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Kanade points a scarf out to Mafuyu, hoping to cheer her girlfriend up. Mafuyu smiles softly at the gesture, but she can’t help but feel guilty knowing that Kanade is constantly overworking herself for everyone. Though she doesn’t show it in her actions, she wants to be the one there for Kanade. For once, Mafuyu wants to be her savior. She opens her mouth to speak-
“O-Oh-?? Is that you, Yoisaki-senpai?” Said a voice from behind her. “Ah! Asahina-senpai too…”
Right behind stood a honey-eyed girl, staring straight into the two girls' souls. And she pulled along a ginger with her, clear annoyance written on his face. Yup, it was Shiraishi An and her boyfriend, Shinonome Akito.
"Ah, Shinonome, Shiraishi."
Kanade tilted her head to greet them. A small smile could be seen in the corner of her mouth.
On the other hand, Mafuyu was more expressionless as she gave a slight nod in greeting.
"Where are you guys going?" Kanade inquired curiously, noticing their casual attires.
"Eh, we're just heading to a nearby cafe," An explained, her voice cheerful. "Why not join us, Yoisaki-senpai?"
"Ah..." Kanade seemed a bit taken aback by the unexpected invitation, her eyes shifting momentarily to look at Mafuyu, then back at An. "We don't want to impose..."
"Oh, come on~" An's voice was warm and encouraging. "You're not imposing at all. We'd be happy to have you both join us!" She turned to look at Akito, who seemed a bit grumpy as usual, but he didn't show any signs of protest.
Kanade glanced at Mafuyu once more, silently gauging her reaction. Her girlfriend's usually composed expression was slightly troubled, a small frown appearing on her face. Sensing Mafuyu's unease, An quickly added, "Besides, the café is really comfy and has the best cheesecake, you guys have to try it-!"
Akito couldn't help but roll his eyes at An's enthusiastic recommendation. "Yeah, it's not just the cheesecake, but they've got some damn good coffee too," he grumbled, his arms folded across his chest.
An playfully elbowed Akito in the ribs, causing him to let out a small disgruntled huff. "Don't mind him," she said with a small laugh. "He's just being his grumpy self again."
"Shut up..." Akito grumbled, but there was a hint of affection in his tired eyes.
An giggled, wrapping her arms around Akito's arm affectionately. "See? He's not that bad," she teased, giving him a playful smile.
"Ugh, whatever," Akito muttered, but he didn't make any attempt to shake off An's hold on his arm. In fact, his expression softened ever so slightly at her touch.
"So, what do you say, Yoisaki-senpai?" An asked, her gaze going back to Kanade and Mafuyu. "Wanna join us for some coffee and cheesecake?"
Mafuyu seemed to hesitate for a moment, her thoughts swirling with conflicted emotions. Kanade noticed Mafuyu's hesitation and felt a tinge of concern. She reached out and gently touched Mafuyu's shoulder, lightly squeezing it for reassurance.
"It's okay if you'd rather not," Kanade murmured, her voice soft but firm. She could sense the unease in Mafuyu's eyes and wanted to give her all the time she needed to make a decision.
Mafuyu looked at Kanade, her eyes softening in response to her touch and understanding words. Despite her usual composed demeanor, she felt a sense of comfort in Kanade's presence. Eventually, she finally spoke up, her words coming out a little hesitant, "No, I...I don't mind."
Kanade smiled gently, a small wave of relief washing over her. Hearing those words eased the worry in her heart.
An's face lit up with excitement, her eyes twinkling with happiness. "Awesome!" she exclaimed, her hand instinctively moving to intertwine with Akito's.
Akito mumbled something under his breath, but he didn't protest against An's touch. Instead, he just let her hold his hand. An shot him a look, her expression playful but chiding. "Oh, hush, you. I know you're secretly excited about the cheesecake."
Akito rolled his eyes again but couldn’t conceal the slight upward tug at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," he grumbled, his response lacking any real bite.
