Fingers brush away tears as an inconspicuous sniffle sounds; the credits are rolling while the ending score plays.
"Man, that was such a great movie." Her voice slightly cracks, and she clears her throat in embarrassment. "So, what's next?"
She raises her arms, stretching to relieve her muscles from sitting for so long.
"Madoka?"
Silence.
Sayaka sighs and stands to locate the lights.
She wanders aimlessly around the perimeter of the room, hitting every switch until the last one finally does what she had set out to do. Light floods in, giving her a clear view of the two sleeping figures nestled together on the couch.
"Hmm." A hand on her chin as she debates.
A second later, a devious grin. Her feet guide her to the bedroom.
When the loud shutter of her camera phone echoes through the room, she winces, quickly pulling back to check to see if they heard.
Nope, still sound asleep.
She sighs in relief. "Alright... I guess... I could study a bit while I wait for them to wake up."
/
Books discarded next to her with headphones covering her ears, Sayaka browses the internet, still waiting.
"Ugh... it's already been two hours. I want to get ice cream, but I don't have any credits to buy any..."
She sets her headphones down and abandons her temporary perch, slowly making her way back to the couch.
"Hmm, but Madoka is really hard to wake up. How does Homura even manage...?"
"...Persistence."
"Gah!" Sayaka jumps at the voice. When she looks over, she sees lavender eyes peering at her behind those thick glasses. "Geez! If you were already awake why didn't you say anything?"
"...I did. I assume you had your headphones on?"
"Ah..." Sayaka stares at her. "Wait! How long have you been awake?'
Homura shifts, trying to pull away from Madoka; Madoka merely snuggles closer.
She sighs. "...I've been awake long enough to enjoy your soliloquy on checkered shirts, and whether or not you should buy them..."
Sayaka glares at her. "W-What! That was not a soliloquy!"
"...and your jazzy rendition of Canon in D."
Sayaka flushes, face red.
"You should buy those shirts. Your arguments are really convincing," Homura comments, nodding to herself.
"S-Shut up! A-Anyways, if you've been awake for that long, why haven't you moved from your spot? Don't tell me," Sayaka smirks, "you actually enjoy being that close to Madoka?"
Homura doesn't reply. She concentrates, struggling to remove Madoka's hands from around her waist.
Like her previous attempts, Madoka's hold is steadfast and frustratingly stubborn.
"She is surprisingly strong, despite her shorter frame," Homura mutters, hand trying to slip under Madoka's fingers as she tries to pry them off of her.
She succeeds—in having Madoka switch her grip from Homura's waist to her hand.
She blinks, a frown on her lips. She settles for the usual approach: shaking her awake. "Madoka. Wake up, Madoka."
Sayaka laughs. "The infamous 'koala hold' strikes again! Haven't seen that in a while!"
Homura's eyes flicker to her. "'Koala hold?'"
Sayaka nods. "You know! Those little animals that eat those smelly leaves?"
"...I am quite aware of what a koala is..."
Sayaka sticks her tongue out. "Anyways, their babies, they cling to their mothers for months. Hence, 'Koala hold!' All through elementary and middle school, anyone unlucky enough to share a bed with Madoka during our sleepovers always had to pry that baby koala from them in the morning. She kind of broke that habit in high school, but..." Sayaka grins. "Guess some habits just die hard."
Homura sighs. "I see... and, how do I remove this koala...?"
Sayaka smirks. "Persistence."
Homura bites back another sigh. She tries to shake her awake once more. "Madoka... Madoka wake up."
"...You think that's going to work?"
Sayaka's voice is suddenly by her ear; Homura almost jumps when she turns to see Sayaka peering at her from above, head resting on the back of the couch.
Madoka murmurs something under her breath, face content as she shifts lightly.
Homura stares at her, deciding her options.
*Click*
Homura turns.
"Smile!" Sayaka tells her.
The sound of a closing shutter, this time complete with a flash.
