NOVEL NEXT SS – Alone Together
Nakagawa Madoka’s Perspective
“Are you two working late again?”
On the other line were my mom and Mari-san. They had their phone on speaker. I could hear the nervousness of people pacing back and forth. Clearly, something was going on.
"Yeah, Yashiro came in with another manuscript, and it's causing people to want to rip their hair out."
Mari-san spoke with a hint of annoyance.
"No worries, you guys. Hana-chan and I will be fine alone.”
I turned to Hana-chan, who seemed to be eagerly waiting for the phone to be passed to her.
“Onee-chan, is mom and mom… not coming home tonight?”
She asked warily. I wasn't sure why she seemed so down about it. Usually, Hana-chan spent her time in her room and didn’t come out unless mom and Mari-san made her.
"Eh… I promised Hana that we'd watch a movie together…."
Mari-san mentioned a tad dejectedly.
“Oh, you did?”
"…Yeah. I bought it for Hana and promised to spend some time with her. We made it a big thing too. Yashiro… had to come in today of all days…."
Both of the Kodas sounded upset. They didn't spend much alone time together, so this must have been a blow to both of them.
“Don’t worry… you two and reschedule. I’ll keep Hana-chan company in your place, Mari-san.”
“Aw, you’d do that for Hana, Madoka?”
Mom teased. I could hear her giggling from the other side of the phone.
"Geez, of course, I will."
I looked at Hana-chan, who seemed to still be a tad upset. She crossed her arms and looked away. That's a pout for sure if I've ever seen one.
“Hana-chan, come to say goodnight to your moms."
I held out my phone. Reluctantly, Hana-chan grabbed it.
“Mom…”
She whispered.
"I had everything set up… I know… but still…."
As I watched her go back and forth with her mom… I could see a little bit of my own spoiled side in her. Hana-chan was always alone when she was little, and because of this family, she was able to experience a life… where she didn't have to be her own friend at home. But there would be times like these that she couldn't get her way…
Even though my little sister should always get her way. She… deserved nothing more than to be happy beyond measure.
"Alright, mom… I'll see you tomorrow."
She hung up the phone, handed it gently to me, and then rushed off upstairs without waiting for me to say anything.
“Hana-chan…”
I worried for her as I walked into the living room. Hana's beanbag in her room was sitting in front of the couch. Apparently, she planned to sit there as her mom watched on the sofa. I imagined Hana-chan explaining all the things that were happening to her mom. I doubt Mari-san would be interested in it… but I had every reason to believe she’d just be happy to spend time with her daughter.
“…It’s not fair.”
I complained as I lifted her beanbag up. It was a cute round bunny that looked like a large ball. However, I could hear the beans squish about as I held them close to me.
“Hana-chan!”
I cried out as I made my way up the steps. When I reached her door, I attempted to open it, but to my surprise, it was locked.
“Hana-chan, open up…."
“I’m not in the mood, Onee-chan…."
My heart dropped as I squeezed her bunny in my hands.
"But someone wants to see you…."
She didn’t reply as I sat in the empty hallway. Anyone could see that my little sister was beyond heartbroken. So, I gathered the most tender voice I could and called out to my wounded little flower.
“Someone really… really wants to see you, Hana-chan.”
After a moment of waiting, the door opened slightly.
"Oh… I forgot it downstairs."
Hana-chan took the beanbag from my hand and held it to her nose. She nuzzled it as she brought it to the center of her room. After a plop of the bean bag on the floor, my little flower began to groan.
“Hana-chan, your mom didn’t mean to cancel on you.”
“…”
She pouted as she looked away.
“Onee-chan… you don’t understand.”
Hana-chan stood up and turned to me.
"I never get time with mom… I… I feel like I'm always last when it comes to things she needs to do."
The corner of her eyes began well up. Any bit of teasing I had saved up instantly washed away as I approached her.
“That’s not true, Hana-chan.”
“But it is… I… I don’t get to spend a lot of time with her. She’s always working or watching things that I don’t like.”
Her voice lowered as hiccups began coming from her tiny lips.
"Is it wrong… that I want to show my mom the things I sometimes like too?"
