Salvation Unknown

by AxiumCrisis

Summary:

The tree that blossomed in Empty Sekai had put the four to sleep a few days ago, and had given the composer the dream of her life. An alive father.

But all is done now, and Kanade can no longer return back to that sweet dream.

Yet deep down, the composer lingered for more. Kanade wanted to stay in the future where nothing had went wrong, where she had never cursed her father.

In an attempt to relive it all again, the aimless and conflicted girl touches the blackened leaves once more, oblivious to the consequences that it would bring.

And maybe then, will she find salvation.

(spinoff on n25 wl2 where wl2 kanade and current kanade swap places, may or may not involve sekai shenanigans, tags will be updated as story progresses)

Chapter 1: K1-1: Salvation Unwritten

Notes:

Kanade-centric, and a pseudo character analysis.

Set after N25 WL2. May or may not diverge from canon (Mafu6). I'll try my best to not deviate too much.

Chapter formatting will be this, for people who want to skip to certain sections with their favourite characters. I'll also detail who shows up every chapter.
- (Main POV)-(Their nth chapter): Chapter name

K1 - Main Story Kanade
K2 - WL2 Kanade

Characters (in order of appearance):
Main Story Kanade
Kanadad

The green digits on Kanade’s computer screen flickered to 09:19 PM, casting a faint glow across her cluttered room. Empty ramen cups teetered in a precarious stack, foil lids discarded, while neglected sheets of music paper littered the floor, edges curling. Stale air mingled with the low hum of her aging desktop. Her chair groaned as she shifted, silvery-white hair spilling over her shoulders and catching on the dark blue jacket she hadn’t removed. Her headset rested heavily on her ears, microphone dangling near her lips as she sighed.

One year. Three hundred and sixty-five days since Mafuyu had escaped her cage, finding refuge with Kanade. The thought of Mafuyu's transformation from a porcelain doll to a living, breathing person sent warmth through Kanade's chest. She'd watched her friend crack open years of sealed emotions, finally confronting her father with trembling hands but steady voice. Soon, they would face the final boss – Mafuyu's mother.

Kanade's fingers curled into fists at the thought of that woman. She'd seen the hollowness in Mafuyu's eyes after each encounter, the way she folded in on herself like origami crushed by careless hands. Yet somehow, impossibly, Mafuyu insisted there was warmth there – claimed the flutter in her heart when Kanade's music played echoed some long-ago maternal tenderness.

Kanade wanted to trust that person. She had to, for Mafuyu’s sake.

Ena was able to finally gain approval from her father, after all the trials and tribulations that he had unintentionally put Ena through. The Shinonome legacy of miscommunication had nearly crushed her spirit, at long last understanding finally bloomed between the two.

Mizuki had summarised it as… “tsundere behavior”, and Kanade could only guess it was something along the lines of “hard love”, not that she would ever know.

Asking Mizuki about this stuff was frankly too… embarrassing. Perhaps when it was time to compose a romance song would Kanade inquire Mizuki about said topic, and maybe use her and Ena’s usual bickering as reference.

Mizuki recently disappeared and spiralled down into a deep depression, her moment being taken away by ignorant students that joked about Mizuki’s secret. Finding her had been a desperate race against time. Though thankfully, through everyone in Empty Sekai’s efforts, Ena was able to locate Mizuki, and the two shared a heartfelt moment where they poured everything about their feelings towards each other.

Soon after, Mizuki finally mustered up the courage to tell everyone about her past and her transitioning. Kanade could still feel the tremors that ran through Mizuki's body as she apologized again and again, makeup streaming down her face like watercolour in the rain about not telling them sooner.

Kanade instinctively gave Mizuki the tightest hug that the pinknette had ever received, barring Ena.

Yes. They were healing. Stepping tentatively from the suffocating darkness they’d called home, blinking in the terrifying light of hope. Mafuyu finding her voice. Ena finding approval. Mizuki finding courage. Moving forward, scars and all.

And here Kanade was.

Composing the night away.

A hollow ache lingered within her, a shadow that refused to lift despite the group’s progress. The room seemed to close in, as her fingers paused over the keyboard, trembling slightly as a she brushed the keys without pressing them.  On the screen, the composition software displayed a vast, empty expanse. A single, mocking waveform line sat flat and silent at the bottom. Salvation Unwritten. The melodies that once wove lifelines felt distant now. What redemption could she compose? For whom? The question hung heavy.

She leaned back; the chair creaked sharply. Her weary gaze drifted across her chaotic sanctuary, snagging on a small, dust-coated photo frame half-buried near the desk leg. She knew the picture by heart. Driven by something older than fatigue, she reached out. A man with kind eyes smiled beside a younger her, their hands poised over a piano, frozen in a moment of harmony that felt like a lifetime ago. She reached out, her fingertips grazing the edge with a feather-light touch, tracing the worn wood as if it might bring back the warmth of that memory.

So alive then.

If only she could exp-

Kanade pulled back. Her fist slammed onto her thigh, knuckles whitening. Nails dug crescents into her palm.

Those hands trembling over sheet music late into the night, the faint rustle of paper as he pushed himself beyond exhaustion, the way his fingers had faltered on the keys.

The terrible thud of flesh meeting floor, the silence that followed louder than any scream.

Her breath hitched, catching in her throat like a sob she refused to release, and she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm, the exhaustion pulling at her like an undertow.

The screen blurred, the cursor’s blink slowing as her head dipped forward. Her eyelids fluttered shut, the room fading into a soft, warm haze.

---

Sunlight poured through open windows, bathing the kitchen in a soft, golden glow. The counters sparkled, adorned with bowls of ripe apples and jars of cinnamon, the air thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sweet perfume of jasmine drifting from the garden.

Her reflection shimmered briefly in the stainless-steel kettle as she moved. Hair scraped back in a ponytail, but a few defiant strands, escaped to frame her face. The crisp, pale collared shirt felt stiff against her skin, the darker vest beneath it like armour she hadn’t consciously chosen. Her steps were light, almost skipping, as she moved toward the living room, drawn by a melody that wove through the air like a thread of joy.

“Kanade! Just in time. I was tweaking that new commission. Come, listen.” His voice rang out from the hallway, warm and steady, carrying the weight of a life unburdened. He stepped into view, guitar case slung over his shoulder, his face alight with a smile that reached his clear, unshadowed eyes.

He set the case down with a gentle thud and motioned to the piano, stacks of sheet music sat neatly beside it, pages crisp and organized.

Her heart leaped as she settled onto the seat beside him. The keys felt warm under her fingertips, smooth and inviting, enticing her to form a new melody alongside the man next to her.

He began to play, the notes flowing effortlessly, a contest piece that sang with pride and ease. Each chord was his own, the melody rising and falling like a gentle wave. At the bridge, he glanced her way.

“Your turn, Kanade.”