Homura winces, trying to blink away the dots dancing every time her eyes close. "...What are you doing...?"
"Just taking some pictures."
Homura's glare is interrupted when another flash blindsides her. "...You do not need the flash when you are so close."
"You know, you looked really comfortable earlier." Sayaka ignores her comment, once again kneeling down to become a floating head resting atop the sofa.
"...I will buy you a checkered shirt if you help remove this koala..."
Sayaka turns her head. "Just one?"
"...Two?"
"Hmm..."
Madoka shifts again.
"...Three?"
Sayaka stares, eyebrows raised. "Getting kinda desperate, aren't you?"
"...I really, really need to use the restroom. And Madoka is leaning on my bladder..."
"Ahh," Sayaka appears thoughtful. "Well, I know a surefire way that will wake her up."
"I am listening..."
Sayaka leans in, eyes gleaming. "Kiss her."
"..." Homura glances down to the sleeping Madoka.
When she remains quiet, Sayaka's eyes widen. "W-Wait, are you really going to...?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Homura mumbles, her free hand moving to Madoka's face. "Kisses only work because they generally block the flow of oxygen. Which means this should work..."
Sayaka watches as Homura covers Madoka's mouth and nose with her hand.
"Boooooring... Hey, if this works, you owe me three shirts."
"One," Homura murmurs. "It's a derivation of your original suggestion, but not a complete mimicry... A triangle for partial credit..."
"Two," Sayaka tells her with a frown, watching as Madoka starts moving, "and I don't send the pictures I took to Madoka's mom."
Homura can feel Madoka trying to suck in more air against her hand; it makes her feel bad, but she's reaching her limit.
"None," Homura replies, "and I continue to keep the secret of what happened to Madoka's favourite sweater the last time you visited."
"..."
Homura glances over to see that Sayaka has her head bowed in defeat, but there's a sudden gasp from Madoka. She quickly pulls her hand away.
Madoka coughs, breathing in deeply.
But she's awake.
Why didn't she think of this before?
"Good morning, Madoka," Homura says instead.
Pink eyes widen. She tilts her head up to see those familiar lavender eyes staring at her. "H-Homura-chan...?"
She's suddenly entirely too aware that she's all but pressed flushed against Homura's body.
"Can you please move, Madoka? I need to use the restroom..."
Madoka gulps nervously, immediately scrambling off her. "S-Sorry!" she squeaks out, tripping over the discarded blankets on the floor.
Homura barely manages to steady her. "Be more careful," she tells her, quickly letting go. "Excuse me," she murmurs, footsteps hurried as she moves to the bathroom.
Madoka rubs at her tired eyes.
Sayaka's face slowly warps into a grin. "You know..."
When Homura steps out of the bathroom, she can hear Madoka's voice carrying down through the hallway. Judging by Sayaka's laughter, and Madoka's shrieks, it doesn't sound like Madoka is happy at all.
Which is confirmed when she enters the living room: Madoka is chasing Sayaka around the couch.
"You jerk! Why would you even suggest that?" Madoka glares at Sayaka, face red, messy pink hair from their impromptu nap adding to her disheveled appearance.
Sayaka grins. "I was just helping things along! You two are you moving soooo slow! And you should've seen her face when I suggested it! She really looked like she wanted to—"
"Homura-chan!" Madoka yells out when she notices Homura walking across the room.
She turns to look at her. "Yes, Madoka?"
"U-Uhm..."
Homura stares, head tilted in slight curiosity.
"Uh... that is..." Madoka glances at Sayaka for help.
Sensing Madoka needed time for whatever, Homura continues to the kitchen, but stops when she notices the mess that Sayaka left on the counter.
"Miki Sayaka."
"Yeah?" Sayaka looks over.
Homura gestures to the stacks of books and notebooks strewn around, next to the opened laptop and headphones.
Sayaka waves her off. "Relax, I'll clean it before I leave."
"...Are you leaving tonight?" Homura asks her.
"Tomorrow."