An smirked, clearly amused by his half-hearted reply. "I know you can't resist a good slice of cheesecake," she teased, nudging him gently with her elbow.
"Shut up..." Akito muttered, his face heating up ever so slightly. He averted his gaze away from An, but his hand remained firmly interlocked with hers.
An couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Aw, are you blushing?" She asked, her voice filled with playful mockery.
Akito's face became even redder, his grip on her hand tightening. "N-No..." he denied weakly, but his defensive tone betrayed his flustered state.
An's laughter grew more joyful, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Oh, you are." She said, amused. "I can see it on your face." She poked at his cheek with her free hand
Mafuyu watched their playful banter, a soft smile forming on her face. She then cleared her throat. "Shall we go?"
An and Akito abruptly stopped their banter, slightly embarrassed. An recomposed herself and nodded, her usual cheerful demeanor returning. "Oh, yeah, sorry. Let's go!"
Akito grumbled something under his breath as they began to make their way to the cafe. As the group walked, the conversation shifted to a bit more lighthearted topics.
"So, what have you two been up to?" An asked, her eyes flickering curiously between Kanade and Mafuyu. "Anything fun or exciting?"
Kanade shook her head, her response a bit distant as she was distracted by her train of thoughts. "Not really," she murmured. "Just the usual stuff—composing and all that."
Mafuyu looked over at Kanade, sensing her slight distraction. She took a moment before speaking up. "We've just been enjoying each other's company," she replied.
An chuckled softly, a bit of tease in her words. "Ah, that's sweet." She teased. Akito rolled his eyes at An's playful response but didn't say anything. He just continued to walk silently beside her.
They soon arrived at the café. It was a cozy little place, with comfortable seating and warm lighting. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, creating a homely atmosphere.
An excitedly led the way to an empty table in the corner. "It's so soothing here, isn't it?" She asked, her voice a little cheerful. "Yeah, it's cozy, I guess," Akito mumbled in response, shrugging his shoulders. Despite his indifferent facade, he was quietly looking forward to the promised cheesecake.
Mafuyu looked around in curiosity, taking in the cozy atmosphere. Kanade could sense her girlfriend's interest and gently took her hand under the table, giving it a little squeeze.
An immediately noticed the gentle gesture, her observant eyes catching the subtle moment between the pair. She took a seat across from them, her expression becoming a bit thoughtful.
"You two look adorable together~" she commented, her tone gentle yet playful.
Kanade's cheeks dusted with a slight pinkish hue, a bit caught off guard by An's complement. she tried to maintain her composure, but a small smile was tugging at the corner of her lips.
Mafuyu, on the other hand, remained calm and reserved, although her hand squeezed Kanade's a little tighter under the table, grateful for the affection.
Akito couldn't help but scoff, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yeah, yeah, they are a cute couple," he admitted, crossing his arms over his chest.
An shot him a cheeky smirk before turning her attention back to Kanade and Mafuyu. "How long have you two been together, by the way?" She asked, her curiosity piqued.
Kanade averted her gaze for a moment, a mix of shyness and fondness creeping into her voice. "About a year now," she murmured.
Mafuyu nodded in agreement, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Yes, it's been a wonderful year together," she added, her hand giving Kanade's an affectionate squeeze.
"Damnit, you guys are so mushy," Akito grumbled, his tone somewhat envious.
An let out a small chuckle, finding it amusing. "Don't be like that. It's sweet," she chastised playfully, nudging Akito under the table with her foot.
Akito rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance in his expression. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered, though his grumpy exterior was starting to crack a bit.
The group fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the soft hum of the café adding to the cozy atmosphere. "I'll go grab us some coffee and cheesecake," An suddenly said, standing up from her seat. "You guys wait here, 'kay?" Akito nodded in acknowledgment.
Once An was out of hearing range, he turned to look at Kanade and Mafuyu, his gaze a little pensive. "Can I ask something?"
Kanade and Mafuyu exchanged a glance, a little puzzled at Akito's sudden seriousness. Kanade nodded, curious. "Sure, go ahead."
