Summary: Shizuku always notices Kanata helping the girls, lending them an ear to listen to the struggles they're facing, so when she wonders who's there for the older girl, she decides to take a step forward and be the one comforting her.
Kanata/Shizuku

Lovely Kanata

Shizuku can't help but notice it on her first trip to one of the classrooms, pausing for a moment to look at the large placard resting on the rooftop's floor.

A quiet giggle escapes her lips as she admires the "Lovely Haruka" message written across it on the very beautiful and elegant handwriting of her senpai, before her gaze searches for her, finding her close to the rooftop's railing talking with Yuu.

A soft smile then takes over her features as she watches Kanata listening attentively to whatever the composer is telling her, nodding from time to time, before she answers her in a calm way even though Shizuku can't hear nor decipher the reassuring words she seems to be articulating.

- Shizuku-san!

The loud voice of one of her clubmates calling out her name pulls Shizuku out of her musings, prompting her to run and catch up with the rest of the drama club to help them sorting out some items that they'll need for their upcoming play.

As she passes by the rooftop's glass windows for the second time carrying a heavy box with her on her way back to the drama clubroom, she can't help but notice how nothing changed, the large placard saying "Lovely Haruka" still resting on the rooftop's floor as the author of such a beautiful handwriting is sat on one of the benches with a view of the campus, but this time with a different companion beside her.

Shizuku halts on her steps to see her senpai talking calmly once again, but now, with her pink orange haired sub-unit mate, or more like, Shizuku stops to see Ayumu fidgeting with the hem of her skirt unsure as she tries to explain to Kanata whatever is plaguing her mind while the older girl just listens to her in silence, offering her a soft but encouraging smile that does nothing but prompt Ayumu to keep relating her the struggles she seems to be going through.

Another smile takes over Shizuku's lips as she thinks how Kanata, along with Emma, and sometimes even Karin, are always the ones who they all go for advice or for whatever struggle they might be going through, acting like the parenting figures of the club, before her smile disappears upon realizing how soon the third years will be graduating and parting, but also upon thinking on who are the ones lending them an ear to listen to their worries or struggles.

The brunette shakes her head and quickly takes the box she was carrying with her to the drama clubroom, putting it on one of its shelves, before taking her school bag to run out of the room with the hope that her senpai is still on the same place she left her minutes ago.

Just as she hoped, Shizuku arrives in time to observe Kanata still sat on the bench, this time alone with nobody accompanying her. So after catching her breath from the impromptu running, Shizuku opens the crystal doors and gets outside onto the rooftop, closing the doors behind her.

As she passes by the large placard, she can't help but be even more fascinated by her senpai's beautiful handwriting, walking closer to where she's sat noticing how the older auburn haired girl didn't seem to have noticed her, too engrossed facing up the sky with her eyes closed as she murmurs something to herself.

- To push each other's backs with the fear of ending up apart...

Kanata mutters quietly as Shizuku steps closer, admiring her beauty under the last timid sun rays as it slowly grows dark, before she clears her throat nervously, fidgeting with her school bag.

- Shizuku-chan! Do you need anything?

Kanata says with a soft smile adorning her lips as her eyes flutter open to look at Shizuku with nothing but a fond glint in her lilac eyes.

Shizuku can only bite her lips nervously as she intakes a sharp breath of air and spreads her arms wide open, surprising Kanata with her gesture.

- A-a hug?

Shizuku asks insecurely not wanting to sound childish, before she hears her senpai giggling and sees her quickly raising up from the bench she was sat on to give her a big hug.

- Aw Shizuku-chan, I've never thought you'd ask me for a hug.

Kanata says playfully, making Shizuku blush, before the brunette whispers.

- You looked like you needed one.

These words elicit a sharp gasp from Kanata, before the auburn haired girl smiles moved by the younger girl, and tightens the hug.

- Thank you, Shizuku-chan.

Kanata thanks her kouhai sincerely as they hug for a bit longer.

Maybe it doesn't solve Kanata's struggles about the future, but it sure helps her to feel a bit better and alleviate her troubles.