Chapter Text
Mafuyu didn't really know how to do these things. Why were there so many options, and why were they all so expensive?
She'd moved in with Mizuki the moment she turned eighteen as a way to be free of her mother's influence.
Now at twenty five, they both decided it was time to leave the nest and finally become independent adults.
Neither had meant to stay at the house for so long, but after Kanade's disappearance, things had gotten difficult. Mafuyu barely made it through the days, with no motivation to move or do anything.
Now things were better, and she needed to pull her life together.
Speaking of Kanade, she wondered how the girl was doing. It's been around four years since they've last spoken, if she remembered correctly. For months, Mafuyu had scoured their messages desperately in attempt for any hint or reason why her savior left her behind.
Even the vocaloids had become antsy, constantly asking where Kanade had gone and when she would come visit again. Out of all of them she visited the most, finding the emptiness and silence to be great for focusing.
But her phone was now either dead or broken, monitors seemingly unplugged or under repair.
At one point Mafuyu even tracked down Honami during school and interrogated her intensely for answers; in return only getting a squeak of fear before the girl fled back into her class and out of Mafuyu's reach.
It didn't help her friends were always with her afterwards, keeping Mafuyu from properly asking her anything.
Another dead end, just to be the cherry on top to Mafuyu's already growing despair and anger.
She shook her head. No point in dwelling on the past anymore. It's been years, she should move on.
Still, a goodbye would've been nice. Or an explanation, maybe a reason.
With a sigh, she called for a certain fashionista who was making them both tea. "I think this one may be our best option."
They nodded, agreeing quickly. It was rather spacious, and despite the rent being high, appeared to be well cared for. Four bedroom, though there was already one occupant.
"Should I ask Ena if she'd like to come with us?"
Mizuki asked before taking a sip from their own pink mug, offering the purple one to Mafuyu. She took it gratefully, paying no mind to the temperature. Her taste still hadn't returned. She doubted it ever would at this point.
Kanade had come close at one point, with her gentle eyes and constant need to remind Mafuyu that she could take breaks. She'd come so close to finally tasting the broth of the instant noodles Kanade preferred, the taste barely eluding her.
Now everything was back to being dull, grey, nothing. It was all so unfair.
"Go ahead. She'd enjoy the space for her paints."
It had been a unanimous decision that the three would remain together. They wouldn't part just in case Kanade somehow returned to them. Nightcord would be complete once again. When, though, was another question.
"Alright~! I'm on it."
They whipped out their phone and clicked on Enanan's profile. With only a couple rings of the nightcord app's simple ringtone, her voice echoed through the room.
"What do you need, Mizu?"
She sounded a little out of breath. She must've been on one of her runs. After highschool, she had decided that she was going to create a healthy routine for herself in order to remain pretty for her selfies.
Mafuyu always considered her schedule a little too healthy, but Ena always brushed her off.
"Mafuyu and I found an apartment we think would be perfect. But we need one more person, so we were wondering..."
"If I'll move in with you?"
Her voice sounded a little less breathless.
"Yes! Please, Ena? It'll be less scary meeting the other tenant with my protective girlfriend there to keep me safe."
Even Ena could hear the shit eating grin plastered on their face.
"Ugh- whatever. I'd love to, though. It'll be a nice change, and I'll be away from Akito."
Mafuyu huffed in vague amusement. They were still the same as ever. Ena was a successful artist, Mizuki was a rather famous fashionista and occasional model.
Mafuyu had finally went through with nursing school, and had graduated last year.
They were all thriving in their own rights. But were all missing something.
There was a hole in their heart only one person could mend with her gentle words and even gentler touch.
She was told that trying to move on would work, but it felt impossible.
How was she supposed to move on after Kanade had shoved her way into Mafuyu's life, refusing to be pushed out no matter what obstacles came her way?
And how had Mafuyu failed her so miserably?
Her laptop was closed after she sent a message to the landlord, showing great interest in the apartment. Better to offer now before anyone else took it.
She would leave any further discussions to Mizuki, as they were more... socially adapted than Mafuyu.
Later that night, with Ena coming to stay over, Mizuki revealed that they managed not only to get the apartment but also somehow had the rent slightly lowered.
Mafuyu could've paid it no problem — being a nurse paid extremely well — but the sentiment was appreciated nonetheless.
She was finally becoming independent.
It didn't feel the same without Kanade by her side.
The apartment was exactly their expectations. Nothing more, nothing less.
The landlord informed them that the other tenant would already be home at the time they came with their belongings, and Mafuyu was curious to meet this mystery roommate.
It was quiet though, not a person in sight.
Mafuyu set down her meager amount of belongings along with slipping her shoes off. Well, maybe they were distracted with something.
She stepped further into the house while Mizuki and Ena examined the living room and kitchen for anything of interest. It was the barest bones of furniture and the kitchen seemed sparce for utensils.
The moment her eyes scanned over the hallway towards the back of the apartment, she noticed only one closed door at the very end of the hall.
