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Honami walks into the Yoisaki household. It's cold inside, and dust lingers on everything around her.
She's been called to clear out Kanade's room, after...
Don't think about it.
Just think of it like you used to.
Cleaning her room.
Like you always did.
Mr. Yoisaki was still in a coma, but had started to regain some of his memory. He thanked Honami for everything.
She headed up the stairs, the ones she helped Kanade climb when she refused to eat, pale and scrawny, struggling to not trip and fall.
Entering Kanade's room, she was greeted to the sight of Akiyama Mizuki, Shinonome Ena and Asahina Mafuyu: Kanade's friends and or group members.
She knew quite a bit about them, mostly about Ena: Akiyama's stunning sense of fashion, Ena's incredible art that she was insecure about and Asahina's smarts and mystery.
Mizuki was drying their face with their sleeves. Mafuyu was looking over Kanade's music sheets and drafts, and Ena was staring at the pictures in Kanade's room.
"Honami." Ena said, glancing at her, choking back a sob.
"Shinonome-san."
"I-...I found something. It's for you."
Ena handed Honami a letter that Honami didn't notice she was holding upon entering the room. Ena's warm, chocolate brown eyes lingered at Honami's fingers as she stared at the envelope.
"We've all read ours. It's your turn."
Honami headed to the corner of the room and anxiously scanned over the carefully decorated letter, before she sat on the ground and unwrapped it: revealing a piece of paper with barely legible handwriting.
It read:
"Dear Honami.
If you're reading this, I am dead.
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am sorry I couldn't bear to write this while you were around, and I couldn't bring myself to write it until absolutely necessary. As you read this, you must be preparing to pack my belongings, to clean out my old room. I apologize for burdening you with this task, but I trust you to do it with love and care, as I've always known you would.
From the moment I met you, you were a ray of sunshine amidst the dark storm clouds that shrouded my life. I had never known someone as pure and as kind as you. I admired and cherished our friendship, one that I treasure to this day. And while I realized I didn't deserve you, I thanked my stars that you were there by my side, lending your hand, your warmth, your love.
Affection was never a strong suit of mine, but with you, it came naturally. You brought out a side of me that I didn't even know existed - a side that could smile and laugh and feel hopeful. I haven't been this content in years, and it was thanks to you that I got a glimpse of what happiness could feel like."
Honami felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she continued reading:
" I've often imagined the day when you would read these words: "Maybe it's better if I just disappear". I picture you, standing in my old bedroom, surrounded by my memories, lost in thought. I hope you understand that my decision to leave was not made in haste, or without thought for you. It has pained me to put all of you through this, and I fear that the wound may never fully heal.
I want you to know that I am eternally grateful for having had the chance to know you. The memories we made will be etched into my soul, and I will carry them with me to my last breath. I wish you a life filled with love, joy, and adventure, and I hope that one day, you'll find the strength to forgive me for my choices.
Take care of yourself,
Yours, Kanade."
As Honami's eyes searched upon the last sentence, the tears finally started flowing. She buried her legs in her face, croaking sobs.
Ena walked closer to Honami and hugged her, burying her face into Honami's warm shoulder.
The tears fell upon the page, staining it and smearing some of the words that Kanade had put together delicately.