His voice was honey-warm, threaded with a fondness that made her throat tighten. "You’ve helped me out so much for my previous commission, so sprinkle in a little bit of your magic, darling."

She could feel his smile without looking—could trace its shape in the way the air shifted between them, in the faint crinkling of his eyes reflected in the piano’s polished black surface.

A breath. A heartbeat. A flicker of something dark and coiled tightening in her chest.

Then—

She pressed down.

The harmony was simple, unassuming, but it fit, weaving between his notes like sunlight through leaves.

He nodded again, his approval a soft hum. “Perfect! You’re a natural, truly gifted by music!”

Laughter bubbled up, hers bright and unrestrained, mingling with his deeper chuckle as they played on. The room filled with warmth, the sunlight casting soft pinks across the walls, the blue curtains swaying gently in the breeze. She leaned closer, her shoulder brushing his, and he ruffled her hair with a tender hand. The touch sent a flush to her cheeks, a shy pink spreading as she closed her eyes, her lips curving into a soft smile. The sleeve of his dark shirt grazed her forehead, and for a moment, she let herself sink into it, the peace wrapping around her like a blanket woven from forgotten dreams.

The melody swelled, and they moved as one, their hands dancing across the keys in a rhythm that felt eternal. The living room seemed to expand, the walls stretching to hold the music, the sunlight pooling in golden puddles on the hardwood floor.

“Kanade,” he said, his voice softer now, almost a whisper, “this is what music is for. To hold onto moments like this.”

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak, her fingers still moving, chasing the melody as if it could anchor her to this moment forever. The air shimmered with possibility, the notes building into a crescendo that felt like flying, like she could soar above the weight of her world and never come down.

They finished the piece, the final chord lingering in the air like a sigh. He leaned back, his hands resting on his knees, and looked at her with a pride that made her chest ache. “You’re going to do great things, Kanade. I can feel it.”

She ducked her head, her cheeks warming again, and mumbled, “Only because you taught me.”

He laughed, the sound rich and full, and stood to stretch, his silhouette framed against the window’s golden light. “Come on, let’s take a break. I made some tea—your favorite, chamomile with a hint of honey.”

She followed him back to the kitchen, her steps lighter than they’d been in years. The kettle whistled softly, a cheerful counterpoint to the quiet hum of the house. He poured the tea into mismatched mugs, one with a chipped handle, hers with a faded flower pattern, and handed her one, the warmth seeping through the ceramic into her palms.

They sat at the small table by the window, the jasmine scent stronger now, mingling with the steam rising from their cups. 

“Tell me,” he said, leaning forward, his elbows on the table, “what’s the next piece you want to write? Something for your friends, maybe?”

She sipped her tea, the honey sweet on her tongue, and thought of... Asahina-senpai. “Maybe something… hopeful. Something that feels like starting over.”

He nodded, his eyes softening. “That’s my girl.”

The words settled in her chest, warm and heavy, and she smiled, her fingers curling around the mug. The world outside the window seemed to pulse with life, the grass swaying, the flowers nodding in agreement.

But then—

A flicker. A glitch in the light, like a film reel stuttering. The jasmine scent sharpened, too sweet, cloying, and the sunlight dimmed, the golden glow turning ashen. The mug slipped from her hands, shattering on the floor, the sound too loud, too wrong.

She looked up, her heart lurching, but her father was still there, his smile unchanged, his eyes still warm.

“Kanade?” His voice was softer now, distant, as if carried on a wind she couldn’t feel.

The room tilted, the walls bending inward, the flowers in the vase wilting before her eyes, petals curling like the music sheets in her room.

Her chest tightened, the dark coil in her heart twisting harder, and she reached for him, her fingers grasping at air.

---

Kanade jolted upright, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh screech. The room snapped back into focus, the computer screen’s glow a harsh sting against her eyes. Her hand flew to her headset, adjusting it with a shaky grip, the microphone cold against her cheek. Her silvery-white hair clung to her face, damp with sweat, strands sticking to her forehead.

Kanade's blue eyes stared blankly ahead, the pupils dilated as if searching for something lost. Her mouth turned downward, a faint quiver betraying the melancholy that settled in her chest like a stone.

The walls closed in with their faded posters and scattered papers fluttering in the sudden movement. Cool tones dominated, purples pooling in the corners, blues radiating from the screen, grays cloaking the dim light-

The air felt thick.

“又是⼀场恶作剧.”    

Her hand dropped to the desk, fingers brushing the photo frame again. She lifted it, her thumb tracing the edge where his hand had rested on hers.

Those nights he’d hunched over the piano, his knuckles whitening with effort.

She set it down quickly, her hand retreating to her lap, clenching into a fist with a force that made her nails dig into her palm again.

She glanced at the keyboard, her fingers twitching toward it, brushing the keys without pressing them. The dream had been so vivid—the warmth of his hand, the ease of their music, the absence of that hospital room with its sterile beeps and the faint scent of antiseptic.

Her breath came in shallow bursts, her shoulders hunching as if to shield herself from the guilt that gnawed at her edges.

She couldn’t allow herself to experience such warmth, not when her music had driven him to collapse, her talent a spark that ignited his downfall.

Yet, the longing lingered, a quiet ache that refused to fade. Her eyes narrowed and her brows furrowing as she leaned forward. 

She didn’t know how to chase it, but the pull was there—a whisper of that perfect world, a chance to hold onto the warmth she’d felt. 

But first she needed to calm herself down.

---

Kanade dried her hands on a threadbare towel, the fabric rough against her skin, and returned to the desk, her steps heavier now. The photo frame stared up at her, accusing, and she turned it face-down, the wood scraping against the desk’s surface.

She couldn’t look at it, not now, not when the dream’s warmth still lingered like a fever she couldn’t shake.

And then it hit her—Empty Sekai.

Sekai, the gray expanse where emotions took form, where Miku and the others guided them through their pain. It was where Mafuyu had found her voice, where Mizuki had bared her soul. If there was anywhere, she could chase that dream, it was there before.

That damned tree.

Her fingers twitched, itching to reach for her phone, to play the untitled song that would summon the gate to Sekai, to step into that endless void and search for the sunlight she’d lost.

She hesitated, her hand hovering over the phone.

The thought was reckless, dangerous, a temptation she shouldn’t indulge.

But the dream’s warmth lingered, a siren song pulling her toward the edge.

She had experienced it not only once, but twice now. Surely there would be no harm to a third one.

She grabbed the phone, her fingers trembling as she opened the music app, scrolling to the untitled track, and pressed play.

The world dissolved.

---

無限の記憶よ。 infinite memories

---

 

Notes:

this has always been something that i wanted to do, and is technically a gift to myself (and also i just want more kanade angst tbh)
as usual im not really happy with the word length, the pacing could be better in general and the dream section could genuinely use more work so that the contrast hits harder later
my one goal with this work is to make someone (myself) cry because it would be funny

i hope that i can get most of the story out before i head off
have a good day, and goodbye

Chapter 2: K2-1: Reflection in Gray

Summary:

When Kanade doesn’t join Nightcord, Mafuyu investigates—only to find her missing.

