Chapter Text
The dim glow of Kanade’s desk lamp bathed the room in soft light as she hunched over her keyboard, the faint sounds of her melody filling the quiet space. Across the room, Mafuyu was perched on the edge of Kanade’s bed, carefully folding a blanket she had brought over earlier.
“You’ve been at that for hours,” Mafuyu said, her voice calm but firm enough to make Kanade pause mid-keystroke.
Kanade glanced over her shoulder, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I’m almost done. I just need to figure out this transition—”
“You said that an hour ago,” Mafuyu interrupted, standing up and walking over to her. She placed a gentle hand on Kanade’s shoulder. “You need to rest, Kanade. Your body won’t keep up with you if you don’t take care of it.”
Kanade hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. “I know, but—”
“No buts,” Mafuyu said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Five minutes to save your work, and then you’re taking a break.”
Kanade sighed but nodded, her hands moving quickly over the keys to save her progress. Mafuyu’s quiet persistence was something she had come to appreciate, even if it sometimes caught her off guard.
As Kanade leaned back in her chair, Mafuyu reached out and gently adjusted the blanket draped over Kanade’s lap. “You get cold easily,” Mafuyu murmured. “You should have said something.”
Kanade blinked, surprised by the gesture. “I didn’t notice,” she admitted.
“That’s exactly why I’m here,” Mafuyu replied, her tone softening.
[]
The next afternoon, they met up with Ena at a small café to discuss their latest project. Mizuki had bailed last minute, claiming a “fashion emergency,” which left the three of them to hash out the details.
As they settled into their seats, Ena smirked as she noticed the way Mafuyu instinctively placed Kanade’s tea closer to her, ensuring it was within easy reach. “You’ve got a real soft spot for Kanade, don’t you?” Ena teased, leaning back with her coffee in hand.
Mafuyu stiffened slightly, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of pink. “I’m just making sure she doesn’t spill it,” she replied, her voice level but defensive.
Ena raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Right. Because you’re always this considerate with the rest of us.”
Kanade looked up from her notebook, blinking in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all,” Ena said with a grin. “Just admiring how Mafuyu turns into a caretaker whenever you’re around. It’s kind of sweet, actually.”
Mafuyu shot Ena a sharp look, but Kanade only tilted her head, clearly oblivious to the subtext. “Mafuyu takes care of all of us,” Kanade said sincerely. “She’s just… really thoughtful like that.”
Ena stifled a laugh behind her coffee. “Sure, Kanade. Thoughtful. Let’s go with that.”
Mafuyu sighed, choosing to ignore Ena’s teasing as she returned her attention to her notebook. But even as she jotted down notes, she couldn’t stop her lips from curving into a faint smile.
[]
Later that evening, as they walked back to Kanade’s apartment, Mafuyu broke the comfortable silence between them. “Ena’s teasing can be… irritating,” she said, her tone carefully neutral.
Kanade glanced at her, puzzled. “I thought it was nice. She’s always been good at pointing out things I don’t notice about myself.”
Mafuyu hesitated before responding, her voice softer this time. “She just doesn’t understand.”
Kanade stopped walking, her brow furrowing as she turned to face Mafuyu. “Understand what?”
Mafuyu met her gaze, her expression uncharacteristically gentle. “That taking care of you isn’t a chore. It’s something I… want to do.”
Kanade blinked, taken aback by the quiet honesty in Mafuyu’s words. Her lips parted to say something, but Mafuyu shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her mouth.
“You don’t need to say anything,” Mafuyu added, starting to walk again. “Just… promise me you’ll take care of yourself too.”
Kanade caught up to her, her heart feeling lighter despite the weight of the day. “I promise,” she said softly.
Mafuyu glanced at her, the faintest hint of a smile on her face. “Good.”
As they walked side by side, the city lights reflecting in their eyes, Kanade realized just how much Mafuyu’s presence had come to mean to her. And though Ena’s teasing might resurface, Kanade knew that the bond she and Mafuyu shared didn’t need any explanation. It simply was—a quiet, steady comfort in a world that often felt too loud.
[]
The next morning, Kanade woke earlier than usual. The soft gray light of dawn filtered through her curtains, and the apartment was silent save for the faint sound of Mafuyu’s breathing. She glanced over to see Mafuyu curled up on the couch, wrapped tightly in the same blanket she had been folding the night before.
Kanade smiled faintly. Mafuyu must have stayed over late enough to fall asleep while reading, her notebook still resting on the coffee table.
Quietly, Kanade stood and padded into the kitchen. She knew Mafuyu well enough to understand how restless her nights could be. While Mafuyu never outright complained, there were moments when the weariness in her eyes said more than her words ever could.
Pulling out a small saucepan, Kanade decided to make something warm for Mafuyu. Her cooking skills were limited, but a simple miso soup wouldn’t be too difficult. She moved slowly, carefully, not wanting to wake her.
