Chapter Text
Paris: the city of light and love — t he dream destination of many people who wish to experience the illusion of Romanticism, similar to the stories told through movies or books. Until truth came and struck the myth, and the city revealed its authentic, disappointing nature, where love sounded like an illusion amongst the ambient unfriendliness and lack of care.
To Umiri, it was only a reflection of her reality: a busy life dedicated to her work, full of appearances yet empty and loveless. Whenever she returned alone to her expensive apartment, tidy but without decoration, she would feel a sense of emptiness.
Ave Mujica’s current world tour ended in Paris. Their last performance was followed by two days off, during which they could visit the city freely before they flew back to Tokyo. As soon as the concert ended, Sakiko and Uika left their way, while Mutsumi and Nyamu offered the bassist to hang out with them and visit Paris by night. As much as she appreciated her friends, Umiri politely declined the invitation. She didn’t feel like third-wheeling on another of their date, and settled instead into a cosy bar she noticed on her way to the Olympia.
The place's subdued lighting created a soft atmosphere that Umiri needed. It was one of those nights when she wanted to forget.
When the bassist sacrificed everything for Ave Mujica, she believed she had made the right choice: giving up everything she had to find a place where she belonged, with people she could trust and who would rely on her. Even now, Umiri barely regrets her choice. What she lost in the past feels almost like a small price for the life Sakiko granted her thanks to Ave Mujica.
Some say people don’t know what they have until they lose it. Umiri didn’t understand this statement before her obsession with Ave Mujica separated her from the person who truly mattered, the home she already had . She let Love go, and while the pain went away through the years, loneliness never left.
It’s not that Umiri doesn’t believe in love anymore. She couldn’t find something similar to what she had lost yet, with someone who truly understood her, and she feared experiencing a similar pain if it didn’t last, like another sparkler about to burn out. Even though the fire in her never fully extinguished.
Thus, she became the heartbreaker , a role conveniently entrusted to her inside Ave Mujica. As the heir and new lead of the Togawa group, Sakiko was allowed to date women but not engage herself with one. Umiri didn’t know all the details; simply, to divert attention from Sakiko’s true love , they created a stage where Timoris, supposedly in a relationship with her fellow knight Doloris, was now fooling around with her goddess Oblivionis. Over the years, they had learned that the audience loved debating their favorite pairing, and who were they to deny the public what they wanted, especially when it was beneficial for all of them? Now that Nyamu and Mutsumi had officialized their relationship, the fans were given both a perfect couple and a love triangle.
As for Umiri, her sulphurous reputation as a womanizer allowed her to easily find women for a night, who didn’t want to commit and would gladly keep her company when loneliness became too much, and the bassist wanted to forget it all. Who could have thought that appearing untrustworthy could have its benefits?
Aside from the French lyrics she couldn’t comprehend, the music in this bar sounded good and relaxing, although a tad depressing. Or maybe it was another projection from Umiri’s current mood — as much as she loved her bandmates, being with them during a long tour only reminded her how single she was, even if it usually didn’t bother her. Nothing that a strong drink couldn’t fix.
Sitting at the counter, she scanned the menu, frowning as she couldn’t find ginger ale amongst the drinks.
“Qu’est-ce que je vous sers?” the barmaid spoke up, making Umiri look up in her direction with a raised eyebrow. The woman was quite beautiful, possibly around her age. Interesting.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Ah, excusez-moi. I asked if you wanted something to drink.”
“You don’t happen to have ginger ale, do you?”
The woman blinked. “I’m not sure what it is, so I’m afraid we don’t.”
“What a shame, it has the perfect amount of spice I need tonight.” Umiri placed a hand under her chin and stared at the barmaid as she spoke in a low voice. She immediately noticed the woman blushing under the intensity of her azure gaze. Good.
“If you need something spicy, I might have something to your liking.”
Umiri hummed. “I do like trying anything new. This is my first time in France, so I still have much to discover.”
“I- Let me prepare you our special cocktail, ‘murmure et chuchotement’, a fruity beverage, but the alcohol might give you the spice you want. As for the discovery part… I could tell you more about our country after my shift.” The woman bit her lip as she said the last part, making Umiri smirk internally.
Instead, she kept her usual unflappable expression. “Now you’re spoiling me, I didn’t know French women were this kind.” She raised a teasing eyebrow. “I might take you up on that offer, depending on the quality of your fruity cocktail.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m making the best ones of Paris.” The woman smiled seductively before grabbing her shaker, blueberries, and cognac and preparing Umiri’s drink.
