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Monday's come quick, the weekends end faster than expected.
But it's not like it matters a lot. She doesn't care that much about the days passing, the only thing she needs to worry about is fixing the distorted sound on her new piece.
Nightcord at 25 has posted a new song yesterday, but she's already planning another one. Taking a break from composing isn't an option for her, and the other members accept it with heavy hearts.
A cough breaks the focus she has on her screen.
<"Hey K, since Yuki isn't here now, there's a question I wanted to ask."> a teasing voice makes an appearance on her headphones, followed by another voice loudly sighing. Kanade smiles slightly, wondering what Mizuki needed to ask her while Mafuyu was making them some food.
<"Mizuki. Stop bothering K!"> the annoyed voice grumbles, chastising Mizuki.
Mizuki giggles. <"Hey Enanan! I just want to ask K a question!"> they interject, acting innocent.
And before Ena can keep complaining, Kanade unmutes herself.
"Ena, it's okay. What do you want to ask, Amia?" she asks softly, glancing away from her composing program for a second.
Even though Kanade can't currently see them, she hears the way their smile is clear on their voice. <"Huhuhu~♪ I was just asking what you would get Yuki and your girlfriend for Valentine's Day."> Mizuki's tone is mischievous, but it carries a genuine curiosity.
Kanade hums, moving to take a sip of one of her energy drinks. "Ah. Valentine's Day, it's not that soon though. I'll worry about that later." she replies, downing the drink in one go.
There's a heavy silence for a while. Before Ena breaks it with a sympathetic hiss. <"Kanade...what time do you think it is?"> she asks slowly.
The composer raises an eyebrow at the question, but replies nevertheless. "It's 2:37 AM, a Monday. Yesterday we uploaded a new song." time is easy to guess, each time the clock moves a bit the noise fills the void of her room.
<"And what date is this?">
"It's the—" oh. It's the twelfth of the month. A Monday, two days before Valentine's Day. Her grip on her empty drink falters and it almost falls to the floor.
Two?
Was she really that tired to forget that Valentine's Day was right on the corner? it's true that this new song was rather taxing, but to forget what day it is? that's new.
But that's not the worse part. The worse part is...
"I...I haven't planned anything to do." she breaths out. The realization rests heavily on her whole body. She has only been officially dating Mafuyu and Honami for two months (and one day), things have been doing shockingly good, but...would her forgetting about the 'most romantic and important holiday for couples' as Mizuki said a few days ago, would that ruin their relationship?
Would it hurt them if she forgot?
That's the last thing she wants, she doesn't want to cause them any pain.
She takes a deep, stabilizing breath. "Can...can you tell me what I should do? I don't want to make them sad..."
There's silence on Mizuki's end, except for the faintest sound of trashing around. Then in the blink of an eye, they turn on their camera.
They grin brightly. <"Well~♪ you're in the right place, K."> Kanade can notice than Mizuki is wearing a...top hat with a heart pin? the heart pin as an arrow stuck on it.
Ena laughs, before moving to turn on her camera. <"You look fucking stupid."> she says, still laughing quietly to not cause her brother to yell at her to quiet down. A common occurrence...
Mizuki whines exaggeratedly and opens their mouth to refute, but as much as Kanade enjoys hearing them have fun, she's currently going insane.
"I um...I never payed that much attention to Valentine's Day before, at least not when currently being in a relationship. If you guys don't mind...could you tell me everything I should know?" she asks quietly, a bit embarrassed over having to ask for help but knowing it's necessary in this case. Although maybe she could search on the internet...
Mizuki's and Ena's expression softens for a second, before the group animator smirks. <"Yes of course, Kanade! you just need to hear what the experts have to say!"> they state proudly, causing Ena to sigh.
"Hm." Kanade hums in agreement, turning on her camera to give them a tiny relief-filled smile. "Tell me everything." she requests, hand moving to her notes program to write whatever they both say.
