The soft glow of the moon illuminated the empty park where they often spent time together. Honoka sat on a bench, her head resting on her knees, the familiar landscape now feeling foreign and heavy. It had been weeks since the accident, but the pain still felt fresh, a wound that refused to heal.

Maki approached quietly, her heart aching for her friend. She could see the tears glistening in Honoka's eyes, reflecting the starlight. Maki settled next to her, their shoulders touching, a silent comfort.

"Hey," Maki said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you want to talk?"

Honoka shook her head, a tremor running through her as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "I don't know what to say. It just hurts so much."

Maki wrapped an arm around Honoka's shoulders, pulling her close. "I know. I feel it too."

They sat in silence, the weight of their shared grief hanging in the air. Honoka leaned into Maki's warmth, drawing strength from her presence. "Sometimes I just think about all the things we did together… How can they be gone?"

Maki's heart ached as she recalled the laughter, the dreams, the promises they had made. "We carry them with us. They wouldn't want us to be sad forever."

Honoka nodded, but her expression remained heavy. "I just wish we could have one more day… One more song together."

"Let's sing for them," Maki suggested, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Right now, just the two of us. For Kotori and Umi."

Honoka looked up, surprised. "You want to sing?"

Maki offered a small, bittersweet smile. "Yes. It might help."

With a hesitant nod, Honoka wiped her tears and straightened up. The two of them began to sing softly, their voices intertwining, a melody that carried their grief and love into the night. As they sang, memories flooded back—dancing on stage, the excitement of their first performance, the laughter shared during late-night practices.

Each note seemed to bridge the gap between the past and present, allowing them to feel their friends with them, if only for a moment.

As the last notes faded into the night, Honoka turned to Maki, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you. That helped a little."

Maki smiled gently, brushing a stray tear from Honoka's cheek. "You don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you, always."

Honoka felt a warmth spread through her chest, a flicker of hope amidst the sorrow. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Maki's gaze softened, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. "You won't have to find out."

Honoka hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "Maki, I…"

But Maki leaned closer, their foreheads nearly touching. "Honoka, I—"

Before she could finish, Honoka closed the gap, pressing her lips against Maki's in a gentle, tentative kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the unspoken words, the shared pain, and the budding feelings that had been growing beneath the surface.

When they pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their faces flushed. Honoka smiled through her tears, a mix of joy and sorrow. "I never thought…"

Maki's expression was serious yet tender. "Neither did I. But it feels right, doesn't it? Even amidst the pain?"

Honoka nodded, the weight in her heart lightening just a bit. "Yeah, it does."

As they sat together under the stars, Honoka and Maki realized that while they had lost so much, they still had each other. Together, they could carry the memories of Kotori and Umi forward, cherishing their friendship while also finding a new path—a path that intertwined their hearts in a way they had never anticipated.

In that moment, with the moon shining brightly above and the waves crashing softly in the distance, they found a new beginning, rooted in love, hope, and the memories of their beloved friends.

--

End