Chapter Text
Misa sits on her bed, knee tucked up against her chest as paints her toe nails. The small bottle filled with a rich burgundy polish sits on her bed, probably too close to spilling over and staining the bedding. She paints each nail with careful precision, occasionally blowing stray blonde strands out of her face. The messy ponytail she had done up haphazardly is slowly coming apart.
She has a white sheet mask on, a small egg timer sitting on her bedside – 10 minutes left until she has to take it off. According to the box it came in, the results would show shiny, hydrated skin. Misa didn’t have bad skin, in fact it was quite flawless. But she does like a shiny finish to start her week. So Sunday night was perfect for pampering herself.
Once she’s finished her handiwork, she props her feet up on a pillow to let them dry, catching the bottle of polish before it can tip over and putting the lid back on. Her flip phone buzzes loudly from its place on the bedside table. Misa fumbles, reaching for it and flipping it open. A text notification pops up on screen.
ruka ☆
hey blondie
misa ♡
hiiiii!
ruka ☆
what are you doing right now?
misa
painting my toe nails (≧∀≦)
ruka ☆
cute.
my hands would be too shaky lol.
misa ♡
I would totally do yours for you !!
we should have a spa day
Misa puts her phone down as the egg timer starts to ring, shaking and rattling until it falls off the bedside table. She chases after it, carrying it into the bathroom with her as she goes to take the sheet mask off.
tuesday.
3:11 PM.
misa ♡
hi, I know youre probably still working.
but
*1 image attached*
Haruka fiddles with the lighter as she exits the studio, stepping out into the narrow alley. The lighter makes a soft click, hiss, click, hiss with every push of the small button, every strike of the flint wheel.
She leans against the wall, fetching a cigarette from the pack she stuffed into her pocket of her jacket earlier. She lifts the small, flickering flame to the end of the cigarette, watching as the paper begins to burn and shrivel. Fishing her phone out of her back pocket, Haruka takes a drag, exhaling a soft plume of smoke into the winter air.
She opens her phone, eyes widening when a picture of a very cute tortoiseshell cat appears on the screen. The cat’s sitting in what seems to be Misa’s lap, settled peacefully on a pair of ripped black skinny jeans. A hand, covered in a lace black glove, is stroking the cat’s back.
Haruka immediately rushes to reply, almost dropping her cigarette in the process.
ruka ☆
OMG IS THAT YOURSS????
misa ♡
no, my friend’s
wwww
ruka ☆
nooo i got so excited for a second…
if you like cats, you should meet my cat.
her name is tama.
Misa strokes the tortoiseshell’s fur gently, giggling as it rolls over lazily in her lap. Her friend leaves momentarily to fetch drinks and the cat hops off Misa’s lap, trotting after its owner, tail held high, curling back and forth curiously.
Misa picks up her phone, flipping it open and reading the message. She smiles. Ruka owns a cat?
misa ♡
I would be honoured ♪( ´▽｀)
ruka ☆
she would love you.
8:56 PM.
ruka ☆
hey you okay? you haven’t replied in like 5 hours.
When Misa returns home, she sits on the floor, plucking petals that had gotten caught in the lining of her coat pocket out one by one. She frowns, staring at them with glassy eyes, fingers trembling as she collects them in her palm.
Her phone buzzes again and she wipes the tear tracks off her face, looking down at where it lays abandoned on the bed beside her.
ruka ☆
nothing wrong with that of course.
just a bit out of character for you
misa ♡
no lol just a long day
ruka ☆
did you fall asleep again
misa ♡
no comment (○｀ 3′○)
friday
10:46 AM.
ruka ☆
hey!
I actually don’t have work today.
Misa sits on the couch in the taskforce, legs curled up under her. She rests her head on her fist, staring at Light. The fluorescent lights were hurting her head, and she had rubbed at her eye about a million times since they had sat down, and now it stung.
Misa looks between L and Light as they sit opposite each other, discussing plans. She had been trying to follow along but none of it made any sense. It was like the two of them had created their own language. It all sounded like white noise and she could already feel a familiar itch beginning to rise in the back of her throat.
L picks up a chocolate coated eclair between two fingers, inspecting it carefully. He bites off one end, a small blob of cream filling catching on the corner of his mouth. He licks it off with a precise flick of the tongue.
Misa trails her fingers up Light’s arm playfully to try and gain his attention but all he rewards her with is a glare as he shrugs her away. She pouts, wrapping her black cardigan tighter around herself. She slides her phone out of the pocket of her skirt, pleasantly surprised when there is already a text waiting for her.
