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It started back in Kindergarten. Mutsumi frequently spent time at the Togawa household for reasons neither of them fully understood back then. Sometimes, she was even allowed to spend the night.
On that day in particular, Mutsumi picked out a book for Sakiko's mother to read to them. The plot revolved around a princess up in a tower and the knight that came to save her. He bravely defeated the dragon holding the princess captive. At the end, a wedding was held and the two married.
"And then they lived happily ever after," Mizuho said. She smiled as she closed the book.
"Mother," Sakiko spoke up. "What does it mean to get married?"
At her young age, there was much about the world Sakiko still didn't know. She had a thirst for knowledge that could never be quenched. Every book her mother read to her only made her interested in learning more.
Mizuho chuckled. "Well, when two people love each other very much, they make a promise that they'll always stay together."
"Did you and Father get married, too?"
She raised her hand to show a ring on her finger. "We did! Back before you were born."
Mutsumi, who had otherwise been quiet, spoke up. "Did my parents get married, too?"
"Yes, they did." Mizuho looked between the two girls. "One day, you two will meet someone you want to marry." She took Sakiko's little hands in hers. "And when that day comes, I'll be the one to walk you down the aisle."
Sakiko beamed up at her mother. She didn't fully understand what that entailed, but if it made her mother happy, Sakiko was sure it was good.
Mizuho left the girls to their own devices. They carried their dolls up to Sakiko's room where no grownups would bother them.
"A boy at school said he likes me," Mutsumi said. She didn't look at Sakiko as she spoke. Her hands worked deftly at brushing her doll's hair. "He said he saw me on the TV last night."
Mutsumi's parents were always dragging her along to different places and pushing her in front of the camera. Sakiko, who wasn't allowed to watch television, hadn't seen any of it. She only knew what Mutsumi told her about the scary old guys with too-white teeth. They sounded a little like the dragons who kept princesses up in towers.
Mutsumi pouted. "But he doesn't even know my favorite color. How can he like me?"
"You aren't going to marry him, are you?"
She looked horrified. "No! Of course not."
"Good. I'd be sad if you stayed forever with someone who doesn't know you like the color green."
More than that, though, Sakiko would be sad if Mutsumi got taken away and stuck up into a tower where no one could see her. Fighting a dragon seemed like a lot work! That brought a question to her mind.
"Mutsumi," Sakiko said. "If I was a princess in a tower, would you come save me?"
"Hm… Yeah, probably." She went back to brushing her doll's hair. "You're my best friend."
"Do you like me more than that boy at school?"
"I don't even like him." She made a mean face. "He doesn't eat the skin on apples."
Sakiko nodded sagely. No boy who didn't eat apple skins deserved Mutsumi's attention. "Do you like me more than…" She thought carefully.
Mutsumi scoffed. "I like you more than everything. I bet I like you more than you like me."
Now that Sakiko disagreed with. There was no way Mutsumi liked her more than Sakiko liked her!
"Mother says you shouldn't lie."
"I'm not lying!" Mutsumi set her doll aside. "I can prove it." Then, she leaned forward and pressed her mouth to Sakiko's cheek.
Sakiko jerked away. She put her hand to the spot on her cheek. "Why did you do that?"
"Because I like you," Mutsumi answered easily.
"I like you, too."
"Do you want to get married one day? Like your parents are?"
"Together?"
Mutsumi nodded. "When we get older."
Sakiko beamed. "Okay!"
A lifetime together with Mutsumi sounded like exactly what Sakiko wanted. They were best friends, after all. They even knew each other's favorite colors. How could they possibly find someone else?
Mutsumi held out her pinkie. "Promise?"
Sakiko hooked her pinkie finger with Mutsumi's. "I promise."
"And then you said 'Let's stay together forever,'" Sakiko said. Even after all this time, the memory never failed to make her smile.
Mutsumi furrowed her brow. "I don't remember that…? Oh. Mortis."
Sakiko chuckled. So Mortis was the person she made that promise with all those years ago.
They were lying in bed together after their usual combination Valentine's day and birthday dinner. Somehow, the topic had drifted to reminiscing on their past.
"You've liked me for that long?" There was a faint blush to Mutsumi's cheeks.
