Work Text:
Mizuki was not having the best day. Definitely not.
She had to go to school for a full day, so she was awake early after staying up late working on Nightcord (bad idea on her end, she knew she had school in the morning.)
So running on 3 hours of sleep and the thought of crawling right back to bed when she got home, Mizuki got up for school.
Though today seemed to be one of those days. The one where her mind and body just would not work together. As disgusting as it felt, Mizuki decided she was not able to shower that morning without breaking down. Looking at herself would just make her stomach twist more.
She quickly changed into her uniform and packed her school bag before heading out. Breakfast was too much of a hassle for mornings like these.
At the gates, Mizuki moved past everybody that was just standing around, she just wanted to get inside and in her classroom, Toya was nice to talk to and people mostly left her alone when she was there.
Today it felt like the stairs up to her classroom went on forever, her legs ached and burned by the time she slowly dragged herself to the floor she needed to be on.
“Oh…” Mizuki muttered upon looking into the doorway of the classroom; Toya wasn't there. Stupid Mizuki, he's in America right now!
Mizuki's brain felt crowded by fog, it looked like she'd be alone that day alongside her thoughts. With three of her friends abroad and others content hanging out with each other. She wouldn't want to intrude on their conversations.
She took her seat, slinging her bag under the desk and allowing herself to zone out until class started. She hunched herself over the desk, as if she was trying to hide and make herself smaller. Maybe if she tried hiding the parts of her body she hated they'd go away.
Nobody's going to see you as a real girl.
You're ridiculous. This is so dramatic.
Why did you even come today? Go home.
Tell the teacher you feel sick and you'll do make-up work this weekend.
Go home.
Everybody's staring at you.
-
Mizuki blinked away her blurry vision upon hearing the bell.
“—and that's it for today's class. Enjoy your lunch everybody.”
Oh. I completely blocked out most of the morning. She didn't even remember hearing the bell ring for previous classes.
Her classmates began chattering. Their voices and the scraping of chairs against the floor and clattering of footsteps grated on Mizuki's ears. It was all too much. She tried to cover her ears with her hands, which proved unhelpful. If anything it almost made everything seem louder, the way it muffled conversations and turned them into pure mush made Mizuki feel so much worse. She wanted to go home. She wanted to change out of her uniform and into cozy pyjamas. She wanted to snuggle in her bed with her nice pillow and maybe a plush. She wanted to be with her group. Maybe they'd stroke her hair and tell her it was all okay, and she was safe and that she could rest and—
Nope! She was a big girl. She didn't need coddling. She was not going to slip today!
Maybe she just needed fresh air.
She picked up her bag and climbed the stairs to the rooftop. Hopefully nobody was there.
And nobody was.
She sat against the metal fencing, allowing herself to feel the breeze against her face, it was kind of nice.
This was probably all she needed.
I bet those kids were talking about you.
You look like such a loner. They probably felt bad.
How is Toya-kun your only friend in class anyways? There's like 20 other kids you can talk to.
Of course, if they wanted to talk to you.
They all think you're weird, and they're right.
Mizuki pulled her knees to her chest, letting out tears she'd been holding back all day.
Jeez, it's a good thing nobody's out here to see this. You're such an ugly crier.
Crying isn't going to solve your problems.
It's not going to make them rush to your side and baby you.
She wanted to be with them. She wanted Ena and Mafuyu and Kanade. She wanted them to tell her it was alright and hold her until she stopped crying.
“Mizuki, if you want to talk to any of us we're just a phone call away, no matter where or when, okay?”
“We'll always listen if you need us to, Mizuki…”
“I'm not great at comfort, but I want to be there for you. You can always talk to me, Mizuki.”
Did they really mean it when they said that…?
Mizuki took her phone from her pocket and opened Nightcord. She wasn't quite sure what to do from there… she couldn't figure out how to word what she wanted over text, but wasn't sure how to call all three at once…
Oh, she could just join the server VC, maybe someone would notice. Then she wouldn't have to directly bother anybody…
She waited a few minutes after joining, wondering if any of them were even online; until she heard a familiar ping.
<“Amia? What're you doing in VC? Aren't you at school?”>
It was Ena.
“Ena… I— uhm. I don't…” a sniffle, “I don't know, b—but you said I could call so…”
<“What don't you know, Amia? Are you okay?”>
Mizuki shook her head, as if Ena could even see her. The only hint Ena got was the sound of Mizuki's shaky breathing.
<“Mizuki what's—”>
Another ping, somebody else joined.
