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In front of MEIKOS face was a large light pink bow, it looked high quality and was from a brand that MEIKO recognized from some of Mizuki's other clothes. Mafuyu hadn't explained what it was for, but with it being 27th of August, and with the bow currently shoved in her face being pink, she was confident that it was likely for Mizuki's birthday.
“Do you think they will like it?” Mafuyu asked her as she pulled in back towards her chest to observe it. MEIKO gently took the bow from her hands and observed it again, humming.
MEIKO nods, “It's nice. I'm sure she will like it just fine” She told her flatly and handed the bow back. But Mafuyu still frowned slightly and looked down at her feet and quietly asked,
“Isn't it too plain?”
“I mean I guess, but that's ok.” MEIKO shrugs, honestly MEIKO wasn't sure why Mafuyu would come to her of all people for advice on such a gift, she supposed that she was a bit closer to Mizuki then the other band members, but it still struck her as slightly odd. Mafuyu hums and nods, looking back down at the bow. Without taking her eyes off the bow she asked,
“Is there any way to make the gift more… personal? I know Ena is going to draw something for Mizuki, and Kanade is going to do a short melody. They are also both doing cards.”
“Then do a card. I’m sure she would appreciate it.”
“I'm not good with words,” Mafuyu told her in her usual deadpan tone. “I can’t just write them a card telling her she makes me feel ‘warm’, but I don't know what else she makes me feel…”
MEIKO sighed, Mafuyu was right, she on her own likely would not be able to come up with anything truly meaningful to tell Mizuki. Granted, she was aware that none of the group really took it personally when Mafuyu couldn't put the words to her feelings when she had them, but for a birthday, maybe a little something more was in order. She certainly wasn't going to sit and hold Mafuyu's hand as she tried to come up with whatever she did for Mizuki, just for her to write a card. It just meant that Mafuyu would have to put the “personal touch” into her gift, but she had already bought it…
“What do you think would make the gift more personal?”
“Huh?” She finally looked back up, slightly confused. “It's a store bought bow, there is nothing personal about it.” Mafuyu really wasn't going to get this on her own, was she? But she had to figure it out herself, if she wanted to improve, (or “be saved” as Kanade called it), Mafuyu had to figure out how to express her feelings to her bandmates in some way.
“Does Mizuki's clothing help them express themselves? Do you know how she does that?”
MEIKO watched again, something had to get through that closed off mind of hers. Mafuyu's eyes had a small light in them, like a light bulb flickering on before it was gone again and a long deafening silence stretched over the entire Sekai. ‘Ugh, she really was just going to have to answer for her, wasn't she?’ MEIKO thought, ever so slightly annoyed. Telling the group what to do wasn't her status quo, but at this point…
“Up-cycling?” Mafuyu questioned. “Like taking their old clothes and re-designing them to make them her own?” MEIKO was… pleasantly surprised that Mafuyu had figured it out. Making the bow her own would allow for that personal touch she wanted, but lacked the complicated task of finding words. She nodded and watched as she hastily left the Sekai to prepare the bow.
———
Mafuyu still wasn't exactly sure what to do. She had to customize the bow, she understood that much, but how? They were going to celebrate Mizuki’s birthday in the Sekai soon, so she didn't have much time to dwell on it. Let’s see, what did she think about when she thought of Mizuki's clothes? They liked pink and frills and flowy skirts and bows. They wore their hair in a pony tail with a bow on top, and she mostly wore black, white, pink or blue. Ok, Mafuyu could work with that. She could do something with that.
Mafuyu had to dig through her closet to the very back to find what she was looking for; an old box of craft supplies with fabric, beads, charms, and a small sewing kit. Now she just had to pick the things she wanted to add. First, maybe some white lace down the middle of the tails of the bow, then… then maybe some dark blue trim around the edges? No, no that didn't feel right. Maybe a gold trim… she held it up to the bow and then against the white lace, yeah that looked better. Then the center needed something, Mafuyu rummaged through a small plastic box of charms till she found a large butterfly shaped one. It was perfect for them. Mafuyu couldn't tell you why, but the butterflies just felt like Mizuki. After collecting all of her materials and storing the rest away, she picked up a dark pink thread and took a deep breath.
—----
MEIKO’s hologram suddenly appeared on the phone and she looked around to see Mafuyu holding something in her lap, a needle in one hand, and some white lace in the other.
“Mafuyu?”
Mafuyu quickly dropped what she was doing and slowly placed her hands over the item.
“Hm? What do you need, MEIKO?” Her voice reflected the same flat tone MEIKO had used.
“The party is soon, have you finished your present?”
“Yeah I finished, I just need to wrap it. I'll be there soon.” She nods and turns away from her phone as MEIKO disappears back into the Sekai. Mafuyu looked down at her present, there wasn't much going back now and there certainly wasn't time to buy a new bow. She grabbed the box that the bow had come in, closed it and wrapped it back up. The box was black with a white bow, and Mizuki was bound to recognize that brand. She hoped they weren’t too disappointed with the fact she changed it. She grabbed the box and her phone, about to head into the Sekai, but stopped right before clicking the file. Maybe she should make a card? She contemplated it before grabbing a piece of paper and quickly scribbling something on it before tucking it under the bow and hitting the file to the Sekai.
