mafuyu "world's saddest bunny" asahina (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
beathollow) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
linkingup2024-09-28 04:13 pm
beathollow) wrote in linkingup2024-09-28 04:13 pm
IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST
it's all too perfect.
it's all too perfect.
it's all too perfect.
it's all too perfect.
cw: manipulation
"Mom, I'm home..." ... There's no answer, though. Mom's usually here to greet her... "Mom? Is everything okay?"
As she heads deeper into her house, there's nothing- until there is. Mom sits at the table, looking nervous.
"Um- Mafuyu... is there anything you're hiding from me?"
...
"What...? No, nothing. Why would I hide anything from you, Mom...?"
"Are you sure? Can you say that while looking straight into my eyes?"
Mafuyu falters. This is... her stomach churns. What could she be hiding...? ... Her music?
"No, I'm not hiding anything from you. Again, Mom, why would I ever do that...?"
"Then, what is the meaning of this?" Mom asks, pulling something out and putting it on the table- Mafuyu almost flinches.
My synthesizer...!
"I found it while cleaning your room just now. You have no use for it, so it's only going to get in the way, no? It must be because your father just let it gather dust after buying it. Anyway, I'm thinking about having it taken away tomorrow..."
"Why...?"
"Why...? Because you don't need it, right?"
"But I..."
...
Something snags, like a record skipping. Time has passed, but...
Mafuyu tries to move up to her room but. Mom stops her, holding the synthesizer again, blocking the way.
"I thought we'd gotten rid of this. What was it doing in your room, Mafuyu?"
"Um, so... I was thinking that I could invest in my future by learning more about it."
"What do you mean...?"
"One of my friends knows how to play music and I gained some interest after seeing what she can do, so I decided to study music a little. You've heard of music therapy, right? I thought it might help me in the future..."
It's a bold-faced lie, but- surely Mom will approve?
"Oh, I see...I'm so proud of you, Mafuyu. You're taking the initiative by trying to learn new things."
Mafuyu perks up with a hopeful smile. Mom smiles back gently, but...
"However... Is this really all that necessary right now?"
"Huh?"
"Yes, music is indeed a wonderful thing and music therapy may prove to serve you well when you do become a doctor. But I'm also worried. I'm worried that music will get in the way of your studies and even lead to less-than-ideal results by the time entrance exams roll around. Of course, you're smart, and a good girl above all else, so I'm sure you'll do just fine... But I can't help but wonder if this is going to end up limiting the choices that are available to you in the future."
Mafuyu frowns. "Mom..."
"I'm sure you can learn all about music therapy in medical school... And if you wish to relax, I'm sure there are many other ways... Oh, why don't you watch more movies like you did last night? Didn't you say you want to improve your listening skills by turning the subtitles off? I'll ask this teacher I know about any movies that they think will help with that."
Mafuyu's quiet. Why...? She has to keep trying. Music is...
"Thank you, Mom... I'm sorry for making you worry so much... But... I'm glad to see that you're so worried about me, Mom... But I want to try my hand at music...Of course, I promise not to let it get in the way of my studies and will try not to be too much of a burden on my friend..."
Mom thinks for a moment.
"Is this friend of yours the same age as you...?"
"Huh? Yes, just about..."
"I see... That's so marvelous, Mafuyu. I understand why you're so interested in the arts since they can do wonders for your mind. But is this friend in the process of getting ready for entrance exams...?"
... Huh? Kanade does online schooling, and isn't interested in college, but...
"If this friend of yours was actually studying for exams and aiming for high-level goals like you, Mafuyu, then I'd be more than happy to let you take this on as a nice, relaxing hobby..."
"Studying for exams...?"
She's said too much- Mom latches onto it like a viper.
"Ah, I see... Mafuyu, I know it's important to be exposed to different kinds of people, but networking with the right people is just as important. So, what you need right now are peers who are studying just as hard as you for entrance exams. Am I wrong...? You surely stand to benefit much more from having friends who are trying to achieve the same kinds of goals as you, Mafuyu."
Mafuyu can feel her head swimming but- she can't give up. Not on music. Not on the others-
"Yes, I understand that, but I..."
Mom looks like she's hurt.
"What's gotten into you today? Did I do something that wasn't to your liking...? All I'm trying to do is make sure you have the best future possible..."
Nonononono not this- Mafuyu immediately recoils.
"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to step on your toes...! I know you're always putting serious thought into my future, so I apologize for making you worry so much..."
"No, that's okay. If there's something you truly wish to do, I plan on being there to support you. I'm worried about you, so I can't help but state how I feel... However, Mafuyu, it's ultimately your life to live... So you're free to do whatever you like... If you truly wish to do something, Mafuyu, you're free to do it... Just don't regret your decision, okay...?"
Mafuyu freezes.
... Why would she regret... what would happen... Mom's disappointed, she's being bad, she... if she didn't meet expectations then... ... Mom's going to cry again, not again, she can't do this- she has to be good-
"I... I want to..." Keep making music. "I'm sorry, Mom... I'll give up on music... And I'll use that time to prepare for exams, so you don't have to worry so much about me."
Mom smiles apologetically... but it's still a smile.
"You're sure about that...?"
"Yes, since my studies come first."
"Good... I'm so relieved. That means you don't need this synthesizer anymore, right? I'll hold onto it for now."
"Yes, okay. I'm sorry for saying what I did. I'll be in my room studying until it's time for dinner..."
Mafuyu moves robotically, but her head is foggy and her chest hurts so much. She barely notices that she's crying by the time she closes her door.
Just don't regret your decision, okay...? plays in her head, again and again.
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Then, whatever spell all of these memories have on Haruka breaks, and he straightens up. The Little Mermaid pops up over his shoulder and casts Maragi, setting the paintings on fire.
He's going to do whatever he can to spite this woman who can hardly be called a mother and get rid of the stranglehold she has on Mafuyu.]
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I knew you called to me for a reason. What I want... what she wants, but doesn't know how to get... is to see the status quo crumble. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, lets break some rules!
As for the paintings, the empty frames all burn and there's both the satisfaction of freedom... and the heavy gaze of being watched.
... And she says her friends aren't bad influences... Just look at this...
I have to fix her.
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[ soujuurou jolts in surprise when he sees haruka set the thing on fire, stepping away from the painting. he has no idea what to do with the emotions that this memory is causing him, how conflicted he feels from both sides, but goddammit, a fire indoors? ]
Are you trying to burn this place down?
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No, but that's not a bad idea.
[maybe him being a fire character was a bad move on the mods' part]
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[ soujuurou is speechless. ]
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...Yeah.
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[ joshua approves of the use of maragi though, if the smile on his face reveals anything. ]
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[at least someone approves...!! smh soujuurou]
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post-battle and full heal, wandering into the gallery, joshua's taken a couple of cursory looks at most of the frames and for the most part...
let's just say that he's forming an Opinion about mafumom.
but for someone that has such a fundamental relationship with music, this is the first memory that gets something close to a reaction from joshua.
and softly, almost to himself: ] ... but how do you give up something that fundamental to your very soul?
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