The message from Haruka brings a warm fluttering to her chest, usually the poor woman is worked to death.
misa ♡
i am so bored please entertain me
ruka ☆
did they catch kira yet?
misa ♡
imagine! www
they’re just monologuing at each other again while i suffer
KY, seriously
ruka ☆
you’re a victim.
misa ♡
thank you for understanding `(*>﹏<*)′
ruka ☆
always.
girl you’re addicted to the kaomoji.
Misa snickers softly, ducking her head down to poorly hide her smile. She stifles a giggle, already typing a response when she’s interrupted by Light.
“Misa, what are you doing?” He asks, voice firm.
Misa peeks up from her phone, noticing now that both of the men are looking at her now, had caught her smiling at her phone. Her thumb still hovers over the small glowing screen. Light is watching her, brows furrowed, lip curled with a strange…irritation.
She clears her throat, sitting up, cheeks flushed with sheepish embarrassment. “Nothing. I’m just texting a friend.” The words rush out of her quicker than intended. Why does Haruka feel like such a secret? She’d never react in such a way with any other of her friends, would she?
Misa’s hands, still gripping the red flip phone, sink down into her lap like a teenager caught misbehaving in class.
Light rolls his eyes, moving to face L again.
That catches her attention. Light never cared about something as simple as texting. Misa used to play music out loud in the Task Force, would sing to Light about silly things, and would sit on the phone with her friends while he and L worked. But now he has a problem?
What, was he jealous? Misa didn’t even know Light was capable of such an emotion. Sure, he couldn’t fathom the idea of loving a beautiful girl, but he could be annoyed when she texted another person. Her head spins with all the confusing thoughts until it hurts to think. It hurts to breathe. Her chest hurts, all her organs feel like they’re being squeezed tight.
She wheezes, gasping softly. She stifles the sound into the long sleeve of her top. A loud cough breaks its way out her throat and she reaches for her purse, fumbling for a tissue or handkerchief, anything. She turns away, leaning against the arm of the couch, as she coughs and splutters into the silken fabric of a handkerchief.
L, about to fit the last bite of his eclair into his mouth, freezes. He watches as Misa’s shoulders shake, her body heaving violently. She falls into a bout of coughing, wheezing as she tries to breathe. She’s hacking up something. He genuinely isn’t sure what, body leaning ever so slightly to the left in order to try and catch a peek at the handkerchief in her hand.
Blood.
Specks of blood are what he sees first. Misa hides the handkerchief with practiced speed, but not before L catches a glance; spotting a quick flash of crumpled white petals, covered in a spray of blood. It’s all he needs, the sight already burned into his memory.
Misa sits up, carefully slipping the bundled up handkerchief into her purse. L isn’t paying attention to Light anymore. He watches the blonde with slow intensity, black eyes wide. The wheels in his mind turn, pieces clicking into place.
Hanahaki.
It was obvious now. The physical symptoms were undeniable of course. But the way Misa had been behaving, this prolonged ‘cold’ that she had been suffering from, the way she had been staring at Light with an almost hollow, grieving gaze. Her love for Light had become a danger to herself.
How…symbolic.
L wasn’t watching Misa anymore. No, his eyes were trained on Light. The brown haired man was looking at Misa, distracted by her sudden coughing fit.
L’s toes curl, thumb brushing his lower lip.
This wasn’t good.
L was aware that Light didn’t love Misa. He’d said so offhandly in one of their conversations, ‘I’m not interested in manipulating a woman’s feelings like that’.
L, admittingly, respected that. But now such a moral statement was going to get Misa killed. Not by Light’s hand, but by her own body terminating itself. And that was a problem. Misa couldn’t die now.
She had proven useful with the Yotsuba group. She was still a suspect. Still tied to Kira. If she died now, he’d lose a direct link to Light, and an essential vein in this case. He wasn’t prepared to let go of her yet.
He couldn’t demand Light to pretend to care, to harbour fake feelings for Misa. Either way, Misa wasn’t as dumb as she first appeared, she’d be able to see through the facade…wouldn’t she?
Light tilts his head towards Misa, oblivious to the mess of blood and flowers she just stowed into her purse. “Are you okay?” He sounds distantly concerned, like someone only just remembering to water a dried up house plant.
“I’m fine.” Misa responds, voice clipped.
L perks up, eyebrows raised. That was curious. Misa would usually be hanging off Light’s arm, baby-voiced and face beaming. Now she won’t even look him in the eye. Is she realising the futility of it?