Notes:

trigger warnings:
implied drowning (not actually, im not that evil)

Characters (in order of appearance):
WL2 Kanade
Miku
Mizuki
Ena
Mafuyu
Rin
Len
Luka

Kanade felt a glint of light under her eyes, sharp and fleeting, like a spark caught in the corner of her vision. She blinked, disoriented, her body heavy with the ache of a long day.

The high schooler had just endured a grueling physical education lesson that left her muscles trembling and her mind foggy with exhaustion. She vividly remembered crashing onto her bed, still in her uniform, expecting the familiar comfort of her pillow to pull her into sleep.

But now, as her eyes fluttered open, the world was wrong.

A vast, desolate landscape stretched before her, an expanse of grey so featureless, it seemed to swallow depth itself. Jagged trusses jutted from the ground like the bones of some forgotten structure, its edges sharp as a knife; Oddly placed smooth yet unreflective rectangles, some upright, others titled at unnatural edges, dotted the terrain like slabs of lego as it merged with the blocky hills in the distance. 

The air was still, heavy with an unnatural quiet, even to the hobbyist composer herself, who often bathed in silence in her room. No signs of birds, no signs of wind, or even the hum of her own breathing.

Kanade’s heart quickened. This wasn’t her room, her bed, her world. The sky above was a tapestry of wrongness, streaked with bands of grey that seemed to pulse faintly as if alive. The ground beneath her feet felt solid but strange, its texture neither stone nor soil, but something cold and unyielding. 

There was no sun, no moon, no stars. 

Just a diffuse, sourceless light that cast no shadows and revealed nothing beyond the endless grey. 

Had she been pranked? Was this an elaborate setup? Or was this a VR game, one that she'd forgotten she started? 

"Where am I?" She whispered, her voice swallowed by the vastness and darkness. Kanade stood, her legs shaky, and scanned the horizon again, hoping that her vision was just temporarily messed up, however that would work. Yet there it remains, no landmarks, no paths, no signs of life. Just the trusses, the hills, and the rec- 'rectangles'. 

This place was empty. Designed to be empty. A canvas left blank on purpose. And she was the in the center of it.

She patted her pockets, hoping for her phone, but they were empty. No keys, no wallet, nothing but the wrinkled school uniform clinging to her skin. Kanade loosened her tight tie in an attempt to ground herself in reality momentarily. She tried to piece together the moments before this,

Walking home from school, her bag heavy on her shoulder, the ache in her calves, the sounds of her father and the relief of her bedroom door clicking shut. 

She definitely fell asleep.

Surely this was all just a bad dream!

The white-haired girl brought her hands to her cheek and pinched hard, really hard, enough to immediately ground her in a way that made her stomach lurch.

This was real, too real.

Her breath caught as she turned in a slow circle, searching something. Anything. Anything that was familiar to her. 

The landscape seemed to shift subtly as she moved, the "rectangles" tilting ever so slightly, seemingly observing her movement, as the hills in the distance shimmered with their edges blurring like a mirage. 

Yet when she squinted, she snapped back into focus.

A faint hun, barely audible, pulsed through the ground and vibrated up her sneakers. 

It wasn't a sound so much as a sensation, but rather it was akin to... something like a heartbeat of a living person, steady at 80 beats per minute.

Kanade needed to stop comparing real-life phenomenons with music. She had just been scolded by her teacher for not focusing during class, instead scribbling down melodies on her rough worksheet for math.

Kanade sighed, taking a deep breath to muster up all the courage she could get—she'd always been a scaredy cat—and took a tentative step forward. Her shoes scruffed against the strange surface, the sound was wrong, crisp, too hollow, like tapping on a glass plane. But since when did anything make sense here? Her gaze fell to the ground below her, and her reflection simply stared back, faint and distorted.

---

How long has she been walking?

The internal clock and the composer instinct of her ticked off over ten minutes, ten minutes of trudging through empty soil, searching for a glimpse of life.

And then there it was, a faint movement near the corner of her eyes. Like a ripple in the air, heat rising from asphalt, a beacon in the depths. Kanade was sure that it was near one of the upright 'rectangles'. She froze, her pulse loud in her ears as the ripple stilled.

But the rectangle seemed to.. hum now? 

Was this placed tied to music after all?

Curious, Kanade stepped closer, cautious, her hands clenched at her sides. The rectangles was taller than her, but it was shallow enough for Kanade to climb up. She wasn't sure if the ripple—shape. Shape. If the shape was another human being, or a monster posing as one ready to eat her up like a skinwalker. The mere thought of it sent Kanade's legs crumbling like sand.

Kanade still had to take the shot. She had to find a way out, or at least a way forward.

The composer's stomach twisted as she swallowed, her throat dry, and she slowly brought herself over the tilted 'rectangle' shaped hill. As she pressed on, the hum eventually evolved into a faint melody.

Distant. Ethereal. 

Like a song half-remembered from a dream. 

It tugged at her, familiar, yet alien, and it continued to pull her towards the blocky hills. The ground began to slope gently upwards, the air grew thicker, the pulses stronger, as the girl moved upwards.

At the crest of the hill, the landscape opened into a vast plain. And there, standing motionless in the center, was a figure. 

Kanade's breath caught. 

It was a girl, or something like one, with long, messy, uneven pigtails in the shade of warm grey that cascaded to her knees, fading into a darker, colder grey at the ends. Her eyes were mismatched, one turquoise and the other.. erm... purple. Or was it pink?

She wore a long-sleeved white collared blouse, partially unbuttoned at the bottom to reveal a petticoat, the thigh-length dress fading to grey like the world around her, with a thin red-fadiing tie adorning her neck, a white harness with three keys and roman numerials of one to twelve written crossing her chest, turquoise colors painting her nails, black tights and t-bar flat shoes.

She resembled Hatsune Miku. Not the only Kanade knew from posters and videos, that Miku had vibrant, teal-hair with bright teal eyes sparkling with joy, and her outfit being a futuristic blend of white, grey, and.. teal. It was always teal, wasn't it?

That Miku, the wordwide sensation Miku, had a bubbly and uplifting personality.

This Miku... felt empty? Her heterochromatic gaze seemed to hold a quiet understanding rather than exuberant cheers, and her voice, if she spoke, likely was flat. 

Kanade approached slowly as the humming grew louder and louder, and as their eyes met, the grey world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the first singularity of many.

The Miku's lips parted with a hollow and soft voice.

"...Kanade?"

"Huh?"

---

"And so Mia went voosh and swoosh and then bam, bam BAM! All of the creatures were now dead!"

