Polyniigo

Minutes passed like a river skirting rocks on its way. No wonder, because in Mizuki's arms Ena felt like the sparkling warmth is going to flow from her skin, covering the whole Sekai. Their combined breaths relaxed Ena.

But then realization hit her abruptly, and Enanan startled.

"Mizuki, I told Kanade and Mafuyu to come in fourty minutes if I don't message them again. What time is it?" 

Mizuki's eyes snapped open at her friend's movement, but then softened. Their hand reached for the phone.

"9:19 pm. Do we still have time?" 

"Oh my god, no, they should be here in a minute. They must be extremely worried..."

Mizuki reached out to Ena's head and let it fall on their shoulder, and then began gently stroking her hair.

"And when they come, we'll calm them down in a second. It's okay." 

"But we're gonna have to explain everything to them... Can you do it?" 

Mizuki's eyes widened again at the realization of a still lying secret between them and a half of their group. Their heart was pounding in their ears again.

"Well... you accepted me.… So it's probably going to be okay... right?" 

"Yeah. But I'm sure they wouldn't mind giving you some more time. You don't have to tell them everything today, but I'll be here for you anyway", Ena hugged Mizuki tighter, hiding her face in the curve of their neck.

After a couple of minutes, the space glowed white, and two more girls appeared near the lake. The short one was really concentrated, as if she was ready to help someone this second, or ready to look for something (or someone). The second girl was looking around, trying to find their two friends. Her gaze fell on a small island made of a blanket and two figures on it.

"Ena, Mizuki, you're here. I'm so glad..." Kanade breathed out while coming closer.

"Oh, hi", Enanan slowly stopped hugging Mizuki and just sat down next to them, moving to make room for two more.

"You didn't message us, although everything is fine. We thought something had happened after all", Mafuyu shared while sitting and smoothing the fabric of her pants.

"We've just been a little... busy", Mizuki's voice came through an awkward cough. 

"Well, it's okay. I'm glad to see you again", K gave her trademark smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Kanade..." Mizuki's trembling whisper was unsuccessfully hidden in their sleeve. "I'm also glad to see the three of you. I was scared, but... it was terribly hard without you. I'm sorry I had to run away again.… It was a fight-or-flight situation, and my brain just went full on the second choice."

Ena put her hand on top of Amia's and squeezed it lightly, as if to encourage them.

"And I think it's time to tell you about my secret. I get it that you can wait a little longer, but it doesn't seem fair to me. That Ena knows, but you, Kanade and Mafuyu, don't. So…" 

And Mizuki's soul opened up again, exposing the most intimate thing in them, the most fragile and unprotected. They could only hope that the metaphorical hammer wouldn't destroy it, smashing it furioisly. Or, even worse, a press will appear, which will slowly but surely compress it to a state of a puddle while lying that everything stays the same.

"Mizuki, thank you for telling us the truth", Kanade said when Amia's words ran out. "I still see you as a wonderful person and a friend, my opinion has not changed." 

Tears began to flow from Mizuki's eyes again, but this time out of happiness. A smile began to appear on their lips.

"I agree with Kanade. You cannot be replaced, and your absence cannot be filled. So it's good that you're coming back now. You're coming back, right?" Mafuyu asked, fidgeting with the fabric of her cardigan.

"Of course", Mizuki's smile finally reached their eyes, but it started to tremble. "And since I'm revealing secrets here... a long time ago, about a year ago, to be honest, I realized that every day gets better with you. That I can be myself, that I will be accepted and I will accept any of you. And then it became clear that I..." Mizuki's hand squeezed Ena's hand in response, trying to keep the nerves down. "That I'm falling in love with you. All three of you. A-and I understand that this is so unexpected, and it's okay if you don't feel the same, I just… I just really wanted to share it with you. Thank you for your warmth towards me. Yeah." 

Silence overtook the group of friends. They exchanged glances (mostly, of course, Kanade and Mafuyu exchanged, who from time to time threw glances at Ena) and took in the confession they had received.

"I-I'll, uh, make things a little easier, or make them worse", Ena said, "but I-I like you three too. Very much… Mizuki and I discussed this a little before you two came, and, uh, I was surprised that we both feel it." 

"It's so... painful and warm at the same time. I think I'm losing my consciousness", Mafuyu put her hand on her chest near her heart and frowned, squeezing the fabric.

Kanade sat completely flustered, trying to say anything, but eventually decided to put her hand on top of Mizuki and Ena's clasped hands, breaking into a smile.

"Mafuyu, do you like this feeling?" Yoisaki finally asked.

"It's stronger than what I usually feel with all of you, yeah, I like it. And I like you three."

"Then put your hand here too, he-he…" 

The four of them sat like that for a few minutes, but then Mafuyu spoke up again. 

"It's very nice, but I'd also like to kiss." 

Mizuki's laughter split the quiet space of Sekai, Ena covered her blushing face with her hand, and Kanade giggled and moved closer to Mafuyu. Asahina gave her a puzzled look, but immediately relaxed when she felt a gentle touch on her lips. It was clear that none of the two of them knew how to kiss, but the feelings overtook all of the flaws. The warmth spread throughout their bodies, and the soft touch lasted both an eternity and just a moment. After pulling away the girls still maintained eye contact.

"I guess we shouldn't interrupt them", Ena whispered into Mizuki's ear. In response, she received a nod and a light kiss on the cheek.

"This is as a payback for that kiss. And this", Amia's lips poked the corner of their friend's (girlfriend's?) lips in embarrassment, "is in hopes to the future." 

"Ah, you!.." Ena flushed instantly, intending to say something more, but felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Mafuyu.

"You're next."

"Why does that sound like a threat..." Enanan muttered, but turned to the girl and gently put her hands on her neck. It was hard to reach her face from a sitting position (curse this height difference!), but Mafuyu bent down faster with a pressure that made them fall on their backs. Although they didn't stop kissing.

"Mafuyu, you're on fire!" the atmosphere was as relaxed as Mizuki's jokes. Everything was in its place… Kanade's face felt their overflowing happiness by endless kisses.

After disconnecting again, the niigo regrouped, and the blushing Ena almost squeaked under the endless love of Kanade, who oh so gently held her waistline and her hand. And Mafuyu's fingers went through Mizuki's strands, enveloping their both faces with endless warmth. She couldn't help but think how wonderful it was to be together again.

***

We found the results

Of our sleepless days,

I think that scary shults

Won't come in our ways.

We're gonna be together

Like plate and like utensils,

And if we cry whenever,

We can just break her pencils.

The rain'll meet us daily,

Will caress and embrace,

If it will get us paley,

It'll go with sun on race.

The fog won't ever touch us,

The stars are moving too,

Your hand to mine now clutches,

My feelings've only grew.

I wish that hour in the night

Will give us all a freedom. 

The love in here is always right,

Like song, like art, like rhythm.