Work Text:
Ena could recall the first time Mafuyu closed the distance. It was just a random day, moments after the N25 MV release date after party. It was just like any other day with Mafuyu walking her home without a care in the world, bathed under the orange sunset. Everything was normal. Then a light tap on her shoulder, and then time stopped.
In an unoccupied part of the street, there they stood, with Mafuyu gently holding Ena's head up, kissing her ardently—softly, Ena barely mustered the courage to reciprocate.
When they pulled apart, Mafuyu wore a smile—much wider than Ena was used to. The lyricist held her hand and gently nudged her to walk. They spent their walk in silence—one, out of trepidation on Mafuyu's side, and two, in a daze on Ena's side.
That was a moment Ena wouldn't forget, even if she grows old.
There were moments where Ena would be within a distance.
Their relationship for the first few months was a secret to many; minus of course, Ena's mother. Mafuyu and Ena's distance are largely noticed; never too far and never too close. It's the usual back and forth between the two.
But there are times Ena would go too close to Mafuyu.
They're always subtle. A grip on Mafuyu's hand. A gentle plucking of leaves that stuck to Mafuyu's hair—with a side of reprimanding. A nudge of encouragement. A pinch to her cheek when the artist gets particularly irritated and Mafuyu is within distance—all of it was a subtle way Ena gets to shorten the distance, but never truly indulges herself. Unlike Mafuyu.
Keeping their relationship a secret didn't last long. Not with Mafuyu. Not with the sudden change of behavior. Not when Mafuyu practically glues herself on Ena's side.
Endearing, yes. Annoying, yes. Ena adores it regardless. Mafuyu always gets to close the distance. Ena never stood a chance. She felt like she just unwittingly got led into a well thought trap of a dance. (Hey, that rhymes.)
The grand reveal of their relationship was just like the first closing of their distance. Unannounced. At a moment of affection.
Their group and a couple of members of their circle of friends decided to camp out in the wilderness. A reprieve if you will, for everything that is hectic in their lives. Emu graciously offered to host such an event to no one's surprise, given Emu's track record of holding random hangouts.
Ena and Mafuyu found themselves pitching their tents along with Kohane and An, who among others apart from themselves, are knowledgeable in the arts of tent pitching. How did the artist and the lyricist know about pitching a tent? Well, they may have already gone on a camping date before—sponsored by ShinonoMom.
“Ah Ena-san, you looked like you're used to this,” An complimented.
Ena looked at her and blinked. “Ah–mhm. I went camping before.”
“Oh, Akito-kun did mention that,” nodded Kohane.
“That, and you threw Shinei-san on the river,” giggled An.
Ena choked on a cough. “Keh—I’m going to kill Akito,” she grumbled.
“Ena.”
Ena looked back and saw Mafuyu standing behind her. The artist noticed how tired looking the lyricist was and turned her body to face her.
“You look tired, want to rest for a bit?” Ena asked, gesturing at the tent. Mafuyu nodded and waved at the three, before going inside the tent.
“Ah, is Asahina-san okay?” An asked, looking at the tent in worry.
“She'll be fine. Preparing for her college entrance exam was taking a toll on her, so I'm glad that this hangout happened. She was about to decline before, so I kinda pestered her for this.” Ena shook her head crossing her arms before sighing. “Honestly, this woman deserves a break, but she wouldn't take it.”
“Is Asahina-san a workaholic?” An couldn't help but ask.
“Well, she was a student committee before, and a huge role model for everyone in Miyajo, so maybe?” Pondered Kohane.
Ena shook her head in disagreement. “Rather than a workaholic, she feels like she owes everyone else for keeping up with her, so she inevitably overworks herself over it.”
“Oi, Enanan! A little help here!” Yelled Mizuki, waving to get her attention.
Ena looked over and yelled. “Mizuki! What the heck are you doing to the grill?!”
“Ehe~”
“Don't ‘ehe’ me!”