“Hana-chan…”
I took her in my hands and held her tight. She rubbed those damp cheeks on my chest as she tried not to cry. But she couldn’t hold it in, and eventually, small whimpers came from her. So, I took her to her bed and laid down with her. As I rubbed her hair to calm her down, she nuzzled close to me.
“Hey, let’s have our own little party without our mean moms.”
I suggested. Hana-chan’s cloudy eyes looked at me.
“Like what?”
She complained.
“Why won’t we read the entire volume 2 of A Lonely Howl in the Dark Night? I haven’t started it yet.”
“Oh… I forgot you haven’t!”
She sat up on her bed and reached for her manga shelf. She removed the book and firmly sat on her bed.
"…Do you really want to read it, or are you doing this to make me happy?"
That was a loaded question, and Hana-chan wanted to know my true intentions by it. Honestly, It was a little of both. Instead of responding, I took the book from Hana-chan. Forcefully, I grabbed her with my other arm and leaned her on my breast. After adjusting to get comfortable, I pushed the book in front of us and rested my chin on her shoulder.
“Oh… so this starts out with the hunters!”
I awed at the obvious.
"Y-Yeah, it's a few days after the cliffhanger…."
Her smile returned as she pointed at the illustrations.
"This scene is vital! So, if you're really going to read it, then you have to pay attention."
Like a soldier giving orders to her underling, Hana-chan demanded.
“Alright, I’m going to read aloud. We can enjoy it together.”
I said as I pointed at the manga.
"Oh, why don't I read some parts, and you read some, Onee-chan?!”
The flower literally jumped. I giggled at the fun idea.
“Sure, which part should I play?”
I asked.
“How about I play the hunters, and you play the wolf girl and her friends?!"
Hana-chan said as she put her nose up in the air. She seemed to already have an idea of the voices she wanted to act out.
I thought about the first volume and what would happen if I played the wolf girl, the protagonist of the story.
“Hmm… There’s a hunter that had a big crush on the wolf girl. Are you sure you can play those parts without being embarrassed?”
I teased.
Hana-chan turned to me, eyes full of what I could only assume was excitement.
“I’ve said I loved you more times than not, Onee-chan.”
We searched each other’s eyes briefly. It felt like I was being taken into another world as everything around us melted away.
“I said I loved you a lot too, Hana-chan.”
“Then it wouldn’t make me embarrassed if I… played a character.”
Tightly, she gripped my hand as if assuring me that she’d flawlessly play out the lovey-dovey scenes.
“Fine, the first one to blush loses.”
I teased as we began our reading session. It was fun, and even though we had to trade words through a lot of romantic moments, we actually finished volume 2 rather quickly. Before we knew it, we went well into the night. I don't remember when, but we both fell asleep in each other's arms halfway through volume 3.
....
....
“…I love you, Madoka.”
I woke up to hearing my little sister whisper my name. I missed the first part, but I think I already knew what she said. I touched my cheek, and it was wet and warm. My stomach felt like it was full of flowers, and it made me smile.
“I love you too, Hana.”
I turned closer to her. That sweet scent that reminded me of the first day I met her came to me. Her aroma was as gentle as flowers as I approached her with my lips. Gently, I kissed her forehead. She tasted like honey and it reminded me of how pure she really is. Hana-chan at this moment was for me to adore.
"Goodnight, Hana-chan. I love you so much."
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. I promised in my head that tomorrow I’d make sure Hana-chan and Mari-san got their time together. It wasn’t Mari-san’s fault that she had to stay, but it hurt Hana-chan more than I believe Mari-san realized.
And that’s because Hana-chan wanted to explore a world with her mom. She’s the sweetest person I know, and I want to do everything in my power to keep her happy.
Koda Hana’s Perspective
"Onee-chan?"
I woke up in the middle of the night. I ended up having a dream about a day when Onee-chan cheered me up. We spend the night reading manga together. But tonight, Onee-chan was spending the night at Conway-san's... and something told me...that it's going to be a while before we do something like that again together.
"Onee-chan..."
With tears rolling down my cheek, I bit my lip and curled up in a ball.
Eventually... I fell back to sleep, alone.