Misa curls up on her side of her couch again, occupying herself with her phone. L finishes his eclair. Light continues talking. The soft ding from her phone, and pixelated notification from Haruka is like the call of a saviour.
ruka ☆
do you want to grab a coffee?
Misa rushes to reply, desperate to get out of here. She can only feel the lump in her throat getting heavier.
misa ♡
Yes! Now please !!
I'll come to you, where are you right now?
ruka ☆
I’m in Akiharaba for a shoot right now.
misa ♡
of course you’re in Akiharaba, geek !!
ruka ☆
I’ll send you my location now.
Misa immediately stands up, grabbing her stuff. Neither L nor Light have a chance to speak before she’s leaving with a hurried, “I’m-going-to-meet-a-friend-bye!”
Akiharaba was its usual mess of lights and noise, packed to the brim with neon billboards, locals, the occasional tourist and bright vending machines tucked into every corner. Large screens lined the streets, flashing colourful advertisements and blasting music.
Misa passed the occasional cosplayer, covered in cute accessories, passing out flyers. It wasn’t her usual haunt, but Akiharaba had definitely earned its title of ‘Electric Town’.
Up ahead, standing in front of a wall covered in small white gachapon machines, was Haruka. Unmistakable with her soft, choppy black hair and tall figure. She was wearing a faded black bomber jacket and baggy jeans. She wore black fingerless gloves and a thick scarf. A brown satchel rested against her hip, covered in various pins and worn sewn on patches.
Misa waved, skipping over. “Ruka!”
Haruka’s head immediately lifts, looking back and forth through the crowds until she spots Misa. She smiles, meeting the blonde half-way, “There you are.”
Misa greets her with a hug, giggling. When she pulls back, her eyes catch an unexpected flash of silver.
“Wait, is that a lip ring?” Misa asks.
Haruka chuckles, slightly bashful as she nods. “Ah yeah. I have a tongue stud too–” She sticks out her tongue, showing off the silver round stud, “–but only for my days off.”
Misa leans close, eyes wide with excitement. “No way! That’s awesome! I’ve never seen them on you before though…”
“I can’t wear them at shoots or in the office. There’s a whole dress code.” Haruka responds, beginning to walk. Misa follows, falling in stride beside her. “And you mostly see me after work.”
They weave in between the crowds as Haruka leads Misa to this cafe she passed by earlier. Apparently she saw a poster for a type of pumpkin bread that looked really good. They chat idly, Haruka about some recent client’s photos, and how more and more she’s been put on office work then actually going out to shoots.
Misa watches as her eyebrows furrow, bottom lip jutting out as she complains about how she never gets to actually take photos anymore. She nods along, trying to follow, but all her focus has been stolen by the silver ring pierced through Haruka’s bottom lip. The metal glints in the daylight, and with the way Haruka’s mouth is moving, it almost looks like it’s dancing.
Misa gets the urge to touch it, to run her finger along the other woman’s bottom lip– and woah, where did that thought come from?
“ –and how is he?” Haruka asks.
Misa snaps out of her little trance, tongue tripping over a response. “Huh?”
“Light. The guy you talk about.” Haruka asks, rubbing the back of her neck. “How’s that whole situation going?”
“Oh.” Misa blinks, expression souring with a frown. “He’s him. Honestly, I’d wish he’d even pretend to care sometimes.”
Both girls go quiet, not bothering to bring up that topic of conversation again. They continue their small walk until Misa’s attention lands on a large display.
The ginormous poster was bright pink and impossible to ignore, displaying a young lady dressed in a pink and white french maid costume, complete with cat ears and a frilly choker. It was advertising a Hello Kitty themed maid cafe on the 4th floor of the building.
“Oh my god.” She gasps softly. “Cute!”
But when she looks back at Haruka, the woman was still, staring at the poster. It was a second of hesitation, a quick pause. But Misa spots it; the blush along Haruka’s cheeks, the guilty look in her eyes.
She immediately starts walking again, trying to lead Misa down the street again, loudly exclaiming about this pumpkin bread she’s dying to try.
Misa blinks, “Wait. Do you like Hello Kitty?”
Haruka’s head jerks back, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing a few times until she finally chokes out a few words, “What? No. I mean, obnoxious marketing, right?”
“You were staring. Big time.” Misa states, hand on her hip.
“I was not.”
“Were too! Haruka, are you embarrassed?” Misa gasps loudly, a grin slowly forming across her face.
“Misa–”
“What is it? Is it the cafe? Do you like maid cafes?”
Haruka freezes, visibly flustered. “No.”
