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Mitsuki was not too fond of nighttime. She was well aware nightmares and illusions were as real as the mind would make it, but it did nothing to stave away the very real fear that someone could be right behind her ready to yell, scream, hurt.
She was not fond at all of the night. It was a bit too quiet for comfort and the lack of light have the impression and memory of being back in that house, hiding from her mother. If she could even call her that she supposed.
She shuffled a little on the sidewalk, the slight summer breeze leading a chill down his spine. The slightest movements and noises making her jolt ever so slightly. She huddled closer to the single lamplight, the light reflecting off of her form and casting a long and twisting shadow.
Her hair was still tangled from rehearsal, her hoodie thrown over her sweaty and shivering figure. she honestly could be better about setting boundaries about this stuff. She wouldn't even be here had it been anyone else offering.
But her. Fresh as a spring and bright as sunlight itself. Her hair is soft and pink with her light eyes that seem to reflect the whole world in them. She was running towards her in a very much rushed manner but she couldn't register that until they were face to face.
“Mitsuki-san!”
With those simple words both she completely fell; physically too apparently as she rams into her and sends the two flying into the warm concrete. The lamp light above them flickering in what she is most certainly taking as laughing.
She can hear her fretting as she scrambles to get up off of her but she is quick to pull her back down by the waist, her body warmth a welcome one.
“Hey, Tachibana.”
She looks up at Mitsuki, the sight of her doe eyes looking at her as she holds her a dear one that squeezes her heart in a painfully sinful manner, and she lets out a blazing smile that almost sets her face alight.
“My apologies, Mitsuki-san.”
She shakes her head, watching as she lifts up off of her, her body colder than before she hugged (or tackled?) her.
“It's no worries, I was getting cold anyways. Just don't tackle me down, will you? You aren't Suzu are you?” she raises a brow as her face flushes and she makes a little stammered laugh.
“Ah, no! I'll be more careful next time!”
Next time. It was likely a slip of the tongue but it warms her heart immensely to a point she almost wants to pounce on her in equal return.
“Alright then,” Mitsuki smiles and nods, taking the hand she extends her as the two catch their breath and balance.
In a moment that she quickly recognizes as impulsivity, she leans in to steal her breath. Just a moment, but the addictive feeling of her soft lips and the way her breath hitches in surprise almost has her wanting to stay in such a way forever. She is quick to part herself lest it feel more melancholic and desperate than a welcome.
She giggles delightfully, before shushing herself and taking Mitsuki’s hand, leading her to the plan she had.
Her heart almost aches at it but she ignores the feeling. It is better to remain in the present, to soak up all the good feelings and emotions she will get from her before it's gone.
The feeling almost reminds her of before they started dating. As Kisa leads her ahead through the dark, paving the way for her to make his own decisions and opinions. Mitsuki trusting her, loving her only for her unable to return the same. The pain the simple and unconfirmed thought caused was enough for her to impulsively and dangerously do things that ended up upsetting them both. She knows better this time to act on such things.
She leads him deeper and darker into the forest and mountains of Tamasaka, the school a small light in the distance from where they met. It'd be better if they were completely away from it now, for it only surfaces recent and bad memories regarding it. It leaves her jealous, possessive, and angry, and she does not want any of those emotions as long as she is with Kisa.
The trees tower high above, covering them in even more shadows that not even the moonlight could breach. The dim light of Kisa’s phone allows her to walk with confidence in the direction she wishes. When she first brought up this date he was almost against it. She would be sitting on the plain ground with bugs, animals and wildlife around her. It was perhaps the easiest way for someone to get sick, hurt or dirty and the mere thought disgusted her at the time. However, when Kisa gave her explanation as to why she wanted this specifically, Mitsuki couldn't entirely bring herself to refuse. What better date than a place where no one else could view them? A place where no cameras or people could interfere or puppet them. It was just them and only them and whatever reactions or emotions they have for each other will be meant for one another.
The thought makes her squeeze Kisa’s hand, which leads her to glance back at her and grin before turning back around to lead.
Looking at her like this only makes Mitsuki realize how much she has grown in the three years she has been at Univeil. She is taller now, though she grew significantly more, and her hair has to be tied back in a small ponytail rather than a cute pixie cut. Her eyes are sharper and her body more filled out. She has grown into herself, both physically and mentally, and she won't deny that it is a wonderful thing to see the person you love change and grow. They are both seen each other in so many ways and varieties and she won't ever admit to her that she finds it attractive. That every version of her will always be attractive and undeniable to her. She will likely never tear her eyes away from her as long as she lived. Her memory, her smile, her touch, it would live in her head on repeat until she went mad and she wouldn't mind it at all. Not one bit.
Finally, they seem to have hit a point where they are able to stop, though both of them have yet to release the other’s hand. Kisa turns to face Mitsuki as she surveys the area. It's a clear spot amongst the trees, and a bit higher up on the mountain if the landscape around them is anything to go by. The sky is pitch dark and he cannot even see Tamasaka’s lights anymore but when he looks up it doesn't quite matter. The sky glitters as though there are pearls in the deep blue sea. It twinkles and shines and moves with every passing minute and it is beautiful.
She slowly looks down from the sky to see Kisa and her breath is practically knocked out of her. The dark light of the stars and sliver of a moon cascading around her figure like a veil and making her look nigh angelic. Her mind goes back to that winter play years ago now of two women finding their way in a city and how much it haunts her every thought to this day. How it affects Mitsuki’s every movement and thought and her relationship with Kisa. Kisa, her partner.
She lifts her hands to cup Kisa's cheeks, her eyes fluttering shut as she leans in and slowly kisses her. It is long and drawn out as Mitsuki savors her. She doesn't even care if her emotions of pain, regret, and desperation leak out because as far as she is concerned they are connected. Two bodies, one soul and she will never find another as long as she exists.