So when they start listing lots of places, types of flowers, types of chocolate candy, clothes, etc. She knows she's done for...but she'll try her best anyway.
Besides, they aren't exactly your local 'completely average couple' so maybe a few of those 'rules' can bend?
She already has a few small ideas that could help a bit, she already knows where (since where else would they go?) and she knows what she's the best at.
Ugh. She just needs time to brainrot about the subject. Kanade lets her head fall unceremoniously towards her desk, exhaling as she thinks.
Without her noticing, someone opens the door to her bedroom, carrying two plates on his hands.
Mafuyu stops abruptly, taking in the sight in front of him. Mizuki and Ena are lightheartedly arguing, and Mizuki has a...top hat with a heart and an arrow? meanwhile Kanade is laying her head on her desk while she stares at nothing.
He shakes his head in disapproval. "I just left for fifteen minutes and this is what I come back to?"
♡
Mondays for Mafuyu don't hold any real importance except indicating that there's a long week ahead of him.
Some of his classmates were complaining about it, but while he thinks it's a bit tiresome, he doesn't actively hate them.
Besides, being on school calms him in some sort of way. It's just the same routine, he guesses.
And while he certainly prefers staying at home with Kanade as he writes lyrics, school isn't all bad. Or at least that's what he thinks everytime he's on the archery range.
It's quiet, save for the sounds of arrows hitting the target. But he has also grown accustomed to the sound, so it's basically quiet for him.
Well...it would actually be quiet if his clubmate would stop talking.
She doesn't though. With an airy laugh, she continues her story. "—So then she started to tell her that the flowers she bought were for her! she told her that she would never forget about her on such an important day!" Shizuku grins, bow forgotten to a side as she's really focused on telling the story.
Mafuyu hums. "Oh? what a plot twist, Hinomori-san." he murmurs, his finger pulling the arrow slight as he aims. He lets the arrow go and it hits the center of the target.
Shizuku nods enthusiastically. "Yes! Valentine's stories are so cute, aren't they?" she smiles at Mafuyu, patiently waiting for his answer.
He smiles back, "Yes, they are." he replies politely. He draws another arrow, slowly aiming it for obvious perfection.
Shizuku nods in agreement. "Asahina-san, what will you do for Valentine's Day?" she asks, curious.
Mafuyu glances for a second to look at her, then he shakes his head with a small smile. "Ah...I haven't thought about it yet." he answers honestly. He fixes his gaze again on his target, okay, he only needs to let the arrow go.
Shizuku makes a small sound of surprise, before she giggles softly. "Oh I see! that's fine, I'm sure Asahina-san will manage to quickly think of something before Valentine's Day in two days!"
"!"
The arrow flies without any ounce of control, getting stuck on a tree meters away from the target.
What?
He slowly turns around, blinking owlishly at her. "Wh...what."
Shizuku smiles and shakes her head. "I'm sure you don't need to worry, you're always quick to find a solution!" she gives him an encouraging thumbs up.
Mafuyu smiles weakly. "Yes...thank you Hinomori-san. But let's say, hypothetically, that I have no idea what to do...what would you recommend me?" he emphasizes 'hypothetically'.
The idol hums as she thinks, a finger resting on her lips. "Uhm...maybe getting your Valentine some pastries?" she offers.
Mafuyu quickly shoots down that idea. "No. Honami will surely do that." he states, lost in thought. Besides, it's not like he could be able to tell if something tastes good or not.
Shizuku's eyes widen for a second. "Honami?" she whispers to herself, then she smiles warmly. "Oh! maybe some flowers!" she advices, this time more confident.
The lyricist blinks. "Oh, that might work..." he mumbles, taking a moment to think about it, he sighs. "Do you know any good flower stores near?"
"Yes of course! I can show you the place!"
Mafuyu giggles nervously. "Haha...maybe just tell me name and I'll check it out." he smiles apologetically. He would say yes if following Shizuku didn't mean getting absolutely lost and not finding the store till night.
