“Mizuki.”
Mizuki awoke to a firm and emotionless voice. She lifted her head from her arms, her gaze meeting Mafuyu’s. Mizuki sat up and stretched a bit, a sheepish smile on her face.
“Mafuyu…” Mizuki mumbled, immediately clinging to Mafuyu, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“You fell asleep at your desk again. I told you to rest when you need it.” Mafuyu stated, patting Mizuki’s head. Ever since Mizuki had lost it, Mafuyu had started to care for her. It was a lot for Mafuyu, bouncing between Kanade and Mizuki’s houses. Luckily, Ena helped her care for the other two as well.
Mafuyu looked down as she felt Mizuki bury her face in her side. She didn’t say anything, she just continued to pat Mizuki’s head as she nuzzled into her even more. Mafuyu was Mizuki’s only healthy coping method. Not to say she had any others, as the rest of Niigo had stopped her before she could start.
“Mafuyu…” Mizuki sighed, her warm breath tickling Mafuyu’s side through her shirt.
Mafuyu felt a hint of warmth in her heart for a moment. She cared for this girl a lot. Sometimes she was a bit much, but Mafuyu could deal with it. Mafuyu noticed that Mizuki clung onto her much more than she did Ena. At first, she thought nothing of it, but now it was lingering in her mind more frequently.
“Mizuki.”
Mafuyu felt Mizuki tighten her grip on her waist. She looked down at Mizuki in her sitting position, her face still buried in her side.
“Why do you cling to me so much?”
Mafuyu mumbled quietly, more to herself than Mizuki. She didn't really understand why Mizuki was like this with her. Maybe she just depended on her more than Ena. That was normal, right.
“We’re going outside.” Mafuyu stated blankly.
Mizuki pulled away from Mafuyu, looking up at her and smiling warmly. She trusted Mafuyu, not even questioning why they were going outside at almost midnight. She hopped up, grabbing Mafuyu’s hand and letting her lead her out of her room. Mizuki caught a glance of Yuuki, but ignored her. She was solely focused on Mafuyu.
“Hey, where are you two going?” Yuuki spoke up, a concerned expression on her face. It wasn't everyday you saw people outside near midnight.
Mafuyu looked over to where she heard Yuuki’s voice at the kitchen table. Yuuki was working on her laptop, most likely finishing assignments for school or something.
“Mizuki needs fresh air.” Mafuyu said, putting a faux smile on for Yuuk, as well as her “good girl” voice. Mizuki nodded mindlessly behind her, still not thinking about anything but Mafuyu.
Yuuki nodded. She was aware of her sister’s current mental state, and knew why Mizuki was acting the way she was towards Mafuyu, even if neither of them did themselves. She just hoped Mafuyu would be careful with the fragile state that Mizuki was in.
Mafuyu continued walking after the short interaction, her smile dropping and the slight shine in her eyes disappearing. She guided Mizuki out of the front door, shutting it behind the two. Mafuyu stared at her, that dorky smile still on her face. Mafuyu’s face contorted to disgust as she shoved Mizuki away from her, but not hard enough to make her fall.
Mizuki’s expression faltered as she looked down at the ground, hurt by Mafuyu’s shoving. Why would Mafuyu do that to her? What could she possibly have done wrong that made Mafuyu want to do that? MIzuki lowered her eyes, as she couldn’t bring herself to meet Mafuyu’s gaze.
Mafuyu tilted her head slightly, analysing Mizuki.
“Tell me why you're acting this way.” She said in that emotionless tone of hers. She had to get Mizuki to crack before actually questioning her.
Mizuki looked up, the bright porch light behind Mafuyu obscuring her view of the other girl. Mizuki didn’t know why she was acting like this, but Mafuyu wouldn’t stop until she had some answers from Mizuki.
“How do you feel about me?” Mafuyu asked. She wanted to know why