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Chapter Text

A dark shadow slithers through the hallways of the rundown building. Its once vibrant walls are now yellowed with age, cracked by earthquakes and erosion. The shadow continues slipping through the floor and said walls, its many hands reaching out and clawing onto the surface. 

The hall eventually meets the outside, the solid walls becoming pillars. The shadow’s many eyes sprout to existence, each glance circling for a possible way through without tainting itself with the sunlight. 

Then, from within the shadow, a girl stepped out. 

A school girl. Seemingly black skirt with a dark gray blazer displaying a patch on the left arm. A stripy red bowtie decorated the collar of her thin neck. Skin deathly pale yet smooth due to her forever youth. She wore a high ponytail, hair the color of plums, tied with a red ribbon. 

The shadow reaches out for her, but the school girl doesn't look at it. Her gaze is forward, to the sunset illuminating her ghost-like figure. Yet, her ombre icy-blue to purple eyes didn't seem to stare at anything in particular. Her lips and brows were at rest, her entire expression stagnant. Emotionless.

Slowly, her left arm begins to move towards her own face, revealing that her slender fingers had been gently clutching an item.

A cracked caramel apple.

“And cut!” 

A group of women immediately begin to clutter the school girl, wiping off the white makeup from her face. One brushing her hair. Another took her prop. 

“Amazing as always, Asahina,” the director praises, bowing down slightly to what was not actually a ghost school girl but a well known purple-haired actress. “Your acting is outstanding. We hardly need many takes with you.”

A rather wide smile appears on the actress's face. “My pleasure. When I received the call that City of Spirits was getting a third season, I found myself quite ecstatic!” She chirps, “I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity.”

“Asahina-sama, always so modest,” she hears one of the crew members say with a laugh. The others begin to chatter as well, giving the actress praises she couldn't quite make out with the clutter. The purple-haired actress bows her head, signaling her leave. She can feel the many eyes on her, the way they admired her skin. Her perfectly crafted body. Gazes piercing through her very soul.

Still, the smile does not leave her face. No matter how much her lips twitch. 

She flicks her head, brushing the hair fallen on her shoulder. The amount of hair spray added begin to itch against her skin. Her stomach threatened to growl at any moment.

“Asahina-san!” The voice of a goddess calls out her name. The actress turns, her eyes instinctively going wide. 

“Hinomori-san,” The purple-haired gasps in the portrayal of awe, “I have not seen you in a while! How have you been?”

The blue-haired idol beams with joy as she speed-walks to the actress. “I've been well! But being an idol is very time consuming!” She laughs, “I'm sure it's the same for you, isn't it!”

The actress mimics the idol’s energy. “Ah, I'm sure you're busier than I am. Besides acting and modeling, you also perform a lot with your group,” she says with a slight giggle, “You're very admirable, Hinomori-san.”

“Aw, thank you Asahina!” The idol beams, “By the way, your performance on set was amazing! I almost believed you really were a mysterious school girl spirit! I got goosebumps! No wonder you're one of Japan's greatest actresses!”

Her eyes squint. Her lips become sharper. “Thank you, Hinomori-san,” She replied with a slight dip of her head.

“Shizuku! Where have you run off?!”

The idol stiffens. “Airi-chan?” She calls out. 

The two are met with angry pink eyes. “Shizuku! You're due on set in 40 minutes and you're nowhere near ready! We need to leave now!” Airi lightly scolds her fellow idol member before meeting the purple-haired’s eyes. A grin appears on her face, “Well if it isn't Asahina Mafuyu! Excited for season 3?”

Mafuyu nods, reflecting the grin. “Of course!” She chirps before letting out a small laugh, “I'm happy to be able to work with you two again!”

“Say, Asahina. Why don't we go have dinner together after work?” Shizuku blurts out, “We haven't been able to properly hang out with you ever since you left school! It would be great!”

“Shizuku, you can't just make plans like that out of the blue! Asahina likely has a busy schedule,” the pink-haired idol scowls before bowing to the actress apologetically, “Sorry about her.”

The mention of dinner makes her mouth water. Usually she'd not care for food but… “Hehe, don't worry about it!” Mafuyu chirps, tugging her bowtie, “But I wouldn't mind-”

Her words are interrupted as a high pitched ringing pierced through her ears. It takes everything in her to not flinch. The idols blink unanimously, they gaze to the noise’s direction: Mafuyu's pocket. The actress inhales sharply before her hand slides into the blazer’s pockets, pulling out her rather undecorated phone. She reads the caller ID.

It's her manager.

Mafuyu quickly turns away from the idols, pretending to be apologetic. Her thumb glides to the answer button. “Hello?”

“Mafuyu, are you busy?”

She holds her breath. “No. I just finished my scenes for today.”

“Good. I've got a last minute job for you. The biggest make-up brand in Asia wants you to model for them. I saw the pay was well and I've scheduled the session. Your mother has sent your chauffeur, he should be arriving soon.”

The actress's body slumps slightly, her knees buckling. She closes her eyes, grinding her teeth. “Very well. What time would it end?”

“Undetermined. Given how last minute it is and the urgency of the brand, it might be a long session. I've booked a hotel room for you as well, for it might end very late into the night.”

The purple-haired’s eyes become hooded. “Okay,” she replies, voice quiet. Following a hitched breath, she turns around, immediately grasping the curious patient look on Shizuku’s face. “I wouldn't mind having dinner together one of these days,” Mafuyu responds, matching the idol's growing smile with her own, “I have to go. See you both soon!”

Airi deflates slightly. “Work's never over for you, is it?” she replies with a small smile.

The actress returns the bittersweet smile. “Yeah,” she husks. Her phone goes off, signaling her driver was outside the studio. She ignores the small pout on the blue-haired’s face.

“See you soon, Asahina-san!” The idols wave as Mafuyu leaves. The actress mirrors them. 

Asahina Mafuyu is a nationwide famous actress and model. She debuted shortly after finishing junior high, her mother had a contact who stated Mafuyu had potential for the entertainment industry, in which she quickly took action for. Mafuyu, unsure of her future, agreed, noting the enthusiasm in her mother's voice. 

Hiring a manager through that contact, the purple-haired perfect student quickly rose to fame. School was no longer an option. Her acting was phenomenal, according to professionals anyway. And her convenient attraction got her opportunities in modeling, which her mother immediately accepted for Mafuyu. She’s starred in five main casts, her most famous role being the film Forgotten Snow White as her first protagonist role. City of Spirits was her second most notable role.

It's been years now. Her mother has become her personal accountant and wardrobe manager. Her manager, who dubbed herself Miss P, was always in close contact with her. Mafuyu’s agenda was always filled to the brim with sessions, screenings, trips to the nutritionist, and interviews. 

To say she wasn't exhausted… was an understatement. Her stomach growled and her shoulder hung low. Her ankles ached from the heels her mother recommended her to use. Today's filming took around three hours. She had to do a lot of standing.

“Asahina-sama.”

Her chauffeur was here. A smile creeps on the actress's lips despite the churning of her stomach. “Hello, sir. I will be in your care.”

“Let me open the door for you, ma'am!” The driver responds, “The photoshoot starts in an hour. We must get going.”

Ah. So asking to stop by somewhere to get food wasn't an option… Mafuyu's right eye twitched.

She was hungry.

She was tired.

Rest was not coming any time soon.

But one thing’s for sure.

She never stops acting.

Chapter Text

Thursdays were Mafuyu's preferred days. Or rather, it was the one day she didn't find herself dreading much. Every morning gave her this jabbing sensation in her chest, to which she'd submit to and lay still on her bed. Eventually she sat up and got ready to leave for work. Thursdays still had that sensation in the morning, except for the fact she didn't have work. 

Thursdays were Mafuyu's day off. 

The purple-haired groaned as the sunlight slid through the tiniest opening of her curtain, beaming right onto her face. Unable to fall asleep again, she stretches each and every stiff joint in her body. 

Mother must be awake by now.

Oh.

Mafuyu blinks as she looks at the unfamiliar walls that surround her. 

This wasn't her room.

Right. She had to stay at a hotel. She checks her phone, only to see she had missed a couple messages. Her phone remained muted from the photoshoot and Mafuyu went straight to the hotel bed after it ended; therefore, her mother must have been worried sick. 

Instead of replying to each and every text, the actress opted to ring her mother instead. She blinks several times as her eyesight adjusted to the bright room. 

The call was answered immediately. “Mafuyu, thank goodness! You didn't update me on anything last night, I was so worried! Your chauffeur assured me you made it to the hotel safely- but still!”

Mafuyu backs the phone away from her ear as she was bombarded with questions. It was way too early in the morning for this.

“Sorry, Mom. I was just really tired,” Mafuyu replies with a soft giggle, “I promise to send a message next time.”

“You better!” Mother replies jokingly, “Today's Thursday, so you don't have to worry about anything. I'll send the chauffeur to pick you-”

“No,” Mafuyu blurts out, surprising herself.

“No?”

Her cheeks grow hot. Why did she even say that? “I um…” she begins, searching through her brain on how to explain her rather sudden refutation. “I… I want to explore the city a little,” she says suddenly, “I heard there was a gallery today that I really wanted to check out. Don't worry about me! I'll call you when I'm ready to go home.”

What in the world was she on about?

“I see,” Mother replies, the tone in her voice undecipherable. “I suppose it's good for you to distract your mind once in a while. Very well. Don't forget to disguise yourself. And keep yourself safe!”

“I will, Mom,” Mafuyu chuckles, “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

The call ends. 

Mafuyu huffs, laying back on the bed. 

She has no idea why she said the things she said. There was no gallery (as far as she knew anyway) and the last thing she wanted to do was go outside. If it were for her, she'd stay in these covers for eternity. 

No, she has to do something. Her mother will definitely be showering her with questions. The actress picked up her phone again and quickly searched for any local art galleries today. To her surprise, there were various showcases today. Odd. Anyhow, she scrolled through them. The art, she'd admit, was kinda pretty. Nothing really caught her interest. 

Until.

“The Artist Behind the Musician,” Mafuyu reads, reaching out for her reading glasses on the drawer beside the bed, “Look at all the paintings created for the album covers of the latest national sensation, K.”

K… doesn't ring a bell. Looking at the promotional artwork, she couldn't help but notice how dark it was. It felt like the ink would spill out of her phone and swallow her entire essence in its frigid darkness, before a white light would come to save her. 

That's what she thought anyway. 

She purchased a ticket despite how expensive it was. Of course, it cost nothing for a famous actress such as herself; however, it did settle a few doubts in her mind. Perhaps she should familiarize herself with these albums the artworks were for. 

“K…” Mafuyu was surprised to see immediate results popping up. There was a news article about the art gallery. A couple forums spoke rather positively of the songs this K produced. Mafuyu took quick note of the top songs these people claimed to be “absolutely bangers” in which she quickly noticed were film soundtracks. Not quite ones she's participated in, but ones her fellow colleagues have. She really needed to pay attention to credits more.

Then one particular song title caught her interest. “My Forgotten Snow White” it was called. It was a single, with an apple on the cover art. Mafuyu blinked twice, recognizing the reference to her first feature film. Her first song choice was now obvious. She grabbed earplugs from her pack and quickly prepared herself as she pressed play.

Mafuyu gasps as the rhythm of a waltz begins to play into her ears. But that wasn't quite what caught her attention; the song was kind of eerie. No. Cold. Mafuyu felt like she was suffocating. 

It felt…

Like home.

And the key changes. The piano grows softer. It's… warm.

What a strange sensation. Mafuyu can't help but feel tears leak out of her eyes. 

This… song…

It definitely is reminiscent of Forgotten Snow White. Did this K really like her film that much? Why “My,” as if the composer knew the character closely? Why was there specifically a song about Mafuyu's first main role?

She had so many questions.

Mafuyu didn't spend a second wondering. She let K’s songs continue playing as she got ready to leave. She ordered breakfast to her room before going to the bathroom to brush her teeth and shower. She liked long cold showers; however, there were more important matters.

Mafuyu found a black turtleneck and tight jeans. She grabbed a hat and black sunglasses. It was autumn, yes, but still very sunny. No one would question her about it, right? A loose light-gray scarf wrapped around her neck, covering her face like a mask usually would. She threw on a trenchcoat before scurrying outside.

The gallery was thankfully not that far. She could actually walk the entire way there. She takes a deep breath as she crosses the street. One of the first things the actress couldn't help but notice was her heartbeat rising as she walked alone. Usually her manager or someone else would be accompanying her. This was rather new.

She didn't quite dislike it.

More songs leaked from her earbuds and into her ears. Each one tug invisible strings in her chest. How could someone be able to do that? Mafuyu didn't understand. Her playlist looped back to My Forgotten Snow White, to which her heart quivered even more. 

It felt like the song was written for her.

Before she knew it, Mafuyu was in front of the galleria. The same posters she saw online hung on huge banners. K’s popularity was evident, with many wearing merchandise with art designs Mafuyu now knew were album cover art. She probably stuck out like a sore thumb. Perhaps she should drop by the gift shop or something first. 

“Wait is that-”

Mafuyu immediately darts towards the reception, handing over her ticket with urgency. She could hear mutters begin to rise outside.

Of course K’s huge fan base would be familiar with her. She'd have to be extra careful.

“Enjoy your day!” The receptionist chirps, before motioning Mafuyu forward. The purple-haired mumbles a quick thanks before making her way to the specific area the gallery was being held. She takes off her glasses.

The first thing she noticed was the music. It was quietly confiscated to the background due to the chatter of people. The second thing she noticed was the dark paintings. Actual paintings. They were way bigger than Mafuyu anticipated. She trodded to the nearest one. 

“Art by Shinonome Ena,” she read the label carefully. So this K didn't create her own art? Not sure what she expected, but she still felt nothing with that discovery. She looked at the painting closer, realizing the small details she'd not notice online. Up close, you can see each individual brush stroke. It was messy, yet organized. Did that even make sense? The painting was of a girl reaching out to the moonlight, everything around her dark and muted except for the center where it was still dark, yet warmer and more saturated. It depicted a starry nighttime sky, where said moon was.

This artist captured the feeling well, she'd admit. 

“I heard Asahina Mafuyu was spotted outside the galleria!” 

“No way! You think she's here now?”

“I don't know but if she was, this would be the talk of the century!”

Mafuyu’s stomach churned. She quickly moved away from the area. She snuck to the other side of the venue, where she did notice a crowd of people surrounding a person.

“Tell us Shinonome-san, what is it like working for K?”

“Will K be showing her face to the public anytime soon?”

“Tell us about your story! What inspired you to become an artist?”

Mafuyu couldn't help but scoff. She’s been subjected to these plenty of times. Seeing it from the outside, it looked just as uncomfortable as it felt.

“I can answer questions some other day!” Another voice growls, “We are in an art gallery! Keep quiet and appreciate the art, will you?” A brunette immediately brute forces her way through the crowd of reporters. They were beginning to follow; however, it seems staff and security came quickly to Shinonome’s aid. The brunette sighs, fixing her composure as she walks as calmly as she could away from the crowd 

The two lock eyes for a moment. Mafuyu hadn't meant to stare for so long. Her heartbeat began to quicken as Shinonome blinked twice, perhaps slowly recognizing the actress. However, the brunette only smiled and continued to walk away.

Letting off a shaky sigh, Mafuyu allowed herself to relax.

Now that she thought about it, why was she still here? 

This art was created by Shinonome, not K. She didn't even realize K was faceless too. The probability for the composer to even be here was little to none. Her heart sank a little at the thought. But even so, what would Mafuyu even say to K? Would she even be able to speak? 

She doesn't understand what compelled her to come here. Perhaps it was time to go home. 

Mafuyu unenthusiastically walks through the gallery and towards the exit.

“I didn't think My Forgotten Snow White’s cover would be so huge!”

Mafuyu's head immediately snaps towards the voice. Her jaw slightly drops as she sees a painting perhaps twenty feet high. The familiar apple was there; however, it seemed that the rest of the painting was not used for the cover. Mafuyu's Snow White could be seen in the background, seemingly walking in the woods. The apple was in the foreground, towards the bottom left corner. 

“Do you like that one?” Mafuyu nearly leaps out of her skin as a soft voice speaks up beside her. Immediately hands rose up, hesitating to reach out to Mafuyu. “Sorry I didn't mean to startle you!” Mafuyu blinks as she looks down to see a rather short woman. She too wore a black trenchcoat that nearly covered her entire body. White long hair flowed down from her head and bright blue eyes stared right back at Mafuyu's.

She is quite breathtaking…

Mafuyu turns away immediately. “It's okay,” she whispers back. It didn't seem like this woman recognized her, so she could put her guard down just a little longer. She stared back at the painting, ignoring the heat in her cheeks, “I didn't know Snow White was on the cover too.”

The latter laughs. “I don't think anyone did,” she says softly, her voice gentle and airy like ocean spray, “Apparently using the whole image would probably get Forgotten Snow White's producers angry, so only the apple was used for the cover art.”

“I see,” Mafuyu replies. Despite the fairytale look, she did notice Snow White’s purple hair. Mafuyu's purple hair. “Why didn't Shinonome-san just paint over it? Or change Snow White's look.”

“I didn't want her to,” The woman replied, “The reason I liked Forgotten Snow White so much was because of you, Asahina-san.”

Mafuyu's heartbeat drops.

“Me?” She replied. Her instincts to hide her identity were gone. The shorter woman smiles softly. Mafuyu's brain was making delayed connections, scrambling to understand the situation right in front of her. “You're…”

“Yoisaki Kanade,” The woman says softly, dipping her head in respect, “Also known as K.”

“K…”

K’s eyes squinted slightly in worry. “A- Asahina?”

This must be a dream.

“I thought you were faceless.”

K chuckles softly again. “I am. I suppose outside of my team and friends, you're the only other person in the world who knows what I look like.”

“Only other person…?”

“Sorry if I've overwhelmed you,” K says quietly, “When Ena told me you were around, I just knew I had to approach you. I'm a huge fan of your works, Asahina-san. I think you were the perfect casting for Forgotten Snow White. Your work in City of Spirits is really good too. I-”

Mafuyu takes a step back. “Thank you, K,” She says feverishly, “I like your work too.”

K’s face grows red. “T- Thanks,” She says shyly.

They both stand in silence for a good while, staring at the painting from afar. Or at least pretending to do so. Mafuyu couldn't quite believe her eyes. The person that was just plain curiosity a couple of hours ago was now right in front of her. Mafuyu wasn't even a K fan. Why did she of all people get to meet her? Is this how her fans felt in meet and greets? She snuck a few glances at the shorter woman. She didn't expect K to look exactly like this, but what did she even expect at all?

Questions. She had questions for K. That was the whole point of her coming here.

What was she going to say?

“You know, Asahina. When I first wrote this song, I had hoped it would reach you eventually,” K breaks the silence.

Mafuyu turns to the latter. “Why?” She says, forgetting to mask herself. Or rather, for some reason, she didn't feel the need to. K’s soft welcoming smile felt like a beam of moonlight calling for Mafuyu's bare essence. It wouldn't judge her raw form.

K laughs nervously. “I don't know. I suppose your acting for Forgotten Snow White was so phenomenal, I thought that only a person who experienced living in silent despair would be able to perfectly fit that role,” She says, staring right back into Mafuyu's eyes, “I see now that I wasn't wrong.”

Mafuyu flinches at this. Her chest grows cold, like she's been stripped of all her clothing. Her lips crack into an instinctive smile. “I have no idea what you're talking about,” She exhales, her voice sharply high-pitched. K’s eyes widened, perhaps in surprise or fear. Mafuyu was never good at reading intense expressions. 

“Sorry. I didn't mean to assume,” K immediately apologizes like a puppy scolded by its owner. It nearly made Mafuyu apologize herself. K’s gaze lowered even more. “I genuinely am sorry, Asahina-san. I didn't mean-”

“It's okay, K-sama,” Mafuyu chirps, beaming a smile of her own despite the swelling in her chest. “I am honored that you wrote a song for me. It was lovely to listen to.”

K’s eyes notably twinkle as soon as Mafuyu ends her speech. Her brows furrowed slightly, sending shivers of panic up Mafuyu's spine. K seemed to be able to read right through her. The uncertainty made Mafuyu sick. She turns away from K once again.

“There she is!”

“Asahina is here!”

“Oi! Asahina!”

“Follow me,” K quickly mutters, grabbing Mafuyu’s hand before the latter could even react. Mafuyu gasps as K pulls her away from the incoming crowd, guiding her to the doorway that notably said staff only. Mafuyu gasps as K pulls her inside, shutting the door right behind them. She's greeted by a thin white corridor. K continues to guide her, with less urgency this time. Mafuyu can only focus on the coldness of K’s fingers brushing against her skin. Her fingertips were rough, perhaps due to a lifetime of playing instruments. She was a bit ashy too, like she didn't bother to do any skin care. 

“Where are we going?” Mafuyu finally managed to muster.

K turns to her. “Somewhere quiet,” she says softly, “The gallery has a lounge for my team and I. We can talk in peace there while the excitement for your presence tames down a bit.”

Somewhere quiet. Perhaps that wasn't too bad.

“Kanade? You brought her here?”

“E- Ena! M- Mizuki! I didn't think-”

“No way! The Asahina Mafuyu?”

Mafuyu felt like she was going to blow.

“These are my friends, Ena and Mizuki,” Kanade whispers, bringing Mafuyu back down to her senses, “Ena, she's the artist of the paintings you saw just now. And Mizuki is my manager.”

“Akiyama Mizuki! Nice to meet you, Asahina-chan!” A tall pink-haired lady steps forward with a bow.

“Mizuki, this is the Asahina Mafuyu we're talking to! Where's your manners?” Ena scolds the latter before turning to Mafuyu, “Ignore her. I'm Shinonome Ena. Nice to meet you again, Asahina-san.”

Mafuyu takes a while to reply. “Nice to meet you both,” She says cheerfully, “The artwork is quite lovely, Shinonome-san. You have my respect.”

The brunette’s cheeks grow red. “T- Thanks…”

Mizuki smirks at the artist, earning herself an elbow to the ribs. The pink-haired whines and suddenly the two begin arguing quietly. Mafuyu can only stare at the two. A suddenly soft giggle takes her attention away. 

Ah, K’s still holding her hand…

She should probably withdraw.

“Let's sit down,” K says, guiding the actress to the couch now unoccupied by the two bickering women. Mafuyu lets herself be taken, too enchanted by K’s soft words to go against her. “We have a snack bar, hungry?”

Mafuyu nods.

Then their hands release, leaving a new void in Mafuyu's being. K goes to grab said snacks.

What is this feeling?

She didn't know.

“Thank you, K.” The words slipped from her almost immediately.

K blinks. “For?”

Mafuyu exhales. “For bringing me here.” 

And so much more.

K beams another smile. “No problem,” she replies, “And you can call me Kanade. I'll be back.” 

Mafuyu watches her go. Her heartbeat thumps louder at the sight. Watching K’s entire figure… she was quite-

“My spidey senses are tingling,” Mizuki interjects with a mischievous grin, “Does Asahina perhaps have a fondness for our sweet little o’ K~?”

Mafuyu's eyes widened. “What? No!” She says with a nervous laugh, “It's just so surreal to meet K herself. Especially since she's faceless and all.”

“I suppose that's true,” Ena replies, “You know I never really considered how Kanade's presence to everyone else is like getting to meet Mona Lisa herself.”

“Which is why she should never face reveal,” Mizuki mutters, “Kanade won't be able to handle the attention. How do you do it, Asahina?”

“How do I do it?”

“You know since you're one of the greatest actors and models of this generation!” Mizuki praises, “I assume interviews and all of that stuff are pretty exhausting, no?”

“Mizuki,” Ena scolds her.

Mafuyu sighs. “Very. But my manager keeps them at bay,” She responds, “I suppose I do envy K’s ability to keep her identity secret. I wouldn't mind doing something more secretive like her.” At this point she was just rambling. She was still exhausted from yesterday's work. She wasn't good at speaking unscripted either. 

“Say, why don't you audition for this voice acting role,” Mizuki says, throwing herself onto the couch beside Mafuyu. “Kanade's going to voice for it too besides writing the score. I thought doing something new might do her good. Maybe for you too.”

Voice acting. Mafuyu peers at Mizuki’s phone, showing her a casting call for what looked like a high production superhero anime. 

“I'll have to speak with my manager,” She replied. But she knew the answer already: absolutely not.

“Well, if you do consider it, give me a ring. I'll hook you up,” Mizuki beams, giving Mafuyu a business card, “The bonus is, you'd get to work with Kanade~”

“Mizuki, stop nagging about it,” Ena grumbles.

“It's a great selling point, you know? Besides, I've been looking forward to the making of this anime the day the manga came out! I want it to be perfect!”

“Of course you love this stuff, dork.”

“Thank you, Akiyama-san,” Mafuyu replies, taking the business card, “I will consider it.”

“Yay!”

Mizuki continues to talk about the anime, while Ena groans in disbelief. Mafuyu found herself drifting away from the conversation, not because she was bored. Something about the two bickering absolute nonsense was kind of relaxing. They nearly seemed to forget she was even here. 

Not being the center of attention was great. Sleep threatens to consume her. 

“Here's a snack, Asahina.”

Mafuyu turns to see K’s hand stretched forward with food. She gently takes it.

“Thank you.”

“Oi, Kanade! Where's our snacks?”

“Right here.”

“Nice!”

Mafuyu stared now as the three engaged in conversation, talking about the gallery and whatnot. Mafuyu couldn't help but notice the way Kanade shyly covered her face as she ate, or how she visibly paid close attention whenever the other two spoke, like their words were law and not nonsense.

Mafuyu stared at the business card in her hands. 

She wants to work with them.

“Asahina, tired?” K says, sitting next to Mafuyu once again.

“Yeah,” Mafuyu replied, “I had a lot of work yesterday.”

“You can take a quick nap here, if you'd like,” K replied, “Here, use my coat as a blanket.”

“What a gentleman you are, Kanade~” Mizuki teases.

K ignores her. “Mizuki, Ena. Go back to the gallery again and check on our guests.”

“Whatever you say,” Ena replies, with obvious tease mixed into her voice.

