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Mafuyu was still new to understanding her own emotions, but she also knew that watching the scene before her was both warm and painful at the same time. Just a day ago, she had agreed to work with Ena and Kanade to search for their friend Mizuki. Even going so far as to map out all the other person’s escape routes in order for Ena to corner them. However, the way, Ena spoke to Mizuki and, held their hand, made Mafuyu’s heart hurt, especially since Ena’s distressed face from earlier was why Mafuyu agreed to help her search for Mizuki. Well, one of the reasons.
“I don’t understand…” she whispered as she watched from afar in the bushes.
“Hm? Mafuyu, are you okay?” Kanade next to her asked.
“Yes, I’m fine I just…feel happy that they made up,” was her answer, which was partly true.
“Ah, yeah, so am I…”
The way Kanade said that was odd to Mafuyu, as she noticed the distant look she held. Kanade was just as bad at understanding her feelings as Mafuyu and it was sad to see the girl appear conflicted over Ena and Mizuki’s reunion. Maybe it was because she wasn’t the one Mizuki needed? Or perhaps Kanade just wanted to understand why this happened in the first place. Both, her and Kanade were in the same boat, and it wasn’t fair.
Still, why was she more upset than Kanade? Why was it, that Mafuyu wanted to be in Mizuki’s place the more she thought about it. Ena was always softer and playful around Mizuki, that was obvious, but did she want the same treatment? It was all just confusing and it only made Mafuyu more puzzled.
Was she envious of Mizuki?
Mafuyu didn’t like that feeling. It made her feel uncomfortable as she waited next to Kanade for the other two to stop talking. To stop making her feel this way as the sun rose further into the sky.
The sight before her was pleasant as Kanade, pulled Mizuki into a soft embrace, accepting them and their secret. Mafuyu stood awkwardly as she watched the exchange, thinking about the warmth it must have brought to both Kanade and Mizuki, as the latter smiled and returned the sweet gesture. It wasn’t unusual for Kanade to hug someone. She had hugged Mafuyu too when she was at her lowest. She even let Mafuyu stay at her house as she tried to rebuild the relationship with her dad after he found out what had happened.
It was just how Kanade was. She was someone who would throw her heart and soul into her music to save someone. However, the same could be said about a lot of people. Mafuyu thought before sniffling could be heard next to where she was standing.
Mafuyu let her eyes follow the sound, only for them to find Ena, who was also watching the scene with a smile. Her face seemed much better, happier than a few days ago. Ena, today, had been, more at peace after talking to Mizuki and bringing them back to Niigo. She was being, more of her usual self in that blunt but passionate way Mafuyu had always admired and wished to be.
What was this feeling? Why does she want to…
A thought came to mind as Mafuyu looked back at Mizuki and Kanade. She knew that Ena was holding herself back, but wasn’t she just as affected by what happened with her and Mizuki? Why wouldn’t someone give her a hug after everything that happened? Was what Mafuyu wondered as she turned around to face Ena.
“Enanan,” she said and opened her arms in a welcoming gesture.
“Huh? What are you? Why are you?” Ena asked, confused, as Mafuyu came closer.
It took only two final steps, but Mafuyu was determined to set things right. Mizuki wasn’t the only one who needed comfort. At least that was what she thought as her arms wrapped themselves around Ena’s midsection and pulled the girl near her heart. Ena for her part, squeaked at the contact, staying completely still with her arms trapped in Mafuyu’s. She looked like an alarmed hedgehog as she peered up at Mafuyu with horror and red cheeks.
Cute…
Mafuyu was surprised by that thought as she broke eye contact with Ena’s deep brown eyes. Her heartbeat was faster than usual as Ena finally used one of her arms to wedge a distance between them, her lips pouting in discomfort as she tried to escape the embrace.
“Wait…” Mafuyu said with urgency.
“What the hell Mafuyu, why are you hugging me all of a sudden?!” Ena demanded, thankful it seemed, for everyone else being distracted with Mizuki a few meters away.
“I thought you needed one…Mizuki wasn’t the only one who was hurting…you were as well, Ena.”
Ena’s pupils shrunk at those words as sudden tears filled her eyes before making tracks down her cheeks. It didn’t take Mafuyu long to pull Ena back to her shoulder as the girl let out a silent sob, her arms winding around Mafuyu’s neck as she pushed her toes up to reach the lyricist’s height. It was both nice and sad for Mafuyu as she hunched over and rubbed soothing circles, upon Ena’s back and shoulder blades. Just like how her mother would whenever she was sick at a young age.
