Commission II: Waylaid Recognition
By Twisted Eternal Wolvetta
For Beth Cyra
How long has it been since she last saw Natsuki? Tokiha Mai honestly hadn't a clue. They had both been wrapped up by their daily lives for so long it was impossible to grasp. Natsuki's relationship with Shizuru as well—has it truly ended? Standing by the elder's apartment door, Mai's gaze swept behind her to the streets below. They had never once moved in together either. Why's that? She sighed. Mai clearly understood very little.
Pressing her thumb to the door bell, she mildly heard it reverberate across the building. It was the same one that'd scare the life out of her. Some things never change.
Several locks and chains were heard being unlocked, causing Mai's eyebrows to raise. Then, Natsuki revealed herself; appearing the same as always, except her hair was tied back—evidently longer. "Oh, hey Mai. I wasn't expecting you'd get here so fast." Natsuki made way for Mai who stepped inside the foyer with her. "How 'you been?"
"Way too busy." Mai muttered, stepping out of her shoes carefully. "I lost count how many medical papers I've translated for that new company."
"I still can't believe you became an English translator. What made you even decide on it?" Natsuki took Mai's coat for her, hanging it up on a wall hook. "And for healthcare of all things." She scrunched her face slightly, remembering days long past.
"You find out a lot from it. In the first month I learned more about congenital conditions than in my entire life."
"Doubt I have the patience for it." Natsuki guided her into the living room, and immediately sat herself at the kotatsu.
"How long has it been since I was last here? Two years?"
"Four… five?" Natsuki shrugged, removing a random motorbike magazine from the table.
"Five years…" Mai echoed, unable to believe it. Time is fleeting; it's terrifying, really. "A kotatsu though, Natsuki? That doesn't seem to be your thing?" She sat herself down as well, content when the heater's warmth radiated across her legs.
"It was Shizuru's idea, she nagged me for so long to get one." Natsuki shook her head, but smiled afterwards. "They're useful in the winter, at least."
Strange… Mai stared at her, feeling at a loss. Surely Natsuki should be miserable that she had broken up with Shizuru? She seemed utterly fine though? Those two adored each other! "Hey, are you alright?"
"Huh? Yeah, why?"
"It's just… you loved Shizuru. When I first heard I tried giving you room because I figured you'd be down in the dump—" A laugh interrupted her concerns, causing Mai to stare at Natsuki speechlessly.
"It wasn't working out because of our work balance. We just ended up drifting apart, and decided to end it on positive ground. We don't hate each other for it. I still love her—I probably always will, but…" Natsuki shrugged. Standing up from the kotatsu, she headed towards the kitchenette in the other room. "'You want anything?"
"Do you have any orange juice?" Mai's gaze fell to the kotatsu, feeling puzzled. After the HiME Carnival all those years ago, Mai expected they'd be eternally superglued together. She had come over because she wanted to help a devastated Natsuki. That, and well… she misses Natsuki desperately. Her brow furrowed with confusion. Why is it just Nats—a glass of orange getting placed down before Mai shattered her thoughts.
"I know what you're like, Mai." Natsuki suddenly declared, sitting herself down again. She had brought some orange juice of her own, offering a straw to the redhead. "I have no hard feelings for her. I'm sure by now she's attracting dozens of women." She cracked a smile, placing her own straw into her drink. "But anyway, how have you been?" Mai was giving her the strangest look, almost as thought she had grown another head. In response, Natsuki arched a brow at her. "Mai?"
"Oh, I… Sorry." She stared into the contents of her orange. "You've amazed me, that's all." She stole a glance at Natsuki before veering her gaze away. "You genuinely still love her, yet you can move on. I don't think I could ever do that." Mai isn't one for leaving her past behind. That's one reason she became a translator in the first place: To learn more about Takumi's congenital disease. Yet here's Natsuki, who is embracing a milestone within her life which didn't house Shizuru. "You really were always the strongest one out of all of us."
"What are you talking about? Didn't you do the same with Tate?"
"Well, that's… different."
"How?" Natsuki stared at her, taking a sip of her drink.
"We couldn't make it work after the Carnival. There was too much happening, and with Takumi's condition, I…"
"You made sure your health was your priority. Do you remember what you were like at school?" Natsuki inquired, but was interrupted by her phone ringing inside her pocket. Taking it, she looked upon the screen. "Ah, sorry Mai. I need to take this call, it's Shizuru." She picked herself up again and headed for the kitchen. "Shizuru? Hi, what is it?"
Mai watched the kitchen door close shut. 'Do you remember what you were like at school?' Her voice echoed Natsuki's question several times. She was… mentally a nervous wreck. Everyone apart from herself had been her priority. So desperately in the past she worried what others thought about her. Nor could she ever make her mind up what she wanted. Ah, they've… both drastically changed and Mai hadn't noticed it.
"You what?" A laugh broke out inside the kitchen. "How many times is that now? She clearly likes you, go for it."
Mai's eyebrows raised. Is Natsuki giving Shizuru dating advice?
"Yeah, yeah. I love you too, Now go get her!"
The door opened once more, Natsuki shoving her phone back into her pocket. "Sorry about that. Shizuru's on a date and called me of all people." She shook her head, evidently amused. "But yeah, you've changed a lot too, Mai."
"I-I—aren't you depressed? I just—I don't understand it. You sound happy that she's moving on."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Natsuki tilted her head faintly, confused. "We're happy for each other, it's as simple as that?"
Really… Mai stared at her. How much life has she been missing out from? Natsuki has matured incredibly and she saw none of that. Something deep within the recesses of Mai's mind clicked as she further examined Natsuki. What… is this feeling? A concerned hand settling upon hers intensified this question.
Truly, what is this?
Commission NO: #2 | Commission Buyer: Beth Cyra | Commission Pricing: £10.92p | Series: Mai-HiME | Pairing/s: NatMai | Story Elements: Eventual Realisation, Post-Breakup.
