Nyx stood in her room, her fingers twitching at her sides.

Behind her, in the dimly lit corner, Mika sat—her gaze unfocused, her lips forming half-spoken names over and over.

“Nagi-chan… Seia-chan… Nagi-chan… Seia-chan…”

The repetition was driving Nyx insane.

She had tried to ignore it.

Tried to drown it out.

But it never stopped.

And now? Now she’d had enough.

She exhaled sharply, walking over to Mika with a slow, deliberate pace.

"Mika."

No response.

Nyx kneeled down, her expression strained.

"Mika, look at me."

The pink-haired girl’s eyes flickered slightly, her fingers twitching as she poked at the air.

Nyx took a deep breath. “I will… be your Nagi-chan. Your Seia-chan.” Her voice was low, almost trembling. “I just need you to stop… just…”

Mika blinked. Her head tilted slightly, her hands slowly reaching toward Nyx—poking at her, pressing against her arms, shoulders, even her face.

Like she was trying to feel something.

Nyx tensed.

I’m not Seia. I don’t have ears. I don’t have a tail. I’m not—

…Wait.

Actually…

She reached behind herself, hesitating for only a second before pulling her tail forward, placing it in Mika’s hands.

Mika's breath hitched.

Her fingers traced along the fur, slow, delicate, like she was holding something precious.

Soft noises escaped her lips. A quiet hum. A half-muffled giggle.

She cherished it.

Nyx just watched, expression unreadable. Unlike Seia, or anyone else she knew with a tail, it didn’t bother her.

There was no flinching. No overreaction.

It was… calming.

The first bit of peace she’d felt in a long time.

“…I’ll be with them for you,” Nyx muttered. “Both of them. At the same time.”

Mika let out a small, high-pitched whine, pressing her face against the tail.

Nyx smiled, but it was empty—hollow, lifeless.

She wasn’t okay.

And nothing was going to change that.

“…Want some tea?” Nyx finally asked, her voice dull.

Mika’s head perked up. “Nixxy-chan…”

Nyx blinked. “Nixxy…?”

Mika smiled, her head tilting. “Playtime with Nixxy-chan…~”

Nyx sighed, standing up. “Great. I have a nickname now.”

---

Downstairs.

Nyx stepped into the living room, only to pause.

Hifumi was on the couch, holding Koharu close. Both of them were asleep, but it looked… uncomfortable.

Nyx sighed, rubbing her temple.

Without a second thought, she walked over, slipping her arms underneath both of them, easily lifting them up.

Hifumi barely stirred. Koharu mumbled something incoherent.

Nyx carried them across the room, setting them down on a larger bed she had stored away. She covered them up, making sure they were comfortable before stepping back.

They needed sleep.

They deserved at least that.

She moved into the kitchen, brewing the tea, the aroma filling the air.

It was warm.

Comforting.

…Empty.

Nyx stared at the liquid, her reflection barely visible in the cup.

She looked like shit.

Her hands curled around the mug.

Then, she went back upstairs.

Mika was waiting.

The moment Nyx walked in, Mika latched onto her, her grip tight, her body pressing close.

“Nixxy-chan… Nixxy-chan… Tea time… playtime… Nixxy-chan…”

Nyx sighed, handing her the tea.

Mika took a sip.

Then immediately went back to clutching onto her, murmuring in that broken, sing-song voice.

Nyx had no choice.

She sat down, letting Mika do as she pleased.

And for the rest of the night—

It wasn’t them playing together.

No.

It was Mika playing with her.

Like she was some kind of doll.