———
Upon entering the Sekai, Mafuyu saw both the rest of Nightcord, and all the other Vocaloids. Even KAITO was there, which admittedly, mildly surprised her. Kanade was entering and exiting the Sekai, each time with a few colorful balloons in her hands that Len and Rin were helping to scatter around. Ena was bickering with Mizuki as she set up the presents that they had gotten her. Mizuki herself was blindfolded and rocking back and forth on their feet as they smiled.
“Ena, I’m just going to take a peak~”
“Dont you dare!” Ena snapped, “You already found out about the party, at least save some of the surprise for yourself and keep in on! Don’t make Miku force you out of the Sekai.” she complained as she walked up to Mizuki and tightened the blindfold.
“Ow… Enanan,” they whined and crossed her arms, pouting with as much flare as they could. Mafuyu walked up next to Ena and placed her box down next to all the other presents. She continued to listen to the other two bickering, meanwhile she just kinda stood there. They were almost all done with preparations for the party.
“Are you happy?” Ah, it was MEIKO again. She sounded rather annoyed, maybe she was talking to Luka earlier; that always seemed to annoy MEIKO.
“Huh? Happy? With what?”
“Your present.”
Mafuyu thought about it for a moment—thought about how it looked. Mafuyu didn't really know how to sew, and of course the gift was for the one person who did know how to sew. Would it make Mizuki feel happy? Would it make her feel warm like she did when she received a gift from them earlier that year?
“I… don't know.” She finally answered, causing MEIKO to sigh and cross her arms.
“Then I guess we will see what they think of it,” Is all MEIKO said before she walked over to the group, who had now gathered around Mizuki, with Mafuyu on her heels. The party itself was going really well; Mizuki seemed to be having fun teasing Ena, eating cupcakes and playing party games with the Vocaloids. But all Mafuyu could think about was her present. Maybe this had been a mistake, maybe she should just snatch it back and pretend it had never arrived, then get Mizuki a new one and give that to her in a few days time. Mafuyu looked over at everyone else, who were still talking, and she quickly walked over to the small pile of presents and reached out to grab it. Right before she could, though, someone else grabbed it. The hand had white painted finger nails and was wearing a white long sleeve shirt with frills at the cuff. Oh, it was Mizuki. Mafuyu felt her chest tighten and her stomach twist. She couldn't grab it from them now, she opened and closed her mouth like a fish looking for words. She wasn't entirely sure what she felt at the exact moment, but she hated it.
“Mhm, it's present time~” Mizuki announced in a sing-song voice and spun around with the box in her hands. Everyone else quickly gathered around and took their seats in a small circle, and Mizuki placed the present in their lap and took out the small slip of paper. It read:
You make me feel warm Mizuki,
Thank you for helping me, happy birthday.
- Mafuyu
“Ooh, the first one is from Mafuyu! Thank you, Mafuyu!”
She announced and placed the small card to the side. They quickly opened the box, they quickly all heard a quiet gasp from Mizuki, and Mafuyu couldn't help looking down at her lap. ‘She is going to be so disappointed,’ she thought as she grabbed a handful of her shirt.
“Hey let me see!” Ena demanded as she leaned over to see what was in the box. What could have Mafuyu gotten her to make them look like that? The bow sat in the box, it was light pink with golden trim along the edges that wasn't completely straight. The lace down the middle was just a tad off center, and she could see the dark pink thread that was used to sew the lace on. In the center was a butterfly charm that had been sewed on, but it was tilting down slightly too far. Ena could feel herself internally cringe at least a little bit, but Mizuki…
“It's perfect!” She said jumping up, her eyes looking like they were sparkling, “Thank you, Mafuyu, it's perfect!” They gave a warm smile as she threw herself onto Mafuyu, wrapping their arms around her shoulders, the bow still in her hand. The sudden reaction caused Mafuyu to jump, but all at once, the coldness in her chest disappeared, followed by a sudden warmth flowing over her.
“Yeah.. you're welcome Mizuki.” She responded as she returned the hug. Unfortunately, it didn't last long, as Mizuki jumped back up and went running.
“MEIKO! MEIKO! Help me put Mafuyus bow in! Pleaseeeee~” They begged as she shoved the bow in MEIKOS hands, tore their current bow out of their hair, and turned around again, bouncing up and down on her feet as MEIKO tied the bow into place at the top of her ponytail. They moved to touch the bow, making sure it was secure and feeling its fabric between her fingers. They then ran back and continued with the other members' presents. A short melody and a pair of earrings from Kanade, a drawing and gift card to a clothing shop from Ena, and a cute dress that apparently was from Luka but was probably paid for by one of the other two. Mafuyu, after everything, still felt distracted, but this time not by fear, but by the warmth that still flickered in her chest from the hug every time she watched Mizuki run their fingers by the bow.
“Are you happy?” Mafuyu looked up to see MEIKO leaning over her. MEIKO watched the girl as her mouth just sat slightly open, searching for her answer. She looked back towards Mizuki and placed her hand on her chest.
“I… I think I am.”
“Good, Mizuki is happy too.” MEIKO let a small smile form before their attention was once again stolen by Mizuki.
“Mafuyu! Get over here, we still have some extra cupcakes!” She said while giggling as they picked up another cupcake.