Kanamafu

It was getting close to night, and Kanade's work, as expected, did not abate. The girl had been working non-stop for about five hours now and wasn't going to stop. The last few days inspiration has begun to roll over her: of course, talking with Mizuki has helped her a lot.

Amid the sounds of keystrokes and the hum of the computer, Kanade heard the sound of a notification from the nightcord. She quickly switched tabs.

— Amia is meeting me in the Sekai. They want to talk. Come over in... forty minutes or so, if I don't write you again, okay? In case we need help. — 8:40 pm

'So Mizuki've decided... That's sweet. I'm glad...' Kanade thought, getting up from her chair and heading out of the room.

In the hallway, the girl met Mafuyu.

"Kanade? Something happened? I didn't think you'd be out before nightfall." 

"I'm fine, just decided to rest. By the way, look", Kanade showed an open dialogue with Enanan and her last message. "It seems like Mizuki has become a little bravier."

Mafuyu pondered, her chin resting on her hand as she gazed at the screen.

"That's good. Ena was very stressed." 

"You were too. So I'm glad that everything is being resolved now."

"I was?" Yuki looked at her friend in surprise.

Kanade just giggled and waved her hand, as if indicating to follow her. The girls went to the kitchen.

"Would you like some tea? I wouldn't mind drinking it together."

Mafuyu concurred with a nod. She didn't know why, but lately, specifically from White Day, she began to gradually distinguish the smells of tea, and sometimes, usually when niigo were around, even tastes of it. Small tea parties with Kanade became their little ritual: they could sit in silence, taking a break from the day's worries, or they could share news, progress, or just thoughts. And, although Mafuyu hardly felt the temperature change, during their tea parties she felt incredibly warm in the chest and cheeks. She didn't want to let go of that feeling.

The girls sat down at the table in front of each other. On the street the stars shimmered to the beat of the wind, the clock ticked on the wall, and the heart beat steadily, which all combined into a beautiful melody just for them. The subdued light absorbed two relaxed figures.

"You know, I promised Mizuki not to tell you two, but now I think it's okay", Kanade began, examining the bottom of the filled cup. "A couple of days ago, I went to Sekai, and we met by chance. I tried to explain to Mizuki that we would accept them by any means, no matter what the secret is. It looks like I was able to convey something after all..." the girl smiled softly.

"I also met Mizuki today. At the station, where we usually saw each other." 

K jerked her head up in disbelief. She nodded, as if asking her to continue.

"Mizuki is very worried. And I said I was grateful for that escape advice, but it wasn't the only one that helped me. That determination and honesty helped me no less. I would like for it to help Amia too." 

Kanade smiled gently and put her hand on top of Mafuyu's. Yoisaki looked into her eyes and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"That's wonderful. I'm sure Mizuki appreciates your advice very much." 

Yuki's facial features relaxed, and she turned her palm over, completely holding onto her friend's hand. 

"You know", Kanade continued, "I'm happy for Ena and Mizuki. It seems they've been through a lot, and now they're getting better. At least I'm waiting for it..."

"I hope that Enanan will be able to get Amia back. Just the three of us are not the actual niigo."

"You're right. I miss Mizuki. Their voice, their jokes. The calls have been so quiet for the last two weeks." 

"Yeah, it was so unusual."

The girls were silent for a while, drinking the cooling tea and not separating their hands, as if they were one.

"Actually, I'm glad that three years ago I gradually found the three of you. I don't know who I would've been without you, and would've I been able to save someone at all with my melodies. But I'm sure they saved you, my three beloved people, and they save you every day."

Mafuyu shook her head, setting her cup aside.

"Your songs are beautiful, but they're not the ones that saved us. It's you too. You've done so much for me, for Ena, for Mizuki. You are inseparable from your melodies, but you can also cope alone", Yuki paused, thinking. "You've awakened feelings in me that I didn't even know I had, and together with niigo, I've developed them. Thank you."

Kanade blinked, trying to process her friend's words. Her cheeks turned a little red, and her hand twitched, but remained in the grasp. 

"No, you're the one to thank."

***

The clock striked 9:15 pm. Forty minutes had almost passed, and there was still no message from Ena.

"Do you think we should check them out there?" Kanade suggested, lying in Mafuyu's arms and enjoying the rhythmic synchronized breathing.

"Let's give them some more time. And you've just got comfortable." 

"Okay..."

To the seventh (last) chapter>>>