Shizuku frowns. "Awh...okay. I'll tell you! but right now how about we keep shooting, I think our lowerclassmen are wondering what were doing." her smiles returns to her face and she waves at some of them, causing them to squeak.
Mafuyu blinks, but smiles. "Yes. Thank you Hinomori-san." for once, the appreciation on his tone isn't fake.
Okay...this is completely fine. After archery, he'll go to the library and ask to borrow some books about floriography. Then tomorrow after school he'll buy the flowers, and hopefully nothing will turn out wrong.
Yes... it's a decent plan.
He needs to do it right. Only last month he managed to understand how important it is to show his partners what he feel. Affection is important...even though he may not understand enough about the importance of the holiday apart from the historical value, he knows that couples expect something from the other.
Mafuyu doesn't want them to be okay with him not giving them anything.
After all, he's learning to give as much as he takes.
♡
Mondays mean practice. Practice to become who the entirety of the band wishes to be.
It means to become an important presence around others. The pillar, the kind honor student and the leader.
And she takes that role with warmth in her heart. Giving everyone a smile to show how much she loves them.
Love isn't a stranger to her, not at all. Sometimes she wonders if she loves too much, but even so, she'll welcome the feeling as she always does.
Last week, she had been completely busy with band responsibilities, even getting her sleep deprived partners worried about her sleeping schedule. A shocking feat to reach.
She smiles at the memory of her partners trying to take care of her for once. Mafuyu holding a warm towel to her eyes while Kanade fed her food. It was certainly a bit awkward, since she's the one used to do the pampering. But...it was nice.
"—I'm glad your partners are this nice to you, Honami."
Honami looks up, a bit shocked by the sudden voice. Before she remembers where they currently are.
Ichika smiles softly and Shiho chuckles. "Must have been better than you remember, you have been rambling nonstop for like two minutes." she lightly teases.
Honami feels her face heat up and she sighs. "S-sorry...they're just—" so sweet.
Saki clasps her head together. "Hehe~♡ I know! Hona-chan is just too deep in love!" she grins mischievously. "Ooooh she totally has already planned a whole Valentine's Day for them!"
Shiho snorts. "Pfft, totally."
...
...
...
Oh no! that's what she was forgetting! she has been so focused on the band that she forgot about Valentine's Day literally being two days close!
She's sure that the color drained from her face because Ichika looks at her with concern and Saki stopped giggling.
Honami and Saki have a wordless no blinking competition as she sees Saki's neurons trying to do their work.
Eventually, the blonde gasps. "YOU...you forgot?!" she yells in shock as she shakes the drummer's shoulders, causing Shiho to halfheartedly glare at her.
Honami sighs but it sounds more like a cry for help. "Look! I was focusing too much on what we were doing that I completely forgot!" she admits, grabbing the hands on her shoulders in desperation.
Saki shakes her head in dissaproval. "Nuh uh. We have to fix this somehow! no practicing till Honami knows what to do!" she states, standing up and posing with her hands on her hips.
Shiho grumbles. "We weren't practicing anyway."
Saki chooses to ignore that. "So! Hona-chan...any ideas? if you don't have any I can help!!! I'm a valentine's expert." she affirms with a proud grin.
Honami places her hand on her chin. "Hm...I mean I have some ideas, of course. But...! I'm not sure if I have enough time!" she explains, wondering if maybe she should just try to buy it instead of baking it. Ugh that's not good either, Kanade and Mafuyu say her baking is special and that it's impossible to replicate.
Ichika and Shiho share a short glance, before Shiho shakes her head affectionately. "Okay. Honami, how about tomorrow you take a day to rest? you have been doing so much for us lately, we think you deserve a moment to have fun." she offers, knowing that if she doesn't, Honami would try to do both.
"B-but..."
Saki shakes her head firmly. "No! it's your first valentine's day with someone else, please! we want you to have fun!" she says seriously, eyes filled with determination.