Well, it went faster than she expected . At least, she had plans for the night.
As she watched the barmaid skillfully preparing her cocktail, she overlooked the newcomer who settled a meter away. Only when the woman spoke up did the voice make Umiri freeze.
“Excuse me? Can I have a glass of water, two Caribbean cocktails, a matcha latte, and a black coffee?”
The voice was more mature than she remembered, yet Umiri could recognize it among thousands. She didn’t expect to hear it again…
The bassist turned her head toward the newcomer for confirmation, and her heart immediately stopped at sight.
Familiar purple eyes, the same colour as the cocktail the barmaid placed in front of Umiri. Maybe this was a sign, if seeing this woman thousands of kilometers away from their home country wasn’t enough of a surprise.
Taki didn’t seem to notice; she was too busy checking her phone while Umiri couldn’t tear her eyes off her. If the drummer was already gorgeous during their high school days, the woman in front of her could rival a goddess. Her hair was cut just above the shoulders, styled in a slightly messy way that frames her pretty face perfectly. She kept her casual appearance with simple jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue jacket.
Her mere presence was enough to trouble Umiri. If she believed she was over the drummer, seeing the woman again instantly proved her wrong. But how could she be prepared to meet the most beautiful woman in such a random area? Six years without seeing her, despite their common friends, only to meet her in a bar in Paris?
She couldn’t let the opportunity pass. Umiri grabbed her cocktail and sipped a few gulps for courage before she spoke up.
“I didn’t pick you as such a dedicated Ave Mujica fan. Who could have thought you would follow us in France?”
She noticed how Taki froze at the sound, and Umiri held her breath. The drummer didn’t move at first, her face turning blank as if she had heard a ghost. These were the longest seconds of Umiri’s life . For a moment, she wondered if the other woman would simply ignore her and walk away.
But then, Taki sighed and turned in her direction, finally meeting her gaze. “Umiri.”
Time came to a standstill, and the silence that followed felt overwhelming. In the past, the stillness between them was peaceful and comfortable. But their relationship had changed . When they parted after graduation, they were still friends, despite everything that had happened —at least, Umiri considered Taki a dear friend. After years of silence, could they be regarded as something other than past acquaintances ?
The word exes floated in the bassist’s mind, but she hated it . Wasn’t it a concept related to a broken relationship that couldn’t be fixed and would always remain in the past? Taki used to be her girlfriend, and then they remained friends until they weren’t anymore. At least, past acquaintances suggested that there was still hope for reconnecting.
She took another sip of her cocktail, her gaze never leaving the other woman, too afraid that if she looked away, she might disappea r.
“H-How have you been doing?” Taki finally spoke up awkwardly.
“I have been doing my best as always…” Umiri gave a tentative, small smile at the memory, but the drummer kept a straight face. “I didn’t expect to meet you here, of all places. It's been a long time.”
“Yeah, Anon wanted us to go on a vacation tour in Europe. We are ending with France and Paris.”
“The five of you? Wasn’t it difficult to convince Takamatsu-san and Kaname-san to leave?”
“Yes, just the five of us. I thought this was a terrible idea, but surprisingly, Tomori and Raana were happy to spend three weeks together with the band. Their first flight was an experience, but they soon grew to like the trip. Tomori collected rocks in every country.” Taki smiled fondly as she talked about her bandmates, and Umiri couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy in her chest. No matter how much time passed, the five members of MyGO!!!!! were still as close as ever, if not even closer— like a family. Only they could still make the drummer smile this brightly.
“I see. You seem to be happy, I’m glad.”
Taki’s smile instantly disappeared as she looked at Umiri, her lips thinning in a line. She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted as the barmaid placed the order in front of her.
“Well, I will go back now. Nice to see that you are doing okay with Ave Mujica.”
Umiri’s eyes widened as Taki grabbed the plate with all the drinks and readied herself to leave. She couldn’t let her go. Not yet. Not after such an improbable encounter on the other side of the world. She wanted to talk to her, to catch up for the lost time. Seeing Taki again made her realize how much she had missed her. If only they could have stayed friends …
“Wait, Taki-” Umiri stood up, almost startling the other woman at the unexpected call. Taki glanced back in her direction, surprise all over her face as she drank in Umiri’s expression.
“What is it?”
“When are you going back to Tokyo?”
“In two days. Why?”
“It is the same for us. Are you free tomorrow evening?”
Taki frowned. “I don’t think-”
“I just want to talk.” Umiri held her hands before her in a gesture of peace. “It has been a while, and I want to catch up. You were… an important friend to me.”