Homura frowns at her, arms crossed at her chest. "Then clean it now."
Madoka quickly intervenes when she sees Sayaka mimicking Homura's pose. "Sayaka-chan."
Sayaka grits her teeth, sighing angrily. "Fine."
Homura nods in approval, before she steps into the kitchen for a glass of water.
One clean counter later, Homura is sipping at her water as the three of them sit, gathered at the breakfast bar, discussing plans for the rest of the day.
"You two are so boring," Sayaka groans as she places her arms on the counter. "You know, most of the time friends are supposed to take their friends out when they break up with their significant others..."
A light clatter as Homura places her cup down. "You broke up with your boyfriend?"
Sayaka turns at her, surprised at her interest. "Yeah. Well, not yet... but I will be..."
"I see."
When Homura says nothing after that, Sayaka frowns. "...That's it?"
"Hm?" Homura quirks an eyebrow.
"'I see?' That's all I get from you?" Sayaka demands, slapping her open hand down. "Can't you at least pretend you care?"
"S-Sayaka-chan..." Madoka reaches out to try and calm her.
Only because Madoka looks slightly bothered that Homura sighs. "Very well." They both turn to her. "And how do you feel, now that you have decided you're going to break up with him?"
Sayaka blinks. "Eh?"
Homura rests her elbows on the counter, chin placed on folded hands and adopts a thoughtful expression. "No, really. Did you love him?"
"Uhm," Sayaka glances at Madoka in confusion, but she shakes her head, equally confused. "I guess... I mean... I... he... he was my first love," she admits, voice small.
"I see. And what was it that drew you towards him?"
"What?"
"What made you fall in love with him?" Homura clarifies.
It's almost freaking Sayaka out with how Homura is staring at her and actually looking—interested. "Uhhhh... if... if I had to pinpoint a time... it was when I went to his first recital..."
"So music was your common interest?"
Sayaka shakes her head. "No. It... wasn't the music really—just... how he looked playing it... Like... I don't know how to describe it... but... just watching him play the violin..."
"So, the feelings he invoked when he played the violin is what made you fall in love?"
Sayaka nods. "Y-Yeah... I guess... I guess you could say."
Homura hums softly. "Interesting. So, you weren't at all attracted to his looks?"
"W-What?" Sayaka blushes.
"I've seen a few pictures of him, from Madoka," Homura tells her. "His looks...hmm... perhaps a little above average?"
Madoka stares at Homura, surprised at her evaluation of Kyousuke's appearance—she didn't even think Homura remembered him.
Sayaka sputters. "Kyousuke—is definitely more than just a little above average!"
"So, you're saying his looks are just as important as to why you fell in love with him?" Homura asks her.
"U-Uh," Sayaka glares at the counter. "Ugh, why am I even answering this?"
"You told me to pretend to care," Homura points out. "This is me, caring."
"W-What do those questions have anything to do with my break up with Kyousuke?!" Sayaka demands.
"Hm." Homura briefly glances away, before she turns back. "Well, for one thing, I don't know you as well as Madoka. I know next to nothing about your relationship with this 'Kyousuke.' I don't even remember his last name. I can't 'pretend' to understand what you're going through, since I know nothing about his importance to you. Therefore, I am trying to paint a bigger picture of how you breaking up with him will affect your life."
Sayaka blinks. "Oh... uhm..."
Homura wants to roll her eyes. Instead she sits up, hands reaching for her water once more. "But the little I do know of you," she says, fingers wrapping around glass, "I believe you will be okay."
Sayaka looks to her in surprise.
"Life is all about experiences," Homura tells her, "and how we learn from them. As they say, 'What doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger.'"
Homura brings the cup close and takes a sip, entirely aware of how Madoka and Sayaka are staring, most likely thinking certain things. She lowers her drink, eyes boring into Sayaka's.
"You, remind me a lot of my brother. You are both annoying, and prone to bouts of loneliness."
Sayaka frowns at this.
