Chapter Text
“..nade”
“Kanade.” A sweet voice echoed in Kanade’s dreams, she was hoping to wake up and see Mafuyu, but to her surprise a girl was light brown hair shaking her awake with a slight look of concern on her face.
“Who- ugh..” A splitting headache suddenly infested Kanade and it was if all her brain had filled her in the information as if she lived here, all her memories returned back to her, even the ones from that awful day- no, she wouldn’t think about it, she was fixing it after all. Mochizuki, if she recalled correctly was standing there was a look of worry plastered on her face as Kanade grimaced from pain
“Miss Yoisaki? Is everything alright? You seemed to be grumbling in your sleep a little..”
She swallowed. “Everything’s fine I just had a bit of a nightmare and the lights in the room were just a bit bothering.” That wasn’t entirely a lie, in Kanade’s universe it was hardly this bright and Kanade had never been a fan of sunlight.
Mochizuki didn’t seem very convinced but she turned her features into a smile. “I’m sorry just a bit worried about you, I know it’s been hard since..” she trailed off. Kanade guessed she was talking about her father falling ill, in her own universe she could barley remember anything relating to her parents Kanade seemed to have lots of foggy areas in her memory she wasn’t sure why but all she knew is something happened to him and she had always felt guilt when she thought about it, Kanade truly was terrible hurting those she loved. In this universe, it seemed she was royalty who was going to take the spot of the princess if her father hadn’t fallen so ill and his royalty spot had been taken away from him, now Kanade seemed to be a knight in training to avenge his honor since he believed she could save the kingdom.
Kanade didn’t seem to have any memories of a Mafuyu in this universe, in all truth she really didn’t care about the other stuff, her current conscience was only here for Mafuyu nothing else but she guessed she’d have to go through the trials and tribulations until she could find her and she wasn’t exactly looking forward to this since Kanade had always been weak, she doubted she’d be an awesome knight. A part of Kanade worried for what would happen if she did find Mafuyu, Kanade still hurt her, and they could never be the same as they had been. No, she would save her no matter what, it was selfish to think that way.
“I prepared a meal downstairs, I’ll be going now, please take care of yourself and good luck on the knight training today!” And she was gone. Knight training? She groaned at the thought of all the exercise she’d have to do, but if it was necessary she’d do it. That got her in a determined mood and she managed to get herself ready.
The blinding light of the sun and the crowded cityscape was all too much for Kanade and she practically passed out just getting to the training grounds. She was greeted by an energetic light pink haired girl, Mizuki, and a short tempered brunette, Ena. She remembered them quite well from her previous universe, they were well aquatinted with her and Mafuyu, if anyone was going to connect her to Mafuyu it was them.
“Kanade!” Mizuki called out and was waving for her to come over.
“Mizuki, don’t be so loud!” Ena said equally as loud.
“Sorry I’m late.. the crowd is a bit much..” Kanade practically panted.
“It’s okay! Your just a bit late we haven’t started yet it’s not your fault the crowds have been busy lately, it’s just the anticipation since they say the Aoyagi kingdoms nobles will be visiting soon since the newly formed alliance.” Ena said, she had poorly hidden excitement she guessed something was happening today.
“Always so patient with our Kanade, Enanan-“ she was stopped by an elbow to her ribs.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a horn blaring to get their attention she presumed. Their instructor stood next to a group of knights wearing different uniforms then the rest, the Aoyagi kingdoms knights if her memory filled her in correctly, the alliance rumors seemed to be true.
“Today we’ll be practice with the Aoyagi knights. Since an alliance has been formed, the king has allowed us to practice with their knights. It’s good experience learning different fighting styles so I urge you guys to interact with the Aoyagis.”
Whispers echoed around her, she could make out a single major word, Asahina. She wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her.
“I heard she’s been training since she was only six.”
“I heard even senior knights fear her.”
“Asahina is the real deal.”
The instructor pulled one of the girls into view, purple hair, fake plastered on smiles dull eyes. beautiful features… It was..
“We also have a very experienced knight, though your age, who can help for people who are struggling plenty. A bet some of you have heard some rumors about Asahina. But she’s hear today.” She took a bow and gave the crowd a big plastic smile, Kanade couldn’t believe her eyes.
Behind her, Ena scoffed. “She’s not even all that, she’s a daughter of nobles of course she’s more respected her mother probably started those rumors to make people think her daughter is so strong, she’s just a teenage girl.”