Akito fidgeted awkwardly, as if trying to find the right words. "I noticed...the bags under your eyes, Yoisaki-senpai. You seem tired," he stated bluntly.
Mafuyu's subtle frown deepened, but she remained silent, waiting for Kanade's response. Kanade's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise in her expression. She hadn't expected Akito to pick up on her fatigue. She sighed softly, a mixture of exhaustion and resignation in her voice. "Yeah, I am tired," she admitted, her gaze dropping to the table.
"Then... why do you push yourself so hard?" Akito inquired, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
Mafuyu's grip on Kanade's hand tightened a bit, silently echoing Akito's concern. Kanade was taken aback by the question. She wasn't used to people inquiring about her well-being. She fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before answering. "It's... complicated," she responded, her voice a little strained. "I have a lot of responsibilities, and I have to keep going... for everyone's sake..."
Akito's expression softened, a tinge of worry in his eyes. "But you can't keep going like this forever. You gotta think about your health too, you know," he pointed out, his tone a bit more gentle than before.
Mafuyu nodded in silent agreement, her fingers gently rubbing the back of Kanade's hand in a comforting manner. Kanade let out another sigh, feeling a mix of guilt and exhaustion weighing on her shoulders. "I know... but it's hard," she murmured. "There's always more work to be done, and people are counting on me..."
Akito leaned forward, his gaze holding a bit of stubbornness in it. "You're important too, Yoisaki-senpai. You can't pour from an empty cup," he asserted. "You have to take care of yourself first."
Mafuyu nodded again, her eyes reflecting the concern and support she harbored for her girlfriend. Kanade felt a pang of guilt in her chest. She knew they were right, but it was difficult to break away from the constant cycle of overworking herself. Yet the genuine concern in their eyes touched her, making her feel more vulnerable than she had been in a long time.
Before she could respond, An returned, carrying a tray with their coffee and cheesecake.
"Sorry for the wait," An said cheerfully, placing the cups and slices of cheesecake in front of them. She noticed the slight tension at the table and raised a brow in curiosity. "Did I miss something?"
"N-No..." Akito replied, leaning in to press a soft kiss to An's lips in hopes it would distract her. An's eyes widened briefly at the unexpected kiss from Akito, but the surprise quickly melted into a smile. She leaned into the kiss, momentarily forgetting the subtle tension at the table.
Meanwhile, Kanade's gaze lingered at the affectionate display, a small pang of both envy and longing in her heart.
Mafuyu watched the interaction between An and Akito with a calm expression, her grip on Kanade's hand never faltering. She could feel the subtle emotions stirring within her girlfriend and silently gave Kanade's hand another comforting squeeze.
As An and Akito pulled away from their brief moment, An returned to her seat beside Akito, a small smile on her face. She noticed the lingering tension in the air but decided not to press further. Instead, she picked up a fork and cut into her slice of cheesecake, her tone light. "Alright, let's dig in! This cheesecake is seriously the best."
Kanade and Mafuyu nodded in agreement, their attention shifting towards the delectable cheesecake. They took their respective forks and began to take small bites, the creamy dessert leaving a sweet taste on their tongues.
Akito, having successfully distracted An from the previous topic, tried a spoonful of cheesecake and let out a satisfied hum. "Damn, you're right. This is real good."
An beamed, proud of her recommendation. "Told you so!" she exclaimed, taking another small bite of her slice of cheesecake.
The group fell into a relaxed silence as they enjoyed the dessert, the earlier tension gradually dissipating. However, Kanade's thoughts remained a tangled mess of guilt and fatigue, making her feel even more drained than before.
The group finished their cheesecakes, and the café's cozy atmosphere returned. The conversation shifted to more lighthearted topics, with An and Akito exchanging playful banter.
Kanade remained silent, her thoughts weighing heavily on her mind. Despite the attempts to distract her, the fatigue and guilt lingered in her eyes. Mafuyu, sensing her distress, gave her hand another subtle yet supportive squeeze.