"And," Homura continues with a shake of her head. "Like my brother, you are a simpleton. It may take a while for you to recover, and you may try to hide your real feelings behind those horrible fake smiles of yours... but, eventually, you will get over it; it's against your very annoying nature to just sit and mope for too long."
Sayaka's face hovers between confused and angry. It sounds like Homura is trying to comfort her—while at the same time, insulting her.
"Uhm... Uh... thanks... I guess...?"
"Also," Homura adds in, "I believe you are more or less already over him already, if you take into consideration the comments you made at those male models when you were browsing for clothes."
Sayaka's mouth drops open.
Homura's lips twitch in mild amusement. "Though, since you were browsing for clothes for yourself, perhaps they were female...?"
"Y-You! You were awake!?" Sayaka shoots off her chair, intent on wringing her hands around that skinny neck.
Madoka moves to intercept. "Sayaka-chan!"
/
Temperatures are comfortable outside: neither too hot, nor too cold; the temporary lull and a sign that the summer heat will soon be radiating throughout the city, long even after the sun sets.
It's early evening, their footsteps light as they walk to their intended destination, two eagerly, while one still spouts complaints from her lips.
"...I still don't understand why I am being dragged along...?" Homura comments, voice quiet as she continues to brood.
Her mood had dipped considerably when they had decided their plans, made even worse when Sayaka had started digging through the closet to search for an outfit for her once she had flat out told them of her refusal. Sayaka had approached her, threatening to carry her outside if she didn't concede; a memory of Spring Break flashing through her mind, and she had caved in. At least she was given the dignity of deciding her own clothes this time: a thin, purple jacket over a black dress shirt, grey shorts and black tights. And as always, her favourite pair of black boots.
She keeps her hands tucked into her jacket pockets as she continues to follow, fairly reluctantly, down the busy streets of Tokyo.
"Aren't these things better to do with people you are actually close with?" she mutters.
Walking slightly ahead of them, faded blue hoodie and dark jeans wrinkling in certain parts with each step of her bright sneakers, Sayaka glances behind her to glare at Homura. "Stop complaining already! And we're getting dinner afterwards! So it's easier to just have you come along instead of doubling back to pick you up!"
"There are plenty of leftovers at home," Homura tells her, still unconvinced. "Not to mention, I could just meet you two at the restaurant...?"
Madoka turns to Homura, lips jutting out in a pout. Wearing Homura's slightly oversized grey sweater that partially spills over her khaki shorts, and thigh high white socks ending with her usual pink converses, she is ever the picture of innocence.
"Homura-chan, pleaseee? It's more fun with more people!"
Homura sighs. "Madoka—"
Madoka reaches out and grabs Homura's arm, holding it tightly. "Please, Homura-chan?"
She narrows her eyes, before she looks away. "...baby koala."
Madoka blinks. "E-Eh?"
Sayaka hears and laughs loudly.
Homura turns back to Madoka, who's still staring at her with wide eyes. She suddenly thinks of something.
"...If I go, does this mean you forgive me?" Homura asks. At Madoka's blank look, she clarifies. "Uhm. For not telling you about my transplant?"
Madoka shoots her a glare. "Not even close."
Homura sighs.
"But... it's a step towards it," Madoka informs her.
"...We need to get home before 11pm," Homura replies, voice resigned.
Madoka nods, grinning at her victory. "Of course! We probably won't be out that late... it's still pretty early."
"Good, now that that's settled, let's go!" Sayaka shouts, walking faster.
Homura remains at her leisurely pace with Madoka next to her, still clutching her arm tightly.
They watch as Sayaka weaves through the crowds, sneakers stepping with purpose.
Homura glances to Madoka. "Does she even know where it is?"
Madoka frowns. "I'm...not sure."
/
Bright lights, loud noises and a large crowd.
Places that Homura tends to avoid.
Except, she finds herself being lead inside the large glass building, dragged up the stairs by a persistent Madoka.
"I wonder if it'll be busy," Madoka murmurs, arm still looped around Homura's, even after much reassurance that she will not run away.