<“Why are you two in VC? Isn't Amia meant to be in school right now?”>
Mafuyu.
<“That's what I'm trying to figure out; also aren't you in school too!?”>
<“It's my lunch break right now. Amia, how come you're in VC?”>
Mizuki's breath hitched, she couldn't keep clamming up whenever she was asked questions. She tried her best to form a response;
“Dunno…” she mumbled, she wasn't even sure her mic picked it up.
<“See?!”> Ena exclaimed, <“All she's told me is that she ‘doesn't know’ and about how I said she could call. I'm not sure what's up and I'm worried.”>
There was silence for a few seconds, before Mafuyu spoke again,
<“Mizuki, can we meet in SEKAI? Enanan, text K to do the same.”>
Mizuki hummed before leaving the VC and opening a familiar song.
-
Mizuki wasn't actually sure what she was doing there. All she knew was that Mafuyu told her to come.
She held the hook of her bag in her hands as she slowly walked around, kicking the bag a little as it dangled in front of her legs.
A recognisable sound came to her ears, she turned around to see light form into something more familiar. Mafuyu spotted her and walked over.
“Hi, Mizuki.”
She waved in response - if you class hardly lifting your arm and moving your hand slightly to the side as a wave.
Mafuyu pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the girl in front of him.
“Why don't we go to the nap corner so we have somewhere comfortable to sit?” Mafuyu asked, taking Mizuki's bag and putting it over his shoulder. The pinkette used the opportunity to lift a hand to her mouth and start chewing her thumb. Mafuyu decided to sort that out later, offering a hand to her.
Mizuki took his hand with her non-occupied one and let him lead the way.
Just as the two sat down, they'd been noticed by Ena and Kanade, who'd begun to walk towards them.
Kanade seemed kind of surprised to say the least, she wasn't expecting to see either of them.
“Mafuyu, Mizuki? Don't you both have school right now?” She asked as she sat down.
“We're both on lunch right now.” Mafuyu answered, “But I think Mizuki needs some comfort at the moment.” he gestured towards the girl.
Both Kanade and Ena noted the dried tear stains on her cheeks and the way she was looking away while biting her nails. Their faces contorted into worry.
They could all tell what was going on. Mizuki had clearly slipped during school and needed company to calm down. The million dollar (yen??) question was why?
Ena reached for Mizuki's hand and pulled it from her mouth gently, maneuvering herself a bit closer, “Don't bite, sweetheart. Do you want your paci instead?”
Mizuki was upset by that, but tried to blink away her tears and nodded. Ena wiped her hand with a handkerchief and then began searching through Mizuki's bag; she usually kept basic little gear there, like her paci and a plush she liked. Just in case of emergencies.
Upon taking the pacifier, Mizuki was overcome by feelings. She felt comforted but so overwhelmed with everything else that happened. Which in turn caused the little to burst into tears.
Panic surged through the other three, they had no idea why Mizuki randomly started sobbing her eyes out.
Kanade shuffled closer, “Mizuki what's the matter? Do you not actually want it? Is that it?”
Mizuki only shook her head. She hated how she couldn't communicate with them! It only upset her more!
“Can you show us what it is you want baby?” Mafuyu asked, extending his arm for Mizuki to hold. She shrugged in response as she clung to Mafuyu. She wanted to be held, she thought, but wasn't sure how to show that!
“W—well she's usually clingy when she's little, maybe she wants cuddles? It's hard to tell what she wants when she won't speak!” Ena suggested, only praying she was right.
Mafuyu turned back to Mizuki, who was still stuck to his arm, “Is that it, Mizuki? Do you want cuddles?”
The little’s eyes lit up, she nodded enthusiastically as if she'd instantly forgotten that she was upset!
Mafuyu opened his arms for Mizuki to properly cling to him, to which she did immediately.
“Did she just instantly stop crying as soon as you mentioned that?” Ena asked, completely baffled. “30 seconds ago Mizuki was bawling her eyes out and now she was completely calm!”
The artist gestured towards Mizuki, who'd entirely calmed down and sat herself comfortably in Mafuyu's hold.
Kanade giggled a bit, “Young kids tend to instantly forget why they were even upset once they get what they want.”
“Yeah. She must be really small right now though, I've never known her to be nearly completely unable to communicate.” Mafuyu added.
Ena began untying Mizuki's hair ribbon, threading her fingers through the girl's locks when they fell down, “Yeah. But that's fine, we'll always be here to support her… maybe she can talk to us about what was upsetting her later.”