She steps closer to her, their body heat mingling and making the atmosphere unbearably hot but Mitsuki cannot tear away. She is paradise itself and has allowed him to taste divinity. It is in humanity nature to be greedy for what you cannot have.
It is Kisa who eventually breaks the kiss with putting her hands on her shoulders, catching her breath with her red lips and flushed face.
“Are you alright?”
What a terrible question. She would have complained, said that of course she is upset. She is leaving her and going somewhere that she won't even tell her to… what? Escape from Univeil? She would protect her. Over and over again if she had to. She would sooner die than ever have another lay her hands on Kisa to hurt her.
Instead, what comes out is a gargled and choked sob as Kisa quickly closes the distance and hugs her tightly, her head finding its way to her neck.
Regret fills her up. This was supposed to be a nice farewell date. A send-off to a beloved. Yet here she is ruining the celebration like she always does. The thought makes her thoughts spiral as she goes to hold Mitsuki and prevent her from falling to the ground.
She grasps onto her like a lifeline, her body trying to convey the thoughts she refuses to speak.
Don't leave me. Not yet. I haven't done enough to deserve you. Hurt me if you have to, break my heart if it is needed, but don't abandon me. Please.
Mitsuki’s hand is in her hair, tangling it beyond repair, as her other grips her waist to keep her close.
She mutters soft apologies in that sweet tone of her it almost makes her want to lash out. It makes Mitsuki want to scream at her, yell at her, tell her she doesn't love her even though she knows damn well she's lying to herself. Yet she can't. Her love has changed Mitsuki from who she was when she met her and now she cannot bear to bring herself to be so horrible to Kisa. The thought kills her so horrifically inside it makes her dizzy and in need.
Her desperation leaks through her like a fountain and it takes all she can to hold on to Kisa as they both feel the ground against their knees as they lay down, the two gripping each other. Kisa herself has begun to shed tears and quiet, choked sobs as she grips onto his hoodie.
“I'm sorry,” she rubs her eyes against her clothes, as though it will clean out the terrible memories. If she could have done so, he would have done it without thinking for her.
“Please don't apologize,” she whispers, her voice a little hoarse. Mitsuki should've taken those cough drops before she left had se known it would be so stuffy outside.
She is quiet for a moment, the only thing Mitsuki hears is sniffling as she shuffles as close as she possibly can into her arms.
“I love you, you know that?”
The words hit her harder than she expects. The two have never been verbal with their affection for each other. Why when they could use their actions? However to hear the words Mitsuki puts into every single song, every single gesture, is something different entirely. It gives her meaning and a weight being lifted off his chest and it almost makes her forget this is something she is saying out of guilt rather than pure unadulterated love.
“I love you too,” Mitsuki says, like it's the simplest thing in the world, “I'll see you again.”
Both of them sound more like a desperate plea than a statement, but the two choose to ignore it in exchange for what the words mean.
This won't be forever. Mitsuki will move on from Tamasaka at some point and join Kisa wherever she may be away from it. They'll both be free and together.
They'll just have to wait a bit.
Kisa lets in a shuddering sob as she tries to settle her breathing, her legs moving to her chest as she tries to huddle into her.
“I don't want to leave.”
“Then don't.”
The statement is incredulous, almost hilarious, in its meaning. Of course she can't stay, it'd only mean more pain. Her leaving was already a big plan to set into motion, why keep her after all that planning? Yet the heart is a cruel thing and the words slip out before he can truly register them. Mitsuki only hopes that she takes it as a sarcastic joke but both of them know better. Know each other better.
She huffs, “You make it sound so easy,” she rests her head in the crook of his neck, “You make everything seem like it'll turn out alright.”
The two hold onto each other. Her trust giving her a tether to this fragile moment between them both. She isn't confident in her words, she doesn't know what will happen next. If she could, she'd have them in an eternal paradise with only each other forever. Change terrifies Mitsuki, especially something as drastic as this.
She moves her hands up to cup Mitsuki's face, her mind slowing at the sensation of her warm palms against his cheeks.
“I truly care for you, Mitsuki-san,” she smiles, “So please, wait for me. Even if that is a truly selfish wish of mine.”
At this Mitsuki smiles, putting her hands over hers, “I'll wait for as long as you need me to.”
At this she leans in, pressing her forehead to Mitsuki's slowly, as though the moment is so fragile it needs to be taken with a gentleness made only for royalty. For a moment all Mitsuki feels is her breath against hers before Mitsuki closes it. She is soft and tastes of breath mint as she moves her hands to Kisa's waist.
This kiss is softer, less demanding than the other one. There is no need to rush, this isn't a goodbye forever. They'll be alright.
Kisa opens her eyes, breaking the kiss with a gasp. Mitsuki blinking out her daze can only stare at her incredulously before she gestures her with her head to the sky.
“Look.”
She needs not tell her twice, as Mitsuki swivels her head to turn her gaze to whatever has captured her own beloved’s attention.
In the sky are thousands, if not millions of twinkling lights. What captures her attention though are the small stars that dart across every so often in small few seconds intervals.
Shooting stars.
Kisa tugs Mitsuki’s hoodie, “Make a wish.”
She chuckles, “you probably already know what I'm gonna wish for.”
Kisa huffs, annoyed but Mitsuki can tell she is acting, “Well that isn't fair. I'll just have to make one for you then, don't I?”
She chuckles, shaking her head, “Sure, go ahead.”
At this Kisa closes her eyes, leaning on Mitsuki’s shoulder as she hums.
“I made the wish.”
“What is it?”
She smiles, “You'll know.”