"Ok, and?"

"..."

"ENANANNNNNNNNNNNNN~! Here I am, your closest, maybe only friend, passionately spilling my heart about my favorite anime, and this is how you treat me? Gage, I weep! I'm drowning in tears!"

"Hah? I have plenty of friends, I tell you Amia! Airi's one!"

"Airi doesn't talk with you every day though, hmmmmm~?"

"We DO! Over text!"

"Yeah, and we talk over voice chat. I'm practically whispering sweet nothings in your ear every day."

"You don't WHISPER! You're more like an annoying mosquito buzzing around."

"Ew! Mosuqito's aren't cute! Don't compare me to those!"

The glow of monitor bathed Mafuyu's face in a pale, sterile blue, casting soft shadows across her room. Her eyes flicked to the digital clock in the corner of the screen: 24:45. 

It was earlier than their usual Nightcord work session, but the voice chat was already errupting with a seemingly married old couple bickering.

"...Are we going to begin working soon?"

"A-Ahaha... Sorry Yuki."

"O-On it...."

Mafuyu’s gaze drifted from the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. If you had to ask Mafuyu if she hated the banter, she would duly respond, No. Mizuki and Ena's banter, although annoying at times, was comforting, and Mafuyu would (unconsciously) find herself listening to the boring talk the two would bring to the table. Everytime, everyday, during breaks.

But tonight, her mind was elsewhere, tethered to a quiet concern that had been growing since she’d last seen Kanade. Although the two usually work in Kanade's room, Kanade had started to request Mafuyu to work in her own, as partial pseudo-rehabilitation for when Mafuyu eventually moves back into the Asahina household.

Mafuyu shuddered.

She didn't know if she co- if her mother was willing to accept her emotions. She had managed to tell her father about her inner-feelings, but her mother? The idea of facing her mother's expectations, of risking disappointment from the person who had raised her, filled Mafuyu with a quiet dread. 

She wasn't ready. Not yet.

Mafuyu sighed, she still wasn't used to the composer not being next to here. Kanade, though quiet, was always a steady anchor (in her psyche). She would always murmur about chord progressions, hum a new melody, her voice low and deliberate. 

The delicate curve of jaw. Her white hair. Her pale, blue, half-lidded eyes.

“Hey,” Ena said suddenly, breaking the quiet, with a tinge of worry in her words. “Where’s Kanade? Is she still working on the demo?"

Mafuyu's finger stilled on the keyboard. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the last time she'd checked on Kanade.

"She was taking a nap. Slumped over her desk."

The image was vivid.

Kanade's head resting on her folded arms, her white hair spilling over the wood like a cascade of moonlight, her face softened by sleep. But there had been something else.

A faint glint of moisture at the corner of her eyes, like tears that hadn't quite fallen. 

Mafuyu couldn't guess why, but she felt like she had the responsibility to report this to the other two members of Nightcord. They would certainly know more than her.

"Kanade also... looked like she might have been crying."

"Crying?" Ena's voice sharpened.

"Yuki, could you check on her?" Mizuki's concern was clear and cut.

"In person, in person! Make sure she's okay!" Ena's voice raised once more. There was a pause, then softer, "Please. We don't want a repeat of her starving."

Mafuyu nodded, though no one could see it. "Alright."

She pushed back from her desk, the soft creak of her chair the only sound in her room. She left the voice chat running, Ena and Mizuki's muffled voices fading into the background as she stepped into the hallway.

The house was quiet, the air heavy with the stillness of late night, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator. Kanade's room was just next to her, the door slightly ajar, spilling a silver of dim light across the floor.

She knocked softly, the sound barely audible. “Kanade?” No response. Mafuyu pushed the door open, stepping into the small, familiar space. The room was empty. Kanade’s floor was cluttered with sheet music, her desk had a pencil resting precariously on the edge, and a half-empty cup of tea gone cold. Her chair was pushed back, as if she’d left in a hurry. Mafuyu’s eyes landed on Kanade’s phone, lying face-up on the desk. The screen glowed faintly, and a familiar melody played softly.

“Untitled.” 

Kanade had went into SEKAI.

Mafuyu stood still for a moment, before jogging back to her room and slipping her headset back on. "She's not here. She's in SEKAI."

"SEKAI?" Mizuki's voice lit up, Mafuyu could practically feel the sparkles through the mic. "Ooh, per-FECT TIMING! I got a new dress for Rin, super cute, frilly and totally fits her vibe! She's going to love it!"

Ena groaned, the sound half-exasperated, half-resigned. "You're going to play dress-up with Rin again?"

"Hm? Problem? You know you also love it, Enanan~!"

"...Fine. I'll come over too then. Someone's gotta keep you in check."

Mafuyu didn't respond, her focus already shifting. She reached for her own phone, her fingers swiftly opening the music app and tapping 'Untitled'. The melody swelled and wrapped around her like a current, before Mafuyu disappeared into SEKAI.

The other 'disappeared', mind you.

The world shimmered, dissolved, and reformed into the familiar grey expanse of SEKAI. The vast expanse of blocky hills, jagged trusses and smooth, unreflectively rectangles scattered under a sky streaked with pulsing grey bands welcoming their host. The air remained heavy, the silence oppressive yet strangely comforting, a quiet room where Mafuyu had no expectations weighing on her soldiers, just like when Kanade and Mafuyu worked together.

As the world solidified, Ena and Mizuki appeared beside her. Mizuki's eyes sprinkled with excitement, her arms already clutching the pastel pink dress she had brought for Rin. Ena stood with her arms crossed, yet Mafuyu could faintly see a smirk creep up the artist's mouth. 

Three figures appeared before them, the usual. Rin, somehow, had managed to copy the same pose as Ena. Arm crossed, pigtails swaying slightly, with a mixed expression of defiance and faint embarrassment, her cheeks already tinged with a subtle pink blush. Len fidgeted nearby, his shoulders hunched and his glances jumping all over the place as the boy paced around SEKAI nervously. Luka leaned against a truss, her long hair cascading in soft waves, a mischevious smile playing on her lips.

Mizuki bounded forward, clutching the pink dress, practically jumping on-top of Rin.

"Rin! Look at this! It's perfect and fits you to a tee! Cute, right?" She waved it in front of Rin.

Rin's blush deepened, and her gaze met the ground, her arms tightening further, "N-no thanks.. I've had enough of being your toy..."

Or so she says as her eyes dart to the dress, then back to the floor, then to the dress again.

"I-If Mizuki-chan think's it's great, then it'll look good on you!" Len stepped in, before Rin retorted with a gentle glare. As gentle as Rin could be, which wasn't that gentle.

Luka's smile widened, her eyes narrowing with amusement. She said nothing, but her expression suggested she was savoring the chaos, her fingers tapping lightly against the truss.

