Chapter Text
Kanade's tired eyes cracked open, slouched over her desk. She sighed; it was only her fault for staying up too late. Her PC's screen was still on, gently illuminating a soft glow over her room, the still screen of PIAPRO studio staring back at her.
A half-finished composition she had put way too much effort into, to save the others for Nightcord still in the bars. She had online class soon. Sighing, she decided to get up, and peek out of the window, to see if maybe she'd see Mafuyu the other school kids leaving for school.
Kanade couldn't remember the last time she physically attended school. Her life was boring, the same every day, wake up, attend virtual classes, compose music, fall asleep. Maybe there was an off day every few weeks which she would go to the store to buy herself cup noodles. As much to Mafuyu's dismay.
Kanade Yoisaki's life was simple, boring. Maybe even pitiful. But it was survivable, and if she could save the others. She did not care.
As she looked out of the window, she noticed that the sky had a strange hint of orange... well. Hint was an understatement.
"Weird..." she mumbled to herself. Could it be that the winter months were drawing nearer? Or maybe she was even still asleep.
Still barefoot and half awake, she wandered out of her room, walking past Mafuyu's. The door was slightly open, but there was no sign of anyone being in there. As she walked down the stairs, she noticed the plate of applesauce on the table, left out for her. Kanade smiled to herself gently, even if Mafuyu didn't show it, she truly did care about her. "Thanks, Mafuyu." she muttered to herself, sitting down to eat.
Mafuyu's POV
She was dressed and ready by the time Kanade had fallen asleep, 4am, Mafuyu had always been an early riser. Back when she lived with her mother, the elder woman would often make her study from very early in the morning before school, and late afterwards.
As much to her younger self's protests, Mafuyu's mother was determined for her daughter to become a nurse, she didn't care to listen to the hopes and ambitions the child had. She only cared about the goal she had set for her; she would make sure that her only daughter wouldn't become a failure.
But after moving in with Kanade, Mafuyu's life had changed. It brought a new brightness and colour to her world, one which she had not seen since she was young. Yet it wasn't entirely the same, it wasn’t just the youthful naivety every young child had, shielding them from the harsh realities of the real world. This light, it was warm, kind, loving.
How could all this be from just one singular person? One singular act of kindness brought on a new world for her.
And now, as she put down the plate of freshly made applesauce and left for school, instead of feeling loathing, upset and hatred towards the shit she was forced to learn… she felt almost a sense of freedom, belonging… happiness.
As she walked her way to school, she found herself accompanied by her underclassmen, Ichika Hoshino, she was truly a sweet girl.
The younger looked up to Mafuyu for a reason the elder could just not quite find. Ichika had true potential, Mafuyu had always thought, she was respectful, and her band… whilst still having room for important, were a well put together group.
Whilst she hadn’t really interacted with the other member’s, she could tell that they were kind, exactly the right people for Ichika, which gave a strange warm feeling she never thought she’d feel.
But still, she hid her façade under a mask of the perfect student, kind, smart, happy. It was tiring sometimes
.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but notice the colour of the sky; “Orange...” she murmured to herself “How strange.”
Indeed, it truly was strange, it may be the winter months, but it was much too late to be this colour. And the heat as well… maybe it was just an abnormality. Nothing to be worried about. Not at all.
Mizuki POV
It was PE class, as usual, Mizuki had tried to get out of it, much to her failure. At least she got paired up with her Enanan~ she knew how much Ena detested the name which is what drove her to continue calling her it.
It was hard to believe that not even that long ago, she and Ena detested each other. Mizuki couldn’t even remember the reason that she had become friends with Ena, but she was damn glad she did.
As long as she didn’t find out.
She fiddled with Ena’s hair as they sat, waiting for their group to be called up for their turn to do the sprinting, she made small braids in the other girl’s hair. Humming a random Nightcord song to herself softly.
That’s when she noticed the sky, it was practically red from how orange it was..huh weird… she thought to herself. That’s when she noticed something twinkling in the sky, could it be a star..? … “Hey, Ena! I think there’s a wishing star, look!”
Ena’s POV
She looked up at where Mizuki was pointing… what the hell was that. “Mizuki, I don’t think that’s a star… what the hell is that?” she replied, a little concerned. Mizuki looked at her shocked, the taller’s brow raising in confusion. She looked back up at the sky. “Hey, Ena... don’t you think it’s suddenly gotten quite hot-
EMERGENCY BROADCAST.
“ CIVILIANS, EVERYONE MUST QUICKLY DIVERT THEMSELVES TO A SHELTER OR BUILDING . STAY IN SHELTER . AN UNKNOWN OBJECT IS DRAWING NEARER TO THE ATMOSPHERE . BRACE FOR IMPACT . I REPEAT , DIVERT TO SHELTER . “
Sirens blared, emergency sirens. There was screaming, hundreds of people trying to push into the school building at once. Ena clung onto Mizuki desperately, terrified. Mizuki held her back tighter, making sure they didn’t split up as they tried to get through the mob into the school building.
Akito.
The thought of her brother’s safety was the only thing clouding Ena’s mind. Once they were shoved into a stuffed classroom by a teacher, she screamed out. “AKITO ?! AKITO, PLEASE. HAS ANYONE SEEN MY BROTHER!?” she cried, Mizuki tried to console her.
“Shh, shh… Ena please.. it’s okay.. he’ll be safe I’m sure.. come on, get under the table..!”
IMPACT IN 3. 2. 1.
….
2 YEARS LATER.