Mafuyu is too tired to care. She shouldn't sleep in such a place with someone she just met. But it was comfortable. The most comfortable she's felt in… 

Years.

“I promise to wake you up,” K replies, laying Mafuyu down on the couch, “Maybe in… thirty minutes?”

“Sounds good,” Mafuyu replies, laying her head on K’s lap. “Thank you, K.”

“You can call me Kanade, Asahina,” K reminds her, smiling softly, “Sleep well.”

Mafuyu closes her eyes. “Thank you,” she mutters, succumbing to her exhaustion, “Kanade.”

What a life-changing Thursday.

Chapter Text

“Voice acting? You want to do voice acting?”

Mafuyu nods feebly, her chest growing with uncertainty. She looks at her dinner. It makes the glares of her mother and her manager more bearable.

“I just want to try doing something new, that's all,” Mafuyu mumbles, keeping her gaze low. No matter how many times she rehearsed the conversation, sitting at the edge while the other two women stared down at her; she was far too unprepared for it. 

“I am not opposed to you wanting new experiences,” Mafuyu's mother mutters doubtfully, “But why a cheesy superhero drama?”

“What's the project called again?” Miss P asks, beginning to type away on her laptop. She didn't join Mafuyu and her mother for dinner, claiming she was only here for business talk.

“It's this one, here,” Mafuyu pulls out her phone with the same webpage Mizuki had shown her the other day, “Some of my former colleagues from City of Spirits will be participating. As well as K.”

Ms. P’s eyes widened with bewilderment. “K?” She echoes, “She's debuting a voice acting career with this anime too?”

“K as in the composer?” Mother echoes. 

It is now that Mafuyu realized how out of the scene she was. How did her own mother know of the composer? How come she didn't know?

“Yes. Looks like she's also writing the score,” Mafuyu's manager says, “If K's on it, this anime might be the show of the year.”

Mafuyu stared intensely as her mother peered over Miss P’s laptop. She watched as her mother's nose scrunched up, but her eyes twinkled with curiosity. The manager continued to discuss the pros and cons for Mafuyu if she auditioned here. There were definitely more pros. It looked like things were going in Mafuyu's favor.

“There’s queer relationships in the story,” Mafuyu's mother suddenly says, “Won't this damage Mafuyu's image?”

What?

“I don't believe so. Besides, engaging in projects with these kinds of new social norms tends to gain attraction and popularity from the youth.”

Mafuyu frowns at this.

“Mafuyu is as famous as she is now due to how we've been marketing her,” Mafuyu's mother continues on, “We need her to appeal to those in the industry. I fear her involvement with this anime might lose her job opportunities.”

No. She's losing this. She can't. “Mother, I want to give it a try,” Mafuyu exhales, trying not to sound as desperate as she was, “It's something completely new for me… and I really want to work with K-sama.”

Mafuyu's mother's eyes went wide. Miss P looked intrigued as well. 

“Why is that? Since when did K interest you?”

Mafuyu blinks. A small smile twitches onto her face. “My colleagues have told me she made a song based on my role as Snow White,” Mafuyu lies, “I perhaps would like to know her.”

“Ah. That,” The manager says, “Your social media manager was flooded with messages requesting your reaction to the song.”

“You knew?” Mafuyu questions, the smile on her face faltering. Her chest swelled with warmth, but not the pleasant kind. She didn't know how to describe the feeling. Betrayal? Angry?

“We did, but K wasn't the sensation she is now at the time, so we didn't think it was worth the time,” Mother replies, “Anyhow. I've made my decision.”

Mafuyu’s breath hitches.

“I will allow you to participate. Miss P will contact her connections to get you an assured role,” Mother says with a sigh, “But if we start seeing negative reception on your image, you will be revoked immediately.”

Oh. That wasn't too bad. Considering Mizuki’s high praise of the manga, the reception would be positive. “That is okay with me,” she replies calmly, “Thank you, Mom. For this opportunity.”

Mafuyu's mother smiles. “It's not often you ask for things like this,” she says, “I am a bit surprised.”

“I will leave now to get in touch with the producers,” Miss P says, “Mafuyu, it's almost time for the podcast interview. Get ready.”

Mafuyu winces at the reminder. Why did they schedule a podcast so late at night?

“Right, I have the perfect outfit for the occasion. I heard they were going to Livestream it too,” Mafuyu's mother said hurriedly, “You go ahead and shower, Mafuyu. I'll have your clothes ready by the time you get out.”

The actress simply nods, pushing away from her half eaten dinner. She shuffles towards her room, her shoulders slouching as the weight of the podcast crushes her shoulders. She didn't really like doing those reality type things. She had to adapt the persona of a naive yet mature high schooler. That was the image she sold outside of film acting.

Except, Mafuyu never got to be a real high school girl. Her experience, if anything, came from the filmings she's done from movies and shows. 

Oh well.

Mafuyu begins seeking for her towel though notices Mizuki's business card on her old desk. 

Perhaps she should give Mizuki a call. 

No, why would Mizuki care? 

Mafuyu really wanted to tell her that she'd be participating in the anime. Along with K…

Would K be happy to see her again? Their last interaction was pleasant. 

Mafuyu found herself dialing the number quite quickly. And before she could pause and think, the line was ringing.

“Hello?”

Mafuyu sits down on her bed, holding a breath as she hears the voice. “Akiyama-san,” Mafuyu musters, her voice uncharacteristically breaking on her, “It's Asahina Mafuyu-”

“Asahina?!” Mizuki exhilarates, prompting the actress to recoil from her cellphone. “No way! I knew you'd call back! Oi, Kanade! It's Asahina!”

Mafuyu's heartbeat quickens at the mere mention of the name.

“Asahina?” Another voice replies distantly.

“Yeah! I gave her my contact,” Mizuki explains before her and an audible smirk leaves Mafuyu's speakers, “So~ Have you considered?”

Mafuyu instinctively nods with a smile. She quickly catches herself. “Yes. My manager already has contacts so you don't have to do anything on your end,” she says before quickly adding, “I thought I'd just let you know.”

Another shriek emits from Mafuyu's phone. “Let's go!” Mizuki cheers, “I so will convince them to give you the role as White Crow! Your voice is perfect for her! Ugh! I'm so excited!”

Mafuyu blinks. “White Crow?”

“Mizuki you're not a producer, you can't possibly do that,” Another voice says, possibly Ena’s. What were the three doing together this late at night? Did they perhaps live together? 

Mafuyu couldn't help but envy them.

“I can't, but Kanade can~” Mizuki mischievous replies, “Kanade~ do me a favor, please?”

K's soft chuckle is barely caught by Mizuki's microphone. It's quiet, but enough to take Mafuyu's breath away. 

“I don't think I have the power to do that either,” Kanade distantly replies, “But I suppose I will try to bring it up.”

“Let's go!” Mizuki cheers. 

Mafuyu can't help but feel pleasant warmth in her chest. “I have to go now,” Mafuyu says, “Speak to you soon.”

“Wait!”

Mafuyu blinks as she hears rustling from the other end of the call.

“Kanade~ fine. Just don't take too long. I gotta go home, you know?”

“Thank you Mizuki,” K’s voice is suddenly closer and clearer.

“K-sama,” Mafuyu exhales softly, surprised by K’s willingness to talk.

“I know you have to go, but you think we can talk a little more,” K blurts out sheepishly.

“Sure,” Mafuyu mumbles, mostly due to the fact she didn't trust her voice right now. Her heartbeat was ringing in her ears. Her stomach fluttered with sensations she's never felt before. It was both overwhelming and pleasant. Thoughts refused to correctly form or even correlate at all.

Why was that?

“I'm glad to see you made it home safe,” K suddenly says, her breath caught by the mic, “I was worried about letting you off shortly after you woke up. But I suppose you were already in good hands.”

“Ah, my chauffeur is one of the most reliable people I know,” Mafuyu replies, instinctively mimicking K's tone, “Thank you for worrying about me, K- Kanade.”

K’s laugh echoes throughout Mafuyu's room. “So um… I forgot to ask if you'd like to exchange numbers last time…” she says, “So I was thinking…”

“Of course,” Mafuyu says before K could continue on. “You have my number.”

“Y- Yes! I'll nab it off Mizuki,” K says before taking a pause to swallow, “Where are you going off to?”

Mafuyu gasps as she checks her watch. She had completely forgotten. “I have to go to a podcast interview,” Mafuyu says with a low voice, “They're going to Livestream it, if you're interested in tuning in.”

“Oh? At this hour?” K replies, “I will definitely listen in while I do a bit of work. I suppose that means you have to leave, don't you?”

“Yes,” Mafuyu sighs.

“I will let you off then. Have fun, Asahina-san,” K says before clearing her throat, “I can't wait to work with you soon.”

Mafuyu's heart flips at those final words. “Me too, Kanade,” She whispers softly, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The call ends. 

Silence envelopes the room.

Mafuyu suddenly releases a breath she didn't know she was holding.

K is going to listen to her interview.

Mafuyu can't help but engulf herself in the warmth of the thought. 

She's never thought much about the content she released, but she knew she had to do good on this interview.

“Mafuyu, are you out of the shower yet?”

Panic strikes through the woman. “Uh… yes! I am, don't come in!” She blurts back.

“Sorry. I'll just leave it on the door handle then!” Her mother replies with a laugh, “I need you in the car at thirty, okay?”

“Yes Mom!”

Perfect. She had plenty of time for a quick shower. She listens carefully for her mother's footsteps to trail away before opening the door and grabbing the outfit. She grabs her towel and books it to her bathroom.

And a notification noise leaves her phone.

Could it be?

Mafuyu scrambles to grab her phone and bypass the lock screen.

Indeed it was…

Unregistered number: It's Kanade, this is my number.

Unregistered number: Rooting for you, Asahina-san.

Mafuyu can't help but smile.

Chapter Text

The setting: an old abandoned mansion. The woody architecture of its walls once prestigious and polished, now rot and peel with age. It was undetermined how long this fine structure was long left to fend for itself, or when last had a soul resided within it.

At least, not one with a body.

A doll-like figure with a pinkish glow illuminated within the darkness of the mansion’s hallway, skipping towards the main room of the mansion. “Wake up everyone!” A childish voice speaks throughout the room as the figure raises its arms into the air with excitement, “Time to play! Wake up!” Shutters and whips began to squirm around the room. The figure giggles, chasing after a few wisps before skipping down the hallway, screaming, “Wake up!” She briefly stops in front of a door that has long fallen from its hinges. The figure dramatically puts her hands on her hips, her right foot tapping impatiently. “Ms. Nurse!” She says, “It is time to play! Wake up! Wake up!”

Hearing no reply, the figure simply walks through the door. 

Yes. She walked through the door. 

She was the guardian spirit of this mansion, and her job was to wake up everyone else today. “Ms. Nurse!” The ghost calls out, “Time to wake up?”

“Wake up?” Another voice replied. It was softer, half awake. Half asleep. Slowly another girl illuminates the room, resembling an old laboratory or nurse office of some kind. Rotting stuffed animals rested on the walls, their limbs wrapped with bandages. The guardian spirit laughs as the new figure comes to full view. She emits a neon cyan glow. Her nurse uniform is also doll-like, a short dress adorned with bows and frills. It was too cute and too impractical for an actual uniform. She rubs an eye, pouting for being woken up.

“Yes, Ms. Nurse,” The guardian replies, “It is time to play. Why don't you join us?”

“Play,” Ms. Nurse echoes sleepily, until the meaning of the words finally settles into her head. The Nurse looks to the latter with a huge cheeky smile, “Yes. Let's play!”

“CUT!”

Mafuyu sighs as she hears the cameras roll out. She exhales, leaning onto the giant rabbit plush and closes her eyes, trying to slow down her heartbeat.

“Good job, Asahina-san!” Otori Emu praises, stretching out a hand to help the purple-haired actress up. “You acted so well! I nearly felt bad waking Ms. Nurse up!”

Mafuyu chuckles, taking Emu’s hand. “Thank you for inviting me to record the commercial for Phoenix Wonderland’s Halloween event,” Mafuyu chirps, matching the pink-haired’s vibrant smile as she lifts herself off the floor.

“Asahina is really good at spooky mysterious girls,” Emu replied, “I knew if I wanted anyone to be in this event, it had to be you.”

Mafuyu blinked, but ultimately let off a giggle. “I’m honored, Otori-san,” she cheerfully replied, “Are we done for today?”

“No, we still have two more scenes, but I promise they're really short!” Emu exhilarates, “You go have a rest, Asahina-san!”

Mafuyu nods, waving goodbye as she makes her way off of the set.

“Your manager requested a few pictures with the costume,” One of the staff told her, “We'll have a quick shoot in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” Mafuyu replied, wiping the sweat off her face.

Her phone's notification sound goes off. 

She eagerly scrambles to get her phone. 

K: Can we call when you're done with the filming?

Mafuyu scoffs, immediately opening the chatting app Kanade oddly had requested Mafuyu to install. Nightcord, it was called. Mafuyu found it odd why they couldn’t just chat by number, but at least if they were to search through her phone again, they wouldn't be questioning why she was chatting so much with a strange number. With Nightcord, Mafuyu could easily hide it within a folder. Mafuyu opens her DMs with K, and presses the call button.

And the phone immediately answers.

“Asahina-san?”

“Kanade,” Mafuyu echoes back, throwing her head back as she stretches, “I'm currently on break. Why did you want to call?”

There's shuffling on the other end. “Well I wanted to tell you I managed to get you the role of White Crow. Your manager will be notified soon,” K said before taking a long pause, “How’s it going so far.”

Mafuyu hums. She knew her casting would make Mizuki hysterical. But the voice acting job wasn't on her kind right now. “I had to sit on the floor for twenty minutes,” Mafuyu says with a soft chuckle, “My back hurts.”

“Ah, I see. You said it was for a Halloween-themed commercial, right?”

Mafuyu again instinctively nods. “Yes. I'm still in the outfit actually,” Mafuyu says, “Do you want to see?”

A choked cough emits from her speakers. “See?” K rasps. 

Mafuyu decides to stand in front of a mirror and quickly snaps a picture of herself. She opens her messages with K and quickly sends the picture.

She does not know what prompted her to do so.

A high pitched raspy squeal leaves K’s end. Mafuyu can't help but raise a brow. “Kanade?”

A wheeze. Then coughs.

“Kanade, are you okay?”

“I'm okay!” K quickly replies between shaky breaths, “You look… pretty, Asahina-san.”

Mafuyu feels her face heat up. “Thank you, Kanade.”

“You do ghost-like girls a lot, huh,” K responds with a few sniffs, “Like in City of Spirits. And… well Forgotten Snow White wasn't quite a ghost or spooky but she was supposed to be a bit mysterious too, right?”

Mafuyu blinks. “I suppose.”

“Do you like playing them?”

The words suddenly leave her mouth. “I don't know,” she says slowly, staring at the grass underneath her platformers, “It's just what I happen to get most of the time.”

“I see,” K replied, “In the interview, you also tended to act like a mysterious yet childish girl. It was kind of… cute.”

Ah. So Kanade picked up that it was an act. Perhaps because she's already met Mafuyu in person and outside of cameras. As far as the world knew, that was just what Mafuyu was like. “You thought it was cute?” Mafuyu echoed. Well, that was the whole point. For her viewers to think Asahina Mafuyu, the nationwide actress and model, was cute. But that night… she had hoped…

“But I liked the parts where you were just you more,” K quickly added. 

The parts where she was just her. 

Mafuyu didn't quite know what that meant. There were times during the interview where she toned down the cutesy act.

K had noticed them. But it definitely wasn't herself.

Who is she?

“Asahina-sama, the photoshoot is soon,” they called out.

“Oh, is your break over?” K asks.

Mafuyu feels an eye twitch. “Unfortunately,” she mutters. 

“Unfortunately?” There's a hint of emotion in K’s voice Mafuyu just can't quite catch. 

“I'll call you soon,” Mafuyu replies softly, “Talk to you later.”

“Oh. Okay. Talk to you later, Asahina-san,” K replies with the same gentleness, “Let me know how it goes.”

Mafuyu smiles as K leaves the call. She leaves it shortly after. 

It was too short. 

As soon as she put her phone away, the weight of the world settled itself once again on her shoulders. She makes her way back on set, where all the props and plushies were in place. She seats herself back on the floorboards of the set, hugging the black bunny plush. She lets off a soft smile as pictures are taken of her. She's given a thermometer to hold and a comically large syringe with pink liquid inside it. 

Her mind wanders off as flashes of white cloud her vision. 

She's far too used to them.

They used to blind her at first. They'd make her head ache and her vision dark for the next hour. She'd have trouble keeping her eyes open.

But then she made it a habit of drifting away. To a place where the white flashes wouldn't reach her. Where it made sitting as still as the doll she played bare-able.

Usually she'd be snapped back to reality, and the photoshoot would be done. She didn't even realize she was gone for the entire hour. 

Her brain would shut off and her body would go on auto. However, this time, she found herself lost in thought.

Would K take pictures of her?

No, that was weird.

What a taboo thought.

Mafuyu nearly flinches as another bright flash beams upon her. She quickly recomposed herself.

What kind of work would K have right now?

Probably music. K mentioned working on the fifth track of a new album, hopefully finished before the holidays. 

What did K’s working face look like? Would it be equally as gentle and full of care as the day they met? Would she be serious, too focused on her work to think about the expressions she made? Imagine if she looked angry? Impossible, Mafuyu couldn't imagine the short woman being able to furrow her brows so intensely. But they have only met once… perhaps they should meet-

“Asahina-sama! We are done!”

Mafuyu exhales softly as her eyes adjust to the unaltered lighting now. She shuffles back into her feet, making her way to the photographers as they begin skimming through the various pictures they've all taken. 

“Asahina-sama looks quite adorable and scary!”

“Maybe a little lost in thought too…”

“Amazing. She's amazing.”

Mafuyu ignores the praises as they all show her the pictures.

One last thought remains in her mind.

What would K think?

She pulled out her phone while they continued sharing the pictures with her. “Can you send a few to me?” She asks.

The photographer closest to her blink. “Of course. Let me quickly insert the card into my laptop and… I can airdrop them to you right?”

Mafuyu nods. “Yes. Thank you.”

“No problem! You'd have them in a minute!”

Mafuyu nods, bowing slightly in a quick thanks before walking away once more. This time she goes into the dressing room, absolutely exhausted and ready to simply go home.

Yuki: Kanade, the photoshoot has ended. I am free for an hour more.

No reply.

Mafuyu's heart sinks as a couple of seconds pass by. Should she call? K did say she was going to get to work. Perhaps she muted her notifications during it?

She receives another notification. Pictures swarmed into her view. Way more than she thought she needed. 

Anyhow, she sent them all. Was she spamming K? Perhaps. She had no idea of knowing. K’s icon remained inactive. Was she being ignored?

What do you do in this situation? Can she call? 

She called.

It rings once. Twice.

Nothing yet.

Her heart aches.

“A- Asahina-san?”

Mafuyu lets off a languid breath. “K-sama,” she shakily replies.

“Ah. I didn't hear the notifications. I apologize,” K’s airy voice flirts into the actress's ears, “I didn't mean to make it seem like I was ignoring you. What did you send?”

“I thought you'd like to see me…”

“See you? Whoah…”

Mafuyu's heart flutters as Kanade goes radio silent. If it weren't for the whirling of fans in the background, Mafuyu might have thought the line was cut off. She hears a sharp breath, followed by nasal breathing.

“What do you think?” Mafuyu breaks the silence. 

“The pictures are really pretty, Asahina-san,” K said simply, voice raspy, “The rabbit plushie is cute. Mizuki would like it.“

Mafuyu frowns. That's it? “What about me?” She finds herself demanding.

K laughs despite her not having said anything funny. “You look spooky,” K chuckles.

“Spooky?”

“Yes. I think you nailed the ghost nurse act,” K responds slowly, “Though you do look a bit lost in thought. What were you thinking about?”

Silence.

Can she confess she was thinking about K the entire time? It's not like she was thinking wrongfully of her. It was more like curiosity of what the composer was up to. 

“I was wondering what work was like for you,” Mafuyu replied, “You sit at a desk and stay there until you decide to take a break, right?”

“Ah. I suppose it's usually like that,” K replies with a chuckle, “I meet with Mizuki and Ena every night to discuss my demo and art and music videos for my own stuff. Not that we need to meet every night, I like doing it. Sometimes we discuss commissions. Mizuki gives me updates on my publicity and clients. But yeah. Most of the time I am sitting in front of my PC and composing. Ena scolds me for getting carried away sometimes… but with so much free time I prefer getting work done.”

“Amazing,” Mafuyu replied, “K-sama is equally if not more famous than me… and you get to do what you want as you please.”

“You don't have to call me that,” K laughs before her breath whistles, “Do you not get to do what you want, Asahina-san?”

Mafuyu rugs on the nurse's dress. “I…” she musters, “I usually… My manager finds me jobs and I go whenever called. Thursdays are my only day off, and sometimes I get to relax or I go see a nutritionist or a doctor to check on my health. As a model and an actor, I have to watch my health…”

“Oh,” K mutters, “I see.”

Mafuyu sighs, her chest growing tight as her brain wanders off to all the upcoming projects she has. She had a sudden urge to feel small. Raw. To say what she couldn't dare utter anywhere else. “I'm tired, Kanade.” Her voice quivers as she says those words. Why would she tell K that? K couldn't possibly care.

“I'm sorry,” K whispers, “I'm sorry you are being overworked.”

“Overworked…”

“I think you should let your manager know you need more time for yourself,” K says, “You're already a national sensation. I think you deserve a break.”

“Break…”

“Know your limits,” K says gently. Mafuyu can imagine her smile. “Please take care of yourself, Asahina-san. I don't want you to hurt yourself, okay?”

“Hurt myself…”

“Yeah. Don't hurt yourself.”

Mafuyu’s breath hitches, blinking back tears she didn't know she had. Her chest swelled with so much warmth it was overwhelming. K’s final words played in her head over and over, like a melody stuck inside her head. She sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. 

“You are too kind to me,” Mafuyu musters between weak laughs, rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of the nurse outfit, “You don't… I… Thank you, Kanade.”

“Don't cry, Asahina-san,” K comforts her after listening to Mafuyu's sniffles, “If you ever want to talk about anything that bothers you, feel free to message me.”

Mafuyu fiercely nods. “Okay.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”

“I…” What can she do? Mafuyu's at work and K's at home. There's no way K can come over. They were already calling and K's already said what she needed to say. “Sing me My Forgotten Snow White.”

“Sing?” K replies with a soft surprised chuckle, “Okay. If you say so. Let me turn on my keyboard.”

A whole performance? Mafuyu’s eyes glisten as she hears tender piano sounds peak through K’s microphone. “You're spoiling me.”

K laughs. “Well, that song is special to me. I want to play it for you properly,” She replies as she plays a few chord progressions for warm-ups. Mafuyu closes her eyes as K softly begins humming the melody along with soft keys. The call often cut off the sound; however, there was enough for Mafuyu to still enjoy.

Eventually K begins to sing, her already airy voice somehow grew even more softer and gentler than usual. Mafuyu’s breath deepens as her body relaxes at the sound of K’s voice and gentle piano playing. 

Warm.

Chapter Text

“Did you take your pills?”

“Yes, Miss P.”

“And warmed up your voice?”

Mafuyu inhales sharply as the grin plastered on her face twitches. Her grip on her phone tightens in slight bursts of annoyance. “I have done everything you've instructed me to,” Mafuyu still replied with a cheerful voice despite the grinding of teeth, “My chauffeur and I are about to leave.” Mafuyu grabs her bag, breath hitching as she struggles to balance on her heels. Her mother had picked out a rather simple outfit, claiming that the “first impression” to the studio and its producers was important. It was a simple thin black dress that went all the way to her ankles. The heels were on the long side, steeper than Mafuyu's usual. She needed to look tall. Confident that she could easily do this voice acting job despite it being her first one.

“Very well. We will meet at the studio,” Mafuyu's manager says before hanging up. The actress sighs as she slides her phone back into her bag.

“Good Morning, Asahina-san,” Her chauffeur greets her as she goes outside. She shivered as the cool autumn breeze ruffled against her. The driver has the door prepared for her, “Mrs. Asahina informed me you're on a new diet and you couldn't have regular breakfast. I was sent this protein shake for you to drink during the drive.”

Mafuyu stares down at the transparent water bottle with cream-like murky liquid inside. She stops herself from sighing, instead offering the driver a grateful smile. “Thank you,” she replies as she steps into the car. The door is closed right behind her.

“Though wouldn't it be better if the make-up artists of City of Spirits just made you look thinner. I know in this arc your character grows near starvation, but does that have to include starving you?”

Mafuyu blinks as she makes eye contact with the chauffeur through the rearview mirror. “Pardon?” She replies innocently.

The driver sighs, starting the car. “I just can't help but question the decisions of the higher ups, that's all,” he says.

“I mean, it's not like I'm actually being starved,” Mafuyu cheerfully replies with a slight laugh, “Besides, this'll help me get jobs within the companies with heavy standards.”

“If you say so, Asahina.”

The conversation ends. Mafuyu sighs as she stares out the window. She noticed how the air conditioner of the car made her skin grow bumpy. This dress was not suitable for the cold weather. She hoped the studio would be much warmer.

A notification sound rings through the air. 

K: I can't wait to see you today, Asahina-san.

Mafuyu suppresses the curl of her lips.

Yuki: I look forward to working with you as well.

That's right. Today is Mafuyu's first recording session for the superhero anime. Her manager had given her her lines not too long ago. Mafuyu made sure to study them over and over. She couldn't afford to lose this job. Not when…

Nevermind.

The thing is, despite having no voice acting experience, she knew she had to give it her all here. K and her manager must have worked really hard to get her the role; therefore, she had to do her absolute best. She had a bit of vocal training from past experiences, yet Mafuyu was aware acting and voice acting were nearly their entire own elements. She couldn't just smile and wave anymore. It would be a challenge…

It might actually be fun.

K: I saw we have a few scenes together.

K: I'd like to rehearse together, if that's okay with you.

Mafuyu’s heart aches as she reads the last text. Knowing they had scenes together was exhilarating. But, work was probably the only time they'd be able to speak. Mafuyu's agenda was full, sessions scheduled back to back to accommodate this job. Rehearsing and hanging out outside was out of the question.