“Uwaahh~ Finally, we're done!” Exclaimed Mizuki, plating the group’s food.
“You mean I'm done? You didn't even do anything but,” Ena raised her arms and air quoted, “taste test the food.”
Mizuki slyly smiled. “Well who's gonna check if the food is poisoned~”
“The hell are you even talking about??” Ena glared at the editor.
“Table's ready!” Announced Airi, waving at Ena and Mizuki to bring over the food.
“Ah, let me help.” Kanade walked over and grabbed two plates.
“Thanks, Kanade,” replied Ena, nodding at the composer.
“And I don't get a ‘thanks’? That's so biased, Enanan!” Pouted Mizuki.
“Why would I thank you for eating the food?!” Yelled Ena.
“Stingy!” Harrumphed Mizuki, sticking their tongue out.
The two headed to the portable table that Airi had brought and set down the plates of barbeques and grilled vegetables. Mizuki then skipped over to the grill once more and grabbed a small wheel of cheese.
“Where did Mizuki hide that?” Asked Ena, looking at the editor in bewilderment.
Airi laughed and nudged Ena. “Thanks for manning the grill, Ena.”
Ena looked at Airi and puffed her chest, humming. “As the oldest in our group, this is easy.”
“Uwaaa! Cheese!”
Ena looked at Emu who was hugging Mizuki while looking over the melting cheese. Ena huffed a chuckle and shook her head in amusement. She looked around their group and noticed that Mafuyu wasn't around.
“I guess that woman's too tired.” Ena thought, then shrugged. “Maa, she deserved to rest.”
“Oi, Enanan, where's Mafuyu?” Asked Mizuki, holding a plate of cheese.
Ena pointed her thumb to the tent and Mizuki nodded in understanding. As the rest assembled the table, she stood on the side, observing. When everything was done, she walked forward to meet the others, as everyone had started to dig in.
“Ah Asahina-san, are you—”
An’s query was cut off as everyone watched Mafuyu as she suddenly felt her head and her weight on Ena's shoulder, circling her arms around the artist's midriff.
Ena's eyebrows shot upward along with her eyes widening in surprise at the sudden movement. Her eyes then darted forward and around to see everyone's gaze at them; mixed expressions of surprise and amazement contoured everyone's faces.
“Oya? I didn't know you guys were this chummy,” Mizuki teased, then looked at Mafuyu with a worried smile, “Mafuyu must be tired.”
Ena's face turned red at the remark, but nonetheless tried to pry Mafuyu's arms around, only for it to tighten and then she knew something was wrong.
“Mafuyu?” She quietly called.
“I love you, Ena,” Mafuyu voiced out from the crook of Ena's neck.
Ena was alarmed at this and she looked at everyone's reaction, feeling the heat rising on every part of her body. Yet, as much as she wanted to yell at Mafuyu for blurting their relationship unannounced, she couldn't, knowing that Mafuyu is feeling under the weather.
She resigned to her fate, her eyes closing like that dog under the sunset and sighed softly. She's pretty sure everyone was still watching, but inwardly thanking them for not saying anything… for now.
“Are you feeling okay eating?” Ena asked, looking at the table, “There's grilled cheese and barbeque here.”
She felt Mafuyu shake her head.
“Later?” A nod was the reply. “Okay. I'll take you to the tent.”
The tired lyricist grip tightened when Ena tried to pry her arms. Mafuyu then whispered something in Ena's ear and everyone watched as Ena's face turned bright red, earning a few chuckles.
The group watched as Ena tapped Mafuyu's arms which loosened and then went limp on Mafuyu's sides. They watched as Ena inhaled, huffing an exhale as if steeling herself from something, then she turned around and scooped Mafuyu off her feet. Everyone blinked at the action, silently watching as Ena disappeared to the tent and then back out, still looking like a tomato.
Silence follows.
“Do you want to share something with the class, Ena?” Airi started.
Ena sighed and rubbed a palm on her face, huffing. “Mafuyu and I are dating.”
