Mizumafu

The next day, Mafuyu went to school as on any other day. The last school year was full of expectations, but it became easier for her to accept them: her smile was no longer so strained, her voice was a little lower, and some people understood her better. The girl was grateful to Mochizuki-san and Otori-san for the pleasant work a few months ago.

After class Mafuyu headed to the station. There was no cram school, and neither was the archery club, so she had the whole evening off. She could start writing lyrics early. Plus, the housekeeper is due to come on one of these days, she'll have to go to the grocery store. Mafuyu hadn't had a tea party with her and Kanade for a long time. They can even help her clean up…

A familiar pink hair flashed into view. 

'Mizuki?' 

Mafuyu quickened her pace and followed them. It would be very unexpected to meet Mizuki like this... catching up, she grabbed their wrist and stopped.

"M-Mafuyu?" Amia exhaled. "How did you find me?" 

"I stumbled across you by accident. I never expected to run into you on the street", it was noticeable how Mafuyu's expression relaxed at the sight of a close one.

"Ha-ha, yeah, I see… Well, I'll go then-" 

"Wait. Would you like to come to the family restaurant? I'm alone, there won't be another two," Yuki suddenly offered, still not letting go of Mizuki's wrist, which began to shake involuntarily from surprise. It's too soon, it's too soon... "I don't know what kind of feeling it is, but I can't stop hearing your voice anymore. Without you, niigo is not what I'm used to."

"H-huh, Mafuyu. You sure have interesting emotions", they were silent for a while. "Okay, let's go. There's nothing to do after a part-time job anyway." 

In the family restaurant everything was as usual. The same tables, chairs and staff. The same corner for four friends, only this time two of them came up to it. They ordered food and waited.

"So, how have things been? It's been a while since we last talked, hasn't it?" Mafuyu heard while she folded her hands on the table and looked out the window.

"School's the same, I prepare for exams. We started writing a new song with niigo. But so far it's not really working out." 

"Why though?" 

"Kanade says it lacks an important part to create songs. Without it she seemed to have rolled back in progress two years ago. When…" 

"...when Ena and I hadn't joined yet," Mizuki's whisper was like a frosty wind that didn't leave a soul behind. 'What did my escape do...' 

They sat in silence for a while until the waiter brought their tea. 

"Mizuki, I'm not very good at understanding emotions, but I can assure you of this. Those words of yours about escaping gave me strength along with the advice of Ena and Kanade. It was only thanks to the efforts of all four of them that I was able to slightly improve my condition", Mafuyu continued after Mizuki's nod. "And I want to convey this thought to you too. That you can rely on niigo while still sticking to your methods. Escaping helped you, but without honesty and perseverance it won't lead you to the ending you want." 

Tears welled up in Mizuki's eyes. Mafuyu was so wise, and Amia can only listen to themself. But it couldn't go on like this anymore. It's time to correct the mistakes they've made and hope that their close friends will accept everything without negative consequences.

"Thanks, Mafuyu. You're right. The truth is… I'm weaker than you think. My soul can't stand the overload, and I wanted to protect it from that. But by doing so, I'm just... It's just…" 

"Virtual Singers can help you if meeting us is still scary. I think Kanade and Ena will understand." 

"And you? Will you understand?" 

Mafuyu thought about it.

"After your advice I think I'm grateful to you. Life became a bit easier for me, it became warmer in my chest. I enjoy working. So yes, I'll understand." 

Mizuki's body relaxed, and Yuki exhaled too. 'It'll be okay… I don't know what the secret is yet, but it seems Amia's not so anxious now. At least with me.'

Mafuyu missed the moment when thoughts about the condition of her friends began to occupy her entire day. Did Kanade fall asleep, did Ena finish her homework, would Mizuki come back and dilute the atmosphere of the group again? Will the four of them get together, hold hands, hug… Co-living with Kanade has made her a little more tactile than before. More calm. More... in love?

Most of the time, the girl was not sure of her feelings. About music, classmates, family… But she certainly didn't doubt it.

But right now, the troubles were more important than romantic relationships with her band members. For example, the absence of Mizuki. But there's Mizuki, sitting in front of her, sipping tea, seems to be thinking about something. Maybe there is still hope?..

 ***

When Mizuki returned home, their head was filled with possible scenarios. Of course, no one obliged them to run headlong and tell niigo about their secret, but both Kanade and Mafuyu gave Amia this idea. Ena would have pushed it too, but... that was the main problem.

As if sensing something was wrong, Mizuki's phone lit up, and Rin appeared on the screen. 

"Mizuki."

"Rin?! What are you doing here?" 

"You haven't been in Sekai for two days. I'm... Miku's worried about your condition. We, the Singers, did not communicate with you while you were by the lake, but we felt your presence. And now it's gone." 

A small smile played on Mizuki's face.

"I'm fine. Well, I mean, nothing bad happened to me. I saw Mafuyu today." 

"Mafuyu?" Rin's eyes widened in surprise. "Unexpectedly. What were you talking about?" 

"She met me so unintendedly, took me to a family restaurant. We talked about everything. About niigo, about... ahem, the consequences of the festival." 

"Have you and Ena talked yet?" 

"Huh, you hit a sore spot, Rin," Mizuki's hand went to their heart. "No. No, we didn't talk." 

"You know what she's going through, right?" Mizuki felt as if they had been hit on the head with a hammer. Uh, yeah. Awkward. "Talk to her. You know she'll understand." 

"Rin… I can't take it, it's just…" 

"But can she?" Rin suddenly interrupted, which surprised Mizuki. "She lost a good friend, she's not like herself. She gave you time, it seems it's time to repay her with an honest conversation." 

The Virtual Singer was silent for a couple more minutes, peering into Mizuki's shifty gaze.

"You're a good person, just like Ena. If you talk to her, this chasm will stop growing", after these words, Rin disappeared, leaving a ringing silence behind her.

But she was right. They did need to talk.

To the fifth chapter>>>