourselves a little hideaway.”
Mafuyu slides down the nearest wall, taking in her surroundings with anything but her sight. Closing her eyes, she notices the incense and the shrill bitterness of the cold floor. Remembering a familiar hermit musician, she calms, breathing in for four seconds.
Hold for seven.
Exhale for eight.
Mafuyu wraps her arms around her knees, drawing them close as she takes in Shizuku’s words, listening to the taller girl slip down the wall alongside her. Something was comforting in the sincerity of their shared silence, a safe harbor amid the chaos outside.
As the rain drums on the roof, the music shop transforms into a sanctuary, their senses filled with the warmth of flickering lights and the scent of polished wood mixing with the dampness of the ceiling and walls.
When Mafuyu opens her eyes, she chuckles warmly, a sound unfamiliar. “Okay. It wasn’t awful. This place is nice.”
“See! It was fun, too!” Shizuku exclaims, clasping her hands together. “And there’s so much music here~ Maybe you can find some inspiration for Yoisaki?”
Encouraged, Mafuyu feels the warmth bloom deeper in her chest. She sits upright and turns to Shizuku. “Okay, let’s not steal? There could still be people working here, seeing as it hasn’t been shut down yet.”
Shizuku’s face lights up like the first rays of the sun breaking through clouds. “Ahh, you’re right. Finding an abandoned place with you one day would be fun, though.”
Shizuku watches faintly as a wave of masked disgust and panic washes over Mafuyu’s face.
With you.
As the storm rages outside, the shop walls grow more transparent. Shizuku’s heart races, leaning in closer, the gap between them narrowing until they touch shoulders. “Okay then,” she said softly, a quiet resolve taking root. “Maybe something else, then.”
As the first drops of rain patter against the pavement, the air around them crackles with anticipation. Shizuku’s expression brightens, even with dark clouds hanging low in the sky. “I think the storm’s letting up. Let’s start walking down the street? Yoisaki might get worried.” she suggested, her voice inviting.
Mafuyu nods, glancing up to see the clouds finally unleash their torrent. “And hopefully not a lot of people are outside right now,” she murmurs, her mind racing with thoughts of potential chaos. The last thing she wanted was to be surrounded by others, especially now.
With a slight shiver as a gust of wind swept through, Shizuku tightened her jacket and steps forward, beckoning Mafuyu to follow. “It’s cool out here, right?” she calls, cocking her head over her shoulder, enthusiasm in her tone as a sharp contrast to the depressing scenery all around them.
As they venture out, water splashes around them, painting the street glossy, as if the world is more alive than before. Shizuku splashes through puddles, laughter bubbling from her lips, transforming the gloomy day into a whimsical adventure.
Do you think you’ll have fun in this world?
“It’s not so bad!” Shizuku shouted, hair damp and cheeks flushed with excitement. Mafuyu’s expression stays stagnant and cold, but the contagious joy that Shizuku draws her in is never easy to look at for too long.
I’m okay with just thinking you’re cute.
“Shizuku. Where are we going?” Mafuyu calls out almost nervously, her cold breath fogging in the air, tripping and stumbling a little as she tries to follow the other. The tone of her voice is painted with curiosity, and to anyone else, the lyricist only appears solemnly disinterested in the idol’s antics.
Shizuku, however, knew better.
“Just a little more! I think!” Shizuku grins, her eyes glistening like the settling rain around them. She takes a moment to glance back, catching a glimpse of Mafuyu’s hesitant smile—almost imperceptible, but there. A small victory, she thinks, as she looks foward once more.
As they walk, the rhythmic splashes and the whispers of the wind create a tight, palpable atmosphere around them, isolating them from the world. Shizuku’s heart, mind, and soul race from the chilly air and the thrill of truly understanding the person behind her. “Do you know the way to the intersection from here?”
Mafuyu’s brow furrows, her pessimistic side kicking her in the shin. “You know, you should probably learn these directions at some point.” She looks away, an expression not too shy from guilt grazing her features. “It would do you some good.”
“But I try to! I do try my best,” Shizuku smiles, glancing at Mafuyu with a friendly, teasing glint. The archer dances around, hugging herself tight, “And besides, I like asking you for directions. Plus...you like giving them to me, right?”
The lyricist, a world away from the idol, doesn’t reply. Mafuyu’s eyes flicker, glazed, her expression hardening after a long silence. What the hell are you doing?
You tell me.
Without waiting for the other, Shizuku ventures ahead, splashing through another puddle, laughter erupting as droplets scatter in all directions. In this moment, and this moment alone, something within Mafuyu stirs, bubbles, and burns. It’s such a bitter coldness spreading throughout her entire body, something so familiar from so long ago that it might’ve shown on her face at some point.
“Come on!”
“Wait up.”
As the two of them push through the streets, each turn only manages to move their hearts further and further apart. Mafuyu notices the warmth of the world, how far away she’s grown from it—a glimmer of light reflecting off wet pavement, the distant chatter of laughter from the upcoming crowds, and the earthy scent of rain-soaked grass. With every step, Shizuku’s laughter pulls Mafuyu closer, bridging the physical distance between them and increasing the distance between their souls.
Mafuyu meets her gaze, caught off-guard by the exposure flickering beneath the surface. “Shizuku,” she beckons, lowering her voice, half serious yet layered with something unspoken.
Shizuku takes a step closer. “Ahh, the clouds are getting darker...I hope the rain doesn’t start up again,” she murmured, the shy confidence blooming in her chest, urging her forward.