"Saturday evening? Most likely," Homura replies. She notices that there are more people walking up with them, than down.
As they continue to ascend, Homura wants to sigh as she hears various beeping sounds increasing in volume.
Sayaka is most likely at the top; the brief glances of blue while making their way here at least confirmed that someone who looks like Sayaka was heading in the right direction.
"Doesn't she realize she needs to wait for you, since she has no credits...?" Homura notes, eyes absently reading the random screens deliberately placed on the sides of each step.
"Mm, she's just excited," Madoka tells her. "We didn't get to go last time she visited. The one here is twice the size as the one in Mitakihara, from what I read of the reviews."
Homura turns to her. "Did you go often? Uhm. When you were home?"
Madoka shakes her head. "No, not really. Most of the time, it was me just watching Sayaka-chan play, so we usually went karaoke or did something else. Oh!" her eyes light up. "But I really liked the UFO catchers there! They always have really cute prizes, and sometimes they get the limited editions first, before anywhere else!"
Homura's lips twitch. "Why am I not surprised that would be your favourite game? Especially when your room at home completely gives that away..."
Madoka sticks out her tongue. "What about you, Homura-chan? Have you ever been to this one?"
Almost to the top, they finally spot Sayaka waiting, sneakers no doubt tapping impatiently for them to arrive.
"No," Homura murmurs. "Game centers are a waste of money."
Madoka frowns. "It's not that much of a waste. It's fun to do stuff like this once in a while! We should come here, just the two of us sometime!"
"I'll pass."
"But—"
Homura sighs. "I'll escort you, since I know you dislike going to places by yourself. But I will mostly be looking."
Madoka grins. "I'm sure you'll find something you'll like!"
As soon as Sayaka sees them, she rushes over. "Come on, Madoka! This place is huge! Let's get some tokens!"
"...Maybe I should transfer some credits over, Sayaka-chan."
/
There's a small line for the token machine, and Homura stands off to the side as Madoka and Sayaka line up.
For a Saturday evening, it's not as crowded as she thought it would be. Then again, she's never really been to a game center.
A glance around and she sees there are different types of people here: couples, groups of friends, lonely gamers. She finds that not every machine is occupied, and there are some that are more popular than others.
One of the far walls is lined completely with racing games, recognized by the steering wheels and large screens that display various race tracks. There's sounds coming from those machines that remind her of Sayaka, and she sighs when she realizes there's still one more day of her visit.
Maybe she'll sleep in the living room tonight.
Loud cheers are heard from further back, prompting her to crane her neck to locate the source. There are flashing lights that match the beat of loud, thumping music, but she can't see much from where she's standing. After a moment, she decides it has to be some type of rhythm game; she doesn't know, but she doesn't exactly care.
Her eyes continue to look around, bypassing nearby machines with disinterest. All she sees is bright colours and flashing lights; it almost makes her head pound—
A hand on her arm.
She glances over, and Madoka is smiling at her.
"Let's go, Homura-chan!" Madoka says. "Sayaka wants to try the racing games first."
"Alright," she agrees.
She lets Madoka lead the way.
\
Somehow, Sayaka convinces all three of them to compete in a race.
Homura glances to the side: Madoka is to her left, Sayaka is to the left of her, and they're racing with 7 other random people in the arcade.
She chooses the silver car. A quick look at Madoka's screen, who, surprisingly picks purple. She doesn't have to look at Sayaka's to know she has chosen blue.
Madoka catches her gaze, and gives her a grin.
Homura wants to comment on something, but there's a sudden loud voice from the machine.
"All racers are ready!"
She turns back to the screen, watching as the perspective changes into first person view as the race track is shown. There's a fake traffic light on the side, glowing red, and the timer starts counting down.
"Homura!" Sayaka shouts at her.
Homura looks over.
"I'm gonna kick your butt!"