Mafuyu was frankly unmoved by the commotion. Leaving Rin and Len to Mizuki and Ena, Mafuyu approached Luka (as Meiko and Kaito were no-where to be seen, as usual, though Miku not being here surprised the purple lyricst), and asked with a steady voice, "Where's Kanade?"

Luka titled her head, her mischievous smile softening into something more serious. She nudged her chin toward the distance, where a figure was approaching through the grey haze.

It was Miku, her uneven grey pigtails trailing behind her, though she appears to be holding someone's hand.

Mafuyu squinted, her heart skipping a beat. 

Had Miku brought another Vocaloid? 

The thought flickered briefly, but as the figure drew closer, Mafuyu’s breath caught in her throat. 

It wasn’t a Vocaloid. 

It was a girl in a light grey seifuku with a striped collar and a red bow. The Miyamasuzaka school uniform. Her skirt swayed gently as she moved, her white hair hanging loose, catching the sourceless light like a halo. Her expression was distant, her eyes half-lidded, as if caught in a bad dream.

Miku paused, turning to glance at the girl, then back at Mafuyu. The arrival caught the attention of Rin, Len, Mizuki, and Ena, who all turned to stare.

"This is the situation we have on our hands." Luka commented.

The white-haired girl initially hid behind Miku, her eyes peeking out from the corner, wide and nervous. Then her gaze met Mafuyu’s, purple locking onto white, and she jumped back behind Miku as if startled.

“A-A… Asahina-san?” she stammered, her voice high and trembling.

Mafuyu rubbed her eyes, disbelief washing over her. 

"What are you doing he- Shinonome-san too?"

This wasn’t the Kanade Mafuyu knew. This Kanade was too… lively, too energetic, her movements quick and her voice carrying a brightness that felt foreign. The Kanade Mafuyu knew was quiet, reserved, and not athletic. This Kanade lacked that subtle, introspective depth, that gentle “Kanade-ism” that Mafuyu had come to rely on.

Then it hit her.

In dreams they’d shared days ago, Kanade had attended Miyamasuzaka alongside Mafuyu. They’d walked the school halls together, Kanade’s shy smile a constant at her side. But that was a dream. A fleeting vision, not reality. There was no way that Kanade had been transported here.

Mafuyu’s heart jumped, her breath constricting in her chest. Where was their her Yoisaki Kanade, the one who anchored Mafuyu with her music? The one who promised to save her?

Had she… vanished into nothingness, swallowed by the SEKAI’s grey void?

Her pulse raced, a rare panic clawing at her composure. Without a word, Mafuyu turned and ran, her feet pounding against the unyielding ground, sprinting toward the lake that shimmered faintly in the distance.

The others called after her, their voices muffled as Mafuyu ran, but she didn’t stop. Her breath came in sharp gasps, her mind fixed on finding Kanade. Yoisaki Kanade.

The lake’s edge came into view, its surface unnaturally still, reflecting the streaked sky like a sheet of glass. 

And there, in the center, Mafuyu saw her. 

A girl with white hair, clad in a dark blue jacket, floating face-down on the water’s surface. Her body was limp, her arms splayed out, her hair fanning around her head like a ghostly halo. One arm stretched downward, fingers slightly curled as if reaching for something lost in the depths. 

A single blackened leaf floated near the body.

---

梦境碎片。 fragmented dreams

---

 

Notes:

the swap has finally happened, wl2 kanade is now in empty sekai, at a cost!

i had the fattest shit grin ever writing "erm purple" because empurple and empurple meputeo=tewejiowjip

dont write while you're sick kids, i feel absolutely fucking horrible right now and i will be hitting the bed

have a good day, and goodbye

Chapter 3: K1-2: Inception

Summary:

For a composer who only ever wanted to save people, the ultimate salvation would be to rewrite her greatest failure.

Notes:

Characters (in order of apperance):
Main Story Kanade
Kanadad
Kanamom (referenced)

The composer's eyes fluttered open.

Kanade's chest heaved as if she'd just clawed her way out of a grave. The air pressed down on her throat, forcing her to choke on each ragged breath. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Her heart pounded, a frantic thud echoing in her ears, drowning out the world.

Her fingers twitched as her vision blurred, the edges fraying into a haze of shadows that continued to pulse and writhe.

A blackened leaf, slick and cold, its edges curling like burnt paper under her fingers.

The lake's surface closing over her head, the icy grip from the depths itself pulling her down.

Down.

Down.

Kanade coughed, she could still taste the metallic tang of water flooding her mouth, burning her lungs as it forced its way in, stealing her breath.

She laid still as she tried to catch her breath, her nails digging into the bed, trying to ground the frail girl into reality.

Had it worked?

Or was this just another cruel dream that her mind had woven just to taunt her?

The composer laid still, drops and trickles of sweat running down her forehead.

Kanade stood up slowly, her muscles aching as if she'd been submerged for hours, the faint throb in her temples still pulsing.

Her breath hitched, confusion swirling like fog in her mind. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cool, polished floorboards.

The room was stark, almost sterile in its simplicity, the walls a soft beige that caught the late afternoon light filtering through thin white curtains. A small table stood in the center, with a sleek laptop on top.

No scattered music sheets, no empty cup ramens, no half finished chord progressions scribbled on napkins and tissues.

In the corner, a wooden clothing rack held an array of garments: Soft sweaters, a few skirts, blouses in muted colors, and...

A light grey seifuku with a striped collar and a red bow.

Kanade swore she knew this outfit, in Mafuyu's room, on Mafuyu's body. 

Right.

The Miyamasuzaka school uniform. 

A school uniform? She hadn't worn one in years. Kanade chose to attend online school so as to not disturb her endless nights of composing, and she had always been draped in loose hoodies and a dark blue sports jacket. The school uniform felt like a costume in comparison.

A role that she didn't know how to play.

Kanade stared at it, her fingers twitching, still observing her weaponry of garments, her eyes landing on one jacket that she could call home.

Yet,

She was certain she had more than ONE. Mafuyu had always commented on the absurd amounts of the same brand of jackets that Kanade had. 

"Kanade, really? Seven?"

"Urgh... they're convenient to wear and wash...." 

She was sure that she had seven.

So why was there only one?

...

Kanade knew.

The composer stood, her legs wobbly, and crossed to the windows, pulling back the curtain. 

Outside stretched a quiet neighbourhood. Modest houses with tidy yards, a few trees swaying gently, children's laughter echoing from down the street, the sun hung low casting a warm glow, the air carrying the scent of blooming flowers and distant cooking.

It was peaceful. Ordinary.

Unlike the stale air of her room from her.. actual reality. The humming of her aging computer was nowhere to be seen, and Kanade could feel the antiseptic smell fade out by the second.

She had made it.