“Oh my god. You do! You like cute stuff!” Misa squeals, bouncing up and down, practically vibrating with excitement. “I didn’t expect it from you! We can go if you want! I’ll even buy you merch!”
Haruka winces, wishing the pavement would open up and swallow her whole. “Misa it’s okay…we should just go.”
“No! Please? I’ll get you a keychain, any character you want. You like Sanrio right? I saw this My Melody plushie– although you’re probably more of a Kuromi girl aren’t you?” Misa circles around Haruka, eyes sparkling like big golden stars.
Haruka groans softly, pulling her hair down in front of her face. Her face feels hot to the touch. “No– I don’t.” She trips over her words, “I don’t…it’s just the vibe. I just like themed cafes in general. I usually go alone.”
Misa frowns, eyebrows raised. “Alone?! That’s so sad!”
Haruka rolls her eyes, “Yeah thanks.” She scoffs quietly. “I just like it. It’s private. It’s embarrassing to go with someone else.”
“Well today’s your lucky day!” Misa giggles, snatching Haruka’s hand. She intertwines their fingers, Misa’s manicured nails resting against Haruka’s knuckles. Haruka’s heart flutters in her chest as Misa pulls her towards the door of the building. “We’re going! I’ll pay.”
Haruka’s expression morphs into fear, and she can barely choke out a protest, nearly slamming into a gachapon machine as Misa drags her into the building. Inside is cramped with several small stores and restaurants, an elevator at the back that leads to even more upstairs. Haruka grips Misa’s hand, trying to pry it off, begging her to let go. But the blonde’s iron grip is too strong.
A chipper maid stands at the elevator, holding a laminated pink sign. She wears a pink and white maid cafe, fluffy cat ears resting on her head, exactly like the woman in the poster. She smiles as she notices the pair approaches. “Headed to the Precious Kitty Maid Cafe?” The maid asks, tilting her head.
Misa nods excitedly, now holding Haruka’s entire arm. Haruka can’t escape. She looks absolutely horrified, unsure whether she might throw up or pass out.
The maid passes them two decorated pink tickets, “We’re currently hosting a Hello Kitty themed event. It’ll be twice the fun!” She winks at them cutely, before guiding them into the elevator, “Press the 4th floor button.”
Misa thanks her politely, pressing the button. Once the doors close, she lets go of Haruka’s arm, bouncing around the elevator excitedly. Haruka zips up her jacket, hiding her face in the collar. “I can’t believe you.” She hisses.
“What?”
“Misa—this is horrible.”
Misa’s eyebrows furrow, genuine concern flashing in her eyes. “Hey, it’s okay…we’ll have fun.” She reassures, voice soft. She steps closer and Haruka starts to realise how small this elevator is. She can smell her perfume, scents of vanilla, gardenia and jasmine; and god, Haruka can’t breathe.
Misa reaches out.
A hand upon her shoulder.
Haruka shivers and they both jump apart as the elevator doors open.
“Welcome back ojousama!” The maid at the entrance to the restaurant greets loudly, her smile impossibly wide. “I was waiting for you…come, please!”
She holds the door open as Misa skips through, humming contently with her new title of ‘princess’. Haruka grips the front of her shirt, her heartbeat rabbiting in her chest. She somehow manages a polite nod to the maid as she walks into the cafe.
Several other maids greet the pair as they are shown to their table. Misa slides into the booth, marvelling at the bright colours inside and cutesy-themed furniture. She can’t drag her eyes away from one maid that stands up at the front of the room, singing in classic karaoke-fashion.
Eyes wide with wonder, she turns back to Haruka who is slumped on the other side of the booth, jacket tucked around her body in a protective manner.
“I…I just don’t understand, are you making fun of me?” She mumbles, eyes flicking up to meet Misa’s.
Misa’s heart drops out of the cradle of her ribs, excited expression falling. “What?” She blurts out, confused. The sounds of the cafe suddenly grow distant as her focus narrows in on the woman in front of her. She reaches across the table, desperate to remedy the situation. “No, no. Ruka, I’m not making fun of you. I want to enjoy this with you.”
“Really?”
“Really. Really, really.”
Haruka snorts, brushing her bangs out her eyes. She grabs a drinks menu from the middle of the table, hand brushing Misa’s as she does. She opens the menu, fiddling with the peeling corners. “Okay, okay. No need to get all sappy on me.”
A sigh of relief escapes Misa’s lips when she sees the small smile that Haruka tries, and fails, to suppress. She picks up her own menu, burying her nose in it. She feels a strange simmering just beneath her skin, a frantic fluttering that makes her organs twist inside their cage of bones and flesh. She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, prays silently that no daisies will be interrupting this moment.