“Yeah, it seems like it,” Mizuki responded with a nod.
“Congratulations, Ena,” smiled Kanade.
Ena smiled back and nodded. She then looked at everyone else with another sigh. “You guys are awfully calm.”
“Believe me Ena, we're curious but,” Airi replied.
“We respect you and Asahina-san’s privacy,” Shizuku continued in earnest, a soft smile on her face.
“You guys probably have a reason to keep it a secret, so we don't want to intrude,” An grinned.
Ena looked at everyone in thought.
“Is Asahina-senpai okay though?” Emu asked.
Ena smiled at her and nodded. “Just tired.”
“Don't think you've gotten away with this, Enanan,” smirked Mizuki. “We're gonna ask for details soon.”
Ena just closed her eyes.
“I apologize for my behavior last night.”
Mafuyu was bowing at the group at a ninety degree angle. Ena was beside her, rubbing the headache forming in her temple.
“No biggie, Mafuyu!” Exclaimed Mizuki, grinning at her. “Never pegged you to be clingy though.”
Mafuyu looked up and tilted her head. “Ena's warm.”
Ena, more or less used to Mafuyu's spontaneous compliments, just sighed. “And you're cold. You basically leeched the warmth from me last night.”
“Wait. Hold on a minute,” Airi looked between the two. “You slept together?!”
“Woah Ena, I didn't know you've already gone that far?” Mizuki looked at both of them in surprise.
“Uwawawawa!” Emu gaped.
“That's none of your business, Mizuki!” Yelled Ena, glaring at them, then looked at Emu and the others. “There's children here!”
The rest laughed at the fuming Shinonome, with Mafuyu looking at everyone in confusion.
Ever since that day, distance was never a problem for the two of them. They were open about their affections when they're with friends. And everyone grew accustomed to the Mafuyu they now know. Everyone wouldn't deny the fact that the couple looked endearing and wonderful together.
With this recent development, Ena never hesitated to close the distance herself, holding her lover's hand a little longer and a tad tighter. She hugs her more often. They're even closer when they sit together, which earns a hefty teasing from Mizuki whenever their group meets up.
Ena felt like there was something amiss before. And it dawned on her.
“Nee, Mafuyu,” she muttered, looking down at her tablet, “I'm sorry.”
Mafuyu looked up from the desk she's occupying. Her eyes flickered with confusion, asking Ena what was wrong. Ena shifted from her where she sat and exhaled.
“I realized I wasn't as affectionate as I think I was before we opened up our relationship to our friends,” Ena frowned at the thought. “I think, part of me hesitated to give anything more in fear that maybe…”
Ena paused trying to find the right word.
“I don't mind,” Mafuyu stated, going back to what she was doing.
“Huh?” Ena blinked, looking up.
“I don't mind,” Mafuyu repeated. “And I think your fear is not unfounded. We're both unsure if the others would view our relationship in a good light.”
Ena was speechless.
Mafuyu then looked away, looking sheepish. “And umm… I also did not mean to announce our relationship that night at the camp… That was a moment of carelessness and I was tired and you're… you're warm…”
Mafuyu looked embarrassed. Ena was torn between to coo at the expression or to smile at Mafuyu in sympathy. Ena stood up and plopped down next to Mafuyu.
“Still, I'm sorry for unintentionally putting up a distance between the two of us,” Ena said with finality.
Mafuyu looked at Ena and leaned her head to Ena's own, humming. “Distance never mattered to me when you're this warm.”
Ena spluttered at the statement. Sometimes, in these exact types of moments, Ena would be caught off guard with Mafuyu's word of affection.
“This is why Mizuki teases you for being clingy,” huffed Ena.
“What of it? Can't I enjoy the warmth my girlfriend is giving me?” Mafuyu asked genuinely, looking confused.
Ena just resigned to her fate that Mafuyu will always be Mafuyu, and she wouldn't have it any other way.