To a world where everything, was r̴̢̧̟̭̳̩͇̥̩̻͚̋̔̀͂͊i̸̻̫̾̏͒͊͆͜͝g̷̛̞͔͉̀͑̉̋̓h̸̢͔̼̻̻̟̥̭͆͒̅͊ţ̵̥͔͎̞̤͈̌̉́̍́͋́́͘ͅ?̷̱̹̦̭͕̉̈̔̈́̍͊̔

A clatter from the kitchen snapped her from her thoughts. 

The sound of metal on metal, followed by a low, cheerful hum.

Her pulse froze, caught in the quiet hum of his voice.

That tune... It was her father's, one of his old compositions, light and upbeat.

Made moments before her mother's death.

The one, final song that her father made before Kanade had drove her own father to overwork. To collapse.

To a coma that stretched on endlessly.

The guilt twisted in her guts, but the humming pulled her towards the door like a lifeline.

She moved through the narrow hallway, the wooden paneling lined with family photos.

Her younger self with pigtails, her mother's warm smile, her father's arm around them both.

Some things simply don't change, do they? 

Her steps quickened, her bare feet silent on the worn floorboards, until she reached the kitchen, where the clatter grew louder, the hum clearer.

And there he was, standing at the counter, chopping vegetables with a steady rhythm, a pot simmering on the stove.

His hair was greying at the temples, but he moved with an ease she hadn't seen since childhood. His posture relaxed, his humming unbroken.

The sight stole her breath, her chest tightening with a warmth she hadn't felt in years.

He was here.

Alive.

Whole.

Awake.

"Dad?" Kanade whispered, barely audible over the sizle of the pot.

The man turned, his face breaking into a wide, genuine smile, his eyes crinkling with warmth, "Kanade! You're finally awake. I thought you'd sleep through dinner!"

Kanade stood.

F̸̯̬͛́̒̈́̽̒́̓̓́͑̽̈́̉̓̇̈̎̒̐͘͝ͅo̴̡̧̺̟̬̜͚̦̣̗̹̙̣̙̊̒͜ȓ̷̰͔͊͌̈́͂͋͆̈̉͘ͅg̵͎͖̫̘̱̫͉̯̖̗̞̽̏̒͆̈̔́̍̋̋̌̋́̂̔͜͝i̷̝̹̠̤̙͚̠͔̠̼̯̣͈̻͉̇̅̾̀̂̾̎̓̚͝ͅv̴̢̧͙̬̗̫̲̙̪̘̙̘̭̣̺̯͔͎̥̈́̽̇͊̕ͅe̵͓̻͇͖̠̤̹̼̦͌ ̴̨͚̭̭̪̦͕͓̞͖͇̪̖̣̪̙͑̓̆̚͜m̵̢̢̼̰̝͉̣̭̹̮̹̜̯̤͍̖̐͑̆̾̐͛̎͒͊̽͆͆̋̀͒̉̃͒̆͘̚̕̚͜͝e̷̢͚͕͔͈̰̣̰̘͌̀̑̂̽̓̽̈̈́̇̎̊̓̾̕͠.̷̢̡͙̼̜̻̰͚͓̠͈͎̳͈̳̜̳́͒́̄̎̓̐̄̆̌̌̀̕̕͠͝

Her father wiped his hands on a towel slung over his shoulders, gesturing to the counter where ingredients were neatly arranged. Green onions, chicken, mushrooms.

"Making your favourites. Yakitori and some miso soup." He laughed. "Come, help me chop these."

Kanade stepped into the kitchen in silence, her feet sinking into the cool tiles as her body moved without a command from her own. The composer's mind spun. He was here. 

The warmth swelled, unbidden, and just overwhelmined, and her eyes stung, a prickling heat she blinked away, wiping at them with the sleeve of her uniform. 

"Kanade?"

"...Ju-just something in my eyes," Her fragile voice shot out. "from the onions, maybe.."

"They'll do just that. Grab a knife, we need our top chef here!" He slid a cutting board towards her, as if this was just another evening.

And not a miracle stitched from her deepest wishes.

Kanade took the knife, her hands trembling slightly. When was the last time that Kanade cooked seriously? Kanade could only recall a morning where she had attempted to cook out of nostalgia, but only ended up with Mafuyu cleaning up the horrible mess afterwards, and also cooking another meal.

Yet the motion came to her naturally. She began chopping, each chop producing a rhythm that grounded her further.

The kitchen was small but warm, the counters clean, a bowl of apple in the center, their red skin gleaming in the golden light filtering through the window. The air smelled of savory broth and jasmine from a small plant on the sill.

"What's... what's with the occasion?" Kanade asked, her voice still small.

"No occasion." Her father replied, stirring the spot, his smile easy. "Just felt like cooking together. You've been so busy with school that I figured we could use a night like this as a breather." 

He glanced at her. "I heard you practicing last night. That new piece of yours, special as always."

She couldn't recall anything that pertained to this.. dream Kanade's memories? Did that Kanade compose a song into the night yesterday?

It didn't matter.

Dream Kanade deserved the praise, not her. The sinner.

Part of her hoped to.

Kanade's breath caught as she forced a smile, her lips trembling trying to come up with a savory excuse if her father enquired further.

"Thanks..." She managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes stung again, and she focused on the onions, slicing carefully. "The smell's really getting to me."

He laughed softly, patting her shoulders. "Like mom like daughter, she couldn't handle onions without tearing up either." His voice softened.

Kanade's heart ached, his touch real, not the cold hand of hospital visits.

She leaned into it briefly, then focused on her task.

The two cooked in companionable silence, the neighbourhood sounds filtering in. Birds chirping, a dog barking, children laughing. It was so, so normal, a life untouched by her murders.

As the soup simmered, Kanade's father set the table, a small wooden one by the window, with mismatched plates and a pitcher of iced tea, condensation beading on the glass.

They sat, the yakitori plated and the savory aroma filling the air. 

Kanade took a bite, the flavors bursting—salty, smoky, perfect—it was similar to those her mother would use to make.

Her throat tightened, the food blurring in her vision. “The… seasoning’s strong,” she excused, wiping her eyes again.

He smiled, reaching across to pat her hand. “You always were sensitive. Tell me about your day. School, friends, anything new?"

She swallowed, "Uhm... School was tiring." She forced a small laugh, thinking of any other activity that could correspond to the life the Kanade had here.

Think, think, Yoisaki Kanade!

"Uh-uh... Mafuyu brew tea for me during lunch."

KANADEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

"Mafuyu...?" Her father's eyes brow furrowed. "Asahina-san?"

Eh?

"E-erh ye-s yes!" she stammered, clutching the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood as she tried to salvage the moment, dizzy with the effort to hold this moment together.

“Ohhhh...! You’re that close now, huh?” He leaned back, folding his arms, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Didn’t know you and Asahina-san were sharing tea at lunch.”