She reaches into her purse, prepared to grab a handkerchief—just in case. But, something is different. There’s no fear; no bitter taste coating her tongue, or prickled skin. Her jaw doesn’t lock up, her stomach doesn’t flip.
All remains quiet, limbs loose and hanging by her side. She lets go of the handkerchief, picks the menu back up. The simmering continues, like oil bubbling on low heat.
Haruka sits in front of her, humming softly as her eyes run over the menu. She looks happy now, dark eyes shining with a playful interest. It’s a stark difference from Light’s unusual indifference and dull gaze. When Haruka looks up at Misa over her menu and wiggles her eyebrows, Misa’s breath hitches, revelling in the attention.
A maid appears at the table, giving a low bow. “Welcome, ojousama. Today’s menu includes a few specials not listed, including a fresh fruit parfait, and lemon cream cheesecake!” She says. “Are you two ready to order?”
Haruka nods, ordering with practiced ease. “A cafe latte for me…and a Golden Omurice. Um, do you guys do the little drawings…?”
The maid nods, writing down the order on a small notepad. “Mhm! All our omurice are decorated with a special little drawing from us, just for you.”
Misa watches the interaction, amused by how the maid’s simple words bring a pink flush to Haruka’s cheeks. She peers down at her own menu, “Um, can I get a strawberry lemonade and the pancakes?”
The maid nods, writing that down too. “Your orders will be out in just a moment.” She bows quickly before leaving.
“How many piercings do you have?” Misa asks, reaching across the table. She takes one of Haruka’s hands, and fiddles with the silver rings on her index finger. Haruka hums, taking a moment to count.
“Nine? No, ten.” Haruka says. “I have the lip ring…three on one ear, four on the other. And I got this shitty belly button ring right after high school.”
Misa laughs. “Youthful rebellion?”
“Nah, it’s gonna sound weird. But I just always thought I was a boring person.” Haruka mumbles, nudging her thumb against Misa’s palm. “Thought getting a piercing would be cool.”
Misa smiles, twists Haruka’s rings back and forth, “I don’t know, I think you’re the coolest person I know.”
When the maid comes back with their drinks and food, Misa is easily amazed by the cute ketchup drawings of Hello Kitty on the top of Haruka’s omurice, and her own sweet artwork atop her small stack of pancakes. She giggles, snapping photos.
Two of their dishes.
One of her strawberry lemonade, decorated with bright red strawberries and green mint leaves.
About three of Haruka’s face, soft with an expression akin to child-like wonder, as the maid waves a magical wand above her latte, blessing it.
One of Haruka when she had caught her, hand outreached to cover the phone’s camera.
They play games, Misa can’t resist wearing one of the lacy headbands, and before leaving they watch another karaoke performance. Their maid claps her hands, smiling. Haruka stares, fingers tapping the table in rhythm, quietly mouthing the words to the song, as if she knew them by heart.
The late afternoon sun makes Akiharaba feel familiar, despite Misa being a stranger to this part of the city. Warm, sticky nostalgia fills her chest as she and Haruka leave the cafe, giggling at their own silly jokes. They point and smile at the photo strip in Misa’s hands. In the photos, both of them dressed in maid accessories, pulling wacky poses and blowing kisses at the camera. Haruka snorts, commenting on the fact that she looks so lanky compared to Misa.
“Here, you should have it.” Misa says, passing the strip to Haruka. The raven-haired woman smiles, eyes trailing over the photos.
“Are you sure?” She tilts her head, bangs falling in her eyes.
Misa nods, “Of course!”
They part ways, but not before Misa tackles Haruka into an extra squeezy goodbye hug. Haruka laughs loudly, trying to escape, but ultimately failing. Misa keeps her arms wrapped around her, reluctant to let go.
After this she’ll take a taxi back to the Task Force. Light will ask her where she’s been, but not care for her answer. She’ll sit in silence as the others work, or L will force her to prepare for her interview with Yotsuba again.
It’ll be torture. So she holds on a little longer, that is until Haruka pats her back, beginning to pull back. “Thank you…for pushing me way out of my comfort zone.” She starts, “This was fun.”
Misa smiles, a warm, gooey bud of joy beginning to flower in her chest, washing away the doubt that was beginning to cloud over her mind. She can’t help herself from offering, “If you don’t wanna go alone anymore, I’d always be happy to join you.”
“That’d be nice.”
Haruka rolls her tongue, fiddling with her piercing. When she grins, Misa catches the glint of silver.
“See ya, blondie.”
“Bye-bye, Ruka.”