"Since Kindergarten," Sakiko confirmed.
"It took a little longer for me…"
The start of junior high was when Mutsumi first heard the girls in her class talk about romance. While they talked about which boys they thought were cute, Mutsumi found herself left out. She couldn't seem to see the same things as everyone else.
Thankfully, she wasn't completely alone.
"Ready?"
Mutsumi looked up from her desk to see Sakiko standing next to her. "Mhm."
It was always the two of them. Even when Sakiko formed other friendships, she always came back to Mutsumi's side at the end of the school day. They were a unit in that sense. Mutsumi wouldn't have it any other way.
They kept a steady pace as they left the school grounds and headed home. Only when they were far enough away did Sakiko finally speak.
"Is there anyone you plan on giving chocolate to tomorrow?" Sakiko asked.
"Hm?"
Sakiko gave her a smile that made Mutsumi feel a little less foolish for forgetting about what day it was. "It's Valentine's day tomorrow."
"Your birthday," Mutsumi said. In her opinion, the far more important event.
"That's true!" Sakiko lowered her voice a little. "I heard a rumor today."
That was new. Sakiko wasn't normally one to gossip.
Sakiko leaned in. When she spoke, her breath ghosted Mutsumi's ear. "There's a girl in my class that's going to give chocolates to another girl," she whispered.
Mutsumi flinched.She felt her face warming. "What?"
"It's only a rumor," Sakiko said, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she straightened again. "I suppose we'll see tomorrow."
Mutsumi had never heard of two girls celebrating Valentine's day together. Were they allowed to do that? None of the girls she knew held any interest to other girls. All they cared about was boys.
It was only Mutsumi who was different. She was the only one who didn't fit in.
Mutsumi eyed Sakiko next to her. "Saki. Do you have someone you like?"
Sakiko tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "As a matter of fact, I do."
Her heart sank. Anyone would jump at the chance to be with Sakiko.
"But don't worry," Sakiko said, flashing a smile. "I won't let anything tear us apart."
Mutsumi breathed a sigh of relief.
They tended to spend their time at Sakiko's house more often than Mutsumi's. Today was no different.
"Good afternoon, girls," Mizuho called out as they entered.
Sakiko waved. "Good afternoon. Mutsumi and I will be studying in my room."
Mutsumi started toward the stairs before pausing. "I'll be just a moment.
Sakiko looked puzzled. Thankfully, she didn't question it. With a little nod, she headed upstairs to her bedroom.
Mutsumi turned to Mizuho. "Can I ask you something?"
Mizuho looked up. She smiled warmly. "You can ask me anything."
Mizuho had always been more of a mother to Mutsumi than Minami ever had. There was no question in her mind about who she could ask this to.
"Is it… okay for two girls to date?"
Mizuho patted the space next to her. "Why don't you have a seat?"
Mutsumi shuffled over and took a seat.
"Is there a reason you're asking?"
Mutsumi pursed her lips.
Mizuho wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "It's okay. You can tell me."
"The girls at school are all interested boys and I… Is it weird to not like boys?"
"It's perfectly normal. There a lots of girls who like other girls. There's even girls who like both." Mizuho spoke calmly and without any judgement. It helped set Mutsumi's nerves at ease a little. She was a good mother. Sakiko was lucky.
Mutsumi's eyes widened. "Wow…"
"Do you have someone in mind?"
Mutsumi shifted uncomfortably under Mizuho's gaze. "…maybe."
"You don't have to tell me." Mizuho rubbed Mutsumi's shoulder soothingly. "But let me ask just one question."
"Okay…"
"Is it Sakiko?" she whispered.
Mutsumi snapped her gaze up to Mizuho. Her eyes were wide with fear. If Sakiko knew, their friendship would be over. "Please don't tell her."
"Oh, sweetheart. I promise I won't tell a soul."
"You spoke to my mother?" Sakiko asked.
Mutsumi nodded sheepishly. "She told me… She said she gives us her blessing. That she couldn't think of anyone else to give her daughter to."
Tears blurred Sakiko's vision. Mutsumi pulled her close.
"She knew," Sakiko said quietly. "All along. She knew."