The drummer stared at her, baffled as she pondered the statement. “Right, a friend.” She sighed. “I’m hanging out with the others all day, but I should be free around 8 in the evening.”
Umiri’s face lit up at Taki’s words. “I will be waiting for you before the Sacré Coeur if it’s fine with you. Mutsumi mentioned a nice place to drink in Montmartre where we could stay and talk as long as we want to.”
“It’s not that far from our hotel, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for me to get there.” The drummer mumbled as she walked away toward a private room.
“Can I count on you to see you there?”
The woman only nodded before she disappeared behind a wall. Umiri remained rooted to her chair, staring at the room as if she had been dreaming the whole time. She couldn’t think straight, couldn’t pay attention to anything around her: her mind was solely filled with this unexpected encounter. And Taki didn’t refuse to meet her again …
“... Are you okay?”
The voice echoed from a faraway space, so distant that Umiri barely perceived it. She blinked before she turned to look at the barmaid, who glared back with mild annoyance.
“My apologies, did you say something?”
“I was asking if the cocktail was up to your expectations.”
“It was—my compliments. Now, could you, please, bring me the bill?”
Umiri completely ignored the woman as she paid for her drink and left the bar without glancing at her. While she was part of her plan for the night, she became the least of her concerns.
The bassist immediately returned to her hotel room. While loneliness had bothered her earlier, she needed to be alone to collect her thoughts. As soon as she locked the door behind her, Umiri let herself fall onto her bed. Her mind was foggy, memories from the past intertwining and invading her senses.
Taki…
Six years passed until their last encounter. Deep inside, Umiri knew it would end up like this. Even though they remained friends and amicable, their relationships have undergone profound changes since…
Umiri sighed. She was so stupid. They could have talked about it and addressed the elephant in the room. But it was too late, or at least it felt that way . Part of Umiri didn’t want to admit what happened. It wouldn't have changed anything, because it was already over. Taki had moved on, and the bassist respected her enough not to want to hurt her further than she already had.
So they pretended everything was okay because their friendship was important. The drummer was still there for the bassist, helping each other when needed and acting like nothing had happened between them.
Except that Umiri never forgot.
Umiri draped an arm over her forehead and, with her other hand, gently grabbed the necklace whose pendant remained hidden under her shirt, close to her heart. It was a token of past affection, not so much from the past.
No one knew. After all, the bassist was a professional at concealing her emotions. Since her breakdown in front of her friends, she dove into work to move on. Like the others, Ave Mujica was all she had left, and she feared losing it again.
She locked everything and took some distance to avoid getting hurt again, the same way she did in the past. However, she couldn’t cut the ties with Taki, and didn’t want to.
Until graduation.
Umiri sighed. Sakiko was the one giving grand speeches about fate. Umiri always liked the way she talked and could move people through her raw emotions; it made the words carry weight that seemed believable. But today was the first time the bassist truly wanted to think that her encounter with Taki could be a sign—a chance to fix what was broken.
It was undeniable that the bassist still felt something for the drummer. She couldn’t exactly tell which kind of affection, but cared enough to want the woman back in her life.
At least it was worth trying.
Umiri glanced at her watch for at least the fifth time this evening. As usual, the bassist came a tad early for the meet-up, and there were still ten minutes until the appointed hour they agreed on. Taki had never been late either, yet, for the first time, Umiri couldn’t help feeling nervous. She had an absolute trust in the drummer and knew full well that the woman was always true to her words. Still, a small part of her wondered if Taki’s agreement was genuine or only because of Umiri’s insistence. It was a rare occurrence for the bassist to be at the mercy of doubt, but seeing Taki awakened a plethora of feelings deeply buried inside her. What if the other woman didn’t want to reconnect with her?
Umiri sighed. She had no reason to feel nervous. She simply needed to show Taki she was being honest about wanting to restore their past friendship, and that she could trust her again. Of course, Umiri knew her worth and that she was someone people could count on. But she wasn’t sure how Taki viewed her after everything that happened.
The bassist wanted to make a great impression, so the afternoon was dedicated to a shopping session with Nyamu. While her friend had been suspicious about her sudden request, Umiri had quickly pretended to need to relieve stress. It didn’t seem to convince the other woman, but at least she didn’t ask many questions, and once again, she helped Umiri to find the best outfit she could have asked for.
