Chapter Text
It’s a Friday night at 9 P.M. in the Akiyama household. Mizuki puts the finishing touches on a brand new shirt she upcycled, her messy workstation contrasting the rest of the room’s cleanliness. Mizuki sits in her chair and begins to write out a message to the rest of the Nightcord girls. [Hey~! I’m about to start working on our next music video.]
In almost seconds, a response appears.
Enanan [About time, I sent you the files like, a week ago.]
Amia [Look! I’m a very busy girl.]
Enanan [Busy with what exactly?]
Amia [Designing new outfits! Obviously!]
From the living room, Mizuki’s mom yells out. “Mizuki! Could you come down here for a second?”
Mizuki quickly types out a message,
Amia [Hold on guys, my mom is calling me. I’ll be right back!]
Mizuki descends from the stairs, “Yes, mom?” She ran her fingers along the railing, staring at various pictures hung up on the wall. The Akiyama household was relatively small, but it felt empty without Mizuki’s sister around.
“Mizuki, could you get me some cold medicine from the store tomorrow? I need some but we’re all out.” Mizuki’s mom is resting on the couch, a box of tissues next to her. “While you’re at it, pick up some honey too.”
Mizuki nods, “No worries mom, I’ll pick up that medicine for you tomorrow.”
Mizuki’s mother smiles warmly, “Don’t forget to get lots of sleep or you’ll end up like me!” Mizuki turns to return to her room when her mother speaks up, “It’s nice to see you going out again.” A slight smile parted on Mizuki’s lips.
Mizuki walks back to her room, wondering if Mafuyu ever spoke with her mother like that, perhaps long ago. She takes out her phone and writes a quick message to Yuki, taking a photo of the shirt, [Just finished this, I thought of you while making it.]
Mizuki sits at her desk again, opening Nightcord, muttering to herself, “A dm from K..?” The message was brief.
K [We’re in the SEKAI, Luka asked us to come.]
Mizuki tilts her head slightly, “Luka? She doesn’t reach out to us very often… Weird.” Mizuki opens an Untitled audio file, suddenly, a bright light envelops her room.
In the gray expanse of the Empty SEKAI, the members of N25 and the virtual singers are huddled around each other talking.
Mizuki walks towards them, cheerful as ever. “Hey! What’s going on?”
Luka turns around. “KAITO appears to have fallen ill.”
Mizuki looks over Luka’s shoulder, there he was, looking more upset than usual, “How is that possible? I thought you were virtual?”
Luka nods, “That is true, however, we are still able to eat and drink the things you bring in. It looks like we’re able to get sick too.”
Mafuyu and Miku hold KAITO. Mafuyu looks up at Mizuki. “He seems alright, just a cold. That being said, any illness is especially bad for someone without any experience with being sick.”
Mizuki looks around, her gaze falling back onto KAITO. “What should we do then?”
"Do you have any cold medicine? The rest of us checked but we don’t have any.” Mizuki shakes her head. “I see, in that case, the rest of you should keep your distance from KAITO.”
Ena steps towards them, “I have a couple blankets and plushies in my closet. If you want, I can bring them here so you’re comfortable.”
Kanade continues, “Mochizuki made some tea earlier today. I can heat it up and bring it here for you.”
KAITO huffs and nods, “Thank you, that sounds nice.”
Mafuyu sighs. “It’s too late for us to pick up medicine right now, I’ll pick some up tomorrow.”
Almost immediately after, Mizuki cuts in. “Hold on, if none of us have any medicine at our homes. We should meet up and pick up some medicine together! Better to have the stew and not need it than to need the stew and not have it!”
…
“Have you guys not seen that tweet?”
Ena glances at Mafuyu, “I’m not really in the mood for an impromptu meet up… but I do need to pick up some things from the convenience store.”
Kanade nods, “It’s been a while since I’ve gone out, and Mochizuki seems concerned with my health lately…”
Mizuki nods triumphantly. “Then it's a plan! Let's meet up at the diner tomorrow at 1:00.”
Ena sighs, “To me, it sounds like you just want to get some lunch.”
Mizuki giggled in the way that made Ena especially annoyed, “We’re gonna need fuel for our adventure!”
Ena turns away, “Seriously? I'm going to grab those things for KAITO.”
Kanade kneels over KAITO. “I'll be right back.”
With that, the two girls disappeared from the SEKAI. Mafuyu continues to hold KAITO while the other Virtual Singers disperse. There’s a brief, uncomfortable silence between the two of them.
Mizuki turns to Mafuyu, “How have things been with your mom?”
Mafuyu sighs, a little annoyed, but it was something. “Same as ever. My dad says he’s trying to get to her but… It’s difficult.”
“At least they’re okay with you staying with Kanade, it’s been great having you back.”
Mafuyu’s mouth tilts slightly at the corners, “You’re one to talk, you scared us. I’m glad Ena found you when she did.”
Mizuki nods, “If it weren’t for MEIKO stepping in, I probably wouldn’t have stopped.”
“Even MEIKO was worried. I’m glad you're back, Mizuki.”
“Me too.”
Awkwardly, KAITO sits up. “I have to apologize to both of you, my advice caused you to experience stress.”
Mizuki pats KAITO on the head, "Don't worry, I had to hear what you said, and everything worked out in the end, yeah?”
Mafuyu nods, “It was difficult, but I think I’m doing better than ever.”
Kanade is the first to arrive, holding a steaming cup. “Careful now, it’s hot. I also have some honey and sugar if you’d like.” KAITO takes the cup and begins to drink quickly, Mafuyu pulls it away. “Not all at once! Drink it slowly.”
Ena arrives by the time KAITO finishes the tea. “Sorry for the wait, I had to tie all this stuff together to bring it in.” She unties a piece of yarn surrounding the mass of pillows, blankets, and plushies.
Mizuki squints, “You could’ve brought them in one by one.”
Ena shrugs, “I thought it would’ve been embarrassing to bring it all in like that.”
Mizuki laughs, “That’s why you should’ve done that!”
Ena tosses one of the rolled up blankets at Mizuki, “Help me set up.”
In no time, the very luxurious sleeping station is set up. “It’s cute, maybe we should keep this up all the time.” Mizuki nudges Ena’s shoulder.
“It is true that I don’t use these things any more… And these guys could use some more stuff to do around here.”
“See you tomorrow?”
“I’ll set an alarm.” Ena and Mizuki share a glance and leave the SEKAI.
KAITO, tucked in and cozy, looks at Kanade and Mafuyu. “Sorry, I need to ask, are those two…”
Mafuyu grimaces, “It’s sickeningly sweet.”
Kanade nods, “They remind me of my parents.”
Mafuyu rises, still looking at KAITO. “See you tomorrow.”