Honami sighs, then she smiles weakly. "I can't convince you, can I?" at the 'no's in unison that follow, she sighs even louder. "Okay...I'll tell you how it goes then, alright?"
Her bestfriends smile, nodding along.
Okay, she can do this. For them.
♡
Wednesday, fourteenth of February. Valentine's Day, a day in which people show their love for friends, family and most popularly; romantic couples.
Kanade requested them to go to her house after their classes and clubs end. So that's exactly what they're doing.
Honami and Mafuyu meekly walk in silence, glancing at the bags the other is carrying with mild curiosity. But they refuse to mention it, deciding to wait till they get there.
It doesn't take them long, the path is already engrained in their brains. Their legs move automatically, and even before they can realize it, they're already at the door of their girlfriend's house.
For the first time ever since leaving the school, they share a look.
It's over before they can comment about it, Mafuyu shakes his head. "Um. I'll open the door." he says in a tense voice, hands fumbling to grab the keys for a second before he manages to place it on lock.
With a deep breath, he opens the door.
The pair is meet by the sight of their mutual girlfriend smiling nervously.
"...Hi." Kanade waves at them, she looks like she's about to pass out. "W-welcome home."
Honami grimaces slightly at the out of breath tone, but she ends up smiling softly at the greeting. "Hello, Kanade." she waves with her free hand.
Mafuyu only nods, giving Kanade a tiny smile as they enter the house.
And it's...oh!
It's a bit dark, but it's illuminated by candles. Scented candles.
Honami sighs contently, a bit of her anxiety fading as she takes a moment to breath in. Judging by Kanade's relieved expression, that was the right thing to do.
Meanwhile Mafuyu blinks at the change of atmosphere. "Did...did you just prepare all of this while I was in school?" he asks, looking around with visible confusion.
Kanade giggles nervously. "Ah it's surprisingly not that hard...the candles I mean. The other decorations were a bit hard though, I don't think I'm made for crafting." she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly. As she says it, Mafuyu notices a weirdly shaped heart (?).
Honami smiles sympathetically. "Ah... don't worry. It looks better than the one I would've done." she reassures, making Kanade smile back.
Mafuyu decides to not comment about it...
Instead, he coughs awkwardly onto his hand. "I...I have something to give you two." he says, nervously using his hand to twirl a strand of his hair.
Honami chuckles, glad that at least they're all flustered about it. "Me too."
"Me too...!" Kanade adds, looking even more nervous now.
Ah...today is going to be long.
Honami decides that she'll try to take control of the situation. "O-okay. Let's see what the other wants to gives us, but first let's sit down, is that alright?" she suggests, gesturing the table.
Kanade and Mafuyu hum in agreement, dutifully moving to sit on their respective seats (their colored seats). And Honami soon follows.
They're in silence for a while, just avoiding looking at the other. "Um-" Honami breaks the silence, causing the other two to look at her. "Who wants to be first?" the drummer ends up asking.
Kanade raises her hand. "M-me, please." she asks quietly. Mafuyu and Honami think about mentioning that she didn't have to do that, but decide against it since it's cute.
Honami nods and smiles at her.
Kanade grabs her phone from her pocket, it almost slips from her grasp but it doesn't. With one last glance at her partners, she clicks a button.
Soft and gentle music starts to sound from her phone. It's a gentle melody.
Mafuyu blinks. "I didn't hear this before...what is this?" he asks, taking a moment to try and guess if this is a deleted section of any of their songs. It sounds too well done to be a deleted part.
Whatever, it sounds nice.
Honami chuckles quietly. "And he's gone..." she jokes, looking at Mafuyu's content closed eyes. With a small sigh, she takes a moment herself to listen to the composition.
It's soft. So so soft. Like the composer wanted to cover the listener with a thousand of blankets and petals. It's so...Kanade.
Said composer is looking at them with a bashful expression.
"So- um...what do you guys think?" Kanade asks, fiddling with her hand.