As the group prepared to leave the café, An turned to Kanade and Mafuyu with a cheerful smile. "Thanks for joining us today."
Kanade managed a small smile, though her exhaustion was evident. "Thank you for inviting us," she murmured, trying to conceal the fatigue in her voice. Mafuyu simply nodded in agreement, her expression calm.
Akito, although he noticed Kanade's exhaustion, decided not to press the issue further, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. An, with her observant nature, noticed the tension lingering between the two. She shot Akito a glance, silently signaling for him to keep quiet. With a slight nod, Akito understood and refrained from saying anything.
An turned her attention back to Kanade and Mafuyu, her eyes reflecting a hint of concern. "You guys should get some rest," she suggested gently.
Kanade nodded slowly, the gravity of her fatigue becoming more apparent. "Yeah...we should," she murmured, her voice weary. Mafuyu placed a comforting arm around Kanade's waist, silently signaling her readiness to leave.
An gave them a sincere smile, her concern still evident in her eyes. "Take care of yourselves, okay?" she said softly.
Akito, his usual grumpy demeanor softening momentarily, added, "Yeah, don't overwork yourselves to death."
Kanade mustered a weak smile at their concern, appreciating their words despite her exhaustion. "We'll try," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Mafuyu nodded in agreement, her grip on Kanade's waist firm and reassuring.
"Good," An responded, her expression a mix of worry and relief. "And don't forget to rest properly."
Akito gave a small nod, his gaze lingering for a moment on Kanade's fatigued form before he spoke up again. "Seriously, Yoisaki-senpai. Get some rest. You look like you're about to pass out any second."
Kanade winced slightly at Akito's blunt statement, but she couldn't deny its truth. "I know..." she murmured, her voice strained. Mafuyu gently nudged her, silently urging her to lean on her more. She could sense Kanade's exhaustion was taking its toll.
Mafuyu sighed and put a smile on her face, mixed with a genuine one and a forced one. "Alright, Shinonome-kun, Shiraishi-san. We hope to see you around!"
Akito nodded, his expression a mixture of concern and respect. "Take care, you two."
An echoed Akito's sentiment, her playful demeanor replaced by genuine concern. "Yeah, get some rest, okay?"
Kanade nodded, still leaning heavily on Mafuyu. "We will. Thanks again for today," she managed to say, her voice tired but grateful.
Mafuyu gave a small parting smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of affection and worry. "Let's go, Kanade."
"Mmh..." Kanade responded weakly, her energy reserves nearly depleted. Mafuyu took the cue, understanding that Kanade needed all the support she could get. With careful yet firm strides, she guided her girlfriend out of the café, her arm around Kanade's waist.
As they stepped out of the cozy café and into the cool evening air, Kanade felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She leaned heavily on Mafuyu, her steps growing sluggish.
"Just a little further," Mafuyu murmured, her voice a mixture of reassurance and concern.
Kanade nodded weakly, her eyes half closed as she struggled to stay awake. Every step seemed to take a tremendous effort, each one draining her already depleted energy reserves.
Finally, they reached their home. Mafuyu opened the door and led Kanade inside, the familiar surroundings offering a small sense of comfort. However, the exhaustion in Kanade's features made it clear that she needed rest immediately.
Mafuyu guided Kanade to the bed, gently lowering her onto the soft surface. Kanade lay there exhausted, her eyes barely open, trying to stay awake. Mafuyu sat beside her, slowly stroking her hair, a small gesture of comfort and affection. She kissed her forehead, muttering. "Goodnight my love, rest well."
Kanade, despite her exhaustion, managed to smile weakly at Mafuyu's loving gesture. Her voice was tired but tinged with affection, "Goodnight...love you...Mafuyu..."
Mafuyu's heart ached at the sound of Kanade's weakened voice. Hearing the exhaustion in her words, she gently ran her hand through Kanade's hair again, a silent reassurance towards her beloved. "I love you too," she whispered back.