Kanade’s face burned, her mind blanking as she fumbled for a response. “I-I mean, it’s not like that! She’s just… nice, and we, uh, had tea. That’s all.” Her words tumbled out, clumsy and rushed.

The idea of this Kanade having friends at school, sharing casual moments like tea with Mafuyu, felt both foreign and achingly possible.

Frankly achingly possible. Apparently this Kanade knew of Mafuyu, another version of Mafuyu that she was unaccustomed to. Another reason for Kanade to stay longer in this dream world of hers.

She needed everything to convince herself that this wasn't selfish.

She squeezed his fingers briefly, then pulled back, focusing on her plate to hide the tremble in her lips. “Tell me about your day,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. Anything to keep him talking, to soak in the sound of his voice, alive and present.

"Oh, nothing exciting."

"Work at the studio—or, well, the bedroom—was the usual grind. Deadline calls and meetings."

"But I wrapped up early to get this started. Figured we could use a nice evening together."

Kanade looked away.

"Yeah... it's nice."

---

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, her father cleared the plates, stacking them neatly.

"You know, I've been working on something myself. A little song."

"Want to take a listen?"

A song.

Always a song.

No matter the many dreams that she had with her family, it would always end with a song.

Kanade's breath caught, "Song?"

"Yeah." He stood, disappearing into the house, returning with an old acoustic guitar, the wood polished from years of use and the strings gleaming in the fading light. He sat back down, strumming a few chords to tune it.

"I realized something while working today."

"We haven't spent that much time doing, y'know, family stuff? I guess."

Her father seemed to be more tired, his eyes dimming suddenly as his tone shifted.

"Work has been overwhelming. Companies keep calling over demanding rewrites, and deadlines are getting shorter and shorter."

Kanade's breath shook, her eyes widened and shrunk as if she was having a mini panic attack. 

It was happening again.

"But, hearing you compose, it relit that spark of passion in me again. Reminded me of why I write music."

"Watching you grow up, chasing your dreams with that quiet strength and determination of yours."

"You're truly blessed by music, so here's a tune for the hardworking Kanade who's also studying for exams!"

He began to play.

---

In the cradle of the evening, where shadows softly sway,
A hearth’s warm glow holds fast the night, keeping grief at bay.
Through the years, a quiet strength, roots that never part,
Binds the soul of kin together, tethered heart to heart.

Her fingers dance on strings of light, a melody takes flight,
Each note a spark, a whispered dream beneath the starlit night.
His eyes, they gleam with silent joy, a fire that never fades,
For in her song, he hears the love that time nor pain invades.

The storms may howl, the skies may weep, yet still the home endures,
A tapestry of tender threads, their bond forever sure.
Her voice, a river carving stone, carries all they’ve known,
His pride, a mountain standing tall, in every note she’s sown.

---

Tears welled in her eyes, hot and insistent, blurring the sight of him strumming under the sunset. She blinked them back, but they spilled over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks.

“You’ve got your mom’s spark, you know. She’d be so proud of you.”

She nodded. 

“I want to make music that saves people,” she said softly, almost to herself, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

“You already do, Kanade. Your music… it’s got heart. It reaches people. Like it reached me when you were little, playing those clumsy notes.”

“You saved me then, and you’re still doing it now.”

Her vision blurred, tears falling freely. The edges of the world shimmered, threatening to unravel, and she clung to the moment, to his voice, to the music binding them.

But the dream was fragile, and deep down, she knew.

She couldn’t stay.

Not yet.

...

Goodnight, Kanade.

---

側にいて。Ş̸̢̢͉̟͈̦̭͚͔̤̤͔͍̱̝̲͇̤͎͕̤̯̣̮̞̼̬̲͌̊̃̒̓́̽̆̌̍̂̋͂̿̎̄̈́̔̊́͗̑̈́͗̈́̚̚͜ͅṭ̷̡̢̡̧̛͚͙͉͈̠̟̤̬͈̻̟̱͓̭̤̈́̈́̽̒͛͗͐̂̑̑͊͑̐͗̉̕͜͜͝ą̷̛̛̮̮̟͔͊̊̍̄̏̊̈̊̊̓̌̀̆̓̍̉͝͠͠ỳ̶̨̮̭̫̥̟̙̯̫̲̦̫̖͍͓͓͓̳̪̭̖̞̣͓̜̟̞̋̑̎̍͑̆́͐̐̓̂̓̚͜͠ͅͅ ̶̢̛̱̮̈̿̐̋͑̀̊̎́͒̿̋̋̑̀́̊̚̚̚͘͠͝͠w̵̢̨̛̻̞̳͎̲͍͙̗̃̐̊̀̃͛́̀̓̇́͋̀͆͒͐̀̑͐̃͊͝͠͠͝ͅì̸̢̨̡̛̹͎͓̼̯̬̥̫̹̰͓̞̪̫͚̗̝̫̺͇̻̳̈́̎̀͆͒̈́̔̀̐̾͗̎͌̈́̀̽̎̓͊̆̏̚̚͜͠ͅt̵̘̩̯̖̱͒͐́́̒̆̊́̈́̉͗̊͂̃͒͘͘͘͘͜͠͠ḥ̴̨̜͖͍̳͙̲͚̻̈́̔͌̿̔͗̈͒͆͒̌́͆͛̉̉̈́̈̑̃̅͆̿͌̆͐̔̚̚͝͝ ̶̧̨̩̜͔̪̖͇̤̥̩͕̠̩̳͔̜̮̱̲̯̤͎͕͖̦̥̌͐͒̅̒͛̿̀̇̑̿̌̿̂͝͝ͅm̶̨̢̟̟̹͕͇͇̣̙͎̺̲̳̞͚̟̏̂̍̌̏͂̑̒͒ͅe̵͍̬̭̠̿̉̐͊̃͋͋̃̏̆̊̌̋̃̊̇̋̑͆̅̄̆̈̾̕͝͠͝.̵̦̼̀̈

---

 

Notes:

you can tell by now that K1 and K2 are split into fluff/angst, you can also tell that my motivation for writing fluff isnt that high
we will return to our daily schedule of mafuyu heart attacks by next week or tomorrow
lmk if you wany anything or have any questions in the comments

have a good day, and goodbye

Chapter 4: K2-2: Resuscitation

Summary:

Please, wake up.

Notes:

supposed to be longer but decided against it since funny cliffhanger + im lazy

Characters (in order of appearance):
Main Story Kanade
Mafuyu
Mizuki
Ena
Rin
Len
Luka
Meiko
Kaito
WL2 Kanade

The fluorescent lights of the mall buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow across the tiled floors, the airs thick with the mingled scents of fried food and perfume, shoppers flying past as their chatter faded into a distant hum.

Kanade leaned against a nearby wall, her slight frame sagging under the weight of an open plastic bag in her hands. Her silvery-white hair clung to her jacket, her strands catching onto the fabric as she peered inside, her fingers trembling faintly from the effort. 