Madoka sighs, even with a smile on her lips. "Sayaka-chan gets a bit competitive, Homura-chan. But... I'll try my best and win against you too, Homura-chan!"
"Mm... alright, Madoka," Homura replies, eyes turning back to the screen as the voice yells out 'one.'
"GO!"
All ten racers slam their foot on the gas pedal as the race begins.
/
"Gah! I can't believe you two boxed me in!" Sayaka growls as they now stand to the side of the racing machines.
Homura's lips twitch as Madoka gives Sayaka a sheepish smile.
"I-It wasn't deliberate," Madoka tells her, holding out her hands.
Sayaka points an accusing finger at Homura. "Homura's was! She kept crashing into me!"
"You were in the way."
"I would've won if it wasn't for you!"
"Mmhmm."
"I demand a rematch!"
Homura raises an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah! Let's go, Homura! You too, Madoka!"
"Uhm," Madoka glances at Homura who shrugs. "Alright, Sayaka-chan."
They wait, until the current race ends, hopping into the seats when there's enough empty spots to accommodate all three.
"Gonna kick your butt, Homura!"
Homura chooses the black car this time.
And Madoka chooses purple.
Homura leans in closer. "Madoka."
"Hm?"
"We'll team up in this race too, against airplane girl."
Madoka grins at Homura's nickname for Sayaka.
"Hey! I see you two conspiring against me! Doesn't matter! I'm gonna win!"
"All racers are ready!"
"Just keep driving, I'll be your backup, Madoka," Homura tells her, eyes now concentrated on the screen.
Madoka glances over at Sayaka. "Alright, Homura-chan. But... I'm not very good."
"You're good enough," Homura murmurs, watching as the timer counts down.
Madoka smiles at the screen. "Sorry, Sayaka-chan."
/
"...your sacrifice was very valiant, Madoka," Homura comments as they watch the replay—and Madoka blushes when the playback changes to slow motion just as her purple car rounds the corner, proceeding to slam into three other cars, throwing them out of bounds and granting them a 3 second penalty each.
Sayaka had unfortunately been one of those three.
She would've won too.
"Madoka!" Sayaka growls.
"I-It was an accident!" she protests.
Homura nods, coming to her defense. "She was at max speed, and didn't apply her brakes in time."
"Whatever!" Sayaka throws her hands up. "One more! Rematch!"
\\
Madoka has her face in her hands, trying to will her blush away.
"...The physics in this game are quite realistic," Homura notes, watching the screen. "I wasn't aware that the cars will catch on fire."
"It wasn't deliberate," Madoka mutters.
"Ugh, Madoka! You are banned from this game! Homura, me and you! One on one! We'll settle this once and for all."
Homura glances at Madoka who gives her a sheepish smile.
"I'll go get more tokens," she volunteers.
"Are you sure?" Homura looks at her, before she looks around; the game center is starting to get rather busy.
"The sooner one of you win, the sooner we can play something else," Madoka tells her with a smile.
Homura debates for a moment, and finally nods. It would save time to have Madoka line up as they still needed to wait their turn as well.
"...Alright. This will be the last race, Miki Sayaka."
Sayaka pumps her fist. "Yup! And without Madoka cheating, I'll definitely win!"
Madoka sticks her tongue out. "I'll go get the tokens. Good luck, Homura-chan!"
"Hey, where's my good luck?" Sayaka demands.
"You just called me a cheater! So I hope Homura-chan kicks your butt!" Madoka says to her, already moving away.
"Traitor!" Sayaka shouts at her back. She turns to Homura who is watching the current race. "You're going down, Homura!"
"I wonder how she managed to get the car to flip over...I would like to try that."
/
Taking a different path, Madoka finds another token machine that's closer.
She takes her place in line, smile still on her lips. She's enjoying this evening, and is eager to rejoin them to try another game.
"Hey, cutie, are you by yourself?"
Madoka blinks at the voice, and turns. There's a guy grinning at her. She looks around in confusion.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you, babe." He winks at her. "What's a pretty little thing like you doing all by yourself? Your boyfriend neglecting you?"