Honami smiles, knowing exactly what to say. "I love you too." she replies to Kanade's indirect confession.
Mafuyu looks at her, then he smiles softly, eyes carrying adoration.
Kanade can't help but exhale loudly. She chuckles at her own nervousness, of course they would understand. With a more relaxed body, she easily places her phone on the table while it still sounds.
Before Honami can even open her mouth, Mafuyu clears his throat.
"Um. I'll go now." he states, searching something on his bag. He finds it and he takes another deep breath. Okay...
He places two flower pots on the table. At the perplexed stares he gets, he averts his gaze. "Um. I know couples usually get each other bouquets rather than pots but...I-...I want this to last. I don't want the flowers I give you to die after two weeks."
Kanade's expression softens. She can understand that, a lot. So she smiles softly, encouragingly. She grabs one pot, studying at the little buds that are blooming.
As if reading her thoughts, Mafuyu answers the question she was about to ask. "They're carnations. One pot has white ones and the other has red ones, you can choose which one gets each..." he places a hand on his arm, almost like a self hug. "Um...I wasn't sure what flowers I should get, I apologize."
Honami takes a look at Kanade's fond expression, so she grabs the other pot. She shakes her head affectionately. "I think you made the right choice. Roses are nice for Valentine's Day but that's it." she chuckles, smiling at the tiny buds that bloom. Mafuyu nods, a tiny smile forming in his lips.
It's like their relationship, developing slowly but...becoming everything she ever wanted.
She finally takes a deep breath, realizing that there's nothing to worry about. They're all learning, and that's okay.
Honami smiles. Grabbing the pastries she made from her bag. "Here, I made these for you!" she beams as she offers then.
Kanade looks up from the pot she was staring. "Oh? what is it?" she grabs one and inspects it. It's covered with a weak layer of chocolate. But it smells...fruity?
Mafuyu also grabs one, interested by the smell. "This one...it is strawberry flavored?" he asks, paying attention to the smell. Even though most of the time food doesn't taste like anything, smells are easier to decipher.
Honami nods, looking at them with an expectant expression.
Mafuyu shrugs and takes the first bite. His expression is neutral until he gets to the center of the pastry. There's pieces of strawberries there? he can taste the faintest undertone of sweetness.
His expression lights up immediately and he takes another bite with a focused expression.
Kanade takes it as good to eat. So she munches on a corner of it, smiling at the taste. The chocolate is a bit bitter but it balances nicely the fruit that's inside.
"How is it?"
Mafuyu hums in thought. "It's...good."
Usually, such a lackluster response would be discouraging, but Honami feels genuinely happy at hearing it. "Really? ahh it makes me so happy to hear that!" she beams, affection clear on her voice.
Kanade also nods, expression soft. "Thank you Honami. It tastes good as always."
Honami smiles, moving her arm to hold Kanade's hand.
Mafuyu, noticing the action, also moves to hold Honami's hand. Causing Honami to giggle.
"Are you not going to hold Kanade's?" she asks, half genuine half teasing.
"No. Kanade is on the opposite side of the table, you're closer."
Kanade pouts for second, before she chuckles. "You're saying this while yesterday you went from the living room to our bedroom just because you wanted a hug."
"...That's an unfair comparison." Mafuyu refutes weakly.
Honami laughs, a full belly laugh, shoulders shaking from laughter. "I- I love you both s-so much, happy valentine's day." she manages to blurt out between giggles, her hold on both of their hands tightening.
Kanade blinks, but she quickly starts chuckling too. "Hehe...happy valentine's day." she says, for the first time today.
Mafuyu smiles. "Happy valentine's day." he adds, completing their triad.
The thing they have in common is that no matter how difficult things get, they're always there to keep learning, keep trying and the most important thing...
To keep loving. They never stopped loving, and they never will.
With soft gentle music on their ears, flower scented candles on their noses and the faintest hints of fruit in their mouths, they decide to keep learning together on this Valentine's day.