She decides not to reply.

Mafuyu opens the bottle of her protein shake. It looked rather unappetizing, yet she was quite used to eating strange things such as this. She began to chug it down, nearly recoiling at the liquid’s thick and powdery texture. Aside from that, she couldn't find it to have any flavor. A lot of things Mafuyu ate had no flavor. Actually… everything didn't have any flavor. In junior high, Mafuyu noticed her sense of taste diminishing. Before she knew it, everything was bland and tasteless.

Perhaps that is why she didn't mind this shake much. 

But if it were up to her, she'd eat nothing at all.

“How did you chug that thing?” The driver says with a chuckle, “Doesn't it taste horrible?”

Mafuyu can only dishearteningly smile.

K: Hey, Asahina-san. Do you have any acting tips?

K: I've reviewed my recordings, but they're rather lackluster.

K: Sorry for bothering you.

Mafuyu exhales sharply from her nose as she reads the texts. Lackluster acting? She was very familiar with such. She's seen colleagues scolded by film directors due to such. If Mafuyu hadn't started off as a teenager, she'd probably have received a few scoldings herself. 

She's seen the lengths actors go through to improve their acting.

Yuki: You can try method acting.

K: method acting?

Yuki: It's this technique where you connect your feelings from your experiences with your character’s.

Yuki: Some actors also stay in character before the actual recording starts.

Yuki: Just be careful with it, okay?

K: I see.

K: Thank you, Asahina-san.

Mafuyu feels her heartbeat quicken at those words.

“Who's got you smiling like that?”

The actress gasps as her chauffeur looks at her with a grin through the rearview mirror once again. She immediately puts her phone down. “It's no one you know,” she replies, a hand instinctively covering her face, “It's a… coworker.”

“Coworker?” His voice is full of interest.

Mafuyu nods. “They were asking me for tips on improving their acting,” she says, “I guess I like being helpful.”

“I see. Asahina-san is a nationwide sensation at the moment. There isn't anyone better to ask for help than you, is there?” The driver continues rambling off with more praises. Mafuyu slowly tunes out of the conversation, staring down at her last messages.

She wonders if K would take her advice. She wondered what character the composer would be voicing. K had completely forgotten to mention it, and Mafuyu failed to ask. She hopes they'll at least get to interact frequently.

K has been really nice ever since they've met. Of course, their conversations were quite formal, but K always emitted this genuineness in her whispery voice. Mafuyu didn't feel compelled to play her role as actress Asahina Mafuyu, but rather, what she just discovered to be Mafuyu.

Being able to talk to K more… it made her heart race.

Pleasant feelings she couldn't quite put a name on always enveloped her with warmth when she was with K specifically.

She wondered why that was the case.

The car quickly pulled over to a large parking lot. Mafuyu inhales sharply as she spots the buildings that were the studio. A huge sign that read ‘PAMMA STUDIOS’ hung on the main entrance. Several posters of animated series adorned the walls, as well as life-size statues of characters aligned the walkway to the studio's main entrance. Mafuyu immediately catches cardboard cut outs in front of the door, characters in wacky superheroes costumes.

“Let me know what I should come to pick you up,” The chauffeur says as he opens her door. Mafuyu immediately shivers at the breeze that hits her as he does so. 

“Thanks,” She says through a quivering voice. She swallows, heart pounding immeasurably as she makes her way towards the studio. 

“Asahina.”

Mafuyu stops in her steps as she recognizes her manager’s voice. Her lips curve into a soft smile as she bows down to formally greet the older woman. “Good morning.”

Miss P nods her head back in greeting. “I will let the receptionist know we are here. The CEO has let me know he wanted to offer you an exclusive tour of the studio himself before you start work,” She explains, “Wait here.”

Mafuyu can only nod as her feet scream at the thought of walking throughout the entire building with these heels. Her teeth slightly chatter as she stands in front of the main entrance. Yet, she does as she was instructed to. She checks her phone for more notifications, only to find nothing. 

Is K here?

“Welcome Asahina-sama!” A loud voice boasts, making Mafuyu nearly drop her phone. A confident-looking man approaches her with the most sparkling eyes she's ever seen. Or maybe not, she's seen better. Mafuyu catches her manager looking at the man with the most distasteful expression. “You can call me Mr. CEO! I run PAMMA STUDIOS and we are delighted to have a diva such as yourself in our headquarters!”

Mafuyu can only blink. She looked at her manager, who only shrugged back. With that Mafuyu snaps a grin onto her face. “Pleasure to working with you, Mr. CEO,” She chirps, a soft giggle leaving her throat as she extends her hand for a shake. 

The man grabs it hesitantly but matches her smile. “The pleasure is ours. This is your first voice-acting job, isn't it? When K-san and your manager told us you had interest in working with us, my employees and I couldn't help but be overjoyed. So, we made a little tour just for you. Can we, Asahina-sama?”

“K-san?” Miss P echoes.

“Yeah, she actually recommended us Asahina-sama before you contacted us,” Mr. CEO replied, before marching inside the building enthusiastically, “And who am I to defy the musician? Anyhow, I think I should show you our animation studio first! My wife designed…”

Mafuyu feels her body grow cold as her manager stares at her with unreadable eyes. The CEO touring them was drowned to the background.

“K recommended you?” Her manager questions, “Is that why you were so insistent? How did you meet K-san?”

Mafuyu gulps. “I've met K-sama,” she confesses.

Miss P’s eyes widened. “You have?”

Mafuyu's eyes shoot to the speaker. The CEO continues speaking about the animations they're created, asking some of his employees to speak about their experience. Mafuyu only nods as they speak, the words not fully entering her ears. 

An arm tugs her as they walk to another part of the studio.

“Why didn't you tell me?” Her manager demands, “We can collaborate with K. Imagine if she asked you to start in a music video or something? Imagine, this collaboration can reach worldwide fame, Asahina. This K-san is a fan of yours already. She'd do anything to have you in her works.”

Reach worldwide fame…

“No,” Mafuyu spat, much louder than she had anticipated. She didn't realize her fists were clenched or how her breathing was heavy.

“Pardon?” Mr. CEO asks with surprise in his face. 

“Sorry,” Mafuyu says, a smile plastered on her face again, “It's just… I realized I left something at home. Please, continue on.”

“Ah I see,” The CEO hums, “As I was saying, We've animated adaptations from mangas such as…”

Mafuyu finds it hard to listen as she feels her manager’s eyes burrow into her. 

She wasn't supposed to say no.

She was supposed to nod and do the job she was given. 

“Here's our animation lead,” Mr. CEO says, “He'll actually be in charge or animating a couple of scenes you will be voicing.”

Another person approaches Mafuyu. “It is an honor to work with the Asahina Mafuyu,” he says with a slight bow, “I will make sure to properly animate your work, Asahina-sama.”

“Thank you,” she replied distantly.

The next place they go to is the cafeteria. Mafuyu is only half listening to whatever the CEO is rambling about his wife. The air conditioning here was frigid. Not to mention, her feet were killing her. 

“Feel free to come here whenever you're hungry,” Mr. CEO says cheerfully, “Especially on Tuesdays. Taco Tuesdays are the absolute best!”

“Mr. CEO! You have a meeting in thirty minutes!” A lady runs in.

“Darn,” He grumbles, turning to Mafuyu, “It looks like our tour will be cut short.”

Mafuyu stops herself from sighing in relief. “I have learned a lot today, sir,” she says respectfully, “Thank you.”

Like she wasn't tuned out for most of it…

“I will lead you to our recording studio,” He says, “I believe they're currently recording the villain introductions scene, so we'll have to wait outside for a bit.”

Villain introductions? “Who’s participating in the villains?” She asks not out of genuine curiosity but she felt horrible for missing out on the man's passionate tour. 

His eyes immediately beam. “We got really cool people. Actually, you have worked with a few of them,” he says before breaking into a grin, “I believe K-san is recording at this moment!”

“She's here?” Mafuyu whispers with her eyes widened slightly. She immediately turns away when her manager eyes her suspiciously. 

“Yeah! Too bad I haven't actually gotten to see her. K’s manager is very strict on who gets to see her face,” The CEO sighs defeatedly, “Anyways, this hallway here leads to the recording studio. Wait for the red light to turn green so you can enter. Good luck, Asahina-sama!”

“So K’s manager is here,” Miss P mutters as the CEO begins to run off, “I need to find them. As for you, what in the world was that?”

Mafuyu flinches. “I don't want to collaborate with K-sama,” she says hesitantly, shrinking a little, “Not for fame.”

“Pardon?” 

“K-sama is a really nice person. It feels… wrong asking her to collaborate with me just like that,” Mafuyu says, “Besides, I don't know her that well.”

“Well she's the latest Internet sensation. I'm sure she's well adjusted to sudden job offers,” Miss P refutes, “Your mother would be disappointed for you to miss such a huge opportunity. This can take you overseas, Asahina. Think about it.”

Mafuyu closes her eyes. “Fine,” she agrees, “I'll think about it.”

“While you record, I will look for K’s manager,” Mafuyu's manager says, “I'm sure I can work out a deal.”

Mafuyu feebly nods. 

She doesn't want this. 

But then again, she's just the actress. 

Mafuyu storms off walking down the hallway. She unbalances a bit, but the hallway is so narrowed she is overall fine. She eventually finds huge doors at the end with a sign reading ‘recording studio’ right above. There was indeed a light beside the sign, glowing green. 

Mr. CEO said green meant she could go in.

But perhaps she should wait.

She knocks.

The door takes a while to swing open, but when it does a short lady with headphones greets her. “Oh my goodness, Asahina Mafuyu?!” She squeals in excitement, “No way! I thought it wasn't true!”

Mafuyu was rather used to this kind of thing, so she smiled back and giggled awkwardly. “Hi,” she chirps.

“Ah neat! Just on time!” Another voice replied, “Come in! Come in! Tenma-kun’s currently working with K-sama, but we'll start recording you asap!”

“Tenma-kun?” Mafuyu echoes as she is met with the control panel of the recording studio. Behind the screens was a large window with what Mafuyu figured was the recording booth. 

And suddenly blue eyes met her own. 

Mafuyu gasps as K leaves the booth, bolting towards her with unwarranted speed. She's wearing very loose black clothes, except for an old blue track jacket that seemed to be as old as time itself.

All of the feelings and thoughts crawling throughout Mafuyu's mind seemed to disappear in an instant. In their place came bubbly warmth, especially around her stomach.

“K! Wait!”

“A- Asahina-san! You're here!” K says, absolutely out of breath from her little run, “It's been a while since we've gotten to speak in person, hasn't it?” Mafuyu can only stare into K’s blue eyes, which stare back like she's the only thing worth looking at.

Her heart flutters.

“Oh, you both know each other?” Tenma replies, leaving the booth himself. His eyes widened as he spotted Mafuyu. “Asahina! What a pleasant surprise!”

“K-sama,” She whispers, looking down at the shorter woman before turning to the blonde man with a giggle, “Looks like we're working together once again, Tenma-kun!”

K frowns.

“Tenma-kun’s actually the voice director and the voice of our protagonist,” The audio engineer explains, “You'll be seeing him a lot, Asahina!”

Tenma beams at this. “I will do my best!”

“We have two City of Spirits actors in our studio!” The lady from before squeals, “Twitter is gonna go insane once they find out!”

Mafuyu scoffs, returning her gaze to K. There was so much she wanted to say. K seemed to hold back on that too. 

They are currently working, after all.

“I'll come back real quick,” Tenma says as he begins to jog to the doors, “We have two hours to record episode two, right?”

“Exactly,” The audio engineer says, “We’ll just record the final scene now since you both are here. I'll prepare the microphones and the storyboard.”

“I'll go too,” the lady says. Both employees run to the recording booth. The two women watch, standing there awkwardly.

“Asahina-san,” K says suddenly, beginning to remove her track jacket, “You're cold. Here.”

“That's not necessary,” Mafuyu politely declined, tripping over her own words as K took the jack off, revealing a black long-sleeved blouse. 

It suits her.

“I insist,” K replies, going behind Mafuyu and throws the jack over the actress's shoulders to the best of her ability, “I don't want you getting a cold.”

Mafuyu can only stare as K seemingly sparkles underneath the dim lighting of the recording studio. She decides to not argue against it, properly putting on the jacket. It's rather small for her. The sleeves only reached to her forearms and her broad shoulders didn't allow the jacket to zip or close. Nonetheless… “Thank you, K-sama.”

K laughs. “Asahina, you don't have to call me K-sama,” She says sheepishly, white bangs covering her flushed face, “It's a bit embarrassing. Especially from a great actress such as yourself.”

Mafuyu’s heart once again races. “You're great yourself, Kanade,” she replied in her best attempt to be nonchalant, “I have a lot of respect for you. I can't help but forget to not call you that.”

K breaks into coughs, and she looks away while hiding her face. “I see.”

“How are you doing with your lines?” Mafuyu decides to steer the conversation to work. The warmth in her chest started to get overwhelming. 

“Ah, I think I'm doing better than before. Thanks to you, Asahina,” she says before looking to the side, “I need to do my very best. As you can see, I play the main villain.”

Mafuyu's eyes widened. “So you're… Instant Boss?” She says in disbelief. She of course knew the character from her script. Instant Boss… she was something. Not necessarily the main antagonist, but the main threat. Her relationship with White Crow… recording for this job was suddenly going to be so much more difficult.

K nods feebly. “Yeah. I am,” she replies, “And it seems like you're my nemesis, huh. And in later episodes…”

Now Mafuyu understood why Mizuki wanted her to be White Crow so badly.

“I think I will be speaking with your manager,” Mafuyu huffs, drawing out a laugh from K. 

“Im pretty sure she just thought you’d voice White Crow perfectly,” K laughs, “There's no way there could be… ulterior motives.”

Ulterior motives…

“Asahina! K! You can come in now!”

As soon as they both hear the voice, K makes her way to the recording booth almost immediately. Mafuyu decides not to comment, preoccupied by K’s long silk-smooth hair swaying elegantly as she walks. 

The staff were finishing up setting up the final microphone. “Yours is the one with the purple sticker, Asahina-sama,” the audio engineer says, “We will be conducting a mic check shortly.”

“Hey, isn't that K-san’s?” The lady asks, pointing towards the old track jacket over Mafuyu's body.

A heat stretches across the actress's face. “She let me borrow it,” Mafuyu stutters.

K nods sheepishly 

“Ah I suppose it is quite chilly in here,” the lady says, “K was quite cold when she arrived but still gave the jacket to Asahina-san. That's so kind of you.”

“Really?” Mafuyu exhales, clutching onto the jacket, “If you're cold you should-”

“I'm okay now,” K says, shaking her head, “Let's do our best, Asahina-san.”

Mafuyu can only stare at the way K’s cheeks go bright red as she storms off to the recording booth.

“Yes…”

Mafuyu noticed two stools with mics, headphones, and a stand for their lines in front. One setup had a purple sticker while the other had a white one on the mic. 

It was quite obvious who’s mic was who's.

“Alright. Tenma-kun's going to return briefly to give you both directions if necessary… especially K-san…”

“Urk,” K groans.

“Please start speaking into the mic. We'll do a few sound effects too. We are rolling.”

Mafuyu slides on the headphones. “Testing,” Mafuyu breathes, surprised to hear her own voice.

“Testing,” K follows, voice whispery and crispy. Mafuyu blinks as the short woman's voice tickles her ear through the headphones. It makes her spine shiver. 

“Great, can you both hear yourselves?”

They both nod.

“I'm here!” A new voice bellows, making everyone recoil as Tsukasa Tenma's voice screeches through their headphones. 

“Loud,” K whispers.

“I will be guiding you both through the engineer side,” Tenma explains, “Asahina-san, as White Crow we want to be confident, confronting, but also really self kept.”

Mafuyu blinks. “Okay,” she says hesitantly.

“And K-san. Same as what we worked on earlier. We want laid back but in this case also a bit flirty. Instant Boss is known for her charisma, remember that!”

K nods, taking a deep breath. “I am Instant Boss.”

“Alright. Episode one, scene ten. White Crow is confronting Instant Boss for the first time. We're on air!”

Mafuyu narrows her eyes. “Stop right there, villain!” She hisses.

“Do it again,” Tenma orders, “Strike a pose while you do it, Asahina. It helps.”

Mafuyu feels her heart sink a little. She's rarely had to redo takes before. But she listens. She furrows her brows before pointing threateningly at K. “Stop right there,” She growls, “Villain.”

K’s entire demeanor changed. Her usual soft smile suddenly shifted to a toothy one, her eyes squinting in interest. “Well if it isn't White Crow of ZOO RANGERS,” She says sweetly, tilting her head as she puts her hands behind her back and leans towards Mafuyu slightly, “You and your team have been the talk of town, am I correct? Especially you, since you're their newest member. I've been waiting to meet you.”

Mafuyu's breath hitches, unintentionally caught by the mic. 

This was voice acting… why was… K wasn't even an actor…

The person that stood by her side was no longer K, but Instant Boss herself. 

Perhaps acting and voice acting aren't too different after all.

“Who are you,” Mafuyu huffs, staring back at Instant Boss with caution, playing her role as well, “Reveal yourself, villain.”

Instant Boss chuckles softly. Mafuyu feels her skin grow cold at the noise. “Has your team not informed you?” Instant Boss chirps confidently, “Well I am Instant Boss, leader of Fussy Eaters and the League of Villains. I'm sure you've heard a few things about me.” Within each phrase there's a pause. Mafuyu can hear each of the white-haired’s breaths and swallowing of words. 

She's really good.

An experienced actress such as herself would take note of it immediately.

Mafuyu is left speechless. How can a musician surpass her own acting? She swallows, regaining her composure. “Instant Boss,” the actress says with slight surprise, not just because she was supposed to, but her eyes…

Mafuyu didn't know what she was saying anymore. Those blue vibrant eyes were drilling into her, reading her every move. There was a glint in them, something like fondness or mischief. No. Flirtatious. And that grin, it was welcoming. Friendly. Drawing you in and-

“Asahina, you sound flustered,” Tenma's voice breaks in.

“I mean I think it works?”

Mafuyu shakes her head, her face growing irrationally hot. The latter only chuckles softly. Mafuyu really needed to look away from her- Ahem. Where was she? Right. 

“Surrender now, Instant Boss,” Mafuyu huffs, keeping her tone serious to the best of her ability, “Or prepare to fight.”

“Straight to violence, are we?” Instant Boss cooes innocently, “How adorable.”

The storyboard shows White Crow leaping at Instant Boss.

“Gyah!” Mafuyu huffs, then pretends to bounce off an invisible forcefield. She hisses in the process.

“You really are new,” Instant Boss retorts with a laugh, “But you are endearing. I see potential in you, White Crow.”

“Stop talking,” Mafuyu growls threateningly.

The storyboard shows White Crow throwing a sudden swing at a cocky Instant Boss. 

However, K suddenly punched herself on the face. Mafuyu freezes as she watches the white-haired woman groan in genuine pain. She smiles through it, eye twitching, “No one's ever been able to strike me before.”

She's still acting like nothing happened?! “K-” Mafuyu says as her heart begins to race frantically, watching the woman's face begin to flush. “Stop the recording!”

“What? What's going on?” Tenma asks.

Mafuyu finds herself reaching towards the other woman clutching on her face trying to soften the pain as the other woman continues groaning. Her cheekbone grew bright red. It would definitely bruise. “Kanade, why did you do that?” Mafuyu lightly scolds her.

Then she suddenly seizes both of Mafuyu's wrists. “White Crow,” K husks, rubbing her face into Mafuyu's palms unexpectedly, “Isn't this a bit sudden~?” K’s cheeks became bright pink, not because of the punch but… is she blushing?

Mafuyu can only blankly stare back. 

W- What is going on…?

Chapter Text

“You are not to do method acting anymore,” The man says with a sigh, scratching the back of his blonde head, “Although I admit your take was absolutely outstanding, your health and well-being is more important, K-san.”

“Sorry,” the short woman whispers, face flushed in shame. Her gaze is avoidant from everyone else inside the cramp infirmary.

“I'm just glad we were able to snap her back to her senses!” The audio engineer tries, attempting to lighten the mood.

Of course, no one laughs.

Tenma and Mafuyu both knew how serious unregulated method acting could get. The fact K hurt herself on her first attempt was worrisome.

Mafuyu can't divert her eyes from K’s cheekbone, now carefully treated and covered in a huge patch. Any words that she could have said are stuck in a knot within her throat. Her hands are clenched into fits at her sides, trembling quietly.

Her lips quiver. A hitched breath threatens to leave her. 

But she has to act fine. This wasn't about her. 

Except it was.

This was her fault.

“Let's continue recording another time. For now we need to focus on getting at least half the episode recorded. Tenma-san, we need to go.”

“Alright. Asahina-san, why don't you stay here with K-san?” The actor replies.

Mafuyu nods without saying a word. Without looking into the latter's eyes. 

He doesn't say anything about that either. Perhaps he could easily read the guilt on her face. Read that she was the one responsible for suggesting that the musician use such technique.

And so he leaves behind the engineers, closing the door along the way. 

So it's just K and Mafuyu standing silently inside the empty room. 

The first to make a move was K, whose blue eyes immediately darted to meet Mafuyu's own. But how could she look back? The bruise across on K’s face was indirectly her doing. So she makes the second move of lowering her head avoidantly, letting her purple bangs fall over her eyes like a shadowy curtain.

K makes the third move. Mafuyu only hears the tapping of her shoes approaching closer.

Then…

“Asahina-san, I'm sorry for the way I behaved,” K’s voice is directly in front of her, “That was very unprofessional of me.” Mafuyu can see her through her hair, the way K fiddled with her fingers nervously. 

“No,” Mafuyu immediately mutters, voice breaking as she musters her ability to speak, “This is my fault. I shouldn't have suggested that you tried method acting. I should have-”

Cold thin fingers grab her own, bringing them up to her chest. She nearly gasps in surprise as she lifts her head up to look at K directly now. Her blue eyes are as soft and gentle as the day they first met. K meets her eyes shyly this time. “You couldn't have ever predicted this would have happened,” K says with a small laugh, “So don't beat yourself over it, okay?”

Mafuyu can't help but feel her chest lighten at those words. Why did K have such an effect on her?

“Okay,” she just barely manages a whisper.

K only chuckles softly. “Sit here with me. Mizuki will come to pick me up in a minute. While we wait, I have a demo I want to show you,” the musician says, carefully guiding Mafuyu to the small couch against the wall. Mesmerized by the white-haired, the actress of course followed without restraint. She sat next to K, peering down at the composer as she pulled out her phone a pair of wired earbuds.

Mafuyu notices the file name immediately as K opens her audio folder. “Is this the song you said was inspired by my pictures?” Mafuyu asks quietly.

The latter nods, face flushing. “Yeah,” she murmurs, “It is. I'd like to know what you think. If that's okay with you.”

Mafuyu slowly nods, taking an earbud K offered to her. She leaned back against the couch as soft sounds began to fill her mind. 

“It's eerie," Mafuyu points out, closing her eyes to enjoy the song properly. She immediately takes note of the music box sounds, as well was what she assumed was knocking and the winding of gears. It was very electronic, similar to the other songs K has produced. Mafuyu winced as synths squeezed her heart, the atmospheric walls of white noise and ticking slowly crushing into her. A bell melody wraps around her throat. She bursts her eyes open. “This isn't…” she rasps heavily, taking the earbud off, “This isn't the same melody you showed me last time. This one has nothing to do with the picture.” She clutches a fist on her chest. It hurt a lot. 

Kanade pauses the song. “You see,” K says, dragging out her words with a nervous tilt of her head, “I was planning to do the haunted mansion vibes, but I figured I wanted to focus on you.” Her index fingers are tapping against each other.

Mafuyu stiffened. “Me?” She says, staring at the earbud in her resting hand, “I sound like this… to you?” She feels her brows twitch as she glares down at the earbud. The song was suffocating. Painful. If this was based on her then…

Then…

Did K think she-

“No. I wouldn't say that,” K reassures her before lowering her eyes, “I think… Sorry for prying into your life, but I don't think Asahina-san is happy.”

Mafuyu inhales sharply. Her mind floods with emotions she cannot understand. The air grows cold as ice. 

A feeble smile cracks on Mafuyu's lips. “I don't know what you're talking about,” she robotically replies, squinting her eyes a little, “That breakdown on call was a one time thing. You don't have to worry about me.”

K’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Asahina-san,” she grunts, meeting Mafuyu's eyes with a different kind of sparkle, “You're allowed to feel… unhappy. I'm not going to judge you for it.”

Mafuyu's breath freezes.

She sorta already knew that, didn't she?

But still. She did enjoy being able to forget about her displeasures when speaking with K. To worry about things such as late night texts and unforeseen consequences of unregulated method acting. To not think about the calorie intake or photoshoot sessions or pretending to be naive in interviews. Mafuyu already knew since the day they met that her acting wasn't quite necessary. K just had that welcoming aura. No cameras. No publicity. Pure sincerity. 

But would she be equally as welcoming to Mafuyu and not Asahina Mafuyu the nationwide sensation? She's already met Mafuyu, the one in despair, through call, but will she be able to deal with that Mafuyu over and over again?

“I don't want it to ruin our acquaintanceship,” Mafuyu confesses.

K laughs. “It will not. You can rely on me as a friend, Asahina-san,” K says reassuringly, “This song… it's based on all your roles. I've been a fan for quite a while. When I wrote My Forgotten Snow White, I just had a feeling there was something going on with you. I noticed in all your roles, you always played a naive mysterious girl or something doll-like. And so well. When we spoke that one day on call, I figured I was right all along. The reason you were so good at playing those characters was because you were being treated like a doll yourself, Asahina. No, not a doll… a marionette.”

Mafuyu doesn't reply.

“You're thinner than the last time we met,” K points out solemnly, taking one of Mafuyu's hands.

“That's rich coming from you,” Mafuyu monotones.

The musician laughs. “I had a difficult past. But thanks to Mizuki and Ena, life's gotten significantly better,” K says, “I know what it's like to feel trapped, Asahina-san. I had hoped this song would reach you, and let you know that you're not alone.”