Just as the distance closes, a deafening clap of thunder rolls across the sky, sending one of them jumping back, startled, the other excitedly. “Shizuku,” Mafuyu huffs, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness.
“Or find we can find shelter again and stay a while,” Shizuku chuckles playfully, her eyes ever-bright with blissful ignorance.
“Shizuku!”
“Mm?”
At that moment, something shifts as they forge into the pouring rain.
Mafuyu smiles so uncharacteristically, so coldly, a feature that didn’t fit on her face. “So, why don’t you remember the rest of this memory?”
“Huh?”
⤹˚˖♬୭
Mafuyu grips the steering wheel, his expression more or less relaxed now than it would’ve been back when they were driving down the mountain. The riveting hum of the engine fills the silence, only broken occasionally by the sound of tires against asphalt. He glances sideways at Shizuku, who is now trying to adjust her seat to find a comfortable position.
“That college seemed nice, hm?” Mafuyu smiles sideways at his partner, tapping his nails against the dashboard. “Highly praised medical program, pretty good dormatories, the nature was super nice... And the commute isn’t too bad, so we won’t have much trouble visiting our friends, yeah?”
Shizuku shifts slightly, her gaze fixed out the passenger window, occasionally glancing towards Mafuyu. “That sounds fine. They had a promising sports program,” she responds quietly, her voice flat.
“Your sibling wants to go there too, so you guys won’t be too far.” Mafuyu smiles as she navigates through the winding streets, their emptiness slightly alarming.
“Mmn,” Shizuku hums, a tiny bit of brightness gracing her features. “Maybe Shii will actually want to see me this time around,” Shizuku quips, the corners of her mouth twitching upward.
Mafuyu chuckles in response, his low rumble blending with the car’s steady engine. “I’m positive Shiho will be nothing less than eager to see the coolest older sister anyone could get.”
“HIV Positive?” Shizuku snorts, the sound muffled from her palm.
“You’re not funny,” Mafuyu groans. As they maneuver around a sharp bend, Mafuyu looks at the stunning landscape, sunlight streaming through the tree and vibrant leaves dancing in the soft breeze. “I mean it, Ku, about the college. This place is beautiful, you know, we could go there. That is, if you want?”
"Sure," Shizuku murmurs. “I’m okay with whatever you want.”
Mafuyu slows down to a stop over the roadside, turning to look at his partner. “Shizuku?” Tilting his head, Mafuyu frowns as he sees her dim, darkened eyes.
The car’s engine shuts off, and Mafuyu opens the door to let himself out of the truck. After a short while, Shizuku hears the passenger door click, and she quickly removes her elbow from the spot it was resting on.
“Hey,” Mafuyu smiles up at her, laying his arms on her knees from his spot on the road. His voice is sickly sweet, the tone he’d only use with her. Shizuku looks down at Mafuyu, her expression unreadable. She tilts her head, “What’s up?”
“Nothing much,” Mafuyu says, rubbing his hands together. “Just thought we could take a little break. Enjoy the scenery, you know?”
Shizuku nods slowly, her eyes flickering towards the trees. “It’s nice and pink?”
“Okay,” Mafuyu hops onto the truck’s step, pushing himself up into the passenger’s seat with Shizuku, planting his legs in the spot between her and the dashboard. “Then let’s just take a little break. Just the two of us,” Mafuyu smiles, shutting the door behind him.
Mafuyu leans forward, his fingers tapping lightly against Shizuku’s knee. “You know, I remember when we first came to this countryside with Mizuki and Airi and the others. You were so excited about the trees.” He chuckles a soft, reminiscent sound. “You even started naming them.”
Shizuku turns her head slightly, her eyes meeting Mafuyu’s as she cups his softened cheekbones. She watches as his expression softens under her touch, his gaze holding hers for a moment before he leans into her palm.
“You know, you were the one who started that game, Yuki,” Shizukumurmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’d point at a tree and go, ‘That one’s Kanade,’ or ‘It kind of looks like Ena,’ and everyone would just... laugh and play along.”
Mafuyu’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he remembers, “Yeah, you were the best sport about it. You even joined in, didn’t you? Remember you named that old oak after me?” He turns his head slightly, pressing a soft kiss into her palm. “That was a sweet memory, Ku.”
Shizuku’s fingers flex slightly, her touch lingering on his cheek. “I remember.” She feels Mafuyu’s breath against her palm, warm and steady. His eyes flutter closed briefly before he opens them again, meeting her gaze. “I’m glad we have these memories,” he says gently. “Just you and me, Shizuku. Like old times.”
Shizuku looks down at him with the same empty stare, the same one that he used to look up at her with. She doesn’t respond to Mafuyu’s words. Instead, she reaches out and tucks a stray lock of hair behind his ear. Her fingers linger on his temple, tracing his jawline before she pulls away.
Mafuyu sits upright, tilting his head. “Hey. I love you,” Mafuyu’s voice is earnest, his eyes searching Shizuku’s.
She stares back, her expression wavering, and Mafuyu is almost worried, but after a moment, her voice hitches, and her shoulders go up. It’s a slight, nearly imperceptible movement. “I love you too.”
Mafuyu’s smile widens, and he quickly recovers, moving up to sit in Shizuku’s lap. “You want a distraction again?” he asks, his voice light and casual, leaning in to cup his girlfriend’s face earnestly.
“Mhm,” Shizuku hums, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Shizuku lets Mafuyu kiss her. It’s unclear if she returns the gesture.