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Where is she?
Kanade walked through the water, the sea level rising to her chest as she continued to walk. It was dark, unusually dark.
"Mafuyu."
Kanade felt the sandy ground under her collapse. Over and over again.
She had to find Mafuyu.
"Mafuyu!"
The ground became a hollow pit. Kanade was falling.
Where was Mafuyu?
"Mafuyu..."
Kanade wasn't going to give up. She had to find Mafuyu, she had promised.
But... was it possible to find someone who had already disappeared?
"Mafuyu!"
Kanade gasped slightly as she woke up. The smell of her energy drinks and the weight of her headphones on her head indicated that she was at her desk.
...She fell asleep again. How useless, this wasn't going to save anyone.
"Kanade."
A monotone voice greeted her as the door creeked, revealing Mafuyu. Kanade straightened up a bit, feeling relieved to see Mafuyu.
"Ah, Mafuyu. Do you need anything?" Kanade asked, a soft smile on her lips.
"You were the one that called my name. I thought you needed something." Mafuyu said as she stood next to Kanade, clicking End Call on her monitor. Kanade didn't realise she was on a call.
"Ena and Mizuki weren't on. It's okay." Mafuyu said as Kanade looked a little embarrassed.
"Thanks, Mafuyu." Kanade said as she took off her headphones.
"If you were sleeping, you should sleep in your bed." Mafuyu said as she held Kanade up like a small kitten. Kanade felt her ears turn red.
"M-Mafuyu!" Kanade squeaked as Mafuyu placed Kanade on the bed, tucking her in. Oh well, at least Mafuyu seemed pleased with herself.
"Sleep." Awkward silence cut through the room as Mafuyu stared at Kanade, waiting for her to fall asleep.
"I- I'm fine..." Kanade whispered, still a little embarrassed.
"You haven't slept in days. You were so tired that you fell asleep during a meeting. You need to sleep." Mafuyu said firmly. Kanade nodded slightly, her hand grazing Mafuyu's.
Mafuyu is still here... That's good.
Another beat of silence, until Mafuyu opened her mouth. "Was it about me?"
"Huh?" Kanade asked, slightly jumping.
"Your dream, or nightmare. Was it about me?" Mafuyu asked again. Kanade turned her gaze, staring at their hands before nodding.
"I... I couldn't find you. You were gone. I didn't- I don't want you to disappear, Mafuyu." Kanade whispered. Mafuyu tensed, then shifted towards Kanade.
"I'll try not to." was Mafuyu's curt response. That relaxed Kanade, just a bit.
"By the way, your new demo." Kanade looked back at Mafuyu, hoping to hear some feedback about her new song.
"Was it okay?" Kanade asked, a glint of hope in her voice.
"It... wasn't enough. But it reminded me, of something." Mafuyu said. Kanade felt a bit disappointed first, but her interest piqued.
"What?" Kanade asked. Maybe this was going to be a good idea for her new song.
"Sometimes it feels like a small wave will sweep me away. Sinking into the ocean, disappearing, never to be found." Mafuyu said. Kanade's hand found hers, the grip tightening.
"Don't say that. You're still here, Mafuyu." Kanade said. Kanade's voice was ever so kind, but the hint of pain could be heard.
"I'm not finished." Mafuyu said, her fingers intertwining with Kanade's. "You were the one that anchored me. You kept me by the seashore."
Kanade nodded, thankful that she could be someone like that to Mafuyu.
I don't deserve such kind words... I still haven't saved Mafuyu, fully. I still haven't taken her to land.
"You're a lot stronger than me, Kanade." Mafuyu sighed. "I know the rough seas that tried to crash into you. I know there's much more that I don't know about. But you're still here, and you're trying to save others from drowning."
"That's... what I have to do." Kanade said at Mafuyu's words. Mafuyu shook her head.
"Maybe that's true. I don't know. What I do know is that you can't bear that weight by yourself." Mafuyu said, tucking a strand of hair behind Kanade's ear. Kanade suddenly felt her eyelids grow heavy.
"If everything crashes into you, crash onto me. I'll be here, just like you were for me. We're still here, we didn't disappear. Not yet."
Kanade woke up hours later, and was surprised to find Mafuyu lying in her bed. Kanade let out a small sigh.
Now, I can continue to live... Thanks to Mafuyu.
The water's ripple sparkled.
Footsteps lead to the seashore.