A little interlude between The Midnight Angel and the sequel, Wings Stained Sunset. Chronologically, this takes place in the middle...but I tried to make it work as both a sequel to Midnight and a prequel to Sunset, so you could read this after either one. Actually, I'd prefer you read Sunset first, so go read that if you haven't already!
Oh, and here's some trivia for anyone who didn't know: I didn't make up Honoka and Kotori's club memberships in this μ's-less AU! In the manga, Honoka (and Umi) are members of the kendo club before becoming idols, and Kotori has...vaguely defined membership in the health committee, mostly in SIF. o7
Maki watched the blue-haired maiden shoot arrow after arrow flawlessly into the center of her targets. An expert marksman and, according to the kendo club, also quite skilled with a sword. Umi was known in the school as something of a model student: excellent grades, a seemingly limitless skillset, responsible, respectful, kind, and her looks were a whole other story. Her beautiful silky hair, her amber eyes that reminded Maki of a wistful afternoon sky, her-
"Geez!" Maki muttered, stopping herself from turning into an incoherent mess. She was still quite new to this whole 'romance' thing; it had only been a month since she and Umi had met. At the very least, it seemed her senior was just as inexperienced with love as she was. Despite the cool, even mischievous way she had introduced herself into Maki's life, when the time came Umi had much more trouble actually saying her feelings out loud for the girl she'd grown so fond of. It was hard to believe that that blushing, stammering mess of a girl was also the mysterious, confident vigilante known as the Midnight Angel.
Of course, that wasn't the Umi that was currently in front of her. No, watching her invariably hit her mark despite her trying multiple different distances and angles, it was completely believable that this girl was the archer that had saved Maki's life that one fateful night.
In the month since then, Maki had learned a few things about Umi. Firstly, she had two classmates who were aware of her second identity. Kousaka Honoka, ace of the kendo club, and Umi's best friend since childhood. Honoka seemed carefree and somewhat clumsy, but Umi trusted her enough to ask for her help when pursuing particularly dangerous targets. The other was Minami Kotori, the third member of their childhood trio and a member of the health committee. She helped patch up the other two when they got injured, and apparently it was her who had created their costumes. Maki didn't see why they needed to be so elaborate, but she didn't bother asking. Kotori was sweet, but Maki got the sense that she was scary as shit if provoked.
Her more recent discovery was that Umi's parents also knew about her vigilantism. This was a shock to Maki, but it seemed that Umi used her own home as her base without any secrecy from her family. Maki sensed there was more to that, but she never pushed Umi for details. It was amazing enough that the Midnight Angel had shown her the face behind the mask. Umi would tell her more when she was ready.
The only thing that Maki didn't like was how powerless she was. Every time Umi went out, Maki could only sit at home and hope she would stay safe through the night. Honoka and Kotori could help her if they needed to. Even if Maki tried to help, she would just get in the way. She hated it. If something were to happen to Umi...she couldn't stand the thought of being unable to do anything.
"What's wrong, Maki-chan?" Nico must have noticed her spacing out. Maki had been intently staring at Nico during their lunch break, watching the way she handled the knife in her hand. It seemed casual, almost reckless, but Maki had noted that she had never once seen Nico accidentally cut herself on one. She'd always assumed that Nico's knife-throwing obsession was just a joke, but was there more to it? It wasn't too unlikely. Her friend didn't talk much about her past, but Maki knew it was rough, to say the least.
"...Nico-chan, do you remember what you said about me learning self-defense?"
The third-year blinked. "Oh! Are you reconsidering my offer on knife-throwing?"
Maki was a little concerned by the enthusiasm in Nico's voice, but she ignored it. Slowly and stiffly, she nodded. "I want to learn how to fight."
Nico raised an eyebrow. "What's brought this on?" she asked in a more sober tone. Then her eyes widened. "Oh, I see. Well, I can certainly help you with that problem... but it won't be easy. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Once again, Maki nodded. I won't be a burden to you, Umi. Just like you protected me, I'll protect you too.