The bassist had tied her long hair into a high ponytail, with part of her strands still cascading over her shoulders and back. She had settled on a casual, chic style, featuring simple black pants, a white tank top that hinted at her taut stomach, and an open red blouse. In the past, the other woman enjoyed it when Umiri wore this type of fashion.
“How long have you been waiting?” A familiar voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
Her mood immediately lightened when she turned around and met those beautiful, inquisitive amethyst eyes.
“The usual, 30 minutes, I believe.” Umiri shrugged.
“You haven’t changed much, have you?” Taki raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. It sounded like a trick question, although her tone didn’t sound judgmental.
“I would say I have, but some things never change.” Umiri finally drank in the drummer's appearance. She was wearing a blue skirt, this time, along with a black shirt and a light blue jacket. Stunning, as always . She couldn’t resist. “For instance, you still look as good as I remember.”
Taki’s eyebrow immediately twitched in annoyance. “You’re right. Some things never change. Why did I even agree to meet you today…”
“Because you are still too kind to refuse when you once cared? And since we didn’t part on a bad note, you were also curious to hear how I was doing.”
Taki blinked in surprise, then sighed, visibly relaxing at Umiri’s words. “It seems to be like this. I won’t tell you that you don’t look half bad yourself, I’m sure you hear it enough and see it all the time through the magazines and on TV.”
Umiri hummed, then smiled. “I do, but it still sounds better coming from you.”
They stared into each other's eyes, and the bassist’s expression immediately turned back to neutral upon noticing the drummer’s stern one. While the temptation to tease the woman like she always did was strong, Umiri would have to hold back for now. She wanted to behave like she used to when they were friends, but wasn’t sure how Taki would react. They first needed to catch up, if the drummer wanted to.
“Anyway, where do you want to go?” Taki decided to ignore Umiri’s previous comment.
“I received a lot of recommendations from Mutsumi-san about Montmartre…” Umiri swallowed the side comment she wanted to make about the ‘wall of love ’. “I was tempted to make a reservation at the Moulin Rouge, but I thought you might prefer a little café-brasserie, so this is where we are going.”
“A shame, the French Cancan sounded like a fun experience.”
Umiri’s eyes widened. “Really? I’m sorry if I misjudged your taste. Do you prefer a cabaret? Should I call and see if we can still make it?”
“I was joking. I’m good with the café.”
“Oh.” The bassist let out a sigh of relief. “Let’s go then.”
They made their way to the brasserie, exchanging small conversations about their day, what they had visited in Paris, and their opinions about the city. They reached the café in a more intimate part of the neighbourhood, far from the buzzing agitation of the main streets. As usual, Nyamu and Mutsumi’s taste was impeccable: the place looked quiet and charming and was visited mainly by regulars.
“It reminds me of the Hazawa café,” Taki commented as they sat down.
“Coming from you, this is a huge compliment.” Umiri hummed. “I didn’t expect anything less from Nyamu-san and Mutsumi-san's recommendation.”
“How is Mutsumi doing? It’s been a while since she came to say hi.”
“It’s not a surprise, she is the busiest of us all. We still hang out often, but she spends most of their shared free time with Nyamu-san.”
“I admit I never expected them together, they are so…”
“Different?” Umiri smiled. “Nyamu-san had a complicated relationship with her; they had much to figure out. However, when you see them together, you notice how they complement and support each other. Nyamu-san loves and understands Mutsumi-san and Mortis, and they keep a rivalry that pushes them forward. I don’t know much about Mutsumi-san’s relationship with her mother, but Nyamu-san told us they mostly made their relationship public to annoy her.”
Taki smiled at the last part. “Well, she does sound like a good person for Mutsumi. How long has it been? They were surprisingly secretive. I only learned about it through the tabloids.”
“It’s been seven years, a year after Ave Mujica reunited, and they moved into the apartment next to mine five years ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get engaged soon, they already live like a married couple.”
Their conversation was interrupted when the waiter took their orders—a mochaccino for Umiri and a matcha latte for Taki.
“I didn’t expect you to go for a matcha latte.” The bassist raised an eyebrow.
“When you make this drink quite often, you get used to it. My cupboard is filled with matcha, so…”
“... Is Kaname-san living with you?”
“She’s living with all of us.” Taki sighed. “I suspect she also crashes into Mutsumi’s place sometimes. She often visits Anon and Soyo, but mostly lives between Tomori’s apartment and mine.”
“I see, so she’s still everyone's beloved stray cat.”
“She’s mostly a pain, doing everything as she pleases! She’s grown quite handsome, and we had to convince her to stop bringing random women to our places, even if they leave by morning. Still… MyGO!!!!! wouldn’t be MyGO!!!!! without her.”