Mafuyu suddenly feels tears burst from her eyes. “Kanade,” She hiccups, before being drawn to a light embrace. K allows the actress to rest on her shoulder, with one hand rested onto her back. The sensation of the touch around her body makes her shiver. It's unnerving at first. She wants to push away. But then…

So gentle.

So nice. 

When's the last time she's gotten a hug?

Mafuyu can't help but sob even harder. 

She wants more. 

How can a musician…? 

“It's okay,” K whispers sweetly, “It's okay.”

“Why are you so nice?” Mafuyu sniffs, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand while shifting to get into a more comfortable position as she leans on K. 

The response she gets is only a small laugh, followed by soft strokes across her back. “You are really light, Asahina-san,” K comments, “I should invite you to one of my after parties so that you get to eat freely once in a while.”

Mafuyu huffs. “It wouldn't matter,” she muttered onto K’s clothed shoulder, “I can't taste anything. Whatever I eat is only because I have to.”

“I see,” K hums, disappointment at the edges of her voice, “I'd still invite you to keep your mind off work.”

That would be amazing.

“My manager wants me to collaborate with you. She says it would be a hit.”

“I wouldn't mind collaborating,” K says with a chuckle.

“But I don't want to,” Mafuyu mumbles, “It feels wrong using you for your fame. And I can't offer you much. I don't do music.”

“I can teach you to sing,” K points out, “Or… do you write? You can try writing lyrics.”

“I'm an actress and a model, Kanade.”

“Right…” K says before suddenly lifting Mafuyu off her. Mafuyu blinks in confusion before being met with K’s blue eyes once more, “But what do you like to do, Asahina? Not the actress, you.”

Mafuyu shifts her gaze away. “I don't know.”

K blinks in confusion. “Do you not have hobbies?”

Mafuyu shakes her head. 

“Then let's discover what you like to do together,” K says matter-of-fact-ly, like the answer was really that simple, “I want us to collaborate, Asahina-san. But I do not want the actress. Nor the model. I want you.”

Mafuyu's face heats up. “Okay,” she replies.

“Let's get you cleaned up,” K replies, offering her a handkerchief given to her when the nurse was tending her injury. Mafuyu takes it, cleaning her face and letting her puffy eyes soften back to normal.

“Sorry about your clothes…” Mafuyu whispers, noticing the wet stains of her sobs on K’s shoulder.

“They'll dry up,” K says with a shrug.

Mafuyu can't help but look back at K and smile.

K is really amazing…

No.

Kanade is amazing.

“Ms. Akiyama, you must reconsider!”

“I believe I have already ended our conversation?”

Mafuyu and Kanade both jumped as shouting and quick footsteps came from the hallway outside the room. And before either of them could question it, the door swings open. 

Mafuyu instinctively throws herself onto Kanade, covering her face. 

“Asahina…?” Mizuki is the first to speak, blinking in the position the two found themselves in. Mafuyu turns to see her own manager standing on the doorway as well, eyes wide in disbelief and puzzlement.

“Sorry…” she says, searching for her words, “I thought… I needed to protect K-sama’s face.”

“I see. Thank you for that,” Mizuki says with a soft smile, “Hey K, I heard you got injured during recording. Are you doing okay now?”

“Yes,” Kanade’s muffled voice replies.

“Ms. K?” Mafuyu's manager butts in, “Thank goodness. It is an honor to be in your presence. I've been trying to get your manager to-”

“All the business stuff goes through me,” Mizuki says, words laced with irritation, “You do not have permission to speak or see K. Please leave.”

“No. I know what she wants,” Kanade says, lightly pushing Mafuyu away. Mafuyu gasps as Kanade lets herself be seen by the manager, “You are offering me Asahina-san, is that correct?”

Miss P blinks. “Yes. I want you both to collaborate,” She replies professionally. She doesn't make eye contact with Mafuyu, too focused on Kanade, “I believe that combining both your fame will result in worldwide success.”

“Pardon you but K has already reached a worldwide audience. She had a world tour last year and collaborated with overseas sponsors,” Mizuki saucily replies, looking at her nails, “Asahina-san is an amazing actress, however her reach is only within Japan. And K does not have any need for an actress or a model. Miss P, this does not benefit K at all. So like I have said, we are not-”

“I will collaborate with Asahina-san with a few conditions,” Kanade interrupts, standing firmly. Mafuyu can only watch as the musician walks over to her manager. Mizuki looks rather baffled. “She will be staying with me starting today until the collaboration is over. You and your agency will have no input on what we do. The royalties will be equally split, so you do not have to worry.”

“I see. Except Asahina has other-”

“Then there is no collaboration,” Kanade says with a shrug, “I have an overseas performance later in the month. Taking Asahina-san with me would give her overseas publicity. The choice is yours.”

Miss P looks like she might burst. “I have to speak with…”

Right. 

Her mother.

Her mother had the final say in this.

Mafuyu's chest deflated.

“Fine. Eighty percent of royalties from the collaboration will go to Asahina-san,” Kanade tried again.

Mafuyu and Mizuki both stare with eyes widened. Is Kanade thinking this through.

It's a deal that can't be refused.

“Mizuki, write me a contract.”

“K…”

“I know what I'm doing.”

Mafuyu huffs as she looks at Mizuki beginning to write away. She looks back at her manager, who looks absolutely conflicted.

“The terms are simple. Asahina Mafuyu will stay with me. You and your agency will have absolutely no contact with her until the collaboration is over and released. All charges and expenses such as Asahina's well-being, basic needs, plane tickets, and housing will fall on me, Asahina nor you will have to pay for anything. You will allow me to take her overseas in exchange for Asahina's publicity. And, your agency and Asahina-san would receive eighty percent of the earnings from the collaboration.”

K’s income was so much more than Mafuyu's. A huge portion from that would benefit her and the Asahinas' very well. And she takes a portion of Mafuyu's own income. She'd be winning well if this collaboration took place. 

“Fine. I'll sign it,” Mafuyu's manager says before looking at Mafuyu's way, “Your sessions for the next two months will be cancelled. I will let your mother know…” There's uncertainty in her voice.

Her mother would either be exhilarated or furious. She would be giving up Mafuyu away, literally. Would her mother be fine with that? There was no way to tell. But the financial side of the deal was too good to refuse. 

Mizuki presents the contract, which is signed. Kanade signs it herself before handing the paper for Mafuyu to sign as well. She hesitates, though finds herself writing fairly quickly.

“We'll send you a physical and digital copy of the contact later today,” Kanade says confidently, “I will be leaving with Asahina-san now. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”

Miss P blinks. “Can I speak with-”

“The contact says you will not contact her,” K reminds her, “So if you excuse us, we will be leaving.”

Mafuyu doesn't even reply before Kanade takes her hand and leads her out the door. Mizuki follows behind, looking absolutely baffled at the exchange that unfolded before her very eyes. Mafuyu avoids the glare that follows her as Kanade takes her down the hall. The musician quickly slips on a mask, sunglasses, and a cap. They eventually reach the studio's exit until they are out in the parking lot. 

“What the hell was that, Kanade?” Mizuki bursts, “We both know that woman does not have Asahina's best interest!”

Mafuyu turns away. This prompts Kanade to intertwine their arms together and pull Mafuyu close. “But I do,” Kanade says, “Asahina-san needs to be freed from them.”

Freed…

“You and your savior complex,” Mizuki sighs with a chuckle, “Fine. Welcome to the club, Asahina-chan. Please do get comfortable, you will need it. Especially if Ena's stressed from the deadlines. Oh and K’s house is messy-”

“M- Mizuki-” Kanade exhales, blushing profusely.

Mafuyu couldn't help but adore her embarrassment.

“I think I will be okay, thank you,” Mafuyu replies modestly.

Mizuki laughs. “Alright, alright. I'll leave you love birds alone,” she says, “I have to send these stupid papers to your agency asap. Drive safely, Kanade. And try not to punch yourself again, okay?”

“Ugh,” Kanade slumps. 

Mafuyu blinks in confusion.

First of all…

Lover birds?

Second of all…

Kanade can drive?

“See you on Nightcord, Mizuki,” Kanade quickly mutters while waving farewell to the pink-haired. Mafuyu dips her head respectfully.

“Follow me, Asahina-san,” Kanade says, motioning Mafuyu across the parking lot, “My car's quite small. And old. Sorry if it's not up to your standards.”

Mafuyu shakes her head. “I'm more surprised you can drive. Do you not have a driver?”

Kanade laughs at this, stopping in front of a small black car whose paint was chipping away on the hood. “That's unnecessary. Besides, I like to go on drives by myself,” she says before opening the door for Mafuyu, “Have a seat. You can toss the track jackets to the back.” Mafuyu blinks as she sees that the passenger seat was home to many identical jackets, including the one she was actively wearing. She lightly steps in, the car too short for her taller stature. Her knees are nearly folded to her chest. And feeling bad about tossing Kanade's belongings back, she opts to just cover herself with the jackets like a blanket. Kanade apologies quickly before slamming the door closed. She runs to the driver's door, quickly climbing in the car herself.

Mafuyu looks at the car’s dashboard, seeing a couple of pictures taped to it. They seem to be pictures of younger Kanade, Mizuki, and Ena. Some were a bit silly, probably taken by those photo booths found in festivals and malls. Kanade looked particularly the same, even wearing the same blue track jacket covering Mafuyu now. 

A part of Mafuyu wished she got to experience that high school life.

“Ready?” Kanade asks.

Mafuyu nods. This signals Kanade to start the car.

Mafuyu sighs, leaning her head back.

Today was hectic. Too much has happened and she's extremely tired. 

But…

Kanade has freed her. At least for now. She promises to help Mafuyu find herself.

The real Mafuyu.

Mafuyu looks at Kanade's concentrated face as she pulls out of the parking lot. 

“Hey Kanade,” Mafuyu musters.

“Yes, Asahina-san?” Kanade replies gently, her serious expression softening. Her eyes are still on the rearview mirror, flicking to the side view mirrors as well. Her right hand quickly flicks to the small screen on the car's dashboard, turning up the volume to a random playlist she had already set beforehand.

She looks so peaceful.

Mafuyu wants to see this everyday.

“Thank you,” Mafuyu says softly, “For finding me.”

Kanade pauses in front of a stop, taking the moment to look at Mafuyu directly. She beams back a smile. “Thank you too, Asahina-san.”

Mafuyu swallows. The sunset sky illuminates Kanade's figure in a stunning orange glow. Her hair glittered in the light. The soft wind from passing cars makes her long hair ripple gracefully.

Mafuyu definitely wants to see this everyday.

“Kanade,” She says again.

“Yes, Asahina-san?” Kanade replies with the same tenderness.

Mafuyu smiles, her chest filling with warmth.

So this was her savior, huh.

“You can call me Mafuyu.”

Chapter Text

Morning sunlight slithered through the smallest of cracks from the curtain and into the dusty room, onto the bed in which the actress laid in. She hums softly in protest to the sudden warmth on her face, shifting as her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes adjust to the darkness, revealing the unfamiliar room she found herself in. Everything around her was unfamiliar. The soft bedsheets, the doorway, her clothing which was rather tight on her. This room was mostly empty: green walls lacking decor and some of the few furniture still covered in dust. The only thing she recognized was her phone resting on a nightstand besides the bed.

A soft knock emits from the door, to which Mafuyu lightly hums as she sits up, rubbing her eyes. The door hesitantly creaks open, revealing the rather short figure of the white-haired woman who had given her this hospitality. She seemed to be struggling to keep her eyes open as well. Some strands of hair messily tangled. She wore simply a loose purple T-shirt and blue shorts. It took a while for Kanade to speak, perhaps struggling to stay awake based on how she swayed a little. “Mafuyu,” Kanade finally mustered, following with a yawn, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Mafuyu replied, stretching as she found herself also yawning.

“Sorry did I… wake you up?” Kanade murmurs hazily.

“No. I woke up before you came,” Mafuyu replied, squinting as she was now in full consciousness, “Did you sleep, Kanade?”

The white-haired woman laughs nervously. “I got carried away on a composition,” Kanade admits, one hand reaching to scratch the back of her head, “Before I knew it, the sun was out. So I figured… I'd make breakfast. Do you mind joining me?”

Mafuyu's heart races. “Sure,” she replies, getting out of bed. Kanade smiles back, making the dark circles around her eyes more prominent. The bedsheets slide off Mafuyu's body, revealing that she was still wearing the jacket from the day before, looking uncomfortably tight on her zipped. She definitely wasn't going to sleep in the dress her mother made her wear, after all.

“Oh I never gave you anything to change into, did I? If you'd like, you can call someone to bring your own…” Kanade says as she leads Mafuyu to the dining table, words slurring in sleepiness, “I'm sorry. I didn't really think this through.”

Well, that was evident the day before. Mafuyu shakes her head. “This is fine,” she says, stretching out the jacket a little to feel a bit more comfortable in her skin.

Of course, Kanade read right through her. “I might have something… I think I still have merch samples in my closet. Meet me at the dining table, okay?” 

Mafuyu nods, watching as Kanade politely closes the door as if doing it any harsher would disturb the actress.

Unnecessary, but thoughtful.

Mafuyu takes the time to fully leave the bed, shivering as the cold air hits her legs. Her bike shorts did nothing against the air conditioning of the home. She stares at her phone, instinctively reaching out to it without much thought. She takes a deep breath as she checks the time.

Ten missed calls. Fifty angry messages from mother. 

Mafuyu slams her phone back onto the nightstand, recoiling back onto the mattress as if the device had bitten her. Millions of thoughts race her mind; is her mother upset? Displeased? Or perhaps disappointed? Is K going to get in legal trouble? The amount of calls and texts… 

She was so in trouble.

“Mafuyu?” Kanade's voice calls from the kitchen. Mafuyu pounces back into her feet like a soldier at dawn. She does her best to steady her ragged breath, forcing the smallest of smiles on her lips. 

She ignores her phone and steps out of the room. She's greeted by the living room. It was a simple setup: a singular couch with a coffee table in front and a television on the other side. The coffee table was scattered with papers, most of which looked like colorful posters, designs, and music scores. The television stand was accompanied with a few awards and framed records, bearing album names Mafuyu now came to… like? She turns to the kitchen, to which Kanade is carrying two plates of what was breakfast. Mafuyu's heart warms at the sight of Kanade's welcoming smile. It's almost enough to forget why her muscles were tense. “I’ve found a hoodie from one of my world tours. I think you'd like it.” Kanade tilts her head to the couch, to where a hoodie hangs from. 

“Thanks,” Mafuyu whispers, grabbing the black hoodie. She quickly hides within the hallway to change. The switch from the jacket to the hoodie has an immediate difference. It was loose and a bit fuzzy. Like being wrapped in a soft blanket. Mafuyu's never worn a hoodie before. The design in front was interesting: bursts of color resembling different K songs with a cartoon reddish purple rabbit plush with neon x’s for eyes and a squiggly mouth. ‘K’ is stitched to its chest. The back read ‘Carnation Recollection World Tour’ with names of various overseas cities and dates seemingly from over a year ago.

Very artsy. Mafuyu’s own chest fills with warmth. How could something so simple feel so calming? It was the same with K’s jacket, despite how small it was on her.

Her own clothes didn't do that.

“I've made pancakes,” Kanade says as Mafuyu returns, pulling back a chair for Mafuyu to sit in. The actress sits and the latter pushes her in. “I couldn't tell if you'd preferred maple syrup, chocolate syrup, or sweetened condensed milk so I brought all three out. I also happened to have a few strawberries so I brought them out as well. It's not a lot, so forgive me for that.”

Mafuyu stares at the plate pancakes in front of her with a side of sliced strawberries. “I don't recall the last time I've eaten pancakes,” she says, peering at their soft and fluffy texture, “My nutritionist says that this had too much carbohydrates for me, and that syrup had too much sugar. I would only be able to eat the strawberries.”

Kanade deflates. “I see,” she says sadly, “Sorry.”

Mafuyu shakes her head immediately, chest stinging with the sadness in Kanade's eyes. “No, thank you,” she says quickly, reaching for the fork, “I am glad to… eat normally again.”

Kanade's eyes widened. She takes a seat across from Mafuyu, a small smile spreading onto her face. “What would your breakfast look like?” She asks, eyes full with curiosity.

Mafuyu stares down at her plate. “Usually it's miso soup or rice and natto with fish or steamed vegetables. My mother makes it for me. If I'm in a hurry I eat a plate of fruit or Greek yogurt. She doesn't like me eating packaged foods or this kind of heavy western breakfast. But then my mother hired an overseas nutritionist, who insisted I switched over to protein bars and shakes. I will still have access to fruit and Greek yogurt from time to time. He recently gave me powder shakes specially made for me so I became thinner for this role I got recently.”

Kanade's eyes softened. 

Mafuyu continues. “My mother still gives me normal lunch and dinner, with regulated proportions of course. I'm not allowed to have sweets or outside food unless it's from a high end restaurant,” she rambled on, “A model's best weapon is her looks. But, this wouldn't hurt me, right?” She looked up at Kanade, who was now putting syrup onto her own pancakes.

“Of course not,” she replies with another yawn escaping her, “You're allowed to have what you want from time to time. Pancakes and sweets are okay to have as long as it's not excessive.”

“I see,” Mafuyu replies. Her mouth watered at the sight of a proper breakfast.

Her stomach however, did not believe a word she said. 

She can't eat this. It'll break her diet.

But she's going to be with Kanade. It's fine.

But Mother will get angry. More than she already is.

“This is actually my first time making pancakes,” Kanade admits, “I would like to know what you think, if you are comfortable enough.”

Mafuyu nods. She grabs whatever's closest, which is the chocolate syrup. She pours it onto her pancakes watching the dark sweetness pour out of the bottle. She didn't put too much, but enough to make Kanade smile in satisfaction. She grabs the knife and with the fork she slices a piece and slowly stuffs it in her mouth.

Of course, what did she expect it to take like?

“Warm,” is all that comes out of her mouth after swallowing. She couldn't taste after all. All she felt was the fluff texture of the pancake and the cool thickness of the chocolate syrup. But of course that's not at all what Kanade wanted to hear. 

But as soon as it falls into her stomach. She nearly gags. Nearly. She knew it wasn't because of Kanade's cooking. Her brain kept telling her this was wrong. She felt indefinitely full. Bloated. She shoved the thoughts away.

Kanade did this for her. She should be grateful.

Her silence must have been long since Kanade stares at her droopily, “You can be honest, Mafuyu.”

“Sorry it's just I can't taste it,” Mafuyu replied, ignoring another incoming gag, “But I'm sure it's really good.”

Kanade blinks. “Oh,” she said as realization hit her, “You can't taste. Right. You've told me that already.”

Mafuyu nods with a deadpan stare. 

They continue to have breakfast in silence, with only the sound of cutlery filling the living room. Mafuyu finds wandering her mind made it significantly easier to eat. And so she did. She notices the loneliness that lives within the walls of the home. The dust collecting on picture frames and furniture. The home was big enough to accommodate an entire family. Yet, just like her room, it seems like a soul has not passed through here in years. Her mother would never approve of Mafuyu living in such conditions. She's always lived a life of luxury. Her room at home had its own bathroom. Where even was the bathroom here? Mafuyu couldn't help but wonder more about her friend. Does she have family? Does she have time to clean an entire house? Does she not get lonely in this silence?

Mafuyu looks back at the composer, watching her carefully slice through her breakfast. Her neutral expression didn't seem to carry a deep sadness or anything that signified loneliness. It was just soft and quiet. She didn't seem happy or sad. Not even thoughtful. Just quiet. Mafuyu feared her friend might just be head-empty.

Their eyes lock as Kanade notices her staring. A soft smile appears on her lips and her cheeks tint pink. “Do I have something on my face?” She asks timidly, taking a napkin to clean her face. 

“What are you thinking about?” Mafuyu asks, wondering if her reading of Kanade's resting expression was heavily incorrect.

Instead the composer blinks in confusion. “Actually I wasn't thinking about anything at all,” she admits.

So Mafuyu was right. She stops a snort from escaping her throat.

“I guess I enjoy having breakfast with someone. I haven't been able to in a long time,” Kanade continues on, “I guess I feel comfortable enough I can just relax and eat without my thoughts clouding my mind.”

Huh. “I suppose this is nice,” She agrees.

“Do you eat alone too?” Kanade asks.

Mafuyu shakes her head. “We talk about my work throughout the day and important job offers we might want to take a closer look at. If my dad is at home, he likes me to have a full rundown of my week,” She says mindlessly. The words just rushed out of her mind without a moment of hesitation. 

It was a bit mechanical, in a way.

Kanade, as the musical sensation she is, of course is able to hear the smallest of off frequencies behind the actress's words. “You sound like I'm interviewing you,” she says with a laugh, “You can relax, Mafuyu. You don't have to answer my questions if you don't want to. I just… I'm just curious.”

So the feeling is mutual.

But the silence was nice too.

Mafuyu looks down at her pancakes. There's not much left. However, her recent protein shakes only diet has made actual food feel like she was stuffing herself with an entire buffet. It was disheartening to leave a meal made for her unfinished but… “I'm full,” She sighs, pushing the plate away. 

“Oh. You can go back to your room if you like,” Kanade says, “I'll clean up when I'm finished.”

Had this been anywhere else, she would have obeyed immediately.

Yet.

“I can wait until you're finished,” Mafuyu monotones, “It would be rude to leave you here alone.”

A wider smile appears on Kanade’s face. “Thank you.” Her eyes seemed to sparkle just a little. Mafuyu sighs, ignoring how the silence has once reminded her again of how very full she felt and the tension in her body. Her mind wanders to her phone on the nightstand with the unread messages and missed calls. Her temples begin to burn.

“Has anyone tried to contact you?” K says suddenly, leaning against the table a little, “I hope they actually respected the contract.”

Mafuyu's eyes fall on the table. “My mother…” she whispers, hands falling to her thighs to clutch the fabric covering them. Her brows furrow, no matter how hard she tries to suppress it. Bile began to rise to her throat.

“I see,” Kanade replies, “can I have her number?”

“What?” Mafuyu blinks in surprise.

Kanade nods, putting her fork down. “I'll contact her myself. You don't have to worry about it.”

Mafuyu shakes her head. “No. She'll just get more furious. I think… I don't even know what she sent,” the actress replies shakily, “What if she asks questions? We haven't even started thinking about the collaboration or discussed-”

“Mafuyu,” Kanade interjects, getting up and taking both their plates away from the table and to the kitchen, “The reason I asked for the contract was to get you to relax. I've thought of things already. Actually… the song I was working on overnight has to do with that.”

The purple-haired only stares with absolute bafflement. “What?”

“It's just ideas. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do,” Kanade shrugs as she begins to wash the plates, “Go get your phone and call her. I'll be here for you if anything. I promise.”

She says that with great confidence that Mafuyu nearly believes everything will be alright. Nearly. She slowly nods after a moment of silence, before getting up and shuffling towards her room. Her heart begins to ache as she goes on, face growing hot. 

She quickly reminds herself:

It's going to be okay. Kanade will be with her.

She grabs her phone, but doesn't check the screen yet. She definitely wasn't going to start the call here. She needed Kanade right beside her. To hold her hand and remind her over and over again that she'd be there.

Why does she act like such a child? Mafuyu was an adult, not a timid school girl. Making a phone call wasn't out of the ordinary and she didn't need to be babysat. This was pathetic.

Still, she can't do this on her own. She returns to the dining table, sitting on the same spot as before. Kanade returns from the kitchen, this time taking the seat beside Mafuyu instead of across. Her gaze was unreadable. Arms crossed. Mafuyu inhales sharply, ignoring the messages and notifications before going straight to her contacts page. Her mother is of course the first one to show up.

She clicks.

The phone rings once.

“Put it on speaker,” Kanade says softly, to which Mafuyu nods.

The phone rings again.

Mafuyu might faint from the tens-

“Mafuyu, dear, why on earth haven't you answered my calls or texts?” The voice immediately bursts, “Do you know how worried I am? Do you know how miserable I've been not having a clue where you are or who you're with? Are you trying to kill me? Are you upset with me? Have I been a bad mom?”

Mafuyu shakes her head despite her mother being unable to see her. “N- No! I was just asleep,” She blurts out, squeezing her eyes shut, “I didn't mean to ignore you. I- I didn't mean to make you worry. I'm-”

Kanade puts a hand on her shoulder. Mafuyu looks at the composer, who gives her another reassuring smile. Right. Mafuyu takes a deep breath.

“By the way, I've fired that woman. She betrayed my trust, so I've hired someone more… grounded. You'll like him. He doesn't joke around,” Mafuyu's mother continues, “Anyways, can you tell that K to terminate the contract? I've been speaking with her manager but that woman's too stubborn so-”

“I'm afraid that can't be possible,” Kanade interjects, taking the phone from Mafuyu's hand and putting it on the table between them, “The agreement was that no one from your agency would contact and interject in this collaboration. I thought you wanted Mafuyu's- ahem, Asahina-san’s popularity to be elevated? And the contract is pretty much in your favor, so I don't see the problem with it.”

Mafuyu winces as shuffling comes from the other end of the line.

“So you are K?” Her mother questions, “I know Mafuyu signed that contract too, but I ultimately make the final decisions for her work. She's not too familiar with the business side, she's an actress after all. I didn't consent to this whole collaboration. Are you aware of how many job opportunities Mafuyu will lose because of your terms? She still has filmings and that whole voice acting thing. You're not making her cancel those too, are you?”

“Of course not. My team and I will be attentive to those,” Kanade says confidently, “I think this experience will benefit Asahina-san more than you could ever imagine. And she's an adult. She chose to sign that contract on her own. She wants this.”

“K can you pass me back to Mafuyu,” Mafuyu's mother says suddenly, “I need to speak to her… privately.”

Mafuyu's heart throbs as she's addressed. The words struggle to leave her mouth. Kanade this time takes her hand, rubbing it with her thumb. Mafuyu's breath hitches and her cheeks grow hot. “Mother, I've never left. We can both hear you” she says quietly, voice cracking as she continues talking, “I want this. I want to work with K. I promise to work as hard as you need me to once the collaboration is over. Let me have this.”