"Uhm." His face doesn't look friendly at all, and his slicked back hair makes Madoka unconsciously steps back, "I-I'm not here by myself...and I don't have a boyfriend."
"Yeah?" He leers. "I don't have a girlfriend either. I think you and me could work well together. You here with some friends?" he gestures behind him, to where two other guys wave at her. "I got some friends with me too. Maybe we could all, you know, work well together."
Madoka glances around nervously, noticing the people surrounding them avoiding her eyes. "Uhm. That's alright. We're fine by ourselves. Thanks for the offer though."
She turns away.
"Hey, don't be like that."
He continues to heckle her, and she tries her best to ignore them.
She sends Homura and Sayaka a message, just in case.
The line continues to move slowly and the couple in front eventually lets her cut ahead.
"Thank you," she tells them, obviously relieved.
"Are you by yourself? There's always guys like that trying to pick up girls here... you should be more careful," the female warns her.
Madoka shakes her head. "No, I'm with some friends. I just volunteered to get some tokens while they're playing."
"That's good," she says, giving the guys a frown. "You should hurry and meet up with them."
Madoka nods. "Yes, of course. Thank you again."
She glances at her phone: no reply. Most likely they're still racing.
Finally, it's Madoka's turn.
She quickly scans the credits, fingers pressing the button as soon as the machine beeps.
There's a rattling sound as the coins fall, and she grabs them, stuffing them into her pockets.
She turns to the couple behind her. "Thank you again."
They nod, giving her a smile.
She waves to them, and hurries back to the racing machines.
Halfway there, there's a sudden hand on her arm—her heart thuds faster as she has an idea of who it is.
"Hey, where you going? You're going to introduce us to your friends, right?" That same voice.
She turns.
That same slicked back hair.
She pulls her arm away, giving him frown. "I said I wasn't interested. Can you please leave me alone?"
"Come on, you haven't even given us a chance," he tells her. "Seriously, I'm a great guy. You'd be lucky to have me as your boyfriend."
"I'm not interested," she repeats, turning to leave.
The hand grabs her again, pulling her towards him. "Hey hey hey. Come on. You're starting to annoy me. I'm giving you a chance here."
She struggles to pull away and his fingers tighten around her arm. Her eyes search for help, finding the game center busy but everyone is occupied; not even a staff member in sight.
Just as she's about to scream, a voice interrupts.
"Madoka, there you are."
That familiar voice.
"Homura-chan!"
"Oh, is this one of your friends?" he whistles in appreciation.
"Is this someone you know, Madoka?" Homura asks her, staring at the beefy hand that's gripping Madoka's arm.
She shakes her head. "N-No!"
"I see." Homura turns to him. "Is there a reason you're holding onto her so tightly?"
He grins. "Well, yeah. We're going to grab some drinks together."
"You do realize she is underage?" Homura comments.
He winks at her. "Well, I won't tell if you won't."
"I see." Homura glances around, eyes suddenly narrowing at something, before she looks up to the ceiling.
Madoka stares at her. "Homura-chan...?"
Homura points to the guys standing behind the one that is holding onto Madoka. "Are you his friends?"
The one in sunglasses grins at her. "Yeah, hot stuff. We'll be yours too."
"Can you stand a bit closer?" Homura asks.
"Sure, I'll stand where ever you want me to, babe."
They crowd in around them.
"How's this?"
Homura doesn't reply, merely turning back to the guy who still has his hand on Madoka's arm. "Can you unhand her?"
He glances over to his friends, grin on his face. "Are you going to come with us for drinks?"
"If you're paying."
Madoka's eyes widen. "Homura-chan!"
He lets go. "Yeah, of course we'll pay! It's the least we could do for a couple of hot babes."
Madoka quickly moves over to Homura. "H-Homura-chan! W-What are you doing!"
Before either of them can react, Homura slams the heel of her boot down onto the first guy's foot.
He gasps in pain.
