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A knock on her door disturbed Miku in the middle of her preparations for the next school day. She eyed the door, then the notebook in front of her. Originally she had planned to get ahead on her homework to free up time later in the week. She also still needed to compile her notes and books.
Another knock.
The sense that she won't get anything substantial done that night sank in. With a loud sigh she swiveled on her chair and addressed her late night visitor.
"What is it?"
The door crept opened, revealing Raika's grinning face in the dim hallway. The sight was like out of a horror movie, if her expression wasn't so dorky that is. Barely contained excitement glimmered in Raika's eyes and her lips were turned up in a mischievous grin. The top of her graphic-T—showing some blue game mascot Miku only vaguely knew—didn't help the excited-kid vibe of her appearance.
With a nod Miku signaled for Raika to continue—or to start, really—even if she had a pretty good guess what this was gonna be about.
Standing in the now fully open doorway, Raika revealed that she had brought along her pillow. She presented it in all its unremarkable glory while waiting for Miku's reply to the unstated question. To be honest it looked a bit like she was showing off a big fish she had reeled in. Maybe she would enjoy having one of those shark plushies?
Filing that thought away for Raika's next birthday, Miku beckoned her in with a showy eye roll and groan. She then swiveled her desk chair back to finish at least the bare essentials of her open tasks.
Okay, which classes did she have tomorrow again?
Behind her the pitter-patter of Raika's feet against the faux-wood floor, punctuated by a soft 'poof' from the bed, disrupted her thoughts.
A quick glance back revealed that the other girl now sat cross-legged on the foot of the bed, hugged her pillow and rested her chin on it. The smile remained wide on her face as Raika patiently (to the best of her ability) waited for Miku to finish her work.
Under the almost pleading gaze of those puppy-eyes Miku gathered the needed notebooks and printouts to put in her bag.
Raika regularly did these sleepovers—could you still call them that if you lived in the same house?— with all of them. Whether it was playing games, watching some movie or chatting for hours on end. Over the course of these overnight stays Miku had learned that the details didn't really matter to Raika. She was just happy to spend time with all of them and wouldn't be disappointed even if they just headed straight to bed.
Done with the books Miku stood up to prep her uniform.
"So, Miku, what's it gonna be tonight?"
"What do you think." It was not a question.
In her peripheral vision Miku saw Raika put her hands together by the side of her face.
"'Honk shoo, honk shoo' after you got your stuff done, right?"
"Oh, so you know I'm busy at this time of night?"
"I know you're gonna hit the hay soon, so I had to make my move. If I showed up later and woke you, you'd just get all cranky."
Miku shot her a glare from across the room.
"Yeah, just like that!"
Forcefully shoving the chair into the desk was the only reply Miku gave to that. She then took her school bag and sat it down beside her uniform, before opening her closet to retrieve her pyjamas.
"You could just let me sleep in peace too, you know?"
"Come on Mikuuu, don't act like a stranger, we're homies!"
Raika turned around on the bed, facing the other direction while Miku changed into her night clothes. Miku didn't need to ask her to, both knew this song and dance well enough, like one of their stage performances.
"We just live in the same home." Miku retorted.
Walking to the bed, Miku moved her pillow over, Raika immediately filled the free space with her own.
"And eat on the same table, and play in the same band!-" Raika grinned.
Miku went to turn off the main lights. Only the nightstand light Raika had switched on in the mean time illuminated the small room now. When Miku returned to the bed, Raika was already under the covers, holding them open for her.
"-And sleep in the same bed,-"
"Only sometimes." Miku sighed.
"But only sometimes!" Raika said simultaneously.
This drew a small laugh from both.
"Good night, Miku."
"Good night, Raika."
Miku turned to switch off the bedside lamp, a sliver of moonlight coming in from the window hit her face in the process. In their spiel Miku had forgotten to close the curtains. She didn't really wanna get up again to close it, but knew from experience it would bother her before long. She shifted to get up, but Raika poked her shoulder, drawing her attention in the other direction.
The glimmer in Raika's eyes—usually so radiant—always grew soft and vulnerable this late in the day. Raika nodded her head towards her. Miku knew the implied request to cuddle. If she moved away now, even just to get up for a moment, would Raika think too hard about it?
Miku decided to settle down again. Raika immediately hugged her side, happy as can be. No matter how often she witnessed it, the contrast between Raika's usual energetic excitement and this gentle one always took Miku by surprise. You'd think Raika would have her in a bear hug, but no, her arm loosely rested across Miku's midsection. The side of her head leaned against her shoulder, a few stray bangs poked Miku's cheek in the process. The other girl just wanted to be close, feel Miku's warmth and know that they're both together in this world.
The fellow guitarist's hand absentmindedly brushed against the back of her own. Miku's fingers twitched, hoping for more contact that didn't come. It never did. The kind Miku wanted and the one Raika needed were not the same after all. She had realized this long ago after the first few sleepovers they had. It was one reason why she both looked forward to, yet dreaded the nightly knocks on her door.
Raika must feel it, right? Miku's heartbeat right next to her. The way Miku leaned further into the touch as time went on. Why couldn't she understand just from that and do more? Be her usual insistent self?
Miku rolled over, arms on either side of Raika, looking down. One of Raika's arms was still wrapped around her waist.
"Miku?"
Dim light reflected in the eyes that searched Miku's face, perplexed at the sudden shift in routine.
She couldn't just say it, could she? Would Raika leave if she let the words escape her lips and voiced her desires?
Tears of frustration shimmered in the corners of Miku's eyes. The moonlight betrayed her at last.
After some silence Raika moved both her arms around Miku's back and pulled her down against her chest.
"Come on, you can tell me. We're family, aren't we?"
Miku, hands balled on Raika's shoulders, whispered.
"You saying that is what makes it difficult."