“Mafuyu, you're an actress and a model. Not a musician?!” Mafuyu's mother bursts. There's rage in her voice, “You hardly even know K! I'm afraid her type of music does not go well with your image. You understand that right? You can't even sing or create music. You have nothing to do there. Give me your location and let's get you home.” Mafuyu blinks, heart sinking. Her mother hasn't raised her voice like that in years…

“I will teach her,” Kanade says as she notices Mafuyu tremble, “Again, the contract is in your favor.”

“What do you get out of this, K?” Mafuyu's mother demands, “You were a nobody until you wrote that song. You're a fan of Mafuyu's, am I correct? Are you one of those creepy fans that send Mafuyu those blasphemous letters? Is this your way of getting close to her, you creep? Well Mafuyu's not interested in relationships right now. Much less with women. Let her go before I file a kidnapping report.”

Mafuyu winces at this. She couldn't believe her ears. She didn't even know she got letters. But… insinuating Kanade was a creep? She's been nothing but kind. She hasn't tried doing anything. She even encouraged Mafuyu to make this call.

That's not going to slide at all.

Kanade's teeth audibly grind. “That is not at all what-”

The world blurs for a moment. Mafuyu cannot win this. She's too much of a coward. Kanade won't either. 

This was a losing battle…

But… Mafuyu's eyes widened for a slight moment as an idea flickered in her mind.

Asahina Mafuyu the actress can.

Mafuyu opens her mouth wide open. “I contacted K, mother!” She hissed with vivid anger. Yelling like she was on set. Her entire body tenses as she plays further into her role. “I was the one who brought up the collaboration! I want this! I need something different, okay?” Her breath becomes ragged again as soon as her act finishes. Kanade looks at her in complete surprise. Mafuyu wipes the sweat off her face, not realizing how uncomfortably hot her body became. “I believe the contract said no contact, so don't call me. I'm sorry. Goodbye mother.”

The voice of the phone gasps in hurt. “Mafuyu don't you dare hang up!”

Mafuyu hung up.

She sinks into her seat, tossing her phone across the room. She can feel Kanade wince beside her, clearly too stunned to speak. Mafuyu throws on the hood of the hoodie, pulling the drawstrings. 

She doesn't want to talk or think or do anything.

“Mafuyu,” Kanade whispers, stroking her shoulder again, “It's okay. You did nothing wrong.”

The words do nothing. Not anymore.

Mafuyu nearly throws herself onto Kanade, hugging her tightly as sobs escape from her throat. Kanade doesn't say much, opting to hum softly and pat Mafuyu's back once again. Mafuyu inhales sharply, breath hitching as painful, revolting guilt floods her mind. 

She's never yelled at her mother. Never. 

A wail leaves her throat.

Strings strangle her heart. Pulling to leave the most painful of aches. Cutting right through the flesh. She struggled to breathe. Gasping did nothing.

She hurt her mother.

That was unacceptable.

She squeezes Kanade even tighter, hoping that the musician said something. Anything. Words of comfort or discomfort. She didn't care.

She wanted a distraction from this pain. 

Kanade says nothing, pressing Mafuyu further into her. It worked a little. Mafuyu was able to hear Kanade's soft murmur of a heartbeat. Her shallow breaths. Mafuyu chooses to focus on those.

And clear her mind.

She takes another deep breath.

Mother had no right to insult Kanade. She didn't know the woman at all. How could she just say such foul things to her face. 

“I know I only have known you for a little while,” Kanade whispers, “I know all this is a bit sudden. But you can rely on me, okay? I'm proud of you… for standing your ground.”

Mafuyu lifts her head, meeting Kanade's eyes. She probably looks hideous, yet Kanade looked right back at hers with the all too familiar smile.

“I'm proud of you,” Kanade repeats herself with a soft chuckle. A hand reaches up to wipe the tears from Mafuyu's eyes, “Let's stop dwelling about this okay? Let me show you my latest demo. I'm sure you'll like it.”

Mafuyu nods, breath hitching once again. Kanade patiently waits for Mafuyu to get off. And to be honest, she didn't want to. The embrace, the sweet words; Mafuyu didn't want to leave it at all. Still, she knew her own weight would eventually make Kanade's legs go numb. If Mafuyu was thin, Kanade was thinner. She'd break if Mafuyu was slightly heavier.

Kanade takes her hand, turning to Mafuyu with hazy eyes. “My room is a bit messy, I apologize,” she says softly, “But think about it as your safe place, okay?”

Safe place?

Mafuyu looks down at the hand pulling hers. 

A sigh whistles through her nose. Chest flutters with warmth.

Mafuyu didn't need Kanade's room.

She might already have a safe place.

Chapter Text

“So, you and Miss Industry Plant have gotten along pretty well, huh?” The pink-haired teases, leaning back to look at the white-haired with a wide grin. Kanade scoffs, turning away from the taller woman and returns her attention to the clothing rackets. Mizuki of course continues to pester. “So what are you going to do from here on out, Prince Charming? Is there a tower you need to get her down from? Can she only be saved… with a kiss?”

Kanade growls as her cheeks grow hot. “We're just friends,” Kanade mutters, “I just was barely able to free her from all that control. She needs somewhere to be comfortable. Doing anything like that is invasive.”

“Ah, so you admit you would ask her out?” Mizuki chuckles.

Kanade chokes on her saliva. “That is not at all what I said,” She coughs, pounding her chest. Mizuki quickly goes behind her and pats her back until the coughing subsides. Kanade exhales with a ragged breath, slouching miserably.

Her manager lifts her back up. “All I will tell you: shoot your shot,” The pink-haired chirps, before bending down to Kanade's height and gives her a flashy wink, “You don't want to keep the damsel in distress waiting~” At this point, Kanade can only snort in amusement. Mizuki's teasing will not subside, years of Ena being the victim of it have taught her such. 

But Mizuki's right. She can see right through her. She always has. 

She was definitely falling for Mafuyu harder than a penny dropped from the tallest building in the city. But it wasn't right. She cannot take advantage of Mafuyu's weakened state like that. 

And a sinner such as herself didn't deserve such an angel like that. Not after Mafuyu just set her wings free. Not until Kanade repents.

Not until she saves someone.

These feelings. This couldn't be love. It's something else.

Then Mizuki's notification sound goes off: the cut off sneeze of Ena. Kanade can already imagine Ena’s furrowed face of displeasure each time she hears it. It's been… five years? It angers Ena each time. And Mizuki laughs each time as well. Kanade listens to the soft cheerfulness in Mizuki's laugh. One she's heard for years, but always heartwarming. 

Mizuki's eyes glitter as she reads the message she has gotten. “It's Rui,” she says excitedly, hoping from one foot to the other, “Wabbix is fully operational and ready to go for the European tour next month! Let's go!”

Kanade chuckles, unable to not smile back. Mizuki's energy was contagious. A pleasant sickness to receive. She hopes to catch it each and every time. “Good. Last time I wore Wabbix, I could also physically feel the mechanics stiffen ,” Kanade replies with a soft chuckle, “But I suppose that was a very long tour. I was stiff myself when it ended.”

“Oh, I know!” Mizuki laughs, putting a hand on Kanade's shoulder. Kanade sighs, returning her gaze to the clothing. A white blouse catches her eye. “But this isn't a world tour this time. And… you're definitely healthier now, right?” Mizuki questions before flopping over Kanade, wrapping her arms around the musician’s neck, “You are… eating healthier, right? And sleeping properly?” The cheerfulness of her voice was still there but layered with threat.

Kanade gulps. “Yes, I am,” she musters, looking away from the pink-haired's face, “I have to. For Mafuyu's sake… Anyways, do you think she would like this blouse?”

“You're hopeless,” Mizuki jokes, resting her chin on top of Kanade's head, “I guess this is cute. Could use more frills.”

Kanade laughs. “We want comfortable, Mizuki. Not flashy.”

Mizuki gasps, offended. “Excuse you but cute is very comfy!” She complains, poking Kanade's cheek softly, “Is this why you called me? To get clothes for your Snow White? Aw, and here I was thinking you'd finally ask me out on a date~”

“You have Ena, Mizuki,” Kanade replies, playful shoving her friend off herself, “And yes I did. You both always complain about my fashion, so I thought I'd get the expert testimony.” 

Mizuki's snort is music to her ears. “Flattery won't stop me from teasing you, K,” She says before dramatically sighing, “I can't believe it. The actress you've been swooning for so long miraculously came into your life. I guess there is a god, huh.”

“I wasn't swooning over her. I just…” Kanade says as she begins to look through the clothes again. 

She recalls her first watch of Forgotten Snow White vividly.

The actress, Snow White herself, immediately caught her attention. She looked so genuine in her despair. It didn't seem like an act anymore. 

But a call for help. And no one around her seemed to notice. 

But not Kanade, who was very desperate at the time to save someone with her songs. Not when there was someone who obviously needed salvation.

And when the credits rolled, Kanade quickly took note of her name:

Asahina Mafuyu.

“Kanade come back to me!” Mizuki whines, bringing Kanade out of her thoughts, “You have to stop the zoning out thing, you know?”

“Sorry,” she quickly apologizes, before taking a cardigan, “Anyways what do you-”

“Nuh uh. Absolutely not,” Mizuki says as she crosses her arms, clicking her tongue disapprovingly, “Step back. I will take care of this.”

Kanade's cheeks heat up as she places the cardigan back in its place. She watches Mizuki skillfully looking through the clothing rackets, muttering to herself softly. It was quite admirable how concentrated she was for Kanade's odd request. Of course, Mizuki teased. Mizuki would not be herself if there was no teasing. But Kanade's known her long enough to know that there was nothing but undying support behind those pink eyelashes. Despite her words, she could never judge anyone. Kanade supposed that's what Ena liked about Mizuki too, despite the daily teasing and bickering. 

Kanade couldn't have asked for better friends.

“Kanade, what did I just say?”

Ah, she's zoned out again. The composer chuckles softly as Mizuki storms back to her with two entire sets of handpicked outfits. Mizuki sighs as she shows them off. “I literally was speaking to you the entire time before I realized you hadn't followed me to the other side of the store,” she mutters before lifting the two outfits, “Also I think both of these fits will fit Asahina-chan so well! This one's more modest and casual but still fashionable, and this one! I really want her to wear this one! The bows are cute, right!”

Kanade smiles at both outfits. One was a white long sleeved collared shirt with a lavender crewneck above and blue jeans. The other was a cream cable-knit sweater laced with pink ribbons with bows at the end of the sleeves and cafe loose sweats with a cat design at the bottom of the right leg.

Kanade couldn't help but smile at both outfits. These definitely will help keep Mafuyu warm. 

And fashionable.

“These are perfect,” Kanade says, sucking a breath, “Thanks for your help, Mizuki.”

The pink-haired giggles slightly, bowing down dramatically. “Anything for you, K,” she chirps. Kanade chuckles, taking the outfits and putting them into her cart. She looks back at Mizuki, whose gaze has softened. She looks at Kanade with so much tenderness and love. 

It's a bit flustering. 

“What's wrong?” Kanade asks obliviously.

“Nothing. It's just I'm glad you're doing well. You've come so far, Kanade,” Mizuki says with a laugh, “I can hardly believe my eyes. I mean, I could hardly believe the text you sent me this morning, inviting me to go to the shopping mall. I mean, like, it's you! You of all people! Asking to go outside! You get me?”

Kanade's face flushes even more. “It's really nothing. Mafuyu's just in desperate need of clothing but since she has to do the filming for City of Spirits I figured I'd come myself.”

“And that's the thing Kanade. She's changed you. Asahina has all your attention huh,” Mizuki says playful, her mischievous smile flashing on her face before it becomes a pout, “Soon you'll forget and lil o’ me and Enanan.”

Kanade laughs at this. “Mizuki, you know you will always be my Ode to Joy,” she says softly.

“The annoying tune that gets played all the time? You bet I am!” Mizuki boasts proudly, “And Ena?”

“My Mona Lisa.”

Mizuki bursts into laughter. “You're so cheesy, Kanade,” she teases before her gaze softens again, “Please don't let your inner demons screw this up. Please be happy, Kanade. I mean it.”

Kanade forces the smile she bears to stay on her face. “I can't allow that, you know it,” she says softly, “Not when I haven't saved-”

“Yoisaki Kanade,” Mizuki says sternly, grabbing the smaller woman by the shoulders, “You are a worldwide sensation! Your songs have reached into the hearts of millions of people. Across various languages. Must I remind you of that one Romanian cover artist? Or that British rock band? Or that fanclub that got front row seats together at our stop in Mexico? Indonesia-”

Kanade rests her head on Mizuki's chest. “I know. I know,” she replies bittersweetly.

“So I don't want to hear about that savior complex bullshit anymore, kay?” Mizuki says, putting her hand on Kanade's cheeks and lifting it up so they meet eye to eye, “Let yourself fall a little. You deserve to be loved too.”

Kanade's heart twists in disagreement with those words. But for Mizuki's satisfaction, she nods. “Fine,” she lies.

“That's right, Prince Charming. Get your Snow White!” Mizuki cheers before checking her watch, “Speaking of the princess, her filming ends in less than an hour. We have to get going if we want to go to the animation studio on time.”

“Oh you're right,” Kanade says, beginning to hurry to the cashier, “I forgot about the voice acting thing.”

“Of course you would after you punched the senses out of yourself,” Mizuki says, “Try not to do that again? I'm sure Asahina-chan has taught you a thing or two about acting, right?”

Kanade nods, tuning out a little from the conversation as she seeks her wallet. The design is a painting of Ena's own works, sold at one of her non-K-related galleries. She takes out her card and mindlessly gives it to the cashier, not checking the price of the outfits at all. She didn't have to worry about money anyway. She has various sources of income, most coming from royalties and her streaming platforms.

So if Mafuyu asks, Kanade will grant her anything she wants.

“I wish we could have stopped to grab a milkshake. I've been craving the orange cream soda flavor they released,” Mizuki says, taking the bags from the counter before thanking the cashier. 

Kanade shrugs. “We can always come back here on our after-parties.”

“I suppose you're right. And now we have Asahina joining us!” Mizuki cheers, “Ooh I definitely will be needing to pick a perfect place for her. You say she's really sheltered, right?”

Kanade huffs, lowering her gaze as she recalls that call. “I don't think Mafuyu got to be a teenager,” She says with soft anger in her voice, “If I can help-”

“I said no more savior-”

“I know,” Kanade deflates, winces a bit, “I'm doing this because I am her friend. Is that better?”

Mizuki shrugs unconvinced. “How about an arcade? I can get Lil Bro to get me prepaid cards. Or… Phoenix Wonderland? Or would that be too flashy? We can't just go to any dinner. She sorta is the face of modeling right now.”

Kanade tilts her head thoughtfully. “I honestly don't think she likes modeling. But you're right, we should hide her face.”

Suddenly Mizuki lets out a gasp. “Kanade I just got the greatest ideal,” She says with a gasp, “We get another Wabbix made. One a different color for Asahina. She can join you on the world tour and perform with you!”

Kanade pauses. “You know I was just thinking about releasing a new song with her before the tour and take her with me as a guest,” Kanade says, scratching her head, “But another Wabbix would mean she'd be joining our team.”

Mizuki grins. “And what's wrong with that?”

What's wrong with that?

Kanade's eyes widened.

Having Mafuyu on their team. She couldn't help but feel all bubbly inside at the thought. The church bells in her mind chimed with excitement. Becoming a duo on stage. Having extra hands to help her release songs faster. 

An angel like Mafuyu could reach millions more than Kanade could have ever dreamed of. An angel like that by her side-

She shakes the thoughts away. What is she thinking? How can she be so selfish? “We can't force Mafuyu to do something she doesn't want to,” Kanade says, burying all the images and thoughts of having Mafuyu on stage with her to the depths of her mind. “She needs to choose this. My job right now is to make sure she feels free. I promised that we'd find what she likes together. So if I just shove music onto her, wouldn't I be just as horrible as her own agency?”

Mizuki sighs, shoving Kanade to the escalator. “It doesn't hurt to ask,” She mutters disapprovingly, “As your manager, I'd make the offer myself. However, with whatever you and Asahina have going, I think it's better you are the one to bring it up.”

“We don't have anything, Mizuki,” Kanade says with a low grumble.

“Is my teasing finally getting to you?” Mizuki stifles.

“No,” Kanade huffs, looking away. She can't be annoyed with Mizuki. Never. 

“Aw come on! Show me your dark side, Kanade!”

Oh. She can never show Mizuki that.

“Come on, we need to go pick her up. You're driving.”

“What?! Fine! Only because Ena took my car!”

The two exit the shopping mall and quickly make it to the parking lot. Kanade's old car immediately greeted them in all its rusty glory. Kanade opens the doors, taking her pile of track jackets on the seat and opens the trunk to shove them all in. She can hear Mizuki snort in disbelief. Almost ready her mind.

Why did Kanade have so many of the same jackets in her car?

Well because she'd usually hang them in her closet, but after the last tour, her closet was full of gifts and letters from her fans. 

As the hoarder she is, the car is the only place she can put the extras. 

“Also, forgot to mention, Asahina-chan has a photoshoot right after as well,” Mizuki chimes in, staring at her phone before furrowing her brows, “They are really overworking her. And these are only the ones that couldn't be cancelled! Can you believe it? Imagine what her normal schedule looks like!”

Kanade hums, narrowing her eyes as she takes the passenger seat. Mizuki leaps onto the driver's seat, taking Kanade's keys before starting the car.

Kanade’s mind does not wander off from Mizuki's final words. No. How can she brush them off? The thought of Mafuyu's pain stung her like a note off key. Mafuyu was only vocal about this once. Once. Kanade wondered if she was far too used to it; she just didn't care anymore. 

“Mizuki,” Kanade says suddenly, almost snapping her neck in the process as she turns to the pink-haired driving, “When you drop Mafuyu and I at PAMMA, can you grab groceries for me? Maybe something for a nice meal?”

Mizuki blinks, not turning to look back. “I suppose I can, but what for?”

Kanade exhales through her nose. “I need to make her a warm meal when she gets home,” Kanade mutters and begins to research recipes on her phone, “And maybe get like a massager? You can take my card.”

Mizuki stops hard at the red light. Kanade nearly hits her face on the dashboard if it weren't for the seatbelt holding her back. “Pardon me, what?” Mizuki says in absolute disbelief, “You? Cook? Since when?”

Kanade's face goes red. “Well I…” she begins, scratching the back of her head, “I- I need to take care of Mafuyu so…”

“Ena has to hear this!” Mizuki exhilarates, “She'll never believe me!”

Kanade wishes the seat would swallow her whole. “What's wrong with that?” She says, defending herself while scrunched up like a scolded puppy, “I can cook… decently…”

“We gotta come over for dinner some day,” Mizuki replies. 

Not too bad of an idea. Mafuyu might actually like the company. She looks out the window to see the backlot of the studio Mafuyu was filming at. Kanade's been here a couple of times before, but each time it's just as impressive. The set looks so calm and peaceful. It's a shame it's not a real neighborhood.

The car pulls over to a driveway in front of the studio's exit. Kanade quickly checks the time, five minutes till Mafuyu's release. She checks the bags of clothing sitting in the back. Should they have bought gift bags instead? Would Mafuyu like the clothes? 

No. There is no need to.

Two minutes left. The air was getting kind of dry. Kanade rolls the window down. She looks back at Mizuki, who's busy humming to herself while texting who Kanade assumed was Ena. The way Mizuki's eyes mischievously narrowed told Kanade that her poor artist friend was being absolutely demolished. Deciding to leave them be, Kanade looks out the window again. One minute left. Kanade just knew, even without a watch. Time's never seemed slower. The bags look so dull in their marketable white. Maybe they should have gotten gift bags instead. Mafuyu would able to see the care and-

 With thirty seconds to spare, Kanade immediately spots the purple head of hair exiting the building. Her chest flutters at the sight. 

And then she sees a blue-haired and pink-haired following behind. Mafuyu turns to them with a grin, covering her face as she laughs at whatever they're talking about.

Who are those people? Her coworkers? Kanade deflates a little.

“Stop staring like a puppy waiting for its owner,” Mizuki laughs, “Go let her know we're here. We didn't message her or anything, after all.”

Oh. Right. Kanade nods, opening the door to climb out of the car. The fresh breeze of air brushes against her face. The air was getting significantly cooler, the earliest signs of winter. 

Perhaps Mafuyu will actually like her gifts. 

Inhaling sharply, she waddles towards the group of women conversing, holding her breath as she gets closer.

The first to notice is the pink-haired. Kanade quickly stops in her tracks as they make eye contact.

Hold on isn't that Ena's-

“Kanade?” Mafuyu calls out to her with shock in her voice.

“You know her?” The pink-haired gasps, almost in disbelief.

Kanade eases a timid smile. “Hello… Momoi-san,” she says sheepishly, especially since all the actresses were staring at her now, “Long time no see.”

“Long time no see indeed!” The idol laughs, “I'm more surprised Asahina-san and you know each other. And in a first name bias too.”

Mafuyu's smile falters for a bit. Kanade immediately notices. Is something wrong? Is she feeling well? 

“Oh I remember you,” The blue-haired says cheerfully, beaming like a ray of sunshine, “You composed that album for us, right? Ena-san recommended you to us!”

“Yeah,” Kanade mumbles, jogging her memory for the idol's name. It's just been so long since she's last collaborated with them.

Uh… Hinomori Shizuku was it?

“Kanade's composed for you?” Mafuyu asks, tilting her head in curiosity. It rubs Kanade the wrong way as Mafuyu's expression does not quite reach her eyes. 

“Yeah! It's still our best selling yet!” Shizuku chirps, “Yoisaki-san is an amazing composer, isn't she, Airi?”

The pink-haired idol smiles with a huff. “Well yeah. Considering she's K-”

“Not out loud!” Kanade wheezes, waving her arms. Other staff began pouring out of the building.

“Right, sorry,” the idol apologizes.

“That was a close one,” Mafuyu says with a giggle. It burns Kanade's skin.

“Wait, she's who now?” Shizuku says in confusion.

Kanade checks her phone. Not much time to spare. “Mafuyu and I actually have to go. It was nice speaking to both of you again.”

Mafuyu's eyes widened as Kanade took her hand. That smile on her face breaks for a moment.

“Whoah, where are you two going?” Airi asks.

“We have a voice acting job together,” Mafuyu explains, beaming another smile, “But we are running late. Talk to you both later.”

Kanade sighs in relief. 

“Wait Asahina-san,” Shizuku suddenly says, “Since you said you're more free now, how about we have dinner together something this week?”

Kanade blinks, turning over to Mafuyu who seemed just as surprised by the request. 

Hm…

Mafuyu's face then matches Shizuku's beaming expression. “Sure. Text me, okay?”

“Yay!”

For some reason, those words also sting. Kanade doesn't say anything, lowering her head as she and Mafuyu begin to walk to the car. Mafuyu's still waving at the idols, yelling back things with that fake voice of hers.

Kanade hates it. 

“Mafuyu, you don't have to act anymore,” Kanade says suddenly as they reach the car.

Mafuyu's smile immediately drops. Her gaze falls to the floor. “Sorry,” she whispers.

Kanade sighs, chuckling softly as she walks up to the actress. “It's okay. You don't have to be guilty about it,” She says softly, looking into the eyes of the taller woman, “We'll take one step at a time if we need to.”

“Okay,” Mafuyu agrees with a nod. Kanade can't help but smile more. Mafuyu's face, while static, was still smooth and soft-looking. It seems her lipstick hadn't been washed off. And her eyes-

“Hey, Prince Charming! Do you mind hurrying?” Mizuki's voice calls out, “Open the door for her and let's go!”

“R- Right!” Kanade gasps, opening the car door for Mafuyu, “Please help yourself. I also uh… went out… t- to buy you clothes…. I uh… hope you like them…?”

Why have words suddenly become so difficult?

Mafuyu only stares at her blankly, her eyes widening ever so slightly. “You didn't have to do that for me,” she says while stepping into the car. Kanade closes the door behind her, exhaling a breath she didn't know she was holding. She paddles to the passenger seat once again.

“Actually I think you should go in the back with Asahina-chan,” Mizuki says innocently but her grin gave away her true intentions, “It would be pretty rude of you to leave her alone in the back. Don't you think?”

If Kanade's face could grow any hotter, it would. She suppresses a grumble underneath her breath, opening the door once again to join Mafuyu in the back. The actress was holding her gifts above her lap, seemingly uninterested in opening them.

“Even Prince Charming isn't immune to harsh stops,” Mizuki butts in again, “Buckle up, K!”

“Prince Charming?” Mafuyu echoes. Kanade feels her soul nearly leave her body.

Mizuki laughs, looking at them through the rear window. “Has Kanade not told you yet? You see, in her first draft of My Forgotten Snow White, the lyrics were in her own POV and she refers to herself as Prince-”

“Mizuki!” Kanade gasps, about to die from embarrassment. She can't even bear to look at Mafuyu's direction right now. She wanted to hear the trumpet sounds, signalling that she would be taken away.

“I see,” Mafuyu replies monotonously. Like she didn't mind. Or she didn't care. 

“Yeah. It was kinda cute in concept,” Mizuki says with a chuckle, “But I can see why K scrapped it.”

“I bet you do,” Kanade replies shakily, prompting Mizuki to laugh. 

“Anyways, serious K? You gave her our merch prototypes to wear? And your jacket?” 

Mafuyu still didn't have a change of clothes, so Kanade had to go into the depths of her closet. She found pants from a purplish-red tracksuit set she had released last November with a headshot of the plushie version of Wabbix as a small logo on the side. And her track jacket, which was basically Mafuyu's now. Kanade spent some time stretching it to the best of her ability, fitting for the actress a bit more. 

“I don't mind,” The purple-haired replies, words a bit slurred. Kanade turns to see Mafuyu with her head lowered, eyes a bit hooded.

Kanade leans into her a bit, just to whisper something so Mizuki wouldn't be able to hear. “Tired?”

Mafuyu lifts her head to look back at Kanade. Her expression is blank, but it was quite obvious she was struggling to stay awake. Kanade chuckles softly as she notices Mafuyu struggling to process her question. 

She nods.