That was all she could think about. Her mother had to have inferred Sakiko's own feelings for Mutsumi. More than anything, Sakiko wished her mother could see the woman her daughter grew into. She wished her mother could see how happy she and Mutsumi were together.
It wasn't fair at all, but Sakiko had come to know that the world was rarely, if ever, fair.
Sakiko wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "And what about Mortis? When did you two…?" she trailed off.
She still didn't fully understand the specifics of Mortis and Mutsumi's relationship. There was some part of romance there. She knew that much. How exactly did that work within their one body?
Luckily, Mutsumi seemed to understand what she meant. "It's not a very interesting story. I knew how Mortis felt. Then, the more time I spent with her the more I liked her."
Her mouth spread into Mortis's smile. This one was less of her usual grin and more of a soft, sappy sort. "I have that effect on people."
Sakiko herself was not immune to Mortis's charms. "And when did you start to have feelings for Mutsumi?"
Mortis gave her a puzzled look. "'Start?' I've felt this way since the very beginning."
"Oh," Sakiko said because she didn't know what else to say. After all this time, she still wasn't completely sure how to deal with Mortis. She loved her just as much as Mutsumi, but they didn't have quite the same connection.
"I was born because I couldn't stand the thought of Mutsumi getting hurt." Mortis looked down at her hands somberly. "And then I…"
Sakiko pulled her closer. "It's in the past."
"I know! It's just… I still haven't completely forgiven myself."
"Mutsumi forgives you. I forgive you. For everything."
Mortis sniffled. "Sorry." She gave a wet laugh. "I shouldn't talk about sad stuff on your birthday."
"It's alright." Sakiko shifted so she could hold Mortis a little better. "We were discussing when we first realized we loved each other. Would you like to join?"
Sakiko had originally disliked Mortis for the sole fact that she wasn't Mutsumi. Foolishly, Sakiko had thought Mortis came about as a result of her own action, but that wasn't it at all. Just as Mortis said, she was born from a need to protect Mutsumi. She'd been there all along. Mortis was as much of Sakiko's childhood friend as Mutsumi.
For Mortis, things were a little more rocky.
"Sure! When I first realized I loved you, huh?" Mortis giggled. "Well…"
Sharing a body with someone else really wasn't as hard as it sounded. Mortis and Mutsumi got along well enough. Much better than when Mutsumi first found out about her. The only issue was when Sakiko came into the picture.
Most of Mutsumi's life revolved around Sakiko. In their second year of high school, Mutsumi and Sakiko clumsily entered a relationship. Things were new and scary and neither of them really knew how to go about it, but they loved each other a lot. Honestly, it made Mortis feel a little sick.
"We're going out with Saki-chan again?" Mortis complained.
Mutsumi shot her a look. "It's her birthday."
"I don't get what you see in her."
"Mortis…"
She sighed. "I know, I know. I promised I'd behave."
"You should join us," Mutsumi offered. "You might have fun."
Mortis scoffed. "As if."
Mutsumi turned to her with a small pout. "Please?"
She knew that was Mortis's one weakness. She could never resist Mutsumi when she looked cute.
Mortis pulled her hat off and groaned into it. "Fine…" She yanked her hat down and pointed an accusing finger at Mutsumi. "But you better not kiss her!"
Mutsumi looked mortified.
"I mean it!" Mortis said.
"I won't. We'll just hold hands."
Mortis faked a gag.
"Mortis."
"Okay! Fine! I'll be good."
And she really meant it, too. Mortis glumly watched as Mutsumi and Sakiko walked hand in hand to a cafe. The sidewalks were full of couples out on dates. It was only Mortis who was all alone. What kind of person third wheels from inside someone else's head?
Mortis sighed loudly.
Mutsumi ignored her.
From the metaphorical backseat, Mortis watched as Mutsumi and Sakiko each ordered tea. They split a slice of cake. Mutsumi even held the strawberry up to Sakiko's lips to feed her.
It was all so sickeningly sweet. The longer she watched, though, the more Mortis's anger began to ebb. They were a cute couple. Disregarding all the mistakes she'd made in her life, Sakiko treated Mutsumi so tenderly. Maybe she wasn't so bad.
Not that Mortis liked her! Definitely not. Absolutely no way.