Homura grinds her heel down harder, causing him to whimper.
His friend tries to step in. "H-Hey!"
"I am this close to breaking your friend's foot," Homura warns him. "Either you three leave, while he can still walk. Or, he will be carried out of here on a stretcher as I call the cops to come arrest you for harassment. So tell me, which would you prefer?"
"What!" Hands reach for her.
Homura slaps their hands away and points up. "There's two security cameras to your right, one in the back, one to your left. From any perspective, you three are surrounding two females. And the longer you stand here, the more attention you are drawing to yourself." For emphasis, she presses harder onto his foot and he groans in pain.
"A-Alright already! We'll leave!" he yells.
She steps back and Madoka quickly latches onto her arm.
"Geez, you're freaking crazy! We just wanted to get some drinks!" he shouts, heavily leaning on his uninjured foot.
"Is there a problem here?" another voice cuts in.
They all turn to see a security guard frowning at them.
"Uh, nope, no problems!" the guys deny, turning to Madoka and Homura. "Right, ladies?"
"They were harassing my friend," Homura replies. She points to the guy she stepped on. "He grabbed her arm and was trying to force her to leave with him."
The guard stares at them. "We don't condone that kind of behavior here." He turns to Madoka. "Did you want to press charges?"
She shakes her head. "N-No. T-That's okay..."
"H-Hey, we were just picking up girls! That's not against the law!"
The guard glares. "You call this a simple 'picking up?' This girl is absolutely terrified of you! It doesn't matter if she doesn't want to press charges; you three are coming with me."
"What!"
The guard presses a button on his headset. "Requesting backup. Location: in front of the Taiko Machines."
"You can't do anything to us! You're not even a real police officer!"
"There's a strict no 'pick up' rule here! Didn't you read the signs!"
All three of them try to make a run for it. The security officer manages to tackle one while another one tries to dart through the crowd, but is suddenly sideswiped by a good Samaritan.
And the last one stumbles as soon as he places weight on his injured foot; there's a reason Homura favours boots over regular sneakers.
Two more security officers appear and they swarm over the other two.
Madoka looks around, suddenly aware of the whispers and attention.
The perpetrators are pulled to their feet and dragged to the security office in the back, onlookers murmuring and turning to watch.
"Are you alright, Madoka?" Homura asks her, reaching for her arm as the crowd starts dispersing.
She nods. "I-I'm okay, Homura-chan. Thank you."
Homura's hands are gentle as she pushes Madoka's sleeve up, exposing the skin underneath. They can see marks from where he had gripped her arm.
"Does it hurt?" Homura asks her, brushing her fingers against the light bruising.
Madoka shakes her head. "N-No, not really."
Homura frowns, and lowers Madoka's sleeve back to its original position. "I apologize Madoka."
"H-Huh?"
"I should have gone with you."
Madoka blinks. "W-What? I-It wasn't your fault, Homura-chan! Plus, I volunteered to get the tokens... who knew they would have those kinds of people here..."
Homura shakes her head. "Game centers are notorious for pick ups...or so I've heard. I'm assuming you never really ran into trouble in Mitakihara?"
"N-No, not really..."
"Tokyo is not like Mitakihara," Homura reminds her. "You need to carry a bit more caution here."
Madoka averts her eyes. "I-I know..."
To her surprise, Homura holds out her hand. "Come on, let's go find Miki Sayaka. We split up to find you."
Madoka looks up, searching Homura's face. She can only see kindness in those lavender eyes.
She reaches for Homura's hand. "T-Thank you, Homura-chan..."
She intertwines their fingers, finally noticing how her own hand is shaking, compared to the steady hold of Homura's.
Without saying anything, Homura tightens her grip. She looks back to Madoka. "Let's go, Madoka."
Finally feeling safe, Madoka smiles to herself. "Okay, Homura-chan."
AN: Y/N? Also, as always, thanks for reading/reviews ! I'll one day learn how to write better. Or disappear. Either, or.