Note — I have purposely not included clothing descriptions. You're free to decide what they're wearing.
Happenstance II: Unknown Destiny
Currently Mai's within the kitchen when her phone starts vibrating against the workcounter. Picking it up, she apprehensively answers. "Hello? Who is this?"
"It is I, Shizuru. Today is your birthday, yes?"
Wait, is it? Mai freezes up, looking towards the calendar hanging from the nearby wall. Sure enough, today is the 22nd July 2023. Taken aback, she wonders how Shizuru knows this, since she cannot remember ever telling her. "How do you know that?" She asks curiously, propping the phone into the crook of her neck.
"Oh, well… There are some materials from the school I still have."
Opening a drawer to retrieve a knife, Mai cocks a brow. Did Shizuru never return the documentation she had received as the Student Council President? That's theft, surely? "You still have those? Why?"
An awkward silence ensues the call, making Mai wonder whether the signal is dropping. "Shizuru?"
"Sorry, I am here." There is a brief pause with the sound of something metallic. "I only recently remembered I still have them."
'Is she lying?' Mai muses at the possibility. Though in retrospect, it is terrifyingly easy to find people's information these days. Mai doesn't have much of an internet presence, but she has heard of the horror stories of people getting doxxed. It can even happen thanks to images having metadata showing the coordinates. You can even be found from a single satellite image these days. The world has gone totally mad.
"I called because I want to ask whether you are free tonight. I thought we could perhaps have a drink or go for a walk around the city?"
Is Shizuru asking her on a date? Mai, midway through buttering toast, drops her knife. It clangs noisily against the floor, making her curse out loud. "Crap…—ah—" She realises her mistake part way through. "I'm down for that. I'm sorry, I dropped my knife."
"Are you alright?"
"Huh, well…" Mai laughs nervously, leaning down to pick it up. Examining it, her nose wrinkles upon discovering dirt. "I'm feeling a little better than before—I think." Is she or is she not? Mai is honestly not entirely sure. Nevertheless, she steps to the sink, rinsing the knife beneath cold water. "I'm free this whole weekend, if that helps."
"Perfect, so am I. Would you like to meet within two hours?"
Thus, once everything is planned and Mai is awaiting the elder to show up, she looks around nervously. She hasn't been to this part of the city in years. Perhaps not since she went to Fuuka, in fact. Peering skywards, she looks to the neon signs broadcasting various advertisements. Towards the Moon she looks next, the lunar rays gazing back at her pristinely.
Still… she sighs. Oh, how she misses Kagutsuchi.
"Mai?"
Whirling around, Mai stares at Shizuru breathless. Unlike the typical office uniform Shizuru had worn before, she looks stunning. It feels as though there is a glow surrounding her—blinking hard, Mai shakes herself out of it. "Er—hi." She greets lamely, internally cussing at her racing heart. 'Stop! She is just standing there!'
Besides, this is Shizuru.
'So?' A small voice within Mai's head chimes. Shaking her head, she steps forward to properly address Shizuru. "You look nice." She forces the words from her mouth, her throat constricting awfully, making her tone sound strained. Ignoring it, Mai quizzes: "Where are we going, did you manage to decide?"
"You yourself look nice as well, Mai." Shizuru smiles at her, this action being returned by Mai. They stand like this for a moment until Shizuru says: "I could not decide, to be honest. I am sure we will know where we want to go once we find it."
"That's true." Mai falls in line with Shizuru as they begin their walk down the street.
The city is brimming with populous: Everywhere Mai looks there is always someone there. Be it across the road, within alleyways, in front or at the back. "Is there some kind of event today?" She muses, transferring her gaze to Shizuru—albeit watching out of the corner of her eye.
She hadn't noticed it before, but she is slimmer than before. Or has Shizuru always been thin? From this angle, she also notices that Shizuru is slumping slightly. "Are you tired?"
"Hm?" She looks at Mai, rather surprised. "A little; work was rather gruelling and I did not sleep well. As for an event… no, I have not heard anything."