“Handsome, huh?”
“I’m just stating facts, here!” Taki slightly blushed. “No implication behind it, she’s like family.”
Umiri decided not to push into the topic, ignoring the unpleasant feelings that grew in her gut. Over time, she had built a relationship with her bandmates that went beyond their business contract. So why was she feeling envious?
She found her answer as they talked about the past six years, catching up on what happened in their respective bands and lives. Umiri learned that the drummer graduated from university with a degree in music composition. While Taki wasn’t the best of her class, she worked hard enough to hone her skills for MyGO!!!!!. She composed solely for her band, allowing her to build a comfortable income between MyGO!!!!!’s solid success in Japan and her royalties. She also learned about the engagement of two of Taki’s bandmates.
The bassist discussed her music management tuition, which led her to work as a manager for one of the Togawa group’s labels, in addition to her responsibilities at Ave Mujica.
The couple of hours they spent chatting together, as they used to, felt like minutes for Umiri. While Taki had slightly changed and gained confidence, she was still the same kind and reliable woman the bassist had met during their high school days—the same woman she had fallen in love with .
Because no matter how hard she tried to move on, spending time with the drummer made her realize how she remained painfully attracted to her, like a moth to the flame. Umiri couldn’t help but wish things had gone differently— that if she hadn’t acted like a stupid jerk in the past, she would have been part of Taki’s life all this time.
But they couldn’t go back eight years in the past. No matter how normal their conversations felt, Umiri couldn’t help but notice the invisible wall between them, the distance Taki had put.
They were at different places in their life, out of reach. Besides, it would be surprising if the drummer didn’t have a lucky woman in her life .
“... Sometimes it isn’t easy to be the third wheel inside your own band. I was used to it with Disruption, but Ave Mujica is a different level.” Umiri told her after a long discussion about her band and how they worked inside the industry. If Taki’s reaction upon mentioning Ave Mujica was quite cold, it was the first time Umiri’s words elicited a reaction.
“Hah? A third wheel? Aren’t you involved in a relationship with Uika, though? Or is it Sakiko? It’s quite complicated to follow.”
Umiri’s eyes widened. That was right, she was supposed to be involved in a triangle. Shit . Even if the person facing her was Taki, she couldn’t let this information leak out. They trusted her with this role.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were interested in my love life.” Umiri placed a hand behind her chin, giving the drummer a teasing glance. “I won’t display the information publicly, but yes, something is going on.”
“So trustworthy. ” Taki teased back. “You don’t have to tire yourself with this bullshit with me, Uika explained the situation to me a long time ago.”
“She did?”
“Yes.” Taki looked away with a serious face. “She was concerned that the situation might affect me if I learned about you two, so she contacted me to discuss your arrangement. She has always been considerate about others, even when there’s nothing to worry about. ”
She said the last part in a slightly harsher tone, which made Umiri’s heart clench.
“So our secret is pierced, I see. It doesn’t surprise me coming from Uika-san. But this is right, I’m only helping the band. This is also convenient for me, as it is easier to maintain brief situationships.”
Taki frowned. “Is that what you are looking for?”
“If you are talking about our meeting today, the answer is no. I’m always being honest about what I’m looking for.” Umiri met Taki’s piercing eyes, giving her a reassuring and apologetic look. “If you meant the situationship… It’s not that I don’t want something serious, but I haven’t been able to find someone who matches with me since…”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Finding someone who truly understands and accepts you is hard.”
The drummer watched her quietly, her gaze softening with understanding. “I agree.”
“What about you?” Umiri decided to push her luck. She wanted to know .
“Hm. I’m not into situationships like you or the stray cat.” Surprisingly, the drummer didn’t hesitate to answer. “My last relationship ended two years ago after four years. And now I’ve been seeing someone for three months.”
She has been seeing someone, which means they might not be involved yet.
“I see, so you are not dating?”
“... Why would you ask?”
“I’m merely being curious. You don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Taki examined her face. “Not yet. She is a nice, caring woman. She respects my boundaries and pay attention to me. But…”
“But?”
The other woman looked away. “... I don’t feel the spark.”
Umiri tilted her head inquisitively. “The spark?”
“Yeah. This is what I missed with my ex, too. She also couldn’t understand my passion for music and MyGO!!!!!, which is why I ended the relationship. Here with this woman, it is not that I don’t like her, but it lacks the passion.”