[]
By the time Mafuyu stirred, the home house smelled faintly of miso and seaweed. She blinked sleepily, her gaze landing on Kanade, who was carefully pouring the soup into two bowls.
“You’re up early,” Mafuyu said, her voice still tinged with drowsiness as she sat up.
Kanade turned, a small, almost shy smile on her face. “I thought you might be hungry when you woke up. You didn’t eat much yesterday.”
Mafuyu blinked, surprised by the gesture. “You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” Kanade interrupted softly, setting the bowls down on the small table. “You take care of me all the time. It’s only fair that I do the same for you.”
Mafuyu hesitated, her hands resting on the edge of the blanket still draped around her shoulders. “I don’t… I don’t need—”
Kanade shook her head gently, her voice steady. “I know you don’t. But sometimes, it’s okay to let someone else help.”
Mafuyu stared at her for a long moment before finally relenting. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself and moved to the table, the warmth of the soup already beginning to ease the lingering chill in her body.
Kanade sat across from her, quietly watching as Mafuyu took a tentative sip. “Is it okay?” she asked nervously.
Mafuyu nodded, her expression softening. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
[]
Later that day, they sat side by side in Kanade’s workspace, the familiar hum of Nightcord’s chatroom filling the air as Ena and Mizuki argued over lyrics. Mafuyu leaned slightly against Kanade, her presence grounding in a way Kanade couldn’t quite explain.
“Are you okay?” Kanade asked quietly, tilting her head toward Mafuyu.
Mafuyu glanced at her, her lips curving into the faintest smile. “I am,” she said simply.
Kanade nodded, her heart feeling lighter. It wasn’t always easy to understand Mafuyu, but moments like these reminded her that sometimes, words weren’t necessary.
For now, they had their music, their friends, and each other—and that was enough.
[]
As the chatroom buzzed with Mizuki’s energetic typing and Ena’s sharp rebuttals, Kanade and Mafuyu remained in their quiet corner of the workspace. Kanade had her laptop open, but her focus drifted between her screen and Mafuyu, who had picked up a notebook and was jotting something down.
Kanade leaned closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. “What are you working on?”
Mafuyu paused, her pen hovering above the paper. She glanced at Kanade, then back at the notebook. “It’s nothing special. Just some ideas for lyrics.”
Kanade’s eyes lit up. “Really? Can I see?”
There was a moment of hesitation before Mafuyu nodded and handed over the notebook. Kanade’s gaze flickered across the words—soft, introspective lines about finding peace in quiet moments, about fleeting connections and the lingering hope they could last.
“These are beautiful,” Kanade said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mafuyu shrugged, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know if they’ll work for Nightcord.”
“They will,” Kanade insisted, her tone firm but gentle. “They’re honest, and that’s what matters.”
Mafuyu looked at her, searching for something in her eyes. “Do you really think so?”
Kanade nodded, her hand brushing against Mafuyu’s briefly before she pulled away, almost shy. “I do. And… I think they’re important. Just like you.”
The room fell quiet again, their attention returning to the chat as Ena sent a particularly long rant about Mizuki’s “questionable artistic choices.”
> Amia: You don’t get art, Ena-chan! My genius is misunderstood!
> Enanan: Your genius is an insult to basic human decency.
> Amia: Hehe you know you loveeee meee! You wouldn’t shut up about it earlier in our date!
> Enanan: So what if I do.
> Amia: HAH? ENA! Yuo cant just sa thingsliek Tgat!!!
Kanade chuckled softly, her shoulders relaxing as the familiar banter filled the air. “They’re always like this, huh?”
Mafuyu’s lips curved into the faintest smile. “It’s comforting, in a way.”
Kanade nodded, leaning back in her chair. “It is. Even when things feel… heavy, this always reminds me that you and the others aren’t not alone.”
Mafuyu looked at Kanade, a rare warmth in her gaze. “You’re not alone, either.”
Kanade’s breath caught, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of color. “Thank you,” she murmured.
[]
As the hours passed, the chat eventually quieted, Ena and Mizuki logging off after another round of back-and-forth bickering. The apartment was still, the only sound the faint hum of the heater as the evening chill settled in.
Kanade stood and stretched, glancing at the clock. “It’s getting late. Do you want to head to bed?”
Mafuyu blinked, surprised by the question. “Are you sure? Its rather early, well for us.”
“Of course,” Kanade said, her tone light but sincere. “
Mafuyu hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”
Kanade smiled and gestured toward the small pile of blankets on the couch. “Ah right the guest room… Honami is still cleaning it” she recalled “You can take my bed if you want. I’ll sleep out here.”
Mafuyu shook her head. “No. The couch is fine.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind—”
“I’m sure,” Mafuyu interrupted, her voice gentle but firm.
Kanade relented, fetching an extra pillow and blanket before settling Mafuyu in. She lingered for a moment, adjusting the edges of the blanket before stepping back.
“Goodnight, Mafuyu,” she said softly.
“Goodnight, Kanade.”