“You can take a nap. It'll be a long drive,” Kanade says sweetly. 

Mafuyu didn't need to be told twice. The poor actress closes her eyes and leans back.

And then she rests against Kanade's shoulder.

Kanade stops herself from saying anything, her heartbeat chimes in her ears as Mafuyu's skin brushes against hers. The purple hairs itch her neck, yet Kanade refuses to push the actress away. Mafuyu adjusts for a bit before her breath swallows, signifying she's fallen asleep. Kanade turns to look at her face. It's still blank but… peaceful? Content? Should she hum a song for the actress?

“So that's how it is,” Mizuki says, her voice alone heats up Kanade's face entirely. She expects Mizuki to tease her again. Instead the manager says something else, “She loves you.”

Kanade's own skin grows cold. “She does not,” Kanade immediately refutes, a familiar wall building up in her chest. “This was an accident. She didn't mean to lean on me.” 

That made more sense to Kanade than Mafuyu leaning onto her because of love.

When she jumped onto her for a hug at the phone call? No, that was just because Kanade was the only other person in the room. She needed a hug and she could only ask for it from Kanade. Back in the nurse's office? That was Kanade's own doing. Her heart got a little too bold, and took advantage of Mafuyu's state. It seems the latter enjoyed the light embrace; however, Kanade refused to forgive herself. That was a selfish act. Mafuyu opening up to her? Kanade sorta pushed that to happen herself. But it could have been anyone, really.

All of this could have been anyone.

Therefore, there was no way Mafuyu could love her for these simple gestures. Kanade needed to do something much more… romantic- for that. Something like… saving her.

Even so, Mafuyu couldn't love this sinner.

Absolutely not. 

“Kanade, genuinely stop,” Mizuki says angrily but mostly out of worry, “I can hear your mind doing gymnastics!”

Kanade frowns slightly. “Then don't suggest such things,” she says almost bitterly.

“I'm just saying the- you know what? Let's talk about this some other time,” Mizuki sighs defeatedly, “Practice over your line again while you have the time.”

“I suppose I can do that,” Kanade mutters, shifting as little as possible so she doesn't wake Mafuyu up. Her script is in the pocket behind the driver's seat. Once it's in her hands, she slowly retracts back. Mafuyu’s face twitches a bit, but returns to its neutral state.

Kanade can't help but smile at the sight. It's-

Anyways the script. She's already recorded a few lines before. She needs to do the meeting with White Crow again. 

Kanade flips to a random page, hoping to find her way back from there.

Episode five. Act three. Scene twelve.

“These feelings for White Crow…” Instant Boss says in disbelief. She's alone and monologuing to herself, "It's not because I want her to join my team. What are they?”

Kanade clenches her teeth. Breathe hitches.

And her grip on the script wrinkles the paper furiously.

Chapter Text

“Scene Four. We're rolling!”

All actors begin jogging in place, as instructed from their voice director to get a more “realistic and genuine take.” As much as they all gave the man hard side eyes and doubt, they of course equally wanted to deliver an amazing performance.

“Ha… P- Pegasus… huff…” The brunette says breathlessly, clearly unprepared for this unexpected exercise, “Pegasus Red… huff… they're getting away!”

“We mustn't give up!” The blonde man bellows, unfazed by the jogging, “We can't give up, the city relies on us!”

“I think it's time we… power up!” The ginger snaps.

“We've been weakened enough, we should use it as a last resort!” The blonde man argues back.

The purple haired stopped jogging. Breath heavy, she parts her lips. “We are in our last resort, Pegasus,” she says sternly, “The Fussy Eaters have won. If we're going to catch them, we must power up.”

“I just don't understand! We predicted this attack! We planned out everything!” The man roars in genuine despair, “How did they know we were there? How did Instant Boss get away, again?”

“You shouldn't beat yourself over it,” The purple-haired husks.

“You're the one that's in charge of stopping her!”

Her breath hitches.

“Pegasus, stop this!” The ginger growls, “Instant Boss is unpredictable. White Crow did the best she could. Apologize.”

A deep breath. “You're right. Sorry White Crow. For lashing out at you.”

“It's fine. We were trusted to protect this artifact and failed. I can see why you're stressed,” She replies softly. The latter sighs.

“L- Let's…. WHEEZE… Let's go home…!” The brunette butts in, still absolutely out of breath.

“Cut,” The sound engineer says through the intercom, “Hanasato, you're not supposed to be breathless at this point…!”

“I knowwww….” she gasps, hands on her knees, “I'm sorry… I just didn't think… I brought heels today…!”

“Ah. Apologies, Hanasato. I should have been mindful,” Tsukasa apologizes, “Anyways, I think we were doing good. Asahina-san, the monotonous breathy voice you've got for White Crow is perfect. Akito, Orange Eagle is the brawler of ZOO RANGERS. Give me more growls. More anger. I think what you're doing now is alright. We can have another take.”

“Ah if you say so,” The ginger-haired man says, crossing his arms. 

Mafuyu sighs, wiping the seat off her face. Hanasato’s situation would have been her own, hadn't Kanade not ordered her a few pairs of shoes. Mafuyu had picked them out herself with Kanade's suggestions and Mizuki's recommendations, feeling guilty of the price but alas Kanade quickly brushed her worries off. 

These ones were really soft, as close as she could get to walking in the clouds. 

“We need to reshoot Akito’s and Hanasato’s lines,” Tsukasa says, turning to Mafuyu, “You can go on break, Asahina-san. We'll record the White Crow scene right after.”

“Okay!” She says cheerfully, giggling as the brunette idol groans.

She and Tsukasa leave the booth. The man looks at her with a soft smile. “You've surprised me today, Asahina-san. Are you doing vocal training?”

Mafuyu blinks. “Ah yes. I'm taking lessons with K-sama,” she replies.

“Whoah! From K?” Tsukasa bellows in complete shock, “I can't wait to see your improvement, Asahina-san. I'll leave you to it.” The man heads over to the engineering group, joining them as he puts on a headset. Mafuyu drops her smile as soon as the attention is off her. She turns over to the studio's exit and takes a deep sigh as she gets out the door.

“Yes I'll take care of it! I care for her too, you know? What does that even mean? Mizu- Yes I can play cupid without your help! I'm too tired for this, I'll call you later.”

Is she interrupting something?

"Dinner's on me. Yes I love you too. Bye… Hehe just wait till I get home- Huh?” The voice says immediately. Mafuyu, taken by surprise, immediately scrambles for her mask, plastering a friendly smile onto her face. She looks ahead of the hallway to see a dark haired brunette wearing a fedora and fashionable black clothes with maroon highlights. Phone in ink-stained fingertips. Mafuyu blinks as she recognizes the woman.

“Shinonome-san,” Mafuyu replies, her voice strangely airy. Her smile contorts to the mimicry of the soft welcoming one she's come to see daily now. Something familiar to the artist as well. “What brings you here?”

“You can just call me Ena, you know,” Ena says, her face of surprise becoming one of timidness. “I dropped off my brother, Akito. The wannabe rapper. I think you know him already.”

Oh. Mafuyu nods. “Yes, we just recorded a few lines together,” she replies with a soft chuckle.

“Oh and Kanade also asked me to take you back home. Apparently her meeting will be running longer than expected,” The artist continues, “Are you done for the day?”

Mafuyu stops her shoulders from dropping in disappointment.

The actress shakes her head. “No. I have a monologue to record for episode four,” she says, “And then a few vocal sound effects.”

Ena’s eye twitches. “That's cool,” she replies, voice restraining.

Mafuyu tilts her head. “Something’s wrong? Shinonome- I mean Ena-san.”

Ena raises a brow. “I just want to go home, that's all. I'm absolutely whipped,” the brunette says with a yawn, “Yesterday I was full of meetings myself. I also had to finish a commission piece overnight. Can you believe they changed my deadline last minute? I’d have cursed them off if it weren't for the fact they increased my pay.”

Mafuyu softens her eyes. “I see. I'm sorry to hear that, Shinonome,” she replies, before quickly catching herself, “Ena.”

Ena returns a small smile. “You know, Kanade's starting to rub off you,” she says quietly, rubbing the dark circles underneath her eyes, “You're starting to act like her.”

Mafuyu's eyes widened slightly. “Eh?”

“Let's go get coffee. I need something to stay awake,” Ena groans, turning around without saying another word to leave. 

Acting like Kanade…

Mafuyu wished she could ask how, but it seems like the artist was too excited for coffee. She follows behind the artist like her tall shadow.

They both reach the studio's cafeteria. The artist sighs in relief as soon as she spots the full coffee machine. She shuffles towards it, muttering words too quiet for Mafuyu to hear. 

“Say Asahina,” Ena suddenly says as she brews her coffee, turning around to face the actress, “I know Kanade's gotten you a few clothes, but how about we go shopping together after this? Just you and me? We need to start prepping for the European tour next month, right? I think now is the perfect time.”

Clothes shopping? With Shinonome Ena? It's true, Mafuyu was in desperate need of more clothes. Some coworkers from her jobs have already started asking if she was a huge K fan, to which, well why lie and say she wasn't? Still, wearing merch still makes you quite self aware…

But she also really wanted to get back hom- to Kanade's house. Yes. She knows Kanade's probably left dinner fresh on the stove for her. Ask her about her day and begin their singing lessons followed by a short songwriting class and finally practice a few of their lines before Mafuyu has to go shower and get ready for bed while Kanade hops on her online meeting with Mizuki and Ena. The thought of doing such fills her body with so much warmth.

She also hardly knew the artist.

“I don't have anything to hide my identity,” Mafuyu says instead with a sorry smile, in hopes that the artist wouldn't feel upset with her indirectly declining the request.

Ena grins, teeth clenched. “Don't worry. I always carry supplies in the car,” she says confidently, “I think it'll do you well. Besides, Kanade's debut anniversary is coming up and she should totally get her a gift.”

The insistence in Ena's voice nearly makes Mafuyu sigh out loud. Her head hurt slightly at the thought of wearing a mask to hide her identity again. But…

What if this was the artist trying to get close to her? After all, Mafuyu, despite having her face on billboards across the country, was very much a stranger in the house of Ena's best friend. Mafuyu also could immediately tell when someone wanted to take advantage of her fame, to which Ena didn't display any of that. 

And Kanade's debut anniversary… a date special to Kanade was coming up, huh.

Perhaps she should…

“Fine,” Mafuyu says, nearly slipping the weariness in her voice. This makes the brunette grin in satisfaction.

“Awesome. Call me when you're done with the recording,” Ena says, having two cups of coffee in hand. She stretches one out to Mafuyu, “Coffee?”

Mafuyu raises a hand to decline. “No thank you. It raises my blood pressure.”

Ena blinks. “What? Really?” The artist says after a sip, “What do you have? It's actually pretty funny since Kanade struggles with having low blood pressure due to years of an unhealthy lifestyle. You guys were really meant to be, huh?’

Mafuyu feels the world darken around her. “ I actually don't know,” she says distantly, “My mother…” Coffee was simply just not part of her diet. Mother's orders. Said it would raise her blood pressure, so Mafuyu went with it.

However, with her time at Kanade's. Eating dishes her nutritionist would scold her for. Noodles became a huge part of her diet now. And for the most part, Mafuyu felt fine. Her stomach doesn't growl at work anymore, that's for sure.

So, was that even true? Was anything true?

“I'll just give it to Akito then,” Ena says with a shrug, though the concerned flash in the eyes makes Mafuyu's skin crawl. “Let's go back. I'll drop you off.”

Mafuyu quickly flickers on a soft smile. “Okay. Thank you, Shi- Ena.”

.

.

.

.

“Wait so you're just not going to take me home?”

“Nope. Call a taxi.”

“You were the one who offered to bring me here…! Ena you little-”

Mafuyu exhales through her nose as the siblings begin arguing in the middle of the parking lot. She had the misfortune of being in the blink of an argument. Has she not been between them, perhaps hands might have been thrown. But even then, it seemed like she had gone invisible to both siblings.

“I told you, I'm going shopping! I have no time.”

“My place is twenty minutes away from the shopping center!”

A notification sound rings. Mafuyu checks her phone.

K: Sorry for not picking you up myself.

K: Ena's informed me you're both going shopping. 

K: You can use my card. Have fun.

Mafuyu's heart warms at the texts. 

Yuki: I have money on me. Thank you for giving me your card but I won't need it.

She smiles as she sees Kanade typing. It's just unreal for Mafuyu. How could Kanade just casually give her card to her like that? Mafuyu had refused of course, but she found out once she was dropped off that Kanade had slipped it in her sweater’s pocket.

But Mafuyu was fine money-wise. She was also famous herself. The day Kanade took her away, she had her wallet on her too. It's not like she's been completely cut off from her life. And her mother hasn't cut that off either.

K: I see.

It might be Mafuyu's mind being delusional, but why did Kanade's text seem upset? Too simple. Too short.

“Come on,” Ena interrupts her, lightly shoving the actress towards the direction of her car. Mafuyu looks back to see the ginger haired cursing to himself silently while Tsukasa (when did he get here?) bellows nonsense to him, perhaps dramatically offering Akito a ride. Tsukasa is a loud individual, she's surprised she didn't even hear him approach.

Was she just that immersed with texting Kanade?

Speaking of which, she should reply.

Yuki: What are you up to?

Ena’s car- or rather Mizuki's… Mafuyu could immediately tell by the bumper stickers and the customized license plate with a pink cat designed frame. Compared to Kanade's car, this was a rather modern SUV with a flashy silver paint job. The seat covers were pastel pink as well and small pillows laced with frills. The dashboard, like Kanade's, had pictures of the three taped to it, with the addition of stickers and a plushie of what Mafuyu now knew was Wabbix: Kanade’s mascot and on-stage persona.

Ena immediately turns on the car, so does the music. Mafuyu reads the playlist called ‘Won’t Stop Lovin’ You Bitch’ with song titles that seem to be exactly that: love songs. Ena must have taken notice of Mafuyu’s staring, since a smile appears on her face. “Don't mind that, it's just Mizuki's sappy playlist when we go on dates,” she reassures, “You can change it to something else, if you want.”

“Oh. That's… cute,” Mafuyu replies modestly. From the little time she's spent with the pink-haired… checks out.

“I suppose it is,” Ena says, eyes now focused on the road, “She's so extra sometimes. It's kinda giving pathetic wet cat but I guess feeling loved like that is amazing.”

Feeling loved? The words repeat in Mafuyu's mind. They grow more somber after each echo. “I see,” she says quietly.

“Have you ever been in love?” Suddenly Ena throws in the bombshell.

Or would have been if it was anyone but Mafuyu. What interview hasn't already asked this? She's done so many QNA’s asking such questions. “I haven't ever actually thought about pursuing a romantic interest,” She replies automatically, “But if I love anything, it's my art and my fans.” 

A reply she's given so many times.

“Ugh, don't say it like that. You're not on tv,” Ena says with a groan, “That was the most scripted thing I've ever heard anyone say. Come on! There's surely someone!”

On cue, Mafuyu's notification sound goes off. Ena immediately smirks at this, her eyes flicking over to Mafuyu ever so often.

As expected. “It's Kanade,” Mafuyu informs the artist, beginning to unlock her phone to see the message.

Ena's jaw drops open. “You're in love with Kanade?!” She says with a gasp.

Mafuyu pauses. “What?” She says in puzzlement, before realizing her lack of words. “Oh. I wasn't replying to your question. I meant it's Kanade who messaged me…”

“Mhmm!” Ena taunts, her lips curling similarly to Mizuki's mischievous grin. 

For the first time in her life, Mafuyu wanted to leave a moving car through the window.

K: Would you like tea by the time you get home?

K: If so, lavender or chamomile?

K: I've also made butter cookies last night and forgot to give them to you in the morning. You can have some of those too. *Image attachment*

Yuki: Thank you, K. The cookies look good. Either tea is okay.

K: Lavender it is then.

Mafuyu sighs as she puts her phone down. She's not had the tea or cookies yet, but her chest flutters with comfy warmth. With texts alone, Kanade places a fluffy blanket over Mafuyu's shoulders, protecting her from the cold and Ena's absurdity.

“You didn't deny it, you know,” Ena continues, “She's so selfless and sweet and kind. She's really talented and inspiring too. Like, I mean who wouldn't love her? I know I did.”

So Kanade was like that to everyone? What was she thinking about, of course Kanade is. “She is indeed an amazing person,” Mafuyu replied, her mask slipping a little, “But I don't know if… Can I confess something?”

Ena pulls over to the sidewalk and parks. “You can tell me anything,” Ena says confidently, offering Mafuyu the friendliest of smiles. It reminds her of Kanade in a way. Ena has that same soft gentle smile. There is no judgement behind those eyes, except Ena seemed to be already guessing what exactly she was going to say. “I think you should definitely date Ka-”

“I don't know what I feel most of the time,” Mafuyu confesses at the same time, “I sometimes feel this warmth or coldness in my chest, but I don't know what to call it.”

“Huh?” Ena says in complete bewilderment.

Mafuyu sinks in her seat. “Sorry. Forget I said anything.”

“No. What do you mean you can't-” Ena says before closing her eyes, “You know what. Makes sense. You're always working your ass off and always acting, aren't you. Of course you wouldn't be able to tell what emotions are actually your own or not.”

What is really that simple?

“You think?” Mafuyu asks. Perhaps Ena is much wiser than she seems.

“Just a guess,” Ena says, beginning to drive again, “We need to go get cheesecake from the place I love. You'll know what true happiness feels like then!” 

Mafuyu can't help but smile awkwardly.

“I actually can't taste anything either.”

“WHAT?!”

Ena hard stops in the middle of the road. Cars behind immediately start honking at them. Ena rolls down the window to flip them off before rolling it up and beginning to drive. “I can't believe it,” she growls, “Mizuki told me your situation was bad, but this bad? Do you know why? When's the last time- does Kanade know?”

Mafuyu nods. “It just happened when I was in junior high,” she says, “One day I realized everything was bland.”

“Didn't you debut in junior high?” Ena replies before gasping, “Oh my goodness you poor child…”

Ena pulls over to a parking lot, to which Mafuyu quickly figures out it was the shopping center parking lot. Ena turns off the car, running out the door before bursting Mafuyu's door open and giving Mafuyu a tight embrace. Mafuyu gasps, her body growing numb with waves of feelings she couldn't put together. 

Warmth…?

“I'm glad Kanade got you out of there,” Ena says, whispering to her ear as if Mafuyu was a lost child, “You're safe with us, okay? You're okay now. You don't have to act anymore.”

Just like Kanade said…

Mafuyu subconsciously returns the embrace. “Thank you,” she says, voice cracking, “Ena.”

Ena chuckles softly. “Man, you got me crying,” Ena says with tearful eyes, “That's fucked, Asahi- Fuck it! Mafuyu. I'm calling you Mafuyu. There's nothing you can do to stop me, okay?”

Mafuyu giggles softly. “Okay.”

“Okay. We need to start shopping. I am genuinely pissed off on your behalf and need to let off some steam,” Ena growls, slowly leaving the embrace, “I have masks and glasses and scarves and caps if you're into that.”

The two quickly gear up. Mafuyu inhales softly. For some reason her chest feels lighter than it's ever been. The air feels less suffocating. 

“Let's go to my favorite store first. I think there's a few outfits on display you'd absolutely go with,” Ena says, nearly dragging Mafuyu into the mall in a hurry, “And we need to stop by the jewelry store. I need to get new earrings for Mizuki- oh and then Kanade's present. She might not want clothes so help me brainstorm a bit, okay?”

“Okay,” Mafuyu agrees, going to check her phone again before Ena hooks their arms together and storms off to the escalators. Mafuyu nearly trips on the way.

They pass by many stores. Mafuyu's face burns as she only now realizes how much her face is everywhere. Like everywhere. In the specialty retails. The makeup store. On posters advertising the latest fashion. For creams she's never used once. To be fair she hasn't really ever gone to the shopping center, but it's so overwhelming.

All those jobs, those photoshoots. Her restless days. Her mask of a smile.

They were all on display here.

“Don't think too much of it,” Ena says in a feeble attempt to comfort, noting how the actress began to lag behind. “Come on, let's go to this store.”

The store Ena chose indeed had huge window displays featuring mannequins like Mafuyu had imagined. When they walk in, a bell announces their arrival. The worker behind the register mutters a welcome, too focused on whatever was on their phone to notice that two well known celebrities had entered her store. 

Before Mafuyu could take in the scenery, Ena's already dragging her off again.

“Look at this blouse. It's soft. Might work for both cold and hot weather,” Ena grins, running through the clothing rackets with unremarkable speed. Mafuyu inhales sharply. There were so many choices. So many colors and styles. Is she simply meant to just choose? Ena turns over to her with interest, “So what do you like, Mafuyu?”

“What do I like?” Mafuyu echoes, almost like she didn't understand the words. Her gaze falls to the ground. “I don't know.”

Ena's face contorts between irritation and bafflement. She eventually is able to keep her cool. “Okay,” Ena says with a huff. A thoughtful expression on her face. “Let's go with what you're already wearing. This outfit is the one Kanade got you, right?”

The purple-haired looks down at her lavender crewneck. “Yes,” she replies.

“Do you like it?” 

Like it? Mafuyu looks down at herself once more. The jeans closely wrapped around her legs, but not enough to uncomfortably bush against her sink. And the collared long-sleeved shirt she wore underneath the crewneck was actually kinda soft. And the crewneck. She didn't know if Kanade had chosen this for her, but on each inhale it still was scented with the composer’s laundry detergent. It was like having Kanade still with her despite the woman not being present.

“It's warm,” she replied. Ena raises a brow, perhaps not understanding. Mafuyu quickly searched for words. “It makes my chest feel warm.”

“Ah,” Ena says with a slight smile, “How about we find warm clothes then? Do you like cardigans?”

“I don't know.”

“R- Right!”

Ena introduced her to thermal sweaters, to which Mafuyu had to sit through first a long explanation of their use and then having to rate over ten different sweaters. Mafuyu ended up choosing a black turtleneck, similar to the one she had at home. Ena wasn't quite happy with the reason for her choice, but she didn't refute. Mafuyu allowed her to choose an outfit instead, to which the artist delightfully agreed. 

A huge mistake on her part, honestly.

Mafuyu didn't quite think she'd be living in the changing room of a store for the rest of her life, but it seems that's where her destiny was headed. Each time she went out to show it off, Ena was back with a few dozens more pairs. 

“I think this plaid shirt suits you,” Ena says.

“You've said that for the past… fifty outfits,” Mafuyu mumbles.

Ena gasps, offended. “What do you mean fifty? It's only been-” she looks at the pile of clothes next to Mafuyu. “Oh wow… sorry about that.”

Mafuyu sighs. “It's fine,” she replied tiredly. 

“Did you at least find what you like?” Ena says with a nervous chuckle.

Mafuyu actually did take note of that. She separated the clothing to which felt warm and which, well, didn't feel like anything at all. There weren't many on her warm pile, but at least if she bought them all she'd be fine with clothes.

“No bright colors,” Ena immediately takes note while taking the discard pile away, “Nothing showing too much skin. No frills or cute designs. Huh. My goodness, look at this, Mafuyu! You need to-”

Mafuyu grabs the clothes and walks straight to the cashier. 

“The hell?”

The next stop was the bakery featuring Ena's favorite cheesecake. Mafuyu stares at the cheesecake Ena gets her with uncertainty as Ena eats her own slice with childlike joy. 

A desert like this was definitely off the table for her. It will ruin her diet-

Why can't she just escape it?

It's a small slice. She's only eaten breakfast today. She'll be fine with one tiny slice-

Why is it so hard?

“What's wrong?” Ena asks, leaning on the table with a spoon in her mouth.

“I- I can't,” Mafuyu replies, voice cracking.

Ena’s face becomes one of sympathy. “I see,” she says quietly, before taking Mafuyu's hands, “I promise letting yourself have things like this once in a while won't hurt you.”

Mafuyu can't help but feel warmth in her chest again. “You sound just like Kanade,” she says softly.

Ena laughs. “I guess I do,” she says with a nostalgic gaze, “Maybe because… she's told me these words before.”

Mafuyu's eyes widened.

And Ena continues on. “You know, she and I were a thing once, you know?” Ena says with a small laugh as she fiddles with her spoon, “We never told Mizuki though. And it didn't last long. It should have never happened, and it's kinda my fault.”

This confession was a strange one. Mafuyu lets off a soft hum for a reply, prompting Ena to continue.

“I had issues as a teenager. We all did. But Kanade was the one person who gave comfort. Who found value in me. She saved me,” Ena says fondly, “Of course, I’d fall. I felt so comfortable with her that I confessed. And she agreed. I was so blinded by happiness to see that she had only agreed to not make me upset. Kanade's issues are more complex than I could have ever imagined. And I was blind to them at the time. Until I tried to do things and Kanade would always back away. One day, I think she couldn't hold it in anymore. She said she didn't deserve this. That she couldn't love anyone until she repent, whatever the fuck that means. I ended things immediately, and promised we were still on good terms. But it still hurts, you know? To know that you hurt someone without even knowing. Or that you weren't loved back. But then I got with Mizuki and I learned then what actual love looks like. It's cheesy and overwhelming at times. But most importantly, it's mutual.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Mafuyu says.

Ena meets her eyes. “Sorry that I was a bit pushy earlier today. But I'm glad I've gotten to know you more,” she says, “I think now that you should focus on yourself than whatever Mizuki and I had planned.”

“What?” 

“Mafuyu,” Ena says, “Once you understand your feelings more, I hope Kanade and you one day get to feel what it's like to be in love.”

Mafuyu can only stare. This conversation was so strange and random. But seeing Ena look so genuine.

She's never thought about that. Ever.

Was it really as good as she claimed?

“If you say so,” Mafuyu says, looking down at her cheesecake.

This was going to be a long journey.

She grabs her spoon.

Chapter Text

The clothes have been ironed. Breakfast was made. All essentials were in her bag. Phone was charged.

And she didn't have to do anything.

“Kanade,” Mafuyu says softly, knocking into the composer's door before opening it. The composer takes off her headphones as the purple-haired comes in. Mafuyu's eyes meet hers, noting the darker circles around Kanade's eyes. Her face looked sunken. Hair tangled. Not to mention how messy her desk was. Mafuyu swallows at the sight.