Mafuyu was curious, was this the room of their fellow tenant?
And if they were infact home, why had they not come out to greet their new housemates?
She quietly knocked on the door, three firm but gentle raps against the wood.
If her ears strained, she could make out the sound of a fan and the occasional clicking. Knocking again proved no change.
Either they were ignoring her, or too absorbed in what they were doing to really pay attention.
With one final knock and another lack of response, she promptly gave up. Fine, let them ignore her. Not that she cared.
Her footsteps alerted Mizuki and Ena, who were arguing on who gets what room. She rolled her eyes and took her belongings, deciding on the room second furthest down the hall. That left the other's with the remaining rooms that were side by side.
Mafuyu could still faintly hear the sound of clicking even with the wall separating them.
Jeez, she considered putting on music to drown it out before it became bothersome.
Next thing she knew, she was putting her clothes away. While there was a bed, dresser, and small closet, the room was otherwise bare. Clearly furnishing this place was a mere afterthought. It was clean though, so she couldn't complain. When needed, she'd find the time to go buy a proper desk and chair.
Her clothes were shed for more comfortable pajamas. Mafuyu would rather spend the day settling into a new environment than explore. This feeling in her chest.. it reminded her of the night she ran away to Mizuki's home.
Not knowing what the future held, uncertainty plaguing her every thought for weeks. But she was prepared this time. Nothing was going to happen, Mafuyu was sure.
Her eyes turned towards her phone. No notifications, other than a text from Shizuku asking when she was free next. There wasn't a single Nightcord message.
They'd all still kept the app, even after everything, none having the heart to abandon all their conversations and Kanade's last few messages.
Mizuki told her it would be better to try and heal her heart first rather than doomscroll through their old texts and reminisce.
But she didn't want to heal.
Not when it meant accepting Kanade was gone.
Ah.. her eyes were drooping.
Mafuyu barely fought the exhaustion trying to claim her. It was an exhausting day at work today, and a miracle she managed to get off early in order to arrive on time to meet up with Mizuki and Ena.
She allowed sleep to overcome her, tangled in the sheets of a bed now her own, next to a roommate she'd yet to meet.
"Mafuyu, do you ever feel like.. maybe you haven't changed?"
"What do you mean?"
Kanade shifted awkwardly on the grey floor, eyes staring off into the empty void of their Sekai. Her gaze read something indecipherable, and Mafuyu longed to be able to know what was going through the composers head.
She always held such sadness within those ocean blue eyes, no matter if she was smiling or content. It always lingered.
Mafuyu never had the courage to ask, for fear of Kanade pushing her away.
The composer rarely shared her own problems, if only to appease their constant concerns for her health, rather brushing it off.
"Well, sometimes I feel like I'm not making much progress."
Both of them knew she wasn't speaking of progress in saving Mafuyu. It was much more than that.
"But... Ah, nevermind. It doesn't matter. I should get back to composing."
She leaned over, intertwining their cold hands as they met each other's eyes. Kanade's were swimming with that same, undetectable emotion, like she wanted to say more.
Mafuyu wished she had pushed further then. Had insisted on Kanade sharing whatever was causing such an expression that made Mafuyu's heart twist uncomfortably.
But she hadn't.
Selfishly, she never bothered to pry further. Kanade always assured them she could take care of herself. Why had Mafuyu believed her so blindly when it was clearly untrue?
"Wait, Kanade-"
But she was already standing. The lack of physical contact invoked a deep sense of panic within Mafuyu. Kanade was leaving again. Kanade was going to leave her a second time.
"I'm sorry, Mafuyu."
In a desperate attempt to stand, Mafuyu scrambled to her feet. This was quickly cut down by invisible hands tugging her back. No matter how much she fought and called, Kanade was disappearing further and further into the foggy horizon.
And Mafuyu could only watch.
Her hand was clasping the fabric of her shirt, just over her heart as Mafuyu gasped awake.
She choked back a sob, running a hand through her tangled hair. It wasn't as long anymore after highschool. Mafuyu tugged her fingers through the purple locks, gently making herself look more presentable.
She then flinched as a door opened. It sounded like it came from right outside.
Wait..
Right outside...?
Then it must've been the one person she'd been so anxious to meet.
Mafuyu pulled herself out of bed quietly, the hardwood beneath her creaking gently at the sudden weight. Now was her chance.
There was the soft click of the door, and she was now met with the dark hallway. The apartment was silent other than the quiet noise of the sink running.
Someone was most definitely up.
Mafuyu crept down the hall, trusting in only the faint moonlight illuminating the living from the glass balcony door.
The kitchen was equally as dark, but there was a figure leaning over the sink with what appeared to be a glass in hand.
Long and pale, whispy hair that brushed the floor.
Hunched figure and a shaking frame.
The sink stopped. The stranger turned. They made eye contact.
The apartment echoed as glass shattered.
Mafuyu was the first to speak, almost in a daze.
"..Kanade...?"