Mizuki elbowed her. “Someone’s jealous, if you really think she’s your level you should challenge her in a fight.”
“Shut up.” Their voices faded into the background she only could focus on her.
“Mafuyu..” She reached out her hand towards her, she could almost touch her again.
“Kanade?”
“Ah..” They gave her concerned glances. She suddenly realized it wouldn’t be so easy to get close to her. Mafuyu didn’t know her after all.
The instructor finished talking and they sort of separated, Kanade paired up with this darker blue haired girl who also seemed to be struggling but yet still better than Kanade. Just carrying the heavy sword and dodging moves in the blaring sun was too much and Kanade’s head turned dizzy. Kanade couldn’t remember when the practice battle concluded but her head ached terribly and other bodies were pushing into her, her head spun out of control she pathetically fell to the ground.
A hand reached out to help Kanade’s pitiful soul. “Are you alright?” A soft voiced asked, she immediately knew who this voice belonged to, Mafuyu. She took her hand and Mafuyu pulled her up. She hoped Mafuyu couldn’t see her how much she wanted this, her face was tomato red and she wasn’t sure if it was from the heat.
“Um.. yeah, the heat is a bit too much for me..”
She looked a bit confused, it was probably not normal to collapse as easy as Kanade her diet wasn’t exactly healthy.
“How about I take you to a shadier area, miss?” She held out her hand and Kanade had never been so eager to take it.
She led them to this small clearing surrounded by trees and threw her a canteen of water, Kanade had never chugged anything so fast. It felt like all of Kanade’s life force had returned.
“Thank you so much Asahina.” It felt weird to call her by her last name but they were strangers, she didn’t know this Mafuyu, as much as she so desperately wanted to. She wondered if perhaps Mafuyu remembered her but that would mean Mafuyu would know the ugly parts of her she would remember what Kanade did to her. No, because this Mafuyu still gave her kindness, Kanade didn’t deserve this, a look her way was too kind of a fate for Kanade.
Mafuyu gave her one of her manufactured smiles, “No worries! It would be cruel to leave you like that.. I’m sorry what is your name?”
“Yoisaki Kanade.” It pained her to have to tell her name to a girl she had once held so closely.
“Yoisaki? I feel like I recognize that name..”
“Oh, I used to be a royal, before my father fell ill.. You probably remember it from that.” She really hoped that was what she was talking about
“A royal? My apologies I was unaware.” She bowed.
Kanade laughed, “It’s really no big deal, I’m a hardly royal anymore.”
“Oh.. Um, I’m sorry about your father. From what I’ve heard he was a good king. Um I really should be going, I’m sorry for taking up your time.
Kanade took her hand before she was able to leave. “Wait..! Um could you practice with me?” Kanade blurted out, she just couldn’t bare to see Mafuyu leave.
She turned around and gave her one of her manufactured smiles. “I’d be happy too.”
Their practice was more like a teaching session, Mafuyu was very patient with her and gave her advice throughout their session it was helpful but Kanade was still struggling. Even so, this time with Mafuyu was nice, they had small conversation as they battled, Kanade would have stayed doing this for days if she could, Mafuyu’s gentle voice as she instructed Kanade was so soft and gentle it soothed Kanade, how she missed that voice. Even so doing this was enjoyable for Kanade, she wasn’t sure if Mafuyu really enjoyed this, she kept her persona the entire time and Kanade wanted so badly to know what was underneath. Keeping Mafuyu like this was so selfish of her it she really didn’t want her to leave. But before Kanade knew it practice was over and the horn blew.
“Ah, I guess it’s time to leave.. Thank you really Asahina, sorry for keeping you so long.”
“No worries, I had fun.”
Kanade smiled, she didn’t know if Mafuyu was really honest about what she thought but maybe it wouldn’t be so selfish to think so. “It’d be nice if we could do this again.”
Mafuyu nodded. “Yes, it would be nice.” And Kanade could swear that smile was real
When Kanade returned to Mizuki and Ena she was worn out but not nearly as much as she usually was and she still had a smile on her face from her time with Mafuyu.
“Geez, I don’t see you all practice and you come back to us and you’re beaming. What happened?” Mizuki teased.
“I met with an old friend. It was nice.” It wasn’t entirely a lie.
“Huh.” They didn’t question after that.