This hurts.

She even forgot why she came here.

“What's up, Mafuyu?” Kanade said sweetly like nothing was wrong, “Did something happen? Did your mother call again?”

Mafuyu shakes her head, refusing to be enchanted by the soft words. “No, everything's okay. You didn't have to do all of that for me,” Mafuyu says, “You've done enough. I… I think you should focus on yourself a little.”

Kanade's eyes widened in complete surprise. There was a small twinkle in her eyes, like tears ready to leak out. But nothing did. Kanade lowers her gaze. “Sorry,” she mutters, “I don't mean to baby you. I'm-”

Mafuyu shakes her head. “It's okay. I appreciate it,” she says, walking into the composer's room carefully. She tiptoes over empty cans and stacks of papers. She looks over to Kanade's bed, which is somehow even more full of papers and boxes since the last time she's been in here. 

“You should…” Mafuyu mumbles as she finally is able to make her way to Kanade's desk, “You don't look well. Kanade… You should rest.”

Kanade's eyes widened even more. “I'm okay, genuinely,” Kanade says softly, “I need to finish this commission for the Institute of Classical Music by the end of this week and-”

“Yoisaki Kanade!”

Mafuyu turns around to see Ena and Mizuki standing in the doorway with their arms crossed. She turns back to Kanade, whose entire demeanor changed from calm to tense. She's seemed to have grown cold.

Ah that's right. That's what Mafuyu came for. To tell Kanade that Ena and Mizuki were here to pick them up.

Kanade musters a nervous smile. “E- Ena. M- Mizuki,” She stutters, scrambling to shut off her screen.

“Kanade, we skipped last night's meeting for today!” Ena says with a sigh, “You promised you’d sleep!”

“Urk,” Kanade replies, “Sorry. After I prepared Mafuyu's things I thought I still had time for-”

“What about your things, Kanade?” Mizuki rasps, raising her arms, “I'm going to have to call Rui and tell him we're going late.”

Kanade quickly gets up from her chair, to which she groans in pain and nearly falls on the ground. Mafuyu gasps at this, scrambling to catch the composer mid air.

“K- Kanade are you okay?” She says, heart pounding as she cradles the white-haired carefully. Kanade's eyes were hazy, staring up to her emptily. Mafuyu nearly gasps, tensing as the woman's face contorted with expressions she's never seen on her.

The softness was gone, and only ice radiated off her.

Though it's quick to disappear. Kanade quickly regains her strength and shoves herself away, returning to her timid smile. “I'm fine, just a bit overwhelmed,” she says quickly, “I can shower in five minutes. You guys can have breakfast while I-”

“We can be late, Kanade,” Ena sighs, “Let's have breakfast together. It's fine. You can shower afterwards.”

Mafuyu watches the white-haired raise her shoulders. Noticing how her hands clenched into fists. “Okay,” Kanade says, with that same smile. Ena and Kanade leave the room while Mizuki and Mafuyu stay.

Mafuyu still has a hard time processing the scene that unfolded before her. And the scene now. Kanade's room wasn't like this before. Literally yesterday, the both were talking about lyrics in this very room. The stacks of paper, cardboard boxes, and a few energy drinks were always there; that was normal. But not this. This was bad.

What happened overnight?

She turns to Mizuki, who pulls out a trash bag from her coat’s pocket with a heavy sigh. She begins picking up the cans, to which Mafuyu does the same. Her heart pounds loudly like cornered prey. She didn't even know she was holding her breath.

“That meeting stressed her out a bit. She loses her mind sometimes under pressure,” Mizuki breaks the silence following with a weak laugh, “Old habits, you know?”

Mafuyu blinks, the pain in her chest does not leave. “Old habits?” She echoes voice fragile. You can barely call it a whisper, yet Mizuki catches it. 

“Yeah. But I think she'll be fine,” she says, before inching closer to Mafuyu, perhaps noticing the small twinkle of tears in her irises, “Hey, don't be scared. It'll be okay. She'll be okay.” She puts a hand on Mafuyu's shoulder, to which the actress nearly flinches away from but ultimately welcomes it, turning the small comforting pat into an embrace. She can feel Mizuki gasp in shock. Her body tensing.

Scared? Mafuyu’s breath hitches as she hears those words. Is that what this feeling was? This tightening cold? 

She's acted scared plenty of times. But to actually feel it. 

She didn't like it one bit. 

She squeezes into Mizuki tighter.

Her vision gets blurry, but she still manages to catch Mizuki handing her another bag. “Help me clean up the wrappers and crumbled paper, will you?” The manager says with a smile, “Then we can go join them for breakfast. They're probably making coffee right now.”

“Okay,” Mafuyu replies, wiping her arm across her face to remove tears she didn't even notice until they began to bother her skin. The pink-haired chuckles softly, parting away from the actress. 

Mafuyu scrambles all the crumbled sheets on Kanade's desk, pausing to shut off the PC completely. She can see several papers had completely been scribbled over, hiding music notes written before it. Mafuyu still wasn't able to quite read music yet, but she knew the melody was probably heartwarming.

Like all of Kanade's music.

As they finished, Ena had returned to alert them breakfast was served. The two took their trash bags outside, earning themselves an unreadable stare from the composer herself. It only made the sinking feeling in Mafuyu's chest worst. They washed their hands before taking a seat. Kanade had prepared rice and a few pieces of beef, simple and quick to eat. They all gave quick thanks for their food before digging in. 

Mafuyu, of course, ate like nothing. But as soon as Mizuki and Ena put a spoon of rice into their mouths, they both flinched. Kanade notices this immediately.

“Sorry…” she says defeatedly, “I should have said it was salty…”

Salty? Mafuyu tilts her head. She genuinely couldn't tell.

“I mean it's not too salty…!” Ena says through coughs.

“I now see what you meant by being able to cook decently,” Mizuki replies, chugging her coffee cup.

Kanade laughs softly. “You were warned.”

“Dammit K!” Mizuki bursts, prompting the musician to laugh.

The simple noise is enough to make the ice cold subside in Mafuyu's chest. She continues to eat peacefully.

“Mafuyu stop eating it!” Ena, who sits across from her, scolds her.

She tilts her head. “I can't taste it,” she replied.

“You know, I think this is why Kanade has been able to cook and bake all this time with no one stopping her,” Mizuki hums, turning to Kanade with disbelief, “And I can't believe you eat like this too.”

“It’s not that bad!” Kanade defends with a gasp, “At least the pancakes were actually good…”

“Hm…” Ena hums, “Anyways, thanks for the meal, Kanade. Next time I'll order delivery, no offense.”

Kanade chuckles it off, returning to eating to which Ena nearly pulls her own hair out.

Mafuyu looks at Mizuki besides her, then to Kanade and Ena in front of her. They continue talking, laughing and cracking jokes. 

These people… This very interaction, talking like time had stopped forever…

So much trust and care.

These people are her friends.

The realization fills her chest with so much warmth she might burst. The concept of friends was almost always distant to Mafuyu. But coworkers. Employeers. Managers. She was all too familiar with those. But friends? Why didn't anyone tell her those are actually great to have?

She thinks of back home. Where she'd spent most of her time in her room or with her mother discussing whatever was popular. Her mother was her only friend most of the time. Her coworkers… were those friends? She thinks of Airi, Shizuku, Tsukasa. Could they be friends too if she allowed them to be?

Maybe… she's been far too gone in the industry.

There's no way this can be real. There must be cameras around somewhere. 

“Mafuyu, are you okay?” Kanade speaks up. Mafuyu now recognizes the other staring at her with concern. She looks at them closer. 

They must be really good actors.

Or perhaps this was real. There were no cameras. K wasn't an actor. Their few sessions proved such. She was sure Ena and Mizuki weren't either.

The purple-haired shakes her head. “I think I'm okay now,” she says, steadying her breath.

Ena sighs in relief. “You looked like you were dissociating there for a bit,” She says warily.

Mizuki chuckles. “You're still worried about Kanade aren't you?”

Mafuyu turns away, noting how the musician winced at those words. Mizuki is immediately scolded by Ena via death glare. 

“Mafuyu you don't have to worry,” Kanade says, getting up from her chair, “It was a one time thing. I promise it won't happen again.” Mafuyu looks up to the composer, noticing the smile on her face looking, once again, off. There is no gentleness. No warmth.

She grows cold once again. 

“It better be, airhead!” Ena says as she too gets up, playfully knocking on the top of Kanade's head. The composer gasps in surprise.

“Alright, Kanade,” Mizuki says, “Go get ready. Mafuyu and I will clean up. Ena, start the car, will you dear?”

“I am not driving today!” Ena declares, “It's supposed to rain today, absolutely not!”

Mizuki pouts. “But Enanan!” She says dramatically.

“I'll drive. It's okay,” Kanade chimes in, towel in hand.

“Absolutely not,” Ena and Mizuki say in sync. Ena returns her gaze to Mizuki. “I'm not driving today, Mizuki.”

“But I've been working so hard lately~” Mizuki sighs dramatically, leaning onto the artist with another sigh, “I had to email so many venues in Europe yesterday to confirm ticket sales! And don't forget I got that deal for you last night.”

“Mizuki…”

The pink-haired pokes Ena's cheek playfully. “The least you can do today is give little o’ me an itty bitty break. Just one day! That's all I ask!”

Mafuyu notes how the artist’s face flushed completely red. 

“Ugh, fine. I'll drive,” Ena groans defeatedly.

“Aw, you're the best girlfriend a manager could have ever asked for!”

“Shut up.”

“Mafuyu,” Kanade says, nearly making Mafuyu jump out of her chair. The actress turns around to see the white-haired behind herself. She laughs softly, perhaps noticing Mafuyu flinch. “Hehe, sorry. I'm gonna go shower now,” she says before her eyes become avoidant, “I mean it. I won't make you worry again, okay?”

Kanade turns the chair around completely, making Mafuyu face her directly. Mafuyu instinctively rests her head on Kanade's shoulder, to which the woman flinches. “I don't know what I'm feeling. Mizuki's says it's because I'm scared,” she whispers, “I… I don't like this feeling, Kanade.”

“I don't mean to scare you either,” Kanade says, pulling away. Before the actress can protest, Mafuyu instead feels cold fingers lift her head. She stares into Kanade's eyes, just inches away from her own. Their blue hues brighter than before. Her smile is once again familiar. She's… awfully close. “I promise to be better for you. I promise. Now promise me you won't be worried or scared for me ever again.”

Mafuyu blinks. “What do you mean ever again?”

Kanade's eyes widened as she steps back. “Well,” she begins but her voice cracks, “You know what. Forget about it. I won't give you a reason to worry about me. As your friend it is my job to make sure you don't have more stress than you already have.” She takes Mafuyu's hand and squeezes it between her fingers. 

Mafuyu's heart begins to pound again.

“God, she wants that cookie so bad.”

“Mizuki!” Ena scolds her partner.

Kanade backs away from Mafuyu even more, this time leaving all physically contact. She hides her face, immediately refusing to look at everyone's general vicinity. “I'm going,” Kanade blurts out, storming off to the bathroom.

Silence.

“She's so stubborn,” Mizuki says with a defeated sigh, “We need to address her… problems soon.”

Ena blinks, turning to the pink-haired with concern. “What do you mean?”

“I'll tell you later,” Mizuki sighs, “Go get the car, babe.”

“Fine, be that way,” Ena growls, “You owe me a mocha frappuchino with caramel drizzled at the bottom, double blended, and with only a tiny bit of whip cream on top so you can drizzle more caramel on it.”

“Do I look like a barista?” Mizuki jokes as the brunette storms away flipping her off, “Love you too!” Mafuyu only stares blankly as Mizuki turns her attention to her. “Alright, Snow White. It is up to us to clean up the table before Kanade gets out of the shower. You mind washing the dishes?”

“I can do that,” Mafuyu replies, going over to the sink where Ena had already placed the emptied bowls. She rolls up her sleeve and begins to handwash the bowls. Mizuki goes ahead to a cabinet full of cleaning supplies and wipes. She brings Mafuyu the empty pitcher where the coffee was brewed and the mugs. The cold water makes her shiver. She can see through the window from here. It's cloudy outside, like it's going to rain hard later.

She hopes they get back by then.

Eventually they finish cleaning and Kanade is already out of the shower, only needing to brush her hair. Mizuki helps with that as Mafuyu gathers her bag, taking water bottles for both of them and things like hand cream, sanitizer, and snacks. She grabs a portable charger and her phone. 

They're all set, so they can leave. 

Of course they go on Mizuki's car. The pink-haired takes the passenger seat, leaving Kanade and Mafuyu in the back. Kanade's put on a black jacket with a fluffy hoodie and gloves. Definitely more prepared than Mafuyu was, but something told her Mizuki probably made her wear those. 

“Rui’s warehouse is quiet far so it will be quite a long ride,” Mizuki announces, “So consider this a road trip. Kanade, try taking a nap, okay? We're doing this for you, so you need to be energized.”

“I'm not tired,” The musician replies solemnly.

“Bullshit,” Ena replies, “We’ll put on music so you can relax. Mafuyu, you can catch some sleep too. You worked very late yesterday.”

“Not to mention the stunt actor didn't make it,” Mizuki adds, “You still alright?”

Mafuyu nods. “Yes. It wasn't that bad.”

“Dropping from fifteen feet is fucking scary, what do you mean it wasn't that bad?” Ena growls.

“Focus on the road, dear,” Mizuki chimes. 

Kaande looks at Mafuyu with concern. “Why didn't you tell me about this?”

“Crap,” Mizuki mutters.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Mafuyu deadpans. It's true. She's done a few stunts like that before.

“You could have gotten seriously hurt,” Kanade says condescendingly. 

“It's not the first time I've dropped from long heights, Kanade,” Mafuyu sighs.

“What?!” Ena gasps.

“Really? What's the longest you've fallen?” Mizuki says with intrigue.

Mafuyu hums. “Probably ten meters.”

“TEN METERS?!”

Mafuyu nods. “Yes. From a diving board. I think it was for Forgotten Snow White actually.”

“Girl, weren't you still a minor when that filmed?!”

“Was it for the nightmare scene?”

Kanade looks at Mafuyu with absolute disbelief. 

An alarmingly close strike of thunder interrupts the conversation. Thankfully Ena was stuck in traffic, because once the thunder roared, the artist screamed and scrambled in fright. Had she been moving, they might have crashed.

Mafuyu was taken by surprise too. She scrunched up into her seat. The sounds of thunder were never pleasant for her to hear. But lighting was definitely worst.

Bright flashes of light…

Like she needs more of those…

“Come here,” Kanade says. Mafuyu looks to her side to see Kanade with spread arms. Did she manage to read Mafuyu's thoughts?

There's no way she could deny such offer. She rests into Kanade's arms, shivering from the cold outside. The rain has started pouring by now. Mizuki scrambled to turn on the heater.

A couple of minutes later, another flash of lightning startles Ena once. Again. She stops the car suddenly, making both Kanade and Mafuyu open their eyes after almost drifting away.

“Hey, you okay?” Mizuki whispers.

“Y- Yeah,” Ena says with a loud gasp, “I need a break. It's just wait here a little till the storm subsides a little.

“Oh, we're in front of a coffee shop,” Mizuki says excitedly, “Shall I get you that frappuchino, Enanan~?”

“In this weather?” Kanade retorts, prompting the two in front to turn back, to see the other two huddled together like penguins. Their eyes go wide with surprise. Mizuki's twists to a smirk.

“Anything you want, Prince Charming?” She says cockily.

Kanade looks at Mafuyu to the best of her ability. “Do you want anything, Mafuyu?”

The purple-haired thinks for a long time. “Something warm. Just not coffee…”

“Hot coco it is,” Mizuki says, “But what about you, Kanade?”

“I'll get the same,” Kanade replies.

“Just get me a latte,” Ena says with a sigh.

“Oki Doki!” Mizuki cheers, opening the door and letting all the cold and wet air inside the car. Everyone shivers. “I'll be right back!”

Mizuki leaves. Ena turns around to look and Kanade and Mafuyu once again. “Gosh, you both look so warm,” she says, before suddenly leaving the car as well, hopping out of the car before opening the door besides Mafuyu, “I don't care if I'm interrupting something, I'm fucking cold. Make space, Mafuyu.”

Kanade's eyes widened. “Wait-”

Mafuyu is squeezed in-between the two women. Kanade is quick to unbuckle their seatbelt, allowing them to properly get comfortable (if you can call it that). Mafuyu's upper half rests on Kanade while Ena hugs her, head resting on Mafuyu's side. Kanade's back is to the door, her arms cradling Mafuyu as well.

Mafuyu's twisted position is very uncomfortable.

But…

Again that bubbly overwhelming warmth.

She nearly forget it's storming outside.

Mizuki returns to find all three huddled like penguins. She gasps as she spots Ena absolutely asleep, still embracing Mafuyu.

“Fine I'll drive,” she grumbles, “Here's y'all's drinks. Careful, they're really hot.”

The drive continues. Mafuyu has to wake Ena up due to Kanade's entire body going numb. They all also enjoy their drinks as well, filling themselves with warmth.

Mafuyu wished she could taste the coco so badly. Ena and Kanade next to her. Mizuki telling stories at the wheel; Mafuyu wanted to remember this moment forever. Could she taste, perhaps the flavor would remind her of this day with her friends each time.

For now, she'll indulge in this now.

Ena pulls out her phone, asking for a selfie to remember the wacky moment as well. Mizuki is of course excluded from the picture, to which she complains to.

“We should have a movie night one day,” Ena suggests, “We can huddle together like this again. It'll be cute.”

“Oh my goodness we should!” Mizuki exhilarates, “And I know the perfect movie.”

Kanade winces. “No we can't watch that one again,” She says, “I'm not good with horror.”

“I know,” Mizuki says with a mischievous grin.

“Why not one of Mafuyu's films?” Ena says, “You have like twenty of those, right? Plenty to binge.”

Mafuyu shrugs. “I don't remember.”

“We can watch season one of City of Spirits, no?” Mizuki bellows.

“I don't think Mafuyu would like to watch herself…”

“Aw, but we gotta! I want to cheer like a maniac everytime she pops out on screen!” Mizuki says, “I want to point and be like ‘Oh my god, that's my girl right there! Look at her!’ like a proud parent.”

“Okay, that sounds actually fun to do,” Ena replies.

Mafuyu can only laugh softly at this, to which everyone's banter stops.

Silence.

“No way,” Mizuki says softly, her smile growing soft.

Mafuyu blinks as Ena suddenly hugs her. She turns to Kanade, who's also smiling warmly. “What?” She replies.

“You are not serious,” Ena growls, releasing her.

Mafuyu deadpans her direction.

Kanade makes Mafuyu turn over to her. “Hey Mafuyu,” she says, obviously blushing, “I know this is kinda sudden… but… would you like to join our team?”

Mafuyu blinks. Her heart races. “Team?” 

Ena nods. “Yes. We call ourselves Nightcord at 25. Back when we were teenagers, that was our online name as a music group. Kanade would make the songs while I drew the art and Mizuki would edit together a music video for it.”

“I see,” Mafuyu replies.

“But then Ena went to pursuit art school. Kanade stared getting commissions from companies. I tried to get into fashion but it didn't quite work out,” Mizuki chimes in with a laugh, “So I studied to become a manager instead for these two. Nightcord unfortunately went to an indefinite hiatus, but our former fans very much knows we now work professionally under K the worldwide sensation and Shinonome Ena the greatest painter of all time!”

“Stop glazing me,” Ena mutters.

“The thing is, if you join us,” Kanade continues, “You and I can bring Nightcord at 25 back. The both of us as a duo. Unfortunately Ena and Mizuki aren't interested in performing on stage with me, but you know all about performing… So I uh…”

“Sorry Kanade, but you know my thing is art,” Ena says with a small chuckle.

“I am unfortunately busy being all of y'all's manager,” Mizuki adds.

“So… you don't have to agree obviously,” Kanade says, looking at Mafuyu with glittery eyes, “But it would be really cool to perform with you, Mafuyu. Therefore… could you join me? Us?”

Mafuyu scoffs, before leaning into Kanade's chest again. “Of course,” she says without a second thought, “I want to join you.” Kanade laughs softly, hugging Mafuyu once again.

“You won't regret it,” Kanade promises, “Thank you, Mafuyu.”

Mizuki suddenly starts laughs. “I was waiting for this exact moment! The timing couldn't have been better!” She cheers.

Kanad blinks. “What do you mean?” She asks. Ena seemed to be confused as well.

Mizuki looks at them through the rear mirror. “You'll see.”

.

.

.

.

“And I present to you, Wabbix: periwinkle edition. Mizuki requested I call her Yuki, and that she have a few difference to the original Wabbix,” The purple haired man says, unveiling a black helmet with a black LED visor. He turns it on, and two big periwinkle eyes blink into existence, following with a rabbit nose and a zig zag mouth. Parts of the helmet and rabbit ears on too also began to be lined with LEDs of the same color. A small tuff of periwinkle fur rested on the helmet’s head.

“Rui, you went all out on this one!” Mizuki praises, “You even gave this one the ability to change expressions, right?”

“I did. I made a few modifications to the original Wabbix as well. Since I can't recode her, I just gave her the ability to blink, glitch, and blue screen,” Rui replies, before taking off the gloves, “Give it a try Asahina. You can change the face through buttons found the fingertips of the left glove.”

Mafuyu stares at the black tech gloves. The finger pads also have LEDs, resembling paw pads along with the bean shaped LED on her palm. She lightly taps each finger tip with her thumb, watching as each finger press changes the rabbit’s expression. 

Kanade is behind her, wearing the original Wabbix. It was basically the same except for the LEDs being a reddish hue. She was also wearing a black leather jacket and rabbit-foot inspired boots, also lined with LEDs. Mafuyu nearly smiles at the sight.

“Wabbix feels lighter than last time,” Kanade says, and as she speaks, Wabbix’s zig zag mouth moves like sound waves. She learned there's a microphone pickup inside the helmet, which connects to the venue's sound system and to the LEDs in the mouth area. 

“Yes, I made some adjustments since the heaviness seemed to make the moveable parts stiffen, like the ears and the ventilation system,” Rui explains, “I think they're both ready to go for your next tour, K-san.”

“Thanks Rui!” Mizuki cheers before being the visor to Mafuyu, “Come on, wear it! We need to let K’s followers know!”

Mafuyu blinks, staring that the visor. 

Yuki. That is its name.

She puts it on. She can hear the whirling of fans. 

But most importantly.

She can barely see a thing. Most of her vision was blocked by wiring. Only a small sliver at the top of the visor allowed her to see to the outside world.

“Hehe, with that expression she looks kinda cute,” Ena says from somewhere in Mafuyu's right. 

She wished she knew which expression was on the visor right now. She's going to have to memorize which finger was which.

“Mafuyu, speak,” Mizuki says excitedly.

“Draw me like one of your French girls,” she recites, prompting Mizuki to burst in laughter. 

“Wait! Put on the tail!” Ena exclaims, “And the boots!”

“Make it wink!” Mizuki pleaded, still wheezing uncontrollably.

“Which finger is for that again?” Mafuyu asks.

“Index,” Rui replies, clearly having fun as well.

Kanade helps Mafuyu attach the rabbit tail to her belt while Ena puts on the boots, since Mafuyu can't see a thing underneath her.

“Okay! Okay! I'm recording now!” Mizuki says, “Can you pretend you're on a fashion show?”

Oh, Mafuyu's been to plenty of those. Participated in plenty of those.

“Like this?” She says, standing straight before walking towards Mizuki's voice with her best runway walk, posing as she notices Mizuki was in front of her, squeezing the button to make Yuki wink before twirling around and did the walk back.

Hysterical laughter follows.

“That was good! That was so good!” 

“You should do it too, Kanade!”

“Um, unfortunately I am not a model with nearly a decade of experience,” Says says nervously, “Unlike Mafuyu.”

“Aw don't be like that!”

“No.”

“Let's just do this announcement and go back home,” Ena says, “I'm going to need to revisit the posters and merch… I'm so glad we haven't produced those yet.”

“You haven't?” Kanade says warily, “This late? The tour is next month. What if merch doesn't ship on time?”

“I know what I'm doing, Kanade,” The artist says dismissively.

Mafuyu laughs softly, which Yuki picks up. The rabbit mouth moves in response.

“This is awesome,” Mizuki cheers, “Again, thank you Rui. For this.” 

“The pleasure is mine. You know there's nothing a love more than enhancing a performance,” He says, “You guys might need to give Yuki a few more tests. If you guys find complications, let me know.”

“Picture time!”

Kanade and Mafuyu stand against a brick wall, which Rui claimed to have for photoshoot for his robotics. With gloomy lighting and smoke machines, they made it work. Kanade struggled to pose accordingly, but as she had said, Mafuyu's had almost a decade worth of photoshoots. She instructed Kanade to pose certain ways, though it was Ena who helped refine them as she was the one actually able to see Kanade's movement. Mafuyu joined her once Kanade seemed to have gotten it down. Her posing was more natural. Instinctive.

“Now a few silly ones!”

“Mizuki!” Kanade whines.

They end up doing the silly ones too.

As the photoshoot comes to an end, Mafuyu is finally able to take the helmet off. She's suddenly made aware of how drenched in sweat she's become.

Though it didn't matter. 

Today's… today's been great.

Dare she say…

Fun.

Kanade walks up to Mafuyu, also soaked in sweat. “I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Mafuyu,” She says, smiling sweetly, “Your happiness means a lot to me.”

Mafuyu can't help but smile back. “Yeah,” she says, looking into the composer's eyes with new admiration. “Thank you, Kanade.”

“How are we doing Yuki's debut?” Mizuki asks, “I of course already have ideas. But what about you, K?”

Kanade scratched the back of her head. “Since my debut anniversary is coming up, I figured I'd release remakes of songs from Nightcord at 25. I’ve also gotten some of Mafuyu's lyrics and made a song with them. Mafuyu and I can record vocals. The album cover can be one of the pictures we've just taken just heavily edited so it looks like art or something.”

“I can do that,” Ena says.