The passion. Umiri knew exactly what Taki meant with that. The word perfectly described what they used to have when they were dating: a blazing flame, dancing, and living . Not a day felt boring by the drummer's side, between their shared interests, taunts, and a tenderness that put the roaring flame into a cozy fireplace, like home.
“I get what you mean,” Umiri answered quietly, looking down.
They stayed silent, the atmosphere becoming suffocating. The bassist’s hands turned into fists, her knuckles turning white under the pressure. What was she supposed to do? A melancholic piano echoed in the background as a reminder of Umiri’s past mistakes. She never apologized for what happened .
“I’m sorry, Taki.” Umiri finally said, looking up to meet Taki’s gaze.
“What for?”
She wanted to tell her, to address the elephant in the room. But it was too late . She should have done so when she got the chance, and they were still close. Not when she was now part of the drummer’s past.
“Because I’ve been an idiot.”
She could see Taki gritting her teeth at the words. “Umiri. It’s been eight years.”
“Still. I never apologized.”
“It’s okay, I’ve moved on.” The drummer met her intense azure eyes, impassive. “And so did you. There’s no point in stirring up past issues.”
“This is where you are wrong.” Umiri held her stare, and for the first time since they met again, she allowed Taki to see her vulnerability. “Seeing you again made me realize that I’ve never been able to forget you fully.”
It was raining when they left the café. They haven’t exchanged a word since Umiri admitted her lingering feelings.
‘ I need to go,’ were the last words Taki said. The bassist didn’t insist or try to keep her any longer. She simply stood up to pay their bill and quietly followed her outside, in the downpour.
It was dark, cold, with only the dim light of the floor lamps to illuminate their blurry path. Taki hated the rain, Umiri recalled. So they hurried through the streets, both drenched by the cool water.
Then, Taki stopped.
“I can get back by myself, you know. The hotel isn’t that far. You should go.”
The night obscured the drummer. She could only perceive her shaky frame from behind, and the water dropping from her hair to her clothes.
“Do you think we could meet again? As friends?”
A simple question, hanging in the air. Only the sound of water against the leaves and the paving stones could be heard. She didn’t want to part.
Then Taki turned around and for the first time, Umiri could glimpse a hint of sadness in her distant yet resolved expression.
“Farewell, Umiri. I wish you happiness.”
The bassist’s mind went blank. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. For the second time, she could only watch, helpless, as Taki disappeared. It felt like dozens of spikes had impaled her in the heart and stomach.
It was raining that day, too. Taki had texted Umiri to pick her up to the train station near the bassist’s apartment. She had another fight with her parents, who compared her to her sister when the drummer once suffered bad grades after she exhausted herself composing for MyGO!!!!!’s live performance.
When they finally reached Umiri’s apartment, drenched, Taki immediately wrapped her arms around Umiri as the bassist removed her shoes, her long black hair hanging around her face.
“Of course, it is raining.” Taki laughed wryly, tightening her hold around Umiri. “It is always raining.”
“What do you mean?” Umiri asked. She caressed a long strand of hair, combing her fingers delicately around the lock and playing with them.
“I hate the rain. It’s always there to remind me that I’m not enough.”
Droplets dripped over Umiri’s face, and she couldn’t tell if they were rain or tears. She only hummed in answer.
“What?” Taki was shaking. She was upset and visibly confused by her girlfriend’s reaction. So Umiri turned around and wrapped her arms around the other girl, finally looking up and meeting the other girl’s puffy amethyst gems.
“You were being mean to my girlfriend, that’s why.”
“Hah?”
“Taki is the hardest-working, talented, and beautiful girl I know. Surely someone is trying to pick up a fight if they think she is not enough.”
“... What’s being beautiful has to do with hard work and talent?”
“It’s a compliment, and I’m being serious, so take it.”
“... Shut up.” Taki blushed, and Umiri noticed the faintest smile tugging her lips upward as she pressed their forehead together.
“That’s more like it.” Umiri grinned and reached out to stroke Taki’s cheek with affection. “Do you want to take a shower first? You will catch a cold with the rain.”
“You’re warm. I want to stay like this a bit longer.”
Umiri tightened her hold around Taki. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She felt like drowning, swallowed by the water as if it formed a lake she couldn’t escape. She was rooted to her spot, the rain pouring endlessly all over her. The bassist couldn’t tell if the drops streaming down her face were tears or rain.
The line between past and present became a blur, and Taki’s words echoed in Umiri’s head.
Umiri also hated the rain.
Because from now on, it would always remind her that Taki was gone .