“I hurt them so much…if it was you or Kanade, none of this would’ve ever happened. Neither of you would have been a coward like me,” Ena murmured as she tightened her grip around Mafuyu, bringing them even closer.
“That’s true…” Mafuyu said, which made Ena pull away from her shoulder to glare at her, before, letting out a soft giggle.
“Why am I not surprised you’d say that?.”
“It made you laugh, so it’s not bad, right?” Mafuyu tilted her head a little.
The way Ena looked made her appear angelic in Mafuyu’s eyes. Something similar to Kanade, but instead of being bathed by moonlight, Ena was emitting the rays of the rising sun.
Fitting since her last name…
“Oi, what? Why are you looking at me like that?” Ena questioned with a raised brow, trying to seem nonchalant.
“I’m just admiring you, that's all.” Mafuyu smiled a little. At least she hoped she was.
“Hah!?” Ena sputtered, as her face, got even redder, but not because of the tears. “H-how can you say that so easily!?”
“I don’t understand. Don’t you like that sort of thing?”
Ena looked even smaller as she buried her head into Mafuyu’s shoulder, her breathing shallower as she tried to calm herself down. Mafuyu blinked as she threaded her fingers into Ena’s hair, hoping it would ease the girl a little.
“You drive me crazy, y’know? Even when you do something so nice,” Ena complained before staring up at Mafuyu with a cute expression.
There was that word again…just like Kanade.
Ena and Kanade were very different but also similar in Mafuyu’s thoughts. Mizuki was always more similar to her, even admitting that once, when they were together, escaping Mafuyu’s mother. Ena and Kanade, however, were considered the sun and moon, of their group. Mafuyu was the day, but she never felt like she was the warmth the sun would provide. That belonged to Ena, whose compassion always seemed to melt even the coldest person she met.
“Ne, are you even listening to me?” Ena’s voice cut through Mafuyu’s musing.
“Yes.”
“Liar! What did I say?” Ena challenged.
“That I drive you crazy.”
“Damn you, but it’s not just that.” Ena rolled her eyes, laying her head on Mafuyu’s chest. “I really am grateful for you and Kanade…”
“Oh.” Mafuyu tried to seem interested, but she really would just like to get back to hugging instead.
“You two gave me, so much courage and made me want to do better. Kanade with her kind words, you and your…youness, and Mizuki…their friendship, even when I’m annoyed with them, means everything to me.”
Mafuyu blinked at Ena’s ramble. What did she mean by ‘youness’? Wasn’t she also a friend? Wasn’t she also kind? Mafuyu didn’t understand, but maybe this time she shouldn’t. Only Ena would know what she meant, after all.
“I wouldn’t be here without any of you, and I just never want us to ever be apart. When it was you, Mafuyu, I was so scared. I swear if Kanade starts to act the way you and Mizuki did, I’m gonna tape her to a wall.”
Mafuyu hummed at the seriousness in Ena’s voice. She didn’t know losing her had also hurt Ena as well. With a frown, Mafuyu pulled Ena back and looked at her fresh, teary face. She wiped away some droplets near her pretty eyes, slow and steady as Ena’s lips parted.
She really did look like an angel when she was being honest…
“Oi, Enanan, don’t hog Yuki to yourself. I want to hug her too!” Mizuki came into view and hugged Mafuyu from behind, causing all three of them to fall on the floor, with Ena at the bottom.
“Ugh, Mi-zu-ki, what the hell!?” Ena groaned as Mafuyu was now straddling her waist and Mizuki was on Mafuyu’s back.
“Oops, well dog pile it is, c’mere Kanade, Meiko!” Mizuki laughed and yanked both the Vocaloid and Kanade to the floor. “Ahh, much better.”
Mafuyu didn’t really think so with Ena’s face in her chest. The girl looked like she was about to faint as Mafuyu bucked her hips up to get Mizuki off before turning her body away from the exasperated artist, who took a very deep breath.
“Why are they so big!?” she gasped as Mizuki moved over to Ena’s other side to poke her cheek.
“Oi, at least you finally lived the dream, no?”
“SHUT UP!”
Mafuyu didn’t understand, but the way Ena got on her feet and chased Mizuki felt normal. She still felt a little sad, though. She really liked Ena in her arms.
She wondered if Ena did, too.