Mafuyu knew Kanade wasn't athletic, but to see her struggle against a... plastic bag, was eye-opening to the lyricst.

"Tomatoes... tofu... soy sauce..." She murmured, her half-lidded blue eyes scanning the contents inside and her voice barely audible over the mall's din, only to the girl next to her.

Mafuyu stood beside the composer, her purple hair catching the light and her posture straight and relaxed. Her eyes fluttered as she watched the frail Kanade fumble with the bag, her movements clumsy as she continued to count while balancing the weight.

"Vegetables, too." Mafuyu added. Her gaze continued to linger on Kanade, a flicker of concern in her eyes, though her expression remained composed, and she firmly believed that Kanade could, at the bare minimum, hopefully, handle the weight of a single plastic bag.

Kanade's breath hitched, a faint sigh escaping as she straightened, her grip tightening on the bag.

The composer's gaze fell to the stack of books cradled in Mafuyu's arms.

"Are those... exercise books, Mafuyu?" She asked, though exhaustion weighed in on every syllable.

Mafuyu nodded, "Biology, chemistry and physics. The previous ones were outdated, and I had already finished them all."

Mafuyu's tone was matter-of-fact, but her eyes remained still on Kanade, catching the faint strain in her posture, the way her shoulders slumped under the bag's modest weight.

"You should exercise more."

"Ahaha..." Kanade's laugh was dry, accompanied by a faint warm smile. She shifted the bag, her arms still trembling, and met with Mafuyu's pupils. 

"Though, Mafuyu."

"Hm?"

"You said you wanted to become a nurse, right?"

"I did."

Kanade's smile faltered, her sight dropping to the tiles. 

She swallowed, her voice barely a whisper.

"I'll help you achieve your dreams, I promised to."

---

Check for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threating conditions.

 

"Mafuyu, she's barely breathing!" Mizuki's voice cracked, sharp with panic.

 

Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.

 

"Careful! Let me hold Kanade!" Ena's voice trembled, her hands steadying Kanade's shoulders as she shifted her onto a flat stretch of ground.

"Ena, remove Kanade's jacket!" 

"On it!" The artist fumbled with the sodden fabric, her fingers shaking as she peeled it off, revealing Kanade's pale skin. "Rin, Len, get Mizuki a towel!"

 

100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time.

 

"Luka, get Meiko and Kaito here, now!"

 

Two hands centered on the chest. Shoulders directly over hands, elbows locked.

 

KANADE!

 

Mafuyu interlocked her fingers, she pressed down on Kanade's sternum, her elbows locked as she began compressions.

 

One.

 

Two.

 

Three.

 

Her breaths came quick, her chest tight, the weight of Kanade's stillness pressing against her own heart. Mafuyu hand's pressed harder, her palms aching, each compression seemingly a plea, begging for the leader of the team to come back from the brink. 

Kanade's chest rose slightly under her hands, but her eyes remained closed, her breath absent. 

Mafuyu pinched Kanade's nose, sealing her lips over hers, breathing air into her lungs, once, twice, her own breath trembling, her heart pounding like a drum.

The lake pulsed faintly, it's surface rippling.

She pulled back as she resumed her compressions, her hands struggling to remain steady with the tremor in her chest as her eyes widened.

Kanade, please.

Her hair fell forward as she brushed Kanade's cheek.

"Mafuyu, I can take over if you're getting tired!" Ena's hand hovered over Kanade.

"N-No need." Mafuyu replied, though her arms burned.

"Keep going! Kanade's still there!" Mizuki urged, clutching the towel Len had brought her.

Mafuyu's compressions faltered for a moment, her gaze flicking to Kanade's face, searching for a sign. Anything, anything that showed that her saviour was still alive and well. 

The grey sky pulsed, a faint light breaking through, and Kanade's chest hitched, a weak cough escaping her lips as water trickled from her mouth.

Two figure emerged from the grey haze. Mafuyu couldn't spare them a glance, but she knew that the last two adults of SEKAI had arrived, with Ena's shout confirming their arrival.

"Kaito, Meiko!"

Meiko's brows furrowed, before replying to the animator. "She's in a dream."

"WHAT?"

"The fragmented shards left a stain on the tree in the lake. It pulled Kanade back." Meiko explained, her gaze flicking to the rippling water, where the blackened leaf bobbed.

"To the dream we were in?" Mizuki asked.

"...Yes."

And at the corner of Mafuyu's vision, she spotted a white-haired girl in the same uniform for the school she went to, eyes blazing with determination. "Asahina-san, focus on clearing the airway."

"I'll tilt m- her head back, check for blockages." 

"K-Kanade...?" Mizuki stammered, her eyes darting between the unconscious Kanade and the uniformed Kanade, confusion etching her face.

"The dream's keeping her mind locked, but her body's fighting to breathe." Kaito said, kneeling beside Mafuyu. "Out, now. You need rest."

Mafuyu ignored the surreal presence of the other Kanade, nodding as she pressed down, her palms aching. "No obstructions."

"How do we wake her? Do we sing a song for her again, like you did for us?" Ena asked.

"You can't force her out." Kaito replied. "We aren't too sure about this either. Get the water out first."

Mizuki, wiping water from her own damp clothes, knelt closer, pressing the towel to Kanade’s face with frantic movements.

Mafuyu didn’t stop, her compressions slowing but steady, watching for another sign. Kanade coughed again, her body shuddering, more water spilling out. Mafuyu’s breath caught, a sob she didn’t release tightening her throat. She leaned back, her hands trembling, as Meiko and Luka took over, gently rolling Kanade to her side to help clear the remaining water.

“She’s breathing."

"Keep her on her side, let the water drain."

"She’s still in the dream, but she’s stabilizing.”

Mafuyu’s gaze stayed on Kanade, her chest rising and falling shallowly.

The lake rippled, the grey sky pulsing brighter. Mizuki held her hands over Ena's shoulders, both watching with bated breath, while Rin and Len hovered nearby.

The other Kanade, the one in the uniform, stood silently beside Miku, her expression unreadable.

---

SEKAI's silence was softer now, the bands of light from the sky weaving a faint warmth across the desolate landscape.

Kanade now leaned against a truss, her breathing steadier, her hair still damp but drying in the sourceless light.

Mafuyu sat close as her hands hovered over that of Kanade's, though she retracted when Ena and Mizuki knelt next to her.

The uniform Kanade stood apart beside Miku, her eyes sharp and lively, watching the group with a mix of curiosity and distance.

"It'll be awhile until Kanade wakes up from the dream of hers."

"Keep her safe until then."

"S-so... uhm..." Uniform Kanade approached the group, her hands behind her back as her gaze flickered around. "Can... I get an explanation of why I'm here and... what is this place?"

---

再生

---

 

Notes:

motivation has been low.

have a good day, and goodbye