Chapter Text
Kaede came into Yuribara with an upbeat spring in her step. She went up to the counter, where she saw that only Kirumi was manning the shop. “Hey, is Tsumugi finally taking a day off?” she jested.
The barista shook her head. “No, she's just running an errand. She should be back soon.”
“I see.” Kaede turned to look elsewhere in the shop, het hands fidgeting on the strap of her new bag- a simple black bag with a small grand piano embroidered in one corner. “Anyway, I was wondering if I could borrow the piano for a while.”
“Of course. It's all yours.”
Kaede gave her thanks before heading to the piano. She sat on the bench and set her bag next to her. After a minute of shuffling through her things, she pulled out some sheet music. It was an original composition by an orchestra in the area. An audition piece.
After scanning over the piece, she placed it on the piano’s stand and let her fingers hover just above the keys. Taking a deep breath, she started to play the three short movements in A major. Andante, Allegro, then Moderato. Some parts were more difficult than others, but overall, it was an interesting piece.
After playing through the song almost a dozen times, Kaede decided it was time for a break. She took out her phone and saw that over forty minutes had already passed. She had been in the shop for long enough, she decided, so she started to pack away the sheet music.
Suddenly, she felt someone grab her shoulders. With a surprised squeak, she spun around instinctively.
“Haha, sorry for surprising you,” the person behind her giggled, though she did not seem very sorry.
“Wha- Tsumugi!” Kaede cried when she recognized the woman. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Tsumugi giggled again. “I thought you'd have a nice reaction, and I was right.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I have an offer for you. How would you like to join Kirumi and me for a little homemade dinner after closing?”
“Dinner, huh?” Kaede did not see that coming, to say the least. “Is it really alright if I do that?”
“Of course it is! I DID ask you, after all.” She put her hands on her hips. “You’ve been a very sweet friend to us, so I think it's fitting if you joined us.”
Kaede looked down at her bag. “You both think of me as a friend?”
“Yep. I've plainly grown fond of talking with you. Kirumi is too shy to say it, but she's also fond of you.” There was the sound of coins clattering to the ground followed by an apology from Kirumi as she went to pick them up. “So what do you say?”
Kaede thought for a moment. Were the women like friends to her? It was hard to deny it. Would she like to fully include them in her life? Would she have both sad and happy times with them? Would she love them?
There were many possibilities, and she could not help but wonder which would become true. “Sure. I'd love to.”