"Yet you still came to see me?" Mai spares her a deadpanned glance, though forces a smile afterwards. "Not like I can say anything, I can never sleep well."
How surreal is this though? Mai still cannot quite believe that she has gotten back in contact with a former HiME. Whilst it has been twenty years, it doesn't seem they have changed much. Quickly however, Mai starts second-guessing herself and does not realise she has stopped walking.
"Mai?"
Similar to when they reunited, Mai looks up at Shizuru who has stopped. Her heart skipping a beat at the sight, a hundred possibilities invade her head. The old memory from the changing room returns twofold, causing a faint blush to imbue her cheeks. 'Oh, not now, stop it!' She admonishes herself, only to flinch as Shizuru approaches her.
"Mai."
"S-sorry." Mai grumbles. "I keep getting lost in my head. It's just that this is so…—well, surreal! I can't believe I am walking across the street with you of all people."
"I—" Shizuru stalls, but smiles with surprise. "Neither can I, to be honest."
Their directionless stride continues on until eventually they find an inconspicuous coffee shop. It is off to the side within an alleyway; its lights dimmed to not be overbearing.
Attracted towards it, Mai unconsciously wanders over to its window dressing. Within are small tables topped with chequered cloths of red and white. They are paired with wooden chairs—sometimes in threes. "Maybe here?" Mai points inside as Shizuru advances.
It seems quaint, Shizuru mulls, spotting an old lady at the counter. "It looks nice, there is no one here either."
The two enter and the bell above the door jingles to alert the old woman who greets them brightly. "Welcome! Would you two ladies like coffee? I also serve tea."
"You have tea?" Shizuru quizzes, gladly accepting the menu which is passed to her. Within is an assortment of brands. It mostly contains coffee of course, but there are a fair amount of teas as well. There are even traditional teas which Shizuru recognises from tea ceremonies, surprisingly. There is even Ippodo here, an old Kyoto brand! "You certainly have a large supply of Kyoto teas." She admires the selection, selecting the Giontsujiri.
"Oh, yes. I try to have a varied selection of brands from across the country even though I do not specialise in tea." The old lady nods wisely.
"Do you have any iced coffee, please?" Mai takes her turn next. "I don't mind which brand."
Once seated, Mai listlessly examines their surroundings while cupping her cold drink.
What a strange week it has been… Ever since reuniting with Shizuru, she has caught her mind wandering. Though it hasn't been the usual flashbacks to the Carnival, but instead the little things. Potential positive events were instead grinding within Mai's mind. She is genuinely wondering what else she and Shizuru could do together.
"It's strange…" Mai murmurs, lifting her cup to her lips in order to take a sip. "...Having a friend again—one who I want to spend time with." Violet irises glance up into scarlets, sparking something within Mai as their eyes meet.
"Do you regret believing I am a friend?"
"What?" Mai pauses, brow furrowing as she stares at Shizuru. "I don't un—"
For a time Shizuru does not say anything, studying the younger woman steadily. She feels conflicted to explain herself, but Mai's total bafflement seems to prove she doesn't regret it. Thus… she says: "—I apologise, Mai." She strains a smile. "I am used to people leaving without acknowledging my feelings—ghosting, you could say."
That's precisely what Mai had done to everyone. She winces at this fact, and in hindsight feels remorse due to that. Though, should she? After all, it was only Mikoto and Akane who had tried multiple times to regain contact with her…
Mildly she wonders what had happened to them.
"I'm sorry." Mai mutters, drinking the rest of her iced coffee. "I had always assumed that you and Natsuki were fine. The fact Natsuki didn't tell me anything is awful."
"Nor do you owe me anything, Mai."
'What does she mean?' Mai watches her musingly.
"As you said, you held your trust in Natsuki to be more open with you. She failed in this, just as we did in running away." Leaning into her knuckles, Shizuru gives her an encouraging look. "But enough of that, it is in the past. Rather, since today is your birthday, what is a wish you would like fulfilled?"
A wish? Mai falls silent, her gaze dropping to the space between them on the table. After a long silence, Mai slowly looks back at her. "I don't know what I want, Shizuru."