“Ooh! How about I make an arg to keep fans hyped,” Mizuki says excitedly, “Maybe I should post a teaser on the old Nightcord at 25 account. Maybe a close up of Yuki’s LED face.”

“Do the one winking!” Ena pleads.

“Oh yes!” Mizuki cheers, tapping aggressively onto her phone, “And done! Now one on K’s account!”

“I'll get my team started on the arg,” Ena says as she pulls out her phone, “I'll contact Futaba right now actually.”

“Perfect! This is amazing!” Mizuki says, “We need to get back home now! There's so much to do and so little time!”

“Have a safe trip home, fu! Fu!” Rui chirps. Mafuyu and Kanade place Yuki and Wabbix into their respective boxes, keeping them safe from the storm outside.

“It's fucking hailing!”

The four immediately sprint to the car since the leave the studio, laughing hysterical through the sounds of thunder and balls of hail.

“Inside! Inside! Both of you!” Ena swings the door open; Kanade and Mafuyu both leap inside the car. Kanade laughs as Mafuyu lands on top her. Both there faces flush with which Mafuyu assumed was adrenaline and excitement.

That's what she felt anyways.

She was so sure of it. 

Mafuyu attempts to get off Kanade, though slumps from their wet clothes.

Their faces suddenly are so close again. Mafuyu stares at Kanade underneath her, feeling her heavy breath against her skin.

Her lips are chapped. Her pale skin covered in soft fuzz. The bruise was still there somehow, just so faded no one would know. 

But most importantly.

Mafuyu's never realized it, but Kanade is actually very pretty. She keeps their eye contact, absolutely mesmerized by Kanade's… everything.

She's mesmerizing.

She's…

Kanade suddenly shoves Mafuyu away, sitting up with a ragged breath. Before Mafuyu could even react, the composer removes all physical contact, placing the boxes of Wabbix and Yuki in the seat between them. Mafuyu's hand instinctively reaches out, to which the white-haired recoils from. Her cheeks are completely flushed. Sweat continues to drip from her temples. Her hair covers her eyes completely.

“Sorry…” Kanade mutters distantly, opening her mouth to say more. But nothing comes out. So instead, she turns away from the actress, and stares out the window.

Mafuyu can only stare. Ice curls it's way up her limbs to her chest and wrap around her throat.

She couldn't understand what happened. What just happened? All she knew, Kanade wanted nothing to do with her. Mizuki and Ena didn't seem to notice either, busy on call with Ena's art team.

Has she… hurt Kanade?

Chapter Text

A long never ending aisle. Shelves full up books on each side, yet none have been checked out for seemingly centuries. 

The school girl eerily walks through said shelf passageway with a limp. Her once elegant uniform is now torn and messy. Her bow has come undone. Additionally, her formally round pale face has now sunken in. Her ghost-like appearance becomes more ghostly. A wound bleeds black blood. Her uniform is stained with that same blood. A particular limp makes her silently cry out in pain. She clutches her chest with a hand and more black blood spilled from that wound.

She makes it to the center of the library. A few tables for studying and the reception desk is found here. There's a few bean bags for readers to sit.

Fortunately, no one's stepped foot here for a long time.

And it's going to continue being that way for eternity.

The school girl bends over and starts coughing, her bangs covering her eyes as she cowers weakly. She has no energy to hold herself up anymore, and so she collapses on her knees. Then falls to her side.

Ghosts are already dead. Why is she dying?

The girl's darkened eyes skittle frantically, like she saw her life flash before her very eyes once again. 

Her bangs cover her eyes once again, only the bottom half of her face showing.

A smile cracks on her face.

She's going to die alone. Again.

And just like last time, no one's going to find her body. 

She was foolish to join the other spirits. To leave her purgatory: this library. Where she had been murdered decades ago, and where she'd be dying from her wounds once again. Her new friends? They had no idea she was here. They won't be coming to save her. To watch her go.

She preferred it that way. 

The shadows close in on her as she is seen from above. Hands stretch out her, crawling closer.

She can't escape from the shadows this time.

“End scene!”

Mafuyu gets up from the carpet ground, shaking the excess fake blood from her hands. She really wished they'd at least give her gloves.

“Asahina good job today- whoah you look absolutely ruined,” The cameraman says, backing away as Mafuyu turns to him.

“Hm,” She hums distantly, as she takes off the uniform vest.

“Hey Asahina-sama, are you doing okay?”

Ah, here they come again.

“She's been off the entire time. Do you think something’d happened?”

“No, her manager would have let us know.”

“Unless…”

Mafuyu and only stare as the cameraman goes to whisper something into the director’s ear.

Just great.

“Asahina! Go see Tenma-san immediately,” The director instructed her, “I don't know why you've suddenly chosen to do method acting, but clearly it's not doing you any good. So go.” Mafuyu only solemnly bows without saying another word.

Of course they'd think this was method acting. They could never imagine the Asahina Mafuyu having a bad day, to the point she couldn't slip on the acting mask. She thought they knew her well already? She doesn't need to do method acting. Why would she suddenly do it?

“Hey, Asahina-san!” Shizuku calls out to her, running to the purple-haired actress with urgency. Mafuyu doesn't react as the blue-haired woman puts her hands on her shoulders and examines her face. 

Mafuyu is too exhausted to make eye-contact. Shizuku's wearing her own uniform from the previous scene, also covered in moderate amounts of black blood. “Hey Asahina-san. Let's go take a break together, okay?”

Mafuyu doesn't reply. Her head drops.

Shizuku pulls her away effortlessly. Mafuyu can barely see the path before her. Her vision blurs as they continue walking. The bright lights of the studio hurt. 

Everything hurts.

She needs- no. She can't ask for that.

These thoughts. Mafuyu thought she had shoved them to the depths of her mind. Why are they resurfacing?

A sharp ping throbs in her chest. Her vision clouds with those distant eyes.

No she's not supposed to think about-

If only she knew how she hurt-

“It's okay Asahina-san,” Shizuku says as she embraces Mafuyu like the purple-haired was a delicate small child. Mafuyu sniffed, turning away from the idol to hide her eyes. The downwards curl of her lips. Shizuku did not need to see Mafuyu. Herself. 

Yet no matter how much the actress tried, the mask seemed to be permanently broken into smithereens.

The one thing that kept her grounded was gone, after all.

Shizuku takes Mafuyu to the dressing room and sits her down. Mafuyu’s entire body goes limp for she has no will to maintain her head high. “Would you like to talk about it?” The idol whispers sympathetically. Mafuyu can't bear the thought of looking. 

But she also can't leave the idol in suspense. “I hurt…” she exhales, her voice didn't come out at all except for only a harsh ragged breath, “I ruined everything…”

Shizuku stays silent for a long moment. Perhaps she didn't catch what Mafuyu had said. But the idol gets down on one knee to look at Mafuyu better. “Why do you say that?” She voiced full concern. 

Mafuyu can't keep it in anymore. She breaks into heavy sobs, her arms itching to hide her face except for the fact she was entirely covered in fake blood. Her head hurts from the exposure.

She can't hide. Shizuku can see it all.

But the idol doesn't seem repulsed. Instead, she pulls Mafuyu for another hug. 

It's not the same as the ones she's used to. Heck, she might not even get those anymore.

Mafuyu indulges in this while she gets the chance. 

She continues sobbing into the idol, heart wrenching in self hatred. And confusion. She still doesn't understand what she did wrong.

Talking seemed out of the question at home. Everything she tried to bring it up, she'd be brushed off like dust on one's shoulder. Get told to stop worrying and to go rest or something like that. Be flashed with that all familiar smile.

But it's not the same anymore.

“Can you speak now?” Shizuku says, looking into Mafuyu's eyes. They're also very blue. Equally as soft and kind. Yes, so very different. They were well kept. Eyelashes full of mascara. There were no bags underneath them. They weren't bloodshot from staring at a screen for hours on end. Her face wasn't fussy. It's clear she did skin care. 

It's not the same at all.

Still, Mafuyu replies like the pleaser she is. “Yes…” Her voice was still hoarse. Quivering and full of pain. But she definitely could talk now.

“Do you mind explaining to me what's got you so down?” Shizuku says sweetly. Mafuyu can only think about the idol's fans that would be jealous of her at this very moment. 

She doesn't deserve the comfort of an idol.

But she's known Shizuku for a long time. The idol never held her status above Mafuyu; therefore, there was no reason for Mafuyu to do so as well. “I've hurt my…” she pauses for a long time, “Friend…”

Shizuku begins to run circles into her hand.

“I don't know what I did. I try to ask but she brushes it away,” Mafuyu continues, grows furrowing as more tears begin to spill, “She says everything's okay… But something's not the same. I ruined… I ruined our friendship…”

“Oh Asahina-san,” Shizuku sighs, “I'm sure it's not ruined. I mean, you didn't hurt your friend on purpose, right?”

Mafuyu fiercely shook her head.

“I think you should try being more firm. Have a proper conversation,” Shizuku says as her eyes twinkled in determination, “I know it's scary, but you're an actress! Sometimes, acting brave allows you to feel that way too. It's comforting to act sometimes. I know you know.”

Acting? Comforting?

It's always been a reflex. Instinctive.

She thinks back to that phone call with her mother.

She did have to act then too.

It worked.

Mafuyu sniffs, this time with a feeble smile. Shizuku made it seem so simple. 

Acting. Who would have thought!

She turns to the idol. “Thank you,” she says, taking a deep breath, “My mind feels clearer now.”

Shizuku beams the brightest of smiles, nearly blinding Mafuyu. “I'm glad to have helped, Asahina-san,” she says before taking a deep sigh, “Though the director thought you were method acting, I'm sure he called your manager for concerns…”

Mafuyu's heart stops.

Her manager was currently Mizuki.

She doesn't need to involve anyone else in this mess.

“No,” she says in a high pitch, “I- I can't have her know.”

“You can just clarify you were just a bit under the weather,” Shizuku comforted, helping Mafuyu take off the rest of the blood-stained clothes, “I wish I could stay but More More Jump has a stream soon and I have to get going. I'll text you on the way.”

Mafuyu sighs as she's freed from all the icky stuff. Shizuku takes off her stained clothes as well.

“Hinomori-san.”

The idol stops. “Hm?”

“I'm free this weekend, for lunch,” She says, “If you'd like to have that lunch-”

“Yes! I'd love to!” Shizuku beams, “We'll text later, okay? I hope you talk with Yoisaki-san soon!”

Mafuyu blinks. “How did-”

The idol grabs her purse as she heads to the door. “She's always the one dropping you off when it's not Ena-chan or Mizuki-chan,” she says with a soft smile, “Bye!”

“Bye bye!” Mafuyu waves as the door closes on her. 

She sighs and leans against the chair again.

Then her phone rings.

It's Mizuki.

Mafuyu inhales sharply. She really didn't want to have this conversation. But…

“Mizu-”

“Mafuyu are you doing okay? Do you feel unwell?”

Mafuyu squeezes her eyes shut. “I'm fine, Mizuki,” She mumbles, “I- I just-”

“Were you crying?” Mizuki snaps, clocking Mafuyu immediately, “I knew that method acting story was bullshit.”

“It's fine. Don't worry about it,” Mafuyu silently pleads.

“Fine. I won't make you talk about it,” she says with a sigh, “But Kanade's already gone to pick you up. She was on the way there when I notified her. She's… she's not going to let you off the hook easily.”

Mafuyu's chest grows cold again. She is very much not ready to face Kanade yet. Especially in the car, where they're so close together and there's little to no room to think. What if she says something wrong? How will she know what to say without thinking about it?

She's always hated improv.

She'll just pretend to be tired. Pretend to be asleep in the car so Kanade doesn't ask anything.

Yeah. And she can think on the car ride.

Perfect.

Crisis avoided.

“Mafuyu, please speak about it when you can,” Mizuki says with a sigh, “I don't want you to be carrying whatever you have to yourself. You can confide in us, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers.

“Alright. Have a safe trip home. Call me if Kanade gets too pushy,” Mizuki husks, “I'll knock some sense into her.”

Mafuyu’s chest feels lighter. “Thanks Mizuki.”

“See you later, Mafuyu. Love you!”

The call ends.

What was that?

Anyways, Mafuyu takes off the rest of the costume and changes back to her own clothes. She grabs her bag and begins the walk out the studio. She immediately starts acting, yawning and blinking hazily. She rubs her eyes. Struggles to keep her eyes open.

And when she smells it outside, she immediately spotted a white head running towards her. Mafuyu pretends to not see her coming closer, staring blankly straight ahead. 

“Mafuyu! Are you okay? Did your mom call?” Kanade calls out to her. Mafuyu notices how Kanade's hands reach to cup her face but immediately stops the motion. 

No, something was still definitely wrong.

She doesn't let the act slip. She takes a while to react to Kanade's words, before turning her head down to look at the latter. “Kanade?” she husks hazily, rubbing her eyes once again.

“Mafuyu…” Kanade says before sighing, “You're falling asleep on me, aren't you?” 

Mafuyu's absolutely going to hate this next act, but it's what's going to sell it. She smiles down feebly at the composer, before letting herself fall onto her. 

She can feel Kanade shutter at the contact, but her arms don't fail to catch the actress. She closes her eyes finally and lets her body go limp.

“M- Mafuyu…!” Kanade demands. Her body was shaking under the pressure. “Mafuyu… did you not sleep last night?”

Mafuyu hums distantly. She can feel the eyes on them. She's making a scene.

“I want to go home…” she whispers quietly, wrapping her arms around Kanade's neck as support. Kanade is soon to drop her, after all. 

“Fine I'll take you home,” Kanade says, adjusting Mafuyu. Mafuyu nearly falls out of the act as she feels hands hook under her legs, and her feet leave the ground. 

She's surprised Kanade's actually able to carry her.

“You'll tell me what's wrong when we get home, right?” Kanade whispers softly, grunting as she struggles to carry Mafuyu back to the car, “You need to let me know. I can fix it, I promise. That's the whole point of this collaboration. I- I can… you can count on me.”

Why do her words…

“Mafuyu… are you still awake…?” 

Mafuyu didn't know if Kanade was looking at her face or not. 

She can hear the car open, and then herself being let down. She knows Kanade is struggling through all of this. Her silent mutters and grunts of disbelief. It hurts to make her do all these things, but it hurts more to think about confronting her yet.

Confronting meant…

All of this.

Her safe place.

Might be all gone before her very eyes.

She feels the seatbelt be strapped over her, following with a soft click. Then her body is covered with what Mafuyu assumed was one of Kanade's many blue track jackets. 

Then the door clothes.

Silence. She peeks open one eye to see Kanade leaning against the window. She seems to be calling someone.

Oh she better not be calling who she-

Kanade turns around.

And opens the door.

Ice.

“Mafuyu.”

Mafuyu does not move, keeping her breath shallow.

“Are you acting?”

It takes everything in her body to not react.

“It seems like she's actually fallen asleep…” Kanade says defeatedly, “I don't understand.”

“I told you to not fuck it up, Kanade!” She hears Mizuki on the speaker, “You promised!”

“I don't know what I could have done!” Kanade yells back feebly, “I- I don't…”

“Kanade, you know exactly what you did. Tell me so I can help you!” Mizuki exhausts.

Silence.

Mafuyu shouldn't be hearing this. 

But…

“She was getting close…”

An audible groan from the phone. “Kanade…”

“I can't let her get close, Mizuki,” Kanade exhilarates, voice beginning to break, “That's not what a savior would do. She can't get close to a sinner. Not me.”

Then Mafuyu catches silent sobs and hiccups. It takes everything in her to not roll around and embrace the composer.

But perhaps that would make it worse.

Emotions stir in her chest. She can hardly understand the words she hears. To be able to process them accordingly.

“Kanade, I love you but what were you expecting? You're the one who's given her hospitality. You're the one who gave her everything! Why wouldn't she get close?” Mizuki replies, “Whatever you did, she probably thought she had done something wrong!”

“Well she did!” Kanade bursts with anger Mafuyu's never heard of, not even in the best of films and from the best of actors. The ragged breath follows. “She's supposed to use me, squeeze me out of every drop of use. That's how I save her. That's how I repent! She's not supposed to… she's supposed to…”

“Kanade, don't drive. You're not in the best-”

“I do what I want!” Kanade snaps.

“Ena! Get the car!”

Mafuyu probably should step in now.

“Mizuki, it's fine,” Kanade rasps, “I'm okay. Mafuyu's okay. Don't worry about me. You can hang up now.”

“Kanade as your manager and friend it is my job to worry about you,” Mizuki replies, the jingle of keys leaking through the call.

“Hey Kanade, it's okay. We're coming to get you,” Ena's voice says sweetly, “Why don't you make sure Mafuyu's doing okay?”

“She's asleep,” Kanade retorts, “Why should she be okay?”

“Kanade, just watch her. Please watch her,” Ena pleads, “She needs you. She's had a hard day, you know.”

Mafuyu immediately caught what Ena was trying to do.

Kanade must not drive. 

“She can't get close…” Kanade mumbles like a broken record, “She can't get close. From a distance is fine.”

“Do you not care about-”

Kanade's breath hitches. Whoever said that said wrong. Mafuyu wasn't facing Kanade, but she knew the short woman was not taking that lightly. The atmosphere inside the car grew tense. It nearly made Mafuyu shiver. “How can you say that? Of course I-”

Long pause.

“No. I don't. All of this has been to feed my selfish ego,” Kanade says with a weak laugh, “I need to save someone. I need to repent. She just happened to be here. What I've done with her. Anyone could have done it…!”

“Kanade, please stop talking. You're going to regret your words,” Mizuki pleads, “We're almost there.”

“I don't care about her!” Kanade bursts, “I don't care about anyone! It's all just ego!”

Mafuyu hears the hum of the car turning on.

She blinks back the tears in her eyes. Mafuyu suddenly shifts, to which Kanade immediately shrieks at. She turns to see Kanade's puffy eyes, they way her hands were shaking. Mafuyu ignores her, reaching for the car keys and twists the car off. She takes the keys, still not saying another word before she grabs the door handle and steps outside.

“M- Mafuyu,” Kanade stutters, though Mafuyu is quick to close the door behind her. 

She takes a deep breath.

She knew she wasn't supposed to hear that. Fooling Kanade was foolish of her. She should have just talked from the start.

Kanade's words still made her heart race with pain. To hear such words come from her mouth.

Repent.

Savior.

Selfish ego.

Mafuyu didn't know what went inside Kanade's mind, but perhaps these were the old habits Mizuki was talking about the other day. 

But Mafuyu wasn't stupid.

She knew all those words were false. The not caring thing. As Mizuki would call it: absolutely bullshit.

But she knew one thing for certain.

Maybe she should leave Kanade to sort herself out for a bit.

As painful as that was.

She looks down at her phone.

Mafuyu: Pick me up at this location. *Location sent*

“Mafuyu!” Mizuki calls out. Mafuyu sees the familiar car pull over, with both Mizuki and Ena storming out of it. 

“Where's Kanade?” Ena says frantically.

“She's in the car,” Mafuyu says, “She was about to drive off. But I took the keys.”

“Thank goodness,” Mizuki says with a sigh of relief before turning to Mafuyu with a guilty expression, “Sorry about that. She promised she was improving. But… I didn't think she would-”

“It's fine. I know she's not thinking straight right now,” Mafuyu says with a sigh, tossing Ena the keys, “Is she religious?” Ena scrambles to the car.

Mizuki's eyes darted to the floor. “She might have picked up a few things from therapy sessions,” she confesses, “The whole repent thing, I'm sorry you had to go through that. We should have been more honest about these kinds of things. I genuinely believed in Kanade when she said she was getting better. I had hope in my friend. I'm sorry.”

“Why doesn't she want anyone close?” Mafuyu asks.

“It's a long story,” Mizuki sighs, “It's not for me to tell.”

“She's okay now,” Ena announces, closing the car door, “I've given her the meds. And melatonin.” Mizuki and Mafuyu both hum in response. Ena sighs heavily, wiping sweat off her face, “She had a breakdown. Her anxiety went up from the emergency call you gave her, Mizuki.”

“I might have also triggered it by yelling at her,” Mizuki says guiltily, releasing the smallest of smiles but her teary eyes deceived her, “It's just… I knew her savior complex is what hurt Mafuyu. I was right, but I should have addressed it better.”

“What's happened, happened. We all have guilt in this,” Ena says calmly, as calmly as they could all possibly be, “I'll drive Kanade to the hospital. We don't know if her blood pressure lowered or all that medical stuff. Mizuki, you and Mafuyu should go back home. Not at Kanade's, our place.”

Mafuyu shakes her head, breath hitching. “That won't be necessary.”

Mizuki and Ena both turn to her. “What?”

Mafuyu wipes away tears. “Listen, I think it's best you both focus on her,” Mafuyu says with a sniff, cracking a smile, “She’s got a tour next month, after all. You both have a lot on your hands. I'm just… taking up space.”

“Mafuyu, what the fuck are you talking about,” Ena snaps, hands clenching into tight fists.

Mafuyu sighs. “I need time too, okay?” She says sternly, “I need to clear my head. I can't help Kanade. Not with how I am now. I need to fix myself up, like you said, Ena.”

A jet black limousine pulls over behind Mizuki's car. 

“Mafuyu, you're not leaving us!” Ena snaps, grabbing Mafuyu's shoulders, “I know what Kanade said isn't very nice but she needs you! And right now she needs you more than ever!”

Mafuyu's chest warms at the thought. “I know,” she says, “I'm not leaving. I'm going to fix my problems. I can't… I can't have Kanade thinking she needs to save me anymore.”

Mizuki lets off a scoff. “This is a very cruel way of doing it,” she says with a small laugh, “But I get what you mean.”

“I don't, fucking explain!” Ena demands.

“You're slow, Enanan~!”

“Mizuki, now is not the time for this!”

Mafuyu sighs. “I'm going to cancel the contract. I'll retire from acting. I'll speak with my mother about what I want to do,” she says, the last part being a bit painful, “All my problems will be solved so I won't need saving. I won't need Kanade anymore.”

“And it will be up to Kanade if she wants to maintain contact or not,” Mizuki finishes, “You really are an actor, Mafuyu. You might as well be a film writer, because all that you just said is absolute cinema!”

“Ugh, I hate that I asked,” Ena says, pinching her nose, “But this might be the only way to fix Kanade, huh. To get her out of that fuckass mentality.”

“Or not. She might just move on to someone else,” Mafuyu says. The thought of such is unbearable. It hurts so much. “But I'm willing to give it a try.”

“Miss Asahina-san,” Mafuyu's chauffeur announces, “We must get going.”

She turns to the driver. “Of course.”

“I'm going to fucking miss you, Mafuyu!” Ena says with ugly crying, “Be careful out there, okay? If you need help don't hesitate to call us! We have access to lawyers! Anything you need!”

“Or just call us if you need a friend,” Mizuki says, giving Mafuyu a hug, “Keep us updated okay? Don't worry about Kanade. We got it.”

Mafuyu smiles at her friends. “Thanks guys…” she says with a laugh, “For everything.”

“Hey, we're the ones who should be thanking you,” Mizuki laughs, “You're fucking the Asahina Mafuyu. The fact you let us contact you despite your status is an honor!”

“I'm just Mafuyu,” Mafuyu replied, “The actress and the model thing are just… extra perks.”

“Oh, shut up!”

Mafuyu gives her friends one last hug before walking behind her chauffeur. She gave one last glance to Kanade's old car. 

She's probably asleep right now.

Mafuyu hums softly, fixing the blue track jacket over her before pulling up the zipper.

She can see Mizuki and Ena scrambling off into each car, preparing to drive away.

“You doing okay, Asahina?” The driver asks.

Mafuyu nods, making her way into the car. She looks back to see Ena carrying Kanade to the passenger seat.

Not wanting to get close, huh.

Mizuki and Ena don't have to worry about a thing. She'll still be in touch.

But Kanade.

Mafuyu looks at the Nightcord app she had been using to text and call with Kanade these couple of months now.

She uninstalls.

It pains her chest to do so.

But who is she to disrespect Kanade's wishes? 

She can act dumb.

But now she had a new problem to face. Or rather, old unsolved problems. Problems she's been avoiding to face or think about ever since she made that call with Kanade. 

“You look fuller, Asahina-san,” the driver says suddenly, “As in… more alive. I see your vacation has gone quite well.”

Mafuyu nods. “Yes, it has,” she agrees, looking out the window.

“It's a shame it's had to end so soon,” The driver says, “I was genuinely rooting for you.”

“It's not yet ended,” Mafuyu says with a soft giggle, “I just want to extend it a bit longer.”

“I see,” The man says, taking a turn to the right, “So what will Miss Asahina Mafuyu do now? I assume you're quitting modeling and acting.”

Mafuyu nods once again. “I'm going anonymous,” she explains, “K-sama and I are going to become a music duo named Nightcord at 25. My alias will be Yuki.”

“Sounds fun,” the driver cheers, “K’s concerts are genuinely so much fun. Are you also going to become a Wabbix?”

“I already have a suit,” Mafuyu replies, registering excitement in her voice.

“No way! Is that what the teasers were about on K’s social media?” The chauffeur replies, “Whenever you perform here I'm definitely getting my hands on tickets.”

The fact her driver was a K fan surprised Mafuyu.

“I will make sure to ask for a discount just for you,” Mafuyu chimes, making the driver laugh.

The conversation ends.

Today was definitely the most overwhelming and emotionally confusing day Mafuyu's ever had in her life. Even more than the day she had accepted she'd be acting for the rest of her life as a teenager. 

And she was stuck as a teenager, she realized. She was helpless and always in need of guidance. Until Kanade recused her, Mafuyu was finally able to experience being an adult. 

She won't make Kanade's efforts go in vain.

Mafuyu spots the all too familiar gates of her home. It is nighttime now. The sky is still cloudy. The limousine pulls over the home's driveway. This place wouldn't have been constructed if it weren't for Mafuyu's effort since a child, she now realizes. 

Mafuyu steps out of the car, fixing her hair and all the wrinkles of her clothes. She grabs her bag, turning over to the stairs.

She hears the tapping of heels. 

Mafuyu looks up to see purple hair matching her own. Her heart twists painfully. A knot develops in her throat.

No, she has to do this.

Mafuyu throws on a confident smile. 

“Hello, mother.”