When they were finally finished with their tea and cake, Mutsumi and Sakiko left the cafe. Hand in hand once more, they started back to the Wakaba household.
"Hey!" a voice called.
A large hand grabbed Mutsumi's shoulder. Mortis pulled her back and pushed her way forward.
Only to see that Sakiko had done the same. She had positioned herself in between Mortis and an unfamiliar man.
Had Sakiko always looked so handsome? From Mortis's angle, she had a good view of Sakiko's jaw and cold eyes as she spoke to the stranger. She kept her arm out slightly to keep Mortis back.
Mortis had never been protected before. She wasn't entirely sure what to do. Did this make her the fair maiden and Sakiko the brave knight?
She blinked, and the man was walking away again.
Sakiko turned to her. "Are you alright?" she asked quietly.
Mortis felt a gentle, caring hand on her back. She had never been on the receiving end of Sakiko's affections. Maybe it was the blurred edges between her and Mutsumi, but Mortis found that she didn't mind it as much as she thought she would.
"I'm fine," Mortis said.
Sakiko immediately retracted her hand. "Oh. Hello, Mortis. Mutsumi told me you might be around. I apologize if I overstepped."
"You don't have to treat me like a stranger." The words were out before Mortis could even think about them.
"Pardon?"
Mortis's cheeks flushed. "We're still on a date, right? So it's fine if you want to…" She kicked her shoe into the ground. "I dunno… hold hands or something?"
Sakiko looked briefly surprised before her expression changed to a sweet, kind smile. "Would you like to hold my hand, Mortis?"
She flushed. "I don't want to! It's just that if you want to—"
Mortis cut herself off when she realized the hole she dug for herself was just getting deeper and deeper. The truth was that she did want to hold Sakiko's hand. She knew from Mutsumi that they were smooth and warm. Sakiko's fingers always fit comfortably in between Mutsumi's. And damn it! Maybe Mortis wanted that, too!
"Let's just go! I wanna go home!" Mortis said with a pout.
"Very well."
Warmth enveloped Mortis's hand. Even in the cold temperatures, Sakiko's hands were warm. Even more than that, the smile she gave Mortis was enough to melt any icy breeze.
"I'll walk you home."
There were tears at the corners of Sakiko's eyes as she laughed. When she finally stopped, she was out of breath and her stomach ached.
Mortis pouted. "It's not funny!"
Sakiko cradled her in her arms. "I apologize. I just didn't realize I had such an effect on you."
Mortis made her sound like some suave lead in a romance story. Sakiko remembered that day. It was just that she didn't think she had been flirting. Clearly, Mortis had other opinions.
Mortis crossed her arms. She bumped her head into Sakiko's chin until she kissed her temple. Only then did she make a little "hmph" sound. "I guess for you it was just any other day."
"Every day I spend with you and Mutsumi is special to me."
"See?! That's what I'm talking about. You can't say stuff like that." Mortis fanned herself. "My little heart can't take it."
Sakiko chuckled. "All I can say is the truth. I love you." She kissed Mortis's cheek. "And I love Mutsumi." She kissed her again.
By now, Mortis was as red as the hat she wore on stage. Little by little, her expression changed to Mutsumi's once more.
"We love you, too." Mutsumi blinked. "Oh."
She pulled herself free from Sakiko's arms and reached for the drawer on the nightstand. Mutsumi pulled out a small, gift wrapped box.
"Here. Happy birthday."
"Mutsumi…" Sakiko gingerly took it. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I know."
Sakiko tore the wrapped paper off to unveil a box with the logo of a jeweler on it. She popped it open. Two rings sat side by side. "Aren't we a little young to get married?" she teased.
Nevermind the fact that her grandfather would find a way to stop it.
Mutsumi's cheeks were still warm from Mortis's embarrassment. "They're promise rings." She took the one on the left and slid it onto Sakiko's ring finger. "Let's promise to stay together forever."
Sakiko slid Mutsumi's ring onto her finger for her. She and Mutsumi clasped hands, their rings pressing together. "I promise."
It was the same promise she made back when they were kids. Sakiko couldn't think of anyone else she'd rather spend the rest of her life with. It had always been Mutsumi. Even when things were rough between them. Even when they were apart. It was always her.