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Kanade entered the cafe, waiting for a certain purple-haired woman.
As she took a look around the cafe, there she spotted her: Mafuyu's mother.
Earlier that morning, Kanade received a message from Mafuyu on discord.
She thought it'd be a normal message from her, usually asking her to check out her new lyrics,
But no. It was her mom.
So, after they talked for a bit, they decided to meet up.
After Kanade spotted Mafuyu's mom, she walked over to the table she was in.
''Hi.. Are you Mafuyu's mother?'' Kanade asked.
''Oh, hello, dear! That would be me. Sit down, please.'' She smiled.
Kanade smiled back, surprised by her politeness.
After they ordered a coffee and a quick food for themselves, Mafuyu's mother spoke up.
''So, Kanade... I wanted to know what business you have with my daughter.'' She said, in a polite tone.
''Ah, I see.. Well, we make music together. I do the composing, Mafuyu does the lyrics, Ena does the art and Mizuki edits the music videos.'' The girl replied, a smile appearing on her face. She really liked talking about her group.
''...I see. But you do know that Mafuyu doesn't like that, right?''
''What do you mean?'' Kanade looked confused.
''Making music. That's not her dream. Her future. You do know that, right?'' Mafuyu's mother looked at Kanade.
''...No, I think you're wrong. Mafuyu loves writing music. I know that better than anything else.''
''*Her dream is to be a doctor*. I'm hoping for you three to understand that, since you guys are her friends. So, that's why I'm taking away her music instruments. She won't need them for her doctor career!'' She replied to Kanade, still with a smile on her face. Kanade started to see that smile as a creepy one.
''Be it her dream or not.. She-''
The bell from the cafe rang, as Kanade looked towards the main door.
*Mafuyu? What is Mafuyu doing here?*
''Mafuyu...!'' Kanade got up from her seat, going over to Mafuyu.
''Kanade.'' Mafuyu said with a blunt tone. Kanade looked at her confused.
''...Are you okay?''
''Let's talk.'' Mafuyu gently grabbed Kanade's wrists, leading the both of them back to the table her mother was sat in. Mafuyu sat next to her mom, and Kanade sat back where she was.
''I'm guessing my mother told you everything.''
''Yes. And I was just about to tell her that y―'' Mafuyu interrupted Kanade.
''Kanade, I won't pursue music anymore.''
Kanade's eyes widened.
''...Are you serious, Mafuyu? Please tell me you're not.'' Kanade hoped.
''My future is to be a doctor, Kanade. Music is being nothing but a distraction.'' Kanade never heard Mafuyu talk in such a dry way.
''Mafuyu..! But!― You love music!'' Kanade held Mafuyu's hand. ''Is she making you say something you don't want to, Mafuyu?! What about the day where―''
''Enough, Kanade.'' Mafuyu gave Kanade's wrist a tap, a sign to make her stop holding her hand.
''..Ah.''
''...You clearly aren't her friend if you don't support her decision.'' Mafuyu's mother spoke up.
''Let's go, mom. That was all I... Had to say.''
And so, they left.
Kanade continued sat there, dumbfounded. She expected anything but Mafuyu actually agree with her mother's decision about *her* career on the future.
What about the day that she stood up against her mom with KAITO's help? What about the day where she vented to Kanade, saying how her mother kept bugging her about her music?
She couldn't believe it.
Kanade wasn't able to save her.
Again.
She promised herself that she'd be able to save Mafuyu. That was her main goal as a composer.
Mafuyu trusted her that she'd be able to save her.
Was that why she gave up on music?
Was it because Kanade didn't fulfill her promise?
It was Kanade's fault.
If only she had saved Mafuyu,
If only she had composed good songs.
No wonder she noticed Mafuyu seemed more upset than usual these past few days.
She should've composed a song to her.
But she didn't.
''..It's all my fault, isn't it?''
Kanade went back home.
It was raining. Usually, she'd grab an umbrella, so the rain couldn't ruin her hoodie, but she was too tired to do that.
She remembers when Mafuyu stood up against her mother, when she ran to Kanade's house mid rain...
She remembers all of that.
And none of these memories will ever happen again, will it?
Kanade sat down on her chair, composing some music.
Now, that Nightcord's lyricist was gone,
Kanade had to start making the lyrics.
She'd never replace Mafuyu for someone else.
''K, It's 3 A.M already... I think I'll be going to sleep.'' Ena yawned on the voice call.
''Mhm. Good night, Enanan.'' Kanade said, a smile appearing on her face, but then returning to her concentrated face as soon as Ena left the voice call.
If she wasn't able to save Mafuyu...
Then Kanade will do her best to save her other two best friends:
Shinonome Ena,
and Akiyama Mizuki.
She won't fail them this time.
She won't fail them ever.
Not like she did with Mafuyu.