Mizu ༅

Mizu had always been somewhat dismissive. There were few moments in her life when she could afford even a moment's slack. She'd already let her guard down once, and what had happened? Now she was certain—she had to move forward, no matter what. There was nothing that could stop her, slow her down, force her to turn around. Hunger, pain, exhaustion, affection—empty words for Mizu

Or rather, that's how it was. Ever since you joined her, she couldn't help but curse in her mind every time you slowed her down. You were more... human. Your body, unbeaten and unwounded by countless enemies, wasn't as resilient. Mizu demanded more of herself than she could handle, but she hadn't had to pay for it often enough for her to understand it. And so sometimes she'd grab your wrist, urging you on despite your fatigue

Mizu had always been somewhat deaf. Other people didn't bother her much unless they offered her the slightest benefit. And every complaint you made, never groundless or petulant, was met with a wall of silence or an irritated "let's go". She wasn't angry, she wasn't doing it out of a desire to hurt you. But she was unintentionally doing just that

And then you got sick. At first, it was just a runny nose, then a cough, and then a fever. Your thoughts were confused, your head was empty, it felt like a thousand needles were being driven under your skin, burning like embers. And for the first time in a long time, Mizu panicked, truly panicked, the way a child panics when their mother suddenly disappears from sight. She was terrified of leaving you alone, and she couldn't help but fear for you every time she went to get medicine, anything that could help you. The former irritation was gone. There was only fear

"Come on, you need to drink this"

Mizu coaxed you, secretly surprised by how pitiful her voice sounded, supporting you behind your back with one hand, holding the bowl of foul-smelling medicine tightly with the other, pressing its rim against your lips